Alistair still wasn't exactly sure why he agreed to Eamon's suggestion to take dancing lessons for the past few weeks.
"For the wedding," Eamon reasoned "A king should at least dance with his queen on his wedding day." Alistair was trying his best not to pout.
"And Eliisa?" he asked slowly and unsure.
"Lady Eliisa was taught to dance at a young age and has attended many gatherings where she danced with partners. Her coming of age party, her brother's wedding, Cailan's coronation, his royal wedding, the-"
"I understand," Alistair huffed.
To be honest, he doubted he would have hated these lessons as much as he did if his teacher wasn't so…mean. Or if he could have a partner that wasn't said teacher. Bitter old hag.
"Your majesty, if you would pay attention, this could get done faster," Alistair blushed and fumbled through the next steps. Between stepping on the old woman's toes and her ranting about how she taught all of the high nobles (including his future wife), Alistair was exhausted.
"Ah, there you are Zevran," he heard Eliisa's voice enter the room. He blanched when he processed her words. He stopped dancing immediately, ignoring his instructors protests. Zevran smirked at him before walking up to Eliisa and kissing her hand.
"Is there something you need," he purred at her.
"Hm, as a matter of fact," she whispered something to him and he nodded before quickly walking away. Of course, he was slow enough to give Alistair one last glance of mockery. He really hated these lessons.
"Your ladyship," his instructor curtsied to her.
"Lady Adriaa," she smiled sweetly "I hope that my king hasn't been too much trouble," she grinned at him. Suddenly, he was very aware that he would now have to dance in front of her. He already felt the heat rising in his face.
"Nothing I can't handle, my lady. I tutored your brother after all," Eliisa giggled.
"True enough," she turned to him "If I may, Lady Adriaa?" he followed her quietly as she pulled him away, by the hands.
"If you think you can do it, by all means." was this woman being snide? He's had nightmares about this, become king and a mockery all in one sitting. Great. Eliisa just smiled in response.
"How have your lessons been?" Alistair looked down at her as she placed his hand on his shoulder blade.
"Well, I thought they couldn't get much worse," he lifted their hands in the air "But then I was informed Zevran was watching me and now I get to embarrass myself in front of my betrothed." she raised her eyebrows.
"Oh, you won't your embarrass yourself," he heard Adriaa clap and start counting a rhythm.
"You clearly haven't seen me dance," he stated incredibly self-conscious. She glided along the dance floor, easily making up for his mistakes and bumbling.
"We danced at camp didn't we?" she grinned. It was true, Eliisa had managed to get many of their party members to dance with her when Leliana played her lute. He remembered her dragging him out of his place by the fire, laughing at his stubbornness.
"That was different," he whined out "It wasn't some fancy waltz where everyone will be watching just how horrible their king is at dancing."
"Alistair, I was awful when I first learned,"
"You were eight,"
"And Fergus was my partner. He tried so hard to mess me up, spin," she instructed softly before he realized she meant for him to spin her "every chance he had. Probably, because he was terrible and couldn't stand that I was learning way faster than he did." He chuckled
"Well, you're a better partner than that old-, Lady Adriaa,"
"Nice catch." she laughed at him.
"Like I said, embarrass myself." he muttered "What was it you needed Zevran for? Why was he even watching me?" his curiosity got the better of him as the questions tumbled out.
"Oh, really nothing," he smiled back at her grin "I needed to send something to Leliana and asked him to. Mostly, I just wanted him out of here, for your sake of course."
"How kind of you," he grumbled.
"Well, I thought so. As for your second question, I have no idea. Perhaps he was bored?" She shrugged her shoulders as best she could.
"Ah good, I'm entertainment,"
"Had you noticed, you could have asked him to dance with you," she gave him a toothy grin.
"Funny,"
"He would've complied." he didn't argue because he knew she was right. He'd probably would have done better with Zevran than with Adriaa. They slowed down to a stop when his instructor stopped her hands.
"Much better, your majesty. It seems love does conquer all if it can get you through one dance without stepping on any toes." Alistair coughed embarrassed.
Now, all that needs to happen to make this even more embarrassing is to find out I'm not wearing pants.
