Ch 35:
It has now been two weeks since Bloth was killed and the Dark Dweller was destroyed. Bloth's crew were found soon after by bounty hunters and brought back to Octopon for justice. Ren was having a hard time. Being king wasn't easy as he thought it would be. But at least he had the wedding to look forward to. Soon Tula would be by his side as the queen. He had already sent out word about the wedding and a lot had already arrived. Amazingly as he watched his people come to see him to congratulate him on becoming king, they were still sad. A lot had lost family members to the dark water. He was even amazed to see the Delpha Warriors. He was even more amazed when the queen of the Delpah Warriors, Malu come before him and bowed. "I'm glad you could come, Malu, I know Tula would be pleased." "Where is she?" asked the queen. "Tula, my finace," he said proudly. "Is trying on gowns. Jenna has found so many Tula doesn't know which one to pick." "I wish to see her." "Of course." He then gestures to one of the guards. He admitted to himself that it wouldn't be easy taking his father's place. Somewhere even unsure of him being their new leader, even more so of Tula since she had no royal blood or breeding, which he did not care about or afraid to come out and say it. He had also told them that if they couldn't handle working for her as well as for him they could leave. He would not force them to stay.
Meanwhile as Ren was meeting his subjects as well as friends coming to congratulate him on his wedding as well as him becoming king, Malu had found Tula trying on some dresses. Malu still did not like the boy, hell she didn't like the idea of Tula marrying him. The idea of a woman to her a former Delpah Amazon warrior marrying a man was an almost insult to her people. And the truth of the matter was she had not come to celebrate but more sad to say talk Tula out of it. Thinking this she after the guard thinking how easy it was going to be talking Tula out of marrying Ren, that was until she saw Tula's face. Because when she saw her she was smiling. She watched as Tula danced and twirled around in the dresses that she was trying on.
When Jenna saw Malu, she introduced herself as Ren's guardian. She also thought that maybe if Malu knew that if Ren was raised by a woman who Malu would accept him, but when she saw Malu's face she knew that wasn't going to happen. She was afraid that Malu would give Tula a hard time. She also had a feeling that Malu was here to cause trouble and not make amends. Jenna liked Tula. She had always wanted a daughter, and was almost like a miracle had come when Tula appeared. She also loved helping Tula picking out dresses. It also made her happy to see Tula smiling for the first time and she didn't want Malu to spoil it for her.
"Your highness," said Jenna, bowing before the queen. "Is there something I can do for you?" "I would like to see Tula, if you don't mind!" snapped the Amazon Queen. Jenna didn't like the sound of that and she wasn't gonna let Tula get hurt. "If you're here to cause trouble, your Majesty, then you might as well leave. Tula is very happy. Happy as I have ever seen her. In two days she and Ren will be married and for the first time Tula be given the respect and love she deserves. However, if you're here to spoil it you can just leave."
But unknown to Jenna, Tula had seen Malu come in and she too had a feeling why Malu was here and she was ready to settle it with her. "It's alright, Jenna. I'll talk to her." She then walks over and touches Jenna's shoulder. "I need to get this settled, please. Also, I think I have found the dress I was looking for, there is just one problem, it's not pink," she says with a mischievous grin. Jenna laughs and smiles. "Well, if it's not pink, we will make it pink. This is your wedding." She then smiles and leaves the room. She knew the designer well and if he could make it in green he could make it in pink.
"Hello, Malu," Tula says as she bows before her. "I heard you were getting married. I want to express my greetings to you." Tula did not believe this for a minute. She then asks the girls whom Jenna had hired to leave. She wanted to talk to Malu in private and what she wanted to say would be between her and the queen. "I'm glad you could come but I don't think the reason you're here is to give your congratulations to me, is it? You're here to stop the wedding. If that is why you can just leave! Ren loves me! He doesn't want to control me. He would risk and even would die for me, but I doubt you would understand. I have made up my mind!" This shocks Malu. She had never seen Tula so sure of herself but as she thinks this Ren has to come to check on fiancé. When he gets to her chambers in the castle and hears the arguments, he begins to get concerned. He would be dishonoring her if he stepped in. He would wait until it was over. Then he would go in but not to bud in; but to make sure she was all right.
