Eli held tightly to Thrawn's hand as they crossed the Atrium. Thara stood at the door of the Mitth Ceremonial Chamber.

"Eli did it! Eli is a big boy today," Eli told his mother.

Thrawn smiled and fondly ruffled his son's hair. "I don't think we have any cause to worry about accidents during the Ceremony."

"Not that kind, at least," Thara giggled. "I just finished helping Lorana with her hair and makeup. She wanted to get dressed by herself."

"It will be a lovely Ceremony, especially with our Eli in it." Thrawn lifted Eli and carefully stood him on a small table that held an elegant portrait of Thrass and Lorana. "Let's have one more look at you before we go inside."

Eli's little burgundy jacket was properly fastened, the small gold braids lying neatly on his shoulders. His tunic was tucked in and his pants were creased. His precious face was spotlessly clean and his soft hair neatly brushed.

"You are perfect, my Eli." Thrawn kissed his round cheek. "Absolutely perfect."

"You are always perfect, our sweet Eli." Thara kissed his other cheek.

A soft chime sounded from the room.

"Ah! That's our cue." Placing Eli on the floor, Thrawn led his little family inside.

Thrass greeted them at the door, warmly clasping hands with his brother.

"The Patriarch is waiting for us," he told Thrawn. "I reserved a special seat for Thara and Eli right up front, since he has such an important job." Thrass winked at his nephew, handed Thara a small box. "I know I can trust you to keep the rings safe, Eli."

Lorana had shared that Humans often had a small boy play the ceremonial role of "ring-bearer" in a wedding.

Eli reached up to touch the ring box. "Eli will be a good ring-bear. Eli pwomise."

"We know you will," Thrass assured him. "Thrawn, are you coming?"

Thrawn pressed a tender kiss to Thara's lips, lingering in the moment with memories of their own wedding. "I will return, my Beloved."

As Thrawn and Thrass left to speak with the Patriarch, Thara led Eli to their seat and boosted him up. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out Eli's favorite number book. "Would you like to read while we wait?"

"Yes, pwease!"

Thara carefully slipped the ring box into the pocket of her ceremonial robe and opened the book.

"One, two, three- count with me," she read. "Four, five, six- numbers do tricks."

"Hi, Eli, do you have a new book?" Radiant in her ceremonial dress, Lorana hurried across the room on bare feet.

"Eli have numbers."

"Do you think Vah'nya could listen to the book, too?" Lorana offered the baby to Thara. "She wasn't happy in her playpen."

"Of course," Thara smiled. "You'd better go finish getting ready. The other guests will be here soon. Don't forget shoes!"

"Thank you!" Lorana placed baby Vah'nya in Thara's arms before rushing off.

Thara turned back to Eli. "Now, where were we?"

"Seven."

"That's right." Thara shifted the baby to a sitting position in her lap. "Seven, eight, nine- numbers are fine."

"We're here! Che'ri bounced up beside Eli. "Hi, Baby Eli! Hi, Baby Vah'nya!"

"You sit here, Sweetheart." Samakro eased Thalias into a seat next to Thara. "Thara, can I leave my girls with you for a few minutes? I need to find Senior Captain Thrawn and ask him to call the black dock crew."

Thara nodded. "Of course. He and Thrass are discussing the Ceremony with the Patriarch."

"Thanks." Samakro squeezed Thalias tightly, dropped a kiss on her pregnant middle. He patted Che'ri's shoulder. "You two be good. I'll be right back."

"I agree that ceremonies are important," Thrawn said as he and Thrass left the Patriarch's office. He arched a blue-black eyebrow. "However, I believe you are overthinking. You know as well as I do that Lorana is not concerned about the chamber's configuration, so long as she is marrying you."

"I want to show her- and everyone else- how much I love and respect her." Thrass crossed his arms, frowned at his brother. "It will work. I told you, I've tested it."

"I hope you're right."

"I know I'm right. Especially if you help me."

"Sir!" Mid Captain Samakro appeared around a corner in the hall. "We have a situation on our hands. The black dock crew wants to put old-style plasma sphere launchers back on the Springhawk."

"And you told them it has been retrofitted?"

