----------------
Chapter Seventeen: Preparation
----------------
The wedding of Éowyn and Aragorn was scheduled for Midsummer's Day. Aragorn had been reluctant, for it should have been the date of his marriage to Arwen. But Éowyn insisted, for Midsummer was "the peak of all Nature's labours".
Aragorn had been busy as king, removing the pockets of evil that remained in the East, especially in Ithilien. But Éowyn too had been busy, with wedding arrangements. Lothíriel, daughter of Prince Imrahil was to be the bridesmaid. Aragorn chose Halbarad as his Best Man, for Halbarad had recovered from his Orc-wound. Éomer was to give Éowyn away.
The Elves of Mirkwood made Éowyn's dress, for those in Lórien and Imladris were not well disposed to the match! It was a long, flowing gown of white silk, with traceries of Mithril in a Rohirric design. The dress trailed out four feet behind. A bouquet of lilies she bore, and a lily was set in her hair with a silver circlet.
Lothíriel's dress was of pale blue silk and studded with white diamonds. She too had a lily in her hair and a (smaller) bouquet.
Aragorn was to wear silver mail, with diamonds and Mithril making an image of the White Tree on his breast. He would be bareheaded, for the Crown of Gondor was considered too imposing for a wedding. Halbarad's attire was similar, save the mail was not so elaborate.
Dwarves were called to build a suitable feasting hall, while Legolas' people made a grove of lilies and pools for a wedding site. Elves also carved benches of rare Lebrethon wood, for the guests.
----------------
Chapter Eighteen: The Rejection of Arwen
----------------
___________________ IN IMLADRIS_______
"He has found another," sighed Arwen.
"How know you this?" demanded Elrond. He was stern, for his foresight had failed him on the love life of his daughter. He foresaw joy and many children for his foster-son, but Arwen's was blank to him. He could see nothing.
"My grandmother," she replied sadly. Of course: Galadriel's mirror.
"Meltha Arwen, beiniell," he soothed, "Estel nostasadron!" (Beloved Arwen, fair daughters, Aragorn has faith." And the twins entered the room.
"Until now," said Elladan. "He is betrothed to a princess of the South."
"Éowyn . . ." whispered Arwen, "is her name."
"Yes," nodded Elrohir.
"Hair like gold, eyes like sapphires, rosy lips, skin like ice," cried Arwen suddenly, "with a will like adamant and a gift for fighting! She is so different!" Arwen's gentle spirit snapped, replaced by an inferno of the heart. "And he has not the spine to tell me for himself! Saddle my horse!"
"Arwen," began Elrond, with reasoning in his voice.
"Nay, Father! If he does not end this personally then I shall assume it will go according to our original plan! My escort should have left tomorrow, and leave it shall. No Rohirric maid will claim him!"
Arwen's speech touched the hearts of all those around her. She was fierce and desperate, and would leave alone if she had to. The escort left, due for arrival on Midsummer's Eve: the night before the wedding.
___________________ IN MINAS TIRITH___
Arwen arrived in splendour, surrounded by Elvish Lords and Ladies. She was still angered, for she was bereft of her grandmother: "'Tis a cruel farce," she had said, "and unfair to both of them. She was foretold for him, meltha, not you. Why guilt him for his destiny?"
Aragorn was utterly shocked. He knew that he had not broken up with Arwen, but neither had he sent for her. They had not spoken in over six months; since the departure of the Fellowship.
Elrond relinquished to Aragorn the Sceptre of the North: the symbol of royalty in Arnor, the other realm under Aragorn's rule. Elrond then took Arwen's hand, and she beamed when he grasped Aragorn's hand also. Aragorn was on the spot, under the eye of every Elf in Minas Tirith. In slow motion, it seemed, Elrond raised his daughter's hand and lowered it into his. Before they met, Aragorn withdrew from Elrond's grip and said, "Nay!"
A silent disbelief arose from the Elves present. This mortal had the audacity to refuse their beloved princess! Arwen's head dropped into her hands in sincere tears.
"I refused to believe it," she whimpered, "but now I see! I must go!" She fled.
Elladan and Elrohir scowled, and ran off after their sister.
__________________________ ARAGORN'S CHAMBER____
"Aragorn?" called Elrond, knocking gently.
"Yes - I had not the chance to speak with you ere today," he began.
"Oh, Estel - there's no need for apologies!" he cried, to prevent an apology. "You cannot help your feelings! But nor can Arwen. A love grew between you two that none can deny - a beautiful love; you plighted your troth many years ago-"
"I was but a child!" he protested.
"- and you have deceived her so near its culmination. What do you want her to do? Cry, and take ship?"
"No," admitted Aragorn. "I would still befriend her, for she is a worthy companion. I strayed from the path of her love long ago, and though it is still in sight, I want only to see it, not join it."
