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"Donnic asked me to marry him." Said Aveline hesitantly, cleaning her sword after a bandit ambush on the Coast.
"And you said...?" asked Hawke after her surprise. Aveline was strangely quiet the whole patrol they accompanied her, with Isabela and Varric, who also just stand there awaiting her answer.
"I said yes, of course!" said with a huff, a bit offended.
"Then why the long pause, girl? "Are you not sure about him?" Mocked her Isabela.
"Shut it, I love him! I just.. Remarrying, I've never thought about it before, Donnic. Where would we plan the celebration? Are there traditions in Kirkwall for this? There's no one to lead me to the altar. Or me in a dress? In a beautiful dress? Where would I even find one? And who would I be inviting to the wedding?! I don't have any family left, but you guys.." She started rambling with less and less confidence.
"Let us help Aveline," said Varric. "That's what friends for, however sappy it sounds."
"I'll take the Bachelorette party arrangements!" Exclaimed Isabela, beaming with a mischievous grin on her face.
"There's no way I would let you be in charge of that! Over my dead body!" loured Aveline.
So Isabela arranged the bachelorette party. She planned this with all her heart. (Put her whole Isabelussy into it. XD) Of course Hawke wouldn't let it get out of hands. The captain guard's uniformed strippers were out of the picture. Obviously, they had other things to arrange before the bachelor parties. The wedding planning could only take a week for them. Aveline wanted to get through it faster.
Varric was born to be the perfect wedding planner. His experience with leading the Carta, maneuvering shipments, planning came handy. He had a hard time getting Aveline to open up about how her dream wedding would look like. They had meetings in her office. Her first wedding was plain and simple, short, yet it meant so much to her. She doesn't want a huge, fancy wedding at all. With a small guest list. Varric had to negotiate days for a proper celebratory party after the ceremony. Didn't mean to force things on her. He just wanted Aveline and Donnic to feel special on their big day. To let go a bit of all the fighting, pressure and stress from their everyday life. They all could use a day like that.
As for the reception, they claimed a small building they found near the shores. The perfect place to celebrate, with big enough space for people, in nearly good condition. Cleared out by Carver and Fenris beforehand. Getting ambushed by some random bandits mid celebrating would ruin the fun. Anders and Merrill took up decorating the place. With some white drapes, shells and some spells, magicaly enchanted candles by Sandal, the place looked more dreamlike than ever.
Finding a dress for Aveline was rougher than they had expected. If they would let her get her first idea, she would just put on a white bedsheet, tie it with a rope and be done with it. Or she would go to the altar in her usual full plate armor. She didn't want to try on dresses. Especially after accidentally ripping one when she flexed her back, nearly flashing the whole store. Merrill found a gown in a display window on one of their quests, and with some convincing, they came back the next day to get it. An elegant ivory full length dress, with a high neck made of lace, showing off her muscular arm. Isabela found some jewelry resembling her headband. It went with her veil perfectly. Aveline didn't find the words when she got to see herself in the looking glass. But her smile told them all her gratitude.
The bachelor parties came finally. Varric arranged a visiting tour for a nearby blacksmith forgery. Then a four course meal with some wine tasting, in a Hightown restaurant for Donnic and his friends. They had some causal gambling after with the boys in Fenris's mansion. Anders and Sebastian weren't as close to Donnic, so they didn't come to it.
The girls had a great bachelorette day despite Aveline's concerns of it being too unhinged. Just their little friend group. She didn't feel like inviting her colleagues. They took Aveline to a rage room, a new trend from Rivain. The rooms were packed with old and raggedy furniture, cracked wases, even some target dummies. With the weapon of her choice, a huge maul, she absolutely demolished the place in no time. They will get back here for sure after their rougher days. Then, to wind down, they had some cakes and delicacies at a local bakery. Finishing the day at the Hawke estate, Where Marian and Merrill brought clay, paints and brushes for some arts and crafts, and bottles of wine naturally.
"What was your wedding like, Isabela? We were both married once, weren't we? If it's not a heavy topic for you, of course." Paused Aveline as she was forming a little decorative shield out of clay, sweeping her eyebrows with her upper arm.
