Now at long last…the wedding!
FYI, as far as I know there's no canon information on Helmite wedding rituals or Amnian wedding customs, so I just made 'em up in this chapter. Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 38
"Anomen, the High Watcher says it is almost time to begin." Anomen's reverie was broken by Keldorn's voice and the old paladin's hand on his shoulder. "It's a good thing, too!" Keldorn chuckled, "The temple looks full to bursting."
"Yes, of course, Sir Keldorn," Anomen stood hurriedly and glanced down at his new tabard to make certain it wasn't crumpled.
"You look fine, my boy," Keldorn said reassuringly.
"The temple is full, you say?" Anomen asked, trying to keep the apprehension out of this voice. He was in a small chapel off the main room, having decided that it was fitting to spend the last few minutes before the ceremony in prayer. Not coincidentally, keeping his mind occupied elsewhere also made it easier control his nerves.
"Aye, but you'll see for yourself soon enough," Keldorn said as he led Anomen into High Watcher Oisig's study. Waiting for them there was High Watcher Oisig, High Watcher Emond, and Valygar, whom Anomen had asked, along with Keldorn, to stand with him as his witnesses.
"Ah, here is the groom himself!" High Watcher Emond beamed. "I would ask if you are ready," Emond chuckled, "but I believe we all know the answer to that!" He gestured toward the door. "Shall we proceed?"
Despite Keldorn's warning, Anomen wasn't quite prepared for the sudden onslaught of noise and color when they entered the main chapel. He had always imagined that his wedding to Merena would be like this, but he had not considered just how uncomfortable it would make him feel to be standing in front of so many people at such a meaningful moment in his life.
A murmur of excitement ran through crowd at his appearance, which only served to increase his self-consciousness. Then movement in the first row caught his eye; there was Kylia, waving frantically to get his attention, while Arthia, seated next to her, tried just as frantically to get her to stop. Anomen smiled and nodded at Kylia, who subsided, satisfied. It warmed his heart to see them there; in fact, Arthia had at first protested when Merena suggested that she and Gareth sit in the row traditionally reserved for family members. But Merena had insisted, and Anomen knew that they were both deeply touched by the gesture.
Nearby, Anomen could see other friends; knights and priests he had known for years, Athkatla nobles, and of course, Merena's traveling companions. As he watched, a glowering Sarevok leaned down to better hear something that Mazzy was saying, and Aerie chatted easily with Nalia and her husband.
Just as his anxiety began easing somewhat, there was a sudden burst of noisy activity at the main door of the temple. He exchanged a worried glance with Keldorn, who said, "It's probably nothing, Anomen, but we shall make certain." The paladin turned to Valygar, "Valygar, could you…"
Before Keldorn could finish the question, the ranger gave a brisk nod and silently melted into the crowd.
Although to Anomen it seemed like an eternity, a short time later Valygar returned as abruptly as he had left, and pulled Keldorn aside for a whispered conference. Anomen chafed at being excluded, but did not want to give the crowd any more fuel for speculation that something was amiss.
Fortunately, the wait was not long, and Keldorn strode up to lay a reassuring hand on Anomen's shoulder. "Nothing for you to worry about, Anomen, my Maria has things well in hand. Although," he added cryptically, "your sister-in-law has much to answer for!"
Before Anomen could inquire further, the bells marking the hour rang out in the bell tower above. At this cue, a door on the opposite side of the altar opened, and Jaheira and Imoen appeared to take their places as Merena's witnesses. Both looked beautiful, their hair elaborately dressed, wearing gowns of similar cut, although Jaheira's was deep green and Imoen's gold. To Anomen's eyes, Imoen seemed more subdued than usual, and he wondered if it was related to whatever had caused the commotion earlier.
Out of the corner of his eye Anomen noticed Maria Firecam quietly slip into the spot reserved for her in one of the front rows. A good sign, he told himself.
Then the bells began. Not the bells that marked the hour, but the distinctive sound of traditional Amnian 'bridal bells', which were only rung for a bride on her wedding day. Anomen's heart clenched, and he looked up to see two figures walking slowly down the aisle toward him—Merena on Minsc's arm, the ranger towering above her. Merena had planned to walk by herself, but after Minsc's last-minute appearance, she had decided to ask her good friend to accompany her. Seeing Minsc's beaming face, Anomen had no doubt that Minsc was proud and honored to be her escort.
