Rites of Passage Redux (Armphid & Haremfaery)

[haremfaery]

Aine looked away quickly stifling an "oh" of surprise. She busied herself with removing her shoes and stockings. Tiernan was a man in full, she'd grant him that.

She slowly undid the laces of her bodice. She looked up when she heard him splash in the water. She had to smile watching him paddle like a dog in the water. She stood and pushed off her skirts then picked her way to the edge of the stream in her shift.

She poked one foot in the water, "'Tis cold!" She shouted to him. But stepped in farther going in up to her knees. Her shift swirled about her. She bent and splashed water on her arms and face keeping a lookout in case Tiernan decided to show himself to her again. She felt her face go as hot as her feet were cold.

 

[Armphid]

He laughed as she called to him about the chill of the water, "Aye, it is. And good that it is so! Cold water on the body is like fresh rain on wilted lettuce. But I'll not take much time." One could get too cold and get sick if they spent too much time, true, but he was hardy and would be cautious.

Tiernan swam to the middle of the stream and then took a deep breath before letting himself sink beneath the surface. His eyes closed and he floated in the cold darkness; letting the stream wash over him and through him, allowing it to bear him downstream. He liked this; it felt cleansing and spiritual, as if he communed with the water while it embraced him.

The young warrior floated up and his body broke the surface, his breath blowing out in a sound of deep contentment. He floated on for another few moments before rolling over and swimming back upstream. He had gone perhaps 30 yards and was soon back where Aine waded. "Human and clean, I feel, at last. Grateful for your company too, for a fine reminder of why it is good to be a man."

He moved to a large rock by the bank and hauled himself out of the stream. He held his arms up and tilted his head back to feel the kiss of sun and wind on his wet, bare skin.

 

[haremfaery]

Yes, Tiernan was a fine figure of a man. It was difficult not to watch him, especially when he was enjoying himself so much. She liked him more and more despite her best efforts not to. Sometimes she could almost believe that he loved her. It was obvious he lusted for her. Very obvious. She blushed remembering.

Aine turned away when Tiernan climbed out of the water and walked back to the back. She wrung out the end of her shift. The sun felt good after the chill from the stream. She sat and gathered up one stocking to put on her still damp leg. She glanced his way every now and then as she dressed.

((Not sure if you want to jump to dinner or if Tiernan is going to try and get handsy on the way back.))

 

[Armphid]

He could have stood in the breath of the green all day and felt sun and wind of his bare skin. But it was not to be, this day or any other. Tiernan glanced over at Aine as she busied herself with wringing out her shift and re-dressing herself and he smiled. Ah, if they could only romp in the woods a bit. But it would be beneath her and sure to start a fight. A wise man knew better than to poke a fire with a dry stick.

He dressed himself, wishing he had fresh clothes to wear as these still smelled of his travels but it could not be helped. "Let us not keep your family waiting, Aine, nor think I waylaid you for dalliance, sweet as such would be."

He offered her his hand before they set off, determined to make the best of this he could. It was all going very well; their time spent together was not usually so friendly and never before had so much of either been bared to the other's eyes. Almost like they were courting, for the moment, at least. Fancy that.

((I'm fine with skipping ahead to the dinner. As much fun as it is to play in the forest, that'll have to come later. ))

 

[haremfaery]

