Chapter Thirty-Six
Of Romulans and Warrior Kings
Doors That Are Shut, Others That Open
Spock took the consort's stance and he and Nyota's returned to the room. T'Pau indicated that she wished to speak with them.
"My child, you have recovered sufficiently?"
With head bowed Nyota confessed,
"I sincerely apologize for my actions which apparently put a stop to some of this evening's activities."
T'Pau's logical reply was,
"Your physical response to outside stimuli was not deliberate nor part of the your planned activity. There is no offense when none is taken.
Nyota said,
"Thank you mother."
"Mine was the logical conclusion, thanks are unnecessary."
Spock nodded and Nyota bowed her head. T'Pau then said to the couple,
"You two bring greatness, beauty and we anticipate growth to the Maat S'chn Tgai.
T'Pau stood up,
Raiash-fam (silent)
"T'Pau pulayau Spock heh pudcvel-tor ko-kug also, Nyota Uhura ko-fu Benjamin Uhura, T'Pau Terran sa-ful.
Then looking toward then and gesturing she said,
Dif-tor heh smusma.
( T'Pau, The High Council, presents Spock's chosen fiance, Nyota, daughter of my Terran son, Benjamin Uhura. Live long and prosper)
Those gathered echoed her sentiments. The couple bowed their heads in acknowledgement and then Spock with his hand at the small of her back guided Nyota away from T'Pau. She looked over her shoulder and smiled.
Their first stop was to the table where they picked up their plates and eating utensils. Water the most prized of all beverages on Vulcan was lined up in covered glasses on a buffet. There was silence between them during the meal.
Sarek had supplied his mother with her meal and beverage. He sat next to her in her secluded area. She sent her son words of approval…
Sarek, son of Skon…my son, there is a uniqueness in Spock's choice of bondmate. I have only at one other time explored a mind that was as open and then as mysterious as hers. That other mind belonged to my son, Benjamin. I believe their minds are not totally of their kind. Deep in its recesses, I find a mystery, carefully hidden.
Your brothers mind was the first of his kind I joined with and I thought his was a mind normal for a Terran,. Since that time, I have joined with many Terran minds, but none are like these two.
Have you compared your brother's mind with that of your Aduna and seen the uniqueness?
"Yes, honored mother."
"Has he revealed to you the reason for this difference."
"Yes mother, under Vulcan's extreme oath."
T'Pau nodded,
"The 'blood oath."
Sarek nodded.
T'Pau then stated the obvious,
"Then I must wait for my son to open that which is secret to me."
Sarek nodded,
"Yes, mother."
One of the High Council Members approached and Sarek sent,
"I will join the guests."
His mother nodded.
Sarek made his way to Benjamin and sent through their familiar bond,
"She is aware that the mystery component that she had discovered so long ago in your mind is also present in Nyota's. Brother, it might be time…"
Benjamin nodded,
"We will approach her the night before the bonding."
Sarek nodded, and then said,
"She will be most surprised and pleased."
Benjamin said to his brother,
"Brother I do not recall how Vulcans register surprise."
Sarek's answered,
"We do not."
`0`0`0`0`0`0`
Spock gathered up the plates and eating utensils and carried them to the room for food preparation and then returned to Nyota's side.
"Shortly we will be separated beloved. It is the way of both of our people. I have decided that my time will be less difficult if I remain in a constant state of meditation. Nyota, please rest your body and mind while we are apart."
"Spock, your mother has explained your needs to me."
Looking down she said,
"I will not fail you."
In an almost scandalous display he kissed the palm of her hand.
She nudged him in a playful way and asked,
"Where are we to go after the bonding?"
"To my room, until we leave for Paris."
"You going to take me back there?…I am sorry, I know your words are never empty…
Her face totally etched with joy she said,
"Spock, thank you."
With such a look of humor in his eye he told her,
"We have a family tradition to uphold. The only other person in the Paris house will be T'Mela. She will stay far away from the family residence so as to insure our privacy. The other staff members will spend a week at the Embassy in San Francisco or make a visit to Vulcan. Within the walls of that house my expressions of devotion will be unbridled. I can guarantee you that their will be very little sight seeing. I should say outside..."
He looked down at Nyota and saw clear evidence of a blush steal across Nyota face and he was pleased.
As last light approached, the guest presented themselves before T'Pau and Sarek. It was not The Vulcan Way to say, I ' or we have enjoyed ourselves, or even to comment on the food, since it was for nourishmet. Instead the statement made was,
'We have ben refreshed by your water.'
it was within a short period of time it was just the family, or soon to be family members that remained within the four walls.
There were just hours away from being parted and Spock took Nyota out to the enclosed patio. She stood at the door as he made an inspection of the area.
When he returned he said,
"Although the presence of you in my arms for that brief period was most welcome, the situation did not allow for me to find it pleasurable. The next time we see one another, we will be minutes away for a repeat of that action."
Nyota smiled and said,
"And I wiil be conscious. She then placed the back of her hand to her mouth to stifle a yawn.
"Come Nyota, I will walk you to your place of rest. Also, I wish to tell you that the arrangement of your hair is pleasurable."
"Thank you Spock."
It was not yet time for the isolation to start but Spock thought of something he had to ask his father. He hoped the matter could be resolved before they would be separated.
At the door he held her hands to his chest and then kissed them before he hurried away.
His father was alone in his study when Spock requested an audience, his request was acknowledged by a nod.
"Father, I have a personal query."