Once again, thanks to Calli1, Elessar-Lover, Mara look-a-like, and Celtic Cross for your reviews; welcome and thanks to marronett, and a special thanks to Mark C. for your detailed reviews of every chapter.
And now the big day you've all been waiting for ― almost. It's an evening wedding, after all. So first you have to be as patient as Luke and Mara, and endure all the happenings of the early part of the day.
A Journey of Discovery ― Book Two: Pledge
Chapter Eleven
"Morning," was the whispered greeting.
"Morning," came the soft reply.
The betrothed couple lay on their sides a meter apart, facing each other. Both reached out with one hand, clasping fingers in the lonely space between them.
"Today finally arrived," Mara pointed out.
"I noticed." Luke smiled at her laconic observation.
She traced the lines of his face with her gaze – the cleft chin, the upturned lips, the faint scars, the heavily lidded blue eyes still gritty with sleep. "We'll have to make a note of what date this is on Coruscant's calendar."
"I already have." He tugged her small hand close enough to bestow a soft kiss on her fingertips, marveling at how hands he knew to be strong and lethal could also be so soft and delicate. Just like the rest of her, he thought, as he took measure of her full lips, her pert nose, her sparkling emerald eyes that contrasted nicely with her tangled red-gold curls.
"Guess we should be getting up," Mara murmured, though she made no move to act on her words.
"Unless there's some alternative bonding ritual that would allow us to stay right here." Luke inched closer to his lover-to-be, endeavoring to cajole her into a similar movement. "Something legally binding, but without the necessity of an officiator and witnesses?"
"There is," Mara returned sleepily. "Standard-law marriage. We have to lay here five years before it takes effect."
"I could do that," Luke joked, moving even closer. She had to be the most gorgeous, enticing woman alive, even first thing in the morning. "This inn has room service, doesn't it?"
"And could you stick to your 'no sex before marriage' rule for five years?" she teased, steadfastly ignoring his blatant coaxing to scoot nearer. Luke had been sound asleep when Mara had slipped back into bed in the middle of the night after her late-night talk with Merta. She had resisted the urge to curl up against him then, knowing such intimacy would hardly be conducive to keeping their vow of abstinence. To give in to temptation now would surely test their fortitude even more.
Luke apparently came to the same conclusion, as he halted his forward motion and pulled his arm back reluctantly. "Point taken. Are you planning on taking a bath this morning?" he continued after a moment's hesitation.
Mara gave him a quirky smile. "Why, did you want to join me?"
"Ask me again tomorrow," Luke said with a wink. "No, I thought I'd begin heating some water while you slept a little longer." He shivered slightly as he left the warmth of their bed. "You may not get much sleep tonight, you know."
"Promises, promises."
―――――
Mara watched as Luke finished hanging full buckets of water over the newly stoked fire; she couldn't go back to sleep. Today was her wedding day – an occurrence she had never expected to happen. She wasn't about to waste another moment of this day in slumber.
Slipping out from beneath the covers, Mara quietly crossed the bedchamber and leaned against the frame of the open doorway to the refresher.
"Am I that interesting?" Luke queried as he rinsed the lather off his straight razor, then scraped the sharp blade along the underside of his chin.
"Just thinking how we've been on this trip for eight days and this is the first time I've seen you shave." She raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"How do you know I didn't shave when I was alone at the B-wing?"
"Did you?"
"No," he admitted, laughing. "I usually shave twice a lunar cycle, whether I need it or not. But I thought since this was a special occasion ..." He gave her a playful little smirk before squinting once more at his image in the murky reflecting glass.
"And here I thought you had used beard growth retardant, like some of the pilots do."
Luke's expression transformed into a sheepish grin. "Well, actually, it's just now wearing off." He rinsed the residual lather off his face before patting it dry. "Didn't want to look too scruffy-looking when we climbed out of the cockpit on Lorrd. If you wanted me to grow a beard, you should have spoken up sooner."
"Like when? A year ago?" She came alongside him, wrapping her arms around his waist and rubbing her cheek against his. "I feel like I'm robbing the cradle."
"Watch it now; I'm as old as you are," Luke reminded her. "And wasn't it my boyish good looks that attracted you to me in the first place?" He flashed her an infectious smile that left no doubt in Mara's mind as to the allurement he could generate. But she wasn't about to rise to his baiting.