"Again?" he looked down at Eliisa, whose eyebrow was raised in question, "I'll let you lead this time," she whispered with a teasing grin.
"I hope you're ready to face the consequences of that decision," he squeezed her hand and took the first step.
"I'm sure I can handle it."
"Lady Adriaa has informed me that you've improved your dancing significantly." Alistair held back a groan as he cut into his food. It's been hours since the ridiculously embarrassing dancing lesson in the morning. After he and Eliisa had lunch together he had to sit in court and listen to the grievances, complaints, pleas, what have you, of the citizens. It was stressful, especially since Eliisa couldn't be there to support him, like she usually did. Apparently, she had to deal with wedding plans.
"Yes, Eliisa had come in halfway through the lesson and offered to help," he grinned at her but she just rolled her eyes playfully.
"Don't sell yourself short, Alistair, you did quite well," she took a sip of her wine "He will be fine for the wedding Eamon, I doubt he needs to continue the lessons,"
Thank the Maker for this woman.
"Perhaps," Eamon started "I will speak to Lady Adriaa and see where she stands," Alistair sighed and placed his hand over Eliisa's. He knew she hated it when her suggestions were ignored when it came to the crown, especially by Eamon. She hummed and took another sip.
"Lady Eliisa," Teagan spoke up breaking the tension "I hear that your brother will be arriving to your family's estate within the week,"
"Yes, he wanted to be here to help with any wedding preparations," this time Alistair took a drink of wine. The wedding was less than two weeks away and many of the nobles who were invited were starting to arrive. He was nervous, to say the least. As each day passed, it was all he could think about. Well, really, it was all anyone could talk about. Marriage, love, relationship, vows, feast, babies. Maker, every time anyone in the vicinity said anything about heirs or babies or children Alistair swore he was on fire.
Children weren't the issue. He liked children, for the most part. And he'd be lying if something deep inside him didn't find joy thinking about holding his own baby. Raising them, loving them, never letting them have the childhood he had. No, it was the fact that he to lay with Eliisa.
Oh, that sounded bad.
It's not like he didn't want to sleep with her.
That sounds worse.
Even his head was working against him. She was his best friend. Sure, he might have hidden feelings about her. And sure, he may have thought about it once or twice. She is an incredible, strong, beautiful, practically untouchable woman with whom he would never actually ever have a chance with, if it wasn't for their situation.
They hadn't really talked about the…lamppost licking that was to take place on their wedding night, either. Just sort of, acknowledged it was going to happen. Zevran and Leliana had both come up to him, after his coronation, and attempted to give him "advice" and followed up by trying to get him to talk to Eliisa about it more. He had refused in his embarrassment, stammering some idiotic excuse. They had mentioned/teased him about "first time" and "virgin," it made him remember they weren't in on the Morrigan thing.
He cringed. He absolutely did not want to think about that night. Eliisa had come to him, explaining Morrigan's ritual, how it would save both of them, and then she said it was up to him. He almost said he was going to refuse but remembered that meant losing her. He knew she'd never let him near the Archdemon, let alone take the final blow. And he couldn't count on Riordan even though he really wanted to. He realized in those few seconds it took to mull it over, that he was sure he couldn't live without her in the world. So he, begrudgingly, did the ritual, in the room Eamon lent her, while she stayed in his room. He almost went back to her that night to try and talk but decided she probably didn't want see him.
Alistair looked to his future queen, she had that tired look on her face she got when it came to talking about her family. Specifically about how she only had her brother there for her own wedding.
"Rehearsals will be starting soon and since Fergus will be the one who walks me down the aisle, it's appropriate he be here." She finished and started eating again, her simple way of saying she was done talking about the subject. He squeezed her hand and she gave him a small but sad smile.
Dinner was quiet the rest of the evening.
"So, what did he say after you said the crown couldn't help him with his heads of cabbages lost during the Blight?" Eliisa laughed reclining on the couch in his office, easily on her way to being quite inebriated. He opened his mouth but she cut him off "Hold on, was it something like "lettuce never forget the heads lost due to the Darkspawn and their rotten behavior."" Alistair covered his mouth with his hand to hide is grin.
