Disclaimer: Nothing. Nada.

A Legend's Journey

Chapter 15

Auron sat for a while, just thinking. When he thought that Raine had had time for her shower, he went to his room and gathered clean clothing and went for a shower and fresh shave. She had left it neat as a pin for him, clean towels folded within easy reach. He smiled.

As he dressed, he could hear her humming to herself and small rustles of clothing from her room but did not disturb her. Fully dressed in his Warrior's uniform, except for the scarlet coat, he wandered back into the living area unaware that he was truly an awesome sight!

The bells at the outer door announced a visitor. Auron opened the door to Shandin, who seemed loaded down with baskets and other paraphernalia. "Oh, good, you are still here! I have some things here for your lady and ask your permission to assist her with her final dressing."

Auron waved Shandin into the living area. "Wait one moment while I inquire," as he disappeared down a small hallway.

Auron tapped on Raine's door. "Yes?" she responded.

"Raine, Shandin is here with some - - things for you. He would like to assist you with" - (what did he call it?) - "your final dressing."

Raine's puzzled face appeared at the edge of the door. "My what?"

"I don't know, my dear. Shandin knows about these things, I don't."

She grinned and said, "By all means, do show him in - - I think -"

Shandin breezed into the room, laden with who knows what, stopped and exclaimed, "Oh, you really are beautiful, aren't you?! Well, let's see what we have here. Ohhhh, very nice dress! Harlan's work? The man is a genius! He really knows color and style. I told him not long ago that he should -" - - and he was off!

Raine smothered a laugh. Chattering nonstop, Shandin took such complete charge of her, obviously quite experienced at dressing brides, that she just relaxed and let him take care of the many, many little details he seemed to feel had importance of mountainous proportions.

"Oh that will never do ..... yes, now, that's better .... Noooo, I think we need this over here...... hmmm ….. Where did I put ....? ...... Oh, yes.... "

"Now your hair.... hmmmm …. Oh, yes, we'll just do it like this ..... and over here ...... now, one of these here …... and this goes here .... yes, that works well ….. very nice …... where is your mirror? What??? NO MIRROR??? The man is a barbarian. I'm sorry, just a barbarian!"

Raine laughed right out loud.

Auron, waiting in the living area, wondered what was so funny. What could they possibly be doing in there? How long did it take to put on a dress and some shoes, anyway? She dressed herself every morning in minutes and was beautiful. "Hmmph!" If Auron ever did such a thing, he would have rolled his eyes.

Finally, the door opened and Raine stepped into the hallway. Auron rose to his feet without being aware of it.

She was stunningly beautiful in a white dress that draped softly across her shoulders, leaving them mostly bare. A wide, dark blue, obi-like band edged with fine gold braid encircled her slim waist and midriff. Her thick hair was gracefully arranged upward somehow, intertwined with flowers here and there. A pair of small white slippers graced her feet. She was carrying a beautiful bouquet of white flowers surrounded by delicate greenery.

Auron forgot to breathe.

As she slowly glided towards him, then stood before him, he was unable to wrest even a single word from his throat.

He didn't need to say anything. His face said it all.

Shandin was thrilled! 'Yes! Another success!' He was the first to break the spell that seemed to have captured the two. "Now, we need to be on our way, don't you think?" He took Raine's cloak from its place and carefully draped it over her shoulders. He had to admit even to himself that she did indeed look exquisitely stunning. 'Oh, Shandin, you are good!' he congratulated himself.

Auron shook his hand, Raine placed her small hand on his arm and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. "Thank you so much, Shandin. You've made this very special for me, for us both. You are very kind. I'll always remember this." she told him softly.

Raine slipped her hand into the small inner pocket of her cloak and smiled. It was there.

Auron belted his great red coat, sheathed his blade at his side, and placed the dark glasses on his face; he didn't think the high collar would quite be appropriate today. With his great height, erect military bearing and in his full Warrior's uniform, he held his hand out to Raine. He quite took her breath.

