Wedding Adventures

Teri sped towards Rodrigo’s, excitement filling her breast as she tried to guess what adventures awaited in the old barn today. She was pushing hard, focused on the road just in front of her when she heard her name. Looking up, she saw Rodrigo down the street running, his arm high above his head waving. Teri smiled big and waved back.

“Hey, man, you are fast,” Rodrigo rasped out as he tried to catch his breath.

Teri giggled saying, “well, it sure helps when it is downhill. Try a race uphill and you’ll beat me every time.”

“I don’t know about that,” chimed Rodrigo, “you’re one of the strongest people I know.”

“Ah, thanks,” Teri gushed, then asked, “what kind of adventure will we find in the barn today?”

“I am not sure, but it will be in the Dwarf Kingdom. Remember we promised King Goldemar we would be back to join him at a feast.”

“That’s right, we should go say hello.”

They reached the barn and Rodrigo held the door for Teri saying, “ladies first.”

“Why thank you Prince Rodrigo,” she replied.

They came into the barn and moved towards the old animal stall where the Dwarfs reigned. As they did, a scatter of sunlight hit their eyes. Suddenly, the hay filled stall became the most beautiful village set at the base of magnificent snow capped mountains. Rodrigo and Teri scanned the scene, the sun shone bright on green fields, cute cottages, and the cobble stone path that led to Goldemar’s castle in the village center. A group of kids played in a stream nearby and the village ahead was full of life as people busily moved about.

“It is good to be back!” Rodrigo announced.

Teri nodded in agreement to overcome with the splendor before her to speak.

The kids hearing this proclamation looked up from their play and ran to them jumping and shouting in their excitement.

“Prince Rodrigo, Warrior Teri!! You are here! King Goldemar said you would not miss such an important day for our kingdom.”

“Important day” questioned Teri as the kids swarmed around them and pushed them towards the castle.

The kids babbled on as they moved, “Princesses Hallilma’s wedding day of course! It is so exciting, the whole kingdom has been preparing for weeks!”

“A wedding,” Teri said dreamily, “that is joyous news! I am so glad we came.”

The kids continued to chatter away each talking over the other sharing their excitement for the events to unfold throughout the day.

“Hallilma has already been kidnapped,” one of them announced.

“Kidnapped!” Rodrigo and Teri spat in concern.

The children looked at them, confusion spread across every little face.

“Do you mean to tell me Hallilma has been kidnapped on her wedding day?” Rodrigo asked, trying hard not to let his anger frighten the children.

One young boy finally spoke up saying, “Well, yes, it’s tradition. The bride is always kidnapped on her wedding day. Doesn’t the groom's best man kidnap the bride in your land?”

Teri and Rodrigo both relaxed and began to chuckle. “No,” Teri said, “we have no such wedding tradition. We thought she had actually been kidnapped.”

They reached the castle gates, and the guards smiled warmly saying, “welcome Prince Rodrigo and Warrior Teri, the King has been expecting you.” They stopped the children declaring, “You are supposed to be out gathering the wild flowers, now scamper off and get your duty done.”

With slumped shoulders and disappointed faces the kids shuffled off to do their job, wishing they had been welcomed into the heart of the action.

Rodrigo and Teri were taken inside, everywhere they went people were bustling about and singing merrily as they prepared for the wedding.

They arrived at the King’s quarters and were ushered in. King Goldemar’s face was beaming with joy as a seamstress added the last touches to his magnificent robe. “Here you are at last,” he thundered, “I knew you would come to support us on this happy occasion. You are a little late though, so you must hurry. Prince Rodrigo you will join Prince Moritzan and the others on their hunt for my Hallilma. Firguc,” he said to a young man standing at the door, ”lead him to the others, I believe they were starting the search at Trutmunt waterfall.”

Goldemar waved his hand to dismiss them. Rodrigo and Firguc bowed and both said, “Yes, your Majesty,” before heading off.

Teri turned to follow when the King pulled her attention back to him proclaiming, “No Warrior Teri you must join the other maidens in the preparations for once my sweet Hallilma is found. First, though, seamstress Lenalita will help you into your gown.” He waved his hand to dismiss them.

Teri lowered her head saying, “it is the greatest honor to be here King,” before she and Lenalita hurried off to complete their task. Teri was bubbling with excitement, and she questioned Lenalita about her gown and everything she should do to help. Lenalita smiled huge,Teri’s enthusiasm and jubilation bringing fresh joy into her heart and a bit of dance into her step.

Lenalita helped her dress in the rich emerald green gown, saying “Ah, it is perfect, I knew this color would be a great match for your gorgeous dark tones. You look stunning! Now off to gather with the others in the receiving room, that is where all will gather for the Blessing Ceremony after Hallilma is found”

As she hurried off to join the maidens, Rodrigo had already joined up with the others in the groom's search party. As expected all that was found at the waterfall was a clue for where to go next. Rodrigo rode into the clearing and was greeted with shouts of welcome and praise. Prince Moritzan rode over and shook his hand, giving him a warm hello. Rodrigo smiled and congratulated him. “You will make a fine husband for Hallilma. Speaking of the bride, where are we off to now?”

