AN: Curious about how the wedding was?

Chapter 3: Promises and a lasting love.

"Lyude! Lyude, get up!" Lyude opened his eyes as he heard the banging on his door. "Kalas?" said Lyude groggily.

"No, it's Gibari." came Kalas' voice sarcastically. "Heck of a day for you to sleep in, get moving!"

Lyude gasped as he remembered what day it was...as if he hadn't been tossing and turning out of nervousness half the night. Only to drop off a few hours before dawn. He sat bolt upright and looked outside. "Good heavens!" he shouted.

"No kidding." said Kalas, "First time in your life you've overslept, probably, and it's one of the most important days of your life. Can I quit talking through the door?"

"Hmm? Oh! Yes, yes, do come in." said Lyude distractedly as he quickly gathered his attire.

Kalas walked in, Lyude's brother Skeed close behind, and couldn't help but chuckle at Lyude's state. His hair was mussed from sleep and his expression was that of ashamed disbelief. "I don't believe this."muttered Lyude completely infuriated with himself. "How could I have allowed myself to sleep this late? Today of all days..."

He splashed his face with cold water, though it was more out of habit than the need to wake himself up further. His realization that he had woken late the day of his wedding was sobering enough to have put him quickly to attention. He went behind a screen to change as Kalas flung himself on one of the lengthy couches and sprawled himself out as he waited. "How are the preparations going, Kalas?" asked Lyude nervously. "I simply don't believe this...drat it!"

"Things are going fine." said Kalas grinning reassuringly as Lyude peered over the top of the screen at him. "Everyone was just wondering where YOU were. Personally, I figured you'd gotten cold feet." Kalas said smirking.

"Not a chance." said Lyude stepping out from behind the screen and adjusting his tie. He tidied his long red hair and examined himself in the mirror. His normal black and red uniform had been replaced with a white one with golden cord, his gilded boots were the same, the sleeves of his uniform were long and he wore no gloves. He straightened the vest adorned with his many decorations and adjusted his tie once again.

"Sheesh, Lyude, you look fine. Quit fidgeting." said Kalas.

"I seem to recall a similar amount of attention to detail on your part when you and Xelha got married a month ago." grinned Lyude. "You had your moment of panic, let me have mine."

"I knew you were going to bring that up." said Kalas with a dramatic sigh.

Lyude continued to contend with his tie, seemingly unable to get it to his satisfaction. Skeed rolled his eyes. "You're fumbling all over yourself." he said and strode up to his brother, straightening the tie and smoothing Lyude's collar. Lyude glanced in the mirror again. "Thanks, brother." he said.

Finally satisfied with his appearance, Lyude nodded to Kalas and they left his room side by side. Skeed broke into stride beside them.

Lyude's expression grew slightly pained as he came upon the reception hall to discover Gibari sneaking a taste of icing off the cake. "Gibari!" said Xelha smacking his hand reprovingly.

"Heh heh, you caught me." said Gibari grinning sheepishly.

"One would have thought you'd be less enthusiastic about sweets after that erm...incident in Mira." said Lyude with a grin.

"There's the groom!" said Gibari grinning and sweeping Lyude's slight form into a giant bear hug which lifted him off the floor.

"Gibari! You'll wrinkle Lyude's uniform!" shrieked Xelha. Gibari released Lyude who straightened his vest with a wry smile. "I expect that was his intent." he said, his eyes filled with mirth.

"Consider it my revenge for getting stuck in a monkey suit for this thing." said Gibari with a grin.

"I think you look rather dashing in it." said Anna coming up behind Gibari and making him jump.

"Don't think you'll ever see me in one of those things again, after this." said Gibari loosening the uncomfortable tie around his neck.

Anna smirked. "Oh really? I suppose I should have stayed home then, rather than accept your invitation." said Anna with a wink toward Lyude and the others. "I thought it was a meaningful invitation."

Gibari blushed. "Heh..ya got me there...Okay maybe ONE more time..."

Lyude laughed and looked around the hall, everything was decked out perfectly in pristine white and gold cord.

He saw King Ladekahn standing near the entrance to the hall talking to Queen Corellia. Lyude shook his head in disbelief. Never would he have dreamed that the nations' leaders would attend his wedding. Of course, he was the leader of this nation, perhaps it wasn't so surprising.

After a few last minute preparations Lyude, Kalas, and Gibari made their way to the Altar. Lyude had stood where Kalas now stood only a month before watching as Kalas and Xelha were married.

Lyude's heart was pounding in his chest as the wedding march began and Alyssa came into view. His knees nearly buckled underneath him as she began her march down the aisle. Her long black hair was held back in an elegant bun and her white gown was covered in silken lace, complimenting her graceful figure and trailing behind her soundlessly. Scalla followed behind her, throwing rose petals and grinning at Lyude. He smiled warmly in return and took Alyssa's hand as she reached him and they said their vows.

Lyude lifted Alyssa's veil and they shared their first kiss as husband and wife. Kalas whistled and Lyude and Alyssa parted with a chuckle. They strolled together back down the aisle and got into an imperial carriage to reach the reception which was being held in Azha. The restoration efforts had made quite a difference already and the mounds the Azhans had been living in had been replaced with some proper housing. Save one. Lyude placed a single red rose on the doorstep of his mother's previous home. He and his new wife said a silent prayer and the festivities began.

Never before had there been such a celebration. Lyude and Alyssa danced to the Azhani music. At the prompting of several of his friends, Lyude joined the musicians alternating from flute to violin and watching as Alyssa was passed from partner to partner in the Azhani jig. He laughed as Alyssa danced with Gibari, the large man struggling not to step on her delicate feet.

Lyude heard the sound of a rifle shot and turned to see Alyssa crumpled on the ground. He opened his eyes with a start, the pleasant dream shattered at the realization of reality. He felt pain shoot through his ribs and torso, his shoulder still ached from the dart he had been struck with. He groaned softly and rolled onto his other side. His hands were bound behind his back and he felt dizzy, but he didn't care. He didn't care about anything but the ache of his shattered heart.

Crazygirl: Thanks again for your review. You seem to be my only reader so far. Didn't much answer your question yet, did I? (evil laugh).