A Curious Mask

XVI- Man and Wife

A/N: Some say that Twilight is the best love story of our time. I disagree. Obviously, that title belongs to The Princess Bride.

Ri forgot how open and flowy dresses were. She smoothed the dress Honey let her borrow over her lap as she sat on the female side of the large main room of the hall. There were no seats in the entire room, and the witnesses sat on the floor around an empty circle and an aisle, girls on one side, boys on the other.

Ri saw Finch and his mum come in last, and she noticed his eyes didn't rest until they found her. He smiled at her when he saw she was looking at him but looked to the door quickly.

The door opened with Master Vigo carrying his daughter, and the already silent crowd stayed entirely still. He walked in time with a drum beat coming from a corner. Buttercup was beaming from her place in her father's arms, her arms wrapped around his neck. For his part, the master Vigo looked solemn.

He put her down in the center of the circle and placed his hands on her shoulders, the two having their own almost private moment until the drum stopped.

Falcon Vigo spoke, his voice strong and assured, "Buttercup, I was the first man to hold you, the first to love you, the first to cry for you, and the first to cherish you with all my heart. You are my eldest daughter, my precious flower, and now a full grown woman. Today, I give you to Wesly Roberts for him to take my place as your protector and provider and fulfill the even greater role of husband. Are you in agreement with this?"

"Aye sir. I am."

He gently kissed her brow. "Then I take from you my name and my claim on your life."

He stepped back and walked to the circle, sitting on the male side. The door opened again as Wesly came in, his steps also in time with the drum. She stood still in the middle of the circle, her bright blue eyes excited. This Wesley was quite handsome with long dirty blonde hair and clear, light green eyes. He wore flowing black clothes and a thin rapier attached to his hip. He circled her, his eyes on her and his pace never leaving the beat. He stopped a good few feet in front of her, an excited smile tugging at his lips as the drum stopped.

He spoke the ritualistic words. "Here I find a young maiden. What is her name?"

She curtsied. "She is Buttercup."

"Buttercup?" Her name rolled off of his tongue in a way that made the girls in the room swoon. "Does she have no sire?"

"No man has claim on her life. There is a dashing young man before me, who could he be?"

He bowed to her. "He is Wesly Roberts, and he wishes to make his claim on Buttercup." He offered his hand. "Will you take me, Trader Wesly Roberts, and accept my claim? I will provide for and protect you. I will love you with all my heart. I cannot promise a house, but I can promise a sturdy wagon and burly oxen as our guides."

She gently put her hand in his. "I accept your claim on my life, Master Roberts."

He grinned widely and pulled her in. "Then you are now my Mistress Roberts."

He pulled her close and gently kissed her lips. She kissed back happily, and their fingers intertwined.

Ri had never been to a marriage ceremony before, so when all the woman stood and grasped hands, she was rather behind and confused. Honey pulled her up and held her hand, one of Wesly's sisters taking her other hand. They made a silent circle around the kissing couple, and the men made a circle around them. Before Ri knew what was happening, the entire circle began moving to the left and was soon whirling around the newlyweds, laughing and singing.