Kara allowed herself to be dragged through the door off the main atrium of the Fortress. Alex, Maggie and Winn seemed to know where they were taking her, so she allowed herself to be dragged down the corridor. Each of her companions were carrying a metal case beneath their arms containing their wedding outfit. Kara felt her head spinning, the idea that she would have a traditional Kryptonian wedding ceremony, on Kryptonian soil, surrounded by her loved ones and dressed in the fashion of her people was surreal. It was more than she had ever dreamed possible. The only aspect missing would be Rao shining overhead, yet Lena had already achieved the impossible and Kara could never ask for more, or complain about what was lacking. Her heart was overflowing with the blessings she had been granted this day, only Lena could know Kara's heart so well, and give her what she needed but would never ask for.

Kara glanced at the corridor she was being dragged down, it was made of the grey and silver crystalline bio-walls that grew all Kryptonian structures. The complex corridors, all identical looking but for small Kryptonian symbols at the corners carved by laser vision, were meant to be disorientating in case of intruders. Kara had never felt at home here, but neither had she ever felt lost. The architecture and aesthetic of the Fortress familiar to her in a way Clark never would be. Today however, she felt lost. So much had changed so quickly, she was getting married for Rao's sake!

Kara tried to calm her mind, casting about to orientate herself and reflecting on the structure of the Fortress to distract her whirling mind.

The lower a person descended into the Fortress the more secure it became. The first floor began with the welcoming atrium but was mainly a display area for numerous artefacts and mementos from across the galaxy which Clark had accumulated through fights with his villains and missions with the League. On the same level there were labyrinths of living quarters, supply stores and meeting rooms for those rare times that they would need to open the Fortress as a meeting place to the League, inter-planetary/inter-dimensional visitors, or as a place of refuge when fighting particularly difficult foes. Below on the second floor was Clark's menagerie. A collection of rescued animals from across the stars, rescued from universal poachers and traders. Some, the last of their species…just like them. On the third floor was a combination of laboratories, mechanical workshops and at its heart the core from Clark's ship containing the crystal matrix computer and its vast database of knowledge. What few knew, and thankfully Cadmus had never discovered, was that beneath the third level was a hidden fourth. The fourth level was a vault containing the most dangerous technologies that the universe had ever known. Things confiscated from Apocalypse and other terrible and devices: mechanical, biological and chemical, that even the worst of humanity could barely comprehend. Amongst these were lantern rings trapped in forcefields, nth metal weapons of Thanagar, samples from a Lazarus pit, mother boxes, father boxes, weapons crafted by Hephaestus himself, arcane artefacts that Constantine himself would shudder at and the infamous Phantom projector. As idealistic as Clark may be, even he knows that these weapons of destruction may one day be needed to save the very world they have harmed. The foresight to keep them instead of destroying them out of some false sense of morality was one of the few secrets that she and Kal-El held together. A family secret that was safe in their minds alone, told not even to Lois, Lena or Alex. Kara was amazed when Clark first showed her the dwarf star alloy lined vault. Its single door triple protected by a DNA lock, a telepathic and biological scanning lock to check for possession or personality altering substances, and finally a 100 digit code that only someone with superspeed can input within the 10 second entry window. All these locks are linked to a thermal cauldron self-destruct fail safe to destroy the vaults contents if thieves ever discovered it and tried to enter. When Kara had first seen it, she had felt a kinship with Clark that had been missing, that beneath his boundless optimism he was not blind to the cynicism and hard realities of the world. That he held the keen intelligence, brilliant strategic mind and pessimistic realism worthy of a scion of the Great and Noble House of El. She had even joked that Batman might even be proud of his fail-safe vault.

The trio pulled Kara into a standard visitor's room after numerous twists and turns. Kara had her own suite here in the Fortress, four times the size of this room and yet, just as anonymously decorated as this one because she had never felt the desire to live here. Kara was feeling too overwhelmed to start making a fuss about getting ready in "her" room. One room was as good as another to get ready for her wedding in…Kara's breath stuttered at the thought. Her wedding!

The guest room held a small en suite, a double bed, armoire, a round table for four and a mirrored vanity. The three internal walls had been plastered bland cream and the natural finish of the Kryptonian crystal octagons lined the far external wall.

Winn reverently set the metal case containing her wedding attire on the table while Alex tossed hers, Maggies and Winns carelessly on the bed. Winn's hands swept across the lid of the case as he opened it and a small smile quirked his lips as he again appreciated his work.

Turning to face the three women watching him expectantly he nervously shifted from foot to foot.

"I, uh, guess I will wait outside, while you ladies change…and beautify, unless you want me to help? I mean I wield a mean curling tong," Winn nervously said scratching the back of his neck and subconsciously inching towards the door.

