8-1-03

I have an apology to make.  I promised that I would include some of the relationship between Faramir and Éowyn, but in the end I decided that I couldn't write well enough to do that, so I chose to leave it out.  Sorry!  I hope you don't mind!

14. The Elessar and Undómiel

After Aragorn was crowned King, life in Gondor quickly settled down. Spending much of her time in the Houses of Healing, Eleriel was rarely able to spend much time with Legolas, and having kept the renewal of their bond a secret, Eleriel and Legolas could do no more than spend a few stolen moments together. Legolas himself spent quite a bit of time exploring Ithilien and helping with the rebuilding of the towns and cities of Gondor that had been destroyed in the war.

Eleriel was also rarely able to see Aragorn. His new duties as King kept him busy for most of the day, and Eleriel did not wish to bother him. It did not escape her that every day at sunset Aragorn would stand in one of the high towers of the palace and search the horizon for parties travelling from the North, and one evening when Legolas was gone in Ithilien, Eleriel decided it was time to talk to Aragorn.

Out of courtesy, Aragorn ate at the large table in the Dining Hall of the palace every few days, although he preferred to eat alone or with a few friends. However, Eleriel knew that today was one of those days when he would be dining with the nobles and aristocrats of Gondor. As a guest of the King of Gondor staying in the palace, she also knew that she was welcome to attend, though she had never done so before.

Just before dinner, Eleriel cornered Aragorn on his way down to the Dining Hall. "I'm certainly not Arwen, but may I accompany you to dinner tonight, Your Highness?" she said sweetly.

He laughed. "It would be my pleasure," he said gravely. He looked at her from the corner of his eye as they walked. "I suppose that this means you want something," he said after a moment. "You would never come to a dinner like this otherwise."

Eleriel smiled innocently. "Why, of course I would!" She paused. "But I was hoping for a few moments of your precious time tonight. It has been too long since I was able to just talk with you. You might be the powerful, revered King of Gondor, but I'm still your sister... or sister-in-law, if you prefer."

Aragorn grinned. "That sounds wonderful, Eleriel. We can talk in the study after dinner." Lowering his voice, he confided, "but if I were you I would watch what you say at dinner tonight. These men are trustworthy but they do like to talk!" Eleriel smiled and they entered the Dining Hall.

Later that evening Eleriel and Aragorn seated themselves beside the fireside in his study. Aragorn gave Eleriel a glass of wine and they settled back in their comfortable chairs.

"Now. What was it you wished to discuss?" Aragorn asked. "If I know you, you probably have a whole conversation planned out already."

"Arwen," Eleriel said bluntly. Aragorn opened his mouth to say something, but Eleriel cut him off.

"I just wanted to talk about her, that's all," she said reassuringly. "I wouldn't dream of trying to change your mind or hers."

"Thank you," Aragorn said gratefully. "I've had enough of people trying to do that."

"I suspected as much. I wanted to tell you how happy I am for both of you. But I also wanted to ask you this: have you brought the subject up to Arwen? She might not be fully prepared for the life of a Queen. She has all the grace and common sense necessary, but I don't know if she's ready to rule. She has a tendency to be too forgiving and merciful at times."

Aragorn blinked. "I hadn't thought of that," he said slowly. "I will be sure to ease her into it slowly."

"Good," Eleriel said, and the talk moved to other things.

"What of you and Legolas?" Aragorn asked eventually, just before Eleriel was about to leave.

Eleriel smiled mysteriously. "You'll have to wait. We agreed we'd tell all of you together when the time is right, but first we must have a talk with our parents."

"That's fair I suppose," Aragorn said before grinning at her. "This is when I'm supposed to say 'I told you so.' And I did tell you that you still loved him, didn't I?"

Eleriel laughed. "Alright. You were right and I was wrong." Aragorn smiled wolfishly and Eleriel added hastily, "but you're never going to hear me say that again!" before kissing him on the cheek and going to bed.

On the evening before Mid-Year's Day, the hosts from Rivendell and Lothlórien arrived.

Aragorn rode out with a small escort to meet them. Legolas and Eleriel came as well. As dictated by courtesy, Aragorn greeted the arriving parties formally, starting with Celeborn, Galadriel and Elrond. Eleriel exchanged amused glances with her brothers when Aragorn bent to kiss Arwen's hand when he clearly wanted to throw his arms around her waist and swing her in the air.

As they rode back to the palace, Aragorn spoke quietly with Arwen and out of courtesy the rest of the group rode a little way behind them. Elladan and Elrohir, who had gone North several days before to meet the host, rode and spoke with their father, but Eleriel and Legolas remained silent. Together they had decided to wait until after Aragorn and Arwen's wedding to speak to their friends and family.

Arwen and Aragorn spent a few moments together, but that evening was time for her and her family. Gathering in the chambers that Arwen had been given for the night, Galadriel, Celeborn, Elrond and his children spent a last moment together before they would be sundered forever.

Carefully avoiding the subject of the approaching wedding, the family talked cheerfully together, reminiscing about the past. They remembered the times that they had had together as a family, knowing that soon Galadriel and Elrond would be passing over the sea, and that Arwen's wedding vows would seal her forever to the fate of Men.

