Chapter Seventeen
The trial for Laudine was set for after the war, since she had caused enough of a delay in the preparations for it. Merlin hauled her down to the dungeon with a promise of using the magic binding cuffs on her, as much as he disliked using them on anyone, and keeping her under the same spell she'd used on her sister.
"And that leaves us ladies to plan a wedding," Gwen announced happily, slipping her arm through mine so I couldn't escape. "I assume you'd like to marry before the men leave?"
My heart squeezed at the reminder, and my eyes flew to meet Gwaine's. "I would marry you this very moment if I could, my love," he said softly. I couldn't say anything past the lump in my throat, so I simply nodded in agreement.
"Well, that's not enough time to do the job right," Hunith declared. "But we'll figure something out and let you know when to be there."
She and Gwen swept me away, only allowing Gwaine to press a quick kiss to my cheek, nothing more. And I was back in Gwen's chambers almost before I knew what was happening.
"Three weeks ought to be enough to put a wedding together," Hunith said, as she arranged pillows around Gwen.
"Yes, and it still gives them a week before… the men leave," Gwen agreed, her face twisting in displeasure. She stuffed another pillow behind her back and sighed in relief.
"We really don't need any fuss made," I started, but Hunith and Gwen glared at me, cutting off any further protest.
"You deserve a big fuss," Hunith stated.
"As does Gwaine," Gwen added. "A knight's wedding- You've not been in Camelot for one, have you?"
I shook my head, wondering just what was so special about it, more than any other kind of wedding. But she smiled, like she knew what I was thinking. "A knight's wedding is a celebration for the kingdom. It's a promise that she will have a new generation of protectors, that she will always be protected. And it's a chance, too, for her to thank her protectors, and those who love them."
"Even in the outlying cities, there will be celebrations," Lyonesse added. "Not as big as here in Camelot, but every city and manor will celebrate with you. Because we know the knights fight for us, and we want to honor that sacrifice."
"And it's a way for the knights to honor their fellow, and his intended," Lynette continued. "It's more than just a wedding ceremony."
A warm flood of awe fell over me as understanding dawned. "I think- I think we can do that for Gwaine."
The room filled with chuckles. "I thought so. Now, Lyonesse, will you call for my seamstress please? She's got rather a lot of work and not much time," Gwen said. "I'm thinking Camelot's colors, red and gold. What do you ladies think?"
…
The next three weeks somehow both flew and crawled by. Not only did we have a wedding to prepare, but there were also the war preparations, leaving us all with barely a moment to breathe. But the moments when I was able to see Gwaine were few and far between, it seemed, as we were both needed elsewhere almost constantly, though he did begin to show me the basics of using a knife in defense and how to properly punch. Gwen and Arthur were kind enough to make sure we had most evenings together, but Hunith or Lyonesse or Merlin or Godiva always came to collect me, usually with a laugh, before too long. "Merlin, mate, you're killing me," Gwaine protested, tucking me tighter into his arms the night before our wedding.
"I'm not arguing with either the queen or my mother," Merlin said with a laugh. "They tell me to bring Anna in, and I do it. Besides, we're all waiting for you. It's your last night as a free man."
"Don't you dare get him drunk," I threatened my friend, not that I was much of a threat. "I'm not having a hungover groom."
"Wouldn't dare think of it," Merlin grinned, as Gwaine pouted.
"You wound me, my angel. I wouldn't let anything keep me from remembering tomorrow for the rest of my life."
"Good," I said, stretching to kiss him. "I love you, Sir Gwaine."
"And I love you, Lady Anna," he replied, kissing me again.
"That's enough of that," Gwen said, bursting into the garden with a laugh. Behind her, all of our friends trooped out of the castle, laughing as they jokingly pulled Gwaine away from me. "One last kiss, and then say good night," she commanded us. We obliged, though with a blush on my part, and the ladies swept me back inside. The men surrounded Gwaine and headed in the opposite direction.
