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Life Without Boundaries

Epilogue

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

22nd May 2023

All Rights Reserved.

Daniel clasped Willow's paws in his hands, holding his lover gently, as he gazed into the tearful eyes of the Whitetail.

“Willow, my love, I have been thinking how we can celebrate our love and commitment in a way that honours your Cervid people. What would you say about a hand fasting ritual here in the forest?”

Willow remained silent for several beats of his heart, before his eyes went wide and he gasped. “You...you'd do that... for me? You know about – I mean...”

Daniel smiled and gently kissed Willow between his widely spaced eyes and nodded. “I do, and I mean it. I know how close your kind are to nature, how you revere the Old Gods and venerate them. Besides, this is such a beautiful place, it holds more beauty and meaning to you, than it does to me – but I would do anything my love, to make you as happy as I could.”

Willow looked around, then blushed, his tubular ears turning a beautiful salmon colour.

Daniel smiled, cuddling Willow close and feeling the younger Cervid quivering.

“I'm so glad you feel that way, my dear. You'll know who to contact, amongst the Cervid people, I'm sure. Now, let's find a lovely, secluded clearing, where the Priestess would be content and create a sacred space for this ceremony, shall we?”

Willow nodded and led Daniel back down a forest path, pausing here and there, almost as if driven by some inner voice only Willow could hear. After hours, Willow nodded and stood in the centre of a glade, gazing around and inhaling the fresh air and scent of life in all its majesty. A large fallen stone stood at the eastern side of the glade and Willow almost reverently brushed his fingers over it and nodded.

“This will be perfect my dear!” Willow squealed happily, clapping his paws together in excitement. “We'll decorate it with flowers, candles and...”

Willow began rattling off the required materials, as Daniel turned about, opening himself to the beauty and splendour around him.

“Daniel, my love – were you listening to me?” Willow breathed lightly against Daniel's left ear.

“Huh?” Daniel gasped, then blushed and turned to look at Willow. “Sorry, I was woolgathering. You've picked a beautiful place Willow – truly you have! I want everything to be perfect for our hand fasting. It's a celebration of our love, our commitment to each other and a veneration of your beliefs. I want it to be special for you my dear, sweet stag.”

Willow blushed deeper, hanging his head shyly, until Daniel lifted Willow's chin up and used his thumbs to caress Willow's adorable dimples in his cheeks, before he kissed Willow deep and passionately.

*

After two weeks of preparation – the big day was finally at hand. As Daniel had no real idea what was involved, he left it all in Willow's capable paws – and when Willow, dressed in a long flowing forest green robe with white cord belt stepped out of the small tent, Daniel felt his heart skip multiple beats.

“Willow - “ Daniel began, gazing from Willow's polished cloven hooves, up the robe and belt, to the beautiful floral headdress Willow wore like a brides veil on his head. “You look...amazing...”

Willow blushed, then used his thumb to gesture to the tent behind him. “They're waiting for you in there love, please do hurry.”

“They're...what?” Daniel blinked, as two large antlered stags come out, likewise dressed and robes and led him into the tent.

*

Daniel and Willow were challenged by the High Priest, on the outside of the circle, the stag holding an athame between both paws, point upward.

“Do you, Willow, seek entrance to the sacred circle, with perfect love and trust in your heart?”

“I do.” Willow intoned respectfully, his head bowed.

“Welcome, in perfect love and perfect trust.”

As the stag made a gesture, like cutting a magickal doorway in the eastern side of the circle, Willow stepped through and approached the altar.

“Do you, Daniel, seek entrance into the sacred circle, in perfect love and trust in your heart?”

“I do.” Daniel repeated, then he too was permitted entrance.

Willow's parents were next, along with a handful of friends – some of Daniel's and many of Willow's, each being challenged and accepted, forming around the inside edge of the circle.

Turning around, the High Priestess, a beautiful Elk Doe, raised her paws up in benediction towards Daniel and Willow, and the participants in the ceremony.

“Welcome, dear friends, to this sacred circle. We gather here this evening, to witness and partake of the hand fasting between Willow and Daniel, a celebration of their love and commitment in alignment with Willow's beliefs in the Old Gods and Old Ways, so mote it be!”

“So mote it be!” Others chanted.

Walking to the eastern side, the High Priestess invoked the guardian, before moving to the south, west and finally, the north. Once the sacred circle was prepared, she returned to the altar, facing Daniel and Willow.

“We call upon the elemental's to bless and sanctify this sacred space! Earth, from which all life springs forth! Hail and welcome!”

“Hail and welcome!” Others chanted.

“Air, the breath of inspiration! Hail and welcome!”

Again, the voices called out in welcome.

“Fire, the trans-formative energies of passion! Hail and welcome!”

Once more, the voices lifted in joyous celebration.

“Water, the ebb and flow of emotions. Hail and welcome!”

