The two boys were separated from one another as the afternoon wore on toward early evening. Tadhg and his heart-song Leusha took Brian upstairs toward one side of the castle while Iona, his other aunt Radha, and Flreu took AJ to the other side of the castle. It was customary for the participants to prepare themselves with their family in attendance. While they did this, Aine was going to be entertaining the rest of their group. AJ had no qualms about leaving them with her. Aine was one of the most bubbly, social people that he knew. Not to mention that elves are a hospitable lot, and would never risk the shame of dishonoring guests.
He wondered how Brian was doing, off in his room with his family. Through their bond he could feel the stunned happiness in his love, as well as a peace that hadn’t been there. It thrilled AJ to feel that. To know that Brian was finally going to have that part of him healed over.
At the moment, though, he pulled his attention away from that and turned it instead toward his family. Flreu sat with AJ on the bed, laughing as they exchanged memories of times gone past. Iona and Radha sat on the floor nearby, taking in a few seams on a pair of clothes. They threw in the occasional story as well, their light laughter echoing nicely alongside the deeper laughter of the two men.
“To think, we finally get to have a joining ceremony for you!” Iona breathed out, pulling the tunic to her chest with a sigh. Our sister would be so happy today.”
“Know that, as the earth welcomes you, so does she, Alyck. All she wanted was for you to be happy in your life; her na’shu a vr’ln.” Little fierce one, Radha said, using the nickname that his mother had given to him as an infant in the elvish language. Names like that were often said to be one of a person’s true names.
Tears gathered in AJ’s eyes. “How my heart wishes she were here as well to witness this by my side. It almost feels as if the moment is empty without her or my father to be here.” He bowed his head, not to hide the tears for in those he had no shame. He did it to try to gather his emotions. The effort was almost lost when Flreu took him in his arms and wrapped him not only in a hug, but with love as well. The elves lived and breathed their magic. It was a part of them as much as their arms. So the hug AJ received was not only arms, but magic as well, a sensation of love and understanding and strength that touched down to his core.
They stayed like that, one holding, the other clinging, until Radha stood and shook out the clothes in her hands. “Time to dress, Alyck.” She told him with a smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brian stared at the clothes his Aunt held out to him. How easy it was to think of them as his Aunt and Uncle, as if he had been doing it his whole life. That thought brought the smile back to his lips. Within the span of days he had discovered a whole extended family that he’d never known, and he’d wondered why they’d never made themselves known to him. But now he was here and he could meet them. He felt the loss of his great-grandfathers death, but at the same time he felt the joy of discovering his Uncle and Aunt.
There were more, Tadhg had told him, at another of the Irish homes, and some in the Scotland home as well. Some of it was still reeling through his mind, making it hard to focus on anything.
“Come, young Brian.” Leusha said softly to him. She stepped forward to put a delicate hand on his cheek. With blond hair so pale it was almost white, braided intricately with ivy down almost to the floor, and eyes the color of the sunrise, all purples and oranges and reds, she was a beautiful woman. Her body structure would be considered petite in the human world, but here was almost normal. She was shorter than him by almost a head. But her smile was dazzling. Brian could see why his Uncle had first fallen for her. “We shall dress you and prepare you for your joining. Today is a day of joy and honor.”
Tadhg laughed lightly as he gathered things on the small table. “Best to change now before she starts to do it for you. My woman is determined when she sets her mind to things.” He warned teasingly. Leusha flashed him a bright smile before turning back to Brian. Her arms were outstretched, holding the clothes she was still offering to him.
These people had absolutely no modesty, Brian was coming to realize. It surprised him slightly to realize that he didn’t feel any in front of them either. Normally he would have been blushing as he pulled his shirt and pants off and laid them on the bed. Or as he took his boxers off. But, standing nude before them, he didn’t feel any embarrassment or modesty.
He took the shorts and breeches first, pulling them on over legs that were more muscular than he remembered them being. They fit comfortably, loose enough that they left him with easy movement, but not so loose as to bag around him. Made of a material he didn’t know, but that was softer than anything he had ever felt, and made of a blue as bright as the afternoon sky. “It’s so soft.” He said, running his hands over the pant legs, which came only to his knees.
“They were my father’s clothes. Only a few alterations needed to be made. You and he were of the same build.” Tadhg spoke softly, never turning around.
