**Wedding**
The next few days were very busy for the King. He sat on his throne in the Great Hall of Kings and pronounced his judgments. Embassies came from many lands and peoples, East and South and from the borders of Mirkwood and Dunland in the West. And Aragorn pardoned the Easterlings who had given up, and made peace with Harad. And also there were brought before him many to receive his praise and reward for their valor, but everyday Miranda was conspicuously missing from the Hall. He sent for Haldir to find out what Miranda was up to. Haldir entered the hall and Aragorn took him aside to speak in private.
"Where is your betrothed?" Aragorn asked Haldir.
"Miranda has been busy with Izabel," Haldir said. "They went for a ride early this morning."
"Without an escort?" Aragorn asked.
"The sons of Elrond were with them," Haldir said. "They are helping me keep Miranda busy so we can keep her away from the wedding preparations."
Aragorn nodded, and then looked at Haldir seriously, "How long are you keeping the wedding a surprise?"
"Until the day of the feast," Haldir said with a smile.
"Is that wise?" Aragorn asked. "If she found out from someone else…"
"Izabel has promised to keep her away from the planning," Haldir said.
"Very well," Aragorn said lightly. "I simply do not wish to exchange a wedding for a funeral."
Haldir just laughed, "No danger of that, I have a plan."
Aragorn just lifted a brow and smirked at the Elf's confidence. This could be an interesting week. So far he planned for a feast, and no one other than those at the fire last night knew what the occasion was. But Miranda was not one to be easily surprised, and Aragorn wasn't sure a bride should have her wedding sprung on her like that.
*****
Miranda and Izabel were riding up into the hills with the Sons of Elrond giving chase. They'd been trying to lose their escort for nearly an hour, but it wasn't working. The Elves were too skilled in riding and tracking to be lost by the two novice riders.
"We'll never shake them," Izabel said.
"You're right," Miranda agreed as she reined in Tempest and slowed down to wait for their pursuers. Izabel halted beside her to wait. The two elves galloped out of the woods and had to rein their horses in quick to keep from colliding with them.
"All right, what's going on?" Elladan asked in annoyance. "I thought we were going for a nice quiet ride."
"Oh, well we enjoyed it," Miranda said lightly. "I thought since you were babysitting me for Haldir I could at least make it interesting."
The two Elves exchanged looks, and then Elladan looked at Izabel suspiciously.
"Don't look at me like that, she knew before I did," Izabel said. "I wasn't going to lie when she already knew."
Elrohir sighed, "What are you two up to?"
"I have a few last minute plans," Miranda said. "But I don't want to spoil his surprise."
"Plans?" Elladan asked. "It's just a wedding feast, there's nothing to do but show up."
Miranda frowned, "Just what are weddings like here?"
Both Elves just raised their eyebrows and glanced at each other. Elladan cleared his throat and opened his mouth to speak, but paused thoughtfully, closed his mouth again and looked at his brother in shock.
"Oh, good grief," Miranda exclaimed. "I wasn't talking about THAT! I was talking about the wedding, the part where you get married…"
"Well, yes you were talking about that," Elrohir said. "At the feast, the bride's family gives her to the groom and then they celebrate. All there is to the actual marriage is the joining of bodies…"
Miranda and Izabel just blushed.
"No ceremony?" Miranda asked in shock. "Just the…wow. That would surprise a lot of people where I am from." Then she thought about it a moment and realized Haldir must think her ideas about weddings were bizarre. "Well, I guess there's nothing for me to plan. So what is Haldir up to?"
Elladan looked at Izabel and then at Miranda. "He said something about words that would be spoken. We thought it was strange, but now I understand. He wants to honor your customs."
"But I told him not to," Miranda said. "I said we'd have whatever sort of wedding was appropriate here."
"He didn't listen," Elrohir said. "And he thinks this will be a surprise."
"Well, I don't know exactly what he's doing, so in a way it's still a surprise," she said. "And you aren't going to tell him I know."
Both Elves cringed. They didn't like being in the middle of all these…surprises.
*****
The next few days passed quickly, and Miranda and Haldir saw little of each other. Miranda and Izabel were at the home of a seamstress being fitted for gowns, and Haldir spent much of his days riding alone. He rode up into the hills and through the forest to a quiet pool where he halted to water his horse. He walked in the soft grass and thought about Miranda.
Words of devotion, Haldir thought. How unusual for words of love to be spoken in public, it would be inappropriate to do that at the feast. He decided to come to a compromise and tell her the volumes of his heart in private. Yes, that would be the proper place and time, after the feast.
Haldir leaned against a tree and pulled a small red velvet pouch from his pocket. He carefully loosed the drawstring and poured its precious contents in his hand. His mother's necklace, a gift to him as eldest son before his parents boarded the ship to leave Middle Earth forever. Haldir held the pendant in his hand and smiled as the cool green stone twinkled in the morning sun.
"For your future bride, my son," she said with a smile. "In my dreams I have seen her, and you have my blessing."
