A Wedding to Remember

Finally the day of the wedding had come. Calena’s dress was massive with nearly a 20 foot train. The entire city was abuzz with celebration, feasting and happiness at the Princess wedding one of their own. Deshane was all in dark blue and fringed with white to match her dress. He had shaved off his beard completely and he actually looked much younger like that. His dunedain blood belied his years and most people thought he much younger than he really was. Nauriel, Arina, Kressara and Calene were in the bride's dressing room putting the final touches on her hair, veil and dress. Deshane was already up next to the priest and all waited anxiously for Calene to appear.

Arina, Kressara, may I speak to Calene alone please?” Nauriel asked. The two girls smiled and kissed Calene’s cheeks as they stepped out into the main hall. Nauriel moved to fix her veil into her hair. “Are you nervous? It’s not unnatural if you are. I just want you to be prepared…” she said though her voice trailed off. The first time she had been with Elessar...he was quite large, was an eye opening experience. Deshane was not quite as tall as the King but there was no mistaking his bloodline. One reason she took no issue with her daughter’s choice.

Calene was somewhat nervous, but mostly very excited. In the few months since his proposal, she and Deshane had become even closer and she now felt as if she were marrying her best friend. They had somehow managed to resist going beyond kissing, though it was difficult for them both. She knew that Deshane had been with other women, but did not hold that against him. He was older than she was and his life before her was his own. However, after today he would belong to her and she would belong to him. That thought alone made her smile.

With just minutes to go until the start of the ceremony Calene was in her dressing room with her sisters and mother helping her to finish getting ready. Unfortunately her grandparents, nor her older sister Laenaya could be there, but they had sent their best wishes and a few gifts. Calene and Deshane would live in the palace, but in an apartment separate from the others. Deshane's duties would often take him away from the city and they both felt more comfortable with her being in the palace. Besides, she still had duties to attend to in court. Her dress was magnificently beautiful and everything the wedding dress of a princess should be. Her hair was pulled half back and she wore her tiara and a diamond necklace. She was half daydreaming as her asked to speak to her alone. She smiled at her two sisters and watched as they left before looking over at her mother. Her question made Calene's cheeks flush a little.

"A little..."

“Well...its plenty alright to ask him to move slowly at first,” she said in a whisper. “There might be a little blood and some pain at first but trust me...it gets alot better,” she said matter of factly. She had had this conversation with Laenaya before her wedding and now Calena was next to be wed and it helped to be prepared for what you did not know. Nauriel could not hold back the tears when she finished setting the veil. “You are so beautiful Calena...I’m so proud of you daughter, Deshane is a good man, he is getting a good wife in you,” she said as she gave Calena one last hug. WIth a long sigh she wiped her tears then waved her bridesmaids and train holders in. Smoothing out her own dress she stepped down the hall then into the main hall where everyone was seated. She stepped up the side then sat in her seat at the front. Elessar was in a dark gray suit and his crown gleamed brightly in the soft light. He waited for Calena and her attendants to move up to him then he’d take her by the arm and give her away.

Calene listened to her mother and nodded slowly. She hoped tonight would be everything she had institutions to be. She gently hugged her mother so as not to wrinkle her dress and fought to keep back the tears in her eyes. After her mother left her attendants came invto ready themselves to help carry her train. She looked at her father and smiled softly at him. She had heard that he and Deshane hadn't gotten off to the best start, but hoped they could come to some understanding. They were the two most important men in her life after all. She kissed her father's cheek before gently slipping her arm through his. She then took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment before nodded to her father to tell him she was ready.

The music began, a solemn, beautiful wedding march. Those in attendance gasped as Carena and her dress came into view. As her bridesmaids took their places it was just her, her father and her train bearers that moved down the isle. This moment was bittersweet for Elessar. Having her stay in the city was important to him. And in many ways that alone helped him come to terms with who it was she was marrying. He thought Deshane to old for Calene. But he attributed some of that to the notion that no man would truly be good enough for any of his daughters. He had taken care of Arina’s...mistake. Hardly like him but he did what he felt he had to do.