"Yes, sir. I even told them about the new targeting system. But apparently, they have to hear it from you."

"They shouldn't. You are authorized and capable." Thrawn turned to his brother. "If you'll excuse me, I must sort this out. I will be back in time for our entrance."

"I think I'll double check the controls." Thrass smiled nervously. "I want the surprise to be perfect."

"And when you get to number twenty, you'll find numbers there in plenty," Che'ri read to Eli and Vah'nya.

"Tenty-one, tenty-two, tenty-free," Eli counted.

Che'ri frowned. "I don't think Baby Vah'nya likes this book."

Thara bounced the baby in her arms. "She might be a little too young for it. Why don't we try a song or fingerplay?"

Che'ri nodded and began singing The Little Growser Pup.

The walls and ceiling moved, flipping into position for a Mitth wedding ceremony. Burgundy panels with Chiss symbols appeared on the walls. Ornate light fixtures and sculptures dripped from the ceiling.

"It's so beautiful!" Che'ri sighed, pausing her song. "I hope I marry a Mitth someday."

The other guests began entering the room as Vah'nya giggled and clapped.

"Vah'nya likes it, too," Thara laughed.

Che'ri kissed the baby. "I hope our baby is as good as Baby Vah'nya and Baby Eli."

At the front of the room, a door opened. Thrass entered with Thrawn at his side. Soft music filled the air. A door on the other side of the room opened and the Patriarch stepped out. Glancing beside her, Thara saw Samakro slip into the seat next to Thalias and pull her into a sideways embrace. Thalias suppressed a giggle as he caressed the swelling orb of her belly.

"Greetings, family and friends," the Patriarch intoned. "Welcome to this holy and joyous ceremony of marriage."

Samakro quickly stilled his hands. As the Patriarch continued the ritual introduction, Thara checked her pocket. The ring box was still there. Eli noticed her movement, patted her pocket.

"All safe, Mommy," he whispered. "Eli watching the rings."

"Thank you, Eli." She kissed him gently.

"I present to you the bride, Lorana Jinzler!" The Patriarch lifted his hands and a gilded panel slid up into the ceiling. Lorana glided out, resplendent in her burgundy-trimmed, white lace gown. A filmy veil covered her face but could not hide her smile.

"Wow!" Eli gasped. "Lorana so pwetty!"

Thrass clasped Lorana's hands as the Patriarch began to speak again. "Are you prepared to make your vows in the sight and hearing of this company?"

"We are," Thrass and Lorana said together.

"Is there any Mitth present who will vouch for the integrity of your words?"

"I will, Your Venerante." Thrawn moved to stand beside Thrass, just as Thrass had stood beside him, many years ago.

"Then hear and repeat the vows, Mitth'ras'safis and Lorana Jinzler."

Thrass solemnly repeated his vows after the Patriarch. As Lorana finished her vows, Thrass pressed her hands.

"My beloved Lorana, you have given up much to live among us Chiss. Indeed, you have given up much to become my bride."

Tears glistened in Lorana's eyes. "Whatever I have given up, I have gained a thousand times more."

Thrass lifted her hands, kissed them. "Before we begin the ring ceremony, I have a special gift for you."

He nodded to Thrawn, who activated a series of buttons in a small recessed panel. The Mitth burgundy walls slid away, becoming a soft cream with brown accents. Around the seats, the floor tiles rippled. At the same time, wide columns grew from the floor and ceiling to meet in the middle.

Lorana gasped. "The Jedi Temple! Thrass, how did you do it?"

"A family secret," he chuckled. "I'll tell you once you're officially my wife."

The rippling floor tiles spread along the front row to Thara and Eli's seats of honor. As the transformation reached them, the tiles jerked to a halt. Abruptly, the floor tiles directly beneath Thara's feet flipped wildly, shaking the seat.

The ring box fell out of her pocket and collided with the floor tiles. It popped open. The rings flew out. They hit the floor, bounced into the wall just in time to slip behind a closing panel.

Thara watched, her eyes wide. Thrawn calmly worked the panel, giving her a reassuring smile. The floor smoothed and the movement stopped.

"Everyone, please remain calm." Thrawn stepped forward. "This program is quite new and merely has a few bugs. We will retrieve the rings and continue the Ceremony."

