|
|
Post by greenie on Nov 21, 2009 7:58:40 GMT 10
*squees* Yay, they're married!  Can't wait to see the final chapter! |
|
|
|
Post by ubiquitous on Nov 21, 2009 11:05:52 GMT 10
This is so sweet. I love that he keeps the ribbon with him. And the 'tradition' - squee! Wicked!Wyldon is so awesome! ♥ |
|
|
|
Post by Lisa on Nov 22, 2009 0:20:47 GMT 10
A/N: Happy Wyldon Winter, everyone!! ;D This is the last chapter in the saga of Wyldon & Vivenne's story - and I have to thank everyone who's been so encouraging & kind with their feedback. I'm relieved that stodgy old Wyldon could have a believable beautiful romance in his youth and be enjoyed by many. Thank you!!!
Chapter Nine: Negotiations and Love Songs
The evening was a cheery one, and Vivenne was grateful. It would be hard to pretend to be somber when her heart was so light. The peace negotiations were going well, it seemed, judging by the relaxed expressions on the delegates’ faces. At dinner she was seated next to the prince again, and he told her that they hoped to have the final draft of the treaty written and maybe even signed in the morning. “If all goes according to plan,” Duke Gareth added, from her left. “There is still room for disagreement.”
“But soon you will be rid of your pesky visitors,” the prince said with a smile. “And your life can return to normal.”
She grinned back at him, amused at how wrong he was. “You assume that your group is unwelcome, but I assure you it has been delightful.”
Throughout the previous week she had spent her dinners refraining from gazing at Wyldon. She watched him only when he spoke, and occasionally snuck glances when she was certain few people would notice. But now she looked at him deliberately, even giving him a secret smile, which he returned.
The afternoon with him had been overwhelming and amazing, and she couldn’t help but flush with joy at the memory. It wasn’t until after their second bout of lovemaking that they had removed the yellow ribbon, only then noticing the fine silver scars on both of their wrists, marking where they had been joined.
Wyldon had studied them in awe. “Do all married couples have them?” he asked, his voice reverent. “I’ve never noticed them before.”
But Vivenne understood. It was the Merciful Mother’s sanction – so they could later prove that their handfasting was legitimate in the Goddess’s eyes.
“How should we tell everyone?” he asked when she explained her theory.
“I’ll tell my family,” she answered. “But please give me some time – if they are unhappy they might send us both away. Let me have the time to ease them into the notion.”
And yet, now gazing at him across the table, she wanted nothing more than to shout to everyone that she married Wyldon of Cavall.
“Spirits are so high,” Count Leandre said loudly, “that I would like to add to them by announcing that I have accepted Lord Nikol’s offer of a marriage contract with my daughter, Vivenne.”
There was a gasp – Margarethe’s – and a clatter as Vivenne dropped her fork onto her plate. There was an awkward pause as she glanced around at table to see so many eyes on her; guests were whispering to each other. Lord Nikol beamed from his seat next to her father.
Her eyes flicked to Wyldon; his expression was stony as he watched Lord Nikol.
“I-I’m sorry Father, but I can’t,” she said, forcing herself to look at the head of the table. Her heart pounded and her palms were suddenly clammy.
The hum of murmurs around the table fell silent. Vivenne could feel eyes on her again.
“I am truly sorry for any offense, Lord Nikol,” she said, gazing at him levelly. “My father agreed to your offer before speaking to me. But I cannot enter an engagement.”
“Oh, Vivenne,” Lady Eiralys whispered, her eyes wide.
Lord Nikol rose to his feet, his expression furious. “What?”
Her father stood as well, laying a calming hand on Nikol’s shoulder. His dark eyes were dangerous as he demanded, “Why not?” His voice was low with rage.
Vivenne gulped. She could not recall ever seeing her father quite so angry. Her eyes flicked to her mother, who was pale. She could not bring herself to say the words that would scandalize the family. “I cannot,” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Vivenne,” her father glowered. “Explain yourself – why not?”
She opened her mouth to speak, but could find no words.
“Because she is already married,” Wyldon said, standing boldly.
“In my study,” her father ordered. “Now.”
***
“Where are you going?” Count Leandre asked pointedly when the prince followed Vivenne from the dining room and into the study.
“I’m sorry, my lord, but this is a matter that involves my countryman,” Jonathan replied coolly. “I can’t let him face the wrath of prominent Tusaine men without someone at his back.”
