Struggling in the clutches of her sisters Sylvie had no idea what was happening. Once to the creekside they plopped a rather angry Sylvie into the water and began to wash her from tip to tail. Yelling out "What's all this!" her sisters in unison answered, "Making a bride of you of course. Dad's orders!" Dejected she cried, "But I love Penn and have promised myself to be with him." One of her sisters retorted, "No worries this has all been settled. Dad has taken care of this issue." Sylvie's heart broke. Before long she was dried and fitted in a dress made of Queen Anne Lace flowers and held together with web stitching. Pollen was used to make up her face. Lastly her father came and placed a veil over her head made of a Mock Orange petal. She couldn't see a thing as she was lead away. Brokenhearted she sniffled and walked where her father lead her. All of her siblings and mother in tow behind them.
All the while the preparations had been completed. With a heart full of hope and happiness he turned and spoke. "Dearest friends, I ask as this will be a special day for all of us, would you all put forth your most stunning sparkles, twinkles, and shimmers? For my beloved and her family are due to arrive shortly. We are going to hold a grand mouse wedding today." All of the gems cheered and readied themselves in anticipation of the event.
Dressed smartly in a coat and vest made of velvet like moss he stood at the end of the rose petal carpet awaiting her entrance. Time ticked by and his anticipation grew to melencolly. She was late.
During this time Sylvie was being dragged about in circles by her family. Her father laughing all the while. Angry Sylvie squeaked, " How long until we get where we are going? My dear Penn must be heartbroken and I am to be taken to another. Let us be done with it already. But know this, I will never love anybody else but him my whole life long!"
Smiling her father gave everyone a signal and lead her to the cave entrance. Nodding Mr. Penn whistles and the gems began their display. As they enter and proceed along the rose carpet, gasps could be heard, none of the mouse family had ever seen such Grandure. Slowly he lifted the Mock Orange veil from her face revieling her location. Eyes sparkling Sylvie held back her tears. Before her was her beloved Penn.
Relief washed over Penn's face as Sylvie had finally arrived. Father mouse leaned over to both of them before the vows started and said, "You didn't think I was about to make it easy on either of you to take my precious daughter away from me, did you?" With a hearty laugh he motioned to Mr. Penn. "So glad you went with the Magpie, Owls are a nasty lot, but be on guard that he doesn't make off with anything in here, they like shiney and sparkly things."
Eyeing the elder mouse the Magpie cleared his throat and in blustery voice announced, "SHALL WE BEGIN?" Saying all of the rights of tradition he came to the vows. "Do you Pennsylvanicus G Mouse take Sylvania S Fieldmouse to be your wife and cherish her your whole life long?" Mr. Penn answered, "I truly do"
Nodding he continued, "Do you Sylvania S Fieldmouse take Pennsylvanicus G Mouse to be your husband and cherish him your whole life long?" Sylvie answered, "Yes, Yes I do." At that he took his wings and pulled them closer together and announced, "I now pronounce you mouse and wife." The gems put on their best display of sparkle and shine for the couple as the sun began to set. Everyone present had a grand time. Near the end Mother Matrix spoke to Mr. Penn, "Mr. Penn on this happy occasion I wish to give a gift of payment to the Magpie for providing your marriage rights. There is a shard of my quartz from when we had the rumble over near the entryway. Please give it to him. Also don't worry it doesn't have a life force. It is mearly a piece of myself that is no longer connected. I wish to do this as a blessing for this day."
Tears rolling down his face he humbly thanked her and did as she asked. The Magpie was overwhelmed and overjoyed at the generosity. He then left before it became dark, as did the mouse family to avoid owls and other predators. Exhausted Mr. Penn and Sylvie snuggled into their bed and thanked the gems for their help for the day. Then went to sleep.
The following weeks the mice started the day wiping the gems and then foraging for foods in preparation for Winter. As winter came Sylvie started to become rounder and rounder. This worried Mr. Penn as he had thought something was wrong. Then as he saw her bundling cotton fluff off to the side of the bed he realized something was very, very right. A smile bloomed on his face. Emerald asked, "Mr. Penn is something up with Sylvie that makes you smile so much?" He answered, "Yes. Come Springtime you will find tiny mice in our home. We will raise them to clean and keep this home tidy, as well as, respectful of everyone here.
Spring came and and so did the baby mice. As promised they grew and helped to take care of the gems. Years passed and generations of mice were born and raised in the cave. One fateful day Mr. Penn seiced to wake up. Sylvie alerted all of the mouse children and extended family. Throngs of mice filled the cave. Discussions were made but no one could agree as to what to do. One Tiny mouse child spoke up. "Mink says that there are bugs that get trapped in the sticky tree sap and can't get out. Then the sap falls on the ground and gets buried all up. Later it gets hard as stone but the bug never decays. I seen one so it's true. So maybe we can do the same for Great Grandpa Penn and preserve him forever." Sylvie picks up the mouseling and hugs him tightly. "That's a grand idea my little one. But we will have to bring the sap here, because I don't wish to take him away from where he loved." One by one the mice brought sap in but and acorn shells. First pouring it into a depression in the ground. Then some placed Mr. Penn's body down in. Lastly pouring more until the depression was full and covered it over with dirt. Sylvie passed a day later. The family did the same for her. All but left the cave. As the last to leave the tiny mouse ran over to Emerald and hugged him. He whispered, "I can hear you. Please take care of my loved ones. I will be back once I'm grown up". Emerald whispered back, "Don't worry I will."