In Darkness Bound by Fiondil

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Chapter 29: iVeryanwë Lirulin Intarionyë

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29: iVeryanwë Lirulin Intarionyë

Intarion and Lirulin’s audience with the Valar proved much more enjoyable for the Valar. They were relaxed and joyful as they presented the couple with their gifts. Námo’s prediction that Vairë would gift them with a tapestry proved true. It was one of her smaller tapestries, yet no less exquisite in its crafting. It depicted Cuiviénen and the Awakening of the first Elves.

"This is a scene from your Beginnings," the Valië said. "May it be a symbol of the new beginning you are creating in wedding one another."

The couple thanked Vairë and Námo profusely and then Aulë and Yavanna presented their gift — a cradle made of cherry wood and intricately carved with grapevines and wheat sheaves entwined. Yavanna gave them a sly smile. "May this find much use in the coming years." Both Intarion and Lirulin blushed while everyone else, including Lirulin’s parents and brother, looked on with knowing smiles.

Ulmo and Nienna gave Lirulin an emerald and pearl necklace while Intarion was given a silver ring set with a single emerald cabochon and a leaf-shaped emerald and silver brooch. The couple promised to wear them at the wedding. Tulkas and Nessa gave Intarion a beautifully crafted lute while Lirulin was given an equally beautiful lap harp.

"So you may make beautiful music together," Nessa explained with a smile.

"If you put aside a time each day to play these instruments," Tulkas added in all seriousness, "it will help you to stay bonded. Never let a day go by that you do not stop to create something beautiful between you, whether it is music, a poem, a kind and loving word, or even a child." And then he laughed and the Elves could not help but laugh as well.

Irmo and Estë gave them two ëarrossë plants. "Plant one in your garden and bring the other inside," Estë said. "As long as they bloom they will be a symbol of your fidelity to one another."

"Also, the plant is good against evil dreams," Irmo added. "Later, when you have elflings, place the plant in their bedrooms so they may find the Path of Dreams with ease."

Oromë and Vána gave the couple two beautifully crafted headstalls with bells. "These are for the two horses that you will find waiting for you outside when you leave," Oromë said, smiling at the bemused expressions on both their faces.

"But, lord," Intarion protested, "we already have horses."

"One can never have enough horses," Oromë replied, "and these were specially bred and trained by me. I think you will find them a joy and delight to ride. I will leave it to you to name them."

"Then we thank you, lord, and you, lady, for your generosity," Intarion said with a bow and Lirulin added her own shy ‘thank you’.

Finally, it was Manwë and Varda’s turn to give their gift. Varda smiled at the couple warmly. "A wedding is very special, but it only marks the beginning of a relationship and is not an end in itself," she said. "Thus, this gift which my beloved and I bestow upon you is for the days that follow." She then brought forth with a thought two books beautifully bound in blue-dyed tooled leather with jewel-encrusted clasps. Both books had depictions of the Two Trees, one in gold leaf, the other done with silver leaf, their branches entwined. Varda handed each a book and they saw that a name had been inscribed above the Trees.

Intarion and Lirulin gave the Elentári puzzled looks. "I think you gave us the wrong books, lady," Intarion said, speaking for both of them. "This has Lirulin’s name on it." He held out the book in his hand.

Varda nodded. "And the book I gave Lirulin has your name inscribed on the front," she said. "I did not make a mistake, though. Open the books," she commanded.

Still looking puzzled, the two complied with the Valië’s command and found that the pages of the books were blank. "Here, on these pages," Varda explained, "you will each write the story of your lives together, recording all the little things that happen between you, both humorous and not so humorous. Record all the important events of your lives together and even the trivial things as you see fit. Do not show your spouse what you have written, but at a time of your choosing, perhaps on the anniversary of your wedding day, sit down together and share your books. Let your beloved read what you have written. I think you will be surprised by what you will find between the pages as you read your beloved’s words. I promise you that there will be much laughter but also tears. In the end, though, it is hoped that you will find a deeper love and appreciation for each other, recognizing the fact that, while you share your lives, each brings to the marriage something unique, some perspective on life the other does not possess."

Intarion and Lirulin shared shy looks before thanking the Valië, who smiled benignly upon them.

"I have something that properly belongs to you, Intarion," the Elder King then said. Manwë motioned to Eönwë who was standing in attendance to his lord and the other Valar and the Maia stepped forward holding a thin wooden case. He handed it to Intarion who softly thanked Eönwë and gave him and Manwë a bow.

