Disclaimer: I don not own The Flash character or comic book series. It is all property of DC and whoever else has legal authority. I am not making any kind of profit from this writing; it is all for fun and freedom of expression.

Chapter 2

The bathing chambers were indeed grand. The waters were a deep cerulean blue with the square and rectangular marble pools. The ceilings were high and inlaid with stained glass in the shades of deep blues and indigos and shaped like snowflakes. With the light from outside streaming in through them, they projected snowflakes made of light over the serene waters.

As Barry, Joe, Cisco, and Eddie all stood at the grand entrance, with the Nevarian servants waiting to attend them, Joe stood before Barry and gripped his son by the shoulders as he spoke, a warm, if somewhat sad smile on his face as he spoke.

" Alright Barry, we'll see you in a bit. Just follow their directions and be calm son."

Joe then pulled Barry into a big bear hug, Barry chuckling against Joe's shoulder as he returned it just as hard. The moment Joe let go, Eddie took over, giving Barry a firm squeeze as he spoke into his brother-in-law's ear.

" Don't drown yourself if you suddenly get cold feet."

Barry simply laughed and patted Eddie's back, knowing full well that Eddie was doing his best to keep the mood light.

" I'll be okay Eddie, I promise." As they drew away Barry could see that Eddie's clear blue eyes were starting to get a little over-bright, which in turn had Barry feeling his own eyes start to sting.

Not wanting to embarrass Eddie or himself, Barry quickly took his leave with Cisco ever by his side, the four of them splitting up and heading to different pools to bathe and for lack of a better term, get pampered and primped.

Growing up a royal, Barry was well accustomed to bathing in such a setting, with many people attending him. With this in mind, Barry had ducked behind the privacy screen that had been set up in order to quickly divest himself of his attire, going so far as to neatly fold everything once he had donned the thin yet luxurious white robe that had been provided for him. Cisco, who had already bathed ducked away behind another screen where the clothes that he would be wearing to the ceremony had been placed. He dressed quickly and efficiently in the sleek black and red suit and put on the simple chain of braided gold that met at the center with a median sized version of the Central Kingdom emblem inlaid within a disc of gold and then came back out. Cisco took a seat in view of the pool Barry would be using and waited. He would be helping his prince dress and get ready after the bath.

When Barry came back out from behind the screen the Nevarian servants, four handsome men around Barry's age all stood in a single straight line leading up to the large square bathing pool, each holding a tray with various soaps and oils from which Barry was to pick and choose. As he walked up to each tray, Barry remembered Lisa mentioning to him that Mick Rory had been particularly fond of a combination of Sandalwood and a hint of cinnamon. Barry had it in mind to avoid that combination at all costs, out of respect from Mick Rory, consideration of Leonard's feelings, and also his own desire to be himself, even down to how he smelled.

Barry instead went about making his own combination. Remembering the emblem of Central Kingdom, as silly as it sounded, where Mick Rory had been the flame, Barry wanted to be the lightening. Barry inspected several oils and soaps and came up with a simple combination of two exclusively Nevarian soaps and pure spearmint oil. Once these were thrown into the water and allowed to melt and combine into a soft looking foam on the waters surface, Barry took off the robe and tossed it, and modesty aside as he descended the marble steps into the pool.

The bath was heavenly and helped to settle Barry's nerves. A thousand different thoughts did pass through his mind though, the chief thoughts revolving around his husband to be. If Barry were honest with himself, despite his forty-three years of age, Leonard was a striking man, with those steel-blue eyes that seemed to pierce right into his soul. There was also ice in that gaze whenever directed at Barry himself, and the young prince felt sadness rise up inside him at that. Leonard's loss was great, Lisa had told them all that Leonard and Mick had been thirteen years before they had been ripped apart by fate.

