Please Note: That the wedding was done last night we would like our family and friends to comment so we can add them to the story for us to post.
Wedding of Arethusa and Aten
Anubis stood looking down the beautifully decorated room and past the various guests. As much as he had been honoured to be asked to preside over the marriage of two people before, marrying together the God Aten from his own country and the beautiful Arethusa who had herself become so associated with Egypt was the most special of privileges. The surroundings were simplistic and yet beautiful as both had wanted to return to the place they had met for their wedding where now a beautiful oasis replaced the barren desert. Beauty and life had been born of solitude, a fitting metaphor for the happy couple. "Ladies and gentlemen first let me introduce the groom, Aten".
Aten stood in a simple black suit. He had spent his early years with pomp and circumstance forced upon him to such a degree that even the other Gods had shunned him. Today despite beings God, despite being her God, Aten wanted the day to be about and for one person. About Arethusa. He made his way towards the front his nerves though not shown, clear. He knew that behind him was his chosen best man and his son, Spiere. Aten reached the front and turned to Spiere with a slight look that gave away his nerves and excitement together.
Spiere smiled at his father and held a hand over his mouth at the laugh before he moved to pat his father’s shoulder. “Pretty sure mom will say I do!” He teased with another laugh.
Satet was behind Arethusa fixing the train of her dress making sure everything was perfect and sparkley her very soon to be sister in law. She was beyond excited for her brother to finally be marrying Arethusa. They made the perfect couple. Once she was done with the train she smiled at Arethusa handing her the flowers. “You have something new, Dress. Something old , your veil. Something borrowed the earrings. And well something blue is your hair!” Satet laughed softly.
Arethusa laughed much louder than she would normally she was excited and had a nervous flutter in her belly today was the perfect day to be marrying Aten where they first met. Satet’s check list still had her laughing as she peeked down at her handsome guys. And she looked back at Satet. “Well as my maid of honor pretty sure you are supposed to head down first.” Arethusa told her “Well after Nenet of course!” She smiled warmly at her niece to be.
Satet nodded her head fixing her daughters dress and handing her flowers watching as she headed down the aisle towards her uncle and cousin. Satet winked at Arethusa and took her own flowers and headed down next. Beaming at her brother she was just beyond proud of him. She leaned in to kiss his cheek. “Relax brother your dream bride is coming.” She smiled to Spiere and Anubis and stood next to her daughter.
Arethusa let out a little breath before she held her flowers to her chest and she stepped out into view and her eyes locked on Aten and she beamed a bright smile walking towards him slowly because Satet told her that morning to not run towards him.
Aten was a sun God and by definition he was strengthened by its bright radiating splendour. And yet the sun itself was like a flickering candle when compared to the sight of Arethusa as she appeared before him today. He let out a barely audible gasp and then smiled. He had been there when she first emerged from the waters of Egypt into female form and had guided her through her earliest days. And now they would be as tied together officially as they already were in soul. As she stood infront of him he reached out taking her hand. "You are perfect".
As those in attendance settled down Anubis gestured them sit. "Today is a very special day for two very special people and all of those in attendance. In a world were people are divided so easily by age race or beliefs these two, a God of the sun and a Nymph of the water could not be further apart and yet could not have become closer together. Today we tie these two together at their own request as husband and wife for all time. If anyone knows why they should not be married say now or forever remain silent".
Arethusa placed her hand in Aten’s as she reached him and she blushed at his words and she whispered. “You are too.” She have his hand a little squeeze and stole a glance at their son and smiled before her gaze found Aten’s once again and she felt her heart skip a beat and she heard Anubis start to speak although she didn’t look away from Aten.
With a moment of silence Anubis gave a nod. "Firstly I would like Aten to speak. Some call this the time for vows, or for promises to be made. A declaration. Aten, speak to us of your love for Arethusa".
Aten gave a nod to Anubis despite his eyes remaining fixed on Arethusa. "Arethusa, the day we first met I had been wondering through the deserts a lost soul. I had been worshipped against my will and then despised for it by Gods and man alike. I was dying inside. And then from the waters of my homeland you came, pure, innocent and full of love. On that very day I knew that I loved you and that I would forever watch over you. You have always and will always be what keeps me strong, keeps me alive and more amazingly keeps me happy. Together we have already formed a family all of whom are here now" he looked across to Spiere, Satet, Nenet and the hand maidens all whom he included in his words. "But without you even this family would be lost. As would I".
