Other Fan Fiction ❯ Save the World, Change the World - in that order ❯ Chapter 1

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

“Hey, you.” The handsome young Warden had taken off his armor to rest for the night, and was thus able to sit on his haunches next to his fellow Warden – an elfin mage.

She smiled at him briefly before turning back to stare into the campfire again. “Hey,” she responded.

His brow furrowed at her unresponsiveness. Then, he bumped her with his shoulder. “You’re quiet tonight. Even quieter than usual. Is… everything okay?”

With a wry expression she responded, “You mean everything BESIDES the coming blight and the potential for civil war and the archdemon we’re about to face?”

Smirking, he replied, “Hum. Well, yeah. There is that, isn’t there? But… that doesn’t typically make you quite this pensive. I mean, you’re staring into that fire like it’s going to reveal some big secret-”

She interrupted him, “Just thinking about how much I hate being an elf now.”

That threw him for a loop. “You… hate…? …Now?”

“I never did before. Even when people treated me like a second class citizen. I was proud of who I was, my people, I looked forward to showing everyone around me that I was just as smart, as talented as anyone, if not more so. Race didn’t matter. But now… Now, I know it means I can never have what I want the most.”

Alistair looked lost.

“Sorry. I know you don’t like it when people get too serious and all. I’m just… feeling a little sorry for myself, I guess.”

He shook his head. “No. It’s just… I can’t imagine you feeling… You’re strong and beautiful. You’re a Grey Warden. You can pretty much have anything you want. Well, except a long life, of course, but, hey! Long life is overrated, isn’t it? I mean, you get old, you get all these aches and pains, and you have to deal with all the young whippersnappers trying to prove they’re better than you. Who needs it, I say?”

Chuckling, she faced him with a smile so sad, it broke his heart a little. “The lifespan thing I don’t even really mind. It would have been enough… But that’s neither here nor there.” She paused and stared back into the fire again. “You know, Alistair, you’re going to be king.”

He sighed. “Yes, probably. If that’s what’s decided, I won’t abandon my people. I mean, I know I’ve never really thought of myself as king material. Originally, I just agreed to go along with Arl Eamon so that he’d do something. I thought, they’ll never pick me anyway, and once they figure out that I’m not really right for the job, they’d just find someone else. Maybe the Arl himself. But…”

She turned to him, gently taking hold of his face between her palms. “Alistair, I can’t think of a single person better suited. You’re kind and caring. You’re thoughtful. You have a great sense of humor, although it is a bit too self-deprecating; you really need to work on that. You’re smart – as much as you try to deny it and pretend otherwise. You’re strong. And you feel for the plight of the people more than almost anyone else. Besides, you know what the blight means and how to fight it.”

“You forgot to mention that I’m devastatingly handsome.”

She chuckled. “That, too. You devastate me every time you smile at me, nimrod.” Her hand batted at the top of his head, and he grinned. “Don’t you see? That’s why… the one thing I want, I can never have.”

His mien grew confused. “I’m missing something. What does the prospect of me being king have to do with what you want?”

She breathed a half chuckle, half sigh. “You, Alistair. It’s you I want.”

“But I’m… right here… You… have me.”

She closed her eyes briefly as she replied. “Don’t you see? I’m in love with you.”

His eyes widened. And then he shook his head and smacked his ear with the heel of his hand twice. “Wait. Say that again? That blow to my head in our last battle may have affected my hearing. Because it sounded like you said you love me, and that can’t be right because then I’d be the luckiest man alive, and we all know that-”

Her sad smile didn’t go away, but it turned fond for a moment as she opened her eyes, placed a single finger over his lips, silencing him. “I’ll say it however many times you want to hear it. I. Am in love. With you, Alistair.” She was smiling, but a tear escaped one eye.

He reached out to brush it away with his thumb. “Oh, but that’s… I’m just…” He reached out and pulled her to him in a tight embrace. “Maker! I’m so happy. You love me, too!… I… I’m so in love with you it makes me dizzy.”

