Seen me around and want to hit me up for a thread? Drop a prompt or starter here and I'll run with it. Anything goes - gen, smut, horror, whatever takes your fancy.
[Nodding, Alistair takes the ring, almost fumbling it at first. His heart is pounding as well, his smile fading as he takes a deep, steadying breath and solemnly reaches for Robyn's hand. The words rise up, simple and familiar from ceremonies he's watched before but never feeling as important as they do now.]
I swear, unto the Maker and the Holy Andraste, to love this woman the rest of my days.
[He drags his gaze away from her face to slip the ring on her finger, squeezing her hand in return when it's in place. His attention is momentarily fixed on the sight before he exhales and looks back up. Robyn's always been beautiful and wonderful but right then he thinks she might rival Andraste herself. Not the sort of thought he should be entertaining when making vows before the Maker and His Bride but they fell in love too. They must understand how he feels as he searches for something more to say that might convey just how blessed he feels.]
I swear. I will follow you wherever you lead and wait as long as I must to by your side again. Whatever trials we face we'll never be apart.
[Still nowhere near all of what he wants to tell her but they'll be here all day if he tries to put it all into words. Instead Alistair just nods, glancing briefly at the Revered Mother for approval before turning his attention back to Robyn.]
[ Robyn has seen one or two marriages, but only in passing, a transient figure wandering in the background of the scene and having no purpose within it. She doesn't know if there are any "required" words, exactly, but she follows his lead, easily smiling, beaming, even. ]
I swear, unto the Maker and the Holy Andraste, to love this man for the rest of my days. [ Her stomach tumbles nervously, fluttering with the dizzying emotion she feels. Robyn almost forgets herself, staring back at him, but with a light laugh and apologetic smile she places the ring gingerly onto his finger. It makes her think of her family, of what her parents might have thought of this, but she also knows that they would be happy and proud of the person she'd become.
Robyn dips her chin briefly, smiling more gently. ]
I swear that I will always love you, will always be loyal and true. I promise that I will return to you no matter what happens, and while I'm away, you will never be out of my mind and my heart.
[ As with Alistair, the Revered Mother meets her eyes and smiles gently, encouragingly. ]
The Maker has heard your vows. [ The old woman begins, holding one hand up and laying the other briefly over their own, joined hands. ] By His blessing, and by the blessing of Andraste, I hereby pronounce you man and wife. [ The Revered Mother lowers her hands, then, still offering the pair a warm, almost fond smile. ] Congratulations.
[ Did most of the weddings she oversaw have applause, friends, and family? Robyn only thinks on it for a moment, but doesn't feel regret or sadness. Instead, the Warden rises up to kiss her husband, cupping his cheek with her free hand.
I swear, Alistair. I mean it with everything I am. ]
[His heartbeat almost drowns out the Mother's words but the important part echoes loud. He barely drags his attention away from Robyn long enough to shoot the old woman a grateful smile then all his focus is back on his new wife. His arms wrap around her waist, all but lifting her off her feet as he kisses her back.
They might be missing the usual friends and family to wish them well and while he might wish they could have done this the normal way, making their vows before those they care about, the moment is perfect as it is. This is just for them, seizing the chance for happiness when it comes like they have since the beginning. There will be time to celebrate with those closest to them once Robyn has returned safely as she must now. The Maker and Andraste have accepted them as husband and wife, they can't be so cold as to let that be taken away immediately.
Several long moments pass before there's a polite cough beside them. Pulling away from Robyn, Alistair blinks at the Revered Mother, his cheeks turning pink at the amused look on her face.]
I shall enter this into the Chantry's records. You two should go celebrate while you have the chance.
[It's admittedly fairly obvious that the pair of them are expecting to be separated soon, not uncommon among the Wardens as it is. Alistair is more than happy to take the hint, nodding and slipping his hand down to claps Robyn's tightly.]
Thank you. This means a lot to us.
[An understatement given how he's smiling but she can see that. He steps towards the door, hands still clasped and pauses, looking down at Robyn.]