"How will I know her, mother?" Haldir asked.
"She will be a most unexpected thief of your heart, my son," she said. "But when you find her, you will know."
Haldir carefully put the necklace back in the pouch and tucked it in his pocket. Miranda was most unexpected, and that made her even more precious. He sighed and mounted up for the ride back to Minas Tirith. All the way back he thought of the words he would say to his bride that night.
*****
Miranda stood in the center of a well lit room in the home of renowned seamstress Laurel of Gondor. She wore a white gown that had been embroidered with green stars around the neckline, cuffs and hem. Laurel was sitting on a cushion on the floor finishing the hem and admiring her handiwork.
"That is a gown fit for a queen," Laurel said, "Even if I do say so myself."
"Your work is magnificent, Lady Laurel," Miranda said as she turned to the mirror. "I've never worn anything so fine."
"T'is only fitting for a bride to dress as a queen at her wedding feast," Laurel said with a smile. "I saw your groom yesterday, and I must say he is a handsome Elf. Though, in truth I have never seen an elf that wasn't."
"That is true enough," Miranda said. "And I have probably met more Elves than most who live around here, but Haldir is by far the handsomest."
"I think Izabel would contend that," Laurel said with a laugh. "Come here child, let me see that hem."
Izabel walked up wearing a midnight blue gown with silver trim on the neck and sleeves. Laurel looked it over closely and seemed satisfied. "Go and change, I'll wrap them up along with the rest of the gowns."
"Just how many gowns did you make?" Miranda asked.
"Five for you, Lady Miranda, and your bridal gown, and three more for Izabel there," Laurel said proudly. "My two apprentices helped with the simple stitching, but the bridal gowns I did myself."
Miranda and Izabel changed and Laurel packed the gowns in a trunk. She sent the ladies on their way with her eldest son to carry their trunk. As they reached the courtyard, they ran into Haldir.
"The sunshine cannot compare with the beauty that walks the streets of the city," Haldir said to them.
Miranda smiled at his charm and Izabel blushed.
"I'll show him where to take this trunk," Izabel said, and quickly disappeared. The feast was only a few hours away, and they would need to talk.
"So, there is a celebration tonight," Haldir said.
"Yes, in honor of my cousins and the riders of Rohan before they depart tomorrow," Miranda said. It wasn't a bad cover story, so she decided to continue to play along.
"Miranda, you already know, don't you?" Haldir asked.
"I just finished trying on my wedding gown," Miranda said. "I hope you will like it."
"I will," Haldir said lightly, he had more important matters on his mind. "Let's go sit in the garden and talk." Haldir led Miranda to the courtyard garden and found a quiet corner to sit.
"You have something important to say?" Miranda asked. "You look tense."
"Are you ready to marry me? I do not wish to rush you," Haldir said seriously. "Your life has been a difficult one, and I do not even know if you have been taught or prepared…"
Miranda blushed, "I know what to expect," Miranda said. "What are you really worried about?"
"Our wedding seems rushed, I want you to be sure you want this," Haldir said.
Miranda took his hand and looked into his troubled eyes and said, "I want this, and I do not feel rushed. Now that the war is over, there are no more reasons to wait."
Haldir smiled with relief. "You know, the wedding will not be like the one you described."
Miranda wrinkled her nose, "I was told."
"You look disappointed," Haldir laughed.
"No, just surprised," she said. "It explains why you were so careful to keep your distance on our journey."
"Yes," Haldir said. "If there had been any misconduct on my part, we would have been considered married. If it was against your will, I would have been put to death by your kinsmen."
Miranda's eyes nearly doubled in size. "Really?"
"I would not dishonor you, Miranda, penalty or not," Haldir softly. "A woman always deserves to be treated with great respect." Haldir lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. "Come, I will walk you to your room."
As the walked into the palace he said, "I will not see you until the feast. Aragorn will explain it to you."
"Laurel told me what to expect," Miranda said. "I'll see you then."
"Until tonight, my beautiful bride," Haldir said and bowed. He gave her one last smile and then left.
When he was out of sight, Miranda practically skipped into her room.
*****
The great Hall of Kings was filled to capacity with all the nobles of Gondor and Rohan, the Dunedain and the members of the Fellowship. Tables were filled with a Kingly feast of wild boar, and venison and fresh breads, fruit and sweat meats. Garlands of fresh ivy and wildflowers were strung around the room and all the lamps were lit. All that remained was the entrance of the King.
Miranda and Izabel paced in her room. Miranda's hair had been pulled up in a pile of curls on her head, and several curls hung loose around her face and neck. A single thin silver strand crowned her forehead, and she wore her white gown. Miranda felt sick to her stomach and it showed.
"Randi, calm down," Izzy said. "It's just a feast."
"When it's your turn to get married, I'm going to tell you it's just a feast," Miranda said.
There was a quiet knock at the door and Izabel answered for Miranda, "Who is there?"
