Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't...
Summary: Fireworks... They can cause an uproar, set plans awry, or even be a pleasure.
A/N: This story is part of my A Light in the Darkness universe. Enjoy!
Fireworks
Part Four: Another Meeting
ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ
"You do know how to cause a stir."
I looked down at my betrothed and raised an eyebrow. "I?"
"Yes, you. You're the one who caused all this."
I laughed and tucked her hand more firmly into the crook of my elbow. "Alambiel, you caused the stir because you are the first and only filly I have brought to my herd."
She glanced up with mischief lighting her eyes. "You mean I am the only one you didn't think would run away from meeting this lot."
I chuckled then nodded to an approaching family. "The cousins I warned you about."
"Lovely," Alambiel murmured.
I clasped forearms with Flinthoof and inclined my head to Andraste, one of Androcles' granddaughters. "Andraste, Flinthoof, this is my lady, Alambiel."
Andraste smiled but before she spoke, a squeal of delight filled the air and two pairs of small arms wrapped around my forelegs. "Uncle General!"
The colt and filly looking up at me shared their dam's green eyes and fair complexion but their dark hair and coats came from their sire. I chuckled. "And these are their twins, Castor and Cassandra. They are a little over a year old now."
Andraste spoke up, catching her foals' attention. "Little ones, greet your uncle's betrothed. She will be your new aunt."
The little ones reluctantly released my legs and walked around Alambiel, plucking at her skirts. I could only hope for her sake that they would not imitate Solon and pull them up to see what hides beneath a Nymph's skirts. They should be old enough not to do so. Alambiel was watching the foals with barely suppressed laughter, judging by the way she was pressing her lips together and the light dancing in her eyes. Finally, the twins stopped circling and whispered to each other. I glanced at Andraste who shrugged then Castor stamped his hoof and Cassandra nodded before they pointed at Alambiel. "Aunt General."
That proved too much for Alambiel's control and she turned away, laughing. My cousin groaned while her husband chortled. I myself could not help laughing as Andraste collected her foals then ushered them back toward their house.
The hour was late enough that many of my kin were retiring to partake of the evening meal. And there were none left who had yet to be introduced to Alambiel. Looking down at her, I gave her a slight smile then took her by the hand and led her to the well-traveled path. Once we were far enough down the path to be certain of some privacy, Alambiel looked up at me. "I had originally hoped to have a private dinner with you tonight. Now, I think we're stuck hoping that Tuulea won't mind us being late for dinner."
Raising our clasped hands, I pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. "Do not fear, my Alambiel. I promise we will have a private dinner before we return to Cair Paravel. Perhaps not tomorrow night but certainly the day after."
"Are you going to have a curfew then too?"
I scowled at her. "Minx. I do not have a curfew…Alcippe merely set a specific meeting time."
Alambiel laughed. "Sounded like you were issued a curfew, Kentuari."
"It was a meeting. Only foals have curfews."
She giggled some more. "But never Uncle Generals."
"You enjoy mocking me."
"I am not mocking you!" Alambiel's eyes danced with mischief as she grinned up at me. "I thought Castor and Cassandra were very cute. Confused but cute. And your grandam gave you a curfew."
"Alcippe set a preferred meeting time." I glared at the cheeky little pest but she only laughed more. Fortunately, Alambiel refrained from her teasing once we reached Tuulea and Stonebrook's house. The glint of laughter never left her eyes though and I knew she would not release this new line of teasing for long.
"Silverstone?" That cheeky minx caught everyone's attention as she continued with a sly smile, "Have you ever been told to return home before Tarva passes Spearhead?"
Silverstone looked at her then chuckled. "Not since I was underage."
Alambiel shot me a triumphant glance before she turned back to the others. "Then that is a common curfew?"
"A very common one," Stonebrook interjected. "Why do you ask?"
"Curiosity." She looked back at me as I rose. "You are leaving?"
I bowed slightly. "I fear I've some business to tend to while the stars are yet in their early dances."
Only a few minutes passed before Alambiel followed me out of the house. "Oreius?"
