Militat Omnis Amans (Every Lover is a Warrior) Part 10e/?

["Beckett, Kevin" <kevin.beckett@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Militat Omnis Amans (Every Lover is a Warrior) Part 10e/?
K. Beckett (c) 2000, with the exception of musical lyrics which are (c) the
individual artists / labels.

Disclaimers:
Buffy, Willow and all of the other characters and places from the show
belong to Joss Whedon, WB and Mutant Enemy etal. Everyone and everything
else is mine. None of my characters are meant to resemble anyone living,
dead or un-dead, if you see yourself you are looking way too hard.

This story contains descriptions of sexual acts between consenting adult
women, and was written in a jurisdiction where it was legal to do so. If
this offends you, don't read.

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Both young women then noticed that they had been found, for coming up to
their seating area were Aiofe and Bridie, determination written large on
their faces.

"Oops," said Buffy stifling a giggle as she stood up, brushing some dirt
from her pants, "I think our masters for the day have found us, and have
come to scold us."
"Yep," replied Willow as she too stood up, "I can't understand how it's
supposed to be our day, when everything we do is organized by others."

"You two have been very naughty," said Aiofe as way of a greeting when she
and Bridie reached the copse of woods, "we've been looking for you
everywhere."
"Good morning ladies," replied Willow, "and how, pray tell, did you know
where to find us?"
"Lynda finally told us about this place," replied Bridie, "after, in her
words, you had had enough time to see the dawn."
"Apparently," added Aiofe, "this has been a popular spot with the villagers
for a long time."
"Well," said Buffy, "our secret is out, and we willing put ourselves in your
hands for the remainder of the day."
"Why thank-you," replied Aiofe, "we barely have enough time now as it is."
"Lead on," said Willow.

As the four women headed down to the inn, Buffy turned to Aiofe and Bridie
and softly said, "oh, by the way, yes we would be more than happy to help
the two of you."

Aiofe and Bridie stopped in their tracks and immediately, and profusely,
began to thank Willow and Buffy. They had wanted this for a long time, but
had known that it would never be possible. Then, almost as if a gift from
the Goddess, Willow and Buffy arrived, and what had been impossible had now
become possible.

"Thank-you," said Aiofe, for what had to be the twentieth time, as she and
Bridie continued to hug both Willow and Buffy, "we could never thank you
enough."
"You're more than welcome," replied Willow, "I can only hope that you and
yours will have a long, long life."

Hand-in-hand the four women then continued down to the inn to commence
preparations for the hand-fasting later that evening.

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First Buffy and Willow were taken to the baths, where they received a long
sensual bath with special herbs and oils in the water. Aiofe and Bridie
also used soap which had had herbs infused into it during its making. After
the bath, both brides were treated to a long luxurious massage, which also
made use of a selection of oils, which Amana had provided. After the
massage, both young women then had their hair washed and once it had been
towelled dry, fresh mountain flowers were woven into their marriage braids.

By now it was lunchtime, which Amana had arranged for the four women to have
in the private dinning room that she and Buffy had recently cleaned. It was
a light lunch, with a clear soup followed by a simple roast chicken salad.
Aiofe commented, "don't want your butterflies to upset your stomach now, do
we."

In fact, both Aiofe and Bridie were also beginning to feel anxious about the
upcoming events of the day. They would all have a significant amount of
work to do once the ceremony started. Once it was over, they would have
even more work to do before they could call it a night.

The afternoon passed with Buffy and Willow secluded in a solitary vigil,
each spending the time thinking about themselves, their love and the
seriousness of the ceremony to come. In the tradition that they would be
wed in, and given the type of hand-fasting that they were going to do, their
bonding before the Gods would be forever. Even though they both knew that
they were making the right decision, this time apart allowed them to focus,
and to confirm in their own mind that choice, before they had to do it
before their community. During the vigil, they wore the plain white robes
in which they would start the ritual.

Finally, it was an hour past sunset, and an hour to moon rise, time for the
ceremony to begin. All of the furniture in the common room had been stacked
against the walls, leaving a space more than adequate for the ceremony and
the guests. The room had been decorated with countless flowers. Candles
and the fireplaces provided the heat and illumination to the room. The
working circle had already been laid out on the old oak floorboards, with
the alter and the candle stands also in place. The room was already full
with all of the guests, who were standing outside of the circle, surrounding
it four deep.

Amana took one last look around the room and saw that everything was ready.
She gestured to Daithi that she was ready for the ceremony to begin and then
she and Grael walked to the centre of the circle, with their presence alone
they caused the various conversations in the room to cease.

"We are gathered here in this time and this place," she began, "to witness
the joining in the eyes of the Gods two people whose love for each other has
brought them great joy and happiness."

