okay, i'm sure that u r all anxious (yeah rite!) to find out who the voice belongs to... but bear with me for a while, cause i gotta answer y'all and put the disclaimer and stuff.
here it is, ill try to make it fast:
T.H.-- your stories totally deserve it!!!! i meant every word!!! and ta-da! heres the chapter you wanted! hope the wait wasn't too long! (ps. i read ur review for And the Road Holds No Answers, and i TOTALLY AND COMPLETLY agree with you about all the war stuff!!!! why cant world leaders think like us?) Amiella Rogue -- read on and find out!!! (and thank u for reviewing!) Tanzina -- read read! find out find out!!! Lain -- oh, u dont like my cliffhanger? *grins evily* oh come on, u pretty much no what happens! ne wayz, glad that i can keep even u guessing.. and i cannot WAIT until the next chapter of ur story is up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and yes, i do live in the USA. sorry that this took so long (and good luck with the exams!) Sabercrazy -- dont worry! the cliff will be gone in this chapter! Lady Elf -- thank you! i will! Tiff -- i am honored, i love getting new readers!! Lady of Legolas -- okay! Nariko -- ur too sweet! heres the next (and one of the last) chapters. Celtic Angel -- are you serious... no errors!! oh man, i am soooo happy! i am imfamous at my school for misspelling words and stuff. and i hate proofreading so i rarely check stuff after i've written it... this is soooo cool! i cant believe that i didnt mess up the words and stuff *does a happy dance* and im gald to have something unpredicted in my stories... ive begun to think that its gotten pretty predictable. and thank u 4 reviewing!Disclaimer: *announcer guy again* alright, they have entered the ring (ring! ha!, i just got that! the ring! ha ha ha!!) it's hollie vs. the famous J.R.R. Tolkien for the rights to Gondor, Rohan and Rivendell. lets watch, shall we....
hollie: come on Tolkien, what you got!?
J.R.R: *stands with hands on hips* can i go now?
hollie: *through gritted teeth* thats not the line.
J.R.R.: *dryly* alright, alright. *turns and reads cue cards* oh. no. its hollie. i had better give her the rights to Gondor and Rohan and, oh shoot!!!! did i just say...@?@??@ HOLLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hollie: muh ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!! i win, i win!!!!, well, almost. i have to get Rivendell, but I am satisfied for now!! who ever thaought that me, Me! could beat one of the most inspirational and sensational writers in history!!!
J.R.R: *bashfully* well, I'm not that good. Well, okay, I am, but.....
hollie: *sucking up* oh you ARE Mr. Tolkien sir. The best! No one could ever beat you (okay!!! i am telling the complete truth, just in a suck-upish kinda way)
anywayz... now JRR has handed over Gondor and Rohan (btw, any lawyers who disagree with me, ill send u to my friend Lani... she knows how to handle ya!)
okay, now that i am in a considerable betta mood, on to the story!
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"I do," the voice said again. Lian turned slowly to face the person who had spoken. Whispers began to flow through the room as quickly as a river. "I have a reason to stop this wedding."
"Well sir," the priest started slowly, "explain your reason."
Eower stood and faced the guests and his voice was loud and clear, and his face set and resolved. "I cannot marry Princess Lian," he paused, taking a deep breath, "because I am in love with another." A torrent of whispers broke through the crowd now and all looked at the prince in shock. Eower turned to Lian, and there was a deep profound emotion set in them that Lian could not identify, but it seemed to her that she beheld the prince of the Mark for the first time; no longer did he seem slow and dimwitted, but wise beyond years and kindly.
"Lian," he said softly, no longer speaking to the room but to her alone, "please forgive me, I mean not to hurt you. But if I were to speak not, then the pain would be greater than it tis now. I am sorry lady."
But to his surprise Lian smiled and said, "nay lord, you have done me no ill," then speaking low, she continued, "for my heart as well belongs to another. But pray tell who the lady be that has so earned your affection?"
And Eower smiled at her, and turning, walked to the farthest back rows of the hall, where the common folk of Gondor sat. And reaching out he pulled a young maid, thin and shaking, from her seat and led her to the front where Lian and the priest stood. Lian gasped in amazement when she saw the girl, for she was none other than the young woman whom she had met not two days past. Clutching Eower's hand tightly, Lian saw both love and fear reflected in her clear, blue eyes. When they reached the front, Eower turned to address the people once again.
"Lords and ladies, I present to you the one whom my heart belongs to. Ere three weeks ago we met, as I walked the lower circles of Gondor. I mean no disgrace to the royal family of Gondor, and my decision has naught to do with the Lady Lian. We two have come under agreement that it would not be proper for us to be wed. I am sorry that so much trouble has been given for a marriage that was not meant to be."
"If I might," Lian cut in, "it would be a shame to waste the splendor of this place and the work that hath gone towards it. I suggest continuing with the wedding... but with a different bride." Another murmur went through the people at the thought of the prince of Rohan marrying a commoner of Gondor.
"That is, of course, with the permission of your families," Lian continued, turning to Eower and the girl. Then, Eomer, King of the Mark, stepped forward to address his son.
