"So?" Marianne questions quietly, trying not to alert the pair following them.
"Either Mom gave the guards orders to tell your father or she didn't give orders not to tell him," Bog murmurs. "I couldn't get close enough to hear without alerting them to my presence but I did notice that all the Light Field subjects that gathered after we left were captains of the army."
"So, Griselda is more worried about the Placid Swamp then she let on. Not that I blame her after what she told me but why didn't she just say something?" she growls.
"We'll ask her later," he comments before cringing as he tentatively continues. "Marianne, I know you're not going to like this but..."
"If you're planning on suggesting that I stay here while you return home alone then you might as well be quiet before I punch you again," Marianne mutters.
Bog groans at the threat. He knows that she'll do it but that didn't stop him from wishing that she'd agree without a fuss. He really doesn't want her near any of those Placid Swamp goblins while their motives are unknown.
It worried him to know those pests were back in his castle and the worry increased to near panic when his mother insisted on going back alone with only Stuff and Thang. To add the thought of Marianne and Puck getting within reach of their grubby claws...it wrenches his heart.
Maybe if he used Puck and the infant. It's an underhanded trick but with how clinging Puck has been since this morning, surely Marianne could be convinced to stay where it's safer.
"I see you separated the newlyweds before the sun set," Dagda teases as they walk into the outer courtyard.
"Ha, ha, Daddy," Dawn mutters dryly. "Hey, where'd Griselda go?"
"She went back to the Dark Forest with Stuff and Thang," Marianne answers. "We do have the Lughnasa festival tonight and the mating ceremony, which Stuff and Thang are participating in this time."
"Wait, you mean they're not married? I thought they were," Sunny comments.
"With them both being royal stewards, they thought that they couldn't become mates because of the mateship laws unless one or both of them quit their position. Of course, the silly pair didn't think to tell anyone that was their reason or it would have been explained earlier that they can become mates without jeopardizing their positions," Bog explains.
"No one asked, either, so it's not just their fault," Marianne points out.
"Today is so exciting!" Dawn giggles, jumping into the air and barrel-rolling. "Not only did we get married today but so are a lot of others and it feels incredible! We should bring back the Lammas weddings!"
"No!" Dagda and Marianne state firmly.
"Spoilsports," Dawn huffs.
"The Lammas weddings were canceled for a reason, Dawn. Last thing we need is another feud war caused by some irresponsible love-struck youths that decided to get married on impulse," Marianne argues.
"I wasn't talking about bringing back the trial marriages. I meant having group weddings, kinda like what the Dark Forest has," Dawn counters. "It'd be fantastic!"
"Plus, it would be kind of a step closer to having the two kingdoms more adapting to each other's customs," Sunny points out. "It's a small change and not something that has to be mandatory but it's a start."
"Why don't you two look into it and bring it up at the next council meeting," Dagda suggests, urging his squirrel mount to move. "See how many are in favor of individual ceremonies and how many would prefer a group wedding."
"We could start asking around today to get an idea of the response," Dawn murmurs.
"Today is for you to enjoy," Marianne chuckles, grabbing at Dawn's gold-embroidered blue-tinted white wedding dress before quickly flying out of reach. "No work for you or Sunny."
"You are like the biggest hypocrite ever!" Dawn laughs, chasing after.
Bog laughs as he watches the sisters twirl about playfully in the air before joining the female sprites, the female pixies, and the other female fairies dancing above the festival grounds. But despite the jovial atmosphere, he can't shake the uneasiness laying heavy against him and he looks in the direction of his home with trepidation.
He can only pray that he'll be able to keep them all safe.