[ She doesn't answer, and instead gives his hand another squeeze. She calls out her thanks to the Revered Mother as they depart, nearly forgetting, speaking in a breathless, happy shout. Then, they step over the threshold and face the cool, night air, united more now than ever.
There isn't a destination, really. Certainly not back to work, not yet. The Warden travels in silence where she is usually chatty, eyes bright with the moon as she leads them on. The pair walks through the grass, over small, sloping hills, stopping at a little peak that overlooks a town in the distance. Its warm lights welcome them from below and the night shines high above them.
It's perfect. Robyn sighs dreamily, finally releasing his hand to settle down cross-legged on the ground. She draws up her knees after a while to hug them, wrapping her arms tightly around them, fingers playing at the ring, new on her finger, even as her mind wanders. ]
I always thought I would marry a prince, when I was a little girl. [ She teases lightly, smiling over at him. ] And here you are.
[ Never mind that he'd renounced all titles. The throne had never been very important to either of them, not in the way that their duty is. Ferelden is. The Wardens are. ]
I couldn't have dreamt of a more perfect husband. [ She asserts quietly, but firmly. ] Not ever.
[Alistair settles down beside her, shoulder-to-shoulder. For a time it's quiet, each of them lost in their own thoughts looking out at the world spread out below them. He's content, however briefly. Distantly he knows that for all the joy of the past hour at best the future is still waiting. But right now is a time to celebrate in their own way.
He's pulled from his thoughts when Robyn speaks, surprise quickly chased away as he laughs.] Here I am.
[And happy to be a prince if it would make her happy. One far removed from any throne or even his father's kingdom but somehow he doubts Robyn's younger self cared about specifics. And she certainly was never interested in him for his bloodline or claim to the throne.]
Are you sure you wouldn't prefer someone who doesn't - supposedly - snore? [Shaking his head, Alistair curls an arm around his wife's shoulders. He pauses a moment and then tugs at her, encouraging her closer so he can hold her properly.]
I never thought I'd be lucky enough to meet anyone like you. When I was younger- [He snorts. He hadn't really thought about girls or marriage as a stableboy. When they had started to be something he thought about he'd thought he'd be spending the rest of his life as a templar and would be lucky to meet many women at all. He certainly hadn't expected joining the Wardens to be the thing that led him to his future wife.] I never thought I'd be this happy. I still don't believe it most days. In fact, maybe you should pinch me just to be sure I'm not dreaming and one of the sisters is going to come yell at me soon for oversleeping.
You absolutely snore. [ She points out with a cheeky grin, easily encouraged to settle onto his lap when prompted, sitting curled against him with her legs both off to one side. ] I think I can consider myself the present expert on Warden Alistair's nighttime noises.
[ Of all varieties. She laughs lightly, snuggling into his chest, sighing contentedly. Yes, she knows all about his snores, as they find their way into each other's assigned quarters more often than not, unless one is away. Though they can't share the same sorts of evenings they had during the blight, when they traveled across Ferelden, always together in camp, but no one seems to feel it necessary to try and keep them apart. Two of the Grey Wardens who ended the Fifth Blight have certain leeway, after all.
At his suggest, Robyn reaches up to pinch him as request, lightly taking his nose between her fingers. After, as if apologizing, she plants a kiss to it. ]
It isn't a dream. [ She reassures him softly, and though her childhood had been a far cry from his, she has trouble believing that things had worked out this way, too. ] You're a hero. A married hero. [ She adds, and kisses his nose again. ] More deserving of happiness and luck than anyone I've ever met.
[ For everything he'd endured before they met, and even after, he's been nothing but forgiving, kind, and a slew of other, positive qualities. People like Alistair don't exist much anymore, except for in the stories. ]
[...Alright, she may have a point there.] I should hope you are the expert. If anyone else has been sneaking in to listen to me sleep I'd rather not know.
[Shale might have been able to challenge her for the title, back during the days of the Blight. But that was years ago and is still creepy, even now.
