A/N: I am sorry about my poor tittles, I just never know what to tittle
these chapters. Also Amelia Rose, thank you most of all for keeping up with
the story as this is turning out to be a long one. Hopefully a good
one..(even with my bad grammar and some words misspelled) ..I try to do my
best, but sometimes I can not even see the errors I make. I guess I really
need an editor. I love writing and enjoy making up all these stories, it is
so much fun. I am going to try and end this at either chapter 29 or 30. I
still have some loose ends to take care of in this story, so bear with
me....Please keep reviewing and letting me know what you think about all of
this, even criticism can help if it is done in a good manner. It does help
in knowing were I am making my mistakes in writing, but I do fear those
types of reviews would be lengthy. I try to make my stories at least 7
pages (according to micro-soft word) so all totaled so far, I have over
approximately 180 pages. The longest story I have ever written! But again
this is so much fun! Thanks again for the reviews. MC
Chapter 27
The Wedding (part II)
Looking into his sister's beautiful face, he could see her determination once again growing. Fredegar knew Merry would come, and that Aragorn would find him. She just had to keep on believing that. She was radiant standing before him in her wedding dress. All the things he had hoped for his sister were about to come true. Most of all he wanted her happy. Fredegar walked over to the table, taking the wedding bouquet and handing it back to Estella. Taking the flowers, she turned her back towards her brother while he placed the small golden crown that held the long veil upon the top of her head and straitened the veil about her.
Pippin backed up from the closed door, when the king's guards approached and knocked on the door.
"The king requests that you see him in the gardens with his guests. We are to escort you there."
Estella looked to her brother as panic began to beat in her heart. "The king must be angry, Freddy. What should I do?"
"Do not worry, Estella. I will be standing next to you. Come on. Let's see what he wants." Fredegar gave her his arm and escorted her to the gardens.
Pippin motioned to the other hobbits to join them. If the king were upset, then they all would answer to him. Estella felt comforted since she was encircled by all of her friends. Tom, Wilcome, Berilac, Nibs, Pippin and her dear brother Fredegar all joined her as they all walked to see the king.
Great bouquets of flowers lined the hallways stopping at the door that led to the gardens. The garden was full of elves and all eyes were upon them as the hobbits walked down the long isle to where King Thranduil awaited them. His face was stern and emotionless. Estella, avoiding the kings glaring eyes as he watched them approach, focused her attention on the many flowers that adorned the sides of the isles while the elves began to take their seats as they watched and whispered amongst themselves. Small beads of sweat began to form on Estella's brow and her hands shook as Fredegar held her hand tighter, giving her his strength. With a confident smile, he continued to proceed down the isle with her next to him.
The guests suddenly all turned their heads as a clatter began to get louder from behind them as a small group suddenly appeared. Aragorn was running while he put his arms through his robe and tied it around his waist. He rushed on, passing Estella and the small group of hobbits, who stood froze in their tracks. Approaching King Thranduil, Aragorn began whispering to him. Estella looked behind her, Legolas and Gimli entered. Shock registered on the faces of the prominent elves upon seeing a dwarf standing in their gardens. Legolas proudly stood next to him by the doors of the garden as more elves began to enter the gardens, filling all the seats and standing in the back.
The sudden rush of activities confused Estella: the servants began taking their places and the musicians started to play the bridal march. The guests all got to their feet. Estella, turning slightly and looking back to where Aragorn stood by the King Thranduil, inhaled sharply when she noticed that a hobbit stood in front of Aragorn-a very familiar hobbit. Her heart skipped a beat, and she paused.
"Merry?" she breathed, barely loud enough for her ears to hear. Pippin gently laid a hand on her shoulder and she looked up. He gave her a confident wink and motioned to her. Fredegar once again offered his arm.
"Are you ready, dear sister?" She smiled and graciously accepted his arm, and he led her slowly down the isle to where her future husband stood.
When Estella had approached Merry, the King Thranduil elegantly announced, "Who gives this hobbit to wed?"
Fredegar replied, "I do, Your Majesty." He placed Estella's hand into Merry's. Not taking his eyes from Estella, Merry bent slightly and kissed the top of her hand.
Aragorn and Thranduil stood before him, the latter stepping back so that the king of Gondor could start in his most eloquent speech: "Thee that wed stand before me and kneel." Merry and Estella approached the King of Gondor and knelt before him.
