Out on the veranda, Eowyn stood facing Faramir, his hands holding hers once again, and staring into each others eyes with eternal love. To their side, Eomer and Aragorn stood side by side. They had decided that as the idea had come to Faramir on the veranda, that the beautiful patio would be the site of their union. It was still bathed in illumionous moonlight, shining directly onto Eowyn's face and making her all the more beautiful.
"Eowyn, daughter of Eomund, Lady of Rohan, you have been betrothed to Faramir, Son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor. Tonight you are called by the Valar to seal this betrothal and become united for the rest of you living days. Do you promise your undying love to the man before you?" Eomer said, sounding very official and, seeing as this was the first marriage he had performed, he was doing extremely well in the eyes of the others, remembering what had been said at the few marriages he had seen during his life.
"I do." She answered lovingly.
Aragorn turned to Faramir. "Faramir, son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor. Do you accept into your home and heart Eowyn, daughter of Eomund, Lady of Rohan, taking her into your care, and to provide for her what she needs in your days to come?"
Faramir nodded slightly, "Yes, I do." Aragorn had never heard such certainty in his Steward's voice.
Eomer locked eyes with his sister for a moment, and they both realised how hard it was for Eomer to have to do what was required next. "Faramir of Gondor, as brother of Eowyn of Rohan, I give to you my sister for your wife. May your days together be blissful and blessed."
Faramir leaned down gently and kissed her softly. He did not kiss her hard enough to cause her embarassment before her brother, yet both of them knew that it did not matter who was present at that moment in time, all that mattered was that they were married.
Before their secret ceremony, Faramir had fetched from his bags his mother's ring, one of the few relics of her life remaining. He had intended to show this to Eowyn, to see if she approved of it as a wedding ring for the summer ceremony, yet he saw no reason why he should not give her the ring now. As their kiss ended, he produced the ring from his tunic pocket, sliding it onto her finger.
She looked down at it, gsping quietly at the beauty of the ring. It was a silver band, and encrusted upon the top were two sparkling diamonds. Between the diamonds was a pale blue stone, one she did not know by name, but was so beautiful it did not require words to describe it. "It's beautiful." She said to Faramir, wrapping her arms around him.
They were reminded that Eomer and Aragorn were still there by a small remark from Aragorn. "We had best make sure that Eowyn's maids make certain not to disturb her tonight and in the morning."
Eowyn's head snapped up, suddenly realising what they were speaking of and blushing deeper than ever. Of course, that would make tonight their wedding night. She knew by the tales of her handmaidens what happened on this night, and as a child it had not interested her in the slightest, as she began to become more of a woman, it had interested her more, yet now, as a wife, the thought intimidated her a little. It wasn't as if she didn't want to be with Faramir in a sexual manner, however she was a little scared at the idea.
"Good idea," Eomer agreed. "After all," He gave a small smile at his sister, "This is a secret union is it not?"
Eowyn smiled from where her head rested once more upon Faramir's strong chest. "Thank you for this, Eomer, and also thank you to you Lord Aragorn."
"I must admit, King Eomer," Faramir began, "I did believe that you would be chasing me with your sword at the proposition." Eomer laughed.
"Fear not, Faramir! Unless I hear of you hurting my sister, I shall have no reason to do such a thing again."
Thank the Valar for that. Faramir mused.
"Now." Aragorn said cheefully. "I believe that there is a large mug of ale waiting to be drank at the table."
"Remember what Arwen said!" Faramir warned. "Don't think I won't hesitate to tell her!"
"Faramir!" Aragorn said, feining hurt by placing his hand over his heart in wounded pride. "I am your King!"
"However I fear Arwen a lot more than I fear you." Faramir told him. "She has some skill with a bow to be sure. Last time the arrow skimmed my head without her aiming. I fear that this time, she shall not miss!"
Aragorn laughed and Eomer joined him in returning inside. Eowyn turned to Faramir. "And what, exactly, did the good Queen say to him?" She asked.
"I cannot remember the exact words, however I believe they sounded a little like: Aragorn Elessar if you do anything to embarass yourself by drinking too much then Valar help you when I get my hands on you."
Eowyn laughed, finding it hard to imagine one as good hearted as Arwen saying such a threat. However Eowyn expected that although she may have seen Aragorn drinking, that he had drunk nearly enough to embarass himself as he had obviously done to Arwen before.
"I cannot believe we just did that!" Eowyn said breathlessly.
"Impersonating Arwen?" Faramir suggested.
