Chapter Fourteen: "Marriage"
King Randor held the ribbon in his hand, nervously running his fingers across its silky length. It had been a full month since he diplomatic incident with the Cats and things were running like fully oiled machine. He had thought a lot, since then, about Marlena.
More importantly, about their future.
Though their courtship was still young by any multiple views, their love was strong. Stronger than any other - even that of Teelana and Duncan.
And while it took some convincing, the Royal Council had come to accept that Marlena was a lot more that meets the eye. The people liked Marlena. Duncan had been pushing it for a long while. And so, Randor deemed that it was time.
With the Commitment Ribbon secured in his pocket, Randor went looking for his beautiful lover. He found her in the garden, the late July sun coming down upon her. She was beautiful . . . more beautiful than the day he found.
Than the day that fate played it's card and brought her to him.
"Hi honey," she said, smiling that lovely smile.
He stood there like a man possessed. And indeed he was. Possessed with love. With passion.
"I love you," he replied sternly.
She laughed a little. "I love you too, dear. What's wrong? You're acting kinda strange."
Randor smiled, then got down on both knees. "My dear Lady Marlena, my love . . ."
A sudden realization came barreling into Marlena's mind, tearing every other thought and feeling asunder.
"Yes?"
". . . destiny has bound us. Love has binded our hearts. I ask now that you honor me in engaging in bring our lives together in the sacred rite of marriage?"
Marlena nodded wildly, her smile increasing to barely its limits, tears flowing down openly. "Yes! Yes, my dear Randor, I say yes!"
He pulled out what Marlena first thought would be an Engagement Ring. Instead it was a red, silk ribbon. It was a sudden reminder that this was not Earth and that here she was, on another planet, accepting a marriage proposal from the most powerful king in the land.
"This is a Commitment Ribbon," he explained as he tied it around her wrist. "It symbols the binds that join us. The one is for you." Randor retrieved a second, blue one from his other pocket and handed it to her. "This one is for me. If you will please tie it around my wrist."
"Of course."
She did it and both felt the bound of love grow stronger. He put his hands on her hips and smiled. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"My dear Marlena. My love, my sweet . . . my Queen."
"Queen, huh?" she said with a smile. "My King. My husband."
The two kissed and it was the second greatest kiss of their lives. The first greatest being their first kiss.
With blinding speed, the next month passed. The Royal Wedding was planned, as well Marlena's coronation. Not in such a long time had such a joyous occasion been looked forward to by all of Eternos. Barely anyone spoke of Marlena's alien heritage, only of her general kindness and the love she had for King Randor.
The summer harvest was incredible that year and many thought that it may have been the Ancients, blessing Eternos for supporting such a loving couple.
For Marlena, these weeks went by in a whirl of excitement and love. She hardly had any time to do much of anything other than studying Eternian culture and language, preparing to be new Queen of Eternos, and the wedding itself.
As a child Marlena, had always wanted nothing more than a small, friends-and-family wedding. However, Eternia apparently didn't believe in that. There was talk about Ambassadors attending, as well Kings and Queens from lands Marlena had never heard of - even during her studies. There were plans of broadcasting the wedding on huge holographic generators that were set-up all throughout the kingdom.
It was a bit on the crazy side, but Marlena found herself enjoying it. The fact that she was going to be the Queen was a little more than overwhelming and often found herself truly doubting if she would be any good at it.
Susannah would say, though, "That you will find your place in it."
The wedding was scheduled for August 25th of the year 984 during the Third Age of Eternia.
A day rapidly approaching.
Eldor walked into the Hall of Wisdom a few days before the wedding. He had sensed an overcoming darkness. They all had. Something was out there, circling, upsetting certain balances. Today . . . the darkness felt stronger than ever.
"You sense it as well?" questioned Ali.
"Of course I do," Eldor returned. "The source of the darkness is hard to pinpoint, but I . . ." Eldor suddenly stopped in mid-sentence.
