THE WEDDING


Lord Talomar was in his suite, dressed in a black tuxedo, dressed to the nine's. His valet, Philippe, attended to him, flicking off any spec of dust off Tal's tux, no matter how small. "It is time, m'lord,? Philippe said. ?The guests have already arrived and have been seated."

Lillia was fussing over the curls piled on top of Eiellanis head, making sure that they laid just right under the ivy and ribbon crown that secured the wisp of lace that served as Lani's veil. "Oh miss Lani.. you looks simply lovely!" The little maid dabbed at a tear with a crumpled handkerchief before moving to straighten the train on Lani's gown

"I pray that Eiellani is not too disappointed that Gavilean is not here. I'm sure that I'm more disappointed that she is, for Inara should be locked away in a cell by now. They have not escaped us, Philippe."

"I'm sure, m'lord; but now we must concentrate on the wedding. We should go to the chapel now. I've done all I can to keep Dominique away."

"Let's hope it works. I don't want a confrontation at this time." They left Talomar's suite and walked down the halls which were empty until they descended the huge marble stairway that brought them to the great entrance hall. There Talomar greeted several of the late arrivals. They continued to the chapel.

Lani nervously wrung her hands "Is it time yet Lillia? I don't want to keep Talomar waiting"

"Oh... yes we should be going to the chapel Miss." The little maid swept up the trailing end of the fur trimmed train, and ushered Lani out the door and towards the chapel. Lani was so nervous she could hardly protest at the brisk pace set by the maid.

At the chapel Talomar met the priest that he had recently employed. "Ah, Bishop Flannery, are you all set for the ceremony?"

"Yes, Lord Talomar," he replied with a bow, obviously nervous about this entire thing. "All is ready. Guests have been seated, the candles are lit. I did find some unusual markings behind the altar that I hadn't noticed before."

"You didn't touch them, did you?" Talomar inquired, his voice stern and demanding.

"No, sir. I was going to but I didn't have time."

"Just ignore them. Tomorrow Philippe will see that they are removed." Talomar had placed the signs there himself to try to keep Dominique away. The bishop retreated to the perceived safety of the chapel while Talomar waited at the door with Philippe for Lani and her maid to arrive.

Arriving at the door, the maid swiftly rearranges the train on Lani's gown to lay so one can note the detail of the roses embroidered on its length, the train which fastens to the shoulders of the gown trails a good six feet behind the young woman, the workmanship on the fine soft white velvet obviously the work of long years.

Lord Talomar turns and sees Lani and he is simply overwhelmed with her beauty. His eyes widen in both amazement and love. There is no doubt from the expression upon his face that he is totally pleased.

The gown itself clings lightly to the form of the woman within it, showing just the barest hint of the new curve of her midsection beneath its folds. The bodice had been embroidered with the same scarlet roses as the train and the whole, throat sleeves and hem trimmed in soft white fur.

"Look at her, Philippe. Isn't she the most beautiful woman you have ever seen?"

"Yes, milord. She is indeed an amazing beauty."

Eiellani blushed a crimson to compete with the roses, the color showing as a faint pink under the length of lace veiling her face "M'lord is too kind... I feel all askew, as if nothing quite fits right tonight"

He took her hand in his and kissed it, his voice was soft and caring, "All askew? Nonsense. You are surely the most beautiful bride to ever walk down and aisle. I'm totally in love with you."

Soft slender fingers curl into his hand as he kisses her fingers, a pleased smile coming to her lips. "And I with you Talomar. I would never have thought it possible to love another like this. Is everything ready inside? I did not get a chance to check the decorations before Lillia whisked me away to curl my hair"

He smiled at her words. His long dark hair fell in waves over his shoulders. "Yes, love, all is ready."

(To Be Continued. . .)

Briallyn?s poppy bright skirts were tucked about her. She must maintain decorum, can?t risk giving the game away yet.

The priest looked at Lord Talomar, "Count Longden, do you take this women to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and hold, to love and protect, through sickness and health, poverty and wealth, being faithfully bound to her and no one else. If so, answer 'I do'."

He looked from the priest to Lani and he said quite seriously, "I do."

The priest looked at Lady Wintersmorn, "Lady Eiellani Wintersmorn, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and hold, to love and cherish, through sickness and health, poverty and wealth, being faithfully bound to him and no one else. If so, answer 'I do'."

A soft loving smile bloomed on her lips as she looked up into Talomar?s eyes "With all my heart I do."

"Ladies and gentlemen, these two have made their promises to each other. In the course of history...." the bishop went on to preach a homily on love and marriage, then before he bored everyone to death, he returned his attention to the couple standing before him. "You have made promises to each other; we shall now have the exchange of rings that signify the lasting effect of those vows.

He gave Talomar Lani's ring. "Lord Talomar, please place this ring upon the lady's finger and repeat after me, "With this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness, I do thee wed."

He placed the ring on her finger, "With this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness, I do thee wed."

