In a room away from the storm of wedding prep, Graham stood gazing at the suit of armor. Made of gold and polished to a blinding gleam (Courtesy of no.1 who knew his way around a bottle of polish like no man before or possibly ever again), it was what Edward had worn on his wedding day, as well as the king before him, and one before that, and so on. It was tradition. One of the many things associated with being a great king. Graham hated that armor. It was clunky and hot and heavy and loud and altogether too shiny. And worst of all- it wouldnât protect him from anything! It was worse than useless, and he hated wearing it. Even though he had worn it during the fitting- no matter how hard he tried he couldnât imagine himself actually getting married in it. Graham sighed. So much of this wedding felt like it was for someone else.
Not far away, Vee found herself looking over flower arrangements she did not care about for what felt like the hundredth time that week- her mother hovering nearby while Neese patiently and supportively offered her opinions. After her mother had insisted on planning the wedding- thrilled at the engagement of her only daughter- the preparation had remained at a constant breakneck pace, with her mother insisting on every traditional bell and whistle of a royal wedding. It had been a month since they had announced their engagement, and Vee could safely say she was exhausted. As her mother gave another lecture about how a perfect bride must have the right flowers to match her complexion (talking off the ear of the poor florist once again) Neese leaned over and nudged Vee with her elbow, causing her to zone back in from watching a single bee examine the mountains of flowers. Neese smiled at her- âWhy donât we go take a break.â She whispered. Vee glanced over at her mother, who still showed no signs of slowing and was now demonstrating proper bouquet holding posture. She nodded, and they managed to creep out the door without detection.
By now Graham found himself in the town square where, as per usual on a beautiful sunny day; Amaya was manning the forge, Wente had a tray of beautiful pastries for sale, and the Hobblepotts had set up shop outside, equipped with sunglasses, comfy chairs, and one of Wenteâs delicious pastries. (Retirement had bored them after a while, and they had come back to daventry, but more for hobby than business this time) Graham approached each vendor, making small talk and inquiring about new personal projects. As he pondered over purchasing three or four starberry tarts, Chester spoke up,
âSo boy, how are you holding up with all the chaos at the castle recently?â He chuckled as Muriel smacked him with the book she was reading.
âWhat he means-,â she glared at him once more for good measure, âhow have you been? How is your lovely bride-to-be? We are all dying to know how preparation for your wedding is going!â
Graham opened his mouth, but hesitated for a little longer than a moment.
âSee Muriel, I knew the boy was miserable.â Chester paused- âHaving second thoughts- maybe?â
Muriel would have hit him again had not Graham quickly jumped in to explain.
âNo of course not! Itâs not that-, itâs justâŠâ he stopped himself. At this point, Wente was at Grahams side. He rested a gentle hand on Grahams shoulder.
âWhats wrong Graham? What has caused your joyful day to create such anxiety in you?â
Back at the castle, Vee and Neese had made their way to the top of Daventry's tallest tower, a favorite (somewhat nostalgic) spot to get away from everything. This particular tower was at the moment being used for storage, and the girls made themselves right at home among the many boxes, chests, and barrels. Neese giggled and grinned.
âRunning from your mother makes me feel just like when we were children!â
Vee smiled at the comparison. Neese had been her eager accomplice for as long as they had known each other- this was definitely not the first time they had fled from a dreary lecture. Vee leaned against the wall.
âShe is being more uptight than usual isnât she.â Vee shook her head. âYou would think she was the one getting married!â Vee began tapping her finger on the barrel next to her. Neese sat down on a pile of old tapestries and nodded thoughtfully.
âI remember as girls we would dream about what our wedding day would be like.â She glanced at Vee. âDoes it feel strange to have it finally come true?â
âSo far it has been much more strain then I ever suspected.â
âWhatever do you mean by that?â
âI feel like Iâm learning how to be a princess all over again.â Vee threw her arms down in frustration. âLearning how to dress, how to eat, how to dance and speak. And nothing I can do is nearly good enough for her- or the kingdom, as she likes to say.â
âWell luckily itâs not her you're marrying.â Neese pointed out with a sarcastic smile. Vee chuckled dryly.
âItâs just the pressure.â Said Graham. âItâs the armor and the vows and the rings and the food and the-â he realized he was rambling.
âAhem- its just that, I want to be able to live up to the kings before me, but I canât even seem to plan a proper wedding!â He wilted slightly,
âI canât disappoint the kingdom! Or worse, my darling Vee.â
âAnd what IS a proper wedding?â Chester asked.
âWell you know, like the one Edward had. With the golden armor, regional cuisine, grand vows, extravagant decorations- I have it, but none of it feels right.â
This time Graham was the recipient of Murielâs fatal swing.
Graham stumbled back and looked at her in bewilderment.
