My Lily
Maerad sighed, feeling the thick, heavy material of the dress swish around her calves. She didn't like the dress, it was too elaborate and she didn't look like herself. "I don't like it, Silvia. It doesn't feel right." Silvia shook her head and helped Maerad take the heavy, pearl-embroidered dress off.
"Maerad, you're going to have to pick a dress. The wedding is next week!" Maerad's shoulders slumped. Normally Silvia was a kind, patient woman. She knew that she had to pick out a wedding gown, but she couldn't face the fact that she was getting married. She saw Cadvan's face in her mind, and tried to think of what he would like. 'He wouldn't care if I showed up in the dirty traveling clothes I've been wearing,' she thought. Then something caught her eye. It was a simple wedding gown that had been woven with silver threads to form a pattern of lilies. She picked up the dress and tugged it on. She had Silvia button up the tiny pearl-colored buttons on the back. The sleeves were low, revealing her shoulders and throat. She decided that this was the dress she would wear.
She walked down the aisle holding on to a bouquet of white flowers that had been dusted with a silver powder. She saw Cadvan at the end of it. He was dressed in his custom black, but his clothing and cloak had silver trim. The Lirigon brooch gleamed on his clothing. Malgorn was going to lead the ceremony. He had a cup of dark wine in front of him, along with several herbs. As Malgorn spoke the words of love and binding, he walked around them sprinkling the herbs in a circle around them. After he had made several circles, he handed Cadvan the goblet of wine. "Cadvan of Lirigon, do you swear by the Light that you will care for, love, cherish, and protect Maerad of Pellinor?"
"I swear by the Light that I will care for, love, cherish, and protect Maerad of Pellinor." Cadvan's voice echoed through the air. Malgorn repeated the vows to Maerad.
"I swear by the Light that I will care for, love cherish, and protect Cadvan of Lirigon." Maerad's voice trembled, but she was smiling at Cadvan. Malgorn nodded, and the assembled friends and family of the bride and groom started to sing a song in their honor. Cadvan smiled, an expression of fierce love and joy on his face. He bent down and kissed Maerad as the song ended.