Chapter Text
Note #1: Timeline: events are pretty much occurring as in canon in relation to each other, but the entire thing has been moved back about six months. So den’shah occurs in April of 2260, instead of September. Why? Because I can. I’ve also moved the Dilgar War up about ten years, which is more relevant for the sequel than it is for this fic. So the Dilgar War occurred only about 5 years before the Minbari War.
Note #2: Why?: I wanted to explore a couple of things with this story. First, I wanted to look at the Minbari as an actual alien species, biologically, culturally, and historically different from humanity. Second, I wanted to explore the effects of cultural seepage – particularly if it’s possible for a human (Marcus and Sinclair) to truly become Minbari, or vice versa (Delenn) – and if it is, what the side effects of such a choice are. Thirdly, I wanted to actually go through a formal Minbari courtship, just for fun, and see if I could come up with that many rituals (it’s bloody hard, for the record!). Fourthly, and perhaps most important, I wanted to explore a relationship between Marcus and Neroon that works in the B5 universe we know with all of its laws (Alien Prohibition, anyone?) and problems intact. I wanted to look at a Minbari people who aren’t all either fanatics, or unreasonably accepting of Marcus. Basically, I wanted to see if I could make one small change in the B5 canon – namely, the creation of a romantic relationship between Marcus and his favourite Minbari – and see what kind of ripple effect this has on the events of that universe.
Note #3: Comparative Time: A Minbari cycle is 1.27 times as long as an earth year. One year (earth) consists of: 365 days of 24 hours each, 52 weeks of 7 days each, and 12 months of 4 weeks (about 28 days) each. One cycle (Minbar) consists of: 464 days of 18 hours each, 52 weeks of 9 days each, and 17 months of 3 weeks (27 days) each. So the months are pretty much the same length, Minbar just has more of them. Where necessary, I’ll use the Minbari word for week (see glossary below) to indicate which week I’m talking about.
A human will generally live between 100-120 years. A Minbari will typically live between 110 and 160 cycles (140-200 earth years). Minbari mature slower, reaching adulthood at near 30 rather than the human 15-20. This means that ages of humans and Minbari can be rather relative; a human can be more mature and therefor “older” than a chronologically older Minbari (as in the case of Marcus and Lennier). It also means that a Minbari child’s age in cycles isn’t necessarily a good way for a human to tell how far along in their development that child is. So, for reference, the ages of major characters in this story in earth years:
Marcus Cole: 36
Neroon: 60ish
Lennier: 38 (Lennier’s bonecrest grows during the course of the series. I’m taking this as evidence that he’s not entirely physically mature when he first appears on the show. Sort of like how my 21-year-old brother just got WAY broader.)
The rest can probably be figured out from those three. Susan Ivanova, for instance, is five or six years younger than Marcus, judging by the fact that she was barely old enough to join EarthForce when the Battle of the Line happened.
Note #4: Weather: According to the B5 tech manual, the average temperature on Minbar is 12 degrees (I will assume this to be in Celsius, since my brain doesn’t operate in Fahrenheit). It also says that 23% of the planet is covered in polar ice caps. Given this, I’ve assumed a very long winter for Minbar, particularly in the northern regions, and I’ve given it a lot of snow. Also, judging from the glimpses of it we get in the series, it’s a mountainous planet.
… Sounds like home. So I’ve written it that way, basing the region around the Star Riders estate (and their common winter activities) around things I’m used to from growing up northwest of everything but some caribou, a few Inuit tribes, and the occasional roaming Mountie with a penchant for deaf half-wolves and Chicago flatfeet with experimental hair (sorry, couldn’t resist). Just for the record, though, an annual average of 12 isn’t that cold, even if it WAS in Fahrenheit (that’s, like, -10 in real temperature, I think)… If the Minbari use Celsius, it’s warmer here than on Minbar. If they use Fahrenheit, it’s about 10 degrees colder on Minbar, on average (Gee, wouldn’t this be a fun and pointless debate?). So certainly well within human tolerance. I suspect the tech manual was written by someone in California… too cold for humans indeed!
Note #4.5 – (inserted on demand of a friend, who had to ask) A snow cave, for Americans and other creatures of warm climates, is exactly what it sounds like. Find (or build) a snowdrift approximately the same size as a pup tent, pack down the outside, hollow out the inside, shove your packs up against the wall, and you can sleep quite comfortably in the center. Especially if you’ve got more than one person. Make sure you poke air holes, though…
Note #5: Concerning Minbari: I use several common Minbari terms, and several less common (read: completely made up) names. For your convenience, here is a list of all Minbari terms and names, and their approximate English equivalent (I refuse to believe that all concepts in an alien language translate well into English.) Also, when the three Caste languages developed out of Adrihi’e, I think they developed to express different concepts: the Warrior language to express concretes or absolutes, as well as commands, the Religious language to express philosophical abstracts, etc. It would then make sense that, in order to actually “speak Minbari”, one would have to be fluent in all three languages, because they’re like branches of the same tree. This is a completely acknowledged cop-out to avoid having Marcus and Lennier forced to spend a great deal of time learning a new dialect, but it also has some basis in earth languages. Japanese, for example, has three separate writing systems, all of which must be mastered to read your average Japanese newspaper. So I don’t find this division of the Minbari languages at all improbable.
