Journey of Love
Chapter Twenty
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Marcus and Neroon, or anyone else from
Babylon 5.
Authors notes: Rated R. Contains slash: two males in a romantic/sexual (although not explicit) relationship. If this offends you please turn back now.
[……..] Denotes thoughts which is slightly changed from previous chapters.
As the ritual went on in length I forgot to be suspicious, and relaxed into my seat. Although I understood the standard Minbari dialect, at least enough to speak it, most of the Rite was conducted in the language of the ancient Warrior Caste, before the time of even Valen. As such I understood about five percent of the chanting and various other speech patterns. I would catch a couple of words here and there and try to ascertain what exactly was being said.
After the first hour this puzzle was the only thing keeping me from being hopelessly bored. Surprisingly after the third hour the Elders switched to modern Minbari, presumably so that the humans in the room would be able to understand. Most of the ceremony up until that point had been a retelling of the history of the Warrior Caste, from the time before Valen to present day. That took an additional four hours, which brought the total length to approximately seven hours.
Looking around the room, I saw how much the Minbari were immersed in the story. I envy how they are able to look perfectly dignified and comfortable seven hours in to a ceremony, while sitting in the same position through out. The humans in comparison, myself included, had to move around every few minutes so that our bodies didn't go to sleep on us.
Mostly though, I kept trying to sneak covert glances at Neroon without being to obvious about it. Since everyone was paying such close attention to his actions anyway, I didn't feel conspicuous at all. Because I was constantly alternating from utter boredom and depressive mooning, not particularly paying attention in either case, I almost missed the actual 'Ascension' part near the end of the ritual. The only reason I started listening again was because I heard my name in between a bunch of ancient Minbari gibberish. I did not have to wait long to find out what was being said because it was soon translated into Standard.
"Do those in attendance accept Alit Neroon's choice of life mate, and believe him capable of all the responsibilities that position entails?"
[Life mate? When the bloody hell did Neroon get a life mate?]
All the elder Minbari proceeded to bow deeply in a show of respect and support for Neroon and his chosen Mate. No one seemed surprised at this turn of events except me however, and the Elder soon continued, except this time addressing his questions to the Alit himself.
"Alit, do you indeed acknowledge the claim made in front of your fellow warriors?"
"Yes." Neroon answered calmly, looking in my direction, although his expression gave no clue as to what was going on. I had obviously missed an important portion of the proceedings.
"Very well." Tradea, the Star Rider clan's Elder, answered looking pleased. "Alit Neroon, do you now accept Anla'shoc Marcus Cole as your life mate and shield-brother with Valen's blessing?"
"I-"
"Wait just a damn minute." I cursed getting quickly to my feet. "What the bloody hell is going on here?"
I did not care that I was practically yelling at a Minbari Elder, not to mention a Satai, and causing quite a stir with everyone else. [How can Neroon belittle my feelings this way?]
I walked up to Neroon and grasping his upper arm in a firm grip, pulled him to the side of the alter, ignoring the speculative whispering as I did so.
"What is the meaning of this?" I hissed, badly hurt, but trying desperately to hide it behind anger. "Is this some kind of sick joke?"
"A joke?" Neroon questioned incredulously. "This is not a joke… I would think you would remember claiming me publicly in a room full of my brethren just a few days ago."
"Claiming you?" I stuttered nervously. "I think I would remember something like that." [Wouldn't I?]
"You claimed me as 'yours' when you rescued me from Shakiri, in the middle of a room of Minbari Clan Leaders. Tradition dictates that I need to accept or decline your offer publicly as well."
"But I didn't even mean to." I said, shaking badly. [You prat, you've just been handed everything you've ever wanted. Shut the hell up!]
"I see… Well if you did not mean what you said, I will simply decline thy claim." Neroon answered monotonously before turning to make his way back to the center of the room.
Watching him walk away from me, back stiff with pride, I suddenly got an image of how lonely my life would be without Neroon in it and I panicked.
"Of course I bloody well meant it!" I spoke before I knew exactly what I would say. "You obnoxious pig-headed git!" [Not exactly what I meant to say…]
Before Neroon could reply I continued my tirade. "Only god knows why I love you, but I do., even if you are too bloody stubborn by half. That is why I won't have you giving up your chance at love and family because you feel honor bound to accept a bond that I wasn't even aware I made."
"Marcus." Neroon interrupted me, looking vaguely amused.
"What?" I huffed indignantly.
"Be quiet."
Before I could respond further he closed the distance between us and took me in his arms. Right before his lips came down on mine I managed to get a surprised gasp out, only to be kissed passionately and expertly, until the last thing on my mind was indignation.