âGraham, use your noggin!â
Graham stopped rubbing his freshly bruised head for a moment to look surprised again.
âItâs true that Edward was a good king. But Graham, we don't follow you because we want another Edward- we follow you because we want a Graham!â She leaned back in her chair,
âVee is a smart girl, I know she knows what sheâs getting herself into.â Muriel leaned towards Chester, currently eating fried frog legs. âMarriage is to truly love someone, warts and all! Trust my judgy face dear, what you two have is something special!â
Wente, twirling his mustache and smiling broadly, patted Graham heartily on the back,
âCouldnât have said it better myself! And take it from me, you should take the opportunity to plan a wedding that is for you and your beloved first- after all the wedding is a celebration of your love!â
Amaya- who until this point had been working silently at the forge, spoke as she walked towards the group,
âI was going to give you this at your wedding, but now seems like a better time.â
Neese stood and walked over to her friend. Sitting down beside her she leaned against her, taking one of Veeâs hands in hers.
âI mean it Vee. This kingdom loves you, Graham loves you. The last person whose approval you need to be concerned about right now is her.â
Turning towards her, Neese took her other hand,
âThis isnât her wedding, itâs yours, and itâs Grahams. You both have found something so beautiful and special and you are going to do amazing things together- donât let the pressure cause you to forget that.â
Vee smiled gently and squeezed Neeses hands, Neese squeezing in return. She let out a breath she had been holding.
âYouâre right Neese, thank you. I donât know what I would do without you here.â
âProbably kill your mother.â Neese teased. Neese giggled and Vee chuckled heartily. She paused.
She handed him a small object, crudely wrapped in todayâs newspaper. Graham gingerly took it and began unwrapping it. Inside was a silver medallion, about the size of Grahams fist and fashioned with a knotted heart insignia.
âItâs a clasp for your cape.â Amaya added, âthe heart in the center represents the joining of two as one, for your marriage. But when you wear it, I also want it to remind you of us-â she gestured to the small group, âand the people of Daventry who look to you as our king.â
Wente and the hobblepots rallied a âhear hearâ in response, causing tears to begin to gather in the eyes of their dear king. Amaya stood up even straighter, looked Graham in the eyes and said,
âI want you to know that as king- you have my respect and my loyalty.â she paused.
â-and as my friend, you have my trust.â
âNeese, I..love him, so much. I want so badly to be good enough for him and for this kingdom.â She stood, âI donât want to turn into my mother. IâŠI like who Graham makes me; who you always make me, and I want to be that person for him and for the kingdom.â
Neese rose and pulled Vee into a tight hug,
âVee, that person is you. Itâs who youâve always been.â She drew back to look her friend in the eyes.
âYou are my best friend. You have come so far, and like everyone, still have so far to go. But you will never give up striving for excellence.â Neese grinned, âAnd when you fall and make mistakes, you always have me! And now,â She paused to look out the tower window at the wedding bustle below, then back to her friend, whose expression softened more every moment.
â-you will always have Graham too. Donât be afraid to rely on those who love you Vee! We are behind you all the way!â
That afternoon, Graham and Vee nearly crashed into each other in one of the palace corridors after hurriedly searching for the other. They both had changes of heart about how the wedding should go and sought one another out immediately to discuss. Ideas poured from them, they spent the rest of the afternoon into the night just talking, about wedding plans, then about themselves, the future; THEIR future.
The day of the wedding arrived very differently than originally intended. To no one's dismay except Vee's mother however, and perhaps some slight annoyance on the part of No. 1 due to a handful of traditions having been left out this time. (Make no mistake, he was FAR more joyful than annoyed, his number one priority to see Graham and Vee happy and wedded!) Instead of ballroom dancing and public gift opening at the reception, in their place were now many games of wits, sporting tournaments and an arts and crafts workshop.(Courtesy of Acorn, Madeline and Neese.) Rather than a curated, exotic feast, every willing hand in Daventry brought a regional favorite dish or a long standing familial recipe.(Many did, thrilled to participate and be a part of the celebration.) Graham and Vee had decided to stick with traditional vows, but without the pomp and grandeur that was often added on. There were many more changes, making the day rich with joy.
And when the bride walked down the aisle, holding a bouquet not nearly suited to her complexion and filled with her favorite plants (many thorny and carnivorous) she beheld her bridegroom, grinning uncontrollably at her. Dressed not in blinding Golden garb, but instead in his faithful adventuring cloak and hat, a new silver medallion adorning the many pocketed crimson shroud. The sun shone, illuminating the rolling purple hills, Neese had already begun to cry, the knight's hopeful stood valiantly at Graham's side, the music swelled, every guest rose. Vee walked as controlled as she could manage through her elation, and she smiled at Neese then at him, returning his gaze, both bursting with joy. And so they smiled at each other, basking in the bright future ahead of them, and the love they shared.
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