Chapter 39 ended with:
Valerie left Amareth's side and ran to father and son, laughing and hugging the elfling while the family encircled them to celebrate the child's achievement.
"How did it go?" a relieved Sean murmured beside Amareth.
"Very well, my love. All will be well."
Some original characters living in Valinor:
Lithil, first mother of Oropher
Tialyn, mate of Oropher and mother of Thranduil
Derenil, mate of Thranduil and mother of Legolas
Allison, Valerie's sister, mate of Glorfindel and mother of Rosswen
Rosswen, daughter of Glorfindel and Allison, mate of Haldir
Helethil, mate of Liam
Amareth, former lover of Legolas and Sean's mate
Chapter 40 - Epilogue
Greenwood, Valinor
Year 121 of the Fourth Age, one year later
The Greenwood manor was full of people chatting quite loudly. Derenil had never received so many visitors since the arrival of Legolas, his mate and their children the year before. In every room, relatives and friends were gathered, exchanging news and celebrating the fact that a new life would soon start. But as the hours passed and the sounds coming from a room upstairs grew in volume, the chatters became more quiet until everyone simply sat down and listened worriedly to the cries of the sweetest elleth of all.
Elrohir was sitting on a couch, between his naneth Celebrian and Legolas. He was crushing his mother's hand each time he heard his mate's painful screams.
"All will be well, Elrohir," Thranduil said. "The best healers are with her. Between Galadriel, your adar, your brother and Allison, all will be over soon and -"
He was cut by a deafening wail from above, and all shuddered, hoping that the torture Victoria was enduring would soon be over. It had lasted hours already, longer than they had all expected.
"I should be with her," Elrohir whispered. "I have attended many births. But I am too weak. I cannot see Victoria suffer so!"
"Valerie is with her and giving her all the support she needs," Legolas told him.
"This reminds me of when Mother gave birth to Oropher and Gil-galad," Liam recalled out loud without realizing it was not the right thing to say. His wife Helethil put her hand on his arm, hoping he would understand her silent request, but to no avail. "The screaming was horrible. And to think Aunt Allison had to surgically remove them while Mother was awake!"
"Liam!" Thranduil thundered, seeing how Elrohir had paled at the thought that his beloved mate might have to go through the same procedure. "These memories are not happy ones under the circumstances."
"I am sorry, Elrohir," Liam said to his brother-in-law, finally realizing his blunder.
"Giving birth for the first time always takes longer," Rosswen reminded Elrohir. "As a healer, you know that very well. It is not because it is your own mate giving birth that nature will act differently. But I will go upstairs for news if you want."
When Elrohir nodded, Rosswen gave their one-year-old daughter Faniel to Haldir who had been standing nearby.
The Marchwarden of Lothlorien took the child and held her close to his chest in a protective gesture. Haldir had never thought he could love an elfling so much. He had never been interested in children, and he had in fact wondered for many years how Prince Legolas has coped with so many elflings. But the moment Allison had put his daughter in his arms, his life had changed completely. He was now responsible for the life of a little, helpless being. He had loved her since the moment Faniel had opened her eyes and looked at him with her green eyes, so similar to Rosswen's. A year later, his daughter was more alert and squealed happily when her naneth gave her to Haldir. The Marchwarden gave her a kiss and blushed violently when he noticed the people observing him interact with his daughter.
Amareth and Phoebe entered the room at that moment, sparing him the teasing, the former holding the hand of Raevon while the latter was with Eiliannel.
"Why is Victoria screaming?" Eili immediately asked, recognizing the voice of her sister.
"This is no place for children," Derenil whispered to Phoebe. "You must leave the manor!"
"We thought it might be over by now," Phoebe sighed. "We are running out of distractions, and they want to see Mother."
Legolas knelt in front of his youngest children. "Nana is busy with Victoria. You know that Victoria is having a baby right now."
"Baby hurt Victoria?" Raevon asked with his limited vocabulary.
"It hurts a little when the baby arrives," Legolas informed them.
"Raevon hurt Nana when he was born?" Eiliannel asked with a frown. She still harbored jealousy for her little brother.
"So did you," Gimli told her abruptly. The dwarf was now staying permanently in the Greenwood manor after spending a few weeks with the hobbits. The entire family was trying very hard to make Eiliannel understand that she was as important as Raevon and that her jealousy was for naught, but Gimli was very close to her and was working on this with her almost on a daily basis since his return.
"Why don't we take them for a walk?" Ecthelion asked, happy to leave the manor where the atmosphere was getting heavier with every passing hour.
Gimli accepted and they left the manor, bringing the two elflings with them. Amareth and Phoebe sat in the room with the family, eager to finally get news.
"We are still waiting for news," Sean informed Amareth. "Rosswen just left to speak with Allison."
"I missed you," Amareth whispered in his ear. Their binding had taken place two days before, but they had decided to postpone their honeymoon to Tirion until after Victoria had given birth. "Being away from you, even for a few hours, is like torture."
"My father says it will get better. I just... feel the need to consume our bond frequently," Sean admitted.
Amareth blushed but her gaze clearly indicated that her thoughts had taken a different direction.
"Please," Gil-galad said, rolling his eyes, "keep these conversations for later, when you are alone in your room."
"Tonight," Sean promised to his wife.
"What conversations?" Valerie's voice asked behind them. She was with Rosswen. She looked exhausted and Legolas stood to take her in his arms. Soon, everyone in the room was standing around Valerie and Legolas.
"How is she? How is my Victoria?" Elrohir asked nervously.
"She is doing well."
"But the screams..."
"They are perfectly normal for a first pregnancy. She is not fully dilated yet. It is a slow process, but she is doing well," she insisted.
"She is in pain!" Elrohir cried.
"Victoria is only 123 years old, she is still very young," Valerie reminded him. "Most ellith do not give birth to their first child before they are a millennia. Victoria never suffered physical pain, never knew adversity, she never had the chance to test her endurance. She is very agitated and panics easily. But she will succeed. She is stronger than she thinks."
Suddenly, a piercing shout was heard, the loudest so far, followed by calls from Victoria to her mother. "Nana! Nana! Where are you?"
"I must go," Valerie said tiredly. "I must be with her."
"Take good care of her," Elrohir begged her before she went back upstairs.
Back in the room, the scene had not changed. Victoria was still lying on the bed, sweaty and extremely nervous. Around her, Galadriel, Elrond, Elladan and Allison were sitting, asking her to calm down and assuring her that the pain was normal. As soon as she saw her mother, Victoria pushed away Elrond's hand and extended her arms in the direction of her mother.
Valerie sat beside her on the bed and caressed her damp hair. "I am back, sweetheart."
"Why did you leave?"
"I had to tell our family that you are doing well. You can imagine that your Elrohir is very worried."
"Elrohir? Please do not let him come in. I do not want him to see me like this! I do not want him to know how much pain I am in!"
