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Chapter Twenty-four: The Return of the Kings
(Warning: RotK Spoilers)
Mid-summer 3019; Minas Tirith and Edoras
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Faramir never got his chance to start on that garden. Three days after he took up the stewardship the scouts began bringing in news that a great host was riding up from the Fields of Cormallen. And Elessar arrived in Minas Tirith on the first of May, in the year 3019 of the Third Age.
Faramir took his sister Mellamir by the arm, and they walked down Rath Dínen, the streets of the dead, toward the ancient catacombs. The king's crown still lay on the head of the last king, and they had to get it, though Faramir did not want to go to that part of town. As they passed down the street, Mellamir happened to look to her right and saw the ruin of what had been the House of the Steward, where she had buried her mother and uncle so many years earlier.
"Faramir ... what happened?"
Faramir looked at her, frowning. "I really don't want to talk about it."
"Faramir --"
"He tried to kill me, all right?" he snapped. "There!"
"No, it's not all right," Mellamir replied soothingly. "Oh, Faramir." She put her hand on her brother's shoulder and looked into his eyes, and slowly his façade broke down. He lowered his head on her shoulder and cried into her dress. "Mellamir, you weren't here, you can't understand --"
"But I have a right to know," she said patiently as Faramir lifted up his head. "He was my father, too."
Faramir nodded. "He sent me to Osgiliath, to defend it," Faramir said slowly, then more words followed like the raging water of a broken dam. "He knew it couldn't be defended, that I would more than likely die; yet he sent me anyway. And I didn't die." He looked over at the ruins of the catacomb as he pressed on. "I was injured, mortally everyone thought, in front of the gates of Minas Tirith. They took me to Father, where I lay in a fever -- so they tell me -- for several hours. He was crazy, Mellamir. Thought that Gondor was doomed and was determined to choose how he died. He ordered his men to carry me to the tombs and build a pyre --"
"What?" Mellamir shouted.
"Yes, a pyre. He was going to burn us both alive. But then Gandalf arrived and saved me just in time, but... "
He couldn't finish. He just stood there and stared at the ashes, all that was left of the House of the Steward. His cheeks were dry now, but his eyes burned with a fire hotter than any Mellamir had ever seen. "Oh, Faramir," she said as she stood there in shock. She knew, of course, that Denethor had died in a fire, but she hadn't known that she had almost lost her brother as well. She'd already cried all the tears she could over a father that she had not known for years, but the thought that he almost -- it made her more mad than sad, and she had to do something to take her mind off of it. "Come on, no crying today," she said, smiling weakly. "We've got a king to crown."
They went to the House of the Kings and brought out the crown, and Faramir, with his sister standing proudly at his side, presented it to the king. Then Elessar said those famous words: _Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta_, accepting his kingdom with the same words the ancient Númenoreans spoke to accept theirs.
A week later the elf-princes Elrohir and Elladan escorted Éomer and Éowyn back to Edoras, where they had to clean up the city so that it would be fitting for Théoden's last return. With Éomer gone, Mellamir thought she might finally have the time to think about what she wanted to do now that she had the freedom to do it, especially concerning Éomer's wedding proposal. Elessar, however, had other plans: scouts told him that the elves were on the move again, elves from Lothlórien and Rivendell, coming towards Minas Tirith.
First things first: Faramir had wanted to work on the public garden, and Elessar approved of the idea, but now with his wedding guests coming he had Faramir and Legolas clean up the Pavilion of the White Tree in the Seventh Circle. Gimli worked with the city's artisans, relaying the cobblestone streets and rebuilding the Great Gates. All of this was just temporary: Legolas and Gimli had promised to rebuild the city and improve it, with the help of Elves and Dwarves from their homelands. But that would have to wait until after the wedding, because Arwen was coming, the elf-maiden that Elessar loved and had wished to marry for many years. Her father Elrond had refused to let them marry until Elessar was king of Gondor and Arnor, and now that he was, she was coming to marry him.
One day in late June Elessar and Gandalf set out before dawn up Mindolluin, the mountain behind Minas Tirith. When they finally came back Elessar carried a young sapling. Most of the people in town didn't recognize it; even Faramir couldn't place what it was, though he felt it must be important. But Mellamir knew: the White Tree of Gondor! She had seen pictures of it often enough, and her father had told her all about it, almost since the day she was born. She helped Elessar dig up the old tree and bury it in the Houses of the Dead, then plant the new one. Now that the White Tree bloomed, perhaps Gondor would bloom again, too?
