Vows and the Noble Stag

Introductions

Father O'Brien had finished midnight mass on Christmas Eve a short time ago. As he scanned what was left of the crowd he saw a familiar face. He motioned for the man to come closer.

"It's been a long time."

"Yes, I'd agree 300 years is a long time," Elijah says with a smile.

"I've only been back in this part of the world less than 2 weeks. I just arrived in Paris yesterday having spent time in Manosque."

"How is Francois these days?" the priest asks with a smile.

"I would say doing well other than he's been hexed. He should be fine since we left town but that's another story altogether."

"I take it the hex is connected to you?"

"Unfortunately, in a way, yes."

"The lady sitting in the back, is she with you?"

Elijah smiles as he looks at Charlotte. "Yes, and she is part of the reason I'm here."
Father O'Brien looks at Elijah both surprised and delighted.
"Shall we talk more privately, say in my office?"
"Is this conversation meant to include her or do I need to speak with her first?"
"So she knows who you are I take it?"
"Better than basically anyone else on Earth with one or two exceptions," Elijah says with a smile. "I've come to ask if you would marry us tomorrow, later today actually, Paul?"
The priest's smile falters for a moment. He looks at Elijah and sees he is completely serious.
"Perhaps you should speak with her so we can talk just the two of us candidly," he states looking a little nervous. Elijah nods and walks back to Charlotte.
"He would like to speak to me in private. Probably to make sure I know what I'm getting into," he says with a smile as he kisses Charlotte on the cheek. "Will you be ok out here by yourself?"
"All alone in the wee hours of the morning in Paris on Christmas Day in a beautiful church such as this? Of course I will. There is so much to discover. I mean if it's ok with the Father if I look around out here?"
"Come and let me introduce you to my friend," Elijah says as he reaches for her hand. He leads her to the front of the cathedral and smiles as he says, "Father Paul O'Brien, meet Charlotte my finance. Charlotte this is my 500 year old friend and priest, Father Paul O'Brien."

Charlotte nods to him but takes his hand when he reaches out to her. "It's a pleasure to meet you Father."
"I'm pleased to meet you Charlotte. If you are the reason he seems so happy then it is truly a pleasure."
"Paul, would you mind if she looks around out here while we talk? She enjoys history, I know it's ironic, and particularly church history and would like to look a bit." Father O'Brien can't help but smile as Elijah explains that Charlotte enjoys history.

"Feel free to look about but please remain in this main hall. I can show you around more later but by yourself you need to remain out here."
"There's more than enough to look at and keep me busy for a while out here," Charlotte breathes as she glances at the paintings and statues all around the room. With that settled Father O'Brien leads Elijah back to his private study.
Once they're seated he turns to the Original and asks, "I can see she makes you happy Elijah but are you sure about this? I know what a promise means to you my friend. A wedding in the church is a serious matter."

"I knew you would ask, Father. Yes, I am sure," Elijah leans forward in his chair and stares at the floor for a moment before looking his friend in the eye.
"We've been together for 2 years Paul. On the run more or less from Mikael. When I say we've been together I mean we've barely spent more than a day at a time apart since I pulled her from a burning building in New Orleans a little over 2 years ago. A fire that was started by Mikael I might add as he attempted to kill Nicklaus, Rebekah and I."
The priest watches Elijah as he speaks and notes the various emotions that cross his friends face. "I get that it has probably been intense but that doesn't equal an eternal vow."
"Trust me when I say I have given it much thought. Pardon me here Father, but she and I have been through hell and back together. She comes from an abusive and controlling background with the physical and emotional scars to bare witness. However, she has brought peace to my otherwise troubled soul. I had to show her how a lady should be treated as she had only known pain and sorrow."
Father O'Brien listens and hears Elijah and understanding comes to him. "If I agree to perform the ceremony, it will include the traditional phrasing, 'to have and to hold, forsaking all others, to honor and cherish for better or worse, in sickness and in health till death do you part.' Are you positive you are ok with making that vow, that promise to her?"