"So 250 invited gests with white sheets on the table, and 1000 more for unexpected guests from Underbridge?"
"That should be enough... I think." Jimmy says actually quite flabbergasted at the numbers being discussed
"So I'll try to organize this and if the costs rise above 1000gold I'll tell you beforehand." Burston tells. "You booked that with the authorities already? Or shall I take care of that too, while I'm on my way?"
"That would be kind of you, please. While we are here you are obviously invited as well. As is your neice."
"Thank you very much. Now let's not delay any further, I need to start making visits immediately." Burston explains and gets up to fetch his coat. Leading his guests outside he tells them goodbye and is on his way to get the surroundings of a large event.
"Well, that's that." Abomentolor states. "I didn't think this is possible, but you're beating the average gnome wedding by lengths."
"I have never been to a gnome wedding..." Jimmy says, "But this is turning out much bigger than I expected."
"It's an orgy. It is over hundred people like me - only drunk - having a hell of a good time."
"Remind me to never attend a gnome wedding." Jimmy says chuckling
"Not that kind of orgy. But it does definitely go overboard most of the time. You big folk just don't know real fun."
"And your idea of fun is setting things on fire." Jimmy retorts
"Gnome fun isn't limited to that. But fireworks are expected. I could ask Lini if she is willing to help to get some gnome party feeling into your wedding celebration." Abomentolor suggests.
"I don't mean all gnomes, I just mean you, 'Goblinburner'." Jimmy says with a friendly jibing tone on the name, "I was going to invite Lini, so I doubt there is much I can do to stop you two from celebrating."
And so everything is prepared. Burston organizes the tables and the decoration, Ameiko prepares the meal to be served and Isabella cooking some goulash in a really large pot. The city watch lines the street to guard the Capital district from all the visitors from Underbridge. Domenico finished the fancy wedding dresses for Jimmy and Gwenhyfar. The tables are set up on the left side towards the sunrise. Flower bouquets are draped everywhere. On the tables, on podests along the red carpet, in bows along the left side of the Irespan. The guests are summoned, Friends and family are there, standing left and right of the wide red carpet that leads to a small stage where Father Abstalar Zantus stands with Jimmy waiting for the bride.
Jimmy wears an elegant smoking in the color of adamant, with white shirt, pur-pur cravat and a waist coat.
He is quite restless in front of the massive crowd. Unsure where to look, and fidgeting with his sleeves, occasionally tugging at his neckline. Not that it is actually uncomfortable, just that it is something to keep him busy as he waits anxiously.
He looks at his parents standing at the front, and gives a nervous smile.
Jakob grins at his son and gives him a thumbs up with both hands
Elizabeth rolls her eyes at both her son and her husband. She smiles at Jimmy then, and makes a breathing motion with her hands, to try calm him down
Gwenhwyfar wears a dress the color of pearl. The satin flowing voluminous from the waist down, but a tight fit up to the collar and down the arms to the wrists, where the sleeves bloom like a flower. Her black curly hair flowing over the shimmering fabric, crowned with a silver tiara. And as a contrast to her pale skin she wears pur-pur lipstick.
Not wanting to be seen walking up to the starting point of the red carpet, she uses her magic to appear out of nowhere together with her mum. Walking up the carpet slowly to the wedding march played by a string quintet. She is radiating joy with a smile so bright it could blind everyone looking too long. As she reaches the stage she turns to Jimmy.
Fiona leads Gwenhwyfar to the stage, but turns to the left, to stand in first row through the ceremony.
Gwen's beauty takes Jimmy's breath away. He watches Gwen make her way down the isle, enraptured with her beauty. As she reaches the stage Jimmy takes her hands, unable to look away.
"We're gathered here today to witness and celebrate the wedding of Gwenhwyfar Yongisdottir and Jimmy Fiddle. This is a tradition as old as mankind, upheld by the people and the gods. At least the ones we revere. And so I'm glad as a representative of Desna to keep up this tradition.
And so I ask you Gwenhwyfar and Jimmy since it is your intention to enter the covenant of Holy Matrimony, join your right hands, and declare your consent before this assembly and the gods watching over us.
So Jimmy, Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after traditions ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"
"I do." Jimmy says gripping Gwen's right hand with his and an extatic smile on his face
"Gwenhwyfar, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after traditions ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"
"I do." Gwenwhyfar replies without taking her eyes away from Jimmy.
