Chapter 16-I don't think I can do that!

Amora was quickly escorted to her chambers by guardsmen, as Arda and a whole slew of maids followed behind her. As soon as she was in the room, she was made to strip of her clothing, so that she stood naked. The elderly elf began brushing her hair, as the other women brought in the finest elven robes, jewelry, diadems, hair ornaments, and parfums into the room. Amora couldn't help but be stunned at the sudden rush of events. The dark kingdom was moving forward with their plans at blinding speed. Dragging her along without even the time for her to catch her breath…her mind was swimming, standing, and staring blankly as her mind wandered. 

As soon as her hair was brushed, it was quickly placed atop her head for later. Looking around, Amora noticed that none of the women in the room had been in the kitchens when she had been assaulted. These were all younger elves and seemed solely focused on getting her ready, none held looks of malice. 

"The prince ordered for you to be tended to by our ladies in waiting of the Castle, they haven't had a female to tend to since the death of the Queen." Arda offered. "They will be more suited to tend to you than kitchen staff I suppose..." A woman brough forth the parfum's and Arda picked out a small quartz bottle for the Princess, "This one will do."

Time flew, as they dressed her in a beautiful set of White and silver elven robes. An unforgiving bodice was tightly tied against her, and a blood red sash, the colors of the Nyberian kingdom, was tied around her waist. Her hair was braided by the handful of women who were assigned to her and put up into one of the most intricate hair styles she had ever seen. The small black mithril diadem that was placed upon her head was encrusted with beautiful rubies. And a blood red blindfold was placed over her eyes as was a custom of the ceremony.

Behind closed eyes, Amora could feel Arda placing a choker-like necklace around her throat. It sat high on her neck and dabbing the parfum onto her in various places. 

"I believe she is finished" The old woman's voice stated.

Amora could hear the shuffling of feet, and suddenly being guided along out of the room. The further she walked down the hall, the more anxious she became. This was it…this was the moment in here life, where she would no longer be allowed back into the Atherian kingdom, where her father would never accept her back. She would after this day be tainted to the Golden kingdoms. But the price, was worth her brother's life. She would do this…she would do this to keep him alive.

 She sucked in a breath, slowly exhaling. She could hear the humming of a small crowd echoing off the walls. The sound merging with the clicking of their heels on the floor as the drew nearer. We must be getting close to the Ceremony room. The noise of the chatter got louder as they were about to enter, a sudden breeze a tale-tell, to the blinded Amora that the ceremony was hosted outside. Taking in one more big breath Amora decided to put on all the Aire of a Princess, Graceful and Confident, and happy. She had to make sure the Fates believed she was "Happy" so that Lewan may live another day.

 She could hear the air change as they stepped outside. She was pulled forward and made to stop and stand in one spot, the blindfold was to remain in place until the fates removed it. She felt a sudden pair of hands grab hers. They were large, warm and engulfed her smaller hands firmly, yet gently. A familiar scent met her nose…Cedarwood and Amber….sweet Amber…he didn't smell of the Campfire anymore…but she knew it was Godwynn who held her hands…such a treacherous man she thought to herself…

 Everything went quiet, and Amora assumed correctly that the Ceremony must be starting. She lifted her head proudly as if this was what she wanted…and plastered a gentle smile onto her face, trying to mimic one she had seen her mother wear for her Father.

 A cold gust of air pressed through the crowd as the blindfolds were removed from her, and Godwynn. His piercing eyes met her own, boring into her soul. She gave him a warm smile, despite the knot in the back of her throat. His eyes softened at her smile, he must know its not genuine, but she knew he must be clever enough to know she was putting on a show for the Fates.

 Looking to her side she saw them…They were dressed in what she could best describe as…the cosmos? A dark purple and blue cloud-like robe surrounded the three of them. You couldn't see their faces, as they were hidden behind a shrouded veil…small star lights and galaxies seemed to glisten within their bodies….cloaks? It was impossible to describe them. Other than they were shapeless yet had shape, Translucent yet were solid. 

 She looked back to the Dark Prince who was watching her curiously. She smiled sheepishly, and he squeezed her hand. No doubt for the fates to witness. It was a complicated feat they were trying to accomplish. 

The fates would not interfere much with free will but would change and alter your fate based on your choices. If you decided that you found the person you couldn't live without you could ask them to bind your souls together into one being. So that you wouldn't be apart in the afterlife… 

However, on a totally different note, if your Karmic load became too great, your existence may be cut short…yet they do not favor the Good nor the Evil, only balance…they must maintain their Neutrality. It's a complicated line the fates walk. And only they understand how it must be managed. So, this is probably and interesting situation to them.

To 'Trick' the fates has never been done, and to be honest, they may even know exactly what we are doing…they are past, present, and future. Actually, it's more than likely they are fully aware. But unless I show signs that I do not want to do this or speak it out loud…they will not interfere.

The fate in the middle stepped forward and began to address the crowd. The fates' voice would remind you of gentle music being played, no words were conveyed, yet you understood what was being spoken. 'Spirit talking' is what it was called. Greater beings of divine power spoke in this manner. 

It was very similar to a Human ceremony, Congratulating the couple on their unity, the duties of both parties to love and obey, even asking the both of us if this is what we wanted. "Yes" Godwynn and I had sounded off at the same time. Going through the motions of the ceremony and behaving as we were both expected to. The fate neared the two of us as we stood there, engulfing us in its icy cold aura.

With no warning the Fate plunged its star littered hands deep into both chests. Both Amora and Godwynn's faces paled, as their eyes rolled up into their heads and lips turning blue as if being kissed by death herself… The cosmic being then pulled two bright golden strings from each being…and began to 'weld' them together, creating a hoop out of the intwined cord. The other two fates came forward as the fate worked, catching the two before they fell, and pressed Amora and Godwynn's near lifeless bodies forward so that they leaned against one another, before lowering the newly formed soul circle down over the two of them… As the fates took a step back, the gold circlet sunk into the two, disappearing within them.

As if breathing life into their bodies once more, the two firmly held each other in a lovers embrace for the crowd to witness. Both of them panting heavily as an unfamiliar bond between them came into place. As they opened their eyes the fates were seen opening a portal and looking back at the two of them…seemingly satisfied with their work, before disappearing into oblivion, needing to return to their cosmic work.

Amora sighed, relieved the ordeal was over. She unwittingly settled into the warmth of Godwynn's embraced, before catching herself and withdrawing herself from him suddenly, keeping her head down. "May I go to my Chambers?" she whispered… yet her request fell on deaf ears.

The king came forward excitedly, "You both did well, now its time for the Consummation ceremony." Amora's face shot up immediately.

"What?!?" She asked nervously.

Godwynn chuckled to himself, her reaction amusing him, "The Consummation ceremony. I will take you to my bed little princess."

Amora paled, as her stomach turned on her…."I don't think I can do that…"