A wooden arch stood at the edge of the Forrest clearing, carved with the many symbols of the god. Mithros and the goddess symbol taking pride of place at the top. Purple jasmine flowers weaved within the ivy that curled its way around the symbols. The tree canopy above held a variety of birds, littering the green foliage with an array of coloured plumage.

Two men stood beneath the arch, the elder of the two, a balding man wearing a long white robe, which held gold embroidery of the same godly symbols. The other man, stood nervously shifting his weight from one foot to the other, dressed in a white silk shirt, black satin breeches with a bark brown vest. A pale green handkerchief poked neatly out of his chest pocket. His long dark hair pulled into a horsetail at his neck.

Forrest animals had declared a peace, hunter stood with prey, unmoving around the edge of the clearing, a sight that would probably be ominous, but the humans seemed unperturbed by their presents as they mingled in quiet chatter in the centre.

Suddenly the silence is broken, the birds begin to chirp, hawks and eagles singing with sparrows and finch, an orchestra of sounds, completely in tune with one another. The humans parted to create a walkway, all heads turned towards the middle of two great trees, expectation-hanging thick in the air. The man beneath the arch halted his unmoved pace, joining the crowd, staring intently at the entrance between the two trees.

As if from now where two people walked arm in arm into the glade, a man dressed in naught but a loincloth, his head held a crown of antlers, tanned skin tinged with green complimented the dress of the young woman on his arm.

A small woman wearing a pale green skirt flowing onto the ground like a waterfall of lush grass enhanced by a tight bodice, embodied with brown cotton images of animals, great and small that hung slightly off the shoulder, wrapping her arms in material before fanning out into wing-like sleeves. Soft brown curls where pinned up into a lace veil woven with the same jasmine flowers scattered over the arch. Her blue-grey eyes stared at the man under the arch, welling with happiness as she saw the wide smile on his lips.

As she reached him, he took her hands in his, shaking slightly and bowed to the antlered god as he stepped away towards his tear-filled love.

The elderly man called for an unnecessary hush, the clearing was already silent from the woman's entrance, and then he began to speak.

"We have come here today, under the eyes of the gods as friends and family of Veralidaine Sarrasri and Numair Salmalin to witness them joined as man and wife."

Numair was barely listening to the priest, his eyes where fixed on Daine's, holding all his attention on that perfect stormy gaze. Momentarily breaking the enchantment when spoken to by the priest.

"Numair Salmalin, speak now you vows of love, might they be received by your lady."

Numair swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat, and then began, voice wavering with emotion.

"Daine, This vow I take will be forever:
I'll love you all my life.
There's no part way, no holding back
Once we are man and wife.

The choice is made, and now I swim
In a far different sea,
The shores of which are bright green hills
Raised up for you and me.

Our love is like a mountainside
Awash in lovely flowers:
It is our home, our solid rock,
Where all bright things are ours.

And though of need we often must
Spend our days apart,
Our love will always be with us,
Held within the heart.

I feel it now, so strong and free,
So part of every breath
That it must live--I swear it will!--
Even after death.

Blessed Be." (A/N not mine…. A poem by Nicolas Gordon edited slightly for my own use.)

He never took his eyes of her the whole time he spoke, filling his look with his words.

"Veralidaine to you accept these vows?" the priest asked. Tears where now silently spilling over her cheeks as she spoke "I do" Numair placed a simple gold band on her finger that snuggled into her engagement ring like a puzzle. (A/N.. yeah yeah I didn't tell you about the ring… mysteries are good right)

"Veralidaine Sarrasri speak your vows of love, might they be received by your gentleman." The priest said again. Daine spoke with a teary voice

"I take you Numair to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live."

Numairs now had tears of his own, trickling a path down his face at Daine's words.

"Numair Salmalin, do you accept these vows?"

"I do"

"Then by all the gods and the great mother goddess, it is my honor to announce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride." Numair pulled Daine into his chest, dipping her head slightly as they kissed to seal their marriage in the eyes of their witnesses and the gods above. The crowd, animals and humans alike cheered in their own way. Hooting, chirping, howling, clapping all echoed through the trees.

Alanna, Onua, Thayet, Buri and Daine's mother all had red-rimmed eyes. As they dotted their face with tissues to wipe away their tears. Someone passed Daine a tissue and as she wiped her own eyes, and Numairs.

He pulled her back into his arms, burying his head in her hair. A hearty chuckle erupting from his chest as he lifted her off her feet and spun her around, much to the joy of the on lookers. Whispering for her ears only, "I am not only the luckiest, but the happiest man alive. I love you Daine Salmalin. Wife." Daine pulled away smiling, she liked the sound of that. "I love you, Numair Salmalin. Husband." And their lips met again, the entire audience forgotten.

Alanna and Thayet had organized a reception diner in the hall, but as it was not being held for another three bells, guests left the clearing to get ready for the event, the ladies all needing to wash tear stained faces, while the men stood in their rooms assuring their partners that they looked great. Numair and Daine had decided to walk around the palace gardens, least temptations made them late for the celebration. They walked hand in hand silently, smiling happily at one another.

They stood out side the hall, as it was customary for the bride and groom to be announced into the hall by the king. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce the arrival of the guests of honor, Mr. and Mrs. Salmalin." With Jon's booming voice the doors where pulled open and the happy newly weds entered the hall, welcomed by a defining applause as they took their seats at the front of the room, that were usually reserved for the king and queen. They ate a meal consisting of a main dish of Daine's favorites, chicken and fish served on a bed of fresh vegetables, followed by a favored dessert of Numairs, fresh berries, steeped in liquor.

After their meal, they where ushered into the centre of the room, as the music began to play for the first dance. Numair held Daine close, both stared intently into each other's eyes, as they danced, oblivious to the other couples that had joined them on the floor. King Jon and Queen Thayet where the first to add their presence to the dance followed by George and Alanna, Onua and Sarge. All four couples immersed in the romance of the atmosphere, as the song continued.

Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true

Everything I do - I do it for you

Look into my heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
There's no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the way

Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you - I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - Ya I'd die for you

Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you