The Places We Go

Chapter XIII; Arlie

     After a few days, Arlie had finally received an invitation to Anastasia's wedding. She had taken only Scheven and a few members of the army along with her, leaving Charlotte temporarily in charge. They had been told to go to the bridge where the wedding would take place, and a make-shift inn had been arranged.
They were excited to see each other, and Arlie was excited to meet her friend's future husband and his family. "So, these are my future parents-in-law. Your majesties, this is Queen Arlie." She had curtseyed before they moved on. "These are the twins, Anthony and Annabelle." They continued to move on. That was when Arlie saw her, the most beautiful woman she had ever seen; Xayah. She had long blonde-white hair, half up in a small bun on the back of her neck. She wore a short black dress and large matching hat, and she held a small frog in her delicate hand, stroking the top of the frog's head in an effort to comfort the adorable creature. "And this is my other future sister-in-law, Xayah." Xayah looked up at Arlie. Her beautiful violet-purple eyes glowed at a brightness that unlike any other Arlie had ever seen before. "Hello, Princess." Arlie said, almost nervous to speak to the beautiful girl in front of her. "Hello, Queen Arlie." The two curtsied, staring into each other's eyes.
There was little time for the two to speak, for they had to help Anastasia get ready. She had been issued the customary wedding dress for a future queen of Faomen. It fit her oddly, for it was made for an elf, and Anastasia was much shorter. They had to fold the dress underneath, giving it a giant, poofed skirt. Anastasia's bouquet was made up of two types of flowers, both the national flower of Zellarid and Faormen, being the hyacinth and lily respectively. Arlie and Xayah held roses as her bridesmaids, and as a bridesman Beau had a rose boutonniere on his jacket, clashing with the hyacinths and lilies that Anastasia held waiting for him to give her away.
     Foja was officiating, for she was the keeper of the center of the bridge. Ideus' younger siblings Annabelle and Anthony were the flower girl and ring bearer respectively. Having no friends of his own, Dadokes and Leod stepped in as his groomsmen. Being the maid of honor and the best man, Arlie and Leod waited for the processional music to start as they stood behind Xayah standing next to Dadokes. It pained Arlie to see her with the troll, though her beauty was more obvious. Her frog, Anastasia had told her it was named Sally, sat on her shoulder opposite that next to Dadokes, hiding behind Xahya's glorious hair. Arlie went to talk to her, right as the first note came from Scheven's trumpet.
"Do you, Prince Ideus of Faormen, take Queen Anastasia of Zellarid as your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, 'till death do you part?" Foja said, swiftly moving through the ceremony. "I do." Ideus sincerely exclaimed. Arlie looked to Beau, who was glared at the groom but softened towards the bride. Arlie had seen him with Anastasia for so long that she knew he had feelings for her, though she knew Anasasia was oblivious. Beau was on the verge of tears, and if Arlie was correct she knew this would be hard on him, especially since he had been the one to give her away, since Anastasia's father was no longer alive. "Do you, Queen Anastasia of Zellarid, take Prince Ideus as your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, 'till death do you part?" Anastasia hesitated. The world was silent, even the ever flowing river went still. "I" Anastasia started. Arlie looked around at everyone.

The King and Queen were on the edge of their seats. If she said no they knew that they would be crushed.

Scheven held his trumpet to his lips. He knew that it was almost time to play.

Dadokes and Leod exchanged glances. They had no idea why she was conflicted.

Foja stared at Anastasia. She knew that she needed to move the ceremony along.

Xayah stared at her brother. She looked like she knew something that only she and Ideus knew.

Ideus stared at his bride. He knew she would be conflicted, but didn't anticipate it showing.

Arlie moved her head around to see this. She then looked to Beau and Anastasia, trying to read them.

Beau looked at Anastasia.
Anastasia looked at Beau.
Beau stared at her.
Anastasia stared at him.
Beau smiled.
Anastasia smiled.
Beau nodded.
Anastasia shook her head.
Beau frowned.
Anastasia frowned.
Beau mouthed "Say; I don't"
Anastasia said "I do"