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Spring is Keyleth’s favorite season. Vax knows it as well as he knows the sun rises on the east and sets on the west, and that is why it is no surprise to him when she announces that she would like their wedding to take place in the Spring. Keyleth has had the ring on her finger for less than twelve hours, and her mind is already running with plans, flowers and decorations, and who does what. It would honestly be exhausting if Vax didn’t take great joy in watching his girlfriend – no, his fiancée – ramble with a grin on her face.
“I think we should do it in Zephrah. I appreciate Percy’s idea of holding the wedding in Whitestone, but it would still be snowing, and it could be troublesome.” She rambles, fluttering about the kitchen of their small cottage. “Do you think we can fit all our friends here?” She looks around for a second and continues, not allowing Vax to answer, “No, of course not. Maybe I can ask my dad if Pike, Scanlan, and Grog can stay in my old bedroom. Oh, but then where would I stay? We can’t see each other before the wedding. It’s bad luck.” Keyleth looks at him, outraged as if he was the one to suggest such a ridiculous idea.
The ramblings only get worse as winter ends, and Vax finds himself surrounded by a myriad of white fabrics, which Keyleth says have distinct tones – they all look white to him – a large platter of different types of cakes and desserts, one of the walls of their cottage decorated with small strips of parchment in what Keyleth affirms to be the seating arrangement and a multitude of different flowers and bouquets that Keyleth druidcrafted herself on every available surface.
“What do you think, snowdrops or dandelions?” Keyleth asks Vax as he returns home from an exhausting day at the temple, holding two different bouquets. He toes off his boots and crosses the distance to kiss her passionately, dropping his bag on the couch. She gets the message and blushes, setting the dandelions aside, “You’re right. Snowdrops are prettier.”
The day finally comes, not long after Keyleth’s birthday. Vax wears the traditional Ashari garments that Korrin offered him months before, in rich tones of blue and green, with red and gold accents, and tries to make his hair presentable as Scanlan stands behind him with a smile on his face. Percy is with Keyleth, of course – Vax wouldn’t dare suggest otherwise – and Vex is getting ready in their small guest bedroom.
“Nervous?” Scanlan rises to pat Vax’s elbow, who nods in response. “You can still run, I can polymorph you into a raven, and you can just… go.”
“Thanks for the offer, Scanlan.”
Syldor was invited, and to Vax’s surprise, he accepted. He and his family, Devana and Vax’s younger sister, Velora, are set to arrive before the ceremony through the teleportation circle that Gilmore and Allura were so kind to set up in the center of Zephrah. Syldor’s presence is clear to everyone: he was only invited out of courtesy and because Vax really wants Velora to be the ring bearer. Vax has no desire to have his father by his side at the altar, nor wishes for his presence any more than what he has to endure. No, that role falls to the gnome clad in purple behind Vax.
Keyleth paces in her childhood bedroom in her undergarments. Pike finished her hair not long ago and ran out to grab something Keyleth doesn’t remember, and Percy is waiting in the living room, where she left him with her father, both dressed up for the ceremony. She would kill for some wine or ale. The anxiety that settled inside Keyleth when she woke up only worsened as the sun reached its apex in the sky. She has always hated giving speeches, often feeling like the sounds coming out of her mouth are nothing more than gibberish, so she holds a piece of parchment tightly against her chest as she mumbles the words repeatedly.
“Keyleth,” Pike is back, handing Keyleth a glass of water, which she gladly takes. “You’ll do great.”
“What if I choke, Pike? What if I can’t speak loud enough or blunder my words?”
“Keyleth,” The gnome woman holds Keyleth’s hands in hers, and Keyleth feels a warmth spread through her as if being blessed by Serenrae herself. “It doesn’t matter if others don’t hear your words. The only person that matters is Vax. Today is all about you and him and your love for each other. Nothing and no one else matters.”
Keyleth is so very glad for her friends, for her found family. She would not be where she is without them and their support. Pike was tireless throughout the entire wedding planning, often lending her ear and opinion when Keyleth couldn’t go to Vax. Both Pike and Vex had gone with Keyleth to shop for dresses and held her hand and hugged her when she found the one. Above all, both women had been there every moment that Keyleth didn’t believe she could go forward without her mom. Keyleth might not have a mother to hold her hand on her wedding day, but she has two sisters who love her just as much.
