All disclaimers apply. Narcissa is mine, as are her children… and Wynne
and Lemures… I think that covers it though…
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Chapter 21: (the FINAL chapter… minus the epilogue… granted, it's rather long… eh, on with it)
The queen sat on to the hill, looking at her palace below. Everdark, her jet black horse, grazed beside her. Narcissa had decisions to make.
"Hey kiddo," murmured Puck softly.
"You scared me," claimed Narcissa, although she did not look at all startled by his intrusion. She glanced up at her best friend. He was staring off into the distance, meditating. The young queen thought of their first meeting, immediately after her fiftieth birthday, when she had her debut at royal court. His jokes, together with his smooth attitude and his shocking white-blond hair, had terrified her, but he quickly won her over. As her father's most trusted counselor, the friendship was quite inevitable.
She studied his profile now. He still had the shocking white hair but his jokes and attitude no longer surprised her. Finally, he turned his liquid brown eyes to her. "Have you decided who the lucky groom will be?" he questioned with a sudden smile, although his eyes held no happiness.
Narcissa sighed, oblivious to his expression, "I suppose it's to be Ion. For Jareth will surely ask for my sister's hand and of course, I would never hold you to this ridiculous wedding promise. You were always meant to be a bachelor, eh Puck?" She tried to laugh, but felt a knot in her stomach.
They gazed at one another for a few minutes in uncomfortable silence, neither one voicing their thoughts. Eventually, Puck shifted his weight in the saddle, urging the horse forward. "Apparently, I am," was all he said before started down the hill.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sarah found her little sister in the stables a couple hours later.
"Hi," she stated shortly. Despite her elation of being with Jareth, the princess was less than pleased with her sister. Jareth did not love Narcissa, but there had been two people in the garden that day.
The young queen did not notice her sister's attitude. "Hello," came the dull reply.
Sarah frowned and sisterly instincts took over, "What's wrong, 'Cissa?"
"I'm getting married, Sarah."
"Well, I'm aware of that… isn't that what this entire party has been about?"
Narcissa sighed and was on the verge of telling Sarah her woes, but checked herself. So what if she had to get married? She did it once and it turned out fairly well, there was no reason she should not be happy with Ion.
"Nothing's wrong, sis. I just have to go get ready for tonight's announcement."
Sarah watched her sibling walk out of the stables dejectedly. Her own anger was forgotten and worry replaced it. The poor girl had some issues to deal with before this evening.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Narcissa stood before her guests in a royal purple gown trimmed with gold. No one was supposed to know anything about the last few days, except for Laeli's reappearance. So naturally, the entire story was the hottest topic of the night among mortal and fae guests alike.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the room immediately began to quiet down. After all, the second hottest topic of discussion was Narcissa's future husband. "I would like to introduce the three top competitors in the race for my hand. King Jareth, King Ion and Lord Puck." Applause echoed through the hall as Jareth and Ion stepped forward. Puck was nowhere in sight. The whispering resumed.
"My illustrious queen," called Jareth, "it appears that my Lord Puck is a bit late but it is no matter. Ion and I have discussed matters at length and we wish to announce that we withdraw from your competition, in light of the fact that we both have found ladies we wish to wed, with your permission." There was a collective intake of breath.
"Really, Your Majesty? And who are these fortunate women?" the queen responded.
"I, myself, wish to marry your sister, Laeli," Jareth smiled, "although I am sure that is no surprise."
The queen smiled broadly in return as Sarah (as she always would be known by those close to her) moved next to Jareth. She had liked Sarah's love, but he really was not her type. "I consent, my dear Jareth. Just don't hide her away. I want to see my nephews and nieces!" Sarah blushed as the King bowed his assent. "And you, King Ion, I am quite in the dark about your lady love."
"Ah, yes, Your Majesty, well… ever since I heard her play the piano that day… I… uh…" the young man was flustered. People were giggling until he burst out, "I wish to marry your daughter, Giselle!"
Silence. "My youngest daughter…" Narcissa whispered. Her voice carried through the hall, the acoustics picking up every word. She looked to Giselle and noted with amazement, that although she was nervous she was… happy. Of her three children, no one had been closer to Thor than Giselle. He had looked upon her as his little pet. She had never recovered from his death, and Narcissa's wedding plans had thrown her into deeper melancholy. To see her glowing like this, the young queen realized that her daughter would be happy. A fine marriage really. He was Apollo's son and a powerful mortal king. Not for long of course; he would be given the gift of immortality as part of the dowry. Narcissa herself had nothing against him, she had hoped her daughters would marry men such as Ion; she just had not expected it so soon. "Very well," she started slowly, "I will give you my daughter. After a nice, long engagement, there will be a wedding." Narcissa emphasized "long".
