Chapter one
She stared blankly from the balcony down at the crowded streets below. The sun was setting, bathing the celebrations below in the waning light of the day. She had survived the day, but she still had no clue about what she was supposed to do next. The wedding was a blur, she rested her hands on the railing and tried to piece it all back together. Now was as good a time as any, and at least for the moment, she was alone.
She'd held her head up, back straight as she'd moved down the high-bridge toward her unknown future. For the first time in as long as she could remember she was at a loss for what was expected of her. The wedding itself had been beautiful, all white silk, pink roses and red carpets. Her intended looking resplendent in his formal robes as his procession slowly moved to meet hers. He was taller than her, than any human man she'd met. He had had to really lean down to kiss her once their vows had been spoken. She had been so nervous she nearly stumbled back down the steps, but his hold on her was enough to keep her steady. He had released her almost immediately, and turned with her to face the hand picked crowd as they cheered. Men and women of power clapped and murmured as their now combined procession retreated from the high-bridge into the grand temple there they would receive their well wishers and guests.
They greeted Maesters and Performers, Artists and Scholars. She smiled and bowed, nodded and laughed, everything that she would have done in such company any other time in her life. She was a summoner, and the daughter of a High Summoner, she had learned at an early age the importance of social grace. It seemed hours before the receiving line had vanished, but she remembered being grateful that it had. There was wine and food. She ate a little, drank a little, even with her stomach turning in knots. Everywhere she looked people were bowing to her, smiling, happy faces. This was what she wanted, what she had put her pilgrimage on hold for. This was why she had sent most of her guardians, her friends, back to their homes. She longed to bring happiness to Spira, and she could do this for them, she would defeat Sin for them too, once she had fulfilled this commitment.
She had let her mind wander and it took her by surprise when her groom took her hand, she startled, which succeeded in bringing a slight grimace to his face and a crease to his brow. She blushed at her poor decorum and allowed him to lead her around the table into the crowd which parted at their approach. The music began to play somewhere to her right, the musicians out of her view. She followed his lead, he moved with a grace she found surprising for a man his size. He twirled her gently but firmly, always keeping her movements within his control. She had never danced with a man before and was grateful for his lead. When the dance had finished and the music faded he led her back to her seat at the table where she once again tucked herself into the chair.
There were toasts next, to their health, to the Maesters, and the blessings of Yevon. She raised her glass with the rest and drank just as deeply, the wine warming her already tired body. As the afternoon pressed onward toward evening she found herself wondering when she might be allowed to change. Her wedding gown was beautiful, white silk and downy feathers, but it was heavy and she was growing increasingly tired. She was talking to Maester Kelk Ronso when a large hand touched her shoulder, she looked up, her eyes caught in the violet-blue of his, he leaned into her, whispering in her ear. She nodded her understanding before he walked away, she turned to once more address the Ronso Maester, but he too was gone, retreating into the crowd behind the Grand Maester.
There was no one else waiting to speak with her so she decided it was as good a time as any to make her way from the hall. The party would continue on long into the night, but with the Maesters sequestered somewhere in the temple on business there wouldn't be much in the way of formality now.
"Congratulations Lady Yuna." a young lady said as she walked by.
"Thank you very much." Yuna replied with a smile.
She made her way out of the hall before she realized she wasn't sure where she was going. All she knew is that she wanted to change, and she wanted a few moments to think. She began to walk down a hallway reminiscent of the one she had entered from after dressing hoping to find her way back to the room she had been allotted for her wedding preparations. She hadn't made it more than a few steps before a warbling voice called after her.
"Lady Yuna, please follow me. Your handmaiden is no where to be seen but I will find her once I get you settled" Trommell waved her in the opposite direction.
With a grateful sigh she nodded and followed as he lead her down corridor after corridor, up stair wells, and through large archways before stopping in front of a large set of dark gilded doors.
"These are the master chambers My Lady, please make yourself comfortable here, I'm sure Lord Seymour will be back any time." The steward said as he opened the door.
Inclining his head towards the dark interior he added, "I will locate your handmaiden before morning, for now I will send someone to help you undress."He said the last word with a slight tone of embarrassment and closed the door behind himself, leaving her in the muted light of a dying sun pouring through the window.
She hadn't waited long before there was a knock at the door. She pulled one of the large doors open to admit a young woman with her hands clasped before her and her eyes downcast.
"I am here to assist you in undressing for the evening My Lady." She said plainly.
"There is no need to be so formal here, please call me Yuna." She replied closing the door behind them.
"Thank you Lady Yuna, my name is Niah. I was sent by the temple to help you, the Guado steward is still trying to locate your handmaiden." Niah explained.
"That would be my cousin, Rikku. I'm sure she just got turned around in the temple. She will find her way, she always does." Yuna replied with a smile.
Rikku was the only one of her guardians who was staying with her. She had requested the position of handmaiden when Yuna had decided to marry, and her now husband had found the idea agreeable. Rikku was always quick with a smile and great at making her laugh. She was honest and direct bordering on forward, the type of person that keeps you on your toes. Yuna was lost in thoughts of her cousin when she hear Niah clear her throat nervously.
"Apologies Niah, it had been a long day for me, so much excitement I hardly know where my mind is. Please let's get me out of this dress, it weighs more by the minute."
"Very good Lady Yuna, there should be a changing area in the bedroom." Niah explained leading the way through the ever darkening room.
They passed from the sitting room through a small private lounge and into a large bedroom. The bedroom furniture was tooled wood, heavy and solid. The whole room seemed to be centered around the large bed against the far wall. Solid posts held up long draping curtains and a canopy of dark green, the sheets and pillows a pool of cream colored satin only visible through the parted curtains. Following Niah she allowed herself only a brief glance at the inviting sight and with a weary sigh she let herself be led to the obscured dressing area. There was a large basin of cool clear water in the center and rack of clothing along the wall. There was a large high window here as well, but the glass was carefully frosted to let only the light in.
Niah lit a few candles along a low table making the room much easier to navigate. Motioning to the chair she waited patiently for Yuna to be seated. After removing the train from the dress and folding it carefully over an empty rack Niah began the slow work of unbuttoning the bodice of the gown, tugging it off over a surprised Yuna's head. She placed it on the rack as well and while Yuna removed her boots and corset she moved around the room putting things away. She found a large white gift box sitting next to the table and handed it to Yuna before excusing herself to return to her temple duties.
She was both relieved and unnerved to once more be alone in what she assumed were now her shared quarters. She looked at the box in her hands and read the tag. "For my bride." was written there in bold square lettering. Taking a breath she pulled the box open to reveal a beautiful long white satin nightgown and robe. After refreshing herself with the water and cloth provided in the room she donned her new nightclothes, she located a basket in the corner to deposit her worn undergarments and after a small search located her travel bag beneath the rack of clothing and slid into a clean pair of white cotton panties. Feeling renewed by her clean light clothing she even found the energy to brush out her hair and brush her teeth.
Leaving the dressing room and finding her way back to the sitting room by the light of the lone candle she carried. She set it into a holder on a side table and pulled open the curtains, opening the door she walked out onto the balcony to ponder over the day's events and contemplate on what her next step would be.