Barry quickly shook himself out of his musings and focused on the task at hand, climbing out of the pool of now lukewarm water and making his way over to the shower to rinse off whatever soap clung to his skin. Once that was done, Cisco materialized with a towel, playfully tossing it to Barry who grinned back and quickly dried himself off. Cisco then retrieved the white robe from earlier and Barry quickly donned it before he was whisked away to get ready. The white bathing robe was quickly replaced with a simply undershirt and loos trousers that could easily be taken off while the Nevarian servants and Cisco are milled about Barry like bees would in a hive.

Two of the Navrian men went about drying and styling Barry's hair while the other two went about massaging and plying Barry's already smooth skin with the same scents as the bath. Cisco who had been unwrapping and opening the boxes that contained Barry's wedding attire looked up and grinned at his Prince and best friend

" Would you like some blush on your cheeks your majesty?" Cisco

In response Barry simply smile and sent Cisco a rude hand gesture that actually had the Nevarian men smiling and chuckling. Barry smiled up at the servants at that. It was really refreshing that while there would always be an air of formality in the palace, it was not so stifling to where a person could not be themselves. The Nervarians were always very warm and inviting. On many of the tours that Princess Lisa had taken them on, there would always be someone warmly asking if they wanted anything to drink or eat. The guards and servants were always helpful to Barry whenever he needed to ask for direction since the Nevarian palace was so vast. Whenever a question regarding Nevarian history was asked, there was always an that while in-depth did not drag on.

Princess Lisa herself was so relaxed and often time irreverent with her sarcastic whit. Barry felt his smile dim somewhat, for while he felt like he had gotten to know Princess Lisa during the week prior and got along so well with her as to count her as his new sister, and she counting him as her new brother; he knew next to nothing about Leonard besides what he looked like, the sound of his voice, and the tragedy that had befallen him. Barry didn't even know what kind of foods Leonard was partial to, didn't know the sound of Leonard's laugh, didn't know if he possessed the same sarcastic whit as Princess Lisa. Barry didn't even know what a true smile looked like on Leonard's face.

The smile Barry had seen from Leonard that first day they had met was a brittle imitation that did not reach his eyes, the kind of smile one would use for a diplomatic event or... a stranger. Barry did his best not to let his sadness show, for that is indeed what he and Leonard were. Strangers, strangers who would after today be irrevocably bound to each other.

Barry quickly shook himself of his melancholic thoughts and focused on the task at hand. Once the servants had finished with his hair and skin Barry made quick work of donning his undergarments and socks before he put on dark, burgundy red leather trousers that Cisco handed him from one of the boxes. Joe and Eddie had walked into the lavish suite. Joe and Eddie were both dressed to the nines. Joe had on a tudor style deep bronze jacket and leather trousers with knee-length boots, over which was a sleeveless coat of the same deep bronze color with a dark red underside. Lush, creamy white fur lined the hem of the coat, more voluminous at the top, adding to the very regal look. Around Joe's shoulders was an ornate chain of golden Central Kingdom emblems meeting at the center from which hung a large square cut yellow diamond.

Eddie was dressed in a dark green tudor style coat, across his chest and over his right shoulder was a red sash. A chain of emeralds inlaid in silver surrounded by small diamonds, meeting at the center in a smaller, silver version of the Central Kingdom emblem. Around his waist was a similar belt from which hung a ceremonial saber.

Both Joe and Eddie were carrying long dark wooden boxes in their hands, each baring the emblem of Central Kingdom. Barry eyes the box in Joe's hands curiously as Joe stepped over to the boxes and chests that had been brought in containing all of Barry's wedding attire. Barry turned away when a smiling Eddie made his way over to Barry were he was sitting. Barry's brother in law came to stand before him and held out the long box.

" Hey Bar, this came in yesterday. Iris is waiting outside, she wants you to look it over before she goes and presents it to Leonard."

Barry instantly knew what Eddie was holding as he rose to his feet and opened the box. The lid opened easily to reveal stunningly crafted two handed sword that gleamed with an almost otherworldly quality in the light. Long, straight, and elegant with a spiraling hilt that enter in an expertly crafted pommel that was shaped like two snowflakes and two lightening bolts intercrossing. Beside the sword rested it's elegant blue toned scabbard made of high quality leather over which was pressed swirling, silvery pattern that ran down its center and stopped about an inch from its point. Accompanying the great sword was a wide black leather belt inlaid with two neat rows aquamarine and white stones.

