Disclaimer: Not mine.

Chapter 17

Valandil knocked on Elle's talan. It was several days after their banquet and they were leaving for Lumduin within the hour. Elle opened the door in a flourish and greeted him with a wide smile.

"Good morning Elle." Valandil returned the smile. "Are you ready to return home?"

Elle walked back to the bed where she had placed her belongings. "I am. I miss my home and my people." She stopped and made a face. "It's not that I don't like it here, but I have my responsibilities. Your home is so beautiful and I will miss it, though we've been here only a short time." Elle bit her lip not sure how to explain.

"I understand Elle." Valandil took her pack from her and slung it over his shoulder. "It's not like you are keeping me from my home. I will be able to visit my home and family often. I just hope you will come with me when you can."

"Of course I will. Your family has been very nice to me. I can't wait to show you the dress your mother insisted I wear for the bonding." Elle looked excited.

Valandil held up his hands. "Don't tell me."

"I hadn't planned to." Elle rolled her eyes at him. They had reached the square and found almost everyone who had attended the dinner had come to tell them goodbye. Valstaff and Etrania hugged them both. Elle looked at them. "You will come to the bonding even though it will be in Limduin, won't you?"

"Yes, we will see you in a month." Etrania answered immediately before pulling Elle into another hug.

"Ride safe, my family." Valstaff spoke to Valandil and Elle.

Elle found Pharaohirrim had worked his over to her. "Hello my beautiful, kingly horse. Are you ready to return home?"

XxXxX

The ride home was uneventful until they reached the main road cutting through the forest. At once, archers met them with arrows readied. "State your business."

Elle pushed Pharaohirrim to the front of the traveling group. "Lady Elegain Gaealis returning home from Loth Lorien."

The men dropped their bows to the side as several more came from the woods on either side of the road. "Yes, yes of course Lady Gaealis!" The lead man bowed deeply. "I'll have Samson ride ahead so the town may welcome you properly." The man named Samson didn't need to be told, he jumped on the closest horse and headed towards town at a gallop.

The traveling band continued on their way moments later with a couple of the guards to keep them company. They arrived in Limduin twenty minutes later and were welcomed with music and cheers from the people.

XxXxX

Elle was relieved when she finally arrived back at the manor. Orophin stood smiling on the stairs as they rode up.

"Gladly met, my brother." Orophin and Haldir grasped each other's forearms in the usual greeting, but then hugged as well. He looked past Haldir to Valandil and Elle. His smile widened. "So when will the bonding take place?"

Elle giggled at his assumptions. "Next month. I have met with Lady Galadriel's approval as well as Valandil's family."

"I would not expect any less." Orophin held his nose in the air. The group laughed at his antics.

"You know," Elle commented while removing her things from Pharaohirrim's back, "I believe Orophin likes it here." She smiled when Valandil took her things from her to carry into the manor. "I have so much to attend to."

"Nonsense lady, I took care of business. The only changes have been an increase in the road guards." At Elle's look of surprise, Orophin calmed her. "We thought two on the road would be better off with several hiding in the woods as well. Safety."

Elle nodded. "You'll have to brief me then."

Haldir held up his hands. "Not now Elegain. It has been a long and tiresome ride back. I insist you rest for the evening. There will be plenty of time tomorrow."

Elle hesitated. Valandil offered his arm. "Elle, things are fine. If there was a problem, Orophin would tell you."

She nodded again. They began walking up the stairs to the manor before Elle whispered to Valandil. "Us." Valandil gave her a quizzical look. "Orophin would tell us if there was a problem. You will be helping me rule Limduin."

"Us."

XxXxX

Elle felt frustrated. She had been working on the wedding plans and some ruling details with Limduin all morning. She sat back in her chair and glared at the pieces of parchment in front of her. She sighed audibly. It was only a few days until the wedding and she'd been so busy since she'd gotten back. Elle glanced out the windows of the office to see the sun shining brightly. She decided to go for a long run with Pharaohirrim. She grabbed her cloak from the chair where she'd thrown it this morning and headed out to the barns.

At the bottom of the stairs, Elle whistled shrilly. Pharaohirrim galloped up to the manor snorting at the idea of going out again. "Easy my love, shall we go for a ride?" The colt pawed the ground anxiously then threw his head into the air dancing around. Elle laughed, "Alright, we're going." Elle leapt onto his back then leaned forward to speak with the excited colt. "Shall we go for a run in the woods?"

