The Healer and the Warrior get Married

Redwall:Cavern Hole

Benar is sat by the fire reading a large book and half listening to one of the cooks talk to him about supplies. He nods his head and gives them some instructions and watches them hurry off before turning back to his book.

DoraRose peeks in from the kitchen, her apron all covered in flour from her pizza-making. The cooks are bugging the living daylights out of her for the recipe, but she's never giving in!

Leon is relaxing in a chair for now.

Benar looks over at DoraRose and quirks his tail at her, "Should you be in there today Dora? I thought we had the chefs preparing your wedding cake."

DoraRose blushes slightly. "They just chased me out. I was making a /pizza/ for the wedding feast." the word 'pizza' has a slight accent on it. She smiles at Leon, but looks troubled about something.

Benar frowns at Dora and shrugs softly, "We'll leave it in their capable hands, though this Pizza sounds interesting what goes on it?"

DoraRose smiles and makes her way over to Benar, absently brushing off flour. "Well, first you start with a special kind of dough. You knead it and toss it until it's ready, then you cover it with a tomato sauce with my Mama's secret seasoning. Then you cover it with vegetables, and if you want, tiny little fish called sardines...I don't like sardines." Here she makes a face, then continues. "Then you cover it with cheeses, bake it, let it cool, then /voila!/ you have a pizza!"

Benar says, "Oh my that sounds like a lot of food. I assume you share it out with other people?" He smiles and gestures to a chair, "Sit down Dora, it won't be long now."

DoraRose smiles and does as she is bid. "That depends on how big you make it. The one I made is very large...it should take up the majority of a tabletop."

How nice little dibbuns look when they have had a bath! Shandar's fur is still slightly damp, and her ashy color seems even darker, offset by the plain white (clean) dress Casper has made her borrow from her friend Ahndia. She enters, holding her older brother's paw, from the Hall. She smiles wanly at DoraRose and Benar, feling awkward in a dress instead of her typical dirty tunic. Casper lifts his free paw in greeting, calling out. "Hello there! I found a little lady the other day, hidden by all that muck!" He grins, and Shandar sticks her tounge out. Hanging from Casper's free paw, the one he guides his sea-washed staff with, is a small basket that swings with every move. "What is very large?" The younger mouse inquires

Benar says, "Oh dear... heh well we have about seven tables planned for down here." he gestures to several novices and such moving around setting things up for the wedding breakfast. "Do you want it on the main table with yourself and Leon?" He then glances across at Shandar and Casper and smiles gently, "Well who is this strange mouse?"

Leon has been relaxing in is chair and been quiet, he now looks over at the others.

Shandar scowls, but she has trouble holding back a smile afterwards. Casper hands her the basket and his staff, rolling up his long tunic sleeves. "Meet a clean Shandar!" He chuckles. "Anything I can do t' help out?" He sends a jovial wave in the direction of Leon.

DoraRose laughs lightly and stands, waving to the siblings. "How wonderful." she dusts off flour and heads to Great Hall. "I should go wash up a little...before I get flour up my nose."

Great Hall...

Benar smiles and stands up and shakes out his habit, "Indeed, well Dora you go clean up and we'll see you in the Hall soon." he gestures toward everyone else. "Let us move up to the great hall everyone." Benar then starts to move toward the hall, walking along and chivvying people up the stairs. In the Great Hall the place has been decorated beautifully, bunting loops over the ceiling and there are beautiful displays of winter flowers and berries and greenery on the tables. Lorimis is stood up near the altar in front of Martin's picture in the tapestry. Benar hurries over to join him and whispers in his ear quietly.

Leon walks in after tendinng to a couple needed things and walks quietly into the room.

Emyuil walks in from the stairway looking better-groomed than he has in literally seasons. His fur is grey as always, but looks lighter in hue--he finally scrubbed it--his ragged grey traveling cloak and rough, homespun tunic are replaced by a simple light brown tunic and dark-colored vest, and his scabbard is absent from his back. If not for his scars, he would seem like an ordinary peaceful Abbeydweller. His obsidian eyes glint keenly, as they did when he was young ,and for a minute a shadow of his former self breaks through.

