This loosely follows some of the DA2 story line using the characters, locations and some backstories, but not strictly. I have rated this M for mature for blood, strong language and sexual content. All comments are welcome. Thank you!

Inspiration for this chapter goes to one of my favorite fan art pieces of Fenris and Hawke called Mine Yours done by Louvette Solidum-Escuadro. Check it out on DeviantArt.

TWELVE

Finally the hour was upon us as I joined my husband-to-be, along with my friends and family before the Grand Cleric. I even took time to light a candle for my family to celebrate this day with us. I had never been as nervous as I was standing before her, reciting the vows that so many had recited before me, pledging myself wholly to the man that stood beside me, seeing the love and respect reflected in his eyes. My heart was full to bursting when the ceremony was completed and I looked around in wonder.

We walked arm in arm out of the Chantry and stood before the crowds of well-wishers. I was amazed that the square could barely contain the amount of people who had come to celebrate with us. I looked at the faces of those I had come to know since I arrived at Kirkwall, seeing that they were sincere in wishing us happiness that I almost overlooked a figure walking down the Chantry steps. Thinking back, I was almost certain I had seen him out of the corner of my eye during the ceremony, but dismissed it since the last time he had willing gone inside was when we attempted to rescue Karl. And yet, there was Anders, coming down the steps of the mostly emptied Chantry as most had ventured out to the square for the festivities.

I quickly lost sight of him and was sure he had gone back to Darktown when I felt his hand on my elbow as I was making the rounds through the crowd. He led me away from the square and into a doorway, backing me into the small space. It had happened so quickly and I knew that if I made a fuss it would look worse that it really was.

"I didn't think you would come, Anders."

"In truth, I did not think you were going through with the ceremony. After the last time I saw you, I was certain you had changed your mind," he said and leaned in. I felt the brush of his lips and quickly put my hands on his chest to push him back. I kept my hands on the front of his coat to keep him from moving back towards me.

"The last time I saw you I asked you not to come if you could not be happy for me. I don't know where you got the impression I was not committed to getting married," I said and looked into his eyes. He was looking intently at my lips before looking up at me in confusion.

"Not then…after when you came to me at the clinic. We…"

"What are you talking about? I haven't been to see you." I was beginning to wonder how long it would take for someone to realize I was gone and come look for me. Every memory, dream, everything I had had recently about Anders was flooding back. "I've been so busy planning this wedding that I've done little else." I tried to push past him but started to feel faint as I brushed against him and I leaned heavily on the wall closest to me.

"Are you feeling alright?" he asked, concerned by the dazed look I had. He led me to a nearby bench so I could sit down and knelt down in front of me to get a better look at my face, feeling my cheeks and forehead with the back of his hand.

"Honestly, no, not really. It's been such a long day. I just want to change out of this dress and finally relax," I admitted.

"Have you eaten anything today?" he asked, checking my pulse.

"Not since earlier, I think. I've been so nervous that it's been hard keeping anything down lately. I was worried that I had gotten sick recently but I'm sure it's nothing."

"How sick are we talking about, Seelia?" he asked.

"Nothing too bad. I just haven't had much of an appetite lately but I chalked it up to the bad food at the Hanged Man. I've spent time there with Varric and Isabela recently. I haven't been getting very much sleep lately either." And the times I have, I have had disturbing results.

"Have you finished the teas that I sent you?" he asked as he sat down next to me.

"In a way. All but one," I admitted. "I accidentally dropped one of the teas that Fenris made me a few weeks ago."

"A few weeks ago? Seelia, why didn't you tell me right away?"

"It was after we argued at the Gallows and I felt it best that we not see or speak for a while. And with all the planning for the wedding, it slipped my mind." I wasn't about to admit that I had purposely dropped the last tea or that when Fenris mentioned he would ask for another, I had volunteered to speak to Anders about it, yet never intending to. "Honestly, I felt fine without it that I did not want to trouble you for one simple tea. I've gone out with the others and have had no trouble at all so there is no reason to be upset," I said but I could see that something I had said bothered him.

