So, this is Part Four. As usual, any elvish is translated at the end of the story.
And so, the One Ring was destroyed and the Black Gate was broken. On the Field of Cormallen, the Captains of the West celebrated their victory and honored Frodo and Sam for enduring the dangers of Mordor and completing the quest, destroying the Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. They held a feast and listened as a minstrel told the tale of Frodo of the Nine Fingers and the Ring of Doom.
That evening, after those remaining of the original Nine Walkers had gathered together again and had shared their individual stories and made ready to depart for bed, Legolas went to walk in the woods. His heart was stirred with the sea-longing that lies hidden deep in the hearts of all elves. However, as he walked, his heart turned towards Arívanna. He wondered how his father’s kingdom in Mirkwood had fared under the onslaught of Sauron’s shadow. By now, they must have overcome the forces that Sauron had sent against them. They were probably rebuilding and repairing what had been ruined in the battle that had ensued. Since he had been so focused on helping Aragorn and there had been no guarantee that he would survive the battle before the Black Gates or find someone who could be spared to act as messenger, Legolas had been glad that he had not found an opportunity to write anything to Arí. Now, though, he wondered if leaving Arí’s letter unanswered had been wise.
His mind drifted back to the conversation he had had with Aragorn almost a week ago. Because he had first opened his heart to Aragorn at the beginning of the quest, the elf made an exception to his promise not to tell anyone of his decision and had not hesitated in going to him this time. He had shown the man the letter and the ring, which Arívanna had sent to him. Aragorn had posed the same question to him as the dwarf had, though after his own fashion: “Do you know where your own heart lies?” Legolas did not hesitate to answer. The elf knew that Aragorn would not tell anyone; besides, Aragorn would even be willing to help him.
Legolas had hoped that Aragorn would be able to help him send Arívanna a message. However, Aragorn’s answer had come as a surprise and had given him hope. Perhaps he would see Arívanna soon. What Aragorn had offered him, Legolas hoped would greatly make up for his lack of an answer.
But for now, he would just have to have wait and return to Minas Tirith.
**
And so Aragorn came into his own, taking his title as King and receiving the crown as he entered Minas Tirith. Faramir rendered up his office of Steward only to receive it back as well as a princedom in Ithilien. Aragorn requested that those of the Fellowship remain a little longer until a certain day. He waited for a sign and when the sign came, he knew that all he had hoped for would be accomplished.
“Upon the very Eve of Midsummer, when the sky was blue as sapphire and white stars opened in the East, but the West was still golden, and the air was cool and fragrant, the riders came down the North-way to the gates of Minas Tirith. First rode Elrohir and Elladan with a banner of silver, and then came Glorfindel and Erestor and all the household of Rivendell, and after them came the Lady Galadriel and Celeborn, Lord of Lothlórien, riding upon white steeds and with them many fair folk of their land, grey-cloaked with white gems in their hair; and last came Master Elrond, mighty among Elves and Men, bearing the scepter of Annúminas, and beside him upon a grey palfrey rode Arwen his daughter, Evenstar of her people.”*
On the day of Midsummer, Aragorn, called King Elessar, the Elfstone, married Arwen Undómiel, the Evenstar, before his friends, the Fellowship, and the all who lived in the City.
After the ceremony and feasting and celebration began, the King and Queen made their rounds among the guests, stopping here and there to linger and talk with friends. It was not until much later, in the evening, that Aragorn was able to slip away from his new bride for a brief moment. The man quickly found Legolas and led him to a quiet corner. “This was the day I spoke to you of.” Aragorn began. “She is here.”
The elf’s blue eyes widened. “Is she? I… I have not seen her.” He stammered.
Aragorn grinned. “Here,” said he, reaching into one of his pockets and pulled out a small box. “There are two rings for her and one for you.”
There was a moment of silence as Legolas took the box from Aragorn. “Should I still…”
The King took hold of Legolas’s shoulder, nodding. “Legolas, shesh llie corm.”
“Diol llie.” So much more than a simple thank you was infused into that one sentence. The man nodded in understanding.
Gripping Legolas’ hand, Aragorn pulled him back into the crowd. “Come. She is probably with Arwen now.”
