Pendragon Wedding

[Arthur Pendragon]

Today, was going to be perfect. The weather was bright and sunny, which was certainly a relief for an event scheduled in the outdoors. He and Guinevère had decided to have a slightly nontraditional wedding. He had already broken so many traditions, why not change the setting in which a king gets married too. Besides, this was not just any wedding; it was the day that he and Guinevère had been waiting for. For years, they had been waiting for this very day. It had almost happened once before, but this time . . . it was truly happening. Today, she would become his wife. Tomorrow, she would become Camelot's queen. The thought excited Arthur and for the first time in a long time, he felt truly happy. He felt as if nothing else, nor anyone else, could ruin the happiness that they had found in each other. And with them, were their friends and brothers to share it with them. The knights, his brothers that he held dearest to his heart; Merlin, who was the closest man he called brother; Gaius, a father figure to many and some councilmen who were here as witnessed. And then of course Geoffrey, who would be the one to legally bind this union of marriage.

As they were in the gardens, they did a little improvisation. They had set up a bit of an alter, which was really, just a large arrangement of flowers surrounding where Arthur now stood, waiting for his bride to emerge. He was dressed in his royal attire, his well polished chain mail and crown; new boots and pants, his vibrant red cape . . . and Excalibur, tucked in between his belt and his chain mail. He didn't feel the slightest bit nervous. For this was a day that was long overdue. One that had not occurred for obvious reasons, but he was not even thinking of that right now. In the moment, he was only thinking of how he was so very happy to be gaining a wife today, after having been silently committed to Guinevère in his heart for so long. After the actual marriage part, there would be a private feast that followed -- with only those who were present in the audience now. But soon, it would be official. It would be formalized . . . and Arthur couldn't wait.

He turned his head to see his wife to be begin to walk on the small path filled with flower petals that they had created. He softly smiled, finding himself taken aback by her beauty in this moment. She looked more beautiful than ever before, and it was a good thing that he was not in a hall filled with people . . . because he knew it would be all the more difficult to pull his gaze away. He wanted to tell her how ravishing she looked, how much he loved her, but -- another good thing -- was that he was so distracted by her, that no words came to his lips. He was speechless, as if he was mesmerized. . . right until she walked in front of him, where they were now standing face to face. He took her hands in his, holding them, so that they would be ready for when Geoffrey said the words. Arthur was not sure he had fully snapped out of whatever trance he had just been put in, but he knew he was capable of speech again for soon, Geoffrey would start and Arthur did not want to look like a fool, unable to talk and only leaving his mouth hanging open. Thankfully, the king seemed to have a little more grace than that.

"My lords, and gentlemen of Camelot, we are gathered here today to celebrate, by the ancient right of handfasting, the union of Arthur Pendragon and Guinevère."

Arthur knew that he should be paying attention, but it was so very difficult to do so when he was staring at the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. The woman who would soon be his wife, and queen. After everything he had lost, he finally felt like there was hope. That not everything had to be filled with darkness and despair. She brought so much light into his life, and that was what he was focusing on. Not even thinking of the dark times they had faced either together, or because of each other. Only in the bright future they had ahead of them. A future where they would be married, where they would have sons and daughters to carry on the Pendragon name. Where he would not have to rule on his own, but have a strong hearted wife to stand by his side and give him the strength that no one else could. Geoffrey then continued to speak, asking Arthur a question that he did not even need to think about in this moment. He only paused for a second in between, to make sure his voice didn't sound overly enthused and held a level of formality. Even if they were just around close friends and family.

"Is it your wish, Arthur, to become one with this woman?"

"It is."

"Is it your wish, Guinevère, to become one with this man?"

"Yes!"

"Do any say nay?"

Arthur did not break his gaze from Guinevère. He knew he would not have to look around the area to know that no one would object to this. For he knew that those present at this private function, would support this decision. They all knew Guinevère separately from Arthur, and they had all seemed to be in favor of this. The first time, most certainly. Even the second time none seemed to object. Had Arthur been in a larger hall, he may have 'conveniently' and subtly put his hand on the hilt of his sword . . . just in case someone decided to be too opinionated. But he would not have to worry about such a thing here. He could just look at his gorgeous bride and not fear judgment from others. Judgment on him or Guinevère. He knew that others, those who did not know them so well, may form their own opinions . . . but Arthur didn't care. He had knighted men of non noble blood, breaking one of the greatest traditions and he did not regret it for a single day. Just as he would never regret marrying the daughter of a blacksmith. Because it was not about rank nor what blood ran in a person's veins, it was about what was in their heart and the strength of it.

