Chapter 23 xxxxxxxxxx Lina and Gourry woke up on their own time. When finally they were ready to get up Lina rang the little bell. Almost instantly the door opened and Trina entered. "Oh Lady Lina, and Sir Gourry, it was so lovely yesterday, only they wouldn't let me serve you or anything." Lina laughed. "Trina" she said "when we get back home I am going to have to break you of this serving fixation." "But, I want to be the one, Lady, I like being your maid." the girl said, a bit pouty. Lina replied "Trina, you can serve me to your hearts content when we get home, and when your heart is no longer content we will set you up somewhere where it is. But for now, we are on a trip, and right now in Zefielia I have family and admirers who are falling all over themselves to do the same thing. There is no stopping it, but we will leave to go to Seirune in a little while for the Princess Amilia's wedding, and I don't think there will be much attention on me then. So you will be in your glory. Meanwhile, my sister and my mother whom I haven't seen in years are just trying to make up for some lost time. Don't worry, okay? Enjoy this as a vacation.

And to make it up to you, you can help me this morning getting dressed." Trina curtsied and went to work. "Gourry, I don't know how I'll get used to this to tell you the truth, all my life I did my own morning care, now I have someone who wants to help me." Lina laughed. "Well, enjoy!" winked Gourry back."Oh I will, hey, thanks for getting promoted to Knight okay?" she said. "For you, anything" he said back. Soon enough they were ready and went down to find..., lunch was being served? "My my! Something must have tired you two out last night!" said Naga with a wink. "Yeah, he, he, he! You could say that!" replied Lina. "Alas, no sheet this time..." Lina's mom, and Luna, who had been there as well laughed at this, while Gourry did a slow collapse into the chair. Women... "Hey, it's a chick thing, don't sweat it." said Zel soothingly as he took a sip of tea. Gourry joined him with one of his own.

In due course the events of yesterday were digested, and rehashed, laughed, and cried over, again. Then, more painfully, the plans started. Tommorrow was departure day, for Seirune, even though the wedding was many days off there were things that had to be prepared, and it was a royal wedding after all. Lina made sure she spent as much time as she could that day with her mom and sister, and her dad, and her niece and brother in law. She didn't know when she'd see them again, probably not before Luna had given birth to a baby that didn't even show yet. Lina prodded herself once or twice wondering if she was that way yet. Oh well, it would happen when ready. There were lots of happy, and some sad tears as the day wore on and the family crammed as much time together as possible into the day as they could.

Gourry too was spending time with his family. There were perhaps more smiles and less tears as befits a son rather than a daughter, but the Gabrievs prepared as well to lose their child again to the world, only this time knowing where he would be and how to reach him. His mother and his father both told Gourry they were proud of him, and his brother admited that he was proud that Gourry was his brother. His cousins said their bit, a few of the girls joked, at least, it was thought they were joking, that if he ever tired of Lina he could always come home, but Gourry so plainly didn't like that, that the joking stopped fairly quickly. Then Gourry, at Lina's bidding, brought out the locket with Melirune, and Rowdy in cameo.

"This is a gift Melirune once gave to Rowdy and which our family returned, thinking she'd want it. She found it a sweet gesture and so kept it to not upset his grieving family, but now, with her passing, and the breaking of the Gabrievs' links to the elves, she wanted it returned to us as an heirloom forever. Please keep it safe, it is beautiful, but I agree with Lina, it belongs to all the Gabrievs' and I don't think we should keep it hidden away from the family in Westhold." His mother took it, reverendly almost. "I will write a letter thanking the elves of Mispross island for their gift and say goodby to them for their long friendship. I expect they will not answer, but it will make them happy to think we remembered them." she said. The talk centered for a bit on the long history of the Gabrievs with the elves, and how it was perhaps fitting that it was due to Melirune waiting for a last chance to bless Lina and see who of Rowdy's decendants had been found to be the worthy one for her. Gourry said he would do all in his power to always be worthy of that honour.

His parents expressed their pride in him, and the talk moved on again to other matters, as talk always will do. Long into the night the families kept talking with their soon to depart loved ones, and by the end of it all the couple were back together with both families around them. That there was friendship between the family Inverse, and the clan Gabriev was plain enough. So it was with heavy lids, but lighter hearts that Gourry and Lina finally tucked into bed for their last night in Zefielia. They didn't say much, the good byes had a bittersweet effect on them, but they held each other with a special tenderness and were happy just to be together. And so they slept.

