Chapter 21- Joining of the Half-Bloods

Gentle music played as a light breeze swept through the crowds. Soft footsteps fell as the procession of bride and groom passed. Yuna's pale face looked upwards towards the sky through her veil as pink rose petals swirled in the air above her. Her hands gripped her flower bouquet nervously in her silky white gloves. Across on the other terrace Seymour walked in tune with her with his hands at his sides, proudly holding his head high for all of Spira to see.

At the middle Yuna and Seymour joined their walk together and ascended the stairs to the altar to join their lives. Thoughts swirled around Yuna as she took step by step up the stairs. Did she make the right decision? Should she marry, knowing well she will die? Was it a selfish decision for her to make? And why did this powerful man want her out of all the women in Spira to be his bride?

Before she knew it Yuna was standing face to face with Seymour in front of Grand Maester Mika. She looked upwards at her Groom. His blue eyes pierced through her as he loomed over her. Seymour's figure was so tall it cast a shadow over Yuna as he looked down at her. Yuna blushed and looked away slightly.

Grand Maester Mika looked at Seymour and Yuna and stepped forward.

Mika cleared his throat as he began. "The courage of those who fight against Sin gives us hope, and the joining of these two should show us we become stronger when we bind together against Sin, no matter who we are." Mika paused as he looked out over the people.

"Ages ago Lord Zaon and Lady Yunalesca were the first to defeat sin, here now before you is Lord Seymour and his bride Lady Yuna, A Maester of Yevon and a Summoner, Spira's hope and future. Lord Seymour's father was the first to show that love could make us stronger, let us take a lesson in that as these two share in that tradition."

With his opening remarks completed Maester Mika began to chant in Yevonite. Yuna looked up again at Seymour who head was turned looking at Mika, his eye darted and locked with hers and he turned his head to look at her, the white ruffles on his necktie moving as he did so. He had a gentle yet confident smile on his face as he looked down at her. Yuna felt Seymour take her hand, she looked down to see him slip a ring onto her finger, joining her engagement ring. She blinked and looked up at him, the reality setting in. Maester Mika held out his hand to Yuna, opening it to reveal a ring for Yuna to take. Yuna gently took the small golden ring from his hand Seymour extended his hand out for her to take it. Yuna slid the ring onto Seymour's finger slowly, sealing their bond as husband and wife.

Suddenly Yuna felt Seymour's hands on her shoulders; she blinked as she felt his long nails gently fall on her soft skin. Seymour tilted his head slightly and the corner of his mouth curled into a small smile as he looked at her the small and timid woman, whose will could move mountains. Yuna looked up at him with her bright eyes darting back and forth, her shyness apparent. Seymour gently touched her face with his hand admiring her gentle beauty. Yuna closed her eyes as she felt his touch, she felt scared as she sensed him leaning downwards to kiss her. In an instant their lips met and he kissed her lovingly, his lips were warm and soft. She melted in surprise at his affection, and as fast as the kiss started it was already over and she found herself resting her head on the cool soft collar of Seymour's shirt with her head spinning. Seymour looked down on her confidently and put his hand on her head and turned his head to the crowd with a smug grin. She was now his bride.

The crowd applauded with approval and cheered at Spira's newest bride and groom. Meena waved and called out from the crowd to Seymour amongst her Guado escorts. Seymour recognized his Aunt in the crowd and held his hand up to her with a warm smile.

The hall of Bevelle was one of the most grand places you could imagine. A huge hall with lavishly decorated tables, piled high with luscious looking food. Maester Kinoc stewed across the room ruffling his Maester's gown and shoving handfuls of food into his gaping mouth. The bride and groom were making their rounds and he eyed them hatefully. Seymour caught a glimpse of Kinoc and his gaze was immediately set upon him.

"Maester Kinoc, I was hoping to see you here." Seymour said with a smirk as he approached him.

"Are you enjoying yourself? There's plenty more food you know." He said tilting his head.

Kinoc gave Seymour a disgusted look. "Congratulations Maester Seymour." He said begrudgingly as he looked up at him.

"I noticed there have been troubles with trade routes around Guadosalam, you wouldn't happen to know anything about that now would you?" He said eyeing Kinoc suspiciously.

Kinoc laughed. "Oh really? I haven't heard of anything, but rest assured I'll have it taken care of if there is."

Seymour frowned as he looked back at Kinoc he put his hand to his belt and leaned down and whispered in his ear.

"I know what you did," Seymour whispered to him. Kinoc swallowed in fear as Seymour's large figure lurked over him. "and I suggest you look elsewhere for someone to fund your embezzlement." Seymour laughed and smiled as he pulled away from Kinoc. Kinoc's face was plastered with displeasure.

"Thank you so much for coming." He said with a smile as he walked away from him, his heavily embroidered robes dragging against the polished stone floor.

"Blue devil…." Kinoc mumbled as he watched him walk away.

"Lady Yuna, my beautiful bride," Seymour said as he rejoined Yuna. "O-oh, yes." Yuna said nodding to him.

"Seymour!" Meena's voice came from the milling crowd. Soon a short woman clad in blue squeezed her way out of the crowd to them. Meena ran up and embraced Seymour. The crowd around them gasped in shock from this woman calling a Maester by name and touching him.

"Aunt Meena!" Seymour chuckled as he hugged her.