He manipulated the controls again and the wall panel slid open, slowly grinding to a stop with an opening of less than half a meter. After briefly consulting the control panel, he returned to the front of the room and addressed the Patriarch.

"One or both rings have lodged in the inner workings. Is it your wish to continue and retrieve the rings later or pause the Ceremony and retrieve them now? It may be necessary to remove several panels to access such a small space and it will take some time."

"Lorana? Thrass?" The Patriarch looked from the bride to the bridegroom.

Eli watched Daddy. Uncle Thrass and Daddy could not fit in a small space, but Eli could. He slid off his seat and ran to the wall.

"Eli, where are you going?" Mommy called.

Eli looked back and saw his Mommy following him. Che'ri was holding the Baby Vah'nya.

"Eli get the rings," he said. "Watch."

He slipped behind the panel just before Daddy reached him.

"Eli, it could be dangerous in there." Daddy peeked around the edge of the wall. "You must listen very carefully."

"Eli listening. Eli is in a dark cave, Daddy."

Daddy shone a big light into the hole.

"Can you see now?"

"Yes. Lots of blocks."

"Those are other designs for the room. Do you see any wheels?"

"Eli sees wheels."

"Good. Walk carefully to the wheels and look for the rings. Mommy is making sure that nothing will move while you look."

Eli walked slowly towards the wheels at the back of the cave. Little wires ran from the wheels to the blocks. Eli bent down to get under the wires. He looked at the wheels.

Uncle Thrass and Lorana's rings were hiding somewhere.

Something shiny caught his eye. He spotted one ring and then the other.

"I find the rings," he shouted. "Can I pick them up?"

"Thara, have you shut the system completely off?" Daddy asked.

"Yes, it's safe now." Mommy said. "Just make sure you shine the light where he needs it."

"All right, Eli. Reach down, pick up one ring and put it in your pocket," Daddy told him.

Slowly, Eli lifted Lorana's smaller ring from its hiding place. He tucked it in his pocket.

"Well done, Eli!" Daddy smiled. "Now pick up the second ring and put it in your pocket."

Eli reached down for Uncle Thrass' big ring. It was stuck under a wheel and Eli had to pull to get it out. Grinning, he put it in his pocket, too.

" I coming!" he called. He climbed through the blocks and into Daddy's arms.

"That was very brave, my Eli!" Daddy kissed the top of Eli's head. "And I like how you're saying 'I'."

"Eli is a big boy." Eli hugged Daddy.

"Thank you, Eli," Lorana said. She and Uncle Thrass were standing behind Daddy. "We're very proud of you!"

"And glad you didn't get hurt." Uncle Thrass sighed. "I really thought it worked perfectly."

"Dearest." Lorana squeezed Uncle Thrass' hand. "It looks beautiful and Eli saved our rings."

Eli nodded. "Eli ring-bear. I take good care of the rings. It my job."

Mommy laughed softly, then kissed him. "You are a wonderful ring-bearer."

"The best in the Galaxy," Lorana agreed.

Eli smiled. He took Lorana and Uncle Thrass by the hands. "You got to get married all the way. Come on!"

"With this ring, I thee wed," Thrass murmured, slipping the ring onto Lorana's finger.

"With this ring, I thee wed," Lorana repeated as slid Thrass' ring into place.

"It gives me great pleasure to you Mitth'ras'safis and his wife, Mitth'lorana'jinzler," the Patriarch announced. "Thrass, you may kiss your bride!"

Thrass pulled Lorana close, his lips meeting hers in a soft, warm kiss. Standing beside his uncle, Eli glowed with pleasure. He lifted his little hands in a cheer.

"We did it!"

Author's Note: Eli is potty-trained and he's using pronunciation. He's getting to be a big boy. And he's a wonderful "ring-bear".

I borrowed the reconfigurable ceremonial room from Timothy Zahn's books, Outbound Flight and Survivors. Apparently, the Chiss put a lot of importance on greeting ceremonies and the rooms have to change depending on the family of the person being greeted. I thought it would be fun for Thrass to make the room look like the Jedi Temple.

Thanks for reading and God bless you!