Eep! Now, let's see… Oh, yes, this is Yami and Teana's wedding! n.n This is gonna be soooo funn:D Oh, and, erm... this is a semi-lemony chap. Dun worry, the rating stays, just thought you might like to know!
Light the Flame
Chapter Six
The White Wedding
"Hey, Egyptian! So, tonight is the biiiig night, eh?" Kenneth asked, clapping his hand onto Yami's shoulder. Both Sati and Kenneth, Teana's brothers, refused to call him anything more or less then "Egyptian" until he was "rightfully part of our family."
Yami grinned, his cheeks going red.
"Yeah, I erm… Guess," he said, nervousness taking over and he looked away. He was actually excited. He had heard from someone here that spring weddings, or, actually, any wedding was beautiful up here in the mountains…
It was mid afternoon when Kenneth returned from his job, whatever it was. Yami knew it was something along the lines of his own duties…
…It's your duty to be Pharaoh one day…
Yami pushed that thought out of his mind.
Kenneth grinned. He was obviously excited about his younger sister. Here, family meant everything. Everything. Which meant that, having Teana back, the spirits of these people rose greatly. Everyone was excited, everyone knew about it… and everyone had seen how much those two were in love.
Just the night before, when the wedding date and everything had been decided and announced, they had both blushed immensely.
…However, later on that night, Yami was sitting on a blanket in the pitch blackness around the large bonfire, hand-in-hand with Teana, leaning on her, asleep.
All morning, Teana and Yami had been forbidden to see each other. It was "bad luck", apparently. Yami sat sullenly, wondering what he was going to have to do. He knew enough about Egyptian weddings; what went on at one like this?
"Okay, Egyptian, we've pitched the damn thing," Sati said, a dagger being slipped into his pocket. Yami looked up, confused as he approached. The sun was beaming between the leaves of the tree Yami was sitting beneath.
"Huh? Pitched what?" he asked, blinking. Sati scoffed.
"God, Egyptian, you are the most ignorant person I've met in a long time," Sati proclaimed. He sighed and sat down beside him. "The tent that you and lil' Teana'll be living in." A sudden understanding washed over Yami.
"Ohhh…"
"Yeah… Get it now?" Sati asked, grinning. He leaned back. Yami closed his eyes.
The two sat silently for awhile, Sati watching Yami mull over and think about what he was going to do.
"You know, you made Teana so happy," Sati said after awhile. Yami opened his eyes and turned to him.
"I did?" Sati nodded.
"I haven't seen her this happy in… I don't know… Years…" he said, looking out over the little village. He looked out into a field where horses were grazing. He smiled.
"Hey, look at that. Talim is being silly again," he noted, nodding towards a horse. Yami raised his eyebrows.
"Uh, do you mean the horse…?" Sati laughed.
"No, no, the little child behind the horse," he explained, pointing. Yami craned his neck to see.
Sure enough, sitting in the long grass behind the horse, was a little child. A young girl. She was just sitting there, picking flowers from around her. Her long brown hair was pulled back and she was already half-dressed for the wedding that night, wearing a long, white skirt and a colorful, woven top.
"She'll hafta change that colored thing for tonight," Sati explained. "Traditionally, everyone wears white. Oh yeah, and the marrying couple wear white and gold." He cast a glance over at Yami and realized Yami was staring blatantly at the field, watching the little girl. He seemed to have a longing look in his eyes…
"Sorry, it's not possible, as you know," Sati said, his voice changing tones. Yami turned to him.
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Sati blinked.
"You don't know?"
"Know what?"
"Teana's secret."
"What secret?" Yami asked, getting alarmed. Sati laughed.
"Calm down, calm down, it's something we got over long ago." He cleared his throat and leaned closer to him. "When she was just a little, little girl, younger then Talim even, she got into…. An accident. And, somehow, it did something to her… and now she's unable to have children. Ever." Yami was taken aback, and clearly surprised.
"Really? But I thought she really wanted one… She told me so herself…"
"Yeah, well, we always wish for what we can't have…." Sati said, leaning back and stretching his arms. Yami looked down at the ground.
"Oh…" Sati grinned.
"Listen, Egyptian, it's not a huge deal…" Yami looked at him, smiling.
