June 20, 2378 1330 Voyager Guest Quarters
"I hope the vest Q Jr. made appear fits Uncle. It looked just like Daddy's and Uncle is so much broader through the chest than Daddy was." Taya said.
"I'm sure Q Jr. made it to fit Chakotay," Maliya replied to her daughter's comment with a trace of sadness in her voice
"I can't believe how nervous Uncle seems," Taya said wanting to change the subject as she could see that her mother was becoming sad thinking about her late father.
"Oh, most men are like that on their wedding day. They are suddenly getting what they want with all their hearts, and they begin to question themselves," Maliya explained.
"Aboutwhat?" Taya asked.
"They wonder if the reality they are about to experience will be as good as their imagination. What they don't realize is that that's a silly question. It won't be exactly like they imagined and yet in many ways it will probably be better," Maliya explained and saw he daughter consider her words.
"Of course the same can be said for women's expectations of marriage, but for some reason we don't seem to suffer the anxiety that men do," she added.
"I wonder why that is?" Taya asked.
"Maybe because the bride is too busy making herself beautiful for the groom," Maliya said with a laugh.
"Speaking of which, we better take that necklace to Kathryn or Uncle Chakotay will have a fit," Taya said.
"Yes and besides, I want to see how she looks in a traditional Mayan wedding dress. Don't you?" Maliya said.
"Yes mother, let's go," Taya replied as she picked up the necklace and moved towards the door.
June 20, 2378 1350 Chakotay's Quarters
Tom wasn't sure what to do with Chakotay. The older man was so anxious he was pacing about his quarters in his boxers like a wild cat trapped in a cage. And his short-term memory was so frazzled, he'd set down his wedding clothes a few moments ago and now couldn't remember where he'd put them.
"Chakotay, stop!" Tom barked at him. "Take a deep breath and calm down. The shirt and pants are here in the quarters somewhere," Tom said.
Chakotay stopped, and did as Tom suggested, and suddenly remembered. "I hung them up again, not wanting them to get messed up," he said.
As Chakotay walked to his closet, he asked Tom, "What's wrong with me, Tom?"
"Why am I so jumpy?" he asked as he pulled on his wedding pants.
Tom stared at Chakotay's big bronze chest, a sharp contrast to the off white linen pants, and thought how much Kathryn was going to enjoy that site. With a sigh he launched into his attempt to explain male pre-marital jitters, "Well, I think it has to do with that animal analogy, Chakotay. You see our ancestors were anything but monogamous and somewhere in the back of our minds is a - I don't know, call it a racial memory, that is screaming at us not to get tied down to one female," Tom explained.
Chakotay harrumphed, then wailed, "But Tom it's what I want. What I've wanted for years," he said with emphasis.
"Well maybe your afraid that once you get it, you won't want it," Tom suggested.
"No way, I'll always want to be with Kathryn!" Chakotay argued.
"Well maybe there's some other fear you're not willing to face up to," Tom half-heartedly suggested.
"Like what?" Chakotay asked as he shouldered into his off white wedding shirt and began doing up the buttons
"Oh I don't know, maybe you're afraid that after all this time waiting, maybe the sex won't be as soul shattering as you thought it would be," Tom suggested.
Chakotay's head shot up from where he was buttoning the shirt, but he quickly ducked his head again and remained silent. Tom knew he'd struck a nerve, when Chakotay didn't come up with a snappy comeback.
"Ah, so some of the nerves is about the sex huh, big guy?" Tom asked.
Chakotay looked at Tom and for a moment Tom was worried that he'd pushed a bit too much into a very private area. Then the older man again ducked his head and began a soft response as he put on the traditional Mayan vest, a bright predominantly red garment.
"I guess," he paused for a moment, "yeah, I've got some anxiety about that, if I'm honest about it, and that feels sort of stupid. I mean I'm a grown man, I know all the rational arguments about why it shouldn't be a big deal, and all the stuff about how making it a big deal can back fire on a guy, but I can't help it," Chakotay lamented.
"Chakotay, I think ever guy feels that way about the woman. But you know what? If Kathryn is anything like B'Elanna she's gonna say or do something that will make it all OK. You wait, you'll see," Tom reassured his friend.
