Anyways, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, I certainly did. I've decided that since we are doing a sequel, there is no need for an epilogue. So this will be the last chapter! We will start the sequel in January, but we have exams so the time in which to write fan fiction will unfortunately be limited…
Lastly I want to thank all the reviewers of this fic, I have enjoyed writing it so much and your reviews, as I've said countless times, make me so HAPPY! So I wish you all the very best new year, and I hope that you will read the sequel later on in January!
Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! )
Confusedknight xxx
p.s. I'm so sorry but as I'm pressed for time, (I'm meant to be going to bed soon.) I can't write review answers, instead I'm going to press on to writing this final chapter. At the bottom will be a list of all reviewers, who will be officially recognised as members of the Rebellion of Shorts.
p.s. Please review, -it will encourage us to begin the sequel sooner- :D Thanks!
Mid-Autumn, Dove and Liam returned to the Copper Isles to make plans for their own wedding. They had decided that Dove being Queen, meant they should be married in the Copper Isles next summer, giving plenty of time for Tortallan friends to make arrangements to travel to the Copper Isles. The Tortallans who would be attending included their Royal Highnesses, Thayet and Jon, Raoul, Buri, Alanna, George, Dom, Kel, Neal, Gary, Roald, Shinko, Yuki, Owen, Merric, and to everyone's surprise Lord Wyldon, who had been put in charge of Royal security on the trip.
Dom and Kel were so busy that the days shortened, the temperatures dropped and soon midwinter was nearly upon them before they realised it. Although Lalasa had been a tremendous asset to the wedding preparations, Kel felt that as it was her wedding, she should know what the organisations were for her marriage ceremony. So poor Lalasa not only had to manage her business, plan the wedding, but also explain the plans to a flustered Kel.
Not wanting to create a fuss, they decided to keep the wedding small, the final guest list was composed of around 50 guests.
Kel had been bitterly disappointed that her parents were not able to attend her wedding due to the fact that they were in the Yamani Isles and couldn't leave because of their duty to the Emperor who needed their diplomatic skills to settle some unrest. So she had asked Raoul, who had always been like a father to her, to do the honour of leading her down the aisle and giving her to Dom.
It was a week before the wedding, and custom decreed that Dom and Kel should not see each other during this time.
So Kel was staying in her Parent's vacant town house and Dom was confined to the palace.
Lalasa had been working her socks off to get all the outfits ready for what she referred to as 'The Big Day.'
She had made suits for Neal, Dom, Raoul and Ben. (Dom's 5-year-old second cousin, who had blue eyes, blonde hair and a round, angelic face!) The suits consisted of navy blue breeches, with a white shirt and a royal blue tunic.
The women's dresses were far more complicated. Kel's had to be a divine, exquisite, flawless, piece of work that would make all the congregation gasp, when seen. Then there was the dresses for Lalasa, Adie (who was Kel's favourite sister.) and Shinko, -the bridesmaids. And also a dress for Yuki, the maid of honour. Finally there was a dress for Alanna, who had been asked personally by Kel, to perform a very special role. (-a/n- I told you Kel was out for revenge…)
Alanna had been asked to fulfil the role of flower girl, the position of flower girl was usually given to a girl of around Ben's age. (So about 5 or 6 years-old!)
When Kel had asked her (more like told her) she was going to be flower girl, Alanna stood there shocked. Then at first she tried the subtle approach,
'Surely you don't mean me.' She had wheedled.
'I think I do.'
'But Kel, I'm your friend.'
'You are going to be my flower girl and that's final!'
Alanna had grasped around for her sword, but clever Kel had chosen the only time when Alanna was not armed to ask her, when she was soaking in the women's baths!
So Alanna, who had thoroughly earned her punishment, could do nothing but glare evilly at Kel. Not wanting the general public to know of her predicament, she did not rant and rave openly, but instead waited until she was in her rooms. Unfortunately for George, this meant that his wife inflicted hour long rants on how unfair life was, until he managed to slip away to seek refuge in a pub.
Three days before the wedding Kel and her bridesmaids and Alanna ( Flower Girl) met in the house Kel was staying in, for Lalasa to give them their dresses.
