Chap. 40 - Farewells and the Ring

After Aragorn was crowned king, there was a huge celebration in the great hall. Tables of food were laid out, and barrels of ale were out, and music was being played. Inside, I was able to change out of my armor and into a simple violet tunic, and brown pants. I still wore my red cloak. I brushed my hair and washed my face, and went out to meet the others. The hobbits were quite excited to see me, especially Merry and Pippin. I gave Sam one of my daggers, because he said he's always wanted one.

Aragorn was talking to practically everyone, and he kept looking at me. I just laughed, and filled up a plate with food. Èowyn and Faramir were holding hands. I stopped next to them, and we talked for a little until Aragorn escaped the crowd. He pulled me outside and onto a balcony. The chilled air from outside refreshed me, from being inside the hot and stuffy air.

The sunset was beautiful. It was pink, yellow, orange, and red. Flowers grew over the doorway, and seemed to glow white. Aragorn seemed to fidget with his hands, and eventually kneeled down in front of me. I froze, and then smiled.

He cleared his throat, and turned red, "Alex, you.. I.. Love... I.. Will you m.. marry me?"

I knew it was coming, but I was still in awe. I giggled, let him slide a silver ring with a green gem on my finger. He stood up, and was still red. I laughed, and kissed him. Gandalf opened the door, holding three goblets of ale.

"How did it go?" Gandalf puffed. Aragorn smiled, and took a cup from Gandalf's hand, and gave it to me. It felt weird having a ring on my finger, but I'll get used to it.

We toasted our glasses, and laughed and smiled. The whole Fellowship seemed to be together again, except for Boromir. We laughed and talked, and everyone congratulated Aragorn and I on our engagement. After the party, the people of Minas Tirith went back to their houses, and I went back to my room. The hobbits, Gandalf, Legolas, and Gimli were leaving tomorrow. A small knock on my door made me jump, and then I yelled, "Come in."

I took off my belt, sword, daggers, and bow and laid them on a table. Hands appeared on my shoulders, and they turned me around. My face whirled around, and was next to Aragorn's. I looked into his piercing gray eyes.

"Well hello," I said, and giggled. He laughed, and pulled me into a hug. My arms tangled around his neck, and I sighed. I felt relaxed.

I heard him laugh, and he kissed my cheek, and neck. I shivered, and held out my hand. The green gem shined in the candle light.

"You will be a great queen," Aragorn said quietly. I pondered his statement.

"I have no idea how to be a queen! Do I have to wear dresses?" I asked.

Aragorn laughed, "Only if you want to."

"Okay, good."

Aragorn pulled away, and kissed me on the lips. I felt a weird tingling feeling go through my body, and I shuddered. As our lips collided, I lost my sense of reality. All of my emotions I've been holding in for a long time seemed to empty. Tears filled my eyes, and spilled over. Aragorn held my shoulders, and concern was glazed across his face.

"What's wrong?" he asked me gently.

"Nothing! I've been holding my emotions in for far too long," I sobbed. He gingerly wiped my tears away, "I have a way to get rid of your stress. Come."

I followed him outside, and shivered at the sudden temperature change. He offered me his cloak, but I refused it. He then put it on me himself, and I muttered my thanks. He took me to what seemed like a training area. Targets for bows and arrows, bags of sand for who knows what, and wooden dummies for sword fighting. Aragorn handed me a sword, and said, "Take it out on the dummy."

I nodded, and yelled. I swung the blade at the dummy and let out my anger. The blade sliced through the dummy, and the head fell off. Aragorn looked surprised, and then laughed, "That was a good one!"

I grinned, "I feel much better."

He let me destroy what was left of the poor wooden dummy, and we visited the stables. Arroch was in his stall, seeming dejected.

"Arroch!" I said, and happily ran to him. Arroch's ears perked up and he whinnied his greetings. I pet him, extremely happy to know he was safe. Aragorn smiled, and pet Brego. I brushed Arroch off, even though he had already been groomed. I kissed Arroch's soft nose, "It's good to see you again, buddy!"

Arroch nodded his head up and down, as if in agreement. I laughed, and pat his head softly, and walked back to the Citadel. We walked hand in hand, and Aragorn kissed me goodnight. I shut the door to my room, and took off my boots. I forgot I was still wearing his cloak, so I took it across the hall. My bare feet padded against the cold, stone floor. I knocked on his door, and he opened it.

"Your cloak, my good sir," I said, and handed it to him. He laughed, and took it from me, "Thank you, my good lady."

His crown rested on his head, and gleamed in the soft candle light. The cold from the floor seeped into my feet, and I started to hop on my tiptoes. Aragorn looked at me in amusement, "Cold?"