"Thanks Tom, man you're really having to do a lot of hard work as my best man," Chakotay said with a laugh.
"Hey, either I take care of my wife's big brother right or answer to her," Tom said jokingly.
"How do I look?" Chakotay said and held his hands out and slowly turned around.
"Not bad and certainly more comfortable than the dress uniform I wore to my and B'Elanna's wedding," Tom said.
"Well, big guy, we've got aboutan hour to show time. Shall we beam down and hang around the ceremony grounds?" Tom asked.
"Yeah, may as well. I'm too nervous to stay here. Maybe being out doors on a real planet will calm my nerves," Chakotay answered.
Meanwhile in Kathryn's quarters
"You look absolutely beautiful Katie," Gretchen Janeway said through her motherly tears.
"Oh Mom, don't cry or you'll get me started," Kathryn said.
"Don't you dare cry until your eye makeup dries," ordered Sue Nicoletti who had helped Kathryn with her makeup.
Several of the bridesmaids had marveled during the process at how long it could take to get such a beautiful yet natural look, to which Sue had flippantly replied, "Hey why do you think I have such trouble being on time to my duty shifts?" the room dissolved in laughter.
Kathryn's mother was right though, her daughter did look beautiful. She was lovely from the flower crown that adorned her stunning auburn hair to the simplicity of the off white linen wedding dress with its scooped neckline and elegant embroidery to the multi-colored sash tied at her waist, and the gorgeous heishi necklaces and the intricately carved fetishes on the necklace Maliya and Taya had just brought in, on down to her dainty bare feet.
"Well, what do you think?" Kathryn asked as she did a passable pirouette.
"If Chakotay were wearing socks you'd knock them off," B'Elanna said.
"Come on we'd best get everyone else in their dresses," Phoebe said.
"You know I like these traditional Mayan wedding clothes, they're beautiful, yet comfortable," Marla observed as the women quickly helped each other with their simple cotton dresses and the colored sashes that would match the binding cords they would later use in the ceremony, then they all put on the heishi necklaces, bracelets and earrings Chakotay had made for each of them.
"Yes, and no shoes to hurt your feet either," said Samantha as she tied the rainbow colored sash that she'd been given to wear to match Neelix's colorful sash, as it had been decided that asking Neelix to wear an off white shirt and trousers and a black sash would simple have been too much for a Talaxian to bear.
After a few minutes with hairbrushes and cosmetic brushes, the bride's party decided they were ready to go planetside.
"OK, someone check to make sure the groom's not between here and the transporter room," said B'Elanna.
Suddenly the women found themselves standing on the surface of Tépekan at the edge of a large meadow. They could hear music coming from the center of the meadow.
"What happened?" several of the wedding party asked at once.
"I transported you to the surface so you didn't have to worry about Uncle Chak seeing Aunt Kathy before the wedding, although actually he and his groomsmen are already here on the surface. That's why I've put you ladies behind these trees," Q Jr. said.
"Thank you Q, we could have handled the situation ourselves but it was very sweet of you to do it for us," Kathryn said, trying to be tolerant of the young omnipotent being who seemed so eager to be of assistance to her on her wedding day.
"The music is very evocative, I wonder if it's Tépean?" Sue Jenkins asked.
"No, it's Mayan. It's the music that was played before my wedding," Maliya explained through tears.
"Did I do something wrong? When you were thinking about that music, I thought it would be OK for Aunt Kathy and Uncle Chak's wedding too. I mean Aunt Kathy wants the wedding to reflect the traditions of both of their families," Q Jr. was a bit stricken that he'd inadvertently upset Maliya. He really liked Uncle Chak's sister.
"No, no its perfect Q. It just made me miss my husband Pacal for a moment. He and Chakotay were best friends almost from the time they could walk. Pacal would have loved to be at Chakotay's side for his wedding, as Chakotay was at his," Maliya explained.
"It sucks that the continuum won't allow me to bring mortals back to life," the young Q said sulkily.
Maliya wondered if a mortal would be allowed to ruffle the hair of a Q, because at this moment that's exactly what she wanted to do, but just as she was pondering the thought, Kathryn beat her to it.