"If this is, my son, what your heart desires, then I have no objection to it being granted," he looked around for the parents of the girl, but when he saw none rise he said, "tell me lady, where are your parents, why do they not come forth."
She closed her eyes and breathed deeply before answering.
"My lord, they cannot answer, for the dead do not converse oft with the living."
"Your parents have left the circles of this world?" she nodded and bowed her head. "Have you then no family left?"
"No my King, alone I have lived in the lowest circle of Gondor. But," she started hesitantly, in a voice barely above a whisper, "I desire loneliness no longer."
And then the King of the Mark smiled at her and proclaimed loudly to everyone, "Let it be known that the prince of Rohan has fallen in love with... beg pardon Lady, but what be your name?"
"I am called Laurë, because of the light colour of my hair and eyes."
"Laurë, yes, it suits you. Well, let it be known that prince Eower has fallen in love with Laurë of Gondor, and that they are to be wed as soon as possible, if that is, we have the permission of King Elessar and Queen Undomiel, who meant this wedding to be that of their daughter's."
Aragorn stood, as did Arwen and she spoke, "though we prepared this day of joy for our daughter, we have no quarrel over allowing two in love to have it in her stead."
"It seems to me that the bride might want change of clothes more suited to being wed in," Aragorn started, "perhaps..." He was cut off by Lian, who stepped forward and grabbed Laurë's arm.
"Leave that to me father," she said and she led Laurë out of the great hall and back to her chambers.
Combing through her closet, Lian finally found what she was looking for; a small white dress, plain, with simple lines, but elegant nonetheless. It was an older dress of Lian's, but one that she had never worn.
"Here," she said, handing it to Laurë, "this should fit you." Laurë took the dress and held it close as her eyes began to water.
"Thank you princess," she whispered as a single tear rolled slowly down her cheek, "you have no idea how much this means to me. I am sorry though, if I caused any problems to you."
"Laurë," Lian began, "it is because of you that this wedding was canceled. Maybe someone else would have said something, but because he fell in love with you, Eower spoke first."
"I know, and I am so sorry, I"
"You misunderstand me. I am now indebted to you, for I no longer have to marry a man I do not love. And for that I thank you."
"I, I do not understand Princess, you did not wish to marry the Lord Eower?"
"No. As Eower, my heart belongs forever to another, one that I cannot have, but yet, in him my heart will ever find its place."
Laurë chose not to ask who the possessor of Lian's heart was, and for that Lian was glad. She changed into the dress quickly, then Lian set to work on Laurë's hair. Brushing it until it shone, she then braided it back in a similar fashion to what she had worn the night of the banquet when the whole fiasco had begun. On top of her head, she placed a small crown of white flowers that had perched on her own head. Looking into the mirror, Laurë let out a small gasp as she saw her own reflection. No longer did she seem thin and frail, but regal and wise, and fair to look upon. Throwing her arms around Lian she wept on her shoulder.
"Thank you Princess, for you have given me so much, but I have naught to give in return."
"I told you before that I was indebted to you. Let us just say that the score between us is now settled." They both smiled at one another, each rejoicing in private thoughts.
"Come," Lian said, "We have a wedding to get to!"
Hand in hand they ran out of Lian's chambers and back down to the wedding hall. They paused before the great doors and embraced once more.
"I feel it unnecessary to wish you luck Laurë, for I deem that you shall have all the luck and happiness in the world once you walk through these doors." Laurë only smiled at her new friend, and together they pushed open the great doors and Laurë made her way slowly up the aisle. As the music started, Lian slipped through the guests and took a seat besides Faith.
"How are you doing?" Faith asked.
"Better than I have been in a long while," Lian replied truthfully, "though I doubt I will ever be truly happy again. Hugging her niece tightly, Faith tried to comfort her. "Don't think too sorely of that Lian. It may be that you just have to wait and see what the road holds."
"You are a close as ever, Aunt Faith, but as for me, I can see no answers on my road." She sighed and both turned their attention back to the wedding.
"Dearly beloved," the priest said for the second time, "we are gathered her together, still, to witness the marriage of these..." He continued on, repeating the same routine service that he had not an hour ago.
"And if anyone has a reason that these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace."
Suddenly the doors of the hall burst open and a strong voice called out "I do! I have reason that they should not be wed!"
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hmm..... this seems familiar!
alright, alright, I'm sure that EVERY1 knows where I'm going with this one, but oh well! I'm doing it anyways!!!
hope u all enjoyed, it took me, like, 4 hours to write! and it wasn't even long! eek, I write slow, I know. well, nothing i can do about that. btw, i am once again commanding every1 who reads this to read And the Road Holds No Answers, by Faithfulbyfear. Not only does it tell the fascinating story of Lian's aunt, Faith, but its REALLY good 2!!! dont ask questions.... just read! and also, I strongly recommend reading anything by T.H. ------ trust me, totally worth the time. so, to conclude, hope u like my story, read the stuff i already told u to, and, um... have a nice day (or night, whatever time it is where u r.)
byez!
hollie