**A Wedding and a Funeral**
A week had passed since the wedding of the King, and the Elves rode into the hills early in the morning. Aragorn and Arwen went with them, along with the members of the fellowship. Elladan rode with his father and brother, and Izabel rode with Haldir and Miranda. In a quiet glen by a quiet pool, surrounded by trees, there was a tent set up. The fair company gathered and Lord Elrond addressed them.
"My son has chosen a bride, and we gather to celebrate with him," he said.
Elladan stood by his father and watched as Haldir led Izabel to him. He placed her hand in Elladan's, and the couple turned to face Lord Elrond.
"Fair lady, I give you my son," Elrond said. He wrapped a ribbon around their hands and spoke a few words that Izabel didn't understand, and then everyone cheered.
Galadriel stood and raised her goblet, "To the bride and groom."
And there was a unanimous echo, "To the bride and groom!"
The Elvish celebration was a little different than the weddings of Gondor. There was music and singing in the quiet forest setting. As the day wore on, the company prepared to leave, but Elladan and Izabel would remain, spending their wedding night in the bridal tent that his family had prepared for them.
Miranda hugged Izabel and then joined the company to depart. She was happy for her friend, and yet sad for Lord Elrond who saw the wedding as an end to another of his children.
When all had departed, Elladan turned to Izabel and kissed her. "And now our time has come."
Izabel blushed, "A wedding tent," she said with a smile.
"It is our way," Elladan said. "The forest is the proper place to wed."
He took her hand and led her inside. It was very comfortable, with a soft bed laid out with plush furs and blankets. There were lamps lit, and a stringed instrument propped against the bed. A trunk sat in the corner, and on it was a tray of fruit and bread and wine. Izabel took in the sight of her elvish wedding tent, and smiled.
Elladan stood behind her and gently probed her soft hair for the pins that held it up. Izabel closed her eyes as her hair fell in long cascades down her back. His fingers gently combed the tangles from her hair and then traveled down to where her bodice was tied. He smiled as she softly gasped when he tugged on the ribbons. Her gown hung loosely on her, and he whispered softly.
"You are shaking," he said.
"I am nervous," she said softly.
Elladan bent down and kissed her neck. "Don't be nervous," he said. "This is my first time too."
Izabel blushed and Elladan turned her to face him. She shyly looked at the ground and twirled the end of one of her ribbons around her finger. Elladan smiled at the fetching picture she presented. He turned aside a moment and took off his cloak and sword. He sat on the bed and removed his boots and shirt before he spoke to her again.
"You really don't need that gown," he said with a smirk.
Izabel turned and saw him sitting there in nothing but his trousers. She'd never seen a man without his shirt off unless they were seriously wounded. He was lean and well muscled, and very attractive as he gazed at her with unmasked desire burning in his eyes. Izabel timidly walked over to him, and he playfully tugged on her skirt. The gown slipped off her shoulders and fell right to the floor leaving her standing in a very sheer chemise.
"Tula sinome," he said with a devilish smile. "Come here."
Izabel blushed and sat beside him on the bed. He took her in his arms and lay down with her. His hands gently pressed her against him as he kissed her passionately. He could feel her breasts through the thin fabric, and he was quickly aroused. He broke their kiss and whispered huskily, "Let me remove this." He pulled her chemise up over her head and stared at her appreciatively.
"You are so beautiful," he said.
Izabel blushed and Elladan laughed. "And still shy, even with your husband?"
Izabel looked at him with laughter in her eyes and said, "But we are not married yet."
Elladan's eyes burned with passion at her reminder of his own words. "No, we are not until we have joined bodies," he said. "But I would not rush you, for a woman it is painful the first time."
Izabel hooked a finger in the waistband of his trousers and looked at him with love and trust. "I trust you," she said. "I know you will be careful."
Elladan loosened the ties on his pants and removed them. It was a relief, for his arousal had him straining against the fabric. Isabel's eyes grew huge at the sight of his… manhood, er… Elfhood. She took in a sharp breath and looked at him nervously.
He lay beside her and whispered soothingly, "Only when you're ready."
He forced himself to relax and explored her body with his hands. He wanted to learn every curve, every inch of her. He propped himself up on his hand and looked at her in wonder. His free hand caressed first one breast and then the other.
Izabel moaned softly at the sudden waves of pleasure his attentions caused. As his hand drifted toward the soft curls between her legs, he bent down and gently suckled her breast. Her hands plunged into his hair and Elladan moaned with delight. His fingers gently explored the soft folds of flesh hidden by golden curls. Her body bucked with pleasure, and she whispered breathlessly, "I am ready."
Elladan didn't need to be told twice. He covered her and carefully positioned himself for their joining. Izabel clung to him, and closed her eyes in anticipation, but he waited. After a moment, she opened her eyes and looked at him questioningly.
"What is wrong?" she asked. "Am I doing something wrong?"
Elladan smiled down at her and said, "No my sweet, but I would gaze into your eyes when we wed. I would carry the memory of this moment with me always."
