Well welcome to the first Episode of the first arc of my own design for this story line (and I'm a poet – did you know it? LOL). I gave Neflyte and Jedite a little past, so now I think it is Zoicite and Malachite's turn. This gives the added plus of explaining the male Zoicite/female Zoicite argument.
I hope you all enjoy the wedding and surprises that are just ahead.
Sailor Moon is copyright © 1992 Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha, TOEI Animation. English Language Adaptation © 1995 DiC Entertainment
Hearts and Hopes
Chapter One
True Love's Path
Zoicite and Malachite would have never dreamed of the wedding they got, or the surprises that they were given. But, let's start all of this at the beginning.
The second that the royal couple disappeared, Malachite teleported back to the mansion so he could avoid the lynching the Scouts gave their Prince and Princess. He chuckled at the memory as Zoicite bounded into his arms. "Zoi, we need to talk in private."
The fear in her eyes tore at his heart. "Okay."
"Its good news, my love." Malachite whispered into her ear. The resulting glow of joy and curiosity warmed his heart as they retreated to their own rooms.
He thought of the first time she wore that sweet look. It had been so long, but Malachite still remembered that beauty that caught his heart.
Like Jedite and Neflyte, he had been chosen to train as a High Guardian Warrior through what seemed to be fate.
His elder brother, Lapis, was the one who was being tested for the honor of training under Lord Craven – the Second High General of the day. Lapis was fifteen, and Malachite was only seven at the time, but Malachite could control the true magic better than even his father – King Diarmaid of Isle Kingdoms of Glastonium, Avanoll, and Tintage. Though that was never told to anyone. In fact he remembered how all who knew outside of himself, the King, and Lapis – as well as their families – were killed as traitors to see the knowledge was never passed out into general knowledge.
Malachite had been sent off to spend time consorting with the fairies of the realm for his father. Still the snicker in Lapis' chuckle made the boy wonder. Why was he not allowed to remain and watch the testing?
It was too much for him to stay away, and his fairy friends told Malachite that they disliked the sense they were getting in the magic. Malachite was being wronged, and they wanted to right it. They escorted him back to the castle and helped him hide from his father and elder brother – though not even all of the magic in creation would hide him from Lord Craven.
Lapis was too nervous and paranoid to truly work what little magical talents he had. Malachite could see being nervous, because even he was in some awe of the great man that had come to Tintage and its castle Tinagel. Craven stood an impressive (at that time) six foot one. His eyes were a stormy great, hard, and intent on getting what he had come for.
"The sprites of dreams have told me in sleep that the one destined to bring about and secure the new age is within your line King Diarmaid. I have come to see to it the child is brought up and trained as the next to take my role as Second High General."
Malachite remembered how deep and echoing the man's voice was, and that was out in the open air of the docks. Within the Castle was worse. It was as if every word from his lips haunted the room like a ghost. "Where are your progeny, King Diarmaid?"
"My only daughter, Tourmaline, is in that stone statue. She was murdered and I did not want to lose her, so I turned her body to stone before she let out her last whisper, locking her soul there until I can find a way to save her. Unfortunately it stopped her from telling us who her killer was.
"Lapis here has been looking forward to showing his skills to you. Today he is only off out of nervousness. He is fifteen, but a hard worker and quick learner." King Diarmaid looked on the teen with such fatherly pride, but said no more.
Craven raised an eyebrow at that. "And the boy you shooed away upon my arrival?"
Malachite strained to hear what was being said. It shattered his heart when his father spoke up. "He is a bastard of my late wife's. A fling before her death. I only keep him because he is part her, and has her looks thankfully. None other than Lapis and I know the truth – even the boy is ignorant of it."
The fairy folk were enraged that their beloved friend and his mother were belittled so. Malachite however was hurting. He only doubted his mother a second, but made up his heart that she was too good and kind a woman to bring such shame on his father and him. He asked his friends to hold back their anger for the mean time – that they would all be righted with the Lord and Lady's graces. He knew that his father would suffer as the three fold law demanded.
And it did come about that the Lady was very fond of this particular boy, and had a very special path for him – even during the dark times she saw coming. Craven glared hard at the King before him. "I will test him in any case, for this sap of a boy you have presented to me is not even solider material – too spoiled, too pompous, too greedy, and too vain. Malachite come before me now."
From his hiding spot, Malachite slowly emerged – thanking his friends for the help in hiding. The boy knew that this man was not one he should ignore or disobey. "You summoned me sir?"
King Diarmaid growled angrily. "I told you to stay away boy!"
"And you lied about me and my mother!" Malachite shouted back. But the hard look that Lord Craven shot him silenced any further sounds on the boy's tongue.
"That is enough, Malachite. A single challenge I place before you – let your sister name her killer."
