Wedding Ceremony

Weddings in Fermion were very structured. First came the public engagement ceremony, then the private marriage rites ceremony at the church, and finally the public declaration of marriage.

Will and Elizabeth rode in separate carriages with their family to the Church of Gaia in Gadreel.

Both wore white gowns to mark their purity before the goddess. To Will, the gowns looked more like pajamas.

They were met at the cathedral doors, as was tradition, by Cardinal Silva vont Gaius, Bishop vont Omar, and a line of adepts.

Cardinal vont Gaius began the Introductory Rites by asking, "who wishes to enter into marriage today?"

Will and Elizabeth answered, "We do."

They were led into the church as the adepts sang and played the traditional wedding music.

Will, Elizabeth, and their family were escorted to a private chapel.

"We shall now commence the entrance rites," ordered Cardinal vont Gaius.

Will, Elizabeth, and their families removed their shoes and walked to a garden chapel. The garden was filled with nature, trees, shrubs, and flowers creating a beautiful landscape.

"Now for the greeting," Cardinal vont Gaius knelled at the altar.

Everyone in the union replied, "We greet Mother Gaia and ask for her blessing on this marriage."

"Please stand, and be seated," the cardinal said.

Once the family was seated, the adepts began singing a new hymn.

After the hymn, Bishop vont Omar began to pray.

After the prayer, Bishop vont Omar read a passage from the Holy Scroll of Gaia,

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the MOTHER has done this? In her hands is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind,"

After the first scripture, there was a brief hymn.

"The GODDESS GAIA loves righteousness and justice; Terra is filled with her unfailing love," read Bishop vont Omar.

After the Bishop finished reading the second, Cardinal vont Gaius gave a homily about the celebration of marriage, family, and children.

When she finished the homily she asked," Who gives these people a way to be married?"

"We do," said Will and Elizabeth's parents

"We'll now move to the bride and bridegroom's profession of faith," said Cardinal vont Gaius.

"What do you believe Baron vont Gaius?" the cardinal asked.

"I believe in the primordial gods and their sovereignty," Will said as he instructed too early in the week.

"Lady Elizabeth vont Whitby what do you believe?" the cardinal repeated the same question to Elizabeth.

"I believe in the primordial gods and their sovereignty," Elizabeth said.

"You have stated your intention to marry. Your parents have given their permission to marry. And you have confessed your faith. Please kneel," the cardinal told Will and Elizabeth.

The couple kneeled at the altar. Cardinal offered the couple a silent prayer. After the prayer, she handed Elizabeth a seed.

"Take, eat, this seed represents your body full of life and hope. Like a seed, your body shall flower a new life," Cardinal vont Gaius watched Elizabeth swallow the seed.

Then she turned to Will and handed him a vile of liquid.

"Take, drink, this holy water represents your body full of vigor and strength. Like a river that penetrates the land, use's your water to fertilize Elizabeth's seed," she said.

"…"

'Will also spit the water out in shock. Penetrate, fertile. What kind of language is this?' Will though swallowing the salty viscous.

Then the cardinal extended her hands over the couple and offered a blessing.

"Will and Elizabeth, while the words you have spoken have sealed your legal union, it is the fasting of your hands that seals your spiritual commitment to one another. Please join your hands together, interlacing them," Cardinal vont Gaius advised.

At this time Will and Elizabeth's right hands were joined in an interlocking fashion.

"As your hands meet your partner's, look into their eyes. Recall the joys and sorrows you have celebrated and endured together. Take note of the support you are feeling, and know that this support will exist for you always.

In the tradition of our forefathers, we will now fasten your hands together," the cardinal said.

"Parents please come forth and bind the couple's hands," the cardinal asked.

The parents wrapped their children's hands. Fasting gold ribbon around the couple's interlocked hands four times, one time for each primordial god.

"As we bind your bodies, so too do we bind your spirits. Your lives, as your hands, are now bound. While the ribbon binding your hands will eventually be removed, know that the union binding your hearts is a permanent knot, a gift that will bless you for the rest of your days," the cardinal said.