Valerie did not point out that everyone in the manor could hear her screams of pain. Victoria would only try to muffle them and nothing good would come out of that. She would need to express her pain in order to push properly later on.
"She is ready," Elrond told her. "She is fully dilated. We were waiting for you to start."
"I cannot push," Victoria cried. "I am tired. I want to sleep."
"You cannot sleep until it is over," Galadriel told her patiently.
"Oh no! Oh no! The pain is coming back," Victoria cried, bracing herself for the pain and making it worse at the same time.
"Relax, my love," Valerie told her, supporting her while the contraction lasted. "Relax, breathe profoundly, that's it. You are doing good. Very good."
Elrond and Elladan helped Victoria to sit while Valerie and Allison sat behind her.
"We will wait for next contraction, and then you push," Elrond requested. He found it difficult to help Victoria, just like he had had a hard time helping Celebrian each time she had given birth. Victoria was like a daughter to him. He hoped that there would be no complications. She was carrying a single child, and although her mother was half-elven, Victoria was a full elf. Ellith rarely had complications during childbirth. He quickly prayed the Valar that his daughter-in-law would have a quick and safe delivery. It was going very well, despite what Victoria was thinking.
"I do not want to push, I cannot push!" Victoria whined again. "The pain is too great! I am dying!"
"Victoria Legolasiel! You are not dying! I did not raise you to be so childish! Your baby must be born now, and the longer you wait, the longer he or she is compressed in the birth canal. You must push! Unless you want to deliver the child like I delivered Gil-galad and Oropher?"
"No!" Victoria had not been born at the time but had heard of the terrifying tale. She did not want to be cut open by Allison.
"Then act like an adult and give birth to your child! You will forget the pain, I promise. The moment you will hold your child against your heart, you will forget and be ready to go through it all over again in order to have another one."
In the room below, everyone was following the conversation, and heard the encouragements of Valerie and Allison while Victoria was pushing under the guidance of Elrond and Elladan. It lasted for more than an hour before they all sighed in relief when they finally heard the mewling of a small child. In an instant, Elrohir was gone to join his mate and his newborn elfling.
When he entered the room, he saw his mate sitting on the bed, her hair disheveled and wet, but a huge smile on her face as she watched the little bundle in her arms. Valerie was still trying to wipe the baby clean but Victoria was having none of it, gently pushing away her naneth's hands so she could keep her child all to herself.
"Is he not beautiful, Naneth?" she was asking at the same time.
"Yes, he is, but he would look even nicer if you allowed me to wash him properly!" Valerie said. "Look who is here!" she remarked when she saw her son-in-law in the room. "Join us, Elrohir. Congratulations!"
"My love! Come see our son!" Elrohir swiftly approached the bed and sat beside his wife.
"Are you well?" he asked her even before looking at his child.
"Yes, yes! I am sorry if I worried you! Naneth was right, the pain is gone and I am so happy! Look at him! He is exactly like I had dreamed! He looks like you!"
Elrohir looked at his son, and saw that he had a lot of black hair already.
"He looks like you and Elladan when you were born," Elrond said with satisfaction. "I was afraid for a moment that I would have a grandchild with this horrifying red hair color!" The Lord of New Imladris started to laugh heartily.
"I resent that!" Valerie replied at once with a snort.
"Me too!" Phoebe cried from the first floor. "When can we come in?"
"Give us a few moments," Allison sighed, hating how her extended family spoke to each other through walls and floors instead of politely joining the person they were talking to in their room.
Elrohir caressed the delicate little head of his son. "He is beautiful. Thank you. Thank you! I am so sorry that you had to suffer so much."
"We need to take care of Victoria now," Elladan reminded his brother. "You could bring your son to the rest of the family while we bathe her."
Elrohir took his son from Victoria's arms, holding him with great care as if it was the first child he had ever held. "They will ask what his name is... We were hesitating between two for an ellon," he told the naneth of his son.
"Elaron," Victoria chose. "Since he looks so much like your family, it is only natural that his name respects the naming tradition of the males of your family."
"Elaron it is," Elrond said with barely disguised satisfaction. "Elrohir, please do give my respects to Thranduil when you tell him my grandson's name!"
The females in the room rolled their eyes in perfect harmony, knowing Thranduil would not rest until he had a great-grandchild named after him.
OoOoO
New Imladris, Valinor
Year 161 of the Fourth Age, 40 years later
There were so many people in Elrond's manor that Valerie felt trapped. Never since her arrival in Valinor had she seen so many elves in the same place, except for the tournament of Lord Tulkas organized every 25 years in Tirion. The fact that hundreds of elves were in attendance at this particular party was proof that the Lord of New Imladris was extremely popular in Valinor. But the celebrations were of the utmost importance for all, since everyone was celebrating the birth of Celebrian and Elrond's daughter.
A year before, Celebrian had become pregnant and the Valar had announced to the couple that their daughter Arwen had been released from the Halls of Mandos. The celebrations following this announcement had lasted for many days in New Imladris, but also in Lothlorien and Greenwood. Everyone had been thrilled to know that Arwen would soon return to them. Why had she been released so early, like Cadworon before her while other elves who had died millennia before were still in the Halls? No one dared question the will of the Valar.
Valerie was able to discreetly leave the crowd and went upstairs where she knew only close guests of the family were allowed. There was no one in the hallway of the third floor, and the noises of the celebration were dimmed. She sighed in relief, putting a cold hand on her forehead, where she felt the pain of a migraine growing steadily. Hearing the thoughts of elves all around her was still overwhelming, even after almost 200 years of living with the mind-reading ability that Lady Galadriel had given her after the birth of Gil-galad and Oropher.
She heard the soft click of a door opening behind her and turned around, wondering if a servant was done cleaning a room. She hoped it would not be a guest who would want to chat with her about some unimportant matter.
"Oh Valerie, it is you!" Elrohir whispered. "I thought I had heard someone in the hallway."
She was relieved that it was only her son-in-law. "Yes, I am sorry if I disturbed your mother. I was going back to my room."
"My naneth is sleeping. Arwen did not have a good day, she cried a lot and we could not figure out what she needed. It is probably all this noise disturbing her. It is a shame that my adar is not able to put an end to the celebrations!"
"I cannot comment on this, being a visitor myself," Valerie chuckled silently.
"You are family," Elrohir protested heartily. "Valerie, would you mind...? I would like to spend time with Victoria and Elaron, and my naneth is sleeping..."
"How can I help you?"
"Would you mind keeping an eye on Arwen? She is quiet right now."
"I will," Valerie replied eagerly, her migraine disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. There were so many people in the manor that she only had had the chance to hold her reborn friend for a few minutes. And Celebrian herself was very possessive of her daughter, never leaving her out of her sight...
She followed Elrohir in the room, seeing that Celebrian was deeply asleep in her bed. She was softly snoring, a sure sign of her exhaustion. In the crib beside the bed, the four-days old elleth had her eyes open and was looking at the two silhouettes above her.
