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Mareeta knew something was going on with how insistent Eyvel and Nanna were that she come to Fiana. She hadn't expected that something to be her best friends’ wedding.
Nanna and Leif had returned to Northern Thracia a month ago and arrived in Fiana yesterday, a few days after her. It was just for a small detour from their tour of the peninsula to allow Leif and Nanna to personally thank the village for sheltering and supporting them before the war began. Or at least, that was the part being shared beyond Fiana. As soon as he'd finished his speech expressing this, Leif announced their desire to be married in Fiana. He and Nanna were expected, and intended, to have a ceremony in Leonster for all the nobles and as many of the people of New Thracia as possible to attend. But they'd both agreed that they wanted their marriage to be made official with the people and in the place that meant the most to them.
Wedding ceremonies in Fiana could be simple enough to throw together in an hour or two as Osian and Tanya's had been, the majority of that time spent forcing Osian into a nice tunic. But the appreciation went both ways here, the people of Fiana just as eager to hold the wedding of two of their own as well as their new king and queen. All of the day after their eager agreement to hold the ceremony had been spent on preparing and sprucing up the village, efforts aided and extended by the arrival of Duchess Linoan, her Dracoknights, and a cart full of flowers. Linoan had said it wasn't much but Mareeta would bet her cart had more than twice as many flowers as would grow around Fiana in a year. Looking around as she made her way through the village now, sprinkles of white, blushes of pink, and pops of red caught her eye on every surface and person she passed. All of Fiana looked more vibrant and full of life than it had ever been before, as if blessed by Ethnia for the day. The darkening sky warned Gran was preparing to share his blessing too, urging Mareeta to hurry to avoid being caught in it.
She didn't bother knocking when she reached Eyvel's house though was quick to close the door behind her. "It's just me," she called out as Eyvel poked her head out of hers and Nanna's old bedroom.
"Just in time," Eyvel replied, tone just shy of a scolding. “Unless you were planning on washing up outside.”
“I was just checking something,” Mareeta said, setting her white sprig in a cup. She knew she'd been cutting it close for time and pushing her luck trying at all, but it had paid off in the end so she couldn’t feel too bad. “I’ll be quick,” she promised, as she headed towards the bathroom.
The water left was warm enough to make it easy to keep her word. It didn't add any ease to the next part though, the elegant dress laid out on her bed when she joined Eyvel and Nanna still as daunting as when Linoan had handed it to her. It was far fancier than any dress she'd worn before or expected she ever would. It looked completely out of place against the worn blankets and daub walls. A discomfort stirred in her as she stared at it, one she'd felt too many times in the past few days.
“I can help you with the lacing,” Nanna offered. She was already wearing her dress, a gorgeous white gown whose gold trim and ruby atop the bodice that brought to mind two familiar sets of armor. She'd teased Nanna plenty about the inspiration for her armor when she had her full set made and seeing the design used again for this made it feel even more sweet. "It shouldn't be difficult beyond that.”
The churn of her discomfort begged to differ but spreading that was the last thing Mareeta wanted to do today. “Aren't you supposed to be the one being pampered and fussed over today?”
“I’ll refrain from fussing,” Nanna said. “And it’s hardly pampering when it’s the only way to get it on.”
Her discomfort didn’t budge but Nanna’s calm practicality made it easier to hide as she nodded her head. She picked up the dress, slipping into it easily on her own, but knowing without trying Nanna was right about getting it closed. Nanna was immediately on it, firm but gentle tug signaling she was starting her work.
“Don’t mind me,” Eyvel said a moment before Mareeta's hair was pulled back. "Just helping speed things along."
"They'll be sped up the most if all you do is brush it." Mareeta tried to glance back at her mother, just managing to catch her smile in the corner of her eye.
"There's enough time for a little more." Mareeta felt her hair being separated into sections. "The maid of honor ought to look special too."
Mareeta's gaze returned to her dress. Linoan had said the same when she'd tried to refuse it and though it was rarely true when it came to Fiana's wedding ceremonies, everyone seemed to be on her side. Mareeta couldn't even say she wasn't. She was more than happy to make an exception for Leif and Nanna and the dress was beautiful with a color impressively similar to Nanna's eyes. It didn't feel wrong to wear but it didn't feel like a temporary blessing as Fiana's decoration did. It felt like a symbol of something more substantial as if draping herself in the thoughts causing her discomfort.
A pin pushed firmly into her hair, evoking a wince as it scraped the back of her head. "There," Eyvel declared. "Now was that so bad?"
"The worst."
Eyvel chuckled as Nanna tied off the cord of her lacing. "It's not too tight or loose, is it?" Nanna asked.