" Holy crap that is awesome." Cisco said with a grin, his eyes wide and riveted as they gazed appreciatively at the sword.

Barry was thrilled, for he had been the one to commission Central Kingdom's best smiths to create this stunning weapon. As was the custom, whenever someone was getting married, they would have a special, personal gift made for their intended. This gift would then be delivered by that commissioner's sibling or parent to the intended, with the intended doing the same.

Nevar did not have such a custom, but when Lisa found out about the gift exchange, she had assured them all that come the big day, Barry would indeed be getting a gift from Leonard.

Barry reached out and ran his fingertips over the spiraling hilt of the sword, marveling at the beauty of the craftsmanship. He looked up to meet Eddie's smiling blue eyes as he spoke, uncertainty in his tone.

" Do you think he'll like it?" Eddie nodded.

" He'd be crazy not to Barry, I mean look at it, it is a work of art." Joe nodded his own approval.

With a smile Barry nodded before he took a steadying breath.

" Okay then, tell Iris she has the go ahead but to keep the shovel-talk to a minimum." To this a smiling Eddie quirked his brow.

" Minimum? Are you forgetting just who we're talking about here?" Barry threw his head back and laughed then, for no truer words were spoken.

Eddie chuckled as well before he gave Barry and final nod and headed towards the doors of the suite to go give Iris Barry's gift to deliver to her soon to be brother in law. Once Eddie returned, Joe dismissed the four Nevarian servants before he, Eddie, and Cisco set to work on getting Barry ready.

Meanwhile, in the royal apartments a few floors up from Barry's suite...

Leonard Snart kept still as he allowed long and elegant fingers to adjust the heavy ornate chain draped over his shoulders for the umpteenth time. The chain of intricately woven silver was accented by glittering white diamonds arranged to look like lines of little snowflakes from the ends of with hung a singe teardrop shaped crystal that was prism like against the light. At the very center of the chain was a glittering version of the Nevarian emblem inlaid with more sapphires, aquamarine stones, and white diamonds and the delicate lines of silver that made up the entire frame of the emblem seemed encased in ice, much like the ice-like material that was used to accent the buildings throughout the Winter Kingdom.

The king of Nevar was dressed in finery, a deep royal blue colored Tudor style jacket with a high collar and silver piping vertically striping the garment and swirling up the sleeves. Over this he wore a heavy sleeveless, floor-length coat of the same color lined with a luscious looking light brown fur. ( Like the fur on the hood of a certain parka*). Black leather trousers and knee length boots finished off the main look.

He looked every bit the king he was despite his head remaining without a crown for the moment, but his face may as well have been carved from stone as his steely blue gray eyes stared almost angrily at the far wall. The thumb of his left hand rubbed over his ring finger, which was now devoid of the ring that had once adorned it for more than a decade. Now there was only the lingering, light indentation it had left.

In front of him, Princess Lisa Snart looked breathtaking in a deep fuchsia gown with bell sleeves of material that seemed to almost float as she moved. Around her neck was a glittering choker of pears and diamond, more pearls and diamonds draped around the off-shoulder neckline of her gown. Her hair was done up in an elegant half-up half-down style, atop of which rested stunning tiara of white diamonds that formed five perfect snowflakes, with a large central flake flanked by four progressively smaller flakes, with swirls of silver in between. As she adjusted the chain draped from her older brother's shoulders, she took a fleeting glance at her brother's quietly thunderous expression and spoke as she moved on to smoothing out the fur of his coat.

" It's been five years Len, he'd want you to move on. Besides that, Barry's amazing, he'd be really good for you if you'd actually stay on the same room with him for once."

Lisa looked up to meet the stormy eyes that were leveled her way without so much as blinking. She had been on the receiving end of many glazer from these eyes throughout her life, but this time around, behind the muted anger and ice, she could see the all consuming pain her brother was doing his best to hide.

