Chapter 20: Full Circle
The Great Mother's shrieking was wretched. It rattled in the depths of every soul, chilling the blood of all who were present. The deity's voice was unnatural, a ghostly blend of both high and low tones that melded together in a paranormal duality that petrified them all into motionless silence.
The sightlessness caused by the pitch black of the environment around them was unnerving and Ria instinctively reached out towards Neteyam. Her hands met the muscled wall of his abdomen and she felt Neteyam pull her into the crushing vise of his embrace in the next instant. They clutched onto each other tightly, both trembling from adrenalin and fright as the Great Mother began to speak…
Insolent children!... You dare to question me?... You dare to challenge me?!
Eywa was everywhere and all around them, her voice like a slippery hiss coiling around their frightened hearts.
I, who have given you everything… I, who preserved the balance and saved you from the sky demons who ravaged this world, and this is how you repay me?... Warring and wreaking havoc amongst yourselves?!... Ingrates!
Whimpers and fearful moans began to seep out from the people as they registered the eerie voice of their Great Mother. It boomed all around them with terrifying force.
There is no power and no balance without I!... You who are faithless, drunk on a power you only perceive to hold… It is I who decides when life shall be given and when life shall be taken!
Suddenly, the vegetation around them began to glow again and the all-consuming darkness started to lift, illuminating the faint outlines and silhouettes of the Na'vi around. However, it was not the calming and familiar bioluminescence of blues and purples that greeted them, but instead an alarming blaze of amber and crimson. The woodlands around them appeared as though everything was being scorched from within, the violent glow of the flora like orange embers among blackened coals in a devastated wilderness.
People were crying now, sobbing and calling out their pleas for forgiveness. Squinting, Ria could see that some were kneeling, some were prostrate on the ground whilst others still stood on their feet, though their posture was fearful with their arms tucked close to their chests.
I have called to you… beseeched you to return to my embrace… I have worked wonders and marvels to show you, beckoning you… I care not for purity of blood, only purity of souls… I chose the girl to be my symbol of harmony…
Imagery flashed through the minds of the people as the Great Mother reminded them of her miracles… Ria wandering isolated through the annihilated Bridgehead base, the lone survivor of the plague… her survival of the stampede in the woodland glade… the palulukan gently acknowledging her and sparing her life… her rounded belly, swollen with child… bearer of the prophesied peace-marker… a pair of children conceived and born at once, first of its era…
But some of you refuse to see!... Insisting on passing wicked judgement of your own!... You have forsaken my name and my calls have gone unheeded… wallowing in your thirst for power and blood…
Neteyam shivered as the Great Mother's ethereal words washed over them all. His wide eyes darted round, looking at the many faces in the shadows, aghast and afraid. He spotted Penina not far to his right amongst their supporters. It appeared Tarsem had made a concession for his daughter to join with the warriors and fight. A logical decision borne out of the desperation of their situation.
Penina stood with her hands clamped against her ears, as if that would shield them from the horror of Eywa's voice in her soul. Her lips quivered and silent tears tracked their way from her wild eyes down her ash-covered cheeks.
You will not harm the girl or her children!... You will not cause harm and war amongst yourselves any longer!... You who have forsaken me and renounced me… You who have worked against me and harmed those who hold faith in me… I give you now the wretched freedom from my embrace, which you have so foolishly wished upon yourselves…
A hoarse male scream pierced the air and Ria saw Poatau's back arch backward in a gruesome bend as he clutched at his head where the braid of his neural queue started. Several more pained cries followed from Tsalem and the insurgents, all grasping at their queues and screaming at whatever terror they felt and saw.
Since you have forsaken my ways and chosen to live with total disregard for my wishes, I shall abandon you who are faithless… You will live a half-life from now… without my favour and without the sacred bond that is to be shared among my creatures and among life-mates…
Eywa's retribution was unforgiving and swiftly executed, and it was not just the insurgents to whom the punishment was dealt.
Neteyam's head whipped to his right again when a scream tore from Penina. The cutting sound caused something to wrench in his gut. Penina crumpled to her knees in pain, repeating her shrill cries for forgiveness while she held the end of her braided of her queue in her hands. In the unnatural amber glow that still surrounded them, Neteyam sucked in a breath as he registered the sight of the Great Mother's punishment. The usually twirling and lively pink tendrils of Penina's queue lay deadened and shrivelled in her palms, lank and dull.
Eywa had cut the unfaithful and all who had gone against her from her blessed hold.
A half-life they would live indeed and it was a fate that seemed worse than death. They would never bondagain with pa'li, or their ikran, or their mates. They would never be able to make tsaheylu again at the sacred grove and seek out those near and dear to them who had gone to be with the Great Mother.
The Great Mother's voice sounded again, and this time there a note of finality to her words. This, I leave you with, children… This sacrilege ends here… Peace, now. Peace, I give you! Peace-marker!
Then, as swiftly as the Great Mother had come, she went.
The scorched glow of the woodlands dissipated, fading away and returning to their usual glimmering shades of turquoise, azure and lilac. Another thunderous crack and boom sounded and the roar of the river rapids resumed, the flow of the water righting itself and proceeding to plummet over the rocky ledge of the waterfall again.
Neteyam's heaving chest came into view as Ria's eyes readjusted to the light. Her face was pressed tight against his clavicle where he clutched her to him. The wailing of their children in the distance startled them both out of their spell.
"The babies!" Ria yelped as Neteyam sprang into motion, pulling her along by the hand, running, to head down the steep slope towards the riverbank.
