Five things that never happened to Lily Proudfoot

Five things that never happened to Lily Proudfoot
By Cúthalion

One

She stands in front of the mirror. The woman reflected in there is a stranger, clad in may-green, daisies woven into glossy chestnut tresses. She has not found the time to embroider her own bride bodice… other hands have decorated the smooth silk with pearls and lily of the valley-leaves.

She feels terribly unsure and ridiculously disguised. She feels helplessly exposed, after too many years of secrecy and silence. His family. His cousins. Meriadoc Brandybock… ‘Magnificent’ already, radiant hero and gentlehobbit. Peregrin Took, Knight of Gondor, friend of wizards and kings.

And - even worse – the inhabitants of Hobbiton. All the folks who’ve known her since she was a child.

This is madness.

Cool gems on her skin, warm hands, closing the amber necklace around her neck.

“Ready, my indil?”

He stands behind her and his voice alone is enough to soothe her panic. She turns around, held and comforted by the love in his eyes.

“Yes – of course.”