Aliel

Chapter 20

We were led to a small room just off the ballroom. It was lit with hundreds of candles, and had four chairs placed in the middle just like in the tent when I'd first come to the elven camp back at Splethantown. Chataya was already there, and so was Lorien. As soon as my Aliel saw me, a look of amazement crossed his face.

"Wow," was all he said. Then he took my hand and sat me down just like before, him on my right, Varen in front of me, and Chataya taking the remaining chair.

"Are we ready to begin?" Chataya asked, and the rest of us nodded. "Very well. Speak your names, Aliels."

"Lorien of Valenass."

"Claresa of Splethantown."

"Speak your name, shapar."

"Varen of Valenass."

"Can you attest that all customs and proprieties have been observed by said Aliels, and that there is nothing against this bonding?"

"I can," Varen answered firmly.

"Very well. Lorien of Valenass and Claresa of Splethantown, the rituals have been performed, and you are found to be claimed by the Alushaliel. Let this bonding stand through the ages. Please rise and face one another."

We did as instructed, and I gazed into the green, gold-flecked eyes of my Aliel. I remembered what Varen had said about him waiting so long to find me. I hoped with all my heart that I could make him happy. Chataya also stood and produced a length of silvery cloth. Varen had told me beforehand that we would wear this only until after the celebration, then we would keep it as a token of the bonding. 

"Please raise your hands together." Lorien took my right hand in his left and we brought them up to shoulder level, fingers interlaced. Chataya began to wind the cloth around my wrist, then Lorien's, leaving about four inches of fabric loose between them. "Let this be a symbol of your bonding. You shall always be united, always striving to live your lives in harmony with each other. You are now bound, forever."

"My Aliel," Lorien said, squeezing my hand.

"My Aliel," I echoed, returning the warm pressure. 

As soon as we said those words a shock went through my hand and up my arm, just like when we had touched that first day. A wealth of emotions flooded into me, radiant joy the most prevalent. It took me by surprise, but Chataya wasn't finished speaking yet, so I tried my best to hear what he was saying.

"... and now, I believe, is the human tradition. Lorien, you may kiss your Aliel." Lorien lifted my veil and kissed me softly. And that was it. We were married, we were bound. Aliels forever.

We were ushered into the ballroom amid a mass of cheering elves. Then Chataya spoke a few more words, and just like that I was accepted into the East Elven Clan. 

The rest of the day was spent in uproarious celebration. We ate food, listened to music performed by the elves, and danced like we had no shame. All the while my hand was clasped tightly in my Aliel's. King Larus did not make an appearance, but, to my surprise, Princess Freya came and offered her congratulations. She was actually quite polite and sweet, and I decided right then to forgive her for trying to steal Lorien away from me.

Hours later the mood had turned peaceful, and Lorien and I were swaying back and forth to the now soft music when I remembered the shock that I had felt twice now, and the engulfing power of the emotions it seemed to bring with it. I thought that Lorien should know about it. I was sure that it was some kind of magic, and, as has been pointed out already, I knew absolutely nothing on the subject.