"Not the topic I would talk about with glee.. "she glanced at the contents of her glass, full with wine, not for long tho. With one big gulp, she emptied it. Taking the whole bottle with her and she sat back down. "We got married before I could even turn nineteen. The dress was pretty. A quick ceremony, my objections got denied. My mother didn't even come to it, even though she was the one who sold me to him. I could've been glaring daggers at her from the altar. His lackeys came to congratulate him for his thropy wife. A fine dinner, some toasts to his new married life. A mediocre and dissatisfied first night. At least his accent was hot." She huffed, drank some more wine, avoiding to look at the others. "Got some nice jewelry from him as a wedding gift to pawn later. Found out a lot of them were fakes. Such a cheapskate, honestly." She ended dryly. Hawke came up behind her and put her hands softly on her shoulder.
"Sorry for bringing this up. I just got curious, that's all." She refilled her and Isabelas glass and handed it to her. Taking the empty bottle from her clutch. "No worries, I'm not made of glass, girl." She put on a reassuring smile for the both of them.
At the end of the night, the moonlight shined onto the table, bringing a blue light on the things they created. Merrill made griffon shaped salt and pepper shakers. There was a miniature decor shield with an A and D monogram painted on it, with copper marigolds. A recipe book holder dragon statue, although a bit wonkie made by Marian. There was Hawkes shirt thrown onto the chair next to the table with Isabelas handprints on her breasts. The empty bottles and handkerchiefs, after their heart to heart talks.
The first one to wake up was Aveline, and after taking Barkley for a walk in Hightown, came back with a clear head to start the day. The girls have already tidied up the room and prepared some breakfast. Merrill gave a potion for Isabelas slight hangover. The bridesmaid dresses were simple, knee length, peach colored, and tied in their necks loosely. Bodhan brought the wedding dress and the makeup out to them.
Marian's mum was ecstatic to see her Aveline in a wedding gown.
"When will I get to see you get married finally, Hawke?" She scolded her daughter a bit as she hugged her head. "Moom!" She said, rolling her eyes at her mother, hiding a smile.
They left Aveline with a natural look. Just some golden shimmer to her eyes. She looked at her form in the mirror with a confident smile on her face. "You should wear a dress more, honey. The bandits would never suspect you arresting them like that, ever." Whistled Isabela with a playful smack to Aveline's butt.
"Shut up." chuckled Aveline.
"It's so great to see you find your happiness in life, Aveline." Wiped Leandra, a tear from her face. "After everything we've been through since Lothering, to have you as family in these years. It gives me so much hope for our future. I'm so proud of you, my dear. Our captain of the guards." She reached out to hug her, which she, with a bit of hesitation, hugged back. "Thank you, this really means a lot.. "she said with her voice faltering. After she let Leandra go, flattened her dress out a bit, then caught a glimpse of Merrill in the mirror, seeing her expression. Aveline sighed. "Would you like a hug too, Merrill?"
"A group hug!" As she nearly jumped into the bride's arm. Isabela and Marian joined too.
The ceremony would take place in the Chantry, with a small guest list, nearly thirty people. The weather outside was perfect. The gentle breeze carried the ringing of the bells to all of Hightown. The buildings stood tall, citizens enjoying the morning wiev from their balconies. They reached the Chantry, after stopping on the streets for the good wishes from the people coming by them. Some of her guards were in a line out to greet them in front of the temple. "At ease, guards!" said Aveline, saluting proudly with her men.
Varric waited for them with a warm smile on his face, near the altar. He wore an elegant maroon colored tunic, with his iconic deep neckline showing his chest hair.
"You look dashing, Av!" he said.
The other companions behind him finished the flower arch. Anders and Fenris barely stopped the arguing about the flower arrangement before this could escalate into a fistfight. Leaving Carver under the flower arch, holding up the thing with his last amount of patience, glaring at them.
Sebastian was chatting with the Revered mother, ignoring the others. He planned to give a speech at the event, but with some subtle threats from Varric, he dropped the idea. They all wear the same warm colored tunic, except for Fenris's gauntlet. Gamlen talked to Donnic and his parents as they noticed the bride arriving.
"We shall start the ceremony. I ask everyone to take their seats." Announced the Mother, as she pointed at the benches put out for the attendees.
Leandra headed to sit down, but Aveline reached for her hand to stop her. "Leandra.. I know it's a weird ask, but could you please take me to the altar? If you don't want to I understand.." She looked into her eyes. "I would be honoured to!" Reassured her Leandra, and arm in arm they got to the priest and the Groom. Donnic beamed with a smile on his face, fully mesmerized by her. The lovers, side by side, turned to the priestess. Next to Aveline stood Hawke, Isabela, and Merrill. To Donnics right were His two great friends and colleagues, and Fenris. Varric sat down next to the Hawke family.
