ROUGH DRAFT 2

“You Are Cordially Invited”

A Highground Chronicle
By Margaret Lion
with approval and input from Mark Ridge and the Changeling Storytellers
Story takes place in Mary's on Sunday, May 28, 2006.

  * * *

Dinner and reception will immediately follow the ceremony.”	You are cordially invited to the wedding of Baroness Eleanor Elise ap Eiluned of Highground and   Baron Lorenal Aziraphale Solarius ap Varich On Sunday, May 28, 2006 6:30 pm At the Baroness' Freehold, Mary's, in Highground

Thus read the invitation. Since Matilda Wagner, the boggan who was Eleanor's long-time friend and housekeeper controlled the wedding logistics the invitations were magnificent. A mixture of black, silver, and gold to represent both Houses Eiluned and Varich with red and blue accents to show the colors of the Lord and Lady to be wed.

Matilda had been decorating, sewing, and preparing the freehold since hearing her lady was to marry Aziraphale. Matilda had prepared Eleanor's freehold, Mary's, for weddings before; all of her children had been married there. Matilda was going to make sure Eleanor had a wedding just as grand as theirs.

All of Ardendale had been invited; the majority of the guests coming from the baronies of Highground and Muses. The Great Hall in Mary's was decorated with the same colors as the invitations. House Eiluned and Varich were represented along with the device of Highground. Red swords for the groom and golden bees for the bride could be found everywhere. The cake was four feet tall with cascading gold and silver roses, trimmed in black with golden bees and red swords. Matilda almost made the cake black like her mood (she felt Aziraphale wasn't good enough for Eleanor) but kept the cake white.

Guests were seated inside the Great Hall with a view of the wedding canopy overlooking the beautiful grounds and forest behind the freehold. Tables for dinner were behind them. The wedding space would later be cleared for dancing. Guests were encouraged to eat as much as their stomachs could hold, hence the buffet line.

As the guests began to fill the Great Hall, soft music from the Highground satyr DJ, Portia Turner, filled their ears. Guests could breathe in the sweet smell of roses, honey, and vanilla.

The Highground guests seemed nervous and held themselves apart from others. It was only a year ago that Eleanor had been betrayed by her two best friends and Highground taken by the fiend Defayne. Citizens of Highground privately wondered if this new lord, Baron Solarius, would turn on Eleanor. They knew their lady loved this man; however love had not prevented betrayal in the past.

Samuel Wiseman, a tall, elegant eshu and citizen of Highground sat on the bride's side of the room. He was a doctor in his mortal seeming, having received the gift of healing many years ago. He was Eleanor's physician and partnered with one of Eleanor's dreamers.

Walter Simon, husband to Matilda, was, in typical boggan fashion, helping his family make the wedding day perfect. Under his wife's supervision, he and his children performed last minute duties.

The Carr Brothers, nockers who kept Eleanor's many automobiles in perfect working order, sat staring straight ahead, no fidgeting in their seats. They had been given strict orders and protocols on how to behave during the ceremony.

The citizens of Muses on the other hand, were by far noisier and more celebratory than their Highground counterparts. Many of them were delighted that Aziraphale and Eleanor we marrying; others were just happy for a party and free food.

His Excellency, Count Vladimir Aleksandervich Shaeryv Varichov stood outside the hall with the groom and his men. His Excellency was a magnificent, regal statue of golden nobility. This marriage was his will for he had taken Highground into Ardendale and now protected the land and its people. He had also been tasked to rein-in Highground's free-spirited baroness. She followed his rule and often told him how grateful she was that he was now her lord. He knew, in his heart, that Eleanor loved Aziraphale with all of hers. He was pleased to be performing the ceremony.

The groom, Baron Lorenal Aziraphale Solarius ap Varich showed no signs of nervousness or worry as he stood beside his lord waiting for the ceremony to begin. He was resplendent in his best formal garb; high collar tunic, red cape, and the Sword of Ares. His black and gold eyes surveyed the freehold that was to be, on occasion, his home. Tonight he would spend his first night in Mary's. Some of Aziraphale's belongings had been moved in the day before, as Eleanor had given him a room to use as his office and study. His soon-to-be wife had also gifted him with two new cars.

Count Shaeryv turned to Sir Careg, one of Aziraphale's groomsmen, and said, “Will you alert the bridal party to come down for the ceremony?”

