The wedding custom

“It is the way of our people, Lothiriel, there is no shame in it, why do you worry?” asked Eomer, nodding for the servant to take the bundle away. Lothiriel blushed crimson, unable to hide her horror at this strange custom. She buried her face in her hands and groaned with mortification.

Eomer smiled at his young wife’s naivety, pulling her hands away from her face, “it is a custom of Rohan to show the marriage has been consummated thus, our people will expect it.”

*****
Outside, high above the doors of Meduseld, the blood stained wedding sheet was hung.