"Will you not open the Elder King’s gift?" Telemnar asked, looking puzzled.

"It is not a gift, Telemnar," Manwë said mildly. "It is Intarion’s copy of the betrothal contract. Findaráto thought it might be safer with me than in Vanyamar."

Telemnar raised an eyebrow at that revelation and then sighed. "Prince Findaráto is most wise," he said.

"In some things," Manwë replied with a nod.

Then the audience came to a close and Manwë and Varda called for two of their People, Fionwë and Sáyandilmë, to help carry the gifts down the mountain. Before the Elves took their leave, the Valar each took turns blessing the couple, beginning with Manwë and Varda. The last was Námo, who gazed on them with great solemnity.

"There were many among the Valar and Maiar who wondered if Vairë and I would ever espouse," he said without preamble, "for, though it was obvious that we loved one another and it was Ilúvatar’s will that we so wed, there were...um... let us say, certain obstacles which we had to overcome before we were able to speak our vows to one another." He paused, turning to Vairë, the two of them sharing a smile. Then he turned his attention back to the Elves standing there, riveted by his words. "The joy that I felt when we were finally espoused cannot be described, and for a time I regretted that we had not been able to wed earlier. I resented the time lost or wasted that could have been ours had certain events not occurred. In time, though, I came to realize that the delay only made our present union the sweeter and the more joyful, never to be taken for granted. You, Intarion and Lirulin, have long awaited this day, as have we. Yet, do not think that the time of waiting has been a waste or in vain. Rather, look upon it as a test of your love for one another and rejoice in the knowledge that, in spite of everything, your love has remained true. Let this knowledge be a comfort to you and a reminder never to take your love for granted." He raised a hand in blessing and solemnly intoned, "Nai elen atta siluvat aurenna veryanwesto."

Both Intarion and Lirulin had thoughtful expressions as they bowed to the Lord of Mandos. Then the audience was over and after giving the Valar their obeisance, the Elves left, along with the two Maiar carrying the wedding gifts, with Intarion carefully carrying the betrothal contract.

"An interesting speech," Manwë said to Námo once the Valar were alone. "I was unaware that you ever felt any resentment for the delay in your union with Vairë."

Námo shrugged. "The resentment was rather short-lived," he said. "The joy of our bonding overwhelmed what bitterness I had towards Melkor and what he did to the two of us and I accepted the fact that the delay was simply a part of the whole of our lives together. We were finally espoused, in spite of Melkor, and in the end, that was all that really mattered."

"Intarion and Lirulin will hopefully remember your words," Oromë said, "when they look back over the time lost when they could have been married but were not."

"It is why I spoke them," Námo said.

"And so, these two Children will finally be wed," Yavanna then said with a sigh of satisfaction. "Now, I wonder if we can inspire a few others to become betrothed soon."

"You mean Findaráto and Amarië," Aulë said, gazing fondly on his wife.

"They make a lovely couple, don’t you think?" Yavanna asked coyly.

"We still need to get Indil and Tamurilon married, Yavanna," Varda said with a smile. "One couple at a time, please."

"But a double wedding...."

"One couple at a time," the Queen of Stars said firmly. "Do you think I can just call up wedding gifts out of thin air?"

"Didn’t you?" Námo retorted, giving her an innocent look that set the others laughing. Varda scowled at him at first, but the laughter of the others was infectious and she soon joined them.

****

Lirulin gave Intarion a loving kiss as they reached the gates of the city. They would not see one another until the wedding itself. Intarion stood and watched as she and her parents continued on their way, trailed by the two Maiar carrying the gifts. Passers-by gave them startled looks but, recognizing the family, they smiled and wished them joy. He sighed as they disappeared around a corner.

"You’ll be seeing her tomorrow," Telemnar said with a knowing smile. He had taken possession of the two white horses, a mare and a gelding, and would take them to the royal stables and get them settled in before returning home.

"I know it’s only a few hours away, but it seems like forever," Intarion replied as they made their way to the palace. "I’ve waited so long and now that it has finally arrived...."

"It was well worth the wait," Telemnar said. "You and Lirulin were meant for each other. Remember what Lord Námo said. Truly, I think his words must apply to all couples, not just to you. I have heard my own parents say that once they were married their only regret was in not marrying sooner."

Intarion nodded and bade farewell to his soon-to-be brother-in-law as they came to the palace grounds and Telemnar went with the horses to the stables while Intarion made his way to the royal apartments where he found Findaráto waiting for him.

