A/N: Please forgive any errors you may find. That's for all the alerts and favs. I appreciate it greatly.
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Chapter 25
Denerim
Frankie woke up with Tessa and Leliana sitting on her bed, taking turns poking her awake. She squinted at the bright light that entered the room through the open window, as she tried to pull the covers over her head and sleep further, but Tessa made quick work of removing them in one swift movement.
"Time to get up, Empress Celene!" Leliana teased.
"Why? The Empress doesn't get shoved out of bed in the morning. If she did, I suspect there would be many beheadings in Orlais." Frankie groaned. "I need coffee."
Tessa snickered wickedly as she swayed a mug in front of Frankie. "Guess what we managed tae find?"
"You're an angel. I love you so much!" Frankie sighed happily as she sat up and took the mug from Tessa.
"Yeah, yeah. Drink up, and move yer arse. We have lots tae do and I don't want tae be around tha orlesian dress merchants all day." Tessa replied.
"Orlesian dress merchants? Why do we…" Frankie started to say when she was quickly interrupted by Leliana.
"Alistair wants us to take you out shopping. He said you needed some clothes and we need to get you a special dress for this evening."
"What's happening tonight?" Frankie asked as she yawned and tried to will herself awake. "And what do you mean I need a special dress. I don't do dresses!" She said as she shook her head, and practically inhaled her coffee.
"Alistair organized a small get together for all of us, since Wynne and Oghren should be arriving soon. We have to get you out of here, so that you look amazing when you meet them." Leliana responded.
"I'll meet them...in pants!" Frankie retorted.
"No way, lass! If I have tae wear a dress tae this shindig, so do ye. I am not makin' an arse of myself alone." Tessa piped up.
"Wait a minute… Where's Alistair?" Frankie asked as she pulled herself out of bed, and slipped into a pair of pants and a clean shirt.
"He went to go finalize everything for tonight and meet Wynne at the gates of Denerim." Leliana said.
"So Wynne will be coming straight to the tavern from there?" Frankie asked.
"Oh, yes. So if you hurry, you could probably meet her before tonight." Leliana responded with a huge smile.
"Come on Pud. Move yer arse. We're wastin' time just standing ere." Tessa injected.
Frankie slipped her shoes on, combed her hair and tied it into a ponytail. She walked over to the basin, and used the rough cloth and mug of water to clean her teeth. "Damn, I wish I could have brought a toothbrush!" She walked over to Shadow and patted her head. "Okay, okay. I'm ready." she said.
"Good girl. Let's go." Tessa poked her out the door with Leliana and Shadow trailing behind.
They had a quick breakfast at the tavern. Frankie wanted seconds, but the girls pulled her out into the marketplace before she could even attempt at ordering another. They visited every dress merchant and shoe merchant in Denerim. Tessa started getting bored, and Frankie couldn't blame her, cause neither of them actually had the same enthusiasm and all-round love for shoes that Leliana had. Frankie's idea of shoes were biker boots or nike sneakers, which of course she couldn't have in Ferelden, so she had to at least try to pay some attention to Leliana's advice.
Finally after what felt like hours, they found a dress that Frankie actually agreed to. Of course, Leliana had to find shoes to match, and Frankie was quite happy about Leli's selection while Tessa moved along lazily from shop to shop, picking food from random carts. Tessa handed Frankie something to chew on every now and then. It made Frankie chuckle a bit, as they had to chew when Leliana wasn't watching.
She was tired by the time they got back to the tavern, she saw Alistair motioning her over to him, but Leli quickly grabbed her by the arm and pulled her towards her rooms. Tessa called Alistair to the side and explained that Leliana wanted to pretty Frankie up first, so he would have to entertain Wynne and the rest of their guests until she was ready.
She took a hot bath which really helped a lot, she thought about everything that had happened since she arrived in Ferelden. All the friends she had made in such a short period of time. She wondered how Bella was doing, if she was okay, and most importantly wondered what she would have said if she could see Ferelden through her own eyes. Frankie's thoughts drifted as she laid in the warm tub. She wondered if the baby was a boy or a girl, and whose color eyes would the baby have, hair color, and cheeky smile. She almost drifted off to sleep when Leliana burst into the room.
"You have to get out of the tub, or else you won't just be fashionably late. You'll be completely late. Get a move on, My Lady Francesca. We haven't got all day." he said hurriedly.
"It can't be that late already. Feels like we just got back." Frankie replied.
"Tessa and I are already dressed, and you're still in the tub. Does that sound like 'not that late already'?" Leliana huffed.
"Okay, okay. Remind me to tell your future lover how bossy you can be." Frankie mused.
