Chapter Five
The citadel in Minas Tirith was filled with colors and people eager see the new heir of Gondor. King Elessar and his queen sat upon their thrones with their crowns on their heads. Their daughters were all dressed in their finest gowns and were seated in small little chairs next to their parents' thrones. The cradle with their little brother in it was situated next to the platform watched by his nanny and Gimli.
Legolas and Eowyn had been seated near the little prince's cradle. Legolas took note that Eowyn could not stand to look at the baby boy who glowed with health despite his young age. She nevertheless agreed to be the godmother of the boy since her and Faramir had been godparents to Elsa's daughters.
Eowyn had enjoyed being a godmother to the princesses. Arwen was always busy with her duties as queen, and the nannies always so strict that the girls almost thought of Eowyn as their mother. After her sons died, she would spend more time with them.
The new Prince Eldarion only brought painful memories and jealousy in Eowyn's heart. The young prince looked very much like his father, and Eowyn could tell that Arwen paid more attention on the little prince than she does her daughters.
Eowyn smoothed out her dark green dress as she watched the people pass through the cradle. When her sons were born, nobody paid any attention to them. They were heirs to the stewardships of Gondor, nothing more. They were only precious to Eowyn and Faramir. Even when they died, people shook their heads and say that Faramir's family was indeed cursed with no heirs.
Legolas was too busy rehearsing his declaration to Eowyn in his mind to pay much attention on the crowds of people paying their respect to the newborn. He did note that the only time Eowyn showed one hint of a smile was when her brother Eomer came to congratulate the King and Queen. Eomer also came over to where Eowyn and Legolas were seated.
"Hello, my dear sister," Eomer said in a cheerful voice.
"It is good to see you my brother," Eowyn answered in a less cheerful way.
Eomer knew that his sister was in no mood for lively chatter. He turned his attentions to Legolas.
"A fine day for a parade, isn't Legolas?"
"Yes, Eomer," Legolas replied.
"Well it is about time Aragorn has a son. Gondor was in need of a male heir. I have a son Elfwine, and I was telling Aragorn last year that if he does not have an heir, I am happy to put Rohan as part of Gondor with Elfwine as King of a reunited Gondor and Rohan. I am pleased that we have no need for it. Rohan would prefer to be independent though a friend of Gondor."
Eowyn was half listening to her brother's rambling. She always thought that Eomer was a man of a few words unless he was with a bunch of his friends. Eomer was a warrior, but he does enjoy talking about the affairs of state. She could see Legolas getting bored with all this talk. His eyes started to droop and less alert.
"Eomer, it is nice to know that Rohan is going to be independent," Eowyn said hoping it would shut him up.
Eomer got the message, and he said goodbye to his sister and friend.
That evening there was a feast. The daughters of Elessar and Arwen attended, and they were often seen running around the tables. The infant prince was back in the nursery oblivious over the celebrations of his birth.
Eowyn once again sat next to Legolas. She felt that Legolas wanted something from her, and she couldn't put her finger down what it is. She continued to eat and drink the meal and said nothing.
After the many glowing speeches of the prince, Eowyn couldn't take it anymore. She walked out of the dinning hall and into the main hall where she burst into tears.
Eowyn had no idea that Legolas followed her to the hall. His feet were quick and silent. So the touch he gave to Eowyn made her jump. She turned to reveal to Legolas of her tears.
"You were thinking of your sons, are not Melamin?"
"Yes," Eowyn replied.
Legolas embraced her. As he held her, he sang her an old elvish song. Eowyn found herself far away from Gondor to some beautiful and ancient elven kingdom. She could almost imagine the glow of light the kingdom produced, and beautiful architecture that graced those fairylands.
After Legolas sang his tune, he pulled Eowyn at arms length.
"I have to tell you something my dear Eowyn, but not here. Let us go to the gardens."
Legolas led Eowyn to the secluded gardens of the Citadel. He sat her down on a stone bench, and he got down on his knee so his eyes met hers. "For many months, I have this feeling toward you that could no longer be silent."
Eowyn gave no reaction so Legolas went on.
"I love you Eowyn daughter of Eomound with all my soul and heart."
Eowyn's lips tremble as he said those beautiful words. Tears once again were forming in her eyes as she answered.
"I too love you Legolas son of Thranduil."
