675-10-01 - House Aidyl Wedding
House Aidyl Wedding | |||||||
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Summary: Imma Grunhaid of the Isles and Vandrik Yldon of Two Rivers are joined together in marriage to form a new House under the Queen as part of winning the tourney. | |||||||
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For the past week, the preparations for the wedding have been under way with guests arriving from near and far and put up in the Royal Guest House. The cooks have been preparing the banquet, gardeners getting the flowers ready, and the tailors fitting outfits. It's all come down to this afternoon when the Queen will get her new Solicitors. The day dawned lovely, the sunrise lighting up the sky in a blaze of colors that faded into a truly beautiful day. A light breeze has kept it nice outside.
The Grunhaid family has arrived to the chapel to take their seats, though the mother of the bride is missing, likely helping with last minute details with the bride. Several of her sisters arrive late once shooed out of the bridal chamber to take their places with the family. There is much excitement to be found, for not only will there be a wedding, but an unveiling of the new House name and crest chosen by the two.
Groom? Check. Armor? Check. Hair? Check. Nerves? Double-check. Standing at the front of the temple, near the altar, Vandrik looks like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. He fidgets, tucks some hair behind his ear, shifts his weight, checks his armor, checks to make sure the hair is tucked behind his ear again, and generally looks like a nervous wreck as he awaits his bride's entrance. Those who are close enough can easily see his lips moving as he recites something to himself over and over again. This, from a knight who has faced battle, blood and gore with the steadfastness of steel. And yet here, in no form of mortal danger, he can't keep still? Ah well. Who can blame him? Vandrik's family, for their part, are seated in the front row- mother, father, elder brother and sister and younger siblings all present to watch him sweat.
Nimoria is standing with her back turned to the altar. Her gaze wanders in the room, examening each and everyone, who gathers. She is standing almost as a statue, freezed and barely blinks.
For the surprise, she is wearing the white wimple and long black very simple gown, which has the symbol of Onimoria on the right shoulder. It's a proper clothes of the priestess. Though, they look really strange on this young Royal High Oni.
The Queen Abegayle Onimus is seated in the first row on the other side than Vandrik's family took. She is wearing one of her best gowns. The woman is quiet. Quite warm smile shines in her pale features. She watches at the ray of the sun, which almost parts the temple into two parts.
Ralph Fennim had promised he would attend the wedding of Sir Vandrik, as he had somehow acted as stand-in for the Yldon's family when the betrothal was discussed with the Royal High Oni after the Knight's Tourney. He wears his usual sombre attire, black doublet and breeches. The only lighter colour being the white of the shirt he wears underneath. His demeanour is easy however, as this is not his relative that is being wed, and another cousin of his is already safely married. Noticing the bridegroom's slightly nervous state a reassuring glance will come from dark brown eyes, along with a smile, and a light incline of his head. Others have managed to survive their wedding day before Vandrik, and there will be many more after him facing that same challenge.
Being allowed just inside of the castle, it is no wonder that Edris's steps have taken her here on this wonderful day. Her fiery red curls are tamed into a braid, and she wears a dress of dark green, the curve of her belly evident. She will keep to the back though, after all she is just a commoenr, and not really well acqainted with the pair. Her grey-green eyes sparkle with curiosity, as she is for once distracted from her own, slightly screwed situation.
Free wine and single ladies? How the young Nawaab of the House of Sefu could miss it?! The man is seated somewhere at the back of the temple on the last row of the benches. He curiously stares at one of the ladies. She looks quite young, around 17 years oldor so. Poor girl can't avoid hungry gaze of the man. Her cheeks are burning in red as her gown.
The man himself is wearing a short sleeved forest green and black caftan that stops midthigh. Beneath are black trousers that are tucked into a pair of black leather boots that meet the knees. Hanging from his waist against his right side rests a saber. Nothing too speacial. After all, he even doesn't know names of these, who will get married today.
It's easy for Arif to notice eahc and everyone, who comes in, when he is sitting at the back, somewhere between commoners. So,finally, when the redhead beauty enters, he forgets about the blushing lady. He fixes is thoughtful gaze on her belly.
Late - but not too late - is another guest of the ceremony, this one of royal blood but less royal manners. Swaying a little Prince Zephan makes his way over to the first row where his mother is seated, attired in the finest silks, his blonde hair somehow not as scruffy as the other morning, his face of a handsome arrogance. And - a great relief to his mother maybe - he comes without Pureal. A slightly distasteful glance is shot towards the holy portrat of Onimoria, before his blue eyes come to linger on the Royal High Oni, and recognition flashes in his gaze.