Mellamir did not have much time to sit and think about all this, though. Elessar knew all about her work in Rohan, how she'd organized an army and fed a people when no one else could. He desperately needed someone like her to help organise his wedding. Minas Tirith had been nearly destroyed by Sauron's army, and his Elvish guests wouldn't see her at her prime, but he could at least make sure the wedding itself was perfect. And, typical of men, this meant finding the perfect person to whom to delegate. Mellamir sent the boys and girls out into the fields to find the most beautiful wild flowers, then had the old women of the Seventh Circle arrange them; she hadn't had time to start a flower garden, so this was the best she could do. For the food she sent messages throughout the countryside for anyone with any stores left to open them up. Food was naturally a hobbit's department, so she put Pippin and his friend Beregond (who the hobbit had served with in the Gondorian army) in charge of the food stores, Pippin because food was his natural specialty and Beregond to keep Pippin from eating all the donations. One day that week Mellamir and Legolas went off into the woods outside Minas Tirith and gathered everything Legolas thought might make Elves feel at home. They brought back tree boughs, pine cones, birds' nests, wild flowers, and vines. Then they decorated the most spacious suites with the largest balconies for all of their coming guests. For Elrond's room they found several old oil paintings of the First Age, and for Galadriel's room fragrant candles.
But her greatest work was in the pavilion outside the White Tower, where Elessar had planted the White Tree. She collected the best cherry trees she could find and had the royal carpenters build a gazebo. It had seven sides, one for each of the seven lands that had helped overthrow Sauron: Lothlórien, Mirkwood, Gondor, Rohan, Fangorn, Erebor, and, most importantly, the Shire. The carpenters fashioned wooden flowers along the sides that held candles. The roof was carved of oak with beams connecting the seven corners, and on each beam was a star; the rest was a frosted glass that beneath the moon cast a silver light on the inside of the gazebo. And on the ground at each of the seven corners Mellamir had the carpenters build raised platforms.
So that long-awaited day finally came. There was dancing and feasting, and minstrels sang of all that had happened in recent years, but especially of Arwen and Elessar, and how they had first come to know each other, of Elessar's childhood in Rivendell as Elrond's son, and how the two had first pledged themselves to each others beside the banks of the Nimrodel in far-off Lothlórien. The best of food and drink was constantly available, Pippin having taken his responsibilities as a knight of Gondor very seriously. The hobbits, though not an official attraction of course, were extremely popular, and those people not from Minas Tirith were amazed to see legends walking down the marble streets. Down in the Pelennor below a menagerie had been assembled, with specimens from throughout the world of men. Exotic fish from Umbar, and heavy-furred pack-animals from as far away Rhûn, and of course oliphaunts from Harad and horses of every hue from Rohan. And every hour the different territories brought their tribute to the seventh circle, fine silk from Khand and tanned leather from Dunland, the best of wine from Dorwinion, and cunning metalwork from Nurn. The celebrations extended on into the night, until at last Falagond, the royal speaker, announced that it was time for the wedding of Arwen and Elessar.
The people went into the Seventh Circle and took their seats. Elessar stood under the gazebo, bathed in moonlight, and waited. On the stands at the bases of the seven corners stood Elessar's dearest friends, representing the seven kingdoms: Gimli represented the Lonely Mountain; Mellamir represented Fangorn (being the closest thing to an Ent who was small enough to fit on the step); Éomer, Rohan; Faramir, Gondor; Legolas, Mirkwood; Galadriel, Lothlórien; and Frodo, the Shire.
Finally a bell somewhere in the city chimed midnight. Into the square walked Elrond and his daughter Arwen. Elrond wore a white tunic with golden embroidery, a tunic that had belonged to his house since the First War of the Ring; and the embroidery was Elvish script, telling the family history. He also wore pale green silk britches that fell loosely over his white satin shoes, and a crown of interconnecting knots, one gold and the next mithril, adorned his head.
Arwen wore what Elessar was convinced must be the most beautiful dress he had ever seen. She had two sleeves, a shoulder of rose satin organza and under that a full-length sleeve of pale green silk that tapered out at the wrist. As is the custom in Gondor Elessar had asked Gandalf, acting in lieu of his own father, to offer Arwen a gift on the morning of their wedding: the evenstar pendant that she had given Elessar years earlier. Arwen now wore this gem, as well as a ring of the elenaur flowers adorned her hair, brought by her grandmother Galadriel from Lothlórien, as a crown; her long brown hair fell freely down her back, and the elf wore no other ornamentation. Elrond walked Arwen to the threshold and then they took their places: Arwen inside with Elessar, Elrond beside Gandalf in front of the gazebo.
Gandalf, as Elessar's oldest and best friend and as the victorious leader of the assault against the Black Gate, conducted the ceremony in the Common Tongue; and Elrond repeated what Gandalf said in Quenya, the high Elvish speech. Pippin, knight of the White Tower, stood next to the entrance to the gazebo and held Elessar's sword, for according to Gondorian custom a man must be at peace at least on his wedding night and could not hold any weapons during the ceremony.
A bell rang somewhere in the city, and the Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth approached, followed by a boy not more than twelve carrying on a white satin pillow with two gold bands and a silver crown on it. Imrahil reached down and handed Elessar the crown, which Elessar then placed on Arwen's head over the wreath of elennaur. "Elven-princess you were, but now Queen of Men you become today," he said, to which Arwen replied, "And Queen of Men I am glad to become and to remain."
Then the Prince took the pillow from the boy and held it in front of Elessar and Arwen. Elessar took one ring into his right hand. He tenderly reached down with his left and held Arwen's right hand level as he slipped the ring onto her fair finger. "With this simple circle I bind myself to you, heights and depths making one perfect whole." Arwen then reached down and similarly slid the other ring onto Elessar's waiting hand, saying, "With this ring I bind myself to thee, my lord, in this current sphere and beyond the circles of time."
