Marital Preparations

[Iwant2bafencer]

Wooden Bob was walking . . . alright he was stumbling through the hallways, trying to find his way around the castle. Of course it didn't help that everything was moving, and for some reason it was all a little blury as well.

When Meekal had come to ask him to be his worst man . . or was it best man? He didn't remember what it was called one because he had passed out soon after, and two because well he didn't know the other reason, just that there was one. Once he had come to and with a great effort managed to get onto his stool once more, Steve asked why he wasn't over at the castle for the wedding. After a long explanation of what a wedding was, he got off of his stool and made his way to the castle. Where he got lost.

He was trying to figure out which hall to go down, because he saw two when there was only one, when all of a sudden, a statue fell into him.

"AH!" He cried, "Moving statues!"

"For Craig sake Bob it's me." Rosaline grumbled.

"AH! Talking Statues!" He cried again.

"I'm not a statue, I'm perfectly human." She replied.

"Well then what were you doing standing like a statue?" He asked.

"I . . oh nevermind. What are you doing up here?" Rosaline question.

At this question, wooden Bob grabbed a wall.

"Up here? How high are we?!" He asked.

"The second floor." Rosaline told him, beginning to get a little agrivated.

"Wow . . . that's high." He gulped.

"I don't have time for this." Rose began moving down the hallway again.

"Wait! Bob swayed, waited a second for the room to stop moving, and then followed her.

"Lost I'm think I." He slurred.

"What?" Rose stopped and turned to look at him.

"Don't you speak english?" Bob asked.

"Yes I do, I simply don't speak drunk english. Mind translating?"

"Lost am I."

"Alright Yoda." Rose rolled her eyes.

"No, I'm Bob." He nodded with confidence, and then stopped to think if that really was his name.

"Where are you trying to go?" She grumbled.

"Erm . . what's it called. The thing, you know where that person and the other person get together, and never leave . . . that would rather be dull."

"The wedding?"

"That's it! That's the one!"

"Go down these stairs and follow the corridor to the end, you can't miss it." She told him.

"Well I know I can't miss it! That's why I'm in a hurry!" He looked at her like she was daft.

"Look I'm in a hurry as well Bob, if you'll excuse me." She began to move off, but he grabbed her arm.

"Swell! We'll go together then!"

"No Bob you don't . . I'm going the other . . Gah!"

Bob yanked on her arm and dragged her towards the stairs.

"NO! The other stairs!" Rosaline cried when they headed straight for a wall.

"Well why didn't you say so?" Bob turned, nearly slamming Rose into the wall and began his stumble down the stairs.

[Iwant2bafencer]

After a very difficult time of getting away from wodden Bob, Rosaline had began to back track up to Moon's room for at least the fourth time that day. She was brushing off her simple light blue dress from the dust Bob had gotten on it, when a guard came sprinting toward her from the other end of the corridor.

"Oh what now? All I want is to get Moon this token, get to the wedding, and then sleep. Is that too much to ask?" She asked no one.

"My Lady!" The guard called, waving his arms.

"Yes, what is it?"

The guard came to a skidding stop, gasping for air.

"It's the Lady Moon, she . ." he gulped in air.

"Yes I know, she's getting married. Which is the reason I am in a hurry. Excuse me." She turned to go passed him.

"No, wait!" He grabbed her arm.

"I was making my rounds and when I got to the garden I heard raised voices, and . ."

"Get on with it sir, I'm in a hurry." Rosealine snapped impatiently.

"Yes my Lady." He took another deep breath. "Lady Moon has been kidnapped." He stated.

"Again?" Rosaline asked.

The guard looked confused.

"Nevermind, do you know where they went? How many were there?" She asked.

"It was one man, I believe I heard the other men call him Tellurine. They went back into the castle to the east wing."

"That blasted man." Rosaline huffed. She stood thinking for a time. "Thank you, go back to your post."

"but my lady, shouldn't we . ."

"I'll handle it, back to your post."

The guard bowed and left.

Rosaline stood for a moment longer thinking, then turned round and ran towards where the wedding was.

"I love my life." She sighed as she ran.

