by Robin Roseau
“Unless that’s what you want, I think I can give you something a little more unique.”
“We’d like that.”
“Ms. Pelonden,” I called. “Contact the courts.”
“I’ll get you a copy of the text,” she replied. “And ensure the paperwork will be correct.”
“Very good. Congratulations, both of you. Make sure my staff has all the information we’ll need.”
“Thank you, Your Highness!” they said together.
Terla stepped forward to collect them, and I looked out at the audience. “When word of that gets out, I could see us being inundated. Ms. Pelonden, requests for me to officiate at weddings will go through our offices. We’ll see how numerous they are, but we may need to institute some sort of lottery system.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Your Highness!” came a woman’s voice. “Your Highness! What if we came hoping for a ceremony today?”
“Who was that?” I asked. “Step forward.”
“It’s not our turn,” replied another woman’s voice.
“Step forward anyway,” I said. There was jostling, but then two women, dressed quite formally, appeared, holding hands. “Your names?”
“Ena Yesynore,” said one with a curtsey.
“Lyra Gillar,” said the other with her own curtsey. “Your Highness, our petition is to be married here, today.”
“Marriages are a solemn occasion,” I said.
“Begging your pardon, Your Highness, but marriages are a happy occasion.”
“I stand properly corrected,” I said. “You’re absolutely right, Ms. Gillar.”
“As we’re talking about our wedding, do you think you could call us Lyra and Ena?”
“I could, but as we’re in court, I remain Princess.”
They offered hasty curtsies, and Ena said, “Of course, Your Highness.”
“Are the two of you sure this is what you want? I can’t give you an hour ceremony today.”
“The ceremony by the clerk of the court is only a few minutes.”
“Surely… your family.”
“My mother is here,” Ena said.
“And my father,” Lyra added.
“And our closest friends,” Ena continued. “And Lyra’s brother.”
“Well, well,” I said. “Could the parents step forward, please?” That involved more jostling, but then there was a man standing beside Ena, his arm around her, and a woman doing the same with Lyra. I gestured back and forth. “Did I lose track?”
“No, Your Highness,” said the woman. “This is my future daughter-in-law. She’s a lovely woman and my daughter loves her from the bottom of her heart.”
“This is my future daughter-in-law,” said the man. “She is strong where my daughter is weak, but soft where my daughter needs softness, and I can’t imagine anyone who could make my daughter happier.”
I stared at them and then said, “Ms. Pelonden. Please send a runner to the courts. We need a clerk, and we need a copy of the text.”
“That won’t be necessary, Your Highness!”
“Oh, good golly,” I declared. “Who was that?”
Again, the audience jostled, and a man, tall, with a certain regal bearing stepped forward. He bowed. “Your Highness, I am Judge Orist Enlith. In my younger years, I was one of the clerks who oversaw weddings. Now, I only handle them for family and close friends.” Then he hefted a satchel, slung over his shoulder. “I have everything you need, and can facilitate the paperwork. I’m sure after this, your staff could see to things. There’s a form, but it’s very simple, and certain things you must say.”
“And you just happen to carry that with you, Your Honor?”
“Not normally, no.” He was smiling lightly.
“Are you here with someone today, Your Honor?”
“My daughter and her fiancé are with me. I will be officiating for them, but I thought if they were here asking for your blessing, there might be others.”
“And you came prepared.”
“I came prepared to assist you, Princess Darfelsa.”
“You came prepared to possibly wait the entire day, Your Honor?”
“I am spending the day with my daughter and future daughter-in-law,” he explained. “And I am watching you, Your Highness. I rather like what I’ve seen so far. You’ve grown up in your time away.”
“I certainly have,” I agreed. I looked around. “Is there anyone else here who came for any issues related to weddings, be it to officiate or simply to ask for a blessing?”
A pair of clasped hands immediately rose. And then I watched as one woman turned to another, knelt before her, and took her hands. It was seconds before the standing woman began crying and nodded over and over. But then one woman brought another forward, and they were both crying. They made it into the space ahead of the audience, near the judge, and hugged tightly.
“Your Honor,” I said quietly, then crooked a finger. He climbed the steps. “I don’t have a clue what I’m doing.”
“You have the authority, Princess,” he said quietly. “I have the experience and the necessary papers.”
“I think I’d like to invite you and your daughters, and perhaps a few others, to lunch.”
“I would be honored, and I imagine anyone else you invite will be, as well. If I asked you to co-officiate for my daughter…”
“I’d be honored,” I said, using his words. “Subject to my schedule.”
“They don’t have a date. This is happening quickly. It is a new proposal, although not as new as, apparently, two others.”
I nodded then lifted my voice. “Your Honor,” I said for everyone. “I would like to invite you and these people here before us for lunch.”
“On behalf of my daughter and her fiancé,” said the judge, “We would love to join you, Your Highness.”
“Ms. Blendost, get a count and notify the staff and my parents. I’ll need the three of you as well.”
“Of course, Your Highness. You lot, please come with me.”
* * * *
I dealt with a few simpler issues, including kissing the foreheads of two little babies. I even held one of them while handling the next case, then handed the child back to her beaming mother.
