Candle To Candle (Finale)
As Kipper lighted the last of the candles, Rebecca turned to Mary. Lit only by countless flickering candles, the chamber looked magical. The air of excited, joyful anticipation was almost tangible. Members of the community she hadn't seen in months had come for this, even Narcissa. There were at least as many Helpers as there usually were at Winterfest--but then, this was the event of a lifetime for many in their community. Rebecca nodded to Mary, and as the older woman stepped forward, the pure notes of a flute cascaded off the walls like elvish music. Into a silence that thrummed like an unvoiced note, Mary spoke.
"Our world began in darkness and in fear. Through love and generosity, through mutual caring, we made a light that drove back the darkness, one candle at a time. Today, we gather to witness two members of our community pledge their love to each other. As one candle is lit from another that the light may never die, so love must be renewed generation after generation. Love created our world, hope sustains it, and the vows that these two make today carry both into the future--may their love sustain them through all their lives, and the lives that follow them."
Michael stepped up to face those assembled as Mary retreated. Taking a deep breath as he opened the book he carried, he began to read.
Attenders to this day:
Look, the wedding is a reason
To inspect your thoughts; say
Smiley wishes to the young wedded,
But see to your own new season--
No trite impediments, no bored white
Winter of cold thoughts imbedded
In mountain crevices of self-pity.
Be gathered into the light,
Into no mere festivity--
But more, a snowballing of hope.
Then you still live; we all
Live on tomorrow when two breaths elope,
Tonight when pulse on pulse sustains
Two lives, these and their sweet flesh ...
Inhale brisk flowers, then let befall
Whatever dark rains
Come; you see lives mesh
Today; today you bystand bliss.
Attend all this.
Michael retreated in turn as Lena and Julio took his place, reading in chorus.
Splendor is upon everything
Blessing is upon everything
Who is full of this abundance
Bless this groom and bride.
Nigel Atwood took the place of Lena and Julio as the sound of cello and violin, harp and flute, filled the chamber. All eyes turned toward the top of the stairs. After a few seconds of unbearable waiting, Mouse appeared. Looking more serious than ever in his life, he moved downward with concentration worthy of a brain surgeon. He clutched a wooden box in his hands so tightly those assembled might have guessed it contained the One Ring on its way to Mount Doom. Fortunately for Mouse's peace of mind, he was the center of attention for only a moment, then the Best Man appeared. Even the irrepressible Devin seemed awed by the specialness of the occasion.
When Vincent appeared at last, arm in arm with Father, a sigh went through the audience like wind through wheat. Not one of those assembled would have thought such a creature in need of a spell to turn him back to a handsome prince. He was one already, a vision in cream and brown and tawny gold. Never had his natural grace been so evident; never had he seemed so sure; never had anything seemed so right. He carried an unlit candle, Father a matching candle already topped by a steady flame. When they approached Nigel, Father moved to stand at right angles to Vincent as Devin and Mouse fanned out behind him. Vincent turned to face the staircase, a look on his face like a saint might fix upon the altar of his god.
Had anyone been looking at Mouse when Jamie appeared, they would have seen the face of a young man whose world has been turned upside down. In place of the scruffy companion of his Tunnel wanderings, a young goddess glided down the stairs. Her peaches-and-cream dress looked like something Juliet might have worn, or at least a Juliet who had to depend on leftovers from the looms that supplied the palaces of Verona, instead of the wealth of the Capulets. Suddenly Mouse's world shifted into a new and disturbing orbit, never to be quite the same again. Jenny came next, looking like she had followed the fairy lights under the hill, and didn't care if she discovered a hundred years had passed when she emerged. She was a woman who had seen Catherine down many a dead-end path, and was delighted to know her most beloved friend had found the right road at last. Jenny's smile was so infectious, by the time she was halfway down the stairs everyone below her was smiling too--except Vincent, whose eyes remained fixed on the top of the stairs.
His eyes widened and his lips parted a split-second before the soft sound of a hundred people beginning to breathe again filled the room. Catherine stopped for a second, finding Vincent like a lodestone finds True North, before moving down the spiral path in a rustle of silk. Like Father and Vincent, she and Peter carried the same combination of lit and unlit candles, only hers was surrounded by a cascade of flowers. In the years to come, Catherine was never able to describe the room in which she was married to save her life. If Elizabeth hadn't preserved the scene in the Painted Tunnels, it would have remained a mystery to the bride. From the moment her eyes first found Vincent's face, nothing else existed for her.
Reaching Vincent, she handed the flowers to Jenny and stood beside him holding the candle. Father lit Vincent's candle as Peter did the same for Catherine's. When the new flames steadied, Catherine and Vincent touched them at the same instant to the huge candle that stood before them on its tall holder. As that flame took hold in turn, Father and Peter spoke together. "As light passes from candle to candle, so life passes from soul to soul. In the name of those who gave you life, we pray that together you may bring light to those who come after. Carry the flame into the future, as we have carried it to you."