TERMS: (alphabetical) (from the jumpnow archive. Some interpretations are my own.)
Adrihi’e – the ancient Minbari language, a common root for all three Caste dialects.
Adronato – Religious Caste dialect
Ah’cala – an endearment, best translated as ‘my heart’.
Alyt – roughly “Captain”, but specific to a member of the Warrior Caste who commands a Sharlin-class battle cruiser. The spouse of an Alyt is given the title as an honorific, but does not assume command if the real Alyt is incapacitated (unless they’re also the first officer).
Anla’Shok – “The one who watches the enemy”, a quasi-military organization that primarily operates behind the scenes as spies, messengers, and rescue personnel. Charged by Valen with watching for the return of the Shadows. Although a common misconception exists that the Anla’Shok are associated with the Religious Caste, they are in fact completely separate from all three Castes, both by tradition and by law.
Anla’Shok na – Ranger One, the leader of the Anla’Shok.
Chu’domo – Lennier’s Clan, a monastic sub-sect of the Religious Caste.
Del’Saezha – Grey Council
Den’shah – A duel to the death, using the denn’bok. Dates from before the time of Valen. Is still fought in a heavily stylized (and non-lethal) fashion during certain historical re-enactments and some rituals, and is a popular subject of Minbari dramas. Death, in the context of the den’shah, does not necessarily mean death of the body. It can also be a death of prejudice, death of a relationship, etc. Den’shah can be used to break an engagement prior to the Na’fak Cha (there is no divorce on Minbar, and thus no way to break a relationship after the marriage ceremony has been carried out. This partially explains the lengthy courtship rituals; they want you to be VERY sure).
Denn’bok – a Minbari fighting pike. Made of a durable metal, it can retract to approximately the length of an adult palm.
Dr’aal – Master Teacher; possibly equivalent to a professor on earth. The Religious/Worker equivalent of a Sech.
Entil’zha – Representative of The One (Valen), a title given to four people in the history of Minbar: the One Who Was (Valen), the One Who Is (Delenn), the One Who Will Be (Sheridan) and the One Who Is To Come (presumably the return of Valen).
Fane – Clan subdivision.
Fik – Worker Caste language. Sometimes written as Vik; it is unclear whether the F or the V is the proper Romanization of the Minbari letter used, but the sound produced is somewhere in between.
Hela’mer – doctor (of medicine)
Id’Minbari – Minbari Soul. Used to indicate humans who are believed to carry reborn Minbari souls.
Ilriam – One of the longest-inhabited regions of Minbar. Located on the northern continent, the climate is harsh even by Minbari standards, although it is also one of the most naturally beautiful regions of the planet. Marked by deposits of clear or white crystal, rather than the colourful outcroppings found in the south. Ancestral home of the Star Riders and Moon Shields Clans of the Warrior Caste. Also the location of the Temple of Vareni.
Isil’zha – A pin worn as part of the Ranger uniform. A particular green stone, with a Minbari on one side and a human on the other. Supposedly quenched three times when forged, once in water, once in Minbari blood, and once in human blood, the isil’zha will glow as long as the Ranger who bears it lives.
Lenn’ah – Warrior Caste language
Ma’fela – fiancé (male). Sometimes translated as lover.
Mala – husband
Marka’ri Minsa – Council of Clans, the main governing body on the planet Minbar.
Na’fak Cha – Minbari rebirth ceremony, also used as the marriage ceremony.
Satai – literally “ruler”; a member of the Grey Council that governs the Minbari Federation.
Satai’sal / Satai’mal – Sister in the Satai / Brother in the Satai.
Sech – drill master
Sher’shok Dum – “Ancient Enemy”, the Minbari term for the Shadows.
Shok’na’li – First officer
Shon’fal – one of the final rituals before marriage, in which the couple explore each other’s pleasure centers with witnesses in the outer room.
Tha’Domo – a fighting order of the Religious Caste, known to accompany the Warrior Caste into battle in the ancient past. Now primarily a monastic order.
Tuzan’oore (Tuzanor, Tuzenor) – City of Sorrows, one of the main cities of the southern continent on Minbar. Site of the Ranger training facility.
Valsta – a Minbari week, consisting of nine days (see note #3)
Yed’oore (Yedor) – the Eternal City, on the southern continent of Minbar. Probably the closest thing the Minbari have to a planetary capital, since it houses the chambers of the Marka’ri Minsa as well as the Library where important documents are archived.
NAMES: (in order of appearance)
Neroon – Brave Warrior
Marcus Cole – Warlike Victorious
Delenn – Grey Traveller
Lennier – Travelling Companion
Shakiri – Turbulent Sea
Siarann – Quiet Watcher
Haynwa – Hands of Peace
Calafenn – Walks Carefully
Helacann – Strong Builder
Siarhael – Quiet Fire
Fara – Shining Dawn
Durhan – Challenge Seeker
Turval – Valen’s Standard Bearer
Ardiri – Sea of Light
Ardminn – Bright Candle
Nerlin – Strong Combat
Aalann – Seeker of Mastery
Kalain – Conquers Adversity
Rathenn – Confident Explorer
Sinoval – Ally of Valen
Vashaer – Plan Director
Mazik – New Strength
Hedronn – Purposeful Expedition
Morann – Finishes What Is Started
Jenimer – Uniter
Teerin – Harmony
(It occurs to me that I need a life…)