"As I recall," she rejoined smoothly, "it was nearly pitch black in that detention cell. I couldn't even see you."
Luke stepped back and stared at her in wide-eyed astonishment that she would let herself be tripped up by her own words. "In the detention cell? Are you saying you secretly desired me already back then?" He curled a lock of her flame-colored hair around one finger. "Perhaps even ... lusted after me?"
She swatted his hand away in not-quite feigned annoyance. "Don't flatter yourself, farmboy," she growled. Nothing galled her more than to be caught letting her guard down, even with him. "You were nothing more than an assignment – barely worthy of my notice."
"Uh-huh," Luke scoffed, clearly not believing a word she said. "And you were just another fellow prisoner to me – no different than if I'd been sharing a cell with, say, Chewie."
"Oh, right." Mara rolled her eyes and rested her hands on her hips. "You could hardly take your eyes off me when the lights came on."
Luke gazed into her mesmerizing emerald orbs. "I'll admit you have certain ... interesting ... qualities."
"Enough with the flattery, farmboy. What's on your agenda this morning?"
Luke let out a small sigh as he hung his towel on a nearby peg. "Some project the men have for the Festival; I'm not sure what. Hiley says it's an adventure they know I'll like. How about you?"
"I know the women are decorating the Fellowship Hall." Mara frowned to herself in thought. "I'm supposed to have some part, but no one told me what it is."
"Hmmm. They like to keep us in the dark."
"We could always take a quick peek into their thoughts."
"Mara ..." he chastised. "Besides, don't you like surprises?"
"No. They make me nervous."
Luke laughed, then gave her an encouraging smile. "I do know we're to eat lunch with the vicar."
"And get interrogated by him, no doubt." Another frown crossed Mara's lovely features. "You don't think he'd refuse to marry us, do you?"
"What objections could he possibly have?"
"After what happened at the pub last night? Plenty."
Luke wrapped one arm around Mara's slim shoulders. "Don't worry. You'll dazzle him."
"A clergyman? I'm not sure I've even met one before. What if he'll only marry couples who belong to the same religion these people practice?"
"Mara ..." Luke shook his head in frustration. "The villagers know that we have different practices. They said it would be all right."
"You are way too optimistic for your own good, Skywalker."
"Just trying to balance out your pessimism, my love." He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before turning to leave. "Meet you back here just before noon?"
"Sure, unless I meet some other handsome man to run away with instead."
"I think Odus Pruden is available." Luke just managed to close the refresher door behind him before a flying hairbrush slammed into it. Oh, what a lively marriage we're going to have, he reflected, smiling as he headed downstairs for breakfast. Sorry, Master Yoda – I'm afraid adventure and excitement are going to be unavoidable.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Eyes closed against the glare of the noonday sun, Mara sat on the rickety wooden bench near the back door of the inn, her head resting against the side of the building. She literally had to force herself to relax; she didn't want him to find her this keyed up on the happiest day of their lives. She knew better, of course. You can't fool a Jedi ...
Moments later, Luke squeezed Mara's hand as he parked himself in the empty spot next to her.
"How did your morning go?" he asked, as diplomatically as he could. "At times I could feel ... frustration ... from you."
"Frustration pretty much sums it up," she muttered. "We may have to rethink this whole 'having children' business."
Luke sat up a little straighter and studied her tired face with concern. "Why? What happened?"
She forced her eyes open and gave him a weak smile. "I had the privilege of watching a group of little darlings while their mothers decorated the banquet hall."
"That doesn't sound so bad." Luke frowned in confusion. "The children I've encountered seemed pretty nice."
"Humph." Mara rubbed her temples wearily. "Most of them behaved well enough, I suppose, but there were a couple ... Did I mention Thal to you – the boy that was molding some beast out of snow the other evening?"
Luke shook his head. "No, I don't think so."
"Well, anyway, he was there, along with a buddy, and they were both being totally obnoxious. All they wanted to do was bully the other children around."
Luke raised one eyebrow humorously. "And you couldn't handle them?"
"They were doing their utmost to try my patience, which I have very little of, as you well know," she grumbled in exasperation. "I finally had to segregate them, with the threat of bodily harm."
"I'm sure they know now who's boss." He did his best to hide a chuckle as an image of Mara holding two kicking boys by the nape of their necks sprang into his mind.
"As long as you remember who's boss." She eyed him coolly. "Enough about my lack of parenting skills. What undertaking did you get to experience?"
