Their Bonds of Love

Hurrying through the walls of the palace, Caerwyn pulled at the sleeves of his shirt. He still was not used to the golden embroidery on the cuffa. He would have to tolerate it that day, as he had to be dressed as one of the court. He had just come from the palace temple, making sure all was in place.

The king wanted to make sure nothing would go wrong. Caerwyn found everything as it should be. Palace and Cadwin guards lined the outside and walls. The queen’s crown was sitting on a pedestal. Lords and ladies were already arriving as Lady Kerry, Lady Cecil, and Lady Rees oversaw it all.

He turned the corner of the hall to find Emilia walking towards him. They stopped as they came together.

He smiled at her. “You look beautiful.” She wore a dark blue gown with silver accents on the full skirt. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a high bun.

She took his hand. “Thank you, but we don’t have time for you to flatter me. Have you seen Eleri?”

“Of course not. I’ve been with the king. He just sent me to check on the temple. Is she missing?” he asked with concern.

“I’m sure it is nothing, Caerwyn. It is a big day for her. She probably just needed a moment or two alone. Only, it’s getting close to time, and even Efa is getting anxious. Grace is half out of her mind in worry.”

Caerwyn squeezed her hand. “I’m sure it will be fine. Eleri wants nothing more than to be married to our king.”

“I know, but after all that has happened to her, I just worry that even today could be ruined somehow. What if someone got in and grabbed her?”

“That is unlikely, seeing how protected the palace is at the moment. I have to get back to the king, but I will look on my way. I will send her to you if I see her.” He let go of her hand. “When you find her, send word. I will not bother the king with this unless we know for sure something is wrong.”

Emilia nodded. “I’m going to go back to her room and see if she is there. Perhaps she just took a walk in one of the courtyards.”

Caerwyn headed back towards the palace study when he had a thought. He turned the opposite way of the study and jogged down the hall until he came to a double door guarded only by Deri.

“Is she out there?” asked Caerwyn.

Deri nodded. “She said she wished to walk for a bit, but it has been a while. I was about to check on her.”

“Let me,” said Caerwyn. He opened the door and stepped out into the small courtyard. The snow had all melted, and little patches of green were on the ground. The large tree in the center was covered in small buds. Under it stood Eleri, wearing an elaborate red and gold grown with a long train. Her hair was half pulled up with her curls running down her back. She was so beautiful that he had to stop for a moment and stare at her.

She turned back and glanced at him. “Did they send you to look for me?”

He walked towards her. “I saw Emilia in the hall, and she told me they were all concerned because you have been gone for some time.”

“I suppose I have been gone too long. I just wanted a quick moment outside to myself, and this was the only place I could think to go,” said Eleri.

“Strange it was here,” said Caerwyn as he stood by her side. “Isn’t this the only outdoor place you were allowed to go when you were kept here?”

She nodded. “It was my one place I could escape the suffocating rooms and halls. I do not have happy memories here, but it is lovely. I imagine in a few weeks that it will be breathtaking.”

“Are you alright, Eleri?” he asked.

She smiled slightly. “If you are worried I am having second thoughts, I can tell you I am not. I want to marry Conri. I don’t even mind being queen. I was just overwhelmed for a moment. So much has happened in so little time.”

“I think it was this time last year that I visited Cadwin Manor,”

She turned to look at him. “I believe it was.” She looked down for a moment with her hands in front of her. “I did love you, Caerwyn. I wasn’t lying when I said it.”

“I know, Eleri. I loved you as well though I wouldn’t admit it. I think I still love you. I always will.”

She looked up with a small smile. “But you have moved on with another, and you both seem happy.”

“I have found there is plenty of room for her in my heart without losing my love for you.” She took his hand, and he squeezed it. “You are happy with your king?”

“I am. I won’t make you listen to me go on about the depths of my love for Conri, but I never imagined being this happy.”

“Eleri, I am sorry for all the pain I caused you. I know it took you a while to trust in Conri’s love, and I think it is my fault. I know I did you very wrong.”

She reached up and touched his cheek. “You didn’t mean to, Caerwyn. You were doing as you thought you must. I chose to keep coming back to you. Is it shocking now that I don’t regret any of it?” Her eyes filled with tears. “I could never regret loving you. It was real, and there was so much about it that I still look back on with fondness.”

“The only thing I regret is what I did to hurt you. Those nights and days I spent with you will always be some of my happiest memories.”

She leaned up and kissed him gently on his lips. It lasted for just one moment, but Caerwyn would always treasure it. “Can I escort you back to your room, my lady? This is the last time I can refer to you so.”

She smiled as she took his arm. “You can take me to the stairs, and I will go the rest of the way myself. I am sure the king is wondering where you ran off to.”

He kissed her hand before leading her into the palace. Though he was very happy with Emilia and pleased Eleri was marrying the king, a part of him would always slightly wonder how things would have been different had he not pushed her away all those times.

