Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings. That honour belongs solely to Professor Tolkien. I am making no money off this so please don't sue me.
Summary: See previous chapters.
Chapter Seventeen
Natasha's Point of View -
Aragorn's coronation was set for a few months after the ball.
All the preparations meant that none of us had any significant amount of time to ourselves, and even less time where we were all able to gather in the same place at the same time.
Eowyn and I had to have new dresses made, various Fellowship members had to practice and go over their roles in the ceremony. All of us had to have a discussion with the Master of Protocol about our placing in the courtyard. For example, did our standing place us amongst the nobles of Gondor, the foreign ambassadors, the Common People or in an entirely new category?
It was obvious where Boromir, Faramir, Denethor, Eowyn, Aragorn and Eomer would stand, but the rest of us posed something of a problem. Legolas and Gimli were not here in any official capacity, and even if Gimli was representing the Dwarves, the official elven party would not arrive until just before the ceremony. Gandalf was one of the Istari, and by definition could not be categorized. Most of Middle-Earth had never even heard of hobbits or The Shire, and Bella and I were not even from this world!
On the other hand, as The Fellowship had become Heroes from their parts in the war for Middle-Earth, there would no doubt be an uproar if the Hobbits were placed amongst the common folk without some sort of recognizable position. Besides which, Bella and I were technically part of the Steward's family now, and there was no way that my new brothers would see me placed at the back of the crowd.
Aragorn finally settled the matter. All four of the Hobbits balked at the idea of standing in front of a large crowd, and settled for a position in front of the main crowd but behind the Nobility. My foster family argued that I should stand with them, while the Protocol Master insisted that I was not noble by Birth and so it would be grossly improper for me to do so.
Finally it was decided that I would stand with Eomer. As we had announced our courtship, there was no real reason to object. Besides, my new family was starting to look belligerent, and I think the Protocol Master agreed more to save his own skin than out of professional propriety.
Don't get me wrong, I was happy that Aragorn had achieved his birthright and could now ask for Arwen's hand in marriage, but I could not wait until all this fuss was over.
To make matters worse, I had to deal with idiotic young women who thought that my new position as Boromir's little sister would give me some influence over him in regards to choosing a wife, now that Faramir was off the market. In less than a day, I had already lost count of how many times I had had to fend off a group of young women who were either very persistent or had skulls thicker than the flies over Midgewater Marsh.
As if that were not enough, I had to admit that Faramir had been right. Princess Lothiriel was amazingly stubborn and possessed a jealous streak the size of Russia. She never passed up a chance to tell me that I was born beneath Eomer (I already knew that) and not worthy of his affections and in her opinion, I was the scum beneath a rock in the harbour of Dol Amroth. If I heard it once more I was going to tell her exactly what she could with her opinions, along with suggested ways to use the aforementioned scum in regards to her physical appearance.
While I spent most of the day with Eowyn, Eomer and I did manage to catch a few minutes alone every once in a while. This was a type of courtship that I had never experienced before, and I knew that even if I was forced to return, I could never be happy with anyone else.
From what I had experienced with dating in my world, it was very blunt and to the point. My time was much more outspoken than the people in this era, which often seemed to make us skip over some things. Courtship here was at once more subtle and more open. The rules governing behaviour during a period of courting were more explicit, and the expected decorum meant that you would have to find more subtle ways to express your affection while in the company of others. Here, from what I had learned, people courting gave flowers or tokens for no other reason than to say 'I love you.' I had very little experience in serious dating, but it seemed that in my world, gifts were exchanged only on special occasions.
Now I was getting off track. I was meant to be thinking about Aragorn's Coronation.
It was a bright, glorious day as all of Minas Tirith gathered on the top level of the city to witness the coronation of King Elessar, Ruler of the united realms of Gondor and Arnor.
The White Tree was in blossom as Gandalf placed the winged crown on Aragorn's head, saying, "Now come the days of the King. May they be blessed."
