Part 8: Later Day of Midsummer
The crowd was supposed to follow them out right away, but that didn't work. They were already around 3 minutes behind when they started, but the newly-weds had got some well deserved alone time. Aragorn led his wife by the hand back down towards the chamber which she had gone to only a couple minutes previously, but suddenly he took her behind a ancient red and gold tapestry and down a spiral stair.
"Aragorn, where are we going?" Arwen asked, several steps down the stair.
Aragorn stopped abruptly, and looked back at her."This is another way to the chamber you were in before the ceremony. I could and wanted to spy on you, but I had Gandalf, and Faramir, and Imrahil, not to mention your brothers keeping close watch on me." He said smiling slyly.
"You little beasty!" She scolded teasingly. "Not to mention my father, and grandfather! And grandmother if you are counting girls too." She added.
He only grinned, and kissed her on the cheek, before continuing to lead her down into the chamber. They had lengthened their lead considerably by taking the shortcut. By at least 2 minutes, Aragorn knew. He gladly led her into the room behind another red and gold, although newer, tapestry. She sighed with pleasure, looking up at him with a radiant face. Her face was begging to be kissed again, according to Aragorn, and so he did. Both of them enjoyed it greatly. When they broke apart, they did nothing but stare and smile. They soon heard many feet coming down the stairs and they quickly mixed with their guests. As soon as he could, Faramir tried to ask permission to go and speak to the crowd gathered outside. But, Aragorn was surrounded by a slather of people. He quickly gave up, and stood by the window. A soft hoot fell on his ear, shortly after. He glanced out of the window, and then heard it again, obviously from inside this time. He turned back from the window, and saw Aragorn looking at him with a wry smile. He shaped silently the words,"Tell me like this."
Faramir's eyebrows shot up with surprise, but he complied, although he doubted that Aragorn would understand what he wanted to say. "Shall I go speak to the crowd, my Lord?"
Aragorn nodded, inclining his head towards the heavily curtained doorway to the outside balcony.
Faramir disappeared through the doorway Aragorn had indicated. And Aragorn tugged on Arwen's hand. "Come, my lady, we shall be wanted soon."
The two of them stood just inside the heavy curtains and waited expectantly. Just then, Faramir's voice rang out against the stone."Fair people of Gondor, hear the Steward of this Realm! This day is one of greatest joy in the palace, for the King Elessar had wed Arwen Evenstar in the City of the Kings. " He paused, hoping that everyone was ready. Crossing his fingers, he continued,"Now, ye people of Gondor, behold! I present to you, the King Elessar and his Queen Arwen Evenstar!" The curtains swept aside and the royal pair stepped out on the balcony in the full view of their subjects. The crowd erupted into loud cheers, whistles and other loud noises. As the three of them returned inside, Faramir whispered in Aragorn's ear,"Was that good enough, my Lord?"
"Yes. Just one thing, you need not pause to wait for whoever is to appear to be ready. It's their responsibility, Lord Faramir."
"Could I safely expect them to be ready?"
He nodded.
"Could I count on your presence here always while the guests are?"
"No. I doubt I will be here much at all."
He bowed, and gathered with the rest of the guests.
After glancing around the room for potential eavesdroppers, he whispered to his wife. "Shall we go somewhere else, my Queen?"
Arwen looked at him with surprise. "Can we? Won't everyone notice?"
"No. Not by my ways." He answered, smiling mischievously.
Arwen had guessed something."Like how we came here?"
He nodded slightly.
"Oh! Oh yes!" She cried, softly, but a little too loud for his ease.
He put a finger to his lips and replied. "Where do you want to go?"
"A garden? If it isn't going to be difficult, that is?"
"Of course. Follow me."
He led her back to the red and gold tapestry and, after glancing about, " You first. I'll slip in behind you. Maybe gather this up." He said, gathering her train, and handing it to her. She rapped it over her arm, and the instant he pushed the tapestry forward, she disappeared before him. While it momentarily stayed open, he whisked inside and swiftly followed her up. As soon as they were safely away up the stair, Aragorn looked up at his Queen again as she was letting down her train. As she looked back at him, her eyes were bright with excitement as she beamed down at him from a couple steps ahead of him. Before he knew it, she was kissing him, and hugging him close. He almost fell down the stairs with surprise, but caught the hand railing just in time.
"Arwen," he begged, regaining his footing, "you almost made fall down the stairs! That would have spoiled it all!
She giggled, and then looked slightly embarrassed. "Oops." She said, blushing.
He smiled awkwardly, and motioned for her to continue climbing.
"My King?" She asked.
"Yes, My Queen?" He replied.
"How do you make those secret passages of yours secret?" She inquired.
"Well, I hang tapestries over old, forgotten passages, and leave them alone for a week or two. The guards usually forget in that space of time. Faramir will sometimes remember, but he won't say anything. I guess he knows about one-third to one-half of my passages. But I am not sure if he uses them however."
"And, may I make one of my own?" Arwen asked.
"You need not have asked, my Queen. You may make as many as you like." He answered, bowing.
Her laugh fell like silver into a clear, still pool. "We will be very difficult to keep track of, won't we, My Lord?"
"We will indeed." He said, scooping her up and kissing her.
"ARAGORN!" She chided, to no avail, when he stopped his "nonsense".
He only smiled his wry smile. The end of the stair came in sight. And they exited at the top and made straight for the secret garden. He whisked his bride behind the tapestry and opened the door. "Welcome, my love, to our secret garden." He explained.
She caught her breath. "Oh, Estel! This is so wonderful! I have never seen such a well hidden garden." She gasped for breath again.
"I know it needs some elanor and nipheredil to brighten this place a little more and my Luthien walking in it time and again." Aragorn thought he had interrupted her. "I beg pardon for interrupting you."
"No, I was about to criticize it myself. It does need some good elvish flowers and vines. And I will need to sprinkle some earth from Lorien here. But, I am NOT Luthien!"
"I said not so, my dearest. I said MY Luthien." Aragorn softly corrected. "Come and sit, my Luthien, I beg of you."
"If you come too." She answered.
"Shall I push you?"
"Of course! Hannon le. (Thank you)" She said, looking back at him adoringly, her face shining with happiness.
He didn't notice for a short while. But when he did, she was fully satisfied. He leaned down and kissed her on the lips, like he had never done before. By "accident", both of them had opened their mouths for more, and they definitely got it. It took them longer than usual to stop snogging.
When they were done, Arwen spoke again. "I could stay here forever." She mused.
"Truly?" He asked surprised.
"Of course!" She exclaimed, turning her face back up to his. "With you. Come sit, my love."
"I will have to later, my lady. We have got to be heading back now." He apologized.
"Alright. Let's go. I am ready." She said, standing up and shaking out her dress.
He opened the door and peeked around the hanging, without answering. Then, he motioned for her to go through and followed her. In spite of his leather boots, he could walk almost as quietly as she, even on the stone, which would always echo. They made their stealthy reentry unnoticed. But the crowd soon crowded around them again, and the dignitaries paid their respects, including Faramir, Imrahil, Elrond, and Galadriel and Celeborn. Just after, the bell for the feast rang out.