Valith fidgeted quietly beside his mother and father, waiting for his cousins to bring the girl. Andros, dressed nicely in fresh clothes, stood with Haldir on the other side of his mother. A simple ceremony would seal their vows here today, and having never met her before, yet assured by all she was an excellent choice he was very anxious to meet her.
Lidith, Anari and Milith appeared, with a short, slim young woman between them. She kept her eyes averted, mostly on the tile floor under her feet. Her hair was pinned and braided up, and the pale green gown embroidered with white, fitted closely over her trim waist and small high breasts. Her slight hands were held by Lidith and Anari, as if she must be restrained lest she bolt. He could see that her hair was reddish blonde, darker than most of his people.
His mother had already cautioned him that she was only his wife to bear him rightful heirs, that would be half-elven and given the opportunity to choose to be elven. Of course they would, because they would be raised elven, and would live longer than their mother. They stopped before them, and Lidith and Milith stepped aside, to stand witness to the match.
Mary was frightened, but the one with the black eyes, her kidnapper, was there, so she dared not fight or flee. One of them stood in front of her, and young man by his hands, and seemed to be very upset or something. She glanced up shyly at his face, catching a glimpse of gray eyes before looking again at the ornate tiled floor.
"Who speaks for this woman's virtue?" Galadriel asked, beginning the ceremony for her youngest son and the bride. This would be the place for the father or eldest brother of the girl to vouch for it, and so Andros did instead. "I do." He said and stepped forward. Valith might dislike him for being a common smith, but his word was as good as any.
"Valith, give her the token of your promise, and take her hands." Was the next instruction. With shaking hands, he slipped a finely made chain set with a clear mountain stone about her neck, reaching past her downcast face. When he took her hands, she looked into his eyes, longer this time, and he could see that they were blue tinged with green before she turned away. Her small hands were warm within his, and he began to lose his chill holding them. "In acceptance of the token of promise lady, say the words of assent." His mother said.
"Amin naa lle nai." Valith whispered to her, catching her eyes and giving a lift of his brows that she was to repeat it.
"Amin naa lle nai." She said uncertainly, not pronouncing the words well.
"Kneel for your blessings." Galadriel continued, her lips tightened over her son's choice of words. They knelt, Valith first, leading by example. The girl followed.
Galadriel and Celeborn blessed them both, and bade them rise together. After that it was done. Valith led her gently away, taking her for a walk in the garden before the evening feast.
She looked at him every time he did not look directly at her as they walked. He hummed a song to himself, still holding one of her hands in his. Mary sighed. 'Have I gone crazy? Am I dreaming?" She wondered to herself.
After a short walk, he took her back up the path to the meeting hall, where a feast was laid out. Orophin greeted him with a nod, on his way out as they were in, and left the door open.
As they went through the door, their clasped hands brushed her waist, and Valith got butterflies. Mary raised an eyebrow at his discomfort and chanced a slight smile, which pleased those who saw them enter.
Sitting on a low bench at the table between the one who'd held her hand all afternoon and the important looking couple, his parents, she guessed, Mary picked at the food. Light vegetables, meat and fruits adorned the plate, and a glass of simple wine graced the carved table in front of her, but none of it made her hungry. "Malia ten' yulna?" The one beside her asked quietly, offering her the cup beside her plate. She shook her head no, but he didn't seem to understand and so she just took it from him, setting it back on the table.
Her met her eyes. She sighed. He seemed so worked up and forlorn. She patted his hand gently, and he smiled. She gave him a small one in return.