Arriving around the same time as the sisters of the bride is a woman in a very formal long-sleeved gown of blue. Green lace decorates the collar and cuffs of the sleeves, along with a silken sash wrapped about the waist of Lady Adara Zorich. She carries herself with dignity, her pace casual, though her steady strides do carry her across the floor quickly enough not to hinder the proceedings. Her dark hair has been pulled up into elegant curls giving her head an appearance similar to a bundle of blooming flowers. Adara takes a seat on the bride's side beside her husband silently, though noticing the nervousness of the groom, she offers him a reassuring wink and soft smile, as though to say he'll be happy with what will be following her into the room before too much longer.
Catching Arif's stare Edris will freeze for a moment as she probably did not expect to see him here of all places. A long moment follows, before she inclines her head in cold politeness. When Adara passes her, she will offer a curtsey and lower her gaze.
Once the guests are seated, a door opens, and Imma steps forwards, alone, to make her way towards the front of the chapel where Vandrik waits. The young lady seems a little pale, and yet there's a smile that appears upon her lips as she sees the knight in front. While a posey of flowers is carried in her hands, others have been woven into a crown that sits atop her dark hair that hangs down her back, unbound this day. A gown of blue and gold is worn, sunlight catching upon the decorative beads that adorn it. Slow steps bring her down the aisle, and soon to stand at Vandrik's side, her gaze briefly looking from him to Nimoria in her royal robes.
Vandrik notices Ralph's glance and catches it. He smiles and breathes a sigh of relief at the Fennim's presence. He'd been so busy with his own preparations that he wasn't even aware that the man had made it. He grins stupidly back at Ralph, springing his eyebrows up once, since he's finally made it. Aaaaaand then his bride enters. Vandrik immediately looks to her to the exclusion of all else, and any sense of nervousness melts away from his countenance. He smiles at her warmly, watching her approach, his grin turning once again childish and open, affection wafting from his expression.
Arif bows his head to Edris. Some kind of mischief sparkles in his eyes. The man opens his lips as if ready to whisper something for her without any words. Though, the bride enters and the man's gaze founds her. He can't keep himself not making a comment. So, the young Nawaab quietly whistles, "What a beauty!"
When everyone gathers and ceremony can be started, Nimoria raises her hands up, while her look finds the lucky pair. The woman caughs quietly, asking for attention, and then starts, "Today we are here to be the witnesses of one of the most joyful moments in our lifes. Two souls will become one tonight and they will never be parted again. The union between Lady Imma Grunhaid and lord Vandrik Yldon will be blessed today by Onimoria, Lotingus and Marqueritte. These who are joined together by our Patrons' wish, can't be separated by any evil powers, which are lurking around us." The woman stops just for a moment, to take an inhale. Maybe just to look around if everyone are listening. Then she peeks at the pair. Smile curls her lips up.
Samuela sits next to Adara. And a further place next to her, reserved for her husband, awaits its owner. Owner which seems to be rather preoccupied with other issues at the moment. A glance is cast to the back, then a panicked stare ahead. "What. Is. He. DOING.", she mutters between her teeth, to her aunt. "He's supposed to be sitting here!". She manages to mantain her composture, but Adara, who is so close to her, might be able to notice a slight panicked twitch in her restraint. "What will people say now?"
Prince Zephan Onimus listens when Nimorie begins with the ceremony, the look on his face slightly broed as he leans back rather casually on the bench. His lips are curled ever so slightly and he moistens his lips, smirking a little at the mention of 'two souls becoming one'. All the while staring at the white-haired woman with an almost impertinent gaze.
Adara casually reaches a hand over to Samuela, if allowed she takes her niece's hand in her own and gives a reassuring squeeze and whispers back in a soft voice, "Settle child. Men have the habit of allowing their eyes to wonder when they think they can get away with it, and he is from a kingdom where men often get what they want, especially the nobility. Most would likely think him a foreigner, or an example of why men shouldn't rule. If talk drifts to you however i will deal with matters. Try to ignore him and enjoy yourself." offering a soft smile after she is done speaking, whether her hand is accepted or not. Her attention largely remains on the proceedings by the altar. If her hand is accepted, she will continue to hold Samuela's hand for as long as the younger woman feels the need to do so.
Edris draws a deep breath when she notices Arif is leaning into her to whisper something. Shifting instinctively a little away from him, she will exhale with relief when his attention is distracted by the bride entering, and she herself will raise her gaze to admire the lovely attire of Lady Imma Grunhaid.
