(Set in late April YC 119)
Part One Looking down at Michaelus I remembered the first morning after we were married. I touched his shoulder gently and he woke up immediately with a smile on his face, those glorious blue eyes taking me in. "Wake up Beloved" I asked him softly as I touched his shoulder. He groaned and mumbled to himself and turned over.
Despite myself, I let out an exasperated snort. "Wake Up Michaelus!" At the sharp sound of my voice, he groaned and managed to move his sixty-something year-old bones and joints to an upright position.
He glanced at his clock on his bed stand "Luna, it's 3 am."
"And we need to walk over to the Chapel now and get this done before dawn services while Father can see us." I replied briskly.
"Get what done?" Michaelus asked, confusion spreading on his features. Rubbing his eyes and gaining focus he looked directly at me. I was there, dressed, in my wedding gown. Aria stood in the shadows like a small black wraith behind me, in attention.
"Our wedding." I added hastily and quickly before he could protest "it's just too much, there's too many people to invite, too much to organize and too many potential hurt feelings and diplomatic snafus... I'm not an eighteen year old bride anymore. Let's just get it done. Now." My hands involuntarily slipped to down to my belly, then I straightened, letting them fell to my side. I forced a smile. "We're actually already married. You know it, and I know it." I added with emphasis "A big grand affair, is silly."
Michaelus was silent. Waking up, I suppose. Then a broad smile spread across his face "By golly, yes we shall do it it now." Well! That was easier than I expected. He was always a bit of stickler for formalities.
Throwing his covers off, he got to his feet wearing nothing but his underclothes "Well let's go!"
Men. Especially men of action, don't always think things though. Adorable. Most of the time.
"Michaelus" I snapped, "put on something suitable." His momentum, deflated, he began to glance about like a hound for his bone. "How about your old Imperial Navy uniform?" I suggested. "Miss Jenneth and I will wait in the hallway."
Part Two I had very little to do with organizing or planning first wedding with Michaelus. It was an arranged affair. Love had very little to do with it. It was business. My aunt and his mother handled all the details, my uncle negotiated the dowry and the respective two families' mutual business plans going forward, and all Michaelus and I had to do was to select those who stood for us as witnesses. My cousin and best friend Elaithiel stood for me then, but she disapproved of Michaelus and then distrusted him after his disappearance and, even more, after his re-appearance years later. I could not ask her to witness me now. Maria was there as I asked, of course. She was waiting outside the Chapel, with her PIE ceremonial uniform on. She had a slightly annoyed look on her face. "Mother, it's in the middle of night. Honestly, if your goin' to elope, why not do it a normal hour."
"Because the point is we get this done before anyone can notice." I said peckishly. Michaelus didn't say anything.
"Right, because 'eloping," Maria waggled her fingers in her air as she mentioned eloping, "With your actual husband is sooooooo scandalous." She rolled her eyes. Did I raise this impertinent child?
I decided to ignore that. Maria had no idea of the socio-political aspects of this whole affair and I didn't have time to explain it all to her. "Alright", I took a deep breath "Let's do it." I nodded to Aria and she opened the doors to the Chapel for Michaelus and I.
Part Three The Basilica where we were married was on Mehkios. it was huge with magnificent stained glass windows through which strong beams of golden light passed through the nave and fell onto the altar. The Lady Abbess Benedicta Sechah, Michaelus's liege, presided over the ceremony and was carried in on a palanquin. The Basilica was packed with cousins to the nth degree from both of our families, as well as our families' business associates and military veterans who had served with Michaelus and my uncle. I remembering trembling in fear as my Johanes escorted me down the aisle and I got my first glimpse of Michaelus. Young, strong, bearded with a distinctive chin. Yes. The first time I laid eyes on him was our wedding day. The Lamp's Chapel is a decidedly simple affair with an understated sense of grace. It had been designed by SFRIM's founder, Nicoletta Mithra, and reflects the precision and clarity of her thoughts on the Faith.
Now the Lamp has a diurnal lighting schedule. The theory is that the baseliner staff, accustomed to planetary cycles, are more comfortable with a day/night rhythm. Consequently, the lights are brighter during the day, and dimmed, or non-existent, at night, depending on where in the Lamp's many nooks and crannies you might be.
At 3:30 in the morning, the Chapel was completely dark except for the flickering of hundreds of candles and their reflecting light from the side chapels lining the main nave of the Chapel, and another array of candles at the Altar. There was no music.
A few staff-members were there, praying or otherwise seeking comfort from God. I guess it was too much to expect the Chapel to be empty, even in the middle of the night. It is always open, day or night, for those who need solace. The Society at the time had about 55 capsuleers, about 35 of them were active in space with their associated array of mining barges and vessels of all sizes, coupled with offices through the cluster. A battleship, alone, has about 10,000 crew. Then consider all the maintenance and support staff. No wonder the Lamp's facilities and hangars are always busy, even in the dark of night.
Those staff engaged in prayer seemed startled to see me and Michaelus in our wedding best as we entered, followed by Maria on my left, and my ever-present shadow, Miss Jenneth, on my right.
Father Macaley stood quietly at the altar, clad in robes of gold and black, his hands folded together, illuminated by the light of the candles behind him.
As Michaelus and I began to walk down the aisle, some of the staff took candles from the side chapels, and holding them in their hands, silently lined the aisle as we proceeded past, some with warm expressions, others with tears (I hope of joy)? A mix of emotions spilled through me as their individual gestures became apparent to me. Continuing the procession, I definitely felt goose bumps like I had not felt for a very long time. At the end of the procession down the aisle, the candle-bearers, formed a semi circle around Michaelus and I, and Aria and Maria.
