20 . 8 . 07
Alright, instead of Jab, I'm writing this story. It's kind of a fluffy one, but I think it will probably actually be one of my most serious stories, so I hope you enjoy it --gulp--
Oh yeah, I'm putting the quotes at the beginning of this one instead of Jab, because most of them are more applicable to this story anyhow.
"I'll begin as all stories of this nature begin, with:
Once Upon a Time…"
All Tales Have Happy Endings –Nyght Musique
The grand cathedral in the center of the capital city had never been fuller than it was on this day. People were crammed into every pew and squeezed mercilessly into the balcony where they fanned themselves as best they could to dispel the sticky heat.
An old room let the light in, sparkling dully on the motes of dust as they were disturbed by the people walking in.
Everyone, even the children, were scrubbed and dressed to the nines, and a good half of them were actually listening to the priest as he slowly ambled on in his speech. The woman in front of him was breathtaking; her dress of ethereal white seemed to exude peace to everyone nearby, along with her gentle smile and friendly eyes.
The woman smoothed her well-worn cotton dress with slightly trembling hands, refusing to look up into the preacher's sympathetic eyes, or the eyes of the man beside her.
The priest cleared his throat and another quarter of the audience trained their eyes on him.
"Do you, Prince Roderic Franklin Alaciea of Terriot take Princess Katharine Florette Edinas of Rijhad to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"Do you, Jody Frannlin take Celeste O'Leary Wilson to be your wife?"
"I do," the man said steadily, looking just to the left of the pretty brunette's eyes, masked by the veil.
"I do," the blacksmith murmured firmly.
"And do you, Princess Katharine Florette Edinas of Rijhad take Prince Roderic Franklin Alaciea of Terriot to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"Do you, Celeste O'Leary Wilson take Jody Flannlin to be your husband?"
"I do," the girl said with a small nod.
"I do," Celeste said, a tear falling for each word.
Behind them the crowd waited, an expectant hush befalling them. A little boy tugged on his sister's bonnet and she glared at him, pressing a finger to her lips.
"Then, by the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
"I pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
The priest smiled faintly as the crowd erupted in wild cheers, congratulating everyone in sight. There were few dry eyes to be seen as the man lifted the veil.
The man kissed the woman and they were married, ready to live happily every after.
Right?
Not quite.
That is only part of the story -- the end of one tale and the beginning of another. The first story you have heard multiple times to be sure, though it has been given a new ending than this every time.
The princess is arranged to marry the prince and they have never met. The princess or prince (or both) is devastated because he or she already has a secret lover with some member of the community lower in rank.
A husband goes to war to protect his country and his wife, leaving her with the promise that he will return, for who can truly keep true love apart?
They:
Manage to circumvent the marriage and live happily ever after with their beloved.
Discover that their beloveds are actually each other and get married and live happily ever after.
Run away and meet each other in their travels, forgetting about their beloveds (who never loved them anyway) and then returning to marry and live happily ever after.
He comes home a hero, his life unchanged by the horrors he witnessed, and lives happily ever after with his love.
He returns crippled, but able to return to normal life, and his wife, who never lost hope, loves him anyway.
Previously a man uncomfortable with himself, he finds true meaning in life and comes home a better man than when he left.
This story is none of the above. But it is important too; it teaches the valuable lesson that love is sometimes better earned than found, and a relationship worked for is sweeter than one that falls into place.
Final word count: 658
Review and give me your opinions, PLEASE. I don't know if this came off as too confusing...
I'll give you Twinkies?
One more item of business; Lobuck is about to post the first chapter of a spectacular story which shall be entitled "A Soldier at His Own Expense". Please read it -- it really is quite good.