*We last left our heroes returning from the defeat of Azinder the Demonic Black Mage. They are now back at the castle and all is well. Laurenza is in her room getting some rest and the lads are playing cards in one of the chambers.*
Tifanel: *Deals the cards.*
Thorn: *Lets out a short sigh.*.
Tifanel: 'Sup?
Thorn: Nothing. *Picks up his cards.*
Kuja: *Is not playing, he's stood by the window.* Are you playing Snap or Old Maid?
Thorn: I'm not sure. I usually cheat anyway…
Tifanel: Well in that case, I'm not playin'.
Falos: Me neither.
Tifanel: How 'bout we make some bets instead?
Thorn: What do you mean?
Tifanel: You know the Hell Demons-Fleet Demons war goin' on right now. Who do you think'll win? I say the Hell Demons.
Thorn: Me too, I remember your reaction when I told you about them.
Falos: No, I think the Fleet Demons have a fair chance of winning; they have all sorts of sneaky tricks up their sleeves.
Tifanel: No way! The Hell Demons kick ass!
Kuja: Whoever wins, it doesn't matter, as we're all screwed whatever happens.
Thorn: Well, I'm not betting. I spent all my money on something for… I shouldn't be telling you this.
Kuja: Well it's a good thing I'm not interested.
Thorn: Your mouth isn't even connected to your brain, is it?
Kuja: If it wasn't, how am I talking?
Thorn: Through your arse, mostly.
Kuja: *In a silly, childish voice.* "I'm like rubber and you're like glue. Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you."
Thorn: Is that the best comeback you could come up with?
Kuja: I don't have time to come up with them.
Thorn: Okay...
Kuja: And right now, I don't feel like being immature.
Thorn: So you're not feeling yourself then?
Kuja: To paraphrase someone who should be familiar to you, why don't you stop wasting your energies on being vindictive and go screw yourself?
Thorn: I only said that to you because your energy attacks are about as strong as clouds. Unlike mine. *Sends a bolt of concentrated darkness in his direction, knocking him over.* So I'd start thinking up your own comebacks in future and stop taking other peoples.
Kuja: Ouch, in more ways the one.
Thorn: Believe me, big K, there's plenty more where that came from. *Leaves.*

*In the corridor, Thorn bumps into Laurenza.*
Laurenza: Hi Thorn.
Thorn: Hello Laurenza, are you feeling okay?
Laurenza: Yeah.
Thorn: I'm glad.
Laurenza: Is there something wrong?
Thorn: Nothing...
Laurenza: *Raises an eyebrow.* If you say so.
Thorn: Well, there is something I need to show you.
Laurenza: *Chuckles to herself.*
Thorn: Come on, it's... err... in my bedroom.
Laurenza: *Laughs a little louder.*
Thorn: Okay, lets settle this. It's blue.
Laurenza: Stand in the cold shower for too long? *Laughs again.*
Thorn: It's for the wedding.
Laurenza: Ooh.
Thorn: And what you were thinking about... That's for afterwards.
Laurenza: *Grins.*
*They head upstairs and stop outside Thorn's bedroom.*
Thorn: *Opens his door.*
Laurenza: *Goes in.*
Thorn: I thought I should buy you something nice, for the wedding, and as a sign of my gratitude for your acceptance. *He holds up a very pretty pale-blue wedding dress.*
Laurenza: *Squeals in a girlish way.* Oh, it's gorgeous, thank you!
Thorn: I'd hoped you'd like it.
Laurenza: I love it! *Hugs him.*
Thorn: *Hugs back.*
Laurenza: Heheh... I hope it fits.
Thorn: *Looks down at her figure.* I... err... think it will.
Laurenza: Hmmm, Mrs. Laurenza Thorizas. How does it sound?
Thorn: Beautiful, anything to do with you is.
Laurenza: Yeah, but it's half your name.
Thorn: That's true.
Laurenza: I like it.
Thorn: Me too.
Laurenza: *Flops onto his bed.* It's going to be a beautiful wedding, with flowers and music...
Thorn: *Joins her on the bed.*
Laurenza: And I'll have a beautiful outfit and a gorgeous husband.
Thorn: *Blushes.* I'll try to do the same, in the outfit department.
Laurenza: *Pulls him close and kisses him.*
Thorn: *Strokes her hair with his hands.*
*Falos pokes his head round the door.*
Falos: Um, your Highness... oh... I see your busy, I'll come back later.
Laurenza: Whatever it is, I'm sure it can wait.
Falos: All I'm here to say is that I've looked all over the castle, and I can't find Kuja anywhere.
Laurenza: Oh well, he's probably gone for a walk. I suggest you do the same…
Falos: Oh yes, of course. Sorry to bother you. *Leaves.*
*Thorn and Laurenza get busy.*

