Chapter 22- The Great Wedding of 3020

“Then Faramir laughed merrily. ‘That is well,’ he said; ‘for I am not a king. Yet I will wed with the White Lady of Rohan, if it be her will. And if she will, then let us cross the River and in happier days let us dwell in fair Ithilien and there make a garden. All things will grow with joy there, if the White Lady comes.” -Return of the King

January 3020

Dear Merry, Pippin, Frodo and Sam,

Hope this letter finds you well. I have good news for you. I have planned the wedding with Eowyn and hope that you can attend. We will have our wedding mid-May, around May 10 and hope you can join us in Edoras. I know it will be quite a trek, but it will be so nice to see you all again. I am not sure of a Gondorian wedding, perhaps a small rite of passage but the main festivities will be in Rohan. The journey there was quite wonderful, and I will be glad to rejoin you all there.

How is the Shire? Are you acclimating back to life at home? Hope this letter finds you in the best health and happiness.

Please send a letter of acceptance of the invite or regrets. Eowyn and I would love to reunite with you dear hobbits.

Sincerely,

Faramir and Eowyn

Merry received the letter in Crickhollow and shared it with Pippin first then rode to Hobbiton to share the news with Frodo and Sam. Sam was busy with his own wedding preparations as Rosie was feeling that they had “wasted a year”. They had planned their own wedding to be May 1 of 3020.

“Do you think we can go to back to back weddings?” asked Merry to Pippin. “We can do both.”

“How long is the ride to Rohan from the Shire directly?” Sam asked. He was not sure about the trek but wanted to see Faramir wed Eowyn. He just wished the timing would have been better. He nervously looked from hobbit to hobbit to gauge their reactions.

“Since we went about the long way last time, perhaps it’ll be fast past Eregion this time, straight south,” said Frodo.

“I do not think it’ll be more than two weeks and we will take the main road,” said Merry. “What do you think? Can we make it?”

"I need to ask Rosie," said Sam.

Frodo looked at Sam ruefully, "I will not go if Sam does not go."

"And I will not go if Frodo does not go," said Pippin.

Merry looked at all of them critically, "Faramir is getting married for once in his life and we have never gone to Rohan! I would say yes, and I'll go by myself if need be."

"No, someone will need to keep you out of trouble!" said Pippin.

"Someone needs to keep you out of trouble," replied Frodo with a grin.

"I need to ask Rosie first," insisted Sam.

"Ask me what?" Rosie appeared in Bag End where the four hobbits had gathered.

"It is Faramir's wedding right after ours," said Sam quickly. "Do you think we can go?"

"To Foreign parts? Again? But how about our wedding?" said Rosie expectedly. She had planned to wed on May 1 and no one was pushing her wedding day.

"The wedding dates won't coincide," said Frodo. "Faramir is getting married mid May."

"And mine is May 1," repeated Rosie. "Will you be able to ride out in time? I am not going to foreign parts and remind me again, Sam, who is Faramir."

So Sam explained to his future wife the importance of the Steward and Prince of Ithilien and what effect he had in Middle-earth.

"Can Rosie excuse Sam after the wedding to go to another wedding?" Merry asked. "We will be sure to take care of Sam."

Rosie did not want Sam to go. They would have just wed after all. She lost so much time the previous year already. "Is Frodo planning to go?"

All eyes looked at Frodo.

Frodo did not know what to say. He did want to go, but wanted Sam to go with him as well. "Only with your permission may I borrow Sam for two weeks," said Frodo slowly to Rosie. 

All eyes then turned to Rosie because we all know hobbit lasses tend to make the decisions.

Rosie was caught aback at their eagerness to go to foreign parts again. They had just returned two months ago, the Shire was being reordered. However, she knew the anxiousness of having things back to normal and her Sam had changed as well. Sometimes she understood, sometimes she did not, but she knew she had to learn to accept her changed Sam.  She seldom knew that Big People could affect Sam that much, but it seemed like Faramir did.

“If you go, make sure to come back soon and not do so many detours and delays,” said Rosie reluctantly. She wondered if she wanted to go as well, but then there was something about riding to Foreign Parts that made her really nervous. One day, she would be brave, but not at the moment.  “Make sure you do not leave a day earlier than when our wedding is. We are planning a three day celebration from May 1-3,” said Rosie.

“Hooray! We are all going then!” Pippin exclaimed.

“Thank you, Rosie! We will definitely make sure Sam does not drink too much,” said Merry with a grin.

Sam gave Merry a look. “I definitely will be the most responsible hobbit going!”

“I think it’ll not take more than a week to get to Rohan so leaving by May fifth would give us enough time,” said Frodo. “Thank you Rosie, for having Sam come with us.  Do you want to join us as well?”

