Everything felt very foreign to Elaine. The grain of the wood of the vanity. The velvet of the stool. The silk of the nightgown that hung off of her. Her brown eyes followed the young elf woman as she scurried around the room. My room. Elaine corrected her thought. Her mind was racing as she attempted to gather it all in.
"Umm," She sat a little taller. At least she attempted to - her back was still a little stiff from laying for so long. "Nella?"
The young woman moved quickly to her side, her face full of concern. "Yes my lady? I mean Elaine." She gulped.
"I'm sorry. But what am I doing in here? I would much rather like to be with Alistair if I could." Elaine's fingers were knotted together in her lap, her uneasiness taking over.
"You will be together quite shortly. You are to have a small meeting over breakfast, downstairs. Discuss announcements, make arrangements. I'll help you get ready, and then I will escort you down."
"Oh, okay." Elaine couldn't help but be disappointed. She was hoping to be able to have Alistair back laying in a bed with her, just the two of them. Their time together before was limited during camp and traveling. Her hopes of having Alistair to herself were already vanishing.
Nella began placing different beauty tools onto the vanity - a silver comb, some jars of powders and other objects Elaine had no idea were used for. Taking the comb, Nella began carefully brushing Elaine's hair. Elaine bowed her head forward, turning her eyes down to her hands. She suddenly felt like a child again. Her mother brushing and braiding her hair before an important dinner. Her brother bursting in, sticking out his tongue and telling her that she looked like a "girl". Biting her lip, Elaine tried to think of something else but Fergus.
"You have beautiful hair." Nella said, noticing how uncomfortable Elaine looked.
"Thank you." She whispered, looking into the mirror. Raising her finger up, she ran it along the shiny pink scar that laid across her jawline. She did not remember how she had got it - most of the night was a blur still.
"I can cover that for you, if you wish." Nella tapped on the lid of one of the jars of powder.
"I quite like it. If that's ok?"
"You may do as you wish Elaine. I am only your lady in waiting." Nella slide the braid over onto Elaine's shoulder.
Turning around, Elaine grabbed her hands softly. "You are more than that. You will be my friend." She was sincere and serious. "And I yours."
A warm smile spread across Nella's face. "You are not like the others."
Elaine chuckled. "I'm sure most of the future queen's weren't champions of the great sword and littered in scars."
"Most were not, yes. But your heart and intentions - they are pure." Grabbing a dress that was folded off of the back of a chair, Nella smoothed it out. "The King is very lucky."
Elaine fought to keep the hot tears forming in her eyes at bay. Letting out a happy sound, she replied. "Not as lucky as I." Standing up, she reached across to feel the dress that Nella held out for her.
It was a beautiful grey-blue material, it floated through her fingers. "I've never worn anything like this before." She slid the straps of her nightgown off, letting it fall to the floor before stepping into the new dress. Spinning around, she faced the mirror again while Nella laced up the back. Elaine could barely recognize herself. It was surely every girl in Fereldan's dream to look like this, standing in the Queen's chambers. She licked her lips until they turned glossy.
"One more thing, then we shall go." Leaning over to the vanity, Nella dipped two fingers into a jar. She then gently swept them across Elaine's cheeks, making them glow pink. "There."
With one final glance into the mirror, the pair exited the room, slowly making their way through the winding hallways before coming to a halt at the top of a pair of stairs, with romantic winding banisters.
A small gasp could be heard from the bottom of the stairs. "There she is. Just look at her." It was a women's whisper.
Grabbing onto the bannister, Elaine slide her hand down it - trying to be as graceful as possible in her foreign dress and slippers. Looking up, she watched as Leliana moved to meet her at the last step. Stretching her arms out to Elaine, she hugged her carefully.
"You look much better." Water was beginning to develop in her eyes, but she blinked them away. "You feel better yes?"
"I do." Elaine nodded to her reassuringly. "I will feel a lot better though once this is over with."
"Of course, I'll accompany you the rest of the way." She slipped her arm through Elaine's, and being pulling her away. Elaine turned, waving at Nella before they rounded the corner. The two walked in silence for a moment, the click of their shoes on the cobblestone echoing loudly. They finally reached a grand archway - voices could be heard inside. Leliana gestured for her to continue in without her. Elaine's fingers lingered on her arm, before she eventually pulled away and walked into the room.
