Title – The Holly bears the Crown

Author: Linda Hoyland
Characters/Pairing: Arathorn, Gilraen, Ivorwen

Rating: G
Warnings: none
Book/Source: LOTR book-verse

Disclaimer: The characters are the property of the Tolkien estate. This drabble is written for pleasure, not profit.

Custom decreed that the maidens present evergreens to the Chieftain's heir each Mettarë, that the line of Elendil might be as evergreen as the holly, ivy or pine.

Still Arathorn remained unwed.

He smilingly took a sprig of greenery from each girl before the Midwinter feast began. One maidstood out from the rest. She carried a branch of holly, scarlet berries adorning the glossy leaves.

"My little girl has grown into a fine young woman since you saw her last, has she not?" chuckled Ivorwen.

Arathorn's heart stirred as the girl handed him the branch. Gilraen was indeed fair.

A/n. Written for the Holly Challenge at Tolkien Weekly.

A new chapter of "You've Got to be Carefully taught" is now posted here.