When Kel went to bed that night, she couldn't sleep for all the thoughts running through her head. Her last thought before dreamland finally claimed her was that Raoul's wedding was the day after the next and after that, she would deal with the problem. With that little bit of comfort, she fell asleep.

Morning found Kel up and practising as usual. She did all her daily 'chores' like grooming Hoshi and caught u with all her friends. In the late afternoon Keladry got quite a shock when Buri approached her to tell her that she was to be a bridesmaid in the wedding.

"Buri, your wedding is tomorrow, couldn't you have told em sooner?" She exclaimed.

"You weren't here."

"I got here yesterday, besides, it's afternoon already."

"Yes, but that would have given you more time to complain."

"I don't have a dress." Hearing a voice behind her, Kel turned around to find her ex maid Lalasa.

"That's where you're wrong, my Lady." Kel hugged her friend.

"Lally, What do you mean? Do you have a dress for me then?"

"Of course. Now we just have to check the fit. Come with me." Kel followed Lalasa to her rooms where she was given a bundle of material and shoved quite rudely into the bathroom. Putting on the dress, she went back into the main room so that Lalasa could look over the dress. As she stood in front of the mirror she gasped.

"Wow Lally, it's gorgeous!" The dress was forest green with gold trimmings. It was full length, tight around the chest and waist and loose and flowing down to the floor. It had no sleeves, only material about an inch and a half wide on her shoulder. It had a box cut neck and was one of the most beautiful dresses she had ever seen. Kel stared at the dress open mouthed until Lalasa shooed her back into the bathroom.

The rest of the day passed quickly and the wedding day dawned bright and cheerful. It was to be in the morning and hopefully Raoul and Buri could be off on their honeymoon and have time to reach Raoul's fief before night. She did her exercises, had a bath and put on her dress. She downright refused any make-up and claimed that it was what is on the inside that counts.

As she headed over to Buri's room, she met up with Alanna, surprised to see that she too was wearing a bridesmaid dress. Hers however was violet. Kel grinned at the pained expression on her face.

"They dragged you into this too?" Alanna asked groaning. Kel nodded.

"Just think of it this way, after today, we don't have to deal with them for months." Alanna immediately brightened up and Kel noticed the spring in her step.

"The way you're acting, Alanna, I don't think you're going to miss them much." Alanna smiled as they entered Buri's chamber.

"Not at all."

"Well, don't I feel loved." Buri interrupted their conversation.

"You aren't." Alanna replied. "Not after forcing me into this thing." She rounded to Kel. "Did you know that they got Numair there to freeze me with magic while they stuffed the dress over my head? No choice. No choice at all." She finished and went to sulk in the corner. Luckily for Kel and the other ladies, she didn't see them struggling to control their laughter.

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All the bridesmaids stood in a line and faced the doors at the other end of the room. As the music started to play, the doors swung open and revealed what waited behind.