A/N:: Here it is. I guess I should start putting teasers up more often, I got a major epiphany afterwards. So, here is the final chapter. I hope you enjoy it!
~Destiny
Sir Patrick transformed the garden into a fairy glen. It all seemed magical, from the white silk draped between rose bushes to the white wooden alter that sparkled in the sunlight. Oak chairs were lined up in rows that were draped with lavender and sky blue fabrics. The sky was clear and was just starting to bleed the colors of the sunset. Guests trickled to their seats and awaited the big moment.
Rachel's gown was indeed more than she ever imagined. It was long and it flowed like a white lazy stream. Kurt claimed it was made in the like of what Mercedes's thought of elf fashion, but the exquisite sparkling wings attached to the back made everyone disagree. The princess looked like fairy royalty and it was a dream come true.
Kurt stepped back to view his handiwork, "Marvelous. Now, all we need is that tiara and the veil."
"My hair looks perfect without them!" Rachel laughed, "Why mess with it?"
"She has a point," Mercedes spoke up, holding a simple silver tiara that had a lace veil attached to the end, "but, her father would not enjoy the breaking of tradition. We are pushing our luck enough as it is." She placed the tiara in front of the elegant bun that was on top of the princess's head. She adjusted the veil and stepped back, "Viola!"
The princess looked at her reflection in the mirror, "Thank you, my friends. I do not know what I would have done without you both."
Kurt swelled with pride, "Well, you would have ended up as a fashion disaster!"
Quinn stepped in, "Rachel, they are waiting for you."
She smiled, "Show time."
In the garden, Noah took his place at the alter beside Finn. He adjusted his appearance and sighed, "Why is it taking so long?"
"Patience, my friend. Kurt and Mercedes are probably going overboard." Finn laughed, "You'll be married soon enough."
"Is there any sign of Jacob?"
He shook his head, "Apparently he has not arrived. It's a little odd.. He seemed to give her up without so much as a thought."
"He's an idiot then."
"Either that, or something's up."
The string quartet started to play a lovely waltz as Quinn and Tina made their way down the aisles, Quinn holding the flower girl in her arms. Tina had been named maid of honor, but all three girls wore matching lavender dresses. Quinn smiled at Brett and Finn as they took their places at the alter. The tune changed to the traditional wedding song and the congregation stood.
Noah forgot how to breathe as he took in his fairy bride. Rachel's smile could not have been any brighter or wider as she held on to her rose and lily bouquet and her father's arm. She couldn't take her eyes off of her fiancé as she made her way towards him. The walk was too slow, but it was without incident, although some of the bride's friends were secretly hoping for a stumble or trip to add some entertainment to what was bound to be an even longer ceremony.
King William kissed his daughter's forehead before he gave her hand to Noah. Tears were already falling as she looked into her seconds away husband's eyes. Silently, she mouthed, "I love you."
"I love you too," Noah squeezed her hand gently and together, they turned to face the priest and Rabbi that was to do the ceremony.
The ceremony was something that had never been done before in the kingdom. Yet, Rachel had spoken to her father, or rather, gave really powerful arguments, to allow the Christian ceremony to be merged with a Jewish one, to celebrate both her father's religion, and Noah's. The princess, herself, was practicing both, though she preferred the Temple to the Church.
To Rachel, the wedding was going by in a blur until one moment. The one moment everyone wasn't expecting, but when they would look back years later, they knew that they should have known something like that would happen. They knew he had given in too easily. A fewer number knew him better than the king and knew just how different he acted behind doors than in court. Yet, still, none fathomed what happened next right after the 'I dos".
"Well, well, well." His menacing voice came from the end of the aisle, "It seems that the two lovers will have a 'happily ever after'" Jacob smirked as everyone turned to stare at him, "Princess Rachel has found love. How… sweet." He started to walk down the aisle at a brisk pace, "You went from one fiancé to another over night. I believe that night was in this garden, was it not? It was Sir Noah that I saw with you that night. At least you married him. That makes you slightly better than a harlot."
The crowd gasped and William's eyes blazed, "Guards! Arrest him!"
There was a flash of metal and a few "thumps". The five guards that had rushed towards the disgruntled lord fell to the ground, each with a knife sticking out of their chests. Ladies screamed and Noah stepped protectively in front of Rachel. Jacob laughed, "How touching, Sir Noah., but does the princess know of your past?"
