Chapter Three
Artur and Amaline married on Sunday in the year 937, and the reception that was given after the wedding was one that would never be seen ever again in history. Myrdin and Mailinde insisted that they paid for half of everything, and even though Amaline's parents tried to decline this gesture, Myrdin insisted. They were the Royal Family of Shandalle after all. No one really disobeyed the King. Not even the in-laws. He also gave the servants three gold crowns each as a token of his happiness, and also as a thank you for all the work that they had done. Mailinde and Genara, Amaline's mother both agreed that Myrdin did throw the money around a bit, but as he said to Amaline just after the wedding.
"I never was graced with a daughter by blood. Now I am graced with a daughter by marriage. I hope that you will look upon me as your second father." Amaline dressed in a robe of sea green and sky blue silk threw her arms around the shocked King of Shandalle.
"Thank you, my father. I will always look upon you as my second father, and as my family." Then Artur appeared, dressed in the red and gold of House Paendrag, with the Stag on his chest.
"Congratulations, my son. You have found yourself a wonderful wife, who is not also caring and beautiful, but not worried to flatter an old man."
"Father, you are still stronger than any man in your kingdom, and you are right. Amaline here is the only woman I could ever wish for." And Amaline kissed him on the lips.
"Oh be quiet, husband. You embarrass me."
"Husband. I like the sound of that."
"You won't after fifteen or twenty years," smiled Myrdin, "it'll feel like a ball and chain round all your limbs." And with that, he led Artur and Amaline to the carriage that would take them to the Royal Palace where the reception was.
Artur and Amaline danced with the rest of the couples, and Artur danced with Genara and Amaline with Myrdin.
"Your ladyship, I would thank you for letting me marry your daughter." Artur said to Genara.
"Your ladyship? Artur, we are family now. My name is Genara, please call me by it. As for letting you marry Amaline, it was not just down to Hertlain and I. Your parents both saw what was there between the two of you, and we spoke frequently. It seemed that when you had not seen each other for a month or so, you would not eat, or sleep, and when you saw each other again, well, it was like you were two completely different people. But now, well, that will never happen again. Welcome into House Tagora, Artur."
"Thank you, Genara."
At the High Table, Mailinde and Hertlain, Amaline's father were speaking as old friends do.
"So Mailinde, do you think it was wise what we did?"
"Hertlain, you and I were brought up together with Myrdin and Genara, and it wasn't just that Genara and I were cousins, but we stayed in touch, as friends should. Now we have a connection that can never be broken."
"You speak wisely as usual, my old friend. As I remember you used to dance very well."
"It is lucky that some things in life never change." Mailinde said with a smile, as she got up and accepted Hertlain's arm. As they danced, Hertlain said, "It is lucky that some things in life do change. If they did not, we may not have had our wonderful children. Let us hope that they will never have to face war like we have done in our lifetimes."
"They will become King and Queen of Shandalle when the Creator wills it, Hertlain. They will have to know fighting, or they will lose what is theirs by right. Anyway, it is a wedding, let us not talk of such sombre things. Let us dance instead."