[center][h1] [color=fff79a]The Wedding[/color] [/h1][/center]

Zach awoke and he kissed Niesha softly.[color=00aeef] "I need to get to the house to check on Sofia. I'm guessing she was up all night worrying." [/color]Zach kissed her once more and said,[color=00aeef]  "After that I'll find the preacher." [/color]Grinning he slid out of the bed and into his clothes. He looked back at her and thought she was just so beautiful. He turned to the door and hurried out worried that if he stayed any longer they would spend the day in bed. He locked her office on the way out and walked over to the  forge. 

Whistling happily he opened the door to the house. [color=00aeef] " Sof- You SON OF A BITCH!"[/color] Zach reached down and pulled a naked Kendrick out from under the covers on the floor disrupting his also naked sister's sleep. Sofia woke up and screamed grabbing the blankets to her. She jumped up and tried to get between Zach and Kendrick who by now was also very awake. Zach had his forging hammer out and was raising it to hit Kendrick when Sofia got in the way. Zach came inches from hitting her as he barely stopped it in time.

Kendrick moved quickly. As Sofia stood in between him and her brother, he quickly got dressed. He realized he was in his vigilante outfit, but he could not spend too much time dwelling on that. Kendrick pulled up his hood, and kissed Sofia on her neck.

[color=004b80]"Until the next time my dear."[/color]

Kendrick turned around and ran, out the door and into the nearest alley. He parkoured himself up the side of the building and hid on top of the roof.

Sofia stared at Zach with tears running down her face. The look on his face was so furious she went into her room and got dressed then left in a hurry. She looked at Zach on her way out and he was bent over the forge and he was so mad it scared her and she took off out of the city. She went to the lake and in her heart she knew he wasn't going to forgive her. Then a horrifying thought occurred to her. What if she got pregnant? The thought stopped her in her tracks and she stripped down into her underclothes and went into the water and scrubbed herself as clean as the cold water would allow her. She was shivering as she redressed herself and wrapped her cloak around her. She didn't even know how to contact Kendrick. She was positive both men must think her a whore now. She got back to the road and she looked at it and she turned to go to the castle. Maybe she could rent a room there then again she didn't know what Zach would do if she didn't come home.

Niesha watched Zach leave the room, knowing she should get up as well, but finding herself reluctant to do so. She just felt so...happy. The thought of someone coming in with a serious injury got her moving-she certainly didn't want to be barged in on naked-but still, she didn't hurry. She let her thoughts drift, going over the previous night, smiling to herself. 

She went into the office buildings, locking her rooms, thinking about what she should do, that day. Zach had said Sofia would help her with a dress...As she took the key out her rooms door, she looked up at the sound of a scream. Frowning, she got to the window in time to see someone running into an alley. She stared puzzled for a moment, and she hesitated, but when she saw Sofia hurrying off, Niesha quickly wrote a note, to inform anyone who came in she was out, before going over to the forge, and Zach. [color=f7941d]"What was all that?"[/color]

Zach looked up at her and his expression softened. He walked over to her and embraced her to him. He shoved his hand through his hair. He pulled her with him into the house and the picture started to become clear to Niesha what had happened. The blankets were on the floor there were a couple of mugs half full and Sofia's nightgown with the proof that her virginity was taken. He took a deep breath.[color=00aeef]  "I found them asleep in each other's arms naked."[/color] He sighed with a troubled heart.

[color=00aeef] "How am I supposed to find her a husband, especially now? He left, then she dressed and ran out too. I don't know what I'm going to do. My instincts were to kill him and Sofia jumped in the way and I almost hit her instead." [/color]He was shaking slightly at the thought that he had almost killed his sister.

Niesha took in the scene Zach showed her, probably in a different light then he had. She listened as he talked, turning to give him a hug, before saying [color=f7941d]"You should trust her to know what she is doing. Perhaps she merely wants the freedom to choose her own husband, like I did. I wouldn't be here, if I'd done what my father wanted."[/color] She said, [color=f7941d]"Don't push her away. You're going to condem her, for something we did as well?"[/color]

Niesha knew that it was somewhat different, but it didn't negate the fact they'd done it before they were officially married. [color=f7941d]"She was probably terrified, when you didn't come back home. And now she's probably terrified you'll never let her back"[/color]

Zach shook his head, [color=00aeef] "We are getting married. Do you know who that was she was with? I do! He is a former knight who was exiled!" [/color]He picked up his hammer and threw it at the furthest wall. 