"Eliisa, that was bad."
"You come up with something better," she pouted. They had agreed to meet in his office to discuss what happened in court, but it was mostly to get Eamon and Teagan off their backs for a couple hours. Alistair sighed, his new role is stressful and he was fairly certain he wasn't doing well at it. He walked from behind his desk to join her on the couch. She groaned then sat up, placing her head in his lap when he settled down next to her.
"Hey," she whispered with a soft look in her eyes "I'm proud of you, Alistair. You're doing a good job. Don't stress yourself out." He returned her smile and kissed her knuckles. He wasn't sure how she was able to read his mind like she could, but he was grateful for it. Whether or not he believed her words was something else entirely, but knowing she was on his side, made the days that much more tolerable.
"How was your day?" he smoothed out her hair before taking a sip from his glass.
"Boring, wedding planning is so boring," he laughed at her.
"You find your own wedding boring?"
"You know what they had me do, today? They held out two pieces of rope, right, for the knot tying?" he nodded at her "Your Ladyship," he laughed at her imitation "You must decide which shade of red you prefer for your knot, it is of upmost importance!" she covered eyes with one hand "I killed the Archdemon and the most important thing to these people is whether I think I should be tied to my husband with scarlet or crimson." He smiled down at her rubbing her arm.
"Well, it's because you killed the Archdemon people can ask ridiculous questions like that," she moved her hand from her face and looked up with a soft expression.
"I guess, since you put it that way," he smiled warmly when she looked away with a huff "They made the worst joke, too, "Cousland colors are green and blue while Theirin is red and gold, maybe we should just combine them and make the "Theirin purple,"" she groaned "I think I said "no, I don't want purple in my wedding no matter how much Maric liked it," about 50 times before they realized I was serious. I mean really, it doesn't need to be an exact replica of Cailan's wedding."
Alistair smiled down at her. He tried not to think about the fact she knew his father and brother better than he ever did. He thought back to Ostagar, how Duncan stated that he would meet Eliisa soon, but she was with the king. Duncan had motioned to where she was, her back was to Alistair, but he could see in her shoulders how tired and distressed she was. Cailan stood in front of her, with his hands on her shoulders. He was visibly angry and listening intently to her. He stated that when the Blight was over he'd take care of Howe and that he nor Anora wouldn't let anyone get away with hurting someone they considered dear to them. He swallowed the bitterness caught in his throat, it's not her fault how his life worked out.
Not too long ago, he wondered what it would have been like if Maric had kept him as his son. Would they have been betrothed like Cailan and Anora? What would it have been like to know each other from birth, raised around each other, knowing they would marry? What would've happened during the Blight? He doubted it would've stopped Howe's treachery. Eliisa still would've been made a warden. Would he have been slain in order to keep Anora on the throne? Would he have been at Ostagar with Cailan? He didn't want to think about it. It didn't matter anyway, he wasn't wanted as the heir, in the first place.
"Everything ok, Alistair?" her voice broke his thoughts "You've got that lost puppy look on your face that always makes me wanna wrap you in a blanket and give you cookies," he snorted, she's starting to get to the "no more alcohol for Eliisa" point.
"I'm fine, Eliisa," he whispered "Just thinking of the past,"
"That never goes well," she sat up and touched his cheek. He smiled softly and placed his hand over hers "Anything specific?"
"I was thinking of the first time we met," he half-lied.
"You mean our "destiny," and "fate"?" she mocked the rumors spread about them with an eye roll "How I," she placed the back of her wrist on her forehead dramatically "fell in love at first sight, and fought so hard against the Blight so that we could be together, forever." he laughed and shifted when she turned to face him.
"You're forgetting the part where I confess my love to you after I become mortally injured in a feverish haze."
"Maker, you're joking,"
"Heard it the other day,"
"I want to know who's making these tales up." she paused "I wonder if it's Zevran "helping,"" he groaned. Zevran helping their relationship was nothing new. He even encouraged Alistair to confess his feelings for Eliisa during the Blight. Alistair quickly stated there was nothing between them and that there was no way Eliisa cared about him that way. "I mean the rumor is partially right," Alistair swallowed and stifled a groan.
