A Morris Man’s Tale Part 8

This work may be used free of charge and copied, selling without prior written consent prohibited, obtain permission before redistributing, In all cases this notice must remain intact copyright D.W. Bloyce 2012


All characters are fictitious, If a character name is used in connection with a side, it’s just co-incidence if that given name belongs in that side. Insofar as song lyrics being included I don’t know the legalities or etiquette involved, I have given the opening few and last few lines if that is all that is needed or the song in full if the text needs it and credit to the author in either case, traditional songs are treated the same but credited as Traditional.

This is a fiction story, not fantasy and while there is a lot of passion and some very erotic action in later parts and in book two if you are looking for raw action then I am sorry but this isn’t the book for you.



Chapter Sixteen
Monday
iii. Congratulations
“Never mind treasure, maybe I had an over inflated view of mine and Lynda’s place in the Morris, let’s have a kiss and cuddle and then finish packing up.” It takes no time for us to lose track of time, our temperatures increase and it is only the open blinds and curtains that keep us decent, after a while we break apart,

“Could you mix a bottle of squash please treasure, while I disconnect the solar panels and empty the waste?”
“Sure flower.”
I put the panels in their boxes and put them on the floor in the van, next I check the shower room to make sure everything is secure and that the soap has been put away, good job I went in to check, the roof vent is still open once closed I leave and close the door.

“Soft drink is done flower, should I put it in the car?”
“Please treasure.”

I check the van for security next. A couple of jars need to go in the fridge door to restrain them as do four cans of beer. I turn the fridge off and go outside. Dennis and Claire drive past and give us a beep and a wave. Disconnect and discard the fresh water in the Aqua roll and put that away, we should be all done now; just lift the rear steadies and check the nose weight, too heavy, into the boot and move the awning, poles and groundsheet into the van behind the axle, and try the nose weight again, I can lift it single handed, about forty kilos that will do. I ask Jenny if there is anything she needs from in the van, no thanks I am sorted she replies.

Finally lift the front steadies and ask Jenny to yell stop when I reverse our car to under the tow-hitch. I connect the electrics, turn off the gas, put the Snake-master into position and release the brake we should be ready for the off. I ask Jenny to check the van lights, Side, Left, Right, and Brake. All ok. I come out to stand beside Jenny and we have a final kiss and cuddle before getting into the car and getting settled ready to go. Because of tents that have not been taken down yet I have to drive round the track to get to the exit, on the back straight Michael and Julie pull off behind us.
I notice that Dennis and Claire’s van is waiting at the exit, they must still be on a toilet break I stop a couple of feet behind them, Michael stops behind us and after a few seconds hits his horn a couple of times.

All hell breaks loose, I hear lots of yelling and screaming, next thing about fifty or sixty people in kit surround the car and start singing ‘Congratulations’ as I look to Jenny she is really smiling, I have a suspicion that maybe Julie tipped her the wink earlier and she hid the fact from me, a couple of small placards are being waved at the back.

“What do we do love, get out and say thanks and make a little speech or sit tight.”

“I think this is going to be the impromptu engagement party you were trying to avoid last night my flower.”

Michael opens Jenny’s door and Julie opens mine.

“If you and your young lady would care to come with us, we have re-arranged and changed the event you were hoping to avoid last night, I get out of my car I am about to take the keys;

“Could I have those please Frank? We will be careful, but we need to clear the exit so that others can leave. I see Bill get into Michael’s car and reverse straight back and then drive forward and round onto the track and stop after fifty yards. I meet up with Jenny at the front of my car, we hold hands I lift hers to my lips and kiss her hand.

“Did you get any warning, my treasure? “
“Just a bit, Julie told me not to cry when we leave the field.”

“I wonder what they have arranged, I don’t think they could get the hall, as we are about to drive home I have to make sure no-one fixes my drink, I don’t think I will have anything at all.”

“Come on then lovers, we have to go this way.”

We are led up the slope towards the temporary toilets, past them and past the main hall entrance, where are we going? To the scouts big tent, I see a congrats banner coming into view, I release Jenny’s hand and hold her round her waist, she gets her hand behind me and onto my hip. Michael and Julie point us to the tent and as we walk towards the tent I note that all the scout gear has gone and some Tribal drummers are behind a variety of drums and a few boxes held by people from a selection of sides are standing to both sides.

One of the drummers yells; three, two, one, GO! I have never heard anything like it. Wagner’s Bridal March from Lohengrin on drums and Melodeons! What happens next, we will soon find out, Michael and Julie escort us towards the music and turn us round to face the audience? Crowd? A Man and Woman I don’t know approach us as the music fades and stops.

“Frank and Jenny, we have been asked to perform the ancient pagan ritual of hand fasting on and for you both, this ritual has no legal standing in this country and we have been told that although christened neither has any firmly held religious sensitivities. Do either of you object to us performing this ritual?” We look at each other and then reply in turn;

“I have no objection,” We are both given copies of the ritual to follow.

