Emet stared at the completed dress before her, perfect like in every way. Her captains' jacket was now embellished with the treasure she had kept from Greece. Ivory silk from Armenia poured out from underneath it in a ruffled skirt, accented with the pure white gauze from Rome. The lace from Spain, her first adventure, line the gauze ever so nicely as a testament to her past adventures. She had taken as long as she could to finish the piece, yet she had managed to finish it; which made today her wedding day.
There was a gentle knock at the door. Her mother slipped in and admired her daughters work. She gave the girl a kiss on the cheek and held her close.
"It's truly breath-taking dear." Her mother sighed. "And I'm sure it will look wonderful on you." Everyone around her was buzzing with anticipation. With all the hype, everyone was sure to come to see it; not a single person in the street wouldn't recognize her face. There was no way she could run off without someone noticing. The wedding would take place that afternoon.
+ o +
Finn sat next to his mother at what was supposed to be the event of the season. However, his mind was on other things. Harv hadn't come to his rescue this time. Granted, he wasn't in actual danger, but he would have though the man would have had the common decency to come looking for him at least. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see his boyfriend, ex-boyfriend it seemed, nervously standing next to the refreshments. Not once had the warrior come to great him, but he could tell that he knew he was there. It seemed like he was getting the cold shoulder, and for what? He didn't do anything wrong! So why was Harv acting like he wasn't here.
The music started up, and a typical parade of embroidered dresses and suits passed in front of him. A generic wedding for a noble, his past tormentor's actually. Since it was a grand occasion, his mother had to be there, even if she was cordially uninvited. It wasn't like Finn really wanted to be there, he wasn't even friends with couple, but he had to save face in front of his mother. It would kill him to have to admit she had been right.
Then came the bride, and Finn was certain his jaw dropped. She was dressed head to toe in ivory silk and exotic gold. While her face was blurred by the veil, he was certain he knew who was underneath. It was his old friend Emet, the girl who used to run around in pants and train to become a fierce warrior. What was she doing getting hitched to a noble? Last he had heard, she had run off in order to avoid it. Which was typical Emet behavior, but still. It didn't take a genius to know that the girl wasn't glowing with bridal beauty, but was hunkered in defeat.
She stood strong as she arrived at the altar, her face a stoic mask. She would not give these people the giddy thrill of watching her cry. She was stronger than that. The preacher prattled on about the glory of love and the eternity of marital union, as if the world had to rub in her face that she'd lost. The moment matrimony left his withered lips she felt like punching everyone in the vicinity.
"And now, if you would take the ring and repeat after me." The pastor instructed. Emet shivered as Shiel took her callused hand. "With this-"
"DROP THAT RING!" Someone shouted. She turned to see Rhodri gasping for breath. He wore one of the burgundy vests she had tailored and a heavy coin purse. "You can't marry her!" He wheezed. There was a startled cry from his family, shocked to see him alive and in town of all things. Clover had wanted to run up to the boy and take him in his arms, but Harv had held her back. His brother was already causing enough of a scene without dragging the whole family into it.
"Young man, just what do you think you're doing?" The pastor scowled. "If you have an objection, you must save it for the proper time."
"Please," Rhodri rolled his eyes, "if I see anymore of this I'm going to hurl." He pointed to Emet's father. "If you want her to get married, fine. Have it your way, but don't hand her off to this loser." The crowd gasped. He bit his lip and forced himself to say what next came to mind. "I'll marry her instead."
"You're that pit-pocket from the west farm." Emet's mother exclaimed.
"That's Sir Pit-pocket to you." Rhodri said. At least his snarky personality was intact in all this madness. "I've recently come into quite a bit of money." He grinned oily and opened the coin purse. "This should be more than enough for the dowry, you can count it yourself. Rest assured I'm more than a proper fit for your daughter." The tailor took the sack with shaking hands and counted out a small fortune. In that time, Emet had marched down to confront the boy.
"Rhodri," she hissed, "just what do you think you're doing?"
"I'm getting you out of here, you idiot." Rhodri muttered. He did his best to hide their spat in front of the whole town.
"If you keep this up we're going to be legally wed!" Emet kept her voice hushed, but it was hard to miss the threatening undertone in her voice.
"Don't you think I know that?" Rhodri lead her toward her father. "But what other choice do we have?" Of course, by we, he meant her. Ultimately it would be she who chose between the suitors. Her father looked at her, a little lost by the whole situation.
"Now wait one moment," Shiel boomed, "what right do you have to interrupt our wedding day?"
"More of a right than you do, that's for sure." Rhodri countered. "You can't just go around assuming you know what people want! I bet you don't even know the first thing about her. She is a strong, capable woman who deserves better than all of this. I've seen her take down men twice her size in a fight, I can't even do that." Oh she'd marry him alright, if nothing else but so she could smack him upside the head.