"It's fine Winn. We can help Kara. Go get changed into your own outfit," Alex replied kindly while Maggie snickered at his nervousness.

Winn bobbed his head as he made for the door, "Sure, sure."

"Winn, wait!" Kara called before he was to the door.

Kara strode to her friend and wrapped him in a tight hug, "Thank you brother. Thank you for your hard work, for the gown of my dreams and for always having my back."

Winn pulled back with tears in his eyes and a delicate blush. "El Mayra Kara, right?"

Kara smiled and whispered back, "El Mayra." Winn slipped from the room and Kara was left with her sister and Maggie.

Alex strode to the case containing Kara's clothes and withdrew the boots and bracer. "We will help you change first Kara. Maggie has some makeup with her and I will do your hair."

Alex's tone was verging on militaristic as she delegated duties as though preparing for a mission.

Kara strode forward and allowed her hands to run across the dark fabric of her gown again and the delicate diamonds embroidered into her family's crest.

Reaching out, Kara's eyes drifted to her left wrist, and the subtle lump under the arm of her Supersuit. Pulling back the thumb loop and rolling up the arm, Kara gazed at the revealed cuff, the one that Lena had gifted her over a year ago on the fateful Christmas day that had begun this wonderful journey. A gift that had been given in naivety but had been the catalyst for their relationship. Kara had never removed her cuff, unlike her human engagement ring that Lena gave her their second Christmas together when they had publicly announced their engagement to the world as Kara Danvers and Lena Luthor. Kara removed the ring whenever she changed into her Supersuit and regularly forgot to put it back on after showering or washing up. Yet, her cuff never left her arm. It may be covered by cardigans, her Supersuit, washing up gloves or by a custom leather bracer that Alex had made her to wear day-to-day, but it never came off.

Kara's eyes scrunched in thought as she gazed at the Inconel cuff, plated in gold and finished with a clear high tensile lacquer. The silver kryptonian symbol for eternity contrasting with the gold of its body and glinting in the strong lights of the Fortress.

The realisation of what she had to do came to Kara quickly.

Taking off her cuff for the first time since owning it, Kara held it reverently and offered it to Maggie. "I need you to bring this to Lena Maggie. She will need it to present to me formally again at the ceremony…and well, I need to leave. I have something to get."

Maggie's eyes widened as she took the cuff from Kara, "What do you mean leave? You can't leave little Danvers, you're getting married in like 20 minutes!" Maggie was becoming hysterical, but Kara was already moving to the door.

"I'll fly as fast as I can and be back soon, but I have to get this Maggie. Without it, I can't…" Kara would have rambled on but was cut off by Alex who was watching her sister with soft eyes.

"You're going to get your family bracelet, aren't you?" Alex asked bluntly.

Maggie's mouth snapped shut and Kara's eyes widened at her sister. Flabbergasted that she knows about it.

"How could you possibly know about that?" Kara asked her sister, her progress to the door stalled.

Alex shrugged, "The Alura program mentioned it to Lena when she asked about Kryptonian weddings. It seemed curious why Lena wouldn't wear the cuff if you were betrothed. Lena explained that the earth custom was to wear rings. I was surprised there was anything about your pod I hadn't discovered, and that you had never told me."

Kara fidgeted with her Super-cape nervously, casting guilty glances at Alex. "So that's how Lena knew the specifics of all of this." Kara wavered her hand vaguely at their current situation. "Thanks for letting her into the Alura hologram Alex." Kara muttered, dodging the issue.

Alex merely coked her brow.

Kara, like many a little sister, crumbled under her elders unimpressed look. "I didn't know if Lena would want to wear it. It's not exactly 'human fashionable' and well; I didn't know about the cuff until I saw my pod again in the DEO. The compartment holding it was age and DNA locked to me. I only found it when I was reminiscing over the pod the first time I saw it in the DEO. Betrothal cuffs are sacred to families, the one in my pod was crafted for me at birth using small chips taken from my parents bracelets as were all House of El cuffs going back centuries. After Clark refused to use his, I resigned myself to never needing it. For a long time, I never thought I would have someone to give it to. Talking about it, even thinking about it was hard. I thought it was another part of my people, my family and culture I would have to give up. I'm sorry Alex." Kara explained in a breath stealing babble.

"Oh Kara!" Alex whispered in an exasperated tone as she pulled her sister into a comforting embrace. "I am sorry you felt like that Kara. I should have known. I should have…"

Kara cut off her sister's self-recriminations by squeezing her tight. Alex let out her breath when Kara released her, swept her sisters hair from her face and cupped her cheeks.

"Go on then. Fly fast little sister and come back with it. You can't be late to your own wedding," Alex teased.