"How did it go?" the Noldorin prince asked.

"It went very well," Intarion replied with a smile. "You should see the gifts the Valar gave us. Look. Lord Ulmo and Lady Nienna gave me these." He showed Findaráto the ring and brooch. "Lirulin has a necklace of emeralds and pearls. We promised to wear them tomorrow for the wedding."

"They are beautiful," Findaráto said with all sincerity. "The others have gone to sup," he explained. "I wasn’t in the mood to visit, so I’ve ordered something to be brought up. I had the feeling you might not wish to deal with family tonight, either, so I ordered enough for two. Care to join me?"

Intarion gave his cousin a grateful look. "Yes, thank you. The thought of having to sit and make conversation with people I barely know even if they are kin does not appeal to me right now. There’s too much on my mind."

"Oh?" Findaráto said, giving him an enquiring look as they made their way to Findaráto’s apartments. "I would think there would be only one thing on your mind, or rather, one person."

Intarion blushed. "That, too," he replied, not really looking at Findaráto and the Noldorin prince chuckled. They entered Findaráto’s sitting room to find dinner waiting for them. Findaráto gestured for Intarion to sit. "I’m surprised the twins and Indil are eating with the others, rather than joining us."

"They were all set to do just that," Findaráto said as he poured a light yellow wine into goblets, "but I persuaded them to eat with the rest of the family. I have spent more of my time with them than with you and tomorrow you will be happily wed. I thought this last night it would be nice for just the two of us to sit and get to know one another better."

"I have been very busy of late with all the wedding preparations," Intarion averred, "and I’ve regretted not being able to spend more time with you as well. So, you will be returning to Tirion after the wedding?"

Findaráto nodded. "I will leave with my parents. I’ve nearly completed my studies and will stop at Valmar to speak with Lord Aulë before I return to Tirion to take up my responsibilities."

"Do you have any idea what Ñolofinwë will ask you to do, yet?" Intarion asked.

Findaráto shook his head. "Not really. He said he would discuss it when we return to Tirion. I think he wants to leave all that behind for a few days and just enjoy himself with the wedding. He’s had a rough time of it since Anatar left. I was surprised he even came."

"So was I, and I would not have blamed him if he had elected to remain in Tirion," Intarion said. "But I am glad he and Anairë are here. They deserve some time for happiness."

Findaráto nodded. "So, what other gifts did the Valar give you?" he asked in idle curiosity.

Intarion chuckled. "They certainly are not the usual wedding gifts," he said and went on to describe the audience and what was said. Findaráto listened with great interest.

Later, when the dinner was over and he was ready to retire, Intarion handed the betrothal scroll to Findaráto. "You should hold on to this," he said.

"I’ll keep it safe," Findaráto promised, "and I will bring it to the ceremony." Then he wished his cousin fair dreams and saw him out the door before retiring himself.

****

The wedding took place, as did all weddings, at the Second Mingling. In the hours before that, there was much to-ing and fro-ing as the palace was transformed. The ceremony would be held in the gardens followed by the wedding feast, which would take place in the main feasting hall. While it was more common for the feast to precede the ceremony, at least among the Noldor and Teleri, some of the Vanyar, including the royal family, had begun to reverse the order when it suited them to do so. In Intarion and Lirulin’s case, it had been decided to have the wedding ceremony first.

"Just so we can get it over with," Lirulin said when she was explaining the change in the order to others. "I am going to be nervous enough as it is and I doubt I would be able to eat a single bite."

There were knowing smiles all around and no one voiced any objections.

In the meantime, Findaráto, Tamurilon and Valandur, who would act as Intarion’s witnesses, spent the time before the ceremony with Intarion, helping him to get ready. The poor ellon was a bundle of nerves.

"I didn’t sleep at all," he told them.

"And I very much doubt you’ll be getting sleep any time soon," Valandur said with a knowing smile and Findaráto grinned.

"Just take a deep breath, Cousin," Findaráto said. "All will be well."

"I just hope my parents behave," Intarion said with a grimace.

"They just have to be present for the actual ceremony," Valandur said, "to sign the wedding scroll, but there is nothing that says they must attend the feast afterwards, though I suspect Ingwë will insist that they do so for propriety’s sake."

Intarion sighed. "I just wish they could be happy for me."