Tsireya sat with the babies at the edge of the river, both of her hands reaching into the sleeping basket in an attempt to soothe them. She appeared shaken and relief coloured her beautiful face when she saw Ria and Neteyam approaching.
Ria dropped to her knees upon reaching Tsireya and she flung her arms around the woman who had so selflessly leapt into the rapids after her children, "Thank you, Tsireya!"
Neteyam's arms joined them next, the broad width of his arm-span easily enveloping both women around the shoulders as he embraced them, "Eywa bless you abundantly, sister. Thank you!"
"Water is home to me and I couldn't stand by and do nothing." Tsireya breathed emotionally, her bright teal eyes shining with tears, "Your children are safe. Upset and frightened, but unharmed. It's a miracle! And the river water was warm! Thanks be to Eywa!"
Ria blinked and her brows lifted in surprise at the last statement. Kneeling over the sleeping basket, she hushed her babies while her gentle hands reached in to rub soothingly at their little chests. Sure enough as Tsireya had said, while the blankets around the little ones were sodden from the river water, the soaked fabric was warm.
Huffing out a laugh of wonder, Ria turned her eyes to the night sky above and lifted a prayer in gratitude to the Great Mother. Eywa had not broken her promise. All was well in the end. The babies continued to fret and Ria burrowed her hands into the blankets, lifting Netireya into her arms, making sure the wet warmth of the blanket stayed curled around their daughter. Neteyam repeated the gesture, cradling their son to his chest.
Lo'ak came skidding down the slope towards them, calling out to his wife. Tsireya sprang to her feet to meet her mate, leaving Ria and Neteyam with their little ones.
Netireya squirmed irritably still against Ria who readjusted her chest-covering so she could put her baby to her breast. The little one settled into suckling and Ria looked over at her other child who was lying awake but calm in Neteyam's arms. She soon saw why when her eyes followed the trail of her son's neural queue from his little head down to where it joined with his father's own queue.
"Fastest way to soothe them at this age when they're not hungry." Neteyam said quietly with a grin. He nodded towards Netireya then and urged Ria, "Make the bond with her."
Ria had not bonded with either of her babies yet. There had not been time, nor had there been an appropriate moment. She gazed down at Netireya who suckled intently, eyes drowsy as she drank her fill with one small fist curled against her breast. Ria's heart burst with love. Her baby was so perfect… Reaching for her queue with one hand, Ria brought it over her shoulder to link it with her baby's. The tiny tendrils of Netireya's queue fused with Ria's and her baby jolted slightly, her golden eyes flaring wide for a moment before relaxing and continuing to feed.
Ria gasped at the unique sensation. Unlike her bond with Neteyam, there were no fully-formed thoughts or fragments of words and phrases, only feelings. Feelings of security and contentment trickled down the bond to reach Ria and she smiled at her daughter's emotions. It was a beautiful thing to have such a bond.
She felt Neteyam lean towards her to press a warm kiss to her temple and Ria turned her head to claim his lips instead. Their noses brushed as they kissed and together they sent every ounce of their love for each other and love for their new little family down to their children.
Finally. They would finally have the peace and the love they were promised.
The week following the Great Mother's intervention had been grim.
Many people on both sides had perished in the ugly battle and of those who had survived, a great number were wounded. The medical alcoves had been inundated with the bodies of the injured and ailing, keeping Mo'at and the visiting tsahìks in plenty of work.
While kelutral had, fortunately, not fallen thanks to the drenching downpour of rain that Eywa had sent that fateful night, all of the Omatikaya's stored food and crop supplies had been destroyed. The southern end of the ground level was a charred and blackened sight, and it would forever be a daily reminder of the war that had waged between their people.
Eywa's retribution had obliterated the threat of the insurgency, but it had given way to a new gulf between the faithful and the pariahs.
However, determined to live the peace they were promised and end the ways of bloodshed, the remaining faithful elders of the Omatikaya, Tawkami, Anurai, Hulanta and Tipani clans had drawn up a treaty of peace. This treaty had been extended to those whom the Great Mother had struck down and rebuked. The slate would be wiped clean. Justice had been exacted and it was time to move on, to live as one again as brothers and sisters.
The punished had little hope of survival on their own without the aid of the rest of the people. Their half-life rendered them very vulnerable, unable to live, hunt and travel as they once had. It was a bitter pill to swallow and those too prideful or too ashamed to live out such a fate had taken matters into their own hands, choosing to live no longer.
But as the weeks slowly passed, a new semblance of normal began to establish itself. Many of the punished were repentant and others actively worked to reintegrate them into clan life as best as possible with chores and tasks that did not require the Great Mother's bond. The visiting clans left the Omatikaya and returned to their own territories, all bestowing many blessings and invitations to visit upon Ria and her babies. And it was not long before more blessings began to blossom around the clan too.
"Leytani is with child," Mo'at announced merrily, sweeping into the Sully family alcove at the end of the day with a joyful flourish at the news.
Ria and Tsireya's ears perked up and their expressions brightened considerably at the happy news. Leytani was one of the clan's crop gatherers, mated to Nakula who was a young warrior and good friend of Spider and Neteyam's.
"That's wonderful!" Ria beamed, glancing fondly at her own babies who were lying fast asleep on a soft rug not far from her, tired after a stimulating visit from Sevin earlier that afternoon. Ninat's little daughter had been an almost daily visitor for the last several weeks. The girl was utterly enamoured by the little ones and had appointed herself as adoptive 'big sister'.
Mo'at did not miss the hopeful gleam in Tsireya's eyes as the young woman's fingers deftly shelled and plopped a couple more nuts into the wide bowl between her and Ria. The tsahìk came to sit by the two women, pulling the bowl of nuts towards her to help with removing their shells, "And I'm sure Leytani is only the first of many."