She knew she was gripping her father’s arm too tightly, but he did not complain. She looked at the large wooden doors in front of her, hearing the talking and laughing of many people. Taking deep breaths, she prepared to enter the temple.

“Do not be nervous, my dear,” said her father. “I have a feeling as soon as you see your king, you will notice nothing else.”

“As long as you don’t trip on the way,” said Aron teasingly from behind her.

She turned, and he laughed as she gave him a half-smile. “I don’t know why you are worried about me walking to the front of the temple when you are the clumsy one, Aron.”

“It’s true,” said her father. “I thought you would break your neck as a young boy as many times as you tumbled down the stairs.”

“Thank heavens, mother was a proficient healer,” said Eleri. She breathed out loudly as tears started to threaten her eyes.

“She is watching, Eleri,” said her father quietly. “I know she is not only proud of you but so happy you are marrying for love.”

“I always promised her I would,” said Eleri.

Two guards put their hands on the door handles. “Are you ready?” her father asked.

She kissed his cheek before nodding. “I love you, father.”

“I love you, my dear one. Live well with your king,” he said before the doors opened, and they started walking.

The temple was packed with so many people that she wasn’t sure how they all fit. A few even stood close to the guards lining the walls. Eleri glanced at them as she walked, seeing a few that she knew. Once she finally looked to the front, she could not look away. Conri stood there wearing the black and gold of his family. His silver crown was on his head, and he wore a black robe that hand down his back.

She couldn’t help but smile at him as he stared at her. As she approached the front, Caerwyn gave Conri a small shove so he would move forward. Conri shook his head a little and walked down to take her hand as her father offered it. He kissed her hand before nodding to Lord Cadwin and leading her up the stairs to stand before the same priest and priestess who crowned Conri.

They said the words of promise to each other that thousands had said before. Though Eleri couldn’t recall all she repeated, she remembered how she felt. Everything about uniting herself with Conri felt right. Her magic swirled inside of her and even reached out towards him as he pledged himself to her.

As the priestess said the final words, uniting them officially as husband and wife, she felt her mark tingle slightly. It was not unpleasant, and she looked at Conri, wondering if he was feeling the same thing.

After they were officially pronounced as bonded by the goddess and gods in marriage, Eleri and Conri turned to face the crowd in the temple. He helped her to kneel on the top step as the priest and priestess moved towards the queen’s crown on the pedestal. It was silver like the king’s but small instead of pointed tips, it had smaller round ones. There were dark red jewels all around it that matched the ones on Conri’s crown.

“Lady Eleri Cadwin has united herself with our king, willingly. She has committed to love and support him throughout his reign and life,” said the priestess. “Today, she became of the Gildans, and now she will wear the crown of a Gildan queen.”

“Lady Eleri, will you support our king as he rules Elathia. Will you offer him your council and give him comfort?” asked the priest.

“I swear to the goddess that I will. I belong to him as he belongs to me. I will serve Elathia by his side, striving to rule fairly and as the goddess commands,” said Eleri as she looked at Conri.

“King Conri of the Gildan kings, do you find this woman worthy of wearing the crown of your family and Elathia?” asked the priestess.

“She is more than worthy,” he said as he stared at Eleri. “I claimed her as my wife, and now I claim her as my queen.”

“Then she will be crowned by your order as Queen Eleri the Purehearted,” said the priestess.

The priest walked behind Eleri and placed the crown on her head. She closed her eyes for a moment as she said a prayer of thankfulness to the goddess and gods and also asked them to help her be the queen that Elathia and Conri deserved.

Conri held out his hand to her, and she took it. He helped her to rise before pulling her to him. As the priest announced their titles, Conri bent down and kissed her in a way that was probably not appropriate for the temple, but she didn’t care. The crowd stood and then kneeling before them as Conri let her go. They looked out at the crowd before Conri told them all to rise.

As most lords and ladies made their way to the largest courtyard to celebrate the event, Eleri stood close to Conri as their friends and family gathered around them.

Her father took her hand as she smiled at him. “You look very happy, my queen.”

“I am father, more than I thought possible,” replied Eleri.

“You look perfect today,” said Grace with tears in her eyes as she hugged Eleri. “You look just as a queen should.”

“She will act like one too,” said Efa as Grace let her go. Her aunt embraced her. “I know your mother is watching and is so proud, Eleri. I am as well.”

“Thank you, Aunt Efa, for everything.”

Lady Havens dabbed at her eyes before hugging Conri and then Eleri.

“You have chosen a good queen, I think,” said Lord Havnes as he gripped Conri’s hand.

“I know I have. I only hope to prove to be a king worthy of her,” said Conri.

“You will. You were always meant to be king,” said Lord Havens.

“Thank you for caring for me, loving me,” said Conri. “I know I haven’t always done completely right, but you taught me much about what it means to be a good man.”