The sudden screech of a chair on the stone floor startled Elaine. Alistair had gotten up so fast he almost knocked the chair onto the ground. She let out a soft chuckle, as he tried to compose himself. The rest of the party, stood up calmly, bowing their heads. She quickly flashed a polite smile, before moving to the chair next to Alistair. He pulled the chair out for her, allowing her to sit and pushing it in. Elaine blushed the entire time - she couldn't even remember the last time she was helped to her chair by someone.
Alistair sat down again, leaning over to whisper in her ear. "You look ravishing." He kissed her tenderly on her cheek, despite the company that joined them at the table. Her cheeks somehow got even redder, and she looked down at her hands. She watched as his hand grabbed one of hers, before looking up as a man started speaking.
"First off, I would like to say how grateful we all are to see you in good health Lady Cousland. It was quite troublesome for all of us." One of Alistair's calloused fingers began wandering over Elaine's knuckles and back of her hand. "But you are here now, that's what matters! So first, Arl Eamon I believe you wanted to start today's discussions."
"Ah, yes." The old man started. "Where to begin."
The sun sat high in the sky, beaming its rays down onto the market district. It was crowded, merchants pushing new products, civilians buying goods, and crown representatives setting up decorations for the festival. Flowers had been imported in from Orlais, varying from gold to lilac. Barrels of wine and ale were being rolled into place, and banners of Ferelden hung across the markets. The bustle and chatter was throughout all of the Denerim. Today, the future Queen would be presented. Even though her name had been on the lips of the civilians for months, but now she would have a different title. From the Grey Warden to the Queen - her sudden change in title was the most shocking for Elaine herself.
"Darling? Darling?" Alistair chuckled softly. "Elaine!"
Blinking she looked over to him, before looking sheepish. "Sorry."
"What are you thinking?" He raised his eyebrow. "You're planning something."
She grinned. "How can you tell?"
Alistair flashed her a look. "I believe after our time together, I know how to read your face."
"I guess so." She blushed. "Would you like to do something different?"
"Mmm, different how?"
"I know that we were going to the festival tonight but - would you like to go down to the market?"
Alistair pointed out of the window, down to the bustling crowds. "Us? Go down to the market?"
"Why not? It wasn't too long ago we were walking down there, bartering for weapons and armor." Elaine had a playful look in her eye, something Alistair had not seen in some time.
Shaking his head with a chuckle, "Alright, trouble maker. I'll go grab us some scarves." _
Slender fingers glided over the colourful fruits, before grabbing a bright red apple. "May I pay for a few of these?" Elaine asked, looking over to the young boy working the small fruit stand.
"Three for three." He said, his thick accent throwing Elaine off.
She slide of the scarf tied around her hair, shaking it loose. She placed the apples in the scarf, before reaching into her dress pocket and pulling out three sovereigns. With a smile, she placed them in the boy's small hands.
"Wait! I meant three bits! You've given me too much." He ran after her in a panic.
"Use them for the festival tonight." She ruffled his hair, before turning back around to meet Alistair. He was leaning up against a fountain, swirling his fingers in the water.
"I got some apples." She waved the scarf full of fruit, her hair swaying behind her.
An infectious smile spread across Alistair's face, as he pushed strays hair out of her face. "Wonderful. I'm surprised nobody has come up to us y-"
As he uttered the words, a man wandered up to him. He was dressed well, clearly a shop owner. "Your majesty. Your grace." He was quite soft spoken, bowing his head to the pair.
Alistair wrapped his hand around Elaine's waist, drawing him into her. "Hello, what's your name?"
The man's lips trembled a bit. He looked over at Elaine, but her tender smile reassured him.
"Michael Lowry, your majesty."
"It's very good to meet you Michael. Do you intend to attend tonight's festivities?" Alistair inquired. He knew this was entirely unorthodox, for the king to wander the streets and have little chats with the fair folk. But it felt so good to be out of that castle, away from the politics - just exploring with Elaine again.
"Of course, your majesty." Shyly, he his moved his arms out from behind his back, and extended a bouquet out to Elaine. They were an arrangement of white blossoms and wildflowers. He gave her a sheepish smile as she reached out and took them.
"Thank you sir." She beamed at him, causing his cheeks to go red. He then bowed his head quickly, and ran back to a group of woman gossiping near the flower stands.