Noah's eyes narrowed, "There is no need of that. What's done is done."
"What if one of your hundreds of whores show up in court one day? "
Rachel blanched, "What?"
"Your husband is not as great as you believe him to be, princess." Jacob grinned, "He was quite the lady pleaser in France, Germany, and Spain. I guess he finally found a hopeless romantic princess to woo and use."
Noah pulled the sword out of the sheath at his waist, "Lies."
Jacob snapped his fingers and a few finely dressed ladies of different ethnicity stood and faced Noah, "Any of these lovely women look familiar?" He watched the groom pale, "Ah, I see that you do."
"I've grown up since then. My heart belongs to the princess, not my hormones." Noah gripped his blade nervously.
William took a step forward, "Sir Jacob, I am your king. And as your-"
"Oh, shut it." Jacob held up another throwing knife in warning, "Your pathetic guards are dead. Just sit down."
Rachel assessed the situation and took a deep breath, "What do you want, Jacob?"
He was standing in front of her in three strides. He caressed her cheek gently, an evil smile displaying on his features, "What do I want indeed, princess?"
"Step away from her!" Noah placed his sword at Jacob's throat. Behind him, he heard Finn draw his sword as well.
"What bravado! I am impressed." Discretely, he adjusted his grip on the knife in his hand, "Though, I do not see what you hope to accomplish. The blood spilt will surely stain the princess's beautiful dress."
"I doubt she'll mind too much." He growled, "Get your hands off of Rachel."
She rolled her eyes, "Alright, my lords. This is kind of ridiculous. Jacob, just tell me what you want. You two are seriously putting a damper on my wedding day."
Jacob smiled innocently and mocked bowed, "As you wish, princess. I want what every lord at this court usually wants. A marriage to power. A kingdom. You took that away from me. I'm here to get it back."
"Killing my father's guards and threatening the king will not aid you in your little quest, my lord." Rachel smiled sweetly, "You should have told me how much you cared for this kingdom's well being."
"What?"
Noah shook his head, "What?"
The princess shrugged, "Sir Jacob shows his true intentions in that statement. He doubts Sir Noah's capability to be king one day. It is rather kind of him to worry so much about the future of this country." She batted her lashes at Sir Jacob, "It touches me."
"What is going on?" Noah lowered the sword from Jacob's neck, "Please explain."
Jacob grinned smugly, "I think the princess is changing her mind once again."
"Rachel?"
The princess didn't answer him. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Jacob's neck and looked into his eyes, "I don't deserve you, my lord."
"You don't?"
"No, but it seems that my heart thinks otherwise." Closing her eyes, she kissed him, causing eyes to widen all throughout the crowd that had been forgotten behind them. Jacob was surprised, but he gave into the princess, unknowingly falling into a trap. Rachel eased the dagger out of his hand as she pulled away and smiled, "Is it too late, my lord?"
Jacob was in a state of shock. He never thought his plan would go this well. In fact, he had been planning on threatening William and maybe even killing Noah to get what he wanted, "O-of course not, princess. It's never too late."
Her grin turned predatory, "Good." The dagger found its way into his side, "That was for the guards." She stabbed him again on the opposite side of his body, "That was for Noah." Staring him in the eyes, the blade buried into his stomach, "That was for my father." Finally, she dug the knife into his chest, "And that was for trying to ruin my wedding!" She pushed him over and Jacob's corpse fell onto its back. Rachel kicked him once for good measure then turned and smiled sweetly at the priest, Rabbi, and Noah, "I will pray for forgiveness later. Can we please finish the celebration now?"
The two religious leaders looked at each other and shrugged. They spoke as one, "You may now kiss the bride?"
"Gladly," Noah kissed Rachel and the crowd cheered, decisively not dwelling on the fact that their princess just killed a man of the court.
No one ever messed with the princess and her family after that day. In retrospect, it was probably the wisest decision they could ever make. Kurt married Sir Patrick a year later, a double ceremony with Lady Tina and Sir Artie. The former couple moved back to Italy with Mercedes and created a triple threat in the designing business. Finn and Quinn had a son whom they named Damon, who would grow up to be Princess Elena's protector when they were both teenagers, but that's a different story. Rachel and Noah ended up having a happy ever after to their love story.
