Golden Sword

Chapter 24

In the autumn, after the summer's heat was done and the leaves were well into their colors, another wedding took place. It was held at the rebuilding Drumont Castle between two people who were rebuilding their lives. Jack and Charlotte had grown increasingly close over the months after the end of the war. Sheltered by his patient and gentle love her grief had run its course and slowly given way to her old feelings for him. No longer young, they were anxious to share the remainder of their lives together now that the time of loss was over.

At the wedding couple's request, Keika, in her favorite cornflower blue dress, had given a solo concert of selected violin pieces just prior to the wedding in the ballroom. For most it was their first taste of live classical music, so she very much enjoyed playing for them and it was quite well received. During the reception there were a lot of questions about violins, music and of the possibility of Mercedians beginning their own orchestra, like the one they had heard about in Otania. She eagerly informed them that she and others were already in the process of beginning the Royal Mercedian Orchestra, with a great deal of assistance from the orchestra in Hamilton. In the near future, they hoped to begin giving their own concerts as well as those of the visiting Otani group. At some point they would be giving music lessons for those who wanted to learn. The instruments were ones that Mercedia already had in storage for some reason, after being found intact in the ruins. Others were of Otani remanufacture origin or donations from the vast storage of materials still deep beneath Hamilton.

The ceremony itself had been simple, nothing grand or elaborate like the ones in Hamilton, but beautiful in its own way. Jack's son Michael, now a General, had been the best man and both Eric and Keika, along with Devin and Roxanne, had been in the wedding party. Joseph, Edmund and Valerie had been invited, but had not been able to make it due to their duties. They had sent regrets and a huge, beautifully wrapped wedding present that dominated the gift table. Citizens from Drumont and Crown Point, as well as quite a few officers and enlisted of both the Mercedian and Otani military, mingled merrily in the packed ball room to witness and celebrate the event. Although now in their mid-60's, both the bride and the groom had retained a lot of their youthful good looks through the years. Neither had many wrinkles or weathering on their faces and looked a good deal younger than their age. They made a handsome couple and were greatly loved by those in attendance.

Happy celebrations like this were needed, with the country still deeply engaged in rebuilding, and the fear of invasion not forgotten. Jack had arranged a reception that more closely resembled a Viking feast than a normal wedding reception, and every hallway in the castle seemed to be crowded with loud merrymakers. Many of the revelers really "unwound" in the numerous parties that followed the wedding and a great deal of wine and beer was consumed in the castle. Everyone had a good time until 1:00 AM when the celebration ended. Keika and Eric, their stations always in mind, danced and celebrated with the rest, but carefully watched how much they drank and maintained the proper decorum. Nobody wanted to see a drunken King......especially his, very sober, young Queen.

Somewhat surprised, but happily so, Eric handed Keika off to Jack when the groom cut into one of their dances during the reception. Jack was one broad smile, from ear to ear. Keika had never seen him so utterly joyous. They danced and swirled about the floor, smiling at one another. He was scrubbed clean, sparkling, blue eyes happy. His military style, close cropped gray hair had always suited him. She found him quite handsome; dashing....the Sheridan's just had good looking men she decided. "Thank you my Princess...... darling daughter of my heart. I find myself thanking you again...it seems to have become a habit. Thank you for saving me, thank you for your wisdom, your faith and your love. Everything you said to me has proven to be correct. Because of you, all of us are able to live this happy day." She laughed. "Jack, to have been able to have a positive impact on your life.....a life I have come to care deeply about, is a blessing to me as well. I have been given clear purpose in this world.......something many people do not have. Helping those I love is a joy. I'm thankful to have the opportunity......and that you opened your mind to my words. Mercedia would be a much less interesting place without you around to help me shake things up."