Under the anticipation of many assembled elves, Gandalf carefully opened the ornate box in his hands.
Inside lay a thumb-sized black gemstone that seemed to absorb the surrounding light.
The elves involuntarily craned their necks forward to see better, all intensely curious about this mysterious treasure.
"This is the Resurrection Stone," Gandalf announced solemnly. "It possesses the power to summon the souls of the departed—"
The moment Gandalf stated its ability, the elves immediately began murmuring in low, shocked voices, all looking with profound disbelief at the obsidian-like stone resting in the velvet-lined box.
Even some elves who had experienced the devastating loss of dear friends and beloved family members looked at the Resurrection Stone with barely concealed longing in their ancient eyes.
Finally, Kael opened the third and final box in his own hands with steady reverence.
Inside lay the legendary Philosopher's Stone, glowing with subtle red light.
Gandalf introduced the Philosopher's Stone's remarkable abilities with appropriate gravity—the transmutation of base metals into gold and, most importantly, the creation of the Elixir of Life, granting immortality.
Hearing that the Philosopher's Stone could grant immortality to mortals, though the elves showed surprise, for these naturally long-lived immortal beings, the revelation proved less shocking than the casual gold transmutation ability.
But regardless of relative impact, this was undeniably an extremely precious and powerful treasure.
Kael producing three supreme legendary treasures at once as betrothal gifts greatly shocked all the elves present, regardless of age or status.
Even Lord Elrond, who rarely showed strong emotion after millennia of experience, displayed an expression of genuine surprise.
The Philosopher's Stone itself—Kael had mentioned creating it previously during their stay at Isengard, so Elrond wasn't entirely surprised by its existence. But he genuinely hadn't expected Kael would also produce both the Golden Cup and Resurrection Stone as additional betrothal gifts of equal legendary status.
This generous gesture surprised Elrond deeply while simultaneously making him profoundly happy as a father.
Kael offering these three supreme treasures as betrothal gifts demonstrated beyond any doubt his deep regard for and cherishing of Arwen's happiness and well-being.
As a protective father who loved his daughter above all else, how could Elrond not feel moved and delighted?
Even the elven twin warriors Elrohir and Elradan found their attitudes toward Kael shifting significantly in this moment. Their original reluctance and protective suspicion transformed into genuine deep blessings for their sister's future happiness.
Lord Elrond rose gracefully from his high seat, showing a rare gentle smile of complete approval as he nodded with paternal blessing. "I wholeheartedly agree to this marriage between you and my beloved daughter."
Hearing these long-awaited words, Kael felt overwhelming joy surge through him beyond any words to adequately express.
Gandalf happily applauded with genuine pleasure, looking at the silly-grinning Kael with an expression mixing gratification and sincere blessing.
Bilbo applauded excitedly beside them, his face flushed with vicarious happiness as if he himself were getting married instead.
The assembled elves also began applauding one after another throughout the grand hall, all smiling their blessings upon the betrothed couple.
Then Gandalf, serving as Kael's representative and respected elder, began the traditional process of discussing and formally negotiating the engagement ceremony and wedding timing details with Lord Elrond according to ancient elven customs.
Meanwhile, Kael found himself being led firmly out of the banquet hall by his two future brothers-in-law, one on each side holding his arms with surprising determination.
Kael felt genuinely flustered, half-suspecting these two protective warriors might intend to beat him soundly for daring to steal away their precious sister.
Should he obediently accept whatever punishment they deemed appropriate? Or should he fight back to defend himself?
But if fighting back somehow seriously offended his two brothers-in-law, wouldn't they then secretly cause endless trouble, potentially delaying his and Arwen's wedding by decades or even centuries through bureaucratic obstacles?
The twin warriors Elrohir and Elradan seemed to clearly perceive Kael's anxious thoughts from his nervous expression.
"Alright, stop worrying and guessing wildly. We're not dragging you off for a sparring match today," Elrohir said with slight amusement.
"We're bringing you to meet someone important," Elradan added mysteriously.
"Meet someone? Who exactly?" Kael asked, genuinely puzzled.
"You'll understand when we arrive there." Neither brother would explain further despite his curiosity.
Seeing their determination, Kael stopped asking questions, simply following them deeper into Rivendell's ancient, dense forest along winding paths.
Deep within the forest lay a secluded meadow blooming abundantly with various flowers, including Lothlórien's unique golden elanor and delicate white niphredil blossoms.
Surrounded by this ring of flowers stood a person-height marble statue of exceptional craftsmanship.
The statue proved remarkably lifelike, carved with a very gentle, beautiful smile that seemed almost alive. The face bore noticeable resemblance to Arwen's features.
Below the graceful statue, Arwen herself sat cross-legged in the grass, carefully weaving an intricate flower crown from various colorful blooms.
Hearing approaching footsteps through the grass, Arwen turned to look. Seeing Kael accompanied by her brothers, she showed a gentle, welcoming smile.
