Marriage vs. Love
The next few days past in a blur for Aeris, the death of one of her closest friends by the hand of her husband was still on her mind as she sat down on the two-seater infront of the fireplace. She sighed as she looked around the outer chamber of their rooms. The coronation is tomorrow.. she thought with a sigh. Not only was Sephiroth about to become King, but also she would be Queen.. this was too much for the former flower girl to handle and she broke down into tears.
Sephiroth frowned as he entered the chamber. "Is there something wrong, Aeris?"
Aeris gasped slightly and wiped the tears from her eyes as Sephiroth sat beside her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders in a gentle embrace. "No.. no I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" He frowned. "You've been upset like this for the last few days."
"Everything is just moving so fast." Aeris smiled up at him.
"I know what you mean, my love." He sighed lightly and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "Get some sleep, Aeris. We both have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."
Aeris nodded. "Yes, we do indeed." And she let herself be led into the bedchamber by Sephiroth, both soon settling into bed together.
* * * * *
The sun rose bright and cheerful over the mountains near the kingdom of Midgar. Sephiroth was already awake and watching the sunrise through the bedchamber window when Aeris awoke.
"Ah, good morning, my love." Sephiroth said with a smile, walking back over to the bed and kissing Aeris gently as he sat back down beside her.
"Good morning, my king.." Aeris laughed lightly at Sephiroth's expression.
"Not quite yet, Aeris.. but soon." He leant in and kissed her deeply and lovingly.
"Now," she said, pulling away from him.. "we better be getting ready. We do not wish to miss the ceremony."
Sephiroth sighed and pulled her back into his arms. "There is no ceremony without us, my love. Let them wait."
Aeris giggled lightly and placed a kiss to his forehead. "Silly.. we must get ready."
Each of them got up to bath and dress in the prearranged clothing in the kingdom's colors. Sephiroth wore a black and red outfit, similar to the one he wore on their wedding day, but more elaborate to express his forthcoming rank, and Aeris wore an elegantly styled red dress with black embroidery and black lace at the neckline and around the trim.
Vincent was waiting for them in the outer chamber we they both emerged. "Your majesties.." he said, bowing low, his long raven locks of hair falling down around his shoulders.
"I trust everything is prepared and secure, Valentine?" Sephiroth asked as Aeris sat down to let the waiting servant girl braid her hair.
"Of course, sire. Everything is set, we need only yours and Lady Aeris' presence."
"We won't be too long, Vincent.." Aeris smiled over at him.
"Thank you, m'lady." Vincent bowed again and left the chamber quickly and silently.
Sephiroth turned back to face Aeris with a smile as another servant girl brushed through his long silver hair. "So, are you ready then, my dearest Aeris?"
Aeris smiled. "Such a silly attitude you have today, husband."
Shrugging lightly Sephiroth gestured for the two girls to leave. "Just happy is all my love."
"Understandable." She said lightly and rose to her feet, taking his offered hand and heading down the corridor and outside, being followed closely behind by Vincent and a few of his guards as they all made their way to the church.
Nodding and bowing their heads politely at the visiting dignitaries, Sephiroth and Aeris made their way up the aisle towards the altar, both of them kneeling infront of the Father who stood there.
A hush fell over the gathering as the Father took from the altar a piece of red stain robe, twisted with fine craftsmanship. Tying the rope around Aeris' right wrist and Sephiroth's left as they held hands the Father stated that the cord represented the love and passion the prince and princess have for each other and their people, and how they were bound together for life and beyond. The Father then took hold of a beautiful, and old, silver goblet that was filled with red wine, from which Sephiroth and Aeris both took a mouthful to represent the sharing that was to be done. The Father then smiled and replaced the goblet looking out over the crowd and raised his hands over Sephiroth and Aeris' heads, palms hovering inches above each head as he called out to their God for any sign to show that the two should not take the final step into their new positions.
After a few moments of silence he lowered his hands to their head. "So be it!" He declared and reached for the crown from the altar, lowering it onto Sephiroth's head slowly as he declared him to be the new and rightful King of Midgar.
The crowd went wild with cheers and congratulations as the Father undid their wrists with a smile, bowing his head in respect to the two before their turned and headed back down the aisle.
Vincent raised his hand for silence as Sephiroth and Aeris stepped out of the church and before anything was said a cry went up. "Long live King Sephiroth!"
"And long live Queen Aeris!" Came another voice as the crowd cheered again.
"Hmm, I like the sound of that.' Sephiroth remarked lightly to Aeris who laughed lightly as Vincent silenced the crowd again.
"While I am king," Sephiroth began. "I promise that peace shall reign without our kingdom and I look to each and every one of you in helping to make this come true."
Aeris smiled and took Sephiroth's hand in hers again as they walked back to the palace to the sounds of the joyous crowd.
* * * * *
To be continued..?
Bloodrose: I know..this was the shortest chapter yet.. but at the moment my muse doesn't really know where he's heading.. and isn't much help.
Kuja: *admiring himself in a mirror* Now that's cruel..
Bloodrose: Perhaps, but it's true!
Kuja: *shrugs*
Bloodrose: Sorry minna-san, R/R please?