Chapter Eighteen

07 June 2009 — USS Eos BC-304 — 14:40 hours

 

As the ship started home, Vala would not let Daniel out of the doghouse.  Even Aisling wasn’t going to let him get by without a severe talking too.  Which she did while sitting on his chest in the infirmary.  He tried to look admonished, but it was just too damn funny to hear her meowing at him.

 

When she was finished, it was Vala’s turn.  And it wasn’t nearly as funny.

 

“I don’t care why you did it!!  You promised you wouldn’t leave me!”  Vala yelled slamming a bedpan down on a table.  The initial happiness that he was back with her had apparently faded some.  “And now you go and play the hero again… getting yourself thrown into prison!”

 

“Vala if I hadn’t done what I did, you wouldn’t be standing here yelling at me now!  We both know what kind of shit could happen when we walk through the ‘gate!  Please…”

 

The angry woman grabbed a clipboard and smashed it on the bed frame causing him to jump.  He hadn’t seen her this mad for quite some time.

 

“This would’ve never happened if you had only stood up to their stupid customs and made them let Sam and me have our weapons!  I’m starting to think that you have this absurd death wish, Daniel!  That you don’t really care about anything other than your image as the ‘Universal Nice Guy’ who has to save everyone… whether they want it or not!”

 

By now the nurses were concerned enough to call General O’Neill to come down and stop this escalating fight.  As he entered the room, he had barely a second’s notice to dodge as a bedpan came flying past him.

 

Daniel pushed himself up on the bed and glared at Vala.  Throwing his humanity back at him as if it were a crime was a low blow.  He growled, “I didn’t start this, Vala!  It was you and Sam that wouldn’t adhere to their laws and got caught!  What did you think was going to happen, huh?

 

“And talk about ‘death wish.’  That’s really rich coming from the person that flew a Tel’tak into the Supergate as it was opening!  But, fine… if you think I go looking for the shit I end up in, then you can just leave and never have another moment’s thought about me again.  I’m not going to keep you here!

 

“One thing I want to remind you… if wasn’t for me and my ‘Universal Nice Guy’ thing, you’d still be scraping out a miserable life for yourself.  Stealing and fighting and fucking your way across the galaxy with nowhere to call home and no one to love you!”  He paused, trying to control his voice so that it wouldn’t crack with emotion.  “But then you actually seem better suited for that life, baby.  Acting with no concern for the consequences of your actions.”

 

Vala looked stunned for a moment.  It wasn’t like this was their first fight, but it was their first real fight since being an actual couple.  And she wasn’t sure how to truly handle it.  She grabbed a water bottle, intending to throw it at him when Jack captured her wrist and pulled the would be projectile out of her hand.

 

“NO, no, no!” he said.  “There are rules about throwing water bottles at the injured.”

 

She look daggers at him for a moment, then wrenched her hand from his grip and stormed out of the room.  Jack watched her go, then wondered over to sit next to Daniel.  His friend laid quietly, eyes downcast, petting Aisling.

 

Jack thought it would be best to try and lighten the mood a little, “I was just wondering how the hell you two ended up falling for each other.  I would’ve bet money that it would be much more likely you’d fall for me before a spitfire vixen like Vala.”

 

He glanced over and saw Daniel staring at him, a look of incredulity on his face.

 

“Then again, you are a very complex person.”

 

That earned Jack an eye roll and a huff of irritated breath.  Then a sadness overtook Daniel.  Scratching his companion under her chin, he said, “I’m sorry you had to see that, Jack.”

 

“Ah, everyone fights, Daniel.  Even couples that have been together for years.  It’d be a powder keg if it never happened,” Jack said as he shrugged.

 

“I just couldn’t let them die,” his eyes were bright with unshed tears.  “I had no way of contacting anyone for help.  I think I’ve blown it with her now.  She’s really pissed.”

 

“Oh, Daniel… you haven’t blown anything.  You know how passionate she is.  Kinda reminds me of you.  Give her some time and she’ll simmer down.”

 

As the General began to play with his friend’s I.V. bag, he added, “She was a real mess, Danny.  Took to following me around the ship most of the trip here.  Vala really, really loves you, ya know.”