Here it comes
"You were mortally injured and stuck in a feverish haze," she glared at him. Ah yes, that whole situation. During their dealings with the Dalish, and the werewolves, they had run into a pack and were starting to become overwhelmed. Eliisa had been knocked back and stunned when one of the beasts lunged for her. Long story short, he got in front of her and took the bite. Its fangs sank into his shoulder quite easily.
"You idiot," he heard her yell at him after the beasts had been slain "Why would you do that!?"
"It would've killed you," he muttered woozy and falling to the ground. He didn't think it would affect him this quickly, of course it could also be from the massive amount of blood he was losing.
"You idiot," she repeated softly catching him and laying him against her "Morrigan, get Wynne, now. Leliana, I need your help to stop the bleeding! Lady, guard." He felt raindrops on his cheek and opened his eyes. The sky was clear. "If you die on me, I will never forgive you, Alistair," he wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Thankfully, Wynne had managed to slow down his dying long enough for Eliisa to have him cured. The relief on her face when she found him alive and mostly okay, was quickly replaced with her yelling angrily at him for hours.
"It was for a good cause," Alistair shrugged, "Couldn't let my lady love become a werewolf," she made a disapproving noise.
"I bet you still have the bite marks in your shoulder," she poked him.
"I might." he raised his eyebrow at her and she raised the glass to her lips, to finish her second, or maybe her third, glass of wine. "I suppose you'll find out soon enough." she coughed into her cup and looked at him with wide eyes. Her face had gone a shade darker and all he could do is laugh at her.
"Stop spending so much time with Zevran," he had come to appreciate how cute she was when she became bashful, "He's clearly a bad influence."
"I'll take your suggestion into consideration," he couldn't help the grin that claimed his face at her bashfulness. "Speaking of lady love, I'm supposed to write a speech for the wedding feast, care to help?" he changed the subject. She relaxed slightly before placing her empty cup on the small end table.
"Oh yes, ask the woman who just finished three cups of wine to help write a speech," he chuckled at her almost childish giggles "Why not?" he grabbed paper and a quill from his desk before sitting back down and raising his brow at her.
"So, we're starting with how thankful me and my blushing bride-"
"Mmmm, add a beautiful in there, that'll really get 'em going,"
"Of course. How thankful me and my beautiful blushing bride…"
This is ridiculous Alistair thought irritated. He thought Eliisa was exaggerating when she told him all the superficial details she had been asked daily. They were now in the Chantry chapel where they would be married, deciding what color carpet they should walk down.
"Don't you think gold carpet is a bit much?" Fergus Cousland attempted, from his seat in the pew behind them "Just choose the red-"
"Your lordship," the decoration lady cut in, clearly annoyed "With all due respect this is the royal wedding, the couple should decide," Fergus lifted his hands in defeat and leaned back into the seat, crossing his arms.
"We could have no carpet," Alistair suggested and regretted it immediately.
"King Alistair," decoration lady gasped "You and Lady Eliisa deserve more than some commoners wedding." He rolled his eyes at her scoff. Not too long ago, he was a commoner and this woman wouldn't have spared him a glance, let alone lecturing him on the proper carpet he should walk on "You're the heroes of the Blight, our beloved king and future queen, you should not have to walk down the aisle with your heels clicking on the stone floor. You should-"
Maker, she's extravagant.
He felt Eliisa lean into his side, she looked like she was trying her hardest to seem interested. Alistair rubbed her back as the decoration lady explained the importance of not letting the future queen potentially ruin her shoes on stone floor.
Did we suddenly become Orlesian, since when did we care about what color a rug is?
"The red," Eliisa interrupted and the lady's nose twitched but she nodded and wrote down notes. This continued for at least another two hours talking about banners, flowers, ribbons, and all sorts of things he couldn't possibly care about. Both he and Fergus gave input when they found the chance but the decoration lady was mostly interested in his bride's opinion. Eventually, they moved onto the actual reason they were in the chapel, the wedding and queen consort coronation rehearsal.
Eamon, who had showed up after the decoration lady left, instructed him on where and how to stand. He already looked put out, although he couldn't place why.
