RP: Wedding Day

[tt_alicia]

Date: 18. August, 2002
Characters: Alicia Spinnet, Viktor Krum, OPEN TO EVERYBODY (Please add your character's tag as they join)
Setting: Around Settlement 1
Content: TBD
Status: Open: Public

Comments

Wedding

[tt_alicia]

Open to everybody

Re: Wedding

[tt_viktor]

They entered the building together, past their friends and family gathered along the stairs, and into the space proper. The benches were full and some were standing along the sides as well. It seemed as if all of Settlement One was trying to fit into this space, but that didn’t bother Viktor, pleased as he was to see so many of his settlement-family present. The Bulgarian minister was singing a hymn as Viktor guided Alicia to the altar. The wedding party followed at a distance and then took their places on either side of the couple.

Kingsley stood to the left of the minister, both with their tablets in hand, he in his wizarding robes and the priest in black and gold vestments. It had been agreed upon beforehand that the minister would lead and Kingsley would repeat the section in English a moment later, giving all gathered the time to understand the ceremony.

The Bulgarian minister motioned for everyone in the crowd to sit, and then offered up a prayer for the couple. There was a brief pause and then he read from the book of Deuteronomy:

“These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I will give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

The group of musicians started into a soft, calming hymn as soon as Kingsley finished repeating the passage in English. Viktor gave Alicia's hand a gentle squeeze, feeling reassured and peaceful as the Christian words reminded him of his youth attending services with his parents. It had been a long time since Viktor had felt these things, reminders and subtle messages of a faith that he had not embraced in a very long time. He was thankful that Alicia had agreed to the traditional service. A minute cough from the Bulgarian Minister drew his attention away from his lovely bride just as the older man began reading the second and last gospel passage of the service.

When it was Kingsley's turn, his deeper voice seemed to resound the words more fully, saying. "My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds. Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet. Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad. Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir. Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father’s house. The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift, men of wealth will seek your favor. All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her and are brought to you. They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king. Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land. I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever."

Motioning for the assembled crowd to stand once more, the Bulgarian Minister led in singing the Gospel Acclamation of "Alleluia". When it was finished, he motioned once again for everyone to sit. There was an echo in the near-silent space as the assembled community moved almost as one. Reaching out, the Bulgarian Minister enveloped his hands over their joined ones before him, speaking in soft tones about the mystery of Christian marriage, the dignity of wedded love, the grace of the sacrament, and the responsibilities of married people. When he finished, Kingsley took his spot, repeating the words from memory so he wouldn't have to stop and read his tablet.

Taking over to reverse the translations, Kingsley solemnly requested that Viktor and Alicia state their intentions about their freedom of choice, faithfulness to each other, and the acceptance and upbringing of children, after which, the Bulgarian Minister translated to the assembled audience.

Turning to Alicia, taking both her hands in his, Viktor took a deep breath before speaking slowly to get the words right. "Alicia, vhen first ve meet, I know you special. Da time ve spend together, is best time of my life. I dink of vhat future hold for us vith happiness. You are only voman I vant to haff family vith, grow old vith, und spend all my life lovink. Today, I take you as my vife. I vow to loff you und cherish you, to keep you safe und protect you, to share all time, good und bad. I promise alvays I loff you, und hold faith only unto you. I vill alvays be there vhen you need me, und vant be best husband."

Re: Wedding

[tt_alicia]

Alicia knew that she ought to be paying attention to the words both the Bulgarian Minister and Kingsley – in particular – were saying. That she should commit the words to memory or at the very least take them to heart. But she couldn’t. Everything was so overwhelming, from the massive attendance of more people than Alicia could ever have dared hope would be there to celebrate their love and joy, the gentle music and the beautifully delivered prayer in both Bulgarian and English, to Viktor holding her hand and seeing the look in his eyes when he looked at her.

But she tried to pay attention, until Viktor’s gentle squeeze of her hand made her look up at him. It seemed impossible to look away, and Alicia could feel her eyes stinging from the tears in her eyes as she beamed up at him. The Minister’s gentle cough brought their surroundings back to her, and with a smile she allowed Kingsley’s voice to commit at least the beginning of their speech. It wasn’t until she turned to Viktor that the words stood out crystal clear to her, and every single one of his vows was etched deeply into her mind. Gently she brushed her thumb over his knuckles, the stinging tear finally spilling when she felt like she would burst from all the love and warmth she got from.