"Eldor?" asked Frondor.
"I sense . . ." he began. His face suddenly became a pallet of pain. His mind exploded with incredible psyche energy. It rippled from him and all of the other Elders grabbed their heads in agony. It was an attack - a very powerful one, at that. Not powerful enough to kill, just to make the Elders aware of who was doing it.
As the pain subsided, Eldor filled with rage.
"HORDAK!" he roared.
"Hordak?"
He blinked suddenly, looking at the door. Keldor stood there, dark hair reaching past his shoulders, his goatee grown in on his blue-skinned face.
"Yes? My apologies, Keldor. I was . . . distracted."
"I see. Lord Hordak, I just wanted to inform you that Batros has successfully assassinated Lord Dactys and has taken control of the Bats. He has signed the peace treaty."
Hordak nodded. "What about King Pythos?"
"The Reptons have chosen non-aggression. As long as we do not attack them, they will not attack us."
"Good enough for now. What of the Lobsterites? And the Mer-People?"
"No contact as of yet."
"Not a major concern right now, Keldor. The people of the seas are not going to interfere with our plans. Right now, our primary targets are the kingdoms of the Light Hemisphere."
"Yes, Lord Hordak."
Hordak smiled. "Eternos being chief among them all."
Keldor nodded, a smile growing as well. "Randor and my siblings will pay for what they have done."
Hordak rubbed his chin in thought. "If they hadn't done anything to you, Keldor, you would not be standing here with me. What would you be doing if you had been given the throne of Eternos? Would you take up arms against me?"
"No," Keldor replied straightly.
"No?"
"No," he repeated. "I would call for an alliance, Hordak. You are my master, in this lifetime or any other. I am your apprentice and I swear full allegiance to you."
"Good to hear you say that." Hordak stood up fully and began to gather a few computer pads. "We're heading to Eternia next week to establish our headquarters. We'll build-up our forces in secret. By the first of November, our numbers will double of all Eternoses. It is then we will strike."
"Where are we to make headquarters?"
Hordak looked over at Keldor. "I'm not sure yet. Do you have any suggestions?"
Keldor grinned wildly. "Snake Mountain."
Marlena peeked through the curtains and gasped. "Holy shit!"
Susannah looked up swiftly. "What?"
Marlena waved her hands at the window. "Did you see all the people in the courtyard?! It's like the entire kingdom just moved in!"
Johanna laughed from her chair next to Teelana. "Honey, if the entire kingdom moved in, they'd be standing on top of each other. I sure it's just half of the kingdom."
Marlena sighed. "Yeah, but still . . . that's an awful lot of people."
"Are you nervous?" asked Teelana, hands resting on her pregnant belly. She was showing a lot more now at four months.
"Oh, Teelana dear, I am far beyond nervous. I am totally freaking out!"
The other three women just looked at each other, not really sure what that meant.
"Uh, your majesty, you're not a freak," Susannah offered.
"What?" asked Marlena. "No, Susannah. That's not I meant. I mean that I am way beyond nervous. I'm going to be a Queen! Of a kingdom! On another planet! And I'm getting married!"
"Marlena, let me ask you something," Johanna addressed.
"Yeah?"
"Do you love Randor?"
"Of course I do."
"Do you like Eternia?"
"Yes."
"Do you like Eternos?"
"Yeah."
"Do you like living here?"
"Yes."
Johanna nodded contently. "Then you'll do just fine."
"I'm going to screw this up, I am so going to screw this up."
Duncan laughed heartily and slapped Randor on the back. "Oh please. You'll be just fine. Trust me."
"Trust you? Trust you!? Duncan! You're the one that talked me into this!"
"Well, Randor, you love her, don't you?" asked Stephan.
"Of course I do."
"Then you'll do just fine."
The three of them were sitting in their waiting room. Randor was pacing nervously, his regal, fur-lined cape flowing behind him.
"You're making yourself nervous," Stratos stated as he walked.
