Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood, as it is the property of the BBC
A/N - About time I got around to writing something original, that isn't taken straight from the show. After the wedding, I've got ideas for a lot more of my original stuff. Enjoy.
Chapter 40
Ava awoke early the next morning. She had gotten very little sleep, as she lay awake in one of the rooms Bassam had allowed she, Djaq and Allan to stay in overnight. She had laid there thinking of her love, her soon-to-be husband.
Ava quickly dressed in the first set of clean clothes she could find, and threw open the door, running down the corridor and banging on the door of Djaq's room.
' Djaq! ' she called,' Djaq! Are you awake?! Djaq, wake up! '
There was a groan at the other side of the door, and a bleary eyed Djaq opened the door, flattening her hair down with one hand.
' Don't you know what time it is? ' the saracen demanded,' it is only 6 AM. '
' I'm getting married today! ' cried Ava gleefully.
Djaq smiled in spite of her tired state - she knew how much this meant to her young friend - and opened the door further, allowing Ava entry to her room.
' So what's the plan of action for today? ' Djaq asked.
Ava sighed,' There is so much to organise. Bassam sent a few of his servants to call on me before I went to bed last night. They offered their help in organising the wedding, and the after-gathering. '
' Have you thought about what you want? ' Djaq asked.
' I told the servants I would meet them to discuss the plans over breakfast - there's so much to do, I'm never going to have the time ... and we have to go into the town and get me a decent dress, and I have to look just perfect .. '
Djaq laughed,' Woah, woah. Calm down. We will have time. Bassam has many servants who will help us. Come on then, we shall go and meet them to put your mind at rest. '
Shortly after this interlude, Djaq and Ava stood in a large room with two of Bassam's servants - Hannah and Amanda. Hannah and Amanda would be helping with the organising and setting up.
Ava nodded,' This is it. This is the perfect room. '
They were stood in a long room, with a high, decorated ceiling, and a stained glass window at the head of the room.
Hannah smiled at Ava,' Good, very good. We can have chairs over here and here, and make a nice long, wide aisle for you. Over there in front of that window can be like the altar. We will have flowers? '
' Oh yes, yes,' agreed Ava,' here at the front, and down the sides. '
' The cook asks what you will do after the ceremony? Should she prepare a meal? ' Amanda asked.
Ava thought about it for a moment, before replying,' Yes. Yes. We will be married by an hour past midday. We shall then dance and be merry, and settle down for a feast around 5pm, and then continue to celebrate. '
' We can use the ballroom for that,' nodded Hannah,' and we will hire out musicians fom the town. I have a few useful contacts. I also have a good eye for decorations.'
There were footsteps, and a voice broke into the room,' What we all doing up so early?' groaned Allan.
' Dad! ' chastitised Ava,' we are preparing for my wedding. And since you're here, you are helping. Djaq and I are oging to the town to find me something to wear. Hannah and Amanda here know what I want doing with the room, and the room we are to celebrate in afterwards. Make sure everything is in order. '
Allan rolled his eyes,' Remind me who is the parent and who is the child? '
Ava smirked as she and Djaq left the room, ' See you later, Dad. '
By 7:30, Djaq and Ava were in the seamstress place in the town of Acre.
On their arrival, the seamstress gave them odd looks. She focused her gaze on Ava.
The seamstress, who was around 40 years old, raised her eyebrows as she looked at Ava,' You are not from around these parts, my dear,' she said,' you are a long way from home. You are English? '
Ava nodded,' I am indeed. '
' What makes you travel so far from where you know? ' inquired the woman.
' Business with my friends,' replied Ava,' and now I have the business of being married. I have come for a wedding dress.'
' You know I do not specialise in the garments of a wedding? '
Ava nodded,' But my friend here tells me that you make good dresses. Do you have anything in white which I might see? '
The woman searched through racks, pulling out several dresses.
Ava spent at least an hour trying on dresses. Some were too short, and not demure and pure enough. Some were too drab and dull. Others were too fancy and fussy. Some were just not right. Some were too close to cream and even yellow. Then there was the one perfect dress .. as if it were made for her.
With a few slight adjustments, the dress fitted perfectly.
Before leaving, they found a dress in a similar style which would do well for Djaq a Maid of Honour's dress. Djaq took some convincing to agree to wear a dress, but the teenager won her over.
By 9 0 clock, the two women were back in the house of Bassam.
The remaining time between the return from town, and the time of the wedding was spent arranging the rooms, and making sure every little detail was perfect.
At 11 AM, Djaq and Ava retired to Ava's room to get ready.
As Djaq worked on her friend's hair, the younger female sighed.
' Djaq, I am scared.'
Djaq smiled indulgently,' I am sure it is perfectly natural to be nervous before such a big event in your life. This is the happiest day of your life, to be sure. '
Ava moaned,' I am not nervous .. I mean, I am, but that's not what I was referring to. It's just that .. it's hard enough living in the forest with your friends under constant threat, but being actually married is going to add so much stress and pressure. What if something were to happen to him? '
Djaq shrugged, taking through the pins in her teeth,' something could happen to him whether you were married or not. Surely it'd be better for you to know that you were finally his wife. What's wrong, don't you want to marry him?'
' Oh, I do! ' Ava said passionately,' I can't imagine living the rest of my life without him, now we've met. I'm just frekaing out over nothing, aren't I? '
' Yes,' Djaq said firmly,' I have never met anyone more suited to each other than you and he. And think of Marian. Marian wanted you too to be happy. She was one of your best friends and she wanted you to be happy with him, She's looking down and giving you her blessing from heaven right now. '
Ava beamed,' Thanks. And she's watching you and Uncle Will, too. '
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A/N: OK, OK, I meant to write the wedding, but I thouht it should go in a seperate chapter to all this preperation stuff, and I wanted to pad it out a little.