Calanar-Merry Wedding
Ancelin stood in her chamber, butterflies looping in her stomach. Anya reached out to adjust her gown for her, straightening the moss green bodice and brushing a stray piece of lint from the gold embroidery that ran in delicate swirls around the neck.
Shel stood back and grinned at her sister. "You look lovely. Ziode is sure to be pleased." Ancelin smiled and reached to the rose tucked behind into her hair. Anya swatted at her hand. "Good grief Ancelin. If you keep that up it will fall out before you even get to the temple."
Ancelin sighed. "I'm sorry. It's just that this day has been so long in coming, I scarce believe it is real. I thought I was too old for nerves, but it seems I was wrong." She looked at her sister and asked "Were you like this the day you married Tiernan? "
Anya laughed and hugged Ancelin. "Every bride must feel like that, I think. I was all nerves, and the only reason I made it to the wedding was my maidservant, Millie, who was as steady as a rock." She smiled, a look in her eyes that bared her heart. To herself, she said "Gods, so much has passed since that day."
Gerard laughed as Ziode fumbled with a few last minute details of his appearance mostly out of nervousness. He wasn't sure if he was ready for this. He turned and glared at his friend. "You think this is funny? We'll see how much you laugh when it's your turn." Gerard looked taken aback and Ziode laughed. "I saw you with that maid the other day. Good luck with her." Gerard looked down, embarassed.
Sirus came running in. "Sir! There's someone here to see you."
Ziode didn't turn around. "Let them in."
"Eeep!" Ziode was on the ground now with someone's arms around him. It was his sister. "I'm so happy for you! I can't wait to see you at the temple. How big will this be? Huge? Really huge?"
Ziode forced his way up and started smoothing out his suit. It had taken a while to get everything right and now he was smoothing out the new wrinkles. "I never spread the word. I'm sure people will notice with the crowd at the temple, but I don't know many people here well enough to invite them all." His thoughts drifted to Ancelin for a moment, and he smiled. "I suppose I had better get going. If not, I might be late." He looked to Gerard, Sirus, and Lessa. "Let's go."
A carriage pulled into the temple courtyard, drawn by a pair of snow white horses with bells on their harnesses. A footman jumped down and opened the door. First stepped out the Lady Anya, Queen-in-exile of the Grand Lodge of Lunaria, wife to High Priest of the Twilight, but today, only the sister of the bride. Her silver-threaded hair was tucked into a net and her gown was simple. She turned to watch her sister, her face alight with pride, joy, and bittersweet remembrance.
Ancelin's tiny form was outlined perfectly in her gown, and Anya thought that she looked so fragile she might break. Her cheeks were petal pink, her dark lashes laying across them as she looked down to find the step. As the footman helped her down, he whispered something in her elfin ears and she flushed prettily. Creamy roses crowned her head, and her short-cropped hair curled softly about her face. She looked about the courtyard, then turned to her sister, her green eyes sparkling.
"Well, I made it this far."
Anya held Ancelin's hand, as she had when they were children, and they walked across the courtyard. Music drifted from the temple, and the soft murmur of voices.
She looked at her sister and whispered a prayer to the gods, to Luna, to any who would hear. Anya's marriage was one of great love and tenderness, but there had been too much pain and she asked the gods to spare her sister, to grant Ancelin only days of companionship and passion.
They approached the door, which was flanked by two men who looked as though they had been starched. She turned and leaned down to kiss her sister.
"May the gods smile on you, little sister," she said.
Seeing an acolyte hovering nearby, she motioned to him. "Is all ready?" she asked the young man. He nodded.
Anya tucked her sister's hand into the acolyte's, and Ancelin watched as she slipped between the guards and disappeared into the temple.
At an invisible signal, the little ensemble inside began a new tune. It was hauntingly beautiful, and as the song rose, Ancelin felt the acolyte nudge her. "M'Lady, this is your moment. Be blessed," he said.
Ancelin clutched her small bunch of roses and ivy and walked between the two guards. She didn't know why, but she was shaking, and felt certain that she was as pale as death. As she entered the temple sanctuary, her eyes adjusting to the light, she saw Ziode and everything else faded, the soaring music and her heartbeat roaring in her ears.
