Alliance
Lara raised her head and spoke clearly and concisely, “I Lara Lor-Van of the house of Van ally myself with Jor-El of the House of El. Any children born will be given and raised as the son or daughter of Jor-El and an Heir to the House of El.”
“Jor-El, do you accept this alliance? Will you accept her children as your own and raise them as heirs to the House of El?” the elder asked as he turned toward the man in the middle of the council chambers.
“I Jor-El of the House of El do accept this alliance and will raise her children as Heirs to the House of El. Further I accept her hand in mine as a symbol of partnership.”
Lara’s eyes widened when she realized that Jor-El had chosen to use a little used part of the ceremony. This made their alliance fully binding in a way that a simple alliance did not. They would symbolically be one flesh in the eyes of Krypton. Few chose to use this as it had been seen as outdated. The fact he chose to do so made her look him in the eyes. His hand was outstretched. This was the moment where she had to make a decision. Did she accept his hand and be seen as an equal partner to him and literally part of him? Did she care enough for him that this alliance would become tied to him forever? Did she believe that he would protect her should something happen? She looked into his eyes and saw the vulnerability there. He put himself on the line for her. If she did not accept his hand and chose to only ally with him he would be seen as the weaker part of the alliance. Did she want to limit herself to him forever? Then she saw the love and affection in his eyes. She took a deep breath before she took as step forward and slowly slid her hand into his. His hand, soft from hours working in the lab softly caressed her own. She saw his eyes crinkle as his face lit up.
They barely heard the elder as he intoned solemnly, “Lara Lor-Van and Jor-El of the House of El you are now and forever one.”