Riding through the forest with only a day left before Thatcher and Shelly's wedding, my vision follows Shelly as the seamstress makes the final touches on her gown. "There now Majesty, just hold still as I place the last bit of satin on your gown," the seamstress tells Shelly. "Thatcher's gonna have to pick his jaw up from the ground once he see's her, I think to myself. "It's very beautiful! Thank you so much for making it for me," Shelly tells her. The seamstress smiles as she finishes Shelly's gown, and Queen Katherine enters the room, "You look amazing and will be the finest Queen Blue Haven has ever laid eyes on!" Shelly blushes as she gazes in the mirror, and a frown forms upon her face.
Katherine tells the seamstress to leave them before saying, "Why Shelly whatever is the matter dear?" "I know I should be feeling nothing but happiness and excitement, but I can't help but to feel guilty at the same time. Why didn't Lestat just come home sooner? Why wait until now to try and win me back? UGH! I'm letting him get to me once more. The last time I thought he was dead, and that I would be alone for the rest of my life, but then Melina found him in the forest. I made myself believe he would never return when he left me in Brendlewood, and just when I think I can move on with my life and love another, there he is again, reminding me of what I will always feel for him. Am I crazy for feeling this way?" she asks Katherine.
Katherine smiles and says, "Oh sweetheart, you're not crazy for feeling like this. You have loved Lestat for a very long time, and you can't just stop loving someone even though that person stops loving you. Sometimes you don't know what you have until it's gone, and in Lestat's case, he's just a little too late. You and Thatcher belong together and love one another. I can see it every time you look at each other. You have a light in your eyes that one only has when they're in love. I know Thatcher loves you with all his heart, the question is, do you feel the same about him?" Shelly smiles at the thought of Thatcher standing in front of the alter as she makes her way down the aisle, "Who am I kidding, I love him with all of my heart and soul! I would be a fool not to marry him, and I'm lucky to have him in my life."
"There now, you see the two of you were meant to be together! I have one last wedding gift for you," she says as she holds up a pink vial. "What is it?" Shelly asks with curiosity. Katherine smiles and says, "Your father told me of the curse a dark wizard placed upon you as a baby. This, is the anti curse potion that will permanentl
Shelly then tips the vial to her lips pouring the contents into her mouth. Surprisingly it doesn't have a horrid taste, but instead it has a pleasant taste... like wild berries. Five minutes passes after drinking the potion and Shelly doesn't feel any different. "Shouldn't I be feeling something when it takes effect?" she asks the Stone Ridge Queen. But, before Katherine can speak Shelly's body glows a radiant pink and tiny little dew drops cover her as they sparkle and change colors from green, white, pink, then blue. Suddenly a burst of light fills the room, and she feels the potion working it's magic as she and Katherine are thrown to different sides of the room. "Shelly is that you?" Katherine calls out. "Yes I'm here, I just need to focus my eyes again" Shelly tells her.
Once their eyes have focused and they are able to see clearly, Katherine claps her hands over her mouth in excitement. "Oh Shelly look" she says as she points to the mirror. As Shelly gazes into the mirror, looking upon her familiar reflection. "There you are, it's been a long time since I've looked upon this face. How glad I am to be my true form once more" Shelly says to herself. Turning to Katherine she happily tells her, "I would rather be walking down the aisle as myself, than to be wearing a disguise. I no longer have any use for it as it didn't keep the lycans from recognizing me anyway" Shelly explains. Katherine sighs in relief before replying, "I'm sure Thatcher will be pleased with you no matter how you look. Either way you look breath taking, and besides he fell in love with you, not your disguise." Shelly gives a slight smile as Katherine helps her out of her wedding gown, and back into her skirts. She then tells her that she should find the others and inform them of the potion. For it may come as quite a shock if she just shows up without her disguise.
Later that night......
