A Change of Pace
Much to the group's pleasure the next several days were easy going. The roads north were changing for the worse but not such that any real difficulty was met.
They reached the half way point, a village known as Heathcliffe, a day ahead of schedule. Nathaniel was point that day and he led the group to the town's blacksmith, having made arrangements when last passing through for the horses to board for the night.
The blacksmith was a kind and elderly man. He shook Nathaniel's hand with enthusiasm. Smiling at the lot of them he invited them to dismount and called to a young boy to help gather the animals.
"Warden Commander, 'tis an honor to serve you again! I had an opportunity to procure some better quality feed since I knew you would be through again." he boasted. "The horses should enjoy their stay."
"Thank you sir, it was kind of you to do so." Juliette said while opening her pack. She pulled a few silvers out. "For your trouble," she handed it to him.
"Always an honor, Commander, always!" and the man bowed his head. "Its good timing you have, by the way. There's to be a wedding this afternoon and the whole of the village will be celebrating in the village center. I'm sure the bride's family would be honored if you would attend."
Juliette looked at the other wardens and smiled. "A celebration? That would be a refreshing change of pace. Yes, please, let the family know we would like to attend."
The blacksmith smiled and hurried off. Nathaniel and Juliette walked side by side as Oghren and Anders walked ahead toward the inn.
"I hope there are enough rooms, considering there may be more visitors than normal" Nathaniel commented. "If not, I suppose we can make camp outside of the village."
Juliette nodded and smiled. "I must admit I am looking forward to going. It's been a while since there was a reason to celebrate." she sighed and then smiled. "Perhaps you will indulge me with a dance?"
"I would indulge you in most anything, Jules." and he reached out to hold her hand. They arrived at the inn a moment later, to find Anders and Oghren had already informed the keeper of their arrival.
"It appears that we will be bunking together." Anders said. "The keeper says that he only has two rooms left. What do you want to do, Commander?"
"Oh. That's unfortunate." Juliette said. The inn keeper, a man named Tim, if she recalled correctly, stepped into sight. He walked over.
"Warden Commander, you have my most humble apologies. I've been attempting to rearrange some folks, I think I can perhaps obtain one more room for you but I fear more would be impossible."
"No, Tim, no. We can make a camp outside of the village and take our meals here. There is no reason to displace anyone." Juliette sighed, "Though I was looking forward to a bath."
"I could make arrangements for you and the wardens to have a room for you to bath and dress in. It would save you having to leave the village." Tim offered.
"No, but thank you, we will need the time to set up so it makes little sense to take the room. May we still get a noon meal? I know it's a bit early."
The keeper ushered them into the dining room and hurried off to find his cook. After a hearty meal, the group paid their bill and departed the inn. A big round man hustled after them, calling to Juliette, "Warden Commander! Warden Commander a moment please!"
Juliette turned and paused, waiting for the man to reach her. He huffed as he arrived.
"Warden Commander Cousland! Thank you for stopping." he wiped his brow. "I fear I am not in the shape I was in my youth." He panted. "I wanted to introduce myself, my Lady. I am Ser Cedric Younce and I am the father of the bride!"
"Well met sir! I offer our congratulations to your families and thank you for your greeting."
"I must tell you that I had the privilege to have known your dear mother, the Lady Eleanor. I assisted her years ago with a large donation of books to the university in Denerim. A most gracious lady," Ser Cedric said. "I was sorry to hear of her passing."
Juliette could sense Nathaniel's unease and sought to move the conversation forward.
"Thank you for you kind words, Ser Cedric."
"I would consider it a great honor if you and your party would join us to celebrate my daughter's wedding." said Ser Cedric. "We shall gather at the Chantry at three o'clock."
"We would be pleased to do so, thank you. We will be setting our camp in the clearing beyond the hills there. We shall have to hurry as the time approaches, so I beg you to excuse us." Juliette said politely.
The proud father bowed and thanked them before turning to hustle away.
"I hope they serve whatever he's been eatin' cause he seems to have enjoyed his fair share." observed Oghren.
Anders laughed, "I just hope his daughter takes after her mother, or that the groom has sturdy legs."
They continued up the hill and arrived at the clearing a short time later. Oghren began rolling out the tents in their usual circle and Anders departed for the trees to gather wood. Juliette pulled the small spade from her pack and she and Nathaniel began to create a fire pit. Quickly and efficiently the camp was erected.
Juliette tossed the spade to the side and looked around. Anders answered her unspoken question.
"If you walk through that patch of trees, about two hundred feet out there is a small pool that feeds the stream. Saw a little waterfall and everything." he reached into his pack for his expensive scented soaps and held them up to her. "Perfect for a bath."
Juliette whole face brightened. "Thank you Anders, I am filthy." Juliette took the soaps and hurried from the clearing, grabbing her pack along the way.
Nathaniel was dropping a load of firewood at the edge of the camp when he saw her hurrying off.
"Where is she going?" he asked Anders.
