"What?" Clotho glanced up at Alisande and said, irritated, "Well, follow your heart, woman! Or has your crown squeezed out your brain?"
"Not her brain, but her heart," Lachesis pointed out. "She hesitates to follow the course of love, for fear it will not be the course of wisdom."
"Wisdom, forsooth!" Clotho scoffed. "Where can there be wisdom, when folk speak of wedding? None of you mortals can see the future! But this much shall I tell you, damsel—you shall wed this man, will you or nill you, though you may take years to settling on it! And when you have wed, you shall bear two children—a son and a daughter who, together, shall lead all of Europe into an age of peace, prosperity, and devotion."
Alisande sat stiff and said through numb lips, "She speaks truth. My sovereign's heart has felt it—and my woman's heart aches for it!" She whirled to Matt. "I shall wed you, Wizard, if you still wish it!"
"Wish it? I'd die for it!" Matt grabbed her and, forgetting about her royal dignity, kissed her right there in front of all the people.
They cheered.
Alisande was rigid for a few moments, then forgot about the people and melted into the kiss.
Prince Rinaldo finally smiled again.
They came out of the kiss, moving a little apart, staring at each other in surprise and wonder.
Then Matt whirled to Friar Tuck. "Good father! Marry us, quickly!"
"What, on the instant?" Tuck asked, his eyes round.
"Yes! Right now this instant! Before she changes her mind!"
The End