"You have made your decision! Fine! But there will be no treaty with my people and yours! I leave you to your wedding!" She then bows and leaves the room. Gratefully Ren had heard steps her steps and moved out-of-the-way. And it was a good thing he did. Malu was livid! She then grabs her warriors and leaves almost knocking down Ioz and his friend Scurion coming in the castle. "I wonder what that was all about?" said Scurion. Ioz knew but he wasn't going to say anything he didn't want to get Scurion started. He also remembered what Ren had told him the day before. "In two days Tula and I will be married. I don't want you or your friends causing trouble!" And as he said this, he was poking Ioz in the chest. That had been a warning and Ren was now king and because of that he was now the law. As they watch the angry queen leave in a fit of rage Ren was knocking on Tula's chambers. "Tula, you ok?" Hearing her fiancé Tula opens the door.
"Ren!" she said happily. "I'm fine. Really." Ren then looks at her. "Are you sure I heard what Malu said? I'm sure it hurt! Especially since maybe you thought she and you were friends." He could also tell when Tula was hurting, even just a little. Tula was a strong person, but there were times that even the woman warrior could not hide her pain. Ren puts his arms around her from behind. "Give her some time! Maybe when she sees you as queen, she will come around." Tula then turns and looks at Ren. At first she had a hard time believing that, but maybe he was right. "I know, I know. I just thought she would be happy for me. At least for a woman I thought she would be proud, but that's what hurts. I have thought, Ren. Who is going to give me away? Taron is dead, and my father..." Which she never gets to finish, 'cause tears begin to fall from her eyes.
"So, it wasn't Malu, it was the wedding." Ren then gently brushes away the tears. "Tula, I think I may have news to cheer you up. Kahn - jit of the Benjamar Guardians has arrived. He has asked to do the wedding ceremony. Alistair has asked to be the one to give you away." When Tula hears this she lets out a happy scream. "Really?" "Yes," says Ren. She then hugs him, but as they embrace they hear someone clearing her throat. "Shouldn't you man handing other duties, and besides, it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding." It was Jenna. "Now give your beautiful fiancé one last kiss and get out! I have her dress as well as her color she wanted and rather not have you see it!" Ren then gives Tula one last, long, long passionate kiss, the kind of kiss which takes a girl's breath away, Jenna sees Tula sigh in happiness. Seeing this, Jenna smiles. She then pushes Tula through the door, with the dress in hand. Jenna then walks over and hands Tula the dress. "Well, try it on, let's see how it looks." She does so.
After she puts on the dress she looks into the mirror and smiles. The dress fit her perfectly. It was a pink wedding gown with the thin off - the - shoulder cap sleeves with a full ball gown. Jenna then puts the tiara on her head and smiles. "Now you really do look the part." And as Tula puts on her wedding dress, Ren is receiving more visitors. Already he had welcomed Kahn - jit, Ioz's friend, now his Scurion. The next visitor he received was the queen of the monkey birds along came with her was more monkey - birds. They were here not just to see Tula and Ren marry, but see Niddler be in the ceremony. Ren also had sent out that Niddler would be receiving an award for what he had done, as well as a royal place in the House of Primus's Royal Court.
Even more surprising not just to Ioz, Ren was shocked to see Solia; Ioz's sister. He had remembered how she had tried to steal him from her. He even expected a flirtation, but she surprised him, but asking if Tula might allow her in the wedding party. She wanted to make amends. Ioz didn't believe her, and to make sure she didn't do anything he took her aside after Ren said he would talk to Tula. "Ok, dear sister, why are you really here?" asked an unbelieved Ioz. "Brother dear, how can you say such a thing?" said a smiling Solia. "Because I know you, and that you were interested in Ren. And there is also the famous saying, "Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned!" he said, folding his arms in front of his chest. He then took her shoulders and said firmly, "This is a warning, as much as I may not have given Tula the respect I know now she deserves, I will not have you start something at their wedding. Remember he wants her, not you! Don't dishonor Ren, by causing a scene; if you do, I will take over my knees and hit you so hard it'll be a month for you can even sit down! Do I make myself clear?" Hearing this, Solia gulps and nods her head. She also knew Ren could have her arrested. She then walked up away from Ioz and went to ask one of the guards where the bride's chamber was.
And as she was escorted to the chamber Ren received even more and surprisingly another visitor. It was a messenger from Orbik; King of the Pale Warriors. The king could not be at the ceremony, but acknowledged and congratulated Ren and Tula on their wedding. Ren then thanked the messenger and asked if he wanted to stay. The messenger said no. He had to leave right away so he could return Ren's answer to the king.
