The week passed by in a flash. We all celebrated hard at Eowyn and Faramir's wedding, and Rose took special glee in tormenting me about my hangover; it seemed that even though I could still party like a rockstar, I could no longer recover like one. The saving grace was that Boromir seemed to be in as bad shape as I was.

Upon hearing that Eomer and I intended to get married before we left, Rose declared herself my Matron of Honor and flew into action. Within hours, I found myself standing on a stool while a seamstress stuck pins in the white gown Rose had commissioned for me. Evidently, the seamstress was the one who had given Rose the idea to champion women's rights, and when she had asked if a wedding gown could be made in just a few days, the seamstress had thrown all her other commissions aside to work on my dress personally.

Arwen joined in the action, too – evidently, pregnant women and new mothers had a burning need to see all their friends settled down – and my own opinions on a small wedding were blithely tossed out the window. A royal wedding, I was told, was something which came maybe once or twice in a lifetime and certain protocols must be adhered to. I pointed out that between her, Rose, and Eowyn, there had been three this year alone, at which point I was told that sarcasm would not be well received.

And so it was that Eomer and Eothain found me in Firefoot's stall. Not outside or leaning against, mind: in. Both men raised an eyebrow at me. "Shhh! I'm not here," I whispered hastily. "Don't look at me. Just be cool."

Both men shot each other an amused look, but obediently turned around and leaned back against the stall door. "Would I be correct in assuming you are hiding?" Eomer asked.

"Hey, I can take cranky pregnant Rose, but wedding planning Rose is a whole different story," I hissed defensively. "She and Arwen have got this whole big wedding planned. The seamstress kept sticking me with needles! Rose has gone to the bad place, and now blood has literally been spilled! I deserve an award for not biting her face!"

Eothain rolled his head to Eomer. "Our future queen, ladies and gentlemen."

"Fine, be a jerk, but two can play at that game, and I can do it better," I warned. Both men started laughing and I panicked, ducking in case they brought attention to the stall. "Shhh! Stop that! I'm trying to hide, here!"

Eomer turned and looked around the stall until he saw me crouched against the door. He grinned and smiled down at me. "There are a few perks to being among the Rohirrim. Eothain and I will take you for a ride on the fields, and if anyone asks, we are helping you practice your horsemanship."

Eothain leaned back to look down at me over his shoulder. "You're a terrible rider. No one would think it strange if the lesson took all day."

"See, that's why I'm marrying you," I told Eomer fiercely as he helped me to my feet. "Right there. I mean, officially I'm offended," I qualified, looking at a smirking Eothain, "but I'm too grateful to even come up with a snappy retort."

0o0o0o0o0

I blearily cracked an eye open when I felt the bed dip. Rose grinned at me. "Get up."

I grunted and pulled the blankets up over my head. "Go away."

She yanked them off and grinned wider. "It's your wedding day, woman. Wake up. Wake up, wake up, wake up!"

It took me a second – I'm not terribly clever when I first wake up – but when my brain got around to processing what she'd said, I bolted upright in bed so fast that I headbutt her on accident. Both of us grunted and rubbed our foreheads.

She shot me a disgruntled look. "Thanks for that."

"I'm getting married today." I stared at her. "Like, honest to god, till death do us part, I-promise-to-love-you-even-if-you-vomit-on-me married."

"Not the brightest crayon in the box, are you?" she said dryly. "Yes, now get up. We've got things to do. Arwen and Eowyn are waiting."

An hour later, in the cacophony of happy chatter, I looked around at the women who had come to spend the day with me. The Steward's house was crowded with ladies titled enough to warrant the honor of helping the Queen of Rohan prepare for her marriage - though the Steward himself had fled the moment he saw the flock of women that had taken over his home - and Rose had planned a flurry of activity that would keep me busy until the moment I started down the aisle to Eomer. All morning, though, it felt like I was forgetting something, something important. It niggled in the back of my mind, but it wasn't until we were in the middle of the relative lull of breakfast that I realized both what if forgotten and why Rose had packed my day: she wanted to distract me from missing my family.

Rose seemed to sense the moment my mood changed. She'd been watching me surreptitiously all morning, but I'd chalked it up to the over-zealousness of being Matron of Honor. Now, she sighed, realizing her plan hadn't worked. "Do you need a minute?"

I just nodded silently.