After all four smaller candles were placed in holders on either side of the great one, Nigel Atwood began. "Dearly beloved ..." The Archbishop of Canterbury might not have recognized the ceremony that followed, combining as it did words from a whole tapestry of faiths and times and places. Disparate as they were, all were chosen from the heart. Words of poets and priests were woven together with those of the ceremony that had united those Below for decades. Her wedding reminded Catherine of a Tunnel garment, bits and pieces from all over put together in way that was unique and beautiful.
"Catherine, will you have this man to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"
"I will." Her voice rang strong and true. Never had a promise been easier to make. It only put into words what her heart had vowed a long time ago.
"Vincent, will you have this woman to be your wife ..." Vincent was awed by the look of loving determination on Catherine's face. Through what miracle had such a woman come to love him, and have the courage to put her heart and her life into his keeping?
"... as long as you both shall live?"
"I will." He felt the sudden pressure of Catherine's hand on his as her eyes shone with unshed tears.
Catherine had determined that any promise, any pledge, that Vincent made to her she would give to him in turn. Her voice never faltered as she gave him the special promise they had agreed to make. "Vincent, please know this: I will protect you, watch over you, and love you until my last breath." As Vincent repeated the words to her, it was as if two unseen presence’s were now beside her, rejoicing in the knowledge their beloved child had found her happiness at last.
When Vincent completed his promise, Devin and Jenny stepped forward. Each picked up a cup of water and poured the contents into a silver goblet. Handing it to Catherine and Vincent, they spoke as one. "As many rivers flow into the great ocean, the separate streams of your lives now join. May your love be as clear as a river, as patient as a forest pool, as enduring as the sea." Catherine drank from the cup, then passed it Vincent to do the same. Under the sea-green gaze of Catherine's eyes, Vincent felt his future open up before him, as vast and uncharted and full of wonders as the ocean he had never seen.
Mouse had to continually keep himself from sinking into the beauty of the ceremony like a stone into that sea. At last, it was time for his final duty. He handed the wooden box to Devin, and relaxed. He hadn't disgraced himself, and now he could enjoy the ceremony without worrying if he would. Devin opened the box and handed Vincent the ring. Catherine was determined not to cry at her own wedding, but Vincent's voice as he slipped the ring on her finger almost made her break her vow to herself.
"...with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you ..." Those beautiful hands, that she loved so, but caused Vincent such pain. The hands that had killed so often to protect her, those same hands that he had almost turned on himself, now cradled her own as he slipped the silver circle onto her finger. A circle, symbol of infinity, world without end ... Devin passed the box to Jenny, who removed the larger ring and handed it to Catherine. Vincent was sure he already loved Catherine as much as any living being could love another, but when she put the ring on his finger, he found his heart swell even more. Such a small thing, done without thinking ... as Catherine slipped on the ring, she twisted it so it would slide smoothly over his fur. Vincent blinked back tears of his own as her voice and feelings filled him like a song. "With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship ..."
As the ceremony moved toward its conclusion, the room became quieter and quieter, waiting for the words that would seal it all, not daring to believe the miracle was about to happen. As Catherine and Vincent stood before him with clasped hands, Nigel Atwood gradually raised his voice so the final words rang out in triumph: "As fire and air make light, and earth and water give life, these two have pledged to join their lives. I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the name of God. What God has joined together let no one put asunder."
For a few seconds, silence reigned as if no one could quite believe it had really happened. Then the musicians burst into sound, seeming like ten times their number. Vincent and Catherine stood facing each other for a moment as if they couldn't believe it was true either. Then they moved into each other's arms for a kiss that brought happy grins and a sudden burst of talk and laughter from their assembled friends.
After they parted, Vincent suppressed an almost irresistible urge to roar as he took Catherine's hand and led the way to the Great Hall. Jenny and Devin followed arm in arm, sharing wide grins that somehow contrived to be smug and happy all at once. Deciding it was the proper thing to do, Mouse offered Jamie his arm. She accepted it like the daughter of royalty and moved serenely forward. Mouse, on the other hand, had some trouble navigating as he kept staring at Jamie and not at the path before them. Father tried to maintain a dignified pace, but he felt alternately like tossing away his cane and dancing a jig, or fainting with relief. Fortunately, a brother physician was in attendance ... although Peter seemed miles, or more likely years, away.
The excited crowd flowed behind them, acting like this was every holiday they'd ever known rolled into one, and several more they hadn't thought of yet. This time, Vincent wasn't allowed to risk mussing up his wedding finery by moving the huge bar from the door. It took Cullen, Michael and Julio to take his place, but eventually the doors were thrown open and everyone poured into the Great Hall for the Wedding Feast.