“I love you,” she mouthed to him when he finished, then cleared her throat and paused for a beat to say her own vows. “Viktor, you didn’t just change my life; you gave me life. I came here to survive, with hopes and dreams for no more than that. Then I met you, and you made me want to live rather than just survive. You made me dream again, and hope for a future with you and the family we will have.” Swallowing down to keep her voice steady she sent him a warm smile. “Today, I take you as my husband. I vow to love and cherish you. To treat you with respect and cherish every moment we have shared and will share for the rest of our lives. I promise to take care of you in good times, and in bad. To support you and guide you, and be the best wife that I possibly can. I love you more than words can say, but I promise you that I will love you forever.”

Re: Wedding

[tt_viktor]

A long moment after Alicia finished her vows, Zograf tapped Viktor on the shoulder and he released one of Alicia's hands to take the ring from his best man. Behind Alicia, Ginny wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and tried hard not to sniffle as she slipped the ring off her thumb, placing it in Alicia's free hand with a reassuring pat before she stepped back again, grinning like a fool.

The Bulgarian Minister blessed both wedding rings and then Viktor slipped the band gently onto Alicia's finger. Holding his hand steady for her, he smiled as the gold band slipped into place on his own finger. The Bulgarian Minister again blessed the rings, holding both their hands in his for a moment. Kingsley coughed discretely, leaning over to say. "You may kiss your bride now."

Viktor needed no more encouragement, slipping his hand around Alicia's waist and pulling her close as he bent his head, pressing a warm, heartfelt kiss to her lips. He drew back just enough to press his forehead to hers, smiling as he whispered. "Mrs. Krum!"

It was the Bulgarian Minister's turn to make a soft noise to get their attention back, then he read a prayer over the both of them, one that Kingsley repeated to the crowd. "Join with me as we ask God's blessing on this new couple. Eternal Father, redeemer, we now turn to you, and as the first act of this couple in their newly formed union, we ask you to protect their home. May they always turn to you for guidance, for strength, for provision and direction. May they glorify you in the choices they make, in the ministries they involve themselves in, and in all that they do. Use them to draw others to yourself, and let them stand as a testimony to the world of your faithfulness. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen."

Viktor made the sign of the cross and nodded to the Bulgarian Minister, taking Alicia's arm and curling it through his as he turned to face the assembly. Behind him, Kingsley said. "With the powers given to me, I pronounce you man and wife," he paused for a moment before turning to the gathered crowd as well. "It is one of the greatest duties I have, presenting to you, Viktor Krum and Alicia Spinnet Krum!"

A cheer went up in the building, carried by most, and Viktor led Alicia slowly down the aisle, followed by Zograf and Ginny, then the rest of the team. The building cleared out slowly as their family and friends melted out onto the path leading to the reception hall, some taking up song again, filling the air with bold voices.

Re: Wedding

[tt_alicia]

Alicia beamed up at Ginny when she gave her the ring and snuck in a tiny, grateful squeeze of her hand, before she turned back to Viktor. She watched and listened with fascination as the Minister spoke and Kingsley translated, and she was positive that her heart skipped a beat when Viktor placed the ring on her finger. For several beats, it felt as if the world could have collapsed around her and she still wouldn’t have been able to tear her eyes away from Viktor’s warm gaze. That is, until Kingsley’s voice drew her back, and she laughed softly, delightedly that they were already at that point.

Tilting her head up, she smiled into the kiss as she melted into Viktor’s embraced and her eyes closed giving her that moment of pure bliss when they were just the two of them. Mrs. Krum. Hearing him say that her smile returned full force as she gaze up at him, sharing this incredibly intimate moment with the majority of the Settlement, though for all Alicia sensed, it was just her and Viktor. “That’s me!” she whispered back, loving the sound of her new title, though no more than what that title actually meant: She was Viktor’s wife and Viktor was her husband. They may have been a couple before, but now it was official and it had been announced to the world.