"Yes, I know that, I just hope that accident didn't ruin her general health… What am I saying? She survived being a slave for many years! Of course she's alright!" Yami said, relieving himself of the worry. He sighed.
The old anticipation of marriage that night came back into full swing, his body tingling with excitement. He turned to Sati, a huge grin plastered on his face.
"Umm, Sati?"
"Yeeeeep?"
"What, um, exactly goes on during a wedding?"
Teana was just as anticipated as Yami. Annuay was tying a piece of white fabric in a knot on her left shoulder, letting the fabric sway down around her arm. The dress crossed her chest under her right arm, fastening in the back. The skirt fell down the length of her body to the ground, where it swayed around her ankles. Teana spun in a circle, the dress spreading out around her body.
"Mama…" Teana breathed. She turned to her mother with excited eyes. "This is the traditional design?"
"Oh, yes," Annuay answered, beaming. "I wore this when I married your father. All the women of this village wore this design when they were married. Oh," Annuay gasped, as if realizing something, "and Yami isn't from here, so he'll be exceptionally surprised to see you in such a beautiful outfit." Teana beamed, her face going red.
She changed out of the dress, back into her blue one and left the tent with her mother following. Annuay glanced into the horizon.
"He's there," she said, nodding towards far trees. Teana quickly looked the other way, not wanting to spoil tradition. The two walked towards the opposite direction, into the heart of the village. Wood was being collected for the fire; blankets were being spread out, and last-minute weaving was going on for extra comfort. The traditional gifts were things the new couple would likely need – blankets, beds, furnishings, maps, bowls and jugs…
Teana looked over at the large, red-blue tent that had just been pitched. For them. She sighed.
"It's so small!" she exclaimed. She was about to ask why, when her face fell and she stared at the ground. Annuay's smile faded when she saw Teana's face.
"Oh, dear Teana," she said to her daughter, "it's alright. I know… you wanted so badly to have a child…" Teana said nothing. She just took one last glance at the tent, and then continued on.
"So, Mama," Teana started, tossing the thought of her child out of her head, "what will happen at this wedding? It's been so long since I've seen one…" Annuay chuckled.
"Well, first, you'll come from over there," she said, pointing to one side of the fire, "and Yami will come from the opposite side. The fire won't be lit yet. Then, Nauta will do the usual bit… explain where you two come from, what you've endured together… Then he'll bless you… and the fire will be lit." Annuay smiled brightly. "If the fire lights, you'll have a wonderful marriage. If it doesn't, it will fail. Easy as that." Teana gulped. Annuay laughed. "Don't worry, child. Only one wedding I've been to – and I've been to many – has had that happen."
"Who's was it?" Teana wondered. Annuay chuckled.
"Kenneth." Teana stopped short and turned to her mother.
"Kenneth? When the hell did he marry?" Teana asked, surprised.
"Only last year, dear. My, that marriage would have been a failure… couldn't have met a vainer girl…" Annuay smiled to herself. Teana blinked, and then sighed.
"And, of course, afterwards will be a grand party… into the night… Then we all go home and sleep the next day away." Both women laughed at this thought. All the hard-working men, sleeping away a perfectly good day…
It was dusk.
It was time.
Teana was in her mother's tent, sitting on her bed, wearing the white dress Annuay made. Scenna was sitting beside her, giggling and talking non-stop. Savannah kept hushing her and was fastening flowers into her hair. Teana didn't even notice.
"Hmm, that seems like enough," Savannah said, satisfied. Teana looked up and saw she had a bit more flowers in her hands. One was a long-petaled flower… The petals were white…
"Wait!" she cried. Savannah turned. "Savannah, could you… put the white one in my hair, too?" she asked. Savannah shrugged.
"Sure." As she did so, many women rushed in and out, bringing food or blankets or cloaks with them.
Meanwhile, in Kenneth's tent, nearly on the other side of the village, Yami was pulling what seemed like a white cloak on. It was pure white, which was supposed to represent purity.
"You can't have secrets," Kenneth explained, tying Yami's gold sash. "That was the problem with me and Nitidus."
"No… Nitidus was just a big ol' bitch," Sati said, grinning. Kenneth threw a blanket at him.
"Yeah, well, you shut up," he said, grinning as well. Yami had been informed of what would happen; he was just so nervous…
"Yami, your face is as red as clay," Solis, another of Teana's brothers (just how many did she have?), said. He grinned and tossed water onto his face.
