The Wedding Rite

Aryun was nervous as she plucked at the soft white gown that enveloped her. It was a meager gathering for such a happy occasion. Well, not really meager, but the few who granted to attend where likely the most powerful people created.

All her fears and doubts melted as she glanced at Erdric across the Circle. He was standing tall and proud dressed resplendent in white. The shirt was trimmed in silver as it flowed out and gathered at his wrists. The soft white leather pants clung to his hips, molding to his body. The softly silver toned boots laced to his knees, and a delicate silver circlet adorned his head.

She was pleased to note that Thanatos held Erdric's sword for him, and Elysian held a sheaf of paper in his. They cared about him enough that they acted as his kin. She was proud of that. Ever since Erdric had fought Thanatos to a standstill, they had been the best of friends.

Tyral stood with her, her own sword in his hands acting as her father. KimVay and Thera were still recovering from their ordeal. Cerith stood to her left holding the delicate ring that she was to give Erdric, as Ashitare held her own sheaf of paper. She knew what those were. Properties, dowry, bridal price, all the normal things brought in weddings.

There were only three men upon her side that she considered kin, the rest were standing with Erdric. All the women were upon her side, and she grinned slightly.

Master Dragon stood in his human form, dressed in the robes of resplendent blue, perfectly matching the bronze hair that tumbled to his hips. A golden circlet sat upon his head. Within one hand, he held a slender silver staff and waited before an altar of marble. Upon this altar, Aryun noted a drinking horn and an opaque bottle.

He turned, making the sign of a Hammer, and spoke to those assembled.

"Gods I hail and goddesses all, Ases and Wans, alfs and idises here. Look well upon us, this wedding bless. Hail to Frija frowe of the home. Holy Mother, hear us! Keeper of keys, keeper of distaff, keeper of Wodan's cares, highest of wives and holder of vows, bless the work wrought this day." He turned to look at Erdric with a smile. "Who stands for the groom?"

Thanatos rose to his full height, placing his hand upon Erdric's shoulder. "I do." His voice was still the deep darkness of the earth, and it flowed over the crowd.

Master Dragon then turned to Aryun's side with another smile. "Who stands for the bride?"

Tyral stood proudly, his long silver hair trailing upon the soft spring grass. His slender left hand came to rest upon Aryun's shoulder. "I do."

Master Dragon then turned his gaze to Thanatos, asking simply, "What is the worth of this man, and what bride gift is paid?"

Thanatos stood straighter still, his hand gently squeezing Erdric's trembling shoulder. "Erdric Cathaoir Media Hieme is a wise warrior, strong and steady as the rocks that surround us, the earth that holds us. He is the air that has given life to those less fortunate, and has entered hell and beyond. The Lord Erdric has chosen to fight on the side of Light, foregoing all relationships, all friendships and trust until they found him and refused to let go." Thanatos smiled at that. "He has been in mortal combat between the Ancient and the Current, and has championed over the Lord Necros in single combat after the full transformation. He has provided for half of these gifts, half of the money, half of the care and love used to create this circle." Thanatos dropped gracefully to his knees, smiling up at his young charge. "This I do swear."

Elysian stood, still clad in his delicate robes of green, and placed a free hand upon Erdric's vacant shoulder. "This I do attest to, though I not be kin. The Lord Erdric is wise beyond his years, compassionate, and loving. He is tender to all life, save for that which destroys that which he loves." Elysian fell to his knees on the opposite side of Erdric. "This I do swear."

Master Dragon waved the staff, and then turned towards Aryun. "What is the worth of this woman, and what dowry does she bring?"

Tyral shook his ice blue robes out, his long fingers squeezing Aryun's shoulder. "Aryun Narice KimVay has proven herself in battle. She is the water that flows over the land and falls from the sky that allows us to live, and to thrive. She is the water in the heat of the sun, and she is the fire of the sun herself. Through her reigns power untold, and untested. She is the fire that warms the land and infuses it with life. She has fallen before to the darkness, but has recovered. She has treaded through Hell and has found her soul within another. She has few that would call her friend through the pains and toils of life, and we few who are friends have seen beyond to the soul. The purity of the snow is she who is in my care. She has faced her father, and destroyed all who oppose life. She has been a harbinger of truth, of loyalty and justice." His hand rose off Aryun's shoulder and motioned around him to the clearing. "She has provided for half of these gifts, half of the money, half of the care and love used to create this circle." He fell to his knees in the dew-covered grass. "This I do swear."

