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1320 AD, Scotland

  THE GOLDEN ARROW PIERCED through the skin of the Deviant, right into its heart. The beast howled in pain before tumbling to the ground in a heap. A cheer rang out amongst the soldiers on the field, their final foe defeated. Artemis knelt on top of a hill, looking down at all of them. They raised their swords, a sign of respect towards the woman who had just saved their kingdom. A big and full laugh came from behind her. Artemis turned to see the Lord of the small kingdom, Fergus. "Where'd you learn to shoot like that?"

With a breathy chuckle, Artemis stood to her feet. "Just years of practice," She answered simply.

Fergus chuckled and shook his head. "There will be a feast tonight in your honour!" 

He and Artemis began to walk down the hill where the soldiers cleaned up the battlefield. Artemis could see Ajak tending to the wounded and Gilgamesh carrying the fallen. "So many dead..." She shook her head, a pit forming in her stomach. 

"They knew the risks of war," Fergus patted her shoulder. "They did not die in vain." 

Artemis knew he was trying to comfort her and she appreciated that, but his words brought her no solace. They stopped just at the bottom of the hill. "Tend to your men, Fergus. They need you."

Fergus bowed. "Thank you, Artemis."

They parted ways and Artemis couldn't hide her frown as she walked towards Ajak, who had just finished healing a man's broken femur. "What's with that face?" Ajak asked. 

"They were massacred, yet they smile and laugh," Artemis shook her head, wrapping her arms around her torso. "They're throwing a banquet tonight to celebrate." 

Ajak sighed, placing a soft hand on Artemis's shoulder. Warmth spread throughout her body as Ajak healed the small cuts, strains, and bruises. "Humans are strange that way. They do not cower in the jaws of defeat. And today, they won. Yes, men were lost, but they are still living. They understand the sacrifices their comrades made to let them live."

"Always so wise," Artemis chuckled, but there was a hint of bitterness in her voice. 

Ajak tilted her head. "What's wrong, Artemis? You're on edge." 

"I..." Artemis huffed, shaking her head. Why was she so agitated? Deep down, she knew why, but she couldn't tell Ajak that. It was a secret between only Druig and her. She decided for a different answer that was still the truth, but not entirely. "The wedding...it's tomorrow."

Ajak softened. "Oh, dear one," She shook her head with a knowing smile. "You and Druig have been together for centuries. Nothing will change."

"But...marriage in a way is making it official. It all leads up to this," Artemis sighed.

She and Ajak began to walk, following the soldiers off of the field and towards Lord Fergus's land. "He loves you," Ajak place a hand on Artemis's forearm. "He always has and always will. This is simply his way of showing you that."

A soft pink spread across Artemis's face as she shook her head. "Thank you, Ajak," She hid her face from the woman in embarrassment. 

Ajak chuckled, pulling Artemis in by the shoulders to hug her softly. "You are welcome, my dear." 

  The castle was bustling with people. Trays of food and pitchers of wine were being placed throughout in preparation for the night's festivities. Women curtsied and men bowed to Artemis and Ajak as they walked through the alls. They were all thankful for the Eternals and their heroics. Artemis could hear Kingo telling an extravagant and completely untrue story of his battle and the snickers of Sprite as she listened. 

Stopping at a staircase, Ajak turned to Artemis. "I have to go check on the injured. Are you alright on your own?" 

"Of course I am, Ajak," Artemis laughed, but she could tell from the look in Ajak's eyes that the woman was genuinely concerned for her. "See you tonight." She didn't wait for a response as she turned and rushed up the stairs two steps at a time. She barely spared glances to the maids and soldiers who walked past her until she made it to the tower in which her and Druig's room nestled. She grabbed the bronze handle and swung the heavy wooden door open, slamming it shut. 

This caused Druig to jump and nearly drop the book he was reading. "Artemis, is everything okay?" He shut the book without a second glance and stood from the plush chair he sat in. She took in his attire -- a traditional Scottish kilt, tunic, and leather boots. 

She tilted her head. "The celebration isn't until nightfall. What's with the getup?" 

"Don't avoid my question," He told her softly. He finally reached her and took her small hands into his as he checked her face for any sign of injury. 

"Nothing is wrong, love," Artemis sighed. "I'm just tired. The Deviants are attacking more frequently. I barely have time to rest." 

Druig nodded. Dropping one of her hands he pulled her towards the bed in the centre of the room. "Sit. I'll clean you up." 

"Druig, there's no ne-"

"Hush, my lady," He kissed the back of her hand slowly. "No arguing." 

