Chapter seven...This one will probably be the thrid to last of Gwen being her new found self, as that is when the story will take off. Yep, I still have loads of chapters to go.
Please CC, I need both the comments and critisim badly, so i know which way to go.

"Oh your highness! You look beautiful."

"Simply stunning."

"Like a Fairy queen!"

"You truly are a dream bride!"

"I really am aren't I?" Gwenzea stated more than questioned the gaggle of elven mays her age, who were helping her dress for her wedding, her dress clung to her frame until it came to her hips where it hung loose and trailed behind her in a train, her veil attached to her blonde curls lightly which were hung loose and cascaded down to her waist. Her shoulders were bared with the top of the dress in the shape of a gypsy shirt which showed the heart pendant she was given by Alezer.

Germalump smiled softly. "We'll see you at the cathedral? We don't want to be in the way when he comes to take you away from your maiden bed." She teased softly finding it easy as she had infact been married to a soldier in Alezer's troop since she was fifth-teen.

As per tradition Alezer was to come and find her in her bedroom and lead her to the place of marriage, also as if he was beginning to lead her through the rest of her life.

As the brides maids hurried out of the room the oldest female walked forwards in the form of Emmy who upon hearing of Gwen's marriage came to assist her.

"Mother...I am so nervous." She whispered to the only maternal parent she had ever know. Duncan was in the kingdom also but already in the chapel. When Gwen first met them she was startled how old they actually looked and both were a similar age to her soon to be husband so it was quite a startling prospect. Yet she also knew that her parents would never live to see the length of her husbands life theoretically, it was odd that her father was getting her married to someone in the palace and not their enemy to stop the threat of war. She had enquired once or twice but was told it was men's work, which made her furious but she only let out her emotions once she was alone in the confides of her chamber.

Emmy glided forwards and cupped her adopted child's cheeks softly offering her a kind and nurturing look "I know baby, I know. But you'll be happy in this match. He's a gentleman, he's amusing. He can definitely protect you. Your father and I couldn't have asked for more when you were with us." she commented gently, kissing her lightly on the lips before pulling out a small box and handed it to her. "I had always been planning to give it to you. Though I never thought it would be given to a princess soon to one day take hold of the throne." she purred gently as the elven may opened the box and the confides caused her jaw to drop.

Inside the box was a small pendant which was silver, with a bright blue sapphire embedded into it which seemed to made her eyes seem more blue and less of their moody grey.

"Oh Mother! It's beautiful! A-are you sure?" Gwen questioned her eyes welling up with tears which she tried her best to keep from shedding, and making her eyes red and sore. Not the ideal look for a bride when she was expecting her groom at any moment.

However her lips curled into a faint smile as Emmy simply rolled her eyes in answer to her certainty. Taking the box from the may she took the blue stoned pendant and pinned it to the top of her dress, just in-between her cleavage making it look as if it had belonged their all along. "Gwenny. I am sure. You are my only daughter. Blood related or not. I want you to have it. If you don't like it then you need not wear it. But if you do then don't argue." She commented as she tried to sound stern but smiled warmly knowing she could never sound firm and in utter control, unlike Duncan who had always been the 'bad cop' when it came to Gwenzea even though when she was on her best behaviour they were both soft touches.

"How could I not want it?! Oh thank you!" The bride whispered clinging to her mother tightly kissing her cheek softly. "Thank you so much." She added before she felt Emmy's hand stroke her face lightly as she pulled away leaving her alone, only the sound of the birds from the garden to keep her company.

Time seemed to struggle by. What was merely minutes seemed like an eternity. The eerie silence of the room was almost deafening from the hubbub that she had witnessed in her room from the excitable brides maids.

Finally her torment ended as she heard a hasty sound of foot falls, gradually getting louder and louder until her bedroom door opened revealing Alezer standing in a suit of elven armour which was silver and engraved with a swirling like design, a red cloak hanging from his shoulders making him look both very attractive and very professional.

Alezer seemed taken back by Gwenzea, He seemed lost for words and swallowed hard. "Uh, ah...Ahem...You look..." He couldn't finish his sentence as his eyes drank in Gwenzea in a lustrous fashion.

Gwen blushed lightly before arching her eyebrow slightly. "Yes?" she questioned playfully before holding out her hand to him expectantly which he took and kissed it softly.

"Are you ready to leave my bride-to-be?" he questioned softly before leading her down the stairs slowly, quite surprised by the fact her petite frame was shaking like a terrified woodland creature, but knew how she must feel though admittedly he had started to have strong feeling's for her and had hoped that she was starting to feel the same. Though now he was certain he still feared her after showing great dislike towards her on their first meeting. Maybe he needed to take a softer approach. Like hunting a deer you'd use different bait from a pheasant.

The wedding had gone smoothly. Now the hall was lively with the noise of many lords, ladies and royal family members. Gwenzea was utterly unaware of where her adoptive parents were, all she knew was that she was sat at the head table right in the centre beside her new husband who had his large hand over her own smaller one.