Careg smiled. “Of course my lord.” He turned and went up the stairs. He had to stop himself from bounding. Two of his friends were marrying today and Careg could not be happier for either of them.

Upstairs in her bedroom, the bride was the center of attention. Silver crystals and white roses formed a braided crown in her luxurious hair while the majority of her curls caressed her shoulders and flowed down her back. The many layered, white, flowing dress had black and silver trim, tight, fitted bodice, and off the shoulder long bell sleeves. The silver crystals in the dress matched the ones in her hair. Her red and white bridal bouquet also held the same crystals, as well as a golden bee and a red sword artistically placed within the dance of the flowers.

However, the peace and tranquil beauty of the Great Hall was not mirrored in the bride's bedroom. The bride was panicking. Panicking.

To no one's knowledge, Eleanor had never panicked before.

Eleanor was as white as her dress. Her purple eyes were wide with fear and everyone in the room could see she was shaking and nearing hyperventilation. Matilda was holding the six foot train while staring at her lady in disbelief. Countess Nadja Shaeryv and Kaye Arden stood in front of Eleanor, wide-eyed with shock. Diana Silverstone, a sluagh from Highground, stood at the door wondering if she should get a sedative from Samuel. Sylvia, one of Matilda's daughters, just shook her head in the back of the room. She had done the bride's hair and make-up and was just waiting for the Baroness to explode. The nocker photographer, Bugsy "Shutterbug" McGillicutty, who Matilda had hired, was the only one who didn't seem to think Eleanor's behavior odd. He kept taking pictures faster than a hummingbird on espresso.

And the baroness was talking non-stop faster than most could think.

“Aziraphale-doesn't-love-me-and-I-shouldn't-be-doing-this-to-him-because-I-know-he-would-rather-marry-someone-else-and-why-am-I-doing-this-and-how-do-I-not-do-this-and-I-love-him-so-much-and-I-don't-want-to-hurt-him-when-the-woman-he-wants-to-marry-comes-along-I-shall-have-to-let-him-go-and-that-will-break-my-heart-but-that-is-ok,-because-I-know-what-I-am-signing-up-for-and-I-would-rather-marry-him-than-anyone-else-because-“

There was a knock at the door. Diana opened it to see Sir Careg.

“-I-love-him-so-much-but-I-am-being-and-idiot-and-yet-what-if-the-Dreaming-really-wants-this-and-what-if-we-can't-have-children–“ Eleanor saw Careg in the doorway. ”Careg!-what-if-I-can't-please-him-in-bed?!“

“Whoa! Too much information.” Careg winced.

“-but-you-know-him-and-you-can-go-to-him-right-now-and-tell-him-that-if-he-doesn't-want-to-marry-me-I-will-totally-understand-and-please-tell-Vladimir-how-sorry-I-am-but-I-can't-hurt-Aziraphale-like-that-and-I-can't-be-with-a-man-who-finds-me-repulsive-and-he-probably-does-and-I-love-him-so-much-why-would-I-do-this-to-him-“

“STOP!”

Everyone in the room froze. The roar had come from McGillicutty.

“STOP!” McGillicuty roared again. He faced Eleanor. “For the Dreaming's sake woman, pull yourself together so I can do my job !!!”

There was a pause. Everyone was shocked; and very grateful for the quiet.

“Thank you.” Eleanor said to the nocker. She sat in silence for a moment, and then said to McGillicutty “Do I look alright?”

McGillicutty shrugged. “You're a sidhe, you'll do.” He continued shooting pictures of the now quiet, if still not calm, bride.

Countess Nadja Shaeryv knelt beside Eleanor and took her hand. “Dear, I'm not one to give orders, however: Eleanor, you are going to marry Aziraphale. You are going to do it today, right now. You will be calm and graceful as befits a sidhe baroness on her wedding day. And you will trust that Lord Aziraphale knows what he is doing.”

Eleanor looked at Nadja with the wide eyes of a frightened child. “Yes, Your Excellency.”

Nadja looked to Careg. “It's time.” she announced.

“Right.” Agreed Careg and he tore down the stairs.

As he approached the Count and Aziraphale, Careg did his best to convey urgency without making either man worry. “They're ready” he announced.

Count Shaeryv nodded, turned and signaled the music. Aziraphale frowned at Careg. “Is everything alright?” he asked his friend.

“The bride is a bit nervous.”

“Nervous?” Aziraphale's frown deepened as they followed their lord down the aisle to the wedding canopy.

