Chapter 45 – Let's Face the Music & Dance

"I know, my Lady, that the deterioration of the chantry gargoyles is of little import to one such as yourself; especially in this time of turmoil. But you must understand…they are ever so much more than mere decoration! Not only are they of considerable historical significance, having stood since the days of Calenhad, but they also happen to be functional waterspouts…or rather they should be if they were not in such poor repair…"

Alyx tried not to grind her teeth too loudly as she listened to Ser Barnsey…or was it Ser Wesley…or Maker, what was his name?... pontificate about the importance of structural integrity. She was desperately trying to keep her attention focused on what the strange little man was saying…really she was…but she felt as if some miniature being had begun hammering at the point just between her eyebrows. To keep herself distracted she found herself instead taking mental notes on the little quirks of her current companion's appearance. For instance, his beard and mustache…she swore he must use something to keep them pointed heavenwards, even as they ticked against his rounded cheeks when he spoke. And then there was the fact that his right eye would sometimes wander to one side of its own accord, only to snap straight ahead again after awhile…

"…Now. If you would just take a glance at this prospectus…"

He has a prospectus? Who in Andraste's name brings a prospectus to a wedding? Alyx thought, telling herself once again to have patience but utterly failing.

Ser What's-his-name was perhaps the twentieth person that had decided to use the informality of Elaina's wedding feast to approach her about some "urgent" matter or another. Only the truth was most of what she'd been told was either absolute nonsense or of little consequence while the darkspawn were still a threat. It was all she could do not to tell the lot of them that she was very sorry, but she could care less if the creepy looking statues atop the chantry were crumbling to dust or that they swore the neighbor's bratty kid poisoned their best mouser or whatever the complaint was (though admittedly there were a few valid claims amongst them she really should have Varel look into, once he recovered from the shock of having a married daughter that is).

Alyx sighed. Couldn't she just get slobbering drunk, embarrass herself in a hundred different ways and then pass out in the first available corner like any normal wedding guest? Oh, right. I can't, she thought with an internal snort of derision, though outwardly she had a polite smile pasted across her face while she nodded her head and watched Ser What's-his-face get redder and redder as he talked. She was suddenly reminded of an over-ripe tomato, only with arms and legs and a large bulbous nose.

This "responsible, duty-bound Arlessa/Warden-Commander" business is for the birds. I quit. Someone go tell Anora I said see ya' later. Farewell. Adios. Au revoir. Do svidanja. So long and thanks for all the fish.

"Ah, there you are!" crowed a familiar (and exceedingly welcomed) voice as Elaina pushed through the crowd and clasped both of Alyx's hands in her own. "Finally! You'll forgive me for interrupting Ser Bensley, but I've been waiting to talk to the Commander all evening. If you'll excuse us?" she said sweetly to the man, fluttering her eyelashes for full effect.

Ah-ha! Ser Bensley. That was his name! Alyx thought, giving herself a mental slap to the forehead.

"Er—uh, of course. We can discuss this another time, my Lady?" Bensley stuttered and then bowed so deeply that she almost thought the tip of his pointed beard touched the floor. It was all Alyx could do not to burst out laughing as he shuffled away, leaving her blessedly alone with Elaina.

"I thought you might need rescuing," Elaina said as an aside. "I really have been dying to speak with you all night, but there hasn't been less than three people surrounding you since the ceremony ended."

"My thanks," Alyx whispered back. "I thought I might have to take desperate measures just to get a moment's peace."

"They're shameless! Aren't they?" Elaina said with a giggle.

Alyx shrugged.

"It's to be expected. Growing up I remember father was constantly approached, no matter the time of day or what the occasion was. Only he had a great deal more patience for it than I."

"Well, I think you're doing splendidly," Elaina replied, dismissing her claim with a wave of her hand. "As do the rest or they wouldn't come to you for help. They have faith in you, you know."

"Perhaps," Alyx conceded. "Then again they probably only come to me because they have no one else to go to. But that's beside the point. You said you wished to speak to me?"