Somehow both he and Aragorn managed to find their way through the crowd with little interruption. They came to the balcony where Arwen stood, overlooking the city. As Aragorn had guessed, she was not alone. Another elf stood beside her, murmuring something to the Queen about the stars in the sky. Aragorn reached them first, touching his wife lightly on the shoulder and gesturing back towards the crowded hall. The couple left, leaving Legolas and Arwen’s companion to face each other.
This was the moment he had been waiting for, ever since he had received her letter. Yet for all his anticipation, he had been ill-prepared for the sight before him. Clothed in a grey-cloak of Lorien, she stood before him, her silver blue eyes reflecting the stars and her blonde hair flowing, plaited with white gems that shimmered in the fading light.
“Arí-” he started, calling her name the same moment she spoke his.
They stared at one another for a moment, before both burst into the laughter. Legolas reached out to embrace her, pulling her in close as her own arms wound around his torso.
“It is good to be with you again, Legolas.” Arívanna murmured as she pulled away slightly, smiling. “Your father sends his greetings. I believe he wishes to see you.”
Legolas nodded. “How came you here if you were in Mirkwood with my father?”
“Your father and his army did battle with the Lady of the Wood at Dol Guldor. Had it not been for Lady Galadriel, orcs would have come from the North to join the forces here. But let us not talk of the War now at such a time as this.” She turned slightly, facing the balcony’s edge which overlooked the city.
Legolas stood behind her, trapping her between his body and the wall surrounding the balcony as he looked out over the vast fields that lay between the City of Kings and Ithilien and thought of his walk among the trees there. “If my father allows it, I would like to bring some of our people to live there, in the forests of Ithilien.” He told her, breaking the comfortable silence between them while pointing to the forests in the distance. “And I would have you come with me.”
Arí nodded and placed her hands on top of his, grateful that he had survived the Quest and that he was free to think of living in peace close to the King as well as close to the Sea (For in her brief time there, the Sea-longing had stirred in her own heart.). “I will come.” She responded quietly. “Manke llie naa, eller amin vand naa.”
Legolas smiled. “Aye, I know.” He leaned forward, resting his chin on her head, slightly hesitant to continue. However, this was the best time since the opportunity had presented itself. “I received your gift.”
Arívanna slightly tensed and squirmed between his arms in a vain attempted to face him, but he held her in place. “Arwen told me she had sent it with her brothers.” She said quietly, becoming still once more.
“Aye,” Legolas confirmed. “Elladan gave it to me.” He laughed slightly at the memory. “Both he and Elrohir thought Arwen had sent the ring to me and were relieved to find that it was from you.” At this, Arí laughed, relaxing slightly. As her laughter faded, Legolas turned her to face him. “I am sorry that I was unable to send you a message. I would have, but we were –”
“I know. I understand.” She smiled lightly. “I was not expecting you to answer. There would not have been anyone to spare to bring the message and if there had been, the messenger would never have made it.”
“I kept it.” Legolas spoke as he pulled the necklace out of his shirt. “I would not wear it on my hand for fear of losing it in battle and…” he trailed off, taking a deep breath before continuing. “And it would not have been fair to you since I have not told you how I feel.”
Arívanna’s eyes widen slightly. Unable to speak, all she could do was hope that Legolas would initiate the conversation.
“Guren bêd enni i gi melin a go-vestatham aen. Man gureg bêd?”
The she-elf blushed furiously, having only expected to receive the answer to the question she had posed in her letter. Not capable of looking him in the eye, she stuttered out her answer in barely a whisper. “Guren be ‘ureg.” When she finished speaking, she buried her face in his chest.
Legolas sighed in relief and gathered his wits about him as he made ready to forge on with the rest of his proposal. He could only hope that Arí would accept what he was about to say and would agree to it. “Arí, look at me.” He started. When she finally lifted her head, he continued. “I… I would marry you tonight.”
Arívanna stared at him in shock, unable to speak. Swallowing, she forced herself to say something, anything. “B-But what… what about the rings?” She stammered.
“Aragorn gave me rings for the both of us.”
“What about telling your par- I mean, your father and -”
“Arí,” Legolas quieted her. “Arí, we do not have to follow the customs. You and I are not held to the rules.”