Merry stood on the other side of the entrance, wearing the ceremonial uniform of a rider of Rohan and the king's collar Éomer had gifted him at Cormallen, and, after Gandalf and Elrond had completed the ceremony, pulled out a small horn and blew a long clear blast. Samwise stood up and walked forward. Then, in a voice clearer than anyone would have imagined was his, he sang:
~*~
_Estel wandered through Elrond's lands,
Before he was called Dunadan,
And there he saw Undomiel,
The fairest maiden yet to dwell.
Forty and nine long years then passed
Before they stood on Amroth's grass.
He left that land to meet his fate,
Became a king both wise and great._
And Sam continued for twenty more verses, until he told the story of Arwen and Elessar in full. And when he finished, those who had not heard the story were crying, and those who had were touched by the tail and of all it told, but also that such a fair voice and tale could come from so ruddy a creature.
~*~
King Elessar's many guests stayed in Minas Tirith together for some time. Finally Frodo went to Elessar and Arwen and said he wanted to see Bilbo again, so Elessar and Arwen decided to travel with their friends as far as Edoras. Éomer and Éowyn went to Rath Dínen and took Théoden's body so that they could carry it back to Rohan for burial with his fathers. Elessar and Arwen came, as did Éowyn and Éomer, Faramir and Mellamir, Legolas and Gimli, Gandalf, Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, and all the Elves of Lothlórien and Rivendell who had come to Arwen's wedding. The trip was without incident, what with so large a party and the world so much safer, but their pace was leisurely, and Mellamir finally had the time to think: what in the world was she going to do now?
She had to make a decision, and soon. She could go back to Minas Tirith with Elessar and Arwen, or she could go to Edoras and stay with Éomer, Éowyn, and Faramir, maybe go with Faramir and Éowyn to Ithilien eventually. She could always go on with Gandalf and the Hobbits to wherever it was they were going, see this Shire at last, but what would she do there? Did she really want to be so far from everything she ever knew? None of these ideas really appealed to her, for some reason, and she decided she wanted to talk to Treebeard. He was wise, and he would know what she should do.
Finally they arrived at Edoras. The travellers set Théoden in the barrow that had long been prepared for him, beside the barrows of his father, and then those present walked up to Meduseld, to the cold stand in the centre of the courtyard. Éomer lit the flame and, as the smoke wafted to the heavens, a great billowing cloud, Éomer said, "Halle Théoden cyning!" The line was repeated by all those around, and then those present left Éomer to the first watch of the flame, his right and his duty.
Several hours afterwards Éowyn gave a feast where the minstrels sang of all the kings of Rohan, all the way back to Éorl, the first king. After everyone drank to Théoden's safe journey, Éomer stood up.
"I bring you glad news," he began. "Today is a sad day because today I bury my uncle and take on his crown. I would, of course, rather have him than a thousand crowns, but as that is not possible, I will do my best to honour his memory. I will be a good king to the best of my ability, and try to protect all that he held dear.
"All that he held dear sits right here in this room. He loved you, people of Rohan and people of Gondor. And though he did not know the other people here, I am sure he wished nothing but the best of fortune for you as well because my uncle loved the light and hated the dark, and you are all here because you felt the same way.
"But there's one of us that I believe he loved more than anyone else, myself included: my sister Éowyn. I do not doubt he loved her like a daughter. She was always here for him, which is more than I may say of myself, as duty often called me elsewhere. And I hope that perhaps I may help make Théoden's memory a joy by bringing happiness to the one he loved so much on this day of sadness.
"People of Rohan, sitting at the right hand of my sister Éowyn is Faramir, steward of Gondor and only surviving son of Denethor, whom Théoden rode to war to aid. Now Éowyn has come to me and asked of me a great favour, which I am happy to grant her: she loves Faramir, and they wish to be married. This will take her away from me to Ithilien, yet such things are natural, the sundering of brother and sister as each becomes husband or wife. And she will always have a seat at the Golden Hall, whenever fortune may allow her to take it.
"Now, if I may, a toast. Halle Faramir! Halle Éowyn!" And the whole room was filled with raised glasses and cries of "Halle!" in unison as the many guests drained their cups. Yet before they could start talking again, a voice rang out from the head table. "I too have a wish for my brother Faramir and my dearest friend Éowyn." Mellamir stood up and walked around to the other side of the table. There she curtsied, took Faramir's left hand, and placed it in Éowyn's right hand. Then, instead of continuing her speech, she began to sing:
_Boromir heard a voice in the West and sought for Rivendell;
Passed under hill and through elven-wood; in Argonath's shadow he fell.
Besieged by orcs and uruks foul, in a fight he could not win,
His last desp'rate blow on his now-cloven horn brought news to nearest kin.
But Denethor had a second son that the fates might now demand,
And as war approached he sent his son to the last defence of Man.
Osgiliath fell to the orcs; Faramir fled back 'cross Pelennor.
