A/N I wish to thank my beta, M'Celeste for her visit and corrective aid. I was on the lower floor when I heard her laugh. Try to guess what entry caused that reaction. I will give you some background on it in A/N before chapter thirty-nine.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Of Romulans and Warrior Kings
First Watch
Spock approached the door to his room with a degree of hesitancy, what he had to discuss with Nyota would influence their life together. The ensuing conversation might distress her, but as officers of Star Fleet, they both had to face reality, and plan accordingly.
Nyota's mother was with her. Spock bowed and made his request,
"Mother of my wife, may I have time alone with Nyota. You may leave the door open."
M'muba nodded and placed a kiss on her daughter's forehead and said,
"Spock, I will be with your mother."
There was a questioning look on Nyota's face as he approached her.
"What has happened Spock?"
"Nyota, what I have to say has nothing to do with the here and now, but it does address decisions we might have to face in the future. We will both be Star Fleet Officers. Our employment is far removed from the safety that is experienced by office workers, teachers, farmers and other civilians.
After the incident of today, this became a primary thought-what would I do if you were lost to me? My initial reaction to that thought is one that many bonded Vulcans have taken, self-murder. The thought weighed heavy on my heart and I went to my father.
He almost lost my mother three times. At first his thoughts mirrored mine. I believe the bonding between a human and Vulcan carries with it a deeper connection because of the emotions that are constantly exchanged between both parties. The thought of the emptiness of life without you devastated me.
These were my father's words to me,
"We usually think of the Kartra Ark as holding the essence of our beloved ones, but the real receptacle is our mind. For us, as Vulcans, our memories are eidetic. So, I have stored away Amanda's thoughts, successes, warmth, and by my remaining alive, she would remain alive in me. That is reason enough to continue living."
But Beloved, we must face the reality of what our future could hold. Please tell me what you would wish me to do if I lose you?
Nyota's tears have begun, but she wipes them away.
"Spock I understand the need to make such a decision now.
Her lips trembled and she said,
"Spock, the thought of separation from you is overwhelming, but decision making at this point is necessary.
She take a deep breath and said,
"Spock please remember me, but go on to live your life. Bond again, have children. With a crooked smile she said, maybe your wife will allow you to name a daughter after me. But beloved, live life to the fullest for me.
I know as long as there is such a disparity between our life spans, we will eventually have to part, but that is many years in the future-but, if it occurs before that time, live for both of us."
Spock nodded.
"You have expressed my thoughts on the matter. You beloved, must continue without me. If we have children, please go to Vulcan and raise them in The Vulcan Way.
Nyota, I have stored my life seed here on Vulcan, so if I leave you without children, you will have the choice to keep my family line alive by that means."
She nodded and he took her hands and kissed each palm. Nyota, when we next see one another it will be at 'the place of joining.' I count the hours."
Spock stood up and his last view of Nyota was her face gracing him with her smile
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
One full day of isolation had passed for Nyota and Spock. T'Pau, Amanda, M'muba and T'Pau's sister, T'Lan slept, ate their meals and talked in Spock's room, now designated as 'The Place for Enlightenment.'
Amanda had explained to all present that she had spoken with Nyota about the unique sexuality of the Vulcan male, including the slight physical differences from his Terran counterpart.
The conversation then turned to the plight of females of both Vulcan and Terra down through the ages.
M'muba related how, centuries ago, the females of their tribe had to undergo a painful and disfiguring procedure to assure the males that they were untouched. It took a female rebellion to outlaw this practice. Although it was still the way of the Bantu female to remain chaste until marriage, this barbaric practice was no longer used to help assure their virginity. Her description of what those females experienced was horrific.
Amanda reminded her companions of what was accepted on Terra during the European middle ages, the so called 'chastity belt'. The thought of being imprisoned in that restrictive piece of clothing was equally disturbing. How uncomfortable and unsanitary such a thing would have had to be.
T'Pau revealed that during pre-Surak times, Vulcan women were sometimes forced to fight to the death for a bondmate.
Ta'Pau's sister T'Lan recalled how two entire families had been eradicated after the females, and only child of each family had slain each other to secure a bondmate.
Although males were still expected to fight if challenged, this was a rare happening and generally looked down on as unnecessary in the face of logic. In these more enlightened times, some even used the term barbaric when describing such actions.
