Arthur and Alduin exited the palace to the garden. As was told, the flowers and trees were in full bloom. Pink, red, purple, and white flowers created a beautiful landscape for the momentous occasion. To their left servants were finishing the set up for the reception that was to take place after, as the band could be seen making last minute adjustments to their instruments to make sure they were in tune. Then beyond them was an ocean of potted flowers.

Elves didn't give wedding gifts like humans did, or large sums of gold or precious gems like the dwarves. Instead they gave potted flowers. There was a special meaning behind the flowers, not only were the newly wed couple supposed to plant them together at their new home, but each is supposed to represent the happy blessing from the guest, and as long as the flowers lived they would have a long and happy marriage.

"I feel like there are more than when Merial and I got married," Alduin said with a chuckle.

"If each of those flowers is supposed to represent a year of marriage, I'm going to have to live for a thousand years," Arthur commented.

"I'm guessing even longer." Alduin then put a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "And just wait till you two have to plant all those. It took Merial and I weeks before we were done."

"Well, with Tess and I both being able to use plant magic, it should take us only a fraction of that time," Arthur replied optimistically.

"Oh no," Alduin said with a pained smile. "You're not permitted to use magic."

Arthur just groaned as he thought of all the work he had ahead of himself.

After walking down a set of stone steps they see Alice, Ellie, Rinia, and Virion standing by the stone arch entrance to the garden.

"About time you two showed up," Ellie shot. "How is it that Tess was ready and waiting down here before you two?"

"So Tess is here?" Arthur asked as he looked around for her. "Where?"

"Arthur," Alice scolded. "You're not supposed to see your bride until she walks down the aisle."

"She's hiding behind that bush," Virion said as he gestured to the tall bush behind them, and with Merial standing by it.

"Sorry Arthur," Merial apologized. "You'll have to wait just a few more minutes before you can see her."

Arthur groaned. "I always used to think I was a patient person, but these minutes just feel like they're dragging."

"Just wait till she's pregnant," Virion with a teasing smirk. "It'll feel like an eternity before you get to see the baby."

The other parents nodded in agreement.

"Well if you're impatient," Alice said as she hooked her left arm around Arthur's right. "Why don't we get this wedding started."

She then pulled out a candle with her right hand. Arthur lit a small flame with his left hand and lit the candle, before Ellie hooked her right arm on his left. Virion gave the cue for the band, and in seconds a calming music played as Arthur and his family started to walk down the aisle.

As they walked everyone became silent and they turned and watched. Several colored orbs flew through the air, relaying the event to every major city on the continent, and every city in Elenoir, using the same technology used every time the council addressed the people of Dicathen.

Friends and many important figures from all three kingdoms were there for the occasion. It would have been a prime target for an Alacryan attack, but three lances were in the air providing security. Varay, Barion, and Pasta kept to the tree tops so they didn't draw attention as they remained observant of the horizon. Aya wanted to be up there with them, but with it being the occasion it was, her presence on the ground was a necessary symbol. Mica was also present on the ground, sitting beside Buhnd, but she wasn't happy about it. It wasn't that she didn't support the union of Arthur and Tess, but she didn't like that Bairon wasn't attending. Bairon, who was never very fond of Arthur, volunteered to be part of the security. Mica had wanted him to be there as her date, but once she learned he wasn't going to be there volunteered as well. That idea was shot down, as her presence was just as symbolic as Aya, showing Darv's support.

Everyone was silent, but that didn't mean they stayed that way, or that everyone approved of this wedding.

An elder elf scowled as he watched Arthur walk while giving a judgmental gaze.

"The royal family, more than any other, should have remained pure," he whispered to his wife as he shook his head. "Yet it feels like they were one of the first to rush down the aisle."

Claire, who was unfortunate enough to be sitting beside the elder, rolled her eyes at the comment. "Why did I have to be stuck sitting beside a racist elf." She thought to herself.

"This is the end of all our traditions. She should have waited till she was older," he added.

Finally having heard enough, Claire spoke. "Actually, she waited for years for this day," she said in defense of her best friend. "And as Tessia's friend, I'll tell you that she has been madly in love with him for years. He's the reason they waited as long as they did."

"Humph," the old elf said in disregard to her comment. As the Leywin's got closer, he took notice of the candle. "You, human girl," he said as he turned to Claire. "Why is she carrying a candle? Is that some human tradition?"

Claire shook her head. "No. It's supposed to be symbolic. Art's father was a fire mage, and died in the war. The flame is supposed to be symbolic of him being with them in spirit."