The woman just briefly peeks at oh so bored prince. Though, her gaze quickly finds the pair again. Then Nimoria continues again, "That is why a person can't live alone. He must have someone, who would laugh together with him, who would cry together with him. Then all the challanges braught for us, will not look so complicated. Onimoria understood that and she always carried Lotingus in her heart as did he. They understand our mundane wish to be close with someone. That is why today, by the wish and order of our Patrons, you must be joined together." The woman takes a bowl from the table beside her and extands it to the pair. There are two armbands there. They have very vivid huge red lillies attached to them. "Give each other your vows."
Though, when priestess starts speaking, Arif is kind of bored. He doesn't know all this religion. So, the man stands up and gets closer to Edris once more. He leans a bit closer if allowed and inhales as if trying to scent her red curls, "I wonder, do they have boring type of weddings here? Or they have like in our lands? I mean, where is the fight, blood and gifts? Where are the dance of slaves? Oh, if I could have bring a true Golden Lion in here..." he drawls dreamily.
Ralph arches a brow as he watches the ceremony the attentive eyes of a foreigner. His eyes will drift now and then towards the queen, then to Vandrik, and the smile he has for him speaks of all the support he wishes to lend him. The smile is a little whistful as well, because after this ceremony the Two Rivers will have lost one of its most promising knights to the Isles.
Vandrik's eyes don't leave Imma until the last moment, when Nimoria begins speaking. Even throughout her speech, he can't stop stealing glances at Imma, his goofy smirk never once leaving his face. When Nimoria finishes, Vandrik's appearance begins to waver, until he turns to see Imma. Confidence restored as they both take an armband. Grimacing at first, Vandrik then recites along with Imma, "You and me, like Onimoria and Lotngus, two lonely souls were meant to be together. Today we find each other to become one soul, to warm each other with love from now till Margueritte will invite us to her Gardens, where we both will meet each other again."
Then, clasping Imma's hand as he finishes affixing the lilly to her arm, Vandrik continues. "I will be your gold, your chains, your castle. I will be your strength and comfort. I will be your husband and a trusted friend." He then goes quiet, eyes fixed on Imma.
Samuela lets her hand be taken. And held. "...right. Sure." She slowly, but steadily, straightens her back. She inhales. She exhales. Slowly. But deeply. "I mean, there is plenty of people around here, why bother about Arif? There's the bride, plenty of participants, many kids, elderlies, men, ladies, ladies at which Arif is undoubtedly staring right now and everyone is staring at him staring at them, and will undoubtedly also be staring at me right now. Are they staring at me right now? I can tell they are. I can feel their gaze piercing my back as we speak. Down below the right scapula, a little to the left. It hurts and stings. And itches." Despite the urgency in her voice, she manages to mantain a straight posture and dignified expression through her rant, staring right ahead at the bride and not turning one bit. "The silent judgement of the merciless crowd. How it itches."
Edris so far seems to have regained her composure that she holds her ground. "I know little of weddings, neither in your lands nor in this.", she remarks in a low murmur. Her head held high. "And after all... this is not your wedding, Nawaab."
Arif shrugs, "Not mine, yes. But I could have mine. Way more awesome. In my lands!" The man's gaze is dropped to Edris' abdomen. He watches her belly for awhile, "Such a wonderful woman as you should be married. Where is the father of your child?" The man scratches the back of his head. He raises his gaze to find Edris' one.
Likewise, Imma seems to steal glances of her groom while trying to pay attention to Nimoria as the Royal High Oni speaks, cheeks soon chased with a bloom of pink. Flustered and nervous, though as the armbands are offered, she turns, taking up her own. Meeting Vandrik's gaze then, she speaks with him the first words before falling silent as he gives his vow to her, the armband soon tied about her wrist. And then it comes her turn, as with shaking hands, she ties the red band about his wrist, "I will be your smile, your diamond, your wings. I will be your maid and warmth. I will be your wife and a trusted friend." That smile warms further as the nerves suddenly disappear.
Now, with hands clasped, and their voices stronger, Imma and Vandrik repeat together once again, "You and me, like Onimoria and Lotingus, two lonely souls were meant to be together. Today we find each other to become one soul, to warm each other with love since now till Margueritte will invite us to her Gardens, where we both will meet each other again." With those words spoken, they look to Nimoria.
Adara gives Samuela's hand a firms squeeze, not to hurt her but to get her attention as the older woman whispers, "It is a wedding child, look at Imma, they are looking at her, as they should. Before she entered they might have noticed him, with her here that fool would be ignored. Calm yourself, I am here with you, it will be okay." in a soft, almost motherly voice.
