A Binding of Hearts - Wedding of Mala and Chris

[Marie Legard]

“Oh… I… um…,” I fumbled. I wanted so badly to talk to him about Ferris and the things that had happened. This was not the time though.

“It’s just something that I’ve been wanting to talk to you about. It can keep though,” I told him, giving him an honest smile. “This is your day and I’ll not distract you.”

[Calista nó Valerian]

I was nervous in all good honesty; for all I was of Valerian, I didn't know Christophe very well, and I didn't expect to know anyone else here either. My eyes lowered, I made my way into the reception area and stood a little to the side, trying to keep myself from feeling too out of sorts. Smoothening my dress a touch, I glanced up and looked around me, taking everyone in slowly.

[Henri Legard]

It looked as though they had reached a point in their conversation where I could interject without seeming much an ass. I smiled, placing a hand on Maries shoulder, gently, and one on Christophe's, too. "It is the big day!" I exclaimed brightly. I knew my cheeks were ruddy from my having hurried here, and from the excitement.

[Soleil Belfours]

"A little of both, I should think," I said. "She's excited to be in a new place."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man scanning the crowd. "Is that your fiance over there, Ana?" I asked.

[Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai]

I nodded to Marie. "Later then," I told her with a soft smile.

And then Henri was there, fairly bouncing with excitement. I had to draw in a deep breath to answer, his words making me nervous again. "It is. Do you have the rings? I'm sure you do. I'm sorry, I'm just fretting," I said.

[Malabelle Shahrizai]

I let the peace and quiet settle into me until I felt calm and more than ready for the next events to happen.

As if summoned by my thoughts, there was a soft knock on the door and then a priestess entered. “Are you ready, my lady?” she asked with a sweet smile.

“Oh yes,” I said, returning her smile and rising, smoothing my gown.

“Follow me,” she said and I fell into step behind her after retrieving my bouquet.

[Marie Legard]

I smiled at Chris and then at Henri. I withdrew, giving them some time together as brothers. Moving through the temple, I made my way out to where the ceremony would be and where the guests were gathering.

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

I looked up at Soleil's comment, and smiled again. "Oh yes," I said to her, waving a little to Jareth, Synnove in my other arm. "I'm happy the two of you can finally meet."

[Karina Mikhailova nó Valerian]

We entered the sanctuary and made our way to the seats provided for those here to witness the ceremony. It looked to be a small wedding, something I couldn't help but approve of. Some people wanted the pomp and circumstance, but I thought such extravagance unneeded.

At Pierre's words, I was distracted from my thoughts. "Thank you Pierre," I replied with a soft smile for him. "You look quite handsome yourself."

[Soleil Belfours]

"I'm glad too," I said. "I've looked forward to this meeting for a while." Synnove burbled happily, imitating Ana's waving motion.

[Jareth d’Aiglemort]

I caught movement and spotted Anacrasia waving. She had a babe in her arms and was talking with a lady who was no doubt the baby’s mother. The whole picture struck me for a moment considering me and the Lady Shahrizai’s situation. I smashed down the implications though in my mind and approached with my normal pleasant demeanor or at least I hoped it was normal “good evening ladies.”

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

Jareth was looking a little twitchy, but then he was entering a Shahrizai event and I was holding a babe. Either could give him cause to be put off his stride. Poor lad.

"Hello darling," I said with a warm smile. "This is Marquise Soleil Belfours, my foster-sister, and her daughter Synnove. Soleil, this is Duc Jareth d'Aiglemort, my fiancé."

[Jareth d’Aiglemort]

I smiled a bit at Ana “hello to you as well m’lady.” I then shifted my attention as she conducted the introductions “A pleasure to meet you both.”

[Pierre Legard (D)]

We found our seats and took them, my eyes glancing about as I did before looking to Karina.
"Well its a special occasion." I said with a chuckle. "That and I had to be sure I measured up to you."

[Soleil Belfours]

"The pleasure is mine, well, ours," I said, gesturing to my babe, who giggled and held a chubby hand out to Jareth. "I've heard so much about you, all good things."

[Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai]

A priest entered, the door not even closing behind Marie. "Christophe?" He asked, and I knew that it was time. I nodded and stood, closing my eyes for a bit longer than a standard blink, centering myself. Henri and I then followed the priest out, coming to stand in front of the smiling statue of Elua to await Malabelle.

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

"It looks like it's about to start. Shall we sit?" I asked the two of them.

[Soleil Belfours]

I nodded. "Yes, let's," I said, reaching out to take my baby back from Ana.

[Jareth d’Aiglemort]

“Well good things are always good” I replied to Soleil and then simply inclined my head in the affirmative to Anacrasia.

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

I handed Synnove back to Soleil's waiting arms, and then flashed a smile at Jareth as I sat.

