Chapter 10: Of Parties and Wedding Days
"I love you, Percy." Aelin said as they broke apart, smiling at each other.
"I love you too, Aelin." the assassin answered back.
Percy pulled out the ringbox and showed her the ring, whose purple gem shone with sunlight, shocking the crowd.
"You like it?" he asked "I had my friend, Leo, make it."
"It's beautiful, Percy." the queen cried as she wiped her tears.
"Just like the badass demi-Fae who's going to wear it."
Percy slips the ring into Aelin's right hand, and kisses her again. The overjoyed Master Assassins all ran to the direction of their Mentor.
"Hey, Kelp Head!" Thalia greeted.
He gave her, Zoe, and the rest of the girls bone crushing hugs, and the guys bro-hugs (which are totally different compared to the hugs he gave to the girls).
"Wouldn't have pulled this off without you guys." he thanked them.
"Don't sweat it." Jason replied. "Now, you go enjoy this moment of yours."
"Actually,..." Percy started, before grabbing his new fiancée's hand and raising it up.
"LET'S PARTY!"
And the entire crowd erupted into a huge roar of approval.
The Altair Exalta landed somewhere near New Orynth, where it turned into a makeshift stronghold of sorts.
The Chaotic Assassins have never been so happy and outgoing before, to see their Mentor about to be married, it was an honor. So, they had a party of their own in the stronghold. There was flirting, making out, drinking, eating, unnecessary free running around the halls, dancing, party games, singing, pretty much everything a classy party needs.
Meanwhile...
"Percy, can I discuss something with you?" Chaos asked him while they were in the Mentor's old office.
"Yes, Lord Chaos?"
"It concerns your future, and most likely, the future of the Assassins."
Percy sighed. "I get it, Lord Chaos. Considering how I've decided to focus more on living life with Aelin, I won't have any time for my duties as Mentor."
"Yes. Is there anything in your mind in response to this?"
"Aye. I intend to step down Assassins and leave the Order. Perhaps Thalia can succeed me as Mentor of the Assassins."
"I see."
Percy stripped himself of his armor and cane sword, leaving only his robes, and handed them to Chaos, but he just gave them back them.
"No need. Keep whatever possessions you have. You're always welcome to join us in any endeavor we get into."
"Thank you."
Docking bay, Altair Exalta...
"So, this is it, I guess." Jason asked Percy, who was now back in his armor. The Master Assassins caught him about the stronghold through his ship.
"Yeah. I have to stay faithful to Aelin, guys." he replied sadly.
"Perce, if you're not Mentor anymore, then who is?" Thalia asked.
"You must take my place as Mentor, for I have already spoken with Lord Chaos."
The daughter of Zeus was astonished at his words.
"I...I will live up to your expectations, Percy. Well, if you have any expectations."
"Hey, the least you could do for us is let us go to your wedding." Piper added.
The former Mentor smiled at them.
"Guys, of course you can go. Hell, Piper, I'd even let you plan it."
"Really? Thank you!"
And they had one last group hug before Percy took the Jackdaw Ultima to New Orynth.
New Orynth Palace...
Percy clutched his cane tightly and walked up the steps to the palace, where two guards approached him. Judging by the sounds coming from inside the building, it seems that they were having a party of their own. He also decided to bring Fleetfoot along as well.
"Lord Perseus. Queen Aelin is expecting you."
"I noticed things are lively in there."
"Yes they are."
The guards opened the door for the former Mentor and his golden mechanical wolf, who stepped into the entrance hall, where they are met by Dorian Haviliard.
"Hey, Percy." he greeted.
"It's been a long time, Dorian." the assassin replied.
"Hi, sir." Fleetfoot muttered.
"Aye, old friends. So, Aelin's expecting you two. Come on."
The three entered a massive hallway turned into a banquet. It was much like the Yulemas ball Percy and Aelin went to together, but no masquerading or formal outfits. The assassin saw Chaol, Sorscha, Nehemia, Aedion, and other unfamiliar faces.
"Man of the hour has arrived!" Dorian announced.
Everyone present turned and raised their glasses of wine, and if they didn't have any drinks, they applauded. Percy looked at the King of New Adarlan incredulously.
"Since when did you know statements like that?" he asked.
"A lot has changed in the last two and a half years."
They walked around, shaking hands and giving hugs with random people. It was only when it was Manon's turn to meet him up close that Percy's eyes widened.
"Uh...Uh...Is this the 'Manon Blackbeak' Aelin told me about?" he asked.
"Yes, I am. Manon Blackbeak, Wing Leader of the aerial host of New Adarlan. Pleasure." she replied.
The former Mentor found it pretty uncomfortable to shake her hand, due to her intimidating aura and literally iron teeth. Even her nails were iron and he felt like they were going to grow and rip the flesh off his hand.
"Speaking of which, where's Aelin?" Percy asked Dorian.
"In her room. Her friend, Lysandra, should be able to guide you up there." he replied.
"Who's Lysandra?"
"That's me!" a beautiful young woman with slightly tanned skin and black hair, which somewhat makes her look like a female version of Percy, came out of nowhere.