"Nervous?! Oh no, Stratos! I am far beyond nervous! I am freaking out!"
The trio looked at each other.
"Uh . . ." Stephan began. "You're not a freak. At least, I don't think you are . . ."
"Oh! It's some Earth phrase I picked up from Marlena."
Marlena took one final look in the mirror. The white dress fit beautifully over her body. Randor was going to be stunned. This was one part she was quite familiar with - the white dress was a tradition that both Eternia and Earth shared. Just like months and days. So like Earth, but also so unlike it . . .
"Ladies," Marlena addressed. "I won't mind some private time, if that's okay."
"Of course," Johanna replied. "We'll be right outside."
Johanna stood up and helped Teelana out of her chair. They both headed towards the door with Susannah. As soon as the door closed, Marlena stepped over to her dresser. On it were four of the pictures she had taken with her during the launch - the same ones she brought with her during every launch.
One was of her sister, Kristina. The second was of her parents, Martin and Carol. The third was of both Marlena and Kristina. The fourth was of all four of them. Marlena's parents had passed away years ago, but she missed them now more than any other moment since her crash.
How her mother would want to be her, watching her get married to such a wonderful man. How her father would be so proud that she found someone that could take care of her and how much he would enjoy having Randor as a son-in-law.
She wished that her sister could be here as well. Kristina would be in heaven, getting everything ready at the last minute, helping to calm her sister down.
Marlena reached forward and touched the first two pictures.
"I love you. I miss you," she told them and then touched her heart. "I'm getting married today and I wish you were all here. But in a way, you are. You're right here. In my heart. I love you."
Marlena stood up from the pictures and closed her eyes, saying a little prayer. And then, straightening her dress a little bit, she walked out of the room to be wed.
"Guys," Randor told Stephan, Stratos, and Duncan. "I won't mind some time alone."
"Gotcha. We'll be right outside, waiting for you."
After Stratos, Stephen, and Duncan exited, Randor turned to the pair of paintings that hung above this particular fireplace. One was of Miro and Lara, Randor's parents. The other was of Randor, Johanna, Stephan, and Keldor - one of the few pictures with Keldor in it.
Randor found himself thinking about Keldor more now than he had in a long time. He was starting to blame himself for what happened to his younger brother and found himself with a strange desire to seek out Keldor and right his wrongs. He was convinced that Keldor would have loved hearing the tales of Marlena's exotic planet Earth.
The king's thinking moved from his brother to his parents. His mother would be happy today were she still alive. Miro would be proud of his son for finding such a suitable mate and a fine Queen.
"I miss you all," Randor whispered, then left the room.
The courtyard was decorated beautifully with ribbons, banners, and all the like. The crowd was divided into the three sections to accommodate two separate aisles that both came to an end at a small stage in front of the entire crowd. One aisle was for Randor, the other for Marlena.
Loud bells rang out. The crowd fell silent. Doors opened at the aisles. Down Marlena's aisle, Teelana lead the way, dropping red rose pedals along the ground. Marlena was next, her white dress a beautiful thing that seemed to reflect the late summer sunlight; she was glowing. Carrying her ten-foot trane was Johanna. Behind Johanna was Susannah, who held the red Commitment Ribbon flat in her palms.
As Marlena's party journeyed up the aisle, so did Randors on the next aisle over.
Stratos led the way, dropping yellow rose pedals before the king. Next came Randor, his most regal outfit a sight to see with decorated furs and cloths. Carrying his fur-line cape was Stephan. Behind Stephan was Duncan, who held the blue Commitment Ribbon in the same manner Susannah did.
At the stage watching it all was Man-At-Arms, who held King Randor's scepter and the royal family's Honor Sword. The Royal Council sat in a semi-circle behind Man-At-Arms off to the left of the stage. When both Randor and Marlena's party reached the stage, all save Randor and Marlena themselves went to the right to face Man-At-Arms and the Royal Council.