"I don't think so." Mareeta tried moving around in it, bodice staying comfortably snug while she watched her skirt swish and sway. She wished she could feel her hair do so too, but it stayed snug as well.
Eyvel watched in amusement at first though something more tender soon started to slip in. It spread much quicker as she shifted her gaze to take in both her and Nanna. “You two look beautiful.”
Nanna returned the compliment with an equally soft smile but the heavy note in Eyvel’s words pressed down on Mareeta's chest. Before she could figure out what to do with it, something on Nanna’s dress caught her attention. Mareeta followed her gaze to find a small spider crawling along the lace as if attempting to claim the orange blossoms pattern as its design.
"I'll be right back," Mareeta said, grateful for the excuse to slip out of the room. She returned to the main room to grab the cup with her sprig and made a beeline back to the bouquet. It had been another delivery from Linoan though she'd hinted someone else had chosen the flowers for it. His choices seemed to have inspired the color scheme of the flowers outside, Nanna's bouquet a stunning arrangement of red tulips, pink peonies, calla lilies, and stock speckled with baby's breath and stars of stephanotis and myrtle. Tendrils of ivy trailed down from it like ribbons adorned with waxy, pointed hearts. Every flower was so neatly and tightly arranged, Mareeta had to turn it around several times before she found a spot where she could fit the sprig in. Once nestled inside, she held the bouquet out to Nanna, the little white bells sticking up just enough to draw attention to the addition.
"I didn't think heather bloomed this early," Nanna said.
"It usually doesn't," Mareeta said. "I still thought it would be worth a try to look for."
Nanna gave her a grateful smile as she walked towards her to take the bouquet. As she did, Mareeta noticed she'd exchanged her normal necklace for a blue choker with turquoise pendant and small red stone dangling from it. She'd never seen Nanna wear it before yet something about it still seemed familiar.
Nanna followed her gaze, fingers brushing against the dangling stone. "Selphina insisted I borrow it."
"For your something borrowed or your something blue too?"
Nanna's small smile seemed almost mischievous. "I have something else that's blue."
Mareeta looked over Nanna again to make sure it wasn't also somewhere obvious she'd missed. She spotted no hint of blue on her shoes or dress and her hairpin was the same it had always been. Princess Lachesis's earrings also lacked the color and her bracelet looked to be made only of white clover. Mareeta felt more certain now it wasn't something she'd overlooked but had no idea what else that left.
"Though perhaps I could use another." The corner of Nanna's mouth tilted up slightly more as she turned towards Eyvel. “Where did you tell Father to put our weapons?”
Eyvel’s confusion lasted only a second before turning into a broad grin. “I’ll take it right to Lady Linoan."
"Thank you," Nanna said, smiling just as broadly back. Mareeta had no idea what they were talking about but if they both found it this amusing, it would be worth waiting to find out.
Once Eyvel had left, Nanna's smile slowly started to fade. She turned her gaze towards the window, expression becoming harder to read as she stared at the few sprinkles splashed across it. "I don’t think I've ever felt so nervous before."
"What?" Mareeta had heard it was normal to be nervous on your wedding day but the most nervous you'd ever been felt like a stretch, and made little sense for Nanna to be. "You spent years on the run, fought in a war across the continent, and you're more worried about marrying Leif than you were about anything that happened then?"
"Not that kind of nervous." Nanna paused, mulling over her words for a moment. "I'm happy but I have been for weeks, for months. Every day since Agustria's civil war ended has been good and happy. These days have just keep going on and on like they’ll never end and this is just how life will be now. But I know they have to. I know this can’t last forever. And the longer it lasts, the more I dread the day they end.”
Mareeta's own nerves stirred but she pushed that aside for now. “Maybe they won’t. The Empire’s gone, the Loptyrians are gone, you and Leif are friends with every other ruler in Jugdral and know they’re all good people willing to help you and each other. The North and South still aren’t on the best terms but there’s plenty of people on both sides willing to help you and Leif change that, noble and normal folk," Mareeta pointed out. "I don’t see any good reason to believe everything will turn bad again.”
“There isn’t,” Nanna admitted before turning back to her. “It’s just hard to believe anything good will last when it never has before.”
“Even with Leif?”
A sliver of Nanna's smile returned. “Except with Leif,” she amended. “He’s always been the exception.”
“Neither of you were subtle about it," Mareeta said, giving a pointed look to the bouquet. “I’ve never met anyone close to each other the way you two are, like there's something between you no one else could build or break. The two of you getting together felt so obvious, it may as well have been a fact. Swords beat axes, spring comes before summer, and you and Leif will always be together.”
