Finrod and Mornel are finally freed but Finrod is running out of time. Will he make it to the wedding?

20. The Wedding

Finrod tried to hide it but he was growing more anxious as the pool of sunlight moved across the floor with the lengthening of the day. The smiths cut through the mithril-steel door inch by excruciating inch. Their task was rendered harder when they discovered that Feanaro had added the random adamanite-stone into the mix, a rare and notoriously hard substance found only in the deep mines near Mandos' Halls. After failing to craft anything out of the raw lumps of adamanite, the Noldor had abandoned the mines in favour for more malleable ores and gems elsewhere.

Finrod had not wished to alarm his bride unduly. He begged his father not to tell her of his current plight and the Noldoran agreed. The procession to Elemmire's house to fetch the bride would leave as planned before sunset. Aunt Anaire would oversee that part of the wedding in her law-brother's stead. Arafinwe did not wish to leave his son just yet. However, when the first guests started arriving, he would be obliged to greet them in the grand reception hall.

Mornel closed her eyes and tried to catch some sleep. Watching Finrod pace as the time for the wedding neared was making her dizzy. The room was unbearably warm from the heat of the cutting tools. She must have dozed off into reverie for when Finrod shook her awake, the sun was already setting. The smiths had almost completed their cutting. The trapped elves waited. The last of the sunlight vanished from the window before the cut-out circle of door hit the floor with a loud clank. Someone gingerly thrust in a Feanorion lamp, carefully avoiding the edge where the metal was still glowing red-hot from the heat.

"Your Highness? You best get ready for the wedding. His Majesty has gone to inform the others of a possible delay… Careful now…" It was Mahtan.

The master smith helped the prince and his granddaughter out. Mornel noted that her cousin looked a little unsteady on his feet. Servants brought jugs of cool water for them to quench their thirst and warm towels to wash their faces with. Indis and Findis soon came to meet them with a train of servants bearing Finrod's wedding robes, jewellery, and soft shoes.

"Is there time for a bath?" Lady Indis asked a servant. The nis paused uncertainly. It was Findis who answered her mother.

"Amme, we will have to hurry and have Findarato change into his wedding robes soon, or Ara would have to explain to Amarie and the guests why we have been delayed." She would also need to check Finrod's vital signs to ensure that he was not suffering from dehydration or heat exhaustion from his imprisonment. They could not have him fainting during the ceremony.

Finrod was hastily ushered away by his grandmother and aunt. The servants scurried after them. Mornel was left alone with Master Mahtan and the smiths, who were already taking their leave. They had a wedding feast to attend after all.

"Mornel, you aren't going to the wedding like that, are you?" Mahtan shook his head as he took in the state of his grandchild. Mornel had collected several cobwebs in her hair and her robes were grimy and wrinkled.

"Of course not, grandfather… I had a lovely gown made just for the occasion," Mornel grinned before hurrying off to her own rooms to change. She was expected to sit at the high table with the other members of the royal household after all.

"The sun has long set and the moon has risen…"

"The wedding should have started by now… Nay, the rites long completed."

"Has anyone seen the prince?"

The guests were growing restless. Amarie tried to ignore the growing whispers as she waited with her train of bridesmaids. Earwen had been so kind to her, reassuring her that Finrod would arrive soon. She had even given Amarie an opal brooch to fasten a stole over her shoulders as the night in Tirion could be chilly. A wreath of silver orange blossoms held a sheer lace veil over her face and hair. Try as she might to act like the demure maiden and keep her eyes downcast, she could not help glancing up towards the entrance of the hall.

Rumours were spreading like wildfire, gaining speed with each passing minute. It had been an hour since the exchanging of vows was to be held and yet no sign of the groom. Amarie's relations were flustered with worry. What had happened to the groom? Was he ill? Had he run away? Her father boldly strode over to have a word with the Noldoran but was forestalled by the chamberlain. A member of the Vanyar delegation exclaimed aloud that it was a disgrace they be forced to wait and was swiftly hushed by Prince Ingwion. King Olwe and the Teleri delegation had not been informed of Finrod's misadventure and were just as puzzled as everyone else about the reasons for the delay.

