Lady Gwendolyn descended the staircase, bedecked in gems and silks with her maidservant a few steps behind in. Before her was the court, spread out in brilliant colors and sparkling jewels, a long pathway to the thrones lay before her. In front of the thrones were the King and Queen, looking resplendent in purple and crimson, beside them, leaning around the throne to talk to someone, was a man whom she guessed must be her new husband as he was the only other person on the dais. She traveled through the room as his back remained turned to her, feeling nauseous and sick that her husband wasn't even looking at her so intent was he in his conversation. The impulse to run back to her and Al's clearing was at its strongest, and she felt sure that if so many eyes were not upon her she would run for it.
Stepping up to stand before the King and Queen, her husband-to-be still turned away and speaking in whispers to what she now saw was the King's Seneschal behind the throne, she curtsied.
"Lady Gwendolyn, you grace us with your presence," the King smiled benignly at her, handsome and kindly expression as he grabbed the arm of his son and pulled him around, "May I introduce your husband-to-be, Prince Alexander; Alexander your future wife the Lady Gwendolyn."
The man turned and she looked into very familiar and warm brown eyes and thought she would faint, sound rushed in her ears and it seemed as though the whole world was melting away as they gazed at each other, completely shocked.
"Now, I wish to see you share a dance so that you may get to know each other," somehow the King's voice managed to break through the spell as he shoved his son towards her, who nimbly caught her about the waist and pulled her the floor where they posed for the first step as the musicians started to play.
"Al…?" her voice was soft, unsure, and she felt as though she was in some kind of dream which was sure to turn into a horrible nightmare because nothing could possibly be this wonderful.
"My Gwennie…" his eyes were devouring her, his arm strong about her waist as they danced, "So you are my Lady after all…"
"Oh Al!" she could feel tears sparking in her eyes as joy and relief flooded her body.
"Shh," he said, smiling with all the happiness of the world, "No crying… we must try and get to know each other."
That made her laugh, "Yes, we must."
Up on the dais the Queen leaned over to the King, "You see? I told you that once he saw her they'd be fine."
"It's NOT the dress." the King grumbled.
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Never before had a bride and bridegroom looked so joyous as they kissed, the watching crowd cheering wildly as their Prince was married to a Lady of their own Kingdom! There were celebrations in the streets as the banquet and festivities went on in the castle. Mimes, jugglers, tamed animals, acrobats, musicians… there was nothing lacking in the spectacular feast that the royal family had laid out for this momentous occasion. Both the Prince and his new Princess bore it up nobly, no one else in the room even guessing how eager they were to depart from their feast to consummate the marriage.
To Gwendolyn's surprise (and some distress) her father broke down crying, tears of happiness for his daughter and sorrow for losing her. Looking embarrassed, her brother patted him on the back and threw a helpless look to his sister who shrugged and turned away so her father could recover himself without humiliation. She was very grateful that her older brother had been able to come back from the outskirts of their lands where he had been settling disputes in time for her wedding, even more so since her father was now left in very good hands.