As it was in the beginning
Is now until the end
Woman draws life from man
And gives it back again
And there is love. There is love.
Well, then what's to be the
Reason for becoming man and wife?
Is it love that brings you here,
Or love that brings you life?
Or if loving is the answer
Then who's the giving for?
Do you believe in something
That you've never seen before?
And there is love. There is love.
(There is Love by Peter, Paul, & Mary)
Author's Note: For a visual on the wedding dress, Google 'Russian Court Costume'.
Allura's POV
She turned over in her bed, and tried to get comfortable, to maybe go back to sleep. She didn't need to be up for almost another two hours, and Allura knew it would be a long day. Her wedding day! The thought came into her head, and she realized that she wasn't going to be getting back to sleep. Sitting up, she tossed back the covers and got out of bed.
The family wedding dress was laid out on the love seat in the sitting area of her room. Allura opened the drapes in the room, and saw the sun just barely starting to rise. She then turned to look at the white satin and brocade dress. Its heavy silver embroidery and iridescent crystals would sparkle once the sun came up. The main dress was white satin, while the under dress was white and silver brocade.
Allura gently lifted the skirt, to look inside the dress. There she saw the sewn on ribbons, each one bearing the name of the woman who had worn the dress before, in blue embroidery. She knew the ribbon with her name was already done, and would be sewn into the dress tomorrow. Carefully moving the skirt, she found the ribbons with the names of her sisters-in-law, as well as her Mother and Grandmother.
She almost felt her Mother was with her, as she looked at the names. It was at the wedding of one of her brothers that she had first seen the inside of the dress. Her Mother had shown her all the names, and then had said that her name would be in there one day. She stroked her hair as she had said it, and Allura smiled now at the memory. She wished her Mother was still alive, to be with her.
After she'd thought about her Mother for a while, she started thinking about Lance and how much she loved him. Allura smiled as she thought about him, and how everything had worked out. She still cringed when she thought how she had almost missed out on his love. Jumping up, she went over to the desk in the corner, and brought up a holoscreen. She knew he wasn't up yet, but she wanted him to read her note first thing, when he did wake up.
It was exciting to think that tomorrow morning they would be waking up together, and she remembered the morning he'd come in to have breakfast with her. Lance had snuggled next to her in bed, waking her up by kissing her neck. Allura sighed as the memory hit her, and she felt the butterflies inside her. She must have lost track of time, sitting at her desk, because a voice startled her.
"Your Majesty, you should be sleeping! How long have you been up?" Dorcas was asking, and Allura turned around to see her maid.
"Is it time already? Oh, Dorcas I couldn't sleep, I was just too excited." She explained, as she stood up and stretched. She adjusted the pink nightgown she had on, as she remembered Lance's thoughts on nightgowns. Allura wondered about what it was like to sleep with nothing on.
"Well, we do have to get going Your Majesty, but I am a little early. I wanted us to have some time alone, and this has been the first opportunity." Dorcas was very serious, and Allura looked at her with concern.
"Your Majesty, I need to talk to you about some delicate, private matters. Since your Mother is not alive, and unless Her Ladyship has already talked to you, I need to do it." Dorcas explained slowly, and watched as the young woman's eyes widened. Allura in fact was trying to figure out what Dorcas was referring to, and why was she bringing Larmina into the conversation.
"I believe I am correct in assuming that you and the Commander excuse me, His Highness, have not been intimate yet?" Dorcas was almost positive that they hadn't because she was sure that if they had, His Highness would have been up here every night. The maid had seen the passion in the man's eyes once too often, not to know how things would work. The Commander had been created Prince Consort that morning.
"Dorcas, how can you even ask that?" Allura was scandalized and slightly insulted too. She had been aware of the need to uphold the honor and dignity of the royal family, in spite of what Larmina was doing. As she thought that, she now understood Dorcas' reference to Larmina, and what the maid wanted to talk to her about.
"Why would I talk to Larmina about that?" She asked aghast, and realized that everyone knew about her niece and Pidge. Allura sighed, and remembered what her Father had said on the subject though. She put it out of her mind, as she looked at her maid again, curiosity warring with outrage. Dorcas saw what was going through Her Majesty's mind, and wished that she had not brought Larmina into the discussion.
Dorcas knew though that the two women were close now, and didn't want to discount that maybe Her Ladyship had said something already. She walked over, took the young woman by the arm, and led her over to the bed, where they sat down. Dorcas took Her Majesty's hands and held them, while saying a silent prayer that she would say the right thing.
"I know how much you and His Highness love each other, and I am very happy for you. You two were meant to be together, and I am glad that everything has worked out." Dorcas started, and then asked "Do you understand what happens when a man and a woman make love?" She saw the young woman nod her head, while smiling.
Allura in fact was thinking of the feelings that Lance aroused in her so easily, and how wonderful it would be to be able to give into them. She was really confused on why Dorcas wanted to tell her stuff she already knew, and said as much.
