~After Elwing and Eärendil gets married a lot changes in the realm, and not everything for the worse.~

oOo

Elwing and Eärendil, cosplay by karo_lavellan and elfpirate on Instagram

Prince

When Thranduil saw Elwing again the next day, she sparkled as a Silmaril in a long, white gown and wore her dark hair braided like a crown. On her side Eärendil looked like he did not know whether to grin stupidly or run away in panic.

After the ceremony was over and the couple had exchanged rings, Thranduil sat with his friends, drinking too much of Galion's wine and generally enjoying himself while watching the dancers form large circles. The whole city had been invited and the area was packed with merry people.

Yet, they all fit into the city square, he reflected. The elves gathered here represented several of the once proud realms of Beleriand: Doriath, Nargothrond, the Falas and Gondolin. Discounting the inhabitants of the Isle of Balar and Fëanors people, these were almost all elves left in Middle-earth. A mere shadow of their former glory.

A female voice interrupted his gloomy line of thought. "Care to dance?"

He looked up and met his wife's sparkling eyes. His breath hitched at the stunning sight; she wore a flattering coral dress, her blonde locks cascading down one shoulder, and had put on jewels he had not seen in a very long time: the quartz necklace and matching earrings he bought her when they were newlyweds.

He took her offered hand. "My pleasure." Bending close he whispered: "But you are not supposed to outshine the bride at a wedding."

She snuck him a discreet kiss. "Flatterer."

Then there was no more opportunity to talk for the dance pulled them with them and the beat was quick.

A lot later when they wearily left the circle, Galadriel and Celeborn danced past. She frowned deeply at their still joined hands but said nothing.

"Your friend is not pleased," Thranduil remarked.

Aerneth looked a bit embarrassed but then appeared to shake off the feeling. "She cares about me and my well-being, and as matters stood two decades ago, her advice was wise." She gave him an almost shy glance. "However... lately things have changed."

There it was again, the tiny butterfly tickling his heart. He dipped his head in acknowledgement, not quite daring to say anything for fear it might come out wrong.

Her grasp on his hand tightened. "And it has led me to reconsider our... arrangement."

He thought of something suitable to say in reply, for even now, at his age, he sometimes struggled to find the words in an important conversation.

"My door is always open to you," he managed at last.

"I am not moving back," she said quickly. She did not have to elaborate; she clearly did not want to live with Oropher. "But I don't think we need to conceal our... meetings."

Thranduil could not resist. "You want to do it with an audience?"

That broke the tension. Grinning, she slapped his shoulder. "You know what I mean."

He did. And after the wedding was over well past midnight, he quite openly followed her home and spent the rest of the night there.

oOo

The next morning Thranduil did not want to leave; it was such a rare bliss to wake up with his wife in his arms and to have breakfast together, but they had obligations. There would be a council meeting to settle Eärendil's position and influence now that he was married to the queen, and it would look bad if Círdan's daughter and one of Elwing's advisors were not present.

"Don't look so downcast." She kissed his cheek. "After the meeting we will return here and spend all evening in bed."

"I take that as a promise."

They made company to the town hall, not bothering who might see them leave the house together.

When they stepped inside and took their seats, the council room smelled of fresh timber and paint. The town hall was new, one of the buildings erected after the Havens of Sirion had been officially established. A beautiful mural with sea motif spanned one wall, and on either side large windows gave light and an airy feeling.

On a dais below the mural, Elwing sat in the ornate chair that served as a throne. The young queen looked particularly lovely today, her cheeks tinted with rose and her eyes clear, and on her brow the thin crown gleamed. She was flanked by her advisors Amdír and Oropher on smaller chairs at either side, and below the steps Eärendil stood ready to be summoned.

When everyone had arrived, Oropher rose and solemnly began: "We are gathered here today once more for a council regarding the crown. Today it must be decided what changes our queen's recent marriage brings on. Therefore–"

He was interrupted by Elwing suddenly standing up, motioning for him to sit with a wave of her hand. "I will take over." Her voice was calm and determined.