Luke released a melancholy sigh. "You remember I told you that Hiley said they had a surprise for me – an outing they were sure I'd enjoy?"
Mara nodded. "And noble you didn't pry into their minds, 'cause you didn't want to ruin their surprise."
"You know it's not right to do that." Luke rubbed a palm over his eyes. "But maybe I should have pried."
"Don't keep me in suspense here, Jedi."
"They took me hunting."
Mara waited for him to expound on why that would be a bad thing. "And ...? How much game did you bag?"
"None."
"None? You?"
"I couldn't do it," he muttered sullenly.
"Couldn't do what?"
"Kill anything." He fingered the hem of his jacket pensively, not meeting her quizzical gaze. "I was all right until I actually had an animal in my sights, then I froze. I couldn't bring myself to kill a defenseless creature, even though I knew we were hunting for meat for the banquet."
Mara's expression turned incredulous. "The great womprat hunter couldn't shoot some little rishhare or timberdeer?" She made no attempt to suppress her titter of laughter. "So what did you do?"
"I pretended to always miss." He gave a self-conscious shrug. "I don't think the others believed I could be that poor of a shot, though, especially after hitting all those bulls-eyes in tackdarts."
"But why, Luke?" She stifled her chuckling as best she could, and clasped his hand in sympathy. "You've told me several stories of your hunting exploits. What was different about today?"
"Nothing. It's just ... I ... I guess I've changed." He stared up at the billowy winter clouds. "I haven't killed an animal since that borrat tried to attack us, and even before that ... It's been a long time ..." he trailed off, biting his lower lip. "I don't know, maybe it was living with the wildlife on Dagobah – made me appreciate the value of all life." He stole a glance sideways to gauge her reaction.
Mara squeezed his hand warmly. Her poor, sweet, kind-hearted Jedi. She thought back to their trek to the village, when she had suggested they track some game to eat but Luke insisted ration bars were good enough. "But I've seen you eat meat numerous times," she pointed out.
"It's not staring me back in the eye when it's lying on my plate." He gave a droll smile. "Don't worry, I'm not turning into a vegetarian."
"Yet," she finished with a snort.
"Don't give me that look. I could hunt food if I had to. But the other men were getting enough; it really wasn't necessary for me to hit anything."
"I believe you, farmboy." She patted his leg, then paused as another thought struck her. "What do they hunt with here? I haven't seen any weapons, other than that big club Efam keeps behind his counter."
"It's a type of crossbow, with sharpened arrows. They're pretty accurate, and deadly, judging by how much game the rest of the men snagged. It's a good thing there's no myth about the fate of the coming marriage resting on how much prey the groom snares," he added with a chuckle.
"That's lucky for us," she agreed. "Or that the behavior of our future children is predicted by how much of my hair I pull out caring for other people's urchins. These villagers don't have us figured out by a long shot, do they? I would have loved to try my hand at hunting, and you would have been content to stay here surrounded by children." She leaned back against the clapboard building, imagining in her mind's eye a wild beast in her blaster's sights.
"Actually, I think they're getting us sized up. There was a wisecrack made about my hiding behind your skirts." Luke blew out a relieved breath. "At least no one seemed upset about last night. I didn't hear the word 'possessed' even once."
"Hmmm. I was a bit surprised that they trusted me with their children."
"Maybe they were glad to finally find a guardian they thought could handle all of them."
They shared a moment of laughing at themselves, until Luke rose and tugged on Mara's arm. "We can't sit here all day discussing our shortcomings. We've got places to go and things to do. I intend to be a married man by nightfall."
"And a gratified man after nightfall?"
"I certainly hope so," he rejoined with a smirk.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Luke glanced up the street as he and Mara strolled along. "I guess that should be the vicar's house," he noted, spying a small cottage that matched the description Merta had given them.
Mara groaned wearily. "Can't we just say we're not hungry?"
"I don't think that refusing his invitation would lead to a smooth bonding ceremony."
"All right, but you're doing all the talking."
"Mara, quit worrying." He pulled her toward the front door. "I've met him already. Vicar Serole is a very gracious man."
"Gracious to you, maybe. You weren't the one last night that—" Mara stopped when she noticed Filia's sister, the seamstress, hurrying across the street and waving to get her attention. "Hello, Lessie."
