Thank you for your reviews! I tried to respond to everyone who sent a signed review and if you didn't get a personal thank you . . . THANK YOU! I hope you like this chapter, it's been long awaited by some readers. The next one will be out soon, at least I'll try and update again tomorrow for you! I hope you like it, please let me know!

Disclaimer: I dont' own anything associated with Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 33

Cynwise bustled around Avelina as did Éowyn. Avelina felt as though she was going to be sick from her nerves. Éowyn met Avelina's eyes as she put the finishing touches on Avelina's hair. "Calm down, Avelina," Éowyn said through a chuckle and Avelina sighed.

"Yes, dear, calm yourself," Cynwise said as she finished tying off her white and cream gown that was a gift from Arwen. The queen had it specially made for Avelina and had given it to her the morning Avelina, Éomer, Faramir, Éowyn, Legolas, Gimli, and the riders left for Edoras. She had apologized for her and Aragorn not being able to attend, but Avelina had just shaken her head and told her she understood and had thanked Arwen thousands of times for the beautiful garment.

"I'm trying to calm myself, but I'm so nervous. I feel as though my insides are turning to mush," she said quickly and Éowyn smiled as she stepped back. Cynwise joined Éowyn and looked at Avelina. "Well . . . how do I look?" she asked.

"My dear, I've never seen anyone lovelier," Cynwise said and Avelina blushed deeply. Éowyn grinned and nodded her head.

"I don't think Éomer will be disappointed in the least," Éowyn said. Avelina's blush deepened and she raised a hand to her heated cheeks before she turned and looked at herself in the looking glass. Her mouth opened slightly at her reflection. In her copper locks, small white flowers were laced in as her hair fell in slight waves. The scoop neckline and bell sleeves of the beautiful dress accented her form perfectly. The bodice of the dress was fitted and snug, but not tight like the corset had been, and the skirt flowed like water in smooth waves. She wore a white scarf wrapped around her neck with the tails of the scarf flowing down her back. The only reason she wore the scarf was to cover the fait bruises that remained on her neck.

"That is me?" she asked in a whisper and she heard the two women laugh behind him.

"That it is," Éowyn said. Avelina took a deep breath and felt her nerves return once again. There was a sudden knock on the door making Avelina jump and the two women to laugh once again. Éowyn went over and opened the chamber door to see Legolas standing in the doorway. "Good afternoon, Legolas. You are here to tell Cynwise and myself to go to the hall and to retrieve Avelina?" she asked and Avelina heard the elf chuckle.

"That I am, my lady," his voice echoed and Éowyn nodded.

"Very well, come in." Éowyn opened the chamber door and Legolas stepped in. Avelina was looking at Cynwise and the woman patted her cheek before she walked around her. Éowyn smiled and nodded her head at Avelina before she too followed Cynwise from the room. Avelina smiled at Legolas and saw a slow grin spread across his face. He bowed his head and Avelina blushed.

"You look beautiful Avelina," he said as he straightened. Avelina gave a nervous laugh and shook her head gently.

"Thank you, my friend," she said quietly. Legolas smiled and held out his hand to her.

"Your people and your king await you." Avelina let out a heavy breath and placed her trembling hand in his and he squeezed it gently. "Do not be nervous." Avelina's dark blue eyes met his silver-blue gaze and swallowed hard.

"Are you bound Legolas?" she asked quickly and he smirked before he shook his head.

"I am afraid I have not found the one to share eternity with." Avelina nodded as he laced her arm with his.

"Then I suppose you wouldn't be able to tell me why I am so nervous?" she asked and he chuckled and patted her hand that rested in the bend of his elbow.

"I could guess. It may be because you are worried for your future. However, I do not think you have cause to worry, all shall be well. You will see." Avelina smiled up at her friend. Of all the people and beings she had met, the last people she had expected to befriend so closely was Legolas and Gimli. "Come, they are waiting." She nodded then and Legolas led her down the corridors where the murmurs were heard from the main hall. She swallowed hard before she saw two guards standing on each side of dark green curtains that had been erected. The two guards bowed their heads before they pulled the curtains open after a nod from Legolas.