Tears filled Brian’s eyes, but he turned his head and hid them under the pretense of pulling on the long sleeved shirt, made of the same material and color. It offset the blond of his hair, and brightened the blue in his eyes. He belted it with a simple white leather belt that buckled behind him. Next Leusha handed him a vest made of leather strips that almost looked as if it could have been part of armor at one point, yet it held a beauty to it. The color was yellow, but it was so pale it was almost white, much as the noonday sun. It seemed to make the yellow ring around his eyes glow brighter.
His Aunt did up the three buttons that held it closed over his stomach and chest. It draped low on either side, coming to points over his knees. Next he sat on the edge of the bed to pull on soft boots that rose almost to his knees, and were the same color as his vest. Before he could rise, Tadhg stepped over, his nimble fingers going to Brian’s hair. He wove montbretia flowers as a loose crown in his hair, using no pins or such to hold it in. Only the stems and Brian’s hair.
“No jewelry, I think.” Tadhg said as he stepped back to look at him. “You are a handsome man, nephew. I will be proud to give your hand today. Come, look at yourself.”
He pulled Brian to his feet and walked him to the full length mirror. He couldn’t believe it when he saw his reflection. With the clothes and the crown, his eyes seemed to glow from a face that looked brighter, more refined than it ever had. The points of his ears showed through the curls, and his smile was almost as bright as the rest of him.
“We are proud, today.” Leusha said as she came to take his free arm. His Aunt and Uncle stood on either side of him, beaming at him, and Brian realized that he looked as if he belonged with them. He looked as if he was one of them. The thought was wonderful, but frightening at the same time. It felt disloyal to his parents. They’d just been getting used to the idea of him being gay. Would they have been as happy for him?
A small part of his heart broke at the answer to that. They wouldn’t have been ready for something like this. Not for them to acknowledge their love so openly. Most likely the idea would have embarrassed them. Nor would they have been able to handle the magic. As much as he loved his parents, he was coming to realize that they weren’t made of as strong of stuff as he was. They wouldn’t have survived in this kind of world, and they wouldn’t have approved of it.
He realized that he hadn’t thought of his family, not once since the fire at his house. What had happened? Had his house burned to the ground? Did his family even know he was alive or did they think he’d died? God, he hadn’t even thought of calling them! His parents were probably worried sick about him by now.
Leusha snuggled in to Brian’s side, drawing his attention. “Nephew, your thoughts are so sad. Share them with us, that we might lighten the load.” She said as they drew him to sit on the bed. Brian took a seat between them, crossing his legs and staring down at his lap. “I was thinking about my parents.”
Tadhg took hold of one of Brian’s hands. “How your heart must be crying to not have them with you on this day.”
But Brian was shaking his head. “It’s not that, really. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I would love to have them with me. But I don’t even know if they would’ve come.” He admitted it quietly, ashamed to say that his own family wouldn’t want to celebrate with him. He heard the shock from his Aunt and Uncle, and felt it in the magic that seemed to live on their skin.
“Not come?” gasped Leusha.
“Why would they not?” Tadhg demanded to know.
Nervously Brian chewed at his lip. “They don’t exactly approve of my relationship with Alyck.”
This seemed to confuse them. Tadhg tightened his grip on Brian’s hand. “Has he offended them in some way that we should know of? For if there is dishonor to be taken care of, this ceremony is not proper. As your family here we will act in the capacity to repair this transgression.”
“No, no! Nothing like that!” Brian hurried to reassure. “He hasn’t offended them at all. Quite the opposite! He’s polite and courteous to them no matter what.” Here he felt the embarrassment keenly and flushed. “They disapprove of me being gay, really.”
“This confuses me.” Leusha said. She looked to her partner, unsure of how to speak. Tadhg took control of things and cupped Brian’s face, tipping it up so that they could look. The sheen of tears in Brian’s eyes had Tadhg’s features tightening more. “Nephew, let us speak clearly. I’ve been told that words in our language mean different to the humans. Might I take it that ‘gay’ does not mean a happy person to you?”
Realization dawned in Brian’s eyes. They thought he meant that his parents disapproved of him being happy! He had an insane urge to laugh and cry at the same time. “In our culture, gay is what’s used to describe the love between a man and a man, or a woman and a woman.” He explained in a broken voice.