The next morning saw them off in their coach again, now traveling in the train with the King and Queen of Westhold, the Crown Prince of Seirune, and Crown Princess and her fiancee too, and a whole company of guards, from both kingdoms, including the six that had been with Gourry and Lina, who were absorbed back into the formation. They rode on through the day, stopping for a picnic along the way. Here Zel and Lina recounted with Naga how they had brought Queen "Grace" safe home to Seirune after some daring feats of flight. "I have never been so exhausted in my life!" exclaimed Lina as she finished her tale of the flight. "How on earth did you levitate for so long?" asked an amazed Amilia. "The power amplifier bracelets helped of course, and sheer determination. I was not letting the Queen get into danger. But I still think you could have told me who you were right off the bat." replied Lina, turning her attention back to Naga.

"In hindsight, maybe yes." admitted Naga. "But we were unsure, in a small panic, and I didn't know how you'd feel about me. Besides, the look on your face when I whipped the veil off was priceless." she ended, laughing merrily. "Yeah, well, what can I say?" said Lina with a bit of a chuckle too. The Queen was right, in hindsight there was much that was funny about the whole thing. And they had gotten through safely, that was the main thing. And so, on to Seirune.

Lina was handed a part in Amilia's wedding party and Gourry was a groom's man for Zelgadiss, so they had to rehearse some of the parts, but for the most of the time it was just sitting around and hanging out one last time in their old stomping ground. Oh yes, there'd be visits, state and otherwise, but never again to just walk here and there as they were used to. But, more awaited than was being given up, and no regrets were felt, just a desire to say goodbye to the life that was. Long walks and lovers rendevous were often enough indulged in, even though most of them were married.

Naga delighted in seeing her old haunts again, and having her King beside her and her baby snuggled up next to her as she gazed out at the harvest and fall time beauty of her birthplace. "By now our people will have the harvest in and stored and the bleak weather before the snow will be appearing." said the King one day when they were all taking in the fall colours. "How rich your land must be to have this extra time." "Rich? Oh yes indeed." said Phil, who was playing with his grandson while he had the chance. The little lad was definitely responding now to people and smiled and laughed often at his grandfather's antics, even reaching out a chubby little hand now and again to touch, usually by grabbing, and yes, pulling painfully, on something. And laughing as the adult of the moment grimaced in pain.

"Strong little gaffer!" Phil declared after rescuing his moustache from one such tug. "He, he, well, he has only the best food, he should be!" smirked King Alfred looking sidelong at his Queen, as he rubbed his own beard in unconcious memory of similar attention from his son. Of course, he was still being breast fed, by his own mother too. "But of course!" she replied with a smile. "Nothing but the best for my child!" "Well, if you are the best we will have to send for you when I give birth then!" teased her younger sister. Naga gave her a look, and Amilia stuck her tongue out. "It's because they missed each other in their childhood." said Phil with a sigh... Other days had more formal talks, matters of state and of trade, even regularising the currency as both kingdoms had different weights and measures that they used for dealing in gold and the like. Most of the work was done by assistants, but the presence of the two monarchs let things be quickly assented to without the usual hassle of messengers and ambasadors. And so the days passed, too fast and too slow, all at once.

Finally, the great day dawned. Lina was up before the sun, though, given that it was fall it was not as hard to do as it would have been in the summer. Still, it was a big day and she just wasn't going to sleep anymore. Of course, this ment Gourry didn't get to sleep in either, but Lina found a unique way to wake him up, and he really didn't mind in the least. Trina was as eager to do her bit as ever and the three of them had a good morning and a private breakfast. They dressed as far as they could, and eventually the call to action came. Gourry and Lina had to separate for the ceremony, but, such was friendship. Trina stayed with Lina as long as she could but she too had to eventually go out and just be a spectator. The wedding party was finally ready. Amilia was obviously nervous and excited, and perhaps a tad bit impatient. "Stupid formalities!" she muttered. "Eh, Amilia, it's okay, it's not much longer now." soothed Lina. "Easy for you to say, Miss "I get two anniversaries"" growled Amilia back, but the teasing in her voice couldn't be missed.

Lina laughed, as did the rest of the party, and Lina came back with "Yes, but at least you and Zel are never going to get a divorce. Be happy Amilia! It's wonderful, as someone in the know once told me." she concluded, remembering her talk with Naga, or back then, "Queen Grace", on the road down to Seirune to start the whole summer off. "I'm okay." said Amilia. "I just wish daddy would show up and take me out to get this started." Even as she spoke a fanfare heralded the fact that Zelgadiss was leaving to take his coach ride to the shrine where the wedding would take place. "Courage, dear Amilia." said one of the wedding party. It was less than five minutes later that Prince Phil himself opened the doors and gave his daughter a big hug. Naturally, the serving ladies were in a tizz, they'd have to smooth out the wrinkles again, but Phil could not resist giving his daughter one last daddy/daughter hug. After all, this day was probably the most important one in her life, even her coronation, hopefully many, many years in the future, would be affected by this day. "I love you my baby." he said in a rarely heard (in public) tender voice.

