Chapter 61: Wedding Day Part 1
Alistair woke up and his hand immediately went to his head. "Oh, my head hurts! I haven't felt this awful since the day after my Joining party… maybe Wynne will take pity on me, if not for my sake for Delia's…" He slowly stood up to find he was still dressed from the night before except for his boots which were neatly standing at the foot of his bed. Carefully he pulled the boots on and started on what felt like a day's march down to the dining room.
Only a few of his companions were downstairs. Aeden and Trent shared a laugh at the bedraggled look of their friend, earning a snort from Alistair.
"Yes, nice. Have a good laugh at my expense. Here I am with my head ready to explode, and all you can do is enjoy my pain and agony. Have either of you seen Wynne? Maybe she will care how much I am agonizing and help me."
Trent smiled at his soon to be son in law. "I believe she went to the study once she finished her breakfast. I would look for her there."
"Thank you." He slowly walked to the study and was greeted by the two dogs barking excitedly for him. "Yes, yes I'm very glad to see the two of you too, but would you please keep it down? My head hasn't felt this bad in what seems like a lifetime!"
The dogs quieted and walked beside him as he made his way across the room to where Wynne sat with her knitting. She looked up at him, a frown crossing her face.
"Oh, dear. You look almost as if the darkspawn marched an army over you! Did you overindulge last night?"
He tried to smile, but it hurt to even use those muscles. "I swear to you, Wynne, I only had my glass refilled twice all night. The brandy must have been extra strong – I can usually hold my liquor better than this. I feel miserable… wouldn't you pleeeeease take pity on me and shoot a healing spell my way? Please Wynne – you wouldn't want Delia's wedding day to be spoiled by her groom looking like he fell out of a hayloft, would you?" He tried again to smile at her imploringly, but instead he grimaced in pain.
Wynne chuckled. "We wouldn't want anything to put a damper on Delia's day… yours either, believe it or not." She placed her hand on his forehead and used her magic to remove his hangover. "There now, does that feel better?" she said as she grinned at him.
"Oh, much better. Thank you, Wynne. You have no idea how much I appreciate that." He took her hand and kissed the knuckles.
"Enough, young man," she laughed as she took her hand away from him. "Go get something to eat and then clean yourself up. You do not look presentable for your wedding at all! Do you even have something to wear?"
"Uh, no, not yet. Aeden said he would help me find something from a merchant when we go to get Brother Burkel. I want to find something nice so I don't embarrass Delia." His face took on a faraway look as he sighed. "Today is going to be the best day of my entire life!"
Wynne smiled warmly at him. "Then go, eat your meal and get the day started!"
She watched as the warden nearly jogged out of the room and settled back to her knitting. She hoped to finish the extra-large scarf she was working on before they set out on the next part of their journey. Poor Sten didn't have a proper cloak, and a scarf would help to keep him a bit warmer in the cold weather they faced…
Delia didn't wake until there was a soft knock at her door. After she pulled a dressing robe on she opened the door.
"Ah, dearie I knew you'd be wanting some breakfast, but it would never do for you to see your groom the mornin' of your wedding!" Deirdre seemed to take command as she pushed into the room carrying a platter of oatcakes and jam with a pot of hot tea. "T'would be bad luck indeed, and I won't stand for anything getting in the way of a happily ever after!"
Delia smiled warmly at her but was confused when Deirdre set two place settings on the table in front of the fireplace. "And who are you expecting to join me?"
"Leliana asked me to bring enough for two. I expect she'll be along in a moment. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything." With a grin, the dwarf left her alone, but that was changed shortly when Leliana knocked.
The two women enjoyed their breakfast and conversation. They were laughing over something silly when they heard a scratching sound at the door. Leliana walked to the door and opened it and in walked a very dejected looking Griffon.
"Oh, mon chien cher, what happened to make you look so sad?" As she bent down to hug the dog she heard a small voice in the hallway.
"Griffon? Oh, there you are. I'm sorry Momma wouldn't let you out, but the wardens said you had to stay here." Jessop poked his head into the room. "I'm sorry to disturb you, m'lady. I wanted to make sure Griffon was alright."
Delia smiled at the boy. "I'm glad you care so much about him. You said he wanted to go with the wardens? Do you know where they went?"
"Aye, they went to Orzammar to get Brother Burkel. Momma said they'd be back after lunch. Griffon wanted to go with them 'cause I think he wants to get outside."
"Hmm, I wonder… would you be able to do me a huge favor? Griffon has been cooped up a lot, and so has Dusty. Do you think you could convince you mother to let you take the two dogs outside for a romp? They need someone to throw sticks for them and allow them to just be regular dogs for a bit."
Jessop's face brightened. "Aye, Momma said that I was to help out however I needed to today. If you said it would be a help, Momma would let me."
Delia smiled at him warmly as Griffon's demeanor also seemed to brighten. "Alright then, Griff, help Jessop find Dusty and the two of you behave yourselves. I don't want to hear that you've given the lad any trouble, do you hear me?" She reached over and scratched the dog's head, earning a sound from him that seemed to be almost like he was trying to talk. "Don't keep them out for all too long, Jessop. As soon as your hands start to feel cold, you must bring them back in."
Jessop stood as tall as he could. "Yes'm. I'll bring them back here when we come inside. Come on then, Griffon. Let's find Dusty!"
The boy and the dog rushed off, earning chuckles from the women.
"You will be a wonderful mother, Delia," Leliana commented.
Delia sighed. "I hope the Maker will allow me to be one. I would love to have Alistair's child someday."
Leliana had Delia sit in front of the mirror so she could begin to create the elaborate hairstyle she had planned for her friend. She tried several different ideas but nothing seemed to be right. Wynne came into the room while Leliana was scrutinizing her fourth attempt.