"I understand," nodded Elrond. "You love her still, but your love has changed. Camaraderie, and good times you desire - but you do not want to wed with her."
"My only problem," he clarified, "is that Elven love endures the ages. She would still look on me with tenderness, and it would destroy me from within!"
Elrond looked like he understood perfectly. "Indeed that was her intent today; to shame you before her people, and to give you shame yourself. I allowed it. I am sorry." He sighed. "I am proud, however, that you kept my rule: that you should not bind yourself to any ere you held the kingship of both Arnor and Gondor. I shall attend your wedding, for you have no other close relations, and I see you as a son almost."
Elrond left and Aragorn prepared himself for bed. He slept fitfully, dreaming of Éowyn cradling his Heir, then Arwen poisoning the baby's milk. But he awoke, and it was still but day, for he had lain down at noon.
___________________ IN THE CITADEL___
Aragorn began gently. "I know you hoped for this for a long time," he paused, and she trembled, "but it cannot be. There is another. There has always been another."
She wept. "I knew it. The moment I saw her with you, I knew."
"Arwen, we must part. You know that also."
"I know," she said softly. "I want you to be happy."
"I want the same for you, Arwen!"
"No. My happiness lies with you."
"But mine does not. You must find happiness elsewhere. I do not mean to sound cruel, Arwen," for she started to weep, "but it is true. Surely you have other interests than me!"
"Nay," said Arwen. "I was willing to give up my life for you."
"And that's not healthy. It's called obsession in the mortal tongues."
"I care not," she said, shaking that fair head.
"I do. Go back to Imladris, be with your kin."
"It seems that is my only option. Farewell."
Arwen arose, and left Aragorn's sight. He was grieved, for he knew that he would never see her again.
That evening, Éowyn came in. "Aragorn," she said, "We are to wed tomorrow!" Her groom-to-be smiled.
"I know," he quipped. "Why do you say this?"
"It's just . . . we know so little about each other."
"I know enough," he said, taking Éowyn in his arms, "to realise that we will live long, and prosper. And if we do not, as I dare not think, then you will remain to me Éowyn Nimbeinaith, my fair white spear, fairest of all the ladies of Middle-earth."
Éowyn smiled also, looking up into his face. "And you shall be to me Freafreond - my lover-lord." That exchange of pet names was not forgotten by either of them to the end of their days.
Chapter Seventeen: Preparation
----------------
The wedding of Éowyn and Aragorn was scheduled for Midsummer's Day. Aragorn had been reluctant, for it should have been the date of his marriage to Arwen. But Éowyn insisted, for Midsummer was "the peak of all Nature's labours".
Aragorn had been busy as king, removing the pockets of evil that remained in the East, especially in Ithilien. But Éowyn too had been busy, with wedding arrangements. Lothíriel, daughter of Prince Imrahil was to be the bridesmaid. Aragorn chose Halbarad as his Best Man, for Halbarad had recovered from his Orc-wound. Éomer was to give Éowyn away.
The Elves of Mirkwood made Éowyn's dress, for those in Lórien and Imladris were not well disposed to the match! It was a long, flowing gown of white silk, with traceries of Mithril in a Rohirric design. The dress trailed out four feet behind. A bouquet of lilies she bore, and a lily was set in her hair with a silver circlet.
Lothíriel's dress was of pale blue silk and studded with white diamonds. She too had a lily in her hair and a (smaller) bouquet.
Aragorn was to wear silver mail, with diamonds and Mithril making an image of the White Tree on his breast. He would be bareheaded, for the Crown of Gondor was considered too imposing for a wedding. Halbarad's attire was similar, save the mail was not so elaborate.
Dwarves were called to build a suitable feasting hall, while Legolas' people made a grove of lilies and pools for a wedding site. Elves also carved benches of rare Lebrethon wood, for the guests.
----------------
Chapter Eighteen: The Rejection of Arwen
----------------
___________________ IN IMLADRIS_______
"He has found another," sighed Arwen.
"How know you this?" demanded Elrond. He was stern, for his foresight had failed him on the love life of his daughter. He foresaw joy and many children for his foster-son, but Arwen's was blank to him. He could see nothing.
"My grandmother," she replied sadly. Of course: Galadriel's mirror.
"Meltha Arwen, beiniell," he soothed, "Estel nostasadron!" (Beloved Arwen, fair daughters, Aragorn has faith." And the twins entered the room.
"Until now," said Elladan. "He is betrothed to a princess of the South."
"Éowyn . . ." whispered Arwen, "is her name."
"Yes," nodded Elrohir.
