As you can see, I used artistic license on the wedding ceremony here. I can't find anything on weddings in LOTR, it merely says "and Aragorn the King Elessar wedded Arwen Undómiel in the City of the Kings upon the day of Midsummer"… [ROTK, Bk Six, Chap. V, The Steward and the King]. I may have missed something; but anyway here it is. In this story, however, weddings differ from culture to culture, race to race, place to place, and family to family. I also slightly brought the date forward for purposes of the story.
Thanks for all the reviews. Yeah that is a foreshadow, and yes I can also say you will like Legolas more when you find out how he reacts to the news! He is so nice/gorgeous/sexy… (list goes on!) :)
Hope you enjoy it and please review. I have had no time to re-read this except for a quick skim so sorry for any glaring errors.
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In the Wedding Hall'I'm nervous, Mithmír,' Faramir whispered tensely. He had led Mithmír away from the main group of people to talk to her in private before Éowyn was led in by Éomer. He gripped her hand tightly, desperate for reassurance.
She smiled kindly. 'I am nervous to be joined to Legolas, Faramir, but nevertheless I want it more than anything,' she said calmingly. 'Éowyn loves you, and the Valar only know how much you love her. Remember what you told me before, Faramir: this is the beginning of the best part of your life. You and her will have only happiness.' Remembering Legolas' previous words to her, she continued, hoping it would have a different effect on her brother than it had had on her, 'imagine the family you will have together; and how happy you will be in Ithilien! And remember how I told you that Legolas may chose to live in Ithilien also? Well he has said yes, Faramir! We need not ever be parted by the many lonely leagues between North and South.'
He embraced her closely, whispering into her ear over and over, 'my sister, my sister, my beloved sister…' finally he let her go, but still his strong hand held hers to his chest. 'You have quieted my fears yet again, as you always do. Thank you again, Mithmír my sister, thank you for everything.' His eyes spoke a thousand words and emotions, and the elf thought for a second she caught a fleeting glimpse within of a tall, dark-haired man, like Faramir and yet more proud. She recognized it as Boromir, who had been lost. She smiled as brightly as she could, silently promising, I cannot replace Boromir in your heart, Faramir, but I shall be as good a sister as I can.
'I cannot wait for your marriage, Mithmír Rochiwen!' said Faramir joyfully. 'That shall be an equally joyous day!'
'Of course, Faramir,' said Mithmír with a smile, 'but see – King Aragorn is beckoning for you. That means Éomer must be outside with Éowyn. Go!' She pushed him forward. 'Enjoy this day, for it comes but once in your life!'
He looked back to her once more with a loving, brave smile, his characteristic lock of brown hair cheekily flopping over one eye. He raised a hand in a half-salute, half-wave, and then turned on his heel and walked away to the back of the Hall. Mithmír followed him, feeling unreasonably nervous, and stood behind him on his right side. She felt ridiculously out-of-place among the elegantly dressed, gown-clad noble-maidens of Minas Tirith. She scowled a little in annoyance. Faramir must have been looking, for he snorted a little as if in disgust. 'You're much nicer than that lot of preening swans, and prettier too,' he said with a grin, not bothering to lower his voice. Several women gasped and looked affronted. Mithmír giggled despite herself. 'I'd rather have a shield-maiden than a lady any day,' finished Faramir, winking mischievously.
'You will have one, too,' said Mithmír, 'and I wish you all the luck and happiness with her, my brother. She is a lucky woman.'
Faramir nodded gratefully. 'Thanks, Mithmír. You don't know how much your blessings and good will mean to me. If you didn't like Éowyn so much –' for indeed, Mithmír and Éowyn, though they had rarely met, got along exceedingly well and easily – 'I don't know what I would have done.'
'Followed your heart and married her anyway of course, you silly man,' chided Mithmír playfully.
He was about to reply when the herald's trumpets blew energetically, and the Hall doors swung open majestically, slowly. Aragorn took his place at the head of the Hall, and the guests took their seats. Many of the woman, doubtless, had fancied themselves as competitors to win Faramir's hand; and now, being snubbed, crinkled their noses in annoyance while trying to keep their well-mannered smiles. The law of this occasion said Faramir could not turn to see his future bride till she was beside him, but there was nothing to say that Mithmír couldn't. Standing tall and regal, she twisted her head back.
Éomer came walking slowly towards them, dressed in his shining armor, his smile wide and his steps in time with the music of flutes and harps. Close to his side was Éowyn, clasping her brother's hand as if he were too dear for her to lose; but nevertheless she stood as tall and bold as the fabled queen-women of her ancestry. On her face was a joyous smile; and in her eyes boundless bliss. Her golden hair was loose about her shoulders, and it glittered in the sunlight that poured through the windows and open door. Her dress was wondrous indeed: as bold and outstanding as she was; and coloured as the deepest, most lustrous red. It billowed out behind her on the breeze, making it appear that she was floating, motionless in grace, on some heavenly wind. At her waist was a golden girdle of elanor flowers intricately twined together; and in her hair was a circlet of the same colour. The neck of the dress was not too low or high; suitably modest and yet flattering to her smooth, young body; which though firm and toned after years of sword-play was incredibly curvaceous and feminine. Round her neck was hung a delicate golden chain, on which was a pendant of a red jewel; one of the heirlooms of the Rohirrim. Behind the brother and sister walked a courtier, also in full armor, holding high the flag of Rohan, high and proud in the breeze.
Mithmír was amazed. She had no idea that Éowyn, who she had always known was pleasant in looks, could be stunning. She could not wait to see how Faramir would react to seeing his love so dressed. She smiled at Éowyn in support, and mouthed 'good luck!'
