Arrangements are made, supplies are brought. The only guest that indicated they were coming to the actual ceremony was Merlin - the knights have declined to attend the pagan celebration. Guests for the feast arrive, but stay clear of the camp until the feast tomorrow. They are put up at the Manor, at Sir Rodric's expense. Lady Habren has made it clear that it is their duty as the landholders to provide hospitality to noble guests, and you are not to concern yourselves with it.
Weddings in the Cult of Freya involve weeks of rituals and ceremonies. Traditionally, the families of the couple are heavily involved at every step of the way. With no family to speak of, each selects members of the camp to stand in place of relatives.
Marriage is the core of the family, and is the most important social institution in Thule. A wedding was thus an important transition not only for the couple but also for the families involved. A marriage was a legal contract with implications for, among other things, inheritance and property relations, while the wedding itself was the solemnization of a pact in which the families promised to help each other. Because of this the male head of the family had the final say in these matters. However, the young couple also has a say since a good relationship between the spouses was crucial. A wedding is a long and collective process subject to many ritual rules and culminating in the wedding feast itself. The procedures had to be followed for the divine powers to sanction the marriage and to avoid a bad marriage afterwards. Even with the blessings of Freya, things did not always work out between the spouses.
Northman weddings usually involved payment of a dowry to the groom and a gift to the bride. With so much going on, neither of you were able to do much on this point, but you are surprised at the start of the process when members of the camp give Valka ?1 to satisfy the dowry, and present Arne with a lovely new drum made by a craftsman of some skill [+2 to Play (Drum) skill], to present to his bride as a gift.
Ordinarily, a wedding feast that lasted for anything less than three days would be considered a great insult, but these are extraordinary times, so plans are made for a single meal only. It is not what would be preferred, but it is all the poor Northmen can accommodate at this time.
Rituals happen according to the rites, nearly one per day. In one Valka sings to Arne. In another, Arne wrestles men from the camp to prove his vigour. Ceremonial breads are exchanged, small trinkets blessed and exchanged, and so on.
Two days before the ceremony, Merlin arrives, driving a large wagon. He is gruff and distracted, but he also has brought a surprise. In the back of the wagon is the carcass of an ox, three whole hogs, several sheep, wild birds, barrels of mead, bushels of vegetables and sacks of potatoes, easily enough food for a weeks feasting. He refuses to comment or accept thanks. He spends the next three days in his tend, with frequent visits with Holmg?r?r. The visits do not seem pleasant, but she refuses to speak of them.
Finally, the day of the final ceremony arrives. The morning passes in frenetic preparations. It is difficult for Valka, as she carries around a huge belly. Some of the women from the camp aid her, however, and braid dried flowers into her hair and help her bathe. She is presented with a surprise by the ladies - a lovely blue dress. Arne also bathes, and is presented with a new shirt, trousers and boots from the ladies of the camp.
Finally, the time comes. It is chilly, but nothing like your homeland. A gentle snow is falling as Arne and Valka, who by tradition have not seen each other for the last three days, are escorted to the open field. The crowd parts, and they see each other for the first time.
[Pausing for reactions.]
