Chapter 6: The Unexpected Wedding Gift

When Niamh left her chambers, she discovered all the castle servants had lined the halls to see her. A soft, warm glow began growing in her chest as she smiled through her nerves, giving a slight wave as she passed.

Niamh was led through the halls and into a long covered walkway with open, arched windows. At the end of the walkway, elves from the nearby villages and towns had come to catch a glimpse of the future queen.

Niamh stepped out into the brilliant sunshine and paused. A path was laid out before her, both physical and in her heart. Captain Aengus appeared and nodded, motioning for Niamh to begin. Taking a deep breath, Niamh stepped forward.

Niamh's two handmaidens followed behind, and Captain Aengus remained close as they walked from the castle to the great temple at the far end of the castle grounds. She couldn't help but notice although the music was joyful, the faces of those watching showed less enthusiasm. There were mumbles and whispers as she made her way down the path.

When the procession had reached a tree-lined section of the road, a young elf maiden slowly stepped onto the path and tossed a single, blue flower before the bride. Slowly, step by step, more and more flowers were thrown carefully before Niamh. It gave her a small sense of confidence and she smiled gratefully.

Niamh reached the archway onto the Temple grounds and passed through to the chorus of golden trumpets. Even the trees seemed to celebrate her arrival as soft blue and violet petals fell from their branches. She found herself walking on flowers as she approached the glistening white building before her.

Niamh climbed the last few stairs to the temple, and when the enormous doors were opened, she strode forward as bravely as she could. The crowd pressed closer to catch a glimpse of the fire-haired bride.

Niamh turned, smiling gratefully, and waved. Then, with a breath as gentle as a summer breeze, she lifted her eyes.

Niamh saw Lorcan immediately, standing tall, dark, and confident, watching her enter. Niamh felt herself blush, but the king's eyes never left hers. When she arrived at his side, King Lorcan held out his hands to her. Niamh prayed he would not notice her shaking, but he only gave her a brief smile and squeezed her hands gently.

A choir began to sing the ancient elven hymns, and King Lorcan turned away.

The rest of the ceremony was a blur… until the kiss.

The King leaned forward and cupped Niamh's chin in his hands. He smelled of wild thyme and untamed forest. Niamh felt herself melt when his warm, firm lips pressed against hers. Her breath caught in her throat, and when she pulled back, she saw a glimpse of softness in Lorcan's eyes. It was only there for a moment, then it was gone, and King Lorcan turned to address the roaring cheers coming from their subjects.

Lorcan and Niamh left the temple to the sight of flower petals and curled ribbons being thrown into the air overhead, to return to the ground like shimmering, colorful raindrops.

Then came the most glorious feast.

The feast was a surprisingly joyful affair with dancing, music, and an amazingly delicious feast. Niamh did her best, but there was more food than her nerves, and dress, would let her eat. As she struggled to make herself comfortable, she felt the king's hand fiddle with the back of her dress.

She looked at him in surprise.

"Let me loosen it for you," he whispered.

Niamh was able to finish her plate.

It was when yet another crowd of well-wishers began to swell around the king and queen that King Lorcan seemed to have had enough of the day.

The king waved the crowd away. "I want a moment alone with my queen."

He turned and Niamh walked with him.

The king said simply, "You can call me Lorcan when we are alone, Niamh."

There was something about how he said her name that caused Niamh's heart to flutter, and she found herself struggling with her feelings. How could he be so thoughtful, then so cold? Niamh simply nodded.

They reached the end of the walkway and came out into the fading rays of the sun.

As they stood under the beautiful arches of the castle's walls, a falcon soared into view towards an elflord who stood far below. For a minute, the newly-married pair watched the falcon and his handler hunt enthusiastically.

"What a beautiful creature," Niamh said out loud.

Lorcan turned quickly. "Do you like falconry?"

"I've never held a falcon… but I have watched Lord Tighearnach hunt with one elflordy times," Niamh answered wistfully.

"I asked if you liked falconry?" Lorcan asked pointedly.

The falcon above them called gamely.

"I would have been eager to learn falconry, but there were dances to learn and paintings to design," Niamh said dryly.

"Come with me," Lorcan suddenly held out his hand, and almost shyly, Niamh took it.

He held her hand so gently and walked through the arched hallways, and down a set of ancient stairs, to a pathway strewn with leaves. Captain Aengus followed them at a distance as they descended the path. Niamh struggled to hold back her laughter as the king rolled his eyes dramatically.

They traveled down the winding path for several minutes, past a small, but beautiful rushing stream, and past a large field of crops.

At the end of the path was a field full of wild grasses, and in the field stood an elflord.

On the elflord's arm was a cat-sized falcon. Its feathers were speckled with gray and brown marks, and its claws were the color of fresh amber.

Niamh recognized the pair as the elflord and bird they had been watching from the walls.

Lorcan signaled the elflord forward, and when the elflord reached them, he handed Niamh a strong, leather glove and a piece of meat. She looked at Lorcan.

"Hold out your arm," the king ordered softly.

Niamh raised her arm and the elflord quickly fitted the glove to her hand. Without flinching, he plopped a small, thin piece of meat on her glove. He pulled off the falcon's hood and it spread its wings, hopping over to seize the meat in Niamh's hand, devouring it in seconds. Then, the bird turned its attention to the elf-maiden upon whose arm he was now sitting.

Niamh felt her heart quicken at the intensity of the falcon's gaze.

"This is Fergal," Lorcan looked at Niamh, his eyes surprisingly soft. "He is for you."

"For me?" Niamh breathed, admiring the power and beauty of the bird.

"Fergal is my wedding gift to you. He was the best of the hatchlings from my prized falcon," Lorcan's eyes watched his gift fly joyfully through the twilight sky.

Niamh was touched by the king's kind and thoughtful gift, it softened her heart.

"Thank you," she said softly.

Lorcan actually smiled. "I am pleased. The falcon is the symbol of my house."

"A Falconer Queen?" Captain Aengus spoke in an amused voice. "You chose well, my King."

Lorcan nodded. Before anything more could be said, a messenger came running over the hills and down the rough path.

"It's time to go back," Lorcan said flatly.