Chapter 6

Elves lined the walls dressed in hooded cloaks over their silver armor. All were armed to the teeth with bows and arrows, swords concealed in decorated leather sheaths, knives at their waists. Even the women were there, behind their men, preparing their own welcome for Magnus's armies.

The elder stood in the center of the main courtyard, a bower of flowers above his head, trailing over a white archway. He stood proudly, his own armor shining brightly, his sword upon a pillow behind him, ready for its ceremonial use.

Balor came to stand before him, his helm in his arms, his armor gleaming from a fresh polishing. His sword swung at his side. He took a deep breath, nerves that had little to do with the coming battle fluttering in his stomach. Trumpets sounded and he turned, watching as his bride made her way toward him. He could barely believe that this was the same Luria he'd rescued from Magnus's castle just a few days past.

She wore a long dark cape that only slightly covered up the silver breast plate she had borrowed from the elves. Her forearms were covered in silver cuffs and above them were twin bracelets, clasped snugly around her upper arms. She wore tight black leather pants under armor strapped to her thighs and legs. At her side she wore a long sword; on her back a quiver with bow and arrows.

Her silver hair was up and curled tightly to her head in battle-ready fashion. Upon her brow rested a plain band of silver with an aquamarine, the size of a bird's egg, resting in its center. Under it, her eyes seemed even bluer. What was left of the sun shone down upon her, creating an aura around her that kept Balor spellbound. With her hand resting in Rowan's flowing mane, she made her way toward him, finally coming to stand beside him.

"You come to our wedding armed, my lady?" he said quietly, bending his head to speak softly to her.

"Ever ready to fight at your side, my prince," she answered, a smile upon her pink lips.

He smiled. "Let us hope that tonight shall be the final time you must do such. Once we rid the land of Magnus's malevolence, let us pray that peace shall ever reign."

Rowan stepped back from Luria's side, rubbing against Shria as she had followed the two of them from the chamber. They lay down next to each other but close enough to Luria to be there if there be need.

"In the ways of my people," the elder began. Balor and Luria turned toward him, joining their hands. "It is accustomed to ask each party if this is truly their heart's wish. Lady Luria, do you wish to take Prince Balor as your husband? To live with him and abide by his rule as wife, lover and friend until death shall take one of you?"

"It is my heart's only wish, Elder," she said with a small bowing curtsey.

Balor's breathe caught in his chest and he stared at her with a question in his eyes. She glanced up at him, seeing his look and smiling as she nodded her head.

"Prince Balor, as a royal yourself, you know the bond of marriage is not something to easily be set aside. Is it truly your heart's wish to take Lady Luria to be your bride? Do you wish to live with her, give her care and succor and raise her children until death shall take one of you?"

Balor reached out and lifted Luria's chin with his fingers, feeling the fluttering of her pulse against his hand. "It is my heart's only wish," he said, staring down into the perfect blue of her eyes.

"Then please, take your lady's left hand in your own and place your palms together." The elder wrapped a small cord around their wrists, binding them together. "A man's right hand must be free to carry his sword, to control his horse, to win a fight, thus a woman is bound to him on his left side, the side closest to his heart is where she must be kept. A woman's right hand is just as important, to sew a wound or tend a child, to feed a baby and continue the growth of a kingdom."

"Thus I have bound the two of you. If it weren't for the upcoming battle, you would stay this way through the night and into the morning. Instead, we shall leave you like this only for as long as it takes for you to take your vows and seal them with a kiss's promise. Lady Luria, if you would?" He glanced up at the sky and took note of how the dusk crept ever closer.

"Balor, I vow to do my best to be your wife, to honor you in all things, to provide you a safe haven from any storm. I will be true to you and to these vows until I breathe my last."

"Prince Balor?" the elder urged, nodding toward the sky.

"Luria, I vow to be your husband in all things, to love you and honor you, to cherish you above all others. I promise to provide for you and our children until I breathe my last."

"The kiss," the elder urged.

Balor's arm was already around her, it was but the matter of twisting a bit to find her lips. He would have kissed her all night, lost in the feeling of having her as his, but for the clearing of the elder's throat.

The elder held his sword out and quickly cut the bindings, sending the ropes falling to the ground beneath their feet. "It is done."

"I have an idea," Luria said to Balor, after nodding her thanks to the elder who left quickly, his mind on more important matters.

"What is it?"

"The elephant, she has a herd not far from here. I've sent her back with orders to bring the rest to the meadow in front of the village after Magnus's forces get here. They will fight for us and be a rear flank," her forehead wrinkled as she said that. "Is that the right word?"

"Right enough. Good idea, Luria." He pulled her tight once more to him, holding on to her as if it was the last time he might be able to—and who but God knew if it was. "I wish I could see into our futures," he said softly above her head, kissing her hair. "If I lose you..." he paused, his arms tightening almost painfully.

She held on as well, drawing strength from him. As the night grew dark around them and the night insects began to buzz, she felt a well of fear, almost like a premonition of danger to come, that set her soul to tremble.

"You stay close," he said. "Stay within sight of Graeme or myself, if we should both fall..."

"No, I shan't think that way, Balor. You won't fall, I won't allow it." She linked her arms around his neck and pulled him down for one last kiss. "You're my husband," she said softly when she raised her head. "You owe me a wedding night."

His grin was wide but serious and he kissed her brow one last time before letting her go, hearing the echoing call of the elves' horn. "You shall have it," he vowed. Then he turned and strode off, leaving her to make her way to where she was to stand. Rowan and Shria were to go with her but she turned to Rowan. "Go with him, keep him safe for me. He is my heart, my kingly beast."

Rowan almost seemed to nod, then he turned and bounded after Balor, only slowing up when he was at his side.

"She sent you to fight with me?" He reached down and felt the thick fur of Rowan's ruff for the first time. "Thank you."

The lion grunted and rubbed his head on Balor's thigh.

A sound like thunder split the night sky, eliciting screams from some of the gathered forces. At the other end of the meadow, the gates of the black castle appeared and then opened. Magnus slowly stepped out. He had an air of invincibility around him as he gathered his cloak about him. Striding to the center of the meadow, he shouted up at the wall, "Give me my bride and I shall let you live."

"She's no longer your bride, Magnus," Balor shouted back. "She's my wife and safe from you now."

"Ahh, the little prince. I shall have you both back in my power by the time the sun rises. When I finish with you, I'll slit your throat and then Luria will be mine. Problem solved." He laughed harshly.

Luria had listened to all of this, feeling her skin grow wet and clammy. Her stomach turned over and she quickly pulled her bow, notching the arrow swiftly. Before she could think, she let it fly, watching as it honed in on Magnus.

He shimmered translucently for a moment and the arrow passed clear through him, slamming hard into the ground of the meadow behind him.

Magnus scanned the elves that stood upon the wall, searching for the one who would dare attack him. His eyes landed on Luria and widen. "Why Lady Luria, you've gotten all grown up," he drawled slowly. "Your parents should have told you, never, ever attack your betters. I shall have to punish you for this later."

"So," he called again, this time speaking to the elfin elders. "You refuse to return my bride and Prince Balor to me. This is your final word?" He watched as the elder nodded. "Then you shall all die." With that, he turned and retreated through the black gate.