"I hope this is not some new tradition for the Finwean princes… I recall Prince Curufinwe had his wedding delayed…" Olwe muttered.

"Did he not lock my law-brother in his room and indirectly caused that delay when Finwe had to fetch a healer?" Earlindo grinned. He had heard that tale from his sister back when she was being courted by Arafinwe.

"Nolofinwe had his wedding delayed too –the bride suddenly had second thoughts… It was an hour before their folks found her in the family orchard and talked some sense into her. I blame Lady Indis for that one. A young bride should not be greeted on the morning of her wedding with a tome on the proper behaviour of a law-daughter and wife from her soon-to-be law-mother," Olwe chuckled.

"Angarato got so utterly wasted the night before his big day. He was unable to stand even at dinner the next day. I blame my brothers for that one," Earlindo added. They had to prop Angarato between his groomsmen for the ceremony and Eldalote was not amused at all by the sorry state of her husband.

"Aye, I still wonder how they found my secret stash of very strong rum, given I shared its location only with you," Olwe smiled as his son flushed crimson.

"Turukano's wedding was delayed too, so I heard from Ingwion," Earlindo looked away and tried to deflect his atto's attention.

"Bride got cold feet?"

"No, the groom… you don't think our Findarato got cold feet, do you?"

A trumpet blast finally announced the arrival of the groom. The guests rose and craned their necks for a glimpse for the prince. Finrod was elegantly dressed in a white tunic with a modestly embroidered collar. He wore a circlet of unadorned gold as was his right as crown prince. Silver ribbons glinted in his braids. He strode across the hall to his parents and hugged them both in turn. The Noldoran and his queen were dressed in the Noldor style, in heavy brocade and jewels. The crown prince's simple Teleri-influenced garb was noted by all present. His bride was clad in the Vanyar fashion, in a modest white robe and lace veil. They made a handsome couple. The Noldoran and his queen returned to their seats at the front of the hall. It was time for the ceremony.

Amarie looked down demurely as her groom took her hand. They stood at the front of the hall as Olorin conveyed the blessings of Lord Manwe and his spouse Varda to the happy couple. The glow of the blessings upon them, the couple exchanged their vows. All eyes were upon them. Few noticed Mornel's entrance into the gallery overlooking the hall. The youngest member of the royal family had worn the grass-green gown Elsornie had designed. Her hair had been hastily brushed. Her silver circlet was perched on her head at a crooked angle. She was too late to make her way to join her uncle below. She would have to wait until the ceremony was over and the feasting started.

"Grandmother, Your Majesty… Apologies…" Mornel apologized as she slid into her seat at the high table. Arafinwe smiled fondly at his niece and motioned for a waiting servant to fill her goblet. Lady Earwen reached over to straighten Mornel's circlet. The invited Teleri and Vanyar royals were also seated at the high table. Finrod and Amarie were dancing. Mornel hoped her cousin had recovered enough from his earlier ordeal. He showed no signs of weariness as he and his bride twirled around the floor.

Mornel tried to restrain herself as a plate of food was placed before her. She was famished, having nothing but an orange and a few berries since the night before. As a princess, she must observe the necessary etiquette. She tucked into her meal as daintily as she could. The fish was delicious and the vegetables fresh and crisp. The soup was piquantly spiced with peppercorns and basil. She almost wanted to ask for more but she knew she could not. Princesses must never appear gluttonous. Already she must have been eating faster than was proper. Aunt Anaire was giving her warning look as she reached over for a second helping of bread from the table's bread basket. On the dance floor, Finrod seemed to be tiring and the newly-weds returned to their seats between the Noldoran and his queen. They were the centre of attention for the night.