A gentle knock on the door to Shelly's chambers startles her as she sits by the fireplace, "Come in" she calls out. Thatcher enters the room and says as he gasps, "Shelly darl...you look more radiant than normal, is everything alright?" Shelly briefly explains to him that she had a disguise put on her many years ago to hide her identity from the lycans, but somehow they were able to see right through it. "My love, Katherine gave me a potion that is strong enough to protect me from the lycans, and remove the curse an evil wizard had put on me long ago when I was just a baby. I then agreed that I wouldn't need the disguise any longer. I do hope you aren't displeased with my normal appearance" she tells him uncertainly. Thatcher grins and hugs her tightly, "Oh my love, all I want is for you to be safe! Your looks have and never will displease me! I fell in love with who you are, not your looks, although you look amazing! Darling, I have missed you! Your parents haven't allowed me to see you at all today."
Shelly smiles and whispers, "What are you doing here? Of course they wouldn't allow you to see me, it's the night before our wedding, and it's bad luck to see your bride the night before you're married" she tells him. Thatcher laughs before replying, "Oh Shelly, that's just an old wives tale! Haven't you missed me at all?" She lets out a giggle and replies, "Of course I have missed you, but do you know what my father will do to you if he catches you in here?" He then kisses her passionately and she has to stop him before he gets too carried away. "You're such a tease! Just think, tomorrow we will be married" Thatcher tells her as he grins widely. Shelly gives him a smile before replying, "I can hardly wait! I have waited for this day for so long, and I'm so happy my family is all here to celebrate it with us." With a bit of a wink Thatcher says, "I better let you get a good nights rest, you're gonna need it for tomorrow night!" He then kisses her tenderly, but suddenly pulls away. "Something for you to fill your dreams my darling" he quietly says in her ear. "UGH! Tease!" Shelly tells him jokingly as he exits the room and the vision fades.
Shelly smiles and whispers, "What are you doing here? Of course they wouldn't allow you to see me, it's the night before our wedding, and it's bad luck to see your bride the night before you're married" she tells him. Thatcher laughs before replying, "Oh Shelly, that's just an old wives tale! Haven't you missed me at all?" She lets out a giggle and replies, "Of course I have missed you, but do you know what my father will do to you if he catches you in here?" He then kisses her passionately and she has to stop him before he gets too carried away. "You're such a tease! Just think, tomorrow we will be married" Thatcher tells her as he grins widely. Shelly gives him a smile before replying, "I can hardly wait! I have waited for this day for so long, and I'm so happy my family is all here to celebrate it with us." With a bit of a wink Thatcher says, "I better let you get a good nights rest, you're gonna need it for tomorrow night!" He then kisses her tenderly, but suddenly pulls away. "Something for you to fill your dreams my darling" he quietly says in her ear. "UGH! Tease!" Shelly tells him jokingly as he exits the room and the vision fades.
After alot of thought I decided to go ahead and tell Tulip and Alex about Cirrus's fate before we travel to Stone Ridge. This however proved to be a catastrophe. After learning that a woman named Kristen, Sheila; formerly known as Thistle, and his twin brother Ector killed Cirrus, Alex is sent into a blind rage. Even after calming down some Alex chose to defend his brother's actions thereby, turning his back on Brendlewood, his friend's, and worst of all, Tulip. With Alex's return to Blue Haven, a heart-broken Tulip and I have been speeding toward Stone Ridge to inform the other's. Though the visions have slowed us down somewhat, Tulip and I have been able to make good time getting to the kingdom of Stone Ridge and we finally arrive at day break. A guard greets us at the gate and we are immediately shown the way to the throne room.
After a brief explanation to the King of our visit, he summons our friends to join us. A group of sleepy guests enter the throne room, but as soon as they realize who stands before them, they rub their eyes and shout with excitement! Cade's eyes grow wide with overjoy and he runs to me, scooping me into his arms, and kissing me firmly. Tears fill his eyes as he cups my face in both his hands. "My darling Nora, I was afraid I would lose you. God bless Tulip!" With that he tackles Tulip into a tight hug, "Thank you, Thank you so much my dear friend. Honor shall be brought to you upon our return home!" Tulip chokes out that Cade is squeezing her to death as he apologizes, releasing her. Everyone begins asking a million questions all at once. "Ok, Ok everyone listen. I know everyone has alot of questions, so if we can all calm down a bit, Tulip and I will explain everything" I tell them with a bit of a laugh.
