I admit to having alot of fun with this chapter. In the OC, it always bothered me how quickly this went by (or did it even happen)? Did the KC and Casavir get to have a night alone? I think so...

-Chapter Thirty Seven-

They leisurely strolled across the courtyard hand in hand toward the church. Neither spoke but it was a comfortable silence. Casavir paused, pulling Lana to a stop.

"I am sorry but could you wait a moment? There is a matter I must take care of before we proceed," the paladin pronounced formally, grinning. Lana returned the smile with a kiss on his mouth.

"Just hurry. I will wait here for your return." Casavir gave her hands a squeeze before turning to hastily run up the path to the Keep. Lana sighed, looking without seeing at the full moon. Smoothing her skirts she carefully sat on the uppermost step, wrapping her arms around her knees.

"Need to confess something at this late hour?" came the soft drawl from the darkness behind her. The rogue jumped slightly at the sound of Bishop's voice so near.

"No. I'm… What are you doing stalking me in the dark Bishop?" she queried guardedly.

"I'm surprised at you. I could never sneak up on you so easily. You must be losing it."

Lana shook her head with a grin. "No, I'm not losing it. I could slip up on you any day, rob you blind and have your gear hocked before you knew it," she tossed back.

Bishop unceremoniously plopped himself beside her, cocking his head to cast a sidelong look. "So, you going to tell me why you're all dressed up and sitting here alone?"

"Bishop, I…" she paused, biting her bottom lip. "Bishop, Casavir asked me to marry him. I accepted. We were on our way into the church to be wed this evening. As soon as Casavir returns, we were going to ask Ivarr to perform the marriage."

The ranger's lips pursed tightly together for only a second. "Figures the paladin would run off at the last moment."

Lana shook her head slowly in denial. "Bishop, you know my feelings. This is what I want. It's all I've ever wanted."

"Whatever. It's your funeral. Do whatever you damn well please."

"Bishop, please. I…" Before she could finish the sentence, the ranger leapt to his feet, disappearing into the darkness. Lana remained still, staring ahead. A forlorn sigh escaped her lips.

Casavir rounded the corner, stopping at the base of the stairs.

"Not having second thoughts my love?"

A weak smile turned the side of Lana's mouth up at one corner. "No, of course not. I just… there's a lot on my mind. Now you are here. You are all I need to clear my head."

"I am only here to serve my lady," he grinned, sweeping a low bow. Casavir bound up the short flight of stairs in two leaps. Grabbing her by the hands, he pulled Lana to her feet. With her hands encased in one of his, the other gently tilting her chin upwards, he smiled down at her. Casavir noticed briefly the look of sorrow Lana was attempting to suppress. A wave of unease crossed his thoughts but he hastily cast it aside.

"This is should be a time of rejoicing. There will be time enough for troubles. You are mine alone if only for this night," he whispered huskily. She lowered her chin so his hand cupped her cheek.

"Then let us proceed with haste. The night grows thinner by the moment and I want nothing else to part us." Casavir nodded, gently kissing her mouth before turning and leading them into the church.

They sought out Ivarr and made the necessary arrangements. The priest was hesitant to have no guests or witnesses but at Casavir's insistence finally agreed.

Lana and Casavir stood before the small altar with hands clasped together. Ivarr stood on the small steps between the couple and the podium. Releasing one hand, they stood side by side to face the priest.

Ivarr smiled and began speaking. "As with any aspect of life, marriage has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Casavir and Lana, do you willingly come here today to be joined as one in marriage?"

Both looked to one another before solemnly nodding accord.

"Like a stone should your love be firm, like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for Tyr is with you always."

"Casavir, I have no right to bind thee to Lana. Only you have this right. If it be your wish say so at this time," Ivarr said turning to Casavir.

The paladin nodded soberly. "It is my wish."

Turning to Lana the priest continued. "Lana, I have not the right to bind thee to Casavir. Only you have this right. If it be your wish say so at this time."