The older woman pulled her shawl a little tighter against the cold winter air. "Goin' to yer lunch with the vicar, I see." She gave Mara a sly wink. "He calls it 'The Last Repast.' It's his little joke that this may be the last decent meal the poor groom will get fer quite awhile."
Mara's eyes widened marginally, then she turned to Luke. "See? He doesn't like brides."
"No, no," Lessie said, laughing. "He's just a soft-hearted tease. But I am glad I caught up with ye, Mara. Can ye be at me house in an hour? I need to make a couple more adjustments to yer dress with ye in it."
"Of course. Surely we'll be finished here in an hour," Mara said hopefully.
"Not if we stand out here in the street all day," Luke put in. He turned and knocked lightly as Mara and Lessie said their farewells.
The door opened to show a slightly stooped, white-haired gentleman.
"Come in, come in," Vicar Serole welcomed them. "Ah, Luke, this must be yer lovely bride-to-be." He clasped Mara's hands before she had a chance to react. "I'm pleased to finally be meetin' ye, m'dear. Luke has spoken most highly of ye." He ushered them into a small dining room, where a short, plump woman was busy setting steaming dishes on a round, cloth-covered table. The vicar introduced her as his wife, Orena.
Both Luke and Mara immediately noticed that there were only three places set at the table. "You're not joining us?" Mara had hoped the pleasant-looking Madam Serole would temper the cross-examination she and Luke would certainly receive.
"Alas, no." Orena Serole smiled. "I have to oversee the decoratin' in the church. Who knows where those women may be hangin' things." She turned to her husband. "Now don't ye be forgettin' to offer these young folks seconds," she admonished. "And the pie I baked is sittin' on the sideboard, and—"
The elderly man placed his hands on his wife's shoulders and guided her toward the front door. "Precious, I've been doin' this for nigh on thirty years. I don't think they'll be leavin' here hungry."
"Humph." Orena gave Mara a conspirative glance just before exiting. "Menfolk are always thinkin' they can do things as well as women," she whispered. "Mark my words, ye'll have to remind him 'bout the pie."
"I'll do that," Mara returned, just out of earshot of the vicar.
―――
Luke, Mara, and Vicar Serole were soon enjoying the delicious meal, but only Luke and the vicar engaged in the normal small talk that accompanied such a repast. Mara nibbled at her food in silence, eyes fixed steadfastly on her plate. She looked up only when Luke's hand clasped hers.
"Mara?"
"You seem nervous, child," the clergyman soothed. "Is the thought of bein' married that frightening?"
"No," Mara answered quickly. No, it's wondering when you're going to start grilling me, she thought. She had been bracing herself since they sat down, waiting for the inevitable lecture on her retaliation against the Pruden brothers.
"Mara's afraid you won't marry us because of what happened at the Red Bone last night," Luke put in, grinning.
"Luke!" Mara couldn't believe he had just blurted out that regrettable incident. She gave their host a look that implored his understanding. "Luke has learned to think before he acts. I haven't."
"Don't fret, Mara." Vicar Serole smiled gently. "While I was out and about this mornin', yer unfortunate encounter with the Prudens was the main topic of conversation. I was troubled to learn of their harassment of ye, and that it was necessary for ye to defend yerself. Ye did nothin' wrong, child." The upturned crinkles in his lined face affirmed his risible nature. "As long as ye and Luke never resort to fightin' against each other," he added with a chuckle.
"No, never," Mara assured him, and Luke nodded in agreement. He would never strike Mara, and he was pretty sure she would never strike him. Not seriously, anyway. He gave Mara an apprehensive sideways glance as Vicar Serole continued.
"Ahh, then all is well. Whatever former life caused ye to learn and practice such skills is in yer past. All that needs concern ye now is yer future." The old man leaned back in his chair and regarded the betrothed couple, who in turn regarded him with amazement at his insight.
"'Tis fortuitous fer Zembuhl, Luke and Mara, that ye have come forward with yer desire to bond, and it will be me honor to conduct the ceremony. But I'm sure it weighs on yer minds that yer kith and kin aren't here to share this day with ye." He paused as Mara reached over to squeeze Luke's hand. "So I want to stress that if ye're not ready, for any reason, don't feel pressured to carry through with the bondin' this day. Our village has survived before; it would agin."