Then I collected Shalendra, and we swept from the room.
In the corridor, she leaned against me. “Doing better?”
“That was…” She paused. “Darfelsa…”
“You’ll need to attend some of the weddings with me,” I said. “I think there’s going to be more of them.”
“I do, too.”
We reached the dining hall. There would be nearly twenty sitting for lunch. Conversation died as we entered, everyone turning to face us. Once we were fully inside, I pulled us to a stop and smiled. “Over lunch, I am Darfelsa. Save the formality for court. I am going to teach the ladies a greeting from Ressaline.” And then I turned to Shalendra. “Ms. Pelonden, explain as we go.”
“It starts with a brushing of cheeks,” Renishta explained. “A light brushing.” Shalendra and I demonstrated. “At this point, it is customary to pause. One or the other may whisper into the other’s ear.”
“I love you,” I whispered.
“I am so proud of you,” she replied.
“For the closest of friends, there can now be a kiss.” I kissed Shalendra’s ear, and then she kissed mine. “Of the ear. For truly close friends, that can be more playful, but I don’t imagine the princess will attempt to shock all of you.”
That caused light laughter, and then Shalendra and I parted.
I then went around the room, greeting each individual. With the men, I exchanged simply clasped hands. With the women, I offered the Ressaline greeting, and I found something to say to each, although I kissed no ears.
Then I gestured to the table. “Have seats been assigned?”
“We were waiting for you, Darfelsa.”
“All right. I’m going to take the middle this time. I want Shalendra her
e. Your Honor, beside me, please, with Ms. Pelonden past you. The rest of you can fill in as you like, but if I see jostling, I’ll move you to a table in the corner.”
They laughed at that, and then they were all quite polite.
We talked about weddings. The judge explained my part and said, “I’ve already shown your staff the paperwork.”
“We’re going to handle it with his oversight,” Renishta said. “It’s just a simple form and some signatures.”
“And your seal, Princess.”
“I have everything we need, Darfelsa,” Renishta added.
“For the wedding this afternoon,” I said. “I want everyone to see. We’ll hold it on the dais, and I want a table there as well, for the signings.”
“Princess.”
“Whatever you’re about to say, the answer is ‘no’ unless you use my name.”
The judge’s daughter laughed. “Darfelsa. Father said we should ask if you would co-officiate our ceremony. We haven’t a date yet, so we can work with your schedule.”
“I would love to,” I said. “But I will be leaving for a trade mission to Ressaline this spring, so if you want me there, it needs to be soon, or wait until I get back. That might not be until late in the fall, and I will not be at all offended if you wanted a summer wedding.”
The two murmured together, and then it was Llorva Virris, the fiancé, who said, “Actually, we wanted a late spring wedding, but if our choice is an early spring wedding that included the princess, we would love that.”
“Coordinate with my staff,” I said. “Renishta, do what you can to make this happen.”
“Of course, Darfelsa.”
There was a pause, but then Ciliren Percilen, one of the two women who had received a fresh proposal this morning, said, “Your Highness.”
“Darfelsa.”
“Darfelsa,” she echoed. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“You gave me the courage I needed,” said Teriani Elstina, her new wife-to-be.
“Then you’re welcome. Everyone here knows this isn’t going to be easy. I’m sure you saw not everyone was welcoming this morning. I’m actually somewhat surprised there wasn’t any protest, but there were a few unhappy faces.”
“We didn’t even know it was legal until you said it was,” said Teriani. “We just assumed…”
“It’s entirely legal,” said Judge Enlith. “Any combination of consenting adults may legally marry.”
“What’s the most unusual combination you have helped, Orist?” I asked.
“Nearly all of mine have been a man and a woman,” he said. “But I married two men, years ago. They were longtime friends of mine. And three years later, they came to me with a woman and asked if their marriage could be amended. I spoke at length with her in private, but the three were deeply in love. They now have five grown children, and I’ve been able to officiate for three of their weddings.”
“That’s very sweet,” I declared. “You’re a good man, Orist.” He inclined his head.
* * * *
In the end, I officiated a single wedding, and we chose to do it at the end of the afternoon, after clearing the room of anyone who didn't feel he or she could support the happy union.
Shalendra stood beside me for the ceremony. On the dais were the two brides plus one mother and one father. Arranged in a semi-circle immediately in front were their friends and family, with the other brides – and Judge Enlith – in the mix.
And then, just before we were to begin, the back doors opened. “Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Ahlianna.”
My sister strode forward, dressed quite elegantly. She climbed the dais and offered a greeting. “We didn’t want to miss this. Mother was ready to begin screaming at you until Father said, ‘There’s no reason we can’t attend.’ We barely made it.”
“I could have stalled.”
Ahlianna stepped away. She greeted both brides, who seemed stunned, and their parents. Then she stepped to the side.
“Their Majesties!” she called out. “King Leander and Queen Ralifta!”
They were in their most formal attire, and Mother was absolutely stunning. They made their own rounds, and then Mother did something quite shocking. She took off her necklace and draped it over one bride’s neck, and her earrings went on the ears of the other. Father had another set for her, and it was Ahlianna who set them in place for Mother. And then the three descended the front stairs and were going to stand to the side, but the circle opened for them, and so they took their places.
