The Song of Dalmasca
Second Movement: Minuet
The chapel was dimly lit by the late afternoon sun as it poured in through the western windows. The walls were colored in the deep browns of stone. The room was decorated with small baskets of plants and statues built in reverence to Faram, the Father of Man and God of Light. She stood opposite of Nabradia's Prince, Rasler. Beside them was a Kildean priest who stood behind an altar and read Holy Scripture and ceremonious rites.
Knights and lesser-known nobles of the kingdoms lined against the walls of the chamber while those of royalty sat in the pews. She could hear the conversations taking place in their minds as they all quietly observed her. She knew that some were amused by the sheer aesthetic beauty of the wedding. Others likely thought of the hope such an event would bring.
The union of the Princess of Dalmasca and the Prince of Nabradia. A grand thing, to be sure, especially in these troubled times.
Ashe was anxious. Her hands fidgeted about as her fingers desperately tried to busy themselves, though they rested in the hands of her groom. She glanced at Rasler and noticed him looking back at her. His face was calm and attentive, a result of his lifelong royal and militant training. Her eyes wandered elsewhere, scanning the audience for someone; a certain person she wanted to see this more than anyone else.
But he wasn't anywhere to be seen.
Her eyes found their way back into Rasler's and a nervous smile formed across her lips.
He stepped outside into the warmth of the sun. It was a welcome change compared to the dank chapel that he had sat in for the last half an hour. He had no qualms with the religion, Kiltia, but the atmosphere had proved too intimidating for him.
Being a Dalmascan knight was a privilege and an honor. He wanted nothing more than the happiness of those he had sworn allegiance to and to defend his country. Sometimes, though, the necessities and desires of life were the very things that pained him. He harbored feelings for the Princess. Seeing her wed another man was not something he cared to witness, nor was it something he could afford to dwell on.
Basch fon Ronsenburg was a man of honor, and Ashelia was not to be his lover.
She was his Princess.
He was her knight.
Her heart pounded. She knew it was time.
The priest spoke. "In the name of the Father, and in the presences of these Holy Relics, I hereby pronounce you man and wife from this time forth. May the blessings of the Gods light your path for all eternity. Faram."
Rasler pulled back her headdress and fully revealed her face. He leaned forward, she closed her eyes, and they kissed. It felt as if it lasted for an eternity, and when it was over, she saw Basch leaning against the wall of an empty corridor.
He lightly clapped and nodded in her direction.
She smiled.
-
Another short one, this being the marriage of Rasler and Ashe. I felt the concept of a minuet fit really well, being something played in reverence to one you respect, worship, or love. I'm not a huge classical music buff, but I don't think I'm misusing the titles. If I am, let me know.
I also took a few liberties here. Basch obviously isn't a present in this scene during the FMV, but the game hints at a relationship between them, and part of me wonders if there may have been something prior to the events of the game.
Until the next movement.