Two and a half years—they’d done it. But Beautiful knew there was still so much left. Running away together might be good enough for Seeker. But marriage involved more than just a man and a woman.
Seeker was busy with the house. Her dad spent nights on the water, her mom in the fields and marketplace. That left Beautiful to manage the wedding preparations alone. All of Bright-Harbor was coming—those who could walk would walk, and the rest would ride in carts. She had gone into the city to arrange it all. The drivers promised an early start at daybreak and arrival before noon, in time for the vows. Afterward there would be food, and the carts would carry everyone home.
She walked to the Cottage alone—Seeker had offered to come for her, to walk back together, but she refused. Still, the thought of sleeping on the road by herself quickened her steps. Her legs ached, yet she pressed on. Not when her Deliverer was far away in Delight, unable to come if she cried out.
“I’ll make sure no one goes hungry, Beautiful,” said Miss Cheerful, handing her a list. “Here’s what I’ll need.”
Kind and his family had returned to the Delectable Mountains, and Stern had come back. He gladly agreed to perform the ceremony. “I’ll even prepare a special sermon just for the two of you.”
She slept in her old bed in the Cottage and set out at dawn. She pushed straight through to Bright-Harbor without stopping to eat. Whenever her legs threatened to give out, she paused for a moment. She was dizzy by the time she reached home.
The next morning, she ached all over, but there was still so much to do. On the outskirts of Vain-Delights she found a small shop that handled weddings. They would arrive a day early to set up the benches in the pasture. There would be an arch woven with flowers, more bouquets set around, and candles. They even had an artist who would paint the ceremony. She handed over Miss Cheerful’s list, and they promised to bring those as well.
Altogether—the carts, the food, the decorations—it cost just over two gold. She’d still have enough left for furniture in their new home.
Next came Seeker’s parents. They would travel with her the day before and stay at the Cottage. “You two shouldn’t let anyone know you’re…” her voice trailed off. One room for the both of them. Seeker’s dad didn’t seem to mind, but his mom flatly refused. Why was she so stubborn? But Beautiful wasn’t about to take no for an answer.
***
Seeker stopped short when he reached the pasture. Men hurried past with benches, setting them in neat rows. In the middle of it all stood Beautiful, pointing, directing. “Those flowers go over there.”
She kissed him lightly on the cheek, then hurried on without stopping. “Yes, that table—right there, in the front. And the candles go on it.” She strode over and shifted them herself. The big one in the center, tall ones on either side.
Seeker’s parents waited by the flowered arch behind the row of benches. He went to them—shaking his dad’s hand, then pulling his mom into a hug.
“You wouldn’t believe—” His mom broke off as Beautiful walked up.
Beautiful’s eyes looked tired, though she tried to cover it with a smile. “Seeker, honey,” she said sweetly, but the strain edged her voice. “Once everything’s set up, let’s have supper with your mom and dad, then take them to the waterfalls.”
“Beautiful,” he said, “Relax. You’re doing too much.”
“No. Great-Saint said we have to show them around.”
“I don’t care what Great-Saint said,” Seeker snapped. “This is your day. Our day.”
Beautiful’s face took on that stubborn look he knew so well. He knew he wouldn’t win this argument.
“We could just go back to our room,” his dad said, the words a little too eager.
Seeker’s mom glowered—first at his dad, then at Beautiful. Something sharp and unspoken passed between the two women.
The sun was down, the sky already dark by the time they returned. It was late—very late—but Miss Cheerful had left a candle burning for them. Seeker and Beautiful bade his parents goodnight, then slipped away together to her room.
“I’m hungry,” she murmured.
A gentle knock came at the door. As if she’d known, Miss Cheerful entered with a bowl of soup and two spoons.
Seeker and Beautiful sat cross-legged on the bed, eating in silence. Then they curled into each other’s arms and drifted into dreamless sleep.