The colt leapt forward at her command, pounding through the grass as they ran into the field. Her mind focused on the sound of Pharaohirrim's hooves pounding into the ground and the grass swishing around his legs as he moved across the field. She felt free as she pulled the colt up and laughed out loud at the feeling.

"I've missed that, my beautiful king." She lovingly patted the strong neck as they set a slow pace around the tree line. "Unfortunately, we cannot take too long. I have to be back." The colt pranced under her, his ears flicking back and forth listening to her. "I'm sorry, but you get to have fun out on the land. I'm planning a very important day." Elle slid down from the colt's back and walked along beside him. She became lost in thought as they walked along. Without realizing it, she put her hand on his shoulder for comfort.

A sense of peace came over Elle. She closed her eyes and allowed her senses to completely accept the feelings and everything else Pharaohirrim was offering to ease her mind. She sighed and felt herself relax. When she finally opened her eyes she found she and the colt had stopped walking. Pharaohirrim had his head turned around towards her and was watching her. A smile creased her face. "Thank you for listening."

XxXxX

Elle ran down the stairs looking over the manor house. "Gwen!" Elle waited for a response from the maid. "Gwen!" The girl came out of a room upstairs.

"Yes my lady?"

"Why isn't that room finished yet?" Elle felt desperate.

"I am just finishing my lady." Gwen informed her. "I was just running a rag over everything again after making the bed."

"Oh, good. Yes." Elle's mind was racing through everything on the list she could remember. "Did you…"

"Yes, ma'am. I used the good linens, the ones with the ivy patterns." Gwen hid a smile.

Elle continued down the stairs scrutinizing everything within eyesight. Valandil's parents were arriving along with several of his family members and she wanted everything to be perfect. She was so busy fretting she walked right pasted her intended.

"Elle?"

She jumped. "Valandil. What did I forget?"

He shook his head in amusement. "Elle. My parents are not difficult to get along with. Why are you so worried?"

"Who says I'm worried?"

He raised an eyebrow at her. "You've had the maidservants clean the manor four times in three days. That included the double cleaning today love."

It was Elle's turn to raise an eyebrow at him. Valandil smiled. "But that's okay… Um, do you need me to do anything?"

One of the grooms ran into the entrance hall. "My lady! My lord! The elven travelers are here!"

Elle jumped again. "I didn't change!"

Valandil stopped her from running up the stairs. "Elegain, you've changed a number of times since getting up this morning. Your look beautiful." He grabbed her hand and pulled her down the stairs. "Come, let's meet my family."

"Your right, it wouldn't like right if we didn't meet them." Elle tightened her grip on his hand and pulled him after her. Valandil thanked his elven abilities to keep his balance with a grin.

The couple walked outside just as the elven riders came to a stop in front of the manor. Elle slipped into her role of ruler without thought. "Lords and Ladies of Loth Lorien, welcome to Limduin and our home." Valandil glanced at Elle then turned to smile at his parents. They had also noticed the use of the word our in Elle's statement and looked pleased.

Valandil walked down the stairs with Elle releasing her only when he embraced his relatives. "Father, Mother… welcome to Limduin."

The elves looked around. "We would not have missed your bonding. Lady Gaealis, you have a beautiful home." Lord Valstaff nodded to his surroundings.

Lady Etrania hugged her son in greeting before looking at Elle. "I hope you have not gone to too much trouble on our behalf." She hugged Elle tightly.

"Oh course not." Elle answered immediately. She ignored the smile Valandil gave her. "Please come in, you must be tired after your journey."

Dinner was a pleasant affair that evening. The traveling elves had been made comfortable along with their horses. Stories were told to amuse from both sides. Valandil's parents told Elle several stories that made him blush, but laughed at also. The night was winding down. Elle insisted on walking her guests to their rooms to make sure they would be comfortable.

Etrania and Valstaff relieved Elle's fear that they would be comfortable. Etrania smiled. "I see you went to a lot of trouble for us."

"It was not trouble for our guests." Elle smiled back.

"Thank you." Valstaff gave his wife a quick look. Elle and Valandil left the room closing the door behind them. "How much trouble do you think she actually went to?" He asked with a grin.

Etrania laughed softly. "It wasn't trouble to her."