Malachite gasped. His father's spell was of stone existence for all time! How could he help his sister speak after four years of silence?
The fairy of the Isles all made their presence seen and waited. That told Malachite how they all believed in him. He knew that he couldn't fail when they believed in him. For a moment he closed his eyes to center his control of the true magic surrounding his life force and to ground himself firm.
Soon the room was thickly humming with power, a hundred times thicker than Lapis ever brought about in his life. The words of power more vibrated in Malachite's mouth rather than being spoken. Suddenly King Diarmaid sent a blast of energy that shattered Tourmaline's stone body into dust.
It was too late. Malachite had isolated her spirit from her body.
Tourmaline stretched and smiled warmly in her brother's magical embrace. /Thank you my dearest big brother. You have set me free of father's curse./
Lord Craven's eyes softened to gray pearls full of pride for Malachite and pity for Tourmaline. "Daughter, who was it that killed you four years ago?"
/It was my father. He stabbed me, just as he has destroyed the shell that held me here. I cannot be here for my brother any longer./
"Lying tramp!" Diarmaid screeched in seething hate.
Tourmaline glared and her spirit's light grew dark with hate. /You wanted me to take my mother's place in your bed! I refused so you ended my life and turned me into stone to hurt my brother all the more. That he could free me of your stone curse, but only at the cost of my life! You are not even our father true! You and Lapis murdered our father and used us to force our mother into a marriage to you so your place on the throne would be secure – Uncle./
"Matters not now, does it?" Diarmaid charged with a superior smirk on his face.
He was right. Malachite couldn't hold his sister in that place forever. The King had won out in the end – or so he had thought.
Lord Craven took pity on the boy before him, and knew that this was the student he was shown in his sleep. He also finally understood the sea in his dreams that was alive and yet not – a sea that one-day would hold great importance.
He took the girl's spirit from Malachite's hold and went to the open window in the throne room that looked out on the sea. Malachite walked over to his side – seemingly knowing that the High Guardian General wished him to be there. This brought a smiled to Craven's lips. Yes, this was his new student.
"Malachite, I cannot restore your sister to this realm as a mortal. However, I can – with the aid of your Fairy folk friends – give her a new form that will permit your sister immortality and a purpose you cannot see yet. Do you wish that?"
Malachite gasped in hope. His sister would not be gone forever? He always knew that the girl had a special destiny – that was why he never released her into death's waiting embrace. The smile on her face told him that it was what she wished, so how could he refuse it of her? "It is what I wish, sir."
A flash of light later, Tourmaline was gone from Craven's magical hold. Malachite rushed to look outside the window. Instead of the child he remembered, in the center of the sea stood a woman.
Her ashen blonde hair still was identical to his. It was long and flowed down into the sea and shimmered with the day's bright sparkling light.
The chubby cheeked girl was tall and thin and more beautiful than Malachite used to try to picture his sister becoming. She wore a tiara of pearls, sea gems, coral tears, and seed weed. Her gown was silver in the Accolade style with what was fish like scales from the middle of her hands to up under the cloth.
A column of water raised her to the window as she smiled and extended out her hand. In her open palm was a bracelet of garnet, pearls, and coral. "This is for that one who will soon own your heart dear brother. Do not let appearances fool you. Let your heart tell you who it is – not the world."
And with that she bonded to the sea and vanished. Still, Malachite knew that this would not be the last time he would see her. And that she had a special role in history to play.
The truth being out Diarmaid sunk on his throne had had a fatal heart attack. Craven shook his head at the waste of air and life force. Then he looked determinedly at the boy beside him. "Come Malachite, this is not your place any longer. Though one day you will return to heal the past for yourself and many others as well."
And with that he left what had always been his home. The Fairy folks were sad to watch him leave the Isles, but were very proud of the boy they had raised (as his Uncle had not much to do with him). And they believed Craven – that their favored son would one day return to the Isles.
A day later they arrived at the one of many lesser castle they were to live in during the years Malachite and others were training. Malachite could see that his new master wanted him to not speak, so he remained silent. Walking into the courtyard Malachite saw a sight that still haunted his memories.
A blaze of golden hair, soft green eyes, tender lips, and a face that was so feminine that Malachite couldn't help but think of the boy as beautiful. He was hard at work on hand to hand combat with a man that had to be one of the other High Guardian Generals. But all that Malachite saw was him.
Craven shook his head at the look in his student's eyes. Desiring what obviously he would never be allowed to have. Already his student was treading down a path that would certainly end in his destruction or shame. Unless the girl saw something that he himself was not privy to.
Laying his hand on Malachite's shoulder to draw the boy out of his admiration, Craven called out. "Lord Balmor, think it wise to start battle drills so hot in the day?"
