Chapter 3: A Wedding

Anaya wiped the hot sweat from her brow as she left the large meat dish she was cooking on the fire pit. It would take several hours until it was fully done and Anaya had to attend to her sister in order to get her ready in time for the ceremony. Once the day had begun Anaya worked nonstop to make sure that everything would be ready in time. This was after all her sister's day and one that was very important for the family.

She fanned herself for a bit, trying to cool off from leaning over the fire for so long, but the air around her was warm and stagnant giving her no relief from the heat. Anaya let out a sigh and wiped her dirty hands on her leggings before heading into the other room. Her sister was sitting on a large fur with her legs folded beneath her. She looked so clean and beautiful sitting there. Small points of light shone in from the covered windows making her look like she was glowing.

Anaya stood in the doorway quietly as she watched Gallia. Her sister didn't sense her presence until she knocked lightly on the wall to grab her attention. Gallia turned around at the noise and smiled widely when she saw it was Anaya.

"How are you?" Anaya asked, stepping into the room.

"Wonderful," Gallia sighed blissfully, putting her sister at ease. At least she was not nervous, Anaya thought. "I cannot wait for the day to see you so happy sister," Gallia said with a kind smile as she ran her fingers through her hair to get the tangles out of it.

"I am happy Gallia," she insisted as she sat down beside her. She then dipped a long-toothed wooden comb into a small basin of water beside her and began working it through a section of Gallia's hair.

"Are you really happy Anaya or are you just saying that? Because you know I want you to have all the happiness in the world," she told her. "You just seem out of sorts lately and I want to make sure you are alright."

Anaya inwardly sighed at her sister's concerns. "I'm fine Gallia you must trust me on that," she reassured her while she dipped the comb into the water once more. This conversation was a bunch of nonsense, thought Anaya. "I already have everything I could want right here. Besides, today is your day, don't spend it being needlessly concerned for me."

"Anaya-" Gallia protested knowing that there was far more to all of this than what Anaya was telling her. She had seen her out night after night, staring longingly into the woods. And she had seen all the other things like when she'd race off into the trees as if she were chasing a ghost or rubbing her neck by the firelight with a far off look in her eyes. She felt as if a void had grown in Anaya's heart and Anaya knew the answer to filling it. Still she was holding back, not telling anyone of her desire. Gallia did not want her sister to live like this; like she was half complete.

"I will have a family of my own someday but until then I have ours to take care of." Anaya said, giving her sister a hug. "Gráim thú (I love you), now let's get your hair finished."

Gallia turned around so that her sister could finish combing through her hair. She was about to needle Anaya further and ask her if she had been meeting someone in the woods at night, as was her suspicion, but then decided against it. She knew that Anaya was a very private person and never shared the secrets of her heart to anyone. If she was indeed meeting a boy she hoped that she was happy and that for whatever reason why she felt the need to keep it a secret that it would not lead her to tragedy.

…

Having tamed her sister's thick and long locks, Anaya walked into the other room once more to get a basket of wildflowers she had set out last night to decorate Gallia's hair with. Picking up the basket and pushing the flowers around to see what choices she had to work with Anaya heard her father and her sister's soon to be father-in-law, Faolan, talking outside the window. She assumed they were discussing some business about the wedding and was not going to idle but then she heard Faolan mention her name causing her to hesitate a moment.

"Anaya?" She heard her father ask the slightly older man, he seemed somewhat surprised. "No I'm not worried for her, her time will come."

Anaya's back stiffened defensively for she could easily guess what their conversation was about now. She quietly moved to crouch under the window to listen to them closer. Anaya knew the moment when her younger sister got engaged to Owen that people would begin to talk about her own unmarried status but she didn't think that she'd actually hear what they had to say for herself. Just knowing that Faolan was talking about her now set her teeth on edge.

"At least she is still young," Faolan said then, as if it were some small consolation, "even though she is your eldest. Have you ever considered arranging a marriage for her?" He asked with an air of hopefulness in his tone; clearly he wasn't afraid to let her father know how he felt on the matter.