The steward's son was struck down at last at Minas Tirith's door.
Now Éowyn left the Golden Hall, led her people to Harrowdale
And waited for news of Helm's Deep's siege as the long Morgul shadow fell.
Then brother and father and Riders brave arrived there from Helm's Deep
And also one halfling, Merry Brandybuck, entrusted to their safe keep.
Merry wished to follow his lord, down to brutal Pelennor,
But Théoden King said he'd be but a weight on the road to far Gondor,
For that very night news came from the south in the form of the fabled red arrow:
Denethor's riders sent out far and wide, now one pair stood in Dunharrow
"Ride now, my allies, to ruinous endings," so Denethor's messenger said,
"Ride quick as can be, else 'ere you come you will find naught but the dead."
So Merry rode out a little ways to see the Riders away,
And Dernhelm declared that courage so stout would not be refused that day.
They rode the miles to ruin and wrath, bought glory with lives of men,
Where terror would reign and kinsmen would die before love proved its might in the end.
"I fear not mortal man," said that monster of old, essence of Sauron's might;
"But no man am I, so leave him or die," she answered the lord of the night.
What halfling began the shield-maiden finished; old sinews gave way to the wind
Yet they breathed the black breath that none could heal, save perhaps a king of men.
And as the many rode forth to the Gate, in a battle doomed to fail,
Éowyn awoke from her Morgul-wounds in that house that to her was a jail.
Our fair lord and lady walked through the gardens 'twixt Houses of Healing,
One whose heart was stolen by love, the other's frozen unfeeling.
They walked and talked long hours each day, till he saw the hurts she would hide;
And one fair day at the hour of dusk, she laid her shield ever aside.
As the spring thaw swept through the world and victory came unhoped for,
And Barad-dûr crumbled and all the hosts fled and the Dark Lord fell in Mordor,
Éowyn and Faramir promised the love they now pledge anew today;
May they have all due them for beauty and honour: a peace that will never fade 'way. _
With that Mellamir returned to her seat, but no one offered any toast beyond that. What could have possibly compared?
~*~
That evening Éomer asked Mellamir again what she planned to do. They were standing at the base of the tower where Éomer had first seen her when she rode out from Fangorn.
"What will you do now, Mellawen? Do you mind that I call you that? I heard your brother using it today, and it's a beautiful name."
"No," she said with a warm smile. "Mellamir was a childish name. I only really needed it growing up back in Minas Tirith. For a long time now I have only used it out of habit."
"Mellawen. So what will you do now?" She looked out across the field, bent down, and picked up some of the loose soil, sifting it through her hand. Off in the distance she saw a stag running across the field and a bird flying through the air. The bird made a strange call, and she could almost hear words in it. Strange words. The bird sang in a low voice a long list of names. Lalaithen. Malamë. Ruastia. And finally a name Mellamir recognized: Fimbrethil.
"The world is changing," she said at last. "I can hear it on the wind, I can see it in the trees, I can fill it in the soil. The old world is passing, and the new world is coming. Éomer, your day has arrived."
"I know," he replied in a soft voice. "Not just my day, though. Our day. Mellawen, will you not become my queen? Marry me, please!"
But slowly Mellawen shook her head, a tear rolling down her cheek. "Your day, Éomer. Not mine. I have tasted the Ent-draught, remember? It affects different people different ways. You saw how tall Merry was compared to Frodo. For Hobbits, so close to the earth already, it makes them spring up. But for Men, who have almost forgotten our roots, it helps us remember. I'm afraid... Éomer, your great task is over, but I think mine might just be beginning. Treebeard needs me. He hurts, and he needs someone to comfort him. Would you have me stay here, while a good friend needs my tender hand?
"But it is more than that; I need him," Mellamir continued, hurrying to get through what she had to say now that she saw the pained look on Éomer's face. "I feel like a young sapling stretching her roots, with nothing but stones to grow into; there is no soil for me here. I need Treebeard as much as he needs me. We need each other.
"That's why, when Gandalf and the others ride to Isengard, I am going with them. To find Treebeard, and go back to Fangorn with him."
"So this is good-bye," Éomer said, a taste of bitterness in his voice. "Good-bye forever?"
"Forever? No, I don't think so. Éomer, I have seen great things. Short hairy-footed hole dwellers who can travel all the way across Middle-earth to the heart of Mordor while the Dark Lord and all his servants are searching for them, and still destroy the one thing he needs above all else. Kings and tree-shepherds springing out of legends just when we need them the most. Old friends who die and come back. Éomer, there is more to life than meets the eye. There is something more than what you and I can see. Something tells me, Éomer, that the best is yet to come. I don't know when I will return, but I feel sure that I will see you again, in this golden hall or in the one that lies beyond."
"Good-bye, Mellawen."
"No good-byes, Éomer. We will see each other again somehow. Life's but a journey, and the same road that leads to Isengard leads right back again."
"Safe journey, then," he said with a smile. And he kissed Mellawen on her cheek and walked off.
The next morning Mellawen set off with Gandalf and his companions for Fangorn, and whatever lay beyond.