Lana turned, staring into Casavir's eyes and beaming up at him. "It is my wish."

Ivarr continued, "May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night. May the rain wash away your worries and the breeze blow new strength into your being. All the days of your life may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty. By the power vested in me by Tyr, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you."

Turning to face Lana, Casavir took both of her hands again into his own. "From this day forward, you shall not walk alone. My heart will be your shelter, and my arms will be your home." A smile lit her face as a lone tear ran unchecked down her cheek.

"Thank you for your love. By the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart you are my heart, and my spirit, my chosen one," Lana whispered.

Casavir pulled her into his arms, encompassing her in his grasp. Gently lowering his head, he drew her into a deep kiss. She leaned into his body, returning the kiss earnestly.

He released her with a grin. "Well my wife, it is done. Nothing can part us. You are mine forever."

Cocking her head back, she beamed. "Yes, and I can think of no greater joy then this gift you have given me. You truly are my heart."

Releasing her from his grasp but keeping one arm tightly around Lana's waist, Casavir extended a hand to the priest. "Thank you. This means the world to us. You will never know the burden you have eased and the joy you have wrought." Ivarr nodded with a smile but said nothing.

Pivoting Lana around, Casavir knelt, swooping her up into his arms. "I believe we have some celebrating to do. Would you accompany me to our room beloved?"

Looking down from her perch, she replied, "Not that it appears I have much choice but yes, I would love to." Wrapping her arms around his neck, she planted a deep kiss filled with promise on his mouth. Chuckling Casavir headed to the Keep, Lana tightly nestling against his chest.

Once inside their room, Casavir gently lowered the rogue to her feet but did not surrender his hold on her. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her. The kiss was slow and languid, holding the promise of more. Releasing her from his embrace, Casavir pulled her to sit on the bed.

Pulling a small box from inside his tunic, he held it toward her. The box was made of deep, rich wood with intertwining circles carved into the lid. Casavir opened it carefully to reveal a silver torque nestled in opulent blue silk. The necklace was intricately carved silver encasing a large deep blue sapphire. The light danced across the stone's surface, gleaming in the candlelight.

Casavir set the box into Lana's hands then removed the choker from its resting place, hefting it lightly in his hands. "I had this made in anticipation of this day. I intended to give it to at our wedding but decided to wait until we were alone. The color was that in your gown and I thought…" he shrugged before continuing, slightly flustered that words failed him. "Would you honor me by accepting this token of my love for you?"

"It's the same color as your eyes. It's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." She stretched one finger forward to stroke the brilliant necklace. "Casavir, I… of course I would wear this. I don't know what to say."

"Yes would be a good start," he teased, leaning in to wrap it gently around her neck.

"This is even better than the gown. Now I can wear your colors always."

The paladin chuckled. "I admit to some selfish intent. I wanted you to have a tangible reminder of my love for you, something you could always have even when I was not by your side. I never want you to forget how much I love you."

Lana leaned toward him, whispering, "As if I could ever forget you. I don't need anything to remind me of you. You are always in my heart." She pushed herself from the bed to sit across his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing his mouth to hers. Casavir enveloped her waist with his arms, pressing her against his body. A low moan of pleasure escaped her lips as he kissed the hollow of her neckline.

She broke free from his grasp to stand before him. Without a word, she reached for the bindings of her gown. Casavir rose, positioning himself behind her.

"Let me help you with that," he murmured, his lips nuzzling her hair while unbinding the ties down her back. The paladin loosened the bodice of her gown enough to gently push the garment and chemise from Lana's shoulders while caressing her neck with kisses. The fabrics fell around her feet in a whisper of silk. She stepped out of the gown, pushing it aside with one foot. Lana stood wearing only her stockings and necklace. Casavir gently turned her to face him. The paladin placed his hands on her shoulders, pushing her arm's distance away.

"If I were to die tonight, this would be the last image I wish to remember," he sighed.