Tsireya gave Mo'at a grateful smile when the older lady patted her knee gently with her pronouncement.
"I can give you some nutriments to eat that will help, and there are oils and salves that Lo'ak might find useful too." Mo'at added, her tone even and very matter-of-fact, despite the increasing flush of embarrassment making its way down Tsireya's turquoise skin, "Remind me to give them to you before you both return home in two days."
Tsireya swallowed delicately, her cheeks tinged with a slight purple hue, but she graciously thanked Mo'at regardless, "Thank you tsahìk. I'll take the nutriments but the ahh- the oils and salves won't be necessary." Tsireya paused for a moment, before she flushed even deeper and added quietly, "Lo'ak doesn't need any ahh- encouragement."
Ria had to suppress a snort while Tsireya fidgeted where she sat and she caught a playful smirk dancing on Mo'at's wizened lips at Tsireya's words.
Speaking of Lo'ak, the brothers and their mother would be returning from the day's hunt soon. The destruction of the clan's food store meant that all of the cured and dried meats had gone up in smoke, so the remaining hunters had doubled down on their duties in an attempt to replenish their lost stock. Jake had recovered quickly and was back fulfilling his duties as olo'eyktan with Tarsem serving as second-in-command. Tuk was out enjoying a day off chores and while Ria would normally have assumed she was out with her friends, she had recently been spotted spending time with one of the young males in the clan.
Ria smiled to herself at the thought. Young, blossoming love…
Deep voices and mischievous laughter drifted up to the mouth of the alcove and the vines at the entrance danced, indicating someone's imminent arrival.
"Nah, I've still got it, bro!" Lo'ak's head popped into view as he cackled, pulling himself into the alcove with his brothers hot on his tail.
"Glad to see all that seawater hasn't diluted your terrestrial hunting skills." Neteyam chortled, "Mum's talioang was definitely bigger than yours though!"
"I take it the hunt went well?" Mo'at asked, her chest filling with joy at the sight of her family returning.
"Yes, very well. The other hunting party brought back some yerik and our party stumbled upon a talioang herd. Praise be to Eywa, we have hunted well today." Neytiri responded, putting her bow and her arrows away and making a beeline for her grandchildren who had begun to stir from the noise.
Ria rose to greet Neteyam with a chaste kiss. His skin was slightly moist with perspiration still and she let her eyes take in the sight of him, the toned musculature of him more prominent after the day's exertions. She had bounced back quickly after the birth of the babies and her body had healed well in the past weeks. She had been with Neteyam every day since their bonding, but though they had shared many kisses and a handful of friskier moments, they had not yet made love again. And Ria missed him physically now.
Ria's thoughts must have been plain as day on her face because Neteyam chuckled darkly then and took her into his arms, murmuring by her ear, "You look a little hungry, my love."
"Starving." Ria whispered in response, sneakily placing a small kiss to the space on his neck where it met his strong jaw, "For a taste of you."
"Patience. Until tomorrow." Neteyam breathed, loosening his hold and stepping back to grace Ria with a cheeky smirk.
Yes, tomorrow. Tomorrow they would finally get a whole night alone while Neytiri watched the little ones. Tomorrow was going to be a big day. Not just for them, but for Spider and Hana too.
With Lo'ak and Tsireya still around, Spider and Hana had decided to exchange their mating vows and wed each other before the whole family. They had invited Neteyam and Ria to partake in the event and though the pair had initially protested the idea, saying that they were technically already mated and the day should be in Spider and Hana's honour, Spider and Hana had vehemently insisted the event be a double affair.
Tuk and Jake arrived home to the alcove shortly after and Neytiri and Mo'at began bustling around, preparing the family's food for last meal.
"You ready for tomorrow, bro?" Lo'ak asked, slapping Spider jovially on the back.
Spider sucked in a slow breath through pursed lips and stretched his neck, cocking his head from side to side, "Yeah, man. By Eywa, I'm a lucky bastard to have her."
Guffawing, Lo'ak snorted in agreement, "Hana will keep you in line, bro. She kicks your ass when you spar and I'm sure she'll kick your ass in-" He did not get to finish his sentence. Tsireya's fingers dug sharply into the crook of his elbow, knowing exactly what inappropriate sentiments were about to leave her mate's lips. Lo'ak grimaced in mock pain, still cackling away.
Neteyam joined his brothers in laughter, but his eyes returned to Ria's smiling face afterward. Neteyam felt no nerves about the vows he would exchange with Ria tomorrow. It would simply be a reaffirmation of the bond they already held sacred between them. Ria's violet orbs glimmered with emotion as they locked with his golden gaze and in the depths of his soul, Neteyam knew she felt the same way.
Tuk wriggled her way into the circle of her brothers then, slapping Lo'ak's hand away when he playfully tried to pinch his "baby sister's" cheek, "I visited Kiri at the sacred grove today. She would like to see the three of you."
"All of us?" Neteyam queried.
Tuk nodded, "Yes, all of you together. Something about wanting to see the men the three of you have grown into."
"Sounds like there's a lecture coming." Lo'ak mused, snickering and sharing a knowing look with Spider, "She's always been so bossy."
Neteyam clicked his tongue in warning, throwing a playful punch at Lo'ak's shoulder, "Well, keep that smart mouth of yours in check and maybe we'll get away without being lectured!"
Spider trailed a little behind his two brothers as the three of them made their way to the sacred grove of their ancestors. Lo'ak was joking about something with Neteyam and Spider watched with a small smile while the pair tittered away. It was uncharacteristic of him to be hanging back instead of joining in the conversation, but his thoughts were weighing him down tonight.
