Chapter Ten: Great Reunions
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3019, I Lithe
Legolas
I stood quietly with the fellowship waiting for the arrival of Arwen. Frodo and Sam had returned to us safe and recovering quite well. However what Frodo said still disturbed me. He had seen Melethril in the caves of Mount Doom, but then saw her vanish into thin air. Surely she survived the destruction of Mordor? Was she still alive? That thought tugged at the strings of my heart. I don't know what would become of me if I had heard that news.
"Relax laddie, this is not a funeral procession. Put on a happy smile for Aragorn," Gimli said.
"I am happy for Aragorn. I have known that they would be together," I replied.
"What about Melethril and you?" he asked.
My throat constricted at the mention of her name. "Always,"
"If she is as stubborn as you then she will survive," he stated.
I let out a half laugh choke. "I hope so my friend,"
We fell silent as we waited for the approach of the elves. Elrohir and Elladan rode at the front of the procession followed by the households of Rivendell. After them came Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn and the folk of Lothlorien. Last of all were Elrond and his daughter Arwen Evenstar that rode up to the gates. I watched with a tug of envy as Arwen and Aragorn were finally reunited. At last of all the greetings, she came over to greet me.
"As my sister once told me to have hope, do you hold the same?" her blue eyes searched me thoroughly.
"Yes," I replied.
She did not reply but smiled a secret smile. She gestured behind her prompting me to look beyond her shoulder. I saw the crowd part for two lone figures. The first I recognized as Orophin and the other was holding onto his arm. The hood of the long grey robe was drawn over, but my heart leapt at the possibility. They walked through the parted crowd to inches away from me. The two of them stood there silently until the cloaked one lifted the hood off. There were collective gaps all around. It was her, but yet something was different. There was lightness in her as if a huge burden was taken off her. Her hair glowed of gold and silver and her eyes were a pale shade of green. She took a step up to me never leaving her eyes from mine. She attempted to complete a curtsy before I stopped her. "No."
She lifted both hands slowly up to my face and began to trace along the contours of my face. I found it very hard to breath. We spoke no words to each other as we studied one another. The others were waiting anxiously holding their breaths as well. Finally I wrapped my arms around her waist and hugged her close to me. I burrowed my face into her hair. She sighed contently as she wrapped her arms around my neck pulling me in closer. We stayed together for a blissful moment before we were interrupted.
"Are you going to hold onto her all day or will I have a chance to embrace my dear friend Legolas?" Aragorn's amused voice sounded out.
She turned slightly in my arms to look at Aragorn for a first time.
"Well met my ranger of the North," she replied stepping out of my arms, which I reluctantly parted to let her embrace Aragorn. I remained close as she embraced Gandalf and exclaimed at how wondrous the hobbits were. They all blushed when she kissed each of them on the cheek.
"Ahem." Gimli annoyingly cleared his throat.
She turned curiously at him and studied him intensely.
"This is the dwarf?" she directed at me holding out her hand.
"The only one," I found myself saying slipping my hand into hers.
"Why you-" he was interrupted only to find himself flabbergasted as she leaned down to hiss his cheek.
"I have to thank you Master Dwarf for looking out for Legolas."
"Oh, it was nothing mind you he was very stubborn,"
I rolled my eyes slightly causing her to laugh.
"Shall we continue to the City? The time is yours now Aragorn, yours and Arwen's."
So we went into the city and celebrated the union of the long lost King and his elven queen. Our time would come.
Melethril
The celebration began as soon as we entered the city. The shadow of Mordor had been lifted and the tree of Nimloth had been restored. The city was marred from the war but the return of their lost king overshadowed the joy of the people. There was music, dancing and wine. Legolas scarcely left my side securing his arms tightly around my waist refusing to let me out of his sight. I found it quite amusing actually but I understood his actions; he was making up for lost time.
"Meleth-nin, I need some more water, will you fetch me a refill?" I asked in my sweetest voice.
"I'll be right back," he promised.