Pushing him back, her smile got even sadder. She looked as if someone had just shot her dog. “Oh, Alistair. Don’t you see? That’s why, for the first time in my life, I would give ANYthing to not be an elf!”

His brow furrowed. “But YOU. You’re wonderful. Why would you…? I mean, if you weren’t an elf, I wouldn’t be able to rest my chin on your head every time I hug you. And you know you love that. You… Wow. You love me! …I can’t stop smiling. You love me! The woman I love loves me.” He pulled her into his arms again.

Giving in a little, she rested her cheek on his broad chest. “By the Maker, I do love you, you big ninny. But don’t you see? The fact that we love each other only makes it worse. More painful. If you didn’t love me back, it would be easier when I have to leave.”

He pushed her away just enough to look at her, tilted her chin up so he could see her face. “Leave? What… You’re not making any sense.”

“Alistair, you’re going to be king. And the people of Ferelden will never accept a king who consorts with elves.”

“That’s… that’s just…”

“It’s just the truth. Elves aren’t looked at as full people. We’re just servants – kind of like pack mules who can talk and do the dishes and look pretty while doing them.”

“I don’t think-”

“Alistair, do you know what the quartermaster at Ostagar said to me the first time he met me? He yelled at me about being late running some errand or other. All he saw was another elf, another servant. He didn’t see an actual person. In his eyes, an elf is not worthy of respect – isn’t even a person, really. And that’s how most people see us. Do you think the nobles will allow you to openly consort with someone they see as little more than a pack mule?”

He turned up his chin like a proud and pouting young boy. “But if I’m king, they won’t be able to say anything.”

With a brief laugh, she responded, “You know that’s not how it works. They’ll undermine you every step of the way if they think they can get away with it. Do you really think that kind of political atmosphere will be good for Ferelden? I’d be the perfect excuse for them to ruin everything.”

“Well it’s not like they need to know, do they? There have been unmarried kings before. And since I’m a Grey Warden, staying single would make sense. I can’t imagine there would be many women willing to marry someone filled with Darkspawn taint. It’d be understandable.”

Shaking her head, she placed the palm of one hand on his cheek, caressing him. Unconsciously, he leaned into it. “But no one knows about that. And anyway, Alistair, even if we didn’t have to keep the taint a secret, even if everyone knew, who *wouldn’t* want you?”

The compliment, her implication that he was that desirable, was more than he could take, bringing a rosy blush to his cheeks as he stammered, “You… I….”

“And besides that. As Wynne says, love is selfish. I don’t want to love you in secret. I want you. All of you. If I… became your lover on the side, in secret, you’d get pressured for an heir and you’d end up having to marry someone eventually. And I don’t know if I could stand watching you with some other woman. I’d rather face the darkspawn; I’m just not strong enough for that.”

Smirking he replied, “Jealous?”

“Absolutely. Insanely. To the point it makes me both murderous and nauseous. Not that I have any right to be. You don’t belong to me.”

He paused as his mien grew serious. Then he took her hand and kissed it. “Oh, but I do.”

She smiled sadly again and shook her head, pulling her hand back and unconsciously pressing where he’d kissed against her chest as she turned away from him. “After… After this is all over, I’m going to go to Orlais with Leliana.”

He sat back as if he’d been slapped. “What?”

“You’ll be king here and I’ll go find the Wardens in Orlais, learn about how to rebuild them. I can do that much for you. And I’ll take Leliana with me so we can clear her name.”

“But… Leliana…”

She snorted and stood. “What? You think I don’t realize she’s in love with me? It’s kind of hard to miss, although she’s been trying to keep it in. She’s a good friend that way. And that’s actually why I chose Orlais instead of Antiva.”

“Antiva? You mean you actually considered… Zevran?”

“Well… It’s not like I know that many people. Seriously. I can’t really see Sten being companionable with anyone; Morrigan is… not really someone who enjoys being around others; I won’t go back to the tower with Wynne; and Oghren, just… um, no. So, the options available to me seem to be limited to Zevran or Leliana.