Izabel looked at him steadily and said, "My eyes are open, and I am not afraid. Marry me, Elladan."
Her simple words pierced his heart and broke the last shred of his control and he thrust inside. He felt her maiden's barrier tear and he flinched, but her eyes remained focused on his and her loving expression never wavered. He was so moved by her love and trust; he could not speak, though his eyes were full of questions.
"I love you, husband," she said breathlessly as a single tear slipped down her cheek.
He closed his eyes and kissed her as he began to move within her. She held him close and quickly learned to mirror his movements. As they reached the pinnacle together, Elladan looked into her eyes, and saw her overwhelming love.
They lay in each other's arms as the waves of pleasure slowly subsided, and Elladan gazed at her in awe and said, "That was unbelievable."
Izabel smiled and blushed.
Elladan rolled to his back, carrying her with him. She looked down at him with laughter in her eyes and Elladan was immediately aroused again.
"Perhaps if we do that again, it would be easier to believe," Izabel suggested.
"An excellent idea," Elladan said with a grin. "I hoped you would feel that way."
*****
Only three days had passed since Elladan and Izabel's wedding when Ẻomer returned to Minas Tirith. There was a welcome celebration, and a feast was served.
The next morning Théoden was brought out of the tombs of Rath Dinen. His body was carried on a golden bier through the city in silence, and was then placed on a cart draped in garlands of flowers. Merry, as Théoden's squire, rode on the cart and kept the arms of the king. Riding in escort of the fallen king was a great company. Ẻomer and the knights of Rohan rode before the fallen King with King Elessar and Arwen. Prince Imrahil, his daughter Lothiriel, and Lord Faramir also rode with them along with the Dunedain. The Elves rode with them, and Gandalf rode with the fellowship of the ring. Miranda and Haldir rode with Elladan, Izabel and Elrohir and the Elves.
The journey was long, taking fifteen days, and Miranda was not feeling well. She had not had so much as a sniffle since she came to Middle Earth, but she just knew she had the flu. She was careful about what she ate, and managed to hide it well. No one seemed to notice, and she was thankful. She was already nervous about returning to Edoras as Théoden's granddaughter and did not want to draw any more attention to herself.
At last they came to Edoras, and all rested. At his funeral, Théoden was laid in a stone house with his arms and many fair things. A minstrel sang of his heritage and accomplishments, and his valiant end at the gates of Minas Tirith. Merry stood before the burial mound and wept, for in the short time he had known Théoden, he loved him like a father. So the funeral ended, and the guests returned to Meduseld, all except Miranda who sat by Théoden's mound and cried. Haldir waited for her, but she told him to go. It had been so easy to deny caring about a family she barely knew, but confronted by the loss, she broke down.
She looked at the door to the tomb and finally told Théoden what she wished she could have said when he was alive. "I love you grandfather, and I miss you," she whispered.
She hung her head and sobbed again, but stopped when she heard the snort of a horse. She looked up, and before her stood Théoden, dressed in his royal armor, standing beside his great horse Snowmane who was also slain at the gates.
"And I love you, granddaughter," he said.
"Théoden?" she asked in surprise.
He smiled at her and then mounted his horse. "I ride to the halls of my fathers, now, but I will be watching over this land I love." He paused and looked at her with sorrow in his eyes and added, "Forgive me…"
Miranda interrupted him and quickly said, "There is nothing to forgive, be at peace."
He smiled, and then turned to look at Edoras one last time before riding away. As he retreated across the green field, his image faded and Miranda smiled. Being a seer had allowed her to make peace with her past, and she was grateful. She stood and walked to the gates where she found Haldir and his brothers waiting for her.
"Are you all right?" Haldir asked.
Miranda smiled, "Yes."
*****
A great feast was prepared at Meduseld for Théoden's wake, and the guests all drank to the memory of the King. The minstrel came forth and named all the Kings of the Mark in order. When they finally got to Théoden, Ẻomer drained his cup. Then Ẻowyn came forward and bid the servers refill all the cups. Then she cried out in honor to the new king, "Hail Ẻomer, King of the Mark!"
And when the feast neared its end, Ẻomer stood and spoke, "Now this is the funeral feast of King Théoden, but I would speak tidings of joy ere we go. He would not grudge that I should do so for he was ever father to my sister. Hear then, fair folk and lords of many lands such as have never before been gathered in this hall, Faramir Steward of Gondor and Prince of Ithilien asks that Ẻowyn Lady of Rohan be his wife, and she grants it full willing. Therefore they shall be troth plighted before you all."
And Faramir and Ẻowyn stood hand in hand and everyone drank to their happiness.
"Thus the friendship of Rohan and Gondor is bound with a new bond, and I do all the more rejoice," Ẻomer said.
Then Ẻowyn spoke and said, "Just as Gondor and Rohan are bound, so also we are pleased with the alliance of Rohan and Lorien in the marriage of our cousin Lady Miranda to Captain Haldir." She raised her cup and everyone drank to the renewed friendships that were being cemented by marriage. The feast ended and everyone went to rest. The guests would be leaving on the morrow to return to their homes.