Playing around with some ideas while doing my first attempt at the Twilight Twenty-Five. Probably will focus more on flash-fics and one shots because I can't do drabbles (well, I can but they are painful!). My main character is Bella and if you know my work, I'm a HEA, Edward-only kind of woman…but you never, never know! And maybe one of these will spark a full blown story.

The Twilight Twenty-Five
thetwilight25 dot com

Prompt: Kingdom

Main Character: Bella
Rating: M
Word Count: 1,222

In a small chapel off the main sanctuary, deep within the stone walls of an ancient castle, five people crowded together as one who deeply loved the sound of his own voice droned on and on.

The groom was clad head to toe in armor to represent the strength of the nation; the bride, in yards and yards of white satin to represent purity and prosperity. He sat in an ornately carved throne to reflect the wisdom and mercy of a just ruler. She stood by his side, symbolizing faithfulness and dedication.

Old rules, old symbols, old ideas. Ones unchanged for generations. Ones a certain man of the cloth was determined to keep in place. Ones he had worked hard to maintain in his arrangement of this marriage.

"I now join the kingdoms of Swan and Black through the blessed marriage of Isabella and Jacob," intoned the Right Reverend Aro Volturi, paying no mind to the single tear that spilled over the cheek of the one standing before him.

"Pompous, overfed wretch," came a whisper from the witnesses, though one could not be sure which it originated.

Many agreed with the sentiment, though, and there were rumors of plans of the Right Reverend's demise—plans that came too late to save Isabella from what she was certain would be a loveless marriage.

Aro glared at the witnesses before returning his gaze to the royal couple. As he peered over his long, crooked nose the couple remained still and silent before him. Feeling victorious, a smug grin cracked the severe lines of his face, causing Isabella to recoil in fear. Hearing the scrape of metal on metal, she realized her groom had leapt to his feet and placed himself between the reverend and herself. Aro's eyes flew open in shock as very few people dared to oppose him.

One could almost hear a heart beating in the silence.

Aro flinched first.

"Now we pray. Kneel," he ordered, motioning toward the kneeling bench.

Isabella paused before taking the arm silently offered to her and the couple moved to a far corner of the chapel. Perhaps it was her imagination, but the man next to her seemed a little less ominous in the chapel's dim light than he had the evening before in the main hall. She shook off the feeling of hope this momentary gesture of kindness offered. Memories of bawdy stories shouted aloud and cheered at the feast accompanied by copious amounts of alcohol less than 24 hours before flooded her mind.

Jacob of the Black kingdom was known to have wolfish appetites for all things. A shudder wracked her body. The Lady of the Swan Kingdom had been kept guarded and protected from such things by a kindly old governess and several bodyguards since the unfortunate passing of her parents when she was just a babe.

After his third homily on the sanctity of marriage and how man should not put aside what God had joined, Aro proclaimed the union complete.

Isabella cringed at the cheer that erupted from the two witnesses, her brother Emmett creating enough noise for a crowd. She wondered how he could be so happy at this dark moment in her life. Out of the corner of her eye, she gazed at her husband kneeling beside her. Her mind swam with doubts and fears, her pulse quickening as the adrenaline kicked in.

Aro swept past the couple and exited the chapel to announce to the people that the Kingdom of the Black Swan had been created and that after the evening's revelry and consummation of the marriage, the happy couple would be presented to all. The dull roar of approval penetrated even the thick walls of stone.

"Fear not," came a hushed whisper as a hand was extended to help her rise. "All will be as your heart desires."

"I dare say you know nothing of my desires," Isabella hissed in return, instantly thinking of days past in her meadow with … She shook her head to remove the memory. Nothing good would come out of her line of thought. That dream had been destroyed.

A low chuckle rumbled from behind the mask. Isabella felt the blood rush to her cheeks as her anger grew.

"Sir, you may be my husband, but know this, I …"

Her words were cut short as the other witness, her best friend, Alice, tackled her with a huge, all-engulfing hug.

"Come, now! We have to make you ready!" Alice said with a grin before looping her arm through Isabella's and dragging her off.

Isabella found herself half-way to the royal chambers before she could catch her breath.

"What are you doing?" Isabella demanded as her friend rapidly unfastened the ribbons that ran up the back of her dress. She barely had time to catch the bodice before it fell from her shoulders.

"Preparing you for your husband, silly girl!"

"But just last night you were cursing his name."

"That was before!"

"Before what?"

Like a whirling dervish, Alice pulled pins from Isabella's hair, freeing the long braid.

"There isn't much time. He should be here any minute! No one will be able to argue the marriage once it is consummated."

"But…"

A sharp rap on the door stole their attention. Alice scurried to the door and opened it just a crack.

"It's done," came her husband's voice.

"Thank the Lord," Alice murmured, crossing herself rapidly. She turned to Isabella with a beaming smile before returning her attention to the door.

"He's on his way."

"She's almost ready."

"And the others?"

"They have crossed into the forest lands. I will stand guard here."

"I'm almost done. Love you."

"Love you, too."

Isabella felt overwhelmed and confused and fell into a nearby chair, her face in her hands. Alice rushed to her side and took both of Isabella's hands in her own, a warm smile gracing her lips.

"I promise, by morning you will completely understand."

"I…"

A hidden door swung opened and still clad in his armor, her husband entered the chamber. He did not look much different than he had just a scant half hour before but now his sword was drawn and a roll of parchment was clenched in his other hand.

Isabella stifled the shriek that threatened to burst forth.

"I haven't had time to tell her what happened," Alice said to the silent figure before them as she rose to her feet.

He nodded silently as he carefully laid the sword next to the fire. In the flickering light, Isabella saw that it was now stained with blood. Her eyes flew open.

"So happy for you two!" Alice chirped, clapping her hands together.

Isabella watched in stunned silence as her best friend flitted out of the room, the door shutting echoing like a cannon blast.

"Breathe, Bella," came a quiet hiss before the armored man threw the parchment on the table in front of her.

She picked it up with trembling fingers and realized it was a certificate of marriage. As she read, she heard buckles and belts unfastening.

"Look at me, love," came a voice she never thought she would ever hear again.

Isabella looked up to see her favorite pair of green eyes staring down at her.

"Edward," she breathed before launching herself into his waiting arms.

Thank you for reading!