Anaya pursed her lips in anger, unable to believe the boldness of this man. He may have been of higher status than her family but he was overstepping his bounds with this suggestion. He was not her father, thank the gods, nor should he assume that he could act like it. Anaya knew perfectly well why he was having this conversation with her father; Faolan did not want his family to be connected to one whose eldest daughter has failed to marry before her younger siblings. Although mild as it was, it was considered to be somewhat of an embarrassment.

She heard her father laugh then, she could tell he was trying to be as cordial as possible with the man, "An arranged marriage for Anaya? Not at all, the girl is only eighteen she has plenty of time to settle down. Besides she would not have it, she's as stubborn as I am ."

Anaya grinned at his reminder to Faolan that she was a warrior's daughter, strong and unyielding. Her father knew her well and so should have Faolan. It was a relief to know that her father was on her side in this.

"I mean no disrespect by saying this Langer but perhaps you should consider it," Faolanpushed. "Anaya is a beauty, it would be a shame to see all her spark and vivacity go to waste on chasing after animals through the woods."

Faolan's words made her bristle in anger. If only he knew what she chased after in the woods perhaps he would not be so insistent on her finding a man. Furthermore she protected their village, defending its people every night with her bow and arrow. There were many ways in which to serve her tribe, the convention of marriage was not her only choice.

Having heard enough, Anaya crept away from the window and grabbed up the basket of flowers. She returned to her sister then who was sitting cross-legged amongst the furs on the floor and gazing into the basin of water at her reflection. Faolan would soon get the bragging rights that he had this beautiful girl as his daughter-in-law, wasn't that enough for him? Anaya was just relieved that Gallia loved Owen, otherwise, in her mind, the marriage would not be worth it.

'I am an embarrassment to your new family sister,' she thought as she sat down behind Gallia and began to separate strands of her golden locks to weave into braids. Anaya did not mind this fact so much but if her sister began to think the same way as Faolan she didn't think she could take it. However, for now she had her sister's love and her sister would forever have hers no matter what.

…

Midday came and passed in what seemed like mere minutes to Anaya who had been rushing around the house all day preparing for the ceremony. She had finished dressing the bride and cooking the main dish for the celebration feast and the only thing she had left to do was to get herself ready.

Even though she was currently a mess, she wanted to look presentable for her sister. It was only right that she represent her family well. Also there would be dancing at the feast that night and Anaya secretly loved to dance; she felt that it was a lot like hunting, the thrill of it anyway. She was also highly praised in her skill at it and wanted to indulge in this slight vanity.

Before she went to her room to clean herself up, Anaya stepped outside to see how the village center looked. Gazing down the hill from her house she saw garlands of evergreen and wildflowers draped over doorways and hung across eaves of the thatched houses. People were coming and going from their homes setting banquet sized dishes on either one of the two long tables that had been erected outside. Anaya breathed in deeply and could smell their succulent aroma hanging in the air. Also a huge fire was being tended to in the village's central pit to light up the night for the celebration and feast. Many of her tribesmen had already gathered around it, mingling with one another and waiting for the festivities to begin.

Hearing the sound of heavy footfalls behind her, Anaya turned around to see who was approaching; it was her father. He had been gone for a while now, talking to Owen's family, no doubt about Gallia's dowry and property worth. Regardless of what it was, he seemed in good spirits.

"Hello," she greeted with a half smile. "Gallia's ready now and I will be too in a little."

"Anaya, I have something for you," he said, his serious tone catching Anaya's attention. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a round silver pendant. He let it hang in the air for a moment before setting it in the palm of his hand and holding it out to her. It was a simple but beautiful tribal design with a rough cut crystal set in the center of it. Anaya gasped recognizing the piece of jewelry immediately; it had belonged to her mother.

