Timber’s former guardian, Aunt Henny hobbled in, escorted by one of the priests to her chair up front. She was grumbling the entire time.

*Somewhere in the back, the tinkling laughter of the fairy Asashe sounded. It was enough to bring a smile to even Aunt Henny’s face. *

**Platemail walked to and fro in the back of the temple, he had cleaned up, and wore his white armour, which was all shined up, the guard insignia emblazoned and shining. He did not know where to stand, and stayed in the back. He walked to the doorway, and saw good old Aunt Henny sitting in the front row. He crossed his fingers in his gauntlets that she didn't mess things up**

Timber came out of the dressing room away from where the wedding was to take place, carrying a small red and gold dress for Asashe. "Here you are, Asashe. Your dress."

*Asashe takes the dress and puts it on carefully, keeping her wings from getting all caught up* Okay...Ummm...hmmm...*She looked herself over and glowed brightly a moment and when it faded she had tiny red roses in her hair. She was also holding some larger ones to put in Timber's hair. * You like roses?

"I adore roses," she grins and crouches a bit so Asashe could add the flowers into her upswept hair. A few curls were already escaping from the pins, but Timber usually had no control over her naturally springy hair.

*Asahe sets to work making use of those errant curls to twine the roses into her hair. She then flutters back to look over the result and beams. * You're the best looking bride EVER!

A dapper looking gentleman, Timber's Uncle, was lead by a priestess to sit next to Aunt Henny. They were both behaving themselves so far... Other's were busy lighting candles around the room and around the alter...

**Platemail caught the sleeve of a priestess** Excuse me.... when should I come out to stand near the altar? I am...not familiar with this style of marriage ceremony.

Just stand here. We will bring Timber to you and you will walk out together into the chamber when it is time. It won't be much longer." She smiles and leaves him alone once again.

Danke...**Platemail says, and straightens out his cloak and armor. He was glad he gave himself that haircut; he looked a lot more presentable now. He checks to see that the sword was sheathed and tied. He still paced nervously**

Asashe questions. “Umm...when do I go down to the front? I know I'm supposed to go before you....”

They will come and get us when it is time, Asashe. They will let us know." She smiles at her friend's excitement.

Timber's pale cheeks flushed as she nervously fidgeted, running her hands over the silk material of her wedding gown. It was in typical medieval style, dark red in color, fitting tightly across her small bust and tapering down to her waist where the skirt flared out. The sleeves too fitted snuggly and flared at the wrist. The hems were lined with gold and a griddle of gold was draped loosely around her tiny waist. "You think so?"

I KNOW so! *She grins at her. * Oh okay.

A young priest came over to Platemail. "I need the rings and your sword, milord. Tis' time." Indeed, the High Priest of the temple was approaching and about to enter the inner chamber where the ceremony would be held.

A middle-aged priestess with long dark hair entered the quarters and waved both women forward. "Tis' time."

Timber forced a nervous little smile. "Okay," her voice squeaked.

**Platemail took off his sword and handed it to the priest, who probably slumped a bit from the weight. Taking out the pouches, he handed the priest the rings, which had been polished so they seemingly glowed. Her rings were magnificent, but his was a pure band of silver. Nothing fancy**here you go...please be careful. Took me a year to craft her ring....

*Asashe kissed Timber's forehead* don’t be so nervous. It'll all go right! *She flutters after the priestess*

The priest nodded respectfully and took both into the inner chamber. The High Priest following him inside to stand at the alter. The High Priestess then standing up to join him.

There was not much music, only a single harp playing a soft melody that echoed through the room.

Timber nodded and followed after Asashe and the Priestess... they were lead outside the chamber where Platemail was already waiting. Timber's heart fluttered as her ice blue eyes first fell upon her soon to be husband.

"Mistress Asashe," the priestess whispered to her. "Ye may go ahead and enter and stand to the right of the alter."

**Platemail looked around, still nervous as all heck. He wondered what timber would look like since she was stunning everyday. She had kept the dress a secret. He then looked over and caught site of her in her stunning red dress. He looked at her all over, and met her happy blue eyes. A permanent smile on his face, as his happy silver eyes met her icy blue ones**you look wonderful...

*She fluttered in and followed the path at a proper slow pace to end up hovering to the right of the alter. Then she grinned back at Platey and Timber*

"As do you," she smiled, her voice a soft whisper, probably from her bit of nervousness. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" asking him one last time as the Priestess handed her a bouquet of peonies and arranged the small train of her gown.

