I'm not certain if I will get another chapter posted this week, as it is Christmas and I am a musician and mom... too much to do and too little time! If I don't get another posted, I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. I dedicate this chapter to all of you who are following my story, especially to Liso66, Warrose, Elizabeth-chan, Harmakhis, and KCousland who's regular reviews have made my days and made me laugh! Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 62: Wedding Day Part 2
Leliana led the way down the stairs, her appearance marking the start of the ceremony. Gorshep had hired a small group of dwarven musicians who started to play a traditional wedding tune as soon as they noticed the bard's arrival. As Delia turned down the stairs she caught sight of her groom. Once their eyes met he visibly relaxed and he flashed his lopsided smile to her. She couldn't stop smiling as Trent led her down the stairs.
Alistair looked very handsome in the dark blue doublet Aeden helped him to find at the market. It had silver embroidery down the front that resembled vines. Once Delia was at his side they made a striking pair. Trent handed her over to her groom after placing a kiss on her cheek and shaking Alistair's hand. Alistair looked at his bride and whispered, "You are absolutely beautiful!" as he gently kissed her hand.
The bride and groom couldn't keep their eyes off each other and were barely aware of the words coming from Brother Burkel's mouth. Alistair had to be poked by Aeden, his honor attendant, when it was time for him to actually take his vows! When it was time for the exchange of rings, Delia handed her bouquet of crocuses to Leliana and faced her beloved. He placed a thin band that matched the ironwood engagement ring and then lifted her hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss on top of the rings to "seal" them in place. Delia's ring for Alistair was a simple silverite band with a thin rectangular ruby set into the top and runes for protection inscribed on either side of the stone.
Once Brother Burkel pronounced them husband and wife Alistair pulled Delia to him and gave her a passionate kiss in front of all their friends, earning a whoop of appreciation from Zevran. Delia blushed as the group rushed toward them and both were overwhelmed by their friends' hugs and kisses. Alistair even allowed Zevran to give him a tight hug saying something about it being a special occasion!
Deirdre outdid herself with the wedding feast. The table was filled with food and drink and large candelabras were located throughout the room making the room sparkle. The musicians started to play dance music and Alistair held his hand out to his new wife so they could lead the first dance. Delia thought she had never seen him look anywhere near as happy and he seemed to lose any inhibitions he had previously shown about dancing as they swooped across the floor.
After their first dance they each took turns dancing with the other members of their party with Trent and Wynne being given the honor of the second dance with the bride and groom. After dancing for about an hour, Aeden passed glasses of sparkling wine to everyone with the help of Leliana and Zevran as he called for a toast.
"I think I speak for everyone here when I say how happy we are for both of you, Alistair and Delia. Who would have thought when we met in Ostagar that we would be here today, standing as witnesses as the two of you married? I know that I feel very fortunate to have both of you in my life: Delia as the little sister I never had and Alistair as the best friend I have ever had." He beamed at the bride and groom as he raised his glass. "I would like to propose a toast to the happy couple – to good health, great happiness, success in all your endeavors and a very long life for both of you!"
As their friends agreed to the sentiments Aeden articulated, they drank the toast. Alistair and Delia were both moved by Aeden's words and after Alistair gave him a manly hug Delia gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Oghren walked over to the musicians and asked them to play a traditional dwarven dance of celebration. As the first notes wafted through the room, the dwarven warrior started to dance. He called the other men to join him, and Alistair found himself dragged out to dance by Trent and Aeden. The men formed a circle and followed Oghren's lead as the dwarf showed them the intricate foot work and difficult knee bends that made up the dance. The symbolism of the dance was meant to wish the groom vitality and fortitude, and although the men stumbled through the dance they were laughing and enjoying themselves, Alistair laughing at himself so hard that he fell onto his behind and was helped up by Zevran and Gorshep.
Toward the end of the celebration, Gorshep and Deirdre called for everyone's attention. Gorshep had brought in a table made from a slab of black granite along with a chisel and a hammer. Deirdre held a piece of stone that was carved into a circle as well as two braided lengths of leather cord.
Gorshep cleared his throat. "I know that you believe in the Maker, but I thought it would be nice to have one of our most special traditions kept for your marriage. Alistair and Delia, we believe that we come from the stone, and when we make our wedding rings they are created from one stone that is split into two as part of the ceremony itself. The stone we chose for you is silver granite: silver to represent the Grey Wardens and granite because it is the strongest and most prized stone. We hope that you will accept these as our wish for your marriage to be as strong as the stone itself."
With that, Gorshep placed the circle onto the table, found a spot for the chisel point, and hit it one time with the hammer. The ring split into two perfect halves. Gorshep smiled at his friends.
"We have to polish these up for you, but tomorrow they'll be ready."
Delia and Alistair were moved almost beyond words. "Gorshep, this means a great deal to us, I hope you know that. We appreciate everything you've done, not only today, but for all of us during our stay here at Warden House. We are truly blessed to have friends like you and your family." Alistair walked to the dwarf to shake his hand and Delia gave Deirdre a warm hug.
The music started again, and several of the party members took to the dance floor. Aeden asked Leliana if she would dance with him, earning a look of approval from Delia. With all of their companions busy either dancing or in deep conversations Alistair took the opportunity to take his wife by the arm and quietly lead her away. The two quickly made their way up the stairs toward Delia's room, but as she was about to open the door he pulled her back.
"It's our wedding night. You can't just walk through that door, my love," he said with a glint of mischief in his eyes. Putting his arm around her waist, he swept her into his arms and carried her across the threshold. After kicking the door closed behind them, he kissed her fully and then set her down gently on the bed. He quickly walked back to the door and locked it, but as he walked back toward his bride he did a double take and walked over to one of the chairs, picked it up, and leaned it against the door under the door knob.
