Chapter 49

Dedication: this is a dedication (and apology!) to Cheeseycraziness. I'm sorry to be driving you crazy, but I'm glad you like the story so much! I've also got to do a little plugging here: check out the Learn Tortall forum. Its tons of fun and you WON'T regret joining and becoming a regular!

"Eliena?" Daine asked as the two girls sat with Numair in one of the libraries. "Eliena?" Daine snapped in front of her friend's face, bringing Eliena back to reality.

"What? Oh, sorry, Daine," Eliena said. "I got a little lost there."

"We noticed," Numair replied. Eliena rolled her eyes.

"Are you going to help or not?" Daine asked. "Because I don't need you daydreaming all day when we're trying to plan a wedding, you know!" Eliena smiled at her friend—it had been a month since Sam and Eliena had become engaged, and there were only two short weeks left until Daine and Numair's September eighth wedding.

"Its hardly planning at this stage, Daine," Eliena reminded her friend. "We're more finalizing details."

"It makes no difference. Are you helping or are you going?" Daine was serious. Eliena sighed.

"What do you need me to do?" she asked.

"Try on your dress already!" Daine replied, obviously exasperated. "I need to be sure it fits and you like it before the other bridesmaids can try their dresses on!"

"Gods, Daine, you're really taking this bride thing and running with it, aren't you?" Eliena muttered as she went behind the screen. She donned the dress and stepped out. "Well?"

"Gods," Numair breathed. "Magelet, are you sure you want…that as your maid of honor?"

The dress Daine had picked out for Eliena was a violet silk dress. It was fitted through the bodice, with a straight skirt brushing the ground. There were two thin straps holding it up, both of which were covered in amethysts. The neckline was high enough to be respectable, but still showed enough of Eliena's bosom. Even with her black hair unbrushed and pulled in a hurried horsetail, Eliena still look amazingly glamorous.

"Is it too late to elope?" Daine whispered to Numair. She was worried—if Eliena managed to look like that without face paint and her hair properly styled, how would she look on the wedding day? September eighth was supposed to be all about Daine, not Eliena.

"Daine, honestly." Eliena put her hands firmly on her hips. "What do you expect? With me and my parents in attendance, you've already taken some of the attention from you!" Daine's eyes widened. Eliena had read her mind!

"Eliena's right, Daine," Numair replied.

"I have a brilliant suggestion," Eliena told them.

"Please, share," Daine prompted weakly. She'd spent so much time planning the ceremony…

"What if I got a Mithran priest to perform your wedding in the country, with just the two of you and some of our very closest friends?" Eliena suggested. "Then, you can come back and have a lavish ceremony. You would've had your 'big day', this wedding could be just for show."

"That's…perfect!" Daine exclaimed. "Numair, what do you think?" Numair smiled.

"I think Eliena knows too well the extent of her beauty."

----------------------------------------September seventh---------------------------------------------

"I now pronounce you man and wife," the priest ordained. "You may now kiss the bride." Eliena took Sam's hand as Numair kissed Daine, pulling her against him. The small gathering cheered. Daine and Numair turned to face their closest friends: Eliena, Sam (who came with Eliena), Leo, Neal, Miri, Evin, Onua, Sarge, the king, the queen, Thom, Thayet, Raoul, Gary, and Cythera. The newly weds radiated happiness as they walked down the makeshift aisle. Daine wore a simple white cotton dress with a skirt pushed out by ruffles. There was a crown of white flowers seated atop her mass of brown curls and a bouquet of daisies in her hands. When she reached the end, she threw the bouquet.

Miri caught it and smiled at Evin.

----------------------------------------September eighth----------------------------------------------

"Ladies and gentlemen of Court, it is my honor to present to you, for the first time, Master Numair Salmalín and Veralidaine Sarrasri Salmalín." Everyone applauded as the couple came down the royal staircase. Eliena sat on her throne between her parents, Sam positioned behind her. Numair and Daine came within a stride of the dais and knelt on the step. Jonathan rose and placed a hand on either of their heads.

"May the gods bless your marriage." His voice echoed in the silent room. "May your days together be long and filled with endless joy. May you be blessed with children. So mote it be."

"So mote it be," the crowd echoed. The king sat and the couple rose, grinning. Eliena smiled and mouthed Very nice to her friends. Daine mouthed back Thank you.

Author's Note- that was sweet. I kind of liked that as a simple chapter. Smiles REVIEW.