Moritzan grinned and replied, “We are headed to the old rock wall ruin.” With that invitation the company turned their horses in the right direction and trotted off, laughing heartily and making playful jabs at Prince Moritzan about his inability to find his love.

Lenalita entered the receiving room first announcing loudly, “the great Warrior Teri,” she bowed slightly then moved to the side allowing Teri to enter. The room that had been filled with commotion and enthusiastic conversation now fell silent. The beautiful young women inside all looked towards Teri then just as quickly as the hush came it disappeared; they joyfully rushed to meet her. Circling around they introduced themselves, then an older gorgeous, noble and wise looking woman came forward; the ladies parted out of the way bowing slightly. Queen Adatyne seemed to float, she moved with such grace. Teri couldn’t pull her eyes away, her long silver hair shined brilliant against the royal purple robe embellished with diamonds. Teri’s mind finally realized that she was being impolite, so she bowed her head as the others. “Warrior Teri,” Adatyne sang in a silken voice, “we are honored you have joined us.”

Teri looked back up sighing, “The honor is mine.”

The two held hands for a moment. “Come join us in our joyous task,” Adatyne requested, sweeping her arms out to the room before them, “we have almost finished decorating and will begin on our flower crowns soon.”

The excited chatter began again as the women all moved back to finish tasks. Teri looked around the room which was filled with wild flowers of every color, shape, and size; they had been made into sensational garlands and fabulous centerpieces. A group of ladies waved her over to a large table filled with flowers, so she went off to join them.

Rodrigo's group had found the next clue and were gleefully heading for the old blacksmiths shop. Rodrigo brought his horse up next to Moritzan’s and inquired, “So, what happens when we find your bride?”

Moritzan chuckled and said, “I pay the ransom to get her back of course. Then she mounts my horse and holds me tight as we all return to the castle for the Blessing Ceremony.”

Rodrigo was about to ask what a Blessing Ceremony was when Moritzan gave his horse a nudge to increase speed and shouted, “Let’s go get my love!” Everyone grinned and shouted “HURRA.”

Teri sat visiting with the others at the table as they all tried to guess where Guntheril, the best man, had taken Hallilma and how close Prince Moritzan was to finding her. They had finished decorating the room and were working on their flower crowns. Teri had discovered that each woman wore a different color dress and each was to make their crown out of flowers in that color. Time sped by and soon a shout rang out first through the village and soon inside the castle walls, “She is found, the bride is found!” The ladies quickly finished up their crowns and helped one another put them in place. Servants rushed in removing the last of the wild flowers as the ladies looked out the window each hoping to be the first to spot the returning group. Teri noticed King Goldemar enter the room, embrace Queen Adatyne then wipe a tear from her face before they moved to a window.

Bouncing with pleasure Bealich shrieked, “I see them!”

Teri looked out and saw a group enter the gate, a horse with a young man and woman entering first, then the whole village started to pour in singing and waving flowers.

The group in the room turned towards the door waiting to receive the bride and groom. Teri gazed at the two when they entered, Hallilma was radiant and looked like a dream in her perfect white gown and flowing honey hair. Moritzan was just as handsome and held Hallilma’s hand tightly; pure joy spread through every inch of his face. The parents of the bride and groom went to them with welcoming hugs.

Turning to face the majority of the crowd King Goldemar boomed, “Let the Blessing Ceremony begin! Bring in the monk's head!”

Rodrigo, who stood by Teri, looked down at her and mouthed, “Monk’s head?” Teri shrugged her shoulders just as confused as he was. Soon a large vase full of marigolds was brought in and set on the center table. Moritzan and Hallilma were escorted to two ornate stools next to the table.

Queen Adatyne picked two beautiful marigolds out of the vase then gazed lovingly down on her daughter and soon to be son-in-law, “As you know the monk’s head flower symbolizes many things and it has long been tradition for family and friends to place them on the soon to be married couples heads and pronounce the blessings each monk’s head holds. As mother of the bride I have the privilege of going first and picking the blessing I most desire for you, a difficult choice,” she choked out. “I have decided that my greatest desire is for your marriage to be as bright and warm as the sun. The monk’s head has always been associated with the warmth and color of the sun,” walking behind them she placed a flower on each head, “so, may your marriage be one that always holds warmth and life like that of the sun.”

Tears were spilling down the face of most everyone in the room as each parent placed another flower on their children’s heads and gave their blessing. Then it was opened up for anyone to come and great marigold crowns formed on the couples heads.

Then they all moved to the courtyard where the marriage ceremony was performed. The whole village ate, danced, and celebrated into the late hours of the night. Rodrigo and Teri yawned a congratulations and farewell to their friends before heading home to fall into bed exhausted, but happy.

For more Teri and Rodrigo adventures check this story out.

To read about the start of their adventures together check this story out!