"You're Lysandra? You weirdly look like a female me!" he remarked.
"Yes, yes. I'm Lysandra, Aelin's friend and stylist. No matter. Come on. She's waiting for you."
Percy groaned as he and Fleetfoot followed her up the stairs, leaving Dorian and Manon to go do whatever they pleased in the party.
They continued walking until they were at the very end of a spiraling staircase. They stopped in front of a part wood, part metal door with designs engraved onto it.
"She's in there. Good luck."
And with that, Lysandra left Percy and Fleetfoot alone in front of Aelin's room, pretty much to do who-knows-what in the party, either comfort Aedion about his loss, or flirt with him, or stalk Chaol and Sorscha and other couples, etc.
Percy opened the door slowly, walked in with Fleetfoot, and they were shocked to see that Aelin was only in her black bra and panties, back turned away to expose an entire set of intricate tattoos on the right side of her back and part of her right arm, and about to put on a shirt. Before that could happen, she noticed them.
"Percy? Is that you?" she asked.
"Yeah, Aelin. It's me. I brought Fleetfoot with me."
"Good. Close the door."
When he did, Percy stripped himself of his armor, hidden blades, weapons, and robes, leaving only his raven black boxers. Aelin put on her shirt, which was printed with an image of the Eye of Elena. When she turned to see him, the first thing the demi-Fae did was blush hard and throw a pair of brown trousers at him. Percy caught them. Fleetfoot was pretty confused on what to do, so she just went to the footboard of Aelin's king-sized bed and take a nap.
Percy had noticed that the room was much bigger than the one she had in Old Adarlan. Like, way bigger. How she fitted stuff from a free running gym in her room, he had no idea. Her king sized bed's frame was made of dark wood, and its sheets were green and silver. He also noticed there was a bathroom with a jacuzzi in it.
Anyway, it was obvious that he was supposed to put the trousers on, so he did.
"Didn't I wear this before?" he asked her.
"Yes. I kept your old clothes in a box in my closet." she replied.
They sat on the bed. Aelin traced her fingers on Percy's red wolf tattoo on his back.
"So...you have tattoos of your own now, eh?" the queen smirked.
"Don't say I didn't notice yours." the former assassin answered back.
"Fae tattoos, Percy. They're meant to tell stories."
"You know I don't understand anything about it."
They laughed for a while before silence reigned over the atmosphere of the room. Percy broke it by wrapping an arm around Aelin's neck and pulling her closer.
"I missed you, Sky Eyes." he whispered to her.
"And I you, Water Man." she whispered back.
And for the rest of the night, they had one big make out session.
The next day...
Like always, Aelin was first out of the couple to wake up. The first thing she did was fix up Percy's armor, robes, and cane sword and put them in her closet. She put on silver trousers to go with her shirt, red boots, and a green jacket, then nudged Percy awake.
"Hey, get up." she told him.
"Ngh. Fine." he groaned, getting up as she threw him a blue shirt.
"I wanted to try your gym..." Percy complained as he, Aelin, and Fleetfoot walked down the hallway.
"We'll get to that later, Percy." the queen replied. "Besides, I have to make sure you're well acquainted with my parents."
He looked at her in straight up horror.
"Oh no..."
It was awkward to be sitting around the same table as your lover and her parents. Percy learned that the hard way outside the palace.
"So...Daughter, what was it about Perseus that made you fall in love with him?" Evalin asked Aelin.
"Well...I couldn't resist his looks,"
Percy smiled at her with delight for a little bit.
"-and the one thing I saw in his eyes were sadness, anger, and betrayal." she replied. "As much as I did want to help him, I didn't want it all to be an act. Percy's first love never loved him. He was just a tool for her fame seeking ways."
"Preposterous!" Rhoe snarled. "A woman should be grateful to have you, Perseus."
"That's what I wanted to believe, my lord." Percy said sadly. "To make matters worse, I saw in a dream that many of those those I've sworn to serve, those I've always been loyal to for my entire life, and those whom I vowed to call friends and family, spat on my name in my absence. To them, I'm now Perseus Jackson, a hero fallen from grace all because he couldn't handle a heartbreak."
"Is all this true?" Evalin questioned him.
"It wouldn't be if he didn't tell me. I even had a run in with a...powerful man who knew everything about him."
"Hmm...anyway, Perseus, we would also like to discuss the future once you and Aelin are wed."
"By all means, my lady. What is it?" the former Mentor replied.
"By marrying our daughter, you legally become the King of New Terrasen."
"I have no intention to be a king. All I want is to be a good husband to your daughter."
Rhoe and Evalin looked at each other for a while then turned back to the couple.
"And...about your...Assassin Order..." the former started.
"Yes, my lord? What about the Order?" Percy asked.
"Are they willing to...fight for our world?"
"Of course, my lord. The Chaotic Assassin Order was born out of an ancient creed that was formed way back. They seek to promote freedom and individuality. But, there can be no freedom without chaos, so that is why the Order was formed. I myself am the descendant of some prominent assassins. Wait. Let me show you."
