The 16th of Frostfall. Stefan and Serana's wedding day. The dawn-guard had chosen to spend their nights at Dead Man's Drink in Falkreath. Stefan and Gunmar agreed it would be safer. Both for Isran and for Serana. Serana was sleeping in her old room and Valerica in the spare room. Stefan had awoken slowly. He couldn't sleep well. He suspected his nerves were the cause. He was both nervous and excited at the same time. This was the day, Serana was going to be his...forever. It was the forever part that made him nervous, particularly as he had found a way to ensure it.
With his heart pounding his got out of bed. His intention was to wake Serana but that would be forbidden. He was forbidden to see her until the ceremony. He opened his wardrobe and removed not his armour but his robes. The robes consisted of a pale under shirt with a blue jacket lined with gold hemming. A brown fur throw was pulled over the back. It was complimented by brown trousers and brown shoes.
He pulled them on slowly, before looking at himself in the mirror. Seeing himself in fine clothes was something he wasn't used to. He laced the shoes and peered out of the bedroom door. It seemed that Serana and Valerica were still asleep. He crept along the corridor. A door opened behind him. He turned to see Valerica had emerged from her bedroom.
"Oh," she said looking at him. "Dashing."
He smiled in gratitude as Valerica knocked on Serana's door and entered her room. Stefan walked into the enchanting room and picked up the box with the circlet he made Serana. He opened it to check on it. It was still perfect but glowed a faint blue colour.
He carried it from the room, downstairs and out to the alter. He placed it on the alter. His stomach rumbled. He was starving but at the same time, too nervous to eat anything. He decided to see if he could force something down. He made his way to the kitchen. It was full of readily prepared food for the feast that was coming later. He grabbed some bread and goats cheese and sat chewing. It was like trying to chew carpet. His mouth was dry and he found it very difficult to swallow. From upstairs he could hear movement coming from Serana's bedroom. He looked up as he heard the footsteps and the hushed voices. His mind wandered as he thought about what Serana would be wearing for the day.
The front door opened, bursting in on his thoughts. Isran, Gunmar and Sorine had arrived.
"Oh," said Sorine as she saw Stefan. "I can see why Serana chose to marry you now."
He chuckled slightly. The comment helped calm his nerves a little.
"We will go and take our seats," said Gunmar. He walked off towards the seating area. Isran looked at him, shook his head and followed the others.
He watched them sit down and his mind began racing. Four guests. He was about to marry the girl of his dreams and only four people were going to share his happiness. His nerves had given way to a feeling of depression. He really had been hoping that some of them from Whiterun would make an appearance. It wasn't far from Falkreath. He sighed deeply and returned to his eating. It seemed that no sooner had he thought this when there was a knock on the door.
He got up from his seat and went to answer it. Lydia stood in the doorway.
"I'm sorry we are late my Thane," she said. "I hope we haven't missed it."
"No," replied Stefan. "You're early. The ceremony hasn't started yet."
"That's a relief," she said. She beckoned her comrades forward and Stefan's jaw dropped. The entire court of Whiterun, minus the Jarl had travelled to his manor to witness his wedding.
"Go on through the back," he instructed.
He stood back and allowed them to walk through the house. Lydia lead the pack as the others followed her. As he watched them walking through, he was glad that he had made more benches. As each member of his Whiterun court past him, they muttered congratulations to him. Of course they hadn't seen his bride yet, he thought about their reactions when they saw Serana and it made him chuckle.
Runil arrived an hour later, carrying three books. Stefan sat at a small table in his garden. He spotted Runil coming around the side and stood up to greet him.
"Good morning Stefan," he said. "How are you feeling?"
"Nervous," he replied truthfully.
Runil peered over to the alter. His eyes widened in surprise to see the amount of people seated.
"Oh my," he said. "That's a lot more than I thought."
"I'm just as surprised as you are," said Stefan.
He looked at the books.
"Do you have the rings?" asked Stefan.
"I do," he replied. "Do you have your gift?"
Stefan showed him the box. Runil opened it and peered inside. He smiled.
"That's glorious," he said quietly. "I'm sure she will love it."
Stefan closed the box.
"Okay," said Runil. "Let's wait for your bride to arrive."
Stefan stood at the alter. Runil stood behind it, the amulet of Mara glowed on the top. The guests were muttering to themselves, talking about the proceedings. Stefan waited patiently, he looked at Runil and smiled nervously. Inside his stomach was doing somersaults. His mouth was dry and his knees shook. The bard at the back suddenly began to play her lute. Stefan looked back. Serana was coming.
