Everything's Okay in the End
Chapter Eight
Wedding
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Tamora Pierce, except for Kathryn and Fae who are mine. I'm making no money off this. (Who would pay me for this…thing?)
A/N: Hmmm…This feels odd. I haven't written anything for this story for almost a year. o.O;; But I figured I should finish it—I'm so close to the end. In fact, this is the last chapter. No idea how long it'll be. Hope everyone enjoys! Oh yes, one last thing, as I can't remember what Tammy said Tortallan weddings are like (no, never mentioned in a book) this is going to be the "classic wedding" as I call it. Complete with the "Whoever thinks these two should not be married…" bit. Onward!
Cleon and Kel spent one last night together. They had talked about their situation that evening and agreed, no matter how terrible, and hard it was to admit it, that no good would come of their relationship. They would make love for one more night, and then, the days preceding the wedding avoid being near the other, as it would be too hard not to hold them.
Cleon spent most of his time in the practice courts, training his frustration and sorrow out. Kel shut out most people, and spent most of her time on the jousting lanes, and with her horses Peachblossom and Hoshi.
Kathryn, on the other hand, spent as much time as possible with Fal. They both knew that carrying on as they were would only make it more difficult after the wedding, but they thought it was worth it. No one knew of their affair except Fae, anyway.
Four days before the wedding, Daphnia arranged a special brunch with her son and Kathryn.
"You look absolutely lovely today, Kathryn. What a nice shade of lip paint, it suits you so well," Daphnia said while waiting for Cleon to arrive.
Kathryn blushed. She wasn't wearing lip paint—before she came she had been kissing Fal under an apple tree a little way from the castle. Her lips were obviously more red and swollen than she had thought. "Thank very much Lady Daphnia," she mumbled.
"Oh, honestly, we're nearly family! Please call me Daphnia."
Kathryn smiled as Cleon came into the room, flushed in the face from running. Daphnia eyed her son with curiosity. "You're late, young man. But surly you have a good reason?" she said taking a sip from her tea.
"I lost track of time in the practice courts," Cleon muttered. He kissed him mother on the cheek, then kissed Kathryn's hand and took his seat.
"Well," Daphnia started, "since you are both here now, I will take my leave." She stood up and took no notice of the shocked look the two young people at the table were giving her.
"What do you mean, Mother? Where are you going? Why?" Cleon looked slightly panicked.
"Oh, honestly dear. You two never spend any time together. You hardly even know each other. I wanted to get you two together so you could talk. Have fun!" And before either Kathryn or Cleon could say a word, the door had closed, and they were alone in the little room that had been put together for their brunch.
"Well," Kathryn said somewhat breathlessly.
"So…" Cleon started. "Er…How are you today?"
"I'm fine thank you, and yourself?" Kathryn replied. It went like that for sometime. The two of them being painfully polite and shy.
After a particularly unbearable silence Kathryn threw her hands up and huffed, "This is ridiculous! Listen, I know you don't want to marry me, and to be perfectly frank, I'm not looking forward to being your wife, either. There, it's out, now let's talk."
Cleon gaped at her. He collected himself and said, "Well, alright. No, I do not want to marry you. Don't get me wrong, you're lovely, and nice, and very pleasant to be with…but…"
"But, you're in love with Sir Keladry," Kathryn finished quietly. Cleon looked up sharply, and she smiled slightly. "I saw you two together at the ball when I first came. I'm sorry I'm the reason you can't be with her."
Cleon sighed. "It isn't your fault. I could be marrying any of my mother's rich friends' daughters." They fell silent again. Then, Cleon asked, "Just out of curiosity, for what reason do you have that you don't want to marry me? Not that I mind!" he added quickly.
Kathryn laughed at first. "Oh, different things. There's the fact that I knew before we went riding that night that you were with someone else. And I hated knowing I was coming between two people in love. And," Kathryn began to blush, "there is the fact that I have grown somewhat…fond of another knight during my stay here." Cleon started to chuckle. "Not to mention that you're just too tall for me. It hurts my neck to speak to you when we are standing." Cleon laughed out right at this, until Kathryn continued, "I hate to think of how uncomfortable we will be when it comes time to make children."
At this comment, Cleon chocked on his laugh and turned white. He'd never heard a noble woman speak like that before. Not to mention the very thought of being with someone other than Kel like that hurt his heart.
Kathryn smirked at him. "What? Think high-class girls don't think about that?"
Cleon took a long gulp of water. "No, that's not it…you just…Startled me." He decided to change the subject. "So, who is this lucky knight who as caught your affection?" Kathryn blushed again and mumbled something. "Sorry? Didn't catch that name," Cleon teased.
"Sir Faleron," Kathryn said a bit louder.
"Ahh! That explains why he shoots me dirty looks at dinner sometimes. Does anyone know?"
"I believe Sir Neal saw us holding hands under the dinner table one night," she said blushing still, but grinning.
After a moment Cleon sighed. "I'm sorry Kathryn. I wish I knew a way out of this mess."
"As do I," she said softly. After a moment of silence she stood up. "Well, I think I will go back to my rooms. I'm due to meet Lalasa the dress maker soon, for my last fitting." Cleon stood as well and bowed as she curtsied, and held the door open for her. He headed back to the practice courts again.
*~*~*
"Come away with me," Fal said between kisses. "You don't have to marry him. Stay with me. Please."
"You know I want to, love," Kathryn said holding tightly to him. She never wanted this moment to end. In twelve hours she would have to marry Cleon. And no matter how appealing the idea of running away with Fal was, she had her duty to her family. "But I can't…I have to stay. I'm so sorry!" She kissed him with all she was worth. "I'm sorry, I don't want to, but I must," she moaned wiping away a tear.
