So it was, Vyakles ordered the marriage ceremonies to take place right away as this was critical and most imperative to the king's interests. The weddings took place over the next three days, as was the custom of the Greek citizenry; who were delighted for the sudden news of matrimony as it filled the streets with excitement and the occasion proved to be a most joyous time of celebration. Now, though this marriage brought much praise, prestige, and fame through out the land, and most important of all, fresh, new warrior blood, these were not the typical marriages, for there were no young virgin brides, no dowries, and the nuptials took place just before August, not in the winter month of Gamelion; which was the time of the festival of the marriage of Zeus and Hera, called the Hieros Gamos. For all marriages were held at this time for in Greece marriage was not for the individual, but rather was for the community, for the greater good, wealth and growth of the city-states and their populations. However, due to the most unusual circumstances, Vyakles sent word from the palace to the senate that matters dictated the unification of the couples commence as soon as possible.
As was the tradition the event lasted with 3 days of festivities and celebrations. The first day, the day of preparations, called the Proaulia, found Thera and her anxious ladies making dedications to Artemis and sacrificing animals to Aphrodite, Hera and Athena. The dedications consisted of woven baskets placed upon the altar containing fine clothing, rare perfumes, exotic jewelry and cosmetics given up to Artemis to signify the 'nakedness' of the bride, and to also recognize the divine protection of Artemis during marriage and childbirth. They also offered up to the goddess a lock of their beloveds hair, as well as a lock of their own long tresses which they tied together with red ribbons, binding the strands together as one. Next the women found themselves holding ceremonial knives, during the proteleia ritual, which they used when slitting the throats of many goats and sheep; which they sacrificed gladly to their deities. This they did to represent themselves, who were like the animals being led to the slaughter, and also to provide meat for the many feasts.
The second day, the day of the ceremony, called Gamos, found the nervous, excited brides being given ritual baths in sacred waters, their naked bodies cleansed then anointed in almond oil by their bridal assistants, called Nymphokomos. Each bride was adorned with necklaces and earrings made of precious stones. The women were arrayed in a peplos, a fine linen dress, dyed a rich deep purple color with gold braiding. Upon their heads was placed a small silver crown, called a stephane, which was fashioned to resemble oak leaves and acorns, a powerful symbol of fertility to the Greeks as well as the Themiscyrans. The silver stephane was placed over a long veil dyed in saffron and adorned with seed pearls and in their shaking hands, that knew only of war and bloodshed, was placed a fragrant bouquet of myrtles, poppies and roses. As sunset drew near 10 golden chariots, pulled by pale white horses, their manes and tails covered with garlands of flowers and green leaves, arrived at the palace as the women gave each other hugs and kisses, as if they were all going off into to battle together, before they went being drawn out into the lively city; which was lined with cheering throngs of the delighted people. The men lit ceremonial torches, carrying them through the streets, lighting up the way for the long chariot procession. It was a wondrous sight for the warrior women to see. So by the light of the blazing torches the Spartans hailed the warrior brides as they passed through the neighborhoods and all the people sang loudly the traditional bridal songs, called hymen-hymenaios. The young men and women were whirling and dancing in their midst as the music of the flutes and lyres sounded continuously and then Thera gazed out at the mothers and wives of Sparta standing at the doors of their houses as they all marveled at the sight of the 'mythical warrior brides' arrayed in jewels of splendor. So it was with great heaps of adulation the astonished Themiscyran women were brought to the large assembly hall where the veiled women were led through the massive, brightly lit chamber filled to capacity with cheering, smiling faces. These were the nobles, the elite, the newly appointed General La Quint and the highest ranking members of the Army and the Admiral of the Fleet, Vasha and all his captains were gathered together that night by special invitation of the king. Thera felt as though her heart would burst from all the excitement as she and her ladies beheld the enormous crowd. That is when their eyes fell upon their stunning grooms, who looked like the Titans of Olympus as they stood in a row before them, clothed in their finest himation, an expensive linen garments of bright white, the color of happiness and joy, their skin glistening perfumed with myrtle balm, with garlands of oak leaves and roses made by the hands of their brides resting upon their heads. Each man looked as radiant as a star with such a peaceful contented look upon their smiling faces that it was a in a word, Enchanting.