"We're ready," Luke declared, and Mara echoed his words. Luke smiled inwardly, thinking back to a similar proclamation he had made to Yoda regarding his readiness to become a Jedi. Both instances signaled two of the most important stages he would ever experience in his life. Despite Yoda's misgivings, he had been ready to begin Jedi training then. Luke glanced over at Mara, feeling her love and strength. And he was ready to be her husband now.
"Then I suppose 'tis time fer me to begin that sermon that Mara has been dreadin' so." He reached out and clasped Mara and Luke's free hands in each of his own. "My children, marriage is a sacred rite not to be taken lightly. It is a beautiful and intimate relationship that a husband and wife are privileged to share."
In silence, Luke and Mara listened intently to the clergyman's words as he continued.
"If ye love and cherish yer spouse, yer union will continue to grow and develop, enrichin' yer entire married life. The single most important thing ye can do to preserve yer love is to remain faithful to each other." There was a lull in his discourse as he allowed his words to sink in. "During yer marriage ye will discover joys and comforts unique to the two of ye. Yer intimate lovin' is the one experience in yer lives that ye should share only with each other, and no one else."
Luke and Mara squeezed their joined hands tightly.
(Do you think he knows we haven't made love yet?) Mara sent silently.
(I think most of the village knows,) he returned dryly, a glint of amusement in his eye.
As if reading their thoughts, the vicar went on. "Yer conjugal relations should also be a most private matter between ye – not the subject of idle village gossip." At their startled looks, he chuckled. "I've lived all me life in Zembuhl, and I know what busybodies folks here can be. Ye must never feel pressured to confirm or deny their speculations."
Vicar Serole smiled inwardly at the exchange of glances between his listeners. These two young people would do just fine. "Now, I must also add, if ye ever find yerselves at odds over any aspect of yer marriage – personal or public – don't hesitate to seek guidance. Ye can talk to yer spiritual advisor, a mentor, or a trusted friend. Never let yer troubles fester inside ye. Most important of all – talk to each other."
Taking a breath, the kindly minister began the last part of his preachment.
"The Divine One willin', the result of yer lovin' will be the creation of new life. Children are a blessin' that will bring ye unsurpassed happiness and contentment." The minister turned his attention to Luke. "Findin' the right woman to be the mother of his children is a goal every man strives fer."
"I know," Luke responded quietly, a grateful smile playing on his lips as he gazed at his fiancée.
Vicar Serole then confronted Mara. "In the same manner, every young woman wants a home and a family of her own. Ye are most fortunate, Mara, to find a husband ye love to provide those things fer ye."
The slight frown that crossed Mara's face didn't escape the older man's notice. "Ye are willin' to bear children fer Luke, are ye not?"
Mara looked at Luke's gentle, expectant expression. Despite her initial indignation at the wording of Vicar Serole's query, she did indeed share Luke's dream of one day having a family together.
"Yes, someday," she replied. "When we're ready."
"Someday?" the vicar echoed, his puzzlement evident in his voice. "It's been me experience that babes tend to come into bein' when they're ready, not when their parents are."
Mara realized her error immediately. These people had no artificial methods of contraception. She thought of Aerie, expecting a baby only months after her wedding. As charming and attractive as this quaint community was, there were still countless advantages to modern civilization.
"Of course, that's what I meant," she backtracked. "We'll accept children whenever they arrive."
Vicar Serole nodded in understanding. "Good, good." He released their hands and leaned back. "Luke and Mara, I'm looking forward to bondin' the two of ye together. But if we don't shake a leg, we'll all be arrivin' late at the church."
"Haven't you forgotten something?" Mara gestured with her head toward a side table, and the pie that sat upon it.
"Land's sakes!" the elderly gentleman exclaimed. "Orena would have me head." The trio laughed, and helped themselves to the delectable dessert.
Finally, their host wiped his mouth with his napkin and pushed back his chair, prompting Luke and Mara to follow suit.
"We thank you for your counsel, Vicar." Luke extended his hand in gratitude.
"Ahh, 'twas me pleasure. I'll be seeing ye both before ye even have a chance to be nervous." He gave Mara a knowing wink.
As Luke and Mara stepped out into the street, Luke bent down and gave Mara a gentle kiss. "Could be the last time I ever get to kiss a single woman." He grinned happily, then headed toward Jaco Modesa's home to change clothes.
Mara stood a moment, watching him amble away. She relived the same sentiments she had felt when she resolved to defy Emperor Palpatine and follow Luke to freedom – no regrets; not now, not ever.
