I can only give you love that lasts forever,
And a promise to be near each time you call.
And the only heart I own
For you and you alone
That's all,
That's all...
I can only give you country walks in springtime
And a hand to hold when leaves begin to fall;
And a love whose burning light
Will warm the winter's night
That's all,
That's all.
~That's All-Michael Buble~
A soft breeze blew through the leaves of the great World Tree Nordrassil as Khadgar of Dalaran and Cordana Felsong faced one another beneath its hanging branches. She had chosen to wear the first dress that Khadgar had given her, despite a bit of intervention from the tailor to let it out a little, and a crown of wildflowers and ribbons in her hair, a gift from Toriona. The Archmage had dressed in a pale silk shirt and dark breeches, and despite their simple construction, he looked elegant and noble, and Cordana was captivated. Khadgar could not take his eyes off her either. She was radiant and exquisite, edgy and soft all at once.
Jarrod Shadowsong, and several of Cordana's Warden sisters stood in attendance. As well, Jaaral and Toriona, dressed in their finest were all smiles as they greeted everyone.
"Thank you for coming, all of you," said Jarrod softly, his eyes shining brightly. "This is a day filled with blessings for our sister Cordana. Not only has she found the love of her life, but she has been blessed by Elune to bring forth a new life as well."
There was a flash of light, and a portal opened off to the side.
"Khadgar!" said Lady Jaina Proudmoore stepping through. "You would start without your old friends?"
The Archmage looked genuinely surprised. "I did not expect to see you in attendance! You are most welcome!"
Jaina gave him a hug as Kalec, Karlain, Ansirem, and Modera stepped through behind her.
Khadgar's smile was wide as he realized all of the Council of Six had come to celebrate his union. He had not expected it.
Cordana watched him, and fell in love with him all over again.
Jaina stepped to Cordana and took her hands. "Hello, Cordana, I am pleased to meet you. I am Jaina, Guardian of the Kirin Tor. It is lovely to meet the woman who was finally able to wake our Khadgar up! Congratulations to you both!"
Cordana smiled awkwardly. All of these humans, his people, looking at her. "Thank you," she said softly.
Khadgar leaned over and whispered something to Jaina, whose eyes widened and she gave an exclamation of delight. She grabbed Cordana in an embrace.
"A child! I am beyond happy for you! You are truly blessed!"
The others murmured their surprise and gave their congratulations.
"I believe that the Archmage and Cordana are ready to make their declarations," said Jarrod, encouraging the guests to step back and allow the couple to resume their positions.
Khadgar took a deep breath and faced his love, holding his hands before him, palms up. Cordana smiled and placed her hands in his.
The Archmage's voice was soft and gentle. His eyes radiated the love he felt inside, a love that he never believed he would ever experience.
"Cordana Felsong, from this day forward, you will feel no rain, no wind, for I will be your shelter. You will feel no cold, for I will be your fire and your warmth. There will be no loneliness, for I will be your faithful companion. We are two people, but there is only one life before us.
When you came to me, the sun surged towards the earth and the moon escaped from darkness to
bless the union of our two spirits, designed for life's endless circle. Beloved Cordana, keeper of my heart's secrets, may you ever be clothed in summer blossoms and the icy hand of winter never touch you.
Our joining is like a tree to earth, a cloud to sky, the sea to shore. Love like ours is the reason the world can laugh on its battlefields and rise from the ashes of its defeats."
Cordana's eyes were luminous with unshed tears. Such words of love and tenderness, spoken only to her. Khadgar had studied ancient declarations and chosen his words right from the Kaldorei texts. She was awestruck that he would have taken such great care in doing so, instead of just using his own human recitations.
She fought to keep the quaver out of her voice. She squeezed Khadgar's hands.
"My love, in the name of the spirit of Elune who resides within me, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, take you Khadgar to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my chosen mate. To desire and be desired by you, to possess you, and be possessed by you, without shame, for it cannot exist in the purity of my love for you. I promise to love you wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in darkness and in light, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change you in any way, but respect you, your beliefs, your people, and your ways as I respect my own."
Khadgar swallowed hard, and blinked back his own tears, gently giving her hands a squeeze.
Jarrod smiled and wound a sacred vine from the World Tree around their hands. He looked at Toriona and nodded. She walked forward and accepted the leaf he offered her, and lay her hand on theirs.
"May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you."