"Hair like gold, eyes like sapphires, rosy lips, skin like ice," cried Arwen suddenly, "with a will like adamant and a gift for fighting! She is so different!" Arwen's gentle spirit snapped, replaced by an inferno of the heart. "And he has not the spine to tell me for himself! Saddle my horse!"
"Arwen," began Elrond, with reasoning in his voice.
"Nay, Father! If he does not end this personally then I shall assume it will go according to our original plan! My escort should have left tomorrow, and leave it shall. No Rohirric maid will claim him!"
Arwen's speech touched the hearts of all those around her. She was fierce and desperate, and would leave alone if she had to. The escort left, due for arrival on Midsummer's Eve: the night before the wedding.
___________________ IN MINAS TIRITH___
Arwen arrived in splendour, surrounded by Elvish Lords and Ladies. She was still angered, for she was bereft of her grandmother: "'Tis a cruel farce," she had said, "and unfair to both of them. She was foretold for him, meltha, not you. Why guilt him for his destiny?"
Aragorn was utterly shocked. He knew that he had not broken up with Arwen, but neither had he sent for her. They had not spoken in over six months; since the departure of the Fellowship.
Elrond relinquished to Aragorn the Sceptre of the North: the symbol of royalty in Arnor, the other realm under Aragorn's rule. Elrond then took Arwen's hand, and she beamed when he grasped Aragorn's hand also. Aragorn was on the spot, under the eye of every Elf in Minas Tirith. In slow motion, it seemed, Elrond raised his daughter's hand and lowered it into his. Before they met, Aragorn withdrew from Elrond's grip and said, "Nay!"
A silent disbelief arose from the Elves present. This mortal had the audacity to refuse their beloved princess! Arwen's head dropped into her hands in sincere tears.
"I refused to believe it," she whimpered, "but now I see! I must go!" She fled.
Elladan and Elrohir scowled, and ran off after their sister.
__________________________ ARAGORN'S CHAMBER____
"Aragorn?" called Elrond, knocking gently.
"Yes - I had not the chance to speak with you ere today," he began.
"Oh, Estel - there's no need for apologies!" he cried, to prevent an apology. "You cannot help your feelings! But nor can Arwen. A love grew between you two that none can deny - a beautiful love; you plighted your troth many years ago-"
"I was but a child!" he protested.
"- and you have deceived her so near its culmination. What do you want her to do? Cry, and take ship?"
"No," admitted Aragorn. "I would still befriend her, for she is a worthy companion. I strayed from the path of her love long ago, and though it is still in sight, I want only to see it, not join it."
"I understand," nodded Elrond. "You love her still, but your love has changed. Camaraderie, and good times you desire - but you do not want to wed with her."
"My only problem," he clarified, "is that Elven love endures the ages. She would still look on me with tenderness, and it would destroy me from within!"
Elrond looked like he understood perfectly. "Indeed that was her intent today; to shame you before her people, and to give you shame yourself. I allowed it. I am sorry." He sighed. "I am proud, however, that you kept my rule: that you should not bind yourself to any ere you held the kingship of both Arnor and Gondor. I shall attend your wedding, for you have no other close relations, and I see you as a son almost."
Elrond left and Aragorn prepared himself for bed. He slept fitfully, dreaming of Éowyn cradling his Heir, then Arwen poisoning the baby's milk. But he awoke, and it was still but day, for he had lain down at noon.
___________________ IN THE CITADEL___
Aragorn began gently. "I know you hoped for this for a long time," he paused, and she trembled, "but it cannot be. There is another. There has always been another."
She wept. "I knew it. The moment I saw her with you, I knew."
"Arwen, we must part. You know that also."
"I know," she said softly. "I want you to be happy."
"I want the same for you, Arwen!"
"No. My happiness lies with you."
"But mine does not. You must find happiness elsewhere. I do not mean to sound cruel, Arwen," for she started to weep, "but it is true. Surely you have other interests than me!"
"Nay," said Arwen. "I was willing to give up my life for you."
"And that's not healthy. It's called obsession in the mortal tongues."
"I care not," she said, shaking that fair head.
"I do. Go back to Imladris, be with your kin."
"It seems that is my only option. Farewell."
Arwen arose, and left Aragorn's sight. He was grieved, for he knew that he would never see her again.
That evening, Éowyn came in. "Aragorn," she said, "We are to wed tomorrow!" Her groom-to-be smiled.
"I know," he quipped. "Why do you say this?"
"It's just . . . we know so little about each other."
"I know enough," he said, taking Éowyn in his arms, "to realise that we will live long, and prosper. And if we do not, as I dare not think, then you will remain to me Éowyn Nimbeinaith, my fair white spear, fairest of all the ladies of Middle-earth."
Éowyn smiled also, looking up into his face. "And you shall be to me Freafreond - my lover-lord." That exchange of pet names was not forgotten by either of them to the end of their days.