Cerith and Ashitare stood together, hands in each other's. They spoke as one to the assembly. "Aryun is kind, tender, and a flower in the darkened winter nights. She is wise beyond youth, and values all life. These truths we do hereby swear." Together, as one, they fell to their knees upon Aryun's left side.

Master Dragon nodded satisfied. Turning to look at Thanatos, then at Tyral, he addressed them. "Are both clans satisfied with the terms of this wedding?"

Both Thanatos and Tyral nod, and spoke simultaneously. "We are satisfied." asteaster Dragon smiled, motioning to Erdric and Aryun with the silver staff. "Then nothing may stand in your way! Now speak your wedding vows!"

Both Erdric and Aryun stood forward, and raised their left hands. Their fingers ghosted each other, lightly brushing before they pull back. Erdric turned and took his sword within his trembling right hand.

Holding it out to Aryun, Erdric searched her eyes before lowering it slightly to her, hilt out. His silver ring to her was tied around one of the silver ribbons upon hilt that was proffered to her.

Aryun retrieved her own sword from Tyral, and slipped the ring Cerith gave to her and tied to her own sword. Hefting it up, hilt out towards Erdric's, she allowed the rings to touch gently.

Erdric smiled slightly, his voice soft as he intoned the sacred right. "I bring you this sword, the soul of my line, bear it well, my bride! In battle and firth to be by your side, as shall I stand by you aye. On these rings my oath I swear: Love and worship to my wife."

Aryun brought up her left hand, and grasped his sword. She brought it to upwards, towards her forehead for several heartbeats, and then lowered it again so that Erdric could grasp the blade once more.

With a soft smile, her own voice soft in love, she spoke loudly her own oath. "I bring you this weapon, wield it mightily, and hold it well, my husband! In battle and firth to be your strength, as shall I stand by you aye. On these rings, my oath I swear: to my husband, hallowed love."

Erdric repeated her gesture, offering the sword back and both slit their palms on the other's blade. They offered their blooded left hands, letting their blood mingle as both Thanatos and Tyral bound them together.

Aryun took his sword, and slipped the ring off his ribbon. Kissing it she held it out to him as he slipped it over her left hand finger. His fingers tightly clasped hers.

Speaking softly, Erdric looked within her eyes. "For a year and a day, for evermore, and as long as love shall last, my bride." He then took the ring from her sword, kissing it, slipped it to her.

Aryun held their bound hands tightly, and slipped the silver band over his own finger, intoning softly, "For a year and a day, for evermore, and as long as love shall last, my beloved bridegroom."

Master Dragon wiped a silver tear from his face and touched their bound, and newly adorned hands with his staff. "Now Frowe Var to witness I call, who keeps all contracts made, and Sjofn, sweetest maid that law be held by love. Frija's handmaids hold your oath all, and aye give joy of it. Now let bride-gift and dowry be given."

Elysian and Ashitare come forward, handing their respective side the sheaf of papers. Erdric and Aryun in turn, hand over the papers to the opposite. Ashitare takes away Erdric's papers, and Elysian the papers to her dowry.

The elderly, yet young looking Master Dragon poured the first horn of the mead, and consecrated it with the sign of the Hammer. "Hallowed for bride-pair this horn shall be, I deem your days shall be good. Frith be in this ale and fruitfulness great, when you have drained the draught." He held forward the horn, and motioned Erdric to take it.

Erdric took the horn and, not taking his eyes from Aryun's, drank half of the horn. He then offered the last half to her, which she took and quaffed.

Aryun held the horn back to Master Dragon, and he refilled it, once again consecrating it. "Hallowed to bride-pair this horn shall be, speak all your wishes for weal!" He raises the horn high, praising the union. "May your life be filled with joy and understanding." He took a drink, and then passed the horn on to the assemblage.

Everyone present toasted the bridal pair, their future children and their life before taking a small drink. The horn is returned again to Erdric and he held it to Aryun, who in turn held it out to Master Dragon.

