Heather found Daniel in their quarters. He stood staring at the clothes the royal tailor had delivered. She came up beside him and put her arm around his waist. The clothes laid out were of the highest fashion and beautifully made. Daniel said, “I am of the Forest. These clothes are for one not of the Forest.”
Heather replied, “My stepmother meant well. She does not understand the ways of the Forest. The party is in our honor and we will wear what we’re comfortable with. I will tell my father and his Queen that our dress will not be formal.”
When they entered the great hall which was now decorated as a ballroom, their entrance was announced with trumpets. Daniel was more than a little self-conscious. Heather held his hand tightly as they walked past hundreds of dignitaries from throughout the kingdom. Daniel in his loose fitting trousers and layered shirts and vest stood out sharply against all the brightly colored silk robes. Heather was dressed in the white gown of a bride but her shoulders were draped with the fighting cape of the Forest. Her hair was still quite short and instead of a jeweled crown she wore a crown of leaves and flowers, much like she had at their wedding.
When they arrived at the head table the trumpet sounded again and her father, the King of the Northern Kingdom, and his Queen, her stepmother, entered the hall. Everyone bowed as they passed, except for a small group of those from the Forest who were in the far corner of the hall. Daniel much wished he could hide with his friends instead of being on display. The music continued until the King and Queen reached their seats and sat down. There was a general flurry as people took their own seats. When the commotion had quieted, the King raised his glass with this left-hand and said, “A toast to my daughter and my new son!”
Everyone stood and cheered with their glasses raised until Heather and Daniel stood and accepted their toast. When quiet again returned Daniel raised his glass and said, “A toast to my father-in-law and the peace he has returned to our lands.”
When the cheering had again settle down the King announced simply, “Let the feast begin.”
People began sharing the bread loaves scattered amongst the many settings. A salad of pickled cabbage and asparagus was then served. Daniel soon lost track of the many courses. The food was not as varied in flavor as he had experienced in the Southern Kingdom but they made up for it in volume. Music played continuously in the background and the levels of conversation would swell and decline with the serving of each new course. Despite Daniel’s attempts to limit his wine intake, his head was feeling a bit giddy.
The trumpets were sounded and a huge wedding cake was brought forth. The King rose and said, “A toast to my daughter Heather and my new son Daniel. May they enjoy life together and bring me many grandchildren.”
The toasting began in earnest. It seemed each and every dignitary needed to toast Daniel and Heather, and the King. Many of the toasts were long-winded and Daniel had trouble following their meaning, possibly because of the wine. When at last it was time to cut the wedding cake Daniel and Heather rose together and with musical fanfare sliced into the cake. As customary, the first piece was presented to Heather’s father and his Queen. When he nodded approval, Heather and Daniel shared a piece together to much applause. They returned to their seats and the cake was cut and distributed to everyone.
The Queen arose and said, “I would hear the story of your wedding.”
Heather and Daniel rose together and Daniel said, “The story is simple and probably not of much interest. If you would hear it, I would ask my friends of the Forest to tell of the story of our wedding.”
With the general clapping of approval the group of hunters from the Forest pushed three tables together and climbed on top of their impromptu stage. Jeremy acted as the orator. They quickly set the scene of their camp in the highlands of the Southern Kingdom. Heather’s injury and rescue were described, as well as Daniel’s lifesaving transfer of his blood to Heather. Daniel’s profound weakness was displayed by the actor, who had to propose to Heather while crawling. The King’s arrival on a horse was emulated with much laughter. The wedding ceremony ended with the now famous kiss that caused Daniel to pass out.
Those of the Forest accepted the applause and laughter of the assembly with simple bows. They reassembled their tables and received new glasses of wine. The Queen rose again and said, “I would that I could have been at their wedding. I thank you for your telling the tale for us. I would now hear the story of my husband’s injury and his saving.”
Daniel knew this request would be forthcoming and he had tried to prepare. Maybe it was the wine or maybe it was the large crowd but he had trouble finding his voice. Heather arose with him and when he had trouble starting the story she helped him by setting the scene and describing the attack by the Red Ambassador. Daniel recovered and continued the story about how they rushed to the King’s chamber and found him wounded, having defeated the assassin using only his left arm. As Daniel described his medical findings and realization of the poison on the sword, Heather allowed her eyes to sweep the audience. She saw the head royal physician sitting with one of the church elders. Their faces revealed more than jealousy; it was almost hatred of Daniel as he told the rescue story. Heather could hear the words Daniel was saying as he described the need to amputate the King’s arm, but her mind was focused on the intensity of the emotions displayed by those she now considered enemies. She may have won her battle with the church elders and the royal physicians, but peace with them seemed impossible.
When Daniel’s tale was finished they sat down and just listened to the many other stories that were told. The evening wore on but her heart was no longer in the festivities. Her warrior nature had again risen to the surface and she was contemplating the dangers her enemies in the palace represented, as well as the danger of the Red Ambassador. Daniel noted her change in attitude but waited until the festivities were completed and they were returning to their own quarters before asking what the problem was. He listened to Heather’s description of the royal physician and church elder’s response to his story. As they approached the door to their quarters he said, “Tonight we celebrate, tomorrow you can worry again.” He then picked Heather up and opened the door, saying, “At least I now have the strength to carry my bride over the threshold.”
Heather hugged his neck and whispered in his ear, “And what else would you have strength for tonight my love?”