There and Back Again Ch. 093-094

"Careful, Uncle. Think hard before you continue that sentence, and perhaps remember who it is that saved your life, as well as who has the ability to take this home away from you. You may be Arl, for now, but you will remember who is King."

Somehow, impossibly, Eamon's face became even more crimson, and he started looking distinctly unwell. He was sweating and breathing shallowly, his hands curled into fists and his mouth opening and closing like a fish as he considered what to say next. I worried briefly that he could be having a heart attack, but saw Wynne and Anders nearby looking unconcerned, so I relaxed.

"Your Majesty," he finally replied, tone cold. "I apologise for overreaching. I shall leave you to your..." he glanced dismissively at Alistair and me, "entertainment." His response was formal enough to pass as polite, though the words were clearly meant derisively. He frowned at Theron and Aedan, shot Alistair and me one more dirty look, and then spun on his heel and marched out of the Chantry, letting the doors slam behind him.

In his wake, everyone looked at each other uncertainly, soft whispers barely heard from the front where I was standing. Alistair reached his hand back towards me, and I grabbed it and clung for dear life. I was so angry at Eamon. How dare he interrupt my wedding to call my husband a bastard? I struggled to contain my anger, to hold back a scream of rage. I swore to myself that if he ever did something to hurt Alistair like that again, I'd kill him myself. Theron appeared to be having similar thoughts.

"You okay?" I asked Alistair, worried he'd be devastated by the vocal disapproval from his first father figure.

"You know what?" He smiled at me and squeezed my hand. "I really am. I'm fine."

His expression matched his words, though how it could be true was beyond me. Not knowing what to say, I just held onto his hand, a couple of tears of total aggravation gliding down my cheek. Alistair wiped them with the thumb of his free hand, smiling encouragement at me. "It's going to be fine. I swear it."

Finally Mother Hannah cleared her throat and clapped her hands, motioning for everyone to have a seat.

"Do you still wish to proceed?" she asked Alistair and me, voice pitched low so as not to carry through the Chantry. Only Leli and Aedan would have been close enough to hear.

We both nodded without hesitation, and so she picked up as well as she could from where we left off. We finished exchanging rings, and I stared down at my hand in awe. I'd never thought I'd see that finger with a gold ring on it. A couple of tears escaped, and Alistair smiled in understanding.

Mother Hannah was talking again, and I struggled to keep up with her, but when she asked me a question, the answer came easily.

"I do." To my surprise, my voice was strong and carried throughout the small Chantry.

When it was his turn, he winked at me, forever cheeky, and replied, "Oh, I definitely do."

A snicker passed through the guests, and then it was done. I heard the Revered Mother mutter something about kissing, and then his lips were finally on mine, his hands cupping my face as I just pressed my palms against the solid bulk of him. The kiss was neither short nor chaste, and my cheeks flushed as a cheerful roar went up among the witnesses when we finally, reluctantly pulled apart. Alistair wasn't even blushing, for once, and I smiled at his unexpected confidence.

He took my hand and we walked out of the Chantry together, me smiling like I'd never stop. Eamon was forgotten, a problem for another day; for today, I had Alistair at my side and a ring on my finger, and nothing else mattered.

That evening we had a small feast for our friends, and there was dancing. Leliana pinned my train up for me, and I took off the veil so I could dance. Leliana sang "A Thousand Years" again for me and Alistair to slow dance to together, and then some musicians she'd recruited from the village launched into more traditional Fereldan songs. I danced with Teagan, Tomas, Theron, Jowan, Aedan, and Zevran, and once each even with Sten, Anders, Faren, Bel, and Oghren - dancing with the dwarves was rather comical, especially when Oghren started making salacious comments about how their height put their heads right at my bosom - but mostly I clung to Alistair. Despite both being terrible dancers, we fit so well together that we didn't step on each other's toes and it felt perfect to be in his arms like that.

Leliana and Solona danced with anyone who asked, including a couple of local men who were having a drink at the tavern when we arrived; Solona even danced once with Anders, which was sweet and sort of painful all at the same time. Morrigan refused to dance, and Wynne begged off as being too tired after one dance with Alistair. Secretly I wondered if he'd stepped on her foot.

