As Cali hung Iris’s cloak on a peg by the door and Iris, Sass, and Lira busied themselves with the flowers, Erindil glided through the back door along with his lute player and his ostrich, who was decked out in a splendid harness of burgundy velvet with jeweled reins.
“A bird in the tavern?” Sass said in a stage whisper.
The elf sniffed and lifted his chin. “Glen is the ring bearer.”
No one could deny that Glen was dressed for the occasion.
The tavern door flew open again, and Rosie entered with a bottle of brandy under each arm and so much snow on her she resembled a snowman.
“There’s no getting through that storm,” the gnome said, shaking out her blonde hair and sending ice crystals scattering to the floor to melt. “I only made it because our wagon is a few steps away. None from the village are going to make it.”
Lira looked up from tying a bouquet. “What about Korl?”
“I’m here,” a gruff voice emanated from a dark corner of the tavern. “I didn’t think we were supposed to see each other before the ceremony.”
Lira laughed. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll hide in the kitchen until we’re ready.”
As she and Iris decamped to the kitchen, Tin fussed with the iron arch, tying fabric bows and draping sheer burgundy fabric down the sides.
Rosie ambled to the bar and handed Vaskel the brandy. “Guess it’s just us then.”
“Looks perfect to me.” Vaskel eyed the small group and smiled. “It only takes a few candles to bring light.”
Rosie grinned at him. “You’re getting wise on me, Vaskel.”
“The years should be good for something.”
She let out a belly laugh as she walked away to help Rog arrange the tavern benches into two makeshift aisles. Erindil directed his lute player to a stool where he started to strum, and then the elf beckoned for the men to line up at the back near the bar.
“Wait!” the elf cried. “The woodland fey who was going to perform the ceremony isn’t here.”
“The blizzard must have waylaid him.” Vorto cast a mournful look at the white-out through the windows.
“No worries.” Rosie strode to the front. “While Rog was out adventuring, I stayed at a gnome monastery for a spell. Got myself ordained as a cleric of the Church of the Holy Gnome.”
Cali and Vaskel exchanged a look, but they both shrugged. It sounded official enough.
“Then we’re in luck.” Erindil clapped his hands as he led Glen to the back, and the few who weren’t processing down the short aisle took their seats on the benches.
After a few minutes of shuffling in the back, Erindil clapped his hands more sharply, and the lute music changed as Vaskel, Rog, Thrain, and Val walked down wearing matching burgundy suits. Korl followed them arm-in-arm with his two dads, also in burgundy, who were both fighting back tears.
Another clap from Erindil, who’d become a stand-in wedding coordinator, and the music changed. The kitchen doors opened and Iris and Sass walked in single file, each wearing a dress made from layers of sheer claret-colored fabric that matched Cali’s suit. The pantheri slipped in behind them, processing up the aisle and taking her place to one side of the arch and between Iris and Sass.
Cali tried not to fidget as she stood looking out at the small gathering. She couldn’t help grinning at Tin, who was already dabbing at his eyes.
Finally, there was some jostling and fierce muttering in the back before Glen high-stepped his way down the aisle, his saddle jingling. The ostrich didn’t look left or right, but kept his head held high. When he reached the front, he marched right up to the iron wedding arch and began munching on one of Tin’s bows.
“Glen!” A shriek from the back of the aisle made Glen drop the sodden bow and sink petulantly onto the floor with a mournful sigh.
“That went much better than I expected,” Sass said, even as she frowned at the wet bow lying on the floor.
The lute player paused, and his tempo quickened, the music suddenly dramatic as Lira began her walk down the aisle on her uncle Erindil’s arm. Her dress was a silky white creation that draped over her curves and flowed in gossamer layers behind her, making her look as beautiful and ethereal as any elf. A veil draped over her auburn hair, which she wore in loose curls, and she carried a bouquet of flowers, berries, and greenery tied with bakery twine.
For once, Erindil’s outfit was relatively subdued. His dark suit was exquisitely tailored but simple. The only nod to his personality or the wedding colors was the immense ruby brooch on his lapel.
Cali’s eyes stung with tears as she watched one of her dearest friends walk down the aisle. She’d never expected to become emotional, but the pantheri was struck by the sweetness of the moment and also by how close she felt to everyone in the tavern. Lira wasn’t just her friend. She was her family. As was Vaskel and Rog and now Iris and Sass and all the villagers she’d come to love.
Lira didn’t notice her tear-filled eyes, though. She didn’t glance at her attendants or at the friends seated on the benches or even at her uncle. Her eyes were locked on Korl, who was grinning helplessly, a single tear trailing down his face.