"Only to tell you how grateful I am for all that you've done. I can't thank you enough, my Lady, for the time and resources it must have taken to pull all this together."

"Come now, Elaina. I think we're beyond formalities by now, don't you?"

"As you wish," Elaina answered with a laugh and then surprised Alyx by throwing her arms around her neck in a quick, friendly embrace. "Thank you, Falcon, from the bottom of my heart."

"It was no trouble, really. In fact it is I who should be thanking you. After all, planning this event kept me busy and out of trouble while I was trapped in that miserable bed; and… I'd like to think that more has come out of it than a single day of revelry. You'll always have the memory of it to come back to whenever you wish, and then also perhaps…a friend to reminisce with?"

"I'd like that," Elaina replied , unshed tears of gratitude springing to her eyes as she gave Alyx another hug and then laughed in nervous relief as she quickly wiped them away. "Who knows? Perhaps yours will be the next wedding at the Vigil. Then I might have the chance to repay you for your kindness."

Alyx blushed at Elaina's comment and the younger woman giggled in absolute delight.

"Uh-huh. I thought as much."

"It's a little too early to be planning my wedding, Elaina."

"Nonsense! I mean, when it's right…"

"Well, certainly, but we've only just—"

"All I'm saying is that you shouldn't discount the idea out of hand. Anyone with eyes can see how taken you are with each other. Isn't that all that really matters?"

Alyx pinched her lips together, not sure if she was more likely to laugh or to groan at her friend's tenacity.

"Besides, he is possibly the most dashing man in the room…next to my Thomas and father of course," Elaina added with a giggle. "I don't care what the others say. I think he's a fine young man."

"What are they saying?" Alyx asked, her expression falling. Elaina snapped her mouth shut and immediately looked as if she wished she hadn't said anything.

"Nothing," she said a little too quickly. "At least nothing to be concerned about. Really, Falcon," she added when all Alyx could do was glare.

"He isn't his fahter, Elaina. Not even close."

"Of course not. He wouldn't be with you otherwise would he?" Elaina replied calmly. "Give it time. If he is anything like you say he is, then the people will see it, too."

Alyx stared at her for long moment, not sure if she could believe her words but ultimately deciding to drop the topic despite the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. The light touch of fingers on her arm made her head snap around and her heart jump as she looked up into the stormy eyes of the very subject of their conversation.

He startled her. That much was clear by the way she nearly jumped out of her skin when his fingers brushed her arm just above the elbow. But then she smiled and shot him that strangely scintillating look that set his pulse to racing, and it was all Nate could do not to drag her up the stairs to his bedchambers. It was Elaina's throaty laughter and knowing smile that brought him back to reality, and just in time to prevent him from doing something truly embarrassing.

"Good evening Warden Nathaniel," she said sweetly in greeting.

"And you, Elaina. Your father was just reminding me that I have been remiss in my duties. May I offer you best wishes and many blessings in your union?"

"Why thank you, Nathaniel, though I can hardly blame you for being distracted," she replied, her eyes sparkling in wry humor.

Nathaniel cocked an eyebrow at her and Elaina's laugh rung out like a bell. He couldn't help but notice the attractive blush the rushed to Alyx's face and immediately decided that he very much liked Varel's eldest daughter.

"I was just thanking her ladyship for a most memorable evening. This…all of this…is more than I could have ever imagined for my wedding day," Elaina continued.

"And I was just telling Elaina that it was the least I could do in return for her father's commendable service…and for a friend," Alyx replied.

"I am grateful, nevertheless," she replied, squeezing Alyx's hand one final time. "Now if you will excuse me, I must be getting back to my husband before he begins to wonder if I've already up and run away on him."

"And where've you been?" Alyx asked Nate as she turned and looped her arm through his. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd abandoned me to the vultures for some cozy, secluded hideaway."

"Me? Abandon you, dear Lady? Perish the thought! Besides, I was having far too much fun watching you work the crowd."

"Some knight in shining armor you are," Alyx pouted.

Nate chuckled.