All these thoughts passed through his mind in the instant before his eyes caught and locked on Merena's approaching figure. And when they did, he thought for a moment his knees would buckle. As often as he had imagined this moment, it had not prepared him for the sight of Merena walking toward him dressed as a bride—his bride. Her gown was green and gold, with touches of blue, and made in a flowing, deceptively simple style that accentuated her height and grace. Her hair was swept up and away from her face to cascade down her back, entwined with flowers.
"How can I ever be worthy of her?" he murmured under his breath.
Keldorn, standing next to him, heard the question and whispered with a chuckle, "A laudable sentiment for a new husband, but I'm certain Merena has no doubts on that score."
Then, Merena arrived at the dais, and gave him a smile so filled with joy and trust that his heart almost stopped. Their hands met, and clasped, and suddenly, at her touch, all his doubts, all his anxiety fled. He simply knew that this was meant to be, and that this time, nothing would come between them. Anomen raised her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly, murmuring in a voice choked with emotion, "My love, you are absolutely breathtaking."
Merena's eyes danced with happiness, but before she could reply, High Watcher Emond cleared his throat to remind them they did not have Toril—or even the temple—all to themselves. They started, a little sheepishly, and turned in unison toward the High Watcher so he could begin the ceremony.
-ooo-
Merena turned toward High Watcher Emond, Anomen's hand held firmly in her own. She had been rather nervous before the ceremony and while she was walking down the aisle, but when she had arrived there to see Anomen waiting for her, love and eager anticipation written plainly on his face, her nerves disappeared, to be replaced by a bubbling well of joy that threatened to erupt at any moment.
The High Watcher smiled at them in welcome, and then looked up to address the assemblage. "I would like to welcome you all here today, on this most joyous occasion. Today is not only a happy day for Merena and Anomen and those who care about them, but I also believe it is a special day. For today not only I have the honor and privilege of uniting two people in marriage who I esteem very highly, one of whom is Helm's honored servant, but I am certain that Helm is watching this occasion with great satisfaction. In my long years of service to Helm, seldom have I met two people who so clearly exemplify the qualities Helm values most in his followers—honor and faithfulness, courage and love—as much as Anomen and Merena. I can only hope that they will set a shining example of how virtue can indeed, be its own reward."
Anomen's grip on Merena's hand tightened, and she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye; from the expression on his face he was obviously as taken aback as she was by Emond's lavish praise.
"And now" Emond continued with a smile, "even though it was not my intention, it seems that I have thoroughly embarrassed both the bride and the groom, so perhaps we should begin."
Emond was silent for a moment, and then began chanting a prayer to Helm with the ease of long practice. Next to her, Merena felt Anomen relax, reassured by the familiar words of the ritual. Merena, on the other hand, had never heard the Helmite wedding rite before, and found herself growing increasingly amused by the frequency that "faithfulness" and "loyalty" were mentioned. At least, Merena mused, it seemed those virtues were expected of the groom as well as the bride.
As Emond spoke on, continuing what seemed to Merena to be a rather lengthy invocation of Helm's presence, she noticed a change in the atmosphere of the temple, similar to what she had felt during the Rite of Dissolution, but much more subtle. She glanced questioningly at Anomen. When he had explained the wedding rite to her, he had mentioned that the officiating priest requests Helm's presence, but unlike the Rite of Dissolution, it was considered a formality and that the god's presence was not expected or required to complete the ceremony.
Anomen squeezed her hand gave her a brief nod, his eyes alight. Emond finished his prayer and turned his attention to them once more. Looking very pleased, the priest murmured in an undertone, "It seems that my lord Helm has graced us with his presence; a high honor, indeed!"
Emond gestured; and knowing what was expected of them, they turned to face one another and clasped hands. The High Watcher took a leather gauntlet from a side table and laid it over their hands. Anomen had explained to her that this symbolized Helm's watchful protection over themselves and their marriage, but Merena was surprised to see that it was just a simple leather gauntlet, such as any fighter might wear.