Ion beamed. Giselle tucked herself under his arm in happiness as Apollo came up the pair. Father and son regarded one another for a moment while everyone held their breath; the fae society knew about Creusa's accusations against her son's father, although many fae did not believe it. Finally, Apollo embraced his long estranged child. Cheers erupted throughout the hall and Narcissa grinned.
Eventually, she cleared her throat, resuming the role of a queen when she realized what Ion and Jareth's withdrawal meant. She would marry Puck. Joy swept through her; even the shock of discovering her daughter in love with her former suitor was dulled in the light of this revelation. The emotions which she had felt the presence of on top of the hill now immersed her and Narcissa could sort them out into one simple thought: she loved Puck.
Smiling, she looked up. Everyone was staring at her. "Oh, excuse me," she stammered, uncharacteristic of her usual gracious manner, "it has just occurred to me that…"
The doors flew open and guests screamed. Narcissa paled visibly until she saw the lone figure come in. Puck. Of course. "Always liked to make an entrance," she muttered to herself. Despite her newfound love for him, annoyance took over. She narrowed her eyes at him as he descended the stairs and would have given him a harsh reprimand if the fae had not fallen prostrate at her feet. He looked disheveled to say the least, and he was almost certainly wearing the same clothes he had slept in. He lifted his face to her.
"Please… Narcissa," he began, "I know that you have chosen Ion."
"Puck…"
"No!" he shouted forcefully, "Let me finish. I know you have chosen another suitor but I wanted to say this before I left your presence forever. Because I would not have been able to bear it again. First Thor, now Ion. Remember when I did not attend your wedding? You threatened to never see me again, and you almost didn't. I almost did not return from the business trip I had forced myself to go on… You see, I didn't want to see you wed another man. Because, I love you. I cannot bear to live without you. I am your best friend and over the years, for me, it has become…" he stopped. The trickster had just realized that his queen's daughter was hanging on the arm of an amused King Ion. Everyone in the room was smiling at him, either in pity or mockery.
"Puck, you foolish creature," murmured Narcissa above him. She too wore a smile, of pure love and happiness, "Ion is marrying Giselle and Jareth is marrying Laeli. You are my betrothed. And I would not have it any other way. For I do love you, despite your obvious lack of observational skills and bad timing." She laughed as Puck's bewildered look became one matching her own. Dropping all dignified graces, the two kissed in front of hundreds of guests. It was something they would be talking about for years to come.
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Not as long as I had thought it would be. On to the epilogue…
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Chapter 21: (the FINAL chapter… minus the epilogue… granted, it's rather long… eh, on with it)
The queen sat on to the hill, looking at her palace below. Everdark, her jet black horse, grazed beside her. Narcissa had decisions to make.
"Hey kiddo," murmured Puck softly.
"You scared me," claimed Narcissa, although she did not look at all startled by his intrusion. She glanced up at her best friend. He was staring off into the distance, meditating. The young queen thought of their first meeting, immediately after her fiftieth birthday, when she had her debut at royal court. His jokes, together with his smooth attitude and his shocking white-blond hair, had terrified her, but he quickly won her over. As her father's most trusted counselor, the friendship was quite inevitable.
She studied his profile now. He still had the shocking white hair but his jokes and attitude no longer surprised her. Finally, he turned his liquid brown eyes to her. "Have you decided who the lucky groom will be?" he questioned with a sudden smile, although his eyes held no happiness.
Narcissa sighed, oblivious to his expression, "I suppose it's to be Ion. For Jareth will surely ask for my sister's hand and of course, I would never hold you to this ridiculous wedding promise. You were always meant to be a bachelor, eh Puck?" She tried to laugh, but felt a knot in her stomach.
They gazed at one another for a few minutes in uncomfortable silence, neither one voicing their thoughts. Eventually, Puck shifted his weight in the saddle, urging the horse forward. "Apparently, I am," was all he said before started down the hill.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sarah found her little sister in the stables a couple hours later.
"Hi," she stated shortly. Despite her elation of being with Jareth, the princess was less than pleased with her sister. Jareth did not love Narcissa, but there had been two people in the garden that day.
The young queen did not notice her sister's attitude. "Hello," came the dull reply.
Sarah frowned and sisterly instincts took over, "What's wrong, 'Cissa?"
"I'm getting married, Sarah."
"Well, I'm aware of that… isn't that what this entire party has been about?"
Narcissa sighed and was on the verge of telling Sarah her woes, but checked herself. So what if she had to get married? She did it once and it turned out fairly well, there was no reason she should not be happy with Ion.
"Nothing's wrong, sis. I just have to go get ready for tonight's announcement."
