Bioware owns Dragon Age and all the characters, I own Jaya, though...
The King's Rose
Chapter 13: Preparations and The Wedding!
Zevran tilted his head slightly. "So, I take it I shall return to them with good news?" He stated more than asked, getting Alistair to nod, taking that as his cue to return to the girls, Jaya looking to him with such hope he was happy to be her friend. "Our fellow Alistair has agreed to the plan. Now, what we must do is..."
Jaya tuned him out as her glance caught her beloved's and she seemed to relax a little and even had a small smile, which was returned as his eyes seemed to ask if she was okay now, to which she nodded slightly before getting drawn into a conversation with Lady Tanja Powell and Lady Valeria Lemaire.
"I must say I am excited for the wedding and I assume you will dazzle us all with the gown, my lady." Tanja stated, smiling.
"Well, it used to be my sister-in-law's dress, but it is lovely enough and simple." Jaya informed before smiling. "Though that dress is for the reception. The actual wedding dress is lovely."
Leliana blinked. "There is a second one?"
Jaya grinned. "I dreamt of a wedding my whole life, so of course there is a second one."
Valeria nodded. "When I married Fabien, I was only wed in a very slim gown that made me glow." She informed.
As the conversation went back to being about weddings, Jaya started feeling like she was about to pass out, but held herself together until later, when, in her room, she darted towards a bucket in the bathroom and released the contents of her stomach. She tossed on her nightgown and flung herself onto her bed, looking out the window and wanting to have some sleep before tomorrow, when yet another ball will be thrown in honor of Alistair's first six-months as King. She heard Leli's knock and darted to be behind the door as she cracked it enough to allow the man outside to slip in before flinging herself into his awaiting arms.
"Maker I missed you." Alistair mumbled into her hair. "Whoever can do this whole 'separate rooms' deal deserves an honor. Zev told me they returned, you okay?"
Jaya nodded slowly. "I was so close to believing them, but then I'd wake up before it got worse. Last night really had me tossing and turning." As he carried her to the bed and laid down with her in his lap, she went into what she could remember and how it had felt almost real, which alone made her wake up. By the time she finished, she was shaking again until he rubbed her back gently.
"It's alright, my dear. I'm here now and those damned templars will have to pry me off you before I leave you again." He stated before sleep claimed them, him holding her to protect her from her nightmares while she clung to him.
After that, they were shocked at when the wedding arrived. Jaya had Leliana, Wynne, Mallol, Celene and her two handmaidens Faina and her younger sister Vera. Herren was assisting her, Wade was working on the king's armor that she personally had made for their wedding and special occasions. Jaya smiled at her reflection as Mallol and Wynne shared the look of pride, Leliana fixing her hair up into a bun with braids.
"Oh Andraste... You are simply lovely." Wynne said, smiling softly.
"I see your mother in you when you are dressed like this.. Otherwise you remind me of your father." Mallol commented as Herren placed the veil on her head, once Leliana had finished the hair.
"Really?" She asked before frowning. "I miss them so much..." She whispered.
Mallol heard it, though, and went to gently hug the girl that she knew since she was born. "They're watching over you right now, I know it. Eleanor is probably crying her heart out at the fact that her mud-covered little girl has grown into a lovely woman. Bryce is proud that his daughter that had often melted his heart with a smile whenever she was in trouble has overcome many things to find the love of her life. Though those might also be vice versa, knowing your parents." Mallol stated.
Jaya smiled as a knock on her door was heard, knowing it was her brother. "Enter Ferg." She called as the door opened to show her brother.
"Wow. Just... Wow." Fergus chuckled softly as the group left them alone. "I never thought the day would ever come where I'd see you get married. Yet, I fear it's come all too soon. My little sister no more, huh?" He questioned.
"I'll always be your little sister covered in mud and playing with her vegetables forever." Jaya reminded, hugging him tightly. "Mallol reminded me Mother and Father are watching right now. I hope I haven't disappointed them."
"Jay... You haven't. You've risen from the tragedy and rose to be a Grey Warden unlike any other. You slayed the archdemon and saved us all. They are extremely proud, as I am, of you. No matter what, remember that Couslands-"
"Couslands do their duties." Jaya automatically replied, the Cousland motto burned into her brain from birth. "I wish they were here in person."
"So do I, but... We must move forward and live for them." Fergus added before inhaling. "Ready, Shorty?"