Now the ceremony, called the Gameos, went quickly, requiring no priests, just a simple exchange of vows of eternal love, devotion and protection was all that was required. Then when all of the words of their hearts was spoken each man, one by one, lifted the bridal veil of his beloved sealing their vows with a sweet, gentle kiss. Now when Vyakles stood before Thera, not only did he lift her veil but he removed it completely along with her little silver crown with a gentle smile and a brightness in his dark eyes. Next Thera, as instructed earlier, reached up and removed the garland of leaves and roses from his head, where there upon a long table she placed this next the two Royal Crowns of Sparta which gleamed in the candle light. Vyakles took in a deep breath, with a twinge of sadness, he picked up the crown of his former, dead Queen Keeva whom he had loved dearly. Putting all his love and devotion he had towards his new wife, Vyakles smiled raising the golden crown set with large rubies high above Thera's head as he said "I.., as the rightful King of Sparta, from this day forward, hereby take you, and accept you, Thera, as my lawfully wedded wife and declare you the rightful Queen of Sparta!" placing the crown upon her head he proclaimed before all the people "With this crown.., I thee wed!" a rush of joy and warmth filled her heart and thoughts and Thera felt a great sea of emotions well up inside her as she kissed him then she reached out for the Royal Crown of the King and with a loud, proud voice she shouted "A crown for my true love! For our one true King! Who I pledge my troth and give myself to willing. For I promise you, Vyakles, my undying Love, my Unity, my Loyalty, my Honor and my deep Respect, to you and your people! And I avow unto you, MY PEOPLE, I shall do my very best to serve this nation as a proper and befitting Queen!"
Here an uproar of excitement rose up from the witnesses assembled their together on that hot summer night, and as the couples left, hand-in-hand, the crowd scattered over the newlyweds a shower of violets and quinces, a symbol of fertility and luck. As the brides and grooms exited the noisy hall they departed in the chariots together for the first time together as man and wife. Each couple was escorted back through the mass of happy people to their private homes, where each bridal chamber had been lavishly decorated with the branches of olive and oak trees with garlands of sweetly scented flowers draped on the pastos, the bridal canopy, over the soft feather bed filled with brightly colored silk cushions and blankets, with wreaths of laurels and honeysuckle hanging on the walls which were illuminated by dozens of beeswax candles.
Now when King Vyakles and Queen Thera returned to the palace, as man and wife, he paused and spoke to the joyous masses, who cheered and sang with loud voices, telling them all "I enter my house with marriage songs and the torches burning, holding my beloved woman by the hand, followed by this merry crowd, with you all shouting good wishes to myself and our new Queen, my dearest, most treasured Thera, who.., once, I thought was dead to me.., but now we have become united and have joined our lives together! We, being both of noble birth and royal blood!" here more cheers of adulation, love and respect issued up from the wedding guests. This display of affection left her with an enraptured emotion by the people and their praise and it was so overwhelming it was a feeling like she had never experienced, nor even known was possible, for Vyakles and his people held her in such high esteem. Vyakles grabbed Thera by the waist and kissed her long and hard in front of the delighted crowd and he smiled and shouted out "Let the divine minstrel, with his clean toned lyre in hand be our leader in the merry dance. Let the feasting and drinking begin! Let of our marriage celebration commence!"
The pipers played and the lyres rang as the throng of celebrants sang along with the ancient song "Our dearest Bride and Groom, in what likeness were it well? Thy praise in song to tell? It is to the fresh and tender sapling of a cherry tree, that we may best liken thee."
