*The Chronicles of F.R.E.E. Earth's Knight- Ruth Watson* PART 3 - Mournstead

Chapter Two - Wedding Bells

*Hodgson POV*

I fiddled with the straps of my new curaiss, cursing my fumbling fingers.
Today was the day of Ashdown and Sawyer's wedding, and to say everyone was excited, was an understatement. The whole town of Narthwich had been preparing for this day for three whole months, since I had first arrived here with Edwards, Hunter and Perkins.
Watson was even more excited than anyone as she had the honour of giving one of her best friends away. Although, the responsibility of being the Maid of Honour and the person to give Ashdown away had really gone to her head.
Sawyer may have had to put up with Bride-zilla, but I had had to deal with Maid-zilla for the past three months, and it had become terrifying at times. Both girls had ganged up on the poor Groom to be, just because he said he preferred one of the two colour schemes they had shown him. Why ask for his opinion if there was only one correct answer?!
"Come here, you twit." I hear Watson's voice from behind me. I turned to her and my jaw dropped, nearly falling off.
She looked incredible! Even more beautiful than she had ever been, if that was even possible. Her lilac, long sleeve, mid-calf length dress hugged her body and arms perfectly, her hair was half up half down, cascading over one of her shoulders down to her waist. She draped a long, fluffy white cloak over the armchair.
The other bridesmaid will be wearing the same, but none of them were going to look as breath taking as my girl! I shut my mouth and took a few steps towards her. She held out her arms to tie the strings for me, but I had other plans.
Grabbing her by the waste, I pushed her into the wall behind her, attacking her lips savagely. I went to put my hand into her hair, but she slapped it away and pushed me from her.
"What the hell?" I complained.
"Don't touch the fucking hair! And you better not have creased my dress!" She snarled at me, running to the bathroom to look in the mirror.
I gave a laugh that was a cross between frustration and annoyance, rolling my eyes.
"How could I resist when you look like that?" I tried to defend myself but it was useless.
"Today is important, Hodgson! Everything must be perfect! I will not be one of the things to go wrong!" She emerged pulling and stroking out the creases from her dress.
"Ugh, but you look so... delicious..." My eyes scanned her body again, my voice lowered seductively and I unconciously starting slowly advancing at her again.
"If you don't let me sort your armour out for you, you ain't going to be at the wedding! I will not be seen with you looking scruffy." She folded her arms, scowling and cocking one of her eyebrows.
"Fine." I said, turning my back to her so I couldn't see her and she could do up my curaiss. I looked back at her over my shoulder, giving her a cocky smirk. "You look so hot when you're angry."
She huffed and quickly tied up the strings. I was now fully dressed in the Narthwich armour. All the men of the guard were going to be wearing their armour today, including the groom. It was seen as a fitting tradition here in Narthwich for any member of the guard to wear their armour to weddings. A kind of way to show respect and that.
That's right. I had joined the guard, along with Edwards, Hunter and Perkins, about a week after arriving in Narthwich. It was kind of strange being under Watson's leadership, but I had already joked about that to her. She may be the dominant one out and about, but when it came to the bedroom, I was the dominant one.
Green and Perkins had moved out about two weeks after we had arrived in Narthwich, and were given a house by Needham close to the towns edge, nearest Ashdown's shop. The same with Dean and Hewitt. They had also moved out around the same time and been given their own house, but theirs was closer to the centre of town. All that remained living in that tiny pale green house on the outskirts of town, was Goodwin, Hunter, Edwards, Watson and I. They slept in the single rooms on the top floor, while Watson and I had taken Dean and Hewitt's old room. The others still came over though, along with Ashdown and Sawyer, and we all had dinner, cooked by Dean and Hewitt, every night. We referred to it as 'eating at Dean's Tavern.'
Hunter had still not had the courage to ask Goodwin out. Even though Goodwin had made her feelings towards him clear, he still went shy and bashful around her. He didn't even have the balls to ask her to be his date to the wedding, so they're attending as singles.
Watson hadn't been impressed with him about that. Her and Goodwin were always whispering to each other about him, both showing their frustration, but also their stubborness.