"Q, you really are becoming a sweet young man," Kathryn said as she ruffled his hair. "Now, why don't you go get a good seat for the wedding," she suggested.
"OK Aunt Kathy, but if you need something just think of me and I'll be there instantly," Q Jr. responded.
"All I really need is for him to stop meddling," Kathryn said with a laugh after the boy had left.
Several women of the wedding party went to the edge of the trees and peered into the meadow to see what was going on. Icheb, Gerron, Baxter and Lessing were acting as ushers showing the Voyager and Sentinel crew to their seats. Tal Celes couldn't help laughing when she saw the Qs walk up like a normal family to be seated, apparently there was some disagreement as to whether they wanted to sit on the bride's side or the groom's. Finally the lady Q and Q Jr. followed Icheb to the groom's side and Q followed a very nervous Baxter to the bride's side.
Sooner than they had expected the ushers arrived to take the alpha quadrant visitors to their places. Then everyone watched as young Naomi, dressed very similarly to the bridesmaid in a simple off white cotton dress with a colorful sash and heishi necklace and bracelet, came forward and lighted the candles on the altar. The young girl explained that the candles represented the four cardinal points. First she lighted the red candle, which sat at the eastern edge of the altar, then the black candle on the western edge, then the white candle at the northern edge, then the yellow candle at the southern edge. She told the guests that the candles also represent the four gods; the Bacabs that Chakotay's people believe stand at the corners of the world and hold up the sky. Finally she lit the central blue green candle and explained that it was dedicated to Mother Earth.
While the guests had watched Naomi light the candles the groomsmen had come to escort the bridesmaids to the ceremony. Tom then abandoned his post at Chakotay's side, long enough to bring B'Elanna down the aisle to her place at the altar.
Finally, the moment everyone had waited for arrived. Tuvok stood at the end of the long aisle with Kathryn on his arm, everyone quieted and as the strains of Purcell's Trumpet Voluntary sounded, he led Kathryn at a very stately pace down the long expanse of grass that led to the altar.
Chakotay waited at the altar for his bride. He was thankful the doctor didn't have a medical tricorder out, or he would have noticed how Chakotay's heart was nearly beating out of his chest. As Tuvok and Kathryn grew closer, Chakotay glanced down at his bride's bare feet and he nearly laughed when he realized that although Tuvok was clad in his Star Fleet dress uniform he was, in deference to the customs of Chakotay's people, also bare foot.
As Kathryn arrived at Chakotay's side, Marinkté came from the side of the large wedding party to stand in front of the bride and groom. She was dressed in the cream and burgundy ceremonial robes of her order.
"All of you gathered here today are to be witness to the miracle of love and faith that is the joining of two lives. This ceremony will be like none any of you have ever witnessed before because it is to be a mixture of three cultures. A mixture of Chakotay's culture and Kathryn's culture and a little of the culture of the people of Tépekan," the priestess explained.
"It is customary among Tépeans of all faiths to start a joining with a blessing, amongst the information Chakotay and Kathryn sent me about Terran marriage customs, I found one which seemed in keeping with our ways," Marinkté said.
"Kathryn please face Chakotay and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you," the priestess instructed Kathryn.
"These are the hands of your best friend, 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," she intoned as Kathryn looked into Chakotay's eyes and saw all his love for her there on display in his warm deep brown eyes.
"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 belly, until he too, feels his child stir within you," as the priestess said this last phrase Chakotay and Kathryn each felt here heart's swell with the dreamed of joy of that day.
"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 wracks 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," as the priestess finished she turned to face Chakotay more directly.
"Chakotay, please hold Kathryn's hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, small and delicate yet strong, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life," as the priestess began her description of Kathryn's hands, Chakotay smiled almost shyly at Kathryn as he held her small hands in his large ones.
The priestess continued, "These are the hands that will labor side by side with yours, as together you shape your future, as you laugh and cry, as you reveal your heart's desires to one another.
These are the hands that will hold yours in joy and excitement and hope when she tells you that you are to have a child, that together you have created a new life," again as they heard the priestess' words, Kathryn and Chakotay felt a swelling of joy at the thought of their shared dream one day coming true.
