Serday morning dawned clear and sunny, with a calm sea as the morning due slowly evaporated under the new day’s warmth. The beach where Orn and Erik had spent many a day in their youth fishing and playing was awash with soldiers and servants bustled about setting up seating the seating, the food marquis’ and the dais within the flower adorned arch.

Multiple carriages formed a procession on the narrow road as the family, friends and dignitaries attending the ceremony began arriving.

The small crowd gathered about and mingled as slowly the last of them made there way to the waterfront. Briga stood bathed in light, resplendent in a shimmering silky white gown covered with blue and green gems. Upon her head was her usual crown of blue and yellow flowers, her wrists adorned with splendid silver cuffs covered with intricate, otherworldly designs.

“Nobles, family, friends. Please take your seats.”

The murmuring conversations of the gathered throng tapered off as the guests began making their way to find seating. The royals were seated in the front row with Erik and Selti’s families, divided by an aisle wide enough for four people to comfortably walk through.

In silence, Erik approached the dais at a measured pace as Briga waited. He wore royal blue doublet with silver brocade of Ohlsbachi style, a gift from Sir Uhter Stannan who had arrived late yesterday. His trousers were pristine white, with black leather boots. His hair was combed and slicked back with his usual twin braids at his temples.

As he neared the dais, his cheeks flushed as Orn came around from the left side, bearing Erik’s hammer to stand beside him.

“How are you feeling, Brother?” Orn asked, his lips barely moving.

In a voice that cracked for the first time since it had deepened two years ago, he replied, “Fine, I’m just fine.”

Briga’s smile broadened for a moment as she regarded Erik, and then her eyes lit up as she glanced down the aisle, and all the guests stood and faced the rear. There were several gasps as Orn looked back to see what they were looking at.

A drum beat began, in a slow rhythm ta-ta tum tum tum ta-ta tum tum tum, and husky voice began a throat singing chant. The voice was Vylder’s as he walked up the aisle toward the front. Behind him, joining his voice were Brenda and Venna’s. Their silky, alto tones adding a mystifying melody. It was an accompaniment that set pulses racing and caused goosebumps, as the beauty of the two women’s blended voices caressed the ears and hearts of all present.

Vylder and Venna each touched Erik’s shoulder as they moved to stand before their seats, continuing to sing, and Brenda moved off to the right.

On Sorgi’s arm, Selti approached wearing a pale green gown, with a blue shawl that covered her head, and the upper half of her face. On the back of the blue shawl was a pair of embroidered foxes, one chasing the tail of the other. Thayn’s three daughters, wearing adorable green dresses followed Selti to carry her train. On her feet were dyed blue leather half boots, buckled at the sides with little bells attached that gave a pleasant, soft tinkle with each measured step.

When she arrived at the dais beside Erik, the music ceased, and Brenda approached to stand beside her. The three little princesses placed Selti’s train gently on the ground and returned to sit with their parents.

Briga began the benediction in her godly voice of all languages, so that all those present could hear and understand.

“Welcome all, as we gather to witness this union between Prince Erik Avdlak and Lady Selti Sogard. Through me, the gods grant their blessings for a fruitful future as this man and woman join their lives together to become one body, one mind and one spirit.”

Briga reached her hands out, placing one on each of their heads. Closing her eyes, she muttered a quiet incantation, and some light passed from her hands into the couple.

She then said, “Now turn and face each other.” To Erik she then said, “Reveal the face of your bride.”

Erik reached toward Selti with shaky hands as he carefully lifted the shawl from her head revealing Selti’s green eyes set in porcelain like features, with the dusting of freckles across her nose. Her hair was arranged in an intricate set of braids, and upon her head was an exquisite web of delicate, ruby encrusted, silver chains. He placed the shawl about her shoulders. His knees weakening as the full force of her beauty assaulted him.

Then Briga continued, “Erik, place your ring on Selti’s hand.”

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Erik removed a ring that was placed on the tip of his smallest finger and placed it on Selti’s right hand.

Briga said, “As you stand before me, will you accept this woman to honour, to protect, and to love above all others for all the rest of your days?”

In a crackling voice, Erik said, “I will.”

Thayn snorted, which caused the men to smile, but drew reproachful looks from all the women present. Even Briga paused to direct a momentary frown toward him.

“And will you accept her in sickness and health, through the good times and the hard, giving unto her all that is yours in body and possession?”

“I will,” said Erik, clearer this time.

Then Briga turned to the blushing girl, and said, “Selti, place your Ring on Erik’s hand.

