Congratulations to the reader who found the mass effect quote, I was beginning to think no one had noticed. Thank you to everyone else for continuing to read this story. Now that school has started back up again these chapters will be coming on a weekly basis (that is my plan at least).

Rise to the Crown: Chapter 15

Close to Your Heart

"You look breathtaking, Nicolle," Debbie commented as she placed the finishing touches in her best friend's hair. The princess did a twirling sweep in front of the mirror and was stunned by the vision before her. She really did look beautiful. After spending a year in trousers it actually felt nice to be in a dress again. Though it may have been the specific dress she was in that made her feel better. Debbie and Samuel found Queen Olivia's wedding dress among King Sparrow's old belongings that he left in Brightwall for safe keeping. Debbie wrote to Elliot about the dress after he asked her to make one and they decided using the Queen's dress would mean a lot more to Nicolle than a brand new one. And they had been right; wearing this piece of family history made her feel closer to her mother and it felt as if the Queen was with her even though death had separated them long ago. Nicolle took her best friend by the hand.

"Thank you, Debbie. This means so much to me."

Debbie smiled as she wiped away a stray tear.

"I'm glad I could help make this day perfect for you. Now sit right there, I have to go find the veil."

Nicolle nodded and took a seat on the bench underneath the window. Outside, the whole town gathered in the market square, eagerly awaiting the nuptials of their soon-to-be queen. The weather had finally relented to the happy occasion and the snow stopped falling the night before. A much warmer air flowed through Brightwall now, making the scene of her wedding picture perfect.

Nicolle turned at the sound of the door opening softly.

"Well that didn't take long," she commented dryly, but it was not Debbie who appeared. Nicolle stiffened as Ben Finn walked into the room. They stared at each other for a long, awkward moment and she could see him swallow as his eyes grazed over her form.

"Ben, what are you doing here?" Her tone was dangerous and she could see him hesitate before speaking.

"I need to talk to you."

Nicolle frowned and stood up.

"Surely it can wait until after the ceremony," she said as she moved to the mirror once more and smoothed out her dress. She could Ben's gaze reflecting back at her. His eyes held a passion that made her incredibly uncomfortable to look into.

"No, I must say this now before I lose the chance forever." He grasped her arm lightly and turned her towards him. "I love you, Nicolle."

The princess bride placed a hand on his chest and gently but sternly pushed him away.

"Don't do this, Ben," she pleaded with him but he ignored her.

"You can deny it all you want but I know you feel something for me too. Please don't marry him." She felt his lips press against hers before she realized what was happening. It took only a brief second before she managed to pry herself from his desperate hold. She smacked him hard enough to knock him back, leaving a bright red handprint on his cheek.

"That is enough, Ben! I love Elliot and only Elliot and if you can't accept that then maybe…you need to leave."

He reached for her again. "Nicolle…"

She slapped his hands away. "No, Ben. You are one of my dearest friends but that is all we are or will ever be. I am marrying Elliot and I am sorry that hurts you but it is what it is and if you want to continue to be my friend than you will respect my marriage and my husband," Nicolle finished with an air of finality.

Ben cast his eyes down in shame and Nicolle felt her anger dissolve into pity. What he did was wrong but he was a desperate man with a broken heart; she could understand that.

"I'm sorry, Nicolle, I should go."

He took off before she could say another word. Nicolle watched him through the window as he exited the Hoult's home and lost him as he disappeared into the crowd. Debbie returned moments later, veil in hand. She took in Nicolle's forlorn expression and frowned.

"Is everything okay?" She asked.

Nicolle turned around and smiled sadly.

"It will be."

An hour later Walter waited for her by the door. She peered over the staircase railing and could see the old soldier fidgeting with his uniform and checking the time on the old grandfather clock. Nicolle smiled in fondness at her mentor and cleared her throat to announce her presence. He looked up and his eyes widened and he whistled under his breath.

"How do I look?" Nicolle spread her arms and slowly made her way down the stairs.

Walter offered his arm and she placed hers to settle in the crook. He kissed her cheek chastely.

"You look like a Queen," he complimented causing Nicolle's smile to grow. Walter paused by the door and turned to her with a serious expression. "I know you wish your father was here to give you away but I am honored to do this for you in his stead."

Nicole rested her head on his shoulder in a rare display of affection for the soldier.

"I'm glad it's you too."

He patted her back and gestured towards the door.

"Are you ready?"

