Between Mother Earth and Father Sky
by
Zerelda X



X-Men belong to Marvel. Charlotte, family and tribe are mine. No profit, no foul. Just for entertainment purposes.




`A Bonding is more than love` Bear addressed the audience, `it is the union of two souls that goes beyond our knowledge and understanding, beyond death itself.`

Charlotte faced Logan over the ritual fire, the scents of wood smoke and incense surrounded them, filling the air with a heady expectancy. She could feel herself lighten with each breath, tension flowing out of her.

Logan was shirtless, as was the custom, black claws painted on his broad chest, claw markings on his face. His eyes glowed fiercely at her. She could read his face as clearly as if he growled the words at her. 'Answer the damn question, woman, or I'll-'

Summer solstice rites were over at dusk. A bonding during this time was supposed to be lucky, wisps of magic still in the air from the renewal ceremonies. She figured they could use all the luck they could get. Their lives had had a definite lack of good fortune since 1942. This time she wasn't taking chances.

She wore a sleeveless buckskin tunic, heavily beaded with an intricate pattern. She'd worn it only one other time, at her first bonding. It had only wonderful memories for her, so she chose to wear it again. Gold bands circled her upper arms, each one engraved with a blessing for prosperity, love, long life, fertility, hair flowing unbound down her back in silken waves. Her cheeks were painted with the wings of the Raven clan; it was her right as the Raven's woman and the Raven's mother.

The old lodge was alive with greenery gathered from the forest and the warm yellow light from the torches lit around the large room. The audience was hushed, the solemn, unfamiliar ceremony imparting a sense of reverence to them all.

The six shamen stood around the couple in a loose circle. Bear performed the bonding rite in the Quapoan tongue, while Wolf repeated the words in English for the benefit of their guests. Traditionally, the eldest shaman would conduct the ceremony, but Raven stepped down to stand with his mother as the head of their family. As much as he would have liked to bond her to Logan, he *was* the only living male Raven. It was his honor and privilege to give her into another's care.

Their families were here, interspersed among some of the team members. There were so few of the tribe left, they were nearly overwhelmed by the guests.

To make the bonding acceptable with tribal law, Bear had proposed to adopt Logan under the protection of the Bear. It was a great honor for Logan, which he acknowledged by accepting the generous gift in the spirit it was given. That ceremony had been performed the night before during the solstice rites.

It was a gift to her from the shamen, Bear in particular, to bring him into the tribe. As a member of the Bear clan, Logan now had the right to join his soul with hers without challenge, as long as she agreed.

Which was what they were waiting for now. Her consent.

Niconor, Bear's son and heir to the spirit, stood by Logan as a representative of his adopted family. He prompted Logan in the proper responses to the ceremony.

Outsiders were not welcomed as active participants in the rituals, yet a few exceptions were permitted. Matthew stood behind her with Thomas and Del as part of her family. She nor Thomas would have considered their family complete without him.

Each family had already given permission for the bonding as part of the ritual and the bride price had been settled, the gold and silver coins paid by Bear to Raven as tradition dictated. It was merely for appearances now, but the rites were important. In previous times, the tribe believed a man would not appreciate a wife he did not have to earn. Traditionally, it would have been a percentage of his worldly goods, but that too had changed over the decades.

He'd get her consent, no doubt about it, but she wanted to savor this moment in time for just a bit. Imprint this image in her memories. She was entitled, she'd waited more than fifty years for this moment, he'd waited six months since he proposed at Christmas.

She finally nodded and answered Bear. `I give my heart, my soul to him for time and all eternity.`

Wolf repeated the words. A sigh of relief escaped Logan and several members of the audience.

Bear held the medallions together, the inherent magic manifesting itself in a bright green glow. This, too, had been Logan's choice. He had the right to request another set made with the totem of his adopted family and a bonding promise of his own, but he insisted on the raven medallions. They meant too much to the both of them to give up this part of their shared history. He'd worn his piece of her soul for too many years, it was a part of him, a part of them.

He had all the choices in this male dominated tribe.

She chose him.

`Take her hand.` Bear instructed. Niconor repeated the words.

Logan reached out to her, left hand palm up.

Bear placed the medallions on his broad palm.

Charlotte laid her left hand, palm down, on his.

Bear circled their joined hands with the chains.