~FIN~
Chapter Twenty-four: The Return of the Kings
(Warning: RotK Spoilers)
Mid-summer 3019; Minas Tirith and Edoras
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Faramir never got his chance to start on that garden. Three days after he took up the stewardship the scouts began bringing in news that a great host was riding up from the Fields of Cormallen. And Elessar arrived in Minas Tirith on the first of May, in the year 3019 of the Third Age.
Faramir took his sister Mellamir by the arm, and they walked down Rath Dínen, the streets of the dead, toward the ancient catacombs. The king's crown still lay on the head of the last king, and they had to get it, though Faramir did not want to go to that part of town. As they passed down the street, Mellamir happened to look to her right and saw the ruin of what had been the House of the Steward, where she had buried her mother and uncle so many years earlier.
"Faramir ... what happened?"
Faramir looked at her, frowning. "I really don't want to talk about it."
"Faramir --"
"He tried to kill me, all right?" he snapped. "There!"
"No, it's not all right," Mellamir replied soothingly. "Oh, Faramir." She put her hand on her brother's shoulder and looked into his eyes, and slowly his façade broke down. He lowered his head on her shoulder and cried into her dress. "Mellamir, you weren't here, you can't understand --"
"But I have a right to know," she said patiently as Faramir lifted up his head. "He was my father, too."
Faramir nodded. "He sent me to Osgiliath, to defend it," Faramir said slowly, then more words followed like the raging water of a broken dam. "He knew it couldn't be defended, that I would more than likely die; yet he sent me anyway. And I didn't die." He looked over at the ruins of the catacomb as he pressed on. "I was injured, mortally everyone thought, in front of the gates of Minas Tirith. They took me to Father, where I lay in a fever -- so they tell me -- for several hours. He was crazy, Mellamir. Thought that Gondor was doomed and was determined to choose how he died. He ordered his men to carry me to the tombs and build a pyre --"
"What?" Mellamir shouted.
"Yes, a pyre. He was going to burn us both alive. But then Gandalf arrived and saved me just in time, but... "
He couldn't finish. He just stood there and stared at the ashes, all that was left of the House of the Steward. His cheeks were dry now, but his eyes burned with a fire hotter than any Mellamir had ever seen. "Oh, Faramir," she said as she stood there in shock. She knew, of course, that Denethor had died in a fire, but she hadn't known that she had almost lost her brother as well. She'd already cried all the tears she could over a father that she had not known for years, but the thought that he almost -- it made her more mad than sad, and she had to do something to take her mind off of it. "Come on, no crying today," she said, smiling weakly. "We've got a king to crown."
They went to the House of the Kings and brought out the crown, and Faramir, with his sister standing proudly at his side, presented it to the king. Then Elessar said those famous words: _Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta_, accepting his kingdom with the same words the ancient Númenoreans spoke to accept theirs.
A week later the elf-princes Elrohir and Elladan escorted Éomer and Éowyn back to Edoras, where they had to clean up the city so that it would be fitting for Théoden's last return. With Éomer gone, Mellamir thought she might finally have the time to think about what she wanted to do now that she had the freedom to do it, especially concerning Éomer's wedding proposal. Elessar, however, had other plans: scouts told him that the elves were on the move again, elves from Lothlórien and Rivendell, coming towards Minas Tirith.
First things first: Faramir had wanted to work on the public garden, and Elessar approved of the idea, but now with his wedding guests coming he had Faramir and Legolas clean up the Pavilion of the White Tree in the Seventh Circle. Gimli worked with the city's artisans, relaying the cobblestone streets and rebuilding the Great Gates. All of this was just temporary: Legolas and Gimli had promised to rebuild the city and improve it, with the help of Elves and Dwarves from their homelands. But that would have to wait until after the wedding, because Arwen was coming, the elf-maiden that Elessar loved and had wished to marry for many years. Her father Elrond had refused to let them marry until Elessar was king of Gondor and Arnor, and now that he was, she was coming to marry him.
One day in late June Elessar and Gandalf set out before dawn up Mindolluin, the mountain behind Minas Tirith. When they finally came back Elessar carried a young sapling. Most of the people in town didn't recognize it; even Faramir couldn't place what it was, though he felt it must be important. But Mellamir knew: the White Tree of Gondor! She had seen pictures of it often enough, and her father had told her all about it, almost since the day she was born. She helped Elessar dig up the old tree and bury it in the Houses of the Dead, then plant the new one. Now that the White Tree bloomed, perhaps Gondor would bloom again, too?
