Chapter 4 – For Whom the Bells Toll
A/N – Thank you to danalexkayarimad, spockawocka5678, spectravel, Nyotarules, nicnac, Princesscheese, Tamari's Angelfor the reviews.
Thanks to partyof4, Black-Dirge, Nyotarules and CMW2, Starriver92 and yunsi for adding to your faves.
Several folks have told me they love my OC Sen and the Uhaii which has inspired me to insert a chapter later on Sen and the Uhaii growing up together. Thanks. I love hearing from you all.
Three days before his own wedding, Spock joined his father on New Vulcan to officiate at a bonding ceremony for his sister clan the Risvitan Kash-Tok. Though not quite six months from his last visit remarkable strides had been made in building various structures. Buildings of every shape and size populated the planet to the point of having the ability to house more than twenty times the current population. Most of the other races assumed that the Vulcans would need to focus on more important problems at hand not building construction. Logically, most Vulcans agreed. Reproduction was their primary concern since the population was so low.
Spock inspected his home that blended what Terrans would call a New Mexican feel with modern technology. Though not completely finished, the results pleased him. While the elder Spock refused to tell him about all that he knew, Spock learned that the elder Spock and his father were not close. After Amanda's death, Spock and Sarek decided that wouldn't be the case anymore. Unfortunately, they didn't quite know how to connect. However, Spock pointed out to his father that it would be most convenient if their homes were built next to each other. His father agreed with that logic.
They shared a meal of vegetarian sushi at his father's home. From the containers and his father's healthier appearance, Spock knew that Sarek continued to order meals from the restaurant Spock suggested. "Father, I understand that Stohln of the Risvitan Kash-Tok is to marry his second cousin T'Pei also of that clan. That's unusual." If anyone couldn't judge on heritage, it was him but amongst Vulcan's elder clans marrying one's cousin was frowned upon to put it mildly. However, genetically speaking the offspring would not be inferior.
"There are only four of that clan left and it seems that Stohln will be the only one to carry it on." Sarek poured them both some rubio tea. "Of the other two men, one is far too old. The other has five years to find a bond mate but will probably not succeed."
"Why is that?"
"Spock, there are few of our kind left. Some of the traditions that the matriarch would handle may fall upon you. Do you wish to carry on all of our traditions?"
"Of course Father. While I am a child of both worlds, I will always uphold Vulcan traditions."
Sarek breathed a sigh of relief. "Then I will impart another sacred tradition of our clan. Of the Vulcan clans, the Risvitan Kash-Tok clan is considered the most intellectual clan as far as achievements. While all of us have mastered the art of focusing our attention on a few tasks at once, their line is most proficient at it. Their females were highly sought after because they could pass that trait to their children even though it weakens to a point with each generation. However, sometimes the genetic weakness passes on as well."
While a matriarchal society, the males carried the line name. "Considering the importance of logic and mental discipline, the Risvitan Kash-Tok line should have been far greater in numbers than what it was."
"Indeed it should be except for a weakness the males have. They are extremely selective in their bond mates but not by choice but by the nature of how they are. Even during Pon Farr, they will only mate with their chosen one or die. That is why as their sister clan when any of their sons reach the age of seven, we see if we can bond any of our clans' daughters to them before selecting any other bondmate." Sarek retrieved a disk from his computer. "This will give you more on their history."
Later that night, Spock reviewed the information his father had given him. With proper training a member of the Risvitan Kash-Tok clan could divert their attention between ten different tasks and complete them with the same acuity as if they focused on one. Scientifically speaking, for a few hours at a time they could use seventy percent of their brain capacity while the normal Vulcan used about twenty-five percent. Tidbits in history alluded to eccentricities within the clan which included odd but trivial compulsions. One member ate only certain foods based on planetary alignments while another kept his pet sehlat with him at all times including high council meetings. Many were known to focus so much on their intellectual pursuits that they sometimes they fainted from hunger. All attempts to breed out these weaknesses out of the line resulted in the loss of their mental abilities. Further, attempts to use mind melds to eliminate these weaknesses resulted in violent insanity.
Spock decided that once they were bonded, he would discuss possibly bonding any of their daughters with his sister clan's males at the age of seven like tradition dictated since the need would be dire. However, it would only be his sister clan and no other. If a bonding took place, upon adulthood, his daughter would have a choice. He would ensure it.