Aine snorted. "My mother would smile and my father would thump you on the back. They are eager for grandchildren." But she took his hand. She had all but given up finding out who she had been with at Beltane. Time to move on. They walked back to her father's house.

~~~​

Aine's mother made a fuss over Tiernan when they entered and insisted a servant take him upstairs and find him something suitable to wear for dinner.

"Bathing together in the stream? You could have taken more time, this is not a formal dinner." Aine's mother's eyes twinkled.

"It wasn't like that." Aine sniffed.

"And what's this?" Her mother touched the bracelet.

"A gift from Tiernan."

"Ah, the lad knows how to treat a woman. I hoped you thanked him properly." Her father said.

Aine sniffed. "Oh course I did. I know my manners. if you mean something else, that is no one's business but Tiernan's and mine."

Aine was relieved at Tiernan's return. They all went through to the table. "So. Tell us, how went the raid?" Magnus asked after the were seated.



((Sorry about the delay. My internet was down more than it was up for a month [some system problem at Verizon] and then I got an editing gig. Things are back to normal, so my posts should be regular again.))

 

[Armphid]

The relief on Aine's face when he returned was a surprise, if a welcome one. Though after a moment's thought he realized that word of their walking to the stream together had raced ahead of them like a barking dog. He felt a brief chagrin; he had not intended that. And if word got around the town and farms, well...he wasn't sure Aine would take it well if people's tongues wagged.

He felt almost as nervous at the table as he had out there on the raid. Magnus was a renowned leader of men and a war chief. Tiernan was painfully aware of the gulf in experience between himself and the older man and of the need to establish himself in the mind of the king and of the people as a worthy successor.

"Well, if I may be bold enough to say so." He licked his lips and took a breath to steady himself. "We went forth with a plan to raid either the O'Connors or the O'Dells, depending on what my cousin Brin and his scouts brought back. He saw almost the full counting of O'Conner's strength making their way toward the O'Banion's lands and we went there. I intended to use our mere presence force the hand of those left behind, knowing they could not fight us if it came to it."

Some would not like that, he knew. But less fighting meant fewer riderless horses on the way back and more men to defend their own lands and work the fields.

"I set a number of our lads in the forests on their outskirts to make noise more than anything, while riding ahead with the others. I made our demands clear and let them to think that our number was far greater. Some small group of those who remained rode out to drive us off; thinking rightly that we did not have the numbers we claimed." Tiernan felt a faint rush at the memory of the fighting then; as much as he wanted to keep more of his people alive, the thrill of battle still called to him as a beckoning lover. "It was not much of a fight to be told, older men and those just in training. We drove them back to their walls bloodied and bearing many wounds."

He shook his head, "I thought then we may have to raid the town after all but they opened their gate again and their queen came out to meet us, along with those men who were largely unhurt from our skirmish. I spoke with her of terms and we came to an agreement. We took the cattle we wanted and she gave up a few prize pieces of her jewelry to buy the lives of her men and the safety of their village."

 

[haremfaery]

Aine fingered the bracelet on her wrist listening to Tiernan recount the raid.
"It is good that so few were harmed." Her father nodded and refilled Tiernan's cup then Aine's. He raised his cup, "To Tiernan's success and many more!" His voice boomed out louder than it needed to be at this smaller dinner. He drained his cup and expected the others to follow suit.

Magnus was in a fine humor. Tiernan had proven to be all he wanted in a son, and leader for the clan. And from the looks of things, Aine was finally coming 'round. He hoped to see many grandchildren before he went to the Summerlands. He topped off the cups once again.

Aine rolled the bracelet on her wrist while listening. It was exciting to hear Tiernan speak of the battle. She remembered his fiery countenance when he rescued her from the O'Banions. Had she been a boy, she would be the one leading the raids. How strange to think of that. Then she thought of the queen of Clan O'Connor. That might be her one day, defending their homes while Tiernan was away fighting elsewhere. She wondered if she would have enough sense to know when to fight and when to back down.

"Was the queen afraid?" She leaned closer to Tiernan.

 

[Armphid]

The young nobleman's eyes surveyed his handfasted bride for a few moments before he spoke. Aine had shown him much over their short and tumultuous courtship; while her emotions could run away with her, she had a deep thought if they did not do so. Was she wondering what she would do in the place of the queen of the O'Conners?