"It is only a bit of fun with a lesson attached. I see you have found the student that you saw in your dreams. Avalon?"
Craven nodded. "And where does your student hail from?"
"Britanal Royal line. He is one of those who are the guardians of the dragon race. This is Zoicite. Zoicite this is Lord Craven." Balmor looked down at his student with pride.
With marked respect, Zoicite saluted and bowed before Craven. But, his eyes were visibly torn from Malachite form. It would seem that what the one felt was shared by his object of affection. A dangerous happening in that land and that age.
"This is Malachite. I trust the two of you can get along while we see about the other two Generals and their students?" Craven looked at both boys.
"Yes sir." Malachite didn't take his eyes from Zoicite. Yes there was something building between the pair.
A feeling neither fully understood. Instantly they trusted one another more than any other. They talked for hours that day, and every day after that. They shared a room in that first castle.
Many a night over those first five years – when there was a fierce storm blowing (as often there was at night) or Zoicite had suffered from ill dreams – the pair would share Malachite's bed. Every now and again Zoicite would slip under his covers and into Malachite's arms for no reason at all. Both seemed to sleep easier holding onto one another – Zoicite often waking with his head resting on Malachite's chest.
However the next castle had them in separate rooms. Thankfully they had a door connecting the two rooms together. As before they often slept in one another's beds and woke before their masters caught them.
Craven and Balmor both suspected that the closeness and instincts that made the pair a formidable pairing in any battle simulation was due to a relationship that shouldn't be. They had tried to catch the pair in a position that was improper to give reason for punishment, but they never found it. Both boys were careful about their private feelings and devotions.
Only the other boys – Neflyte and Jedite – had any idea of how serious the pair was. What the adults saw as a crush was much deeper than any would dare at that time imagine. The day they were all placed in their separate rooms, Malachite walked into Zoicite's with one thing on his mind.
"Zoicite, where are you?"
"In the privy. I'll be out in a moment."
He kept to his word. Shortly after Zoicite entered the room and lit it up with the smile he wore at the sight of his companion (for he knew without question that they could never go back to simple friends).
Malachite was amazed at the sight. The older boy wondered why he deserved this boy's devotions when being with a woman would one day be so much easier. But this was not the place for it.
"The others and I are heading out to explore the forest. I was hoping you would join us."
Zoicite beamed. "Of course I'll join in. Who knows what the woods hide."
The pair quickly caught up to the others at the gate and the four were off. They went very deep and after a time paired off – Malachite and Zoicite naturally going off together.
As they walked Malachite found it hard to keep his mind on the path. He loved Zoicite so much. He faced that. There could be no one but Zoi for him. Still, was he being selfish by dragging the lovely boy into his dream of what could never be?
No, he had to do what was right for the two of them. Malachite hated losing Zoicite to anyone, but he was the elder of the two and had to consider what the future held for them. Zoicite was still dreamy-minded and believed that anything could happen. The truth was that a relationship between of the same gender was forbidden and punishable by dishonor and sometimes with death. He couldn't let that happen to his only love.
They found a cave that was private, warm, and cozy. There was even a kind of low bench in the most private area of it. There they sat. It was a beautiful place, but Malachite had to end his beautiful dream forever – if only for the sake of the only one he would ever love.
"Zoi, you are so beautiful. I don't know why you waste your time with me when some woman would be blessed to have you at her side as a husband." Twelve-year-old Malachite felt as if the world died when eleven-year-old Zoicite began to cry.
He pulled the younger boy into his embrace, even with Zoicite's early struggling. The pair sat there and cuddled tightly to one another for the longest time. Zoicite finally calmed enough to speak. "Why would you say that my Malachite? Do you wish for another to take my place at your side?"
"No."
Zoicite looked up at his love … yes, this was truly love he felt for Malachite. "Then why talk as if we are nothing more than friends growing too close?"
For several moments Malachite didn't know how to answer. Finally he sighed heavily as tears began to fall down his cheeks. "Because, I want what is best for you. I love you Zoicite. But the world will not accept how I feel for you because we are …"
Zoicite covered Malachite's lips with his own. Their first kiss. Malachite pulled the younger boy closer and deepened the kiss to such intensity that they were dizzy and panting hard and the last barrier that kept them as only friends was gone. The moment was right.
Malachite got down on his knees before his love. "I told you of my sister and the gift she gave me."
"Yes, a bracelet." Zoicite had always thought it sad, but was happy that his love's sister still remained in this realm and had a destiny to fulfill.
"Yes. She told me that I was to give it to the one who would someday own my heart, that I was to let my heart decide and not my head. That I wasn't to let appearances fool me. Now I understand what she meant.