One night, I got it in the ear when I said that Goodwin should just ask him out herself if she wanted him so badly. Watson had smacked my arm, stating that they strongly believed in ettiquette, meaning that they saw it a man's job to ask the girl out. I had just rolled my eyes at her, and said, "this is Astrovia, not 1950's Earth! Times change, baby." To which she gave me another slap on the other arm.
Hunter and Edwards came down the stairs in their armour all read to go. Goodwin was still upstairs getting ready.
"GOODWIN!" Watson screamed up the stairs to her. "HURRY UP! WE HAVE TO GO!"
Goodwin's footsteps thundered down the stairs. She looked amazing, too. Her hair was in the same style as Watson's, but her dress was cap sleeved, not long, and she already had her white, fluffy cloak on. Hunter gaped at her in amazement, taking in her beauty like a sponge. She didn't notice him though, and looked very flustered and stressed.
"Sorry! I had an issue with my hair not wanting to do what I want. It kept going all frizzy." She wheezed, out of breath from her rushing.
"Well, you're finally ready. Let's go." Watson ordered, draping the cloak over her shoulders. Hunter, Edwards and I all copied her and grabbed our black and white cloaks.
All of us left the house, Watson locked the door and we speed walked to the hall. The snow had fallen thick last night, meaning we had to trudge through a foot of snow on the way, but it was all worth while when we saw the town all decorated for the wedding.
It looked like it belonged in a fairytale. Lilac and silver bunting hung over our heads, zigzagging and crossing over the road as it was attached to the shops on either side. Little lanterns were placed every couple of flags along, twinkling and swaying in the freezing winter breeze. Larger lamps hung over the shop doorways, with bunches of flowers attached to either side, keeping with the lilac colour scheme.
As we got closer to the Hall, Watson and Goodwin darted off to the book shop, where Ashdown had been getting ready and us boys entered the Hall. The bunting continued into the hall along with the little lanterns, the benches had been painted white with tiny lilac bouquets attached to either end, a white carpet with lilac flower petals flowed up the aisle towards the alter, where Sawyer stood in his armour alongside his best man, Packer.
The guards were to sit at the front two rows on the right, and that's where we headed. Perkins was already sitting and had bagged us front row seats.
We all cheered and gave Sawyer the thumbs up as we took our seats, he grinned widely back, bouncing on his toes in anticipation and nervousness.
Suddenly, a violin started to play the wedding march and we all got back up to our feet for the arrival of the bride.
The bridesmaids entered first in pairs. Goodwin and Green first, looking absolutely stunning with matching cap sleeve dresses and hair styles, shortly followed by Dean and Hewitt who both looked very emotional to be part of the ceremony, holding hands and shedding happy tears. Thank god there was no make up in Astrovia, otherwise all the girls would look like pandas.
The music swelled as the bride and maid of honour starting walking slowly up the aisle, their arms linked together. Ashdown looked just as incredible as Watson. Her white flowy gown was floor length, pinched in at her waist, and went in a straight line across her chest and upper arms, leaving her shoulders and collarbone bare. She wore a silver necklace and her beautiful blonde hair had been pulled back into an elegant, large ponytail, all curled up as it dangled down her back.
My eyes couldn't move away from Watson though. She had the biggest grin on her face, and looked so proud of herself. To me, she was the only one in the room.
When the girls finally approached Sawyer, Watson took Ashdown's arm out of hers and linked it with Sawyers. She gave them both an emotional smile, before stepping back to stand with Packer to let the ceremony begin.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please be seated." Needham's squeaky voice echoed around the hall. Everyone sat down in silence and he continued. "We are gathered here today with Sawyer and Ashdown, as they celebrate their love for each other and create a forever bond together through marriage..."
The ceremony dragged a little bit for me, and by the time they had said their vows to each other, I had to keep stifling yawns. Thankfully, Watson hadn't noticed. If she had, she would have my head.
Finally, after what seemed like hours to me, Needham announced them husband and wife and they kissed. The Hall exploded with cheering and applause from their audience. It was deafening. As the newly wed couple held hands and turned to face the crowd, their faces beaming with love and happiness, the noise multiplied as everyone started jumping up and down and climbing onto the benches to show their happiness and congratulations to the couple.
