Here you go, Connet. It's worth the cliffhanger.


3 months later...

Ethan fidgeted nervously, running his hand through his hair. He tugged at the shirt collar, shouldered the black silken cloak. The golden, decorative bracers were tight on his forearms. Ethan did not like this. He would stumbled over his vows. Mess up, embarrass himself on the best day of his life.

"Relax," A dark voice snarled behind him. Ethan looked up at the cold gaze of the Lich King.

"How can I relax? I can't remember my vows...Sapphire will laugh."

Arthas made a sound of disgust.

"All you have to say is a couple of sentences and kiss her," The man snapped, and held up a black book, trimmed in silver. "I have to read this whole damn thing."

They both stood in the refurbished Cathedral of Darkness. It had been damaged from the war, and not fixed after. Now, Arthas as the Lich King, it had been reconstructed in a little less than two weeks. Major renovations had been added, like the stained glass windows, and the spiked tower changed in order to house the bells that would be ringing soon. Cultists scrambled around, making sure nothing was out of place. They were obsessed with making the Cathedral look perfect, and the wedding went off without a hitch.

Bright glowing blue drapery hung in the higher reaches of the main room, and wrapped around the supporting arches. Pews were moved close to the main aisle, which led up to the raised platform where Sapphire and Ethan would stand, with Arthas. The cultists had set up dining tables to the right, where the food for the living would be. And of course the alcohol. The left side of the room had wedding presents piled up. One was obviously a sword, the blade having cut the wrapping around it and peeking out. He saw a cultist with a book writing down something, seemingly checking that all of the presents were accounted for.

Ethan wondered if any of the cultists could say his vows for him, but that would be a cowardly way out.

The boy tried to find interest in the cultists, but he was too nervous. Something large and white in the corner caught his eye though. The boy looked, and gasped.

"Is that the cake?"

"Yes."

"But...It has skulls on it! Please tell me they are not real."

The Lich King snarled, "Do you not trust me? They are quite real."

It was not helping Ethan feel any better. Worse actually. The boy groaned, and pressed his head against the wall.

A plaguehound and a living puppy came trotting up. Most of the guests were here. Lethumo had found a nice female deathknight, and had already started flirting. A female troll deathknight. Ethan saw Jaina come into the Cathedral of Darkness, followed by Medivh, who had discovered a nice isolated area to the north of Icecrown Citadel to live at. Close, so as to watch the Lich King. The boy saw the dark look on Jaina's face. The woman was dressed nicely, in clean, white robes that seemed to glow. Ethan looked to Arthas.

"Are you two going to kill each other on Sapphire's and my wedding?"

The Lich King was clenching the book in his hands, but he controlled himself.

"No. I will not. What she will do, however, is out of my control."

Ethan sighed. The two refused to see each other for the past several months, and Sapphire and Ethan had been forced to talk to them separately. Arthas had gone back to Jaina in Naxxramas, and saved her life. And immediately threatened her with torture and death.

Arthas refused to tell Sapphire why he was treating Jaina like that, but Ethan knew.

He loved Jaina, but he was a monster. Killed uncountable innocents. Never could he go back to the mortal world, unless he made a new identity. And Arthas would not do that. Ever.

So, to protect her, He drove her away. Ethan understood. He would have done the same with Sapphire. But it would be painful, nearly insufferable. Ethan felt pity toward Arthas. It must be hard on him.

"Any others coming that wouldn't mind stabbing you in the gut?" Ethan asked curiously.

"Mograine said he would come, but I would not mind if he found something else to do."

Rot and Terra woofed as they came over to Arthas. He glared down at them.

"You know your jobs, dogs?" He demanded.

Rot barked, and went over to a table. He jumped up onto a chair, and grabbed the wooden box. He hopped down, and returned.

Arthas took the box, and opened it. Two gold rings, simple and unadorned, sat on the velvet bottom of the box. The Lich King took them out, one of a time, and put them on a pillow he had nearby, ready. Rot barked, and Terra growled. They started biting at each other. The man looked at them, and growled himself.

The two stopped, and looked at him.

"You both carry the pillow!" Ethan laughed, suddenly relaxed. Good, Arthas thought. The boy needed that. Alcohol might have done the trick, but Arthas did not want his soon to be son-in-law to be drunk when he married Sapphire. But Arthas might need a drop or two.

The bells rang loudly, and Ethan jumped.

"Oh, no! Is it time already?" The boy cried out.