The ceremony didn't take long. The Mother's monologue about the importance and strength of love, carried through the colorfully decorated hall. Donnic took a deep breath and turned back to Aveline, taking her calloused hand into his with adoration. "I could've never asked for a better person to wake up next to every day, to be by your side whether in protecting our city, or just our calm moments in between. You can always count on me, and I know I can always count on you. May our love will be as strong as you are, my love. I swear unto the Maker and the Holy Andraste to love this woman till the rest of my days!" He finished his wows with his voice faltering, overcome by emotions.
"You and your love mean so much to me." "I'm so grateful to have opened up my heart for you. You are a kind and brave soul with whom I've had the fortune to share my life with. And I'll promise to be by your side for eternity. I swear unto the Maker and the Holy Andraste to love this man till the rest of my days!" Said Avaline with proudness and warmth in her voice.
They exchanged rings, witch to their surprise was attached to the collar of Hawkes family mabari. Although the Chantry sisters were not happy about the four-legged ring bearer.
The ceremony finished with their first kiss as a married couple.
Holding hands, the newlyweds strolled out to meet their families. Her new parents-in-law embraced them.
Marian squeezed Isabela's hand gently as she saw her trying to wipe away the tears from her eyes. Her soft mumbling about her allergies to the flowers, she smiled back at Marian. Then they went to offer a handkerchief to Varric who was choking back his tears insufficiently. Next to him Carver sniffing too. Everyone from their friend's group gathered their things and got the decorations downs. As the Chantry had to be cleared for the next mass. The guests with Varric's lead headed to the reception. The others catching up to them later.
The shore looked great as the sun made the waves sparkle like diamonds in the afternoon. They spent so much time here fighting. It was refreshing to be there peacefully.
They joked around a bit, stopped to play fetch with their hound. Then got to the catering at the party. Some of the guest didn't come with them to their get together. Their numbers got to seventeen people. More booze for them!
Aveline came up to them for a welcome drink, cheering for their new life together. She had some blushing to her face, the shots of alcohol after every guest took its toll.
"This place looks familiar. Weren't we killing skeletons in here before?" She accused, quieter not to disturb the other guests.
"No we got rid of the giant spiders' nest here." Explained Varric with the drink in his hand.
"That was last month, Varric. We cleared this building out of bandits last week." Corrected him, Fenris.
"No matter, I love what you did with this interior! Thank you for all our help. I owe you all one." Raised Aveline her glass to them.
"Enjoy the night, everyone!"
And enjoy they did.
The supper they ordered was delicious, they ate Ferelden style stew, which despite its bland look was really flavourful, the meat melting on our tongue. They ate freshly baked bread, with fermented vegetables as a side dish. The wedding cake was baked by Donnic's mother, she decorated it too for them. The reddish frosting looked like marigolds. A bit of an inside joke in their family at this point.
And the thank you speeches, congratulating monologues, kept coming the whole evening. With the celebrations going smoothly, Aveline could really let herself be her. Even picked Donnic up, easily sweeping him off his feet, and he melted into her kiss. Her mother-in-law paused a bit, but got her composure back quickly.
After the food absorbed some of the alcohol, the guests have settled down. Then came the wedding gift giving to the newlyweds. Donnic's family members mostly brought money, or ceramics, they got a new cutlery set. She got a family heirloom pair of earrings from her parents-in-law.
She got a beautifully crafted sword from Donnic. And Aveline surprised him with a new shield, their initials made into a brand on it. It's an Orlesian tradition to give gifts to each other as a couple.
Fenris gave them tailor made matching gauntlets. He tried to act all casual when they thanked him. However, his blushing ears betrayed him.
Merrill and Carver brought a new cabinet they made. He accidentally broke the other one at a house party. He built it, and Merrill painted the intricate details all over the furniture. They handed it over with a sweet thank you note. Leandra wrote all her recipes into a book for them, with thoughtfully added personal notes. Gamlen brought a cheap glass of wine. Sebastian gave them two belt buckles they could combine into one beautiful design. A light of the Chant book also included. Anders saved up some gold for some quality silk fabric and made them bathrobes. With an enchanted chill to the touch added. Perfect for the heat in the summer. Aveline doesn't approve of magically tinkered things. But this one can slide.
