When we arrived at the Gypsy Palace we were shown to the King's quarters first thing. Raven fell on her knees beside her father's bed. He knew she was there, he pet her head and told her how he regret missing her life. "Daughter you are so beautiful, kind, smart, and loving. You faced more than you should have please forgive me for my neglect. ", he cried. "Father I forgave you long ago. I just wanted a life together. I didn't know our time would be so short. We brought Grant as you requested. He knows why he is here. We have a watcher who will guide him. He will make a Great King if that is still your wish. He is mated to a Gypsy Wolf as well. They will be joined here, the Gypsy way. They will Wed again after they aquire their wolves and mate.", she said thru tears.
Grant moves to his Grandfather's side for his royal blessing. The Gypsy King would bestow his crown to his successor, his oldest Grandson. He gave Grant his Royal Signet ring, scepter and crown. Then he blessed Grant and signed a Royal decree for Grant to be King at his death. Grant understood what was happening and cried at the death of his grandfather. The king had lain back on his bed and breathed his last.
Raven's sobs were all that could be heard in the room. The Royal guard asked Grant to follow him to the Balcony of the Royal Office. Grant turned to leave. His watcher, Iri, followed him totally invisible to everyone in the room until he could decide who wanted only the best for Grant. He talked with Grant explaining that he would remain invisible to everyone else until he could assess the dangers.
The Royal guard stepped out on the Balcony, he raised his arms for silence. "His Royal Majesty Grant Scott Brown Grandson of his Late Royal Majesty James Roman. Long live the King of Gypsies, long live our King.", he announced. Then he pulled back the curtain to reveal Grant. Grant stepped up the stairs to the platform and raised his hand for silence. "I pledge to be a fair and just King to the Gypsy people as my Parents King Wilson and Queen Raven Brown are to the Werewolves. We will have the King lay in State until tomorrow afternoon at which time we will have my Grandfather's funeral. Please be respectful and be prepared to move through the process as quickly as possible, he was your King but my mother's father. Due to her short time to grieve please respect her wishes. Thank you!"
The people began to shout, "Long live our little King, Long live King Grant, Long live King of Gypsies!" The tears on their face showing that they loved King Roman and were grieving his death.
The castle had flags at half mass, black morning cloth over the mirrors, and the moved the Painting of the King to the Hall of Memory. Here his picture would remain and Grant would have his portrait made for the Great Ballroom. His Gypsy bride was on her way. Grant knew they would be married upon her arrival. It would be a Gypsy marriage that could be annulled if need be. This was to make her Queen as long as they were married. When they get their wolves they would begin to feel the mate bond. At age 18 they would mate if they were in agreement and be wed in the wolf way. If they wanted to they could marry as human too.
He was so young but in ten years he would be one of the strongest King's. He would only be second to his Father and he would eventually exceed even him. Grant kept his Grandfather's throne and added one matching it for his wife. Iri would assign a watcher over Lady Niamh Sif Dorca as soon as she arrives with her parents before she is wed to Grant.
I had call Alpha Dorca to join us with his wife and youngest daughter. These children were to grow up together without their parents. Of course we could visit and stay as long as we like. All of the family members could. I had already asked my parents to come live here with the children for a few years. They readily agreed and was on the way. Brett was to train them in magic, so he would be here as well.
When the Dorca family arrived we brought them into the throne room First. We needed to see how the children got along before the adults would talk about the wedding ceremony. When they arrived I greated the adults and introduced Grant as my son King of Gypsies. Shock was evident on their faces. A single tear ran down the Lunas face. She too had the dream. She just didn't know who the King was.
Grant spoke to Niamh about her trip, " How was your trip My Lady?" She looked into his eyes for deception and found none. "Me? I'm not a Lady yet your highness. It was a tiring trip though.", she answers. "You are My Lady, therefore you are a Lady Niamh.", Grant says gently.
"Yours? What do you mean?", she asked him shyly. "Come sit on your throne while I explain everything, please.", Grant taps the throne beside him. "Mine?", she questions. "Yes Niamh you are to be my Queen of Gypsies and rule by my side.", he proudly says. She walks over to the throne and sits down waiting for the story to unfold.