Aragorn took a goblet elaborately designed of precious stone and gold, raising it high above his head, then blessed the wine that was poured in it.
Approaching Merry, Aragorn said, "Drink, for your spirits shall be one with each other and your union blessed."
He handed Merry the goblet. Aragorn smiled looking down at Merry while he sipped the precious wine. Merry handed it to Estella. Raising her veil slightly, she too took a sip. Taking the goblet, Aragorn placed it on the altar.
"Those who witness here today, I, King of Gondor, do bless this union of these hobbits to honor and cherish one another for as long as they both shall live. I give these rings as symbols of their union to each other so all may know of their vows and of the love they share." He directed them to stand before him.
"Merry, you take Estella as your wife to honor, love and protect as long as you shall live?"
"I do." Merry said as he took the ring that Aragorn has blessed and placed it on Estella's finger, "I take you as my wife to give you my love, my heart and my life to share with you forever.
"Estella, you take Merry as your husband to honor, love and obey as long as you shall live?"
"I do." Estella said as she took the ring that Aragorn blessed and tried to place it on Merry's finger, but her hands shook so badly. Merry placed his hand over hers to steady her and helped place the ring on his finger. "I take you as my husband, to honor you, to love you and share my life with you forever."
"You may kiss your bride." Aragorn smiled as he watched Merry lift the veil from her face and kissed her deeply.
Estalla noticed immediately that Merry smelled more of river water than bath water. She looked at his hands and at the mud packed deep in his nails. In his hair were green bits of moss and mud around his ears.
She laughed wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. She did not care that her dress now had bits of mud stains, she loved him so much.
"I can not see a darn thing!" Gimli grumbled.
"I told you to stand on that bench behind you," Legolas laughed at the shortness of his friend.
Pippin wrapped both his arms around Merry and Estella as he congratulated them, while Fredegar wiped the tears from his face and waited to hug his sister.
"Now for my favorite part, let's break out the ale!" Pippin gleefully said looking for the closest keg to tap.
~*~
King Thranduil walked out from the gardens and saw Gimli's traveling bag sitting by itself in the corridor just before the entrance to the garden. He watched Gimli and Legolas waiting to see the bride and groom.
It was a perfect time to put his plan in motion.
Running to his chambers, he entered the door. Looking behind to make sure no one saw him, he pushed the bookcase to open a hidden passageway. There, on a golden alter, the Hearth Stone sat. A diamond so large, no one has ever seen the likes of it before. Cut to perfection by the elves after it was taken in a battle with the dwarves less than a hundred years ago. It was a valued item that many have given their lives for. It was rumored that this stone was evil, placed by the hands of Sauron to tempt greed and hatred among all whom tried to possess it. Gloin fought the hardest to retrieve this precious stone and vowed to battle the elves until his death to place it into the hands of those whom worked the mines and found it, the rightful owners of the Hearth Stone.
Lifting the Hearth Stone, King Thranduil cut his palm open on the sharp edges and his blood dripped upon the stone. He tucked it under his cloak and closed the hidden passage. Looking into the corridor, he saw no one about. He carefully approached Gimli's traveling bag, opening it, and he placed the Hearth Stone into his bag. Taking a scarf from his pocket, he grasped the scarf tightly to stop the bleeding and conceal his wound.
King Thranduil, seeing his guards in the gardens, called them over to him. "I want this area fully guarded, and that dwarf watched carefully. He is not to move from these premises. Do you understand?"
Joining his guests and kissing the bride, King Thranduil ordered the tables to be opened and the wine to be poured.
The line of servants walked through the garden doors carrying trays of their very best foods and delicacies. The foods were arranged in beautiful array of colors and designs. The guests were in awe, when the three servants carried in a heavy enormous tray with a whole roasted pig, decoratively presented of course. Bottles of wine were opened as the corks popped one after another.
But Pippin, still looked around for the keg of ale. "It is just not a hobbit wedding without a drink of ale to toast the bride and groom. Come now, surely you have one in your cellars?" he asked from one of the servants.
The servant nodded and ran to get the keg. Pippin danced with glee.
King Thranduil lifted his glass to toast the newly wed couple first, saying, "I am honored to present to the bride and groom our best wishes for a long and happy life together." They all raised their glasses to drink.
The musicians began to play a slow enchanting song as Merry led his wife to the dance floor while the other all stood around to watch them.
"Merry, what happened, why were you so late?" Estella whispered into his ear.