Wrapping his arms around her, he rests his chin on her head. He's going to miss this. All of it. The nights spent together, the companionship. And having someone around who laughs at his jokes. Some of the older Wardens seem to have forgotten how to laugh and no attempt to help has been successful so far.
Even though he requested it, Alistair pouts at the pinch, fighting not to smile as Robyn kisses the spot.] Now that I know that I'm awake and my wife can be a cruel woman...
[It might be time for some payback.]
I think you're getting confused about which of us is the hero here, my dear. I'm just a companion to the hero. [Something he's perfectly fine with. She's far more deserving of than title than him. And, importantly, it gives him one more thing to tease her with.] Or do I need to find someone to remind you?
[Not that he's planning on going anywhere but it wouldn't be hard to find some new recruit in awe of the Hero of Ferelden. There's got to still be at least one who hasn't seen the pair of them at their most ridiculous and can still idolise her.]
And I'm no more deserving than you. I certainly wouldn't have made it this far alone. [He can't imagine facing the Blight without her. While the years that followed have been somewhat easier with everything looming on the horizon ... he's glad that they have this moment.] But since you put it like that, I think we both deserve a lot more happiness and luck in our future. Years more of it. Or at least a chance to get told off for not inviting anyone to the wedding.
Calen used to love sleeping with you. [ Robyn says wistfully, leaning into his grasp. After a thoughtful pause, she adds: ] We should get a mabari. It can split its time with the two of us; it'll be like a big, slobbering baby.
[ The child they would never be able to have. Unconsciously, she curls a little more against him. ]
Oh, enough of that. [ He knows better than anyone how much she hates the title. ] I say we're all collectively the Heroes of Ferelden, since we all ended the blight together, and I won't hear another word of argument about it.
[ She probably will, because they bicker about it all the time, but that just means she'll need to refine her own points of contention to verbally beat him into submission (loving wife as she is). ]
Neither would I. [ Robyn agrees solemnly. ] I thought for sure I would die soon after my Joining, but... we really did it, didn't we? All of us.
[ They'd made it. Survived. Accomplished their very difficult goal, way back when. ]
I think we've had quite a lot of happiness and luck so far. [ The Warden points out, smiling. ] Not that I would say no to more...
[His arms tighten around her. Calen had been one of her only links left to her family and he knows how difficult it had been for her when the hound passed. Alistair himself still missed the old mabari sometimes, even more so knowing that Robyn would be going out there without even her hound's protection.] I like that idea. We could go to Highever and see if they've had any new litters. You can pick one out.
[He can guess what she's thinking, though it's something they haven't much spoken about. It's impossible not to think of Morrigan and her child then, out there somewhere. It feels unfair in a way, to know that he has a child while she can't and won't ever, as things stand. But if this cure is real... Alistair hasn't dare let himself think of what might mean and he thinks she must feel the same. But he wants to believe it could be possible. Maybe soon they can talk about a family as something really possible.]
Not today you won't.
[But another day and another, when she's come back, and another after that. He'll argue plenty then. Just to annoy her. Out of love, of course. (Two can play that game.)]
You'd better not. [He growls, freeing an arm to tickle her ribs in reproach.] You need to be asking for plenty more luck for the both of us. You have another miracle to work still, my love and no one else can manage it.
[No one else has her track record for accomplishing the impossible so there's really no other choice.]
I'm sure they have. [ She laughs lightly, leaning in his strong grasp, nestling in the crook of his neck. ] Would any Ferelden estate be a Ferelden estate without a constant stream of mabari?
[ Fergus could surely part with one. In fact, she suspected he'd been planning on offering her one on her next birthday... though, now, she has no idea where she'll be during that time.
Robyn does think wistfully of the family they may never have. The Hero of Ferelden allows herself this weakness and draws in as close as she can to her new husband within a moment of heavy silence.
Until he tickles her and she gasps in surprise, laughing. ]
All right, luck for the both of us! [ Out of desperation she slinks from his grasp and then sits, looking cross, out of his reach. ] Even if we cure the taint, I won't be able to ever stop those nasty fingers of yours, will I?
