Chapter 4 - A Royal Wedding

A/N: I didn't mention anywhere specifically in the chapter, but Emilia is 18 and Nathaniel 24 here. :) Also, massive thanks to my beta reader, MsSticha.

- 9:25 Dragon -

The Denerim Chantry was filled with teryns, arls, banns, and members of noble families from all across Ferelden. Everyone's gaze was glued on the king's bride, Anora Mac Tir, as she walked down the aisle clad in the most beautiful, ornate white gown. Everyone except Nathaniel; he couldn't keep eyes off the brunette in the deep green velvet gown. Her hair was braided, as was usual, but this time the long braid had been pulled into a loose bun instead of thrown over her shoulder. A few flowers decorated her hair, but nothing compared to the amount the soon-to-be-queen had. Golden stitches brought a subtle contrast in the viridian gown, catching the light and sparkling gently. The wearer of said dress had eyes the perfect color to match. Emerald eyes that watched the royal wedding filled with hope and excitement - not only for the king and queen, but also for her own future. It was a familiar look, just like she had during her own brother's wedding.

Nathaniel grinned widely as he observed the object of his affections, his betrothed, Emilia. The letters she sent him over the past few years while he was in the Free Marches always gave him something to look forward to. He could sense her growth and maturation with each new letter. Something the correspondence couldn't convey, however, was how she had matured physically. She had blossomed into her petite form, complete now with gorgeous curves. Her athletic nature and practices had given definition to her muscles, the tone of her arms apparent through the form-fitting dress. With Emilia sitting next to Nathaniel now, he couldn't tear his eyes away from her.

Her hands laid in her lap, only inches away from his. It would be so easy for him to reach out and place his on hers. Nathaniel wondered what her fingers felt like - if they were soft, calloused, or most likely a combination of both. He wanted to touch her, and finding no reason not to, Nathaniel bravely placed his warm, rough hand atop hers. Without turning her head, Emilia shifted her emerald gaze to meet Nathaniel's silver. She smiled proudly as she twisted her hand beneath his, pressing her palm against his. He interlaced his fingers with her slender ones. She turned to face him completely for a brief moment, beaming radiantly. As was proper, she focused her attention back on the wedding, or at least pretended to. Nathaniel forced his gaze up to the altar, but his mind remained on their touch. Her hands were soft, delicate, with a few light callouses on the ridge of her palm from dueling. Perfect. She clearly practiced often to have developed them given that she wore gloves whenever she was adventurous, clever, exquisitely beautiful. Everything he could have ever wanted in a woman and more . The Maker surely smiled upon him.

To say Nathaniel was struggling with his impatience during all this pomp and circumstance for the king and queen would have been an understatement. Though he had looked forward to finally seeing Emilia again on this day, he hadn't known exactly how much being around her would affect him. He wanted to hear her voice, her giggle. To watch her move with grace. Hell, he just wanted to take her out back and spar - among other things.

With the ceremony having finally come to an end, the row of Couslands and Howes stood, preparing to exit the Chantry upon their turn. Nathaniel and Emilia did not release each other's hands. She began to blush, knowing others could see their silent statement. Nathaniel let out a nearly inaudible chuckle; from everything Fergus had told him the night before, nothing made his sister blush.

Nothing except Nathaniel, apparently.

Immediately following the ceremony was a receiving line. All in attendance of the royal wedding gave their congratulations to the couple. Most received a smile and a "thank you" from the king and queen, but Anora took the time to stop and kiss Emilia on the cheek.

"If it isn't Ferelden's other famous betrothed couple?" The newly crowned queen greeted Emilia and Nathaniel in a sweet and friendly manner. "Save me a dance for later," she insisted to Emilia just before moving on.

Next came dinner. The banquet was, of course, the most luxurious of feasts, featuring every kind of roast, fruit, and cheese one could imagine. While the food was delicious, it was another part of the evening where Emilia and Nathaniel didn't really have the opportunity to catch up freely. Rendon and Bryce sat across from each other, followed by their wives, then the daughters, and then their sons.

Nathaniel's sister giggled as she caught him smiling at Emilia from across the table. Delilah leaned over and whispered into his ear. "This certainly is different than the last wedding we all attended, isn't?" Nathaniel's neck flushed slightly, causing her to giggle even more.

Oren came over and squeezed himself between Fergus and Emilia. He was barely two but already toddling around, though not talking much. He put his tiny hand on Emilia's arm. She turned to catch his beautiful little turquoise eyes looking up at her.

"Aun Em!" he smiled.

Nathaniel couldn't help but watch their little moment.

"Yes, Oren?" Emilia beamed back at her nephew. The little one patted her thigh and batted his long eyelashes.

"Oh, alright, then," Emilia giggled as she picked up the boy, placing him on her lap. Fergus looked over, kindly asked if he was bothering her, and she reassured him that he wasn't. Emilia adored her nephew. Oren pointed at the berries on her plate and said something that Nathaniel thought resembled "please." Emilia picked up a berry and fed it to Oren, chuckling slightly as she met Nathaniel's gaze. "Something we have in common," she explained to him softly.

