Chapter 60: Twas the Night Before…
Alistair and Delia walked into the dining room hand in hand and both grinning from ear to ear. Their companions were already seated at the table and had started to eat dinner so the room was noisy from the sound of conversation. Alistair walked to an open chair at the table and picked up a glass and started to clank a spoon against the glass to get everyone's attention.
"I have some important news that will affect everyone here," he said once the room was quiet. "Tomorrow is going to be a big day, as Delia has agreed to marry me, here at Warden House!"
The table erupted in congratulations as they all stood and took turns hugging the two. Of course, Zevran took advantage of the situation and held on to Delia a little bit too close and for a little bit too long for Alistair's liking, earning a lecherous grin and shoulder shrug from Zevran.
"Ah, you know me, my dear Alistair. I must take my pleasure where I can, and I know that you would never permit me to hug you in that manner, so I must get my hugs where I can!"
Gorshep went down to the wine cellar and brought back several bottles of sparkling wine from Orlais so that they could have a proper toast to the bride and groom. Deirdre was nearly beside herself with excitement as she had never had an opportunity to help any wardens celebrate such a wonderful event before! She started to plan the menu aloud, talking to no one in particular.
Trent walked over to Alistair and clapped his hand against his shoulder. "I couldn't be happier, lad."
Alistair beamed at the warrior. "You don't know how much that means to me. Thank you, Trent."
They all sat to eat the savory mutton stew that Deirdre served and the conversation seemed to divide by men and women. The men were discussing how they should help Alistair spend his last night as a single man, making Alistair blush profusely. Delia's conversation was dominated by wedding plans. Leliana and Wynne were very eager to be certain that Delia had the most beautiful wedding possible and as soon as the meal was finished, Leliana grabbed Delia by the hand and started to drag her upstairs.
With an apologetic smile to her groom, Delia was pulled out of the room. The men heard the women giggling all the way up the stairs. Morrigan followed behind, a look of curiosity on her face. When they reached Delia's room, they filed in and sat either on the window seat or in the chairs.
"Delia, do you still have your dress? The green one that looked so beautiful on you?" Wynne asked with concern. "It may not be traditional, but at least it's a dress."
Leliana shook her head. "No, that will not do at all. Wait here one minute." She hurried across the hall to her room and returned with a package. "Delia, open this and tell me what you think."
Leliana simply radiated excitement as Delia ripped open the brown paper. Inside the package, Delia found a gorgeous dress made of white silk with silver trim. It was sewn in the current Orlesian fashion, with a deep V neck, exposing a bit more of the décolletage than Delia was used to and causing her to blush.
"Oh, don't be so modest. Try it on, Delia. It will look very different once it's on. Trust me." Leliana pushed her toward the privacy screen.
Delia removed her tunic and breeches and carefully stepped into the dress. The silk felt marvelous on her skin, and Leliana was right when she said it wouldn't be quite as risqué as Delia originally thought. As she stepped out from in back of the screen, the ladies all gasped and Wynne clasped her hands together.
"Delia, that dress is perfect for you! Leliana, you have very good taste!" Wynne looked approvingly at the bard.
Leliana chuckled. "I learned many different skills in my previous life, and knowing how clothes would look on someone before they try them on is a very important skill when you are trying to sway a mark."
Morrigan looked at the three women as they fussed over the dress with an amused curiosity. "So, am I to understand that by marrying you are not only attached to the idiot Templar for the rest of your life, but you have to partake in a meaningless ceremony where you costume yourself like a doll? What is the purpose of this? Wouldn't it be simpler if you simply coupled with him and worked these foolish feelings out of your mind?"
Delia looked at the apostate first with anger, but realized that she truly did not understand. "Morrigan, people marry for any of a number of reasons. It could be for power, it could be for protection, but I am very fortunate that I am marrying for love. I know that you don't think very highly of Alistair, but that is because you choose to not know him well. His intellect is much higher than you give him credit for, and I hope that someday you will learn to appreciate him. The ceremony and formal dress is our way to show the Maker that we do not take this marriage lightly. We are committing ourselves to each other, witnessed by our closest friends who, for us, have become our family," she smiled at the women, "and the vows we will make to each other and the Maker we will take into our very souls. As for simply coupling, with Alistair's Chantry upbringing, it would be difficult for him to do that outside of a marriage. It isn't simply a physical act for him – it is a spiritual one as well."
