"Tis such a sweet moment.... When should a dwerf mention our plans to murder yer mother Zen?"
Kuldahar
"Tis such a sweet moment.... When should a dwerf mention our plans to murder yer mother Zen?"
She steps towards the couple. "Um, Halla-" Her voice cracks and she clears her throat. "Halla. If you wait until tomorrow, I think I could perform the ceremony. I'm afraid right now I'm unprepared." She makes the last pointed at Zenithral, then turns to look at him so that Halla can't see her face. "What?" Al mouths at him sharply. She's flustered and off-balance- though, not nearly so much as he- but Zenithral can see in her eyes that there is happiness and excitement for him there too.
"It would also give you some time to think about and discuss your vows," Alalla continues solemnly. "They are important. They should not be made hastily."
Stars above, now you're sounding like a servant of the divine.
"Of course, Brother Gus could probably do it today. What do you think?"
With one hand she removes one of the oak leaf pendants from her neck, and a small vine trails off from the arch to wind about the pendant's binding and become a cord. She puts it around Zenithral's neck, hand lingering much more lightly than the other one squeezing his fingers numb. "I have only one vow I wish to speak."
"A dwerf knows the northern ways, and elderly he is. Shall a dwerf begin or would you have close friends gathered up?"
Only one vow? Must be a big one...What am I going to vow?
"Close friends...? Oh yes; If Ug, Ras, and Vincent can be fetched quickly, that would be splendid," he says looking at Reothadh. He looks at Halla "If that's alright with you, of course...?"
"Is that alright with you, Halla?" she asks, prepared to dart away. A raised eyebrow and smirk says, he can't get away that quickly. "I'll chase 'em down for you," she adds aloud for both paths of thought.
A dwerf knows o’ the ancient northern ways, b’fore the gods took an interest here. Back when civilization was yet just a dew drop on the face of this world. By those rites a dwerf brings these two together. By the light o’ the north an the chill o’ winter may yeh pledge yerselves now."
Alrighty...here we go.
"Halla of Kuldahar...I vow that as long as the winds of the Icewind Dale blow and as long as the air of this world fills my breath, I shall think of thee above all else. Though trouble, turmoil, and betrayal befall us both, we shan't suffer it alone. I vow to do all I can to protect this our home, to restore warmth and light where cold and darkness hath invaded. Such cold and darkness shan't enter my heart again, for the warmth and light between us shall prevail. Even if death taketh my soul, I shall remember this love...for I now know that it is love that endureth. This I vow in the name of He That Endures." He smiles, then gives her a wink at the mention of the deity.
Goodness...was that too much? I didn't mean to use so much antiquated speech...I didn't know I had that in me...but no...it is likely just enough...she has done so much for me. He nods. Yes. I meant every word of it.
She takes another deep breath, then reaches up to take Zenithral's face gently in both of her hands. Staring deeply into his eyes, she makes her vow. "I swear to be mated to you as a wolf, and not as a spider."
A peculiar pronouncement. But then, this is an peculiar woman. It takes Zenithral only a moment to understand that for her, this is a vow of complete fidelity, as well as an assurance that in their relationship she will be supportive, rather than selfish.
She raises her voice to address Reòthadh, but keeps her eyes on Zenithral. "'Tis all I have to say. Proceed, dwarf."
Zenithral's words bring a smile to her lips. So sweet and flowery. It must be the elf blood, since Erevain's had been the same.
Now his vows are scarred like the tree. They both are, from his mistakes. But Zenithral and Halla are starting something new beneath the Kuldahar tree. It wasn't long ago at all that she and Erevain had done the same, but there was nothing stopping them from starting again. The scar can heal, and they will be strong again.
Al brushes her lips against her husband's pointed ear and whispers. "I forgive you."
Halla voices her vow and Alalla grins. A woman after her own heart. Perhaps together they will be able to figure out what to do with these refined men. But look at her, cradling Zenithral's face in her hands!
Who's mooning, now Halla? she laughs, heart warm.
The elder dwarf brings the couples hands together, gesturing for everyone else that he has finished. Small tears burgeon in the corner of his eyes, but quickly freeze and fall to the ground like snowfall.
"This is the part where you kiss your wife."
After their moment, Zenithral sighs and smiles, continuing to gaze into her eyes for a moment. "As much as I would love to continue here, I do believe we have my siblings to find." He takes her hands and steps to the side. "Alalla? Perhaps it'd be best if you lead this discussion." Zenithral says this respectfully, trying to acknowledge his weakness for words with sensitive matters.
After Zenithral finishes, Alalla crosses her arms. "So. The ultimate goal is Belhifet dead to this plane and back in Avernus. I doubt we can do that without handling his general first? How will we do that? And what if the twins? If we can't find them, we have to assume they are with Belhifet. Are they willing, or captives?" Her voice becomes quieter. "Did they really kill Father Tulfgyr?"