faderift | Swing Me On Your Trapeze

WHO: Friends of Nathaniel Howe and Anders.
WHAT: An informal Wintersend wedding
WHEN: Wintersend Day
WHERE: Camp Shady
NOTES: Open invitation to all Wardens and anyone who considers themselves a close enough friend of one of the grooms. We're not policing the invite list.

There's scarcely an announcement, though the men have had their minds made up for a while. It's assuredly not formal, invitation spread only by word of mouth. It is, due to the people involved, tactfully swept into Wintersend where it will be camouflaged by a number of other Wintersend celebrations.

No it's not a surprise. No it doesn't really make sense. But Anders and Nathaniel are getting married anyway.

Decorations are simple, mainly winter flowers and evergreen, whatever is colorful at this altitude. Those same winter flowers are made into crowns for the grooms, which is a tradition from the Anderfels. Nathaniel wears his dress uniform, a tradition everywhere. Anders wears a striking set of blue robes to match, though mages have no marriage traditions. Miraculously, a priest has agreed to perform the ceremony. She is content not to make this more or less than what it is: a celebration of the love of two people.

Vows are spoken, the ceremony kept short, and soon enough the grooms take hands and jump over a broom together--a tradition from Amaranthine which puzzles people to this day. And so they are now married, and the party can begin.

The party has simple but abundant fare--mostly meat and bread and plenty to drink, none of it nonalcoholic. There are fires and torches and lanterns casting their warm glow. A couple of Wardens provide the music for dancing on drum and fiddle. Anyone who pleases (Kaisa) is welcome to stand (if they still can) (Kaisa) and propose a toast to the husbands, to the Maker, to the Grey Wardens, to their right buttcheek that's gone numb from sitting (Kaisa), anything they wish. The drunker people get, the funnier everything is. No fighting is allowed, however (Kaisa).

Tonight, the moon is high and the stars are bright and the music is merry. It's easy to forget, for a short time, that the world is in such peril. It's easy to believe all will be well when you're celebrating a wedding.

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For the duration of the ceremony, Aleron remained as stoic and expressionless as always. Although one playing close attention could have caught him sneaking glances at the lovely Bethany holding onto his hand. For the first time in more years than he cares to count, he was a guest at a wedding and not plagued with overwhelming grief and regret threatening to crush him. No, tonight he is content and at peace. Simply pleased for his friend finding happiness.

As the celebration kicks into high gear, he becomes an observer from the fringes. In times past, it would have been enduring until it was acceptable to leave. But as it turns out, it's just in his nature to stick to the shadows, watching and allowing others to enjoy more lively expressions of joy. (But at least for once he's arrived in clothing suited to his station rather than dress armor.) As any other evening, he permits himself one drink and one alone.

"Aleron," he says with a nod and a friendly enough look. He is, to be honest, always a little nervous around the Chantry sorts. Aleron has been polite but that doesn't make him an exception to the rule, not yet. But he came. That says something, which has Anders giving him a faint smile.

"I might be surprised by you coming, but Nate implied you might have... additional reasons for it?"

The caution goes two ways. Aleron still remains wary of Anders for a multitude of reasons, spanning his natural suspicion of everyone to the knowledge of what this particular man has done in his past. Infamous for it and impossible to ignore fully. Though both Nathaniel and Bethany have vouched for him, and that's enough for the Seeker to hold his peace and set his reservations to the side.

"I would have come for Nathaniel's sake alone, but I confess that I do have other plans." He pauses, weighing his words carefully as he is always wont to do. "It is not my intention to upstage the day, however. He was the one who suggested using the occasion to ask for her hand. If you would prefer I wait...?"

The mention of Nate alone gets a wry twist to Anders' expression. He knows there are people who are friends with Nate and don't care for his choice of company, but to hear that today is a little jarring. It's with a little defensiveness he crosses his arms, reminding himself that he's not going to let anything hurt today.

"Maybe ask as things wind down, off to the side. That should do it." He won't make the man wait, he won't be the bad guy here, but with the little comment he's not feeling like letting the asking be showcased. Bethany and Aleron will have plenty of time to let everyone know and be excited for them. It doesn't have to cut into today.