[Zelda]

Moon dearest, I have been a regining monarch longer, thus in my kingdom, my word is go....besides, I said harmless!!!!

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Zelda was watching the goings on with interest. Sometimes it was nice to be an innocent bystander and not have to worry about anything. Although she wished they would hurry up with the ceremony, this dress was starting to annoy her and she had heard a rumour that latenight had FINALLY come out of whatever it was that he was in, and was causing havoc in her chambers. Why he couldnt just go back to his barge and report for work in the morning was beyond her, but then again it was probably beyond latenight as well. He was a good lawyer, but had a tendency to womanise and be vague. Forgiveable qualities most of the time, but now with the threat from the Russ he was going to have to pull his socks up, literally and figuratively.
She turned as there was a commotion in the back of the hall. Tellurine had appeared with a large sack that had a pair of feet poking out of the open end.
"He didnt did he?" Zelda wondered out loud, "Oh dear he did...." as Moon appeared, dusty and disgruntled from the sack. "What is it with men and LOGIC?" she muttered to herself, as she rushed, along with Willow to Moon to brush her down before being walked down the aisle.

[Swordsman]

The last thing Meekal wanted was to be drunk when he got married, and with the attitude of the gypsies, that was beginning to look like an increasingly difficult eventuality to avoid.

And then, just as he didn’t think he’d be able to push away all seven tankards currently being shoved in his face, burlap intervened. For a moment, he was grateful. And then it occurred to him that a burlap bag over the head was probably not such a good thing, at which point he began to struggle. His legs, however, quickly deserted him, and he felt his wrists being bound, as the sounds of a fight erupted around him. Somebody threw him over their shoulder, and he quickly felt the cool night air.

Just like earlier in the evening he lost track of where he was going or how far it was in various twists and turns; instead, he spent the time contemplating the fact that this was his second kidnapping in just a few hours…he was beginning to understand how his fiancée must feel. Speaking of which…

“Hey! I’m going to be late for my wedding! Come on…kidnap me if you want, but at least don’t make me leave her waiting at the altar!” No sound in response.

Finally he was thrown down, cringing and bracing for the impact. The landing felt like a mattress however. And then…somebody began removing his clothes. He started kicking, until something cold and sharp touched his neck. A second knife unbound his hands.

And then…somebody began replacing different clothes. His hands were quickly re-bound, and he was hoisted again

More twists and turns. Some more night air, and then the warmer air of indoors again. He was set on his feet.

A hand locked onto the back of his neck, preventing him from moving his head. The bag came quickly off, and the door in front of his nose opened to reveal…

Moon?

Moon, in a wedding gown. And off to the side, a lot of people.

And he was still in dirty, mussed clothing, probably stained with and smelling of ale and whatever that vile green stuff was.

A downward glance, however, revealed otherwise – a finely pressed and tailored dress suit.

A glance over his shoulder failed to reveal his captor, and so he turned his attention back to his bride-to-be, not noticing the Swordsman slipping quickly into a seat near the back.

[Moonitic]

See if you get invited to the coronation! NO MESSING WITH MY MINIONS!
That said...
************************************************** *******

Moon rubbed at her wrists to get the blood flowing in them again. "Tellurine," she whispered fiercely, "what is the meaning of this? And where is Meekal?" She adjusted the crooked tiara on her head, further mussing up her hair. When the women moved forward to dust her off, she swatted at them. "Stop that!" Someone had a lot of explaining to do, & she really was not in the mood to have people fuss over her. Zelda & Willow shrugged at one another, then hurried back to their seats.

Tellurine rolled his eyes. "I only do what I am told Your Highness. I know nothing else." He attempted to hold in a snicker. Out of all the times that he had taken her, this time, she seemed to look the worst. Not bad, if he did say so himself. Too bad he didn't get a chance to drop her in some mud too.

Moon frowned. Surely Meekal would have been there, waiting for her. What if he got tired of waiting? What if this time, the groom ran away? Everyone looked at her. Stared, really & she felt that horrible urge to bolt again. She began to back up, but Tellurine's hand went to her arm. He muttered something in her ear. Then, she heard the sound of hinges in the dead quiet. A door in front opened to reveal...Meekal. And he looked as confused as she did.