"She is already so beautiful," Valerie murmured. "It is strange to see her as a newborn."
"Now you know how people felt when facing your reborn sons! Take her, maybe you can go on the balcony and watch the celebrations from above?"
Valerie delicately lifted the baby and held her against her chest. Elrohir placed a long chair on Celebrian's balcony and helped Valerie to sit comfortably.
"Call a servant if you need help," Elrohir told her.
"Elrohir, I raised 12 children and helped raise three grandchildren, including your own son. I will not need help," she chuckled. "Go now, Victoria must be looking for you!"
Once she was alone, she observed the elfling in her arms with great attention. Arwen looked very much like Elaron had looked when he had been born 40 years before. Same eyes, same black hair, same cream-colored skin. The eyebrows were already well defined, and the eyelashes long and dark.
"You truly are beautiful, little Arwen. You will grow to be the most stunning of us all." She caressed the smooth cheek with a finger, tracing the small features with affection. "You were my best friend once. I hope... I hope that we will still be friends when you regain your memories. I miss you so much, Arwen."
The child in her arms smiled to her, before yawning with her toothless mouth. She fell asleep, feeling safe in the arms of the adult holding her. Valerie held her closer, inhaling the flowery scent she recognized.
"I love you, little one. I will always be there for you, I promise. And one day, you will remember me. And we will be close again."
Valerie observed the festivities below, looking for her loved ones in the hundreds of elves composing the crowd.
To her left, she could see the three hobbits and Gimli eating and drinking like there was no tomorrow. Legolas was watching them in dismay and Thranduil with annoyance. The king soon left that particular table, inviting his mate Derenil on the dance floor where Tialyn and Oropher were already dancing. Valerie watched them proudly for a long time, father and son with their mates, the picture of two peaceful couples who were very close. In the past decades, Oropher and Thranduil had spent much time together trying to mend their relationship. When they were in Middle Earth, Oropher's irate dispositions had created a great distance between them. Oropher's death on the battlefield had ended any chance they could have had to understand each other, and Thranduil had spent millennia wondering what he could have done to be closer to his father. Oropher's rebirth as his grandson had given him the opportunity to be closer to him, to try to understand him, and give him some happiness he did not have the chance to have in his previous childhood. When Oropher had finally sailed and was reunited with his mate and his son, he had been able to be with both of them like he should always have been. A loving husband, a thoughtful father and a dedicated son to his second mother.
Oropher, Thranduil, Legolas and Valerie had a very close relationship. They would spend hours talking about the affairs of Valinor and Greenwood. Both Oropher and Thranduil were part of the council who ruled Valinor, along with Celeborn, Galadriel, Elrond, Gil-galad and a few ellyn who were king of their realm in Valinor. This select group of elves was meeting four times a year to make decisions about commerce, development of cities and security. A few months before, elves who had traveled in the south-eastern peaks of Valinor had reported some strange activity around Mount Hyarmentir, close to where Ungoliant's lair used to be in the First Age. Many scouts had been sent, some had come back reporting that nothing was wrong, and some had never come back. It was becoming a pressing matter, and the Council could not agree on a course of action yet.
Oropher and Thranduil had actively participated in the meetings for a long time, but lately, they had wanted to travel and spend more time with their acquaintances all over Valinor. They had numerous times sent Legolas and Valerie as their representatives for the councils. At first, Valerie had been intimidated by the circle of elves full of wisdom discussing the serious matters of Valinor. She simply had attended, never giving her opinion or making suggestions. But over the years, she had discovered that the fact that her reasoning was completely different than her counterparts' brought well-needed diversity in the discussions. She was now actively sharing her thoughts, as well as reading the others', and it helped Legolas and herself to voice Greenwood's concerns and protect the realm's interests. As of that day, Oropher and Thranduil were barely attending anymore. There was a council in a few weeks, and they both were planning to go to Alqualondë to sail for a few weeks with Tialyn and Derenil. Valerie hoped that the festivities would be over in New Imladris. The matter of Ungoliant's former lair was pressing now.
Valerie turned her eyes in the direction of a group that comprised most of her sons. They were all so close! Ecthelion and Elros were discussing with a group of ellith, who were eying them in a manner far from subtle. These two sons had quite a reputation since their arrival in Valinor, as if they had picked up where their brother Sean had left off. Sean was in an animated discussion with Liam, their wives having a separate conversation beside them. Amareth and Helethil had quickly become friends once Sean had brought her back to Greenwood where she had received the pardon of the king.
Valerie's grandchildren were in a group of elflings who were playing in a corner of the garden. Sean's two sons were there, two little red heads that made her very proud. To their father's dismay, they had no musical talent whatsoever. But Victoria's son, Elaron, was showing promising musical skills, like his mother. When Victoria, Elrohir, Elaron, Liam and Helethil had moved to New Imladris, Sean had decided to join them with his mate and sons, wanting to remain close to the other minstrels of the family. Valerie did not mind that some of her children were living a few days away from Greenwood when she could leisurely travel there many times a year as a distraction.
Eiliannel was also part of the group of elflings playing in the garden. She was 7 years away from her majority, and looked like a teenager. So did her brother Raevon. They were both very close to the final growth spurt that would give them their final appearance for the rest of their eternal lives. Eili was babysitting Sean's sons and was playing with them as if they were little dolls. Valerie regretted that Eili was getting along so well with Sean's children while she had never been able to play nice with her own younger brother. She prayed the Valar that once Eili came of age, she would be mature enough to stop continuously bothering Raevon. Raevon was of a calmer nature, and was currently playing with Victoria's son, Elaron. Victoria was not far behind, and where she was, Elrohir usually was too. Fingolfin was speaking to Elrond, probably discussing the matter of Ungoliant's lair again. Her son was a supporter of the building of a little army to go investigate, while Elrond was still to be convinced that it was the right way to go.
Valerie had seen Phoebe and Elladan escape the festivities and stealthily go in the direction of their apartment. They had based their lives on their love, their family and the leading of the warriors of Greenwood and their training. They had no children yet, although Phoebe was slowly getting warmer to the idea of having elflings in a few years. Elladan knew better than to push her, and knowing they had an eternity ahead of them, he was allowing her to go at her own pace.
Valerie had a busy life between her mate, children and grandchildren, and although she sometimes thought of her prior life in Middle Earth or on earth, she truly was at peace. She had gotten used to the slow life in Valinor, had learned to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Her only source of worry lately had been Gil-galad. He was the only one of her sons who was single and seemed unhappy about it. Where was he tonight? Valerie had the habit of making sure her entire family was close and safe, and barely noticed anymore that her mind was observing and counting her family members unconsciously. Gil-galad was missing, and she started looking around frantically, waking up the elfling in her arms.
"Hush, sweetheart, hush," she murmured to Arwen, rocking her gently. "I am sorry."
