CHAPTER 40 : The Wedding

Finally, after all those days of fussing and decisions, it was the day. At long last. Éowyn paced about in her room, casting occasional glances at the beautiful white dress that lay on her bed. The women of the court had spent long hours labouring over it, and it was truly the loveliest dress that Éowyn had ever set her eyes on. But was she truly ready for this day?

Not that she was having doubts about getting married, of course. She loved Faramir, and there was never any doubt about that. But… she was a shieldmaiden after all, and not cut out to be a quiet, demure lady of the court. What if she fell over? What if she embarrassed not only herself, but Faramir as well? And worst of all… would Faramir change his mind?

Nonsense, she told herself. Don't be silly. Faramir would never change his mind, just like I would never change mine. But that senseless fear still tugged at the back of her mind.

The door creaked open, and Éowyn whirled round to see Liana entering. The child had travelled all the way to Rohan, together with her grandparents, and a Gondorian soldier named Alban, just for the wedding. Faramir had adopted her once more, and when everything was ready, she would live in Emyn Arnen with them. Liana looked at Éowyn, then at the dress on the bed. "Aren't you going to change? The ceremony's starting soon," she said. She herself was in a pretty new dress, and her hair done in one long plait.

"Yes, I suppose I should be changing now," Éowyn replied, crossing her room to pick up her dress.

Liana giggled. "I went to see Faramir just now. He looked just as nervous as you!"

Éowyn relaxed, glad that she was not the only one so worried. Then she tensed up again.

What if we both fell over?

Faramir stood next to Éomer, fidgeting as he waited for Éowyn. Everyone in Edoras had gathered to see the wedding, and cold sweat was about to start pouring down Faramir's forehead. He could not remember a time when he was as nervous as this. It made absolutely no sense. Why was he nervous? He was getting married to the love of his life!

"You look as if you're expecting a whole legion of Orcs to pounce on you," Éomer joked, attempting to make Faramir lighten up. "Is there something I should know?"

Faramir smiled despite himself. "You know, Éomer, you're really helpful. Remind to talk to you whenever I need reassurance," he said sarcastically. Éomer chuckled.

A hush came over the crowd, and Faramir gulped. This is it.

Éowyn appeared, and his breath caught. She was absolutely stunning in that white dress, and wearing that golden tiara. Her eyes met his, and she smiled. All at once his worries and fears melted away, and all he could do was smile back at her. Everything was going to be just fine, after all.

The wedding feast was of some magnificence, and as a joke, the cooks had made plenty of pies, each with a different type of crust. Éowyn turned a bright shade of red as Faramir pointed it out jokingly. "I knew that Éomer just couldn't keep it to himself!" she muttered.

"I'm grateful for that. At least now I know how much experience my wife has in the kitchen," Faramir teased, his eyes glinting mischievously.

"You don't mind, do you?" Éowyn asked anxiously. "My mother always said that I would never make a good wife because I know so little about household chores…"

Faramir cut her off. "Of course I don't mind, Éowyn. What importance is that to me? I would live on stew for the rest of my life, if it meant that I could spend it with you."

Éowyn would have laughed, but she was too busy drowning in his kiss.

A short ending to a really long story! I hoped you had as much fun reading it as I did writing it. This story has definitely come a long way. I initially planned it to be only around 25 chapters, but more and more happened and it just seemed necessary to go on and on! But I've finally come to a definite close now.

I'm not sure what I'll be doing next. I might take a break from FanFiction.net (unlikely), or I might start a new fiction. I've been wanting to do some other Tuck Everlasting fiction because I don't really like the previous one I did anymore, I'm sure I can do better. Otherwise I will come up with another LotR thingy! It's come to my attention that no one has seemed to spend much time on Éomer and his marrying of Lothíriel, daughter of Imrahil. So… look out for that!

As for this story, I'll definitely miss writing it! Thanks for being so kind in your reviews, I really appreciated it! I have a lot to live up to in my subsequent fics now…