Maglor stood in front of the couple, looking at them and then the small group of gathered friends and family. He clasped his hands in front of him and spoke.
"We come here tonight to witness the joyous celebration of the love between Amrod and Geliriel, supporting them in their decision to be joined as one in the sight of this company and of the Valar." He then turned his attention to the couple, who were looking at each other as if nothing else existed in this world.
"Amrod, is there any reason, known to you, why this union should not be made?"
"There is none."
"Geliriel, is there any reason, known to you, why this union should not be made?"
"There is none."
"Then let us proceed. Amrod and Geliriel, you stand before this company, having desired the bond of a sacred union. Do you do this of your own free will, coming here this night without coercion or pressure from other persons?"
"We do," they answered together.
"Amrod, will you have this woman to be your partner, to live together in sacred union? Will you love her, comfort her, honor her for as long as your love may last?"
"I will."
"Geliriel, will you have this man to be your partner, to live together in sacred union? Will you love him, comfort him, honor him for as long as your love may last?"
"I will."
Maglor put his own hands around their joined hands. They spared a glance for him, and then looked at each other. Then, the baby cried softly and Glinneth crooned softly to calm him again. Amrod and Geliriel both turned toward the sound, but then smiled and returned to gazing at each other with enormous love. Maglor smiled and continued.
"Will you seek to do each other harm?" he asked them.
"We will not." They spoke in unison.
"And if harm is done, will you seek to repair it?"
"We will."
"Will you seek to be honest with each other in all things?"
"We will."
"Will you support each other in times of distress?"
"We will."
"Will you temper your words and actions with love?"
"We will."
Maglor stood quietly as they began to speak their vows.
"Geliriel, my love, from the moment you entered my life I have loved you. You have brought happiness and joy in my life at a time when I nearly despaired it ever to be. I will always hold this river sacred, for it brought you to me." His voiced trailed off quietly as a tear slowly trailed down his face. Geliriel reached up to wipe it away, and then wiped her own tears away.
"It seems only a few days ago that I had jumped into the falls of this river, not only willing to die and join the new found love that had been taken from me, but to sacrifice my son as well. When I awoke, and was aware of my surroundings, I found I had been saved. I do not know who saved me, or why, but I thank them. I thank them for bringing me to you. This river will always be special to me."
At that moment, the river's water rose and surrounded Maglor, Amrod and Geliriel's feet. With a faint rush, foam came upriver and seemed to stop in the middle, lined up directly in front of the trio and the rest of the company. It swirled and grew wider, and from the center of the foam rose two figures. Only one amongst the group spoke, and that was Berior.
"Lord Osse..." he spoke softly and yet was heard by everyone.
"Well met again, Berior," the Maia said and smiled. He took the hand of the second figure as she moved beside him. He then spoke to the couple.
"My wife, Uinen, and I have come to witness this union. Lord Ulmo sent me to save you and your son from certain death, Geliriel. Your fates were linked to the house of Amrod, Son of Feanor. I stood watch over you until Berior and his men came. He did not know at the time that he had been called by Ulmo to bring you to Amrod." Then he smiled. "If you do not mind, we'd like to witness the union be made complete."
Amrod and Geliriel could only nod their heads in agreement. Maglor found his voice and said, "Your presence honors us greatly, Lord and Lady." At that, the two Maia drifted back a little, so as not to disturb the rest of the ceremony. Uinen spread calm and assurance to the couple and their friends so that they could continue without fear. Geliriel squeezed Amrod's hand and gained his attention. She continued with the vows.
"Amrod, here do I promise you communication, laughter, imagination and hope."
"And all this do I promise you." he responded.
"So be it," Maglor stated softly.
"Geliriel, here do I promise you love, passion, desire, and warmth."
"And all this do I promise you." she replied.
"So be it."
"Amrod, here do I promise you healing, compassion, honesty, and understanding."
"And all this do I promise you."
"So be it."
"Geliriel, here do I promise you stability, solidity, dependability, and strength."
"And all this do I promise you."
"So be it."
"These things you have promised to your partner, before this company. May you ever be mindful and strive to keep the vows you have spoken. This does not mean rending your union at the first sign of trouble or disagreement, for you know that in relationships come difficult times. It is your responsibility within this union to strive for acceptable solutions, to work toward healing the hurts that will occur, and only after having exhausted all other avenues of possibility and not reaching a solution should such a bond be broken." Maglor then released their hands and walked around them to address their friends.
"You are friends and family of this couple, and thus you are an important part of their lives. Their interactions with you are colored by your actions and words. You have a responsibility to one another and to this couple to be supportive, understanding, and honest, and on this night of their union do I charge you to temper all of your dealings with love."