The she-elf nodded in understanding, having lost all ability to speak.
“So, will you marry me tonight?”
“Aye.” She whispered, a faint smile on her face. “I will.”
Legolas sighed in relief, his body relaxing from the pent up tension he did not realize that he had been holding in. His grip tightened on the she-elf as she clung desperately to him, so emotionally exhausted that her legs were unable to support her own weight. They stood there together on the balcony, enjoying each other’s warmth as the night air grew cold. The silence between them was peaceful, but slightly unnerving, since both knew what was to come.
Finally, Legolas broke the silence with a soft “Shall we?” and when Arívanna nodded, he led her back into the hall.
Many of the King’s guests had gone, so it was easier to find Aragorn and Arwen quickly. With a brief farewell to the King and Queen, the two elves slipped out the hall. Legolas led Arí to the guest room the King had provided for him.
Upon entering, Arívanna became shy, unable to quite meet Legolas’ eyes with her own, which was quite unlike the Arí that he knew. Sensing her hesitance, he held out his hand and led her towards the bed, whispering, “Amin mela lle.”
And lying down together, they loved each other, uniting themselves as one.
**
“Aragorn told me to come rouse you. Though why that would be necessary is entirely beyond me…” Gimli’s voice trailed off as he took in the scene before him.
Legolas was laid on his back, just coming to from Gimli’s loud voice. Sprawled across his bare chest lay Arívanna, still in the trance-like state that elves consider sleep, her eyes wide open and a faint smile on her lips.
“Are you… did you…” Words seemed to fail the dwarf as he struggled to grasp what was before him.
Legolas sat up, pulling the covers further up across both Arí’s body to make sure that she was decent. “We are married.” He finally said, answering Gimli’s unspoken question.
“When?!” the dwarf demanded, his voice so loud that it caused Arívanna to blink and come to.
“Last night.”
“And you did not tell me?” Gimli ranted. “I thought that I was your friend. I bet Aragorn is the only one who knew about this, probably even…”
“Ai’ atar, there was no ceremony.” Arí interrupted.
Gimli pondered this. “No ceremony?” he muttered. Suddenly, he remembered the conversation he had with Aragorn a while back: “If they do agree to marry, they do not necessarily have to follow the customs, since they are much older…” Now he finally understood what Aragorn had meant.
Legolas knew that Gimli understood, but was still disappointed for not having been aware that they would be getting together so soon. However, he had an idea of what might appease him.
“Gimli, do you see that box on the table?” The dwarf nodded. “Could you bring it here?” Gimli did as asked, slightly surprised when the elf did not take it from him. “Open it and take out the sliver ring and braided twine.” Legolas instructed as he took hold of Arí’s thick blonde hair, pulling it up away from her neck. “Could you tie it around Arívanna’s neck using the dwarven knot you did for mine?”
The dwarf’s eyes lit up and he set to work immediately. When he finished, Arí whispered her thanks.
Having already taken the box from Gimli, Legolas took out the gold rings: one, a thin plain band; the other, an ornate leaf pattern. Taking Arí’s hand, he slipped the latter onto her right index finger (the ring finger according to elven custom), before offering her the other ring.
Gingerly taking the plain gold band, she put it on his right index finger as well. They shared a moment, both just happy to be in each other’s presence. Turning back to Gimli, Arí asked, “What did Lord Aragorn ask you to tell us?”
“Nay,” the dwarf replied. “He did not wish to tell you anything. He only asked that I make sure you were up, because he has had breakfast prepared and it has already been served and you are to eat with us.”
“Then will you tell him, Ai’atar, that we will join him in a few moments and that we are sorry for being late?”
The dwarf smiled. “Aye.” And with that he left.
Enjoying a few more quiet moments together, the two elves finally got up and dressed. Together they walked to the King’s hall, where the rest of the King’s guests were already seated. Sitting down at the table opposite the King and Queen, they were quick to join the others, who had already begun eating. Legolas was quickly absorbed into a conversation with Aragorn, Faramir, and Gimli about the repairs that were needed to be done in the White City. He offered to bring more greenery to the City and obtained permission from both the King and the Prince of Ithilien to bring elves to live in the forests of Ithilien.