"Thanks," Yami said, smiling. "I'm just as red as can be…"
"Guess so." Solis fastened Yami up a bit, and then stood. A man had pulled open Kenneth's tent and stepped in.
"We're ready," he said. "Teana's already coming out."
Yami gulped.
This was it.
Neither of them could believe it. The entire village was out, ranging from little, restless children to old men and women. Yami was in awe as he saw Teana. His heart sped up, his shoulders shaking. She was... so beautiful...
The setting sun made for a beautiful setting. When Yami reached her, he took her hand. Both of them clad in white and gold, he bumped his hip against hers. Nauta, the man who would preform the ceremony, walked up to them and smiled.
He began talking about how Teana was taken, and brought to Kemet, and Yami saved her and brought her here. As he did, Yami couldn't help but think that maybe, at this very moment, had this had never happened, he would either be marrying Aklia or married.
"...You brought her home to us, Yami," Nauta said. He stopped. "Yami doesn't sound like a Prince's name. What is your true name?" Yami cleared his throat.
"Atem." Nauta smiled.
"Ahh, a name fit for a prince... Well, Atem, we thank you for bringing our beloved daughter home." Teana beamed and looked up at Yami. "It seems that both of you have had quite an adventure, from what I've heard. Considering it's all true," Nauta added as an afterthought. Yami smiled as well. Nauta nodded to Teana. "Sennaniakah..."
Teana nodded back, agreeing that it was indeed, true.
Nauta turned to Kenneth, who was holding a lit torch. "Kenneth, if you will..." he motioned to the large pile of wood and leaves that would be a grand bonfire.
Nodding, Kenneth tossed his torch onto the base of the pile. At first, nothing happened. Teana felt her heart stop.
Is it--
A curl of smoke rose up, and flames could be seen, licking the bottom of the pile.
Teana laughed out loud as the crowd cheered and clapped. Kenneth looked relieved as Sati came over and thumped him on the back. Teana latched her arms around Yami's neck, smiling and laughing. Yami wrapped his arms around her waist, spinning around with her in his arms. The fire grew larger.
Yami stopped spinning, and looked down at her. She opened her eyes and beamed the largest, most beautiful smile he'd ever seen from her. She jumped up and, to his surprise, kissed him. He was surprised at first, but let himself become enveloped into her kiss, letting her back on the ground. His arms traveled to her neck, his hand on her face. She pulled away, smiling at him, tears rolling down her face.
People were singing in the background, but neither of them could hear it. Yami closed his eyes.
"I love you," he whispered. Teana put her forehead to his.
"I love you, too, Yami," she whispered back. Both grinned.
They were now... husband and wife.
The fire had grown even larger then before. Food had been laid out before them, blankets laid out so people could sit on them. Everyone had was wearing some white, some color, since Yami and Teana were the only ones supposed to be adorning all white.
It was a few hours later, and the singing had continued. Teana and Yami were standing in front of the fire, Teana teaching Yami a dance.
"Okay, then... Ahh!" Yami cried, slipping and falling. He reached out to grab Teana and dragged her down as well, the two laughing.
"Okay, I think you did that wrong," Teana said, giggling. She stood up. Yami did as well. Instead, he reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist, picking her up. Laughing, she draped her arms around his neck and Yami spun her around once more.
"Whoa," Yami said, stopping, holding his head. He was just a bit dizzy...
A flute began playing somewhere. Teana looked over to see people were sitting back down and clapping, calling for Teana. Teana, still holding both of Yami's hands, smiled and laughed.
"What are they doing?" Yami asked. Teana giggled.
"They want me to do my dance," she explained, stepping away from him. "Sit down and I'll show you." Cheers erupted when Yami sat down and Teana ran to the front of the crowd before the dancing flames. Savannah was playing her flute expertly, smiling as the notes poured out. Scenna was standing beside her, clapping in beat. She opened her mouth, and began to sing.
"Wow to the eyesight and the whimsical desiiiiire... For what the eye sees, desire will inspiiiire..." As she sang, Yami watched as Teana did the same dance she did for him before when they met on the banks of the Nile. The same one from the myth.
Yami couldn't believe his eyes.
She was amazing. With Scenna singing and Savannah playing, Teana was spinning with all her beauty and might, her skirt flaying out magnificently.