"Your Majesty, you need to understand that the first time you are intimate with a man, there is some discomfort." Dorcas advised in a solemn tone, and Allura looked at her with an open mouth, shocked at what the older woman was telling her. The woman went on to explain several other things too. Allura was embarrassed, but listened intently. Dorcas' last piece of advice was not to plan on walking a lot the first couple of days, and to take some warm baths.
"Your Majesty, the important thing to remember is that His Highness is a good man, who loves you very much. You can trust him implicitly and I know he will take good care of you." Dorcas finished her spiel, knowing that was true. She was also privately glad that His Highness had sowed his wild oats so well; being sure he was very experienced in bedroom matters.
Allura looked at the woman who had been with her since she'd returned to Arus five years ago. Dorcas had seen her and Lance together, and she knew the woman was speaking with love and concern. Allura hugged her tightly, and told her thank you, even as she was still a little embarrassed at having the whole conversation. Dorcas saw that and decided to change the subject, asking Her Majesty if she wanted to start getting ready.
While Allura was in the shower, she thought about what Dorcas had told her, and then she thought about Larmina. Had her niece known any of that, she wondered? Larmina had always been very worldly, and with all her eavesdropping, she probably knew a great deal, Allura reasoned. She decided to get off the subject, and think about getting through her wedding, so she could get to her honeymoon.
Lance had not told her where they were going; only that they would be gone for a month, and the last week would be in South Carolina, where he was from. He had sworn Dorcas to secrecy, but had made the comment the woman would not need to pack a lot of clothes for her. Allura had blushed when he'd said that in front of her and Dorcas.
Allura was sitting at her dressing table, in her robe, as Dorcas finished her hair and started to anchor the tiara on it. Larmina and Elena showed up, already dressed in their outfits, to help get her into the dress. Larmina was her maid of honor, while Elena was a bridesmaid. Both had white silk dresses with empire waists and puff sleeves; around the waist was a blue sash that was tied in the back in a big bow with the streamers hanging down to the floor. Larmina had a tiara in her hair, while Elena looked like springtime with a wreath of colored flowers in hers.
"What is so funny?" Allura demanded, as Dorcas was trying to get her to sit still, to finish pinning the diamond lion's paw tiara.
"Lance is a nervous wreck, Pidge is drinking from Hunk's flask, and Keith is totally out of it. Hunk says that he completely forgot where the wedding ring was. Firth is down there doing Lance's uniform and trying to help out." Larmina announced, shaking her head. She added that she had heard this from Hunk, because Pidge was too busy trying to calm down Lance.
"Lance is concerned about remembering all of your names." Elena added, wondering how Bandor was going to be at their wedding. She looked over at the elaborate Arusian wedding dress, and was glad that Odeos or Pollux did not have that tradition.
"Bridegrooms always get nervous before the event. I heard how your Father, Prince Andrei, was shaking so badly he could hardly hold your Mother's hand during the vows." Dorcas told Larmina, who smiled at the story.
"I wonder if Lance did the right thing by asking Keith to be his best man. I know they go way back, but with everything that has gone on, well, it might have been kinder to have picked someone else." Allura sighed, that being the one regret about the wedding. She wished it would have happened differently, but then realized that Keith was going to get hurt one way or another. She and Lance loved each other, and had a connection that was deep and special. Since their engagement had been announced that had been brought home to her, and even the anguish she'd seen on Keith's face once or twice had not changed anything.
As she thought that, she remembered the other night, at the ball, when Keith looked in her purse. Allura had not cared for the disapproving, cold look he'd gotten on his face when he'd seen what was in there. There had always been an emotional gulf with Keith, she'd known, and after this last month she knew why. Keith, because of his past wasn't going to let anyone get too close to him. She put Keith's coldness and disapproval out of her mind, and instead thought about Lance's warmth and love.
"Commander Kogane will rise to the occasion, Your Majesty, don't worry." Dorcas said, hoping the man would do his duty. She had been nervous when he had returned, and watched what was going on with Her Majesty. Commander Kogane was an upright, honorable man, but not someone who would make her lady happy. He was, in Dorcas' opinion, too wrapped up in his own pain, to share a life with anyone else.
Larmina and Elena watched as Dorcas laced up the corset, while Allura held onto the bed post. Larmina thought it looked really painful, but knew it was the price to pay for wearing the family wedding dress. She was looking forward to telling Pidge about the crotchless bloomers that went with it. She was thinking that maybe she would wait until she got to the altar, at her wedding to tell him. Larmina was sure his reaction would be great.
The girls helped Allura into the heavy dress, and then Dorcas took a button hook and did the small buttons at the back. The dress had a long train, heavily embroidered with silver, and Elena asked her if she was going to fall over. That made them giggle hysterically, at the picture of Allura in a heap of white satin at the altar.
