Chapter 4: Bitter mornings
T'wen
The meditation candle burning on the small table before her blurred in and out of her visual focus as she tried to meditate. She had been slightly
agitated ever since she'd been offered the chance to bond with a human and had been off balance ever since. That was three weeks ago. With
a sigh, she reached out and snuffed the candle before settling back and closing her eyes once more. Recalling with sadness the final memories
of her Ashaya. He had not gone quietly. Even now the vivid memories threatened to tear apart her sanity. The Kohlinar masters had been very
instrumental in helping her over come the total paralysis that the trauma had caused her. Leaving her a near hysterical heap in her rooms.
Afraid to go out even to face her children for fear of harming them. She would try to sleep and even then the faces of her beloveds tormentors
would be sneering in her vision as they rained blow upon blow upon him. When he finally succumbed there was a faint whisper, saying faintly.
"Avenge me Ashayam."
While even she had to admit that in the months since the consulate had been attacked, she had made a major improvement in her health. It didn't diminish the pain or anger that she felt toward these insane beings with their perverted sense of racial or special purity. She found herself hesitant in these moments because the sheer force of the pain and emotion she endured in Kaitek's bond sending had nearly crippled her. She considered herself thankful enough to be functional with her children present. When she had been approached by her clan mother and parents and had been presented to the Minister of the High Council. T'Pau. She was still off balance and she had to be ready to go to the bonding ceremony at the consulate in the morning. Her clan mothers representative would present her to her prospective mate and to be frank she wasn't sure if this would work. It had been a small matter to speak with Dr. Orratt and call it off. But her children were her life. She had made a major commitment to them for her Ashaya. She also had her future to re-claim. Sighing. She simply lay back on the floor and closed her eyes. In moments she had fallen into blessed sleep.
Jon
The meld had been un eventful for Jon. At least he didn't want to crawl into his boots. Sharing with Soval his concerns about T'wen's pain drawing unwanted consequences had borne some fruit. Soval had agreed that the probability was high that she could relapse, but since they were to be sequestered for a year in San Francisco and working closely with the healers at the consulate. He didn't for see any serious problems. Coming out of the meld. He was thinking that "Soval, I hope your right." Finished for the night. Admiral Forrest looked at Jon and said .
"Nine O clock at my place, then we go to the consulate."
Jon nodded then walked out of the office. Fifteen minutes later, he was in the Officer Housing Unit on the north side of the Starfleet Campus. Stripping his clothes off, he was in the shower in his assigned room, opting for hot water instead of sonics. Letting the water cascade down onto him. He wondered what logic was involved in this type of pairing. Tiredly he shut off the shower and got ready for bed. Eyeing the clothes bag hanging on the hook by the door. He had a sneaking suspicion that he would be away from the fleet for a while. From what he little he knew of Vulcan customs, the newly bonded pair would spend up to a year of seclusion before resuming their lives. But the request to not have Star fleet uniforms seen at the ceremony was understandable. Cutting the lights as he made to get into bed, it was one of those times he missed Porthos.
Morning
Admiral Maxwell Forrest arrived bright and early to pick up Jon at Officer quarters. Jon had an interesting ride to the Consulate in the back seat with Genie,s other four children. Abigail sat across from Jon, keeping up a lively conversation and doting on the children. Max simply kept his attention on the flight path, occasionally commenting to Jon or Abigail. Jon felt understandably nervous, but was able to interact with Abigail and the kids. He couldn't help but be impressed by how attentive and disciplined the four youngsters were with their grand parents. He was actually surprised he could have a conversation with Sokal and Sekir while S'ren sat politely alongside her grandmother and listened to the conversation. The baby was ensconced safely in Abigail's arms and regarded everyone with a serious look an her face. Of the four children. Little S'Rell would take after her mother. The only one of the four with Honey blonde hair and blue eyes.
Landing at the Consulate, Max and Abigail took the their grand kids and disappeared into the front door, their flitter being taken over by a security officer to be parked elsewhere. Soval had stepped out after Max and Abigail had moved the children out of sight and had Jon follow him inside and down a side corridor. Entering a small room. Jon found himself face to face with a Vulcan priest and Dr Orratt. Four several minutes nothing was said. The three simply stood there regarding each other. Soval simply stood there to Jon's left watching them. Finally. Orrat turned to Soval and nodded. Soval nodded in turn then left. Turning back to Jon He made eye contact and simply studied Jon. For several minutes. He simply stood there not saying anything. Jon handled the attention stoically. Not sure what Orratt's reasons were. He got his answer after a moment.
"Forgive me Jonathan, I am simply trying to deduce why you were the one that was chosen for T'Wen. I understand this day is for me and Bridgett. However, my clan matriarch has tasked me with this simple errand. After the ceremony. I will be indisposed for a time. And I have to have this resolved before we go in to the ceremony."
"Understood Doctor. But in all fairness. I am somewhat in the dark myself." Jon answered.
"I believe it would be easier if I had your thoughts young man. May I?" Orratt asked as he held up his hand. Jon nodded. Not too happily.