She leaned over to Arwen and murmured something in her ear. When the Queen nodded, Rose stood, pulling the attention of the crowd of women in the dining room. The din died down. "Ladies, Leigh and I would like to express our sincere gratitude that you've joined us for this joyous day," she said with a smile. "Now, we must beg your indulgence, as there is a private tradition in our native culture that Leigh and I need to fulfill," she lied. "Please, enjoy the rest of breakfast and help yourselves to anything you require. My home is open to you. If you'll excuse us, the blushing bride and I will rejoin you again shortly. "

She led me out of the room, but didn't turn towards the bedrooms. Instead, she took me into her office and closed the door for privacy. I sat in her chair and rubbed my face. "I know why you've planned everything down to the minute, and I appreciate it. I just need a moment to miss my family."

She smiled sympathetically. "I know. I was in your shoes only a few months ago."

"How did you do it?" I asked. "How did you shake this...this desperate wishing? My mother should be here. My father should be walking me down the aisle."

She leaned back against the desk and stroked my hair soothingly. "You don't. You can't. All you can do is send them love and hope that somehow they know that you're happy."

I looked down at the floor. "My heart hurts."

"I know, honey," she said gently. "It'll wash over you like waves all day. There's nothing to be done about it. Just focus on the good things of this day." She paused, then reached into a drawer and pulled out a letter. "Eomer came to me yesterday. He was worried that this might happen, and he asked me to give you this."

"That man knows me better than I know myself," I snorted, accepting the envelope she passed to me. My name was written in familiar sloppy handwriting, and I folded my legs under me on the chair as I broke the seal.

My bonnie girl,

We're getting married in a month. I've wondered for years how I would feel at this moment, if I would be nervous or worried that I might be making the wrong decision. I think that many people do feel that way before their weddings. Yet, somehow, I feel no fear, no nervousness, and that's because of you. I could say it's because you're my soul mate, or because I somehow know we will always love each other, and those things are also true, but that's not why I have no fear.

You are what makes me fearless, little lion, because you are everything I am not, and that brings us balance. My rule requires quick, instinctual judgement, and it means that I rely on my gut when I make decisions. You, though, my bonnie girl, are a closed book to the world, and hide your feelings behind a façade of blithe reason. You use logic to make your decisions, and do nothing without thinking it through. I may be sometimes need to jump without looking, but you always seem to help me land safely.

Right now, you're asleep beside me with a smile on your face. I love watching you like this. Do you know that you laugh when you sleep? You did that the first night we spent together, and I was yours from that moment on. Awake, you are guarded, but asleep, you let your emotions show. Even asleep, you frown unless we're touching in some way.

I don't know if I'll ever deserve you, but you chose me despite all my faults and insecurities, despite the sometimes overwhelming responsibility that comes with ruling Rohan. You've moved to a foreign country to be with me, far away from your family and the people who understand you. I'm constantly humbled by you. For the first time in my life, I have everything I've ever wanted, and it's all because of you. I love you more with every passing day, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of your love.

I am, as I ever was and ever shall be, yours.

Romeo

"That man," I murmured with a little smile.

Rose smiled. "Feel better?"

I nodded, sniffing one more time before taking a deep breath. "Alright, alright, alright. What's first? Hair and makeup."

Five hours and a large, leisurely lunch later, I took a deep breath as Rose buttoned up my gown. I hadn't gotten dressed up like this since my high school prom. The dress was cream, with a collared V-neck and fitted sleeves. It was the simplest design I'd been shown, but I'd fallen in love with its understated elegance the moment I'd seen it. Classic and graceful, it was much more my style than the flashy, fashionable gowns the seamstress had tried to talk me into.

Arwen and Eowyn had pinned my hair up, gathered low at the nape of my neck to allow room for the ceremonial crowning. My makeup had been kept fresh and natural, giving a rosy flush to my cheeks. The only jewelry I wore were the dangling emerald earrings and the emerald engagement ring. As I stared at myself in the mirror, I realized suddenly how much I looked like my mother, and wondered what she would have thought if she could have seen me like this…regal. I looked like a queen. It was disconcerting enough that I shook my head to clear it.

"You ready to go?" I turned to see Arwen standing at the door. "We need to leave now if we're going to make it to the Citadel on time."

I gave myself one last glance in the mirror, double checking that everything was where it should be, then followed the women out the door.

Part of the tradition of Rohan was that the bride's family guard would escort her to the ceremony, and her new husband's guard would take over and escort her down the aisle: it was a symbolic passing of the mantle of protection.

Boromir was waiting with a company of Citadel guards in full armor as the four of us stepped out of the house. He kissed my forehead affectionately. "You look lovely, Leigh."

"She does, doesn't she. I'm a wizard," Rose said mildly as she mounted her horse.

We both shot her a dry look, and Eowyn coughing into her fist to cover a laugh. I rolled my eyes and smiled up at Boromir. "Thank you."