“And Zevran… I only considered him for about half a second. It’s apparent he would rut with anyone who let him. And while I imagine his VAST experience has brought him skill – not that I’d know either way – his lack of choosiness, although it means I wouldn’t have to fear rejection, is also what fairly eliminates him as a choice.

“And thus, Orlais. It is practical. If I can’t be with the man I love, I shall choose to be with a woman who loves me and will be true. After all, Leliana is lovely and sweet and kind. I care for her as a good friend already. Perhaps in time…” She shook her head and then bowed to him. “And this way I can at least do you some good, help you rebuild your Wardens, my King.”

The words “my King” seemed to snap him out of his stupor of disbelief. “No! You… If I’m your king then… I order you – I command you! – to stay. You can’t… I…” He grabbed her wrist, pulled her close and wrapped his arms around the waist, pressing his face to her midriff. “I’ve already lost everyone... You’re the – the only – …Say you won’t leave. Please!”

She knelt in front of him, her hands in his hair, leaned up to kiss him and he returned the kiss hungrily, with fervor that spoke of desperation. When they broke for air, she softly stated, “I won’t be going anywhere until we’ve defeated this blight.”

“You… You’ll make me pray it’s never defeated,” he breathed.

“Your true heart would never pray for something like that.” He lowered his head to rest on her shoulder, looking away from her.

Still like that, she spoke, “I… I know I may be asking for too much, but… would you… spend this night with me?” When he looked up, he saw that she was blushing and looking away from him. “I know you were waiting for the woman you’d marry, and I know I can’t be her,” she spoke rapidly so she could get it all out quickly. “The first time I asked, I could see that you were kind of disappointed with me – it was more forward than I’m usually comfortable with, too, but then, I’d assumed that you’d had many, I mean, you’re handsome and charming, you could have had pretty much anyone you wanted, and I just couldn’t stand thinking how much I love you and them having you and not me, when even just sleeping in your arms would have been so amazing, but then you said you hadn’t and I was so relieved, yet now, all I can think is that if I’m going to… Well… I just want my first time to be with… with you.”

When she looked back at him, he was just staring with his mouth open. She quickly apologized, “I’m sorry. I really am asking for too much. Let’s just pretend I never-”

Firm, full lips crashing into hers silenced her. And then he swept her into a bridal carry.

She swatted at his shoulder, whispering, “Alistair! What are you doing?!”

Looking into her eyes he said softly, “I’m taking the most beautiful woman in the world to my bed so that I can show her how much I truly love her, what do you think I’m doing?”

“But…” she glanced around the campsite. As she expected, pretty much everyone was staring at them. “Everyone’s watching!”

Still holding her in his arms, he turned and faced the rest of the camp before he boldly declared, “I love this woman. If any of you have a problem with that, I will fight you for her. But I hope you don’t, because I’d rather fight the blight *with* you than have to kill you.” His voice dropped to a lower, threatening register, “And you can be certain that I WILL kill anyone who tries to take her from me.”

Finished with what he had to say, he turned his back on them all and walked grandly toward his tent. In the background he could hear, “Ah, well. ‘Tis a shame I shall never taste of her lovely fruit – but I *am* fairly attached to living… Perhaps… I could convince you to comfort me? We could share our sorrow? ”

“In your dreams, Zevran. She is my best friend – I am… happy… for her happiness.” Leliana sounded conflicted, but right now, Alistair couldn’t bring himself to care.

And of course Morrigan had to put in her two cents, “I fear the taint has addled her-”

The closing tent flap muffled whatever else their companions had to say on the matter.

He set her down softly, and then kneeled before her. “My lady. I meant what I said. I do not intend to lose you. Ferelden needs a king, but I, I need you and you alone. And my need is greater, deeper, than the need of all the people of Ferelden combined. I am ready to prove it to you. May I?”