Mellamir did not have much time to sit and think about all this, though. Elessar knew all about her work in Rohan, how she'd organized an army and fed a people when no one else could. He desperately needed someone like her to help organise his wedding. Minas Tirith had been nearly destroyed by Sauron's army, and his Elvish guests wouldn't see her at her prime, but he could at least make sure the wedding itself was perfect. And, typical of men, this meant finding the perfect person to whom to delegate. Mellamir sent the boys and girls out into the fields to find the most beautiful wild flowers, then had the old women of the Seventh Circle arrange them; she hadn't had time to start a flower garden, so this was the best she could do. For the food she sent messages throughout the countryside for anyone with any stores left to open them up. Food was naturally a hobbit's department, so she put Pippin and his friend Beregond (who the hobbit had served with in the Gondorian army) in charge of the food stores, Pippin because food was his natural specialty and Beregond to keep Pippin from eating all the donations. One day that week Mellamir and Legolas went off into the woods outside Minas Tirith and gathered everything Legolas thought might make Elves feel at home. They brought back tree boughs, pine cones, birds' nests, wild flowers, and vines. Then they decorated the most spacious suites with the largest balconies for all of their coming guests. For Elrond's room they found several old oil paintings of the First Age, and for Galadriel's room fragrant candles.
But her greatest work was in the pavilion outside the White Tower, where Elessar had planted the White Tree. She collected the best cherry trees she could find and had the royal carpenters build a gazebo. It had seven sides, one for each of the seven lands that had helped overthrow Sauron: Lothlórien, Mirkwood, Gondor, Rohan, Fangorn, Erebor, and, most importantly, the Shire. The carpenters fashioned wooden flowers along the sides that held candles. The roof was carved of oak with beams connecting the seven corners, and on each beam was a star; the rest was a frosted glass that beneath the moon cast a silver light on the inside of the gazebo. And on the ground at each of the seven corners Mellamir had the carpenters build raised platforms.
So that long-awaited day finally came. There was dancing and feasting, and minstrels sang of all that had happened in recent years, but especially of Arwen and Elessar, and how they had first come to know each other, of Elessar's childhood in Rivendell as Elrond's son, and how the two had first pledged themselves to each others beside the banks of the Nimrodel in far-off Lothlórien. The best of food and drink was constantly available, Pippin having taken his responsibilities as a knight of Gondor very seriously. The hobbits, though not an official attraction of course, were extremely popular, and those people not from Minas Tirith were amazed to see legends walking down the marble streets. Down in the Pelennor below a menagerie had been assembled, with specimens from throughout the world of men. Exotic fish from Umbar, and heavy-furred pack-animals from as far away Rhûn, and of course oliphaunts from Harad and horses of every hue from Rohan. And every hour the different territories brought their tribute to the seventh circle, fine silk from Khand and tanned leather from Dunland, the best of wine from Dorwinion, and cunning metalwork from Nurn. The celebrations extended on into the night, until at last Falagond, the royal speaker, announced that it was time for the wedding of Arwen and Elessar.
The people went into the Seventh Circle and took their seats. Elessar stood under the gazebo, bathed in moonlight, and waited. On the stands at the bases of the seven corners stood Elessar's dearest friends, representing the seven kingdoms: Gimli represented the Lonely Mountain; Mellamir represented Fangorn (being the closest thing to an Ent who was small enough to fit on the step); Éomer, Rohan; Faramir, Gondor; Legolas, Mirkwood; Galadriel, Lothlórien; and Frodo, the Shire.
Finally a bell somewhere in the city chimed midnight. Into the square walked Elrond and his daughter Arwen. Elrond wore a white tunic with golden embroidery, a tunic that had belonged to his house since the First War of the Ring; and the embroidery was Elvish script, telling the family history. He also wore pale green silk britches that fell loosely over his white satin shoes, and a crown of interconnecting knots, one gold and the next mithril, adorned his head.
Arwen wore what Elessar was convinced must be the most beautiful dress he had ever seen. She had two sleeves, a shoulder of rose satin organza and under that a full-length sleeve of pale green silk that tapered out at the wrist. As is the custom in Gondor Elessar had asked Gandalf, acting in lieu of his own father, to offer Arwen a gift on the morning of their wedding: the evenstar pendant that she had given Elessar years earlier. Arwen now wore this gem, as well as a ring of the elenaur flowers adorned her hair, brought by her grandmother Galadriel from Lothlórien, as a crown; her long brown hair fell freely down her back, and the elf wore no other ornamentation. Elrond walked Arwen to the threshold and then they took their places: Arwen inside with Elessar, Elrond beside Gandalf in front of the gazebo.
Gandalf, as Elessar's oldest and best friend and as the victorious leader of the assault against the Black Gate, conducted the ceremony in the Common Tongue; and Elrond repeated what Gandalf said in Quenya, the high Elvish speech. Pippin, knight of the White Tower, stood next to the entrance to the gazebo and held Elessar's sword, for according to Gondorian custom a man must be at peace at least on his wedding night and could not hold any weapons during the ceremony.
A bell rang somewhere in the city, and the Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth approached, followed by a boy not more than twelve carrying on a white satin pillow with two gold bands and a silver crown on it. Imrahil reached down and handed Elessar the crown, which Elessar then placed on Arwen's head over the wreath of elennaur. "Elven-princess you were, but now Queen of Men you become today," he said, to which Arwen replied, "And Queen of Men I am glad to become and to remain."
Then the Prince took the pillow from the boy and held it in front of Elessar and Arwen. Elessar took one ring into his right hand. He tenderly reached down with his left and held Arwen's right hand level as he slipped the ring onto her fair finger. "With this simple circle I bind myself to you, heights and depths making one perfect whole." Arwen then reached down and similarly slid the other ring onto Elessar's waiting hand, saying, "With this ring I bind myself to thee, my lord, in this current sphere and beyond the circles of time."