I let out a small sign of relief. Having him so close in such a short time was suffocating me.
"Melethril," I turned at the call of my name and saw a tall fair headed woman heading in my direction with Faramir whom I had seen in Osgiliath. Her voice was vaguely familiar as I quickly tried to recollect it.
"Melethril, it is I Eowyn. I don't blame you for not recognizing me. Merry told me about your condition has been restored,"
"I had expected you to look the way you are. And a fine judge of character to choose a man of elvish blood."
Faramir seem surprised that I had mentioned his other heritage.
"It is strange that I should find such happiness when I was myself plummeting into the shadows," she sighed.
"One can expect surprises in a time of war. I am happy that the two of you have found each other," I said.
I watched them walk away hand in hand obviously to anyone else that they were truly in love.
"Ah love is in the air" Orophin sighed coming up behind my seat.
"Yes Arwen and Aragorn. Eowyn and Faramir and Rumil and Niphredil," I noted.
"You and Legolas," he mentioned.
"Now if you would find someone," I insisted.
"Don't start with me sister," he warned.
"Just don't want you to be alone," I said.
"I am not alone I have you, speaking of which where is Legolas? I thought he would be glued to your side?" he teased.
"He was but I think he got sidetracked," I answered observing that the twins had drawn him into conversation.
"Well his loss that he won't get the first dance from you," he took my hand and led me to the dancing floor.
"Now if you feel tried don't hesitate to tell me," he said leading me to the sound of the music.
"What am I? A piece of glass," I said dryly.
"You know you can't overwork yourself," he pointed out.
"I know. I just wish I didn't have to be so constrained all the time. With everyone watching my every move," I said a little irritated by the intense observation.
"Have you told Legolas yet?" he asked catching a glimpse of him looking at us.
"No, I don't think it is my place to tell him. Even if I did I know how he would treat me." I said.
"When you lost your sight he did not look upon you differently," he brought up tenderly.
"I know that," I snapped out of irritation.
He was about to say something when I felt my knees go weak. He cursed and grabbed onto my forearms to steady me. I saw out of the corner of my eye Legolas sensed something wrong and was making way through the crowd.
"I'm sorry sister. I shouldn't have gotten you so worked up," he apologized.
"No, it isn't your fault. I guess my body is not quite used to standing up for too long. I think I need to sit down,"
I let Orophin guide me to an empty chair and he sat with me until I caught my breath.
Legolas
I make my way through the busy crowd with intention of checking up on Melethril. My thoughts concerning her were interrupted by the Lady.
"If I could have a moment with you Prince," she asked.
I nodded despite feeling annoyed at being separated from my beloved.
She isn't going anywhere
"What is it that you wish to speak to me about my Lady?" I inquired politely.
"Melethril was almost lost to us," she said.
"But she is here, alive and well," I replied.
"Yes, but the stones have taken a toll on her body. If she exerts too much force or stress on her body she will die," she stated.
"Simply like that?" I asked.
"Yes," she said.
"And she didn't tell me this," I asked out loud.
"Elrond nor I mentioned it to her, but she knows her body better than anyone else. I only ask one thing of you Legolas," she said.
"What is your wish?"
"That you love her, take care of her and cherish her,"
"I have already done what you ask of me,"
"But respect her without causing her offence. There are some things that should be forgotten and some things that should be remembered."
The last words of the lady still echoed in my mind as I approached where she sat with her back facing me. I placed my hands gently on her shoulders.
"You aren't dancing anymore," I said.
She upturned her head to greet me with a smile.
"I am afraid I still haven't recovered my full strength yet." She placed a hand on mine to reassure her condition.
"How about a walk then?" I asked.
"I could use some fresh air," she said sharing a glance with Orophin.
She stood up and taking my arm and we walked past the crowed party.
Melethril
I looked up the moon drawn in by the serenity and beauty it shone. The stars winked brightly down and the light breeze rustled the leaves. I was encircled in Legolas' arms, my head pillowed on his shoulder as we sat on a stone bench outside away from the party.
