The carriage's interior proved vast and luxurious, with thick polished wooden flooring neatly arranged with plush velvet sofas and elegant tables. A fireplace burned merrily with crackling flames in one corner, radiating warmth.
A huge crystal chandelier hung from the high vaulted ceiling, casting prismatic light throughout the space.
The carriage's ceiling and surrounding walls were transparent, enchanted to allow clear views of the world outside.
Everyone stood or sat in comfortable positions, curiously looking around with wide eyes at the magical interior. Only Bilbo and Gandalf, having ridden in the carriage before, remained relatively composed and unsurprised.
At this moment, Kael wore Ravenclaw's Diadem upon his head, dressed in perfectly fitted white elven robes with an ornate dragon leather belt inlaid with gleaming blue gemstones. Exquisite dragon leather boots adorned his feet, along with various other fine accessories.
This carefully chosen outfit had been arranged by Gandalf, Bilbo, and the others, all striving to make Kael today's most dazzling protagonist.
Kael sat upright in the main seat, appearing outwardly calm, though his somewhat unfocused gaze clearly showed his mind had wandered elsewhere—likely to Arwen.
The others tactfully didn't disturb his nervous contemplation.
Once everyone had boarded and settled, Gandalf called outside to the coachmen to depart.
The next moment the carriage began moving forward smoothly. Miraculously, the interior remained completely unaffected by the motion—even drinks sitting on tables showed no ripples whatsoever.
The twelve pegasi pulled the golden carriage swiftly forward along the road, gradually spreading their massive wings and preparing for flight.
The carriage wheels slowly left the ground during acceleration, clearing Weathertop's high walls and ascending steadily skyward.
Watching the carriage rise higher and higher from the castle grounds far below, everyone's eyes widened at the absolutely thrilling sight.
"What's that?" Dwarf Kíli, staring intently out the transparent window, suddenly discovered two rows of fully armed guards riding twelve hippogriff creatures pursuing from behind. He exclaimed in genuine shock.
The others, attracted by his excited voice, immediately looked toward the carriage's rear.
Dunlending Chief Brog, also seated in the carriage, explained with obvious pride, "Those are hippogriffs that Lord Kael generously granted to us. Since our lord travels to Rivendell for his engagement ceremony, we naturally must provide a proper military escort!"
Hearing Brog's proud words, everyone else felt distinctly envious. These hippogriffs looked impressively majestic and formidable with obvious strong attack capabilities—excellent mounts for warriors. Who wouldn't want one?
Kael, seeing twelve Dunlending warriors riding hippogriffs in formation behind the carriage, felt genuinely surprised.
He hadn't known about this escort beforehand.
Looking at the suspiciously calm Gandalf and Bilbo, who both seemed far more composed than the other amazed passengers, he instantly understood the situation.
Clearly this was yet another surprise they'd planned.
Gandalf caught Kael's knowing gaze, smiling with smug satisfaction. "Today's your engagement ceremony—Rivendell will surely have countless elves present as witnesses. We absolutely must arrive in grand style. Can't tarnish Lord Kael's reputation among elvenkind!"
"When Bilbo and I originally planned this escort, we actually wanted to wake Smaug from your vault along with Thorondor for additional impressive support. But considering that bringing a massive fire-breathing dragon might cause fright rather than delight among the elves, we wisely abandoned that particular plan." Saying this, Gandalf showed some genuine regret about the missed spectacle.
Kael glanced at the somewhat embarrassed Bilbo and the theatrical Gandalf, his mouth twitching with suppressed amusement.
He was traveling to get formally engaged, not staging a military invasion—there was absolutely no need for such overwhelming martial force.
Meanwhile, far below at Hogsmeade, the residents watching twelve pegasi pulling the golden carriage departing majestically from Hogwarts Castle with twelve hippogriffs following in close formation immediately widened their eyes and erupted in excited cheers.
They knew their beloved lord was traveling to his future lady's home for the formal engagement ceremony.
Though unable to personally witness today's engagement, everyone eagerly anticipated next year's wedding celebration.
According to tradition, wedding ceremonies were held at the groom's location and would be considerably more elaborate and festive.
Then, as loyal subjects, they would finally have the opportunity to personally witness their lord's magnificent wedding.
Foreign merchants, travelers, and wandering bards visiting the prosperous city, watching the carriage racing across the sky with those magnificent pegasi and fierce hippogriffs, couldn't help feeling profoundly shocked by the display.
