Inside the banquet hall, the most important guests gathered.
Besides companions like Gandalf and Bilbo, Legolas represented Elvenking Thranduil, bringing a team of elves and gifts to attend the wedding.
Lonely Mountain's Dwarf King Thorin Oakenshield dispatched dwarves led by heir Fíli to celebrate. Moria's Lord Balin came personally.
Dale's Lord Bard and Anduin Valley's Lord Beorn also attended in person.
From the Shire, besides Bilbo, there was his cousin Drogo Baggins (Frodo's father), Buckland clan chief Brandybuck, the Took family patriarch, the Shire Mayor, and other prominent hobbits.
From the far east, Blue Wizard Pallando attended. Only Rómestámo remained guarding the east to prevent Sauron's forces from seizing opportunities, so Pallando brought his gift.
Additionally, the Dorwinion elf estate owner from the Rhûn region came personally.
Besides these, there was Rohan's King Théngel and Gondor's Steward's son Denethor II, also representing Gondor's Steward to offer congratulations.
Inside the banquet hall, the atmosphere was equally lively.
Grey Gandalf, Brown Radagast, and Blue Pallando rarely gathered together, smoking pipes and discussing Middle-earth's situation.
The dwarves gathered in boisterous groups, competing in drinking and frequently bursting into great laughter that echoed throughout the banquet hall, drawing other guests' attention.
The hobbits appeared more reserved, gathering together and looking around at the banquet hall's decorations and the diverse guests.
Conversely, Bilbo was very relaxed, acting as if in his own home. He proactively introduced hobbits to dwarves, elves, and other familiar friends, even helping maintain order.
As for groom Kael, he exchanged pleasantries with every arriving guest.
First-time visitor Steward Prince Denethor II looked around with shocked amazement, as if arriving in a magical realm.
On surrounding walls hung moving portraits, celebrating like them and able to communicate with people outside the frames.
The portrait people even competed in drinking with a group of dwarves, ultimately getting themselves drunk, causing the dwarves to erupt in victorious cheers.
The banquet hall's dome seemed nonexistent, filled with pink clouds continuously scattering golden rain and red petals.
On surrounding walls were many reliefs—groups of winged children flying from the walls, flapping tiny wings through midair while holding horns, trumpets, harps, and other instruments, singing with childish voices.
But clearly these children's tempers weren't great. When dwarves deliberately teased them, saying their music was unpleasant, they flew down, chasing and hitting the dwarves' heads with their instruments.
This caused surrounding dwarf companions to laugh heartily, and other guests couldn't suppress their smiles.
Denethor II, while amazed, also couldn't help laughing. His eyes were full of shock, feeling like he was dreaming.
Especially looking at the steak on his plate—according to castle servants' explanation, this was made from dragon meat. Reportedly this wedding feast used ten entire dragons so all guests and subjects could enjoy it together.
Such extravagance greatly shocked Denethor II. During Gondor's capital crisis, he'd personally witnessed those evil dragons' massive size and terrifying strength, but here they became food, and everyone got a share.
Never having eaten dragon meat, he eagerly tasted the dragon steak. After eating, he felt he'd consumed a powerful tonic, his face flushing red.
As time passed, all guests eagerly anticipated the bride's arrival.
Finally, before sunset, the eastern horizon welcomed today's most awaited sight.
With Thunderbird Thorondor leading ahead, behind was a flying carriage pulled by twelve pegasi flying toward the castle.
Simultaneously on both sides of the flying carriage, dozens more pegasi carried elf knights holding silvery-white banners, escorting together.
Behind the flying carriage were twelve Dunlending warriors riding hippogriffs who had gone to escort.
Seeing the flying carriage's arrival, guests inside the castle came out to greet them.
Everyone looked curiously at those beautiful pegasi in the sky, watching the elves and the bride.
Especially subjects from Hogsmeade and Bree were expectant. They all knew the bride about to become their lady was a beautiful elf princess.
That their lord could marry such a noble, beautiful elf lady made even them feel honored and proud.
Thunderbird Thorondor left the escort procession, releasing a loud cry while circling once above the castle. He released spherical blue lightning toward the sky.
The lightning exploded like fireworks, scattering into countless electrical sparks, shocking everyone below.
Then the Thunderbird, as if completing its task, returned to its golden nest.
The flying carriage under the pegasi's pull descended outside the castle gates, then entered along the white road, driving toward the main building.
Along the roadside, subjects from Hogsmeade and Bree looked amazed at those handsome elf knights and the golden carriage they guarded.
Everyone cheered, throwing flowers at the carriage, expressing welcome to the future lady.
The escort procession and carriage were showered in flowers. Elf knights dutifully guarded the central carriage but didn't prevent the crowd's enthusiasm, allowing flowers to fall on them.
The carriage reached the white road's end, stopping at the main building's banquet hall entrance.
"The two leading elf knights wore exquisite elegant robes and silver crowns, their bearing noble, elegant, and heroic.
They were Arwen's two brothers, Elladan and Elrohir.
Kael walked down first, happily giving each a warm hug. "So glad to see you could come!"
Elladan and Elrohir showed smiles, with more composure and bearing than before. "Today is Arwen's wedding. Of course we must personally escort her here—after all, she's our only sister.""
The carriage door opened. First to emerge was Lothlórien's lord couple—Celeborn and Galadriel.
Seeing Lady Galadriel, everyone present without exception showed amazed expressions. The radiated holy radiance and queenly bearing throughout made everyone feel humbled, not daring to look directly.
Even dwarves who usually had friction with elves struggled to resist Galadriel's charm.
Next was Lord Glorfindel of Rivendell, equally radiant and making people sigh in admiration.
Afterward, dozens more elves successively emerged—Arwen's relatives, including Sindar elves, Noldor elves, and Teleri elves.
Finally, Elrond emerged from the carriage holding Arwen's arm.
Elrond attended in full regalia, wearing blue elf robes and a silver crown, appearing like a gentle, wise monarch.
Arwen was even more stunning, wearing a gorgeous elegant white gown embroidered with exquisite patterns and inlaid with many brilliant jewels, looking as if adorned with countless stars.
Her gaze instantly met Kael's, then she showed a gentle bright smile, her eyes seeming full of starlight.