The Wedding

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

---

Once upon a time...

In a land only an hour and twenty minutes away...

One Rikae, death date August 25, 2006, and one Macalaure, death date March 29, 2006, agreed to intertwine their lives in a legal and binding manner.

The wedding was scheduled for 5pm.

The bride and groom arrived... significantly after 5pm.

In the mean time, Fea, Nienna, and Lari (Mira was there in spirit) attempted to keep themselves entertained inside of the car as the rain poured down.

"Nienna," Fea pouted, "I'm bored. And it's raining."

"Wait!" says, Nienna, "I think I see a car!"

"No," says Fea and Lari, "No car."

They turn the other way. "No car this way either."

Eventually, there are, in fact, cars.

And eventually we emerge into the rainy afternoon. The rainy, cold afternoon.

The bride and groom... are still missing.

The executive decision is made that it is too rainy where the wedding should have been and the wedding therefore shall no longer be outside.

The ladies in dresses rejoice.

The bridesmaids arrive. The ladies in dresses take a lot of pictures.

The wedding guests, all of whom have retreated indoors, watch through the rainy windows for the mysteriously missing bride and groom. It is about 5:40.

"They have arrived!" cries someone.

"They're blurry..." pines Fea.

And then?

They are wed.

And then they are forced to pose. A lot. For a very long time.

The self-declared flower girl discovers that she doesn't mind posing. She poses many times.

While the flower girl is preoccupied with being exceptionally blurry due to her love for spontaneous motion, the rest of the happy family looks beautiful, stunningly lit, and quite happy. This is quite possibly Fea's favorite picture.

The younger two of the children capable of upright movement claim Fea as their new playtoy. Fea learns a great many variations of the lines to Ring around the Rosie. Many of which seemed spontaneously composed. Fea insists, however, to any who are reading, that she does not like children, does not dance, does not play, and is completely and utterly evil.

The wedding party and accompanying guests depart, heading to the photographer's studio and the reception.

At the photographer's studio, the were-duckling expresses her displeasure at both great length and great volume.

Mama Mac speaks soothingly to her in German. Annika shrieks more loudly.

"The German does not help," mourns Mama Mac.

Mac smiles at his mother, bounces his baby lightly, and says, "No, you have to speak to her in Baby German."

Mama Mac laughs and says, "Tooka tooka tooka. Ticky ticky ticky."

Fea smiles, though Annika is still crying, and murmurs, "That's fabulous. Baby German sounds suspiciously like Baby English."

As photographs are taken, all involved learn Fea's hitherto undiscovered talent with a tickle feather. "Look up here!" Tickle, tickle. "Smile!" Tickle tickle tickle. "Big smile, girls, stand up straight! Big smile, Rikae. Don't think I won't aim the feather at you!"

As Fea oogles the photographer's fabulous lighting, Nienna keeps the bridesmaids (and the self-proclaimed flower girl) occupied by reading them Angelina's Baby Sister.

After a fabulous meal - almost entirely vegetarian! Fea rejoiced! - the dancing commenced.

Nienna, matchmaker extraordinairre, made a few well-placed suggestions, taking advantage of people's vulnerability.

Mac and a stepdaughter.

Fea, who, I assure you, was having absolutely no fun at all.

And finally, it was time for the bride and groom to share their first dance.

They tried, believe me they tried, to avoid the spotlight.

Mama Mac put her foot down. "Chris-tee-ahn," she commanded, "in twenty years, you will want these peectures. Danse!"

Fea, who wants to be Mac's mother when she grows up, smirked, adding, "Erika and Christian, if you did not want photographs, you should have eloped. Now dance."

Seeing the futility of defying both Mac's mother and Fea, the couple, as you might have guessed... danced.

After, there was cake. Delicious, delightful, moist, strawberry filled cake. Fea was in love.

All night there had been champagne and sparkling grape juice, but once the bridesmaids went to sleep, Mac put his math skills to work, measuring proper proportions for his signature drink, which has been called many things, including, 'The Downer,' 'The Mac,' and 'The Awkward Penguin.'

Containing mint ice cream, food coloring, peach schnapps, and vodka, it was... fabulous.

And so the wedding day ended.

Or, rather, so it ended for us, as we had to leave so Nienna could sleep the night before her last ever final exam.

---

Congratulations from Fea, Nienna, Lari, and Mira to the first - unless people have been holding out on us - Barrowdowner Bride and Groom!

[Thinlómien]

So much congrats Rikae&Mac! *hugs you both and starts dancing around* You and the kids are all so darn cute.

Thanks for the pics and the awesomely narrated story, Fea. I can't say I'm not envious, though!

[Aganzir]

Lovely.

Congratulations to Rikae & Mac. You are such a cute family.

And thanks so much for sharing the story & photos, Fea. I loved them. You look like you were having a wonderful time, you all.

(Although I still think Mac looks darn scary. Well... not that much in the pics posted here, but still.)

