Alphros, first born son of Elphir and Artanis, future ruler of Dol Amroth, and official "protector" of his beloved Aunt Lothiriel (a job Amrothos had given him upon their arrival to Edoras), was not enjoying himself. Girls, things he knew to be most annoying and troublesome (with the occasional exception of his mother, aunt, Lady Eowyn and Lady Arwen), were causing him even more discomfort than usual today. His aunt was in the center of the room he had been forced into by his mother, in a long white dress, while serving girls, Lady Eowyn, Lady Arwen, and his own mother talked and laughed with her.
Alphros, on the other hand, had been commanded to remain in the chair he had been placed in, under strict orders to watch his little brother play on the blanket at his feet. Every time he even fidgeted a smidgeon, one of the serving girls would glare at him, and he would grudgingly settle back in his seat, scowling.
Finally, the offending dress business seemed to be finished, and Alphros perked slightly as Lothiriel looked over at him.
"Alphros, darling, what do you think of your aunt's dress?" Artanis asked, kneeling beside him as she bent to pick up Eilvir. Alphros looked at his aunt again; as a four year old boy, he knew nothing about dresses and even less about the quality of beauty in women, but something about how she looked was different today.
"You look like a candle, Aunt Thiri. All glowy." Alphros said. Lothiriel beamed and moved carefully across the room to kiss his forehead.
"We can only hope she will not melt into a puddle upon seeing her almost-husband." Eowyn teased. Lothiriel stuck her tongue out her friend in a most unladylike fashion; earning laughs from all of the serving girls.
"Come now, Alphros. We must sit down so we can have a good view." Artanis said, offering her free hand to her oldest son. Alphros shook his head, looking back to his aunt. Lothiriel, sensing his distress, knelt beside him.
"What is the matter henig?" Lothiriel asked. Alphros threw his arms around her neck.
"Will you still love me?" He whispered. Lothiriel smiled sweetly and kissed his cheek.
"Always, Alphros. If you ever feel I am being stolen away, you have my full permission to chase the other person away with your sword there. Even run them plain through if you should want to." Lothiriel said, patting the wooden sword that lived at her nephew's hip. Alphros looked uncertain.
"I do not think Lord Eomer would like that…" He said. Lothiriel, Eowyn, and Arwen laughed; Artanis gave her son a horrified look and covered her eyes with her free hand. Lothiriel stood and kissed his forehead again.
"No, I don't think he would. But if you really want to bother him, tell him you're my favorite." She laughed. Alphros' face brightened.
"Can I?"
"Anytime you want. Mellon le, my little prince. Never doubt it."
Alphros seemed pacified, scampered over to his mother, regally took her offered hand, and the family exited the room, Artanis chuckling under her breath the whole time.
"There is much mischief in the house of Dol Amroth." Arwen teased. "It is present all of your brothers; even dear Elphir, though he does the best at hiding it."
"And it certainly did not slip past you, dear one." Eowyn laughed, giving Lothiriel a playful swat. "Let us hope Alphros does not announce to the entire room that he is your favorite, above my brother, I might add, in the middle of your wedding." Lothiriel laughed as well, allowing Arwen to kindly adjust her hair once more.
"Alphros is four years old. As soon as he enters the hall, he will be distracted by some new folly, another of Gimli's stories; Merry and Pippin dancing, perhaps."
There was a knock at the door.
"Enter!" Eowyn said. Faramir's head appeared.
"Am I permitted entrance? A rather frightening guard with a wooden sword told me only true gentlemen were allowed entry." He teased. Lothiriel waved him in amid Eowyn and Arwen's laughter.
Faramir pressed a kiss to Eowyn's forehead, causing another chorus of giggles from the remaining serving girls.
"Away with you, away with you!" Eowyn shooed them, laughter in her voice. "Go make sure none of the men have lost themselves in the vats of ale yet." Giggling, the girls exited the room, casting searching looks over Faramir as they passed him by.
"It would seem Rohirric women are drawn to you, Fara." Lothiriel smiled. Faramir choked on his retort about Rohirric men, Hobbits, and Dwarves all vying for Lothiriel's attention as he looked at his cousin, heart in his throat.
"My little Lothy…" Faramir said, voice tight. Lothiriel's eyes began to fill as well.
"Don't you dare make me cry, Fara!" Lothiriel said, a watery chuckle escaping her lips. "If they have to redo my make-up, I'll murder you!"