[ Always scrambling to tickle at her weak spots. She isn't particularly ticklish, as it happens, but he seems to know exactly how to make her jump nonetheless. ]
I feel no pressure at all. [ Robyn states lightly, leaning back into the grass to stare up at the sky. ] None whatsoever. How difficult could it be to end the curse that has plagued Grey Wardens forever and ever?
[Certainly no self-respecting Ferelden estate would let itself be without mabari and there's nothing like a puppy for cheering someone up. Going together to see her brother and pick one out could be just what they need once this is all done and they're back together again.
Alistair snickers as Robyn moves out of reach, shooting her a pleased grin.]
Not unless I find a better way to annoy you, my dear.
[Always possible. She's given him a lifetime to find out now - a lifetime that he wants to believe will soon be that much longer. Even if it's not, it's enough. They have each, for how long they have.
Shifting closer again Alistair lays a hand over hers and looks up as well, at the stars bright overhead.]
No more difficult than finding a way to slay an archdemon without a Warden needing to sacrifice their life. [He leans against her lightly, reassuring himself of her presence without putting his weight on her.] But no one will think less of you if you can't do it. It might not be possible.
[Something he should have said sooner. He squeezes her hand tightly, voice softer as he goes on.] I don't care if you come back with nothing to show. Just promise you'll come back.
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I swear, unto the Maker and the Holy Andraste, to love this woman the rest of my days.
[He drags his gaze away from her face to slip the ring on her finger, squeezing her hand in return when it's in place. His attention is momentarily fixed on the sight before he exhales and looks back up. Robyn's always been beautiful and wonderful but right then he thinks she might rival Andraste herself. Not the sort of thought he should be entertaining when making vows before the Maker and His Bride but they fell in love too. They must understand how he feels as he searches for something more to say that might convey just how blessed he feels.]
I swear. I will follow you wherever you lead and wait as long as I must to by your side again. Whatever trials we face we'll never be apart.
[Still nowhere near all of what he wants to tell her but they'll be here all day if he tries to put it all into words. Instead Alistair just nods, glancing briefly at the Revered Mother for approval before turning his attention back to Robyn.]
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I swear, unto the Maker and the Holy Andraste, to love this man for the rest of my days. [ Her stomach tumbles nervously, fluttering with the dizzying emotion she feels. Robyn almost forgets herself, staring back at him, but with a light laugh and apologetic smile she places the ring gingerly onto his finger. It makes her think of her family, of what her parents might have thought of this, but she also knows that they would be happy and proud of the person she'd become.
Robyn dips her chin briefly, smiling more gently. ]
I swear that I will always love you, will always be loyal and true. I promise that I will return to you no matter what happens, and while I'm away, you will never be out of my mind and my heart.
[ As with Alistair, the Revered Mother meets her eyes and smiles gently, encouragingly. ]
The Maker has heard your vows. [ The old woman begins, holding one hand up and laying the other briefly over their own, joined hands. ] By His blessing, and by the blessing of Andraste, I hereby pronounce you man and wife. [ The Revered Mother lowers her hands, then, still offering the pair a warm, almost fond smile. ] Congratulations.
[ Did most of the weddings she oversaw have applause, friends, and family? Robyn only thinks on it for a moment, but doesn't feel regret or sadness. Instead, the Warden rises up to kiss her husband, cupping his cheek with her free hand.
I swear, Alistair. I mean it with everything I am. ]
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They might be missing the usual friends and family to wish them well and while he might wish they could have done this the normal way, making their vows before those they care about, the moment is perfect as it is. This is just for them, seizing the chance for happiness when it comes like they have since the beginning. There will be time to celebrate with those closest to them once Robyn has returned safely as she must now. The Maker and Andraste have accepted them as husband and wife, they can't be so cold as to let that be taken away immediately.
Several long moments pass before there's a polite cough beside them. Pulling away from Robyn, Alistair blinks at the Revered Mother, his cheeks turning pink at the amused look on her face.]
I shall enter this into the Chantry's records. You two should go celebrate while you have the chance.
