Four months had passed. A small group of people were gathered on the banks of the Sirion River. The light of the full moon was shining brightly. They had formed a circle around Geliriel and Amrod, who held their son in his arms. Glinneth, Amras, Orainwen, Berior, Maglor and Maedhros walked slowly around the trio and sang a welcoming song to the baby that Maglor had written. When the song concluded, Maedhros lit the candle he was holding. He then held the candle for Berior to light his candle, and the light passed from person to person until all candles were lit. Then Maedhros took a step forward, took the child in his arms, and began the naming ceremony.
"We have gathered tonight, in love and friendship, to witness the naming of this child. This is the name he will have for the rest of his days. Geliriel and Amrod, have you chosen a name for your son?"
"Yes, we have." Amrod spoke.
"His name shall be Melannen." Geliriel responded softly and firmly.
"Melannen, you are so named. It has been witnessed by those who love you and by the Valar." Maedhros said as he gave the baby back to Geliriel. "Geliriel and Amrod, please honor Melannen with your vows."
"Melannen, I promise to love you, protect you, and to guide you as best I can." Amrod spoke, taking a tiny hand in his. He kissed the hand and the forehead, gaining a smile in return from little Melannen. Amrod looked at Geliriel and smiled, kissing her as well. Then Geliriel made her vows.
"Melannen. Your name means "beloved." I have given you this name in memory of the man who helped conceive you. You are Amrod's son now, and always. I promise to love you, protect you, and to guide you as best I can." She also took a tiny hand in hers, kissed it, and then kissed his forehead. The baby smiled at her.
Maedhros held his candle out so that Amrod could light his first, then Geliriel lit her candle from Amrod's. Then he brought out another candle, and both parents lit it at the same time. Once this was completed, he spoke again.
"Melannen, son of Geliriel and Amrod, may you grow in strength and wisdom, love and light." Turning, he faced each person in the circle. "Remember always that there are many paths in life, and that we must each find our own. So it will be with Melannen. We will not seek to bind him to any one path before he can choose for himself. With the love and care of his parents, may he choose his own path without fear or doubt when he comes of age.
The resposibility of a child is often too great for one, or even two, people to bear alone. Melannen will need many sources of support. His parents have chosen those of you, here tonight, to have a special relationship with him. To be there should he need someone outside the home to talk to; to share experiences, and to be a loving third party should the family need help."
Maedhros came to stand in front of each person. He asked, "Will you be there to listen to him, and to advise his parents in his welfare, if necessary?" Each member answered "yes". When he completed the circuit, he also asked and answered the question, then gave the baby back to Geliriel.
"Bless you eyes, that you may see clearly.
Bless your ears, that you might hear with compassion.
Bless your lips, that you may speak the truth.
Bless your hands, that you might help others.
Bless your feet, so that you might walk the path of Beauty and Spirit all the days of your life.
Melannen, may you always know love and care, from your parents and those here who have promised their love and support."
Wishes were then made for Melannen and after each wish, a candle was blown out. Then they slowly filed back to camp and ate the feast that had been prepared. Gifts were given and they celebrated long into the night.
In Geliriel's tent, a bath was prepared for her. Orainwen had filled the tub with heated and scented water. Both women hummed little tunes as they started. Glinneth helped Geliriel undress and each article of clothing was falded and put aside by Orainwen. After that was done, they helped her into the bathtub, being careful that she did not slip and fall. They would have bathed her, but she insisted on doing most of it herself. She let them wash her back and her hair. When they were finished, they had her stand and rinsed her off with cool water. They took helped her out of the tub, got towels, and dried her off.
They led her to the center of the tent and Orainwen brought her new under dressings, which Glinneth helped her into. They were pure white in color, trimmed with a deep red embroidery. She started to speak, but Glinneth put her fingers on her lips to silence her. 'They'll explain later, I suppose,' Geliriel thought as they completed dressing her in the under dressings.