Faramir chuckled at this and held his arms open. Lothiriel flung herself at him and he held her tightly.
"This seems as if it were a dream…" Faramir said. Lothiriel smiled up at him.
"Is it a good dream?"
"The very best, Lothy, but I still cannot believe it. It seems only yesterday you were Alphros' age and chasing me around Minas Tirith and making Boromir carry you when you got tired…"
As always, there was an ache in his chest when he thought of Boromir, and Lothiriel, knowing this, gave him a squeeze.
"I vaguely recall Boromir telling me he would be killing any and all suitors that tried to claim me…" Lothiriel teased, "I am glad you are not going through with his plan."
"Amrothos would if we let him." Faramir laughed. Lothiriel scowled.
"He swore to me there would be no 'interruptions'!" She grumbled. Arwen laughed, a musical sound.
"Fear not, dear princess, I shall see to your brother." Arwen assured her.
"Oi, Faramir, you're monopolizing the bride!" Pippin cried from the doorway.
"Nice word, Pip." Merry commented. Pippin grinned.
"Thanks! Anyways, as I was saying, Merry and I would like some time with the nearly-Queen, if it's not too much."
Faramir, Eowyn, and Arwen exchanged amused looks but nodded. They each gave Lothiriel a kiss and then exited. Eowyn paused.
"Don't take too long, my dear Hobbits. A wedding is scheduled for today, Bema knows it's already been put off long enough."
Merry and Pippin nodded, and Eowyn left, closing the door behind her.
"Now, what's this all about Merry, Pip?" Lothiriel asked, carefully sitting so as to not soil her dress. Pippin flushed and twisted his foot on the floor.
"In Hobbiton, it's tradition for friends of the bride to give her a present on her wedding day." Merry explained. "Since the groom gets her, he typically doesn't get gifts. A wife is gift enough."
Lothiriel laughed. Eowyn had mentioned that she had also been surprised with gifts on her own wedding day from the two very dear Hobbits, and Lothiriel was pleased to be included as well.
"I do believe I prefer Hobbit tradition to my own!"
Merry grinned and pulled a small bag from his pocket. Lothiriel held out her hand and he put it in it, still smiling. Lothiriel opened it. Inside was a bracelet, made of twine, with two colors intertwining throughout in a simple, but pretty, pattern.
"Merry! It's beautiful!" Lothiriel fastened it around her wrist.
"The blue is for friendship and the green is for loyalty." Merry said. "They were the best for you, and I knew blue was your favorite—" Before he could finish, Lothiriel planted a kiss on his forehead and hugged him.
"Thank you so much, Master Meriadoc." Lothiriel whispered. Merry blushed furiously. Pippin shoved him out of the way and held out his own tiny package to Lothiriel. She accepted it with a warm smile. Upon opening it, she found a necklace, with a metal daisy hanging from the chain. She remembered mentioning how daisies were her favorite flowers to Pippin and Sam, and how she could never get them to grow in Dol Amroth.
"L-legolas told me your name means 'flower maiden' s-so I thought it was appropriate." Pippin stuttered. Lothiriel blinked away tears and busied herself with putting it around her neck. When she finished that she kissed Pippin's cheek and hugged him as well.
"It's wonderful Pippin, I shall treasure it always." She told him. Pippin smiled.
"Thank you, milady."
There was another knock at the door, and Imrahil's head appeared.
"I didn't think I was going to need to hurry you along this day, selde, but it appears I shall have to do so!" Imrahil teased. Merry and Pippin both kissed Lothiriel's cheek ("For luck!" Merry gleefully explained) and then ran out the door, waving to Imrahil as they went. Lothiriel stood and smiled brightly at her father as he came into the room, looking her over as he did so.
"What say you, Ada? Do I meet bride-ready standards?" Lothiriel asked, eyes twinkling in merriment. Imrahil smiled softly back.
"You surpass them, Thiri. You look as beautiful as your mother did in that dress, all those years ago…"
"I'm glad I could wear her dress. It's as if she were here."
"She is here. And she would be so proud of you. Amrothos, on the other hand, would be receiving a tongue-lashing from which he would never recover…" Imrahil chuckled. Lothiriel smiled and hugged her father.
"Mellon le, Ada. So much." She said softly. Imrahil rubbed her back, reminiscent of when she was a little girl.
