The Legend of the Wedding Braids

(9 Jastatos 5115, Ta’Illistim)

Her Mother The Queen set a headpiece and a veil upon her head and fastened it into the braids, surveying the result.

Once upon a time there was a young Princess. She lived in a tall white tower by the sea with her Father and her Mother, the King and Queen. She was just a little girl, not yet come of age.

She wore her hair in braids. Now, she was a Princess, so they were very pretty braids. Every morning, the Queen her mother would brush her hair out until it shined so pretty, and then braid it for her. She did not leave this duty to the attendants, because the Princess was that important to her. The Queen would tell her stories about great events of the Kingdom, and tell the Princess how pretty she was, and what a fine life she would grow up to have. The Princess heard stories of how her Prince would come. Just for her.

The days passed, and the Princess became a young elf, grown old enough to let her hair down, and her skirts. No longer her mother the Queen would braid her hair each morning, but instead, they sat in a parlor, sipping tea, and making plans. Because the day was coming soon that the Prince would come. And bind the Kingdoms together, as Royal families must do.

As the wedding day approached, there were feasts, and celebrations all over both the kingdoms The Prince was said to be quite the catch, and every bit worthy of the beautiful Princess. Negotiations were over between the families; the kingdoms would become one, because the King and Queen had none other child but the Princess.

And so all was made ready.

The Princess work up on her wedding morning, scared. She asked her Mother the Queen if she could stay unmarried, so that nothing would change. And her mother smiled softly at her, overcome now with emotions too. She explained that like every Princess before her, her life belonged to her people, and what was agreed must come to pass.

The Princess became distraught, shaking. Her mother quickly hurried off the attendants and others there for wedding preparations. Mother sat down next to Daughter, speaking softly of the things the Princess already knew. How the Prince would cherish her, and she would raise a family of her own.

The Queen reached up to stroke the Princess’s hair from her face, and her hand lingered on her forehead, chasing off the flying hairs. It was then that the Princess asked her Mother the Queen if she would braid her hair one more time. The beautiful braids of a young maiden girl.

As the Queen fixed her hair, and then helped her dress, she told her stories they both knew so well, until the laugh was back in the Princess’ voice, and the twinkle in her eyes. Her Mother The Queen set a headpiece and a veil upon her head and fastened it into the braids, surveying the result.

The Princess looked beautiful. And the Queen left to take her place at the Wedding.

The first look the Prince had of the Princess was in her beautiful wedding dress and veil, coming toward him on the arm of her Father The King. The introductions were made, everyone took their place. And they were wed in a ceremony of beautiful words and shy looks.

The great celebration that followed was so happy! When the guests were gone and the Prince and the Princess were alone, she handed him a box, sealed and tied. When the Prince opened it, in it he found a hairbrush.

The Princess confessed her nerves from the morning, and asked him to help her take out each braid and to brush her hair. He smiled with love at her and began to loose her braids softly.

She finished telling the story and smiled at the elf who was smiling at her. “The legend ends there in the telling. This story is known to everyone in my village. Every girl grows up knowing she will hand a brush to her new husband. Every guy knows he will receive a brush, with his love’s trust.”

She leaned over and whispered quietly to Aetheri, “And so, my dear, I would like to know if you will loose my braids and brush my hair after our wedding celebration is ended.”

She would have held her breath for a moment, because it seemed an important question to her; but his answer was immediate as he nodded at her.

“I gladly will, Sweetie,” Aetheri told Luxelle.

 

Author: GSBardess

A young bardess named Luxelle is currently learning her trade and hoping to one day make a name for her songs in GemStone IV. Follow along with her adventures in life and song.

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