faderift | [Open] I Look At You

WHO: Aleron Darton and Bethany Hawke, Malcolm Reed, Nathaniel Howe, The Grey Warden 2LiveCrew (even you Teren), The Seeker Trio, and YOU.
WHAT: A Noble Wedding Between Two Great Houses.
WHEN: Backdated to the first of Bloomingtide
WHERE: Endridge, outside of Kaiten in the Free Marches.
NOTES: Warnings for Exceeding Sappiness and Happiness. What is that? Why is this in this game? That's just weird.EDIT: I've put in headers if you want to tag under those, but please feel free to put in your own top levels!

It's a far distance to Endridge from most anywhere, situated five miles outside Kaiten. But the destination is well worth the journey. The roads are even and in good repair as they stretch out through gently rolling hills of green. Picturesque. Tranquil. This is precisely what Bethany had wanted for her wedding: somewhere outdoors under the Maker's sky.

The pastoral setting truly is breathtaking for anyone moved by nature. Lush pastures stretch out almost to the horizon, dotted with fleecy ewes and their bouncing new lambs. Gentle breezes dance through the trees, the rustling sending gusts of fruit blossom petals scattering to the winds. Within those branches, twittering birds in joyous song cover the backdrop of baaaaaahs arising from the sheep. Behind the birdsong, the burbling of the creek sings out as it trips along its way to the lake. The warming new summer air coaxes perfumes out of the flowers, filling the air with their mingled scent. Behind the bounteous gifts of nature looms a stone edifice, seat of the Darton family, an imposing but not ungainly castle. The house is the work of the first baron, built to be a stronghold against further Nevarran incursions and a sign to legitimize the new title.

Never let it be said that Ravonild does not know how to throw a party. She's graciously offered the house and the grounds for the wedding, but has had her hand in all the preparations. Every inch of the ballroom has been polished and shined. The great hall transformed into a banqueting hall large enough to accommodate the guests, which includes every far-flung Darton relative crawled out of the woodwork. Where she has not worked her magic as a hostess is in the location of the ceremony proper. It is arranged within the formal gardens, which were a gift from Aleron's father to his new bride on her arrival from Orlais. Holding the wedding there, instead of in the wilder walled garden with its riot of variety and colors was a conciliatory gesture to appease Mama for not having the wedding in Orlais. Regardless of the behind-the-scenes bickering beforehand, everything is now the very picture of hospitality and celebration. The music is unending, the wine is free-flowing, and the dancing will last until dawn.

The simplest portion of the wedding is the ceremony itself. The Darton and Hawke coat of arms have been placed on display within the gardens, but that is the extend of excess and showmanship. Nathaniel Howe gives the bride away, Aleron's sisters are the bridal attendants, Malcolm Reed standing guard as a groomsman. In a break from tradition, youngest sister Layla carries a bouquet in one hand and her newborn baby in the other arm. (The tiny one was fussy, you see.) Oh, and yes, the bride's maiden of honor is an elf - but considering it is Merrill of the Champion's Tale? It is given a pass for the excitement of seeing one of Varric Tethras's heroes in the flesh, next to the bride.

Beyond that, it is a traditional ceremony performed by the Revered Mother who blessed all the Darton children as babes. Portions of the Chant are sung. Vows and rings are exchanged. Though behind the flowers Aleron and Bethany are holding hands and making eyes at each other. In fact, it seems miraculous that they're able to respond as required since they appear already lost in each other and not at all attentive to the ritual they are engaged in.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's the first time in years that actual tears have escaped Nathaniel's eyes and rolled down his face. First things first, he returns that kiss to the her glowing cheek, then takes out a handkerchief and dabs those tears away.

"We will always be family." His tone lightens. "I'm only giving you away in a symbolic sense, after all--I have to make sure Aleron doesn't bore you into a stupor."

She is still smiling at him - a smile that is surprised into a laugh that bubbles out of her. She lets go of his hand, so she can give him a swat, her cheeks still curved into humor.

"You are horrible! Aleron is not boring. He is just quiet." She informed him, with mock primness, before her dimples reappeared. "Besides, we can't all have the dashing mage roguish ones. Some of us have to take the darkly intense knightly ones. Like you."

She wrinkled her nose at him, smiling brightly, before she squeezed him again. "But you're right - we will always be family." Blood made no difference. "And I will always be here, to help lift you up again."

A smile and a faint blush. "Comparing me to Aleron is high praise. I would say I will always be there to protect you, but that's his job now, and he'll do well at it."

He turns slightly and offers his arm. "Your perch, my lady."

"Good, because I plan on giving you high praise as long as we are alive." She dimpled at him, before she goes to take his arm. She let out a long, and shaky breath, before she smiles at him.

"Always my rock, my lord." Her gloved fingers squeezed his arm gently, "Shall we go and face the throngs of darkspawn - I mean. Gentry?"

"With that smile?" The corners of Nathaniel's eyes crinkle. "They won't stand a chance against us."

Dimples flaring to life with a brilliance rarely seen, Bethany plants another kiss on his cheek, before holding up her bouquet. "Then let us go meet the enemy, head on."

[Open] I Look At You

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