Betrothal's Price

Chapter 42: Forever On

Isla ran through the halls of the castle, rushing to reach her destination. Getting ready took more time than she'd hoped especially since she insisted she could do it all on her own. At least, being late was the worst of her concern, a year ago, this was the least of her worries.

Now, it was all over. She couldn't help, but smile in excitement as she raced to get there.

She sped up to get there faster. She was almost there. Almost there. Almost. She reached the door and...

She tripped.

"Cursed heels." She murmured. How she was talked into wearing these, she wasn't sure, but it didn't fade her enthusiasm. She stood back up, and lifted the skirts of her dress, continuing to run. She ran through a set of doors and finally made it.

There by another set of doors she saw Amari, Brooklynn, and Levi who looked like he'd only been waiting a few minutes. When he noticed her presence - which wasn't long after she'd arrived - he smiled warmly. "Are you ready?"He held out his arm.

Isla nodded without hesitation, taking his arm, "Absolutely!"

Brooklynn walked up to her, "Not quite." She handed her a bouquet of violet lotus's, Isla's favorite kind of flower. "Now, you're ready." She and Amari giggled.

"Lifesavers! Thanks!" Isla sighed in enthusiastic relief.

The doors in front of them opened, and violins were played as soon as they were in sight. Arm in arm, Levi walked Isla down a red, velvet aisle. Isla looked around at everyone, until she glanced at Liam and gazed at him, giving him a nervous and ecstatic, yet loving smile.

He looked wonderful. His shirt was a deep teal with crimson tints and buttons, all under a detailed white coat. He wore deep blue dress pants and black dress boots.

Liam gazed on Isla illuminating beauty. Her curly, bright red hair was somewhat straightened and was intricately styled behind a silver transparent veil with a Petran/Silvestrian tiara holding it atop her head. She wore a strapless, light orchid dress. The top of the bodice was layered intricate, transparent white lace made by both Humans and Elves. The bodice itself had its own lace covering embroidered with lavender and white threads. The skirts of the dress were of the same color as the bodice with glassy silk layered lightly like a flower, a decadent, thin black jewelry wire swirled over her shoulders and neck.

Liam and Isla gazed at one another as if there were no one else in the room as Levi walked Isla to the end of the aisle. Before taking a seat, Levi had Isla turn around and he put two silver cuffs with falling pearled strands on her horns. Isla turned back around and hugged him. Then Levi left to sit.

Isla walked up two steps to be at level with Liam, and the Sun Elven priest began the marital speech.

When the exchanging of the vows began, Isla came first.

"Liam, when I put this ring on your finger, I vow to forever stand by your side. Through the worst and best circumstances and moments, your problems are my problems, your wishes are my wishes, and your dreams are my dreams. From now on, you are my one and only. My one in a million. Liam, you know that I love and adore you, but know that as every moment, and every second that passes won't pass without my adoration and love growin'. I was there, and I will continue to be here for you, helpin' you grow just as you do for me. I am who I am today with your love and support. I vow that as we grow old, we grow and learn with each other. You will always be my handsome, lovely prince in every way. You are my best friend, first and only love, and partner for life and I promise that I will be your rock to lean on, your shoulder to cry on, your partner in crime, and the moon in your sky. I love you with all my heart and I always will." Isla put the ring on his finger as she looked him in the eyes.

Liam smiled sweetly as tears began to drip down his cheeks, and he began to recite his vows, "Isla, as we stand here right now I give you half of my life and share with you everything I am. I fell in love with you years ago, and I love you more everyday. I admire you with everything I have and I love you with all of myself. I promise that I will dream of you every night. I will honor you with everything I can offer. I will cherish you like the queen you've always been. I will pick you up when you fall down. If your heart breaks, I will put it together piece by piece. With this ring, I vow to be everything I can for you. Isla, you are my world. Let me be your universe. Your home to hold to. Be your first 'good morning' and your last 'good night'. I love you, and I vow to show you exactly who you are to me for the rest of our life."

The priest closed the Bible, "And now, with the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you, man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Isla wrapped her arms around Liam's neck and both kissed, capturing each other's lips. The castle erupted into cheers.

When everyone had vacated the castle walls, Liam and Isla stood before several million subjects, both Silvestrian and Humans. Isaac and Ophelia stood with them.

Isaac declared, "The final wishes of King Ewan and Queen Zara, the Griffin King and Queen, were for Silvestria, and the human kingdoms to become one again. I witnessed their hopes come to light, when they discussed it with an old adversary. Peace was established as the years passed once Prince Liam and Lady Isla were betrothed. In those years this human and this Silvestrian fell in love and grew the desire to fight for their separated countries. The Griffin King and Queen desired to step down from their reigning pedestal and let the first Human-Silvestrian love rule our beloved lands in unity."

Ophelia placed the newly crafted crowns atop their heads as she announced. "Make room for King Liam and Queen Isla, rulers of Silvestria!"

Cheers erupted, acres of Silvestrian and Humans, even Griffins in the skies roared in applause.

made allowing the inhabitants to roam freely where they pleased. The castle of Littus was used as the castle in which the base of royal duties and lives were spent. It overlooked the large country, standing in the center of the entire country.

Brooklynn and Taylor were given titles Lord Taylor and Lady Brooklynn; they not only deserved such titles, but King Liam and Queen minded the fact that Baron Julius was once a Lord as well.

Leo and Amari soon married and gained similar, but higher titles. Keeping his CrownGuard duties if he wished, Leo was given the title of Duke Leo Warner with his wife Duchess Amari Warner.

Shortly after Isla and Liam's wedding and crowning, Jonathan had met a young elf girl named Kensie, who's parents died in battle, so she was allowed the ability to stay at the palace - along with any homeless citizens no matter the species - where she and Jonathan grew up together.

Liam and Isla ruled well and eventually had kids of their own. They lived the rest of their lives, taking on any challenge that threatened them, their kids, family, or kingdom. They knew happily ever after didn't exist, but they lived a life pretty close to it, knowing they loved one another and that there was never any other.

They'd never expected anything like this could happen to people like them, but nothing could make them happier than thinking back to everything that brought them from where they began to where they ended.

The End

Matthew 19:26 NIV
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."