Tadhg rocked back on his heels, and Leusha moved across the bed so that they were both facing Brian, twin images of shock. “They would not come to this important moment in your life because the song of your heart sings in a masculine voice instead of a feminine?” Tadhg asked sternly. Brian could only nod.
Leusha shook her head. “I do not understand this. It is love between you two. Yet they do not approve of you being happy? Do they not know that once your heart finds another that sings the same song, there is no other for you? This has given you much grief. Let this off your shoulders, nephew, and embrace your day. There are none here who condemn you for the love you have.”
“She speaks truly, Brian. Love is to be embraced, and shared between two spirits. Come, banish these dark thoughts. You must be happy as you go to the joining ceremony.” Tadhg stood and pulled Brian to his feet. He embraced his nephew and kissed both his cheeks. “Let us put the smile back on your face before young Alyck thinks that you are having second thoughts, or that we have hurt you. Young though he is, he is not one I’d want to come after me with vengeance in his heart.”
Brian chuckled weakly. “No, trust me, he’s not.” To help make sure things were ok, Brian took a second and sent a wave of love and happiness over the bond. He felt AJ receive it, and could have sworn he felt AJ sigh in relief before he sent a wave of love back. His smile became more genuine and the joy came back to him.
“That sounds like it has a story to it, but there is time enough for that on the morrow. Now, we are ready.”
With his Aunt on one arm and his Uncle on the other, Brian allowed them to escort him from the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pride had AJ standing straighter has he looked in the mirror one last time. Iona and Radha were straightening the dark brown boots he wore. They came only halfway up his calves, unlike the knee high pair they had tried to get him into. The matching breeches went down into the boots to make that seamless look. Over that he had belted a wrap that was green as the grass, with darker green and brown vines trailing over it in intricate patterns. He wore no shirt, but he donned a casual brown jerkin with green vines on the edging. Over that he pulled a dark green hooded cloak on, fastening it at his neck, yet tossing it off his shoulders.
Flreu raised a crown he had woven of ivy with water lilies laced into it. He placed it on AJ’s head, arranging it over the simple hairstyle they had done for him. Now that AJ’s hair was long enough they had braided two small braids on either side and then joined them at the back to make one. It wasn’t long enough to trail far, but enough that the style worked.
He knew his grandfather was speaking to him, but he couldn’t seem to concentrate on the words. Instead his being was focused on the bond inside of him, and the love that seemed to be overflowing it. Iona’s hand on his arm was what brought his attention back to the forefront. He looked into her laughing eyes, eyes that looked so much like his mother’s.
“Let us go, young Alyck. It is time.”
She led him from the room, with Radha on his other side, and Flreu leading the way as the head male of the family. A curtain of flowers stood in the center of the top balcony so that, as they descended, either would be able to see the other. AJ felt butterflies in his stomach as he took the steps one by one. He kept his eyes on the back of his grandfather, and concentrated on the feel of his Aunts’ hands on his arms. It was the only way he was going to make it down the stairs.
Still, out of his peripheral vision he could see that the great hall was filled to bursting with elves of all races and colors. Somewhere in there would be his friends. AJ quickly stole a glance to the side, looking at the room. The tables were decorated with flowers and food and drink. There seemed to be bits of nature everywhere, and music was being played. Pipes and harps and so many other instruments that he couldn’t name, but that he associated with home.
AJ didn’t have to see to know that there would be a blanket laid out on the ground at the bottom of the dais the thrones sat on. That was where he was headed to. There was where the ceremony would be completed. But it started now, as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
Flreu and Tadhg med face to face, standing in their place in front of the boys. The great hall grew silent as all watched them. AJ’s hood was drawn over his head, the cowl hanging low over his face, as he knew that Leusha would be doing for Brian. This was not the moment for them, but the moment for the oldest males of each of their families.
“I bring before you Alyck o Tuian. As his grandfather, I present him to you so that you may judge him suitable for the pledge we make tonight.” Flreu said in a voice that carried through the room with pride.
“I bring before you Brian o Littrell. As his uncle, I present him to you so that you may judge him suitable for the pledge we make tonight.” Tadhg replied, his voice carrying just as much pride.
