In the softly glowing hall, the air hummed with subdued chatter as the bride and groom stood before their people. Elrond, ever the steadfast leader, harbored a quiet reluctance. The weight of an arranged marriage sat heavily upon him; the idea of binding his life to a stranger was unsettling. Yet, his duty to his people demanded this union. This alliance was vital, a tether between their fates.

Not far behind, his daughter Arwen lingered, her serene smile offering him strength. Though uncertainty shadowed his heart, Elrond resolved to make the best of the situation. As the sacred words of Eru Illuvatar began to echo through the hall, the gentle murmurs faded into an almost spectral silence.

Elrond's new bride kept her gaze fixed on her hands, her poise masking the apprehension beneath. When Elrond extended his hand to offer her his ring, he summoned a measured smile, determined to meet this challenge with grace. Despite the chill of unfamiliarity, he hoped they might yet find harmony together.

his brides hand hand trembled slightly as she returned the gesture, sliding the ring onto his finger. The distant comfort of Rivendell, now far behind, seemed to brush her spirit, calming her as she performed the solemn act.

At last, the invocation of Eru Illuvatar concluded, and the elven court responded with gentle applause. The sound, though restrained, was warm, echoing like the first light of dawn in the hushed chamber.

Elrond waits a moment before speaking to his new bride, quietly

"I understand this union may not have been what either of us envisioned. Yet, as we stand together now, I hope we might find common ground—not as strangers, but as partners who can shape the future with wisdom and care. How do you fare in this moment?"