Artistic souls quickly captured the stunning scene of the carriage departing the castle into the heavens, painting and sketching it down for posterity.
Eventually these artworks were purchased and collected by wealthy patrons, changing hands over time through inheritance and sale. Long ages after, when elven footprints had completely disappeared from the continent, one such painting became famous for witnessing ancient legends.
The golden carriage flew steadily eastward through billowing white clouds.
Inside the enchanted space, everyone seeing the touchable cloud layers drifting past and the tiny toy-like buildings on the ground far below couldn't help exclaiming repeatedly in wonder.
Lord Balin glanced nervously at the distant ground, declaring his heart absolutely couldn't handle the height. He simply lay down flat on a sofa to avoid looking at the terrifying drop.
The carriage flew along following the ground's Great East Road route, soaring high over vast wilderness, passing the Hoarwell River, crossing the dangerous Trollshaws, and finally arriving high above the Bruinen River.
"We're nearly at Rivendell now. Everyone check and tidy your appearance—be presentable. We absolutely cannot lose face before the elves!" Gandalf checked the recognizable ground scenery flowing past below, then firmly instructed everyone.
Suddenly, the dwarves who had been sitting and standing about carelessly began frantically tidying themselves.
"Bombur, stop eating for once—there are crumbs all over your beard!"
"Bofur, lift your enormous feet—you've completely dirtied my new polished shoes!"
The dwarves worked frantically to clean themselves up and look respectable.
Fíli, watching his brother Kíli simply spectating the chaos with amusement, decided to cause mischief. His eyes rolled mischievously as he called out loudly with a teasing grin:
"Kíli, I distinctly remember when we passed through Rivendell last time on our quest, you specifically mentioned fancying a particular elf you saw! This time visiting again, do you perhaps have certain ideas?"
Hearing Fíli's deliberately provocative words, Kíli instinctively looked with alarm at his elven wife Tauriel sitting nearby. He frantically defended himself, "Tauriel, believe me, I absolutely didn't! Fíli's talking complete nonsense!"
The other dwarves, thoroughly enjoying the chaos and drama, immediately joined in with enthusiastic booing. "We remember that incident too—he definitely said that elf looked remarkably good and even winked flirtatiously at them!"
Seeing Tauriel's expression transform into a dangerously sweet smile, Kíli felt a genuine chill run down his spine. He shouted loudly in desperate defense, "Tauriel, that particular elf they're all gleefully mentioning was actually male! You have to believe me!"
Tauriel immediately looked at him with a very strange, calculating expression.
This unfortunate clarification left poor Kíli red-faced with embarrassment, completely unsure what to say to recover the situation.
Seeing this perfect comedy, the assembled dwarves roared with delighted laughter at their companion's predicament.
The other passengers present couldn't help but smile warmly at this humorous scene between old friends.
The atmosphere became wonderfully cheerful and relaxed, easing pre-ceremony tensions.
Past the Bruinen River lay Rivendell's protected territory.
Under the experienced coachmen's expert control, the pegasi rapidly descended in altitude, charging toward beautiful Rivendell nestled in its hidden valley.
Rivendell's vigilant lookout elven soldiers spotted the approaching aerial convoy and immediately sounded their long, curved horns in formal greeting.
At this time, Rivendell itself was extraordinarily lively with celebration.
Besides Rivendell's permanently resident elves, elves from various distant clans, including Lothlórien, Lindon, Mirkwood, and even far eastern Dorwinion, had all gathered here for this joyous occasion.
Lord Elrond, as Rivendell's lord, held extraordinarily high prestige and status among all Middle-earth's scattered elven kindreds. Moreover, he carried noble Noldor, Vanyar, and Sindar elven bloodlines in his veins, maintaining close diplomatic ties with various elven clans.
Now with Elrond's beloved daughter's formal engagement, many elves had traveled great distances to offer personal blessings.
Melodious, hauntingly beautiful elven songs echoed throughout Rivendell's halls and gardens, recounting the ancient immortal love story—the tale of elf Princess Lúthien and human hero Beren falling in love despite impossible odds.
The elves sang ancient poems in their liquid tongue while decorating every surface with various fragrant flowers and soft trailing vines.
Though the sun hadn't yet set, countless lanterns already hung everywhere throughout the valley, flickering with soft silver light like stars descended to earth, adorning the steep cliffs on both sides.