Randor and Marlena stood on a level just below a pair of bowls on pedestals. One was filled with twigs and the other was filled with half-ice, half-water. Marlena smiled at Randor, who returned her smile fully. She looked out at the huge crowd and saw quite a lot of familiar faces - General Stingrad, young Buzz-Off, Captain Dekker, to name a few.
Man-At-Arms stepped forward. "Behold now, the wedding of these two lovers. Let us now see the officiator who shall bring these two together in love forever."
Randor's eyes grew wide when he saw he walked on stage next. Eldor himself! The entire crowd gasped and then murmured. Randor went to bow, but Eldor waved his hand.
"Now, now, King Randor. It's your wedding day. You'll have plenty of time to grovel when you get in your next argument with your wife here."
The crowd laughed with Randor, Marlena, and Eldor.
"A pleasant surprise to have you officiating. A great honor," Marlena said.
"The honor and pleasure is all mine, dear. Now, let us begin . . ." He clapped his hands. "On this day, the two of you who are witnesses to love and who deem themselves bond by love in their hearts, spirits, minds, and bodies wish to be joined forever in the sacred vows and bonds of marriage. Is this so, man?"
"It is so, yes."
"And is this so, woman?"
"Yes, it is so."
"King Randor, son of Miro and of Lara; brother of Johanna, Stephan, and Keldor; of the First House of the Royal Family; master of the realms of Eternos; Randor, do you take this woman to be your wife in the sacred vows and bonds of marriage?"
"Yes, I do."
"Do you love her?"
"Yes, I do."
"Then you shall be bond to her."
Duncan stepped forward and gave to Randor the blue Commitment Ribbon. Randor held it out towards Eldor. Eldor nodded, then turned to Marlena.
"Lady Marlena Glenn, daughter of Marten and Carol Glenn; sister of Kristina Glenn; of the planet Earth; Captain of Earth's space exploratory division; Marlena, do you take this man to be your husband in the sacred vows and bonds of marriage?"
"Yes, I do."
"Do you love him?"
"Yes, I do."
"Then you shall be bond to him."
Susannah stepped forward gave to Marlena the red Commitment Ribbon. Marlena held it out towards Eldor.
Eldor clapped his hands. "You have committed yourselves to each other. The Commitment Ribbons, please."
Marlena and Randor gave them to Eldor. Eldor's old fingers began to work at them, intertwining the two.
"Randor, do you vow your love to Marlena?"
Randor turned to Marlena. "I vow my love to you," he told her.
Eldor handed him the Ribbon that was once two but now was one. Randor held onto one end and it dangled from his hand.
"Marlena, do you vow your love to Randor?"
Marlena turned to Randor. "I vow my love to you," she told him.
She grabbed hold of the other end of the Ribbon that was now one.
"You have vowed your loves to the other. Let your hearts be joined together as one."
Marlena and Randor tied the blue and red Ribbon into a knot. When they finished, they held their left hands together, intertwining their fingers and presented the knotted Ribbon to Eldor in their right hands.
Eldor took the Ribbon. As soon as he did, the Ribbon caught aflame. He dropped it into the bowl of twigs. The twigs caught fire quickly as they swiftly turned to ash, two rings were revealed at the bottom of the bowl. They were heated from the fire. Using a pair of tongs, he lifted the glowing rings from the burning bowl.
"Let your love for each burn as this fire has." He then let the rings drop into the icy-water. "Let your love for each other be as this water is - always there, no matter what form it may take."
He reached his hand into the water and retrieved the two, now cold rings. Randor and Marlena lifted their right hands to Randor. Eldor put one ring on Randors finger and one ring on Marlenas.
Eldor then took the two ringed hands and brought them together in his own. The fingers intertwined.
"You are now husband and wife!" declared Eldor. "Let no one tear apart what the Great Creator has brought together in destiny and love! Kiss now, and seal your vow forever more!"
Marlena and Randor kissed and it knocked the first one right of the number one spot. The crowd roared happily. Doves flew above them.
