Chapter 8: A Wedding!

Erumeldir dashed around the room he shared with Dírhael. The past two years had been a blur of courtship, vying for Astiwen's hand in marriage. She remained loyal to him and disdained Tarcil until he finally walked away from her, bitter and heartbroken. But Erumeldir cared not as long as his sweetheart was truly his. Gathering up his things, he packed the last few items to be carried to his new cabin, which Glycin had helped him build. He had used the past few days to fill it with all their new furniture, housewares, and the like.

In turn, he had put labor into Glycin's cabin, which they finished first since he needed the place to stay. The two young men became fast friends, discovering how much alike they were. Glycin laughed when Erumeldir had refused to spend one night in his new home without his wife. But today it was finally time to make the gorgeous Astiwen his wife. At 24, he looked forward to a long and happy life with his beloved bride. Come to think of it, since his people lived to be around 150, that meant he could have a good 125 years of marriage! In sheer contentment he collapsed on his bed, a smile on his face as his wayward strands of flaxen hair flopped around and tangled.

"Mother!" Astiwen protested as the hairpin delved too deep, scratching her head.

"Sorry," her mother apologized.

Finally, Astiwen stood before her mother ready for the wedding.

"Oh, Astiwen," her mother sniffed. The mother and daughter hugged. "You are beautiful," her mother sighed.

Erumeldir took his time dressing for the ceremony. Looking in a small mirror he had borrowed from his mother, he tried to comb out his hair.

Tap. Tap. "May I come in?" Cadoresa asked.

"Yes, Mother!" He let her in and she grabbed the comb from him. "Let me do that!" Closing his eyes, he rested in a chair while she untangled his blonde locks. Finally, she appeared in front of him. "Stand up! I want to get a good look at you."

A puzzled look on his face, he obliged. "You look so dashing, Erumeldir! Imagine this, my son getting married today!" She hugged him. "Things will not be the same without you."

"Mother, I shall live right next door! You know you can see me and Astiwen any time."

"I know. But we must not speak like this today. Dírhael, what do you think? Your brother is rather handsome, isn't he?" she smiled at him.

Dírhael, who had just stepped in, flopped on his bed and playfully examined his brother carefully. "You shouldn't have brushed his hair…it looks better tangled."

"Just because your hair is always messy does not mean mine has to be! Astiwen has to tell us apart somehow!" He winked as he punched his brother's arm, still grinning.

Cadoresa laughed. "If she cannot tell you two apart by now she has problems! Now finish getting ready. I'll go make sure Hopeful is alright." She stepped out, leaving the twins alone.

"My little brother getting married," Dírhael grinned, standing up to clasp his brother in an embrace.

"You know it seems like the best dream ever right now! You are not jealous, are you? It will be really different for me to be away, even if we will still see each other every day." Erumeldir pulled away from his twin, a look of concern suddenly on his face.

"I am not jealous!" Dírhael exclaimed. "Getting married has addled your thoughts." He slapped his brother on the back and laughed. "No girl has caught my eye like Astiwen did you."

"Aye, my thoughts are rather addled these days!" Erumeldir laughed. "Do not worry. One day you will see that beautiful maiden who will sweep you off your feet. Then you won't be able to think straight or anything. It is glorious!"

"Well I do not think that will be anytime soon. I plan to do some missions before that."

"Father met Mother when he was 72, so you never know," he smiled.

Standing nervously next to the Dúnedain chieftain, Arador, who had graciously agreed to perform the ceremony, Erumeldir awaited his bride. At last Astiwen appeared on her father's arm, looking more beautiful that he had ever seen her before. She gracefully glided towards him and nearly took his breath away as he took in her lovely features. Clasping her hand as soon as her father gave her away, he smiled at her, looking deeply into her eyes.

The chieftain began to speak, and Erumeldir repeated the words after him, meaning them with all his heart. Towards the end, his voice became choked with emotion. "Astiwen, sweetheart, I promise to love and cherish you all of our days. I love you." He glanced towards Chieftain Arador, who gave a slight nod, all the validation he needed to prepare to finally kiss his bride. In reverence to the special moment, he gathered his true love into his arms. Smiling, his gaze traveled to a small wisp of hair that popped out onto Astiwen's forehead. Erumeldir raised his hand and brushed the lock back into place, his touch tender and gentle. Moving his hand to the back of her head, he pulled her close to him and captured her lips with his, inhaling the sweet springtime scent of her geranium water perfume. Eagerly she met his caress as a rush of love swelled within his heart. Finally, he moved away, somehow sensing Dírhael start to snicker at him for taking so long.

The chieftain presented the newlywed couple to their guests and Erumeldir placed Astiwen's arm in his own to lead her through the small throng. His family stopped to congratulate him. Tears in her eyes, Cadoresa rushed to her son. "That was beautiful!" Turning to Astiwen, she hugged her. "Welcome to the family, officially! You have always been like a daughter to me. You know you must come over whenever you want, and don't even bother to knock! You are truly one of us now. I love you, sweetie."

