Disclaimer: I own my poor fic's but the characters are only the property of Tolkien.
Snowpip : Thanks for your review, I try and stay in the realm of the realistic with this story because they were everyday people.
ZiroanaI am glad you enjoyed the story and thank you for reviewing and letting me know!
TheDaughterOfKings: About the religious factor, the people did acknowledged Illuvatar. Now maybe they didn't all worship him in the sense we understand, but I believe that they did have some belief system. I simply chose to use the word God instead of Illuvatar because in may make more sense to people who are not as familiar with LOTR to know who Illuvatar is.
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I fidget nervously with my veil and straighten my girdle belt again. I try to sit still as my maid finishes brushing my hair, she begins to pin it up but I stop her.
" I wish it to remain down Zara."
" Down Milady? On your wedding day?" she asks a little shocked.
" Yes, down."
She silently consents and pulls my veil out of my hands. I wish to let my hair hang down, as Faramir likes it better so. He likes the way the light catches it, or so he says.
" You'll be as beautiful a bride as ever was my Lady, more beautiful even than the Lady Finduilas was at her marriage."
My maid beams at me in the mirror, she is more sure of it then I am. My face is too pale this morning, and I try to swallow the butterflies in my stomach.
A knock on the door startles us and we both run to keep anyone out who is not welcome.
" Who is it?" Zara asks leaning against the door.
" Lord Eomer, come to escort the bride. Now open this door before I break it down!"
This last came as a laughing threat and the maid opened the door. My brother comes in looking splendid in full Rohirric armor and livery, a green cloak draped around his shoulders. As I walks into the room I greet him, my tall handsome brother. His hair is pulled away from his face and flows down his back in burnished gold waves. He stops and looks me over from head to foot in all my wedding finery. His usually hard grey eyes are tender and he holds out his arms. I run into them and bury my face in his shoulder as I did when we were children.
He bends his head over mine and whispers " What will I do without my sweet golden sister to boss my men and I around?" a little catch in his voice lets me know that he is crying.
I pull away from him and I see that both of us fight the bright tears that shine in our eyes. He chucks me under the chin and smoothes my hair from my face.
" Eomer, I….I am a little afraid." I say.
Taking me by my shoulders he smiles. " That doesn't sound at all like the rebellious young woman who rode to war and slew the witch king. Is Faramir so stern and fierce that you would fear him more than the king of Angmar?"
He teases me and I feel my spirits lift. " No indeed I only needed a little comfort from my dear brother. My only fear is that you will be so far away and I will rarely see you."
" My dear Eowyn, you will be so busy with married life, and ruling Ithilien that you will never think of your lonely brother."
" I never should forget you, you know that." I said. He smiled " You will visit often enough and if Faramir does not allow it, I shall ride to war and kidnap you back."
We laugh sharing our last quiet time together before the ceremony. A page comes with the message that all is ready to begin and only we are wanting. My brother and I look at each other.
"It is time." he says. I kneel and he blesses me in the way that Theoden would have done had he been there. And then I remember he is there, inside me. Living in my memories of him.
Raising me to my feet he kisses my forehead and offers me his arm. I rest my hand lightly upon it and we walk into the hall where the rest of the procession is waiting.
We take our place behind a small group of elves, they are friends of Faramir who will join us in Ithilien In front of them two smaller figures are arguing quietly. Suddenly they run up to us and hand me a bouquet of fresh flowers.
" Merry and I thought you would like these." says Pippin.
" It was really my idea, I thought you might like something to remind you of home." says Merry looking a bit shy and bashful.
I look down at the bunch of tiny white flowers and feel tears prick my eyelids. Seeing them Pippin gives Merry a swift kick to the shins. " Stupid, I told you she would cry, you should have picked something different." he hissed none too quietly.
" No, no I would have it no other way, indeed not." I said " You were quite right to chose these, they're perfect!" I kiss Merry's blushing face and see Pippin give an envious glance.