After that, the pre-wedding ritual finished. Will and Elizabeth were dismissed to return home and prepare for their public declaration of marriage vows. Before leaving, Will left a sizable donation to the church.

…

Hours later, Will stood next to Cardinal vont Gaius. She wore a red cassock, white rochet, red mozzetta, red biretta. She also wore a gold chain with the alchemical symbol for earth, an upside-down equilateral triangle with a line pass through.

With her straight posture and warm smile, she was the image of the goddess' authority.

Will wore a black suit. He wore a ruffled shirt with a black single button suit jacket with twin tails, with gray and black pleated pinstripe suit pants. The suit jacket had a satin label. Instead of a tie, he wore a gray ascot, that matches the gray in his pants.

His brothers, Francis II, Kurosawa, Rupert, and Bradley wore a suit except their pleated pants were split black and they wore matching bow ties.

Looking out the recently trimmed garden looked immaculate. Rows and rows of wooden chairs, filled with over 600 guests sat and stared at Will, while a full orchestra played to the side.

Leading to the raised wooden platform where the cardinal and Will stood at the end of the long red and gold aisle only used for the royal family weddings.

However, only Elizabeth and her brother were permitted by King Remus Albus Fermion IX to use. The reason is the spender of the occasion.

It was important for the Royal Family to stress to the kingdom how much they valued Will's and Elizabeth's wedding. This was another irritant for Elizabeth's older sisters Emilia and Emma vont Whitby, who did not receive this grand of a wedding nor the use of the family's wedding red and gold carpet runner.

On the side of the aisle were white and pink pastel flowers. That lead to a flower arch that Will and the cardinal stood underneath. The arch was filled with white and pink pastel roses.

On cue, the conductor started a new lighter song. Hearing the song, James and Helen walked down the aisle to their seats. When Francis and Charlotte walked down the aisle the guest stood and bowed to the Duke and duchess. The guests remained standing as the Regent, King, and queen walked down the aisle afterward.

After the family was seated, a new wedding song began. Three five-year-old girls from the Yorkshire orphanage walked down the aisle, with their heads bowed, they covered the aisle in white and pastel flower petals.

Will could hear the women gasp, they'd never seen something like that before. After the flowers girls finished they sat at the steps of the wooden platform.

Next down the aisle was Kathryn's three-year-old so carrying the wedding ring. The boy looked unsure and stared at the guest. But he made his way to Will to drop off the rings before sitting next to his sister.

When Elizabeth and her bridesmaids walked down the aisle, Will was momentarily stunned.

Elizabeth wore a glittering ball gown dress in a soft gold shade. The bodice was Semi-transparent with an illusion yoke and sleeves. The gown had a lightweight tulle skirt with hundreds of small sparkly diamonds. On the back of the gown were row buttons. Over her left shoulder, she had a floral accent.

On her head, Elizabeth wore a crown of white and pink pastel roses.

When the traditional wedding music played she began to walk down the rose petal-covered regal carpet, her gown' long train shown. She walked slowly up the aisle to the platform where Will helped her up the stairs.

Will starred at her lustfully, he had to admit that she looked quite striking.

Will and Elizabeth waited at her sisters, his sisters, and her friends joined her on stage from Will saw his mother start to cry uncontrollably, he'd never seen her emote as much as now.

Looking at how beautiful Elizabeth looked, Will started to feel anxious.

"Am I really doing this?" Will questioned himself.

It made all the sense in the world to be married to someone like her.

But he was an old man, that had already been married once.

"What was I doing?" Will thought.

Yet…once Will saw the beaming woman, he looked deep into her eyes, I remembered why he'd had agreed to this.

Elizabeth was eager and ready to begin a new life and to build something real. Something meaningful. She would be his partner. His ally. His best friend. He would become hers.

Once the music stopped, Cardinal vont Gaius amplified her voice with magic.

"Dearly beloved. The matter of marriage is a sacred act. On this day, we come together to join two hearts as one.

With feelings of elation and joy, we prepare to bear witness to this sacred ceremony. Before Goddess Gaia, we recognize the special bond shared by these two wonderful individuals.