Other couples took to the dance floor as the night wore on. Ingwion and his lady wife danced to a light Vanyarin melody. The Noldoran and his queen left the high table briefly for a stately waltz. Indis urged Prince Earlindo to ask Mornel for a dance. With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, the Telerin prince complied and asked the princess for the next dance, which was a heady Telerin reel. Mornel laughed merrily as they spun and skipped about the dance floor. She was enjoying herself immensely. The dance was full of energetic moves and flourishes. The other dancing couples tired one by one and took their leave of the floor. Soon only Mornel and Earlindo remained. When the music ended, the pair bowed to thunderous applause from the guests.

"They make a lovely couple… Has your son ever considered marriage…" Indis asked King Olwe.

"Yes, he has someone else in mind…" the king replied.

"Mornel is a princess of the House of Finwe…" Indis hinted.

"Aye, and they say one of her brothers slit my Earlindo's throat during the Kinslaying… Don't get me wrong, my lady. Mornel is a charming and kind-hearted soul, a veritable credit to her family but I do not think my people are ready to have their Prince Earlindo wed a daughter of Feanaro," Olwe pointed out. He had no desire to broker a political marriage for his son.

"Where's that child now?" Aunt Anaire asked when she realized that both Earlindo and Mornel had not returned to the high table after the music ended. Mornel had made use of her chance to leave the grand hall to join the festivities outside the palace. Prince Earlindo was eager to explore the streets of Tirion by night during the festivities and found a willing guide in Mornel. The pair found a despondent Snowdrop tied up in the hallway by some thoughtless servant with neither food nor water. Hounds were not allowed inside the grand hall, especially during such an important event. Mornel untied the hound. She took her to the kennels for some water and kibble before taking her out into the city streets. They had little to fear from the citizens of Tirion and the guests but a large hound was both welcome protection and company.

Outside the palace, the celebrations were more boisterous. Wine had flowed from the city's fountains since sunset and many elves were more than a little tipsy by now. Mornel found her law-sister engaged in a singing competition with several neri. The lyrics of the ballads they were singing were getting bawdier with each passing verse. Even Earlindo flushed red to the tips of his ears at some of the words. It was fortunate that such entertainment was held far from the palace and noble precincts. Helwien was red-cheeked from the wine and the heat of the bonfire the craftsmen had built at the crossroads of Dyehouse Alley and the Street of Gems. At Mornel's side, Snowdrop howled as if to sing along and was quickly hushed by Mornel.

Nearby, Master Mahtan refereed a wrestling match between two smiths. Some of the Avari had ventured into the city to join the celebrations despite their known dislike of stone walls, among them Tatie. She shouted encouragement to the fighters and hurled cheeky rebukes to the referee.

"Foul!" Mahtan barked as one fighter tried to kick his opponent below the belt.

"Not!" Tatie shouted. ""Unless you stuff a weasel down his underpants!"

Mahtan glared disapprovingly at Tatie and then the wrestlers. Tatie only stuck out her tongue at Mahtan like an elfling would. One elf had the other pinned to the ground. The match was over. Snowdrop barked her approval and wagged her tail. The wrestlers drew apart and shook hands. The pair ambled off to share a pint or two of ale. Earlindo strolled over to join a group of elves playing at darts. Next they were ushered by Tatie and Helwien into a makeshift tavern selling heady Avarin liquors. More bawdy singing and dancing followed. The Teleri prince would spend a good many hours in the company of the common elves of Tirion before staggering back on Mornel's shoulder to the palace.

"Really, you could have kept him away from those rough elves in the Artisan Quarter and the taverns…" Lady Anaire clicked her tongue with disapproval as Mornel handed Earlindo off to his amused father. Earwen took one look at her little brother and went to brew some tea for the hangover he was sure to have later. The prince was drunkenly singing a naughty ditty about a smith and a tree. Mornel only grinned impishly. The happy couple had long retired to their nuptial chambers. Various guests were also taking their leave of the Noldoran and the banquet. Ingwion was holding a quiet conversation with Arafinwe and Lady Indis. Mornel stifled a yawn.

"Now, off to bed with you…" Anaire shrugged and motioned for Mornel to retire for the night. "You have had a long day too."

Author's Notes:

The wedding is over and we are nearing the end of this story arc.