[Henri Legard]

Standing beside Christophe and feeling too proud to be terribly nervous, I smiled warmly at him, giving him a gentle pat on the shoulder to know that I was there behind him, and to offer him any strength he needed, not that he would need it. he was already a terribly strong man, and one about to be wed to a woman he loved. I looked out into the crowd with a sideways glance, not connecting gazes with anyone in particular. It was a small gathering, intimate and privte. Then I looked to the entrance, wondering what the bride would look like in her wedding dress, and wondering what Chrstophe would be thinking at the moment he saw his wife to be.

[Malabelle Shahrizai]

I followed the priestess out to the open space where Christophe and the others waited. No one else mattered though; I only had eyes for him. I smiled as I looked at him, immediately knowing that he had commissioned his outfit with my wish for his Sun Prince ensemble in mind.

The air was chill, but that could have just been because of the heat that filled me, my love for him a fire that burned near to consuming me. I stopped beside him, smiling up at him.

I love you, I mouthed silently.

[Marie Legard]

I felt happiness swell inside me when Christophe and Henri came out, a feeling that only grew when Malabelle joined him. They looked so incredibly happy together, how could anyone begrudge them their love?

[Soleil Belfours]

I sat on the other side of Ana and watched the procession come in.

[Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai]

I grew more and more nervous with every passing second as they stretched out to what seemed like hours. Henri's clap on the shoulder helped, as did looking out to see my family and friends there. Just not quite enough.

And then she appeared, a vision in Shahrizai blue. And sparkling with happiness, heart-achingly beautiful. I couldn't take my eyes off of her as she joined me before the priest. When her lips formed those wonderful words, I raised her hand to my lips. "Love you too," I whispered, my eyes still looking into hers. I smiled, then made myself glance to the priest. He was smiling too.

"Be welcome all," he began, and after that his words became rather indistinct to my ear. Later I would know he was speaking loud enough, I was merely distracted by the woman beside me.

[Malabelle Shahrizai]

Distantly I heard the priest as he touched the earth and embraced the sky, giving his benediction and speaking the words of binding. The priestess of Naamah took up the refrain when he had finished, giving her blessing to our union as well.

All that paled though to the pounding of my heart as I looked at Christophe, and the rustle of bronzed wings inside me. All of the torment and terror in my life had led me to this moment and I would suffer it all again, and again after that, as long as it brought me here, to him.

My focus came back a little as I heard the priest ask for the rings and I knew it was time for Christophe and I to exchange vows. I glanced at Henri, knowing Christophe had given him the rings.

[Henri Legard]

When Malabelle walked down that lane, I could not help but to grin. She looked so happy, as did Christophe as he stood beside me. I watched the two as they gazed at each other and listened to the words of the priest. It felt like coming home. The joyful solemnity of the priest's words made me feel peaceful and when it was time for my part, I stepped forward to present Christophe with the ring. I felt like such a part of their union that tears sprang to my eyes.

[Karina Mikhailova nó Valerian]

I watched and listened with a smile on my face. I didn't have the opportunity to witness many weddings, most of my friends were Valerians and weren't the marrying kind. I wondered if I would ever marry, glancing at Pierre beside me. Who knew what the future held? Maybe I would be lucky enough to find someone like Christophe did.

[Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai]

The priest and priestess spoke the ceremony. I should have been paying attention to their words, but I knew I would remember the feeling for the rest of my life. It didn't matter that it was winter, the sun was shining down on us and warming me to the core. The nervousness was gone, replaced with the absolute sense of rightness that came with thinking of being joined with my love.

And then it was time for my part. I turned to Mala, taking both of her hands in mine after retrieving the ring from Henri. Looking deep into her eyes, I spoke straight from my heart. "Malabelle, you are my best friend and I want to spend the rest of my life waking up next to you. I had no idea when we met that I would fall for you, but it was entirely too easy. With all my love, I take you to be my wife, and it makes me the luckiest man in the world," I told her with a soft smile. "I promise to love you through good times and bad, through joy and sorrow, no matter what lies before us. You have my heart and my trust. I am yours, and always will be. Before all these witnesses, all the gods in the heavens, and most importantly before you, with this ring I thee wed." I slid her ring on carefully.

[Malabelle Shahrizai]

I felt tears in my eyes as he spoke, my body so filled with love it was impossible to contain it all. He slipped the ring on my finger and I felt whole, perfect, and complete. Drawing a breath so I would be able to speak, I took the ring from Henri before holding both of Christophe’s hands in mine.

“Christophe, to say you are my savior is to fail at describing what you are to me. You have given me a life I never dreamed possible, you have taught me the true meanings of joy and friendship and love. You have made me a better person, and I will spend every moment in my life proving myself worthy of your love. We have been through trials that most would not survive, and yet through it all you were always there for me, a guiding star and safe harbor. You have taught me how to trust and to believe in the wonder of life. Before all these witnesses, the gods, and above all you, I swear to be with you through whatever may come and with this ring, I thee wed.” At some point a few tears had escaped my eyes and as I looked down to slide the ring onto his finger one dripped onto his hand.