The Landsmeet is in session. Denerim holds its breath, awaiting the declaration of a new leader.
"Have you decided what you'll wear to the wedding? I know that you think you aren't so important but as my husband you need to look the part." Lazuli says firmly, having just finished her dress fitting, walks out to begin bossing her husband about. "You need to order soon, love, once this Blight business is over there'll be a lot of celebrations to attend."
"I never expected you to care about fittings and clothes. Can't I just wear armor?"
She closes the gap between them, kissing him briefly before saying, "No, you can't."
"You care very suddenly about all of this."
"I do, Bhelen wants me to meet with him about the war plans."
"Yes, yes, yes. I know. Do tell me if the sky swallows you whole."
Scrunching her nose at him she says, "Oh don't be such a worry wart."
"I wish I could go with you." He says, voice low and sad.
"We've talked about this darling, you are needed here."
"And what kind of husband lets his bride rush off into danger without immediately following behind?" He takes her hands and squeezes them tight.
"A smart one, who can cleanse my wounds and hush my cries." She smiles a teasing sort of smile, yet he remains melancholy.
"Lazuli, please be careful. Stay smart, stay safe."
"There is no reason for you to worry."
"Come now, you can't believe that."
"I can and I do, Gorim, please don't be so frightened, I'll be alright."
"You don't know that. Just be careful, for me."
"Stop this nonsensical concern, people go into battle all the time."
"Not everyone goes to fight a Blight, and on the surface no less." He says harshly, taking a breath, he collects himself.
"I'll only be gone for a week, two max…"
"That's not what I'm worried about."
"I know." She says softly walking forward just enough that he can wrap his arms around her.
"Why did you have to sign up for this?" He sighs, pressing his cheek into her hair.
"I don't know, to be honest." She admits breathing in his warmth. "It seemed like a bright idea at the time. Although…"
"If you're having second thoughts I can-"
"No, it's not that. I just… when all of this is over, I really am hoping to be left alone."
"You know that if you go to the surface, battle the Blight and rediscover lost knowledge, no one will leave you alone. You'll be a paragon, and not that you don't deserve it, but every issue will need your counsel. How many paragons have gotten to live their lives unscathed?"
"I recognize that…" She sighs, "I guess I was being idealistic. I keep thinking if I just do enough, if I satisfy them to a point, I can finally be content."
Gorim whispers soft words into her hair, hands running gently up and down her spine, trying to offer a comfort he's not certain of.
"In a way I feel anxious to go, like this was something I was meant to do. Silly as it sounds."
"I don't believe it is."
"I have to help stop this Blight, please don't ask me not to go."
"No, I couldn't stop you, try as I might."
In the silence, Lazuli focuses on his heart beat, feels the gentle thrumming against her hand. Eyes closing instinctively as her body relaxes against him, the way a child could easily fall asleep on their mother's lap.
"Are you happy?" She asks, hushed tone hardly a breath.
"Perfectly happy." He responds, tone equal to hers.
"Then… you're alright with all of this? My inability to sit still for longer than a minute? Constantly the first in line to be devoured by darkspawn?"
He chuckles, "That's why I fell in love with you, my heart. You're the most difficult dwarf in all of Orzammar, ready and willing to fight your way through battles that aren't even your own. Even though at the heart of it all, all you really want is to live a life of peace, I am sorry that you have not been allowed this yet."
With a chuckle she grasps his hands, twisting her fingers around his. "What do you want, darling?"
"You to promise me, you'll come back safe."
"Alright, I promise you I will return home. Safe and sound."
"Now, was that so hard?" He questions with a laugh.
Rolling her eyes, she leans up to kiss him. "You realize I meant something else, didn't you?"
"Of course, I did, I just wanted you to give me your word first." She gives an unamused pout, which elicits a laugh from Gorim. "So, what was your other meaning?"
"Do you want more from me?"
"As in?"
"Do you want to start a family?" Instead of the shock Laz was expecting, Gorim looks thoughtful, pensive even. She begins running her mouth off, "I know these past few months have been nothing but madness, that our marriage was not even under the noblest of circumstances. But we're here now, we are married, and I feel as though we should at the least give it some thought.
"Bhelen asked about it… I'm unsure of his feelings, not that I care what his feelings are on the matter. I just want to have a proper marriage. Not that we haven't been doing such, of course not-"
He covers her mouth with one hand and laughs brightly as she roughly removes it. "You're going on about nothing, you know."
"Well, it's not like you were helping at all." She pouts resolutely.
"We have all the time in the world to have children, Laz, we don't have to start anytime soon."
"I didn't say that, I said do you want them?"
"Someday, sure. I could stand to have more of you in my life."
"Really?" She asks, "I don't think I can stand myself somedays."
He kisses her cheek with a chuckle, "To be quite honest, I chose you, I will continue to choose you. Nothing is going to change that, no kings opinion or blight. For now, I am content."
She returns with a kiss brief yet lingering, as her lips part from his, a glint shines in her eye. "Go order your dress clothes."
"Yes ma'am."