"So do we," Findaráto said sympathetically. "At least take comfort that everyone else in the family is happy for you and Lirulin and we wish you nothing but joy in your union."

"Thank you," Intarion said fervently. "I’m glad we had the opportunity to get to know one another better."

"As am I," Findaráto said. Then, he picked up the betrothal contract and gave Intarion a smile. "Shall we?"

Intarion nodded, looking pale and nervous. "I hope I don’t do any thing stupid like faint," he murmured.

Tamurilon took him by the shoulders and gave him a warm smile. "You’re going to be just fine. Leave the fainting for the ellith. They’ve made it into an art form."

The other three ellyn chuckled and then they made their way to the gardens where the rest of the family awaited them. Ingoldo and Tinwetariel stood to the right of the canopy of white sendal under which the couple would stand and speak their vows. Their expressions were stony and everyone pretty much ignored them. Ingwë and Elindis came to meet the four ellyn. Elindis smiled and gave her nephew a kiss.

"You look just fine, Intarion," she whispered. "That brooch and ring complement your wedding garb quite beautifully."

"They’re a gift from Lady Nienna and Lord Ulmo," Intarion replied shyly.

"Shall we?" Ingwë said, gesturing towards where the ceremony would take place. "The guests are all assembled and I think the bride is on her way."

Intarion nodded and they all returned to the canopy, with Intarion, Valandur, Tamurilon and Findaráto standing to the right while Elindis stood with her sons. Ingwë, as High King as well as Intarion’s uncle, stood with the bridegroom, for he would hear the vows and acknowledge them married. Then, in the distance, they heard music and the raising of voices in the traditional wedding song as the bride and her family and friends were approaching. Those waiting for them took up the song, welcoming the bridal party.

Intarion strained to see Lirulin coming and then she was there, riding the mare that had been given to her by Lord Oromë and Lady Vána, led by her brother with her parents walking behind them. Indil, Findis and Amarië, as Lirulin’s witnesses, were with them and Intarion vaguely noticed how Findaráto smiled at the sight of Amarië, but then his attention was drawn back to Lirulin, her ethereal beauty enhanced by the emerald and pearl necklace that graced her throat. Telemnar stopped the horse and helped his sister down, then uttered a soft word to the mare. The mare whinnied and bobbed her head before going with a groom back to the stables. Lirulin, meantime, continued walking towards the canopy with her family and Amarië. As they came abreast of the others waiting the song came to an end and Lirulin gave a curtsey to Elindis and then to Ingwë before joining Intarion under the canopy.

"We are gathered today as witnesses to the speaking of vows," Ingwë said with a smile. "Intarion Ingoldion and Lirulin Nolonduriel have consented to marry one with the other. They do not enter this union lightly nor frivolously, but with full knowledge of the consequences of becoming husband and wife. Yet, their knowledge is second hand and not based on personal experience, and so, I am here to remind you, Intarion and Lirulin, that marriage is more than sharing a bed. It is sharing one’s fëa and that can be both joyful and terrifying. You must remind yourselves each day that the bond between you works both ways and both must contribute to it to make it strong. But do not think that once wed you are on your own, for you are not. There will be times of trouble and sorrow and perhaps even anger, frustration and misunderstandings. That is a normal part of anyone’s life, married or not. Yet, when such times come upon you, remember that you have family who love you and support you and you should go to them for help if necessary. And now, let the betrothal contract be read one last time so that all may hear the terms of the marriage before you speak your vows."

Findaráto brought forth the scroll and in a clear voice read the contract. Then Ingwë spoke. "Are there any objections to the terms of the marriage?" he asked rhetorically, casting a surreptitious eye on Ingoldo and Tinwetariel, both of whom stared at nothing in particular, their expressions set. When no one voiced any objections, Ingwë continued. "Then let the terms of the marriage as agreed upon by both families stand. Á vala Manwë!"

"Á vala Manwë!" everyone echoed, thus signifying that the terms of the contract were ratified by the community at large of whom the guests attending the wedding were representatives, and not just by the families involved.

Findaráto then placed the scroll next to the copy which Nolondur had brought with him on a table where ink and quills were set beside a lit candle, sealing wax and seals. In the space that had been left at the bottom of the contracts Findaráto neatly appended the notation that the wedding had taken place on the appointed day before the following witnesses and that the terms of the marriage had been approved by the community at large. Valandur and Amarië signed both copies as the chief witnesses. Then the respective parents signed as well, Ingoldo and Tinwetariel somewhat reluctantly. Finally, Ingwë and Elindis, as Ingaran and Ingatári, signed, for Intarion was of the royal house of the Vanyar. The appropriate seals were then appended to the two copies, after which the couple exchanged the promise rings they had given one another when they became betrothed and placed them into the hands of their respective witnesses who in turn gave them the wedding rings that would be exchanged once the vows were said.