The passion in his eyes had darkened them and she swallowed at the sight. Her heart was pounding loudly – more loudly than it ever had when entering battle. Battle was straightforward – she knew pretty much what to expect, knew her own strengths and weaknesses. But here, here she was a novice. And this was more terrifying than even fighting a dragon, the consequences more dire. She nodded, unable to find her voice.

He stood behind her and embraced her, hands reaching around to the ties lacing up her bodice.

As he reached, his breath ghosted upon her ear, her neck. Deftly, he freed the knotwork, and yet, he pulled each lace out slowly, matching the pull of each lace to his breathing, which both warmed and cooled the tip of her delicate, pointy ear.

She stood frozen, not knowing what to do, only knowing that the feeling of him so near, his warm breath tickling her was making her head spin.

As he pulled free the last lace, his lips gently nipped at the lobe of her ear – and then his tongue lapped lightly as if to salve the “wound” of his “bite.” He pulled back a touch then, to look at her and she smiled shyly.

“You’re going to have to let me know how I’m doing here,” he whispered. “I’m working off stories I wasn’t supposed to hear and instinct and, well, that’s pretty much it.”

She turned to face him. “Then we’re both faced with the same dilemma. All I know is I really want to touch you, Alistair, but there seem to be too many clothes in the way.” Her hands grasped the bottom of his jerkin and she started to lift it, then hesitated. “May I?”

He swallowed fiercely and nodded. Her own garment, ties removed, loosened, began slipping off her shoulders. He could see her alabaster skin peeking out at him and he longed for more. But at that moment, she couldn’t be bothered. She lifted, and he bent to help as she tugged the jerkin over his head. Once his shirt was removed, she couldn’t help but stare at his smooth skin, his tight abs. She reached out tentatively and touched him, and he gasped.

Emboldened, she leaned forward and kissed his collarbone, then up to his neck, her fingers running over his torso.

The future king placed his hands on her shoulders near her neck, then slid them softly outward, downward, pushing her garment as they went. As it slid off, revealing herself in just her underwear, she pulled back. Swiftly, she stepped out of her shift and brushed it into a corner of the tent with her foot. Before him, she stood in just her under garments.

It wasn’t the first time he’d seen her thus. Back at Andraste’s temple, she’d had to strip to walk through the flames – they all had. But that was a completely different situation. And back then, he was attracted to her, but he hadn’t completely fallen in love with her yet.

“It’s not fair for me to be in just my underclothing when you still have your pants on,” she chided.

He shrugged. “But you’re nicer to look at than I am.” Then his hands went for the buttons holding his breeches up.

“I beg to differ,” she responded, looking him up and down, her chest heaving with each breath, causing him to groan at the sight. Her hands moved to cover his own. “Let me do that,” she said, as she began unbuttoning him, kneeling before him to do so.

Breath stopped and he choked out, “Andraste’s grace!” Her fingers working the buttons brushed against his already erect flesh underneath, causing it to harden further. When she finished with the last button and tugged his pants down, she could see him straining against his own underclothes. She leaned forward and kissed him through the cloth, making him gasp again.

Her hands roamed up his legs, touching wherever there was skin available. “Maker, but I love touching your skin,” she murmured. Her mouth pressed against his belly now, tracing, with lips and tongue alternating, the indentations and curves of his abdominal muscles. Slyly, she pushed her hands under the waist band of his underpants in back, so that she could cup his sculpted ass.

In response, he grabbed her forearms, pulling her up from where she knelt, lifting her off the ground as he crushed her to himself in a searing kiss. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and her legs around his waist. Without thought his hands shifted to hold her own tight derriere.

Oh, Maker, he could feel her heat through their underwear, pressing against his manhood. She moaned, feeling his proof of desire straining to enter, restrained by only two thin layers of cloth. As he walked toward his bedroll, carrying her, each step pressed him more firmly against her folds and she breathily sighed his name. “Alistair.”

He set her down and she whimpered at the loss of him. He smiled and stroked her cheek lovingly. And then, his fingers trailed lightly down her neck and she arched up at his touch. He pushed the cloth imprisoning her breasts aside, freeing them to the cool air and his sight.

