12
Standing at the edge of the sand was Namor. He had his head dress with numerous necklaces and bracelets and even a long flowing cape. His spear was in one hand planted firmly in the sand. He stood like a true warrior. Beside him was a tribal priest from the Border tribe. On one side of Namor were numerous Talokan soldiers. And when I looked to my right, I saw villagers of Wakanda. Queen Ramonda and Shuri stood to the side as well with the Dora surrounding them.
"After today I am no longer just a healer." I replied softly. I could feel my mother's hold on my arm tighten a bit as she looked forward with pride.
"You will be exactly what Bastet wanted for you all along." she replied. We looked at each other with warm smiles before moving forward into the sand. Rows of drummers stood tall as they began to play a firm beat. I wanted to move my hips to the beat, but I withheld for now all eyes were on me. Everyone's faces followed my form as it moved. I looked at the Talokans who stared at me with curiosity and slight wonder. I could only imagine what they think of me, of my people and their traditions.
I looked at Namor who stared at me with wide eyes and he looked almost captivated. Our eyes never left each other as I neared him. So this was it. This is the King I would be marrying. And now I stood before him and the great ceremonial drumming stopped. My mother finally removed her arm from me and I looked at her now feeling as if today would be the last day I would see her. She smiled at me and placed her hand upon my cheek as she has done many times as a young girl. Her eyes watered again but she held back the tears as she now took a step back and moved behind me. Now my attention was brought back to Namor who just stared down at me with a loving smile as the elder began to spoke.
I wanted to smile back, I wanted to show him that I was happy about all of this, but I couldn't. All I could do was study his face, the intricate features of him, the outlining his muscles, the green nose ring and earrings and the pointed ears. My whole future was uprooted because of him. No not because of him, because of my birth father who is of Talokan.
"We do not know the culture of Talokan, but I will tell you what I tell every couple of Wakanda who decide to marry," the elder said before looking out at everyone who was on the beach today. "What does it mean to be a husband? It means the man taken on a new life which is his woman. He is a provider, a protector, a guardian of her heart. He builds a home for them both and no longer thinks of just his own needs, but now the needs of the woman he has formed and created a home with. He may not always have the answers, but he will do what he must to ensure the unity between both is balanced." As he spoke Namor was also studying my face taking in my features as well. We both just studied each other. This is who I am and he still smiles and this reason makes me smile as well.
"What does it mean to be a wife?" The elder paused and now looked at me as I looked at him. He looked proud. "A wife is a woman and a woman is the creator of all life. Her body can birth life, produce food to feed life, and nurture it. She is also her own woman, free to make the choices she must not only for herself, but for her husband as well. A wife is to be cherished by her husband. A husband is to always be made to feel he can be open with his emotions and feelings the same as his wife. I am a man but I never regret my thinking, society falls with the greed of man, but rises with the strength of the woman!"
A few women began to ululate in response and I smiled in their direction. The elder took both our hands and placed our palms together, before tying a white ribbon around our wrists.
"Today a man of Talokan combines his house and kingdom with a woman of Wakanda. Together they will be the balance between our two nations. King Namor, the Feathered Serpent God, of Talokan, will you take Eywa, Healer of Wakanda touched by Bastet herself as your wife from now and into the ends of time?" he asked. Namor looked at the elder before looking at me with a large smile.
"Yes." he said. Now butterflies were flying all around my stomach. The elder now looked at me.
"Eywa, daughter of the Mining Tribe, Healer of Wakanda, touched by Bastet herself, do you take King Namor of Talokan as your husband from now and into the ends of time?" he asked. Now it felt more silent around me then it ever has. I closed my eyes truly having to think if I did accept this man. It didn't change anything whether I did or not, but I knew it is what needed to happen. I slowly opened my eyes and Namor was staring down at me with worry in his eyes, but my smile seemed to surprise him.
"Yes." I replied and he began to smile yet again. The elder took our combined wrists and raised our arms to the sky for all to see before pulling the ribbon from around us.
"A new bond has formed! King Namor, husband of Eywa. Eywa, wife of Namor. Great king you may kiss your wife." he said. Namor planted his spear into the sand firmly so when he released it, it stood tall. Now we leaned forward, he placed his hands on my cheeks gently, and I placed my hands under his arms. Our lips met in a passionate kiss and once again the beach was alive with ululating and chants. I even heard the warriors chanting in what I assumed was happiness. Now everyone was back to dancing and talking and eating. There was enough food for the Talokan's to come ashore but they didn't.
I was talking to some of the members of my tribe when Namor approached me. I could see the fear in some of the women's eyes as they quickly moved from me leaving us alone. Namor watched with a soft gaze of disappointment.
"They fear me still." he said. I looked up at him noticing he looked actually saddened by this. Slowly I reached down and took his hand and he gave me a gentle smile.
"These things take time." I reminded and he nodded.
"I understand. Come meet my people." he said and I nodded and let him pull me toward the water's edge. I lifted my dress up some. Some of the warriors seemed to be wading in the water. "It seems they too do not wish to take part in the festivities and dancing." Namor nodded.