"It feels strange viewing the sky again," I remarked.
"No doubt different from you were accustomed to," he said nuzzling his nose into my hair.
"And tomorrow Arwen will marry Aragorn. It seems things ended up right after all,"
"Yes they did. You also came back to me,"
"I almost didn't," I said truthfully.
"What?"
I felt my chin being lifted to meet his eyes.
"After I released the stones, I was virtually in the halls of Mandos but I was told to turn back and live my life with you,"
"Who convinced you?"
"My parents, Haldir, Tuviluiel and your mother,"
"My mother," he said softly.
"Legolas, I didn't intentionally forget about you. The stones were such a heavy burden on me that I just wanted to be free from it," I explained.
"Will you tell me what happened?" he asked after a moment of silence.
"One day but not this day I promised you that my love," I said taking his hand on my chin and holding it to my cheek.
"I thought you two would be here," Arwen's voice sounded out from behind me. We both stood up as Arwen and Aragorn walked hand in hand to where we are.
"Just wanted to get away from the excitement and have a moment of peace," Legolas said.
"Well you had your moment with her Legolas. Come Melethril we should retire and leave these two for their moment of peace," she answered taking her hand in mine.
"We'll talk more tomorrow," I said as we bid the two farewell and walked away.
I adjusted the headpiece on the crown of Arwen's head as she put finishing touches on her hair. Her dress was a pale green material scooped across her chest and long billowing sleeves. The upper arms and top of her dress were brocaded. I wore a dress of blue that left my shoulders bare and had sleeves coming past my hands to twist in tendrils. Towards the bottom of the dress the colour grew lighter with a trim of orange outlining the top of my dress and the belt that I wore around my waist, which contained a round amethyst looping in four chains to form a belt. Two strands of my hair from each side was pulled back and braided. The only jewel that I wore was the necklace that Legolas gave me with Orophin's charm attached to my wrist.
"Are you ready?" I asked helping her stand up adjusting the train of her dress.
" I believe I am,"
"I am glad that I am here," I said.
"So am I," she said embracing me.
"It is almost time Arwen," Elrond said as we broke apart. Elrond was dressed in a simmering white tunic and a long white robe and dawning the bronze circlet.
"I'll be outside waiting," I said leaving them alone.
As I closed the door of the inner chamber, Legolas and Gimli emerged into the room. The dwarf was cleaned up quite well and in his best clothes sporting no helmet or weapons. Legolas was dressed in white with the silver circlet bound around his head. He starred at me in amazement, as the last time I wore this dress was to celebrate the beginning of truile.
"Bain," he whispered to me as he circled my face with his hands and kissed me. The kiss went on for quite some time until Gimli began to feel awkward and cleared his throat. We parted nose to nose still starring at each other.
"You can stare at her later Legolas. Right now we have a wedding to attend," he said.
"Gimli is right, we don't want to ruin Arwen and Aragorn's moment," I said stepping back from Legolas an arm's length. Just as I did that the door opened and Elrond and Arwen came out.
"When Aragorn sees a glimpse of you he will surely trip at the sight of you Arwen," Legolas remarked.
"He is lucky then to have a friend like you to keep his head up," she said.
"The ceremony is beginning," the twins announced entering the room.
"We will be just a moment," I told Legolas and Gimli and they left the five of us standing together in silence.
"Shall we go Arwen? You don't want to be late for your own wedding," I said breaking the silence between us.
She nodded and took her father's arm. Together we went up into the High City and Aragorn the King Elessar wedded Arwen Undomiel in the City of the Kings upon the day of Midsummer and the tale of their long waiting and labour was come to fullfilment (ROTK, 302).
Author's Note:
The last sentence was directly taken from the rotk book expect for the first few words. The description of Arwen's dress is the one that she wears in the movie. The description of Melethril's dress was taken from a drawing that my artist friend drew for me.
Meleth-nin- my love
Bain- beautiful
Truile – spring season in Sindarin