“Wait,” she said and he immediately pulled back, afraid that maybe he’d gone too fast. But then she shifted her arms behind her back and in a snap, removed her brassiere and tossed it in the same general direction as her shift.

She smiled shyly and he sighed with wonder, “You are so beautiful.” The words caused a blush that spread from her cheeks, down her neck, stopping just shy of her peaks. Reverently, he kissed down her neck, working toward the left breast first, licking lightly down the valley, then up to the peak, which he circled once before finally, gently taking it between his lips. He sucked softly while letting his tongue flick at the tip and her back arched involuntarily, pressing herself further into his ministrations. He chuckled, and one hand moved to the other breast, feeling the softness of her curves compared with the hardness at the peak.

Her hands hungrily reached for any part of him she could touch, but his position made it difficult to do more than grasp at his shoulders and run her fingers through his hair. And then, he was shifting downward, licking down her abdomen, his tongue darting briefly into her belly button and causing her to gasp. His fingers caught in the fabric of her underpants, and she lifted her hips so he could ease them off her.

As Alistair moved to kneel at the foot of the bedroll, the now nude elf chastised him. “Don’t I get to take yours off, too?” He blushed and she sat up and grabbed them, carefully pulling them away from the front of his waist before pulling them down so as not to catch on his fully erect member.

The position of pulling them off, put her face directly in front of his proud rod, and – still blushing – she smiled up at him and said, “It’s not winter, but maybe I should use this chance to practice licking a lamppost now? I wouldn’t want to be unprepared once the cold weather does come.”

He laughed at her entendre, but it was cut off as her tongue alighted at his base, then lightly ran up his shaft and circled the indent before the head. And then, her mouth encased him and he could do nothing but moan. His hands ran through her soft, shoulder-length hair, pulling it out of its ties.

Nothing had prepared him for the feel of her hot mouth. If she kept this up, it would all be over, much too quickly. He promptly pulled her off him, her mouth releasing him with a soft pop sound. As she looked up to see what was wrong, he gathered her to him, plundering, exploring her mouth with his tongue as if he wanted to memorize her, learn every little detail by heart. The look of hunger on his face as he did so would be one she would remember until she died, causing her to feel avaricious in a way she’d never known.

As he pulled her into his lap, she could feel his erection pressing against the front of her. She shifted, trying to increase the amount of contact, but he held her in place. Breaking from the kiss he rested his forehead against her own, his eyes staring into her own.

His voice was breathy – a whisper she had to strain to hear – as he stated, “For weeks now, my sleep has been plagued by dreams.”

“The nightmares?” she whispered back.

“Sometimes. But more often, just dreams of you. Of us. Our life together once the blight is defeated. The happiest dreams I’ve ever had in my life.”

“Alistair…”

He shook his head, but kept their foreheads touching, as if he wanted to convey his thoughts through the connection. “No. I need you to promise me. I’m here with you now because I want you with me always. So you need to promise me you won’t leave me. We’ll figure something out, but we’ll do it together.”

The elf exhaled loudly as a huff. Then she spoke, “I promise I won’t leave you so long as my staying will not do you more harm than good.”

His eyes narrowed, and then a sly grin spread on his face. “Then you’ll have to stay forever. Because if you leave, I plan to take a leisurely stroll down the dark roads. Naked as I am right now, and…” he glanced downward and then back into her eyes, “considerably less armed.”

Her mouth forming a moue, she said, “I only want what’s best for you, Alistair.”

With a smile, he responded, “And I, you. I just happen to believe that *I* am best for you.” Running his hands down her back he continued, “I promise you, my lady, that no one will ever love you more than I do. Not even Leliana.” The light touches down her sides were making her gasp and squirm. “And even though I’m not the most brilliant,” her wriggling against him was making him struggle against his own self-control now and he breathed out the last, “I can absolutely guarantee you my complete loyalty and devotion.”

