Long Live the King

The sun shone brightly in a blue sky. Fiondra looked at the sea. The rolling waves came to lap gently at her bare feet. She could see the other shore far off on the horizon. "Come to us," the elves called, reaching out their hands to her. She stretched out her arms, but the distance between them started to grow. "Come to us," they said faintly. "Before it is too late."

Fiondra ran to join them, but as soon as her feet touched the water offshore, she sank quickly in her heavy gown. "No!"

Fiondra sat up in bed, breathing heavily. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the dark room and she sighed at the familiar setting.

Next to her, Legolas sat up groggily. "What's wrong?" he asked, alarmed at his wife's pale face.

Fiondra turned to look, fear shining brightly in her eyes. She allowed Legolas to gather her in his arms. "I was by the sea, and the elves in the West called to me," she mumbled against his chest. "I was going toward them, and then they moved further away until I couldn't see them anymore."

Legolas stroked her back and soothed, "It's only a dream, meleth nin. Nothing more."

Fiondra pulled away and said bluntly, "What if it wasn't? Are we destined to remain in Middle Earth forever?"

"It wasn't anything more than a nightmare, Fiondra," Legolas replied firmly. "It was merely a bad dream that came from anxiety over Arien and Aglarsir's upcoming departure.

"Mayhap that is true," Fiondra retorted, "But are we going to ever leave this land? Can you promise me that?"

Legolas looked at the elleth solemnly. He softly placed a kiss on her forehead. "Listen to me, me leth," the ellon said," I swear to you that one day we too shall leave for Valinor. But I will not leave until…" He hesitated to go on.

"Until what, Legolas?" Fiondra asked more gently.

Sorrow passed over his face. "Until each of my friends is gone from this life," Legolas said quietly.

"Oh," Fiondra said, embracing her husband. "Hannon le, Legolas."

He pulled her down amidst the blankets and kissed her hard. They returned to slumber, Fiondra nestled within Legolas' arms.

X X X X X

Sunlight filtered into the tranquil room. Fiondra blinked to clean the sleep from her eyes and shuddered in remembrance of the past night's dream. Beside her, Legolas stirred but didn't waken. Fiondra moved closer to Legolas and the heat he passed to her. She rolled over and gazed into his sleep-fogged blue eyes. The elleth gently pressed her lips to those of her husband.

Instantly awaking, Legolas smiled and slowly raised himself on one elbow. "That was a nice way to awaken," he said pleasantly.

"Forgive me for waking you, but we should start getting dressed. You haven't forgotten that Arien and Aglarsir are getting married today, have you?" Fiondra sat up and waited for Legolas to answer.

"I haven't forgotten," he replied. "I just was remembering our own wedding."

As he got out of the bed, Fiondra sighed happily. "It hardly seems like it has been over three months."

Legolas turned, torso bare and grinned. "I know," he groaned. "It feels like longer." He laughed as he dodged the pillow Fiondra threw at him. Legolas ran to the bed, but Fiondra was already out of it.

"I must get dressed and leave quickly," she called from behind a dressing screen. "I have to take Arien to the bridal creek."

"So early?" Legolas yawned as if to emphasize a point. He watched as his wife emerged fully clothed in a light blue dress.

"It takes a ling time to get ready for a wedding." Fiondra explained, quickly running a brush through her long hair. "I'll see you at the ceremony later."

Legolas caught her hand before she rushed out of the bedroom. "Namarie Fiondra," he murmured, gently placing a kiss on her lips.

She returned the kiss and regretfully said, "I must leave. Im meleth le!" The elleth left the room, skirts trailing.

Legolas sighed and resigned himself to getting dressed. I should see how Aglarsir is faring anyway.

X X X X X

"You look beautiful," Fiondra repeated for the third time to Arien. "Why don't you believe me?"

Arien glanced at her reflection. "I suppose you're right," she said carefully. "But are you sure—"

"You look wonderful," Fiondra insisted firmly. She knelt and straightened the hem of Arien's gown. "Your hair is perfect, your skin is glowing, what more do you want?"

"To not be so nervous!" Arien exclaimed. She let out a noisy breath as Fiondra embraced.

"You'll be fine, don't worry," Fiondra soothed. "We must leave now. Your bridegroom is waiting for you."

Arien pasted on a smile, and picked up her bouquet of roses. "Let's go."

X X X X X

Fiondra wiped her eyes and smiled teary-eyed up at Legolas. The ellon smiled back at her and clapped heartily as Arien and Aglarsir finished their kiss. Arien shyly smiled at the small group of elves who had come to attend the wedding. Aglarsir grinned at the elves and then watched as Legolas stood up.

