So the day of the festival of the goddess Melodia, the late goddess of song, had finally fallen upon the children of Nolava after much anticipation [should the reader wonder how a goddess can pass away, I refer them to entry #1 of this blog]. Though the day of this festival was among the most important on the Nolavarian calendar, and the festival held each year, this particular one was of greater importance.
Word had spread throughout the kingdom that their lovely Queenn Kulambria was to make a special announcement at the conclusion of this year's festival, and there was much speculation as to the nature of this announcement among the people of Nolava. It stands to reason, then, that it was next to impossible on that day to find a Nolavarian who as not at the festival, from suckling to the aged, from all corners of the kingdom, its center, and everything in-between.
As with all Nolavarian festivals, all forms of merriment were present, besides myriad performances from the best bards in the land, and all associated residual dancing: there were games and contests of all sorts-for child and adult alike-the exchanging of all kinds of keepsakes, and an endless selection of food and drink available freely to all who attended.
As the sun began its gentle descent beneath Nolava, and many of its young citizens grew drowsy, a sudden hush fell upon the massive audience; the Queen entered the stage and approached the microphone. She smiled and blew kisses at her grateful and happy citizens, then bowed and began to speak:
My dearest friends and citizens of our lovely kingdom, I want to thank you for the great honor you have shown my beloved mother, the goddess Melodia, our goddess of song. May the love and melody we have all shared here today reach her inner chambers; that she will see fit to bless our kingdom for another year. I know many of you have anticipated a very special announcement at the closing of this festival, and you will not be disappointed. Before I make this announcement, however, I must call forward our chief of all bards, Brother Sonitrus: together he and I shall perform a special song he has composed for this occasion, at my request. Dear Sonitrus?
The audience stirred a bit as Sonitrus the Golden (as he'd come to be called) somewhat bashfully approached Queen Kulambria's side, nervously tuning his guitar while he walked. He settled into his position at the edge of the stage, legs dangled over its edge, cleared his throat, and plucked a string. With the first note he played, every soul present fell completely silent; Queen Kulambria took her microphone out of its stand and sat down beside him.
The Atomic Honey song, "Staring At The Sun," is the most accurate translation of this special song we have, based on data gathered from the historical records of the ancient Nolavarian bards: here is a link to it with video: http://youtu.be/5x0szhnmtGM
Many wept during the performance of this song, including the queen herself, even as she sang its words. At its conclusion, there were no cheers, for all were deeply moved and found themselves unable to speak. The queen smiled, hugged dear Sonitrus, then stood again to address the audience:
And now, my dear friends, I think you've waited long enough: over the years, I know many of you have wondered that I have never taken a husband-and rightfully so. The truth is, I've had my eyes set upon one of our fair citizens for many a year now, and my heart-but just a little. I've spent many years afraid to confront these feelings, convincing myself that my duty is to you, the fair people of Nolava-and indeed shall it remain so for as long as I live-and that I could better serve you alone. Whether my heart has gotten the best of me, or I'm foolishly misguiding myself I cannot tell-I only know that I no longer desire to lead this kingdom alone and have decided to take a husband...if he will have me.
The silence of the audience became quite a loud silence at this point, of course, and one could feel that the collective body was about to burst with anticipation. Queen Kulambria gathered herself, smiled softly at the horizon, then continued:My dearest Sonitrus, ever at my side, will you remain as such as my husband for as long as we live?
The audience gasped collectively. Dear Sonitrus, chief of all bards, fell instantly to his knees before the queen, in a state of wonder, disbelief, and overcome with humility. A tear escaped the corner of his eye and left its mark upon his cheek. His golden voice quite shaken, he spoke to the queen as thus:
My fair and lovely queen, I have not the words to express what I feel this moment: I am overcome with suprise; I am humbled, frightened, and overjoyed all at once. I can only say 'Yes,' my dear queen, for though I feel not worthy, how can I refuse? By your side as your loving husband shall I remain for so long as you find me worthy.
With that, Sonitrus the Golden knelt a bit more, and touched his forehead to the stage's floor for a second, just before Queen Kulambria took his arm and lifted him to his feet; his knees continued to tremble for many hours afterward. The newly betrothed embraced, and the entire kingdom of Nolava erupted into whistles, applause, and various chants (some silly, some quite touching). As the two held their embrace, the queen pulled Sonitrus' ear to her lips and whispered,
Sonitrus, my love, my dear, and my soon-to-be husband, you must quickly learn to stop calling me your queen-it sounds so impersonal. I'm rather fond of 'lover' if you desire my input on this, my love.
The queen held him tighter still for another moment and smiled as she looked deeply into his glassy eyes.
