Annie, I certainly do take bribes. If you can get me Haldir, naked and staked out in my room, I will definitely give you that sequel. ;-) A pot of chocolate sauce and a can of whipped cream wouldn't go a miss either . . .

Starting on another new story, entitled 'The Nanny'. More Haldir romance, needless to say.

171 reviews. Dammit, I don't want to finish this story either!

'Part 14'

Ceilwyn, to the surprise of everyone concerned, did not look nervous. Not even remotely. This made Haldir instantly suspicious, and quite rightly so.

He caught Tulienne's eye as the bridal procession approached. 'What did you do to her?' he mouthed.

'We may have overdone the herbs a little," Tulienne mouthed back, and flashed him a grin, as Ceilwyn continued to beam at all present.

The effect of the graceful walk up the aisle was somewhat spoiled when the bride fell over the hem of her dress. She didn't seem particularly bothered by this, however, just picked herself up and giggled.

"Ooops!" she said brightly, and carried on as if nothing had happened.

Tulienne grimaced. Haldir resisted the temptation to close his eyes and just wait for disaster to strike.

On reaching the groom, who had been watching this with a look of astonishment on his face, the bride proceeded to fling her arms around him and kiss him passionately. The guests, deciding this must be part of the order of events, produced a rousing chorus of 'Awww'. Rumil - looking pleased, if somewhat taken aback - returned the kiss gently before attempting to return to the ceremony. This would have worked fine, except that Ceilwyn grabbed the back of his head and stuck her tongue halfway down his throat. And since he wasn't really expecting it, he nearly choked.

By now, the crowd was starting to murmur. The murmurs increased somewhat in volume when it took both bridesmaids to separate the . . . affectionate . . . bride from the stunned, coughing groom. Rumil's expression quickly turned to fear, however, when he realised that Ceilwyn's father was glaring at him - apparently under the delusion that he had initiated the rather unorthodox display.

Lord Celeborn, who was performing the ceremony, raised an eyebrow and looked questioningly at the group in front of him. Rumil gave him a weak smile and wrapped an arm around Ceilwyn's waist. All present chose to believe she was leaning on his shoulder as a gesture of affection and not because she couldn't stand up straight.

As Lord Celeborn began to speak the traditional words, the company relaxed slightly. Ceilwyn seemed quite content to lean on Rumil's shoulder and remain silent. They laboured on under this delusion for about a minute.

Then Ceilwyn turned her head up and gazed at her husband-to-be. "Rumil," she said, loud and clear. "Let's just go back to your talan and do this later. I can't wait to take this dress off."

Her father nearly choked. So did Rumil. "Love," he said. "Are you feeling well?"

"I feel great," she pronounced, gazing up at him. "But I'll feel a lot better once we're . . . "

No one got to hear the end of that sentence, because Tulienne wisely clamped a hand over her cousin's mouth.

"I think we need to speed this up a bit," she whispered to Lord Celeborn, who looked inclined to agree. Looking for all the world like he was trying not to laugh, Celeborn went through the rest of the ceremony, skipping everything that wasn't vitally important.

It certainly made an interesting picture, since Tulienne had the sense not to remove her hand. The bride shot several dark looks at her bridesmaid and muttered things that were muffled by the hand covering her mouth, but at least the ceremony was finished without further incident.

Once it was over, and the closing music struck up, Tulienne leaned to Rumil. "So, very, very sorry," she said. "We'll sort it out. Give us half an hour, don't stop smiling."

And so, as the guests started to rise and prepare for the party, the bride was unceremoniously dragged back to her house to be sobered up.

Rumil smiled dutifully, laughed whenever people commented on the unusual wedding and started plotting revenge on his new sister and cousin in law. Several possibilities occurred to him, but none seemed quite terrible enough. Maybe if Haldir helped . . .

***

Haldir was standing guard outside the marquee that had been erected for the occasion. By the time the three elleths came into sight, Ceilwyn looking rather more subdued and rather like her cheeks would be stained red for the rest of her days, Haldir had started to wonder if they were ever coming back.

Tulienne left Salia to take Ceilwyn into the tent and stopped in front of him. To Haldir's surprise, she let her head lean on his chest and wrapped her arms around him.

"Don't even think about telling me I've ruined their wedding," she said. "I already know."

Haldir wrapped his arms around her. "You ruined nothing," he said. "Bonding ceremonies are usually dull beyond belief. I've never been to one that was so much fun."

"I doubt Rumil and Ceilwyn will see it that way. They'll probably never speak to me again."

Haldir tipped her face up to his, noticing how uncharacteristically vulnerable she looked. "Ceilwyn loves you too much to hold a grudge," he told her, "and Rumil has forgiven much worse. You have nothing to fear."

Tulienne gazed up at him, a smile coming to her face. "Haldir," she said, some of her usual humour returning, "I think I love you."

"I know I love you," Haldir whispered, and pulled her closer for a kiss.

"Would one of you care to explain this?" came a strange voice from beside them.

Haldir and Tulienne jumped apart, finding themselves face to face with Thronin, Tulienne's uncle.

Haldir ran through several possible answers to that question, finding none that really seemed suitable. As it was, Tulienne answered.

"No, I don't think we can," she said. "It just happened."

"I see," Thronin said, still not sounding angry. "Just this time, or is this an ongoing thing?"

Haldir and Tulienne exchanged glances. Haldir cleared his throat. "For my part," he said, "I hope it will be ongoing."

"It will be," Tulienne said firmly.

"In fact," Haldir said, seizing the opportunity, "I would like to ask for your permission to court Tulienne and have her hand in marriage."

"She is of age," Thronin said, his tone neutral. "Her hand is hers to give. You do not need my consent."

"No," Haldir agreed. "But I would like to know I have it all the same."

Thronin stared at them impassively for several seconds. "Before I answer that, would either of you have any explanation for the events of today?" he said at length.

"It was my fault," Tulienne said immediately. "Wyn has been so nervous that I thought I'd give her something to calm her nerves. It was wrong and I'm sorry."

"You have caused nothing but trouble since you came to my house."

"I have, sir."

"Because of you, I have lost one of my precious daughters today."

"Indeed, sir."

"In a ceremony that will not soon be forgotten."

"I know, sir."

Thronin came forward and took Tulienne's hands in his own. "And I will miss you terribly when I lose you too."

If Tulienne was stunned, it was nothing to how Haldir felt.

"Haldir, you have my consent and my blessing. I only hope you realise what kind of wife you are getting."

"I do," Haldir said, starting to smile. "I would not have her any other way."

Thronin embraced Tulienne and Haldir. "We must return to the celebration," he said. "But you are free to announce your courtship any time you wish. Perhaps this evening, even."

As Thronin led the way back into the tent, Haldir turned to Tulienne.

"Did you put herbs in his tea as well?" he murmured.

Tulienne gave a small smile. "Maybe a pinch."

That would account for it.