This is just a short introductory chapter. Let me know what you think! Also, any traditions introduced here are ones I made up but find plausible to the situation. Also: this will be a 7-chaptered story, one chapter per day before the wedding, with the last chapter being the ceremony itself.

TRS

-Day 1-

Few words were needed.

"You've always been there for me, ever since the beginning."

Legolas smiled, his eyes speaking for him.

"Are you be willing now to stand up for me, to vouch for my honor when I am wedded to my betrothed?"

It was a high honor. Per Elvish tradition, both the bride and groom required someone to vouch for them, to uphold their claims that they would love and be faithful to their beloved. It was not a Gondorian tradition, admittedly, but since more than half the attendees were elves and Aragorn himself had been raised in an elven refuge, he much preferred to do things the elvish way.

Legolas pressed a hand to his heart and bowed, a gesture of his acceptance.

"It would be my honor, my old friend," he said. The two clasped hands and, in a show of their close friendship, drew nearer and rapped the back of the other with their free hand firmly before releasing.

Elsewhere in the palace around the same time, Arwen was requesting the same favor.

She approached her twin brothers with a seriousness in her eyes that meant they'd better not try to make her laugh right now, and repeated the request of them that Aragorn had just made of Legolas.

"Of course we will, sister," Elladan said, pleased she had asked them.

Normally, only one was required to vouch for the bride-to-be, but with twin brothers and no close female friends, Arwen simply did not see how this could be. It was a tradition but not one mandated by strict rules; two choices would be perfectly acceptable.

Elrohir said nothing, just nodded and kissed his sister on the cheek, a gesture repeated by his brother a few seconds later.

She in return kissed them each on the cheek and curtseyed slightly, displaying her gratitude.

She clasped each of their arms in her own and they walked down one of the palace's long stone hallways, the twins flanking their sister.

"Aragorn is asking Legolas to vouch for him, I believe," she mused conversationally. "And Father is, of course, accompanying me on my bridal walk."

"I assume Mithrandir will conduct the ceremony?" Elrohir inquired.

Arwen nodded. "Grandfather and Grandmother will not be attending, regrettably," she said with a sigh, referring to Galadriel and Celeborn. The couple had sent their well wishes and several wedding presents including a silver bell, a beautiful hand-carved boat and other expensive gifts, but, for their own reasons, would not be attending the wedding itself.

"And who are the other main guests?" Elladan asked. Due to the status of both bride and groom, it was politically required that Aragorn invite diplomats and rulers of other nations to witness his nuptials. However, there were still special guests who actually knew the couple, and these were who Elladan referred to.

"King Thranduil is traveling from Mirkwood to attend, I believe," Arwen stated. "Frodo, Sam, and the other members of the Fellowship of course. Gloin, Gimli's father. Faramir and Eowyn, and Eomer with Lothiriel."

She paused. "From Lothlorien, Haldir is coming with a contingent of honor guards on my behalf; from Imladris, I believe Father said Glorfindel is coming, as well as Erestor."

"The wedding of a king and princess yields quite the list of the celebrated," Elrohir observed.

"Indeed," Arwen agreed. The three arrived at the entrance to her chambers, a temporary dwelling. After the wedding she would move into the king's chambers with Aragorn, of course, but for now she occupied separate quarters, which were still quite impressive. Aragorn would let her have no less than the best; in fact, he had even wanted her to occupy the king's chambers and let him sleep in a guest room until they were wed, but she would not allow it.

She kissed both her brothers on the cheek once more and excused herself to her chambers for the evening.

So now we know who will be in the wedding!

Next chapter: Aragorn tries to relax, but people keep sneaking in his window.