Ashlyn shifted the placement of her dress, then moved it again, and eventually ended up pulling and tugging at it in a myriad of places. She huffed, forcing her hands down. She was fidgeting.
It was ridiculous. She had saved an entire country. She had killed an archdemon. She had turned Ferelden upside down and then right again, and done so gladly. Yet now, doing something she had never been so sure of in her life, her bravery abandoned her. She was nervous, and jittery, like a child.
She reached up to fidget with the neckline of the dress again, and Leliana smacked her hand away, admonishing her with words Ashlyn did not hear. She couldn't bring herself to care at the moment.
"Ah, my dear warden, you are a vision."
Ashlyn turned at the voice and smiled at the sight of the elf, grinning charmingly at her. "Zevran," she said on a relieved exhale, rushing towards him to clasp his hand. She didn't care one bit that he'd snuck into the room. She'd half expected it in fact. "Tell me honestly…how is he?"
"He's doing splendidly, my dear, no need to fret."
Ashlyn narrowed her eyes at him, knowing his tells. "Zevran…"
"He's sweating like a pig and atwitter with anticipation."
The Warden let out a surprised little chuckle, having a hard time picturing Alistair 'atwitter.'
Zevran grinned and clasped her shoulder. "Don't worry so, everything will be fine. I'll be there to catch him if he faints."
Ashlyn laughed once more, grateful to her friend for purposely distracting her. The dress felt a bit less constricting and she realized just how tense she was. "Thank you, Zev."
He smiled in response and looked up when the door opened and Ashlyn's brother, Fergus, walked in.
"Ah, Fergus," the elf greeted, eyeing him up and down. "You're looking quite dashing."
The elder Cousland's gaze however, was trained on the bard. "It is a pleasure to see you today, Leliana."
She gave him a coy smile and said the same, and Zevran gave a mock sigh, turning around with a shrug. Ashlyn, however, folded her arms and pinned her brother with an annoyed glare. "Hello to you too."
He turned to her with a slight start and a sheepish smile. "Ah, sorry. You look lovely, sister. He won't know what hit him."
Ashlyn smiled, forgiving him. "You think so?"
Fergus nodded. "Absolutely, I -"
They both looked up when a nearby bell was rung, signaling the time and the beginning of the ceremony.
Leliana nudged Fergus out of the way and quickly re-adjusted Ashlyn's dress where she'd picked at it and wished her luck before rushing out through the ornate double doors. Zevran followed close behind with a quick grin in Ashlyn's direction, which she returned.
Fergus glanced at his sister once more. "Nervous?" he asked.
"No, not at all," Ashlyn replied. Too quickly.
He raised a disbelieving brow.
"Okay, yes. I can't for the life of me figure out why."
Fergus smiled at her. "You're taking a large leap of trust here. Of course it's frightening." He squeezed her shoulder when she grimaced, realizing he was right. "But I'll tell you what, I've never seen any two people more right for each other. There's no reason to be nervous. You two are perfect together."
Ashlyn took a steadying breath, the last of her tension leaving at her brother's reassurance and acceptance. Finally, she gave him a smile, and he offered his arm, which she took. They left through the ornate doors at an easy pace, a bright smile on both of their faces.
And when Ashlyn saw Alistair's face at the end of the aisle, she knew Fergus had been right.
A/N: THE FLUFF OH GOD.
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