"With this garland, I do tie a knot, and by doing so, bind your hands and your hearts for all eternity. I now pronounce you to be husband and wife."

Husband and Wife. The words that he and Guinevère had called each other in playful jest in the past . . . but now it was real. He could see and feel Geoffrey tying the garland around their hands to seal this union. They were officially married. Arthur's smile grew a bit, so ecstatic that he could not even begin to express the emotion he felt right now. He could not remember the last time he felt so filled with euphoria and happiness. Never. For he had never married the woman he loved. He'd been engaged, and now this time . . . it had gone to the next step. Once it was tied, Arthur waited a few moments before the final action to solidify this union. This bond between them that was now legal. He leaned forward to kiss his bride. The kiss was soft but filled with silent and subtle emotion. It was their first kiss as husband and wife, and would be one of many to come. This, was where they started their forever, together. As one. She was his wife, his queen, his Guinevère.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère's dress was simple but she felt beautiful in it. She stood just outside the gate, and smiled up at her brother had just walked her down from the upper levels to here. Behind her, her friend who had take the rule of her handmaiden was adjusting her gown so it would look perfect while she walked toward her husband. Or the man who would be her husband in just moments! "I'm ready,"She whispered to them both before Elyan lead her down the rest of the way to the garden.

There she saw Arthur.

And everything else faded away. Walking toward him was all she knew how to do, and all she had done for the last five years. Walk toward him. When she reached him--not even noticing when Elyan left her and when Arthur took her hands--she smiled brightly up at him. They were getting married! Here! In this moment! It was really happening! It almost felt like a dream! Like she might wake up in Eldor and everything would have been just a dream.

"My lords, and gentlemen of Camelot, we are gathered here today to celebrate, by the ancient right of handfasting, the union of Arthur Pendragon and Guinevère."

But is wasn't a dream! Arthur was really looking at her in that way that no other man could even begin to look at her in, and she was really smiling up at him so brightly that she feared her self to explode and ruin everything! Yet it did not happen! She just held onto his hands and waited as they were married.

"Is it your wish, Arthur, to become one with this woman?"

"It is."

"Is it your wish, Guinevère, to become one with this man?"

"Yes!" She breathed out in a euphoric tone, quite but just almost a laugh. As the pure joy of what she was agreeing to was fully hitting her, and filling her up. A small tear came to her cheek, but didn't roll over for a few seconds. One for joy.

"Do any say nay?"

Surely no one would dare, not with only friends and family here. While this was not the reason she wanted the wedding to be small and privet, it was a benefit to it. In truth, she had wanted to feel comfortable on the day that she and Arthur became husband and wife, and only wanted a few people there. The rest of their lives would be public, but this moment was not.

"With this garland, I do tie a knot, and by doing so, bind your hands and your hearts for all eternity. I now pronounce you to be husband and wife."

Their hands were tired, and they were wed! Now, Arthur Pendragon was now her husband! He was not her better half. She had his name now, and was his family in the eyes of everyone rather then just themselves. She would give him son's, and daughters, and all the love she had to give!

As he moved forward she kiss her she smiled brightly, before kissing him. If this was the way they began married life--in a beautiful garden surrounded by family, and with a kiss that promised forever--then that was the best beginning to any story she ever knew . . . .

[thegwaine]

Now this was the day which Gwaine had been waiting for. It was a day which was supposed to have been nothing more than a distant memory by now, but yet here they were on the day of the Pendragon wedding. In Gwaine’s mind, he could not be happier about this day. After all he was close to both Guinevère and Arthur, so this day held special in his relationship with both of them. Gwaine had known in his heart of hearts that this day wouldn’t be delayed too much, even after all that had come to pass. He had seen it the first time he had flirted with Guinevère, he had seen the love she already held for the man. After all, it took strong love for another to be able to resist Gwaine’s charming ways. However, in hindsight he didn’t mind being rejected over Arthur in this situation. Arthur could not have found a better woman to love, as he knew Guinevère loved him back utterly and completely. Grinning to himself, Gwaine ran a hand through his hair. He wasn’t that romantic usually but this was an exception, after all, a wedding was a rather romantic occasion. This was the first wedding Gwaine had been to in living memory. He could have been to weddings in his childhood back in Caerleon, but he couldn’t remember those, and he certainly hadn’t been to any whilst travelling. It wasn’t exactly considered normal to invite a traveller to a wedding anyway.

