It was nine in the morning, on the fifth day in the Month of Visiting. The High Ones had blessed the congregated assembly with a beautiful day - bright and sunny, with just a hint of a breeze to keep them cool. A full chorus of cellos and bagpipes played the wedding processional as Prince Cooper led the way down the aisle. Risers had been set up for the guests, creating a semicircular amphitheater for the wedding. The flowers from the various lands decorated the rows of seats, and the red and plum rose that symbolized the coming union adorned the stage.
Rachel waited in the small enclave just outside of the stands. She'd be taking the long walk up the center aisle just like the rest of the procession, but tradition forbid her from seeing Santana, and vice versa, until she did so.
"Ready to go?" Doctor Berry said, peeking into the room.
Rachel smiled brightly, collected her bouquet, and walked over to him. "As ready as I'll ever be."
They walked to the entrance. Guards had been stationed inside the amphitheater, around the perimeter of the amphitheater, and around the perimeter of the Manor itself. Since it was a formal occasion, they had to wear what Santana had described as entirely impractical play-armor. Rachel could see why now. She caught Gendry's eye and smiled. He returned it, and bowed, jingling slightly as his silver chains rustled against his ruby-studded body plate.
The music changed to the bridal procession song when they got to the flower archway. Slowly, they walked down the center aisle. Rachel kept her eyes on Santana the whole way, trying to keep her breathing even. After everything she'd been through in the past year, she found that she was still nervous in front of the eyes of the Lowlands. But she could see Santana clearly now, and the archduchess was smiling more brightly than Rachel had ever seen. Her sister was in her wedding party, as was Teagan. She'd opted for her father to walk her down the aisle, but in the Mother of the Bride seat, sat Cordelia. The woman had teared up and stammered when Rachel had asked, but Rachel hadn't wanted anyone else.
Santana took her hand when she reached the stage. "You look… beautiful," she whispered.
"I have an entire sermon to get through," Bishop Marquez muttered. "Try to contain yourselves."
This prompted laughter from the brides and the young prince.
"Welcome, family and friends, to the celebration of two souls that today shall become one," the bishop said into the microphone. "Today we join her grace, the Baroness, Archduchess Santana Maribel Diabla Lopez, and the Lady Rachel Marie Berry in holy union."
The ceremony went off without a hitch. Santana had respectfully, but forcefully, requested a quick one, and the bishop obliged. He took a step back, and allowed Prince Cooper to step up to the microphone. The boy unrolled the scroll, smiled brightly at both brides, and began to read.
"I, Prince Cooper Augustin Anderson, do hereby validate this marriage on behalf of King Darren the Second. By the power vested in me, I hereby declare you Lady Rachel Marie Berry, Duchess of Angelion, and Countess of Hemlaine. Do I get to do it?" he asked Bishop Marquez. Receiving a nod, he said, "You may kiss the bride!"
Applause broke out as Santana swept Rachel up into a kiss.
It was one, "Allow me to present…" after another, but Rachel quite enjoyed the experience. It wasn't like the receiving lines she'd hosted before. Instead of them standing on a platform, or out on the steps of the Manor, to welcome the guests, they sat in the middle seats of the long wedding table, and the important people came up and bowed, wished them well, and went back to feasting and dancing.
"Ah," Santana said, as a couple in black and yellow approached. She smiled and, uncommon for such a formal occasion, stood to shake the beautiful black woman's hand. "Rachel, allow me to present an old friend - Duchess Mercedes Anoki Jones."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I believe I have you to thank for my recent interest in archery," Rachel said, shaking her hand.
"Indeed. How are you liking the bow?" Mercedes asked.
"I love it. I've taken to it much better than the sword."
"I'm sure Lord Rutherford was absolutely unbearable about it," the duchess said, grinning at Santana.
"I'll never hear the end of it if I end up with a family full of archers."
The gathered assemblage laughed indulgently.
"It's wonderful to meet you, Lady Rachel," Mercedes said sincerely. "And if I might, I'd like to present Viscount Khaliq Raize of Vesh. My fiance," she added, flashing the gold diamond on her hand.
"An honor to meet you both," said the man, bowing slightly.
"And you as well," Santana said smoothly. "Have you travelled much during your stay here?"
"I was privileged to visit the Count and Countess in Carmel. I'm quite enjoying my time in the Lowlands."
"You'll have to return when we have more free time," Santana said. "I'll make sure we get on a hunt."
"I would be delighted, your grace."