"No. They are just testing the bells most likely. They haven't been rung in years. Now, calm down. Plenty of time. Here, I will help you with your vows. Again."


The shoes fell to the ground. The thin, tall heels had been viciously ripped off, and the girl was walking through the Court of Bones barefoot. Her hands grasped her dress, keeping the hem from touching the ground. Invincible trotted in front of her, encouraging her to hurry.

Her mother had braided her bright white hair, but as soon as Jaina had left for the Cathedral of Darkness, Sapphire had ripped out the braid, and mussed up her hair back into its normal shape. The veil was flimsy, and the girl had left her bouquet. She had heard the bells ringing, and panicked. Sapphire was going to be late to her own wedding.

She got to the steps of the Cathedral, and quickly ascended them. Breathing hard from the exertion, the girl ran toward the doors.

A hooded figure came forward, and grabbed her arm.

"Whoa, whoa. Where's the fire?" The man rasped, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Sapphire sighed in relief. "Bolvar. I'm late-"

"You're fine. They are just testing the bells. Relax, dear lady. You are early."

The girl groaned, and wiped her hand across from her forehead.

"I'm nervous, Bolvar...What if I mess up?"

"You'll be fine, child," The man said comfortingly. He reached up, and stroked her hair. Sapphire looked down at her dress. It was made of frostweave, and was a brilliant blue. Ethan had wanted white, and her father had wanted black, but Sapphire thought the blue looked much better than either.

She felt awkward, and looked back up at Bolvar. He hid himself underneath the cloak, and it reminded her of Ner'zhul. But the thing that set him apart was the thick silver chain around his neck, and the flawless sapphire that hung from it.

"How are you healing?" Sapphire asked with concern.

Bolvar held out his hand, and Sapphire examined it. The skin looked better, but was still burnt. Even her blood could not heal him fully. But he was no longer in pain.

"The two lichs that are still Scourge have done all they could. I can't fight, but a fellow ex-paladin is welcome to Arthas. And I would not leave anyway. Need to watch over Arthas."

Sapphire smiled, and took his hand in both of hers. "I am glad you stayed. Are you sure...that this is okay for you?"

The man placed both hands on her shoulders. "Believe me. It is all right."

Then, he put one hand to the sapphire around his neck.

Sapphire sighed, and decided to change the subject. "How was the bachelor party at least?"

"Ethan refused to drink, and did not really enjoy what the brothel had to offer."

"Oh, you guys really didn't go to a brothel, did you?" Sapphire asked, frowning.

"Ask Lethumo. He enjoyed himself. Marwyn did as well, and perhaps Falric. You can never tell with him. Arthas had a hangover this morning."

The girl giggled, and shook her head. "And you?"

"Me? I was the life of the party," Bolvar commented with sarcasm, chuckling.

The doors to the Cathedral opened, and the two turned to see the Lich King coming toward them.

"You're early, Sapphire. And what happened to your shoes?" Arthas asked in confusion.

"They were painful. And I heard the bells. They sound beautiful."

Her father rubbed his hand on her hair. "Just practice. The guests haven't all arrived yet. Your mage friends and Darion aren't here yet. Marwyn is recovering from a long night."

The Lich King turned to Bolvar. "You should get your seat."

Bowing respectfully, the man left, and Sapphire saw that he still had a limp. He went through the doors, and they closed behind him.

"Mother in there?" Sapphire asked. Her father scowled, and the girl folded her arms. Arthas did not reply, just fixed her veil, and looked around.

"Where's your bouquet?"

"Forgot it..." The girl whispered.

A sharp command made a deathknight come running up, and Arthas asked for the man to get Sapphire's bouquet, careful not to touch it with his skin. The deathknight bowed, and quickly made a deathgate.

Arthas stood with his daughter, and saw that she was shaking.

"What's wrong, Daughter?"

"I...I'm afraid."

"Don't worry, Ethan is too. Get nervous, just look into his eyes. I will nudge you when it's your turn to say your vows."

Sapphire nodded, and a tear fell from her eye. "Thanks, Dad."

The man hugged her lightly, and the deathknight soon came with the bouquet, unharmed. The purple flowers were lovely, and smelled sweet. Sapphire took it, and said thank you, voice trembling.

Arthas straightened his back. "All right. Everyone's here. Even Darion..."

The Lich King held out his arm, and Sapphire gratefully took it. She held on tightly.

When the doors opened, Sapphire whimpered, but her father growled.

"Stop this nonsense. It will be fine. Light, it's just a wedding. Try to smile."

