Chapter 13: The Wedding of Boromir and Pharazphel
There was so much joy between Pharazphel and Boromir. They could not contain their happiness. Now that they had told Denethor, they were overjoyed that he would allow their marriage. Pharazphel and Boromir remained in the steward's halls, thinking of nothing but their happiness.
"Is it possible to die of happiness?" Pharazphel asked giddily.
"I believe so," Boromir answered. "I feel as if I have already."
"I think we both may have died when we consider that your father gave his blessing," Pharazphel said slyly.
"I believe we were only lucky that there was a victory in Osgiliath. If there had not been such a victory, my father would not have been so kind," Boromir said.
"Well, then it is all due to Gondor's finest that Denethor had a change of heart about us," Pharazphel said with a smile.
"Somehow I had faith that he would," Boromir admitted.
"I do not doubt that," Pharazphel agreed. "It is only the words of his firstborn that Lord Denethor hears, while Faramir's words and mine make him deaf."
"Do not think me wrong, my love. I do love my Father as he loves me," Boromir said. "I just do not know why he cannot give us peace."
"His abhorration of Faramir and me has apparently made him blind as well," Pharazphel scoffed.
"That is not true at all," Boromir said wisely. "My father loves Faramir and you. He will come to remember that someday. I have faith in him."
"We can only pray that he will," Pharazphel said. "Let us abandon this gloomy talk. What shall we do now? How shall we celebrate?"
"I believe that we have been celebrating all morning," Boromir laughed. "Let us find Faramir and tell him of our happiness."
Immediately, Boromir and Pharazphel raced up to Faramir's chamber to tell him the news. When they entered, Faramir was dressed in his brown garb adorned with the White Tree of Gondor.
"Good day to you, brother," Faramir greeted. "And how do you and your fiancée fare today?"
"We are filled with a great joy, Brother," Boromir said with a smile.
"Lord Denethor has given us his blessing, and we shall wed!" Pharazphel announced gleefully.
"Well, what glad tidings these are!" Faramir said happily. "Come, let us go down and celebrate."
Faramir, Boromir, and Pharazphel went back down to the white halls.
"Let us have some ale," Boromir said to his servants. "We must drink to this day."
The servants then presented a silver tray with three tall goblets to Boromir, Faramir, and Pharazphel.
"Let us drink to love and family," Boromir said.
The three raised their goblets and drank a little.
"Life has certainly been good these past few days," Boromir sighed.
"Let us hope that life will continue to be good to us," Pharazphel said.
Just then, Denethor entered the halls. "Celebrating, are you?"
"Father, come. Drink with us," Boromir beckoned.
"Can I drink to such a woman as your bride?" Denethor questioned.
"I believe you can as you did grant me your blessing to marry Boromir," Pharazphel replied.
"What makes you think I did that for you?" Denethor growled.
"I am well aware that you did not give your blessing for my happiness," Pharazphel said wisely. "Could you pretend to be happy for Boromir's sake?"
"I shall drink to your betrothal only for Boromir's sake and certainly not yours," Denethor said coldly.
Denethor poured some ale and drained his goblet. "May you be happy together."
Denethor then stormed out of the halls.
"Father!" Boromir called to him.
Boromir caught Denethor in one of the corridors of the castle.
"Why do you scorn her, Father?" Boromir demanded. "All she has done is make me happy. Why do you treat her as if she is a villain?"
"As I told you, she is born of Rohan. The same Rohan that has left us alone on the fields of battle while our people died," Denethor said callously.
"But I love her, Father!" Boromir argued. "Why can you not be happy that Pharazphel is my bride?"
"I am not happy that she is," Denethor answered, "That does not mean that I am entirely without some happiness. I am glad that my firstborn has found love. I am only happy for you because you are my son."
"There will be a day when you will learn to love Pharazphel as I have," Boromir said, his voice unreadable.
Boromir then quitted the corridor.
That night, Boromir and Pharazphel lay together, dreaming about their wedding.
"In only one more week, we shall be man and wife!" Pharazphel said happily. "Just think of it."
"I can do more than think of it," Boromir said happily.
"Your Father did not seem pleased at all today," Pharazphel said.
"He was very pleased," Boromir corrected her.
"He was?" Pharazphel asked in surprise.
"He is happy that I found a true love in you," Boromir told her.
"Well then, I am glad to know that," Pharazphel said with a smile. "I knew he would be happy to have me."
"I am happy to have you right now and forever," Boromir whispered lovingly.
After a week that had seemed as a lifetime of Men, the wedding of Boromir and Pharazphel was finally at hand. During this time, Pharazphel completely recovered from her injuries. Guests surrounded the White City, eager to see their future Steward wed. Music filled the city as well as dancing. The White City seemed to glow with all the glee on that June day.
Boromir waited at the altar with Faramir at his side.
"Are you nervous, Brother?" Faramir asked.
"No, not at all," Boromir said firmly.
"It is too late to turn aside now," Faramir jested.
"I would not turn aside from today for anything in the world," Boromir said happily.
Boromir turned and saw his bride walking toward him with Denethor at her side. Pharazphel did not seem to walk, but to Boromir, she seemed to be floating. Her dress was as white as a cloud with gold about the hem. To Boromir, Pharazphel looked as beautiful as an elf-maiden. Denethor then laid the hand of Pharazphel into the hand of Boromir.
"I, Boromir, son of Denethor, shall take thee, Pharazphel, daughter of Pharazpher as my wife. I shall love you and no other for all the ages of this world," Boromir vowed.
"I, Pharazphel, daughter of Pharazpher, shall take thee, Boromir, son of Denethor, to be my husband. I shall love you and no other for all the ages of this world," Pharazphel promised.
Boromir and Pharazphel then placed gold rings on their fingers. Boromir and Pharazphel were then blessed with water and, at last, declared husband and wife. Boromir and Pharazphel then filled into each other's arms and their kiss was filled with all the love they had for each other. The people of Minas Tirith applauded, but to Boromir and Pharazphel, they were the only ones in the city. There was never a happier moment.
Later, there were many festivities. There was a great feast held to celebrate Pharazphel and Boromir's marriage.
Denethor raised his glass. "This day is blessed, as I have gained a daughter at last. May Pharazphel and Boromir be blessed for all the ages of this world. To Pharazphel and Boromir!"
Boromir then whispered to Pharazphel, "Remember today, my love. Today, life is good."
Later, there was music and dancing. Boromir watched his bride dance and his laughter was heard often. Faramir danced merrily, as he was a lover of music. Faramir happily danced with his new sister.
"Are you still glad to have me for a sister?" Pharazphel questioned.
"Indeed, I am," Faramir said with much pleasure.
"And I am glad to call you brother," Pharazphel agreed. "You dance quite beautifully, Faramir."
"Dancing and music have been my true enjoyments. My brother does not share that, I fear," Faramir said.
"Is that so?" Pharazphel laughed. "Well then, today I shall have my husband dance with me."
Pharazphel then took Boromir by the hand and began to dance with him.
"Are you sure this is wise?" Boromir asked in jest. "I do not take much pleasure in dance or music."
"Only today you shall," Pharazphel said, moving to the merry music.
"For today and for you, I shall," Boromir said. "Are you happy, my darling wife?"
"Perfectly happy," Pharazphel said tenderly.
"Now that we are wed, nothing will separate us," Boromir said. "We are one now."
"I trust you to keep your promise, my love," Pharazphel whispered.
"You have my word," Boromir promised.
Later that night, Boromir carried Pharazphel to their chambers. There, they became lost in their love. The moment was one of pure bliss for them. Thus it came to pass that Pharazphel and Boromir were now wed.