The two men were nudged forward by their Aunts. AJ kept his head down, stopping beside his grandfather. He knew that Tadhg would have explained the ritual to Brian, so he wasted no time in worrying that his lover would know what to do. He left his magical shields open; indeed, since he’d been here he had kept only the basics up. But he was wide open and exposed now as Tadhg stepped in front of him and raised his hands on either side of AJ’s head, just as Flreu was doing to Brian.
For a moment nothing happened, and then AJ felt the magic bleed into him, running through his very veins. It wasn’t an unpleasant touch; it was actually very soothing. But this was the part AJ knew he would have the hardest time with. After Roth, it was difficult for him to allow someone free access to put magic inside of him. Connected as they were, Tadhg sensed this. His mind voice was soft and gentle, soothing AJ even as the magic checked for malevolent things. ‘I see darkness here, Alyck. I see that my touch bothers you. It is a sign of high honor for you that you keep the darkness at bay and allow one to do this to you. Your trust in me is a honor to yourself, and a honor to me. I will remember.’
AJ smiled inside. ‘I know your heart is pure, and your intentions clean. I have no cause to doubt you. The darkness will be something I will explain at our talk on the morrow, as will the darkness in Brian be explained. We can only hope you two will not hold that against us, nor the memories we chose to keep aside for now.’
‘Yes, I see that a part of yourself is held back from my touch. Normally this is not allowed. But as we have decreed that none of the foulness of the dark mage be allowed, and I sense he is part of those memories, this we will allow for this is a day of joy. If not fully explained on the morrow, though, there will be repercussions.’
‘I understand.’ AJ reassured him. Then the touch was gone, and he was left standing on his own as the two men moved back to their sides.
“I judge Brian Littrell suitable, and am pleased with the match to be made tonight.” Flreu announced.
“I judge Alyck o Tuian suitable, and am pleased with the match to be made tonight.” Tadhg echoed.
The two men brought their charges forward so that they stood before one another. Hoods were thrown back, and for the first time AJ got to see Brian. He let out a gasp of pleasure. The outfit Brian wore was a formal sun elf dressing, but never had he seen someone look so good in it. The ring around Brian’s eyes was glowing, perfectly matched to the color of his vest; and the blue of the rest of it brought out the blue of his iris. He was stunning standing there. Never had he looked more elvish. Never had he looked more handsome; more himself.
AJ could see the same pleased appraisal in Brian’s eyes as he looked his lover over from head to toe. They both wore wide grins as the full impact of the moment slid over them. They were here before people who were theirs; not just AJ’s, not just Brian’s. These people were their people, and in the eyes of these people they were about to commit to the most solemn oath. Nothing could have been more perfect.
“Alyck, strike him with all of your might.” Flreu ordered suddenly. When they’d spoke of this briefly through the mind link before AJ had even asked, he’d warned Brian of this part, and they’d agreed it was worth the cost. AJ did not hesitate in raising his hand. Half measures were not allowed. This was to be as Flreu said, ‘with all of your might.’ His open handed slap echoed through the great hall, and sent Brian flying sideways to the floor.
Tadhg helped him to his feet and brought him back over. Once Brian stood before him again, Tadhg said “Brian, strike him with all of your might.” Brian did not hesitate either, and his open handed slap sent AJ flying sideways.
Flreu helped AJ to his feet and stood him before Brian again. Together the two men spoke. “Know now that, no matter how you fight, you need never come to blows, for the hardest blow has already been struck.”
Knowing what needed to be done, AJ and Brian took the last step that brought them together, and turned to face the thrones. They looked at those that were watching; saw their friends happily watching from the front. All eyes were on them. The music was soft in the background, merely accompanying the moment instead of overriding it.
Flreu and Tadhg dropped to their knees in front of them, on opposite sides. Flreu was in front of Brian while Tadhg was in front of AJ. They each removed a boot from the boys. AJ’s right and Brian’s left, so that bare ankle was by bare ankle. Together the men joined magic, and called up the thorn rose vine between them. This this alternated between them, wrapping it around their skin in the shape of an eight.
“So that you may always walk together, no matter the distance between you.” Flreu said as they finished wrapping, and the two men used their magic to pull the vines in tight against the skin. Neither AJ nor Brian flinched as the thorns cut into their skin. Small trickles of blood ran down their ankles, which was the intention. It was considered a bad omen if the thorns did not sink in and draw blood.
