“I’m going to ask Hem and Coronet Yates to take over various parts of my family business.”

“Oh? You have great faith in my brother, then?”

“He has proven himself to me, yes. Almost as much as the new officer has. With Hem helping him out, and a little advice from your father, he will be fine.”

“Oh, look at that wonderful dress. I wonder how they fit so many swords into the design.”

“Those foxes really love their dresses. It’s a shame, really, how few fox weddings there are.”

“There aren’t that many foxes, my dear.”

“My dear. That sounds so sweet when you say it.”

“You know what would sound better?”

“My druid? My ranger?”

The two mice smirked in the second row of the fox wedding. Abigail had finally arrived, setting off the spectacle of the event into motion. It wasn’t that she hadn’t been there, but by fox custom, the father of the bride had to fight the suitor in a mock sword battle.

It had been a hilarious near-slap fight between the two, making it completely apparent that they had practiced for hours in advance. It was an old custom, the father of the bride made sure that the groom would be able to provide for her defense. Freya thought it was a bit quaint, but the Raven priest overseeing the event loved every second of it.

The priest cleared his throat as the pair joined paws.

“Let us look at the creation that the Raven has made

Into the walls that creatures have grown

And know that we are stronger together.

Take your time as a pair,

To grow into your dreams.

Because tis gentler by word than by sword

To live a life of grace.

May the Raven carry your hopes and dreams,

Nithe always carry you as favored,

and Miru be the thought that you can stay

together from this beginning

Until the end.

May you never find yourself against a wall

Without the other next to you,

pulling you around to safety.”

The raven briefly let the words sit and then nodded to Lord Richards and Abigail.

“Now, I would like to introduce for the first time, the Lord and Lady Richards to all of you.”

The foxes turned to the packed chamber. There wasn’t a dry eye in sight, or at least in the front two rows as one they turned and walked down the aisle to happy applause.

Freya couldn’t stop smiling as the pair walked out to the waiting reception area.

"You know that you’re going to be Lady Chin-Hwa soon, right? Unless you don't decide to take my name."

"That's very interesting. I hadn’t thought about it, but if we marry before you pledge your service to me, then I could see myself as Lady for a short while."

Their paws together felt just right and as they waited for the procession to depart from the pews? She couldn't help but wish that they had more time holding hands, waiting. She would have settled for a day at the Farum.

It was finally their turn and the pair walked briskly to catch up. Foxes weren't much larger than mice, but they all moved with a purpose.

"I think we need to talk about our wedding, Miss Uki. What did you have in mind?"

She’d run the thought of his query several times and come up with a blank.

"Not that I feel like we need to rush things but…"

"The queen's address."

"I'm sorry..? You want to get married then?"

Muk looked off into the distance before they stepped into the reception area.

"That should work."

"If we're going to do it, I want to do it with the people. I don't need this kind of ceremony. I doubt you do either."

"Having never given a thought to it, I believe that is a prudent course of action. Have you given a thought as to what you want to wear?"

"I have and as for you my blushing groom, I have some requests."

Freya gently fluffed his bow tie.

"They start with this piece right here, fair gentle-mouse."

Muks eyes crinkled as he too could do nothing but smile.

"I'll wear it."

"You had better."

"There won't be a lot of time ahead for us to do something like this so it would be. I hope that we will be doing something special."

"It's not the ceremony that matters. It's the bond."

"That in itself will be special. Are we all set up for tomorrow?"

"The rehearsal will be something special."

The two walked into the reception hall without a care in the world, arm in arm as Freya had only imagined would happen in books.

“The whole military regalia, it was wonderful at the officer's mess, but now? I’ve taken a shine to it.”

Freya admired his red suit with gold embroidery and buttons. The fact that he wasn’t the only creature in the ball wearing such a suit didn’t matter to her. She only had eyes for him. She could only-at that moment- have eyes for him.

The music started and she got caught up in it, moving to dance with ease. The only thing keeping her in check was Muks needing to play catch up with her. Tulip and Raina had taught her grace, but only River was able to impart the smallest bit of patience to her. So when he stumbled a bit, she caught him. When she stumbled a bit, watching Abigail, he caught her.

They smiled at each other both times.

Abigail for her part beamed every time she passed them. Freya couldn’t blame her. She had found exactly what she wanted. Freya hadn’t even known what she wanted, and up until recently, she hadn’t dared to admit that even becoming a druid was a plan she was willing to follow.

But for today, she would just go with the flow. Things worked out better at a fox wedding when you did that.