"You look so beautiful, darling. I'm so happy for you. Even though this may not be the ideal marriage that your father and I have always had in mind but I can tell that you're happy and is so, I'm happy for you." Miranda kissed her younger daughter on her forehead.
It was Elena's wedding day. As she smiled at her mother through the vanity mirror. Her snow white wedding dress had a lace collar, shoulders, and quarter sleeves. The rest of the flowing gown was silk with another layer of lace on top. The train on her gown stretched two feet behind her; currently parted to the side as Miranda was standing directly behind her at the vanity. Miranda placed the last curled strand in her "messy" bun in place and reached for Elena's veil.
"Thank you for everything, Mother. I'm really glad you and father are here; today just wouldn't be the same without you." Miranda smiled as she carefully placed the veil tiara on Elena's head.
"You're my daughter; I wouldn't miss this day for anything in the world. Elena…" Miranda turned her shoulder over to look her face to face. "You and Katherine are sisters, and you always will be sisters. You're not in Mystic Falls anymore. Your father and I will no longer be here every day to take care of you two. I understand that with you marrying the King and Katherine marrying the King's brother, things can get complicated. You need to remember to put your differences aside and take care of each other. As nice as her highness may be, Elizabeth is still the Queen of this country. She has more title, more experience, and therefore more power than you. Take it from a Queen," Miranda chuckled. "You and Katherine need to stick together." Elena gave her mother a small smile. "Damon needs an heir. If you need leverage and to establish yourself; you need to deliver an heir." Elena took a deep breath and stared at her reflection in the mirror. She really was going through with this. She was signing up with a life with Katherine and Damon's brother, Damon, and Damon's wife. A knock came on the side door and Katherine slowly came in. Katherine gave her mother a small smile and turned to send a small smirk in Elena's direction.
"Hello, Mother." Miranda outstretched her arms towards both of her daughters. Katherine came forward to give her mother a one arm hug as Miranda pulled Elena into the group hug.
"You're my daughters and I love you both. Stick together, and if any happens you let your father and I know right away." Both sisters nodded in understanding as the music started to sound. Miranda left the room with both her daughters following suit. Hand maidens were opening doors for Elena left and right and holding out her train behind her.
Elena felt her heart pound in her chest as she approached the double mahogany doors to the church. Katherine and Miranda were already in the church and her father was approaching her side to walk her down the aisle. Elena was standing as still as a statue but had the time of her life trying to catch her breath. He throat felt dry and the more she swallowed the harder it became. A small hand grasped her dangling left hand. Elena's heart jumped out of her chest as she turned to look at Katie.
Katie had been Elena's personal hand maiden in Mystic Falls. The second news had spread that Elena was to become Royal Lady in Pendleton, she had offered to join Elena and start a new life. Elena and Katie were the same age and grew up together; although one as princess and one as hand maiden. Miranda had treated her like one of her own daughters and leaving Elena had never really been an option or a thought in her life.
"Elena, calm down. You're going to be amazing. Your parents, Katherine, Damon and I are all here to support you. Do you know how lucky you are to be marrying the man of your dreams? You got the princess fairy tale! Damon is going to love you, and you're going to start your family soon." Elena smiled and gave Katie a tight hug.
"Thank you, Katie." Elena took one more deep breath and before she knew it the doors had opened and she was faced with a sea of bright lights, jewels on gowns, smiling faces, a blur of pink petals. Elena's face was completely emotionless until she finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Damon was standing there in a pitch black tailored suit with the widest smile Elena had ever seen and she felt herself relax and return the smile. This was Damon Salvatore. Elena Gilbert was getting married to Damon Salvatore today and she couldn't be happier. Her father gave her one last hug and a kiss on the cheek before handing her over to Damon.
"You look so unbelievably beautiful, love." Elena blushed and smiled at him. The rest of the crowd and even the priest started to fade away.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Damon Salvatore and Elena Gilbert in holy matrimony," Elena and Damon squeezed each other's hands together and smiled even wider. "In their time together, they have seen their love and understanding of each other grow and blossom and now they have decided to live out the rest of their lives as one." Damon reached over to the ring bearer and held it positioned on Elena's hand.
"I, Damon Salvatore, King of Pendleton, take you, Elena Gilbert, Princess of Mystic Falls, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, and from this day forward until death do us part." Damon, with glistening eyes, kissed Elena's hand.