Finally Lady Germalump rose to her feet which caused a silence to fall over the hall, almost as if she had just killed the king before their eyes. "Ah, Glad I have all your attentions. But I'd like to say that I have only known Her highness Gwenzea a short while, I feel privileged to have her to be our next queen, as with her new husband Alezer our beloved General I feel the future for my own children's Children safe in both their hands. To Alezer and Gwenzea Thorkins." She announced raising her own goblet up in a toasting manner.

A low babble of response met them at this point, causing Gwen to giggled lightly and blush violently as she drank from her own goblet, already aware that her maidenhood was soon to end as soon as this feast lasts. Her whole body shock at this though, her teeth chattering so violently that it made a low hollow noise on the fine silver of her goblet.

"My beloved? Are you quite alright?" Alezer whispered in the kindest tone she'd ever heard from him. Almost intimate as he gently leaned in close to her, and whispered softly into her ear, her hair rippling as the mere whisper of his breath.

"I-I-I'm fine." The elven may insisted though he could practically smell her nerves, her chest rising and falling rapidly her two front teeth resting on her full lower lip. Even a child would be able to tell she was bluffing, let alone a general who had been training many many people and has been able to tell when they lie to him.

A soft rumble of a chuckle tore from his lips. "Liar." He purred quietly "Now honestly. What's wrong?" He insisted looking at her firmly, cupping her cheek softly and turned her face to look at him.

Swallowing hard Gwen nestled closer to him. "It's complicated." She admitted softly as she closed her eyes, "Maybe I'll tell you one day." She pointed out simply.

It was a dark silent night. Frost was creeping in through the window, almost as if it was fleeing from the dark obis outside. The fire in the grate was the only source of light in the room, and for the moment Gwenzea was alone in the room.

She was sat up comfortably on the goose feather pillows, her blonde hair loose and splayed over the pillow, her wedding dress long forgotten and was instead in a silk night gown, which out of character clung to her body till it found her hips where it then flared out, and it was cut around her shoulders much like her wedding dress.

She was petrified.

Quite literally. She knew he'd be back in mere moments as he was only in the small cupboard like room where a bowl was set for washing.

Finally Alezer walked in the room. The hair's near his temple, behind his ears and at the base of his neck were damp. His torso bare and his lower body clad in simple trousers a coarse towel slung lazily over his shoulder. Normally he would walk through as bare as the day he was born as was his usual attire when he slept. Though tonight was different. He didn't want her to fear him more. He hoped tonight, if he was gentle, patient and thoughtful she would hopefully would kindle some feelings like his own towards him, instead of fear.

Grey eyes met his own hazel ones which seemed much more relaxed than her own. She continued to watch him as if worried he would assault her at any moment, but instead of what she feared, he simply placed a thick piece of cloth over the window to spare the warm room from the bitter late winter chills.

"Thank you." The young may whispered lightly, her eyes down cast by this point, her shoulder's hunching as she sat up properly as pulled her knee's to her chest.

Slowly the general moved closer to Gwenzea, wanting to just lunge forwards and kiss her, touch her, claim her as his own as he was sure all men in his situation would do being in the presence of this maid. No, He leisurely ambled round and sat down on the bed, his back to her as he took the towel from his shoulder and began to rub his damp hair and the nape of his neck dry.

Gwen watched him thoughtfully, the light from the fire causing a white sheen on his back, though her attention was mainly caught by a deep scar trailing from his left shoulder diagonally down to his right hip.

Timidly she crawled forwards and sat behind him, her long fingers tracing the prominent line. "How did that happen?" she questioned lightly, the fleshy part of her index finger caressing this trail slowly.

Turning his head slightly to see her better Alezer smiled softly. "Before you were born. I was in service to you mother back in her home country, she was but a year or so older than you. She wanted to go through the woods for a walk, I went with her to keep her safe as her father put me in charge of her safety. We were attacked by bandits. I thought them off as best I could and just as I turned to look to see where more were, one grabbed me and dragged a blade through my back. Twas not very big so I was lucky to escape with my life as someone had heard there was bandits so sent a search party." He explained lightly a faint smile curling at his lips. "Your mother came to see me most days. Telling me how the day was, what she'd been up to. Anything really." he explained lightly.

"You were very close?" Gwen questioned as she trailed her lips across the top of the scar faintly, her fingers timidly but willingly starting to stroke his sides, finding his honesty rather during and after all she was curious to what a man would look and feel like beneath the thick skin of armour.

"Aye lass. Very much so. She..." The male stopped swallowing hard at this thought. "She was my first friend. The only one actually." He admitted shyly. "I guess I have not been very tactful for that, especially as my own wife is terrified of me." he commented bitterly an involuntary shudder coursing through his spine at her touch.

"You loved her. Didn't you?" Gwenzea questioned knowing it was best not to answer his last comment, she did fear him but she was starting to see the man behind the sharp exterior that was known as General Thorkins.

