September 1461

Fari gave a quick look around the Great Smials garden, making sure his siblings weren't spying on them. He and Goldi were sitting on the lawn together, the closest they'd get to being alone now that they were officially courting. He didn't see anyone, so he turned to Goldi. "I think we should get betrothed."

Goldi didn't even look up from the embroidery she was working on, a baby's gown for her dowry chest. "We are going to get betrothed, Fari. It's what people do before they get married."

"No. I mean now."

She snipped a thread and looked up at him. "Now?"

He snorted. "Well, not today. But soon. Before winter, at least."

She set the embroidery hoop on her lap. "Why now? We've got nearly three years before I'm of age. Most don't go through a betrothal until a year before they marry."

"I know. But..." He sighed. He didn't want to tell her the truth, that no matter what she said, he still feared that she would leave him. He knew those feelings didn't make sense, but he couldn't control it. And it wasn't that he was jealous of other lads, because he trusted Goldi. He was afraid that he would do something wrong and she'd leave him. He thought that getting betrothed would help. It was something official tying them together. "I just want to. I love you."

She smiled at him. "I love you, too. But I don't think my parents would allow it. They want me to wait until I'm of age to get married. I think we'll have to wait another year at least."

"Well, we can try, can't we? They let Elanor get married early." He frowned and plucked at the grass near his feet. "Unless you're not sure you want to marry me..."

"Faramir!"

He cringed. He hadn't meant to sound so petulant. It had just popped out. "I know. I'm sorry." Fari gave her an apologetic smile. Goldi was very good at not letting him feel sorry for himself. He still couldn't believe how lucky he was to have her. She certainly deserved better than him, someone who liked to dance and be romantic... "I did this wrong."

She shook her head. "Did what wrong?"

He pushed himself up to kneel in front of her and took her hands. "Goldilocks Gamgee, I love you more than anything. Will you marry me?"

She just kind of stared at him for a moment, looking surprised. "I..." Her eyes started to tear up. "Yes, Faramir Took, I will marry you," she whispered. Then she burst into tears.

He didn't know what to do at first. He didn't know why she was crying. Goldi rarely cried over anything. Only when he did something stupid to upset her. His stomach ached with fear. "Goldi? What's wrong?"

She shook her head. "Nothing's wrong," she said, her sobs turning to laughter. "It's just that everyone always assumed we'd get married. I never thought you'd actually ask me!"

He laughed, too, and he picked up her embroidery to set in on their blanket and pulled her into an embrace. He held her tight, burying his nose in her sun-warmed hair, happy that he'd gotten this right.

-o-O-o-

Within two weeks, Fari was holding the hand of his betrothed in the Great Smials garden. His parents had been easy. His Dad had been elated and Ivy had gotten all teary-eyed and mushy, ready to start planning the party that very instant. Goldi's parents...they had needed to take a few days to think about it. Goldi told him later that it was actually her mum talking her dad into allowing it. Once she'd had a talk with her mother, and Rosie had been assured that there were no impending grandchildren causing the rush, her mum was happy for them. Her father was being overprotective, seeing as his daughter would be the next Mistress of Tuckborough. But Sam did finally agree to it, and he actually looked happy for them. The betrothal on paper had been done a few days ago--today was an excuse to have a party.

Once all the formalities and speeches were done, the couple made their way over to their friends, a group that now included three children. Frodo was holding three-year-old Pansy, and Rose and Emerald were both cuddling year-old-babies.

As soon as they sat down, Rose passed Saradoc to Moira and Emerald gave Lily to Goldi.

"We're off to get something to drink," Rose said, and she and Emerald hurried away, giggling.

"They did that on purpose, you know," Frodo said. He glanced down the table where Moira and Goldi were cooing over the babies.

"Fari's safe for a while," Theo said. "But Eomer..." He shook his head, trying to appear sympathetic, but he was fighting a smile.

"Well, we did agree to wait a while," Eomer said. They looked over at his wife. Moira was completely enthralled with Saradoc, playing peek-a-boo and making him giggle. Eomer shrugged. "Or perhaps not."

-o-O-o-

Fari and Goldi managed to sneak away from their party, going just inside the garden door. They'd been so busy lately, getting ready for the betrothal party, Fari hadn't had any time to spend with Goldi. Alone.

"Well," he said, and tugged her a bit closer.

"Only two and a half years," Goldi said, smiling.

He slid his hands over her back. "Then we don't have to sneak to be alone together!"

"No, not at all," she said, her fingers playing with the collar of his coat.

He ran a finger along her cheek, tracing down to her mouth and across her lips.

"Oh, just kiss her already so I can go back outside!"

They jumped apart. Fari glared at Bori. "What are you doing in here?"

Bori held up the crate in his hands. "Mum asked me to get some more wine from the cellar." He raised an eyebrow at them. "I should be asking what you two are doing in here, but I'm probably too young and innocent to know."

Fari snorted. "Right." He'd seen Bori looking at girls.

Bori shrugged and came towards them. "Well, if you're not going to kiss her, I will." He leaned down and planted a kiss on Goldi's cheek.

"Bori!" she giggled, her hand going to her cheek. "That beard tickles!"

Bori grinned and turned to his brother. "See, Fari? I told you lasses would like the beard."

Fari rolled his eyes. "Don't you need to take that wine to your mum?"

"All right, I'm leaving!" He wagged his eyebrows at them. "I'll let you get back to your--"

Fari pointed to the door. "Out!"

Bori laughed and went back out to the garden.

Fari shook his head. "Honestly! Why did I get the annoying younger brothers? Your brothers aren't--"

"Fari?" Gold reached out and grabbed his coat, pulling him close. "Shut up." She kissed him.