"Hmm," the elf said in acknowledgement with a nod of his head.

Once at the altar Arthur stood to the right with his mother and sister behind him. The altar was stone with a wide stone arch at the back that was nearly as wide as the altar, with two stone columns at the back corners with pink flowers wrapping around them from the tops.

Following not half the aisle distance behind came Virion with Rinia keeping pace beside him, which was surprising considering how feeble she looked. Despite Arthur and Virion's wishes she had been burning through her life force with the hopes of guiding Arthur down the best path to ensure Dicathen's survival against Alacrya. They both were wearing tan robes with green and gold edging. They arrived at the altar, and Virion stood in the middle two steps back from Arthur, as Rinia stood mirrored to Alice.

"So are you ready?" Virion asked Arthur quietly as the music stopped.

Arthur looked back and smiled. "Of course." Music began again, this time with different melodic tones.

"Really?" Virion replied with a smirk. "We'll see," he said as he gestured for Arthur to look back down the aisle.

Art looked back and his eyes widened as his mouth hung agape, just barely showing his smile. Walking down the aisle was Tess with her parents on opposite sides of her. Her parents both were wearing cream colored robes, Alduin's with green accents and Merial's with blue, both with touches of gold. They both also wore their crowns, each with a stone matching their affinities. Despite what many would expect from a bride's parents as they gave away their daughter, they looked calm and happy, almost excited. They had known Arthur for years, and had experienced first hand the influence his presence had on so many people. Long ago they had already decided without a doubt that he was worthy of their daughter, and were happy to make him part of their family.

Obviously of course it wasn't Tess' parents that caught his attention, but the angelic beauty that they were escorting down the aisle. Tess walked down the aisle, not in elven marriage attire, but a pure white human wedding dress, complete with a vail. The dress was strapless adorned with diamonds at her bust, and throughout her train, making her shine as the sun glistened off her.

She wore matching white gloves that reached her elbows, hiding the many scars she earned from the war. Outside of her friends and family no one knew, but the scars made her feel self

conscious around others, though she held no shame with them around those closest to her. Adorning her head, along with her vail was her golden princess tiara, with a large emerald at its peak, and a smaller sapphire and citrine on either side.

Their eyes were locked on one another with excited smiles. This was the moment Tess had waited years for, and for Arthur, the moment he didn't realize he couldn't live without until he lost her in the previous timeline.

Back with Claire, the elder elf was speaking annoyingly again.

"Now a human dress? Like I said, our traditions are done for," the elder whispered to his wife, who nodded in agreement. "Good of Virion to force the boy to wear our attire, but he has always been too weak when it came to his granddaughter. Clearly that boy pressured her to wear that hideous thing."

"If you would pay more attention to what's the same and not what's different you'd see your traditions are still intact!" Claire whispered angrily back, causing the elder to turn and face her. He opened his mouth to speak, but Claire wasn't done yet, and cut him off. "And for your information, Arthur chose to wear those robes without any pressure, because he wanted to honor elven traditions. This whole ceremony is elven tradition. The only thing that isn't is your princess, who decided on her own, that she wanted to honor his culture!"

Claire was fuming, several others around overheard her, both human and elves, and were nodding in agreement to her word. Theo placed a hand on her shoulder and she immediately started to calm down. Seeing this, his hand slid down from her shoulder, and landed at her hand. Subconsciously, she took his hand in hers and intertwined their fingers. He noticed this and smiled, as he held her hand back.

As Tess and her parents arrived at the altar, they both gave her a gentle hug, and Arthur a warm smile before stepping behind her. They both took one step closer and Arthur lifted her veil, to see her biting her bottom lip as she smiled.

"Are you ok?" Arthur whispered.

"I won't let myself cry. Not even happy tears," she whispered back.

Arthur smiled reassuringly before his left hand took her right, intertwining their fingers, and they both turned to face Virion. He smiled with more warmth and happiness than he had felt during even his or his own son's wedding.

"Friends, Family, welcome to the joyous union of my granddaughter Princess Tessia Eralith, and Lance Arthur Leywin."

Normally their titles were unnecessary for this occasion, but with Arthur being a commoner, he felt the need to remind everyone that his earned stature was worthy of nobility.

