A/N: I may not have changed my Elvish into Sindarin yet, but at least in this chapter all the Elvish is directly from the book. This is the crowning of Aragorn. Yippee! Ok people, enjoy!

Disclaimer: Most of the crowning scene is straight from the book. The characters aren't mine, but you know that. What happens after the crowning is basically my creative mind wandering.



Chapter 28: Aran Elessar

            They did not stay long at the Field of Cormallen, as all were eager to return home to Minas Tirith. Aragorn was slightly anxious about the return. He was unsure as to whether or not the people of Minas Tirith would accept him as their king. Éowyn noticed his distress but chose to leave him in peace.

The following morning, the entire army, led by Aragorn, Gandalf and Éomer, with Éowyn and the hobbits, left the Field of Cormallen and set off on the road to Minas Tirith. The party travelled for two days until they reached Minas Tirith. The people all gathered as they rode through the gates of the city, cheering and applauding them.

Trumpets sounded as Aragorn entered the city, Frodo by his side, followed by Gandalf the White, King Éomer of Rohan, Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth, and the Lady Éowyn of Rohan. Many were curious about the hobbits, as few had ever seen them.

But all fell silent as Faramir came forth from the crowd, accompanied by Húrin of the Keys and four helmsmen, bearing a casket of black bound with silver. In his hand, Faramir carried a white rod. He held it out to Aragorn, kneeling.

"The last Steward of Gondor begs leave to surrender his office," he said.

But Aragorn refused to take it.

"That office is not ended, and it shall be thine and thy heirs' as long as my line shall last," he said to Faramir.  Do now thy office!"

Faramir rose to address the crowd of people before him.

"Men of Gondor, hear now the Steward of the Realm! Behold! One has come to claim the kingship again at last. Here is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, chieftain of the Dúnedain of Arnor, Captain of the Host of the West, bearer of the Star of the North, wielder of the Sword Reforged, victorious in battle, whose hands bring healing, the Elfstone, Elessar of the line of Valandil, Isildur's son, Elendil's son of Númenor. Shall he be king and enter into the City and dwell there?" cried Faramir.

Shouts came, voices united in a cry of 'yea', everyone cheered. Faramir continued.

"Men of Gondor, the loremasters tell us that it was the custom of old that the king should receive the crown from his father ere he died; or if that might not be, that he should go alone and take it from the hands of his father in the tomb where he was laid. But since things must now be done otherwise, using the authority of the Steward, I have today brought hither from Rath Dínen the crown of Eärnur the last king, whose days passed in the time of our longfathers of old."

Faramir went to the casket and opened it, revealing the ancient crown of white, with wings of pearl and silver. It was set with the seven stones of adamant, in the centre of which was a jewel, the light of which shone bright as a flame. Aragorn took the crown in his own hands and, holding it up, he cried:

"Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome marthan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta!" (Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world)

Aragorn handed the crown back to Faramir, asking that Frodo bear the crown to him and Gandalf place it on his head. So Frodo then came froward, taking the crown from Faramir and gave it to Gandalf. Aragorn kneeled as Gandalf placed the White Crown on his head.

"Now come the days of the King, and may they be blessed while the thrones of the Valar endure!" cried Gandalf.

As Aragorn rose, the people around fell silent. Tall and proud as the kings of old he was, with the strength, authority and wisdom of many years in his eyes. He held an air about him, much greater than before. Éowyn watched him closely as he stood before his people. He seemed to her changed from when first she had seen him, and yet still the same as before behind it all.

"Behold the King!" cried Faramir.

Trumpets sounded clear through the city. Aragorn made his way up to the Citadel and his throne in the High Court of Minas Tirith and the Hall of the Kings. There was dancing and celebrations throughout the city. The Silver Tree blossomed and flourished in front of the Halls and all was well in Minas Tirith.

            That night, there was a great feast in the Hall of Kings, in honour of King Elessar. All the captains of the army were present as were King Éomer, Prince Imrahil, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin. Aragorn greeted them each in turn, safe from the war. He looked around the hall for Éowyn, but could not see her. Through the main doors, she entered the hall.

She wore a gown of black, with delicate and intricate designs of gold embroidery on the hem of the dress and the cuffs of her sleeves. Around her waist was a gold belt, encrusted with emeralds. On her head, she wore a gold circlet set with a large emerald in its centre. As he saw her standing there, Aragorn remembered an old riddle sent by the Lady Galadriel:

Elfstone, Elfstone, bearer of my green stone,
In the south under snow a green stone thou shalt see.
Look well, Elfstone! In the shadow of the dark throne
Then the hour is at hand that long hath awaited thee.

Éowyn approached him now, walking slowly and solemnly to where he was standing. She stopped before him and curtsied low, her face to the ground, avoiding his eye.

"Good evening, my liege," she said, quietly.

Aragorn placed one hand under her chin and lifted her face to look at him. He smiled kindly at her, but she did not smile back. Her eyes were dark, her expression cold. Her gaze seemed empty as she stared at him.

"Éowyn," he said. "What must I do to make you smile again?"

"There is nothing you can do now, my liege," she replied.

"I wish to see you happy once more," he said.

"Then do not cast me from your sight," she answered. "I would remain here if I were welcome."

"You know that you are always welcome here in Minas Tirith," he said.

"So it may seem," Éowyn said softly. "But I feel unwanted by you. You do not wish me near you."

"That is not true," retorted Aragorn.

"If it be not true, then why did you not allow me to fight beside you?" she demanded. "Why did you not send for me to join you after the battle, when Éomer did? Why do you push me away when I come close? Why, Aragorn?"

Éowyn could feel the tears building up in her eyes. She shut them tight and looked down. A single tear fell to the floor.

"When you were wounded," he said. "I worried constantly. When I forbade you to come with me to battle, I thought only of your safety. After the battle, I did not know whether you would accept my invitation to come after the way I behaved."

"But always you push me away," said Éowyn. "Do you not care for me?"

"Know that I care deeply for you," said Aragorn. He kissed her brow and went. 

"But do you love me?" whispered Éowyn, as Aragorn walked away.



A/N: Didn't you just love that? Wasn't it so cute? All right, now we're so close to the end.