"And I you, my precocious princess. Let's get you wed."
oOo
"No cold feet, Eomer? You're sure you want to go through with this?" Eothain asked, grinning cheekily at his friend.
"You just want me to back out so you can marry her yourself." Eomer grumbled, shooting Eothain a less than happy look. Eothain shrugged, smirking.
"Who wouldn't want to marry her?" Eofor interjected. "She's smart, kind, funny—"
"Don't forget beautiful!" Frea added.
"Not to mention what Eomer's face always looks like after he's been soundly kissed by her…" Eothain chortled.
"Might I remind you three she's about to be my wife and your Queen, so respect is in order." Eomer said, giving them all a deadly serious look. That was one thing that had been bothering Eomer; would his people accept Lothiriel as their Queen? It was clear that she had all of his men wrapped around her finger (and by default, most of their families as well), but what of the common people? And, even more worrisome, the few nobles? He suspected the nobles that had daughters of marriageable age would not take kindly to his marrying a Gondorian princess over their daughters; much less, what the daughters themselves would do. His dark thoughts were interrupted by a slap on his back from Eofor.
"Cheer up, sire. You're getting married, for Bema's sake!"
"And you know what tonight is…" Eothain waggled his eyebrows knowingly. Frea flushed, Eofor chuckled, and even Eomer could not keep a slight grin from his face. How could he forget what tonight would be? Eomer was wrenched from his increasingly devious thoughts (thoughts that involved a bed, a locked door, and Lothiriel) by a chuckle. His head snapped up as Aragorn moved closer, grinning.
"My friend, if there is one thing you do not want to do on your wedding day it is let your bride beat you to the ceremony." Aragorn said, giving a nod towards the door. Eomer rolled his eyes but got to his feet, receiving a warm thump on the back from Aragorn. He left his room, aware of his friends following behind, all most likely laughing at his quick pace.
oOo
A young boy stuck his head out from inside the Hall. He smiled brightly at Imrahil and Lothiriel.
"We're ready whenever you are milady!"
Lothiriel's grip on her father's arm tightened and Imrahil pressed a kiss to her forehead. She smiled wanly at him before holding up five fingers, indicating she wanted just a few minutes more. The boy nodded eagerly and shut the door behind him.
"You're worrying, Lothiriel." Imrahil said softly. Lothiriel blushed and ducked her head.
"What if I'm a terrible Queen, Father? What if the people hate me, or I ruin the country, or…"
Imrahil hushed her.
"My Thiri, you have been helping run Dol Amroth for many years now. You know how to charm people, to win them over with little more than a smile and a pleasant conversation. As for Rohan, I highly doubt you could ruin it. Eomer has already proven himself a capable and intelligent King; what kind of country could falter under the combined guidance of your marriage? No, selde, something else is troubling you." Imrahil said, watching her face carefully. Lothiriel's eyes met his, and in a tiny voice she said,
"What if I'm a horrible wife?"
Imrahil stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter. Lothiriel looked horrified and elbowed her father's side. "It's not funny, Ada!" Imrahil continued to laugh, finally calming himself as he realized Lothiriel had now bypassed horrified and reached morose.
"Darling, of all the things to fret about, you're worrying about that?"
Lothiriel did not look amused and Imrahil rubbed his thumb over her cheek.
"Lothiriel, all your life, when you have loved, you have loved with your whole heart. Your friends, your cousins, your brothers; do they not all mean the world to you? It is no different with Eomer. I can see it as plainly as if it were written on your forehead. You love this man; love him as much as it is possible to love someone. I think it would be nearly impossible for you to be a 'horrible wife' when you have so much to give."
She nodded and Imrahil's thumb caught the solitary tear that had leaked out of her eye.
Valar help me…what kind of father makes his daughter cry on her wedding day? Sirrin, how I wish you were here…
The boy's head reappeared and Lothiriel gave him a nod. He grinned even wider than before, and even though he shut the door behind him, Imrahil could hear his excited call of, "She's ready!" and the wedding guests responding chuckles. Lothiriel smiled and kissed Imrahil's cheek.
"Thank you, Ada. For everything."
And, as if on cue, the large wooden doors swung open, and father and daughter bid good-bye to sad memories and fears.
oOo
Lothiriel attempted to nod cordially at every wedding guest she passed on her slow march down the aisle. The women, she knew, were eyeing her up, eager to find fault with the young Gondorian Princess who had stolen their King's heart. The men no doubt were just as interested as to why she had Eomer's love, though Lothiriel thought they would be far more concerned with her appearance than her choice of dress color and style. Many gazes were kind, giving her a warm, soothing feeling deep in her heart; but a few were malicious, with a few women even ignoring her nod completely.