He sipped from his cup and then raised his brows, a trace of a smile on his lips, one of respect. "I cannot think that she wasn't. The men she had were already beaten once and her king and his warriors many days' ride away. To walk out with naught but other women at her side, armed though they were, in front of a force of fell handed raiders, who would not feel fear curdling their stomach?"

"But there was no trace of it in her carriage, her voice, nor her eyes." She had met his gaze evenly and without flinching. "We made our bargain and she spoke with pride and confidence, even knowing her side was the weaker. There was a kind of...dread certainty in her countenance. She knew I could take what I demanded, and more, from her people but she met me fairly to barter for my not doing so. Even though her side was the less, her eyes spoke plainly that if I plundered her folk, she would do all in her power to strike me dead herself."

Tiernan was silent a moment more and again looked on Aine. "In truth, she reminded me of you, if not so fair and of lesser charms. A similar fire was in her as burns in you, and she was dauntless as I recall you being when the O'Banions tried to take you."

 

[haremfaery]

Aine blushed. "You flatter me, Tiernan. I was not dauntless. I was so afraid. Afraid for myself. Afraid for the men who came to rescue me." She looked him in the eyes. "Afraid for you. The O'Banions had no love for you then and even less now. But if I looked dauntless--I suppose that is a good thing. I can understand what the Queen was feeling. A leader must do what they must to protect their people. I am glad there was no bloodshed." She looked down at her bracelet and then back to him. "Brigid protect us, I hope never to find myself in her position."

"Brigid protect us." Magnus said loudly and lifted his goblet to Tiernan. "But as long as we have men such as Tiernan, Brigid need not trouble herself." He downed his wine.

Aine's Mother lifted her glass, "To Tiernan."

Aine did likewise. She made a silent promise to herself and to Tiernan that she would be a great Queen to her people and a good wife to Tiernan.

 

[Armphid]

"If the goddess wishes to bother herself, who am I to argue?" Tiernan lifted his cup all the same, though his cheeks were a bit flushed. He did not care for all this carrying on over his deeds. He had never been one to brag or boast; was not the deed itself enough? But this was the way of a king, he knew. To honor his men and their actions was important. To make them know the ruler knew their value and appreciated their valor. "To Clan Soghain."

How long would it have to be before he was in Magnus' place? Toasting warriors and congratulating the victorious? He felt a shiver down his spine and regretted the thought immediately. Aine's father was hale and hearty; he had many years of rule remaining.

Tiernan was not a religious man; he preferred the gods to go their way and he his own...but he would pray for long life and health for his bride's father. "Pray, let us turn to fairer words than those of plunder, grand though it may be."

 

[haremfaery]

Aine toasted and drank deep to Clan Soghain. The conversation turned to other matters, grain storage, the harvest, making a new well, and finally the rapidly approaching wedding.

Eventually, her parents left the two of them alone with knowing smiles. Aine let Tiernan kiss her for some time before bidding him a good night. She felt his lips on hers long after the kissing stopped.

-----​

Her wedding day dawned with her mother bustling into her room along with a few of her friends and their mothers. They prepared a bath for her and brought her food to eat while they washed her and fixed her hair.

They packed her trunks to be taken to the new home that Tiernan had built for the two of them.

They laughed and drank soft mead. The married women spoke of their own weddings and of their wedding nights.

Everyone assumed that she and Tiernan had already coupled. Aine said nothing to dissuade them. What would be the point? They probably would not believe her anyway. As they all kept telling her, who could resist Tiernan's charms for long?

Most of the things they talked about made her blush and think about finally being alone with Tiernan. Her heart thundered in her chest. There would be no nay saying then. It was her duty and his right to take her and sire heirs. Her mother had been looking for signs of pregnancy for months.

((I forget what time of year we decided the wedding would take place.))

When she was finally arrayed in her gown made specially for the wedding, her mother led her down to the great hall where everyone was assembled. Her own clan members and many from surrounding clans all wanting to see this important day when Magnus' daughter would wed the man who would one day be clan leader.

She saw Tiernan standing with his men looking taller and broader and more handsome than she remembered. He caught her looking at him and she blushed.

 

[Armphid]