She picked a leaf from the vine, and gave it to Jaaral who repeated the action.
"May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of the sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near."
He picked a leaf and gave it to Jaina, and she gave Khadgar and Cordana her blessing.
"May beauty surround you both in the
journey ahead and through all the years,
May happiness be your companion and
your days together be good and long upon the earth."
She gave a leaf to Kalec, and so it went until each guest had given their blessing and received a leaf from Nordrassil, the World Tree. Then, as prompted by Jarrod, Khadgar and Cordana recited in unison.
"We swear by trust and love to stand,
Heart to heart and hand to hand.
Light of Elune, hear us now,
Confirming this our Sacred Vow."
Jarrod opened his arms wide and spoke a few words in Kaldorei thanking Elune and Nordrassil and asking for their blessings for Khadgar and Cordana, then addressed the company.
"Come join us in celebration, those who love sunshine on the meadow, who love the shadow of the forest, love the wind among the branches and the palisades of pine trees, the roar of the ocean's waves
and the thunder in the mountains whose innumerable echoes flap like eagles in their eries. Join us now and let the feast begin!"
Everyone cheered and clapped. Khadgar drew Cordana close and kissed her tenderly.
The feasting went on long into the night. The stress of war and strife was released and people ate, danced, sang and celebrated a joyous occasion. Khadgar was worried about Cordana, it had been a long day and she needed her rest. However, the Warden was enjoying spending time with her people, and getting to know the Council. But the Archmage could see she was growing tired.
"Cordana my love," he whispered to her. "How are you feeling?" He lay his hand gently on her belly. "How is our boy?"
She placed her hand over his and smiled at him. "Little Khadgar is fine, I suppose. He is too small to be of much consequence yet. Aside from my tiredness and the odd wave of nausea I would not even know he was there."
The Archmage chuckled. "Little Khadgar...oh how I do love the sound of that! But tell me my dear, are you ready to go back to the Tower? You must be exhausted by this time and I worry."
She shook her head. "I will most likely sleep all day tomorrow if left to my own devices Khadgar, but I am enjoying myself, and I find it odd. I have never been comfortable in large gatherings. My sisters and I tend to prefer our solitude, but even they are making merry and do not wish to end their fun. It is not often that they get to leave the Vaults."
He noticed her eyes darken as she mentioned it. He made a mental note to speak to her about that place some day.
Toriona wandered over and linked her arm with Cordana's. "Are you enjoying yourself?" she asked.
"Yes, it is a very special day. Everyone is happy."
Toriona grinned. "You are pretty special, Cordana. No one ever believed that the Archmage would ever marry, much less become a father."
"She is indeed special," responded Khadgar. "And you know, I do have a name. It would please me if you would address me by it!"
Toriona laughed. "So be it, Khadgar."
He nodded. "Much better."
Cordana stretched, then found a place to sit down. Khadgar watched her. She rubbed her belly and her sides in discomfort a few times, and soon he decided that it was time for them to go. He did not wish to end their fun, but she was with child and needed to rest. The guests were welcome to stay as long as they liked.
He cast a portal and held his hand out to Cordana. "Come, dear one. I am declaring this evening completed."
She smiled gratefully at him and took his hand.
They bade farewell to their friends and plans were made to meet again. Jaaral and Toriona decided to take the portal as well.
When they reached the Tower, the Commander and his wife bade Khadgar and Cordana good night and stepped through the adjoining portal that would take them back to the Garrison.
The Archmage looked at his beautiful wife, and scooped her up in his arms. "This is another silly human custom," he said with a grin as they stepped into the Tower. "A man carries his new wife across the threshold of their home."
"Why ever for?" asked Cordana as he set her down gently on the couch.
He thought about it a moment. "I actually do not know the answer to that!"
He poured himself a drink, and one for Cordana, although hers was only water. He caressed her belly as she reclined there happily watching him.
"The other human custom involves the wedding night," said Khadgar softly. "In old tradition it is the first night a couple lies together."
He noticed the discomfort in her eyes. "Cordana, you need your sleep, we can talk more tomorrow. Shall we retire to our chambers?"
She nodded sleepily, glad that he had not pressed the issue of making love. She knew she needed to speak with him about the matter, but her body and mind were too exhausted to entertain any thought other then sleep.
She lay her head on Khadgar's chest, her fingers drawing circles in the silky silver hairs until she quietly slipped away into a deep and dreamless sleep.