As she spoke the ritual opening words Frankel, Sonya and the rest of the
recent arrivals took their places in the circle. Amana then continued, "the
union of two people brings with it the hope for all and the hope for the
triumph of love over hatred. Our law is that life is the practice of love
unto humanity. Without love, life is worthless, without love, death has no
rebirth. Love is anterior to life, posterior to Death, initial of Creation
for it was with love that the Goddess created all. If we learn nothing in
life except this, it is enough."

"Blessed be," responded all of the people in the circle and in the room.

Grael and Amana then began the ritual proper, with the casting of the
circle. Amana beginning the litany with, "We cast this circle of ancient
lore;" as she continued the opening prayer she was followed by Grael casting
the elements, and Sonya who slew flower petals as a symbol of the nuptials.

Once the circle had been cast, Amana and Grael grounded themselves before
drawing up the power they would need for the remainder of the evening. Once
they were satisfied, they called forth the quarters, paying special
attention to the East and South, the patron quarters for Buffy and Willow.

It was then time for the entrance of Willow and Buffy. Grael cut a gate in
the circle and then called out, "guards, if it is their will, pray bring
forth the vessels of love so that we may join them for all time in the eyes
of the Goddess."

Daithi then led his fellow guardsmen into the room, followed by Aiofe,
Bridie, Willow and Buffy. As they approached the circle the guardsmen split
up, with each taking up a position at the quarters. The four women remained
before the gate, with Aiofe and Bridie standing behind Buffy and Willow.

Once the guards of honour had reached their positions, Grael turned to Buffy
and Willow and asked, "Is it your true desire to walk this path together?"
Both women answered, "it is."
"Then enter and let us celebrate the joining of your love and lives."

After the four young women took up their places before the alter, in the
direct centre of the circle, Amana then started the ritual by saying the
invocation to the Goddess starting with the words, "Mother Goddess, we seek
you presence before us today as we join your servants in a bond that seeks
to glorify your gift of love." Amana continued, asking for the assistance
of the Goddess in providing for Buffy and Willow, and petitioning her
blessing on the union.

Once the invocation had been completed Grael brought forth his wand on which
the rings were placed. As Grael and Amana each held one end of the wand,
Grael said, "Gods who surround us at all time, we use these rings as symbols
to show the bond that these two women will share, a bond with no beginning
and no end." He then addressed Buffy and Willow directly by saying, "place
these rings on each other's fingers, to signify your new status as partners
and revel in your new found unity." Grael was using the traditional litany
for the hand-fasting of mages, he knew that Willow and Buffy were already
joined by bonds which were deeper and stronger than those of marriage,
however, since the vast majority of those present in the room were ignorant
of the link between the two women, this ceremony would provide the
reassurance that they, the community, needed. As Willow and Buffy placed
the rings on each other's fingers there was a brief flash of intense light
around the rings, it appeared that the Goddess was indeed taking personal
attention to this particular union. When the light subsided, somehow both
Willow and Buffy realized that they would now never be able to remove the
rings.

Grael then began the next part of the ritual by saying, "who is it that
brings these women to be joined?"
"We do," replied Aiofe and Bridie.
"Do you come as witnesses to their vows, and pledge to assist them in the
fulfilment of them?"
"We do."

He then turned to all of the guests and said, "know now that we are to join
these women in marriage. Is there any reason for this union to not occur?"

He waited a few moments before continuing, "know that this union has been
proposed and is unopposed by the community. From this day forth let no man
or woman question this union, or disparage it. They would only bring shame
upon themselves for doing so, and would dishonour the Gods by their words
and actions."

"Blessed be," responded all of the people in the circle and in the room.

Amana then provided the instructions to the newly wed. She raised her hands
above the brides and said, "Above you are the stars, below you the stones,
as time passes remember that like a stone your love should be firm, and
likewise like the stars you love be constant. Let you great intellect and
the link of your minds help and guide you in your partnership. Let the
power of your bodies, and the strength of your will, bind you together and
keep the passion of your love ever strong and ever burning. Make the
troubles you incur and the happiness you find be the glue that keeps you
inseparable. May the children you share be a source of joy and proof of
your love for each other and for humanity. Be patient with yourself, with
each other and with your children, for disagreements will occur, but if you
remember this day, and your love for each other, they will pass by quickly,
and will help deepen your understanding for each other. Be affectionate, in
public and in private. Do not fear the ignorant, for remember that this
union has been sanctified by the Gods, and they are the only judges of you
and yours. Remember your friends, forget those who have wished you ill, it
is only through forgiveness and love that you will find true happiness and
eventual rebirth on the great wheel of life."