Kara smiled at her sister and nodded to Maggie who stood holding Kara's cuff. "I'll make sure Little Luthor gets this," Maggie reassured as though proclaiming her dedication to a personal Presidential Order.

Kara smiled again and with a swish of her cape and a ruffle of air she was gone, running at top speed out of the Fortress, and launching into the air with a sonic boom as she ploughed through the air towards National City.

Alex nodded to Maggie as she headed for the table and began laying out Kara's attire. If Maggie hurried back, they could get themselves dressed before Kara returned.

Kara nervously plucked at the heavy mantel of her cape. The cape of her wedding gown was dark blood red and heavy. The material felt like a thick velvet, but rather than shining under the lights of the Fortress, it seemed to absorb it. The cape cascades and puddles on the floor by her feet, the weighted trim making it spread out and drape behind her regally as she walked, pulling the cape taught to display the crest of the House of El darkly branded into its shoulders were fitted with plates and wired structures to hold them out dramatically over her shoulders giving her a stronger presence and broader shoulders. The cape appeared to be held in an eternal breeze even at rest. Alex had commented that Kara's outfit reminded her of old military dress and the description was apt considering modern Kryptonian capes were symbols of status assigned by Guilds and Houses.

Kara turned to her sister, Maggie and Winn as she stood outside the doors that led to one of the smaller function rooms where she assumed her wedding would occur.

Alex, Maggie and Winn were all dressed similarly: long, form fitting tunics, with three quarter length sleeves fell to their knees and tight trousers of matching material were tucked into boots of mid-calf height. As they were unmarried they wore no bracelets or cuffs and the only other adornments were corded belts. The neck lines were high but complimented by cut out silhouettes of sharp and intricate knot-like design which gave hints of the women's skin beneath. Alex's gown was dark jade green and the Danvers coat of arms was embroidered in raised thread across her chest in silver. Maggie's attire was darkest silver-grey, with more generous cut outs that bordered on risqué by Kryptonian standards but were conservative to the human wearing it. Kara thought it suited Maggie perfectly. Her coat of arms was embroidered in a green to compliment Alex. They made a striking pair and for a moment Kara could imagine she was on Krypton, greeting her sister in the Assembly Hall of the Temple of Rao and the Spiritualist Guild. Winn shifted nervously in his striking outfit. His tunics collar mimicked a mandarin collar found on earth, but the muted metallic yellow colouring was a bold choice even by Kryptonian standards. Somehow, Winn made it work. His Schott coat of arms was embroidered in dark blue, a chorded blue belt and his matching blue soft leather boots set off the outfit. The androgynous style of Krypton with its dark multicolours was nothing short of alien, yet striking and beautiful in its own right.

"Do I look alright?" Kara asked hesitantly as she bites her lip.

Alex smiles at her sister. Kara was nothing short of striking. Alex thought she looked like some conquering warrior queen from the future.

Kara's hair was half up, twisted and pinned into delicate braids that drew the rest of her slightly curled hair back and away from her face. Atop her head, and bracketed by the braids, rested the thin circlet of gold, the symbol of her status as Matriarch and Lady of the House of El. The gold circle was a spider web of intricate threads woven together so delicately that it was only on close inspection that one could see it was not a single piece of gold. Alex was awed by what Winn had achieved in just a week and quite frankly, couldn't even begin to fathom how he had produced the magnificent ansamble.

Kara seemed taller, more imposing in her wedding gown. The black material hugs her frame and accents the musculature she usually hides beneath cardigans and floral prints.

The contrast of the dark red cape and the black tunic made Kara's golden hair glow.

Her black tunic contrasted sharply with the diamond encrusted crest of the House of El which glinted in the light proudly across her chest. The heavy gold chain belt created from complicated Kryptonian knotwork was cinched around her waist and highlighted the flow of her gown down past her hips. The gown was longer than traditional everyday gowns and reached her knees where it met her knee-high boots, hiding the black skin-tight pants beneath.

Kara's left forearm lay bare and exposed by the three-quarter length sleeve and her right glowed with the solid gold bracer inscribed with the Prayer of Rao. The micro engraving a subtle ripple to the human eye and making the bracer style bracelet glow.

"You look magnificent Kara," Alex reassured.

"Yeah Kara, you look amazing. You have the bracelet, right?" Maggie teased again.

As if by magic, Kara pulled her family bracelet from the hidden loop at the base of her tunics back. Kara had checked it, hung there safely hidden by her cape, at least twenty times but still kept checking it and caressing.

The bracelet was bracer style, a thick cuff by human standards that was 3 inches in length. Made from a precious Kryptonian metal that shifted between luminous gold and mirror clear silver in the light, it held a single Kryptonian symbol on its face: the symbol gieghrys. The word held no real earth translation, but Kara had attempted to explain it to Alex and Maggie. It meant prosperity, or rather the hope and thanks for the prosperity a good match might bring out in their partner.