Their adoration for one another is palpable and is truly worthy of appreciation.

Marriage is a sacred and historic institution that warrants great respect. As we gather to witness and formalize their union, let us acknowledge the significance of the commitment that they are about to enter into.

But the solemnization of marriage is more than a venerated tradition in human culture, it's also an occasion of great joy. In this celebration of love, we find optimism for the future. There are those unfortunate few who would characterize married life as unexciting. They use phrases like "settling down", indicative of a static, unchanging future. But this couldn't be further from the truth. Life, by its very nature, is full of excitement. Married life is no different. There are countless adventures yet to be had and memories yet to be made. And isn't the benefit obvious? You get to do all of these things with a loving partner by your side. As and prepare to formalize their union, they do so contently, knowing that from this day forward they will never walk alone.

Baron William vont Ballard and Lady Elizabeth vont Whitby as you embark upon this journey together, relish opportunities to spend time with one another, learn from one another, and embrace one another.

Sow seeds of trust and respect today, and reap the benefits down the line.

Remember to lean on each other. Always keep your Gaia at the center of your heart, and your love shall eternally bloom.

With a pious faith, they come before us today ready to take oaths of marriage and dedicate their lives to one another," Cardinal vont Gaius said looking at Will.

"My vows are this," Will began, looking deep into Elizabeth's eyes.

Will could see Elizabeth's eyes beginning to mist. Elizabeth smiled widely and gently wiped the tear from her eye with a cloth.

"I shall choose to love you each day. I shall work to build this marriage into something truly great, into a great noble house. I shall take care of you, provide for you and give you the things your heart most desires.

Some might say there's a bank vault inside my chest as opposed to a beating organ," Will paused for the audience's laughter to settle down.

After the laughter stopped, Will began again.

"But, never mistake you are my great treasure, and I'll treasure you forever," Will finished his vows.

After he said thought words he saw Elizabeth's face light up. Her smile grew wide and her hands clasped together. Her misty eyes began to drench her cheeks.

My vows are this," Elizabeth said with a deep breath.

"William, as your wife I will serve you and our family to the best of my power, every day.

Your desires shall become my wishes.

I vow to grow our love as tall as the tallest tree, so that all may see it and aspire to have half of what we have.

Although my heart is a fragile thing, you may hurt me, from time to time, as people hurt one another through ignorance and temperament, but please don't break my heart," Elizabeth said.

Cardinal vont Gaius nodded at both vows. In her opinion, both vows were quite exceptional.

"With your vows complete, it's time to exchange rings. Forming an unbroken circle, these rings symbolize the lifelong commitment you now enter into. Let them serve as a reminder of the love you share and the promises you've made before us today,"

the cardinal said looking firmly at Will and Elizabeth.

"Baron vont Ballard, I will ask you to go first. Please repeat after me as you place the ring on Elizabeth's hand," the cardinal said.

"I, Baron William vont Ballard, give you this ring as a symbol of my eternal love and dedication. With this ring, I thee wed," Will repeated placing a Dwarven-made mithril ring on Elizabeth's ring finger, it shrunk to fit her size.

"Lady vont Whitby, now you will do the same," Cardinal vont Gaius directed.

"I, Lady Elizabeth vont Whitby, give you this ring as a symbol of my eternal love and dedication. With this ring, I thee wed," Elizabeth repeated slipping a matching ring onto Will's ring finger.

"With the exchanging of the rings and vows, it is my great honor to pronounce you husband and wife under the eyes of Mother Gaia. May this union be sealed with a kiss," Cardinal vont Gaius smiled.

Marcus shoved Will, lunging him forward. Will wrapped his arms around Elizabeth and began to passionately kiss her.

After they separated, Cardinal vont Gaius lifted her hands and shouted, "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you, by order of his majesty King Remus Albus Fermion IX, for the first time, Viscount and Viscountess vont Ballard.

When the cardinal finished, Will was stunned. Viscount? However, he didn't have time to think as he and Elizabeth exited the wooden platform behind the cardinal, who followed the regent, who walked behind the grinning king.