This is a short one shot story that came to me in the shower, having been inspired by the song "I Dream a Thousand Dreams" by Gene Simmons. Imrahil reflects upon his decision to allow his daughter to marry when it would send her so far away from him. Huge thanks to Deandra for her editing tips! Enjoy!
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It was the day that every father both anticipated and dreaded - the wedding of his daughter. Imrahil felt many emotions as he watched his only daughter embrace the new country, people, and man in her life. There was a rush of sadness, as if he was losing his daughter forever, and in many ways he was. He would no longer see her bright and shining face every morning at the dining table or watch her tease and be teased by her brothers. He would miss their nightly strolls in the gardens and their lively debates in his study. He longed for the days when his little girl would run to him, arms held out, tears streaming down her face, and asking her father to help solve her problems. His daughter had grown up, and now there was a new man to whom she would run to, hold her arms out to, and ask for help. His sweet Lothy had grown into Princess - no, Queen Lothiriel.
Many had wondered about his decision to allow his only daughter to move so far away to a foreign country, to a foreign culture. For him there was no decision involved - no matter how painful it was to him, all it took was one look at his daughter to know what had to be done. His sweet daughter who had seemed to lose all her spunk and energy after her mother died, seemed rejuvenated and reborn. Her spirit had finally healed and her heart had been clearly given away to the young king of Rohan. No amount of selfishness could permit him to disallow the marriage, for to do so would punish his daughter and the young king, who both had suffered so much in their short lives already. There was no question about the feelings the new royal couple had for each other. All night long their eyes never strayed from the other for long, and they were sighted many times, ardently displaying their affection for one another. For Imrahil there had never been a question as to the depths of the young love, not since Eomer had solemnly declared his intentions to Imrahil late one night in Minas Tirith.
Imrahil could only hope that the all of his children found the same love that he too had discovered in his own wife. Watching his daughter dance with his sons and her new husband, Imrahil felt such immense pride in his family. His children had proven to be proud yet also willing to be wrong, beautiful but not vain, sensitive however still able to make the tough decisions that came along with being royalty.
Not many people would imagine that the stately Prince of Dol Amroth was a dreamer, but every time Imrahil had held his newborn children for the first time, he had dreamt a thousand dreams for them. He dreamt of futures filled with peace, hope, happiness, prosperity, and most important, love. Today, the wedding of Princess Lothiriel of Dol Amroth to King Eomer of Rohan, was the day that those dreams came true for one of his children. Even as tears threatened to spill over his cheeks, he watched as his daughter glided towards him, gleaming in the colors of her new kingdom. Taking one look at her father, Lothiriel embraced the man that raised her, that loved her before any other, who had been her role model her entire life and continued to be so, the man who gave everything he had for her, her siblings, and the people of Dol Amroth. It was at this moment that thousands of more dreams were dreamt - dreams of a new future.
The End
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