Checkmate.

"I did something that you didn't do," Astra 2 says softly, looking kindly upon her sister. "It was one of the first things that I decided to do, for I at least felt they deserved that small courtesy."

"You looked into their eyes," Astra 1 said weakly.

"I looked into their eyes," Astra 2 agreed. "And by doing so, I shortened my road to love, ironically."

"But...I CAN'T be...in love," protested Astra 1. "It's too late. It's too embarrassing....."

"I know of one way that will prove it to yourself, once and final," Astra 2 whispers as she takes her sister by the hand.

Tears stream down Astra 1's cheeks as she looks down at the faces of Fred 1's brood. The infants, who had been taken along so their grandmother could see them, look back up at her solemnly. They don't cry. They don't giggle. However, Astra 1 gets the eerie feeling that they know who she is, and love her despite everything.

".....by the gods, what am I going to do?" she whispers, shaking.

Her heart feels warm and cold at the same time, and she feels a sick feeling in her stomach.

She no longer can deny it. She felt it in her heart like the stab of an arrow shot from Venus's son. Everything that she'd tried to deny herself about what her sister had said was totally true.

"But how can I.....?" Astra 1 asks her sister, nearly frantic.

"Mend the relationship with Fred 1 and the children?" Astra 2 finishes. "Simple, but a bit painful, I fear. Fred 1 and the D'Honaires are people of honor and tradition. They respected your decision, for it was within your right as a princess and such" Astra 2 didn't want to cloud the issue with what had happened with Zular. "But now, since you've changed your mind, and actually seen the truth of your heart......you'll need to handle this situation by Allarian custom.....that is, by Norse custom. Dowery, asking for Fred's hand in marriage (not quiet tradition, but.....), and of course.....taking up the name D'Honaire....never more being a Thessamer.

"You'll do it, for your in love, sister." Astra 1 says, looking into her sister's eyes. "Love is a rare, wonderful thing. To deny it for pride would mean you are suffering from FOOL's pride, and that's nothing to be proud of."

An hour later, a surprised Duke Dredrick is approached and asked for his son's (Fred 1's) hand in marriage. The elder Duke's heart had been softened by what he'd seen and heard of Astra 1's work on her mission of diplomacy, and saw that Astra 1 was worthy. Convincing his wife wasn't easy, but finally.....permission is given.

Fred 1 then is approached by Astra 1, who's dressed in the traditional clothing of a woman of Norse time. She then gets down on her knee and asks for Fred 1 to marry her.

Her delivery is perfect, and it cuts through any bad feelings that Fred 1 may have been harboring (not that there had been any). Fred cries as he accepts, and they both cry and hug each other.

Arrangements are made for a double wedding for Fred 1 and 2. Fred 1 and Astra 1 will be having a traditional Norse wedding. Fred 2 and Astra 2 will be having a traditional wedding of the religion of Aqualaria. Fred 2 will become a Thessamer while Astra 1 will become a D'Honaire.

They are wed the next day, and it's a question indeed to decide just WHO's happier in this wedding ceremony. Fred 1? Fred 2? Astra 1 or 2? Nobody can say, not even them.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds are dazzled by it all, but still are with the others enough to participate with an important meeting.

1. "Folks, I have good news indeed!" Probe says, with a smile on his Avatar's face. He is holding a glass beaker in his hand.....

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