" He's just a kid Lisa, I may as well be robbing the cradle." Leonard said finally, his soft baritone voice hard in reflection of his mood.

" And besides, he's only going through with this because we helped save his sister's life."

Lisa just shook her head and sighed sadly.

" No he's not Len, if you had bothered to actually spend some time with him you'd know that he's not doing this out of some sense that he owes you for saving Iris, or out of pity."

" Then why is he doing this? Why out of every single person on this earth did he agree to marry me?" Then with a frustrated sound Leonard stepped away from Lisa and paced a little before he faced his sister again, a look of frustration clear on his handsome features.

" I am almost twenty years older than him, we only just met a week ago, and now me and him are supposed to just be blissfully happy? It doesn't work that way Sis, this isn't some magical fucking fairytale where I am going to be all deliriously happy. I'm not going to forget Mick and be satisfied with some newer younger spouse. Just... Just why is Barry going through with with Lisa? Please just tell me."

Lisa felt her heart break at the quietly desperate look Leonard was sending her, but she quickly hardened her resolve as she stepped across the room to her brother and took his troubled face into her hands.

" Listen to me Len, nobody is asking you to forget Mick, Hell, no one can ever forget someone like Mick. But Mick is gone and he's never coming back no matter how much you or me, or anyone else want him to. He's dead, you're still here, and now you have someone who is willing to spend the rest of their life with you. You're asking me why Barry is doing this? Well Len, I can't answer that for you, you'll have to ask Barry himself."

She watched as Leonard's face grew cold at the very thought of speaking to Barry but she wasn't having any of it. She forced her older brother to look back at her, and with a fiery promise in her own pale blue eyes she spoke.

" You can be as mad at the world as you want because the counsel pressured you into sending the proposal to Central Kingdom, but you are not going to take it out on Barry. Whatever his reason is, Barry decided that you would be the one for him, that says something about the impression you made, and the kind of person he is. If you hurt him I swear, brother or not, I will kick your ass all the way to Central Kingdom were King Joseph, Iris, and Eddie can all have a crack at you before I kick you back to here and tear apart whatever is left of you, do you get me Big brother?"

Leonard didn't have to look hard to know that little sister was dead serious, and just as he was about to make some sarcastic comment about how Barry had basically stolen his sister's love out from under him in the span of just a week, Lisa's expression melted and she pulled his head down a little so that she could rest her forehead against his as she spoke.

" Don't worry big brother, I have a shovel-speech ready for Barry too when I go and present him with your gift. He may be awesome, but that doesn't mean he's perfect."

Len found his lips turning upward despite himself as he leaned back and pressed his lips to his sister's forehead in a rare show of affection. Lisa accepted the gesture but noted that her brother had remained tellingly silent regarding her words about Barry. But before she could comment any further there was a knock at the door to the suite Leonard was getting ready in after he had taken a bath in his private bathing chambers.

" Enter." Leonard ordered simply.

The door swung away to reveal Caitlyn Snow, Lisa's personal handmaiden, dressed in a pale blue gown similar to Lisa's but with a square neckline and simple pearl jewelry, her light brown hair done in a simple yet elegant bun at the back of her head with a few wavy strands of hair loose to frame either side of her face. She stood in the doorway and spoke formally, but with a smile tugging at her lips.

" Your Highnesses, Her Majesty Princess Iris West of Central Kingdom wishes entrance. Will you allow her?"

Lisa grinned while Leonard composed himself and schooled his features before nodding.

" She is more than welcome Lady Snow."

