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Saelhil glared after her. Was this what his life was destined to be? Constantly quarreling with and angering his wife? His father had never before taken part in arranged marriages (none of his people had!) and he just so happened to be matched up with someone who was his polar opposite. What if he had told his father of his intentions to marry Mirwen before Raeliel had ever come into the picture. Saelhil growled a bit under his breath and went off into the woods. He really didn't want to see Raeliel, and he wasn't looking forward to what was supposed to be the happiest day if his life.

Raeliel didn't want to be anywhere near him either. She just stayed in her room until supper, and supper was eaten quietly and quickly so that she could just get back to the room and hide in there. When it was time for bed, she changed and got into the bed, sighing. Well. Tomorrow would be the official start of her miserable life. But she had to do it. It was her duty.

Saelhil had a similar day. However, he stayed in e forest most of the day, exploring. He didn't feel like eating, so he came home late at night to climb into bed with his sleepy but confused sister. He went into a fitful sleep, full of terrible dreams or sad ones, all pertaining of what was to come.

Raeliel woke early the next morning, and was greeted by Ralda, who would help her get ready. Raeliel was very quiet that morning, letting the woman clothe her and do her hair and do the 'glow' thing that was so very important. She just let it all happen, trying to mentally and emotionally prepare herself for this trial. It was going to be hard. Very hard. Especially since they hadn't seen each other ever since their arguments. She almost wanted to ask for Ralda's advice. But...advice for what? This was obviously a doomed cause.

Ralda was just finishing Raeliel's hair when a knock came at the door.

"Ralda? Is she ready yet?"

"Ah! Yes, please, come in!"

A girl with pale blonde hair stepped inside. Her eyes were pale green, and she was actually quite pretty. She dipped her head to Raeliel. "Good morning, my lady," she said in a soft voice. "If you will allow me, I will draw your glow." The young woman came and sat in front of Raeliel, taking a thin paint brush and dipping it in silver paint that smelled of berries. "My name is Mirwen, by the by, Lady Raeliel." She smiled politely and began to scan Raeliel, searching for a place to start painting.

Raeliel looked over when someone came into the room. "Oh. Yes, of course." She sat down and let the woman dip the brush. However, she went VERY tense when she heard the woman's name. She tried her best not to frown or scowl, and just made her face quite expressionless. She kept it that way while the lady painted, and just had her eyes on Ralda the whole time that she could. She didn't want to look at Mirwen, or think about her at all. Well, this morning definitely wasn't off to a good start.

Mirwen focused on her painting for the most part. But as she painted along Raeliel's jaw, she spoke.

"Please... Don't be angry at Sael," she said quietly, respectfully. "I... I know he is outspoken, and he might appear rude, but really he is just trying to help." She pushed back a bit of Raeliel's hair and began to paint under her eye. "He really has good intentions, even if he is letting his emotions speak for his mind. Even if you don't like what he does or says, he will never lie to you, or hide anything from you. And he won't force you into anything too quickly..." Mirwen laughed lightly, like a bird in the morning. "To be honest, I had been waiting for him to ask to court me. He never did, though... He never even tried to kiss me. He's a sensitive soul, even if he seems a bit... outright."

Raeliel listened carefully, and warily regarded the woman who was speaking to her. She felt it again. The burning fire of jealousy that she could no longer deny. She didn't say anything. Part of her wanted to scold Mirwen for talking about this to her. Part of her wanted to say that Sael really was rude and mean. But none of those options had any good outcome, so she just said nothing at all. It was better that way, even if it might seem that she was ignoring her. It was the better option. Just yelling at her would be the worst.

Mirwen finished and studied Raeliel, then sighed heavily. "It won't be good for either of you if you don't understand one another." And with that, she left.

Raeliel managed to stay absolutely quiet. When Mirwen left, she stood up and glared at the door. "Ju...just who does she think she is?! It's bad enough that my fiance's first love has to do my facepaint, but now she has to lecture me on my marriage too?!" She took in a deep breath and let it out, calming herself down. She was not happy with her outburst, especially since Ralda was still there. "...is it almost time?" she asked the woman. She just wanted to get this over with. She was even more miserable than before now.

"Mm," was all Ralda said, and she glanced outside. She tapped her cheek for a moment before looking at Raeliel. "Hmmm..." She adjusted one of the flowers braided into Raeliel's hair and stepped back. "I suppose we should be going. I'm sure everything is in order."

