Merry-Fionn Wedding Roleplay
Tiernan walked to Anya's home. He knocked on the door and the gold rattled in his pockets as he did so.
As Anya pulled the door open Tiernan reached down and pulled her off her feet into a great hug. After spinning her around a few times, he let her down.
"I have the gold, I can build my temple!" he said excitedly.
"Now we can be married!" he said as he looked at the young woman.
He kissed her as they walked inside to discuss the days events.
Tiernan
Several days had past since Tiernan's vision had been realised and the temple built. Ceremony had followed ceremony, and Anya thought that she had never heard so many speeches in her life. Now, things in Ortedail had settled down, at least for a few days, and she was finally going to get Tiernan all to herself for a few hours.
They sat on a bench in the temple courtyard, talking over the events of the past few days. "Well, I must say, it makes me feel rather odd, hearing everyone call you 'Father'. I hope aren't put out if I don't. I mean, really, father is what I call my father, and what your babies may one day call you, but there should be different names between lovers, not common, shared-with-everyone names, but gentle, loving names to be whispered in the dark and called in times of loneliness. And that is why I won't be calling you father, if you don't mind, Tiernan." She squeezed his hand. "But," she added, "I am very proud of what you have done here. It's just too bad that I was busy writing Mama when you asked for duels just before you took your oaths, because I would have liked to know, well, really, I guess what I would know is how badly you would beat me. Can you not fight at tournaments any more either?" She paused, presumably to catch her breath, and Tiernan took advantage of the brief quiet to speak.
Anya
"No,I cannot fight anymore. I have given up the sword and adopted the staff. I am afraid there will be no more tournaments for me. You will have to make do with Brian and San's company," he said as he thought of the sacrifices he had made in his life.
"I hope to be able to teach my son and daughters the use of the sword. When we get married." He smiled as he looked at the woman cradled in his arm.
"We should be married soon. The new temple should be a beautiful spot." He kissed her head as he thought of how his life had changed.
Though one thing had not changed, his love for this young woman remained the same.
He lapsed into silence and Anya began to speak.
Tiernan
"Hmmm," replied Anya, gazing around her. "Yes, this is as lovely a spot as I could ever dream. We should get married here, in the courtyard, at sunset. Right between Sol and Luna. And soon- yes, very soon." She stilled, imagining the ceremony that would join them before their gods, for eternity. "Tiernan?"
"Yes?" he replied.
"Who is going to marry us? I mean, you're the priest. So who...." Her brow wrinkled as she considered this puzzle.
Anya
"That is a bit of a problem. It does not have to be a priest who holds the ceremony. Just the person who knows our situation the best," he said as he rubbed his hand lightly on Anya's hair.
"What about San?" he said as he thought of the man who had proven to be a great friend to both of them.
Tiernan
"Oh- he'd be perfect. I knew you'd think of something." She snuggled into Tiernan, glad of the warmth of him, and continued. "Well, I'm the one with the least on my social calendar, so why don't you choose the day." She giggled as she added, "And make sure it's an auspicious one."
Anya
"There is no need for us to wait. It will only cause more confusion. In two days we could be married," he said as he looked down at Anya.
"There are many things to be done. Why don't you ask San if he would be the one to marry us?" he said as Anya nodded.
Tiernan did not move, he did not want to let this moment slip away. He held Anya close to him.
"It has been an eventful day," he said to no one but the wind.
Tiernan
"Walk with me?" Anya asked, rising and wrapping her cloak around herself. "It's getting dark, and I'm hungry." She took his hand and they set out down the shadowy path, back to the noise and lights of the city. "I'll ask San to marry us, and in two days I'll be... Hmmm... Mrs. Fionn?" She laughed cheerfully. "How about Mrs Father Fionn? or... " she began to giggle and gave up. "I'll be Anya forever, anyways," she said when she had regained her composure.
