Chapter 1:

I squeezed my eyes shut tightly as Leliana pulled on my long, mahogany curls. She hummed her usual tune trying to calm the nerves that had me shaking under her gentle hands. I opened my eyes to see Zevran, the Antivan assassin and one of my best friends, holding the long white garment bag. My heart jumped as I took a deep breath.

"Magnificent," Leliana pulled the fishtail braid over my shoulder and it reached down to the bottom of my breast. My bangs hung over the right side of my forehead loosely, with slight waves adding volume. I looked…beautiful—absolutely stunning.

"Leliana, thank you," I reached to pull her into a tight hug but she slapped my hand away with little force.

"Darling, you need cosmetics. You can thank me when I finish. Zev, my love, can you leave the dress on the bed and go get the…headdress," Leliana questioned her love. Zevran pressed a kiss on her cheek and left the room.

As Leliana went to work on my face with the cosmetics, I read over my vows in my head. I didn't have cold feet, I was just nervous. I'd never fallen in love before. If only mother and father could see me now; Hero of Ferelden and marrying the king! The king, Alistair, my one true love—I've never wanted anyone more than I've ever wanted him.

"Tiara time," Leliana sung in her best singing voice, which was beautiful seeing that she was a bard. I smiled at Zev as he came in dressed in a flowing white shirt and loose black pants, wearing boots that tied up to his knees. His hair was brushed and neatly braided and he looked very handsome. "Why Zevran, I like how you look all dressed up and formal."

"Why Leliana, I know you'd much rather prefer I be undressed and dirty," Zevran gave her a wink and she blushed and giggled. "You go get ready, I'll help the queen." Leliana nodded and walked passed Zev, who very openly pinched her bottom, causing her to jump and squeal. Zevran placed the tiara lightly on my head and turned me to face the mirror. Leliana had added very light amounts of cosmetics to my face giving me a very natural look. The tiara was infused with diamonds and rubies and sparkled like stars in the midnight sky.

"Zevran, I'm nervous," I looked up at him with watering eyes and he handed me some cloth sitting on the vanity. I wiped my eyes gently with it, trying to not mess up the make-up.

"Alistair is out there waiting for you and you know that very sexy man loves you very much. You are his betrothed and his queen. Don't doubt yourself," He lent me his hand helping me stand up. "Now let's put on your dress so you can go meet your love at the altar."

"The dress is overly extravagant isn't it," I questioned him with slight worry. Allowing Leliana to pick out my dress without telling me was probably the worst choice I could ever make.

"Oh yes. You know my Leliana," Zev started to help me strip down without ruining my hair or make-up. When I was dressed in my small clothes, he gave me a smile and unzipped the garment bag. I gasped at what I saw. A floor-length, white gown was in full view. There were ruffles everywhere and it was beautiful. He pulled it out of the bag to show me the scooped rounded neckline that would show just a bit of cleavage. In the middle of the neckline, there was an embroidered ruby carved into the shape of a griffon—the symbol of the Grey Wardens. The back plunged down to my waist with a loose corset tie that would show off the toned and tanned skin of my back.

Just before I was about to take off my small clothes, besides my underwear, Leliana came in looking absolutely stunning. She was wearing a burgundy dress that reached the floor with a plunging neckline that showed off quite a bit of cleavage, causing Zevran to stare. Her red, short hair was full of volume and she looked extravagant. Leliana pushed Zevran out of the room, who then went to check on Alistair.

"I love it, it's so perfect," I whispered to my beautiful maid of honour. She kissed me on the forehead and tossed my small clothes

on the bed, leaving my breasts exposed. Leliana pulled the dress over my head carefully, tying the back loosely. As she placed the shoes in front of my feet, small red flats, she turned me towards the mirror. Fergus opened the door before I even had time to gasp.

"Come, my beautiful sister, your love awaits," Fergus took my arm in his, handed me the bouquet of roses, and led me down to the Chantry.