The next day, preparations were being made for Melanie and Gwain's wedding. Servants were decorating the great hall and cooks spent the entire day preparing a feast.

"Melanie!" Gwen found her walking through the castle. She wasn't allowed to see Gwain until tomorrow, so she'd spend most of the day training. The other Knights had taken Gwain to the tavern.

"Good afternoon Gwen." She bowed gracefully. The pink in her skin and moisture in her hair showed she'd just gotten out of a bath.

"I have something for you." She announced. "It's for tomorrow." The queen took her hand and led her through the halls. They stopped in front of a room on the far side of the castle.

"Close your eyes." The queen ordered. Melanie did and Gwen led her into the room. "Now, open."

In front of her eyes was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. It was white, but it was woven through with gold thread. The neckline, a low, wide cut, was trimmed with purple gems. Her favorite color. The hem, with purple silk.

"It's beautiful." She whispered.

"I had it made special for you." Gwen smiled. "Try it on."

A servant stepped up and brought Melanie behind a screen with the dress.

The sleeves fit tight around her arms. The dress barely covering her shoulders, the neck line scooping low. The skirts fell delicately around her legs and flowed like air as she walked.

"You look stunning Melanie." Gwen complemented. "Gwain is a lucky man."

"Thank you Gwen." The lady knight had tears welling in her eyes. She looked in the mirror. A million thoughts running through her head.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." She wiped the tears away that had fallen. "It's just, I never imagined I'd be married. That I would find a man to love at all."

"Are you having second thoughts?" The queen placed a hand in her shoulder.

"It's not that no. I love Gwain. However, thinking of the future frightens me."

"You can tell me these fears you know." She said. "I may be your queen, but I am also your friend."

She hesitated a moment, playing with her engagement ring. She did want to marry Gwain, and it wasn't the prospect of them married that scared her.

It was what would happen in the future.

She had thought about it a lot. What would happen if she were to fall pregnant? What would become of her knight hood? So many other thoughts plagued her as she stood there silently.

"It's nothing you need concern yourself with Gwen." She dismissed the thoughts. "If you don't mind, I'm going to turn in early." She disappeared behind the screen again to change.

"I'll send a servant to tend to you in the morning."

"You really don't have to do that." She insisted.

"It is your day tomorrow. I insist that you utilize one of my servants."

"Thank you for everything Gwen."

"After everything you've done, it's the least I could do." Gwen hugged Melanie and sent her on her way.

That night, Melanie hardly slept. Anticipation keeping her up. All she wanted was to curl up in Gwain's arms.

She'd said it a million times, she'd never fall in love. Yet here she was, pining over a man she would see tomorrow.

Finally, exhaustion won out and she fell asleep. Dreaming of her future.

She was woken up the next morning by a knock at the door.

"Lady Melanie." A servant said. "It's time to get ready for the wedding."