"These are the hands that will hold your child in tender love, soothing through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go," Marinkté continued.
"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," at this they grinned at one another remembering who it was of the couple who was the masseur.
"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 give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized," Marinkté finished the individual description of the couples hands, then she changed her focus of attention to somehow seem to include everything and everyone.
"Creator, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in love, rich in caring, and devotion. May Chakotay and Kathryn see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. So be it." Marinkté concluded the blessing then addressed the guests.
"Now that we have blessed these hands let us make them fast one to the other with the binding cords of joy, strife and love. This is our tradition of Hand Fasting and the Declaration of Intent," the priestess said as way of introducing the next part of the ceremony.
"Know now before you go further, that since your lives have crossed in this existence you have formed ties between each other. As you seek to enter this state of matrimony you should strive to make real the ideals that give meaning to both this ceremony and the institution of marriage.
With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be hand fasted before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also to your creative higher powers.
The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union; they will cross the years and lives of each soul's growth," Marinkté concluded the traditional admonition to a couple about to be married
"Wait priestess, I claim the sister's right to challenge the worthiness of this man to be bound into my family!" Phoebe said as she stood in the front row of guests.
The Voyager crew was shocked, but quickly noticed that their Tépean counterparts seemed to be pleased by the sudden interruption, as though they were watching a play and one of the actors had just introduced their favorite scene.
Chakotay was confused; he didn't remember this in the rehearsal. He leaned a bit to be able to see Terpe and saw his friend nodding his head at him.
The priestess said very softly to him, "It's alright this is traditional. I'll talk to my brother later about his forgetting to tell you about it," she said with a bit of pique at her brother's thoughtlessness.
"Now just answer the question she will ask you," Marinkté advised.
"Go ahead, challenge the man," Marinkté said to Phoebe.
"Who are you that you claim the right to be bonded to my sister?" Phoebe said, as though she had doubts about Chakotay's worthiness.
Chakotay thought for a moment. What should he say? In a moment of sudden inspiration he knew. He would layout all his impressive sounding titles and even the scary ones, and then he'd sweep them all aside for the simple truth.
He looked at his sister and niece in the front row on the opposite side of the aisle from Phoebe and actually winked at them, then turned to all the guests and said in a strong voice, "I am Chakotay, son of Kolopak, eldest son of the Clan Jaguar, leader of the True People," Chakotay paused for a moment and smiled at his sister over the way the universal translator had handled his last title and his tribe's name.
"I was Captain Chakotay, the Maquis rebel and am now Commander Chakotay, First Officer of the Starship Voyager," Chakotay continued.
Kathryn felt very proud of her husband to be, but she was about to be astounded by what he said next.
"And all of these titles are meaningless," Chakotay said and an audible gasp could be heard from the guests, "the only important thing is that I am the man who loves her with all that I am. Long ago I swore to myself that I would stay by her side, doing all that I could to make her burden lighter, that her needs would always come first. I have kept that pledge to this day and will keep it until I can no longer draw breath. She is the other half of my soul. Being near her has brought me the only peace I have ever known," Chakotay then turned directly to Phoebe, "I implore you, find me worthy of being your sister's bond mate," he finished in a tone that belied the pleading phrase he had spoken.
Phoebe looked at the priestess and nodded, "He'll do," she said, and took her seat as the Tépeans present cheered and whistled until Marinkté hushed them.
"Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?" as Marinkté asked the traditional question laughter erupted from the guests.
When the laughter died down Chakotay and Kathryn smiling broadly answered together, "Yes, we seek to enter".
Marinkté turned to Chakotay and asked him, "Chakotay, will you cause her pain?"
Chakotay reluctantly replied, "I may".
"Is that your intent?" Marinkté asked him.
"No," was Chakotay's simple and emphatic answer.
Marinkté turned to Kathryn and asked her, "Kathryn, will you cause him pain?"
"I may," Kathryn admitted.
Again Marinkté asked, "Is that your intent?"
"No," Kathryn replied emphatically.
Marinkté addressed herself to both of them, "Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?"
"Yes," they answered together.
"And so the binding is made," intoned Marinkté. "Join your hands," she instructed them.