Kaitlyn was there, in a pretty silk dress, which was not lost on Teagan, and the two of them spent almost as many dances as Alistair and I clinging together. I winked at both of them individually when I caught their eyes, and they both blushed, but kept on dancing.

At one point, when I was resting, slumped on a bench beside an equally exhausted Alistair, Leliana stopped the music and got everyone's attention.

"I thought this would be a good time for Sierra to showcase a talent that I don't think anyone here knows about, other than me, and I think I know the perfect way to do that."

I raised my eyebrow, confused. What talent? She dragged me up to stand by her, and then explained.

"Sierra has an ability to remember music that rivals my own, and I have no doubt she will be able to manage this. I also think that our darling Alistair should know that his bride can sing."

I blushed. She couldn't...she did. The initial strains of a song I knew all too well rang out. It took a bit of adjustment - string instruments just didn't sound like the electronic music I was familiar with, but which song she had chosen was plainly obvious - Serena Ryder's "What I wouldn't do". I grabbed her hand, pulling her to me.

"You had better stay here and sing with me," I growled at her, and she smiled and pulled out a small drum, nodding.

At first, I was quiet, and I'm sure few other than Alistair could hear me at all over Leliana's superior voice. Alistair's surprised look was followed by a pleased smile, and when Aedan and Zevran also grinned appreciatively, I gained confidence that was mirrored by my increasing volume. I couldn't project like Leliana - I'd never had voice training, and could only boast the ability to carry a tune, not wow a crowd - but it was enough, and the song was perfect.

If you should fall to pieces,

You know I'll pick them up.

There are so many reasons

I'm never gonna get enough.

If you should leave this country,

You know I'll come to you,

Because you always love me.

Oh what I wouldn't do.

I was swaying to the beat and smiling by the end, despite my early embarrassment, and Alistair's grin made it worth it. I barely noticed the applause, or the cheering as Alistair lifted me off my feet and kissed me.

We finally settled down to dinner; so many of us being Grey Wardens meant the food was plentiful, and we cleared the table without delay. There was a little bit of the Antivan wine Zevran knew I liked, and a small keg of ale from Maker-knew where, but no one (including Oghren, for a change) was drunk and it was a lovely meal. It was rather hard to eat without letting go of Alistair's hand, but we managed.

After dinner, he stood beside me, and shouted to get everyone's attention.

"First, we would like to thank all of you for being here to celebrate with us. This wouldn't be happening without all of you helping, some more than others," he smiled and nodded his head to a blushing Leliana, "and we wouldn't want to do this without all of you here. Second, we would like to wish you all a good night." He turned to me and smiled. "I am a lucky man. I love you, Sierra."

I stood up and kissed him, to the mixed sounds of cheering and gagging from the crowd.

"I'd like to echo my husband's sentiment about you all being here. I think every girl dreams of her wedding day, and mine was perfect, thanks to you. I'm the lucky one." I smiled up at Alistair, unshed tears pricking in my eyes. "And I love you, Alistair. Forever."

His lips crushed mine, and he leaned down to scoop me up, fancy dress and all. I'd normally have squawked, but I wanted to leave as much as he did, and knew I'd be hampered by the silly train. He leaned me down to plant a kiss on each friend's cheek, and endured much back-slapping, and then we were out of there. We both stayed silent until we reached the rooms that had been prepared for us upstairs in the tavern.

Leliana had struck again; the bed was again covered in rose petals - where had she found those, in the middle of a Blight? - and there were candles lit all around the room, giving off a lovely glow. A fire burned in the hearth, there was a covered tray that I guessed would be food, and a copper tub had been dragged in, with the enchanted rune I had been given in Orzammar sitting nearby, ready to provide hot water on demand.

Alistair sat down on a chair by the fire, settling me in his lap, and I relaxed into his embrace. I sighed; it was nice to relax, not to be watched, even if it had been for a good reason. We sat silently, companionably, just enjoying the fire and the closeness.

After a while I squirmed; the dress Leliana had produced as if by magic that morning was beautiful, but fashion required some sort of sacrifice, and that was comfort. The stitching in the bodice was tight, not even allowing for a breast band underneath, and my skin ached from its tight confinement. The stays were bone of some sort, and dug in to my ribs uncomfortably; the fabric was silk, but in places there was a lot of lace that was abominably itchy.