"Let's get this over with," Tellurine muttered. He released her, & offered his arm. "Take it." When she did not, giving him a nasty glare instead, he shrugged. "Suit yourself." Then, Tellurine, giver of the bride, began to push the princess down the aisle toward the altar & the groom. The musicians attempted to keep up, playing what was supposed to be an enchanting melody in far too fast a tempo. When they reached the surprised groom, Tellurine grabbed Moon's hand, then Meekal's. "Here. Take her," he said flatly, slapping their hands together. Before he turned to make his way back up the aisle to find a place to sit & sulk, he shoved her into her beloved's arms.

They stared at one another for a moment, then at the entire congregation. "Uh, hi..." Meekal whispered.

"Yeah," Moon said. She picked a piece of straw that had been in the bag with her out of her hair. "We'll talk about this later," she added.

I can hardly wait, thought the groom. Just Meekal's luck. Cut off before he ever got to learn what he was missing. Meekal stifled a sigh.

[Willow]

This wedding was definitely going to be the "most talked about" events of the year. If they actually pulled it off, Moon was going to be the new Queen of Muu. Wow....times have changed. Moon would have killed herself before allowing herself to be married, especially to Meekal. Both Meekal and Moon had grown up a lot in the past year. On the other hand...some things never changed.....

[Moonitic]

"Well..." Brother Emmanuel glanced at Friar O'Malley, who simply shrugged at the oddness of the situation. Alone and in charge, a dangerous combination, Brother Emmanuel began. "I assume 'dearly' beloved, we gather here on very short notice to witness the joining of Princess Buffy of Schoolcraftia to Prince Meekal-"

"Uh, King..." Meekal stated quietly.

"Oh, right." Brother Emmanuel cleared his throat & tried again... "Princess Buffy of Schoolcraftia to King Meekal of Muu in holy matrimony. A decision not to take lightly, but to enter into after long, hard consideration." He raised his eyebrows at the princess, who raised hers right back at him. "A union as old as the human race itself. A union so precious, so wonderful, and so mysterious that no man could ever fully understand..." I know I never will... "But love is what brings us together today. Love. True love. Unending love. Love which lifts us up where we belong. After all, all we need is love..." The sound of someone clearing their throat, Friar O'Malley, cut in. "Princess Buffy and King Meekal have chosen this day in front of these witnesses to profess their love to one another. There is no going back from whence they go. Their word is their bond, their covenant, to love one another without ceasing, forever & ever & ever..." Without meaning to, the couple gulped. "Even in pain & hardship, & oh...there will be pain & hardship..."

"Brother Emmanuel?" Friar O'Malley whispered. By the look in his eye, he looked like he would kick the officiant soon.

"That being said," Brother Emmanuel continued, to the crowd's annoyance, "we begin." Everyone let out a sigh of relief. Then, he spoke again, "But first, whosoever believes that this young couple should not enter into this union...whoever believes they should WAIT to marry, or not at all...speak now, or forever hold your peace."

No one said a word. Meekal & Moon glanced at one another, smiling. Ken-Dall first smiled at Darion, then Willow. The gypsies smiled at one another. Senyik smiled at Nækos, but received a dark frown instead. Senyik shrugged, & went on smiling anyway, pointing one in Zelda's direction. A feeling of peace finally settled into the room.

Brother Emmanuel, a little disappointed, spoke up, "In that case....."

[Iwant2bafencer]

Rosaline skidded around a corner, plumeted down some stairs, then sprinted down yet another hallway. She then proceeded to run straight passed where the ceremony was to be held, slid to a stop, and ran back to the doors.

The room was silent as Brother Emmanuel began to speak once more.

"In that case . .: It was then the two large doors in the back of the room suddenly burst open with a bang that echoed throughout the room.

Rosaline burst through them, sliding to another stop.

"Moon's been . ." her jaw dropped as she looked up at the altar, she sighed. "kidnapped," her face then became an extremely dark shade of red. She cleared her throat, and straightened up. "Please Brother Emmanuel, continue."

