Two months had passed since that frozen moonlit night when Apollo had knelt on one knee, offering Iris not just a ring but his entire heart. The cold tundra of Frosthaven had felt warmer that night, illuminated by the love and promise between them. The days that followed were filled with quiet moments of planning, dreaming, and growing even closer as they prepared for their future together.
Iris had always dreamed of a wedding that felt like a scene from a fairytale, a whimsical woodland setting, with irises—her favorite flower—flanking the aisle. But in the harsh, desolate tundra of Frosthaven, such a vision seemed impossible. Still, Apollo was determined to give Iris everything she had ever dreamed of, and so he began a secret project that would turn her fantasy into reality.
One day, while exploring the edges of Frosthaven, Apollo stumbled upon a place long forgotten—Daybreak Island. The island itself was barren, a reflection of the tundra surrounding it, but at its center stood an all-glass greenhouse. It was a relic from a time long past, and though it had been abandoned, Apollo saw its potential immediately. Within its walls, trees still stood, their branches bare but full of promise.
Apollo returned to the island day after day, working tirelessly to restore the greenhouse. He repaired the broken glass, cleared away the dust and debris, and, with great care, began to plant flowers and greenery throughout. The greenhouse became a sanctuary of life amid the tundra’s endless snow. Apollo planted irises along the aisle, their purple blooms standing tall and proud, just as he imagined Iris would look on their wedding day.
During those months, Apollo and Iris continued to plan their wedding, discussing every detail. Iris spoke of her dream dress, long-sleeved and lacy, and of the friends she hoped would be there. She believed she was simply dreaming out loud, unaware that Apollo was taking each of her wishes to heart, making sure that every detail was perfect for her.
Finally, the day arrived. The air was crisp, the sky a clear, endless blue, and the snow-covered landscape of Frosthaven seemed to sparkle with anticipation. Apollo guided Iris to a small boat waiting at the edge of the frozen waters. She looked at him with curiosity but trusted him implicitly. As they sailed to Daybreak Island, the wind played gently with her hair, and Apollo felt his heart swell with love and excitement.
When they arrived, Apollo led Iris to the greenhouse, his heart pounding in his chest. As they stepped inside, Iris gasped, her eyes wide with wonder. The greenhouse was transformed, filled with vibrant flowers and flowering trees that seemed to bloom just for them. The irises flanked the aisle, just as she had imagined, their rich purple color contrasting beautifully with the white of the snow outside.
Iris turned to Apollo, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “How did you…?” she began, her voice catching in her throat. Apollo smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I wanted to give you your dream, Iris. Every detail, just as you described it.”
Before Iris could respond, the doors of the greenhouse opened, and their friends began to arrive. The heads of the other alliances, who had become close allies in recent months, were there, as well as Mafiasenpai, Sascha, and Nyx, who had traveled across the tundra to be with them on this special day.
CJ arrived with a quiet nod of approval, while the leaders of Secret State and Hwarang followed, their expressions warm and welcoming. Even the Troublemakers, who were often seen as unpredictable and wild, had come, their presence a testament to the strength of the bonds that had been forged in recent months.
Iris was whisked away by Mafiasenpai and Nyx to get ready. They led her to a small room in the greenhouse, where her dress waited—a vision of lace and elegance that seemed to glow in the soft light filtering through the glass. As Iris slipped into the dress, her hands trembled with excitement and disbelief. Everything was perfect, just as she had always dreamed.
Meanwhile, Apollo waited at the front of the aisle, his heart racing. He wore a simple, yet elegant suit, the color of midnight, which complemented the deep purple of the irises around them. As the day of the wedding approached, Apollo found himself replaying the moment he had proposed to Iris over and over in his mind. It had been a frozen, moonlit night, the kind of night where the stars seemed close enough to touch, and the snow underfoot sparkled like a sea of diamonds. The air had been still, as if the world itself held its breath in anticipation of what was about to happen.