 

Daniel shrugged his shoulders, still not meeting his friend’s eyes.

 

“Changing the subject, I do have a question for you.  How did you actually know that we were coming on a ship?”

 

Daniel looked up startled.  “You always come to get me, Jack.  It was just a guess,” he backpedaled unconvincingly.

 

“You and I both know that’s bullshit, Danny.  Carter, Teal’c and Vala all told me how sick you got on the planet.  And Serin mentioned you getting sick when you were with her too.  Does it have something to do with the stuff you got from the tooth guys?”

 

Daniel looked at him sheepishly, “I can’t say anything, Jack.  The Tuatha were very adamant about following the rules.  If I break them… well— let’s just say you’d be visiting me in a nice, white, and padded room.”

 

Jack winced at the mention of a white room.  “Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.”  Shaking his head, he slapped Daniel on the shoulder.  “All right.  I won’t bug you anymore about it.  Would you like me to talk to Vala?”

 

Daniel’s eyebrows almost made it to his hairline with shock.

 

“I am the foremost authority on Dr. Daniel Jackson don’tcha know,” the older man smiled.

 

“Maybe… but on expressing feelings?  I don’t think so,” he said with a laugh.  “Hey, Jack?  Think maybe you could spring me from here?  Let me move into some quarters of my own?”

 

“Sure, Danny.  I’ll see what I can do.”

 

***

 

07 June 2009 — USS Eos BC-304 — 16:30 hours

 

Vala came back to the infirmary a little while later.  Still miffed, she started in again.  Albeit, much more quietly.  Her explanation for why she was so upset boiled down to that he hadn’t kept his promise.  Even though it was to save her and Sam’s lives.  Daniel reminded her that he had said he’d never leave her ‘by choice,’ but she wasn’t buying it.  So it continued… on… and on.  He finally had enough and pulled her into a deep kiss.  Parting, her eyes were wet with emotion, but she no longer looked as if she would kill him.

 

Jack kept his word and Daniel was allowed to stay in the quarters that Vala had, instead of the infirmary, which made him happy.  He wished that his ribs weren’t cracked and his arm broken; he wanted so much to make love to his girl and reaffirm his commitment to her.  Besides, he had always heard that make-up sex was the best.

 

The night after their first ‘couples-fight,’ they laid wrapped as tightly as he could bear, and talked about this and that, contented to be with each other.

 

“Moswen,” Vala murmured, “do you ever think of quitting SG-1?  Not your work, just the team.”

 

Daniel considered the question for a long time.  He loved going through the ‘gate, that much was made abundantly clear when he thought he never would again.  And there were plenty of people on SG teams that had significant others who would be distraught if something happened to them.  But his was the flagship team… first contact and, therefore, very dangerous.  The trip to Ertieg proved that rather painfully.

 

He would contemplate moving to an archeology team.  They didn’t get shot at, kidnapped, or otherwise put in danger— well… not that often at least.  And if truth be told, he really did miss the purity of the science.  Working without a sidearm.  Hell, it’d be nice not to have to always be on guard.

 

But what would Vala do?  Would she leave SG-1 too?  He didn’t think he would be able to handle it if something happened to her and he wasn’t there to save her.  And if she did quit, what would she do… other then annoy him while he worked.  Daniel loved her with every ounce of his being, but she could still exasperate the hell out of him when she was bored.

 

Aisling stood from her perch atop of his stomach and stared at him.  It was as if the cat knew the answer, but wasn’t going to tell him.  She jumped down and sauntered away with a swish of her tail.  These women were going to be the death of him!

 

Vala began to think he would never answer the question.  She leaned up on an elbow to look into his eyes.  He smiled and brushed her hair away from her face.

 

“If that’s what you want me to do, I can talk to General Landry about moving to an archeology team.  But— you have to leave SG-1 too.  I couldn’t live with it if something happened to you,” he said quietly.  “What would you do, though?”

 

She gave him a winning smile and said, “I’ve already thought about it.  I want to go to one of your universities to study.”

 

Daniel’s eyes grew wide with shock.  Never in a million years would he have imagined Vala Mal Doran wanting a formal education.  With his brow crinkled in bewilderment, he asked— a little sarcastically, “and study what exactly?”

