I sat in the same chair I had the day before. The Altmer sisters were finishing up my dress, just out of my sight line. I craned my neck to see, but Endarie blocked my view with her back, undoubtedly on purpose.

After dinner at the Winking Skeever last night, Vilkas had to leave for Whiterun. We said out goodbyes, then he left and I retired to my room. Most of today, I had been exploring Solitude. I rarely ever came to the city, although after wandering through it for hours, I wondered why. If I didn't have ties to Whiterun, if Vilkas and I could pack up and leave, I would want to live here. It was a beautiful city.

Despite being filled with Imperial traitors.

"Ah!" Taarie exclaimed, interrupting my thoughts. "It's done. And I must say," She held up my dress, "we've really outdone ourselves."

My jaw dropped. The dress itself was made of that beautiful sapphire material, and the collar, hem, and edges of the sleeves were trimmed in silver thread. The sleeves dropped to the floor, brushing against the ground like the hem. It had a silver belt around the waist, accented with an actual sapphire in the middle.

"Oh..." was all I could say.

"Well, don't just sit there, dear!" Taarie waved me over. "Come try it on! I'm dying to see you in it!"

I stood up and crossed the room to the sisters. They helped me undress, then slipped the dress onto me. Surprisingly, it wasn't heavy. The bodice was a little tight, hugging my curves just enough to show that I had curves, and the skirt flowed off my hips and to the floor perfectly.

"Here," Endarie said, clasping an elegant silver necklace around my neck. Her sister placed a silver circlet on my brow, then plaited some of my hair back. Then they both led me to the full-length looking glass mounted on the wall.

I didn't recognize the woman staring back at me.

Is that really me?

I cocked my head to one side, and the raven-haired beauty copied me. I touched a finger to my lips, and she did the same. It really was me in the mirror.

"Oh, Endarie, we've done it this time!" Taarie said, clapping her hands.

Endarie looked indifferent, but a small light of pride glittered in her eyes.

"Thank you," I said, smoothing my hands over my full skirt. "This is the finest dress I've ever worn."

Taarie and Endarie both dipped their heads, then helped me out of my wedding dress.

After I had donned my traveling clothes, I paid the sisters for my dress, shoes, and jewelry (that they had insisted I wear). With all my new apparel packed in my traveling bag, I bid the sisters farewell and left the store.

The sun was setting as I left Solitude. The evening air felt crisp on my skin, so I let my hood down and savored the feeling. It was perfect weather for traveling.

I followed the path down to the stables, where the carriage driver was sitting. He had his head back, his eyes locked on the darkening sky. His horse nickered and pawed the ground, seeming to be anxious to get going.

"Excuse me?" I called, standing next to the carriage.

The driver looked at me and smiled. "How can I help you, lass?"

"Can you take me to Whiterun?"

"'Course I can. That'll be twenty septims."

I gave the gold to him, then climbed into the back of the wagon.

"Couldn't ask for better weather," the driver remarked, a wistful tone to his voice as the wagon started rolling.

"No, you couldn't," I added, watching as the city of Solitude fell behind us. As much as I hated to leave such a beautiful city, I couldn't wait to be back home. Back with Vilkas.

Soon, my love. Soon, there will be no reason for us to be apart ever again.

-------

The day of the wedding arrived. All of the plans and preparations were coming together just right. Maramel, the head priest of the Temple of Mara, had travelled all the way from Riften to officiate over the ceremony. The area surrounding the Gildergreen had been cleaned up and set up for the benches for our guests. Even the weather was perfect. The sun was shining and the sky was as blue as I had ever seen it.

I stood in my room under Jorrvaskr, staring at my reflection. With Tilma's help, I had donned my dress and shoes. She was braiding a section of my hair back, her fingers quick and talented. When she finished, she set the circlet over my hair.

"Are you sure you're a warrior, Ylva?" she asked as she brushed something off my dress. "Because you look like an empress."

My cheeks blushed. "I honestly can't believe that this is me." I gestured to my reflection. "Like you said, I'm a warrior. I'm no empress. I'm not even a noble."

"You could've fooled me."

Someone knocked on my door. I turned, smoothing my dress. "Who is it?"

"It's Ria, Harbinger," said the voice on the other side. "The guests have arrived. Everyone's ready. Are you?"

I looked at Tilma, who nodded.

"Yes, I'm ready," I said as I walked to the door. "I shall be out shortly."

