Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
NOTE: Lady Marta of the North is Lord Uri's sister and Madam Olga is his mother. Lord Karol is Lady Marta's husband and the Lord of the Northern Lands (Sweden).
NOTE 2: Prince Amrothos always sits at the High Table.
Later that evening the guests began to arrive for dinner. Éomer introduced the King and Queen of the North, along with their Courts to Lord Elfhelm, the Lord of the Eastmark and his wife Lady Wyn. Lord Erkenbrand, the Lord of the Westmark and his wife Lady Faeger, a few other Lord and Ladies and the prominent citizens of Edoras and their wives.
The Royal Couples wore their crowns and their Courts wore their circlets. The Lords from the North wore their medallions around their necks.
"The females clothes from the Far East are very different," Lady Wyn said to Lady Faeger.
"They're very colorful and the cloth is very fine," Lady Faeger replied.
"Lord's Balar's wife is not like us," Lady Wyn said.
"She's very beautiful and I can see why he fell in love her," Lady Faeger replied.
"I wonder what their children look like?" Lady Wyn asked.
"Like King Adair," Lady Faeger answered.
xxx
Lothíriel Queen introduced Lady Lindra to the Ladies of Rohan and told them Lady Lindra is also from South Gondor, that's she's betrothed to Lord Uri from the North and they'll be married when they return to the North.
Many in the Golden Hall stared at the ones from the North and whispered among themselves. They also noticed they all, except one, have black hair like their Queen.
"This ale is different," Elfhelm said to his liege after taking a sip from his cup.
"It's from the North," he replied.
"I like it," Elfhelm said.
"So do my guards," Éomer replied and told the Lord of Aldburg about the feast King Adair gave for King Elessar and Queen Arwen. Éomer also told him that King Adair, his Court and his Queen's Court grew up on the plains, except Lord Balar.
"They're like us," Elfhelm said looking at the Northmen. "Is it true what we heard about the women from the Far East?"
Éomer King told his Lord what they witnessed at the exhibition and laughed when he saw the expression on his Lord's face.
xxx
"I see you like our ale Master Gimli," Elan said, watching as he gulped his ale.
"It's better than the ale in Middle-Earth," he replied and set his cup on the table and ordered more of the ale from the North.
Before dinner toasts were made and then the feast began. The Northmen and women sat at their own table because of the language barrier with the Rohirrim. After dinner the Rohirrim sang songs and so did Merry and Pippin on their table. The King of the North and his Court along with his friends got up and danced and sang the songs of the North. His Queen and her Court did the same after they finished.
No one in the Hall understood the words, but appreciated them just the same.
xxx
"They're different, yet like us," Erkenbrand said to his liege.
Éomer told his Lord about the North and their culture.
Erkenbrand smiled at his fellow plainsmen.
xxx
"What do you think of those two?" Adair asked Éomer after everyone had departed.
Éomer studied Lord Uri and Lady Lindra who sat talking quietly among themselves at the other end of his Hall. "They'll be alright?" he answered.
"Did Elan know Lord Uri would meet his future wife in Gondor?" Éomer asked.
"Yes, but she didn't know who she would be," Adair answered. "Your Queen, my Queen and Lady Lindra grew up by the sea, but they married men who grew up on the plains."
xxx
After breakfast the next morning Éomer gave his guests a tour of Edoras. They met the shopkeepers and other citizens. After lunch the Northmen showed the shopkeepers the wares they brought from the North and the Northmen answered their many questions.
The Rohirrim shopkeepers then showed the Northmen what Rohan has to offer and answered their questions.
During the reception that evening the shopkeepers told their liege they liked the cloth and ale from the North. A few told Éomer King which jewels they liked.
Freda was pleased to hear that her kinsmen liked the Northern spices she was given to season the meats for the feast.
xxx
"Their women can fight," Elfhelm said wide-eyed after the demonstration the next afternoon on the fields of Edoras.
"They also killed our best soldiers," Erkenbrand replied looking at his liege.
King's Éomer, Adair and Prince Amrothos laughed.
xxx
A stable boy was sent to get the two Kings.