Ah well, can't win them all I suppose.
She grinned as she passed Merry and Pippin, who both pressed their hands to their hearts as she passed. Gimli had tears in his eyes as he winked at her, and Lothiriel stifled a giggle at the look he was getting from Legolas. Gandalf smiled broadly at her and gave Faramir a nudge; both men looked at her in tender adoration and Lothiriel felt more tears spilling out of her eyes. Elphir, Artanis, and Alphros beamed at her; Erchirion smiled softly; Amrothos attempted to frown but Lothiriel knew when her brother was truly smiling. Arwen and Aragorn smiled happily back at her. She locked eyes with Eowyn, who was waiting at the front. Eowyn winked, and flicked her eyes to her right.
All other thoughts flew from her mind as her eyes met Eomer's. At this moment, only her father's restraining arm kept her from barreling down the aisle and kissing Eomer in front of everyone present; of all the things she had heard being whispered about her, the thought of her not loving him, this marriage being a political match alone, bothered her the most. She was somewhat aware of her father giving a chuckle as she attempted to go faster, of the guests appreciative murmurs as her cheeks filled with color, and the fluttering of her heart in her chest; but the only thing that mattered at that moment was the man standing at the end of the aisle, looking at her as if she was the only person in the world.
Eomer had never been one to believe in the stories his married friends had told him about all the breath being drawn from their chests when they saw their wives coming down the aisle, but he would never doubt them again. Her hair was unpinned and simple (which he had told her was her favorite), and he repressed a smirk as she blushed under his stare. Then she looked up at him and smiled, truly smiled, and his breath was stolen away again and the only semi-coherent thought he could produce was a melding of "beautiful" and "mine".
After what felt like eternity, Imrahil and Lothiriel reached Eomer. Imrahil kissed Lothiriel's cheek and then handed her over to Eomer. Her fingers squeezed his as the ceremony started, and Eomer had never felt so completely at ease in all his life. His other hand reached up to brush her cheek, their eyes met, and he mouthed the words, ever thine, ever mine, ever ours.
oOo
"You'd think they'd get tired of kissing!" Pippin laughed to Legolas, Gimli, and Merry as Eomer dipped Lothiriel for yet another kiss in the middle of the Hall, causing a chorus of cheers to go up. Aragorn and Gimli laughed uproariously at this.
"My dear Took, you haven't been kissed very much have you?" Gandalf chortled, causing Pippin to turn a bright red.
"What's that got to do with anything?" Pippin cried.
"Everything, Master Took. Everything." Gimli laughed between gulps of ale. "I'll give the Rohirrim one thing; they certainly know how to throw a party!" Aragorn and Legolas exchanged looks; the Elf quickly whisked away Gimli's cup of ale and replaced it with water. The crowd parted as Lothiriel made her way to their table and held her hands out to Aragorn.
"Might I have this dance, my lord?"
"It would be wrong to deny a bride on her wedding day."
Aragorn smiled, gave Arwen's hands a gentle squeeze, got up, and the two moved off to the dance floor, laughing as they went.
"She will make a fine Queen, Imrahil." Legolas said. Imrahil nodded, smiling as the crowd on the dance floor clapped in time with Lothiriel and Aragorn's dance. Eowyn quickly joined in, causing an even bigger reaction from the crowd. Elphir appeared, looking quite frantic.
"Father, have you seen Alphros? He was supposed to be in bed, but when I went to check on him, he had vanished!" Elphir said, looking quite worried. Gimli chuckled and pointed across the room.
"There be your son, Elphir. Up to some sort of mischief, no doubt."
Elphir whipped around and caught a glimpse of Alphros whispering something to Eomer. Eomer's lips twitched in a grin and Alphros looked quite pleased with himself until he realized his father was watching him. Cringing, Alphros waited until Elphir crossed the room and scooped him up, scolding him as he exited the Hall. Lothiriel had returned amongst the commotion and had dragged Legolas and Gandalf to the floor; Arwen and Faramir had also risen and claimed their respective spouses. Merry and Pippin, never being ones to miss a chance for dancing, joined them. The dance was a lively one, and Lothiriel laughed as she was spun from Merry to Pippin to Legolas and then to a very embarrassed Gandalf, who felt it was not his place to dance.