At this point Joe Carey and Marla Gilmore came forward and together placed a red cord through and across Chakotay and Kathryn's joined hands. Joe patted Chakotay on the back and Marla kissed Kathryn on the cheek. Then they rejoined their respective halves of the bridal party.
Marinkté turned to Kathryn and asked her, "Kathryn, will you share his laughter?"
"Yes," Kathryn answered quickly.
Marinkté turned to Chakotay and asked him "Chakotay, will you share her laughter?"
"Yes," Chakotay answered and smiled his wonderful full dimpled smile.
"Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?" Marinkté asked them.
"Yes," they answered together.
"And so the binding is made," Marinkté said as Susan Nicoletti and Mike Ayala placed a second yellow chord in the couples' hands. Mike gave his captain and friend as much of a bear hug as he could without causing him to loose contact with Kathryn and Susan gave Kathryn a cheek-to-cheek hug then they returned to their places.
Marinkté turned to Kathryn and asked her "Kathryn, will you burden him?"
Kathryn stared intently into Chakotay's eyes as she answered, "I may".
"Is that you intent?" the priestess asked.
"No." Kathryn answered simply.
Marinkté turned to Chakotay and asked him, "Chakotay, will you burden her?"
"I may," he answered.
Marinkté asked, "Is that your intent?"
"No, never," Chakotay answered and the priestess looked at him momentarily for altering the traditional response.
Marinkté asked both of them, "Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?"
"Yes," they responded together.
As Marinkté repeated the traditional words, "And so the binding is made," Samantha and Neelix came forward and placed the third black chord in the couple's hands. Samantha gave them each a kiss and Neelix hugged them both before he and Sam returned to their places.
Marinkté continued with the traditional words of the ceremony, "Kathryn, will you share his dreams?"
"Yes," Kathryn replied.
Marinkté similarly asked, "Chakotay, will you share her dreams?"
"Yes," he responded.
The priestess then asked them both, "Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes?"
"Yes," they both answered.
As Marinkté repeated the traditional words, "And so the binding is made," Seven of Nine and Harry Kim came forward and placed the fourth white chord in the couple's hands. Harry bear hugged his mentor and Seven hesitantly placed a kiss on Kathryn's cheek.
Marinkté continued the ceremony, "Chakotay will you cause her anger?"
Chakotay gave the expected answer, "I may".
"Is that your intent?" she asked.
"No," he replied.
The priestess turned to Kathryn, "Kathryn, will you cause him anger?"
"I may," she replied.
"Is that your intent?" Marinkté asked her.
"No," Kathryn replied.
"Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?" Marinkté asked them.
"We will," they responded.
As Marinkté intoned the by now familiar phrase, "And so the binding is made," Ken Dalby and Sue Jenkins placed the fifth blue chord in the couple's hands. As Sue gave Kathryn a kiss on the cheek Ken feigned punching Chakotay on the chin then pulled the older man into a bear hug before returning to his place among the wedding guests.
The priestess shook her head at Ken's antics and then continued, "Kathryn, will you honor him?"
"I will," Kathryn replied.
"Chakotay, will you honor her?" The priestess asked him the matching question.
"I will," he replied.
"Will you seek to never give cause to break that honor?" she asked them both.
"We shall never do so," they promised.
As Marinkté said the traditional words again, "And so the binding is made," Pakrité and Terpe placed the sixth purple chord in the couple's hands, they tarried longer then the other couples as Pakrité braided together the red, black and blue cords that represented pain, burdens and anger and Terpe plaited together the yellow, white and purple cords that represented laughter, dreams and honor. Then Terpe placed his hands on Chakotay's shoulder and squeezed lightly in the Tépean version of a hug and Pakrité did the same to Kathryn.
The priestess asked, "Chakotay, will you love her forever and always?"
"I will," Chakotay responded eagerly.
"Kathryn will you love him forever and always," Marinkté asked.
Equally as eagerly Kathryn responded "I will".
"Will you love each other into eternity and after?" Marinkté asked them.
"We will," they responded together.