And who was Artemis to argue when he looked at her like that? "Okay," She nodded and plopped down clumsily on the soft mattress as she watched him disappear into their closet and she waited until he returned. His arms were filled with fabric and on top of them sat a comb. Without a word, he moved behind her and placed the pile of clothes next to him and began to softly detangle her hair with his fingers. "Druig, what are you doing?"

"Taking care of you," He answered simply with a chuckle. "Now, stay still," And Artemis happily obliged. She had to admit it felt good as he combed through her hair, taking out every knot and tangle. Her shoulders slumped as she relaxed, relishing in the feeling. He was extremely gentle with her, worried that one wrong tug could hurt her. Though she fought Deviants day and night, he still doted over her as if she were as fragile as glass. And just as Artemis's eyes shut, he pulled away. An unintentional huff left her lips. Druig chuckled. "Felt good?"

"You have no idea," She sighed dreamily as she turned to face him, watching him through heavy lashes. "Thank you, love." 

He leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her ruff lips. "You are very much welcome, my lady," He watched as her cheeks turned pink, sending a thrill through his body. After all these years he could still leave her flustered. "Now, let's get you out of that filthy armour."

Artemis nodded in agreement, following Druig as he stood. Silently, they worked together in stripping Artemis's body of her sweaty, sticky, and muddy armour. Druig worked tentatively, being careful of where he placed his hands, always the gentleman. Once her armour was off and she was left in her undergarments, he tried his best not to stare as he handed her the pile of clothes for the banquet tonight. Artemis chuckled as she took them from him. "We've been together how many thousand years and you're still embarrassed to see me almost naked?"

"I'm being respectful," Druig countered, his face beginning to turn red.

"Uh-uh," Artemis rolled her eyes playfully, grabbing him by the collar of his tunic and ruffly kissing him, but she pulled away before he could get too touchy. She smirked as she watched his lips open and close, eyes hungrily scanning her body. She ignored him, enjoying the feeling of power she had over him as she slipped her own tunic on, lilac, her colour. She took the slippers and slid them onto her feet and lastly placed the thin leather belt around her waist. "There," She nodded. "What do you think?" 

"That I can't wait for our wedding night," His voice was husky and deep. Artemis's eyes shot to his in shock and the blush promptly returned to her cheeks.

They stared at each other for a moment before Artemis shook her head, breaking the eye contact. She hoped he couldn't notice the pit forming in her stomach at the mention of their wedding. "Let's go see if the others need help with the party, huh?" 

"Great idea, my lady," Druig's voice didn't seem to indicate any knowledge of her change in mood as he walked up next to her and took her hand in his. She looked up at him shyly, but his smile gave her a sense of calm and somehow she knew everything would be okay.

  Finally, the party was in full swing. Druig and Artemis held hands as they weaved through the crowd of already drunk dancers in search of their family. When her eyes connected with Sersi's, Artemis dragged Druig behind her and when she finally reached her sister, she let go of his hand to swing her arms over Sersi's shoulders. "Art! Took you long enough! Sersi chuckled. 

"This one," Artemis pointed back at Druig. "Insisted on pampering me." Druig shook his head with a small smile. 

Sersi cooed. "You two are made for each other. I can't wait for tomorrow!" 

"Yeah!" Makkari butted in. 

Artemis chuckled bashfully. "Thank you, girls." 

"I have your dress all ready to go!" Phastos piped up. "I hope you'll like it!"

"Of course, I will, Phastos," Artemis shook her head as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Everything you do is perfect. I have no doubts."

Loud and sudden shouts caught all of their attention. Artemis turned to see Gilgamesh and Kingo carrying an already drunk Lord Fergus towards them. She pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. "Artemis!" Fergus cheered, pulling free from the grip of the two Eternals holding him and stumbling over to her. She was quick to catch him, throwing one of his arms over her shoulder. She tried her best not to cringe at the stench of alcohol that wafted from his breath. "I'm so glad you could make it! This banquet is for you, after all!"

"Of course, Fergus," Artemis began walking him towards a chair. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." 

"Thank you," He mumbled to her as she eased him down into a wooden chair. "I seem to have...gone overboard." 

"It's alright, Fergus," Artemis shook her head. "This is your house, you drink as much ale as you please!"

The Lord's booming laugh echoed through the dining hall. "Right you are, dear!" 