"I talked you into coming on this walk to give you up because I knew if anyone who doesn't understand were to discover us, it could harm you. I couldn't live if I lost you and I can't live if you are harmed because of this, because of how I feel for you. But, that is my head talking and the world deciding for us. Zoi, it's up to you.
"I love you, my beautiful Zoicite. And I don't want any other at my side but you." Malachite pulled the bracelet out of his pocket and prayed that he wasn't losing his dearest friend. "It is not a ring, but this bracelet has the same meaning. Be mine forever Zoicite. Be my chosen mate."
For a long time it seemed that the cave was thick with silence and hope and dread. But Zoicite's smile filled it with love and light. "Yes. I am yours alone my Malachite."
As Malachite slid the bracelet onto Zoicite's hand, it shrunk to fit his wrist and their friends and comrades in arms entered the cave applauding.
"It's about time the two of you broke down and paired up." Jedite chuckled. "Even if I lost the bet."
Zoicite and Malachite stood and embraced a moment before the younger lover glared at their friend. "What bet?"
Neflyte smiled superiorly at that. "How long before the two of you finally paired up. I won. Jedite thought you two would've waited another four years at the least."
The three of them chuckled as Jedite moaned. "Now I have to keep my room and his clean for two weeks!"
Seven years elapsed after that wonderful day and the pair grew deeper in love with every day. Balmor died followed by Craven. Each man gave the pair his blessing on their pairing, and swore to watch over them. Malachite began to teach Zoicite himself in the ways of magic and fairy battle tactics and leadership skills.
The night of Zoicite's eighteenth birthday sealed their commitment. For six months, Malachite worked hard to get things ready. But it had all been worth it. It wasn't like other pairings and certainly not legal anywhere, but this would just have to do until the world finally accepted the pair for what they felt rather than how it looked.
The group went back to that castle – after three years away, it felt strange. Almost like a homecoming. They celebrated with their friends until time for bed, and then Malachite slid into his love's room. "Happy Birthday my love."
"This was the best ever." Zoicite was still beaming with the joy his closest friends and only love gave him at the celebration.
Malachite smiled. "It isn't over yet my beloved. One last surprise for you."
The pair ran off through the woods. Before long they came to a clearing Zoicite remembered well, it was near that cave where their love was finally recognized for what it was. Only the clearing wasn't empty. It looked set up for a celebration!
And then their friends all popped out of various hiding places. "Surprise!"
Zoicite couldn't help but chuckle with joy. Still he wondered what was happening. And then their good friend Kegan, who was a Pagan High priest, and his wife and High Priestess, Grania, came into view. It clicked.
Zoicite looked up at her chosen one with wonder and love in his eyes. "Malachite?"
"This is my real birthday gift to you my love. To be joined in the eyes of the Lord and Lady, and in front of our friends at the least. Will you marry me?"
Zoicite was instantly in his arms. "Of course I will! But, I dare you to ever forget my birthday or our anniversary."
That ripped laughter out of everyone. Malachite smiled down on his true love. No, this was one day he would never forget so long as he lived.
And then a wonderful surprise happened for them both. Four young dragons arrived – one of each of the elements!
First was Mesi of the water dragons landed silently next to the couple. She and Zoicite had always been close because of the young man's talent with water element magic.
Then came the earth dragon called Jagur. He seemed to be so impassive, but Zoicite knew the heart of this dragon too well – and could easily see that his old friend was happy.
The phoenix dragon called Xia arrived next. Her iridescent and elucidated scales and wings told all how she was feeling.
And last was a blue dragon with near crystal clear wings. Zoicite instantly recognized his old friend Geothaire. He was a good average human's height taller since Zoicite had last seen him.
The dragon of airs chuckled. "About time you two! I heard about it from some sprites riding a current that past by an hour ago. Luckily I was able to contact the others in time."
"I thought that we would be late! Our fathers would have come, but that would have alerted your father Zoi. And I doubt you'd want him here ruining this." Mesi explained.
All those gathered knew what the water dragon meant. Zoicite's father had executed one of his soldiers only a month before – and the rumor was that he had heard the man was in love with another man. His presence was something Zoicite really wanted, and yet feared at the same time.
Zoicite beamed when Malachite (after looking and receiving agreement from those who at first had agreed to speak) looked up at his love's childhood friends and ask. "As a favor to myself and Zoicite, will each of you call the elements you are born of?"
All four dragons bowed their heads, but it was expressionless Jagur who spoke for them one and all. "We would be honored. Thank you for the honor, given that we were not expected."
"You're being here gives me new hope that maybe one day Zoi and I will not have to keep our relationship to ourselves." Malachite pulled his love closer. "Ready?"
Zoicite nodded with a shimmering smile on his face. It was time.
The group gathered in the center of the clearing, since Sailor Venus and her little sister had already swept the area of debris and negativity. Prince Darien and Princess Serena used his sword to close the circle, each taking a turn in the ritual encirclement.
