Chapter 36 A Promise Kept

It was more for show than anything else, Mariell thought as she looked into the mirror. Over the last eight months she had divided her

time between Frodo and helping out in the House of Healing. Somewhere in the middle of all of it she had found time to sit through

fittings and answer endless questions about what kind of flower arrangements she wanted. She had no doubts that the people of Gondor
accepted her as their queen. She had more than proved she was up to the task. Now she just had to show them that she was in fact

married to their king. She twirled in front of the mirror. The dress that the tailors had had in mind had been much more ornate than this.

Mariell had finally put her foot down and insisted that she be allowed to make her own dress. The tailors had been appalled but Mariell

told them she had been making her own clothes for years and knew what she was doing. The dress was simple yet elegant. The squared
shape neckline showed a bit more than she wanted it to but she could wear it without discomfort. The waistline was trimmed with silver

thread, as were the ends of her loose sleeves. The skirt was long but it lacked the mile long train that the tailors had added. Her hair was
in a long elegant braid down her back and a silver circlet was upon her head. She wore no other jewelry than her pendant and

Aragorn's ring on her right hand. Her left hand she left empty for her official wedding band. She had offered to give Aragorn back his

family crest to wear on this day, but he had insisted she keep it.

"Call it your engagement ring," he had said.

"It is time," Frodo said from the door. Mariell turned and faced her brother. A smile broke out on his face.

"You look lovely," he said. Mariell smiled. Her brother looked better today than he had in a long time. He'd been having a great deal of

trouble sleeping for nightmares plagued him mercilessly. He'd lost his appetite as well. Sometimes it was all she and Sam could do to get
him to swallow a few mouthfuls of soup. Mariell knew that it would take a long time for Frodo to heal from his ordeal and he would

have to do much of it on his own. All she could do was be there for him as much as possible. But today he looked as strong and happy

as he'd been before the ring had come to him. She came forward and took his hand.

"Lead on," she said. Frodo squeezed her hand and led her to the doors. Eowyn, standing as maid of honor, handed her her bouquet.

The wedding processional began to play. First went Eothain and Freda, who Mariell had sent to Rohan for; as flower girl and ring-

bearer. Then Eowyn walked down the aisle and took her place. The music changed and she began to walk. She felt as though she were

walking on air as she went down the aisle. The people of Gondor smiled at their future queen as she passed them. As she made her way
to the altar Mariell saw all the beings she loved. She saw Gimli, who tried to look as if he didn't want to be there, but Mariell could see

a tear in his eye. He'd been very happy when she'd told him he would not have to be her bridesmaid this time. She passed Galadriel

and Celeborn, who had come from Lothlorien for the wedding. Next to them stood Elrond and the elves of Rivendell. She grinned at

Legolas who stood with his arm around Arwen. The two of them had married five days ago. Taking Mariell and Aragorn as their

example they had snuck off to a garden and had Gandalf marry them in secret. Both their parents had been appalled that their children

had denied them the chance to throw a big elaborate wedding, but Aragorn and Mariell had only laughed and congratulated them.

Though many of the elves of Middle Earth were leaving for Valinor, Legolas and Arwen would remain at Minas Tirith. Legolas and

Gimli had been appointed as advisers to the King. She saw her cousin Eomer, now King of Rohan. She felt a catch in her throat as she

thought of Theoden. How she wished her uncle could have been here to see this day. She passed Faramir who she could not help

notice, was gazing at Eowyn. The two of them had become quite close during their confinement at the House of Healing. Mariell was

certain that it was only a matter of time before she would be returning the favor to her maid of honor. Faramir had taken up the role of

the king's steward in his father's place. She'd had several conversations with him and she found him quite likable. Her grin widened as

she passed Merry, Pippin, and Sam. She was not certain what their plans were but they seemed content to remain in Minas Tirith for the
time being. Merry had become Eowyn's little shadow and Pippin was a squire to Faramir. Her heart skipped a beat as they arrived at

the altar where Aragorn stood with Gandalf. She smiled at him and he smiled back. Three weeks ago he had been crowned King of

Gondor. She knew he had taken the throne with a heavy heart. But it was his destiny. A gold crown sat on his head. She soon would

wear one as well. Frodo placed her hand in Aragorn's and stepped back, after shooting a small smile at the king. Mariell handed her

bouquet to Eowyn and placed her hand in Aragorn's.

