SIX MONTHS LATER.
Seth was sitting in a high back chair, Eirika on his lap. The
necklaces clearly visible. He had one hand around the Princess'
waist, they other on the arm of his seat. Eirika was leaning against
him, a serene smile as Forde finished the two's portrait. He grinned
at the lovers and rolled his eyes as they kissed.
"Right...I
want a nap." He yawned and stood up, stretching out on his way
to his room.
"Sheesh!" Franz said accusingly, "How
do you sleep so much?"
"You should sleep more often,
Captain." Forde teased. Franz smiled, happy about his new rank.
Erika watched the brothers with amusement as they bickered on their
way into the hall.
"Do you think our kids will be like that?"
She asked as she and Seth walked out into the newly finished
courtyard. The Silver knight laughed and picked her up, spinning her
in a circle.
"I certainly hope so." He set her down and kissed her.
Tana giggled in the back ground.
"So lively." She
mocked, shaking her head happily.
"So are you two."
Erika teased back, pointing at her best friend and Cormag. The
Wyvren-rider looked shocked.
"Don't lump me in with her."
He teased, wrapping an arm around his new wife. Tana giggled and
kissed his cheek.
There was happiness in Renais that day. It was about a month after the reconstruction was complete and two marriages were taking place. Artur stood happily at the head of the great hall, Lute nearby, watching her husband. He smiled at Seth and Innes, who stood on either side of the altar, waiting for their lovers. The two girls walked out together. Gilliam wore his best green armor and lead a very beautiful Vanessa. She was radiant in her armor (having declined the dress), Innes drew himself up with pride as the woman, future queen, stood beside him.
Silence as the doors at the end of the hall opened again. Ephraim
wore his crown and a regal blue tunic as he lead the stunning woman
to her husband. Eirika wore a simple white gown with small blue
flowers embroidered on it. It hung to her in a way that made Seth go
weak at the knees, and on her breast flashed the necklace. Her blue
hair was pulled back underneath a small crown.
"Eirika..."
He breathed as she stood beside him. The ceremony went by quickly,
until it got to the vows. Innes went first.
"Vanessa. You served my family so long. Never once did you
flinch in combat, never did you betray any oath or promise. And that
is why I held you close at first. But that's not why I love you. I
love you because you are the most beautiful, the kindest, the
strongest, woman I have ever met. I will be the greatest king Frelia
has ever seen with you beside me to temper my anger. I will be king
for you, I will be the husband you deserve, I will give you all you
need and ask for. I will love you til the ends of the Earth."
Vanessa blushed.
"Innes...my king...my love. I...I'm no good
at speeches. My skill lies in the art of war. But...I love you, I
always have, I always will." Everyone clapped. Gilliam blew his
nose loudly and shook with tears, much to the amusement of all.
"Grown up so...so fast." he wept. Artur looked at Erika
and Seth.
"Seth?" He asked. The Paladin turned to face
his love.
"Erika..." he started, then paused, reaching a
hand to his chest, "Eirika. I met you years ago. I still
remember the first time I saw you, charging through the courtyard
like a mad thing on my first day as a recruit. You are the reason I
rose so far. My love for you made me strive for greatness, made me
want to be the best. You are all I have ever longed for, all I could
ever want." He looked at the necklace, "I almost let duty
take you away from me. Never again. I will never again forsake you,
my love, my angel, for duty. I am a knight of Renais, but...more
importantly, I am completely, totally and inconsolably in love with
you."
"Seth..." Erika kissed him, "I will be
everything you have seen in me. I will be the one to support you in
all you endeavor to achieve, because I love you."
The wedding ended beautifully, and now, hopefully, so does my tale.
We've found a kind of paradise in a flowers bloom.
We've
seen the end of a mystic land so close it meets the parting
sun.
We've shared the thoughts that two could share, we feel the
truth, magic that we send...
Note, That paragraph is from the song "Strangers" by Yoko Kanno. I don't own it...its just pretty.
