**Chronicle of the Fourth Age, Part 6**
It was still spring of 1450/30 and Eldarion remained a guest in Haldir and Miranda's home for several weeks. Miranda said nothing about her daughter's choice to Haldir, but he suspected. One day Haldir and Eldarion went hunting and Haldir openly confronted the Prince.
"What are you doing here?" Haldir asked. "Should you not return to Gondor?"
"Forgive me for overstaying my welcome," Eldarion said quickly. "I will leave on the morrow."
Haldir sighed in frustration, "You have not overstayed your welcome, but I find myself wondering why you choose to tarry here. Your father is most anxious for your return and your mother as well."
Eldarion knew it was time to tell Lord Haldir the truth about his love for Miiriel, but he was afraid of what he would say. "Lord Haldir, I am in love with your daughter Miiriel, and cannot bear to leave her again."
Haldir was silent for a moment, pondering the young man's words. "Leave her again?"
"I loved her from our first meeting, and have thought of her these long years since I left Gondor," he admitted.
"And does she return your love?" Haldir asked.
"She has told me that she does," he said.
"Then you court her in secret?" Haldir asked angrily.
"No courting has there been between us, but I would wed your daughter if you would allow it," Eldarion said. "I know what it is I am asking, and the choice she must make to wed a mortal. As my father's son I will have a lifespan at least thrice that of most men, but that is but a season for an Elf."
Haldir stood silent and then drew an arrow from his quiver and shot a deer some fifty feet down the trail. Eldarion waited for the lordly Elf to give him an answer. Haldir started walking toward his kill and Eldarion just watched him dejectedly. But after a moment, Haldir stopped and turned.
"I have given one child to the world of men, and now I am asked to give another," Haldir said. "Miiriel is my firstborn, and very close to my heart. I would take some time to consider your request." And with that he turned back to the trail and said nothing more about it.
In the days that followed, Haldir allowed Eldarion to take Miiriel on walks within the wood, but refrained from making a decision. Miranda finally couldn't stand his brooding and spoke to him.
"She loves him," Miranda said. "She will have no other husband but Eldarion."
"And when he is old, and dies… what will become of my daughter?" Haldir asked bitterly.
"What did you think would happen to you when you asked me to wed you?" Miranda asked.
Haldir rose from his chair and started pacing the room in frustration. "I thought of nothing but my love for you. I knew I could not be happy without you, and all the coming ages would have been empty if you had refused me."
"Speak to her and then make your decision," Miranda said.
"What future do you see for our children, Miranda?" Haldir asked. "What will become of Failon and Miiriel?"
Miranda stood and went to the window. She looked toward the east and closed her eyes. She did not fully understand the dynamics of Elves, only that marrying humans was a sacrifice for them. But Miranda was of another race, a rare and unknown kind, so she could not think of her children as ordinary Elves. Miranda saw a future wrapped in a fog, but she could see all her children far into the future. She did not know what it meant; only that it was comforting.
"I can see all our children in a distant future," she said. "But I do not know what will happen."
Haldir frowned at the cryptic nature of her sight. This was one time he wished she could see more clearly. He gave her a hug and asked, "What do you think?"
"I think the line of Kings would be greatly strengthened by the union. Men are the future of Middle Earth, and the day will come when all the Elves will leave, including us."
Haldir gave a grunt of resignation. "I will speak to Miiriel."
*****
"You told my father?" Miiriel asked in shock. "What did he say?"
"He has not made a decision yet," Eldarion said sadly. "I fear he will not allow it."
"Then I will marry you anyway," Miiriel said firmly.
Eldarion pulled her into his arms and hugged her close. "Nay, my love, I could not go against your father's wishes. My own father would not allow it, for it would cause dissent between our peoples."
"Then I will pledge myself in your service until the end of your days and take no husband. There can be no other in my heart," Miiriel said.
Eldarion kissed her tenderly and then led her back to her house. His heart was heavy as they walked. He did not want to give her up, but he was forced to wait for her father's blessing before he could even court her openly. He bade her farewell at the foot of the stair and disappeared down the path. He craved solitude for a while, and he simply did not want to run into her father again just yet.
*****
Miiriel entered her house and was going to go to her room, but Haldir stopped her.
"Daughter, I would speak to you," he said sternly.
"Yes father," Miiriel said.
"Eldarion has asked me for your hand," he said.
"And what answer do you intend to give him father?" Miiriel asked hopefully.
"What is your desire, Miiriel? Do you love this prince as he has said?" Haldir asked her.
"Oh, yes! Father please grant this petition for I do love him with all my heart," she pleaded.
Haldir gave her a smile, but his eyes were full of sadness. "Oh, little jewel of my heart, I cannot refuse you, though it breaks my heart to grant this request."
Haldir hugged his daughter and listened to her tears of joy as she repeated over and over, "Thank you father, thank you!"
"Go and tell him my decision," Haldir said softly. "He has been looking ill with worry these past days."