Outside of Tilma, Taarie and Endarie were the only other people who had seen my dress. I wanted to keep it that way until the ceremony. Vilkas had begged and begged to see it, even tried to bribe me. But I put my foot down and told him he'd have to wait. I assured him it would be worth it, and he seemed to believe me.

When I knew Ria had gone, I left my room, Tilma carrying my train. As we got closer, butterflies fluttered in my stomach. This was really happening. I was about to get married to the only man I had ever loved. My hands shook and began to sweat, but I resisted the urge to wipe them on my dress. I couldn't ruin the fabric.

The main hall was empty as Tilma and I climbed the steps. I had never seen it so abandoned, but I knew it was because the real excitement was outside. Still, it seemed so strange.

I pushed the doors open, stepping into the sunshine. No one had seen me yet; all of the guests had their heads facing the Gildergreen, where Vilkas and Maramel stood. As I descended the steps towards the tree, Maramel raised his arms and smiled.

"Ah, here she is," he said as I walked down the aisle of benches, and all the guests stood and faced me. "The blushing bride."

Vilkas turned, eyes bright with excitement. When he locked his gaze on me, he smiled weakly, and tears welled in his eyes. His normal warpaint had been abandoned, and he wore a refined, light blue dress shirt and clean, simple pants. On his feet were a pair of black boots that came to midway up his calves. Seeing him in such normal clothes made me smile, and tears of my own threatened to spill over.

When I reached him, he extended his hand to me. I took it and stood next to him, our hands clasped.

"You look absolutely stunning," he whispered to me as our guests took their seats.

"Thank you," I said, matching his hushed tone. "You're not so bad yourself."

He smiled at me, then we turned our attention to Maramel.

"Let's begin the ceremony," he said, holding his hands up slightly. "It was Mara that first gave birth to all of creation and pledged to watch over us as her children. It is from her love of us that we first learned to love one another. It is from this love that we learn that a life lived alone is no life at all. We gather here today, under Mara's loving gaze, to bear witness to the union of two souls in eternal companionship. May they journey forth together in this life and the next, in prosperity and poverty, and in joy and hardship." He turned to Vilkas. "Do you agree to be bound together, in love, now and forever?"

"I do," Vilkas said, squeezing my hand. "Now and forever."

Smiling, Maramel turned to me. "Do you agree to be bound together, in love, now and forever?"

Was that even a question that had to be asked? "I do, now and forever."

"Under the authority of Mara, the Divine of Love, I declare this couple to be wed." He smiled at me. "Normally, I would give you each a ring, but I believe that your husband has something different in mind."

"Vilkas?"

Vilkas only smiled and took my left hand in his. He used his free hand to reach into his shirt's pocket, then he showed me a silver ring with a sapphire set in the center. He slipped it on my ring finger, then handed me a similar ring, without the sapphire, though.

Tears threatening to spill over, I followed his example and slipped the ring onto his left ring finger.

"These rings have been blessed by Mara's divine grace. May they protect each of you in your new life together."

Vilkas took both my hands in his. His eyes lit up even more. "May I?"

To answer, I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him. He returned my kiss as our guests cheered and clapped. We didn't part for a long time. And even when our lips separated, I didn't dare let go of his neck.

"Now and forever," I whispered, staring deep into his icy eyes.

He nodded and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. "Now and forever."

With that, we turned to face our guests. They all stood up and continued to cheer. Now that the actual ceremony was out of the way, I looked forward to mingling with all of the guests who'd shown up. The only face I didn't see was Aela's.

I pursed my lips. After I had returned from Solitude, I had sought Aela out in an attempt to fix what happened between us. But when I walked into Jorrvaskr, Farkas had informed me that Aela had gone on a hunting trip and didn't say when she'd be back. Obviously, she had left on a hunt just to avoid the wedding. I could live with that. I didn't need her here to make it complete.

"Are you all right?" Vilkas asked, noticing my broody expression.

I shook the look away. "Of course I'm all right. It's our wedding day! We're married now! We need to celebrate!"

Vilkas smiled. "Yes. Care to join me, my darling wife?"

"Of course, dear husband."

-------

A/N: That new and lovely piece of fanart above this chapter is credit to my BFF, Emerald_Parrish! Thank you so much, Les! I love it!

Song: Two Hearts by Thomas Bergersen. Thought it was fitting for the wedding scene. It makes me think of something joyful and sacred, much like the eternal union between two people. I also think it's one of the prettiest pieces of music I have ever heard. Hope you enjoy it!