To The End Of Her Days - A Fanfiction Sequel to The Lord of the Rings

Chapter 20 - Longer Than Forevermore

The day of the wedding arrived and the whole city, as well as travelers from far and wide, came to witness this blessed event. The city was eager with excitement. All who attended knew it would be a day they would never forget.

As the time for the ceremony approached, all the women, maidservants, and female hobbits helped Arwen prepare to marry her prince. As she prepared to dress, some of the scars that had befallen her during her great trials were revealed to them.

"Where are all your scars from, Arwen?" Goldie asked. Goldie knew Arwen had scars, but she hadn't seen most of them until now.

"Some are from the whips of the orcs," Arwen replied, "which were filled with the flames of Mount Doom. Some are from the Warg that attacked me during the Battle of Minas Tirith. Here's the one from the touch that burned my arm on Weathertop. And this one is from the arrow that pierced my ankle in Moria."

Arwen then rolled up the sleeveless blouse under her corset.

"Wait, is that..." Rosie hesitated.

Arwen took Rosie's hand and placed it on the scar. She also motioned to Goldie to allow her to feel the scar. Arwen told them, "This one is from Ashtakh's blade."

Rosie paused, then asked, "Did it hurt?"

"More than can be described in any tongue of this world, but if enduring such torment prevents others from enduring the same, I would endure it a thousand times over."

Arwen could tell Rosie was getting choked up, so she took Rosie's hand and said, "It's alright, Rosie. I'm alright."

"I know you are," Rosie replied as she held back her tears, "and I'm so grateful that you came back, and that you are marrying a man that loves you as much as you deserve."

Arwen smiled and picked Rosie up in an embrace of friendship and gratitude. They laughed as Arwen set her down.

"Eldarion is fortunate to have you for his bride," Belthil told Arwen, having witnessed her tender heart toward her friend.

"I am fortunate to have him for my husband, and now you as my sister."

Belthil said, "You have always been my sister Arwen, and will be forevermore."

Arwen smiled and embraced Belthil too.

When Arwen was finally ready, she was more beautiful than anyone could have imagined. She sparkled every way she turned as the brightest stars on a moonless night, and she smiled as radiantly as the sun. Legolas was waiting to escort her. He bowed when she entered the room.

"Cormamin lindua ele lle," he told her, "Vanimle sila tira, Arwen"

"Diola lle, Legolas," she said with an embrace.

Legolas handed her a bouquet of elanor and niphredil. When she saw the flowers, she remembered the cries of peace of those from ages past, the cries she fulfilled through her sacrifice. She buried her nose in the beautiful flowers and felt as though her breath was stolen by their sweet fragrance.

"Your father's heart would be full of great joy if he could see you today."

"But Ada is here. He is here in spirit, just as he has always been. I know that now."

They smiled at each other as Legolas extended his arm to her. He motioned to the guards to open the doors. When the doors opened, everyone was still and everything was peaceful. All the people were in awe of the beautiful women in front of them. She was no longer the timid child they once hated. She was a woman with all the grace of a princess and the beauty of the rarest kind.