Author's Note: Sorry it took so long! I had some writer's block, and then I went out of town (with the intention of writing like two chapters!) and didn't get anything done. But anyway, here's chapter four! Woot!
To Aeronnen: Thanks for commenting and congrats on being the first person to review that I didn't force to! (lol HoD91 & Lady Arnirien)
To Lady Arnirien and HoD91: Thanks as always!
Keep reading and reviewing please!!
Mazzie
Chapter 4: The Wedding
Decander 23
It was the eve of Aedonmansa, and Ebekah couldn't sleep. Of course, this was hardly unusual- since arriving at the Hayholt Ebekah had had trouble sleeping. And she was a bride to be married the next morning. She got up and went to the window, wrapping a dressing-robe loosely around herself. It was cold, yes, but the cold of Erkynland was hardly the cold of Hernystir, and so she was all but untroubled by it.
"My lady," came a voice from behind her, startling her, "you should get some sleep. Tomorrow is an important day."
"I've tried to sleep," Ebekah said. "I cannot. It is far more productive for me to stand here."
"At least lay down. If milady is cold, I could call for someone to relight the fire-"
"I'm fine, thank you."
She heard the soft click of the latch as the maid left. Alone again, she gazed out at the moon.
The next morning Ebekah's chambers were a flurry of activity. Chambermaids hustled in and out, bringing hot water for her bath, powder for her face, and every beauty device ever created. Ebekah herself couldn't even name them all.
She submitted wordlessly to their treatments. She was washed, dried, and combed. She was pulled into undergarments more voluminous than any dress she had brought from Hernystir. She gripped her bedpost tightly as her corset was secured. She sat without wincing as her hair was combed and coaxed into perfect ringlets. Locks on either side were braided back until they met and tied with a white ribbon. Diamond flowers were fastened into her hair. The rest was left to hang loose down her back. Her cheeks were heavily rouged to cover her pallor, and more powder hid the bruise-like circles under her eyes, the results of her sleepless night. At last a handful of maids brought out the wedding gown. Ebekah couldn't help but gasp. Pure white, it was studded with seed pearls and diamonds. Its graceful sleeves were fitted to the elbow, then widened until the wrist, where a lacy cuff fitted them close again. The bodice was fitted, with a low square neckline lightly trimmed in lace and diamonds. The skirt was wide and lace-trimmed, beautifully embroidered in silver thread with doves and roses, and the train was nearly six feet long, also embroidered and pearl-studded. The dress, Ebekah thought wryly, probably cost more than the rest of my wardrobe put together. (A/N: Isn't that every girl's dream dress?)
Her maids helped her step gingerly into the skirt, slip her arms into the sleeves, and lace up the back with an ivory silk ribbon. To help with fitting difficulties, and in case of- Aedon forbid- tears, a flock of seamstresses flitted around nervously, but there was no need. Their careful work had paid off, and under the fastidious hand of Rachel the Dragon, who was assisting personally, not a mistake was made.
Finally the veil was brought out. The back piece would touch the floor, but for the train, while the front would reach only just past the neckline of Ebekah's gown. Like the gown, it was pearl-studded and embroidered around the edge. It was an almost comforting weight on her head, and Ebekah almost smiled. All her life she had dreamed of such a gown, of such a veil- why, then did she now only want to rip off the gown and run barefoot to Hernystir?
At last, Rachel brought out the last part of Ebekah's ensemble- a relatively simple Tree on a white ribbon. It was John's wedding gift to her, and like everything else it was lovely. All diamonds, it was perhaps three inches tall and two inches across. The metal casing of the diamonds was either naturally black or painted so- a beautiful contrast to Ebekah's white skin and the dazzling brilliance of the diamonds. (A/N: One of those Victorian crosses, you know) As it was fastened on, she placed her hand on it, feeling its coolness. Although it was not of her religion, it calmed her somehow, and she could gather the courage to look at herself in the mirror.
The pallor of her skin coupled with the white of the gown made her pale eyes stand out sharply. Her dark hair was like a muted stain down her back beneath the veil. She lifted it to better study her face. The chambermaids had done well powdering her face- it looked rosy, but not feverishly so, merely healthy. Her white lips, however, betrayed her nervousness.
"The lips, perhaps," she said shyly, the first she had spoken all morning, "could use some color."
Rachel nodded, sending a chambermaid for lip paint and a brush, and soon Ebekah's lips looked their normal color, if a bit redder than usual.
"She is ready," Rachel told a chambermaid as she sent her for a carriage. "Let's get her to the cathedral."
St. Sutrin's was as gaily bedecked as the Hayholt and, indeed, the entire city of Erchester. White flags waved from the empty windows of the deserted town. The mystery of where the people had gone was solved when Ebekah's carriage arrived at the church. A large crowd swarmed the outer doors, hoping for a glimpse of their king and his new queen. The carriage had to be taken around to the back of the cathedral, whereupon Ebekah was hustled into the narthex, where her train was spread out behind her and white rose petals scattered on it. She could hear organ music from behind the doors, which became louder when the doors opened to reveal her. Taking a deep breath, she began her slow walk down the long aisle to the altar.
Despite Ebekah's fears, and, indeed, the fears of everyone else present, the wedding went off without a single error. The bishop, a pompous-looking middle-aged man, read the mansa in a loud, self-important tone. Although she should really have been paying attention, Ebekah let her eyes wander, though without turning her head, and tuned the bishop out. She was acutely aware of John's hands on here, and also of Camaris behind him, standing as best man. Her eyes wandered to where she could see, from the corner of her eye, the cathedral packed with nobles from as far away as Rimmersgard. Her own family was just out of her sightline in the front pew. She slowly became conscious of John's eyes on her face and forced herself back to the bishop's words, smiling at her soon-to-be husband.
Ebekah recited her vows perfectly, even managing to put emotion into them. She watched John carefully as he said his. Perhaps it was simply his charisma as he spoke, but Ebekah found herself thinking, I could love this man.
They exited the cathedral to rousing cheers from the people of Erchester. Unable to stop smiling for whatever reason, Ebekah let Camaris help her into the carriage, not even noting the warmth of his hand on hers. The carriage, a large, gold-gilded white behemoth, was jerked into motion by four pure white horses, who pulled it along the scenic route through the giddy, crowded streets of Erchester. Inside, Ebekah happily submitted to John's kisses and affections, elated with the joy of being married, overjoyed that her months of waiting, of worrying, were over at last. Surely this was the climax. Surely it would all be easier from here on out…
Woohoo! Sorry this was a long chapter with lots of boring descriptions and like NO romance. Don't worry, it'll get better...hopefully...