Chapter 29

Elanor's Wedding

Elanor could see from the window as they entered the Far Downs hundred of wagons, coaches and horses. Crowds of hobbits beginning to gather in a central location. The closer the coach approached, Elanor could see that the wedding site sat encircled by a field of wild flowers with lush green rolling hills on either side. The late morning sky shown a crystal light blue as the sun warmed the autumn grounds below. A gentle warm wind danced across the field as it moved in motions of waves across an ocean of tall green grass. Tall trees stood in the far background of brilliant colors of reds and yellows. The wild flowers began opening it petals to drink in the warmth of the sun and exposed an array of bright colors. They had cut a circle in amongst the field of flowers and placed a white linen open tent in the center of this circle of wild flowers. Silken drapes hung from each pole that held up the open tent. Huge bouquets of white lilies sat upon a marble tabletop in the center of this tent. Thick deep red rose peddles laid out a path from the beginning of the circle to the tent and the King of Gondor and his Queen stood just under the tent.

Elanor placed both hands to her cheeks as she sat frozen in her seat. The grandeur of this setting in the Far Downs is magnificent in its beauty of nature. It spoke of the love of growing things that are most beloved of hobbits. Elanor took her father's hands in hers and whispered her thank you for finding the perfect spot for her wedding.

The coachmen opened the door as Elanor gathered the hem of her dress and length of her veil as she was helped down from the coach. When Sam and Rosie joined her, they began to welcome their guests. Rosie let out a squeal of excitement as she recognized her dearest friends she had not seen since her wedding to Sam. There stood Sam's sisters and brothers as Rosie ran to them, "Daisy, May and Halfred!" she cried as she wrapped her arms around them greeting them. "It has been years since I have seen you all!" Rosie almost cried as the age in their faces clearly shown the passage of years since they had once as older tweenagers ran through the streets of Hobbiton, all before the troubles of adulthood had touched them. The carefree years passed through Rosie's mind as she looked at her three best friends and brothers and sisters of her husband. Only through letters have they kept in touch, but Rosie longed to visit and relive the days of their childhood stories.

Sam took Elanor's arm and guided her to meet her uncles and aunts. Elanor had heard hundreds of stories of them from her parents and have read their letters. But living so far in the Northfarthlings, she had never met them until today.

"Oh, Sam. Elanor is the fairest girl I have ever seen," commented aunt Daisy. She was a lovely older hobbit with gray hair and deep set wrinkles. She aged gracefully for being seven years older than her father. Both her aunts were kindhearted hobbit, with gentle manners and soft, spoken voices. Elanor instantly loved Aunt Daisy and her Aunt May. It was such a surprise to Elanor to finally get a chance to meet them.

Uncle Halfred being eleven years older than her father was a playful old hobbit with a kind and gentle heart much like her father. But had a sparkle in his eyes for mischief if given a chance. His clothes were finely made and he seemed to have done well for himself since the long years he had been away.

Sam noticed a rush of tweenager boys heading towards the coach of his children as his daughters began to step out of their coach. A line of tweenager boys rushed to escort the Gardener daughter's to the wedding and Sam scowled at seeing his redheaded little Ruby on the arm of an older lad. Sam tapped the lad's shoulder and when he turned around. Sam removed his arm and escorted Ruby to her brother Bilbo so he could walk her over to the wedding. Ruby pouted as her father insisted that she was too young to be flirting with boys so soon. "It's not fair, Da! Primrose and Daisy have boys escorting them!"

"When you're sixteen, perhaps! But you'll not be entertaining no young lads until I say so!" demanded Sam.

Aunt May and Daisy giggled at Sam for being the over protective father of his children.

"What are you complaining about, I could have escorted pretty Druzy Chubbs if'n you didn't make such a spectacle of yourself!" stated Bilbo.

"As if Druzy would pay you any mind!" said Ruby sticking her tongue out at her brother.

Sam crossed his arms as Podo Deephallow cringed escorting Primrose pass her father in fear he would take her away from him too.

Togo smiled as he gazed into Daisy's eyes as they walked hand in hand to the wedding.

Sam shook his head as he rejoined Rosie and Elanor by their side.

Goldilocks had three suitors tripping over their feet to gain her favor so they could escort her to the wedding. She compromised by taking the arm of each boy and asked the other to lead the way. She smiled and laughed having so much attention from the lads. Faramir Took scowled as he watched her walk passed him and not giving him a hint of notice.