"My friends, Fiondra and I would like you to share in a celebratory dinner for Aglarsir and Arien at the palace shortly." Legolas gave a slight bow and the newly married couple started to walk arm-in-arm toward the building. Legolas turned to Fiondra and held out a hand to her.

She smiled and took it saying, "Do you remember out wedding in this grove of trees?"

Legolas nodded, "I'll never forget. You were so beautiful that day."

"And I'm not now?" Fiondra teased.

"No…" Legolas replied. "You're far more beautiful now."

"Hannon le," she said simply. They walked in silence for some time, following the forms of the other elves far ahead of them.

They were almost to the palace when Legolas asked carefully, "How would you feel about leaving Mirkwood?" At Fiondra's confused look, he quickly added, "Not now. Someday, after my father leaves."

Still bewildered, Fiondra asked, "Where would we go? Valinor?"

Legolas shook his head slowly. "No; before Valinor. I meant to say, leave Mirkwood for Ithilien."

"Isn't Ithilien in Mordor?" Fiondra asked. At the ellon's nod, she sighed, "Forgive me, meleth nin. I just cannot understand why you would want to live there."

"I got a letter from Aragorn recently," Legolas explained. "It seems he's sending Faramir to live there. And Eowyn."

"Ah…" Fiondra searched for the right thing to say. "And why is he doing that?"

"My guess would be to keep a reign on the outer reaches of Gondor's land. Regardless of the reason, Aragorn says that Faramir and Eowyn would be more than happy to have some elves live with them in Ithilien." Legolas cupped a hand under Fiondra's elbow as they walked up the steps of the palace. "Would you be averse to living in Ithilien?"

"No, Legolas. I will follow you wherever you go." Fiondra replied bluntly.

"You did not answer my question," Legolas chided her gently.

Fiondra gave him a worried look. "You know that wherever you are I want to be. But there woods are yours to rule by birthright. If we live in Ithilien, you'd be living under someone else's rules. Could you be happy living like that?"

"Yes," Legolas said firmly. "Being king was never all that important to me anyway. The elves we take with us will still look to me as leader nonetheless."

"Then yes," Fiondra told him. "I will be fine with leaving Mirkwood. There is still too much evil lurking in the trees, despite all the joy I have found here."

Legolas kissed her. "Hannon le, meleth nin. And again, I promise you that someday we will live in the Undying Lands with our friends.

X X X X X

Three short weeks later, Legolas felt obliged to make that promise to Fiondra again, though this time silently. His wife stood trembling, her evergreen dress soaked with rain. Her face was set hard, water dripping off her face so often that Legolas was not sure if it was the rain or her tears.

Aglarsir gently prodded Arien forward. "It is time to leave, meleth."

Fiondra ran forward to meet Arien. The two began weeping. "I'll join you someday," Fiondra sobbed.

"I know," Arien cried, "I'll be waiting."

While their wives clung to each other, Aglarsir and Legolas turned to one another. "Namarie, mellon nin." Legolas said solemnly.

"Farewell, Legolas," the other ellon replied. The two friends embraced and then Aglarsir went to Arien. He gently pried her away from Fiondra and helped her onto his horse. The couple moved to join the group of other elves who were leaving Mirkwood.

Down from the palace walked Thranduil. There were tears in his eyes as he spoke to his son and his honorary daughter. "I never thought that I would leave this my kingdom without your mother," the old king said in a choked voice. "It's yours now, ion nin."

Legolas swallowed hard. "Namarie Ada." Father and son embraced.

Fiondra stifled another sob as Thranduil turned to her with a sad smile. "Namarie fair daughter. I give you the title my dear wife once wore. Carry it well, as she did." Fiondra hugged him and placed a kiss on his cheek.

Thranduil climbed onto his black horse. "Oh, and one more thing, "the elf said with a hint of amusement. "I expect some elfings for me to enjoy when you come to Valinor." He chuckled and urged his horse into walking. Thranduil led the procession out of the forest.

Legolas pulled Fiondra to his side as Arien and Aglarsir passed. Arien called a tearful farewell and Aglarsir solemnly raised a hand to do the same.

The new royal couple waited until the procession of elves was gone before turning to go inside. Fiondra looked at Legolas with tears streaming down her face and shakily asked, "What shall we do now, my Lord?"

He kissed her softly. "Never 'my Lord', meleth. Although I am king, you still have my heart, dearest Queen."

She kissed him back gratefully and did not protest when he carefully lifted her into his arms and went into their bedroom.

Their grief was quickly forgotten, but the rain falling served as a reminder of what was lost to them.

X X X X X

Thanks to all reviewers from the wedding chapter. Hopefully we'll reach the end of this journey soon! Look for the next chapter after February.