He helped me onto Frostmane, and waited politely as Eowyn and Arwen adjusted my skirts. Given how many petticoats I was wearing, my wedding gown was even more cumbersome than my normal dresses.

People had lined the streets, coming to see the wedding of the King of Rohan, and the air was filled with song as Boromir's ceremonial guard escorted me through the city. Boromir and Arwen, as the ranking members of our party, flanked me, and the guard surrounded us.

The Tower of Ecthelion was crowded with people, nobles and dignitaries and anyone else who had managed to finagle an invitation. We dismounted just outside the Citadel level, and Arwen and Eowyn helped me adjust my gown so that it fell properly before they disappeared into the crowd to take their places. Rose, though, fell into step beside me. "Are you ready for this?"

"I'm tempted to say no just to watch the ensuing coronary you'd have," I said mischievously. She thinned her lips, and Boromir snickered, but quickly changed it into a coughing fit when she looked at him. I smiled. "Well, it's too late to elope, so yes, I'm ready."

The sea of people was too thick for me to see Eomer, but Eothain met us at the tip of the tower, flanked by a party of ten men, all armed and in ceremonial armor. Among them, I spotted Aldric and Thorgil grinning at me. Eothain, as the Commander of the King's Guard, would lead us, and he was now grinning down at me mischievously. "You clean up pretty well."

I narrowed my eyes at him, but couldn't stop an amused smile. "Easy there, Commander. More sass like that and you'll find yourself on an extended tour of the marshes."

He laughed and leaned down to kiss my cheek affectionately. "Duly noted." He straightened and looked at Boromir. "My Lord Steward," he said, pitching his voice to carry, "in the name of Eomer King, I ask now to relieve you of your most precious charge and place her under the mantle of the King's protection."

"I am relieved," Boromir replied with a smile, his baritone heard over the quiet crowd.

I stepped forward, and Eothain took his place beside me as the Lords surrounded us, and Rose fell into step just behind me as we started towards the Citadel. It wasn't until the crowd parted respectfully that I saw Eomer standing on the steps, Aragorn a step above him, and Eomer smiled at me. The King of Rohan was as intimidating and regal as he'd been at his coronation, and I couldn't help flushing with pride for him.

Rose took her place beside me as my guard fell into line on either side of the stairs. Eomer winked at me as I stepped beside him, but then kept his gaze forward as he escorted me the rest of the way to the Citadel. "The way you look, if we weren't actively getting married, my Lady, I'd be fighting off other men," he murmured to me, his eyes on Aragorn.

It was all I could do to keep a straight face and not looking at him. "The way you look, if we weren't actively getting married, my Lord, I'd be hitting on you right now."

Eomer made a little noise, his shoulders shaking a little with suppressed laughter. We knelt before the High King, both of us ducking our heads to hide smiles. Aragorn looked amused, but didn't comment. "Lords and Ladies, Citizens of Gondor, Riders of Rohan," Aragorn's voice rang out, "we come here now to bind together two souls in the everlasting bonds of marriage. Here, in view of us all, they shall speak their vows. What the gods have brought together, let no man part. We shall now hear your vows."

Eomer looked at me. His voice was quiet: unlike the traditions of Gondor, our vows, at least the personal ones, were for us alone. "Leigh, I could promise that I will spend my life worshiping you, but that would be a disservice. Those vows are for idealistic couples ruled by their hearts. I am not idealistic. I am not ruled by my heart. I am sure. I am steady. And I know what I am made of. So this I am sure: you have become my best friend, my confidant, and my partner. I vow to you that, no matter what the world throws at us, I will never walk away." He smiled at me then, and raised his voice: now came the ceremonial vows. "What authority I receive will be shared with you: where I am King, you will be Queen. What life I have is yours: no harm will befall you while I have the ability to protect you. I will take nothing from you that is not freely given: wealth or blood, I will never give you cause to fear me." He accepted a ring from Eothain, who stood at his side, and slid the simple gold band onto my finger.

"Eomer, promise to earn your trust for the rest of my life," I told him. "I promise to never stray. I promise that I will put your best interest before my own. I promise that you will never find yourself on your knees without my hand to help you stand. I promise you that you will never know what it's like to be alone."

It was my turn to speak the ceremonial vows, and I looked nervously at the audience. "Breathe, Leigh," Eomer murmured with a reassuring smile, his eyes warm and calming. "Ignore them. Just talk to me."