His jaw dropped once more. Serana was stunning. There was no other word for it. She was wearing a black wedding gown with matching black gloves. Her hair, usually long and straight had been tied in an elegant plait that followed her dress down her back. Her lips had been painted a shocking red to match her scarlet eyes. She was smiling nervously, aware that everyone was looking at her. Her train followed her like a river of pure sapphires and she was holding her mother's arm. Nervous but with composure.
Serana saw the amount of guests and she gasped. Her red eyes then fell upon Stefan and her jaw dropped. She descended the stairs gracefully, making her way slowly towards Stefan up the aisle. The guests looked at her. Whether they were surprise or admiration it was hard to say. The bard played a gentle, slow paced ballad on her lute as Serana glided up the aisle holding her mothers arm. Stefan beamed at her as he watched her approaching.
Valerica led her to the alter. She then kissed her daughter on the cheek, dabbed her eyes, patted Stefan on the shoulder and took her seat at the front of the ceremony. Stefan looked at Serana.
"You look beautiful Serana," he said adoringly. He was speechless, it was all he could manage.
"Thank you," she said nervously. "You are very handsome Stefan."
He gave her a smile to cover his nervousness.
"I didn't expect so many people here,"she said looking at the guests.
"They're here for you," he said quietly.
Serana looked back at them and issued a nervous smile. Gunmar and Sorine returned the smile.
Serana turned to face the front again.
"Are you both ready?" asked Runil.
They nodded. Serana took Stefan's hand and squeezed it gently. Runil cleared his throat and addressed the guests.
"Ladies and gentleman,"he began. "Good morning."
The guests were silent as the proceedings began.
"We are gathered here today to witness the union of Serana Volkihar and Stefan. A union of love that has transcended the very boundaries of life and death. Today, in the eyes of Mara and our guests, Serana and Stefan will be bound in marriage."
He was silent for a moment. He then turned to Serana.
"Serana Volkihar," he said addressing her. "Do you take Stefan to be your life partner? Will you love him, cherish him and forsaking all others, remain loyal to him from this day until the end of your days?"
Serana looked at Stefan, she beamed.
"I will," she said.
Runil gave her a ruby jewelled ring. She took it and slid it on Stefan's ring finger.
Runil turned to Stefan.
"Stefan," he began. "Do you take Serana Volkihar to be your life partner? Will you love her, cherish her and forsaking all others, remain loyal to her from this day until the end of your days?"
Stefan looked at Serana, directly into her deep, red eyes. He could see small tears of happiness.
"Yes," he said. "I will."
Runil passed him a sapphire ring. Stefan took it and slid it onto Serana's ring finger.
Valerica sniffed audibly. Sorine made a noise of admiration.
"Stefan," said Runil. "I believe you have something for Serana."
Stefan, who transfixed at his beautiful bride, shook his head suddenly remembering.
"Yes," he said. He picked up the wooden box.
"Serana," he said. "Where I come from, it is traditional to present an enchanted circlet to our chosen bride on our wedding day."
He opened it and presented her with his circle of magicka regeneration. He took it out of the box. Serana bend down a little as he placed it upon her head.
"It's a sapphire circlet of magicka regeneration," explained Stefan. "I know you like Sapphires and it will help you with your spells."
Serana's eyes welled up with small tears of happiness. His thoughtfulness, another reason out of the million why she loved him. It glowed blue.
"I look like a princess," she said thoughtfully.
"That's the idea," said Stefan sweetly.
She beamed at him, a watery smile.
"Serana," said Runil. "I believe you also have something for Stefan."
She wiped her eyes.
"Yes," she said.
There were two spell books on the alter. She picked up the black one and opened it. She read the contents and closed it once more. She held onto her wedding ring and muttered something. The ring glowed black and shuddered. She picked up a red book and repeated the process on Stefan's ring.
"What was that?" asked Stefan.
"My gift to you," replied Serana. "A summoning spell. Wherever you are, you just touch your ring and I will be right at your side."
"I hope that won't be be needed too much," said Stefan. "I don't plan to spend too long away from you."
Serana smiled. She then nodded Runil. He cleared his throat.
"In the eyes of our guests and Lady Mara," he continued. "I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. Stefan, you may kiss your bride."
Stefan wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her from the ground a few inches. Their lips met and they kissed passionately but gently. The guests applauded as they embraced. Valerica sobbed silently. Stefan released Serana. She looked up at him and kissed him once more.