The bridal party had immediately huddled around Eleanor and had herded her down the stairs, Matilda holding the train behind her lady to be sure it was properly fluffed. Countess Nadja took charge and walked down the aisle behind Kaye after sharing a glance of “You'll push her won't you?” with Matilda.

When the time came, Eleanor walked down the aisle unassisted. However, she couldn't meet her future husband's eyes. She felt so selfish in marrying him – she had wanted him for so long - and she wasn't sure the marriage had been his idea. Yet she also had to marry to meet the needs of her station and protect Highground. "Damn being a noble and going through these silly breeding customs" she thought "Poor Aziraphale having to marry me!" She stopped her internal monologue for if she continued to think like this she would run screaming from the hall.

When she stepped under the wedding canopy, Eleanor bowed before her liege lord then rose. She could feel Aziraphale standing next to her.

Count Shaeryv faced her. “Baroness Eleanor Elise ap Eiluned of Highground, do you come to this ceremony today of your own free will, unhindered and without doubt, to join with this man before you in holy matrimony?”

“Yes” Eleanor nodded.

“Then will you give me your ring as a token of your troth and free will to wed?” Count Shaeryv held out his hand.

“My lord, here it is.” Eleanor removed the ring she had for Aziraphale from her thumb and placed it in Count Shaeryv's hand.

The Count turned to the groom. “Baron Lorenal Aziraphale Solarius ap Varich, do you come to this ceremony today of your own free will, unhindered and without doubt, to join with this woman before you in holy matrimony?”

“Yes” Aziraphale replied.

“Then will you give me your ring as a token of your troth and free will to wed?” The count asked his baron.

“My lord, here it is.” Aziraphale removed the ring he had for Eleanor from the top knuckle of his smallest finger and placed it in Count Shaeryv's hand.

“Eleanor Elise, place your ring upon Azirphale's hand as a token of your love, your fidelity, and your desire to share your life with him.” As Eleanor put the ring on Aziraphale's hand, the baron could feel her shaking. He took her hand and held it firmly as Count Shaeryv addressed him.

“Lorenal Aziraphale Solarius, place your ring upon Eleanor's hand as a token of your love, your fidelity, and your desire to share your life with her.” Aziraphale put the ring on Eleanor's hand.

“Please clasp hands.”

The couple joined hands, right to right and left to left. The right arm and hand crossed the left, hands holding wrist. Count Shaeryv wrapped the red handfasting cord around them.

“Sharing your strengths, all weakness will be banished. You two shall stand side by side and back to back as one. Protecting and caring for each other to the ends of your days.”

Aziraphale felt Eleanor's continued shaking and squeezed her wrists, hoping to calm her. For the first time since entering the room, Eleanor's eyes met Aziraphale's. She smiled. Though it was not her usual beaming smile her shaking lessened. Slightly.

Count Shaeryv's voice stirred the room. “Do you, Baroness Eleanor Elise ap Eiluned of Highground, take Baron Lorenal Aziraphale Solarius ap Varich, as your Dreaming Blessed and lawfully wedded husband?"

“I do” Eleanor said, her voice louder than it had been since the ceremony began.

Count Shaeryv looked to the groom “Do you, Baron Lorenal Aziraphale Solarius ap Varich, take Baroness Eleanor Elise ap Eiluned of Highground, as your Dreaming Blessed and lawfully wedded wife?"

“I do” Aziraphale said.

There was a faint murmur throughout the crowd as ripple of glamour passed them.

Count Shaeryv enveloped the wrapped hands of the couple with his own. “Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may share your first kiss.”

A burst of silver and gold glamour flashed from the wedding canopy and flew through the hall. Applause filled the room as Aziraphale and Eleanor's lips touched. Samuel Wiseman stood and began to applaud, his joyous smile blinding. The rest of the hall joined in and suddenly everyone was on their feet and applauding and cheering. Count Shaeryv smiled and held the cord as the couple pulled their hands from the sacred bond. The recessional music filled the hall, causing some to shout with glee. The couple walked down the aisle amidst cheers and falling flower petals.

When they finished the recessional march, Aziraphale walked Eleanor out of the Great Hall and away from the growing noise of the guests. He stopped in the doorframe of the workout studio, away from every one else. “You should try breathing,” he said turning to his wife.

Eleanor blushed and began to silently laugh.

Aziraphale pulled her to him, resting her face on his right shoulder. “Deep breaths” he coached, stroking his new wife's hair. Eleanor pressed her face into him and continued to quietly laugh.