“And Duke Gareth?”
The prince shrugged. “Uncle Gareth is the King’s Champion – he is my father’s voice and sword arm when he is unable to travel. Should anything become political in this conversation, Duke Gareth has the right to speak on behalf of the king’s interests.”
“This is madness!” Nikol cried angrily. “This is a personal matter, not an international one! You speak of politics when it’s more the question of a girl’s disobedience!”
“By marrying a man of Tortall,” Duke Gareth pointed out. “Let us see how this plays out before we assume it’s a simple family affair.”
Vivenne’s cheeks burned. She stood between her father and Lord Nikol in front of the large mahogany desk. The Tortallans were sandwiched between them and her father’s personal guards, who stood on either side of the door. She found reassurance in Wyldon’s steady gaze. He mouthed, “It’s all right.” She understood him: the Goddess recognized their handfasting, and therefore it was not something her father or Nikol could thwart.
Her father finally addressed her, looking down his beak-like nose. “Have you married this man?” he asked, his voice low and stern. She had never seen him glare so furiously at her; she could not imagine him forgiving this transgression.
“Yes, Father,” she answered bravely. She pulled up the silk sleeve of her gown, showing the silver scar to her father and Lord Nikol. “This was burned into my wrist after the handfasting,” she explained. “Wyldon has a matching scar.”
Nikol towered ominously over her. “Certainly he forced her!”
“Of course not,” she replied loftily. “The Goddess would not have left her mark on us if I hadn’t entered the marriage freely.”
“We can have it annulled,” her father said darkly. It was not common for a marriage to be terminated in the Goddess’s temple, but it wasn’t unprecedented, if the couple had not consummated their union.
“We can’t,” Vivenne said, hearing Wyldon’s voice overlap her words with the same phrase. She glanced at him; he did not blush as she did.
Nikol moved quickly, slapping her across the face. She staggered and fell back against her father, holding a hand to her stinging cheek. Her father’s arms moved protectively around her.
Wyldon charged at Nikol, but was not the first to reach him: Prince Jonathan and Duke Gareth flanked the lord, each of his arms held in their grip. The prince pressed a letter opener to the large man’s throat. “You dare to strike a woman, let alone a woman with the Great Mother’s mark on her flesh?”
“This is how you repay the men who fought to keep your country intact?” Nikol demanded of Vivenne, his voice shaking with rage as he fought against the men’s restraint. “This is how you thank the men who shed blood for your honor? You’re a traitorous little bitch!”
“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you right now, Nikol,” Wyldon growled.
“Get off me!” Nikol shouted, trying to break free, but Jonathan’s hold tightened.
“If I let go of you,” Jonathan said icily, “it will be either to have you taken to a temple court or to hand you over to Sir Wyldon.”
“While she has imprudently become your wife, Sir Wyldon, I am still her father and she is mine to defend.” Her father motioned for the guards. Vivenne noted, even in her shock, that they had not moved to restrain the Tortallans, but waited with swords out, glaring at Lord Nikol. They stepped forward and began to wrap his hands in a leather thong. “Take him to the nearest temple. The warrior-maidens of the Goddess will deal out his punishment.”
No one spoke while Nikol was dragged from the room. Her father hugged her protectively. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize his character sooner,” he murmured. “I should have asked you how you felt about him before accepting his offer.”
He released her, frowning. “But we still have this to address,” he said, gesturing helplessly to Wyldon.
“There’s little to discuss,” Vivenne said boldly, raising her chin defiantly. “You can’t end it simply because you don’t like it. I’m of the age to marry by Tusaine law and our appeal to the Goddess would be recognized in any court in the Eastern Lands.”
Her father frowned. “I’m not happy with this at all, Vivenne.”
Prince Jonathan spoke up, his face determined. “I know an argument between a young woman and her father should not involve diplomats, but I feel we must speak up – it was, after all, a member of our delegation who made the offence.”
Count Leandre stared at him with confusion.
“There is still one sticking point in our treaty, and that is the issue of rights to travel freely through the borderlands east of the Drell River. Tortall would prefer no access, still cautious after the months of war that crippled the border towns. The people of Tusaine naturally fight for access to that river, as you have no ports.
“This was a crucial point with my father and his council. We were to agree to limited access – trade only, no military units or supplies – if Tusaine offered something in return. But as of yet nothing has been suggested to warrant any bend in our stance.”
