Weiss asks to stay in Vernal's bed

"Listen Vernal, I really don't want to go back in that cage outside. It's cold... and I prefer your warmth..." Weiss pleads.

"You can stay with me. I want you to stay! And tomorrow, maybe I could try to convince my tribe leader to not sell you," Vernal answers.

"You would do that for me?"

"I would do anything for you..."

Weiss returns back to Vernal's arms, cloth in hand to clean her. They both were in dire need of some sleep.

Weiss awoke the next morning surrounded by four women brandishing weapons... Vernal was not among them. The eldest of them tells Weiss sternly she has been summoned. Something has obviously gone wrong with Vernal negotiations with the Branwen tribe leader. Did she say too much?

Weiss rolls her eyes and throws her quilt to the side in a strop. The younger tribeswomen turn away in fright from her revealed penis. But the elder is not amused.

"Mine is bigger," she quips.

Weiss takes her sweet time to put on her clothes before she is escorted to the Branwen tribe leader. She is taken into a yurt towards the back of the camp. She finds Vernal kneeling in front of a table before a familiar black haired figure. Looking at their red eyes reminds Weiss of the boot to the face she caught before being taken prisoner.

Vernal looks back to her briefly, then towards the table. She's visibly shaking in fear. The elder tribeswoman instructs Weiss to sit on a cushion at the table with a forceful pull. The Branwen tribe leader stares Weiss down for a moment and leans forward to speak.

"My name is Raven. Let's not beat around the bush- did something happen between you and Vernal last night?" she says.

"Nothing happened!" Vernal pleads.

"Shut it!" Raven replies. "Vernal has been begging me not to sell you to the White Fang all morning. She insists you could be more valuable to our tribe alive. Why? Beats me! What I do know is that Vernal was meant to watch over you as a captive. But somehow, you convinced her to let you out of the cage. Enlighten me on what led to Vernal having a change of heart."

"...I had sex with her last night," Weiss hesitantly confesses. The cat was out of the bag. Playing along with Vernal's game of denial was futile. Raven's face hardens as she prepares to respond.

"Do you have any idea how valuable a woman's virginity is in my tribe?! You have made it next to impossible for Vernal to find a husband now!" Raven shouts.

Vernal bows with head on the ground in front of Raven. She shouts something in native Branwen language which sounds apologetic but Raven rolls her eyes. With a great sigh, Raven plants her face into her palm. Raven had spent months pitching Vernal to suitors. Unfortunately, no man showed any interest in her after Vernal talked their ears off!

What Raven finds most bizarre about this predicament is the fact Vernal got laid by a futanari from outside their tribe. Since when did Vernal like futanari?! Why couldn't she lose her virginity to someone in the tribe? At least then she could have **** them to take responsibility by marrying her...

It was with this train of thought that Raven began hatching a crafty solution. Raven stroked her chin as she stared Weiss, then glanced over at Vernal.

"As Vernal is so keen on keeping you alive, I am willing to make you an offer that will benefit everyone, Ms Schnee. If you agree to marry Vernal tonight, you will be considered a member of the Branwen tribe. Then, and only then, will I cancel my trade arrangement with the White Fang," Raven proposes.

If for no other reasons than staying alive, Weiss had to take the offer. Weiss looks to Vernal, declaring that she accepts Raven's offer. Vernal springs up like a bunny rabbit upon hearing Weiss accept Raven's offer. Vernal hugs her and delivers a kiss on the cheek.

“Always the bridesmaid and never the bride” was the story of Vernal's life. But not any longer! Raven orders the tribeswoman to prepare a feast- they had a wedding to prepare for!

The camp buzzed with shuffling and chatter of the imminent wedding. Having witnessed many of her friends get married, Vernal leapt with joy as she introduced her new fiancé to them. Vernal did most of the talking as Weiss shared food with dozens of new faces.

Vernal happily explained to Weiss their camp's proximity to the closest cities and settlements in the kingdom of Mistral when Weiss asked throughout the morning. Vernal could talk for hours on the history of her tribe with maps and fables. The more questions Weiss asked, the guiltier she felt about asking. It wasn't right to keep leading Vernal on.

Part of Weiss genuinely wanted to stay with them despite the fact she was gathering intel to make her escape. It was the reason she began making conversation with Vernal from the start. Getting wrapped in a relationship wasn't part of the plan...

As the afternoon beckoned, Weiss was separated from Vernal to prepare their marriage ceremony. Raven met with Weiss in private and laid out the plan for the night. The Branwen tribe was assembled at sunset with food, music and singing surrounding a fire.

A sacrificial goat was slain, skinned and cooked- apples were dipped in its blood as a representation for the union of family trees.

Blood was of great spiritual significance to the Branwen tribe. The breaking of the hymen is meant to seal the unification of bloodlines during the consummation of marriage. It was equally important to marriage as wedding vows. Even widows are required to shed blood during a wedding ceremony if they remarry. The flow of blood separates the living from the dead, yet connects us to our ancestors.

Vernal is brought to the campfire wearing a green dressing, covering her to toe. A traditional Branwen wedding dress must be worn with nothing underneath. The upwind chill was exhilarating! Weiss stood waiting for her- she wore a warm blue dress provided to her while her regular clothes were being washed.

Weiss and Vernal held hands as they prepared to say their vows. The whole Branwen stood as their witnesses.

Raven explains to Weiss that under Branwen tradition, a futanari that marries a woman is considered the 'husband'. Futanari who marry women are always given masculine titles (sir, husband, mister). Raven then takes two ceremonial apples into a bowl. The apples were to be destroyed once their wedding vows were taken. Weiss and Vernal were given simple vows- to accept that they were bound by blood until the end of their days.

Weiss and Vernal take their apples as they say their vows. Raven then holds their arms up to the skies.

"May the blood of your forefathers, the blood of the slain beast and the blood of the hymen unite you forevermore. Brothers and sisters, I give you Sir Weiss Schnee and Lady Vernal Branwen!" Raven declares.

The Branwen tribe erupted with cheer! Vernal led Weiss to toss their ceremonial apples into the fire. Just like that Weiss and Vernal were married!

The newlyweds were served a feast while folk song and dance paraded around the fire. Vernal dragged Weiss along to join the chaotic celebration. They danced like there was no tomorrow- the Branwen tribe sure knew how to party! They could put Atlas' nightlife to shame!

Weiss became rather frisky with Vernal after she downed a few drinks. Raven encouraged them to get a room! Cheers and whistling followed them as Raven whisked Weiss and Vernal inside for an early night.