Vincent and Catherine were led to two elaborately carved chairs that had been set up at one end of the room. No mere reception line for these two--they looked more like a King and Queen of some magical land presiding over their court. It seemed that every member of the Tunnel community and at least two-thirds of the Helpers were determined to offer congratulations. For a while, Catherine was afraid she and Vincent would still be sitting in these chairs next morning, but eventually the multitudes found their way to the food tables or congregated into talkative groups.
Suddenly a high note rang out from the flute, calling for silence. Vincent stood and offered Catherine his hand to lead her to the center of the floor. The musicians began to play a waltz. As they glided around the room, the crowd ceased to exist for them, caught up as they were in the music and each other. "What are you thinking?" Vincent asked softly.
"About my first Winterfest." Catherine looked at her new husband as if she still couldn't quite believe tonight had really happened. "Less than fourteen months ago I didn't even know that you could dance."
Vincent held her tighter. "We have both learned much since then."
"So we have ... and we've only begun."
Soon the bride and groom were claimed by others. Catherine danced with so many people she lost count. Father was as elated as she'd ever known him; Peter could talk of nothing but how much Catherine looked like her mother on her wedding day. She expected Devin to joke, but all he could do was thank her again and again for making his brother so happy. Even Mouse risked a dance, concentrating so hard on his footwork Catherine had all she could do not to laugh.
Eventually, she found her way back to Vincent and they escaped to the stairs, a traditional refuge for weary dancers. Laughing, she hugged him. "If any more people want to dance with me, I'll have to crawl to the crystal cavern with you tomorrow."
Vincent hugged her in turn and smiled. "Normally, I would simply carry you the whole way--but I'm not sure I'll be able to stand up tomorrow either. This is worse than Winterfest."
"I never thought I'd see people happier than they were then, but look." Catherine gestured toward the crowd below them. "I think it's because at Winterfest we were really celebrating escape from death. Tonight we celebrate nothing but life."
Vincent took Catherine in his arms and kissed her thoroughly, not caring they were visible to all. If a man couldn't kiss his wife in public ... his wife ... his wife! He kissed her again, even more thoroughly, and she wrapped her arms around his neck as if she had no intention of ever letting go.
Across the room, Jenny saw this display and nudged Devin. "They don't look like they're going to last much longer. We'd better tell them before they get away from us."
Devin stared at Vincent like he'd never seen him before. "Wow ... what were you saying?"
Jenny explained again as she dragged Devin across the room, picking up Father along the way. Not until they were halfway up the stairs did Vincent become aware of their approach. Catherine was only alerted when he extricated himself from their kiss. "You can't ask either one of us to dance," she announced in no uncertain terms. "We claim sanctuary."
Jenny laughed and handed Catherine her bouquet. "As Maid of Honor, it's my job to see that you do your duty. I got the impression you and the groom here were contemplating an early escape."
As Devin called for attention, Vincent removed one of the larger flowers from the bouquet. He had absolutely refused to have anything to do with garters in public, to Catherine's relief. When a crowd of laughing young men gathered below, Vincent turned his back to them and tossed the bloom over his shoulder. Making the leap of his life, Julio caught it in midair. As he was carried off by well-wishing friends, Catherine squeezed Vincent's hand. "My compliments on your aim, husband. I hope I can do as well."
Vincent didn't even notice the single women congregate. That was the first time Catherine had called him "husband." Not until she swung her arm over her head to toss the bouquet in a graceful arc did awareness of his surroundings return. To no one's surprise, a delighted Lena caught the bouquet. Clearly there had been a conspiracy--many a taller woman seemed unaccountably unsuccessful. Lena was borne toward a laughing Julio, and the musicians, renewed by the promise of another wedding soon, broke into dance music with new vigor.
"Well," Devin grinned, "it looks like this party can go on fine without you, if you can think of other things you have to do."
"I'm sure we'll think of something," Catherine replied loftily. "We have to get our rest if we're going all the way to the crystal cave tomorrow."
Jenny took a deep breath. "You're not."
Catherine and Vincent both stared. Catherine found her voice first. "What do you mean, we're not?"
Devin put his arm around Jenny's shoulders. "We decided the occasion called for something more special than that. It's our wedding present to you."
"But Devin--" Vincent shook his head sadly. "Where else could we go?"
Devin looked at Jenny. Jenny looked at Devin. They turned back to the new-wedded pair and spoke together. "Connecticut."
Vincent clutched Catherine's hand as he felt a sudden hope leap in her, only to be forcibly quenched.
"Oh, Jenny--Devin--it's very sweet of you, but it's impossible." Catherine bowed her head and blinked quickly several times. "Father's right, it's too dangerous."
"Why?" Devin demanded.
