A/N: Last chapter of the wedding chapter story thing. Thank you for joining me on this literary journey. Now that this sub story is complete, I can bring you further chapters in A Farmgirl's Hero, and hopefully finish that story. As always, thoughts appear as 'blah blah blah'.
CHAPTER 6
The day of the wedding arrived. Darunia and Link took the shortcut to the Lost Woods, and ultimately ended up at the Forest Temple before anyone else had arrived, including Malon and Anju. Link was dressed in his ceremonial tunic, which he had been fitted for during his one week stay at Death Mountain. It was a deep ruby red velvet with 24k gold, jewel encrusted trim. He also wore a matching hat, and black Dodongo skin boots with 24k gold and emerald accents on the toes and heel. Darunia joked that Link would be spending five rupees every time he took a step.
Shortly after Link got changed, the guests started to arrive. There was still no sign of Anju and Malon. All the Kokiri were there, most of the Zora including Princess Ruto were there, almost all of the Gerudo except for Nabooru were there, half the Sheikah and the entire Royal Family were there, most of the Gorons were there, except Biggoron, most of Kakariko was there, all of Castle Town showed up, John the Fisherman was there...you get the idea. Almost everyone in Hyrule was there. Except Malon...what the heck was Anju thinking, holding up the wedding like this? Suddenly, Nabooru appeared. Anju peeked out from behind Nabooru, who led Malon to her place at Link's side.
'Holy crap, Malon's dress looks AMAZING! I can't stop staring at her...she looks so angelic, like Goddess Hylia herself! No, even MORE beautiful than Goddess Hylia...seriously? Is this real? Am I dreaming? I must be dreaming...guys like me just don't marry women this beautiful, do we?'
"OW! What did you hit me for, Nabooru?"
"You were drooling. Don't drool at your wedding," Nabooru glared at Link.
Link blushed, giggled nervously, and scratched the back of his head. "Yes, Nabooru. You're right, no drooling, got it!"
"I hereby give Malon, this daughter of Talon and Abeeru, to Sir Link, son of..." Nabooru paused, until King Harkinian ran up and whispered in her ear, then she continued. "...Fredo and Isbelle. May they live in happiness together until they part from this world,"
Rauru the Sage of Light then officially started the ceremony. "All of Hyrule is gathered today to bear witness to the matrimony of this man and woman. If anyone should protest this marriage, speak now," Dead silence, except for a distant Wolfos howl.
"Since only a single Wolfos seems to object, I think it is safe to continue on with the ceremony," Rauru announced, to chuckles from the audience. "Right then, do you, Malon take Link to be your lawful husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, until the end of your natural life?"
"I do," Malon blushed, glancing at her more-handsome-than-usual husband.
"And do you, Sir Link, accept the hand of Malon, so that she may be your lawful wife, to cherish and honor, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for the duration of your being?"
"I do," Link looked at Malon, and smiled. Malon just stared straight ahead. She was still blushing.
"Then by the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!"
Link lifted Malon's veil, lifted her chin, and kissed her with a perfect wedding kiss...you know the kind, where it's not exactly passionate, but not exactly a soft kiss, either, but a kiss that lasts for seconds, but feels like minutes? Yeah, it was like that. The crowd loved it. Everyone present cheered, and the whole temple shook with celebration. Link and Malon then turned towards the crowd with huge happy smiles, and started walking towards the exit of the Forest Temple. At the entrance, Link turned and made an announcement.
"Friends and family, I would like to invite you all to a reception back at Link Lon Ranch. Saria, I'm truly sorry you and our friends will be unable to attend, however I have arranged for a buffet to be delivered to Kokiri Forest, and it should be waiting there for you and the other Kokiri in the Training Field,"
Saria gushed, "Omigosh, thank you, Link! You didn't have to trouble yourself..."
Link interrupted her. "Yes I did. Now if you'll excuse us, our carriage awaits!" Link carried Malon bridal style all the way through the maze, out of the Lost Woods, down the stairs, through Kokiri Forest, and over the bridge where Zongo was waiting for them with a white horse hooked up to their carriage. Link placed Malon on the velvet seat, and got in next to her while Zongo closed the carriage door.
