It was nearly lunchtime when Merry woke up. It took him a few minutes to wake up sufficiently to remember what he was doing in Sam and Pippin's room, in Sam's bed.
Then he remembered. This time tomorrow Merry would be a married hobbit – he was marrying Frodo this afternoon. Sam and Pippin had been very insistent that he and Frodo weren't allowed to sleep in the same room last night, so he had taken Sam's bed, while Sam had taken Merry's in his and Frodo's room.
Merry could hear loud voices in the large field by Bag End, where Sam and Pippin were dealing with the final preparations. They weren't able to have a "traditional church" wedding, considering it wasn't really a traditional wedding, but instead they were getting married outside, with all their friends around them.
One of Merry's cousins, Dridoc Brandybuck, was a priest, and had agreed to conduct the ceremony, even if it wasn't completely orthodox. He had arrived last night, and was probably outside at this precise moment with everyone else.
Over the past fortnight, all of Merry and Frodo's friends had turned up, from all over the Shire, and from slightly further away as well…
Aragorn and Arwen had left Bag End a fortnight after Merry and Frodo had announced their engagement. They had reappeared two days ago, along with Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Bilbo and Elrond.
Bilbo, Gimli and Gandalf had stayed at Bag End (Bilbo and Gimli were small enough to fit in the bedrooms, and Bag End had always had one human sized room), while the others were staying at the Green Dragon inn just down the road, which catered for all races.
This party was, according to Pippin, "going to be even bigger than Mr. Bilbo's eleventy-first party". It was being held in the same field, and Sam and Pippin had definitely at least equalled the number of guests.
***
Merry found everyone, as he had suspected, out in the field. Frodo was standing between Sam and Pippin, listening with interest to everything that was going on around him.
Sam was rambling on to him about what was going on, as Frodo could obviously not see for himself.
Merry went up to the three other hobbits, and tapped Frodo lightly on the back. 'AH!' Frodo shouted in surprise. 'Don't do that to me, Merry.'
Merry laughed. Frodo could tell who everyone was by the slightest touch, which still freaked Pippin out. Merry and Sam had got used to it.
Merry now wrapped his arms around Frodo's waist, pulling him closer and into a kiss. 'Later!' Frodo laughed, kissing Merry all the same.
Someone thumping him on the back pulled Merry out of the romantic moment. ''Ello Merry!' A cheery voice said.
'Hello Dri!' Merry replied, breaking away from Frodo to hug his cousin. Dridoc Brandybuck was the most un-priest like person you could get - he was always hyperactive and cheerful, acting more like some of the Hobbiton tweenagers than a respected member of society.
At present, Dridoc was dressed like all the other hobbits there, without his vestments and other religious clothing.
Dridoc swung one arm around Merry's shoulders, and the other around Frodo's. 'And how are we feeling this fine afternoon.'
'Okay.'
'Only okay?'
'Well… a bit nervous.'
'Everyone is, Merry, everyone is.' Dridoc replied, leading Merry and Frodo back into the house to prepare them for later.
'Mad!' Sam laughed, turning his attention back to the preparations.
***
'Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Frodo and Meriadoc.' Dridoc began, addressing everyone who had gathered in the large marquee. 'Do you, Meriadoc Brandybuck, take thee Frodo Baggins to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to keep, in sickness and in health, for riches and poorness, as long as you both shall live, until death do you part?'
'I do.'
'And do you, Frodo Baggins, take thee Meriadoc Brandybuck to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to keep, in sickness and in health, for riches and poorness, as long as you both shall live, until death do you part?'
'I do.'
Dridoc asked for the rings, which Sam brought forward. Frodo and Merry exchanged their vows, before each taking a ring and placing it on the other's finger.
'I now pronounce you… married. You make kiss.' Dridoc said, and Merry took Frodo into his arms for a passionate kiss.
***
It was late evening. Following the wedding their had been an enormous party, and several large banquets, with lots of alcohol. The party was now reaching a climax as Gandalf started off the magnificent firework display he had planned.
Frodo stood close to Merry, his head on Merry's shoulder as Merry held him close. Frodo had always used to love fireworks… until he was blinded. Now they scared him slightly, as he couldn't see anything, and could only hear the loud bangs. They brought back memories of Moria and Mordor, and all the evil noises he had heard there.
Merry sensed Frodo's unease, the way he tightened up in Merry's arms every time a firework went off. 'Come on, Fro. Let's go and find somewhere a bit quieter, yeah?'
Frodo nodded, and he and Merry walked away from the fireworks. At that moment there was a huge gasp from the crowd as several red fireworks zoomed into the sky, forming the words:
Frodo and Merry
…With a little heart underneath. Merry told Frodo what had happened, and they smiled.
The sounds of the fireworks died down as they moved further away. They eventually stopped under a tree, and sat down together. Frodo let Merry pull him onto his lap, and he rested his head on Merry's chest.
'I love you, Frodo.' Merry said.
'I love you, Merry. Thank you for standing by me, helping me. I don't need to be able to see you to love you. Love comes from the heart, not from the eyes…'
The two hobbits stayed there for some time, finally falling asleep in each other's arms. Frodo was right, him being blind was never going to affect their relationship, it was what was inside that counted.
~I never thought I could be feeling this way
Standing here in front of you this perfect day
It's hard to imagine where tomorrow will lead
I'll keep this moment in my heart for eternity
Even through the rain I kept my faith
The will to follow through
And I never lost the strength within
And it's all because of you
I'm flying high like the wind
Reaching the impossible, I'll never doubt again
I'm flying high 'cause your love's made me see
That anything is possible
Possible 'cause you believe in me
In a world full of strangers, you were my saving grace
You told me I was not alone
Alone in this place, no
I never believed it that a dream can come true but
If anyone has changed my mind then baby it's you
Even through the rain I kept my faith
The will to follow through
And I'll never lose my way again
And it's all because of you
I'm flying high like the wind, reaching the impossible
I'll never doubt again, I'm flying high
'Cause your love's made me see
That anything is possible
Possible 'cause you believe in me
It's possible to spread my wings
And reach into the sky
Believe that I can fly away
When you're by my side
I'm flying high
Reaching the impossible, I'll never doubt again
I'm flying high 'cause your love's made me see
That anything is possible
Possible when you believe in
Anything is possible
Possible when you believe in me
When you believe in me~
~finis~