Lughnasa had come swifter than Tiernan had ever remembered it. It was almost enough to make him believe in the power of the druids to hurry the turning of the seasons, though he knew well they had no such power. All was in ready for his life to end and the new to begin. The house was finished and furnished, the raids he'd done providing much of the wealth to do so. He had shown skill in war and leading men, proving to Magnus and to many others that he would be a fit King and was worthy of Aine. The summer waned and the harvest beckoned, it was time for celebration and for ripeness.

He and Aine had grown closer since their handfasting. They had quarreled more than once in the time of their betrothal as well, however. To wed her was not the doom he had once thought, but he did not enter it free from worry either. Tiernan still gave it an even chance she would bring a dagger to the marriage bed tonight.

As she descended, flanked by her mother and the women of her household, the men forming her honor guard...and a true guard as well, a relic of less happy times, he thought that even if she had a knife it would be worth risking a cut or two.

Aine was beautiful always but not she was radiant. Aengus clearly favored her and their marriage to make her so radiant. Her skin was smooth perfection, her lips the pink promise of spring blossoms, her eyes the very flame of imbas. Her dress was fine and rich and it suited her well; it was modest and yet it accented her curves and her form, making her as pure and tempting enough that one of the Fair Folk might even be envious of her.

Tiernan sucked in a breath and his face was stunned and admiring; open and unguarded as her beauty swept his usual reserve away. He could hear a few chuckles around him and some whispers at his thunderstruck appearance but he did not care a whit at the moment.

The two parties met in the great hall and then moved together, once his father had nudged Tiernan back to his senses. They walked parallel to one another towards the raised place where the table of honor sat. Kynthelig and a few other druids waited there. They had not been there before, no one had seen them until Aine had entered, but now they waited to perform the ceremony and ritual that would unite the two young people in this world and that beyond.

 

[haremfaery]

Aine was still anxious about her wedding day and not just about the start of her new life with Tiernan. Ever since her kidnapping by the O'Banions, she feared another such incident. There was a reason for an armed honor guard. She prayed nothing would mar this day. So far, there had been good omens, at least that is what her mother told her. The egg she ate for breakfast has been a double yolk.

She took a breath realizing she had missed some of what Kythelig had said in greeting those gathered.

The druids raised their hands as Kynthelig called on the gods to protect this sacred space. Then he called to the Lord and Lady to bless the young couple as they joined in marriage.

As they had at their handfasting, Aine's right hand and Tiernan's left were bound with cords, a physical representation of their unity as man and wife. Prayers for their happiness, prosperity and fecundity were spoken as each knot was tied. They drank from the same cup. A cup filled with the strong mead her father had his brewmasters make especially for this day. It tasted of raspberries.

Aine finally trusted herself to look at Tiernan to find his eyes twinkling and a broad smile on his face. Her first thought was that he looked like a moonstruck idiot and wondered just how much mead he had drunk this morning while he and his friends prepared him for this. Then she realized his joy was all for her and this day and it softened her heart once again for him. She smiled shyly up at him, but a puckish thought struck her and her lips curled up with more confidence.

She heard a sniffle and looked at her mother who was dry-eyed and beaming. It was her father wiping tears away. It made her eyes shine as she blinked back her own. She had never seen the great Magnus moved to tears by anything.

 

[Armphid]

The play of expressions that flitted over her fine features were the story of their relationship and interactions told in a scant few seconds and by her expressions alone. Her eyes were confused for a moment and then they flashed with irritation and annoyance; emotions he had seen in her eyes many times. Her lips, so kissable, twisted into a grimace. No doubt she thought him drunk to be looking at her in such a way.

Then the truth of it hit her and that look was washed away with one of surprise, eyes wide and lips slightly parted. Surprise? Surely she knew she was fair but perhaps not to the point she was today, seemingly graced by the gods. Her cheeks colored and she smiled, eyes now demure and shy. Gods, if only he could have kissed in her that heartbeat of a moment! But that too flitted and her sky smile became a smirk; confident and brassy.

All in a few moments. It was remarkable how his bride, his wife, flew from feeling to feeling. Fiery she was often called, not the least by him, and how right it was. Unpredictable. Bright. Dangerous. Beautiful. Necessary.

That last thought brought him up a moment. Necessary? Was she now, to him? That was a deep and strange thought. Once he had no time for her and now he thought she was essential? What change had time wrought over him? And was it true?

