The Golden Ones

IV - A Tale from Six Centuries Prior Pt. 4

On their wedding day, Gilrin wore a gown of silver and white. A circlet of silver rested above her brow, embellished with gorgeous white stones. Thranduil's mother insisted that the wedding be a grand occasion, one with order. According to her, this required meticulously planned coordinating between the bride and groom. Thranduil thought it ridiculous, but he loved his mother very much and complied. Because of this, Thranduil received a ring of the stone from Gilrin's parents after he gifted her a circlet of the same material. On the morning of their union, Thranduil's mother brought him a handsome robe that was clad in armored plates. He wondered, at the time, why while he wore something that neared battle gear, his bride wore something so innocent and lovely. Nevertheless, Thranduil found himself to thoroughly enjoy the way that the garb fitted his body. When he left his chambers, he felt an emotion deep within him that he had begin to feel on a regular basis: anxiousness.

    If nothing, his wedding was traditional. It commenced with a grand feast. Countless dishes were spread across an endlessly long table. The best wine had been brought from the cellar. Thranduil ate, and smiled at those who came to speak to him. While he heard, he did not comprehend. It was as if the sound of life had been lowered to a mute. As the meals neared their end, this tight ball in his stomach grew larger. The exchanging of the rings would commence very soon. Thranduil, knowing that he might perish from anxiety if he did not take action soon, looked to Gilrin to steady himself. For the entire feast, he had been far too worried to look her in the eye. However, when he finally did, something he never expected happened. When Gilrin locked eyes with his, a sudden spark of warmth erupted throughout his body. Her emerald eyes were soft, and you could see her smile in them. She was so beautiful. And in this moment, Thranduil knew, he really knew that she was the one that he wanted to hold his heart forever. 

    So Thranduil took her hands, and smiled a new smile. His panic resolved to a elatedness. He could no longer wait to marry her. Thranduil squeezed her hand for reassurance, then stood. Voices that spoke loudly and laughed ceased immediately. All eyes were on the pair. So the couple walked, hand in hand, to the front of the room, their parents following in suit. Thranduil could not hear the blessings they spoke. All of his attention had been captured by Gilrin. In another realization, Thranduil knew that he was completely and totally hers. When the words of his father stopped, he knew it was time. 

    Gilrin smiled up at him. She was radiant. It was a wonder that this world could contain her. He thought these things as he slid her betrothal ring from her finger, and she removed his. Then, it was time for the wedding rings. Thranduil himself had picked the specific design of these. Wedding rings were traditionally gold, but he'd requested that they be coated in a lighter color, a white gold. The rings were cast in the shape of tree branches, which was a design quite fitting for the Prince and Princess of a forest kingdom. When Thranduil finally placed this new ring on to the index finger of his bride's hand, he could not help himself. "Amin mela lle." He spoke, beaming down at her. 

    Gilrin was the absolute embodiment of perfection to him when she replied, "I love you, too." Thranduil was overcome with emotion, knowing that he now had the rest of eternity to spend with her. Thranduil bent down and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her fully on the mouth. He lifted her from the ground, making reaching her easier. The hall around them roared with the sound of applause and well wishes. Thranduil broke the kiss, and held Gilrin tightly in his arms. These noises of joy still were so loud than when he spoke again, only Gilrin could hear him. "Amin mela lle, Amin mela lle, Amin mela lle." He repeated.

    Initially, Thranduil had been very nervous about the finalization of the wedding. This worry led him to seek advice from his father, even. The feast and the blessings and the ring exchange altered all of his views, however. He realized that his worrying was petty and incredibly unnecessary. Now, he felt excited. Thranduil stepped back from Gilrin as to look upon her. "My bride," he whispered, "If you are ready, I wish to make you my wife." 

    "Yes," Gilrin replied quitely with a small smile, "the title 'bridegroom' seems quite unofficial. You are so much more to me, my Thranduil. I have long been ready." Thranduil slipped his hand into hers, and began to lead her from the room. The sounds in the room became thunderous. Gilrin blushed, ducking into his sides. As soon as they exited the room, he scooped her up into his arms and kissed her again. This time, it was with free reign, he could now kiss her as deeply as they pleased. They broke, and Thranduil smiled mischievously. Brisk was not the correct word for his pace. No, Thranduil nearly ran with her to his their chambers.

    This final union was nothing like Thranduil could have ever imagined. Nothing else could ever bring him this amount of pleasure. His father had instructed him to not worry, that the actions would come naturally. As always, his father was right. When they'd reach the chamber, the door closed and they engaged in more passionate kisses. Nearly without thought, they were both completely disrobed by the end of these. This was the first time that Thranduil had seen Gilrin in her entirety. Her name was very appropriate, he thought, as he saw the moonlight cast upon her in front of him. Who else could be the lady crowned with stars? He kissed her again and again. Never could he ever get enough of her. The first time their bodies met completely, Thranduil was engulfed with a fantastic feeling. Gilrin, however, tried to hide a grimace. Thranduil met her more gently the second time, and did so until she felt the exact same feeling he did. 

    After they'd finished, Gilrin lay, curled into Thranduil's side. He stroked her white-blond hair absently. "I love you, my wife." He whispered.

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    Thranduil shot up from his bed. His heart was racing. Reality hit him, and he crumpled. Tears streamed down his face. As he sobbed, he held on to the smaller version of his own wedding ring, which he wore on his fourth finger. The previous images that had brought him such glorious memories were replaced with much darker onces. Now, instead of remembering the time he'd given her this ring, his mind was plagued with the image of him sliding it off for the last time, as his kind, gentle, and beautiful wife lay dead upon the ground at Mount Gundabad.