Sorry for the delay! I wanted this chapter to be just right. I wrote it four different ways, and this is the one I think I'll stick with. :)
Chapter 20: Promises
Kendra stood still at the entrance to the white event tent she was standing in, awaiting the appearance of her brother. Her day had been full of surprises so far – the fairies had transformed all of the wedding decorations she and her family had spent hours setting up the day before, the cake had toppled over courtesy of a particularly clumsy satyr (who then insisted he would fix it and gave her a smile that highly suggested he was panicking on the inside), the guest book had seemingly grown legs and walked away, and Kendra's wedding dress had gone through a serious metamorphosis courtesy of the brownies the night before.
The truth was that the issue with the guest book didn't really bother her, the issue with the cake tremendously bothered her, and the fairies and brownies had honestly made marvelous improvements both to the decorations and her dress, which now looked like something she'd picked out of the highly expensive end of a fashion magazine while yet still maintaining the integrity of the originals.
To further the truth a little... the combination of everything she hadn't planned on – good and bad – was rattling her nerves. She'd dissolved into tears earlier that day when her mother had embraced her and told her that her father would be proud of her. That was perhaps a normal reaction for someone to have on their wedding day but Kendra felt like she was a horrifically nervous wreck, which was highly unusual for her.
As she continued to wait for Seth, she idly wondered what time it was. And whether Tanu would be willing to sneak her some artificial courage in the form of a potion. She shook her head at that thought and continued to wonder where on earth her brother had gone and why she was standing all alone on her wedding day. Didn't she have any girl friends or anyone who would wait with her?
She sucked in a deep breath right as Seth's voice rang through the tent from outside the entry flap. "Knock, knock. Is there a bride in here?" he asked.
"Seth!" she called out, relief evident in her voice.
"Are you dressed, or should I come back later?" he asked.
"I've been ready for what feels like hours! Don't you dare leave!" she shouted.
He ducked inside with a hesitant expression on his face. "Mom was right, you are crazy today," he said.
"I am not crazy!" she protested.
"Right," Seth said. "And I'm a sky giant."
"What took you so long?" Kendra asked, working on calming down a little. She'd promised herself that she wouldn't be a bridezilla today, after all.
"I was just helping... rearrange some things," he said.
Kendra raised an eyebrow. Her brother was normally a better liar than that.
"What happened?" she asked pointedly.
"Nothing happened. Are you ready to get this show on the road?" he asked in return.
"Not until you tell me what happened," she responded.
"Just some last-minute interference. No big deal." He held his arm out to her. "Are you ready now?"
"What kind of interference?"
Seth rubbed his temples and said, "Your musician didn't show up. I was running around trying to find a replacement."
"What?" she cried.
"It's alright, Bracken took care of it," Seth answered. "Someone owed him a favor."
"This is ridiculous," Kendra said, shaking her head in disbelief. "All of these last-minute changes."
"For what it's worth, your cake looks awesome now," Seth stated. "It was really entertaining to watch Doren run around looking like he was about to face the executioner. I mean it was hilarious. He was so freaked out."
"He fixed it? Really?" Kendra asked, disbelief evident in her voice.
"No. The fairies took mercy on him after he'd been running around for an hour or so. But only after he begged and showered them with shameless flattery for most of that time. It probably helped that Bracken asked them to do it after he'd watched Doren panic for a while. Like I said, hilarious."
Kendra rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm glad we have a cake again," she said, calming down significantly.
"Tell me about it," Seth responded with a grin. "A wedding without cake? That would be a tragedy."
Unintentionally, Kendra found herself laughing along with her brother after he cracked his classic delivered-the-punchline grin. "You're right, I am crazy," she said. "I think I've felt every emotion on the spectrum today so far. Is it over yet?"
"Nope," Seth replied. "I guess you're just going to have to grin and bear it. Are you ready now?" He held out his arm to Kendra again.
Kendra nodded her head and placed her hand in the crook of his arm, then adjusted her skirt. "Wait," she said as he started to walk forward. "I just remembered. Have you seen my bouquet? It didn't make its way to me yet."
