Chapter Thirty Five

The Continuing SFS

No Door Closes Without Another Opening…

Just like night comes quickly to the subequatorial countries of Africa, dawn breaks with equal suddenness. Within a few minutes the sun was on the horizon. All the Vulcans had arisen early to meditate. Benjamin and Drevi joined them. By the time they had finished, a table, chairs and herbal teas had been placed near the area where they had gathered.

Sirin asked Sh'Lock,

"Where are you taking your bride for your honeymoon?"

"When we leave here Benjamin has given us the use of his home in Nairobi. Two day from now we have scheduled transportation to Risa."

Lo'vaak's ears perked up.

"That is where Christine and I went for our honeymoon Did you reserve one of the bridal suites by the water? If you have, please take the time to walk the nearby beaches."

"Yes, our housing will be by the beach. Lo'vaak, did you find such walking activity pleasurable?"

Biting his lip, and then shifting in his seat he said,

"Christine and I never left our suite."

The stoic Vulcan males faces never changed, but the minds were awhirl.. On the other hand, Benjamin, and Drevi collapsed in laughter.

The males of the clan had truly adopted Sh'lock. They had attempted to teach him to dance. their traditonal dances but the only dance he had mastered was the waltz. He had been introduce to their food, which because they were all vegetarians, was fully acceptable. He now had three sets of their clothing, which identified him as a clan member-their distinctive tunics and pants with their matching hats.

Eventually in what might be described as a 'men's night out' the males explain the twist that was associated with their marriage ceremony. They also confided to him the traditional presentation of the proof of virginity and its eventual disposal. None of these traditions conflicted in any way with Sh'lock Vulcan sensabilities. No'eese was joyful and relieved when Sh'lock agreed to, a traditional Wakafuni wedding

What was revealed was the parts of the bridal ceremony that made it truly unique, even for a Terran wedding. Besides the attendants-which could include as many as the couple wished, was the presence of runners who would prepare the way for the bride. These would go ahead of the procession shouting "The Bride Approaches". This activity is also coupled with a 'trick' on the bridegroom, with the presence of a counterfeit bride-another female, of similar proportions who is dressed as 'the bride' and brought to the groom. The groom, aware of the ruse, when confronted with this female is suppose to announce that this is not his 'true bride.'

Then the true bride surrounded by her ladies in waiting, who served as guardians would begin her processional. Her companions bring the true bride forward. Her approach is signaled by the bells that are worn as ankle bracelets by the bride and her attendants.

Sh'lock remembered that a Vulcan wedding also employed the use of bells. But the similarity ended there. A Vulcan bonding was a quiet, solumn affair, its only sounds being the bells that signaled the bride's approach and the voice of the healer. Here in this setting, the traditional clan ceremony would indlude music, dancing, eating drinking and blessing. It would be a truly joyous time. Our Vulcans would have to have their shields at maximum.

Traditionally, the groom is then required to present a symbolic bride price to his intended's parent. In the case of Sh'lock and No'eese, the choice would be a basket of fruit. The first part of the celebration would be the civil ceremony which would be performed by a friend of the family, a regional judge. Torches were being prepared to light the processional and the seating area. The area where the bride and groom were to kneel before Sirin had been set in place.

At noon on the day of the wedding, lunch was served and then the ladies retired to prepare the bride and the men did likewise with the groom. Traditionally, the groom's best friends did him that service. So, as unfamiliar as they were to the activity, Sh'lock's friends and the three other Vulcans joined Benjamin in service to their friend. He bathed and then anointed himself with special oils. Each friend presented him with a different article of clothing and Benjamin recited a chant. When Sh'Lock stood before them he no longer was a Vulcan, but a man of the Wakafuni clan, Bantu people of USA.

