102 Tribal wedding day

Astila's family has come from various areas to be with him for this day. Astila is dressed in the buckskin wedding clothes with soft moccasins. His hair is parted and braided with a single feather in each braid. Aisling is dressed in the wedding doeskin dress as well her hair is braided . Salali and Debra both are dressed in cotton dresses similar to trail dresses. They start outside there are several fires laid out one large fire in the center representing the creator and the marriage union. There are two smaller fires laid out one facing the north and one south. One represents Astila while the other is Aisling . As they enter the circle where the fires are Onacona begins to sing. As he sings they sway to the rhythm and kick the smaller fires into the larger one. Marking their way to meet each other. This symbolizes their joining at the front of the fire is a bowl of dried sage sweet grass and rosemary. The two sprinkle the herbs into the fire to cleanse them selves and to bless the wedding. They move into the chapel there they stand in front of Onacona where he begins as prayer

"God in heaven above please protect all the ones we love.

We honor all you have created as we pledge our lives together in love

We honor Mother Earth and ask for our marriage to be abundant and strong throughout many seasons;

We honor fire and ask our union be filled with glowing warmth and love

We honor wind and ask that we sail through life calm and safe as if cradled in our fathers arms.

We honor water and ask that it clean and soothe our union that we will never thirst for love.

With all the forces of the universe you created we pray for harmony and true happiness as we forever grow together amen"

Salali and Debra walk forward each holding a basket and a blanket . Debra's basket has a loaf of bread . Salali basket has a cooked sliced venison leg.

They hand them their baskets and place the blankets on each of their shoulders. Onacona begins a song for everyone to sing. When it's finished he explains the significance of each basket.

"Astila with your basket you are bringing to the home a promise to provide and protect. As a man and a warrior.

Aisling with your basket you are bringing to the home a promise to keep the home filled with a warm hearth and nurturing love. "

They take a bite of food from each basket to feed each other as their promise.

Onacona continues to next step.

"You each have a blanket these blankets represent your past lives . Your sorrow and loneliness from being without each other. "He motions for Salali and Debra . They walk in with a large white blanket. Placing it around the two of them.

"This blanket represents your lives together . Your lives are now forever as one.

When Onacona announces this Astila's family start the music with the water drums for the stomp dance to bless the union. Astila looks at his bride and slightly covers their heads with the blanket for a quick kiss. The elders seeing this begin to whoop in happiness. They go around for Astila to introduce Aisling to each member of his tribe. When they reach his great aunt she beams with happiness. She takes Aisling's hand and motions her to sit with her.

She touches her face and care lovingly. She hands Aisling a gift. Aisling looks at her in surprise. They did not ask for anyone to bring gifts. It's a box wrapped in soft doeskin. Opening it Aisling is looking at herself holding a small baby . She looks at the women not knowing where she got it.

"The woman takes their hand and hold one in each of hers.

" my grand father Unole made it . He actually drew a few ." Showing Aisling further in the box she finds drawing of herself as a native woman. One showed her with two sides of her face one side is native the other is her as herself. Showing Astila the skins that had the drawings. He smiles at his aunt.

"Why did you never show these to anyone before?" He stares at the one of her sleeping while holding the hand of his Enisi.

"You know that our grandfather told us stories of the sun goddess who came to save Enisi. He told me that she would come again . That when she came I was to ensure to give these to her in thanks. So during the wedding that Inola streamed for us to see. I recognized you. This is you right?"

Aisling smiles at her and nods.

"Are you ok with this?" Aisling asks shyly.

"I am more than ok. I am overjoyed to have met the savior of our line. The great spirit sent you to save us so you could have your destined love. You two have been blessed by the spirits not many can say that." She hugs Aisling and welcomes her to the family. Inola announces that dinnner is served. Everyone finds a seat to have dinner.

Aisling looks around for Maureen and Moll . They are sitting with their loves. Walking over to them. Moll greets her

"Aisling dear you need to eat. Remember you have two little ones to feed. "

"Yes I know., I came to ask a very specific question, when will we be celebrating your marriages?"

Maureen looks at her and laughs.

"Well we already had ours and are expecting a child in May. We are naming her after our favorite girl of course. If she is a girl. I'm sorry we could not wait. I didn't know how long we would need to wait so we married right away. " Aisling hugs them both looking at Onacona.

"My most treasured ancestor you finally get to have your own child . I am so happy for you. I cannot wait to hold the baby. " the three of them look at the other couple .

" we are getting married in the spring. I didn't want it to be to close to yours." Moll shows her the ring Inola gave her. Astila sees how happy his wife is and that she is looking at Moll's hand. He knows they told her of their upcoming wedding. His life is all but perfect now.

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