Artemis patted his shoulder and told him to stay there while she went to grab drinks, but she wasn't going to do that. She made a b-line for Gilgamesh and Kingo, smacking the two over the head. "How did you get the Lord so drunk already? Did you use Odin's brew again, Gil?" She scolded.

"Ow! Take it easy Miss Bride-to-Be!" Kingo swatted her hand away. "He insisted we drink! And how are we...to deny the Lord of the castle a drink or two." 

"It looks like he's had more than a drink or two," Artemis crossed her arms.

"Everyone calm down," Ajak's voice intervened. "A little drinking won't hurt anyone. Tonight is a celebration! Have fun!"

Artemis looked over at their leader and raised a brow. Really, Ajak? You can't believe that, she internally scoffed. But Ajak merely shook her head. Sighing, Artemis looked for Sersi, who, much to her dismay, was walking off with Ikaris. So she instead found the rest of the women of their team. Sitting at another table, Thena, Makkari, and Sprite were drinking pints of ale and chatting. "Mind if I join?" Artemis asked once she was in earshot. 

"Of course!" Makkari smiled, waving her over to the seat next to her. As soon as Artemis sat down, Makkari's arm was swung across her shoulders. "Excited for tomorrow?"

Artemis shrugged, looking down at the wooden table. "I guess..." There was no point in hiding her nerves from them. 

Thena frowned ever so slightly. "What is troubling you?" 

Artemis kept her head down and began to fiddle with her hands. "The wedding...it makes everything official. What if things change?" 

Sprite laughed. "You and Druig? That's impossible! You two are literally soulmates!" 

Artemis chuckled dryly and looked up at the three of them. "I guess it is silly, but..." 

"You can't help it?" Makkari suggested. 

"Exactly," Artemis nodded.

"Have you expressed this to Druig?" Thena asked. Artemis shook her head shyly. Thena sighed. "You need to communicate, or you'll only make things worse."

"Ugh, I hate it when you're right," Artemis joked, rolling her eyes at the blonde. She pushed back her chair and stood. "But you are right. I need to talk to him." 

"Good girl," Thena smiled softly. 

Artemis turned, eyes scanning the room for Druig. Of course, she found him by the buffet, his plate full and cheeks stuff. She giggled as she moved towards him. He seemed to sense her as he turned just before she reached him. He titled his head, mumbling something incoherent. "Can we go upstairs and talk?"

Druig nodded quickly, his eyebrows knitting with concern. He quickly swallowed the food in his mouth and took Artemis's hand, leading him back up to their room. She didn't say a word until the door had closed behind them. "You're probably wondering what this is all about..." 

Druig nodded, placing the plate of food on the nightstand closest to him. "I am." 

"I..." Artemis stared at the ground as she tried to form a sentence. "I'm...nervous for tomorrow." 

A small huff of a laugh left Druig's lips. She heard his footsteps approach and his leather boots came into view. Softly, his thumb and index finger gripped her chin and forced Artemis to look at him. "I know that, my lady. You do a terrible job of hiding your emotions around me." 

Artemis rolled her eyes, trying to subdue the blush that was slowly creeping up her neck. "I don't want things to change between us." She spoke bolder this time. 

Druig's face softened. "Oh, Artemis," He sighed, shaking his head. He moved his face closer to hers and she could feel his warm breath on her lips as he spoke. "That...can never happen." 

"And how do you know that?" She questioned him shyly.

Druig smiled and shrugged as if were the simplest answer in the world. "Because I love you." 

He closed the gap between them, kissing her with the intensity she had wished for before earlier. Her arms slipped up his back and his free arm slid around her waist, pulling her closer. The rest of the night was spent tangled in each other's arms, and Artemis no longer had a doubt in her mind as his kisses took them all away, leaving nothing but love and happiness in their wake. 

  Ajak, Makkari, Thena, and Sersi all poked and prodded at Artemis as they fitted her into her dress. "Not too tight!" Ajak scolded Sersi as they fixed her waist. 

"It feels great, guys, really!" Artemis tried to push them away. "We should get started on my hair!" 

"She's right," Thena nodded. "The dress is already perfect." She stepped back, taking a full look at Artemis. The dress was rather loose-fitting with knitted sprigs of lavender and lilac sprinkled throughout the white fabric.

"I guess so," Sersi sighed jokingly. "Sprite!" She called to the tiniest Eternal sitting off to the side. "Would you mind getting the comb and hair ties?" 

"On it!" Sprite jumped to her feet and as she went searching for the supplies, Ajak and Sersi lead Artemis to the vanity, sitting her down in front of the mirror. 