 

With a gleam in her eye and a grin on her lips, she answered, “I want to study Ancient History and art.  Particularly the art of the Indigenous Native American peoples.”

 

He laughed out loud until the pain in his side overwhelmed him, then he saw the hurt in her eyes.  He smiled lovingly at her, “I think you would be excellent in that field.”  He traced the line of her jaw with his finger and continued softly,  “but, wouldn’t you get bored?  It’s not as active as you’re use too.”

 

“I won’t get bored.  And I could be a help to you, instead of annoying all the time.”

 

“Well that would be something different,” he chuckled.

 

Vala gently hit him on the head with a mock pout.  She turned into his caress and kissed his hand, then leaned down to consume his lips.  Vala was so happy that he didn’t think she was crazy for even coming up with the idea.  Her tongue demanded entrance into his mouth and he was more than eager to oblige.  Their blood began to race.

 

Cracked ribs and a broken arm or not, Daniel needed to be inside her, loving her, making sure she was really there and this wasn’t a dream.  He let his hand roam down her ribs then up inside her teddy.  Taking hold of one voluptuous breast, he kneaded it gently, waking the soft nipple with his fingertips.

 

Vala moaned into his mouth.  She broke the kiss and began to descend down his neck, sucking and nibbling.  As she reached his bruised and battered chest, she paused… not wanting to hurt him.  With feather soft kisses, she gently moved down his torso on her way to the erection tenting his boxers.  Hooking her long fingers under the elastic waistband, she pulled them up and over, to expose the straining member.

 

In a flash, his dick disappeared into her mouth, and Daniel grabbed the nearest pillow, yelping loudly into it.  Thrusting up, he let her know he was good and to keep going.  She worked him lovingly for a few minutes but Vala wanted more.  She sat up, removed the pillow from his face and kissed him tenderly.

 

“I’m going to sit on you, darling.  If it hurts, tell me to stop.”

 

Daniel nodded, not thinking he could speak.  Vala pulled his boxers the rest of the way off, wincing slightly at all the bruises and cuts that covered his body.  Her heart ached at seeing him so beat up… yet again.  He whimpered a little, trying to get her to move things along.  When she looked up into his eyes, she saw no pain, only desire.  The dark haired woman removed her thong and straddled the man.  Using his unbroken hand, Daniel lined himself up and she slid slowly down onto his shaft.  If there was pain, he never felt it as she started to glide— up, down, up, down…

 

Vala wanted to bend over and kiss him but thought the pressure would be too much on his ribs.  Instead, she concentrated on bringing him to the height of ecstasy with only her movements.  Shifting her hips a little, she was able to take him even deeper.

 

Up, down, up, down…

 

Daniel put his hand on her hip and began to thrust into her with more speed.  He needed more and she felt so good… so tight and warm.  With a mind-numbing velocity, Vala was nearing the crest of the orgasmic wave.  Just the feeling of his body dancing within hers was so perfect— yet surreal.  With a shriek, she embraced the rapture of fulfillment.  Vala arched her back as she felt her very core explode.  The wonderment of their love boiling down to the culmination of their bodies was overwhelming.  A moment later, Daniel also peaked— pleasure beyond explanation coursing through his battered body and hungry spirit as he filled her with his seed.  His body trembled with the force of their climax.  For what seemed like an eternity, they basked in the joy that filled them.  When their breath began to slow, blue eyes met gray ones and the sincerity of their love could never be put into mere words.

 

After Vala had dismounted, she walked over to wet a cloth.  Daniel never took his eyes from her.  She was so beautiful.  A porcelain doll, pale and perfect.  Her body moved with the grace of angels, he thought.  As she returned to their bed, his lover gently cleaned him, careful of his wounds.  All the while he stared, knowing his heart was hers and he would never take it back.

 

When she was finished, Vala pulled the blankets up and snuggled in beside him.  Kissing the top of her head, he whispered, “I love you, Vala Mal Doran.  I love you with every fiber of my soul.”

 

“I love you too, my Daniel.”

 

When she said my Daniel, a vision of Sha’re pierced into his mind.

