Ciri and Avallac'h are hand fasted, while Crevan remembers...
Pen smiled when Avallac'h came to see her that morning, knowing what he was going to ask. He was surprised, a place had already been picked out.
"The glass garden, she admired it when last you were here..." Pen said. "And the light there is perfect..."
"...You knew I would come..."
"Yes, I also knew you would not allow your child to be born into the world a bastard either." She said. "...My guard will stand as a witness, and Rhiannon with Ciri, as will I."
"...You do this because we have no family here..."
"I did not say you didn't." Pen said. "it is better that it be intimate and quiet...to protect you both."
"...at what price."
Pen expected his suspicion. Crevan had been like this when he'd first settled at court.
"No price," She said. "You and Ciri are owed a debt. I hope my actions can repay..."
The knock interrupted them, Pen went to answer.
Ciri was surprised when a gaggle of women descended upon her. She was poked and prodded, scrubbed and polished into a fine gown and veil. There was much laughter and teasing as she was taken through corridors and tunnels. Pen and Rhiannon met her at the hidden entrance to the conservatory. A bunch of wildflowers placed in her hands.
"Smile..." Pen whispered. "You'll worry him if you don't..."
They led her into a sunken garden, there Avallac'h similarly scrubbed and polished waited with two of Pen's guard. She was shocked, he looked somewhat uncomfortable. That worried her until she realized he was wearing only his boots, several yards of the Thorn Tartan and a loose shirt.
"It took a bit to get him proper..." Pen whispered. "He wanted to wear his nickers underneath..."
She blushed, though she'd seen all of him several times over. He straightened a bit seeing her. He had never thought to see her in a dress, so used her in breeches. He extended his hand to her, clasping it tightly. Pen came to stand between them, a ribbon woven with the colors of the court twined about their hands.
"Today we unite two lives, Crevan Espain Aep Cormhain Macha and Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon...in the mother's name..."
He spoke a promise he'd made a thousand years before, to another that looked so much like the one before him. Ciri spoke her promise, seeming an echo unto the present. Their kiss was the final seal.
The small gathering afterward was a surprise. The ceremony had been mostly private, but the celebration did not have to be. Deir and Nod rand around among the tables, snatching sweets as they went. Nuada kept a sharp eye out and excused himself from a conversation to go round them up before they crashed somewhere beneath the tables. He returned to the conversation, with Nod on his back and Deir in his arms.
Avallac'h had insisted on changing from kilt to breeches, too used to places where cold crept into places unwanted. Ciri was still in her dress, not wanting to insult her guests. His arm was around her, holding her close. He watched Pen remove her son from her husband's back, holding him as they leaned toward each other. He wanted that for him and Ciri, that easy comfort. Ciri put her arms around his waist, leaning into him.
Crevan sat in the library, opting not to attend as it would be nigh impossible to hide among such an intimate gathering. Regis sat with him, a bottle of hooch between them near untouched.
"...I've not worn a kilt since." He said softly. "That was a most unusual experience..."
"Wool against such parts leads to unintended rude gestures..." Regis said. "I wore one for the forming of the court..."
He found humor in that statement, a vampire dressing in the short garment. Yes, he'd been itchy through the whole ceremony, but he'd had the decorum, not to scratch. Well that was until he got back to the rooms he shared with Ciri, he'd near gone bare ass in the hall to be rid of the itch. An application of Chamomile to the itchy parts made him feel better before he'd put on his knickers and breeches.
"...How I envied lady Thorn and his majesty..." he poured himself a shot. "Until I knew it myself."
"...Do you do so now?"
That was a question. Could he envy them still? He knew why Regis would ask, the same reason that the Vampire wasn't going to let him be alone tonight. One never quite got rid of the demons that had driven them into the dark.
"I don't think I can answer that..."
Regis poured himself a shot, downed it and corked the bottle.
"Keep that in mind tonight..." Regis said. "We have an appointment in the garden..."
He rose, the table in the garden with others. Yes, he needed to be there tonight.
The celebration wound down, leaving the happy couple to escape to their quarters. It felt like that Beltine, but there was no fear of them being discovered. Clothing led from the door to the bed, and then two bodies sliding together. He was careful until she reminded him she was not glass and a trained fighter. Passion, obsession, need and love melded into their union. He welcomed the scratches down his back, the feel of her against his own skin. Sleep that night was dreamless.