Thanks to the magic of the Ashari, the howling wind surrounding the Summit Peaks does not have a significant effect on Zephrah. However, and it wouldn’t be an air elemental druid tribe otherwise, there is a slight breeze in the air, carrying the sweet smell of cherry blossoms and the hints of summer. Friends and family – and frankly, the entire town – gather under the enormous cherry tree where Keyleth was given her mantle as part of completing her Aramenté a few years back, and Vax smiles at the familiar faces sitting in front of him, twisting his head to smile at Scanlan and Vex by his side as he stands in front of an arch of leaves and vines, highlighted with snowdrops and daisies, which was crafted by the elders of the council as a wedding gift to the Voice of the Tempest and her partner.
As Kaylie readies herself by holding her flute against her lips, Vax notices the look of pride on Scanlan’s face as he admires his little girl. She plays a soft tune, signaling the beginning of the ceremony, and one by one, the crowd turns in their seats, looking at the goliath carrying a woven basket with flowers. There are a few snickers among those who don’t know Grog, but only one menacing look from him is enough to silence everyone. The goliath’s face opens in a grin as he walks down the aisle, adding white petals to the natural blanket of pink cherry blossoms that crunch loudly underneath his feet.
Not far behind Grog are Pike and Velora, the first holding a small bouquet and the second an intricate wooden box with two golden bands. Pike, who is just about as tall as Velora, takes the girl’s hand reassuringly as they pass by everyone, and when they reach the end, Pike takes her place to the side, and Vax bends down to hug his little sister.
“You did an amazing job,” He whispers before the small elven girl joins Vex by his side.
It is finally Percy’s turn to walk down the aisle, and he does so with all the pomp and circumstance of a member of a royal family. Vax sneers and shakes his head in amusement as his friend grins and reaches to hug him.
“Be good to her. I know where you sleep,” Percy threatens with a smile before taking Pike’s side.
There is an eerie silence in the air, and Vax’s stomach flinches. It’s time. He turns his back to the crowd, feeling the muscles of his legs tremble in anticipation. Keyleth had asked him to wait until she was ready, so they had worked on a cue, and Vax knew exactly when to turn around. Not yet . He tells himself as loud gasps sound behind him. Not yet. He repeats it in his mind at Vex’s low oooh next to him. Don’t turn. He thinks, closing his eyes. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Vax hears the crunch of petals and the shuffle of movement behind him as someone approaches, and then there is silence again for a moment, leaving him hanging in expectation. A soft piano echoes around them as if the gods themselves are playing the melody, and Vex pats her brother’s elbow with a sniffle. So Vax turns around slowly, holding a breath.
Keyleth stands at the end of the aisle. Everyone is already turned in their seats to look at her, crying and gasping at how beautiful she looks. She wears a long white dress, the bodice covered in different kinds of white flowers – real flowers, from what Vax can see – including snowdrops, roses, and daisies that cascade down the tule, spreading around the skirt and the hem of the dress. The sunlight reflects in Keyleth’s fiery hair, pulled back in an intricate Ashari braid decorated with tiny white flowers, her circlet resting atop her head, also decorated with flowers and vines.
Vax’s mouth opens as Keyleth takes a step forward, one hand secured around Korrin’s arm while the other holds a bouquet of snowdrops, daisies, and greenery, like the arch behind him. Keyleth’s feet barely touch the ground – or so it seems – and there is an aura around her as if the sun is reflecting on her skin. She smiles at him with much more love and tenderness than Vax has ever seen anyone direct him, and, at that moment, he feels like he’s the luckiest man in the world.
When Keyleth reaches the altar, Vax finally lets out the breath he had been holding as Korrin kisses his daughter’s forehead, whispering words of love and encouragement before he takes his place in front of the arch.
“You look–” Vax tries to say, but the words falter as Keyleth’s bright green eyes fix him, and he says a silent prayer to the gods, thanking them for allowing him to be here with her. Keyleth’s hand finds his, squeezing reassuringly as she, too, cannot find her words. She doesn’t need to. They both know how much this moment means. The words are left unspoken but not unfelt.