No'eese had chosen another cousin of theirs, Y'ni to be the 'Untrue Bride' and she was dressed in the traditional tunic and skirt of their clan. The only difference were the colors were reversed. While No'eese's skirt was gold and her top was white, Y'ni's top was gold and skirt white. Nyota would serve as one of the bride's attendants. There was seven of them and if for some reason the one of the twins needed her, she could bow out gracefully. Six little cousins, in this case girls and boys would serve as runners.

Just as was the case with Sh'lock, No'esse bathed, anointed her body and then had designs drawn on her palms and the soles of her feet. The ankle bells were put on and finally, the most significant of everything she wore was placed around her waist. It was called 'The Purity Belt'. It could only be worn by virgins and it was ceremoniously burned along with proof of the bride's virginity when the bride returned back to her home after her honeymoon. It was the tradition of the Wakafuni-that was the Bantu way.

Spock, Lo'vaak, Sirin and Benjamin along with Shi'lock friends would stand as groomsmen for the civil ceremony. Just as the sun started to lower itself toward the horizon the sound of bells could be heard. The 'Untrue Bride' approached, once she was before the groom he removed her veil and announced,

"My Brideprice was not for this one,"

No'eese father stood up and clapped his hands. Bells were again heard in the distance and the procession appeared in the cleaning and the women started their ancient song,

Who comes before us?

The True Bride

She is unblemished, pure, chase,

May she be the vessel

To produce sons and daughter

To enrich our clan and tribe

May her sons be warriors

And her daughter be wives of kings

May her house endure

With her head bowed No'eese approached Sh'Lock and when she is next to him she bowed low with her eyes downward. Sh'Lock took her hand and raised her upright. He removed her veil and announced.

"The True Bride."

The civil ceremony began and within a short time and few words on their part, they are legally wed.

Sirin stepped forward in his formal robes and signals the couple to kneel before him. He spoke,

What you are about to see comes down from the time of the beginning without change. This is the Vulcan heart, this is the Vulcan soul. This is our way.

Your mind to my mind

Your thoughts to my thoughts

Wih those words Sirin closed his eyes and completely cleared his mind.. First Sh'lock's consciousness was drawn in and then No'eese's. Sirin joined their minds and as he returns their joined consciousness he said,

Ever touching, Never parted

You are one

After hours of celebration, Sh'lock took his bride's hand and led her away to the solitude of his guest hut, conveniently far away from the others, his bride stood before him. Never could he have imagined what this would mean for him. He heard her wisper in his mind,

'My husband, I am yours to do as you wish.'

He lifted her up and cradled her body against his and he sent to her,

My wife, I am yours to do as you wish.

He strengthened his shields and sent,

May I 'know' you with my eyes?

She nodded.

He started to unbutton her tunic and stopped. .

"No'eese let us go from here. There is no way that I could only know you with my eyes. My wish is to know you with my entire being. We will go to Nairobi tonight."

She smiled and reached up to stroke his cheek, he took her hand and kissed the palm and taking up their bags he guided her toward the land vessel and as they looked at the rear window of the vehicle they saw written, 'Just Married'

FINIS

A/N You can imagine the wonder involved with their honeymoon. Sh'lock, the widower, gently instructing his inexperienced bride. The wonder of love from a Vulcan, could only be described by someone who has experienced it. (which Nyota does brilliantly in The Making of Books) Woe is me for I feel quite inadequate..:0)

This Entire Saga is dedicated to the memory of our mother,

Bettie

1918-2011

It was she who introduced her daughters to the independent females of the future as

portrayed by the women on the original USS Enterprise

May memories of her illuminate our hearts

We will now follow the lives of The Survivors in a new entry entitled, "The Desert Saga". The SFS continues with fewer entries. In the continuing SFS we will continue to touch the lives of our favorite couples and their offspring, their ever growing families. We will peek in on them on momentous occasions. e.g. first day of school, granduations, first 'dates' Ponn Farrs etc. We will more frequently be visiting The Survivors as they become a force to be reckoned with in the fields of economics, medicine, construction, cosmetics, and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Thank you for your readership and reviews.

Botsey