Merry stood on the other side of the entrance, wearing the ceremonial uniform of a rider of Rohan and the king's collar Éomer had gifted him at Cormallen, and, after Gandalf and Elrond had completed the ceremony, pulled out a small horn and blew a long clear blast. Samwise stood up and walked forward. Then, in a voice clearer than anyone would have imagined was his, he sang:
~*~
_Estel wandered through Elrond's lands,
Before he was called Dunadan,
And there he saw Undomiel,
The fairest maiden yet to dwell.
Forty and nine long years then passed
Before they stood on Amroth's grass.
He left that land to meet his fate,
Became a king both wise and great._
And Sam continued for twenty more verses, until he told the story of Arwen and Elessar in full. And when he finished, those who had not heard the story were crying, and those who had were touched by the tail and of all it told, but also that such a fair voice and tale could come from so ruddy a creature.
~*~
King Elessar's many guests stayed in Minas Tirith together for some time. Finally Frodo went to Elessar and Arwen and said he wanted to see Bilbo again, so Elessar and Arwen decided to travel with their friends as far as Edoras. Éomer and Éowyn went to Rath Dínen and took Théoden's body so that they could carry it back to Rohan for burial with his fathers. Elessar and Arwen came, as did Éowyn and Éomer, Faramir and Mellamir, Legolas and Gimli, Gandalf, Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, and all the Elves of Lothlórien and Rivendell who had come to Arwen's wedding. The trip was without incident, what with so large a party and the world so much safer, but their pace was leisurely, and Mellamir finally had the time to think: what in the world was she going to do now?
She had to make a decision, and soon. She could go back to Minas Tirith with Elessar and Arwen, or she could go to Edoras and stay with Éomer, Éowyn, and Faramir, maybe go with Faramir and Éowyn to Ithilien eventually. She could always go on with Gandalf and the Hobbits to wherever it was they were going, see this Shire at last, but what would she do there? Did she really want to be so far from everything she ever knew? None of these ideas really appealed to her, for some reason, and she decided she wanted to talk to Treebeard. He was wise, and he would know what she should do.
Finally they arrived at Edoras. The travellers set Théoden in the barrow that had long been prepared for him, beside the barrows of his father, and then those present walked up to Meduseld, to the cold stand in the centre of the courtyard. Éomer lit the flame and, as the smoke wafted to the heavens, a great billowing cloud, Éomer said, "Halle Théoden cyning!" The line was repeated by all those around, and then those present left Éomer to the first watch of the flame, his right and his duty.
Several hours afterwards Éowyn gave a feast where the minstrels sang of all the kings of Rohan, all the way back to Éorl, the first king. After everyone drank to Théoden's safe journey, Éomer stood up.
"I bring you glad news," he began. "Today is a sad day because today I bury my uncle and take on his crown. I would, of course, rather have him than a thousand crowns, but as that is not possible, I will do my best to honour his memory. I will be a good king to the best of my ability, and try to protect all that he held dear.
"All that he held dear sits right here in this room. He loved you, people of Rohan and people of Gondor. And though he did not know the other people here, I am sure he wished nothing but the best of fortune for you as well because my uncle loved the light and hated the dark, and you are all here because you felt the same way.
"But there's one of us that I believe he loved more than anyone else, myself included: my sister Éowyn. I do not doubt he loved her like a daughter. She was always here for him, which is more than I may say of myself, as duty often called me elsewhere. And I hope that perhaps I may help make Théoden's memory a joy by bringing happiness to the one he loved so much on this day of sadness.
"People of Rohan, sitting at the right hand of my sister Éowyn is Faramir, steward of Gondor and only surviving son of Denethor, whom Théoden rode to war to aid. Now Éowyn has come to me and asked of me a great favour, which I am happy to grant her: she loves Faramir, and they wish to be married. This will take her away from me to Ithilien, yet such things are natural, the sundering of brother and sister as each becomes husband or wife. And she will always have a seat at the Golden Hall, whenever fortune may allow her to take it.
"Now, if I may, a toast. Halle Faramir! Halle Éowyn!" And the whole room was filled with raised glasses and cries of "Halle!" in unison as the many guests drained their cups. Yet before they could start talking again, a voice rang out from the head table. "I too have a wish for my brother Faramir and my dearest friend Éowyn." Mellamir stood up and walked around to the other side of the table. There she curtsied, took Faramir's left hand, and placed it in Éowyn's right hand. Then, instead of continuing her speech, she began to sing:
_Boromir heard a voice in the West and sought for Rivendell;
Passed under hill and through elven-wood; in Argonath's shadow he fell.
Besieged by orcs and uruks foul, in a fight he could not win,
His last desp'rate blow on his now-cloven horn brought news to nearest kin.
But Denethor had a second son that the fates might now demand,
And as war approached he sent his son to the last defence of Man.
Osgiliath fell to the orcs; Faramir fled back 'cross Pelennor.
