The Ceremony
"Isn't she getting big?" the Queen asked.
"Yes. She is now nine years old, and it will soon be time for her to be paired with a unicorn." The King answered as they watched their youngest daughter playing in the front garden.
"She has shown a lot of interest in unicorns. Which is good." The Queen said as she watched a stable boy run toward the castle. The boy was directed toward the King and Queen.
"Your Highnesses! There is a violet unicorn here asking for you. She said that she has an urgent message, and does not have much time." The boy reported.
The King and Queen looked at each other, and knew that it must be Atalanta. They walked into the back garden.
"Greetings. I have come to tell you that we have chosen a perfect match to pair with Arianna. The pairing ceremony will take place tonight." Atalanta said, "My time here is up. I must leave to prepare the unicorns to descend from Celestial Valley."
That night Arianna was excited all night. She was up with her parents when the gate in the sky opened. She watched as the rainbow unicorns paraded down the arc from Celestial Valley. In the lead were two golden unicorns. She had never seen such a beautiful site.
The two golden ones came the farthest forward, as did Atalnata.
"Princess Arianna , please step forward." Numinor, the Golden One, said. Arianna slowly stepped forward. Numinor motioned that the other golden unicorn to move beside her.
He was a large unicorn. Arianna only came half way to his shoulder. He had a bronze horn with a red jewel.
"We are all here to see Princess Arianna and Sunchaser become of one mind and spirit." Numinor said, "To complete the bonding the girl must touch Sunchaser's horn."
Sunchaser looked down on the little girl. Arianna saw the reassurance in his eyes. Slowly Arianna lifted her hand and Sunchaser lowered his head until her finger touched the tip of his horn. In a sudden rush Sunchaser heard all of Arianna's worried and excited thoughts flash through his mind.
Slow down. I can only understand one thought at a time. Sunchaser said mentally.
I'm sorry. This is just so exciting. Arianna replied. They were talking as if they knew each other a their lives.