Yami was speechless, his mouth hanging open, amazed.
"...I'll make a dagger tempered with glowing white fiiiiire... Pierce the seeing eye, release the soul from hiiiiiire..." A few last notes on her flute, and the song was done. Teana stopped, breathing hard, a smile playing over her face at the applause and cheers.
Teana walked over to where Yami was sitting and sat beside him, panting.
"Well?" she asked, smiling. "How was it?"
"It was beautiful," he said, kissing her before she could say any more.
It was past midnight when the party ceased. Almost all little children were falling asleep in their mother's laps, and even adults were falling asleep. The fire was dying as well.
Yami was sitting up, watching the fire with lazy eyes. Teana leaned on him, her eyes closed. She was sleeping soundly, as she had been for the past hour. People were starting to go home.
"Teana, dear," Yami whispered, shaking her a bit. Teana blinked open her eyes. "Time to go." Teana yawned and nodded, stretching her back and smiling up at Yami.
"I'm... really tired," she whispered, leaning against him once more. Sighing, Yami scooped her smaller body into his arms, her head laying against his arm. He struggled a bit, but was able to hold her steady.
"Good night!" People were calling to one another, and almost every person who walked by congratulated the couple.
All their new belongings had already been moved to the tent that Sati, Kenneth and others had pitched that morning. Yami pushed the flap back and stepped inside.
He reached out and lit the flame of a small candle inside of an iron lamp. It was something that was new; candles inside of iron fastenings that made for a good, low light source.
Yami laid Teana down on the bed, and she curled into a little ball, asleep once more. Yami flopped down on the other side, closing his eyes. He was tired as well...
He remembered that morning when he woke to find Teana in his bed. He had been surprised, but kind of anticipated as well. He turned his head to look at the sleeping girl. Her body was moving slowly, her breaths deep. Yami smiled. She was fast asleep.
"I'm tired as well... I should go to sleep too..." he said, snuffing the candle in the lamp. He rolled over onto his side and watched Teana sleep. He began to drift off as well... When he realized that Teana's breathing pattern had changed...
The lamp came back on. Startled, Yami opened his eyes groggily and rubbed them, trying to wake up. He sat up partially to see Teana gone.
"Teana...?" he called to no one. "Hello?"
"Boo!" Teana whispered, pouncing on him and laughing. Yami, surprised, fell over laughing as well. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her down beside him. Yami was surprised at how awake Teana looked; just a few minutes ago she was sound asleep...
Or was she?
She pulled the blanket out from under herself and examined the woven colors.
"See this? My mother and Scenna did it," she explained, sliding under it. She sighed contentedly. "It's so soft..." Yami slid under as well, and instantly agreed with her. It was very soft, and light as well... and it was the most beautiful thing he'd seen so far...
He laid right next to Teana, so close it seemed as if they were conjoined. Teana closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them. She sat up partially, propelling herself up with her right arm. Yami sat up as well, watching her.
"Teana...?" he asked. She had a sudden different gleam in her eyes.
"This was something I wanted to do before..." she said in a soft voice. She stretched her legs, then rolled over, so she was on top of Yami, startling him into laughter.
"Ow," he said playfully, lying back down. He knew what her intentions were. Teana sat up, but she was still on him. She put her hands on her hips and smiled. Yami blinked up at her.
"Hello," she said.
"Hi," Yami answered back. Teana giggled, then leaned forward and kissed him.
"I love you," he whispered to her. He placed his hands around her neck, and then drew them down the length of her body... Teana kissed his forehead.
"You know... I can't have children," she said, a sad tone to her voice. Yami nodded.
"I know. Sati told me. But..." He untied the part of fabric that went over her shoulder in the traditional fashion. She laid full body on top of him, her nose against his.
"Yeah?"
"...My father always said something about the gods changing the rules just a bit for royalty," Yami said. "So maybe... just maybe... they'll bend the rules for you, just one time..." Teana rolled over so she was beside Yami, her body pressed against his. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"You think so?"
"You were always driving me nuts with your talk about having children, for Ra's sake they'd better," he whispered to her. Teana giggled.
"I'm sorry... Did it bother you?"
"Only the first seventeen times. After that, I got used to it." Teana beamed and kissed his lips again.