*****
Eldarion sat by the spring that was once a gathering place for Elves in seasons past. Now there were no songs and laughter, only the trickle of water and the occasional chirp of birds. He sat in the cool grass and thought of Miiriel, so near, and yet never farther from his grasp. He reached down and plucked a small white flower from the grass, and then looked up suddenly at the sound of footsteps in the wood. The steps were faint and he knew instinctively that it was his sweet Miiriel. She stepped out into the clearing with tears streaming down her face and a bright smile.
"He said yes!" she stammered happily.
Eldarion leapt to his feet, ran to her, wrapped her in his arms and laughed as he spun her around. "You are mine, sweet lady, you are mine!" He set her down and kissed her. His head was still spinning, not from twirling her around but from joy and relief. He gazed down into her glorious green eyes and whispered, "Your father has said yes, but I ask you again, am I what you want? Would you forsake the immortality of your people for the love of this man?"
"I will marry with you, Eldarion, Prince of Gondor, for an immortal life without you is no life at all," she said.
Eldarion kissed her and they walked under the trees together until evening. Upon their return, Haldir met them on the landing.
"So you have pledged your love to each other?" he asked.
Eldarion stepped forward and answered formally, "We have, and with your blessing, I would ask again for your daughter's hand in marriage."
"You have my goodwill, Prince of Gondor, but your father must grant his as well," Haldir said. "Go home and speak with him. I will bring my family back to Ithilien before the end of summer. If the King approves, ask for her hand then, and I will grant it."
Eldarion bowed before him in respect of his wisdom. Eldarion had taken his father's approval for granted, but it was only proper that he speak to him in person about his chosen bride. He gathered his things and Lady Miranda made sure he was well provisioned for his journey. The next morning he made his farewells and departed for Gondor. He was anxious to get home now, and rode hard each day, rising before dawn and not stopping until well after dark.
*****
It was early summer when Eldarion came riding up to the gates of Minas Tirith. The guards did not immediately recognize him, so the stopped and questioned him.
"What is your business within the city?" a gruff guard said.
"To visit the King," Eldarion said with a smirk.
"Is the King expecting you?" he asked in annoyance.
"I am not expected, but I am sure he will receive me," Eldarion said.
One of the older guards narrowed his eyes a moment and looked at the rider closely. "What is your name stranger?"
"Stranger you say Fastred? Have I changed so much that you do not recognize me?" Eldarion asked.
Fastred's eyes doubled in size and he quickly bowed, "Welcome home, Prince! Your father will be most eager to greet you!"
The gruff guard quickly bowed as well, and then stuttered nervously, "I am sorry. I did not know who you were."
"No apology is needed," Eldarion said. "I have been away for some time." He gave his horse a light kick and rode up to the Hall of Kings. He grabbed his saddle bags and turned his horse over to the stable master. He gazed through the archway at the white tree, now much larger than when he'd left, and he sighed contentedly. He climbed the steps and crossed the courtyard, but was stopped by a young maid before he could enter.
"The hour is late, sir, and the King is not receiving visitors again until morning," she said.
"Anvanime?" he asked.
"Do I know you sir?" she asked him.
Eldarion dropped his saddle bag and hugged her. "Sister! You have grown!"
"Eldarion?" she exclaimed. "Oh, brother we have missed you!"
He set her down and gazed at her. She was a woman grown and quite beautiful, like mother. He smiled and she grabbed his hand to lead him inside. He grabbed his luggage and followed. She saw their father sitting by the fire with their mother and she called to them.
"I have a surprise for you," she said brightly.
Aragorn stood and his eyes went to the young man she was practically dragging into the hall. He knew him immediately.
"Eldarion!" he said with a smile.
Arwen ran to meet him and hugged him. "Son! At last you have returned to us."
"Yes, mother, I am home."
"You took your time getting here," Aragorn said. "Messengers from Arnor arrived nearly a month ago, and they left after you."
"I took a detour," Eldarion admitted. "I will speak to you about it later."
Aragorn nodded, "Very well son, go and take your rest. I will have a meal brought to your room. We can speak when you are ready."
*****
Eldarion found his father in his study early the next morning and he sat down.
Aragorn looked t his son thoughtfully and asked, "Which route did you take?"
"Over the pass of Caradhras," he said. "I wanted to walk in the Golden wood of Lorien. Though I thought it was empty, I wanted to see it."
"And you found that it was not empty," Aragorn said knowingly.
"Lady Miranda had returned to the wood," Eldarion said.
"And her daughter Miiriel went with her parents, did she not?" Aragorn asked with a cocked brow.
"Yes, she was there, and that is what kept me away so long," Eldarion said. "I would ask your approval, father for I wish to marry the lady Miiriel."
"You had my approval in this matter long ago, though the timing was not yet right," Aragorn said. "But now I see that you are ready to take a wife, and I am most pleased with your choice of bride."
"Then it is my desire upon their return to ask for her hand," Eldarion said.
"You have my blessing," Aragorn said.
"Thank you father," Eldarion said.
*****
Haldir quietly led his family through the woods of Ithilien an hour past sunset. He did not want to draw too much attention at so late an hour, but someone had seen them and by the time they reached their house, many Elves were waiting to greet them. Legolas and Nárello were the first to speak.
