Oh Happy Day

Writers: Suzee, Paula, Miriah, Len, Emma, Clancey, Chelle, Avery, AL
Date Posted: 16th October 2014

Characters: Bryvin, Vestian, Relik, Zelah, Corowal, Felyna, Zathris, Rhosyn, K'sedel, Jaylene, J'nne, Xelfin
Description: The Lord of Sunstone takes a bride
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 9, day 5 of Turn 7

Bryvin

The harpers were playing appropriate music in the background of the
beautifully decorated main hall at Turquoise Bay. Guests murmured as
they took their seats and Bryvin watched with hooded eyes. His
reactions today would be studied and appropriate to the occasion even
if he was still steaming.

He'd never once been successful in getting Xeladrie into a private
conversation. She was always surrounded by ladies or her parents and
he'd yet to find anything out about what had happened to her sister.
But even discrete questions to servants had only told him she wasn't
in the house.

He paced watching the guests arrive.

Vestian stood behind Bryvin, his face a picture of utter calm and
professional courtesy. His lips twitched slightly at the music as
there was a slight squeak heard from strings and he glanced at the
assembled musicians before turning his attention back to the matter at
hand.

Not exactly relishing being around so many people, Relik nonetheless
understood it was a good time to make acquaintances and to shore up
old moorings. This was a seahold and he knew these people. On familiar
soil, he'd already spoken to the Lord of Turquoise Bay and was now
standing to the side. Since he was now working with Bryvin as Lord
Holder, naturally he'd shown his face at the man's wedding.

Corowal entered with Felyna at his side, exchanging greetings with
familiar faces. It was nice to get to present their hold with his
wife. He knew that he and Felyna were stunningly good looking pair.

Xeladrie had said goodbye to her siblings while they and her maids
fussed over her and put her together. Now she was standing in this
awful dress - which was actually a very beautiful dress - with her
hair put up in a terrible arrangement that pulled at her scalp and
felt heavy. Her face had been prettied up and she'd been scrubbed
clean until she felt like her skin was chafed.

Now she stood where she was supposed to, ignoring her father and her
family and concentrating on keeping a pretty, simpering face going. She
would pretend like she loved this. She would pretend like she was
happy to be here. She would love marrying Bryvin. She wanted to be a
Lady.

If she told herself it enough, she could convince everyone.

The doors opened, the music changed to a stately march. The attendants
escorted the bride down the aisle between the seats. Bryvin fixed a
warm and welcoming smile on his face. He had to admit that she was
stunningly beautiful. The match could have been perfect if he hadn't
already been in love with her sister.

As she approached he kept his eyes on her as any man besotted by his
bride would do.

Felyna tucked herself under Corowal's arm and smoothed the side of her
beautiful new dress down her hip. Clad in Emerald Falls colors and
setting off her husband's chisled features with her own fair skin and
blond hair, she could not describe how happy she was to be out and
being seen. And without children. It thrilled her in a way she
hadn't been since she'd married Corowal knowing that he was going to
try to love her, truly love her.

The brilliant green of her eyes narrowed in speculation as she watched
Bryvin's bride coming down the aisle. Just how beautiful was this
mysterious daughter of Xelfin who had blond hair and green eyes like
her own? Just what kind of Lady would she be? They would be
contemporaries yet Felyna did not feel the pull of kinship and
friendship with this woman the way she often did with other women of
her station.

She settled down to watch next to her handsome husband, and see.

From her place in the front, Rhosyn was fitted out in her finery. The
Weyrwoman had come on her queen since Orlaith was nowhere near egg
heavy yet. The large gold was currently holding court on the Hold's
fireheights and enjoying the sun. She was quiet and would say her
hellos to those needed later. For now, she observed the ceremony as
the sunlight played upon the strands of her hair. **Perhaps there
might be dancing later.**

Sitting beside her in the area reserved for the River Buff riders, Jaylene
fidgeted and sighed. Her brother Jayonne caught her eye and grinned.
Former events at the Hold weren't exactly their thing, but as wing
third to the Weyrleader Jaylene had to attend.

Xeladrie's eyes looked over the audience, taking in who she saw there,
who had come to witness. River Bluff's leaders, Lords from all over
Pern
including Emerald Falls. A chill ran through her as she realized this was
happening, she must go through with it.

