Full Circle
Nathaniel looked down upon the Keep's courtyard, watching the servants and merchants begin their day.
The pace of the day seemed leisurely to him, although it would soon be far from it. He saw the carts pulling into the courtyard, and watched his brother in law, Fergus, come out to meet them. It would soon be time to leave.
Nathaniel walked back into his rooms and carefully climbed into the large bed where his beautiful wife slept. He could scarcely believe it had been three years since they had married.
Her auburn hair splayed across the pillows, and her face had turned to the side. The covers were twisted around her. He gently pulled her sleeping form into his arms, and she sleepily threw her leg across his belly, snuggling her nose into his neck. His hand idly rubbed her bottom, and he kissed her forehead.
"Jules, beautiful, time to wake up," he told her.
"No," she muttered and snuggled closer. Nathaniel smiled and spoke again.
"Jules, we must depart for the king's wedding. Your brother and his wife await us."
"No," she said again, but she smiled up at him, kissing his chin. "I don't want to go to Denerim. They are all so desperately boring there. I want to stay here."
"You sound like a four year old, Jules," he smiled at her.
She groaned and stretched, Nathaniel unable to resist the chance to stroke her frame as she did.
"I thought you wanted me out of the bed," she purred.
An hour later, they both began to dress in a true hurry.
"Fergus will be livid!" Juliette laughed with Nathaniel, as she tossed his boot across the bed to him.
Arriving in the main hall they discovered Fergus was in fact, less than pleased.
"Oh darling, leave them be," said Fergus's wife, Eva, winking at them. "I think everyone is allowed a little extra, um, sleep now and then."
Fergus's bluster left him, as it usually did when Eva was about.
They had met two years ago while Fergus had been in Denerim. She, being the pretty daughter of a minor Bann, was not considered high born enough to wed Teyrn Cousland, but it had mattered little to him. She made him laugh and was a happy and smart woman. It was clear that they were a good match and they married a year later. Eva was pregnant with their first child and due in the fall. Juliette thought she was wonderful.
The two Wardens ate and Eva sat chatting, while Fergus spoke with his man about a last minute detail for departure. Seneschal Varel appeared, and Juliette received a quick morning report before he too went to finalize the Commander's business.
Shortly the group was ready to depart the Vigil for Denerim.
Fergus helped Eva into their carriage, making every effort to see to her comfort. Juliette and Nathaniel would ride ahead; the Cousland's would meet them at the appointed camping site. Fergus and Eva rode with a moderately large group of guards and servants and their pace would be slower.
As the groups departed, Juliette looked at Nathaniel and smiled. She waved at Varel and Anders and followed her husband up the road.
Hours later as they rode side by side, Juliette looked at Nathaniel. "Nate, will you tell me what Alistair said to you?" she asked.
"What, before we were married?" he replied and she nodded.
Nathaniel sighed. They had both seen King Alistair several times over the last three years, yet he had not told her the details and she had never asked. He knew she understood it had been had been important and difficult for both men. "He told me to let nothing stand in the way of loving you, to let no man or thing deter me."
"Oh." she said quietly as she blinked and looked off to the distance. After a moment, she smiled at Nathaniel. "I must thank him for the endorsement."
They rode quietly and then she reached across to take his hand. "I hope they will be happy, Nate. All things being what they are, Alistair should have someone who loves him the way I love you."
Nathaniel leaned over to place a kiss on her hand.
"It's been three years, and he has changed a great deal. He seems much more confident than he used to be. Perhaps we ride to see the start of a great love." Nathaniel offered, smiling at her.
"Those do seem to be going around."
The End
Thank you to everyone for sticking it out with Nate and Jules. Each review was wonderfully helpful and a greatly appreciated. I have learned a great deal. A very special thanks to Lisa for her fantastic, (mercifully kind) and quick editing, you really are the best!
