26 He could now only wait until the guards returned. A little before mid-day they did. "Come," they announced, "the time has come...The Lords await."
27 As Gray Dove emerged from the tent and started after the guards, his procession fell in behind him.
28 First came the bearer of his Family Symbol, then, a small group of musicians playing his favorite tune.
29 Then, came all the rest of his friends. They made their way through the camp to the cries of "Good luck! and "Best wishes!" from the crowd. When they finally reached The Temple they halted.
30 From the opposite direction came Thorn Blossom and her procession, Thorn Blossom led by two female guards. Gray Dove knew she had spent her night and morning almost exactly the way he had spent his, her female friends giving her a glorious sendoff!
31 The four guards symbolically struck their weapons together, and the female guards asked "Who is it that shall lead?"
32 And the male guards said, "It is the man's place to go first, to see if the way is safe." And the women answered "So it is tradition, and proper. Let the man go first."
33 The guards nodded politely, turned to Gray Dove, and commanded, "Follow after," and led the way into The Temple with Gray Dove following.
34 The guards went down and took their place on either side of The Symbol of The Lords, before which Lame Fox stood.
35 Gray Dove came down and took his place on the left side, before The Speaker.
36 In the background the musicians played the traditional song, "Long And Proud Is My Line."
37 When all of Gray Dove's people were in their places, Thorn Blossom's people entered and took their places.
38 Then her guards marched down, taking their positions on either side of the Symbol with Thorn Blossom following, taking her place to the right side, before The Speaker.
39 Then, The Speaker spoke. "We are here to witness the joining of this man and this woman in Holy Contract, one with the other, to be bound, one to the other, for life. Is there any person here that knows any reason why this joining cannot take place? If they do, speak now."
40 There was no response. The Speaker turned to Gray Dove. "Are you prepared," he asked, "to make contract before these witnesses and bind yourself to this woman from this day to the end of your days in this world?"
41 "I am," answered Gray Dove.
42 And The Speaker turned to Thorn Blossom. "Are you prepared," he asked, "to make contract before these witnesses and bind yourself to this man from this day to the end of your days in this world?"
43 "I am," Thorn Blossom answered.
44 "Then arise," said The Speaker, and the two rose. The Speaker motioned to his left. "Let the Contract be brought forth."
45 And a young man came in bearing the contract on a writing board and The Speaker motioned to his right. "Let the pen be brought forth," he commanded.
46 And a young girl appeared bearing an ink well and pen. The Speaker dipped the pen and gave it to Gray Dove. "By the place and before The Lords, put your name."
47 Gray Dove did so. When he was done, The Speaker dipped the pen and gave it to Thorn Blossom. "As he has done," he said, "you do also."
48 And Thorn Blossom signed. "What man," cried The Speaker, "bears witness for this man?" Loyal Dog came up and signed.
49 "What woman bears witness for this man?" cried The Speaker. Mountain Glory Crow came up and signed. 50 "What man bears witness for this woman?" cried The Speaker. The Old Fox came up and signed.
51 "What woman bears witness for this woman?" Yellow Blossom Dove came up and signed for her daughter.
52 The Speaker took the Contract and held it towards the Image of The Lords. "It is signed and witnessed," he cried, "and blessed." He handed the Contract back to the bearer, and turned to the two young people. "By the Power given to me," he announced, "by The Lords, and borne witness to by this company, I declare that you are legally joined, one to the other. Go, with The Lords Blessing!"
53 Gray Dove and Thorn Blossom quickly ran from The Temple, as was tradition. But they were overtaken by their guards and escorted to their mating feasts, and a glorious celebration it was as the people danced and sang and toasted the young people's happiness.
54 The celebration continued even after Gray Dove and Thorn Blossom slipped away to the privacy of their tent. And there they knew each other with happiness and joy. And The Lords blessed their union, for eleven months to the day a son was born to them, the first of their twelve children.
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