She ducked her head, hidding her face with her hand and hair. Quickly she moved over to a seat on the end next to the gypsies.

Brother Emmanuel looked around and then continued. "In that case . . Love is a never ending circle that . ."

"Get on with it!" The assembly cried.

[Swordsman]

Mawwaige. Mawwaige, is what bwings us, togetha, today. Mawwaige, that bwessed awangement. That DWEAM within a DWEAM...

[Iwant2bafencer]

Love is a many splendid thing. Love lifts us up where we belong, all you need is love.

[Darion McNair]

Man and Wife! Say 'Man and Wife'!!

[Moonitic]

Moon stood beside Meekal, her eyes fixed on Brother Emmanuel, but her brain not registering any of his words. She was doing it. She was really going through with the wedding. How crazy, wonderful, frightening & very real it all was. She didn't even mind Brother Emmanuel's droning, though she did blink at him a time or two when he made reference to "absent friends." Obviously meaning her parents. Well, she'd have to deal with them when the time came. Until then, she could just enjoy herself with her new husband. Her new husband...amazing. She snuck a glance at Meekal, who was staring at her. The way he did so made her realize that something was not quite right. Brother Emmanuel stared at her as well.

"Ah, Princess?" the holy man said. "We are waiting."

"What?" Moon looked at him, confused for a moment. Then, the realization hit her. "Oh! Yes...I do." Behind her, an entire room full of people sighed with relief. Next to her, the biggest sigh of all.

"And do you, Prince -er King - Meekal, take Princess Buffy as your lawfully wedded wife?" Brother Emmanuel posed the question to her intended.

Without a moment's hesistation, Meekal said, "I do!"

"Well then..." muttered the officiant. "Have you the ring?"

The ring! Meekal began to panic. He didn't get a ring! What would he do? He had no ring to give his bride. Her finger would be naked & it would be his fault! He glanced around, wondering where his best man was. Nækos had to help. He was the only one who could!

[Swordsman]

Have you...the wing?

[Swordsman]

Nækos stood, slowly, and moved into the aisle, walking up to the ceremonial trio. He still wore all black, but now he wore almost new-looking boots, the clothes were well-fit and not patched, and Tæbryn had even convinced him to hang the Talruum sabre from a blood-red sash.

He walked slowly, looking almost regretful, or perhaps ceremonious. Stopping a foot or two from Meekal, he reached down into the front of his tunic and pulled out a fine silver chain, then unclasped it from around his neck, sliding it out of the ring that hung on it. It too was silver, thin but elaborately wrought, with tiny jewels of varying colors set here and there in it. He hesitated but a moment with it in his palm, then handed it to Meekal, whispered a few words in Russic, bowed, and retreated again.

[Moonitic]

oy...& I thought I'd make it through this wedding without getting all weepy.

[Moonitic]

Meekal stood there for a moment, ring in hand, staring at his best man's back. What gift had he bestowed upon Meekal? Surely it meant something of great importance to him. Yet now, he was giving it up. Moon watched as well, blue eyes welling with tears. Despite their arguments, & despite how infuriating Nækos could be, she felt a surge of love for him in that moment. They would thank him for this...someday.

In the silent hall in front of all their friends, they turned slowly back to Brother Emmanuel. He took it without a word, & blessed the ring that would become their reminder of this day & the vows they made. Then, he returned it to Meekal, with his instructions. "Place this on her finger & repeat after me." Meekal nodded & took Moon's left hand. He had great difficulty threading the ring onto her finger, as both his hands and hers shook, wet with perspiration. This was it. No going back now.

Finally, the ring was in place & Meekal made his vow.

Zelda sat, watching the proceedings, a little misty eyed herself. She glanced down at her own band, remembering happier times. So much had changed since that glorious day. So much had changed. She only hoped that Moon & Meekal's marriage would prove far different from her own. But gazing at them in that moment, their eyes so lovingly on one another & no one else, she had the strange feeling that it would.