The defensive cross of arms over Anders' chest doesn't escape Aleron's notice, but likewise he finds himself puzzled. He's oft been chastised by mother and sisters alike for his uncanny knack for mucking up basic social niceties. They've pleaded with him for years to please for-the-love-of-the-Maker leave the social matters to people who know how to manage them. Unsure how he's managed to give offense, he ponders just how he's accomplished sticking his foot in mouth. Again.

And then the quiet voice of insecurity begins to creep in. Perhaps Anders still does not approve of the relationship. Or Bethany has expressed second thoughts. It would be mete for a man she considers a big brother to step in and shield her from an undesired proposal.

"If you're certain..." Though there's not an ounce of confidence at receiving an affirmative. However, he's so smitten with Bethany that she consumes his thoughts. Even when he should be focused on other matters, like matins and vespers. Even if she denies him now, he must know. And in case it is continuing concerns on Anders' part, "I give you my word, I have nothing but the most honorable intentions towards Bethany. I'd give my life before I would let her come to harm."

"Nate invited you to do it and I've said it will be fine. I'm not going to go back on that." The seeker doesn't seem quite sure of himself. Is it cold feet? Or is it Anders' delivery? He's not sure... and he's not sure he wants to spend too much time thinking about it.

The latter gets a quick frown, though. "I'd not be so quick to offer to give your life. She doesn't need someone dying for her. She needs someone living for her. And it's not like she's some... fragile civilian who doesn't know how to hold her own. Give your life to save hers, certainly, but she can stand her ground and fight as well. If you wrap her in silks and treat her like she might shatter, you'll underestimate her and lose her."

Maybe it's just typical empty-headed noble promises and Aleron's saying words that sound good to him, but Anders wants to make sure Bethany's not going to be treated like a doll. She deserves better. And she deserves people living, because Maker knows how much she's lost already.

In no small degree, Aleron quite agrees with Anders. Bethany has lost enough in her life. But that just means she deserves a season of peace and some measure of comfort and care. It's not a matter of underestimating her, it's one of putting her and her needs first. That's not happened enough in her life and he means to rectify it.

"I'm not in any hurry to meet the Maker. I'd like to enjoy a full and robust life with her first. I cannot speak to the silks, however. Mother is determined to lavish her with gifts." Because his Mama is not a woman to be denied when she's set her mind to something and she's quite fixed that she's going to spoil both her favorite child and his future bride. On a depreciating note, he adds, "I'm fairly certain it's a bribe to convince her to take me."

Look, Aleron knows Bethany is a catch and he's not much got to offer beyond intense devotion and a gaggle of pushy family.

Anders nods along until the bribe part, when he rolls his eyes.

"Stop. You make it sound like she needs a bribe, with the way you say it, and you and I both know that's not true. Bethany is absolutely honest, and doubting her is a..." He stops and frowns, looking away for a moment. He's not exactly being fair to Aleron. The 'Nate alone' thing got a little more under his skin than he'd meant it to. Anders shrugs.

"Be fair to her," he says more gently after the pause. "She says what she means, and trusting what she says will only help your relationship with her."

"Believe me, I trust Bethany with my whole heart; I do not doubt her. I am, however, astonished that she would take someone with so little to offer." There's not quite a sigh but something closer to a breath of mild exasperation for dead horses being beat once again amongst the family. "As I've been reminded frequently, I am a younger son of the house and I'm receiving the better end in a woman like Bethany."

Although Aleron has seen first hand that she's not about to be put off by all his relations, even the excessively pushy and obtrusive ones. It's yet another thing he admires so about her.

But the advice to be fair to Bethany and take her at face value is sound and Aleron nods his agreement to that. It's for the best if he not allow his own insecurities to get in the way. Not when she's gone to such lengths to make him feel wanted and loved in turn. "She's been good for me in ways I hadn't even realized mattered until I met her. I just wish to be the same for her. She deserves no less."

Swing Me On Your Trapeze

Aleron (Open)

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