Within two months, the people of the Forest were fully incorporated as citizens and a joint peacekeeping force patrolled the Bayern capital.
Within three months, there was a royal wedding.
The day of the wedding dawned with blue skies. Brightly colored flags waved from the many palace turrets, while more flags and ribbons were strung along the winding streets of the capital, flapping like many colored birds in the passing breezes. Paper flowers decorated every doorway, while huge paper suns with ribbon rays blazed from every spire. Makeshift groups of musicians strolled the streets playing tunes, while children lit noisy firecrackers. Everyone was dressed in their best clothes, with a bounty of glass diamonds as if it were wintermoon. The city was a riot of color and tumult with cheering and celebrations for the marriage of their future king and queen.
Geric watched the distant revels of the citizens from his chamber window. His rooms were nearly as festive as the city; as customary, flower garlands adorned his bedchamber. Their sweet scent wafted in the air, reinforcing the significance of the day. The last time a garland had bedecked his bed, Geric had been in a terrible state of nervous dread. Now, his thoughts and feelings were full of joy, excitement, and even disbelief. I can scarcely believe how lucky I am, thought Geric, once again. Never imagined that I could marry a girl I truly loved, one who would truly be a partner on the throne. Geric's own queen mother had died so many years ago. It's time that Bayern had a queen, he thought, turning back to the window. Especially one who knows them so well.
At Isi's request, the wedding was to take place in the capital city's market-square, the thumbprint of the gods, where all could witness the marriage of their future monarchs. Cartloads of sweetbreads and meat pasties as well as barrels of cider were stationed throughout the city so that all could partake in the celebration.
The citizens were overcome with excitement. The enthusiasm of marketday multiplied tenfold was taking place across the city.
In a fit of whimsy, Geric plucked a bloom from the garland and breathed it in deeply. His eyes took in the large bed, the silk covers... and Geric found himself envisioning what was to take place there that night. His heart beat faster. This wedding, this marriage – his new life – could not come soon enough.
A gong rang out across the city. A roar of celebration could be heard following its reverberation as the people cheered their anticipation of the wedding soon to happen.
"My lord?" queried one of Geric's guards, entering the bedchamber. "The king is here to see you."
"Yes, right," said Geric, looking up. He hurriedly tucked the flower into his breast pocket. "Geric," said the king. The guard closed the door behind him leaving Geric and his father alone.
"Almost time," the king said, smiling. "I am very pleased for your marriage today." Reaching into his own pocket, the king produced a smooth, polished stone. The buffed surface shone palest blue and shimmery green. "May you have every happiness of hearth and home," recited the king. "May your children be many, and your marriage be one of health and wealth."
Geric's heart swelled with pleasure, and he smiled. "Thank you, father." He held out his hand, and the king dropped the amulet into his open palm.
"This jade was given to me on my wedding day," said the king. "It was mined in the mountains between Bayern and Kildenree and has brought much happiness, as well as warded off evil for a good many years. I hope that it will do the same for you."
"I thank you," said Geric, beaming. He added it to the pocket with the flower.
"I know how you feel about her, Geric," continued the king, his tone becoming surprisingly stern. "How smitten you are. She is a wonderful woman, a princess blessed with uncanny powers of wind and animal speech. But do not allow love to cloud your judgment as sovereign. Remember that your duty is first to Bayern, and then to your wife."
"Yes, father," Geric stammered, rather taken aback. Unbidden, his hand covered the pocket that held the flower and the stone.
"Good lad," said the king, patting Geric's hand. "I wish you every happiness and success. I shall you see you there."
His father left the chamber.
"My lord?" The guard poked his head through the open doorway as the king departed. "It's time to go."
"Finally," sighed Geric, his flustered feelings quickly being replaced with excitement. "Let's be off!" He patted his pocket, and then he, too, left his bedchamber.
Geric, his guards, and several others – including newly-instated Forest hundred-band soldiers Finn, Razo, and Ratger, as well as several of Geric's royal cousins – rode together to the wedding. People, jam-packed along the sides of streets, clapped and cheered the procession as it wound through the capital.
"Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah for the woman and the man!" the crowds shouted in the traditional chant.
Geric's cousins and Razo and Ratger beamed and waved, but Finn blushed so deeply he appeared to have been sunburnt. Geric grinned, but the crowds and commotion rather assaulted his nerves. Shaking off his anxiety, he eagerly dismounted as they arrived at the ceremony market-square. Flower petals thickly covered the ground at the thumbprint of the gods. Crowds of well-wishers trod on the petals, crushing them and creating a heavenly smell that pervaded much of the city. A guard led Geric's horse away, leaving Geric to wait nervously for his bride. Guests clustered around, standing, but leaving a long aisle way clear for Geric to lead Isi to the cleric that would marry them. Springtime winds buffeted the courtyard, blowing the petals into swirling clouds and flapping the many flags and ribbons. Onlookers unable to fit into the square cheered from surrounding windows, balconies, and rooftops. It felt surreal to Geric, caught in this windstorm of petals and roaring crowds.
A louder clamor rose from the people as Isi's carriage arrived. Geric thought his pounding heart might burst through his chest. The carriage door opened from the inside, and Isi's countryman Talone stepped out. Holding his hand out to Isi, she stepped out of the carriage with Enna holding her train. Isi was gowned in bridal splendor of white and gold damask. Her yellow hair cascaded down her back, adorned by her tiara, its rubies winking in the spring sunshine. For one heart-stopping moment, there seemed to be no trace of the goose girl, but then her eyes met Geric's and she smiled shyly. Geric's heartbeat returned. She's still the goose girl I love, he thought, relieved. As Talone gave Isi's hand to Geric's, her hand shook. Geric grasped it firmly.
"This was your idea," he teased as they began to walk slowly down the long aisle followed by Enna and Talone.
Isi nodded, seeming unable to talk.
Geric patted her hand reassuringly. "Here." Hoping to distract her, he reached into his pocket and dropped the jade and the flower into her palm. The flower was already wilted and nearly bald of petals. Oh well.
"Beautiful," she murmured. "Thank you." She rubbed the jade gently with her fingers. "What does it mean?"
"No marriage amulets in Kildenree then?" Geric asked.
Isi shook her head. "A marriage amulet?
"It's given by a father to a son, a mother to a daughter, on their wedding day."
"That's nice."
"We can share it," said Geric. "I love you, goose girl." He squeezed Isi's hand. I can scarcely believe how lucky I am.
She looked at him and smiled. "I love you, too, Sir Guard." A sudden gust blew petals about them and lifted Isi's hair into a golden cloud.
The crowds and guests grew quiet as the bride and groom reached the cleric.
And in the sight of all, royalty and beggar, city-dweller and Forest-born, they were wed.
Author's note: I added the bit about the king becoming stern and reminding Geric about being king first and husband second, because there's a part in Enna Burning where Geric says he's a terrible prince since he puts Isi first and not his kingdom. I think it is important to tie that in here.