Chapter 23
Gandalf stayed in The Glade of Tarasara for two days before he and Adrianna left to travel to Gondor. They stopped in Rivendell for one night before moving onwards. They made camp three times before the Wizard could see the sparkle slowly returning to the emerald eyes of the Faye; she knew it wouldn't be much longer until she saw the elf again.
It took a week for them to ride to Rohan and another few days after that before they arrived in Gondor, at nightfall.
As Shadowfax and Persephone rode through the gates of Minas Tirith, the Faye could see that the villagers were excited for the crowning of the heir to the Throne. Adrianna dismounted, and led her mare into the stables behind Gandalf and Shadowfax before allowing a stablehand to tend to her horse.
Adrianna wondered if Legolas was already at Gondor, and if the hobbits were there as well. She turned to Gandalf and voiced her thoughts. "Do you think..." She hesitated, "Anyone from the Fellowship is here?" She asked.
Gandalf cleared his throat, and his eyes glinted mischievously, "Legolas will be arriving with the other elves, I would assume." He replied, "The hobbits should be here though, I am sure of. It is too late to go in search of them now, for you need to rest and be ready tomorrow, midday, for the coronation. There - I assure you - you will see who you're looking for."
As the two ascended the stairs towards the main hall of Minas Tirith, they were greeted by two guards, who escorted them to their rooms Aragorn had previously designated for them. How thoughtful! Adrianna was more than happy when she reached the bedchamber she would be staying in for that night as she was exhausted. And knowing that Legolas would be arriving in Gondor the next day settled her mind, but her excitement kept her awake.
The next morning, a woman had come into the Faye's chambers and had drawn her a bath. Adrianna took it whilst it was hot before quickly and carefully readying herself for the day ahead.
Adrianna joined the crowd of villagers in Minas Tirith to watch the coronation of the King. She had found Eomer quickly, and pushed her way to the front to stand beside him, pushing her way through blizzards of white flower petals. Minas Tirith gleamed white in the bright sun, the magnificent restoration work from the battle must have been done by many, many men.
The Court of The Kings was crowded with at least four thousand people, cramming the wide path leading to the Tower Hall where the small figures of Gandalf and a kneeling Aragorn could be seen.
The Crown of Gondor glinted in the brilliant sunshine as the White Wizard placed it upon Aragorn's head. "Now come the days of the King." Aragorn smiled up at the Wizard, "May they be blessed." Gandalf spoke softly.
The new King slowly rose from his knees and turned to face the cheering and clapping crowd of people. "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." The cheers from his people were deafeningly loud, and as he walked in a slow procession down the white paved path, the crowd bowed their heads in respect for their new King. Aragorn passed Eowyn and Boromir's brother - Faramir - who bowed before him. Eomer stepped forward to bow low in respect.
Aragorn passed by a familiar Faye, dressed in silver and pale blue. Adrianna curtseyed towards the King, her silver circlet shimmering in the sunlight. Aragorn bowed towards her, took her hand and brushed a small kiss across the back of her hand.
Trumpets sounded as a procession of elves, dressed in shimmering silvers and whites, led by Legolas, approached the King. The Prince of Mirkwood gestured behind him, and Aragorn's eyes scanned amongst the elves until he spotted a banner carried aloft, and bearing the White Tree of Gondor in full flower. The ranks of elves parted to the side to reveal a mortal Arwen. Her eyes were shining, showing how deeply in love she was with the King as she stepped towards him, carrying the Standard of Gondor.
Aragorn turned back to Legolas, and gestured behind himself towards the Faye. They grasped forearms as a sign of respect before the Prince passed the King to make his way towards the Princess. As the elf came to stand beside her, Adrianna felt her heart flutter. She dropped her arms to her sides and took a step closer towards him.
As she watched Aragorn speaking with Arwen, she felt fingers brushing against hers before a gentle, warriors hand slipped into her own. A small smile crept onto her face and the Faye bit her lip as she glanced up at the elf beside her, who was innocently watching Aragorn and Arwen.
"I missed you," She whispered, knowing his exceptional hearing would pick her words like leaves in a gentle breeze.
"And I you." He replied, his tone soft and gentle.
The crowd cheered as Aragorn and Arwen embraced and kissed; their love for one another as clear as anything. The King and his love walked through the crowd towards four small figures standing nervously at the end of the avenue. Aragorn and Arwen look on Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin as they stood before them dressed in clean, old clothes. The hobbits made a move to bow, but stopped once Aragorn raised his hand.
