Chapter 22 xxxxxxxxxx

A knocking at the door awoke them. Lina came awake instantly. Breakfast, if she had the stomach for it, and then, and then... well, and then. She hugged Gourry for comfort, then bucked up her courage and got up. The day wouldn't end if it didn't begin. The first person they met was a rather pouty Trina who had been decidedly in the background for the whole week. "I'm sorry I'm upset, Lady Lina." she said. "But I like being your maid and I've been put in the background all the time on this trip. Well, if it was just sightseeing fine, but today you are to get married, at least you are having the ceremony, and I have nothing to do! I want to help!" Lina smiled and put her arm around the girl. "Come with us, you will get a task worthy of you, I promise." she said.

The three of them went down to find breakfast laid out for all and the whole crew was showing up. "Quite the laid back party!" King Alfred was joking to Prince Phil. "Yes!" Phil responded with his usual jolly boom. "Our protocol officers must be spinning on their heads about this." "Do 'em good!" Alfred laughed back. "Oh! The happy couple!" he went on as he spotted Lina, Gourry, and Trina approaching. Party or not Lina and Gourry were very careful to bow or curtsey properly. "Wow!" said Phil. "You've tamed her a bit I see." he said, meaning Lina. "How'd you do it?" "Threatened to keep her alive, if I remember correctly." replied Alfred. He then spoke cheerfully to Lina and Gourry "Welcome to breakfast, you two. Do be sure to try the eggs. That Theodric is a kitchen god if there ever was one. Zephielia is lucky, he could get a job, no, a career at any court in the world, and name his price! Your sister wants a world famous restaurant, Lady Lina, I'd say she's got it! How has your honeymoon been?"

"As for that," replied Lina, "my sister is lucky. and I am so grateful to have her back. And I thank Your Majesty for this trip, so much has finally come together that I finally think I'm ready for the future. The trip has been wonderful. I don't think I can ever repay you for your generosity in letting us go." "Who said you have to repay me?" laughed the King. "You really have to learn that nobility is at its best when is shares it's wealth. Repay me by following my example someday." He gave a sly little look to Trina as he said that. "Lady Trina." he asked gently. "How do you like your new Mistress?" Trina bushed and smiled "I like her very well indeed Your Highness. I thank you for letting me go." "Ha well, how could I not? You like Lady Lina so much it seemed rather the only thing to do. Even your father thinks it's great. And the clacks at court are still tied up in knots about how the daughter of a Duke ends up as Lady-in-waiting to a Knight's lady, but if it works, and is a full friendship, I think it's all the more appropriate. Perhaps Lady Lina will teach you some of her magic too?" he asked, looking at Lina.

"You are a Duke's daughter?" Lina asked, looking pale. "Oh yes." replied Trina plainly. "You didn't realise only nobility can serve at the Hall of Stronghold? I'm sorry, I take things for granted sometimes." Lina said, amazement in her voice "But, marriage or not, I'm a commoner by birth, and upbringing! You really don't mind?" "No Lady Lina, I don't. If fact, in some ways you are a bit of a refreshing change, tee, hee. And don't worry, unlike some kingdoms, privelage isn't everything in Westhold, you still have to show what you are capable of. Going into service like this is a way of showing what I can do, plus it is a form of preparation for my future too. You see, one day I am sure I shall marry, and I will have a household of my own to run. Who does the better job as boss, one who has only observed, or one who has gotten her hands dirty also, and knows how it is?" Lina thought that over for a minute then said "Wow. Okay, if you are happy, but the moment you aren't, you let me know, got it? That's an order, if you like." Trina laughed a pleasant little laugh then replied "Aye Lady, I've got it!" "You want to learn magic do you?" asked Lina. "I do, if I am worthy." Trina replied. "Hmmm," Lina went on. "A wise man once taught me you are what you make yourself, if you want to be worthy it will be up to you to make yourself so, and if you do, you can learn anything you want. But we will talk later, maybe when we are home and things are settled. Deal?" "Deal!" replied the girl with enthusiasm. "Sounds like you have met some wise people in your travels, Lina." said Phil. "I have." replied Lina, looking at King Alfred. The King smiled.

"Lina!" said a familiar voice. Naga swept in and swept up Lina, taking her away to the women's table after joking with Gourry about borrowing her and promising to give her back that afternoon as good as new. Lina was seated with her mother and her sister, and Amilia and Naga as well. Gourry's mother was invited, but gracefully bowed out saying it was her last chance to try and get her son ready for the honour Lina was about to do him. "Oh no, it us who have to try at the his late hour to bring Lina up to readiness for your son!" responded Lina's mother, in apparent seriousness. Lina looked blank at her mother's comment and just collapsed slowly onto the table as the rest of the women laughed, perhaps with more amuzement than Lina would have liked. Gourry's mother then took her leave and joined her son's table.

Lana was there at the womens' table too, but, with a typical child's energy, and the infectious tension of the day, seated wasn't the best word to describe her goings and comings. "Your Highness, the Lady Trina wants to be part of this, and I want her to be too." said Lina quietly, as she pulled out a chair and indicated to Trina to sit. The girl hesitated, looking at the queen. Naga gave her a curious look back then smiled and pointed to the seat and said "Welcome to the inner circle." Trina smiled with relief and sat down.

Breakfast was served up and for a while there was a lot of happy eating going on. Lina packed it away with the best of them, figuring that if she was going to get punished somehow today she was going to face it with a full stomach so she'd have strength to put up with it. From the sounds of laughter coming from the men's table she knew Gourry was being looked after too. Well, she was going to have to face this alone, perhaps that was best. "Okay" she said after a while. "what's the plan? It's supposed to be my day, but I am at the mercy of everyone, and even I know it."

"Well" said Luna in a matter of fact way, "I've been tasked with the practical side so let's review the plans. The augerer says that the hour after noon is the most auspicious, and you know Zephielia, if the queen's own holy man says it is so, it is so." "What!" said Lina a bit shocked. "The queen's own augerer? Since when does the Eternal Queen let him dabble in the affairs of commoners?" "Well, you are not common any more you know." said Luna. "For one thing, though you may have missed it, no one else has, you are the most famous Zephielian ever. Hands down, no argument."

"No!" said Lina, that didn't sound right to her, there were lot's of famous Zephielians. She named a few in protest. "Famous in our boarders, yes, dear, but the world doesn't know them." replied her mother gently. "But, but, oh gods! This is frightening. How do I handle this?" "Same way you always have." replied Naga with her typical smirk. "Take a deep breath, calm down, forget about it, and be what you were ment to be, namely, my eternal apprentice." Lina stopped in mid protest and shot Naga a dirty look, then she was overtaken by a laugh. "Thanks, I needed that, Rival!" she said. Naga saluted her with her oh so delicately held teacup and took a sip, looking ever-so-much like the cat contemplating eating the canary. Lina gulped. She realised too well who the canary was.

