The Daughters of Merlin

Grace watched as Raven the wolf, carrying a basket full of white flower petals with Blue also sitting in the basket, along with Sky who had rings on his back walked through the veil of flowers and down the aisle toward the altar.

Today was the day of Grace and Virgil’s wedding. Grace was dressed in a simple white gown which hugged her form but had a loose skirt. Her hair was down, hiding her magic eye. A crown of pure white seashells were gathered in her hair, a lace veil attached to it, covering her face. As always, she was barefoot, nervously holding a bouquet of lilies and blue Love-in-the-Mists.

Merlin held his arm out towards Grace. He was dressed in a dark blue suit, his usual unruly red hair combed. His eyes were full of pride as he smiled at her. “Ready?”

As father and daughter began walking down the aisle, through her veil, Grace’s eyes were locked with Virgil’s. He was wearing a white suit with black epaulets and a red sash tied across his shoulders. Standing behind him, Arthur too was wearing white. The King himself had agreed to officiate the wedding, more than happy to do so for the two.

In no time at all, Grace found herself standing at the bottom of the altar. She turned to her father and saw that there were tears in his eyes as he held onto her hand, not wanting to let go. Grace chuckled, tears gathering in her own eyes. “Papa, it’s okay.”

“Dad.” Zana got out of her seat, gently grabbing his arm when he made no move to back away when he didn’t move.

Grace hugged Merlin to which he hugged her back, kissing the top of her head.

“I love you, Papa.” Grace said.

“I love you too, Jynx. Never forget that.” He replied before letting go of her, allowing Zana to pull him away.

Grace gave Zana her bouquet before Zana led Merlin back to their seats. Grace turned to Virgil, placing her hand on top of his outstretched one, him leading her up to the altar before she turned to face him fully, him taking both of her hands in his.

“Dearly Beloved,” Arthur began, to which everyone sat down in their seats. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the official union of the Pendragon’s and Calodonensis’s, of royalty and magic.”

As Arthur continued on with his speech, Virgil barely paid attention, only aware of the feeling of Grace’s hands in his, and of the soft blue glow from her magical eye that her hair and veil failed to hide.

“Now that I’ve done my bit, it’s time for the bride and groom to exchange their vows.” Arthur gestured to the couple, nodding for them to begin.

Grace went first as was the custom. “You cannot possess me for I belong to myself;

But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give.

You cannot command me, for I am a free person.

“I shall serve you in those ways you require,

And the honeycomb will taste sweeter from my hand.

I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night,

And the eyes into which I smile in the morning.

“I shall be a shield for your back as you are mine;

I shall not slander you, nor you me.

I shall honor you above all others;

For our union is sacred between us.

“Above and beyond this,

I will cherish and honor you

Through this life and the next.”

Grace took a golden ring that had a ruby set into it from the pillow strapped to Cloud’s wool and slipped the ring onto Virgil’s left ring-finger.

Virgil went next, saying the same thing as Grace had, slipping a silver band with a lapis lazuli set into the middle onto her left ring-finger. Despite the words having been uttered between couples for centuries, it was clear no couple had meant those ceremonial words more than the Prince and youngest Daughter of Merlin.

“By the power vested in me by the Gods and the people, I now pronounce you man and Wife.” Arthur said, ignoring the happy tear that began to fall down his cheek as he realized how proud he was of his only son, knowing that both Grace and the kingdom of Camelot would be, when the day came, in good hands. “You may kiss the bride.”

Virgil lifted Grace’s veil, revealing her beaming smile and flushed cheeks. For a moment, Virgil just looked down at her, taking in her beauty. He reveled in his good fortune that he would now be able to spend the rest of his life with his best friend. Then he leaned down and kissed her, sealing the deal.

Some people had noticed that during the wedding ceremony, clouds had begun to gather in the sky over Camelot, but they didn’t really pay any attention to it, focusing instead on the couple. However, everyone noticed the large clouds as droplets of rain began to drop from them, quickly falling at a faster pace.

As Virgil and Grace separated from their first kiss as husband and wife, it had begun to fully sprinkle. Merlin and Zana quickly cast a spell over everyone and the food that was gathered out in the courtyard so that no one and nothing would end up drenched.

Grace cast the spell off of her and Virgil, grabbing Virgil’s hand before she tugged him off and away from the altar so that they were standing in the grass.

Still with a beaming smile on her face, showing off her dimples, Grace placed her other hand on Virgil’s shoulder. Virgil caught on to her plan and smiled back, wrapping his arm around her waist before leading his new wife in their first dance as a married couple.