Breaking The Barriers 16

Breaking The Barriers

Part 16

Posted: February 29, 2008
Title: Breaking the Barriers
Author: Balrog

*****

The day of the ceremony was grand. Anor had risen with nary a cloud in the sky. The birds were singing and there was a slight breeze in the air.

The two lovers were being readied with their respective teachers. Each had a bath and breakfast. Then they were clothed with robes that represented their realms. Legolas had also received a gift from his father. It was a circlet that consisted of Mirkwood leaves and vines intertwining. Estel's circlet was of Gondor with seven stars.

When it came time for the ceremony, everyone who was invited showed up. This was to be special day for the two young lovers who shared a bond. The ceremony was held in Lord Elrond's private gardens. They were elegant with all the flowers around the seats. Most were sea blue with some dark blue, pale yellow, and grey. These were the royal colors of the House of King Thranduil and the House of Lord Elrond. King Thranduil was unable to attend due to pressing matters concerning his northern borders.

Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn, and Lord Elrond were on the podium dressed in their finest. Then there was silence. Lord Elrond, with a smile in his eyes, was proud to see his son walking down the aisle in the colors of his House. It consisted of grey leggings, a pale yellow tunic laced up to the throat, and a royal blue cloak with the emblem of the House of Elrond. On his brow stood a fine circlet made of mithril, with seven stars upon it. It was very light and Estel did not feel the weight of it.

Estel walked slowly up the aisle with Lord Glorfindel behind him. He was nervous. What if something went wrong? Then he saw his father. He smiled at him and saw the happiness in his father's eyes. He was proud! He bowed his head slightly. He stood in front of the Eldar and bowed. They acknowledged it.

Elrond leaned over and placed a kiss on his forehead. This was very unusual for he did not readily show affection beyond a hug or handshake.

"Estel, this is your coming of age day. You have become a man in the eyes of the Valar. I have heard from my other sons that you have completed your training. You have also been blessed with long life and will live longer than the ordinary man. I have raised you to be one of my sons, watched you grow into a man. You have become strong, wise, and very knowledgeable about Elves." He placed his hand on Estel's head and said, "By the power of the Eldar before you, we celebrate your passage into manhood."

From the back of the room, Legolas witnessed his love's coming of age. He knew this was important to him.

Elrond stepped back and raised his head. Elrond acknowledged Haldir at the back of the room. Estel turned and that's when he saw him. The love of his life!

Legolas was watching Estel. He was beautiful! Estel had to resist the urge to run up to him and wrap his arms around him. He was breathtaking!

Estel could feel the love radiate from Legolas, even at his distance. It was magnificent! Legolas was dressed in his royal robes and Estel had heard they were beautiful, but this took Estel's breath away. The young Prince of Mirkwood was dressed in pale shades of cream. The emblem of Mirkwood on his tunic was in sea blue as were his leggings. On his brow was a circlet fit for a Prince. It was of fine mithril intertwined with leaves to represent Mirkwood.

When Legolas reached the podium he took Estel's hand in his. They both bowed to everyone. Lord Glorfindel took his place beside Elrond while Haldir took his place beside Lord Celeborn. Lady Galadriel moved in front of them and started to talk.

"We are gathered here today to witness the bonding of these two beings before you. This bonding is for their love of each other, their people, and all the free peoples of Middle Earth. I will now let each of them declare their love for one another."

Legolas and Estel both looked at one another. I didn't prepare anything! Each of them said this without words being spoken. But they each heard their words. Let's tell them what is in our hearts. That will make it easy. Estel nodded and started.

Glorfindel noticed this exchange of looks and a nod. He would have to ask them about it later.

"Legolas, I am here today to declare my love for you in front of all these witnesses. These past few weeks I have never felt a love like the one we share. It is pure of heart and pure of soul. The first day I said 'I love you', I meant it. My love was strong for you then. Maybe because of me being a man, I don't know. But when I see you, you light up a room. When I'm in your arms, I feel safe. I will be there when you need me. All you have to do is call my name. I trust you with my life. The rest, well, that's private. I take you as my bonded mate for life." He said that last piece with a blush on his face. "I love you, Legolas, meleth nín."

"Estel, I am here today to testify my love for you. Until a few weeks ago, I didn't know what love was about between two people, and then I met you. You showed me what love is all about. Together we can be strong for one another. We have the strength to lean on each other. We have found that out together. Some people never get the chance to know love but maybe we can teach them about our love. You can be all the things you want to be. I will help you and love you through it all. I will always love you and will do all that I can for you. We will help each other in tough times. I also trust you with my life. I take you as my bonded mate for life. I love you, Estel, meleth nín."

They never took their eyes off each other. Nothing was said for a few minutes.

"Now, I, Lady Galadriel, bind this love with this thin chain." She wrapped the chain, made of mithril, around their linked hands. "It represents their bond for each other and the strength it will grow into. These necklaces represent their love for one another." She placed a necklace around each of their necks, then placed a hand on both their hearts and in her mind spoke in Sindarin so that only Legolas and Estel heard it. May the Valar bless both of you with all their love. //And by the way, I heard what you were thinking to one another.// Galadriel looked at each of them in turn. Estel and Legolas looked at one another with alarm. Then it happened. The only ones that saw it were the people on the podium and Legolas and Estel.

The air around Legolas and Estel started to change. There was a swirling of mist and light that extended from their hands. It went up their arms and surrounded them both. This did not surprise Galadriel. She knew this to be the love of the Valar enveloping them. The mist and light took the same path back into their hands when it disappeared.

The look on the faces of the others on the podium was astounding. They had never seen anything like it before. They watched with amazement.

The feelings that came over Legolas and Estel were overwhelming. The love of the Valar was a grand emotion to have. Then it was gone. This love deepened within them and they looked at one another, each had tears falling from their eyes. It was a happy moment that filled their hearts with joy. Their love was so light that the heaviness they had felt in their hearts was eased.

"You now can seal your love with a kiss. This will complete the bonding." With that said, Galadriel took her place back beside Lord Celeborn.

Legolas unclasped his hands from Estel's and looked at the chains linking their arms. He grabbed for the one on Estel's arm before it slid to the floor. Estel did the same to the one on Legolas' arm. They placed the chains they held around each other's neck. The words of love that Legolas had spoken still lingered in Estel's mind. Estel took a step closer and placed a tender kiss on Legolas' lips. Then it deepened. The love between them was greater than ever.

*****

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