She smiled the sweetest smile he'd ever seen and took his outstretched hand. They moved towards the outer door and the rest of their lives.

Shandin was silenced by the sight of the two of them - and Shandin was rarely silenced by anything!

Auron stepped through the outer door and stopped abruptly. There sat a white open carriage decorated with garlands of colorful flowers, a uniformed driver on the high front seat holding the reins of four gleaming white horses, bright ribbons woven in their silky manes. A footman waited to assist them and Kimahri stood just to the side.

For the second time in minutes, Auron was stunned speechless. Kimahri's face grimaced into what Auron knew was supposed to be smile. "Kimahri think Lady not need walk so far. Know friend who owes favor." Then, bowing to both of them, Kimahri said quietly, "Carriage for use of Sir Auron and Lady Raine this day. Is Kimahri's gift."

'So that's where he was yesterday!'

Auron clutched his friend on the arm, unable to speak. Raine's eyes glistened with tears. She held his massive paw to the side of her face, as she softly said, "Kimahri, you are so very special and you have such a good heart. I'm truly honored to know you."

Then it was the big Ronso's turn to gulp and blink.

The footman helped them all into the carriage and away they went, Auron and Raine seated on the forward-facing seats, Kimahri across from them on the aft-facing seat. It had not been Kimahri's intent to ride in the carriage, but Raine would have it no other way and Auron had looked at him as if to say, "If I have to, you have to!"

Horses are very, very rare in Spira (years of fiends had seen to that!) and costly in the extreme. Few people had ever actually seen one, much less four! The distinctive echoing sound of their hooves on the streets was as a crier going before them. People stopped to stare as they heard the horses approach, then waving, cheering and applauding as they recognized the man in the carriage.

What a sight they all made: the excitement of the horses so rarely seen, a gleaming white carriage covered with flowers; uniformed coachman and footman; the great Legend himself wearing his famous red coat seated beside his beautiful bride; her lovely soft dress of white, her magnificent cloak of blue, flowers gracing her shining dark hair, her eyes, her smile; and the massive Ronso sitting ramrod straight across from them, arms crossed, fiercely staring straight ahead.

Auron was definitely uncomfortable with all this attention focused on him but he looked at Raine's beautiful shining eyes and a smile touched his lips. "Auron, this simply can't be real! A carriage? With white horses? It has to be a fairy tale!" her soft laughter bubbled up – and his heart melted all over again. He would endure anything if it made her this happy. Kimahri's golden eyes, seeing her happiness, was in complete unspoken agreement with his friend. But neither enjoyed being the center of attention and only Raine's happiness kept the two of them from bolting!

Soon they were at the Town Center. The coachman drew up the horses and the occupants of the carriage began to alight. Today Auron wore his coat with both arms in their sleeves. He wanted both hands free to assist Raine, but didn't want the white bandage covering his shoulder and upper arm visible.

Because word had leaked out, the square around the government building was full of citizens, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the great Legend and his bride, especially after the events of yesterday.

'So much for your secrecy, Auron! Everyone in town must be on to you!' He gave a slight sigh.

As he helped Raine from the carriage, she noticed the throng applauding from a respectful distance. Her face faintly turned pink, but she turned to face them with a radiant smile and a small wave. The crowd roared. She shyly ducked her head a moment, then took Auron's outstretched hand as he led her into the building, Kimahri right behind them.

Waiting to greet them was Mayor Cardin, dressed in his formal robes, looking like a misplaced cherub with his round merry face, wispy white hair and little glasses perched out on his nose. Beside him were other town officials and dignitaries. Auron and Kimahri exchanged glances that said, "Don't ask me!"

Auron reached into an inner pocket and removed the small gold band he wanted to present to Raine during this ceremony.

She eased one hand into her little pocket and retrieved the large gold band she wanted to give Auron. She hoped so much that he liked it!

