Firstly, as it seems to be the trend, I start with an apology- yet again for not updating sooner. Honestly, I had a lot of trouble writting this chapter, probably because the stories so close to its end and I dont want it to be finished. Anyway please enjoy this extra long chapter!
Elanor blinked and took a soft intake of air as the sun startled her into wakening. She opened her eyes and the sudden memory of Edains death flooded back to her. She hid herself from the sun, hiding beneath her blankets and the darkness they provided. She cried softly, wishing she could stay hidden like this forever, away from the world and its cruel ways. The weight of her grief was crushing and left her shuddering for breathe. Only once before had she ever felt like this, the day her mother died. She could not live like this, and she wouldn't. Eventually her tears dried up and she reluctantly wiped her face in her sheets and peeled them away from her. The bed gave a soft creak as Elanor rose and walked to the side room. She slipped her hands into the bowl of clear water and washed her face. She had survived the grief of her mothers' death and she would survive this. She dressed herself solemnly and without adornment. Elanor walked to the window and looked out upon the sombre sight. The sun was still rising on the hills, casting a deep red over the ground. A small group of men walked silently through the courtyard together, side by side, the last of the dunedain.
A soft knock drew her attention and the door to her room creaked open. Legolas appeared, dressed in dark shades of silver, his blue eyes landed softly on hers and he spoke. "It is time."
Elanor nodded and crossed the floor to join him. He took her arm in his and led her from her room, down the wide corridors, to the courtyard below. Elanor watched as Edains shroud covered body was brought past her, laid upon a wooden board covered in a cloak of deep purple. Aragorn, Halbarad, Rammel, Mannen, Adan and Isil carried the board upon their broad shoulders while Talin followed behind them. With a gently squeeze of her hand, Elanor left Legolas and took her place beside Talin. They walked together hand in hand in an attempt to draw strength from each other. The few dunedain that remained stood solemnly around the coffin.
She watched as Edains body was lower down into a stone casket and was overcome with a saddened numbness. No anger, no sadness, no pain. It was as if some spell had clouded her in a black mist where nothing could reach her. Words of sympathy fell upon deaf ears and Aragorns eulogy was lost to the marble room. It was not until the final words had be spoken and the heavy scrape of stone echoed across the room as the lid was closed of Edains tomb that Elanor suddenly let out a choked sob that startled the silent room. Talin hushed her gently, leading her slowly from the room as the others followed silently.
"Hail the Victorious Dead!"
The cry went out across the great hall as the gathered soldiers echoed the words around the room, each remember those who had fallen. Countless soldiers of both Rohan and Gondor, every man in the room had lost someone. Elanor sat quietly at the main table; her food lay uneaten before her. Legolas was with her, never leaving her side and just held her hand in his. With out words she clung to his hand, drawing from his warmth, a simple act that kept her strong. She glanced across the room and saw Éowyn with a man she did not know, although his face reminded her of someone. He was young and handsome and Elanor could not help but smile at the closeness they shared.
Her eyes drifted away from the pair and caught with Aragorns who sat across the table from her and her fellow rangers. He inclined his head and raised his cup when he saw her and Elanor smiled gently. Aragorn returned her gesture but she could tell he was troubled. The death of Edain had hit him hard, but there was something else worrying him. Elanor wondered if Aragorn had regretted his decision to take up arms in the Stewards place, especially since he had always renounce his claim to the throne, and now it was suddenly thrust upon him. He had proven himself time and time again but still so much was expected of him. The men had no difficulty following him as a leader in battle, for Aragorn was a true captain, but would they follow him as a King? And, more importantly, bring together the divided lands?
It was then she realised he looked lonely, even surrounded by people Aragorn was nearly always alone. Her thought went to Arwen and a small joy hit her that perhaps there was hope for them now. A flash of silver movement caught her and Elrohir and Elladan crossed the hall. Elrohir smiled at her as they approached the table. Elanor smiled back as they sat beside her, but not before Elladan bent low to Aragorn and spoke softly in elvish to him. Elanor looked puzzled as Aragorn listened intently and then his face flushed with surprise and split into a mighty grin. He abruptly stood up and grabbed Elladan in a fierce embrace and let out a joyful laugh causing the table to stop their chatter and look at him strangely. Beside her Elrohir smiled. Elanor frowned.
"You know something of this?" she asked him, inclining her head towards Aragorn. Elrohir chuckled, his voice musical. "Our father is travelling from Lorien and shall arrive within the month."
"And that makes Aragorn happy?" Merry asked. He sat beside Pippin, the two hobbits leaning in to hear what Elrohir was saying. Elanor smiled and shook her head, chuckling softly. Elrohir gave him a patient smile and continued.
"He brings with him my sister, Arwen Undomiel, the Evenstar of our people. My father has consented to their union and they are to be married by mid-summer." The hobbits face's formed little 'o' of surprise before looking to each other and falling into rapturous laughter which Elanor joined them in, happy to find something to celebrate in the shadow of such sadness.
Then a door swung open at the far end of the room and the room fell silent. Two figures slowly entered the room, one helped by the other. They were childlike in stature but their faces belied their hardships. They walked together towards the centre table where Aragorn stood waiting. They stopped before him and bowed. Aragorn smiled warmly and dropped to his knees, embracing the hobbits in his arms. The room erupted into a chorus of cheers and clapping. Elanor smiled as Frodo and Sam looked embarrassed as the room applauded them. They took their seats beside Merry and Pippin who beamed at their friends. Slowly the applause died down and general chatter broke out amongst the guests and the wake carried on long into the night.