First Lalasa revealed the finished bridesmaids dresses, they were royal blue with a tight bodice and long flowing skirts. Gold beading decorated the front of the bodice, in swirling shapes and each bridesmaid had some gold flowers to arrange in their hair. Yuki, being the maid of honour had the same dress but around her head she had a tiny gold circlet to signify her position. Unfortunately for Yuki, she was nearing the end of her pregnancy and therefore had a rather large bump.
Next Alanna's dress was tried on, it was made up of a white satin under dress and a blue dress over the top, which was tight around the top, loose at the bottom and had no sleeves, so the white satin sleeves showed. The whole dress was embroidered with flowers in varying shades of gold, white and blue. To complete the ensemble she had a wreath of flowers for her head.
When Alanna looked at herself in the mirror, she swore in a colourful array of words, which would not have been uttered at court!
Finally, it was turn for Kel's dress to be uncovered. Tradition also stated that Kel shouldn't wear the dress before the day of her wedding. So they had to be content with looking at the dress.
Lalasa swelled with pride as she showed them possibly the most amazing dress she had ever made.
The bodice was tight, but not too much so. It had only very thin straps, like a tank top, onto these straps were joined wide, flowing sleeves with flared cuffs. Below the bodice, a band of gold material joined the bodice and the skirt. The skirt was wide and loose, so that in would trail behind Kel as she walked up the aisle.
Exquisitely beaded slippers would go on Kel's feet and around her head was a circlet of gold. The dress was pure white, with gold embroidery, but when it was moved it shimmered ever so slightly blue.
'To match the bridesmaids dresses.' Explained Lalasa.
'Lally, its wonderful!' Breathed Kel, before she pulled Lalasa into a massive hug.
The week seemed to fly by, in a whirl of dazzling colour. When Kel looked back on that week, she could remember very little, with the exception of Neal, who had got extremely drunk on Dom's stag night and had run amok around the palace wearing little more than a pair of hot pants and a daffodil. Eventually ending up on the palace roof, and found himself unable to get down.
Although Kel had not been allowed into the palace, in case she should see Dom, she had heard Neal's shouts and when she looked out of her window, she could make out a figure on the roof, evidently stuck!
The night before her wedding, she couldn't sleep. Kel had gone to bed early and after two hours when the rest of her bridesmaids who had come to keep her company, went to bed she was still awake, tossing and turning, drenched in cold sweat and shivering uncontrollably. Alanna in the end gave her a drugged drink, and Kel slipped off into sleep. In the morning she awoke, puzzled as to why she didn't remember anything after Alanna came in.
Alanna turned pink and mumbled 'You were tired.'
The wedding was due to start at four o'clock in the afternoon. The ceremony itself was to be a short affair with a reception following. After that, the newly wed couple would set off for Masbolle to arrive two days later.
Kel sat agitated, unable to occupy herself. Alanna had gone up to the castle to check that everything was going according to plan, Lalasa, was tending to a few clients in her shop, before rushing up to check that the drapes and table clothes were arranged right.
Yuki sat reading, tired as she often was by her ever increasing bump. At that moment Shinko arrived. Tossing Kel a fan, she said in her refined voice, 'Come on Kel, this will take your mind off things.'
Kel was grateful for the distraction and threw all her concentration into the speedy game of fan toss, not wanting to loss a few fingers on her wedding day. The fan, whirled and spun in the air. Soon, both women were panting, the exercise was a strange one, that seemed to tire even the fittest of warriors.
'Lovely, one day you must teach me to do that.' Said Alanna wryly.
Kel caught the fan and spun on the spot, to face her short, red-headed hero.
'Keladry needs the practise so she won't muck up later.' Smiled Shinko.
'What?' Kel and Alanna looked questioningly at the Princess.
'Well, we put our heads together and decided that the wedding needed a little Yamani flare, we explained to Lalasa and she agreed. Of course we can't follow all Yamani customs, but we thought that we should have the shukusenati or lucky fan dance. There will be a few other surprises but you won't have to do anything.
'Doesn't the shukusenati require kimono's?' Asked Kel.
Yuki grinned wickedly. 'We had poor Lalasa modify the dresses. So you will have two Yamani bridesmaids, to Tortallan, and a flower girl!'
Kel wasn't sure whether to laugh, groan or shake her head in despair, one thing was for sure, her wedding would be very interesting indeed.