Rosie shook her head, “No not this time, Mr. Frodo- I will be tired from the wedding planning.”

Sam embraced Rosie, “Thank you my sweetheart. I will return very quickly and will bring you something from Rohan, I promise.”

“You come back to me as soon as you can!,” replied Rosie as she returned Sam’s embrace.. “Just come back as soon as you can!  And you must help me with all the wedding planning in the meantime!” 

It was the grandest event in Edoras to have been planned for a while. For a month before the wedding of Faramir and Eowyn, Edoras was abuzz with wedding preparations including the most elaborate flowers, backdrops, decorations and stores for food. It had been decided the wedding would only take place in Edoras and the event certainly got the most attention in Rohirric history. They were marrying off their Shieldmaiden, the King’s sister to Gondor and this had not happened before in their history. It was going to make history to unite the two kingdoms and it would have many diplomatic and political meanings.  Certainly Eowyn was marrying up with the union to Faramir, the Steward of Gondor and Prince of Ithilien. 

Edoras was decorated with flowers at every turn.  There were lilacs, roses, hydrangeas, tulips and more. Edoras was blessed to have all sorts of flowers in bloom in the spring of 3020. All of Edoras were invited to the wedding. There were celebrations planned for four days.  Feasts were planned for the immediate families and also royalty, another day for rituals, and then the last days solidifying the union with traditions from both cultures.  It was decided that they would have the wedding festivities only in Rohan, and they combined the Gondorian tradition within the four day festivities. Eowyn and Faramir wanted to just settle in Emyn Arnen and not have to pass Minas Tirith since there were many duties to take on being the new governors of Ithilien.

Many guests from different parts of Middle-earth came to cheer on Faramir and Eowyn on their Union. The King and Queen hailed from Gondor, Legolas and Gimli came, as did the hobbits of the Shire. Faramir extended his invitation to Ioreth, Beregond’s family, and Belegion as well in Gondor. He was happy that everyone came and made time to make the trek to Edoras.

Faramir eagerly awaited that Mid-Summer’s day and fortunately the weather cooperated.  It was cloudless the whole second week in May in which wedding celebrations and rituals were planned. However, he felt melancholy at times; he wished he had more family to experience this celebration, but he had invited all his relatives from his mother’s side from Dol Amroth.  Imrahil and his cousins were all in attendance.

“Are we ready?” Imrahil was in charge of collecting his nephew to stand at a dais to receive the bride.

Faramir took a deep breath. He had not imagined this day would ever happen, and he felt slight trepidation as well as slight anxiety but mostly excitement. After these events, Eowyn would be his to bring back to their home that he had built so hard for them. Life would change, and he would turn a page of his life and welcome a new life. He knew that this new beginning was long in planning, and he felt grateful he could live through it. But still he frowned.

“What is wrong?” Imrahil saw a shadow or a look that was associated only on bad days. “Why do you look so worried?”

“I am not worried,” Faramir replied. “I am happy, grateful but wish…” Faramir gulped. It was to be the happiest day of his life, but could he feel longing for more family to be there.

Imrahil put his hand on Faramir’s shoulder and seemed to read his mind. “They know and would be happy for you, believe me.  It’s time to make new memories now and you are lucky to have someone for you.”

“Yes, I am,” Faramir managed his brightest smile. “You are right.” He took a deep breath.  He was anxious to receive his beautiful bride.

Tradition had it that the father brought Eowyn up to him where Faramir was awaiting her, but it was Eomer that took her to him. Eomer gave his brother in law a firm hug and shake of the hand.  Faramir grinned, and felt his heart flutter anew as if he had first known the young maiden in the Houses of Healing. But this time, Eowyn looked glowing, her eyes were shining, and she was beautiful all in white, with a bridal train. Her blond hair flowed down with neat long braids.  Faramir could not help but be happy seeing the joy that she had.  Seeing her in her radiance alleviated any further anxiety that he may have felt.

He received Eowyn, and gave an heirloom that bound their marriage.  Faramir gave her his mother’s ring, a sapphire gem that he had refitted for her. She already had her mother’s blue mantle.   

They sang verses in both Rohirric and Westron to bless the marriage, then they exchanged personal vows.  

“Since the day I met you, Eowyn, I knew there was something special about you. I thank my lucky stars daily to have you. I am grateful to have your company and will cherish, take care of, and love you,” Faramir started. “I promise to always be there for you in all trials and tribulations. Hope we can forever live in compromise, be loyal to each other and have all the joys in the world. May we grow old together in each other’s warm companionship. I love you.  I, Faramir, will gladly take you as my wife.”  Faramir felt tears in his eyes, but he was glad that it was tears of joy versus those of grief.