"Oh, right," he said. "Girls can't get married without flowers. My bad. I'll be right back." He let her go and walked out of the tent, returning a few moments later with a drastically different bouquet than what Kendra had seen yesterday. Originally comprised of several simple blue roses, it now also held white calla lilies and long strands of green grass that wove intricately through the flowers. The blue shade of the roses also seemed to be quite a lot brighter and somehow fuller than Kendra recalled.
"Fairies again?" she asked as he handed it to her and she marveled over the masterpiece.
"Nope. Wood nymphs this time."
"I guess this is what I get for getting married at Fablehaven."
"Fairy Princess marries Fairy Prince on a magical preserve and she thinks the magical community wouldn't have any say in the matter?" Seth quirked an eyebrow. "Really? Do you know how stupid that sounds?"
"Touche," Kendra responded, again placing her hand in the crook of his arm.
"I mean, even if you had decided to get married somewhere non-magical, I'm sure you would've been barraged by every surrounding creature of light."
"Point taken," she said, her voice letting off a slightly annoyed tone.
Seth took the hint and as they were about to leave, someone else entered the tent. Kendra drew in a breath as she and Seth both bowed in the presence of the Fairy Queen.
"Please, stand," the Queen said with slight amusement evident in the tone of her voice. "I would like to speak with you briefly before the ceremony, if you don't mind," she stated, looking at Kendra.
"I'll just, uh... go stand outside for a minute," Seth said, again releasing his sister and heading toward the exit.
"Seth, please stay," the Fairy Queen insisted. "I won't keep either of you for long."
Kendra watched as her brother turned and walked back to her side, confusion evident on his face.
The Queen walked toward Kendra and kissed her forehead. "Welcome to our family, Kendra Sorenson," she stated. "You are a bride truly worthy of my son. I hope one day my son will prove that he is a worthy groom for my handmaiden as well."
Seth scoffed, but ceased his laughter as the Queen glanced at him... although he would swear later that there had been a glimmer of joviality in her eyes, too.
Kendra replied to the Queen, "I'm honored that you are here."
"Nonsense," the Queen responded. "I am honored to be here. The King is in attendance as well. I am doubtful that he will understand anything that happens, but I felt it would be worth the effort."
"How is he?" Kendra asked sincerely.
"Steadily improving. There is a veil still over his mind, but he is able to sit and perform simple tasks on his own after someone starts the activity for him. He can not communicate and he doesn't seem to recognize when he is being spoken to, however I didn't want him to miss his son's marriage. But I digress – I wanted to add a touch to today as well. My brothers and sisters have already done much, and their work is beautiful."
Before Kendra could grasp what was happening, the Fairy Queen waved her hand and a shimmery dust fell over Kendra's entire being. Her skin began to glow and her dress and flowers sparkled as though diamonds had been embedded in them. Kendra looked at her arms and dress in awe as Seth uttered a simple and reverent, "Wow."
"And for you, Seth," the Queen began, "I have given this much thought. What does someone of light give to someone of darkness, yet who is simultaneously so full of valor? This situation doesn't present itself very often, as you might imagine."
"You want to give me something?" Seth asked incredulously. "I don't mean to sound disrespectful, but... Why?"
"Our families will be intertwined today," she answered. She removed a necklace that she had been wearing and placed it over Seth's head. It was a thin silver chain and interspersed at even segments on the chain were small, clear beads. "Bracken has told me of your adventurous spirit, and I remember your deeds at Zzyzx," she began. "This will help you avoid catastrophe. If you are to follow in the footsteps of your predecessors and travel across the world, you will now be a little safer in your endeavors. This talisman will not grant you invulnerability," she cautioned. "Do not make rash decisions. Approach all situations with wisdom."
Seth bowed his head. "Thank you, Your Majesty," he stated sincerely. His countenance actually reflected humility for once, which Kendra found amusing.
The Fairy Queen smiled and nodded her head. "I will return the King to my realm shortly after the ceremony," she said, returning her attention to Kendra. "I hope you will understand."
"Of course," Kendra responded. "Thank you." With one last smile, the Queen turned and exited the tent.
Silence permeated the area until Seth finally cleared his throat and said, "Well, that was unexpected."