"I, Elena Gilbert, Princess of Pendleton, take you, Damon Salvatore, King of Pendleton, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, and from this day forward until death do us part." Elena bit her lip waiting for the pronouncement.
"With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Damon let out a breath and lifted her veil.
Damon felt himself almost choke from the emotion. Elena was radiating happiness and he imagined she was mirroring his joy. As he leaned down to peck her on the lips, the roar of the crowd faded away and it was just the two of them. Beaming, Elena hooked her arm onto Damon's left side and headed back down the aisle to the reception area of the palace.
The sun was setting as the party really started to reach its peak. Damon and Elena were situated in the center of the panel table in front of the crowd, entertaining and receiving numerous gifts from the flood of well-wishers. Katie placed another one of the presents given to Elena on the table behind the couple which was now towering with presents. One of Damon's distant relatives now approached the table to present the newlywed couple with a crystal chess set.
"Congratulations, your highness. Royal Lady Salvatore, you are absolutely glowing." Elizabeth took another sip of her wine glass and turned and leaned towards Damon to catch Elena's attention on Damon's other side.
"Dear Sister Elena is glowing already. Imagine how excited you'll be when you get your hands on the Pendleton Royal Family's money." Elena turned to Elizabeth with a tight smile.
"Well, Sister Elizabeth, Damon and I will hardly be around soon enough to see all of these gifts while Damon and I are on our honeymoon. You're more than welcome to see what gifts you may require while we are away though, we'll be quite busy." Elena gave Elizabeth a tight smile. Today was her wedding day, and she wasn't having anyone ruin that. Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at her and shrugged one of her shoulders.
"I'll have to see if I have additional room in my treasure chamber as it's so packed already. You're leaving for your honeymoon soon, maybe you'll have time to stop by my chambers before you leave. Damon just completely loves some of the items I have; don't you sweetheart?" Elizabeth smiled up at Damon.
"You have some beautiful pieces, Elizabeth. Elena has some that are more fitting for her." Katherine sat with her legs crossed with Stefan's had on her thigh. She turned and gave Stefan a nod to look in Damon's direction.
"Relax, darling. Those two will tear each other apart before we even get a step through the door to take their throne." Stefan laughed, popping a cube of cheese into his mouth. Katherine gave a mirthless chuckle and repositioned her diamond ring on her finger. Patting her slicked bun, Katherine brought her hands down to check her nails.
"My nails are more interesting than this wedding party. Stefan…I'm so…bored." Katherine pouted up at him. Stefan grinned as he leaned down to kiss her on the lips.
The party started to wind down as the guests slowly left the palace. Some of the candles had burned out, leaving the hall in a bronze glow.
"Want to head to bed?" Damon wiggled his eyebrows at Elena who couldn't help but let out a laugh.
"My…your dancing eyebrows seemed to be better at dancing than you." Elena teased. Damon put his hand on his chest in mock hurt.
"Is this what I've unknowingly signed up for? My wife is a bully." Elena smiled and held his face in both her hands.
"I'm your wife, it's my job to tell you the truth." Elena smiled and let out a little giggle.
"Elena Salvatore; will you do me the honor of accompanying me to our bedroom chambers?" Elena couldn't help herself and pretended to turn around to be interested in something else.
"Joke's over, Elena. I need you now." Damon's tone instantly changed; his voice deepening. Elena turned to look into his eyes. His light baby blues now turned dark contrasting and matching his porcelain skin and jet black hair. "Come here." Damon stood up and leaned over to Elena and picked her up bridal style. The guards, hand maidens and servants all parted ways and opened doors for the newlywed couple as they made their way up to the bedroom chambers.
Elena grabbed the veil off her head and leaned against Damon's chest as they headed up the steps. She placed her hand over his chest as she felt his muscles flexing while carrying her. Finally reaching their bedroom, the fire was roaring in the fireplace and candles were unlit, leaving just the glow of the moon and the light of the fire. Damon gently lay Elena down on the silk sheets and kissed her softly on the lips. Resting his head on his elbows, he stoked some strands of her hair out of her face.
"Why do I feel like I've waited so incredibly long for this to happen?" Elena smiled and took a comfortable sigh.
"Damon..." Elena stroked Damon chest before pulling him down by his collar, "You're the one who wanted to get me up here. Now stop talking and let's get this going."