Nimue started down the strip of tapestry that had been rolled over the ground to the sound of harps. Each step she took, by herself, for no man was giving her to Maric but she was freely bringing herself, but each step she took the world grew narrower. She didn’t see the shining faces smiling at her or hear the sniffling of Maric’s mother. All she could see at the end of the carpet, standing under the arbor overhung with vines, was Maric, her love, the paladin, dressed in his finery. The dress she wore of simple pink with delicately embroidered white flowers was of the best silk and linen, by far the best garment that Nimue had ever owned. She hoped she was only as half as lovely as Maric.<br/><br/>She smiled, lighting her entire face for only Maric as she carefully took each measured but deliberate step, her fingers crushing the stems of the flowers from the Tor’s hothouse. The rich smell of gardenia’s surrounded her, making her world sweet and glorious. When she reached him, she gave him her hand and the Lady nodded at her to speak,<br/><br/>“Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone.<br/>I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One.<br/>I give ye my Spirit, `til our Life shall be Done.<br/><br/><br/>You cannon possess me for I belong to myself<br/>But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give<br/>You cannon command me, for I am a free person<br/>But I shall serve you in those ways you require<br/>and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand. “<br/><br/>The Lady Vivianne, robed in her finest scarlet robe, called the wedding to order and began the formal vows,<br/><br/>To the crowd she said,<br/><br/>“Now, I consecrate this ground. Within this circle is love and grace. May it always encompass you all in its holiness. ”<br/><br/>With a nod toward some of the acolytes from the Tor, the women began at the back of the crowd, pouring salt as they walked, each in a semi circle away from each other and finished just behind The Lady.  She went to stand behind a small table that held a fat round beeswax table and two narrow tapers among other things.<br/><br/>“ Today, we ask that the infinite light of the divine shine upon this union. In that spirit, I offer a blessing to this ceremony.<br/><br/>Blessed be this marriage with the gifts from the east -- new beginnings that come each day with the rising sun, communication of the heart, mind, body and soul.<br/>Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the south -- the light of the heart, the heat of passion, and the warmth of a loving home.<br/>Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the west -- the rushing excitement of a raging river, the soft and pure cleansing of a rainstorm, and a commitment as deep as the ocean itself.<br/>Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the north -- a solid foundation on which to build your lives, abundance and growth of your home, and the stability to be found by holding one another at the end of the day.<br/><br/>Nimue, Maric, these four simple blessings will help you on your journey that begins today. However, they are only tools. They are tools which you must use together to create the light, the strength, the infinite energy now and forever of a love you both so richly deserve.”<br/><br/>Together they lit the large candle from their individual candles and turned back to the Lady. She had the special ring that Maric had made for Nimue on a small pillow.<br/><br/>“Now, I bid you look into one another's eyes and hearts. Maric, please place the ring on Nimue's finger. Do you promise to show Nimue your honor and fidelity, to share her laughter and joy, to support and stand by her in times of difficulty, to dream and hope together with her, and to spend each day loving her more than the day before?”<br/><br/>Maric stood tall and his voice took on the paladin’s power as he boomed the affirmative<br/><br/>“Nimue, please give Maric the ring. Do you, Nimue, promise to show Maric your honor and fidelity, to share his hopes and dreams, to laugh with him and share endless days of joy, to stand side by side with him in times of trouble, and to spend each day loving him more than the day before?”<br/><br/>Nimue just nodded her head yes, too overwhelmed to speak.<br/><br/>“Sir Maric, repeat after me,<br/>I, state your full name, in the name of the spirit of God and our dear Lady, the Mother of all, that   resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee Nimue Gwendiline Llewellyn to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself. “<br/><br/>She paused while he complied, smiling at the earnestness and the trembling of his voice as he held Nimue’s hands.<br/><br/>The priestess turned to Nimue who was glowing and had tears in her eyes threatening to spill over her pink cheeks,<br/><br/>“Nimue repeat after me,<br/><br/>I Nimue Gwendiline Llewellyn, in the name of the spirit of God and our dear lady, the Mother of all,  that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, Sir Maric, paladin of light, to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my chosen one. To desire and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself. “<br/><br/>She paused whileN imue lifted her chin and quavered her solemn vows to Maric. Trust shone in her eyes and it was evident to all that Maric was her entire world.<br/><br/>“The vows of love have been spoken. I ask you now to cross your hands over each other, and take one another's hands. “ The Lady instructed. She then  wrapped a golden cord around their wrist, binding them together loosely and tying a knot.<br/><br/>“ Maric, Nimue, this cord ribbons symbolizes so much. It is your life, your love, and the eternal connection that the two of you have found with one another. The ties of this handfasting are not formed by these ribbons, or even by the knots connecting them. They are formed instead by your vows, by your pledge, your souls, and your two hearts, now bound together as one.<br/><br/>As one last bond, Maric, will you give the kiss of peace to Nimue?”<br/><br/>Nimue’s heart nearly exploded at the sweetness of Maric’s kiss. Right now, she only wished to have Maric and the moon for company. The Lady unwrapped cord without untying knot.To the young couple she said,<br/><br/>“ Please turn to face your friends and family who love you. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Sir Maric and his lady, Nimue!”