"Emet dear," Her mother prompted, "what do you want to do?" It was the question she had wanted to hear from her parents since the day she was born.
"I-I choose Rhodri." Emet stated. It wouldn't be a real marriage, she supposed. After all, they were just friends and she was still mad at him for leaving her. But anything was better than marring Shiel. Her ex-fiance stared in shock, his parents taking him away from the scene, thoroughly embarrassed. Rhodri had offered more for the dowry then he ever could. Since her parents hadn't objected, there wasn't much they could do other then boycott the only tailor's guild in town.
"You owe me big time," Rhodri said under his breath as they walked up to the altar, "that was all the money I had left. I expect to be reimbursed later plus interest."
"Why, so you can go and leave again." Emet huffed.
"I only left, because you wouldn't tell me what happened. I know you know; I just don't understand why you won't talk."
"Well that would be because it was your fault." Emet glowered up at him. The pastor had started the sermon once again, though the young 'couple' didn't pay him any mind. "You were going to give up adventuring and ruin the rest of my life!" Her eyes widened. "Your life, I meant your life." Rhodri couldn't believe his ears. Now he had known Emet for years, but never had he seriously considered their future. It had always been this idealistic fantasy, in which, he had just assumed she'd be there; somewhere.
"Emet, I would never leave you!" It came out louder than he expected, but their audience hadn't made any noise. He looked up at the pastor and realized this was probably the part they were supposed to trade vows. He looked back at Emet who had gone silent with surprise. "We've been through more hare-brained schemes then I can remember, and you haven't gotten me killed yet. You're more to me then some goldmine, I guess, I just thought you knew that already." A stupid thought really, Emet had never been good at guessing what was on other people's mind.
"You're an idiot." Emet sighed. "You always have been and yet, without you, I wouldn't have even made it this far. It sounds stupid saying it now, but we've been together for such I long time I- I don't think I could imagine my life without you in it." Oh gosh, that sounded so mushy, and in front of everyone too! Her face was flushed with embarrassment, but then again, so was Rhodri's.
"If anyone can see why these too shouldn't be married, speak now or forever hold your peace." Shiel looked up, only to see Finn testily holding a harp string between his fingers and shrunk back in his seat. "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Rhodri could have fainted with how much blood had suddenly rushed to his face. Hesitantly he pecked her on the lips. If only one could die from embarrassment.
"That was stupid." He muttered, face still red.
"Yeah." Emet hide her face behind her bouquet. Both were ignorant to the applause that surrounded them, loudest of all being JD.
+ o +
Rhodri had a lot of explaining to do with his family. Which was to be expected, but it left Emet alone for the time being. She had been congratulated by several people from her chair. Her only solace found in the mounds of food that had been provided for the 'happy' bride.
"Hey." Emet looked up to see Finn standing before her. He looked weary, yet she knew he had long since doused the torch he had carried for her. She nodded, as a show of acknowledgement and continued to eat large quantities of cake. "You're wearing pants under that, aren't you."
"Naturally." She whipped her face with the back of her hand. It was her wedding darn it, she would act as she pleased. "Where's Harv? I thought he was attached to your hip or something?"
"Uh, he's over there somewhere." Finn gestured to the buffet table. "We aren't really speaking with each other."
"Why, you don't usually seem the type to shut up." Emet raised a brow as she ate a cherry.
"Well- he just- He's so infuriating! I've been trying to give him space so he can sort out his 'issues' but he hasn't come to get me once." Finn ranted. "He's standing right over there. Right there! Yet he hasn't even said hi. I just don't know what to do with him Emet, it's driving me crazy." Emet help up a hand to stop him.
"Someone stupid once said that fighting doesn't solve everything." Emet lamented. "They're wrong. Complaining or moping or whatever it is you just did to give me a headache, is not the answer. You need to go fight him with words. You're pretty good at that, you just need to use it on him until it fixes everything."
"How is fighting going to fix anything?" Finn cringed.
"It will make you feel better."
+ o +
The bride's groom had already apologized to his family; though his disappearance had been forgiven under the misconception that he had been trying to elope with the girl. It was typical of his family, to only hear half of what he said. At least they were proud of him now. It seemed there were some perks to being the first son to be married. He stood on a tiny bridge over the nearby stream, contemplating what to do next. He heard heavy footsteps behind him, and didn't have to guess who they belonged to.
"I'm not really sorry for leaving," he huffed, "I hope you realize that." His older brother shook his head and joined him.
"I can't say I'm surprised."
"Why are you here anyway?" Rhodri frowned. "I thought you were whisked off to fight dragons or damsels."
"When you left, I had to come back and take your place on the farm."
"Ew." Rhodri exclaimed. "That's an unpleasant roll reversal."
"What?" Harv frowned.
