Jareth's Return

Dori(21)

Christmas had just passed, though they celebrated it here in an elaborate Yule party. Dori had met many of the neighboring royals, but she didn't remember most of them.

The next big to-do they were getting ready for was the Engagement Ball. Dori wasn't sure who was fully in charge of that, but she had to okay every decision. Jareth's subjects knew already and many were quite excited for their king and soon-to-be-queen. Dori wasn't looking forward to it as much as the others. She was more excited for the wedding itself.

Dori knew that planning a wedding was difficult, but she couldn't decide whether or not it was easier when the groom was a king. A magic one, at that.

Sure, there wasn't a budget problem or issues with venue, but there was a political aspect to it that she never thought of. There were only a few neighboring kingdoms, and all their monarchs had to be invited, lest someone take it as an insult and start any number of conflicts. This means there are certain etiquettes to be followed and circumstances to be taken into consideration.

The King and Queen of the Gargolia could not, under any circumstances be sat at the same table with the King of Hobgoblins. "They are at war," Jareth had explained. "Have been for centuries, and while this is considered a sanctuary, there is no need for any undue instigation. You see?"

Politics made Dori's head spin, but she did her best to follow and plan accordingly. Eventually, though, she told Jareth to take care of the seating. She was grateful she had Sally to help her, knowing the laws and lands as she did, even if her knowledge was slightly rusty from her time in the human world. Sally also claimed the right to make the bouquet. Dori was fine with that, with the exception that she used Forget-Me-Nots. She trusted Sally like a mother.

Which obviously meant that Mardy was to be the one to give her away. He very nearly cried when she asked him, especially since she called him dad. He hugged her for a while and kissed her hair, accepting the role.

Nan planned out the food and the cake. Holiday and Alex gave their opinions when asked(or not, since Holi was very opinionated) and Jareth gave his input as the groom, as much as possible. He was fond of a chocolate cake and the color blue - as if that was a shock.

She even convinced Jareth to allow Alicia into the kingdom. Well, more like she snuck to the human world, explained the truth to Alicia. When her friend thought she had lost her mind, Dori Shifted her into the castle. There was a small ensuing breakdown, but Jareth found them a few hours later, laughing and unpacking Alicia's clothes into a guest room near the queen-to-be's.

She was staying until the wedding in four months time - with which she was also assisting. Alicia's main duty was planning the honeymoon in the human world. Dori and Jareth wanted to spend some time in Europe after visiting friends in America.

Hal wasn't coming, Dori thought that would be like rubbing salt in his wounds. Jareth had invited his friend Sam and his little family. Dori had met the man twice, once in the hospital when he had brought his adorable newborn daughter to meet Jareth while his wife slept, and again when the pair had gone to Sam's house for dinner. Christina was a nice woman, with a fiery spirit and the biggest heart in the world.

Dori wondered how they were going to take the whole 'royal wedding in another realm' news.

Her plans when she woke up that morning were to check on the preparations for the ball the next week, and meet with Nan for breakfast and to pick the cake design. Dori had shown Nan how to make fondant and she was having a hayday with the stuff. Even little Alex loved to help make it, though he liked the sticky mess he could lick off his hands.

Over a breakfast of ham, eggs and potatoes, they designed a three-tiered cake with purple roses and forget-me-nots. the top two tiers were chocolate, and the bottom was vanilla. This was for the royals and special guests in attendance with hundreds of cupcakes to be made for the citizens. It would take the kitchen and both bakeries in the village to make all of them on time. Dori had half a mind to go to the human world and split the order of the decorations among a few cake shops there, too. She wouldn't though, because she trusted the people here and their abilities in their trade.