The Return of the King and Queen

Chapter 39: Till The End Of The Age

Many would have thought that with the defeat of Sauron and Mordor, the fellowship and the other leaders of the now-free Middle-Earth would have had a moment to relax. This however was not the case. Once the battle was over and the army had departed from where the Black Gates once stood, the Army set up camp to allow the soldiers to rest and care for their wounded while sending word back to Minas Tirith to inform Lord Faramir of their victory. 

While the kingdom mourned those they lost during the war the people could not help the joy and relief that filled their hearts at the news. "Lord Aragorn and Captain Amdiriel?" Famamir questioned the messenger as soon as he told him of the result of the battle. "Both survived and are on their way home." replied the messenger with a small smile. Faramir could feel the tears of relief fill his eyes as he dismissed the soldier. He then looked to the sky silently thanking his mother and brother.

Faramir waited on the outskirts of Minas Tirith for the army's arrival as Amdiriel and Aragorn led the army back to the White City. Amdiriel's breath caught in her throat when she realized who awaited them on horseback. Amdiriel looked to Aragorn who was already looking at her with a small smile, nodding to her. Amdiriel then pushed Rohal into a run while Faramir met her halfway. The two then dismounted their horses quickly and ran to each other. Amdiriel jumped into her big brother's arms, her arms flying around his neck while Faramir's arms wrapped her tightly around her back. "You're here?" He asked more to reassure himself that his sister was home and alive. Amdiriel was so overcome with emotion that all she could do was nod. "You did it." Famair whispered to her. Amdiriel pulled back as she cupped Famamir's face, "We did it. We all did it." she replied. Faramir gave her a proud smile, they had done it. What had once seemed like a distant dream was now a reality. "Are you alright?" he then asked as he looked over his sister, seeing the small cuts and light bruises that littered her face and arms. "I am okay." she told him, trying to soothe the worry from his eyes. "Let's get you home," Faramir told her as he then kissed her forehead. 

Aragorn then rode up to the two. "Welcome home, my king." Faramir said as he bowed his head. "Thank you, Lord Faramir." Aragorn said with a smile, watching as Farmair assisted Amdiriel in remounting her horse. "Thank you." Faramir mouthed to Aragorn, who gave him an understanding nod. 

Amdiriel now stood out on her balcony. The days had been a blur, filled with meetings, aiding with cleaning up the city and kingdom from the destruction of war, and aiding in the House of Healing. Frodo and Sam had both woken up after Gandalf had found them on the side of Mount Doom. It had taken a couple of days for them to recover from their injuries and the journey but the fellowship had finally been reunited. She could remember the joy on both Sam and Frodo's faces as they woke and realized not only had they survived but so had the rest of the fellowship. 

Amdiriel felt the cool morning air blow through her hair. The sun was barely starting to rise, and for the first time in a long time, all Amdiriel could hear was silence. Their homecoming had been like Boromir had described it in Lothlorien, Gonodor's banner blew proudly in the air as the trumpets called them home and the people lined the streets with flowers and cheers for the Lords and Lady of Gondor had returned. 

Aragorn woke from a deep slumber, realizing Amdiriel's side of the bed was no longer warm. The two had tried to sleep in different rooms but Aragorn would wake when he heard Amdiriel's screams from her nightmares. He had calmed her the first night but after the second night of it happening he had elected to retire to his room after he was sure most of the castle had gone to bed he would sneak his way into Amdiriel's chambers. Aragorn turned over to see Amdiriel, her cloak resting upon her shoulders while she stood in the morning breeze, on the balcony but when he studied her posture, he could tell something was wrong. Aragorn rose from the bed and wrapped one arm around Amdiriel's waist but she did not acknowledge him. Aragorn took in her appearance, he hair blew gracefully in the wind as she looked down at the city she could once again call home. Her skin glowed as the sun began to rise even with the small healing scratches on her cheeks from the battles but he could tell that her mind was heavy with thought.