3. Marriage
Beauty
I stare critically at myself in the mirror as Gilmeren and Idril exclaim over their mistress' appearance. Others may see me as lovely, but what will he think as he looks upon me? What if he finds my face too narrow or my hair too unruly?
Gilmeren interrupts my ruminations. "A gift for you, milady." She hands me a tiny chest.
I carefully undo the clasps and gasp at what it reveals.
An exquisite silver swan lies on black velvet. Above it is pinned a note simply reading, "For my swan."
I smile and realize he will indeed find me beautiful.
Wisdom
Finduilas glides down the hall with her back erect and her eyes direct and clear.
The crowd murmurs about her beauty and regal bearing. They praise the wisdom of my choice.
Nay, they think wrongly for mine was not a wise decision. I know well she loves me not. Those chosen few close to me wonder of my rash choice for it is not of my nature to do so.
The answer, however, is not so difficult as one may think.
My heart belongs to her.
Peace
I look anxiously at my daughter during the length of the ceremony.
Was I right to put her in a marriage made purely for politics? Would have it been better to let her wed for love?
Finduilas appears blissful, although she may be putting on a false facade for the sake of Gondor. She has always put her people's well-being above her own needs, even at the cost of her fragile health.
I casually glance at Lord Denethor and am shocked to see something in his otherwise expressionless face.
The pieces click together in my mind, and my heart settles into peace. I know now that Finduilas is loved.
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.