I wish you the best of luck.

[Mnemosyne]

OTP! OTP! OTP*!

*someone realizes that The Fangurl has been let loose and carefully yanks her back into the shadows with a cane*



*For those not well versed in fanfic speech, this acronym translates to "one true pairing."



Congrats to the gnulyweds and laud to the talented Fea for posting of pictures and mad narrational skills.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Now that is indeed a very lovely occassion and great news!

I join the crowd of congratulants to both.

I guess most of BDers would be now envious to those who were present Well, I guess rightly so. Not everybody can be there, right.

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

[While the flower girl is preoccupied with being exceptionally blurry due to her love for spontaneous motion, the rest of the happy family looks beautiful, stunningly lit, and quite happy. This is quite possibly Fea's favorite picture.

Mine too! And thanks for posting the pics (and the amusing narration), Fea.

[Nogrod]

That looks so great!

Congrats to the new family! It looks and sounds a great day, even with the rain!


And kudos for Fea for her reporting & Nienna for playing a vital role as it seems!

Even if you all look very kind and sympathetic, I must confess I love the Bridesmaids the best! What a lovely bunch!
(I need to scan you a picture of Lommy & Greenie when they were that age and so alike! )


Remembering this Boro-controversy - and all those nihilist viewpoints some people made there - this looks just like so beautiful and good. Let's not become nihilists but let's believe in love, care and sharing, even if it ignites via the internet!

[Eönwë]

Ooh, Congratulations Rikae and Mac!

Enjoy the rest of your lives together and good luck for the future.


And thank you Fea for posting.



edit:

It's amazing the way the internet can bring people together from totally different parts of the world, and the Downs is a perfect example of this. Besides the core of dscussing Tolkien's works, in this relatively safe environment, people have managed to make friends and even fall in love. The Barrow-Downs is a community.
Thank you Barrow-Wight!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

And kudos for Fea for her reporting & Nienna for playing a vital role as it seems!

Vital though my role was, Nienna actually took almost every photo. I was otherwise busy, so she had possession of my camera.

So my thanks to Nienna for being a competent steward and my thanks to the happy couple for letting me be useful.

[Mirandir]

alsdjfl;kasjdf;lajsdlfjk;alsjd; flkjsdl;fkaj;lsdkfj have I mentioned lately how absolutely disgusted I am at myself for not being there? Because I definitely am.

Congratulations Mac and Rikae! The color of Mac's vest is fantastic and Rikae's dress is so perfect! The girls looked gorgeous too. Especially the wereduckling.

And Fea, the narration is fantastic. And Nienna, the pictures are fabulous. And contrary to what the former would like you to believe, she does indeed like small children, dancing, and having fun.

Congrats again you guys!

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

Mac put his math skills to work, measuring proper proportions for his signature drink, which has been called many things, including, 'The Downer,'

I should sue for liable!!!

This was amazing! Thanks for the wonderful pictures that I will NOT abuse. (mainly because of the break from the paper I'm taking at the moment... BUT STILL!!)

Fea, have you ever considered taking on wedding commentary as a profession?
(What do you mean it's not a real profession?)

[Nienna]

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

Fea, who, I assure you, was having absolutely no fun at all.

So this dance did take a little persuasion from me. This is how it went:


Bridesmaid: Will you dance with me?
Fea: No. Sorry. I don't dance.

*bridesmaid looks sad*

Nienna whispers: I bet if you said please she would dance.

*bridesmaid looks hopeful*

Bridesmaid: Please will you dance?
Fea (while giving Nienna a dirty look): Of course.

[The Might]

Congratulations!

But where are the crowns? You can't have a good LotR fan wedding without crowns. Especially with Mac wearing a Gondorian crown with wings, that would surely make an impression.

[Macalaure]

Hey, thanks for making a thread for it. We would have, too... a bit later, but we couldn't have narrated it so nicely (not to mention that we don't have any pictures to share yet).


Thank you all for your congratulations!

Originally Posted by Fea

The wedding was scheduled for 5pm.

The bride and groom arrived... significantly after 5pm.

*ahem*... yeah... combination of finishing wedding dress last minute, taking longer to dress up than expected, and groom noticing he forgot the rings when we were already half-way there. Because of it, we were also significantly more nervous during the ceremony than we intended to, misspeaking, standing the wrong way, mixing up the rings...

Originally Posted by Fea

As photographs are taken, all involved learn Fea's hitherto undiscovered talent with a tickle feather.

Which was hilarious! It's so sad that the photographer was busy taking pictures of us and nobody else seemed to have a camera with them at the time.

Originally Posted by Fea

Fea, who wants to be Mac's mother when she grows up,...

I'll let her know.

Originally Posted by Aganzir

Although I still think Mac looks darn scary.

*evil snicker*


PS: Thanks for taking the time and photoshop our last names out of the invitation. Could you do something about our last name appearing within the post, too, though?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

What last name?

