Chapter 20 – The Wedding Feast

The first splendour of the royal wedding was finally over. Aragorn and Arwen had retired to the King's chambers and the last of the guests had sought their beds. There were only two people left in the Great Hall. Elrond sat with Arlannis as they shared a quiet moment together. It was the first time in years they had been alone. When Arlannis allowed her memory to drift she was surprised to discover that the last time had been when her father healed her in Lorien of her self-inflicted wounds

The memory still had the power to cause her discomfort and she shifted in her seat. The day's light had faded and a starry night ruled. Elrond broke the silence, 'How do you fare, daughter?' There was an odd note in his voice that she could not place.

'I am well, father,' she answered dutifully, 'it was a good day, one Aragorn and Arwen have long awaited.'

A cloud passed over Elrond's features and Arlannis cursed her words. She had not meant to bring him pain. Though the joining of Arwen and Aragorn was joyous, Elrond's happiness was poisoned with sorrow for the permanent sundering that lay ahead.

Tentatively, she reached for her father's hand and was surprised when he gripped it tightly.

'Arlannis,' he said, 'I am forced to part forever with Arwen,' tears stood unshed in his eyes as he looked at her entreatingly, 'do not force me to part with you too, my child. I could not bear it.'

Arlannis shrank from stark pain on his face. 'I do not know how to answer you, father,' she managed, 'I made my choice many years ago when I brought shame upon myself and the house of Elrond.'

'Any shame has been long expunged by your valour, Arlannis,' answered Elrond, 'your name is sung with honour throughout the lands. There is still time for you to relent and take what is yours by right of birth. Be my daughter again.'

Arlannis turned from him then, shaking her head. 'I have shunned my birthright, father, for many long years as I have shunned all Elvendom. I have lived and fought with my brother as one of the Dunedain,' her tone grew more heated, 'even if I did change my mind, there are no elves on Middle Earth that would accept me now. Even before my shame, I was not accepted! Not in Imladris and not in Lorien! There is no return to the elf maid I was.'

'You do not need to be the innocent child you were, you must leave her behind and acknowledge the woman you are now,' said Elrond sternly, 'and as for acceptance…do not be so sure that it will be withheld,' he paused and Arlannis looked at him puzzled.

'Make yourself plainer, father,' she said at last.

'I have received a message from King Thranduil of Mirkwood. He informed me that his son, Legolas, intends to wed you. And he is most pleased with the match.'

Arlannis felt her heart skip a beat. 'Legolas?' she asked, stunned.

Elrond frowned, 'He has not spoken of this to you?'

'He has not,' she said, shaking her head.

Arlannis looked so shaken that Elrond was concerned. If Legolas had not yet spoken, he should not have revealed the message from Thranduil.

'Arlannis,' he said, 'I ask you to renounce your mortal life and sail with me to the Blessed Isle when I depart. I would have you with me, daughter.'

Tears fell from her eyes and Arlannis bowed her head.

'Do not weep, child,' Elrond said gently, 'you have shed enough tears to last a lifetime. Your mis-deed in Lorien was the result of despair. I should have come to you sooner and healed your blighted heart. But I did not. And that wounds me. I thought time would heal you, but it only deepened your loneliness. If I had found comfort for you, then perhaps you would not have chosen the life you did.'

Arlannis shook her head, 'You cannot know that, father,' she said, sadly, 'no one, not even the wisest of elves, can say what might have been.'

Elrond looked upon his daughter with compassion and Arlannis suddenly found herself enveloped in his strong embrace.

'I would not lose you as I am to lose Arwen,' he said, 'I tell you this Arlannis, it will destroy me utterly to be bereft of both my daughters.'

The despair in his voice cut through to her heart and Arlannis returned her father's embrace with equal strength.

It was late that night before Arlannis sought her bed. She and her father had spoken long together, in truth they had never talked more. His wisdom was a soothing balm to her tired spirit. In all her long years away from Imladris, she had forgotten how easily Elrond's presence could heal those around him. Sleep came quickly and for once she did not dream of Haldir.

The hall was thronged with wedding guests eager for the second day of feasting to commence. The newly wed couple had yet to make an appearance and the hobbits were growing impatient. Breakfast had been hours ago and elevenses had been altogether missed. And now luncheon looked likely to be delayed. Pippin had fired up his pipe and was now dodging Gimli who had run out of pipeweed and seeking a fresh supply.

