I was standing in a flowing dress between Cassandra and Marissa, and the rest of the Ranger girls plus Alyss and Pauline were with me. Will was standing at the end of the aisle smiling past Alyss and right at me, and for a moment all I could think was, "my God, I've got him back".

The music started, jerking me out of my triumphant thoughts, and Cassandra took a slow step, and then another. As she took the third step, Marissa followed.

Finally, it was my turn to walk down the white carpet. I walked down that aisle, the lavender and lilacs in my bouquet giving the air an amazing smell, with more confidence than ever.

I tried not to step on the rose petals as I went. Will glanced away from my face and smiled as he saw my boots.

We filed up at the edge of the altar, our respective guys opposite us. I was on Will's side of the altar, and Alyss walked up to fill in the last place in the line of girls.

"Do you, Ranger William Treaty, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" King Duncan asked.

Will smiled at his bride, that heartbreaking smile. "I do."

Alyss lifted her head, looking a thousand times more beautiful and once again I marveled at the fact that Will was in love with me. Her dress put my own silvery one to shame…

Especially since hers was a traditional, white wedding gown instead of a greyscale groomswoman's gown like mine.

"Do you, Lady Alyss Mainwaring, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do."

"If anyone here has anything to say that might give reason for this pair to not be wed, I decree it that you must either speak now or forevermore hold your peace."

Every single person in the wedding party looked at me…

"Wakey, wakey Rosabel." Marissa said.

I opened my eyes. The other apprentices were all staring at me. "What… did I sleep talk?"

Everyone nodded slowly.

"Did Alyss hear?"

"No. She's at the tailor's with Cassandra and Vanessa." Beth said. "They're getting worse, aren't they? The nightmares?"

I shrugged and climbed out of bed, trying to stop myself from literally shaking in weak fear. "Lots of young warriors get bad dreams after they've been in a few battles." I said. I was avoiding everyone's eyes.

"So why were you screaming, "No, Will!" the whole time?" Beth asked.

"Because I was seeing a lovely little replay of Judchory stabbing him."

They exchanged glances. "Hmm."

"I'm fine, really. Oh, was that the door? Bet it was Alyss. Did she decide on the color scheme yet?"

"No you're not, yes it was, yes it was, yes and it's purple." Beth said.

Purple. Like lavender and lilacs?

"Did you guys mention that a few minutes ago?"

Adrianne nodded. "Beth was drafting a letter to her parents to see if Alyss could get discount on lavender if she wanted them."

Okay. Okay. It was just a dream. I hadn't randomly turned into a real sorceress overnight and started seeing the future.

"Rosabel? Will wants you to come out here, because you're a better judge of moderation." Cassandra said, appearing in the doorway. "Morning, girls."

"Good morning, Princess." We chorused dully.

"Stop doing that. It's creepy." She said. "Call me Cassandra. Or Cassie."

"Sure, Cassie." Marissa said. "Sorry, we're all in formal mode. Wedding stuff and official public ceremon procedure for Rangers and whatnot."

Beth grinned. "You forgot the 'what to do in case Will forgets his lines' procedure we were lectured on."

"Good to know we're prepared for that." Will said dryly from behind the princess. I ducked my head as I pulled on my boots. We hadn't spoken or actually met each other's eyes since the kiss.

But I'd made a promise. "So, Willers, want me to see what I can do about working a neutral color into the color scheme?" I asked cheerfully.

"Willers?" Will asked.

"Gilan." That's all I needed to say.

Will disappeared and I heard Gilan say something along the lines "Uh-oh" as he threw the door to their room open.

Why was he marrying her? How was it right to play her emotions along like this? How was it right to trample all over my heart on the way down the aisle?

But I was his best friend now…

x-x-x

I leaned over Alyss's shoulder. "Okay, Alyss, let's see what we have here. Is this a sketch of the gown?"

"Yes." She said.

My God, it was perfect. Pin up skirt, a cinched and beaded bodice, and a silver star shaped adornment at the front of the empire waist. And strapless, with a sheer v-neck strap that met the back like normal straps and ended at the silver emblem on the front of her gown.

"Will is going to love it."

"But remember," Cassandra said, sitting down in the chair opposite Alyss. "You can't tell Will anything about it."

"I know this wedding lark. We need to discuss flowers and a color to go with purple. How about silver or gray?"

"Okay, that'd be an elegant color that the guys could stand. Rosabel, Will says you want to be on the groom's side?"

"Absolutely. I'm his best friend. No offense."

"None taken. It'll balance things out, since Elizabeth is going to be on my side but there isn't another guy to stand on Will's side."

"It'll be Horace, Halt, Gilan, Kory, Henry, then Rosabel on the right side of the aisle. I'll go first on the left with Horace, then Pauline, Marissa, Adrianne, Anne, and Elizabeth." Cassandra said.

"And then Alyss should go down the aisle." I finished.

Alyss shivered. "I can't believe the wedding is in just three weeks." She said.

"Alyss Treaty…" Cassandra tried out the name.

I couldn't bear that thought. I cast about for a different subject. "So, how about the guest list?"

"Well, the Rangers and us of course; Will's friends from here in Seacliff; Old Bob; and George."

"George?" I asked.

"He grew up with Will and me, and went to Scribeschool."

"Oh, okay, cool. Well, I think you should invite Master Chubb and Baron Arald." I said. "Not to mention Orman, Malcolm, and Xander."

"Right. Cassie, add their names."

The Princess didn't bristle at the order, she was too busy being excited by the prospect of a wedding.

"Does anyone know where George is?" Cassandra asked.

Alyss bit her lip. "I think he's travelling. They've been sending him to several fiefs. Something about arguments between officials."

"How is a messenger going to find him?" I wondered aloud.

The other two girls turned to stare at me. Oh crap.

"I'll go, if you insist." I said ("We do." Cassandra said) wearily. "GIRLS! GET OUT HERE!" They filed out of our room.

Alyss explained everything to them as I tied my boots (the guys were still short a few pairs of laces) and fastened my cloak. Doing anything, even though it was something to help plan Will's wedding to another girl, would help right about now.

"Tell Halt I'll be back for training soon. And make sure he gets that haircut, Beth."

With that brusque order, I stepped out of the cabin and closed the door behind me. One scribe orphan, coming up.

Read is done. Now Review and Remember to suggest:

Should…

Will marry Alyss?

Will leave Alyss?

Alyss leave Will?

Rosabel stop the wedding?

Rosabel go total-dark side and kill Alyss?

Rosabel go total-dark side and kill Will?

Rosabel go total-dark side and kill EVERYONE? Just Alyss and Will?

Will run for the hills before the wedding?

Alyss run for the hills before the wedding?

Rosabel let them get married and walk away?

Cassandra stop the wedding?

Elizabeth (insert other OC here) stop the wedding? (And how—kill someone, "speak now", bomb the wedding?)

George stop the wedding?

Tell me what should happen. That's an order.