"It also didn't hurt that two royal houses, Seiruun and Westhold are going to be here to view this marriage to get the palace to scramble to help." Luna went on, answering Lina's question some more. "Don't worry about it, they won't have anything to do with the ceremony, but at least one member of the high royal house will observe the ceremony today. I imagine it will be the usual closed box sort of thing. And the high priest will send his most worthy bishop to officiate, sorry, had no choice in that one." "Okay." said Lina. Luna went on "So, it will be held out in the open in town center. I've been up on the platform, the whole town is decked out and very pretty, and off in the background all the farms are coming into full ripeness, and all the harvest colours will be out in full force, the white barley, the brown oats, of course the hills are green and dark with the grape harvest. There's even a sunflower field that's just going to lose it's yellow as the seeds ripen. You really are here at the prettiest time."

"Oh now dear, your spring wedding was wonderful too." said her mother. "The green grass, the spring flowers, the fields just starting to show green as the winter oats and wheat freshened." "Well, thanks Mom." said Luna with a smile. "I didn't mean I had the least little objecton with my wedding, but since I got the best time in the spring it's only right Lina gets the best time in the fall, wouldn't be fair otherwise." The mother and the daughter smiled at each other. Lina wasn't sure if she should take what they said as a complement, or feel queezy at the tackiness of it. It occured to her that at no time, either for this ceremony, or the first simple on that joined her to Gourry all those weeks ago now, did anyone ever ask her what she wanted. "Oh well, if you are getting a free wedding you have to take the whole package, I guess..." she philosophised.
"I'm going to be a flower, right mommy?" interjected Lana. There was a good natured chuckle from the table. "Well, you will get to be the flower girl, yes." replied Luna with a smile. Lina smiled too. "And the prettiest one ever." she said. Lana asked, all innocently "Mommy, why didn't you have me be your flower girl when you married daddy?" Luna's cheeks coloured, of all the things for her daughter to ask, here, at this breakfast table. The other women looked at her with amusement. How was she going to answer this one? "Well, uh, you weren't born yet, dear, so we couldn't." "Why wasn't I born yet?" the child persisted. Luna coloured more deeply. "Well, mommy and daddy had to get married so you could be born, that's why." "Oh." said Lina's niece. She ponderd for a moment in her little way as Luna was trying to figure out how to deal with whatever the next question would be. It wasn't long coming. "What's being born?" Luna looked around, feeling helpless. She had no qualms about teaching her daughter the facts of life, but, not at a breakfast table full of important guests. But any thoughts of taking Lana off were forestalled by Lana as she slid into her next question without even waiting for the answer. "Mommy, what's morning sickness?"

Luna gasped and her blush sread right down to her toes as the whole table turned to look at her. "W-Where did you hear that?" she quavered at her daughter. "This morning, when you were talking to daddy." came the reply. Luna gasped again. "You heard that?" She was silent for a minute. "Well, you're going to have to tell us now, aren't you?" asked her mother knowingly. "I wondered if she was going to say anyting." commented Naga, with a warm, mother to mother smile. "How did you know?" asked Amilia innocently, finally getting in on the conversation. "You'll find out." was all her sister would say to her in reply. "Luna, you, you're not, you are...?" stammered Lina with a happy "surprised by joy" look on her face. Luna, her face buried in her hands started chuckling and said "I wasn't going to keep it a secret long, just till after the wedding, because it's Lina's day, and I really didn't know for sure till this morning when I got that familiar sickness again anyway."

"Oh you!" said Lina scrambling over and hugging her sister. "I can't think of a better present for this day than to hear great news about my sister!" Their mother laughed and joined in the hug, and Lana made sure she wasn't left out either. Luna explained quickly and simply to Lana that she was about to become a big sister, and that they would talk about it later when the party was over. "Two mothers and three daughters, and only four people!" joked Naga with her sister. Amilia smiled, then leaned over and startled her sister by hugging her too. "All the hugs we missed out on, you and I." she said to her. Naga smiled and hugged her back. "Let's make up for lost time." she replied. And so they did. But finally the hugs were over and the late breakfast cleared.

"Well, it grows slowly towards noon." announced Naga finally. We best prepare for the big event, yes?" There was general assent to this, although Lina quietly wished she could just take Gourry and leave. Naga leaned over and said to the men's table "We go to prepare the bride." Her own husband's voice came back "Don't worry, we'll have the sacrifice, er, I mean the groom, ready!" Naga stared at him with a "jolly joker" look on her face, then in an agrieved tone said "I'm going to remember you said that..." "I'm counting on it..." was the reply. "Oh I give up, I can never top that one." she said and got up from the table along with the other women. They then gaggled off to the rooms that were ready for Lina's transformation into a blushing bride. "Well, Lord Gabriev, that's our cue!" said his King. Gourry gulped. "Sacrifice?" he said, quietly. The others laughed. "Hey we all did this, when it was our turn." said Phil, giving him an encouraging thump on the back that made Gourry cough. "Well, not all of us..." said Zelgadiss quietly. "Well take notes man!" was the response. Gourry was lead away and his preparation began too.
For both of them it started with another bath. Lina didn't mind though, the water was heavenly, and the scents and oils in it, well... "You had this prepared didn't you?" she asked Naga, knowing the Queen's expertise with hot springs and other forms of water therapy. "Yes, with a few small changes, it's one that I use myself. Your skin is going to be as soft as, well, as a baby's!" Naga replied, smiling at Luna. "Let's get the clothes ready!" said Amilia opening the big trunk in the room like it was a present or something. Now that there was something for her to do, Trina got in with her and helped unpack. "Ooo, pretty!" she said, holding out what were clearly meant to be undergarments, but pure white, and of the finest silk. "So soft!" added Luna, who was helping her. Soon enough, several dresses were unpacked. It occured to Lina that a barrage of letters with details for preparations must have been flying between Stronghold and Zefielia since she left on her honeymoon.

The first thing she noticed was that Naga had a different dress from the others. "Aren't you in the wedding party?" she asked. "No, I will be with my King, holding our son. But I'll be right behind you, so don't think I will miss anything!" Naga replied. Lina then noticed the dresses for her mother, Luna, and Amilia. "Oh my! Those dresses are beautiful!" she said, half rising from the tub, only to have Naga gently but firmly put her back down. "You haven't soaked enough yet." she said. There was a little one for Lana who was delighted she was getting one too. There was even one that was meant for Trina. It seemed that Lina's maidservant was not excluded after all. "Well who did you think would hold the train?" asked Naga. Then a special, wrapped big package came out. Obviously this was Lina's. "Just put it on the bed." instructed Naga, We'll get to it later.

"Is that the snail suit?" asked Lina with a gulp. Naga froze then turned to face her, a stunned look on her face. The rest of the room went silent too. "What?" she asked. "Please don't be mad at me." said Lina, hanging her head. "It's just, well, with the fireball, and the look on your face when you said you were throwing me this wedding, I'm aware that there's going to be some element of revenge mixed in to this. All I can think of is that you are going to make me wear something that is decorated with, or looks like, snails or slugs, since you know how terrified of them I am." She gulped again. Naga was silent for a long time, then with a deep sigh, and sounding hurt, she said "Lina, I would NEVER do that to you, not on your wedding." Lina shrunk, feeling very low. "I-I am sorry, your Majesty, I just assumed..." "It's the reception where you'll get it!" Naga snapped back in reply, then broke out in a laugh. Yes... that laugh... and the room cringed... Lina sighed. "I should have known..." she said.

