Wenn & Wolf Tales

wwe1000
~~~ Wedding ~~~

The great hall of Wolf Keep was abuzz, in fact, the stone walls of the whole place seemed to vibrate with the activity on the day of the wedding. Night^Kat and Chamberlain were busy welcoming the long line of guests who were gathering and oft found the need to hunt up more chairs for the gallery of attendees. It seemed the whole of the kingdom had come to share in Lord Wolf and Wenndolyne's excited bliss. The din of chatter and greeting was smoothly underlaid with the soft sound of the musicians. They had a long play list which Wenn had spent weeks preparing.

Wenn and her half of the wedding party and close friends were giggling excitedly and fidgeting with last minute details in one room on the Keep's main floor while Wolf and his companions paced and spoke quietly, infrequently, in another. Twas a bit of nervousness for both parties yet never did it cross the mind of the bride or the groom to change the plan. There was no doubt in either heart that this was meant to be.

Simon stepped out of his room and looked over the stair rail then descended til he joined the throng. He was looking rather lost in the crowd, but quite the wee gentleman in his little blue suit that matched his bright blue eyes. He waved nervously back to those who greeted him then wandered cautiously down the hallway, hoping he knew which was the right door for joining the men. Once he heard the giggling women though, he could guess which was the wrong door.

The tide of guests arriving slowed as the appointed time approached. Night^Kat left his assistance to the Chamberlain and took up a seat on the first row of chairs reserved for the bride's guests. Lord Troy stood near the back of the room, silently rehearsing his part in the ceremony. His Lady Marty slipped from Wenn's preparations and smiled at she passed Troy, patting his arm. She could see that his hands were a bit shaky, but she knew he would do well officiating. The Chamberlain walked to the Keep doors and closed them. He used his staff of office to tap loudly on the cobble stone floor, signaling that the ceremony was to begin. Elspeth came scurrying out of Wenn's waiting room and quickly took up her reserved seat.

~~~~~~

Music swelled from the corner of the great hall and overtook the shushing voices of the guests. There is always such energy at the start of a wedding, but at this one, even more so. Most of the citizenry of Camelot had watched the love of Wenn and Wolf blossom toward this event.

Chamberlain started by announcing the wedding party and began with the Officiate. "Lord of Lakeside Castle, Husband to Lady Marty, performing the ceremony this day, the thirteenth of September... Lord Troy."

Lord Troy strode the length of the aisle to take up his position before the gathering. He took a moment to check that his ceremonial robe was in order, smoothing over the rich blue fabric trimmed in gold and silver embroidery. When he looked up again he put on all the confidence he could muster and shared a sweeping smile with the room. He added to this proud and friendly gaze, a deep and respectful bow to the guests and then to the Chamberlain.

Again the Chamberlain's voice carried through the great hall, over and above the processional music. "Lord Ancient Wolf... Lord of the House of Wolf of the Twelve Houses of the Founding, Guardian of the Sacred Seal, Founder of the White Winds Academy of Magi, Prince of the Lost Land of Lyric & The High Elven Council, Warden of the Celestial Passage, Master of Wolf Keep, Alpha of the Star Pack, Father to Simon Wolf, Knight of Camelot and defender of the Realm." Chamberlain could not suppress his smile as the Lord of the Keep stepped from the hallway into the back of the great hall of Wolf Keep.

Wolf's forest emerald eyes scanned across the faces of friends and family who had joined them. He adjusted his long white robe and shifted the forest emerald cloak with its sapphire blue lining. The weight of it was draped over his shoulders but held in place by a large silver clasp in the shape of a wolf's head, shining at his throat. His slow steps down the aisle were smooth and flowing, not betraying his nervousness in the least. As he turned to take his position, he bowed respectfully to Lord Troy then looked out toward the back of the hall to watch the procession.

The Chamberlain continued "Lerrad Shea O'Donnell, Lord of Flaxley, Cousin to the Lady Wenndolyne and Husband to the Lady Elspeth." Lerrad stepped from the hallway and moved a bit faster than Wolf down the aisle, his excitement for his cousin Wenn was barely contained. He stepped into place and made a brief bow before the Chamberlain presented the next of the wedding party. Lerrad's eyes quickly sought out his own bride, Lady Elspeth, who returned his warm smile with her own.