Then, Berior and Orainwen came forward, both carrying the gold rings that were shown to the couple earlier. Orainwen handed Geliriel's ring to Amrod, and Berior handed Amrod's ring to Geliriel. They presented the rings to Maglor, who placed each in his hands.
"Air for hopes and dreams; Fire for the spark of love; Water for harmony and healing; and Earth for strength. May these rings be so Blessed."
Then Amrod took Geliriel's ring, and took her right hand in his. He placed it on her index finger.
"This ring I give to you is a symbol of our love, and of the promises I have spoken to you this night." He said softly, seeing her love for him shine through.
Geliriel then took Amrod's ring, and took his right hand in hers. She placed it on his index finger.
"This ring I give to you is a symbol of our love, and of the promises I have spoken to you this night." She repeated, knowing he loved her by the intensity in his eyes.
As Berior and Orainwen went back to their places, Amras came forward with two red roses. He handed one to Amrod and the other to Geliriel. Then went back to his place.
"The rose is a symbol of love and a single rose always means one thing - "I love you." So it is appropriate that for your first gift to each other would be a single rose. Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife."
They did so, and as they did, Melannen once again cried out. It was a happy cry, and Glinneth smiled as she held the child up to watch. Geliriel broke the solemnity and beckoned Glinneth forward. When she stopped within reach, Geliriel took her son and kissed him. He giggled and cooed as Amrod took the child from her. He also kissed the child and smiled big as the baby giggled and cooed again. He then gathered Geliriel into his embrace and they stood there quietly as a newly formed family. Geliriel came out the reverie first, kissed her son again, then took him and handed him back to Glinneth. The woman took her place again, but held the child so he could watch his parents continue their handfasting. Maglor started again.
"You both have now given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - the gift of true and abiding love.
Amrod and Geliriel, I would ask that you both pick one very special location, in your home, for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that place both as a recommitment of your union - and a recommitment that THIS will be a union based upon love.
In every union there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt who we most love. It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love. It might be difficult to find the words to say "I am sorry" or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I am hurting". If this should happen, if you simply cannot find these words, leave a rose at the place which both of you have selected - for that rose says what matters most of all, and should overpower all other things and all other words. That rose says the words: "I still love you." The other should accept this rose for the words which cannot be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share.
Amrod and Geliriel. If there is anything you remember of this handfasting ceremony, it is that love brought you here tonight. It is only love which can make this a glorious union, and it is by love which your union shall endure."
Maedhros came forward with a length of white cord. Entwined with the white strands was silver and gold. He stood opposite of Maglor and waited, holding the length of cord ready.
"Please take each other's right hand," he spoke in soft command. As they did so, Maedhros began to wrap the cord around each wrist; crossing over again, then as Maglor spoke again, tied an intricate knot.
"Two entwined in love, bound by commitment and fear, sadness and joy, by hardship and victory, anger and reconciliation, all of which brings strength to this union. Hold tight to one another through both good times and bad, and watch as your strength grows." He then took their entwined hands in his again, and spoke the blessing. "By the Winds that bring change, by the Fire of love, by the Seas of fortune and the strength of the Earth do the Valar bless this union."
As he spoke, the river swelled again in benediction and a single shooting star flew overhead. The group's attention was brought to the two Maiar who had moved forward once again. It was Uinen who came forward to stand in the place Maglor had recently vacated in deference to the Maia. She kissed Amrod and then Geliriel. She took their hands in hers and spoke.
"One will come, descended from your line, who will help the Valar by her service in time of great struggle. It is a great service that will be rewarded in more than just one way." Uinen smiled and released their hands and drifted back to her husband, Osse. They raised their hands in parting, and then slowly descended back into the foam that had appeared at their feet. The foam drifted back downriver and out of sight. Maglor, who had taken his place again, spoke one last time in closing.
"Good friends, you have witnessed the promises made by Amrod and Geliriel, one to another, and the exchange of the symbols of their union. They have been doubly blessed by the Valar, and received a message from their Maiar. They are now connected to experience together whatever life may bring them."
Amrod let out a great sigh, as did Geliriel, and he gathered her up in his arms and kissed her with all the love and passion he had ever had for her. She returned that kiss with her own love and passion. Their friends let out a great cheer as they came to surround the newly handfasted couple. They sang a song of joy as they led them back to the feast that awaited them. They shared food from the same plate and wine from the same goblet. Everyone chatted and sang bits of songs. Glinneth brought Melannen to them for a little while, and they sat together, laughing and chatting and singing along with their friends.
Later, Glinneth came to collect the baby. It had been arranged that he would stay with her this night or until his parents came to collect him. This was their night to be alone. Geliriel and Amrod kissed their sleeping son, and Glinneth wrapped him in a blanket. She smiled and winked at the pair, then went off to her tent. Amrod and Geliriel stood and wished their friends a goodnight and then left themselves, trying hard not to run back to the tent that had been prepared for them.