For a fleeting moment, her living smile overlapped perfectly with the statue's eternal expression.
"You've come," she said softly.
"Go on ahead," the twins said quietly, giving Kael an encouraging push forward before turning to leave with surprising tact.
Kael hadn't seen Arwen in the banquet hall earlier and had wondered where she had disappeared to—now he understood she'd been here all along.
He walked slowly across the flower-filled meadow to Arwen's side, his footsteps silent on the soft grass.
He watched as Arwen carefully placed the newly woven flower crown upon the statue's marble head, her eyes filled with wistful nostalgia and enduring love.
Kael gazed at this beautiful statue that resembled Arwen so strongly, already guessing the truth. "This is your mother, Lady Celebrían?"
Arwen nodded, her expression touched with nostalgic sadness. "Yes. This is my mother, Celebrían. After Mother departed for Valinor, Father personally carved this statue with his own hands over many months. Every year on Mother's birthday, or on the anniversary of the day she sailed west, he comes here alone to spend time with her memory. He stays quietly for an entire day, sometimes simply gazing westward toward the sea."
Kael gently took her hand in his, speaking with tender understanding. "This shows how deeply Lord Elrond loves your mother, even after all these years."
"I know he does," Arwen nodded, continuing to gaze at her mother's peaceful marble face with obvious sadness. "I just keep wondering... will I ever have a chance to see her again in person?"
"Absolutely you will!" Kael answered with confident conviction. "Once Middle-earth's current turmoil finally ends and peace returns, we can sail together to Valinor across the sea. Then you'll reunite properly with Lady Celebrían."
Kael knew from his knowledge of future history that after Sauron's eventual destruction and the dawning of humanity's age, the remaining elves would nearly all migrate westward to the Undying Lands.
Moreover, this time around Arwen hadn't chosen to abandon her immortality for a mortal man as in the original timeline. So naturally she remained fully qualified to sail west to sacred Valinor, not having to endure the longing and suffering of permanent separation from her mother and kin.
Hearing Kael's reassuring words, Arwen's visible sadness lessened slightly. But looking at Kael standing beside her, a different worry arose in her heart.
She could sail west to Valinor when the time came, but what about Kael himself?
Valinor no longer existed within Arda's physical world after the world's reshaping. To journey there required explicit permission from the Valar themselves.
But mortal humans who had received the Valar's special grace to live permanently in Valinor—so far in all recorded history, only the human hero Tuor had achieved this honor. He was Eärendil's father and Arwen's own great-grandfather.
After the fall of Gondolin in ancient days, Tuor had built the great ship "Eärrámë" and sailed west with his beloved wife, the elf Princess Idril, toward the fabled Undying Lands.
Tuor had ultimately received the Valar's unprecedented grace, his mortal fate being classified among the Noldor elves, thus gaining immortality.
As for Eärendil, who had also received divine grace, he was half-elven by birth, not fully human.
Could Kael possibly have this rare chance to receive the Valar's grace, allowing him passage to Valinor?
Arwen felt no confidence about this uncertain future.
Kael, seeing Arwen's worried expression clearly, immediately understood her unspoken concern. He knew with certainty that if he somehow couldn't gain permission to enter Valinor, Arwen would definitely abandon her own opportunity to sail west, instead choosing to remain with him in Middle-earth until his mortal death.
But Kael felt no real worry himself because he knew from future events that after the War of the Ring eventually ended, both Frodo and Bilbo were allowed into Valinor despite being hobbits. Even Sam was later permitted, and remarkably, even the dwarf Gimli received this extraordinary honor.
There was no logical reason he himself couldn't eventually earn the same privilege.
Worst case scenario, when the time came to destroy Sauron in the future, he would simply contribute overwhelming effort to the cause, thereby earning his metaphorical ticket to Valinor through undeniable heroic service.
Seeing Arwen still looking worried despite his reassurances, Kael gently lifted her chin with his fingers, making her meet his steady gaze directly. His movement carried unmistakable tenderness and complete focus on her alone.
"Alright, don't dwell on distant uncertainties. Trust me and my promise! Lord Elrond has agreed to let me marry you—aren't you happy about that?"
Hearing his gentle reminder, Arwen's face bloomed into a radiant smile, her eyes becoming extremely tender as she looked at him.
"I'm very happy," she whispered.
"Then let's go quickly. We need to get back to the banquet hall right away; otherwise, I'm genuinely worried that without us there to object, Lord Elrond might decide to set our wedding date several decades later just to keep you at Rivendell longer with him—I'd cry myself to death from frustration!"
Arwen allowed Kael to pull her hand, running quickly back together through the forest. Watching Kael's adorably worried face, her own expression filled with indulgent tenderness and deep affection.
When Kael and Arwen finally arrived back at the banquet hall slightly breathless, Gandalf and Elrond had just finished formally setting both the engagement and wedding dates according to tradition.