“I don't think I have ever seen you this nervous, Lady.”

“I don't think I've ever been this nervous.” She leaned into him willing her shaking to lessen and her mouth to become less dry.

"Aziraphale?"

"Yes."

"Being in your arms is the safest place on Earth."

Aziraphale brushed his lips against her hair.

After a few minutes, Eleanor raised her head and looked into Aziraphale's eyes, smiling. “I'm ready to go back.” she said. “Thank you.”

“I always thought brides were supposed to enjoy their wedding day.” Aziraphale commented.

“Grooms should too.” Eleanor replied. They walked back into the Great Hall, Eleanor's hand upon his arm, where the celebration was just getting started.

When they entered the room they were greeted by another round of cheers. (A few because they were grateful the bride hadn't bolted from the hall.) Dance music began and Matilda's fabulous food started to appear. Alcohol of many varieties was being served as well as fruit punch and sparkling cider. The wedding reception opened like a fairy tale castle in a child's pop-up book and the glamour that had biefly flashed in the room began to grow and spread.

Inspired by the swaying satyrs it snaked is way through the dance floor. Reveling in the feast, it poured over the food tables and swam with the bubbles in the champagne. Hearing laughter and joy in the hall it bounced up and down like a helium balloon.

Samuel laughed long and loud as he and Ree traded stories. Messina and Portia danced around Tam in a flurry of skirts and flying hair. Count and Countess stood extra close to each other and glowed with a gentle, golden warmth.

Drevni, Lara, Jain, and Claire sat together talking. Each couple holding hands. Sidhe and sluagh together.

Kaye and Gawayn fed each other as the boggan relaxed against her husband's shoulder.

Kathryn and Dino danced; Dino's cape and pants making a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns on the floor.

Romulus , Aziraphale's dog, played with Vey, Triza and V's wolf, in the backyard. Chimerical wolves joined them as they romped through the backyard and adjoining forest. Triza and V had promised to watch Aziraphale's dog for the night. In the meantime, they joined every Redcap in the room in devouring the feast before them.

The Carr Brothers argued the value of gasoline powered cameras with McGillicutty.

Diana quietly patrolled the upstairs. Matilda had given her strict orders to make sure no one, absolutely no one, disturbed the couple or their chamber. Especially Thraxx and Jain. If either of them bothered the couple, Matilda had years of punishment planned. Diana half hoped the knights would anger the boggan so she could see them wear clothes washed in itching powder and eat food stuffed with sand.

Matilda smiled as her family helped feed the guests. She loved the joy in the room and having people she loved enjoy her hospitality. Finally, Walter pulled her to the dance floor during a slow song.

Even the chimerical giraffes that had moved into Highground several months ago were inspired. A young one entered the hall and started eating the flowers. The decorations were saved however, when the groom's wrath flared and the young and ill-behaved giraffe found a dagger embedded in the wall over its head. It ran away fearing for its life. The tall beast and its compatriots spent the rest of the celebration out of Aziraphale's sight.

As for the glamour, it rose and fell and fed the fae.

When the night sky embraced the freehold, Jain sang a song of love, his eyes frequently resting on Claire. Then Petra and the Carr Brothers set off their fireworks. Guests sat outside on the lawn and cheered as light and colors painted the sky.

Standing on the porch, Aziraphale took Eleanor's hand. “Perhaps we should say good-night to our guests.”

Eleanor looked into his eyes. She squeezed his hand. “As you wish”.

They moved through the crowd, wishing their guests good-night. Everyone wished them well and congratulated the couple. Joy and glamour had been raised. It was a good sign.

At the top of the stairs outside the master bedroom, Diana stood guard. She made a small bow when she saw the couple and then drifted into the shadows. Aziraphale opened the door and Eleanor sighed with delight as they stepped inside.

Matilda's final gift to her lady was decorating the bedroom. The curtains were drawn and held shut with cords of flowers and vines. Candles gently lit the room. There was champagne, water, ice, bread, cheese, and chocolate covered strawberries on a small table in the room. The large canopied bed had the covers turned down and was strewn with flower petals.

“Oh Matilda, how can I ever thank you?” Eleanor asked the air as Aziraphale closed the door behind them.

And what the baroness and new baron of Highground said and did for the rest of the night is for them alone to remember.

Special thanks to Argotique Graphics.
The site no longer exists but the graphics are still amazing. - Margaret Lion