A clatter of claws on smooth stone tile and thudding steps of lizards at full speed precede Zarok's full-tilt entrance from the stairway shortly afterward, Terfil grasping his friend's tail for dear life. As they approach the final stairs, Zarok hops onto the railing and slides like a surfer, springing from the end of the railing just in time to avoid taking a spill. He stumbles, slides, staggers, and skids to a halt at last halfway across Great Hall, Terfil managing to hold on, just as disoriented. Zarok wears his vest and shorts as always, as does Terfil, and the young monitor wears his skull bandanna, it being the only other article of clothing he owns--but turned inside-out respectfully so the plain black underside is visible rather than the mouse, or possibly rat, death's head that it usually displays. Neither of the reptiles owns any sort of finery, so Zarok and Terfil appear to have coated their hides with...polish of some sort? Their skin gleams in the torchlights, flickering and causing several beasts to squint and wince and shield their eyes if they catch sight of the lizards at just the right, or possibly wrong, angle. Zarok shakes his head rapidly, as does Terfil, before scooping up the newt, who perches on his shoulder, and stands there, awaiting instruction in general.

Casper blinks as the lizard makes his enterance, then breaks out into booming laughter. Shandar giggles, covering her mouth with a paw, not wanting to get into trouble over 'encouraging' Zarok. She cradles her mandolin to her- Someone, most likely Casper, has allowed her to bring it to give her somthing to occupy her attention. The strings have been covered with cloth, so she can't make noise with it.

The sound of the quietest of footfalls echoes faintly from the stairway, and DoraRose, the maid of the hour, appears. She brought no fancy clothes with her from Tuscani, and she felt slightly ashamed borrowing some other beasts' fancy dress, so she is in what she usually wears...correction, she's just wearing her green dress and black sword belt. But, to add some class and fancy-ness, she has donned the dark green cloak that she got as a present from Lorimis. Blushing slightly, she pauses at the bottom of the stairs, looking embarrassed and happy all at the same time.

Benar frowns at Zarok and Terfil and then hides a smile behind his paw and leaves the Abbot's side to usher the pair of reptiles over to a seat. "Come on now you two sit down, don't just stand there." Once he has the lizards sat down he looks around to make sure everyone else is seated and moves to take a seat himself as Lorimis steps up to stand behind the altar and smiles at Dora then nods to Leon to take his place and folds his paws into his sleeves as someone off to one side starts to play a gentle piece of music on the harp. A cascading ripple of music echoing over the great hall, a processional as old as time to welcome Dorarose to her Wedding.

Leon goes up to the front to be where he is supposed to stand.

Emyuil strides over to where DoraRose stands, pauses, and without warning embraces his older sister, murmuring so only she can hear, "'rose...I forgive you for everything. I'm truly happy for you...I don't know if I'll ever be who I was--In fact, I know it'd be nigh impossible--But I still love you, and I'm glad for you and Leon, and I hope you both live long together and happy." After a moment, he releases 'rose and steps back, looking slightly embarassed at letting out so much emotion.

Zarok and Terfil glance at each other sullenly and fidget in the seat appointed to them, scraping claws on the floor as they swing their footpaws back and forth idly, Zarok muttering something to himself, Terfil hissing in acknowledgement. Their scales gleam like steel and they seem a bit put out that nobeast noticed the polishing.

Shandar, seeing someone who looks equally awkward in her clothes, waves vigorously at DoraRose with one paw, grinning. Casper takes his staff and the basket from her and ushers her to a seat next to Zarok and Terfil. Both mice are enjoying themselves a tad more now that the music is playing. Shandar doesn't notice the polish, sitting next to the other two, and Casper catches some sort of glimpse, but only raises his eyebrows. If he won't allow his sister to make noise, he certainly wont be, either. Shandar straightens her skirt awkwardly and shifts in her seat.