"I am still disappointed it's not your family crest. I think the media would have gone wild seeing Lena Luthor sporting a bracelet with the Super S on it. That and it would drive her family spare," Maggie grumbled.

Kara rolled her eyes and after caressing the cuff again returned it to the loop on her back.

Kara sighed in exasperation, "I told you Maggie, in Kryptonian society crests are worn on clothing to identify a person. To wear it on jewellery..." Kara grimaced… "that would be like declaring someone property. Krypton abolished the ownership of people millennia ago."

Maggie smiled slyly, "I don't think little Luthor would mind being branded your property Kara."

Kara blushed furiously and coughed while Alex elbowed her filthy minded girlfriend.

"Uh, enough Maggie," Alex said with a grimace. Winn looked a bit green, "I second that."

Maggie rolled her eyes and turned serious.

"I guess this is where we leave you Little Danvers. You will hear M'yrnn's call and the doors will open when it's time."

Kara knew this, it was Kryptonian tradition for the betrothed individuals to enter alone and simultaneously from opposite sides of the Temple. It symbolised their equality before Rao and that they each came freely to the bonding.

Kara nodded nervously, and Maggie squeezed her elbow as she passed Kara to head to the door.

"You'll be fine Kara," Winn said bracingly.

Alex smiled reassuringly as she stood beside her girlfriend and Winn. "Just remember Kara, Lena will be waiting for you."

Kara smiled faintly. As quickly as possible her three companions cracked the door open just enough to slip through.

Kara was alone. She took a deep breath through her nose and wiped her suddenly sweaty palms against her thighs. She had to keep it together, she could not embarrass her House by appearing weak.

Squaring her shoulders Kara set her jaw and schooled her features to the impenetrable mask of the Lady of El, modelling the look on how her mother looked as she worked.

Kara's feet spread apart, and her hands held tightly behind her, she waited.

After an indeterminate time, a voice boomed from behind the door.

"Come forth, those who seek to be bonded. They who walk freely and have chosen their path to Rao. Meet thy destiny here in His light or flee into the dark alone."

The doors before Kara swung open revealing the square meeting room which had been converted into their place of bonding. Kara strode forward determined, her mask flickering only for a moment when she saw Lena entering the door directly opposite her in an outfit that was her mirror but for the glittering Luthor coat of arms. On either side of the doors they entered through stood Kalex robots as guards of honour with replicas of the Legendary Sword of Rao held aloft. In the ancient texts, Rao defeated the darkness with his sword burning in the youthfulness of his blue flames. The swords were made from another Kryptonian metal called Rao's Azure, so little of which was available from asteroid mining that Kara knows the swords these Kalex hold are only plated with Rao's Azure.

A rich red carpet stretched from her doorway to Lena's and they strode to meet each other in the middle. Both twitched to touch each other but held firm to Kryptonian tradition and did not. In lock step, as though choreographed, they turned to face the hall. In front of them the red carpet led to M'yrnn in his true Martian form, attired in heavy brown robes of Rao. He stood on a raised dais of octagonal Kryptonian crystal, and behind him sat their small group of guests. The red carpet was flanked by another dozen Kalex with raised swords and above their heads flew banners adorned with the crest of the House of El and the Luthor Coat of arms.

In lockstep they marched towards M'yrnn and after coming to a stop before him he gave a slight nod which acted as their cue for the first of their ceremonial words. Together they intoned,

"Alone we have entered here, together we stand to be bound. United we shall leave to walk together in Rao's light."

M'yrnn threw his arms wide and called out, "Then rise and be known by your Houses and their allies."

M'yrnn turned to face their audience as Kara and Lena simultaneously split to walk to stand in front of him on either side.

Kara caught her first real look at her friends and family. They were a sea of dark colours, dressed in traditional Kryptonian formal wear. Clark and Lois matched in Superman blue with deep red House of El crests. Kara's heart skipped a beat when she caught sight of matching cuffs on their left arms. Kara had always thought Clark had forsaken the tradition, yet Lois wore Kal-El's cuff, made from the same metal as the one she intended to give to Lena. Kara fought to prevent the smile blooming on her face but couldn't stop her eyes filling with tears of joy. Lois held Clark's hand, and together they gave her a small acknowledging nod. They were the only other guests wearing capes as her official blood kin. Eliza wore a gown matching Alex's. James wore dark purple with burnt copper embroidery for his Olsen coat of arms, while Lucy was his mirror in dark copper red with purple embroidery for the Lane coat of arms. J'onn and M'gann were in their natural green Martian forms. Their dark black and blue attire contrasting with matching red X coats of arms across their chests. Between Maggie and Winn also sat Sam Arias in blood red with brown embroidery for the Arias coat of arms. Kara's eyes widened at seeing her. Since the Reign debacle Sam had been living in obscurity, keeping in contact with Lena but avoiding all others and National City in general which reminded her so painfully of her ordeal. Kara caught the softening of Len's eyes as she saw Sam. Kara was pleased she had come, even if at the last minute it seemed. Lena had so few good friends. Speaking of good friends, Jess sat behind Sam in a muted dark lilac gown with an unfamiliar silver coat of arms. Mrs Grant sat to her left in a burnt pastel pink, and despite her personal hatred of all things pastel she made the colour her own. Kara couldn't help a small smirk, wondering if Winn had purposefully put her in pastel colours as a small revenge. Cat cocked an eyebrow and Kara hastily regained control of her mask as she refocused on Lena.