They soon arrived at her door, and Anya leaned up to kiss Tiernan. He looked hopefully past her, at the warm sitting room and the stairs up to her chambers, but she pushed him away teasingly. "I'm going to need my beauty rest if I'm to be a bride in two days," she explained. "And anyways, the last two nights you spent here, one of us ended up in a chair all night."
"Good night, dearest."
She kissed him again, her longing poorly disguised, and turned to close the door.
Anya
Anya spotted San across the crowded room and hurriedly edged her way towards him.
"San. Good to see you- I've been looking all over for you."
She sat beside him and waved at the bartender, who hurriedly began looking for the paper umbrellas.
"So what did you think of the ceremonies at the new temple?" she asked distractedly.
She smiled at his reply, took the drink the bartender brought her, and then continued.
"Now that the temple has been finished, Tiernan and I are finally free to get married. We want to get on with it Tiernan says in 2 days would be good, which I think means Tuesday- and we'd really be honoured if you would consent to marry us. I mean perform the ceremony- I guess you knew that- Tiernan can't marry himself, but he says it doesn't matter if you're a priest or not, and anyways, you've known both of us as long as anyone, and your intervention at the tournament was so kind... Oh- by the way, thanks for keeping him out of trouble on free beer day- wouldn't want him making an ARSE of himself again. So, anyways, what do you think?"
She stopped to take another sip of her drink, watching San's reaction over the top of her glass.
Anya
San looks at Anya, a bit dazed, uncomprehending. He shakes his head.
"Sorry. I'm a bit disconcerted. What are you asking?"
San listens to Anya, amazed by this request. But nonetheless...
"Well, first off, let me say I am honoured to be asked to do this. It's not something that I would have a reputation for."
San smiles.
"And with that said, I will accept, if Tiernan will think me worthy of marrying the two of you in the presence of the Twilight. No problem about the tournament; after all, it would have been worse off all round I think if I had not acted."
San grins
"And the thing about ARSE was simply an act of kindness, motivated by the desire to slightly annoy Tiernan when he eventually found out. Hope it didn't annoy him too badly.
Congratulations to both of you. Have another drink, with the gold Ziode sent me I can afford it."
San
Anya was grinning from ear to ear as she heard San's answer. "Oh, thank-you sooo much," she squealed, hugging him across the table and knocking her empty glass flying. "Oh- oops. I'm so thankful that you are willing to do this for us. It's going to be so beautiful- in the courtyard outside the temple just as the sun sets."
San watched amusedly as Anya fumbled to pick up the fallen glass, replace all the paper umbrellas, and kept talking all at once.
"Well, I must be off- I have so much to do. Thanks again for agreeing to do this for us- you're too sweet." She hugged him again, picked up her handbag (the blue one with the drunken looking birds embroidered on) and rushed out of the room.
Anya
Tiernan walked up to where San was standing in the Temple. He had recently heard that San had agreed to marry Anya and himself.
"Thank you my friend, you have proven to be one of my closest compatriots since you joined us."
Tiernan offered his hand to San with a smile on his face.
Tiernan
The lady Anya strolled through Ortedail's busy markets, talking to merchants and comparing wares. Millie, her maid, scurried along behind her, laden with parcels. With the wedding tomorrow she had so much to do- food must be purchased and prepared, and guests were arriving so rooms had been turned out and aired. There was a hum of activity, and Anya was at the centre of it all. Satisfied with her purchases, she headed home, hoping to get her chores finished in time to go out for a drink later in the evening.
Anya
San saw Tiernan approaching. He quietly muttered the prayer to the Twilight that his concerns would not affect his judgement.
"It will be truly an honour, Tiernan. Thank you for trusting me with this."
San smiles as he shakes his friends hand.
"Well, I had better learn how to marry people. And it does occur to me I should probably find another way to say that. Don't want people thinking I'm actually getting married to you both, after all. Very confusing that."
