Chapter 9: The Travel to Gondor
"Are you sure Bainion is old enough to travel?" Arwen asked. Legolas saddled Arod up and looked at Arwen.
"Do you not trust your own husband when he said that our son is safe? He is old enough to travel. He'll just have to stay in front of us as we ride," Legolas said.
"I know, but I fear from the attack in the forest of Mirkwood long before he was born," she said.
"Listen to those words, Arwen, long before he was born. All the orcs are destroyed; nothing is going to happen to Bainion."
"I hope so."
Legolas then turned to see Bainion trying to walk over to him. He had been trying to walk for two weeks straight. Legolas picked Bainion and kissed his forehead. "We're off to Gondor to see King Elessar and Queen Éowyn," Legolas said. Arwen got onto her horse and placed Bainion in front of her. Legolas got onto his horse and looked forward with a grin. "Na Gondor," he said. (To Gondor.) Arod and Asfaloth rode off towards Gondor with their masters and mistress on their backs.
They rode across the planes of Rohan, they were so close to Gondor. They were traveling to three weeks and finally made it to Rohan. However, guards of Rohan surrounded them as they got closer to Gondor. "Put down your weapons, for it is I, Legolas son of Thranduil. I am here with my wife, Arwen, daughter of Elrond, and our son, Bainion, son of Legolas. We pass through your lands in peace," Legolas said. The soldiers put their weapons down and Éomer, son of Éomund, stepped forward.
"I have heard of your travels, I had my men to guard Rohan and tell me when you pass through the lands. It is good to see you again, Legolas, son of Thranduil," Éomer said.
Legolas bowed to Éomer with a smile. "We must be off, we have long travels," he said.
"I insist for you to stay in Edoras for a day, your wife and son are weary from the long horse ride across Middle-Earth to reach Gondor. You are only three days away from Gondor. Please, come," Éomer said.
Legolas looked over at Arwen and Bainion to see that they were weary from the long ride. "We will come to Edoras, we thank you for your invitation," Legolas said. Éomer nodded and then they rode off towards Edoras.
As they passed the villagers, Legolas could see that the children he saw when he was last there were almost grown up. Arwen rode up next to Legolas and smiled at him. Legolas wrapped an arm around her waist. "We will rest here for two days, then we must get to Gondor," he said. Arwen nodded and then she smiled at Legolas. Bainion looked up at Arwen and grabbed wrist.
"Nana," he said. (Mama.)
Bainion only spoke elvish and he only knew 'nana and ada'. Legolas smiled at his son and kissed the top of his head. Bainion held his arms out to Legolas. "Ada," he said. (Daddy.) Legolas took Bainion into his arms with a gentle smile on his face. A servant helped Arwen off her horse while Legolas handed Bainion over to Arwen so he could get off his horse. "This way, if you please," Éomer said. Legolas and Arwen followed Éomer into the Golden Hall.
Once they entered the room, Legolas saw a beautiful woman standing there, waiting to greet Éomer. "Legolas, Arwen, I would like you to meet my wife, Lothíriel, daughter of Prince Imrahil. Lothíriel, these are my friends, Legolas, son of Thranduil, and Arwen, daughter of Elrond. The boy Legolas holds is their son, Bainion," Éomer said. Lothíriel curtsied to Legolas and Arwen with a smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. My husband told me plenty of stories of your journeys. Especially Arwen's decision to stay in Middle-Earth, the choice that almost ended her life," Lothíriel said.
"Yes, that was my decision, but I'm alive," Arwen said.
Legolas then cradled Bainion in his arms with a gentle smile as he looked over at Arwen. "He needs to sleep, meleth nin," he said. Arwen nodded and followed her husband to their room.
Arwen watched her son sleep in happiness. She has gone through so much and since the war of the Ring was over, she could spend the rest of the world's years with Legolas. Legolas walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed the side of her head with a gentle smile. "Are you happy here with?" He asked. Arwen nodded and leaned against him.
"I can never be any happier," she replied.
Legolas lifted her chin up and captured her lips with his in a gentle kiss. When they pulled away, Arwen placed her head on his shoulder once again. "I love you, Legolas, I love you so much," she whispered. Legolas held her close with a sigh.
"I love you too, Arwen," he whispered back.
Then they watched their son sleep with smiles on their faces.