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Hans was getting teased by his friends. He was wearing a garland on his head and a lei around his neck. Both were made of Aepida's favorite wildflowers. The same kind he had picked the day she left for Alogroth. Aepida was dressed the same way. Hans thought she never looked more beautiful.

There are no traditional wedding ceremonies in Hort. Each one is different and is planned by the couple with their parents. Then the entire village shows up for the final preparations, which includes building them a house! Usually, there is a short ceremony then the couple goes into the house to consummate the marriage. Then they come back out to face the crowd. The bride would indicate that they have finalized their union.

Aepida had decided to pitch a tent in the meadow where they had many romantic moments instead of going into the house. They consummate their marriage there. At mid-morning, the parents of the bride and the groom separated the two to opposite sides of the meadow. The crowd made a circle from one side of the tent. The parents held the hands of their children and approached each other. Aepida's Father spoke first.

"Do you love my daughter and want her for your wife?"

"More than anything in the world," replied Hans.

Then it was Hans' father's turn.

"Do you love my son and want him for your Husband?"

"With all my heart," Aepida replied.

"Then I gift you, my daughter," said her mother.

"And I gift you, my son," said Hans' mother.

Their parents then led the couple to the tent. The fathers held the flaps open so that the newlyweds could enter. Then closed the flaps behind them. The crowd moved away from the tent. Revelers would make noise with pots and pans, horns, flutes, and stringed instruments. The parents stood guard to keep curious youngsters away from the tent.

Inside the tent, there was a blanket on the ground for them. Aepida asked Hans to remove it. She wanted to feel the cool grass beneath her just like she used to. He gently kicked it out of the way, then turned to her and removed the garland and the lei. She removed his. Kissing her, he laid her down on the grass. He laid down beside her and gazed into her eyes.

"You look so beautiful," said Hans as he leaned over to kiss her.

"And you're so handsome," she replied as she reached up and put her arm around his neck, drawing his lips to hers.

He carefully untied her sash from around her waist, folded it neatly, and placed it under her head. She removed his sash, laughed, and threw it haphazardly aside. Hans just shook his head and smiled. Then kissed her again. His hand found the hem of her tunic, his fingers lightly touching her leg. Her body reacted, and she gasped.

"Wow!" she thought. "He only touched my calf."

She closed her eyes, savoring each sensation as the garment climbed higher up her body. Her hands were now under his tunic. She wanted it off of him. When her tunic went over her head, and he laid it aside, He removed his. She wanted him, and he did not hesitate any longer. There was a bit of pain, and she was his. She was his wife. She gave herself to him. He gave her their first child. Aepida did not want to stop. She had waited two years for this moment. She wanted it to last. Finally, Hans said that they had to go out and announce the happy news.

It was noon when they finally emerged from the tent. The villagers crowded around to hear the news. The mothers were out in front with their hands clasped over their chests, anxiously waiting.

Both Aepida and Hans blushed red. But it was Aepida's place to announce that they had become wed. They stood before the tent arm in arm. Aepida looked straight at the two mothers smiling broadly. Nodded her head yes.

The mothers began to jump up and down, dancing around, crying with joy, all at the same time. Music began to play. Revelers banged pots and pans. A joyous din flowed up from the tiny village. Now the women set tables loaded with food and desserts of all kinds. Men tapped kegs of beer, and glasses of wine were passed to all. Everyone danced merrily, especially when the newlyweds began to dance. The festivities continued way into the night. Until all had consumed as much as they desired. Aepida and Hans were a little tipsy from too much beer and wine. Finally went to their new home and bed as man and wife.

The end