People started to clap and cheer, but Aragorn held up a hand. I wondered how he was going to handle his first official speech. "This day does not belong to one man, but to all. Let us together rebuild this world, that we may share in the days of peace."
Now everyone cheered, finally dying down as Aragorn started to sing softly, in a language that I did not know. I gave Eomer a questioning look; he signalled that it was in Elvish, a language that I was still learning. Whatever it meant, it sounded beautiful.
Aragorn began to walk down the isle, followed by Gandalf, Denethor, Gimli and Faramir. People bowed as they passed, with Aragorn inclining his head in return. Eowyn joined Faramir, and they smiled at each other. Eomer and I stepped forward as they approached, bowing, or curtsying, in my case. Legolas came toward Aragorn, leading a procession of Elves. He and Aragorn each placed a hand on the other's shoulder as Aragorn spoke, "Hannon lle." (Thank You)
Legolas smiled and tilted his head to the side, indicating an elf who carried a banner displaying the White Tree and Seven Stars. The banner was moved to the side and handed to another elf, revealing Arwen Undomiel, clad in pale green and an elaborate headdress. It was as though the world ceased to exist for the two of them. Arwen bowed her head, Aragorn lifted her chin, and then pulled her into his arms, exchanging a kiss that I was sure would be considered improper even in my time. Maybe it was from being apart for so long. I could only imagine the sexual tension between now and the time that they could finally get married.
Standing behind his daughter, Lord Elrond looked ready to break down completely. All things considered, I could not blame him.
Arm in arm, the soon-to-be royal couple continued to walk forward, reaching where the Hobbits stood. Hesitantly, the quartet bowed to them. Aragorn shook his head, moving forward. "My friends, you bow to no one."
He knelt before them, followed by Arwen and everyone else who was present. All four of them looked stunned, but I looked to Frodo. Merry, Pippin and Sam would return to the Shire and live out their lives in peace. Frodo, on the other hand, would find no peace in this land, and his expression said that he knew it.
Of course, Aragorn's crowning was followed by a celebration. I didn't even want to think about how many of the men would have to be carried to bed that night. Thankfully, there was dancing and music and games first, getting drunk could come later.
Lothiriel was still glaring at me at every possible opportunity, but was smart enough not to say anything while Eomer was in hearing range. I was too happy to care.
Flashback -
Before the ceremony had begun that morning, Eowyn and I had been doing our hair when there had been a knock at the door. I opened it to reveal Faramir, who had asked for a word with Eowyn in private. I had left, running into Eomer. We had returned to Eowyn and my rooms, listening at the door. I guessed that Eomer already knew that something was happening, as he did not immediately try to break down the door to defend his sister's honour. (All three of our respective brothers had been doing this of late. It had been endearing at first, but was starting to become annoying.)
Sure enough, Faramir had asked Eowyn to marry him. I barely managed to avoid a shriek of excitement, as Eomer and I left to avoid discovery.
We had gone into the rose garden, where Eomer had presented me with a single flower, half opened, and with an engagement ring nestled in the centre.
I had paused momentarily, knowing that this was a moment of choice. If I accepted, I would not be able to return home.
I desperately missed my friends and family, and the thought of not seeing them again tore at my heart. However, I knew that the events that I had endured here had changed me. I was not the same person that had woken up on the plains between Moria and Lothlorien. I could not go back as if nothing had happened. I regretted the grief that my loved ones would go through, but I knew that I could not return to my old life.
I accepted Eomer's proposal, and it felt as though a missing piece of me had been restored. I had arrived in this world as Natasha Anne Ross, sister, daughter and childcare kindergarten teacher. Now, I was Lady Natasha, sister to the Lords Boromir and Faramir, only daughter of Lord Denethor, Steward of Gondor, and future Queen of Rohan.
Upon returning to our rooms, the two men had managed to suggest that we announce it this evening. Eowyn and I had agreed, just before we started fussing over the rings.