DoraRose gasps in slight surprise, and turns about 5 shades of red at her brothers' words. Looking down, she smiles one of the biggest smiles of her time at the Abbey, then looks up and slips her arm through Emyuils'. "I love you, too. Come on -- let's go."

The harpist shifts the music to a more impressive processional, the Bridal Approach echoing through the hall as Dora and her brother begin to approach the waiting abbot.

Leon smiles as he looks towards Dorarose as she comes towards the front.

Emyuil holds his sister's arm firmly, yet not too tightly, as the siblings slowly stride to the front of the room, Emyuil glancing into Leon's eyes for a moment, before closing his eyes and nodding to himself as they continue forward. He seems both at peace, and yet...not. But after a brief apparent pause in his thoughts, he seems content, and puts his troubles to the wind as they cross the Great Hall.

Zarok jolts in his seat as the group advances, Terfil mirroring his gesture. Quickly he sprints from his perch and places Terfil on his left shoulder using his tail, sprinting across the area to fall in with the procession, trotting in DoraRose and Emyuil's wake, claws clacking slightly and scales shining, Zarok's head swinging slightly from side to side as he watches the gathered beasts like a hound, apparently acting as some form of honor guard.

Shandar looks up at Casper, wanting permission- /gasp, Shandar actaully has learned to ask for things?!/- to go and join whatever it is Zarok and Terfil are doing, but the older mouse shakes his head, putting a paw about her. She sighs, getting slightly bored already- patience isn't her strong suit- and she busies herself with playing her mandolin. In her head, the sound goes well with the harp, but in reality, she makes no sound at all, the cloth wrapped strings performing thier fucntion well. Casper ruffles her head fur and sits up straight again, withdrawing his arm, a smile hovering about his features as he watches the procession.

DoraRose smiles into Leon's eyes, a supressed laugh of joy making her sides shake as she hears the lizard's claws upon the floor. Upon reaching the altar, she kisses Emyuil on the cheek, then turns to her fiance.

Emyuil reaches out for a moment as his sister breaks away from him, his paw brushing her face lightly, a silent farewell, his eyes glinting for a moment with something other than the reflected light. As DoraRose moves further away, his paw returns slowly to his side and he stands there solemnly, Zarok and Terfil trotting up and crouching on the first step of the altar, facing the proceedings, completely motionless, even their tails rigid like swords.

Terfil and Zarok are stopped from standing on the Altar steps by the abbot who points them over to stand with Emyuil, there are certain things he won't permit. Like beasts, even dibbuns standing around like warriors during a wedding. Once they have moved he turns to offer a smile to Dora and Leon before addressing the crowd. "My friends, we are gathered here today for a very special occasion. The wedding of DoraRose and Brother Leon of our order. It is with great joy that I invite all here to bare witness to these proceedings so that all may say that they have been married in accordance with our customs. DoraRose, Leon, if you would step forward," he motions to the space opposite him before the altar, "And place the hands that are closest to each other upon the altar."

Leon smiles and steps forwards and stands where he is told to and places one hand on te alter and waits.

DoraRose smiles at her brother, then steps foreward, laying the correct paw upon the altar. Her eyes are full of happiness, and her face is full of peace.

The abbot settles his hands on the altar, "If any here have cause or reason to object to his union, speak now or forever hold thine peace." It's a simple sentence, softly spoken but Lorimis' voice carries as he listens to the gathering.

Leon is quiet as he waits and listens, staying still.

DoraRose stands still and quiet also, but she will seriously strangleify /anybody/ who DARES object.

Zarok gazes up from where he crouches on the floor, and speaks for everybeast present, in a small voice. "Uh-uh," Terfil echoing him with, "Nuh-rr."

Lorimis waits a short time and then nods and picks up a long length of white ribbon, he starts to tie it in an intricate way around DoraRose and Leon's wrist and hands. "Let this ribbon symbolise the coming together of your lives. The joining and union of your love together as Husband and Wife... may this ribbon be both a symbol and a sign that the lives you lead before are over and your new lives shall begin. A Life lived together, a life shared and experienced as a team... Leon would you care to speak your vows unto DoraRose now."