*looks innocent*

[meekly apologizes for the oversight]

[Mithadan]

Congratulations to both of you!

I believe this is the third wedding of Barrow-Downs members, but it is an amazing and blessed event!

Enjoy your lives together!

[Hakon]

I don't know who the bride and groom are since I am new here. Anyway to get to the point. Congratulations and have fun spending life together.

[Bêthberry]

Rain refreshes the dry earth as weddings renew spent spirits.

Congratulations Rikae and Mac and may your life together be long and bountiful.

[Formendacil]

*mutters about his gold-lettered invitation having surely gotten lost in the mail, about the inconsideration of some people getting married in fool exotic locales like the Eastern Standard Timezone, about how marriages won't last anyway, and how the weather is too wet....*

*basically, as Form gets more and more crotchety, it means he's trying harder and harder to hide that he's grinning like a Cheshire cat*

Though unavoidable circumstances (*coughmoney* *coughdistance*) completely rendered attendance unthinkable, this was on my calendar and you've been/are in my prayers.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Gaan yersel'!

Best wishes to the family; it's great to see.

[Rikae]

Thanks for the awesome narration, and for posting the photos (they're the first we've gotten to see) Fea! I'm so glad you, Lari and Nienna were there, and I wish we'd had more of a change to talk - I was so busy with Annika, I neglected my guests.

Thanks to everyone for your congratulations - this is such a wonderful community, and just shows how much warmth and friendship can be found in the so-called "jungle" of the internet. Sheesh, I sound corny.

I'm curious whose the other two weddings were...

And Miggy - if you look closely, you'll see that I have one (one of these, as a matter of fact). As for Mac, it was hard enough getting him to wear a vest!

[Pitchwife]

Best wishes, Rikae and Mac!
To the well-organized mind, marriage is but the next great adventure.

[Morsul the Dark]

Goodluck to you both hurray for the story too

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Congratulations, Rikae and Mac, and best wishes to you and your family! Herzliche Glückwünsche und alles Gute für Eure gemeinsame Zukunft!

A special thanks to Fea for the lively and amusing narrative and for integrating the lovely pictures Nienna took! You provided the rest of us who were not so fortunate as to be able to attend personally with a glimpse through the keyhole of time and space.

[The Might]

Oh yeah, nice!
Very Arwen-like, Rikae!

And since I see Estelyn wishing you something in German, I will to, however also reminding you of what marriage truly means:

Ehe - ein Buch, bei dem das erste Kapitel in Poesie geschrieben ist und die übrigen in Prosa.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Yes congrats and all that jazz.

Once again you guys manage to make me regret ever going to Uni!
I should have stayed an unskilled labourer, that could dedicate all his time and money to barrow-downs activities.

Anyways, I hope your barrow will be forever green.

[Durelin]

Congratulations!!! You look so wonderful together, as a couple and the whole family! <3

[Lariren Shadow]

Congratulations again and this is me sucking with getting my pictures together. I do have some cute ones as well! They will be up shortly.

[Erendis]

Oh ,how wonderful!And what a nice invitation!Makes me want to marry to-though I can't imagine my mom's face when I say I want a Tolkien-like wedding-

Anyway,best wishes to Mac and Rikae!And as we say in Greece...Να ζήσετε!

[Rumil]

Awwwww,

Rikae and Macalaure,

All the very best of luck in the world for you two!

Sometimes the BD magic really works,

(just ask davem and Lalwende)

Eglerio!

Eglerio!

A laita te, laita te! Andave laituvalmet!

[Lariren Shadow]

This is my stopping of slacking and posting some of the more cute pictures of mine:

The Happy Couple

Dancing

And feeding each other cake.

[Oddwen]

Congratulations to you both!

[Boromir88]

Wow, congratulations! and absolutely stunning!

I hope Mac doesn't mind if I say, I really want to steal that green vest of his.

[Nerwen]

Congratulations, Mac and Rikae!

And great reporting, Fea!

[Guinevere]

Belated congratulations to Rikae and Macalaure from me too!
Mögen die Sterne auf euren gemeinsamen Weg scheinen!

And thank you Fea, Nienna and Larien for the lovely pictures!

[skip spence]

Yeah, many congratulations Rikae and Mac. I hope your days together will be long and prosperous!

Hey, the Barrow-downs is quite the match-making site, isn't it?

Who'll be next, one wonders...

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Originally Posted by Hookbill the Goomba

Fea, have you ever considered taking on wedding commentary as a profession?
(What do you mean it's not a real profession?)

Actually, the funny thing is, I think it is and actual profession...

And,
Congrats to Rikae and Mac! I hope your lives will be happy together!
(Btw, Rikae, that was a gorgeous dress)

[Lush]

Belated congratulations.

And good luck with married life! Like in the quote that Squa sent to me recently - "Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction." I think it's pretty definite that you guys have it made as far as that is concerned.

*kisses & hugs*