Starting New

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Chapter 20



Jake and I had decided to have the ceremony three days after speaking about it. It was to be outside underneath the mountain’s only Tree of Truth. Ala’kan was confused as to why we wanted to have the ceremony there, as opposed to the Tree of Souls. Jake only bit his lip and smiled wryly. He explained that it had a sentimental value.



The morning of our ceremony we went and ate breakfast as usual. I excused myself early and went back to our hut to retrieve the gift I made for Jake. I had been keeping it hidden among our blanket and cooking utensils. He had yet to find it. I had crafted a small wicker box and slid the necklace inside. When he came back to our dwelling shortly I presented the gift to him. He tilted his head and raised an eyebrow.



“Aren’t we supposed to be exchanging gifts later?” He asked.



“What do you mean? You already gave me mine,” I said, putting my right hand above my leathers.



He just smiled, “Am I not allowed to give you another?”



“Well…I-I don’t have anything else for you, Jake.”



He rolled his eyes and sighed, placing his hand on my shoulder, “I don’t need anything else, Norm. Having you is enough.”



I just gave a little smile at the rather romantic notion. He nodded at me and looked back outside as a Toruk flew by.



“We should be getting ready now,” He said.



I shuffled my feet around, “I suppose.”



“Are you nervous?”



“Yes,” I admitted, “Mostly because there will be so many people there watching.”



“I’m kind of excited!” He said with a grin. He took a step forward and closed my hand around the gift, “Keep this until later. I have something to give to you during the ceremony.”



A while later I went to find Jahok, who was the clan’s spiritual leader. He would speak to me and Jake one on one more before the ceremony that evening. I pushed aside the beads hanging from the entrance to his dwelling and nervously stepped inside. He smiled at me and asked me to sit with him. He spoke to me in Leomatican, which I didn’t understand too well. He congratulated me on our “engagement” and sent thanks to Eywa for joining us together. I had a feeling that he typically said more, but since I didn’t understand much of the language, the speech was enough.



Ala’kan had talked with me before about what was to take place before the ceremony. Jahok and one of the few women of the tribe, Belin, took me to the pond. Jahok started pulling at my loincloth and I took a shaky step backwards into the pond, almost falling backwards. Belin just giggled to herself and took my hand.



“Okay, Norm…okay,” She said, apparently indicating that it was okay. I didn’t see anything okay about it.



Jahok seemed to understand my resistance, because he pushed me back a bit in the water and then indicated removing the loincloth myself. I was reluctant about this, but did what he asked. Belin put a hand out for it and I handed it to her. Jahok smiled a bit in her direction and stepped closer to me in the water. He raised both hands over my head and said a prayer in their language. I looked around slightly, actually grateful there was no one else around. Belin gave a sharp nod of her downwards. I understood that I was supposed to bow my head. I did as instructed and Jahok finally put his hands down.



Belin handed me some soap and I nodded, taking it from her. I cleaned my body quickly, figuring that’s what they wanted me to do. They both smiled and talked to me encouragingly. I rinsed off and figured we must be finished, but Belin stepped forward and touched my hair. I looked into her bright eyes, wondering what she was doing. She said something in her language and pointed at my many tiny braids in my hair. I just nodded again, not understanding a word she was saying. I figured they weren’t going to hurt me, either way. She began pulling out the beads in my hair and unravel ling my braids. They turned into a big frizzy mess of dark hair moments later. She put her hand on my shoulder and pushed hard. I knelt down in the rather shallow water.



“Ahhhh….okay,” She said with a nod and a smile. I guessed that was the only Omaticayan word she knew.



During the times I had washed my hair in the past I typically tried not to excessively wash my long braid. I was a bit afraid of whether or not I would damage the queue if I did so. Belin undid the tie at the very end of my braid and I pulled back. She just shook her head, said “okay” again and pushed me back into the water. She undid the braid and the long layers of hair fell around my shoulder and floated in the pond. She pulled the hair around my face and I put my hand behind me, surprised to feel the neutral connection line ran through the entire braid. It started somewhere near the bottom of my head, near the place where the brain met the spinal cord.