"I mean, you've always had everything handed to you. I just never expected that you'd get that taken away because of me." Rhodri grimaced. "Well, I wanted it to happen, but I never seriously thought it would. You're the golden boy, the favorite; you're supposed to get what you want."
"You're the only one that thinks that." Harv argued.
"I think you mean, you never think that." Rhodri snorted. "Which is stupid, you get everything handed to you and then you don't take it. It just pisses me off!"
"Well it shouldn't," Harv sighed, "especially now. You've got everything I could have asked for." Rhodri side-eyed his older brother.
"You wanted to marry Emet?"
"What no! Not really." Harv buried his face in his hands. "You don't have to worry about her leaving you."
"I wouldn't say that." Rhodri sighed as he thought back over their adventure through the Mediterranean Sea. "But I think I'm safe for a little while. I just have to learn from my mistakes. You should too." He said casually.
"What makes you say that?" Harv frowned.
"There's an angry blond headed this way. It's been nice knowing you." Rhodri turned and left, ignoring his brother's indignant cries. Revenge was bitter-sweet.
+ o +
Harv was cornered on the bridge, nowhere to run further from this altercation. Finn stormed up in a fury, had he possessed more magic, he might have radiated a fearsome aura.
"I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY!" Finn hissed. "After you left, I was ATTACKED! Yeah, that's right; I nearly died a vicious and gruesome death. Alone. Oh, and I was kidnapped by my mother. Alone. Oh wait, why would you even care? You abandoned me, you didn't even try to find me! I just figured you'd get a kick out of it seeing how miserable I am, seeing as you hate me now too! Oh, and let me guess, breaking my heart is part of the initiation! Did they give you a ribbon? Maybe a club jacket!?"
"I don't hate you Finn!" Harv exclaimed. Finn's anger degraded.
"Then what did I do wrong?" Finn carded his fingers through his hair. "When I asked you if you loved me, you just ran out. So I thought…" He couldn't even repeat what he thought. He renewed his spiteful energy. "Well you made your answer clear. I just would have been nice to be formally told."
"Finn-" The blond shoulder through, ignoring the brunet.
"You'd be surprised how many people get tricked into thinking they were… loved. I wouldn't have been the first."
"But I-" Harv was ignored again.
"I could have taken it you know." Finn huffed. "I am an adult after all. A simple answer was all I asked for."
"BUT I DO LOVE YOU FINN!" Harv shouted, tired of being ignored. He froze, luckily no one else was in ear-shot.
"Well it's a little late for that-" Finn paused. "W-what did you just-"
"I-I do love you Finn." Harv whimpered. "B-but I love you too much. I can't give you a wedding, or kids, or anything a normal couple could have. I'm no good for you Finn." Finn stared at him long and hard.
"I don't want any of those things." Finn stated blandly. "Why on Earth would you ever think… Unless you want those things." Harv suddenly found himself compelled to stare at the ground, a tree, anywhere except at Finn as he nodded slowly. "…with me." Finn added. The warrior nodded again, his face bright red. "Harvey, why do you always have to make things so difficult? You could have told me you know."
"No I couldn't." Harv sulked a bit. Finn had already been angry before.
"Sure you could have, that's why couples do; don't they? They talk about things. What do you think I would have done if I found out, left?" Finn noticed Harv visibly slump. "Harvey! Come on, I'm not the only one who's allowed to want things, or complain. All you had to do was talk to me."
"But you never listen." Harv argued weakly. It was a mistake to stoke Finn's temper.
"I'm listening right now, aren't I?" Finn hissed.
"No, you haven't listened to a word I said!" Harv flailed.
"You want a more serious relationship!" Finn summarized hotly. "I do too!"
"But we can't!" Harv yelled.
"Why not!?"
"I- I- don't know!"
"Then stop acting like a child and take what you want!" Finn kissed him fiercely on the mouth. Dammit, why did he have to do this now of all times! Some could see them!
"Finn-" Harv panted as he broke away. He couldn't miss the heated look in his gaze. "Let's finish discussing elsewhere."
Unofficial Soundtrack
1) Kagaribito - F9
2) I Cry - Florida
3) Warrior - Mark Foster, Kimbra, A-Trak
4) Merlin's Secret - David Arkenstone
5) Rotten Heresy Chocolate - Hatsune Miku
6) More Than Alive - The Ready Set
7) C'mon - Ke$ha
8) Settle Down - Kimbra
9) Shiva in Exile - Khundas
10) A Tale of Six Trillion Years and a Night - IA
11) Fallout - Marianas Trench
12) State of Dreaming - Marina and the Diamonds
13) Need You Now - Sparks the Rescue
14) Do You Remember - Ane Brune
15) My Own Worst Enemy - Lit
16) Are You Satisfied? - Marina and the Diamonds
17) Paper Planes - This Century
18) Hey Summer - The Bigger Lights
19) Young Forever - The Ready Set
20) Plain Gold Ring - Kimbra