The Cycles of Revelation Series
Artifact of the Dawn: Preparations (A Queer Sci-Fi Adventure)
Episode 81: Everyone helps make the final preparations for Ardyn and Jevan’s Bonding Ceremony.
The next week sped by as Jevan and Ardyn prepared for both their bonding ceremony and their trip to Donarvon.
“Are you excited to see Ateria?” Marta asked as they walked together back to their quarters after spending the afternoon together.
“Yes, I am. Life in Donarvon sounds very different from the village I grew up in,” Jevan admitted. “Your people have come much farther than ours have, and I’m interested to see how different it is.”
“We’ve both come a long way from who we were, haven’t we?” Ardyn mused aloud.
Jevan’s mind flooded with memories of his past. The endless days trekking from one village or settlement to the next. Meeting the Athla’naa for the first time and learning their language. All the many happy, intimate encounters he’d had. Life had been simpler back then, but nowhere near as interesting. Wrapping an arm around Ardyn’s shoulders, he agreed. “We certainly have.”
“How long has it been since either of you have visited your homes?” Marta asked.
“Except for the brief visit on Keryth’s shuttle, not since we fled,” Jevan replied.
Ardyn nodded. “Other than the day we stood in judgement before the Elder Triumvirate, the last time I was in Maala’naa was the day they sent me to hunt the sar’ora. Even then, I had only arrived home from ranging the night before.”
“Then you both should take some time to visit before leaving,” Marta suggested. “So much has happened and you’ll be away for a long while. I’m sure your friends will love to see you before you leave.”
They paused outside of their quarters and Jevan contemplated it for a moment. “I think that’s a great idea. What do you think, Ardyn? We could pack some provisions and make the trek on foot? First to Maala’naa and then to Yanen. I think it would do us both some good.”
Ardyn gave him a dismissive shrug. “Didn’t we just get back from spending time in the woods? We could ask Keryth to send one of his shuttles.”
“I’m sure we’ll get used to a lot of advanced conveniences after we visit Donarvon and then move to Aria’naa. This may be our last chance to go on foot like we used to. What do you say? For old time’s sake.”
Ardyn laughed. “Alright, for old time’s sake.”
The ceremony was to take place outside the observation tower. Grateful to Ardyn and Jevan for finding and rescuing them, many of the Athla’dor pitched in and created a beautiful setting for the ceremony. They built several rows of benches hewn from the surrounding forest, which they were planning to clear so they could finally build the settlement of Rahn’naa.
Mathias supervised the construction of the central archway, while Taeglyn advised on which late autumn blossoms to weave into the branches, so it reflected both Medellan and Athla’naa traditions.
A couple of days before the ceremony, Jevan’s mother presented him with a package. “I asked Keryth to fly me back to Yanen so I could retrieve these. I’ve been saving them for you. They are your father’s and my bonding garments.”
Jevan hesitated to take it. “I… I’m not sure I can accept these. You and father hated each other — ”
“Oh, what utter nonsense,” Asha exclaimed. “Yes, we fought frequently and passionately, but we didn’t hate each other.”
Looking up at his mother with astonishment, Jevan couldn’t believe it. “You… didn’t?”
“Oh, I know everyone assumed we did. We both fought the idea of the pair-bond, as much as you tried to. We thought the old tradition was a foolish way to control us and we hated the idea of being tied down to only a single partner. However, we were secretly in love long before they matched us together. We kept up the charade afterward because we were afraid the Ard would tear us apart if he found out we’d lied.”
Shaking his head, Jevan laughed. “Why am I not surprised that even you hid secrets from me? It seems this is the year for uncovering all the hidden truths.”
Jevan and his mother spoke for hours, and he gained a new appreciation for his late father that he hadn’t had before. That made him sad, knowing his father wouldn’t be there to see his bonding ceremony. It also brought him some level of comfort, going into this pair-bond with Ardyn, knowing his mother hadn’t suffered in her bond as much as he thought she had.
After the long conversation, Jevan graciously accepted the gift. Then he found someone on the Rahn’naa who could alter the garments, so they would fit both him and Ardyn. He also requested they incorporate both Athla’naa and Medellan designs into them. This ceremony symbolized not only their mutual bond as a couple but the uniting of their two peoples.
The night before the ceremony found Jevan pacing, as he often did.
“If that wasn’t a metal floor, I’d admonish you for wearing a hole in the floor again,” Ardyn teased. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”
Settling himself next to Ardyn on the couch, Jevan shook his head. “No, not at all. It’s not nerves… it’s excitement.”
Ardyn rolled his eyes before giving Jevan a cheeky grin. “Well, we don’t have to wait for the second part of the bonding tomorrow. We could practice again tonight.”
With a playful shove, Jevan laughed. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it! It’s more like… tomorrow marks the start of our new lives, and after we make our visits back home, we’re starting another adventure. For the first time in years, I’m excited about what the future brings.”
“I know, I am, too,” Ardyn said, smiling at him fondly. “So, does that mean you don’t want to practice for tomorrow night?”
Jevan stood up and scooped Ardyn into his arms, carrying him towards the bed. “No need to ask me twice!”