 

His deceased wife turned and smiled.  “Love again, my husband.  You are ready to let me rest,” she said to him, “I will always be a part of you, but now… you must give yourself to the one you love.  Be happy… Dan’yel.”

 

He gasped, the unsettling sickness only slight this time, but it still made his stomach lurch.  Then Aisling jumped back onto the bed and laid down on his abdomen.  Her blue eyes looked deep into his and he knew that Sha’re was right.  It was time.  He would do what he never thought he would again.  With Vala nestled by his side and Aisling purring atop him, Daniel Jackson fell into a peaceful, deep sleep.

 

***

 

08 June 2009-28 June 2009 — USS Eos BC-304

 

In the days that followed, Mitchell wondered why they didn’t just ‘gate home, but O’Neill said it would be better to give their teammate the undisturbed rest.  Vala was perfectly happy with that plan, even if Cam was not.  Besides, Sam was really needed to help the crew of The Eos work out their new engine design.

 

The team, General O’Neill, Sarin, and Bran spent evening meals together.  Their time was trouble-free and full of laughter.  Sarin was learning all about Minnesota and hockey from Jack and Daniel was teaching Bran to read English.  The boy loved to play with Aisling too, but Jack told him when they got home, he was going to buy a dog for Bran.

 

Three weeks later The Eos was on approach to Earth.  It turned out that this little vacation was a godsend.  All of their spirits were restored and bodies healed— ready for the challenges to come.  It also was the time that Daniel needed to get his plans together.  He wanted to make sure that he got everything right for Vala.  He even practiced in front of Aisling.

 

The last night aboard the ship, as he endeavored to write out the proposal with his left hand, his furry companion jumped into his lap.  She put her paws on his chest and brought her nose to his.  As they touched, Daniel saw the Stargate… then a daisy chain wreath, rings of a felled tree, a drop of water hitting a smooth pond.  There was an image of what looked like a crop circle, the design nothing but circles.  Aisling pulled away and meowed at him.

 

Looking at the cat utterly confused, it then dawned on him.  Slapping his head, with his cast by accident, Daniel realized that he needed one more thing.  As he rubbed the spot he hit, he smiled at his shadow and said quietly, “Thank you, Aisling,” and pet the purring feline under her chin.

 

***

 

29 June 2009 — Earth: SGC — 09:15 hours

 

Dr. Lam just shook her head when Daniel, escorted by Vala and Aisling, walked into her domain.  With a pout, he handed the young doctor his charts that The Eos medic had given him.  Carolyn pointed to his usual bed in the infirmary for his post-rescue exam.

 

An hour later, as he sat waiting for permission to leave, he surreptitiously texted Sam asking her to come and distract Vala for him.  He told her needed about two hours alone.  Daniel knew his friend was curious, but he didn’t have time to explain.

 

Sam came into the infirmary to retrieve Vala but had a hard time getting her to leave his side.  Carter finally won with the promise of manni-peddi’s and a shopping trip.  Daniel was actually happy to hand over one of his credit cards with a kiss.

 

After the ladies had left and he was given a not-so-clean bill of health, he and Aisling headed down to see if Jack was still around.  Sure enough, Daniel found him with Serin in the mess hall, chatting her up.  He began to suspect something was brewing with them and smiled to himself.

 

“Mind if we join you?” Daniel asked sitting down without waiting for an answer.  The cat jumped on the table to be included in the conversation.

 

Jack raised an eyebrow at them and smirked, “Ah… sure.”

 

“Hi, Serin.  Are you and Bran alright in your quarters?”

 

She smiled at him and took his hand, “Yes, and thank you.  Thank you for letting us come with.”

 

“Hey!” O’Neill said with a pout, “I’m the one that let you come with, don’tcha know?”

 

The three of them laughed for a moment.  The General eyed his friend, knowing something was up with him.  Daniel’s usually calm and collected demeanor had turned into a leg shaking, napkin ripping, mass of quivering anxiousness.  Even petting the cat didn’t seem to soothe him much.

 

“Um, Jack…” the archeologist said, “I… I, I… um—”

 

“Spit it out, Daniel! I’m not gettin’ any younger.”

