Disclaimer: OK! I finally did it! I talked SquareEnix out of their rights to Auron and Kimahri!! Or maybe not....
A Legend's Journey
Chapter 12
Raine awoke the next morning in her small bed shortly after the eastern sky began to lighten. She heard Auron moving around in his room then go to the living area to retrieve his blade and go to the roof.
She looked at the stunning ring on her left hand, thinking of all that it stood for. Her happiness knew no bounds as she thought of Auron. A smile still lingering on her lips, she went to get a shower. She was very glad to be feeling well enough to tend to her own toiletry again!
Dressed in a soft yellow pair of slacks and a matching top, she went into the kitchen, poured a cup of coffee as she listened to Auron's blade singing through the air. The reality of yesterday's events, still so new to her, seemed almost too good to be true, but true it was.
Soon Auron came down the stairs. He stopped as soon as he saw her. He still could hardly believe that she loved him. The expression in her eyes as she watched him descend into the room removed any doubt. She was breath-taking in a yellow outfit, her dark hair spilling over her shoulders, a smile any angel would envy on her face.
He bent and kissed her rather quickly. "I need a shower. I'll be right back."
"I'll be here."
"I'm counting on that for the rest of my life!" and he went down the hall.
Raine slowly began gathering the breakfast things and preparing their meal. She was deep in thought and was surprised when two strong arms wrapped themselves around her from behind. She leaned back against a hard, muscled chest. Auron kissed the top of her head. Turning around, she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his chest. "I love you, Auron."
His deep rumble answered, "And I'll love you forever, Raine."
His kiss left both of them breathless. Raine took a deep breath and said smiling, "I'd better get our food cooked!"
Auron watched as she prepared the meal. The familiar twitch played with his mouth. "When would you like to have the wedding?"
Raine stopped. Being caught off guard, she just looked at him for a moment. "Why, I don't know."
Auron asked, "Do you feel strong enough for – say, tomorrow, or do you want to wait?"
Raine thought a moment then smiled up at him. "I can't think of even one reason to wait any longer!"
Auron responded, "I've waited nearly four decades for this. I think we've lost enough time already."
Raine's laughter bubbled up as she asked, "But how can we arrange a wedding in one day?"
Auron thought a moment. "It won't be difficult. I can run a few errands this morning and I believe that will take care of it. This is a momentous event. It is the only time in my life that I will marry and, because it is so deeply personal, I would like for it to be a time reserved for the two of us as much as possible. Then we can have a reception afterward for the people in the square to announce our marriage. Is there anyone you would like to invite?"
"Kimahri. How about you? People you knew before?"
He thought of those he had known. They had all gone on with their lives, had married and were filling their homes with children. No, they belonged to his old life.
"No, that is in the past. But I agree that Kimahri must be there."
"How are marriages done here, Auron?"
A spark in his eye, "Why, didn't I tell you? There's this big corral full of chocobos and the bride has to lasso one and - "
"Auron!"
Knowing that she was frightened of and uncomfortable around the big birds, Auron took delight in teasing her about it.
More seriously, he responded, "A local government person or dignitary usually officiates. I would suggest that we ask Mayor Cardin. He's one of the few I have any respect for."
Hesitantly, Raine asked, "Is he, uh -"
Auron chuckled, "Yes, he's human." He also knew that Raine had not quite gotten over meeting a 'lizard' at the door!
He continued, "The ceremony depends on the ones getting married. Some have large affairs, some are small. Afterward, there is usually a gathering of friends who enjoy refreshments provided by the ones being married."
"I will attend to the arrangements this morning. You'll be okay? Kimahri or Alsa will be close by."
"Of course I don't mind, Auron. I trust you completely in everything you do. That leaves me free to spend all my energy loving you – and I want to do a lot of that! And I'm safe here. Who would dare enter the villa of The Guardian without an invitation?" Eyes full of love smiling at him left his heart thudding.