She closed her eyes for a second and it seemed she did not even breathe. It was apparent that he was determined. And then, after a quiet sigh and a decisive nod, her soft voice whispered, “I hereby bond myself to you, for as long as you shall have me; I am yours. I will claim no other unless you forsake me. From now until death parts us. This I do swear.”

He froze as she spoke the ritual words of Elfin bonding. He did not have to respond. The bonding worked for each person who spoke the words – it did not require reciprocation. “You… Oh, lady.” Tears escaped his eyes, striped his cheeks as he recited the ritual’s response, “I bond myself-” She placed her hand over his mouth, cutting him off.

“No. You can’t. I said it only to show you how much I love you. My speaking the words doesn’t really change anything, I was already yours. But if you speak the response, you’ll be bonded to me. And they’ll never select you as king. It is enough for me like this.”

Quirking an eyebrow, he responded, “I thought it was okay to be selfish now and then. Isn’t that what you taught me?” He kissed her and then held her wrists so she couldn’t stop him as he recited, “I bond myself to you, for as long as you shall have me. I shall claim no other, lest our bonds be broken. Until death parts us, I am yours. I swear this. By the Maker and Andraste’s Grace, I swear this.” The last bit was his own addition.

Distracted by what they had just done, just spoken, he did not notice that as she lifted herself up a bit to kiss him, she also carefully positioned herself over his rod. That knowledge came only as he felt a brief resistance and then a fiery warmth encasing his length as she swiftly impaled herself. Their kiss maintained, her cry of pain was swallowed by his own lips.

By the time their mouths parted, the pain of first entry had mostly passed. Mouth twisted in a smirk, she breathed, “A bond, sealed with blood. Does this make me a blood mage?”

He smiled, loving that she would pun with him, even now. “You do set my blood afire and addle my thoughts. Perhaps you are one at that.”

And then, she began moving up and down on his length and the capacity for words – even for thought left him. All that existed in the world was their joining, the sliding of flesh against flesh. Soon, he flipped her so that she was no longer riding him, but the reverse. Faster and faster, with cries of pleasure from both of them that could not be constrained, they merged, striving to become one, pouring their souls into each other as they joined. The world no longer existed. The blight was unimportant. All that mattered in this moment was the love and ecstasy they shared. When release finally came, two voices cried the name of their beloved, to be heard and understood by the rest of the camp as a declaration.

After, they lay limbs entwined, his broad chest serving as her pillow. Normally, each would have wanted their own sleeping space, but tonight, it seemed the most important thing was to remain in contact – skin on skin, as much as possible, as if they wished to remain united as they had been earlier.

The blight would be fought. And they would win. For themselves and for each other. Their love would not allow anything less. And after? Well…

His last thought before falling asleep in her arms was, “The Maker brought us together for a reason. I am certain of it. Humans and elves have been separated for too long. With you by my side, we shall reshape the world to embrace all the people. I am certain of it. As certain as that we will beat back this blight. Maker be praised. You are the greatest gift I’ve ever known.”

Her last thought before sleep was, “I will be forever true to you, my love. I have spoken no false word. I shall not claim another for as long as I live. And I will always do what’s best for you. Once you are king, you will need wardens. And you will need to not be bonded to an Elf. So I’ll go with Leliana to Orlais, as a friend and confidante only, but will ensure that you – shall assume our bond broken. So you will be free to be the king you must, to marry and produce an heir. You were always destined to be a king, and I know you’ll be a better king than even Ferelden deserves. Oh, love. But you can only do it if I’m not here. Still, I swear by the Maker, by everything good and holy, there will never be another for me. Never until death.” Much as she tried to restrain them, tears leaked from her eyes at the prospect of what was to come.

He felt her tears, but in his satiated and blissful state, assumed they were tears of happiness – like those he had shed earlier. Lying thus, they fell asleep.


X


The next morning, as they the girls went to the stream to bathe before tearing down the camp, Leliana pulled the elfin Warden aside.

“You and Alistair, eh?” she inquired with a sly grin.