Frankie got out of the tub, dried herself off. She sat down on a chair next to a vanity, as Leliana began to do her magic. What really impressed her was how intricately Leliana managed to do her hair and makeup. Leli helped her get dressed, and when she was done, Frankie barely recognized herself. She was wearing a black silk dress with a gold trimmed bodice which hugged her figure perfectly, showed off her cleavage. The dress also had a slight train that trailed her as she walked. She wore high heels, with glittering gems on them. Leliana gave her a single white rose, to carry with her. It was Alistair's idea, and made Frankie smile.
Leliana excused herself to go join the party, which gave Frankie a few minutes before she was expected to join them. She looked at Shadow who was sleeping happily on the carpet, and laughed softly as the little mabari was whimpered, her tiny paws flinching as tiny puppy growls woofing softly in the puppy's dream. She took a deep breath and left the room. She could hear a band playing as she walked through the hallway, the sound of people talking and having a good time.
As she entered the main hall she was amazed by all the flowers that seemed to flood the room. Candles everywhere, which made the main hall look like a fairy tale burst into life. The music stopped and all eyes were fixed on her. Luckily, the band started playing a new tune, before she had a chance to freeze right on the spot. Alistair walked over, kissed her hand and told her how beautiful she looked. He was wearing a black silk shirt and black pants. He looked amazing as well. Leliana definitely helped him too, she was sure of it.
He hooked her arm in his, and started leading her directly into the main hall. He softly explained that he knew she would have insisted to just meet everyone in a more comfortable setting, but he felt they deserved a party after everything they had been through, and after all, he wanted to show her off for the amazing woman she is.
Alistair led her around the room to meet the various nobles and friends that he had come to know throughout his life. Some of the people she actually recognized. She was a little surprised to see Teagan there as well, but of course she had to pretend she didn't know who he was, because almost no one knew who she was.
The hall grew silent for a moment as Alistair motioned Leliana and Tessa with a nod, which Frankie caught. They both grabbed their lutes and went over to the band. A song very familiar to Frankie started playing as Leliana and Tessa sang.
What day is it, and in what month
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time
He led her to the dance floor, held her tightly to him, as they started to dance. Frankie laughed as she asked. "When did you get time to teach them Lifehouse?"
Alistair smiled brightly. "While you were taking Shadow for walks and while you were sleeping. I was lucky, because they learned quickly, and Leliana loves learning new songs. I gave her a bunch of them...Well, the ones I could remember."
Cause there's you and me
And of all people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And there's you and me, and of all other people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
"You could be a pioneer of music with all the songs you managed to learn in New York, love. And I'm not complaining one bit. You went out of your way to make tonight special. Thank you so much." She said as he spun her around, and dipped her.
What are the things that I want to say
Just aren't coming out right
I'm tripping on words, You got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here
"We both needed to celebrate our life and our love. And this is just the beginning. From here, things can only get better." He whispered as he held her closer to him and sang the last verse to her.
Cause there's you and me
And of all other people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
And there's you and me, and of all other people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
He put his finger under her chin and lifted her eyes to meet his, picked her up and kissed her, then put her down slowly. A roaring applause erupted throughout the tavern, which made Frankie blush mercilessly. After taking a bow, Alistair took her hand in his and escorted her off the dance floor to go meet Wynne.
"Good evening, Wynne. I'd like to finally introduce you to, Francesca Russo. And love, this is Wynne. Why don't you two get acquainted while I go do…something else." Alistair smiled as he helped her get seated across from the old mage, and left quite hastily.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Francesca. Alistair has told me a lot about you." Wynne said as she picked up her wine goblet and took a sip.
"It's great to finally meet you too. Please call me Frankie." Frankie said as she reached over to shake the old mage's hand. She didn't quite know how to handle Wynne, and Wynne was obviously not expecting a handshake, but put her goblet down and shook Frankie's hand. Frankie felt an electrical current pass through her body. It wasn't unpleasant at all, just weird and unexpected.
"I must admit, I thought Alistair was completely insane when he told me about what happened to him and about you. Just by looking at you now, I can see some truth in the things he said. But he never told me, you're a Grey Warden, or that you're carrying his child." Wynne responded.
"Wow! You got all that from a handshake?" Frankie grinned in surprise.
"I have been around Wardens long enough to recognize the distinct difference in their blood, among other things." the mage stated. "Have a glass of wine with me. We can get to know each other better. You look a bit befuddled, dear."
"I try not to drink at the moment, but I suppose one glass wouldn't hurt. You are very intimidating in person, I will admit that much." Frankie replied.
Wynne laughed. "As are you, dear. I just hide it better."