Spider swallowed tightly, worrying his bottom lip with his teeth. He knew he was being ridiculous. Kiri was happy for him and Hana, she had told him so before, but tomorrow he would mate Hana and there was an irrevocability about it that made his heart clench just a little when he thought of how Kiri might take the news.
The soft moss beneath his toes illuminated, every step shimmering in turquoises and lilacs. They had reached the large tree that their family called theirs and a quiet hush fell over them as each brother knelt down and made their bond with the luminous vines.
"Good grief, Lo'ak, you know this is meant to be a sacred space. I could hear you laughing and carrying on a mile away." They all recognised Kiri's voice when they heard it.
Spider opened his eyes and found himself standing in a ring with his brothers and Kiri in the grove. Kiri's voice had been censuring, but a bright grin stretched across her happy face now as she regarded them all.
"See? Lecturing already. I knew it." Lo'ak scoffed with an exaggerated eyeroll, but his arms opened to receive his sister when she slipped her arms around his middle in a hug.
Neteyam was next and Kiri embraced him just as tightly, pressing a kiss to his cheek as always. She stood back after a moment and shook her head at them, smiling, "The two of you look more and more like Dad the older you get."
"Hopefully better looking than the old man!" Lo'ak crowed with a snigger.
Kiri's round gold eyes stopped at Spider then and he felt his heart give a small squeeze, "Hey monkey-boy."
"Hey Kiri," Spider greeted warmly and he too found himself being encircled in her arms in the next moment.
"Tuk said you wanted to see us?" Neteyam asked.
"Yeah, it's been a while since you have all been together like this. Just like old times, you know?" Kiri mused, and she turned her gaze to Neteyam and Spider, "And I wanted to wish you both well for tomorrow. Big day." Seeing the look of puzzled surprise on Spider's face, she added, "Hana told me. She's my friend too, you know?"
Neteyam could not stop his smile at the thought of Ria. He looked up at his sister, "Thank you, Kiri. You gave me guidance when I needed it. I should have listened better to you."
"I told you to trust that everything would be OK." Kiri boasted brightly and she teased her brother further, "I was right in the end, wasn't I? I'm always right."
Pursing his lips, Neteyam slyly cocked his head to one side, "You were mostly right. You told me that I wouldn't have to choose, that my path was still to lead the people and have the love I wanted. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I chose Ria and I would choose her again a thousand times over, but you weren't completely right."
A trill of laughter bubbled up from Kiri and she gave him one of her signature eyerolls, "You still don't have enough faith, Neteyam, but I'm proud of how far you've come. I'm proud of all of you."
Lo'ak's eyebrows raised in question at her proclamation and Kiri swatted him lightly on the shoulder, "Yes, even you too, penis-face. You were such a little shit when we were younger, but who knew you'd be the first skxawng out of the three of you to find your path."
Lo'ak blanched at Kiri's use of her old insult to him and Neteyam roared with laughter. Even Spider could not suppress his snort.
The four of them spent the next while reminiscing over old childhood adventures, teasing each other and filling Kiri in on the clan and the family. Although, there was always a mystical sense when talking to Kiri that she already knew everything anyway and she was just enjoying the interaction for the company. It certainly felt like old times and Spider did his best to mask the unease in his gut. Neteyam, ever observant, must have sensed his apprehension regardless and when it came time to leave, Neteyam fared Kiri well and gestured for Lo'ak to come with him.
"We'll see you later, bro." Neteyam called, disappearing down the mossy path with Lo'ak before their forms faded and vanished into the air as they ended their respective bonds back in the corporeal world.
Alone with her now, Kiri scooted closer to sit by him, their crossed knees touching.
"You've been unusually quiet." Kiri stated gently, "Are you hanging on to the past again? We've spoken about this, Spider, about letting it go."
Spider took a deep breath and exhaled in a sigh, "I have let it go. I'm not hanging on. I just, I just don't want you to feel like I've forgotten you. I don't want this to hurt you."
Kiri made an impatient noise and her brows furrowed at him, "I'm not upset, I'm happy for you and Hana. You make her so happy, Spider, and I can see that she makes you happy too. You have my blessing! Hana believes me, so I don't know why it's so difficult for you to do the same."
"You were my first love." Spider recalled softly.
"Yes, but I was never destined to be your last." Her frustration with him was evident in her voice and grasping his hands, Kiri pleaded with him, "I'm OK here. I'm happy and fulfilled where I am. Don't worry for me, I don't want it. The Great Mother gives me everything I need. Look ahead of you at your life and live it to the fullest. With Hana."
"Thanks Kiri. I do love Hana, very much." Relief filled Spider at the verbal affirmation from Kiri and he felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Then do as I say. I mean it, Spider, don't be stupid about it. Give your everything to Hana and love her well. Unless you want me to lecture your ears off every time you visit me."
Pressing a small kiss to her cheek, Spider grinned, "Oel ngati kameie, Kiri."
"Oel ngati kameie, Spider. Eywa ngahu (Eywa be with you)."
Ria sat next to Hana on a plush floor rug in the Sully family alcove as Tuk and Neytiri's nimble fingers braided textured beads and colourful feathers into their hair. Hana blew a nervous breath out through her lips and Ria reached out to give her knee an encouraging squeeze, "You look so beautiful, Hana. Spider's not going to know what hit him."
The individual braids of Hana's short bob swayed prettily when she turned to beam at Ria with a chuckle, "As do you. Honestly, I'm so thankful you and Neteyam agreed to do this with us. It feels less nerve-wracking this way."
