NationStates Jolt Archive

The wedding of a lifetime. Today marked the day Prince Deric and his long time girlfriend Alexandria Stark, the daughter of the Lord Governor of Wolfingrad in The Transylvania were to be wed in a lavish and big ceremony in the Northern-Maraque District of Super City, at the Kingdom Gardens Shrine.

The Kingdom Gardens Shrine was a three story palactial grey stone structure that resembled a house out of a horror movie. The enormous, 55 feet tall dark oak doors were as imposing as the rest of the structure, the stained glass windows depicting various images of people in different positions and agles lined the walls of the inside of the large, dark building. The only light from candles mounted on the walls, and a small skylight above.

Guests of the bride sat on the left, as guests of the groom sat on the right. Among the grooms guests were his sister Siv, his brothers Jovan and Krister, his fathers Stephen and Keiffer, as well as his grandparents Shelby and Douglas, among others.

Derics father Stephen would proside over the ceremony, as well, his brothers Krister and Jovan would be his best man and ring bearer respectively. The setting was much like a church; an aisle, with rows of dark oak benches with cushioned satin seat covers.

Then there was Deric, in his private room getting dressed in his finest; a pure snow white dress shirt, followed by a very nice dark red silk tie and light grey vest. On top of that was a black dress coat, a dark red silk handkerchief in his breast pocket, followed by black slacks and the shiniest dress shoes one has ever seen. Platinum cuff links followed, and then he waited.

Meanwhile, outside thousands of Maraqueans stood outside the Kingdom Gardens Shrine to catch a glimpse of the Prince and his bride, for many in the Empire loved the Royal Family dearly and wanted only the best for them. Several auditoriums across the country were filled to capacity as millions packed them to watch the wedding from several live feeds, including the 600,000 seat Super City Superdome in midtown Super City.

The hot and young Alexandria (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/CountJWolf/AlexandriaStark.jpg), a Captain of the Dominion Armed Forces, looked at herself in the mirror. She looked at her dress (http://www.dessy.com/collections/destination/1005/1005_white.jpg), the blue diamond necklace that her god-father, Count JWolf, gave her and costs one point five million USD, the two diamond earrings, another gift from that Count, and her long red hair in place for her big day.

As she looked at her dress, her side in the Kingdom Gardens Shrine were being filled by her guests. Her father in a black and red high dollar suit, Lord Governor Robert Stark (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/CountJWolf/RobertStark.jpg), sat with his second wife and mother of Alexandria, a forty year old looking red hair in red dress. Anybody could see where Alexandria got her looks from.

A few seats down, Alexandria’s half-brother, Sir Tony Stark (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/CountJWolf/SirStark.jpg) sat with his ten year younger blonde wife in a green dress. Tony was wearing his Dominion Dress Uniform of the Armed Forces (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/CountJWolf/DDU.jpg) with his medals and the symbol of the 12th Blood Dragons (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/CountJWolf/12th.jpg), he was retired but he liked to show his military pride. Tony was thirty-eight years old and a few years younger then his father’s second wife. That made him mad at first, but the past is the past.

In the row behind Robert, there was another one of Alexandria’s half-brothers. Colonel Chris Stark (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/CountJWolf/ChrisStark.jpg), a member of the Dominion Armed Forces’ Command, wearing a black pin-stripe suit. His wife was not there as she was doing something for him, a multiple million dollar deal for his father-in-law.

Tony and Chris were the only Starks that could make it to the wedding with their father. One was off the radar and the rest had other things to do, but they did give their younger sister their best wishes.

The rest of the seats were fitted with Alexandria’s army mates of the 10th Rayse Tigers (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/CountJWolf/10th.jpg). Each one in their Dominion Dress Uniform with their symbol on them.

But the special guest was the God-Emperor and the Lord Marshall, Count JWolf (http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/5993/countjwolf6xn.jpg), whom told Alexandria that he couldn’t made it. She would be shocked to see his cowboy looking self next to her father.

OOC: Sorry, it took so long to the post up. School has been messing with my head. Finals start Tuesday for me, so this will be last day I’m going to post on NS until Friday.

OOC: That's quite fine. It's no problem at all.

IC:

There was a knock at the door of Derics private quarters.

"Come in," Deric said, as his father Stephen came through.