Finally all the goodies were out of the trunk, and the other women clambered in to the big hot tub with Lina for a soak. "Let's see" said Lina, "it was several weeks ago I last soaked with you two." she said to Amilia and Naga. "And not since we were very little girls did we soak together" she said to Luna. "And Mom, I don't think we ever had a soak together did we? Oh, and Lana, welcome to the world of communal hot tubs." She smiled around at everyone, then noticed "Trina, aren't you getting in?" "Oh no Lady Lina, I'm serving, remember?" the servant girl said with a smile. Lina pondered a moment. "And what if I want to be served in the tub?" Lina asked. "I'm sure I can reach from the sides, my lady." Trina answered. "Show me." said Lina.

By now the other memebers of the tub party were looking at Lina, wondering what she had in mind. Well, except for Naga, who always did clue in to Lina faster than most. Giving Lina a raised eyebrow she shifted slightly and prepared. Trina, all unsuspecting, came around and reached out to Lina. Suddenly she was grabbed and skillfully flipped into the tub by Lina, with Naga suddenly shifting other people out of the way as she caught the girl so she landed with a splash but not hard for all that. After a bit, when the sputtering was over Lina made a joke about the whims of nobility which got everyone laughing, even Trina, eventually. "Oh well, then." said the girl as she took off her wet clothes and joined the party after all. "This is irregular Lady Lina." she said. "Yup." Lina agreed. Then since the plan was for a long soak for everyone they got to talking.
They recounted stories about growing up, and compared notes on how they all handled certain stages of life. There were a lot of good natured if somewhat off colour jokes, often a Lina's expense, but the others got their share. Luna muttered at one point that she was gong to have so much to explain to Lana when this was all over she didn't know where she would begin. However, the immediatly proffered offers to help were hastily turned down which brought on some more merriment. At one point Lana started asking Amilia about Princesses, and Amilia seemed to be in her element. No justice speeches, but she did teach the child the "Victory!" sign. As Lina had suspected, Lana was a natural! Then, in response to a request for a story about the most famoustest of princesses ever Amilia started telling the child an old Seirune tale about a beautiful young girl with long blonde hair, but who was quite a klutz, until one day a magical black cat appeared to her and behold, the cat could talk! She informed the young girl she was secretly a princess, that she had come from the moon, and her destiny lay in the stars, and in the future she would be the Queen of all the earth. This facinated Lana so much she almost didn't let Amilia go. Which was a bit unfortunate, it was a long story, but Amilia finally promised her that she would send Lana a story book with the whole story in it, and which had been her very own copy! Lana made quite a splash, well, several actually, as she danced for joy in the tub.

"Sis, you sure you want to tell her that story?" asked Naga with a puzzled look on her face. Amilia smiled then suddenly did a crash and blushed deeply as she realised "Oh, I forgot about that stuff that's later in the story!" Naga leaned over to Luna and said "It's a good story, but it was meant for teenagers, so be sure you edit a bit okay?" Luna nodded, smiling at Lana as she continued to dance for joy. Suddenly a thought occured to the child and she half swam over to Naga. "The princess in the story became a queen right?" "Yes she did" replied Naga with a smile. "You're a Queen, right?" "Correct again you clever thing you!" replied the Queen. "So you were a Princess before you were a Queen?" the child asked, following her young logic. "Honey, you are right on all three questions!" Naga smiled down on the girl. "I was a Princess, now I am a Queen. Amilia, who is my sister, is a Princess, and one day she will become a queen too. My, you are smart! Your mommy must be proud of you." "You bet!" replied her mother. "Mommy, I'm thirsty." said Lana, suddenly changing the subject.

Luna sighed and got herself and her daughter out of the tub to go get a drink. While they were gone Lina's mom turned to her and said "You know dear this is usually the time when a mother and her daughter have a little talk about what to expect when it's time for bed. Would you like me to give you that little talk?" Lina was shocked, then she caught her mother's slight smirk. "Uh, no thanks mom, I think we figured it out already." she said with a giggle. Amilia however saw her opening and slid in to Lina's mom and threw her arms around the woman and said "Me, I'm getting married in two weeks and I don't have a mother, give me the talk!" "Amilia!" said a shocked Lina. "No way!" replied Amilia. "You still have a mommy and a daddy, I don't have a mommy anymore, I'm going to take what I can get." She actually stuck her tongue out at Lina which made Lina's mother laugh.

"My, my, girls, listen up then." With that she explained things in simple terms with more emphasis on the warmth and the loving feelings that would be there, rather than a clinical analysis of the act itself. Lina actually found it kind of comforting to hear they had been doing everything right, even though she didn't have any real doubts about that in the first place. However she still whispered to Amilia "You're lucky your big sister is my Queen..." Amilia just laughed and said "Yeah, there are some advantages to being royal..." Luna returned at that moment and asked what was going on, and wondered why there was so much laughter from her question. It was explained with a lot of giggling, and Lana of course wanted to know the joke too. "Thanks a lot!" frowned Luna at her sister and the others as her own daughter was asking loaded questions. A motherly "Not Now!" was finally employed to quell the little girl, and with that they decided the soaking had gone on long enough.
Lina rose to get out and was pulled back down by Amilia as Naga grabbed the shampoo bottle and anounced "Now the washing up proper begins!" "What?" yelled Lina in surprise as the tub crew suddenly decended on her with towels and washclothes. In short order she was very clean indeed from head to foot and her hair was scrubbed out like it hadn't been in ever so long, and Lina certainly knew how to keep it clean! Finally she was taken out of the tub towelled dry and Trina was left to brush the hair of her sputtering mistress as the others hastened to get the clothes ready. Undergarment first, their own went on quick enough, but they took their time with Lina, making a few jokes about having a living doll to dress. "Oh come on!" said Lina, trying to protest. "Yes, that's what I thought when I first held her!" said her mother. "She was a little living doll! Just like her sister. So beautiful! And so she is!"

"Well, when we get done that is." laughed Naga. Lina growlled at that one. "Well, don't you think we will make you a beautiful bride?" asked Naga with mock seriousness. Lina sighed in resignation. She remembered about how it was explained to her about getting her goat and realised the day was entirely out of her hands from here on in anyway. In time she was dressed in the undergarments ment for her, the lightest touches of makeup were applied, she really didn't need much, maybe just a bit of white powder about the moles on her forehead. "Oh, the fly catchers!" said Amilia cheerily.

