Mary Anne Gruen - The House of Red

The day of Wolf and Virginia’s wedding shone bright and cool. Wolf woke up at first light feeling glorious. Inside the castle, Lord Rupert was already in high gear, ordering the butlers and maids around and finishing last minute preparations. Wolf and Rupert had had their disagreements the day before, but today, seeing Rupert’s total commitment to the most important day of his life, Wolf could almost have kissed him.

Virginia, upstairs in her room, was beginning to feel nervous. She too was up early. She felt strangely tingly all over and totally unable to stay in bed. She didn’t feel like eating, but thought in her condition, she should. Besides, it was going to be a very long day. The chambermaid came immediately in answer to the bell chain near her bed.

“Yes, Miss,” the rosy cheeked girl said.

“Could I have my breakfast in my room please?”

“Of course, Miss.”

“I’d like a bacon omelet with extra bacon and a pot of tea. No. Better not have caffeine. I’m already jumpy enough as it is. Make it milk, warm milk, with maybe just a touch of chocolate in it. Or maybe more than a touch of chocolate.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Virginia walked back and forth in her light cotton nightgown to burn off her excess energy. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. She jumped. Was it Wolf, she wondered? And if it was, would she have the strength to send him away again? “Yes. Who is it?”

“It’s Rose.”

“Oh, come in.”

Rose opened the door and slipped inside. She was wearing a different dress than she had worn the day before. This one was made of a blend of cotton and wool with a soft pattern of mauve flowers scattered over a background of olive green. Her long red hair was tied back with an olive ribbon. Over her arm, she was carrying three dresses. “I saw the chambermaid come out of your room,” she said. “So I figured you were awake. King Wendell sent us each two new dresses. Wasn’t that thoughtful of him?”

“Oh,” Virginia said. “You look very nice in that one. The green goes nicely with your red hair.”

“Thank you,” Rose said. She was obviously very pleased with the kind words.

“In no time at all, you’re going to have every man in this palace falling at your feet in a dead faint.”

Rose blushed lightly. She had never actually thought of herself as attractive. Her status as a half-wolf didn’t exactly make her a good catch. Human men were often attracted to her initially, but always lost interest when they learned about her heritage. Both they and even some of the pure blooded wolves considered her a contamination of their respective races. She hadn’t just been kind when she’d said how lucky Wolf had been to find Virginia. After her foster mother had died three years before, she’d decided that finding a mate would have to take second place to survival.

But this morning she felt tremendously spoiled. The last twenty-four hours had held so many wonderful things. She’d been reunited with her brother, had a beautiful room to sleep in, ample food, and even new clothes. She’d always considered herself to be especially good at accepting things. Whether bad or good, she met her destiny with a calm and steady pulse. But this morning, she couldn’t help it. She felt almost giddy.

“Did you have breakfast?” Virginia asked. “I could call the chambermaid back.”

“Oh, I already had breakfast. Lord Rupert is rushing everyone through it. He wants the kitchen to concentrate on the reception.”

“Did you see Wolf?”

“Not exactly. I saw something that looked more like a blur of Wolf.”

“Are he and Lord Rupert still fighting?”

“Not this morning. Rupert seems to have taken total control and Wolf just seems to be going along with it. But you still wouldn’t want to be around them.”

“I don’t think they’d want to be around me either.”

“You’re starting to get nervous?”

“Oooh, just a little,” Virginia said, her blue eyes widening.

Rose smiled. “Here, these dresses are yours. I’ve looked them over and they both have more relaxed bodices than your wedding gown. I think they’ll fit all right for a little while at least. But you’d better talk to the Royal Couturier before he starts making you any more.”

“Mm, navy for a conservative look and a light blue print for casual. What’s the gown for?”

“This is my maid of honor gown.” Rose held the satin gown of damask pink up in front of her. “Lord Rupert had it dyed to match his color scheme. What do you think?”.

“Did you try it on yet?”

“No. But if it doesn’t fit, I figure I could borrow your sewing box and fix it. We’ve got time. The wedding doesn’t start till two o’clock.”

Virginia shook out her hands. “Don’t remind me. I’m nervous enough already. What about shoes?”

“They aren’t quite ready yet, but Lord Rupert assures me they’ll be done in time.”

“So, try on the dress and let’s see if it fits.”

Rose’s gown needed just a touch of work. She sewed it while Virginia ate her breakfast. The rest of the morning was spent with Rose looking out the window, describing the arriving wedding guests. Evidently Lord Rupert had sent out verbal invitations to the whole kingdom and it looked as if most of them had come.

At one o’clock a couple of ladies in waiting arrived to prepare the bride and her maid of honor for the wedding.

“How do I look?” Virginia asked Rose after the fussing was over. She was looking in a full length mirror at the time and should have known the answer. But still, she asked the question, her face pale with concern.

“You look perfect. If that were a magic mirror, he’d tell you just how perfect. Snow White and Cinderella could never have looked lovelier.”