XxXxX

Elle looked out her window across Limduin Valley as the sun was slowly setting. Her marriage to Valandil would take place just before the sun set completely. She sighed and moved back to her vanity trying to decide how to wear her hair.

"I believe he prefers when you let it hang loose." Elle stopped glaring at herself in the mirror and turned to see Etrania standing inside the doorway. "May I come in?"

Elle stood up to welcome her. "Of course Etrania." She bit her lip and waited.

Etrania smiled at her before settling herself on the corner of the bed. She noticed Elle continuing to watch her expectantly. "He sends his love." Elle grinned at her before settling back in her chair trying to decided if she wanted to pin back her bangs or not. "You do know the intended are not really supposed to speak or see each other before the ceremony?"

"I didn't get to see him. He isn't in view of any of my windows." Elle laughed at the elven woman's joking. "I think you and Valstaff have something to do with that."

Etrania feigned innocence. "May I help you with your hair?"

"Yes, please. I just don't know what to do with it." Elle put her brush down shaking her head. "I'm afraid it may blow around too much if I don't try to control it a little bit." She shrugged to. "I'm also a little bit nervous."

"Child, I would be worried about you if you weren't." Etrania brushed back Elle's long hair, pulling the bangs and beginning to braid them. "This allows your hair to stay down, but will keep it from blowing everywhere. Besides, it isn't that windy out."

Elle tilted her head slightly looking at the elf in the mirror. "Is Valandil nervous?"

"Of course. He is bonding with you, but he is also becoming a ruler." Etrania finished the braid. "I'll let you put your crown on."

"Wha? Oh, yeah." Elle carefully slid the circlet into her hair. "How much time do I have?"

"Not much. I'll leave you to get dressed." Etrania bowed her head before leaving.

Elle breathed in deeply and slowly exhaled. She pulled the gown Etrania had given at Loth Lorien out of the closet and looked again at the beauty of it. She slipped out of her robe and carefully stepped into the dress. The dress was made of the similar material that her other elven dress had been. The creamy white material was soft and very supple to touch. There were intricate elvish patterns along the neck, waist, and train of the gown. Her shoulders remained bare to below her collar bone and the sleeves ran straight to her forearms. Elle looked in her mirror to check her appearance and was pleased to see herself looking so happy.

A soft knock on the door brought her out of her thoughts. "Come in."

The door opened and Haldir walked in. He stopped short at seeing her dressed so exquisitely. "Lady Elegain…" He stammered slightly. "You are a vision."

"Thank you my lord." Elle took another deep breath steadying herself. "It is time."

Haldir stepped into the hall and held his arm out for her. Elle allowed him to lead her to the doorway leading to the garden. The doors opened revealing the garden lit by candles and the last rays of the sun. All the people from Limduin and the visiting elves from Lorien stood as Haldir led Elle down the aisle and to where Valandil waited for her.

Valandil was dressed in deep forest green robes. In front of him, the king's crown sat on a black pillow with the Gaealis crest embroidered into the material. Haldir stopped and Elle left him to walk the last ten feet herself to where Valandil waited for her. She accepted his hand and they turned so they could easily be seen by the people. Haldir sat down next to Valandil's parents.

"I, Lord Valandil of Loth Lorien, home of the elves of the Golden Woods, take thee Lady Elegain Gaealis, ruler of Limduin, as my bonded." Valandil had had to explain to Elle he would not say until death, because elves did not believe in any death as a separation.

Elle smiled at him. "I, Lady Elegain Gaealis, ruler of Limduin, take thee, Lord Valandil of Loth Lorien of the Golden Woods, as my bonded." She took the crown from the pillow and held it out slightly. Elle remembered her parents wearing the crowns for special occasions. Her father had once told her that when she married she would have to offer the crown to the man she planned to marry. "Do you Lord Valandil of Loth Lorien of the Golden Woods, swear to uphold the laws of Limduin as ruler by my side as my bonded?"

"I swear." Valandil answered, then bowed his head. Elle placed her father's crown on his head. Elle stood back from him and they joined hands before turning to the crowd.

The council of Limduin stood up as one and the elder Limduin spoke to the people and elves gathered for the ceremony. "Lords and Ladies of Limduin and Loth Lorien, I give you, the rulers of Limduin!"

Let me know what you think.