Silverhelm: A Tale of Two Enemies

My Friends, You Bow to No One

Our ride home to Minas Tirith was a merry one, as we had not lost many people. When we passed through Ithilien, Legolas mentioned that he would like to bring some of his people down south. Afterward, I could see that Aragorn put thought into it.

Soon after we reached Minas Tirith, we received word that Frodo and Sam had recovered. The day afterward was set to be Aragorn's coronation.

I made my way to the pinnacle along with the whole population of Minas Tirith, all dressed in their best. The night before, Legolas and I had secretly let my grandfather, Arwen, and many other Rivendell elves into the city.

I smoothed the skirts of my emerald-green dress. I was so unaccustomed to dresses after so long of being in battle, that I straight-up tripped the moment I came across a person. A flash of silver caught my eye. I turned and looked, it was Legolas. He wore a tunic of pure silver, and his circlet matched the one that I had been given. Aragorn's idea of a joke, obviously.

Legolas caught me looking at him and smirked. I held his eye for a fraction of a second, then looked away as if it were perfectly normal to be observing the crumbling stone architecture. Legolas made his way over to me and I looked up at him. He offered me his elbow. I linked my arm through him, and we made our way to the pinnacle together.

Aragorn stood at the top of the steps leading to the Citadel. He wore the armor that had been passed down from father to son for generations. When Frodo approached bearing the Winged Crown, Aragorn knelt in front of Gandalf. Gandalf took the crown from Frodo, who awkwardly returned to his place with the other three hobbits, looking out of place among the crowd. Gandalf raised the crown high, then set it on Aragorn's head, and I felt a surge of pride for the Ranger I loved like my little brother. Ranger no more, I guess.

"Now come the days of the King," Gandalf said, smiling. "May they be blessed while the Thrones of the Valar endure."

Aragorn stood and stepped forward. "This day does not belong to one man," he said. "But to all. Let us together rebuild this world... that we may share in the days of peace." He walked down the stairs and between the twin rows of soldiers as the applause quieted. Across from me, I spotted Eowyn arm in arm with a man that bore a remarkable resemblance to Boromir. I guessed this to be the late warrior's younger brother, Faramir.

"Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien (Out of the Great Sea to Middle-Earth I come)," Aragorn sang, echoing the words of Elendil long ago as he came to the shore of Middle-earth. "Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar Tenn' Ambar-metta. (In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.)"

The King walked past and was greeted by, first Eowyn and Faramir, then Eomer and the Riders, then finally Legolas and me, who stood blocking his view of a large number of elves behind us. Aragorn placed his hand on Legolas' shoulder. Legolas did the same in turn. "Hannon le (Thank you)," he said to him, glancing at me. Then the two of us stepped aside to let him see behind. Aragorn's hand dropped in wonder.

As if in a trance, the King walked past us towards the company of the elves. At their head floated Arwen, who held the banner with the White Tree and Seven Stars, and Elrond at her shoulder. Behind them were Elladan and Elrohir, and many other lords of Rivendell, including Glorfindel and Erestor. Galadriel and Celeborn were there as well, along with Haldir and his brothers Rumil and Orophin. Haldir glanced at me and nodded in thanks. I nodded back with a faint smile.

Arwen handed the standard to her father and glided forward. Aragorn stopped in his tracks. I would've too, she looked simply stunning. The next few moments happened like a blur. Aragorn hesitantly reached up to touch her cheek, and suddenly they were kissing. As Legolas put an arm around me, I had a slightly disturbing thought: if- when Aragorn and Arwen got married, that would make Aragorn my uncle, though I was thousands of years older than him. Ugh. He'd never let me hear the end of that.