And so it went. The final dance was reserved for Santana and Rachel. They swayed together to the sound of the strings, and Rachel ran her hand down the embroidered crest on Santana's arm.
"Even now...sometimes," she whispered, "I can't believe that..."
Santana kissed her slowly, softly. "You're the Lady of this House now," she said. "Believe it. This crest is yours too. Forever."
The party had been carefully planned and timed, so that the guests were leaving around three. There were a few staying at the Manor for another day or two, but most took to their carriages and made the journey home.
Rachel and Santana, though tired, decided that now would be a good time to take a look at the presents they'd received. They settled on just the ones from the other High Houses for the time being, and in the receiving hall, settled down with notecards to write thank you letters. Prince Cooper had left three royal gifts for them - a new sword for Santana, a gorgeous set of Diamondwood violins and cellos for Rachel, and a pointed hint from King Darren in the form of a baby bassinet. From Baron Karofsky there was a beautiful marble Thud board, and a new dagger. They'd already seen the Changs' present - Tina had sent an Airship, and had given the crew express instructions to take the newlyweds to her private island for their honeymoon. Kurt's presents had come with Sugar - a new harness for Santana to use when riding Wyndbain, and a beautiful set of silver and garnet jewelry for Rachel. Mercedes and Khaliq had given them beautiful traveling cloaks. Matt and Keira had sent falcons (and lots of pictures of the babies, which distracted Rachel for a good ten minutes). And finally Finn sent a bulb for a Diamondwood tree, and a magic mirror.
Santana stretched as Rachel sealed the last card. "I know it's early," she said, glancing at the grandfather clock. "But we should have a light dinner and get some rest. We have an early flight tomorrow," she said with a grin.
"I think that's a very reasonable plan," Rachel said, yawning. She was still in her wedding dress, and blushed when Santana kissed her softly on the cheek.
"I love you, Rachel," Santana said. "You've made me so happy."
"I love you too," Rachel said, and took Santana's hand.
They walked through the quiet halls. The bustle from the past months had all but stopped. Rachel's father had gone back to the Huds following the ceremony. He still had three months left in his program, but promised to write more often. Sugar was nowhere to be found, but both Santana and Rachel had a feeling she and Nigel had sneaked off somewhere quiet. In fact, Santana had given Nigel a stern lecture when she'd found them snogging in an unused room the day before.
"Your grace," Sugar said, annoyed.
"Erm...ahem… I don't feel the need to explain myself, my lady," Nigel said, with as much aplomb as he could muster.
"No indeed, I have eyes," Santana said, wishing at the moment that she didn't. "Walk with me, young man…."
Rachel had laughed when she'd heard. They'd decided in their free moment between ceremony and reception, that they wouldn't bother the two young ones. Sugar was thirteen now, and Nigel had just turned sixteen, and Santana had put the fear of the High Ones into the boy that decorous kissing was all that was to take place.
The two of them reached their chambers, and Santana put a gentle hand on Rachel's arm. "One last present?"
"Do I even dare ask?" Rachel replied with a smile.
Santana led her over to the window. In the distance, they could see Countess Chang's crew preparing the ship for the next day. But that wasn't what captured Rachel's attention. Daylight fireworks of red and purple were going up over the town of Hemlain.
"I thought a celebration in your hometown would be appropriate. We can't go down there, but I wanted you to see."
Rachel grinned brightly.
Sugar had breakfast with them the next day before they left. She back to Avalone, and they off to their honeymoon. Baron Karofsky made it to the Manor just in time to say goodbye, and get situated.
The ship was called The Western Wolf, and it was the newest of Countess Chang's fleet. The crew were young, but incredibly professional, and the trip out to the island was a smooth one. It took about six hours, total, to reach the landing strip, and they disembarked to find more servants in the orange and black of House Chang awaiting them.
"My lady, your grace," said the doorman. "My name is Renly. If you would just step inside, I shall give you a tour of the cabin."
It was small, but luxurious. Once they had been left alone, and their bags brought in, Rachel and Santana stepped outside to take in the sights of the island. It was quite the spectacle. The cabin was situated in the middle of a tropical forest, and they could see a volcano in the distance. To the west, they could just make out the lava pool, and to the east, through the trees, there was the sea.
"Though I can't wait to explore," Santana said, pulling Rachel closer, "there's something I'd like to do more right now."
"Something or someone?" Rachel quipped.
Grinning, Santana kissed her and pulled her back toward the cabin.