The night passed with laughs and wine, and plenty of advice. Then, once morning came, all of my lady friends each did their part to get me ready. Which Gwen had decided needed to take all day, since the ceremony was to take place at sundown. But even Leon's girls helped, adding early blooms to my curls. "Na so pwetty," Alys declared, and then tried to eat her flower.
Both Hunith and Gwen had to perform a final inspection, but I was eventually declared to be "utterly perfect" by each one. Hunith even had tears in her eyes. "Your mother and father would be so happy for you, my darling girl. I'm so happy for you."
My entourage guided me to the throne room. They each kissed my cheek before slipping into the room, though I was instructed to await my cue. I did so anxiously, as I could not wait to be Gwaine's wife. It almost felt as if I would burst if I had to wait one more moment.
The huge double doors opened, and as one, every knight lining the aisle drew his sword and held it aloft. I took a deep breath, and walked through a forest of iron and crimson. Most faces of the gathered nobles blurred, but here and there I was able to pick out my friends. Gaius and Hunith, the latter with tears streaming down her face while clutching her brother's hand. Elyan, Leon, and Percival, each trying to hold back a grin to maintain the appropriately solemn composure as they held their swords above my head. Lynette and Lyonesse, also grinning while holding the three little girls back, who didn't seem to be able to hold still. And then I made it to the very end of the aisle, where Gwaine waited, and I saw nothing else.
He looked magnificent, in his tournament armor and Camelot crimson cape with the sun setting through the windows behind him. His wavy hair framed his face, and my fingers itched to run through it. He'd carefully trimmed his facial hair, neatening up the goatee I utterly adored. And he was looking as if he couldn't breathe, until Merlin slapped him on the back. "You can't forget to breathe, mate. She's beautiful, but you still need to breathe."
Gwaine took a deep breath and grinned, reaching for my hands. "You are literally breathtaking, love," he murmured, making me blush yet again.
"Save it for after the ceremony," Arthur called from his throne above us. "There'll be plenty of time for that later."
"Of course, Your Majesty." I squeezed Gwaine's hands, giddy with the thought that he would be mine.
"Now, this man and this woman come here to be married in front of all these witnesses. My Queen, do you have reason why these two should not be wed?" Arthur asked Gwen, who looked radiant next to him.
"I know of no reason why they should not be wed," she replied, eyes smiling down at us.
"Be there any who have reason why they should not wed?" Arthur asked the crowd behind us, though his glower discouraged any who might have had thoughts otherwise. After a visual sweep of the room, he nodded. "I see no reason to prevent this marriage. Sorcerer, you may marry this couple."
Merlin stepped forward, bringing the binding cords with him as Gwaine and I turned to him. "Do you each wish for this marriage?" Gwaine and I each squeezed the other's hands again and nodded. "Then, in the name of Magic itself, repeat after me:
"You cannot possess me, for I belong to myself,
But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give.
You cannot command me, for I am a free person,
But I will serve you in the ways you require,
And the honeycomb shall taste sweeter coming from my hand.
I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night
And the eyes into which I smile in the morning.
I pledge to you the first bite of my meat,
And the first drink from my cup.
I pledge to you my living and dying, equally in your care,
And tell no strangers our grievances.
This is my wedding vow to you.
This is a marriage of equals."
As Merlin recited each line, he wrapped cord around our entwined hands once, until he reached the end of both the vow and the cord. "In the name of Magic, and by the laws of Camelot, I pronounce you husband and wife," he intoned, tying the ends of the cord into a knot as his eyes flashed gold. "Now, you may kiss your bride," he added, sounding rather mischievous, but I didn't look to him. I only had eyes for Gwaine, who grinned and pulled me closer by our joined hands, kissing me deeply. The crowd roared in approval, which made me pull back laughing.
"Camelot, behold your knight and his lady," Arthur declared. "Treat them well!"
AN: Here's the next one! One or two more to go tonight!