At two o’clock on the dot, a butler knocked at the door to conduct Virginia and Rose down to the ballroom. Virginia walked with her hand on his arm, her heart beating so loud she wondered if anyone else could hear it. Rose followed behind, carrying her train and giving encouragement.

Downstairs, the procession had already begun to the soft accompaniment of harp and violin. Lord Rupert, of course, was conducting everything, setting the beat for the rhythmically challenged and whispering “Go!” when it was time to move.

First the Bishop entered and took his place in the center. Then the King and Wolf entered. They weren’t in step with each other, but no one except Lord Rupert seemed to notice. The King was wearing his fanciest suit of state, the white one with all the gold braid and medals. Wolf was wearing the black suit and frock coat he’d worn two weeks before to the banquet the King had given in their honor.

Next came Rose, stepping perfectly in time to the music, scattering petals behind her as she went. She looked radiant in her new gown with her red hair flowing freely behind her.

“Who is she?” many of the guests whispered back and forth.

Of course, the wolves that were present knew who she was. She had asked Wolf the night before at the rehearsal to invite those who had been kindest to her while she was living in the woods in front of the castle. They stood mingling with the other guests, looking on proudly at their hero and his lady.

After Rose had taken her place, the court trumpeter blew on his horn and the other thirty-odd court musicians joined in the crescendo.

Lord Rupert straightened Virginia’s veil one last time and said, “That’s your cue. You look beautiful. Now go and make me proud.”

Virginia glowed as she took Tony’s arm. Suddenly all her nervousness disappeared.

“You know,” her father whispered into her ear, “I think that was supposed to be my line. You do make me proud, you know.”

Virginia squeezed Tony’s arm and they proceeded to the center of the ballroom, trying their best to stay in rhythm.

Wolf stood in front of the Bishop, his face full of anticipation and his breath coming in small gasps. On one side of him stood Wendell, looking calm and kingly, the perfect best man. On the other, slightly removed, stood his sister, looking quite magical in her beautiful new gown.

When Tony and Virginia reached Wolf, Tony removed Virginia’s hand from his arm and placed it on Wolf’s. The groom sighed audibly at her touch. Tony smiled and tried to ignore the tears filling his eyes. He was giving away his little girl. From now on she would belong to Wolf. He stepped back into the crowd, knowing that never again would he be first in her life.

“We are gathered here today,” the round-faced Bishop began, “To bring about the union between this man and woman.”

And so the ceremony went. Lord Rupert was so touched by his handiwork that he wept uncontrollably at the door of the ballroom. Tony pursed his lips and continued trying not to cry, but he didn’t do a very good job of it. The rest of the guests simply beamed. It was hard not to feel the infectious joy of this happy bride and groom.

When the Bishop asked if Wolf “took this woman to be his wife,” Wolf called out loudly, “Oh, yes!”

Virginia smiled at his intensity. Her yes to that same question was calmer, but no less heartfelt.

Rose and Wendell looked on solemnly throughout the whole thing. She was grateful that she’d been able to be part of the celebration. And he was trying hard not to glance at her too often.

With a tilt of his round head, the Bishop finally pronounced Wolf and Virginia to be husband and wife.

Wolf scooped his bride into his arms and kissed her more passionately than he’d meant to. Immediately, the court musicians fell into a triumphant march and the Bishop cleared his throat delicately.

“To me, to me,” Lord Rupert whispered too loudly from the back.

Virginia beamed up at Wolf and led him back down the aisle. He was too busy smiling to notice Lord Rupert waving madly.

Never before had Virginia felt such an outpouring of love as she did on the receiving line outside the ballroom. The good wishes of everyone seemed so warm and real. For the first time, she felt as if she really belonged in the Nine Kingdoms.

A little off from the bride and groom, the best man and maid of honor greeted the guests also and pointed them on their way to the reception. As Rose was a stranger to almost everyone, Wendell introduced her and explained who she was. More than one guest gave her a second more discerning look when they heard she was Wolf’s sister. They saw her delicate features, her almost royal stance, and her mane of red hair and couldn’t quite hide their surprise. Whatever they’d thought of her, they hadn’t thought she was a wolf.

The king was embarrassed by their reactions. But Rose took it in stride. She’d seen that kind of thing many times before. At least in this case, the surprise wasn’t followed by anything negative. Like Wolf, she’d had more than one person react badly to her heritage.

The wedding supper was both orderly and grand, with Lord Rupert orchestrating it in full. First there was a splendid toast from the king all about true love and destiny. Then the dancing started, followed by plenty of food and champagne. Wolf and Virginia danced the first dance, of course, with the king and Rose joining them.

If Wendell had had his druthers, he would have foregone this. But propriety was propriety and it was his job as best man to dance the first dance with the maid of honor. Wendell tried very hard not to notice how soft Rose’s hand felt in his or how wonderful the woodsy scent of her long red hair was as it brushed against his cheek.