Celebrants:
“Greetings friends and welcome to this day of celebration. We are united to witness the Hand fasting of Frank and Jenny. We’ve been invited to share in the commitment they make to each other today. We ask your blessing on their behalf on this joyful occasion.”

“If life has any meaning to us, it possesses it because of love. Love enriches our human experience. It is the reason for peace in the family and the peace of the peoples of the Earth. A meeting between two beings who are made for each other is a beautiful miracle.”

“Frank and Jenny’s understanding of the true meaning of marriage has resulted from many influences; their families, their friends, and their own personal beliefs. We are here not only to strengthen the bonds of Frank and Jenny’s love for each other but also to bring their friends together to celebrate these same said bonds that hold us all together.”

“What defines Frank and Jenny’s love today will change and grow to new depth in the future. It takes three seconds to say I love you, but it can take a lifetime to show and prove it. This ceremony is the celebration of a single stage in a much larger process that is the love between husband and wife. The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union. They will cross the years and lives of each soul’s growth.”

“Do you seek to begin this ceremony?”

Couple:
“Yes we do.”

Celebrants:
“The human soul shares characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigns virtues to the cardinal directions; North, South, East and West. Let us offer a traditional blessing in support of this hand-fasting ceremony.”

Michael:
“Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East: communication of the heart, mind, and body, fresh beginnings with the rising of each sun, and the knowledge of growth found in the sharing of silence.”

Ken:
“Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South: warmth of hearth and home, the heat of the heart’s passion and the light created by both to lighten the darkest of times.”

Julie:
“Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West: the deep commitments of the lake, the swift excitement of the river, the refreshing cleansing of the rain and the all encompassing passion of the sea.”

Sue:
“Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North: a firm foundation on which to build, the fertility of the fields to enrich your lives, and a stable home to which you may always return.”
“Now I ask the couple to look into each others’ eyes.” We turn to face each other and I hold both Jenny’s hands in mine.

Celebrants to Frank:
“Frank, will you be Jenny’s faithful partner for life?”
Frank:
“Yes”

Celebrants to Jenny:
“Jenny, will you be Frank’s faithful partner for life?”
Jenny:
“Yes”

Celebrants to both:
“Will you both be faithful only to each other?”
Both:
“Yes”

Celebrants to both:
“And so the binding is made.”
The first cord is draped across our hands.

Celebrants to Jenny:
“Will you love Frank?”
Jenny:
“Yes”

Celebrants to Frank:
“Will you love Jenny?”
Frank:
“Yes”

Celebrants to both:
“Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?”

Both:
“Yes”

Celebrants:
“And so the binding is made.”
The second chord is draped across our hands.

Celebrants to Jenny:
“Will you honour him?”

Jenny:
“Yes”

Celebrants to Frank:
“Will you honour her?”

Frank:
“Yes.”
Celebrants to both:

“Will you both stand together against mutually held problems so that your love may grow in this union?”

Both:
“Yes”

Celebrants:
“And so the binding is made.”
The third chord is draped across our hands.

Celebrants to Jenny:
“Will you always be open and honest with him?”

Jenny:
“Yes”

Celebrants to Frank:
“Will you always be open and honest with her?”

Frank:
“Yes”

Celebrants to both:
“Will you dream together to create new shared realities?”

Both:
“Yes”

Celebrants:
“And so the binding is made.”
The fourth chord is draped across our hands.

Celebrants;
“Frank, will you stand together with Jenny your times of joy and sorrow?”
“I will”
“Jenny, will you stand together with Frank your times of joy and sorrow?”
“I will”
To Both
“Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?”
Both answer:
“Yes, we will.”

Celebrants to both:
“Will you both take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?”

Both:
“We will.”
Celebrants:
“And so the binding is made.”
The fifth chord is draped across the couple’s hands.

Celebrants to Jenny:
“Will you care for him?”
Jenny:
“I will”

Celebrants to Frank:
“Will you care for her?”
Frank:
“I will”

Celebrants to both:
“Will you seek to never give cause to break that undertaking?”
Both:
“We shall never do so.”
Celebrants:
“And so the binding is made.”
The sixth chord is draped across the couple’s hands and all the chords are tied together while saying.

Celebrants:
“The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for always you will hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union.”
Once the chords are tied together they are removed.

Celebrants:
“Spirit of Love, may Frank and Jenny know great love together, and may they live in the desire to always support each other in positive and uplifting ways. May they strengthen one another in sorrow, share with one another in gladness, and be companions to each other in times of silence. May their home be a haven, and wherever they are plagued by changing fortune, may they be united not in word and outward form alone, but by the presence in the hearts of each, of the deepening love they share. Within our traditions you are husband and wife. Celebrate with a kiss.” We kiss no, gentle massage this time, I hope the tent is fire proof, after a few seconds we slow and break, we mustn’t scandalise Tribal.

Mendelssohn’s The Wedding March on drums and Melodeons starts and the assembled witnesses part to make space for us to walk through, someone is chucking rice about, Jenny and I get a face full of rose petals from the twins, and everyone starts cheering and clapping.