Chapter 3

The reception following the wedding was no small affair. In a uniquely elven tradition, the event was held in the spacious outside courtyard, where the people of the city could see, and hear the toasts made to the King and his house. And, of course, so the King could wander among his people in sight of the guards assigned to protect him. So soon after the destruction of Sauron, the new King's desire to walk among the common people, caused just a bit more than a little distress. Tracking the King, and former Ranger, was difficult to do when he didn't want to be found, and made even worse when he disappeared into a sea of well-wishers.

Faramir, conveniently forgetting his earlier taunts of the day, approached the couple, as they stood in the circle of one another arms, enjoying a brief moment where no one demanded their attention. The Steward smiled, his arms wrapped lovingly around his own bethrothed's waist. "Beautiful!" The Prince of Ithilian exclaimed. "The ceremony couldn't have been more beautiful."

Eowyn agreed, as the royal couple extricated themselves from one another's arms, " I don't think there was a dry eye in the hall." She smiled at Aragorn, realizing with a tiny pang that regardless of how much she'd thought she loved him, there would never have been a chance at all that he would return that love. His heart was completely and irrevocably bound to that of his wife - as it should be. Eowyn felt foolish for ever thinking otherwise.

"Thank you," Aragorn smiled, pulling Arwen tighter against his side, hand dipping to flatten against her hip. Arwen settled her arm at his waist and cast a sly smile in his direction.  Aragorn's eyes danced with mischief as he addressed his friend, "I look forward to your wedding. I sense it will also be one to remember."

Faramir stiffened as Eowyn smiled widely, about to thank the King for his kind words. Rare was it for a King to consider the wedding of a lesser noble to be equal to his own. Her upbringing as a daughter of nobility in Rohan had not prepared her for the kindness of the Ranger turned King. He would be counted among the greatest and noblest of men, of that she was certain.  Casting a sideways confused glance at her betrothed, her mouth snapped shut when she noticed the wild panic light Faramir's eyes.

Arwen shot a quick glance at her husband, eyes narrowing at some obvious private joke to which the women had not been privy. At her questioning look, Aragorn's hand tightened around her hip. "Faramir thought it amusing to mock my unease before the ceremony. I kindly informed him that it would be his turn shortly and should he like a moments peace until then, it would be wise for him to cease his torment."

Eowyn's jaw fell and she stared at her betrothed. "You teased the King about the ceremony. On his wedding day?"

Arwen gazed in disbelief at her husband. "You were nervous? You're never nervous."

Faramir, about to defend his actions to his betrothed, instead answered Arwen's question. If he had already cursed his own wedding, he might as well enjoy telling the tale of the near disaster of his King's. "Oh yes, he couldn't stop pacing! Wasn't even dressed when the bells chimed!"

An elven eyebrow slowly raised in the direction of her husband and Aragorn pursed his lips. The veiled threat that hissed between clenched teeth, drew an amused chuckle from his wife's lips. "If you cause a fight on my wedding day, I will see to it that you-"

Arwen pressed a silencing finger to Aragorn's lips and drew herself against him. A warning to cease his comments, lit her eyes and she sai, "I would guess your nervousness was shared by half your kingdom, Estel." A bell sounded deep within the Citadel and the guests began to move to their pre-selected seats.  Casting a look over her husband's shoulder at large trays being carried in on the shoulders of some very strong servants, Arwen smiled. "Dinner is served."

Aragorn glanced once more at Faramir before leading his wife to their seats at the head of the King's table, "Two weeks."

The mirth in his gaze was not lost on Arwen and she tipped her head in amusement. "I can see that you already have plans in place to repay Faramir for his un-welcome taunting."

Aragorn grinned evilly at Faramir as he led Eowyn to her seat at the same table and took his place at his King's side. "Oh yes, I have a great many plans for Faramir that will make him ever regret finding my discomfort today amusing."

Beside him, Faramir swallowed nervously and contemplated excusing himself from the meal so that he could be sick.

Frodo stared up at Faramir, confusion scrunching his cherubic face. "What's wrong?"

Faramir glanced down at the hobbit, "Oh, nothing." Faramir took a deep breath. "Nervous, I guess."

"Do you have to give a speech?" Sam asked innocently, gazing out over the anxious crowd now seated at their assigned tables. "I'd be nervous too. I hate standing in front of large groups of people. I'm far too shy."

Faramir assured the hobbits, "I'm used to addressing such crowds."

Merry and Pippin were busily following every piece of meet and food that was sat in front of them on the table. When Pippin would reach for a small morsel, Merry would slab away his hand. "Not until the toasts are made and the King and Queen begin to eat!" He whispered urgently. "We must wait for them!"

Pippin frowned as Merry whispered frantically. "We are knights of Gondor and Rohan. We cannot dishonor our rank."

Gimli and Legolas exchanged an amused look and then turned their attention to Faramir, who'd just stood, a large goblet of ale secured firmly in his hand.

A hush descended over the crowd as one by one each table noticed the standing Steward at their head. They glanced up expectantly, may with already raised mugs.  Even the people, watching from outside the courtyard, stopped their excited chattering and fell silent.

"I never thought I would have the honor of addressing the kingdom of Gondor in such a manner." Faramir began, turning his attention from the King and his bride to the gathered crowd. "I felt myself fortunate to witness the crowning of a King after the throne had been so long absent, but, not only do we have our long-awaited King, we now have a Queen to sit beside him."

Faramir smiled kindly down at the couple, whose hands rested within one another's as the Steward spoke, "It is my great honor to be the first to raise my glass in toast to the High King of the Reunified Kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor and his new Queen."

Those glasses that had not already been raised, were lifted into the air to honor the King and Faramir continued. "May the glory of the Edain be restored in you," he nodded reverently to Elrond and Galadriel, who watched the proceedings with a curious eye, "and the blessings of the Eldar, guide your steps and keep you forever young."

Faramir tipped his glass to the couple and announced, "To King Elessar and Queen Arwen."

Elrond nodded respectfully to the Steward, recognizing the kindness in the young man's words. He lifted his own elven glass beside those of his own House as the crowd erupted into a resounding repeat of Faramir's last words.

"To King Elessar and Queen Arwen!"

His words were repeated across the gathered crowd and when Faramir set his mug onto the table, he continued to stand, staring expectantly at his King with a raised eyebrow.

Aragorn chuckled and turned to his wife, her hands still encased in his own.

Elrond could see him mouth some words to his daughter, and his heart was warmed by Aragorn's complete dedication to Arwen. He could see her smile lovingly at her husband and lean her head into the hand that slid over her cheek to cup her chin. When she closed her eyes and opened her lips to receive her husband's kiss, Elrond smiled. 

Galadriel slid her hand over to Elrond's and squeezed gently, giving him a reassuring smile.

Arwen watched her husband closely as he trailed his fingers down over her cheek. When he leaned in to press his lips to hers, the crowd erupted into a roar of approval, standing and clasping their hands together in excitement.

Sorry so short.   Coming next: Faramir's wedding….