"Why did you wake her?" Gil-galad's voice whispered from behind.
Valerie immediately calmed down. "What are you doing here?" she asked, still rocking Arwen back to sleep and hoping Celebrian had not been awaken by the child's cries. She also was not sure that Elrond would appreciate Gil-galad's presence on the balcony of his wife's private apartments.
"I wanted to talk to you in private. You have been continuously surrounded by people since we arrived in New Imladris, and I wanted to be alone with you."
"What is wrong?" she questioned while pointing at a second chair beside hers.
Gil-galad sat down heavily as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"Naneth, you will not like what I am about to tell you."
"Try me. I do not believe anything can surprise me anymore."
"It will, believe me. Please... do not read it in my mind before I find the proper words."
Valerie barely contained her snort since he was being so serious, and promised him she would respect his privacy. It was difficult, since his thoughts were swirling violently in his head, and it made it so much more difficult for her not to catch them inadvertently.
He finally gathered his thoughts before facing her. Thinking it might help him, Valerie offered him to take Arwen. His slight movement backwards did not escape her. "Why do you not want to take her in your arms?" she asked, bewildered. Gil-galad had never been afraid of holding his smaller siblings or nephews before. Why start now with Arwen, who was again sleeping peacefully? Valerie suddenly understood.
"Is she...?"
Gil-galad looked elsewhere, a shameful expression on his face.
"How is that even possible? You saw her almost daily for decades in Minas Tirith, and never felt anything! I would have known!" Valerie cried.
"I know!" he murmured with a tortured voice.
Valerie took a deep breath to calm down. She didn't want to wake the sleeping child, nor her naneth Celebrian who was still resting in her bed.
"Let us try to understand this. There must be an explanation," she whispered to her son. "First, you will stop feeling this guilt. You are projecting it in my direction, and it makes me feel dizzy."
"It is so inappropriate!"
"Ereinion Gil-galad, you are the most honorable elf I have ever known! Whatever happens in the future, I know your conduct will be most appropriate! Now, in her first life, Arwen fell in love with Aragorn, and faded when he died. Elros has fond memories of his queen, but he is not truly missing her. He is waiting to meet his mate here, and will eventually start a life with this future wife. We can safely assume that it will be the same for Arwen. She will remember King Elessar and her children, but her fëa will be ready to meet another fëa-mate. She will marry and have a second family."
"Maybe her fëa has changed, but mine did not! How could I feel nothing for her in her first life, and now... the minute I saw her, even if she is only an infant, I felt an instant bond between us. She is... most important to me. I want her to be safe, to be happy. I am willing to do anything to make sure of that!" He was expressing himself with a passion he had rarely shown her before.
"Elrohir felt an immediate connection with Victoria. You were too young to remember, but it was similar to what you are describing from the minute she was born. There was nothing sexual, it wasn't lovers' love, but this is how it starts when your mate is a child. There is nothing to be ashamed of. You will be treated like Elladan, Elrohir and Haldir have been treated before you. With respect and affection."
"I still cannot understand how it happened."
"She needs a new mate in her new life, I was afraid she would spent her second life as a lonely elleth," a sweet voice said from behind them. "I am most honored that it will be you, your Majesty." Celebrian had been awakened by their conversation, and was now expressing her delight that her daughter would have a mate and one of such high position. Her daughter was going to be well taken care of being the wife of the High King of the Noldor, an ellon who had been such a great friend of their family. Elrond would be very satisfied with this turn of event, she knew it.
"Celebrian, I am sorry if we woke you," Valerie apologized. "Do you wish to take your daughter?"
"No, you can keep her for a little longer. I know you have suffered from her absence too. It is such a relief to know she is back with us. When Elrond sailed and told me she had chosen a mortal life, my heart broke. But now... she will have a chance at a second life, and she will not have the choice to chose mortality!"
"I can imagine your pain. I lost a mortal son in Middle Earth. His name was Hadrian," she sighed, and Gil-galad put a comforting hand on her shoulder to give her some support. "He will never be reborn. I am happy that at least your pain is over. I did miss Arwen," Valerie admitted. "She has been my closest friend. I was closer to her than of my own sister."
"My sons had told me how close you were. Rest assured that my mate and I will give you all the access you want to Arwen. You can see her as frequently as you like. As for you, Gil-galad, you are exercising great restraint," Celebrian said. "Elrohir told me he could barely let people take care of Victoria when she was an infant. And there you are, refusing to touch her."
"I do not want people to start gossiping," the reborn king replied darkly.
"You are with family," Arwen's mother reminded him. "Everyone will understand your need to be with her. Your parents have been very good to my sons, and allowed them to remain with their daughters during their childhood. We will return the favor, Gil-galad. Our door will always be open to you. I will reserve an apartment for you in our manor, and you can stay for as long as you like. Until she comes of age, if needs be. Your parents did the same."
Gil-galad closed his eyes, overwhelmed by Celebrian's acceptance of his bond with her daughter. "Thank you," he murmured. His mind finally at peace, he turned to his naneth and held out his hands to receive the precious bundle. Arwen, his future mate. A reborn elleth for a reborn king. She would understand him more than anyone else had ever been able to. Valerie gently gave him her little friend and watched his face change when he finally held the one he was promised to.
"The ways of the Valar are obscure," Celebrian told them. "But in this case, I will not question their will and I will simply declare myself delighted by this turn of event."
"I will have to visit you more frequently," Valerie told her. "Not only Liam and Sean are living here, but now Gil-galad will."
"This is only fair," Celebrian laughed gently. "My only sons have been living in Greenwood with you for the longest time."
"It is a strange fate that we have, my dear friend. My sons are living with you while yours are living with me! Let us not compare who gained more in the exchange!"
"It is certainly I," Celebrian grinned. "I got a beautiful city and such wonderful music. All you got from my sons was trouble..."
OoOoO
"My Lady? The captain sent you a letter." Cadworon handed Valerie a missive with her name written with Legolas' handwriting.
All the warriors in the family were gone. The Council had rejected the Greenwood proposal of sending an army to investigate the potential threat near Ungoliant's lair, and her family had decided to go investigate themselves, leaving the realm under Valerie's rule. They had been gone for more than a week, and these were the first news she was getting from them.
Legolas' handwriting was different, as if he had written the letter in a hurry.
Vanima,
As we suspected, there is colony of spiders that is living in what used to be Ungoliant's lair. Not as big as she had been, since Ungoliant's size was due to her consumption of the sap of the Two trees and the Wells of Varda, but her children are bigger than the spiders we had in the forest near our fortress in Middle Earth.
The sight is quite horrifying, but less than the thought that these spiders could leave their nests, travel north and cause destruction in our beloved land.
The Council must be advised. Please do what is necessary. But in this, we cannot wait for the reunion of the Council to decide on a course of action. We need to march against them, and you know only Greenwood has the expertise to destroy these vile creatures. Assemble all our warriors and send them to me immediately.