“Dear friends and family,” Korrin speaks as the couple faces each other, their hands still holding tight between them. His voice is powerful and steadfast, and Vax sees the love and pride in his eyes, the twinkling of a tear in the corner, threatening to fall as he initiates the ceremony. “We gather here today to celebrate the eternal union of Keyleth and Vax’ildan as they bind themselves together by the traditional handfasting ribbons of the Ashari and speak their vows.”
Vax hears Vex sniffle behind him as Korrin continues the ceremony, and the corners of his mouth creep up in a teasing smile, even though she can’t see it. He did not have the opportunity to walk her down the aisle since she had decided to elope without so much of a warning, and he was still hurt by it. But she is happy, and so is the man that stands behind Keyleth, wiping a tear from his cheek with an apologetic look. Yet, Vax can’t stop thinking about that moment in his sister’s life and how it hurt to miss it. He wonders if she, too, felt the same way he feels as he glances at the two empty chairs in the first row where Elaina and Vilya should be.
Vax looks back at the beautiful woman in front of him, who smiles softly as if she read his mind. Vax remembers a conversation they had months before, how he and Keyleth had sat down under this same tree and confessed to the other how much it hurt not having their mothers present at their wedding. They promised each other back then that, although there were physically absent, their presence would still be felt, and Keyleth started tracing plans to decorate their chairs. Snowdrops for Elaina, Daisies for Vilya.
“Keyleth, Vax’ildan, please take your hands and join them together,” Korrin gestures and Keyleth raises their still intertwined hands. There is a communal chuckle, as no one seemed to have noticed they had been holding hands the entire time.
“You have been through many adventures. You have fought many battles together, but your greatest adventure is still to come. Keyleth, Vax’ildan, do you vow to join each other in this marriage?” Korrin asks as Vex hands him a small white box.
“I do,” They reply in unison.
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves,” Korrin takes an intricate woven ribbon from the box in tones of blue, red, and green. On one end of the ribbon is a charm with four triangles intertwined – which Vax recognizes as the symbol of the Ashari – and on the other is a charm of a mask surrounded by feathers and a raven skull – which Vax obviously recognizes as the symbol of his Matron. “A ribbon of three strands is not quickly broken.” Korrin finishes, carefully placing the ribbon on their hands.
Vax’s heart jumps in his throat as Korrin explains the symbolism of the colors: green for the earth that binds them from the paths they have walked together; red for the fire that burns in their hearts and for the courage of overcoming their fears for the other; and blue as a representation of the challenge they faced in Vesrah together.
“Your charms are a representation of who you are and where you come from,” Korrin continues, wrapping the ribbon around their intertwined hands and wrists. “The interlocked triangles of the Ashari symbolize your roots, as you are now part of our family,” Korrin smiles at Vax, who holds back a tear, “and the symbol of the Matron of Ravens the eternity of your love, for not even death can tear you apart.”
Vax’s gaze moves from their hands to Keyleth’s face, whose amused expression at her father’s words mirrors his. They have both died, Vax more than her, but their love brought them back stronger than before.
A raven feather falls just as Korrin starts to tie the knot, and he smiles, making sure it stays in place. Vax bows his head in gratitude to her for allowing him to stay, and a raven above their heads caws loudly, announcing its presence with the flap of his wings as it flies away from a tall branch of the cherry tree.
“Keyleth, your vows.”
“Oh gods, okay.” Keyleth gulps down the panic in her chest and takes a deep breath as Vax squeezes her hand and gives her a reassuring nod. “As we all know, I’m not very good with words, and I’m not very observant either. It took me a long time to figure out my feelings and even longer to overcome my fears, but your love was, and always will be, the wind underneath my wings, the earth that grounds me, the fire that warms my heart, and the water that washes away all my worries and anxieties. With you by my side, I know I will be better, stronger, and more confident. You inspire me every day, even though you can be reckless sometimes. You love so wholeheartedly and effortlessly, yet there is always room in your heart for more love and kindness. I am lucky to have you and to call you mine , and I want you to know that I will be by your side every day of your life. Besides, you know I’m in love with you, forever and ever and always, right?”
Both Keyleth and Vax’s eyes are filled with tears, and soft sobs and sniffles are coming from everywhere around them as their friends and family wipe away their tears. Vax’s throat constricts with how beautiful Keyleth looks, with how much he wants to kiss her. He does lean in, but Korrin stops him before he crosses the distance with a soft hand on his chest, pushing him back.