As this was their first act of their future roles as rules, Darien nodded for Serena to lead. "Three times around."
"Once for the Daughter."
She smiled at his strong voice and the mental image of their upcoming nuptials. "Twice for the Crone."
"Thrice for the Mother." Darien too was smiling as they finished walking around the circle desoil (clockwise).
Then together at the place they had first begun, both said in unison. "Who sits on the throne."
Zoicite could hardly believe it! Malachite had done so much for him in the past, and now was binding himself to him for at least their lifetime. Zoicite couldn't imagine what he had done to deserve such a wonderful man for a mate.
In a loud and strong voice Kegan proudly called out, "I humbly ask the attendance of the Elemental of Life!"
The circle began to hum with mystical forces waiting to be recognized. To have the dragons of each element there at the ceremony was as close to legal, binding, and official that the couple could get. The Elements of Life saw that and accepted that these two men were meant for the binding of matrimony.
Each of the dragons took their proper places – North, East, South, and West.
Jagur proudly stood at his full height with his wings extended. Summoning a ball of Earth power from within himself and where he stood into his hands, he cried out with an echoing sound of a deep cave's voice during a storm as her raised his hands. "Welcome, O'powers of Earth! Bless these men with thy strength and wisdom. To be theirs as long as love lasts!"
The ball within his hands exploded and formed a barrier from his mark outwards towards the East and West.
In his hands Geothaire already had a ball of air element power. He raised his hands, opened his wings to their full length (which only left a foot of space open), and called out with a large smile on his face. "Welcome, O'powers of Air! With clever fingers weave tightly the bonds of Heart, Spirit and Love between these two! Let none undo the fabric of their love!
The power in his hands too exploded to blend with Jagur's and fill the void between his and the South marks.
In the south of that momentous circle, Xia's Scales and wings were gleaming so bright and vivaciously that she nearly made the circle shine like midday. She was so happy for her friend and hopeful this would someday come full circle for the man she knew longed to give his love a child born of them both. Perhaps someday.
She gathered energy from herself, the stars, and the torches into her hands and raised them over her head. Just before the ball exploded and blended with Geothaire's power and filled the void to the circle's western point, Xia cried out. "Welcome, O'powers of Fire! Ignite the Passion and the Love for this blessed pair. Ever burning, yet never consuming one or the other!"
Lastly was Mesi in the West. As she took energy from herself and the moisture in the air and soil surrounding them all, a tear rolled down her cheek. She was so proud and happy for her dear friend – inside she prayed that this joy would be lasting and strong long after the couple went past the veil. She extended her wings and raised her hands and called out just before her ball exploded. "Welcome, O'powers of Water! Bless this couple with a love as deep as any ocean! May richness of body, of soul and of spirit be theirs ever more!"
The circle was closed and surrounded by the blessings and love of friends and four elements alike. This marriage was seen as worthy, pure, lasting, binding, and most importantly as proper. And then a surprise emerged from the realms of the spirit – one none saw coming.
It was two friends that Zoicite never hoped to see again in his lifetime. Standing side by side were Earth dragon Adamina and her beloved chosen mate Air dragon Arian – both of who lost their lives a week before Zoicite left for his training to become the High Guardian General he then was. They were misty and translucent but he could never forget this pair who had been murdered for the very thing he was doing – marrying against the laws of the time.
They spoke in unison with voices that were seemingly made of crystal. "Dearest friend of ours, we are proud of you this night. Stay true to him and he will to you always – even in the darkest times. The journey before you both is to be harsh and filled with choices we know someday you will wish to change, but one day it will turn around when you both gain all of your sweetest dreams after accepting all of your coming reprimands.
"Now to finish this circle as no other ever has before. Welcome O'powers of Spirit! Bless these two that none will part the binding they make this night! May the faith and love all hold in this circle keep their love pure and future path long together – not apart nor alone."
An explosion later, the powers that sealed the circle began to give of a pearl gray glow and vibrated with power. Everyone within that circle too was glowing. The six dragons all spoke in unison. "Gracious Goddess, Gentle God, Grant this blessed pair thy love and protection. Blessed Be!"
And then the spirit dragons smiled on their friend. "We are always with you our friend. Perhaps not seen, but always there. Thank you for caring for our eggs. They all hatched and are more wonderful than we ever dared to hope for. As will your children one day be."
And with that shocker the pair vanished. Zoicite fell into his love's arms at that. One day their most private and sweetest dream was going to come true – they would have children! Tears were in all eyes that night.
After they returned to past the veil between life and death, Neflyte stood beside Zoicite, Jedite stood beside Malachite, and Kegan continued on with the ceremony. "Who comes forth at this time to petition the Lord and Lady's attention?"