Varric bought them a honeymoon getaway weekend to an Orlais thermal bath residence. "Varric I can't accept this! This is worth half our yearly pay! You can't think this seriously. You have helped enough. How many gold have you spent on this wedding already? We have yet to get any of the checks..."She stopped when Varric put his hands on her shoulder. "Ive got things covered sweetheart, I've got connections. And before you ask yes, they were all legal, mostly." " I'm just glad to see you all happy. Let me have this." He looked up at them with his proud dad like smile.
Isabela came up to them with a huge grin on her face. With a rectangular shaped box behind her back. The suspicion instantly materializing on Aveline's face. A glint in Donnic's eyes.
"What is it Isabela?"
"Open the box to find it out, honey. Why would I ruin the surprise? Oh, one tip. Both of you can enjoy this. It's handheld, thick... "
"I swear if you bought us another dildo, Andraste help me I'll...! "Shout whispered Aveline, clutching the box as if something would jump out from it any second.
"Open it up, coward!" Teased Isabela.
With firstly carefully looking around. The other guests got bored with all the gifts, went back already for the cakes, or to dance to the small band of musicians Carver hired. She took a small gulp and took the top off the box.
"Varric and I planned this for months. Remember the little stories we wrote of you, I mean the non existent characters? We finally had enough material for a whole book! The first one is all yours! The book will come out tho the shelves next month. We also wrote a note into it for you." Said Isabela innocently. Aveline stared at the book cover - Swords and shields- with her and Donnic resembling the main characters printed on it. With a long defeated sigh, she held Isabelas gaze.
"If it is half as steamy and hot as you said they are, my love, we should check it out just to be sure." Implied Donnic, with his hand on her hip.
"You will never catch me revealing anything about our sex life to you ever again, Isabela."
Aveline looked away flustered, flipping to the first page to read the actual heartfelt message they wrote to them.
"Thank you for your kind words.. This really means.. "she said while picking the book out of the wooden box. Freezing immediately and showing the book back after seeing the more than obscene lipstick red lingerie for the both of them. "You are such a cunt, honestly!" With an irritated smile.
"You're welcome!" Beamed Isabela, pulling Hawke into her arms.
Marian got them the rings they were wearing now. But she felt like she should give more. Their friendship was a solid pillar in their life, always had each other's backs. For her, she felt like another sister. They both lost someone dear to them at Lothering. They have struggled and fought together since. Now Donnic joins their little mismatched found family too. And what about their future? Their kids seeing her as aunt Hawke. Spending the holidays together, they already have dinners on weekends. If anything happens to her or him... Or if Marian dies, what about her mother or brother? Who would bail out Gamlen for his debts?
She handed them a small pouch. "You already gave us enough, Hawke. You don't have to." Softened Aveline, handing her back the pouch. Hawke put her hands up,so she has to keep it.
"Alright, if you insist." And let Donnic discover what's in it.
"A key? Please don't tell us you bought a house. We already have a home." He looked at Hawke with concern in his eyes.
"No, it's a spare key to the Hawke estate. There's our insignia on it. I meant it as a welcome to the family gift."
"Hawke.." Aveline pulled Marian into a tight bear hug. She patted her back, gasping for air. They are both bad with words, especially when it comes to feelings.
"I'm so done with gifts! The next one to surprise will get a right hook into the face as a thank you." Sniffed Aveline, as they put the gifts back onto a table and returned to their friends.
The event went fast, the sunset colors reflected from the shells they hanged up. The number of guests decreased as time went by, now only twelve people remaining. The music was catchy and upbeat. Perfect for dancing. Even Aveline could be talked into dancing. She took two songs to ease up and get lost in Donnic's eyes. Varric sat there at the tables observing the others, capturing everything with his eyes. Sebastian tried to teach some flashy Starkhaven dance moves to Carver. But gave up after Carver fell face first to the ground for a second time. Anders sat silently next to Fenris for some mutual team building brooding. Occasionally, he sat up to bring some more alcohol for them. Merrill danced with Hawke and Isabela until they ran out of breath. Merrill joined Leandra sitting on the bench. And the two women headed out for some fresh air.
They sat down near the shore on some rocks, their feet in the water. The sound of the instruments blending toghether with the clashing of waves. They sat there enjoying the scennery, holding each other's hand for a long time. The moonlight shining on Isabelas darker skin, her jewelry sparkling in the night. But her smile shined brighter than anything in this world for Marian.