Many apologies for not updating sooner! Life got a little hectic and then my computer died for a bit and ughhhhh. Here is chapter 19! Enjoy lovelies!

BOLD is for Elvish

Legolas and Anolindë entered Frodo's room, smiling as they saw Merry and Pippin bouncing around on the Ringbearer's bed. All three Hobbits were speaking quickly, glad to be reunited. Gimli was laughing and clapping his hands in excitement. Gandalf stood to one side, also smiling at the Hobbits' antics. Frodo greeted the Elves with a large grin.

"Frodo Baggins!" Anolindë exclaimed, kneeling beside the bed to embrace the Hobbit.

"Anolindë! I heard you are with child!" Frodo said happily, looking to Legolas.

Aragorn entered the room next, followed by Sam. Aragorn greeted the Hobbits before coming to stand next to his Elven friends.

"I heard you were to be crowned king," Anolindë said to him.

"Yes. In a month's time," Aragorn replied.

"You were always meant to be king," she said, smiling.

The Man returned her smile.

~:✿:~

As the day of Aragorn's coronation drew closer, Anolindë spent most of her days in the lovely garden that lay next to their quarters, the baby within her beginning to slightly show through her gown. The sun was warm and the flowers smelled beautiful. Though it was not as lovely as Thranduil's private gardens, Anolindë felt at peace here. She lay on one of the stone marble benches, looking up at the cloudless blue sky. One hand rubbed her belly. Once flat, she could now feel a slight curve. The tiny fëa inside her danced at her touch. She tilted her head to look downwards.

"You are so happy, little one," she laughed.

A small noise caught her ear. She smiled as she turned her head. Legolas stood, leaning against a column, watching his mate.

"Say hello to your Ada," she whispered to the little fëa.

Legolas made his way over to her, sitting on the bench next to Anolindë. He ran his fingers over her belly, happy to feel his little heir.

"You can say hello to our little one," Anolindë gently chided him.

Legolas was quiet for a moment. He had never spoken to a child within a womb.

"Hello little one," he whispered, stroking Anolindë's belly with his finger.

The fëa seemed to whirl around in excitement at it's father's touch. Legolas smiled, his hand lingering on Anolindë's belly, not wanting to break the connection.

~:✿:~

The day of the coronation arrived quickly arrived. People from all over the land came to see the new king of Gondor. Anolindë had heard that the Elves of Rivendell had arrived and she hurried through the crowds to greet them. Almost frantically, she searched the party looking for the Evenstar.

"Arwen!" she called out when she finally found her.

Lord Elrond's daughter turned to see who had called her name. Upon seeing Anolindë , she dismounted her horse quickly and met the other elleth in an embrace.

"Anolindë! It pleasures me greatly to see you are alive!" she exclaimed. "Let me look at you!"

She held Anolindë at arms length, looking her up and down. Legolas' mate was clad in a light blue gown that complimented her eyes. Intricate designs embroidered in silver thread covered the bodice of the gown.

"You look absolutely wonderful!" Arwen commented.

"As do you, my friend," Anolindë replied with a smile.

"Ada tells me you are with child," Arwen continued, noticing the slight baby bump.

Anolindë's smile turned into a full grin.

"Yes," she laughed, hugging Arwen again.

"Anolindë!"

Two Elves that looked exactly alike came bursting through the crowd. Anolindë was almost knocked over as they both hugged her.

"Elladan! Elrohir!" she gasped, catching her breath.

These were the twin sons of Lord Elrond, Arwen's brothers. Both had long dark locks and Elrond's steely grey eyes. Anolindë had met them several times in the past, even going on hunting trips with them.

"Leave her be!" Arwen chided.

"Forgive us, we were merely excited to see her, sister," Elladan said in mock sarcasm.

"She is with child!" Arwen retorted, in the same mock tone.

"She is not a frail woman Arwen. She can hold her ground! Speaking of, where is the father?" Elrohir chimed in.

The twins and Legolas were very close friends.

