The Journey
Part: 33
Rating: Strong R
Pairing: Haldir/OFC
Characters: Just about every other elf that Tolkien created that's in the LoTR books and movies.
Warning: descriptions of wounds and sexual situations
Disclaimer: All known characters are owned by the great Tolkien, all others are of my own creation.
Beta(s): Marta, Novedhelion, and Vi
Timeline: 80 years before LoTR and extends to post RoTK events

Notes: I want to thank Marta, Zee, Mal, Kay, Suse, Phyllis, Vi, Novedhelion, Kika, Becky, Dorothy, and Rashida for their expertise. Without their input this story would not be what it is today.

Sindarian speach is shown with " "
Westron speach is show with ' '

This story follows the movieverse.

Chapter 33

Legolas walked down the corridor leading into the Throne Room of Minas Tirith deep in thought wondering how he should tell Aragorn about his bonded relationship with Tiniwen. Just as he reached the doors, hurried footsteps came up to him from behind. Turning around the ellon took note that it was one of the many young pages within the Citadel.

'Milord', he stopped just in front of Legolas. 'I need to see King Elessar.'

'He is busy. What is it that you are delivering?'

'The Elves are here. . .' The page, who was not much older than a boy, widened his eyes in awe.

Legolas let the side of his mouth twitch up slightly, 'Am I not one also?'

'Well, yes, but. . .' he swallowed, 'They come with banners and horses and. . .' the young page stopped, not knowing how to continue. Finally remembering, he handed over to Legolas a small piece of paper in his hand. 'And this too, Milord.'

Taking it from the page, Legolas skimmed through it. So, Master Elrond brings Arwen, he thought. 'King Elessar does not need to be burdened with this information right now. When the time is right I will let him know about their arrival. You are dismissed.'

'Yes, Milord,' he bowed as he backed away, leaving through a side door.

Turning to look back to the door, Legolas let a smile creep across his face as he turned and left the Citadel. Elrond's entourage needed to be met. This would be a good way to let the Peredhel know about how Tiniwen had fared since she left Imladris. A short time later he walked into the Halls of Healing searching for the elven healer. Turning a corner they both caught sight of each other and smiled. "Hervess," he started when he came up to her, realizing at the same time he liked calling her that, "Master Elrond approaches."

Tiniwen nodded while drying her hands on a towel. "I will be back." Turning, she went in search for the senior healer. Minutes later she came back with a smile. "Where is he?"

Taking her elbow he maneuvered her towards the door, "Pelannor Fields. Do I need to bring you back?"

"No," she smiled while shaking her head.

"Good," he gave her a slight smile as he pulled her out of the halls and into the streets of the Gondorian city. They were almost to the lowest ring when Tiniwen remembered she was wearing the clothing she was given shortly after the battle she had participated in. She knew it was too late to change her clothing to something more suitable, she only hoped that Elrond would understand.

"You are fine," Legolas said softly picking up on her troubled thoughts. "Just tell him that you have been working with the healers," he told her as they went through the front gates. They were in dire need of shoring up and the holes needed to be patched. The whole city needed major repair work. Aragorn's coronation would go a long way in helping to restore the war battered and war weary people.

The Eldar entourage was some distance away from where the nazgul had fallen, for the evil it embodied still lingered on. On reaching the camp one of the Imladris wardens greeted them and then lead them to Elrond's tent.

"Lord Elrond," the unnamed warden ducked into the tent announcing his arrival and the two following him. "Thranduilion and Tiniwen Talelerioniel." Stepping to the side, he let the two following him enter the tent.

"Thank you, Warden," Elrond dismissed him and watched as he left to finish his shift. Once out of sight Elrond turned his attention to the young elves before him. "Does he know?"

A confused look crossed Legolas's face before he understood. "No, Master Elrond."

Elrond nodded as he looked at them. For a moment he remained silent before letting a smile cross his face. "May the blessings of the Valar be with the both of you and your future together."