Turning to the audience Father Zantus tells "Gwenhwyfar and Jimmy have prepared vows of their own that they will now recite them."
"My heart is yours Gwenhwyfar. I promise to hold your hand and nobody else's. To never let go. To stop you from falling.
On this day,
I give you my heart,
My promise,
That I will walk with you,
Hand in hand,
Wherever our journey leads us,
Living, learning, loving,
Together,
Forever.
I am yours in everything I am and with everything I am.
I look forward to waking next to you each morning, and facing the challenges of each day by your side. I have loved you since we met and I promise to love you until I pass, and then beyond." Jimmy says, eyes locked with hers
Gwenhwyfar is moved to tears. Jimmy is not always good with words, but this time he nailed it. No questions open no hard feelings, just pure joy floods her heart and flows over at the eyes. Taking a deep breath
"My Heart is yours Jimmy.
I lost it somewhere on the trip to Riddleport and you picked it up.
Took care of it and of me.
I grew used to you being around in the morning when I wake up
and still be there in the evening when I go to bed.
Wondering everyday anew what you see in me.
So I accept your heart and promise to take good care of it
and leave you mine and promise to never demand it back
You are my first love and if I got a say in it you will be my only one,
walking together through whatever we may face.
Jimmy doesn't cry but his eyes are certainly moistened. He can't tear his gaze away from her as he listens to her speak. As she speaks his smile spreads
"I declare you now as husband and wife. You may now kiss." Father Zantus closes the ceremony.
And that is what Jimmy does, wrapping his arms around her, and pulling her into a kiss.
Gwenhwyfar jumps at Jimmy's clinges to his neck and kisses him back.
Jimmy holds the kiss for as long as he can. Drinking in her smell, her taste, her touch. He is intoxicated with her when he finally leans back from the kiss to look into her eyes once more
A long line forms in front of the stage of people who want to congratulate the newlywed couple. The downside of such a large wedding becomes immediately clear, as it will take hours to receive all those. In the background you hear the popping sound of champagne bottles being opened.
Seeing the line form Jimmy whispers to Gwen "Do you feel like doing this?"
"You see a chance to get out of it?" Gwenhwyfar replies holding on to Jimmy's lips.
"We could run away and leave everyone to enjoy the party..."
"That's mean. Couldn't you talk them out of it? I mean we could work through the first ten or so and tell the rest to wait for after the meal?" Gwenhwyfar asks.
"We can try that. I'm not sure how well it will work though. And even if it does we still have to survive the whole lot of them after the meal." Jimmy says resigning himself to his fate.
"Hey, let me through, I'm first, move along." Abomentolor presses through the people. Lastly pushing between Gwenhwyfar and Jimmy he grabs her hand and shakes it. "Congratulations und such. I wish you luck." Changing to Jimmy's hand he adds "To you too." Then he moves on to the buffet.
"To be fair I expected more from him than that, especially with the effort of pushing to the fore."
"I'm surprised he came at all. Because it's not about him." Gwenhwyfar replies. "Maybe the others take him as an example and we're done here quick?"
After Abomentolor, the next to congratulate are Fiona, Elizabeth, Jakob, Mr. and Mrs. Heidmarch, Captain Acacia Uriana, Lini, Randolf Burston III, and some other important people who got an invitation out of politeness.
"I figure he is using it as an opportunity to spread his beer around. I wonder how many people have actually arrived today?"
Between shaking hands and hugging people Gwenhwyfar replies "Why not task your bookkeeper to count them?"
"That is actually a really good idea." Jimmy says as he starts to look around between shaking hands
Gwenhwyfar looks at Jimmy puzzled. "Really?"
"If we want to have any idea of how many people are here, he is possibly the best person to do it." Jimmy says.
He does eventually spot Hoid and get his attention, and explains the request to him.
"I will do what I can." Hoid says excited by the challenge
Tauriell comes up in line and hugs Gwen. "Congratulations. Now you officially got him tied down. I wish for your enjoyment of each other outlasts the time you've planned to hold this up." Moving the hug on to Jimmy she whispers in his ear "I hope you now found the final key to get into her pants. Good luck." with a mischievous smile.
Jimmy coughs at Tauriell. Blushing bright red he looks at Gwen