Disclaimer: If I owned LOTR would I be working my butt off to make ends meet while in school?
It's been a while, I know. I've had a horrible year that I won't go into detail about, it would only depress you. Trust me, I've had some major problems this year.
Chapter 16Elegain and Valandil strolled under the trees of Loth Lorien slowly working their way back to their talans. They hadn't said much since leaving Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel, Haldir, and Rumil. The silence between them was comfortable, as it always was, but they were both thinking of the discussions they had had at the luncheon. Elle had no idea where in Lorien they were or even how long they had been walking. Their interlocked arms had moved into a more comfortable position of simply holding hands.
"Valandil? What are you thinking about?" Elle squeezed his fingers.
He tightened his hand around hers. "You."
Elle stopped walking. "Quit teasing me. You know what I'm asking you about."
"Elegain, do you doubt me?" Valandil lifted an eyebrow.
"Of course not." Elle grinned at his mock expression.
"Then will you finally accept my proposal?"
"Yes I will." It was so easy to say, she giggled. It felt right to say it as well.
Valandil picked her up in a tight hug and swung her around on the pathway.
XxXxX
Elle had finished dressing when there was a knock at her talan door.
"Come in." She stood up from the corner of her bed and looked at the door questioningly. She bit her lip as she grinned at him. "How do I look?" She slowly turned in her ruling dress holding her arms out slightly.
Valandil also wore dark robes to match Elle's ruling dress. He gazed at her intently. "You're missing your crown."
Elle rolled her eyes at him, but couldn't stop the smile forming on her lips. "I was just brushing out my hair first." She sat back down on the bed and began to pull the brush through her hair again. Valandil walked over behind her, took the brush, and gently brushed her hair back from her face. He reached around her to place a small, intricately carved wooden box on the vanity. Elle looked at it then at Valandil in the mirror.
"What is it?" Elle touched the box with her fingertips never taking her eyes from Valandil.
"Telling you would ruin the surprise of opening it." Valandil finished brushing through Elle's hair. He picked up her ruling circlet and placed it into her hair. He smiled into the mirror. "Are you going to open it?"
Elle smiled back. "I don't know elvish customs. I didn't get you anything."
"I didn't expect you to." Valandil nudged the box closer to her. "Are you going to open it?"
She picked up the box and released the clasp. Elle lifted the lid then pushed aside the green silken material. A silver ring with an elvish pattern lay in the center of the box. Elle breathed in sharply at the simple beauty.
Valandil picked up the ring and slipped it onto Elle's ring finger. "It was my great grandmother's engagement ring. She gave it to my mother before she sailed to the undying lands after my great grandfather was wounded in a one of the ancient wars. It has been in my family for centuries."
XxXxX
The elvish dinner at Loth Lorien was one of the most extravagant Elle had ever attended. Valandil led Elle to the front table where they would dine with Celeborn and Galadriel. Haldir was seated with several of his guardsmen below the platform where Elle sat. Elle sat next to Galadriel in the center of the table.
Elle looked around at the many elves. "Valandil, who are all these elves?"
"My family, very close friends, and of course the Lord and Lady of Loth Lorien." Valandil smiled warmly at her. Elle's look of shock removed the smile quickly. "What is wrong Elle?"
"Your family?" Elle looked around the dining hall again. "I haven't properly met your family yet."
"Are you worried?" Valandil gripped her hand trying to comfort her.
"No, I just…" She trailed off not sure what she was supposed to do.
Valandil tightened his hand around her. "It is our custom to introduce the intension at a formal dinner." He saw her visibly relax. "I'm sorry Elle, I forget you do not know the customs."
Elle sighed. "Human customs include meeting the family before hand for approval."
"I asked for approval, my lady." Valandil smiled again at her surprise. "I asked the council of Limduin and Lord Haldir. I thought it was fitting to keep your customs as well."
Elle felt a pang of sadness at the feeling her parents wouldn't be here, but felt relieved to know the council had acted as family over the matter. She gazed at Haldir and was touched for having one of her father's closest allies treating her so much like a daughter. She noted to herself to thank him for all his help.
Her mind came back to the banquet when Lord Celeborn stood from his chair next to Galadriel. "Family, friends, tonight we welcome Lady Elegain Gaealis of Limduin to Loth Lorien in preparation for her marriage to Lord Valandil of the Lorien realm." He paused. "As tradition commands, are there any who oppose this marriage with due concern?" Elle felt as if the air was tightening in her chest at the sight of an elf lord stand up. The elf looked remarkably like Valandil.
"Lord Valstaff would speak, my Lord Celeborn." Celeborn nodded and the elf continued. "Our family," he motioned to the table in which he sat at the head, "is pleased our son would take a wife so well matched. May they be blessed in their bonding." Lord Valstaff raised his glass to Elle and Valandil. The elves throughout the dining hall stood and raised their glasses in toast.
Galadriel gently prodded Elle to stand before she stood. Elle understanding, followed with Valandil. They raised their glasses and toasted. Dinner was served immediately after accompanied by music from a band of elves.
Elle and Valandil walked among the guests greeting them. It seemed as though everyone wanted to meet her. She noticed the Lord Valstaff and what appeared to be his wife waiting for Valandil. It took only moments for Elle and Valandil to reach them.
"Father. Mother." Valandil hugged his parents. "I would like you to meet Lady Elegain Gaealis of Limduin." Elle bowed her head as they bowed back to her. "Elle these are my parents. Lord Valstaff and Lady Etrania."
"Please Lady Gaealis, call me Valstaff." He motioned to the seats around the table. "Will you join us for a moment."
"Of course, my lord." Elle sat down smiling. "Please, just call me Elle. There is no need to be so formal with me."
"And I am simply Etrania." Valandil's mother sat next to Elle. "My son has told me a lot about you. I feel as if I already know you."
"Yes. He told me about his family and his home when we would go horseback riding in Limduin." Elle felt at ease with his parents. They chatted for some time before being pulled away by other elves.
The night was almost over when Celeborn called for quiet in the dining hall. "There is one more tradition to complete before we conclude this night. Lord Valandil and Lady Elegain will exchange their intention rings." He held his hand out for them to come to the front of the gathering.
Valandil led Elle to the front and gave Celeborn a small, green velvet drawstring pouch. Celeborn held the pouch high for everyone to see. He opened it and removed two silver rings handing one to Valandil and the other to Elle. He stepped back so they stood alone in front of everyone.
Valandil took Elle's left hand and slipped the ring on to her ring finger. Elle copied his motions placing the ring on his left hand ring finger. Elle felt as if the light was becoming brighter by the second. It was almost unbearable, but she continued to stare at Valandil ignoring what was going on around her. She felt almost lightheaded, but exhilarated at the same time. As she continued to look at him, she thought she saw a couple of children run silently through the haze. As fast as the light appeared, it was gone.
XxXxX
Elle was preparing for bed when someone knocked on her talan door. "Come in." She pulled a shawl around her shoulders.
Elle bowed as Lady Galadriel entered the talan. "Do you know what it was you saw at your bonding ceremony?" Elle looked confused and shook her head. "Then I will not tell you too much, except your children will be gifted Elegain." Galadriel smiled.