After the kiss was complete and everyone calmed down, Eldor stepped back. Man-At-Arms, the Royal Council, King Stephan, and Queen Johanna walked to the front of the stage. Duncan and Stratos moved the bowls and the pedestals.
Man-At-Arms spoke to Marlena.
"Lady Marlena, in your sacred and bond of marriage to King Randor, you are to become the Queen of Eternos. As this title implies, you have a sacred responsibility to the people and lands of Eternos. Your command of Eternos is second only to your husbands and his two siblings. Do accept this responsility?"
"That I do," Marlena said with shocking pride.
"The Royal Family of King Randor, Queen Johanna, and King Stephan see you fit to rule alongside them. Do you accept their confirmation?"
"That I do."
"Then let it be done. King Randor?"
Marlena went down on one knee. King Randor stood in front of her now, her husband, her love. King Stephan and Queen Johanna were at King Randor's sides. Johanna held the scepter and Stephan held the Honor Sword.
Johanna placed the end of the scepter on Marlena's left shoulder. Stephan placed the end of the Honor Sword on Marlena's right shoulder. Tobias, counselor of leadership, then handed King Randor a crown. It was smaller than any of the others, but was pure gold and rose to a point in the center.
"Lady Marlena, we invest in you the power and responsibilities of and to the lands and realms of Eternos? Will you take it?" asked Randor, Johanna, and Stephan as one.
"I do. I swear upon my life that it shall be done."
The scepter and the Honor Sword were lifted from her shoulders . . . and the crown was placed upon her brow.
"Rise then, Queen Marlena!" King Randor shouted. "Rise then, my wife and one true love!"
She did and as she took her place next to him, the crowd once more roared in joyous happiness. Not since before the death of Queen Lara had their been such a euphoric feeling of joy.
Teelana laid her head against Duncan's shoulder. He patted the small bulge in her stomach tenderly. "I love you," he reminded her.
"I love you too."
Unbeknownst to the two of them, Eldor was saw them and frowned. Their happiness would not last the year. Evil was on the horizon . . . and there would be no stopping it until it finally came. Eldor turned back to Randor and Marlena as the crowd continued to clap and shout and roar happily.
"ALL HAIL KING RANDOR AND QUEEN MARLENA!"
King Randor and Queen Marlena kissed again and again. They were brought together by accident and destiny. They were bond by love and hope. They were man and wife and nothing could ever tear them apart.
"There it is," Keldor said and pointed forward.
Hordak, Prahvus, Calyx and Batros joined on the ridge. Before them all was a massive dome-shaped mountain. Part of the mountain shifted outward and a bizarre, blood red waterfall poured out from it. Coiled around most of the mountain was a massive snake, holding the ancient fortress as if it was its prey.
"Well done, Keldor," Hordak congratulated.
"Thank you, Lord Hordak."
"Let us enter," Calyx recommended.
The group walked forward. A hefty fog lifted accepted them. Above them, thunder rolled throughout the region known as the Valley of Storms. Snake Mountain, once manned by King Hiss and his Snake-Men, stood as sigil of pure evil.
Keldor paused and looked up at the snake's mouth as it hung above the entire mountain. The others stopped with him.
"Quite a sight, eh?" Batros commented stupidly.
"What are you doing, Keldor?" asked Hordak.
Keldor said nothing. A green glow wrapped around his hand. He lifted his blue fingers and took aim at the mouth of the snake. Green bolts of energy shot from his hands and went right into mouth. A second later, a great flame burst from the great maw and spread out upon the sky.
"Eternia will be ours," Keldor said solidly.
Hordak smiled and clapped him on the back. "Yes, it shall be."
They walked, then, to Snake Mountain. The flames died out above them and far from the merry sounds and sights at Eternos, darkness was looming. . . .
THE STORY CONTINUES IN "PRELUDES AND BEGINNINGS - BOOK THREE: CONFLICT" COMING SOON!
