Thank you very much to everyone who is reading and reviewing! Your comments mean the world to me. I'm still going, and still very much intend on finishing it- even though i think that is a long time away! I hope you enjoy the rest of my work.

Marie

If she wanted too Marie knew that she could spend the day in bed again, she was still recovering and the others would completely understand. But not only would she be bored as heck, she wanted to support Tania today. Last night was the first time she was significantly awake enough to talk to everyone and get up to date with everything that had gone on since she was injured, it turned out she woke up just in time for Lancelot's wedding the next day. Resisting the urge to face palm at her luck, Marie settled for just rolling over and face planting into her pillow. Today was going to be interesting that was for sure, at least with everyone's focus on the wedding she would be able to avoid the inevitable talk with Galahad for a little longer. It's not that she didn't want to have the conversation, its more that she didn't know how to do it. Conversations involving emotions were not her forte, the idea of trusting someone and being vulnerable enough to share her feelings had always been a no go, well apart from with Tania and Farica, but that was different.

'I didn't know it was possible to drown yourself in a pillow but you're doing a surprisingly good job.'

Marie just huffed in response and rolled back onto her back in response to her best friend. Looking up at Tania she couldn't help but be impressed, Tania really had perfected the fake happiness look over the years. If she didn't know any better Tania seemed as effervescently cheery as always, but she did know better and the smile wasn't even close to being mirrored in her eyes. Easing herself up into a sitting position she watched as Tania danced around the room humming to herself while opening the curtains and taking it upon herself to search for the perfect gown for Marie to wear. Tania really was embodying the idea of fake it till you make it.

'Ooooo who doesn't love a wedding?! I know you don't like dresses Marie but you are going to look stunning when I'm done with you. Injury or no injury you're going to knock Galahad off his feet, figuratively speaking that is not literally, I know how you react to touchy feely conversations so please don't actually punch him.'

Marie couldn't help but snort in laughter remembering the last time a guy made the mistake of professing his undying love for her. In fairness she barely knew the guy, he was standing way to close and even Farica said he deserved being punched.

'Ok how about I agree not to harm Galahad in anyway if YOU admit that you would prefer to be anywhere but at Lancelot's wedding to another women.'

Marie knew she was needling Tania, but Tania could only keep up the mask for so long before it started to crack and past experience showed that Tania bottling up emotions never ended well.

'Relax I'm fine. Your fine. We are all fine! Nothing to be concerned about in the slightest. Now what colour dress do you want? Silver or pale rose pink?'

Ignoring Tania`s total avoidance of the subject, Marie gestured to the rose dress. Even by her own standards it was a beautiful dress. The empire waistline and floor length pleated skirts flattered her smaller bust and highlighted her tiny waist while the dropped neckline and off shoulder sleeves made the most of her muscular shoulders, especially if she pinned her hair up in a French twist. Tania nodded along in approval before hanging it up next to the floor length mirror in the corner of Marie's room.

'What about you? What are you wearing Tania? Now that you've ensured I'm not going to turn up in a tunic and leggings you can start getting ready yourself.'

Tania just shrugged in response. `I don't know, probably something plain as to not draw attention away from the bride up on the dais.'

'WHAT?!' Marie stood up and shook Tania by the shoulders. 'No chance in hell. YOU my friend are going to upstage the bride and show Lancelot exactly what he's missing. Every man looking up at the dais is going to want you, every women is going to want to look like you and every child will want to grow up to BE you. Something plain? I'm outraged you would even consider it.'

Grabbing Tania by the arm and ignoring the fact she was still in her sleeping tunic, Marie marched her out of the room and down the hall to Tania's quarters. In a complete role reversal Marie was adamant she was going to pick the perfect outfit for her best friend to wear. Yelling at a guard to go and get Farica, citing an emergency, Marie strode in to Tania`s bedroom and deposited the latter on the bed. Now she wasn't great at fashion but Marie was confident she could find something, all she had to remember was that other than both being tall, their body types were completely different. Despite Tania occasionally admitting that she felt like an elephant next to her, Marie at moments found herself jealous of Tania's curves, for starters Marie could never wear a strapless anything and Tania did have a fantastic backside. Another downside of being different shapes meant that they couldn't share clothes; only shoes and boots….and weapons. Rummaging through Tania's massive amounts of gowns Marie thought she was going to end up trapped in the rails. If Tania thought she was drowning in her pillow earlier she should see her drowning in dresses now. Reacting to a sound at the door Marie lifted her head and smacked it on one of the many rails, removing herself from all the material she greeted Farica as she came careening into the room closely followed by Tristan. Realising that maybe she should have been more specific to the guard about the nature of the emergency Marie settled for a sheepish grin in return of Tristan and Farica's annoyed gazes once they realised that the emergency was outfit based and not anything a little more extreme. Not surprised when Tristan just rolled his eyes and left, Marie started to explain the situation to Farica who was trying to re-straighten her own dress. It turns out as pretty as a steel blue slim fitting peplum dress with a mermaid skirt is, it is not ideal for running in. Once finished re-positioning the top part of her dress back into place with its asymmetrical, one shoulder neckline Farica appeared to be resisting the urge to strangle Marie.

'FOUR CHILDREN. I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN TO GET READY. ARE YOU INSANE?!'

'If it makes you feel any better, Vanora has 12.'

Marie ducked as Farica threw a pillow in her direction trying not to laugh. Yes Farica was angry but she was also trying to suppress the urge to smile.

'No in fact I don't have four, with you two in my life I actually have six children. Gods knows how Vanora does it, I've been trying to get Jovian dressed all morning. What can I help you with Marie?'

Instead of actually replying Marie just waived her hands around gesturing at Tania and the countless dresses behind her.

'I can dress myself you know' Tania added grumpily. 'I got the message Marie, nothing plain.'

Marie laughed at Farica's look of horror at the suggestion of their mutual friend wearing something plain. At least she would now understand Marie's call for help. Suitably horrified at the idea of a plain dress, Farica made a decisive decision plucked a dress out of the masses, placed it on the bed before rolling her eyes and leaving Marie and Tania to it. Marie approved of the choice and by the looks of her smile, Tania did to. The main bodice and the skirt was a deep emerald green and made with satin. It had a deep -V neckline with thin spaghetti straps and was fitted down into a formal mermaid design with sweep train. For added modesty matching lace had been overlaid at the neck line along with long angel lace sleeves. It truly was the perfect choice, along with Tania`s hair pinned into an fishtail bun which will be completed and framed by flawless teardrop diamond earrings, Marie knew for a fact that Lancelot was going to find it difficult not to stare and reflect on the fact that she wasn't his.

It took another hour roughly for the girls to finish getting ready and with one final check in the mirror and playful hip bump, Marie was pleased to see a genuine smile on Tania's face. Wanting to keep the positive momentum going Marie suggested they walk down to the gardens where the ceremony was being held. The initial ceremony was going to be small and intimate before a larger more public celebration later involving the wider public. Marie couldn't decide which of the two would be worse. Small and intimate would make it difficult to avoid Galahad and THE CONVERSATION, while joining the royal family in public meant that she had to present herself as demure and feminine- trying to match the women who had been trained in public appearances their entire life. Needless to say that was not a priority growing up as a farmers daughter. Looking over her shoulder to Tania locking her quarters, Marie prayed that the day would be kind to her friend.

So I have a confession to make... I really wanted to describe what they would be wearing to the wedding but didn't want to just state it in one paragraph and as a result an entire chapter was born. I also think i'm trying to put off writing the wedding! I prefer writing in-between scenes not major ones!But i can only put it off so far so the wedding will happen in the next chapter.