I miss you, and will come back to you once we will have eliminated the threat. Please give my love to Eiliannel and Raevon.
Legolas
At the bottom was a note from Thranduil.
Dear daughter, I am sure Elrond will send us troops if you send word to him. If I know you well, and I know I do, I am sure that I will see you shortly. Bring your guards. Be safe,
Your loving father, Thranduil
Valerie closed the parchment and stared into space for a while, hesitating between two courses of action. Would she, or would she not march with the warriors? She was a warrior of Greenwood after all, even if she had young elflings with her.
"My Lady?" Cadworon asked, wondering if the princess had received good or bad news from the prince.
"Cad, please send for Queen Tialyn. Advise all the warriors that we need to be gone within the hour."
"We?" he asked to clarify.
"Yes, we. And make sure everyone knows that it is good old spiders that we will fight."
"Yes, my Lady. I will make sure that your servant prepares an armor for you, since you left yours in Middle Earth."
"Thank you."
Valerie grabbed a parchment and started writing a letter to King Finwë, Fingolfin's first father who was part of the Council. She wrote a brief memo, letting him know that Greenwood was sending warriors after Legolas had confirmed the presence of spiders near Ungoliant's former lair. She told him that she would send a request for troops should the Greenwood and New Imladris forces be unable to eliminate the threat.
"Valerie?" Tialyn asked once Valerie was done writing the letter.
"Tia, please come in."
"Cadworon told me that our warriors will be marching south?"
"Yes, Legolas and Thranduil sent me a note. There are spiders, as we suspected. Can you please make sure to send this letter to King Finwë?"
"Why? Why not send it yourself?"
"Because I am leaving with the warriors. You will be regent in my absence."
"But... you are the regent!"
"And you spent centuries leading our people here in Valinor until Thranduil sailed. I know I am leaving the realm in capable hands."
"But it will be dangerous!"
"I have Cad, Bret and Bran to protect me. And my mate and my sons. I will be in no danger, Tia. Please keep an eye on Eili and Raevon. And Derenil. She will not understand my decision."
"I will," Tialyn promised.
An hour later, Valerie was sitting on her mare, surrounded by warriors, a sight that surprised most people who had never seen her in Middle Earth. She was wearing an armor similar to the warriors but was wearing no helmet. She had her bow on her back and her blades. Her guns had stopped working many years before, they simply had not been made to last centuries.
"Are we missing anyone?" she asked Hadron, one of Legolas' lieutenants.
"No, Princess. We are awaiting your command."
She looked at the warriors around her. "Your king and your captain are waiting for us," she yelled to be heard by all. "We will stop by New Imladris to get a few more warriors. Lord Glorfindel and his soldiers will join us in our fight against the spiders. Valinor is a peaceful land, and although the rest was quite appreciated, I am sure many of you will appreciate some action!"
Most warriors were smiling at her words. They were truly looking forward to the fight.
"Let's kill some spiders!" she said as a signal to march.
Five days later, they were arriving at the camp established by her family in the mountains. Glorfindel and Elrond were riding beside Valerie, leading a small army of 300 elves.
"Valerie!" Legolas cried when he saw her. "What are you doing here?"
"I told you she would come with our soldiers!" Phoebe laughed while Valerie dismounted.
"I was tempted with this little escapade," Valerie told her mate half seriously.
"An escapade?" Legolas repeated, obviously displeased.
"Your mate is hardly a helpless elleth," Thranduil remarked as he approached his daughter with a much warmer welcome. "Your swift arrival is appreciated," he told them all.
"We have made plans for the attack," Elrohir told his father and mother-in-law. "We are glad to see you arrived with great numbers. We counted at least 50 spiders."
"Now that you are here, we will be able to attack tomorrow," Legolas said, finally coming closer to Valerie. He pulled her into his arms. "Pardon my initial reaction," he whispered in her ear. "I was not expecting to see you here. But your presence warms my heart. I missed you."
"I missed you too," she replied. "This is why I came. I could not stand being away from you. You once promised that we would always be together. Is there a chance that we will have a tent to ourselves tonight?" she asked with a light in her eye.
"It can always be arranged," he grinned.
The next day, the army had moved stealthily and had surrounded the nests of the spiders. There were immense webs everywhere, and spiders coming in and out of the small caves in the mountain.
"There are a total of nine caves. Some seem bigger than others, since there are many more spiders coming in and out of this cave, and this cave," Oropher said, pointing at the two caves that he suspected were larger.
The Greenwood people were more experienced in fighting spiders and as such, the soldiers from both realms had been mixed into various groups so the Silvan elves could lead the Noldorin elves in the attacks.
Valerie was going to be with the archers who were strategically positioned to oversee the entire area and shoot the spiders from above, with her three bodyguards. She moved into position once Legolas gave the signal. She watched as Phoebe and Elladan ran towards one cave and started screaming to catch the attention of the spiders and bring them out of their nest.
The maneuver was more successful than expected. Spiders came out of all nine caves, and Phoebe and Elladan would soon be in a dangerous position if they did not retreat swiftly behind the rocks. The archers started firing arrows after arrows on the approaching spiders, but it was taking much more than one arrow to kill these huge creatures. Legolas sent soldiers to help his daughter and her mate, and soon, the archers were watching a strange battlefield, where each spider was threatening a team of five elves. Unfortunately for the ellyn, one misstep and they could get caught in the webs surrounding them. That fate happened to at least ten warriors within minutes, and their brothers-in-arms struggled to pulled them out of the sticky threads. The archers' work became even more important to slow the progress of the spiders who were approaching the easy targets stuck in their webs.
Valerie was paying particular attention to the teams that contained her sons and her daughter. They were fighting well, all of them, even Liam who had not fought since his departure from Middle Earth. Ecthelion's team was struggling against three spiders and he got stuck in a web, but Elros quickly got him out of there while Valerie and her bodyguards were showering the three spiders with arrows to ensure their safety. She took a few moments to recover after Ecthelion was released, promising herself that she would reward Elros in a way or another for saving his brother's life. From afar, she saw that Legolas had not missed the scene and was relieved that his reborn son was safe.
It took hours to kill all the spiders that had come out of the caves, and it was less than half the estimated number of spiders. The second part of the plan was to block the entrance of the caves by creating rock falls, only leaving small holes through which the elves were planning to send inflammable material and torches. This plan was quickly executed. The remaining spiders died burnt in their nests.
The army slept on site with guards on watch near every cave to alert everyone should a spider have survived. Once the morning came, the elves removed with difficulty the heavy rocks in front of the entrances, and scouts armed to the teeth went inside the dark caves, watching what was left of the nests with their torches. They soon came out to confirm that every single spider had been destroyed. To ensure that none had been away from the nests while the elves had attacked, they remained on site for many days, and killed a few more spiders until the area was declared safe.