The ornamentation of their hair was the final finishing touch before the evening's affair would commence. With the exception of Neteyam and Spider, the rest of the family had already imprinted their handprints in various shades of ochre on Ria's skin in blessing of their union. One of Neytiri's intricate necklaces adorned her neck in graceful twists of blue and purple. Ria wore a beautiful chest-covering of violet with gold trim and a matching violet loincloth that had dazzling strips of gold cloth trailing from each hip. Mo'at had cut and stitched the fabric herself while Tuk and Neytiri had handmade the beads for her hair.
Hana was similarly adorned in an ensemble of deep emerald, garnished with strips of silver. Her mother had fashioned the outfit specially for tonight. Hana's parents would be joining them for the night's ceremony, but they would be the only guests outside of the Sullys. It would be an intimate affair, just the way they all wanted.
Tsireya and Mo'at strolled gently about the alcove, each rocking one of the babies who, at several weeks of age now, were starting to gurgle and smile during their wakeful hours. One of Reyatan's hands was twining absorbedly in the woven blue strands of Tsireya's chest-covering and he cooed contentedly, his chubby little legs kicking from time to time.
Ria grinned appreciatively at Tsireya and Mo'at, "You can put them down if you want. They're getting heavier now and they don't need to be carried all the time."
Mo'at clucked her tongue in disagreement and fussed over Netireya, "Nonsense, they are only little parultsyìp like this for a short time. They will grow quickly like weeds and before you know it they will not want to be held anymore."
"I've expressed enough milk to last them through the night. I've left the milk in a gourd-vessel by their sleeping basket in the corner." Ria stated, feeling a small shard of unease prick in her gut. Tonight was the first night she would be away from her babies and it would be longest ever. While she was very much anticipating being able to spend the time alone, uninterrupted with Neteyam, she was also apprehensive as any new mother would be leaving her babies for the first time. "Reyatan won't burp unless he's upright on your shoulder and Netireya doesn't like being swaddled anymore. So, just tuck her in with her arms out."
Neytiri chortled at her back, tucking a stray braid behind one of Ria's ears, "Mawey, Ria. I have raised four babies of my own. Your little ones are in good hands. Go and enjoy your husband tonight."
Ria blushed and muttered her quiet thanks to Neytiri in response, while Tuk made a sound of disgust next to her, muttering something under her breath about the sentiment being gross and not needing the mental image.
Mo'at gave a scoff and with the mild sharpness of a grandmother teasing her grandchild, she retorted sarcastically, "Yes, because that certainly wasn't you I saw frolicking about with Turangi just the other day. I daresay you got very well acquainted with that boy's face and lips. How gross."
"Grandmother!" An embarrassed exclamation from Tuk while the other women burst into fits of giggles.
"There. That was the last bead." Neytiri pronounced, running her hand tenderly down the back of Ria's head and admiring her handiwork.
"It's time then." Mo'at smiled, approaching Hana and reaching out to cup the young woman's cheek with her free hand, "Ready?"
Hana smiled and nodded at Tuk and Neytiri, who promptly left the alcove to collect their respective groups. Tuk swiftly descended the central spiral, headed for Mo'at's alcove where the Sully men were waiting, whilst Neytiri ascended towards Hana's parents' alcove.
Ria took a moment to take in her surroundings. Tealight lamps and fragrant incense sticks had been lit around the main alcove, giving the space a warm and cosy glow. A platter sat in the corner with goblets of nuptial wine and pieces of traditional wedding cake. Hana came to stand by her and she took Ria's hand as they waited, facing the mouth of the alcove.
Hana's parents arrived first with Neytiri and their bright smiles gleamed at their daughter as they came to embrace her. They congratulated Ria too, bestowing hearty blessings on the two brides.
Ria tried to calm the galloping pace of her heart. Her nerves were silly in a way as she was already bonded to Neteyam. However tonight, they would speak their vows aloud and reconfirm their love for each other before their family.
Tuk's head popped up at the alcove entrance, glancing about to make sure everyone in the alcove was ready for proceedings to begin. She adroitly entered once she was satisfied that people were seated and quiet, Lo'ak coming in after her.
Lo'ak inclined his head at Ria and Hana in greeting, and just to further wind his already nervous brothers up where they waited out of sight below the entrance, he gave a low and impressed whistle and said, "Looking good ladies. You boys better stand up straight once you're in here. We've scrubbed you both up quite well, but you won't be the pretty ones standing next to these two beauties."
Mo'at would need her hands free to preside over the ceremony and she gestured to Lo'ak to come and take his niece from her, which he did with a coo and a chuckle at the baby's stern expression. Like father, like daughter. He shuffled to sit with Tsireya who cradled a dozing Reyatan and Lo'ak lifted a silent prayer to the Great Mother, beseeching that they would be blessed to hold little ones of their own someday soon.
The three remaining Sully men entered last, Jake in the middle with one son on either side. Ria's breath caught in her throat. For all of Lo'ak's ribbing, Neteyam and Spider looked magnificent. Elaborate choker necklaces adorned their throats and battle belts hugged their lean torsos. Each had a dagger strapped to their hip, their loincloths a shade of pea-green and stitched with blues and golds. The ochre handprints of the family sat proudly on their chests and backs.
Jake's pride was stretched wide across his cheeks in a beaming smile as he led his sons toward their intendeds. What Ria would not have given for a camera at that moment to immortalise the sight of the three men before standing her, all handsome and impressive in their own right.
