XXXIII: A Grand Proposal
The wedding was three weeks away. The quiet island of Besaid crawled with people bringing their trade to offer for the ceremony: tailors, bakers, craftsmen, chefs, and musicians. Tidus and Yuna were being pulled in every direction.
"Don't forget that meeting today." Lulu said to Yuna as a tailor made some final adjustments to her wedding gown.
"I know." Yuna said in a stressful tone as she slipped out of the dress. The tailor put the gown away as Yuna dressed. "What's that about, anyways?" Yuna asked curiously. Lulu shrugged her shoulders, but wasn't very convincing. "Lulu?" Lulu didn't say anything, only smiled and turned Yuna around to tie her yellow bow. "Lulu!" Yuna begged.
"You'll see." Lulu said, as she smiled teasingly and walked out of the room.
The girls walked out into the warm afternoon sunlight. "Good afternoon, Lady Yuna." An old woman said.
"Good afternoon, ma'am." Yuna replied. The old woman's face lit up with a bright smile.
"Good day, Lady Yuna." "Hello, Your Grace." "Good afternoon, m' lady." Yuna blushed as every person greeted her as she walked by. She looked over to Lulu who wore a mischievous smirk on her lips.
"What is going on?" Yuna asked.
"Come on, you're going to be late." Lulu said avoiding Yuna's question. She would find out soon enough.
As they approached the temple, Tidus was waiting for her outside. Zalitz, Rikku, and Wakka were waiting there too. Zalitz looked well... as well as could be expected. It had been a week since his grandfather had passed away. The entire town witnessed the tragic event, thus they were very supportive for him. Rikku, of course, helped him get through it too.
Yuna walked up the stairs leading to the temple. Tidus leaned against the concrete wall in the shadows of the awning, smiling as she approached. She went straight to his arms. "Do you know what this is all about?" Yuna asked him.
"Wakka wouldn't tell me anything." Tidus answered, having the same unlucky time prying information out of Wakka. They watched the heavy temple door, sealed shut with a guard standing outside. The Spira council was meeting inside. This group formed shortly after sin was defeated. The council was comprised of scholars, former maesters, and leaders, and other members of varying races. When the people found out about Yevon being a fraud, they were justifiably distraught. The Spira Council formed to try to decide where to go next.
Tidus and Yuna found it odd that the council was meeting in Besaid that day because the tiny island had no representatives, and stranger still that they wanted them to attend their meeting. "Maybe they'll ask us to join." Yuna guessed. Tidus shrugged his shoulders; somehow, he guessed that it was bigger than that.
They all looked up as the door began to slowly swing open. A strange man stepped out and whispered something to the guard. He then turned to them and said. "They are ready for you now, you may enter." Yuna entered first, Tidus followed closely behind, his hand resting on her shoulder. Their friends entered behind them as the guard closed the heavy doors.
They saw many familiar faces inside the temple. Cid was there as leader of the Al Bhed people, former Maester Kelk Ronso for the Ronso tribe, Father Zuke represented Bevelle, Tromell Guado for Guadosalam, Captain Lucil represented the Chocobo Knights, Shelinda was there as a former disciple and scholar, and many others from all parts of Spira. There were rows of chairs set up in the middle of the temple floor, and two chairs set aside: one for Yuna and one for Tidus. Zalitz, Rikku, Lulu, and Wakka stood quietly at the back of the room as Yuna and Tidus took their seats. The council was already seated as they anxiously waited to speak to them.
Father Zuke rose before everyone, demanding the attention of all; he would lead this particular meeting. "Sir Tidus, we heard about your near accident. You had us very worried. How are you feeling?" He asked.
"I'm fine." Tidus replied apprehensively.
"Wonderful, well then. Thank you both for taking the time to meet with us today." Father Zuke said. "We know you're very busy in preparation for you wedding." Tidus and Yuna nodded, sitting nervously before them. "Well, you must be wondering why we wanted to speak with you." He said with a smile. "As you know, we have come together to rebuild our land. We have determined that the people of Spira need guidance... they come to us for answers, and without Yevon, we can no longer give them the answers they seek."
"Our land needs strong leadership... and someone that we can all respect." Captain Lucil stated.
"We Guado have come to respect you. We now know that what you did was out of necessity. Lord Seymour was corrupt, and we are glad someone caught him before it was too late." Tromell Guado said.
"I have also been studying the people of Spira," Shelinda spoke, rising to take the floor. "I have spoken to citizens of every race, from every city. They love you both dearly; you saved our land from Sin. You are heroes."