San
Anya sat blissfully in the tub of hot, perfumed water that Millie had hauled up the stairs by the bucketful, and thought about the coming day. A thick fog wound damply through the streets or Ortedail, but it was early yet.
"Millie?" she called. "Millie!"
The girl came rushing into the room as though she had been thrown, just as she usually did. "Yes, Ma'am?"
"Has there been word from Tiernan? I mean, Men sometimes drink the night before their weddings, and I hope that he didn't do anything foolish..."
She thought back to the tournament in Nighthelm. "Not that he would, now that he's a priest. But still..."
The young maid watched, looking worried.
"Oh Millie. I am a silly woman. Of course he did nothing rash. Never you mind- it must just be a bit or nerves, making me fuss so."
Anya
Tiernan woke up. He had no idea where he was.
He stood up and looked around him. He seemed to be standing in a large hayloft. There was also the unmistakable smell of animals rising from the floor below him.
"How did I get into a barn?!!?!" he said scratching his head.
Tiernan climbed slowly down to the ground floor and out the door. Then it dawned on him what day it was.
"Oh crap," he said as he started sprinting back towards Ortedail.
He swore under his breath that he would never drink again. And he would make sure Anya never found out. Though she did have a way of knowing things.
Tiernan
The afternoon light began to fade, and Anya paced in front of her window. "Any word yet, Millie?" she asked.
"No, Ma'am," respond Millie abjectly.
Anya frowned. "I thought he'd have sent word at least. Back home, it was customary for a man to at least send his bride a note on her wedding day. But maybe things are different here. Let's just go on to the temple- I'm sure he'll be there with San, doing priest things."
Anya
As Tiernan thought of the note that he had left Anya in her bag, it seemed foolish now.
She probably wouldnt remember. It would be there he knew, he just hoped Anya would follow his instructions.
It had read:
My Dearest Anya,
I have a surprise for you.Head out of Ortedail for one mile to the east. You will see a giant oak.Under that oak is a drinking hole. It should not be hard to find. There you will find my gift to you on this wedding day. It is something special, I can assure you.
Tiernan
As they finally headed out the door, Anya grabbed her favorite handbag (the one with the bright flowers embroidered on it). As she did, a paper spiraled out onto the floor behind her. Out in the street, she wrapped her cloak around her, and climbed into the coach.
Millie, always in a flap, came bustling out behind her. "Oh, you dropped something Ma'am," she said. I stepped on it and slipped, but it has your name on it.
She handed it to Anya, who distractedly unfolded it, then, recognising Tiernan's hand, began to read hurriedly:
My Dearest Anya,
I have a surprise for you. Head out of Ortedail for one mile to the east. You will see a giant oak. Under that oak is a drinking hole. It should not be hard to find. There you will find my gift to you on this wedding day. It is something special, I can assure you.
"Oh." She was embarassed. Come to think of it, he had mentioned that she should look in her handbag today. And now it was almost too late- the sun would be setting soon. "But there's still time, if we hurry," she announced to no one in particular. She shouted directions to the coachman, adding "And hurry. Please." and they were off.
After a brief eternity, the giant oak came into sight. "Halt!" she cried. "I will go on foot from here." She picked up her skirts, glad that the sun had burned brightly all afternoon, drying the grass, and approached the drinking hole.
Anya
Tiernan walked slowly through the streets of Ortedail. He had dressed formally, in preperation for the biggest day of his life.
He was clean after returning home to wash and change, and he would soon head for the temple.
Brian would join him on the way.
He was nervous, more than he had ever been. More frightened than he had been when facing undead in the wastes of northern Beluaterra. But he was also excited.
Excited to have finally found his place in the world. He had thought that the life of a swordsman was what he desired, he was wrong. He had finally found peace here in this peaceful place, with the simple oak staff and a beautiful young woman.
Things were looking up.
Tiernan
Anya walked around the oak, looking more puzzled by the minute.