Ten minutes later Lalasa came in followed by Alanna and declared that everything had been set up right and was going according to plan. After eating a hurried lunch, the ladies piled into a carriage, which would take them up to some private chambers in the palace where they would bathe and get ready. Once all the congregation had arrived, the ladies could walk through the special underground passage way and would arrive in the lobby outside the chapel.
As the carriage bounced along the road, thick, white flakes began to fall covering the frosty ground. As the summer had been so hot, the snow had come late this year and with the exceptions of a few small showers of sleet, no real snow had fallen.
'The journey to fief Masbolleis going to be fun if this keeps up.' Predicted Kel, peering out into the swirling snow.'
When they arrived Kel was ushered into a suite of rooms, lit and warmed by blazing fires. In one a deep set of baths, was sunk into the tiled floor and steam was rising gently off of the largest pool. Fluffy towels hung on pegs near the fire warming. In the other was a dressing rail with all the outfits, mirrors lined the walls which meant that you could see what you looked like from all angles! Huge leather bags contained all the face paint that a woman could possibly imagine and a few mysterious boxes stood in the corner. Adie, Kel's favourite sister stood waiting for them.
Kel stood staring around her, awed by the surreal atmosphere. The five women looked at her exasperated and all at once they began to bustle around. Kel was herded like a sheep into the baths, where she soaked until her fingers resembled long prunes. The other women were sorting out all the outfits and other accessories.
Kel was pulled out the bath and was wrapped in one of the fluffy towels. Adie and Alanna were next in the bath, they would get ready and then help Kel.
Kel was lead into a room, though she couldn't see which one, due to her wet hair in front of her eyes. She was pushed gently onto a cushioned bench near the fire, while Shinko gave her a soothing massage (Yamani tradition) and her whole body was moisturised which an oil that smelled faintly of lemon and cedar wood. Yuki then said a Yamani prayer. Kel's wet towel was replaced by a fluffy dressed gown and she was led to as she thought of it the next 'stage in the operation.'
Kel had realised long ago that the other women would get their own way and she decided that she may as well let them get on with it.
Shinko massaged her feet and painted her toe nails with more of the clear varnish, then doing the same to her hands. Muttering prayers in Yaman, which should bless the bride-to-be.
Meanwhile Yuki used the heat of the fire to her advantage, and let in dry Kel's hair. It dried quickly while Yuki combed it. Then it was turn for Yuki and Shinko to bath, and for Lalasa to take over. Alanna and Adie meanwhile dressed themselves.
Lalasa handed Kel her undergarments over the top of the screen, and when Kel was semi-decent, she led Kel to yet another room and shut the door.
'Kel, this will probably be the only time for me to say what I want to say. You took me in, when you had no obligation to do so, you cared for me, defended me and even taught me how to defend myself. You were never mean to me in anyway, your generosity was unsurpassed and…and…I wish you ever happiness the gods can give you and your husband in your coming marriage.' She finished and burst into tears.
'Lally, what's this?'
Lalasa didn't reply, but after a minute she regained her control and bustled off business like to fetch Kel's dress, leaving Kel stumped as to what caused Lalasa's little outburst of emotion.
First on went small hot pants and then a weird looking under skirt that shimmered gold, it was way too long and trailed on the floor. Then for the main dress. Lalasa had to stand on a chair so that she could get in over Kel's head. It fell down to her hips, the skirt flowing out perfectly and the top half hanging down.
After tweaking at the skirt, Kel could now see why she was wearing the gold underskirt. The skirts were white, but when moved, they sparkled as though covered with tiny lights.
'How?' She stammered.
'I made tiny holes in the white fabric, that way when you move it will twinkle slightly as the gold material will show through.'
Kel was awed, the gold material underneath was not a dull gold, but brilliant and sparkling, it must have been mage made (-a/n- maybe Sandry was in town! Lol!) thought Kel. The amazing thing was, that when she stood still, you couldn't see the holes, otherwise it would look like she was wearing a spotty dress, but when she moved, the gold shone through, looking like she had tiny, tiny fairy lights attached to the skirt.