Raeliel nodded slightly. "...alright. Thank you for all your help, Ralda. I do appreciate it." She walked along with Ralda, letting the woman lead her. She didn't know where she was going. She took in a deep breath and let it out. Well...here she goes. No turning back. She felt miserable. She wanted to be happy. She just couldn't bring herself to work with him when he calls her people and father idiots! Raeliel tried to calm her mind and heart and just relax, trying to be in a good mood at least for this wedding, even though it wasn't likely.

Ralda nodded in response, but didn't say anything as she led Raeliel towards the courtyard where the ceremony was to be held. The gates were covered in flowering vines, with blossoms of dozens of shapes and colors. Around the seats in the courtyard, bushes and trees with sweet-smelling fruits and flowers covered the ground. Near the front, an elder of the village stood, and next to him stood Saelhil, all dressed-up.

Raeliel walked along to the courtyard. She found herself forgetting everything that had upset her. The place was beautiful. It was all so lovely, and Saelhil looked....well, he looked rather handsome. When it was time, she walked down to join the elder and Saelhil. She looked at him, surprised. She couldn't remember why she was mad at him before. At the moment, she was just...overwhelmed. Everything was so lovely, and it finally dawned on her. She was getting married.

{Sorry for not replying all night... I don't really know how the vows should go, or if I should type them at all ^^"}

(Oh, it's okay! We can just kinda vague skip over things. Like, 'as the elder spoke,' if Sael would do anything. If he would just stand and follow along and not do anything particular though, we can just go ahead and skip to the ending kiss )

Saelhil stood steadily as the elder spoke. When it was time for the vows, he said them earnestly, never taking his gaze from Raeliel. It made him feel a bit excited, saying those words, even though they had left off on a sour note just the day previous. They exchanged rings, as humans do, except that the rings were both silver and intricately carved, and Saelhil--as the man--wore the ring on a thin chain around his neck. Embedded in Raeliel's ring was a clear crystal; the natural elves used this jewel because when raised to the light, the crystal would shine multiple colors on anything around it.

Very soon, the elder gave them their final blessing, and Saelhil faced Raeliel, albeit a bit hesitantly. When the elder gave word, Saelhil leaned in, pressing his lips gently against Raeliel's. He had already gotten her permission to kiss her, but it still felt... forbidden to him, as he had never truly kissed a woman before. It was exciting, yes, but it also frightened him a bit for some reason.

Raeliel stood still and calm throughout all of it, her heart racing a bit. Like him, it was all still a bit exciting to her. She said the vows, and watched as the ring was slid onto her finger. It was so beautiful, it nearly took her breath away. And then the kiss. She had just enough time to glance up from the ring so that she could see him lean in to kiss her. She let the kiss happen, finding it rather...nice. And then they parted. It was done. They were married. Well, almost. She vaguely recalled him discussing the 'twining' or something.
Well, if the ceremony hadn't been that bad, this part of it couldn't be that bad either, right? Raeliel was still too breathtaken with all of the beauty to think anything bad.

Saelhil turned his gaze out to the crowd as they cheered his and Raeliel's names, offering excited congratulations through the applause. However, the elder soon quieted them down and led Saelhil and Raeliel out of the courtyard and into the forest through a hidden grove. The crowd wasn't allowed to follow them, so when they came to the vine-covered gates of the Sacred Place, it was rather quiet. The elder quietly stooped down, picking two seeds from a small, sturdy plant growing around the base of a tree. He handed both the bride and the groom a seed, then he opened the gates, allowing them to enter alone. Saelhil took the lead and stepped inside.

The Sacred Place was a dim grotto, with golden morning light slipping thigh the thick veil of foliage overhead. Small flowers, all twisted by their stems with each other, lined a small pathway towards a thin stream leading into a pond. Saelhil inhaled the sweet scent deeply, but walked along quietly, not quite sure where he should choose for them to plant their seeds.

Raeliel smiled a little at all the cheers. It was....nice. Soon, she and Saelhil were walking along again, and she held her seed carefully as it was given to her. As they walked through the lovely, flower-filled place, fear suddenly took hold of her. What if they really weren't meant to be, and the flowers didn't grow like they were supposed to? What would happen? She didn't like him, but after all this, to have something like that....

Raeliel tried to get herself together. No, if that happened, she should be happy! She wouldn't have to bother with him, and he wouldn't have to bother with her. Maybe they could both just go back to who they cared for. She glanced at him quickly, trying to figure out how he felt on this matter.