Chapter Four: My Firefly, My Wife

Eight Days

"In the Names of the Great Goddesses, Naryu, Farore, Din…Do you, Malon Evslin, daughter of Talon and Kessa Evslin, take Rook Campbell, as your life partner, to take into your heart and join with on this day before the eyes of friends and loved ones?" The old preacher's wrinkled cheeks drew up into a smile as he finished his sentence.

Malon flushed and her heart raced as she felt the full force of the words. Take as your life partner… Her eyelids fluttered upward to Rook's, whose face was paler than her mother's wedding dress she wore. It still sagged in a few places or was too tight in others, though barely noticeable thanks to the skillful hand of Marta, Malon's soon to be mother-in-law.

Oh, Naryu, what was she getting into! The gentle squeeze of Rook's hand brought her back to life and she knew that all was right with the world.

"I take this man," her voice was trembling and so were her slender hands as she folded her side of the embroidered cloth over both of their hands as a symbol of their union. "To share my heart and life with as of this day to forever, him and no other." The wave washed over her, the music sang only to her ears, and the power that swelled in her heart at that moment was pure, absolute bliss. The priest turned to Rook who at any moment appeared as though he were to faint.

"In the Names of the Great Goddesses, Naryu, Farore, Din…Do you, Rook Campbell, son of Scott and Marta Campbell, take Malon Evslin, as your life partner, to take into your heart and protect from this day forward, before the eyes of friends and loved ones?"

            "I'd say I'm the bloak 'n need a' protection," Rook grinned down at Malon, speaking only loud enough for her and the amused priest to hear. After that he didn't hesitate what to say, for, ever since the moment he laid eyes on his beautiful Malon, he had been fanaticizing about this moment.

"I Rook Campbell, take this beautiful, wondrous, stunning woman, Malon Evslin, Firefly, ta be my wife." He paused and took a shaky breath. He had been practicing this for months, it didn't mean he was fearless. He was a man in love after all. His eyes met Malon's and in them found perfection as he took his side of the cloth in his fingers and folded it over their joined hands.

 "The Goddesses only know what I've done to deserve such a gift…I'm tryin' to figure it out still," he added again so only she could hear and grew redder still as Malon squeezed his hand tighter and tighter. "I love her, an' will protect her with me verra' life, an' fight for her till my heart stops beatin' in my chest. I take her now and forever."

                        And with hands joined the priest announced them as so. They were now man and wife, till death did they part. Showers of dried corn kernels rained down upon them as they fled from the altar to the decorated cart waiting for them. Not the way Malon had planned leaving her wedding in for all those years, but she was with her knight in shining armor, nothing could make her happier.

Rook's brother, Scott, gave him a hearty slap of the back and then kissed Rook's new bride of the cheek, welcoming her to the family. Malon's new nieces jumped up and down excitedly and Scott's wife, Lynn, kissed Malon as well.

            "Aye, they're a handful these Campbells', but don't worry dear, their easy to tame under a woman's spell," she laughed as Malon was raised into the wagon seat next to Rook.

Through the crowd Malon could see Link standing next to her father with an amused grin on his face, while she thought she saw her father crying. Link and Malon gazed at one another, smiling, and Link never saw her so happy. She yelled out to him, and Link ran to her, letting her plant a huge kiss on him before she rode off. She leaned over and whispered to him, with all of the sisterly-love that she had:

            "Thank you for always being there for me." At this Link laughed and replied:

            "No, you're wrong, you were always there for me. Now go, you're a married woman now!"

            "Are ye tryin' to steal my bride away from me already Hero of Time?" Rook reached out and shook his hand firmly. "Aye Link, than ye fer comin. It means a lo' to us," his eyes were sparkling and Link could see his pride was bursting.

            "Wouldn't miss it Rook," Link clapped his hand back and they stood staring at each other seriously for a moment, regarding one another as old comrades in arms. "You just be sure to take good care of her, or you'll be hearing from me."

            Rook snapped the reins and took the horses out of the crowd across the Field. The members of the wedding party were busy getting into wagons themselves, all heading toward the Ranch for their reception. Rook pulled his wife closer and kissed the top of her head. She was his wife, his. It seemed to be too good to be true.  Malon let herself be pulled in and held him close as the horses trotted along at their own pace.

            "Rook," she murmured as Rook bent his head down and kissed her. She was sweet, and Rook's mind went fuzzy as she nipped at his bottom lip.

            "Aye my Firefly, my wife," he trailed off and we shall leave them here, at a happy beginning.

AN: I think this is a good spot to leave off for now. I'll update soon as soon as I tweak the already written chapters a bit. Thank you so much for reading!