A small yawn is hardly hidden behind a raised hand when the pair of Two Rivers knight and Isles noblewoman speak their vows. Prince Zephan's eyes resume their usual half-lidded state, as his gaze shifts once again to Nimoria, locking on her eyes, his expression amused, daring maybe her to look back at him.
Nimoria watches Vandrik and Imma, when they speak. The smile grows even wider. When the pair finishes, the woman touches the shoulder of the man, and the shoulder of Imma, "Love," she says, looking at Imma. "...and prosper!" She adds, turning to Vandrik. Then she looks just forward finishing, "From now till forever, I announce you husband and wife. New family, new Solicitors of the Queen, new House of Aidyl! You may kiss each other." And then she moves backwards quietly, like a shadow, disappearing in another room, leaving the pair for all these guests, who want to congratulate the lucky ones. Though, through all the retreat, her gaze are fixed on Prince Zephan now. Her expression becomes quite amused too, daring too.
Samuela breathes deeply, again. "Right. Yes, you are right. The bride is definitely going to be the main subject of the discussion. Her dress is complex enough to keep the female half of the audience busy discussing it for the whole duration of the ceremony and possibly a good way into the following celebrations. And the male half of the audience is probably busy checking out the currently distracted female half, even if a tad more discreetly than Arif. So our bases should be covered. Hopefully. And the few exceptions that do not fall into the previous category are bound to be too busy being self-conscious, or comforting the overy self-conscious fellow exceptions who are next to them. I... I guess it figures out." Just in time for the kiss. At which point, as Adara said, the audience pretty much doesn't care about anything else.
And here it goes: the kiss! Vandrik's arms reach out, one sliding around Imma's waist, his other hand gently cradling the back of her head. Then he ... twists and dips her, planting a deep kiss right on her lips! And he certainly doesn't appear shy about it, letting the kiss last as long as Imma can stand it.
A nod is given to Nimoria at her words, and then Imma's being told to kiss her husband. Turning her gaze back towards Vandrik, there comes a soft gasp of surprise from the bride when she's dipped over his arm. A gasp that is soon cut off by the kiss laid upon her lips by the knight. With a hand upon his armor-clad shoulder, she gives in to the kiss with a certain eagerness until her old handmaiden clears her throat to perhaps remind the pair of where they are! Leave it to the handmaiden to do that!
The crowd goes wild, booming into an applause which will be remembered in the annals as The Kiss That Made The Crowd Go Wild! Statues will still be erected to the event millennia from now! Plays will be written! Movies will be shot as soon as cinema is invented! Role playing games will be opened which will take this wedding as core theme! It is history in the making! -- But then, Samuela is snapped out of her daydream, and the whole picture poofs into non-existence along with the little cloud of imagination it was contained within. "...Sorry, Adara.", she says, drying a tear. "I always get overly romantic and daydreaming at wedding. I always imagine them as epic, history making things..."
As the handmaiden coughs, Vandrik will slowly pull Imma back upright. He then will raise a triumphant fist in the air, looking to his family and friends from Two Rivers. "And now, to the garden! Where ... we /drink/! And dance! And I kiss my new wife as often as I want to!" he calls, though this last bit is directed directly at the handmaiden. To emphasize his point, he'll turn and kiss Imma again before he clasps Imma's hand and runs (as best as someone in full armor and an opulent wedding gown can run) down the aisle towards the garden, laughing all the way.
Edris raises her grey-green eyes to meet the gaze of Arif, her lips curling ever-so-slightly into a half-hearted smile. "You must be jesting, Nawaab. Who would marry one such as me?" A brow is raised, the question left unanswered. At least that much she owes the Crown of the Isles not to engage into any damaging gossip with a foreigner - especially a foreigner that has left his own traces of damage on her in the past.
Arif claps his arms on abdomen and turns to look at the kiss of the husband and wife. He grins, "That's a man!" He claps together with the crowd. Then the man adds to Edris, "You are right. Who could marry you, if you were born as commoner. Honestly? The Isles is not for you and not for your beauty. Soon, my young wife and I will be travelling home. You know, that there is always a place for you in my lands?" He follows the running pair with his gaze,before looking at Edris, "I could make you my official concubine, you know that. Even with this bastard." He points at her belly, "Oh! I forgive you for your run away, yes. I always was too good for you." he laughs and turns to walk out of the temple.
Drawn slowly to her feet, Imma seems a little dazed, though she gives her old handmaiden a blushing look as her husband speaks. Shaking her head, she is caught once more when he kisses her the second time before her hand is clasped in his. Together with Vandrik, she heads out of the chapel, and towards the gardens where family and friends will follow to find the feast laid out, and musicians already playing.
***Log fades, to resume in part two at the wedding feast.***