Handfasting

Writers: Chelle, Heather, Mirren, Suzee
Date Posted: 2nd May 2012

Characters: Chupsin, Alivya, Westyn, Livren, Silvyas
Description: The two of them get married.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 8, day 22 of Turn 6

He was wearing his gather best, which was saying something. He'd also
gotten a haircut. Chupsin knew that this ceremony did mean a change
for the rest of his life, even if it was necessary. He wanted it to be
perfect. Alivya would now be his responsibility and under his
protection, as well as the growing child. He stood there, with the
harper, as he waited for the others.

Westyn stood beside of the waiting groom, his hands folded behind his
back as they waited for the bride to enter the room. It was a small
affair, to be sure, but the Master Harper wasn't unfamiliar with
performing quick weddings. In fact, Westyn fairly enjoyed bonding
people together as he found it to be a perfect symbol of love. Of
course, love wasn't always the condition of marriages, but Westyn
liked to think the best of each situation

Alivya looked pale but at least she'd stopped throwing up, for now.
She stood quietly between her parents, eyes on the ground, wearing the
dress her mother had been married in. They'd had to pull it apart and
put it back together so it was a more modern style and a better fit.
Alivya thought it was hideous and made her look sallow, but she
wouldn't complain out loud.

Livren thought his daughter had never looked more lovely, even though
she looked scared out of her wits. She hadn't whined, complained, or
done anything but what was expected of her, so he had no cause for
complaint either.

Silvyas looked at her husband with a gentle smile. She had wished for
a more extended time to prepare for her eldest daughter's wedding but
she'd been overruled and accepted it with as much grace as she could
muster. Heavily pregnant with their 10th child she really couldn't
have waited much longer anyway. The man standing next to the Harper to
receive her daughter was well respected in the Hold and she herself
was quite proud of the match, even if she wasn't quite certain how it
came about.

Watching her walk toward him, he examined the dress. It was clear that
it had been worn before but that didn't really matter. He thought about his
own sisters and their marriages and wondered what they would think of his.
When she reached him, he put his arm out and then turned to face the harper.

Alivya kept her eyes lowered but she accepted his arm. He was warm,
physically and she found a small measure of comfort in that. Mostly
she just felt overwhelmed. This was not how she'd pictured this day.
For one thing, she'd expected to be head over heels in love and not
expecting, pregnant to a man she barely even knew. This was the day
her life was supposed to start, but she felt as though it was ending
instead.

Westyn smiled as the bride reached the front of the room and took
Chupsin's arm. Looking over the couples' heads he waited for the
parents to slip into their positions, and then he lowered his eyes to
the nervous couple, "It is my pleasure this day to bond these two
people," he looked left, "Chupsin," he looked right, "and Alivya.
Being bound to one another is a life long commitment of service and
dedication."

Livren stood behind the happy couple and reached for Silvyas' hand.
He'd never been more proud of her or their daughter than he was on this day.

Listening to the harper, the healer thought about what was to come. He
didn't think marriage was going to be so hard. And commitment wouldn't
be too difficult. Divorce was a dirty word and he'd never consider such a
thing. Besides, as long as Alivya performed her duties and obeyed him,
he didn't see any reason for a problem.

Silvyas squeezed her husband's hand and hoped fervently her daughter
would be as lucky as she had been in her marriage.

'Lifelong...' the word echoed around Alivya's mind for a few moments.
The rest of her life would conceivably be an incredibly long time. She
sensed her mother behind her and saw her future there. Surrounded by
children, adored by her husband, happy for the most part. That wasn't
so bad. Maybe it would be all right. She pushed the maybe aside. It
_had_ to be all right. She'd have her baby and a stable life. She
could visit her parents and siblings often. As for love, well surely
she could love him...if she tried hard enough.

Westyn continued, "Chupsin, do you vow to protect, love, and cherish
Alivya until your days together come to an end? To provide for her,
and be her strength when she is weak?"

"I do so vow," he answered quickly. His eyes met the harper's even as he
thought about so many other things like how it would be to deliver his own
child instead of someone else's.

The harper smiled at the response and then turned kind eyes on the
bride, "And Alivya, do you vow to protect, love, and cherish Chupsin,
until your days together come to an end? To obey him and be his
helpmate in life?"

Alivya didn't answer quite so quickly. She took a breath first and
then spoke in her usual soft voice, "Yes. I vow." Her eyes stayed low
as they has so far, meeting no one's, just being aware of those around
her and what this meant to them.

Silvyas fought the happy tears but it w as hard. She leaned into her
husband's side and hugged his arm.

Livren put his arm around his wife and gave her a squeeze. That was
about the limit of his public displays of affection. He would show her
more later, when they were alone.

"I now pronounce you husband, and wife. Chupsin, you may kiss your
bride," Westyn pronounced with a warm smile.

Once that was done, the journeyman turned to face Alivya. Looking down
at her, he once again considered this situation he'd found himself in. It wasn't
what he'd planned, but it had worked out just the same, he supposed.
Bringing his face down to hers, he shared with her a chaste kiss, though he
lingered for just a few moments before he released her.

She felt embarrassed, kissing in front of those people but it was soon
done. For the first time since he'd told her she was pregnant, Alivya
looked Chupsin in the face. She offered him a tiny smile.

Tears of joy ran down her mother's face. "My baby," she murmured to
Livren. Silvyas couldn't believe her little girl was now a wife. A big
smile lit her face for both her daughter and her new husband.
"Congratulations," she called.

"Our baby," Livren corrected with a chuckle. Trust a woman to be blubbering
on such a happy day! "Well that's that then."

Chupsin turned to thank the travelling harper for officiating. When the man
had gone, he turned back to Alivya, thinking of practical things
first. "Have you
gotten all of your things moved or do you need help?" Before he took off with
her to begin their first night in the marriage bed, there were belongings and
dinner to think of.

She hadn't had much but it was packed and ready. "I have some things in bags
just outside the doorway, Healer Chupsin," she replied, falling back
on the formal
way she'd always addressed him. "Shall I get them?"

"Aye wife. I'll go and change for dinner." As he made ready to leave,
he said his
polite goodbyes to her parents. He had in-laws now. That might be an annoyance,
though so far they seemed like practical people. Practicality he could respect.

Alivya nodded and went to get her bags, hugging her mother and father
before she went.

Last updated on the May 14th 2012

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Handfasting