"And here I thought the great and powerful Warden-Commander of Fereldan wouldn't need something as parochial as a knight in shining armor."

"Apparently I didn't with the bride to rescue me," she replied. "You should be ashamed."

"Positively mortified," he said low in her ear as he drew her closer. "As Varel was only too happy to remind me, wishing the bride well is not the only duty I've neglected this evening."

"Oh? Do tell," she murmured, a slow, sultry smile spreading across her lips.

"It's not what you think you little minx," he said laughingly. "Let's just say that he believes it is within my best interests to mingle with the people rather than play the antisocial outcast."

"A wise suggestion," Alyx replied. "How, then, do you propose to 'mingle?' "

"Hmm, well that's the rub now, isn't it? Perhaps I should follow in the footsteps of my peers. They don't seem to be having any problems now, are they?"

It didn't take more than a glance to pick out the wardens in the crowd. Justice was the only fully armored figure in the sea of faces, besides the fact that he stood a full head above almost everyone else. He and Sigrun appeared to be deep in conversation (or given the rate at which Sigrun's mouth was moving, she was talking and he was listening). Oghren was participating in a rowdy arm-wrestling competition, and Zevran was in his element, surrounded by a gaggle of giggling women. Even Anders (that moody git) had a pair of busty blondes sitting on his lap, his eyes glassed over with too much drink. Sure did move on fast enough, didn't you old fellow? Nate growled to himself, though he couldn't really blame the man. Had Alyx chosen Anders over him, he might very well have decided to drown himself in booze and sex to forget as well. He didn't miss the frown that passed over Alyx's face when she saw him, however, and couldn't help the jealousy that rose at the sight of it. That she chose him didn't mean she didn't still care for the mage. Still, he couldn't pretend it didn't rankle just a little.

Just then Oghren crowed with triumph and jumped up on the table screaming, "I'm the king of the world!" before belching and tumbling back off the table in a drunken stupor. Alyx sighed and took a step forward but Nate stopped her.

"Let him be, Lex," he said, and the suddenly had an idea. "On second thought…come on."

"Where are we going?" she squeaked as he grabbed her hand and began pulling her behind him.

"You'll see," he replied laughingly. Nate saw her eyes widen in understanding as they approached the crowd surrounding Oghren's table and he threw her a look that said trust me before she could try to talk him out of it.

"Not so fast dwarf," he called loud enough for everyone in the vicinity to hear him over Oghren's drunken boasting. "You haven't faced me yet."

"Wha—? Ha! Hahahaha! I'd never thought to see the day. Bring it on son!" Oghren bellowed as he slammed his fist down on the table.

"As if that's much of a challenge for ye' now," a man in the crowd muttered with a loud snort. "He's right pickled he is."

"And how is that different from any other day?" the woman next to him asked, producing a few knowing chuckles from amongst the other spectators.

"An' yet he still beat ye', dinn' he Tom?" someone else called from the opposite side of the table, producing a heartier round of laughter along with a few hoots and catcalls to boot.

"Forget about the dwarf. You want a challenge? Take me on," another man said as he pushed to the front of the crowd. Nate found himself in the rare position of having to look up as a veritable behemoth of a man crossed his massive arms and smirked at him as if he'd already won. Nate cocked an eyebrow at him. He could see more than just friendly competition behind the other man's cocky glare. He meant to humiliate him. What's more, he knew by the sudden silence around him that the rest of them knew it as well.

"You're on," Nate replied calmly, inwardly reminding himself to play nice.

"Go on Rayland…only don't hurt him," a woman with mousy brown hair and clear gray eyes called out, causing the expanding crowd surrounding them to hoot with laughter. Only Rayland seemed unaffected by her words as he ignored Nate's outstretched hand and sat heavily at the table. Nate took up his position on the other side of the table, his steady gaze never leaving the bad-tempered man's.

"On my count, gentleman," the acting mediator said as Rayland and Nate clasped hands and waited for the signal. Once it came it didn't seem as if either man had moved, at least at first, until beads of sweat began trickling down their faces as the strain began setting in.