Deshane watched her approach. He had never seen anything as beautiful as she...not ever. Something important was happening to him today. Something good and honest and grand. That man near the isle fidgeting...his eyes fluttered back to Calene. It was a slow march and the hall was long and completely packed with people. He thought he saw a glint of steel from the man and it appeared Calene had as well, Her veil shifted slightly then she moved her head slightly forward again. Elessar beamed with pride but could see nothing from his position.

The moment she saw Deshane her eyes met his. She looked truly happy and smiled at him as she walked alongside her father. This was a day she would never forget. She was marrying the man she loved...a man who had rescued her in a number of different ways. Now that the danger was behind them her she could relax and truly start a new life with Deshane.

Calene was so focused on Deshane that she hadn't seen the man fidgeting near the aisle. She thought she saw something suddenly out the corner of her eye, but couldn't place what it was and thought perhaps it was just her eyes playing tricks on her.

With all eyes on Calene, Nauriel was also on the isle in the customary spot for the mother of the bride. Her eyes shifted to the man and away again as well. However something about him made her eyes roll back to him. Her motherly instincts were on high right then, her elven eyes picked out the knife he laid flat against the bottom of his forearm. He was going to use that knife. She could see it in his eyes.

“Calene! Look out!” She shouted then everything happened at once. Calene flinched, Elessar moved, Deshane moved and the guards in the room all went for their swords before they knew where the danger was. The man leaped toward her, Nauriel could see the vengeful hate in his eyes as he flipped the knife around so that it pointed down. Not a knife she thought...a dagger and meant to sink in deep and kill. Just before the knife reached her chest though an arm came down and the dagger pierced deeply into it.

Deshane has already leaped from the small dais and had taken several steps toward them. Guards had freed their weapons and even Nauriel had managed to jump over the bannister and her own chair to be in the isle and moving toward them. Calene could only look as the dagger came through the bottom of her father’s forearm but he had shoved her forward just in the nick of time. For a moment Elessar and the man that held onto the dagger just looked at one another eye to eye. Then men behind him in the isle, put their hands on him and hauled him back to subdue him. Elessar grunted as he held his arm and blood began to flow down onto the carpet and the white flow petals that were laid there to mark Calene’s passage.

Both Calene and Nauriel had made it to him as well as Deshane and several guards. Unbelievably he turned away from Calene though and Nauriel knew the reason. He didn’t want to get his blood...on her dress.

Everything seemed to suddenly slow down to Calene. She heard her mother yell out and then suddenly looked up to see a man with a dagger. His eyes locked onto hers and she knew that dagger was meant for her. She screamed as she saw the blade come down towards her, but before it could hit her her father shoved her forward out of harms way. Looking back she was horrified to see the dagger sticking out of the bottom of his forearm. The guards had apprehended the man. Calene was visibly trembling as she watched the blood coming out of her father's arm and realized just how close to death she had been.

Nauriel rushed to her husband's side and looked at his arm. The dagger was still there. She yelled out for anything she could use to wrap his arm after she removed the dagger. A thick cloth was found. She looked into Elessar's eyes for a moment.

"Are you ready?"

Even as she spoke the man who had begun to rave had been hit in the back of the neck and knocked unconscious by an overzealous guard. Elessar prepared himself though it was clear by the murmuring going on around them that what had happened was a complete outrage. Deshane looked of Calene who barely even had any blood on her and was not hurt at all. Elessar nodded to Nauriel and in one, quick motion she pulled the dagger out, dropped it then covered his arm on both sides and applied pressure to stem the bleeding. Elessar only blinked at the pain though many in the crowd gasped at the sheer brutality of it coming out. Nauriel knew only one other man that could take such pain so, her father.

Deshane looked on Elessar as if he had never seen him before. It was obvious now that he had erred in blaming him for his father’s death. He had, in part produced the woman he loved and also he would have clearly given his own life to protect her.

Nauriel only shook her head knowing inside what Elessar had wanted. He wanted to remain and for the ceremony to continue. Elessar knew inside that she’d have none of it and so silently he relented and allowed her to take him to the infirmary though one of the healers had come out from the audience to follow them. Calene and others wanted to go as well but Nauriel waved them to remain. Deshane didn’t really mind, he was able to view Calene in her dress for a little longer now. He hugged her to him.