Seeming to catch on to my discomfort, Alistair began silently unlacing the back of the dress. I grinned, knowing very few Fereldan noblewomen would allow their husbands to perform such a task, instead having a lady's maid to do it. I wondered briefly if he minded, but reasoned that if he did, he'd better get over it. I was no noblewoman, and with the exception of my wedding dress, would not normally need help to get undressed; I wasn't about to keep a lady's maid for such rare occasions. My husband would just have to learn to cope.

Husband. That's a weird thought. I glanced at my left hand, where my simple gold band lay next to the beautiful diamond engagement ring Alistair had given me. I never thought I'd live to see the day. I smiled wistfully, wondering what I would have thought if a year ago, someone had told me I'd be married, and to a fairy-tale character at that. I'd have laughed, for sure.

By the time the thoughts had tumbled through my brain, Alistair had untied the final lacing, and suddenly the pressure on my ribcage and chest released. The dress fell forward slightly, baring the curve of my breasts to the room. He took the opportunity to stroke the skin, ever-so-softly, and I shivered at the touch. Suddenly his arms were around me, his breath warm in my ear.

"Cold, my Lady? I could get you a blanket."

"No thank you, my Prince." I grinned as he huffed and rolled his eyes. By mutual, unspoken consent, we were leaving the topic of his royalty until morning. I turned to face him. "Besides, I can think of better things than a blanket to help me warm up."

I waggled my eyebrows and he grinned before leaning in to capture my lips in a scorching kiss. His hands stroked my neck and shoulder, slowly releasing my upper half from the confines of my dress. When I was finally bare from the waist up, he kissed his way down to my chest, and I moaned as he devoured a nipple, sensitive from a day spent trussed in yards of irritating fabric. He had just a hint of stubble on his chin, and it scraped across my skin as he switched sides, subjecting my other breast to the same treatment.

Impatient now, I struggled out of his lap, and he had to lift me up so I could stand. He scrambled to his feet, just in time to watch the dress finally fall past my waist, and I wiggled until it pooled at my feet. My underwear, some special useless lacy things Leliana had presented, soon followed. I kicked off the heels, stepped out of the puddle of cloth, and stood before him naked. I was rewarded by a soft groan as his gaze travelled my body; the look he gave me turned me on more than it should, and I popped one hip out to the side as I sauntered past him to the bed, making sure he got a good look at everything.

"You're overdressed, husband." I crawled up on the bed and reclined against the pillows, smiling seductively. He likes how I look? Might as well give him a show. "You'd better hurry, or I will start without you."

Stirring from his abject staring, he blushed and tried to rush and undress, but I had already decided to make it more difficult for him. Making sure he was watching, I brought one hand up to my face and slowly, painstaking swirled my tongue around the tip of one finger. Locking my smile in place, hoping like hell I didn't blush, I traced the other fingers down my neck, over my chest, and then with the damp finger, began teasing my own erect nipple, while the other hand held my breast out slightly, as though offering it to him. He groaned and stopped undressing, face slack as he watched my hands. He'd managed to remove the doublet and vest overtop of his formal shirt, but little else, and after a few moments of allowing him to stare, I cleared my throat. Startled, he looked up.

"Better, but not quite there yet, my love."

He flushed and started unbuttoning his shirt, so I went back to tormenting him. I switched breasts, re-wetting my finger and rolling my nipple gently. Seeing his eyes widen with lust as he watched me was intoxicating, and I felt moisture between my thighs. With one hand still on my erect nipple, I allowed the other to explore lower, stroking across my belly to the hairless mound at the apex of my thighs. He seemed dazed, unable to tear his eyes away as my fingers gently massaged my own pubic area. I cleared my throat again, and he jumped and tore the shirt open, buttons popping off and spraying across the room.