"Aunt Allura, you look amazing! I am so happy that you are marrying Lance." Larmina declared unshed tears in her eyes. Her Aunt did so much for everyone else, and only she and Lance did things for her. Larmina had forgiven her Aunt for her attitude towards Pidge, understanding that she'd thought she was protecting her niece. She had acted out of love, not malice, but Lance had shown her what love really was.
Larmina had watched her Aunt and Lance for years, and had always wondered why they did not get together. She'd heard the gossip about Keith, but always wondered how a man who supposedly loved her Aunt wouldn't stand with her. Allura had spent the five years working hard, and Lance had helped and supported her. When Keith returned Larmina was able to see the initial attraction of the man, but then saw the other side of him.
In Larmina's opinion Keith saw everything black and white, with no shades of grey. He was also beyond serious, and haunted by something that while she didn't know what it was, she could see how it affected him. Her Aunt had already been stressed out enough with trying to fly and run the Kingdom, and Keith had done nothing to help the situation, just put more pressure on her Aunt. After she took over Blue Lion, Larmina had watched her Aunt turn into a workaholic, unhappy and tense all the time.
Just when she was set to relax, Keith would go to her study and want to have some long discussion about Arusian history. Larmina knew that because Allura had commented to her about it, one night when Larmina brought her dinner because she was working late. She would not dare to interfere in her Aunt's affairs, but she had been really tempted to say something to Keith, about being more considerate with her Aunt's time. Now though it didn't matter, because everything had worked out.
"Hey Auntie, take care of the dress, because I need to wear it in three months." She told her as she hugged her Aunt, who hugged the girl back.
Larmina turned to look at Dorcas and Elena and asked "Could we have a couple of minutes alone, please?" She asked them, and they nodded their head, with Elena adding that she would see Larmina downstairs in the main hall, for the ride to the cathedral.
She watched them go, and then turned to look at her Aunt. Larmina had thought that nothing made her uncomfortable or embarrassed, but she felt both right now. However, she knew that her Aunt was still a virgin, and when she remembered the first time Pidge had made love to her, well there was stuff she wished she would have known.
"Ok, so this is totally awkward, and beyond embarrassing, but I want to tell you this, so you kinda know what to expect." Larmina began, and then took a deep breath "I think you know that Pidge and I are already intimate, and all." She stopped, not believing she was telling her Aunt that fact, and hoping that the woman had known. Larmina knew that everyone else did, and she was pretty sure that Lance had probably said something to her. She was relieved to see Allura nod her head, and smile. Allura was almost tempted to say that Larmina's Grandfather knew too, but decided not to go there.
"The first time, well." Larmina explained the details to her Aunt, letting the words race out of her mouth, and then took a big breath. She was willing to bet that Lance would keep her Aunt in bed the entire time, but she wasn't going to say that.
"Larmina, thank you for telling me that! I am very touched that you loved me enough to share it with me." Allura told the young woman, hugging her tightly, and then said "You know you've always been better to me, than I've been to you." It hurt confessing it, but Allura decided she was going to do a better job in the future with Larmina.
"Auntie, you've been awesome with me! I have acted like a spoiled brat on so many occasions, but you never gave up on me. You could have sent me away to some convent to be educated, but you didn't. You are the closest thing I have to a Mother, and really you're not much older than I am." Larmina said, almost in tears.
"Larmina, I love you, I would never send you away. Your Father was my favorite Brother, and I wish you could have known your Mother. She was an amazing person, and you are so like her in so many ways." Allura hugged Larmina tighter, sorry that the girl had lost her parents so young.
"God, look at us, crying like old ladies at a funeral!" Larmina suddenly exclaimed, and got some tissues for both of them. After they fixed their makeup, she excused herself to go meet the rest of the wedding party in the main hall. Allura would leave the Castle last, with Coran.
Dorcas came back in, carrying the tulle veil with her. She carefully attached it to the diamond tiara, so it flowed around Allura like a gentle mist. It was as long as the train, and decorated with tiny crystals that looked like rain drops. The diamond necklace, earrings, and bracelets that matched the tiara completed the look.
"Your Majesty, you look wonderful!" Dorcas exclaimed as she looked at the young woman. Her haloed gold hair offset the white and silver of the dress perfectly, while her eyes were an intense dark blue.
Allura looked at herself in the mirror, and smiled tentatively as she remarked "I hope I don't pass out, or fall over." Because of the corset she could only take shallow breaths, and she could feel the heavy satin of the dress pulling at the back of her shoulders.
"Look at this way; you just need to make it through the ceremony and a little bit of the reception. I'm sure His Highness will want to get going on the honeymoon." Dorcas observed with a knowing grin.
That made Allura think about what Larmina had told her, and she wanted to laugh. She had never seen the girl blush before, but her niece had been bright red as she got the words out of her mouth. However, she also saw how much her niece loved her, and cared about her. That was what was important at the end. Allura was glad she knew what to expect now, even if it had been embarrassing to have those talks.
"Dorcas, I think we need to get to the church!" Allura giggled, thinking the sooner it was over with, the sooner she could get out of the corset.