Alezer went ridged under her touch. Admittedly he was speechless. It was unthinkable. Well it was back then. Him a mere guard, her a princess engaged to a king. But... "Aye. Aye I loved her. She was beautiful, charming, funny, kind, virtuous. She was my friend and Aye I did love her." he admitted softly.

The movement on his back stilled and Gwenzea slowly began to retreat to her side of the bed. "I'm not my mother. No matter what you do Alezer I can't be her." she answered quietly, her eyes full of hurt feeling now that her new husband only kept the marriage as she was the closest he could get to her mother.

"Gwenzea." Alezer started before grabbing her, and pinned her to the soft bed bellow them looking down at her he sighed. "Gwen. Your mother is not who I'm after. Admittedly you were hard work, a nightmare in the flesh. But you've calmed down and shown me who you truly were. You were a diamond in the rough when I first met you, now your the diamond." he tried to explain.

"So your saying you'd not have been interested if I had remained the same?" She questioned sharply showing a glimmer of her old self.

"Nay. Your the only elven-may I want. Could ever want."

"All these fancy words and no sincerity." she commented shaking her head in disbelief.

"You're so difficult." The general announced in annoyance before sealing her lips in a kiss, half expecting her to attempt to prevent him, instead she responded back fiercely.

Releasing her hands he wrapped his arms around her waist holding her close, as her own hands moved up to his head linking her fingers through his fair tresses. Allowing him to roll her and him onto their sides into a less intermit position.

Slowly Alezer's hands moved down to the hem of her night gown he began to slid it up her body, revealing her lower body when she let out a gasp of shock.

"Nay Alezer...I'm not sure." Gwen started before he hushed her gently.

"Don't fear me my love. Not now." He whispered huskily, sliding her gown over her head to reveal her body before him, his eyes taking in the lily like vision below him permitting his hands to wander over her, certain places causing her to gasp and groan at his experienced touch.

Before they knew it they were bare and by this point neither had much to hide. Gwen's own hands exploring Alezer. Feeling across his torso, back, legs before finally finding his manhood unsure what to make of that area, normally even glancing at that area caused her to blush and go all girly but not now.

He allowed her to feel, caress, toy and learn his body as she wished, surprised by his own restraints. Resisting pouncing on her and claiming her. Trying to ween her in carefully, being as kind as possible waiting for the right moment, his own hands brushing over her lily skin teasing her tenderly, preparing her for what lay ahead.

"A-alezer?" she whispered softly looking up at him through half shut lids, her breathing harsh and uneven. "I fear you not." she murmured lightly trailing her tongue playfully up the column of his neck adoringly.

Hearing this caused a small smile to spread across his face as he rolled her over so he was on top and the newly married couple made love, causing an understanding of one another pass over the couple. Making them both feel this was what life was made for.

This was right.

Afterwards Alezer and Gwenzea held one another. Their eyes drinking in the sight of the stated and happy person they clung onto as if their lives depended on it.

Alezer was the first one to fall asleep, his breathing soft and even though his sleep seemed to be plagued with those bad memories that war would obviously bring and the princess did her best to sooth her General as best she could. Wishing she could save him from what ever torment he was obviously under from his quiet mumbles and sometimes violent movements.

It was very late when Alezer seemed settled from his nightmares as the embers of the fire were slowly fading, and coldness was slowly creeping into the room.

The castle was comfortably quite, and she felt content watching her husband sleep now peacefully. She knew that even if she hadn't been concerned about his dreams she would have still not been asleep. She felt satisfied yet energetic. She wanted to get up and run into the woods sharing her contentment.

Admittedly it wasn't love.

It's was respect, trust and mutual understanding.

'What is love? Love can form over years can't it?' She thought to herself. 'Surely if I was meant to fall in love like it happens in books some brave knight would save me from my tower after slaying a dragon...I see no dragon...I see no tower. I only see my Knight. My general.' She thought with a small smile trailing across her lips as she kissed him tenderly on the forehead.

Her train of thought however was interrupted by the dull sound of clunks, much like when two rocks collide and bounce off one another...

"Gwenzea!?" Called a voice from outside in that sort of yelling whisper you hear, often spotted when very drunk.

Startled by hearing her name being called she delicately attempted to pull away from her spouse, who groped for the missing warmth beside him and improvised by rolling onto her pillow happily.

Smiling affectionately she pulled out a shift from her trunk and pulled it on over her bare frame. Admittedly it wasn't very descent as it was like gossamer. Almost see through and only came about half way down her thigh.

Walking through a small arched door way that lead to their balcony she peered over the grey stone wall curiously and saw a dark haired male holding an arm full of rocks, upon seeing the maids head look down he dropped his load, narrowly missing his toes.

"Hallo Gwenzea. How have ya been keepin'?" He called up to her, grinning broadly. He was covered in filth and looked worse for wear almost as if he had travelled along way by foot.

At first she didn't recognise him. How could she when she kept her memories of her childhood locked up in her mind to protect her from the pain of the recollection. At that moment it clicked...

"Dimitri?" she questioned in a quavering voice.