Nicolle nodded slowly and gripped his arm tightly. He moved to open the door but a stunned Nicolle held him back, refusing to move from her position. The butterflies that had occupied her stomach all morning suddenly changed into heavy stones, keeping her firmly in place. She trembled at the reality of the situation and the urge to vomit almost overwhelmed her.

What is wrong with me?

Before this moment there had never been any doubts of her feelings for Elliot. She had always wanted to marry him and now that is was finally happening she was paralyzed by fear.

"Am I doing the right thing?" She whispered barely audible to Walter who stood right next to her. He tried to pry the fingers she had painfully gripping into his arms but she was as unrelenting as a blizzard during the thick of winter.

"Do you love him?" He asked her. She looked up at him and nodded without hesitation. "Then you are doing the right thing. I know for certain that Elliot loves you, has always loved you, and I have no doubt that his feelings will never change. You could not have picked a better man."

His confident words slowly tore down the clinging fear and she felt her body move with his urging towards the door.

"You can do this," he whispered as he opened the door and revealed them to the crowd outside. The musicians began to play as the tunes carried over the mountain breeze and all eyes fell on her. Hushed whispers, murmured appreciation, and stares of awe followed her as she and Walter walked down the cobble path towards the bridge. Nicolle waved to her friends and fellow rebels that lined the street. Page and Swift came into view as they moved closer to the bridge. She did not see Ben and part of her was sad for it, but she prayed that he remained calm and did not do anything stupid during the ceremony. An anxious feeling settled in the pit of her stomach as Samuel became visible on the bridge. He stood with his arms folded and smiled and nodded his head towards her. Each step became heavier and the shaking in her hands returned. Walter patted her hand gently and urged them closer.

Time slowed to standstill. Next to Samuel, Elliot turned slowly, his thick brown hair fluttered about his deep brandy gaze. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest and she found the ability to breathe had left her. His eyes met hers and she was met with the same reflection of love that she woke up to every morning but this time it was intensified tenfold. With each step she could see the longing in his gaze deepen. His lips formed in the soft and tender smile she had come to ache for when he was not around and the stones in her stomach transformed into birds that longed to soar for joy. Why had she doubted their union, this was her Elliot. He would always love her and support her. She was nothing without him and he was nothing without her. They were meant for each other.

Her pace quickened almost visibly and Walter chuckled under his breath. After an eternity they reached her beloved and the crowd fell silent. Walter turned and lifted her veil over her intricate hairstyle. He placed a kiss on her cheek and shook Elliot's hand before going to take his place beside their rebel companions. Elliot reached his hands and she placed hers in them, reveling the feeling of his warmth. Samuel began to speak but the couple paid no attention to his words, so enraptured where they with each other. Her eyes never left his and his hands squeezed hers lovingly. When it came time to recite the vows, their voices were thick with emotion and Nicolle could not stop the trail of happy tears that fell. He tenderly wiped them away and she fell in love with him all over again.

It wasn't until she heard Samuel say, "You may now kiss the bride" that she realized the ceremony was over. Elliot pulled her flush against him and kissed her soundly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and when they finally broke away he rested his forehead on hers.

"I love you," he murmured against her lips.

"I love you too," she returned easily, all previous doubts and fears disappeared in the wake of the happiness and joy that overwhelmed her.

"I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Hoult!" Samuel called out to the guests and cheers echoed throughout the town. Elliot and Nicolle turned to stand before the crowd and lifted their joined hands in the ceremonial display of their union. Together they walked down the path back to the market square where the festivities took place.

The celebrations lasted long into the night. There was drinking and dancing and the atmosphere returned to the happiness that once graced the town before Logan's rule. For once the townspeople felt free to enjoy themselves for the first time in years. Even Sabine's dwellers had come down from their hideaway village in the mountain to join in the festivities and thanks to Nicolle; they were welcomed with open arms. She marveled at the bonds that had been formed through her over the past year. People were working together for the common good and not out to provide for only number one.

Nicolle finally managed to escape the latest group of people that ambushed her for a chance to speak with their Hero and Princess. She had hardly seen her husband since the end of the ceremony as they had been dragged this way and that throughout the party. She looked around, hoping to catch at least a glance of her beloved. Off in the distance Walter and Swift were entertaining some eligible ladies with tales of their exploits during their younger days. Page and several of the other rebel members had gathered in a large group with some of the more prominent town members, most likely trying to talk the wealthier citizens into devoting more resources to the cause. Nicolle continued to scan the crowd and did not stop until her eyes fell upon a pitiful soul, sulking near the pub's door. With a renewed determination Nicolle charged forward to confront the broken hearted man.