Caitlyn nodded and stepped aside to clear the way. Then Iris was crossing over the threshold, carrying the long and sleek box with the sunburst emblem of Central Kingdom carved into its center. Iris walked until she was in the center of the room, a warm smile on her lips as she looked at the Snart siblings. She was resplendently dressed in a heavy, soft gold, long sleeve gown gown with a red sash across her chest. Here long ebony hair was done up in a single thick braid that fell over her shoulder, made all the more stunning by the pearls and diamonds that had been woven into it. Around her neck was a gold filigree necklace inlaid with glittering rubies and pearls with matching warnings. Atop her head was a simple, elegant matching filigree tiara with the Central Kingdom emblem at its center. She looked absolutely breathtaking. Had Leonard been inclined, he would have lamented that he could not take Iris as his queen, but seeing as to how he was not, Leonard could instead comment in his head that Eddie Thawne was a very lucky man.

Iris's eyes immediately went to Leonard as she spoke, holding out the box.

" As per the customs of Central Kingdom, my brother, your intended has sent you this gift as a token of his gratitude for agreeing to join with him in the bond of marriage and of his promise to be by your side always."

Leonard stepped forward and reached for the box's lid, Lisa stepping forward too as he slowly pushed the box open. When the lid was fully pushed back, Lisa found herself gasping before she could stop herself, while Leonard's eyes were wide in surprise and maybe even a little awe. Iris smiled brightly at the reactions of the Nevarian King and his sister.

Leonard reached out, but paused, his eyes going to Iris who simply nodded and held the box up further. In a hallowed silence Lias and Iris watched as Leonard carefully took the sword out of the box and held it in his hands, one hand at the hilt while the other carefully supported the gleaming blade. Leonard tracked his eyes along the entire length of sword's bright edge before he took the hilt into both hands and held it with the practiced ease and control of an experienced swordsmen.

With a glint in his steely eyes, Leonard looked past Iris to where Caitlyn was standing beside a table that had a bowl of fruit resting atop it and addressed her.

" My dear Lady Caitlyn, would you be so kind as to throw one of those apples beside you in my direction."

Caitlyn, Lisa, and Iris were quick to understand what Leonard intended to do, so Lisa and Iris quickly got out of the way while Caitlyn nodded and picked up one of the large, ripe looking apples from the bowl and readied her stance. Leonard, with a smirk curling up the corner of his lips readied himself and held the sword steady in both hands. Then he pulled his arms back and gave Caitlyn a nod. She nodded back and threw the apple straight at him.

As he swung, the blade seemed to almost sing as he cut through the air, time seeming to slow down as the apple sailed across the room. Then with a dull thud it was over, the blade gleamed bright and clean in Leonard's hand, while the apple lay perfectly slice in half on the carpeted floor. There was another beat of silence before Iris was letting out a breathless laugh while Lisa was literally bounding on her feet. Caitlyn let out a relieved breath and quickly ran forward to retrieve the two apple slices and disposing of them before she curtsied to Leonard and stepped back to where she had been standing.

Iris then came forward with the box and spoke.

" It would honor all of us, but especially my brother if you would wear this gift to the ceremony. Will you?" She asked quietly.

Leonard suddenly found that he could not quite speak, so his nodded before picking up the scabbard and sheathing the sword within it. Iris handed the box over to Caitlyn who had come forward before she reached in and pulled the last remaining item, the sword belt.

" May I place this on you, brother?" Iris asked, her eyes stating to shine brightly.

Lisa watched with her own eyes lightly stinging as Leonard swallowed for a second before he finally spoke, nodding his head.

" You may, sister."

Iris stepped forward and placed the sword belt around Leonard's waist beneath his fur over coat and made sure it was snug before she took the sword and set it on the belt so that it hung from Leonard's left hip.

Leonard than gestured to Lisa, who nodded and walked past them to a nearby table where a large, flat box sat. Picking it up, Lisa made her way back to her brother and handed it to Leonard.

" Princess Iris, please tell Prince Bartholomew that I am more than happy with the gift he has given me, and that I hope that the gift I send to him in return is not inadequate."

With that, Leonard held out the box to Iris. Still smiling, Iris reached out and pushed open the lid. What she saw inside had her mouth falling open before she looked back up at Leonard and Lisa with her eyes filling and a smiling spreading wide across her face.

" They're perfect." She said simply before she closed the lid. Leonard handed the box over to Lisa and once he hands were free he found himself suddenly taken into a tight and unexpected embrace by Iris.