The song gradually changed tempos to something softer and slower, and a minstrel (courtesy of Ivriniel) stepped forward to sing. Lothiriel blushed amongst wolf-whistles and cat-calls as Eomer stepped towards her to claim her for the slower dance.
I thought I had seen
Pretty girls in my time
But that was before I met you
I never saw one
That I wanted for mine
But that was before I met you
"A little prince just informed me that he was your favorite." Eomer said lowly, his lips brushing against Lothiriel's ear. Lothiriel laughed softly.
"Did he now. Well he is rather endearing…"
"I should hate to think you prefer your nephew to your husband, wife."
"Dearie me, did I ever say that? I do believe you're putting words in my mouth, horse master."
"I shall put other things in your mouth if you do not stop testing me so."
Lothiriel flushed.
"Indeed?"
Before she could make any more quick remarks, Eomer silenced her with a kiss, and Lothiriel let any thoughts not relating to him drift away.
I thought I was swinging the world by the tail,
And I thought that I'd never be blue,
I thought I'd been kissed,
And I thought I'd been loved,
But that was before I met you
"See, Am? I told you she was happy." Erchirion said, giving his younger brother a gentle nudge. Amrothos nodded grudgingly.
"You were right. It's just hard to let her go. After all, you weresupposed to marry next, not Thiri."
"Ah, but then I would've missed out on the joys that are the ladies of Edoras!" Erchirion said, smiling at a pair of girls that were watching he and Amrothos rather intently. Amrothos smirked at his brother and sent the girls a wink.
They tell me that I,
Must reap what I sew,
And I hope that that is the truth,
Once I made plans,
For living alone,
But that was before I met you
The Hall cheered as the song ended, applauding for their King and Queen. A new dance quickly began, yet another faster paced one, and Eomer reluctantly let Eothain steal Lothiriel away. Eomer felt a gentle touch on his back and turned to find its source; he stiffened as he realized it was Legolas.
"Yes?" Eomer asked curtly. Legolas smiled slightly.
"I know you do not particularly like me, Eomer, son of Eomund. I know we shall never be close friends, as Aragorn and I are, or how you and Merry are, but I do hope that we can at least be civil towards each other."
Eomer raised an eyebrow in surprise; Elves were known for their pride, and this seemed particularly lacking in it. Legolas sighed and continued, "This is my wedding present for Lothiriel. As I've told her many times, she deserves all the happiness in Middle Earth, and I know it troubles her that we do not agree. So," he cleared his throat and held out his hand, "may we resolve our dispute?" Eomer thought for a moment before shaking the Elf's hand. Legolas smiled at him.
"As friends, Eomer, might I suggest claiming your bride soon? Your men seem intent on dancing her about as much as possible, which, while fun, may not be beneficiary for a wedding night."
Eomer burst forth in laughter; the damned Elf actually had a sense of humor. Unfortunately, it also appeared that Legolas was right; Lothiriel had changed hands a good number of times and the weariness was beginning to show on her face. Giving Legolas a firm pat on the back, Eomer made his way to the table that Lothiriel had found refuge at.
She welcomed him with a kiss, and it took every ounce of will power Eomer possessed (which was considerable) not to throw her on the table behind them and have his way with her.
What are you thinking? Far too much ale tonight, Eomer, far too much.
Lothiriel peered anxiously up at his face.
"You are worrying, Eomer, and I was told that was not permitted on a wedding day." She giggled. Eomer managed a small smile before leaning down to whisper in her ear.
"Are you tired yet?"
"Oh, I feel as if I will never tire tonight! Why did you never tell me how much fun a celebration in Edoras is? I would've insisted upon going to one much sooner."
Eomer nearly laughed; he had forgotten that she was more innocent than he, and the phrase "are you tired" was a literal question to her. Lothiriel's brow knitted and then she blushed (again) as the true meaning of his question dawned on her.
"Oh…I suppose I am a bit tired…surely they will not miss us?" She whispered, leaning into him. Eomer chuckled wearily.
"My men are not so refined as the ones you are used to, my love. They will not let us merely leave on this night without making a large racket."
"How large?"
"Louder than the cheers when we were pronounced man and wife."
Lothiriel paled. "We can wait until they've all gotten too drunk to notice, if that would make you more comfortable."
"And how long will that take?"