Across the city arose such a boisterous noise from the parties filled with music, singing, dancing, drinking and feasting that no one, not even the babes in the cradle, nor animals in the stables, could find sleep. So it was all celebrated long into the night and when the sun arose on the third day of the celebration, the Epaulia, hundreds awoke very late in the day to be left with the task of setting their heads and houses back in order as the newlywed couples lounged all afternoon in their matrimonial beds. However, half a world away Queen Odessa, back in her lavish palace in Themiscyra, lay her head down on her pillow staring up at the ceiling and the magnitude of her troubled thoughts weighed heavily upon her. Odessa had long since been unable to find any rest, even her dreams were brimming with her angst and anxieties, now she lay in her lonely bed unable, unwilling to eat, pains in her stomach with a debilitating headache, Odessa closed her eyes, wishing she were dead.
As was the tradition the event lasted with 3 days of festivities and celebrations. The first day, the day of preparations, called the Proaulia, found Thera and her anxious ladies making dedications to Artemis and sacrificing animals to Aphrodite, Hera and Athena. The dedications consisted of woven baskets placed upon the altar containing fine clothing, rare perfumes, exotic jewelry and cosmetics given up to Artemis to signify the 'nakedness' of the bride, and to also recognize the divine protection of Artemis during marriage and childbirth. They also offered up to the goddess a lock of their beloveds hair, as well as a lock of their own long tresses which they tied together with red ribbons, binding the strands together as one. Next the women found themselves holding ceremonial knives, during the proteleia ritual, which they used when slitting the throats of many goats and sheep; which they sacrificed gladly to their deities. This they did to represent themselves, who were like the animals being led to the slaughter, and also to provide meat for the many feasts.
The second day, the day of the ceremony, called Gamos, found the nervous, excited brides being given ritual baths in sacred waters, their naked bodies cleansed then anointed in almond oil by their bridal assistants, called Nymphokomos. Each bride was adorned with necklaces and earrings made of precious stones. The women were arrayed in a peplos, a fine linen dress, dyed a rich deep purple color with gold braiding. Upon their heads was placed a small silver crown, called a stephane, which was fashioned to resemble oak leaves and acorns, a powerful symbol of fertility to the Greeks as well as the Themiscyrans. The silver stephane was placed over a long veil dyed in saffron and adorned with seed pearls and in their shaking hands, that knew only of war and bloodshed, was placed a fragrant bouquet of myrtles, poppies and roses. As sunset drew near 10 golden chariots, pulled by pale white horses, their manes and tails covered with garlands of flowers and green leaves, arrived at the palace as the women gave each other hugs and kisses, as if they were all going off into to battle together, before they went being drawn out into the lively city; which was lined with cheering throngs of the delighted people. The men lit ceremonial torches, carrying them through the streets, lighting up the way for the long chariot procession. It was a wondrous sight for the warrior women to see. So by the light of the blazing torches the Spartans hailed the warrior brides as they passed through the neighborhoods and all the people sang loudly the traditional bridal songs, called hymen-hymenaios. The young men and women were whirling and dancing in their midst as the music of the flutes and lyres sounded continuously and then Thera gazed out at the mothers and wives of Sparta standing at the doors of their houses as they all marveled at the sight of the 'mythical warrior brides' arrayed in jewels of splendor. So it was with great heaps of adulation the astonished Themiscyran women were brought to the large assembly hall where the veiled women were led through the massive, brightly lit chamber filled to capacity with cheering, smiling faces. These were the nobles, the elite, the newly appointed General La Quint and the highest ranking members of the Army and the Admiral of the Fleet, Vasha and all his captains were gathered together that night by special invitation of the king. Thera felt as though her heart would burst from all the excitement as she and her ladies beheld the enormous crowd. That is when their eyes fell upon their stunning grooms, who looked like the Titans of Olympus as they stood in a row before them, clothed in their finest himation, an expensive linen garments of bright white, the color of happiness and joy, their skin glistening perfumed with myrtle balm, with garlands of oak leaves and roses made by the hands of their brides resting upon their heads. Each man looked as radiant as a star with such a peaceful contented look upon their smiling faces that it was a in a word, Enchanting.