After they had eaten, Auron stood, "I shouldn't be gone long." He moved into the living area, retrieved his red coat and belted it, sheathed his sword, paused at the door and looked back at her standing in the kitchen entrance. Unmoving for a long moment, his husky voice softly said, "I love you more than life itself, Raine." And he left.
Raine busied herself cleaning up after breakfast and putting everything back in order. She dusted every surface in the house, watered plants, then wandered into her room. What would she wear tomorrow? Harlan's gowns were all beautiful and any one of them would serve well.
After carefully considering, she selected a white one she had not yet worn. It was an especially dainty and feminine gown in a soft white fabric that flowed around her as gently as a springtime breeze.
She had had Harlan make alterations to the tops of most of the gowns and dresses to add some more support and coverage. She was well blessed up top and she just felt too exposed in the original cut. It actually was more attractive on her and left much more to the imagination, but she did it for her own modesty.
Harlan had so skillfully redesigned the bust and added gently gathered lace to this one to achieve her purposes that it appeared to be the intended design. It was exquisitely light, lacy, flowing and feminine.
She took great pains in choosing which color band to wear with it, trying first one then another. Finally, she choose the beautiful deep blue one that was edged top and bottom with a touch of fine gold trim. It seemed to bring the dress to life without overwhelming it. 'Yes. I think that will do nicely.' She smiled and hung the garment in her wardrobe.
A touch of sadness washed over her face as she thought of her mother. 'I wish you could be here, Mom.' She sighed as she left her small room and returned to the kitchen.
There was plenty of food for the evening meal so that was taken care of.
She thought about the ceremony tomorrow. Tears of sheer happiness stung her eyes. How could this possibly have happened to her? She was just a plain, ordinary person who had almost no experience in the world, had no particular skills for anything in this new world, and here she was about to become the wife of the most wonderful man who had ever walked the earth.
She felt intimidated in one aspect. Auron was almost revered in this world. He was the most famous man in the land, recognized on sight, his name known by every child. How would she, a nobody, measure up in comparison? People would expect the wife of such an esteemed man to be accomplished and worthy of him. She didn't know if she could manage that or not, but she would do her best.
Then a thought jarred her. The ceremony! She didn't have a ring to give to Auron tomorrow! And she didn't have any money – gil. She wanted so badly to give him a ring. The only gil she had was the household money Auron gave her. He was extremely generous in what he gave her to make whatever purchases she needed or wanted and there was always much left over when he refilled it. Maybe there was enough there!
She took all the gil from the pretty jar in which she kept it, grabbed her cloak and hurried out of the compound. She hoped she could be back before Auron's return. She wanted it to be a surprise.
She hardly waved at Nan as she practically flew past her tent, blue cloak billowing behind. Eyes followed her passage and her disappearance into Nahon's tent.
Nahon stood immediately and bowed a welcome to her. "It's very nice to see you, miss! How may I be of service to you?"
A little out of breath from her rush to his tent, her cheeks wore a light pink flush. "I would like to see some rings for men, please."
"Of course. There is a wide selection. Is it for a special occasion?" As if he didn't know!
The pink flush got a little pinker. "A wedding ring."
"There are some very nice ones. Allow me to select a few I think you might like." He searched through several of the velvet-lined drawers and taking several from each. Standing, he placed them on a large square of dark velvet and turned on the light so they could be seen clearly.
Raine examined two or three when her eye fell on a wide gold band that was engraved with an intertwining design that encircled the entire band unbroken. 'Our intertwined lives,' she thought.
"That one, please, Nahon."
Nahon said, "That one is a good width for Sir Auron and should be a nice fit. If there is any problem with the fit, I'll be happy to adjust it for you. Shall I wrap it?"
"Yes, please. How – how much?"
Nahon told her the price and she counted out the gil, greatly relieved that there was enough, though she didn't know what she was going to do for grocery money for a while!
Nahon hid his smile, intuitively understanding her situation. He had deliberately lowered the price for her but she would never know.