Wynne moved toward Delia and inspected the fit of the dress. "We need to alter this dress a bit. Leliana, would you please retrieve my sewing kit? I have some pins in there… oh, what shoes will you wear, Delia? We need to adjust the length to the shoes…"
"I took care of that as well, Wynne." Leliana pulled a pair of dainty white slippers from behind her back. "You will need shoes that are pretty, but I know that you will want something comfortable, yes? These slippers should take care of both needs. Try them on!"
Delia sat on the chair, careful to prevent the dress from wrinkling, and put the slippers on her feet. They were made from the same silk as the dress, with soft suede soles to prevent her from slipping. As Leliana said, they were comfortable, yet perfect for the dress.
"Leliana, where did you ever get these? And how did you know I would need them?" Delia couldn't help but look at herself in the mirror.
"I bought them at the Orlesian silk merchant when we shopped the other day. I knew you and Alistair would be getting married at some point, and when I saw the dress and how perfect it would be for you, I couldn't pass it by!"
Delia walked over and hugged her friend. "Leliana, thank you. You are such a wonderful friend!"
Leliana giggled and slipped out of her friend's embrace. "Wait until your dress is perfect and then you can thank all of us." She left to get Wynne's sewing kit, and when she returned they immediately started to pin the adjustments, the women chatting all the while. Once the pins were in place, Delia carefully removed the dress and put back on her tunic and breeches, and the women all started to work on the dress.
Deirdre came upstairs after an hour had passed and brought some sherry and cheese. She joined in the conversation as well, and the women spent the evening enjoying the camaraderie of their joint sewing project and their conversation.
Alistair, on the other hand, was a bit more nervous. The men were in the library, drinking some very fine Antivan brandy and teasing Alistair. It wasn't so bad when Trent or Aeden were teasing him good naturedly, but Zevran wouldn't stop asking him about what he knew about making love and Oghren was already drunk and talking to invisible nugs that were trying to steal his pants!
Alistair drank his brandy and didn't realize when it was quietly refilled. Before long he was inebriated himself. Zevran kept an eye on him, waiting for the point when Alistair would be just at the point where he could be the most swayed and then took the Templar into the corner, sitting in the chair next to him.
"My dear Alistair, am I to believe that you have never once experienced the pleasure of a woman?" the elf teased.
"Well… of coursh not, Zev… you know it. You're the one who-oosh been teashing me the most…"
"Do you have any idea what to do tomorrow night? Once you are alone with your wife?"
Alistair looked through blearily drunken eyes at the assassin. "No… not really, but I bet I can figgur it out shomehow!" He laughed uproariously.
Zevran eyed the drunken groom before putting his hand on his knee and leaning toward him, whispering in his ear. "You, my good friend, are in luck. Tonight I am going to teach you everything you need to know to make our lovely Delia a much fulfilled woman."
For the next hour, Zevran whispered into Alistair's ear. Every once in a while, Alistair would react in surprise at something Zevran would say, the elf becoming more amused every time.
After the hour, Alistair was so drunk he could barely keep his eyes open. However, he looked at Zevran with worry. "Zev, why are you teaching me all thish? I mean, I shertainly appresh-iate everything you're telling me, but whatsh in it for you?"
Zevran put his hand on Alistair's shoulder and very seriously spoke from his heart. "Because I have come to think of you as a good friend, and I want only the best for you and Delia. You will remember at least parts of this conversation tomorrow, and your first time with Delia will not be as awkward as it would have been. But for now, my dear Templar, we must put you to bed. Come with me."
Alistair looked confused. "Zev, you know I'm not that kind of a guy…"
"Do not worry, I am simply helping you to your own room. You need your beauty sleep if you are to look dashing for the delightful Delia at your wedding!"
"Delia… you know I love her sho much! I wonder if she'sh shtill awake. Maybe I should go see her?" He took a few faltering steps and nearly fell, but Zevran caught him and helped him stand upright again.
"Not tonight, my friend. Sleep is what you need now. And a visit from Wynne first thing in the morning." He put his arm around Alistair's waist and took him to his room, depositing him on his bed before taking off the warden's boots and pulling the blanket over him. "Goodnight, my friend. Tomorrow your life will never be the same. Do not disappoint Delia – she only deserves the best, and now, perhaps, you will have some knowledge of how to be close to the best, yes?" He slipped out of the room, soft snores confirming that Alistair was already asleep.