"Worried that Zev might try to join us?" she asked him innocently.
His eyes smoldered as he replied. "Maybe… but I refuse to share. I want tonight to be the perfect time, the perfect place, and that means you and me and no one else."
Alistair walked back to Delia and pulled her into his arms, kissing her more passionately than he ever had. She melted into his arms, ready to give herself to the man she loved more than anything in the world.
Downstairs the party was winding down. Brother Burkel had already been escorted to a room for the night and Shale had stationed herself next to the fireplace in the study. Oghren had passed out in the corner nearest the foyer. Deirdre, knowing that he wouldn't wake before the morning, had gently covered him with a blanket. Sten was the first to leave for his quarters, although he made certain to sneak a half dozen cookies into a napkin to bring with him.
Leliana was flirting with Aeden when Trent walked over to them. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Aeden, but we should take the dogs outside and check on the horses before we turn in?"
The warden reluctantly agreed. Taking the bard's delicate hand into his he kissed her knuckles gently. "Until tomorrow, Leliana. In the meantime, I shall have to make do with the memory of how beautiful you look tonight to feed my dreams." He walked away with Trent as they called the hounds to their sides.
Leliana sighed. She had hoped that she would have had the pleasure of Aeden's company for more than the few dances they shared, but perhaps there was a thread of hope from his last comments. She bade her remaining friends goodnight and walked upstairs. Her curiosity got the better of her when she heard some unusual sounds coming from Delia's doorway. Putting her ear to the door, she stood there, with a smile on her face, listening for longer than she thought. Suddenly there was a hand on her shoulder and she turned around to see Aeden with a grin on his face.
"Now, now, Leliana… I believe the two of them deserve some privacy, even if they are being rather raucous. Let's leave them be, shall we?" He took her hand in his and led her to her quarters, then kissed her hand again. "I want you to know how much I enjoyed spending time with you tonight. You are an incredible dancer, and I certainly hope to have the pleasure of dancing with you again in the future. Sleep well."
As he started to turn to walk to his own room, Leliana reached out and pulled his face down to hers. As she kissed him, he relaxed from his initial shock and placed his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. When she finally released him from the kiss, Leliana smiled coquettishly. "I couldn't let you get away quite so easily, my dear warden. Now I can wish you a good night. Pleasant dreams." She released him and gracefully moved through her doorway, smiling at him as she shut the door behind her.
Breathless from the kiss, Aeden simply stood and stared at Leliana's door for a minute before he was able to pull himself together and walk to his own room. As he opened the door and walked across the threshold he smiled and thoughts of what exactly might be happening started to wind their way through his thoughts. Somehow he expected his dreams that night would be much more pleasant than his usual darkspawn infested fare!
Morrigan walked up the stairs and as she headed down the hall she heard strange noises emanating from Delia's room. As she drew closer she shook her head in disgust. "Tis bad enough she married the fool, but these sounds are simply sickening!" She hurried into her room with disgust on her face and quickly shut the door behind her.
Zevran came up the stairs next and hearing the commotion sounding through Delia's door made him stop. With a wide grin he placed his ear against the door.
"Ah, that's my boy! He did remember a few things from last night. Now make sure you… yes… yes you are being a very bad Chantry boy, aren't you! Heh, heh…" He looked up and noticed he was looking into the eyes of a very unhappy elder mage. "Ah, my dear Wynne, you are as intrigued by the warden's first attempts at love making as I am, no?" She shook her head at him and he moved away from the door. "I suppose you would not be, but perhaps I could interest you in partaking of your own pleasures for the night? I am certain that I could perform my own version of magic with your bosom…"
"Zevran," she snapped, "I have told you time and again that it will never happen. Now, I suggest you go to your room and leave the newlyweds alone."
He sadly walked toward his room and as he opened the door he looked back at her and smiled invitingly. Nodding toward his room, he teased, "Are you certain I cannot tempt you, my dear Wynne? My offer still stands…"
"Go to sleep, Zevran," she chortled as she shooed him into his room. Once his door was closed, her own curiosity started to take over as the sounds from the newlyweds' bedroom caught her attention.
As she placed her own ear against the door, her hand quickly moved to her own mouth in surprise. "Oh, dear! Where could Alistair have learned anything about doing that?"
A hand gently grabbed her shoulder and she turned to find Trent looking at her in amusement with Griffon at his side. "I would have expected to see Zevran here, or even Leliana, but you, Wynne? This is quite a surprise!"
Wynne blushed. "I actually just finished removing Zevran's ear from the door just before you arrived…"
Trent laughed softly. "Yes, I'm sure you did. However, I think it's time for you to take your own advice then… goodnight Wynne."
Embarrassed, the mage smiled at him. "Yes, goodnight Trent. I'll… see you at breakfast." With that she walked across the hallway to her own room and quietly entered, softly shutting the door behind her.
Trent looked at Griffon and chuckled. "I suppose I'll have to ask you to guard their door." The hound whimpered softly. "I know, you'd rather be near a fireplace, but I'll get you a blanket. Keep guard until I get you in the morning and make sure no one else eavesdrops on them. I'll be back in a second." He walked to his room and brought back a thick blanket for the dog, laying it in front of the newlyweds' door. "Delia and Alistair will appreciate what you are doing for them, my friend. I hope you can sleep with all that racket!"
As Trent retreated to his room, Griffon looked at his retreating form with a soft whine. He then circled the blanket three times before he lay down on top and tried to sleep. The noise from within the room was too loud, however. Poor Griffon lay there all night; the hound's paws over his ears as he tried to not hear what noises flowed through the door!