Pippin smiled as he asked the pretty twenty-two year old Bellia Took if he could escort her. She smiled sweetly up at Pippin and took his arm as Pippin glanced back at Merry and smiled back at him. Merry shook his head and folded his arms in front of himself as he walked behind them scowling.

Rose scanned the crowd of hobbits trying to see if Elbraad Took was anywhere in sight. She wrinkled her brow when she could not spot him. A light tap came on her shoulder and a whisper in her ear, "Now you wouldn't be looking for anyone else and breaking what is left of my heart, would you?" asked Elbraad.

Rose looked up into his eyes and smiled as she took his arm and walked beside him to the wedding.

When Emma was helped from the coach by Frodo, every eye was on the two staring openly at them. Frodo smiled with pride having Emma by his side and he knew why they watched them. Emma took Ham's arm as the three walked to the wedding.

The crowd of Hobbits standing in the center of the circle of wild flowers parted as Legolas and Gimli walked down the path of rose pedals to greet Elanor and Sam. They were to tell them that Aragorn was now ready to begin the ceremony.

Elanor was honored to have the King marry Fastred and herself in the Far Downs. When Elanor greeted both Legolas and Gimli, she noticed that Fastred was now standing next to the King and Queen. Her heart leaped with joy and anticipation. The Thain Peregrin Took cued the fiddle players to begin as he joined Aragorn and Fastred. A row of fiddler player began to play a soft melody of a love song that suddenly gave this spot of the Far Downs a sense of romance in the air.

The hobbits all gathered and stood parted into two large sections in this circle of wild flowers in between the path of rose pedals and turned to watch Sam escort his daughter to Fastred.

The scent of all the flowers filled the air in the warm gentle breeze that was all about them. Elanor's sheer veil waved in the gentle wind from behind her and she took her father's arm and they began to walk down the path of pedals.

"Thank you, Da for making my wedding so special," commented Elanor.

"There was never a more beautiful bride than you Elanor, beside your mother, of course," said Sam whispering so just she could hear him. "I know in my heart that Fastred and you were truly met for each other and he will make you very happy."

"I am happy, Da," said Elanor. "I love him so much."

Sam smiled and fought the tears that began to fill his eyes.

A tear dropped from Elanor's eye as she kept her eyes on Fastred as he watched her walking towards him. He was awe struck as he gazed at Elanor and smiled as he watched her approached. His heart leaped in his chest seeing his beautiful bride as he tried hard to swallow. Fastred too fought the tears that wanted to flow from his eyes as his heart was bursting from joy and the love he felt for Elanor.

Sam guided Elanor's hand to Fastred giving his daughter away and finally letting go of the child he loved so much and allowing the woman she became, as she took Fastred hand in marriage. Sam's tears fell from his eyes with happiness for his Elanor and stood next to Rosie holding her hand.

Elanor stood facing Fastred and gazing into his deep blue eyes as she could clearly see the love he had for her. Her heart beat wildly in her chest as she took in the sight of her beloved. From his dark curly hair that lay about his soft, gentle, strong face to his straight nose and warm gentle smile. This was the hobbit she would love for all time. Fastred kissed her hands as he began to speak in a warm soft flow of words: "I, Fastred of Westmarch, take you, Elanor the fair. To be my wife and my one true love. In the presence of the King and kinsmen of our kind, my promise to stay by your side. To honor and respect you, protect you, and comfort you, my lady of the Westmarch, I cherish you and promise my love to you."

Elanors voice trembled with tears as she softly spoke: "I, Elanor, take you, Fastred, to be my husband, and my one true love. In the presence of the King and kinsmen of our kind, my promise to stay by your side, To grow old with you To share our joys and our sorrows, I will comfort you, laugh and cry with you, I will encourage you, be open and honest with you. I cherish you and promise my love to you."

King Elessar smiled at the two hobbits as they turned to face him. He too began to speak saying; "Dedication, love, and joy can grow only when you nourish them together. Stand fast in that hope and confidence, having faith in your shared destiny just as strongly as you have faith in yourselves and in one another. Only with this spirit can you forge a union that will strengthen and endure all the day of your lives. I, Elessar, King of Gondor, bless your union and pronounce to all that you are husband and wife."

"This is my part," said the Thain Peregrin as he smiled at the couple, "You may now kiss your wife!"

Fastred lifted her veil that hung just from the corner of her chin and wrapped his arms around his wife and gently bent down and kissed her lips tenderly.

The crowd of hobbits all cheered and clapped their hands and welcomed their newly wedded couple.