Even the valley bottom's cascading waterfalls and rushing rivers seemed magically enchanted—every drop of water filled with nature's rhythm, performing grand mysterious music.
Under countless elves' expectant gazes, the twelve white pegasi pulled the magnificent golden carriage low over the water's shimmering surface, seemingly treading upon water itself, approaching the white stone road.
Behind in perfect formation, twelve majestic hippogriffs followed like loyal honor guards.
The pegasi landed first with practiced grace, folding their great wings and charging forward rapidly along the road to slow their momentum.
The golden carriage also descended smoothly, its wheels finally touching ground and leaving two parallel wheel tracks on the white stone.
Finally, the carriage came to a complete stop directly before the arched stone bridge that crossed the river to the Last Homely House.
One coachman efficiently jumped down from the driver's bench, carefully placing polished wooden steps beside the carriage door for easy disembarking.
The other coachman opened the ornate door with a flourish, then stepped back respectfully, waiting in professional silence.
Across the stone bridge, Secretary Lindir, accompanied by several graceful elven attendants, already waited in formal positions.
Seeing the carriage finally stop, they actively approached to greet the distinguished guests.
Under the assembled elves' watchful gazes, Gandalf emerged first from the carriage's expanded interior, then greeted Lindir with warm familiarity and a genuine smile.
Then came Dale's Lord Bard, followed by Moria's Lord Balin and his dwarf companions, then elf maiden Tauriel, and Prince Legolas. After everyone else had disembarked, Kael finally emerged last.
"Lindir, I apologize for any wait!" Kael said with a warm smile.
Lindir nodded respectfully to Kael, his attitude remaining cordial and welcoming as he stepped aside gracefully. "Please, follow me. The ceremony preparations are complete."
The pegasi and golden carriage, along with the hippogriffs and their Dunlending warrior riders, remained in their positions. With Kael leading, everyone followed together in a dignified procession toward the grand banquet hall.
The vast banquet hall had already gathered countless elves from across Middle-earth.
At the hall's highest position of honor, besides Lord Elrond himself, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn were prominently present. Even the famously reclusive Lord Glorfindel had emerged to attend.
Arwen wore an exquisite butterfly crown entirely forged of gleaming mithril, intricately inlaid with gemstones and diamonds that twinkled like captured starlight. Three delicate layers of tassels strung with lustrous white beads hung gracefully beside her pointed elven ears.
She wore a breathtakingly beautiful, elegant white elven gown that flowed like water. She stood nestled beside her grandmother Galadriel, radiating nervous anticipation.
Seeing Kael entering at the head of his party, Arwen's eyes immediately found him. She showed a brilliant, luminous smile that transformed her entire being, making her seem to radiate soft inner light.
Kael's first glance also caught sight of her. Then his eyes couldn't look away, drawn like a moth to a flame.
Under the crescent moon and countless stars that night, in the Last Homely House's fragrant garden.
Eärendil's star in the heavens above became exceptionally brilliant, as if the ancient mariner himself watched over this moment.
All attending elves and honored guests stood on both sides of the ceremonial space, jointly witnessing the betrothed couple surrounded by rings of fresh flowers.
Elven maidens sang in harmonious unison about Lúthien and Beren's legendary love, while elven musicians played hauntingly beautiful, lingering music with various traditional instruments.
Everyone present wore genuine smiles, sincerely blessing the couple with full hearts.
Under everyone's solemn witness, Kael reverently took out the silver ring he had personally forged with such care, placing it tenderly on Arwen's slender finger.
Arwen also produced a ring that twinkled with captured starlight, placing it on Kael's hand with equal reverence.
When Gandalf formally announced them officially betrothed according to ancient custom, Kael immediately embraced Arwen, eagerly kissing her before the assembled crowd.
Everyone erupted in enthusiastic applause. The dwarves who had somehow maintained reasonable composure throughout the ceremony completely abandoned restraint, loudly cheering and launching into boisterous dwarf blessing songs at full volume.
Over a dozen dwarves' powerful voices directly drowned out the elven maidens' delicate songs and subtle music, but remarkably no one minded their cultural impropriety. Everyone showed kind, indulgent smiles, recognizing and praising their absolutely sincere blessings.
Starlight brilliant overhead, songs continuing joyfully through the long night, the wonderful festive atmosphere enveloped all of Rivendell in celebration, lingering long after the ceremony concluded.