A/N Welcome to the next chapter! I was having issues yesterday, or it would have been up way sooner. Thanks for reading at least this far. And, sorry if it's offensive, but I can write whatever I want, and so I shall!
She woke up early the next morning. It was her wedding day! She hurried up (and off of the sleeping Jon) and into her room where a maid was waiting. "Lady, your wedding is in 6 hours. It is time to start preparing." Alanna nodded and the maid led her to a bath full of steaming water and bubbles and the like. She disrobed Alanna and Alanna gently stepped in. The fragrant water enrobed her and she sighed. When she emerged and hour later with clean hair and skin, she rubbed her body down to remove all the dead skin cells. Her skin felt like heaven. Alanna was sure Jon would like it tonight. The maid returned once more and brought her to the dressing room. Although it was only eight o'clock, Alanna needed to get dressed. Today, she wasn't allowed to eat anything because it might throw off her perfectly fitted dress. Nevertheless, Alanna's short body was thrust into a corset. Alanna perfectly loathed corsets, but the maids insisted. Then, Alanna's magnificent dress was pulled on. Amazingly, it fit perfectly! Alanna thought it wasn't amazing at all. The whole laborious process took 2 hours. Next, it was time to do Alanna's hair and makeup. Her hair was curled into delicate ringlets, then pinned up in small coils. Some hair escaped, on purpose, and the result was a fantastic cascade of boiling red curls. It looked amazing. Her makeup was tastefully done, with purple eye shadow to accentuate her purple eyes and reddish purple lipstick (a nice colour, but hard to describe as that…). When she was finally allowed to look in a mirror, Alanna could hardly tell who was staring back at her. She looked and felt amazing.
She spent the last hour waiting in a secluded room. Jon was not permitted to see her until the very moment she walked into the chapel. She spent the whole hour trying not to faint. It was difficult. Finally, after what seemed like an endless amount of time, a veil was placed upon her head and she was led into the chapel. Myles led her down the aisle, since her own father had passed away some years earlier. The wedding march was played and everyone turned to look at Alanna. She was overjoyed to see her fellow knights grinning at her, but what really made her heart jump into her throat was the sight of Jon standing nervously at the altar. Waiting for her.
Alanna was standing beside Jon, watching the Mithran priest read the wedding ceremony. This was the most exciting moment she had ever experienced in her life! Better even than becoming a page, or being knighted, or even being allowed to stay as a female knight. Oh yes, this moment outshone those by more than a million watts! She looked right into Jon's eyes, and found they were saying to her, "I love you more than anything!" Then the priest handed Jon a wedding ring and told him to put it on her finger. "With this ring, I thee wed!" said Jon. He slipped it lovingly onto Alanna's finger. Then Alanna did the same for Jon. The priest smiled, gave them his blessing, and pronounced them man and wife. "You may now kiss the bride" he announced. Jon pulled Alanna close in to him and kissed her fiercely, with tears running down his face. Alanna's own tears rushed down and mingled with his. They broke their embrace and turned to the audience. Alanna grabbed Jon's hand and did not let go. They walked out hand in hand and took their place just outside the doors to receive congratulations from everyone there. They couldn't be happier. When everyone was out (and it took a long time), they were whisked away to have their portrait painted. The artist was a queer old man who hmm-ed and haw-ed over the two of them. Alanna and Jon might have felt uncomfortable if they had been in their normal state, but how could they be. After years of friendship and more, they were finally together for life. The portrait took two hours, a ridiculously short time, and when they emerged from the studio, they sought out their friends. Standing in a corner was Raoul, who was notorious for hating social functions, Gary, who was obviously trying to coax Raoul away from the corner and into the crowd but having tough luck, and three or four of Alanna and Jon's friends. Gary looked relieved to see them.
"I've been trying so hard to get this great lump to move, but it's harder than it looks." said Gary.
"You're not such a small lump yourself, Gary!" retorted Raoul, indignant at being caught in a corner at his friends' wedding. Alanna giggled, and that started the whole bunch of them laughing. "You know she's going to be your Queen soon," warned Jon.