Vivenne wasn’t completely certain where the prince was taking the conversation, but she liked the small smile that crossed Duke Gareth’s face. Looking at her husband, she saw a curious expression as his dark eyes flicked from the prince to her father and back.
“We would offer this exchange: do not challenge the marriage of Lady Vivenne to a Tortallan noble. She will remain married to the man of her choosing and you will treat it as though you had chosen him yourself. He is a good man from an honorable family, and I believe you would have seen him as an ideal match, were it not for this war and his nationality.
“And in return,” he continued, “we will allow trade access to the Drell River.” His bright eyes rested on the count’s face. Vivenne wasn’t quite sure why he would make this offer, knowing that their marriage would be defended in any temple or court. “Is this something you could agree to?”
“It’s something to consider,” her father replied, looking thoughtfully at the prince. “Vivenne, are you sure? Do you love this man?”
“Yes,” she replied emphatically, reaching out to take Wyldon’s hand in her own.
“We should get to work, then,” her father said after a long moment studying Vivenne. He gestured for everyone to take seats. “Let us work out the details.”
***
Vivenne had no ideas of what qualified as a substantial dowry, but she could tell from Duke Gareth’s expression that her father’s initial offer was barely adequate.
He had begun to respond, but she interrupted. “No dowry is necessary if my father lets me take my horses with me.”
The duke looked at her, surprise and disappointment etched on his face. “This isn’t a time for sentimentality,” he advised. “Sir Wyldon must be financially compensated for agreeing to provide for you until the end of your life.”
Count Leandre scowled. “Had Sir Wyldon spoken to me before taking matters into his own hands I would have been happier to oblige. But Vivenne does not plead for beasts she loves to ride. She is more far-thinking than you credit her.”
“What do you mean?” asked Prince Jonathan, leaning forward in his chair.
“He means that I would like to keep my stallion and three mares because I have every intention to breed more,” Vivenne answered. “They were gifted to me, and I would ask to take them with me when I leave for Tortall.”
“What do you make of this, Wyldon?” the prince asked.
“I expected nothing but her hand in marriage,” he answered honestly. “Whatever makes Vivenne happy will please me.”
Her father smiled, seemingly glad to finally be at the better end of this arrangement. “I would agree to that.”
“But I do not,” Duke Gareth replied coldly. “Your daughter is accustomed to a lifestyle that is more opulent than that of Cavall, if you will pardon me, Sir Wyldon, for saying so. Wyldon is an heir, certainly, but right now he is only a knight. Would you have your daughter sell her earbobs so that she might have dresses for the new season? And when they have children – would you want her to be unable to travel to Drell Valley so that she might raise these children knowing their family?”
Vivenne did not know what to make of her father’s expression. He was uncomfortable, at least.
“While I can completely understand that you would not want to grant the considerable dowry you might have in normal circumstances,” the duke continued. “And while we will make accommodation for any horses you give Lady Vivenne, we would still expect some kind of financial acknowledgement of their union in order to proceed with the peace treaty.”
Her father sighed. “I offer her half of what I am giving as her sister’s dowry, adjusted, naturally, for the inclusion of the cost of the animals. My instinct is to give less than that, but I understand that there are things we are unprepared for – her bridal trousseau, for example.” He took a sheaf of paper and pen, compiling a list. “There are, of course, things she will be taking with her – clothing, some jewelry, personal effects – we will have those packaged and ready to leave when the delegation sets out. Unless you would like to stay longer, my dear.”
Vivenne exchanged glances with Wyldon. He nodded slightly, as if telling her it was her decision to make. “I would prefer to stay after the delegation leaves,” she answered. “It will give me a few more days with my family. Including you, Father.”
Her father nodded and slid the paper to Duke Gareth, who gave it to Sir Wyldon without glancing at it.
Wyldon’s eyes read over the list twice before he spoke. “This is an acceptable offer as far as I am concerned,” he said, giving the sheet back to the duke.
Duke Gareth nodded curtly upon his review. “Satisfactory,” he agreed. “Now we will have to incorporate all of this into the final treaty. You will have access to the river, as Prince Jonathan indicated. And if you don’t mind, Sir Wyldon, Lady Vivenne, my prince,” he bowed slightly, “Leandre and I need to work out the language of this contract.”
The three of them stood, Jonathan and Wyldon bowing while Vivenne curtseyed. She kissed her father’s cheek, then left his study with Wyldon and the prince. They paused in the hall when Wyldon suddenly stopped short.
