*sigh* I never do my homework, do I? I only just recently found a lode of information direct from Sherwood Smith on all manners of things. To put it nicely, I am going wayy off customs and everything. She actually did mention how weddings worked, and ooops! Mine was a tad off- okay, more than a tad. I don't think I'm going to change anything in this fanfic, but just know that it is extremely politically incorrect. My next fic will hopefully be more on. I really hope, at least. I joined CastleTlanth(a yahoo group), and am busily asking questions and everything, so my next fic will be a bit more correct. To answer someone's questions, I'm planning on doing a future fic, about six(or seven, I can't remember) generations in the future from Mel and Vidanric. To put it bluntly, a girl at Court realizes that history often repeats itself. ^-^ get it? She is from another principality, not Remalna, but is somewhat of a polite hostage, and finds Mel's memoir, and starts realizing that there's a lot of parallels between Mel's story and hers. Not complete parallels, but some things are. Look for that to be up when I finish this. Which will probably be in July sometime, I hope. And yet another short chapter, I just liked how I ended it, so sorry! There will be a longer chapter next.

          Finally, Azmus got the jewels ready, and brought them to me. They were as beautiful as I imagined, and I went to see Vidanric.

"They're here," I called out as I entered the alcove. He looked up.

"What's here?" he asked.

"The necklace and bracelet," I said happily. "Now all we have to do is wear them and wait for people to figure out."
"I thought you said you were going to tell Bran and Nee first," Vidanric said. "And although my mother knows, my father is happily oblivious."

I groaned. "I hate doing these kinds of things," I muttered.

"You know how Bran told us he proposed to Nee?" Vidanric asked.

"How?"
"We were at a dance celebrating Midwinter, and right before the musicians strike up a ballad, he walks up and asks everyone to be quiet," Vidanric said, grinning. "Then he says, 'Before you all start dancing, I just wanted to tell you that Lady Nimiar and I are engaged. Well, that's it.' Then he gestured for the musicians to start up again."

I groaned, but couldn't stop the grin that was pulling at my mouth. "That's so like Bran," I said. "Tactless and lovable."

"That it was," agreed Danric, laughing.

"I think that was just a story for how not to tell Bran and Nee," I said. "I think I'll tell them at breakfast. Bran's never really awake, so it'll be easier."

"He won't realize it until lunch," Danric said. I laughed.

"Exactly."

          I told Nee and Bran to come for breakfast in my chambers, telling them I had something important to tell. I think that Nee could guess, but Bran was probably happily oblivious, as he groaned when I told him.

"Life, Mel, I'm never awake," he said. "What's so important?"

"Come tomorrow," I told him.

          They did, Bran yawning every two seconds. We had breakfast, although Bran hardly ate anything, being so sleepy.

"Well," I said, deciding to just tell them right off, "The important thing I wanted to tell you is that Vidanric and I are engaged."

Nee grinned quickly. "I knew it!" she exclaimed. "I guessed." She got up and hugged me. "I'm so happy for you, Mel," she said. "But who knew this could have happened?"

          I chuckled. "I know," I admitted. "If you had told me a year ago, I would have laughed until I was blue."

"That's good, Mel," Bran said sleepily. Nee and I looked at each other and smiled.
"It won't hit him until gold-change," Nee whispered. I grinned.

"I know. That's why I told you two now," I said.

          I told them not to tell anyone until I wore the necklace, tomorrow. Nee promised, and said she would remind Bran when everything hit him. We were right; around gold-change, as Nee told me, he sat up straight and said, "Life! Nee, was Mel serious? She's engaged?"

          Nee was laughing so hard she couldn't tell Bran that I was serious until a few minutes later. Bran, once he got over the shock, was extremely happy that his close friend was marrying his younger sister. Thankfully, for once he kept his mouth shut.

          Vidanric and I wore our necklace and bracelet the next day, looking forward to reactions, if any. We both went to sword practice, and I saw Savona widen his eyes almost imperceptibly when he saw Vidanric's wrist. Then he just grinned broadly at both of us.

          Savona elected not to tell anyone, since he was enjoying Court's oblivion too much. I had to admit I could see why. No one seemed to notice until at least Petitioners' Court. Then Tamara sidled up to me, and whispered in my ear, "Congratulations, Meliara. You'll make a lovely Queen." I blushed, and smiled back.

          Trishe was the next to remember her old customs, but gasped when she remembered. We were leaving Petitioners' Court, but she then bowed a deep curtsy to me, petitioner to sovereign, like Tamara did once. I blushed a tomato shade, and protested that she shouldn't do that. However, that curtsy alerted everyone, and they eventually realized something was going on, to varying degrees.

Trishe and Tamara took a delight in leading them on. That night, at the Khazhred ball, I could hear them telling confused people, "The necklace and the bracelet." During that night, more and more people came up and gave congratulations, and soon the whole game was up.

Vidanric was enjoying it immensely, as the corners of his mouth were always slightly up whenever a person came up. The reactions were varied; from perfectly disguised shock, to surprise, to bemusement. I had to admit later on, it was rather amusing.

Princess Elestra told me benevolently that she was going to hold a ball in my honor soon(I was getting adopted into her family!), and Savona told us he'd throw a party that no one had ever seen the likes of.

As Vidanric walked me back to the Residence, we laughed over the congratulations. For the most part, there hadn't been much surprise, and to my surprise, relief was evident on some faces. I asked Vidanric why.

"I think all of Court was more shaken by Flauvic's spell than they will admit," Danric said. "They believe that they are still extremely vulnerable, as any sorceror could just come swooping down on Athanarel any time and cast the spell quickly over them."

"But that's not true," I protested. "I read parts of Flauvic's books; that spell he used takes weeks to complete."
"But Court doesn't know that," Vidanric pointed out, smiling. "Since the Hill Folk interceded on your behalf, they believe having you as Queen is added protection."

I snorted. "That's ridiculous," I said. "I don't even know magic!"

"You could," Vidanric said blandly, no emotion on his face. I looked up at him suspiciously.

"How? Write to the Council?"

"I believe that's how you ask, yes. And I believe your mother's ability might have passed down to you."

"Huh," I said thoughtfully. We reached the Residence, and he gave me a quick kiss.

"See you tomorrow," he said gaily, and walked off. I watched him go, then rolled my eyes.

"Kings," I muttered. "Why do they always have to be so mysterious?"

-Alqualyne