"Leliana, what did Delia's hair do to deserve to be abused in that manner?" the elder woman gasped. "It looks as if you are creating a bird's nest!"
"Oh, Wynne, I want her hair to be beautiful, but I am at a loss. All the elaborate styles I learned in Orlais just aren't working for Delia."
Wynne drew closer and looked at the mass of teased hair on Delia's head and sighed. "This will hurt to brush out." She put her hand up and chanted some words they didn't recognize and Delia's hair detangled itself. "I would suggest something much more simple and elegant. Perhaps a simple chignon? That way her hair can shine in the firelight."
Leliana agreed, and just as she finished placing the last hairpin in place there was a knock on the door. It was Jessop, returning the two hounds.
"We had a great time, my lady!" he said breathlessly. "We played fetch and the two of them played tugs for a bit, but we also took care of a very important job. Do you want to know what that job was?" He looked at her like he was letting her in on a huge secret.
"What job was that, Jessop?" Delia asked as she whispered to him conspiratorially.
The boy reached outside the door and brought in a full bouquet of spring flowers. "The dogs helped me find these crocuses for you. Momma said you needed flowers for the wedding, an' these would be the only ones right now. I hope you like them." He smiled at her shyly.
Delia beamed at the boy. "Oh, Jessop, these are perfect! I couldn't have asked for any flowers more beautiful. They are more than beautiful – they are extra special. Do you know why?"
He shook his head. "Because you picked these especially for me, with the help of the dogs, of course. I think that earns you a special honor at today's ceremony, don't you think so as well, Leliana and Wynne?"
The two women assented and Delia continued. "For the ceremony today, someone will need to be responsible for sitting with Dusty and Griffon, as they are very important members of our group. They will need someone who will show them where they should sit and who will be making certain that they get as much food as they want! Would you be our hound master for the day? It would mean a great deal to both Alistair and me if you would."
Griffon and Dusty both woofed their approval as their tails wagged wildly. Jessop's eyes went wide. "Me? You want me to have such an important job?" As Delia nodded and smiled, the boy gave her a strong hug. "I would be honored. I love these dogs as if they were my own. Thank you, my lady."
Delia told him she would send the dogs to him when it was time and that Wynne would show him where they should sit, then he ran off excitedly to tell his parents. The women were finishing styling Leliana's hair when Deirdre came with lunch for them, tears in her eyes.
"Delia, dear, you have no idea what you've done for my boy. He couldn't be more excited to be your hound master today. I know it's something you made up for him, but he's so proud! And he can't wait to help with the dogs."
Delia grinned. "I am so glad. He's a sweet boy."
"After you eat, you'd best start dressing, dear. Your personal warden is back from Orzammar and honestly, I think if he has to wait for too long he's going to hyperventilate and fall over! He's as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, I tell you!" Deirdre laughed as she left the room, leaving the women in stitches.
They ate quickly and then Wynne and Leliana went to their rooms to dress for the wedding. Delia walked over to where her dress was hanging and carefully put it on. She tightened the lacing and looked at herself in the mirror. The emerald necklace that Justine gave to her was perfectly framed by the neckline of the dress with her warden amulet tucked deeper into her décolletage but still visible. She rather liked the effect, as she still was able to proudly display her attachment to the wardens.
A soft knock on the door made her turn and bid them to enter. The door opened and Trent walked in. His eyes grew watery as he looked at his daughter.
"You are beautiful, Delia. Your mother would be so proud of you." He smiled softly at his daughter and pulled a small drawstring bag from his pocket. "I'd like you to have this. It's… the only thing I have from Landra, but it is your wedding day and you need to have something of your mother's. I know that she will be watching over you today from the Fade."
Delia opened the pouch and took out a pendant with a small Andrastian pendant. "This means so much to me, Trent, but I won't keep it. I will wear it proudly today and return it to you afterward. Someday you can will it to me, but in the meantime you need to have it so that you can have a piece of mother close to your heart. Would you please help put it on?"
He took the chain and carefully placed the pendant around her neck, fastening it at the back of her neck. As they looked at themselves in the mirror, Trent noticed for the first time the ways that his daughter took after him… she had the same nose and chin shape, but her eyes and cheekbones were those of her mother. He missed Landra more than he had in a long time at that moment and he sighed in that brief moment of sadness. Forcing a grin to his face, he turned his daughter to face him.
"Are you ready, my dear? If you are, we should get the ceremony started before Alistair passes out. I swear I have never seen a man so nervous for no reason before!"
Delia chuckled. "He doesn't like to be the center of attention is all. He'll be fine." She took her father's arm and led him out of the door. Trent told the two dogs to find Jessop and then he led his daughter down the hallway toward the stairs where Leliana was waiting for them. She was acting as Delia's honor attendant and was dressed in a simple sapphire blue dress.
"Well, what do you think?" Leliana asked as she spun around to show off her dress. "Do you think I will attract the attention of a handsome single man?"
Trent looked at her appreciatively. "There is no doubt in my mind that you will. Is there someone in particular you would like to have notice you?"
Leliana smiled coyly. "Ah, a woman must keep her secrets, yes? Otherwise how do you know that you are not the single man I have my eye on?"
"Most likely because I am old enough to be your father as well as Delia's, my dear. I think you have a very good chance at having a younger and far more handsome man on your arm by the end of the evening."
She winked at him. "Younger, maybe, but never more handsome. But enough about me, it is your day, Delia! Shall we start the ceremony?"
Delia smiled warmly at her friend – the woman who had become her sister. "Yes, Leliana. I am more than ready to finally become Alistair's wife." She took Trent's arm once again as Leliana nodded and started to walk down the stairs.