Alter Aeon The Great Library

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Note - as with any topic, researchers should question the reliability
and veracity of these texts.  The library's aim is to preserve
documents, not verify accuracy.

AABN:  76623
Title: a book titled 'Tess's Tales: The Trousseau'

 Tess awoke at dawn with a smile on her face.  She looked around the simple
room until her eyes rested upon the green dress that hung on the back of
the door. 

Her wedding dress. She had spent hours hand embroidering it. Her mother
would have been shocked that her years of lessons as a young girl had
actually paid off. Tess had complained and did a terrible job on purpose
back then. But she had remembered every lesson that she had been given and
it had afforded her well in her years since her family's deaths.

She had purposefully sown the crest of the Ket family into the bodice
knowing that it would please Mordin as much as it pleased her to become a
Ket herself. 

It might have seemed strange to some to marry someone after only knowing
them for two months. But Tess was sure that her parents would have approved
of her marrying for love. Mordin had proposed after only knowing her for a
few weeks, but it had been a unique and exciting few weeks.  She had wanted
to marry him right away. But he had insisted that she have a proper wedding
with a dress, a party, and the foundation laid for a proper house. 

Tess had tried to convince Mordin all that wasn't necessary, but he would
not hear it.  He simply remarked, "You are a lady by birth. You deserve to
be treated as such."

Tess had been touched by the words and chose not to push the matter
further. So, she simply got to work planning a wedding that would befit a
lady as quickly as she could. It had not been hard to obtain all they
needed after all they had great wealth following their adventures and gold
always made things easier. 

Tess had purchased Mordin's wedding gift the day before and wondered what
he thought of the grey stallion. The merchant had told Tess that the
stallion had come from good breeding. And Tess was inclined to agree as the
horse looked like it belonged to a king and had the bearing of a royal
himself. 

After a simple breakfast, Tess's beloved ferret familiar Fernando awoke,
stretched, and said to Tess, "So the wedding is today, Mistress. I do hope
there will lots of treats for me." Tess laughed and began brushing Fernando
until his coat shined. He stood on his hind legs as she finished before
lowering his head to let Tess place a tiny green leather collar around his
neck. Fernando jumped to admire himself in the mirror. "I look quite fine.
Mistress. My thanks."

The wedding was not until nearly sunset. She had tried to convince Mordin
to have the wedding in the early afternoon. Since they were getting married
on the cliffs by the sea, Mordin had suggested that a wedding near sunset
would make you lovely background for them to clasp their hands and their
hearts together forever.

Tess smiled to herself. It turned out that Mordin was quite romantic when
it came to her. However, when she questioned him about this change in his
nature he simply remarked, "You only get one chance at a day like this, and
I want it to be perfect for you."

When it was time for Tess to get ready, Kara arrived at the Guild Hall,
remarking, "Ah there is the lady of the day. I've come bearing a gift for
you from your groom and to help you dress for your wedding."

Kara followed Tess upstairs and marveled at the wedding dress when she saw
it telling Tess, "Oh, Tess. It's beautiful. I didn't know you could
embroider like that. I think it's lovely that you sewed the Ket family
crest upon your dress. Mordin is very proud of who he is, and you have
honored that so well."

The dress took a bit to put on completely as Kara insisted the corset be
perfectly tied and the Ket family Crest be placed perfectly centered across
Tess's chest. Finally, Kara stepped back and let out a breath, "You look
like a princess more so today than ever. Mordin won't be able to keep his
eyes off you. Let me go get your wedding gift. I accidently left it
downstairs." 

Kara went downstairs and quickly returned, handing Tess an envelope and a
wooden box which appeared to be made of oak and was carved with flowers
surrounding a heart.

Tess opened the envelope and read the letter:

My dearest Tess,

In the Dunn Hurr, it is traditional for the groom to give his bride to be a
crown of flowers. I know that tradition is very important to you and this
tradition is especially important to me. My father gave my mother a fresh
crown of flowers every year on the anniversary of their wedding day. 

I know that at times you find me romantic with my choice of words. However,
the poetry does not come easily but you inspire me to say and do things I
never thought I would ever do or say. I did not think the gods had a plan
for me that included love before I met you. However, you have become the
greatest blessing my life has ever known. May this crown bloom for as long
as my love for you does. I love you today and I will love you all the days
to come.

Truly,

Mordin

Tess opened the box and her eyes went wide. The crown of flowers was made
of golden flowers with each flower being encrusted with gems of various
colors. Her eyes beheld ruby coated roses, topaz dandelions, sapphire
forget-me-nots, amethyst violets, and emerald leaves as a smile beamed upon
her lips. 

Tess picked up the crown from the box and placed it upon her head before
standing in front of the mirror and marveling at her reflection. "I look
like a queen. My mother would be so proud."

Kara laughed, "Let's go your Majesty. Your carriage awaits at the stables."

Tess returned the laugh before picking up Fernando and placing him in a
velvet lined basket. He opened his eyes briefly and sleepily remarked,
"Wake me up when there's food," before cuddling back up to rest longer.
Tess laced the basket over her left arm and picked up her skirts following
Kara all the way to the stables.

The carriage was waiting as promised and soon Tess was riding away from the
guild hall and towards true love as well as her destiny.