Mayor Cardin began speaking as Auron and Raine stood before him, Kimahri just to the side. As he proceeded through the ritual words, Auron and Raine each gave their responses in low voices, as they looked at each other with smiling eyes, radiating pure happiness.

When the Mayor asked if rings were to be exchanged, Auron held out the ring that looked so tiny in his big hand. Raine smiled and shyly held out the ring that looked so big in her small hand. They looked at each other with surprise and soft smiles as each recognized the intertwining engraving on the two rings.

Raine placed the wide gold band on Auron's hand, looking into his beautiful dark eyes as she made her vow to him.

Auron held the small gold ring, looked deep into her blue eyes, and said very softly, "Raine, I love you and I give you this ring as a token of my love and of my solemn promise to care for you, and only you, all of my days." And he slipped it on her finger.

There was a silent pause as the two shared that moment, their hearts speaking through their eyes.

Then, the Mayor stepped back and with a big smile, said, "By the authority invested in me, I proclaim that you are now husband and wife. Sir Auron and Lady Raine D'Auron!"

As his words drifted out to the crowd, great cheering and applauding erupted and continued as Auron gently took his wife into his arms and kissed her for a long moment. Women in the crowd had tears in their eyes at the perfect romantic sweetness of it all; men noted the respectful gentleness with which the great Legend treated his bride. The glass front of the building gave full visibility to all.

They thanked the Mayor and the other people in the room and turned to leave. Kimahri stood before them, actual tears in his great golden eyes. "Kimahri hopes happiness of day never ends," then he turned to open the double doors for them.

At their appearance in the doorway, the crowds again erupted. Auron and Raine looked at each other with a smile. Seated in the carriage, she gave another small wave as the magnificent horses moved out to return them to the villa.

Her face slightly flushed, her eyes out-sparkling the ring on her hand, Auron thought his heart was going to burst from the sheer overload of love he felt for her. With people now free after their workday, the streets were lined. They were being pelted with flowers that people threw at the carriage as it slowly rolled through the streets.

For one pensive moment, Raine looked at Auron and said softly, "I wish my mother could see this." Auron leaned near her and said, "Who is to say that she can't?" He squeezed her hand.

Kimahri again sat as immobile as a statue on the return trip, arms crossed, eyes unmoving as he stared at some invisible point in the distance.

As flowers continued to be tossed into the passing carriage, a very beautiful pink flower that reminded Raine of a hibiscus bloom caught in Kimahri's fur just above his horn.

Auron's face twitched. And twitched. A smile broke out. Finally surrendering to the sight of the massive blue Warrior wearing a large pink flower, a great booming laugh rolled out.

Raine tried so hard not to join her husband, but tiny bubbles of laughter, beyond stifling, found their way up her throat.

Kimahri glared at them both. "Not funny!" he growled, as he tried to swat the offending flower from his head. Which set them off again.

At last the carriage arrived back at the square beside the villa and were greeted by cheers of hundreds of people who filled the space. Flowers decorated every inch of the square; tables lined the sides of the area, groaning with food and drink. Great torches lit the entire area with glowing light.

Auron and Raine were momentarily startled at the display and the sheer numbers of people in attendance. How had all this been achieved in such a short time? How had the news flown so quickly?? They stepped down from the carriage and Shandin appeared at their side. "Welcome, welcome!" Turning toward the crowd, he raised his voice to reach every ear: "I present Sir Auron and his bride, Lady Raine D'Auron!"

Thunderous cheers, whistles and applause. The newly weds exchanged looks and smiled. Each understood the other: 'Let's just get through this as gracefully as we can.'

Sir Auron, a half step behind and just to the side of his wife, moved through the crowd, accepting congratulations and good wishes. Certainly as the more out-going of the two, the great majority of the responses came from her, on behalf of them both.