“To my Faramir- I have changed for the better since meeting you- you bring me hope when there was none.  To be in your company changes my world and my perspective in life. I no longer want to be Shield-maiden but one who heals and I would love to heal your heart and be there for you forever. I vow to always cherish, and be there for you. The world is less of a dark place with you. I love you. I, Eowyn, will gladly take you as my husband.”  Eowyn’s voice was breaking because she felt so emotional and she also thought this day would not have come. She felt joy indescribable.

More blessings were read in Rohirric and in Westron by guests that were called up including Eomer, Aragorn and Imrahil.  They made sure to also place simbelmynë for Denethor, Boromir, Theoden, and Theodred and had a moment of silence for them as was the tradition in Rohan, and both Faramir and Eowyn wanted to honor their family in some way during the ceremony. 

Then, they were confirmed to be husband and wife, and they kissed and all cheered.  Streamers and flowers decorated the air and Edoras never looked so lovely from such an ornate occasion.

It was time for the feast and there was a lot of drinking, dancing and eating. City-wide celebrations started happening as well. Other guests also came to wish the newlyweds their blessings. The hobbits, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli talked long into the night before the wedding, and it felt like a long-awaited reunion.  The only one missing was Gandalf and no one knew how to reach him.  All the Fellowship toasted the newly-weds till late.

The next day, Faramir  had some time with Frodo after the wedding, and Faramir was glad that he could speak with him.

“I am so glad that you were able to make it, Frodo! And how are you feeling?” Faramir glanced at Frodo with some concern. Frodo looked happy, but one can see that he looked a bit more careworn and pensive no matter how anyone thought otherwise.

“Today is your day–I don't want to bore you with details of the Shire– “Frodo started.

“No, not at all. I had a dream about you actually,” Faramir replied.

“Now did you ? What did you dream about?”

“I dreamt… I dreamt of you …on a ship. Gandalf did mention to me what may potentially happen,” Faramir said the last bit slowly. “So is it true?”

Frodo sighed, “I’ve been having dreams myself and I always feel peaceful by the sea. I am eager to see what is at the Grey Havens. I do not know if it’s this year but anniversaries are tough, I am sure that you are aware,” said Frodo wryly.

Faramir thought back to the past March. Eowyn and he both had nightmares close to the time of the anniversary of the Siege of Gondor. Eowyn even told him he was not himself the whole day. The one year anniversary of Boromir’s death was also tough as Aragorn had to revive him and he spent the day in grief, dark shadows pervading his dreams. They feared the Black Breath had returned then, but fortunately the grief subsided to a dull ache and he did not fall into shadow. He sighed.  He wondered if time would help ease the pain or he would always live with the dull ache of his family’s deaths.

Frodo went on, “I told Gandalf that I am wounded by knife, sting and a long burden. The Shire was not how we left it and therefore I do not expect that it would be the same. The only happy events are that Sam just got married and I am glad that you are with Eowyn.  For Sam, I am sure that he will not be torn in two for long.”

Faramir did not know what to say as both hobbit and man sat in companionship for a while.  So his dreams did portend that Frodo may not stay in Middle-earth. He wondered about healing in Tol Eressea. 

“Did you ask Mithrandir about the possibility of leaving?”

“He has not been in the Shire, though he may visit later this year. You know wizards- they come and go as they please, especially Gandalf,” replied Frodo.  “But believe me, my dear Steward, that you will live happily for many years.  You have so much to do for Gondor. It may seem bleak at times, but hope is always alive.“

“I do not always feel hopeful, but I do so when I'm with Eowyn and I think that is what matters. I hope you can be hopeful as well.”

“That’s the funny thing about hope. No one gets to decide when you feel it.” 

The hobbit and man shared some moments of silence. It had been only a year since Sauron was defeated, and each still remembered the dark times that they had to live through. Faramir felt hope and wished fervently that Frodo would feel the same but it was confirmed that Frodo may leave. Faramir felt a shadow pass over his heart.

Frodo seemed to read Faramir’s mind, “Lord Faramir, it may be for the best that I leave Middle-earth. They say the elves get healing there.”

“You are right- you are half elven yourself, Master hobbit. I do wish you well if indeed this is your path,” said Faramir slowly.  

“Thank you- do not tell the others yet, for they do not know. Sam will not understand for a long time, but he will heal with Rosie and the many children that he will have.”

Faramir nodded,”I will not tell anyone but Eowyn for perhaps she would want to give you a special good-bye.”

“I will miss you all- you take care of yourself and Eowyn and remember that you will always be in my thoughts,” Frodo said. “You and Strider make a great team to help Middle-earth recover.”

Faramir smiled, “This would not have been possible without you, Ring-bearer. Please take time to recover yourself in the Western lands that no mortal can go. Go with all my best wishes.  We will miss you very much.”

TBC