“He’ll be fine...I know he will,” he told her softly.

Nauriel took a firm grip on the dagger blade and in one swift and fluid motion pulled it out and dropped it. She then quickly wrapped the fabric around his hand and tied it up tightly to apply pressure to both sides of his hand. She wasn’t surprised when he didn’t make a sound. In fact, his mind seemed elsewhere and she knew that he was probably thinking about the wedding ceremony. However, he needed to get to the healers and she was glad when he allowed her to lead him away. Calene wanted to go with them, but listened to her mother and agreed to stay. She glanced over at the man who had nearly killed her as he was carried away. She was glad for the distraction Deshane gave her by hugging her. She wrapped her arms around him and gently rested her head on his chest.

“I know,” she replied gently. “Do you think that was one of the kidnappers?”

“I do,” was all he said, hoping that that would distract her further from what happened. “I think I owe your father an apology,” he added. “I never saw anything as beautiful as you are...right now,” he whispered in her ear in a breathy voice. When she looked at him she’d see his eyes and know his words were true. She also saw something else in those eyes, desire and a promise of what was to come when they were alone. “I so want to marry you Calene...I tried so hard to get you out of my heart,” he continued. “I am not worthy of you my love but, I have the rest of my life...to try to be,” he added softly.

Calene felt a shiver go down her spine at Deshane’s whisper in her ear. It made her mouth go dry, especially as she looked into his desire filled eyes. Her heart began to beat a little harder. She felt her own desire building. If his passionate kisses were any indication of what was to come then their first night was going to be quite special.

“You are absolutely worthy of me,” she said as she gently reached up and caressed his cheek. “You should never think otherwise. You saved my life...you brought love and happiness into my life...you are truly my hero.”

As the King sat he appeared awfully...quiet to Nauriel. As the healer began to clean his wound, she could feel how much it hurt him but he only just looked at her as if his thoughts were a thousand miles away right then. However he spoke suddenly. “You would have done no less for our daughter,” he said plainly as his eyes slid over to hers. In all reality, what he did was foolish. He was an important figure if not THE most important. He was far beyond taking chances when there was an entire kingdom that needed him. No less now than then. But he could not allow this to happen. He would not and if the world burned for it than it burned. He could feel her strong love for him. It bloomed up inside her like a sunrise and he couldn’t help but smile at her. He leaned over, the healer had to shift to continue her work and he ‘smelled’ Nauriel’s neck. He felt the hackles on the back of her neck rise and saw the goosebumps appear on her flesh right then. The healer blushed at seeing this though she wasn’t trying to look and she continued more hastily now lest she see something that she didn’t want to see. Or worse, something that she did.

Nauriel didn't say anything. She knew that Elessar would speak when he wanted to, and not a moment before. Many decades of being with him had taught her this. When he did speak she looked over at him. Never for a moment had she thought he wouldn't. While he was King, he was also a father and husband and he always put that before anything else. Her eyes met his and she felt a strong feeling of love between them. It amazed her still just how strong it was. Their bond had been tested many times, but it had never broken...in fact, it only got stronger with each passing year.

She watched as he suddenly leaned over towards her. She closed her eyes as he drew close and heard him breath in her scent close to her neck. Desire rose up quickly within her, but she knew it would need to be suppressed for now...their daughter still needed to be married after all. However, as she opened her eyes to look back into his, he would see just how much she loved and desired him.

It was just over an hour before Nauriel and Elessar moved back into the main hall. He wanted to pick up nearly where they left off and he was thankful that Calene was still standing there. Deshane was there as well and he was surprised when the man bowed to him He had never seen Deshane bow to anyone but he did to him and even Calene was surprised.

It didn’t take long for everyone to take their places. The music began once more and Elessar handed Calene off to Deshane then moved to take a seat next to Nauriel. His arm was in a sling and it hurt but the wedding itself had seeped back into everyone’s hearts and the outrage of the attempted murder faded into the background.