Most of those assembled made a point to ignore the tears of their king. His own parents were proud and radiant and his mother's eyes were wet but no tears graced her cheeks yet. Those would come later in private, most likely. But he had heard men speak before of what Magnus now felt; some of the older men on the raid or in other times in their cups. A father is proud and happy for his daughter to wed well but it is a sorrow all the same; for never again shall she be his treasure alone and never again could he think of her as just a girl. She was woman now, and a man's woman and all that meant. A hard thing they said.

Would he know that same bliss and pain one day? Perhaps so. He was not idiot enough to think that he and Aine would not have children; she knew her duty well. But it was yet to see how...welcoming she would be of the making of them with him. It would please him to have a son and a daughter at the least but the gods made fools of those who set such things in their minds as plans.

In his thoughts, much of the ceremony had gone by but he managed to pull himself from his introspection as Kynthelig's eyes looked to him. Now he must made his vow; to Aine, to the gods, to all the world here and beyond. Tiernan gave the slightest of nods to the druid as his fingers entwined with Aine's in their bound hands. His free hand took hers as well and he moved his head to look down at her.

He spoke in a voice that projected, as befit the company, yet he spoke to her alone. "I vow you the first cut of my meat, the first sip of my wine. From this day it shall only be your name I cry out in the night and into your eyes that I smile each morning. I shall be a shield for your back as you are for mine; no shall a grievous word be spoken about us, for our marriage is sacred between us and no stranger shall hear my grievance." Many men fell down on that part of their vow, and women too, but it would not be his way. "Above and beyond this, I will cherish and honor you through this life and into the next. That is my vow to you."

 

[haremfaery]

She looked up into Tiernan's eyes. His vows were a version said by many on their wedding day, although "your name I cry out in the night" was more direct than was usually said. She blushed again thinking that their wedding night was but scant hours away and wondered if Tiernan would indeed call her name.

Aine took a breath, she had been planning her vows for some time. She refused to share them with her parents beforehand, but she had spoken to Kynthelig in order to craft vows that she could honour. Vows befitting the daughter of Magnus.

"Tiernan," her voice was strong without any quaver, she thanked the gods. "You cannot possess me, for I belong to myself, but I vow to give you all that which is mine to give." She realized the stirrings of those gathered went quiet as they listened in surprise(?) to her bold words. She refused to become someone she was not simply because she would be a man's wife.

"It is your face that I kiss at night and your eyes that I greet every morning. I shall be a shield for your back as you are for mine; when we quarrel, we shall do so in private and tell no strangers our grievances. This is a marriage of equals. You cannot command me, for I am a free person. Yet, I will cherish and honour you above all others through this life and into the next. This is my vow to you."

There were a few murmurs as she ended her vows. She thought she heard a few female voices make encouraging noises.

Her face was sincere, but there was a hint of a challenge in it, daring Tiernan (or anyone) to object to her vows. Kynthelig gave her a reassuring smile. She could not marry a man who would subjugate her. Had she been born a man, she would take over when Magnus could not. She had his fire, his iron will, and his strong sense of justice. The only thing she got from her mother was her good looks.

 

[Armphid]

There were murmurs in the crowd and not all were happy. That anyone should speak to the future king of the clan and tell him they were his equal, that they could not be commanded...well, what sort of a king couldn't command one of his people?

Tiernan's father looked startled, as if not quite sure what he had heard. His mother was all but beaming, however. Her voice was one of the women's who made a tone of approval. But there was a hint of worry in her eyes. How would her son respond to such a challenge?

Tiernan was grinning openly at her vow. It was so...true. The words had rung as they slipped from her lips in a way he could not describe. It was as if, so fit to the girl who spoke them, the vow itself had made a bell of the whole hall and rung it moth celebration and warning. Never before and likely never again would any of those gathered hear someone so put their self forth so brilliant and clear for all to witness.

He leaned in a bit and only Aine and the old druid could hear his words, "So mote it be, and as I would wish it. Could it be otherwise?"