He pours the mead into a small bowl; he refills it and blesses it again. "Hallowed to the bride-pair this horn shall be, and to gods and goddesses all! Holy ones hear! Here blessing we ask, for a wedding filled with weal." He put his lips to the horn again, drank, and then passed it back to Erdric and Aryun who both drink.

The horn was once again returned and Master Dragon poured the rest into the bowl, and then raised it upwards towards the heavens. "Frija, Frowe, Fulla, Sjofn! Var and Vor, Syn and Hlin, Snotra, Gna, Lofn! Lif and Hlifthrasa, Throdhvarta, Bjort and Bleik, Blithe and Frith, Eir and Aurbodha! Thunan, Sif, and all ye others, gods, goddesses, and whights, who look well on the Middle-Garth's weddings, alfs and idises of the clans of Erdric and Aryun. I hallow this bowl to you all." He once more made the sign of the Hammer. "Cast friendly eyes on the marriage of Erdric and Aryun: Grant that it be fruitful, filled with joy and firth and that their children be worthy of the best of their line, might in luck, wisdom and main. Hail!"

Everyone with the parties raised their hand, save Erdric and Aryun. "Hail!" Their voices echoed within the clearing, and the newly wedded pair smiled.

Master Dragon sprinkled the harrow, the ættir, and Erdric and Aryun with the mead; he then poured it out onto the earth before the harrow. He smiled. "Hail Erdric and Aryun!"

Everyone cheered, "Hail Erdric and Aryun!"

Master Dragon's smile widened. "Hail the gods and goddesses!"

Again, the whole clearing shakes with the vehemence of the cry. "Hail the gods and goddesses! HAIL!"

A weeping Lethe and Tyral come and unbind them before hugging Aryun then Erdric tightly in their arms.

Tyral grins before kissing Lethe. "You'd best be ready to run, love. I promise that we won't use extra powers." He winked before dragging a protesting Erdric away.

Aryun smiles and waves but joins her own side as they hike up their skirts.

Master Dragon raised his staff high, waited for a few seconds at the eager faces, then dropped it sharply to his side. "Go!"

Both men and women rushed forward, running the half-mile back to the hall. Lethe and Housai were leading from the pack before Thanatos swept forward, his long black robes billowing as he hefted up his life-mate and sped off.

Muslim and Mead were running hand in hand, not really caring about the upstanding tradition, while the twin sisters Valvis and Varissa were now hedging up upon Thanatos, and they wanted to make sure they would not have to serve.

Both Erdric and Aryun ran side by side for a while, casting glances at one another before Erdric winked, and upped his speed, leaving her behind. Aryun couldn't help but laugh at him. Loving his speed and beauty as he ran

Alena, Mara and Nara were putting up quite a fight to beat Eridanus, Charis and Maretheos. With a startling cry, Maretheos, his blue hair fluttering, and Elysian who appeared from nowhere, tackled Mara, tumbling with her in the grass.

Lethe was running for all her worth, her blond hair streaming behind her before there was the sudden feeling of being air born, and Tyral caught her deftly, still running after the low sweep he did. "Shame, love, that you're out of the race." He ducked his head as she lightly boxed his ear in indignation.

Deraja ran for all her worth, using the gifts that she was born with, which, besides her chosen place, was swiftness. With a sudden burst of speed, as sometimes love can take, she crossed the threshold of the hall, and started to dance happily.

"Yes! For the first time in only Grandfather knows, we've won this little game!"

Her happiness didn't last too long, however, as the normally woman-hating God of the Hunt, took a flying tackle and knocked her off her feet. They were sent sprawling, Charis on top of her as he looked down into her lavender eyes. He was positioned quite inappropriately between her thighs, and in the grip of some emotion, an emotion he'd never allowed himself to feel, bent down and captured her slender lips. His pale blonde hair fluttered down around them mingling his blonde with her pale red.

When the remainder, save a few, of the wedding party arrived, they were greeted with the site of a virgin twined in the arms of Erotic Love.

Lethe, caught in Tyral’s arms, laughed. "I guess Deraja got here first. Poor Charis didn't have a chance!"

They left the kissing couple where they lay, and took their places at the tables.