"There's nothing here," she said to herself. Then, a glimmer caught her eye, and she bent down beside the little spring. Nestled in the moss was a large silver brooch decorated with a stag's head.
"The white stag!" she exclaimed, turning the beautiful gift over in her hands. Green stones circled the stag, reminiscent of a forest glade. She smiled in remembrance, then turned and ran back to the coach. "The temple- quickly. I fear that this time it is I who will be keeping Tiernan waiting and wondering."
They left, the coachman taking her at her word and setting a hair-raising pace. "Millie- help me with this. Pin it here, at my waist- no over a bit. Perfect."
Anya's face flushed with excitement as they flew towards the temple, towards Tiernan.
Anya
San stands outside the temple, awaiting the arrival of Anya to get the show on the road. The preparations are already being made.
He prays silently to Luna. His friends had made very good choices all round. He felt honoured to be here, chosen to do this.
A coach hurtles down the path from the copses in the east. San stands and stares in disbelief, and mutters under his breath about women drivers.
"Anya! Glad you could make it early. We will begin soon. If you would tell everyone to prepare it would be much appreciated. And see if you can find your husband-to-be mooching around somewhere."
San smiles. It is a good day. Not even news of his brothers or the sight of the east can dampen his spirits today.
San
"Early. Wow." Anya looked in amazement at her coachman, who winked irreverantly, then tipped his cap. She grinned at San, started to shake his hand, changed her mind and gave him an enthusiastic hug instead, then she took a deep breath. "Um, I don't think that I'm supposed to see Tiernan until the ceremony begins. I'll send Millie to round him up and make sure that he's ready. We'll begin when the sun sets."
Millie headed off, bursting with importance, to find Tiernan, and returned shortly. "He's in the Twilight wing, waiting for San," she reported. "He says that everything is ready, and Oh, Miss, does he ever look handsome." Anya laughed at Millie's gushing and smiled at San. "Well, you'd better go. The sun will set in a couple of minutes."
After San left, Anya stood in the shadow of Luna's wing, listening to the gentle sounds of the twilight mixing with the notes from the flautist's instrument. She barely noticed Millie's fussing as she thought about what she was about to do. To stand beside Tiernan forever. She could think of nothing better.
Anya
San sets off to find his friend, and hopes he is ready for this.
San
Tiernan sat thinking to himself. Nothing had prepared him for this, nothing more could be done.
He was tapped on the shoulder and he turned around. San stood there.
"Are you ready?" asked the soon to be master of ceremonies.
"As ready as I'll ever be," said Tiernan with a smile.
They walked together to where the ceremony would take place.
Tiernan looked at the crowd, all the nobles were gathered together. He saw Brian in the front row, who gave him a smile.
Now all they needed was a bride.
Tiernan
Jose sighed 'Why am I always late, no matter whether it is someplace I know of or not!' as he slipped into a seat near the front by Brian. "Long time no see, Brian" he said smiling as he turned to focus on Tiernan.
Jose
The crowds hushed as the Lady Anya appeared and walked up the path to join Tiernan in the temple courtyard. A single flute sang out in the cool twilight. The lady's face shone beneath the simple ring of ivy in her hair, and her moonlight colored silk gown reflected the warm light of the setting sun.
Anya's hands were trembling, and she clutched the posy that Millie had pushed into her hands moments ago, thankful for the girl's thoughtfulness. Her heart leapt as she looked up and saw Tiernan's face, saw the raw emotion playing on his features as he watched his bride approach.
Anya
Tiernan's breath caught in his chest as he saw Anya approach. She was beautiful, even more so because of the smile on her face.
Tiernan smiled at her and held out his hand as she approached. She took it with a strong grip.
"I love you" he whispered to her as San started the ceremony.
Tiernan
San smiles genuinely as he sees Tiernan and Anya looking at each other with love.