Leonard was stunned for a moment before his brotherly instincts kicked in and he was wrapping his arms around his soon to be sister-in-law. Lisa and Caitlyn both fell back a bit to give them some space. It was then that Iris spoke so that only he could hear her.

" I know you're still hurting badly, and I am sorry that you lost your first husband, but please, please realize that Barry is here, and he's here just for you so please give him a chance. And yeah, if you hurt him, king or not, they won't ever find your body you get me?"

Leonard nodded against Iris's shoulder.

" I get you, and I will try, can't make any guarantees though."

" Okay, that's all any of us can ask. Thank you."

With a final nod from Leonard, Iris drew away. She then hugged Lisa soundly before she turned to Caitlyn and took the box containing Barry's gift.

" I'll see you soon." Iris said with a final smile to Leonard before she and Lisa left the suite with Caitlyn following behind them.

Now that he was alone, Leonard made his way over to the large standing mirror and stared at his reflection. In the privacy the solitude afforded him, Leonard allowed himself to hand his head and allow a few of the tears he had been holding at bay break free and carve bitter trails down his cheeks. It was a very excruciating feeling, having the pain of love lost warring with the inevitable excitement of a possible new future. Leonard allowed a single, strangled sob to escape him before he forced himself to stop. He stood up straight and wiped away the salt that clung to his cheeks.

He was the king of Nevar, it would not due to start balling his eyes out no matter how much he wanted to.

As his hand gripped the hilt of the new and exquisite sword he had just been gifted with by his intended and wanting the ground to just swallow him up, Leonard looked down at it with still sad eyes and he could not help but feel like today was not really his wedding day, but the day he would destroy an innocent young man's life.

Back downstairs in Barry's suite...

" You look amazing Barry." Cisco said with a smile, while Joe and Eddie nodded in agreement.

Barry stood tall and regal, finally dressed in his wedding garments. He wore a a deep, almost blood red Tudor jacket with a gold and silver filigree design all over it, and with gold piping swirling down the sleeves. At his back hung a long, floor length red cape with the Central Kingdom emblem sewn in gold thread instead of the long sleeveless overcoat, and lined with light brown, almost auburn hued fur. Draped over his shoulders was a stunning chain of rubies inlaid in gold with the Central emblem hanging at its center, though it was smaller than the chain he had worn when he first laid eyes on Leonard.

Barry smiled, doing his best not to let the nerves that were slowly but surely rising within him. Then Joe moved over to the remaining item now that the many boxes had been cleared away.

" I have something very special for you son." Joe said, his voice already sounding a little choked up as he presented the long box he had walked into the room with to Barry.

Curious, Barry reached out and pushed back the lid and immediately felt the breath leave his body.

There within the box was a gorgeous long sword with matching deep burgundy scabbard. It was simple and sleek, gleaming brightly in the light, with a sparkling blood-red jewel inlaid within the circular pommel. While the sword itself was breathtakingly beautiful, Barry's reaction was for a whole other reason, for this was not some ordinary sword.

This sword had once belonged to Barry's father, King Henry Allen. Now Joe was presenting it to Barry, its rightful owner.

Barely keeping himself from bawling right them and there, the young prince reverently reached into the box and pulled the fine blade out by the hilt, gazing at it admiringly for he had not seen this sword since he had been a little boy and his parents yet lived.

Joe allowed a single tear to escape him, for no words needed to be said as he reached into the box for the scabbard and simple, gold studded sword belt before handing the box over to Cisco.

Barry barely notice when his adoptive father wrapped the sword belt and scabbard around his waist and did up the buckles to secure them in place, his gaze transfixed on his father's sword, his eyes bright with the sheen of tears. Barry quickly caught himself and laughed a little out of embarrassment before he smoothly sheathed the sword in the scabbard. He gave the entire ensemble a few tugs just to shift and adjust it till he was comfortable.

" It's heavy." He commented with another teary laugh.

