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Tauriel POV
The company from Eryn Lasgalen as well as their escort from Ithilien wound their way up through the circulating levels of Minas Tirith to the Citadel. Many of the people of Gondor looked to the elves in fascination, some even shouted greetings to them in the tongues of both men and elves. They were clearly happy of their presence here in the city, which heartened Tauriel. Once in the courtyard of the Citadel, they dismounted and the elves lowered the hoods of their travelling cloaks.
Tauriel suddenly felt nervous at the prospect of meeting with the King and Queen and she absentmindedly reached up to check that her circlet of white gems was still in place.
I will not let Thranduil down. I will be his envoy and make him proud.
Legolas noticed Tauriel fussing from where he was patting Arod's neck and walked over to her before taking her hand and placing a tender kiss on her lips.
'You are radiant, meleth nîn.' Legolas said softly as he gently stroked her hair.
'As are you, my Prince.' Legolas smiled down at her and Tauriel's heart melted.
She loved the way his woven silver circlet looked against his pale blond hair. Legolas also wore the belt of silver leaves that had been his pledging gift from Ranadir and Serilla, further marking his position as Prince of Eryn Lasgalen.
The Captain was grateful when she saw that Éowyn patiently held Nesseldë still and whispered Rohirric words to capture the mare's attention whilst Gimli dismounted rather inelegantly in a flurry of limbs and armour.
After Gimli was safely back upon the ground, Faramir motioned the company towards what Tauriel assumed was the King's throne room. 'Please, this way.' He smiled to his friends in that endearing manner of his.
As Tauriel entered, she was taken aback by the magnificence of the hall. Statues of the great Kings of old lined the alcoves of the throne room which was solid white marble lined with intricate veins of black stone.
Tauriel's eyes were immediately drawn to two figures deep in conversation at the centre of the chamber, royally crowned and dressed resplendently in flowing robes, they were deep in conversation.
Briefly I thought that I had strayed into a dream and that my eyes beheld Beren and Lúthien.
The King turned and beamed as he sauntered towards Legolas who held a radiant smile in return. The two placed their hands upon each other's shoulders before greeting each other in the elvish fashion.
'Aragorn!' Gimli cried running forward and wrapping his arms about the King's waist. Legolas had to spring back to avoid being barrelled over. Tauriel raised an eyebrow from where she stood ahead of the rest of the elves with Faramir and Éowyn, enjoying how there were no formalities between them, for they were truly united in fellowship.
After a while, a laughing Aragorn pried himself out of Gimli's arms as Legolas held out his arm for Tauriel. Aragorn looked from Legolas to Tauriel and a kind smile lit his handsome face.
Legolas nodded at Tauriel before moving to reunite with the patiently waiting Queen Arwen.
Tauriel took a steadying breath and moved to stand in front of the Great King of Men, bowing her head low in respect. Aragorn mirrored her before pulling her in for a tight hug. Tauriel was stunned by the contact and awkwardly held her arms out to her sides in shock.
'You are most welcome here, heart of Legolas and fearless warrior in your own right.' Aragorn had a soft yet strong voice and Tauriel relaxed enough to timidly pat him on the back.
Mortals. I have no idea what I am doing.
Aragorn released her and chuckled before they turned to look at Arwen and Legolas. The two both held a hand to the other's cheek and a silent communication seemed to be passing between them in the elven style of reunion.
From the way Legolas speaks of her, I think he thinks of Arwen as a sister he never had. He was fostered with her in Imladris after all. I am glad that they are reunited for she was there for him when his Mother passed. From what he has told me, I believe her wise in council and fair of mind.
It was then that Tauriel properly looked at the Queen and sensed that she had lost the inner light that all eldar have.
She really is mortal.
The thought unnerved Tauriel but then she realised how happy Arwen looked surrounded by her life's dreams and the Captain could not begrudge her that. Her raven dark hair fell around her in waves but was held back from her face by a crown of pale green gems in the design of intricate butterfly wings. Her sapphire eyes and rosy lips made her altogether breath-taking in appearance.
Galadriel is threaded with silver and gold but Arwen is the night sky, the evening star.
The Queen looked from Legolas then, and turned to Tauriel. As she walked towards the Captain, Tauriel saw intelligence burning in her blue depths.
She is of the line of Celeborn and Lord Elrond, after all.
'Mae g'ovannen, Tauriel.' Arwen's voice was like softly flowing water.
'Hiril vuin. I am honoured to meet you.' Tauriel bowed her head low.
'Long have I desired to meet the brave Captain that has captured Legolas' heart.' Arwen gently took Tauriel's hand in her own delicate fingers.
The Great Queen leaned closer to the Captain and whispered for Tauriel's keen ears only. 'In my heart I am happy yet I have sorely missed the company of elleth.'
It must be hard for her, living with no elves after thousands of years in Imladris and Lorien.
Tauriel squeezed the Queen's hand, who was studying her intently with her serene sapphire gaze.
All paused at the sound of a child's laughter. Fin-galad came running forward, lithely dodging the failed attempts of a blushing Ranadir to scoop him back up.
The elves stilled and Fin-galad now in the centre of the throne room and away from his parents, paused, chestnut eyes brimming with worry at the unfamiliar surroundings.