Intarion would speak first but for a time he merely stood there, gazing into Lirulin’s eyes. Valandur smiled indulgently and gave the ellon a slight nudge on his arm. There was gentle laughter from the guests as Intarion blushed. He turned to Ingwë with a somewhat helpless look. "I... I can’t seem to remember what I’m supposed to say." Now the laughter was louder and Lirulin giggled.

Ingwë smiled broadly and leaned over to whisper something in the ellon’s ear, then he straightened and Intarion turned back to gaze at his beloved. The guests settled down to hear the ellon’s vows. "Uncle Ingwë said to just speak what is in my heart," he began shyly. "Lirulin, I love you. I always have and always will. Nothing in Arda will ever come between me and my love for you. You are the very air I breathe and I will always be grateful that we found one another." Then he paused, swallowing nervously, turning to Ingwë. "I can’t think of anything else to say."

Findaráto rolled his eyes as everyone else snickered, though Ingoldo was seen to scowl and mutter something no one else heard; Tinwetariel just stood there, her expression unreadable. Ingwë smiled. "What you have said is sufficient to make the wedding legal," he said. "Let Lirulin speak now."

Lirulin gave her beloved a sly smile. "I’ll pretend I can’t remember the vows either," she said, "and speak what is in my heart."

At that Findaráto threw up his hands and raised his eyes heavenward. "So much for my input," he said just loud enough for everyone to hear and there was much laughter among those in attendance. Intarion stuck his tongue out at Findaráto and Lirulin just giggled. But when everyone had calmed down, Lirulin spoke with all sincerity. "Intarion, the first time I saw you I think I was about twenty-five. I thought you were the handsomest ellon in all of Aman and somehow I knew that we were meant for one another. I still do. I love you and always will. I want to spend the rest of the Ages of Arda with you. The Light of the Trees is as nothing to the light of your love for me and I will always be grateful that Eru brought us together."

Then the two exchanged wedding rings: plain bands of white gold carefully inscribed on the inside of each with their names. Ingwë took their hands, placing Lirulin’s in Intarion’s and smiled. "Intarion and Lirulin have plighted their troth one to the other and have exchanged rings and vows. Let them henceforth be known as ‘veru’ for all the Ages of Arda and beyond. Valar Valuvar!"

With that everyone began singing the ‘Lindë Veruo’, which had originally been composed by the Vanyarin minstrel Elemmírë in honor of Aulë and Yavanna, but over time it had become a traditional song sung at the end of the wedding ceremony as the newly married couple processed out along with their witnesses and families. As they sang, the guests scattered red, white and pink rose petals before the wedding party, petals which they had collected from their gardens and brought in small bags specially made for the purpose. Then they followed them to the feasting hall.

****

iVeryanwë Lirulin Intarionyë: ‘The Wedding of Lirulin and Intarion’. [-yë is a suffix meaning ‘and’ and is added to the second of a pair.]

Pearl: Symbolic of purity and innocence.

Emerald: Brings wisdom, growth, and patience and is considered symbolic of love and fidelity, as well as a symbol of faith and hope.

Eärrossë: The Rosemary plant. The name is from the Latin rosmarinus meaning, ‘dew of the sea’, which is the Quenya rendering. Besides being a symbol of remembrance, it is also symbolic of happy memories, fidelity, and love, thus, in some European cultures, it is considered a wedding plant. It is also said to be effective against evil spirits and bad dreams.

Nai elen atta siluvat aurenna veryanwesto: ‘May two stars shine upon the day of your wedding’. This is an attested phrase [see Vinyar Tengwar 49, ‘Five Late Quenya Volitive Inscriptions’].

Á vala Manwë!: ‘May Manwë order it!’; an attested phrase.

Veru: (dual noun) Husband and wife; married pair, spouses.

Lindë Veruo: Song of the Spouses.

Valar valuvar!: ‘The will of the Valar will be done’; an attested phrase.

Note: The rose has from time immemorial been a symbol of love. Certain colors of roses have specific meanings: red ‘I love you’; white ‘I am worthy of you’; and pink ‘joy and happiness’.