All Things New: Chapter Thirty-Five

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CHAPTER THRITY-FIVE: THE CEREMONY

The ceremony was to take place in about a week or so, and Emerald Wingfeather counted down the days.

“Oh Arundelle. Just think! I’ll get to wear mama’s dress and those beautiful flowers in my hair, and then, oh! Me and Dralden will be together forever! It will be just wonderful!”

Emerald declared all this as her and Arundelle walked the streets of the marketplace, looking for a good food stand to get some items from for the ceremony. Arundelle smiled. “I’m happy your happy. You two make a very nice couple.”

“Oh, we make the best couple in the world!”

Ari laughed. “Let’s hurry. We don’t have a lot of time.”

This was how most days were now spent. Bustling. But it was not just the girls who were bustling.

“Hammer. Hammer!” Esben shouted, trying to hold up a piece of wood to make an arch for his sister. Dralden rushed up. “Here, Es, the hammer!”

“Thank you. Where is Artham?”

“I think Prince got into the flowers again.”

Esben moaned. “That darn dog!”

Dralden laughed. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”

“Sure,” Esben groaned.

“Esben. I told you to wait for me,” Artham said, helping his brother lift the giant piece of wood to make the arch.

“Emmy and her arches,” Esben murmured.

“Esben and his offers,” Artham dryly replied.

The week passed, and now Ari and Lize, Emerald’s best friend, were helping her get her dress on for the big day.

“Oh! I’m so nervous,” Emerald squeaked, her face covered with blushes and smiles.

“You look beautiful. There is no need to be nervous,” Ari said, with a kind smile.

“She’s right Em. Your gonna blow him away!” Lize said. Emmy giggled, blushing slightly.

“I hope you girls are right.”

Artham adjusted the collar of his vest, and Arundelle walked in. “So, you’ll be walking her down the aisle?”

“Yes. I am the oldest male in the family now. It’s my duty.”

Arundelle smiled slightly. “Oh, love. It’s so much more than duty.”

Artham looked at her with a somber look in his eyes. “I know.”

“Do you truly have peace about this?”

“Yes. I think. I don’t know. I know I made the right decision.”

“Then you should have peace.”

“Yes. I should.”

“Arthie!” Emerald shouted, rushing in. She looked beautiful. Her red ringlets were tied back, her makeup was done tastefully, and her dress, pure white with gold embellishments, was so simple but so royal. It was her mother’s dress.

“Emerald, you look beautiful,” Artham said, trying to smile.

Emerald smiled back. “Thank you!”

Artham offered his arm to his little sister, and she took it with a smile. “Thank you, Arth. Let’s go.”

Artham walked her down the aisle to her soon-to-be husband Dralden, with Esben standing behind him. He would be doing the ceremony. The music was playing. Emerald’s heart was pounding. But Artham seemed off. As he kissed Emerald’s cheek and handed her off to her husband, he watched Dralden for a moment. There was something terribly familiar about him.

Esben started speaking, and Artham took his seat beside Reginald. “Good practice for when Arthra gets older,” Reginald commented. Artham laughed. “Don’t rush me. This was hard enough.”

Reginald smiled. “Perhaps you know a bit of how I feel.”

Artham blushed suddenly. Then Reginald softly laughed. “No hard feelings, son. I would not have said yes if I didn’t think you were right for her.”

Artham smiled. But as Emerald kissed Dralden, sealing them together, Artham knew this was a cause of something. He didn’t know what, but he knew it would cause something.

If only he knew it would cause a great war.

Sooo...things are...in the words of Gandalf the Wizard..."now in motion that cannot be undone!"