The Denman incident over Edward heard those around him react, it made him feel awkward, thankfully Mina broke the silence. " Well that woman's part of something called the Sisterhood of Helus, unfortunately someone trying to split our faith, she has only a few thousand supporters and most find her something of a joke, sadly two of our junior ministers seem to be supporters of her, but their nothing more than preachers in the wild." he hoped the explanation would defuse that situation, "Normally we'd have the High Priestess doing the ceremony, but welll.....time and that." he shrugged his shoulders, "As for the Borlanders we've got them pinned in the Alps for the time being so there is nothing to worry about" he said confidently, it was true since the Stoneton incident the Borlanders had been reduced to the odd ambush and raid in the Alps but Edward knew like most Morelanders something else would come in the future, it always did. "I think the biggest worry today will be trying to get some of the crackling off the roast pig" he had seen the various chefs from the planned gala dinner quickly adapting to a wedding feast including two giant Boers being slowly turned on a spit outside the Officers Mess at the neighbouring Naval Base.
Suddenly a bugle blew and the Morelanders present instinctively stood as Edward motioned for the visitors to do likewise, the sound of people coming up the metal gangway could be heard and a smartly dressed Royal Marine saluted as white dressed Princess Rhiannon and Evie appeared on deck with little baskets from which they flung red flower petals. Next came on deck Freya, a simple
Blue Dress her blonde hair pulled back into a short pony tail held in place by a simple piece of red ribbon. Around her neck she wore a silver necklace with her mothers wedding ring on, the only other accessories were a rope belt from which hung her sword. Just behind her came Rebecca Jarrett, her Chief of Staff holding a red shield with the royal families coat of arms on. David turned and smiled as he saw his sister, their father should have been stood where he was waiting to "Hand her over" as David had explained it. Alex meanwhile kept facing the makeshift alter, it was considered back luck to turn when the bride entered, something about it being the marriage always looking into the past.
Finally Freya reached the alter and Alex turned to face her a great smile on his face. It was now over to Admiral Thompson, "You're all going to have to forgive me, this is the first time I've ever conducted a marriage, would have to be a royal one too, so no pressure hey." He looked down as the piece of paper that was weighted down and covered in scribble, with certain things not being avaliable such as parents, scarves and the like it was pretty much seat of the pants work. "If I may begin by asking who brings Freya Kara Ironside for marriage." It felt odd to the Admiral not using her royal title but it was tradition.
"I do, David Sven Ironside" the King said proudly. "Finally" he added under his breath getting a slight playful dig in the ribs from Freya. At this point he would have removed a specially made scarf from around Freya's neck and untied it before handing it to the Priestess, that wasn't here and so in the finest Navy tradition Thompson had made do with a length of lanyard. The King picked it up, a slip knot already tied in it he placed it over his sisters wrist and stepped back to stand with Rhiannon to one side.
"And who brings Alexander Redfern for marriage"
"I do, Arthur Kelly" Brigadier Kelly was in town for the festival, after all it gave him chance to check out some shiny new Red Legion equipment, and being the closest Alex had to a father in town he'd got the gig. He picked up the other end of the loop placed it over Alex's wrist. Thompson took hold of the centre of the lanyard and began reading from his card trying hard to ignore the noises from onlookers, many of whom wouldn't have a clue what was happening.
"Many thousands of years ago the God Helus took the Goddess Marissa to be his wife. The two bound their hands together as a sign of a union that would not be broken, today in the sight of Helus and Marissa we today create a union of these two people." There were several prayers and even some singing before they reached the main part of the ceremony. A small wooden bowl was produced and a tiny little knife.
"With my blood I pledge that I shall love you forever, stay true to my oath to be a loyal loving husband and honour you always" with that Alex nicked his thumb and squeezed a few drops of blood into the bowl. Thompson wiped the blade clean and then handed it handle first to Freya.
"With my blood I pledge that I shall love you forever, stay true to my oath to be a loyal loving wife and honour you always" Freya now made a small cut in her thumb and added her blood to the bowl which Thompson held up.
"We have heard their promises and witnessed their commitment to each other. It is our duties to support them in their marriage. I further ask", a small brush was dipped into the bowl and Thompson mixed the two bloods together, "That Helus and Marissa give these pair their blessings" he splashed a small amount of blood onto two statues of the Gods before taking another lanyard and wrapping it tight around both hands, normally the loose end of the scarf was used but this was the best they had. "I am exceptionally proud to name them man and wife, May The Gods Watch over you and Your Hearts know peace." the two kissed and the Morelanders stood and clapped. David even had a bit of a tear in his eyes while Rhiannon and Evie hugged before Alex motioned Evie over to join them. A few photos were taken and then Freya and Alex accompanied by Evie left once more escorted by Marines.
David spoke to the assembled group. "OK, we've a few small things that are tradition still to do, first dance, eat too much, have a drink or six and the like. The Royal Navy have thankfully made their officer mess available, its literally a few hundred meters that way, follow the smell of roasting pig" the King could even see the smoke raising slowly from the fire in the distance. The King watched as the people headed for the gangway again to follow Freya and Alex who were now being showered in flowers by well wishes who lined the route to the officers mess. David wanted to stay til the end and thank the crew.
"Come on we're missing valuable drinking time" Brigadier Kelly urged as he stood beside the King. "Anyway they'll be a queue at the bar if we wait." he teased as the deck emptied.
At the Officers Mess long white tableclothed tables had been arranged, bottles of wine and water lining the centres. A frantic Naval officer ran to and fro checking on things before the couple arrived. "One minute" he yelled as he saw the couple approaching and he literally sprinted the length of the mess hall to straighten one of the rows of bottle, one being a few centremeters out. He had just reached the door again as the newlyweds arrived. "Your Royal Highnesses" he saluted.
"Not yet" Freya smiled, "He's still a muggle" she teased her husband, it seemed strange to think that now she was married while less than 24 hours ago it wasn't something she'd even been thinking about any time soon, but why not.
"Yes Ma'am....I mean Your Highness, Major Redfern" the officer was flustered, "if you'll come with me, your should stand here greet people as they arrive." The officer stood to one side ready to direct people as they arrived, he waited for the first arrivals, Captain Robbie Peacock, one of Alex's Red Legion friends to finish speaking to the couple.
"Thanks for coming Robbie" Alex said shaking hands with the tall officer.
"I just came cos of the free bar" he smiled before bowing to Freya. "You have my condolences" he said to Freya, he'd got to know her well during his time at the Palace running Red Legion operations and they'd also served in Academica together, Freya considered him more a friend than a guard.
"He's not so bad" Freya hugged him.
"He snores" Robbie added, they'd shared a tent or two in their careers.
"And what exactly have you been doing sleeping with my husband" Freya pretended offence.
"Get to the bar, we've more important people to see." Alex gave him a playful push. Robbie didn't need telling twice and listened to the Naval officer direct him to either the dining room or the bar, he peered inside the mess hall, seeing just wine and then headed to the bar for a proper drink. Several other Morelanders arrived one after another each getting to pass on their congratulations and then file into the bar or hall to socialise before the party began.