The old elf smiled triumphantly. "Over the years I know many of you heard me say this day was coming, and many of you also rolled your eyes at me. I didn't need a diviner to see this day would come. Years ago this boy saved our princess, and went out of his way to ensure she made it home safely. And all he asked for in return was help to return to his family. At the time a mage, much younger then most awakened elves, showed more potential than most teens, even some adults. I took him as my disciple, knowing he would one day reach greater heights than I ever could as a mage." He chuckled a little at himself. "And as right as I was, back then even I didn't realize what the future had in store for him, or how close he would become to my family. Over the years of his training I watched as he and Tessia grew closer. Even before my granddaughter knew what true love was I could see it in her eyes everytime she looked at him. And even though I didn't always see the love in Arthur's eyes, I always saw him drawn to her, whether it to be the support and encouragement she needed, or without a hint of hesitation, to be her protector, even at the risk of his own life."

Virion looked to Arthur. "Even before this war started, before you even returned to your family after your training, you had earned this family's approval. Today I am finally honored to make you part of this family."

Knowing what was next, Arthur and Tess turned to face each other as their left hands held one another.

He stood a little taller, and began. "Arthur Leywin, do you promise to stand by my granddaughter, to be the voice of both reason and encouragement, to protect her and keep her safe as long as you live?"

"I do," he answered with a proud smile as he slid the golden bracelet onto her left wrist.

"Tessia Eralith, my granddaughter. Do you promise to stand by Arthur, to be his voice or reason, encouragement," he smirked a little. "And in his words, keep him sane," this earned a little chuckle from most of the guests. "As long as you live?"

"I do," she replied with an excited smile as she slid a slightly larger version of hers onto his left wrist.

"Before your family and loved ones, I happily pronounce you husband and wife." A sly grin formed on his face. "And they say in human weddings, you may now kiss the bride."

Even though this wasn't part of the plan they were told, Arthur didn't hesitate for a second. Placing a hand on her cheek he leaned in and kissed her deep and lovingly. Nearly everyone stood and applauded and cheered as the newly wed couple broke their kiss and made their way back down the aisle together.

—————————————————————-

Everyone was taking their time finding a seat, as it would be a little while longer before the wedding began. However for Elijah, Sylvie, and Regis, they had already found their seats in the very back. Sylvie would have preferred the front, but if Nico were to cause a scene, then the back would be the best place to deal with him discreetly.

Since Arthur and Tess considered Sylvie like their daughter, she could have very well been part of the wedding, which she was asked to be and wanted. However, there was one thing she found far more important, keeping an eye on Elijah. Over the last few weeks Nico's presence was becoming more powerful, causing Sylvie's suppression of his consciousness to sometimes last for shorter periods. The current theory was that he was aware of the approaching wedding, and was becoming enraged by it. The biggest fear was that he could soon take complete control of Elijah's body and eliminate him forever. Despite that there had never been an incident while he was awake, Elijah had feared that the wedding would be his breaking point. He offered to not be there, but without any evidence Arthur and Tess asked him to be there, partly because if he didn't come Regis or Sylvie wouldn't be able to attend. In the end he conceded, and Regis and Sylvie both decided to stay with him just in case.

Elijah and Sylvie sat quietly in their seats, as Regis resided within Elijah. Despite the noise of the guests the garden brought Elijah an unusual level of peace to his mind and heart that he hadn't felt in so long. The warm spring air and sweet smell of the flowers filled him with peace, so he didn't even realize when everyone began filling the seats.

"So how's everything looking?" Sylvie asked.

"He's keeping silent so far. It's almost like he's sleeping," Regis replied.

"Good, let's hope he stays that way," Sylvie replied, not wanting to miss a second of her surrogate parents' wedding.

After a few minutes Arthur and his family began walking down the aisle, and still all was quiet, from Nico that is.

"Bwhahaha, he's wearing a dress!" Regis laughed hysterically. "First he's a masochist, now a drag queen too! Bwahahaha. What's next? Will Cutie elf be wearing a tux?"

"Shut up you uncultured mutt. Those are ceremonial robes. And since I can't afford to shut you out, keep your annoying commentary to yourself."

Virion and Rinia walked down the aisle, and still all was well. Then the music changed, and Tess and her parents made their appearance.

"Whoa," Regis commented.

"If you saw anything vulgar..."

"No, not her, it's Nico. He just reacted."

"What's he doing?"

"Nothing yet, it's like he just flickered awake, but I'm pretty sure he's aware of what's going on."

Regis' attention was now fully focused on Nico, as Sylvie now split her attention between the two as she ran their escape plan through her head while also hoping it wouldn't be necessary. Sadly though that didn't look like the case. No sooner than Virion began his speech, Nico began stirring.