[It's admittedly fairly obvious that the pair of them are expecting to be separated soon, not uncommon among the Wardens as it is. Alistair is more than happy to take the hint, nodding and slipping his hand down to claps Robyn's tightly.]
Thank you. This means a lot to us.
[An understatement given how he's smiling but she can see that. He steps towards the door, hands still clasped and pauses, looking down at Robyn.]
Shall we, my love?
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There isn't a destination, really. Certainly not back to work, not yet. The Warden travels in silence where she is usually chatty, eyes bright with the moon as she leads them on. The pair walks through the grass, over small, sloping hills, stopping at a little peak that overlooks a town in the distance. Its warm lights welcome them from below and the night shines high above them.
It's perfect. Robyn sighs dreamily, finally releasing his hand to settle down cross-legged on the ground. She draws up her knees after a while to hug them, wrapping her arms tightly around them, fingers playing at the ring, new on her finger, even as her mind wanders. ]
I always thought I would marry a prince, when I was a little girl. [ She teases lightly, smiling over at him. ] And here you are.
[ Never mind that he'd renounced all titles. The throne had never been very important to either of them, not in the way that their duty is. Ferelden is. The Wardens are. ]
I couldn't have dreamt of a more perfect husband. [ She asserts quietly, but firmly. ] Not ever.
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He's pulled from his thoughts when Robyn speaks, surprise quickly chased away as he laughs.] Here I am.
[And happy to be a prince if it would make her happy. One far removed from any throne or even his father's kingdom but somehow he doubts Robyn's younger self cared about specifics. And she certainly was never interested in him for his bloodline or claim to the throne.]
Are you sure you wouldn't prefer someone who doesn't - supposedly - snore? [Shaking his head, Alistair curls an arm around his wife's shoulders. He pauses a moment and then tugs at her, encouraging her closer so he can hold her properly.]
I never thought I'd be lucky enough to meet anyone like you. When I was younger- [He snorts. He hadn't really thought about girls or marriage as a stableboy. When they had started to be something he thought about he'd thought he'd be spending the rest of his life as a templar and would be lucky to meet many women at all. He certainly hadn't expected joining the Wardens to be the thing that led him to his future wife.] I never thought I'd be this happy. I still don't believe it most days. In fact, maybe you should pinch me just to be sure I'm not dreaming and one of the sisters is going to come yell at me soon for oversleeping.
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[ Of all varieties. She laughs lightly, snuggling into his chest, sighing contentedly. Yes, she knows all about his snores, as they find their way into each other's assigned quarters more often than not, unless one is away. Though they can't share the same sorts of evenings they had during the blight, when they traveled across Ferelden, always together in camp, but no one seems to feel it necessary to try and keep them apart. Two of the Grey Wardens who ended the Fifth Blight have certain leeway, after all.
At his suggest, Robyn reaches up to pinch him as request, lightly taking his nose between her fingers. After, as if apologizing, she plants a kiss to it. ]
It isn't a dream. [ She reassures him softly, and though her childhood had been a far cry from his, she has trouble believing that things had worked out this way, too. ] You're a hero. A married hero. [ She adds, and kisses his nose again. ] More deserving of happiness and luck than anyone I've ever met.
[ For everything he'd endured before they met, and even after, he's been nothing but forgiving, kind, and a slew of other, positive qualities. People like Alistair don't exist much anymore, except for in the stories. ]
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[Shale might have been able to challenge her for the title, back during the days of the Blight. But that was years ago and is still creepy, even now.
Wrapping his arms around her, he rests his chin on her head. He's going to miss this. All of it. The nights spent together, the companionship. And having someone around who laughs at his jokes. Some of the older Wardens seem to have forgotten how to laugh and no attempt to help has been successful so far.
Even though he requested it, Alistair pouts at the pinch, fighting not to smile as Robyn kisses the spot.] Now that I know that I'm awake and my wife can be a cruel woman...
[It might be time for some payback.]