"THE WHAT?" shrieked Lina as Amilia blushed deeply. "Oh, I'm sorry Lina, I really am." Lina frowned and ground her teeth. "What have you been telling people about me?" she demanded. "Oh please, Lina I didn't mean the say that I meant to think it." "What's that got to do with it?" Lina demanded getting that dangerous pre fireball tone to her voice. "Er, let me explain." said a now nervous Amilia. "You remember way, way back when Xellos had us looking for the Clair bible? How in the middle of everything Martina of Zoana stole your headband to make her curse?" Lina looked at Amilia with a "this better be good" look on her face. amilia went on, still nervously "Well, I blame it on the stresss, but at one point in the trip, oh it was when we were in that tent in the Clair Bible field, I had a nightmare. I dreamed a hellishly big fly, about the size of a fist was buzzing around and suddenly two tentacles shot up from you forehead and caught it, then you turned to me with a wicked grin and said something like "Oh Amilia..." That's when I woke up with a start, I was actually frightend, can you imagine. Of course you were just asleep next to me. I think I might have awakened you, you left shortly after that. Isn't that funny? The dream I mean. I mean, er, well, I never said anything to anyone, honest Lina, but when I saw them now I just remembered the dream and I didn't mean to but I blurted out about the fly catchers, and I'm sorry and I'll never do it again, and please don't fireball me, you'll spoil the dress, and..." "Oh, just shut up Amilia..." said Lina with a resigned sigh.

Naga began nastily recounting "Let's see, short statured, flat chested, dragon spooking, bandit killing, fly catching..." "Please stop!" said Lina digging her fists into her eyes and threateneing to ruin the make up. Naga did, but with a laugh, and the dressing carried on. The gowns for Lina's mom and sister, and for Amilia, were all matching, and were a creamy white silk that was so fine it shone. They were cut just slightly different for each woman and each accentuated the beauty of the woman who wore it perfectly. Naga's was a Silver gown with black highlights and with her mane of incredible black hair it was perfect. Trina helped make a few last minute touch ups everywhere, then her own gown was put on her, and the pale dress made her take on an elven quality. "Wow!" she said looking in the mirror.

Now it was time. The great package was unwrapped, and Lina's dress was brought out for inspection. Lina gulped when she saw it, never in her wildest fantasies had she ever dreamed of a dress like this. Someone had worked their fingers to the bone for this, that was for sure. Delicate embroidery everywhere, floral patterns and geometric designs. No snails... The cut was perfect the gown hugged her form just so. In combination with the undergarments the whole thing had an almost angelic look to it. Lina stared and stared at herself wide eyed, even she couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. She finally looked to Naga and could hardly whisper "Thank you..." "Here's the rest!" said Naga opening a little box and bringing out the jewelry.
There were necklaces and rings all around, and of course everyone was dressed before Lina. "Now let's see," said Naga as she reached in the box. "We need something, how does that go? Something new, something old, something blue, and something borrowed? Did I get it right?" "Well, I think it's supposed to rhyme when you say it, but yes it's right otherwise." replied Luna. "Well. Let's see then, the dress, that's new. What's old?" They thought for a second then Trina said "I know!" and dashed off. "Huh?" said Naga. "Oh well. Borrowed?" " Thought of that!" said Luna, taking out a pair of elegant hair combs. "I wore these on my own wedding day." "Ohh, the're pretty!" coo'd Amilia and Naga together. Quickly they were mounted into Lina's hair as they prepared to put the veil on her. Trina returned just then and asked "Is this old enough?" She held the little cameo locket that had been Melirune's. Lina gasped and smiled. "Perfect!" she said and opened it. She gave Melirune a little kiss and put the locket on. Being made by the elves it's simple design somehow fit with everything else she wore. Of course she was then prevailed upon to explain the meaning of it all, and in simple terms she did.

All eyes were moist by the time she was done, it was such a beautifully bittersweet story. "Lina, you must be blessed by the Lord of Nighmares herself." said Naga with admiration. "May I be worthy of such a gift if I am." said Lina with a rare show of extreme humility. "Well, that leaves blue." said Naga after a minute, breaking the silence. "Here." She pulled out a delicate filagree tiara set with small, delicate looking dark blue-violet stones. "What are they?" asked Lina admiringly. "Sapphires." said Naga. "Wrong blue." said Lina, puzzled. "No they are sapphires, they do come in this colour, but they are extremely rare. You want a money value? With those stones, and the fact that the metal isn't silver, but a rare hard to make metal called platinum, that tiara is worth more than the value of the room you were staying in at Stronghold." Lina gulped. "Ah the one with enough gold in it to buy the town of Zephielia?" she asked. "This will buy everything else." said Naga matter of factly. "I'm wearing the price of my homeland on my head?" "Yup!" said Naga with a smile. "I will take care of it, that's for sure." said Lina, a little short of breath.

"Oh, here, before I forget" added Naga fishing one last thing from the box. It turned out to be a ring in the more traditional blue of a sapphire. "Gourry's colour, I believe." Naga said. "Yes, that's the one I specified." said Amilia, revealing she had a hand in this too. "Good, there is a part in the ceremony when you exchange rings, this is for you to give to him. Naturally, he has a matching ring in ruby for you." Amilia laughed "It's too bad they can't both wear rubies" she said, "but the colours are better for each of them this way." Lina chuckled, then Naga told the group something interesting. "Well, actually, you know we have these people that call themselves scientist and who are always poking into how things work or how they are made, that sort of thing?" Lina and Amilia nodded yes. "Without a word of a lie, they have proven that, except for the colouring agents, rubies and sapphires are exactly the same stone!" Lina looked a bit shocked then suddenly she started laughing. "Well, the same, and different at the same time, if that isn't any married couple, I don't know what is!" she laughed.
"Well, let's see, are we all ready? I hear by the bells we are aproaching the first hour after noon." said Lina's mom. "A quarter hour to go my precious! Oh, I shall weep! I have my daughter back just in time to give her up again." Lina hugged her mom and said, a sob in her voice, "Mom, we will keep in touch, and I'll have money, I'll send for you and dad and Luna and Lana and Theo as often as you want! Please, I know I have to go away, but let's not make it like last time." "Heavens above of course we'll keep in touch. I'm not missing out on my grandchildren you know. And don't worry about the money! We are filthy rich ourselves. Give us a bit of time and with our connections we can raise the money in gold, silver, or any commodity you like to buy that pretty tiara Her Majesty has lent you to wear." "Leant nothing!" said Naga. "Huh?" asked Lina. "The rules of that old good luck saying are simple." went on Naga. "You have to give back what was borrowed, your sister's combs. Everything else is yours. I had it made especially. And I'll be highly insulted if you give it back!"

Lina just about fainted. If Naga was trying to soften her up for later she was doing an excellent job. "Too much, too much, too much!" said Lina as her head spun, patially from the shock of realising she had a limit to how much wealth she would accept from someone. "You're going to be a lady of the realm? You beter start having some of the tools of the trade." Naga went on "You certainly can wear that tiara again to state functions and the like. Or if you know of some worthy person or cause that can use the money, give it away."

Naga became introspective for a minute, then went on "I tell you Lina, it's amazing, I used to think I was happy hoarding gold, you should remember that! Now I have so much more joy in my life by giving it away. And we have lots, so it is not like I'm starving the commoners to give you a fancy gift or something. But my true happiness now lies in my husband's arms when he holds me, and in my arms when I hold my baby. Oh Lina. May you, and Amilia, and your sister here, and Lady Trina, and even your little princess of a niece, all have as much joy in your marriages as I have in mine. Trust me Lina, in many ways, I am still the woman you befriended, against your will perhaps, but in some ways I am different. And one thing I have learned is that money isn't important, it's what you do with it. I admit this a bit extravagant, but I have as much say in how the kingdom's budget is spent, and I, as well as Prince Erik and His Majesty, make sure the poor are cared for, the widows and orphans are given what comfort the state can give, and the hospitals are the best they can be. And, if you haven't figured it out yet Lina, you are the best freind I've ever had, and I love you. So, lets not worry about money I can afford if I spend some on you."