Catherine raised her head in surprise. "Why--suppose something happened so I couldn't drive, even a sprain ... we'd be stranded. Even if Vincent knew how to drive, he couldn't risk being seen."
"That's why you're getting an escort," Jenny announced firmly. "We've got two vans; Devin will drive you and I'll be right behind. If your van breaks down--and it better not at these prices--we'll get you there. If anything happened that you couldn't drive, there's two of us to take over."
"We'll be traveling at night." Devin added. "There's practically no chance Vincent could be seen. But if he is, I've got enough stories cooked up to explain our way out of anything. Not to mention lots of fake ID for all occasions." Vincent felt that flicker of hope in Catherine's heart strengthen ever so slightly, but she continued. "Suppose there was some kind of medical emergency ... "
"You'll just have to be easy on Vincent," Devin said solemnly. "But if something happens, remember how good a fraud I am ... and remember that someone who's led safaris in Kenya had to be a pretty good bush doctor. I've handled emergencies in places a lot more primitive than Connecticut."
Jenny didn't give Catherine time to object further. "We're staying in the next town the whole time you're there, and Peter lent us a beeper. If you need us for any reason, we'll be close by."
The flicker became a flame. "The house isn't ready ... we're not packed ..."
"It is," Devin corrected, "and you are. What do you think Jenny and I have been doing all week?"
Catherine was almost ready to believe. "But Father ..." she objected weakly.
Jenny and Devin stood apart so Father could step up behind them. "Not even I could fault their plan. Nothing is totally without risk, but these two have eliminated most. What remains is worth it for this."
Catherine turned to Vincent, a question in her shining eyes. He touched his palm to her cheek, finally daring to hope himself. "Catherine--we have faced greater risks together. I'm willing if you are."
Catherine threw her arms around his neck and hugged him as hard as she could. Turning to embrace Devin and Jenny, she burst into tears at last. Vincent faced his brother for a moment, then embraced him with a gratitude too great for words. After a whirl of hugs, kisses and tears, Devin lent Catherine a handkerchief. "Everything's in the van, you just need to change into your traveling clothes."
"Take as long as you want," Jenny encouraged, "as long as you remember we've got two hours of driving ahead of us. Think of it as being in yichud."
"What?" Devin asked.
Vincent's wedding reading stood him in good stead. "After a Jewish wedding, the couple spend a short time in seclusion. It is symbolic of earlier times, when the marriage was consummated right after the ceremony." Devin grinned wickedly. "Well, the old ways are often the best. Pound the pipes when you're ready, and we'll come get you."
Vincent and Catherine walked slowly toward their chamber hand in hand. The Tunnels had never been so quiet, even after Winterfest. With the exception of the sentries, and Pascal in his pipe chamber, everyone was still celebrating with an enthusiasm usually reserved for Royal nuptials. Husband and wife moved through the dim corridors without speaking until they reached the door of the chamber where Vincent had brought Catherine, broken and bleeding, three years ago this very night. As if reading his mind, Catherine turned to him and spoke in a voice husky with feeling. "At first, I was sure that night was the end of my life. And it turned out to be the beginning." Unable to speak, Vincent could only take Catherine's face in his hands, looking at it a long time before bending to kiss her. Then, his eyes never leaving her face, he swept her into his arms and carried her through the door. Setting her down, he pulled the tapestry over the opening and began pulling pins and flowers out of her hair until it cascaded down around her shoulders. Catherine turned around and Vincent carefully began undoing the many buttons one by one. Finally she stepped out of the dress and hung it carefully in the wardrobe. Someday ...
Piece by piece, their wedding finery was removed and carefully laid away. At the very last, Vincent lifted the crystal from Catherine's neck and laid it gently down beside the white rose in its pouch. Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed the silver band that circled her finger. Still holding her hand, he turned to lead her to the inner chamber.
"Vincent..." He stopped and turned back to face his wife. Catherine gestured toward the bed in the outer room, the one he brought her to the first night they met. "Here, Vincent," she said simply. "We need to close the circle." Nodding, he laid her on the bed where he had dreamed his boyhood dreams, and lay down beside her. No dream of his youth had even come close to this. Golden as he in the light from the stained glass, Catherine held out her arms, and he sank into them like a river into the sea. As their love carried them in an ever-heightening spiral, they crossed the threshold which left the past, with all its doubts and fears, behind. Together, they entered the future.
Now, as in Tullias tombe, one lampe burnt cleare,
Unchanged for fifteene hundred yeare,
May these love-lamps we here enshrine,
In warmth, light, lasting, equall the divine;
Fire ever doth aspire,
And makes all like it selfe, turnes all to fire,
But ends in ashes, which these cannot doe,
For none of these is fuell, but fire too.
This is joyes bonfire, then, where loves strong Arts
Make of so noble individuall parts
One fire of foure inflaming eyes, and of two loving hearts.
--John Donne
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