Tauriel did not know what to do, for she still held the Queen's hand. Seeing her auburn hair, Fin-galad raced to where Tauriel stood and clung to her knee in comfort. Tauriel looked down at the elfling and then back up to Arwen who was looking down at Fin-galad with a curious yet amused expression.
Aragorn moved to stand next to his wife as Arwen delicately knelt down next to Fin-galad, who peered at her from behind the safety of Tauriel's leg.
'Mae g'ovannen, henig, im Arwen. Av-'osto.'
Aragorn smiled as Arwen held her out her hand, palm up, and Fin-galad placed his on top of hers. The Queen smiled and lifted the elfling up, causing Fin-galad to laugh in wonder at the beautiful elleth before him.
'My own Eldarion is sleeping.' Arwen tilted her elegant head, seemingly enchanted by the notion.
Ranadir stepped forward and bowed. 'Forgive my son, hîr vuin, hiril vuin, the journey has been very long for one as young as Fin-galad.'
Arwen smiled at Ranadir whilst Aragorn looked down kindly at the young elf.
'Your name is kingly.' Aragorn gently told Fin-galad from where he was held safely in Arwen's arms.
Arwen moved to return Fin-galad to Ranadir who was now accompanied by a blushing Serilla.
Aragorn continued. 'You must be tired after your long journey. We have guest chambers prepared so that you may unburden yourselves before the feast held in your honour.'
Legolas inclined his head. 'Hannon le, mellon.'
'Fin-galad may find peace in Eldarion's chambers, if it pleases you.'
Ranadir held up his head proudly and Serilla beamed at the Queen. 'We are honoured by your hospitality, hiril vuin.' Serilla replied.
Legolas POV
Legolas sat on the left of Aragorn with Gimli, Faramir and Éowyn as Arwen had insisted that Tauriel sit next to her to the right of Aragorn. Legolas smiled as he sipped his honeysuckle wine and saw Tauriel deep in sindarin conversation with the Queen. From the snippets of conversation he could hear, Tauriel was speaking of the daggers granted to her by the Lady Galadriel and of her time with the two rulers of Lothlorien and grandparents of Arwen.
Aragorn and Faramir had been informing him and Gimli that the dwarves had fortified both Minas Tirith and Ithilien with great gates and protective turrets to stand the weathering of this world.
'Never again will the jewel of our Kingdom be overrun by servants of darkness.' Faramir said seriously to which Aragorn nodded gravely.
'Now the elves will entwine the work of both men and dwarves with the caress of nature to restore harmony back to this great land.' Legolas replied.
Faramir smiled but Gimli nudged the Gondorian Captain and muttered in between gulps of ale. 'I'm just here to make sure pointy over there doesn't ruin perfectly good dwarf craftsmanship with flower wreaths and other such nonsense.'
Legolas raised an eyebrow at Gimli who laughed and drank more ale in response.
Éowyn saved the conversation by enquiring about life for the elves in Eryn Lasgalen. The Prince was happy to talk about home for Éowyn seemed genuinely interested in the different customs of his people. She was particularly interested in the operations of the Guard.
'You should ask Tauriel more of the Guard, for my Father appointed her his Captain. She was the youngest elleth ever instated with the responsibility, for no other was worthier than the daughter of the forest.' Legolas said proudly.
'I will endeavour to. How old was Tauriel when she became Captain, if you do not mind my asking?' Éowyn asked. Her smile utterly transformed her face, highlighting her youth and beauty. Legolas remembered her being so serious and grave that he could not deny her curiosity.
'Tauriel was only six-hundred years old when my Father awarded her the position.' He replied with a smile.
Éowyn's eyes widened and she sat back. 'I always find it difficult to grasp your timeless nature. Tauriel appears my age, as does the Queen yet they are older than the entire lineage of my family.'
The Lady of Rohan looked incredulously at Faramir who shrugged and raised an eyebrow back at her. 'Only six-hundred, indeed. I can only hope I will look the same at six-hundred.'
Éowyn gave a pretty laugh and took Faramir's hand in her own.
Aragorn spoke. 'Tomorrow we will ride out with your company to see you settled in Ithilien. Prince Faramir has been busy preparing for the arrival of your elves and Arwen has guided the construction of settlements we hope you will find to your liking.'
'Please, feel free to make any adjustments you like. We cannot thank you enough for your help in the days to come.' Faramir placed his hand on Legolas' shoulder.
'Hannon le. I am sure it will be perfect.' The Prince said in response.
Aragorn continued. 'Our biggest concern is to get the forests to regrow and encourage crops to seed in the areas that were once contaminated by the evil of orcs.'
'Those that chose to journey with us have the skills that you are searching for. King Thranduil was specific about what we are here to do and extends his friendship to you, Elessar. The elves are willing to help men.' Legolas smiled at his dear friend.
'For tonight though, let us reunite the bonds between our peoples. You have travelled far to be here.' Arwen interjected causing Aragorn to smile lovingly at her.
Gimli turned to Faramir with a fairly serious look under his bushy eyebrows. 'So laddie. How do you feel about a drinking contest.'
Faramir looked from the dwarf to Aragorn who chuckled and raised his eyebrows whilst Legolas pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation at his friend.
Elvish
Mae g'ovannen, henig, im Arwen. Av-'osto. –Greetings child, I am Arwen. Do not be afraid