AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, I truly hope everyone enjoyed the reunion of A&A. I had hoped it would turn out well. Now that they are together there can be lots of fluff!! I am not sure how many more chap. there will be, but I hope it is not too long...Thank you again all who are reading this (especially those who are reviewing :))!! It is a pleasure knowing you are all enjoying the story so much. Enjoy ch. 25!!
Arwen donned on travelling garments and her silvery cloak for the journey to Edoras. Aragorn joined her outside the White Tower where many Elves waited. Their shifting cloaks shimmered in the soft sunlight gilded in puffy, white clouds. Those with hoods drawn back had hair that glimmered when they turned their heads and eyes shining stars like deep pools of water. At their head stood Galadriel and Celeborn speaking to Elrond and his two sons. The four hobbits rode their ponies close behind the King who wore a white cape and the glittering Elfstone, the green gem given him by the Lady Galadriel who had been instructed to give it him from Arwen.
Aragorn, Éomer, Éowyn, Faramir, Merry, the Rohirrim, and Arwen had escorted the body of Théoden, son of Thengel, from inside the Tower. Sombre silence fell through the ranks of Men and Elves. The entire city of Minas Tirith seemed to have a reverent quiet to its white streets in honour of those who had given their lives for the greater freedom of Middle-earth.
The mood was carried on for the next few days though the dear Periannath could not push away their inborn cheeriness and light hearts. Merry was the only one that seemed gouged by the dismal yet fair procession moving across the plains and past the mountains. Arwen had seen the way he glanced at the shrouded figure of cold death the Rohan men carried.
Arwen watched her beloved from the corner of her eye. He had changed so quickly from Ranger of the North to King of Gondor and Arnor—not to mention all of Men—and had slipped into place as if he had been taken out originally only to be returned later. Arwen smiled softly and patted her white mare's neck. She gazed more intently ahead when a hill loomed up in the lush plains covered in wood and stone buildings while the largest glittered in the sunlight. It was the hall of Meduseld.
Théoden's golden bier was carried in to Edoras while its people lined the streets to pay respect to their past king whose name had earned a high place in their histories. Men, along with women, wept for the son of Thengel and many did not pay heed to the shining Elves escorting his body for they lowered their heads in honour.
Aragorn dismounted at Meduseld's golden doors along with the high elven-lords and Arwen. He turned to help her dismount, finding her already down beside him. He smiled softly and offered his arm to her...which she took gladly.
The funeral of Théoden son of Thengel touched hearts and livened the memory of the honourable man in their minds. The last tears were shed and wiped away; the last grieving spent.
Now the greatest feast that had taken place in the Golden Hall was begun. Éomer was made king of all Rohan and Arwen heard Aragorn slowly exhale in relief when Faramir and Éowyn announced their betrothal. She had seen the gaze of Éowyn and known that she had once loved Aragorn. At first it had set a different impression of the golden haired woman, yet Arwen had forgiven knowing how tempting it would be to just love Estel. She also sighed with relief as she caught the true love shining in Éowyn's eyes when she met Faramir's gaze. At last the fair Lady of Rohan had found her place and one who would return her love.
Glittering torches lined the walls setting a warm light to the hall decorated in rich reds, browns, and greens. Gold gilt work flowed up the pillars and across the roof matching the golden rooftop for which the hall of Edoras was named: Meduseld. Colourful depictions of the Rohirrims' history covered the walls on the woven tapestries and banners.
Aragorn and Éomer laughed mirthfully in each other's company and found comfort in the other's friendship. Arwen knew the tightly bound alliance between Gondor and Rohan would last for many long years after they had passed, that their bloodlines would remain close for as long. War and circumstance had brought the two mighty men together as fate wove its pattern, so that through such they had become companions to last all of their long lives.
Wine was poured freely, bread was broken continually, and merry singing filled the hall as the Men of Rohan inquired of the Elves to honour them with songs of their kindred. In this, resplendent music danced about all who listened, bringing to life that which was traced with melodious, divine voices of the Fair Folk named rightly so by Men. The Golden Hall had never seen such beauty and light in all its time.
"Namárië, meldanya," Aragorn murmured as he bid farewell to Arwen where she stood at the doors of Meduseld. She graced him with a beautiful smile and did not bow her head as she had done at each leave-taking of theirs in all the years past when neither knew what the parting would bring. Such beauty she possessed always touched his spirit when he gazed into her eyes the colour of the morning mist or the sky at evening as the stars began to shine.
"Not farewell, my love," she answered with radiant countenance. "Only a short time shall you be gone. I shall see you not long from now."
Aragorn smiled and took her hand in his. "Then so be it. Farewell for a moment, Arwen." He bent to gently kiss her hand.