"He is with his Mirkwood kin who have arrived shortly before you did," Anolindë replied.

"Does Thranduil know?" Arwen asked, gesturing to her belly.

Anolindë shook her head.

"I fear he will not be pleased," she said sadly.

"There is nothing he can do," Elrohir told her. "The Valar have accepted your bond and have blessed you with a child."

Elladan put his arm around Anolindë's shoulders.

"Besides, if it goes ill with the king, we can always say the child is mine," he laughed.

"That will not be necessary, mellon nîn," a voice said from behind them.

"Legolas!" both twins chorused, greeting their friend.

Legolas was clothed in a tunic of the same color as Anolindë's, embroidered with silver thread as well.

"Does Aragorn know you are here?" he asked them.

"No. Ada thought we should surprise him," Elrohir replied. "He is to give Arwen's hand in marriage to Aragorn."

Anolindë looked to the Evenstar who had a huge smile on her face. Her friend had chosen a mortal life.

~:✿:~

Thousands had gathered in the courtyard outside of the great hall of Minas Tirith. Gandalf stood upon the steps in front of Aragorn, holding a crown high above his head. Gimli stood to one side, dressed in the finest garb Anolindë had ever seen him wear, holding a pillow that had carried the crown. Anolindë held onto Legolas' hand tightly, knowing one day they would be crowned as well.

"Now come the days of the king!" Gandalf announced loudly, placing the crown on Aragorn's head. "May they be blessed."

Aragorn hesitated for a moment before turning to face his people.

"This day does not belong to one man, but to all," he said. "Let us together rebuild this world, that we may share in the days of peace."

The crowd burst into cheers and applause as white petals fell from above. Singing softly, Aragorn began to make his way through the people. They fell silent as they listened to his song. Legolas tugged Anolindë's hand gently, urging her forward to meet Aragorn as he approached them. Aragorn and Legolas placed their hands on each other's shoulders.

"Hannon le," Aragorn thanked the future king and queen of Mirkwood.

Anolindë bowed her head. The two Elves moved to the side so Aragorn could greet Lord Elrond who stood behind them. Anolindë watched as Arwen approached, hidden behind a banner. Slowly, Aragorn pushed the banner to the side, revealing the elleth he dearly loved. She began to curtsy, only to be stopped by Aragorn. No words were said between them. Their emotions were only conveyed through their eyes. Suddenly, Aragorn and Arwen were locked in a passionate kiss, the people beginning to clap as they recognized their new queen. Arwen followed Aragorn as he continued to walk amongst his people. They came to the four Hobbits, standing next to each other. The Hobbits bowed to Aragorn and Arwen.

"My friends," Aragorn said to them. "You bow to no one."

With those words, he sank to his knees. Arwen and the rest of the people followed suit. Even Anolindë and Legolas bowed out of respect. The Hobbits had shown true courage throughout the entire journey. Even the smallest of people could change the fate of the world.

~:✿:~

A huge feast was held that night in honor of the new king of Gondor. Anolindë sat in between Arwen and Legolas, watching as Gimli drunkenly tried to dance with one of the women of Gondor. The woman brushed him off, clearly not interested in the inebriated Dwarf. Feeling bad for Gimli, Anolindë excused herself from Arwen and Legolas and went to join her friend.

"Come Gimli! Let us dance!" she called to him.

He held up his hands.

"I fear I will step on your toes, lass," Gimli grunted. "The Elf will have my head if anything were to happen to you."

The Elf in question narrowed his eyes. Anolindë smirked.

"The Elf will do nothing," she insisted.

Gimli finally agreed, throwing an apologetic look to Legolas before they were whirled away amidst the rest of the dancers. Many of the Elves of Mirkwood were taken aback by the open friendship between Elf and Dwarf. Legolas had to silence several offensive whispers with a scathing frown. How were they to move forward in times of peace if they did not wish to be accepting of new friendships? But dark thoughts were quickly banished from his mind as he watched his mate dance, laughter sparkling in her eyes as Gimli tried his best to keep up with her movements.

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