"Nobles of the Grand Lodge of Lunaria, we are gathered here today, in the courtyard of our magnificent new temple, to celebrate the marriage of Tiernan Fionn, and Anya Merry."
San smiles and looks at the two in front of him.
"We all know of what these two have shared. A dynamic relationship at times, but I don't think that anyone could claim that they do not love each other, and that they are not ready to take this step, and be married in the prescence of the Twilight."
As the light shone down by Luna's grace, San smiles yet again.
"Do either of you have anything you want to say, or do, before I pronounce the vows?"
San
San sees that no move is being made, and move on with the ceremony. Plenty of time for speeches afterwards.
"Well then, moving on..."
San turns to Tiernan.
"Tiernan Fionn, do you take this woman, Anya Merry, to be your wedded wife, for better and worse, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live? D you promise to love her as the twilight, above all others and with your whole heart?"
San turns to Anya.
"And Anya Merry, do you take this man, Tiernan Fionn to be your wedded husband in full view of Luna, do you promise to stay with him, through good times and bad, in spite of what obstacles might appear?"
San waits for them to reply.
San
Anya listened to San, her eyes never leaving Tiernan's face. The flood of emotions was making her feel weak, but she drew strength from him.
"...in spite of what obstacles might appear?" San asked.
"I do," she said softly, gazing deep into to Tiernan's eyes.
Anya
Tiernan's heart leapt as Anya said I do. He paused for a moment when she had finished.
"Anya, I love you with all my heart," he began.
Tiernan could not think of anything else to say.
"I do," he said with a smile beaming across his face.
Tiernan
It was beautiful, absolutely beautiful. He'd never seen one before, or anything like it. He was silent, for the first time in a long time. A lonely tear dropped to the top of his cheek, quickly brushed and hidden away. But it had left its mark upon his heart. He looked at the girl next to him, What was her name?.... He looked at the lovers taking their vows. Still, he was too young and stupid, to realize what he was missing. But deep down he knew, in the place that was quickly brushed aside and hidden away. Deep down he knew,
"and they lived happily ever after," he whispered so quietly you couldn't hear it if you had your ear to his mouth... because it seemed right, even if it wasn't the end of the story.
Donnie
Brian stood up and walked towards where the couple stood.He moved towards Lady Anya and bowed.
He held her hand and kissed it.
"My brother is a lucky man," he said as he smiled.
Then he turned to his brother. They embraced.
"You have finally found rest Tiernan. I just wish Tadhg had been here to see this," he said quietly to his brother.
"So do I," said Tiernan as he thought of his dead brother.
Brian turned and walked slowly out of the temple.
A tear ran slowly down his cheek.
Brian
As the stream of well-wishers flowed past the couple, laughing and smiling and congratulating, Anya watched Tiernan out of the corner of her eye. Silhouetted by the moon, which had risen just as they were wed, he looked happier than she had ever seen him.
As his brother came up and whispered in his ear, a shadow crossed his face for just a moment. There was a bond between those two which instinctively understood she must never weaken. She thought of her sisters, continents away, and felt she knew something of what must be between Brian and Tiernan.
Her wool-gathering was interrupted by San, who was standing on a bench and loudly calling for the attention of everyone present.
Anya
San looked at the assembled crowd. Quite a few people hadn't said much, and he was dissappointed that Ziode and Marelda hadn't showed up for the ceremony. But he was happy for Anya and Tiernan, if a bit tempted to just cut the ceremony short and tell them to get a room.
"Everyone! If I could have your attention, then there are a few things I would like to say."
San gazed at Tiernan and Anya, happy together.
"We all know that the lodge is a small place. Here we live all together as nobles sharing a community spririt. Relationships grow amongst the people here... and we are gathered here to celebrate the great relationship that has grown between Tiernan and Anya, two very nice people. I have had the very good fortune to be friends with them both; Tiernan from the very first days of my own arrival in the Lodge as a new TL, and Anya from the time not long after me when she joined us.
