Chapter 2. Royal wedding. Part 3.
While they were sitting a minstrel entertained the guests, by singing a ballad:
In days of old when dragons roamed the land
Four heroes rose to make their stand
Trevor the knight in armor green
Nelliasandra the mage with power unseen.
Luara the panther swift and bold
Wild cat-sith with claws so cold
The village cried in fear and pain
A black dragon brought the flame.
Through forests deep they rode so far
To face the beast beneath the stars
With spells ablaze and arrows fly
They fought the dragon side by side.
Blade and magic struck so true
Till the beast in darkness flew
Luara struck with deadly aim
Trevor stood through fire and flame.
Nelliasandra cast her might so bright
Grim danced through the endless night
Together strong they faced their fate
No time to rest no time to wait.
With spells ablaze and arrows fly
They fought the dragon side by side
Blade and magic struck so true
Till the beast in darkness flew.
With spells ablaze and arrows fly
They fought the dragon side by side
Blade and magic struck so true
Till the beast in darkness flew.
Nelliasandra paled and squeezed her fist, hiding it beneath her other hand. She remembered this ballad. She was one of the heroes, but first ballad was different. After all they did kill the dragon, but finishing blow was delivered by another. Their party leader Avone. But these days no one spoke about her. Even ballad was changed and did not mention her. Nelliasandra wanted to scream and complain, but it was Luara’s wedding. She came here to celebrate and be there on their friends happiest day. She calmed down and smiled when lionman prince entered the room.
Prince Tomlan entered the lavish wedding chamber with an air of regal confidence, his golden mane flowing behind him as he strode forward. He wore a richly embroidered tunic in shades of deep red and black, that perfectly complemented his powerful lion form.
His amber eyes glinted with intelligence and strength as they scanned over the gathered guests – noblemen, warriors, kings and queens, and even a few magical beings, who had traveled far to witness this momentous union between him and his beloved. The prince’s movements were fluid yet controlled, betraying years of martial training honed into every muscle beneath that proud exterior. He carried himself with an easy grace, despite the weight of expectations placed upon his shoulders.
As the wedding guests murmured in anticipation, a hush fell over the room as Luara made her grand entrance. The young beastwoman strode forward with graceful confidence, her lithe form draped in an elegant gown that shimmered like starlight.
Delicate jewels were woven into her hair, which cascaded down her back in dark silken waves. Feline ears twitched atop her head as she surveyed the assembled crowd with bright golden eyes – a picture of regal beauty that seemed to captivate all who beheld her.
Luara’s long tail swished behind her with each step, betraying hints of nervous energy, barely restrained beneath outwardly composed exterior. But there was no denying determination set in jaw line, nor love shining clear from depths of those mesmerizing orbs. The beastgirl reached the altar where Tomlan awaited, then turned to face him, her heart beating fast in her chest like the wings of a butterfly.
– I’m here, – she whispered softly yet firmly, voice carrying faint of tremor barely perceptible, even among closest friends and family gathered here to witness this momentous occasion.
Tomlan smiled warmly down at her, before replying equally low so only two could hear over whispers filling suddenly tense air around them.
– And I could not be happier you have chosen join me on this path ahead, my love, – he murmured tenderly, taking both hands between his own larger and calloused ones, then bringing knuckles lightly to brush soft cheek in gentle caress, filled with adoration and affection beyond mere words could ever express fully.
Luara leaned into his touch for brief instant, before stepping back slightly to meet his gaze of unwavering trust and faith shared between soulmates.
The ceremony began with an ancient incantation whispered by a hooded figure standing before the altar. The words seemed to weave through the air like strands of golden silk, binding Tomlan and Luara together in an unbreakable union.
As the priestess continued her spellcasting, soft lights began to flicker around them – glowing orbs that danced and twirled with ethereal grace. Each one represented a blessing from various spirits and deities, watching over this sacred joining of souls.
The guests fell silent in awe as the magic grew stronger, filling every corner of the chamber with an otherworldly glow. Even the very stones beneath their feet seemed to hum with power…a living testament to the love shared between these two unlikely partners.
Then it came time for vows, exchanged between bride and groom.
– I promise to stand beside you through all trials and tribulations come may, – Tomlan murmured softly but firmly, his deep voice resonating clear midst hushed atmosphere, now hanging heavy upon gathered crowd: – To protect, honor and cherish each day and remaining breath within these lungs.
Luara smiled up at him, then nodded once curtly, before responding equally low yet with unwavering certainty.
– And I shall walk path that fate has woven for us hand-in-hand, till very end itself if need be, – she replied tenderly, golden eyes shimmering in faint tears and unshed emotion, barely restrained: – To face whatever challenges that lay ahead together, as one united front against world itself, should it ever dare to stand in way of true happiness, awaiting just beyond horizon.
With those final words hanging tantalizingly in air between them, the priestess finished her incantation, with single decisive gesture, and suddenly all fell silent once more amidst sudden burst of magical energy, crackling through very fabric reality itself.
A collective gasp rose from assembled witnesses as they realized what had just transpired before eyes – this marriage blessed not only by mortals, but gods themselves now bound these two destinies together eternally.
Nelliasandra secretly brushed away a tear, flowing from her eye. Ceremony was beautiful and touched her heart. After the ceremony, guests were invited to festivities.
As the celebratory festivities began in earnest, Nelliasandra approached Luara with a warm smile gracing her face.
– Luara, – she pulled the panther-girl into a tight embrace: – I couldn’t be happier for you, on this most joyous day.
The two women held each other close for a long moment, before Nelliasandra drew back slightly, to regard Luara with fond eyes.
– You know, when we first met I never could have imagined how far our paths would lead us, – she mused wistfully, voice carrying hint of nostalgia beneath lighthearted tone: – And now here you are – not only united in love with the man of your dreams, but also set to rule alongside him as equals in all things.
Luara smiled radiantly back at her friend, before replying equally low yet filled with genuine affection.
– None of it would have been possible without your help, and help from our friends, – she replied tenderly, reaching up to clasp hands between own: – You’ve always believed me capable of greatness, even when I doubted myself most.
Nelliasandra squeezed fingers reassuringly, then leaned in to place quick kiss on cheek, farewell as others began calling both their names, to insist on dance among crowds now gathering momentum around them.
– Enjoy every moment of festivities dear heart, – Luara murmured conspiratorially, eyes glinting with mischief, hinting at future adventures yet come: – For I have no doubt this is only beginning, and many more wonders await us all.
With those parting words hanging tantalizingly in the air between friends, Luara turned back towards Tomlan, with renewed vigor ready to embrace whatever challenges lay ahead, hand-in-hand with her soulmate and support from her friends.
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