Sarek and Dansk
Chapter Sixteen
As T'Pau and T'Paal passed by the other family members, Nyota smiled because she knew of T'Paal's relationship with T'Pau and the family. The Great Mother had uncharacteristically linked arms with her, whether in friendship or support Nyota of course was unable to tell. Up unto that very moment Nyota had never shared T'Paal's secret with anyone. She had filed it away in her mind in 'a place least traveled', a secret.
As the two females approached Sorin bowed his head and he spoke the words of welcome acceptable and offered the ta'al. It was then that she noticed possibly the only visible contribution she had made to her son's appearance; the smallest finger on his hand mirrored her own, instead of the digit being straight it curved inward from the second knuckle. In fear of the discovery of that resemblance she simply bowed her head as T'Pau said,
"Sorin, I have before you a female who has influenced and guided many Vulcan children, over several generations. She is ko'mekh-il (grandmother) to all the children you see present here. For some of them she has even bore the mother's labor pain.
In a deep baritone, Sorin replied,
"T'kehr (Honored Teacher) perhaps while here on Terra, in any moments of personal questioning, may I request your assistance?
Through a tightening throat T'Paal managed to say,
"Ha." (Yes).
With a dismissive gesture T'Pau ordered all but her family to depart from the foyer.
The young Vulcan girl who had acted as courier between Dansk and Sarek was so relieved because her excitement at meeting The Great Mother had created an urgent need to visit the sanitary facility.
T'Pau led the family to the private elevator that led up to the apartment and once at the hidden door Sarek placed his palm on the panel and the door opened. It was going to take more than one lift trip to transport the entire family to the desired living space. She had already determined that first on her agenda was a conversation with her son's chosen one. What T'Pau desired was her son's ability to move on with his personal life. Despite the great personal loss for all Vulcans, her son's responsibilities became monumental after Va Pak. So, her primary questions would have to do with how this female imagined life with Sarek to be, in what ways would she support her adun and finally, her knowledge of Pon Farr. Her daughter Amanda had mastered her Vulcan role perfectly, had symbolically walked the one step behind her husband but joined with him in the o'kastra. Sarek bondmate could not be a weak female and she had to, as Amanda had done on many occasions, stand up to her husband if she believed him to be not thoroughly prepared to make a certain decision. Although such instances were rare, through her bond with her son she knew that they did indeed happen.
T'Pau sent to Sarek, 'I will speak to her now.'
Sarek did not have to ask, 'Who'. He bent to be able speak into Dansk's ear,
"My mother wishes to speak with you."
Taking her elbow in his palm he escorted her to his mother, who thought as they approached,
'Physically they complement one another. I must now determine if mentally and with Terran emotions, she is up to the task of being my son's consort.'
Once the couple reached T'Pau she turned and led them into her apartment rooms
which had been polished and scrubbed to perfection. She sent to Sarek,
'You may leave her with me. You should attempt to calm her.'
Before he left Sarek ran his two middle finger across the top of her right hand and sent her his calm and
then departed.
T'Pau's first words were,
"By bonding with my son you will step into the slippers I once wore as bondmate To Sarek's father, Ambassador Sorin of Vulcan. I will tell you now, the walk at times is uncomfortable, dangerous and lonely. How do you perceive your role?"
Dansk found her correct voice to address The Great Mother,
"Loi'uk Ko-mekh (Great Mother) T'Pau many times it requires use to make a pair of shoes truly fit and be comfortable. My early life developed in me a strong sense of independence which I am ready to relinquish to come under Sarek's protective care. Great Lady, I understand the Vulcans use of the word cherish, and I cherish your son, but in addition, as a Terran, I also love, and am in love with Sarek. What that love means to me is that I will be his apt student.
I fully realize that how I act, move, dress, will be compare to the great Lady Amanda, for that reason I will not encourage that type of judgment. Instead I will bring my own uniqueness to the role as first the bondmate of Sarek, and then to the understanding and application of the other distinctions. I would never give Sarek a reason to regret his choice of me.
In addition, as a female educated by females who are already bonded to Vulcans, I am fully aware of the Vulcan males physicality and his unique 'time'. I am prepared to bring My Sarek through the fires."
T'Pau allowed herself time to take in this female who so like her had a small frame that should have been unable to contain their determined natures. She had no doubt that her son had indeed made a wise choice. There was no need for a mind meld, this female by her openness had satisfied her curiosity without such action.
She signaled for her son to return. Expecting Dansk would be quietly sleeping, a necessity after a mind-meld, his eyebrow was raised as an indication of a question.
T'Pau answered his silent inquiry,
"She did not have to join with me. My examination is through. I approve of the bond and will perform it myself and who on the Council or Committee will defy me."
Sarek approached with his two fingers extended and Dansk responded.
T'Pau, never one to waste time took up the next item on her agenda,
"Send the children to me."
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In the meantime Sorin had seated himself next to T'Paal and asked her,
"Did you know my parents?"
Answering truthfully, of course, she said,
"Yes."
He continued,
"From a very early age they informed me that they were not my birth parents. As I came to understand my father was killed in an accident but my mother still lived.
When I question our Great Mother she verified that the information I had was true. Both of my parents were old when they took me into their lives. It was very satisfying childhood. I was their only offspring and the continuance of their house rests me, I will be bonded shortly.
What I have found is that their absence from my life has created a need for answers so I have started a search for she who is my mother."
T'Paal hoped that the sound of her heart beat was not audible. At that point she was wrestling with the decision she had made earlier.
Sorin continued,
"Besides the obvious proof of DNA, I have certain physical markers I have been attempting to locate in other people. Take for instances, my small finger, there is an obvious misalignment. I am sure that it is a trait I received from my mother because The Great Mother, knew my father and his family and it was not from my father's side."
Now a bit animated, for a Vulcan, Sorin put out both palms to display the obvious, but not detrimental, flaw. T'Paal kept her hands inside her robe's sleeves. Next came Sorin's question,
"Have you yourself witnessed such a malformation on another besides myself?"
T'Paal was trapped between a lie and the truth. A lie would be a disgrace and would disrespect the memories she held most dear, the ones of her beloved. Very slowly she withdrew her hands from hiding and placed them next to his.
Sorin said,
"I do not know why, but I knew it from our first eye contact."
Bowing his head he said,
I do not wish any confessions, no detailed history, but if you could tell me of my father, I will be made whole. Ko-mekh, (Mother) I cherish thee.