Chapter 39
Ever After is Only the Beginning
Robin smiled nervously at Noor. He never thought he would be this nervous. "Well, since my life is already forfeit, I see no harm in making it final. My Lord Bonchurch, my Lady Locksley if you would be so kind as to do the honors I think it may be time for me to marry this woman before she manages to slip away again." With that he raised his hands toward Noor and she saw the henna dots had already been applied.
Djaq smiled at Noor and took her hand. "It seems we need to prepare you for your wedding. Big man, you will reprise your role as father of the bride?" Little John smiled at both ladies; in his heart he really did love a happy ending.
As Djaq helped to dress Noor in the red gown she had worn just a few days before and cover her hands in henna, Will and Much set about preparing the altar as Robin paced the room. "Hah, see I'm not the only one who paced before his wedding. Its nerve racking isn't it, Robin? Teach you to laugh at a man before he gets married. By the way you were joking about those man eaters weren't you?"
Robin stopped pacing and looked at Allen. "Of course not! Noor can't take her cats with her; and who better to take them but Djaq? I'm sure Noor is up there telling her the safety words as we speak. Just make sure your wife teaches you Arabic."
"Why, what happens if I don't speak Arabic?" Allen was nervous now.
"Well, Noor's cats were trained in Arabic, Allen, if you say their safety word wrong they've been trained to chase you off and bite the seat of your trousers. Trust me it hurts, I recommend you learn Arabic." Robin smiled. Somehow joking with Allen had taken his mind off what was supposed to take place.
The joking stopped as Noor and Djaq came down the main staircase. Little John met both ladies at the foot of the stairs. Once there he adjusted Noor's niqab and kissed her cheeks. Much and Robin both stared in amazement as Noor walked toward them on John's arm being trailed by Djaq.
Once Noor reached the altar, Much cleared his throat. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God the Almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth, to bring together this man and this woman. God first brought these two together far from their homes and then saw fit to test them by separating them again. They are together again despite everything that has taken place in this world. In their faith and loyalty to each other we celebrate the love that a gracious God has given us to alleviate the misery that we create for each other. As Lord of Bonchurch I charge you to love, care and respect each other."
With these words Djaq stepped forward and broke bread over their heads as Noor had done for her the week before. Little John, once again in the role of father of the bride, kissed Noor on the cheek and placed her hands in Robin's. "Love and honor her; for a good wife is a blessing from God."
Much cleared his throat again. "Well, now I guess the end has come and" Much stopped with a mischievous grin. "I think this occasion warrants a song."
Everyone laughed and Robin warned in a teasing tone, "Much".
"Oh alright, it was worth a try, it's not like my singing is really that bad. Ok so I guess - well wait are you sure? I mean really sure? Noor he snores and he's bad tempered when he's traveling." As everyone laughed Much decided the time for fun had ended and made a serious face. "Well if everyone here is sure that Noor should marry Robin, then as Lord of Bonchurch by the grace of God and Robin; I pronounce you husband and wife. Ok you can kiss her now Robin."
As Robin lowered Noor's niqab he looked deeply into her eyes. She wasn't the woman he had always dreamed of marrying but somehow he couldn't imagine being any happier. As his lips touched hers his brain was flooded with images of the first time he had seen her, walking in the gardens of Salahadin's palace with Wafeyy trailing her, creating illusions out of thin air.