Percy set his Ghost PDA down, turned it on, and tapped "Holographic Archive mode".
And suddenly, yellowish holograms appeared out of nowhere, including a holographic pen.
"So," he began to explain, using the pen to tap on some symbols, and life sized holograms of his five prominent Assassin ancestors (if Haytham counts) appeared.
"We have Altair Ibn La Ahad, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, Edward Kenway, Haytham Kenway, and Ratonhnhaketon.
"Who?" Evalin asked.
"Altair revitalized the Order when he became its leader, Ezio unlocked the secrets of his library, Edward was bit of a buccaneer,"
"A pirate?!"
"Yes, my lady, he was a pirate before he became an Assassin. Sadly, his son, Haytham, became a Templar instead of an Assassin."
"Templar?" Rhoe asked.
"They strive for order and control, even if it meant taking away the free will of many. But, his own son, Ratonhnhaketon, also known as Connor, became an Assassin instead. So, all of these people came from my mother's bloodline, which essentially makes me as some kind of living legacy."
They glanced at each other. Aelin looked at her parents in oddity and at Percy with a face that said "You are an idiot, yet a lovable one."
"Anyway, should I tell you more?" Percy asked them.
"So be it." Evalin replied. "I don't have anything planned today."
And Percy continued talking about the other Assassins that weren't part of his lineage: Aveline de Grandpre, Shao Jun, Shay Cormac, Jacob Frye, Evie Frye, Adewale, and Arno Dorian.
Meanwhile...
"Damn it! How am I supposed to plan a wedding if Repair Boy here won't stop singing 'Surfin Bird'?!" Piper shouted from her office in the Altair Exalta. As a child of Aphrodite, it was supposed to be her speciality to plan a wedding. But, Leo won't stop singing the same damn song ever since he took one of Zoe's records of old timey songs.
Her Plan B? Go to New Orynth and get help.
She had to go all the way there with her suitcase full of random gadgets (one of those gadgets being the laptop containing her plans.). By the time she reached the palace, two guards stopped her.
"State your business." one of them ordered.
"I'm a friend of Percy's. Can you please let me in?" Piper asked, using charmspeak.
"Are you now? Very well. Come in."
The guards opened the door for her as she walked in. Suddenly, she heard Jason calling her.
"Hey! Piper!"
The guards stopped him, but more convincing from the daughter of Aphrodite allowed Jason passage. They toured the halls and eventually ran into Lysandra.
"Judging by the uniforms, you're friends with Percy, right?" she asked.
"Aye." the son of Jupiter replied, shaking hands with her. "I'm Jason Grace, his cousin, and this is my girlfriend, Piper McLean."
"Hello, you two. What brings you here?"
"Percy entrusted me in planning the wedding." Piper explained. "But we have an annoying friend who's disrupting my work."
"Well," the shifter smiled sweetly, saying, "I suppose we can be well acquainted with each other."
To have a daughter of a goddess of love and a fashion-savvy shifter work together on planning a wedding seemed like the best idea ever.
10 months later...
It was wedding day, so of course everyone's all giddy. Lysandra, Manon, and Sorscha all woke up Aelin so she can prepare. Everyone's roles in the wedding was basically like this:
-The obvious groom and bride: Percy and Aelin
-Jason as the Best Man, and Nehemia as the Maid of Honor
-Groomsmen consist of Aedion, Dorian, Chaol, Luke, and Leo
-Maids of Honor consist of Lysandra, Manon, Sorscha, Zoe, and Calypso
-Piper didn't have to do anything, since she planned MOST of the wedding.
-Pretty much a lot of people were invited, including the ENTIRE Chaotic Assassin Order, and Chaos himself, who brought with him his twin sister, Order.
"My biggest day is here." Aelin smiled on her bed as Lysandra did her hair.
"Stop moving, Aelin. I almost messed up." the shifter told her.
Aelin's dress was pretty much like her Yulemas dragon dress, but dyed green, red, and blue.
"I wonder how Percy's doing..."
Percy's doing totally okay. He wore an outfit that resembled the same outfit he wore in the Yulemas masquerade ball (except for the mask). Only this time, the wolf heads were red, and the primary color was white. He waited in the site of the wedding, which was a beautiful grassland near New Orynth.
Chairs were set, an altar was there, and a few guests have already arrived. Right now, the groom was talking with Jason and Dorian, Nehemia was setting up some flowers, Piper had her camera ready, and Leo and Calypso were in the corner, making out.
An hour later...
The sounds of a pianoforte rang around the area, people stood up to face the beautiful bride, walking to her groom with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes.
(Too lazy to write a full wedding scene, so I'll skip to the kissing scene)
"I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
The crowd roared as Percy and Aelin smashed their lips against each other for one steaming hot kiss.
The reception was awesome. Toasts to everyone were made, bottles of champagne were opened, and speeches were spoken. The bouquet toss ended with Lysandra being the one who gets married next (her ideal man being Aedion).
ANYWAYS, I'll end it here for now. Next chapter involves an unoriginal idea of opening wedding gifts!