Kynthelig raised his arms, "Handfasted and joined in form, word bound in will, hearts bound in love!" He doubted either would admit it, but he could see it, rebellious and ornery as it was in both of them. Oh, the fights they would have! And the love making! "The blessings of the gods, of the golden sun, the blue water, and the green earth be on you; together now not two, but one. Let their union be of more joy than sorrow, more laughter than snarls, and more laughter than tears. Blessed be the husband and wife! Blessed be their kin, their fields, and their beasts! Blessed be those here gathered and all who wish well on this day!"

 

[haremfaery]

Aine smiled at Tiernan's quiet words, a true smile that lasted through the rest of the ceremony. Tiernan understood. And he was not angry nor puzzled nor hurt by her words. She knew her father had chosen the right man to marry her to one day be clan leader. But now she thought that he might also be the right man for her. And that she might be able to fall in love with him.

Her bold vows made her bolder still and as the cheers went up when Kynthelig blessed all gathered there, she got on tiptoe to pull Tiernan to her. She kissed him full on the mouth before the gods, the druids, and her clan and guests. She heard her father whoop louder than the rest.

She relished the look on Tiernan's face. Yes, she decided, she would keep him guessing. She smiled her sly smile at him again.

The crowd surged and soon the two were lifted and carried on the shoulders of Tiernan's friends to the long tables already being laden with food for the marriage feast. Aine couldn't help but laugh as they nearly tumbled to the floor being tethered to each other made balancing a challenge.

After being bounced about the hall a few times, they were finally deposited at the head table in the seats of honor with Aine's parents next to her and Tiernan's next to him. Seating was ranked by importance so all of Tiernan's friends were at tables at the bottom of the hall, which was for the best since their ribald comments had begun even before their tankards were filled.

 

[Armphid]

Their seat at the high table let them see the full breadth of the celebrants and the feasting. The hall was a buzz with the muted roar of many voices all speaking at once, a merry din from which little could be gleaned. Here and there was a snippet of a sentence, a line of a song or limerick, and often there was laughter.

The high table was the same as the others throughout the hall. Drink was plentiful, food as abundant, and both finer than any in attendance could remember them being. Groups along the long surface engaged in conversation and the telling of stories as those closest to the bride and groom not only celebrated but also dealt with the truth that things were forever changed now. Tiernan's mother had an arm about the red-eyed Queen and was speaking animatedly about how they would work together to help the young couple with their first grandchid. Magnus and Teirnan's father were both telling stories of the childhood antics of their offspring and their faces were proud.

To some, it might seem as though Tiernan was in some sort of melancholy. He spoke little and though he laughed at the tales and japes of others, he made none of his own. Yet there was a small smile on his lips and his eyes were happy, even if thoughtful.

The young nobleman, now heir to the King in law and truth, wished to see and note all who were here. He wanted to fix them and their place here, on this day, in his mind and in his heart. Days unknown awaited all of them and all who gathered and made merry here now would one day be gone. Whether that day was soon or far off, and no matter what trials awaited all of them, he wanted to remember them all here like this. Happy, merry, jesting and jibing. He was often quiet in the midst of gatherings because of all the delight there was to take in them, none pleased him more than simply seeing those dear to him happy and content.

He glanced down at Aine beside him and leaned down to brush his lips against her ear before they moved in soft words for her alone, "Happy is my heart to be your husband, Aine." He thought she knew that but it was important to say it. She had become dear to him, desirable to him, above all others.

From one of the lower tables, his cousin Bran bellowed, "No need for sweet nothings now, cousin, you're wed already!"

Tiernan sighed and rolled his eyes, "Were she any other woman, it might be so. But I shall ever be in wooing of her, for she is worthy of naught else," he called back.

 

[haremfaery]

Aine's cheeks were flushed from the strong mead, the jibes of her clansmen, and now, Tiernan's words both to her quietly and to his friends. Yes, she could have done far worse for a husband and she should rejoice in that.

"Bran, you should take Tiernan's words to heart, then perhaps you would have a woman at your side tonight." She turned back to Tiernan and gave him a kiss on the lips to emphasize her point. His breath was sweet from the honey in the mead.

The crowd thumped the tables and shouted encouragement. Aine parted her lips for Tiernan. As their kiss lengthened, the shouts grew louder. And lewder.

The kiss left Aine a bit breathless. She felt a heat in her loins. Suddenly, she was looking forward to their wedding night. It was too early to go to her old room that her mother and some of the women had made up for the two of them. Tomorrow, she would enter the house that Tiernan had built for them. Tonight she would remain in the home of her birth.

 