"He seems to really like you," Nathaniel noted.

"He better," Emilia laughed. "I'm giving him my beloved berries."

Nathaniel made a point to save some of his - offering them to Emilia after Oren had returned to his mother. She of course accepted.

At the conclusion of dinner, the minstrels announced that the dance floor was open. Nathaniel stood and beamed at Emilia from across the table. "We're dancing now."

Fergus and Oriana began to laugh hysterically. The Howe and Cousland parents looked clueless as to what could be so funny, other than perhaps the fact that Emilia's face had turned bright red. She stood and bowed her head, making her way around the table to her dance partner. A few moments later, the parents erupted into laughter - Fergus must have explained to them the little scene that Emilia had caused at his wedding using those exact same words.

Dancing with Nathaniel couldn't be more different this time than the last. There was no hostile sarcasm. No awkward age difference. No uncomfortable silence.

"You look incredible," Nathaniel whispered in her ear. "Stunning," he confessed, his strong hand finding the small of her back.

She grinned widely. "I could say the same about you, Nathaniel Howe."

"Could you?" he chuckled.

She batted her long lashes slowly as their eyes met. The striking exchange of their gazes interrupted their conversation, leaving both speechless. Maker, did she want him to kiss her. But she knew he wouldn't, not now. Their parents were undoubtedly watching the whole affair. They continued to dance in a comfortable silence, relishing the chance to hold and touch each other.

At the conclusion of the dance, pale, delicate fingers wrapped around Nathaniel's shoulder. The tall, blonde queen stepped out to his side. "May I cut in for the next dance?" Her royal highness addressed Nathaniel, in reference to Emilia. He respectfully bowed and granted the queen her wish. Two women dancing in court wasn't unheard of in Ferelden, but it wasn't the most common occurrence either. Anora was clearly making a bit of a statement by asking Emilia to dance; it wasn't something anyone would miss.

"It's been a good many years since we've seen each other," the queen recollected. Emilia agreed, and Anora continued. "Now that I'm living much closer to Highever, I do hope you'll come to visit more often. You're one of the most powerful young women in Ferelden, and that means I wish us to be friends, of course."

Emilia chuckled. "Is that so, your Majesty?"

The queen elaborated. "You're the daughter of Teryn Bryce Cousland and the future Arlessa of Amaranthine. Plus, it's obvious to everyone that Nathaniel Howe adores you. And I've heard that you, like me, are intelligent and good with people. Nathaniel will undoubtedly seek your council someday."

Emilia thanked Anora for the compliment and promised to visit her in Denerim on a regular basis - being a friend to the queen would certainly have its advantages. The pair of young women continued to converse as they danced, exchanging light, personal banter. At the conclusion of the dance, Anora returned to her king.

Emilia bid the new queen adieu and scanned the ballroom for Nathaniel. She had attempted to keep an eye on him while dancing with Anora, but he seemed to have disappeared. Emilia sauntered along the edges of the grand hall, her visage calm and confident.

Suddenly, a strong hand pulled her into a dark corner. Emilia nearly gasped, but any concern she had disappeared as soon as she found his familiar silver eyes. "Nathaniel," she breathed, her heart racing.

"I thought you might like to get away from all of this for a little while," he purred into her ear. Trying to maintain her composure, Emilia nodded in agreement. A smirk drew across Nathaniel's face, his mischievous nature causing Emilia's chest to pound even faster. He took her hand and led her through the most shadowed parts of the hall, eventually stopping near an open window towards the back. Nathaniel gestured towards it, and Emilia grinned as she climbed outside. The pair knew better than to sneak off, but this was a rule they were willing to break. So long as they were not gone long, they could get away with it.

Exiting the ballroom through the window led them to a small hill. There wasn't anyone around as it was rather far from the main courtyard, their spot just a few yards from the palace walls. Emilia tested the grass with her hands, and when she found it was dry, she sat down. Nathaniel joined her on the lawn, his hand finding its way back to hers yet again - not that she minded.

For a few moments, the two stared at the stars, grinning in silence, just enjoying being near the other. Eventually, Nathaniel spoke.

"You've changed since I last saw you. Grown." his leathery voice professed.

An enticing shimmer filled Emilia's eyes. "It pleases you, I hope?" she asked through a smirk.

Nathaniel chuckled, somewhat surprised by her response. "Since when do you care about pleasing others?"

"I care about pleasing you," the young woman flirted. She could only imagine what kind of effect her coy statement was having on him.

Nathaniel cleared the shock from his throat. "Yes, well, it does, actually," he confessed, turning to face her.

"You've changed, too," she noted, meeting his gaze.

"Oh?"

"You're more confident. Forward." She looked back at the starry heavens.

Nathaniel laughed again. "Yes, well, the last time I saw you, you weren't yet a woman and I had no clue how to act around you."

"You're still just as handsome, though. If not more so," she continued, eyes fixed on the sky, ignoring his previous comment. She would rather they put her juvenile actions from the past behind them.

