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"Surely thou art not proposing such haste, asped

"As a oing to leave here until the two of you are safelyin Arendia if somebody isn't around to watch them"

"I am not suitably attired, your Majesty" Nerina protested, looking down at her black dress "Thou wouldst not have own of sable hue?"

"And I," Mandorallen also objected, "I a clad in steel"

"I don't have the slightest concern about what either of you is wearing," Garion informed them "It's what's in your hearts that's important, not what's on your backs"

"But-" Nerina faltered "I do not even have a veil"

Garion gave her a long, steady look Then he cast a quick look around the room, picked up a lace doily from a nearby table and set it neatly atop the lady's head "Char else?"

"A ring?" Lelldorin suggested hesitantly

Garion turned to stare at hi, Garion," Lelldorin said defensively

Garion considered that for aout of insubstantial air "Will this do?" he asked, holding it out to theht I not be attended?" Nerina asked in a s voice "It is unseemly for a noblewoman to be ithout the presence of soe her"

"Go fetch somebody"' Garion said to Lelldorin

"Whom should I select?" Lelldorin asked helplessly

"I don't care Just bring a lady of noble birth to the chapel -even if you have to drag her by the hair"

Lelldorin scurried out

"Is there anything else?" Garion asked Mandorallen and Nerina in the slightly dangerous tone that indicated that his patience earing very thin

"It is custoroom to be accompanied by a close friend, Garion," Mandorallen reminded him

"Lelldorin will be there," Garion said, "and so will I We won't let you fall down or faint or run away"

"Might I not have a few small flowers?" Nerina asked in a plaintive voice

Garion looked at her "Certainly," he replied in a deceptively an to create lilies -rapidly- popping the them one after another in the startled lady's hand

"Are they the right color, Nerina?" he asked her "I can change theht blue would suit you"