“I hope the dresses I ordered for you and Virginia were satisfactory,” he said, trying to make proper small talk.

“Oh, yes. Thank you your Majesty,” she said, looking up into his face. “It was very kind of you.”

The king noticed one single light freckle just above Rose’s top lip, just slightly to the right. His concentration on the dance immediately strayed and he stepped on her foot. “So sorry,” he apologized. “I haven’t danced in some time.”

“Neither have I. It was probably my fault.”

“Oh, not at all. Your rhythm is impeccable. It’s I who went wrong. Anyway, I’m glad you both like the dresses. The last time Virginia was here she was forced to wear the same outfit for quite some time. As a national heroine and the daughter of the Inventor to the King, she should have an extensive wardrobe.”

Rose nodded readily in agreement.

“And as for you, I noticed you had only a small leather satchel. So, I knew you had very little. Please feel free to ask for anything you need. As the sister of a national hero, it’s the very least I can do.”

“You’ve already done a lot, your Majesty.”

Rose smiled again and they finished the dance in silence. She knew from the way he looked at her that he was attracted. But she also knew from his strict propriety that he had no intention of pursuing anything. For her it was an old story. Still, she took no offense. He’d already done so much for her brother and her people.

The minute the dance was done, Wendell bowed politely and made no more attempts to speak with her again.

As for Lord Lewis, he had a fine old time. He danced once with Virginia and then divided his time up evenly with all the other young ladies in the room. Except, that is, for Adelicia and Eleanora. The two young blondes seemed to be totally involved with arguing about something from behind a large potted plant.

When ten o’clock came, the party was still going strong. Wolf and Virginia sat at their table near the door watching the guests. Suddenly, she became aware of Wolf staring at her pointedly.

“What?” she asked.

“You think maybe it’s time to start the honeymoon?”

“Maybe,” she said, leaning in close to him.

“Everyone’s so busy, I think we could just slip out without being noticed.”

“I’m with you,” she answered.

When they got to their room, Wolf opened the door and kissed his wife soundly and deeply. Then he scooped her up into his arms and said, “I just remembered another custom from the Kingdom of Manhattan. I believe it’s proper to carry the bride across the threshold.”

“Where did you learn that?” she laughed.

“From an old movie channel on television. The one where most of the stuff is in black and white.”

Virginia put her arms around his neck and he carried her inside, locking the door behind them.

The guests at the party did, of course, notice that the bride and groom were missing. But nobody said anything. They just exchanged knowing smiles and partied on. At eleven o’clock, the dancing and eating were still in full swing. So, no one noticed when the Chancellor entered and crept to the king’s side.

Wendell was talking to one of the local landowners. But when he saw the Chancellor, he knew it had to be important. “Excuse me,” he said. “Affairs of state, you know.”

“Of course, your Majesty,” the landowner said.

With a polite bow to his subject, Wendell took his leave and pulled the Chancellor off to one side. “Yes, what is it?”

“Your Majesty,” the Chancellor said gravely, “I’ve just received word that the trolls have crossed the border and are renewing their attack against us.”

Wendell sighed deeply and looked down at the ground, trying to maintain his look of composure. He didn’t want to act upset, in case anyone was watching. “Let’s speak of this privately,” he whispered.

They left the party as discreetly as they could and immediately went to the king’s office. It was just barely lit when they went in because the butler in charge of that didn’t expect it to be used any more that night. The dark wood that dominated the room, coupled with the fading light from the fireplace and the single lamp glowing on the enormous desk in the center, gave it an ominous glow.

“Where are our troops?” Wendell asked.

“They’re thinned out from our last battle with the trolls. And the men we have are scattered over the kingdom due to the, uh, recent immigration issues.”

Wendell nodded. He’d thought it best to add extra troops along the borders where wolf immigration was highest, near the Second and Fifth Kingdoms. Their job was to keep the peace and help the process along.

“What’s the damage?” the king asked.

“Beantown and the village next to it were taken easily.”

“I thought we had troops there.” Wendell said angrily. He had personally ordered a detachment to help rebuild those areas from the onslaught they had received during his enchantment as a dog.

“We did, Sire. But the people there seem to have lost their will to fight. The battalions we had in those towns have been badly beaten. But they’re still trying to hold back the trolls as best they can. One of the captains writes that he thinks the enemy is heading toward Kissing Town, hoping to destroy everything in their path as they go. The trolls are aware that if they take Kissing Town they will have dealt our country a major blow.”

“Yes. So much of our nation’s history is tied up in that place.” Wendell walked heavily to the window and looked out on to the courtyard. His handsome face was dark with worried shadows. “All right,” he said. “Send word to our other troops that they should leave their present bases and start at once for the fighting. I’ll go tonight with whatever soldiers we’ve got on hand here. I wasn’t with my people during our last battle with the trolls, so I’ve got to be with them as soon as possible during this one. Try to keep things quiet here tonight. We have so many guests in the palace. I don’t want them all to go home and start a panic.”