Mid-years day was nearly upon them and Arwens imminent arrival hurled the city into a flurry of excitement. They were very few in the city that had seen elves and news of Lord Elrond arrival and the fast approaching coronation generated a buzz within the townsfolk. Even Aragorn seemed full of a strange nervousness and could often be seen wandering the halls muttering to himself. Elanor caught him once practicing the song he would sing at his crowning. Elanor threw herself into helping to organise the occasion, happy to have something to focus on. She spent hours with Éowyn, deciding flowers and colours, music and food. Aragorn would smile as he watched her, happy to allow her this duty. On occasion she would try to get his opinion but he knew nothing of flowers and was more suited to decisions of state rather than flora. So she went to Legolas and the pair would walk around the gardens, hand in hand, with the elf pointing out various flowers and their meaning.
When she wasn't sorting out flowers Elanor would spend her time with Talin and the others. They had helped her more than she could ever think possible. Having people to share her grief, her memories and stories with made her heart lighter.
The days past in a blur of activity and soon the day of Aragorns coronation arrived and the great courtyard of Minas Tirith was strung high with silver and adorned with flowers. The White Tree of Gondor blossomed with delicate white flowers that spread its petals in the breeze. Thousands of men and woman crammed into the courtyard to witness the joyful event. Elanor, dressed in her rangers' garb, stood with her fellows at the bottom steps of the great hall. She watched with great pride as Aragorn stood upon the steps, dressed in the finery of Kings. Gandalf stood before him and took a silver crown from Gimli, who stood nearby, and lowered it onto Aragorns brow.
"Now come the days of the king." The wizard said, smiling down at Aragorn. "May they be blessed."
Aragorns face was apprehensive for a moment and he took a deep breathe before facing the crowd. "This day does not belong to one man but to all. Let us together rebuild this world that we may share in the days of peace."
The crowd erupted into applause. Elanor felt the joy wash over her as cheers sung out from every man, woman and child. Beside her she clutched Talins hand tightly as Aragorn, the crowned King Elessar, stood tall and proud and began to sing. The crowd hushed. It was a song she recognised. She had heard Aragorn singing it around the halls but hearing it now reminder her of a time when they were all still together, sleeping under the northern mountains. Aragorn and Edain had sung to them while they rested. She glanced over at Talin and she could tell by his face that he was thinking the same thing.
The final words of the song floated out into the silent crowd and Aragorn walked down the aisle. The people stood at each side smiling and cheering. He smiled as he reached them and Elanor and the others bowed to their new king. He carried on down the aisle stopping when he reached a group of river elves, led by Legolas. They met each other and Legolas smiled as he stepped aside. Elanor held back a smile at the look of disbelief on Aragorns face as Arwen appeared behind a white banner. The elven beauty shone with silver and light. The elves early arrival had been kept a secret from Aragorn and the look of surprise and deep love on his face was worth it. Tenderly he caressed her face and kissed her. The crowd burst into more applause. Aragorn laughed joyfully and Elanor found herself unable to hold back her tears.
Elanor stood in her room carefully unravelling her hair, letting it fall about her shoulders. She sighed softly letting the tiredness wash over her. The gently smile reached her lips as the familiar footsteps approached her. Two lean arms slipped around her waist and caught her, pulling her back against a strong chest. Elanor smiled and leant back into the arms.
"You did a wonderful job." Legolas praised, leaning in to kiss her mouth. Elanor laughed softly against his mouth. "If I had known there was going to be a wedding I would have made more of an effort." She said.
"More? I would say you made a rather large effort." Legolas chuckled and kissed her cheek. Straight after the coronation, Aragorn and Arwen were wed under the blessing of Lord Elrond, much to the joy of Elanor. "Will you put as much effort into your own wedding?" he asked softly.
Elanor's heart stilled for a moment and slowly she turned around to face him. "My own..?" she paused, realising what he meant. "Are you asking me to marry you?"
"Only if you say yes."
Legolas took a step back and outstretched his palm to her. Upon it lay a silver band of twisted silver with a small shimmering emerald set between two silver leaves. Elanor stared open mouthed at his hand before stuttering his name. Legolas took her hand in his and slipped the ring onto her finger. He whispered softly to her in elvish.
"I am asking you marry me. I want no one else to spend eternity with."
Her heart screamed at her to accept but something he said struck her like a heavy blow. He might have an eternity ahead of him but she did not. She was not immortal.
"Legolas, I…I." She stuttered, staring at the ring on her finger. He read her hesitation as a rejection and his face faltered slightly. "I understand if you need time to decide."
"No! I…" she paused and took a deep breathe. "I love you." she said, "truly I do but have you thought about what you are asking?" Legolas looked at her confused. "You will never get sick, never age and never die. Yet you will watch me wither and decay. I cannot be the one to leave you, I could not bare it."
"My life is no more certain than yours; I would rather spend few precious years with you than a lifetime without." He walked towards her and held her face in his hands. "If I could give up my immortality I would."
He kissed her softly before stepping away from him. "I will wait for your reply." He whispered, "Forever if I must."
He kissed her again on the palm and walked from the room leaving Elanor shocked and alone. She stood silent for a moment then clasped a hand to her mouth to stifle a sudden sob that threatened to break free. What had she done? Why did she not just say yes? What if she lost him? She needed advice and there was no one to ask.
I know I'm mean.. but whats a good love story without a little angst? Sorry to anyone who wanted Aragorn and Arwens wedding to be in there but I thought it was a bit pointless writting it when we all know it happened. Plus, this story isn't about them!
Theres only a couple more chapters till our stories end.. sniff.