"A few hours."
Lothiriel frowned. A few hours did not suit her in the slightest. She looked up into Eomer's face and knew (though he would never admit it) it did not suit him either. She took his face between her hands and pressed a slow, languorous kiss on his lips; one look in his eyes after that kiss was enough to make her decision.
"I think I am quite ready to go." She said softly. Lothiriel caught a glimpse of desire flash in his eyes before she was quite unexpectedly swept up into his arms, in, of course, bridal style.
As Eomer had predicted, the jeering started seconds later. Lothiriel buried her face into his neck, desperately hoping her father and brothers wouldn't see them, or if they did, would be too drunk to care.
oOo
The silence in the hallway after the deafening noise in the Hall was remarkable. Eomer had still not set her down, and Lothiriel was desperately trying to remain calm. She was a smart girl, had been reading since she was three, and had heard all about what happens on a wedding night when she was thirteen; but hearing and doing were two entirely separate things, as Arwen, Artanis, and Eowyn had reminded her. Though she had forced all three not to tell her details (Artanis and Eowyn were married to members of her family, and Arwen was married to her King, so any details would most likely scar her more than help), she had gotten the general idea; the first time would most likely hurt, but after that, that part of wedded life was enjoyable. ("Very." Artanis had assured her. Eowyn had merely sighed happily, and Arwen had smiled softly.)
Eomer set her on her feet and she realized they were in his room.
Breathe, Lothiriel. And no blushing. She told herself. Eomer was watching her cautiously, as if at any moment he expected her to run screaming from the room, calling him all sorts of horrible names.
"Would you help me with my dress?" Lothiriel asked quietly, motioning to the laces at her back. Eomer nodded, and Lothiriel had to physically clutch at her dress to keep herself from ripping the thing off. She was suddenly aware of everything; his breath on her neck (he had moved her long hair aside to see the strings), the way the wall of heat that he was hovered behind her like a fire, and most of all, the loosening of those silly strings. She nearly moaned when one calloused finger brushed her bare back.
Eomer, meanwhile, was desperately trying not to just yank the dress down and out of the way. He could feel her shuddering, and inside his ego puffed slightly as he observed how just a simple touch on her back could make her feel. Physical love was not new to him; it had lost its novelty many years ago thanks to Theodred's meddling and a few too many ales; but physical intimacy while being in love with the person was something completely new. Cautiously, slowly, he slid the dress off her shoulders and pressed a kiss to the exposed skin.
Lothiriel's eyes, which had been closed up to that moment, flew open. She turned to face him, letting the dress fall where it would. Eomer's eyes drank her in, but his hands remained where they were, safely on her waist. Lothiriel rolled her eyes.
"I am not made of glass, Eomer. I will not break."
Eomer stroked her cheek with his knuckles.
"I know."
"I am not afraid."
"I know, Lothiriel."
"I love you."
That seemed to be the magic phrase, for in that moment, Eomer kissed her and Lothiriel wrapped her arms around his neck; the rest of the night was a blur of discarded clothes, whispers, kisses, and moans.
oOo
Author's Note: They're married! Hooray! Even meddling brothers, jealous nephews, Elves, and awkward situations couldn't keep them apart! Anywho, I really hope y'all all enjoy this chapter. Sorry to disappoint anyone who was expecting a more *ahem* descriptive wedding night, but I don't write smut, so I felt this was slightly more appropriate. Maybe later I'll go back and add more "description", maybe not.
This story will be winding down soon, so I hope y'all have enjoyed the ride.
TRANSLATIONS/NOTES:
*henig is Elvish for "my child"
*selde is Elvish for "daughter"
**The slow song that Eomer and Lothiriel dance to is Before I Met You by Jules Garish. It's from the Nights In Rodanthe soundtrack, which you should go buy. Right now.
***For the songs at the wedding, if you want to know what I was thinking of, go listen to "An Irish Party In Third Class" (from the Titanic) and "The Rocky Road To Dublin". That's some party music right there.
Again, thank you all so so so much for all the reviews, favorites, and alerts.
Special thanks to Avonmora and deepofnight; I think y'all were new to my story, and your reviews were super sweet and gave me the extra boost to write this!
As always, many MANY thanks to my repeat readers (and commenters):
WinchesterSmile
You Cant Rush Science
Angelic-bitch
WargishBoromirFan
Volenska
Jadesabre75
You guys are amazing!