Sarek and Dansk
Chapter Fifteen
As Spock lowered the craft adjacent to the runway he and Sarek looked skyward and observed the Vulcan craft's approach. Spock and his father's robes mirrored one another in splendor and they exited and waited in the acceptable Vulcan stance and awaited the vessel's landing.
Once the engines quieted, the door opened and Vulcan guards exited and lined up on either side of the steps. Both Spock and Sarek were awaiting T'Pau's chair to be carried out next and both were surprised that the great matriarch exited, walking on her own. By her side was a Vulcan male, impressive in size, who Sarek thought bore an uncanny resemblance to his late uncle. T'Pau' hand rested on the male's arm if not for support for her, what could be interpreted as support for him. Perhaps this was the male's first trip off-world.
Sarek and Spock both bent deep from the waist and offered the standard Vulcan greeting. T'Pau extended her hand and each male kissed it. Sarek took the lead in further conversation. There was not the mundane Terran tedious question regarding 'How she enjoyed her flight? 'How long did the trip take?' 'Were there any interesting sights along the way?' After all, no full Vulcan ever really took a 'pleasure trip.'
T'Pau's swift pace belied her one hundred and forty years, her rapid physical steps were reflective of her still sharp, creative mind. She has been described as 'all of Vulcan in one place'. Not a person given to triviality in any form, not one to waste time or words, this was 'The Great Mother', T'Pau, a person on a mission, or should we say, missions.
In the meantime, Spock through their bond had advised Nyota of their exact time of arrival back at the embassy. Of course what that meant for her was to assemble everyone in the grand foyer, according to family and familiar relationship with T'Paul. At the end of the line stood T'Paal.
Because of her relationship with Sarek, Dansk was first on line and she looked absolutely pale. Nyota placed her hand on Dansk shoulder and told her she looked positively regal in her Vulcan robe. Then Nyota whispered to Dansk,
"Do not be too agitated, she has requested our presence because of her concern for us. Remember, Vulcan's do not take 'pleasure trips'. She is here for very serious reasons and I am sure your impending bonding to Sarek, while important, is not her entire focus."
While on route to the embassy, T'Pau noticed how with what ease and innate grace her grandson piloted and moved about the vessel. He was indeed a credit to both of his heritages. She thought of how much Amanda would have wished to have been present, but Kaa'dth, what is, is.
The bondmates heard the sound of the vehicle as it approached and landed. The mothers checked their children's appearance one last time and had them standing in their robes with their right hands raised in the ta'al.
All were able to view the passengers disembark. Members of the embassy security had come to attention on either side of the vessel's steps. Sarek exited first with T'Pau on his arm, followed by Spock and then the yet unknown Vulcan male.
As Sarek and T'Pau entered the entire staff was all ready for inspection, and chief of security said,
"Glantau!" - Observe. (Apparently, the Terran expression of Attention did not address the Vulcan need for specifics.)
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The yet unnamed Vulcan male stood by the embassy security guards as T'Pau started at the beginning of the line and her eyes lit on Dansk. She sent to her son,
"I will examine her to determine whether her intellect even remotely matches her beauty. If that is so, I approve of your choice."
Dansk gracefully bowed before T'Pau, and said in high Vulcan,
"Ametritre." (Your presence honors us)
Sarek, temporarily took his side by Dansk and said,
"Lui'uk ko-mekh Sarek la' Terra's Dansk (Great mother, I present to you Dansk of Terra)
T'Pau nodded and moved down the line where Spock had taken his place with his family. All the children voiced together, Dif-tor-heh smusma (Live long and prosper).
She lifted Nyota's head and with slight telepathic contact she first said,
"My daughter, thou have done well for my son's son, but when were you going to announce the presence of life within you, a female to expand our house?"
Nyota's head spun around to face Spock, who on the night of his daughter's conception had said he would allow her to find out the Terran way,* and he nodded.
Next on the line was Sirin and Rachel and their two children. Rachel bowed from the waist and Sirin gave the appropriate greeting for a family member. T'Pau looked upon her nephew and saw the family resemblance. She touched Rachel's face and said,
"I have notice the beauty of my family and it is testimony to the wisdom of the bondings between, Vulcans and Terrans. I thank you for bringing my oldest brother's son through the fires.**
Next on line was Lo'vaak and Christine who had already been introduced to the Great Mother. They now had two children, their daughter, NyTu and their son, Sirin.
At the end of the line was T'Paal who as T'Pau had entered had noticed the male with her and her breath caught in her throat. When approached T'Paal dropped to her knees with her face to the floor. T'Pau did a most unusual thing, she raised T'Paal's face and gestured to indicate her desire to form a slight meld so her message was silent and sent,
'Rise, my sister, do not underestimate your value to me and my house. Walk beside me. She then gesture with her head and said,
"My sister, observe your son. I have monitored his growth and education. He is now my aide and will serve in that capacity until I breaths no more. I will instruct my son and his son to also continue to use him in the same capacity. You observe, he is an exact copy of his father, my brother, not only in appearance but in his mind and heart. The couple who adopted him have given up their katras. How would you like me to introduce him to you.?"
"As one who have served the clan for its betterment."
"Of this you are sure?"
"I will not lessen my son's estimation of the ones who nourished his mind and body and his ability to be able to stand before you and me today. My eyes are pleasured and I am satisfied with the outcome and for this I believe I must also acknowledge your contribution towards his present state.
Honored mother and sister, I could give up my katra this very moment in a state of satisfaction."
As she gestured toward all the children gathered to receive The Great Mother she said,
" I have not been without other 'offspring'. We will not, as the Terrans say, "muddy the water."
T'Pau nodded in understanding and continued,
"Your son was named for his father, my middle brother, Sorin. Like his father he has meditated through two Pon Farrs. Even though the loss of life is no longer threatened with his upcoming 'fires' he will bond with oldest daughter of K'von, of the noble Matt*** Shi Lutuk. I myself will perform the ceremony. If you so desire I will arrange transportation to allow you to be present."
T'Paal had never set foot on New Vulcan. Perhaps it was time for her to do so.
With natural Vulcan economy of words T'Paal said,
"Yes".
"Come, I will have you meet and talk to your acknowledged, but secret to him, son."
*To read about this, see my story, The Desert Saga Continues.
**T'Paal was to be T'Pau's middle brother's bondmate, they were intimate after a personal bond. Before they could be formally bonded, this brother was killed in a shuttle accident. Under ancient law, T'Paal could have suffered capitol punishment but was protected by T'Pau who arranged for the child to be adopted and raised by a family of a high clan. T'Paal never saw the infant and felt that what was done was right.
As T'Paal had revealed, when assuring Nyota that she knew about the situation that existed between her and Spock. At that time she let Nyota know she knew about passion and irresistable attraction. At that time she revealed her history and the fact she had a son—but explained, due to her not ever seeing him to create a bond, the fact that he had been adopted and raised by another Vulcan family said,
"If he stood next to me, I would not know it was he."
However, the young man's appearance is a 'dead give- away'.