I turn to the Alpha and motion for them to follow me. We talk about everything happening with our children. At first the Alpha is beside himself with anger. However when I finish explaining how they will be wed in name only until the time is appropriate for more he calms. I explain that they will train with warriors, Brett will train them in magic and their watchers will train them to rule he settles down.
I explain how my parents will live here as well and that her grandparents are welcome too. I also explained that they could send anyone to train her in languages or in her education as well. They have some say in how she is raised as we do about Grant. Some of the Gypsy Royal protocol will not be in our control as this wedding isn't.
When we all are agreeable to talk to the children we return to the throne room only to find it empty. One of the guards informed us that the King is already in his royal chambers asleep. We all looked at each other before asking the where abouts of the Lady Dorca. The guard blushes and says with the king of course. She will not leave his side from now on.
We all walk to the Royal chamber to find both our babies sound asleep holding hands. They look so peaceful and content. Completely innocent of what is happening with them. We silently step out shutting the door. "Well I guess they are agreeable with everything. I suggest we go to sleep too. We will join them for breakfast at 7 and then we can have the ceremony at 10 and funeral at 1.", I say.
Raven needs me to just hold her and comfort her so I run her a bath and then leave the room until she is ready for bed. I hold her while rubbing her back. Finally I hear her steady breathing. I take it as my cue to sleep as well. I get up at 5 to run with Raven. We take our wolf form and run for miles. This will be our new place to visit often so we explore every inch of it.
We return with only a few minutes to shower and dress for breakfast. I made sure the Royal staff knew the breakfast items needed and times for service, so when we walk in everything is ready. Grant is sitting at the head of the table with Niamh on his left. I take a seat beside him with Raven beside me. Alpha Dorca is beside Niamh and his Luna beside him.
We eat in silence at first. Niamh tells her family about the ceremony and her dress. She also says that it will be at 10. The staff have gotten all the information from the King and his future Queen as to what they want. Some things will be very traditional and others will be with the children in mind. After breakfast everyone splits up by gender. The males go to the Royal Chambers and the ladies will go to the Royal nursery.
Iri joins us to explain his set up for the children to have privacy while undressing and bathing. He also said that Niamh's watcher has joined her. Her watcher is Lady Divine a Royal Watcher. She will be able to teach her how to be a regal queen. At 10 the service begins with Gypsies dancing. Niamh is required to dance. She is really good and understands the movements needed.
The King claps after her dance and they join hands to walk over to the high priest of Gypsies. He hands a knife to Grant who cuts Niamh on her hand then his own while the priest talks about the blood joining them. Their blood drops into a goblet with rubies on it, then the priest wraps their hands together with a silk scarf. They follow him to a seat where they sir together. He offers them each a sip of the blood.
After the blood they take an oath to rule together for the time the goblet deems required. He then lifts it over his head and breaks it. It breaks into 6 pieces. They are each given one, " You will choose how long you are married. It can be any multiple of 6. Six days, weeks, months, years, centuries or longer. As long as you have this you can prove your marriage. I will give one to each of your fathers as well, I will keep one for my records and one will be with the elders.
At 16 you will start to feel your mate bond but your heart will be one before that. At 18 you will mate and marry as wolves and humans. You will reign together for many years to come. Your Gypsy magic will keep you alive until you are ready to pass together."
"You may kiss your bride and return to your chambers until the funeral.", The watchers says. We all go to the Royal chamber to wait. Raven has all of us change into black. Then we explain marriage to our children. They both blush but they understand they are mates like their parents.
The Royal Funeral order is a processional, scripture reading, prayer, selection of music, acknowledgements, condolences, family remarks, obituary reading, another selection of music, eulogy and the the recessional. After the family has made the final walk the King will be burned in his Royal caravan. It is decorated with gifts from each family in the kingdom.
The gifts consist of flowers, letters, jewelry, books, whatever represents the family that is giving the gifts. Raven leaves a letter of forgiveness. Grant leaves a stuffed wolf and I leave my claw that I have from my first rouge kill. I take the necklace off and Raven kisses my cheek. She knows what this means to me.
We leave after Raven sets the flame on the caravan. We don't need to witness it burn. The ashes will be gathered for us and placed in an urn. The urn will be placed in the mausoleum crypt by Grant and Niamh.
For now we all go in to the formal dinning room for a late lunch. The servants have set up a buffet so that the family and elders could eat in peace until everything is over.