Yes, my love.... *he smiled and went to take her arm; he was wearing the heavy white paladin armor that he used to wear, and her favorite. His white hair trimmed short as his usual style, clean shaven, and all shined up and spiffy**

The Priest who had taken the wedding bands held up Platemail's sliver band to Asashe. "You will give this to Timber when it is time, milady."

Asashe takes the ring and slips on arm through it to keep from accidentally dropping it and nods grinning*

Timber took his arm as the Priestess motioned for them to go forward. She smiled at how handsome he looked... She loved him in that armour.

And so the wedding begins. Platemail and Timber passed through the doorway protected by guards with drawn swords, who saluted their entrance and sealed the doorway behind them; and entering the sacred precincts they came to stand before the High Priestess and the High Priest who served this holy place.
The Priest was large and ancient, strong beyond age and ages, rooted in the power of his position; and as the couple halted before him -- Timber handing the peony-sheaf she carried to a priestess, the Priest waited a few moments, looking from one to the other.

**Platemail walked beside her, and stayed quietly**

The priest then spoke in a clear carrying voice. "What do we see in this circle?"

Timber answers clearly, having memorized her lines from the script that had previously been provided to them. "A man and a woman who have come to wed."

"A man and woman have come to wed"**he was so nervous**

The High Priestess smiled warmly to Platemail, sensing his nervousness.... The High Priest then continued. "What is the cause of thy journey and thy story?"

"To be married to this man of my choosing and my love," Timber answered first, then turning her eyes up to Platemail. Oh how she loved him!

"To be married to this woman of my choosing and my love," **he smiled back at her, then at the priest**

*She watched the two grinning*

For the first time Platey noticed the fairy, he hadn't seen her for a long time. He smiled back at her warmly, before the radiant beauty of his timber stole his attention again**

*She gives a small wave to Platey before he looks back at Timber*

"They are worthy and fit to wed," pronounced the Priest, and now a faint smile warmed the sternness of his face. "Let them be set hand fast one to the other according to our way and law."

Timber beamed, giving Platey's arm a little squeeze, though he probably couldn't feel it through the armour.

The High Priestess then stepped forward and motioned for them to both kneel. An urn was then presented by another priestess, burnt ash from the thirteen sacred trees. Dipping her finger into the ash, she drew the wedding rune upon each of their foreheads, along with another mystic symbol that was unique to each of them and would bring good fortune.

As the Priestess marked Timber, Timber gave Asashe a sincere, warm smile.

**Platemail knelt, and actually had to stoop a bit lower, so the priest would be more easily able to mark them. He looked at her, his fiancée...soon becoming his wife Timber**

*Asashe grins and studies the symbols curiously, wondering if she'll recognize them*

In the shadows of the columns he (SMAT) stands, smiling broadly, not seeking to disturb or be noticed

The runes were then were smudged with the herb averin and dusted with sacred water from the Goddess's own spring; Then asking to rise once again, the Priest motioned to the flame of needfire that was kindled upon the alter. Timber was the first to pass her hand through the fire, finding it odd that it was cool to the touch. Air and water, earth and fire: The elements were present; and the Gods also.

Asashe resisted the urge to start talking to the gods. They were so patient usually and answered lots of her questions. *

**Platemail took a dagger from the altar and made unhesitatingly the two tiny cuts upon his left wrist, in shape of the rune Avren, Firstrune, the Sign of Beginnings; and though Avren is a rune of beginnings also it is a sigil of completion when what is done is done forever, and for all the gods to see. Thus Platemail; and as he did so said for Timber alone. **
"The blood of my heart bind me to thee. So are two made one."

**The Priest in a silver cup caught a few droplets of blood, and Platemail looked at Timber and smiled. **

Timber took the blade from him, did and said the same, cutting the runes into her wrist. "The blood of my heart, bind me to thee." And the Priest set the cup gently upon the altar, and blessed the contents.

Then the Priest spoke for all the worlds to hear. "Who claims this man?"

Timber laid her right hand over Platemail’s heart. I claim this man to wed him from his kindred," she said, her eyes seeing nothing but him, her voice pitched to ring against the stones. "I, Timber Ells, wed thee Platemail with hand and heart, with blade and cup, with ring and vow. I swear by that by which people swear, to take thee for my wedded mate, to bear to thee true faith and all love, in this life and all lives. If I break faith with thee, let the sky fall upon me, let the earth gape beneath me, let the fire rise around me, let the waters roll above me. Naught can part us save lack of love alone; not man nor woman, Dark nor Light, death nor life, hear me gods."