One more time, the voices lifted in almost melodious.

Daniel slowly turned to face Willow, who hung his head and trembled, almost overwhelmed by the love and warmth he felt not only from his beloved, but from the friends and family that surrounded them.

“Daniel, human, do you stand before me, before the guardians, the Lady and the Lord, in perfect love and trust?”

“I do.” Daniel spoke quietly.

“Willow, Cervid, brother, do you stand before me, before the guardians, the Lady and Lord, in perfect love and trust?”

“I do.” Willow whispered, hanging his head. “I do indeed!”

Turning to place a paw on Daniel's hand, and Willow's paw, the High Priestess nodded in acceptance.

“Willow and Daniel, you stand here tonight, to declare before the Gods and mortals, your love and commitment. As you embark upon this journey, in perfect love and trust, may your connection forever deepen and your spirits intertwine, just like the roots of the ancient trees that surround us.”

Gently, she placed Daniel's hand in Willow's paw, lightly closing it, before resting her right paw over the top of theirs.

“With hands joined, and hearts open, you come before each other and blessed by the spirits of the woods, the Lady and Lord. Daniel, do you vow to honour, cherish and love Willow, to be his steadfast partner, supporting his dreams and nurturing his growth?”

“I do, with all my heart!” Daniel pledged.

“With hands joined, and hearts open, you come before each other and blessed by the spirits of the woods, the Lady and Lord. Willow? Do you vow to honour, cherish and love Willow, to be his steadfast partner, supporting his dreams and nurturing his growth?”

“I...do...” Willow stammered, his voice starting to tremble with his emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

Unfolding a cord made from natural fibres and adorned with colourful ribbons, the Priestess held it in her paw, holding it up for all to see.

“This cord represents the binding of your lives and your souls. It symbolises the unity and strength of your love for each other – in this life and in the next. As I wrap it around your conjoined hands, let it be a reminded of the promises you have made this night – not only to each other, but before the spirits, Lady and Lord themselves. So mote it be!”

As she laid to over Willow's paw, then under Daniel's hand, she spoke in a language Daniel couldn't follow. Willow hung his head reverently, and Daniel did the same, feeling the cord woven around and around, until at last, only a small section hung loose.

“By the Lady and Lord, the sacred energies of the spirits and by our will, I bind your hands together, connecting your once disparate paths as one. May your union be blessed with love, harmony and the resilience to weather the storms that come. Daniel, Willow, you may exchange your rings.”

Daniel blushed, reaching into the small pouch at his corded belt, before he removed the simple silver ring, holding it in his free hand. Willow did the same, holding is paw flat, the ring sitting on his leathery paw pads.

“These rings, I bless and consecrate with your love and intention. May the blessing of the Lady and Lord enter them, for these are tokens of your love to one another. As you wear them, may they be a constant reminder of your commitment and the deep bond you both share – from this moment.”

Daniel awkwardly placed the ring on Willow's finger, sliding it down. Willow's hooflets trembled, as he placed Daniel's ring on his finger, gazing lovingly into the eyes of his true beloved soul mate.

“Willow, Daniel, you have declared your vows and exchanged rings, sealing your love and commitment to each other. As witnessed by the Lady and Lord, the Spirits, family and friends and the four watchtowers and their guardians, let us offer our blessing and support, so mote it be!”

One by one, the family and friends stepped forwards, hugging each of the two in turn, offering their love, encouragement and well wishes for the new couple. Willow began to cry, he couldn't help it, Daniel's own eyes growing misty as well. When at last they stood apart again, the High Priestess smiled at them and nodded.

“With the blessings from those gathered here, and the spirits of the woods as witnesses, I pronounce you both partners in love and life! May your union be blessed with joy, mutual understanding and an unwavering love and contentment. So I have spoken, so mote it be!”

“SO MOTE IT BE!” Shouted the gathering, before they celebrated as Daniel embraced Willow, bent him almost level and deeply and passionately kissed him. Others cheered and clapped as Daniel gently lifted the breathless Willow back up, then hugged his beloved tightly.

“It is done. May your love shine like the moon itself, guided by the light of its gaze, the warmth of the sun and the wisdom of the earth.”

Willow blushed, glancing shyly at Daniel, before they both turned and bowed deeply to the High Priestess.

“So mote it be!” She intoned, echoed by the family and friends.

*

Celebrations continued late into the night, a magnificent feast, consisting of primarily vegetarian meals, out of consideration for the Cervid people. Daniel and Willow danced until they thought they'd pass out, and before dawn, they thanked everyone for attending, before they retired to the nearby tent, hand in paw.

*

When Willow's loud, piercing bleat rang out sometime later, followed by Daniel's giggle, the still awake celebrants cheered and clapped joyously, celebrating their love for the newly married – and consummated – couple.

END