"Deric, my boy." The old, yet sophisticated former Emperor said. "This is such a big step in your quest to adulthood... I am really proud of you and how far you have come in your life. This moment is one of the proudest for a parent, and I just wanted to tell you how happy I am to see you do this." The former Emperor said.

"Thanks dad... it means a lot. Really. I'm very happy and I believe she's the one. I really do. I can't believe how nervous I am though..."

"Deric... it is human nature to be nervous in times such as this. It is not foolish in the slightest." Stephen said, embracing his son. "I'll leave you now to prepare. I've got to go take my place. See you soon."

"Bye dad. See you."

Meanwhile, Princess Siv and Prince Krister were outside greeting all the guests, introducing themselves to the brides family and talking of Deric and funny memories during his childhood.

"Once, when Deric was about 2 years old, he some how escaped outside and he was running around the courtyard with his diaper falling off, and he was as funny as ever. It was quite a funny moment." Prince Krister remarked, among laughs.

Then a loudspeaker came on, a soft voice announcing:

The wedding will begin in five minutes. Everyone please return to their seats. The wedding will begin in five minutes.

"Oh, we've better get to our places then Krister." Princess Siv said, grasping his hand as they said goodbye and walked off and sat in the front row beside the stage.

At that moment, a burst of beautiful sunlight came dashing through the skylight as the Kingdom Garden Shrine was completely taken into the light.

"Amazing." Prince Krister remarked to Siv. "That's incredible." She remarked, looking at her 12 children who were equally mesmerized by the sudden light coming through the Shrine. "It must be the Gods..." whispered Keiffer.

The bell tower rang with a strong bellow of sound as the ceremony officially began. The entire Shrine fell silent as a soft flute started to play, the traditional Maraquean instrument.

Meanwhile, Deric emerged from his private quarters still nervous as ever, as he made his way down the hall to finally see his soon-to-be wife, and walk her down the aisle... another Maraquean tradition. He turned the corner, and was completely awe-struck.

"Alexandria... you look so beautiful," was all Deric could muster, even though he knew that was an understatement. "I can't believe how gorgeous you are..."

Alexandria's engagement ring (http://www.myjewelz.com/image/Diamond_Rings_146.jpg) let off a beautiful sparkle as the doors to the Shrine opened, the sounds of the flute becoming more pronounced as a sign of their arrival. The pair walked slowly down the long aisle, admiring the sheer enormity of the Shrine and everyone inside.

Once at the stage, Emperor Jovan and Prince Krister clasped Alexandria's hands, as they helped her up the five small steps. Deric joined her side once again as they stepped towards his father. Then he spoke:

"Ladies and Gentlemen. The Grand Royal Union of Prince Deric H. Norris, and Alexiandria Stark will now begin..." Stephen said.

"We are gathered here today to witness the coming together of two people, Prince Deric H. Norris and Captain Alexandria Stark, whose hearts and spirits are entwined as one. They now desire to profess before all the world their intention henceforth to walk the road of life together.

To these two young people, this marriage signifies the birth of a new spirit, a spirit which is a part of each of us, yet not of any one of us alone. This "birth of spirit" reminds us of spring, the season when all life is reborn and looms again. It is appropriate, therefore, that this wedding of Prince Deric H. Norris and Captain Alexandria Stark be in the spring, and that it be under the open sky, where we are close to the earth and to the unity of life, the totality of living things of which we are part.

The beliefs and thoughts about love which motivate these two people are perhaps best expressed in the words of poet Kahlil Gibran:



"You were born to be together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in your silent memory.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heaven dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bondage of love.
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup, but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread, but eat not of the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone, though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping,
For only the hand of life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together,
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in shadow."

Stephen to Alexandria:
Do you Alexandria, knowing this man's love for you and returning it, realizing his strengths and learning from them, recognizing his weaknesses and helping him to overcome them, take Deric to be your lawfully wedded husband?

OOC: Finals are over and I just remember about this thread. Sorry for the bad post.

IC: Alexandria looked at the Emperor then back at Deric. There was a happy smile on her face, one of the first in a long time. She hasn’t smiled like that in a very long time. She was a soldier, not a cheerleader. She had no reason to smile during her military career, but this was the right time for a smile.