Lina was speechless at the end of this, a very rare state for her to be in. All she could do was hug Naga and not let her go for a long time. Then her mother, then her sister, Amilia, Trina, and even Lana. Finally the bells struck the hour and it was time to go. Lina was so surrounded by the love of family and friends she practically floated. Of course, with that much happiness to empower them the clothes made her just plain glow, she really was as radiant, and as close in beauty as any human could come to an angel. The little crew assembled by the door.

The door opened and there was a sacred piper and an incense bearer to purify the way ready to led them to the place where they would have the ceremony. Lina's dad also stood by, ready to escort her. Naga took her leave of them there, after all she wasn't in the party. Shrine maidens appeared and gave the party bouquets of flowers, all suitable blessed of course. If these things really could bring good luck, Lina was loaded up with as much luck as any human could bear. As was Lana. No matter, she was ready. A signal was given, somehow, and the piper let his pipes skirl as he lead the party forth. The incense bearer was next, leaving a sweet odour of purity and holiness for the bride to walk through. A red carpet had been laid from the door to the stand and Lina walked along this with her little party, her arm linked in her father's arm. She was not nervous, which was strange, she had thought she would be, but Naga and her family had calmed her marvelously.

They approached the podium and could see Gourry, with his brother, his father, and Zelgadiss approaching from the opposite direction, with their own piper and incense. Such was the skill of the pipers that they were playing the same tune on the same note as they arrived. They then began a slow circle of the raised platform to chase away the devils as Lina and Gourry, at the same time, stepped up onto the platform. Lina looked up at Gourry. He had been armoured for the occasion, brightly burnished ceremonial armour. But not hugh plates, just a breastplate over top of some very handsome clothes. And a long cape hanging down that gave him an air of command. He carried a helmet, but being in a holy place, he carried no weapons. Lina looked up into his eyes and felt her knees go weak, oh yes, this was the one!

They knelt together, side by side on the cushioned floor of the platform. Now a new set of pipers started and the grand Bishop himself approached. He made the four bows, to the north to salute Heaven, to the south to salute the Earth, to the east to salute the Moon, and finally to the west to salute the Sun. He then took a bowl of insence he had been carrying and presented gifts of smoke to the four corners, the northeast, southeast, southwest, and finally northwest, asking the four winds to bless the couple. That done he stood before the couple and began to chant the prayers. After that came the oath taking proper. As always it started out with a solemn call for any impediment to why they should not marry.
It was here that Gourry, who had been growing increasingly nervous suddenly jumped up and said "WAIT!" A shocked ripple went through the crowd, and a shockwave, with as much force as that of a giga slave, ripped through Lina's heart. Lina was stunned beyond words. What was wrong? She had been so happy, how could Gourry not have been? Didn't he want her anymore? Now what? The Bishop urged Gourry to speak. Gourry turned, rather ashen faced to Lina and fell on his knees before her. "L-Lina!" he stammered to begin. Lina was trying not to scream in fear as she waited for Gourry to speak. "Lina," he started again. "Do you remember what happened to you on the night we got married?" Lina had to build up the courage to answer. "You made me the happiest woman on earth, Gourry..." she said. "N-no I mean before, after you, um, made the King mad." Lina still didn't know what was going on, but even in her terror realised there would be no resolution if she didn't help things along. "You stopped me?" she said, then went on "You stopped me, the King got mad and rightly so, then he showed me undeserved mercy and made me your slave and..."

"Yes and that's it Lina. I should have done this earlier, but I am afraid Lina, but I can't put it off any longer." He hesitated. "Put what off Gourry?" she asked in a small still voice. "Gourry, you can tell me." Gourry built up his courage, it was distressing to see this normally brave man trembling, but he had to do this in his own time. "Lina," he finally said. "as is my right, I set you free." Lina could have just laughed. This was it? Gourry then went on. "The King explained it to me. In Westhold the law is that if you are a slave when you enter into any arrangement, including marriage, it is only binding while you are a slave. I say you are free, and so you are Lina, you are free now, but our marriage is over now, because you were a slave." Lina felt fear crushing in on her again, was Gourry using this as an excuse to dump her? But no, he seemed, well, afraid of her? "Lina, you are free now and if you want to you can get up and walk away from me, and from us, right now, but Lina, I can't be married to you as a slave! You have to be free, you were meant to be free, and I want it to be that way. L-Lina, you are free now, for real, will you marry me?" he finally asked.

It hit Lina like the proverbial ton of bricks. Gourry was afraid she would say no to him! She was stunned speechless for a minute then launched herself forward into his arms. "Gourry!" she exclaimed. "This is going to be the sweetest thing I have ever fireballed you for!" She started laughing with joy and relief, then suddenly remembered what happened last time she laughed and made him wait for an answer. "Yes!" she shouted. "Yes, yes yes, a thousand times yes, and if that's not enough then a thousand time a thousand!" She hugged him some more, then kissed him through her veil, and a relieved laugh swelling to a cheer went through the crowd. When it died down the King remarked to his Queen, "Well, I didn't see that one coming!" Naga replied, a tear in her eye, "Now it is a real wedding!" Luna was giggling too much to stand straight, as was her mother, and Lana wanted to know what was happening, what was so funny.

Lina finally broke off and looked Gourry in the eye. "Of course, there's one condition attached to all this, you realise!" she said to him. "Wh-what condition?" he asked. "I'm not forgetting what's happened between us these past several weeks you know. I demand TWO anniversaries a year! With hearts and flowers and presents and everything!" Gourry laughed now, a happy tension free laugh. "Done!" he cried merrily. With one more hug they finally turned back to the bishop who had waited patiently, and who had had a good laugh like everyone else. After that there was the usual recital of vows to love honour, obey (Lina found that one a bit problematic, although Gourry seemed to have no trouble with it), and stick with each other, no matter what, until death alone parted them. The rings were exchanged without a hitch and Lina was happy indeed with hers, and had to agree the blue suited Gourry better. There was a final blessing, and then the moment when the veil came up and their first public kiss. "Oh Gourry, tonight won't come soon enough..." she whispered in his ear. "I know, I know..." he whispered back, then added "Courage, love, the day won't last forever."

A final hug and they were taken in procession off the platform and after a traditional circle (sunwise of course) of the crowd so all could see them as the bishop solemnly declared them married, and a stop at the closed carriage of the court official of the Eternal Queen of Zephielia, before whom they bowed on their hands and knees as was proper, they were taken into the hall to let the festivities begin.