Mr and Mrs Sawyer started to walk together back down the aisle, followed by their bridesmaids and best man then the rest of the crowd followed in their wake, some hung back as they reached the doors, though, so they could remove the benches and prepare for the wedding reception.
We piled out into the snowy high street and people started surrounding the newly weds to give them their congratulations. They looked so overwhelmed with it all, but very happy.
Us boys quickly found where the girls were hiding and stood with them. Perkins gave Green a huge kiss when he got to her and Hunter awkwardly stood close to Goodwin. I snaked my arms around Watson's waste, hugging her from behind as she was speaking to the strange girl, Sugo and Needham.
I tended to give Sugo a wide birth whenever she was around. The girl freaked me out a bit. She came across as shy and sweet, but there was something about her that put me on edge. Like I had a feeling she was fake. This was mainly because she worked in the apothecary, but would drag Watson away from the rest of us, speaking in hushed, urgent tones, before disappearing and Watson would return to us looking annoyed. Whenever I asked her about what Sugo had said, Watson would just respond with the same "nothing important for us to worry about."
It worried me that Watson seemed to also be quite close to Needham too. They would be seen laughing and joking around together. Watson enjoyed taking the piss out of him immensly, and did it to his face too. She was actually quite a bully to him. Calling him chubby and pinching his cheeks saying how cute he was. He would take it all in his stride though, and laugh along with her as if she was taking the mick out of someone else.
Needham was also pushed around a lot by Sugo. He seemed to cling to her every word and she became very authoritive and bossy around him. He was the town's leader, but he was wrapped around Watson and Sugo's little fingers.
Watson placed her arms along my arms in a weird hug back. She was talking to Sugo and Needham about how well the ceremony had gone, and how well everyone had teamed together to make this miserable winter's day, perfect for the wedding.
"I have to admit," Sugo said, looking around. "They have done a wonderful job. I've never attended a wedding here in Astrovia before, and it was done exceptionally well."
'What an odd thing to say,' I thought. Watson was unphased.
"It was the perfect day for the perfect couple. Let's hope they're able to live full and happy lives together... forever and ever." Watson seemed to put a harsh emphasis on the 'forever and ever' part, raising her eyebrows at Sugo, but Sugo ignored her.
We were all being ushered back into the Hall for the meal. We went back in and tables were all squeezed in with white table clothes, and lilac ribbons on the white painted chairs. I noticed all the tables and chairs had come from the restaurant and bars in the town. I was impressed myself at how well this community comes together.
Mr and Mrs Sawyer sat in the middle of the top table, facing their guests. Watson and I sat on Mrs Sawyer's side with Green and Perkins on my other side, Dean and Hewitt sat next to Packer on Mr Sawyer's side along with Goodwin. Hunter was sat at a table with Edwards, Sugo, Needham and a red haired girl called Ryder. Along the sides of the hall, tables laiden with a huge buffet were pushed up against the walls.
Some of the guests started demanding speeches so Sawyer stood up, glass in hand and a very triumphant smirk on his face.
"Alright, alright!" He called out, before smiling down at his bride who beamed back at him. "First of all, we want to thank every single bloody one of you for making our wedding day the most wonderful day of our lives..." Cheers erupted around the tables making him laugh and beckon for them to quiet down again. "...It's going to be hard for anyone to top this, I assure you! We want to say a special thank you to our beautiful bridesmaids, Green, Goodwin, Dean and Hewitt." Cheers came from the guests for the Bridesmaids who all blushed." As well as thank my Best Man, Packer." More cheers for Packer, then "And, of course, a very, very special thanks to Watson for standing in for Ashdowns-"
"I think you'll find it's Sawyer now, husband!" Mrs Sawyer piped up, making the crowd laugh. Her husbands eyes twinkled as he gazed down, lovingly, at his wife.
"Oh, yeah. So it is!" Sawyer laughed. "So, yeah, what was I saying?" He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to jog his memory. "Ah, right. Extra special thanks to our Maid of Honour for standing in for Mrs Sawyer's dad, who of course couldn't be with us today. Thank you Watson!"