"Nothing out of the ordinary at all has happened? Seelia, even the littlest thing… it doesn't matter!" he was insistent but I could not tell him about my dreams.

"Not really. I guess the only issue is not entirely feeling myself after you healed me but I've spoken with the Grand Cleric and she assures me it is nothing more than survivor's remorse," I said, still not sharing anything other than that. Just thinking about it made my face flush and I was glad that the bench was not closer to a lamppost.

"I wish you had come to me sooner," he said softly.

"I thought it best to give you space, Anders," I said and was thankful to see Fenris had found us. I got up and walked to him quickly. I could hear Anders quiet curse for being found but he got up and approached us to congratulate us on our marriage. I waited for him to ask Fenris about the last tea but somehow knew that he suspected that my clumsiness was on purpose. He bowed to us and wandered away in the dark.

"I did not expect to see Anders here. It must have taken much for him to be here," Fenris said as he circled his arm around my waist and looked at me, waiting for me to explain why we had moved away from the square.

"I was feeling a little dizzy from so many people around me and Anders helped me get some much needed air." I lied.

"Would you like to go rest? It's been a long day and I have been wondering for some time how long it will take me to get you out of that dress," he said and kissed me.

"I'm sure you'll think of something creative, my husband." I smiled.

"I like the sound of that."

I laughed and we rejoined the crowds to take our leave. I was just as eager to leave the square and spent time with my husband before we left for Antiva the next morning.

There were a few of the city guards posted in front of the door to our home and had made room so that as we approached, no one could stop us. Fenris was true to his word and carried me across the threshold as I had dreamt of so often. I could hear the faint sounds coming from outside but the only thing that held my full attention was the man who carried me up the stairs with passion in his eyes.

He set me gently down in front of the full length mirror next to the bed and kissed a line from my ear down my neck, all the while looking at me in the mirror's reflection, seeing the way I leaned my neck to allow him better access. He gently bit my earlobe and chuckled as I hissed as he took the tender piece into his mouth and sucked on it. My breath quickened and I had turned to kiss him but he walked away to remove his jacket and shirt, still facing me so I could appreciate the view of his body as the garments came off.

I said nothing as he slowly made his way back to me and I gave him a mischievous grin, knowing that soon would be a test of his patience. He walked slowly around me and stopped, sadly finding the tie that would help remove the gown the fastest and I pouted. He chuckled again as he slowly pulled the string and let it fall.

"I told you, I have been thinking of the fastest way to get you undressed…short of tearing it off of you, of course." He grinned as I held onto the loosening garment.

"You've ruined my fun, my love. I wanted to see how far you would go but I see you've put some serious thought into this."

"I did not think you would be very happy with your husband ruining the gown you spent so much time on, as much as it would satisfy me," he growled as I looked over my shoulder at him.

"As tempting as that is, I wouldn't want to put Orana out having to recover pieces of my poor garments like the first time," I said and lifted my eyebrow as I smirked.

"Even now, you tease me and try my patience. I do not have the unending resolve to stand here, wasting our first night together with talk," he said and captured my mouth, kissing me intensely until I was breathless and my knees felt weak. At last I was able to push him towards the bed and he fell back once his knees hit the mattress, staring up at me through his hair that had fallen across his forehead. He got up onto his elbows, watching me as I allowed the dress to pool at my feet and stepped out of it, still holding my arms up in front of my breasts to cover myself as I stood there mostly naked. He hissed at the sight of the lacy undergarments I had worn for him. I approached him and he sat up, touching my bare skin and kissing the scars I had as I ran my fingers through his hair.

I squeaked as he wrapped his arms around me and suddenly got to his feet, turning so that my back was towards the bed and he was facing me as he laid me down on the covers, slowly and carefully removed the remaining garments and the ridiculous Orlesian heels I had worn to make me appear taller as I looked up at him. Finally he removed his wedding trousers and joined me on the bed.

Nope! You'll just have to use your imagination on how this continues…