Act One:

Scene Three:

The Reception

Scene opens on a large, festive hall holding approximately three hundred people, all of which are dressed in party wear. Everyone is smiling and laughing, drinks are being passed around, and plates of meats and other various dishes sit atop the tables. At the back of the hall sits a long regal table, with a deep red tablecloth. In the center sits Denethor, looking uncharacteristically cheerful, and beside him sits Julie, with a very fake smile on her face. Seated at Denethor's side is Faramir, looking slightly confused at the scene, and Eowyn at his side, looking exasperated. Denethor stands up, and raises his goblet.

D: My good guests! I welcome you all here today to this glorious coming together of my new wife, Julie, and myself.

Guests all raise goblets as well, smiling at the man.

D: Julie and I wish to extend our thanks to you for being present at our ceremony. We understand that some may view this union as, perhaps, slightly….unusual, but we thank you for seeing over that.

Julie stands as well, smiling fake as ever, and raises her goblet.

J: Yes, we wish to thank you all for coming! When I first decided to marry Dearest Denny, I was worried at the reaction of some people. It may be a peculiar match, but we do love each other, and, I would like to announce, that we are expecting our first child!

Majority of crowd looks pleasantly pleased, expect for a few select peoples. Several young men of Gondor and several more of Rohan look momentarily terrified, Lord Denethor looks shocked, and Eowyn and Faramir exasperatingly led their heads fall with a clunk onto the hard tables. Everyone sits, and switches from speech tones to whispers.

D: Dearest Julie…How is this possible?

J: Well, Denny, I am with child.

D: But this is not physically possible!

J: Well, yes, Denny, see I was afraid that you would to be old to, well…..you know, so I thought that maybe I should see some other….young…men.

D: JULIE!! You did what?!?

J: No, Denny, don't you worry your pretty little head about that! All you need to know is that your child is the son of a handsome, intelligent man.

D: ….Faramir?

J: (tinkle laugh) No, no, dearest Denny! I wish! No, no, it was….perhaps, the stable boy at Edoras. Or, well, it could be the Gondorian guard…or maybe it was the Rohirric cavalry charger…or may--

D: JULIE!! How could you do this?

J: (produces soft, pleading look, trying to look guilty) Denny, are you really going to be mad at me? I love you so much! Do you really want to make me feel bad? Please Denny? Pretty pretty please with sugar on top?

D: (looking sheepish, and finally giving up) Well, alright Julie, I forgive you! I love you!

J: Oh Denny! I love you too!

Scene pans out of the hall, end of Act One.