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Bells chimed and rang out in Baldur’s gate. Grand Duke, Wyll Ravengard stood in his finest regalia, ready to greet his city, and his dearest of friends.
The multitudes of people filled the large chamber, as all prepared for a reunion amongst two of the heroes who had saved the city, not long before.
“Tsk’va, if only Shadowheart or Ari were here, they could help me get ready for this.. spectacle!” Lae’zel paces in the small room, her black suit had been fitted by Wyll’s tailors and looked stunning on the slim, muscular gith. She had left the top unbuttoned as a hint of cleavage showed, her long red hair was left loose and unbraided, cascading down her chest, shoulders, and back.
“You look amazing Lae’zel, it’s about time, are you ready?” Gale of waterdeep stood behind the gith, his hand on her shoulder. “I know you’re nervous, but try to breathe, this is your day.” Lae’zel looked back at the wizard, his calming presence helping to keep her level. “You are right.. as always.”
Lae’zel remembered when she met the wizard, she and Arilda had settled for camp when Arilda noticed the glowing portal, Gale erupted from it soon after and nearly lost his head as Lae’zel was ready to attack. Arilda calmed her then. She remembers the first meal Gale cooked for them, and how joyful Arilda’s face had been. She had always strived to see that face again on Arilda, to make sure that she never felt scared or unloved again.
Arilda paced in her own small room, Her thin white dress dragging on the floor, it’s silver embroidery paying homage to the moon maiden, her black hair hanging loose down her left side. With her best friend and maid of honor Shadowheart beside her. “Sharty, what if she just says no?” Shadowheart couldn’t suppress a giggle. “Her, say no? Have you seen how she looks at you? She is crazy about you, and the little bundle of your love. Shadowheart takes Arilda’s hands, and looks down at the bump in her wedding dress, “It’s due soon, isn’t it?” Shadowheart asked. Arilda looked down and smiled, her pale blue eyes filled with joy.
The bells rung out even louder, a skeletal figure sat an the organ, playing a melodic tune as the crowd sat in their seats. The heroes of Baldur’s gate filled the front rows of seats. Astarion the pale vampire, sitting in between two women locked into a battle for his attention, Ambrosia the elf, and Freya the tiefling. Freya grabs his arm, and pulls him closer, sticking out her tongue at the angry purple skinned elf.
Wyll Ravengard sat next to his bride Salome, the large tiefling woman beaming as she greeted her friends, Wyll gave her a kiss on the cheek, their horns brushing against each other. A veritable cult had arisen in the stands for Shadowheart, as she brought all the members of her polycule, including Rinkah the drow, who was currently trying to challenge Glennath the dark skinned male drow to an arm wrestling match. Clarisse and Elizabeth the tieflings sat next to them, quietly observing one another, a tiny rock held in Liz’s hands, with an equally tiny hat atop it. Next to an empty seat, meant for Shadowheart, was Feora, who sat enjoying the sounds and scenery of the whole affair. Jaheira and Minsc sat next to a pair of empty seats, they looked at them, a sadness in their eyes, the names Morgan and Karlach were placed upon the seats, they would not be filled.
A druid contingent had arrived, to pay their respect to the Gith couple, Halsin and Astraea, the gnome, and motherly figure, along with Eden of House Freyne. The guest list was long and full of their dearest friends, even the quartet of Mint, Rose, Candy, and Astryx who were still in the lobby, arguing over who wore the prettiest dress. Minthara finally stood between them, “Girls, you are all gorgeous, now shut up.”
Ennorae, Lillith, Dawn, and the ever charming Marigold took their seats, along with Nashira, Jorgmund, Ilaphaer, Alsina, Rajiyah, and Twig, Helene holding a picture of the deceased Gortash in her hands. Withers summoned the rest of the guest registry, calling their names out in his slow monotone voice. “Rivera, Tav’asha, Nightshade, Arabella, Littlepaw, Velkyn, Tulip, Elara, Valerie, Lan, Scarlett, Eve, Ramm, Vantis, Ashton.” Music began to play louder, a certain green gith had entered the room.
Lae’zel walked to the front of the chamber, her suit drawing the oohs and ahhs of her companions, a blush forming on her green face, but a smile forming on her lips, no matter how hard she tried to resist.
Wither’s playing become softer as a soft wedding march began playing, and a pale blue gith slowly descended through the chamber, her shaky arms held by Shadowheart and Gale, who let go as she reached the apex, the climax of her journey, and stood face to face with her love. A duo came out to present the rings, as two soft packages set atop the bodies of Scratch the dog and Obie the owlbear.
“We are gathered her to celebrate the love and devotion of these two souls.” Withers announced as Arilda stared into Lae’zel’s brown eyes.
“I’m scared, I.. I don’t know what to do.” The gith said, her tears falling fast as she hid in her tent, her short black and blue hair held in her hands. “Kin.. what is wrong with you, were you raised improperly?” Lae’zel came to comfort the small gith. They had spent a night of ecstasy, Arilda’s first, and Lae’zel had come to realize the issues with her kin and companion. She was raised and trained to treat such weaklings as nothing but useless. She still couldn’t stop herself from extending a hand to the cute githyanki, she couldn’t explain those feelings back then.
Arilda was frightened, most of her kin had so rarely showed her kindness, but with Lae’zel she could sense something different. While they held themselves differently, one a fiery warrior and the other a frightened cleric. Arilda could see the same hurt and fear in Lae’zel’s eyes, the same hurt and fear that looked back in the mirror at Arilda. Their lips met again that night, two lost frightened githyanki, seeking comfort in each other.
Lae’zel remembered when Arilda showed her the scrapbook, a collection of memories, of their time together. Lae’zel looked into the pale blue eyes of Arilda, she smiles, seeing how far she’s grown. No longer did she see the fear and insecurities of her past. Now Lae’zel saw only the joy and comfort that gave her own life meaning, the joy that had replaced Lae’zel’s need for blood, need for war. Arilda had been there for Lae’zel to teach her the most important lesson of life, she taught her what love is, unconditional love.
Gale looked on at the pair, his own wife Charyl next to him, wearing her trademark spider silk dress, but this time with a clear difference as her belly bump was visible, Gale smiled as he held her hand, and looked back to Arilda. Gale’s child was yet to come, but after his experience with Arilda, he had an idea of what to expect. Gale’s eyes welled up with tears, surprised at how emotional he was getting as he watched Arilda, he felt as though he had given her away, as if he was the father she never had.
Their lips met again, this time as Arilda tearfully said the words “I do.” Cheers exploded from the crowd, as the gith embraced one another. Free from their false goddess, free from their own fears and insecurities. They all were, Arilda’s eyes drifted to the two empty seats and to those two bright, burning stars in the astral plane. They all found their freedom, in one way or another. Arilda’s stomach lurched, and a crowd of people yelled, as Lae’zel held tight to her bride.
“Love, is it time?” Arilda stood shakily back up, “Not yet… I guess we’ll need somewhere to live now.. I can’t leave them again Lae’zy.” Arilda looked at the crowd of concerned and loving faces, and Arilda smiled, pulling Lae’zel into another kiss, her muscular leg raising as Arilda kisses her deeply. “I love you Lae’zy.”