A/N:Thanks to Sapphire who beta read this.
Éowyn was dressed in white and looked as though someone had given life and mobility to a lily of the field. Her long golden hair hung loosely at her side, crowned only with two small sprigs of purple lilies* that held a veil in place. Her white dress was long and flowing, coming in around the waist before spreading out into a full skirt. She wore no ornaments, save for the necklace of Rohan and her engagement ring. The necklace was a gold chain with a diamond shaped as a horse in full gallop. When the sun hit it appeared to move in the ethereal light. The necklace had belonged to her mother and had been passed down from her mother and her mother's mother for as long as memory held. Truly, the bride was a vision of beauty and poise as she walked down the stone path to me, her betrothed.
I stood at the end of the procession, probably looking a nervous wreck; I know I certainly felt like one. My brother was at my side, acting the part of best man. He had a ridiculously large grin on, and was probably having to fight to keep from laughing at my obvious nervousness. By his side stood Aragorn, who was presiding over the simple ceremony. He wore the robes of a servant of Eru Illúvatar instead of his more formal kingly robes. The outer cloak was a deep purple, trimmed in gold. The inner tunic was of a deep green, trimmed in blue. I was wearing my dress clothes, though I felt like a tramp next to the incredible beauty of Éowyn.
As I watched her near, I felt my heart swell with love. Éomer was giving her away, and was trying not to look to intimidating – she must have threatened him bodily harm if he did. She was walking forward with a purposeful stride, no nervousness evident. Her face glowed with happiness and I found the sight of it warming me to the very core. I knew not why she loved me, nor how I could ever have earned such an unbelievable woman love. I knew only that I should love her until the day I die. As she walked my way, preparing to become joined with me forever I found everything else around me fade and diminish in the light of her great beauty, and my love for her.
She finally reached my side and waited patiently for Aragorn to begin the service. I managed to wrench my eyes away from her, if only momentarily.
He stepped forward, so that he was right in front of us, and raised his hands. "With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you." Éomer stepped forward, a faint grin on his strong face.
"She comes with me, her brother, and is accompanied by all of her family's blessings." Éomer said with confidence. I smiled at the slight change in the words. The traditional question was 'who gives this woman away.' And the response was, 'I do.' By changing it, she had made it clear that she was not a possession, not something that could be given away. I could hear the inaudible murmuring in the crowds, I was sure new of this would be heard throughout the city by the night's end.
Having accompanied his sister, Éomer now stepped back into the crowd, eyes never leaving his sister. Éowyn took a step forward and stood at my right side, eyes confident and happy.
Eyes twinkling with delight Aragorn lowered his hands and looked at each of us in turn. "Have you both come of you own free will, having promised yourselves to no one else?"
We both nodded our heads together and answered: "We have." Her voice steady, mine shaking with nerves. And to think that my nerves are more agitated about this so very simple ceremony than facing down the cave troll in the Mines of Moria. Aragorn smiled encouragingly as he held out his hands.
"Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say. We are gathered together here in the sight of Eru and the Valar, which he created, to join this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony. Therefore if any man has any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace." I held my breath for a nervous moment; I truly had no idea what I would do if someone objected. An image of me punching the living daylights out of a stranger came to mind, but I pushed it away. Thankfully, the audience was silent, and I let out a thankful breath when Aragorn continued. Before, I did not realize how anxious the grooms were during that short pause of silence for a chance for anyone to object to their marriages.
"Who bears the rings?" Boromir smiled and reached into his pocket. He fumbled around in it before withdrawing his empty hand; I felt a slight shiver at the thought of the rings having been lost. He promptly shoved his hand in the other pocket and started searching it. His eyes grew comically large and his mouth formed a worried 'O.' I could feel all the problems of the world weighing down on my shoulders, as if trying to push me into oblivion.
"Boromir," I murmured as quietly and fiercely as I could. "If you've lost them I shall kill you." He grinned all too happily and withdrew the two gleaming golden bands.
"I was just teasing you brother, here are the rings." Éowyn laughed lightly while I gave him a death glare. I would get him for that later. There was a soft ripple of chuckling that immersed from the crowd, which caused a sharp pang of heat against my back. I was getting more nervous by the second. Aragorn took the rings from him, clearly trying not to laugh at his ridiculous antics, and resolved a far more serious face while holding them before us.
"These rings are in the shape of a circle, signifying the continuous and unending circle of love. By accepting these rings, you agree to forever bind yourself to your betrothed.
"As the stone embed in these rings should your love be firm like the circle it's shaped as should your love be constant. Let your mind and love guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of others give you unease, for Eru is with you always.
"Groom, if it be your wish to bind yourself to your bride, say so at this time, and place your ring in her hand." I grabbed one of the rings from his open palm, and with a shaking hand, I gently slipped it on Éowyn's perfectly still hand. It seemed to glow softly, or was it my imagination?
"I forever bind myself to thee, Éowyn." I said as I gently lowered her hand.
"Bride, if it be your wish to bind yourself to your groom, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand." She grabbed the remaining ring and slipped it onto my hand, saying the same sacred words.
"I forever bind myself to thee, Faramir." She said as gently yet as firmly a shield maiden of Rohan could. Arwen, who was Éowyn's maid of honor, stepped forward now bearing a golden chalice filled with wine.
"Drink now from this cup, signifying that you will be sharing the happiness and sorrows of life together." I grasped the cup in slightly steadier hands and took a sip from it, my eyes locked on Éowyn. The wine's sweet taste helped refresh me and calm my shaky nerves. Éowyn took the cup in firm hands and sipped the dark liquid, her eyes still locked on me. Aragorn spoke, and I forced myself to look at him, breaking the incredible gaze of her stunning eyes.
"As a servant of Eru, and the fourteen Valar which he created, I hereby announce you Husband and Wife." His eyes sparkled as he paused deliberately, love evident in his eyes. "You may kiss your bride." I turned my head from my friend and gazed at my beautiful betrothed, no, wife. Oh how those words sang in my mind. She grinned up at me, a look of utter happiness and love in her brilliant eyes. I gently gripped her soft veil and slowly started to lift it up. I hesitated just before I had it all the way up but the sheer love and warmth in her eyes encouraged me. I lifted it up, gently placing down on her hair, and swooped down to capture her luscious lips. She smiled happily against my lips as applause broke out. The kiss was soft and loving, with the promise of lots more to come. We broke apart a moment later. Aragorn and Arwen were grinning widely as we turned back to the crowd. Music started playing and flower petals started to fill the air.
(*purple lilies symbolize first love.)
A/N: So, we have the first chapter of my sequel, let me know what you think! I had a lot of fun writing the wedding, i had been imagining it for a while.
