42: Towards Better Days (Edited)

                                    

                                          
Aragorn's and Arwen's wedding was both elegant and overtly extravagant. If Minas Tirith was crowded on Aragorn's coronation, it was flooded by people during their wedding. Varilerin reckoned almost all Elves attended, wishing to celebrate the marriage of the Evenstar of their people after thousands of years being unclaimed. The streets were decorated with flowers and banners of Gondor, songs played throughout the day, and at night a grand feast which lasted till sunrise the next day. 
It was one of the many joyous occasions after the coronation. The first, of course, was Varilerin's and Legolas's announcement of their betrothal to the rest of the world. Apparently, Legolas had conversed with Glorfindel earlier that day to seek his blessings for her hand, and his return to Mirkwood was to seek blessing from Thranduil and craft Varilerin's necklace. Legolas told her that, despite his hostile nature towards her in the past, he had agreed to the betrothal almost immediately. When Thranduil met her after Legolas' proposal, he regarded her respectfully, and even praised her for her deeds in the Fellowship. She was relieved that her future father-in-law would at least treat her kindly. 
Varilerin's betrothal to Legolas was blessed, but it caused the former to be showered with so many gifts and congratulations during Aragorn's wedding, when all her comrades and old friends also gathered. By the end of the day, she swore that she was more exhausted than the bride and the groom, and decided for the several days she would isolate herself in the Houses of Healing.
After the wedding, Faramir and Eowyn auspiciously announced their betrothal, having earned the blessings from both Gondor and Rohan. Faramir now resided in Ithilien, having declared its prince by Aragorn and tasked to restore the land lost to Sauron's previous allies. His new position solidified his claim for Eowyn's hand, though Eowyn told Varilerin that Eomer had not even considered Faramir's position when he asked for her hand. They wedded not long after, their ceremonies and celebrations held in both Rohan and Gondor. Thereafter, Eowyn moved to Ithilien, where she decided to become a healer. Her battle with the Witch King had disabled her arm from wielding the sword again, but she chose to follow's Varilerin's words—that there was glory in every effort which help people. 
There were small moments and events of bliss which speckled their lives afterwards. Eomer showed subtle attractions to Prince Imrahil's daughter, Lohiriel, prompting Aragorn to once again act as a matchmaker for his friends—he was encouraged by his success with Legolas and Varilerin. The Hobbits returned to their hometown as heroes. Gimli and his people began their quest to drive out Orcs of Moria. Thranduil managed to extinguish all the spiders in Mirkwood, renaming it Erys Lasgalen, and awakened its trees once more. Ruindoldir was one of his greatest warriors, his skill efficiently eradicating the creatures while often Thranduil merely needed to watch. When Legolas and Varilerin visited Eryn Lasgalen, they were speechless at the sight of emerald leaves and flowers blooming everywhere they could see. "This, will be where your wedding is held, and where you live," Thranduil declared proudly to the couple. "Do not worry about the details, for I shall arrange the affair myself. You two have done enough for all of us by eliminating Sauron." 
Thranduil tried his best to veil his excitement for his son's wedding, but Ruindoldir told the couple that he spent everyday arranging for the wedding and smiling to himself as he thought about how grand it would be. 
Varilerin and Legolas' wedding would be held in two years time, allowing the two to settle matters on their own. Legolas embarked with Gimli to fulfil his promise to visit the Glittering Caves, as well as the restored Fangorn forest. Varilerin stayed with Aragorn for several months, accompanying him in several skirmishes to the land of Haradrims and Easterlings, hoping to find peace with them. Ruindoldir was with her as well, as he decided that his deed with the Elves was done, and it was time for him to repent the sins he had done to Men. Their quest, however, was met with much hostility, and so several battles were waged against the traitorous Men. With the aid of his allies and his own wisdom, Aragorn triumphed every single battle. It took not long for both tribes to surrender to Aragorn, and a strict treaty was signed among the leaders, promising peace or risk one last devastating blow from Gondor. But the battles had reduced their numbers significantly that Varilerin was convinced they would not be able to take arms for decades.