"Yeah," Kendra replied, "No kidding." She looked at her dress again and gushed, "I feel like a princess."
"You look like one," Seth answered. Before Kendra could ask him who he was and what he'd done with her brother, he again held out his arm. "I hear the third time's the charm," he said. "Ready?"
She swallowed her teasing question and instead replied with a simple, "Ready."
Together they exited the tent and walked out into the fresh air. Someone had scattered flower petals over the ground that marked their path toward one of the gazebos at the pond, where Kendra could clearly see Bracken standing in front of several rows of white wooden folding chairs. Her dress shone brilliantly as it caught the sun's rays and she beamed at Bracken who looked like he'd been blown away. Fairies were everywhere and their chatter silenced as they caught sight of her. A huge variety of creatures of light, including several astrids who stood near the Fairy King, littered the areas surrounding the few rows of white chairs. The seated guests stood up in respect as she and her brother drew near. Seth led her to Bracken and before allowing Kendra to pull away, he gave the unicorn a fist bump and grinned. He then quickly embraced his sister and whispered in her ear, "Good luck. Don't mess up your lines; you don't want to look bad in front of all your party crashers," before he turned abruptly and left to stand next to Marla who was already tearing up.
Kendra let out a little nervous laugh at her brother's comment but as she looked up and into Bracken's eyes, her nervousness seemed to melt away. The smile on her face softened and grew, and she could feel her cheeks flushing slightly because of the intensity of his gaze. He seemed to realize he was staring at her and gave her a shy smile as his own face colored a little in embarrassment. Bracken offered his left hand to her, and she grasped it with her right. Together they walked up the steps of the gazebo, then turned so that their bodies faced each other.
"I have never seen a more beautiful sight in my entire life," he said quietly to her.
"I love you," she whispered back. Their guests reclaimed their seats.
He smiled softly, then began their ceremony. "Today, I promise you many things," he stated firmly and clearly so that those in the vicinity could hear. "Your presence brings me strength. You make me want to constantly strive to be my best. I want to hear the sound of your laughter and be greeted with the sight of your smile for the rest of my life." He paused momentarily before he continued. "Today, I promise you friendship. I promise you love. I promise you counsel in difficult times, and comfort at all times."
Kendra placed her bouquet on the side railing of the gazebo, then turned her full attention back to Bracken. He held out his right hand, which held an odd-looking seed, and she grasped his hand in her right one as well, encasing the seed between their palms. His left hand crossed underneath their joined ones, and she met it with her left hand as well.
"I promise you a listening ear," Kendra stated clearly. "I promise you a hand to hold. A warm embrace at the end of each day." Her right palm tickled a little, and the reason was evident a moment later when a sprout popped up between where their hands were joined.
"A tender touch every morning," Bracken said. "A shoulder to help make your burdens lighter. A companion throughout life." The plant started to grow elegant vines with lacy, delicate leaves.
"I promise to cherish you," Kendra spoke. The vines from the plant began to loosely weave themselves around Bracken and Kendra's joined hands.
"I promise to appreciate you," Bracken said.
"I promise to ensure you understand and do not doubt my love for you," Kendra answered.
"My strength is yours."
"My life is yours."
"My allegiance is to you," they both spoke. The vines lengthened and started to snake up and around Bracken and Kendra's arms.
"If ever I fail or shirk my duties, may the vows I have made this day be brought to my remembrance," Bracken said as the vines stopped progressing once they reached his elbow. He repeated what he said in the fairy tongue and Kendra copied him, both in English and in the secret fairy language.
"May the love I feel for you today grow ever more through the end of my days," they both said, first in English and then again in the fairy tongue. The vines around their arms and hands began to glow a warm, greenish hue and ceased all movement.
"May our marriage be a source of peace and contentment for us as we weather the storms of life together, side-by-side, as equal partners," they recited in both languages.
"May your happiness be my constant goal," they finished.