The Warden nodded and looked away.

The bard laughed. “Do not be embarrassed. I am… envious. I have seen the way you two look at each other, so much in love. It is beautiful that out of the darkness of this coming blight that something as wonderful as love can bloom.”

“Do not be envious, Leliana,” she said. “Nothing in life is certain. And everything ends eventually. The good thing is that it is true for the bad parts of life – the blight, loneliness. Unfortunately, it is also true of the parts we wish would continue forever. The world is ever changing. Things we thought we could hold on to end up slipping from our grasp, while what we thought forever lost appears again, making us both delighted and devastated. It’s always a mix. Always.” At that, she turned and walked to an isolated spot on the riverbank, leaving her friend to stare after her, bewildered and more than a bit worried.

For two days after that, the redhead carefully watched the woman she loved.

On the surface, it seemed that nothing much had changed. The group maintained its delicate balance of camaraderie in the face of darkspawn threats. Alistair was happier than they’d ever seen him before – joking with everyone with his snarky sense of humor. The boy had enough intelligence to not try to be overprotective. Instead he trusted his lover to defend herself as she always had – although he did stay a touch closer to her in battle then his previous tendencies: his typical battle tactic of chasing down individual darkspawn for one-on-one battles away from the group was reduced by about… oh, 15%. And Leliana noticed that each time he saw the elf take an injury, he nigh turned into a berserker, attacking the darkspawn nearest him furiously. But he didn’t come running to her rescue, fuss over her wounds or try to treat her as anything less than his equal. Back at camp, they sat nearer to each other than they had before – holding hands, or just leaning against each other. That was the sum of the difference. As far as the ear could tell, there were no repeats of that first night – although they did share a tent now.

But even though all seemed normal to everyone else, by watching her so carefully, Leliana was able to see more, see that all was not right. Each time Alistair showed the Warden affection, she would look glow with happiness, but then when he was not looking, a pain would cloud her face. It was only visible for a flash, she quickly covered it by closing her eyes and smiling. But Leliana knew. Something was wrong.

That night, she watched as the Warden left for some “private contemplation,” as she’d begun doing several weeks before their declaration. The bard followed her, using all the stealth she’d learned so as to be undetected in her pursuit.

As the bard watched, she saw her friend pull a rose out of her knapsack. It looked freshly plucked – although how it could after being in that crowded bag was a mystery. Then kneeling, the Warden held it reverently as she prayed. Softly, the elf’s voice carried to her, “Maker, you have truly blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. I swear, I will do my duty when this is over, so I pray you take care of him when I leave. By Andraste’s grace, watch over him and shelter him.” Tears ran down the elf’s face. “Please help keep me strong, Maker. It’s so hard to focus on the moment knowing the pain I will cause both he and Leliana. Even knowing it is a temporary pain, and will serve them better in the long run – like the lancing of a boil… That’s funny. I guess I’m a boil now. …Maker, help me. I wish-”

Leliana stepped out from where she was hidden from view, as if she’d just happened upon the spot rather than if she’d been spying. “What do you mean? What pain will you be causing me?”

She gasped and reflexively hid the rose behind her back. “Leliana!”

The bard walked over to her and placed one hand on her arm. “You don’t have to hide that rose. I’ve already seen it. But where did you get it? Roses do not grow around here, and that one looks fresh. And what is upsetting you so? You know I cannot bear to see my best friend in such torment.”

She closed her eyes in pain, and then said, “I had planned to tell you everything eventually – just not until after we’d defeated the archdemon. So that I would be the only one who had to keep the secret.” She gestured for her friend to sit. “Leliana. I hope you know you’ve become a dear friend to me. Probably the dearest friend I’ve ever had. We have both so much and so little in common. But I trust you with my life – just like I told Marjolais. And I… I want to tell you everything.

“Alistair and I didn’t just spend the night in his tent. We spoke the words of bonding.” She grimaced and looked away as Leliana gasped.

“You did? Oh! Oh, my! That’s… so romantic! But I don’t understand why this makes you so upset.”

