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Chapter 23
"Now come the days of the King. May they be blessed." Gandlaf said as he placed the crown of Gondor on top of Aragorn's head. He placed it soundly of the King's head and stepped back to let Aragorn walked amongst his people. All the attendees of the coronation clap and cheer for their new King. Iasbelin looked at Legolas and Osric and smiled as they cheered for their friend. The King had truly returned and they would never know darkness again.
"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." Aragorn said majestically. Petals began to fall on the courtyard of Gondor as the new King walked out into the space.
"Et Earello Endorenna utulien Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn Ambar-metta." Aragorn sang the song of Elendil, his ancestor. As he sang he left the steps of the castle and moved amongst his people. He walked past Eowyn and Faramir who bow low to the King. Eomer, King of Rohan, bowed to his friend and fellow King. They smile as the King walked toward the Elves who approached him.
The Elves are clad in brilliant white garbs and they shine out from all the other races in attendance. Legolas stepped forward and Iasbelin and Osric flanked him. The family all wore their circlets to signify their royal heritage. Osric shone in his white and silver tunic and pants which were most likely already dirty. Iasbelin wore a simple white and silver dress that matched Osric's tunic. Her blond hair was half pulled back and allowed her crown to take precedence on her head. Legolas matched his family in an almost identical tunic to Osric's. Aragorn placed a kiss on Iasbelin's cheek.
"You will be a just King, dear Estel." She said softly to him. He smiled at her and nodded his thanks. Aragorn placed a hand on Legolas' shoulder. The two old friend's looked at each other with reverence.
"Hannon le." Aragorn said simply. Legolas smiled at him and gestured with his eyes behind him.
Aragorn looks behind Legolas and sees a banner with a white tree carefully sewed on it. Aragorn looked at the banner skeptically. A beautiful Elleth appeared from behind the banner and it made Aragorn gasp. The Elf looked back at her father and he whispered something in her ear. She nodded and moved toward the King. Aragorn moved toward her as well almost in a trance. Iasbelin could not contain her smile as the lovers moved closer to each other. She grasped Legolas' hand and gave it a firm squeeze. The pair reached each other and Aragorn took the banner from Arwen's hand. She cast her eyes down and looked at the floor. Aragorn placed a single finger under her chin and brought her face to eye level. She smiled at him and the two shared a long awaited and long over due kiss. Aragorn picks her off the ground and spins her around a circle before setting her back down. The entire courtyard claps and cheers for the future Queen and the current King. Osric jumped up and down as he clapped, he had no idea why they were clapping but her joined in anyways. Iasbelin smiled down at her jumping child and ruffled his hair.
Arwen and Aragorn walked hand-in-hand to where the four bravest Hobbits stood on a pedestal. The Hobbits bowed the new King but Aragorn stopped them with a outstretched hand. The Hobbits looked confused and stared at him.
"My friends, you bow to no one." Aragorn said as he and Arwen descended to the ground to bow to the Hobbits who had saved their entire world. The rest of the courtyard followed in the King's footsteps and bowed to the Hobbits. They all looked very embarrassed and bashful. These were the Hobbits who had risked everything and everyone they loved to bring peace and prosperity to the land. They deserved all the respect in Arda and the Universe.
"'Belin dance!" Osric called to Iasbelin who was sitting at her place at a table in the grand hall of the Gondor castle. She laughed and grabbed Osric's hand and he lead her to the dance floor. She scooped him up and swung him around gracefully. Osric laughed at the dance and the music that filled the castle. The entire kingdom was in celebration today and would be for the next week. The largest party was held right in the castle where the King resides. Him and Arwen sat at a table at the head of the room along with the members of the Fellowship. Iasbelin had been sitting next to Legolas there when Osric had finished dancing with Eowyn and came to find her. "You good dancer, mama." Osric laughed.
Iasbelin was slightly taken aback by the way Osric addressed her. He had called her mama. She wasn't sure how she wanted to react to this. She had wanted Osric to be completely aware of his past family and their sacrifice for his safety. She sighed and realized that she was going to be the only mother figure Osric could fathom during his life.
"And so are you, my dear." She replied. They danced together for another two songs before Osric grew tired of dancing and wanted to do something else. By this time the King and future Queen had made their way to the dance floor and were dancing in each other's arms. The dance floor was completely full around them. Iasbelin went back to her place at the head table and made Osric sit down and eat some of his food. She briefly noticed that Legolas was not present.
"May I steal Iabelin for a dance, Osric?" Legolas asked as he appeared out of no where with Pippin in tow. Osric laughed and shook his head in consent. "Do you mind if Master Pippin sits with you?" Legolas asked.
"Hi, Pippin!" Osric yelled at the Hobbit. Legolas smiled and thanked the Hobbit for watching the child while he danced with his wife. Legolas lead Iasbelin out to the center of the dance floor and positioned himself so he could dance with her.
"You look lovely." Legolas complimented.
"As do you, Ethilcu." Iasbelin replied. She buried her face into Legolas' shoulder as they listened to the slower music play in the hall of Gondor. They swayed contently and did not speak a word. They were simply happy to be in each other's company. They had a long life ahead of them and they could not wait to share it with one another. Aragorn came over and tapped Legolas on the shoulder after two songs.
