The Last Othellan

The Coronation

I spun nervously around, assessing myself critically in the looking glass on the dressing table of my room. I had trusted my maid to pick out a dress for me, since I had no idea what was appropriate for such an event as the crowning of a king. It was certainly pretty, I decided, but I felt strange in such fine garments. I hadn't worn a dress like this for many years uncounted.

The dress was a light blue colour and made out of a very floaty sheer material, which had been layered up many times to make the main part of the dress and the skirt. The hem right at the bottom was covered with tiny white flowers, embroidered beautifully with silk thread, and every time I turned the many layers of the dress swished around me, the bottom layers dragging along the floor and the top ones floating through the air. The sleeves were thinner, with only a few layers, but they were long and wide, reaching almost to the floor, and my arms were visible through them. This made me a little uneasy, as the 'traitor' scar could be seen easily, but I put it from my mind. Today, I refused to think about the terror of the past – this was about the future.

The dress hugged my waist a little, but it wasn't tight, as the scars on my stomach were not yet healed. They were bandaged still, though only thinly, and I was grateful for the delicate material of the dress as it did not irritate the still painful wound.

It had been three weeks since the last battle and the end of the War of the Ring. I had been in the Houses of Healing for two of those weeks, but it was good to finally be out of that place. I could go where I wished throughout Gondor, and I spent my time with the fellowship and Éowyn.

Now that it was all over, all of us could enjoy each other's company without the creeping fear of what might come next in our minds. It was immensely enjoyable to while away the days in peace with those I loved. Legolas and I, in particular, were spending most of our time with each other. Before, when our relationship had been overshadowed by the constant danger we faced, we had barely enough time to spend together. Now, however, we got to know each other even better with each day that passed, and we grew ever closer.

I pulled myself out of my thoughts as my maid came back into the room, carrying two circlets. I frowned, but before I could ask what on earth I would be wearing one of those for, someone else entered the room behind the young servant.

I stood up to greet her, my mouth falling open. "Lady Arwen".

"Lady Aúthiel, I am so glad to find you healing. I was told that you had very terrible injuries, but it is a joy to me that you survived them". Arwen smiled delightedly and, to my great surprise, crossed the room and pulled me into a hug. I hugged her back somewhat awkwardly, stepping back and smiling. "Tell me you came for Aragorn!"

Arwen laughed. "Of course I did. Everything I wished for has come true at last, and now I wish to surprise him."

My eyes widened "He doesn't know you are here?" Arwen shook her head.

"I wish to give him a welcome shock. At least, I hope it will be welcome".

It was my turn to laugh this time. "He is going to be overjoyed. He's missed you terribly, you know. It was clear to see."

"Really?" Arwen said, her face splitting into another smile. She turned to the maid and took the circlets out of her hands. "Now, I think it would be wise to wear one of these, since you are such an important figure here in Gondor".

"No I'm not" I said before I could stop myself. Arwen looked at me like I had said something simply ludicrous, then took my right arm and led me to the stool in front of the dressing table.

"Don't be ridiculous" she said breezily, "You are a member of the Fellowship of the Ring, and you killed one of Sauron's most important supporters, I am told". She fussed around with my hair then picked up an ornate silver circlet with tiny leaves carved into it at intervals. It also had real white flowers woven through it. Arwen placed it on my head. My midnight black curls were hanging loose down my back, and they tumbled over the edges of the circlet when I moved my head.