Joe chuckled before he pulled Barry into another bear hug, Barry returning it whole-heartedly. When they drew back, Joe gripped the side of Barry's neck and spoke.

" Your father wanted you to have that sword with you when you got married, just like he had it when he married your mom. Speaking of which, there's one more thing." He said as he reached into his coat, while Barry let out another breathless laugh and waited to see what Joe would give him next.

Barry, Eddie, and Cisco all watched as Joe pulled out a small oval shaped jewelry box. Joe gently pushed the lid of the box open and the moment Barry's eyes fell on what was inside, he felt his heart slam to a complete stop as the tears he had been keeping at bay finally broke free.

There inside the box was an elegant ruby and gold ring. The ruby was uniquely cut in the shape of a hexagon, surrounded by tiny, glittering diamonds. Slightly bigger diamonds were inlaid around the circumference of the ring. But once more, the rings exquisite beauty was not why Barry was reacting so. With slightly trembling hands Barry reached out and picked the ring up out of its box, angling it so that he could see the inside of the band.

There engraved on the inside was a letter H and a letter N with a tiny little heart connecting them in the middle.

H for Henry and N for Nora, Barry's mother. This was his mother's engagement ring. As he recalled, Barry had seen that this ring had not been on his mother's finger when she and his father had been laid to rest in the royal mausoleum, now he knew that it had been with Joe for safe keeping. Barry looked up when a pair of warm and familiar hands held his face, and saw Joe smiling, but also crying. With some effort Barry's adoptive father spoke.

" She wanted you to have it Barry, either to give to the woman who would be your wife, or for yourself if you were going to marry the right man."

Barry found that he could not speak as Joe let go of him. Eddie and Cisco didn't bother to hide how moved they were as they all watched Barry placed his mother's ring over his right pinky, the only finger on which it would fit. It looked perfect though regardless and matched perfectly with Barry's overall look. Still unable to speak, Barry all but tackled Joe in a fierce hug, one that the other man returned fervently.

" They should be here Joe." Barry finally said against Joe's shoulder.

" They are son, they're here with you now and they'll always be with you Bar." Joe said in assurance.

Once Joe and Barry parted, Eddie took up in squeezing Barry, followed closely by Cisco. Thankfully, by the time that there was a knock on the suite door announcing Iris, Lisa, and Caitlyn's arrival, Barry and the most important men in his life had all composed themselves enough to be presentable to the lovely ladies.

Iris immediately made her way over to Barry and hugged him, nearly losing it herself when she noticed the sword and the ring. Lisa stood a few feet away smiling at the moment the siblings shared. Her smile widened further when her eyes found those of Cisco, who seemed transfixed by the sight of Lisa in her gown, a dreamy look on his face. It was quite possible that Cisco would have gone on staring like that all day, but thankfully Eddie was once again there with his elbow to bring the young man back to the present.

Once Barry and Iris had pulled away, Lisa had come forward holding out the box as she spoke formally, doing her best to speak the words that Iris had spoken earlier.

" As per the custom of your people, my brother had sent you this gift as a token of his gratitude that you have agreed to join him in the bonds of marriage."

Barry took a step forward and reached for the box, pushing back the lid and feeling his eyes widen at what he found inside it.

" Oh my God." He whispered.

There laying amidst the dark blue velvet cushion were three exquisite items. The first was an extravagant chain of gold and silver disc, each inlaid with a pattern of oval cut rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. While the chain itself was more than enough, it was the center that was the showstopper. There in interweaving gold and silver strands was the emblem of Nevar, the snowflake with more rubies, sapphires and diamonds. But in a circle within the snowflake was a shining lightening bolt made of gold.

Like Barry had done with the pommel of Leonard's sword, Leonard had commissioned a chain with the emblems of both kingdoms combined. And it was exquisite. The second item was a smaller version of the showstopper, most likely to be worn for daily life, but no less stunning. The final item was a gleaming ceremonial dagger The blade was straight and double edged, with a white hilt and a pommel shaped like a roaring lion's head.