Belin played with her own hair for a moment and indicated that I put my head back. I leaned back slightly in the water and she stood over me, wetting my hair. When I sat back up wet pools of water fell from my dark hair and back into the water. Jahok handed her some kind of shampoo and she lathered up my hair with it. It smelled strongly of lilacs. She rubbed her fingers through each strand, massaging my scalp and getting deep into my hairline. She moved the light peach colored queue connectors out of the way and made sure my hair was clean from root to tip. Jahok handed her a brush and she brushed through the long strands, pulling out the tangles. It was the first time my hair had ever been brushed.



They both took a few steps back and out of the water and indicated that I follow. I shook my head and blushed, not wanting them to see me naked. Jahok seemed a little annoyed, but at least Belin understood. She said something again in Leomatican and handed me a piece of cloth. It was a light colored loincloth, supple in feeling and soft. My old loin cloth had seen its days, anyway. I thanked her and just stood there in the water, waiting for direction. She looked over at Jahok and pointed the other direction. He looked at me, looked at her and then turned around, facing the other direction. They both stood there waiting with their backs to me. While they had their heads turned, I quickly exited the pond and pulled the cords of the loincloth together at the side and struggled to get my tail through it quickly.



Belin turned around a few moments later and clapped, “Okay.”



I followed them both back to a resting place near where a few large trees loomed overhead. Belin sat down and patted for me to follow. I sat down next to her and she began on my hair right away. She pulled the majority of the hair together in the back. She carefully weaved my hair into a braid around the queue, careful to avoid touching the connection. Then she went back to the top of my hair, putting many small diamonds through the strands of braids she had made.

“Where Jake?” I asked in the little bit of the language I knew.



He looked at me and waved, “I will purify Jake later.”



That got me thinking. This must be some kind of ritual they do for every mated couple. I looked at the beads Belin was putting in my hair and hoped I wasn’t supposed to be the girl in this relationship. I didn’t want to look too “pretty” on my wedding day. Belin just smiled at me when I looked at her. She took a few pastel colored feathers and added them to my hair.



“Okay,” She said again and nodded at Jahok. She switched to her own language and began speaking to me, “Jahok will finish.”



Jahok had a small bag with him and he managed to fish out a tiny storage container filled with something white. He opened the top, put it aside, and pulled out a thin, long brush. He dipped the brush into the white colored paint and tilted my head towards him. He began painting on my forehead. I had no idea what I looked like. It took a long time and it tickled. After he finished my face he put a design on my arm. I looked down at it and saw a weaving vine pattern from the white paint. He was a good artist. Belin looked on curiously and I had the faint idea that she must be his apprentice.



A while later Belin took me back to camp and kept me inside one of the nicer dwelling places. It was rather secluded and no one had seen me yet. I figured Jahok must be readying Jake for his appearance tonight, also. Belin uncorked a bottle and began applying sweet smelling oil to my skin. She looked at me and smiled.



“Your mate like this,” She said in Leomatican. I understood most of it, thankfully, but was still very embarrassed.

She stayed with me for a while, talking to me in her language. I didn’t understand much of it. She said something about being excited. I wasn’t sure if she was implying me or herself. She went on and on. Someone brought a mid-afternoon snack to us a while later. We sat together and ate the fruit quietly.



“It is time,” She said, pointing out the door and then switching to Omaticayan, “Okay?”



“Okay,” I said with a little smile.



I followed her outside. It was already dark and had rained for about an hour later in the afternoon. The trees and flowers glistened like gems from the droplets and the small moon of a planet seemed to be calling out to me. It was such a relaxing feeling. I was nervous, but ready for the big day. I never thought I would see my wedding day, but the time had finally come.



Belin took me out to where the crowd had gathered in front of the Tree of Trust. Ala’kan met me there, nodding slightly at Belin and taking my hand. He escorted me up to the front and complimented me on my appearance. The long blue leave of the Tree of Trust rustled in the slight wind and I looked out at all the Na’vi who stood before me. I couldn’t help but be nervous. I wasn’t usually good with crowds.



Then I spotted Jake.



He looked rather terrified for a second, probably noticing the number of people in the crowd, as I had. And then his gaze settled on mine. He smiled at me brightly and nodded. His hair had been completely redone. Before arriving at this clan he had a few misplaced braids that he put in to keep the hair out of his eyes. Now the top of his head was completely braided and clipped in the back, where several white feathers fell down across into his queue braid. He didn’t have any beads, but I did notice a couple of purple flowers weaved in and out across the small braids.