 

Looking sheepish, he tried again, “I need a favor, Jack.  Today… um, now, actually.”

 

“Last time I did you a favor Danny boy, I ended up the caretaker of a distraught princess and that cat.”  His friend looked at him imploringly and Jack relented, “What do you need?”

 

Daniel chewed on his lip for a moment and then steeled his resolved.  Calming his breathing, he said, “I would like you to take me into town… to my bank.  I have to buy— something.  Um… a ring.  And… and I need to talk to you also.  It’s important.”

 

Jack’s face was inscrutable as he looked at his friend.  With a slow growing grin, and a devilish twinkle in his eye, he clapped the younger man on the should and said, “Sure, Danny.  Go get your stuff and I’ll meet the two of you up top.”

 

***

 

29 June 2009 — Earth — 10:35 hours

 

As Jack drove his truck down the winding mountain road, he waited for his passenger to say something.  The time ticked on in silence and the older man couldn’t take any more.

 

“So,” he said, startling his friend.  “Why did you need me to bring you down to the city?  I saw your Jeep in the parking lot.”

 

Daniel was chewing on his lip again, and doing a fair impression of O’Neill by fiddling with anything he could get his hands on.  Aisling, dressed in her service vest was snuggled in his lap and playing with a dangling air freshener.  A moment passed, and Daniel knew he should explain himself.

 

“Dr. Lam made me take some pain meds, so I didn’t want to drive…”

 

After another silent pause, Jack prodded a little more, “… aaaaannddd?”

 

With a long-suffering sigh, Daniel said, “I need your help… to pick out a ring.”

 

“What kind of ring?” Jack was enjoying goading his friend.

 

“An— an engagement ring,” the younger man mumbled and started to pet Aisling.

 

In the following silence, Jack O’Neill bit his tongue so he wouldn’t say something glib.  He could tell that Daniel was having a hard time wrapping his head around what he was planning to do.

 

“Are you sure about this, Daniel?”

 

Nodding, he looked over to the driver, “Yes.  I love her, Jack.  More than anything.  It’s taken me a long time to figure it out, but it’s real.”

 

Jack smiled at him, “Okay.  I can help you get a ring.”

 

With a sigh of relief, Daniel grinned.  Then another thought came to mind.  “Jack, how… how did you ask Sara to marry you?  If you don’t mind me asking.”

 

This time, it was O’Neill that stayed quiet and began to fidget.  Daniel saw his uneasiness and relented, “You don’t have to answer.  I’m sure it’s personal.”

 

“No, it’s not that,” Jack finally said.  “I just haven’t thought about that part of my life in a long time.  I think it was the summer of ‘80, right before I was sent on a mission to Iraq.  We were on the tarmac watching the jets land and I just sorta turned to her and asked if she wanted to get married.  Pretty sure I totally caught her off guard because she said yes.”  He laughed a little and then became quiet again.

 

Daniel noticed that his eyes were a bit brighter than Jack’s normally were.  “I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories, Jack.”

 

“Not bad… just… just not pleasant,” he said quietly.  “But enough about that!  It’s you were doing this for, so let’s have some fun while you’re still young—ish and single.”

 

“I told Sam that I’d only be gone a couple of hours.  She’s entertaining Vala so I could do this.”

 

“What are the girls doing?”

 

Daniel shrugged, “Something about manni-peddi’s and shopping.”

 

“They’ll be gone for hours.  You, me and the cat will have some fun of our own.”

 

They hadn’t had the time to just hang out with each other in years.  Daniel smiled, much more relaxed, and nodded.  “Sounds good.  Ring first.  Don’t want to pick something out when I’m inebriated.  And since it sounds like that’s what you’ve got in mind…”

 

Jack laughed, “You, beer, pain meds… this is gonna be fun.”

 

Daniel looked at him suddenly concerned.  He had forgotten that he was on pain meds.

 

“Don’t worry, Danny Boy!  Aisling and I will keep you outta trouble.  After all, it is the Best Man’s duty to keep you safe and sound for the wife-to-be.  I am the Best Man… right?”

 

“Of course you are, Jack.  No doubt about that.”

