Rehearals

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 29th March 2011

Characters: Almonteo, Eilomar, Merlish
Description: Almonteo leads Eilomar and Merlish in a little wedding
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 13, day 27 of Turn 5

Almonteo

Eilomar patted down his thinning hair and adjusted the collar of his
tunic. This was just a rehersal and yet he was as nervous as if it were
a real thing. He worried he might forgot his speech or the wedding mark
or something!

"And in walks the bride," Almonteo said, waving at Merlish that it was
her cue. "Don't rush, dear, let everyone get a good look at you."

Merlish slowed her step, but didn't dare say that having everyone look
at her wasn't exactly her favorite part of this whole thing. Her family
and friends were fine, but they were talking the whole Hall!

"Now take his arm... Very good," the Hallmaster smiled. "There, so far
so good!"

"Well, that was the easy part," Eilomar rumbled.

"Indeed," Almonteo smiled, though he could tell the groom could not read
the bride's face at all. "Next I will turn to you Master Eilomar, and
ask you if you have come willingly to ask this young woman to be your
wife. You will answer in the affirmative if you are willing to marry
her. So," he said, putting back on his official mantel, "Master
Eilomar, do you come here with the intent to marry this young woman?"

"Yes, I do," Eilomar replied. At least he didn't have to say more just
now. He was far better singing that giving speeches.

"All right." The Hallmaster turned next to Merlish. "And now I will
ask you if you have come willingly to marry this man, Merlish."

She was silent a moment before she realized he was waiting for a
response. "Yes?" she answered tentatively.

Almonteo's brow knit slightly. "You'll need to speak with a bit more
confidence if you mean it to be an affirmative response, dear."

"Yes," she said much more loudly. Merlish was willing, just...
apprehensive...

"Good. Now, this is the customary point in which you would exchange
tokens of your vow. Master Eilomar, have you prepared such a token?"

"Yes, of course," he pulled out a golden coin from his pocket. It was
exactly the same he had given his first wife so many turns ago.

"You will offer it to Merlish, and you are expected to tell her the
reasons why you want to offer it to her. I will not ask you to say them
now. And then if Merlish accepts you as her husband, she will tell you
so. Merlish, you can keep it simple, or if you would like to embellish
you may. Do you both understand?" He looked at them both in turn.

Merlish nodded, trying not to allow the weight of reality to press her
down.

"Yes, umh, can I use notes?" Eilomar asked.

"If you wish." Plenty of grooms did, in Almonteo's experience.

"Oh good," Eilomar sighed. At least that way he would be nervous about
forgeting his words.

"And then all's that left is the customary kiss which can be as chaste
or passionate as you choose. Within the bounds of decency, of course,"
the Hallmaster added, though he doubted his choir master would bring
scandal down on himself or the Hall.

Merlish blushed at the thought. She had never so much as held a boy's
hand before!

"Don't worry, Merlish, it will be chaste," Eilomar reassured her.

"Oh. All right. Thank you," she said gratefully, though she turned
crimson. Why did they have to _talk_ about it?

Almonteo smiled at them both. "Unless you have any other questions,
that's it."

"I don't have anything," Eilomar shook his head.

Merlish shook her head. In truth, her mind was swirling with questions,
but none that the Master Harper could answer. Only time could tell

Last updated on the April 27th 2011

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Rehearals