Suddenly there was no crowd anymore. My eyes locked upon Jake and it was all I could see. He joined me at the front, near the tree, and Ala’kan took both of our hands. He said something to the people and they sat down. I wish I had known more Leomatica, because I missed so much of what he said. He turned to us a moment later, probably noting our confusion. He smiled a bit.



“I will repeat in Omaticayan so you understand,” He said quickly, “I thanked the tribe for coming to your Onotu’. I told them that it was Eywa’s will that you two be joined together. You may hold the hands of your intended.”



I looked over at Jake and marveled at how beautiful he was. The tiny dots on his skin glowed light green on his skin and the entire scene looked like something out of a fairy tale. His golden speckles eyes rested upon me and he took both of my hands and squeezed them. We smiled at each other and listened while Ala’kan continued in Leomatican.



“The joining of two Na’vi is a very special moment,” He began suddenly, switching to our language, “It is a moment we wish for all of Leomatica to share. We bring together these two Na’vi in peace and understanding. We wish them hope for their future lives together.”



He waited a few moments and I finally broke eye contact with Jake to look out into the eager crowd. There were so many eyes upon it, it was unreal.



“Would you like to say anything to each other before you make tsahaylu?” Ala’kan asked.



I nodded, “I would like to say something, if that is okay. I don’t think the people will understand, but I know that Jake will.”



“Of course. That is fine,” Ala’kan said.



I had decided a long time that our vows to each other would mean more if they were in our native language. It was the first language I knew and the first language we spoke together. It brought back memories of when I first met him on board at the RDA and how our lives together had blossomed from then on.



“Jake, I can honestly say I never thought I would be standing here with you. We’ve been through so much together. I’m so happy to have you here with me now. You should know that you’re my best friend and I would be nothing without you. Ala’kan asked me if you complete me. I said yes and it is the wholehearted truth. I think back to how lonely I was before and how happy I am now. I wake up every day, happy to be in your arms, happy to be with you. Thank you for being my everything.”



Jake’s eyes were locked upon mine and he took in a rather shaky breath. He unhooked one hand from mine, sniffled and rubbed at his eyes. He smiled tearfully and nodded. He took both of my hands again and brought them upwards and took a step closer to me. He began to recite the vows he had created, himself.



“We’ve been through so much together. That is so very true. We’ve lived in a gigantic tree together, we crossed the ocean together, we are living on another planet together. We have so much going for us. We have so much more of a future ahead for ourselves. I have seen so many amazing things on my short time on this planet. I can only imagine what the future will hold for us. I could never have imagined the type of wonder that Eywa allows us here. It is more than I could have dreamed of! And I would do anything for you, Norm. I would lay down my life for you to be sure that you live happily. I will never leave you. You can always count on me. I will always be here. Thank you for being my friend and for being my love.”



He moved his hand again and cradled my face. A few stray tears fell from my eyes and I embarrassedly pushed them away. His vows seemed so much more real, so much truer than I could have imagined. Jake looked over at Ala’kan, as if he were asking permission to kiss me. Ala’kan raised an eyebrow and chuckled a little. He nodded and placed his hands on both of our backs, pushing us slightly together.



Jake leaned forward and kissed me. My hand went around to the back of his head and caressed the long strands of his hair. Jake’s lips explored mine and he suddenly intensified the kiss. My eyebrows rose after a moment or two and he released me. He took a deep breath and grinned, his hands going back to his sides. The crowd gave a small laugh and I looked out at them meekly, feeling a blush arise on my features. Ala’kan laughed next to us and moved his hand to our shoulders.



“Kneel,” He instructed.



We both knelt down and Jake took my hands again. I smiled back at him shyly and Ala’kan put his hands over us and said a prayer.



“It is time now,” He said, looking down upon us, “It is time to make tsahaylu.”



Jake looked a bit nervous, but nodded. I pulled my braid over my shoulder and looked at Jake for further instruction. He paused momentarily, but placed his braid near my own. The tendrils from both of our queue’s reached out to each other and I allowed the connection. My eyes dilated quickly and I took a quick, spellbound breath at the feelings before me. It was like all the background noise had faded away and everything around us became hazy. Jake studied me and smiled. I didn’t need the bond to feel his emotion. I could already see them so clearly in his bright eyes.