Lord Havens nodded as Lady Haven’s tears increased. “Do not forget to visit when you can. If you don’t, Lady Havens might make me travel here constantly, and there is much that needs to be done on the estate.”

“That reminds me,” said Eleri. “Thank you for sending my horse to the palace. I have missed her.”

Lord Havens nodded before taking Eleri’s hand and kissing it with a bow. “I have no doubt you will be an excellent queen and watch over our king.”

“I shall, Lord Havens, and you and your lady are welcomed to visit anytime.”

“After a few weeks,” said Conri. “I would like some time with my bride.”

“Then, in a couple of moon cycles, we will make our way through the kingdom, and we will be sure to stop at the Haven’s Estate for a least a few days.” Eleri smiled at Lady Havens.

“We look forward to it,” said Lady Havens.

Aella greeted Eleri meekly before Eleri took her hands and hugged her.

“I am very happy for your both,” said Aella before she moved to stand by Eleri’s father.

Eleri watched for a moment as her father spoke with Aella making her laugh. Aella placed her hand on her father’s arm, and it sparked Eleri’s suspicion.

“You will need to move on to the courtyard soon,” said Caerwyn. “And you will need to appear on the front balcony to wave at those who have gathered and are celebrating.”

“I’m glad someone is here to keep us on schedule, Caerwyn,” said Eleri. “I’m not sure I have the concentration for it today.”

“You shouldn’t have to worry about anything,” said Emilia. “Just enjoy the day, and we will see you are where you need to be.”

“In a couple of weeks, I hope you will meet with me, Emilia. I was serious when I said I would like you to serve as my advisor if you are willing. I have an idea of what you could do if you aren’t opposed to traveling in the land from time to time. I would not want to take you away from anyone too often.”

“I think I will be very open to traveling, your majesty. As settled as I am in some ways, I will still long to roam at times, and Caerwyn understands it.”

“Good. The king has Selven as his informant in the land. I was hoping you could be mine,” said Eleri.

Emilia smiled. “I like the sound of that. We will talk more about it in a few weeks. You should not talk about any court business today.”

They made their way out of the temple and towards the courtyard. On their way, Conri and Eleri walked up the stairs with Caerwyn and Emilia behind them. They waved to the large crowds below as Caerwyn kept a sharp eye out. Once they were done, they went to the courtyard where they ate, danced, and in Eleri’s case, drank probably one too many glasses of wine.

As the afternoon turned to evening and torches were lit, Eleri sat next to Conri, slightly leaning on him as they both watched her father dance with Aella.

“I think that is the third time your father has danced with her today,” said Conri.

Eleri nodded. “I have noticed them together much in the palace and out by Argenta House. I wonder if an attachment is growing there.”

“Does it bother you?” asked Conri.

“I just want my father to be happy. She is rather young, but much has happened to mature her this past year. If they find they wish to be together, I will accept it, gladly.”

“I suppose maybe two children will be enough after all,” said Conri as he kissed her cheek.

Eleri’s eyes widen. “You think that…”

“Your father is not overly old, and Aella is young. Perhaps there will be a young master of Cadwin Manor before long.”

Eleri giggled slightly. “I suppose there would be worse things than a little brother.” She picked up her half-filled cup of wine and raised it. “To their happiness, should they chose it.”

Conri picked up his cup and touched hers with it before they both took a long drink. After setting his cup down, he pulled her even closer. “Do you think we have stayed long enough? I would like to sneak away if we can.”

“Everyone looks to be having such a good time that I doubt they would notice,” said Eleri.

Conri stood up and offered her his hand. “Then let’s go. I have asked that no one disturbs us tonight, my love.”

She took it, and he helped her up as she leaned on him. They walked slowly towards the palace door, Conri nodding at Caerwyn and Emilia, who smiled in return. Eleri laughed a little as Conri drug her up the stairs.

“This dress isn’t exactly the easiest thing to walk in, my king. You will have to slow down.”

She gave a startled shriek as he picked her up. “I am afraid I can’t wait a moment more to have my wife.” He hurried up the stairs as she leaned into him.

Sometime in the night, Eleri lay in Conri’s arms, content and sleepy. She sighed as she felt him kiss her bare shoulder.

“Sometimes, I feared we would never end up here,” said Conri. “It almost seemed like things were too broken to fix.”

“But we didn’t give up. You certainly didn’t give up on me, though no one would blame you if you did.”

He kissed her again. “I could never give up on you, Eleri. You quickly became essential to me in a way that I don’t think I could make it without you.”

“I should argue with you and tell you that you could,” said Eleri with a yawn. “But I do not have the strength. I will only say, you never have to do without me.” She closed her eyes and leaned further back into him.

Before she could completely fall asleep, Conri whispered in her ear. “Eleri, tell me you are without a doubt the happiest woman in Elathia.”

She opened her eyes and looked back at him. “I am, my king, and what about you?”

“I think I might be the happiest man that ever lived.”