M'yrnn gazed upon them as though passing judgement, his raised position and alien height making him an even more imposing presence. With a small nod as though finding them acceptable he raised his head to look down on the guests.

M'yrnn's voice boomed over the hall in a bass baritone as he recited the traditional Kryptonian address, "Bear witness: Two have come to be bound. On the soil of Krypton," Here M'yrnn bent down and with inhuman strength dug a fist full of the hard crystal stone floor from his dais and crumbled it in a shower from his hand, "and beneath the light of Rao!" Here M'yrnn raised his hands up towards the roof of the hall and on the word 'Rao' a brilliant red light sprang into existence above their heads.

Gasps sounded from all the guests and Kara staggered, unable to maintain her mask. She gasped at the sudden flaming image of a massive Rao lighting the room. The soft white lights of the hall blinked out and the room was cast into a red glow muting all the colours and warming everything it touched.

Kara stared at the image, her mind trying desperately to fathom what she was seeing.

After a moment, a soft hand grazed her gaping jaw and Kara dragged her eyes down to meet the red cast face of Lena Luthor. She had never looked so beautiful. Kara remembered everyone's faces at home, their skin glowing softly red in the outdoor glow of Rao on Krypton. Silent tears trickled down her cheeks.

"It's Rao Kara. Or rather a live holographic feed of it. I re-tasked a few L-Corp satellites and called in some favours with some international telescopes to get the feed. I designed the 3D holo-projector myself," Lena explained softly as though afraid her words would scare Kara away.

Kara closed her mouth and her eyes flickered from Lena to Rao hovering above the hall, tongues of lazy red flame licking out at random moments. Kara chanced a glance at Alex and then Clark, as though to check if they too were seeing this miracle. Both had tears in their eyes and offered watery smiles.

Kara tilted her head back and closed her eyes, inhaling deeply as she felt the rays of Rao's red light on her face. She could almost imagine its soft warmth was here too. The symbol of her god, the light from which all her people came and in which all her ancestors resided was with her.

"You gave me Rao?" Kara whispered, opening her swimming eyes to gaze back down at Lena in awe. Kara knew she was breaking every Kryptonian rule of etiquette for a bonding. Stoic and strong, untouching until they were bound were the rules. Kara didn't care. Lena had accomplished a miracle and by the indulgent looks of everyone present it seemed no-one cared for her lapse, only her joy.

Lena shrugged self-consciously, "We had to marry beneath Rao and on Krytonian soil for it to count. I told you Kara, I love you. I would do anything for you, would give you anything if it is in my power. A star is a small thing."

Kara laughed almost drunkenly, her hands twitching to reach out to Lena. Leaning forward, Kara whispered for only Lena to hear in a husky voice, "I have no idea what I am going to do in the next eight days of seclusion to show you how much I love and appreciate all of this, all of you Lena…but I promise it will be imaginative and thorough."

Lena's blush was, thankfully, partly hidden by the red light of Rao.

M'yrnn coughed to regain their attention, his arms still held up to Rao. A small smile curled at the edge of his lipless mouth but with effort he remained stoic.

Lena and Kara jumped and returned their attention to M'yrnn with guilty expressions before schooling their features back to stoic seriousness. A small smattering of laughter rippled through the audience at their chagrin.

M'yrnn began again, "between the soil on which they live and Rao from whence they came and will return we are gathered for this bonding. Those who are bound by Rao shall walk always in life, blessed to prosper, to enrich each other and their House. The Ancient and Noble House of El is to be enriched by this joining. Who will speak for the House who the bonded will join. Who will speak for the House that seeks to take in new greatness?"