"I see you remember it," he said with a smile as he reached out and clasped the chain around her neck. Anaya touched the pendant that was now hanging around her throat and could not keep herself from smiling. She was speechless at her father's gesture. "I'm glad to see it makes you so happy. I gave it to your mother before you were born," he explained, "She would have wanted you to have it."

"It's beautiful father, I remember she used to wear it all the time." She said, marveling at it. "But why are you giving me this? It's not as if it's my wedding day."

"I know, but it seemed like the right time." He said, quelling her slight guilt. "You're grown up now and have become a beautiful young woman. It seems only right that you have your mother's necklace to remind you of that."

Anaya then hugged her father tightly, tears that she did not wish to show coming to her eyes. "I miss her."

Langer nodded as he squeezed Anaya's shoulders in comfort. "So do I… you remind me of her so much."

"Do I?" Anaya asked curiously, pulling away then. Her father had never told her this. Perhaps it was because thinking of her mother and how she died was painful for him. It was painful for her as well but she would talk about her at night with her sister, finding comfort in each other's memories.

"Yes, you have a lot of me in you that's for sure," he said proudly as a father might say to his warrior son. "But your looks and your stubbornness is all from your mother. So is your kindness and your bravery. I always depended on her to help me protect us and now I look to you. You keep this family together more than you know."

Anaya could tell that this was something that her father had been thinking for a long time now. Her heart swelled up with happiness and pride as she bowed her head in respect, "Thank you father." She said, deeply honored by his words.

"No my daughter," Langer said, pulling her into another loving hug, "thank you. You've been my pride and joy all these years."

Anaya had no words to respond to her father's sentiments; they were unexpected but highly welcomed. She wrapped her arms around him tightly, savoring this rare moment of affection from her father. At the wedding he would become the hard soldier once again and she the stone-faced huntress but for now their masks were off.

…

Gallia smoothed the wrinkles from the front of her long white dress before making her way to the front of the house. It was time for the ceremony to start and Anaya was going to see her down to the village center. She lightly touched one of the flowers in her hair thinking that it might be falling out, but she found that it wasn't. Besides her hair and her dress there wasn't much Gallia was nervous about. She knew that her marriage was going to be wonderful it was just getting through the ceremony that she was somewhat worried about.

"You look beautiful," Anaya said as she placed a circular garland of flowers and evergreen atop her head. Gallia smiled in gratitude and Anaya opened the front door of the house for her to walk through unhindered. Stepping onto the green grass Gallia realized in a jolt of excitement that this was it.

"Oh sister," she said looking back at Anaya with great joy in her expression, "I'm going to get married."

"Yes, I know," Anaya replied with a grin. "And it's my job to help you get there so make sure you don't drag your hem on the ground and get it all muddy. I don't want to be blamed for presenting a filthy bride."

"I am not filthy!" She laughed in excitement as she grabbed up her skirt and began to skip down the hill as if she were a girl again.

"Gallia!" Anaya called running after her, now worried that she actually would get herself all dirty. Once she caught up with her Gallia smiled widely and gave Anaya a quick peck on the cheek.

"Thank you so much for all your help Anaya. I'm going to miss living with you… father and brother too but you especially."

"Somehow I don't think you'll be so lonely with Owen around to keep you company," Anaya said with a sly little grin; then she continued to make her way down the let out a socked laugh at the suggestiveness of her sister's comment and went off after her.

They made their way through the village until they came to the crowd of villagers who were all gathered in front of the altar. The crowd then parted for the bride and Gallia squeezed Anaya's hand as she left her sister's side and made her way to her father's so that she may be walked down the aisle to her future husband.

Anaya took her place in the audience next to her little brother and watched as Gallia and her father walked up to the altar. Gallia was so graceful in this moment that it looked to Anaya as if she was floating. Once they reached the front Owen then took her hands in his and began to recite his vows to her.

"I, Owen, in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee Gallia to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself."