Lalasa had been very busy, the dress she had shown Kel before had been abandoned and Lalasa had fashioned this new dress. She pulled the top half of the dress up and guided Kel's arms into the loose, velvet sleeves. The bodice of the dress was low-cut, but not indecently so, but when Lalasa did up the zip at the back ( a clever new invention of Lalasa's) it pulled tight around Kel's top half. This contrasted well with the long, flowing skirts and the loose, full sleeves. The bodice of the dress, was decorated with a Yamani-style flower down one side, which was made out of clear beads, tinted with blue, that caught the light.
Lalasa glanced at a clock and gasped, only two hours and a half till the wedding. Bustling Kel back into the main room, she hurried off, for a bath. Alanna was now dressed in her flowery number, and looking thoroughly hacked off, searched for a box, among the mysterious pile. Having found what she had been looking for, she handed it to Kel.
Confused Kel opened it, inside was a small circle of leather, with a gold charm hanging off it. Alanna smiled, 'It might come in useful,' she said, fastening it around Kel's ankle, 'Since you can't wear the one around your neck.' She said in answer to Kel's questioning look, and removed Kel's anti-pregnancy charm from Kel's neck.
Then Alanna dressed Kel's feet in white and gold, Yamani style slippers, and offered up a prayer to her patron Goddess, asking that Kel and Dom live long, happy lives together.
Next it was Adie's turn. She placed, small sapphire studs in Kel's ear lobes, a golden bangle on her right wrist and then began to arrange Kel's hair. She twisted it and sprayed it. Then, unravelling the twists, Kel's hair became loosely curled. Last to come on was the golden circlet, which sat on her forehead. Kel's hair hung down, framing her pretty face and falling loosely over her shoulders.
'Goddess bless Kel, you look amazing.' She said admiringly and then giggled, 'You should have seen Oranie's face when she arrived earlier. She is as jealous as a pig, do you remember when she told you that no one would marry a woman who had legs like tree trunks? But it was you who ended up with the most handsome man at court and his family is from the book of gold!'
Kel chuckled, and just then in came Alanna, Yuki, Shinko and Lalasa. They stared admiringly at her dress. Kel saw that Lalasa had made Shinko and Yuki, kimonos of royal blue, with a golden waistband. Their hair was held back loosely, twirled around oriental chop sticks and clips. They had already applied red to their lips, kohl to their eyes and had whitened their cheeks. On their feet were slippers, similar to Kel's but blue to match their kimono's and in their belts were tucked golden shukusens.
Lalasa looked beautiful, her hair tumbled down, which was unusual and her dress, identical to Adie's made her look noble and a stranger would never have guessed that the beautiful young lady was actually Kel's ex-maid.
Kel had said that she didn't want much face paint, so Yuki outlined her eyes with kohl, glossed her lips slightly and brushed some pink onto Kel's pale cheeks.
It was almost time for the wedding to start. They left in the order that they would enter the church, Yuki and Shinko at the front, followed by Alanna, who was bedecked with flowers, then Kel herself and bringing up the rear came Lalasa and Adie.
The doors to the chapel were closed, but Kel could hear the hubbub of noise. Waiting for them outside was Raoul, who would escort Kel up the aisle, falling into place next to her, he muttered, 'You look great, are you nervous?'
'Terrified.' She whispered back. Raoul shot her a comforting smile and offered her his arm. Taking a deep breath, Kel took his arm and the chapel doors opened. The congregation fell silent. The musicians began to play a gentle Yamani tune and Yuki and Shinko entered first, dipping and tossing the fan as they went. After them came Alanna, who was using her gift to blast petals up in the air so that they fell not only over the procession but also over the guests.
Owen whispered to his ex-knight master, 'Oh my, this is jolly, petals!' Wyldon grunted, it appeared that he did not appreciate being coved in petals by a rogue Lady knight dressed as a flower covered bush, or whatever she was dressed up as.
The congregation gasped, as Kel stepped through the door, the wintry sunlight, illuminated her, everyone was temporarily blinded but as she stepped forward, her bridesmaids behind her, the chapel doors shut slowly and the light dissipated. She looked amazing and as the music became more regal, Raoul escorted her up the aisle, as he had been told and when they reached the raised dais, he separated and went to sit in the front bench. Meanwhile, Alanna had also sat down, followed by Lalasa and Adie. Shinko and Yuki were still twirling effortlessly and as the piece came to a close they tossed the fan to Kel, who caught it, whirled it around threw it in the air, caught it again, and muttering a Yaman blessing and tossed it back to Yuki who caught it deftly. Having stowed the shukusen in her obi, she turned to sit down, but doubled over in pain, moaning softly. Neal hurried over to her alarmed, she straightened up and then moaned in pain again.