He mounted his horse, given him by Arwen herself, and rode at the head of the fair company. They would depart to their own ways at last and the Fellowship of the Ring was to be apart until the end of time for never would they all stand together once again unless it be after the end of the earth. Aragorn rode among his beloved companions with the elven-lords and ladies close behind. Legolas Greenleaf and Gimli son of Glóin shared the same horse Arod and Gandalf the White rode his glorious steed Shadowfax, lord of horses. The proud horse stepped lightly and its glossy coat shimmered in the sunlight as its rider sat erect and silent.
Aragorn signalled their start and looked over his shoulder one last time to see his fair Queen gazing upon him with shining eyes and face. His snow-white cape glimmered as he heeled his horse forward through the streets with the rest following close after. Arwen watched until they had all departed Meduseld's steps and were scarcely seen moving down the hill of Edoras. She turned to enter unto the Golden Hall once again only to find Éowyn there as well.
"Good day to you, my lady," she said curtsying. Her eyes were full of curiosity.
"And to you," Arwen answered graciously.
Éowyn met her gaze confidently. "Their departing is difficult, I am sure."
"Only for a fleeting moment for there is but a bare time which they shall be gone from here."
The other woman nodded, but her eyes still held Arwen's. There was a measuring glitter in their grey depths. Her golden hair glimmered as she turned her head to look out upon the lands from that high place. "Often have I wished to see you, the Evenstar of the Elves who sacrificed their gifts to be with a Mortal Man." She hesitantly looked again to Arwen. "I suppose I shall never quite understand how."
Arwen wondered at the woman's boldness. "Yet you understand something of it, I think." Her own piercing gaze bore into Éowyn and she saw her lift her head.
"Now...yes," she said softly. "I believe I do."
"Come then. Let us speak together and not recall what has passed." Arwen had no need to say outrightly what she meant for Éowyn was a perceiving woman.
"Yes. That would be well for us."
In the brief time Aragorn was not present, Arwen was greeted warmly by those in Meduseld. Some even came to the doors to inquire of the Queen of Gondor and to catch a glimpse of the renowned, fair maiden. Éomer, Éowyn, and Faramir all took joy in her presence as all four usually sat together in the hall. Éowyn especially had a great respect for the maiden who had put aside immortality for a man, the same man she had once loved. Many were beginning to hear of it from someone or other and all watched her with awed faces.
Aragorn returned then with far less companions than before and Arwen grieved briefly to see that her father had gone. They had spoken together privately one last time and her tears could not be repressed at that last moment. All had been spoken that was needed and all was done as well.
He entered the hall, his brow unadorned as before and the Elessar grasping and reflecting all the light in that place. Green specks danced across his throat and white cape.
"Glad we are to see you again," called Éomer rising to his feet. He had been sitting on the raised chair on the dais.
"And glad am I to arrive once more," he answered slowing his brisk step once he saw Arwen standing in one of the doorways. "As always, my friend. Bitter was our parting in our Fellowship and I have need to see those who remain here with me."
Arwen strode to his side and smoothed her draping, lavendar skirts. "Bitter was the parting of my kindred knowing that I shall never see them again. Long years will pass but they shall never cross my path."
Aragorn's eyes were full of understanding and he touched her cheek. "Yet those long years shall not be passed alone."
Éomer had become silent, and he gazed at the stone beneath his feet for a moment as he awaited them. "What do you intend to do now that the rule of Men is yours, Lord Elessar?"
Aragorn's eyes alighted, burning with an intent fire. "I intend to set things aright. My messengers will move along the roads again. Lands will be given or added to. All the Enemy's work will be washed away in Middle-earth no matter where it is. The lands in the East will take much time to mend, yet some day things will grow and life will return. There is a King again in Gondor."
Aragorn and Arwen returned to Minas Tirith after a few days in Edoras. They were welcomed heartily by their people and joy sprung up in even the darkest of places. Light shone in all of Minas Tirith as it never had before.
Aragorn at once began rebuilding the City of Kings to resemble its past glory and to go beyond it. The War had taken its toll on the city: the gates had been utterly destroyed—so they were removed from the wall—the fires of the enemy had burnt stone and all that had been out in the streets, and walls had been shattered or felled to the ground. The city had been diminishing through the Third Age even before the War of the Ring had come upon them, so abandoned dwellings were cleansed and built up once again so that men could return to the City of Kings after long years of toil. The banner of the King flew over the White Tower of Ecthelion, proudly fluttering in the cool breeze as its city below was slowly restored.