Meekal's vow made, Moon caught his fingers in her own to give them a tight squeeze. She smiled at him, & began to recite her own, vowing to love him & honor him forevermore, her voice soft yet strong.

A few moments later, in a swirl of emotion, Brother Emmanuel mopped at his eyes with his sleeve. "Oh, princess...your parents would be so proud," he nearly sobbed. Friar O'Malley stood, then put his arm around the man. This seemed to give the other man strength, & he managed to finish. "You have made your vows in token and pledge, & are henceforth & forevermore husband & wife." Then, he positively broke down.

Meekal looked to Moon. Moon looked to Meekal. That was it. They were done. Despite some shaky moments, they did it. They got married! They stood there, staring at each other, not quite sure what to do. The audience sat as well, also unsure, as Brother Emmanuel sobbed into Friar O'Malley's shoulder. The kindly friar smiled over his collegue's head. "My dear boy, please kiss your bride!"

"I never thought this moment would happen," Meekal whispered.

"You & me both," Moon returned.

Then, they kissed.

[Moonitic]

It was a simple kiss, but one soft & full of the love that they both shared in that moment. Then, they broke apart at the great eruption of noise from the audience. Red faced & arms around one another, they smiled at their friends, who had jumped to their feet, cheering in celebration.

"Finally!" Willow sighed, fanning herself.

"It's about time!" Ken-Dall called, hugging tight to Darion.

"Can I go now?" Tellurine muttered grumpily

"No, now comes the best part. The party!" Wooden Bob slurred, his arm suddenly around the Muuvian minion. "C'mon...I'll buy ye a drink!"

"They're free," Tellurine stated.

"Even better!"

[Zelda]

My attempt to post which the puter ate this morning....
1st. Ok Moon, he wont be a fire ball but can he please be the Aunt Sally at the next fair? He is such a big drip!
************************************************** ********
This goes after Moon arrives, before Swords but somewhere in between and after the rest of Moons posts. (If that makes any sense whatsoever)
************************************************** ********
Zelda and Willow rushed to try and brush Moonitic down as she emerged from the burlap sack. As they were swatted awayZelda sighed and made her way back to her seat with Willow. "Male logic, what possesed him?" Zelda muttered as she re-took her seat near the front of the hall.
Willow shrugged, "Its Tellurine, since when does he make sense?"
Zelda smiled and nodded, "Good point."
As she took a final look at Monitic Zelda sighed "Her mother would have a blue fit if she knew she was getting married looking like that."
"Looking like what?" Willow was slightly distracted.
"Like that!"
Willow took in Moonitics mused hair, the skew tiara, and the slightly dusty dress and grinned, "Yes she would BUT at least Moon can now say she got married looking how SHE wanted!"
At this comment both of them smiled and looked expectantly back down the aisle.
The music started up. Instead of a graceful soothing sound, it sounded like march being played at double time through a burlap sack. Zelda shot a look of annoyance at the band counductor, who shrugged and pointed at Tellurine, who was prodding Moon down the aisle. As he reached Brother Emmanuel he shoved Moonitic into Meekals arms and slopped off to sulk, glaring at Zelda and Willow as he passed.
The wedding itself seemed to drag, at least until Brother Emmanuel finally remembered WHY they were there and started the actual vows.
As he asked for the rings there was silence, and a startled look on both Meekal and Moons face. Just as Zelda was getting ready to remove her own ring to give to the couple, Naekos saved the day. She made a mental note to herself to thank him later. Also to corner Moon at the reception and have a good look, as the ring itself, from what she could see, looked stunning.
Finally Brother Emmanuael pronounced them Man and Wife, and promptly took off to raid the wedding buffet.
Moon and Meekal kissed, and turned, surprised at the outpouring of emotion coming from the audience.
"SILENCE!!!" Zelda bellowed, standing up on her chair to get everyones attention.
The crowd fell silent, Moon glared at the Queen, silently cursing her for interrupting her moment.
"I would just like to say congratulations to both Meekal and Moon. Finally Moon, we have managed to have a celebration in which you were not kidnapped, drugged or variously indisposed in other ways. Meekal, you had better look after her, or you will have to answer to me. And now lets PARTY!!!" at this the Queen jumped off the chair and snapped her fingers. A dozen servants rushed in and removed the chairs, replacing them with tables, chairs and gorgeous floral centrepieces. The food and drink was moved into place, and the party to end all parties had begun.