After a week, King Finwë arrived with his soldiers, but they were too late. Greenwood and New Imladris had taken care of the threat that the Council had underestimated. With humility and sense of duty accomplished, they returned to their respective realms and life went back to normal. But it was not to remain as such for Valerie and Legolas.
One afternoon in the weeks following their return, they were called in Thranduil's office, where the king and his father Oropher were waiting for them, a serious expression on their face.
"Is there something wrong, my son?" Valerie asked Oropher.
"Nothing is wrong," he reassured her. "Thranduil and I wanted to discuss an important matter with you. Please, sit down."
Valerie and Legolas sat down and he took her hand to reassure her. It was a rare occurrence that both kings were meeting them in Thranduil's private office, and even more exceptional that a serious matter needed to be discussed that Valerie and Legolas were not aware of already.
"Oropher and I have been thinking for a few years now that it is time for us to change our lives, travel more, spend more time with our mates," Thranduil started.
"We would like to have the freedom to leave Greenwood when we want, meet our friends, have a quieter life in which protocol, councils, responsibilities are things of the past," Oropher continued.
"You already have that," Valerie said, unsure of where this conversation was leading. "We attended most of the council meetings in the past years."
"And you travel frequently," Legolas added. "We are sorry if you do not think that we take our share of responsibilities in the ruling of the realm," he said, feeling guilty. His father and grandfather must have been greatly dissatisfied with his and Valerie's work to remind them about their duties as prince and princess of the Woodland Realm.
"I have been busy with Raevon and Eili," Valerie apologized. "I will take on more," she insisted.
Oropher and Thranduil looked at each other and grinned.
"We are not here to tell you that we are unhappy with your work. In fact, you have done your duty well and much more. We could not wish for better support," Oropher said with sincerity.
"I have watched you with pride as you both became the people you are today," Thranduil continued. "You have been the best son and daughter I could have asked the Valar for. Our people love you, and look up to you both for guidance and decisions. The members of the Council respect you and appreciate your ideas and counsel."
"Not in the case of the spiders in the southern mountains, it would seem," Legolas snorted.
"King Finwë was impressed, not only by your intuition in this matter, but by how quickly a decision was made and executed under your rule. Valinor is safer because of Greenwood, and this has greatly increased our status in Valinor. We want to thank you."
"We only did our duty, Adar," Legolas said. "You do not have to thank us for this."
"This is what we appreciate in you," Thranduil said. "You do not look for personal benefit and fame. You do this naturally, out of duty, without expecting a reward."
"And we will continue," Legolas answered quietly, unsure what was the purpose of this conversation. Nothing had been said yet that required a private meeting between the four of them.
They stared at each other for a little while, and Valerie could barely contain her desire to read the thoughts of everyone. Her efforts were physically apparent in her facial expression.
"We are glad that you are planning to continue to do your duty so well," Oropher finally said, "because Thranduil and I are planning to abdicate."
Complete silence followed this declaration.
"Abdicate?" Legolas eventually repeated, appalled.
"Yes, abdicate. The next ellon in line for the throne will become king. And his mate will be queen," Oropher added, looking at Valerie.
Legolas and Valerie were speechless. This was absolutely unexpected. It was true that Thranduil and Oropher had withdrawn from official duties in the past years, but their abdication was something that had never been contemplated by Legolas and Valerie. Ever. How could they have planned this and Valerie had never found out with her ability to read minds?
"Are Tialyn and Derenil in agreement with this?" Valerie inquired.
"It was them who suggested it first," Thranduil confirmed with a knowing smile. Valerie was trying to identify obstacles in order to be ready to face what was ahead of them while Legolas was still absorbing the news.
"What about the Council? Are they in agreement?"
"Do you think we care?" Oropher laughed.
"After what happened with the spiders? When you took the initiative of sending scouts and later on raised a small host to eliminate them, you proved that you deserve to be part of the council more than the others!" Thranduil was extremely proud of Greenwood's latest accomplishments.
"Are they in agreement?" Valerie insisted.
"Yes."
"Our people?"
"They worship your mate, and adore the little pest that you are, only the Valar know why," Thranduil sighed dramatically.
Legolas looked at Valerie, his eyes betraying slight panic.
"Could you give us a moment?" Valerie asked her reborn son and her father.
Oropher and Thranduil nodded and left the office, closing the door behind them.
"It went exactly as you said," Oropher remarked. "Legolas is shocked, apprehensive about the task ahead of him. Valerie is grounded, asking the questions, anticipating issues."
"Now she just needs to convince him he can do it," Thranduil continued.
Back in the private office, Valerie had pulled her chair closer to Legolas'.
"Why are they doing this? This is insane," Legolas cried.
"No, it is not. It makes perfect sense. You just did not see it coming."
"Did you?" he asked suspiciously.
"Absolutely not! I do not know how they pulled it off. But..."
"But?"
"I have read some strange thoughts from your mother and grandmother. How can I say this?" she hesitated. She was not sure if Legolas would react well to the information she had gathered. "Both your naneth and grandmother... would like to have a child."
"What? But they already had children."
Valerie raised an eyebrow. "Just one. Tialyn only had Thranduil and Derenil only had you. And for each of them, it was millennia ago. Can they not want another one? I had 12 children for crying out loud!"
"I am sorry," Legolas whispered. He leaned backwards on his chair, closing his eyes as if he was exhausted.
"Legolas, look at me."
He opened his eyes but did not move from his position.
"Come here," she asked. He sighed and leaned forward, until she could gently grab his head and tenderly caress his face. "I know how you feel. You should not think that way."
"I never, ever imagined that I would become king one day. I was content with being the captain of our army, and being married with you, and having the children... I never really needed more! I figured that my adar or grandsire would always be there to take on all the responsibilities..."
"But you can do it. We have been in charge countless times in the past, and we actually loved it. Our people revere you, Legolas, our warriors even more so. You have this aura since you participated in the war of the ring. You fought Evil, played an important role in the destruction of Sauron! You protected our people countless times, suffered for them, bled for them. If anyone can succeed in this, it is you. You will be a great king, I know that."
"Valerie, I am a warrior!" he insisted. "You see this?" he asked, opening his tunic and showing her his shoulders and shoulder blades where his markings clearly identified him as a warrior, and a deadly one at that. The number of enemies he had killed had grown since they had first met, and his markings had been adjusted to reflect that.
"Yes, I see this," she replied with a throaty voice. She stood and walked behind him while he put his tunic back on his shoulders. She stopped his movement, and slowly uncovered his shoulders once more. She started following the markings with a finger in slow, sensual movements. "May I remind you that I have similar markings, from when you made me a Greenwood warrior, and so does Phoebe. Your adar and Oropher have the same, except...theirs are not as sexy as yours."
Legolas snorted. "We were having a serious discussion here, in case you had not noticed!"