 

***

 

30 June 2009 — Earth: SGC — 19:45 hours

 

The following day, Daniel took Vala up to where he had gone into Tir Na n’Óg, his shadow close behind.  It was a warm mid-summer evening and the clouds were painted red and yellow on a beautiful blue sky.  She showed him the poem she had painted on the side of the cliff.

 

As Daniel read the verse, his eyes sparkled in the setting sun.  Pulling Vala close to him, he kissed the top of her head.  His heart was swelling inside and he just couldn’t wait any longer.  Turning his lover to face him, he went down on one knee, looked her full in the face, and shyly smiled.

 

“Vala,” he said in a quiet and slightly hoarse voice, “I realized while I was away that I’d never want to be without you again.  All I could think of was getting back to you somehow… it was the only thing that kept me going.

 

“When you first came to the SGC, I did everything I could to keep you at bay.  And you… you sorta scared me.  But I… you…” he was getting flustered and paused to gather himself.  “I didn’t know how empty I had become.  I know it’s been hard for you to adjust to life here on Earth and I’m so proud of you for turning away from your old life.  But, in spite of everything— you are still a thief… and you have truly stolen my heart.  Will you do me the very great honor and marry me?”

 

He held out a white gold ring with a large blue stone surrounded by glistening diamonds.  The resemblance to the Stargate was unmistakable.  It was the most beautiful ring Vala had ever seen, but the proposal had taken her by surprise.

 

Vala hadn’t really entertained the idea of marriage to Daniel, even though she never wanted to be anywhere other than by his side.  Tears began to fall down her cheeks.  Biting at her lower lip, she gazed into his cerulean eyes.  The same blue as the jewels in his torque and of the gem in the ring.

 

Daniel began to worry.  Did he do it wrong?  Was this last mission with him being left behind just too great for her to forgive?  But on the way home ... he was sure that they had worked it out.

 

Then the horrible feeling that maybe she was just messing with him creeped into his head.  Or perhaps marriage was something she just wouldn’t do again.  When she was married to Tomin, it hadn’t really worked out so well.  The doubt overwhelmed him and he bowed his head so she couldn’t see the tears.  He stood and turned away from her.

 

“I, I… I’m… sorry… never mind…” he mumbled, then pocketed the ring and began to walk away.

 

Stunned, Vala stood rooted to the spot as he made his way back towards the entrance of the SGC.  She knew that her silence was read as a denial—  but it really wasn’t.  She just couldn’t answer him.  Yes, she had been married before… several times.  But to be married to Daniel was something she had not allowed herself to even dream of.  In Daniel’s mind, marriage was a lifelong commitment.  How could she trust herself to be with only him?  She never wanted to hurt him but didn’t have the confidence in herself to be able to remain faithful.  How could he not understand that?

 

Or maybe he already did.  She felt a nudge on her leg and looked down to see Aisling.  The black cat mewed at Vala, then shifted her gaze to her familiar’s retreating back.  Overwhelming emotion crashed into Vala’s heart and she knew, KNEW— that Daniel was the only one she could live the rest of her life with.

 

She ran after him calling his name.  He stopped, wiped the back of his hand across his face and turned to her, not looking up.  She placed her hand under his chin and tilted his face up to look at her.  Leaning in, she kissed him gently.

 

“It would be a privilege to be your wife, Daniel Jackson,” she whispered.

 

He looked into her eyes, searching for the truth of that statement.  When he saw it, he smiled and kissed her deeply.  A kiss that took away any doubt Vala may have had and said that he accepted her with all her eccentricities.

 

When they pulled apart, they took a moment just to look at each other.  The glow of their happiness almost palpable.

 

***

 

31 October 2009 — Earth: SGC — 17:05 hours

 

Four months passed with a flurry of brief, incident free missions for SG-1 and preparations were made for Daniel and Vala’s wedding, which had become a common conversation topic around the base.  It was fall in Colorado and the air was crisp.  Trees displayed their colorful crowns and the air buzzed with excitement.