As Legolas discussed these things with the others, Arí ate quietly and listened attentively. As she listened, she happened to glance up at Arwen, who gave her a knowing look. Arívanna blushed slightly as she casually laid her right hand on the table in front of her so that her friend, the Evenstar, could look at her ring. Arwen offered her a smile, hoping to convey to the blonde-haired she-elf how happy she was for her. Having been friends with her since they had met once in Lothlórien, Arwen knew that Arí had kept her feelings for Legolas a secret, having been afraid that admitting her feelings would cause him to abandon her. Arívanna understood immediately and after giving a small nod to indicate so, struck up a conversation with the new Queen of Gondor.
**
When Éomer returned from Rohan to take Theoden’s body back to Edoras to be buried in his father’s presence, the King and Queen of Gondor, the house of Elrond, all the rest of the guests, and those remaining of the Fellowship made ready to accompany him. Never had any of the Kings of Rohan ever had such a great and fair company as he. Upon reaching Edoras, Éomer announced the engagement of his sister, Éowyn, Lady of Rohan, to Faramir, Steward of Gondor and Prince of Ithilien. And so they were trothplighted before the King of Rohan and the King of Gondor. After this, the household of Elrond and the people of Lothlórien took their leave with the rest of the Fellowship to travel to their respective homes. Gimli received permission from Éomer to bring back dwarves with him to the Glittering Caves after the repair of Minas Tirith had been complete.
Arwen and Arívanna both remained in Edoras. Arí decided to stay because she wished to spend as much time with Arwen, since her friend had chosen the path of Luthíen, foregoing her place on the ships into the West. And there they both remained until Aragorn returned.
Both the Elf and the Dwarf kept their word, visiting first the Glittering Caves while still in Rohan. When, at last, the Fellowship dissolved, the two travelled through Fangorn by Treebeard’s leave and afterward, reached their own homes. Both Legolas and Gimli received permission to take with them some of their own people to live among the men of Gondor and the Rohirrim. Returning to Minas Tirith, they assisted the King in the rebuilding of the White City. And when all the repairs were finished and birds had come to settle in the newly planted trees, each took up residence among Men: Gimli to the North, in the Glittering Caves near Helm’s Deep, and Legolas to the East, in the Forests of Ithilien. And taking Arí with him, they dwelt in the sight of the King and Queen and Ithilien “…became once again the fairest country in all the west lands.”**
**
Thus, the words of Fangorn, the Eldest in all of Middle Earth, came true: “The world is changed: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, and I smell it in the air.”*** So, began the Age of Man and the time of the Elves faded.
When King Elessar had breathed his last, Legolas Greenleaf followed the desire of his heart, sailing West over the Sea, taking with him Arívanna Silverwood, his wife, and Gimli the dwarf, Elf-friend. So, they came at last to Valinor, the Undying Lands, having lived to see the downfall of the Elves long-hated enemy and the dawn of the Age of Men.
And there, in Valinor, amongst the greatest and mightiest of their kind, Greenleaf and Silverwood have lived in unending peace and love and will continue on, until perhaps Arda be renewed and of that time, only Manwë and Varda know.****
*“Upon the very Eve of Midsummer… rode Arwen his daughter, Evenstar of her people.”: page 972
“Legolas, shesh llie corm.” : “Legolas, follow your heart.” [From Follow Your Heart]
“Diol llie.”: “Thank you.”
“Manke llie naa, eller amin vand naa.”: “Where you are, there my home is.” [From Where You Are…]
“Guren bêd enni i gi melin a go-vestatham aen. Man gureg bêd?”: “My heart tells me that I love you and we should wed. What does your heart say?”
“Guren be ‘ureg.”: “My heart is like your heart.”
“Amin mela lle.”: “I love you.”
**“…became once again the fairest country in all the west lands.”: page 1080 [Appendix A]
***“The world is changed: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, and I smell it in the air.”: from Peter Jackson’s film adaptation of the Fellowship of the Ring, based on Tolkien’s writing on page 981
****… until perhaps Arda be renewed and of that time, only Manwë and Varda know.: idea taken from the Silmarillion, page 255
Little Silver Leaf 