Thank you for the lovely reviews and comments. This one is a little short and will be the last chapter before heading over to the M rating, where Fascination already resides. Hope you enjoy.
Finally, the day of the wedding arrived. Ead woke and walked outside to take in the morning. As she stood just outside her family's home, she realized this would be the last morning with them. From now on, she would wake with Arnporr and walk outside their house to be met by his people. She had no doubt she would see her family and friends from the village from time to time, but everything would be different. She felt very happy and excited but also a little tremulous.
Soon, everyone was stirring. Aofie was bustling about, telling everyone what to do and directing how things should be prepared. The wedding would happen at midday and then there would be feasting and celebration until the night. Ead knew from other weddings that her family had attended that the feasting would continue long after the newly married couple had left to do their own celebrating. She also knew that Cathasachand his wife, Ermendrud, had offered their hut to the couple for their first night. It would be dark and too dangerous for them to attempt the journey back to Arnporr's camp once they left the feasting. Besides, only a small guard would be left there. Most of his people would be at the celebration, along with the people of the village. Ead had accepted their offer and the hut, she knew, would be prepared for their comfort and privacy as she and Arnporr began their life together.
The sun had grown almost high in the sky when Aofie pulled Ead into their home and into the room she shared with her sisters. "It is time for you to prepare. I have made this for you," she told her daughter as she pulled out a colorful dress made of soft linen. Ead touched the fabric reverently, taking in the green and gold colors that had been woven into a delicate pattern of leaves. The style of the dress wasn't anything special, but the weave of the fabric was gorgeous. "Oh, Mama," Ead whispered. "It is beautiful."
"Yes, I am pleased with the outcome," Aofie replied. "Now let's get you into it and ready for Arnporr. Your father is also impatient. I believe he has your gift to bring to the marriage and would like to give it to you, along with his wishes."
The two women worked together and within a few minutes, Ead was standing in the soft dress while her mother put the finishing touches on her hair. "Your sisters picked these flowers for you to wear," Aofie told her. "Your hair is such a pretty color but I think Arnporr will be pleased with your crown of flowers, as well."
"Oh Mama, I am so excited…" Ead exclaimed. "But sometimes I…."
"You're worried as well." Aofie said as she smiled knowingly. "Your Arnporr seems a good man and I have watched him with you. All will be well, my girl. I know he will not hurt you. You've spent your life learning how to care for the home, weave and sew, cook, and even hunt and fight. What you don't yet know about being a wife, Arnporr will teach you. And if you are with the right man, you can relax and enjoy being a woman. In fact, it can be great fun, being a wife."
Ead relaxed. "Thank you, Mama. I know Arnporr will care for me. I just don't know what to expect."
"You've seen the animals in the field and so you know how things happen between a man and a woman. What you have yet to learn is the pleasure that can be taken from the joining. For the first time, try to relax. It will be easier if you can. After the first time, it gets easier…. And better. Now, we must go and meet your father. Arnporr and his people will be here soon.
Heaviu was waiting outside. His eyes brightened when he saw his middle daughter in her new dress. "You look splendid, my girl."
"Thank you, Papa. Mama said you wished to give me something?"
"Actually, I have two things. One is for you and one is for Arnporr as part of your dower. Heaviu was holding something covered in a cloth. Balancing it in one hand, he unwrapped it and as the cloth fell away, Ead saw the breastplate. "Oh Papa!"
"This is for Arnporr. I went to the armorer in our cousin's village since he is known as the best for miles and miles. This was made for Arnporr; it would be far too long for most men. But since your man is of such a height, it will be perfect to protect him, most especially his heart, from harm. It will be presented to him at the ceremony. I chose the breastplate as a reminder to him and most especially to you to guard his heart always and keep it safe for you."
After a moment of rewrapping Arnporr's gift, Heaviu opened the second gift. "This is for you. My gift to you as you begin your new life." Ead took the small dagger from her father. "It is beautiful, Papa."
"Beautiful, yes. But more importantly, the blade is perfect in every way. Keep it with you always. It is to protect your new home and family from any who would cause harm. Today, Arnporr will take responsibility for your safe keeping and I have no doubt he will take that responsibility seriously. However, as I will no longer be there to look out for you, this is my last bid to secure your wellbeing."
Ead embraced her father, who returned it warmly. "Be safe, my girl. And be happy."
Tears gathered in her eyes as Ead smiled. "Yes, Papa. I will."
Just then, they heard horses in the wood and the unmistakable sounds of a large group of people coming toward the village. "It is time then," Heaviu sighed. "I'll go greet the bride groom." He leaned over his daughter and kissed her cheek. Then standing as tall as he could, Heaviu turned to meet his son-in-law and the people who came with him.
The ceremony did not take long. There was the exchange of gifts, Arnporr presenting to Heaviu a white ox and a young horse ready to be trained. Heaviu, of course, presented the breastplate. Both men embraced and then Arnporr went to stand before Cathasach, who was to oversee the ceremony. Aofie, along with the grandmother and the sisters, brought the second daughter of the house to meet them. Cathasach said a few words but Ead was so excited that she barely heard them. Her eyes were fixed on Arnporr, who was smiling down at her.
Then she felt Heaviu taking her hand and placing it in Arnporr's. Cathasach said more words and then she heard Arnporr making his pledge to her. Next it was her turn to pledge her life to him. Cathasach said more words as he bound their hands loosely and pronounced them married. A loud cheer was heard but all Ead heard was Arnporr's soft whisper in her ear. "Finally," he said. "We can fish." Ead snickered as he stood up, his bright blue eyes shining down at her.
Ead could feel the warmth and care that surrounded her, everyone from Arnporr to Cathasach to her family and Arnporr's and all from the village and his people seemed to be happy for her, for them. And as he bent down to kiss her, Ead knew that indeed what was becoming would be as it is meant to be.
AN: In doing a little web research into the ancient tribes of Europe, I discovered that in the old Germanic tribes (which Arnporr belonged to) they had a slightly different concept of time than we do in our modern thinking. Instead of thinking in terms of past, present, and future, they thought in terms of what is, which includes past and present, what is becoming, and what should be. It took me awhile to wrap my mind around that. It is as if there were two possible futures in their concept, that which is happening in the immediate future and then that should happen as a result of what is and what is becoming. It is logical yet also thought provoking. That mind twister led to Edith's last thought here. She is happy because of what has been and what is becoming and that gives her confidence that everything that is to come will be as it should be.