The Marriage of Fadrienne and Thyul

On Saturday the 19th of February, Dr Fadrienne Hahroesh and Thyul Ma’thyu were wed under the full moon.  The ceremony was attended by their friends in the Seven Isles and officiated by Cherno Hazelnut.

It began with a wedding feast prepared by a friend of Haruk’s.  Exotic wine was imported from elven lands for the occasion, and it complemented the meal nicely.

The happy couple dining together before the ceremony

The wedding party and guests then headed up the hill for the ceremony, conducted under the great willow tree.  Full transcript of the ceremony is available after the cut.  Click “read more.”

Cherno:  Family and friends of the Seven Isles, those who cannot be here, but are here in spirit, including the spirits of our ancestors gathered in this sacred place…

We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Thyul Ma’thyu and Fadrienne Hahroesh, who have come before us and one another much the way they came into the world to begin their lives.  Naked and pure, they are to begin a new life together, to be accepted by one another as they truly are, presenting no illusions to one another.

Once married, death does not part them.  Elves marry for eternity, in life or death. As such, these must be of free will.  For, to coerce or force to marriage brings death to the elven body and soul.

In the villages into which these two elves were born, this ceremony would be naturally conducted in Elvish.  However, since we are made up of many cultures and languages, the couple has wished for the ceremony to be conducted in the common tongue, save a few utterances to each other.

Let us begin.  [Fadrienne and Thyul take each other’s right hand]

Like the small Oak and Willow planted behind us, that lean towards each other, so that they may grow together, Thyul and Fadrienne are two individuals. They have grown into the trees they are thus far, but are beginning a life of growth together.  As these trees are now bound to each other, and are nurtured to grow together, they will represent the way a marriage must be  diligently tended to, lest they grow apart, or become distorted.

Cherno addresses Thyul, “Thus, I ask you Thyul: is it of your own free will and accord that you are here to hold to your promise made at your betrothal, by marrying Fadrienne?”

Thyul: It is my will, my wish, and my intent to marry my beloved betrothed Fadrienne.

Cherno addresses Fadrienne.  “And Fadrienne, is it of your own free will and accord that you are here to hold to your promise made at your betrothal, by marrying Thyul?”

Fadrienne:  It is my will, my wish, and my intent to marry my adored betrothed, Thyul.

Cherno: Like the Willow and Oak behind us, please join hands with your betrothed and look into one another’s eyes.

Fadrienne, in accordance with your expressed will and wish, say so at this time, and place your ring in Thyul’s hand. [Fadrienne places the ring in Thyul’s open palm.]

Thyul, if it be your wish for Fadrienne to be bound to you, place the ring on his finger, and repeat after me in your own tongue: I give you this silver ring with my eternal love, and I marry you.

Thyul: Tirio Aran Einior i vest hen a verio dan i nguruthos. Cuio a velo ‘odref Thyul a(dh)  Fadrienne n’uir ben innas Eru. [Thyul places ring on Fadrienne’s left ring finger, and then joyfully takes both of his hands again.]

Cherno: Thyul, in accordance with your expressed will and wish before these witnesses, say so at this time, and place your ring in his hand.  [Thyul places the ring in Fadrienne’s trembling hand.]

Fadrienne, if it be your wish for Thyul to be bound to you, place the ring on hir finger, and repeat after me in your own tongue: I give you this silver ring with my eternal love, and I marry you.

Fadrienne: Tirio Aran Einior i vest hen a verio dan i nguruthos. Cuio a velo ‘odref Fadrienne a(dh) Thyul n’uir ben innas Eru. [Fadrienne places ring on Thyul’s left ring finger, and then takes both of hir hands again.]

Cherno pours wine into a deep chalice, while speaking.  “In our land of The Seven Isles, everything worth celebrating is worth celebrating with wine.  As wine is produced by trampling the grapes and letting their juice decay, it reminds us that something magnificent can result even from tragedy and suffering.  You will make beautiful wine out of any hardships you encounter, because you endure it together.”

Cherno hands chalice to the groom, saying, “May you both drink in celebration of your union with your beloved.”
[Fadrienne takes the chalice in both hands, savoring the taste as if to remember it forever.]
[Thyul takes the chalice from Fadrienne’s hands and moistens hir throat, dry from crying and anxious breathing.  Thyul finds it hard to drink, with such a smile on hir face.]

Thyul takes the chalice from Fadrienne's hands and moistens hir throat...

Cherno: On behalf of The Seven Isles, your homelands, and your people, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you. You may now seal your vows with a kiss.  [Fadrienne and Thyul kiss.]

Cherno: As they say in Elvish, “Tirio Elbereth i vest hen a verio dan i nguruthos. Cuio a velo ‘odref Thyul a(dh) Fadrienne n’uir ben innas Eru  Llúvatar.”
Or in words we all can understand, “May Varda watch over this marriage and protect it from the shadow of death. May Thyul and Fadrienne live and love together always under the blessing of Eru Ilúvatar.”

And then they danced.