Arrius has finally decided it's time to come to terms with leaving. It's the wedding day, and he knows that he'll be heading down to the kingdom of Mardon within a day.
"Brother, you must promise me one thing: you'll keep everyone in check while I'm gone. You'll be taking up most of the responsibilities I was handling around here now that I'll be gone, so please, I trust you can do this, am I right?"
"You'll never need to worry, Arrius. I'll make sure everything is taken care of. Enjoy your time away, and maybe don't be so stuck up. The girls think you're pretty, handsome, and beautiful—or so they say—but yet you're always so uptight. Try to relax; the girls might like it more," Loyce smirks towards his brother.
Oh, what will happen to the North with Loyce making decisions? Arrius thought to himself.
"Onto another topic: what do you think of our sister's new husband? Now that we've met him, he seems somewhat awkward, in my opinion," Arrius says, waiting for his brother's response.
"Yeah, he's weird. I'm not a fan, but he seems to treat Alara well. That's all I care for, and House Jackson is quite wealthy in the North. Alara will live a prosperous life, I know it; she seems to even like him."
"We'll see soon enough; the wedding is later today, after all. We must get dressed soon and make sure Tyrus is all ready to go," Arrius said, a concerned look on his face, hoping Loyce would listen.
"I will, I promise, Ars. You just need to relax. It will all be taken care of. Please enjoy your last day here before I have to take all your responsibilities," Loyce said with a calm smile.
With that, Arrius walked up to his room to change into his wedding outfit. He wore a long fur coat with a cardinal flying in front of a red and white tree with its wings spread the sigil of House Caine embroidered on the front.
As he walked down to the Hall of Caines, Arrius couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness wash over him. Everywhere he looked, memories flooded his mind: him and his brothers running up and down the halls for hours playing tag, or the time when Arrius accidentally peed his pants at five years old because he didn't want to look bad going to the bathroom in front of the guests.
His father was so mad, but his mother just laughed it off, as she usually does. That day she told him something he vowed to never forget: "Arrius, don't ever worry about what everyone else thinks. You are you, my boy; that's all that matters in life—being true to yourself." Arrius never forgot those words, but that didn't mean he acted on them; he let people's opinions plague his mind everyday.
Everywhere he went, he was always so worried about everything: his hair, his face, the way he dressed. He always wanted to keep up the appearance of the crown prince, but sometimes that was so hard for him to do.
Finally, before entering the great hall, he was stopped by someone dear to him: his uncle Barin, the queen's brother, who now serves as the Don of Castle Birdshold. Barin was injured on his eighteenth name day in a jousting accident, which left him paralyzed from the chest down.
Sadly, after this accident, Barin was unable to have heirs, so Queen Caryn and Barin's father had to decide on who would be the new heir. King Robard had three choices: Queen Caryn, Princess Hetha the sister to Queen Caryn, and Prince Barin. His last choice was a distant relative of House Caine. In the end, Robard chose Queen Caryn as the next Queen of the North.
Barin knew that after his injury there wasn't much he could do, so he decided to learn the ways and become a Don for his family home. He has been teaching the royal family, as well as other lords' children.
"Hello, Uncle. I hope all is well. How are you doing? Are you excited for Alara's wedding?" Arrius asks, a calming look in his eyes.
"I'm excited. It was a good choice your parents made for your sister. She'll have a wonderful life, full of joy and happiness but truthfully only the gods know now."
"That's true. Let's hope all will go well. I want to enjoy my last day here at home," Arrius spoke with a saddened tone.
"Then let's attend, nephew, and have a wonderful night."
As the night continued, it started with the ceremony finally uniting the princess with her new lord, who had the brightest smile on his face. I don't think the young lord realizes how lucky he truly is. Marrying a princess of the North is not something bestowed upon most lords, Arrius thought to himself.
The big event of the night was hosted in the Hall of Caines. Everyone had food scattered about; some of the best food you'll find in all of the North was here and ready to eat. Each lord walked up to Arrius's sister and wished Alara and Elvick a wonderful marriage and a long, just life.
It was finally time for Arrius to send his wishes to his big sister. As he walked up to the table where the bride and groom sat, along with their parents, Arrius gave them his wishes and asked Lord Elvick to step aside.
"Elvick, it's so nice to finally get a few seconds to speak."
"Yes, it is, my prince. How may I assist you?"
In an instant, a shift occurred in Arrius. "Listen, Elvick, I'm going to be blunt with you: if I find out anything happens to my sister ever, I shall have your head. This isn't a threat; this is the truth. Now treat her right for the rest of her life. She deserves the utmost care, and you must provide her with that, whether you like it or not."
With a trembling voice and sweat dripping from his forehead, Elvick responds, "Of course, my prince. I would do nothing to ever hurt her beauty. That's a promise. I will ensure she is kept safe and well protected with me and my family when I ascend my duties as Lord of House Jackson."
"Good. Thank you for your understanding. I want to make sure I have everything set in stone before my departure tomorrow. I hope you understand."
"Yes, yes, of course, your grace. I completely understand."
"One last thing, Elvick: enjoy yourself. Don't let what I told you loom over your head. It's not time to be worried or sad; it's a time of enjoyment and glory. We are officially brothers-in-law. I will always be there for you and my sister," Arrius says with a calm and endearing smile that calms the young lord.
The rest of the night is filled with dancing and wonderful songs. Arrius feels at home and satisfied with himself, knowing that no matter what happens, it's all going to be okay. The gods have chosen their path for him, and he knows it'll all work out in the end.