A surprised mumble went through the room; most of them had never heard the queen speak.

Oropher grew bright red, obeying her order with obvious reluctance. Thranduil squirmed uncomfortably on his chair, this was not a good start.

Unperturbed, Elwing continued. "If you will step forward, Master Eärendil."

Smiling, he obeyed. From his calm countenance it was clear this was planned beforehand.

"As my husband, you shall be Prince of the Havens, conjoined ruler of this realm."

The murmur among the audience grew louder and Oropher could not remain silent. "But he is half Noldor," he blurted. "He cannot reign over the Sindar!"

"He can, and he will."

"You need the council's approval for that!" Amdír cut in.

"Hear, hear," agreed several of the gathered, quite angrily.

"Quiet," roared Eärendil, his strong voice easily carrying to the farthest end of the room. "The queen has spoken and her rule is law. I have read the protocol from the last council and nowhere does it say the advisors or councillors can overrule a decree by the queen. I ask you now: who will disobey a royal command? If so, may he step forward." He put a hand on his sword, giving emphasis to the words.

A shocked silence ensued and nobody moved.

Eärendil somehow looked taller than before, and more powerful. Thranduil recalled what he had heard of his father Tuor's famous deeds in Gondolin that had earned him leadership during their exile; clearly his son had inherited some of that valiance. This boy could be dangerous if he chose to.

His defiant air reminded Thranduil of another man who had feared no one, not even a monstrous dragon: Túrin, Tuor's cousin.

"For too long the queen has been restricted from taking part in the ruling of her realm," Eärendil continued. "Though an adult for several years, she has been treated as a child by her so-called advisors, made to fear those who should guide and protect her. One of them has even beaten her."

The heightened colour drained from Oropher's face.

"Is this true?" Aerneth whispered.

Thranduil did not dare look at her. "Not often. Usually I have gone between them, but..."

"But sometimes not. I see."

"In the light of this," said Eärendil, "my first verdict as prince and ruler of this court will be to expel the advisors Oropher and Amdír from the council." He looked down his nose at them. "You are dismissed. Please leave." Again his fingers lingered on the pommel of his sword.

"You cannot do that," Amdír sputtered. "We have always only acted in the best interest of the realm. Young Elwing has not been fit to rule." He reached out his hand to the audience as if seeking their support. "You know this is true. The girl hardly speaks a word; she needed our help! And of course we did not beat her! Right, Oropher?"

"Of course not." He was avoiding eye-contact. "Not as such..."

Elwing seemed to gain strength from her advisor's apparent embarrassment. "Liar." She pointed at him. "Liar! Get out of here or you shall be punished."

To Thranduil's surprise, he obeyed; not by leaving the room, but he did get down from the dais.

After a brief hesitation, Amdír followed. "You have not heard the last of this," he muttered threateningly as he descended the steps.

By now, the bystanders were waking up from their shock and several spoke at the same time, creating a clamour not unlike the last council – but there was no Gil-galad here this time to take control of the situation.

Small groups were forming around Oropher and Amdír while others remained seated, baffled at the unexpected disorder.

Aerneth glared almost hatefully at Oropher. "It seems he still has supporters."

Thranduil nodded. "I tried to make him accept Elwing as queen but I think he never quite did. This... won't help her case." He turned his gaze to the royal couple at the dais. Eärendil seemed like he tried to appear unruffled by the unrest, but the way he clenched his sword with whitening knuckles hinted of his insecurity.

This was bad. Any minute now the boy might decide to unsheathe it and from there things could only turn ugly. But what could be done to stop this from escalating further?

A tall elleth rose from the back of the hall and confidently strode forward. "I support the prince," Galadriel stated, bending her knee before the throne.

"Of course a Noldor would," Oropher sneered.

"I do as well." Her husband joined her. "And I am both Sinda and a prince of Doriath. Any complaints?"