"Beautiful," Seris whispered to her, nuzzling her cheek. Artemis blushed and pushed her away playfully.

Sprite returned quickly, passing each Sersi and Thena a comb and some twine as substitutes for hair ties. "Thank you," Sersi nodded as she took the supplies and immediately she and Thena began to work on Artemis's hair, intricately braiding it. 

Artemis decided to close her eyes as they styled her, wanting the final product to be a surprise. It took the two about twenty minutes to finish and when Sersi told Artemis to open her eyes, she couldn't bring herself to. She shook her head and chuckled nervously. "I can't!" 

"Oh, don't be a child, Artemis," Thena rolled her eyes with an amused smirk. 

"It's okay," Sersi cooed. "You look stunning. Trust me." 

"Ugh, fine," Artemis huffed, slowing squinting open her eyes. Once they were fully open, she couldn't stop staring at herself. Normally, her face was scratched up, bleeding, and covered in mud and her armour would be just as dirty. But right now, she was the complete opposite, the epitome of beauty and elegance. "That...can't be me!"

The rest of the ladies burst out laughing, except Thena, who merely chuckled. "It is!" Ajak smiled, tears already forming in her eyes. "And it is time to go!"

"Already?" Artemis asked, suddenly very alarmed.

Ajak softly took her arm. "Everything will be alright," She said as she slowly lifted Artemis to her feet. "Just hold on to me." 

Artemis nodded slowly. "Okay..." She allowed Ajak to lead her from the room, giving a shy smile to Sersi before Makkari sped them all away. Ajak and Artemis walked through the halls of the castle, everyone they passed wishing the bride good luck. They reached the main floor and Ajak turned them right towards the garden exit. Artemis could just make out the archway and a few figures waiting. Her stomach flipped excitedly. "This is it," She whispered to Ajak. 

"I'm so proud of you," Ajak tightened her grip on her arm, squeezing with all the love in her heart. 

They stepped out into the garden. Their entire family was waiting there, just like Artemis wanted -- small, private -- it was perfect. And as her eyes adjusted to the sunlight, she could see him there at the end of the pathway, under the arch. Druig stared at her with pure love and adoration because to him, she was the most beautiful thing in the world. Ajak walked Artemis down the aisle, past Sersi and Ikaris, Thena and Gilgamesh, and Makkari, Kingo, and Sprite. She could hear Ajak's sniffles as they approached the arch. Druig held out his hand and Artemis took it, Ajak's arm slipping out from her own. 

"Hi," She whispered shyly. 

Druig smiled widely back. It was the largest Artemis had ever seen him smile. "Hi."

Then, the priest began to talk. Artemis could barely hear him over the pounding of her heart and the intensity of Druig's gaze. All she heard was, "Do you, Artemis, take Druig to be your husband." 

"I do," It was easy for her to say. 

"And do you, Druig, take Artemis to be your wife?" 

Druig stared deeply into Artemis's eyes, squeezing her hands tightly. She watched as tears formed in his eyes. "I do." 

"Then, I now pronounce you husband and wife!" The priest exclaimed. 

Tension was immediately liftec from both of their shoulders as the realization hit them both. Husband and wife. Artemis and Druig stared at each other for a moment, soaking it in. "I love you," Artemis sighed. 

Druig nearly melted. "I love you more," He smirked before pulling her in, kissing her with all the love in the universe. He poured every ounce of his feelings into this kiss and Artemis did the same. In the distance, they could hear the cheers of the other Eternals. Artemis giggled against his lips. Druig pulled back, tilting his head. "What's so funny?" He questioned her playfully. 

"Nothing," Artemis shook her head. "I'm just...happy."

"Good," Druig nodded. "I am too. So happy..." His sentence trailed off as his eyes trailed back down to her lips.

Artemis blushed. "Save it for when we're alone," She slipped out of his hands, failing to contain her laughter as she ran into the waiting arms of Sersi, Ajak, and Makkari. 

Druig just stood there, watching her with the stupidest smile. A slap on his back from Kingo pulled his attention. "Who knew this day would come, huh?" He laughed. "I always thought she was too good for you."

Druig couldn't care less about Kingo's teasing. "She is..." He agreed, turning his attention back onto his wife. She jumped up and down with Sersi and Sprite, happier than ever. This was a moment neither of them wanted to forget, no matter what might happen next.

AUTHORS NOTE
uhhh this is long as hell and I'm sorry BUT HERE'S THE WEDDING CHAPTER I HOPE YOU ENJOYED