Welcome to Gaia! ::

Haldia smiled at them. "Up you go!" she beamed, standing aside so that they both could climb up onto the roc's back.

Earendil helped Lin up before climbing up himself. Then Haldia was up, and they soared up into the sky.

As they landed, mostly everyone was already outside: Aurin and Rhea, waiting anxiously by the house; Adonai and Shael, Ulani and Ulrich; Aliya and Adonijah; Niyana, Aras and Kanis; Rose and Adanedhel: even Vergil had ventured outside to see what was going on.

Aurin was most obviously relieved to see Aerin.

"Aerin-sol," he murmured as she descended from Rhiel's back. "Thank you so much for coming ..."

Aerin looked at him evenly. "You do realize that what you want to do is treason?"

Aurin nodded and squeezed Rhea's hand. "But it is better than otherwise. This way he cannot separate us, no matter how angry he is."

Aerin glanced over at Lin. "You remember what we told you about the king, yes?" she asked in her own tongue so that fewer people would understand. "He chooses when a man is allowed to marry, and often also dictates whom. That Aurin wishes to marry is one matter for which he would be merely censured. But to return and already be married would be treason. To have done so without the king's permission ..."

She shook her head. "If they married on their own, he would separate them, and Aurin would never be seen by anyone ever again. Only if I give them the royal seal of approval will he be unable to separate them. Unable to punish them, though I'm certain he would like to."

Earendil cursed under his breath, anger rising deep within his chest.

"He's a monster," he muttered darkly.

"He is," Aerin agreed without hesitating. "Which is why I am anxious to return."

She turned to Aurin and Rhea, ignoring those around them. "You are ready?"

They nodded.

As the others crowded around to watch, Aerin took the hands of the couple and held them together.

"By the authority instilled within me by the blood which flows through my veins," she said, her voice strong and firm, "I unite you, Captain Aurin Striate, and you, Rhea Aldrich, in the bond of marriage."

Fire burned around their hands, but no one flinched, as if there were no pain at all. It lasted only a few seconds, and then it faded away again. Aerin lowered their hands and held them out, palm up, for everyone to see. In Aurin's palm, the runes of Rhea's name were etched, and in Rhea's palm were the runes of Aurin's name.

"As these marks," Aerin continued, "may your love never fade, neither may one of you be removed from the other. May you be blessed with happiness as you begin and continue your life together."

The two looked at her anxiously, and she smiled and nodded. Without hesitation, Aurin turned back to Rhea and pulled her close, then wrapped his arms around her and kissed her warmly.

Aurin and Rhea kept it a short embrace, and then they were surrounded by others who wished them congratulations and blessings for their future.

Earendil smiled down at Lin. "Just warms you right up, doesn't it?" he murmured softly. There was a wistful look in his eyes, though he wasn't aware of it. "The bonds of two people so very much in love ..."

"Indeed," Earendil smiled warmly. "I just wish it were as easy as everyone seems to make it out to be."

He gave Lin one more smile and then stepped forward to give the happy couple his own congratulations.

Aerin overheard Lin's comment, and she looked down at her thoughtfully.

"You do realize there are ways to make life less complicated," she said flatly, as serious as ever. "Nothing in life has to be confusing."