Tale of Stories
Book 1
Chapter Nine: John Aginworth
As it turned out, it didn't take very long to fix the entire mess. Oh sure, Thar took some time to look over the mute and still nobles, and figured out a counteractive potion or spell of some sort, and then they had to wake them all up, and spend forever explaining what exactly had happened (really, how many times did they have to repeat it until everyone understood!).
But even with all the chaos and cleaning up that had to be done, the wedding still was held. Once the queen was chained and taken off, and Thar had thoroughly checked the entire castle for any remaining traps or surprises, (and once everyone calmed down!), it began all again, almost as if nothing had happened!
John wasn't too surprised, as there was too much political profit in this wedding, as well as the absolute love between the bride and groom. No, the ceremony had to go on and be finished. So here John was, standing outside with the rest of the gathered crowd of nobility, in front of the doors to great church by the castle.
He could only smile softly, as the beautiful Snow White stared lovingly into the eyes of her prince, while the priest chanted on with the liturgies. As they exchanged their rings, John looked around, noticing that he couldn't find Thar. However, he didn't think much of this, as the priest finally said simply, "…and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce therefore that they be Man and Wife together, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Then, finally, the two lovers embraced, and were formally wed.
John had to admit, he did feel a little teary, though he didn't show it. He mostly felt a great sigh of relief, like he had been holding onto a heavy piece on his chest. The entire experience with the mage, and Angela, would be something he would keep and remember with him forever. I wonder what ever will become of Angela. He thought to himself, but quickly put such thoughts away, for now. He would have time to think about such matters later, for now, the Duke Aginworth was needed, not the warrior John.
John was just glad that, in all things, it had worked out. Thanks be to the Holy Father. He prayed to himself. No matter what, he certainly would have a tale for when he returned home.
John exited outdoors of the grand castle, as the sun began to lower on the horizon. He walked out onto the balcony, staring into the wide open fields and the few lovely mountains in the horizon. It was very picturesque, like one of the beloved paintings he used to stare at for hours in his father's study.
"You seem distant," he said, speaking to the cloaked man in the corner.
Thar chuckled, and pulled back his hood, "Well, like I've said before, I am not one for parties, or crowds. And besides, I do not need any more attention, especially after everything that happened."
John nodded. It seemed like every single duke and duchess worth any salt had to thank him ten times for doing such a heroic act and saving them all from the evil queen and her dastardly vile plan! John groaned slightly inwardly, and then simply chuckled to himself.
"What's so funny?" Thar asked.
"Oh, he, its just that, I thought this was going to be an awfully boring wedding," John replied.
Thar nodded slightly, and said "I agree. If a bit, strange."
"What have they done with the Queen?"
Thar stroked his small beard for a moment, then answered, "As far as I know, they will keep her locked away, probably far from where anyone knows of. Everyone might know of what happened today, but not few will know of the queen's true intentions and actions."
"I'm surprised we haven't even been given some long ceremony and dubbed heroes of the ages with beautiful golden medals to shine on our flowing armors!" John said jokingly.
Both Thar and John had spoken to the prince and princess and expressed their desires to keep things simple. Quiet. No, or at least little, recognition. Though if anything, Angela deserves a lot of the credit. But they hadn't mentioned her.
"There is one thing, though, that has troubling me." Thar said with a quieter tone.
"What is that?"
"Well," Thar began, "Don't you find it at least a little odd, that on the wedding day of Snow White and her prince, that her long-thought dead stepmother suddenly appears and tries to take over? And a Dumenor agent, a duke, and a random thief all converge at the same time to stop her?"
"I have thought of that. It seems to me that the Lord has divined it to be so. Providence and fate seem to have brought us together."
Thar merely responded flatly with, "Perhaps. It certainly seems like there is more to this…incident. I will certainly be investigating this further." Thar stood up tall, and turned toward John, "We will meet again. Farewell, John Aginworth."
John replied in same, and watched as the wizard disappeared into the crowd, leaving him to think about heroes and villains, fate and destiny, and to wonder of the fate of one magically keen thief.