Looks of surprise crossed the younger elves' faces for a moment before disappearing. "Thank you, milord." Tiniwen gave a quick curtsey.

"You knew. . ." Legolas looked from Elrond to Tiniwen and back to the elf-lord.

Elrond stood up. "I had foreseen it. Plus I knew she was ready to be a healer on her own." The Peredhel walked over to Tiniwen and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Would you like for me to watch over Lady Arwen, Milord?"

"That and Estel." Elrond nodded. "Until it is your time to travel West."

"Yes, milord," she answered. After a brief pause she continued, "I wish to see how Arianel has faired."

Elrond shook his head sadly, "I am afraid that is not possible."

"She is not here, then?" Legolas asked.

"It is more than that." Elrond turned around and went back over to his chair. "She did not survive Helm's Deep. Even though Haldir lived their bond was severed."

"We have not lost Haldir, have we?" Tiniwen asked in dismay.

"He lingers. Either he will travel West or we will lose him in the same manner."

"Haldir remains in Lórien?"

"No. He has traveled here with us, but he will not attend the coronation. It is enough that he has come. Galadriel requested of him to come," he looked to Legolas, "For he will help you in your endeavors until it is his time."

The day broke clear and bright on Aragorn's coronation day. The courtyard that surrounded the blooming White Tree of Gondor was filled to capacity: citizens and visitors alike. Everyone wanted to come, for what would take place had not happened for almost a thousand years. Isildur's heir had come back to reclaim the throne rightfully his. Even from the northern branch of the family, Aragorn was the last heir left alive.

With the help of the northern Rangers, his kinsmen, they ceremoniously dressed him in Eliendil's armor, the same armor that had been forged in Númenór before the island was doomed to sink beneath the waves of the sea.

It was Gandalf that held the ancient crow high above Aragorn's head before slowly lowering it down. The metal band fit snugly around the new king's brow. When he released it the Maia called out in a loud voice, 'Now come the Days of the King!' Looking down, he continued in a much softer tone for Aragorn's, and the Eldar assembled, benefit, 'May they be blessed.' To the side of the new king stood Gimli, like everyone else, he was dressed in his finest clothes, along with all his weapons.

Looking up to Gandalf, Aragorn sighed, this was something he was not looking forward to doing. He was a Ranger and preferred the anonymity he had at that time of his life. From this point on, he would never have that. Moving to the side Gandalf gave Aragorn the room he would need when he faced his people, his, for the first time. He would no longer be Aragorn, but Elessar of the house of Strider. Turning around the people below burst into rambunctious applause for their new king. There was one more thing he had to do and he would be king. He sung the sacred words in the old tongue, Queyna, that his ancestors first spoke when they stepped foot on Arda from Númenór.

As his first actions, Elessar stepped down from the stepps of the Citadel and into the crowd. He saw and recognized many that he knew. Faramir had recovered from his wounds sufficiently, with the help of Tiniwen, and was standing with the robes of the Steward of Gondor. Aragorn had decided that the office would stay and that Faramir would be the first of many stewards to come. Beside him was Eowyn. She had come to realize that it wasn't Aragorn she was searching for, but someone else. It was good they found each other, he thought to himself.

As he passed Eomer, he bowed his head, showing how he considered the Rohan king to be his equal in all things. He would never attempt to control the kingdom, but the two lands were bound together for mutual defense. Neither could survive without the aid from the other. The young king, dressed in his lands finery, answered then moved out to walk with him.

When he finally reached the Eldar, Aragorn emerged once again and smiled at his long time friend. For once Legolas was wearing the mithril band showing his rank. The others behind him were similarly dressed, but with no mithril. What surprised him at first was the site of Tiniwen just behind the elven prince. He did a quick double take and realized with a smile what had recently taken place. "Hannon lle," he said as he placed a hand on the elf's shoulder.