"I fear tomorrow will be a long day for the both of us." At her puzzled frown, I clasped her hands between mine and added, "I already have many pressing matters to see to tomorrow morn and I am certain that I shall find other matters requiring my attention throughout the afternoon." I paused and brushed a stray lock of hair out of her eyes, allowing my fingers to linger against her cheek. "I look forward to when I will be able to see you as a bride, my bride."
Alambiel smiled even as a faint blush appeared then she wrapped her arms around my neck. "Well, how long you have to wait depends on how tolerant Alcippe is feeling toward my grandam's wedding dress. Thank you for defending me, by the way." Her smile widened. "I think Alcippe actually does approve of us…well, at least she doesn't completely hate the idea of our marriage. I can live with that." She rose on her toes and brushed her lips against mine. "Goodnight, Kentauri. Love you."
Cupping her face between my hands, I pressed a light kiss against her forehead. "I will see you tomorrow, love, at sunset. And I am certain we will have much to discuss then." I tilted her chin up then stole another kiss. "I love you. Sleep well tonight."
She had almost reached the door when she looked back at me with a wide smile. "It's a curfew!"
I snorted and shook my head as she ran inside, laughing. That cheeky little pest. I was going to toss her in a lake and soon. Still a glance up at the sky proved Tarva had yet to pass Spearhead, which was good since I did not wish to rile Alcippe by missing her chosen meeting time.
ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ
"Perhaps I should reject this wedding outfit after all."
I did not trouble myself with masking my disapproval as I scowled at Alcippe. "For what reason? The outfit was made for Keziah when she wed Asbolus, I doubt you will find anything wrong with it save for it not being made by your own hands."
Alcippe flicked her tail. "To allow your chosen filly time to redeem herself."
"From what must she redeem herself? Her heritage? You have never been one to judge the mixed marriages as unfit for our people." My scowl deepened as I recalled her cold reaction to the news that I would be bringing Alambiel to meet her. "Or do you still begrudge that fact that you did not select her for me?"
"You should remember, colt, that you are the only living son descended in an unbroken line from Chiron. Your choice of wife should be wise. Someone who can take over as matriarch when the time is right. You also should have informed me that she was Centaur-kin. Although, I should have guessed that she was who she is from the moment you told me her name. To name one's foal after the stars is overbold." Alcippe paced the sitting room where Alambiel had been inspected and interrogated. I barely kept my peace even though I knew she was correct regarding the unusual nature of Alambiel's name, especially among Centaurs and Centaur-kin. The Centauress pushed long locks of hair over her shoulder then frowned. "It would be far better to delay this wedding until improvements have been made."
"Improvements?"
"Do not glare at me, Oreius. You know very well that she will not be accepted by the herds as she is. Her mannerisms are far too wild for me to present her to Centaurs of good breeding, much less claim her as part of the herd." She pointed at me. "I will reject her wedding outfit and you will ensure that the next six months are spent training that one to the Centaur ways. Then you may have the wedding."
I flicked my tail. "And if I refuse to delay the wedding?"
Alcippe's yellowish green eyes met mine unflinchingly. "I will reject her for as long as she remains an embarrassment and unacceptable as a member of the herd. I will not claim her as a daughter of the herd nor acknowledge her as a suitable mate to the son of my son."
Crossing my arms over my chest, I met Alcippe's gaze and held it. "You are entitled to your own opinion, Alcippe. However, this warning I will give you: If you shun Alambiel, I will shun you. Then you truly will never know your great-grandchildren. And that would be a great shame and loss on both sides."
She was my grandam and, as the matriarch, she had held our herd together after my grandsire's murder. Her strength had allowed both my sire and myself to fight against Jadis and now it allowed me to tend to my duties as General without worrying over the herd's leadership. But, I would not allow her to visit more hurt upon my beloved, not when it was unjust and unnecessary.
With a flick of her tail, Alcippe turned away. "As you wish. I will judge the wedding outfit solely on its own merit. If I reject it, it will be because it did not meet my standards. You should still take time before the wedding to teach Alambiel more about the Centaur ways."
"The wedding will occur as scheduled, Alcippe."
Alcippe huffed and stamped a hoof but then she conceded with the slightest of nods. "If I find the wedding outfit acceptable, your wedding will occur as you have scheduled."
ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ
A/N: Please Read and Review! So, here's a shorter but still important chapter. Next chapter shall be the wedding dress inspection! Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.