The citadel in Minas Tirith was filled with colors and people eager see the new heir of Gondor. King Elessar and his queen sat upon their thrones with their crowns on their heads. Their daughters were all dressed in their finest gowns and were seated in small little chairs next to their parents' thrones. The cradle with their little brother in it was situated next to the platform watched by his nanny and Gimli.
Legolas and Eowyn had been seated near the little prince's cradle. Legolas took note that Eowyn could not stand to look at the baby boy who glowed with health despite his young age. She nevertheless agreed to be the godmother of the boy since her and Faramir had been godparents to Elsa's daughters.
Eowyn had enjoyed being a godmother to the princesses. Arwen was always busy with her duties as queen, and the nannies always so strict that the girls almost thought of Eowyn as their mother. After her sons died, she would spend more time with them.
The new Prince Eldarion only brought painful memories and jealousy in Eowyn's heart. The young prince looked very much like his father, and Eowyn could tell that Arwen paid more attention on the little prince than she does her daughters.
Eowyn smoothed out her dark green dress as she watched the people pass through the cradle. When her sons were born, nobody paid any attention to them. They were heirs to the stewardships of Gondor, nothing more. They were only precious to Eowyn and Faramir. Even when they died, people shook their heads and say that Faramir's family was indeed cursed with no heirs.
Legolas was too busy rehearsing his declaration to Eowyn in his mind to pay much attention on the crowds of people paying their respect to the newborn. He did note that the only time Eowyn showed one hint of a smile was when her brother Eomer came to congratulate the King and Queen. Eomer also came over to where Eowyn and Legolas were seated.
"Hello, my dear sister," Eomer said in a cheerful voice.
"It is good to see you my brother," Eowyn answered in a less cheerful way.
Eomer knew that his sister was in no mood for lively chatter. He turned his attentions to Legolas.
"A fine day for a parade, isn't Legolas?"
"Yes, Eomer," Legolas replied.
"Well it is about time Aragorn has a son. Gondor was in need of a male heir. I have a son Elfwine, and I was telling Aragorn last year that if he does not have an heir, I am happy to put Rohan as part of Gondor with Elfwine as King of a reunited Gondor and Rohan. I am pleased that we have no need for it. Rohan would prefer to be independent though a friend of Gondor."
Eowyn was half listening to her brother's rambling. She always thought that Eomer was a man of a few words unless he was with a bunch of his friends. Eomer was a warrior, but he does enjoy talking about the affairs of state. She could see Legolas getting bored with all this talk. His eyes started to droop and less alert.
"Eomer, it is nice to know that Rohan is going to be independent," Eowyn said hoping it would shut him up.
Eomer got the message, and he said goodbye to his sister and friend.
That evening there was a feast. The daughters of Elessar and Arwen attended, and they were often seen running around the tables. The infant prince was back in the nursery oblivious over the celebrations of his birth.
Eowyn once again sat next to Legolas. She felt that Legolas wanted something from her, and she couldn't put her finger down what it is. She continued to eat and drink the meal and said nothing.
After the many glowing speeches of the prince, Eowyn couldn't take it anymore. She walked out of the dinning hall and into the main hall where she burst into tears.
Eowyn had no idea that Legolas followed her to the hall. His feet were quick and silent. So the touch he gave to Eowyn made her jump. She turned to reveal to Legolas of her tears.
"You were thinking of your sons, are not Melamin?"
"Yes," Eowyn replied.
Legolas embraced her. As he held her, he sang her an old elvish song. Eowyn found herself far away from Gondor to some beautiful and ancient elven kingdom. She could almost imagine the glow of light the kingdom produced, and beautiful architecture that graced those fairylands.
After Legolas sang his tune, he pulled Eowyn at arms length.
"I have to tell you something my dear Eowyn, but not here. Let us go to the gardens."
Legolas led Eowyn to the secluded gardens of the Citadel. He sat her down on a stone bench, and he got down on his knee so his eyes met hers. "For many months, I have this feeling toward you that could no longer be silent."
Eowyn gave no reaction so Legolas went on.
"I love you Eowyn daughter of Eomound with all my soul and heart."
Eowyn's lips tremble as he said those beautiful words. Tears once again were forming in her eyes as she answered.
"I too love you Legolas son of Thranduil."