 

On the chosen day, as the sun set behind the Rocky Mountains, many of the SGC personnel assembled in the clearing of what had become known as, Tuatha Glade.  Dress blues and service medals, all spit-n-polished for the occasion.  Jack stood next to his friend with a grin on his face, Teal’c and Cam slightly behind them.  O’Neill could tell the groom was nervous and couldn’t resist ribbing him.

 

“Daniel,” he said quietly, “you’ve been married before.”

 

The younger man slowly turned his head to the General, eyebrows high.  He couldn’t believe the man.  Taking a deep breath, he said, “In case you have come down with random voluntary amnesia, I didn’t exactly have a wedding with Sha’re… she was a gift.”

 

“Ah… yes… that’s right.  A gift.  And one you accepted rather quickly if my amnesia isn’t mistaken.”

 

Rolling his eyes, Daniel tried to ignore the man to his right.  Easier said than done in the case of Jack O’Neill.  Teal’c cuffed Jack on the shoulder.

 

“What?” he turned to see the Jaffa glaring at him, and smirked back.

 

The groom did not bother with his friend as a murmur of appreciation rolled in from the rear of the audience.  The two men turned to watch as Serin made her way down the aisle in a light, airy, sky blue dress.  Behind her was Sam in much the same outfit.  When the women reached the front, both of the men had their mouths hanging open.  Sam winked at Daniel.

 

An agonizing moment later, Daniel turned to see his bride start down the aisle.  Nothing else existed in the world.  Her long black hair was worn loose down her back with tiny blue flowers scattered here and there.  The dress was a dark blue with a lighter blue bodice, pulled tight across her bosom.  Below her waist, it flowed freely in the light fall breeze, tickling her bare feet with each step.  The flowers she held were shades of red, yellow, orange, and blue with little white baby’s breath intermixed throughout the bouquet.  Aisling padded proudly beside her, with a collar of blue flowers.

 

Daniel tried hard to breath.  He was very glad that he had chosen loose fitting clothing that could hide his stirring desire.  Dressed in baggy black pants that tapered down to his bare feet with a leather strap wrapping up his calves.  A long, light-colored homespun shirt, cinched at the waist with a thin leather belt.  He was also adorned with a circlet made of rich loam and autumn leaves on his head.

 

Just as the sun set, he took Vala’s hand with a shy smile and the turned to the front.  The crowd of friends waited, not sure who was going to perform the ceremony.  Not even the Generals knew.  Suddenly pipe music drifted all around them, but no one could see from where it was coming.  The entire glen began to glow with soft, dancing light.  Out from the forest came a group beings that no one other than Daniel had seen in hundreds of years.

 

Into their midst the Tuatha Dé Danann came.  There were gasps from the humans as the fair fairy folk took their place.  Ta’om went to stand beside Daniel and Jack. The older man turned slightly to eye the elf.  He still held some bitterness towards the Sidhe, but he was here for his best friend, and would behave himself.

 

Daniel took note of the others that made the unheard of visit into the human world— The Queen of the Day, The Speaker of Truth, The Lord of the Forest, The Gift, and Oghma.  The only one that was not there, for which he was eternally grateful, was the Green Woman.

 

Dagda, the father of all Tuatha, stepped forward to preside over the wedding.  He waited for the crowd to quiet down, then lifted his hands.

 

“Vala, little sister and Daniel, my son, know now before you go further, the paths of your lives in this world have crossed and you have formed eternal and sacred bonds.  As you seek to enter this union you should do your utmost to bring to life the dreams that exist in your hearts and give meaning to this ceremony.

 

“With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be handfasted before your friends and family, but also you speak of that intent to your personal higher powers.

 

“The promises made today and the ties that are bound here will greatly strengthen your union for the years to come and will live on as your souls grow.  Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?”

 

Daniel looked into Vala’s eyes, he smiled brightly, overcome with raw emotion.  She smiled back at him with a glow on her face.  Together they said, “Yes.”

 

“In the culture of the Tuatha, it is believed that the soul shares characteristics with all things divine.  It is this belief which assigned virtues to the four principal directions— East, South, West, and North.  It is with this belief that we align ourselves with these elements.  Each blessing emphasizes those things which will help you build a happy and flourishing union.”