And, looking only at Timber, Platemail vowed the same to her, splendidly, his deep voice soft yet strong. Then the Priest lowered Platemail's sword where another priest had held it high. Platemail slipped the marriage ring, a silver ring set with a medium sized diamond on its primary stone / the ring band adorned with tiny heart shaped rubies, from off the point. **

"I, Platemail, take thee Timber for my wife and mate and lady," he said, and placed the ring on her finger.** “I wed thee with this ring, with my love and my oath upon it, in the presence of these who attest and witness, to the Gods and to thee. Hear me Highest. Hear me gods. Hear me thou."

Timber looked over to Asashe, it was time for her to hand Timber Platemail’s silver wedding band.

**His eyes never left hers, so in love he was with her. He watched the ring sparkle on her finger and reflect ion her icy blue eyes**

*She fluttered over and presented the ring to Timber with both hands*

The bystanders watched with joy as Timber, receiving the silver ring from Asashe, set it upon her lord's hand. Her ring-words came softly, full of love, spoken for him alone; and looking up at him she thought again how very beautiful she found him, within as well as without, and never knew that she herself looked just as fair.

The Priest stepped forward to tie the wedding spancel, a braided red silk cord, round the wrists of the couple where their hands were joined. Then the priest brought the cup again, consecrated wine now mingled with their own blood, and Timber and Platemail pledged each other joyfully.

"Thugamar fein an samhra lin'!" ' 'Tis we have brought the Summer in!'... They drank alternately until the cup was emptied; Timber poured out the last drops of wine upon the earth, and the knotted spancel was slid off and set aside.

**He smiled, and mouthed you're sweet while they drank. His smile was permanent, as he watched his wife. **

He(SMAT) quietly whispers a simple blessing, and remembers to strengthen their fields in the coming spring for a fine crop come the following fall

*She read Platey's mouthed words and tried to stifle a giggle*

Timber gave him a little wink as the marriage documents, great curling parchment sheets, were placed upon the altar to be signed by principals and supporters, their signatures duly witnessed by the Priest, and while this went on bards harped a wedding anthem to those assembled.

**Platey smiled back, and watched the proceedings. Unlike the sham the last major woman conned him into, THIS was real.... this was true. He loved timber heart and soul, and there would be no breaking of this union, or heaven help the realm and all in it. No one had ever seen his anger**

An ink quill was handed to Asashe so she could make her mark upon the wedding documents... a witness to the nuptials.

He (SMAT) steps back quietly into the shadows, places a final offering upon the Altar, and then is gone.

*She takes the pen in both arms and makes a mark on it. It looks more like a butterfly than a signature but then no one ever said she knew how to write. *

The High Priest could only chuckle... Then goes silent as the Lord of the Realm's silent offering is acknowledged by all... one it is done, the Priest looks to Platemail. "And as is tradition in all ceremonies... you may kiss your wife."

**He leaned down to her, and kissed her softly on her lips. His silver eyes never leaving hers when they were open. He broke after an unending moment** I love you, my wife....

Timber smiled softly, lifting the back of her hand to stroke gently against his jaw, kissing him softly again. "I love you, my husband."

One last thing remained: As the wedded pair turned from the altar, two of Platemail’s comrades stood forth smiling, holding between them at knee-level his great silver-bladed sword.

Laughing and clinging to one another, pelted with flung flowers, Platemail and Timber stepped over it together to end the rite, and in a joyous disorder the others followed them out from the chamber.

As soon as the kiss was broken she fluttered over the couple and red and white rose petals spilled over them both. Each petal shimmered slightly as Asashe adds her own blessing on their marriage. * *She fluttered above them, a glowing blue ball almost seeming to light their way back*

**Platemail arm in arm walked beside her, and smiled. Inside he felt like screaming, how happy he was**come love.... our reception is awaiting. **He smiled, and was happy she could share in their joyous occasion**

Timber tilted her head up and smiled softly. "Thank you so much, Asashe... for everything."

*She grins down at her friends* Thanks for letting me be a part of your wedding.

"To the party," she laughs lightly. Wow... She’d finally did it... and Aunt Henny and her Uncle had behaved themselves the entire time!

*She flutters with them all the way back to the inn*

**Platey swooped her up into his arms, and carried her off to the inn for the reception. Although he walked slow enough for timber's family to stay within eyesight. All of his guard buddies had run off, cause they knew plate was buying the beer**

*She laughs and is carried off*