Gallia was beaming by the time that he had finished. Langer placed a hand on Anaya's shoulder, knowing that it was now time for Gallia to recite her vows. Anaya grabbed her father's hand in support. She knew that he would not cry, it simply was not possible, but he did show his love and emotions in simple gestures like these and Anaya understood his feelings perfectly well in this moment for they were her own.

"I Gallia, in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, Owen to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one…"

Anaya watched from the crowed as her sister repeated the beautiful words first spoken by her husband. A joyous smile graced Gallia's face and a blissful tear was caught in her eye. Anaya could hardly believe that one person could make another so completely happy, but this was proof to her that it was possible. She felt tears begin to well up in her own eyes then as she realized her sister was truly in love.

Once the ceremony was over the sun had already set which meant that it was time for the celebration feast begin. Everyone ate and drank their fill, enjoying all the different dishes that each family had made. It really was a beautiful banquet and celebration, one of the best that had been held in the village for a long while. All the tribesmen raised their glasses and cheered for the newlyweds and after the feast the two led the first dance of the night.

…

Godric watched Anaya dancing from the edge of the crowd; skillfully hidden in shadow on the side of one of the long houses. He thought she moved with such effortless grace that she looked ethereal weaving in and out of the line of dancers. Her partner tried so hard to match her elegance but was failing as any mere mortal man would with such a beautiful lady. He smiled proudly to himself knowing that if she were in his arms there would be no chance of either faltering.

Even from his distant hiding place, he could smell the wild flowers that were woven into her hair. They were mixing with her beautiful scent and the smell was positively intoxicating to him. He could still taste the sweetness of her blood even after eight months of hunting and feeding on others. For some reason Godric still wanted so much more of the beautiful huntress.

Her white skin was gleaming in the moonlight as her graceful body moved fluidly through the crowed of dancers. All he wanted to do was to pull her to him and taste her lips, her breasts, and her blood again. Some nights when his desire became too much for him he would watch her hunt and stalk in the woods. He'd lie on a thick branch in a tree and gaze down at her athletic form as she would stretch an arrow in her bow. As a predator, she was silent, smart and moved like water through the cracks in the earth, finding new and inventive routes to navigate through the trees to come upon her pray. Godric admired her skill and was certain that, if given the power, she would make a very impressive vampire. This was why he was here tonight, to finally claim her as his own.

He could not deny that after spending decades alone in the wilderness he desired companionship. Finding Anaya, he discovered that he didn't even have to look for it. She was a perfect candidate to be his prodigy; she was beautiful, deadly, and most importantly unassuming. Anaya had no idea what he was or what he could offer her and this gave Godric much comfort. She would be grateful to him, follow his lead as her maker, and not demand anymore of his power than what he offered. He had heard stories of prodigies becoming greedy and jealous of their makers; turning on them in spite. Godric would not allow this to happen to himself, he would not be foolish. He could tell that Anaya was the type to be fiercely loyal to him and not traitorous; she was perfect.

The song had ended and Anaya stepped away from her partner giving him a polite smile before leaving. Godric then stepped out of the shadows and joined the crowd, blending in as if he were one of their own.

AN: I am so sorry that this chapter took so long. I swear I've been writing a little every day but this one seemed to be getting so long. I really hope you all liked it and will let me know what you think. Also don't forget to read the sneak peek for Chapter 4!

Also the wedding vow that Gallia and Owen exchange is a real Pagan wedding vow. I thought it was very appropriate for the story as well as quite beautiful. Also some of the sentiments expressed within it will appear later in the story.

Preview for Chapter 4:

Some of the villagers watched the young pair curiously as they danced. They began talking amongst themselves, murmuring that they had never seen that boy before and that his tattoos were not of their tribe. Yet they all agreed that Anaya seemed to know him well judging by the sensual way she moved around him and laughed at what he was whispering in her ear.

Gallia heard some of the villagers talking and looked up from across the fire pit and saw Anaya with a mysterious young man. He was incredibly handsome and graceful as he led Anaya in a dance.

"That's him," she whispered to herself in shock. It had to be the man that Anaya watched for every night, she just knew it.