"Do you mind if I steal your wife for a dance? You may steal my betrothed." Aragorn laughed.
"Please do return her." Legolas smirked. Aragorn laughed and began dancing with the Elleth.
"I hope you find kingship suitable to your lifestyle." Iasbelin said.
"I think it suits me quite well, Iasbelin Autumn." Aragorn replied. Iasbelin smiled when she heard her name in the common tongue. "I do hope motherhood suits you well."
"He is the light of my life. It is cruel that he shall be taken from me so soon, though." Iasbelin responded.
"Do not dwell on what has not yet come to pass rather dwell on what is in the present." Aragorn advised. Iasbelin nodded and smiled at Aragorn. The song ended and the two bowed to each other and returned to their seats at the head table. Iasbelin arrived to Pippin sharing his ale with Osric.
"Master Took!" Iasbelin scolded as she walked back to her table. Pippin looked up at the Elf and stared at her. He had met her briefly during his stay at Edoras but never really had gotten to speak to her. He winced as she called his name. "Osric is three years of age he is not by any means allowed to have ale."
"I am sorry ma'am but you see he grabbed for it and I couldn't be the one to take it away." Pippin said. Iasbelin gave the Hobbit a nasty look and glanced at Osric .
"Some babysitter you are." Iasbelin said sarcastically. Pippin took this as a sign that he was dismissed and he returned to the ale table for more. Iasbelin shook her head as the young Hobbit walked away from the table. Legolas, upon hearing the commotion, walked up to his wife.
"What was that about?" He asked.
"Pippin decided to give Osric ale." Iasbelin scowled. Legolas smiled slightly as to not further provoke his wife. The hour grew late and Iasbelin knew that Osric was getting tired. He yawned and interrupted the Elves' conversation. "I do think it is time for bed for you and me." Iasbelin decided.
"I will be up within the hour. I wish to talk with Frodo and Sam first." Legolas said. Iasbelin nodded and picked Osric up from his chair. Legolas smiled and gave his wife a kiss on the lips. "Good night Osric." He said addressing Osric.
Iasbelin made her way though the party and up to where her and Legolas had resided while here. She opened her door with one foot and placed Osric on a small bed on the floor that the castle had been so gracious to supply him with. He had been sleeping between Legolas and Iasbelin and it got quite cramped in the bed. She lit a candle an pulled Osric's clothes from a small dresser. He has already mostly asleep but she coaxed him into changing his clothes with some help. Once he was tucked in and falling asleep Iasbelin gave him a small kiss on the head and pulled his covers up further.
Iasbelin smiled at Osric and went to the dresser to find her sleeping gown. She took the sliver circlet off her head and placed it gently on the desk. She pulled off her gown, not bothering to go behind the changing curtain, and pulled on her sleeping gown. It flowed to the floor freely and swayed when she walked due to the extra fabric. She next pulled her hair down from her hairstyle and braided it down one side of her head. She grabbed a book from the desk and got under the warm covers of her white bed. She snuggled down into her bed and began reading the Evish book to herself.
After a half and hour of reading Legolas arrived in the room. He smiled at his wife who barely acknowledged his entrance and went to the dresser to find his sleeping tunic. Legolas quickly changed and took off his circlet and placed it next to Iasbelin's and Osric's. He crawled into bed next to his wife.
"You have read that book before." Legolas said as he leaned over to give her a kiss.
"It intrigues me." Iasbelin answered. Legolas kissed her forehead softly and moved his lips down her face to her mouth. "You are distracting me."
"That was the idea." Legolas said. Iasbelin laughed and marked her page before she placed the book down on the side table. She gave into Legolas and gave him a sweet kiss before she pulled away.
"The Fourth Age will be a great one." Iasbelin said.
"The greatest in all of history." Legolas agreed, "I have to ask you something."
"What?" Iasbelin asked as she sat up against the head board and Legolas did the same.
"Aragorn and I have been talking and he thinks it would be wise if we sent Elves to rebuild the devastated land of Ithilien." Legolas began, Iasbelin looked at him skeptically. "He thinks that the Mirkwood Elves should do this and he proposed a colony of Elves be set up there in order to give a haven to those who do not wish to sail yet. Many do not wish to stay in the Woodland Realm but they don't want to sail yet."
"What does this have to do with me?" Iasbelin asked.
"Aragorn asked if I would rule that colony." Legolas stated. Iasbelin looked at him vacantly.
"You would be and Elven Lord?" She asked.
"And you an Elven Lady." He replied. Iasbelin smiled and scooted closer to him.
"There is nothing I want more than to be free of the Court of Mirkwood and start a new life." Iasbelin smiled.
"I thought you might agree." Legolas answered.
"Lord Legolas. That does have a certain ring to it." Iasbelin laughed.
"Lady Iasbelin, I like that better than Princess Iasbelin." Legolas replied.
"I agree." Iasbelin said as she brought Legolas' face to her own and kissed him deeply.
A/N: Let me know what you think!