With Auron's stoic reserve and the high degree of reverence and respect in which he was held, it just seemed natural for Raine to take the lead in the social setting. Sir Auron simply was not a person that one would even touch, much less slap on the shoulder or back! Her natural friendliness, his quiet, powerful reserve perfectly complimented each other.

A sea of smiling faces, the press of many, many hands. Raine kept slowly moving, nodding, smiling, responding, secure with the touch and warmth of Auron's big hand on her back. She lost track of time.

At last Shandin led them to a white-covered table on a raised platform that was reserved for them. Before she sat, her eyes searched the crowd for an enormous, ferocious-looking, big-hearted Ronso. She spotted him standing off to the side in the shadows. A small wave from her started him on his way through the crowd.

Even with his massive size, it wasn't easy to make a way through the press of people, but soon he stood before her.

"Kimahri, would you honor us by joining us here?" She gestured to the table.

Kimahri bowed low to her in true respect and said, "Kimahri most touched by kindness, but Kimahri begs please excuse. Has had enough eyes on Kimahri this day." A sparkle of humor touched his golden eyes.

"Of course, Kimahri. I'm sorry, it was thoughtless of me. I just didn't want you to be alone."

The fierce blue warrior's head dipped slightly for a few seconds, then he rumbled, "Kimahri never alone - as long as Lady Raine and Sir Auron nearby." Another bow to her and he slipped off into the shadows.

Auron was touched by Raine's concern for Kimahri, but also understood the Ronso's feeling of having had quite enough of being stared at for the day.

Plates of food were brought to them. Raine tasted a little of this and that, and found it to be very good, though she really didn't know what she was eating. Just a sip or two of the drink that everyone seemed to be enjoying was quite enough as the strength of the spirits in the cup stung her tongue.

She noticed that Auron hardly touched his plate, but took what seemed to be welcome gulps from his cup. Seeing her puzzled expression, he murmured, "Good for the nerves, I've heard." She giggled, the corner of his mouth quirked upward.

A non-stop parade of people passed before them - greetings, good wishes, toasts, congratulations.

Auron had no idea what time had passed, but he knew it was finally time for them to excuse themselves. He stood. In his great red coat and full uniform, his sword at his side, his towering height in addition to that added by the platform made him a truly commanding figure. The crowd hushed.

In his deep, strong voice, he said, "We wanted to share this special time with you and we thank you for being here and for your kindness. Please stay and enjoy yourselves."

He turned and held out his hand to Raine. Taking his hand, she stood beside him with one of her beautiful, soft smiles. Auron looked at her, she nodded. He stepped from the platform, then, placing both big hands at her waist, he gently lifted her to the ground.

Shandin appeared before them. "I do hope everything has met with your approval."

Raine smiled, "It was lovely, Shandin. You worked miracles in transforming the square so quickly. Thank you very much! The food is delicious and everyone seems to be having a wonderful time. It's just what we wanted."

The planner smiled hugely and turned to escort them to their villa, amidst the cheers of the people.

The horses and carriage were long departed back to wherever Kimahri had gotten them. Auron made a mental note to find out how he accomplished such a feat. Never underestimate the Ronso - never! And he smiled to himself.

Pausing at the outer door for one last small wave at the good people in the square, Raine entered the compound as her husband closed the door on the rest of the world.

They stood on the little path just looking into each others eyes. Then Auron said, "I believe there is one more old custom that must be addressed!" And with that he swooped her up effortlessly into his very strong arms and carried her across the threshold of their home.

Still holding her, his lips sought hers in a very long kiss. "I love you, Lady Raine D'Auron."

"As I do you, Auron. With all my heart."

He set her upon her feet and she removed her blue cloak and hung it on the coat tree. He unbuckled his great scarlet coat and hung it beside the blue cloak. Just as it should be. The great blade was returned to its place on the wall.

The tall man heaved an enormous sigh and took his wife into his arms. "It has really happened. I never thought it would be possible for me. Raine, I love you now and forever."

His kiss touched the depths of her soul.