Hawe and His Princess: Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Hawke meets King Cailan and Queen Anora.

"So what are we all doing today," he asked as they were getting dressed the next morning. He felt her crawling across the bed behind him, and she wrapped her arms around him, her naked breasts pressing against his bare back. "Elayne, I thought you were getting dressed. You and your mom have plans today."

She came in front of him and straddled herself in his lap, "That can wait, my darling husband. This is more important," she said as she pushed him back on the bed, undoing his pants and removing them before sliding herself slowly down his already stiffening shaft.

When they finally headed downstairs, her parents were finishing up breakfast, Bryce looked at them, "Finally, I thought you guys were going to spend all day in bed."

Elayne's face flushed, but Hawke stared at him unfazed. "So what's the plan while we're here," Hawke asked as he helped Elayne in her chair before taking a seat beside her. While they sat there eating, a soldier came in and headed to their table after spotting them. He handed a note to Bryce, and Bryce read it over.

He stood up, "seems King Cailan knows I'm here, I've been summoned to the castle. Sorry guys, but you'll have to go on without me."

Eleanor reached for his hand, "remember to talk to him about what we discussed, please, and hurry back."

Bryce glanced at Elayne and Hawke, "you're sure about this," he asked her.

"Yes I am, it has to be special for her, for them, what better way of announcing to all of Ferelden of their marriage. This will only happen once, and I want this wedding perfect."

"Okay hun, I'll make the arrangements. In the meantime, have fun. I'll be back later," he leaned over, giving her a quick kiss before following the soldier.

Hawke felt excitement from Elayne at the same time as he tensed up, a feeling of trepidation going through him. "Mom, are you guys going to talk to King Cailan about having our wedding at the Castle?" She asked excitedly to her mom.

"It was supposed to be a surprise, but," she looked at Elayne, "yes sweetie, your dad and I want you to have your wedding here."

Elayne squealed in excitement, rushing over to her mom and hugging her. She went back to her seat beside him after giving him a hug. "I can't believe it, this is everything I've ever dreamed of for my wedding. The thought of walking down the aisle in the Castle Chapel, in an absolutely breathtaking dress, joining hands with the most handsome man in the world - who I love with all my being, who holds my heart and soul, I can't wait. Hawke, would you please help me find the perfect dress?"

"Elayne, I," she gave him a pleading look, filled with hope and excitement. He looked over at her mom, who had a smile on her face. He looked back down at Elayne, both of them unaware of the turmoil going through him. Swallowing the lump in his throat, she looked so beautiful right now, her face aglow with joy and happiness. He wrapped his arms around her, closing his eyes, "Of course baby, anything for you." He stood up, "let me go check on Midnight while you finish eating. I'll be right back," he leaned down and kissed her.

Once outside, he walked into the stables over to Midnight's stall and closed his eyes, his hands balling into fists. He focused his mind on his sword forms, trying to clear his head. He knew that Eleanor was doing this for Elayne, giving her the wedding every girl dreamed of, and he wanted to make her happy. What about the risk of him being discovered, he hadn't yet because he had learned to mask his magic, but there was always the chance of risk, especially with more people he was exposed to for long periods of time. All he wanted to do was take Elayne home to their farm, live peacefully, give her as many babies as she wanted, and live out their lives together.

He felt her coming towards him and cleared his mind. He walked over to her as she came inside and wrapped his arms around her, "I love you baby, now let's go look for dresses."

"You know we have to find you an outfit too," she teased him.

He looked down at her, seeing her playful grin. "You just like to see me uncomfortable, don't you, my love. While we're on this subject of clothing, why do you insist on me wearing uncomfortably tight pants?"

She put her arms around him, pulling him tight against her,, "you mean you haven't figured that out yet," she put her hand on his rear, sending an image of him as she saw him, "I love the way you fill them out, your tight firm," he growled at her taking her mouth hungrily. Then he remembered where they were and pulled away from her, but not before whispering in her ear. "You will pay for that, but not here, my sexy little temptress."

He took her hand in his and walked out of the stables as her mom came looking for them. "You two ready," she asked as they came towards her, noticing the flushed look on her daughter's face, and she smirked. 'To be young again,' she thought to herself as they all headed to the dress shops.