“Your highness,” he said haltingly. “I-I thank you for doing everything in your power to assist us.”
Prince Jonathan smiled casually. “I should thank you two, actually. This treaty would not have been accepted without addressing the river rights – my father did not ask me to withhold them, either. But I didn’t want to offer as easy a settlement as he had suggested; the last thing we need is another war because my father is too lenient and others continue to think Tortall can be easily marched over. I thought that if the leaders of Tusaine felt they were paying a precious price, it would be worth throwing into the treaty. And you, Lady Vivenne of Cavall, are precious to us all.”
Vivenne blushed, unsure if she should admire or be wary of this man.
“Someday I will repay this debt,” Wyldon insisted.
“Yes,” Jonathan agreed, appraising him. “I will remember you, Wyldon, if I ever need to call upon you. But for now think no more of it. You have much to celebrate.” He sauntered back to the dining room, where the nobles were still twittering over the day’s revelations.
And suddenly it seemed as though it had been days since she and Wyldon had been alone. She threw herself into him, twining her arms around his neck as his own firmly encircled her waist. “Lady Vivenne of Cavall,” he said against her ear, his voice scratched with wonderment. Then, with a laugh, he spun her around in sheer delight, adding to her dizziness with the fiercest kiss she’d yet had from him. She answered in kind, gleefully realizing that there were endless kisses still to be had.
- The End -
|
|
|
|
Post by greenie on Nov 22, 2009 9:36:32 GMT 10
*squees* Yay, awesomeness! This is so sweet.  |
|
|
|
Post by Lisa on Nov 22, 2009 10:11:56 GMT 10
Eee, thank you, Ren!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! |
|
|
|
Post by ubiquitous on Nov 22, 2009 12:48:56 GMT 10
I just love this, the foreshadowing, the drama, everything. I've really enjoyed this fic so much, and I'm totally giddy with squee at the ending. ♥ |
|
|
|
Post by Lisa on Nov 22, 2009 13:17:42 GMT 10
Omigosh, thank you Isha!! ♥ I'm really grateful that I've had you to support me in my Wyldon-love over the last month - it was really instrumental in giving me the momentum to finish this monstrosity! I'm terribly glad and grateful that you like it so much!
|
|
|
|
Post by darkakane on Nov 22, 2009 15:04:14 GMT 10
Monstrosity! How could you say that!  Heh, as I said before... addicted... I think I'm in love ! Wyldon just became a very fascinating creature to me... |
|
|
|
Post by Lisa on Nov 23, 2009 0:44:21 GMT 10
Hahaha! I say "monstrosity" only because it was so huge and was eating my brain for months.  I'm pleased with the final result - don't get me wrong. ^_^;; Music to my ears!! ^___^ My sister was beta-reading this (though she isn't really into TP fandom - she's just a damn good writer) and she never understood my Wyldon-fascination. But as soon as I pointed out that he's only 21 or so in this fic, she began leaving comments like "He's so hot" in her feedback. LOL! All you have to do is change perspectives a bit and Wyldon reveals his shades of awesome. (At least, that's what I think!) |
|
|
|
Post by ubiquitous on Nov 23, 2009 9:20:51 GMT 10
Thank you for finishing it!!! I'm glad to have been a help, though I don't know how much I've really done so.  I love this fic to bits, and I'm absolutely a Vivenne fan now. |
|
|
|
Post by journeycat on Nov 23, 2009 9:30:19 GMT 10
Ahhh this is epic and wonderful and just gorgeous! You made Wyldon and Vivenne just totally perfect for each other without changing their character - Wyldon is as stoic and cool as ever, but much more easygoing in his youth. And the liberties you took with Vivenne are just so fantastic. I absolutely adore it! |
|
|
|
Post by Lisa on Nov 23, 2009 12:05:54 GMT 10
Being on AIM to listen to me chatter about Wyldon non-stop has been nice. ;D I'm glad you've found yourself liking Vivenne. The canon doesn't give us a heck of a lot, but any woman who loves Wyldon and would threaten to leave him if he idles about is a winner in my book. ^ You have no idea how pleased I am to see you write this. I worried that people would think Wyldon a bit too light-hearted, a bit too open - but he's so young in this story and he's not burdened by duty yet. He still has his impassive expressions and his seriousness about being a knight, but I wanted to make him the kind of fellow who would look at his daughter and say "why yes, you can marry this young knight who's a total hellion because you're in love with him!" ;D I had to give him his own sweeping romance. I'm so glad you enjoyed it - I haven't felt so proud of a fic in a long time. |
|
Minuit
Knight
Helping George out of the Closet
*splat*
Posts: 2,011
|
Post by Minuit on Nov 25, 2009 14:55:37 GMT 10
*squeeeee* OMG This is absolutely gorgeous!!!
