Maat S'chn T'gai

Chapter Thirty-seven - Koon-ut So'lik

New Vulcan

Late March 2265

Tarel

He looked forward to the times when he met with T'Sura and they walked on the dusty paths and spoke together. He had told her of his childhood, and she had told him of hers. He had accounted for all of his education, and spoken of the research that he had done on Earth. She had asked many questions about this, and they had conversed for many hours on this subject. She had told him, very frankly, how she had missed learning during the years that they had been here on New Vulcan. Her uncles had provided her with books to read, and there had been occasional interesting discussions, but they traveled often, and had not always had time for her and her sister.

They had discussed the things that her uncles were teaching her about computers, and she had gotten very excited, finally blushing and holding her hands over her face, apologizing to him for her exuberance. He had very softly told her that he would never chastise her for becoming enthusiastic about learning something new, and she had looked at him with such warmth in her eyes that it had been his turn to blush.

They had discussed the human women that her uncles had brought to the clan, and how interesting they were to her, and her sister, because of the many differences. She had made good friends with them, and so had her sister, and they looked to them as older sisters now. He had never had a Human friend that was that close to him, although he had had friends with whom he played chess, and gone to lunches with. His time on Earth had been fairly lonely, he realized. He was not quite certain why that was, but suspected that his native shyness was accountable for part of it, as well as his reluctance to discuss his private business with relative strangers.

She spoke of how Varun had come to be part of their clan, and the suddenness of it. She had noticed that T'Boh looked at him with interest, but they had really had no time to form a real friendship before his Time had come upon him, throwing them together with no warning. In the months since then, they had grown very close. She could see in Varun's eyes how he felt about her sister, and T'Boh made no secret of how she felt about him. She was glad that her sister had such a relationship with her bondmate. Shyly, she expressed her wish for the same type of relationship herself. He found he could only agree with her. A sterile marriage, such as most Vulcans had seemed to have had in the past, held no appeal for him. Her lips twitched when he said that, and a light green flush spread across his cheekbones, and the tips of his ears.

It had been almost three weeks now that they had been walking about, and speaking together. He hoped that she had an idea where this was leading. She did seem very comfortable with him. He certainly hoped that he was reading her correctly. She had informed him that Varun and T'Boh had invited them to a private supper in their quarters in two days, and he had readily accepted. And now he must locate Varun and speak with him. It was extremely important.

He entered the builder's hall, and spoke to the woman at the information desk there, finding where Varun's crew was working this week. He thanked her solemnly, and left, seeking out the indicated construction project. He arrived just as they began their lunch break, and Varun, seeing him, waved him over to where he sat in the shade of the growing building. He lowered himself to the ground, but refused the share of his lunch that Varun offered. "Thank you, but no. I have lunch waiting me in my office, where I will go after I have spoken with you." He sat there, silent, for several minutes, until Varun looked pointedly at him, raising one eyebrow. He sighed then, and hesitantly spoke. "I am sure that you are aware that T'Pau has given me permission to speak with T'Sura and to walk with her in public."

"Indeed I am, and I am glad of it. T'Sura is happy, T'Boh assures me of that."

Tarel's heart gave a lurch on hearing this. This was a good thing to know. "T'Sura informed me that you and T'Boh have invited us to a private dinner in your quarters in two days."

Varun nodded, his mouth full. When he had finished chewing, he spoke up. "T'Boh suggested this, and I agreed. We wish to show you that we are in support of your suit."

Tarel flushed slightly, but responded before he lost his nerve. "I was hoping that this was the case. I would ask you a great favor."

Varun watched the face of the man who was fast becoming his friend. "If it is something that I can do, I am sure to agree."

Tarel took a deep breath. "Will you be my formal witness when I declare Koon-ut So'lik?"

Varun lips twitched and his eyes danced. "It would be my great delight to do so. May I tell T'Boh?"

"Only if she promises not to breathe a word to T'Sura. I wish to see her reaction to my words."

Varun nodded. He could understand this entirely. He had not had this opportunity with T'Boh, and he would be sure not to compromise Tarel's situation. "It will be as you wish. After the meal, then?"

"Yes, while we are sitting and talking afterwards. That is what I wish."

"I believe that soon you will become a new member of the clan, as I have done, and I can call you brother." Varun's face was alight with happiness.

"That would be most pleasant." Tarel looked intently at Varun. "It is my wish to call you friend at this time."

Varun nodded. "This is most acceptable."

The two men sat there companionably for several minutes more, while Varun finished his meal, and then Tarel rose, and thanked him, and headed for his office, and his own lunch.