"I am so sorry, Estella. After that storm last night, I went to check on the horses. My little colt was ill and I found the stallion stuck deep in the mud. I tried to get him out, but I too became stuck. Gimli and Legolas found me. The stallion and colt are now in the stables here at Mirkwood."
"Oh, at last. I am so happy for you, Merry. But does this mean----"Estella paused.
"Yes, we go home tomorrow." Merry told her.
Almost shouting with delight, she wrapped her arms around her husband as they both danced with each other.
Chapter 27
The Wedding (part II)
Looking into his sister's beautiful face, he could see her determination once again growing. Fredegar knew Merry would come, and that Aragorn would find him. She just had to keep on believing that. She was radiant standing before him in her wedding dress. All the things he had hoped for his sister were about to come true. Most of all he wanted her happy. Fredegar walked over to the table, taking the wedding bouquet and handing it back to Estella. Taking the flowers, she turned her back towards her brother while he placed the small golden crown that held the long veil upon the top of her head and straitened the veil about her.
Pippin backed up from the closed door, when the king's guards approached and knocked on the door.
"The king requests that you see him in the gardens with his guests. We are to escort you there."
Estella looked to her brother as panic began to beat in her heart. "The king must be angry, Freddy. What should I do?"
"Do not worry, Estella. I will be standing next to you. Come on. Let's see what he wants." Fredegar gave her his arm and escorted her to the gardens.
Pippin motioned to the other hobbits to join them. If the king were upset, then they all would answer to him. Estella felt comforted since she was encircled by all of her friends. Tom, Wilcome, Berilac, Nibs, Pippin and her dear brother Fredegar all joined her as they all walked to see the king.
Great bouquets of flowers lined the hallways stopping at the door that led to the gardens. The garden was full of elves and all eyes were upon them as the hobbits walked down the long isle to where King Thranduil awaited them. His face was stern and emotionless. Estella, avoiding the kings glaring eyes as he watched them approach, focused her attention on the many flowers that adorned the sides of the isles while the elves began to take their seats as they watched and whispered amongst themselves. Small beads of sweat began to form on Estella's brow and her hands shook as Fredegar held her hand tighter, giving her his strength. With a confident smile, he continued to proceed down the isle with her next to him.
The guests suddenly all turned their heads as a clatter began to get louder from behind them as a small group suddenly appeared. Aragorn was running while he put his arms through his robe and tied it around his waist. He rushed on, passing Estella and the small group of hobbits, who stood froze in their tracks. Approaching King Thranduil, Aragorn began whispering to him. Estella looked behind her, Legolas and Gimli entered. Shock registered on the faces of the prominent elves upon seeing a dwarf standing in their gardens. Legolas proudly stood next to him by the doors of the garden as more elves began to enter the gardens, filling all the seats and standing in the back.
The sudden rush of activities confused Estella: the servants began taking their places and the musicians started to play the bridal march. The guests all got to their feet. Estella, turning slightly and looking back to where Aragorn stood by the King Thranduil, inhaled sharply when she noticed that a hobbit stood in front of Aragorn-a very familiar hobbit. Her heart skipped a beat, and she paused.
"Merry?" she breathed, barely loud enough for her ears to hear. Pippin gently laid a hand on her shoulder and she looked up. He gave her a confident wink and motioned to her. Fredegar once again offered his arm.
"Are you ready, dear sister?" She smiled and graciously accepted his arm, and he led her slowly down the isle to where her future husband stood.
When Estella had approached Merry, the King Thranduil elegantly announced, "Who gives this hobbit to wed?"
Fredegar replied, "I do, Your Majesty." He placed Estella's hand into Merry's. Not taking his eyes from Estella, Merry bent slightly and kissed the top of her hand.
Aragorn and Thranduil stood before him, the latter stepping back so that the king of Gondor could start in his most eloquent speech: "Thee that wed stand before me and kneel." Merry and Estella approached the King of Gondor and knelt before him.
Aragorn took a goblet elaborately designed of precious stone and gold, raising it high above his head, then blessed the wine that was poured in it.
Approaching Merry, Aragorn said, "Drink, for your spirits shall be one with each other and your union blessed."
He handed Merry the goblet. Aragorn smiled looking down at Merry while he sipped the precious wine. Merry handed it to Estella. Raising her veil slightly, she too took a sip. Taking the goblet, Aragorn placed it on the altar.
