Minas Tirith, 1541 of the Third Age, in the courtyard of the House of Kings:

“Eldarion!”

“Riniel, my darling.”

“I came as soon as I heard.” Riniel embraced the prince. “What has happened?”

Eldarion sighed and pulled away gently. “My father is…dying.”

Riniel gasped. “Dying? But that cannot be! Are the Queen’s Elven powers not enough to heal him?”

Slowly Eldarion shook his head, and pain filled his gray eyes. “It is not that simple, my dear. Father is not ill, mayhap he is not even dying, as we know it. My father, the King, is passing away. Very soon he will go to the halls of his forefathers.”

The light of realization lit in Riniel’s eyes. “Then… then he has chosen this? This is the hour he has foretold?”

“Indeed, though it grieves me to say it.”

Eldarion took Riniel’s hand and led her up the marble stairs of the House of Kings. When they reached the top, they were met by a young messenger. He bowed low and exclaimed,

“My lord Eldarion! The Queen requests your presence immediately.”

Quickly Eldarion thanked the boy, and hurried down the dim hallway. Riniel followed, almost running to keep up with her husband’s long strides. She stopped abruptly, though, when she reached the open door that Eldarion had disappeared into. She gazed out upon a large hall, her breath taken away by the grandeur and sadness of it all. The hall had ten tall, thin windows through which the evening’s light filtered peacefully. The great kings of old lay, set in stone, around the room. Each slab had a likeness of the king formed upon the top, their faces peaceful with the look of eternal sleep. Great marble pillars rose to meet the arched ceiling, their sides inscribed with the stories and poems of the ancient kings.

In the very center of the hall was a new slab, clean and unmarked, and upon it lay the king, Elessar, Elf-stone. A white sheet was beneath him, and flowers had been scattered around the floor. On a seat of gold sat Arwen, the High Queen, holding the hand of her beloved. Beside her was Eldarion, the King’s son, and behind stood their three beautiful daughters. Fear gripped Riniel’s heart as she stood watching the solemn scene. Had the king passed already?

Just then, Arwen looked up and spoke to Riniel.

“Please, come in, my daughter. You are most welcome here.”

She reached out one white hand, and Riniel entered the room to stand by her side. The King lay peacefully, his gray-green eyes still kind as he turned his head to look at her. A smile came to Elessar’s lips as he gazed upon his daughter-in-law. He beckoned for her to stand beside Eldarion. Riniel slipped her small hand into her husband’s for support.

“Today is the last day I will spend with you, my son.” The King’s voice was strong as he addressed Eldarion. “As your king, I give you the crown of Gondor, and the sceptre of Arnor. I trust that you will rule well in my stead.”

He beckoned to a servant, who brought the treasures to the prince.

Eldarion’s eyes were teary as he accepted the royal gifts. “I will try my best to live up to the example you have set before me, my king.”

Elessar smiled kindly, “Yet as your father, I give you what I have always given you, my love and my trust. May you strive ever to be the very best you can be. I love you, my son, never forget that.”

Eldarion bent to kiss his father’s forehead. “I will always love you, Father.”

With a few tears King Elessar said goodbye to each of his daughters. Finally, Queen Arwen stood to say her last goodbyes. Respectfully, each of the family members and friends filed out of the great hall, solemn and resigned. It was several minutes before the Queen finally emerged. She looked pale, her fair skin ashen and cold. Her eldest daughter, Elenna, quickly came to console her mother, while the others silently wept. The King, Aragorn son of Arathorn, had passed away. Riniel cried upon her husband’s shoulder, but he did not shed tears. The new king stood dumbly, the shock and grief written upon his handsome face.

Finally, Eldarion turned to address the small group of people, “My dear friends and family,” he said, looking lovingly at his mother, “Today is both a day of sadness and joy.”

Pausing, the young man fought to control his emotions. “My father was a remarkable man. Not only was he a king worthy of legend, but a wonderful husband, and the best father a child could ever want. While we grieve the loss of the King, may we never forget the great man who loved each one of us even more than we could imagine.”

Riniel smiled as she brushed away the tears, memories flooding back. Trips to Rohan and Rivendell, banquets and parties. The King had been so kind to her, and so welcoming to this shy girl marrying his only son. Riniel sighed; how she would miss him. Yet she knew that it was her duty to support and encourage Eldarion, and the rest of his family. The age of men was still young, and the newest king of Gondor had many years ahead of him.

Riniel turned to leave, her hand resting lightly on her husband’s arm. She vowed silently that she would always be there for him, as Arwen had been for her husband. As the sun set on the first day of Eldarion’s rule, the new queen prepared herself for what was to come, knowing that their love would stand the test of time. King Elessar’s story was finished, but King Eldarion’s was just beginning.