“Not yet,” They all chuckle wetly, tears falling faster. “Vax’ildan, your vows now.” Korrin pats Vax’s shoulder, who nods and takes a deep breath.
“I never thought I would be here today. I could say I wasn’t supposed to be here today, but we all know that’s bullshit.” Vax’s chuckle is followed by Velora’s gasp and a soft laugh from his friends. “I was ready to die, and I did die several times, yet here I am in front of one of the most amazing and powerful women I’ve ever met. I’ve always been a lucky bastard, but meeting you was no luck. It was destiny. You taught me how to be better, to accept love from others and let them take care of me, and I would not be standing here today if it wasn’t for your love and dedication. Keyleth, I believe in you as fiercely as you believe in me, and don’t you ever forget that. I’m so very proud of you, and I’m so very grateful to have the chance to spend every day of the rest of my life by your side. You know I’m in love with you too, forever and ever and always, right?”
The tears flow freely now, not just on Vax and Keyleth’s faces but also on their friends’ faces. Somewhere in the first row, Shaun Gilmore holds a delicate purple handkerchief and dapples the droplets from his eyes. Next to him, an equally elegant Allura takes Kima’s hand, who isn’t as subtle in her sobs. The loudest is, undoubtedly, Grog, in whose hands is a handkerchief the size of a pillowcase. Regardless of whether they are close friends or less-known habitants of Zephrah, there is a wave of tears from everyone in the audience, for they have all, in some way or another, had the opportunity to witness the love and dedication that Vax and Keyleth have for the other.
“Keyleth,” Korrin’s voice is different, as if he, too, is trying to hold back tears. “Do you take Vax’ildan to be your husband, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and health, in sorrow and joy, from this day forward, until your drying breath?”
“I do.”
“Vax’ildan, do you take Keyleth to be your wife, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and health, in sorrow and joy, from this day forward, until your dying breath?”
“I do.”
Korrin hands Keyleth the end of the ribbon with the Raven Queen charm while Vax takes the end with the Ashari symbol, and he signals for them to pull the knot tightly, securing the raven feather within it.
“May your marriage ribbons draw your hands together in love, never to be used in anger. May the pledges you make never grow bitter in your hearts. You two are entwined in love, bound by all which brings strength to this union.” Korrin finishes with a soft smile. He nods gently at Velora, whose face opens in a grin, and walks closer to the older man. He gently aids Vax and Keyleth in removing the knot without untying it and places it back in the white box, handing it to Percy.
“Keyleth and Vax’ildan have also opted to exchange rings, a symbol of unity and completeness. Let them be a reminder of your love and the vows you have taken here today.” Korrin bends down to take the rings from the little girl, who promptly runs back to her sister, preening for a job well done. He hands Vax the soft golden band that the couple picked, something simple and symbolic, and asks him to repeat his words after him.
“Keyleth, with this ring, I take you as my wife. I promise I will love you forever, and ever and always.” Vax slides the ring on Keyleth’s finger with ease, smiling brightly.
“Vax’ildan, with this ring, I take you as my husband. I promise I will love you forever, and ever and always.” Keyleth says back, her smile as bright as his.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The couple looks expectantly at Korrin, who sighs and rolls his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Go on, kiss her.”
Vax chuckles and leans in, placing one hand between Keyleth’s shoulder blades and the other on her lower back, and, without a warning, he dips her back and kisses her longingly as cheers and claps erupt around them.
This is a great feeling. Vax feels like his entire life finally has a purpose. He knows his job is not over yet, and will never be, but for some reason, the Raven Queen has allowed him to stay and be happy with the ones he loves. He can’t contain his joy as he faces the crowd, now standing in an ovation. He can’t help but mirror the smile on their faces, the tears of happiness that fall down his cheeks. Vax can’t contain a look of surprise as he sees his father stand proudly, clapping his hands with tears in his eyes, or at the nod he gives him, and how he mouths, that’s my son. There is still a long path to traverse between them, but this is the first step.
Keyleth pulls him into another breathless kiss, and as they break apart, she leans her forehead to his. Vax knows from how she looks at him that more than luck, she is his destiny, and their love is stronger than the gods themselves.