[Armphid]

They parted from the kiss and Tiernan's eyes burned as he gazed down at his new wife. What a woman she was! And what a kiss! It set his blood aflame and he was moved to simply sweep her up in his arms and carry her off to the room made up for them.

But it was too early and would cause too much of a scene. He drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes, visibly exerting control over himself. When he opened them, he grinned and raised his brows, "If it results in kisses like that, I must be sure to have Bran close at hand and drunk from now on."

The feast had slowed and now a few tables were being cleared and then moved to open room for dancing. There was no set ceremony for the dances, though it was expected that the bride and groom would dance first together, but they did not need to be among the first. Worthies from the various tables finished off their vittles and rose, wiping their hands clean, to heed the call of the musicians as they struck up a lively tune.

Tiernan gave Aine's hand a squeeze, "Shall we dance our first together, wife? Sure you have not captured enough hearts with your bold words and beauty, to see you move would make your triumph complete, I think."

 

[haremfaery]

Aine raised her eyebrows. "And will you be bringing Bran to our bedchamber tonight to ensure my kisses continue?" She smirked at Tiernan. "I assure you, any and all kisses from be will be cause I wish to give them. They will have nothing to do with Bran or any of your kin drunk or otherwise." She gave Tiernan another kiss, which was again met with shouts of encouragement from those gathered.

As the tables were moved for the dancing to begin, Tiernan gave Aine's hand a squeeze, "Shall we dance our first together, wife? Sure you have not captured enough hearts with your bold words and beauty, to see you move would make your triumph complete, I think."[i/]

"There are many who were not so happy with my words, But I do not care. It is my wedding do and I shall do as I like."

She took Tiernan's hand and let him lead her to the dance floor. As they danced to the spritely music more and more joined them. After they danced a few turns around the hall with each other, Bran stepped up to dance with the bride. Followed by other cousins and Tiernan's brothers and father and finally Aine's father. Who led her back to the table to drink and catch her breath.

As for Tiernan, Rose made sure to make a show of dancing with him. "Should Aine prove not to your liking, I will leave my window open. Visit me this night or any other. If she does please you tonight--I can only but doubt 'twill last."

 

[Armphid]

Tiernan's brows went up at her words and for once, he had none of his,own to follow up with. Her kiss helped cover it, Thank the gods. An expression he used more and meant in these recent days. He was once a man who gave little thought to the divine, and in truth did not care for talk of the gods. It meant more to him now. Perhaps because he knew their blessing and had not before.

Despite the change in regards to the gods, his feelings on dancing were unmoved. Yet he admitted in his heart that Aine in spirited motion was a fine thing indeed. As she spun and wheeled with many men, even a somewhat sheepish Bran, he took the ladies to the floor. Most were happy and congratulatory, a few even giddy. He danced with all the womenfolk of her house, even her very startled body servant.

Then Rose. Tiernan smiled ruefully at her offer. He hadn't expected that but he should have. The dark haired young man did not speak for a few moments after her salacious speech. Then he shook his head, "Heard you not my vow? I take your words as kindly meant and know that you mean them but never speak of such yo me again. I will not break troth a night from pledging it, nor a week, nor a season, nor all the years left to me." His voice was earnest and firm but without bite. "No embrace will you have from me save that of a friend should you need comfort. No kiss shall you have from me save to your brow in blessing. Never shall I come to your window and to your door only as a comrade and, in time, your king. Be at peace with that, for it is the way between us from now until the sundering of the seas."

He swept them to the side of the dance floor and stepped back from her. "Call another to your window and be happy with that. May he be a goodly man to make you a wife yourself and a mother in time. But look not to see me, for you will be long and lonely in the waiting."

With that, he inclined his head to her and walked away. He should seek out Aine now, to make clear in action his word.

 

[haremfaery]

"I heard your vows, Tiernan." Rose said when he led her off the dance floor. "And I heard Aine's as well. She has no intention of being a proper wife to you. She has a hot temper, but 'twill leave your bed cold, mark my words." Rose was patient. She would watch and wait. She doubted that things would stay all sweetness and light for long. She watched Tiernan walk away. Aine didn't deserve such a fine and honorable man.