Éomer looked up when silence filled the hall and everyone that sat in the hall stood and looked to the left of the hall that was partially blocked from his view because of the people standing. He did, however, see Legolas' head move and the very top of his love's head. Soon, they were in the middle isle and his breath caught in his throat. Eothain nudged his shoulder gently and Éomer took a deep breath.

He had never seen anything more beautiful. She wore a smile on her face, and even through her smile he could see her nervousness. The gown Arwen had given her was beautiful on her and when his eyes met hers he swore he saw them sparkle like the stars.

Avelina felt her heart pound hard in her chest as her eyes met Éomer's. He was dressed in dark green and maroon with his crown on top his head. Legolas slipped her arm from his and she glanced at him and gave him a small smile before he placed her hand in Éomer's. She looked up at Éomer and nearly melted because of the look in his eyes. Éomer bowed his head at Legolas who did the same before he stepped back and stood next to Gimli. Everyone took their seats when a man stepped forward. Avelina looked up and saw, to her surprise, Lord Bregdon standing before them. She had not been told who would see over the ceremony, especially since there was no church.

"People of Rohan, today your have come to witness the joining of your king, Éomer son of Eomund, and Avelina," Bregdon said. "Let us begin by the exchange of vows. Éomer, you shall go first." Éomer and Avelina turned to face each other and he held onto her hands tightly. Their eyes met and Avelina felt as though they were the only two people in the room.

"Avelina, today I take you as my wife and you will rule at my side until our dying day. The day my riders came across you and when I had spoken with you, something in me changed. That day was the day I knew nothing would be the same. Even in the darkest of times, you were my light and kept my hope alive. I promise to love you, cherish you, and protect you for as long as my life will allow and beyond," Éomer said gently. Avelina smiled at him and held back her tears of happiness.

"Avelina, it is your turn," Bregdon said. Avelina nodded and kept her eyes on Éomer's.

"Éomer, today I take you as my husband. All my life I have dreamed of this day, but I had never imagined it would be like this. I never imagined finding someone like you who loves me the way you do. For the longest time, I fought with my emotions but I gave into them when you told me you cared for me. When I was frightened you were there for me, when I was sad you helped me, and you have saved me countless times. I promise to love you, cherish you, and respect you for as long as my life will allow and beyond," Avelina said as a few tears fell from her eyes. Éomer grinned and raised his hands to wipe away the tears from her cheeks.

Eothian stepped forward and held up a dark green and gold velvet pillow where two gold rings sat upon it. Bregdon picked up the two rings. He handed the larger ring to Avelina, and the smaller one to Éomer.

"Place these rings upon the third finger of your bound's left hand as a symbol of your never ending love," he said. Éomer went first once again and easily slid the small gold ring on Avelina's hand before he squeezed it gently. Avelina' smiled and did the same, only her hands trembled slightly. "By the laws of Rohan and before these witnesses I pronounce you husband and wife." Éomer smiled before he leaned in and kissed her. Avelina stiffed when cheers erupted but soon the swift and gentle movements of Éomer's lips against hers relaxed her and she gave into his kiss. When they parted Avelina's cheeks were flushed and a smirk played across Éomer's lips. Bregdon held a black pillow out to Éomer. A gold crown rested upon it and he picked up the old ornament and raised it high over Avelina's head. Silence filled the hall once more as Bregdon spoke the final words of the ceremony. "Today the king has taken a wife. I present to you Éomer King and his wife Queen Avelina!" Éomer lowered the crown on her head and the pair turned to face the people.

Cheers once again erupted, Avelina heard Gimli and Éowyn over everyone and she looked to her sister. Éowyn had tears rolling down her cheeks as Faramir stood next to her and smiled while he clapped. Avelina bowed her head to them and looked to Legolas and Gimli. Both were clapping and Gimli was laughing happily. Legolas' smile was wistful and he gave her a knowing look, one that she took to mean that she truly had no cause to worry. Finally, through the cheers of the people, Avelina looked to Éomer who was still looking down at her.

He didn't have to say a word, she could read his eyes easily enough and he could read hers. Their I love yous were shared silently and she felt as though she could fly. Éomer had never felt so much joy and happiness as he did that very moment and the look in Avelina's eyes only made the feelings double.