Page 70 of Dark Elf's Good Girl
“You look perfect too.”
He’s dressed in a red epaulet. Two vertical rows of buttons run up the front of the garment, meeting a collar with a golden finished neckline. Magnificent shoulder pads side widely at the top of his arms, from which hang tassels. The fabric is clearly expensive, and although Aiken no longer wished to dress flashy, he had no problem going all out for a day like today.
“We’ll look even better together when we walk up the aisle with one another,” he says with a smile. “I believe we’re here.”
The carriage pulls into a valley, trailing up a cobblestone path. In the distance, the waterfall approaches. It looks even prettier from the bottom, its full height shown in all its glory. It certainly makes for a unique venue for the ceremony, and will add to the sentimental value we both have for this place.
The carriage comes to a stop. The driver dismounts and opens the door. Aiken climbs out first then offers his hand to me. I take it as I step down onto the stony path.
Linking arms, we turn to face the small set up that has been put together near the bottom of the waterfall. Our guests turn to face us, throwing their hands together with warm smiles on their faces.
Attending our ceremony are only three of our closest friends that we've made since arriving here. There is Leanor, a dark elf who treats me respectfully, and then there’s James and Leah, two humans who I work with.
It is a small set up, perhaps the smallest ever held in Vhoig but this is just how we want it. Luxuries do not matter to me, all that does is Aiken and doing this ceremony as a show of our commitment to one another for the rest of our lives.
Behind our friends is the altar. It’s set up with a small staircase of three steps, leading to an overhanging arch decorated with flowers picked from the local area. Waiting for us there is a high priest by the name of Shonak, welcoming us with a smile.
The background of it all is what really makes the scene. The waterfall produces a constant flowing sound as the water hits the plunge pool, sending sprays of water all over rocks that pepper the shores.
Caesin jump in and out of the water as if they wish to spectate the ceremony. In the
glare of the afternoon sun, small rainbows stand along the shores.
“Welcome,” greets Shonak. “A fine choice for a ceremony indeed.”
“Thank you for doing this,” says Aiken.
“Please, there’s no need to thank me. Performing these types of ceremonies is always a pleasure. Are you ready to begin?”
We nod, and so Shonak raises his arms, signaling the guests to stand.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today at a very special venue to come together for the unification of two souls in love.”
Aiken stands across from me, not so subtly winking at me as Shonak speaks. The look in his eyes is one of pure admiration. I return the sentiment, fully enamored with Aiken.
“Isla, I ask if you have come here to enter marriage without coercion of any kind and through the liberty of choice provided by the kingdom of Vhoig?” says Shonak.
“I have,” I reply with pride.
He asks the same question to Aiken, whose reply of affirmation fills me with a loving feeling so intense that my knees quiver with excitement.
“Then your union shall be strengthened by The Thirteen,” declares the high priest. “Are you prepared to stand by each other’s side through life’s obstacles, no matter their difficulty?”
“I am.”
“I am.”
“I ask you now to join hands for the declaration of consent.”
Aiken’s strong hands take hold of mine, giving them a gentle squeeze.
“Isla, I pledge myself to you for the entirety of my life and beyond. There’s nothing that will ever tear me away from you. I will always be your protector.”
“Aiken, I pledge myself to you for the rest of my life, and will wait for you in the afterlife where we can continue our life when that day comes. I promise to always be a shining light in tough times.”
“Isla, do you take Aiken to be your mate?”
“I do,” I say as a tear cascades down my face.