Frankie was quite surprised how well she and Wynne got along. They talked about everything, and she could see that Wynne was genuinely interested in getting to know her. She was thankful that there was no 'If you hurt him' speech. As they were swapping stories, Frankie admitted to Wynne that among various other things, she was scared of giving birth. It seemed silly to worry about something so natural, but Wynne understood her concerns. Various nobles came over to speak the enchantress, so Frankie decided to go look for Alistair.
She worked her way through the room as she searched. Speaking a few words with everyone who greeted her. Frankie was actually wondering why everyone was being so friendly. She didn't know all of them, but she knew none of them knew her. So it was kind of weird to receive a friendly smile and conversation from everyone she met. She was half expecting a few of them to just nod and leave because she was quite obviously just the hero of Ferelden's replacement for Alistair. Astonishingly enough, they all treated her as if she was the best thing since sliced cheese. Her dance card had filled up quickly after Teagan walked over and requested to dance with her. Her steps were a bit wonky, but soon got the hang of it.
Frankie saw a familiar face over at the ale keg, so she went to go meet and greet Oghren. She stood in front of the dwarf with a huge smile on her face. Still a bit amazed at seeing him face to face.
"Well whaddya know. The belle of the ball is smiling at me. I think I might be drunker than I thought." Oghren said with a huge belch.
"Good evening, Oghren. I've been looking forward to meeting you. I'm Frankie." she replied.
"Frankie, huh? Sounds like a guy's name. Whaddya have under those skirts?" the dwarf responded as he swayed back and forth.
"It's short for Francesca. And it's all real under here. Ask the pike-twirler, he'll tell ya." she stifled a laugh.
Oghren burst out laughing. "Anyone who calls the pike-twirler, a pike-twirler is alright in my book." he laughed boisterously, swayed on his feet and passed out.
"Well, alright then." Frankie laughed as she shook her head at the unconscious dwarf.
She was really starting to wonder where Alistair had disappeared to. She hadn't seen him since he left her with Wynne. She wondered if Tessa or Leliana had any idea where to find him. Leliana was clearly busy singing a variety of new songs that Alistair had taught her, and the guests loved it. She walked over to where Tessa, Dyson and Zevran were seated at a table. As she reached the table, she could hear Zevran speaking to Tessa in Antivan.
"Tuo marito è un uomo fortunato ad avere una bella ed elegante tentatrice come te." Zevran said to Tessa in a lustful voice.
"Stai flirtando con me, Zevran?" Tessa replied.
"Sarebbe una brutta cosa se lo fossi?" Zevran asked.
"Potresti voler includere anche mio marito." Tessa stated.
"Lui non può capirmi, vero?" Zevran questioned.
"Sono sicuro che può, e non è l'unico." Frankie piped up, and smiled roguishly at Zev, whose jaw was literally hanging on the table.
"You do understand Antivan, you sly minx! I cannot believe I fell for your innocent act." Zevran said as he looked at her in astonishment.
"She's completely fluent actually. But she wanted to have a little fun with you, so we played along." Alistair admitted as he pulled her against his chest and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Frankie's entire body was tingling while wrapped in his embrace.
"You all knew she understood every word I said, and never told me? Some friends, you are!" Zevran remarked.
"We just wanted to see how long Frankie would be able to contain herself actually." Dyson grinned in his own delight.
Frankie looked at Dyson is fake disgust. "Geez thanks!"
"Well, one thing we can be thankful for. The fact that il bello e subdolo ingannatore is fluent in Antivan, it will make her new title fit perfectly. Josie has let me know that she was able to procure a legitimate lineage for Francesca. The documents should be arriving tomorrow."
"So tomorrow, I'll be an Antivan noble?" Frankie asked.
"You'll be much more than just an average noble, but we'll discuss it all tomorrow. Right now, you can remain mysterious to everyone here. It adds to the charm, don't you think?" Zev remarked.
"Thank you so much, Zevran. It will definitely help me sleep better at night, knowing that Alistair won't be scrutinized even more over my identity and origin." she said sincerely, as she reached over and gave him a hug.
Alistair pulled her back into his arms very quickly. "Did you miss me,love?"
"I did. Where did you run off to?" Frankie responded as she laid her head back against his chest.
"You're about to find out." he grinned, kissing her neck lightly, making her tremble. He turned her around to face him, took her hand in his and pulled her along as he walked toward the center of the hall. The music stopped, and he called for everyone's attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much for coming this evening. I'm sure you all know how important it is to me, and above all how much it means to me. You have all had a chance to meet Francesca, and I have no doubt that you have seen for yourselves why she is so special. I love her with every fiber of my being, and I believe now is the perfect time to ask something of her that I have been dying to ask since the moment I lost my heart to her."
