Many thanks and much appreciation…
Evenstar Elanor… Would I do that? Would I break up the whole ceremony like that? My cliffhangers and chapter hooks might be cruel sometimes, but I'm not THAT cruel!
Angoliel… I won't split up the WHOLE wedding, really… only some of it. D'Artagnan offers a rose to the lovely Mademoiselle Angoliel.
Mercury Gray… We're getting to the man and wife thing. Soon. Soon! (And yes, the princess bride rocks!)
Utsuri… How can I resist the puppy face? LOL!
Chapter 31: Vows
Athos and Natalie stopped just in front of the steps to the altar. They waited for a moment and then Aramis walked down four steps. Slowly, almost reluctantly, Athos let go of his daughter. He took the front of her veil and lifted it up, finally revealing Natalie's face. He smiled at his daughter and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.
"I love you, butterfly," he whispered.
"I love you, too, Papa. Forever," she answered.
Athos looked Aramis square in the eye and then shook his hand. They said not a word; everything they needed to say had already passed between them. Natalie saw the look they exchanged and her eyes filled with tears. Aramis held out his arm and Natalie slid hers through his with a shy smile. Together, they walked up the steps to the Cardinal. Behind them, Athos made his way to his seat. The Queen Mother leaned over discreetly and patted him on the hand.
The Cardinal cleared his throat and the gathered guests fell silent. "Dearly Beloved," he said, "we are gathered together here in God's sight – and in the presence of this company – to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore it is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, and solemnly. Into this holy estate this man and this woman now come to be joined. If any person here can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
The Cardinal paused and allowed his eyes to roam over the crowd. No one expected any objections and none were forthcoming. Athos, however, caught the raised eyebrow that Porthos cavalierly tossed his way, as if daring Athos to do so much as clear his throat.
"Marriage," continued the Cardinal, satisfied that there would be no disruptions, "is the union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind. It is intended for their mutual joy, for the help and comfort given onto one another in prosperity and adversity, and to allow the blessing of children to enlighten and enrich their lives. Through marriage, Aramis and Natalie make a commitment together to face their disappointments – embrace their dreams – realize their hopes – and accept each other's failures."
Aramis raised his head slightly and stole a look at Natalie. There was a flush on her cheeks and a shine in her eyes. And just as he glanced, she did too, and the blush on her cheek deepened. The Cardinal's voice deepened slightly, becoming more compelling.
"We are here today, before God – because marriage is one of His most sacred wishes – to witness the joining in marriage of Aramis and Natalie. And now – through me – He joins you together in one of the holiest bonds. Who gives this woman in marriage to this man?"
"I do, your Holiness," said Athos, standing up so that everyone could see him. He raised his fingers to his lips and blew his daughter a kiss. With a deep breath, he steeled himself against tears, and sat down again in the royal box.
After Athos sat down, the Cardinal continued. "By gathering together all the wishes for happiness and our fondest hopes for Aramis and Natalie for all present here and from God the Father, we assure them that our hearts beat in concert with theirs. These moments are so meaningful, for what greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined together – to strengthen each other in all labor – to minister to each other in all sorrow – to share with each other in all gladness? Do not think that you can direct the course of love, for love – if it finds you worthy – shall direct you…"
Such a truer statement could never be uttered, thought Aramis. For a moment, he lost track of what the Cardinal was saying as he fervently – if silently – thanked God for finding him worthy, for granting him a measure of joy on earth.
"…Marriage is an act of faith and personal commitment as well as a moral and physical union between a man and a woman. Marriage should be a lifelong consecration of the ideal of loving kindness." The Cardinal folded his hands in front of him and fell silent, allowing everyone an ample moment to consider his words. Finally, he looked from Aramis to Natalie and then he looked out over the gathered crowd.
"Do you, Aramis, take Natalie to be your wife – to live together after God's ordinance – in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?"
Aramis looked at Natalie as he said, "I will."
"Do you Natalie, take Aramis to be your husband – to live together after God's ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?"
"I will." There was a nervous tremble in Natalie's voice that made everyone smile.
Looking over at D'Artagnan, the Cardinal said, "The rings, please."
D'Artagnan emptied the contents of a small black velvet pouch into the Cardinal's outstretched hand. Two simple gold bands lay in the cleric's hand, each engraved with a fleur-de-lis. Closing his fingers around the rings, the Cardinal continued, "May these rings be blessed as the symbol of this affectionate unity. These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go – may they always return to one another. May these two find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn. May they grow in understanding and in compassion. May the home which they establish together be such a place that many will find there a friend. May these rings on their fingers symbolize the touch of the spirit of love in their hearts, just as God has intended."
"Aramis," said the Cardinal as he handed one ring to the Musketeer, "in placing this ring on Natalie's finger, repeat after me… Natalie, you are now consecrated to me as my wife from this day forward and I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as a symbol of our unity, and with this ring, I thee wed."
Aramis took Natalie's hands in his and looked earnestly at her. "Natalie, you are now consecrated to me as my wife from this day forward and I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as a symbol of our unity, and with this ring, I thee wed." As he said the last few words, Aramis slipped the ring onto Natalie's finger. In his pew, Athos felt his throat constrict.
The Cardinal turned to Natalie and handed Aramis' ring to her. "Natalie, in placing this ring on Aramis' finger, repeat after me: Aramis, you are now consecrated to me as my husband from this day forward and I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity, and with this ring, I thee wed."
Natalie took a deep breath as she took Aramis' hand. "Aramis, you are now consecrated to me as my husband from this day forward and I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity… and with this ring, I thee wed."
Athos blinked rapidly, shunting away the tears that threatened to spill. In a moment it would be done, and his butterfly would fly away. To the side, both Porthos and D'Artagnan found they were growing misty as well, feeling as if their own daughter was the one being wed. All of them were tremendously happy for their old friend and his soon-to-be wife.
With a benevolent smile, the Cardinal said, "May you always share with each other the gifts of love. Be one in heart and in mind and may you always create a home together that puts in your hearts love, generosity and kindness."
Again the Cardinal paused for effect before he continued. "In as much as Aramis and Natalie have consented together in marriage before God and before this company of friends and family and have pledged their faith – and declared their unity by giving and receiving a ring – are now joined. What – therefore – God has joined together, let no man put asunder. And so, by the power vested in me by Almighty God, I now pronounce you man and wife – and may your days be good and long upon the earth. Aramis, you may now kiss the bride."
Okay, stop screaming! You got most of the ceremony and the "man and wife" moment… I have to hook you to get to the kiss! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and it was worth the wait. I only have a bunch of notes for the next one, but I'll work on it as much as I can this weekend.
Disclaimer: The only things I can truly claim as my own are Natalie, Jacques, and Luc (and a few minor supporting characters). Everything else is borrowed with much respect and admiration for Dumas and the people who created various movie versions of the Musketeers.