King Richard snaps his fingers and the guards bring in a few chairs for everyone. Once everyone is settled, I explain about Cirrus's horrible death and the potion of silence I was forced to drink. The murderous group, Kristen, Sheila, and Ector's terrible acts sends the group to anger and tears. Tulip tells them about finally being able to create an antidote to pull me from my petrified state, and about Alex's betrayal. The group bursts into cries of outrage, sadness and fear as I try to calm them. "I can't believe that evil wretch Kristen was in on this as well! Lestat came to see me and tried to force me back with him, obviously to no avail but I wonder if I will ever be safe, I wonder if anyone will!" Shelly exclaims as King Richard and Katherine comfort her. Thatcher clenches his fists shouting about his disbelief at his own family's betrayal. "I am ashamed to say that Alex and Ector are even relation! I always knew Ector was a bit of a bad egg, but I never thought Alex would turn his back on us, and on poor Tulip. I'm so sorry everyone, please know my loyalties remain with you and I will stand beside you in the counteraction of this tragic situation!" he growls through gritted teeth. Cade thanks him and furrows his brow with rage at the news of these horrific events, clearly thinking of a plan of action.
Roonie shudders in fear before her tiny voice peeps over the others, "Our dear Cirrus! What will become of us!?" Luke holds her tightly, "There now darling we'll think of something" he soothes. Jax, who normally spouts off at the mouth, can only sit in silence as he stares at Tulip. Rising he goes to her and slowly extends his arms offering a comforting embrace. "Oh, Jax! How could I have been so blind about Alex? Our dearest Cirrus is gone, and I'm terrified for our safety" she blubbers. Jax wipes her tears away gently, and holds her close, "Don't blame yourself sweetheart. How could you have known, how could any of us have known." Arthur wrings his hands nervously and Bonnie blurts out in fury a few choice phrases not to be taken lightly.
"Everyone please calm down and listen!" Cade's voice bellows. The room grows quiet and everyone turns their attention to him. "I know these matters are of grim concern, but for the time being we need to remember there is joy found in this day. Our Queen has been resolved of her condition and has returned to us. Let us also remember that today is a celebration of marriage between our good friends Thatcher and Shelly. Friends, put away these feelings of anger and sadness as we find joy in other matters far stronger than those of evil. Matters of the heart, the strongest weapon there ever was; love. After such joyous times we shall travel back to the kingdom of Brendlewood and make right these preposterous wrongdoings!" he announces. Everyone heartily agrees and gets to work straight away on making today that of joy, love and happiness.
That evening the setting sun turns the sky to a brilliant dark blue, and the bright silver stars fill the heavens; the night of the wedding has finally arrived. The maids scurry about the castle grounds placing flowers and making the final touches for the wedding to take place. Roonie, Bonnie, Nora, and Tulip all join Shelly in her chambers as she prepares to walk down the aisle. "You look astonishing!" Roonie says and the girls agree with excitement. We haven't had much time to prepare anything for you, if only we knew a wedding would take place before we left Brendlewood, but we each managed to get you a present from the village merchant" Bonnie exclaims in excitement. "Something old" Nora says as she hands Shelly a hairpin of a sparkling peacock. Roonie smiles wide as she hands Shelly a pair of radiant silver earrings, "Something new." Next in line is Bonnie who hands her a dainty handmade bracelet, "Something borrowed." Last to go is Tulip who gives a blue garment, "Something blue," she tells Shelly as she places the blue garment around the bride's thigh. Shelly thanks them all for being here with her to celebrate her wedding. "You girls are the best and I would be lost without you! I can't believe I'm finally getting married!" she squeals in excitement. They all exchange hugs, and Lady Mary swoops around applying the finishing touches on our make-up and hair. "I beg your majesty's pardon, but Sir Thatcher will be waiting. We must go to the royal garden now" Lady Mary says. We thank her kindly, and proceed out to the garden.