Leon smiles and then blinks, oh no vows, he didnt think he needed to make his own, he smiles again, "Oh..course Lorimis...yes I mean." He looks at Dorarose and smiles, "Dorarose, I am glad your in my life now as I would be nothing without you, life would have no meaning. I love you with all my heart and soul and will always be there for you in good and bad times and weather ill or not ill and hope to have ,many many seasons together."

DoraRose smiles softly into Leon's eyes, her blues eyes shining. She waits for her turn, her quick mind working out what to say.

Zarok makes an odd little nervous 'zzzzzznerk...?' noise, and Terfil hisses nervously, forked tongue rattling in the air.

Emyuil waits in silence, paws clasped behind his back as he stands tall and still, like a sentinel, silence, eyes closed.

The Aboot nods and turns to DoraRose, "And now you, DoraROse, I remember when you first came to live with us and...." he pauses, the elderly mouse turning to look at Zarok and Terfil with a very stern glance. A glance that says if the two don't quiet down they'll be spending the wedding feast in bed. "As U was satubg I remember when we first met, it was a bright day but none of the days of our friendship have been brighter then today. To wed you to Brother LEon is a great honour and a true pleasure please my daughter, speak thy vows unto your beloved."

Leon smiles at Dorarose.

DoraRose looks Leon in the eye and speaks softly and clearly. "Leon...I love you so much I can't put it into words. I would die for you, if it would save your life. You are my heart, my eyes. Without you, I would be dead. You gave me a reason to live and to fight. I love you, and will always be there for you. I hope we shall never have to part. Through good or ill, health or sickness, even through death, I shall always be there."

With DoraRose's Vows spoken the mouse who is abbot of redwall reaches forward to take their hands and lifts them high for all to see. He then unwinds the ribbon and sets it in a metal bowl and uses a taper to ignire it. As the fire burns he spreads his hands wind. "I, Lorimis, Abbot of Redwall here this day before you our friends and the spirit of Martin do pronounce you husband and wife.... you may Brother Leon... kiss your wife."

Leon smiles and then kisses Dorarose.

DoraRose closes her eyes and smiles. Is she happy? Definetly...and it shows.

Leon smiles "Love you Dorarose"

Lorimis says, "Congratulations Leon, Dora," The abbot says as Benar walks over to smile and hug Dora and shake Leon's hand, "Congratulations both of you""

DoraRose blushes slightly (she sure does that allot) and smiles widely, if a little crookedly, owing to the scar on her left cheek. "Thank you."

Now that the serious stuff is done, Zarok and Terfil spring to their feet and sprint from the room as if released from a spell, returning shortly afterward with a cloth bundle, held in Zarok's jaws with Terfil perched solemnly on one end of the package. "Dorrozzze, Leon, we got ssssssomethin' foryaz!"

DoraRose smiles brightly and accepts the bundle. "What's this?" she begins to open it.

The package contains two items--A symbol-etched wood spear--that also is functional, and has a flint tip in the shape of a leaf--and, looped over the spearhead, a length of sinew, tied into a bracelet, with monitor fangs and small stones both smooth and rough strung on it. "Th' zzzzpear's f' Leon. It worra malebeazzzzzt inna lizzerd tribe recievezzz when he hassss his firsssst nessssst," Zarok explains. "An' th' bracelet's fer you, Auntie Dorrozzzze," Terfil pipes up. "Itta Hunter bracelet. Greatessst Tribe-hunterbeasssts gerrim as honor... Th' fangzz are from th' monitorzzz wot you defeated atta badfox place, an' th' ssstones are there because..." Zarok and Terfil look at each other and shrug emphatically. "Um, we dunno about th'zzztones. They just look nice." The two sprint out of Great Hall in search of mischief. Emyuil remains silent, watching proudly and yet pensively as the ceremony finishes.

And...CRAP! I had to leave right at this time. Phooey. Thanks for reading!