"You'll see." Teagan nudged him and inclined his head towards the closed doors where Fergus and Eliisa were waiting. "Those two aren't known for playing well with others, during events where at least one of them is supposed to be the center of attention." He gave a strained smirk.
"Alright," Eamon clapped "The music will start playing, and then you two," he pointed at the two guards "will open the doors," they did "and then Fergus will walk- oh Maker's breath"
"What's wrong Eamon," Fergus called from the back of the chapel. Alistair was aware that trying not to laugh at situations like these, only made them funnier
"You cannot just…carry the bride over your shoulder like a sack of flour,"
"You clearly weren't at my wedding," Eliisa's 'ha!' only seemed to irritate Eamon more.
"Let's try that again," he motioned for the guards to close to door. Alistair took a calming breath. Eamon motioned for the doors to open to open. This time the two siblings were standing properly, arm in arm, "Come slowly, you need to give enough time for the guests to bow, slower, slower." Eamon groaned and sent them back.
"So where does Lady play in all this?" Eliisa questioned
"Your…hound?"
"Yes, of course, she is family. And how could I become the queen of the dog lords without my dog here without me?"
"Your ladyship…please go back behind the doors,"
Alistair stared in wonder at how silly, Eliisa was being. It's not like he's never seen her like this, but it seemed to come out with far more ease, when Fergus was around. Their antics seemed to continue for quite a while and Alistair wasn't sure what he had gotten himself into. He let out a soft chuckle, his new family would be a handful.
Family
Alistair took her hands in his when Eliisa made it down the aisle peacefully. Eamon continued to lecture and explain how the ceremony was going to proceed. Lots of talking, prayers to the maker, vows, rope tying, and kissing. Alistair swallowed. That had become rather, normal, for them over the past three months since his coronation, but it still made him nervous each time he touched his lips to hers. It gave his stomach all sorts of butterflies in excitement, but also incredibly and ridiculously nervous.
How am I supposed to have a child with this woman if I can barely handle kissing her?
Of course, he wasn't exactly sure how they were supposed to have a child in the first place. The taint in their blood practically made them sterile, not that that mattered when Morrigan had a say in it. She's supposedly running around with his bastard inside her. He sighed sadly, after the battle with the Archdemon, when he had made sure Eliisa was not dead, he had asked her if Morrigan had left her with anything to help her. Eliisa teased him and said she was surprised at his eagerness. In his embarrassment, he completely forgot his original line of questioning.
Eventually, Eliisa told him they would cross that bridge when they came to it, but it was always in the back of his mind. What if she never has a child? What would happen to them, to Ferelden? He prayed that no one would want to toss her aside as Eamon had tried with Anora and Cailan. Despite her encouragement and words saying he was doing very well as King, that all their studying and his wanting to learn more about governing and ruling had been working well for him, he wasn't sure he could rule without her.
He felt an elbow into his side and winced. He looked accusingly at Eliisa and she simply shifted her eyes over to Eamon. He sighed at his uncle's lecturing. This was going to be a long day.
"How are you feeling," he heard Teagan's voice call to him from beyond his bedroom door.
"Like my stomach is trying to claw its way out," Alistair grumbled as he pulled on his coat.
"That's actually pretty normal," Teagan laughed and entered the room. Alistair grunted in response and continued to pull his clothing on. Coat: check, pants: check, boots: check, coronation ring: check, cloak: check, and of course his crown: check. He honestly felt ridiculous, and hadn't looked so fancy in his life.
"How is she?" Alistair asked when he was finished dressing himself.
"I haven't asked," Teagan led him down the hall "Fergus has been close by her all morning, though, so I'm sure she's fine."
"Do you think that she," Alistair stopped himself from finishing the sentence, slightly embarrassed by his train of thought.
"That she is as nervous as you? I'd say so," Teagan laughed "Don't worry Alistair, this part will be over soon," he gave him a sly grin. Why do people keep looking at him like that?
"I hope so, I can't take this…waiting, anymore." he groaned and continued ahead of Teagan. Trying to get his destination quickly.
Of course he was nervous.
It was his wedding day, after all.