I smiled gratefully at him and took a deep breath, relaxing a little as he met my eyes patiently. "Where I am Queen, you are King," I said, pitching my voice as he had done. "What life I have is yours. I vow to spend my life in the service of my Lord King, and to devote my life to the good of Rohan. No ill will befall my King or my Realm while I have the power to defend, and may Bema strike me down should I ever forsake my vow." I accepted the ring Rose handed me, a thicker version of mine, and slid it onto his finger.

"So mote it be," Aragorn proclaimed. "Rise now as man and wife."

We stood, and I smiled as Eomer wrapped a hand around my neck and kissed me hard, then started laughing against his lips when he fist-pumped victoriously, eliciting laughter from the crowd even as they cheered. Both of us were beaming at each other as we pulled back.

The ceremony, though, was not finished: I had married the King, but I was not yet Queen. Aragorn stepped aside and accepted a velvet pillow, a silver crown resting on it, as Eomer pulled me to the top of the steps. The crowd quieted. "Leigh, Lady of Rohan, will you take now the Oath of the Eorlingas?"

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Duty of the Queen, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the people of Rohan. I swear fealty and service to the Eorlingas, to the King, and to the realm, to do and to let be, in need or in plenty, in peace or war, in living or dying, from this day henceforth, until death take me or the world end. So swear I, Leigh, wife of Eomer King, Lord of the Eorlingas."

"Let all the Eorlingas hear this oath," Eomer commanded. Aragorn stepped forward with the pillow, and Eomer carefully took the crown and placed it on my head, saying, "I, Eomer King, now proclaim you Queen of Rohan, with the loyalty and protection of all Rohirrim afforded therein." I rose to my feet and turned to the crowd. "Hail, the Queen Leigh of Rohan!"

As one, the crowd of nobility gathered on the Tower of Ecthelion bowed to us, only Arwen and Aragorn staying upright. Amrothos caught my eye with a grin and bowed with a dramatic flourish. It took a herculean force of will not to roll my eyes at him.

0o0o0o0o0o0

I came very close to sighing with relief when I saw Rose elbowing her way through the crowd of women that had surrounded me. For such a small woman, she managed to cut through the women like a cranky rhinoceros. "Excuse me, ladies, but I need to borrow the Queen for a moment," she said with a smile as she grabbed my elbow. "Excuse us."

"I could kiss you right now," I told her sincerely, letting her drag me through the crowd.

"Already turning your gaze to other people, and you've only been married for an hour," Rose commented dryly.

"Eomer would understand."

She grinned up at me. "Probably. So, do you feel any different?"

"Well, I think my corset stays have punctured a kidney."

"Suck it up. It's why you have two," she countered mildly. "I meant about the whole marriage and coronation thing."

"Eomer and I were basically married already," I pointed out. "I mean, we lived together, we…" I paused, then clicked suggestively with my tongue rather than say the words. Rose laughed. "The coronation thing is a little strange, though. Every time someone says 'Your Majesty' I look around for Eomer. They probably think I have Tourette's or something. And this crown is a little heavier than I thought it would be."

"Oh, no," Rose gasped with sarcastic horror. "They're referring to you as 'Your Majesty', your crown is heavy, and your diamond shoes are too tight!"

I shot her a look. "Point taken, but the sarcasm wasn't necessary."

"Maybe not, but it's always well-received. It's part of my charm."

I rolled my eyes. "You know, I could technically have you beheaded."

"You love me too much for that." She pulled me into a room, and I realized with a start that it was the King's study. The only other time I'd been there had been the day I'd arrived in Middle Earth. It seemed like a lifetime ago. I'd been so lost, felt so alone.

Now, barely six months later, I returned as Queen of Rohan.

"I see Rose managed to rescue you."

I turned and beamed when I saw Eomer there, still in full armor. We hadn't seen each other since we'd been whisked away after the ceremony. "There's my favorite pony boy. Boromir saved you?"

"And Aragorn," he confirmed with a grin as he came over. "The well-wishers were particularly enthusiastic. It took the King of Gondor and the Steward to pull me from their clutches." His hands settled at my waist. "And how fares my lovely bride?"

I bit my lip, then almost guiltily pulled a flask out of one of the hidden pockets in my skirt and Eomer started laughing. "Amrothos took care of me."

In response, he tugged a flask out of his boot. "Eothain."

"We should really promote him," I said with a laugh.

Eomer shrugged. "I tried to offer him my job, but he respectfully declined." He paused. "Actually, he started laughing and spent the next five minutes shaking his head and repeating 'No, no, no. Ye gods, no.' over and over," he corrected dryly.

I laughed and pulled him down, kissing him just because he was handsome and funny and mine.