[color=00aeef] "That's what the worst part is. I can't even make him marry her. I can't let him be with her. He is not fit to be with her!"[/color]

Zach wrapped his arms around Niesha and kissed her softly. [color=00aeef] "I don't mean to scare you or upset you. Let's go find the preacher." [/color]He smiled at her and took her by the hand and they left together.

Kendrick had leapt from rooftop to rooftop, sliding down walls, and hiding in obscure places when knights were around. He finally made it to his secret home, where he dressed in his day fashion. A normal, non special looking outfit with a brown cloak with a hood. Kendrick went out, hood up, and went to do his favorite past time. He went to his little hidy hole with a perfect view of the castle and castle entrance, and relived his favorite moments from when he was a knight.

As he sat there and day dreamed he spotted a familiar face. He looked harder and saw Sofia, walking towards the castle. Quick as the wind, he scurried out of his fond hidden place and skulked around until he was able to catch up to Sofia. Quickly, he walked up to her side and matched her stride. He could not risk getting too close to the castle, but they were a fair distance still.

Kendrick spoke softly. [color=004b80]"Hello my dear. Good to see you."[/color]

Sofia stopped and looked at him. She wrapped her arms around him and didn't let go. [color=f49ac2] "I'm sorry, I..I didn't mean for us to....he hates me now. He wouldn't even look at me. I don't even know if I can go back there."[/color] Sofia looked completely lost as to what to do.

Kendrick steered the opposite way of the castle and wrapped her in his arms. 

[color=004b80]"Fret not my dear. Your brother acted rationally. I cant say I wouldnt have done the same if I had a sister. He just needs time."[/color]

[color=f49ac2] "If you knew that would be his reaction then why?"[/color] Sofia couldn't understand why he would do that to her when he knew what it would mean for her future and how it would mess up her life. [color=f49ac2] "You were selfish and now I'm the one who is stuck paying for it."[/color] She looked away from him and wiped her eyes.

Kendrick raised an eyebrow, slightly confused.

[color=004b80]"First off, its not as though its a secret. Its.......kinda a common reaction. Like very common. And second I asked you if you consented. You could have cooled everything down by saying no but you didnt."[/color]

Sofia turned and looked at him.[color=f49ac2] "I remember you saying something but my head was so full of the feelings you had made appear that I didn't realize what you were asking me until you began."[/color] She looked at her feet thinking about how stupid she was. She knew they were attracted to one another but they just met so he couldn't love her so what was she supposed to do? 

She looked up at him and put her hand on the side of his face and kissed him tenderly. [color=f49ac2] "I want you to do well and be reinstated."[/color]

Kendrick smiled and picked up Sofia, carrying her bride style. 

[color=004b80]"You are the first person who has been this supportive of me in over two years. Why?"[/color]

Sofia held onto his neck as he carried her. [color=f49ac2]"Where are we going? And, I told you, I believe you are doing the right thing."
[/color]
Kendrick stopped walking and looked at Sofia.

[color=004b80]"Lets get married!"[/color]

Sofia was speechless. [color=f49ac2]"Ah-....but my brother....he isn't going to let me marry you! Are you sure he didn't hit you in the head this morning?"[/color] She clung to him wanting to stay with him but how could she?"

[color=004b80]"Then dont ask for his permission. I will earn his favor some way, but you are your own woman Sofia."[/color]

Kendrick walked for a little bit, looking for a priest to wed them.

Sofia blushed and she just had no idea what to think.[color=f49ac2] "You want to get married right now?" [/color]Sofia saw one of the clergy up ahead and asked him.[color=f49ac2] "Kendrick? Are you positive this is what you want to do? You barely know me. Where would we live?"[/color] The list of questions was about a mile long. She looked back up in time to see her brother and Niesha with the preacher. 

[color=f49ac2]"Kendrick,"[/color] she panicked.

As they walked Kendrick spoke.