"I, Kal-El, last son of Krypton and only heir to the Ancient and Noble House of El will speak of our greatness and of my Ladies Greatness," Clark said in a deep rumbling voice as he stood tall and proud and walked to stand behind Kara. "The Ancient and Nobel House of El is one of science, of leaders and of warriors. It was Dreg-El who aided the founding of the first Science Guild in the age of enlightenment 5 millennia ago, it was High Enforcer Belra-El who ruled the colony worlds of El in the age of expansion 2 Millenia ago and it was Seg-El who first defeated Brainiac of Colu 140 years ago. Kara Zor-El continues these proud traditions. She is a hero of Earth, a warrior and leader. Her heart is compassionate and true to the innocent and weak, but her fist is strong and merciless to the enemies of truth of justice."

M'yrnn nodded. "Your witness has been acknowledged."

Eliza stood and called out, "I, Elizabeth Danvers, Matriarch of the House of Danvers, Foster mother of Kara Zor-El Danvers, Matriarch and Lady of the House of El will speak of her greatness." Eliza walked up to stand behind Kara and beside Clark.

"Kara Zor-El has been my daughter for 13 years. Her character, bravery and generosity of spirit is beyond approach. Her greatness unrivalled. As a young girl she suffered a loss unprecedented by any other and instead of buckling under that grief she became a beacon of light, of kindness and hope for millions. Her greatness is without doubt and only made greater by Lean Luthor, Matriarch of the House of Luthor." Eliza's eyes locked with Lena as she spoke now, her smile soft as she watched Lena struggle with shock that Eliza was endorsing not only Kara's worthiness to bond but also Lena's.

"Lena Luthor is a worthy partner to walk in Rao's light. With her by Kara's side I have seen Kara's greatness rise beyond anything we could have dreamed. Kara's strength, resourcefulness and willingness to go above and beyond for the betterment of this world has only increased since knowing Lena, since teaming with her to do great things. I am sure that together they will continue to do great things in the future as they walk in Rao's light."

M'yrnn nodded to Eliza as she stood tall and proud. "Your witness has been acknowledged."

M'yrnn looked out across the crowd and here he broke from the plan that Lena had so carefully laid out for this ceremony. The young Luthor had wished to remove this part of the ceremony, thinking there was none to speak for her.

"As The House to be enriched has claimed its greatness, now who speaks for the one who will offer their greatness to it, forsaking her own Houses name for theirs?"

Lena's eyes widened in panic at M'yrnn's words, but his serene face did not falter and before the silence could draw into awkwardness a voice rose up. Lena's head swivelled quickly to the source of the voice in surprise.

"I, Alexandra Danvers, heir to the House of Danvers will speak of her greatness," Alex called out in a clear ringing voice. Lena goggled at Alex as she marched to stand behind Lena. Alex had begun as one of her most suspicious opponents, she had played the role of the overprotective sister and rarely gave Lena even a hint of approval. Lena had begun to think of them as friends to a small degree but had never believed that Alex would stand for her and advocate for her marrying her precious sister.

" Lena Lutessa Luthor, Matriarch of House Luthor was born into a Fallen House. Branded for her family's crimes and yet, instead of falling to the hatred and suspicions that the world heaped upon her shoulder, she rose to greatness. Lena's greatness could not be hidden, her compassion, her drive to change the world for the better and her desire to aid Kara achieve her true greatness make her more than worthy of joining the Ancient and Noble House of El. Lena Luthor, owing me no loyalty or compassion in the face of my own suspicions of her character saved my life when she shot an attacker who would have killed me. Lena Lutessa Luthor has greatness that only House El is worthy to be bound with in the light of Rao."

Without looking at Lena who was gaping madly at her, or Kara who was no longer even trying to hide her 10,000watt smile, Alex stood at attention behind Lena and nodded to M'yrnn.

M'yrnn nodded back to Alex, "Your witness has been acknowledged."

Lena swallowed her emotions, a slight shake taking over her body as she tried to comprehend this moment, but before she could fully restore her mask another voice rang out.

"I, Samantha Arias, Matriarch of the House of Arias will speak of her greatness," Sam called out in a nervous voice. The gazes of so many people who reminded her of the atrocities of Reign, in this Fortress which reminded her of Reigns dark sanctuary, made Sam nauseous with nervousness and worry, yet for Lena, her best friend, she would conquer this fear. Lena smiled with trembling lips and wet eyes at Sam as she marched with only the smallest tremble to stand behind Lena.

Sam's voice shook a little but gained in strength and conviction as she spoke. "Lena Lutessa Luthor, Matriarch of House Luthor is endowed with greatness beyond question. Her scientific genius, business acumen and powerful charisma make her a leader, a force for change and a revolutionary. More than this, her soul is blessed with a loyalty to the allies of her House which was not taught to her but is innate to her character. Lena is a light of human kindness, she alone refused to give up on me when even I thought I was doomed. It is only because of Lena Luthor's greatness that I live and that I will see my daughter Ruby grow up. Lena Luthor is a hero, a hero whose greatness is worthy to walk in lockstep in the light of Rao with Kara Zor-El of the Ancient and Noble House of El."