Neflyte smiled on his friends and prayed that nothing would ruin the night. "High Guardian General Zoicite Geraint Arvandus Olave Quein of the Royal Lineage of the Kingdom known as Britanal and Guardian of the race known as Dragons."
Jedite too was smiling. This was a night he had waited so long for. "And High Guardian General Malachite Cadel Baran Kenyon Hanari of the Mystic Triad Isles Kingdom and guardian of the True Magics of the Worlds."
"And their reason?" Grania smiled sweetly, but spoke with a loud and clear voice.
Zoicite and Malachite smiled over at one another. There could only be one reason they would risk both their lives and their honors for this rite. They spoke in harmony with all that was in their hearts. "For the beauty of love."
"We gather here this night in a ritual of love. You, Zoicite of Britanal, and Thee, Malachite of the Mystic Triad Isles, stand here before your friends, the elements, the Lord and Lady to join together as the beginning of a family. For before there can be three, there must be two." Kegan explained to all there and the couple. He hadn't felt sure of leaving the ceremony worded that way – but, with the announcement from the spirit dragons, the High Priest left it as it was with all the hope in the world for his friends that the prophesized children would arrive soon.
Grania joined the couple's hands and turned them only a little ways to look completely at one another. "Malachite, what have you to offer this man for his love?"
Malachite looked deep into his beloved Zoicite's green eyes with deepest and purest love he had ever felt in his life. This man was the other half of himself – that was a fact that Malachite would never deny. "I present to him my love and my pledge. May I never knowingly or willingly do such a thing to harm, nor grieve, him in any form or fashion. Accept this my dagger, as a token of my trust. Like its blade, may my love be as strong. Like its metal may our love be enduring. Accept it my love, for that which is mine is yours."
Zoicite took the dagger into his hands and sighed in love. This was more than he had ever dream their mating would ever be. "My Love, I accept your pledge, and your love, as I accept thy blade. Know what is in my heart, as I know what is in thine. The magic of my will, of my love, shall ever be thine."
Kegan looked at Zoicite and grinned the surprise obviously had been complete. "Zoicite, and what do you offer in return for the love of this man?"
Zoicite removed a garnet necklace that had been a reminder of the sweet sister he had lost to illness two years before. "I present to him my love and this pledge. May I never knowingly or willingly do such a thing to harm, nor grieve, him in any form or fashion. Accept this, my jewel, my treasure, as a token of my trust. Just as its bright gleam, may our love glow. Like the stone that it is its essence, may our love be as enduring. Accept it my love, for that which is mine is yours."
Malachite and all present knew how much that necklace meant to Zoicite. He hadn't removed it outside of training and battles since the day he received it by messenger the day after his sister's demise. Malachite had to swallow hard to hold back his tears of adoration and accept the necklace from his love. "My Love, I accept your pledge and your love, as I accept thy jewel. Know what is in my heart, as I know what is in thine. The magic of my will, of my love, shall ever be thine."
"May the Lord and Lady smile upon this union, and bless this couple with health and prosperity!" Kegan smiled on his friends.
Grania was fighting to keep tears from her eyes. "May neither take advantage of the other. For remember what one may not provide, the other may!"
Kegan took the wedding rings from Jedite. Malachite smiled at this. It and the one he too would soon proudly wear had been crafted by a close friend Malachite and Jedite both trusted. They were solid gold bands that had a dragon on either side, both holding a stone with the runic symbol for love carved into it and highlighted with gold. His stone was a zoicite, and for his love was a malachite stone.
Zoicite gasped when he saw the band Kegan placed on his hand. Just as his love had hoped, he loved it. It was the most wonderful gift that Malachite had given him. That drew the tears of joy from Zoicite's eyes that he had so far had been able to hold back.
Kegan smiled at it. "Your vows have now been heard by all. These rings, like your vows, are without beginning or end. Now placed, they represent a seal of your love and respect for each other."
He took and gave them the chalice. "This is your first drink together as a wedded couple. May you never thirst."
Malachite tipped the chalice for his beloved first, and then twisted it so that the side Zoicite drank from was before him. That meant so much to Zoicite as he tipped the chalice up to pour the sweet mead into his love's mouth.
Grania then took the bread and gave it to the pair before her. "This is your first food together as a wedded couple. May you never hunger."
Each took a piece from the loaf and slid it into the other's mouth – fingers lightly brushing lips. Malachite saw how happy his love was, and it made him feel whole for the first time. Before he knew that Zoicite was his only, and now he also felt it.
Zoicite no longer cared if his father would accept his love for the wonderful man that stood before him or not. All he needed was Malachite, and it felt so liberating to accept that as how he was. No matter the cost Malachite was willing to be his alone. So to was Zoicite willing to do anything for his true love and now his wedded mate as well.
