Episode 2: Already So Far From Home

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Everyone slept in later the next morning, except Narine and Sam and several of the servants. Preparations were hastily made, transforming the dining hall into a celebration of the upcoming wedding. Narine had uncovered one of the wedding dresses that one of Sam's former wives had worn, and set the maids to altering it to her slighter form.

"Oh, and Rima," she said to one of her maids. "I think we might have mice up here. The room which held this dress looked like one of the little things had been running around in there. Some of the fancy plates had been knocked over, and there was a nasty tear in one of the paintings. See too it that someone looks into it, will you?"

"Aye, madam," answered the maid curtly.

After what seemed like hours, the preparations were finally set. Sam looked nervous in his vest and tie, and kept fiddling with his sleeves. "Up or down?" he asked Uther, who was standing nearby. "Should the sleeves be rolled up or rolled down?"

Uther shrugged. "Just wear 'em both the same way, Sam. Don't know, otherwise."

A processional had been established in the dining hall. Bright sunlight streamed in through the windows, casting the room in an ethereal glow. The maids and the butlers lined the sides of the walkway, and most of the guests stood near Sister Isobel at the far end.

Narine arrived on the threshold, and Sam's breath was lost for a second.

"Sam?" Narine asked, looking concerned.

Sam's expression changed from utter shock to pure joy. "You. Look. Beautiful!" he stammered.

Narine bent over and kissed him on the forehead. Uther cleared his throat and whispered deeply, "I think yer supposed to do that at the other end, Sam."

"Uh, right!" Sam flushed slightly. He extended his arm to his bride. "Shall we?"

Narine took his arm and they walked together. Ioan, in his clear and perfect voice, sang a love song. Abigail accompanied him with light tones on her flute. Uther surprised nearly everyone with his thick fingers and heavy arms drawing forth a delicate melody on his fiddle. On either side, maids threw flower petals behind the bride and groom, which floated down to gently land on the floor behind them.

Sam and Narine arrived to stand in front of Sister Isobel, who smiled at them both. "Oh great Guardian," she began, "I have been asked to relay to you that these two, Baron Samkin Theodocius Brandybush Pendakkar-Thrace and Narine of Tumulus Arbor, do declare their unbounding love for one another, and seek blessings on their union."

Isobel directed each of them, in turn, to speak their vows to each other. Narine's vows were simple, but passionate; Sam's were poetic words from his heart, and he gingerly held her hand in his.

Isobel took both of their hands in hers, and wove a yellow ribbon around their clasped fingers. "Let all here know that this union is blessed by the spirit of the Guardian, and that this blessing will last until the end of days! Where once there were two, now before you stands one, joined at the hand and at the heart, for ever more!"

Sam and Narine stood staring deeply into each other's eyes, both of them smiling ecstatically, small tears of joy glistening in the corners of their eyes.

Uther cleared his throat loudly. "This is the part where you kiss 'er, Sam," he said. Nervous laughter sprung forth from most of those assembled, not least from Sam himself.

Narine knelt down beside her husband and they embraced, and a great hurrah erupted from all. After a passionate kiss, Narine emerged with a flushed face. "Thank you so much, kind Sister!" she said, and gave Sister Isobel a quick hug.

"Yes, thank you!" said Sam. "And it is a shame that you must all be leaving so soon! You should stay, and we could--"

Narine leaned down and whispered something in her husband's ear. Sam grinned. "But we, uh, have to be going now! Take care, all of you! 'Phina, you've promised to come back and stay for a while! Ioan, nice to meet you! Uther, take two barrels with you, and enjoy them for me! Rikkard," he paused. "Well, good luck!"

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Narine had ushered Sam out of the room quickly as he made his farewells, and the servants all promptly turned back to their duties. One of the butlers escorted them to the stables where their horses were kept, and they were soon descending down the platform, having packed up their things already, except for the barrels which Uther quickly retrieved.

The trip downward was not quite the same as the trip upward, and to many it seemed even more perilous. Where the trip upward had been under constant power, the trip downward was under freefall roughly half of the time, and moved faster -- or so MacGregor would later swear.

I think I'll try flying up, next time, thought Abigail. It's probably safer...

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