The day of her wedding, Nyota Uhura nervously straightened her long iridescent lilac dress which clung to her every curve. Traditionally African brides wore colorful gowns and Vulcan brides wore lilac so Nyota decided on lilac. Long ebony tendrils of her hair slid from beneath her silver and purple headdress. Due to the heat, they held the ceremony in the Great Hall of Elders, a red stoned arched structure, completed first out of respect for the Vulcan culture. Several Vulcans stood on one side of the hall and her family on the other as a homage to that Terran tradition and the numbers being entirely Terran as well. The scent of Jasmine filled the air.
Nyota's father, a distinguished African gentleman who wore a grand Bubu mud cloth robe of rust, yellow and black, took her hand and escorted her down the hall. At the altar which consisted of a small in ground round bowl of firestones, her father halted several feet before it. Spock's gazed upon her emotionlessly except for the brief flicker of appreciation in his dark eyes. Kirk and Pike stood at his side in their Starfleet uniforms while Spock wore a coal colored traditional high collared Vulcan suit which resembled an opera coat.
In the Yoruba tradition, Sarek approached Uhura's mother who looked just like her daughter but for twenty-two years of graceful aging and who wore a dress in the same colors as her husband. "Mrs. Uhura, I request that our families be joined. May my son have your daughter's hand in marriage?"
"Yes, he may." In light of the destruction of Vulcan, the family didn't request that gifts be given to them. Catava welcomed her new but alien son-in-law Spock. Beneath his stoic façade, she saw the devotion he had for her daughter. By contrast, her daughter showed the same devotion but in excited outbursts every time she spoke of him.
Keon Uhura offered his daughter's hand to Spock who extended two fingers. Nyota touched her two fingers to his. Instantly, she felt the tiny charge of affection. Together they kneeled on opposite sides of the firestones with their fingers touching. Two Vulcan men shook traditional wedding bells on each side of them.
Sarek kneeled before both of them because Spock requested that he perform the ceremony. Sarek spoke the words in Vulcan first then standard.
"We have come together to bond Nyota Uhura, daughter of Catava and Keon Uhura to Spock of the S'Aram- X'Ramla clan . Today they build together the foundation of their bond in the presence of the sacred fire and the radiant sun, among their family and friends." They placed rings upon each other's fingers in the Terran tradition. "You are now joined." Their family and friends nodded to them while they exited to a private room for the bonding.
In a small candlelit room, Sarek, Spock and Nyota sat together on multi-colored silk pillows with Spock and Nyota facing each other. "Relax Nyota. I have experience with bonding to the human mind and I am a little familiar with my son's mind. Everything will be fine." Spock raised an eyebrow at what seemed to be humor on his father's part. "Remember what I said about concessions." Spock placed his fingers on Nyota's face while Sarek helped her place her fingers on Spock's face on the correct pressure points. Then Sarek placed his fingers on Nyota's face. "Your mind to his and his to yours to become one." In a dream like state, Nyota stood on the plains of Africa watching a herd of zebra, her happy place. Sarek who looked at her sympathetically joined her taking her hand. "This way Nyota," he said. Together they walked towards a familiar figure who stood upon a red rocky desert. Sarek placed her hand in Spock's and took several steps back.
Spock kissed her tenderly. As they kissed, she saw herself through his eyes. Her flair for languages fascinated him but her gregarious personality discouraged him because he thought she wouldn't want someone as stoic as himself. Then he saw himself threw her eyes captivated by his intellect but intimidated by it as well. Both were attracted to each other just after they met but decided against pursuing the matters. When the kiss ended, Spock stepped away from her. Desperately, she tried to cling to him. "Nyota, I will always be here."
Nyota blinked and saw she still sat in the small room facing Spock with Sarek sitting there as well. However, she felt Spock in the back of her mind. Spock, are you there?
Yes Nyota, I will always be with you.
"By Vulcan tradition, you may adjourn to your home. While it is not fully finished, it will do." Sarek nodded to them and left. "Enjoy the forty-three hours you have before the entire family visits your home." By Vulcan tradition, their family and friends would bring gifts and food to their home to ensure all was well with the couple.