Neteyam felt his mouth run dry at the sight of Ria. She was an absolute vision and it was instinct which made him step forward to kiss her, only to be stopped by his father who reminded him with a quiet laugh that he had to wait until after the ceremony was done. Grinning bashfully, Neteyam shared one last look with Spider who nodded at him in acknowledgement, before he returned his eyes to Ria where he knew they would remain for the rest of the ceremony. He felt as if he could spend hours drinking in the sight of her and his thirst would still go unquenched.
"Come, children." Mo'at called, stepping up between the two couples and raising her arms to begin the ceremony, "Tonight we gather to celebrate the union of two pairs…"
Mo'at's voice trailed off into the background as Ria focused every fibre of her being on the man who stood before her. Her smaller hands were enclosed in his warm grasp and she let her eyes trail from their joined hands, following the charming glow of his unique bioluminescent freckles up his muscular forearms and biceps, over his collarbone and up to the smattering of them on the bridge of his nose and cheeks.
Ria's violet eyes met his when her gaze finally came to a stop on his face and she found him peering back at her through intense eyes. Neteyam had watched her while her eyes roamed over him and he smirked at her impishly when she realised he had caught her. Her dark lashes fluttered downward as she shyly broke the eye contact. There would be plenty of time for looking later; for touching and tasting too.
In the background of their consciousness, they let Mo'at's words guide their actions, both Ria and Neteyam so lost in the haze of each other that they barely registered anyone else around them. When it came time to recite their vows, their words were spoken together, timed in perfect unison.
"From now on, you are flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. What Eywa has made one shall never be parted; day or night, near or far, in sickness or in health. I give you my life and my love, even when the day arises and the Great Mother calls you home, I will remain yours thereafter, until such time they Eywa calls me home to be reunited with you again forevermore."
They did not feel the sting of the cut that was made into each of their palms, nor the binding of the cloth where their hands were then fastened together palm to palm. Neteyam picked up his piece of cake and held it to Ria's parted lips, gently feeding it to her while she mirrored the same action. Their arms twined around their elbows next as they tipped their heads and drank the wine from their nuptial goblets.
It was only when the cheers of the rest of the family resonated in the alcove that Ria and Neteyam returned to their surroundings. Mo'at had concluded the ceremony and pronounced the two pairs wedded.
Finally, Neteyam swept Ria into his arms and tilting her head back, he gave her the kiss he had been holding onto since he laid eyes on her before the ceremony. He kissed her ardently, uncaring of their audience. Vaguely, he registered Spider doing much the same to his new mate and Neteyam smiled into his kiss with Ria.
A flurry of embraces and congratulations followed and they were separated again by their familial mob.
"Congratulations, brother." Neteyam called out, approaching Spider and clapping him strongly on the back as Hana moved away to chatter excitedly to her parents.
"Same to you again, bro." Spider returned, reaching out to pull his brother into a hug. However, his expression turned nervous in the next instant and he leaned in to whisper by Neteyam's ear, "Any tips for later?"
Neteyam's brows rose in question, initially not understanding why Spider was asking him for advice around sex considering his history, but Neteyam's brain kicked into gear then and he realised his brother was asking about the bond.
Choosing to play dumb for humour's sake to ease some of his brother's nerves, Neteyam kidded, "Well, you know how it goes. Take things slow, make sure she's warmed up nice and good. Then pace yourself when you get in there, because you don't want the show to end too-"
"I don't mean that!" Spider hissed, pulling Neteyam further into a corner of the alcove and glancing worriedly behind him as Hana's father brushed past.
Neteyam gave a short chortle before he placed both hands on Spider's shoulders to steady him. He thought back to his own unconventional bonding with Ria, about how right it had felt and how he had known to make the bond. A genuine smile played across his lips and he squeezed Spider's shoulders, "Don't think about it, bro. Listen to the Great Mother, she will guide you both. You'll know when the moment comes and you'll be just fine."
"What does it feel like?"
The answer came to Neteyam unbidden, without any conscious effort or thought on his part, and the truth of the sentiment burned bright like a beacon in his heart, "Like home."
The dried ochre on Ria's skin was beginning to itch slightly as it cracked with her movements. They could have returned to their own alcove, having been given their own space a few weeks ago after the emotional and spiritual upheaval had simmered down, but there was only one place that they both wanted to spend tonight at.
"It never ceases to amaze me every time I come back here, how everything is just as we left it." Neteyam murmured, leading Ria through the spring grove past the familiar fluffy hillocks that pulsed in a bright teal as if greeting them.
It was well past eclipse now and the phosphorescent beauty of Pandora glimmered all around the grove. Ria had kissed her babies goodbye, with a promise that they would wake to the usual lullaby she sang them in the morning, and left them in the care of Mo'at and Neytiri.
Stopping by the edge of the pool, she turned to face her husband who watched her with quiet anticipation. Ria placed both hands on his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart beneath her palms, "This is where everything began, where we discovered each other, fell in love, where our children were born…"
Ria trailed off when Neteyam's hands encircled her wrists and he brought them upward, winding them around his neck, "We've certainly come full circle."
Eyeing him coquettishly, Ria stood on the balls of her feet to place a deep and open-mouthed kiss against his lips. She felt him gasp when she ran her tongue over his bottom lip, and just as he parted his mouth wider to return the favour she pulled away from him with a sly grin. She giggled at the staggered expression on his face and began to slowly untie the strings of her chest-covering before doing the same with her loincloth.
Letting her clothing and her various items of jewellery fall enticingly to her feet, Ria stepped backward into the water, turning her naked form leisurely towards the set of cascades with a sensuous flick of her tail. She knew she was teasing him, but they had all night together to play and she intended to make full use of the uninterrupted privacy by taking her time. The spring water was refreshing and cold, but not so chilly that it was uncomfortable. Positioning herself under the gentle cascades, she let the water sluice over her while she gently cleaned the ochre from her skin.