Every dress Elayne tried on, she kept looking at him to see what he thought. Finally, frustrated he looked at her and an image of the perfect dress for her popped in his head, he put the image of the dress in her head with her wearing it, "I love it," she said excitedly, "what store did you see that at? We've been to so many today."

"It's not at a store. It needs to be made. You've tried on so many. And that one just popped in my head. That's what happened with your ball gown."

She looked at him incredulously. "Hawke, you found my perfect dress, and it just popped in your mind?"

He looked at her uncomfortably, "is something wrong?"

"Far from it, baby. I want you to start doing that with all my dresses."

He shook his head, "it doesn't work in that way, Elayne. These two gowns hold significance. They are meant for a particular event for you. I've never had images like that before. The images come to me, and I know they're the perfect choice for you."

"That is amazing, and you've never had anything like that happen before?"

He looked at her, "let's have this conversation later. Right now, let's figure out how to get the dress out of my mind and have it made for you. We need to find you a seamstress, and since I know nothing about them, I leave that part to you, and you're mom. Make sure you keep that image in your head."

She went over to her mother, "we're done, mother. We need to find a seamstress, I'm going to have my dress made for me, but it's already late. We need to make arrangements, and I'd prefer to have the dress made in Highever just in case there are questions."

As they headed back to the Inn, Eleanor looked at Elayne, confused, "Are you sure?" Elayne started describing the dress to her mom. With Hawke's help, they were able to show her what the dress looked like. When she was done, Eleanor looked at her, "That is exquisite, Elayne. How did you come up with it?"

Elayne looked over at Hawke, pride beaming in her eyes, "I didn't, Hawke did."

"Well, I have to say, he has excellent ideas. We'll get your dress made, Elayne."

When they walked into the Inn, Bryce was there, and he looked excited about something, as he was sitting at a table having a drink. When he saw them all, he led them to a private dining room. They all sat down with him. After ordering some refreshments, "well," he asked, "How did it go?"

"I got my dress, well I know what dress I want, but it's got to be designed. We've just got to find the perfect seamstress that we can do tomorrow. Hawke still has to find a dress suit which we can do tomorrow also."

"Good, good, but before that happens, we have an appointment with King Cailan first thing tomorrow. There are a few things he wants to discuss. You two are aware of when the wedding is scheduled, right?" He looked at Hawke and Elayne.

"It's in about five months in the spring, well a little less, why," Elayne asked.

The sense of trepidation he had felt earlier came to the surface again and became stronger. "Because that's the same time as the competition, almost all of Ferelden will be here." Hawke said, looking Bryce in the eyes. "You talked to the King about us, and about me entering the competition, didn't you? That's why he wants to meet with us." Elayne put her hand on his back, feeling his anger rising. He looked over at her. "Would you please excuse your father and I for a little bit, please, Elayne?" He looked at her pleadingly. "Please."

She looked at him with a worried look, "Elayne, everything will be fine, I just want to talk to him alone, please. We'll all have dinner soon."

Finally, she nodded, "I love you, Hawke," she said, giving him a quick kiss.

"I love you too, Elayne." When her and her mother left the room, Hawke put the walls up temporarily.

Bryce kept his gaze on him, "You are correct, but there's more, and you may not like this part. The marriage will be the day after the competition. When you win, you will not only be Elayne's husband, Lord Arik Hawke, but you'll also be known as the Champion of Ferelden. The only thing the King wants is if he asks for your help, you'll give him your support, but you will not be part of the King's army. If you agree to this then the wedding will take place after the competition in the Castle."

"I'm already her husband," he growled in irritation. "You're all forgetting something, I may not win. Did anyone even take that into account when you both started planning mine and Elayne's future? What if I don't win or decide not to enter? Will Elayne get her wedding?"

"You will win, Hawke." Bryce said matter-of-factly.

