Redeemed - The Wedding of Celestina and Chedrick

The Princess Celestina stepped onto a starlit balcony overlooking a beautiful garden embraced by the walls of Queen Aurora's castle and took in the cool scent of the flowers and trees, a welcome contrast from the heat of the ball.

Finding herself alone, she stepped out of the candlelight and into the darkness. She gripped the railing and held herself up. The cool stone couldn't help as she began to pant and tears filled her eyes. The noise of the party covered her small sobs as she covered her mouth with her hand. She felt warmth of someone behind her on her bare shoulders.

"I'm here." Came a familiar soprano voice.

"I know."

"It's a little overwhelming after a while."

"More than a little right now."

"It'll be okay. Just breathe."

Celestina shook her head. "I don't deserve any of this." She held out the skirts to her wedding dress and gestured to the raucous noise of her reception.

A puff of breathe at the old argument.

"Rose. I'm so sorry for …everything."

"Even banishing the demons?" Celestina heard the smile in the words.

"They wouldn't have come without my help."

"You helped make it right and you've worked hard to repent of what you have done."

Celestina's old tiara glittered as she shook her head. "Not enough."

Aurora sighed, "Celestina. We banished the demons from this world. We healed everyone on this world. You brought peace. You have sought out all you personally injured and served them. There will always be something to be done, but tonight you get something good to sustain you."

Celestina glanced into the ballroom and bit her lip. "I-I'm terrified."

Aurora took her shaking hand. "Why?"

"This has to be a dream." She whispered. "None of this can possibly be real. I just want the nightmare to begin. I deserve the nightmare. I was so awful."

Her sister threw her arms tightly around her and snuggled into her bosom. "Yes, you were, but you are not anymore."

"But I could become Maleficent again."

"Maybe, we all have the potential to be bad but you will fight her."

"I fight her all the time."

"Good. I am here for you. Rapunzel is here for you. Chedrick your husband is here for you. Remember that."

"I try."

"I know you are."

"You'll keep the staffs in a safe place?"

"They are in a very safe place."

"They're not the cottage, are they?"

"No, they are not in the cottage. They are someplace where you'll never find them."

"Good. Thank you. I just want everyone to be safe. I want to share everything with Chedrick but after what happened I am not sure what will happen to me if I am intimate with him."

"We're here for you. You can take your time."

They hugged tightly again.

There was a cheer from the ballroom and the two women stuck their heads around the corner.

"Looks like your new husband has gotten himself into a spot of bother."

A bunch of men were tossing Chedrick into the air.

"Looks like I better go rescue him."

Celestina stood up straight, took a centering breath and glided into the raucous ballroom, leaving a wake of quiet respect behind her.

The band of men finally noticed and put Chedrick down and rather comically they all tried to hide behind him.

"I think it is time for us to take leave of the party." Celestina said.

"So soon." Chedrick asked, as others quietly made their disappointment known.

"You will need to spare some energy for our celebration."

There was quiet for a long moment and then as Chedrick goggled at her, she blushed when she understood what she had said.

"Of course, dear goodwife." Chedrick said with a gentle smile.

They took hands and a path was made for them out of the ballroom as couples came together to hold each other and watch the newlyweds leave.

~The End~

Author's Note: Well, I think that does it for this story. I've written a trilogy, I'm rather surprised, I never thought I had any books in me much less write 375k words into a trilogy about some Disney Princesses. But I tapped into something amazing when watching "Tangled" all those years ago. Five years, it's been five years and one day since I posted my first story. How much I have changed in so little time.

"Rapunzel Goes Home" allowed me to work through the death of our first born. "Roused" helped me explore the muse, my place in the universe and friendship. And "Redeemed" let me forgive myself for surviving the crash.

I am so thankful for all that has happened to me because I have made some great friends but, truth be told, I am not sure I would wish what happened to me on my worst enemy.

I dream of having these stories turned into novel, movies or something by Disney, though I know that is an impossible dream. These stories really need so much more work. I've learned so much about grammar and storycraft that they all need significant editing. Which I will do because I need to learn how, and I learn best by doing.

If you got this far, thank you.