*The following day, the wedding preparations are moving along. The garden is being decorated and the food is being made. Soon, there is a knock at the castle gate.*
Tifanel: I'll get it. No, don't get up. Not that you would.
Thorn: Hmm...
Tifanel: *Goes to get the door and then comes back with a Kitsune girl following.*
Vixen: Hello, I am Vixen Gospel, a friend of the Queen's.
Thorn: So Laurenza does have a friend she can invite, that's good.
Vixen: Actually, I'm here because I was requested to proceed over the wedding.
Thorn: So, Laurenza did invite you. Pleased you could come. I am Thorn Thorizas.
Vixen: Pleased to meet you. I take it you're the groom, then.
Thorn: Yes, I am.
Vixen: I believe you have encountered my son, Ayden, before. He's a White Mage. He came here one day, with Levanté's troop...
Thorn: Hmm...
Vixen: I hope he wasn't any trouble.
Thorn: *Smiles.* No trouble at all.
Vixen: Well, shall we go find her majesty and inform her of my arrival?
*Thorn summons everyone to them, and there is a flash. Everyone appears, minus Kuja, who hasn't come back since going out.*
Laurenza: Vixen, it's nice to see you again.
Vixen: You too. *They hug.* So, when's it all happening then?
Laurenza: As soon as possible, I should think. How's today for everyone? *Grins.*
Thorn: *Smiles.*
Tifanel: Well, I was going to the hairdressers, but it can wait.
Laurenza: Well, we should get ready then.
Thorn: How about outside, for the actual ceremony?
Laurenza: Yeah, that'd be great.
Thorn: Then I must attend to something... *He leaves.*
Vixen: Wow, you bagged a good one there.
Laurenza: I know. Ooh, I better change into my outfit. Vixy, will you come help?
Vixen: Sure.
Tifanel: Can I come? *Grins.*
Laurenza: Pervo. *Thwaps him.*

*Thorn is outside planting nice flowers and making them bloom Magickally. Falos comes up behind him, dressed in smart robes.*
Falos: Oooh, pretty.
Thorn: Thank you. Now, I must get ready. *Teleports up to the castle.*

*Later, Thorn emerges from his room. Thorn is wearing a very sharp black suit, with a silky red cravat and matching shirt. He also has his hair tied back. At the end of the castle grounds stands an altar of some sort. Vixen is stood there in white robes. The door to Laurenza's room is closed and Tifanel is leaning on it looking very impatient.*
Thorn: You're waiting for the Queen?
Tifanel: Yeah, I'm supposed to be walking her up to the altar or somethin'. God, women take so long getting dressed.
Thorn: Well, I'd better go and take my place. *Leaves.*
*Out in the grounds, Falos has joined Vixen up at the front, and it also appears that some musicians has arrived.*
Falos: Are you nervous?
Thorn: A little.
Falos: What are you nervous about?
Thorn: Nothing really, now you mention it. I suppose I have nothing to be worried about.
Falos: Yeah, you're going to be very happy together.
Thorn: I think the only thing we have to worry about is...
Falos: Hmm?
Thorn: Has there been any sign of Kuja?
Falos: Not since he left.
Thorn: Part of me hopes I'll never see him again, and the other part wants to apologise.
Falos: Maybe he'll come back soon. *There is a pause. Falos starts whistling for a while.* Sorry, I get a little bored when I have to wait.
Thorn: I don't think the Queen will be long.
*The back door of the castle opens.*
Thorn: Hmm?
*Tifanel and Laurenza walk out.*
Thorn: *Faces Vixen as the wedding march plays.*
Laurenza: *Steps up next to Thorn.*
Vixen: We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Laurenza and Thorn. There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls, has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. Love is anterior to Life, posterior to Death, initial of Creation and the exponent of Dalimoor. If we learn no more in life, let it be this. Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Thorn and Laurenza have come here today to be joined as one in marriage. Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own will and if she has her family's blessing. Laurenza, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?
Laurenza: Yes, it is true.
Vixen: With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you?
Tifanel: She comes with me, her Guardian, and I'm sure if they were here today she would be accompanied by all of her family's blessings.
Vixen: Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember: Like a stone should your love be firm like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for the Divine Spirits are with you always. Thorn, I have not the right to bind thee to Laurenza, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring on her hand.
Thorn: *Slips his hand into his pocket and draws out a sparkling diamond ring, which he places on Laurenza's third finger of her left hand.* It is my wish, that I be bound to Laurenza.
Vixen: Laurenza, if it be your wish for Thorn to be bound to you, say so and place the ring on his finger.
Laurenza: *Places ring on thorn's left ring finger.* It is my wish, that I be bound to Thorn.
Vixen: Thorn, repeat after me: I, Thorn Thorizas, in the name of the Spirits that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee Laurenza Rendemal to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself.
Thorn: *Repeats.*
Vixen: Laurenza, repeat after me: I Laurenza Windsong Rendemal, in the name of the Spirits that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, Thorn Thorizas to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my chosen one. To desire and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself.
Laurenza: *Repeats.*
Vixen: *Hands a chalice to Thorn.* May you and your bride drink your fill from the cup of love.
*They drink from the chalice.*
Vixen: By the power vested in me by the state and the Spirits, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you.
Thorn: *Holds Laurenza in his arms and kisses her.*
*There is applause and Tifanel whistles. The musicians start playing some jazzy music. Vallisto and Arkun come down the path wheeling a trolley heaving with food.*
Vallisto: We spent ALL DAY in the kitchen making this.
Arkun: Tell us what you think.
Thorn: *Takes a chicken drumstick and bites into it.* Good.
Arkun: Glad you like it.
Vallisto: If you didn't, we would've made you like it...
Thorn: *Smiles.*
Falos: *Walks up to Thorn.* Congratulations, your Highness.
Thorn: Well, I may not have gone through with it if it weren't for you. You encouraged me to stay in the first place, remember?
Falos: Yes, I remember. It seems like a long time ago now.
Thorn: It does.
*Tifanel opens a bottle of champagne with a pop.*
Tifanel: Let's get this party started!
Vallisto: *Pours out some into glasses and passes them around.* A toast to the newly wed King and Queen!
Thorn: To us...*Chinks his glass with Laurenza.*