'You are not going to sit here and pout all night," Nicolle insisted once she stood in front of Ben. He looked up from his position on the stairs and the pathetic look in his eyes made her heart hurt for him.

"Please just let me be," he replied in a desolate tone and turned his eyes once more to the ground.

"Absolutely not," she stated. With a firm tug she took hold of his arm and pulled him onto his feet, barely giving him time to recover before she plowed through the crowd trying to find her target.

"Nicolle, stop!"

She ignored him and continued on towards her destination. She did not stop until she reached her best friend. Tugging once more she pulled Ben to her side and released the panting man's arm.

"Debbie, this is my friend Ben." She gestured to him and pushed him forward. "Ben, this is my friend Debbie."

Debbie held out her hand in greeting and after a subtle glare from Nicolle Ben shook it.

"Debbie, Ben hasn't been in the best of moods lately, see if you can cheer him up for me."

Debbie smiled and took Ben by the hand and began leading him back into the crowd, ignoring his mild complaints and protests.

"No worries, My Dear, he will be back to himself in no time."

Nicolle waved to the couple as they departed from view and started to resume her search for her husband when a pair of strong arms suddenly encircled her waist. Soft lips attached themselves to the smooth expanse of her throat and she sucked in a sharp breath.

"Excuse me Ser, but I am a married woman," she mockingly exclaimed, already knowing who it was.

"Well whoever he is, he is a very lucky man," Elliot purred low into her ear, nipping lightly at the lobe.

"No luckier than I," she managed to whisper between a soft moan. Elliot chuckled and released his hold, earning a nasty pout from his bride.

"I have something for you," he said, keeping her from turning around. "Hold still and close your eyes."

Nicolle obediently shut her eyes and held her breath in anticipation. She felt his hands trail over her neck and she felt a tiny weight drape across her cleavage.

"You can open them now," he whispered with another tender peck to her skin.

Nicolle opened her eyes and glanced down at her chest. A golden heart locket etched in an intricate design rested snuggly between her ample curves. Elliot placed it in his palm and wrestled with a clasp on the side of it. He finally managed to get it open to reveal a miniature portrait of him with an engraving on the other side.

"Always close to your heart," Nicolle read out loud and the words brought fresh tears to her eyes.

"No matter where I am, I want you to have a constant reminder that I am always with you," he murmured into her ear and kissed her cheek. Unable to find the words to express her appreciation and gratitude, Nicolle spun in his arms and pulled his head down to hers to kiss him passionately. His grip on her waist tightened impossibly before he released her, far too quickly. Without a word he took her by the hand and pulled her alongside of him as he led them down the cobble road away from the celebrations. After a few moments' walk they arrived at a quaint cottage not too far away from his parents' home.

"Whose house is this?" She asked, glancing around for the owner of the humble abode.

He took her hands in his and faced her, his excited grin was contagious.

"It's ours," he stated and squeezed their joined hands.

"What?"

He nodded in affirmation. "This is our wedding present from my parents. They bought us our own home."

"This place is ours?"

"I know we won't be able to come here often and once Logan is defeated I imagine you will need to remain at the castle on a regular basis; but it will be nice to have our own place to come to whenever we want to get away for a while." He leaned in close with a conspiratorial smile. "Or if we need a little more privacy."

Nicolle blushed but drew herself closer to her husband and stood up on her tiptoes to barely brush her lips against his.

"I could use some privacy right now," she whispered coyly. There was no hesitation when he tugged her tighter, a hungry growl on his lips and with a quick swipe he lifted her into his arms and carried her into their new house.

The moon shone brightly, a guide in the darkened sky and the stars, like jewels, decorated the sky as the lovers inside eagerly made the night their own.

Okay sooooo, "love scenes" are not really my thing. I've never been good at writing them and I know the ending to this chapter was probably not what you wanted so here is the deal: If you would really like me to write about their first night together then feel free to review or send me a message and I will consider it but no promises that it will be any good. If not then the next chapter will start the war with Logan. But reviews are always welcomed and appreciated regardless, so feel free to drop me a line and let me know what you think of the story so far. If there are any things I can improve on I would love to hear your suggestions.

Thanks again for reading!