The Wedding Night

[Moonitic]

Don't get your hopes up yet, kids...they haven't left the reception yet. This is just to prepare for the "big event after the big event."

Willow slipped off early on in the reception & headed to her own chamber to care for Daphne & Nicholas. She fed the baby & after she put her down, she gave Nicholas a kiss. "I will not be long," she said as she slipped from the room.

As a lady-in-waiting, former or not, & as Moon's closest friend (other than her sister, who had her own duties to perform), Willow took it upon herself to hasten to Moon's room to prepare the bridal suite. Meekal's cottage, still a mess after the assasination attempt, would hardly do for their first night together. Besides, with the lack of a window, it would be chilly night indeed. "Even though they have each other to warm the bed," Willow noted with a giggle.

She carried with her the gown that Moon would wear that night, a gift she had secretly worked on for some time. She placed it in Moon's dressing area & closed the curtain. Then, she drew down the covers, spreading them neatly over themselves. She found it foolish to carry on with any of the traditions to ensure that their union would be fruitful, so she simply lit a few candles dipped in fragrant oils & placed them about the room. Anything to make it more pleasing to the couple. With a smile, she withdrew from the room & closed the door. She considered returning to the wedding, but she had strayed far too long from her own family this day. Instead, she returned to her chamber.

[Moonitic]

“I hope you don’t mind if we go back to your room,” said Meekal as he & Moon walked down the corridor from the banquet hall. “I never cleaned up after the…uh…attempt.”

“No, Meekal,” Moon mumbled, “that’s fine.” It beats a cave-in. Now that the wedding & festivities were over, and the wedding night at hand, one thought returned to plague her. In a proper wedding, the greatest gift a bride could give her husband would be herself in purest form, both body and mind. Thanks to the unfortunate events in the dungeon, Moon was no longer pure. Wracked with guilt, she truly felt she now had nothing to give. But knowing this made her all the more determined to provide to Meekal the greatest night of his life.

They reached her door and Meekal, who seemed to understand her silence, said, “It will be fine. I love you. ALL of you.”

She looked into his loving eyes & saw the truth there. The incredible love & devotion he had for her, even after all this time. She smiled, at once at ease. After such a long time of cringing at the sound of his voice or mention of his name, it amazed her that now both could give her such a feeling of peace. “Are you ready?” she asked as she put a hand on the door handle. He nodded, and she pushed it open. Before she could step into the room, Meekal took hold of her arm. “What?”

In response, he scooped her up into his arms, eliciting a scream from Moon. “I must carry you over the threshold. It’s tradition,” he replied with a grin.

“This really is not necessary,” Moon stated. She held onto the door’s frame and attempted to wriggle away.

“Wife, please. I insist. Obey your king,” he pointed out. She never listened to a king before, but maybe she would listen to a king who was also her husband.

Moon sighed, but smiled. She settled into his embrace and put her arms around his neck. “Oh, alright.”

“Good.” Meekal carried her into the chamber then put her onto her feet. Arms around her waist, he giggled. “You were starting to get heavy.”

“Oh…thanks.” Her arms dropped to her sides. She attempted to back away, but he held her close.

“Not so fast.” One of his hands moved to the back of her head to hold her steady for a kiss that put any thoughts of anything else out of her mind; a kiss so full of passion & love that it left Moon dizzy and breathless. No other time had she ever felt that way.

It’s getting late,” Moon whispered at last. “We should get ready for bed.”

“I thought you’d never ask,” Meekal murmured as he nuzzled into her neck. She squeaked at his advances, surprised & pleased at the same time. He released her after a moment and asked, “Do you need help?”

Moon giggled. “Not yet.” She turned from him and lifted her curtain of hair. “But you can unlace me.” His eager fingers made quick work of the cording that held her bodice tight, & she took a deep breath of relief. He attempted to peek at any flesh that might show, but the modesty panel behind the grommets yielded no reward. She smiled back at him then entered her curtained changing area, surprised to find a gown waiting for her there. Once behind the curtain, she let her dress drop to the floor & moved to the ornate chemise, slipping easily into it. It was a beautiful piece of clothing, ruffled at the neckline and cuffs, a thin material that was almost transparent. This fact made Moon blush. No man had ever seen quite so much of her, even on the ship after her rescue. That chemise was heavy, of proper weight to wear as a part of normal clothing. And in the cave, it had been pitch black when she & Arcon-

No! I will not think of that anymore!