"Is Miranda ready?" Aragorn's familiar voice said.
"Come in," Miranda said.
Aragorn stepped into her room and smiled when he saw her. He was dressed in fine robes, looking very kingly, and even wore his crown for the occasion. "You make a beautiful bride, Miranda."
"Yeah, I clean up good," Miranda said with a laugh.
Aragorn held out his arm and Miranda took it. "You look nervous," Aragorn said.
"Ever heard of a bride that wasn't?" Miranda asked.
Aragorn smiled as the headed out into the hallway, "Never."
Aragorn escorted Miranda to the entrance of the great hall with Izabel following. Izabel gave Miranda a quick hug and said, "See you later." She went inside and then the door guard announced the entrance of the King Elessar and the Lady Miranda.
The doors opened wide and Aragorn led Miranda between the rows of tables where guests rose to their feet out of respect for the King. He walked to the head table up on the dais, then turned and bowed to the guests. "Welcome friends, King Ẻomer and Lady Ẻowyn of Rohan, and their noble riders, Lord Faramir, Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth and his lovely Daughter Lothiriel, Dunedain of the North and Honored Members of the Fellowship of the Ring and lords and ladies of Gondor allow me to present to you my sister."
The crowd hushed instantly, and Aragorn continued, "Though not of my blood, she is the sister of my heart. Many of you already know the tales of her courage and valor already sung by the minstrels, but few have heard her name…"
Miranda glanced at Aragorn nervously. What's with all the announcements? Miranda just knew she was blushing under the stare of so many people.
"The Last Seer, Keeper of the Light of Illuin and Ormal, the Light of Rohan, Slayer of Shadows, Destroyer of Darkness, Bringer of Compassion and Wisdom, and Counselor of Kings, Lady Miranda, the Hiri Nolwe."
The guests all cheered, and Ẻomer came forward. Aragorn placed Miranda's hand in Ẻomer's and took his seat. The crowd's cheers died down, and the hall doors swung open again. Haldir stood there dressed in fine elvish garments of gray and white. His red cloak was pinned with a great brooch, simple but elegant, and he had a thin ribbon of gold around his brow. With him, stood the sons of Elrond and Legolas Greenleaf as his groom's escort.
Ẻomer looked at the Elf Captain and stifled his smile. "Who are you to enter the King's Hall unannounced?" Ẻomer asked formally.
"I am Haldir, Guardian of the Golden wood of Lothlorien and Captain of the Elvish Guard of the Lady Galadriel." Haldir walked toward the dais where Ẻomer and Miranda stood. He smiled at her briefly, but quickly schooled his expression into one of business. The groom's escort halted in front of Ẻomer and Haldir continued, "I claim this Lady as my bride; who is her guardian?"
"This lady is my kinswoman, granddaughter of Théoden, and I, Ẻomer Ẻadig, Son of Ẻomund, and King of Rohan, am her guardian," Ẻomer said formally. Ẻomer turned to Miranda and asked, "Do you accept this Noble Elf to be your husband?"
"I do," Miranda said.
"Then come forward, and receive your bride," Ẻomer said.
Haldir climbed the steps of the dais and Ẻomer placed Miranda's hand in Haldir's hand. "Joy is multiplied in my heart and in my country at the union of Rohan and Lorien."
The crowd cheered again, and Ẻowyn stepped forward. "It is custom for the mother of the bride to bestow a gift to the groom. In her mother's absence, I have the honor of presenting this gift." Ẻowyn held up a brooch, crafted in a traditional Rohirrim design. It was a relief of gold and silver depicting a great rider in full armor on a tall horse. Haldir removed his own brooch and Ẻowyn pinned it on him. The crowd cheered for a moment, and then Legolas climbed the dais, hushing them.
"It is custom for the Groom's family to present a gift to the bride," Legolas said. "In their absent, the honor is given to me." Legolas pulled a red pouch from his belt and stood behind Miranda. He put the necklace on her and said, "Long ago this necklace was given to Haldir by his mother to present to his bride with all her love and blessings."
Finally the formalities were over and Gandalf stood raised a glass and said, "To the bride and groom!"
The crowd all stood and roared together, "To the Bride and Groom!"
Haldir led Miranda to their seats at the head table and the feast began. He leaned over and whispered to her, "You're blushing, Miranda. Have you any idea what that is doing to me?"
Miranda looked at him and his expression was almost wicked. She smiled shyly, bit her lip and blushed a little darker. Haldir smiled with satisfaction, it worked every time. The feasting went on for hours, and many stopped to visit with the bride and groom at the head table. After the deserts had been served, and the second refill on the ale, Haldir looked at Miranda and said, "No one expects us to stay all night."
"Then let's go," Miranda said softly. "Without drawing too much attention."
Haldir stood and pulled her chair out, and the two nearly made it to the side door before they heard Gimli roaring, "And there they go!" Miranda cringed when the whole hall full of guest's cheered, but Haldir just smiled and waved as he led his bride out of the hall.