"Our Alan, the scrawniest page around, turned into a girl, and now Queen. What's next, becoming a goddess?" joked Gary. Jon gave him a warning look, but Alanna just laughed. Gary imitated Jon's look to show Alanna, and Jon couldn't help but laugh. It was nice to see that they could all be friends still. Alanna remembered from her former life that t wasn't long before Gary or Raoul found wives as well. She chuckled to herself, and then joined in the conversation again.
It was hours before people started dispersing for the night. They would be back tomorrow for more festivities, but for now, they were gone. The feast had been magnificent. Roasted pheasant, golden baked potatoes stuffed with saffron and cheese and a delicious salad for the main course, and multiple expensive appetizers for later. The wedding cake was amazing; vanilla cake smothered in delicious frosting, topped with sprinkled sugar and candy pearls, and best of all, a small marzipan figure of Alanna and Jon on the very top. Jon placed his head on Alanna's tongue, and Alanna laughed a broke off hers too. They gazed in mock hatred of each other as they chewed in the pieces of marzipan. Everyone had laughed. That was hours ago. It was now three in the morning. Alanna and Jon had spent many hours talking to the nobles of what would, one day, be their court. They had also talked to their friends, remembering good times, and discussing strategies. It was nice that Alanna could still talk about these sorts of things with her fellow knights. This will done soon, as soon as I get pregnant, Alanna thought. Well, it will ensure that the Conté line continued ruling Tortall for many years. Still, Alanna felt butterflies in her stomach at the thought of what life would be like carrying the future heir of an entire country.
That night, Alanna let Jon remove her pregnancy charm. She almost felt incomplete without it. She'd had it on since the day she met Mistress Cooper. It had come in very handy over the next few years, and she was sad to see it lying in the table beside her. She was more happy than sad, however, because of what was happening now. Although she and Jon had been lovers for many years, this was still a special night for them. She lay down beside her husband and once again, you know what happens. I am horrible at this mushy stuff, so I won't even bother trying. The next morning, Alanna woke up embraced in Jon's arms. It felt lovely and even lovelier because she knew that this would every night for the rest of her life. No more sneaking around in the middle of the night or going back to her own bedroom later. This was for keeps, and Alanna loved it. She liked being married. She kissed Jon until he woke up, and then they dressed and went down to breakfast. "If I get pregnant, there's no way I will ever fit back into my wedding dress, even after the baby is born," moaned Alanna. Jon laughed. "But you'll be happy, right?" "Of course, silly! After all, how many girls wish to have the prince's baby? You probably have a fan club meeting somewhere right now bawling their eyes out because they can't have you anymore! " Alanna punched Jon in the arm, and he responded my tickling her until she was reduced to tears. "Ha! Now you're the one crying!" said Jon triumphantly. "Yes, but you're mine, so I'm only crying for them! Not for me. And besides, you made me!" Alanna tickled him back, and they came into the breakfast hall laughing and tickling each other. They were surprised to see Gary and Raoul already there. They were staring, and when they caught Alanna and Jon blushing furiously, they laughed uproariously. Alanna and Jon couldn't help it. They laughed too. After a happy breakfast of sausages and pancakes, Alanna and Jon went for a long walk before the festivities began again. "I'm tired of wedding festivities" blurted Alanna the second they were away from the castle. "I know were supposed to get to know the court to like us and everything, but I don't care. They won't like me anyway. I'm a female knight who lied for eight years. To them, I should have my titles taken away from me or something. They don't care what you think; they'll never accept me as queen."
"Of course they will. I'll admit, some of them are stuffy old geezers who take years to change their mind about anything, but either we'll make them like you, or we'll wait until they die!" Alanna looked scathingly at Jon, but realized he was joking and moaned. "Don't fret, Alanna. Everything will work out fine."