Though the times have not always been easy; indeed, Masahakon comes to mind, particularly for me, their relationship has withstood the test of time. Though not a priest myself, I have had the great honour of marrying them today, in the sight of you all."
San raises his glass to the crowd.
"And so, I propose a toast. To Tiernan and Anya! May your days be long and happy together!"
San drains his glass of Capashin ale, imported for the occasion. Hearing the cheers and claps from the assembled crowd he steps down, and goes to talk to the newly married couple. There are a few others he should probably talk to as well, but for now, drink and be happy. Never was the old saying more apt, or easy to do.
San
Tiernan sat beside Anya at the feast. It was a beautiful spread,with food from all over Lunaria, and even some brought in from outside by Traders.
It was magnificent, a time for celebration. Nearly all the nobles were here. Though there was one notable absentee. Ziode was not there.
Tiernan looked at Anya, who was resplendent in her dress.
He found himself just staring at her for a long while. He smiled as an overwhelming sense of happiness filled him up.
He raised his glass slowly, saluting the gods who had been so kind to him.
Tiernan
Anya beamed at the assembled nobles over her remarkably frilly drink. She squeezed Tiernan's hand under the table, then stood and raised her glass. The crowd grew quiet and listened as she expressed her thanks.
Finally, she raised her glass and said, "To my husband. May our love only grow as we age together." She leaned over and kissed Tiernan soundly, a pink paper umbrella falling from her glass and spiraling soundlessly to the ground.
Anya
Despite everything that had happened, Ziode hadn't forgotten about the newly weds. Even though he hadn't shown up he sent a messenger to the gathering, with two other people each bearing gifts. A small box, a long one, and a barrel. The letter was short, but conveyed what he wanted to say.
Tiernan and Anya,
First I must apologize for not making it, but I have to keep my word, and I made this promise a while ago.
Second is the gifts. The wine is the finest in the Grand Lodge, and I figured the Lady would love the contents of the box for her. For you, I can think of no gift better than this right now. Consider it an upgrade to your staff. The two of you deserve so much more, and I can't give it, as much as I wish I could.
Congratulations, and may your love prosper and flourish for years, even beyond your lifetimes.
Your friend,
Ziode
The small box for Anya was a large assortment of colored umbrellas with varying patterns on them. For Tiernan was something else. It was the Twilight Lance. The last weapon Ziode had been keeping in the Twilight Fellowship.
Ziode
Excalibur with full battle gear arrives after few hours of riding at a stable outside the wedding ceremony of Tiernan and Anya, with two sturdy full armor henchmen following behind.
"Men, remove my armor quickly as it is not polite to wear full battle gear to a holy wedding. Wait for me here."
"Yes sir!"
Excalibur gracefully walk towards the wedding couple.
"Tiernan and Anya,
Firstly, I must apologise for my simple outfit. I couldn't wear my full battle gear to attend your wedding. As you all know war may be coming soon, I cannot stay long and must return to the front soon.
My warmest wishes for both of you. Congratulations and may both of you live happy ever after in each others arms. Your marriage is the first in our realm as I being the Duke of Ortedail. Both of you are good friends of mine and I feel I must give both of you my blessings personally. May Luna and Sol bless your marriage. I am sure everyone including our people will be enjoying such a joyful day. It will help to ease the tension on everyone.
Now, please excuse me for I must return to my post."
Excalibur retreats and leaves the wedding quietly.
Excalibur
Anya caught Tiernan's eye from across the room as he traded tall tales with an old friend. She looked meaningfully at the door, then rose and excused herself. She walked quietly out into the now still courtyard and sat in the shadows cast by the full moon. Laughter drifted on the night air, and she listened, fingers toying idly with the brooch Tiernan had given her, while she waited patiently. A few minutes later, Tiernan joined her. Hand-in-hand, the lovers slipped off into the night, watched only by Luna.
Anya