Sarah watched her sibling walk out of the stables dejectedly. Her own anger was forgotten and worry replaced it. The poor girl had some issues to deal with before this evening.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Narcissa stood before her guests in a royal purple gown trimmed with gold. No one was supposed to know anything about the last few days, except for Laeli's reappearance. So naturally, the entire story was the hottest topic of the night among mortal and fae guests alike.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the room immediately began to quiet down. After all, the second hottest topic of discussion was Narcissa's future husband. "I would like to introduce the three top competitors in the race for my hand. King Jareth, King Ion and Lord Puck." Applause echoed through the hall as Jareth and Ion stepped forward. Puck was nowhere in sight. The whispering resumed.
"My illustrious queen," called Jareth, "it appears that my Lord Puck is a bit late but it is no matter. Ion and I have discussed matters at length and we wish to announce that we withdraw from your competition, in light of the fact that we both have found ladies we wish to wed, with your permission." There was a collective intake of breath.
"Really, Your Majesty? And who are these fortunate women?" the queen responded.
"I, myself, wish to marry your sister, Laeli," Jareth smiled, "although I am sure that is no surprise."
The queen smiled broadly in return as Sarah (as she always would be known by those close to her) moved next to Jareth. She had liked Sarah's love, but he really was not her type. "I consent, my dear Jareth. Just don't hide her away. I want to see my nephews and nieces!" Sarah blushed as the King bowed his assent. "And you, King Ion, I am quite in the dark about your lady love."
"Ah, yes, Your Majesty, well… ever since I heard her play the piano that day… I… uh…" the young man was flustered. People were giggling until he burst out, "I wish to marry your daughter, Giselle!"
Silence. "My youngest daughter…" Narcissa whispered. Her voice carried through the hall, the acoustics picking up every word. She looked to Giselle and noted with amazement, that although she was nervous she was… happy. Of her three children, no one had been closer to Thor than Giselle. He had looked upon her as his little pet. She had never recovered from his death, and Narcissa's wedding plans had thrown her into deeper melancholy. To see her glowing like this, the young queen realized that her daughter would be happy. A fine marriage really. He was Apollo's son and a powerful mortal king. Not for long of course; he would be given the gift of immortality as part of the dowry. Narcissa herself had nothing against him, she had hoped her daughters would marry men such as Ion; she just had not expected it so soon. "Very well," she started slowly, "I will give you my daughter. After a nice, long engagement, there will be a wedding." Narcissa emphasized "long".
Ion beamed. Giselle tucked herself under his arm in happiness as Apollo came up the pair. Father and son regarded one another for a moment while everyone held their breath; the fae society knew about Creusa's accusations against her son's father, although many fae did not believe it. Finally, Apollo embraced his long estranged child. Cheers erupted throughout the hall and Narcissa grinned.
Eventually, she cleared her throat, resuming the role of a queen when she realized what Ion and Jareth's withdrawal meant. She would marry Puck. Joy swept through her; even the shock of discovering her daughter in love with her former suitor was dulled in the light of this revelation. The emotions which she had felt the presence of on top of the hill now immersed her and Narcissa could sort them out into one simple thought: she loved Puck.
Smiling, she looked up. Everyone was staring at her. "Oh, excuse me," she stammered, uncharacteristic of her usual gracious manner, "it has just occurred to me that…"
The doors flew open and guests screamed. Narcissa paled visibly until she saw the lone figure come in. Puck. Of course. "Always liked to make an entrance," she muttered to herself. Despite her newfound love for him, annoyance took over. She narrowed her eyes at him as he descended the stairs and would have given him a harsh reprimand if the fae had not fallen prostrate at her feet. He looked disheveled to say the least, and he was almost certainly wearing the same clothes he had slept in. He lifted his face to her.
"Please… Narcissa," he began, "I know that you have chosen Ion."
"Puck…"
"No!" he shouted forcefully, "Let me finish. I know you have chosen another suitor but I wanted to say this before I left your presence forever. Because I would not have been able to bear it again. First Thor, now Ion. Remember when I did not attend your wedding? You threatened to never see me again, and you almost didn't. I almost did not return from the business trip I had forced myself to go on… You see, I didn't want to see you wed another man. Because, I love you. I cannot bear to live without you. I am your best friend and over the years, for me, it has become…" he stopped. The trickster had just realized that his queen's daughter was hanging on the arm of an amused King Ion. Everyone in the room was smiling at him, either in pity or mockery.
"Puck, you foolish creature," murmured Narcissa above him. She too wore a smile, of pure love and happiness, "Ion is marrying Giselle and Jareth is marrying Laeli. You are my betrothed. And I would not have it any other way. For I do love you, despite your obvious lack of observational skills and bad timing." She laughed as Puck's bewildered look became one matching her own. Dropping all dignified graces, the two kissed in front of hundreds of guests. It was something they would be talking about for years to come.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Not as long as I had thought it would be. On to the epilogue…