A voice from beyond our connection broke our thoughts, “Now I will ask Eywa to send her support.”



He said something in their language. It took a moment or two, but suddenly Jake inhaled and a rush of emotions and pictures flew by my eyes. I saw Jake as a child, he was there with Tommy. I saw them playing together, happy as children could be. I saw when he got the news that his brother died. He was stricken with sorrow. I could feel the pain through the bond. I soon realized I could send him thoughts of my childhood, too. I sent him thoughts of me playing at school and Christmases at home.



The visions changed from Earth to Pandora suddenly. He showed me his happiness of riding Shadow, his love of flying. He showed me the first time he had made a kill, aided by Neytiri. He showed his pain at losing her. Then I was in his vision. I saw how he sees me every day, though his eyes. He sent me images of me studying plants. I showed him a vision of the first time we made love. He exhaled and smiled. Jake leaned forward, pulling me close to him. The emotions continued and we stared at each other for the longest time. No words were exchanged. There were no words needed.

I could have stayed in that bond forever, but Eywa allowed such a strong connection for only a few minutes. It was like I could read his mind. There were no secrets between us. I knew him and he knew me. There was such an intense love. There were so many amazing feelings. The strong connection began to fade until I could feel only Jake’s current feelings. He beamed at me and stroked the connection. I nodded and he withdrew the connection.



Ala’kan watched with rather tearful eyes, himself and sniffled a bit, “I cry at every Onotu’. I can’t help it…You can stand up, now.”



I smiled a bit and Jake and I both stood up. Jake took my hand and Ala’kan moved to stand beside Jake. He said something to the people.



“We will now welcome you into the clan,” He said, motioning his own mate over.



Telan put his uninjured hand on Jake’s shoulder. Telan was doing much better now. His arm was healing. He was anxious to ride his Toruk again, but thankful that I had helped him. Suddenly the crowd was nearing us. I must have looked panicked for a moment or two, but Jake just kept holding onto my hand and grinning. I held tightly onto Jake’s clasped hands and Ala’kan put his hand on my shoulder. I looked around to see that everyone was joined to someone else through their hands. It was like one huge, beautiful Na’vi puzzle.



Ala’kan spoke loudly to the people, who looked eagerly at us and all nodded a few times. I looked into Jake’s golden eyes and he grinned at me. His skin shined and I could smell the lilac from his hair. He looked absolutely ravishing tonight. The white paint was traced upon the dark blue lines in his forehead and disappeared into his hair line. He looked like a Na’vi tiger.



“Norm and Jake, you are now both members of the Leomatica tribe. Welcome!” He said, patting my shoulder, “Now, here is Telan’s and my gift to you.”



I looked at him curiously. I wasn’t sure what he meant. Jahok stepped forward, bowing slightly at Ala’kan and turning to me. He put a hand on my shoulder and I ended up kneeling. Jahok began to use red paint to trace along the white lines of my forehead. He also painted to wide red stripes along both of my arms. I knew what the red stood for, but was surprised when Telan handed me a basket full of items.



“These medicine items for you, Norm. These from last shaman. They yours now,” He said, gesturing for me to take them, “You prove you are good shaman. You Leomatica now. You medicine man.”



I felt my eyes tear up slightly, but I nodded, “Thank you.”



He smiled and I stood up. Telan stood in front of Jake.



“Kneel please.”



He did so, but looked genuinely confused. I wasn’t sure what they planned to do for him. Jahok stepped forward again and began using yellow paint to trace the white marriage pattern on Jake’s forehead.



“Jake, you good warrior. You fly and we no have to teach you. You good hunter, too. This for you,” Telan said, nodding once. One of the Na’vi came up to Jake and handed a package to him. Jake looked inside, unsure, but pulled out several new arrows, tinged yellow and blue. He dug in there again and pulled out a sharp new knife and a small spear, “You be warrior in tribe. You be warrior and Norm be shaman. We glad to have you.”



“Oh, thank you Telan. This is very generous,” Jake said, his hand running over the new arrows.



Telan stepped aside to let his mate take over. Jake looked at Ala’kan for instructions for what to do next.



“What now?” I finally asked.



Ala’kan grinned, “Now we dance!”