"No, getting married!" Eowyn corrected, though she knew that Faramir had only been joking. "I shall have to listen to your ideas more often if they all hold similar outcomes." She said proudly.
Faramir smiled, kissing her deeply. Their tongues clashed together in a desperate passion that he had kept concealed before the Kings, but now they were alone once again, he was free to unleash. She felt her knees go weak, and he put her hand on the small of her back to keep her upright. As they parted, her fingers had found their way to become entwined in his soft hair, and she ran her fingers through it, enjoying the feeling of his silky locks running through her hands.
"So, my lady," He said, beginning to repeat his earlier question. "Is it too early to retire for the night."
Once again, she nodded. "Yes, My husband," A shiver travelled the length of his spine as she called him her husband for the first time, "for I, too, can hear the music playing, and I cannot remember our last dance together."
Faramir smiled. "Oh, I can. Very well, in fact, you were wearing that beautiful pale blue dress that matches your eyes spectaularly, and you were dancing as though your feet were floating above the ground."
Eowyn teased him. "I still cannot remember, you shall have to refresh my memory, love." She said, leading him by the hand back into veiw of the people of Rohan.
No one noticed their arrival as almost everyone was dancing. "I see Aragorn could be getting an earful from his queen when you return to Gondor." Eowyn noticed, indicating over to where Eome and Aragorn were no less dancing than jumping madly around with a large tankard of ale each.
Faramir laughed. "At lease I have not had barely any ale tonight, so in the morning, when they eventually rise, I shall have great amusement with their hangovers." He told Eowyn. "I know from experience that when men have drunk as much as I expect they will, they are not at all pleased with a bucket of water over their heads."
"You must remember, Faramir, that they can run faster than you can." Eowyn pointed out.
"I have a plan for that also, you see, if I throw it quick enough and do not pause to see the look on their faces, I will have a head start on the run." Faramir pointed out, leading Eowyn by the hand onto the dancefloor.
As the music changed to a slower tune, many of the men grabbed their wives to start dancing, Eomer and Aragorn gave up and sat back down on a nearby step to continue drinking. Faramir took Eowyn close to him, and began to move in time to the music. He did not know this peice well, but the sensation of Eowyn in his arms and the knowledge that she was now his wife made the music known to his heart and he did not hesistate in performing none less of a perfect dance. Eowyn had her arms wrapped around his neck as his arms snaked gently around her waist. There was barely any space between their bodies, which was exactly how they wanted it, to be as close to one another and enjoying every moment of it.
The music ended, and the newlywed couple disappeared before anyone even realised they were there. Eowyn led him once again to her bedchambers and once inside, she locked the door behind them. She did not trust Eomer and Aragorn together when they were drunk, it reminded her too much of the mischevious antics of Eomer and Theodred.
She turned to Faramir once again, catching him with yet another kiss. She could not get enough of the irresistable taste that was simply Faramir. He held on to her shoulders, pulling her as close to him as he could. She let a small moan pass her lips as he slip his hands slowly from her shoulders down to her hips, resting his hands there. As he touched her, Eowyn lost all control. When he kissed her, he felt no boundaries, only the warmth of his body against hers and the passionate heat from his mouth. The heat spread through her, rushing through her veins, making it impossible for her to keep her concentration. Eventually, Faramir did something Eowyn could never have done, he pulled away.
There was something in her eyes when she opened them that he saw, and recognised. "You're frightened." He whispered, his voice husky. She nodded slowly, keeping his gaze put the emotion remaining between them. He raised one arm, cupping her cheek in his hand, she leaned into his hand instinctively. "Eowyn, we do not have to do this. If you have any doubts, we can wait." He assured her.
She shook her head, "I have no doubts." She said, "I just overheard stories, and the handmaidens told me that it hurts, I am just a little afraid." She admitted.
Faramir kissed her softly, letting his lips linger for a few seconds before pulling back again. "Eowyn, I love you. Just because we are married, that doesn't mean that you have to do anything you don't want to. I will not force you to do anything." He promised her. She smiled gently at him.
"You do not have to force me, I want this as much as you do." Her arms were still around his neck, and she kept them there. "Let's just take it slow." She suggested, she knew that Faramir had been forced into many of these situations by his father when he had come of age, but this was still her first time, and his real first time, his first time with her, and that was all that mattered to her.
Faramir nodded in agreement with her, and looked deep into her lust-filled eyes before kissing her once again, this time, neither of them pulled away.