The priest handed Lani Tal?s ring. "Lady Eiellani, please place this ring upon the lord's finger and repeat after me, "With this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness, I do thee wed."

The slender circle of moonstone and yellow gold that she had purchased for Talomar was scooped lovingly into slender fingers and pressed to her lips in a tender caress before she slipped it on his finger whispering "With this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness, I do thee wed."

"You may now face each other," the chapel priest said. When they were facing each other and holding hands, he went on, "By the power invested in my by the church and by the civil laws of Rhydin, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Ice blue eyes beneath her veil never left her beloved's the smile blooming on her lips a genuine one of love and warmth.

He lifted her veil back and held her face in his hands as he brought his lips to her, and kiss her.

She let her lips play over his with just a hint of passion, arms slipping tenderly about his shoulders, pressing herself closer than perhaps necessary.

As the kiss broke he pulled back just slightly and looked lovingly at his wife.

A soft flush stained her cheeks, her eyes holding a dreamlike quality, as if she can hardly believe that this is truly real.

He signaled for everyone to rise. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the Count Talomar Longden and the Countess Eiellani Longden." There was loud applause from the guest, the doves were released, and the organ began to play once more.

(To be continued. . .)

Talomar gave Lani a kiss upon the cheek, "My love, why don't you escort your friend (he avoided calling the woman her sister) to the main hall. I'll be right along. I just want to find Philippe.

Lani smiled weakly up at Talomar, "Don't be too long dear." Then she turned to Briallyn and motioned her along the hall, "This way. The cook has assembled the most delightful feast for this night." She continued babbling about the menu glancing over her shoulder worriedly as they walked towards the sounds of merrymaking in the great hall.

Talomar disappeared into the chapel which was now deserted. He went behind the altar and through the old oak door that gave entrance to the hallways behind the chapel. "Philippe!" he called out. There was no answer. "Philippe, where are you?" The smell of blood as in the air. He continued to walk through the dark halls, the smell of blood growing stronger. Ten feet in front of him he saw Philippe hanging on the wall, supported in the air onlyl by the iron point of a sconce piercing through his back. Talomar was furious. He lifted Philippe off the sconce. There was only one person who could have done this to the nearly immortal Philippe - Dominique. In moments Talomar had Philippe lifted over his shoulder and disappeared deep into the castle interior.

Lani quietly saw Briallyn settled at one of the tables in the great hall, eyes constantly going to the door watching for Talomar. One of the servants approached and whispered something to her. Lani shook her head, "No, wait for Count Longden before you serve the food, but please start with the wine." Eiellani fretted silently as she waited for Tal to return, finally slipping from her seat and setting off back towards the chapel in search of him. Slipping in through the chapel doors she pauses, cooing something softly that has one of the doves released at the wedding flying to her hand.

Talomar returned to the Great Hall, and looked for his wife. He had recovered his composure and when the guests greeted him they would never have known that he had just carried his valet to a vault where he'd be attended to later. He walked to Bri, "Do you know where my wife is?"

Briallyn looked up from where she was chatting with Lani's lady's maid, "I saw her go back the way we came just a few moments ago, Is there a problem??

He didn't answer. Instead he turned immediately and raced out of the Great Hall. Suddenly everything was going wrong. Why was his wife already being disobedient! He had told her to go to the Great Hall. Of all places, she should not be in the chapel. Damn, disobedient wife! He'd have to make sure she did not disobey him again!

Sitting just inside of the chapel doors, Lani was talking softly to the dove cupped lovingly in her palms. The dove crooned softly in reply. In the chapel a sound could be heard, something somewhat between a scream and laughter, echoing throughout: "Eiellani," a voice whispered. "Eiellaaannniiiii....."

Eiellani blinked dropping the dove in fright, the little bird fluttering back to the eves "Tal? Is that you? You?re frightening me please come out." Thinking that someone must just be playing tricks she began to creep up the aisles again, peering between the pews looking for the source of the voice. A shiver ran down her spine, "You know this really is not funny."

"Come to me, Eiellani....come to me....I'm behind the altar.....over here..."

Talomar raced down the hallways. If Lani went to the chapel, Dominique would take her. He had no doubt of that.

"Why are you hiding back there?" another shiver shaking her form. "Why don?t you come out? You know our guests are waiting."

"Quickly, Eiellani...just a little further. I can't come onto the altar. You must come here...just behind the altar....just a bit further..."

One of the white doves fluttered to Lani's shoulder cooing agitatedly. Pausing a moment to speak to the little bird she gives a look to the altar "what do you mean no one is there? I can hear them."

"Now Eiellani...I need you now...come quickly. Just a little further sweet woman....just a little further....come to me....come...."

She shook her head at the bird crooning back comfortingly before backing a few steps from the altar. "If you insist, although I would dearly love to know who is back there.?

"Now, Eiellani....NOW!! Come to me now!!! Hurry, love...hurry..."

(To be continued. . .)