Legolas answered with a simple smile then indicated with his head for him to look of to the side. He seemed to be hiding something, though not very well.

With his curiosity raised, Elessar turned and saw many banners, but one moved to the side and he found it was his Adar, Elrond standing there, beside him was Glorfindel, but holding the banner was Arwen. I will allow her to wed you only when you are King of Gondor, Elrond's voice came to mind deep from the past. For a moment his mind refused to comprehend the sight before him. With all that's happened, he could hardly accept anything. He stood before her and reached out a hand to at least touch her. He felt that if he blinked she would be gone. But that did not happen, her skin was as soft as he remembered it beneath his calloused fingers. Not being able to resist it any longer, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She was now his for the asking. One of the last elven princesses would now become a queen of men.

Going through the rest of the crowd he was stopped by the sight of his four hobbit friends. Small in stature, but big in heart. They would always be welcome with the greatest honor in the White City, and thus told them in a round about way.

When everything was finally over with Elessar found himself alone in the throne room looking up at the throne. It was almost too much for him to comprehend. He was more inclined to use the Steward's chair, but that was already taken up by Faramir.

"Estel, you do not need to sit there if you do not want to."

Elessar turned and smiled at the figure at the other end of the room. "Estel grew up a long time ago, and now Aragorn has to take his leave."

"Not permanently, I hope," Legolas answered as he moved across the room.

Elessar shrugged his shoulders then smiled, "I do wish for you the best with Tiniwen."

Legolas shook his head wryly, "It seems everyone knows."

"Only those wise enough to discern the change. Now, is this the only reason you have come to call on me, Thrandulion?"

The elven prince looked closely at Elessar, not quite sure how to take the sudden change. He relaxed when he realized it was said in jest, "I come bearing news that Haldir has come. His brothers will be traveling West with the Lady and Master Elrond.

Elessar turned serious, "Where is he? I would have thought he would have attended the coronation."

"Nay," Legolas shook his head. He continued in a soft voice, "Arianel did not survive Helm's Deep. Until it is his time, he will be helping me with Ithilian."

Elessar nodded, "So you have accepted my offer."

"It will be good to do something like this. Adar will stay up in the Greenwood, I do not know how long though. I have a mind to bring both Tiniwen and Gimli up to meet him."

"That should be interesting. If I recall correctly, your father is not very fond of dwarves."

"Neither was I when we started this journey."

Frodo stood up in the darkened interior of the elven ship. It was hard for him to notice that it was even moving at all. Even the sound of the water, which was not what he expected, was all but absent. He would have thought that at least some noise would have reached the interior, but none had. Flickering candles made interesting images dance across the wood. Beneath the wood floor he was told there were stores enough for all on board to reach Valinor's shores safely. It's probably lembas, he thought to himself, and water.

In the dim light he could just make out the shape of an elf leaning up against the wall. By his clothing Frodo thought he was from Lórien, but wasn't sure. Held securely within his arms was what he first though one of his people, but on closer inspection he realized that it was an elf-child. He cringed when he heard the wood creek under his weight. It never made that sound when an elf walked across. Two more steps and he would be close enough to take a look at the small child.

Before he could bend over the ellon's hand shot out and held him in place. For a moment he thought the elf would do even more, but he didn't. What he did do was look at him darkly, almost as if daring him to come any closer.

"Rúmil, let him go. He can do no harm to Maris."

Frodo turned to the one that spoke. Elrond was standing just behind him. Turning back to Rúmil, the hobbit stood still, not sure exactly what was going to happen.

The elf seemed to consider it for a long moment before finally loosening his grip enough for the hobbit to pull away.

'Come Frodo,' Elrond said while moving away.

'Who is that, Master Elrond?'

''Tis Rúmil, and he is holding his daughter. He knows little Westron, and is mostly wary of either the Edain, or the Perianneth. Plus he has left his brother behind in Arda and it bothers him. He feels he will not see him again for a millennium.'

TBC...