"I love you too daddy. And thank you for being my wonderful daddy!"Amilia gushed. Phil stepped back and had a good look at her. "Your mother would have been so proud of you." he said with a warm and tender smile. Lina had seen Phil in a lot of different ways, somehow, she had never seen him look so, well, human, if that was the right word. She thought of her own daddy she had just left, and she was happy and sad all at once. But, this wasn't her day, so she took a deep breath and refocused on Amilia. Now they were shuffling out to the waiting carriages. Lina was impressed by the goldwork, but it struck her that she was impressed by the artwork far more than the value, and she smiled to herself to realise she too was changing, growing up perhaps? The women were packed carefully in to the waiting carriages, Amilia was with her father in a private one, of course, and off they went.

The day was beautiful and sunny, couldn't be better, but the wind, light at the moment, had a promise of rain, and of cold. Amilia was getting married as fast as she could, but still cutting it very close to the edge of the last good weather of the year. Well, as long as today worked. The carriage, which was open to public view, wound its way along the streets. Lina realised they were taking a somewhat circular route to get to the shrine, oh well, the people wanted to see. Soon enough they got there. The party disembarked and assembled. Up at the altar the high priest was waiting with a cohort of shrine youths and maidens, and beside them was Zelgadiss and his party. Even at a distance Lina could tell that the chimera was playing it cool despite his nervousness. Good old Zel. He was very consistent. Amilia ought to be set for life.

The Maidens started to sing a hymn of blessing and the party moved forward with Phil taking Amilia up the central aisle. They stopped for a second at the foot of the stairs to turn and bow to the special royal guests, the King and Queen of Westhold, who bowed back, and then up the stairs, and Amilia's arm was transfered to Zelgadiss. Lina had to bite her tongue not to laugh, Zel was so nervous he looked downright cute. But not as cute as that handsome blond swordsman standing next to him, mmmmmm, she'd take him home any day. Gourry too was more inclinde to look to his wife than to Amilia, though he wasn't unmoved by the Princess' beauty on this day. He felt happy for Zel and Amilia, somehow, they deserved each other. In a good way of course, um, err, oh, better stop thinking about this...

The ceremony was similar enough to Lina's. The prayers, the blessings, the call for impediments, no one said anything this time, of course. Then the long drawn out oath taking, including some extra bits related to Zelgadiss taking on a royal title. Lina smiled at the obey part, she would be interested in seeing who obeyed who, especially in later years when Amilia was crowned. Zel might be crowned King at that time, but everyone was aware that Amilia would be the power. Oh well, it didn't matter, if they were happy. Finally the big moment, up went the veil, Amilia practically lept up to kiss Zel and then they were married!

Back down the aisle, the couple now took the royal coach as Phil joined his older daughter and her husband in their coach. The trip back through the town, by a different route went well. They ended up at a memorial that was dedicated to fallen soldiers of Seirune, which had been freshly dedicated to the fallen of that summer's great war. Phil laid a wreath of flowers in gratitude, as did the King and Queen of Westhold. Then Amilia made her own memorial. With genuine tears in her eyes she laid her bridal wreath on the memorial and thanked the soldiers for saving the kingdom. She said she hoped her wedding would let them rest in the sure knowledge that the kingdom they had loved enough to die for was alive and well and carrying on as it should, that their loved ones were safe, thanks to them. The people would remember that act for a long time, Seirune was one of the few kingdoms where the people took their monarchs to heart.

The party then ended back in the palace, and, after a few appearances on a balcony while the people cheered, the wedding was over and the party began. Again with the eating, and the partying, this time no ridiculous questions, but a lot of speeches, and toasts, again in water as Amilia had decided she too didn't want her sister exposed to temptation. Naga whispered to her husband "We have to go home before I singlehandedly ruin viniculture in this part of the world." The King laughed. In the course of the day, for many different reasons, so did everyone. And the dancing was wondeful, but Lina was secretly proud of her own wedding dance, her husband had writen his own song from the heart. Of course Zel did write poetry, but that was for Amilia. Finally, the party wore to its end and all saw the new couple off to bed. Then they drifted to their own beds. And slept.

In the morning, Zel and Amilia were very sleepy, and very happy. There was some teasing, but a lot of congratulations over the breakfast, then, Phil had arranged a honeymoon of sorts, as the new couple were sent off to bear messages of friendship to neighbouring kingdoms, a ceremonial job designed to let them have an excuse to meet and greet the neighbouring kings and queens as a couple. They would be wined, dined, and feted untill they were sick of it and glad to get back home in about two weeks, but they would have glorious time to themselves too. So, it wasn't so bad.