"One newly wed couple heading for Link Lon Ranch! HEEYA!" Zongo expertly and carefully led the carriage across Hyrule Field, to the Ranch.
Once at the Ranch, Link paid Zongo for his time and services, and invited him to stay for the reception.
"I appreciate the thought, Sir Link, however I have much work to do at the castle..." Zongo started, but the appearance of Princess Zelda and her father startled him.
"Nonsense, Zongo. No one at the castle has anything to do today. Join us for the reception," Zelda smiled, then added darkly, "That's a Royal Decree,"
"Yes, Your Highness. I hear and obey my Princess," Zongo replied and bowed, then joined the reception in the corral.
There was all kinds of food at the reception. 2954 salted butter, home made breads and dinner rolls, fresh roasted fish, baked cucco and ham, top sirloin rocks for the Gorons, sushi for the Zora and anyone else who wanted sushi, fruit salad, all manner of salsas and queso for corn tortillas, and of course, a giant 5 tier wedding cake. There was also all kinds of beverages. Three casks of beer: one type of pale ale, one shandy, and a lager. Also, there was a barrel of red wine, and two barrels of milk. Fresh water from Zora's Domain was also available, as was ice from the ice caverns. Guro Guro provided the music for the reception, and there was much dancing and merry making.
"Ok, everyone, I'd like to raise a toast!" Darunia announced, raising his beer stein/large bucket as Guro Guro stopped playing and the crowd settled down to hear Darunia speak. "I'd like to make a toast to my Sworn Brother, Sir Link, Knight of Hyrule. This past week was a blast, and I truly appreciate him trusting me with his bachelor party," Shouts of HUZZAH and WHOO HOO could be heard throughout the crowd, as well as applause and whistles. "In the short time we lived together, I learned a lot about his mannerisms and quirks, and I must say...Malon, you could have done a lot worse. May you have many years of happiness together! HUZZAH!"
The crowd repeated, "HUZZAH!" as Darunia took a seat in the middle of the corral. Anju was next to speak, raising her wine glass.
"Eh hem, alright, so, I would like to raise a toast to Lady Malon. For landing the most eligible and probably most desired bachelor in all of Hyrule...possibly the world. Congratulations, and I hope you are prosperous in all your endeavors as you start your new life together. CHEERS!"
"CHEERS!" followed the crowd. The party continued as Guro Guro started up his organ and the dancing and feasting commenced.
After the party, cleanup ensued. Which meant, everyone took home whatever food they wanted to take for leftovers, except for the milk products, which stayed at the ranch for obvious reasons. Any scraps were fed to the cuccos, and so Link and Malon headed up to bed after seeing everyone off. The newlyweds crawled into bed, exhausted from the busy day/week they just had.
"So...where do you want to go for our honeymoon?" Link asked. "I was thinking we could go to Korodai..."
"NO! Definitely not! Umm...it's the wrong time of year...monsoon season," Malon replied. "I was thinking someplace like Alnrauf..."
"Um, well, I don't think that's such a great idea...there's a lot of dissent among the people there right now..." Link trailed off.
"I haven't heard anything about that...hold on...did you have Alnraufian strippers at your bachelor party?" Malon asked, amusement in her voice.
"Um...maybe? Yes? No wait, I DEFINITELY had Alnraufian strippers at my bachelor party. Sorry, the details are kind of fuzzy at the moment," Link smiled nervously, then smirked. "You were totally ravaged by Korodai strippers, weren't you?"
"It all happened so fast..." Malon softly replied, her head down in shame.
"BWAHAHAHAHA! Malon, it's ok! We weren't married yet! But yeah, I think avoiding those countries for a while is a good idea. Just in case we run into...well...THOSE people," Link laughed and tousled Malon's hair. Malon smiled and kissed Link's nose.
"You know...we could just stay right here on the ranch...hire some part time people to help out with the chores while we just hang out in Hyrule. Maybe spend some time in Kokiri Forest and Gerudo Valley. Maybe visit the Zoras," Malon cheerfully suggested.
"Yeah, that's a good idea. Let's do that," Link rolled over, put out the light, and played little spoon.