Chapter 24: Waking up... The Return of the King

Asteria opened her eyes slowly; as she looked around to her surroundings. She was lying in a familiar room; she saw that she was home; in Lothlorien. She sat up slowly as she placed a hand on her side; she noticed she was bandaged up and then she remembered that she was hurt severely by the troll protecting Aragorn. The moonlight shone through her room as she noticed a figure on the balcony; long golden locks flowing as her breath hitched. She slowly got up as the figure turned around; it was her mother, Galadriel who gave her a warm smile.

Asteria's eyes watered as she quickly made her way into her mother's arms. Galadriel who was ecstatic her daughter was awake; welcomed her into her arms, petting her hair gently "Oh my darling daughter... I am so glad you are awake" she said softly as Asteria looked up at her "Mother..." tears threatened her eyes as Galadriel placed a hand softly on her daughter's cheek "You have been sleeping for some time.." Asteria's face scrunched up as her eyes widened a bit "The battle... Was it won?" Galadriel smiled nodding at her "It is destroyed.. You have been sleeping for 3 days, lifeless like the dead"

Asteria pulled away as tears threatened her eyes again "Are they alive.... Is Legolas..." Galadriel smiled at her "They are all alive... You did well my dear... Soon Aragorn will be crown king. You must go to Minas Tirith. I am afraid the fellowship does not think you are alive. Arwen is already on her way there. We will go with you" she says softly as she took the hand that Asteria wore the ring that Legolas gave her "You have someone waiting" she said with a knowing smile. Asteria looked at her smiling back "We wanted to tell you when it was over..." she said almost ashamed as her mother shook her head "You do not need to be ashamed my love. I want nothing but your happiness. Now go, get ready to leave" Asteria smiled as she left her mother's arms quickly changing into a dress.

Time Skip To Minas Tirith

Sweeping over the Minas Tirith walls, racing towards the top of the city through a blizzard of white flower petals, the beautiful city of Minas Tirith is restored; it gleams white in the bright sun. In the Court of Kings, crowded with thousands of people; cramming into the wide path that lead to the tower hall. The crown of Gondor glints in the brilliant sunshine as Gandalf places the crown on Aragorn's head "Now come the days of the King..." he says proudly as Aragorn smiles up at Gandalf "May they be blessed" he said softly.

Aragorn slowly rises, turning to face the crowd, who cheer and clap for their king "This day does not belong to one man but to all. Let us together rebuild this world that we may share in the days of peace." The crowd roared happily as it died down due to Aragorn started to sing for his people:

Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien.

Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn'

Ambar-metta

Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth

I am come. In this place will I abide,

and my heirs, unto the ending of the

world.

He walks in slow procession down the white paved path as the crowd bow their heads in respect for their new King. Aragorn passes Eowyn and Faramir who bow before him, Eomer then steps forward bowing in respect. Trumpets sound as the procession of the elves, dressed in beautiful whites and silvers, led by Legolas who approaches Aragorn.

The two place a hand on each other's shoulders bearing smiles "Thank you.." Aragorn said as he smiled sadly at his friend. Legolas smiled and gestured behind him. Aragorn turned and scanned the elves as a banner carried aloft bearing the white tree of Gondor in full flower; the ranks of elves slowing revealing the one he missed the most.

Arwen; eyes shining brightly now mortal. . Elrond whispers to Arwen from behind. She moves forward towards Aragorn. Aragorn moves towards her. He takes the banner from her. She has tears in her eyes and she lowers her head. He lifts her face towards him holding her chin. She smiles at him. Aragorn looks at her and then clasps her in a passionate kiss, lifting her up and turning around with her as he does so.

Everyone claps and Elrond smiles. They kiss again tenderly. Arwen laughs and clasps him to her as they both walked hand in hand the come to the hobbits. The hobbits shyly bowed to Aragorn as he shook his head "My friends..." They looked at him in confusion "You bow to no one..." Aragorn kneeled in front of them as the rest of the crowd following. The hobbits looked around embarrassed but proud.

Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel were last to approach Aragorn as Arwen hugged the Lady happily. Legolas stayed a bit back looking down sadly; almost ashamed as Aragorn looked sadly at the two before he spoke "I could not protect her... Forgive me.." tears threatened his eyes as Galadriel's eyes met his and she gave him a kind knowing smile as the ranks of elves behind them started to split like water splits rock; there she was in all her splendor, dressed in white, her dark hair braided back revealed the one person they all missed most; Asteria. Aragorn's breath hitched which caught Legolas's ear, he looked up as he felt a pull; he pushed through the crowd and found Aragorn talking to a elf maiden, he couldn't tell who it was at first as her brown-blue eyes caught his.

Legolas had a face of disbelief as she smiled at him; Asteria took a step away from Aragorn as she stepped forward to him. The elf Prince looked up and down at her as if she wasn't real; seeing this she lifted her hand which still bared the ring he gave her as it gently touched his cheek. Tears threatened her eyes as she smiled at him; her eyes full of love "Legolas..." she said softly; the voice he missed so dearly was like a melody ringing through him as he swept her in his arms hugging her tightly which caused her to laugh happily. He spun her around in his arms as her dress billowed; he put her down placing his hands on her face kissing her gently. After a few moment he pulled away "You're alive... I thought I lost you.." she smiled at him "I would never leave you..."

The hobbits pushed through the crowd seeing the elf maiden they long thought dead "ASTERIA!" they shouted as her attention was drawn to them as they started to run towards her and she ran herself meeting them halfway; they tackled her legs as she kneeled down "Oh, my dear ones!" she said happily as all of them were hugging her tightly "I am so proud of you all!" she said placing her hand on each of their cheeks and placing it on Frodo's cheek last "Very proud of your strong hearts.." Frodo smiled at her as he pulled her into a tight embrace and her returning it as if a mother would hug her child.

After a few moments, she rose back up with Legolas moved to her grabbing her hands "Asteria..." he said softly as she looked at him in confusion as he looked toward the Lord and Lady of Lorien who both gave him a smile and a nod; he turned back to her smiling at her lovingly "Will you marry me?" her eyes widened as she nearly forgot their promise as she smiled brightly at him not even speaking in her elven tongue "YES!" he laughed and smiled as he kissed her deeply. Everyone cheered happily, it was a joyous day not for one but for all.

1400 words

*Short chapter. There will be at least one more and a epilogue*