She stood now facing Bryvin, keeping that inspid smile on her face as
she listened to the Harper begin to speak, to marry them. She could
say what she had to and get through this.

For once K'sedel was transported back in time before the plague as he
listened to the ritual words of the ceremony. For a moment he could
hear the Harper who had married him to Naishea, see her stood there,
but then thing snapped back to the here and now.

"Am I getting older or do the brides just keep getting younger?"
Corowal murmured very quietly to his wife.

Felyna responded in the same volume with an arch tone that spoke of
mischief but also political smarts. "Younger means an heir faster and
you know he'll want one immediately to secure his claim. But yes,
she seems very young." And while she showed a beautiful face of
happiness to them all, Felyna knew that face well. She had one just
like it, and it hid a multitude of secrets.

There was a hushed whisper between the Lord of Emerald Falls and his
wife, but Zathris couldn't catch the words. He glanced over at them
and then to the newly appointed Lord of Sunstone as the wedding
commenced. While he had come out of respect, Zathris was
uncharacteristically quiet. Events with his wife made him hesitant to
leave the Hold, but he did so as not to risk straining relations.
Benani had been left with extra guards and his own personal canine to
watch over her. Although there would be more celebrating to be had,
Zathris would only stay long enough to not be considered rude and then
he would return.

Xelfin proudly stood with his daughter and then placed her hand in
Bryvin's and stepped back to his place next to his wife.

Bryvin then lifted the hand to brush it with his lips and press it
with his other hand warmly. She appeared slightly white and no wonder
with the eyes of so many holds upon her. Whatever of his wishes had
been thwarted, this woman would be his wife and bear his children. It
was not her fault that she wasn't the woman of his dreams and he had
to make the best of the situation so in pragmatic fashion, Bryvin
offered his support. "You look beautiful my dear," he said warmly
before turning to Vestian.

Vestian favored them both with his best warm smile and inclined his
head in respect to the pair. Without having to clear his throat,
Vestian's deep voice was heard clear over the assembly. "We are here
to witness the union between Bryvin, Lord of Sunstone Sea Hold and
Xeladrie, Lady of Turquoise Bay Hold. Lord Bryvin, " Vestian turned
to the man, a formal smile lifting his lips. "Will you take Lady
Xeladrie into your home and Hold, honor her and protect her as your
wife, holding her above all others?"

"I will," Bryvin answered with a nod.

Vestian turned to Xeladrie with a bow of his head. "Lady Xeladrie,
will you go into Lord Bryvin's home, honor and obey him and hold him
above all others?"

"I do so promise," Xeladrie said, reassured from her nerves and
petulance by the Harper's steady voice.

Not one to get too misty eyed in public, Felyna watched with interest the
faces of the bride and groom. The same whisper she'd used earlier in
response to him came again. "This match will bear watching, Corowal.
Do make sure you do." But it was not audible to anyone but her
husband, and she knew his own mind would agree. She continued, now
teasing, but in that same soft voice. She glanced from the couple
being married to Corowal. "No, I am certain of it now. You are far
too handsome to be considered older, my husband." Much to her dismay,
but also her delight, she had married a handsome man nearly twice her
age. And Faranth, she loved it.

Corowal nodded at his wife's words. Yes, Bryvin should be watched and
his bride. He was grateful that Sunstone wasn't his neighbour or he
would also had to keep eye on his borders. "Thank you, dear," he
murmured at the compliment and lifted her hand to his lips. Then he
concentrated to watching the ceremony.

Their vows were exchanged along with the etched gold rings. The Harper
Hallmaster made the final pronunciation and the crowd cheered as
Bryvin bent his head to kiss his wife gently.

He turned to the crowd with a happy smile and pulled her hand into the
crook of his arm. Bowing first to her father he then led her down the aisle
and toward where the reception would be held. Right now he would play
the happy bridegroom and attentive companion. Any other thoughts or
feelings would be banished today out of consideration for his now wife.

Xeladrie kept the smile on her face after he kissed her and as they faced
the crowd, reserving an extra little warmth for her siblings when she
caught their eyes. She took small, delicate steps with him on her arm.
Now she was married, and she would be every inch the dutiful bride.

Last updated on the December 18th 2014

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Oh Happy Day