Jaya giggled at the nickname before placing her hand in his arm. "More than ever." She took her own breath as they walked out of her room, seeing Leliana and Zevran awaiting them, as Zevran was to escort Leliana, who was Jaya's maid of honor since Morrigan wasn't here. "Well, Zev? Any sly remark before I get married?" She teased.
"None... Except the fact you are glowing. I must say, though, I would have never seen myself here at a wedding, yours no less, and be completely happy with friends alike. When I made my vow to serve you, I meant it. If there is anyone you need assassinating, you know where I'll be."
"In the shadows, no doubt. Thank you Zev.. For everything. You saved my hide a lot during the Blight. Same to everyone, too." Jaya stated as Zevran gave her a brotherly kiss on the cheek before escorting Leliana down the aisle. As the fanfare began, she blinked as she thought she saw a raven-haired person in a corner of the hall. Shaking her head, she looked towards the man she will soon be spending her life with, stunned at how he looked more royal. The dragonbone armor was painted a light silver with gold hues on the details and his gloves. Matching boots were not the focal, the dragon face, similar to Cailan's armor, was a silverish hue that almost matched Jaya's eyes. It was Herren that suggested there be a little more silver than gold, which Wade agreed, since he realized it would've looked too much like the late King's armor. "Ferg... Don't let me trip."
"I won't. It's not like you, anyhow." Fergus chuckled.
When the fanfare began, Alistair never felt more nervous until he met the silver eyes of his love, shimmering in not only love, but tears of happiness, which made him relax. The dress he hadn't noticed until he glanced down.
The dress was a very elegant gown that often reminded him of what she wore when not in armor or training. The silver matched her eyes and gold stood out against her skin, making her look as lovely as she's ever been. Her hair was done up in a very well-done bun with braids and he figured Leliana had something to do with the tendrils framing her face.
Fergus arrived and kissed Jaya's hand before her cheek. "Love you, sister." He whispered before handing her hand to Alistair. "Take care of her." He half-threatened before moving to stand where their father would have had he lived, on Jaya's right.
Eamon was on Alistair's left, representing Maric's side, had he lived. He smiled at Jaya gently as the two took the remaining steps to the Revered Mother. Mallol and Gilmore, also representing Highever, were behind Fergus, Mallol having to wipe tears with a handkerchief. Teagan, Isolde and Connor, representing the family of Maric, were behind Eamon. Connor was thrilled when Alistair and Jaya asked him to be the ring bearer.
"Who gives this woman to be wed?" The Revered Mother asked.
"Highever gives this woman." Fergus stated proudly, emotions showing in the standard Cousland blue eyes, nodding ever so slightly to Alistair, showing his approval.
The Revered Mother motioned the couple to kneel after giving them a goblet to sip from, calling to the Maker to bless and witness the union of the beloved king and his own chosen bride. As she prayed, the two entwined their fingers, both of their fingers tightening at the mention of caring for their heirs. Turning, she looked to Alistair first. "Alistair Theirin, you are here today with your chosen bride. Will you love her, honor her, protect her and keep her, take no others and bear her burdens until the end of your days?"
Alistair nodded, not looking away from the enchanting silver eyes. "I will." He said with so much emotion that it was a wonder he didn't show it.
The Revered Mother then turned to Jaya. "Jaya Lucile Elise Cousland, you are here with your chosen husband. As such, will you love him, honor him, protect him and keep him, take no others and bear his burdens until the end of your days?"
Jaya's eyes glistened as she replied with her voice quivering with emotion. "I will." When she said those words, she knew now why her mother refused to leave her father that night. If she and Alistair were in that situation, she would do the same thing. She couldn't imagine a life without him now.
"Then rise, children of the Maker, and go forth as king and queen, husband and wife, but also as man and woman in His sight. Andraste bless your love with happiness for years to come." The smile that she was fighting broke out after Connor had given them their rings. "King Alistair, you may now kiss that lovely bride of yours." She stated.
He couldn't resist grinning like an idiot as he swooped down, murmuring against her lips. "I love you." Once he said those words, he captured her mouth and even bent her backward slightly, much to the delight of the crowd.
She replied in kind as she held onto his neck to prevent herself from tipping backwards from the amount of love she felt in the kiss. She lost herself in the kiss and knew he'd find her afterwards.
The crowd burst out in tears and cheers, Wynne, Leliana, Mallol, Anora and Celene unable to hide their tears, using their own handkerchiefs.
Hope you enjoyed it~ BioWare finally got it somewhat right in Inquisition... Though... I haven't played any of the DLC aside from those that came out when it was released...
~~Skittles~~