*Fandral*
I shuffle my feet nervously, wondering what will happen if she refuses to marry me. I mean it's not my fault is it ? But then the door opens again and she re-enters on Thor's arm and I let out a relieved breath.

She still look a bit uncertain but also determined and Thor is smiling brightly. The guests are whispering among themselves and I hear a couple of maidens crying quite loudly.

I must admit that look wise I am surprised, but not disappointed. She is quite petite with an agile catlike lightness to her body. Her face is exquisite like her mothers with an air of innocence to it, her eyes hypnotically emerald green and her Raven hair swept into a complicated braid. But the glare she sends me is everything but pleasant.

Thor gently places her hand on mine, and I send her a friendly smile, I mean we might as well trying get along, but she looks like she would rather kick me than return my smile.

The priest smiles first at us, then at the guests. "Blessings and merry meet. Gentle lords and ladies we are here today to join Fandral son of Erdon and Saga daughter of Freya together. You are here to share in their joy and witness this holy reunion, committed to before you as a community".

He turns to look at me. "Lord Fandral, art thou here this day in pledged troth of thy own free will and choice?"

Lying through my teeth as I have no other choice I answer. "Aye, father".

"Lady Saga, art thou here this day in pledged troth of thy own free will and
choice?" He asks her.

She hesitate for a moment, but then answer. "Aye, father".

The priest continues. " In as much as this Lord and Lady have pledged their troth to be married this day, we call upon heaven to bless this union. Therefore if anyone can show just cause, why they may not be joined together the Laws of the Realm; let them now speak, or else hereafter keep silent for all time". He pauses for a few seconds. "There being no objection to this marriage let us continue".

He takes an ornate sacred blade and holds it up. " Swear you now, on this sacred blade, that there is no reason known to you that this union should not proceed".

I place my hand on the blade. "I do so swear".

"Is there any reason known to you why this partnership should not be made ?" He asks her. I still fear she is going to bail and leave me hanging.

She breathes in and places her hand on the blade. "There is none".

"Heavenly Father, creator of all things, we humbly ask thee to bless this union, may these thy servants seek goodness all the days of their lives, may they be strong in defense of what is right, may they be united as one even as thou art with God. May they be numbered amongst thy sheep. We humbly pray for you to grand this". He mumbles, putting away the blade.

I glance at her, she is looking at her folded hands. I have heard rumors that she is much alike her father, but she do not look dangerous, more sweet and soft. But I know looks can be deceiving.

"Do you Lord Fandral take lady Saga unto thyself as Your wife to be her protector, defender and sure resort, to honor and sustain her, in sickness and in health, in fair and in foul, with all thy worldly powers, to cherish and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live? and pledge unto her before God and these witnesses ?" He looks at me.

I close my eyes, feeling like a man walking to the gallows. "I Will".

"Do you lady Saga take unto thyself the noble lord Fandral to be thy rightful lord Husband and pledge unto him before God and these witnesses to honor and cherish him, to cleave unto him, in sickness and in health, in fair and in foul, be his one true and lasting counselor and solace, and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live ?" The priest ask.

She nods, biting her lip, then almost whispers. "I Will".

Thor hand me her ring, it is white gold with a flower engraving. Then he gives her my ring, it has a smooth outside but flowers on the inside, her ring has been cut from the inside of mine with magic.

"Heavenly Father, bless these rings which Noble lord Fandral and fair lady Saga have set apart to be visible signs of the inward and spiritual bond which unites their hearts. As they give and receive these rings, may they testify to the world of the covenant made between them". The priest says.

I slip the ring on her finger. "Receive and wear this ring as a symbol of my trust, my
respect and my love for you".

"Receive and wear this ring as a symbol of my trust, my respect and my love for you". She slips it on my finger, then looks up, giving me a soft smile.

"This circle will now seal the vows of this marriage and will symbolize the
purity and endlessness of their love". He turns to pick up something. "We will now do the ancient handfasting ritual where 3 cords will be placed over their joined hands".

Frigga comes forward and I gently take Saga's hand in mine. Frigga places the Burgundy cord to symbolize romance, partnership and happiness, over our joined hands.

Then Thor steps forward and places the Ivory cord which stands for peace, sincerity and devotion beside it.

Now my father approach and leave the gold cord which represents unity, prosperity and longevity with the others.

At last Odin walks up, nodding at me as he tie the cords together to signify the tying of the knot.

"As this knot is tied, so are your lives now bound. Woven into this cord, imbued into its very fibers, are all the hopes of thy friends and family, and of thyselves, for a new life together. With the fashioning of this knot you tie all the desires, dreams, love, and happiness wished here in this place to your lives for as long as love shall last. In the joining of hands and the fashioning of a knot, so are your lives now bound, one to
another. By this cord you are thus now and forevermore bound to your vow. May this knot remain tied for as long as love shall last. May this cord draw your hands together in love, never to be used in anger. May the vows you have spoken never grow bitter in your mouths. As any child discovers when they are learning to tie their own shoes, the first move is to cross the ends. The cross creates the X, which is the symbol of partnership and union. As your hands are bound by this cord, so is your partnership held by the symbol of this knot. Two entwined in love, bound by commitment and fear, sadness and joy, by hardship and victory, anger and reconciliation, all of which brings strength to this union. Hold tight to one another through both good times and bad, and watch as your strength grows". I don't know why, but something about this old ritual touches me, and my hand squeezes hers a bit tighter.

The priest puts his hand on ours. "I shall now remove the cords". He smiles and
removes them, her hand letting go of mine. "Thou hast pledged troth of thy own free will and sworn upon the sword. Thou hast exchanged rings and been bound together by the ritual of the cords. May it be granted that what is done before the gods be not undone by man. Before l proclaim you joined thou must kiss three times on cue. once for luck, twice for love and thrice for long life".

I look at her, and let my arms slide around her waist. Whispering softly. "Am I allowed to kiss you my lady ?"

"I am impressed you actually asked". She smiles, she has a beautiful smile. "But who say you get to do the kissing ?" And with that she presses her lips onto mine, three times, each times her lips lingering a bit longer.

The priest smiles and nod. "By the power vested in my by the realm. I now pronounce you husband and wife".