"And we still are." She hugged him from behind, and leaned her head against his. "I wonder how a king makes love," she whispered in his ear.
"I cannot help you with that," he grinned. He knew where this was leading, and was looking forward to it, even if it cut short their previous discussion. They had plenty of time to talk later, after the urgent need she had raised in him was completely satisfied.
"No, not yet," she admitted. "But I am also curious to know how a future king makes love. Is mating in an office chair, albeit comfortable, below such an important ellon?" she wondered out loud to tease him. She kissed the tip of his ear, and he visibly relaxed. Seeing she was successful, her kisses became sensual licks on his ear tip while her hands caressed his pectoral muscles. "Maybe the desk would be better..."
"We cannot make love on my adar's desk! He would never forgive us."
"The chair it will be then," she purred. She walked around his chair and sat sideways on his lap, putting her arms around his neck while he pulled her closer to him.
Their lips met in a long, sensual kiss. His hands caressed her scalp while they kissed, and she melted in his arms just like he knew she would. After 180 years of marriage, he mastered every single reaction of her body to his touch, and he used this knowledge as often as possible to give her the deepest of pleasures. But she had the same knowledge, and he was captive of her power over his own body, wanting her, needing her at the most unseemly moments like now, while they were in his father's private office. All appropriateness forgotten, he swiftly unlaced the back of her dress and uncovered her shoulders and breasts.
"You are in a hurry," she laughed softly as he started to kiss her breasts. Her laughter turned to moans when he grabbed a rosy tip between his lips and sucked gently. "Oh gods, yes..." she murmured while her hand untied the string that closed his leggings. She snaked a hand underneath the fabric and grabbed his hardened penis, stroking it in a movement that soon caused him to lose his concentration. The way she continued her caresses while watching him predatorily indicated that she would take the lead this time, and he let her do as she wished, knowing she would thoroughly pleasure him before he could return the favor.
"You are such a good boy," she taunted, knowing how strange the comment was from an elleth who was 2,000 years his junior.
She slowly went down on her knees in front of the chair, her eyes never leaving his, keeping him enthralled as he watched her every movement, anticipating what she would do to him this time. He lifted his body slightly on the chair to help her remove his leggings completely, and kept observing her as she caressed his body with her eyes. He knew his warrior body was attracting her, the plains and valleys of his muscles fascinating to her female eyes.
She started licking the tip of his shaft and he closed his eyes, leaning his head against the back of the chair to allow the sensations to envelop him completely. He groaned when she took the head in her mouth and started swirling her tongue around it while her hand was softly massaging his testicles. He let her bring him near the edge, and through ragged breaths, begged her to stop before it was too late, before he spilled himself in her mouth when it was in her warm core he wanted to be. Being inside her was like nothing he had ever felt before, unlike any other lover he had had. She was so tight around him, a perfect fit, her body temperature warmer than an elf's making the experience hotter and sweeter all at once. And he wanted to feel that now. He wanted to lose himself in her, thrusting into her until they both reached the sweet oblivion where their shared fëa would touch and intertwine, feeling each other in both body and soul. The most wondrous of all experiences for an elf.
Instead of stopping her caresses like he had asked, she made sure his penis was wet with her saliva and put it between her breasts. He liked watching her do this, seeing his own shaft appear and disappear between the breasts he adored, the sensations rising once again while this time, he kept his eyes open to observe the sensual proceedings.
She had him begging soon once again, and this time, she stopped and stood, letting her already half-removed dress fall on the wooden floor. She appeared to him in all her naked glory, and walking back to him, she sat on him again, this time a leg on each side of his thighs. She grabbed his penis and moved it against the apex of her thighs, giving him a hint of what was to come. He could feel her wetness, her warmth, and he tried to pull her down against him to enter her, but she did not allow it, her feet firmly planted on the floor.
"I am in charge," she reminded him with a smile he could only describe as perverse. She wanted him begging for her, begging for release, and he knew he soon would. He had played the trick on her enough times to know how powerful it felt to be in control of someone sexual release, to have them incoherently ask for pleasure.
She kept brushing the tip of his shaft against her core, and suddenly, lowered herself, enveloping him completely. "Yes!" he cried but groaned in disappointment when he felt her remove herself completely and he felt the difference in temperature between her body and the ambiance of the room. She continued brushing him against her clitoris and pushing him inside her once in a while.
"Vanima, my beautiful, please, please..." His nerves were overstimulated, and his shaft harder than ever and dark with the blood rush. "Oh Valar!" he cried when she finally buried him deeply inside her and started up and down movements that indicated that his torment was finally coming to an end. "I will not last long," he warned her feverishly.
Her movements became frantic, her own engorged core also overstimulated by the prior caresses. "Wait for me," she asked, and he tensed all his muscles, trying to stop the orgasm he could feel coming faster than she wanted. When she finally gave signs that her own peak was coming, he finally let himself go, grabbing her head to give her a clumsy kiss while they both reached their climax, their breaths and cries muffled in each other's mouth. He suddenly felt her, a rush of foreign emotions, excitement, torment, and the deepest, deepest of love, the love she felt for him, her mate, her everything. He basked in her love for a few seconds, their fëar connecting to the ultimate level once more.
When she stopped her movements, the kiss they had shared became slow and tender. "Whatever decision you take, I love you," she murmured. "We are in this together, and I will support you."
She lifted herself and sat sideways on him, leaning her head against his shoulder. They remained like this for a long time, him simply resting and her thinking about what Thranduil and Oropher had offered. She laughed softly, and he asked what she was thinking about.
"I was thinking about what would happen if you decide not to become king. I mean, can you imagine Liam king, with Helethil as his queen? I love my firstborn, do not get me wrong, but he is so... cerebral. He lacks the empathy, the emotional intelligence, and she will not help him with that, they were made in the same mold..."
The family had slowly warmed to Helethil in the past decades, but still, Legolas could not picture the couple reigning over Greenwood, a realm of warriors. Liam was happy in New Imladris with the Noldo.
"Sean is no better," Valerie sighed. "His music and his family are his life. There is no room for anything else."
"He cannot," Legolas agreed. "There is Phoebe..."
"Yes, Phoebe. She understands the warriors. But that is about it. She lacks the empathy too, the selflessness..."
"It would not be ideal. Gil-galad, Fingolfin and Ecthelion are Noldorin lords. Our people would never accept being ruled by a Noldo."
"Elros is Elrond's brother and would not be interested," Valerie continued. "That only leaves our last three children. I simply cannot imagine our sweet Victoria ruling."
"She is not aspiring to this! It would be a burden for her!"
"Well, my sweet love," Valerie smiled against his neck, "that only leaves three options. Eili or Raevon, who both are not of age yet... Or you realize that you truly are the only good option. Even if you are a warrior at heart, you have everything it takes to be a great king. Including a mate that would be a good queen," she chuckled.