Ziode was waiting inside the temple as Ancelin's carriage pulled up. Lessa had pushed the coachman aside and rushed them there saying if her brother was even seconds late she'd kill him. Ziode had no choice but to stand aside and take the wild ride with him, Gerard and Sirus holding onto their seats for thjeir lives.
Inside Ziode looked around and could hardly believe everything. It was almost like a dream. There was some music played lightly as family and friends sat and watched. Ziode even saw some pride in father's eyes, and that lifted his spirits higher. Gerard and Sirus stood by the entrance to the temple partially as guards, and because they didn't want to sit in their already uncomfortable clothes. Ziode looked back and caught a grin from Gerard. Speaking softly to himself he muttered, "Here's the start of a new life."
Roleplay from Ancelin Merry (4 days, 6 hours ago) Message sent to everyone in your realm (32 recipients) Anya tucked her sister's hand into the acolyte's, and Ancelin watched as she slipped between the guards and disappeared into the temple.
At an invisible signal, the little ensemble inside began a new tune. It was hauntingly beautiful, and as the song rose, Ancelin felt the acolyte nudge her. "M'Lady, this is your moment. Be blessed," he said.
Ancelin clutched her small bunch of roses and ivy and walked between the two guards. She didn't know why, but she was shaking, and felt certain that she was as pale as death. As she entered the temple sanctuary, her eyes adjusting to the light, she saw Ziode and everything else faded, the soaring music and her heartbeat roaring in her ears.
At the changing music Ziode turned and saw Ancelin. She was beautiful. For a brief moment he expected to wake up in his bed, but that didn't happen. When she made it to the temple alter he looked at her and smiled brightly, taking in her image. He wanted to hold her hand, or something, but he stood still. Couldn't they have done something more private? He didn't know, but after the last bit of panic fled him everything felt alright. As the music faded there was nothing but silence for a long moment. He started to feel on edge again as he waited for someone, anyone, to say something.
The short moments of silence stretched on, and in those brief moments Ziode felt a first twinge of impatience. He wanted to sweep Ancelin away then and there and be done with it, but it would not be fair to anyone, and his calm took over once more and all was fine. Finally the priest cleared his throat to begin.
The priest cleared his throat and began speaking. Ancelin knew that it was so, because she saw his mouth move, but the words seemed to come from a great distance. She reached for Ziode's hands, because she needed an anchor. He held her small hands in his large ones and she felt that he needed her steadying as much as she needed his.
As the warmth of Ziode's hands passed to hers, the words of the priest grew loud and clear.
"...until the gods do ye part in death?" He was watching her. "I do", she said softly, her eyes never leaving Ziode's.
Anya watched as the solemn priest spoke his words of blessing over Ziode and Ancelin.
She watched as they exchanged their vows, Ancelin's face beaming as she softly spoke the words that bound her to Ziode.
She watched through tears as Ziode bent to kiss her sister, smiling to see Ancelin stand on tiptoes to return the embrace.
She watched as, hand in hand, they turned and faced the assembled crowd of loved ones and witnesses together, as man and wife. Pulling a handkerchief from her pocket, she turned her face away and blew her nose.
For the longest time, all eyes were on him and Ancelin and the only noise had been the priest. Once again time seemed to stretch and he wondered when it would end, and when he would hear something besides the monotone voice of the priest. Part way through he found his hands in Ancelin's. He smiled a bit wider using her for support in the waiting that would never end.
Finally, something new broke the silence. Ancelin's voice. It was soft but she was sure of herself. The priest repeated the words spoken to Ancelin to him. Ziode met her eyes and nodded. "I do." Two simple words that meant a new life, and it was one he would embrace.
After that wedding bands were placed around their fingers, and some applause began to echo through the temple. The priest looked at them and smiled. "You may now kiss the bride." Ziode drew Ancelin into his arms and kissed her passionately. The ordeal was ending with more applause and several cheers echoing through the crowd. It was all tuned out, even as the kiss ended. Ziode held his wife close and looked into her eyes for a few more long moments cherishing these first few seconds together in a new life.
Ancelin stood at Ziode's side, her fingers still entwined in his. Rose petals clung to her hair and skirts, thanks to the enthusiastic throwing of the young women in the crowd.
She turned to see Lessa shouldering her way through the crown, and nudged Ziode. "Brace yourself, husband," she murmured.