♥ *swoon* ♥
I have no words to say how much I love this. ;D Amazing work!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Lisa on Nov 25, 2009 23:04:53 GMT 10
Aw, thank you, Minuit!! ::catches you as you swoon:: I'm really happy that you enjoyed it so much!! ♥
|
|
|
|
Post by Lisa on Nov 29, 2009 1:10:58 GMT 10
Oh, you're too sweet!! ::glomps:: To be honest, I really miss it, too.  It was so much fun to write, even when it frustrated me and made me hate it. |
|
|
|
Post by theantichris on Jan 19, 2010 10:52:06 GMT 10
Finally had time to read this, and it's absolutely gorgeous! I love the world-building as much as the romance, and Tammy should totally draft you when she needs new names. *coughTrebondkidscough* And Jon being a jerk, because young!Jon kind of is, but already politically astute, and Wyldon considering himself in debt to him, and Nikol being a horrible horrible person in a patriarchally approved manner but getting punished for it (thank you, Goddess), and Vivenne's relationship with her siblings and her father's co-wives (not that I have any idea what it's like to have a bunch of stepmothers at the same time as a mother, but that dynamic rang very true) and and. omg.
Also, I totally want Elin to come and stay in Tortall and help set up the horse-breeding program.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lisa on Jan 19, 2010 11:00:27 GMT 10
Omigod, thank you so much Chris. I'm literally grinning from ear to ear because I'm so glad you enjoyed it! (and thank you so much re: names - it takes me a long time to come up with them!) I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it, and I'm reallyreally grateful that so many people have given Wyldon-fic the time of day. (I might have to make Elin come to Tortall in a fic some day, just for you!) |
|
|
|
Post by Sam-and-antha on Jan 20, 2010 14:15:42 GMT 10
Oh dear, See what you've done to me? I have never really been a Wyldon fan but I may be in love now.....Your story is amaizing
|
|
|
|
Post by jazzyjess on Jan 20, 2010 16:43:07 GMT 10
I can't remember the things I did/didn't say when I reviewed on ff.net, but I really enjoyed this fic on my second (and third!) time around! I will definitely have to keep it bookmarked... and maybe even save it to my hard drive just in case you remove it from the internet for some reason or another ;')
|
|
|
|
Post by Lisa on Jan 21, 2010 0:05:39 GMT 10
@ peuvaindesosse - Kyaaa! Mission accomplished. (my goal is, of course, to make everyone love Wyldon as much as I do.) I'm really grateful that you game it a try and found it enjoyable. Thank you so much!
@ Jess - I'm beyond flattered. #^_^# <- blush. There's nothing I love more than those fics that you print out or save because you love them *that* much, so to know that mine might be one of those is mindblowing. Thank you so much!
|
|
Zanna-Banna
Probationer Page
Loving the Kel love
Posts: 140
|
Post by Zanna-Banna on Feb 7, 2010 6:36:46 GMT 10
I don't like Kel/Wyldon (which is about 95% of the Wydon world), and that has lead me to a dislike of Wyldon. But here, with his wife, it's fantastic! Wydon is really in love which makes me happy, And Vivianne balances him out perfectly. Please write more about her, because Wyldon/Vivianne is probably my new fav pairing! Yay for happy marriages!
|
|
|
|
Post by Lisa on Feb 9, 2010 1:22:40 GMT 10
Thanks!! While I'm quite comfortable writing K/W, I can understand others not liking it. Wyldon/Vivenne on the other hand... that's one of my favorite pairings in all of Tammy-verse. I'll likely write quite a bit more, so be on the lookout! (and, uh, consider checking out anything posted here with "Cavall's Heart" in the title, as that story deals with married!Wyldon). Thank you so much for giving it a shot, and for liking and commenting!! |
|
I'm pleased with the final result - don't get me wrong. ^_^;;
Maybe once we'd have seen it during Smackdown!
Nov 4, 2021 5:04:36 GMT 10