Celebrating continued in Men's hearts though they returned to somewhat normal lives better than before now that things were changing for the better. Perhaps they were not quite normal for in days past they had always prepared for battle when they awoke knowing Mordor was on their doorstep and looked despairingly to the East. Now they looked joyfully to the White Tower gleaming as white crystal seeing that the East was no longer so dark. The King had come again to restore beauty and light to the lands. Many were content with the fact that their children would see days of peace and the rule of a King after hundreds of generations had gazed upon an empty throne.
Faramir, now the Steward to the King, and Éowyn were recently come to their new abode Emyn Arnen for Faramir was set as Prince of Ithilien. Imrahil returned to Dol Amroth after his long time spent with King Elessar while Èomer began his rule in Rohan which was one of the only lands not ruled by the King in Middle-earth.
Gimli son of Glóin had brought many of his kin to the Caves of Aglarond—of which he had at once become enamoured with in the time of the War of the Ring—to dwell in. Once they came there work had begun on a special gift for the new King Elessar Telcontar of Gondor that would aid the city though there was no long much threat upon Minas Tirith. Soon it would be ready.
Arwen found Aragorn speaking to an assemblage of Dwarves led by Gimli son of Glóin. They had arrived the day before and planned on remaining for a time in the fair City of Kings. There were also Elves of Mirkwood that were come with Legolas, friend of Aragorn and member of the Fellowship of the Ring. Aragorn was discussing the putting in place of the great stone doors they had brought. Minas Tirith had never seen such grand gates with such detail in all its years. The Elves were present to make a request of the new King of the West. They had looked upon the Queen with sad gazes mingled with joyful smiles for, by the tale of Beren and Lúthien, they knew love was the most powerful of beings in all of Ea ; it severed differences and tore kin apart.
Aragorn did not even have to turn round to see his wedded Queen. His voice slowed and he smiled. The Dwarves had not yet seen or met the Queen of Gondor. They looked in her direction when Aragorn turned to meet Arwen's glimmering gaze. There were some few quiet gasps.
Aragorn, noble King beyond compare, lifted a hand towards Arwen palm-upwards. She glided forward, slipping her pale hand into his. Their eyes never left the other's as the Dwarves bowed their heads in solemn reverence. Arwen nodded to each of them in turn as Aragorn introduced them.
"...and Gimli son of Glóin who is a dear friend of mine," he said smiling broadly. "You will wish to know the whereabouts of Legolas, yes?"
Gimli's chuckle rumbled and he stroked his braided beard. "Ah yes! I had heard he was here with some of his kin as am I. I shall go to him once we are finished!" Through him was the friendship between Elves and Dwarves restored and the rift laid over by a bridge of love and forgiveness.
Gimli again looked upon Arwen Undómiel with eyes full of wonder. "Again I have glimpsed a star come down from the heavens at twilight to grace us with her presence."
Arwen laughed gently. "And fair are the words of Gimli, and generous is his heart. Thank you, young Dwarf, and may your fortunes soar. Already you have done more than your need. The Elves are grateful for your repairing of our lost alliance. Much thanks is due to you and Legolas Greenleaf."
Gimli bowed low. "Such praise from you is worth more than all the gems of the mountains."
Aragorn clasped the Dwarf's shoulder. "Go then to your friend, good Dwarf." He looked to the others with shining eyes. "And take what rest you can, my friends, in this fair city."
They bid him farewell and departed for the noon meal. Arwen laced her fingers through Aragorn's and smiled brightly.
"Fairest by far is the star that steps down from heaven than the one that falls," whispered Aragorn near her delicately pointed ear.
"And greatest is the King who cares and lusts not after power," she said in return. "I have known of many who do not."
Aragorn laughed lightly and walked with her down the great hall. They revelled in the silence arm-in-arm not having to speak audibly to converse. The mighty Kings of old looked down upon a descendant of theirs who indeed would, and already had, become mightier than they and like unto the mighty Men of the First and Second Age: Bëor the Old, Beren Erchamion, Túrin Turambar, Tuor of Gondolin, Elros first King of Númenor, and Elendil the Tall who saved the White Tree Nimloth and began the great kingdoms of Men in Middle-earth.
They soon found themselves in the Court of the Fountain near the edge looking out over the land shining in the sunlight. There were men down near the gate opening preparing to raise up the new gift of the Dwarves.
"The Elves will wish an audience with you today," said Arwen.
"I know." He looked into her large grey eyes. "Do you ever grieve to see your fair kindred...your lost kin?"
Arwen answered without hesitation. "Nay, my love. I would have made no other choice no matter how many times I went back. My heart belongs to you alone, and I wish for nothing more than you here with me."
Aragorn never had any doubts, yet his mind was smoothed and his being filled to overflowing with a warm light bursting through ever fibre of his heart and spirit.