"My friends," Aragorn began. "You bow to none." The new King of Gondor dropped onto one knee, kneeling before the hobbits with his head bowed low in respect. The assembled people followed their King's lead and bowed towards the hobbits. Tears sprang to Frodo's eyes and he clutched onto Sam's shoulder as four thousand people payed homage to the courage of hobbits from the Shire.
It wasn't long after the coronation that Arwen and Aragorn were married, and the city of Gondor led a procession of joy and celebration throughout the city. Aragorn and Arwen sat at a table ahead of a grand hall. The Fellowship all shared a table together, and Adrianna was the unfortunate person to be seated between Merry and Pippin, Gimli sat opposite her with Legolas on his right and Gandalf to his left. Sam was opposite Frodo and beside Legolas.
Thankfully, they had finished their meal before the teasing began and the Faye was glad that her temper wasn't as bad as it had been when the Fellowship had first formed, else the two young hobbits would have been chased out of the Hall the moment their teasing began.
"How long do you think she can hold her temper in, Pippin?" Merry asked.
"I'm not too sure now, Merry." Pippin replied, "The steam is almost out of her ears already!"
The two were silent for a short while, and Adrianna took a deep, calming breath before reaching for her goblet. She took a small sip, her eyes darting to the elf when music began to play. As if knowing what was to follow, they both placed their goblets back on the table and stood up.
"Oh, look Pippin!" Merry exclaimed, "They're going to dance!"
The elf and the Faye quickly vanished from the table and dashed towards the doors of the Hall. This time, they escaped without being spotted by anyone wishing to dance, and laughed happily together as they made their way towards a low wall, overlooking the grounds beyond Minas Tirith.
There were burning piles of Orcs and Uruk-Hai in the distance, and the occasional Mumakil. The brave soldiers of Rohan and Gondor had been brought back to the city and given an honored burial.
Stars shone down upon them, and Adrianna couldn't help but allow the joyful smile sweep across her face.
"Come," Legolas began, offering the Faye his hand. "I would like to show you something."
Adrianna placed her hand into the Prince's and allowed him to lead her down the grand staircase of the Hall and towards the Gardens of Minas Tirith. The garden was lit with a few glowing gold torches, the grass was almost coated with small white flowers and the sky was open to a blanket of stars over their heads. One of which shone brighter than the others.
"Elen síla lumenn' omentielvo. (A star shines upon the hour of our meeting.)" Legolas breathed, taking both Adrianna's delicate hands into his own, gentle ones.
She seemed mesmerized by him, "I have no idea what you said," She whispered, breathlessly. "But it sounded beautiful."
His eyes sparkled with amusement, and he gently brushed a lock of hair away from her face before tucking it behind her ear - running his fingertip delicately along the pointed tip gently. "Melin ceni hin lîn síla I 'eladhach. (I love to see your eyes shine when you smile.)"
Adrianna blinked up at him, "I wish Faye's had their own language."
Legolas laughed before smiling at her, "You can trust me, I said nothing bad."
"I do trust you." She replied, smiling up at him. He smiled and held her gaze, his sky blue eyes enchanting the Princess. If only he knew what he did to her!
Adrianna's eyes flickered down to his lips before returning to his eyes. She wanted to kiss him, but again she hesitated. Just like she did on the battlefield. The Princess sighed and looked down at their joined hands. He must have feelings for her if he asked her to go here with him, right?
Gathering her courage, Adrianna stood on her tiptoes and leant closer towards him. But when her lips were inches from his own, laughter interrupted the silence and ruined the moment. Adrianna stopped, and stepped away from the elf Prince as Eowyn and Faramir came into view.
Adrianna felt her cheeks burning. From anger or embarrassment? She was sure it was the first one. Desperately wanting to shove the blonde woman into the bushes and then the river, Adrianna looked away from the elf and towards the Shield Maiden of Rohan. Legolas gently tugged on the chestnut haired Faye's hands, and led her away from the clearing they had been standing in, to return to the Hall, the celebratory feast and their friends.
A/N: I regret to inform all of you readers, that I will not be posting another chapter for a few weeks. I hope you can understand that I am not ditching this story, just putting it on hold for a while.
I hope to post again in a few weeks, thank you xx