Eyes sparkling with happiness with her purchase, she shyly thanked Nahon with a smile and left. Nahon watched her leave. 'She really is a sweet girl. She suits Sir Auron perfectly!' He smiled as he turned back to his work.
Feet carrying her quickly, she waved at Nan again and called out, "Can't stop right now, Nan!" She hurried on.
In the villa, she hung her cloak by the door and took her small package to her room, unwrapped it and gazed at the beautiful gold ring with its engraving. She closed her hand around it, closed her eyes a moment, hoping so much that Auron would like it.
Where to keep it? Then she remembered a small inner pocket in her cloak. Perfect! And there ring was secured.
Thirsty, she went to the kitchen, poured a glass of cold juice and went to the roof garden. There was a wonderful breeze that stirred the leaves of the trees and made the flowers nod with its passing. And she smiled as she thought of tomorrow.
After leaving the villa, within a half hour's time Auron's long legs had carried him to the center of the sizable town and to the building that served as the government offices. He presented himself before a studious-looking young man seated at a table in the foyer. "Sir Auron to see Mayor Cardin, please."
The young man, thoroughly intimidated by the overwhelming image of towering Legend standing before him, nodded wordlessly and, with his mouth still agape, scurried through a nearby door.
The door immediately reopened and the round face of Mayor Cardin peered out, a huge smile on his face.
"Sir Auron! How very good to see you! Come in, come in!" he waved him into the office and into a chair as they exchanged small pleasantries.
"What may we do for you, Sir?"
"I would like to schedule a small, private wedding ceremony, if you will."
"Of course! Is it someone I know?" the Mayor gently inquired, squinting slightly through the glasses perched on his nose.
Auron's lip twitched and said in that low voice, "It is I."
The Mayor's surprise was apparent but he also seemed genuinely pleased both for the man before him and that he was being asked to officiate. "Congratulations, Sir! I am most happy for you! When would you like for this to take place?"
A spark in the eye, another twitch, "Would tomorrow afternoon be convenient?"
"Tomorrow afternoon! Oh, I see. Well - uh - - yes - yes, that will be fine. There is nothing on the calendar so the time is available for your choosing."
Auron thought for a few moments. If he had his way, he'd run back, grab Raine and return in an hour's time, but somehow he didn't think that would be quite the thing to do!
"Would around four in the afternoon be convenient?" he finally asked. That should work out for the time of the reception to begin in the square as the people finished their work for the day.
Bowing, the Mayor said, "That will be fine, Sir Auron. And it will be my privilege. Thank you for asking."
His business here concluded, Auron thanked the Mayor and left.
There was one more change he wanted to make. He walked two blocks from the Town Center to the establishment of Weldon, the barber. He entered the small shop and was greeted by a surprised proprietor, "Good day, Sir Auron! How may I be of service to you, Sir?"
"Weldon, I need a haircut. In the back."
"The – the braid, Sir?"
"Yes. It is time for a change."
"Of c-course, Sir. If you'll be seated here..."
Auron sat where Weldon indicated. Time to let the past be in the past. All of it.
Weldon took a deep breath and carefully began his work. The braid was off but Weldon continued to work. When he was finished, Auron took the mirror handed to him and saw that in place of the long braid, his hair was beautifully shaped and tapered into what Raine would recognize from her world as a regular man's haircut. He turned to Weldon, "Excellent! It's exactly what I wanted. You are a master, Weldon."
Weldon was tremendously relieved at The Guardian's words and his brown face was smiling from ear to ear. Auron placed a generous amount of gil into Weldon's hand, thanked him and left.
It was going to feel strange for a while, but he was glad he had done it. He smiled to himself. 'More room for Raine's fingers to play!'
He stopped in at a nearby public gathering place, secured a place at a small corner table in the shadows and ordered a cold drink while he took a moment to think. He had to find Kimahri and Shandin. Deciding where each would likely be found at this time of day, he finished his beverage and continued his errands.