`Between Mother Earth and Father Sky there lies a chance for two hearts, two souls to find love and contentment within each other. As long as the earth is rich and the sky is endless will you know the gifts of the gods.`

He clasped his hands around theirs. A warm, emerald glow surrounded their hands as Bear used the elemental magic that surrounded this place to bind their souls to the medallions and to each other. The light grew brighter, yet no one could look away. It seemed to pulse with the very essence of life. Her hand tingled, then burned, and she knew he felt it too.

Logan felt the cool touch of her hand, the heat of the metal between them. As Bear spoke, he could see their essences meld, feel a part of her slip into him, the warmth pouring over him as he focused on the sensation. He didn't feel empty any longer. He wasn't alone inside anymore.

`In the presence of family do they give their souls to each other.`

Niconor whispered to Logan.

Logan reluctantly released her hand to hand Bear the male medallion, and take the female one, bringing it to his mouth and brushing it against his lips. `Love knows no boundaries, my soul will find yours.` He placed it over her head, pressing it into the skin above her heart. Niconor had coached him all afternoon in the pronunciation; he didn't hesitate over the unfamiliar words.

Charlotte took the medallion from Bear. `Love knows no boundaries, my soul will find yours.` She kissed it and slipped it over his head. ~Now try to disappear.~ she told him.

The solemn, dazed look in his eyes vanished, replaced by a warning one. ~You disappeared first.~

The silence lengthened as the newly bonded pair regarded each other. She wondered, not for the first time, if Raven's soul inhabited Logan, if that was the reason she was drawn to him. His soul felt like home.

Charlotte stepped forward to him, pressing a kiss on both cheeks. ~Never again.~ Whatever the reason, she *was* home.

Before Logan could touch her, Bear swept her into a satisfied embrace. `Congratulations!` he thundered into the silence.

The old lodge erupted into a flurry of well-wishing and battle cries. Both of which were appropriate for the occasion.

~*~*~*~*~


Jubilee whooped and threw herself at Thomas. "It's official!" she yelled.

He caught her and hugged her tight. "It is indeed, sister mine."

Everyone began talking at once, honeyed wine served to the guests with heartfelt prayers. Charlotte was passed from one shaman to the next, each offering her good wishes, Logan embraced as a member of the tribe before they were allowed out of the circle to greet the others.

Kitty, Rahne and Rogue stood towards the back of the lodge, still sighing over the romance of the ceremony. "If I could have a wedding like that..." Kitty said, a soft faraway look to her eyes. "I'd want the white gown and veil, but this was so romantic. So....elemental."

Pete's eyes widened, a terrified look crossed his face.

"Ah know what ya mean," Rogue eyed Remy with a mixture of regret and frustration.

Both men sidled away from the women. "Why does a weddin' always make a woman feel she got to marry, too?" Remy grumbled.

Pete just shook his head. "Don't know, don't want to know. It's just as bad as when they hold someone's brat. Where's the liquor? I need a drink."

~*~*~*~*~


The party moved out into the warm summer night where food and drink were provided, along with the traditional entertainment of music and dancing.

Charlotte and Logan were given places of honor, as were the members of their families. Thomas was seated next to her, along with Del and Matthew, while Bear and Niconor took their positions on the other side of Logan. The others were made comfortable on mats and cushions placed around the bonfire. The music began, the driving rhythm fueled by the happy occasion and free flowing honeyed wine.

The shamen were first, prayers of thanksgiving offered to the gods on behalf of the couple. The graceful steps had more than one of the visiting women eying the Indian men in a new light.

The women were next, a fertility dance that had Charlotte shaking her head. After a few cups of the potent wine, she didn't resist Wolf's mate, Lenore, when she took her hand and pulled her up into the dance. Charlotte grabbed at Jean as she passed by to pull her into the dance, and soon more of the women were joining in.

"Looks like fun," Jubilee said to Paige. "Wanna join in?"

Tara, Bear's great-granddaughter, leaned over. "It's a fertility dance. You know, for lots of kids." She rolled her eyes.

Jubilee made a face. "I think I'll pass on this one."

"There'll be some for the rest of us later," Tara promised.

~*~*~*~*~


Ororo sat next to Hank and watched in amusement when he was offered wine. He took it with a 'thank you,' smiling up at the woman serving it.

She leaned closer to him. "Henry, do you remember the last time you accepted wine here?"

He frowned. "No..." he said slowly.

"Charlotte has pictures," she confided in a low voice. "You aren't by any chance wearing your Xena underclothing, are you?"



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