This is a time of great joy to the people of the North. Mirkwood had been a place of darkness for over a thousand years. Now the people of Middle Earth can reclaim it and make it a prosperous place. The news of Sauron's fall is slowly moving North.

I can imagine how the people feel as the news comes north. Those who are servants of Sauron are undaoubtedly dismayed. But, those who have lived in the fear of these servants must feel as though a long dark night has passed and now the sun is rising and sending the dark shadows fleeing before it.

The happy culmination of the War of the Ring is the crowning of King Elessar: the good fortune of Middle Earth is mirrored in the triumphant personal journey Aragorn makes from Ranger to King. He takes on his destined role in a solemn ceremony before the damaged Gate of Minas Tirith, where Faramir meets him with the White Rod of Office and the ancient winged crown. Aragorn promptly returns the Rod to Faramir, making him the King's Steward, and Faramir formally introduces Elessar by calling his many names and asking the people to acclaim him as ruler. When Faramir holds up the Crown of the Sea Kings, Aragorn intones the ancient words "Out of the Great Sea to Middle-Earth I am come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto to the ending of the world."

But he does not don the crown. Instead, he asks Frodo to carry it to Gandalf, and Gandalf to place it on his head. In such manner he honors the truth that "by the labour and valour of many have I come into my inheritance." Gandalf pronounces "Now come the days of the King, and may they be blessed."

And they are. Elessar enters his city to music and flower strewn paths; "wisdom sat upon his brow, and strength and healing were in his hands, and a light was about him....And in his time the City was made more fair than it had ever been." To make that happen, Elessar invites the Children of the Wood and the Folk of the Mountain to help him rebuild, and so proclaims to the world his reign will be one of tolerance and peace between peoples.


And yet on this day of his crowning, one thing is lacking. Elessar looks to "a day draws near that I have looked for in all the years of my manhood, and when it comes I would have my friends beside me." In answer to that need and that day, as Elessar accepts his crown, Elrond and Arwen leave Rivendell with Elladan and Elrohir and host of Fair Folk, bound for Minas Tirith and the Royal Wedding.

It is not hard to imagine the emotions of this journey. Aragorn has just been crowned as Elessar. Éomer has inherited the throne of Rohan. Less than four months prior, both King Théoden of Rohan and his son and heir, Théodred were still alive...Éomer a mere nephew and cousin. Now both he and Éowyn return to Edoras so that the new King can take up his rule and care for his war ravaged Kingdom.

Éomer's words in parting from Elessar are some of my favorites.

It should not be forgotten that Elladan and Elrohir were both instrumental in the defeat of Sauron in Gondor while serving the King. They also leave with the party for Rohan, to meet a very special group of travelers who now make their way South from Rivendell.

Can you now imagine what a fantastic sight this Elven wedding party was? A who's who of the mighty Eldarin left in Middle-earth. The countryside of Rohan and Gondor having just been ravaged by war, must have been refreshed just by their passing.

Imagine the wonderment of the people. So many of them would have only heard the myths and tales of the Elves and never seen them. Now the glory of an Elven wedding party parades through the countryside.

The fair-haired Galadriel and Celeborn. The dark-haired house of Elrond...Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen. All going to Gondor where the new King Elessar has been crowned. No longer any darkness pouring out of what was Mordor. This must have been a time of wonder and magic after a long dark storm. It is also a bit bittersweet in that, other than their return home, it was the last time such a sight was seen in Middle-earth.

This is the single chapter in Tolkien's masterpiece where it is brought home to the reader that the Quest has ended, the day has been won by the forces for good, and this glorious tale is coming to an end. The very title, "Many Partings" is a precursor to the dissolving of the Fellowship as each member meets his hard earned fate. There is an innate sense of sadness. Each member of the Fellowship has been irrevocably changed by their experience, and now goes on to take up the tasks of the rest of their lives, conceivably in the far flung places of the World. It is the beginning of the end and it starts today.

On this day in particular we see the young King of Rohan return to Minas Tirith in the regal manner that befits his new stature. There is a magnificent feast in Merethrond (the Great Hall of Feasts), and it is here that King Éomer son of Éomund confronts Gimli son of Gloin to settle an old score.