"Dearly beloved," Gandalf began. "We have gathered here today to witness the joining of Aragorn son of Arathorn, King of Gondor,

and Mariell daughter of Thendilen of Rohan. Aragorn and Mariell do you come today to be joined of your own free will"

"I do," they both said in unison.

"Then let us proceed. Aragorn, do you take Mariell to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, honor her, comfort

her and keep her from this day forward as long as you both shall live"

"I do," Aragorn said "Mariell, do you take Aragorn to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, honor him,

comfort him and keep him from this day forward as long as you both shall live"

"I do," Mariell said.

"The rings please," Gandalf said. Eothain stepped forward and presented the pillow with two rings on it. Gandalf took one and handed it
to Aragorn.

"Aragorn, please place this ring on Mariell's finger and say "with this ring, I thee wed"

"With this ring, I thee wed," Aragorn said. The rings had been made by Galadriel and presented as a gift to the bride and groom. Mariell
looked down in amazement at the silver ring on her finger. "Mariell, please place this ring on Aragorn's finger and say, "with this ring, I

thee wed." Tears were threatening to spill from her eyes as she slid the ring onto Aragorn's finger.

"With this ring, I thee wed," she whispered.

"You are married," Gandalf said. "You may kiss the bride." The world seemed to disappear as Aragorn sealed his lips against hers.

They separated as everyone clapped and cheered. Eowyn handed her bouquet back and Mariell took Aragorn's arm. Everyone bowed
as the new king and queen passed them. As they walked down the aisle Mariell looked to the distance. She smiled as she saw the spirits
of her ancestors and those who had given their lives in the fight for Middle Earth. One by one they faded until only her mother remained.
A tear fell from Mariell's eye as Lindela's spirit smiled at her one last time before she too faded.

The crown on her head felt heavy as she danced in her husband's arms. After the wedding they had journeyed to a grand ballroom for a
celebration. Mariell glanced around the room and saw Faramir dancing with Eowyn and Legolas dancing with Arwen. She laughed as

Merry boldly stepped forward and cut in on Faramir and Eowyn. The steward was gracious and bowed out. She saw Pippin filling his

plate for the fifth time. Frodo sat at table talking quietly to Sam. He looked up and caught her eye. He gave her a small smile and

waved. She waved back.

"You can't take your eye off of him for a moment can you?" Aragorn asked her. Mariell sighed.

"I worry about him, Aragorn. His eyes don't smile anymore the way they used to. I fear he will never be himself again"

"We just have to give him time." The song ended and Mariell and Aragorn separated. Aragorn went to talk to Faramir and Mariell went
to Frodo.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Frodo?" she asked him. "Yes I am," Frodo said. "It's a beautiful wedding. I know you think it was all a lot

of needless bother but I'm glad you did it. I wish I could have been at the first one." Mariell smiled and patted his shoulder.

"That's why I did this," she said. "So that all my family could be with me at my wedding. I wish it could have been this way the first time.
But things were different then"

"And you couldn't have waited," Frodo said. "You didn't know what would happen." Mariell nodded remembering the sorrow she had
felt when she'd thought Aragorn had been killed.

"My love," Aragorn said coming up to them. "It's time for us to retire." Mariell nodded but she was uncertain about leaving Frodo.

"Go on, Mariell," her brother urged her. "I can find my way to my room without you holding my hand. Go, it's your wedding night"

"All right, if you're sure," Mariell said. She kissed him on the forehead and after bidding everyone goodnight they adjourned to their

room. Mariell absently lifted the crown from her head and brushed out her hair. She couldn't get the haunted look in Frodo's eyes out

of her mind. She started as she felt Aragorn's hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry about Frodo," he said. "He'll be all right"

"I'm sure he will be but…"Aragorn silenced her with a finger over her lips.

"You've been taking care of Frodo and everyone else around here for the last eight months. It's time to let your husband take care of

you." He sealed his lips against hers and his hands worked his way down her back, unbuttoning her dress. It slid from her shoulders and
pooled at her feet.

"And just how do you intend to take care of me?" she asked with a mischievous grin. Aragorn laughed and swept her off her feet. He

carried her over to the bed and came down on top of her. As her husband made love to her Mariell forgot about all her worries.