[Crin Dalmeiier]

"Party?" Even from where he was slumped against a wall two hundred feet away and outside the room, Lorvas heard the mating call of the gypsy. "Kennt! Kennt! She said 'Party!'"

Kennt, who was quite far from sober, looked blearily at his brother. "Party?" he managed, lifting his head from where he was sprawled across the corridor. Even the most smashed of gypsies will recognize that word, after all. And it required only one response: "Where?"

"It came from this way," Lorvas replied, and pulled at his brother, practically dragging the tall, injured man to the group. By the time they entered, Kennt was walking on his own, despite the injured leg.

Talmour spotted the "Dastardly Duo" before any of the other gypsies, and although the guy loved a party, knew trouble when he saw it. However, he had his hands full--it looked as though Rosaline was tearing up at the ceremony, and this was his chance to play the considerate gentleman. He offered her a tissue as he leaned over and hissed, "Head 'em off!" to his sister Shela.

She made a beeline for the drunk brothers. "Uh-uh," she said as the guests began to mingle. "This is the high-class party. You had your fun earlier. Go sleep it off."

"But--but--" Lorvas couldn't think of a good excuse, so Kennt piped up (in a moderately drunk voice), "We made up a song for the happy couple!"

All motion stopped at this. "You...you made up a song?" Crin asked slowly, wisely dreading any song written by a gypsy. After all, she'd heard "I May Be a Tiny Chimney Sweep, But I Have An Enormous Broom" way too many times to count--all eighteen verses, even though in actuality it only had three. "Please, please don't sing it!"

"No, no, no," Lorvas assured her quickly, swinging his arms wide in a manner that did not suggest sobriety. "It's quite good--in't it, Kennt? In fact, why don't you start?"

Kennt hiccuped rather helpfully and reached for a glass of wine. "All right," he slurred when he had taken a healthy swig. Opening his mouth widely, he sang (not quite off-key, and not very quietly), "There once was a Princess named..."

"Buffy," Falcour supplied.

"Buffy," Kennt continued without pause, "who married a prince--"

"King."

"King named Meekal! He was daft and she was blonde!"

"Oh, I don't like where this is going," Shela muttered to Mitch under her breath, but it looked as though Kennt wasn't going to stop any time soon.

"Oh, yes," he continued singing. "Fair of skin and fine of hair! Ne’er a better woman! But she was always getting kidddddddnapped! Tally-ho, tally-ho, tally-ho-what?"

This phrase, which was quite popular in any gypsy song, was echoed by the gypsies in the room, all swinging their hands like they had tankards.

"And Meekal," Lorvas continued, catching the tune, "you couldn't meet a nicer lad! But you could sell him back his shirt for twice its worth. Tally-ho, tally-ho, tally-ho-what?"

"Tally-ho, tally-ho, tally-ho-what!" More people were starting to catch on now.

“Now, I tell you—there couldn’t be a finer future!” Now it was obvious that Lorvas was really lacking for words, for he hummed a bar or two before chirping, “Why, she’ll get kidnapped twice a year and he’ll go after her every time, but that’s just fine folks! Tally-ho, that’s love, tally-ho!”

“Please,” somebody said in a strangled voice, “tell me you didn’t actually stop and think to write that out?”

Kennt beamed proudly at the terrible creation. “Why, it’ll be a gypsy classic! The Ballad of Meekal and Moon, we’ll call it! Want to hear the second verse?”

“NO!” was the unanimous shout.

The brothers were unfazed. “Great. We’ll just help ourselves to some drinks, and teach you some of the good songs, then. And sing them properly, of course.”

Crin groaned. “We’re going to be here all night…”

[Zelda]

"Some one get those two out of here. "Zelda muttered to a guard who was lounging against the wall.
"Yes ma'm" he replied and sauntered of to gather reinforcements.