"It will take time for them. But I am still happy they were invited, everyone you see here had the option to attend. I am glad they decided to come." he said before looking at the two warriors again who approached doing the hand motion of Talokan and bowing their heads to us.
"Eywa, these are my top lieutenants: Attuma and my cousin, Namora… The Queen of Talokan, Eywa." he raised his hand to the two and then raised his hand to me as he introduced us. The two warriors did the same hand motion to me and I returned it.
Attuma began speaking but I did not know the language. The bracelet, Namor gave me that was on my wrist made a gentle ping noise.
"It is an honor to meet you my queen." The bracelet spoke. I looked at it impressed before looking at Namor who winked at me and then looked at Namora.
"Namora will be your personal guard when in Talokan." he said. I stiffened visibly.
"I am sure she there is more she would want to do then baby sit me, I couldn't impose on her duties like that." I replied.
"Your Dora…Milaje, are a strong force." Namora spoke this time. "I have seen them fight. I would be honored to be your Dora Milaje when in Talokan, my queen." She bowed and did the Talokan hand gesture to me and I looked at her stunned before nodding.
"Thank you." I replied with a gentle bow of my head.
"Now that the Jabari are here, the party can really start!" a booming voice made me gasp and smile as I turned to see M'Baku. "Now where is the bride!"
"M'Baku!" I said loudly and happily and rushed over to them. He smiled in my direction and held his arms out to me and I jumped into his arms laughing with him and his warriors.
Namor's POV
Today was a happy day. I married a beautiful woman and combined two of the strongest nations on earth forming the ultimate defense of protection for my people. And it all would have been perfect had I not just seen her jump into the arms of another man.
"She likes that man. You obviously stole her from another." Namora replied. I refused to believe that. She told me she has never been intimate with another man. She couldn't have. I watched as my new wife was twirled around by this man who I was familiar with somewhat.
"I am surprised he is still alive after my first went through his chest." I said with a glare.
"Do you think he will be a problem?" Attuma asked. I looked at the large man. He is a good warrior and seemed to blend in with the women at this celebration. His eyes fell on his new wife and he thought of the moment their hands were connected in the water. No, he trusted her. He would trust her even when he had to leave her here by herself.
"No. They are all of Wakanda and he is of no threat to anyone. Return to Talokan." I said to them. They nodded and disappeared into the water.
"King Namor," Zawavari called approaching me. I smiled at her. "Would you join the elders and I? We would love learn of you and your people." I nodded holding my arm up to her.
"It would be a great honor." I said and she smiled as if impressed and wrapped her arm around me before leading me to the group of elders. But I couldn't help but glance over at Eywa as she was laughing with this man now. I was beginning to be curious of who he was.
Eywa's POV
M'Baku is one of the few people who knew about my assault. He held me close one night so that I could list to his heart beat.
"This is the heart beat of a real man."
I cherished our friendship.
"So you are officially married and to the Feathered Serpent God no less. And now you are his queen." he said drinking from a large cup. I nodded.
"I never would have guessed." I replied. M'Baku looked in the direction of Namor and I noticed he was walking with my mother over to the elders. M'Baku gave a huff.
"You know he broke my armor, right?" he asked with a pout. I chuckled.
"Did he? I wonder what you were doing that made him do that?" I asked. He gave a moderately serious face.
"Protecting Wakanda from his attack." he said. I slowed my laughing and nodded.
"And I am forever grateful to you." I said. He smiled and looked around a bit before looking somewhat ominous.
"I have to tell you something Eywa. I did not come for this wedding I came to speak to Queen Ramonda about that flu that is going around outside the borders." he said. I tilted my head.
"It is a strange strain, I have never seen bacteria such as this." I replied. "It's spreading so quickly that our doctors are already making a vaccine to give all over Africa." He nodded.
"Good. I think someone created this flu and is purposely trying to make all of Africa sick and work its way into Wakanda." he said. I blinked rapidly.
"With our technology there's no way a virus could be a threat to us." I replied. He shook his head.
"Well it may be a theory but something deep in me is telling me this flu is not just a little bug trying give us fever and the sniffles. I heard about all the craziness you've had in the past few days. You were supposed to go to America, but now that your new husband put a stop to that, who knows what's going to happen now. Two advanced civilizations officially became one as of today. I can imagine that is not going to sit well with the queen's allies." he explained. I leaned forward a bit.
"You think our allies are using a flu against us?" I asked. He shook his head.
"I don't know, but I guarantee, the allies are going to be furious you didn't make that voyage and will be demanding either the vibranium or you. And your new husband does not trust anyone but Wakanda. He is not going to let you be surrounded by who believes are his enemies." he said. I groaned at the thought.
"You are right. But for now, that is not my problem. That is Queen Ramonda's problem. My only goal today is to survive our wedding night." I said now feeling nervous about what will happen tonight. It's always been royal culture to consummate a wedding. I then felt his hand under my chin motioning me toward him.
"Hey… he breaks your heart and I'll break his face." he said seriously. I couldn't help but smile at his protectiveness.