"Oh, she's off for a bath. There's a perfect little pond just that way."
"A pond? She doesn't swim very well." Nathaniel frowned.
"She's bathing, not swimming. She's a big girl Nathaniel, she'll be fine." Anders said. "Really, you worry too much."
Juliette arrived at the pool and was thrilled to see that Anders was right. The trees broke around it and warm sunshine was glowing over the water. She saw the little waterfall and thought it would make quick work of washing her hair.
She quickly striped off her clothing, shivering at the chill in the fall air. Knowing that the water would be frigid she made sure she had exactly what she needed laid out before she stepped in. The water was colder than she had thought.
"Maker! Oh wow." her teeth chattering already she held her breath and stepped into the center of the pool. The water was like needles and she surfaced gasping at the sensation. Shivering she quickly soaped her body and hair, her regret at declining the kind innkeepers offer increasing tenfold. Back under she went to rinse, popping back up with a yelp.
"Juliette!" she heard Nathaniel call. What was he doing here?
"Wh-what? G-g-g-o away Nate!" she yelled. She saw him standing at the ponds edge and thought it was a good thing she was in the deeper water.
"I wanted to check on you, you didn't answer me. You don't swim well." Nathaniel said frowning.
"I was washing!" she chattered. "I'm done now and frozen solid. Go to the camp so I can get out!"
Nathaniel was still frowning at her.
"Nate! I'm g-g-g-going numb!" and he seemed to see she meant it. He turned his back and walked several steps away.
"I will not look but I will not leave you either. The water is deep."
Juliette glowered at his back but stood up anyway. She was desperate to be out of the cold water.
Reaching the edge as quickly as possible she grabbed her towel and began to dry. She was shaking so violently she almost lost her balance. Nathaniel still had his back turned.
"I was fine, Nate. You don't have to worry about me all the time." she said through chattering teeth. "But thank you."
"I am unable to help it. Worrying about you is something I'm quite good at." he said.
Juliette had finished dressing and wound the towel around her hair. She smiled at Nate's back and walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I know." she said hugging him. Nathaniel turned around and held her close.
"You are like an ice block, sweetheart." and he began rubbing her arms and back. His hands felt wonderful and her shivering soon stopped.
"Better?" he whispered.
"My lips are chilly." she said smiling up at him.
"I can help you with that."
And he did.
A few minutes later they arrived at camp and she entered her tent to dry her hair and dress. Oghren was sitting on the opposite side of the camp and grunted a hello to Nathaniel. He gestured to Nathaniel to come over.
"So, you two finally figured it out, eh boy?"
"Figured what out, dwarf?" Nathaniel asked sitting down next to him.
"That you do better together than apart." Oghren gave Nathaniel an odd look. "See here, I don't mean to get all mushy on ya but the commander is about the best girl I've ever known. And seein' as you aren't half the blighter everyone thinks you ought to be, I figure you two should enjoy each other while you can." Oghren stood and pointed a finger at him. "But just so we're clear, boy, I'll cut your sac off if you break her heart. Otherwise, have at."
"Thanks Oghren. I think." Nathaniel said smiling. Oghren walked off to his own tent.
Not that much later the group was ready to go. Juliette stepped from her tent in a very simple dress of deep green; it was wrinkled but flattering and would suite the occasion better than breeches and a travel shirt. Her hair was braided loosely and she had a shawl with her. She came to stand next to the fire and looked at them all.
"You boys look very nice. Anders you will have the girls fighting amongst themselves to get at you." Anders patted his hair and smiled.
"Oghren, are your boots, CLEAN? They look very nice indeed!" Juliette said with genuine surprise.
"Yea well, I'll make sure not to vomit on them later on then."
Anders and Oghren began walking out of the clearing as Nathaniel walked around the pit to her side, offering his arm.
"You look rather handsome." she smiled at him.
"Perhaps the girls will have something else to fight about?" he teased.
"Not if they want to survive the night." she said her eyes narrowing. "You have promised me a dance, if you will recall."
He bent and placed a kiss on her hair.
"You smell like Anders." he complained.
"Anders lent me his soaps." she argued. "I think it smells nice."
"I like the way you smell, a lot actually." Nathaniel said. "Now it's all mixed up, you and he."
"Well, don't get too mixed up, I don't know if he will appreciate your kisses the way I do."
They arrived at the village in time to enter the Chantry with the rest of the guests and tried to sit a bit to the back. Ser Cedric had other ideas though and had them sit almost in the very front.
Shortly the wedding vows were exchanged and the Revered Mother was blessing the union. The guests exited the Chantry and followed the new couple up the path to the village center where several large tables were laden with food and drink and surrounded a large platform. People were laughing and the mood was high.
Juliette felt herself falling into the spirit of the evening as the worries of Denerim and Alistair slipped away. Tonight she was celebrating happiness with these people, two dear friends and the man she loved, not that she had told him that yet. Perhaps tonight she would.
She laughed as the celebration began.