As Elena watched Damon leave a small part of her recognized the fact that she was falling even more in love with the man. All in a day he had protected her from danger and moved to secure her from further danger. She knew that in just a few short weeks she would be married and her world would change. She felt this would be for the better.
"Holy Matrimony"
When Elena woke up in the morning she was nervous because she did not know what being married would be like. The idea of giving over half of herself never did stop to frighten her just a little bit. She stood, walked to her window, and gazed down on the last minute preparations being completed. The idea that by night fall she would be married to King Damon and would spend the evening with him made her very nervous -she wrung her hands and turned to find Carline behind her.
"Elena, are you ready to being preparations now?" Elena sighed and said "yes you may begin." Preparations for her wedding began with a long bath in hot water with flower petals. Elena could smell jasmine, roses, and other flowers. She had no idea how long she lay in the bath when Caroline came back to check on her.
"Would you like me to wash your back Elena?" Caroline asked with a kind smile on her face.
"I guess you can see the nerves written across my face like a book . Is anyone else in the room?"
"No one else is present. All the other ladies maids and servants are cleaning your chamber, readying the king's chambers for the wedding night, or preparing for the wedding."
Elena let out a loud sigh and exclaimed "Thank Goodness! Caroline what do you think the wedding night will be like? I am so nervous about that!"
Carline giggled really loudly "My queen you have no need to worry! I feel that the king will make a gentle lover and it will be over with soon or you may find that you enjoy consummating your marriage and you will not have to worry about it ending so soon!"
"Caroline watch what you say… people may hear… although I will not lie if I say that I hope I enjoy this night for I will be married to the King forever!" Elena admonished gently
"I have to say Caroline I cannot wait for you to be married as well. Then we shall be old married maids together!" Caroline laughed as Elena stepped out of the tub and held her arms out for Caroline to dry her. "Now Caroline lets finish so we may begin this wedding! The people are waiting!"
The rest of the morning and after passed without much hassle. Elena sat still while her ladies maids prepared her hair and dressed her. She waited till the end to see what she looked like in her looking glass. When Caroline exclaimed that she was finished she released the rest of her ladies to ready themselves. She knew that she would need a moment to take in the fact that she was indeed marrying. As she gazed at her appearance she was shocked. The Duchess had placed her formal crown upon her head. It stood regal and shining with her dark brown hair in curls around the crown. Lady Lillian had painted make up onto her face that made her eyes stand out and the dress she wore was absolutely stunning. The red and gold contrasted magnificently. She was pleased with the embroidered roses in the hem of the dresses.
She turned and gazed at her ladies maids. Their dresses were all red colored and had white roses embroidered into them. The Duchess Caroline's dress exactly resembled her except on a smaller scale. Her train was half as long as hers and her dress was cut low.
"I believe we are ready to go to the church now my ladies. Duchess you may escort me."
As Elena stepped out of her room many knights stepped in front of her and many were behind her entourage of ladies. Elena sighed and was happy to know that the extra protection would lesson after her wedding. She grasped Caroline's hand firmly as they walked out into the night air. The line of carriages waiting to take the wedding party to the church was a sight to see. A footman bowed low and opened the carriage door. Caroline eased Elena into the open carriage and arranged her skirts. She then grasped the footman's hand and stepped into the carriage and sat next to her. The rest of her ladies maids were escorted to separate open carriages. Elena was happy that she won the argument with Damon over the open carriages because she knew her people would not want to miss the sight of her on the way to the church. God willing, this day would only happen once and the people wanted to see her and to fill like they were a part of the day. As the carriage started out her guards cantered up by her carriage they would ride along side of her to keep her safe. She shouted out "Do not block the view to me. Ride along the flank of the carriage."
She was exiting the gates at this point. She could hear the crowds of people that were outside her gate and she and Caroline lifted their gloved hands and waved. Flowers were thrown to her and she lifted them up, the people chanted her name, women cried, and children jumped and waved, she blew a kiss to them all and continued to wave. The ride to the church was not a long one and she was thankful that she had the foresight to have guards stationed at the church doors. The mass of people would have surged upon her if they were not there. Caroline stepped down from the carriage and held her hand out for Elena. As Elena stepped out of the carriage she nodded for the door to be opened to the receiving room of the church. This is where Caroline would arrange the ladies maids and the ceremony would begin. Her bridal party entered the room and Caroline set to work. She arranged the ladies maids and Elena stepped at the end of the line of ladies. Caroline then arranged her skirts and stepped in front of her. She nodded to the foot man who opened the doors and signaled for the music to begin.
The ceremony started and the first of her ladies maids walked up the aisle with a blush on her face. Elena smiled as she watched the rest of her ladies maids make their way up the aisle. She then stood at the doors and let all her court stare at her then bow. She then nodded as the wedding march started. Her gaze then landed on Damon. The moment she looked at him she wondered how she could not have glanced at him first. She then started to glide across the aisle and her eyes never lift his piercing blue eyes. She then slid her hand into his. The ceremony passed and Elena could not have repeated any of what was said during the ceremony. She had eyes and ears only for her new husband.
She then turned and looked out at the church as she was pronounced married. She glanced at Damon who was grinning from ear to ear. She felt a possessiveness of him that she had never felt before. She felt an even deeper love for the raven haired man with piercing blue eyes that she could now call husband.
Damon then led her out of the church and into the carriage. "Wave to the people husband, hear how they love you!"
"No, my love, it is you they cheer for, it is you who every person has eyes for." He then guided her face to him and kissed her chastely on the lips as the people of Mystic Falls screamed with happiness. Damon then gave an impish grin to them and waved as Elena nodded and waved as well for the rest of the way to the castle.
They arrived at the castle and walked into the banquet hall. They then made way to the head table. Elena sat in her chair and Damon sat in the Kings chair which had been brought into the room next to hers. The banner of Mystic Falls was behind her chair and the banner of Italy was behind Damon's chair. When the last of the courtiers entered the room she nodded for the feast to begin.
"Damon, I am very pleased this day" Elena spoke honestly.
"As am I, I finally get you all to myself." Damon replied and Elena laughed.
"yes, you do and your crude jokes will be allowed now. I think that may be what you are most pleased about."
"Only in private though my love." He replied and lifted her hand to kiss it.
"Rightly so" She shot back.
"Now my King will you ask me to dance or shall we disappoint all the people waiting to gossip about what the new King did during his reception?"
Damon then shot out of his seat almost knocking it out and loudly proclaimed in a joking tone "My people we shall dance!"
He then pointed at the musicians and grabbed Elena's hand and spun her out of her seat and pulled her into the middle of room. He then proceeded to dance with her in the most comical manner possible. Her court and her laughed along with their queen and king.
When their dance finished Caroline then stood and announced "With their majesties permission it is time for the bedding ceremony"
The court giggled and Elena eyes returned to Caroline's and proclaimed so it is. She then gently kissed Damon's lips and whispered "Until I next see you love"
Caroline then approached Elena and grasped her hand. She led Elena to her room. It was there that she undressed Elena and rubbed rose oil into her body. She then placed a gauzy white gown upon her body and laid her upon her bed. A knock came at Elena's door and Caroline raced to open the door for her new King. She then bowed and exited the room while Damon came into the room.
Damon stood at the foot of her bed and with great formality asked "May I enter your bed madam?"
"You may, husband."
As Damon lay down beside her and lifted her night dress off of her Elena shivered. They consummated their marriage throughout the night and fell into a satisfied sleep in each other's arms.
A/n I'm sorry I could not bring to actually write the scene of them consummating their marriage. I hope this does not disappoint anyone. I should be able to now update regularly since I am not in school for the summer. =)