The girl nodded, and winced as an undead started playing a piano. Rose petals fell from the arches above, and Sapphire saw undead with baskets, tossing the petals down a handful at a time. She took a step forward, and remembered she was barefoot. Well, it was better than the high heeled monstrosities. Sapphire forced out a smile, and it became natural when she saw her mother. Marwyn and Falric sat together, and both nodded at her. And then she looked forward.

Ethan stood at the end of the room, smiling. His hands were clasped in front of him, and he wore finely made clothes, stitched with gold. Gold bracers wrapped around his forearms, and his green eyes shone brightly. Sapphire stifled a gasp when she saw what was on his head.

A crown sat on his head. It looked like silver, with spikes on it, and a gemstone in the middle.

"Is that what I think it is?" Sapphire whispered.

"Yes. A wedding gift from me."

Lethumo and Autum stood on either side of the platform, the elf in slightly rumpled clothing, and the girl in a pale blue dress, holding a bouquet of peacebloom.

They came up to the raised platform, and Arthas held out the girl's hand. The room was large, so a spell had to be set up on the platform so everyone could hear Ethan and Sapphire. Arthas needed no help with being heard.

"Ethan Calwood. Here is my daughter's hand, as promised."

Ethan took Sapphire's hand in his own, and she stepped up. Autum took the girl's flowers. Sapphire and Ethan stood face to face, squeezing each other's fingers. The Lich King came up, and stood behind them, and opened up the book. They both looked to him.

"Friends, family, and beloved servants...And enemies, We are gathered here today to join these two together in holy...and unholy matrimony..."

Ethan restrained a laugh, and just looked back to Sapphire. She turned to look at him as well.

They ignored everything, and looked at each other in the eyes. Sapphire's bright blue eyes, and Ethan's green ones. Both had finally been able to relax after Naxxramas, and had alternated between living with Jaina, and living with Arthas. Both seemed to need them, Arthas suffering from fits of anger, and Jaina fits of depression. They had been able to actually be alone sometimes, and had used the time well.

Ethan had talked of the future. He desperately wanted to have a kennel, and raise dogs. Apparently, a breed of dog called the Tirisfal terrier had gone extinct. Ethan knew what breeds had been used to make the terriers, and was confident he could make the breed again. Rot was one of the extinct terriers, and they used to be the best at fox hunting.

Sapphire thought it was a wonderful idea, but it conflicted with what she wanted. Medivh had offered to teach her magic, and make her his apprentice. It would be a bit hard to breed dogs in the cold of Icecrown, and Medivh was staying in the vicinity of Icecrown Citadel.

They would wait to decide though. Sapphire was quite willing to give up an apprenticeship for Ethan, but the boy had been adamant about her learning magic. Despite her father taking all of the power of the Lich King into himself, she still was quite powerful. Her icy blood might be the cause of it.

Arthas kept talking, but he eventually stopped.

"I believe the two of you have prepared vows?" He rumbled.

The boy was suddenly fearful, and cleared his throat. "Yes."

He took both of the girl's hands.

"Sapphire...I take you as my wife from this day forward. I will care for you and love you throughout this life as...as long as blood ties us together. My heart is a...in a sea of joy, and my eyes behold beauty...beyond compare. I am thankful that the Darkness and the Light made you just for me. I vow to love you forever."

The girl smiled. He had hesitated a couple of times, but if he had done it perfectly, then it might not have felt as sincere. She squeezed his hands reassuringly. Her voice was sweet, and music to Ethan's ears.

"Ethan, I vow to be worthy of your love. I vow to keep the door of my heart open unto you forever. I vow to love you with trust...and loyalty as never before. From this day forth and before everyone gathered here, I vow to love you without reservation for all eternity."

Her voice shook at the last second, and Ethan saw tears. There was a bark, and they looked toward the source.

Rot and Terra carried a pillow between the two of them, gold rings sitting on the silk of the pillow. Both dogs walked forward, and they clambered up the platform. Autum came up, and took the pillow from the two. She held out the pillow to Sapphire and Ethan, who took the rings. Then, they put the rings on each other. The rings were bright, and warm against their skin.

Arthas let the rest out with an growl.

"By the power of the Lich King, me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Now kiss her, idiot. Before I change my mind."

Ethan could not fulfill that command, because Sapphire beat him to it, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him fully on the lips. The roar of the crowd was encouraging, and they barely heard Lethumo ask Arthas where the alcohol was. All they noticed was each other.