It was Deshane’s turn to speak his vows and he spoke up loud and clear for all to hear. “Calene, what I felt was my duty had turned into my life when I met you. I promise to love you, keep you and protect you for all of my days. You are the love of my life and I can only try to be worthy of that love, for as long as I live,” he told her.

Calene was relieved that her father was going to be alright and glad that the wedding was going to be able to continue. Everyone soon took their seats and once again Calene was escorted down the aisle by her father. She smiled and kissed his cheek before he sat down.

Calene listened and smiled as Deshane spoke his vows. She felt her love for him grow even more in that moment and a few tears filled her eyes. When it was her turn to speak she looked deep into his eyes.

"Deshane, you rescued me in more ways than one. I didn't know what love looked like until I met you. You have shown me how to not only be a stronger person...but also a better one. I promise to love and care for you until we are parted from this world. You are the love of my life and my best friend and I know that no matter what happens we will come through it together and stronger."

The ceremony continued where they were bound together in life and in death. At the end, arm in arm they took their first steps as man and wife and waved at their families and the cheering audience as they exited the hall. The reception wasn’t far ofcourse, the large ballroom was fully lit, the massive chandeliers glowed and twinkled high above the attendees that ate, drank, talked and danced here and there around the large room. Servants scuttled about with silvered trays of the best vintages of wine and tasty juices for the many children that attended the ceremony. Everyone was happy and the King and Queen seemed to be seen in a purer light than they had been. What the King did for his daughter and how stoic he and Nauriel were at taken everyone aback. News of this event had already found its way to every corner of the city and soon would be known by the high and the low of every city.

Deshane’s vows were not long nor particularly flowery but that was who he was. With a bit of wine in him he did seem to loosen up. He danced with Calene, her mother and her sisters. He danced with nobles and commoners alike and thanked them profusely for coming. He actually looked a little different cleaned up and dressed formally like he was. Calene on the other hand, hardly had a moment to herself. She was the real focus of the celebration and everyone commented over and over about her beauty, her poise and her fortune at finding a man like Deshane who had quite the reputation as it turned out.

It wasn’t until after midnight but after they were carried by their friends and family to their new home high up in the city, they only just managed to get inside without being stripped bare and Deshane had been goosed on his bottom by no less than a dozen women before he was able to carry Calene through the door. Even after it was shut some of the suggestions about how they should consummate their marriage made him blush and he saw that Calene’s face was no less flushed than this was. After a few minutes they heard the crowd step away and they both took a deep breath now being truly alone with one another.

The celebration was truly magical for Calene. She was surrounded by family and friends...everyone she loved and cared about….and she was now married to the most wonderful man in the world. She had never felt so happy and even managed to forget about the fact that she was nearly killed that morning. She and Deshane were congratulated by everyone, but finally was able to get away to be able to have a dance together. She also danced with her brother, Eldarion. There were songs and music and much laughter. The food seemed never ending, although Calene barely had time to eat anything. Her mother did bring her a glass of wine though that she was able to enjoy while speaking with everyone who came up to her.

It was well after midnight when the celebration finally began to wind down. Calene and Deshane were escorted to their room, where they were to spend their first night as husband and wife. Her face flushed at all of the suggestions that were made...and she was glad to see that Deshane was blushing as well. Finally, they were left alone in their suite. This was the first time Calene had been truly alone with Deshane since their engagement. She looked over at him and her eyes met his.

“I love you.”

Deshane wanted her first time to be special. It wasn’t easy to not just attack her, he had wanted her sexually for quite some time. He held himself back though and only responded to her affectionate words with a kiss. And then another and another. As he kissed her he began to undo the buttons of her dress. When there were no more to undo, he had not stopped kissing her he came to discover that she had undid his belt and his trousers. How she did that he did not know but it did make him smile. Her triumphant grin was all the encouragement he needed to go on.

He untied the ties to his suit and started at taking everything off when he saw her pull down her dress. She had nothing beneath what she pulled off and her full breasts were suddenly bare before him. He had only a moment before the rest of her was exposed to him when her heavy dress continued down to her ankles. Hastily, he nearly fell due to his shock, he had hopped clumsily out of his pants and small clothes. His moment of action had made her stifle a laugh but her mirth cut off quickly when he had straightened up to his full height before her.

