The Wedding day, I could not be more nervous. Though I have known my bride since her birth and we have grown up together. This was a day long planned and it seemed to make me anxious. My marriage to my best friend. 

Mom and dad are so proud. We have lived in this castle for all of my life, Neither mom nor dad have a lordship or title yet they still live here and there has been no dispute by another lord or king for all of the years that they have lived there. My parents felt that the castle was too big for them to manage themselves, so they invited three other couples from the village. The castle could more than accommodate us all. Four families fit nicely into the castle. 

I was the first child of the four families but I was not the last. Forgive me I have forgotten to introduce myself, My name is Thomas Beck. I was so named for the lord that did live in this castle before we were allowed to assume the duties. It was a solid year before the others came along. 

The Lord and Lady left on a trip and as far as I know they never returned. My parents were left in charge until such a time when they should return. So that is the backstory as far as I know. 

My parents have gotten old, well beyond their years. Mom thinks that the crisp mountain air has something to do with their long life. Now with a marriage, it will soon be mine and Sara’s turn to wait for the lord to return. Perhaps that is why I am anxious, learning that I will be the steward in place of my parents. Caring for the land and the castle.

Dignitaries from all over have gathered princes and princesses, counselors and wizards, merchants and trade goers, all these important folk have gathered to celebrate a seemingly unknown lord’s marriage. But I am no lord, and Sara is no princess, yet we are treated as such for today only. 

Sara is my best friend and soon to be wife. She is the second born from our commune and was brought up to be the ruling lady. Me and her have gotten into more trouble than we knew what was good for us . We almost thought that it was our right to be troublemakers. We explored most of the countryside together. It was on a hill near the village that I proposed. The wildflowers were blooming beautifully, it was a perfect day. 

I stood out on the wall overlooking the vast landscape that was to be my charge. already musicians had started to play as guests had arrived. The whole of the town was within the walls. Laughter and merriment could be heard resounding off the walls and the mountain side. Flutes and strings made a tune that could be easily danced to. The smell of roast lamb, cow, pig, and chicken made the gathering that much more sweeter. The ale was from last year, a stock that I picked and made myself, it was a sweeter sort, how I liked it. 

The sun was still in the morning. Its rays of light joined in the dancing tune as the wet fields sparkled with the dew. The sight was idyllic and serene. The wildflowers of the uncultured field added a color that would have been sorely missed on a day such as today.

My father approached from behind me. He was old and bent, he carried a simple walking stick at his side.

“Son,” He said, “It is time. Your future awaits and the party cannot go on without the groom.” 

“Thanks dad.” I responded. “Were you nervous when you married mom?”

“All men have that tendency of jitters, but that’s not to say that you can’t work through them. It is only when she grabs your arm that you stiffen up and become solid. I felt the jitters of your mother on our wedding day, but when she clasped upon my arm and felt how solid I was, she calmed down and realized that this is a day of joy and life.”

“So you had to be strong for both of yourselves?”

“Yes, I had to be strong, and strength flowed through without stopping. Not until today will my strength finally ebb and I can rest and enjoy life again.”

I looked at him scrupulously. “Dad, you have fifteen kids. I am simply the oldest one. I don’t think you’ll be able to rest fully until the rest have founded their own homes.”

He looked at me and smiled and slapped my shoulder with joy. “Then let me have a good day today as I am done with one part of my journey. Now, the party awaits!”

I helped my father down the stairs and joined him as we welcomed the guests for coming. The castle was filled with life, songs, music, drink, and food. 

The ceremony was quiet. Sara was radiant. She looked like an angel had descended to earth to spend her joy with me. I looked like an undeserving sod.

Though my father said that she would tremble, I think that it was her strength that allowed the vows to be exchanged flawlessly. Her smile made the whole congregation remain at peace. 

After the ceremony, the feasting started and wines were shared. Music and dancing to be done. Dignitaries and villagers mixed and no one seemed to care. Men and women swapping partners except for one pair. 

Don’t ask me how I knew, but there was one couple, older and wiser than the others that surrounded us, that just seemed to glow with joy. The man was old and ragged with a long gray beard. His age did not seem to stifle his youth though. The lady that he danced with was the very image of eternal youth. The hair on top of her head was gray but the strands that flowed down were that of golden blonde. The wrinkles that she had were well worn and without a doubt a joy and point of pride for herself. 

Sara pulled me aside after a time. Exhaustion seemed to make the party grow quiet. 

“There seems to be a special set of guests here that want to talk to us in private for a time. We should talk to them while the other guests take a break.”

I may have been hot and worn out, but Sara seemed insistent on making the meeting happen. “Lead on, my queen.” I said this in half jest and half seriousness. 

I followed her down the corridor. She had my hand in hers and there was little doubt where we were going. We both had wandered these hallways since we were very young. The master bedroom had a large balcony overlooking the entrance. The room we were heading towards was almost identical to the master bedroom except that there was no sunlight in the room. Torch light was the only means of light. It was a bizarre room to be sure. Why did someone want to meet there is a question to be answered.

The pair that was in the dark bedroom was the older couple that never strayed apart in the dances. Sara approached the couple and curtiessed to the elder woman. The man old as he was did not seem to be of a notable lineage as the woman. She seemed to be more of a queen and he her knight. 

“It was a beautiful ceremony and an excellent party. The roasted pork was my favorite.” The man said. A smile could be seen through his gray beard. The light in his eyes still danced with youth.

