Chapter 12: Interrupted Wedding and Stolen Night

Daylight broke as Airk and Raina prepared for their wedding. Raina had gone to select a gown for the celebration and the cooks were preparing the feast. Despite all the preparations, there was still a more pressing and bothersome matter that lay before them. Airk was led by his father, Ronan, and his mother into King Arn's court to find Madmartigan in chains before the king and Princess Carissima and he shook his head.

Madmartigan, what did you do, you idiot? He thought.

"Your Majesties, what has this man been accused of?" Airk asked.

"Our Minister Jarenth and Princess Carissima have found him guilty of discussing court secrets," King Arn said severely.

"And what evidence is there to back up this claim?" Airk asked.

Princess Carissima drew forward in her seat. "Do you accuse me of lying, Knight of Galladoorn?"

"Not at all, Princess, I just mean to find out where these claims come from," Airk replied.

"Madmartigan came to my bed every night," Carissima said slowly. "He would tell me only the secrets of the court, what my father had planned, our allies."

"Why would he share such intrigue with you?" Airk asked.

"He told me he serves no one," Princess Carissima replied.

At this, the court gasped and the was immense chatter. Airk knew Madmartigan would face severe consequences for betraying the love of a princess. Lawfully, there was nothing he could do, but he had to help his friend in some small way.

"Madmartigan, do you have anything to say?"

Madmartigan shook his head. He wore a look that yearned to tell the truth, but did not want to fight.

King Arn had heard enough. "Madmartigan, for your crimes against Cashmere and Princess Carissima, you are forthwith stripped of your knighthood. You will surrender your armor at once."

Madmartigan did not fight. He was freed from his chains when he scornfully ripped off his golden armor. "I am the greatest warrior who ever lived. I don't need armor or a fancy title to tell me that."

Madmartigan stormed out of the hall followed by Airk. He knew there was something wrong and he had to find out.

"Madmartigan, Madmartigan, wait!" he cried. "Why didn't you fight? You knew you were set up to take the fall. You still could have your knighthood."

Madmartigan shook his head. "You don't get it. I don't give a damn anymore. I told you before: I serve no one and I never will."

Airk was furious. He was trying to be a friend to Madmartigan and he wasn't willing to try. He was throwing his life away. "You're a coward! I'm sticking my neck out for you and you don't even care. Go throw your life away. See if I care!"

Airk stormed away from Madmartigan, more hurt than angry. Madmartigan was like a brother to him and he felt he was losing his family.

Ronan approached him slowly. "I take it things didn't go too well between you two."

"He's an a*****," Airk groaned.

"So are you, you're just a tolerable one," Ronan laughed. "You know you'll have to make up with him at some point?"

"Yes, but not now," Airk replied. "I don't have patience for a******* today."

After a long exhausting week, Airk and Raina's wedding day had come. Airk stood at the altar in his shining golden armor with Ronan at his side. Not to Airk's surprise, Madmartigan was nowhere to be found. Airk put his guilt for his friend aside as he waited for his bride.

"Nervous?" Ronan asked.

"Not at all," Airk replied.

"Airk Thaughbaer, a married man. Never thought I'd hear the sound of that," Ronan laughed.

"Really? Because I never thought of you as a one woman man," Airk snarked.

"Oh, that's hurtful," Ronan chuckled. "Well, best of luck, buddy."

Airk turned to find Raina approaching on the arm of Cayne, his father and his breath stopped. Raina wore a flowing dress of gold with long lace sleeves and her river of dark hair was draped of her shoulders and twisted in a top knot as a gold circlet rested on her head. Airk and Raina smiled as the priest had them swear to protect each other, to be patient and kind, to be faithful in this life and in the next. Airk drank from the ceremonial wine, as did Raina, to signify their union.

"Raina, Airk, by drinking of this wine you are now one," the priest said. "Kiss and become one with each other."

Without hesitation, Airk and Raina's lips met with more passion than ever.

As the feast commenced, Raina danced with Ronan, clapping and hopping along to the music. Raina watched as Airk sat at the great table feasting on chicken and drinking ale.

"Why does my husband sit here feasting instead of dancing with me?" Raina asked.

"I don't dance," Airk said, helping himself to another gulp of ale.

"Oh yes you do!" Raina countered, grabbing Airk's hands and dragging him onto the flower carpeted dance floor.

"This is a really bad idea!" Airk argued.

"I'm the bride, and I demand that my husband dance with me, never mind that you're stepping on my foot!"

"Well, let me remedy that," Airk said.

Airk scooped Raina into his arms and spun her about so that her feet did not touch the ground. There never was a merrier sight. Alas, even the merriest things cannot last forever. Storming onto the castle grounds came knights that Airk and Raina had not seen before. The music and festivities stopped and all was quiet. Raina held tight to Airk as the captain of the detachment spoke to Cayne, who spoke to the crowd.

"Bavmorda's forces are moving to Land's End. We must move out at once," Cayne announced.

Raina's heart stopped. This was another battle that would take Airk away from her. Another chance she could lose him. It tore her apart.

"Airk, my love, must you go?" she asked.

"I cannot disobey my general," Airk replied. "but I will always return to you."

Airk kissed her hand as he wandered to the castle hall to speak to his father. "Father, if we are to advance on Bavmorda's forces, we will need Madmartigan."

"That boy is a disgrace to the Knights of Galladoorn!" Cayne said sternly. "He serves no one, he fights for himself."

"Yes, he is a fool, but it is even more foolish to ride to battle without him," Airk reasoned. "We've won so many battles off the edge of his sword. To advance on Bavmorda without his help would nearly be suicide. I wouldn't be arguing here if I didn't know his skill."

Cayne sighed. He knew his son was right. "If he betrays us again, he dies for it."

"Thank you, Father," Airk replied.

Airk found himself in a dingy bar where only the lowest of the low would reside. There were fights just about everywhere and drunks sleeping about. It was the perfect place for someone to hideout. It was not long before Airk found his quarry.

"Thought I'd find you here," he said wisely.

Madmartigan turned from his pint of ale to grumpily stare at Airk. "I was trying to hide from you. How'd you find me?"

"When you're a low-life a******, you don't go to hang out with them," Airk advised.

Madmartigan gulped down his ale. "So, I take it you're not here to chat."

"We're advancing on Bavmorda's forces at Land's End, and I convinced my father to give you one more chance," Airk explained.

"Hmm, and why should I do that?" Madmartigan asked.

"I stuck my neck out for you because I know there's good in you, Madmartigan," Airk said angrily. "You do this and you'll regain your honor. You let me down and you're a dead man."

"Doesn't seem like I have much choice," Madmartigan said.

"Don't let me down," Airk replied.

A/N: I apologize for the delay on this fic as I'm working on other fics in between. I hope you like this chapter and story as it means a lot to me. Enjoy!