When the Kings entered the Royal Stables they saw Ara laying on her side.
"Ara is ready to deliver Éomer King and your Majesty," the Stable Master said with a bow to the two Kings.
Éomer translated what his Stable Master said to King Adair.
The Stable Master and King's Éomer and Adair helped Ara deliver a colt.
Lord Erkenbrand looked at the black colt – who was trying to stand on his legs – and saw his mane and tail are tan like Ara's. He knew that colt will grow to be powerful and strong and will sire many great horses.
"Éomer King of Rohan, this is my gift to your son your Majesty," King Adair said to him.
Éomer King thanked King Adair and the two Kings embraced.
"Who's the sire your Majesty?" Erkenbrand asked.
"Wind, Lord Erkenbrand," King Adair answered.
Another Mearas in the Mark, Elfhelm thought.
King Adair introduced Lord's Elfhelm and Erkenbrand to Wind before they left the Royal Stables.
Later that afternoon Éomer King took his son to see his horse.
xxx
"Ara is a Southern horse and was my Queen's horse when we met. But Ara wasn't breed for the winters in the North and had a hard time and slowed us down. When we arrived at my cousin's Elan's home in the North, my Queen was given a new horse and Ara was sent to the stables. She was taken care of and got her exercise," King Adair told Éomer King and Lord's Elfhelm and Erkenbrand.
"You brought Ara home where she belongs your Majesty," Lord Elfhelm said.
"To our fellow horse lords who'll take good care of her," King Adair replied.
Dinner that evening was a quiet affair with only the Royal Couples and their Courts in attendance.
xxx
"These are beautiful your Grace," Lothíriel Queen said when she saw the long fur lined cloak, fur hat and fur lined gloves.
Amie smiled at her friend.
Éomer King thanked King Adair again for the gift to his son.
Lothíriel and Amie embraced before they departed the Golden Hall and promised to write each other.
The Lord's and Ladies from the North bowed to the King and Queen of Rohan.
xxx
"I'll see the two of you again," Elan told Merry and Pippin when she knelt down to their level and gave them both a kiss on the cheek.
"We understand we're neighbors," Merry said.
"The two of you can come and visit me anytime," she replied.
"We will," Pippin said smiling.
Elan also laughed and then turned her attention to Gimli. "It was nice meeting you Master Gimli and I hope to also see you again," she said to him and also gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Count on it lass," he replied.
xxx
The King and Queen, along with the Lords and Ladies of Rohan watched as the King and Queen of the North and the Royal Party rode South, with Prince Amrothos and the Swan Knights leading the way.
"Wind is a magnificent horse," Erkenbrand turned and said to Elfhelm.
"That he is," Elfhelm replied.
xxx
Dol Amroth
When the Royal Party arrived they boarded their respective ships.
Amie hugged her mother and brother.
Lady Lindra also gave her father and grandfather a hug.
xxx
Madam Elan told the ones from the South how everything works in the castle.
"One of our squire's will attend you and Haldar while at the castle Lord Huor," Adair told them.
"Thank you your Majesty," they both replied.
"Have you and Lady Lindra decided where you're going to live after you're married Lord Uri?" King Adair asked smiling at his friend.
"We're going to live in the castle your Majesty," he answered.
xxx
"What does Lord Delmar's estate look like Madam Lilith?" King Adair asked on the deck after dinner.
"It's the most beautiful estate I've ever seen and it's the largest estate in all of Gondor your Majesty. They're trees everywhere and the many cottages on the grounds are where the workers live with their families. I only saw the larger home from a distance and it's very grand and Lord Mercer told me it has many servants. They're two wine vineyards on the estate and all the red wine in Gondor comes from that one estate," she answered.
Now I know why Lord Delmar stole that estate from his nephew, Elan thought, who was present during their conversation.
xxx
The North
These lands are beautiful, Haldar thought while they were riding to the castle. He saw a great forest on one side and the sea on the other.
"This is very different from South Gondor father," Lady Lindra said looking around.
When Lord Mercer saw the smile on his daughters face he knew she'll be very happy here.