“Thomas, you must learn to be more respectful toward the younger generation. This fine couple has welcomed us and fed us probably beyond their current means.” The lady said.

“Then I suppose that a gift to them would be appropriate, yes?” He replied.

Then it seemed that a mischievous smile spread across her face. “Yes. Children, how thoroughly have you explored this castle?”

I stepped up and answered. “We were raised in this castle. Since our birth. My parents are the stewards that were left in charge and they have faithfully awaited the return of the proper Lady that owns the land.”

“And do you know who I am?” The lady asked as she stood up and brushed her gown down to decrease her wrinkles.

“I imagine that you are the Lady returned to the castle.” I answered. “Have you come back to reclaim what is yours?”

The man answered this time. “Yes and no. We have come back to leave permanently, but in order to do that effectively we need to appoint our heirs.”

Sara moved closer to my backside and held my hand. “Are your children moving us out then?” Her concern was well warrant. I was afraid of that very thing when I answered the Lady’s question of who she was.

The Lady looked a bit sorrowful at the mention of children and once again the gentleman answered. “No. We, unfortunately, met too late in life and were unable to bear our own. But that is why we have come back at this time. We have been in neighboring countries for the past few years waiting to hear of the wedding that would take place for the new stewards of this castle. You could say that you two are our heirs.”

“Why after all this time? Why, now and why us?”

The Lady answered this time. “I was locked in this castle for years without count. I spent the majority of my youth here, and now that I have my mortality back, I will not die in a gilded cage. We came to get a small bit of treasure and name you two as the new Lord and Lady.”

“There is no treasure in this place, madam. Sad to say, but my parents have looked many times.” I said.

“What did you mean by mortality?” Sara asked.

“Once upon a time I was a vampire that lived on the blood of animals and men. With a journey of some months and a tireless protector I was cured in the sea that the sun always touches. We have been traversing this continent for the past eighteen years. Sleeping outside and enjoying nature. The towns and cities were nice but I have had my fill of stone houses and hopefully we can see the rest of the world after our business is concluded. As for the treasure, there are many vaults in this place that none would find. This room has such a vault.” She made a motion toward her man. He moved a portrait and slid a stone to the left, he walked across the room and to the bed. The bed that seemed to be solidly stuck in place, moved with ease. 

The older man walked down a small staircase and went under the bed. He came back up with a small chest and a piece of parchment on top. He left the vault open in the darkened bedroom. My eyes couldn’t help but wonder what else was in the hidden cache. 

“Son, you’ll have plenty of time to look in there along with the two others after we’re gone.” The old man said in a gruff tone. I straightened up and focused on the Lady that took the parchment paper and sat down with an ink quill.

“Now, am I correct in my reckoning that you are called Thomas and Sara?” The Lady asked as she wetted her quill. 

“Their parents named them after us? That sure is convenient.” The old Thomas said. 

“Yes, it will make the transfer of title easier and more binding should anyone come knocking. But I am hoping that the local lords that we spent the last few years with will help keep ruffians and barbarians out of these peaceful lands.” She finished her writing and blew on the ink to get it to dry faster. She then handed it over to my wife, Sara. “Keep that some place guarded and secret. That is your title and land holdings as you two are now the Lord and Lady of this land.

“The aviary and the kitchen cellar have the other two vaults. Though one in the bedroom has the most treasure by a good portion. We are just taking enough to see us through to the end of our days.” Old Thomas said.

Perhaps it was the night starting to creep in but the guests had begun to stir in the courtyard. Just a light chatter at first, then the people began to talk loudly and stories were traded and laughs were had.

The elder Thomas and Sara escort the younger ones back to the courtyard. As the newly wed couple stood hand in hand at the top of the staircase, elder Thomas announced their return. 

 “Please welcome back the newlyweds, Lord Thomas and Lady Sara. Rulers of the lands surrounding these mountains. Their birth rights have been claimed by their marriage, their names hold testament that they are indeed the heirs of Lady Sara and Lord Thomas that once ruled these lands. Welcome them and acknowledge that they are the rightful rulers!”

Applause and cheers went out from the castle. Sara and I were dragged out into the hall. We were hoisted up and music started up again and dancing started again. 

When the night waned away and the morning came again, the guests began to depart. Lords and dignitaries and farmers and serfs all left and all were equal for a day. I looked for the elder lord and lady but nary a sign I could find of either of them. 

The vault that was left open in the dark bedroom consisted of gold, silver and precious jewels, there was also many land titles in there that pretty much guaranteed that the Lord owned the mountains from the river to the sea. They would never be lacking for anything for several generations. 

_______________________________________________

“Was it ok for us to leave like that?” Thomas asked as he finished loading the wagon with supplies.

“Yes, I am sure that those two will be fine. With a little bit of luck they will create a kingdom that will last for hundreds of years. I am sure that our leaving will do them no harm. Besides, I really want to see the rest of the world before I die.” Sara responded. 

She shone bright in the morning light and her cares were very minimal. She loved Thomas and wanted to see the world with him. She knew that they could protect each other. She knew that he would protect them both. He had been doing it for twenty-five years. She was sure that they could make it across the sea and see the world before their time came at last. 

It was the choice that she made so many years ago, to let the vampire hunter live. So that she might see the bright world and be reborn. It was a choice that she made rightly.