Kel stood there, alarmed and unsure of what to do. Neal hurried over to Kel, 'Yuki's gone into labour.' He whispered.
'Take her up to the infirmary then.'
'Are you sure, I mean its your wedding, I could stay…'
'No, go with her and help her deliver baby meatheads.'
'Thanks Kel,' and he turned to go 'By the way you look amazing!' And he hurried off, escorting his wife away.
Kel now proceeded to the altar where Dom was standing, all through the priest speech, he stood staring transfixed at his bride. She looked so beautiful, her eyes and her dress was out of this world…'
With a start he realised it was time for him to summon his ring bearer.
'I call forth the Ring bearer.' He said, loudly and clearly.
And to the 'aahs' of the congregation, his little cousin tottered forward, clutching a box. As instructed Ben bowed and opened the box, Dom reached for the ring, but unfortunately his cold fingers, (he had been standing by the cold alter for a while,) fumbled and the ring slid out of his grasp.
It fell to the floor with a ting, and amid the chuckles coming from the audience, he got down on hands and knees to pick up the ring. Having straightened up, he placed the small golden band on Kel's finger, and she placed a similar one on his they then said the vows together.
'I swear, in front of Mithros and all the gods of the Divine Realms, that I will be faithful and loyal, until the Black God claims me for his realms.'
'I hereby declare you, in front of all who are gathered here today, husband and wife.'
Kel, as tradition dictated, through her bouquet of flowers and turned to see who had caught, them, since it was said that whoever caught them, would be the next to marry or find true love. And to her amazement, she saw that the flowers had landed into the lap of a stunned Lalasa. Winking at her, Kel turned back to Dom, whose blue eyes were radiating happiness.
'You may now kiss the bride.'
And to the cheers and whoops of the audience Kel and Dom came together in a kiss and Kel knew, at that moment, that everything had been worth it, the embarrassment, the shorts and even nearly drowning and she was whirled away by her overpowering happiness.
..-The end-..
(-a/n- I can't believe it's the end! -sobs- anyways below is a list of members of the rebellion of shorts. I hope you enjoyed this fic, and I hope you'll read the sequel, which will include baby meatheads, our favourite Tortallans in the Copper Isles and perhaps, if you're lucky you'll find out if Lalasa will marry…)
Official members of the rebellion of shorts, a.k.a trusty reviewers! (In no particular order.)
Bibliopheliac, Dom's Girl, wildace keladry2005, Rauros Falls, On top of cloud 9,
Cry of the Wolf Child, Aly the Spy, sarra21, Tortall Princess, LadyKnightOfHollyrose,
Kings Lioness, queenoftheostlers, x17SkmBdrchiczxx, Pink Squishy Llama,
Lady Leah Of Chaos, imakeladrygirl, nativewildmage, Jules-Gemma, anonymous girl,
Seirien, I 3 cows, hisisastoryofagirl, BJ, anxioustritip, nealschick,
the-ravenhaired-one, SilverCrystal Tears, limegirl62, Total Fan of Yours,
I-Like-Llamas, balinnka, SarahE7191, no one of consequence, Terzatrack,
Penny, ionalama, Saphron, WeirdChild666, king's-own-knight,Kelly Masbolle,
swordanddagger, shorti93, rocks and glass, LandUnderWave, Emporar Kaddar,
Faith Tibbles, Sweetlilfrenchgirl, manicpony24, Lana Storm-born, Poisonmoon,
Mage of Dragons, Twilight Shades, Melsterchaos, TP OBSESSEE,
neurotically yours, ladykeladryofmindelan, pinky, Mage of Dragons, slightly unhinged,
Opal Roseblossom, enchantednight84, tsudrats, wrinklylemon, stargazer3,
Leiasha.
(-a/n- Sorry If i missed anyone out, it was hard going back and scanning through all the reviews. Please review this chapter as it is the longest one yet! Thanks for all your reviews.)
confusedknight & citrusfruit xxx - Much Ado About Shorts 2005.