"Rayland, is it? That sounds familiar. Have we met before?" Nate asked the man.

"Well as it should. My family's been smithin' for the keep since your Grandfather's days. I've known you since you was a babe in arms, m'lord," Rayland growled sarcastically.

Nate eyed Rayland curiously, wondering just how old the man actually was if he claimed to have known him so long. Looking at his craggy, weathered features only told him of a life of hard work and harder fortune. It was a look he'd become far too familiar with over the years.

"Ah, that's it then. Such loyalty is commendable," Nate replied.

"It wasn't loyalty to your stock, that's for sure," Rayland muttered angrily. "Your father was like to tax us into our graves. When we couldn't pay he took m'best broodmare. Comes to find out he only took her a'tall 'cause his lordship's son took a shining to her. I was going to make my fortune on that horse."

Ah, and we come to the point at last, Nathaniel thought.

"Pretty little bay dun, partially green, went by Piper?"

"That's right," Rayland said with a knowing grimace, as if Nate's words confirmed his suspicions. "I'm surprised you would remember her, seein' how this was—"

"—About ten or so years ago? I remember her alright," Nate replied with a sardonic chuckle. "Father gave her to Thomas as a nameday gift that year. The fool used spurs on her his first outing and was thrown for his trouble. Father was furious. Said she was too wild; that she would be of better use to the butcher, but I knew better. I wanted to prove him wrong, so I asked the stable master to hold off until I had a shot at training her myself."

"And…what came of it?" Rayland asked, obviously curious despite himself.

"I won my first tourney on the back of that horse. As reward for my efforts father had her destroyed and I…well, I was sent packing on a one-way trip to the Free Marches."

"But…why?"

"Why else? Because I undermined his orders and, consequently, made him look a fool. To father's mind, there are few worse offenses."

"You noble types are a strange lot, you know that?" he finally said.

Nate chuckled.

"True as that may be, I am no longer one of them. I am a warden. That is it, and that is all."

Rayland eyed him uncertainly. Nate could almost hear the cogs turning as the other man weighed his words and tried to decide what to make of them. No sooner had Nate sensed the shift in the smithy's attitude than he felt Rayland's arm give beneath his own, and the resulting exclamation of the crowd in reaction to his sudden victory. Before he quite understood what happened Rayland was shaking his hand and calling for a toast.

"May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back—"

"—May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and, until we meet again, May the Maker hold you in the hollow of His hand," Nate finished for him as he rose his glass in salute.

"You're alright, Howe," Rayland pronounced heartily as he clapped him on the back, a measure of honest respect in his eyes.

Alyx watched all of this from the sidelines perplexed. She'd been fairly certain the large man called Rayland was going to make a scene, but looking at the two men now you would almost think they were lifelong friends.

"What was that? I didn't recognize it," she whispered to Nate shortly after the toast.

"And old Amaranthine saying," he replied. "And a test I think."

"One I suppose you passed?"

"So it seems."

"You shall have to teach me this toast," she told him as she weaved her arm through his and they strolled away.

"It would be my pleasure," he replied warmly.

"Nate…not to demoralize your standing as the reigning arm-wrestling champion, but I suspect Rayland let you win."

"Yes, I know."

"You know?"

"Yes. Even if he hadn't told me himself…though it is kind of you to try to spare my feelings."

"That isn't funny," Alyx hissed reprovingly.

"I'm sorry, my dear, but you should have seen your face," Nate said as he tried to control his amusement. Alyx shot him a look and he coughed to cover one last laugh.

"Did heat least tell you why he threw the competition?" she asked after awhile.

"Yes. He said he couldn't very well make me look like a priss in front of her ladyship now, could he?" Nate replied as serious as could be. They stared at each other for a long second and then burst out laughing at the silliness of it all.

Alyx and Nate both looked up when the minstrels struck up a lively tune and suddenly the room was full of activity. Dancing was perhaps one of the most favored pastimes of a proper Fereldan wedding, and thus it came to no surprise that everyone who was able and willing seemed to drop what they were doing to head to the dance floor.

