A shady grove of mighty oaks surround a quiet pond. Layers of leaves are
illuminated by the light of the morning sun. Light pours down from above,
warming the forest floor below. The delicate notes of songbirds float in the
cool, still air. A path leads south to a
clearing.
A place such as this might have been used in times past for handfasting
ceremonies, possibly by pagans.
handfast \Hand"fast`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Handfasted;
p. pr. & vb. n. Handfasting.] To pledge; to bind; to betroth by joining
hands, in order to cohabitation, before the celebration of marriage.
betroth to promise "by one's truth." Men and women were
betrothed when they were engaged to be married. This usually took place a year
or more before marriage.
