The Mid-realm wedding ceremony was held in Largandra, at the same park where Arsha had her Tour’s End Ceremony. It was a Dwarfish wedding ceremony, with six pickaxes surrounding a massive rock. A Dwarf priest approached the rock and stood upon it. “Marriage…is like a diamond,” he began. “It takes years for it to become shiny and requires skilled hands to sculpt it to the shape the newlyweds want. Through their work, these ladies and gentlemen will accomplish many things.” Arsha and her lovers then stepped forward. “Take your axes and strike hard to free your new wealth!” The priest then jumped off the rock as the brides and grooms took up an ax and swung at the rock. It cracked, but it didn’t fall apart. They struck again. More cracks appeared, but nothing happened yet. They swung one last time and the rock collapsed, revealing precious stones of all types. Arsha and her lovers each picked a stone and held it aloft.
“Lardeth Felompha, Falnii Loftanaf, Foresna Falshenda, Malnar Emboramii, Gorfanth Steelhorn,” called Arsha, “I promise to add my wealth to yours and make our love the most beautiful gem the Realms have seen!”
“Lardeth Felompha, Falnii Loftanaf, Arsha Royana, Malnar Emboramii, Gorfanth Steelhorn,” replied Foresna, “I promise to add my wealth to yours and make our love the most beautiful gem the Realms have seen!”
“Falnii Loftanaf, Arsha Royana, Foresna Falshenda, Malnar Emboramii, Gorfanth Steelhorn,” cheered Lardeth, “I promise to add my wealth to yours and make our love the most beautiful gem the Realms have seen!”
“Lardeth Felompha, Arsha Royana, Foresna Falshenda, Malnar Emboramii, Gorfanth Steelhorn,” said Falnii, “I promise to add my wealth to yours and make our love the most beautiful gem the Realms have seen!”
“Lardeth Felompha, Falnii Loftanaf, Arsha Royana, Foresna Falshenda, Gorfanth Steelhorn,” announced Malnar, “I promise to add my wealth to yours and make our love the most beautiful gem the Realms have seen!”
“Lardeth Felompha, Falnii Loftanaf, Arsha Royana, Foresna Falshenda, Malnar Emboramii,” finished Gorfanth, “I promise to add my wealth to yours and make our love the most beautiful gem the Realms have seen!”
“With the vows having been proclaimed,” called the priest, “I now pronounce you married! Kiss now and begin the first step to making your love the most beauteous gem in all the Realms!” Arsha and her lovers then planted a passionate kiss on each other. They were all finally fully married.
The reception was held at the Royanas’ castle, specifically the gardens. It was a standard outdoor ball, and everyone was enjoying themselves. Once more, Arsha and her lovers were the center of attention. Arsha smiled, enjoying the dancing. It always put her at ease whenever dancing was involved. Once the dancing was done, Arsha and her spouses went with the photos. This time, it was Arsha’s Kitsune great-grandparents that surprised her spouses. Her mother’s paternal grandfather was the great naturalist, Sir Davena Atenbrano. “You never told us you’re his great-granddaughter!” yelped Falnii.
“I guess you guys never asked,” chuckled Arsha. Sir Atenbrano was studying some of the bugs in the garden. “Something catch your eye, Great-grandpa?” asked Arsha.
“My dear Arsha,” said Davena, “it seems the ants here have made quite the home in these hedges, complete with even the necessary natural elements to keep them in check. Look at this particular one. See how it’s moving erratically?” Arsha and her spouses peered closely at the ant and noticed that it was constantly rubbing its legs on its head and trying to bite its own abdomen. Another ant then grabbed the erratic one in its mandibles and took it to another part of the hedge. “Ah, there we go. The colony’s on a medical alert,” said Davena.
“What’s wrong with the old ant?” asked Malnar.
“That, Your Majesty,” answered Davena, “is the result of a parasite. Spores from a parasitic fungus that we usually call the Thrall’s Mushroom has invaded its body and took over its mind. Look at it now.” The ant was climbing up the hedge’s branches. “Its infected brain is directing the ant upwards. Then, once it’s high enough, it will grip the stem with its mandibles. That other worker took the infected ant away from the colony because, within two hours, the fruiting body will erupt from the infected ant’s head and spread its spores within a week.”
“So the worker ant was keeping the Thrall’s Mushroom spores away from the colony,” guessed Foresna.
“Precisely,” confirmed Davena. “If any ant within the vicinity gets caught up in the spores, it will be at serious risk of death. The Thrall’s mushroom is so virulent, it can wipe out an entire colony of ants. And it’s not just ants that fall victim to this fungus. Indeed, other bugs have their own species of Thrall’s Mushroom. Thankfully, it doesn’t affect the Fae directly, but they DO have to check their domesticated bugs constantly, otherwise trade will cease.”
“So, how can the Fae wipe it out?” asked Gorfanth.
“The simple fact is that they can’t,” replied Davena. “The fungus DOES have a positive effect on the natural world, preventing one species of arthropod from gaining the upper hand on all the others.”
“If I may have everyone’s attention!” called Elgrad. He and his fellow Royals as well as Falnii, Foresna, and Gorfanth’s parents were standing on a stage. “As we all know,” continued Elgrad, “my daughter and her lovers have finally tied the knot! As such, it is time for their royal portraits to be revealed!” Six covered portraits were then wheeled in. “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the portraits Lardeth and the Shores of his Realm, Falnii and her Family’s Greatest Treasures, Arsha and the Tranquility of her Realm, Foresna and his Family’s Pastures, Malnar and the Backbone of her Realm, and Gorfanth and his Family’s Craft!” The portraits were unveiled. Lardeth’s portrait was one of him on a sandy beach with clear water behind him, Falnii’s was one of her in a library, Arsha’s was one where she was standing in a sunny, grassy field, Foresna had a portrait of him draping his arm over a fence, Malnar’s portrait was of her standing on a balcony overlooking the Belsnath Citadel, and Gorfanth’s portrait was of him at a forge. “My dearest friends,” finished Elgrad, “this is the greatest moment in all of history! Through this marriage, all three Realms have united as our children have planned! May their marriage be blessed!” Everyone cheered as Arsha and her lovers kissed one another.