Day 17: Something that's practically canon

I'm not sure if this is practically canon, definitely canon, or interpreted wrong. In the Unfinished Tales there's the line about: "the name she chose to be her Sindarin name was Galadriel, 'for it was the most beautiful of her names, and had been given to her by her lover, (Celeborn,) whom she wedded later in Beleriand."

Sounds like the order was 1. lover, 2. named her, 3. wedded.

Perhaps it's just worded confusingly, or lover meant that Celeborn was eventually her lover, after they wed in Beleriand. I mean, Tolkien was super Catholic, he would never imply pre-marital relations between such high elves, would he? A lot of people believe he did mean it, however.

Technically as soon as they have sex they are joined and therefore married. Tolkien said that is all that is required for marriage, but that usually the parents' permission and the ceremony were elements, and a year's betrothal was "proper."
So by our definition premarital sex isn't possible among elves, since they technically become married as soon as they join, only that they're supposed to wait.

In due time the betrothal was announced at a meeting of the two houses concerned, and the betrothed gave silver rings one to another. According to the laws of the Eldar this betrothal was bound then to stand for one year at least, and it often stood for longer

Artanis couldn't exactly get her parents' permission, so maybe they needed Finrod's permission. We never hear about Celeborn's parents so, (unless we accept the Celeborn was Telerin and from Valinor version) he could have gotten permission from them, there's no way to tell.

Later:

In happy days and times of peace it was held ungracious and contemptuous of kin to forgo the ceremonies, but it was at all times lawful for any of the Eldar, both bein unwed, to marry thus of free consent on to another without ceremony or witness

So basically they're definitely not supposed to forgo the ceremonies before being joined, even if the times weren't considered peaceful, so if Tolkien was saying that they were physical lovers, it went against those laws. It probably wasn't considered a huge crime though, even in the eyes of the Valar, and arguably they had more leeway given that after the kinslaying and with Morgoth causing constant trouble they weren't in times of peace.

I personally like the idea, of course she had her "deep reverence for the Valar," perhaps she would never go against such a definite law, but I think early at least somewhat rebellious Artanis/Galadriel wouldn't have seen it as such a breaking of the custom, if she knew she was going to wed Celeborn at some point, anyway

(Besides as Bandersnatchftw pointed out in her something practically canon, this isn't his only implication of pre-marital relations.)

(Also I tried but omg I just can't write smut so my fic starts after.)

"You are so beautiful." Celeborn told her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "More than any names or words I have could describe."

She smiled and tilted her head towards his again, searching for his lips. He met hers eagerly.

"I have never liked any of my names." She told him after a minute. "I have never felt like they fit; like I didn't belong to them, or they to me."

"What name would you prefer?" Celeborn asked.

"I know of none. What would you choose?" She asked him somewhat sleepily, nestling against his shoulder.

Celeborn thought silently for a good while and she had started to drift off when he spoke again.

"Altáriel." He said softly, the name rolling off his tongue. "Galadriel."

She blinked and pulled herself back into wakefulness.

"Galadriel." She repeated slowly. Maiden crowned with a radiant garland. "Galadriel. I like It."

"lt suits you." He shrugged. "From now on, may you be known as Galadriel!"

"Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel." She smiled at him. "It fits."

"It does, indeed." Celeborn gently kissed her brow.

"I love you, Celeborn." She said.

"Melon le, Galadriel." Celeborn told her warmly,and she nestled against him again, truly drifting off this time, perfectly contented.

Galadriel, for she had already begun to use that name for herself in her head, had told Celeborn she was sure no one would be able to tell they had gone ahead of any tradition and bonded, but she had not mentioned that that was not entirely true. If anyone would notice, Melian certainly would. And the next day, she did.

After Galadriel and Celeborn very carefully arrived separately at breakfast and from different sides of the palace, Galadriel met with Melian late morning, wondering if she should even bother to attempt to shield her mind.

She decided that would raise more attention than anything else, though, and knocked on the door to Melian's study as usual. Hearing Melian's "Enter," she pushed Celeborn from her mind and focused instead on lesson things.

It was fruitless, though. In the first moment Melian glanced up at her entrance she frowned and stood quickly. For a moment Galadriel was afraid she would be angry, but for all Melian was trying to look stern a smile was spreading across her face.

"I suppose you think since Middle-earth is so far away from the Valar that that sort of thing is acceptable here?" She crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows.

Galadriel couldn't help grinning, but gave no worded answer yet.

"I have to say it is high time, though. The King and I have been wondering when you two would exchange vows for quite some time now, Artanis."

"Then you do not disapprove?" She tried not to laugh.

"Oh I would not say I approve, but who am I to pass judgment on what has already taken place?" She shrugged, laughing. "I certainly approve of the match! I am so happy for you."

Then Melian surprised Galadriel by pulling her into a crushing hug, and Galadriel, in return, was loosely following Melian's thoughts as she reminisced, and had to try hard not to giggle.

"Do not raise your eyebrows at me, Artanis Finarfiniel!" Melian said when she pulled back, but they were both laughing. "That was when I first was called Melian by him, the Sindarin translation of my name, as you know." She reminisced.

"Celeborn gave me a name last night." Galadriel answered, almost shyly, and Melian turned curiously.

"What name?"

"Galadriel." She said. "Alátariel."

"It is a perfect name for you, Galadriel." A slow and warm smile spread across Melian's fair face. "Celeborn is indeed wise!"

"Indeed." Galadriel smiled, too. Indeed he was.