"Come on you two!" Elaina called as she flew by them, her Thomas just behind her.

Alyx smiled excitedly up at Nate and before he could argue she grabbed his hand and led him into the fray.

It is universally known that there are many truths a man can find at the bottom of a bottle. That has never been in question, rather whether or not he would remember the answer to the world's problems (let alone his own) when he awoke the next morning. Yet the only truth Anders could find at the bottom of his tankard was the same thought that had been running through his head for weeks now. That he was a bloody miserable fool.

For an instant he'd actually relaxed and begun to enjoy himself. The feast had been spectacular, a warden's dream really. Wine and ale were freely flowing and the girls, well… he couldn't quite remember either of their names, but they were just the sort he always used to go for… witless, warm and willing. Not a bad sort really, but after awhile their brainless prattle became nothing more than background noise. Then there was that lovely moment when he thought Nate was about to be pulverized by some giant of a man…but only just a moment. Anders never quite knew how he did it, but once again the broody baron had found a way to convince the man that he wasn't, in fact, a darkspawn in disguise. Sodding irritating.

From that point on it was all downhill. His head began to swim from the ale that felt like a brick of lead at the bottom of his stomach. The table he sat at, once filled with wedding guests, had long since been abandoned, save for himself. Even the girls had left him to his own devices long ago, no longer fascinated by the handsome blonde warden in the colorful robes. He knew why. Somewhere in the plain of existence between tipsy and drunk Anders had begun to brood. Misery had taken precedence over manners, and now no one wanted anything to do with him.

He watched as Nate and Falcon twirled around the dance floor in each other's arms, looking to all the world like the sickeningly happy couple that they were. I am a fool, he thought to himself. A fool to have taken so long to have seen how perfectly the two of them fit together; a fool to ever think that a woman like Falcon would have chosen him over a man like Nathaniel Howe. But above all else, he was a fool to think that he could ever live a normal life beyond the shackles of his magical ability.

No more, his subconscious whispered. He'd had quite enough. At least for one night.

Anders stood and nearly fell sideways as the world heaved at the sudden movement. He waited for his stomach to settle but when it didn't he knew he should probably make a quick exit. Best to go out the side door, he thought, remembering that was the one closest to the privy.

"Oiy, where do you think you're going mage?" a guard on the other side of the door asked.

"I just need to step out to the privy my good man." Not that it's any of your damned business, he silently added as he made to pass the guard and was surprised when he was stopped by a heavy hand to the shoulder. Anders shot the man a strange look and made to shake his hand off but the guard's grip was like steel.

"You can't leave now. You'll miss the fireworks," the guard said with a smile that looked rather more like a sneer to Anders.

Hmm, that's strange. I never remember Falcon mentioning fireworks in the evening's activities. Perhaps it's meant to be a surprise? He wondered.

It was the last thought he had before everything went entirely black.

The world was spinning. She was breathless, but in a completely giddy, satisfying way she'd forgotten existed. The way she'd forgotten how much she truly enjoyed dancing.

Every time the lines reset there would be a different face across from her, sometimes new sometimes familiar and on occasion, beloved. Alyx had danced with all her friends, and although Nate was always nearby she'd barely had more than a few steps with him before her partner changed. Instead of being frustrated by their intermittent separation she found herself strangely enticed by the quick glimpses of him from across the room, and by the knowledge that at any moment she might find him standing across from her. It added an element of excitement that was both familiar and completely new to her at turns.

It was when the pace changed and the music slowed that Alyx finally turned to see him there, waiting for her. Her breath hitched as he offered her his hand and wordlessly, she melted into the circle of his arms. She sighed in pleasure as he effortlessly matched his steps to her own, giving her the sensation of floating.

"You've been holding out on me," she teased. When he simply cocked an eyebrow at her Alyx laughed.

"I never said I couldn't dance, only that I didn't," Nate replied evenly. "Though I'm willing to temporarily set aside that particular maxim if it means I get to have you in my arms."