For the final time Marinkté intoned, "And so the binding is made," as Tom and B'Elanna placed the seventh and last chord, a vibrant green cord in Chakotay and Kathryn's hands. Tom placed a hand on Chakotay's shoulder and smiled at him then nodded and returned to his place with the other groomsmen, B'Elanna kissed them both and fought against the very un-Klingon like tears that wanted to fall.
The priestess tied the chords together while saying, "The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords, but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union". Once the chords were tied together they were removed by the priestess and placed on the altar.
"By Tépean traditions there is little more to be done to formalize this union but by Kathryn's tradition a few more things are necessary, so I shall perform a rather ancient Terran ceremony before the declaration," Marinkté explained to the guests.
"We are gathered together here in the sight of The Creator to join together this Man and this Woman in the manner in which the Creator intended.
If anyone here present can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let that person speak now, or else forever remain silent," Marinkté looked purposely at Phoebe as if to dare her to say anything and finally Phoebe said, "What? I didn't say anything," again the meadow filled with the sound of laughter.
When the laughter died down Marinkté continued, "I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, that ye confess it. For ye be well assured, that so many as be coupled together otherwise than The Creator's Word doth allow are not joined together by The Creator; neither is their Marriage lawful," after a short pause Marinkté continued.
The priestess then said to Chakotay, "Wilt thou have this Woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after The Creator's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"
Chakotay responded, "I will".
Then Marinkté turned to Kathryn, "Wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after The Creator's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"
Kathryn replied, "I will".
Marinkté then asked, "Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?"
Gretchen answered, "I do".
Marinkté nodded then said, "Chakotay, take Kathryn's right hand in your right hand and repeat your vows to her".
Chakotay cleared his throat and looked into Kathryn's eyes. It seemed to the assembled guests that he was a tad nervous, but finally his voice sounded strongly as he recited the age old vows, "I, Chakotay, take thee Kathryn to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to The Creator's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faithfulness."
Marinkté then said, "Kathryn, take Chakotay's right hand in your right hand and repeat your vows to him".
Kathryn smiled at Chakotay and said gently, "I, Kathryn, take thee Chakotay to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to The Creator's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faithfulness."
Marinkté then asked for the rings and there followed a moment of panic as Tom pretended to have forgotten where he'd put Kathryn's ring. Once the "Tom foolery" was done the Priestess blessed the Rings saying. "Bless these Rings, O merciful Creator, that those who wear them, that give and receive them, may be ever faithful to one another, remain in your peace, and live and grow old together in your love, under their own vine and fig tree, and seeing their children's children. So be it".
The priestess took the smaller of the two rings and gave it to Chakotay, to put it on the fourth finger of Kathryn's left hand. As Chakotay held the ring at the tip of her finger the priestess prepared to coach Chakotay through the traditional words but Chakotay had memorized these words as well and so he said, "With this Ring I thee wed, and with my body I thee honor, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow," as he finished the vow he slipped the ring on Kathryn's finger.
Then Marinkté took the remaining ring and handed it to Kathryn to place on Chakotay's finger. She too had the vows memorized and so said, "With this Ring I thee wed, and with my body I thee honor, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow," as she said the last word she started to put the ring on Chakotay's finger but for some reason it didn't want to fit so he had to help her push it over the last knuckle.
Marinkté intoned the traditional warning, "Those whom The Creator hath joined together let no one put asunder."
Then she spoke to the people gathered there in the meadow. "Forasmuch as Chakotay and Kathryn have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before The Creator and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their faithfulness each to the other, and have declared the same by the giving and receiving of a Ring, and by the joining of hands; I pronounce therefore that they be Husband and Wife".
Having grown up in a matriarchal society the next bit of the ceremony seemed almost against the nature of things to her but Marinkté continued in the traditions of the bride's people and said, "Chakotay, you may kiss your bride".
Chakotay paused for a moment to remind himself that they had an audience and so he attempted to give Kathryn the most tender and chaste of kisses but being that she was his now, he couldn't resist deepening the kiss a little, until he heard a whistle from the guests. He broke the kiss and they both blushed a little.
Marinkté pushed gentle on their sides to get them to turn and face their guests and then said, "And now in keeping both with Terran and Tépean traditions I have the great good fortunate to present to all of you for the first time the lady and her consort, Kathryn and Chakotay Janeway".