Here, Luna had out done herself. This part of her inn had been shut off from the guests for the weeks before the wedding, even Lina hadn't seen it till now. It had been scrubbed top to bottom, not that that was unusual for any place Luna owned, and the tables had been arranged so that all could see the head table, where a sort of a raised floor allowed Lina and Gourry to be seen by all as they were sat down upon two very fancy chairs. Behind them a festive red cloth was suspended which set them off perfectly. In the best old tradition the long table running down at the right angle to the head table's right hand side was made the domain of the royals. So Phil, and Alfred, with Amilia, Gracia, Arthur, and Zelgadiss were all seated at an elegant table that was set off with a richly decorated purple cloth, as befited royalty. Lina's mom and dad were on her left, Gourry's mom and dad on his right at the head table. Many other guest from both families, and invitied dignitaries and well wishers from the town were seated at the other tables. A big crowd, Lina would have liked a smaller group, but it really wasn't her choice and so she put up with it.

Of course, as at any wedding celebration, the first thing to do is eat and they certainly did. Luna and her cooks, Theo especially, had turned out all sorts of dishes, old favourites, and exotic new ones, and everyone set to as the waiters and watresses were kept busy shuttling around serving. You'd have thought that watching a wedding was hungry work. Significantly, no alcohol was served. Lina had insisted, indeed put her foot down, on this for Naga's sake, even though the Queen hadn't asked for this herself. Still, she had heard how it was going to be, and who had ordered it, and she was grateful to Lina. She knew what was at stake, but also that she would never be beyond all temtation for life. So, with sparking clear water, and lots of non alcoholic fruit and berry drinks, the guests were served. The barmen had been given the task of making tasty non alcoholic drinks, and most had found the exercise a delightful challenge, though they did take the time to make the usual "Can't be done!" noises, just for the sake of form. Indeed, no one missed the alcohol once they got over it not being there.

Unusually, Lina wasn't that hungry. It might have been her big breakfast, it might have been the nerves of the wedding, or Gourry setting her free, or fear of what was to come later, or all of the above, but she wasn't that hungry. Even Gourry noticed that. Still, she didn't refuse to eat, the thing was more like she just sampled. And she had to agree that all of it was delicious. Well, she was definitely having a feast on the left overs later! During the meal everyone talked. Gourry's and Lina's parents seemed to delight in telling each other amusing stories about their children. The fact that Gourry and Lina were sitting between them didn't seem to bother them in the least. It was as if they delighted in it even, the sadists. At least the in-laws seemed to be getting along.

And the various other guests too. The Zefielian dignitaries were all over themselves and each other to pay honour to the various royal guests, and Lina could tell from their looks that the royals were at least mildly amused by it. She would have liked to hear how Naga was handling some of the obvious pandering, she could deliver the most sacastically devastating comments as if the were the butteriest of complements when she wanted to. And Amilia, gods forbid, no justice speeches, on the other hand, perhaps it would serve them right. Oh well, it wasn't like she could do anything about it. And so, finally, came the end of the meal, and the moment Lina had dreaded.

The plates were cleared, and it was obvious something special was to be centered on the bride. King Alfred stood up and made a grand toast to the newly weds, and welcomed Lina back into the Westhold royal circle, with a joking reference to having blown her chance to get away after Gourry set her free. Lina cringed politely and then grabbed Gourry's arm and said something about taking the good with the bad. Naga muttered just loud enough to be heared by everyone that that was an unfortunate thing to say about her new husband, thus standing Lina's comeback on it's head. In the good old days Lina might have brought up an unanswereable argument, such as a fireball, but here she had to giggle with the best of them and just think hot thoughts.

The other memebers of the Royal table stood up and the customary toasts were drunk, each to a different glass of flavoured water. For in Zefielia, as everywhere else, toasts must be drunk in water or in wine. Then, after the toasts were done, Queen Gracia stood up and announced that they were going to play a game with the bride. The rules were simple. Ask the bride any question you wanted to, she had to either answer truthfully or, take the dare that would end the game! The trick was to get her to take the dare. Thus there were very few questions that could not be asked. Lina cringed, this was it. But, what was the dare? The answer was not long coming as Theo approaced from the kitchen bearing a covered silver dish. Luna was with him and laid a white cloth down for Theo to set the special dish on. As she leaned forward Luna whispered to Lina "Trust us..." Then Theo, with a flourish set the dish down and announced "Your Majesties, Lady and Sir Gabriev, Ladies and Gentlemen..." here he took the cover off and announced "The Escargot!"

Lina jumped back. A snail! Cooked of course, but still..." The cover went back down and it was obvious what was going on. Answer the questions, or eat the snail. Lina reeled and clung to Gourry. Naga then twisted the knife as she started the game. "Lina! The game doesn't end until you eat the snail, and you have to stay there and answer the questions till you do, no breaks for any reason, at all!" Lina shot a hopeless look over to Naga, ohh, the Queen had thought of everything. If the questions didn't get to her all those watery toasts were going to want to come out sooner or later, how much could her bladder hold?

"Oh ye Gods and little Mazoku! Give me strength!" said Lina with a wail. There was no way out of this, Naga would have her revenge, Lina was going to eat a snail. It just depended on how long it took her to build up her courage. Gourry actually tried to help as he opened the questioning without anyones leave. "Lina, isn't it true that a husband and wife are considered one person?" "Yes, so it's always been said." Lina replied wondering what he was getting at. "Well, then hand me the tray and whether anyone likes it or not, in a sense you will have eaten the snail." Lina's jaw dropped! Gourry thought of something really smart, all by himself! Naga's jaw also dropped. "Didn't think of that one did we?" asked her husband. The Queen slapped her forehead into her palm. "No, and it's fair..." Lina tenderly gave Gourry a hug, a long hard squeeze full of love and promises for later. Then she said "Gourry, I brought this mess on my own head, I have to do this myself. But you have just proven yet again that I have made the right choice. I Love You!" Gourry hugged Lina back and asked "Are you sure?" Lina nodded and kissed him as the crowd applauded. Gourry sat down and Lina faced the room and said "I'm ready."

Naga lead off, of course. "So Lina!" she smirked "Who is the greatest sorceress!" Lina realised she couldn't say herself and was darned for sure not going to say Naga, but who to name? She thought fast then said, with a gulp "Josephine? You remember, Jeffery's mother?" Naga was bested there. "Okay..." she said and sat down with a gulp too, cringing as if the mace wielding lunatic herself would show up and demand more training for her son. Her head had been so sore after that incident...

Zelgadiss seemed to have drawn the next slot "Lina, you always like to refere to Gourry as a yoghurt brain." Lina cringed, her mother in law was giving her a "significant" look. "Yes?" asked Lina realising that was not the actuall question. "What flavour is it?" Zel finished. "Oh easy." replied Lina "Strawberry, the food of love, of course!" There was applause for that one. Amilia wanted to know if Lina had really tried to teach her the Dragon Slave all those years ago, when she had asked. Lina blushed, but under the rules of the game had to admit that she had been trying to put the Princess off. Amilia snuck in a "Why?" which let her get two questions in, but it seemed to be allowed, so Lina explained about being afraid Amilia would use it to level the first petty crook she saw, and whatever town or village surrounded the scene of the crime. Amilia seemed put out by that and started into a justice speech about how Lina should give people the benefit of the doubt, but fortunately her own father stopped her up short by agreeing with Lina, to Amilia's dismay. Phil promised to talk about it later, and Amilia was grudgingly content to let it ride, and let the wedding feast go on. And so the first round the room went.