The next two days passed swiftly, and Tarel found that it was time to prepare for the event that he both looked forward to and dreaded. He cleaned his body thoroughly, and dressed carefully, in a set of robes that was not quite formal, but verged on it. And then he took the small box that sat on his dresser and put it in his pocket, patting it gently to be sure that it was secure, and would not be lost on the way. He left his rooms, and headed down the dusty path to the house with the two wings.

When he knocked at the door, Varun opened it, and motioned him in. The two men walked through the main living room, and into the open doorway into the sitting room that was part of Varun and T'Boh's wing. There was a square table sitting there, with four chairs around it, and T'Boh and T'Sura were setting out hot dishes on padded mats that they had placed there. When all was ready, they motioned to the men to seat themselves, and took the places between. As hostess, T'Boh took the plates and filled them, passing them about the small table. And then they sat, in silence, as was common among Vulcans. When the men were full, they expressed their compliments to the women, for the food had been quite good. And then they rose, and adjourned to the more comfortable couch and chairs in the other part of the room.

T'Boh lit the lamps, as the light had dimmed considerably. And then they conversed, on a number of topics, while Tarel's nervousness grew. Finally, he glanced at Varun, who nodded determinedly at him. Gathering his courage, he rose, and went to stand before T'Sura. With great boldness, he took her hands in his and drew her up from her chair. He could feel something very like electricity flowing between them as he held her hands. It was exhilarating. He looked into her eyes and spoke slowly, clearly, wanting there to be no doubt as to what he meant, no misunderstanding of his words, of his intentions, at all.

"S'chn T'gai T'Sura, at this time do I declare koon-ut so'lik to you, here in front of witnesses. I have your grandmother's permission to do so, but it is your agreement that I seek. If you will accept me, please tell me so now."

T'Sura's eyes shone brightly, and the corners of her mouth curved up. When she spoke, her voice was so soft and warm that it caused chills throughout his body. "S'gan F'nu Tarel, it is my great joy to accept your offer, here in front of witnesses."

He was filled with such a lightness of spirit that he thought perhaps he might float away. He opened his shields, only slightly, and felt her presence then, for the first time, so shy, so happy. He glowed with it, overwhelmed. Suddenly remembering the small box in his pocket, he let go of her hands with one of his, and brought out the box, opening it to show her the delicate bracelet within. She gasped in delight, and he brought the bracelet out, carefully wrapping it around her wrist, and fastening the clasp.

Varun and T'Boh were there then, and T'Boh enveloped her sister in her arms, hugging her and whispering in her ear. Varun laid one hand on his shoulder, and he felt the warmth and friendship that was offered there, completing the wonder of the evening. And then T'Sura reached out, and touched his hand again, with her two fingers, and spoke, almost in a whisper, telling him that they must go to T'Pau.

He was not sure that that was what he wanted to do right at this moment, but he conceded. They crossed the living room, and went down the short hall to the door of T'Pau's sitting room, Varun and T'Boh behind them. T'Sura knocked gently on the door, and T'Pau responded that they should enter. Drawing a deep breath, he opened the door and drew T'Sura in with him, the other two following behind. He crossed the small space and knelt before T'Pau, T'Sura beside him.

"T'sai, I have followed your instructions, and walked and spoken with your granddaughter, T'Sura, as you advised me, and I have now, before witnesses, declared koon-ut so'lik to her, and she has accepted me. I come to you now for your agreement and blessing."

T'Pau observed the glowing faces of the two young people before her, and leaned down, clasping their joined hands between hers. "S'gan F'nu Tarel, will you now declare your allegiance to maat S'chn T'gai, forsaking the clan to which you were born, and cleaving now to ours?"

"This I will do gladly, T'Pau."

"Then I accept your suit." She raised her hands, and laid them lightly against the two faces before her, opening their minds to her. Carefully, she set the betrothal bond, and felt the wonder and joy that they felt when the bond sprang gently to life between them. "The bond is set. When the time is right, it will be completed. Go now with my blessing. Tarel, you now have the right to touch her, but I expect you to be chaste with her, and not despoil her."

"I would do no such thing, T'Pau, for I have far too much respect for her."

She nodded at him, knowing much more than he about the forces that they would now be susceptible to. She watched them rise, and pass from the room, Varun and T'Boh following them. She would have to get Sarek and Selek to find out when his Time was due to come, in order to plan further. She sat back in her chair, pleased. This had worked out exactly as she had wished, and her granddaughter was obviously pleased and content. Now that she was taken care of, more time could be devoted to searching for others who might be brought in to strengthen the clan. But tomorrow would be soon enough for that.

And on the small porch at the front of the house, the two young lovers-to-be stood so close to one another that it would have been difficult to insert anything whatsoever between them, their hands clasped palm to palm for the first time, their eyes only for each other.