SACRED VOWS

It was a grizzly November morning and the entire kingdom of Scoln awoke to the noise and the sounding of the palace trumpets.

Soren was awakened by the sound that was shortly followed by the drawing of the bedroom curtains.

Soren waited until the curtains that hung around his bed were flung open and in an instant, he felt the mild light of the morning touching him.

Soren moved out of the bed and there caught clear sight of the persons in his midst dressed in light white dresses and flowers on their heads.

Soren who could make out one of the people being the common and familiar face he dearly missed and cherished all the same.

"Sabrina?" Soren asked.

"Yes Ren." The young Princess replied.

"We better get ready your Highness." Gerald said as he led Soren to the bathroom where he met a ready birth that was smellimg of cinnamons, lavender and even strawberry with rose perfumes.

Soren was led gently in the nice warm bath and it was a while later that he stepped out followed by the beautiful scents that hung from his body.

Once Soren was back inside his bedroom, there was a very beautiful sight that overwhelmed him he nearly froze.

Soren was dressed and as his heart pumped fast enough that he could almost feel himself on the verge of having a heart attack, he was simply having a hard time believing everything that was happening in his life at that particular moment.

After a while, Soren was led through the nearly deserted palace hallways and out into the open soft and mildly cold morning air.

Only a few rays of the sun had managed to penetrate the clouds at that very particular moment and there was still some fog that settled over the kingdom.

Soren who was surprised upon beholding the magnificence of the black and golden carriage that awaited outside the palace doors was moved at how it was beautifully covered in white tulips and flowers.

A short while afterwards, Soren beheld the sight of his father who was dressed in his red military coat that was crowned with a black trouser and was adorned with very many medals standing beside him.

"You look radiant my dear, not the sight that I expected but at least you look happy." King Richard said.

"Thank you father." Soren replied as he walked into the carriage and his father followed.

The train of servants simply waved them off before entering their own carriage that was stationed before Soren's.

The moment the carriage exited the arch and the gate outside the palace, the streets of Aristograd were lined with masses of people.

These who looked poor at that moment but none the less happy as they beheld the magnificence of the beautiful carriage going by.

"This is so saddening." Soren said as he could make out a few very young but happy faces of children and people each struggling to have a glimpse of the royal Castorian.

"Do not worry my dear, be happy Soren, today is your wedding day and it is going to usher into your life a brand new chapter." The King said.

"I never dreamt that one day, I would be the one clad in a white gown." Soren said as he smiled faintly and then awe took over his face.

"Whatever you are my son, it will never rob you of the inner beauty that is concealed within your heart.

Today you will submit but I can behold an era of greatness when they shall also submit to you, it may not be the very best feeling but for my sake Soren, please be strong." The King replied.

"I certainly will father." Soren replied as the carriage made its way through the then wide streets which led to the GREGORIAN CATHEDRAL which was the Central Sanctum of the gods in Scoln.

Masses of priests and magicians, sorcerers from across the country had gathered to witness the marriage of the Future Sovereign of Scoln.

There was no need for a public announcement as Soren knew very well that all Royals from across the Northern continent were present and as they approached the Cathedral, his assumptions were confirmed following the salutation of the Cannons that announced the presence of the twenty monarchs and their families.

The carriage that carried Soren came to a halt in front of the great doors of the Magnificent building.

It was rich in Gothic designs and had the tawny brown shade which made it appear entirely golden from one's point of view.

The coachmen opened the carriage door and at once, King Richard of Endra stepped out followed by Soren.

With the train of bridesmaids, the carriage moved and stopped blocking Soren from the sight of the people, there and then, everyone beheld the beauty in white.

Soren was dressed in a very beautiful dress made of Ivory silk tafetta and Spanish lace, it was adorned with diamond and pearl sequins and had a beautiful half sleeves until the upper elbow parts.

It was accompanied by a pair of long white gloves and a veil with floral designs and pearls that was  twenty five metres long.

Soren held a bouquet of white lillies and tulips that had been beautifully gathered with the design of a heart.

And at last, Soren's head was crowned with a magnificent diamond tiara.

Soren held the arm of his father and the two walked into the Cathedral to the sound of the music of the instruments.

A deserted aisle captured the attention of the masses that filled the building on either side on both the first and the second stories as Soren and his father walked by followed by their beautiful train that Supported Soren's veil.

"What a beauty?" Some people said." Flawless charm." The others."looks like the Crown Prince chose so wisely." A few more said.

Soren could hear many comments as he went by and the majority he could tell praised him much as they were spoken in Scoln, it was evident that he understood since Soren gave a casual smile.

Conelm who stood with his brother were marvelled upon the sight of Soren, one could not help it but say, yes indeed, he looked every inch a deity in the making.

King Richard who upon reaching before the altar that stood in front of six prominently tall idols they worshipped held the hand of Soren and then placed it in the Hand of Conelm.

"Guard my joy with all your heart." The King said before he withdrew and Conelm pulled Soren closer to the altar where the Chief priest was.

"Today we are gathered here to celebrate the spiritual union of our two children in marriage, a practice that was ordained and condoned by our gods that we may all share love regardless of who we are.

I put before you the lives choseb for this step of devotion which we must support where need be, cherish entirely and be grateful for as well." The high priest said.

"All hail the gods, the givers of life, protectors of truth and the fathers of love." The congregation said in unison.

"And now for the vows." The High priest said as he held a candle and put it in the grip of both.

"May your love burn bright like this flame, unextinguishable by the perils of life until your very death, may the gods be witnesses that on this very day in your lives, you chose to become one with each other in flesh and in spirit, in mind and in soul." The high Priest said.

"You may take the vows, first the bride." The priest added as the two faced each other to look closer into one anothers eyes.

"I Soren Lexandrin accept you Conelm Alexander as my husband, to protect and serve where my duty calls, to abide by you inviolably, be there when you stumble and when you fall to lift you up, to love, to cherish you, as long as we both shall live." Soren said.

"And now the groom." The High Priest said.

"I Conelm Alexander accept you Soren Lexandrin as my beloved consort. To protect and keep you happy where my duty calls, to abide with you inviolably, be there when you stumble and when you fall to lift you up, to love, to cherish you, for as long as we both shall live." Conelm said.

"And so it is done, to unite you all and stand together through all turmoil, as the world witnesses, I bind you as one with this thread sacred to the gods, a symbol of their protection for your affection." The High Priest said as he tied the hands of the two together with a maroon thread.

He took hold of the candle in their grip and he shifted the couple to face the masses.

A priestess unveiled Soren and a priest also removed Conelm's military hat.

"United now and forever, undivided and chartered by the gods we worship and serve, I pronounce the two married and now, they may kiss." The High Priest said.

Hesitantly, Soren submitted and the two lightly kissed as the congregation inside the building simply applauded them and cheered them on.

A while after the newly married couple stood on the balcony that was stationed at the arch of Silver Sottinbrow and waved to the crowds that cheered them below.

For the first time in a very long time, Soren was happy to be there and unlike before, he evwn felt luckier to be loved by Conelm of all the people in the world.