Sleeping Beauty

Chapter 16

It was the final leg of their journey, they were only a few more miles south of their destination and they could just about see the spire of the church coming into view.  The six of them rode in a line with the bride and groom at the centre, they had been riding since dawn and now the sun was high in the sky its morning glow filling the fresh breezy air which whipped past their faces.  The tall grass brushed against the horses as the charged up the side of the hill to reach the church, an open plain in front of them. 

Maria picked up her speed and broke away from the group, urging her horse to go faster.  Phillip laughed at her eagerness and chased after her, overtaking her slightly before she pushed passed him again and raced ahead while Phillip encouraged his horse to compete.  It didn’t take long for them get away from the group, they hadn’t even noticed how far away they had gotten until Eric called and told them to slow down.

They slowed themselves slightly as they approached the church, both frolicking in their morning race.  They pulled up just feet from the entrance and turned to wait for Maria’s brothers before dismounting, the four brothers entering first but before Phillip and Maria entered the chapel Phillip held out his hand and stopped her.  He turned to face her as did she, worried looks glancing across her face as she waited for an explanation.

“Are you sure this is what you want?”  He asked.

“You are not having cold feet are you?”  She countered.

“No it is just I do not want you to do this if you do not want to.”

“Phillip I already told you I love you, I want to do this.”  She placed a kiss on his cheek and pushed past his hand so that she could walk into the chapel.  It was not like the extravagant churches that they had seen in their kingdoms but it was simple and quaint like they had expected which gave it a charm. 

An old man whom they assumed must have been the priest by his robes stood at the front lighting a few of the candles which were placed at the altar.  Eric, Alexander, Ethan and Leonard had already made their way down to the bottom of the small aisle where they waited for the bride and groom to walk down so they could speak to the priest. The pair quickly walked down the aisle, clinging onto each other’s hands as they walked, the fast paced footsteps catching the priests attention making him turn around to face them, a weak smile edging its way onto his face as he saw the couple.

“How can I help you today?”  The old man asked as he stepped forward to greet them.

“We were hoping that we could be married.” Phillip answered with a strong and definitive tone.

“May I ask what age you are?”

“I am of eighteen years but my fiancé is two weeks shy of her sixteenth.”  He explained while Maria stood nervously next to him. “Please it is urgent that we marry.”

“I see no reason for you not to, as long as you are both consenting.  Now may I know your names so that we can proceed?”

“It is Maria and Phillip.” He replied in a bright and cheerful tone.

“And these men are with you?”

“Yes.” Maria said stepping forward.  “They are my brothers.”

The priest looked deep in thought for a moment before something clicked together in his mind and a startled look came across his face. “You would not happen to be Princess Maria, forgive me for asking but I have heard lots of news about King Stephan’s family of late.  I know that Maria has four brothers and I know that she is missing at present, is it true?.”  She blushed slightly before nodding her head in confirmation, holding onto Phillip’s hand ever so slightly tighter than before.  “Well bless my soul; it is an honour to meet you your highnesses.  Again please forgive me for my rudeness but I was lead to believe that you were to marry Prince Elijah.”