Chapter 21 – A Happy Ending.

The soft gasps from family and friends behind him, alerted Thom to his beloved making her way down the aisle to him. However he did not turn to peek at the woman who would be his wife within the hour. Not an inch. He was going to win this bet.

The day before had revealed to the couple that they both enjoyed sleeping on the right side of the bed…and neither was giving in. So, Emilie had come up with this little bet. By turning round to see his Emilie walking down the aisle before reaching him, Thom would have to relinquish the right side of the bed. Thom loved that side but loved beating Emilie even more. So here he was, in dark blue robes, dreaming about how beautiful Emilie was looking with her blushed face and wanting so desperately to see the love in her emerald eyes. His fingers twitched and his head began to shift to left, extremely tempted to look, before he coughed and returned his gaze to the High Priestess.

The rustling of a skirt indicated that his soon-to-be wife had arrived. He turned around and smiled smugly. He had won the bet. Emilie gave a small glare before producing an impish smile. Thom eyes' crinkled with laughter, as he reached for her hand and pulled Emilie closer to his side. Emilie's green eyes were dancing with merriment as Thom finally noticed her and started gaping openly at her in her wedding attire.

She's beautiful, Thom realised as he remembered to breathe. In and out. In and out. Thom noted that her hair was curled softly and pinned away from her face with small diamonds and white roses accentuating her green eyes. The white gown hugged every curve of her body, which Thom was grateful for. The long sleeves widened at the end as they reached her wrists, the skirt floated outwards slightly while the dress was off the shoulders. In the early morning sunlight, the moonstones decorating her bodice twinkled. Thom was amazed at the transformation although he noted that he would always be biased in relation to Emilie and that she looks stunning in anything that she wore for him. And him only. She's like a Goddess.

However, as the faint blush on Emilie's cheeks reddened, Thom was shaken out of his assessment and smiled softly at her.

"You are the most beautiful woman in Tortall…ever", Thom whispered which Emilie replied with a nervous smile. Thom squeezed her hand in a reassuring manner.

Together, they stepped up in unison to the platform and began steadily to repeat their vows in front of the High Priestess, the King and, of course, their friends and family.

Although Thom had wanted a small wedding, news of Emilie's bizarre kidnapping had made him into a slight hero. Therefore every noble invited appeared and a small crowd had gathered outside to see the happy newly weds. Everyone had been captured by the 'great romance' attached to wilder versions of the stories. It had been a shock to Thom at the beginning but Neal had taken the opportunity to tease the young man at ladies throwing themselves him, even if he was going to be a married man. This did not help Thom who was already worried at his mother's excessively good behaviour earlier in the morning yet, for some reason, the image of his mother stopping him from enjoying his wedding night had been at the foremost of his thoughts as chatted away like a normal mother. His mind had been aggravated by his da taking him aside and decided to have a man to man talk before he went to bed the night before. Thom had never seen his red go so bright so quickly in his entire life!

As Thom looked down at his hand clasped in Emilie's, he suddenly wished desperately for the formality to be over so he could whisk Emilie away to show her how much he loves her.

His mind drifted again as the words of marriage flowed over him.

After the kidnapping, Thom's wounds needed a few hours of healing applied to them which knocked Thom out for a whole day and a half. As he came round, his eyes first landed on the sleeping form of Emilie. She sat on a chair next to his cot, her head was next to his hand which she was holding on to. Neal had informed Thom, when he checked on his patient, of Emilie refusing to move from his side since there had been slight complications with the procedure. All he could do was maintain a silly smile while stroking Emilie's clean hair until she woke up with a start and hugged him fiercely. With her body pressed against his, Thom felt Emilie's heart racing which filled his own until it was overflowing.

"And do you, Lord Thom of Pirate Swoop take Lady Emilie of Queenscove willingly?"

"I do." Thom said very quickly which brought an encouraging squeeze from his soon to be wife. They exchanged their rings for one another.

"Then in the eyes of the Gods and the Law, I pronounce you husband and wife!"

Thom didn't need a second telling. He turned to Emilie and placed a soft yet sweet kiss on her lips. Cheers rang out around the hall but Thom did not notice as he bent his head to Emilie's ear. "I can't wait to kiss you properly, my wife", he said huskily.

Emilie laughed lightly. "Then you'll be waiting a long time my dear husband…the feasting has just begun." Thom groaned at he thought of hours of waiting. "But if you're good then maybe we can slip out and…"

Emilie was cut off from a bruising kiss from Thom which indicated the high level of passion he was holding back on. "I can't wait", was Thom reply as he guided them down as man and wife.

"Sir Merric, do I have the pleasure of introducing you to Lady Trudi?", said Emilie on the side of the dance floor. The dinner had ended and people were enjoying themselves with the dancing. Emilie eyes sparkled as she saw the two people taking an instant liking to one another.

"It's my pleasure", Merric murmured, turning slightly red while bowing over the lady's hand.

Trudi curtsied and smiled shyly at the knight before replying, "You're so kind."

"Would you do me the honour of dancing this dance?"

"Certainly", blushed Lady Truid as the couple headed off to floor. Emilie clasped her hands in front of her to stop her squealing with childish glee.

"I see that you have numerous hidden talents", chuckled Thom who had snuck upon Emilie from behind. "Match-making? Is there anything that you can't do, my lovely, adorable, wonderful wife?" He wrapped his strong arms around her waist before kissing the top of her head, sighing contently.

"Several", commented Emilie with a beaming smile, "but then that would be admitting that I am less than prefect which a husband would not want to hear." She rested her head against his chest and placing her hands over his.

"You are wise", Thom stated. "I see that Dom and Kel are dancing together as well. Did you nudge them in the right direction also?"

"I might have."

A period of silence as Thom and Emilie stood and watch the happenings of their wedding feast. Everyone was enjoying themselves immensely which pleased the couple. Thom had only had the opportunity of dancing once with his wife before she was swept away by others, now three hour late, Thom had her again.

"I wished we had found your engagement ring," Thom muttered a little disappointed as he held out his wife's left hand and saw the plain white gold band on her index.

"I bet you do," Emilie murmured at an angle as she watch Merric and Trudi on the floor, "but why would I need it? I'm married for the rest of my days not engaged."

He breathed in deeply the smell of oranges and smiled contently, breathing through her hair. This is prefect, he mused although it would be extremely better if we were alone and …

Thom tightened his grip and whispered hotly in Emilie's ear, "Are you tired from all the excitement? Do you want to leave without anyone knowing?"

His beautiful wife turned around slowly in his arms with a devious gleam in her eyes. "No…is there something that you need to do?"

Matching her jesting, Thom replied, "Yes. In fact there are several things that I would like to do…I need your assistance."

"I suppose that's the role of a dutiful wife," Emilie said with a calm voice but her face was blushing furious as Thom gazed down at her with such armour intent in his violet orbs that it was obvious what he wanted to do.

Looking around, Thom saw his chance to escape and took it. With in a matter of minutes, the happy couple were walking down the deserted halls to their bridal chamber before they would head of to Pirate Swoop for a couple of weeks of enjoying each other as husband and wife. In no time at all they had reached the door and before Emilie could take another step, Thom had swept her into his arms and grinned infectiously at her. "Let me help."

The door opened with the use of his Gift.

"Now I can show you how much I love you dear wife," Thom said with sincerity that Emilie smiled.

Using his foot, the door slammed shut.

THE END

This is it. Finished. It is short but I think it is good to end here. I hope that you enjoyed it and thank you ever so much for reviewing. If you want to ask me any questions on the story/stories then please go and email me! Thanks again and hope that you have a nice day!