Barry looked up to meet Lisa's smiling gaze, shaking his head.

" Lisa this is too much." Lisa simply handed the box over to Cisco with a smile and pulled out the heavy, ornate chain.

A slightly dazed Barry obediently leaned down and allowed Lisa to place the chain over his head and drape it over his shoulders. It was heavy, and it fell to where the combined emblem fell to the middle of Barry's front. The entire thing perfectly framed the gold and ruby chain with the regular emblem that Barry was already wearing. The smaller chain was kept in the box while Lisa picked up the gleaming dagger and sheathed it in its matching scabbard before she looped it onto Barry's sword belt.

She then took a step back and everyone else joined her in admiring. Barry himself fought the blush that warmed his cheeks at the appreciative looks his family was sending him before he turned to the large standing mirror.

" Oh wow." Barry whispered under his breath as he gazed at his reflection.

One would think that wearing so much finery would be too much, too gaudy, but instead there was this perfect balance to it all, from the deep red colored garments to the beautiful weapons, and finally the exquisite jewels. When Barry turned back to face his family, he found himself in a tight hug from Lisa, which he easily returned with a soft laugh. Lisa spoke quietly into his ear.

" Its not going to be easy for you, but I know now that if there is anyone who can get through the walls Len has put up, it's you. But if you hurt him, its me you'll have to deal with. Got it new brother?"

Barry grinned and tightened his hold around Lisa and nodded against her shoulder.

" Loud and clear new sister." He said just as quietly.

With a final squeeze Lisa let Barry go and took her leave of them all to get back to her brother's side.

In the ensuing minutes everyone did their last minute primping before three servants came in baring the final pieces of barry, Joe, and Eddie's attires.

The crowns.

For Joe there was the regal sunburst crown of Central Kingdom, made of gold with rubies and diamonds around the entire circumference, culminating in the Central kingdom emblem of the sunburst and lightening bolt accented with diamonds that seemed to almost glow in the light. For Eddie there was a simple coronet of gold filigree to match his wife's tiara. And finally for Barry there was coronet which was the smaller version of Joe's crown.

Joe was the first to don his crown, then Eddie took a knee before him so that Joe could place the filigree coronet on his head. With a smile Eddie stood and made his way to Iris's side.

Then Barry stepped forward and took an knee, smiling up at his adopted father. Joe did his best to yet again keep his composure as he carefully picked up the sunburst coronet and placed it on his adoptive son's head. With a bright smile, Barry rose to his feet and hugged Joe tightly. More hugs from Eddie, Iris, and Cisco followed.

It was about ten minutes later when there was another knock at the door. When it opened, Ronald Raymond, a captain of the Nevarian army and Caitlyn Snow's husband came in. Dressed in ceremonial armor with a long cerulean and cobalt blue cape with the Nevarian snowflake, Ronald, or Ronnie as he liked to be called, stood to attention before the Central Kingdom royals and bowed. Then Ronnie spoke with all formality, though there was a warm smile in his eyes.

" Your majesties, my King, Leonard Snart awaits you in the great hall and has dispatched me to escort you. Will you allow me this honor?"

All eyes turned to Barry who straightened his spine, looking more like a king then the prince he was as he spoke.

" I will allow it, with gratitude on behalf of my family and myself."

Ronnie gave them all another deep bow, allowing a small smile to grace his handsome features before he waited patiently for them to line up. Eddie and Iris were first, standing side by side. Then Joe and Barry stood side by side, and finally Cisco came up behind them and picked up the end of Barry's cape. Once they were in formation, Ronnie himself turned and nodded to the servants who were standing by the doors to the suite.

In perfect unison these servants opened the doors. There was a pause here, covered in a charged silence. Then with a breath, Ronnie was stepping forward. After him Eddie and Iris stepped forward, and following them was Barry, Joe, and Cisco.

As they walked out of the suite into the lavish hallway, Barry did his best to keep calm. He was walking to his wedding in the great Nevarian hall.

He was walking to whatever future he had chosen for himself, with Leonard Snart.