After the messenger left, Ren leaned back against the throne, as he was relaxing he heard someone clear his throat. He looked up. It was Ioz. "Resting, are we?" said the smiling pirate. "Very funny, Ioz! Besides, where is that sister of yours? I hope she is not here to cause trouble. You do remember how Tula and her didn't get along." "Oh, yeah, I remember. I took care of that. She has told me that she is here to make amends and make peace with Tula. And I'm going to make sure she does so." Ren laughs when he hears that. "Oh, I wouldn't worry, Jenna has taken complete control over Tula's situation. I'm sure she won't allow Solia to cause Tula any problems." However as the two men laugh about this, Solia has reached the bride's chamber. When she gets to the door Jenna stops her. Ren had told Jenna about Ioz's sister as well as how Solia tried to come between Tula and Ren. Maybe then Solia could bat her eyelashes at Ren, but this time she had Jenna to do it with, and Jenna wasn't going to make it easier for her.
"So you're Ioz's sister. Ren told me about you. I hope you're not here to start trouble? Because if you are, you can leave now!" "You're not going to make this easy, are you, old woman?" "I may be old to you, my dear, but I still control a lot that goes around here. So if you want to see Tula you have to tell me what it is that you want of her?" "I want to make amends." Solia tries to smile placing her hands behind her back but Jenna shakes her head. "I'll ask Tula if she wants to see you." She then calls over two guards. "Watch her. I want to see if the future Queen of Ocotopon wishes to see her." The guards laugh. But not as disrespect towards Tula, but to Solia. They remember how when first Ren took over how he explained things involving Tula. She was a warrior as well as a woman. She could take care of them. She had even taken easily two of Bloth's top sword - fighters without breaking a sweat! Hearing this some guards immediately gave Tula the respect she was intended, those who didn't ask to fight her to see how good she was. When and each time she defeated them they would bow in respect and offers to protect her.
This too also worried Ren. Not that it bugged him that Tula had to fight to gain her respect of the guards, but that they were easily defeated. After the wedding, he was going to ask Ioz if he was interested in training his guards, as he had trained him and Tula. He had a feeling Ioz would do it, especially for the right price. And just as he was planning move; Jenna was watching Tula swirl around in her wedding dress. "Oh, Tula! You look beautiful! Turn around!" She does so. "Tula, I'm not just saying this. You look it! Ren will be in awe when he sees you. As well as I suspect the woman standing outside." Jenna then asks the girls to leave. She suspected whatever Tula and Solia had to say would have to be kept between them. Jenna then tells Tula about Solia; Ioz's sister. Tula then looks in the mirror and says with a smile, "Send her in!" Jenna seeing Tula's smile, opens the door and lets Solia in. When she came in, Solia was speechless. She thought she could easily put Tula down, but seeing Tula in gown as well as the tiara made her cringe. She really did look the part, and Solia felt ashamed for thinking what she had planned to do. She then walked up to Tula and bowed.
"Your highness!" Tula then smiled and said, "I'm not a ruler yet, we are no different. Get up!" She said in a snapping voice. Solia could tell by Tula's tone she wasn't going to make it easy. "I want to make amends, Tula. Can you forgive me for all the trouble I have caused you?" Tula was still smiling at Solia, said, "Oh, I forgive you. As much as I would like to get back at you for all the trouble you caused Ren and myself. I'm letting it go and if you want you can be in the wedding you can. You can be one of the bridesmaids. I'll have the designer that Jenna had chosen make one more dress for you. Then you can join the other girls." "Other girls?" "Yeah. The girls who have helped me get ready are also going to be in my wedding and you're welcome to join them." When Solia heard this she was completely taken off caught guard and Tula knew it. "All right, I'll do it!" "Good, but be warned; if you start, and I mean anything during the wedding, or even after the wedding, I will have the royal guards throw you out! Do I make myself clear?" "Yeah, sure." She then had Jenna get one more gown for Solia. Jenna bowed, and had one of the girls escort Solia out of the room to where one of the chambers where they had the dresses. After they left, Jenna and Tula burst into laughter.
The next day was the day of the wedding. Everyone was nervous. Ren's hands were shaking and Tula had the jitters. Ioz and his sister were also nervous. She had picked out a white dress with thin cap sleeves and a long - slit tight skirt. And Ioz, whom was never used to looking like a gentleman was also squirming. Even though he wanted to get back at Ren talking him into this, he still felt honored, not many pirates got this kind of respect and he knew it. He then looked at Ren who was walking in place. "You nervous, my boy?" Kahn - jit the Benjamar priest asked. "Me nervous, no. 'Course not!" he said, pulling on his collar. He wondered how Tula was doing, and if she was just as nervous as he was. She was nervous. After putting on her gown; the tiara and veil, Tula started to feel funny. She could feel her stomach go up and down.
