Chapter Five: Queen Calla and King Cavin

Chapter Five: Queen Calla and King Cavin

Buddi sat off by himself, head down. The city of Gummadoon scrambled about him. But the cub just sat by the edge of a fountain and thought. He felt so out of place. No one was like him, only Sunni understood him. If Ursa understood him, she neglected to show it.

A hand fell on the child's head. Buddi turned.

Sir Plucki looked down at the child with sympathy. He had seen how different the Barbic Gummies were from regular gummies and knew that it stung Buddi deeply. He didn't understand why the Barbics were so stern on the children. He knew the Barbics were tough and stern but why were they so rough on the children?

"Hey lad."

Buddi mumbled a reply and said, "What is it?"

"You just looked blue."

Buddi sighed, "I'm alright."

Plucki was anything but convinced. He almost said more when suddenly, they heard screeching overhead. Looking up, Buddi spied Artie, Gusto's faithful bird. He was circling trying to get attention. The Glens and Barbics and Gummadoonians alike raced outside. The bird flew down at an odd anxious pace. Gusto let him land on his shoulder.

"Hey, what's the rush, Artie?"

"Calla and Cavin need to see you, pronto, right away."

The glens immediately headed for the gate to leave. Buddi nearly followed as Cavin was his friend but Ursa clamped a firm hand on his shoulder and shook her head. Buddi stated,

"But Cavin's my friend."

Ursa gave him a glare that could have halted an army. Buddi clamped his mouth shut. Ursa said acidicly,

"I won't discuss it here but we will be conferring about that later, understood?"

Buddi sighed, "Yes Ma'am."

As he watched the Glens race off, he silently wished that Sunni could come back and tell him what was going on.

* * *

Calla sat at the edge of her bed, trying not to cry. She was getting married in less than an hour. She knew she had to and she knew Cavin was someone she loved but she was nervous. She wanted her friends, she wanted her father.

She was scared.

Suddenly there was a creak and the wall opened by the familiar door. The glens walked in, Sunni ran to her.

"Calla what-wow! Whatta dress!"

The others swiftly took note.

"Wow."

Calla had let her long blond hair down and it fell in silken waves over her shoulders. She had her nails shinning and white high heels, complete with a single strap over the ankle, were slid over her feet. She wore a necklace of silver and gems around her neck.

But the dress was beyond stunning.

It was a shimmering snow white and had long sleeves to her wrists and trains of material that started at her shoulder and went to her elbow and they fell from her arms all the way to lie on the ground. Before the train of material was a band of golden trim and the band was present on her other arm as well. Her dress had slightly puffed sleeves around her shoulders and a low cut collar with golden trim. The same trim covered the edge at her wrists. A belt of gold was sewn into the fabric and draped low about her hips. Her dress fell to touch the ground and had a golden trim about the bottom and a pattern of golden band on the very bottom of the dress. A train of white, trimmed in gold fell from the back of her waist and fell at least a good five feet behind her.

"Calla…"

The girl lifted her head to meet Sunni's eyes,

"it's my wedding dress."

Grammi took in a sharp breath, "Calla, darling, you're only sixteen!"

The girl nodded, "I know Grammi but my father…he…was…killed defending his kingdom."

The Glens stumbled back. Sunni wrapped her arms around her best friend's waist, unsure what else to do. Calla rubbed the gummi's hair and told herself not to cry. Still sensing they were absorbing the shock, Calla went on,

"It's my duty as Princess to take over his duties, I have to marry and produce a heir."

She smiled faintly, "I'm getting married tonight. To Cavin."

She let them rush to her with their solaces first before going on,

"Tonight I'll become Queen and Cavin will go from Page Cavin to King Cavin. We'll have a kingdom to rule."

She turned to Gruffi particularly. "Please, be there for me. For us. Not only will we have to rule but…but…in time of war, which is what has been declared, a heir must be produced within a year."

Cubbi looked at her, "An heir?"

Calla nodded, nervousness playing with her head. "I..I have to become a mother."

She buried her face into her hands. Grammi and Zummi climbed onto her bed and gently to not damage her dress, started to smooth her hair. Gusto answered for Gruffi,

"You know we'll be here Calla."

Cubbi spied something on her bed and reached for it,

"What's this?"

He held up what look like a ring of white diamonds. It had lace covering the edge and an extra long length on one end. Calla slipped it onto her head gently,

"My veil."

She folded the lace over her face. She went on,

"Please be at my wedding. You can hide in the balcony."

They nodded and hide just as Sir Tuxford opened the door,

"M'Lady, it's time."

Calla rose and filled past him without a word but with as much grace as the greatest queen.

* * *

"Cavin looks good," Cubbi whispered. Grammi shushed him gently and glanced down.

Her heart ached for the two human children she had grown to love as her own children. When she had heard of Gregor's death, she had frozen. She couldn't believe it but then she had swiftly tried to dull the girl's pain although she knew time itself was the only cure. She focused her attention downward.

Cavin stood at the end of the aisle. His hair was styled and swept back. He wore long black slacks, made of velvet and a black shirt. The sleeves went to his wrists and he had slightly puffed sleeves at his shoulders. Over the black shirt was a white vest with golden trim.

Suddenly all heads turned as Calla entered. She looked like an angel but as she walked down the aisle there was no emotion on her face, she kept that hidden. By the time she had reached the end of the aisle she was a wreck but kept it hidden. The words of the minister were slow and alien to her ears.

Cavin felt nervous and scared. He had been trained to be a knight not a King. And in any case, it wasn't his kingdom, it was Calla's. He loved her, true enough, but it wasn't his kingdom to rule. Yet he would be expected not only to help do that but to lead the war that had been declared against Igthorn and to become a father at the same time.

Before either teen could think of it any longer, they were each reciting, "With this ring I be wed."

The words felt odd but then the minister said,

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Cavin, with shaking hands, lifted the veil and kissed Calla gently on the lips.

But with that over and the cheering echoing, their job was not yet finished. The minister bade both of them fall to their knees and bow their heads. Both consented.

"Young Calla, Young Cavin do you solemnly swear on your lives and your honor to shield this kingdom, admit just rules and protect those within its walls as long as you live and to produce a heir, for once your lives are spent?"

The two replied in unison, "I swear."

The minister laid Gregor's former crown on Cavin's head and the crown of Calla's late mother onto the girl's. it was golden with a single red gem in the center. The edges were decorated with designs.

"Arise."

The minister turned the two towards the assembly of people,

"People of Dunywn I present your newest monarchs, King Cavin and Queen Calla."