A/N: I love this chapter…hehehehe…the momentous wedding scene of Velkan and Christine…I hope I do it enough justice. I'm not a very religious person, so I have had to go online and research vows and such, as I have never been married and have never been to a wedding. I would like to thank the for the help that they have provided me with writing this chapter. Most of what is written here is taken with much gratitude from their website, and I hope I did it much justice….

Of course, I am not very familiar with period weddings, so please don't shoot me if it isn't as accurate to truth as it should be….I tried my hardest to make it sound accurate and well thought out…but I don't always succeed…..

Anyway, please review and let me know what you think! This is basically the turning point in the story of Velkan and Christine, and I would love to hear some reactions! Besides that, onto the story!

Chapter 2

"In nomine patrii, et filii, et spiritu sanctii…" the voice of the priest said, silent and unwavering. He stood before Velkan and I as we knelt at the foot of the holy alter, our hands clasped together tightly in a mix of desperation and fear. He was saying prayers for us; prayers that I hoped above all would be answered. The bible lay open before him as he read, the only witness to this holy sacrament, the silent Boris Valerious.

The sound of an organ could be heard in the background as he spoke, emphasizing the authoritative sound of his voice. He was reading from the bible, reciting lines that he knew by heart, only barely glancing down to read the words.

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." I dared not look up at he spoke, for fear of him seeing my eyes tear in worry. As he said those lines, those lines of nothing but love, I felt only fear.

"If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." How true were the words he spoke. I could feel Velkan's hand tighten about my own as the priest continued his litany, his prayer one of hope for the both of us. To him we were two young people in love, who longed to live a life of peace together. But, that was as far from the truth as he could be.

He grew silent as he spoke the final words, ending the small litany. I slowly raised my gaze from the floor, Velkan following in suite. The cathedral, I soon found, was as enormous as any I had ever seen. Magnificent stained glass windows were everywhere, scenes of the crucifixion, the birth of Christ, the last supper, every aspect of his life decorating the colored glass around me. A beautiful darkly stained crucifix hung before us, above the altar. Statues of saints lay hidden at every corner. Saints Francis and Cecilia, Saint Michael and Saint Paul…..they all bore silent witness to the scene now before them.

The floor below us had been tiled in heavy dark marble, the ceiling rising high above us, both creating an air of magnificence that nothing else could ever do. But, here I knelt, at the foot of the humble, wooden alter, waiting to accept my communion. A simple white wafer that the priest would place gently on my tongue, and a tiny sip of wine I would drink from a gold goblet to show to the world the strength of my faith…to show the world that I had denied the devil himself…his enticements…his false promises… Nothing in the magnificence of this building could put out of my mind what was happening now. I was to become Velkan's wife….

The priest walked behind the altar, blessing the bread and wine, making it holy. He was the first to partake of it. I watched from the corner of my eyes with interest. Slowly, he stepped from behind the altar, carrying with him the holy sacraments. I opened my mouth as the priest held the body of Christ out in front of me. He placed it softly onto my tongue, and I closed my mouth, Velkan taking a sip of wine as I waited. It was seconds before the cup was passed to me, and I quietly took a sip, gulping down the strong taste of the wine.

Then I heard the priest speak once again, and gestured for us to rise. And so we did.

"Christine, please face Velkan and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you." I followed his order as I turned to face Velkan, taking his hands and looking down into his palms, afraid to meet his eyes. " These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life. These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams. These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you. These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time. These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family. These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind. These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you."

I slowly released his hands as the small speech ended, looking up only once to see meet the nervous gaze of Velkan, who smiled weakly at me.

"Velkan, please hold Christine's hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you." The priest said again, gesturing towards Velkan. Slowly, but surely, Velkan took my hands in his, palm up, looking down into them. "These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life. These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go. These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you've both had a long hard day. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving. They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child; that together you have created a new life. These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase your dreams. Together, everything you wish for can be realized."

Out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed Boris Valerious intently watching us both, impatient for the ceremony to end. Of course that did not help me any as the priest continued his ceremony. I could sense the tone of disapproval at the gown I wore…

"The rings…" the priest said, gesturing to Boris. Finally, he was to make his move. He approached the altar, bowing to it respectfully as he pulled from his pocket two rings. One he gave to Velkan, the other to me.

"Traditionally, the marking of the passage to tile status of husband and wife is marked by the exchange of rings. These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken." The priest said quietly.

We said nothing as the priest gestured for us to exchange rings, each of us taking a turn in placing the symbol of marriage upon the other's finger. Of course, our hearts beat wildly with fear, our hands shook madly with nervousness, but nothing else could be said or done. What could we ever say or promise to each other that we did not already know? How strange that it took only moments for us to enact this simple gesture, and how quickly it seemed that we became man and wife.

"Now you feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be the companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth."

How wrong that man was….In moments he had pronounced us man and wife, and so seconds after we embraced. Velkan's father watched us in impatient silence as we parted, and we were whisked away, as fast as we had come. The wedding was over….I looked down upon my left hand and found the evidence of it shining as a diamond upon my finger.

Now all that remained was for us to consummate our vows to each other…and that above all else, put me ill at ease.