Auron found Kimahri in one of the better local gathering places having a bite to eat. Walking up behind him, he thumped his friend on the back.
Kimahri turned to glare, then relaxed into a fake growl before asking, "All is well, my friend?"
A deep sigh. "For once, I can truthfully say that all truly is well with me, Kimahri." The pause and the grave sincerity of Auron's response garnered the Ronso's earnest attention with a question in his great gold eyes.
In a soft low rumble, he said, "You were right, Kimahri. Raine and I did have the same fall. She loves me as much as I love her. She thought I only wanted to be her Guardian and tried to keep her emotions hidden. That's what caused her decline from not being able to eat. Nan figured it out and Julan gave me the clue."
He paused a moment before continuing. "I have asked Raine to marry me, Kimahri - and she has honored me with her acceptance."
Kimahri was somewhat surprised at the change in the man whom he had fought alongside for so many years. There was a certain air of peace about him, a different look in his eyes, a new tone to his voice.
He had no doubt that his friend was every bit the fearless and ferocious Warrior that he had always been, but there was a new dimension to him now. His friend was walking his new path.
"Kimahri happy for Sir Auron and Raine. Kimahri knows Sir Auron well. Knows move not made lightly, easily. Kimahri gives sincerest, best wishes. May both have long happy life as one."
An enormous paw almost dwarfed Auron's considerable shoulder. Auron was touched at the Ronso's honesty and sincerity.
Auron gave Kimahri a sidelong look, and with a twitch at his lips, asked the blue Warrior, "So, do you feel up to attending a small wedding tomorrow?"
Kimahri almost choked on the beverage he was sipping. "Tomorrow??" He turned and saw the old spark of humor in his friend's eye that he was accustomed to seeing at times during their many adventures in years past.
"Tomorrow?" he asked again.
"Yes. Four o'clock at the Town Center. Neither of us saw any reason to wait any longer. Enough time has passed us by already."
The massive Ronso nodded. "Kimahri honored. Thank you, Auron."
"You are the only one Raine and I are inviting. Yours was the only name she named when I asked. You are tremendously important to us."
If a big feline face could show emotion, that was as close as it would ever come. The look in the golden eyes said all that needed to be said.
A last thump on the back from Auron as he prepared to leave. "I'll see you tomorrow - - and, thank you, Kimahri. I'm honored to be your friend."
After Auron left, Kimahri sat feeling mixed emotions. There was sincere happiness that his friend had broken free from the past and was making a new life for himself. And that the gods had literally dropped his companion for life onto his doorstep. It almost defied belief, but he had seen it himself.
He sighed. "Kimahri need decision, too. What Kimahri do with self?" The answers would come in their own time. He put gil on the counter and left to do his own errands.
Walls have ears and news that Sir Auron was getting married on the morrow was on the wind through the town, flying fast!
Auron next sought out Shandin. If anybody in this town could put together a reception in less than 24 hours, it would be Shandin.
He was found, as Auron expected, at a gathering place not far from the square. When Auron entered the small establishment, the babble of conversation hushed as he was recognized. Auron quickly spotted Shandin and gestured for him to join him outside.
"Good day, Sir Auron. You are well?" as Shandin joined him outside.
"Yes, thank you, Shandin, as I hope you are."
A slight bow, "Yes, thank you. How may I serve you, Sir?"
"Shandin, I'm afraid I have a major request. I have need of a large reception for tomorrow in the early evening, just about the supper hour, in the square by my villa. There will probably be several hundred people, I really don't know. You know the requirements for such an affair so I will leave the details in your hands and trust your usual good judgment, if you accept."
Shandin was extremely pleased that The Guardian had sought him out for this task, even more so that those in attendance at the cabaret were witness to it.
"Of course, Sir Auron. It will be no problem. So I can more accurately plan, may I ask the occasion for this reception?"
"My wedding."
Shandin almost choked and tried to cover it with a cough. "Of course, Sir. I apologize. I was unaware that such an important event was taking place. Please forgive me."