[color=004b80]"Listen this may seem crazy but I feel our connection. And......I believe wholeheartily that my honor will be reinstated, and when it does I only want people who are trustworthy by my side. And I only want a women who cares for me, and cares for me in my darkest hour. How can I trust someone who spit on my name one day, and bows before me the next day?"[/color]

When he finished speaking, he saw the problem.

[color=f49ac2] "Stop a minute, who did that? Who spit on your name one day and bows before you the next? I'm not going to share my husband so if you are thinking that then you should put me down and walk away now."[/color] Her stomach was in knots and all it would take for all hell to break loose would be if her brother or Niesha looked up and saw her with him.

Kendrick did a double take.

[color=004b80]"No no no I didnt mean that. I meant how could I trust someone who claims to hate me one day and the next pays me praise. As in right now I am one of the most hated men in the kingdom. Soon I wont be. So how can I trust anyone. Which is why when I felt for the first time a bond with some, a bond strong and perfect, I knew we should wed."[/color]

Kendrick walked over to the priest. He winked at Sofia's brother then looked at the priest.

[color=004b80]"We wish to wed."[/color]

Zach was about to explode. [color=00aeef]"Put My sister down before I kill you outright."[/color] He was gritting his teeth trying not to scream at him in front of the priest. Sofia gave Niesha a look of irritation that said Help me. 

"[color=f49ac2]Niesha? Did you have a nice time last night? Did he give you the roses?"[/color] She decided to try the most insane thing she could think of, act normally. She did kind of wish that Kendrick would put her down. She wiggled in his arms as the priest looked from one couple to the other.

[color=f49ac2]"Zach, we want to be married so just let us. It's my life."[/color]

Zach looked at Kendrick and said, [color=00aeef]"We are going to settle something right here and now. Put her down and come with me!"[/color] Zach handed Niesha his weapons.

Kendrick set Sofia down, and just to piss him off he leaned in and kissed Sofia passionatley. Then he winked at her and walked with Zach.

[color=004b80]"Let us get to it."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"No weapons just fists. If you want to marry my sister you have to prove to me that you can protect her. And because I just want to beat the hell out of you right now."[/color] Zach was taller and more muscular than Kendrick was but he was a little bit slower. Still he occassionally entered fighting bouts and won. 

Kendrick was still a knight at heart, and he believed in honor in fights. Kendrick put a hand over his heart and bow his head slightly. The he raised his fists.

Zach looked at him and he watched his movements and he walked right up to him and punched him hard in the gut. Then he put all of his weight into his fist and he landed a punch that would have knocked almost every other guy out, but not this one. Zach went about going in for the third hit and before he connected it...

Kendrick took the hit in the gut, and recovered from it. He recieved another blow, but took it like a man. When Zach went in for his third hit, Kendrick struck. He closed any distance, grabbing his head and bringing it down, connecting it with his knee. This connected with Zachs nose. Blood splurted out from Zachs nose, but Kendrick did not stop. He threw one jab to Zachs side, then threw another punch to his other side, and for his third follow up attack he threw his palm at Zachs face.

Zach grabbed his arm and bent it backwards until he couldn't move it at all. Zach was pretty tough and there were people stopping to watch them in the street and he looked up and saw Niesha not looking very happy and his sister was biting her lip and looking worried. He picked Kendrick up still keeping his arm securely so it wouldn't move without breaking it. He stated in a low voice and said, [color=00aeef]"If you hurt my sister it will be the last thing you ever do." [/color]

Zach walked over to Niesha and pulled out a handkerchief and cleaned up his nose. He winced and put his nose back in place so that it was straight again. 

Watching the fight, Niesha could both understand it, and dislike it. It seemed worse, because of the fact it was so public. Guards could come up at any moment, although she wasn't sure they'd interrupt this. 

As it seemed to end as suddenly as they began, She sighed softly, watching Zach walk back over to her. [color=f7941d]"So, first you were angry because you couldn't do anything to get him to marry her, and now you're angry because he wants to?"[/color] She said, before saying [color=f7941d]"You have to stop the bleeding,or it'll just keep bleeding "[/color] She gave him a hug, glad he was okay. 