A lot of the locals, and many of Gourry's relations, wanted stories of their adventures. Lina's problem was trying to tell them diplomatically with her friends there to correct her and fill in the blanks. Especially the ones that were personally embarassing to her. Lina looked over the row of Gourry's cousins again, many of them were girls. She suspected not a few of them wanted to know with certainty that all chances of getting Gourry back were forever gone, well, she'd show them that they were right!

Still, the afternoon went on with a lot of pointed questions, and some simply silly moments, like the time she was basically dragged out to the floor by Amilia to do a performance of the song she had mistaken for a protection spell, the one called "A Maiden's Prayer". They performed it for Zel, who was equally embarassed, Amilia was obviously day dreaming about her own wedding a scant two weeks away now. Still, the girls did a credible performance and even got the party ball to appear and pop out the ribbons and ballons like it was supposed to. "Hey!" said a surprised Lina. "I thought we had to wear those goofy costumes for that to happen?" "Beats me..." said Amilia as she watched the confetti rain down with a puzzled look.

Of course this lead to a painful interlude for Lina as people wanted an explanation, then to know what other songs she knew and she had to go through her scant repertoire of folk songs. And one special love song. She almost ate the snail over that one but Gourry actually begged her, telling everyone that this was the song that called him back from the darkness, and the angel who sang it was Lina herself. Of course, this need an explanation, and Lina had to give it, then she sang "Somewhere In the World" again, which surprised her sister to no end as it had been a favourite of hers. She was even more shocked when she made the mistake of asking Lina where she had learned it. Lina, who had by this time remembered where she first heard it, had only withered under that question, but Luna remembered. "Oh! Uh, he, he, no, I get it, I get it..." she said, letting Lina off the hook for that answer. Boy, the things young girls did when they were in the shower, and thought they were alone...

One of the questions that had a surprising result was when someone asked Lina if she had ever had any pets. She replied she never did personally, but Luna had kept a few over the years, all named "Spot" as she remembered. Some local asked if she had met the most recent "Spot". Lina had to say "No." "Well, he was away for the week helping mom and dad get some business delivered so they could be off with you." Luna explained. "What kind of pet does that?" asked Lina, remembering the dogs and cats and birds Luna had kept over the years, and her tales of how she'd had a goat and a pony of the same name on the farm, too. And all were called Spot. "Ho, well this Spot is different. He showed up starving in the village one day and everyone was frightened of him, mostly because he was a half werewolf, half troll." Lina was startled and looked to Zel. "Hey, he sounds like he could be related to your old servant Dilgear!" she said.

Luna gasped. "Huh?" asked Lina. "No!" said Luna, starting to laugh. "He said that was his name, before I tamed him and made him accept Spot as his new name!" "What?" asked a startled Zel coming around the table. Lana by this time was wanting to know what was going on, so Luna asked her to do mommy a favour and go fetch Spot, who should be out back helping in the kitchen. The little girl was off like a red streak, and in very short order was back riding the broad shoulders of... "YOU!" said Dilgear and Zel at the same time. They stared at each other, open mouthed, as a whole series of memories, good and bad went through them, but eventually the good won out and they started to laugh, then they embraced in a big crushing hug, which Zel barely won, and then they were remembering things like old friends. Dilgear even joked with Lina about the time she had been a guest of "Lord Zel's" and Lina coloured and said "Don't mention it, I'm warning you..." So Dilgear made his next comment to Zel, asking why Lina married a man when she seemed to so get into Noonsa's kiss. Lina boiled at that one, but Zel laughed. "Well, let's not go there." he finally said. "I see the throb on her forehead that means a Dragon Slave is brewing..." Lina was startled out of her anger with that, wondering if he was thinking of Amilia's story about her moles. Then Lina realised there had been a pulse in her forehead and willed herself to calm down. Oh, to relieve her tension with a good fireball...

About this time Lina realised she was soon going to need to relieve something else, and the moment she had been dreading was upon her. Eat the snail... As Luna let Dilgear have free time with Zel, Lina went back to the table and sat down in defeat. So far, no one had asked something she couldn't answer, though she had been mightily embarassed by some questions. But the moment was coming. She began trying to screw up her courage. Then someone from the back called out "Hey Lina, we know you've been sensitive about your body, don't you think it's time you satisfied our curiosity and told us your measurements?" Lina was grateful to hear an immediate crunch as someone decided that question crossed the line and decked the pervert. However, though there were a few "Tsk,tsks" in the crowd no one said the question was unfair. Lina had had enough. She knew that was one question she wouldn't answer, and she could tell from the way Naga was smirking that she felt herself well revenged by the questions she had had to go through. Lina gave in.

"I admit defeat with that question." she said in a quavery voice as she trembled like a leaf. With an unsteady hand she removed the cover. The snail awaited. She closed her eyes and gave a little scream, then bit her fist, trying to screw her courage up. Finally, panting for breath in near panic, she picked the thing up, said to Naga "I pray that this will satisfy Your Majesty." and then looking at Luna who was standing on the floor in front of her, she remembered her whispered sords "Trust us..." "I do..." she thought to herself. She gulped, and prepared for the worst, and, in one of the bravest acts in her life, as her ears sang and her eyes started to darken, she popped the..., thing..., into her mouth and bit. Time stopped for her. And for the room, which waited for her response with baited breath. Gourry was holding her by now, ready to catch her if she fainted. Lina stood there for a long time. Then slowly opened her eyes. She took another bite, and opened them some more. Soon she finished chewing, and her eyes were wide open in surprise. She looked at Luna. And spoke.

"It's... chocolate... !"

With that, the room exploded into laughter and cheers. Naga, of course, stole that part of the show with, yes, that laugh... Lina was so relieved she burst into tears and hugged Gourry as he kissed the top of her head over and over. Luna got hugged by her mom and her dad, and Theo came out and got hugged too, it had been his creation after all, and he had done a good job, excellent actually, considering that he had only had his first experience with the stuff when Luna brought some back from Westhold after the war. Finally a smiling and tearful Lina turned around and hugged her sister too. "I love you Luna, thank you from the bottom of my heart..." she whispered. Luna sniffed and laughed and then it was announced it was time for chocolate all around! People dug in, Lina grabbed some and took off to do what had to be done and came back looking pleased with herself. Now it was time for the dancing!

Lina wasn't too enthused about this either, it was an old Zefelian custom left over from even older fertility rituals that the first dance was a lively one performed by the bride and groom alone on the dance floor. Not so bad, but the bride was supposed to "shake her stuff" as the saying went, to ensure fertility, and to rub it in the faces of the batchelors to look at what they were missing! Lina of course, was famous for her petite build, and really didn't have any "stuff" to shake. Well, not like her sister or Naga did. Well, it was another trial, make the realives happy and get out of there and go be with Gourry for life. "Come on Lina, you can do this..." she encouraged herself.

