A crowd of well-wishers has been gathered here at the foot of a magnificent waterfall, deep in the dark forests of Guarthang.
To the west the sun has begun her descent, the light casting lengthy shadows of the pine trees over the tranquil glade. Culuminous clouds blanket the skies overhead, each rimmed with a thread of almost unethereal light, in hues of reds, oranges and mauves.
Friends and neighbours exchange ancedotes over a pint of cider or garionbrew while awaiting the arrival of the bridal procession. Here and there a cheer and a toast to the health of Elmak and Krayia rouses the crowd's spirits, for dusk has fallen and the forests have long been rumoured as dark and unfriendly after nightfall.
But not this night. A lilting sound as from a distance greets the crowd, a promise of what is to follow. Then, at the break of the trees where they meet the clearing you see an odd grouping.
A giant black bear pads into view, it is the best man, Avesi. His finely-brushed fur glistens in the lantern-light with a healthy sheen and his open maw humanly grins at the crowd's surprised faces as the matron of honour, Maud, steps into view to join him.
Maud is dressed in a lovely evening gown, the purplish-white silk complementing her ruddy colouring. The pale fabric hugs her matronly figure, the neckline falling from her shoulders in a scoopneck to reveal a tasteful amount of decolette. Her dark tresses are caught up in a silver fillet studded with topaz, sapphire and garnet, a few wisps escaping around her neck where she wears a necklace of bluebells.
Her teal eyes twinkle at Avesi in greeting, and then at you, as she plucks a celebratory note on her lyre, a gift from the god Bacchus presented to bards of great skill. Maud raises her hands to silence the crowd, then begins to play a haunting melody.
Maud gives an enormous black bear an encouraging smile.
Maud says, "A clouded dream on an earthly night - hangs upon the crescent moon - a voiceless song in an ageless light - sings at the coming dawn".
Maud says, "Birds in flight are calling there - where the heart moves the stones - there that my heart is longing for - all for the love of you".
Maud says, "A clouded dream on an earthly night - hangs upon the crescent moon - a voiceless song in an ageless light - sings at the coming dawn".
Maud says, "A painting hangs on an ivy wall - nestled in the emerald moss - the eyes declare a truce of trust -then it draws me far away".
Maud says, "Where deep in the desert twilight - sand melts in pools of the sky -darkness lays her crimson cloak -your lamps will call, call me home".
Maud says, "And so it's there that my homage's due - clutch-ed by the still of the night - now I feel, feel you move -and every breath, breath is full".
Maud says, "So it's there my homage's due - clutch-ed by the still of the night - even the distance feels so near - all for the love of you".
Maud says, "A clouded dream on an earthly night - hangs upon the crescent moon - a voiceless song in an ageless light - sings at the coming dawn".
Maud says, "Birds in flight are calling there - where the heart moves the stones - there at my heart is longing for - all for the love of you.".
Maud concludes the song with a reflective silence and smiles softly at the crowd. She curtseys, and giving a significant nod in the direction of the break in the trees, sets about playing a joyful tune on her magical instrument.
Woodland creatures amble into view for the gathering, friends of the animists and rangers alike. A female badger nestles up to her companion, followed by a cete of cubs, a young doe prances past down the line of the guests, bedecked in blue flowers.
Behind them are a trio of satyrs wielding pan-pipes, their dulcet notes add to the lyre's music creating a harmonous and celebratory piece, the lyre changing from one moment to the next mimicing several instruments, guitar and lyre, to the tabor, flute and horn, and the viol next.
Trotting down the aisle on two feet is a hedgehog clad in a bulky velvet jacket, trying to catch up with the wedding party and carrying a crystal case. The contents glisten gold as it passes you.
An audible THUMP occurs under the weight of a parade of bears, making their way down the aisle on all fours. Eyes gleaming with human-like intelligence, perhaps some of these are in fact Rangers in disguise--blessed by the Great Hunter, Maedhros.