They had been walking together, the silence between them comfortable and warm despite the chill in the air. Apollo had been carrying the little ring he had crafted with his own hands for weeks, waiting for the perfect moment. As they wandered under the vast, star-studded sky, the moon glinted off Iris’s hair, casting a soft glow around her. She brushed a stray lock from her face, and something about the way she moved, so graceful and unguarded, caused his heart to swell with an overwhelming rush of love and emotion.
It was then that Apollo knew he could not wait any longer. He had known since the day they reconnected that he wanted to spend his life with Iris, and now, with the frozen tundra as their witness, he felt it was time. He stopped walking, causing Iris to turn and face him, her eyes full of curiosity and affection. Without a word, he dropped to one knee, taking her hand in his.
“Iris,” he began, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of feelings coursing through him. “From the moment we reconnected, I’ve known that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You are my strength, my heart, and my home. Will you marry me and be my wife?”
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Then, as the realization of his words sank in, Iris’s eyes filled with tears. Soft, warm tears that left glistening tracks down her cheeks as she nodded, unable to speak for the emotion choking her. Finally, she managed to whisper, “Yes, Apollo. A thousand times, yes.”
Apollo had slipped the ring onto her finger, feeling as if he had just claimed the greatest treasure in all of Frosthaven. They had kissed then, a tender, lingering kiss under the watchful gaze of the moon and stars, sealing a promise that would soon come to fruition on the day of their wedding.
Now, as they stood on Daybreak Island, the memory of that night was fresh in Apollo’s mind. The all-glass greenhouse, once just a forgotten relic of the past, had been transformed into a whimsical woodland fairytale, a living testament to the love they shared. It had taken months of careful planning and secretive work, but seeing the look on Iris’s face as she stepped inside made every effort worth it.
Remembering Iris being whisked away to prepare for their ceremony, he couldn’t help but smile, knowing that the dream they had once spoken of on that moonlit night had become a reality. This was their day, a day filled with love, hope, and the promise of a future they would build together, one day at a time.
Finally, the music began to play—a soft, enchanting melody that filled the greenhouse with warmth. The doors opened, and Iris appeared at the end of the aisle, her dress flowing behind her like a cascade of snow. Her hair, adorned with small white flowers, framed her face, which was glowing with happiness and love.
Apollo’s breath caught in his throat as he watched her walk toward him, each step bringing her closer to the life they would share. Tears welled in his eyes as he remembered the little ring he had made, the moment he had asked her to be his life partner, and the way she had wept with joy.
When Iris reached the front, she took Apollo’s hands in hers, their fingers intertwining. They stood there for a moment, lost in each other’s eyes, as the world around them seemed to fade away. The ceremony was simple but filled with meaning. Vows were exchanged, promises made, and when the moment came for Apollo to slip the ring onto Iris’s finger, he did so with a heart full of love and certainty.
As they were pronounced husband and wife, a cheer erupted from their friends, echoing through the greenhouse and out into the frozen tundra beyond. Apollo and Iris kissed, sealing their vows with a tender, heartfelt moment that felt like the beginning of forever.
The celebration that followed was full of laughter, joy, and the warmth of friendship. The greenhouse, filled with flowers and light, became a haven of love and happiness in the midst of the cold, desolate landscape. Apollo and Iris danced together, their movements graceful and effortless, as if they were the only two people in the world.
Later that night, as the celebration wound down and the last of their friends departed, Apollo and Iris stood together at the edge of the greenhouse, looking out at the stars that twinkled in the night sky. The air was cold, but they were warm, wrapped in each other’s arms.
“Thank you,” Iris whispered, her voice filled with emotion. “This is more than I ever dreamed.”
Apollo kissed her gently on the forehead. “You deserve the world, Iris. And I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you have it.”
As they stood there, the night silent and peaceful around them, Apollo knew that this was just the beginning of their journey together. They had faced challenges, and they would face many more, but with Iris by his side, he felt ready for anything. Their love had blossomed in the harshest of environments, and now, like the flowers in the greenhouse, it would continue to grow, strong and beautiful, for all the days to come.