At the word husband, a chord was struck in Ziode and he smiled. His sister, herself now more than ever, approached them. "Congratulations! I'll be taking your gifts back to your home." She paused for a moment and grabbed their entwined hands lifting them up and stepping away as a new cheer came out. "Eeeeep! I have a sister!" Lessa threw her arms around Ancelin and smiled. "Get out of here before you get overwhelmed." Lessa began pushing her way through the crowded temple clearing a path for the newly weds.
Ziode looked at Ancelin and offered a nervous laugh. "Shall we?" He led her through the temple and to the entrance where Gerard and Sirus were thankfully keeping things under control. Once there he saw a messenger holding an extraordinary gift. It was from Lord TNaismith. Before Ziode or Ancelin could say anything, Lessa was there telling him to get it into her carriage. Then she pushed the two of them further out of the temple. He made a mental note to write a thank you to the Lord later on. In front a new carriage waited to take him and his wife away from the chaos of the temple, and Lessa was climbing into another carriage. Ziode flagged down Gerard and Sirus. "Please take over for her," he said pointing out Lessa. They nodded and hurried off. Once more looking to his wife, he smiled at the thought of her being married to him, he gestured to the golden carriage for them.
Ancelin clung to Ziode's hand as Lessa swept them up in a swirl, and before she knew what had happened, Ziode was lifting her into a beautiful carriage. He climbed in beside her and they were off.
She looked up at him. "Is that it? Is it done?" He laughed, then lifted her onto his knees and, wrapping his arms around her, kissed her soundly. Soon, the couple was caught up in the inconsequential small talk that is of great import to none but themselves. They didn't notice the carriage halt, until the door opened and one of Ziode's men leaned in.
"We're he...Oh! I'm sorry." He hastily shut the door. Ancelin giggled, as Ziode hastily called after the man and assured him that he hadn't interrupted anything untoward. She smiled to see her husband's outward composure, wondering if anyone else would notice how red his ears were.
With Ancelin already on his lap, Ziode saw no reason not to carry her out of the carriage. He set her down gently and took her hand as they headed inside their next stop. A restaurant had been rented out for a post clebration dinner. Inside there was food and people. A large calling of congratulations and cheers. The room was decorated with their family crests and all sorts of people began showing up, even those Ziode did not recognize. He laughed cheerfully as everything seemed to swirl around him.
Wondering when everything would quiet down he let Ancelin lead them around and watched as people began to settle as much as they could. It was getting to be a long day, but he had a new support to get through it, and he couldn't fail on her either. Ziode quickly realized that the carriage driver had taken them on a longer route here for so many to arrive ahead of them. He wanted to thank the driver for the extra private time, but there was no chance at the moment. The first of many guests were approaching them.
Ancelin sat beside Ziode at the head of the room, her heart and belly full, and a fresh cup of wine at hand. The gathered crowds were clearly enjoying themselves, and beginning to get loud. Ancelin was hoping that they could sneak away before the jokes got bawdy.
Leaning over, she whispered as much in his ear, trying not to blush as she did.
Ziode laughed a bit and whispered to Ancelin, "Not without a distraction, or we'll be caught." Ziode looked around for a moment and saw Gerard. He waved to him to get him to come over. Ziode grinned with a gleam of mischief in his eyes.
Gerard approached him. Upon seeing the gleam he stopped. "What are you thinking sir?"
Ziode's glance turned to Lessa's. "Fifty percent more pay this week if you go up to LEssa acting drunk and tell he she can't drive a cart properly if her life depended on it."
Gerard, his friend and guard, stared at him for a moment and tried to determine if Ziode was drunk or not. Not seeing a change in mannerisms he nodded. "A distraction? Sounds good to me." He looked at Ancelin and grinned. "Take your lady away from here and enjoy yourselves."
A few moments passed and suddenly a loud yell carried out through the crowd. "I can so drive a cart! I just wanted to make it here in time!" "Yeah, right! You could have killed all of us the way you drive!" "No one said you had to ride!! You could have walked!"
Thanks to the yelling of Gerard and Lessa, people turned from their business to make sure a fight didn't break out. Ziode took Ancelin's hand and led her out the back. He laughed once outside. "Let's go. The carriage should be just around the corner of the house." Ziode had to admit, this was one of the easiest times he'd had sneaking out of somewhere. The Lunarian palace, when he was Pontifex, was much more difficult.