“I do with all the love in my heart.” she said. Her heart was racing as she was nervous like any other bride on their wedding day.

OOC: It's not a bad post.

IC:

Stephen to Alexandria:
Place the ring on his finger.

Jovan stepped forward, allowing Alexandria to take the ring off the satin pillow it graced, and placed it on Derics finger.

Stephen to Deric:
Do you Deric, knowing this woman's love for you and returning it, realizing her strengths and learning form them, recognizing her weaknesses and helping her to overcome them, take Alexandria to be your lawfully wedded wife?



Deric was still as nervous as ever, standing there in total amazement that this day had finally arrived... looking around at everyone in the room, he turned back towards his father and said; "I do."

Stephen:
Place the ring on her finger. Let these rings serve as locks–not binding you together–but as keys, unlocking the secrets of your hearts for each other to know, and thus bringing you closer together forever.

And now Alexandria and Deric, seeking the fulfillment of love and marriage, find again that the poet Gibran speaks for them:


"Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks to another day of loving.
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home eventide with gratitude, and then sleep with a prayer
For the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips."

I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.

And with that, Deric and Alexandria officially ended the ceremony with a long, beautiful kiss that left many in tears. The Royal Union of Maraque and Transylvania was now officially complete, and the reception now began.

Everyone left the Kingdom Gardens Shrine one by one in a line of royalty that spanned many years, cameras lights flashing every moment from excited onlookers and paparazzi who wanted to capture the moment. The bride and groom left in a Bentley Arnage RL (http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2005/2005-Bentley-Arnage-Limousine-FA-1024x768.jpg) limousine, and several dozen Rolls Royce Phantoms (http://news.caradisiac.com/IMG/jpg/Rolls-Royce-Phantom-1-3.jpg) and Maybach 62 S' (http://s2.desktopmachine.com/pics/Maybach03_62-1280.jpg) pulled up to take all the guests to the reception across town at the Grand Imperial Palace at 002 Imperial Street, the new home of Prince Deric and his newly crowned wife, Princess Alexandria of Maraque and Dutchess of Atrons.

As the royal couple were in their really, really nice car and heading towards the Grand Imperial Palace, the other guests were leaving to. Alexandria’s military mates were leaving to get into the vehicles that would take them to the palace. She was not friends or knew everybody in her division of the army, but it was mostly the ones she had gone through boot camp with. Her commanding officer was there.

Chris looked out as he walked down the stairs, heading towards his waiting car. His little sister is now married to some royal prince, but he wasn’t happy. He wanted Alex to marry a proud fighter Dominionite, not some prince of another nation.

“Smile, my boy.” said the Count walking beside him. He looked into the face of his god-son and smiled. “This is a happy day, Chris.”

“You know why I’m not happy, my lord.” said Chris, still without out a smile.

“It was your sister that picked her man.” said the Count.

“I know, but I don’t like it. I hope he treats her right or…” said Chris, but was stopped mid thought.

“He will have deal with me, my son,” said the Count, whom then placed his black cowboy hat on Chris’ head, “Hold that for me.”

Then JWolf heads down the stairs to a waiting all white racing motorcycle. He hopes on and places the black full helmet on before he fired the bike up. He released the brake and took off, followed by his police escort that is, if they can keep up with him.

The rest of the Stark clan began to get into their vehicles to travel to the palace. And Chris had a smile on his face, now.

When the couple finally arrived at the Grand Imperial Palace, Deric exited the vehicle first, and then proceeded to help Alexandria out. "Here you are, my love," Deric said while doing so.

The car pulled off as more cars started to arrive. Deric led Alexandria inside, leading her into the reception hall which was lit by a chandelier laden with gold and diamonds. The wood floor was so shiny at first glance you thought you were stepping onto a stream of water. At the end of the room was a long table which is where Alexandria and Deric would be sitting, along with all of their family. The guests would sit in the main reception area, which the long table overlooked from an elevated area.

Deric helped Alexandria into her seat, as more and more guests started to come in, the bride and groom greeting them and thanking them for coming.

Several members of the Maraquean royal family eventually made their way up; fathers Stephen and Keiffer, brothers Jovan and Krister, sister Siv, his 12 nieces and nephews, his grandparents Douglas and Shelby, his aunt and uncle Juliane and Christopher, among many more.