M'yrnn nodded to Sam, "Your witness has been acknowledged," he intoned.

M'yrnn spread his arms wide again and spoke the ritual words, "The greatness of the Houses and those to be bonded has been validated. This match is declared equal, just and prosperous. A bond which will feed greatness to each of its partners and empower the Ancient and Noble House of El. I now invite those to be bonded to declare their vows before Rao and exchange bracelets that they might be known to the world as tied together in Rao's light. "

M'yrnn drew his arms back and with a grand sweeping gesture invited Lena to begin.

Lena was fighting harder than ever before to maintain the stoic face that the ceremony called for, wrestling to control the croak she knew her voice wanted to let escape with emotion.

Lena drew a deep breath and locked eyes with Kara, drawing her hands from behind her back and the hidden depths of her cloak to reveal the bracelet she had gifted Kara that fateful Christmas.

Lena held the bracelet in both hands and raised it and her eyes to Rao above her before beginning to intone the first part of the vow.

In Kryptonian that was lyrical, if a bit longer winded and clunky due to Lena having to use only Kryptonian words that her human vocal chords could pronounce, Lena intoned, "Oh mighty Rao, from which all came and all returns, anoint this symbol of union with my bonded. Let all who see it know that together we are bound, cuffed, held tight in your light. Now and until we walk with you eternal."

Lena dropped her eyes to Kara whose mouth was slightly parted in shock and yet more tears of quiet joy were descending her cheeks. Thank Rao Kara had listened to Maggie and decided to avoid mascara.

Lena smiled softly at Kara with the smallest hint of her Luthor cockiness and pride dancing in her eyes. Kara's mouth closed into a soft proud smile too and the emotion between them deepened as Lena lowered the bracelet and held it towards Kara in presentation.

"I offer you this symbol of our bond, to tie us in Rao's light and for all to see. I have chosen the symbol of eternity upon its face, for this is how long I shall love you. This is my vow to you. I have loved you always and will love you always. I will strive to bring greatness to you and your House in my every thought, word and action, no matter the darkness of body, mind or spirit which may befall us through Rao's will. Will you wear it and become my bonded Kara Zor-El, Matriarch and Lady of the Ancient and Nobel House of El?"

Kara's left arm trembled as she raised it to Lena, her emotions overwhelming her.

Kara cleared her voice and whispered her reply, her words vibrating with intensity and determination, "I freely accept your vow and your symbol of our bond Lena Lutessa Luthor, Matriarch of House Luthor."

With a resounding snap of finality, that seemed to echo in the great hall, Lena closed the bracelet around Kara's wrist. Lena's hands held it there, herself and Kara frozen in the moment, their eyes locked and the joyous finality of this vow entwining them together in an eternal moment.

M'yrnn cleared his throat and with a blush both women withdrew their hands.

Kara gave her head a small shake, drawing herself back to the moment. This was her time now. Lena had given her a gift beyond words, the vows of her people in her native language. Kara had been worrying through the ceremony that she would stumble as she tried to translate the vows of Rao into English, yet now she knew she could say them as they were meant. Her version would be shorter, more lyrical as she can pronounce the oldest version of the vows in High Kryptonain, one of only a half dozen prayers all Kryptonians learned by heart before they were 10. Kara drew a deep breath and locked eyes with Lena, drawing her shaking hands from behind her back and the veil of her cloak to reveal the bracelet that her parents had crafted specifically for this day upon her birth, a bracelet that none had ever held before but Kara and her parents.

The metal shifted between gold and silver in the light and Lena's eyes widened in understanding as she saw it. Winn had crafted a standard bracelet for Kara to use for the ceremony, but seeing this one, Lena knew instantly that it was the one Alura's hologram had mentioned. Lena's breath caught, and her eyes devoured it. It was wider than Kara's and made of a foreign metal, the Kryptonian symbol a mystery. Lena silently vowed that this bracelet would never again leave her arm, no matter what unfashionably long jackets or arm warmers she would have to wear to hide it from nosey press.

Kara held the bracelet in both hands and raised it and her eyes to Rao before beginning to intone the first part of the vow.

In Kryptonian that was truly lyrical, a lilting and haunting song, Kara almost sang the vows to her god, "Oh mighty Rao, from which all came and all returns, anoint this symbol of union with my bonded. Let all who see it know that together we are bound, cuffed, held tight in your light. Now and until we walk with you eternal."

Kara dropped her eyes to Lena who was enraptured by the beauty of her loves voice, as though held by the song of a siren.