The couple was encouraged to grasp one another's wrists – left hand to left, and right hand to right. Once they did their arms created an infinity symbol. Kegan and Grania bound the couple's wrists together with a silver lunar silk ribbon that the Moon Princess had made herself (one of the few talents the young woman had with an abundance of beautiful skill). It stated clearly: Zoicite and Malachite – bound by love and vow – and then gave the date. That wonderful magical date when one of Zoicite's most longed for dreams had came true – the twenty-third night of Ruis!
"With this binding I tie you, heart to heart, together as one. With this knot you are joined in sacred union. May the Lord and Lady smile upon thee, and bless you with health and prosperity!" Kegan grinned as he knotted the ribbon tight enough to make the couple chuckle lightly. He wasn't going to leave them any way of slipping out of thier vows – as if they would ever wish for that.
Grania placed one hand atop the binding knot and their joined wrists. "May neither take advantage of the other. For remember what one may not provide, the other may!"
Neflyte and Jedite both took and held a long sword and a bosom low to the ground for their friends. All had gone well as of yet. Grania was inwardly sighing with relief for that very thought. "The sword is to sever the ties the two of you one held to your old lives. The bosom is to sweep away those ties and clear your first step on the new path that your lives are taking – on which your two separate lives become one."
Kegan smiled on his friends and inwardly wish them both all the best. "Leaping over these will be your first act of working together as a wedded couple. Do so with all the blessing, best wishes, and support of those who have witnessed this rite and will support you both in the years to come."
With smiles on their faces and hearts racing with joy and excitement, Zoicite and Malachite both leapt the sword and bosom in unison.
Kegan removed the ribbon and held it over his and the couple's heads with joy and pride. "I present to all of you Zoicite and Malachite future rulers of Britanal and the Mystic Triad Isles, guardians of the dragon race and the true magic of the worlds, and High Guardian Generals of Crown Prince Darien of Earth and his future bride, Crown Princess Serena of the Moon Kingdom."
Zoicite and Malachite kissed deeply at that. It was as official as they could make it, and neither would ever forget that magical night.
They walked over – hand in hand – and knelt before the young couple that had supported them when such friends were few and far between. Serena rested one hand on Zoicite's shoulder, and Darien rested his free hand on Malachite's (as the Prince had take hold of his future bride's hand in his joy).
Serena smiled on her friends and could feel just how right it all was. There was nothing dirty and evil in this rite or in this coupling. "Arise our dear friends and guardians. For in due time all will know that this is an accepted marriage in our eyes."
Darien squeezed one of his oldest and dearest friend's shoulder with a chuckle. "And don't let Zoicite wear you out too bad at the start Mal. After all, a week is a very long time when you're tired."
Everyone laughed at that. Zoicite was just amazed that he had so long alone together with his new mate. That was where the second party for the night got started.
Neflyte opened a patch in the sky that let them see a far away meteor shower that was almost like noiseless fireworks. Jedite had dished up all of Zoicite's favorite treats. Malachite gave his beloved a second dagger that had four jewels – the four each of the Generals were named for – in its hilt. Princess Serena gave him a book of poetry. And of course there was that week of leave from Prince Darien. Of course there were other friends and associates who gave him and Malachite gifts, but those were the most special to Zoicite. And he told Malachite such that first night as they drifted off to sleep, having spent hours satisfying one another as a married couple would.
Malachite smiled down on that still beautiful love of his. Now a full woman, carrying their unborn daughter, and still as much his as back then. How blessed they truly were.
Zoicite smiled so peacefully as she laid there on their bed with her legs hanging off the edge. "We got to hold her again, my Malachite. Our baby Hope was in our arms. But, this time it wasn't so hard to let her go."
"Because she is not just a dream any longer my love, we both saw her tuck into your belly. Our first baby is growing within you at last." Malachite treasured it when his lover was this content. She already had the glow of motherhood emanating from her – this peaceful joy only added to it and his beloved's true beauty. She was lovelier in reality than he ever dared to dream long before.
That first night of their marriage returned to him again as she smiled up at him. It had been a long and difficult road to their dream, but now their highest prized dream was reality. He dared to hope that she would make their other dream come true as well.
"Zoicite, Prince Darien is whole again. The battle seemed to knock the last memories back into his head." Malachite chuckled at the dirty smirk his dearest grew on her face at that.
Zoicite still had her vicious streak – not doubt could be made about that. "Good. Time to nag the royal pains into setting a date!"
"The Scouts beat you to it love." Malachite felt his heart soar as she tossed him onto his back so that he was sprawled on their bed as she had been, and then sat on his hips so he could not escape her – as if he ever wanted to try.