Part Four I remember the first time I touched Michaelus. After my ceremonial procession down the aisle of the Basilica, my Uncle stepped back and I proceeded to stand next to Michaelus. We genuflected before the Abbess and the High Altar and then, tentatively, held hands with each other. It was like an electric shock tingling up my arm, making me softly gasp and blush, and I felt goose bumps. I was light-headed through most of the ceremony. The Abbess droned and on and on and most of the service, the memory of it today is a blur to me. At the end, Michaelus kissed me and it felt like the world had stood still. Had I, despite it all, found a soul-mate I could come to Love? Michaelus and I genuflected before Father Macaley and the altar, and then holding hands stood before him.
Father Macaley began gazing solemnly and warmly at Michaelus and I. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony. Uniting two people is a Holy and Good Thing. Let me point out the Scriptures, Book I, Verses 1:4:
In the beginning all things were as one.
God parted them and breathed life into his creation.
Divided the parts and gave each its place.
And unto each, bestowed purpose.”
Father Macaley concluded. “Each partner to this Holy Matrimony has her or her own purpose. It is, therefore, to be entered into reverently, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.”
Father Macaley continued “In considering those causes, several verses come to mind. First, The Book of Prophet Anoyia 17:21 states:
The angelic Apostles of Heaven sing praises for their children!
Our Lord smiles upon the world.
Where the Emperor rules in his name
Leading his people to glory untold.
Hearken the trumpets of Heaven
Hailing the people of Amarr.
Second, the Book of Missions, Verses 71:21, which states:
Surround yourself with the faithful,
Stand together, for there is no strength like it under the heavens.
Third, The Book of Reclaiming, Verses 4:45, which states:
So the Lord sent forth the Chosen,
to bring forth the light of faith.”
Father Macaley paused. “These Scriptures show that Marriage was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of God. Chosen to surround yourself, and the Faithful with, and to bring forth the Light of Faith.” I smiled attentively and politely, an ever so slight blush. Arg.
Father Macaley continued “Second, Marriage was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity, into which these two persons present come now to be joined.” I looked at Michaelus, and he gazed into my eyes and held his gaze. I flashed a tentative smile. He nodded.
Father Macaley paused meaningfully. Then stated loudly “Therefore if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.” I chewed my lips and tilted my head oh so attentively. Miss Jenneth remained silent, thankfully, and none of the baseliners said a word.
Apparently satisfied as to any potential third-party objections, Father Macaley continued “I require and charge you both, as you will answer at the ‘end of days when the Ark shall descend carrying Salvation’, that if either of you know any impediment, why you may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, you do now confess it so that all assembled can be certain of your lawful Matrimony.”
I glanced Michaelus and responded forcefully “Of course I don’t know of any impediment.” My lower right lip twitched. Damn it. I flashed a bright smile to the priest and my former-husband and now–husband to be!
Michaelus nodded and said enthusiastically “I know not of any impediment” and he smiled.
“Very well” said Father Michaelus. He continued “The vows you are about to take are rooted in Scripture, and are eternal. Does not The Book of Missions Verses 42:5 say that:
Only through many hardships
Is a man stripped to his very foundations
And in such a state
Devoid of distractions
Is his soul free to soar
And in this he is closest to God
This acknowledges, as Scripture acknowledges:
The road to Heaven is paved with tribulation.
Those who remain with my flock shall never be vanquished.
Their family shall be reunited in Heaven so long as they remain faithful to me.
In so doing, you will stand side by side, in sickness and in health, in adversity, and in prosperity. As The Book of Amarr Askura, Verses 10:3 exhorts you:
Face the enemy as a solid wall
For faith is your armor
And through it, the enemy will find no breach.”
He concluded, by repeating emphasize “You will ‘Stand together, for there is no strength like it under the heavens.’” Michaelus squeezed my hand, and I flashed him a quick smile.
Father Macaley looked meaningfully at both of us. “Will you, Michaelus Leopold Daphiti have this Woman as your wedded Wife, to live together in Holy Matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in hardship, tribulations and faith; and, forsaking all other, stand with her, as solid as a wall armored with faith, so long as you both shall live?”
Michaelus responded firmly “I will.”
Father Macaley asked me “Will you, Lunarisse Marie Aspenstar Daphiti have this Man as your wedded Husband, to live together in Holy Matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honour, and keep him hardship, tribulations and faith; and, forsaking all other, as solid as a wall armored with faith, so long as you both shall live."
I looked at Michaelus. This does seem right. It’s him, really, right? Even if I am not sure, Empress help me. Well,I am sure Miss Jenneth will help sort it out. I nodded “I will.” Then I smiled.
Father Macaley asked, will the ring bearer bring the golden rings? With these rings, as The Book of Trials, Versus 2:13-2:21 remind us your “mind and spirit shall be strong”.
Miss Jenneth and Maria stepped up, each with one of our rings. Maria had a bright smile. Miss Jenneth had a small smile, her eyes glistening with happiness. Michaelus and I slipped the rings onto each other’s hands.
Father Macaley looked at us expectantly and we recited “With these Golden Rings I wed you, with my Body I worship you, and with all my worldly Goods I join with you: In the Name of God, the Empress, the Prophets and the Saints.”
Father Macaley nodded “Those whom God joined together let no one put asunder.”
After an awkward pause, Father Macaley added “You may kiss each other.”
Michaelus kissed me. My body trembled and my face flushed. Was it muscle memory? How can something that feels so right, potentially be so wrong?
And it was done.
Comments: It goes without saying this is OOC knowledge except for the participants. It's the main reason I've been reluctant to share my writing but .. I guess I'll trust people.
Also, this is my interpretation of an Amarr wedding. There's nothing in Lore quite on point and this shouldn't be taken as lore.
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Topic: Weddings, Past and Present (Read 1163 times)