"You ok, Tula?" asked Jenna and Solia. "I think so, maybe I'm just nervous, you think?" Jenna then smiled. "You'll be fine. I'm sure Ren is just as nervous as you are." Alistair then came into the room. When he saw Tula he smiled. "You look beautiful, my child! If I was your father, I would have been very proud!" Tula almost started crying when she heard this. "Shall we go?" "Yes," she nearly gulped. The music then started; the doors to the castle opened and with Solia in lead the bridesmaids' came down the aisle. Then came Jenna. After Jenna took her place across from Ioz. It was now Tula's turn. When Alistair and Tula came in, Ren was nearly knocked off his feet. Ioz had to grab him from falling backwards. He too was amazed by Tula's appearance. As she and Alistair walk down the aisle Tula has tears running down her cheeks. It wasn't out of sadness that she was crying, but out of happiness. When they reached Kahn - jit, Ren took Tula's arm from him and they walked up to the podium.
When they reached the podium Tula and Ren both knelt. Kahn - jit then raised his arms in prayer. "Great Gods of Mer! Throughout the siege of the dark water you kept us alive. We thank you for this! We stand here now to ask you to allow these two young people whom have decided to marry. A prince of great honor. A woman named Tula; a ecomancer with great honor! These two young people have fallen in love. Allow them to have peaceful and happy lives! We beseech you, Great Gods of Mer and thank you!"
After doing the prayer, Kahn - jit walks over to Ren and Tula and places his hand on both. Once on Ren's shoulder and the other on Tula's. "Stand my children and repeat after me!" "Ren take Tula's hand and repeat my words, I, Ren; Son of Primus take this woman to be my wedded wife!" "I; Ren take this woman to be my wedded wife! To Have And To Hold from this day forward, for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to be bonny and buxom in bed and at board, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." He then turns to Tula and says, "Now you my child repeat my words, "I, Tula daughter of Lucas; take this man to be your wedded husband." "I Tula, daughter of Lucas take this man to be my wedded husband." "To Have And To Hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness, and in health, to be bonny and buxom in bed and at board, to love and to cherish, till death to us part." He then asks for the rings from Niddler. Ren takes one and Tula takes the other. "Now my children, give your vows and exchange your rings."
Ren then takes Tula's hand and puts the ring on her finger. "I Ren; Son of Primus promise to give you my love, as well as my heart. You mean the world to me! I would risk my life and even die for you. You are my destiny as I am yours. And as I gave you this ring I promise to honor you and protect you with my heart as well as my soul!" Hearing this almost did her in. She then took the finger from Niddler's paw and placed it on Ren's finger and said, "Ren, you have taught and shown me that not all men are disrespectful. You have shown me your heart as well as your soul! You have risked your life." She pauses for a moment, trying to compose herself. Finally she is able to continue. "You risked your life to save mine, when I didn't think it mattered! I wish I had the words to describe how you made me feel, but I don't. All I know without you my soul would have been lost." She then places the ring on Ren's finger. After the rings are placed on each other's fingers, Kahn - jit takes their hands in his and raised them to the sky.
"Great Gods of Mer! I give you Ren, Son of Primus and Tula of Andorus, rulers of Octopon!" He then kisses both of their hands. He then after releasing their hands says to Ren, "You may kiss the bride." Hearing this, Ren lifted Tula's veil, brushed the tears from her face; takes her in his arms and gives her a passionate kiss. After a couple of seconds Ren releases her. And when he does Tula is grateful that Ren had his arm around his waist; and if he hadn't she thought she would have fainted. Ren's kiss had nearly made her breathless. Kahn - jit then turned them around and said to their guests, "I give you now the new Rulers of Mer, King Ren and Queen Tula." The room then roared their applause. Ren and Tula then walked down the aisle arm in arm. After they walk out of the great hall they then went upstairs to the balcony. Jenna then told Ren that after he and Tula were married they had to go to the balcony and wave to the people of Mer. It seemed a crowd of people had surrounded the castle waiting for the new rulers to come out. When they came out the crowd applauded and cheered. They then after a couple of minutes turned and went inside. Ren then gave Jenna control over the kingdom that was until after the honeymoon.