Arlannis moved awkwardly to her seat at the table. In honour of the wedding, she had forsaken her Ranger and Rohan garb in favour of something more befitting the occasion. A dress such as she not worn since her days in Imladris and Lorien now hung on her tall frame. It was in an unobtrusive shade of rose and matched by a veil in a lighter shade. Nothing could be done about her unfashionably short curls, hence the flowing veil and circlet of silver. In one concession to her Ranger status, the sleeves of her gown were slashed to the elbow and the scars on her arms were clearly visible to any who cared to look. The days of hiding and shame were finally over.

Arlannis took a seat next to her father and waited patiently for her brother and sister to arrive.

The chair next to hers scraped back slowly and Arlannis looked to see who was to be her neighbour for the meal. Legolas' blue eyes stared into hers and time slowed to a stop for a brief moment.

'Lady Arlannis,' started Legolas, 'may I have the seat next to yours?'

Arlannis hesitated, her father's words from the previous night ringing in her ears, Legolas frowned and started to back away from the seat. Arlannis rose slightly and placed a hand on his arm.

'Legolas,' she said, 'may we speak for a while? Outside?'

He nodded wordlessly and Arlannis stood up trying not to notice the smile on her father's face.

Once outside Arlannis led the way to the outermost tip of her brother's city. From their vantage point, the Pellenor fields were spread before them in all their wide splendour. The marks of the recent battle were still fresh however, and neither Arlannis nor Legolas could restrain a shudder as their eye passed over the spot where Eowyn had struck down the Witch King and Theoden had met his end.

'What would you speak of, my Lady?' asked Legolas.

Arlannis took her courage in her hands and spoke bluntly.

'My father has told me that you wish us to wed, Legolas,' she said baldly. 'We spoke long into the night and many things were discussed, that was one of them.'

Legolas raised his head with quiet pride and answered, 'Lord Elrond spoke truly, Arlannis, I wish you to be my wife.'

'Why?' she asked, 'I must know, Legolas. For many years I have forsaken any hope of love, I thought all that had died when I was banished from Lorien, all elvendom know my sorry history there. Why would you, a Prince of your realm, want to join your fate to a half-elven woman with an old disgrace to her name?'

'Because that is not the woman I have come to know, Arlannis,' Legolas said intently, 'the one I wish to wed is the one who fought by my side in Moria, the one who defended Merry and Pippin against the Uruk Hai, the one who stood beside her brother at Helm's Deep and took the field against the Dark Lord on the plains of the Pelennor. I told you in Lorien; what is in your past is past. Your heart is true and I would have it for my own.'

His hand came to rest on her face and he gave her a look of soft entreaty, 'You are the noblest creature I have ever known. Though your father's people abandoned you, it did not taint your heart. You joined your mother's people and fought to keep Gondor, Rohan and all free folk of Middle Earth safe for twenty years. You would have given your life for Frodo or any one of us a hundred times over. Does it seem so strange I should love you?'

He held her then and kissed her firmly. Arlannis stood stock still, the warmth of his arms and lips pervaded her being and she kissed him in return. It was as though the life of the Eldar flowed from him warming her to the core and bringing renewed vigour to her heart removing the last traces of doubt.

When at last the kiss ended Legolas smiled at her and whispered, 'My heart is yours, my Lady, forever unto the breaking of the world.'

'But when that time comes, you and I will be separated for eternity just as Arwen and Aragorn,' Arlannis blurted, 'this is not a grief I would wish on either of us.'

'I would choose a short time with you than all eternity on the Blessed Isle with my kin,' he answered bluntly, 'but I have hope that Arwen has not. You are not fully mortal as your brother is, Arlannis, there are still ships in the Grey Havens that would take you home…'

Arlannis looked doubtfully at him. 'My choice was made long ago, Legolas, it may not be something that can be changed on a whim.'

'One such as you that has dared such danger with no hope or desire for reward deserves a place on one of the Grey Ships, my love,' he answered firmly, 'you are one of the Fellowship of the Ring, a hero of the Third Age and soon to be my wife. For you, a place will be found.'