The engagement ceremony would take place in three months during the Harvest Festival—specifically on September 21st of this year.
As for the actual wedding ceremony, it had been set for next year—September 21st, in the year 2948 of the Third Age.
"That long?!" Kael blurted out in obvious shock before he could stop himself.
Seeing Kael's clearly dissatisfied expression, Gandalf responded with mild irritation, "You should thank me profusely instead of complaining! If I hadn't argued strongly on your behalf, Lord Elrond originally wanted to postpone the wedding date several more years beyond that! Let's see if that wouldn't have killed you with anxious waiting!"
"Ah? Ahem—actually, I think this timing works perfectly well," Kael immediately changed his tune diplomatically, genuinely fearing Elrond might reconsider and change his mind again.
Gandalf shook his head with fond exasperation. Young people these days—they couldn't even wait patiently for this relatively short time.
Bilbo, watching this exchange from the sidelines, looked thoroughly cheerful and amused by the whole situation.
But Gandalf, seemingly becoming addicted to successful matchmaking, suddenly turned to look at the silly-grinning Bilbo with renewed interest. "Bilbo, you're not exactly young anymore by hobbit standards. Do you have anyone you particularly fancy back in the Shire? If so, I'll happily serve as the representative and definitely help get you a proper wife!"
Huh? Bilbo genuinely hadn't expected this conversational fire to suddenly burn in his direction. He frantically shook his head, his face showing clear resistance to the very idea.
"No thanks, Gandalf! I'm doing perfectly fine living alone! Thanks anyway!"
"That's truly a pity and waste," Gandalf said with exaggerated regret. "Without an heir of your own blood, all those considerable treasures you've accumulated will probably eventually fall into your distant relatives' grasping hands after your death."
Hearing Gandalf's pointed words, Bilbo's hand paused mid-gesture. He found himself involuntarily recalling his greedy cousin Otho Sackville-Baggins, who had previously coveted Bag End quite openly, along with that insufferable cousin-in-law Lobelia Sackville-Baggins with her silver spoons.
He immediately reconsidered, thinking perhaps he genuinely should consider finding or adopting a proper heir to inherit both his beloved Bag End and his accumulated property after his eventual death.
Otherwise, he would honestly rather donate all his hard-earned property to charity than let that greedy, unpleasant couple benefit from his life's work.
Kael thought about Bilbo's current age—57 years old now. Though hobbit lifespans generally proved longer than ordinary humans, averaging 90-100 years in good health,
Without the One Ring's unnatural life-extension effects, Bilbo probably couldn't live long enough to witness the War of the Ring's conclusion, like his original fate in the timeline.
So Kael made a private decision—perfect timing since Bilbo's birthday approached. For his 57th birthday, he would gift Bilbo a precious vial of Elixir of Life to extend his friend's years.
Moreover, Bilbo's birthday fell on September 22nd, conveniently right after Kael's own engagement day. Perfect opportunity for holding Bilbo's birthday celebration at Weathertop.
Thinking this through, Kael deliberately didn't mention his plan to Bilbo yet, intending to surprise his old friend later with the gift.
Returning to the immediate matter—after Kael and Arwen's engagement and wedding dates had been formally set and announced, both families made this marriage alliance public knowledge.
At the celebratory banquet that followed, Kael used the Golden Cup to conjure abundant delicious delicacies for everyone present, bringing the banquet's festive atmosphere to its absolute peak with endless food and drink.
The Golden Cup's fame spread rapidly from elven mouths to visiting Dúnedain rangers' mouths, then throughout Middle-earth's various races through traveling merchants and wandering minstrels.
Along with greatly exaggerated tales of both the Resurrection Stone and Philosopher's Stone also spreading like wildfire.
The stories grew increasingly miraculous with each retelling—claims that the Golden Cup could actually resurrect the dead rather than just create food, the Resurrection Stone could fully revive the deceased to life rather than just summon shades, the Philosopher's Stone could create entire mountains of solid gold with a touch, and similar impossible exaggerations.
This widespread fame made countless people sigh admiringly at Kael's obvious devotion to Arwen while simultaneously filling them with intense curiosity about these three legendary treasures.
The tales even attracted numerous greedy, foolish people who attempted to secretly infiltrate Weathertop to steal one or more of these three priceless treasures for themselves.
Some tried stealing the Golden Cup specifically, fantasizing about ruling the world through its supposed powers.
Some focused on stealing the Resurrection Stone to resurrect their long-deceased loved ones.
Some coveted the Philosopher's Stone above all, desperate to gain immortality for themselves.
But the final result proved identical in every case—without exception, all these attempts failed utterly and catastrophically.
The would-be thieves couldn't even approach the castle proper, being blocked completely by the Black Lake surrounding Weathertop's base. They inevitably became food for the giant kraken lurking in those dark waters, never to be seen again.