Kara smiled softly at Lena for a moment before drawing her face into utmost reverence and seriousness again as befit a member of her House and standing at such a sacred moment. The tension of the moment like a taut bow, the gravity of the moment thick in the air as Kara lowered the bracelet and held it towards Lena in presentation.

"I offer you this symbol of our bond, to tie us in Rao's light and for all to see. My parents chose the symbol of gieghrys upon its face." Here Kara switched back to English to explain the symbol to Lena whose Kryptonian, while improving was not yet adept enough to understand this new concept.

"Gieghrys has no real earth translation but it is the idea of prosperity, or rather the hope and thanks for the prosperity that a good match might bring out in their partner. It is the idea that our bonding will be prosperous, and we will bring out the greatness in each other for the prosperity of all who encounter us."

Kara then switched back to Kryptonian and continued, "And so I vow to make our bond so. This is my vow to you. Our love has been prosperous and will always be prosperous. I will strive to bring greatness to you and our House in my every thought, word and action, no matter the darkness of body, mind or spirit which may befall us through Rao's will. Will you wear it and become my bonded Lena Lutessa Luthor, Matriarch of the House of Luthor?"

Lena thrust her arm forward. Her eagerness to be bound to Kara muting any control and concept of maintaining a cool exterior. The move was almost violent in its inelegance and yet Kara's eyes shone with happiness at the out of character motion from the usually graceful Luthor. Lena's jaw tensed and rippled trying to suppress the face splitting smile that wanted to adorn her face.

Lena's voice seemed mechanical, she was trying so hard to contain herself to Kryptonain expectations of solemnity for the completion of the vows. "I freely accept your vow and your symbol of our bond Kara Zor-El, Matriarch of the Ancient and Noble House of El."

With a whispered click Kara closed the bracelet around Lena's wrist. Kara and Lena's eyes going huge at the realisation that they had completed the bonding, they were one…forever.

M'yrnn raised his arms and his voice echoed in finality across the room, "With the exchanging of these symbols of bonding and the blessings of Rao I declare this bond complete. I present to the witnesses, allies, and members of the House of El, Kara Zor-El and Lena Lutessa El, Matriarchs of the Ancient and Noble House of El. What Rao has sanctified let no sentient being split. May they walk eternally in Rao's light!"

The hall erupted into cheers and cries of exaltation, the Kryptonian etiquette and seriousness forgotten. Clark and Eliza gripped Kara's shoulders while Alex and Sam did the same for Lena, breaking the spell holding them in thrall.

"We did it," whispered Lena in astonishment.

Kara's smile was so huge it had to hurt as she gazed lovingly at her wife, her bond mate.

"We did, no regrets?" Kara whispered back.

Lena smiled back, "None"

M'yrnn cleared his throat once again bringing some semblance or order back to the affair.

"While this may be a Kryptonian ceremony and at the end new couples are meant to exchange their first touch by holding hands as they join their guests, I hope Kara and Lena will forgive me if I end things instead with a custom I have learned from earth and a TEE VEE show."

Kara and Lena looked confused as they stared up at M'yrnn whose martian face gave away none of the mischievousness he was feeling. With small confused nods the ladies agreed and M'yrnn clapped his hands joyously and bellowed, "Then I say: You are are married and may now kiss your bride!"

The room erupted into pearls of laughter and a giggling Lena leaned into her wife for the first of many kisses.

The reception was a raucous affair with an odd mix of classical Krytonian music that sounded like it was being played on instruments made of glass and typical pop culture songs of earth. No one is sure who started rock the boat but all agreed Cat Grant rocked it better than anyone else. The usually stoic martians, while somewhat bemused, lead a conga line and the guests partied until the bar, manned by Kalex robots, ran dry and the buffet consisting of potstickers, pizza, kale salad and smoked salmon or caviar blinis was empty.

Sam Arias departed first as she still found the Kryptonian architecture and current company stressful and triggering for her PTSD curtesy of Reign. Sam exchanged a teary-eyed goodbye with Lena, promising to meet up soon in Metropolis where she had moved to. Cat Grant after one too many gins had to be forcefully put in J'onn's ship and taken home by the kind Martian, who was playing taxi service for the inebriated humans, before she fell asleep in an alcove. Thankfully, Rosita was at home in Washington and was more than happy to take care of Mrs Grant as well as Carter.

As for Lena and Kara, well they slipped away early too, much to Kara's embarrassment and Lena's delight, as everyone cat-called, wolf whistled and loudly wished they a very enjoyable 8 days of seclusion in their apartment…or rather their bed.

The end.

Authors note: If anyone wants to write the smutty 8 days of seclusion feel free, just let me know and credit this story. The only smut I have ever written for this couple can be found in the related story 'Alien to each other' which has a smutty first time chapter as its finale. I hope you all enjoyed this ending and please leave a review.