"Lore Mistress, Reader of Books, Teller of Tales, Gem Sister, Adopted Sister of the Pack, Lost Daughter of the Silver Lion, and wife to Ranarak Tarandis." Lore was beaming as she followed the tempo of the music down the aisle. Her forest green gown of velvet with lace insets along the sleeves flowed about her. The bodice was also accented with a lace inset cutting across the neckline. Her velvet skirt swept the floor as she walked, holding tightly to a bouquet of antique roses, sprinkled with baby's breath and tied with a burgundy ribbon. Her long dark hair was simply pinned back with a sprig of baby's breath and otherwise hung down in loose curls. She took up her place opposite Lerrad and grinned at Wolf who watched expectantly for his Love to appear.

"Simon Wolf of the Noble House of Wolf, heir to the title of Lord Wolf and all it entails, Beta of the Star Pack, adopted son of the Lady Wenndolyne." Simon was not nearly as composed as the adults yet for a seven year old, he was quite contained. He stepped just inside the great hall but then he was at a loss for what to do.

Before he could move, the Chamberlain spoke again. "Lady Wenndolyne of Flaxley, Maiden of the Stone Warren, Daughter of the late Edan, Lord of Flaxley, both castle and county on Claret Lake and the late Wynne of the Stone Warren sister to Medric the Grey, Ward of the late Admiral Cartwright, Founder of the Gem Sisterhood, Lady Knight of Camelot and adopted mother to Simon Wolf."

Wenndolyne stepped into the room blushing, fortunately she was almost completely obscured beneath the hood of her silken cloak, made by Elspeth. Having heard all the pomp of Chamberlain's announcement, Wenn was quite embarrassed by it. She was also shocked to see the number of people attending. She looked down to Simon though, who seemed to be still beaming from the last of her introduction. Nervous as he might have been, his award winning smile settled her somewhat and she grinned down to him as warmly as she ever had. After a ceremonious little bow from Simon, Wenn extended her hand to him. She wrapped her fingers around his small hand and squeezed it to reassure them both.

In the custom of her people, Wenn was to be hidden from view til she reached the altar. Her cloak was forest green for her Love's deep emerald eyes. Silver trimming sparkled from the cloak and a frog-knot catch shone from her throat. Also, around the edges, Elspeth had added a bit of detailed embroidery in shimmering silver thread. The images were unmistakably wolves.

Simon returned Wenn's gesture and squeezed her hand. Her other hand was free to carry a bouquet of white roses, selected particularly for the fond memory of the white rose Lord Wolf plucked for her on their first walk in the Gardens of Camelot. Splays of fine ribbon in forest green, sapphire blue and burgundy cascaded from the bouquet. The petals of the roses quivered a bit from Wenn's jitters. She loved her lord without reservation, but the ceremony and all the attention were making her a tad nervous.

Night^Kat's fidgeting in the front row went unnoticed as Simon and Wenn proceeded toward the waiting party with all eyes on her. She continued her light but slow and measured steps down the seemingly endless aisle. Wenn dared not look about from under her hood as she passed, needing all her concentration on her steps and those waiting for her. She smiled to herself though, for today she would marry into the House of Wolf, to her beloved Lord Wolf and take Simon as her legal son.

At last Wenndolyne and Simon reached the end of the aisle. She looked up with a bright smile to Lord Wolf. Handing her bouquet to her Matron of Honor and Gem Sister, Lore, she took her place beside her Love. As the gathering retook their seats, Wenndolyne floated her hands up to pull back the hood of her cloak allowing her thick light auburn hair to once again cascade freely down her back and over her shoulders. As she removed the cloak, the reverse side showed a sapphire blue to match her own eyes. She gently lay the cloak aside near Lore.

So Wenndolyne stood facing her Love and soon to be husband, Lord Ancient Wolf. Her dress was a fine white silk with shimmering silver, sapphire blue and forest green trimming on the tailored cuffs of the billowing white sleeves and along the edge of the scooped neck of the bodice. It was all more of Elspeth's fine work. About her waist was the silver braid and her pouch of enchanted stones which she is never without. Of course Wolf's pendant hung on a fine silver chain about her neck and rested over her heart.

Lord Troy smiled from bride to groom then bowed to them. Simon looked a bit confused as to where to go and what to do. Wenn saw this and grinned then leaned to whisper to him. Simon nodded then whispered back "Now? Sit now?" She nodded and he pressed a quick little kiss to her cheek before moving off to his seat. Wolf watched the exchange and as Wenn's eyes returned to him, she saw his soft smile and love shining for her.

