At Your Side (A Dragon Age fanfiction)

Year Three: Hearts

Aveline looked at her reflection with dissatisfaction. "If Donnic hasn't reconsidered already, he will once he sees me in this ... mess." She tugged the sleeves farther up her shoulders.

"What are you talking about? You're radiant!" Hawke pulled the sleeves down so that the wide dark blue velvet band around the top of the gown rested on Aveline's upper arms, leaving her shoulders bare. "It's perfect."

"You really think so? I don't want Donnic thinking he's marrying some ... flouncy wench."

Hawke nearly choked trying not to laugh. "There is no way he would think that. You look elegant and lovely, not flouncy at all." The gown truly suited her friend. It was a simple cream-colored dress that flared just slightly over Aveline's hips, with a dark-blue cord tied loosely around the waist to match the velvet edge of the neckline. A crown of delphiniums took the place of the usual braided leather headband, Aveline's hair falling loose over her shoulders. "Besides, given that the betting is all in favor of you getting married in armor, I think Donnic will be pleased that you wore a dress." Hawke hesitated, then said, "It was nice of Isabela to send it."

"Nice? Nice would have been coming home to get her ass kicked the way she deserves, and being here herself."

"I suppose. Maybe she thought she'd save the homecoming ass-kicking for sometime when it wouldn't draw attention away from your wedding."

Aveline snorted. "Isabela? Worried about attracting attention? That'll be the day."

"People change, Aveline."

"I suppose." Aveline turned away from the mirror, smiling. "Thank you, Hawke. I'm glad you're here. I don't mind telling you, all those nobles make me nervous. Why did I have to invite them, again?"

"You're the Captain of the Guard. With the Viscount ... gone, you stand second only to the Seneschal in the defense of the citizens of Kirkwall. It's an important duty, and don't think the nobles haven't noticed."

"Right." Aveline reached for her bouquet, a mixture of blue tulips and orange lilies to match the wedding colors—that they were guardsmen colors hadn't been lost on anyone. "When is it your turn, my friend? Is Ser Theodore going to be taking you away?"

Hawke flushed, looking away. It was a pleasant change to have the embarrassed flush steal over her face, to feel the little frisson of excitement at the mention of his name. She'd been dating Theo for a month or so, and his were the first kisses she didn't automatically compare to ... someone else's. Still ... "I don't see myself as Lady Evelyn of Wildervale any time soon. Besides," she added in a more practical tone, "someone's got to keep their eye on Meredith and the situation with the mages. It might as well be me. There isn't much she can do to me."

A knock sounded on the door. "Aveline?" Sebastian called. "Elthina wants to know if you're ready or if she should have the choir restart the chant." Humor was ill-concealed in his voice.

"I'm ready, blast you!" Aveline snapped, and Sebastian laughed.

"Come on out. Everyone's assembled—it's time to start the wedding march."

Hawke took up her smaller bouquet, all tulips. The flowers had been her gift to the couple, grown specifically for this occasion. She'd spent hours on her knees worrying over each blossom. She gave Aveline's hand a parting squeeze. "You are ready, aren't you?"

Now that the moment was at hand, the nerves had receded. Aveline's face shone. "Donnic is the right man for me." She looked upward. "And wherever he is, I believe Wesley is pleased. It is more than enough."