Anubis nodded and gave Aten an ever so slight 'well done' glance. Then he turned to Arethusa. "Arethusa, it is now time for you to speak, to declare your love for Aten".
Arethusa smiled and did a little bounce of joy as Aten spoke and she felt her eyes water she was just so beyond happy and his words meant so much to her and her gaze follwed his about the little family they had and she smiled at them and she bit her lower lip nodding at Anubis words she forgot to look at him again her gaze was back on Aten and licked her lips and she smiled at Aten.
“Well not so sure I can top that.” She laughed and she moved to wipe a quick tear before she spoke. “Well I want to say that your love has really helped me grow inside and out. From the day I popped out of that spring here and locked eyes with you I was so taken with you. You are my own personal sun and you keep me and our family warm with your love. “ she did another little bounce trying not to cry and she let out a little laugh. “I believe I wouldn’t of been made in human form again if you didn’t walk these sands. And there is no one I would rather walk hand in hand with for the rest of time.” She quickly wiped another tear away smiling at him.
Aten reached out, wiping a tear from Arethusa's face and held her hand warmly in his.
Anubis gave a moment for their words to sink in and to allow the guests to compose themselves. "Well then I believe you wish to exchange rings. Spiere, as best man could you pass the ring to Aten please?"
Spiere smiled nodding at Anubis and he moved to his right pocket and left and he made a face like he forgot but he held a finger for them to wait and reached in his coat pocket and pulled free the rings he laughed and handed the one ring to his father and he smiled at his mother.
Aten gave Spiere a playful glare and took the ring. He took the ring and taking Arethusa's hand in his slid it onto her finger. "Arethusa, my love, with this ring I take you as my wife. I promise to love and protect you. To hold you and value you for all time".
Anubis looked to Arethusa "will you take Aten as your husband from now until the end of time?"
Arethusa smiled at Spiere and she watched Aten slip the ring on her finger and she moved her thumb over the bottom part of the band and she let out a breathless sigh of content and she nodded her head at Anubis words. “I do. Forever.” Her eyes watered up again as she looked up at Aten.
Anubis nodded "now Arethusa, if you would return the gesture and slide the ring on Aten...".
Spiere was on top of it and handed his mother the ring right away and Arethusa smiled mouthing a thank you before she took Aten’s hand. “With this ring I take you as my husband, to have and hold you, I promise to love and honor you with prayers.” She winked at him “now and always.” She finished sliding the ring on his finger and lifted his hand to place a kiss on his ring finger.
Anubis reached out taking there hands and reaching for a thin Egyptian silk ribbon wrapping it around their hands. "And Aten do you take Arethusa as your wife from now and for eternity?"
Aten nodded with a warm smile, love filling his eyes. "I do, always and forever".
Anubis tied the silk and released leaving there hands bound together as a symbol of their connection. "Then by the power you have given me I pronounce you both husband and wife. Aten, you may kiss the bride".
Aten reached out taking her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers kissing her lips deeply and passionately. He held her tight in an embrace and whispered into her ear "I love you my wife".
She smiled bouncing again when Anubis ties the silk around their hands and she let out a little squeal at husband and wife and she tipped her head back giggling when their tied hands moved to the side of her face and she moved her free one around his neck as they kissed. She pressed one more kiss to his lips. “I love you my husband!” She bounced again and pressed his lips back to his.
Aten took her hand and led her back down the isle. He gave each of his loved ones a nod and smile as he and Arethusa made their way to the back, ready to set off on their first journey as husband and wife.
Arethusa beamed waving at everyone before leaning into Aten. “I’m so happy I could burst!” She laughed softly and she looked up at him. “Now do I get to know about where our honeymoon is?”
Aten smiled as they moved to the back of the venue to the cheers and applause of their guests. "You will find out soon enough. But for now just relax and enjoy our wedding day. We have a whole oasis in which to celebrate with those most important to us. But tomorrow you'll learn where our next adventure will take us".
Note: Also Aten and I would like to thank Anubis for helping us out and honoring us in marrying us.