"Oh Fuck! He's coming! We need to suppress him now!" Regis shouted, as Elijah was looking like the heat was starting to get to him. His complexion turned pale, sweat poured by the bucket full, and breaths became shallow and staggered.

Quickly Sylvie reached up, touched one of her fingers to his left temple and began suppressing Nico's consciousness. There was a near immediate change in Elijah. His breathing stabilized and became deeper and the color returned to his face.

"Great work Gecko, now burry this fucker deep down and let's enjoy the reception, I've been woking on my pickup lines for sexy elf."

"Easier said than done. He's fighting like a wild animal right now, it's going to take a few minutes this time."

"Few minutes?! I can feel what's going on here! It's like you're just holding him down with one hand! Focus and kick this Emo simp bitch in the fuck'n nuts!"

"Even that takes time. I've been waiting my whole life for this day and I'm not missing a second of it!" After a few more minutes of Virion's speech he finally pronounced them as husband and wife, even more so enraging Nico. "Whoa?!" Sylvie commented in a panic from the surge.

Quickly she spun around and placed her other hand on the other side of his temple. This act increased the strength of her presence in his mind, and acted like a kick in the nuts for Nico, causing him to immediately be pushed down and his strength weakened. He was still fighting back like a feral beast, but it was obvious Sylvie was the one in control here. In seconds Nico became only a distant whisper in Elijah's mind and Sylvie was finally able to take her hands off him, just in time for them to stand up and watch Arthur and Tess walk down the aisle and leave together.

"A few minutes?" Regis asked, repeating her words as it only took her seconds to completely dominate Nico and restrain.

"Shut up," She replied as she fell back into her seat and took deep breaths. "That took a lot out of me to do it that fast. I need a breather right now."

"Hey, thanks you two. I was feeling like he was trying to rip me apart," Elijah said as he fell back into his seat beside her. "I'm so happy I didn't ruin this day for them."

"That was never going to happen. I would have bashed your skull in before things got that far," Sylvie replied casually while breathing deeply.

Elijah laughed nervously. "Anyway. I think I'd like to leave. You suppressed Nico this morning and this still happened. I think the best thing for everyone would be if I left and went back to the sanctuary."

Regis jumped out of his body. "Are you sure about that? Pretty boy is your best friend? Wouldn't you regret it?"

"I'll regret ruining this day for them even more." Elijah smiled sadly. "I got to see my best friend get married so I'm satisfied. The only thing I might regret is not meeting any cute girls, but I'll live and so will everyone else."

"Alright then," Sylvie said as she stood back up. "Let's go now."

They waited to ensure they were the last to leave, then as everyone else entered the reception area, they quickly ducked out and quickly made their way to the teleportation gate.

—————————————————————-

"Home sweet home," Elijah said, sounding depressed as he removed his suit coat and threw it over a chair. "I'm sorry again I had to pull you two away like this," he apologized.

"You should be!" Regis replied. "I was ready to seduce my sexy elf goddess."

"Don't mention it," Sylvie replied as she rolled her eyes due to Regis' response. "But maybe you should get some rest."

"Yeah, I don't see me sleeping."

"I think I can help you there. Why don't you head to your bed," Sylvie offered.

Elijah just shrugged and made his way to his bedroom.

"So now what?" Elijah asked as they arrived.

"Just lay down on your stomach and leave the rest to me," Sylvie stated.

Elijah started to do as he was told, but before he actually laid down, Sylvie struck him at the base of his skull, knocking him out.

"Hahaha, judo chop!" Regis laughed.

"Now that that's taken care of, I'm heading back. Let me know if anything happens," she then started to walk towards the window to fly out.

"Woah! Why do you get to go back?" Regis asked demanding.

"Arthur and Tess are the only parents I've ever known, I don't want to miss any more of this then I already have," she argued. "You on the other hand just wanted to try and...I don't even know what your goal is since you don't have a penis."

"Don't go there. I'm trying really hard to create one made out of aether."

Sylvie just shook her head. "Whatever, I'm leaving."

"Like hell you ar..." Regis started, but stopped after being struck by a bolt of Aether from Sylvie.

By the time recoved, Sylvie was already gone.

"Sorry, but this is more important to me than you," Sylvie apologized.

"Wait, where are you?"

"The teleportation gate."

"How in the hell did you get there so fast?!"

"I'll tell you next time," she replied, and walked through the gate.