“Don’t mind us,” Mother said. “I was going insane, thinking I was missing a wedding.”
“We’re happy to have you,” said Ena’s mother.
I nodded. “Well. Now that everyone is here. I’d like us all to hold hands.” I took Shalendra’s in one and reached for Lyra’s father’s hand with the other. “Down there, you too,” I said. “I don’t care if you don’t know the people to either side. Do your best to hold hands.” I smiled. “My heart is bursting right now.”
And then it was a simple ceremony. I kept my part simple, handling the parts the judge had told me were necessary, and otherwise giving both brides a chance to vow their devotion and both parents opportunity to vow their support.
Then I spoke for a minute, perhaps less, a simple blessing mixed with personal joy for the event.
Both brides cried through most of it, and I realized I was, too.
But then I decided to make it just a little longer. I paused, smiling. “I’m making some of this up as I go. I think you both understand?”
They laughed and nodded.
“Marriage is hard. Relationships are hard. From the outside, my parents make it look easy, but I know it’s not. There are people in this room who have held long, successful relationships, so I’d like to hear from a few of them. Mother, do you have advice for this new couple?”
“I do,” Mother said. “Ena and Lyra, the magic you feel today will seem to fade, but if you let it, it is actually replaced with a deeper magic, a warm, loving fire, that can last a lifetime. And so my advice is simple: realize that fire brings a lasting joy.”
“We will!” Ena said.
“Who else?” I asked. Judge Enlith offered a gesture, so I prompted, “Orist?”
“Find time for each other, even when your lives are full with all your commitments, with children. You came with loving friends and family. Help each other. The needs of children can be an especial drain on a marriage, but with mutual support, children can be joy, and you can continue to tend to your marriage.”
“He means,” said Ena’s mother, “To let me babysit. A lot.”
There was laughter, and Orist said, “Indeed.”
“One more,” I prompted.
“Ritual,” prompted Lyra’s father.
“I don’t understand, Zaos.”
“It seems silly, but Lyra’s mother and I kept little rituals.”
“Father used to help her with her boots,” Lyra said. “And Mother helped him shave. And they never rushed it.”
“We treated these times as sacred rituals, and we didn’t rush them,” Zaos said.
“I like that,” I said.
“I like the greeting you taught us,” Ena said. “That is now one of our rituals, Lyra. Darfelsa, how do you add playfulness to it?”
I laughed. “I can show you a few things later.”
“We’ll make other rituals,” Ena declared. “And we’ll find time, and we’ll find the fire, the hot fire we have now, and the long, warm fire that will grow.”
“Very good,” I said. “Very, very good. And so, to all here, I would like to declare Ena Yesynore and Lyra Gillar married, from this day forward.”
The audience cheered. The two embraced, and I realized they were sharing the new greeting before it turned into a deep, deep kiss. I turned to Zaos and hugged him, then Naexi, Ena’s mother.
Friends and family stepped forward and grabbed the brides. They each squeaked, but they were passed around, greet
ings shared, well wishes shared.
Ahlianna hugged each of them, and then she climbed the dais to stand beside me. “Well done, Sister,” she whispered. “Are you upset we’re here?”
“No. Was Mother upset?”
“Only because she thought we shouldn’t come. For once, it was Father who decided on the protocol. You should have seen her.” She gestured to the table. “You better do the paperwork before this gets out of hand.”
I laughed and agreed. It took a few minutes to reassemble. It was Ms. Pelonden who stood beside me, helping with the papers, showing people where to sign. I signed last and applied my seal. She looked it over, and then she handed it to the judge, who barely glanced at it. “Perfect.”
“Ms. Pelonden, do you know how to file that?”
“I do,” she said. “With your permission, I’d like to do that now.”
“The office must be closed.”
“It’s not closed for her,” Ahlianna said. “I’ll go with you, Ms. Pelonden, just to be sure.”
* * * *
I took one more set of exchanged affection. And then, with little ceremony, the royal family vacated the room, leaving everyone behind for the royal guard to eventually kick out.
We were barely in the corridor before Shalendra grabbed me, spun me against the wall, and pressed against me. Mother and Father both chuckled but said nothing as she deeply kissed me, quite deeply. When finally Shalendra released me, they were standing, arms around each other, smiling.
“You did well today, Ms. Robella,” Mother said.
“I nearly ran in panic,” Shalendra admitted.
“The first time, so did I,” Mother admitted. “But I didn’t. And you didn’t.” Mother offered a small bow. “Well done.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“May we count on you for dinner?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Yes,” said Shalendra.
“Informal,” Mother said. “Darfelsa, if you ever again host a wedding in my home without inviting me, I will…” She smiled. “Give you ten more male suitors.”
It was Shalendra who laughed. “She’s serious,” I said.
“I have no doubt.”
* * * *
Between Ahlianna and me, we reduced the pressure on Father’s Open Court rather significantly. This meant not only could Father work through his entire queue, but people came forward who might not otherwise have done so, some to Father, but more of them to Ahlianna and me.