Chapter 14: Dance
Evelyn wore a blue dress to her wedding. The ceremony was held in Denerim in one of the wild little gardens hidden inside the palace. As it turned out, Divine Victoria owed the Ferelden capital a visit, so she was more than happy to see to the joining of two old friends while she was there.
Cullen's family was present and his sisters helped her pin up her hair, which was now long again. Alistair gave her a rose to wear in it and he gave her away, as promised. The guest list was small but the proceedings were most certainly proper, properly official, officially sanctioned and yet, sanctimony free.
Rylen was there to stand with Cullen and he brought a group of their Templars who would soon become personal guards to the King. They made an aisle for her with their swords, raised high and crossed like an arch above her head as Alistair led her to Cullen.
Strangely, Evelyn's mind was elsewhere during the staid ceremony. It was late into autumn, now, nearly winter. Crunchy, dry multicolored leaves were piled high and the breeze that blew through the garden was cold. Even so, she felt warm. Whether it was the shining sun or Cullen's smile that did more to warm her, she wasn't sure.
Her thoughts wandered here and there aimlessly as the Divine recited the Chant. She looked down at her dress and admired the sapphire hue. She couldn't recall ever having worn anything she liked so well. Her eyes roamed to Cullen's hand holding hers where he rhythmically rubbed at her palm with his thumb as if the continuous movement was somehow to make sure she didn't disappear like a dream on a passing Fade wind. She couldn't blame him. She'd come as close to disappearing as anyone had a right to. It stung to remember how he'd had to pull her back from the abyss when she couldn't see a way back herself.
She was lucky. For so many things she was lucky. The sky above reflected her uncharacteristic bright outlook. Clouds floated by as if the white tufts themselves wanted to catch a glimpse of the happenings down below. It made her think of all the dark clouds she'd known in her past, some so thick she remembered practically feeling them on her skin.
Somehow though, all those days, months, years, of imperfection had led her to this peculiar perfect moment with a perfect blue dress, a rose in her hair, and Cullen.
Marvel at perfection, for it is fleeting…
Perhaps. If the winds turned again, and her luck changed, then it changed. She wasn't a floating cloud anymore, forced to watch the world below as the winds tossed her about and others used her to shield their eyes from the sun. She was here, standing, still standing, after everything, and she would keep standing, for herself, and for Cullen and for no one else.
And then she blinked at it was done. Cassandra gave a final blessing and Cullen swept her up into a kiss that tasted of triumph. The garden's colors turned hazy and the sounds of the world became muted as she focused on herself and her heart. It was beating, loudly, proudly, and the feeling of the pounding in her chest made the pain in her missing arm feel as distant as the sky above.
Cullen led her back through the crossed Templar swords. After passing under each pair, the blades lowered behind them. She felt lighter with each step as if the weapons were cutting through the chains she had dragged behind her for years, one by one. Cullen moved faster too, his load lighter as well. He stood taller, smiled wider and pulled her along. When they reached the end of the aisle he kissed her again and their guests clapped. The music of it rose to a crescendo in her ears. She kissed him back this time and put all of her heart in it. Her battered, battle-torn, rent, wounded, recovered, healed and newly whole again, heart.
They were still kissing even when everyone started to clear out of the garden. Lost in themselves, Evelyn thought she vaguely heard some congratulations offered, and she vaguely thought Cullen got a few pats on the back.
"You know, no one gets any cake until you two cut into it, so could you hurry it up a bit?"
Cullen broke away at Alistair's admonition. Evelyn couldn't be angry about it though. In fact, she was thrilled that Alistair had reminded her about the cake. Suddenly, she wanted nothing so much in all of Thedas than that cake.
The two men shook hands. "Thank you again, Your Majesty, for accommodating us in the Palace like this, and for giving away the bride. We're very grateful." Cullen was about to continue his thanks, but one of the king's stewards came rushing into the garden calling out to him.
"Your Majesty, I'm so sorry to interrupt but I'm afraid I must remind you that you promised to meet with the Teyrn's people from Highever as soon as they arrived. They're being escorted to the Landsmeet chamber now."
Alistair's disappointment at missing out on the party was obvious but, he didn't object. "His people? Fergus wasn't able to come himself?"
"No, Your Majesty, he sends his deepest apologies and humbly requests that you allow his younger sister, Elissa, to represent him."
"Huh. I didn't even know Fergus had a sister."
