Alliance

The Wedding

Gwinnett gently drapes a veil across my face. "You look beautiful, Seraphina."

    "Thank you," I reply politely, giving her a small smile despite the anxiety pecking at my nerves. Gwinnett quickly shuffles through the door and joins the rest of the guests just as the wedding march begins to play. I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. All of Laochra Riocht's most influential people are on the other side of these doors and I refuse to let them see me so rattled.

     The crowd rises to their feet as the first note of the march rings out. More people than I can count crane their necks to be the first to lay eyes on me. I don't mind the candid looks of surprise from the crowd, nor do I pay any attention to their whispering and pointing. My eyes stay trained on the man I am to marry in a few moments. All too soon, I am in front of Farrell and the man ordained to marry us.

    "Join hands," the elderly man instructs. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness not only the marriage between two youths but the making of a great alliance. Though this marriage was brought together through politics, grow a love that will keep it together until death do you part. Marriage is a sacred bond gifted by God to man and should be revered as such. Always keep that in mind, young ones, and your marriage will be a blessed and prosperous one. Now, we shall move on to the vows." The man clears his throat and gestures to the man in front of me, "Prince, if you will."

    A young boy, a page by his dress, steps towards us with two gleaming rings perched on a plush red pillow. Farrell takes one of the two from the boy before taking my hands in his once again.

    "With this ring, I, Prince Farrell of Laochra Riocht, take you, Lady Seraphine of Caledon, to be my wife, according to God's holy decree: to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do we part: and to that I pledge you my faithfulness."

    Farrell slips a beautifully crafted ring on my left hand's fourth finger then offers me a charming grin which I readily return despite his getting my name wrong. I take the ring from the page boy, pausing only to give the child a small smile before turning to Farrell once again.

    "With this ring, I, Lady Seraphina of Caledon take you, Prince Farrell of Laochra Riocht, to be my husband according to God's holy decree: to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do we part: and to that I pledge you my faithfulness."

    The minister gives a nod of approval, "Now if anyone has any objections as to why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace."

    Both Farrell and I scan the crowd to see if anyone truly wishes to refute our union. Not a soul makes a sound, though any fool could tell that Princess Aednat objects by the sour look on her face.

    "I now pronounce you man and wife," the minister says with a grin. " Prince, you may kiss your bride."

    Without needing to be told twice, Farrell pulls me closer, dips me at the waist, and kisses me. His lips are much thinner than my voluptuous ones, but they still managed to overpower mine. Farrell keeps us in this position for quite some time before placing us both upright. The men in the crowd roar in approval, the women chuckle, and the few children that are there scrunch their faces in disgust. I join the women in their light laughter as my husband gives a victorious grin to the crowd. I pray that this excitement for our marriage lasts the rest of our days together.

...

    In Caledon, it is customary to throw a feast after a wedding, but never have I seen one of this size. The tables are filled with foods of all kinds, so much so that I have come to terms with the fact that I will not be able to learn the names of all of the dishes by the closing of tonight, more or less try them. The guests, however, are not as intimidated by the spread as I am and do not hesitate to dive in once given permission. A large percentage of the men here tonight are soldiers, so it is no wonder that the food goes as fast as it does. Several samplings of the dishes nearest to me fills my stomach quickly while Farrell has several servings before he gives a content sigh.