Lord Huor and Madam Lilith also commented how beautiful these lands are as they were riding to the castle in their carriage. Madam Lilith thought the villages are beautiful as well as the homes.
xxx
A few days later a guard informed everyone their King and Queen have returned home.
"How do you like your new home my Lady?" Lord Uri asked Lady Lindra when they arrived at the castle.
"I've never seen anything like it," she replied smiling when her betrothed helped her off her horse. "The forest is breathtaking."
Lady Lindra took Lord Uri's arm and he escorted her into the castle.
xxx
"Daddy, Mommy," Ana and Doran said running to their parents when they walked into the Royal Nursery.
King Adair picked up both his children at once and gave each a kiss and told them how much he missed them.
Their mother also kissed both her children and she too told them how much she missed them.
The two nannies curtsied to the Royal Couple.
"They kept asking when the two of you would return from your trip," Lady Katrina said to her son.
Adair told his children they were having two special guests for dinner that evening.
xxx
Lord's Huor and Mercer suite of rooms are the same as Prince Amrothos' suite of rooms. Lady Lindra was shown to a room and was told she'll only be there until she marries Lord Uri. Madam Lilith's suite of rooms is the same as the Prince and the Lords, but her maid Yána and her secretary Laura have rooms near their mistress. Haldar is also staying in a room.
xxx
Elan informed Lord Casmir about Lord's Huor and Mercer and Lady Lindra.
"When will they be married?" he asked.
"You're have to check the King's schedule," she answered.
xxx
Lord Casmir escorted Madam Lilith and her son to the Royal Wing. When they entered the sitting room they did obedience to the Royal Family and saw the King and Queen were dressed casually.
My grandchildren are beautiful, Lilith thought when she saw them looking up at her and her son.
Amie introduced her mother and brother to Lady Katrina.
King Adair introduced the Prince and Princess of the North to their other grandmother and their uncle, who's their mother's brother.
During dinner the children asked their other grandmother and uncle many questions.
The King translated what they were saying to his mother.
xxx
"These will be your suite of rooms after you marry my Lord and Lady," Elan told Lord Uri and Lady Lindra the next morning.
They walked into an elegant sitting room with a fire place and has large windows that lets in plenty of sunlight. A separate dining room is adjacent to the sitting room which seats eight and has a sideboard. It also has its own kitchen. Elan then showed them their bedroom and the sitting room off their bedroom. Then showed them their separate bathrooms, dressing rooms and where their maid and squire will enter and leave. She then took them to the nursery. "This is the common room where your children will play," Elan told them and then showed them five bedrooms. Their children's bedrooms each have a sitting room, private bath, changing room and a door where their maid and/or squire can enter and exit. The two nannies bedrooms only have a private bath and changing room. In each sitting room there's a desk and chair.
xxx
Lord Casmir had lunch in one of the gardens with Lord's Uri, Mercer, Huor and Lady Lindra. He told Lord Uri and Lady Lindra when they'll be married and the wedding feast will be in the King's private garden. He also told them they'll all be sitting at the high table with the King and Queen, including Lord Karol, Lady Marta and Madam Olga. Lord Casmir also told them that Lord Uri's friends and wives will also be in attendance, along with the Lords and Ladies of the King and Queens Court. But Lord Uri and Lady Lindra will be married in the Hall of Records with only King Adair, Prince Amrothos, Lord's Huor, Mercer, Karol, Lady Marta and Madam Olga in attendance.
"Why so few in attendance at the wedding ceremony Lord Casmir?" Lord Huor asked.
Lord Casmir told Lord Huor how they marry in the North.
The North is very different than Gondor, Lord Huor thought.
xxx
"How did you enjoy your tour of the castle this morning mother?" Amie asked her after lunch in the Queens garden.
"The castle is very beautiful and your brother thinks the same," she answered.
Amie looked at her brother playing with his niece and nephew. "Do you regret leaving home mother?" she asked.
"No," she answered looking at her daughter and then her grandchildren.
"Neither did I," Amie said.
xxx
"Our suite of rooms are beautiful father," Lindra said to him during lunch in his suite.