I think you're getting confused about which of us is the hero here, my dear. I'm just a companion to the hero. [Something he's perfectly fine with. She's far more deserving of than title than him. And, importantly, it gives him one more thing to tease her with.] Or do I need to find someone to remind you?
[Not that he's planning on going anywhere but it wouldn't be hard to find some new recruit in awe of the Hero of Ferelden. There's got to still be at least one who hasn't seen the pair of them at their most ridiculous and can still idolise her.]
And I'm no more deserving than you. I certainly wouldn't have made it this far alone. [He can't imagine facing the Blight without her. While the years that followed have been somewhat easier with everything looming on the horizon ... he's glad that they have this moment.] But since you put it like that, I think we both deserve a lot more happiness and luck in our future. Years more of it. Or at least a chance to get told off for not inviting anyone to the wedding.
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[ The child they would never be able to have. Unconsciously, she curls a little more against him. ]
Oh, enough of that. [ He knows better than anyone how much she hates the title. ] I say we're all collectively the Heroes of Ferelden, since we all ended the blight together, and I won't hear another word of argument about it.
[ She probably will, because they bicker about it all the time, but that just means she'll need to refine her own points of contention to verbally beat him into submission (loving wife as she is). ]
Neither would I. [ Robyn agrees solemnly. ] I thought for sure I would die soon after my Joining, but... we really did it, didn't we? All of us.
[ They'd made it. Survived. Accomplished their very difficult goal, way back when. ]
I think we've had quite a lot of happiness and luck so far. [ The Warden points out, smiling. ] Not that I would say no to more...
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[He can guess what she's thinking, though it's something they haven't much spoken about. It's impossible not to think of Morrigan and her child then, out there somewhere. It feels unfair in a way, to know that he has a child while she can't and won't ever, as things stand. But if this cure is real... Alistair hasn't dare let himself think of what might mean and he thinks she must feel the same. But he wants to believe it could be possible. Maybe soon they can talk about a family as something really possible.]
Not today you won't.
[But another day and another, when she's come back, and another after that. He'll argue plenty then. Just to annoy her. Out of love, of course. (Two can play that game.)]
You'd better not. [He growls, freeing an arm to tickle her ribs in reproach.] You need to be asking for plenty more luck for the both of us. You have another miracle to work still, my love and no one else can manage it.
[No one else has her track record for accomplishing the impossible so there's really no other choice.]
Not to put any pressure on you.
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[ Fergus could surely part with one. In fact, she suspected he'd been planning on offering her one on her next birthday... though, now, she has no idea where she'll be during that time.
Robyn does think wistfully of the family they may never have. The Hero of Ferelden allows herself this weakness and draws in as close as she can to her new husband within a moment of heavy silence.
Until he tickles her and she gasps in surprise, laughing. ]
All right, luck for the both of us! [ Out of desperation she slinks from his grasp and then sits, looking cross, out of his reach. ] Even if we cure the taint, I won't be able to ever stop those nasty fingers of yours, will I?
[ Always scrambling to tickle at her weak spots. She isn't particularly ticklish, as it happens, but he seems to know exactly how to make her jump nonetheless. ]
I feel no pressure at all. [ Robyn states lightly, leaning back into the grass to stare up at the sky. ] None whatsoever. How difficult could it be to end the curse that has plagued Grey Wardens forever and ever?
[ Maker preserve her. Maker preserve them all. ]
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Alistair snickers as Robyn moves out of reach, shooting her a pleased grin.]
Not unless I find a better way to annoy you, my dear.
[Always possible. She's given him a lifetime to find out now - a lifetime that he wants to believe will soon be that much longer. Even if it's not, it's enough. They have each, for how long they have.
Shifting closer again Alistair lays a hand over hers and looks up as well, at the stars bright overhead.]
No more difficult than finding a way to slay an archdemon without a Warden needing to sacrifice their life. [He leans against her lightly, reassuring himself of her presence without putting his weight on her.] But no one will think less of you if you can't do it. It might not be possible.
[Something he should have said sooner. He squeezes her hand tightly, voice softer as he goes on.] I don't care if you come back with nothing to show. Just promise you'll come back.