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"What about here?" Andarien asked as they drew near the place where the wedding would take place.

But then they were there, and ushered forward to where they would be sitting, and there wasn't the time to answer his question properly.

Inside, Earendil looked around. Despite the fact that it was late winter, there were flowers everywhere. They were seated in the third row from the front, near the center, and had an excellent view of just about everything - and everyone.
Aerin and Aethos were standing together at the front, and Caranthir and Alassëa were not in sight. Briefly Earendil wondered where the young first sola was; then he spotted Cameron sitting on Rhea's lap, next to Aurin and the twins in the second row. The boy was very fidgety: but then, he was also very young.

The rest of the seats were very nearly full: of the thousand or more seats that had been prepared, it was difficult to spot any that were empty.

They had to wait only a few more minutes before the music faded and everyone grew silent. Then there was a trumpet fanfare announcing the arrival of the bride, and everyone rose to their feet.

At the back of the gathering, in the middle of the aisle, Alassëa appeared. She wore a crown of winter flowers atop her head, and her golden hair shone in the sunlight. Her sightless eyes sparkled brightly and her smile was the brightest in the place. Her dress was gold and shimmered as if sprinkled with the dust of the crystals found in the caves. She had neither staff nor falcon to guide her among the people, but Caranthir, dressed up in a pale blue tunic and golden pants, had her arm safely tucked in his, and he beamed with pride as he began to lead her forward.

They walked slowly towards the front, and once they arrived everyone sat down. Caranthir stood with Alassëa just one step away from the dais. Aethos had eyes only for Alassëa, and there was such warmth in his gaze that none could mistake his adoration for anything less, no matter how far back they were seated.

When the crowd was silent, Aerin spoke.

"Who gives Alassëa?" she said loudly.

Caranthir smiled warmly. "As king of this realm, I give the keeping of Alassëa, daughter of Bryce, out of my protection, to Aethos, second sola of the realm."

He helped Alassëa up onto the dais so that she wouldn't trip and helped her to find her place opposite Aethos. Once she was ready, Aerin spoke again.

"Aethos-sola, Alassëa, it has been a long and unique sequence of events that have brought the two of you together," she said, loud enough for all to hear. "Fate is a strange and sometimes wonderful thing. To some, it is kind; to others, it is fearful. Both of you have been through your own personal ordeals. But both of you have risen above them. Now, you seek to unite your lives not only before your family, but before your friends and your people."

She looked at her brother. "Aethos-sola, what do you vow to Alassëa?"

Aethos's eyes were fixed on Alassëa as he made his vows. As she returned her own vows, her face was turned towards him, though her eyes of course did not focus. When their vows had been made, Aerin smiled again. She murmured something quietly to Aethos, and the sola reached forward and took Alassëa's hand in his. Aerin cupped both her hands around theirs and lifted them high so that all could see.

"By the power that rests in me," she said, summoning the flames that curled around the couples' hands, "I declare you husband and wife. Aethos-sola, Alassëa-sol, as these marks on your hands will never fade, so let your love for each other never fade."

The fire vanished and Aerin released their hands. Aethos lowered his hand and looked at it, then took Alassëa's hand and brushed her fingers lightly over the marks on his palm. Then he put her fingers to the marks on her own palm. A wide smile split Alassëa's face, and then Aethos put his arms around his new wife and kissed her.

All throughout the assembly, people began to clap and cheer.

Andarien looked up at his parents. "Does that mean they're married now?" he asked, a little confused by it all.

Earendil was also cheering, but Andarien had more questions.

"But why did Queen Aerin burn them, then?" he asked, confused. He was clapping his hands, but half-heartedly, since he still didn't understand it all. Mostly he was doing it because everyone else was.

"Huh ..."

Andarien was thoughtful, and he turned his eyes once more to the front of the assembly.

Then it was time for the celebration feast. Surprisingly quickly, considering the crowd, tables were set up for people to enjoy the feast. There was also an enormous area near the musicians which was left clear for dancing, and very soon both areas were full of people who wanted to do both. As bride and groom, Aethos and Alassëa were expected to lead in the dancing, which they did.

Andarien made himself comfortable by the food, though he also ended up in conversation with some of the people he had gotten to know a bit - mostly the jeweler who had helped Andarien make the watch and the jeweler's family.

Aranxia sought Miyuki out. She, too, was rather alone, since River and Jess had, as usual, gone off together. The girls passed the day more or less together, feasting, mingling, joining in the odd dance here and there as partners, making sure to give their congratulations to Aethos and Alassëa.

By the end of the day, everyone was thoroughly exhausted: but the following day already, the group of travelers began to plan for their departure.

Miyuki wasn't the only one who wanted to make one last trip into the city before the group would have to leave.

River and Jess had their cloaks on and were on their way out of the castle when they ran into Miyuki.

"Hey, Miyuki," River grinned at her friend. "Jess and I are going into the city to say goodbye to some people. Would you like to come along?"

By the time Miyuki was ready to go, River and Jess were waiting for her just outside the palace entrance. They were chatting with Wren, who was just returning to the castle, and when the River spotted Miyuki returning all three of them waved to her.

"Ready?" River beamed.