There was no reply.

Galadriel turned to face the audience. "We must not quarrel among ourselves. I fail to see how it can be a problem that Elwing's husband is our leader; remember the deeds of his adar and grand adar. At least give him time to prove he is fit to lead."

Biting her lip, Aerneth whispered to Thranduil: "I support them too. I am sorry, but I can't take Oropher's part in this."

"I understand." He meant it, and what was more, this time he shared her view; Elwing had the right to choose a co-ruler. Yet he did not move when his wife went to stand next to Galadriel. He could not be that openly disloyal to his father.

Aerneth had been the former leader of the colony, and when people saw her come forward a few others did as well, but over half of the assembly remained as they were.

"Well then," said Oropher angrily. "You have made your choice. Amdír and I tried to make this realm great, to bring back the wealth and prosperity of old, but it seems our work is no longer appreciated around here. I wash my hands off you all." He spat on the floor and imperiously marched out with Amdír in tow. They were followed by many.

Thranduil finally knew what to do. Standing, he turned to the queen and bowed. "I support you, my queen. Allow me to talk to my adar before taking action; I believe he may be swayed once his initial resentment wears off."

She nodded her head in permission.

But when Thranduil came outside he found matters worse than he had feared. Oropher and Amdír stood in the middle of a crowd of outraged Sindar and Laegrim, demanding they usurp the throne.

Were these people really considering rebellion? Had they learned nothing after the kinslaying they survived in Doriath?

"Adar," he called over the din. "Adar, may I please speak to you?"

Oropher ignored him, and instead turned to his supporters. "Calm down, calm down. I am grateful for your loyalty, and you are correct that Amdír and myself only ever acted in the best interest of the Havens. The girl needed us. But we will not defy her. Let her and the half-Noldo have this wetland town if they want it so badly." He raised his hands to hush down their angry protests. "You see, I have a better idea. Ossiriand still has no king after Beren died, and I know many of you Laegrim have been longing to return there. I have heard your tales; between the rivers lie bountiful gardens and woods full of game. I say, let us leave this damp hole and move to your homeland!"

"Adar, no!" Thranduil tried, but his voice was drenched in a roar of enthusiastic acclamations.

"To Ossiriand!" they yelled. "Long live the new king!"

Defeated and dragging his feet, Thranduil returned to the town hall. He knew there was no way his father would stop now; not with such uniform support. The realm would be divided once more.

oOo

The council was over not long afterwards. It seemed Prince Eärendil did not want violence despite his initial threatening demeanour, and instead he decided the best cause of action was to wait and see. If Oropher, Amdír and their fellow rebels wanted to leave, they were welcome to do so; the realm was better off without disloyal subjects.

Thranduil was not so sure about that, however. If most of the Laegrim left, it meant the Havens would lose nearly all the march-wardens and hunters. But of course, civil war was no better option.

It was what it was.

Aerneth looked surprised when he went after her afterwards. "Are you not going with... him?"

"I thought we had plans for the afternoon," he retorted, trying to put innuendo into his voice, though his heart was not quite in it.

"Thranduil... You don't have to." She put a hand on his arm.

"No, I don't."

"Then why are you not going home to pack?" It sounded like she was holding her breath in anticipation of his reply.

He stopped, meeting her eyes. In the short time since the council he had made up his mind. His father was no longer a broken ellon, miserable and weak with grief after the loss of his wife. Oropher could manage well on his own.

Thranduil would not repeat his earlier mistakes.

"I don't agree with Adar's decision and I don't support his case. I am not leaving the Havens with him."

❈ ❦ ❈

A/N:

That was perhaps unexpected... but can the newfound marital bliss last? And will Elwing manage to keep the Silmaril hidden?

Thanks for reading! I appreciate your patience. :)

Image Credits:

Elwing and Eärendil, cosplay by @karo_lavellan and @elfpirate on Instagram, photo by @nicolelirak