The wedding of Babajaga and Sleipnir

The wedding of Sir Sleipnir and Lady Babajaga took place on [?], Day [?] of Winter in the year 533 of the Ascendancy, at the first hour of the morning, in the meadow beneath a brightly shining moon. It began, as is the custom of the bride's Sylvan folk, with a ceremonial groom hunt, in this case in the tanglewood. The couple's friends gathered first in the meadow, and when all was arranged, the humble and somewhat jittery knight ran off into the woods, pursued a few minutes later by the high-spirited hunters.

It was the work of but a few minutes for them to find him, surround him, and lead him laughing back to the meadow, where he was met by his fair bride and Healery, who was to officiate. After a brief pause for the guests and musicians to settle in the meadow, the bride and groom proceeded to the center of the field of flowers, followed by Healery. A sketch of the wedding party and guests is available.

Throughout the event, security services were ably and cheerfully provided by [WHO?], who patrolled constantly to keep the gathered group safe from any dangers. The wedding was also graced by two fine musical performances. First, the Thoom choir which is becoming an ear-pleasing custom at Puddleby weddings gave a superb performance, thooming with abandon in close and intricate harmonies. The bard Kiralyn then sang "My Lady's Eyes," a love song of surpassing beauty which moved many of the listeners to tears.

Following Kiralyn's song, the formal ceremony began. In the following transcription, any words not otherwise attributed were spoken by Healery.

Fellow Exiles, Fellow Wanderers, we greet ye. In the name of Chivalry we greet ye. In the name of Love and Honour we greet ye. In the name of the world tree, Ambaralda, and the white tree, Telperalda Voronda, we greet ye.

Healery bows. Sleipnir bows. Babajaga bows.

Ours is often a hard land, a land of exile and separation, of sorrow and strife. Yet sometimes in the midst of this hardship such a spirit arises as sets the very stars to ringing in jubilation. It is my great joy and honor to share such a celebration with you today. For, in the boundless love of Sleipnir for Babajaga, and in the everlasting love of Babajaga for Sleipnir, has such a bright and beauteous spirit arisen that we can but give great thanks for this Blessing to our Land.

Thus do I bid you all, regard this couple before you. A couple that is here in sight of all to swear vows stronger than the grey steel, harder than the black obsidian, more steadfast than the mountains at the base of the world, and more joyful than the singing golden tree of Laurelindorinan.

Healery yells:Ilquen aiya Sleipnir ar Babajaga Vanimalda

Babajaga to Sleipnir: Meleny'an tye silma elenesse helleva. Meleny'an tye seresse tumbaletaureva. Meleny'an tye anda seresse nuruhuineva. Nati tenn'ambar-metta melenya tenn'ambar-metta. In the silver stars of the sky is my love for thee. In the quiet of the deep forest is my love for thee. In the long sleep of death is my love for thee. As these things endure until the world's end, so shall my love for thee.

As doth the mighty Oak, thy love endures.

Babajaga: Ve meletyalda norne melenya oiale

As doth the weeping Willow, thy love grieves.

Babajaga: Ve siqilisse melenya yaimea

As doth the silver Birch, thy love shines.

Babajaga: Ve silqeleni melenya sila

Babajaga to Sleipnir: Airaldanen enyala vandanen. Ambaraldanen enyala vandanen. Babajaga Vanimalda enyalie vandanen. Upon the Sacred Tree I so swear. Upon the World Tree I so swear. I, Babajaga, have sworn.

Healery yells: Ilquen aiya Sleipnir ar Babajaga Vanimalda
Healery yells: All Hail, Sleipnir and Babajaga.

[The assembled crowd erupts in celebration, and a joyous sound of trumpets is heard throughout the meadow.]

Sleipnir draws his sword and plants it in the ground, tip down. Sleipnir puts one hand on his sword, and the other on Babajaga's heart. Babajaga puts one hand on the sword, the other on Sleipnir's heart.

Art thou a true and worthy knight?

Sleipnir: I be so, to my greatest extent

Dost thou swear that thy love is pure and unsullied?

Sleipnir: I do so swear

Sleipnir to Babajaga: My heart is thine. My soul is thine. In thee alone do I love, and in thee alone do I live. Upon my sword I so swear. Upon thy heart I so swear. I, Sleipnir, have sworn. Lords and Ladies, good folk of all stations, ere the final vow be taken between these two before ye, it is my duty publicly to enquire whether there be any obstacle under the Laws of Man or Nature to their union. If any here hath knowledge of such an impediment, I bid thee speak now, or forever hold thy peace.

Healery waits. Sleipnir waits. Babajaga waits.

Healery smiles.

Very well, let us then proceed to the third, and final, affirmation.

Healery yells: Ilquen aiya Sleipnir ar Babajaga Vanimalda

Babajaga to Sleipnir: Rinalotenen haryalye Sleipnir araninyan ar vernonyan.

Babajaga puts a flowercrown on Sleipnir's brow

Sleipnir to Babajaga: With this crown of flowers I take thee, Fair Babajaga, as my Queen and my bride

Sleipnir puts a flowercrown on Babajaga's brow

Healery yells: Vandar otelyie. It is done.

[The gathered guests once again erupt in cheers, and an almost blinding glow of joy sweeps through the crowd.]

The wedding party and guests then proceeded from the meadow to the park, where [WHO?] had already arranged a sumptuous reception. Celebration continued for some time, with much well-wishing and congratulations. Finally, when the revelry had largely died down (along with a few of the guests, suffering from intemperate consumption of ale), the Knight and his Lady bade their guests farewell, glowed brightly, and were seen no more.

A short time later, a few close friends gathered with the newlyweds to offer wedding gifts. Many fine and wondrous items were exchanged, with much appreciation and pleasure. Among the gifts was a sonnet written by Healery.

The Puddleby Tales