"You didn't answer my question, sir." Bryce kept his gaze on him. Hawke's anger rose, "You manipulative bastard, you keep pushing and pushing me into whatever schemes going on in your head regardless of what I want and say. And you're using your daughter to do it. You know I will do anything I can to make sure I win, so Elayne will get what she wants because you know I won't deny her anything. Why, why would you do this to me, to your own daughter." Then it dawned on Hawke what Bryce had said, "what do you mean if I agree."

Bryce sighed deeply, looking at him with regret. "Because Hawke, like you, there's nothing I wouldn't do for my wife and daughter. I did it for my daughter. This was the only way I could ensure Elayne gets her wedding, to make Eleanor happy. The King refused me when I asked. This was the only option I could come up with. I'm sorry, Hawke."

Hawke looked at him, the anger gone, in its place was numbness. "You're sure this is the only way?" Bryce nodded sympathetically. "Since Eleanor told Elayne of the plan for the wedding being here, she's been ecstatic." His voice a whisper, "she's happy, and I won't be the reason she doesn't get what she wants."

His voice back to normal, he looked at Bryce again, "Are we both fools for not wanting to disappoint or hurt our women, that we'd do anything in our powers to make them happy?"

He shook his head, 'I really am a fool,' he thought. "Sir, I apologize to you, I let my emotions get the better of me. Looks like I have no choice, I have a competition to win, but is there any way for me to not have that bloody title, Champion of Ferelden. I told you I don't want the fame or glory. At first, the reason why I decided to enter was because of the girls and to make sure my family is going to be okay if something was to happen, but now it's become something more. If it makes her happy, that's all I want."

"You don't owe me an apology, I totally understand. As far as the Champion label, I'm sorry, son, that is part of the King's request for you not to be in his army. He didn't understand at first but when I explained that you and Elayne were married, that you were my son-in-law, you would not be part of the King's army, he came up with the title. You could still live your own life, but if he needed you, you'd be there."

"In other words, I'm still part of his army, just in a roundabout way. But what I don't understand is why he would do that, why he would bestow a title to someone he doesn't even know, to someone he has no clue about," he mused before looking back at Bryce. "You're sure I can win? We've both got a lot at stake here if I don't."

"You'll win Hawke, you forget, I saw you sparring with one of the top two Generals in Ferelden, and you won. He wasn't holding back, but I think you were. You don't give yourself enough credit, young man. I know you won't acknowledge it, but you could be one of the best."

Hawke ignored that, "do we have to let Elayne know the arrangements of the wedding? I won't have anything putting a damper on her happiness."

"I agree with you on that, but if she goes with us to the King, she'll know," Bryce said.

"That can be taken care of. What time do we need to be there? If it's early, then I can meet you before she wakes and leave a note. She'll be busy anyway finding a seamstress and whatever else arrangements for the wedding."

"That works for me. Now let's let the ladies back in, and we'll have dinner privately in here."

Hawke let his wall down and told her they could come back in. He made sure to bury the arrangements of the wedding deep before that.

When everyone was back together, after they ordered their food, Bryce explained what the plan was for the wedding. After the competition, Elayne and Hawke would get married afterward. Both women were pleased, and when their meal came, everyone talked about how the day went and what the plans were for tomorrow. Everyone retired early for the night. It had been a busy day and would be busy again tomorrow.

Before Elayne and Hawke went upstairs, Elayne got a bottle of wine and some glasses. Once in their room, they both got comfortable for the night.

She lounged on the bed with a glass of wine watching him. "So you going to tell me more about the visions? How long have you been having them?"

He sighed. He didn't even know how to explain them or what they were. "There's not much to tell, I started getting the images after we met, their not visions, their images. The dresses are an example, I get an image of the dress with you in them, but that's it. There's been others, but I didn't know what they were and ignored them except for one. The image of you standing beside me in my arms. It was the morning I initially met you and your family, and I was having breakfast with you. Your father was asking questions, and I was telling him about myself. Somewhere while watching you, the word's wife popped out of my mouth, and the image popped into my head. I was confused, didn't understand it then, but I do now, you and I were meant for each other. There were no consequences for ignoring the others. Why I didn't ignore the dress one, well look how beautiful you were in it. That I couldn't resist bringing to life." There was more to the wedding dress image, but that would stay a secret until the day of their wedding.

