Author note: here comes the final part of the trilogy, dearest readers! I want to wholeheartedly thank all of you who are still here. I hope this final part will not disappoint you. Here we go!
oxoxoxoxoxo
The light breeze coming from the forest smelled of pine resin and sent the soft snowflakes swirling in a mesmerizing dance that held Margaret Dawn's attention. Two months had passed since she and her companions had returned from the Abyss and they now stayed in Suldanesselar as honored guests of Queen Ellesime herself, who had rewarded them with golden medals and magnificent weapons of elven making for having put an end to Irenicus' menace once and for all.
All of Meg's companions had been eager to enjoy some peace and the Golden Elves had turned out to be surprisingly kind and friendly hosts, to the point that by now every one of the party members felt nearly at home in the splendid elven city. Of course, they had all helped with trying to restore it to its former glory: Sarevok, Anomen and Minsc helped repairing the broken buildings, with Boo acting as their supervisor; Imoen, Yoshimo and Edwin were assigned to restoring the books in the Great Library, while Aerie, Jaheira and Meg tended to those who had been injured during the attack.
The latter also managed to find a new family to each of the children who had been orphaned by Jon's minions, even if a part of her was tempted to simply adopt them all herself: she had always wanted a family and as she took care of them, her motherly instinct seemed to grow stronger and stronger with each minute.
The sound of light steps snapped her attention back to her surroundings, but she did not need to turn around to know who it was, "It's beautiful, isn't it, honey?", she asked. Anomen wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and held her to his chest, leaning his chin on her shoulder, "It is, my love. But not as much as you are", he purred in her ear, kissing the delicate shell. She sighed softly and leaned into him, closing her eyes, "Anomen…". "Yes, my lady?". "I...I feel a storm coming".
He gently turned her around so that they were facing each other, "I fear that you're not referring to a literal one". "No, I'm not", her gaze was sad, "The Taint is restless these days. The Slayer said that they will rise soon". "They?". "The other Spawn, or at least, the more powerful ones. According to it, the time of the prophecy has come". His heart sank, "How long do we have before they strike?". "A few days. One of them is already approaching". "Where is he?". "She", the Ilmatari corrected him, "She is maybe a three days' walk from the city. I will meet her in the forest outside the gates, too many lives have already been lost here".
"You won't go alone". "Anomen…". "I will come with you, you know this", he took her hands in his and kissed her knuckles, "I will never leave your side, my love". Meg opened her mouth to argue, she didn't want him to be in danger again, but she knew that nothing she could say would sway him and her heart swelled with love as she was reminded once again of his unwavering loyalty, "I know, sweetheart. Let's get ready for the travel".
He nodded and for the first time in two months, he put his Shadow Dragon scale armor on, a small smile curving his lips, "I know I should not say this, considering the current circumstances, but it feels good to don my armor once again", he commented and she chuckled as she fastened the straps of her own Red Dragon scale armor. "We've gotten too used to being on the road, I fear".
"Maybe. Meg, before we go…I have a request to make of you". Her eyebrows rose with curiosity, "Oh? What is it?". He took a small box from a pocket and knelt before her, opening the lid and showing her a golden ring with a beautiful small emerald encased in the band, "Margaret Dawn, will you marry me?".
Her breath caught in her throat and tears of joy ran down her cheeks, "Yes. Yes!", she knelt too and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, locking her lips with his in a long, passionate kiss, "I love you, Anomen". "I love you too, Meg", he beamed and slipped the ring on her finger, trembling with emotion, "You have just made me the happiest man of the whole Faerun, my sweet, magnificent lady. Let us go to queen Ellesime, so that…".
"There is no need for it, we are clerics ourselves", she said, "We can speak our vows here and now, without the need for anyone else's intervention". He chuckled, "True, but I fear that, if we got married without informing at least Imoen, Jaheira and your brother, I would have to face some serious retribution". She laughed, "Fair enough. Let's gather our party and then we can exchange our vows".
They quickly went downstairs, to the wide room where the party always gathered for breakfast and found all of their companions already waiting for them. "About time!", Imoen exclaimed as she saw the two lovers, "I was of half a mind to throw a Stinking Cloud in your room to get ya out of…Oooooh, is that a ring?", she then squealed excitedly, eyes shining. "It is, Immy", the Ilmatari smiled as a light blush spread on her cheeks, "We, well…".
"We are going to get married this very morning", Anomen finished for her, wrapping an arm around her waist, "And we want all of you to witness our union". Sarevok cleared his throat, "Marriage, uh? Didn't you forget about something, Anomen?". The knight blinked and frowned in thought, "I…I don't think so". "And what happened to the honored tradition of asking to the soon-to-be-bride's father, or brother in this case, for his blessing?".
"Well…I forgot about it", he admitted, "All right, then: Sarevok, I want to marry your sister Margaret Dawn. Will you allow me to ask for her hand and give us your blessing?". The Deathbringer smiled, "Now that's better. And yes to both questions". Meg let out a happy squeal and threw her arms around her brother's neck, "Thank you, Sarry!". "You're welcome, little sister". "Hey!", Imoen intervened, placing her hands on her hips, "I'm her sister, dontcha have to ask for my blessing too, mr Holy Knight?".
Anomen laughed, "Not according to the tradition. But since you're all here, I think it's only fair to ask each of you for yours". "Ya have it!", the pink-haired thief assured him. Jaheira gave the couple a warm, motherly smile, "You have mine too and I have no doubt that, if Khalid were here, he would grant you his own as well". The Helmite bowed his head, moved, "Thank you, Jaheira". "Oh, shut up and just take care of my daughter. And don't you dare call me mom!", she warned in a semi-serious tone and he chuckled. "I wouldn't dream of it".