Chapter Twenty
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Marcus and Neroon, or anyone else from
Babylon 5.
Authors notes: Rated R. Contains slash: two males in a romantic/sexual (although not explicit) relationship. If this offends you please turn back now.
[……..] Denotes thoughts which is slightly changed from previous chapters.
As the ritual went on in length I forgot to be suspicious, and relaxed into my seat. Although I understood the standard Minbari dialect, at least enough to speak it, most of the Rite was conducted in the language of the ancient Warrior Caste, before the time of even Valen. As such I understood about five percent of the chanting and various other speech patterns. I would catch a couple of words here and there and try to ascertain what exactly was being said.
After the first hour this puzzle was the only thing keeping me from being hopelessly bored. Surprisingly after the third hour the Elders switched to modern Minbari, presumably so that the humans in the room would be able to understand. Most of the ceremony up until that point had been a retelling of the history of the Warrior Caste, from the time before Valen to present day. That took an additional four hours, which brought the total length to approximately seven hours.
Looking around the room, I saw how much the Minbari were immersed in the story. I envy how they are able to look perfectly dignified and comfortable seven hours in to a ceremony, while sitting in the same position through out. The humans in comparison, myself included, had to move around every few minutes so that our bodies didn't go to sleep on us.
Mostly though, I kept trying to sneak covert glances at Neroon without being to obvious about it. Since everyone was paying such close attention to his actions anyway, I didn't feel conspicuous at all. Because I was constantly alternating from utter boredom and depressive mooning, not particularly paying attention in either case, I almost missed the actual 'Ascension' part near the end of the ritual. The only reason I started listening again was because I heard my name in between a bunch of ancient Minbari gibberish. I did not have to wait long to find out what was being said because it was soon translated into Standard.
"Do those in attendance accept Alit Neroon's choice of life mate, and believe him capable of all the responsibilities that position entails?"
[Life mate? When the bloody hell did Neroon get a life mate?]
All the elder Minbari proceeded to bow deeply in a show of respect and support for Neroon and his chosen Mate. No one seemed surprised at this turn of events except me however, and the Elder soon continued, except this time addressing his questions to the Alit himself.
"Alit, do you indeed acknowledge the claim made in front of your fellow warriors?"
"Yes." Neroon answered calmly, looking in my direction, although his expression gave no clue as to what was going on. I had obviously missed an important portion of the proceedings.
"Very well." Tradea, the Star Rider clan's Elder, answered looking pleased. "Alit Neroon, do you now accept Anla'shoc Marcus Cole as your life mate and shield-brother with Valen's blessing?"
"I-"
"Wait just a damn minute." I cursed getting quickly to my feet. "What the bloody hell is going on here?"
I did not care that I was practically yelling at a Minbari Elder, not to mention a Satai, and causing quite a stir with everyone else. [How can Neroon belittle my feelings this way?]
I walked up to Neroon and grasping his upper arm in a firm grip, pulled him to the side of the alter, ignoring the speculative whispering as I did so.
"What is the meaning of this?" I hissed, badly hurt, but trying desperately to hide it behind anger. "Is this some kind of sick joke?"
"A joke?" Neroon questioned incredulously. "This is not a joke… I would think you would remember claiming me publicly in a room full of my brethren just a few days ago."
"Claiming you?" I stuttered nervously. "I think I would remember something like that." [Wouldn't I?]
"You claimed me as 'yours' when you rescued me from Shakiri, in the middle of a room of Minbari Clan Leaders. Tradition dictates that I need to accept or decline your offer publicly as well."
"But I didn't even mean to." I said, shaking badly. [You prat, you've just been handed everything you've ever wanted. Shut the hell up!]
"I see… Well if you did not mean what you said, I will simply decline thy claim." Neroon answered monotonously before turning to make his way back to the center of the room.
Watching him walk away from me, back stiff with pride, I suddenly got an image of how lonely my life would be without Neroon in it and I panicked.
"Of course I bloody well meant it!" I spoke before I knew exactly what I would say. "You obnoxious pig-headed git!" [Not exactly what I meant to say…]
Before Neroon could reply I continued my tirade. "Only god knows why I love you, but I do., even if you are too bloody stubborn by half. That is why I won't have you giving up your chance at love and family because you feel honor bound to accept a bond that I wasn't even aware I made."
"Marcus." Neroon interrupted me, looking vaguely amused.
"What?" I huffed indignantly.
"Be quiet."
Before I could respond further he closed the distance between us and took me in his arms. Right before his lips came down on mine I managed to get a surprised gasp out, only to be kissed passionately and expertly, until the last thing on my mind was indignation.