The hall roof must have nearly come off from the noise of the crowd. Everyone was standing, cheering and whooping for Watson, some were stamping their feet and clanging metal jugs together. I knew Watson was well known in the town because she was the Head of the guard and for being kind and helpful to all the residents of the town, but I had no idea she was this popular.
Watson grinned from ear to ear at the reception she was getting and raised her hand to wave at some of them.
Speeches now done, we helped ourselves to the delicious finger foods laid out on the tables against the walls, and sat down. Everyone ate with excited talking and laughing buzzing around the hall.
After everyone had had their fill, the tables were cleared away, only leaving the food tables against the walls, now with even more food laid out of little sweet cakes and biscuits, and other puddings. Mr and Mrs Sawyer cut into a huge five-tiered cake, and a small band appeared at the top of the hall where the podium usually is. A boy started playing a violin, another boy on the drums and a young girl on the piano. They played cheerful music that you could easily dance along to, but no one had had enough wine for that yet.
Watson and I joined our usual gang in the corner of the room. Edwards had disappeared, but Goodwin told everyone he had gone somewhere with Ryder, the red haired girl.
"Of course the red heads will stick together." I rolled my eyes, making the others chuckle.
We all got ourselves some glasses and a couple of bottles of Astrovia wine and sat down on some chairs surrounding the makeshift dance floor. We raised our glasses to the happy couple and downed them in one.
We heard the music slow down, and the newly weds walked together to the middle of the dancefloor. They wrapped their arms around each other, moved closer together and started swaying to the music. Watson leaned her head onto my shoulder and I put my arm around her, giving her a squeeze. She looked at me, gave me a small kiss and we cuddled together to watch the couple dancing.
Green and Perkins got up together and joined the couple on the dancefloor, dancing in the same way. A good few other couples also started dancing too, including Dean and Hewitt.
The music finally picked up pace again and the newly weds, Dean, Hewitt, Green and Perkins left the dance floor and came over to us. Green cast her eye over Watson and I.
"Why didn't you two dance?" She asked accusingly, folding her arms.
Watson shrugged. "Not my style of dancing." She mused.
"And what would be your style of dancing then?" Dean chuckled.
"Ahhh," Watson winked at her. "Gimme an awesome guitar riff and some screaming vocals, you can't stop me."
"Oh, you're not one of them, are you?" Hewitt complained, looking a little disgusted.
"Yup," Watson said, popping the P and looking proud.
"What's your type of music, Mr Sawyer?" Mrs Sawyer said, looking up at her new husband.
"Pretty much the same as Watson's. What about yours, Mrs Sawyer?" He beamed down at her, his eyes glinting in the hanging lanterns.
"I like music you can dance to properly, instead of bouncing around like a zombie or beating someone up," she commented flippantly. Saywer laughed.
"What about you, Hodgson?" Watson asked me, quietly.
"Er, well. I like Eminem. Dizzee Rascal..." I said thoughtfully.
Watson scrunched her nose up. "Yuck." She said. "Maybe you're not as perfect as I thought you were. I don't think this is going to work." She shook her head disappointedly.
"I'll make it work," I winked at her. For her, I'd do anything. Even if it meant wearing ear muffs for the rest of my life while she listened to her music.
She gave me a strange, sad smile and leant forward to pour more wine for herself. She had already had three glasses. I bunched my eyebrows together.
"Babe, don't you think you're going through that a bit fast?"
She looked back at me, then down to her glass. She put the glass down, nodding. "You're right. It's a dangerous drink. Very easy drinking and more-ish." She chuckled.
"Remember the four glass rule, Watson." Dean said to her and she laughed.
"Why a four glass rule?" I asked Dean, curious.
"Back in Ozryn, I wouldn't serve more than four glasses to anyone. If they drank more than that, they ended up collapsing in my Tavern and it was a shit to get them to move." Dean shrugged, nonchalantly.
I tipped my head back in realisation and then looked down at my own glass. I was still on my first one. I had been more interested in gazing at Watson or watching the couples dancing.