Minsc beamed, "This is truly a joyous day! Little Meg and friend Anomen, you have the blessing of Minsc and…", he paused and bent to listen to the hamster's squeaking, then nodded, "Ah, yes. Boo says that he grants you not only his own, but also the blessing of all the Miniature Giant Space Hamsters of the Planes, of whom he is an ambassador on Faerun!", he declared solemnly. Meg chuckled and hugged him tightly, "Thank you both. And please, Boo, give our thanks to your kin all around the Planes, will you?", she added, kissing Boo's head.
"Have you already chosen who will celebrate your union?", Aerie asked, "I would be honored to do it in the name of Baervan Wildwanderer. Oh and of course, you have my blessing!". The knight shared a look with his betrothed, "Well, to be fair, we had not thought about it, being clerics ourselves, but I do not doubt Ilmater would allow for it. As for Helm…I am not sure", he said, biting his lower lip.
As if to answer, the Holy Symbol around his neck began glowing softly, radiating a comforting warmth through him. "Seems like the Watcher doesn't mind", Margaret Dawn noted. "This is good. In this case, Aerie, I will be glad to have you celebrate our marriage". "I agree", she nodded. Yoshimo bowed in his seat, "You have my blessing, my friends and I wish you all the happiness the Gods can grant a married couple".
Edwin snorted, "I am not sure you will have the life you deserve with this scale-plated simian, Meg. In fact, there is a former classmate of mine from Thay that would shower you with riches and have you live in luxury like a queen for the rest of your life", he stated, then his gaze softened a little, "But…I doubt you would be as happy with him as you are with Anomen. So, I give you my blessing as well". She smiled warmly and moved to his side to hug him and peck him on the cheek, "Thank you, Edwin".
"Yes, yes, now take those paws off of me and have breakfast!", he grumbled, though a corner of his mouth quirked slightly upwards. Anomen grinned impishly, "You know, Edwin, I'm suddenly feeling the urge to hug you as well", he joked and the Thayan glared at him. "Don't you dare try it, you brainless monkey, or you'll get a Fireball down your throat! (It's been too long since I last Fireballed someone…)", he added with a wistful sigh.
At that, the Helmite sobered, "I fear you will have the chance to do it quite soon, my friend". "What do you mean?". "Anomen!", Meg scolded her beloved, "Don't!". "But my love…". "No!". Jaheira's eyes narrowed, "What is going on, child?". "Nothing that should worry you". "Meg, you promised me you would not lie to me ever again. Or was it a lie?". Her daughter flinched, "No, it wasn't, but…". "Tell me".
She hesitated, but at length sighed, "All right: there is a Bhaalspawn approaching the city, she likely means to kill me. And according to the Slayer, the most powerful of our half-siblings will move soon: the time of the prophecy has come and the rivers will run red with blood", she confessed. "Then we must get ready to fight them". "Mom…".
"Oh, shush, child! We've already had a similar discussion in the past, you should know by now that arguing is useless!", the druidess snapped, "But first, you must get ready for your marriage: surely you won't get married while wearing armour?". Her daughter blinked, "Yes?". "No way, sis!", Imoen intervened, "Ya must have a nice dress, with a long gown and tons of frills! And of course, Jae, Aerie and myself must have some fancy dresses as well!". Jaheira frowned, "I don't…"."Oh, come now, it's a special occasion!", the pink-haired thief pouted.
"Well…Meg?". The Painbearer chuckled, "Better to just do as she says. Even if I'm not that comfortable at the prospect of wearing a dress, it's not my style at all". Anomen smiled softly and slipped an arm around her waist, "And yet, there is no doubt in my mind that you will be the most radiant sight this city has ever seen, my love", he purred and she blushed slightly. "You're so sweet, beloved. But don't think you're off the hook: if I have to dress up, then so will you", she said with a mischievous grin. "I will gladly do it for you".
Minsc clapped his hands, "Good! Boo says he already knows what kind of elegant clothes friend Anomen should wear!", he announced and Edwin rolled his eyes. "Bah! It seems that you will need my assistance, then: as a member of the glorious nation of Thay, I am of course the most qualified person in this room (and quite likely in this city as well) to counsel you on this matter", the Red Wizard said, standing and grabbing Anomen by the arm, "Come, we shall find a tailor at once".
Sarevok grinned and made a show of drying sweat from his brow, "At least I'm safe", he commented, but the Thayan turned and smirked. "Oh, no, you are not: if we are to witness their union, we must be dressed for the occasion. All of us". The Deathbringer sobered and made as if to protest, but Meg took his hand. "Please, big brother, do it for me", she pleaded with her best puppy dog eyes and he couldn't help nodding. "All right, my little wild rose, I will", he bent to kiss her forehead tenderly, then sighed and followed the Red Wizard out of the room, together with Anomen, Minsc (and Boo) and Yoshimo.
Imoen giggled, "Great! Now we need to find a tailor as well. Let's go!", she said and the other women trailed after her with a mixture of amusement and resignation. Only on one thing Meg was not willing to compromise, threatening to resort to violence if her condition was not accepted: neither Ellesime, nor Demin or any of the Elves of Suldanesselar were to be allowed to take part to the ceremony. That was her day and they would not spoil it.