The dancing and drinking and eating continued. The talk turned louder and bawdier. Aine had been dancing again when her female relative's and friends surrounded her and hustled her off and up the stairs to her wedding chamber. The shouts from below were nearly deafening.

The women undressed Aine and left her in her shift. All offered advice on what to do on wedding night, how to keep her husband happy through the nights--and days of their marriage. They talked about pregnancy and childbirth and babies. Aine blushed profusely. Finally, they left her propped up in bed with a few candles lit and a comfortable fire blazing.

Aine knew Tiernan would be up soon, so once the ladies left her, she jumped out of bed, found the thing that had made her smirk on and off all day. Yes, she had a surprise for Tiernan. She thrust it under her pillow then tried to position herself in a pleasing way on the center of the bed with her hair fanned out over the pillows.

 

[Armphid]

Tiernan disliked how Rose's words stuck in the back of his mind. He had heard Aine's vow and though he did not think it meant what the other woman thought it did...he wasn't sure it didn't mean that. Aine certainly could deny him her bed and access to her but he didn't believe she would. Not tonight at least. After...well, that was a puzzle beyond his mind, as fogged by drink and celebration as it was.

But in truth, it mattered not. Were Aine to reject him after this night, were she to become the shrill shrew so many thought she could be, it would mean nothing. For he had made his vow and he would not be false to it. Not out of fear of the wrath of the gods or of his wife's fury or the disappointment of his family and in-laws but solely for himself. He would not break his given word. It was a simple matter, really.

When Aine was rushed away, the cheers and catcalls thundered and made the beams of the roof tremble. Tiernan was suddenly under onslaught from all sides as men in the hall began to surround him. Some merely pounded his back, others offered advice and pointers that sent the women still in the place to chide and cluck at them.

Then the other women came down and an expectant quiet fell over the hall. Not silence, for there was still talk and laughter and the clink of cups, but was all muted. He felt himself rising to his feet from the seat he'd been rushed to as if another force was animating his limbs. He strode past the women of Aine's household (her mother wept again) and to the stairs. The young lord paused at the base and looked up the slope. Up there lay...everything.

Cheers erupted as he took the steps, normally at first, but once they started bellowing so, he took them two at a time to escape it. This, of course, led only to louder hoots and calls. He paused at the door he knew to be the bridal chamber; there was no sound beyond it but the crackle of a fire. The revelry below continued but it seemed distant now and the sound far away.

Tiernan rapped on the door once, twice, and then entered. The room within was dim; lit only by a few candles and the low fire. Aine was on the lone bed, resting in the center of it, and he let out a long breath at the sight of her. Her hair was down and fanned out over the well stuffed pillows and her thin shift clung to her in a way that hid her and yet enhanced her figure achingly. Her skin almost glowed it was so fair, yet where the firelight caught it, it was ruddy and the shadows of the fire danced over her. He felt his blood surge and a tingling swell in his loins. What a woman she was!

He stood a moment to simple take her in; his eyes dark in the low light of the room. "A sight to remember all my days," he said at last and took a few steps forward. His hands went to the lacings of his fine tunic to loosen them, "True and deeply do I wish to join in our bed, Aine. Will you have me lie with you?" His lips quirked in a smile, "For I know better than to assume or demand."

He pulled his tunic up and off and set it aside to stand bare chested at the foot of the bed. Tiernan's hands unknotted the thin belt he'd worn beneath it and he let the weight of it and a slight push carry his trousers down. "Will you have me, wife?"

 

[haremfaery]

"True and deeply do I wish to join in our bed, Aine. Will you have me lie with you?" His lips quirked in a smile, "For I know better than to assume or demand."

Aine smiled despite herself. Of all the things she imagined when Tiernan entered their wedding chamber, this was not it. Her planned jest was forgotten.

Aine found herself speechless as Tiernan removed her shirt and dropped his trousers. Yes, she had seen him shirtless, and even naked when he swam in the pond. But that was when he had been her intended. Now he was her husband. For all his asking, she knew she could no longer deny him his right as husband. She felt her cheeks go hot and her heart pounded in anticipation.

She silently thanked Lady for the gift of being her vessel at Beltane. No longer a virgin but still inexperienced, she knew what joy sexual union could bring. Suddenly Aine was concerned that her lack of experience might be a problem. She well knew the gossip about her. Would Tiernan be disappointed after his long wait?

"Will you have me, wife?"

Her throat was dry. She nodded, "Yes, husband." She gave him a shy smile. "Come to bed."