"Yes, you would," he said as he kissed the top of her head. "And my father thinks the same, or he would never have left his precious realm under your care so many times while we were in Middle Earth, or even here when we fought the spiders."
"Nothing has to change," she added. "We are already very much involved in the day-to-day management of the realm. What would be different, really?" she asked. "You would wear your father's crown instead of a circlet at the various ceremonies..."
"We would walk before my father and grandsire at these same ceremonies!"
"Yes, that would be strange. But it is their choice, Legolas. They want to step down, travel, have more children."
"And you?" he asked.
"I think we are done, my love. I do not feel the need to carry and raise more children. Our children gave us grandchildren, and our grandchildren will one day give us great-grandchildren..."
He nodded. If she had wanted more elflings, he would have agreed. But it would have complicated his task as king if he were to have young elflings to take care of while reigning.
"Then, we are doing it?" she inquired.
"Yes, we are."
OoOoO
The coronation took place six months later, in Greenwood, in the city center where a wooden stage had been built. Invited and uninvited elves from all realms had arrived in Greenwood in the days preceding the event, the coronation of a king being a rare event that no one wanted to miss. The fact that the future king was a hero from the war against Sauron raised even more curiosity.
The crowd was silent and attentive as King Thranduil, standing on the stage with his son kneeling in front of him, slowly removed his notorious crown, this time decorated with leaves and white flowers, and slowly put it on top of Legolas' golden head.
"I, Legolas Thranduilion, hereby swear in front of the Greenwood people and the Valar to serve Greenwood with respect and humility, to protect the realm and exercise justice as per the laws of our people, and to enforce the silvan traditions. I swear to care for my people as if each of them was my own blood child. I will be their humble servant and strive to be worthy of their trust and their love. I beg the Valar to support me in this endeavor, to give me the strength and wisdom to accomplish my duty and be worthy of the line of King Oropher and King Thranduil."
"We acknowledge your oath," Thranduil's voice rang in the solemn silence that had followed Legolas' declaration.
Legolas stood and his father bowed to him, indicating that he no longer was king and that his son was now his lord and ruler.
The entire crowd then bowed to the new king, including his mate who had been standing on the side, in a richly adorned forest green dress and cloak, the traditional attire of Greenwood royalty.
King Legolas walked in her direction and kissed her hand sweetly, discreetly expressing his love for her in front of the guests. No one attending the ceremony was surprised by the tender gesture, the royal couple having quite a reputation about their highly passionate relationship and burning love.
The new king of Greenwood brought his wife to the center of the stage where Lord Thranduil had been replaced by Lord Oropher, who was holding a cushion with a mithril circlet with emeralds that shined brightly under the sun.
Princess Valerie knelt in front of her husband and king, bowed her head down while he took the circlet from the cushion and held it above her head while he spoke.
"Valerie, my wife, my devoted companion, I cannot think of anyone more deserving to become queen of our beloved Greenwood. You have cared for our people when they had no queen, you have bled and suffered to protect them, and gave me many heirs including reborn kings whose return brought joy to elvish people of all origins. The Valar chose you well when they looked for a mother for these beloved elven figures. I thank them every day for enlightening my mind and allowing me to be the one to bring you back to Middle Earth. Today, you are becoming queen of Greenwood. Our people are waiting to hear your oath to them."
Valerie had learned the traditional oath a few days before, making sure to repeat the exact words this time around. Everyone who had attended the ceremony in which she had become crowned princess of Greenwood remembered how she had modified the vows to aggravate King Thranduil. Today of all days, she would follow the tradition without trying to change them. As queen of Greenwood, she would have to forget some of her modern principles and respect protocol.
"I, Valerie, law-daughter of Thranduil and wife of King Legolas Thranduilion, hereby swear in front of the Greenwood people and the Valar to serve Greenwood with respect and humility, to protect the realm and exercise justice as per the laws of our people, and to enforce our silvan traditions. I swear to care for my people as if each of them was my own blood child. I will be their humble servant and strive to be worthy of their trust and their love. I will support my husband and king in all his duties, reinforce his decisions and respect his justice and commands. I swear this in front of our people, in front of my king, in front of the Valar."
Legolas placed the mithril circlet on her fiery locks, and helped her to stand in front of him.
"I am not sure I can believe the part where you said you would respect my commands," he murmured only for her to hear.
"Oh I will," she replied cheekily, "if they were my suggestions first."
Everyone attending the ceremony applauded the new king and queen as they climbed down the platform and walked in the direction of their numerous children, their spouses and their own elflings. Soon, barrels of Dorwinion wine and beers were opened, and servants started serving delicate meals to the guests. The festivities lasted long in the evening. The new royal couple spoke to everyone, danced and made a few speeches. Well into the night, Legolas finally led Valerie into their apartment, where they stood on the balcony, watching the remaining guests who were still celebrating, albeit more quietly than before.
Their youngest children were in bed, most others had retired to their rooms, including Phoebe who had been in a bright mood during the day for once, halfway through a difficult pregnancy she was blaming on poor Elladan. The warrior-princess was carrying twins, and although she was secretly thrilled to give twins to her mate who was a twin also, the difficult pregnancy was taking a toll on her already volatile mood.
Far away in the remaining crowd, they saw the New Imladris lord and his wife, with Gil-galad sitting with them, holding an elfling in his arms. The High King of the Noldor spent most of his time with his little future mate Arwen Evenstar, who did not walk or speak yet, but who already had developed an uncanny attachment for the fascinating ellon who had white hair. More than anything, the child loved to play with his long, snowy hair.
All their children were happy, whether they were mated or not. Even the hobbits and Gimli, who were heavily drunk by then, seemed blissful despite the absence of females of their races.
"It was a great day," Valerie sighed, absolutely exhausted.
"It was a grand day," Legolas corrected.
"You are right, oh my king," she teased with a yawn.
"Did you want to go to sleep? I would have thought... that you would want to make love with a king," he grinned.
"Is that a command? Because I am an obedient wife. I always have been," she replied with a corner smile.
"Truthfully? I just want to stay here, watching our people."
"Our people. I like the sound of that. Are you afraid of the task ahead?"
"Not anymore. Not with you by my side."
"You will be a great king, Legolas. People will be singing about your greatness for centuries to come."
"And the last verse will always be about the queen who came from a different world and made me the king I became."
"I love you."
"You have my heart for eternity."
They remained on the balcony for hours, just looking at their people and their guests, savoring the peacefulness of Valinor. A peacefulness they would experience for the rest of their eternal lives.
This is the end of a wonderful adventure for me, an adventure that lasted much longer than I expected! I had so many ideas, pictured scenes in my head all the time, and wrote a little almost every day.
I hope you have enjoyed the story. You all have been wonderful supporters! Without you, I would have been discouraged many times, but reading your comments and reviews when I published chapters really made my day.
Thank you very much! Happy Holidays, and may 2015 bring you all you wish for!
Annielle