Chapter 10 - Epilogue
"Where are you," Marianne murmurs sleepily, reaching her arms around the halfling king?
"Right here," Bog chuckles, turning his attention away from the window.
"No, you're not. You're a million miles away, touching the stars," Marianne remarks.
"I'm just thinking," Bog comments, moving to face her. "About everything that changed since that fateful day before the winter solstice."
"Anything in particular," Marianne asks? "I, personally, find great joy at remembering Queen Vesper's face when she came to invade with her army and found out that not only a healthy and strong field army was ready and waiting but so was a healthy and strong forest army."
"Ye forgot about her fainting when we arrived on the battlefront and they presented us as King and Queen of the Forest and Fields," Bog mentions, joining her laughter. "I think that was the shortest battle in history and a bit anticlimactic. Ye know, Da called them war-like but without their tricks and cheating to ensure they're going to win they're milder than newborn kittens."
"They may be that but they squawk louder then raven chicks," Marianne groans. "I preferred dealing with all those council meetings when I was younger than just trying to wrestle a peace agreement out of that old meadow sprite. How could she squall about the unfairness of it all when she was the one that started it?"
"At least now, the meadow kingdom will behave and stick to their own land for any trouble," Bog remarks. "They'll have enough problem on their hands anyway what with the talk of rebellion Orchid had overheard during her imprisonment in Councilor James' house. They've ignored the old ways for too long and have made their kingdom unstable. Now they're paying for it."
"It's kind of scary that the same thing almost happened here," Marianne murmurs, shivering at the thought. "It's a good thing that we decided to give Roland asylum before their so-called invasion. I hate to think what could have happened had we been forced to hand him over along with the other meadow kingdom spies."
"I would like to say again that I'm proud at how ye handled the whole Roland situation," Bog comments, kissing her forehead. "Such queenly grace and elegance."
"Flatterer," Marianne chuckles. "I couldn't refuse Orchid's heartfelt begging to give him an audience, nor could I refuse Roland's terrified pleas that we don't send him back to the meadow kingdom. It's nice to know that his congenial attitude that fooled us at first was actually his true ideals that he let shine through and all his cruelty from the first council meeting on was really his desperation to keep Orchid safe. He may have a long way to go to prove his trustworthiness but there is a surprisingly noble person under all that pomp. Babba mentioned today that he is adjusting quite well on her son's farm and that if he continues to show improvement then she's going to recommend that his ostracism is ended but not until at least next spring. Orchid is a little unhappy that she can't visit all the time, though, and Botch had to lecture her nine times already for sneaking onto his property."
"I'm surprised Babba hasn't complained to me about that yet," Bog laughs.
"She said that her youngest deserves the hassle, which is why she recommended his farm when you mentioned that you wanted Roland to work his punishment instead of staying in the dungeon. Beware a mother's wrath when she's tired of waiting for you to get married," Marianne quips, looking outside. "Speaking of which, I think it's safe to say both of our mothers are very pleased today."
Bog hums in agreement and returns to looking out of the window of their bedchambers. The secluded home, built within an oak that grew on both sides of the border, was a wedding present from Dagda and the elder forest counselors as a place to temporarily escape from their obligations. A very much appreciated present for the new couple and it gives them both a good view of the spectacular scene that started hours ago. The vibrant flora of the border sparkle in the darkness from the bright shimmering lights that dance among them and every so often, some of the lights take on the form of a long-gone member of either royal family.
"I think our family is very pleased about our wedding today," Bog muses, catching sight of his parents dancing. "I really hope they're not causing a scene in the human realm with all their revelry, though. It was hard enough to convince the McIntoshs that I was alright when I visited them this morning and if they start to believe that I was spirited away by fae then ye're going to have to rescue me from them when I visit in the summer solstice."
"I'll just have to come along and convince Angus that I'm real," Marianne murmurs. "It is funny how he made fun of you for believing in fairytales but he's the one worried about your long absence being the result of fairies kidnapping you."
"He's not exactly wrong," Bog chuckles. "Ye did kidnap me, did ye not, my queen? I remember not really wanting to leave my nice warm house."
"Your memory is faulty, my king," Marianne teases.
"Is it," Bog questions? "I'm quite sure that I also remember Aunt Plum telling us to make good use of our weeklong honeymoon with no royal duties and that she expected the newest member of the royal family by the end of this year."
Bog hugs his blushing bride to him and gives his true love a searing kiss. Spring is the time for life to anew, after all.
The End
All finished...for now. I do have a plan to revise and possibly re-edit the story in the future but for now, it's available for enjoyment. Constructive advice is appreciated but please refrain from criticism.