Éowyn grinned nervously back. Mithmír found herself wondering what she would look like with makeup – and more importantly if Legolas would like it…
Legolas, from where he sat, struggled to keep his mind on the wedding of his future brother-in-law and not drift into a daydream of what Mithmír would look like on their wedding day. He caught his friend Aragorn's eye and they shared a smile. Legolas didn't doubt for a second that Aragorn knew what he was thinking.
Faramir thought his heart would burst with suspense. He could hear the steps of the approaching party; and the gasps of the crowd. He bit his lip nervously, and waited. He was well rewarded when Éomer, having let go of Éowyn's hand, stepped up before him, and bowed regally. Mithmír noticed there was a smile on Éomer's face, but a sadness too at losing his sister. It was said the pair were very close; and Éomer had often come to blows with other men – including Wormtongue - to protect his younger sister; and though she would say that she needed no protection, she was still grateful.
When both men had bowed ceremoniously, Éomer said loudly and clearly, 'Lord Faramir, Steward of Gondor and future Prince of Ithilien, I am Éomer, Lord of the Mark; and I would give to you today the hand of my fair sister Éowyn, renowned slayer of the Witchking of Angmar, and Lady of Rohan; if you still consider yourself worthy of this honour.'
'I do,' said Faramir as he was meant to and indeed was.
'Do the assembled guests believe this man, the Steward Faramir, speaks true?' Asked Éomer, easily remembering the ancient words. There was a cheer from the crowd, Aragorn and Mithmír's voices raised above nearly all others. Faramir blushed proudly, and flicked his hair out of his eyes in a characteristic gesture.
'Then I give her to you now, Lord Faramir, and by his grace the King Elessar shall join you as man and wife; strengthening the bonds between your people and mine to even greater levels.' Éomer took then Éowyn and drew her forward, taking Faramir's right hand and Éowyn's left and joining them together; after which he kissed Éowyn's cheek softly, whispered some sweet words in her ear, and then went to his seat, which was beside Mithmír's. It was lucky that Faramir did not have to speak then, for he was speechless at the lady's beauty. Their eyes locked in an almost timeless stare; and what silent words were said then no one else ever knew.
They finally walked eagerly towards Aragorn, stopping before him side by side. Faramir turned and ceremoniously kissed his sister, instilling a great pride in her to be counted as his family, who then moved away to her seat. Éomer's eyes, Mithmír noticed with a compassionate smile, were glistening with tears of pride. He smiled back.
The King Elessar began: 'we are here today to join the peoples of Gondor and Rohan with a new bond of love and intimacy; as the Steward Faramir and the Lady Éowyn wed.' He smiled. The wedding ceremony according to the Gondor and Rohan way was short but sweet; and the festivities lasted many days. 'Lord Faramir, do you take this fair Lady Éowyn to be yours and yours alone, to share your bed and home, to love and cherish through sickness and health, to mother your children, for all eternity?'
Faramir's voice was calm, but its depth of love could not be measured. 'I give my word that I shall take no other maiden than Lady Éowyn; I shall share my bed and home with no other; I shall love her with all my heart and soul to death and beyond; and I should have her and my kin joined together in our children.' It could be seen that he grasped her hand tightly. Éowyn smiled happily.
'Lady Éowyn, do you take this Lord Faramir to be yours and yours alone, to share you bed and home, to love and cherish through sickness and health, and to father your children, for all eternity?'
'I give the word of my heart and soul,' replied Éowyn in a voice that was almost ringing in joy, 'that I shall take no other man than Lord Faramir; I shall share my bed and home with no other; I shall love him with all my being to for all Time; and I should gladly bear his children.' She smiled boldly, and Mithmír perceived a light in her eyes, as if she had glimpsed some wonderful truth.
'Give then your final vow, Faramir, Denethor's son,' intoned Aragorn, unable to hide his happiness at joining two lovers in matrimony. He had been looking exceptionally alive ever since his own marriage; standing as regal as any King of Númenor, as straight as the Tree in the courtyard outside.
'I vow to thee, Éowyn the Golden Haired,' said Faramir in a deep voice laced with bliss, 'that the love and desire I feel for you is boundless and endless. You are more dear to me than any other; and I shall never find a greater happiness than to hold you in my arms, to protect and love you for all eternity, as my wife and lady.'
Éowyn's pale cheeks flushed a little, and she moved a step closer to him. 'I vow to thee, Faramir the Ranger of Ithilien, that my heart beats only when you are by my side, and your spirit gives mine life. The love I feel for you cannot be measured in words. You are all that I desire from my life, and if necessary I should gladly give my life for thine. To have you as my husband and father of my children should be to give me bliss as great as that found in Valinor here on Middle Earth.'
'Then the thing is settled in the eyes of all here,' said Aragorn loudly, raising his hands high in the air in an ancient gesture. 'With the power in me as the King Elessar, I name the Lord Faramir and the Lady Éowyn man and wife for now and forever.'
And then they exchanged gilt-silver wrings inlaid with the precious jewels of Gondorian and Rohan treasuries, and kissed before the people of Minas Tirith and the Mark. Mithmír had never seen two people as happy as her brother and his shield-maiden on that day; the glorious sunlight, music and flowers thrown into the air could not rival the beauty in their joyous faces; and the passion in the wedding-house that night was tender and sweet with love.
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Aaaaw they're so sweet! Faramir may not be the best-looking man, even in the book, but he's a nice guy. Hope you enjoyed it and please review!