Tidus and Yuna listened quietly as Father Zuke took the floor again. "The leaders we seek will be honest, and fair, and selfless, and will cherish this land and its people..." Rikku smiled brightly from the back of the room as they listened to the meeting. They all knew what the council would to ask next.
Cid rose from his seat and knelt before them both. He placed a hand gently on his niece's knee. "What we're tryin' to say... Yuna... and Tidus..." he looked into their eyes as he said each of their names. "Spira needs a king and queen..." Yuna's eyes widened as her uncle spoke the words, "We want you to be our king and queen."
Yuna covered her mouth with her hand, taken aback by the grand proposal. "Oh, my..." She said in surprise. She grabbed Tidus's hand; he had a look of shock on his face. Yuna looked at the faces of the council as they waited for a response. She would do anything for the people of Spira, as a summoner she was willing to die for them... but queen? 'Could I?' Yuna thought as she toyed with the idea.
Tidus looked at his pretty fiancée's eyes as she thought. He wasn't quite modest like Yuna was, he loved attention, he loved being in the spotlight, but this was all together very different from being a famous blitzball star. He would have to be responsible... be a role model... "Can we have a minute?" Tidus asked. He took Yuna's hands and led her away to a corner where they could talk. "What do you think?" he asked. She looked to him and smiled. Her face was glowing, her head full of so many ideas already. Her eyes spoke volumes, telling him all he needed to know. "Come on, let's go tell them."
They stood before the council hand in hand. Yuna looked up to Tidus. "We would love to." She said.
Rikku jumped up and down, Zalitz smiled. Lulu and Wakka smiled too. The council broke into applause, smiling and relieved. "Wonderful!" Father Zuke said. "Please, have a seat. There are a few matters that we need to discuss."
Tidus and Yuna sat down; she held his hand that lay on the armrest between them. "First, we thought it would be very convenient to perform the coronation after your wedding ceremony. All of Spira will be present."
"Wow... so soon?" Yuna said.
"Well, m' lady, if you aren't ready yet..." Tromell Guado said.
"No..." Yuna looked at Tidus. "We're ready." Tidus nodded.
"Perfect, then you will take your throne immediately after you are married... And then there is the matter of your palace..." Yuna looked to Tidus in surprise. This was all too much for a modest woman like her. "We'd like to rebuild Zanarkand, and your palace will be built there."
Tidus's eyes lit up at the mention of his home. He would help them rebuild it exactly as he remembered it... the buildings that scraped the clouds, the city lights that never slept, and of course an amazing blitzball stadium. "Yuna, I'll finally get to show you my Zanarkand." He whispered to her.
Her uneasy gaze met his excited eyes. "Move from Besaid?" Yuna whispered with a twinge of sorrow. She dreaded the thought of leaving her home.
"Well, Lady Yuna... when you are queen, all of Spira will be your home." The former maester Kelk Ronso said. Yuna smiled; this would all take some getting used to. Tidus squeezed her hand... they would get used to it together.
"Well, it's settled then... would you like to greet your people?" Father Zuke said as he led them to the door.
Their friends stood against the concrete wall near the door. Rikku bounced into her cousin's arms. "Oh, Yunie, are you happy?" Yuna nodded, a million thoughts racing through her mind. "So, does this make me a princess?" Rikku asked teasingly.
"Congratulations!" Zalitz said to Tidus, patting him on the back.
Wakka wrapped his arm around Tidus's neck giving him one of his affectionate noogies. "Don't think 'cause you're king that you wont get anymore of these, ya?" Wakka let go of Tidus's head and gave him a hug.
Lulu smiled at Yuna. "So this is what you were hiding." Yuna said. "How long did you know?"
"For a few days." Lulu placed her hands on Yuna's shoulders. "I'm very proud of you."
"I hope I'll be a good queen." Yuna said, her humble character shining through once again.
"You'll be wonderful." Lulu assured her, and then turned to Tidus. "You too." Lulu said, giving a friendly push to his shoulder.
"You guys ready?" Cid said as he helped them open the heavy temple door. They nodded. Tidus held Yuna's hand as bright sunlight bathed the dark walls of the temple. They stepped eagerly down the concrete stairs. Their faces were beaming, anxious to tell everyone about the exciting news... but they didn't have to say a word. Rumors had been flying through Spira for weeks, and everyone in Besaid already knew. The townspeople all dropped silently to a knee and bowed their heads for their future king and queen. The air was so silent that Tidus could hear Yuna breathing. They stood awestruck as their friends and neighbors paid their gracious respects.
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Chapter 34 will be ready soon...