He had dressed up for the occasion, well by dressed up he meant that he had brushed hi hair, and was clad in his usual knightly attire. It was all done up well enough, and he was just trying to look smart for once. He was stood with the other knights, watching the proceedings unfold. He couldn’t imagine what was going through Arthur’s mind. Gwaine had never considered marrying, but he had never met a woman who would tempt him into marriage. He couldn’t imagine shackling himself to just one woman, however, he didn’t think any less of Arthur for marrying, and he believed he was doing it for all the right reasons. He was in love so this was a natural expression of feeling. However, all Gwaine was concerned about right now was that he had not been able to organise some sort of stag party for Arthur. In Caerleon the night before a man’s wedding had been a time of celebration and drinking. Gwaine felt like he had been cheated of an opportunity to drink, and to get drunk with his fellow knights. Perhaps they could organise some sort of post wedding stag party. This would have to be arranged of course, well, with the new brides permission. Gwaine wasn’t so heartless as to steal a new groom away from the marriage bed.

As the proceedings began, Gwaine decided that he couldn’t feel as proud as he did right now on the account of both of his friends. Despite what had happened before the last wedding, they were both here ready to make their love known to the whole of Camelot and beyond. Guinevère certainly did look beautiful in her dress, and Gwaine hoped that if his time ever come for marriage he would have half of Arthur’s luck.

As the vows were being exchanged, the enthusiasm in both Arthur’s and Guinevère’s voices could not be missed, and he couldn’t help but cock a small grin. There were no objections of course, who on earth here could ever object to such a joyous event? Gwaine looked around, sure that no one would speak, and as no one did, the ceremony continued as it should do. As the pair were pronounced husband and wife, Gwaine felt himself tear up slightly, but it was quickly blinked away of course. He wasn’t tearing up because he was a romantic at heart, no, he had just got caught up in the moment, and now that moment was over. He wasn’t getting emotional over a wedding. No sir. Now they were married it was official, they were on the eve of the reign of Arthur and Guinevère Pendragon , and Gwaine was certain the people of Camelot would welcome the new dynasty with open arms. Gwaine for one was going to celebrate this in the proper fashion; with a tankard of ale.

[Deleted]

Had it really been so long since she had gotten married? Igraine remembered the day quite well, despite the many years that had passed. She could still feel the silk of her bridal gown dancing across her skin as she walked down the aisle toward her husband. If she tried, she could almost catch a whiff of the wildflowers that had been woven through her unbound hair.

But that was years ago.

Today there was a wedding to rival her own. Despite it not being nearly as grand or extravagant, there was one thing here that had not been in attendance at her wedding: a couple utterly in love. True, she did love Uther. But at the time of her wedding she had only developing feelings for the king. Her son and his intended wife however were far beyond that. It warmed her, despite not being able to feel a thing, right to her toes to see them so happy.

She had been worried that whatever woman took up her crown would be inadequate. For a brief time it had been that awful Lady Catrina-troll that had enchanted her lovely husband. And then there had been the chance of the Princess Elena as Arthur’s bride. She would have done, Igraine supposed, but it was for the best that the woman hadn’t been chosen. Someone far stronger than Elena was needed to fill her position. As queen she had done far more than simply sit beside Uther and smile. She had helped with ruling her adopted kingdom as much as she possibly could, and expected her successor to do the same.

And then there had been Morgana.

Igraine shuddered as she remembered those dark few days when the illegitimate girl had stolen the throne. Seeing her wear the crown that had been rested upon her own golden curls had been revolting. Yet her son had persevered, along with help from his trusted friends, and regained his birthright. Her son was a great source of pride for her. All she had to remember him by, besides looking in on his life as she was now, was the soft touch of baby skin against her own arms before the blackness had clouded her sight.

Yet here he was, all grown up, king, and to be married!

Her gaze turned then to Guinevère, who was standing alongside her brother. She had seen the stolen glances between her son and this girl and knew that it wasn’t simply a flirtation. Love was something that ignored all rank and class; she was surprised that her husband hadn’t realized it as such. The girl appeared to be strong, as she had persevered through trauma before. And she loved her son, which was enough for Igraine to like her.

Reminded again of her wedding day as Elyan escorted Gwen down the aisle, Igraine couldn’t help by sigh. Tristan had helped her down the aisle the day of her nuptials, while Agravaine had been behind in Cornwall. She refused to think of the second brother who she refused to hold any familial ties with. Not after what he did to her son and husband.

But then the ceremony was over, leaving her with a bright smile upon her lips. A page was turning in both her son and Camelot’s history, and she was glad to have witnessed it.