Marriage (Book of Laraganus)

After a lengthy selection process, Zephren was chosen to be King Shreo's wife and thus would be Queen of the Green Swamps. News reached Laraganus, who was in the middle of sieging a rebel hideout near the border of the Yellow Meadows.

"So my little sis gets to fulfill the dream she always had. Good for her. However, this is even better for me because I get to go back and wear a nice dress for a change," said Laraganus as she handed the message back to the messenger. "Just be careful not to wear one that's bigger than the queen's," said one of her soldiers. "So, what am I supposed to wear? Nothing?" said Laragnaus, laughing. The soldier laughed too. "Well, anyway, it would seem I must leave tomorrow to go back and get ready for this wedding. I want the siege to continue, but tell the next highest ranking officer that he's in charge and not to make any moves unless the enemy surrenders, of course," ordered Laragnaus as she began packing her things. "Yes, ma'am," said the soldier as she left the tent and headed to find the next-highest-ranking officer.

Early the next morning, Laragnaus packed her things and rode Hex-Dris (her giant pet dragon) back to the current capital: Castle Knife. By the afternoon, she had made it to the Castle Knife, where she was greeted by servants putting up decorations. As she made her way through the castle, passing by several people carrying a large statue and a couple of large paintings. "This is....looking to be quite something," she said to herself. After some further navigating, she finally found Zephren's room and knocked, where she was greeted by a handmaid holding a thread in her hand and a needle in her mouth. After opening the door, she removed the needle from her mouth. "MISTRESS ZEPHREN! LARAGANUS IS HERE!" shouted the handmaid as she quickly went back to a table that was covered by a large white piece of fabric. "BE RIGHT THERE!" shouted Zephren back. After some time, Zephren emerged from her other room, half-dressed in a two-piece slim dress. Her hair was half put up with a couple of bangs hanging down over her forehead. "Oh, I am so glad you're here. I need your honest opinion on the final look, and then I need you to try on a dress that one of my handmaids is working on. Then, after that, I need your help making room for the guests as there's supposed to be a ton of them," said a frantic Zephren. "I just can't leave you alone without you needing me to fix your problems, can I?" joked Laraganus. "Lara. This is not the time. The wedding is in a week, and I just want it to be as romantic and beautiful as we dreamt when we were kids," said Zephren. "Oh, this will be better than one we dreamt of, that's for sure," said Laraganus, laughing.

Nearly a century later, it was Laraganus's wedding day. She was about to marry Shiv's son. A young, handsome, talented male. However, unlike her sister's wedding, which featured kings and queens from other lands, this one was filled with peasants of diverse backgrounds. Instead of a castle, it was outside her home, which was located in the middle of the woods. Instead of a grand feast after the ceremony, it would be more of a large picnic. The biggest difference of them all was that Zephren would not be here. As she was kicked off the throne and went into hiding, Laragnaus never found her. She had some leads, but they always turned out to be dead ends or false rumors.

But Laraganus had to stop focusing on that as she put on her sister's dress, which was made for her sister's wedding, with some touch-ups, of course. Then it came time to walk the aisle. She did so alone as her friends looked at her in awe. She wore no veil, so her green-skinned face radiated with joy and love. She made it to the altar where her future husband stood before her, wearing nothing but long white undergarments. His legs were covered in fish scales, since his mother was a mermaid, and his green skin glistened in the light of the setting sun. Honestly, he looked like a child even though he was 18.

Shiv was the one officiating the wedding. "Today, we gather to unite two souls. Lady Laraganus Spears and Shim Longsword in the final form of love: Marriage. Now, Lady Spears, do you take Sir Longsword as your husband?" asked Shiv. "I do," gleamed Laraganus. "Will you stay beside him from now until death? Will you stay beside him even when he is away, sick, or poor?" asked Shiv. "Yes," Laragnaus was trying her hardest to not explode in joy and tears. "Now, Sir Longsword, do you take Lady Spears as your wife?" asked Shiv like the proud father he was. "I do," said Shim. It appeared he, too, was struggling with emotions. "And will you stay beside her from now until death? Will you stay beside her even when she is away, sick, or poor?" asked Shiv. "I do," said Shim, radiating joy from his face. "Then, with the True God's blessing and as your heavenly witness, I declare you husband and wife."

After the ceremony, everyone began eating. Night had fallen, and candles lit lanterns dotted around Laraganus's house. Soon enough, Laraganus and Shim were having their first dance. It had everyone staring as they moved together. Of course, Laraganus took the lead by telling Shim each move, and he obeyed. Then, after the dance, other couples danced. After a couple more hours, everyone was getting tired, and thus they went back to the nearest village. Meanwhile, Larangaus and Shim slept in Laraganus's house.

That night, Laraganus and Shim made love. Laraganus guided and reassured Shim anytime he seemed uncomfortable or confused about what to do next. For Laraganus, it was the best time of her life; for Shim, it was his proudest yet most awkward time of his life. The next few nights were very similar, but Shim became more confident over time.

Soon enough, Laragnaus was pregnant and gave birth to Shreo. A couple of years later, Shak was born. Shak married and named his son Shane, who named his son Shale, who named his son Shra, who named his son Shinle, who named his son Shragaurd, who named his son Shekra, whose son would be Noone.