It was a glorious summer day. Only several billowing, marshmallow-like clouds dotted the azure sky, and the gleaming sun shone at its brightest. Deep in the countryside, tucked amongst emerald hills, lay the castle: not just any castle, but one of extraordinary proportion, beauty, and intrigue. This very day, two couples and their friends and relatives were journeying towards this picturesque spot, for a very special purpose. For, on this day, it was the one year wedding anniversary of Walter and Nerissa Blythe, and, on the following day, it would be the one year wedding anniversary of Karl and Nienna Urban.

"Oh, Walter!" cried Nerissa in joy, "Look at all the precious little ducks floating on the moat!" She leaned as far out of the carriage window as she dared, before Walter's protective hand took hold of her arm. "They're certainly very nice," he replied, "but I'm afraid we'll have to wait to... get a, er, closer view." As Nerissa sighed and drew back, he eased back into the cushioned seat. "I'm quite glad we were able to find such a nice place for our anniversary," he remarked. "As am I! And to share it with our cousins on their anniversary, too..." Neri said, clasping her hands together. "It couldn't be more delightful."

The carriage rumbled over the drawbridge, and into a broad courtyard. As soon as the carriage stopped and the door opened, Nerissa and Walter hastened out to see what wonders awaited them. "What a charming place this is!" Neri said. "I can't wait for the others to arrive."


Welcome to the H~Line Anniversary Party! On behalf of the celebrating couples, we hope you have fun and enjoy yourselves at the Castle!

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Nia threw her arms around Neri as she got out of the carriage. "This place is WONDERFUL! I can't believe I'm sharing my wedding anniversary with you. I'm so excited."

Karl smiled at Walter, "She's hyper. Way too Hyper. Must be Star Trek."

Neri laughed in excitement and hugged her cousin back tightly. "Isn't it though? I feel as though I'm ready to burst from all the excitement. The carriage ride was certainly lovely, but I just couldn't wait to get here. Walter had to hold me in the carriage." She cast a teasing glance over at him, although she doubted if he had even heard.

Walter shrugged before he reached out for Karl's hand to shake it. "This could be dangerous," he said solemnly, although there was a twinkle in his eye. "Two very hyper wives make for an... interesting anniversary."

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Two strong Gondorian horses clattered over the drawbridge into the courtyard of the castle, where the carriages of the couples celebrating their one year wedding anniversaries had just drew up. Brimming with excitement, Goldleaf dismounted from her white mare; she was clad all in light blue, her golden hair swept up from her face. Boromir jumped down from his horse, and two attendants went forward to take their horses to the stables.

"We're here!" Goldleaf called towards Nerissa, Nienna and their husbands. "Congratulations!"

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~~Siggy by Lembas~~

Nia chuckled, "Karl's been complaing that I've become way too hyper way too fast."

Karl shook Walter's hand, "Yes. Dangerous indeed."

"Bah, Walter's been whining about that, too," Neri said with a smile before she rushed over to greet the newcomers. "Welcome, and thank you!" she cried, looping an arm around Goldleaf's shoulders and pulling her over to the rest of the group. "It's so good that you could make it! Our party just wouldn't be the same without you." Looking down at Goldleaf's dress, and then at her own, she laughed. "Blue is the fashion today, it seems! Only mine is the color of the moat, and yours is more the color of the sky."

Walter smiled and shook his head. "I suppose that's why we're along... crowd control, you know!" he teased. Waving to Boromir, he called, "Come join crowd-control over here! With another female in the group, we certainly need another man."

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Goldleaf laughed and hugged Nerissa back. "Your gown certainly is lovely," she said. Glancing towards Boromir, she waved him over with her free hand. "Come on, Boromir!" She grinned at him. She knew that Boromir was always a little intimidated by her large family; though she always knew, though he said nothing, that he was very fond of them by now, as they had accepted him into the family fold very warmly.

"Alright, alright," Boromir chuckled, making his way to Walter's side. "Too many women in this family, I say."

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~~Siggy by Lembas~~

Nia beamed at Goldy and Boromir, "Hey!! Glad you can make it!!" She hugged Goldy enthusuastically as Karl rolled his eyes behind her.

Karl smiled wirely at Boromir, "Hey. Great to have you here."

For once, Melda was making the effort for an understated entrance. Walking would take it's time - she'd been dropped off at the end of the drawbridge - but it was probably for the best; on her own feet she was unsteady enough, on a horse or in a carriage her journey was likely to end in a crash, a thud, or a splash - and an inevitably soggy Meldy.

So, a few minutes later, a voice could be heard just outside the old-fashioned portcullis of the drawbridge: "...Guards? Um, I'm actually behaving myself today. No, I'm going to be just fine. And good. Yes, I forgot that bit..."
The rambling Melda side-stepped the uniformed guards and rushed into the courtyard, stopping suddenly to avoid the large carriages, then tugging her dark purple skirt back into place. Concussion this early in the day would be no fun at all. she'd even dressed up.
The present were divided into two groups; the excitable female conversing in one place, and the men laughing at they excitable wives a short way away. A small giggle escaped her.
"I come bearing cake!" she called, announcing to all in the vicinity that she was there - incase they didn't know already, which was doubtful. She was sure they had a satellite tracking her and the - unintentional - disasters she caused.

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Nia turned and quite nearly shrieked, "CAKE! Oh Meldy WOW! You look gorgeous!! Neri get the Chains! Meldy's here."

Karl's ears pricked at the sound of 'Meldy'. He came up behind his wife and whispered, "Is having her here, really a good idea?" "Of course." Nia replied with a smile, "We are related."

Melda dived forward to greet her cousin and hug her. "Not the chains! I bring a peace offering of cake and... well, just cake. But it's really good stuff." She giggled again. "You look amazing!"
Her gaze swept over everyone then rested on Neri and Goldleaf, noting the similarity in the glorious colours they wore.
"Um, is there some kind of colour code I don't know about?" she teased.

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"Poor Boromir," laughed Nerissa as she watched him head over to where the men were. "Do you think he'll ever forgive the family for having so many women?" she laughed. "He ought to be thankful we aren't like other families... you know all of the horrors that can go on, especially with the womenfolk..." she said the last part of this rather loudly, and in Boromir's general direction, trying to tease him. But she was distracted by the grand entrance of Melda, and giggled. "Cake!" she cried. "I want some... but Nia's right, I must get the chains!" She drug imaginary chains out of the air, pretending to lug them toward Meldy. However, when she was halfway there, she pretended to drop them and ran the rest of the way, giving Melda a hug. "I'm very glad you could make it," she said. "And yes, didn't you know about the color code?" Nerissa feigned shock. "I thought I'd let everyone know about it..." She shrugged, before laughing.

Walter dipped his head to Boromir as he came over. "Welcome to our little group of sanity," he said dryly. "It may come about that the dearly beloved, cackling group over there may need some of it, so we'd best be preserving it." He shook his head at his wife, who was busily teasing Meldy.

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Nia hugged her back with a giggle, "Peace offering! GOOD!" She then gave them an attempt to look cute, "I LIKE peace offerings."