I giggled and he blushed before dropping the ruined shirt to the floor. His physique never failed to affect me, and I watched his own skin appear with anticipation. Once the shirt was gone, I could see the prominent bulge in the front of his trousers and I licked my lips. Taking my cue to advance my agenda of driving him mad, I spread my legs, embarrassed but too excited to stop now. I could smell my own arousal, and by his flaring nostrils, so could he. I traced a finger over my lower lips, finding myself soaked; I brought my finger up to my lips and licked at the moisture there. His strangled gasp made me grin wickedly, and I dropped my hand back down, now finally allowing my finger to penetrate into my damp folds. I explored slowly, at first, teasing myself, until I couldn't take it anymore and finally circled around my hard clit gently. I shuddered at the sensation and did it again.

He was panting now, desperately trying to free himself from his trousers, the laces of which of course had become knotted. His frustration and urgency sent a bolt of pleasure through me, and I groaned and dropped my head back onto the pillows as I pleasured myself slowly. I needed more, and reluctantly released my breast to allow my other hand to join the first. Continuing to torment my clit, I slid two fingers through the slippery folds, picking up some moisture before delving them deep inside my sheath. The pressure was divine, making me writhe, but yet left me wanting - it wasn't enough. It wasn't him. My lover, my husband...thinking that word made me cry out softly as I started thrusting my fingers in and out of my channel.

I lifted my head just soon enough to finally see his pants drop to his ankles, and saw him trip in his hurry to shed the offending article of clothing. I watched through a haze as he eventually remembered to kick off his shoes and managed to free himself. His smalls took no time, and suddenly my naked, very aroused husband was crawling onto the bed between my knees. I watched as his face descended and then felt his tongue as it slipped in around my probing fingers, and I relented and withdrew my hands as he took over.

His tongue grazed the edge of my clit a few times before he switched to sucking in one of my inner lips and harassing it with his tongue instead. I gasped and arched my back as I felt two of his much bigger, longer fingers replace mine and curl forward, rubbing all the right places rhythmically with every thrust. I started to shake with desire, and screamed his name as he finally clamped his mouth over my clit and began sucking and flicking it. His other hand, out of nowhere, pinched my nipple, and I came. I flooded his mouth and his hand, thrashing a little but unable to move too far because of the fingers impaling me. He kept at my clit, prolonging my orgasm until I couldn't take it anymore and collapsed back, panting.

He eased his fingers out of me and crawled up, kissing my stomach and then my breast before he reached my head and leaned in to kiss me. I tried to follow him as he pulled away, and I pouted.

"You have been a very bad girl, and now I think it's time for payback."

My eyes widened as he lifted my legs to his shoulders; we'd never tried that position before! I felt the heat of his erection before I felt the pressure, and I wiggled my hips invitingly. He chuckled and shook his head, then proceeded to tease me with just the tip, running it along my length and pressing slightly against my too-sensitive clit. Normally he stayed away from there for a few minutes, at least, after an orgasm, to allow things to recover, but as he rubbed again and again against the little nub, it seemed this time would be different.

I was too aroused for it to truly be painful, but it was definitely uncomfortable and I hissed. He kept at it, then leaned down to suck one of my inflamed nipples into his mouth, something else we usually avoided right after orgasm. To my surprise, despite my discomfort, I could feel the pressure rising in my pelvis which indicated another orgasm was building. He kept at it, ignoring my whining as he teased my opening and harassed clit and nipples both, and I spastically grabbed at the sheets under me. The pressure built, and suddenly the discomfort fled in favour of white-hot pleasure as I was rocked by another climax.

I cried out again, fisting my hands in the sheets as it washed over me, and the next thing I knew Alistair was buried in me to the hilt, pounding into me mercilessly, not letting me relax after my peak. The angle allowed him to go deeper than he had ever before, and I'd never felt so completely filled, so totally owned by another. His hands were bruising my hips as he pulled me to meet his thrusts, and I could tell by his hoarse grunt that he was close. When he shouted and arched his back, feeling him spill inside me triggered another small orgasm that left me breathless. My legs slipped off his shoulders to fall on either side of his hips, my arms leaden at my sides, and I felt weak. I could barely move.

Suddenly I felt something on my abused clit, and I opened my eyes to see he was still on top of me but had snaked a finger down between us to find my poor nub. I groaned and shifted my hips, only to realise that he was still hard, still buried inside my sheath, and pinning me in place. His finger was insistent and aggressive, stroking and teasing my pearl.

"No, not again. I can't." It was barely a whisper; finding my voice required too much effort.