The plant that had coiled around their arms and hands pushed forth a bud from where the seed was still located between them. The bud gradually opened its petals and spread wide in the sunlight – its center was a soft pink with scattered pale yellow spots while the petals themselves were white. Kendra thought it looked similar to tiger lilies she had seen before, but there was something somehow otherworldly about it at the same time. The plant's leaves and vines glowed ever brighter as they took on a shimmery, almost glassy look.
Bracken had told her this would happen. She smiled magnificently at him and he grinned back at her. Turning slightly toward the crowd that had gathered, he addressed their audience.
"To Kendra's family and friends," Bracken began. "This is a highly symbolic and ancient tradition. The plant that joins us represents our bond. It will release its hold momentarily, and we will be considered husband and wife. The flower that has bloomed is representative of our promised future and the joys that are to come. The vines are representative of our intertwining lives."
"Oh, just shut up and kiss her already!" someone called out from the crowd. Kendra thought it was Seth since it sounded like something he would say, but judging by the look of pleased surprise on his face, she was willing to bet it had been one of the satyrs.
"Who needs a history lesson? This is a wedding for crying out loud!" someone else shouted.
Yeah, that definitely had to be Newel and Doren.
Bracken blushed and Kendra started to laugh along with several of their guests. "Well, what are you waiting for?" she teased when he turned back around to look at her.
The plant released its hold on their hands and arms and Bracken pulled it off of them. He placed it on the railing of the gazebo, grinned at Kendra a little wolfishly – her bones felt like they'd turned to mush; he'd never looked at her that way before – and then he pulled her close and kissed her.
Kendra was positive that if he hadn't maintained such a strong hold on her, she would've melted straight into the ground.
Their guests cheered and as he let her go, they heard a voice shout out, "Finally! Now let's get this party started!"
Kendra and Bracken clutched onto each other and laughed as nearly all of the magical creatures suddenly jumped into action and started making all sorts of rambunctious noise. Their human wedding guests appeared to be amazed at the sheer volume of creatures that had attended, let alone the scene they were witnessing. Dryads and hamadryads brought forth bowls of fruit seemingly from out of nowhere while several centaurs carried large baskets of steamed and stewed vegetables and meats. Kendra picked up her bouquet and started to head toward the steps of the gazebo when Bracken picked her up from behind and carried her down the steps bridal-style instead.
"I can't have you leave by yourself today," he teasingly explained as cheerful whoops and hollers erupted from their magical guests. Kendra gave a glorious smile and raised her bouquet to the sky as Bracken carried her over to where his parents were sitting. The reception was already well underway as a group of satyrs began playing pipes and flutes while everyone else either looked on happily or started to dance to the upbeat melodies.
The Queen held the King's hand and smiled gracefully as her son and now daughter-in-law approached. The King's expression was vacant as he gazed into the distance. Bracken placed Kendra on her feet, then grasped her hand and they knelt before his parents.
"Your Majesties," Bracken began, "we would be greatly honored to receive your blessings upon our marriage."
"Of course," the Queen answered, quite obviously pleased with her son. Bracken raised his and Kendra's joined hands and the Queen placed hers and her husband's on top of theirs. As she began to speak, Kendra gasped as her skin glowed. The Queen's blessing was simple and at the conclusion, Kendra was overwhelmed by a sudden intuitive urge. She reclaimed her hand, then stood and walked briefly until she was standing straight before the Fairy King who didn't seem to notice she was there. He didn't seem to notice that anyone was anywhere around him, actually. Placing her hands on the sides of his face, she leaned forward, whispered a few words in the ancient fairy language and kissed his forehead slowly and sweetly. The Queen gasped and Bracken appeared to be dumbfounded – when she pulled herself away from the King, she found his eyes staring intently back at her.
"I know you," he said simply. His voice was hushed and cracked from disuse.
All activity and sound near the royal family ceased. The silence proved contagious as the entire crowd around the pond caught on only seconds later and stopped what they were doing. Kendra was speechless.
"How do I know you?" he asked her.
"We... haven't truly met before," Kendra replied.
"Kendra Sorenson..." he seemed to guess. He sounded very unsure of himself.
"How... how do you know my name?" she asked, glancing sideways where she saw the Queen who had tears flowing freely down her cheeks as she watched their interaction.