Darcee :)
The wedding was three weeks away. The quiet island of Besaid crawled with people bringing their trade to offer for the ceremony: tailors, bakers, craftsmen, chefs, and musicians. Tidus and Yuna were being pulled in every direction.
"Don't forget that meeting today." Lulu said to Yuna as a tailor made some final adjustments to her wedding gown.
"I know." Yuna said in a stressful tone as she slipped out of the dress. The tailor put the gown away as Yuna dressed. "What's that about, anyways?" Yuna asked curiously. Lulu shrugged her shoulders, but wasn't very convincing. "Lulu?" Lulu didn't say anything, only smiled and turned Yuna around to tie her yellow bow. "Lulu!" Yuna begged.
"You'll see." Lulu said, as she smiled teasingly and walked out of the room.
The girls walked out into the warm afternoon sunlight. "Good afternoon, Lady Yuna." An old woman said.
"Good afternoon, ma'am." Yuna replied. The old woman's face lit up with a bright smile.
"Good day, Lady Yuna." "Hello, Your Grace." "Good afternoon, m' lady." Yuna blushed as every person greeted her as she walked by. She looked over to Lulu who wore a mischievous smirk on her lips.
"What is going on?" Yuna asked.
"Come on, you're going to be late." Lulu said avoiding Yuna's question. She would find out soon enough.
As they approached the temple, Tidus was waiting for her outside. Zalitz, Rikku, and Wakka were waiting there too. Zalitz looked well... as well as could be expected. It had been a week since his grandfather had passed away. The entire town witnessed the tragic event, thus they were very supportive for him. Rikku, of course, helped him get through it too.
Yuna walked up the stairs leading to the temple. Tidus leaned against the concrete wall in the shadows of the awning, smiling as she approached. She went straight to his arms. "Do you know what this is all about?" Yuna asked him.
"Wakka wouldn't tell me anything." Tidus answered, having the same unlucky time prying information out of Wakka. They watched the heavy temple door, sealed shut with a guard standing outside. The Spira council was meeting inside. This group formed shortly after sin was defeated. The council was comprised of scholars, former maesters, and leaders, and other members of varying races. When the people found out about Yevon being a fraud, they were justifiably distraught. The Spira Council formed to try to decide where to go next.
Tidus and Yuna found it odd that the council was meeting in Besaid that day because the tiny island had no representatives, and stranger still that they wanted them to attend their meeting. "Maybe they'll ask us to join." Yuna guessed. Tidus shrugged his shoulders; somehow, he guessed that it was bigger than that.
They all looked up as the door began to slowly swing open. A strange man stepped out and whispered something to the guard. He then turned to them and said. "They are ready for you now, you may enter." Yuna entered first, Tidus followed closely behind, his hand resting on her shoulder. Their friends entered behind them as the guard closed the heavy doors.
They saw many familiar faces inside the temple. Cid was there as leader of the Al Bhed people, former Maester Kelk Ronso for the Ronso tribe, Father Zuke represented Bevelle, Tromell Guado for Guadosalam, Captain Lucil represented the Chocobo Knights, Shelinda was there as a former disciple and scholar, and many others from all parts of Spira. There were rows of chairs set up in the middle of the temple floor, and two chairs set aside: one for Yuna and one for Tidus. Zalitz, Rikku, Lulu, and Wakka stood quietly at the back of the room as Yuna and Tidus took their seats. The council was already seated as they anxiously waited to speak to them.
Father Zuke rose before everyone, demanding the attention of all; he would lead this particular meeting. "Sir Tidus, we heard about your near accident. You had us very worried. How are you feeling?" He asked.
"I'm fine." Tidus replied apprehensively.
"Wonderful, well then. Thank you both for taking the time to meet with us today." Father Zuke said. "We know you're very busy in preparation for you wedding." Tidus and Yuna nodded, sitting nervously before them. "Well, you must be wondering why we wanted to speak with you." He said with a smile. "As you know, we have come together to rebuild our land. We have determined that the people of Spira need guidance... they come to us for answers, and without Yevon, we can no longer give them the answers they seek."
"Our land needs strong leadership... and someone that we can all respect." Captain Lucil stated.
"We Guado have come to respect you. We now know that what you did was out of necessity. Lord Seymour was corrupt, and we are glad someone caught him before it was too late." Tromell Guado said.
"I have also been studying the people of Spira," Shelinda spoke, rising to take the floor. "I have spoken to citizens of every race, from every city. They love you both dearly; you saved our land from Sin. You are heroes."