The steward's son was struck down at last at Minas Tirith's door.
Now Éowyn left the Golden Hall, led her people to Harrowdale
And waited for news of Helm's Deep's siege as the long Morgul shadow fell.
Then brother and father and Riders brave arrived there from Helm's Deep
And also one halfling, Merry Brandybuck, entrusted to their safe keep.
Merry wished to follow his lord, down to brutal Pelennor,
But Théoden King said he'd be but a weight on the road to far Gondor,
For that very night news came from the south in the form of the fabled red arrow:
Denethor's riders sent out far and wide, now one pair stood in Dunharrow
"Ride now, my allies, to ruinous endings," so Denethor's messenger said,
"Ride quick as can be, else 'ere you come you will find naught but the dead."
So Merry rode out a little ways to see the Riders away,
And Dernhelm declared that courage so stout would not be refused that day.
They rode the miles to ruin and wrath, bought glory with lives of men,
Where terror would reign and kinsmen would die before love proved its might in the end.
"I fear not mortal man," said that monster of old, essence of Sauron's might;
"But no man am I, so leave him or die," she answered the lord of the night.
What halfling began the shield-maiden finished; old sinews gave way to the wind
Yet they breathed the black breath that none could heal, save perhaps a king of men.
And as the many rode forth to the Gate, in a battle doomed to fail,
Éowyn awoke from her Morgul-wounds in that house that to her was a jail.
Our fair lord and lady walked through the gardens 'twixt Houses of Healing,
One whose heart was stolen by love, the other's frozen unfeeling.
They walked and talked long hours each day, till he saw the hurts she would hide;
And one fair day at the hour of dusk, she laid her shield ever aside.
As the spring thaw swept through the world and victory came unhoped for,
And Barad-dûr crumbled and all the hosts fled and the Dark Lord fell in Mordor,
Éowyn and Faramir promised the love they now pledge anew today;
May they have all due them for beauty and honour: a peace that will never fade 'way. _
With that Mellamir returned to her seat, but no one offered any toast beyond that. What could have possibly compared?
~*~
That evening Éomer asked Mellamir again what she planned to do. They were standing at the base of the tower where Éomer had first seen her when she rode out from Fangorn.
"What will you do now, Mellawen? Do you mind that I call you that? I heard your brother using it today, and it's a beautiful name."
"No," she said with a warm smile. "Mellamir was a childish name. I only really needed it growing up back in Minas Tirith. For a long time now I have only used it out of habit."
"Mellawen. So what will you do now?" She looked out across the field, bent down, and picked up some of the loose soil, sifting it through her hand. Off in the distance she saw a stag running across the field and a bird flying through the air. The bird made a strange call, and she could almost hear words in it. Strange words. The bird sang in a low voice a long list of names. Lalaithen. Malamë. Ruastia. And finally a name Mellamir recognized: Fimbrethil.
"The world is changing," she said at last. "I can hear it on the wind, I can see it in the trees, I can fill it in the soil. The old world is passing, and the new world is coming. Éomer, your day has arrived."
"I know," he replied in a soft voice. "Not just my day, though. Our day. Mellawen, will you not become my queen? Marry me, please!"
But slowly Mellawen shook her head, a tear rolling down her cheek. "Your day, Éomer. Not mine. I have tasted the Ent-draught, remember? It affects different people different ways. You saw how tall Merry was compared to Frodo. For Hobbits, so close to the earth already, it makes them spring up. But for Men, who have almost forgotten our roots, it helps us remember. I'm afraid... Éomer, your great task is over, but I think mine might just be beginning. Treebeard needs me. He hurts, and he needs someone to comfort him. Would you have me stay here, while a good friend needs my tender hand?
"But it is more than that; I need him," Mellamir continued, hurrying to get through what she had to say now that she saw the pained look on Éomer's face. "I feel like a young sapling stretching her roots, with nothing but stones to grow into; there is no soil for me here. I need Treebeard as much as he needs me. We need each other.
"That's why, when Gandalf and the others ride to Isengard, I am going with them. To find Treebeard, and go back to Fangorn with him."
"So this is good-bye," Éomer said, a taste of bitterness in his voice. "Good-bye forever?"
"Forever? No, I don't think so. Éomer, I have seen great things. Short hairy-footed hole dwellers who can travel all the way across Middle-earth to the heart of Mordor while the Dark Lord and all his servants are searching for them, and still destroy the one thing he needs above all else. Kings and tree-shepherds springing out of legends just when we need them the most. Old friends who die and come back. Éomer, there is more to life than meets the eye. There is something more than what you and I can see. Something tells me, Éomer, that the best is yet to come. I don't know when I will return, but I feel sure that I will see you again, in this golden hall or in the one that lies beyond."
"Good-bye, Mellawen."
"No good-byes, Éomer. We will see each other again somehow. Life's but a journey, and the same road that leads to Isengard leads right back again."
"Safe journey, then," he said with a smile. And he kissed Mellawen on her cheek and walked off.
The next morning Mellawen set off with Gandalf and his companions for Fangorn, and whatever lay beyond.
~FIN~