High Watcher Emond spoke, "Before Merena and Anomen take their vows before Helm, it is traditional to allow the bride and groom the opportunity to speak their own thoughts to each other and to the company if they wish. They have chosen to do so. Merena?"
Merena cleared took a deep breath and looked up to meet Anomen's eyes. "Anomen, love, you have told me time and again how grateful you are, how lucky you are to have my love, and how much your life has changed because of me. But I am the lucky one; I am the one who should be thankful that you came back into my life. I don't know what my life would be like today without you, but I know it would be much…less than it is now. You have been my dear friend from the day we met, then my love, and now my husband," Merena's voice shook a little, and she paused for a moment to compose herself. "I am happy in a way that I never thought I would be again, and I have you to thank for that, Anomen, dear. I love you more than I ever thought possible, and I can't wait for tomorrow, and all the other tomorrows with you as my husband."
By the time she had finished speaking, Anomen's face was red, but his eyes were shining with joy. Merena chuckled to herself; only her beloved knight could manage to look mortally embarrassed and deliriously happy at the same time.
He cleared his throat, obviously not trusting his voice to be steady, and after a moment, met her eyes. "Merena, seeing you here now, ready to pledge yourself to me, is the realization of a long cherished dream; one I often thought would never come to pass. Every moment I have spent with you has been a gift, and the prospect of a lifetime with you at my side is a gift beyond measure. I do not know how I came to deserve such riches, so I can only thank Helm—and thank you, my beautiful lady—for the chance to demonstrate my love for you in the days and years to come."
High Watcher Emond smiled at them benevolently, "Excellent." He laid one hand atop the glove resting on the couple's clasped hands. "Now I ask you, Anomen and Merena, if you are willing, through your own free choice, to pledge yourself to each other in the sight of Helm, and vow to love and honor each other in thought and deed, from this day forward until Helm calls you to Everwatch?"
They unconsciously clasped each other's hands a little tighter and said in unison, "I do." Anomen's eyes glowed with happiness, and Merena strongly suspected that her face held a similar expression of slightly dazed joy.
Satisfied with their responses, High Watcher Emond continued, "I call upon Helm to bless this union, to guide Anomen and Merena in remaining watchful and steadfast in their love and loyalty to one another, and to Helm. In the name of Helm, and in sight of this company, so that they may bear witness to the vows given here today, I declare Anomen and Merena to be husband and wife."
As Emond ceremoniously removed the gauntlet from their hands, Merena's lips quirked in amusement, and she stole a glance and the guests filling the temple. It seems that Helm has arranged for plenty of witnesses, she chuckled to herself. But when her eyes again met Anomen's, the surge of love she felt for him assured her that she would need no reminders of her love and commitment to her new husband.
High Watcher Emond beamed at them and said, "Anomen, you may kiss your bride."
Anomen seemed to have recovered from the embarrassment he'd shown earlier; there was no hesitation as he pulled her into his arms, accompanied by the murmurs of approval from the crowd. Their kiss was decorous, but when Anomen released her, the look in his eyes was a promise of passion to come.
"At last, my love," he said, so quietly that only she could hear, "at long last, you are truly my lady."
Merena was so overcome with emotion that no response seemed adequate. Finally, she reached up to caress his cheek and in a choked voice, said simply, "I love you so much, Anomen."
Anomen slid an arm around her waist as they turned together to face the assembled guests. The crowd rose, and out of the corner of her eye Merena noticed that in her excitement Kylia had climbed onto the seat of the pew to get a better view. Next to her, Arthia was too busy sobbing into a handkerchief to even look scandalized.
Merena spared a wave to her daughter as she and Anomen stepped down from the dais. As they did so, the temple bells began ringing loudly again. No one had mentioned that their exit would be accompanied by bells, and gave her new husband a surprised glance only to see him look equally mystified. She turned briefly to look at High Watcher Oisig, who simply smiled and shrugged. Merena chuckled to herself. What was one more wonderful mystery on this joyous day? She tightened her arm around Anomen's and held her head high as they took their first steps as husband and wife.