A/N: I own nothing but the fluff my friends. Everything else belongs to Tamora Pierce. My thanks to: Our reviewers! You guys are really great, and I am sooooooooooooo sorry it took so long to update.
Emsimuffin! Who wrote half of this fic, and encourages me in all my other masterpieces. Not to mention she is my best friend and puts up with me on a daily basis(!)
My Muse (otherwise known as the little mouse named Timmy Tom) who inspired my brilliance (not really, but I can dream right?)
A Note to the General Public: Please r/r! No flames, they are for hotdog roasts and I don't enjoy hotdogs. Constructive criticism is welcome.
A pinkish tint of light invaded Daine's bedchamber through the small circular window high on the stone wall. The light illuminated her bed, covers mussed, an empty indent on her goose down pillow. She had been in the stables since the first ray of light had peeped over the horizon, marking the day of the summer solstice. She stood absentmindedly stroking Cloud's neck, sorting through her confused jumble of emotions. Cloud, for once, was silent, mainly because her mistess rarely visited her at six o'clock in the morning.
"Cloud, I'm such a wreck!" Daine moaned, "What if it's all a mistake after all?"
Daine, don't be a fool. You know you love him, and he loves you. Why worry? Cloud reprimanded.
"I don't know! Marriage is such... a commitment." Daine sighed.
Yes? And...? Cloud answered sarcastically.
"Cloud! You're not helping." Daine groaned.
Ask the tall man yourself then. I hear him in the hallway. Cloud sighed, taxably.
"Daine? Daine are you in hear sweet?" Called the familiar tenor voice from outside of the stall.
"Here, Numair." Daine answered softly. The tall mage ducked inside the stall, smiling brilliantly at his fiancée. Walking to her, he embraced and kissed her gently.
"Couldn't sleep, my magelet?" he asked quietly.
"Yes, nerves, excitement. The usual." she answered, smiling tremulously.
"I've had the same. This is my fourth moonlight stroll of the night. I saw a light in here, and thought it might be you.
You know he was looking for you Daine. Tsk! Trying to see his bride before the wedding! Bad luck, that! Cloud lectured. Daine gave Cloud a disapproving frown, trying to mask her laughter,
"Tough tootles Cloud. Come for a walk Numair?"
"Sure!" Numair grinned and wrapped an arm around Daine's shoulders and leading her towards the brightening horizon. The walked in silence for a few minutes until Numair said, "It's a wonderful day isn't it? Your parents should be arriving as soon as the sun is fully up." Daine grimaced,
"Lovely, can't wait. So glad you brought it up." she sighed, shoulders slumping, "Ever since I sent them the message (and don't ask me how, Alanna did it. Trying to make up to me I presume) Weiryn... Da's been a bit... uh... unhappy."
Numair, sensing his love's anxiety smiled and, slipping his arm around her waist said haughtily, "I may be mortal, but I can handle anything that sire of yours can throw at me, be it rock, clay, or bolt of lightning. Why? Because I am Numair the Great!" He cracked a smile at Daine. The curly haired girl had crumpled to the ground in peals of laughter. Hiccupping and shaking, she rose and punched his shoulder jokingly,
"Quit it you big goof-ball! I'll get a stitch in my side!" Numair, in good-natured outrage, scooped her up in his arms and spun her around in a circle. Slowing he smiled at her seductively, and kissed the tip of her nose. As his lips moved to hers, a voice cried,
"Master Salmalin, put my daughter down! You aren't married yet!" Daine struggled to her feet, blushing red, looking for the source of the voice. She spotted her parents standing a few yards away. Her mother looked happy and proud that her daughter was settling down. Her father on the other hand, looked furious that she and Numair dared romance before the wedding. Knowing her Da, she thought it safest not to comment that she, herself, had been born because of people romancing before their wedding.
"Good morning Sarra, Weiryn." Numair said civilly. He didn't like Daine's father anymore than she did, but he loved Sarra, as everyone did. He took Daine's hand firmly and walked toward her parents. Daine knew Numair to well to believe the pretense he put up for her parents. His usually warm hands were ice cold, a sure sign that he was nervous or angry.
"Master Numair, it is wonderful to see you again." Sarra said politely, trying to distract her husband's furious gaze, "We were so excited to hear of your engagement. Thank you for holding the wedding on the solstice. I just hope it wasn't any trouble."
"None at all Ma." Daine told her mother warmly, "I'm so glad the Higher Gods allowed you and Da to leave his lands. That's very unusual, is it not?"
"Extremely, but its not every day one's daughter gets married, is it?" Sarra answered her affectionately. Daine smiled cheerfully and nudged Numair meaningfully. Giving her a tired, but loving look, he nodded to her parents and walked briskly towards the castle. Daine turned back to her grinning mother and somewhat sullen father.
"Ma, would you help me? I need some help with my dress before the ceremony." Daine asked, eager to get away from the disappointed frown on her father's face.
"Of course Sweet. The wedding is at ten, correct?" Sarra asked, "Weiryn will you meet me there?" The god gave a silent nod, his eyes looking hungrily at the forest. "That's settled then. Come along Daine." Sarra and Daine walked hurriedly down the path to the castle.
*
*
*
Numair stood anxiously by the alter of the small cathedral to Mithros that was on the castle grounds. He wore a billowing black robe, more formal than his usual ink stained garb. His long black hair was tamed for once and lay in a sleek horse-tail down his back. The cathedral was full to bursting of people he and Daine knew. In the front of the throb sat the beaming, prideful face of her mother. Her father, he knew, would be giving her away, however reluctantly. Numair's eyes fled to the clock, where two hands suggested that the music should be starting. And so it did. The entire group of wedding guests stood at the opening bars to "Oh Perfect Love". In through the door, walked Daine on the arm of her father. She wore a long gown of pale blue, edged in yellow satin, and a single, silver headpiece adorned her head. She looked nervously at him and a smile slowly played at her lips as she shortned the distance between them.
She looks so lovely, Alanna thought, so fresh, and beautiful. Maybe I was wrong about the two of them. I hate myself for some of the things I said. It was cruel of me. But it was wrong! It still feels wrong, that she is marrying a man 16 years her senior. It is not my concern though. It shouldn't be. Age doesn't matter in the winds of love. I should have recognized that from the beginning.
My daughter is wonderful, she has grown so very much. Sarra mused, glancing at the curly haired girl as she let go of her father's arm and took her fiancée's. She has not know her mother's love for 4 long years, and is still successful in love and otherwise. I just wish I could have been here for it.
Numair looked into Daine's eyes as she slipped the ring over his finger lovingly. I don't deserve her. She is a perfect angel, and I am only an old mage. I'll do whatever I can to make her happy. If only her father could see, that now that I have her, I will never let go.
"You may now kiss the bride!" the chaplain's voice cried as Numair claimed his wife's lips with his own. She kissed him back, clinging to him as if life would end if she ever let go. And thank the God's I never have to let go. Never...
THE
END!!
A/N: Did y'all like? I hope so! r/r please and maybe there'll be an epilouge.