Now the ceremony, called the Gameos, went quickly, requiring no priests, just a simple exchange of vows of eternal love, devotion and protection was all that was required. Then when all of the words of their hearts was spoken each man, one by one, lifted the bridal veil of his beloved sealing their vows with a sweet, gentle kiss. Now when Vyakles stood before Thera, not only did he lift her veil but he removed it completely along with her little silver crown with a gentle smile and a brightness in his dark eyes. Next Thera, as instructed earlier, reached up and removed the garland of leaves and roses from his head, where there upon a long table she placed this next the two Royal Crowns of Sparta which gleamed in the candle light. Vyakles took in a deep breath, with a twinge of sadness, he picked up the crown of his former, dead Queen Keeva whom he had loved dearly. Putting all his love and devotion he had towards his new wife, Vyakles smiled raising the golden crown set with large rubies high above Thera's head as he said "I.., as the rightful King of Sparta, from this day forward, hereby take you, and accept you, Thera, as my lawfully wedded wife and declare you the rightful Queen of Sparta!" placing the crown upon her head he proclaimed before all the people "With this crown.., I thee wed!" a rush of joy and warmth filled her heart and thoughts and Thera felt a great sea of emotions well up inside her as she kissed him then she reached out for the Royal Crown of the King and with a loud, proud voice she shouted "A crown for my true love! For our one true King! Who I pledge my troth and give myself to willing. For I promise you, Vyakles, my undying Love, my Unity, my Loyalty, my Honor and my deep Respect, to you and your people! And I avow unto you, MY PEOPLE, I shall do my very best to serve this nation as a proper and befitting Queen!"
Here an uproar of excitement rose up from the witnesses assembled their together on that hot summer night, and as the couples left, hand-in-hand, the crowd scattered over the newlyweds a shower of violets and quinces, a symbol of fertility and luck. As the brides and grooms exited the noisy hall they departed in the chariots together for the first time together as man and wife. Each couple was escorted back through the mass of happy people to their private homes, where each bridal chamber had been lavishly decorated with the branches of olive and oak trees with garlands of sweetly scented flowers draped on the pastos, the bridal canopy, over the soft feather bed filled with brightly colored silk cushions and blankets, with wreaths of laurels and honeysuckle hanging on the walls which were illuminated by dozens of beeswax candles.
Now when King Vyakles and Queen Thera returned to the palace, as man and wife, he paused and spoke to the joyous masses, who cheered and sang with loud voices, telling them all "I enter my house with marriage songs and the torches burning, holding my beloved woman by the hand, followed by this merry crowd, with you all shouting good wishes to myself and our new Queen, my dearest, most treasured Thera, who.., once, I thought was dead to me.., but now we have become united and have joined our lives together! We, being both of noble birth and royal blood!" here more cheers of adulation, love and respect issued up from the wedding guests. This display of affection left her with an enraptured emotion by the people and their praise and it was so overwhelming it was a feeling like she had never experienced, nor even known was possible, for Vyakles and his people held her in such high esteem. Vyakles grabbed Thera by the waist and kissed her long and hard in front of the delighted crowd and he smiled and shouted out "Let the divine minstrel, with his clean toned lyre in hand be our leader in the merry dance. Let the feasting and drinking begin! Let of our marriage celebration commence!"
The pipers played and the lyres rang as the throng of celebrants sang along with the ancient song "Our dearest Bride and Groom, in what likeness were it well? Thy praise in song to tell? It is to the fresh and tender sapling of a cherry tree, that we may best liken thee."
Across the city arose such a boisterous noise from the parties filled with music, singing, dancing, drinking and feasting that no one, not even the babes in the cradle, nor animals in the stables, could find sleep. So it was all celebrated long into the night and when the sun arose on the third day of the celebration, the Epaulia, hundreds awoke very late in the day to be left with the task of setting their heads and houses back in order as the newlywed couples lounged all afternoon in their matrimonial beds. However, half a world away Queen Odessa, back in her lavish palace in Themiscyra, lay her head down on her pillow staring up at the ceiling and the magnitude of her troubled thoughts weighed heavily upon her. Odessa had long since been unable to find any rest, even her dreams were brimming with her angst and anxieties, now she lay in her lonely bed unable, unwilling to eat, pains in her stomach with a debilitating headache, Odessa closed her eyes, wishing she were dead.
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