"Oh Seymour if only your Mother could see you now! She would be so happy for you."

"I know." Seymour said looking down at her. "But what's this! I thought you were staying with Trommel in Guadosalam, what are you doing here? Does he know you are here?" he questioned her.

"Oh yes of course he knows, he sent me here with Guado escorts." she said gesturing behind her at three tall Guados. They bowed to him as he looked at them.

"It was an honor to have seen your wedding Lord Seymour." Adihu said with his eyes cast to the floor. Seymour nodded to them. He stepped forward and put his arm around Adihu and whispered closely to him.

"Keep watch over my Aunt, take her back to the safety of Guadosalam after tonight," Seymour snapped out of his seriousness for a moment and his expression lightened as he looked at Meena. "—and make sure to have a good time as well, it is my wedding."

"Yes of course Lord Seymour." Adihu said bowing to him.

The night churned on and the guests ate, danced, and sang along with the music of the band. Everyone rejoiced with Spira's new bride and groom, a Maester of Yevon joined with the daughter of the High Summoner, what better match could there be? Soon it was time for the bride and groom to retire and they bid farewell to their guests. Lulu and Rikku hugged Yuna, and Tidus and Wakka waved to her from their table, Tidus' cheeks were rosy from drinking as he wailed and buried his head into the table as Yuna said goodnight. Wakka laughed and shook his head at the sight and patted Tidus on the shoulder. Meena waved and yelled out goodnight from her table were two of her Guado escorts were passed out on the table from drinking while the other eyed them in disapproval.

Yuna immediately felt butterflies rise up from her stomach as they exited the hall and the reality set in that she was truly alone with Seymour. The darkness closed in around them as they walked together, their path lit by small lamps, the air still warm from the now gone sunlight and the distant sound of rushing water from the many ornate fountains in the area.

They entered into their room for the night. The room smelled of perfume and was lit by the flickering warm glow of candles. Yuna swallowed as she felt fear in the pit of her stomach. A loud click echoed in the room as Seymour shut the door behind them. He looked at Yuna as he released the latch of the door handle. His blue eyes and face markings glowed slightly in the low light.

"Are you alright?" he asked her concerned.

"Mmhm…" Yuna managed to say as she looked around the room.

"What a nice room," Seymour said admiring the décor and setting. "Look, there is a balcony, you look like you could use some fresh air, would you like to step outside for a moment?" he said sensing the fear rising up from Yuna.

"Mmhm…" Yuna said clutching her hands together. She followed as Seymour opened the door to the balcony and they both stepped outside onto the warm stone floor. The nightsky was clear for as far as the eye could see and the stars twinkled brightly above them against the black canvas of night. Yuna clutched the stone railing of the balcony.

"What's this?" Seymour's ever gentle tone called out. "Something for you." Seymour said picking up a note addressed to Yuna on the table. Yuna turned and took the note as Seymour handed it to her. She opened it up quickly.

It read:

Hey Yunie!

Look to the sky!

Love,

Your Guardians. (and Rikku!)

Yuna smiled. "Rikku." She mumbled softly and held the note to her chest. Just then the sound of a large explosion echoed through the sky. Yuna braced herself and Seymour stood close to her. Suddenly a bright flash of light lit up the whole sky and brightly colored sparks rained down. It was fireworks! The sky rumbled with explosions as the sky lit up in different vividly colored sparks and they glittered as they fell down to earth. Yuna smiled and looked up to the sky in wonderment, her fear gone for that moment. Seymour looked down at Yuna and sensed her fear gone, gently he reached out and took her hand. Yuna looked down at her hand in his and looked up at Seymour, her nervousness immediately returning. She bit her lip as she looked up at him.

"I know of your fear…" he whispered to her his blue eyes glowing and his face being lit by the flashing colors of the fireworks. "Do not fear me Yuna. You have nothing to fear when you are with me."

"I-I" she said looking down.

"The first time I saw you was in Luca, I had never thought of any woman before, none had ever caught my interest." He said looking intently at her.

"By a simple look you had entranced me; I wanted you as my wife. As the sea is entranced by the moon and moves to its whim so I am too with you. Yuna…I loved you from the moment I saw you, my heart is yours." Seymour said in his all too quiet and calm tone.

Yuna swallowed hard and looked up at Seymour, as she looked into his eyes she became lost in them.

"I-I am a summoner, you shouldn't—" Yuna said fearing for Seymour.

Seymour laughed slightly. "Even now, you always put others before yourself. Ah, the plight of the Summoner, but you forget, I too am a Summoner." He said touching her shoulder lightly with his clawed hand. "I understand your fears, Yuna, please…cling to me, love me, pity me. I shall always protect you, as I did on the beach, do not fear me…" He said lovingly to her as he touched her face gently with his clawed hand. Yuna closed her eyes gently with his touch. Timidly she stepped forward and hesitantly put her arms around Seymour and rested her head on his shirt. She felt Seymour's arms wrap around her and the black velvet of his sleeves rest against her back, warming her. Yuna thought back to that fateful day on the beach at Mushroom Rock. So many lives lost and amid all of the sadness Seymour was there for her, defending her, comforting her, offering his help to her. In a world where she had to hide all of her emotions from everyone Seymour was the one person she didn't have to hide from.

"I am grateful…" she whispered to him. "For everything you have done for me, thank you." She said looking up at him.