Twas time at last and Lord Troy began the ceremony. "Lords and Ladies, family and friends, hear me. We are gathered here this wondrous day to bear witness to the joining of two stars of light, Lord Wolf of the House of Wolf and Lady Wenndolyne of Flaxley." He paused only a moment to clear his nervous throat then continued with more confidence. "Two lives will merge as one. Two souls will unite together... For their love burns bright and shines upon each other. Here, before you, they will declare their love for one another, for all time."

Lord Wolf's hand reached for his Love's hand and she took it, though embarassed that her own was shaking. Already more than a few in the crowd are wiping away a tear or swallowing around the knot growing in their throats. Lord Troy looked up from the clasped hands of Wenn and Wolf then addressed the room. "If there are any present that know good cause why this union should not proceed, step forward now and state thy reason or forever be silent. Once joined, this circle of love shall not be broken."

The room was quite still. There were a few looking about, as they always do. Of course no one expected a response to this so Lord Troy looked back to Wenn and Wolf but his eye caught movement on the front row just behind Wenn. Very soon, all the others looked there too.

Night^Kat had risen to his feet and cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. Wenn heard the sound but it was the shift of Wolf's eyes and his furrowed brows that made her turn to look behind her. She arched a brow at Night^Kat even as his words broke the quiet of the room. "I cannot allow this!" His voice was quite determined.

Mouths fell open. Some of the guests made to rise. Night^Kat however continued. "Wenn... You can not marry this... this beast!" Wenndolyne looked to Wolf then back to Night^Kat with disbelieving eyes. Lord Wolf took a step toward his scribe, anger showing in his eyes, but Wenndolyne stayed him with her hand pressing lightly to his chest. "No. Let me speak with him." The shake up in the mood of the room would have ordinarily caused a flurry of chatter but all seemed poised to listen, to see what this was all about.

Wolf reluctantly nodded agreement to her request and Wenn stepped aside to get to the bottom of this. "Kat... if you would..." she gestured with her words to draw him aside a pace and he stepped in closer to her. With one more pace, Night^Kat was close enough to touch Wenn but he did much more than that. He grabbed her roughly, turning her around and wrapped one arm around her, pinning her arms to her sides in the process.

There was a collective gasp as the room watched then Night^Kat released a spell. His form shimmered and blurred for a moment then cleared, revealing his true form and likeness. He was not at all the scribe of Wolf Keep but a tall dark haired stranger with cold grey eyes. That is, he was a stranger to all in the room save Lord Wolf. The man's voice boomed over the surprised comments and protests. "If you want her, Wolf... Come get her!"

Wenndolyne struggled uselessly in his tight grasp while he chuckled coldly and triggered another spell. He slowly faded from view taking Wenndolyne with him to lord knows where. She cried out but her anguished voice faded as she vanished with the dark one "My beloved! Wolf!?!" Her words echoed in the minds of those in the hall.

Stunned, Lord Wolf gave voice too late "NO!" and soon this cry went around the room. Simon called out after the fading images "Wenn!!!" as Lord Troy leaped forward but caught only air. Wolf was then shrouded in his bright light of shifting. He once again called upon his birthright, melting bone and flesh to change his form. When the light had expanded then faded, he appeared as a giant snow white eagle with emerald eyes which blinked and looked around him only a moment. The large eagle majestically launched up toward the rafters of the Keep, letting his fifteen foot wingspan lift him effortlessly. Ancient Eagle flew straight toward a large stained glass window of the great hall and crashed through it in pursuit, though to where, he had not yet a clue.

Left in the aftermath, Simon closed in on Lore Mistress and huddled close to her. She was crying herself but tried to reassure him that Lord Wolf, his father, would see to Wenn's safe return. Lerrad added his agreement to this. Elspeth rushed up to hug Lerrad and for a moment babbled a series of incomprehensible questions and concerns. Lord Troy and Lady Marty met each other in the midst of the disorganized crowd and looked into each others eyes warmly but with worry before closing into a tight embrace.

All around the great hall of Wolf Keep, there was crying or murmurs or shouts in small clusters of people gathered to talk of what had happened and what could be done. Despite however much they all wished to help, the one person who could bring Wenn home was already on wing to find her. Gradually, Lerrad managed to bring order to the place and get most of the guests to leave. He charged the Chamberlain with getting staff to clean up the hall and put things in order... for Wenndolyne's return. It was all Lerrad, Elspeth and the others remaining could think to do, make the Keep ready, wait and hope.

(dj/dp)