Beautiful flowers and columns with blue and gold garments wrapped around them line the flower path that leads to a wooden arch. Atop the columns sit golden vases that are exploding with the bluest flowers ever seen. Bonnie whispers as they wait for the ceremony to begin, "Oh Shelly it's breath taking!" The guests wait patiently in their seats as the violin begins to sing its peaceful tune. Thatcher stands at the archway in a fine blue colored suit, as he awaits his bride. Arthur, Luke, and Jax stand waiting to accompany the girls down the aisle. Arthur takes Bonnie's arm and they make their way down the pathway of flowers. Next Luke links arms with Roonie, and they proceed down the aisle, and catching the rear is Jax and Clover.
A horn blares "Here Comes the Bride" as King Richard and Shelly appear at the end of the flower path. The guests gasp and murmur quietly at Shelly's beauty as she and her father make their way towards Thatcher. "Oh Daddy I never thought this day would arrive, and it brings me joy to have you give me away. I only wish Cirrus was here to share it with me" she whispers. "I know she's not here physically, but you know she is indeed here in spirit. Probably keeping your mother company, you know she wouldn't miss this day for the world" he whispers back. She and the King stop at the last row of seats as they await the royal officiate to speak. A small elderly man stands underneath the arch holding a book in front of him. "Who gives this woman to this man?" Friar John asks in a raspy voice. "Her father does!" Richard replies. The King then leads her to Thatcher and places her hand in his and kisses her cheek, "I present my only daughter Shelly to you, I give you my blessing on this special day." "Just don't mess it up son!" Richard whispers to Thatcher, then winks at him, before taking a seat next to Katherine. Shelly then takes her place opposite Thatcher and the ceremony begins.
Thatcher gently takes her hands into his, as the royal court addresses the congregation. Everything turns into a blur as the Friar begins to speak, "We have come here together, before God and these witnesses to join in Holy matrimony Thatcher Mason Prince of Blue Haven, and the Princess Shelly Lioncourt. If there be any among you who may imagine some impediment as to why they should not be married, let them now speak or forever hold their tongue." Thatcher smiles broadly as the court remains quiet, and they exchange their rings and vows. Friar John announces, "I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride." Thatcher beams as he dips her before planting a passionate kiss on her lips, "I thought this moment would never come! What took you so long friar?" The crowd goes wild with excitement, joy, laughter, and some even in tears.
Friar John asks the guests to be seated one last time, and the court grows quiet once more as King Richard's best men gather the crowns for Thatcher and Shelly. "Please let us pray. Heavenly father, we come to you today as Prince Thatcher and Princess Shelly are joined together as husband and wife. We pray in your name as we crown Prince Thatcher and Princess Shelly, King and Queen of Blue Haven to give them the wisdom and the strength as they are united as one. We pray for the kingdom and it's safety as we join Stone Ridge and Blue Haven as an alliance. In the Heavenly Father's name we pray, Amen!" The Arch bishop then places Thatchers crown on his head, and gives him his blessing. Thatcher then presents Shelly's crown to her; a dazzling silver crown with blue diamonds, symbolizing Blue Haven. Once the crowns have been placed on their heads the Arch Bishop instructs for them to rise.
As all the guests head into the royal dining hall, Thatcher and Shelly head to the grand hall for pictures to be taken. "Now get a little closer together and give us a smile," the photographer says. Thatcher then winks at Shelly as he starts being his goofy self to tease the photographer, which backfires tremendously as the photographer himself begins to laugh. Shelly can't help but to giggle as Thatcher makes silly faces at her, tickles her, and kisses her nose. Thatcher clears his throat and suggests they start to be serious so they may attend to their guests. She gives him a nod, and put her arms around him for the photographer to take pictures. Once the photographer is finished, they head into the royal dining hall excitedly.