Nanna’s cheeks had turned the same shade as the peonies. “I’ve always wanted to always be with him, but it was a while before I meant it like that.”
“Could’ve fooled all of Fiana.”
Her cheeks deepened to the calla lilies' shade. But her smile was fuller and remained as she looked towards the window again. “Fiana’s another good that's lasted,” she said, gaze sweeping around their old room. “Everything and everyone are just as I remember them. It feels as if we never left.”
Mareeta's stomach squirmed again, suddenly very aware of every inch of fabric against her skin. She forced her smile to stay as she tried to push this down too. "It sure does."
Nanna's attention immediately focused on her, force the same as a crashing wave. It was hard to hold but would cause less concern than if she looked away. “Mareeta?”
"Yes?"
A brief frown warned her how well attempting to avoid this would go. Guilt wriggled its way into the already unpleasant mix in her stomach, finally forcing her gaze down. Her eyes landed on the sprig of heather, recalling the sadness of the story behind how they became to bring good luck. “You’re right about Fiana feeling like it always has. Like it never changed. But being here doesn't. It doesn't feel like I can just slip back in and fit in with everyone else again. It..."
"It doesn't feel like being home anymore," Nanna finished for her.
It hurt even worse to hear said out loud. "No."
"There doesn't have to be anything wrong with that," Nanna said. "Loving something differently doesn’t mean loving it less. Fiana isn't home for Leif or me anymore but it will always be a place we treasure, as will all of the people we met here."
"You didn't have a choice in it not being your home anymore."
"Even if we did, I wouldn't take it and I know the same goes for Leif. After everything I've seen, knowing how many people out there are still suffering, all the children made orphans by this war... just looking after this little corner of Thracia couldn’t be enough."
Mareeta's reason wasn't as altruistic, but it did lighten the weight a little to hear Nanna relate. "I can’t live this simply again. Not because I think I’m better than it or want something better than this- I don’t know if I’ll ever think anywhere is better than Fiana. I just… I left because I wanted to change in a way I couldn't if I stayed in Fiana. I just didn't expect to change like this too."
"It's hard to know how we will until we do.” Nanna reached out and squeezed her hand. “Though there are some things that will definitely never change.”
Mareeta looked down at their hands, callouses thick as ever on hers while Nanna’s now had none. "You're certain about that?"
"I don't see any good reason to believe otherwise." Nanna’s calm practicality was joined by a softer note, sweetness added to the blend reminding her of Eyvel’s comfort. "It's easiest to believe a good thing will last when the good is something you both choose."
The gold ring on Nanna’s finger gleamed up at her like a miniature sun. Mareeta smiled at it as she squeezed Nanna’s hand, wringing out the unpleasant feelings of the last few days away. "And you know all about that."
Only a hint of pink appeared as Nanna glanced at her ring and clover bracelet. The happiest Mareeta had ever seen her had been when Leif gave her a ring made of a white clover flower as a proposal promise. She would bet anything today was about to surpass that.
A single knock struck the front door, the hinges squeaking as it was opened a second after. Mareeta poked her head out to find Eyvel inside and Finn still standing in the doorway, a cloak clutched to his chest almost self-consciously.
"You girls ready to go?" Eyvel asked, giving Finn a look of I told you so after Mareeta nodded her head. "As nice as this weather is, we ought to get to the church before it starts comin' down any harder."
"Could I borrow a cloak?" Nanna asked.
"I have one for you," Finn called back, stiff and awkward as an untrained actor. He held himself much the same as Nanna appeared in the doorway, still paused for a moment as she started approaching before remembering the cloak. He unfurled it as she reached him and carefully draped it over her shoulders.
"Thank you, Father." Nanna offered a gentle smile Finn slowly returned before lifting the cloak's hood, setting it on the crown of her head with the delicacy of handling a flower petal. He stepped back out of the doorway to let her pass through and stayed by her side as they proceeded.
The church was thankfully close to Eyvel's house as even though it was still only drizzling, the streets were already starting to turn to mud. There were only a few people on them now and all of them were also heading towards the church. They kept glancing back at the four of them then turning back to whisper excitedly amongst themselves. Mareeta caught one's eye and found herself met with warmth and happiness, neither of which faded as he held her gaze. Even after he turned around, she still felt both steady and strong.
Halvan and Osian were stationed by the church's doors, Halvan talking to the people entering as Osian looked around. Upon noticing them, he turned towards the inside of the church. "Everyone shut up, they're here!"
Eyvel gave Osian a disapproving look as Halvan gestured for the rest of them to join him under the awning. Mareeta kept herself between Nanna and church though with all the people inside, she doubted Leif could spot Nanna even if she tried. She still didn't want to take any chances, purposely keeping her arms out wide as she took off her cloak.