After they were off Naga put her son in her father's arms. He was definitely feeling alone now, both of his daughters were married and off, and he had no wife left to be with. He smiled and hugged little Prince Arthur for a long time. The rest of the day was spent with Naga and her father being together, doing some long over due one on one. Lina and Gourry kept to the background, and even King Alfred kept to the rear somewhat, it was definitely daddy/daughter time. And they had been away for a long time too, they had to leave the next day to go home. Lina realised this was it, the end of her rambling life was today, as she and Gourry would ride back with their King and Queen, as loyal subjects. The new life was dawning. But it wasn't unexpected. She just hugged Goury a lot and smiled.

The next day they all loaded up and the small train of carriages left on the north road to go home. There was one treat, the King and Queen had agreed to Luna's request, and arranged to stay overnight at Lina's sister's place again,and Lina had one last evening and morning to tell her family about the wedding and to say a last goodbye. Then a long, but rather restfull trip ensured where Gourry and Lina got to finally have the King and Queen to themselves. Well, themselves and the court officials who had been part of the King's party of course, somehow business never stopped for a King. A strong friendship was was made all the stronger on that journey. Finally,a triumphant return and a welcome home from all the familiar people. To think most of them had been strangers a few short months ago.

And, perhaps most wonderfully, Erik had taken the time alone to ask, and Sylphiel had answered, and so one more wedding was in the works, though this would be mostly an internal affair, still there was a good chance Amilia and Zel might come up for this one. Lina had a free moment with Sylphiel and gave the gentle girl an enthusiastic hug. "I'm so happy for you Sylphiel. You really do deserve a wonderful life and Prince Erik is a wonderful man!" Sylphiel couldn't stop beaming her happiness. Lina asked "Do you forgive me now for Gourry?" Sylphiel couldn't help but laugh. "I neve held it against you Lina. He knew where his heart was and went there. You are the one for him, and I am happy for you. I want to thank you for saving me from that Xellos creature too Lina. He was, well, very polite, but very creepy, and I couldn't stop him from using me to try to get to whatever the Queen's secret is. I am glad you had the strength to do what you had to, and I was happy to think you loved me enough to kill me if you had to to save me from him. Oh dear, I suppose this sounds silly."

"No, no it doesn't Sylphiel. To be posessed by a Mazoku, I can't see how death is worse." Lina replied. She then went on "I was more worried about how you collapsed in tears after we did the power transfer, because you didn't realise how much I loved Gourry." Sylphiel giggled and took Lina s hands."Oh Lina, let me explain. When I sent all my power in to you it took a lot of my positive energy, and left me a negative wreck, controlled for several seconds by all the negative, down emotions a person has in her. I knew long ago how you felt about Gourry, I figured it out during that Clair Bible search we were on all those years ago. But I had no positive emotions and precious little logic left right after, so I collapsed. In truth I don't fully remember what I said, but you must believe me, that spell leaves the giver feeling like she's been punched emotionally in the stomach. You know, where you can't breath, and all you feel is body filling pain? That sort of effect. So, please don't worry, and I am sorry I upset you." Lina leaned forward and gave the taller girl a kiss on the cheek. "Well, I feel better then. And hey, if I hadn't taken Gourry off your hands, you'd have had no room for Erik!" The two women laughed and talked about happy days to come.
Finally, the day ended, and the next one came. At breakfast Gourry and Lina met their adviser, who had come to announce all was in readiness, and to take them to their new home and duties. Trina had known he was coming and had been in her glory making sure they were all packed and ready. So came the moment, with many hugs and tears, when Lina finally set out with Gourry to go to a place she had never had in many years. She was going to her own home. And when, after a long day's ride, as the sun was setting, they finally rolled into the court yard she started to weep with joy. All her dreams and even some of her fantasies, things she had never expected to really achieve, were all fulfilled.

At first Gourry was worried something was wrong, yes, men do tend to think a woman's tears have to mean there is something amiss, but she soon made him to know everything was right. They stood before the opened doors, ready to go in. Gourry turned and said "There is one last marriage custom I get to perform Lina, it's common enough in Elemikia, though I don't know if it is so common in the rest of the world. I get to hold you and carry you over the threshold of our new house. It's for good luck, I think." "Well, you can do that Gourry, as long as you promise that once you have hold of me, you'll never let me go." Lina said, smiling up at him. Gourry scooped her up and said "With all that I have, with all that I am, and with all that I ever will be, that I promise you, Lina!" She lifted her head and kissed him long and hard, and as she did so he stepped forward bearing them over the threshold and into the rest of their lives...