"I love you too!" Astiwen exclaimed, returning the hug. She clung to Erumeldir's hand, her face beaming with happiness. Galad hugged his now-daughter and clasped his son's hand. Dírhael came up and shook hands with them both, but Astiwen drew him into a hug.

The meadow was cleared and torches were stuck in the ground. Musical instruments appeared in hands and soon lively tunes reverberated across the green grass. Erumeldir swept up Astiwen in a quick dance and they twirled around the makeshift floor. Another quick song struck up, hands clapping and feet stomping as the night came on and the torches flickered.

Gazing into Astiwen's eyes, Erumeldir beamed as they swayed around the field, noticing no one but his beloved. He was grateful when a slower dance came around, allowing him to hold his bride closer and occasionally slip her a tender kiss.

Looking out of the corner of his eye he noticed Glycin and Hopeful along the sidelines. During these past two years, the Rohanian taught her to dance a little bit. He would count the beats under his breath and she kept an eye on his lips so she was able to keep the beat as long as Glycin counted.

As the last few measures of the Nêldringalilta* ended, Erumeldir turned Astiwen to face him and lowered her, his arms supporting her weight as he leaned down and kissed her soundly. "I love you, sweetheart!"

"I love you too."

Suddenly another lively song erupted, but this time everyone knew it by heart. "Steal the Bride and Perhaps a Kiss", a favorite wedding piece. Astiwen laughed as she was "stolen" and whisked across the meadow.

Erumeldir snatched Astiwen several times within the dance, constantly rushing around as he tried to keep an eye on her. Although she obviously enjoyed herself, he found himself rather jealous, unless her partner was her father, his father, his twin, or Glycin. Astiwen laughed and dodged kisses from everyone except her father and her husband. Laughter rung from the sidelines as the women clapped and joined with a partner-less man.

About halfway through the dance, Erumeldir noticed Dírhael standing off to the side, watching, and grabbed him. "Dance with Astiwen for me? I want to get Hopeful!" Pushing his twin towards the other dancers, he made his way to his sister. "You've been evading me tonight!" he teased. "I want you a minute, then I'll get back to my bride. Are you having fun?"

Hopeful nodded happily and swirled round her brother. Dírhael laughed as Erumeldir started the Circle Dance clumsily but rushed over to help him.

"I asked you to take care of Astiwen! I'm fine here!" Erumeldir chuckled, attempting to scowl but having too much fun to succeed.

A few minutes later, Glycin popped up beside him and grabbed Hopeful. "I have her! Go, be with your bride!" he winked.

Slapping Dírhael on the back, Erumeldir thanked his friend. "You are a lifesaver! Unlike someone else here!" He stuck his tongue out at his twin before rushing back to find his bride.

"She's fine!" Dírhael yelled over his shoulder. He retreated to the edge of the party. He sighed and collapsed on the ground, watching the dancing couples with eager eyes. The night wore on and the stars twinkled above. This could go on forever and I wouldn't complain, he thought, smiling.

Glycin once again took Hopeful in his arms and danced a bit more. Then he stopped. "Would you like me to get you anything?" he asked as he led her to the sidelines, sensing she was tired.

She shook her head and sat down on the grass. She placed a hand on his throat to feel his words.

"Let me know when you are ready to go home. Ishall walk you so your parents can stay here. Are you tired?" He knew the event had to be uncomfortable for her, since people tended to shy away from her. They just didn't understand. How he wished everyone would realize how much they missed out in not befriending her!

She smiled and shook her head; she enjoyed watching. She traced words onto his hand since he couldn't see the paper.

"You at least need something to drink. Stay here. I will be right back." He left her side and returned in a minute with a drink for both himself and her, then settled beside her. Although he would have liked to dance more, making sure Hopeful was taken care of was much more important to him. Dancing would come again.

On the other side of the field, Cadoresa had captured her husband. "Is it not wonderful, my love? I am so happy for them!" She beamed as they twirled about.

"Yes," Galad replied, "they look so perfect. As do you." He kissed her lightly on the forehead and they swirled around a torch.

Finally "Whisk the Bride Away" struck up, the last round, and with some effort Erumeldir fought his way to and captured Astiwen, literally sweeping her off her feet. Gathering her into his arms, he ran all the way to their small cabin. His hands fumbled in the dark as he tried to open the door. He jiggled it a few moments and at last it swung open. Quickly shutting the door behind them, he nuzzled her nose as he settled into a nearby chair with her. "We're home, my love!"

They kissed and Astiwen snuggled down into his warm lap. "Nothing can separate us now," she smiled.

"Never!" He captured her lips again for a long caress. At last, he pulled away. "I love you so much, sweetheart! I am the happiest man in the entire world right now!"

*Literally, three-beat dance, which is essentially a waltz.