"Well, whatever they are, you're right, the dress was stunning, and I know the wedding dress will be as well." He watched as her eyes became dreamy when she started talking about the wedding. "I can't believe I'm getting married in the Castle. When I used to be a little girl, I used to dream about wearing a beautiful white wedding dress, having a handsome guy waiting for me at the end of the aisle of a big beautiful Castle. As I got older and took up the sword, that dream became nonexistent until you came along." Her excitement grew the more she talked about it.

He could hear it, see the excitement growing, feel it inside their bond, he knew then and there that he would do everything in his power, do whatever he had to do to make that dream happen, he would do it for her only.

Both of them were tired from the long day. He pulled her close to him when she finally laid down. He laid there watching her as fatigue, and the effects of the wine took over, her eyes closing, her breathing becoming even.

His mind went back to what Bryce and him had talked about, there was something missing from this, why would the King make an agreement with Bryce with someone the King didn't know, unless Bryce told him that Hawke was the one who had previously won the competition a few years back. Hawke had never said anything about no one knowing it had been him. He didn't understand how this agreement between the King and Bryce came to be. Maybe after his meeting with the King, his unanswered question would be answered.

He woke up early the next morning, after having a restless night. He lightly kissed Elayne's forehead and sent her deeper into sleep. After getting dressed and leaving her a note, he made his way downstairs, running into Bryce on the way. They sat down for breakfast and then headed over to their meeting with the King. The Castle was stunning, it was enormous, even with his height he still felt like a dwarf. They were taken to the King's private study, who was by himself when Bryce and Hawke walked in. After giving the proper acknowledgment to the King, he had them both sit down in front of him.

Cailan sat there studying Hawke for a while, "I remember you, you're the one that caused quite a stir when you won that competition a few years back. I even had my men out looking for you. I wanted to see if you were interested in joining my ranks, but you were nowhere to be found. No one knew who you were. You showed up one day and left a few days later, never to be heard from again. So tell me, Lord Hawke, why did you enter the competition then, and why are you entering now if you don't want to be part of my army."

If Hawke was intimidated by being in the presence of the King, he didn't show it. He sat there as if this was the most natural thing in the world. Hawke stared at Cailan as Bryce sat there listening to Hawke tell his story. Nothing had changed from his story to Cailan and the story Hawke had told Bryce not long ago. He had done it on a whim to test his skills to see if his teachers had been honest. True, he had only three years of experience, but he had mastered all his training. Hawke had no way of testing himself, so he entered the competition, and he still considered it a fluke.

"Wait, you only had three years of experience when you entered that competition?" Cailan asked in shock. "You dominated that competition, you couldn't have been very old, what twenty, twenty-one?"

"I was eighteen then, I'm twenty-one now." Hawke said.

Cailan looked at Bryce in shock, "where did you find this remarkable young man? Were you part of his training?"

"I didn't find him, Hawke and my daughter found each other. And he learned from various teachers on his family farm."

"He's so young though to be a master as you've claimed him to be. How do you know how good he is? Yes, that competition he won could have been a fluke but the way you've described him."

Hawke sat forward with a scowl, "he is right here. If you have questions about me, ask me, please."

Bryce sat there with a grin on his face as Cailan stared at Hawke curiously. Then he looked back to Bryce, Bryce nodded slightly, and Cailan looked back at Hawke. Hawke didn't even think about who he was talking to when he interrupted them. The young man was acting the same way with his King as he did with Bryce. Title didn't mean anything to Hawke as he stared the King in the eyes.

Cailan sat back with an amused expression on his face. "So young Hawke, where are you from, and how did you get your training?"

Tired of being in here and practically being ignored, Hawke told him everything that he should know. "I'm a simple farmer outside Lothering, my father who passed away, my mom and my two younger siblings all built our farm from the ground up. The winnings from the competition helped pay off the rest of our debt on the farm. It now belongs to us. From the first time I picked up a sword over six years ago, it felt right. My sword training came from various people looking for work during crop season. Some of them happened to be older soldiers trying to provide for their families. Everything I was taught, I mastered. I just happened to be in Denerim during the competition, so I wanted to test my skills."