"I don't," he said, still speaking softly. "Where are we?"
"We are in a safe place," she answered. "There are people here who you need to see."
"Who...?" he trailed off as Kendra reached out for the Queen's hand. She grabbed hold of Kendra almost desperately and moved forward so that she was without doubt within her husband's line of sight.
Recognition dawned on the King's face immediately. "My Lady," he stated. "Why are you upset?"
Kendra retreated slightly and turned toward her now-husband, who was still kneeling on the ground and had also been reduced to tears. "We've been married for less than an hour and you've already given my family the most wonderful, unbelievable gift you could have ever given," he said as he stood up and pulled her toward him. "How did you know to do that? How could you possibly have known?" he asked as he embraced her.
"I... I didn't," Kendra answered. "I don't understand what just happened. We were kneeling, and I just felt... pulled. I... I don't know how to explain it."
"Kendra Sorenson," the tearful Fairy Queen spoke up, "I am forever in your debt." She laughed and cried at the same time as she stated loudly to everyone who was listening, "Let all who have ears to hear know that today marks the return of the King!" She then kissed the side of Kendra's face and softly repeated, "I am forever in your debt."
Kendra was stunned to see all of the fairies in the visible vicinity also with tears running down their faces. After a minute or two had passed, happy, joyous laughter began to ripple through everyone as the gravity of this new reality was made apparent – the King was alive and seemingly well and, to top it off, there was a wedding to celebrate! The satyrs picked up their instruments again and began to play with an entirely new vigor. Little woodland elves danced merrily and before Kendra knew it, Bracken had tugged her along and caused her to dance as well.
Hours later, long after night had fallen and much food and drink had been had by all, Kendra and Bracken slowly swayed side to side to the soft tones of a popular modern love song as sung by a duo of wood nymphs. Kendra guessed that they'd heard it from Newel and Doren's television set. She honestly preferred their version.
"So much for having a small wedding," she mumbled softly against Bracken's chest.
He chuckled in response. "I don't think a small wedding would have ever been possible."
"Yeah, Seth kind of knocked that into my head earlier. I guess I didn't really think it all through."
"Do you wish it had gone differently?" he asked.
"Not a chance," she said cheerfully. "Who would have ever guessed our wedding day would turn out like this?"
"I don't think anyone did," he answered. "And yet, here we are. This has been the best day of my life, and I've lived for quite a long time." He stopped swaying to the music and pulled away from Kendra enough so that he could see her face. "I don't even have words to explain to you the depth of my feelings."
She chose to respond by kissing him. When they pulled apart, she teased, "So how does it feel to be Mister Kendra Sorenson?"
He laughed and replied, "I'm assuming about the same as it feels to be Missus Bracken."
"Nope, it's not the same," she said. "You have no last name. I guess by default that means that you get to inherit mine."
"Bracken Sorenson," he tried out, seemingly mulling it over. "That's not too bad."
Kendra burst into laughter. "I was joking," she said.
"So was I," he replied. "I think I'll stick with just 'Bracken.'"
"Well, 'just Bracken,'" she said, "I think our party is coming to an end."
"I believe you're right," he agreed, scooping her off of her feet once more and walking toward the entrance of the pond. The creatures and human guests who were still present – which was quite a large number – applauded the couple as they made their way toward the exit. Kendra couldn't have been happier with how the day had progressed; almost nothing had gone according to plan, but everything had turned out beyond anything she could have imagined. And now, as she and Bracken made their way toward her car to drive away, she was filled with excitement at the possibilities the future held for them. Promises had been made – sincere promises, witnessed by everyone they cared about and then some – and she was determined to see them through.
The fluff. :)
I hope this chapter didn't disappoint. There was so much I wanted to jam into this one, but I just couldn't put it all in and still make it flow right. I will probably post a separate one-shot or two at another point that will detail at least a bridal shower.
I have to send a shout out to FairyKam, who drew the picture that she's allowed me to make the cover photo for this story. Does anyone recognize the scene? :) Try the chapter titled "Sushi." I absolutely love this drawing!
Thank you to everyone once again for your readings, favorites, follows and reviews. Hugs to all of you!