 

Daniel felt the weight of Dagda’s words and was worried that Vala might not want that kind of pressure.  He glanced at her and saw only love for him and no doubt at all.  He squeezed her hand.

 

The Tuatha smiled at the couple and continued.  He had the two of them turn to the east as he did also and said, “Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East and the element of Air.  For openness and breath, communication of the heart, and purity of the mind and body. From the East, you receive the gift of a new beginning with the rising of each Sun, and the understanding that each day is a new prospect for growth.”

 

The three then turned south.  “Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South and the element of fire, for energy, passion, creativity and the warmth of a loving home.  From the fire within you generate light, which you will share with one another in even the darkest of times.”

 

When they faced west, Daniel could see his friends.  Sam was dabbing at her eyes and he grinned at her.  Dagda said, “Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West, the element of water, for your capacity to feel emotion.  In marriage, you offer absolute trust to one another, and vow to keep your hearts open in sorrow as well as joy.”

 

Completing the circle, they turned north.  “Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North, the element of earth, which provides sustenance, fertility, and security.  The earth will feed and enrich you, and help you to build a stable home to which you may always return.

 

“Daniel my son and Vala little sister, I bid you look into each other’s eyes,” Dagda said with an expression of pride at both of them.

 

“Will you honor and respect one another, and seek never to dishonor?”

 

In unison the couple replied, “We will.”

 

A cord made of silk, light blue in color was draped over then under their clasped hands fastening them together.

 

“And so the first binding is made,” Dagda said reverently and continued.  “Will you share each other’s pain and seek to ease it?”

 

“We will.”

 

The next cord now draped over their hands was red.  “And so the second binding is made.  Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?”

 

“We will,” they said with smiles.

 

The following cord was a dark blue.  “And so the third binding is made.  Will you share each other’s laughter, and look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?”

 

“We will.”

 

The last cord added was deep green in color.  “And so the fourth binding is made.  Vala and Daniel, as your hands are now bound together, so too are your lives and spirits.  This is a union of love and trust.  Above you are the stars and below you is the earth.  And as the stars, your love should be a constant source of light, and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow.”[1]

 

With a soft smile, Dagda placed his hands on the couple’s shoulders and whispered a blessing in Gaelic.  It was only for them, and no one else heard.

 

“Daniel my son,” the Tuatha said in a carrying voice, “you have a symbol you wish to give?”

 

He turned to Jack, who handed him the ring, and placed it onto Vala’s finger.  Her eyes were bright and her smile sweet.

 

Daniel said in a quiet voice, “Mo ghrá, I give you my heart, my soul, and my life.  You’ve taken me away from a darkness I didn’t know I was in and gave me something in which to believe.  With this ring made from Naquadah I have infused my most cherished memories of us.  If we are ever parted, know that I’m always with you.  That my love is always with you.”

 

“Vala, little sister, you also have a symbol to give?”

 

Sam came forward and gave the ring to Vala.  She lifted Daniel’s hand and slid it onto his finger, and said, “My dearest love, I give you all of my heart, for you are the only one that has ever sought it.  I give you my soul, for you are the only one that has touched it.  I give you my life, for you are the only one that has guarded it.  My love for you will only grow.  With this ring made from Naquadah I have also placed my memories of us.  If we are ever parted, and we better not be,” Daniel gave a little chuckle and she smiled at him, “know that I’m always with you.  My love for you is eternal.”

 

The Father of the Tuatha then smiled broadly and said in a loud and carrying voice, “Before all of those who are present here and everything that is alive around us… before the heavens above, the earth below, and the ether that binds us all, I proclaim you Husband and Wife.”

 

Daniel placed a hand on Vala’s cheek, rubbing his thumb to dry a tear, and kissed her.  Vala deepened it, not wanting to ever stop.  When a cheer erupted they parted, smiling.  As the now married couple turned to face their family and friends, they walked down the aisle, preceded by Aisling.  The gathered threw flower petals as they passed, and the way was illuminated by the glow of thousands of tiny fairies.

 

 

 

 

[1] Handfasting Wedding Ceremony « Vows of the Heart, http://www.vowsoftheheart.com/ceramonies/handfasting-wedding-ceremony/ (accessed July 25, 2015).