Glinneth kept her in place as Orainwen went to get the gown she would be wearing. Even if she had been allowed to speak, Geliriel would've certainly been left speechless. The gown was a deep red wine in color. It looked similar to the one she had been dressed in long ago when she had her first dinner with Amrod alone. This gown, however, was different in a few ways. Th neckline was a little lower, and rounded. The sleeves were short, but where the red fabric ended, a very sheer white fabric continued, flaring out toward the ends. There was pattern of ivy embroidered in gold that encircled the gown from one shoulder all the way down to the bottom of the gown. She was very carefully helped into the gown by Glinneth and held steady by Orainwen. She remained barefoot until it would be time to leave the tent.
Orainwen the left the tent and came back with a tray of fruit, bread and cheese. They helped Geliriel to sit, and then fed her. Both made sure nothing fell on the gown, and both absolutely refused to let her feed herself. When she indicated that she had enough, they ate what was left, and took their time about it. When Orainwen took the tray away, Geliriel saw just a bit of the outside before the tent flap closed. 'The sun is setting. It's almost time,' she thought. She began to feel a little nervous, but kept herself steady. All that was left to do was her hair and make-up.
Orainwen returned and helped Glinneth light the laterns within the tent. Then they helped Geliriel to stand and brought her over to a table and mirror. Her jewelry box was open and ready. Orainwen brushed Geliriel's hair, which had mostly dried. She took her time and made sure there were no tangles or knots. When she was done, she fashioned Geliriel's hair into a braid that encircled her head as a crown. She went around and left tedrils of hair loose and those she curled into ringlets. Then Glinneth went and put the little golden flower pins in the braid crown. She did not use them all. She placed the remaining pins back into the jewelry box, save three. With these, she pinned a length of red lace in her hair and made sure it was secure.
Glinneth then had Orainwen leave once again while she did the make-up. Geliriel was relieved when Glinneth did not use very much. She began to wonder if the pins would be the only jewelry she would be wearing when Orainwen returned. She carried a small black pouch and brought it over to the table. She opened it and emptied the contents. Within the pouch had been a ring of gold as well as a gold necklace set with little red stones. It was then that she spoke, and explained the new jewelry to Geliriel.
"Lord Amrod told me that the ring and necklace once belonged to your mother. They were to be her gifts to you for your wedding." Geliriel did her best not to let any tears fall. When she collected herself, she nodded and the necklace was placed around her neck. The ring, which she would have placed on her finger, was instead put back into the pouch. Orainwen explained that it would be given to her during the ceremony.
When everything was finished Geliriel looked as if she would be queen. And so she would be. Queen of Amrod's heart. They waited patiently for the ringing of the bell that would signal their time to walk to the river bank. Within the tent that Amrod had been led into, the process went pretty much the same. He was bathed and dried, then dressed carefully. His doublet and trews were the same color as Geliriel's gown, with the same ivy pattern in gold wrapped around the doublet. His hair was left down, for the most part, with some of it pulled back into a simple braid. His circlet had been polished to a bright golden color and placed over his brow. He wore a single gold earring that had a small golden flower hanging from it. He had been fed as well, and could not speak, which only slightly frustrated him. His brothers kept him calm. He was also shown a gold ring, which would be placed on his finger when the time came during the ceremony. It reminded him of the ring and necklace he had sent to Geliriel's tent with Orainwen. He hoped that Geliriel would be happy with the gifts from her mother.
As he waited for the bell, his brothers kept calming hands on his shoulders. Each giving him a slight squeeze of assurance. He stood still and quiet, ready for the time to come. When the bell sounded, Amras quickly tied a blindfold over his eyes, careful not to muss his hair. Then Maedhros and Amras each took an arm and led him from the tent. When they stopped, the blindfold was removed and Geliriel stood beside him. 'By the Valar, she's beautiful!' he thought to himself. In one last move, Maedhros led them both closer to the river. He joined their hands and joined the rest of their gathered friends and family, Melannen was wrapped in a blanket and sleeping in Glinneth's arms. Then Maglor came forward and began the ceremony that would join Amrod and Geliriel in a lasting union.