In short order. Jon was once again hosting a Vulcan in his mind. He felt or noticed Orratt sifting through his memories. All the while standing before him in the white space looking levelly at Jon.
"I believe I know or understand why they chose you Jonathan, but there was more that they never revealed to me. Since this bonding will not be for another three weeks, I have time to work with you after I spend time with my bond mate. Until then. I release you to attend the ceremony."
Jon gasped as the contact was broken. Blinking, he looked around at Orratt and the priest. Both held him by a shoulder. Once they were sure he would not collapse. They released him, then led him out into the hall way toward the main hall. Leaving Jonathan with Soval at the door, Soval escorted him to where his family was sitting near the front. Joining them. Soval had Jonathan stand to left, with Admiral Forest and Abigail. For a short interval. what little back ground noise and talking faded off, then someone came to the front. Jon watched as Dr Orratt came forward to the front of the room accompanied by three other Vulcans. Orrat stepped up on the dais to a large heavy gong. His companions had moved around to Orrats's but stayed just off the dias and stopped forming a line facing the Dr. Orratt picked up a metal mallet, and focused his attention to the back of the room a moment, then struck the gong. It gave off a low resonance that filled the hall. Jon felt the sound penetrate through him. Everyone turned and faced the center aisle as a procession made its way down to Orratt. First came two ceremonial guards, then a reldai being escorted by a magistrate followed by Soval with Bridgett holding his arm. Two other ceremonial gaurds brought up the rear. Coming up to the dias, the two guard's parted to each side and stepped straight out before halting then facing Orratt. The priestess/Reldai stepped up on the dias to stand just short of Orratt then turning to face ahead as Orratt was standing while the magistrate stepped around the dias to stand next to the guard. The following two gaurds simply went around Soval and joined their companions alongside the dais.
The Magistrate spoke up then.
"Who comes here today to be joined?"
Soval answered. "My daughter Bridgett, who will have her?"
Then Orratt spoke up.
"I am Orratt and have come to ask for the hand of Bridgett Forrest."
Watching the proceedings, Jon had to admit that leaving out the names of the clans represented was a mercy in itself. There was no way any human could attempt to pronounce them. He watched Soval take Bridgett's hand and placed it in Orratt's, then turning to join his family. As he watched, he noticed out of the corner of his eye, Annika had arrived with her prospective bondmate, and he could tell she was happy. On the dias. Orratt and Bridgett offered the Ozhestia to each other as they turned as one and kneeled. The Reldai had stepped up around and behind them and as she moved her hands to place on their heads she recited the words.
"What ye are about to witness comes down from the time of the beginning. This is the Vulcan heart. This is the Vulcan soul. This is our way."
She had placed her hands on the bride and grooms heads and paused after speaking. For a moment, it was quiet, then Bridgett gasped and opened her eyes in surprise fixing them on Orratt. She had a look of realization and wonder on her face, looking like she was going to faint from the intensity of what she'd experienced. But that smile she shared said everything. No one said anything, then Admiral Forrest started clapping. It was followed by every human in the room. Bridgett snapped out of her wonder struck moment to look around in surprise. Then that happy smile returned. The Reldai had turned and nodded to the Magistrate who stepped up onto the dias to join the Reldai. Both Orratt and Bridgett had turned and faced the magistrate. Who carried out his office.
"Doctor Orratt. Ms. Bridgett Forest. By the power vested in me in the North American District of United Earth, I acknowledge your union by the Customs of our Allied world Vulcana Rhaeger and pronounce you man and wife. Or A'dun and A'duna." Turning and addressing the room. "Ladies and gentlemen. I give you Dr Orratt and his bride, Bridgett."
Stepping back. to stand next to the Reldai. Everyone came forward and joined the couple and intermingled. He stood back as everyone had formed a line to congratulate the newly bonded couple. He was soon joined by Soval and a petite female Vulcan.
"I trust you didn't find anything dangerous in our bonding custom Jon."
Soval commented drily as he watched the goings on. Jon bit back a snort at Soval's short attempt at humor.
"No Osu. It appeared tame enough." He answered still trying to hide a grin. And trying hard not look like an idiot.
Watching Orratt interact with Bridgett, Jon couldn't help but notice that they seemed to be holding a silent conversation as the pair interacted with the guests. No speech, but interactions as if they were speaking. More Bridgett than Orratt, but it was obvious to Jon there was a bond formed. Turning to Soval. He asked.
"I do have to ask Osu, but you mentioned that T'Wen has to remain on earth. May I ask why?"
"Very astute Jonathan. The answer at face value is obvious. She has to remain with her telsu. And further. She also is still recovering from the night mare of her mates death. This will be covered while you two will be sequestered for the following twelve monthes after your bonding. She may never be able to return to Vulcan even then. For reasons we will explain later."
Turning to the Vulcan lady and addressed her in Vulkhansu: " T'sai t"wen i la' ish-veh telsu, Jonathan Archer."
Jon did not understand Soval's statement, but had watched the lady focus her attention on him directly.
Vulcan translations:T'sai t"wen i la' ish-veh telsu, jonathan archer
Lady T"wen I present your telsu, Jonathan Archer.