The signal has just come: it is time for us to go into the hall. The elves begin their song and walk with majestic grace before us. The tall figures are a sharp contrast to the hobbits who follow in their wake. In his own tiny size Merry is dressed as my brother and his stubborn chin is lifted high with pride. I see again the brave, fearless fighter as I did before the Battle at Pelennor. Dear little Merry! Without him, I would not be here wedding Faramir.
And without the steadfast companion walking beside him neither would Faramir be alive. Pippin's face is bright and his eyes twinkle with suppressed merriment. His expression is serious though and his right hand rests on his sword and he wears the uniform of the tower guard with a palpable sense of it's importance. His coppery locks contrast with the black velvet of the doublet but his skin is nearly as pale as the embroidery on his tunic.
As we turn the corner a huge crowd of elves, dwarves, men and a hobbit or two come into my view. What is left of Gondor's nobility are here. The Prince of Mirkwood heads a company of elves, Master Gimli stands with them his long hair flowing out in frizzy profession.
My eyes travel along the line of guests and light upon Sam and Frodo who stand with King Aragorn. This is the first time I have seen the famous pair since their arrival from Imladris. From the smiles on their faces you would never guess that they had nearly lost their lives in their quest. I see that Frodo is far too pale to be healthy and his left hand is discretely hidden at his side, but his beautiful eyes are bright and lively.
My glance then settles on Aragorn and we share a smile. He was right, I had only loved him for the shadow of a man that I would one day love in Faramir. In flesh and blood I had found my love, my Faramir…..Faramir.
I lift my eyes and as the group of elves part I see my love. I doubt my feet ever touched the ground. His eyes hold mine and my heart feels so light and free. He is resplendent in the midnight blue robes of a Steward, and the gleam of polished armor reflect the starry light in his grey eyes. My love carrys his brother's broken horn. It has been repaired and restored as far as possible, but it will never sound again.
We pause at the bottom of the steps and the Mithrandir asks " King Eomer of Rohan, do you fully consent and release your sister to come into this union?"
" Yes, I consent freely."
" Do you relinquish any hold upon your sister and give her in marriage in good faith?"
" I relinquish and give her in good faith to Faramir of Gondor, may they be blessed."
Merry and Pippin each take one of my hands and we walk up to where the Mithrandir and Faramir wait. Just as we reached the top step poor Pippin trips and lands flat at the feet of the wizard. Everyone lets out a gasp and Pippin scrambles up his face poppy red.
Clearing his throat as if nothing happened the Mithrandir motions to the hobbits and they join our hands together. Kneeling I take a deep breath and begin my vows.
" I Eowyn, daughter of Eomund and Lady of Edoras. Here I pledge my allegiance to Gondor and my Lord the Steward thereof, to love, and serve him all my days. In joy or sorrow, in times of poverty and wealth. To guide the footsteps of our children in faithfulness and honor to Gondor and their father. Here I promise and swear, to live faithfully at your side as long as the breath of life is given me"
My hands tighten around his as I speak and I feel every word as if it were my last. Tears are pooled in my love's eyes and I see he is struggling to hold them back. Next he brings me to my feet and laying his hands upon mine his kneels.
" I, Faramir Steward of Gondor do hereby pledge to protect and serve thee all the days of my life. To love and seek to bless thee everyday of life we share. If by my life, or death I may serve thee I here swear to do it. All my wealth I pour at your feet and do thee endow, and with my body I thee worship. Here do I swear to live faithfully at your side as long as the breath of life is given me."
A murmur runs through the crowd as we stand together as man and wife. There is but one thing left to do. A page comes forward bearing a velvet cushion upon which lays a golden jeweled circlet. Taking the delicate crown in his hands he bids me knee and receive the honors of the wife of a steward. As the full weight of the circlet is felt upon my brow a new determination is born in my heart. As I rise to the crowd as a Stewards wife, I rise to a new life and reasonability that I will give all my strength to. These are my people no longer strangers or foreigners, but my people.
My people.
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To my dear readers: Thank you all for your support and praise of my work. You cannot understandthe joy I had writing this and discovering how much you all liked it. Thanks again and God Bless!.
Jaffee Leeds