Philippe of Morgarath

Chapter Six

The moment he opened his eyes, he instantly knew what day it was. The day of his commitment had arrived. A smile appeared on his face, when he realised, that after this day he'd be able to start his journey as quickly as possible. Ever since the kiss he gave his fiancée in the heat of the moment, not so long ago, she had not spoken a single word to him. Sometimes he'd see her pass the halls, but she always stared at the floor or looked the other way. He was not quite sure if she was flushed, or ashamed. He hoped it'd be the first.

He tried to empty his thoughts, got up from his bed and washed his face. He put on the ceremonial clothing that had been laid out for him and combed his fingers through his hair. He took a fresh breath of air and stretched his back. This would be a very long day.

The moment he left his room, he saw Maldun, one of the eldest people he knew. Maldun was a scholar, and extremely well read. Everything Philippe knew of the past, and also of the future, was because of stories this man had told him. The man had been loyal to the house of Morgarath, ever since he was a little boy himself.

Philippe smiled when he recognized the thick book Maldun held in his arms. Maldun smiled back, and said as the ceremony required of him: 'What is the first step, on this holiest of days?' Philippe answered with the words Maldun had taught him to use during his commitmentceremony. 'I will travel to the mountain of Portunia y Climerea. Here I will find the flower Grysalda and bring her back for my bride.' Maldun nodded content.

'And what is step two, of this holiest of days?' he continued.

Philippe said: 'My bride, Llona Kwarth, will turn Grysalda into a herbal broth.' Maldun smiled at the young man in front of him.

'And what will the third step be, after these events?'

'I will take my bride to the field of Ninar, where I will lay her down on the blossom of the Ninartree. We will drink the broth, and pick an apple from the blossomtree, which we will share.'

Maldun closed the book and hit Philippe on his shoulder with it. 'Phil', he said angrily. 'You will first take a bite, afterwhich you will drink the potion. It's of great importance.' Philippe shook his head and repeated after the man: 'I will first take a bite, afterwhich we will drink the potion.'

Maldun sighed deeply. 'Now you have already ruïned the first ceremony, it was just a couple of sentences, boy', the man said. Philippe could hear his disappointment.

'Then it's a good thing you're the only one that's here', he tried to defend himself. He gave Maldun one of his prettiest smiles, and saw in the man's eyes that he understood the humor.

'And what it the last step, of these holiest of days?' the man continued, acceptingly.

'Together we will ask the Gods for fertility, under the blossomtree of the Gods, by committing to the commitment.' Maldun raised one eyebrow, and looked at the boy with a crooked smile. Philippe did not need to say anything to understand the man's thoughts. Llona Kwarth was one of the most beautiful creatures he'd ever laid his eyes upon...

'And what does this tell our Gods?' Maldun continued the ceremony.

'These acts of devotion represent collaboration, to make the relationship powerful and strong.' Philippe took a second to think.. there was more he had to say. What was it... what was it? 'This decleration of love under the eyes of the Gods will be us asking for acceptance. Without help of the Gods and of our ancestors, our relationship would be meaningless. This will be a connection of the two extremes, to make sure that...' he took another second to think. '...our children will be accepted and well raised. My wife's fertility granted by the Gods.'

Maldun nodded, and Philippe even thought to recognise some sort of pride in his eyes.

'You have until the first light of the next morning, to return. If you do not make it in time, your connection to Llona Kwarth will not be granted', the man closed the ceremony. Philippe made a deep, official bow, and continued to walk down the stairs.

Halfway, he saw his father and brother waiting for him. Malowen walked up the last few steps to great him, and together they reached Christophe. The three of them continued the hallway to the door that led outside, where Malowen said: 'Go with wisdom, and peace. Make your decisions in a way it's expected of a lord of Morgarath. Do not return home without Grysalda. You have my blessing.'

Malowen opened a bag he had held in his hands. 'I was allowed to give you four items on your travel. First, a rope. Secondly, I will give you an pickaxe for protection.' He closed the bag, and handed it to his son. 'Thirdly, your horse. This will help you find your way to the mountain. And lastly...' He took the necklace from his neck, that he had been wearing ever since Philippe could remember. It was a medaillon, quite big and round, with the official inscription of the house of Morgarath. '... This necklace of commitments. You have until the first light on the next morning to return.' Malowen handed the necklace towards his youngest son. 'And in moments you think everything is lost, you will find strength and wisdom with your house, and your family. Even when you think we are far away, we're closer than you think.'

Philippe smiled. He thanked his father, raised himself upon his black stallion, Nay's back and took off. He was very grateful that his father had given him Nay to ride. He knew that it was custom for sons to take their father's horse's during the commitment ceremony, but him and Nay were like two peas in a pod. He had trained the horse himself, and always took him with him wherever he went. With a content smile he pushed Nay to a steady gallop, and they left, hoping to reach the mountain as soon as possible.