"Maybe they will," she said. She smiled at Yami. "... Doesn't hurt to try..."
"No, guess not," Yami said, and they both giggled. She placed her hands on his cheeks, and kissed him again. In a breathy whisper, Teana said
"...I wanted to... do this before..."
"I know," Yami whispered back, and with another kiss, rolled her onto her side. She giggled and allowed him to kiss her. She wanted him to explore every inch of her, and she him, so they would know each other like they knew their souls.
"I could have sworn that it was a different color! Damn!" Teana cried the next morning. She was sitting on the ground, cross-legged, fiddling with some yarn she had dyed. She and Scenna had collected the plants to make the dye, but it wasn't as dark as intended.
She was sitting outside the tent she shared with Yami, wearing her normal tunic-dress. She frowned.
"Hey, Sati, get your ass over here!" She yelled. It was early in the morning, the sun barely rising. Sati, rubbing his eyes, walked over to where Teana was sitting.
"My, you're up early," he said, staring down at her. "I swear, you have more energy then... then everyone here put together," he said, at a loss for better comparison. "I would have thought you, like everyone else, would be tired after last night."
So did I, Teana thought, remembering the activities of last night. She frowned up at Sati. "I'm not everyone."
"Obviously not," he said, scoffing. Teana stuck her tongue out as his back. "God sakes, your husband is still asleep!" he exclaimed.
"Probably not, with all you're yelling," Kenneth yelled from across the way.
"Shut up!" Both Sati and Teana called. Their family was a very, erm... loud one.
They were right. Yami, who had been still asleep when Teana got up that morning, was lying on his back in the bed, the blanket pulled to his waist. He was staring at the ceiling, his hands behind his head, smiling and listening to the argument outside.
"Damn, I need more of this plant!" Teana was saying to Sati. "Your horses eat this shit. Go get some!"
"Why me? Send Yami. He works there too."
"He's still asleep. He's gotten up early every day since he got here; give him some slack, we just got married last night..."
"Which is why you should be asleep."
"I'm not tired!"
"Hell you aren't. If I have to force you..." Yami chuckled to himself.
Well, now that I'm awake, I can't just lie here all day, he thought. He sat up, then remembered he wasn't wearing anything. "Hmm... where'd that cloak go... Oh wait..." He snapped his fingers as he remembered the one presented to him last night. "Okay... where'd that one go..."
After running around for a few moments, trying to find his scattered clothing, he was able to pull on his new cloak and step outside.
The new one was a map of Kemet; buildings made of limestone and granite, streets and villages, the Nile flowing by through a vast field of workers... And sand, boundless, endless sand...
"Oh, good morning, Yami," Sati said, surprised to see him step outside. Yami grinned. Teana looked up at him and smiled.
"By any chance, were you still sleeping?" Kenneth asked as he came walking over. Yami gave a chuckle.
"I used to be... Teana and Sati fighting woke me up." The two glared at each other, then turned away. Yami yawned and rubbed his eyes, still half asleep.
"Well, now that you're awake, might as well get to those horses, eh, Yami?" Sati asked, standing straight and stretching. Yami nodded sullenly.
"I suppose so..." he muttered, shifting his shoulders. Sati stumbled away, but Yami sat down next to Teana. He kissed her cheek.
"Good morning," he whispered. Teana smiled. "I heard you get up this morning. The sun wasn't even up yet. Why'd you get up so early?" Teana fiddled with the yarn in her hands.
"...I don't really know..." she answered back. She leaned on him, closing her eyes. The couple just sat there in the morning light, Teana feeling like she was the only one in the world to be so lucky as to have a husband like hers.
...I love him so much...
n.n Awww... That was soooo adorable:Squee:
Moving right along now. Well, so, they married! FINALLY! -.- I thought it would never friggen happen. And yes, I did write the story... Anyway. Well, that was magicaly now, wasn't it? I certainly think it was! Next chap shows the passage of time from the moment Yami and Teana left until... whenever it picks up again o.O :Shrug:
n.n I'm done. Next chap: Nikoyaka kanushimi. Tata—
Oooh, wait! September 6th (Labor day!) Is me birthday! Shibby will be 15! Wooo:runs around waving little flagz flashing "1989": Wooohoo! Sos… ehh… early birthday to meeee!
Shibby-One