Fal kissed her and whispered, "I know…" He held her for Goddess knows how long, but it didn't matter. The next few hours were theirs.
"I can't go through with it, Fae!" Kathryn exclaimed. She was supposed to be getting ready. The wedding would be held in an hour in the Great Hall. King Jonathan had agreed to hold the wedding in the castle, and marry one of his best knights.
"Of course you can! Sweet, I know you don't want to. I know he doesn't want to, but you have to, and you will! Every thing will be fine." Fae hugged her hysteric friend. "Everything will be okay in the end."
Kathryn said nothing. Only held still while Fae fussed with her hair and face paint, and helped her into her dress. Before she was ready, it was time for Kathryn to make her way downstairs.
Kel decided not to get too dressed up for the occasion. As a matter of fact, it took much persuasion from Neal to get her to agree to attend the wedding at all. As she ran a comb threw her hair, there was a knock on her door.
"Hullo," Neal said, standing in the doorway. "Are you nearly ready?" he said sympathetically. Only someone like Neal, who had known Kel for so long could tell how distressed she was. Anyone else wouldn't be able to even begin to guess how she was feeling.
"Nearly," Kel replied. She brushed her hair (now cut to it's normal length of just below her earlobes) a bit more and let Neal lead her down to the Great Hall.
As the only family Cleon had was his mother, Kel, Neal and several of their friends sat in the very front. Kel kept her eyes on the floor, and avoided eye contact with anyone. Especially Cleon, who was looking particularly handsome in his best clothes, standing almost directly in front of her. He stood to the right of an alter, that King Jonathan would stand behind.
Suddenly, every head in the room turned to the back doors. Except Kel's. There stood Kathryn, looking stunning in her silk and velvet white dress, holding a bouquet of the most beautiful flowers. She slowly began to march down the aisle towards King Jonathan and Cleon.
Kel was still examining the floor.
"Kel, are you alright?" Owen asked. He was sitting behind her, and leaned forward to whisper his concerns. "You don't look so well."
Kel only shook her head slightly. Neal looked back at Owen and gestured with his head at Cleon. Owen nodded sadly, and leaned back in his seat to listen to King Jonathan.
Neal glanced at his best friend in the seat next to him. She was twisting her hands in her lap, when a drop of water fell on them. That was when he noticed she was crying. He made a decision then.
"If anyone thinks that these two people," Jonathan boomed to the crowd, "should not be joined in matrimony, please, speak now, or forever hold your peace."
Neal stood immediately. "Me. I object. They shouldn't be married!"
There was a stunned silence throughout the hall. Kel finally looked up to gawk at Neal. Everyone's eyes were on him. Daphnia of Kennan was starting to turn purple with anger, Kathryn and Cleon just gaped at him, and Jonathan blinked.
Suddenly, Owen stood up as well. "I have to agree with Neal. I object as well."
"As do I," Faleron said, standing up. Kel seemed too shocked to take in what was going on.
"Me too," said Kathryn and Cleon simultaneously. Jonathan's mouth twitched, as though he were trying not to smile.
"Well," said the king, "I assume you all have a reason as to why?"
Neal spoke first. "Yes Your Highness. You see, this marriage would never last. Both of the participants are in love with other people."
The king was silent too long, and Daphnia jumped from her seat, fuming. "It doesn't matter! That is common, and unavoidable in marriages such as these!" She stalked to Cleon and spoke quietly, so only he, and Kathryn could hear, "We need the money from this marriage son! Kennan will cease to be if you don't do your duty!"
"Lady Daphnia," Kathryn said quietly, "if it is money you need, I will have no problem getting it to you. I know my mother will not mind. Please! Sir Neal speaks the truth; if this marriage proceeds, we will both be miserable!"
There was chatter in the audience. No one knew what was going on. Danelle, Kathryn's mother, joined the group at the alter soon enough to hear what the problem was. She touched her childhood friend on the arm, "Daphnia, I understand you, but we shouldn't force them. I will be more than happy to provide the money you would get out of this joining, without actually joining them."
Daphnia, still angry, looked at the faces watching her. Danelle's was sympathetic, and understanding, Kathryn's and Cleon's were pleading, and King Jonathan looked as though he were trying very hard not to laugh. It seemed she was outnumbered, and would not get her way. She let out a deep breath, nodded, and without a word, turned and left the hall.
Kel finally locked eyes with Cleon. He smiled at her as King Jonathan boomed to the audience, "This wedding is off! But please help yourselves to the refreshments in the next room!" He finally let himself laugh. As the hall cleared out he said to the bride and groom, "Well, this has certainly been fun!" and he too left.
Kathryn rushed into Fal's arms and they whispered sweet nothings to each other in between kisses. Kel and Cleon had no stopped looked into each other eyes. Cleon finally strode toward her, pulled her up and kissed her soundly on the mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and his around her waist and held each other. They kissed as though the world would end of they stopped.
Kathryn looked away from Fal to watch her new friend and his love share their passionate embrace. "Fae was right," she thought. "Everything's okay in the end."
Fin.
A/N: I finally finished! Well…that was fun. I hope you enjoyed it. I know, it's terribly unlikely for things to happen that way, especially in this time period. But…Let's just think that Danelle is before her time, and wants her daughter to marry for love not money, and Daphnia is just…dumb. :p I'd appreciate feedback! Maybe now I'll continue "The Child"…Hmmmm…The world is full of possibilities!