The powerful flapping of a great golden eagle arrests your attention as it cries a greeting high in the air. The eagle carries a mounted partner and together they swerve and dive in the air performing seemingly reckless stunts only attempted by the very foolish or those who have full trust in their companion.
The eagle comes fuller into view and you see a golden crowd upon its brow, signifying it as the greatest of the Eagles of the North. Indeed, it is the eagle Gwaihir the Windlord, descendant of the legendary Thornodor, the mightest of eagles when the land was young. Gwaihir raises his golden wings to alight to the ground, blocking the view of his mounted passenger but a general cheer has already risen.
Elmak dismounts and smiling mischievously, whispers a quiet word to his eagle companion who nods and is airborne once more, only to alight in a place of honour beside the altar where Avesi and Maud warmly greet him as an old friend.
Elmak is a rugged type as befits one used to living exposed to the elements, skin tanned from the outdoors. His well-defined frame fleshes out the embroidered forest-green waistcoat he is wearing.
He casually leans against the altar a moment and the silver leaf cuffs of his shirt underneath are revealed, a direct contrast to the sandy curls of his head and the hairs on the backs of his hands. His deep brown eyes lit in merriment take in the events of the much anticipated day but a sharpness remains, warding against trouble. Elmak rests a hand on his brown woolen trousers a moment watching the procession, only to straighten at the appearance of a group of nymphs, sylphs and dryads.
The ethereal creatures dance towards the altar with sprays of woodland branches in their arms, and garlands in their hair. A few lucky guests find themselves decorated with hair crowns, the men with a single rose in the brim of their hats. A nymph winks churlishly at you and as one their vanish into their forest haven. At the head of the clearing, one dryad seems to pause and remain, and beckons a figure into the moonlight.
Krayia stands before you, a stunning vision of dusky beauty. A violet brocade corset embraces her figure, a hardier fabric sheathes her delicate arms gathering below the shoulders to fall to her wrists. Translucent plum silk edged in silver falls like dove's wings over the sleeves meeting over the top of the corset, bound by a silver-leafed brooch. .
Peaceful Krayia's face has just gone a pretty shade of pink.
Her hand strays to the skirts as she espies her groom awaiting her at the altar, perhaps suddenly conscious of the way her skirts rustle on the grasses or the way the colouring shifts in the moonlight from blue-violet to plum to violet again. The only continuity in the skirts is the feathered design, threaded with silver.
The whispering wind blows into view a marvelous sight, a veil carried by the elementals of air, and illuminated by the spirits of light. The veil floats about, curling like a ribbon before gently resting upon the bride's dark tresses which tumble about her bare shoulders. As the veil settles, the spirits collate at her temples forming living stars in lleu of jewels.
Walking down the aisle, a healthy blush crosses Krayia's cheeks as someone makes a comment about her, but it only enhances her beauty, for her endearing demeanor, like her garments, merely adorns the jewel within.
Krayia treads softly across the forest floor, her nimble steps leave the grasses undisturbed from their pristine state but in the moonlight, the buds of several flowers along the path open before her revealing delicate forget-me-nots brushing the hem of her dress, tiny kisses for a holy blessing.
Shining brightly amid the forestal eaves, the streamers of the moon filter down through the canopy and light upon the faces of the young lovers, Elmak and Krayia as they meet. Elmak takes Krayia's hands in his and together they turn towards the altar.
The streamers of the moon abandon their forms, reflecting off the mist of the falls and being caught up into the air, materialize into silk ribbons, swirling in the breeze in a myriad of colours.
The ribbons take their final incarnation as the reach the ground, pink blossoms pooling on the forest floor and the natural stone altar. Krayia and Elmak glance and each other knowingly and bow respectfully awaiting the impending arrival of their honoured hostess.
A cascade of cherry blossom announces the arrival of Brigantia, goddess of nature.
Maud curtsies gracefully to Brigantia, goddess of nature.
