ɢᴀʟᴇ (traps) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-12-06 18:59:00 |
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Over the past eight months, during the course of he and Leliana’s engagement, Gale had learned a lot about weddings. Mostly that any time of year was perfect for a mountain wedding. Spring and summer mountain weddings boasted glowing sunshine and lush foliage. For fall and winter, snow capped mountains created the perfect backdrop to breathtaking photo opportunities. At this point, he couldn’t even imagine getting married in someplace conventional, like a tiny chapel or the courthouse (even if his carefully squelched nerves sometimes popped up and told him that courthouse would have just been easier). Because the allure of the great outdoors, natural wonders and all the mystery, were just so fitting for someone who came alive while he was hunting in the woods. He needed this time, with Elsa now - it had started snowing in Orange County as he assumed it would, but it was only a couple more days left until the big day and he thought maybe he could do with a calming presence. It seemed like only yesterday he brought Elsa pizza and blueberry pie ice cream sandwiches from Peeta’s bakery, right before her and Kate’s wedding, and they formulated a plan (ice cubes) that was meant to be a fallback in case she got nervous. Now, it was his turn. And he was pretty excited to try out the ice carriages, her own creation, that would sweep guests up the mountain path to Skyhold. “So I was thinking that here, by the sign - “ he motioned, boots crunching in the snow as he circled the post, “...this would be the starting point. And we’d light the candles - I mean, battery operated, they’re flameless, so the wind won’t blow them out.” Phew. Take a breath, Gale. “Then there’d be another welcome sign when we got to the top? What do you think?” Elsa was very happy and excited for Gale, he’d been such a support for her when she’d married Kate and she only hoped she would be able to help him as much as he had her. She remembered learning a lot about weddings too but she couldn’t help feeling that as long as it felt right nothing else really mattered. Getting married outside in such a beautiful setting was perfect for this couple and Elsa was determined to do what she could to ensure it went off without a hitch. She’d been working hard on the best design for the carriages and she was excited to show Gale, following his lead she nodded in agreement before laying a cool hand on his wrist, “Firstly I think you need to breathe” she told him with a smile, “And secondly I think that all sounds perfect, you don’t need to worry the carriages will work perfectly. I’m here to ensure it” The snow was already falling for them so on the day Elsa would just be there to keep it all manageable and as the couple wanted it. She’d been working on her stamina when it came to her powers and ensuring she had plenty of energy reserves. It would all work just wonderfully. Right. Breathing. That was a thing that needed to happen. Gale, by nature, was a stoic individual - he was always in control, he was strong, he was the ship on calm waters. Though right now, before his and Leliana’s wedding, he felt like a ship on fire. “Sorry,” he smiled sheepishly, as Elsa brought him back to planet Earth. “This is a lot more nerve-wracking than infiltrating enemy lines, or a stake-out.” And why was that? Maybe because he had worked hard to get to this moment, it was supposed to be happpy, and he just never thought he’d have something like this. That there would be a person out there who would actually choose him. “I can’t wait to see what you have in mind. Should we try out a carriage test run here, maybe?” he asked. “Are you feeling up to it?” That was the most important thing - being that this was a winter wedding, naturally Elsa was going to be at the forefront. Gale just didn’t want her to be so tired she couldn't enjoy herself, with Kate as her date, after all. “It’s okay, nerves when you’re about to undertake something that means so much to you is very natural” she assured him, “I promise” Besides he’d trained for a long time in order to do his job, this wasn’t something you could train for. “Of course” she nodded, “I want to make sure you like the design” she said with a smile, “I’ve been practising a little” she admitted, before raising her arms and letting her power flow to create a beautiful, elegant ice carriage. Kate would ensure Elsa enjoyed herself and didn’t get too tired, the carriages could disappear once everybody had arrived. She’d create them once again when people began to leave. By that time her power will have replenished once again. Holyyyyyyyy shit. As always, Gale tended to be a little (okay, a lot) in awe when Elsa used her Snow Queen powers - it brought him back to the day of their initial meeting, when they were both brand spanking new and still innocent to the ways of this roller coaster of a place that had become home. They’d built a snow fort by hand, not knowing what was in store for them, and here they were today - she was making ice carriages for his wedding. “Elsa, it’s beautiful,” he said, honestly a little choked up. “It would take someone hours to carve that from ice, and you did it in seconds.” Seriously, it was so intricate, all the curly q’s and swoops and elegant lines - looked like something straight out of a fairytale, a true winter wonderland, which was honestly what he was going for. Curiously, he stepped closer, reaching a hand out to touch the edge of the constructed carriage. “Can we take a ride in it?” Neither of them had known what was in store for them on that snow day which seemed so long ago now. But Elsa was so glad they’d met and become such good friends. Gale was good for her as was his reaction to her abilities, it reminded her that the power she had wasn’t something to hide or be afraid of. She could create beautiful things people could enjoy. “Thank you” she told him beaming, “I’m so glad you like it. I was hoping the design would be fitting” Nodding she said, “Of course we can, it’s sturdy don’t worry” she told him when he reached out to touch it. It would ensure the safety of those inside as well as looking beautiful. Opening the door she gestured for him to step inside. Now this was traveling in style. Even a 6’3 giant like Gale fit decently in the carriage - with enough leg room too? Good job, Elsa. He went inside, those timberwolf eyes of his widening in starstruck anime style, just a bit. “Do you think there should be blankets in here too?” he asked. “Like, for