Disclaimer: I do not own nor have any affiliation with anyone in the official circles of The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings, or it's characters. No profit is being made from this writing.

Beauty of the Ages

by MoonofMorrigan

Author's Notes: I'm posting this from the rough draft since it is like 2 weeks late from the date I intended to finish (02/18/2017). As always there is music that helped me write through this. If you want the list, message me. I am not a Tolkien expert/scholar. All of my books about Middle-Earth are packed away somewhere – hence my "true references" are unavailable. Please forgive any inconsistencies, wrongs, and any offenses this small tale offers to it's readers. All likes, kudos, reblogs, comments/feedback are welcome.

Chapter One: Greetings to the King

She watched from the balcony window overlooking the forest of Mirkwood. Legolas had just informed her that her husband was finally returning from the battle he had not intended to originally fight. He had thought the dwarves dead after the fire-drake was defeated. But alas, such was not the case. Word reached her that an all out battle was being fought which her sons begged for her to let them join their father in. Forbidding it, she was ready to send a body of troops to their aid commanded by her own kin, when word again reached her that the battle was over. Ultimately, it was won at a high cost to their people. That was all she had been told of it other than the dwarf king had been slain, and her husband paid homage to him.

She turned from watching the paths below for a few minutes, then returned when she caught sight of a distant flutter of Elven flag and heard the distinct sound of an Elvish horn sound in the distance. She got dressed in a hurried manner, and called for the main servants that attended to them to greet him at the bridge. A feast would need to be had this night. The king had returned with the remainder of those who had fought with him! It was a time to rejoice, mourn, and honor the fallen.

Once word the battle was won had reached them, the great hunters in the realm went out and caught game for the feast tonight. Chefs had been planning menus for her to approve for days. Finally, she knew he would be there before nightfall, and despite her years on this earth she could hardly contain the joy it brought her, and the sheer desire to run out, even into the dangerous forest, and meet him. It was the same emotion she had every time he left the palace for such quests and battles. However, she chose to contain her emotions, and like a true lady and queen meet him at the bridge with her sons, and their servants.

She spent the day pacing until finally, when it would soon be time for the sun to set the familiar sound of a troops on foot and some on horseback could be heard in their rhythmic fashion. Bells were sounding in the halls. She hardly heard them. She did her best to not run to the doors. Her sons fell behind her just as quickly paced. The front hall was packed with Elves awaiting the return of their loved ones and the king. The bells fell silent even as the doors opened for her. Shining in the light of day were the armors of her kin, and upon a white stallion her love leading them on. The sound of the marching was thunderous. Shouts were heard from behind him to order the company to halt when he stopped just at the beginning of the bridge looking solemn, weary and haunted, until his eyes caught sight of her and their children behind her on the other side. The look was replaced with one of relief, a touch of joy, and above all else love. He did not issue any verbal orders to his commanders, but merely spurred his horse forward into a trot to cross the bridge, merely raising a hand to signal the company to cross and disassemble.

Though their kind was hardy and strong like no other, battles took a toll even on their kind. The soldiers were weary and laden from the fight, and the king's gesture was lost at first until the women and children of the families whose husbands and sons who had rode or marched out let out a cry of sheer joy,and honor to the king, then came flying out behind the queen and princes in droves causing the troops to disperse. They would bow to the royal family, but not even decorum could contain the beat of court at this moment. Everyone was home that could return.