"Those who witness here today, I, King of Gondor, do bless this union of these hobbits to honor and cherish one another for as long as they both shall live. I give these rings as symbols of their union to each other so all may know of their vows and of the love they share." He directed them to stand before him.
"Merry, you take Estella as your wife to honor, love and protect as long as you shall live?"
"I do." Merry said as he took the ring that Aragorn has blessed and placed it on Estella's finger, "I take you as my wife to give you my love, my heart and my life to share with you forever.
"Estella, you take Merry as your husband to honor, love and obey as long as you shall live?"
"I do." Estella said as she took the ring that Aragorn blessed and tried to place it on Merry's finger, but her hands shook so badly. Merry placed his hand over hers to steady her and helped place the ring on his finger. "I take you as my husband, to honor you, to love you and share my life with you forever."
"You may kiss your bride." Aragorn smiled as he watched Merry lift the veil from her face and kissed her deeply.
Estalla noticed immediately that Merry smelled more of river water than bath water. She looked at his hands and at the mud packed deep in his nails. In his hair were green bits of moss and mud around his ears.
She laughed wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. She did not care that her dress now had bits of mud stains, she loved him so much.
"I can not see a darn thing!" Gimli grumbled.
"I told you to stand on that bench behind you," Legolas laughed at the shortness of his friend.
Pippin wrapped both his arms around Merry and Estella as he congratulated them, while Fredegar wiped the tears from his face and waited to hug his sister.
"Now for my favorite part, let's break out the ale!" Pippin gleefully said looking for the closest keg to tap.
~*~
King Thranduil walked out from the gardens and saw Gimli's traveling bag sitting by itself in the corridor just before the entrance to the garden. He watched Gimli and Legolas waiting to see the bride and groom.
It was a perfect time to put his plan in motion.
Running to his chambers, he entered the door. Looking behind to make sure no one saw him, he pushed the bookcase to open a hidden passageway. There, on a golden alter, the Hearth Stone sat. A diamond so large, no one has ever seen the likes of it before. Cut to perfection by the elves after it was taken in a battle with the dwarves less than a hundred years ago. It was a valued item that many have given their lives for. It was rumored that this stone was evil, placed by the hands of Sauron to tempt greed and hatred among all whom tried to possess it. Gloin fought the hardest to retrieve this precious stone and vowed to battle the elves until his death to place it into the hands of those whom worked the mines and found it, the rightful owners of the Hearth Stone.
Lifting the Hearth Stone, King Thranduil cut his palm open on the sharp edges and his blood dripped upon the stone. He tucked it under his cloak and closed the hidden passage. Looking into the corridor, he saw no one about. He carefully approached Gimli's traveling bag, opening it, and he placed the Hearth Stone into his bag. Taking a scarf from his pocket, he grasped the scarf tightly to stop the bleeding and conceal his wound.
King Thranduil, seeing his guards in the gardens, called them over to him. "I want this area fully guarded, and that dwarf watched carefully. He is not to move from these premises. Do you understand?"
Joining his guests and kissing the bride, King Thranduil ordered the tables to be opened and the wine to be poured.
The line of servants walked through the garden doors carrying trays of their very best foods and delicacies. The foods were arranged in beautiful array of colors and designs. The guests were in awe, when the three servants carried in a heavy enormous tray with a whole roasted pig, decoratively presented of course. Bottles of wine were opened as the corks popped one after another.
But Pippin, still looked around for the keg of ale. "It is just not a hobbit wedding without a drink of ale to toast the bride and groom. Come now, surely you have one in your cellars?" he asked from one of the servants.
The servant nodded and ran to get the keg. Pippin danced with glee.
King Thranduil lifted his glass to toast the newly wed couple first, saying, "I am honored to present to the bride and groom our best wishes for a long and happy life together." They all raised their glasses to drink.
The musicians began to play a slow enchanting song as Merry led his wife to the dance floor while the other all stood around to watch them.
"Merry, what happened, why were you so late?" Estella whispered into his ear.
"I am so sorry, Estella. After that storm last night, I went to check on the horses. My little colt was ill and I found the stallion stuck deep in the mud. I tried to get him out, but I too became stuck. Gimli and Legolas found me. The stallion and colt are now in the stables here at Mirkwood."
"Oh, at last. I am so happy for you, Merry. But does this mean----"Estella paused.
"Yes, we go home tomorrow." Merry told her.
Almost shouting with delight, she wrapped her arms around her husband as they both danced with each other.