Upon entering the dining hall, the guests cheer and Thatcher waves his arms to signal the court to quiet down. As the room grows quiet Thatcher says, "Thank you. Thank you all for coming on this joyful day to celebrate our wedding. I'm thankful to have such good friends by my side, whom have introduced me to my gorgeous Queen." Thatcher then turns to her and says, "Shelly, I love you. Tis you who have brought light into my world of darkness. I would be lost if I didn't have you, because you are everything that is good and pure." Tears fill her eyes as he kisses her, rising back up to catch her breath she manages to whisper, "I love you too."
Everyone surrounds Thatcher and Shelly as he announces that they will be cutting the cake. A three tiered blue and white colored cake sits in the middle of the small table. Blue roses are scattered along the bottom of each tier, and it almost seems to sparkle with edible silver glitter, atop the tier is an elegant model of a husband and wife. She smiles at Thatcher as he kisses her cheek and her eyes sparke with joy. He places his hand on top of hers, as they take the knife together, slicing the cake in one smooth motion. Each of them take a small piece of the cake, and they link arms pausing for a moment for the photographer to capture a picture of the moment.
Shelly smiles widely and giggle, "Are you sure you're ready for this?" Thatcher chuckles, "Oh my darling, I have been ready for months now!" They each pick up the small piece of cake from their plates, and hold them up towards each other steadily. Thatcher grins as if he's up to no good, and.... SPLAT! Thatcher's cake squishes right into Shelly's face, and frosting goes right up her nose. She lets out a giggle and tells him he's gonna get it! She takes her piece of cake and aim right for his face, but he's ready for it, and ducks as it lands right atop her father's head. She lets out a gasp in fear that he might get angry, but instead a smile forms upon his face, and he laughs heartily and wipes his face. He then takes a seat as one of the maids cleans up the mess.
Thatcher clears his throat before saying, "Well then lets take this party to the ballroom shall we?" Everyone nods in agreement, and follows Thatcher and Shelly to the ballroom where the violinist strikes up a soothing tune. King Richard takes Shelly's hand, and leads her to the middle of the dance floor, and they dance their father daughter dance. "Thank you for giving him a chance," Shelly tells her father. Richard smiles and says, "I only want you to be happy and for you to remain safe." Once their dance is finished, Thatcher bows, "May I have this dance my darling?" Shelly smiles and replies, "Of course my love!" The violinist begins a slow tune and Thatcher leads her to the middle of the dance floor once more. The guests are awestruck as Thatcher dips her, and twirls her around the floor. "Is this the wedding you have always dreamed of darling?" Thatcher asks. She smiles and holds him tightly before replying, "Oh my love it is even better than my dreams, for I now have you as my husband!" As their tune ends, Thatcher and Shelly thank her father and Katherine for everything.
As the party kicks off there is much merriment to be had, and concerns of the evilness amid them seems far away. After the bride and groom have shared their first dance together, Shelly's son Rohan and his wife surprise everyone with a wonderful announcement. Rohan smiles with excitement, "Are you sure darling?" he asks Isabelle. She gives him a nod and Rohan kisses her cheek sweetly. He then takes his wine glass, as he taps it gently with his spoon, and the room grows quiet. "I have an announcement to make! I was just given some wonderful news, Isabelle is with child! There's going to be a little prince or princess running around Stone Ridge in just a few months!" Shelly squeals with delight, "Oh my gosh! My son that is wonderful news! Congrats to you both!" Happy murmurs spread throughout the crowd and everyone takes to the dance floor as the band plays an upbeat jam.
As the party kicks off there is much merriment to be had, and concerns of the evilness amid them seems far away. After the bride and groom have shared their first dance together, Shelly's son Rohan and his wife surprise everyone with a wonderful announcement. Rohan smiles with excitement, "Are you sure darling?" he asks Isabelle. She gives him a nod and Rohan kisses her cheek sweetly. He then takes his wine glass, as he taps it gently with his spoon, and the room grows quiet. "I have an announcement to make! I was just given some wonderful news, Isabelle is with child! There's going to be a little prince or princess running around Stone Ridge in just a few months!" Shelly squeals with delight, "Oh my gosh! My son that is wonderful news! Congrats to you both!" Happy murmurs spread throughout the crowd and everyone takes to the dance floor as the band plays an upbeat jam.
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