I shrugged, and shifted my weight, "A little."

All I did was blink, and I was in his arms being carried to my room. My door slowly creaked shut, and he set me on my bed, and I looked up at him, "Hannon lle."

"Lle creoso," he smiled, and turned to walk out, but I grabbed his wrist. He looked at me, and a glint of pleasure showed in his eyes.

"Stay until i fall asleep," I asked, and added quickly, "Please?"

Aragorn smiled, and walked around to the other side of the bed. He laid next to me, and we stared up at the ceiling in silence. A freezing cold draft blew into the room, and I shivered. Aragorn's warmth and aura of calm made me feel complete. I couldn't keep these words in any longer.

"Aragorn, I.. I love you," I stuttered. He rolled me over, so we faced each other. A smile lined his face, and his lips brushed mine.

"Amin mela lle," he said softly. His lips compassionately pressed against mine. I felt lighter than air.

After our kiss, my eyes grew heavy. I listened to the patterns of his breathing, and fell asleep. In the morning, I woke up and Aragorn was sleeping besides me. His arm was still wrapped around my shoulders. Early morning sunlight streamed in through the window, and it's warmth caressed my face. I twisted around so I could face Aragorn. His eyes were open, and he was staring into mine.

"Good morning," I said, and shut my eyes again. His finger gently opened my eyelids, and he kissed my cheek, "We must say goodbye to our friends. They are departing today, if you remember."

Oh yes! They were leaving. I didn't want them to go, for I had gotten to know them all quite well. I heaved a sigh, and forced myself off of the bed. I set my feet down on the floor slowly, and quickly pulled my boots on. I slid into my cloak, and placed my bow on my back, and buckled my belt on. Aragorn was still sitting on my bed.

"Hey, you were the one who told me to get up! Come on," I said, and grabbed his arm. He laughed, and stood up. Together, we held hands and walked out to the great hall. The hobbits were packed, and ready to go back to the Shire. Gandalf was going with them. Legolas was going back to Mirkwood, and Gimli was going to be Lord of the Glittering Caves back at Helms Deep. I was going to miss my friends.

Pippin was eating a bowl filled to the brim with oatmeal. I laughed, and helped myself to the plate of fruit and the pot of oatmeal. I sprinkled sugar on the top, and sat down at a table. The hobbits crowded around me, and we all shared stories of our journeys. When Frodo showed me his finger, I winced.

"So Gollum- I mean Smeagol bit the tip of your finger off?" I asked Frodo.

Frodo nodded, and kept eating. I looked at my fingers, and shivered. We finished eating breakfast, and the maids cleared our dishes. All of their baggage was laid out on the floor, and ponies and horses were being supplied for their journey home.

Gimli came up to Aragorn and I, "Farewell, lad and lass. I have arranged for the gate to be rebuilt. With mithril and steel. It'll be impossible to get through! I thank you for this experience."

I smiled, and bent down to Gimli. I gave him a goodbye hug, and he blushed. Gimli bowed to us, and went outside to his pony. Gandalf gave each of us hugs, and whispered his goodbyes. Legolas was talking with Aragorn, so I had a chance to give the hobbits an extra long goodbye.

"You'll visit soon, I hope?" Pippin asked me, and Merry nodded his agreement.

"Yes yes! Of course!" I laughed, and they both seemed happier. I hugged Sam and Frodo, and wished them luck on their journey back. I stood up, and turned to Legolas.

"It was a pleasure getting to become friends with you. I presume I will be coming back shortly for your wedding?" Legolas asked, and looked to Aragorn.

I nodded, and hugged him, "It was a pleasure as well, Legolas."

We followed everyone outside, and waved as they departed. The hobbits were crying as they left. The white tree's flower blossoms floated down in the light spring breeze. I smiled, and waved to what was left of the Fellowship. Aragorn held my hand, and we watched our friends gradually disappear from our vision.

The white tree's flower blossoms floated down in the light spring breeze. A tear slowly rolled out of my eyes, and Aragorn's finger gently wiped it away.

The first book is over!! I just want to take the time to sincerely thank ALL of my readers! This has been really fun for me! I love waking up in the morning, and seeing all the new reads I have gotten! If you are one of those people who persevered through my whole story, THANK YOU! The second book is out!! It's called From Middle Earth, to Wyoming! SHAZAM. Comment, vote, do whatever! Follow me to keep updated on the Alex Ethrow series! :D THE SECOND BOOK IS NOW PUBLISHED!! IT STILL IS CALLED FROM MIDDLE EARTH TO WYOMING. :D