The sun rose and with it the chatter of the city. Elrond stood on the step in the main courtyard at the highest peak of the city and watched as two elves fixed the flowers on the dais. He sighed in frustration as they once stood back to look at the dais and shook their heads. He was trying to decorate the area, but wasn't really focused because today as well was the wedding day of Aragorn son of Arathorn and Arwen Undomiel. The Evenstar of the elves was choosing to wed a mortal. His face turned grim as his mind replayed her fading into nothing as she lived on after her husband, Leaving a young to be in the care of Wardens until he was of age to claim the throne. Tears cascaded down his face, as the two elves turned to him and put arms around him.
"Ada, saes." (Father, Please) Elrohir sighed. "Arwen is 4,000 years old. She can care for herself…" Elrond shook his head.
"Ada, listen to Elrohir." Elladan pointed. "He's an idiot but sometimes he's right, and unfortunately, this is one of those times." Elrond laughed at his youngest son's reasoning and walked off with the two boys.
"Where is my brush? How can I look presentable if I can't brush my beard? My BEARD!!!" Gimli roared at no one in particular. Gandalf walked in and faced the Dwarf.
"Gimli son of Gloin, you look fine. It is time. Come quickly now. And Gimli?" Gandalf called behind him, "Please, do not forget the crown."
The Dwarf picked up the little velvet pillow and placed the crown on it.
Celeborn finished fixing his robes and picked up his book, he walked towards the dais with Haldir would was dressed in the attire Galadhrim wore only on special occasions.
Legolas joined the Mirkwood Elves and turned to dais. He walked up and nodded at his friend as Merry and Pippen quickly ran beside him. Frodo walked in at took his spot on the dais with the hobbits. Gandalf walked to the head and turned to face Aragorn's Kingdom. Gimli ambled over and stood next to Gandalf. The remaining members of the fellowship formed a semi circle around Gandalf at the bottom of the stairs. Aragorn walked in and the parted in the middle to allow him passage. Arwen and her Father stood in the opening behind Aragorn, along with Elladan and Elrohir behind them.
Galadriel pushed open the heavy door and watched the elf on the bed stare blankly at the ceiling. She sighed and realized what was wrong. She floated into the room and stepped over to the elf. She had seen elves like this before. Her heart clenched as she touched the elf.
The elf slowly responded. She moved her head slowly and then her eyes slowly focused on the Lady. The Lady dropped down to her bed.
"Elainor, why do you wish to fade now? You have saved all of Middle Earth. But you wish you writhe in guilt and despair now? Why?"
Ellie turned to face the Lady. "For all your wisdom great Galadriel, you have not to figure it out?" Ellie turned her face form her watcher and her breathing fell shallow. Her eyes fluttered.
"Matters of the heart are serious Ellie. Do not think to despair that the love you have kept in your heart leaves you now." Galadriel smiled knowingly. "He will not leave these shores unless you do." Ellie turned her head to look at the Elf before her.
"Who?" Ellie gasped. But the Lady shook her wise head.
"You know who, Elainor. He has been on your mind all night."
"What folly do you speak Galadriel? Both elves have been on my mind."
"Nay, one has been on your mind for love, the other in guilt. Once you get rid of the guilt you will find that he is waiting for you, arms open. Now do you wish to see Aragorn crowned?"
Ellie shook her head. "Why do you speak in riddles?" Ellie stood up and started to realize that she had not lost strength and could carry herself. She was very cold, which is an element elves never feel. She sighed as she slipped into a white gown, and looked up at Galadriel, who handed her a mithril circlet and placed it over her hair. Ellie's gown flowed freely about her and the shoulder had slit in the silken fabric where red silk ran. She put on simple shoes, and was grateful that the gown covered them. She nodded her head as Galadriel held up two cloaks, one and Ivory White and the other a Satin Crimson. Ellie without realizing the origin of the cloaks, picked Crimson one, draped the fabric around her and fixed the Lorien Leaf on the front. Galadriel smiled at the elleth, who scowled, at her.
Ellie walked slowly from the room and made for the dais. Galadriel waited patiently until she could no longer hear the soft tread of the elleth and turned and laid the ivory cloak on the bed. Her finger lingered on the emblem of Mirkwood as she sighed and walked away.
Ellie walked slowly in to the court yard and steadied herself as the wind blew hard at her face. She shivered and pulled the cloak around her. She cursed at herself silently as all the elves turned hearing her steps toward the fellowship. Her strength came to her and she began to walk as she used to. She smiled as her hair blew in the wind. She kept her eyes on Celeborn who had paused to let allow her time to rejoin the Fellowship of the Ring. Her eyes drifted as Haldir turned and watched her with misted eyes. Legolas too was turned his stoic face eying her warily. She smiled at him, and when she rested the Fellowship, slipped into place next to Pippen. Legolas smiled secretly to himself as he realized that was the farthest spot from Haldir. Haldir smiled widely as Lady Galadriel's voice filled his mind, and turned back to ceremony.
Celeborn's voice filled the courtyard once again. "And, in the name of Iluvatar, I now bond Arwen and Aragorn." He placed a silk lace on Aragorn's arm and continued to wind the lace until is covered Arwen's arm. Elrond smiled and bowed. The newly weds turned and instantly the Kingdom cheered, and bowed to the King and Queen of the land. Ellie stepped forward and threw back her cloak, as Aragorn and Arwen turned their attention to her. She smiled, and bowed deeply then pointed up towards the heavens. Her mithril circlet began to glow as doves took flight into the air, and sky explosions of various colors and shapes burst into the air. Children laughed and screamed. Aragorn picked Arwen up in his arms and spun her around, and kissed her deeply.
He turned and nodded at the court yard, and then he bowed. The courtyard fell into silent awe, as he did so. "Great People of Middle Earth!" Aragorn spoke "We have all sacrificed for this good earth. With my rule, everyone will be welcomed and helped. To a New Age!"
The elves swayed as Sea gulls took to the air and flew. The Elves nodded and smiled and Arwen looked to her father.
Festivals ensued three days. Soon the guest began to leave. Men returned home, and Elves left. Arwen stood on the highest peak she could find and swayed in the breeze. She closed her eyes and let the song of the sea gulls take her heart. She smiled. –I need not yet leave these shores, for my time is not yet come.-
She looked up at the stars and began to sing, "Lay down your sweet and weary head… night is falling, you have come to journeys end, sleep now, and dream of the ones that came before cause they are calling from across a distant shore, why do you weep? What are these tears upon your face, soon you will see, all of your fears will pass away, safe in my arms, you're only sleeping…. What can you see? On the horizon? Why do the White gulls call? Across the sea, a pale moon rises, the ships have come to carry you home… And all will turn, to a silver glance, a light on the water, Grey Ships pass into the West." Ellie bowed her head low and let tears fall from her eyes broke she collapsed onto the floor in pain.
Unbeknown to her, a figure stood behind her, tears falling from his eyes and he watched her cry and quickly hid in the shadows as she fell. He could her voice in as he ran into the palace, "Please, do not leave me here!! I love you!" she cried. In his heart the call of the west was strong but he fought it down.