The men stood and conjured another rose vine. Brian and AJ joined hands as they’d been earlier instructed, and this time the men wrapped it around their fingers like rings, until their hands were stuck together.
“So that you need never fear reaching out for a hand, for it is already bound to your own and will always be there for you.” Tadhg said formally as the magic was again tightened until the thorns bled their skin.
Without another word, Tadhg and Flreu turned and walked down the aisle, stopping at the thrones and standing in front of them, on the step above the blanket. The members of both their families gathered with them to bear witness. Only when everyone was there did Brian and AJ move. This was the tricky part. To prove that they could always work together, no matter the obstacle, they had to walk down to the aisle without breaking the vines.
Very carefully they took the first step, the thorns cutting in with the movement. That was to prove that this was worth it to them. That they would go through anything for one another. Without using their bond, as that felt like cheating, the two men gracefully made their way forward, never making a sound as the thorns cut further and further into their skin. It was a slow process, but when they stopped before the blanket, their vines were intact.
“Step forward.” The men said together.
Brian and AJ moved to stand in the center of the blanket. Instantly their skin hummed with magic. Flreu moved to Brian, and Tadhg moved to AJ. They took their joined hand and raised it above them. “Today, our families become one.” The men spoke clearly, for all to hear. “They have been judged worthy, and offered willingly. This is the last moment you have to turn and walk away without bearing shame. Do either of you wish to take it.”
“No.”
“No.”
They spoke firmly and clearly. The men smiled and them and spoke again. “Then let it be known from hovel to hilltop, from forest to sea, from land to sky, that these two have joined together. Their hearts, souls, and spirits will be as one. There is no greater bond than that of love. Willingly we witness this, willingly they come to this. With this ceremony, they pledge to uphold the honor of their partner. To be the shoulder to bear up when the other is down. To be the smile on a day where all is sorrow. To share in the joy as well as the darkness of life.”
Flreu stepped back, raising his hands to the sky as his magic filled him. “To sun I sky I offer this humble child of the earth, may he join with you as one.”
Tadhg stepped back, extending his hands toward the earth as his magic filled him. “To the earth I offer this humble child of the sky, may he join with you as one.”
The magic surged from the two men and suddenly seemed to come from everywhere at once. It pressed against AJ’s skin like a strong breeze, seeming to fill him and pull him until he felt as if he was riding in the skies. It pressed against Brian as the soft moistness of the earth, seeping into his body, the scents of the forest filling his nose, until he felt as if he was lying in the middle of a forest after a fresh rain. For a moment the magic stayed in them, then suddenly it pulsed outward, filling the great hall with a bright light.
When the light was gone, Brian and AJ looked at one another, then looked at their hands and ankles. The vines were no longer wrapped around their skin. Instead, as the magic was supposed to do, it was as if the vines had sunk into their skin. Around the fingers of AJ’s right hand it looked like an intricate tattoo of vines and thorns around each finger, matching the ones on Brian’s left hand. Their ankles were the same way. No longer joined together, but they felt the connection where their skin touched. The vines were inside of them now, always to be a part of them.
Still holding hands, they turned to their people and smiled. Flreu and Tadhg joined them. “Welcome this couple, for they have done the tests, and proven themselves worthy. Welcome Brian and Alyck, and let us rejoice in their love!”
Cheers filled the great hall, louder than anything yet. The music struck up, playing a happy lively tune. The couple was led off the blanket and embraced by their new family. Tadhg and Leusha hugged AJ close, tears falling from their eyes. “Welcome to our family, Alyck.” They told him. AJ found that tears were streaming from his own eyes, but they were tears of joy. He looked over and saw Brian being hugged by Radha, Iona, and Flreu, being welcome as well, and he saw that he was crying too. Then they were swept up in the crowd of everyone offering their congratulations.
Even separated from one another, AJ could feel Brian through the bond, and now he could feel him through their new link. It intensified the bond they already had. AJ knew that now he could raise a hand and point out Brian in a crowd with his eyes closed. From everything he’d heard, it worked over any distance, no matter how far. They would always be able to find one another.
When Howie and Isleen reached AJ, and he saw that they were holding hands lovingly, he thought that the day couldn’t be any better.