"No one knows. The decision was just recently made. It will be a quiet, private ceremony at four o'clock but we wanted to include our friends from the square in a reception afterward for the announcement."
Recovering, Shandin bowed slightly again. "I understand perfectly, Sir. It will be my pleasure to serve you and I will do my best to please you with the preparations."
Auron pressed a large amount of gil into his hand, thanked him, and turned towards his villa, confident that all was in hand and taken care of. A hugely grinning Shandin reentered the cabaret.
Auron walked back to the square. He paused a moment. Ceremony time set, invited Kimahri, Shandin is doing the reception, what else? Then it hit him, 'I don't have a wedding band to give Raine!'
He turned and strode to Nahon's tent.
"Good day, Sir Auron! All is well?" Nahon hoped that nothing had changed.
"Yes, all is well, Nahon. I have just realized that I don't have a wedding band to give my bride."
"I have several that may please you. Just one moment." He opened various drawers and selected two or three from each and placed them on the velvet square and turned on the light.
Auron looked at them carefully, then picked up one. It was a slender band of gold engraved with an intertwining design that completely encircled the ring unbroken. 'Our intertwined lives,' he thought.
"This one, please, Nahon."
Nahon smiled and nodded. It was the twin to the one Sir Auron's bride-to-be had chosen. He remained silent about her private visit earlier.
"Shall I wrap it, Sir Auron?"
Thinking a moment, Auron thought of a small inside pocket in his coat. "No, Nahon, but thank you." He put the ring into the pocket and closed it securely.
He put gil into Nahon's hand, repeated his thanks and left. Outside, he stopped and thought again.
'Okay, what have you forgotten or overlooked?' he asked himself. Ring in pocket, ceremony arranged, reception arranged, and secrecy pretty much maintained. 'Not bad, Auron,' he congratulated himself and returned to the villa.
Auron glanced around the villa and, not seeing Raine, ascended the stairs to the roof. She was sitting on a bench, face tipped toward the sky, seemingly just watching the clouds float past. Her hair was being ruffled softly by the breeze; she seemed serene and content.
He crossed the expanse of the roof to sit at her side, wrapping one big arm around her, pulling her close.
"Did you have a successful outing?" she asked, looking into his eyes.
"Very!" he smiled. "Our ceremony will take place at four tomorrow afternoon, which should work out well for the reception in the square where we will announce our marriage. Is that suitable?"
"Oh, yes." Looking into his dark eyes, she smiled softly and said, "I can hardly wait, Auron. I can still barely believe it is actually happening! For so long I felt I had to hide it and tomorrow afternoon the whole world can know!" Even softer she said, "I love you, Auron."
Holding her tightly, Auron kissed her with an intensity that shook both of them. "I never thought this could happen to me, Raine. I thought I would always be bound to the service of other people and would never be able to have a life for myself. And here I have you! You have made me happy beyond what words can say."
After a moment, he took a deep breath. "I think all of the arrangements for tomorrow have been taken care of. I saw the Mayor and set the time. I found Kimahri, invited him and he accepted. And the reception is taken care of."
She asked, "How is the reception being done?"
Auron chuckled and responded, "Shandin. He's the only person I knew of who could put something like that together on such short notice! He knows everybody and most of them seem to owe him favors. He has handled most of the weddings and receptions that have been held here so he knows what he's doing."
Then, "We should leave here a little after three, I think. Because someone refuses to ride a Chocobo, we will need to walk. Is that all right?"
She laughed. "That's fine because someone would rather walk than ride one of those things!"
Then she saw the back of his head! "The braid! You had it cut? It – it looks great!"
"Yes. I want as much of the past removed as possible." A smile playing with the corner of his lips, "Besides, I like your fingers in my hair and it was in the way."
His big arms enveloped her and her fingers explored the hair cut as his lips explored hers.
Tomorrow. They would begin a whole new life together.