Listening to these accounts, Nyota felt so very glad to be living at this time. Even though the traditions of her clan and tribe might appear restrictive to some, it did add to the stability of marriage and family life. Separation and divorce were virtually unheard of among her people. She felt that their primary view of sex, as the means to create sacred life, was a rock solid basis for virtue and faithfulness.
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
Meanwhile, among the men, the discussion ranged from the highly emotional state of a Terran female during her cycle. How certain cravings might be manifested. How subtle hints from ones mate might indicate her desire for intimacy. The need to listen to the female, was also addressed, for nothing will create a division as quickly as inattentiveness.
"Whatever you do," Benjamin interjected, "do not neglect your wedding anniversary. That is an unforgivable sign of being unappreciative."
He recalled a person who worked for him who repeatedly forgot this all-important date. Coming home late one night, his wife's expression gave him a hint and he attempted to correct the omission. He took his wife for a walk, bought food from a street vendor and stood by his wife as they listened to some street musicians.
When asked, by his sister in-laws if he had done something special for his wife on that day he said, "I took my wife out for dinner, then to a concert.'
This had not gone over well.
Benjamin went on to relate how, in later years, that same man would attempt to justify his actions:
'I have been married forty years. This event happened on our tenth anniversary and is still remembered by my wife down to this day! How many of you men who have been married so long made such an impression on their tenth anniversary?'
After seeing a light of logic go off behind Spock's eyes, Benjamin reminded all in attendance that this was an example of what not to do.
`0`0`0`0`0`0`
Sarek and Benjamin now excused themselves from Spock, explaining that they had to discuss something of importance with T'Pau. They both knew that upon their return they would find Spock, deep in meditation.
Sarek sent to T'Pau a request to see her in the 'room of welcome'. Within a few minutes she made her appearance.
Benjamin stepped forth,
"Honored mother, you have melded with my daughter. It has come to my attention that you observed in her something that, many years ago, you found in me. I will now reveal to you a three hundred year old secret.
"Part of the secret you know already because, as a member of the High Council, you were privy to an intercepted Romulan Warbird transmission from many years ago, which reported that a shuttle craft and its crew had been lost on Terra in the area of my home.
Benjamin continued, "Mother, standing before you is a descendant of one of those presumed lost Romulans. My entire clan, the Wakifunzi, trace their lineage back to the six male survivors."
"Thee are of Romulan blood?"
"Yes Mother."
"Then, with the bonding of what is yours, and what is mine, we have the beginning of Vulcan, Romulan reconciliation. May it one day be truthfully so."
T'Pau gestured for Benjamin to come forward and said,
"Will you willingly open all to me."
"Yes mother."
Benjamin knelt before her and when she entered his mind she saw the tablets with the recorded histories and she read…
I am K'nel…
I am K'meack…
I am Lon'Tack…
I am Ve'mar…
The disclosure of three other tablets followed.
When she had finished all seven histories, Benjamin stood before her and said,
"Your grandson has asked me if I would be willing to accompany your son if and when negotiations for peace are initiated with Romulus. I should want to be part of the diplomatic party and give to any surviving family members the journals and ashes of our Romulan ancestors." the shuttle crew members'
"Thee shall go."
`0`0`0`0`0`
T'Pau then made an offer that would secure the newlywed's privacy. Her compound included several houses that were used when the clan met for extended periods. She suggested that the four parents transfer to that location and any workers in the house stay at another one of the buildings.
This had been a concern on the part of both sets of parents., for there was a need for Spock and Nyota to have privacy after the bonding. Sarek sent that information to Spock.
Even in his deepest meditation Spock was counting down the hours before he would see Nyota again…twenty-two hours, forty-five minutes, six seconds…
In Spock's room, Amanda and M'muba and Amanda had unrolled sleeping mats and laid down on the floor.
T'Pau had dismissed Sarek and Benjamin and they had returned to join Spock. She, on the other hand had many weighty matters to process. She thought to herself, 'Perhaps this will be the time for peace. Perhaps Benjamin's contribution could be the proverbial olive branch'.
Certainly Romulan family members of the stranded crew would desire to know of their fate. Benjamin impressive presence would do much to show that the descendants of these two species were not a disgrace to either side.
At the next High Council meeting, if there was full attendance, she would present to the members the logical aspect of attempting to seek peace with their cousins, the Romulans.
The matriarch knelt to meditate.