Tidus and Yuna listened quietly as Father Zuke took the floor again. "The leaders we seek will be honest, and fair, and selfless, and will cherish this land and its people..." Rikku smiled brightly from the back of the room as they listened to the meeting. They all knew what the council would to ask next.
Cid rose from his seat and knelt before them both. He placed a hand gently on his niece's knee. "What we're tryin' to say... Yuna... and Tidus..." he looked into their eyes as he said each of their names. "Spira needs a king and queen..." Yuna's eyes widened as her uncle spoke the words, "We want you to be our king and queen."
Yuna covered her mouth with her hand, taken aback by the grand proposal. "Oh, my..." She said in surprise. She grabbed Tidus's hand; he had a look of shock on his face. Yuna looked at the faces of the council as they waited for a response. She would do anything for the people of Spira, as a summoner she was willing to die for them... but queen? 'Could I?' Yuna thought as she toyed with the idea.
Tidus looked at his pretty fiancée's eyes as she thought. He wasn't quite modest like Yuna was, he loved attention, he loved being in the spotlight, but this was all together very different from being a famous blitzball star. He would have to be responsible... be a role model... "Can we have a minute?" Tidus asked. He took Yuna's hands and led her away to a corner where they could talk. "What do you think?" he asked. She looked to him and smiled. Her face was glowing, her head full of so many ideas already. Her eyes spoke volumes, telling him all he needed to know. "Come on, let's go tell them."
They stood before the council hand in hand. Yuna looked up to Tidus. "We would love to." She said.
Rikku jumped up and down, Zalitz smiled. Lulu and Wakka smiled too. The council broke into applause, smiling and relieved. "Wonderful!" Father Zuke said. "Please, have a seat. There are a few matters that we need to discuss."
Tidus and Yuna sat down; she held his hand that lay on the armrest between them. "First, we thought it would be very convenient to perform the coronation after your wedding ceremony. All of Spira will be present."
"Wow... so soon?" Yuna said.
"Well, m' lady, if you aren't ready yet..." Tromell Guado said.
"No..." Yuna looked at Tidus. "We're ready." Tidus nodded.
"Perfect, then you will take your throne immediately after you are married... And then there is the matter of your palace..." Yuna looked to Tidus in surprise. This was all too much for a modest woman like her. "We'd like to rebuild Zanarkand, and your palace will be built there."
Tidus's eyes lit up at the mention of his home. He would help them rebuild it exactly as he remembered it... the buildings that scraped the clouds, the city lights that never slept, and of course an amazing blitzball stadium. "Yuna, I'll finally get to show you my Zanarkand." He whispered to her.
Her uneasy gaze met his excited eyes. "Move from Besaid?" Yuna whispered with a twinge of sorrow. She dreaded the thought of leaving her home.
"Well, Lady Yuna... when you are queen, all of Spira will be your home." The former maester Kelk Ronso said. Yuna smiled; this would all take some getting used to. Tidus squeezed her hand... they would get used to it together.
"Well, it's settled then... would you like to greet your people?" Father Zuke said as he led them to the door.
Their friends stood against the concrete wall near the door. Rikku bounced into her cousin's arms. "Oh, Yunie, are you happy?" Yuna nodded, a million thoughts racing through her mind. "So, does this make me a princess?" Rikku asked teasingly.
"Congratulations!" Zalitz said to Tidus, patting him on the back.
Wakka wrapped his arm around Tidus's neck giving him one of his affectionate noogies. "Don't think 'cause you're king that you wont get anymore of these, ya?" Wakka let go of Tidus's head and gave him a hug.
Lulu smiled at Yuna. "So this is what you were hiding." Yuna said. "How long did you know?"
"For a few days." Lulu placed her hands on Yuna's shoulders. "I'm very proud of you."
"I hope I'll be a good queen." Yuna said, her humble character shining through once again.
"You'll be wonderful." Lulu assured her, and then turned to Tidus. "You too." Lulu said, giving a friendly push to his shoulder.
"You guys ready?" Cid said as he helped them open the heavy temple door. They nodded. Tidus held Yuna's hand as bright sunlight bathed the dark walls of the temple. They stepped eagerly down the concrete stairs. Their faces were beaming, anxious to tell everyone about the exciting news... but they didn't have to say a word. Rumors had been flying through Spira for weeks, and everyone in Besaid already knew. The townspeople all dropped silently to a knee and bowed their heads for their future king and queen. The air was so silent that Tidus could hear Yuna breathing. They stood awestruck as their friends and neighbors paid their gracious respects.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 34 will be ready soon...
Darcee :)