***
After breakfast, Beautiful laid out Seeker’s clothes on the bed. She gave him a look. “You didn’t think you were going to wear the same clothes you’ve been milling in, did you?”
Miss Cheerful bustled in. “Shoo, shoo! Off to the pasture with you. Bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.” She started to say “Fill some water—” but stopped short, giving his clothes an approving nod. “Never mind. Just bring your parents along.”
Beautiful lifted the brass mirror from the side table. Her face was puffy, with dark circles beneath her eyes. Every part of her ached. All she wanted was to crawl back into bed and sleep.
Miss Cheerful took her hand and led her to the washroom. She filled the tub herself, drawing water from the barrels and kettle, then spooned in some of the rosemary-scented mixture from a crock. When Beautiful eased into the warmth, Miss Cheerful dipped a linen cloth into the suds and rubbed her back. “Now, now,” she murmured, “you’ll be the most beautiful bride ever, Beautiful.”
After Beautiful dried herself, Miss Cheerful brushed out her hair, the strokes slow and steady, then gathered it up and pinned the veil in place. She helped button the back of the dress, fingers quick and sure. “Now rest, dear,” she said gently. “Don’t wear yourself out.”
When the carts arrived just before noon, the villagers poured into the Cottage. They went straight for the food Miss Cheerful had prepared.
“That’s for after the wedding!” she cried, but no one listened. “At least save some for the bride and groom,” she pleaded.
When the food was gone, the villagers clambered back into the carts bound for the pasture. Beautiful set out on foot, walking beside her mom and dad.
***
The sun shone warm, and clouds drifted slow, casting soft shadows across the pasture. A lamb bleated, and a sparrow’s song seemed to say, The winter is past, and spring has come. The lilies by the table filled the air with fragrance.
Stern stood at the front with his Book in his hand. Steadfast and Gracious had come, their children gathered close. Great-Saint was there with his wife, and Beautiful’s other brother, Practical, with his. Beautiful’s sisters—Considerate, Lively, and Tender-Hearted—stood with their husbands, filling the rows with familiar faces.
Seeker wished Kind and Liora could be there—and Thoughtful, too. His mom and dad sat in the front row on one side. Across the aisle, a shepherd escorted Beautiful’s mom to her seat in the other.
A hush fell over the crowd as Beautiful stepped through the arch on her father’s arm. Sunlight caught the white of her dress, tracing the lace, her shoulders, the line of her neck. The world spun, and time slowed as she came toward him. Her father met Seeker’s eyes, gave a single nod, and set her hand in his—then went to sit beside her mom.
Beautiful smiled at him, but her eyes were dull. She lifted a hand to her mouth, stifling a yawn. They stood before Stern as he spoke, but Seeker didn’t hear a word—his thoughts were only on her. As Stern spoke at length, the people shifted on the benches, a low rustle of whispers rising.
When Stern finally finished, they turned to each other, hands joined. Seeker trembled as he spoke, but Beautiful’s vows came steady and sure.
Seeker and Beautiful each took a tall candle from the table. Together they lit the larger one in the center—then with a single breath, blew out their own.
“Now,” Stern declared with a smile, “you may kiss the bride.”
Seeker lifted her chin and kissed her lips gently. The crowd cheered, and together they walked down the aisle, hand-in-hand.
***
At last, the crowd was gone, and together they made their way back to the Cottage. They’d shaken hands and smiled until every cart rolled away with the villagers bound for Bright-Harbor. Beautiful clung to his hand as they walked, but she said little.
Miss Cheerful offered to prepare them a meal, but Beautiful only shook her head and declined softly.
They went up to her room—their room—and closed the door behind them. “Seeker, can you undo the buttons for me?” she asked, turning her back to him. His fingers fumbled at the fabric, hands trembling. The dress slipped onto the floor, and she drew her night-rail over her undergarments.
She turned to face him, a single tear slipping down her cheek. “I’m sorry, Seeker,” she whispered, then collapsed onto the bed. He pressed his hand to her forehead—she was burning with fever.