Selti removed a large ring that was on her thumb and placed it on Erik’s right hand.

Then Briga said, “As you stand before me, will you accept this man to honour, to nurture, and to love above all others for all the rest of your days?”

“I will,” said Selti in a firm, clear voice.

“And will you accept him in sickness and health, through good times and hard, giving unto him all that is yours in body and possession?”

“I will,” said Selti, again.

Briga turned to Erik and nodded.

Erik turned to his brother and received his hammer. He then turned back to Selti held it out to her.

When she placed her hands upon it to accept it, Erik said, “Upon this weapon I swear to protect and defend you, and our family with all that I am. Let this be a symbol of my love and dedication to you, as I surrender to you, all of me.”

Selti bowed her head and took the hammer from him. She then turned to her mother and swapped with her the hammer for a sheathed dagger.

Turning back to Erik, Selti said, “Upon this seax, I swear to uphold your house, to create life with you, and nurture within me all that you are, as I surrender to you, all of me. Keep this seax close to your heart, and know that I am with you always in all that you do.”

Erik bowed his head and placed the sheathed seax inside his doublet.

Briga raised her face to all attending and said, “With the blessings of myself, and my family, from this day forth you are bonded one to the other. With the touch of your lips, may you seal this bond. Erik, kiss your bride.”

With his cheeks flushed, Erik swallowed nervously as he looked around. Then, tentative at first, he leaned in with the intention of a small, chaste kiss.

Selti, of course, was having none of that. As soon as their lips met, she clasped the back of his head and held him there, as she delivered a deep lingering kiss. Erik was stunned, as the training Selti had endured under Venna’s tutelage had strengthened her significantly.

All those gathered erupted into cheers and clapping, with not a few pausing from their applause to wipe errant tears.

As the couple made their way back down the aisle, the guests showered them with flower petals, and followed them as they made their way to the feasting tables to celebrate and toast the new couple.

The newlyweds were seated in the place of honour, and King Ulden stood from his seat and held up his cup. Everyone’s conversations faded off as they turned their attention to their monarch.

King Ulden, although the grief he felt was written large by the deep lines in his face, had a genuinely beatific smile on his face. “Family, friends, and honoured guests. Thank your for attending this momentous occasion, the welcoming of dear Selti into our house.”

The king paused to clear his throat before continuing. “While We must confess, We do not know much about this exquisite example of Halder beauty, a circumstance We are looking forward to remedying, We do know this. Although we have respect and admiration for our farmers, craftsmen, skalds and artisans, we Haldermen are a proud society with the deepest regard for our warriors.

Ulden glanced around at the guests, and went on. “Until recently, Princess Selti had no martial training to speak of. However, when her beloved was facing danger, she raced off to be by his side, vowing to be by his side regardless of risk. This spirit, and resolve, while reckless, exemplifies the soul of our people, and as such, We are honoured to accept her into Our family.”

With that the guests took a drink, and the cheering lasted for several moments before it died down again.

Briga then presented her gift to the couple, a pair of crowns made from the same metal used in Venna and Orn’s shields. However they had a silvery-blue sheen and were encrusted with sapphires and emeralds.

She said, “These crowns I bestow upon you, as a gift from myself and my family. Wear them in health, fortitude, justice, and wisdom. After all, what kind of royal couple can you be without crowns?”

Then the feasting and celebration went into full swing. The guests filed by presenting them with a variety of gifts. There were music and dancing, the guests were regaled with exploits of warriors present and past, including the exploits of those in attendance.

As night approached, the happy couple and the guests made their way to Mythwich. The villagers had set aside cottages for the guests to stay in. Being a small village meant the quarters were somewhat rustic and cramped. However, none complained, as they would not insult the hospitality so freely offered by the locals. The village chief’s house was set up to house the royal family and most distinguished of guests, while Briga, Orn and his parents stayed at the Sogard’s place to give Erik and Selti privacy in their own home on their wedding night.

While Erik and Selti slept, the door to their room opened. But instead of the interior of the Avdlak household, outside the room was a sunny glade.

Two figures entered. One, an ageless, white-haired and bearded man with his right eye covered, the other a man in a leather vest, with blue-black hair that seemed to be blowing in a wind that affected nothing else. They were the gods, Everrin and Durren.

The two figures approached Selti’s side of the bed, and both held their right hands over her midriff. A white glow emanated from Everrin’s hand, a pale blue light from Durren’s. The glowing light transferred into Selti’s body, making her glow.

The two gods in unison intoned, “And thus we bless these children that they may give of us unto theirs.”