"She doesn't much like Court, sir, so she rarely visits the capital."
"Well. It sounds like she and I have a few things in common."
The steward rolled his eyes and let out a long-suffering sigh. "Indeed, Your Majesty, and while I'm certain it's a waste of breath, in light of today's joyous occasion," the man offered a polite bow of respect to Cullen and Evelyn, "I'd also like to add that Lady Elissa is unmarried. Another thing the two of you have in common."
Alistair ignored the allusion and instead shook Cullen's hand again. "Congratulations to you both and may the Maker bless your union. I'm sorry I have to go." He bent down to give Evelyn a peck on the cheek and took the opportunity to whisper, "Save me a piece of cake, will you?"
Evelyn gave the King a conspiratorial nod in assent, and then reached up to straighten his crown for him before he walked away. She winked at Cullen when she overheard Alistair ask his steward before they disappeared into the palace, "Do you think Lady Elissa likes dogs?"
xxxx
Cullen held Evelyn's hand as they walked slowly to where their friends and family were waiting for them to continue the celebration. Evelyn was chatting about how she hoped their wedding put the King into a mindset of considering his own future, especially with the fortuitous arrival of a promising potential consort. Cullen was only half listening. His mind was entirely focused on himself. Perhaps that was selfish and he should be thinking in terms of 'we' and 'us', now that he and Evelyn were an 'us', but his good fortune in making it to this day, with this woman by his side, far outshone any other considerations for the moment.
He wanted to bask in it for a while, his astonishing luck. At every turn, every moment of his life that he thought had been a trial, unrelenting and dark, those were all actually turning points. Magnificent strokes of luck that veered him in the right direction, put him on a course that led to this very second where he was finally holding his wife's hand.
Now if he could just get her to dance with him…
Unfortunately, the vultures that were his family descended on her before he could ask, hugging her and fawning over her and once again, shoving him aside. He didn't actually mind, but it had always been a regret for him that he'd refused her request to share a dance when they attended the ball at the Winter Palace. His head was too far up his arse at the time and he was too frustrated by having to protect said arse from the shameless gropers at the Orlesian Court. He would not be making the same mistake on his wedding day and he highly doubted there were any present in the Fereldan Court who would feel the need to pinch his bottom.
He waited patiently as Evelyn graciously attended to their guests. She wore a genuine smile and she seemed more at ease than he'd ever seen her, with the mark on her lost hand or without. Deciding to let her enjoy the reception, he helped himself to cake, had a drink with Rylen and collected on a bet he'd made with Varric that he'd never be able to convince Evelyn to marry him. He was thanking Cassandra before she was called away to her other duties, when out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Dorian dancing with Evelyn.
Irritated, but placated by the fact that Evelyn looked blissfully happy as she was turned around the dance floor by the mage who was certainly more graceful that he would ever be, Cullen let it pass that his wife was temporarily stolen from him again.
Another piece of cake. Another drink. The King returned, this time accompanied by a strikingly beautiful woman with chestnut hair and an aquiline Fereldan nose. Cullen offered the two cake and drink and he hoped to find them dancing later. Dancing. Like how Evelyn was dancing with Rylen.
Annoyed, but comforted by the fact that Evelyn was still enjoying herself, and now laughing at what was likely a poorly told joke by Rylen, Cullen let the continued theft of his wife pass.
He couldn't possible eat any more cake and he had no desire to get so drunk he passed out before he could enjoy his wedding night. He paced and then he stood and tapped his foot, while he watched Evelyn go through the longest dance card he'd ever seen, not that he had much experience to go on.
Alistair. Branson. Varric. For Maker's fucking sake. Even Sera got to dance with Evelyn before he did.
When the sun set and the moons rose, he retreated to a balcony to count the stars while he waited. At the rate she was going, he might be finished counting by the time she was available to him. It wasn't long though before she found him and sidled up next to him. She was flushed, and grinning and beautiful when she spoke.
"You know, since neither of us like these sorts of parties, I may never have another chance like this so, I must ask." Evelyn took a step back, stood tall, then bowed and extended her only hand. "May I have this dance?"
Cullen took her hand. "For you, My Lady, I'll try."
A/N: Credit for the idea to have Alistair find a happy ending with Elissa in this story belongs to a friend and lovely reader over on AO3 Miss_ragdoll84, who couldn't bear to see poor Alibear sad forever. Thank you Doll ;)