"Welcome home," Legolas said brightly. "You have been missed."
Haldir dismounted and Nárello hugged him, "Welcome home father."
"It is good to be home," Haldir said.
Miranda and Miiriel dismounted and received hugs as well. Their well wishers quickly dispersed so the weary travelers could rest, but Nárello remained. Shortly thereafter, Thelyn and Alcon arrived and all were seated around the table for a late meal. They caught up on all the news, and finally Nárello broke into the conversation.
"Prince Eldarion has recently returned to Gondor," he said. "He has made the boat trip to Ithilien every week since mid July."
Miiriel cocked a brow at her brother but said nothing. Haldir just frowned and said nothing. But Miranda smiled. Nárello looked at each of them suspiciously.
"What do you know of this?" he asked.
"Your sister could tell you," Haldir said as he rose and left the room.
Her three brothers looked at her expectantly.
"He awaits our return so that he may formally ask father for my hand," she said.
"Really?" Thelyn asked brightly.
"Our sister and the Prince, eh?" Nárello said with a cocked brow. "You found what you were looking for after all."
Mirriel blushed, "Yes, I did."
*****
It was scarcely three days after their return that Eldarion came riding into the wood. He was dressed in fine clothes rather than his drab travel attire. His cloak was a rich gray and his tunic was black and intricately embroidered with the white tree. He was greeted by Thelyn and Alcon who guarded the south trail.
"Welcome, Prince," Alcon said. "What is your business in the wood?"
"I would visit with your father, if he has returned," Eldarion said.
"He has indeed," Thelyn said. "And we will lead you to his house."
Eldarion dismounted and walked with them down the path. They came first to Failon's house, and he waved to them from the front steps where he sat playing with Cálale. They continued deeper into the wood to a large house. Miranda smiled as they approached.
"Welcome, Lord Eldarion, you arrive just in time for the noon meal," she said. "Alcon, would you see to his horse?"
"Yes mother," Alcon said as he led the horse to the stable.
"Thelyn, run and get your sister," Miranda said.
Thelyn glanced back at the prince and then gave his mother a reluctant nod before heading down another path. Eldarion stepped up onto the porch and bowed to Miranda.
"Welcome home, Hiri Nolwe," he said.
Miranda frowned at the title, but cordially invited him inside. "Come in and sit down."
He followed her through the door and into a large open room. There was a large table, set with many chairs and plates. He smiled, remembering how large their family was. She offered him a seat and then disappeared through another door. Soon after, Failon arrived with his wife Silivren and their child. Right behind them, Nárello and Izabel entered followed by Dairwen and Lalaith who each carried a child. They all greeted the prince and sat at the table. Thelyn and Alcon returned with Miiriel in tow. Eldarion stood and smiled when he saw her.
Miiriel curtseyed and spoke, "Welcome, Lord Eldarion of Gondor."
Eldarion was about to say something to her, but Haldir and Miranda entered with trays. Haldir set his down and took his place at the head of the table. Miranda ran back to the kitchen a couple of times and tried to ignore the exchange between their guest and her husband.
"Be seated, Miiriel," Haldir said when he entered.
Miiriel nodded and went to her seat.
Eldarion returned to his seat and tried to remain calm. He was the son of a King, but this Elf terrified him. He had heard stories about Haldir from childhood. His mother spoke of Haldir with great respect having grown up in Lorien during her youth. Even then, Haldir was a warrior that commanded respect. And here he sat, not three feet from him, and he was going to ask this Elf for his daughter. There was no reason to be nervous. No reason at all.
Haldir waited for Miranda to return and sit down and then he spoke, "We are pleased to have a guest at our table. Lord Eldarion, son of King Elessar of Gondor honors our house with a visit," Haldir said and then passed a tray to Eldarion.
The meal began quietly at first, but soon the table was brimming with conversations. Failon and Nárello discussed some building project they were both working on and Lalaith and Silivren talked of their children. Eldarion was silent, and Haldir glanced at him.
"Something on your mind, prince?" Haldir asked quietly.
Eldarion looked at Haldir's stern expression and gathered his courage. "I have come to ask for the hand of your daughter Miiriel."
There was a sudden silence at the table, but Haldir reached for a piece of bread as though he did not hear him. After carefully spreading the butter on his bread Haldir lightly said, "Granted."
Eldarion sighed in relief, but Haldir was not finished yet, "You may now court my daughter, and next spring you may announce a betrothal."
Miiriel suddenly dropped her knife in shock, but Eldarion was not phased by the conditions. Anything so valuable was worth waiting for. He stood and bowed to Haldir respectfully.
"I will honor your conditions, Lord Haldir," he said. "Thank you."
"Sit down, son, and eat," Haldir said.
Miranda's eyes doubled in size at her husband's use of the title son. She looked at him in surprise, but he merely glanced at her and winked. He had accepted Eldarion into the family, though he demanded a proper courtship. Miranda was very proud of him.