The band, which had been playing in the background all this time, was brought forward and introduced. Lina was impressed, they were a very famous group from Seirune! The dance was announced and Gourry and Lina took their places. Lina waited for the start when the band leader stepped forward to make an announcement. "Sir and Lady Gabriev, Your Majesties, ladies and gentlemen all! This evening marks a very joyous occasion as Zephielia's most famous daughter marries her true love and we wish them all joy and every blessing!" There was applause and calls of "Long life and Happiness!" Blessed Be!" and the occasional "Live long and Prosper!" were showered upon the couple as a blessing.

The band leader went on "We have a special song for this couple to dance to, and it has a bit of a story. When we were in Seirune a little over a week ago the groom approached us with a poem he was trying to compose for his lady love." Lina turned wide eyes to Gourry. A poem? Really? The bandmaster went on. "The groom was seeking help with the words for he was having a time to try and get them to rhyme. We agreed gladly to help, as we could see from his rough draft, and oh rough indeed, what he wanted to say. The problem was, from his point of view, he couldn't make it flow in lyrics. Well, we took it and promised to give him a song worthy of his sentiment, which really is wonderful."

"Now, here's the rub. Imagine our surprise when we tried to work on it, and instead of finding a rhyme for the lyrics, we found a tune instead. Sir Gourry, your lyrics are rather rough if just read, but, to our amazement, when set to music they become wonderful. So, we have left them just as you gave them to us and set them to music. All who have heard this, a select few who were helping in the composition, I assure you, think the song is perfect as is. So here it is, the world premiere of "Fair Wind" by Sir Gourry Gabriev, and dedicated in all love to his wife, the Lady Lina Gabriev!"

Gourry was sweating with embarassment. "Oh no, even I know I can't do poetry..." he whispered to Lina. "Don't worry, Gourry, you wrote it to me? That's so sweet it's wonderful. It doesn't matter what it is, not to me, because it's yours and I know it will say "I Love You Lina" throughout all of it!" She smiled and took his hand ready to dance. The musicians struck up a lively, up beat, hard driving tune. Lina laughed, she wasn't going to have to try to "shake" anything, dancing to that music would make it happen on its own. As they began to step lively on the floor the singers burst into the song.

"My baby you don't know how much I love you behind of you.
Cause always look the front to get your dream in future.

My baby you don't know whether you meet with an accident.
It's lonely like a bird but it's a really free like bird.

I know I just a fair wind, it's OK You can go to everywhere.
I believe my love and believe your love go across ocean and blue sky.

Baby don't be afraid! If you try to fly away with a tiny shiny wing,
I'll be follow you everyday and everynight.
Baby don't be afraid! If you stay by breaking heart through the lonely shady night I'll be hug your pain, whenever and forever!

My baby keep in mind how much I love you beside of you. This way is hard like hill but it's a really sweet like kiss.

I know I just a fair wind, it's OK You can go to everywhere I believe my soul and believe your soul Go catch exciting chance and dream.
Baby don't be afraid! If you try to fly away with a tiny shiny wing,
I'll be follow you everyday and everynight.
Baby don't be afraid! If you stay by breaking heart through the lonely shady night I'll be hug your pain, whenever and forever!"

The song was of course dogrel verse, but Lina knew Gourry well enough to see beyond what he had written and knew what he ment. There was no doubt about how much he loved her, and she thought her heart would burst with joy. As the song ended she threw herself into his arms and cried out "Gourry! You are my fair wind! Now and always! Thank you!" And with that she gave him a totally impassioned kiss, not even really remembering, let alone carring, who was watching. If she hadn't managed to make anyone regret they weren't marrying her with her shaking on the dance floor the power of that kiss sure went home to a lot of people. And other couples also kissed and agreed that the sentiment was one they shared too. Queen Gracia teased her husband "How come you never write me poems like that?" "Alas my love!" ws her husband's mournful reply. "I have no tongue for such free verse dogrel. You will have to make due with my attempts at sonnets and what baubles I can pass your way, my kingdom for example..." "You're terrible!" she said, knowing he was teasing her and meant it at the same time. She then leaned over and gave him a kiss too. No way was Lina going to out do her! Well, that was the official excuse at any rate.

In another part of the hall, Zel had put his hands on Amilia's shoulders as they had watched the dance. When it was over they looked at each other, and without a word, kissed. Phil was aware, but just chuckled. Two more weeks and they'd be up to a lot more, and he remembered his own turn at such happiness, and smiled, still very much in love with his wife now sundered from him these many years. "You'd be so proud of them!" he whispered to her memory, and somehow, it was as if she heard.
After the kissing and other mushy stuff the whole wedding party turned out onto the dance floor and everyone had a turn dancing with the bride or groom. Of course Naga danced with both, because she could, and even Zel and Gourry took a turn together around the floor, mostly to cock a snook at certain rumours that had been circulating about them for many years. "There, that'll show 'em, and keep them talking forever now!" laughed Zelgadiss as he and Gourry bowed to each other at the end. Lina slid in and took Gourry back. She asked him "You sure you wouldn't rather do this with Volun now, eh La La?"

"Wife or not, sister Li Li's gonna get a biff up the hooter..." Gourry threatened, mockingly. Like Lina would ever be afraid of him. He might as well have threatened to send her straight to the moon. She just laughed and asked with what army, and Gourry had to admit defeat there. By now the evening had finally come, and with the setting sun casting a healthy glow of "beauty light" over the whole scene the crowd went outside for a final toast to the bride and groom, and of course, the all important tossing of the bouquet. By tradition, any unmarried maid in the village, not just one in the wedding party, was invited to take part and several local girls were standing in the crowd, waiting the toss. After a final blessing of the couple from the crowd and a toast by those who remembered their glasses, Lina was hoisted onto Gourry's shoulder. He turned them away from the crowd and Lina, after adding a touch of a levitation spell to make it fly farther, tossed the flowers into the air. They were caught by a tall girl with somewhat spiky green hair, who gave a triumphant laugh and held them up from a slightly shorter raven tressed girl who protested they were hers! An older woman with somewhat spiky red hair, probably the green haired girl's mom broke up the fight by reminding them they were in public.

Lina didn't worry about the outcome, she went back in with Gourry. She went first to Naga and curtsied to her Queen and asked, "Please, is it over?" Naga looked triumpant, then chuckled and said "Yes, I'm tired too, it's all over, and welcome back to the fold Lina!" The friends hugged, and Lina went to find her parents and Gourry's parents. They were expected and afer a few private words of congratulations Luna led them out and up a back stairway to a luxurious room that had been made over just for them. "The party will go on for awhile, but we'll see you two in the morning..." she said with a wink and closed the door.

Finally, the young couple was alone. Gourry and Lina smiled at each other for a minute then spontaniously kissed long and hard. Ending up on the bed Lina said to Gourry "Did I ever tell you that I figured it out, why you seem less brainy than some other guys." "Eh? Why's that?" asked Gourry, not sure where things were going. "It's simple." she replied. "The reason you have half the brain of some guys is because you have ten times the heart, and you are so full with that, that there isn't room for a bigger brain. He, he, listen Gourry, I'll take heart over brain anytime!" "Oh, okay, I think..." replied Gourry, trying to work out if he had been complemented or insulted. Lina put an end to that by whispering "I'm ready..." "For what ever works?" asked Gourry with a smile. Lina replied with a kiss. And of course, just like the first time, it worked,
wonderfully...