But how could she not, with a child growing within?

[Moonitic]

She removed her tiara & grabbed a brush from her vanity, then ran it through her tangled curls. The events prior to & after the wedding had taken their toll on her hair. Moon wanted to look good to begin her new life…for her new husband.

“Are you well?” Meekal called. It sounded like he called from…the bed!

“I…yes,” she stammered, feeling her cheeks redden. “I will be right there.” Moon returned her brush to its proper place, then took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. She had nothing to be nervous about, so why did her hands shake so? Because this is real. No spell drove her into Meekal’s arms. Instead, she went willingly-for love. With that thought to strengthen her, Moon stepped from behind the curtain.

Meekal sat on the edge of the bed, its covers turned in waiting. He had stripped down to his shirt and breeches, the rest of his clothing folded neatly on a chair with his boots beside it. He stood as she re-entered the main room, his eyes wide as they fixed on her. She moved toward him in her bare feet and took the hand that he held out. “You’re shaking,” he whispered. Moon merely nodded as he took her into an embrace. “I’ve got you.”

“Never let me go.”

“Never.”

His lips fell onto hers and she gratefully accepted, throwing her arms around him as their kiss deepened in intensity. Without a pause, Meekal lifted her & laid her gently on the bed. He continued to shower kisses on her, even as he lay beside her. Though she felt his desire, the pure tenderness of the delivery warmed Moon. She reached up to slide her hand under his shirt, running a hand over his smooth, firm chest. “I love you, Meekal,” she whispered.

Meekal smiled, but did not reply. Instead, he gave her a gentle shove to push her onto her back & rolled on top of her, careful to avoid her belly. Using one hand to prop himself, he caressed her cheek with the other. Then, he stroked the hair back from her wide blue eyes. “I have always loved you.”

Moon blinked. “You have? But…”

“Shh…”

“No, but…”

He put a finger to her lips. She made a playful nip at him & finished. “When we met in the tower, you said you didn’t want to get married.”

“I didn’t,” he stated simply. She frowned, puzzled. “But the moment I first saw you, I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. And later, I met your heart. I wanted you…more than anything else on earth. Even my stones.”

“You ‘wanted’ me?”

“Oh, yes.” A hungry look came to his eyes.

“Meekal!” Moon blushed.

“I may be daft, but I’m not dead.”

“You,” she murmured, pulling him close, “are not daft.”

“I’m glad you noticed.”

[Moonitic]

He kissed her again and made her shiver from head to toe. She clung to him, and felt his heart race through the thin layers of fabric & skin. Then, the kiss ended. Moon opened her eyes in concern as he backed away to sit upright. He smiled at her as he pulled his shirt over his head. Moon held out a hand, & he helped her sit up as well. “Need help now?” Meekal asked, his gaze on her chemise.

“Oh, yes…”

The chemise lifted over Moon’s head & Meekal dropped it to the floor. He sat speechless at the vision before him. His reaction made her frown. Her body had already begun to change to make way for the baby, a change that left her feeling very self conscious. “Not what you expected, huh?”

“No…better.”

[Moonitic]

Meekal advanced on her and she lay back onto her pillows. With a tentative hand he stroked her cheek, down her throat to her bare shoulders. He paused & gave a shaky smile. All the while, his gaze never left hers. “I am yours now, m’lord. Do with me as you please,” Moon murmured, & in response to his hesitation took his hand and placed it upon her breast.

At first contact, Meekal inhaled sharply. Then, as he calmed from his initial shock, he realized how perfectly his hand fit her womanly curves. It seemed as though she really was made for him. The beautiful Lady Moon…Princess Buffy…his at last. And she chose him above all others. It made him feel elated, his heart soaring...as though his heart would explode from his chest. His body shuddering with every heartbeat, he kissed her & lowered himself onto her at last.

[Swordsman]

can't I just write "then they bopped like bunnies until morning"?

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist...

[Moonitic]

I will deal with you later.

For those who are curious, a private email version of the rest of the night will be available soon. As soon as I get up the courage to write it. And it will be a little more...entertaining...than "bopping like bunnies."

That said...

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this & all is mended-
That you have but slumb'red here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak & idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream.
Gentles, do not reprehend.
If you pardon, we will mend.

Puck, A Midsummer Night's Dream

[Iwant2bafencer]

Now Moon, you have to Finish Puck's speech!

And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck,
Now to 'scape the Serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long,
Else the Puck a liar call:
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.