Peaceful Krayia gets down on her hands and knees and kneels before Brigantia, goddess of nature.
A great armoured bear gets down on his hands and knees and kneels before Brigantia, goddess of nature.
Brigantia, goddess of nature says, "Greetings everyone".
Brigantia, goddess of nature says, "We're gathered here today to celebrate a long awaited union".
Peaceful Krayia gives a great armoured bear an encouraging smile.
Maud gives Brigantia, goddess of nature an encouraging smile.
Brigantia, goddess of nature says, "These two have courted under my watchful eye for many long years, and I am honoured to stand before you today, and unite them for all of eternity".
Brigantia, goddess of nature says, "Their love has been tested time and time again by the trials that life gives us, and each time it has won out over all of the darker forces of this world".
Brigantia, goddess of nature says, "And so, I invite my beloved Krayia, and my dearest Elmak to stand before you now and exchange their vows and promises so that all may witness the covenent they're entering into".
Brigantia, goddess of nature gives Peaceful Krayia an encouraging smile.
Brigantia, goddess of nature's face breaks into an encouraging smile.
Peaceful Krayia's face has just gone a pretty shade of pink.
Peaceful Krayia says, "My dearest Elmak.".
Peaceful Krayia's face has just gone a pretty shade of pink.
Peaceful Krayia says, "We've been together for many long years".
Peaceful Krayia says, "Throughout those years, you have stood by my side. You've inspired me to be the person that I am".
Peaceful Krayia says, "And I look forward to growing with you in love".
Peaceful Krayia says, "Each day".
Peaceful Krayia says, "For many more fine years".
Peaceful Krayia says, "You complete me".
Peaceful Krayia's face has just gone a pretty shade of pink.
Brigantia, goddess of nature's face breaks into an encouraging smile.
Brigantia, goddess of nature nods her head at a great armoured bear.
A great armoured bear says, "My dear Krayia,".
Peaceful Krayia gives a great armoured bear an encouraging smile.
A great armoured bear says, "As I will always stand by you, you have always supported me,".
A great armoured bear says, "Though times of sadness, loss, and joy, you've always been there to help,".
A great armoured bear says, "And I love you, and will always love you in the years to come".
A great armoured bear says, "You complete me".
Brigantia, goddess of nature says, "For all of time the ring has been a symbol of eternity".
Brigantia, goddess of nature says, "These rings symbolize the fullness of the promises these two have made before you".
Brigantia, goddess of nature says, "For all of time, with all your hearts, complete and endless will your love be".
Brigantia, goddess of nature hands a white golden ring to Peaceful Krayia.
Brigantia, goddess of nature says, "Krayia, place the ring on Elmak's finger as proof of your eternal covenent".
Peaceful Krayia hands a white golden ring to a great armoured bear.
A great armoured bear has just put on a white golden ring.
Brigantia, goddess of nature hands a white golden ring to a great armoured bear.
Brigantia, goddess of nature says, "Elmak, place the ring on Krayia's finger as proof of your eternal covenent".
A great armoured bear hands a white golden ring to Peaceful Krayia.
Peaceful Krayia has just put on a white golden ring.
Brigantia, goddess of nature says, "You have exchanged vows, and exchanged rings. You have stood before all of Avalon and Olympus itself and declared your eternal love".
Brigantia, goddess of nature says, "By the power of Olympus, and by the grace of my beloved Father Aldaron, God of Life I pronounce you man and wife. What I have joined, let none tear asunder.".
By the grace of Brigantia, goddess of nature, let it be known that on this day, Elmak, Beloved of Krayia was bound in eternal matrimony to Peaceful Krayia, Beloved of Elmak.
Brigantia, goddess of nature says, "You may kiss your bride Elmak".
A great armoured bear gives Peaceful Krayia a passionate kiss.
Brigantia, goddess of nature unobtrusively slips a tiny key in Elmak's pocket.