guests. Were planning to have a basket of them available with a ‘take one’ kind of note, at the entranceway where the ceremony will be - “ Because it was fucking cold on a mountain when it was snowing, he realized that, and he didn’t want attendees to turn into popsicles. Skyhold now had electricity (the wonders of solar power) and running hot water, so there was that too, thankfully. “But I don’t know,” he took a look around, exhaling a chilly breath that dissipated like smoke. “In here, it’d also look cozy.” Not like it was a terribly long ride up, but for maximum comfort. Elsa was very pleased with how it had turned out but what made her happiest was seeing how happy Gale was with it. That was the best news, she wanted everything to be perfect for him. “Oh I think that’s a good idea” she nodded when he mentioned the blankets, “I tend to forget other people feel the cold” she admitted somewhat sheepishly. One side effect of her powers was that she didn’t feel the effects of colder temperatures, she always ran a little on the cold side herself which people noticed when they touched her skin but in herself she never ‘felt’ cold. “You’re right though, it would look very cosy and inviting to have them in here. Perhaps have the basket here for when they get into the carriage and then they can have it with them on the way up?” “Cold doesn’t bother you, huh?” Gale grinned. He supposed that made sense. It wouldn’t do for the Snow Queen to be hunkered down freezing her ass off - no, she was a formidable force with domain over ice and the wintertime, that’s the way all the stories had gone. And supposedly with a frozen heart too, but he didn’t think so - Elsa was pretty squishy. Figuratively. “I think that would be perfect, actually. Having the basket in here. I’ll mention it to Leliana.” Up the mountain they went, and he basically thought it was the coolest thing - Elsa’s magic was amazing, hadn’t she even created sentient snow creatures before? So maybe a carriage that went up and down a mountain path was a drop in the bucket. “My family’s in town, we’re trying to get them used to how weird Orange County is,” he went on. “The snow definitely threw them for a loop.” “Nope, I could be wearing a jacket or a sundress and I’d feel the same” she told him, though she’d probably get a few strange looks if she wore a vest top in the snow. It certainly made sense that she wouldn’t feel the cold though, after all it would be a bit of an inconvenience if she did. She nodded, as he considered her idea. It made sense to her anyway, and seemed handy. Creating sentient beings was something Elsa wasn’t planning on doing again for a while, not until they would be needed which would hopefully be not for a long time. “It throws everybody for a loop. The cold system comes out of nowhere, focuses on this county and then dissipates. It behaves incredibly strangely even for weather which can be unpredictable, it’s rather fascinating actually” Or at least it was for her but then she had a degree in studying the weather. Gale remembered it snowing pretty heavily in West Virginia, but usually not this early in December; no wonder his family was confused, since snow was such a contrast with sunny California beaches. Still, the snowfall in the OC was currently pretty light. He just hoped a blizzard didn’t decide to dump all on them the day of the wedding. “Behaving strangely, that’s the theme of our lives,” he snickered. “How do you even explain it on the news? Like global warming, or whatever? Charts and graphs? You also realize you’re going to get an influx of fanmail now.” From all those little girls who admired Elsa for her journalistic integrity and resemblance to their favorite Disney royal. How weird, right? He’d get the trucks ready to sort everything. Gale didn’t need to worry, Elsa would do everything within her considerable power to make sure blizzard’s stayed away. Nothing was going to get in the way of this wedding, she was like it’s personal bodyguard. “Isn’t it just” she smirked, “Charts and graphs pretty much. And the expression ‘unexpected weatherfront’ I’ve lost count how many times I’ve said that one since I started presenting the weather” she admitted, “Fanmail? I doubt it. Though I do get people writing in to tell me when I get it wrong, which thankfully isn’t too often” she winked. “Not often at all. Oh, and I also can’t wait to see the comments from your admirers on your Facebook and Twitter accounts,” Gale added - and he tended to sort through the perverted ones too, so Elsa wouldn’t have to deal with them. Being a pretty lady meant that of course the hormonal trolls were out full force, especially after seeing her on the news. He shut them down pretty quick though, usually by blocking them. His heavy-duty internet troll repellant was pretty effective, and he considered it an important duty of being on the marketing team at Arendelle Network. “I’ll just keep telling my mom it’s an unexpected weatherfront. She’s so proud, by the way,” he couldn’t help but smile a little. “And is glad I found a civilian career I’m into.” Yep, he was a total mama’s boy sometimes. No shame in admitting it. “I’m glad you deal with that you know?” Elsa said, “And I appreciate the ones you send through to me” Elsa knew she wouldn’t be able to deal with all the messages that must come through. She relied on Gale heavily when it came to social media. She knew he was definitely the one to lead the marketing team, it was honestly the most productive and happy team in the company. “I’m glad too. I’m lucky to have you, as is the company. You are incredibly good at your job Gale and it’s appreciated. I love reading your teams feedback” It always made her smile. Well, shit. Gale would just be over here turning red - really, not many people could manage that but Elsa ought to consider her among the few. Maybe because she was his boss? But it warmed his stony, rock-solid heart to know that she continued to think he was doing a good job with the marketing side of things at the network. “Damn, you spoil me with all the praise,” he jokingly fanned his face off - getting a little hot in the ice carriage. “Alright, we’re here though - “ They’d made it to the top, and in front of them loomed Skyhold in all of its majestic medieval glory. “I’ll show you what else we’ve set up,” Gale offered, and it sort of helped him too in a sense. Mental checklist, of what else needed to be done and what was already done. But as for the transportation portion of the program? He was pretty sure that was covered, thanks to one of his coolest friends. |