"I'm happy you and Lord Uri decided to live in the castle," he replied. "I'm also happy I'll be with you and my grandchildren in this magnificent place."
Lady Lindra smiled at her father and took his hand.
xxx
"Hello brother," Caldor said to Mir when he was shown into his office in the castle a few days later. "When did you get back?"
"A few weeks ago," he answered. "Why are you here?"
"When our King returned from the South...," Caldor answered.
"Ahh...," Mir said. "Uri's wedding."
"We also brought our children who want to see their cousins," Caldor told his brother.
"You're all welcome to have to dinner at our home this evening," Mir said.
"Thank you brother," Caldor replied with a grin.
xxx
Lord Uri gave Lady Lindra, her father and grandfather a tour of the castle grounds.
They had dinner with Lord Uri's sister and brother-in-law at their home that evening. Madam Olga was also there. Lady Lindra met her future nephew and niece and Lady Marta told them she's expecting again.
Everyone congratulated the couple and her mother and brother gave her a hug and a kiss.
xxx
King Adair had a private dinner in another dining room in the castle for Lord Uri and Lady Lindra the next evening. Lord's Mercer, Huor, Lady Lindra, Madam Lilith and Haldar were introduced to the Lords and Ladies they haven't met. Prince Amrothos was also there.
King Adair gave a toast to his Lord and future Lady and welcomed her and her family into their family.
xxx
Early the next morning the servants took Lord Uri's and Lady Lindra's belongings to their new suite of rooms.
Hanna helped her Lady in her lovely flowing creamed colored wedding dress. Then she brushed and styled her hair and put her single sapphire and diamond circlet around her forehead and her sapphire necklace around her neck. "You look lovely my Lady," she said.
Lady Lindra beamed when she saw herself in the full length glass.
xxx
When Elan arrived at Lady Lindra's room she escorted her to her father who was waiting outside the Hall of Records.
My daughter looks beautiful, Lord Mercer thought and held out his arm.
Elan opened the door to the Hall of Records and Lord Mercer escorted his daughter inside.
I'm a lucky man," Lord Uri thought when he saw his bride.
Lord Huor smiled at his granddaughter.
Lord Mercer walked up to Lord Uri and gave away his daughter in marriage.
After Lord Uri and Lady Lindra said their marriage vows holding hands, Lord Uri put a stunning diamond and sapphire band on Lady Lindra's right ring finger. King Adair then pronounced them married in Westron and the Northern language.
Lord Uri and Lady Lindra signed their names in the record book. Prince Amrothos and Lord Casmir signed their names as witnesses to their marriage.
Lord Karol, Lady Marta and Madam Olga welcomed Lady Lindra, her father and grandfather into their family. Lord Uri translated.
xxx
Haldar looked around the King's garden and thought it's the most beautiful garden he'd every seen. He saw trees and flowers everywhere and the scent of the flowers took his breath away.
Madam Lilith smiled at her son and realized she loves him very much.
"His Majesty, the King," Lord Casmir said when King Adair and the wedding party walked into his private garden.
Everyone bowed or curtsied to their liege, including Queen Amie.
During the Reception King Adair gave a toast to Lord Uri and Lady Lindra.
Everyone else congratulated the couple.
The wedding feast was grand and after dinner everyone sang and danced.
Lady Lindra said good-bye to her father and grandfather. They both gave her a kiss and hug before she and her husband departed.
"I'm happy Lindra found someone who loves her," Lord Huor said to Lord Mercer watching the two of them leave hand-in-hand.
Lord Mercer didn't respond, but had tears in his eyes looking at his daughter leaving with her husband. He thought about wedding day and his beloved wife, who left him to soon.
xxx
She has avenged me, the old man said aloud after he awoke the next morning. He saw a woman in his dreams with long black hair, but didn't see her face. The old man remembers waking up on this island many years ago after being taken from his home. With the help of the locals they taught him how to grow his own vegetables, gather fruit and fish. They also bring him meat twice a week. The old man lives in a humble home, which is a far cry from how he grew up; and he dreaded to think what became of his son after what happened to him. When he walked out of his home that morning he felt something he hasn't felt in a long time: hope.