Erdric grinned as he waited by the door knowing that he had to beat Aryun there. He saw both Aryun and Master Dragon walking his way, Aryun's hand held to her side.

When she tried to pass, Erdric intercepted her, blocking her path. With a slight frown she looked up at him. "What?"

She was startled as Erdric swept her off her feet carrying her past the still madly kissing couple to set her at the head table.

"Can't have you fall. Bad omens and such." He smiled at her, his voice still soft, and his body still trembling. He brushed his lips across Aryun's ear. "Just a little more to go, then we shall have the night to ourselves."

Aryun wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him, her cut palm stinging as she pressed it into his soft hair.

He set her on her feet beside the table, and slowly sat down at the head, watching her with calm eyes.

Aryun picked her dress off the floor; bowing deeply to the man she could now call 'lord,' and went to fetch a horn of mead. She offered it to him upon her knees, holding it aloft for him to take. Her voice trembled softly as she spoke her last words for the evening of the right. "Mead I do bring thee, apple of battle. Hallowed be horn we share."

All assembled cheered as Erdric hauled her up into his lap and they shared the horn until it was empty.

Master Dragon walked up beside them, hallowing Erdric with the sign of the Hammer, and then gave the silver staff that, in their eyes took the place of the Mighty Hammer to him.

Erdric in turn, makes the sign over Aryun's head, and then touched her womb with the staff. His words were soft and warm, hopeful and clear. "Hammer hallow your holy bride, bear men and maids of might!"

He placed the staff upon the table in front of him, watching Aryun's face turn a beautiful shade of red. He leaned forward to kiss her, but was interrupted as Xristis brought forth a cake in the shape of a horse.

Soon, all the feasting was finished, and Lethe, Alena, Mara, and Nara handed Aryun a large cup of mead, to which she drank without a qualm.

Tyral, Thanatos, Xristis, and Elysian came forward, and offered Erdric a large cup of mead as well. Like Aryun, he quaffed it without qualms.

Both were pulled apart, and Aryun was led one way, and Erdric another.

Aryun sighed, knowing that she wouldn't see Erdric for a little while. It was all . . . perfect, and hopefully this would go perfectly as well. She only hoped the heckling would only go so far.

Mara grinned at her as they opened the door to their new chambers for the night. The three other women ushered her into the room, and she looked around with wide eyes.

The room was exquisite in beautiful detail. The bed was a large, ornate four-poster bed with the curtains drawn back, exposing the soft silken sheets that awaited them. There was a fire that raged in the opposite wall, a wolf-skin rug in front of the fireplace, and a soft silk rug hid the rest of the stone floor. The colors were all a muted silver, black or cream and the use of the colors was breathtaking.

The one window was opened slightly as night started to decent over the land.

Lethe took the initiative, taking Aryun's long hair into her hands and brushing it out quickly from the ornate braiding, and Mara and Nara started in on the buttons of her dress. Alena grinned happily at Aryun, as all five of them chatted to one another once Aryun was stripped down to her shift and nothing else.

"Aryun, I take it you know Erdric's body well?" Lethe asked casually, when she started to brush the soft red-gold hair, but not removing the bridal crown.

Aryun blushed bright red. "Actually, we do."

"That's the least of your worries Aryun," Alena laughed, watching the window for the sign of Erdric's procession. "I mean we heard you that one night, before that last battle a month ago. Wasn't hard to decipher the non-pained moans."

Aryun flushed a brighter red. "But . . . I . . ."

Lethe laughed. "No need to worry, Aryun. We're not telling, so you can have your perfect wedding night if you so wish."

Aryun looked at her, the question clear in her eyes.

"There's a nifty little spell that I like to use after Tyral and I have our worst fights. Want me to give it to you?" Lethe winked at her confused 'daughter'.

Realization dawned in Aryun's eyes. "You . . . you can restore that?"

Mara and Nara placed their hands at her shoulders. "Yes, she can," said Nara with a grin. "Worked for me."

Aryun, tears nearly making their way down her face, nodded her head happily.

Lethe reached out, her fingers brushing against Aryun's lower stomach, whispered a few words, and then it was over. She smiled at Aryun and hugged her. "Just remember to tell him. I know this probably caused you agony."