The happiness could not last forever. As the evening continued the talk turned to Celebrían. Everyone became sad as they remembered the beautiful elf who had been a mother, wife and daughter. Galadriel and Elrond brightened a little, because they knew they would be seeing her soon, but the spirits of Arwen in particular plummeted, because she knew she would never see her mother again, a fact that neither she nor Celebrían had known when they had said their farewells all those years ago. Eventually a teary and tired group dispersed from Arwen's room, because she needed to rest, for tomorrow was the day of her wedding.

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The Elessar and Undómiel recited their wedding vows in a shaded grove of trees just outside of the palace. The wedding followed the traditions of the people of Gondor, and was different in many ways from the traditional elven wedding. However, all thought that the ceremony was beautiful, and at the end there were few dry eyes.

After the ceremony was long done, Eleriel could not bring herself to move from the grove. The guests dispersed, following the bride and groom to the palace where the reception was to be held. But Eleriel and her brothers lingered in the shady clearing. They did not speak, but each knew what the others were thinking.

Arwen's fate was sealed; there was no turning back for her now.

The wedding festivities continued for seven days. Eleriel saw very little of her younger sister during the week; Arwen was kept very busy with her responsibilities to her people.

Her people. The words echoed in her mind. The people of Gondor.

"Don't frown so, Eleriel," Legolas chided her gently. "This should be a time of happiness."

Eleriel laughed a little. "I know. I know."

"But I understand your sadness," Legolas said quietly, coming to sit beside her at the table in the Dining Hall. It was the last day of the celebration, and Aragorn was holding a small feast for family, close friends and high-ranking nobility of Gondor and other nations. The Hall was empty but for Eleriel and Legolas, who had arrived early.

Eleriel smiled at him. "When should we tell them?" she asked suddenly.

He glanced at her. "Tonight, perhaps."

"Tonight? Isn't that a little soon?"

"Eleriel," Legolas said. "We have to tell them eventually. And better sooner than later, yes?"

"I suppose," she agreed reluctantly, but their conversation was cut short by the arrival of a group of chatting hobbits.

Merry and Pippin (who was released from his duties as a knight of Gondor for this one night of celebration) bounced up to the table and took their seats. They were quite obviously greatly anticipating the feast. Sam came behind them, more slowly, and Frodo followed his friends. He walked as if he needed rest, as if he hadn't spent the last weeks recuperating from his ordeals.

Eleriel smiled at him, and he smiled back. Frodo took his seat and soon others began filing into the room. Finally all the guests had arrived, and Aragorn stood at the head of the table to welcome his friends.

When Aragorn had finished speaking, and all the cheering and clapping had died down, the feast began. It was a little fancy for Eleriel's tastes, but she enjoyed it nonetheless. As the feast was drawing to a close, Eleriel saw her father stand. She breathed in sharply, a little worried about what he might say.

When the people at the table had quieted, Lord Elrond spoke.

"We are gathered here to celebrate the marriage of two extraordinary people... King Aragorn Elessar, son of Arathorn, and Arwen Undómiel, the Evenstar." Elrond paused before continuing, and what he said next surprised even Eleriel. "As I am sure many of you know, I fought against this marriage for a long time. But of late, I have come to my senses. Nothing will keep these two apart; nothing is meant to keep these two apart. We are all given choices in life, and Arwen's choice was Aragorn." Elrond stopped again, breathing deeply to control his emotions. "I realize now that there was really no other choice for Arwen to make. In her heart and mind there was one option, and I finally know now that she has chosen wisely." Elrond smiled. His smile was genuine, if a little sad. "And I wish Aragorn and Arwen long and happy lives together." His voice slipped a tripped a little on the word "long," but Elrond turned to Aragorn. "She is your wife now; take care of her, better care than I have." And as abruptly as he had started, Elrond stopped talking and sat down in his chair.

Eleriel kept her face as neutral as she could, but she was struggling. Tears welled up in her eyes. She understood her father's words; in a way, he blamed himself for Arwen's now-inevitable death. He probably wished he had been a "better" father, thinking that perhaps then she would have chosen to follow her people to immortal life over the Sea.

Glancing at Elladan and Elrohir, she saw that they understood as well. Perhaps the three of them understood better than even Arwen herself. Arwen sat beside her husband at the head of the table, shining with happiness, not understanding or perhaps not willing to understand the implications of Elrond's words.

Finally the tears came so hard that Eleriel could not stop them. Arwen would die, would disappear from the world entirely. They would be separated, just as Elrond and Elros had been separated. The tears slid silently down her face, slowly but surely. Another glance at the twin sons of Elrond showed her that they, too, were crying silently. In one motion, the three siblings wiped their faces with their napkins, hoping that no one had noticed. However, Aragorn had noticed and stood to address the people gathered before him.

"It has been a long day, and I believe that I shall retire now," he announced. "I thank you all for coming!"

As the others dispersed, Eleriel moved to embrace her brothers and father. They hugged her back and she smiled at them as the four of them pulled apart. Turning to look at Legolas, she smiled at him and nodded. By this time few remained in the Hall. Eleriel's grandparents, father, and siblings remained. Aragorn still lingered, despite his claim that he was tired. Gimli remained as well, sensing that it was not yet time for him to retire to his own rooms for the night.

Glancing at Legolas again, Eleriel saw him smile and nod his head a little. Turning to the others, Eleriel took a deep breath.

"I have something to tell you all."

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