The Binding Oaths
History
The foundation of Laeonessai culture is the Great Songs, revolving around the journeys and deeds of Lynur and Ytoniel, and the separation of the two lovers through the machinations of the Night-King, until the world is written anew in the Great Wedding Feast of Heaven. On that day, Lynur and Ytoniel will be reunited and their vigil ended, fulfilling the ancient songs.
All weddings, within Laeonessai culture, are meant to be a representation of this, both as a remembrance and as the promise of hope. In that way, it is designed to symbolize the journeys and trials of both Lynur and Ytoniel.
Execution
The entire wedding process takes a year to complete after the betrothment is finalized, while the courtship beforehand might take several years to bring to fruition. It begins when a person is of marriageable age, and thus able to be courted, after the coming of age ceremony, which is usually around fourteen years of age. Once adults, the men begin working their trade in order to accumulate the resources they need to prepare for the wedding, while the women work in their mother's household to begin accumulating what they will need to set up their own household, typically by making what they will need, ranging from rugs to clay pots to clothes. In the meantime, the parents begin compiling lists of appropriate spouses, based primarily on wealth and future security for their children. Over the next year or so, the parents matching their child with potential spouses and make them spend time together during the upcoming rituals and ceremonies. This is a way for the two to begin considering each other as spouses and see if they get along well.
When the young man settles on one or more possibilities, he weaves a garland of yew and willow to present to their potential brides at the start of the Midsummer Run, which lasts for a week and ends on the summer solstice. Upon receiving one of these garlands, a young woman may choose to wear it or not. Typically, to wear the garland means that she accepts the man as a suitor and will allow him to court her. However, the formal acceptance is to weave a small banner for the man and give it to him upon his completion of the run. A woman may receive more than one garland and nothing prevents her from accepting more than one, as this not a formal declaration or contract.
After this, the young man seeks to win the woman's hand through impressing her with his ability to provide for her and their future family, through feats of arms and generous gifts, as well as the usual means of winning a woman's affection- being a caring and respectful person.
When he feels that they are at the right point, he officially asks her for her hand. In most cases, he will ask her in person while they are alone somewhere beforehand, as an informal proposal. The formal proposal occurs when he asks the parents to wed their daughter and they give their permission. The reason for this is thought to ensure that the husband will be able to provide a home and food for their daughter, so they know that she will be cared for after the parent's death.
Once official, the two are formally betrothed. The groom begins building their future home, using tools and materials he himself provides, while the bride begins weaving their wedding tapestry, which will serve as the blanket for their wedding night and the cloak that she wears during the ceremony.
Traditionally, weddings are meant to occur around the start of the new year, which is the winter solstice. In this way, it is quite common in larger villages and towns for the entire midwinter's week to be full of weddings and the other rituals, which creatives a very festive environment for the darkest week of the year.
The ceremony begins three days before the oath-giving, once the tapestry and home are finished (which are the bride and groom's biggest tasks before the ceremony, so they better be done by midwinter). For the ceremonies and rituals of midwinter, a druid is usually present in more populous areas, but if not, an elder in the community will step in and fulfill that role. The bride and groom are sequestered away from both each other and the village, on a bread and water diet, as they are taught the secret songs. During this time, their families prepare the new home by filling it with food, firewood, and other necessities.
Upon the completion of the three days, both groom and bride stand vigil by themselves through the entire night, as Lynur and Ytoniel have done since before time began and will until time comes to an end. Upon sunrise, they are permitted to sleep for the morning and the afternoon to prepare themselves for the evening.
Everyone in the community gathers that evening for the giving of the oaths. First, the bride enters draped in her wedding dress, with the completed tapestry around her shoulders. Afterward, the groom enters and approaches the bride, where he kneels and takes her hand in his. This begins his recitation of the oaths in front of the community as witnesses. Once complete, she pulls him to his feet, accepting his oaths, and gives hers in exchange. Afterwards, as a duo, they recite a passage from the song of Ytoniel and Lynur, speaking of their coming unification. After this, the two lead the assembled procession to the feast.
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