They returned to the palace for a light lunch of cucumber sandwiches, and went up to their room to prepare for the next day of wedding festivities. Alanna wore a stunning gown of scarlet linen that was very swishy and looked amazing on her. It was accented with gold embroidery on the hem, and she wore a gold necklace and gold earrings to match. Jon looked very handsome in a navy blue tunic and creamy white breeches. He was attempting to grow a beard, but it wasn't working too well. His serving men made him shave it off. "Wait until after the festivities are over, Sire" they pleaded. Jon sighed, and Alanna laughed as the butler took a shaving knife and carefully cut the tiny hairs off. "They're right, Jon. Wait until later. Thank goodness you shaved yesterday." Jon grinned sheepishly. "I tried, and nearly succeeded. Just goes to show you that even the future king doesn't get all he wants!" Jon's eyes twinkled as he offered his arm to Alanna. Alanna grabbed his hand instead. "I don't care about those old nobles. I like your hand much better than your arm," Alanna explained. Jon shrugged and tightened his grip on her hand.
This night was a dancing night. Refreshments were provided, but no feast. A feast would make people sleepy and too heavy to dance. Alanna and Jon were inseparable, no matter what. Jon had been asked to dance by some young, good looking girls, but had politely declined, explaining that his wife would be jealous. Alanna always laughed and pretended to punch him, which sent the girls away in awe and fear. After that happened a few times, they stopped coming, and headed for Gary or Raoul instead. Raoul most always declined with a growl, but Gary danced with quite a few girls, much to their pleasure. Alanna figured that they wanted to get as close to the Prince as possible, even if it was only his friend that they were dancing with. When Alanna caught Gary's eyes, she could tell that he knew too. They grinned at each other over their partners' shoulders. Jon caught Alanna looking and looked quizzically at her. She replied, "Just expressing our knowledge of moving up in court using our eyes", which made Jon look even more quizzically at her. She laughed and said, "Those girls who asked to dance with you, well, they're dancing with Gary now." Jon understood and chuckled quietly. The song ended and the band started a slow romantic song. Jon pulled Alanna in tighter and they danced slowly and lovingly in each other's arms. Jon kept moving closer and closer to the patio door until they were outside. "Do you remember our first kiss?" he asked her softly.
"How could I forget," Alanna replied. Jon kissed her gently, and Alanna remembered that moment even more clearly.
"I knew the moment I kissed you that I wanted to marry you." Jon said softly.
"Really?" asked Alanna. "I had no idea what to do with you at first. You just, sort of, were always there. I always thought of you as a friend before a lover. It took a while for me to love you as I do now."
"I loved you right away. That day in Persopolis when I found out you were a girl, that's when I started to like you." said Jon.
"I hated that you knew. I was so embarrassed at first. I thought you would just tell everyone. I got used to it after a while." Alanna grinned.
"I've noticed!" Jon grinned back. He kissed her again and they went back inside.
The next days were as 'fun' as the first, with the exception of the actual wedding itself. More nobles talked to Alanna and Jon. Even more nobles talked to Alanna and Jon. Still more nobles talked to Alanna and Jon. By the end of the third day of festivities, Alanna and Jon both fell asleep at the dinner table, in front of everyone. Laughter woke them again, and both felt rather embarrassed. However, they were excused and allowed to go to bed. Jon muttered to Alanna on their way out, "I wonder how my parents managed. Their celebrations lasted for five days and here we've fallen asleep on our third. The next day was better, and the festivities lasted for three more days without any more mishaps. Alanna and Jon were enormously relieved and glad to be able to spend more time with each other. Nobles started leaving to their fifes and castles after the week ended, and Alanna and Jon were happy to be alone. Raoul and Gary were still around, but Gary had found a young (and I mean young, only 16) noblewoman who he was quite taken with. Raoul was rather grumpy at this, but Alanna and Jon laughed at him, telling him to wait his turn. It was obvious he was jealous. Lady Amylia of Nunspeet was a lovely, charming girl, maybe too charming for her own good. It wasn't long before Alanna knew what they were up to during the night, and Alanna doubted if Amyl (as Gary fondly called her) had a pregnancy charm. Can't be helped, she thought. I only hope that this relationship goes somewhere, or else Amyl's parents agree with this. Who wouldn't? Naxen is a very desirable name. Alanna grinned at the thought of Gary's wedding. This was not what had happened in her life before, Gary had married a snotty woman who his father had approved of. She had come from a very rich family, but Gary was not too happy with her. Maybe life would really be better for everyone else now that she had married Jon.
A/N I'm so proud of myself; the next chapter is already written! Please review! Thanks sooooooo much!