"You know you needn't have the excuse of a dance to have me in your arms whenever you wish, right?" she asked as she looked up at him through her eyelashes and tried not to laugh when he nervously cleared his throat.

"Not in public," he replied hoarsely. "Not with everyone staring at us."

At a glance Alyx could see he was right. Though they were far from the only couple on the dance floor, they were the only ones garnering the attention of those sitting on the sidelines. Even some of the other dancers were sneaking covert glances in their direction, and she was beginning to wonder what was so damned fascinating about them.

"And why not? We could give them something to stare at," she said, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"Minx," he growled. "Don't tempt me."

"And here I thought that was the point," she replied, barely able to contain her mirth.

"I swear you're going to be the death of me woman," he teased. It wasn't until Alyx's face went stark white that he realized his mistake. "I'm sorry, Lex. I didn't mean it that way," he added softly. She nodded in understanding but fell silent as she tightened her grip on his hand.

Alyx could only stare up into those beautiful silverite eyes of his and try to clear her mind of the shadows that temporarily cast over the happiness of the evening. Like a drop of cool water to a parched tongue, she was instantaneously relieved by what she saw in their depths. She relaxed once again in his arms, letting herself be carried away by the strength of his hands and the warmth of his body pressed near to hers. She didn't know if it was the effect of the wine or the close proximity, but she began to feel a low, throbbing heat that started in her chest and moved slowly through her body to tingle in her fingers and toes. She felt lightheaded and slightly dizzy, but in a somehow pleasant way she never wanted to stop.

"What are you thinking?" Nate asked after awhile.

"How I wish that this night…this moment…would never end," she answered honestly. "It's funny. When the day begun I could only think how much I wanted it to be over, but now…I could easily spend the rest of my life right here."

"It doesn't have to end, Lex," he replied hoarse and low.

"Of course it does," she said sadly. "Tomorrow will come whether we like it or not, and so will the darkspawn and—"

"—Shh. Let's not think about it. Tomorrow can wait. Until then, nothing else exists…just us, okay?"

"Okay," she agreed with a sigh and a smile as they continued to dance, this time cheek to cheek.

That's when she first noticed something was off. Up until that moment she and Nate had been trapped in each other's gazes. Perhaps that was why she hadn't noticed anything peculiar until she was in a position to glance over his shoulder. Even then it was hardly more than just a flash of movement, so minute that most wouldn't have noticed at all, but it was enough to catch her attention.

The next set of events happened in a mere matter of seconds but to Alyx time nearly slowed to a halt. The sound of music and voices, clinking dishes and boisterous laughter faded until it echoed hollowly in her ears. As if in slow motion, a slight figure in cheap leathers stepped out from behind a pillar and leveled a crossbow aimed directly between Nate's shoulder blades. It was with cold clarity that she realized that there would be no dodging it. Not this time. Without a second thought, Alyx grabbed him by the arms and roughly swung him behind her until their places were reversed. She saw the sudden realization in his eyes but it was too late for him to stop what had already been set in motion. I'm sorry, my love. Forgive me, she thought as she squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the impending blow.

*Author's Note: Wow, lots ot responses to the last chapter. Thank you everyone for your continued interest and support! I'll keep it short, but I just wanted to leave a note. The toast said by Rayland and Nate is an old Irish blessing (which many of you probably already know, but I thought I would point it out just in case). It was altered just a tad to fit into the DA world. I am lousy at creating such things, so I hope you and the original author (whoever he may be) don't mind me lifting it. I've already begun work on the next chapter so with any luck it will be out in no time. Please continue to R&R, I so love hearing your opinions and perspective! ~Prose

Muse Tunes: "Let's Face the Music & Dance," Cheek to Cheek" and "What a Wonderful World" from the Meet Joe Black OST; "Dark Moon High Tide," "Devil's Tapdance" and "Brooklyn Heights I" from the Gangs of New York OST; "Story of My Life" by The Chamber Orchestra of London (Downton Abbey OST); and "I'll Be Seeing You," by Billie Holiday.