Needless to say, the festival went on much longer than any had anticipated-even the queen-and many were still celebrating near the temple of the goddess Melodia when the sun stretched its arms and yawned the next dawn. Truly a new era was now upon the people of Nolava, for better or for worse. Kev oxox
Word had spread throughout the kingdom that their lovely Queenn Kulambria was to make a special announcement at the conclusion of this year's festival, and there was much speculation as to the nature of this announcement among the people of Nolava. It stands to reason, then, that it was next to impossible on that day to find a Nolavarian who as not at the festival, from suckling to the aged, from all corners of the kingdom, its center, and everything in-between.
As with all Nolavarian festivals, all forms of merriment were present, besides myriad performances from the best bards in the land, and all associated residual dancing: there were games and contests of all sorts-for child and adult alike-the exchanging of all kinds of keepsakes, and an endless selection of food and drink available freely to all who attended.
As the sun began its gentle descent beneath Nolava, and many of its young citizens grew drowsy, a sudden hush fell upon the massive audience; the Queen entered the stage and approached the microphone. She smiled and blew kisses at her grateful and happy citizens, then bowed and began to speak:
My dearest friends and citizens of our lovely kingdom, I want to thank you for the great honor you have shown my beloved mother, the goddess Melodia, our goddess of song. May the love and melody we have all shared here today reach her inner chambers; that she will see fit to bless our kingdom for another year. I know many of you have anticipated a very special announcement at the closing of this festival, and you will not be disappointed. Before I make this announcement, however, I must call forward our chief of all bards, Brother Sonitrus: together he and I shall perform a special song he has composed for this occasion, at my request. Dear Sonitrus?
The audience stirred a bit as Sonitrus the Golden (as he'd come to be called) somewhat bashfully approached Queen Kulambria's side, nervously tuning his guitar while he walked. He settled into his position at the edge of the stage, legs dangled over its edge, cleared his throat, and plucked a string. With the first note he played, every soul present fell completely silent; Queen Kulambria took her microphone out of its stand and sat down beside him.
The Atomic Honey song, "Staring At The Sun," is the most accurate translation of this special song we have, based on data gathered from the historical records of the ancient Nolavarian bards: here is a link to it with video: http://youtu.be/5x0szhnmtGM
Many wept during the performance of this song, including the queen herself, even as she sang its words. At its conclusion, there were no cheers, for all were deeply moved and found themselves unable to speak. The queen smiled, hugged dear Sonitrus, then stood again to address the audience:
And now, my dear friends, I think you've waited long enough: over the years, I know many of you have wondered that I have never taken a husband-and rightfully so. The truth is, I've had my eyes set upon one of our fair citizens for many a year now, and my heart-but just a little. I've spent many years afraid to confront these feelings, convincing myself that my duty is to you, the fair people of Nolava-and indeed shall it remain so for as long as I live-and that I could better serve you alone. Whether my heart has gotten the best of me, or I'm foolishly misguiding myself I cannot tell-I only know that I no longer desire to lead this kingdom alone and have decided to take a husband...if he will have me.
The silence of the audience became quite a loud silence at this point, of course, and one could feel that the collective body was about to burst with anticipation. Queen Kulambria gathered herself, smiled softly at the horizon, then continued:My dearest Sonitrus, ever at my side, will you remain as such as my husband for as long as we live?
The audience gasped collectively. Dear Sonitrus, chief of all bards, fell instantly to his knees before the queen, in a state of wonder, disbelief, and overcome with humility. A tear escaped the corner of his eye and left its mark upon his cheek. His golden voice quite shaken, he spoke to the queen as thus:
My fair and lovely queen, I have not the words to express what I feel this moment: I am overcome with suprise; I am humbled, frightened, and overjoyed all at once. I can only say 'Yes,' my dear queen, for though I feel not worthy, how can I refuse? By your side as your loving husband shall I remain for so long as you find me worthy.
With that, Sonitrus the Golden knelt a bit more, and touched his forehead to the stage's floor for a second, just before Queen Kulambria took his arm and lifted him to his feet; his knees continued to tremble for many hours afterward. The newly betrothed embraced, and the entire kingdom of Nolava erupted into whistles, applause, and various chants (some silly, some quite touching). As the two held their embrace, the queen pulled Sonitrus' ear to her lips and whispered,
Sonitrus, my love, my dear, and my soon-to-be husband, you must quickly learn to stop calling me your queen-it sounds so impersonal. I'm rather fond of 'lover' if you desire my input on this, my love.
The queen held him tighter still for another moment and smiled as she looked deeply into his glassy eyes.
Needless to say, the festival went on much longer than any had anticipated-even the queen-and many were still celebrating near the temple of the goddess Melodia when the sun stretched its arms and yawned the next dawn. Truly a new era was now upon the people of Nolava, for better or for worse. Kev oxox
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