"Well …" Zoicite held her arms across her chest and demandingly glared down at the man she had chosen to stay with the rest of her days – despite all that it had cost her.
Malachite rested his hands on her hips to lock her right in that spot. Looking directly at her belly, he had never been as happy as what they had done had made him. "Prince Darien has stated very clearly that he and the Princess will be setting no date until you and I are wed. It would seem they want no scandal to harm you or I. They haven't changed in the last thousand years."
Zoicite got off of him and walked over to the wall before Malachite, not facing her love. He knew she was hurting when she acted as such. What had he said wrong? Did she not want the wedding as they once longed for? Gods, did she not want him any longer?
"We have though my love. A thousand years ago they would have done anything to insure our ties to one another. Remember how they vowed once they were married they would publicly bless our union? Now they don't have to, and you do not have to tie yourself to me." Zoicite sobbed out.
Malachite could hear the pain his love was in, and felt it as well. Zoicite must not held the desire to marry him as she had long before as a man. "Zoicite, I have not changed in how I feel towards you. I love you with all of my heart eternally. That is why I gave myself to you that night, and only wish to do so again."
"And I love you my Malachite. But, I wish no scandal to ever touch your good name." She sobbed harder.
Malachite was confused. He could see that the grief in his beloved's soul was genuine and not just a result of a mood swing. There was something she had been holding back, but it didn't matter. She was all Malachite wanted in a wife, and she was the only woman he would ever hold as his mate.
He turned her to face him and then went down on one knee, pulling out the wine colored velvet box he had been carrying around for two weeks – waiting for the perfect time to do this. "I love you alone my dearest. You are the one I want by my side for all time. Will you marry me, Zoicite Geraint Arvandus Olave Quein of the …"
Zoicite let out a sob of pain instead of joy. Was it that she did not want him for her husband? "I am not a Quein of the Royal Lineage of the Kingdom known as Britanal and Guardian of the race known as Dragons!"
This stunned Malachite. "What do you mean?"
Zoicite sobbed hard for a moment, and then dropped into his arms. This was the hardest task she had ever placed before herself, but it had to be done. "I asked on our first night free of Beryl that we would one day wed as it was in our true time."
"Yes my love."
She could keep her voice from cracking. "The old laws stated very clearly that a woman has to have her family's blessing to wed properly."
Malachite thought he saw what the problem was. "I am sure that your family would approve if they were still alive."
"No they wouldn't! I have no family and no name!" Zoicite screamed out in her frustration. After allowing that truth to settle on her love she told him the absolute truth. "My father banished me, and disowned me because of our wedding that night so long ago."
"Zoi." Malachite pulled her tighter in his arms. "that doesn't matter to me. We are family to one another by our old vows."
"Once I felt that same way. But now I feel different. With our daughter growing in my belly, I … I just want to do things as honorably and honestly as I can. And that means that I cannot marry you without causing you shame my love." Zoicite broke down into further tears.
Finally Malachite understood. The problem was he didn't know how to fix it. How could he convince his beloved that she could never shame him?
The room filled with a shimmering white light and in the center of the room were two old friends of theirs – Adamina and Arian!
"You are as beautiful as a woman as you were as a man our friend. You have taken good care of Zoicite, Malachite. And, as we said long before, a child of your two's love is on her way. So, why are you not happy Zoicite?"
She sobbed softly and hid her face against Malachite's chest. He decided to speak for her. "Zoi feels that we cannot re-wed in this age because her father disowned her – leaving her without a name to wed me by."
The dragons shook their heads in disbelief. "Why should a closed minded man's ancient mistake hurt you now, Zoi? Seeing all that you have done and become, do you not think your father would change his mind and heart?"
"No, he hates me for my heart's desire and choice so long ago." Zoicite sobbed into Malachite's chest.
He looked up at the dragons with such a defeated expression on his face. He just had no idea of how to make his beloved happy once again.
Looking at one another for a moment, both dragons nodded in agreement and then looked at the shattered couple before them. "We have a way to ease this pain and give gifts to all who were in that circle on that long ago night. Take them all to the launch that is the only way to what this world now knows as Avalon Prince of the Mystic Triad Isles. And be happy now Zoicite our friend. You are with the one deemed meant for you from before you were on."
Then the room was empty again. Neither lover really knew what to make of it.
Once they explained the encounter to the others (the next day), it was decided to go to see what the spirits had meant. Serena was simply in love with the Avalon and dragons ideas (she majorly flaked because of it). That Saturday they were all at that secret shoreline.
Malachite sent out the spell of power to prove who he was. Then he received a wonderful surprise.
Did all of this over night! Woo Hoo!
Anyway how was that for the opening of my own arch?
Any guesses as to what the first surprise of Chapter Two will be?
Please tell me how all of your dear readers liked it!!!!!!
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