He scooted close to her, pressed his thigh against hers, and put his arm behind her back. She leaned into him, placed her head on his shoulder, and her hand on his leg. He twitched, her touch sending a shiver down his spine. He swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure. "And you, my love, are incredibly beautiful."

"My love?" Emilia stressed the words, looking up at him. He had written them in his most recent letter but she had yet to hear him speak the words.

"Yes, my love," Nathaniel reiterated. "That's not a problem, is it?"

She grinned as she again looked up to the stars, trying to hide the heat that was tinting her complexion. "I suppose not."

"You're blushing again," Nathaniel accused playfully.

"I do not blush," Emilia asserted.

His rough hand cupped her chin, bringing it to face him. "You do for me, my love." He stressed the words again, teasing her, his face mere inches away from hers. Only the smallest of movements was necessary to close the distance between them. Her emerald eyes challenged him, a stark contrast to the flustered redness of her cheeks.

Suddenly, his lips were upon hers. Full, warm, soft - yet commanding. His hand gently caressed her cheek as he kissed her, and Maker, did she kiss him back. Emilia had spent years pining over him, the man she would one day marry. She had been too young for him until now, and the space and respect he gave her only further affirmed her infatuation. Nathaniel Howe was a gentleman: one with a sense of adventure, maturity, and decisiveness. Tonight she was beginning to see a dark, impetuous and dominant side of him - facets of his personality she hadn't known until now. Typically, Emilia walked all over people, men included. She rather liked that she couldn't do that with him.

A harsh voice came from the window. "Nathaniel!" Rendon hissed, the sound breaking into the private escape, interrupting their private moment. "You two had better get back inside before Teryn Cousland notices your absence."

His father was right, and both of them knew it. Begrudgingly, they returned to the party. The couple spent the rest of the night sending each other knowing glances, whispering sweet nothings, exchanging gentle, subtle touches, and even had a few more dances. The betrothed pair hardly left each other's side. When the ball ended, Nathaniel bid his adieu to Emilia by offering a sweet kiss on her hand. Her parents had been present for the gesture: Eleanor sighed an approving "aw," and Bryce smiled happily.

Saying goodbye the following morning was the hardest thing Emilia had ever done. Getting to spend one evening with Nathaniel had been such a pleasure, such a tease, and she wanted so much more. Her hand still tingled with the memory of his touch, as did her lips. The intimate kiss they had shared on the lawn still clung to the forefront of her mind. She longed to feel his lush lips pressed against hers - and wondered what they would feel like elsewhere on her body. It had all been like some scene straight from one of her romance novels - and she had read enough of them to know what came next.

Last night Emilia had wanted nothing more than to sneak away from the Cousland Denerim residence and steal into the Howe's. She struggled with the temptation, but ultimately resisted it, knowing even she wasn't stealthy enough to keep her presence from Rendon Howe. She thought maybe Nathaniel would do the opposite and infiltrate her home, but it was not so, and probably for similar reasons. Well, that and if he had gotten caught sneaking into her room, he probably would have been in much more trouble than if she had been caught sneaking into his. Emilia wanted more of Nathaniel to be sure, but she shoved the thought from her mind - it would be years yet until she would get that wish.

Now it was time for Nathaniel to depart to go back to the Free Marches for another two years. Emilia didn't want to say goodbye, and by the slight shimmer in his eye, neither did Nathaniel. He pulled his betrothed into a warm embrace, his lips moving toward her ear.

"Only two years until I come back and make you mine forever. It's been three already. We can handle two more, right?"

Emilia nodded, her chin rubbing against his shoulder, breathing in his scent of leather and fresh pine one last time. She didn't want to let him go. "We can. I'll miss you, Nate."

"And I you, Em." He begrudgingly pulled away from her, still holding her toned forearms in his long, slender grip.

Bryce's voice broke into their moment. "Oh, go on," the teryn chuckled. "You have my permission, Nathaniel."

The pair smiled, thankful for her father's understanding. Nathaniel swept her typical stray lock behind her ear and rested his calloused palm against her blushing cheek. Emilia leaned in closer, going up to her toes to help to close the distance. Nathaniel bowed his head, softly pressing his lips against hers. Time froze, if only for a moment. A moment neither of them wanted to end. Unfortunately, it was shattered when Ser Rodolphe shouted from the horses, reminding Nathaniel that it was time to depart.

"Two years, my love," he purred as he released her lips from his, caressing her cheek with his thumb. He walked over to his horse without looking back, but Emilia watched him even so. She wouldn't take her eyes off him until so long as it was possible to see him.

As he saddled and hopped onto his horse, Emilia's heart dropped deeper in her chest. He will wave goodbye, won't he?

Sure enough, Nathaniel turned, waved, and winked to his Em just as the horse began to walk away.

A/N: Tsk tsk, breaking the rules. But not all of them. Yet. :D Thanks again to those reading along, and a special thanks to those to favorited, followed, or left reviews. It seriously makes my day to hear from y'all readers in any capacity! :)