He went down on one knee, took her hand in his, looked into her eyes and reached into his pocket and took out the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. She stood there completely dumbstruck. It felt as if her face was on fire, she was blushing so fiercely. "My Angel d'amore, I have loved you from the moment I first saw you. You have changed my life in more ways than I could ever have imagined. Francesca Russo, would you do me the honor of being my wife?" he asked, as he held the ring out to her.
Frankie stood there with the brightest smile, as tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks. "Yes, Alistair. My answer is yes."
He placed the ring on her finger, rose to his feet, as she leapt into his arms and kissed him while the world around them melted away. The room erupted into deafening applause and whistles, as they stared deep into each other's eyes.
Countless congratulations came pouring in around them as the music started to play once more. Alistair whispered in her ear. "I wanted to sing Bruno Mars - Marry you, but I don't think Ferelden is quite ready for it yet."
Frankie burst out laughing. "Well, you certainly would have been the talk of the town, if you had, love."
"We already are the talk of the town, my darling." He replied, as they stayed wrapped in each other's arms for most of the night that remained.
Everyone seemed to be having a great time, some were standing in line at the buffet table, and others were dancing, sitting and socializing. They sat down at a table along with Tessa, Dyson and Zevran. Alistair seized the opportunity to suggest that it was someone else's turn to sing a song. Seeing as Leliana had been singing through most of the evening, Alistair stated that it was only fitting, and he would like to hear Tessa and Frankie sing too. Frankie smiled at him while shaking her head. "The only way, I'll sing tonight is if you sing too, love."
Tessa started to snicker. "She's got ye in a corner now, Mud. I bet ye me entire stock of Antivan wine and cheese wheels, ye won't do it."
Without missing a beat, Alistair jumped up and said that he would prove her wrong. He walked over to the stage, spoke to Leliana and stood on the center stage, waiting for the bard to start playing her lute. A ballad version of a familiar song started to fill the room.
From underneath the trees, we watch the sky
Confusing stars for fireflies
I never dreamed that you'd be mine
But here we are, we're here tonight
Singing Amen, I'm alive
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
And I'm singing
Amen I, Amen I, Amen I, I'm alive
Frankie was astonished, not only at the fact that Alistair actually got up the nerve to go and sing in front of all those people, but also the fact that he did it so well.
And in the air the fireflies
Our only light in paradise
We'll show the world they were wrong
And teach them all to sing along
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
She had heard the original song a thousand times, but she could admit without any doubt, that her future husband sang it much better.
And as we lie beneath the stars
We realize how small we are
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be
Everyone got up from their tables and gave Alistair a roaring applause and standing ovation. He took a bow, blushing bright red, and walked off the stage in a proud strut.
"That's my future husband." Frankie said softly, but not soft enough because Tessa heard her.
"Aye, and he's got balls, Pud! I never thought he would actually do it. I'm shocked out of me knickers right now." Tessa snickered in delight.
"I'll have to remind your husband to tend to your knicker situation then." Frankie laughed. As she poked at Dyson playfully.
Alistair joined them once more with a cheeky grin spread across his face. "And I can't wait to deal with your knicker situation, my dear."
She winked at him sinfully as she replied. "Who says I'm wearing any?"
Tessa, Dyson and Zevran spat their wine out as they laughed. There was wine everywhere. Frankie put her hand over her mouth when she realized what she had just said so openly, as Alistair blushed three shades of red, along with the wine which was now dripping off their faces. They were wiping the wine off of everything they could, laughing like a group of drunken sailors.
Their laughter and fun loving evening was brought to a halt as the city bell started to toll, and a man burst into the main hall shouting. "The Queen! The Queen! Oh Maker! Queen Anora has been murdered!"
"Well Fuck!" Frankie muttered in complete shock.
Italian for the day:
Tuo marito è un uomo fortunato ad avere una bella ed elegante tentatrice come te. - Your husband is a lucky man to have a beautiful and elegant temptress like you.
Stai flirtando con me, Zevran? - Are you flirting with me Zevran?
Sarebbe una brutta cosa se lo fossi? - Would it be a bad thing if I was?
Potresti voler includere anche mio marito - You might want to include my husband too.
Lui non può capirmi, vero? - He cannot understand me, can he?
Sono sicuro che può, e non è l'unico. - I'm sure he can, and he's not the only one.
il bello e subdolo ingannatore - The beautiful and sneaky deceiver.
*Thanks so much to Isabella Monroe and Lilacgirl, for helping me and standing by me through all*