Chapter 11:
Morié stood under the pavilion that she had been proclaimed in as the Feast of Elbereth began and the ceremony proceeded. Smiling at her still bulky aunt, she held the infant elleth in her arms, both of them dressed in ethereal white and silver. As Elrond stood and called silence, the company stood at attention as Morié was called forth with the baby. Standing near a basin provided by the Galadhrim, Elrond took his daughter and held her aloft as the crowd cheered. Taking a laver, he dipped it in the water and ladled it gently across the baby's forehead as she squirmed. Then, her put his hand on her forehead and blessed her in Quenya, the words wafting over the assembly. Holding her high in his arms towards the heavens, he watched as rays of light penetrated the cloudy skies and shone on the baby elleth.
As he gave the elfling back to Morié, she played her part well and turned to face the crowd as the heralds proclaimed, "From this day forth, may the Princess grow in strength and beauty, guided by her maker. She will be known as Arwen Undomiel, the Evenstar of her people and the hope of Lúthien Tinuviel. Long may she prosper and live in the Lands of Arda."
With that, the peoples bowed as one before the baby Arwen. Smiling quietly, Morié stroked the black hair of her cousin, whispering a benediction over her life. With that signal, the dignitaries of the Lands represented filed onto the pavilion as Morié seated herself on the middle throne with Arwen in her lap. The first being to present the assigned gift was from Lorien, the baby's grandfather Celeborn. In his hands was a pillow upon which lay a beautiful rattle made of glass and mithril. Bowing before the ladies, he placed it gently down before disappearing. Next, was the envoy from Gondor with a beautiful book of maps for the baby when she became older. Next was the envoy from Rohan with a dolls house for Arwen, shaped like the royal residence with replicas of horses and people inside. A pigeon had sent the gift from Fangorn, a small basket of seedlings for the baby.
Next was Saruman himself from the White Council, bearing a small pendant with Istari runes emblazoned on it and a smaller version of his white Istari robes for her to play dress ups in. Then came the combined presents of Numenor and Arnor, a sceptre and circlet to show their allegiance towards Imladris. After these came more gifts, including a miniature hobbit hole from the Shire. Finally, the elves of Greenwood stepped up to the pavilion, the young Legolas presenting the gift on behalf of his father. It was a simple bracelet, made to fit her tiny hand but encrusted with diamonds of fine make. Holding it aloft, Morié slipped it onto the baby's arm as the crowd cheered and Legolas smiled at the baby.
Bowing gracefully to each dignitary, Morié rose and signalled the Feast of Elbereth to begin. Then, she walked carefully up the path with her tiny cousin and led the way into the Hall of Feasting. Seating Arwen in the highest place, she signalled the banquet to start as Elves began to bring in the delicacies and smiled covertly at Legolas, who was seated in a place of honour between the handsome envoy of Gondor and the envoy of Rohan. Then, she concentrated on feeding Arwen as all the men gazed on her for the whole feast, revelling in her beauty and grace...