Finn undid Nanna's cloak and passed it to Halvan. As he folded it, Mareeta noticed it was blue on the inside, the colors the reverse of Finn's mantle. And maybe it wasn't all that was, Mareeta mused as she glanced down at the hem of Nanna's skirt.
"What?" Nanna asked, a note of panic in her voice. "Did I get mud on my dress?"
"No, no, your dress is fine!" Mareeta quickly assured her. "I was just wondering if your something blue was the inside of your dress."
Nanna relaxed, earlier mirth returning as she slid her arm through her father's and stepped over to stand by his side. Mareeta stared at them for a moment before bursting into laughter. Finn looked bewildered, but Halvan had enough of a smile to know he'd caught on as well.
"You done?" Osian asked as she finished laughing though he looked just as amused. Mareeta nodded and Osian cocked his head towards the church, Halvan taking the signal to follow him inside. Mareeta gave Nanna one last quick smile and followed after the pair.
The church had been the most decorated of all. The floors came close to shining from how deeply they’d been cleaned, not a speck of dirt or dust in sight on anything. Garlands of flowers and ribbon danced from beam to beam and banners of Leonster’s bright blue and white hung like patches of sky breaking through the inside and outside’s grey. Charms and crystals twinkled in the glow of the chandelier they hung from and symbols woven from straw of Naga, Ethnia, and each of the Crusaders brought a bright spot to every window, Njörun and Hoðr’s saved for the large one at the end. Beneath it the altar was laid out with their good linen though it was easy not to notice behind Linoan. Though her dress was only slightly nicer than what she usually wore, it was still well beyond nice for Fiana.
To the right of Linoan was Leif. He too wore white adorned with gold trim and a ruby, the inspiration feeling even more obvious on him. She doubted he noticed any of them though as his eyes were already fixed behind them. Mareeta bit her lip to keep from doing more than snickering at how hopelessly smitten he was.
Halvan and Osian slipped in behind Eyvel and Asbel on the right as Mareeta took the closest spot on the end of the aisle on the left. She looked back as soon as she had to watch Nanna and Finn progress. Nanna mirrored Leif’s smitten oblivion, eyes only for and smile inspired by him. Mareeta expected Finn to still be stiff and awkward but he carried himself with the care he’d given Nanna’s cape. His emotions weren’t as clear as Nanna and Leif’s but the lingering glances that flickered between them were the fondest expression she’d seen from him.
Mareeta moved over as they reached the end of the aisle and Finn released Nanna’s arm to let her continue on without him. She didn’t stop for a second, eagerness slipping through for a minute. Finn watched her join Leif at the altar, expression unchanging yet Mareeta could swear she caught his eyes starting to glisten.
Once Nanna and Leif were both at the altar, Linoan turned back towards it to grab the cord for their handfasting. The start of a laugh escaped before Mareeta could catch herself, quickly pursing her lips to hold the rest of it back as Linoan turned back holding the ribbon from Finn’s lance. Finn's face went straight to the color of Nanna’s tulips as Leif's lit up, immediately looking up from the ribbon to Nanna. Her satisfied smile brought back his fondness, adoration aching tender. She'd never seen him or Nanna happier and couldn't imagine anything else would make them.
"King Leif and Princess Nanna, would you please hold hands,” Linoan requested.
Both kept eye contact as they reached for each other, hands clasping with ease as if made to fit together. Linoan stepped forward and slowly laid the ribbon over them
"May the road rise to meet you," Linoan began as she started to wrap their hands together. "May the wind be always at your back."
As she continued reciting the blessing, Mareeta glanced back at everyone else gathered in the church. The vibrancy and warmth she’d seen from them all day was magnified immensely, as if they were all feeding off of each other. It felt as if they’d become the sun, more than making up for its absence outside. She wasn’t sure if it was because of how similarly she felt or if their joy was just that infectious but for the first time since returning to Fiana, Mareeta felt like one of them again.
"May true be the hearts that love you," Linoan finished as she tied the ribbon.
The last line of this blessing had always seemed odd to Mareeta. Weddings were meant to celebrate the people being married's love for each other so it ought to have ended with a blessing of only their hearts. But it made perfect sense now. Good things lasting was the best blessing you could hope for and there were few goods greater than the people you loved loving you. This was the best blessing anyone could have and one she knew they did from everyone inside this church, even if this was the last time all of them were gathered together in Fiana like this. Leif and Nanna had proven how true they stayed to those who they loved and the people of Fiana were never shy to show their gratitude for that. And though she couldn’t choose or know every way she would change, Mareeta knew this was one way she never would.