End Flashback -
On that train of thought, I glanced down at my hand, once again examining the ring settled on my ring finger. A slim silver band, it was set with a silver blossoming flower, inlaid with tiny diamonds. I smiled faintly, remembering the probably unconventional way I had accepted. Disregarding the ring and pulling your new fiancée into what One knows is an inappropriate kiss is unlikely to be considered a proper acceptance. Oh, who cared? Proper or not, I would hardly be surprised if most couples were engaged in a like fashion.
After the feast and another bout of dancing, Boromir stood up. As Heir of the Steward, and brother to two of us, he had announced the engagements just before the drinking started.
Arwen and Aragorn. Eowyn and Faramir. Natasha and Eomer. I suppose he wanted to get the message across before everyone got too drunk to remember their own names, let alone who was off-limits.
One of the worst things about having strong alcohol at a large gathering, I discovered, was that every single one of the guests – the male ones, anyway – felt obliged to toast someone.
Aragorn toasted to peace.
Then Denethor proposed a toast to the triple engagement.
Then Boromir proposed a toast to his brother, who responded by toasting to family, both old and new.
The gravity of the assemblage was rapidly fading, and dragging collective sobriety along with it. Most of the ladies present exchanged glances, several casting about for an excuse to leave. Arwen, Eowyn and I stayed, though I think for different reasons. Arwen stayed because she was going to be Queen, but still knew very little about the race of the Second born. I am not sure why Eowyn stayed, but I wanted to see how Eomer acted when inebriated. For future reference, you understand. Besides, Princess Lothiriel was still in the immediate area, and I did not want to leave her alone near my future husband.
The un-official reason for our continued presence was so that there would be someone still sober when they had to be half-carried to bed afterward.
Sure enough, we had been forced to enlist several others to get all of the late-night revellers to bed. I sighed fondly; men really were impossible at times. I slipped out of Eomer's rooms, smiling as I heard several people discussing retribution for the morning. I knew that Eowyn was going to have all sorts of scathing remarks for her brother, fiancée and future brother-in-law. Maybe we could join up with Arwen and think up some new ones.
As I had thought, there were several truly magnificent hangovers the next morning.
I hope those who were suffering were not too disappointed at the complete lack of sympathy that they received.
My brothers were complaining that they had never felt this bad before, and could someone please turn off the sun.
As seems to be the norm for all women since the beginning of time, most of the ladies were smugly enjoying the large-scale suffering. Eowyn and I were no exception.
"We told you that you were drinking too much." I reminded my brothers.
Boromir did not seem well enough to respond. Faramir abandoned his pride and outright begged. "Please don't, ladies. I feel like an Oliphant stepped on my head."
I smirked, it was not very nice of me, but this was almost fun. "It's your own fault." I remarked, somehow keeping a straight face.
Eomer recovered enough to make a coherent sound. "Leave us alone, please girls. I'm trying to die."
Arwen laughed from where she sat with Aragorn, causing the men to wince. "Oh, I don't think you will die, Eomer. You might wish you could, but you won't."
This time it was Aragorn. "Meleth, do you have to talk so loud?"
I decided to join in again. "We all just loved your singing last night." I congratulated them. "I actually think you invented notes that didn't even exist before."
Arwen finally took pity on them, beckoning us away. "Come on, you two. Let's go see how the cleaning up from last night is progressing.
Time flew past as everyone settled into the changes that had happened in their lives after the war. Eomer and I journeyed back to Rohan to start plans for healing both the land and its people of the scars that had been present for too long.
Eowyn and Faramir travelled to Ithilien with Legolas, where they would live and rule.
A few months after that, messengers arrived to inform us that Aragorn and Arwen had set a date for the wedding. They were to be married in mid summer, and requested that Eowyn and I stand as Arwen's attendants, with Faramir, Eomer and Boromir standing with Aragorn.
We returned to Gondor, this time to plan a wedding.
A/N – Seventeenth Chapter up. Only a few more to go.
Next Chapter: Weddings!
Also, I am thinking of doing a sequel. Cast your vote yes or no.
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Thank you everyone.
Nathalia.
