No real clue about how weddings went about in Rohan and wedding traditions and all that stuff, so I'm just totally making it up and hoping no walking Tolkien encyclopaedia will come and expose me for the little schmuck that I am!

To Cacilwen : Don't worry, there's no Legomance here! I've written 2 before and I've had enough. It's actually pretty ironic, if you think about what Faramir and Éomer were talking about directly before they started gossiping about Legolas. Hehe.

Chapter 27 : Marriage Jitters

About two weeks later…

Lothíriel stared out at the vast plains, sitting next to Éowyn, and Arwen, who had arrived the day before. Arwen had forbidden Lothíriel to call her "my Queen" any longer, saying that Lothíriel was soon to become a queen herself. Lothírel was glad for Arwen's warmth and friendship, and also grateful for the companionship of her two friends on the eve of her wedding. Following the tradition of Dol Amroth, the bride and groom would not meet the day before their marriage, which Lothíriel discovered was no simple thing; being under the same roof with Éomer made her want to be at his side every moment of the day. And so Éowyn and Arwen had decided to take her out riding, while Aragorn, Faramir and Imrahil kept Éomer very busy with plenty of kingly duties. Elphir and Isindil were off looking for Erchirion and Amrothos, who had said that they would be exploring the area, but had seemed to disappear. Faramir had seen them earlier, and had informed them, with a grin, that Éomer was having "marriage jitters", which made Lothíriel feel very jumpy and nervous. Which was why she was not sitting in a field beside her two friends, quietly nibbling on a piece of bread, and trying not to imagine all sorts of horrible things that could happen between now and her wedding.

"This day is passing very slowly," she finally remarked. "I can't remember having time pass so slowly before."

Arwen laughed and patted her hand. "Don't worry, it was the same for me. Despite having waited so long for Aragorn, time suddenly couldn't pass fast enough for me, and all I wanted was for the journeying to come to an end, and to see his face again. But it's not up to us to decide how long time passes."

Lothíriel looked at Arwen admiringly, and once more the great porcelain beauty facing the wind, her dark hair streaming out behind her, stunned her. It was common knowledge that no matter how happy Arwen was now, she was doomed, but that fact did not dim her radiance; in fact, it seemed to make her even more beautiful. "You are so strong, Arwen, to give up so much of yourself for Aragorn," Lothíriel couldn't help saying.

Arwen looked at her with a smile. "You think so now, Lothíriel, but if you were in my position, and had to make a choice for Éomer, I have no doubt that you would be as strong, and your choice as resolute as mine. It is not my strength that led to my decision, but the strength that my love for Aragorn gave me. I would lay down my life for him, and I'm sure that you and Éowyn would do the same for your loves."

Éowyn smiled and nodded. "She is right." Brushing her hair away from her eyes, Éowyn continued, "I never dreamt that I would ever leave Rohan, or lay down the sword once I found a way to pick it up, but the minute I saw Faramir I knew that I would leave it all behind, just to be with him."

Lothíriel kept her silence, thinking to herself. She couldn't think of a single thing she would not do for Éomer. Perhaps they're right. She shivered with anticipation for the new life that lay ahead of her.

Éomer toyed with the quill on his desk to keep his mind off what Faramir called his "marriage jitters". "Everything in Rohan is going just fine," he said to the men before him. "It's a great relief indeed."

"That is a great relief," Imrahil agreed. "You're carrying on the good work of your uncle."

Aragorn nodded encouragingly. "Gondor is fortunate to have such a strong ally."

Éomer smiled at Aragorn, Imrahil and Faramir. They had dealt with all political issues already, and he knew that now they were just trying to help take his mind off his nervousness. They were good friends, but loose talk about the comforts and happiness of the people weren't going to help today. Another topic, perhaps? Éomer was just about to try to find one, when there was a knock on the door. "Enter," Éomer called, glad for the distraction. For the first time, he also noticed that the ink from the quill had been smudged all over his fingers, and replaced the quill hastily, trying fruitlessly to rub the ink off.

Éothain came in, and bowed. "My lords, Legolas of Ithilien has arrived."

The men stood up, and began to make their way out to greet Legolas. They found him, together with eleven other Elves, in the hall. He approached them with a broad smile. Being only among friends, there was no need for formalities. "It's good to be in Rohan," he said cheerfully. "Especially for such a happy occasion. Congratulations, Éomer, and may you have a long and happy life with your chosen love."

"Thank you, Legolas," Éomer replied gratefully. It made him feel better whenever he heard well wishes for his marriage expressed.

Legolas nodded. "I met the princess outside the hall just now. I was informed that the both of you are keeping the tradition of Dol Amroth. That is most lovely, blending the two cultures and traditions of Rohan and Dol Amroth. That is how it should be." He looked at Éomer, whose gaze had immediately shifted to the doors (he wondered if Lothíriel was still outside), and laughed. "She looked just as anxious as you do, Éomer." Now addressing Aragorn and Faramir, he said, "Is marriage as frightening as it looks?"

Faramir nodded gravely. "It is more frightening, in fact. Especially on the day before the wedding, as Éomer is no doubt finding out now."

"Perhaps it is not marriage that is frightening, but the idea of change. Forever is a long time," Aragorn reasoned.

Legolas nodded in understanding. "No one here can comprehend the length of forever as well as I can," he said. He looked around. "Now, where is Gimli?"

"He has not yet arrived," Éomer said. "We're beginning to wonder what has happened to him."

Legolas laughed again. "Dwarves have never appreciated riding. No doubt he and those with him are still trudging over the lands!" he joked. "They should be here sometime soon, or we can just start the festivities without them!"

The wedding is coming up, I kind of wrote this chapter to stall for time so I can plan it properly! Hope you enjoyed this chapter anyway.