Alistair watched the man for a few more seconds, before looking at Elaine. She held the flowers up to her nose, smelling them. The sun cast through her long golden waves was creating a halo around her. People were starting to notice them now. It was hard not to notice Elaine. Her willowy walk, flowing hair and scar riddled arms drew a lot of attention. Alistair knew that the best. He had spent more time then he is willing to admit watching her. She was fascinating. She could be like a doe - innocent, graceful, nurturing. But she could also be a lion - filled with rage, protective, fierce. Alistair's long haired, sword yielding bride was so much more then anything he had ever conjured up in his mind.
Interlacing his fingers with Elaine, Alistair invited her to return to the castle. "We have some things we should probably attend too." He said with a wink.
A sly smile spread across her face, "Oh we do? Political things... Or private things?"
He didn't answer. Instead he jolted away, pulling Elaine along with him as they skipped their way back to the castle.
By the time they got back to the castle doors, the pair were completely out of breath. Alistair was now being dragged by Elaine, who pulled him through the doors and over into the nook in the foyer. The two were now smushed into a corner, a statue taking most of the space. Alistair looked down at Elaine, who was pressed up against him, her hands on his pecs.
Despite their already ragged breath, he leaned down and puts his lips on hers. Elaine responded excitedly, running her hands down from his chest, stopping on the hilt of his belt. She grabbed on to it, somehow pulling him even closer. Their bodies molded together, their exasperation and impatience adding to their passion.
Pulling away, Alistair bit his lip looking down at Elaine. "Perhaps, we can move to somewhere more private?" He whispered, as a pair of servants wandered by with open mouths.
She giggled, "Lead the way my King."
"Oooo," Alistair feigned a swoon. "I'm not sure how I feel about that." He replied honestly. He began holding Elaine's hand again, but this time they walked calmly, moving up the many flights of stairs that lead to their quarters.
When the bedroom door clicked behind them, their exasperation was gone. Passion was replaced by love as Alistair softly grabbed Elaine's face, placing it between his two hands. Their lips grazed each other, eyelashes flutter against the other's cheeks. The shoulder of Elaine's dress slid down, revealing her sharp collarbones. Alistair's fingers tenderly grabbed onto her dress, lowering it further.
"Alistair..." Elaine whispered.
His fingers immediately lifted. "Did I hurt you?"
"No, no. Just - I need to tell you something before we do this." Alistair's furrowed eyebrows made her feel even more anxious. "Can we sit down?"
They sat down on the foot of the bed, their feet barely touching the ground. "I know you've been very patient, waiting for me to feel better, to be fully healed before we -"
"I don't want to rush you Elaine. All that I really want is knowing that I can sleep next to you, and wake up next you everyday. That's enough. I promise." Alistair's eyes were big, his hand now on hers.
"I know, it is for me too. But I am better now." She looked down now at their hands on each other, forcing back tears. "There's more to it then that."
Alistair grasped her hand a little harder. His eyebrows now met in the middle, his lips pursed.
"What we decided on - the night before the final battle. Morrigan's ritual." A sound escaped her, a tear slipped past, hot on her cheek.
"Oh Elaine. How could we leave this for so long with out talking about it?" He reached up to her cheek, wiping the moisture away with his thumb.
"I can't stand to think of you with her. Touching her that way. I always thought we'd only ever be with each other." Her voice was hiccuping as she tried to get the words out.
Alistair blinked slowly, feeling so much anguish as he watched Elaine cry. "And that is how it still is my love. I didn't go through with it."
Elaine looked up through her tears, "What?" She breathed. "How is that possible?"
"Riordan did it."
"I thought... I thought Morrigan said he couldn't. He wouldn't be fertile after being a warden for so long." She rubbed her eyes, trying to make sense of everything.
"We took that chance. I planned to take the final blow of the Archdemon - incase it didn't work. But you beat me to it. It was terrifying. I thought because I backed out - you - you had died. It should have been me making the sacrifice not you." His voice had began to break, it was now Alistair fighting back tears.
A shaky breath left Elaine, before she propped herself up on the bed. Leaning over she kissed Alistair, so softly but long. "All that matters, is that I am here and you are here." She kissed him again, her thumb rubbing away his tears like he had for her.
"I'm all yours Elaine. I always have been." He croaked, pressing his forehead to hers.