Lana looked sidelong, casting her eyes down. A small tear glistened in the corner of her eye.

"What is wrong love? Is something amiss?" Casavir gently took her chin in one hand, pulling her face to meet his gaze.

"No, let's not speak of death and especially not yours. I want to have you with me for long years to come. This is our beginning not an ending," she whispered, emotion catching her words. Lana suppressed a rattling sigh as tears threatened to spill over.

"I'm sorry. I was thinking of how happy you have made me. It's hard to think of anything past this time with you. Nothing aside from being with you as your husband could make me happier." She nodded, turning her head to kiss his palm.

Casavir stroked Lana's cheek, tracing his hand up her jawbone then running his fingers through her hair.

"No one is going to take me away from you. Not ever." He ran his other hand down her arm to grasp her hand, turning it to kiss her palm. Releasing her hand, Casavir wrapped his arm around Lana's waist, crushing her against him. Casavir heard her exhale deeply, her breath sounding clipped as she struggled to restrain her tears. He looked down into her eyes as Lana returned his gaze. The paladin kissed the errant tear away, tasting its saltiness on his lips.

"No more tears beloved. Tonight should be a time of rejoicing." She nodded gifting him with a smile. "That's more like it. Now where were we?"

Lana leaned up, catching his mouth with her own. The kiss was soft and lingering. She ran butterfly light kisses across his jaw before catching his ear gently between his teeth.

She ran the tip of her tongue around his ear as a groan of pleasure broke from his lips.

"I think we were about here," she whispered huskily.

"How could I forget?"

Lana pushed his tunic up, running her hands across his torso before finally dragging the garment over his head. Casavir drew her back into his arms, pressing their naked bodies together and again capturing her mouth with his own. Lana momentarily fumbled with the drawstring of his trousers before finally releasing the ties.

Casavir positioned himself to tenderly press his wife onto the bed. She slid herself across the broad expanse while he climbed onto the bed after her, the paladin's progress slow as a panther stalking its prey in deep brush. Laying his full weight gently over her, he bent to kiss her deeply. He broke the kiss, moving to lightly nuzzle Lana's neck and ear. The rogue exhaled, arching her back to meet him. Casavir shifted to move lower, blazing a trail of light kisses down her neck again, past her collarbone. His hands moved of their own accord, pulling Lana against him with one hand and caressing her skin with the other.

Lana wound her fingers into his hair, pulling his mouth back to her own in an urgent kiss. He again broke their kiss to return to the path down her body so recently abandoned. She gasped, fingers winding into his hair urging him onward. She wound her legs around his waist, rising to meet him.

"Not so fast my love. I want this night to last as long as possible," he whispered before seizing her mouth with a passionate kiss. He sat up, pulling her into an upright position while moving off of her. Casavir gently wrapped her legs to straddle his waist. She slid closer, pushing against him while enveloping his neck in her embrace, pressing her mouth to his.

Lana slipped her arms under his, lowering her head to nuzzle his neck. Before she could gain the upper hand, he pulled her shoulders back, tilting her to once again trace kisses down her neck and across her collarbone. Not willing to surrender, Lana captured his mouth with her own, pushing him onto his back still straddling him. She smiled down at him in triumphant. Chuckling, he grabbed the back of her head pulling her into a kiss once again.

"I see you are trying my level of restraint. You are a minx, wife. I am not made of stone you know."

Raising her eyebrows she replied, "I think I disagree on that last point."

"What am I going to do with you? You will be my ruination."

"If you weren't sure what to do with me, you were faking it pretty well."

Laughing softly, he raised himself while flipping her onto her backside. "Such a trouble maker. Someone should take you to task." Before she could reply, he captured her mouth with his own. She responded energetically, wrapping her legs around his waist and pressing her body against his. Lana moaned, encouraging him to proceed. He needed no further urging.

**(A note on the ceremony and Lana's vows: altered from a Pagan ceremony. Casavir's vows: "From This Day Forward" by Marianne Williamson)