Sofia looked at her brother and went to Kendrick. She embraced him and asked,[color=f49ac2]" Are you alright? And are you still sure you want to do this?"[/color]

Kendrick stretched and checked himself for any permanent damage. He did not feel anything permenant but it didnt hurt to check. Then he looked Sofia in the eye.

[color=004b80]"Of course. I truly wish to do this. With you and only you."[/color]

Sofia embraced him and kissed him. They would figure the rest out she was sure. She walked over to Zach and bit her lip and hugged her brother.[color=f49ac2] "I love you Zach but let me do this."[/color] He grabbed her and pulled her to him and hugged her tightly. [color=00aeef]"If he ever hurts you..."[/color] She smiled, [color=f49ac2]"He won't. I promise you."[/color] When he let her go she turned to Niesha.[color=f49ac2]"Congratulations! and I'm sorry I know this is not what you would have wanted for your wedding."[/color]

Niesha smiled, [color=f7941d]"It's okay, really. All I need is Zach, and I'm happy"[/color] She said, more than truthfully, looking to him and her smile changed, becoming soft, loving. [color=f7941d]"More than happy"[/color]

The priest looked at the men with disapproval about the fighting but he appeared to like the excitement it brought. He cleared his throat. [color=f7941d]"Do we want to do the ceremony right here?"
[/color]

[color=00aeef]"If we could move this to the lake side I think it would be nicer."[/color]

The priest nodded and they followed him to the lake. 

Kendrick held Sofia's hand, and he walked with everyone down to the lake. He agreed it would be a much better place for the ceremony. He even took off his hood.

The priest asked [color=f7941d]"Who has the rights to these women?"[/color] Zach said [color=00aeef]"I have for my sister there and I give my permission."[/color] He then looked towards Niesha. 

Niesha had forgotten that that would be a question, and for a second she panicked. Even orphan girls typically had some male figure to speak for them, but she didn't. What would the priest do, if she said she had her own rights? She had no idea what to do, and she looked to Zach, fearful they'd be denied. Or she'd be found out, for a runaway noble. 

Kendrick understood the situation and immediatley spoke up.

[color=004b80]"I have rights for my cousin, and I give them my permission."[/color]

After the priest pronounced them all married respectively and he left Zach came over to Kendrick and shook his hand. [color=00aeef]"Thank you. He could have made it very difficult for us had you not stepped up." 
[/color]
Sofia hugged Niesha and giggled. "[color=f49ac2]If anyone had told me yesterday I would be married today I would have likely thought they were drunk."[/color]

As Kendrick spoke up for her, Niesha tried hard to hide her surprise, yet the Priest seemed to believe him. When Sofia hugged her, Niesha returned it, [color=f7941d]"It...it does seem like a dream, but it also feels like the most realistic thing ever"[/color]

She hugged Sofia tightly, and added [color=f7941d]"I have this suspiscion that you finally got him to ask me out, rather then hurting himself daily"[/color]Sofia chuckled.

Kendrick accepted Zachs hand and shook it firmly.

[color=004b80]"Its nothing. Truly. I wish you and.......my cousin the best of luck in your marriage."[/color]

Zach smiled a little. [color=00aeef]"Where are you and my sister going to live?"
[/color]
Kendrick smile turned into a sad frown.

[color=004b80]"Here is the thing......I am still a knight in exile. I was hoping until I get my status back, living arrangements could not change."[/color]

Sofia looked at Kendrick. [color=f49ac2]"No, we will figure it out but we are not living apart. I would be crazy not knowing if you were safe all the time."[/color] She turned to Zach and Niesha. [color=f49ac2]"Could we please have the house temporarily? There is enough room for you both at Niesha's right?"[/color]

Zach looked at Niesha while taking in a deep breath. [color=00aeef]"Baby this is up to you."
[/color]

[color=f7941d]"That's okay, by me. There will be enough room for us."[/color] Niesha said, without hesitation.

Sofia hugged her tightly for the umpteenth time that day. [color=f49ac2]"Thank you!"[/color] She took Kendrick's hand and smiled at him. [color=f49ac2]"See, probem solved."[/color]

Kendrick sighed in relief. That was one weight off his shoulders. He still had many other weights, and he had to tackle them one by one. But he was sure that this was going to work out. Kendrick smiled and kissed his new bride.

[color=004b80]"Thank the Gods."[/color]