Neither he nor her moved as theirs eyes moved up and down one another. Each taking in the fullness of the other. His anticipation of what was to come was already obvious, the coolness of the room and what she of him made her body react as well. Deshane took a step forward. He was quite tall compared to her and he touched her face and lifted up her chin as he leaned down and kissed her lips quite softly. Once, twice, a third time and then she felt his hands move to cup her breasts in his hands.

Calene felt nervous, but also ready for this moment. She had wanted to be with Deshane since before their engagement and waiting had been extremely difficult. However, she was glad that she had because it made this moment even more special. She closed her eyes as he kissed her and kissed him back. She felt his hands start to unbutton her dress, but he didn’t stop kissing her. Her hands went to his belt and without looking she undid it and then unbuttoned his pants. As he pulled back to look at her she smiled at him and soon things began to happen more quickly. She began to gently pull of her dress, so as not to rip it, and soon her entire body was exposed to him as she let it fall to the ground. She was pleased at his reaction and she waited with bated breath as he removed the rest of his clothes. She then stood there before him taking in his naked form, while he took in hers. Calene was slender, with medium sized breasts and ivory colored skin. She watched as he approached her and began to feel her heart start to beat harder in her chest. As he leaned down to kiss her she closed her eyes and kissed him back. She began to tremble slightly as he reached up to touch her breasts, but she did not stop him.

Deshane fought hard against the urgency to be inside of her. He caressed her subtle curves softly and allowed her to touch him as much as she wanted to as well. Now that they were wed, his body belonged to her as much as hers belonged to him and he would not stop her from availing herself from learning what his body felt like and what made him shiver to her touch. More than once she did feel him shudder, he was very sensitive in some places and she looked delighted to find those places.

He allowed her to pull him toward their bed, it was a massive, over dressed monstrosity but it was soft and he followed her up onto it where they continued kissing and touching one another in their most intimate places. When he started, he was looking into her eyes he saw by her expression that it hurt going in and so he paused until the resistance passed and then slowly inched his way deeper.

“Do you wish me to stop?” he asked not completely convinced he was no longer hurting her.

Calene was rather hesitant at first to touch him, but when she finally did she gently moved her hands around his body, delighting in feeling him and knowing what touches he enjoyed the most. Slowly, they moved back onto the massive, soft bed, while still kissing and touching one another. Calene’s heart was beating hard and fast in her chest and she was sure he would be able to hear it and feel it. She moaned softly as he continued to touch her intimately. She winced when she felt him begin to enter her. She had prepared herself for this, but it still hurt. She felt her body tense up and she had to force herself to relax. Finally, she felt the resistance give way, but there was still some pain. However, she did not want him to stop.

“No, don’t stop,” she told him, looking up into his eyes.

Even with her affirmation to continue he continued with a bit of care for her. He laid his weight down upon her and she seemed to like him like that though he knew he had to be heavy. Her kisses felt wonderful and before long she folded her legs and hooked the backs of his thighs with her legs as if to urge him into her. What was happening felt so good a moan escaped his lips more than once, something that seemed to make her happy. He caressed her side and her hip, pressed her butt up into him and lowered his head to draw his lips and mouth over her nipples which see seemed to enjoy. All in all it hadn’t taken very long before he his seed exploded into her. He groaned as it escaped him, it had been longer than he really remembered and her body felt good to hold.

After they both laid awake, drank wine and talked about anything and everything. About their families and about their wants and dreams as a couple would. When she fell asleep, he settled their blankets on top of them then wrapped her up in his arms. She stirred when he had to shift her to get his arm around her but she only smiled snuggled into him and went back to sleep.

The next morning he was awakened to her laying over him. The sheets were down at her waist, her breasts completely uncovered. Whether she did that for his benefit was unclear but what she was doing to him with her hand to arouse him was. He saw that she still blushed some but he only smiled, closed his eyes and rolled onto his back. “Yes, that belongs to you to,” he said sweetly.

OOC-Do you want to leave it here and start a new thread?

ooc-sure