Noticing Neteyam still remained rooted to his spot on the bank, Ria beckoned him, "Are you coming in to join me?"
Neteyam's blood was quickly heating to a fever pitch. He did not need to be asked twice though. Ridding himself of his clothing and his own adornments, he swiftly moved to join her under the cool flow of water. The sight of the watery rivulets trailing down her naked skin was incredibly distracting and very arousing. He wanted to trace the path the little streams took with his tongue down her graceful neck, over her collarbone and off the stiffened peaks of her nipples. But he patiently kept his hands to himself, washing his own body and choosing to only feast with his eyes for the time being.
A sense of déjà vu overcame Neteyam and he grinned, "You know, I dreamt of you. I saw you in my dreams before I even knew it was you."
Ria turned to face him again, her violet eyes intrigued. He had told her not long after the battle with the insurgents that he had foreseen the act of the babies being thrown to the rapids. The Great Mother had granted him that vision, but he had been too afraid to speak it out loud, thinking that if he kept the words to himself that they would never come to fruition.
"What do you mean you dreamt of me?"
Neteyam licked his lips at the memory of the nights where he had lain burning with desire for a faceless woman bathing in a spring grove. He felt his blood heat his face when he remembered the times he had taken care of his desires on his own, needing to slake the inexplicable lust in the middle of the night so sleep could find him again.
"I dreamt of you bathing in this spring, just like this, with the water running all over your bare body. I hadn't even found you yet at this point." Neteyam breathed hotly, giving up on his endeavour not to touch Ria. He curled an arm around her waist from behind and pulled her back flush against his front, and his lips began their worship on the delicate skin of her neck, "By Eywa, you drove me wild even then. Even when I didn't know it was you."
Ria wrapped her tail around one of his thighs, caressing him and enjoying the feel of his erection pressing into the middle of her back. Great Mother, she had missed him like this… His hands were roaming now, the fingers of one of his hands stroking over her ribs while the other hand shifted to cup at one of her full breasts. Tilting Ria's head back against one of his shoulders, Neteyam angled his face so he could kiss her while he touched her.
He smoothed one warm palm down her belly, ever so slightly rounded now after the birth of their children, but no less appealing to him. Continuing further south, his fingers delved gently between her thighs and Ria sighed as he found the sensitive bundle he was looking for. Setting a familiar rhythm, his fingers stoked her own desire and Ria's knees trembled beneath the water as he continued his ministrations.
Ria's soft moans and cries tantalised Neteyam's ears as her head lolled against his shoulder. Impatient with his own need and deciding they were clean enough now, he stopped what he was doing to scoop Ria into his arms, carrying her out of her pool. Striding to their little nest of rugs by the warbonnet ferns, he lay her down tenderly and stretched out alongside her.
"I was almost there." Ria pouted in mock sadness.
"Sorry, I'll make it up to you. I just wanted to be able to enjoy more of you." Neteyam reasoned, and a hopeful glint shone in his eyes as he added, "And I also wanted to us to be comfortable so we wouldn't be interrupted anymore after this." He reached around his head for his neural queue then and brought it before him, watching Ria expectantly.
Ria smiled, understanding his meaning. They had bonded several times so far, sometimes just to sleep or during some of their shorter private moments where they just kissed, but they had never made love while bonded. Tonight would be their first time. Reaching round to bring her own queue to his, Ria closed her eyes and waited for the pleasurable meld of their consciousness to wash over her.
Neteyam leaned down to kiss her as their bond forged itself and Ria moaned contentedly into his mouth. Breaking the kiss, he shifted a little lower beside her, nuzzling at one of her breasts before enclosing her nipple in the wet heat of his mouth. Her back arched upward towards him and she felt him groan against her breast as the feedback of her pleasure reached him through their bond. His fingers returned to her core, slipping easily through her slick folds as he pleasured her.
Ria could feel the velvety slide of his cock against her hip where he rocked against her, seeking friction. Snaking an arm between them, she encircled his hard length so he could thrust into the grip of her hand. The bond was rapturous. She could differentiate between what was her own pleasure and what was his, and yet she could feel both at the same time. She writhed against Neteyam as his skilful fingers drove her pleasure onward, hurtling her fast towards her first climax.
A sensual groan of ecstasy left Ria as she succumbed to her pleasure. The waves of her orgasm were mirrored in Neteyam's mind and he gave a low whine, indulging in her enjoyment even while his hips continued to pump his hard cock in and out of her grasp. Despite the climax she had just experienced, the ache between Ria's legs continued to grow. She needed more of him; all of him.
Sensing her need, Neteyam kissed the pebbled peaks of her nipples one last time before he shifted carefully to hover over Ria. She parted her knees to allow him to settle his weight in the cradle of her hips and she smiled languidly up at him.
"You're so beautiful." Ria breathed, lifting a hand to stroke over one side of his handsome face.
A crooked grin was her response and he lowered his upper body to settle the bulk of his weight on his elbows over her. Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to her lips, then her nose, then one to each of her closed eyes, "Not as beautiful as you, my Ria, my everything."
The burn of his physical yearning reached Ria then and she wriggled her hips against him, eliciting a sharp hiss from Neteyam. She craned her neck to whisper wantonly against his lips, "Have me now, please."
Rocking his pelvis back slightly, he positioned himself against her and pressed forward. The warm and tight slide of him into her body was agonising pleasure and Ria's head fell back with a dull thud as her mouth opened in a satisfied grimace. The stretch Ria felt at his size and the feel of him fully seated within her was delicious, made even more so by the miracle of their bond. It had been so long since they had made love like this…
Neteyam began to thrust and there was an incredible sense of wholeness to their mutual pleasure as they moved in time with each other. Ria's hands clutched at his sides, her fingernails scoring his skin as her hips rolled to meet each of his thrusts. His golden gaze never left hers as they rocked and when their shared bliss eventually consumed them, it was with a gratified sigh on her part and a stifled cry of her name on his.
Settling himself alongside her so his weight would not be a burden on her, Neteyam's soft breaths mingled with Ria's while they recovered from their peaks. It dawned on them then that this was their new beginning. They had finally reached the end of the winding road and were now in sight of the straighter path that the Great Mother had promised them. Peace, at last.
Entwining his fingers with hers, Neteyam brought their clasped hands to his chest and bent his read to rest his forehead against hers, "You have been my greatest blessing, Ria, and I love you. Always."
"And I you, Neteyam. Always and forever. Tonight and every night hereafter for eternity."
EPILOGUE
"They what?" Neteyam whirled around to face Jake, surprise etched all over his features at the revelation.
Reyatan let out a loud squeal of delight as his grandfather pulled a funny face at him. Neteyam had been pacing back and forth in the alcove with his son upright in his arms, and the motion had very much been like a game of peekaboo for the baby boy, who squealed every time Neteyam about-turned on heel to face Jake again.
"They voted to reinstate your position." Jake repeated, looking to Ria and seeing the same expression of shock mirrored on her face.
"So, let me get this straight. The council and the warriors met to deliberate over a suitable successor to your position in future and despite the other potential candidates, and the grave error of my past, they have voted to reinstate me as your heir?" Neteyam summarised.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Shifting to prop Netireya higher on her hip, Neytiri added, "The warriors hold much respect for you and you are still the best candidate. Tarsem was your biggest advocate. It appears Penina has been truthful in her repentance and has admitted her part in coercing you into your deceit with threats. He does not feel you should be punished for her misdemeanour."
Ria approached her husband, fixing him with a meaningful expression. She would support him no matter his decision, so long as he was true to his heart. She would not let the pressure of obligation cloud his judgement this time, "Do you want this? You don't have to accept this responsibility if you don't want it."
Neteyam readjusted a squirming Reyatan in his hold. The twins were six moons old now, their cheeks and limbs plump with health. While their chubbiness was adorable, it also meant that they were becoming rather hefty to hold for long periods.
"Does this mean Ria must train to be tsahìk?" Neteyam asked, turning his gaze to his wife and enquiring of her, "Do you even want that?"
Neytiri shook her head, "The tradition of the olo'eyktan and tsahìk being a mated pair is fast becoming an old one. The Anurai clan did away with this tradition generations ago. Anyik is not mated to their olo'eyktan and yet their partnership works well. For years now your grandmother has continued as tsahìk while your father has led this clan. After her, I will fulfil that mantle, no matter who succeeds your father. The tradition is unnecessary."
"The choice is yours, son. If this is not a path you see yourself walking, then you don't have to accept the offer. The council will appoint another." Jake piped up, supporting Ria's outlook.
For most of his life, Neteyam had been proud to walk in his father's footsteps until everything had been turned on its head with Ria's arrival into his life and the war with the insurgents. He had resigned himself many moons ago to the difficult choice he had to make between his heart and his duty, believing the two to be mutually exclusive. Turns out he was wrong.
Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath through his nose, Neteyam silently lifted a plea for guidance to their Great Mother. A soothing warmth unfurled in his chest, radiating out to his torso and limbs as a feeling of valour heartened him. Gentle words unfolded in his heart in a voice he would always pay heed to now… You have trained your entire life to do this… the opportunity has re-presented itself now… you will be mighty, child…
Neteyam was uncertain if it was his imagination, but he swore he could hear the delicate peal of Kiri's laughter drifting along in the breeze along with her jubilant jibes of I told you I was right… Of course she was.
Settling on his decision, with his future and the future of his family bright ahead of him, Neteyam opened his eyes to meet his father's, "I accept, sir, it would be my honour."
There will be songs sung about them
Of Toruk Makto's heir and his demon maiden fair…
Who rose from waters plagued… chosen by Eywa as a harmony sign
To bear a blessing, to all Na'vi align…
Five fingers and five toes… the cry of a newborn babe…
A miracle conceived in darkness secret by the grace of Eywa… first of its epoch…
Born of demon and Na'vi… Gold and violet...
Heralds of faith the truth illume... the unity pair...
The peace-marker to come, the dawn of the eternal peacetime age…
War will wage… a lesson will be wrought…
The demon blessed is a demon nought
The heir will rule in his time, absolved of error, transgression and crime…
Peace I leave with you, peace I give you
Peace-marker now and forevermore!
Author's Note:
I'm incredibly emotional now as I write this. We've come to the end of what has been a wonderfully fulfilling journey for me! THANK YOU so much to all of you for giving this piece of work a try; for loving it and supporting me until now.
Thank you to my vocal readers and thank you also to my silent ones (I know you're out there!). :)
These characters have lived in my head for the better part of the last four months and I could never have predicted what a wild spark of inspiration I would experience after watching TWoW on Boxing Day last year. That spark turned into an explosion that became 'Violet Eyes' and I'm proud of the 20 chapters I've churned out. This is by far the lengthiest piece of work I've ever written, and it has also been my most rewarding. Thank you again!
I leave you now with these words. I hope this story is one that you will come back to in time to enjoy again and again. Until my muse sparks again, take care all of you! Much love xx.