Her eyes crinkled in dismay. “The thing is, I was being selfish. I should never have done it. Alistair is going to be king. King of Ferelden.”

“Yes. I know.”

“And I’m an elf.”

“…Yes.”

“Leliana, you of all here in our camp know how courts work. Do you honestly think the Landsmeet will decide Alistair as king, when he is bonded to an elf? Elves are not even people to most of their thinking.”

Her eyes widened as realization dawned. “…Oh.”

“I didn’t think he’d be so unreasonable about everything. I told him he didn’t have to say them back, that it was alright for me to be bonded to him and him to be free – but he wouldn’t. I just couldn’t keep him from completing the bond – he was determined once he heard my vows. Honestly, I never should have said the words myself. But I just… I just wanted to tell him that I love him. I thought it would be nice for him to know. There aren’t that many people who have ever said that to either of us and meant it, and I certainly have never said it to ANYone before. Even if he couldn’t return the sentiment, I thought, well, it might be pleasant to know someone out there cares for him that deeply. And it would feel good to have it out in the open, so it might not burn so inside.

“I wish I had kept my control and never said the words. Or that I wasn’t an elf. If I was human – even if I wasn’t a noble, there’d be a chance – but like this…

“All that’s left for me is to leave.

“I told him, even before the bonding, that I intend to leave with you, Leliana. To go to Orlais – to learn how to rebuild the Wardens and to clear your name.”

The pretty bard gasped. “You. You would do that? For me?”

She smiled. “Of course I intend to ensure your name is cleared. That would be true even if…”

She paused as Leliana again touched her arm. “You know… What you said about knowing someone loves you… About it feeling nice for… for both people. I…” she swallowed and looked sad. “Is it okay for me to tell you that I love you?”

Smiling, she nodded. “Leliana, I love you, too. You are the sister of my heart. I know you didn’t mean that way. I know and I wish… It would be so much easier if I loved you the same as Alistair. You are so very dear to me. And you deserve-”

The bard held up one hand and grinned. “This is enough. Romantic love is not as Zevran thinks, yes? It is about caring for someone and wanting what is best for them – not just the intimate touching. I like the idea of being your sister. I like it very much.”

She leaned over and hugged the bard quickly, then sat back and looked at her rose again. “Thank you. I feel better having confided in you.”

“I’ve been told that is what sisters are for.” Elbowing her slightly, Leliana stated, “You still haven’t explained the rose.”

She smiled softly, love in her eyes as she said, “It’s the only thing I own that I even care about. Alistair gave it to me. I enchanted it so it would remain forever as it was when I received it. I knew… it would probably be the only thing that remained of his love, once I left.”

She looked up and said, “With the elfin bonding completed, the only way for it to be broken is through infidelity. Since he completed the bond, I’m going to have to break them – or force him to. Because Alistair MUST be king. Ferelden needs him.”

“But you. You need him, too!” Leliana exclaimed.

“I’m just one elf. What am I compared to the needs of an entire country? And that’s where… I will need to… I need to make him think that I’m leaving him with you. WITH you. As if… we were a couple. Not sisters.”

“What?!”

“It’s the only thing I can think of to convince him to let me go. If he thinks I have betrayed him, his heart will harden so that he can move on. Leliana, he said he’d allow the darkspawn to take him if I ever left. This is the only way!”

The bard frowned. “Well. Now I know why you’ve been so distressed. Hm. Well… As the sister of my heart,” she smiled, “you should know that I will do everything I can to support your happiness.”

The warden sighed in relief. “Thank you, Leliana. I thank the Maker for introducing you to me.”

The bard’s smile quirked. “As do I, you.”


X


Several days passed, in typical fashion for their group. However, Alistair had begun to notice that Leliana was spending more and more time alongside his bond-mate. Not that it interfered with her time with him. But… it was noticeable. And with the conversation that started the whole bonding, he was starting to get a little tense. She was right about the feelings of the nobles about the elves. But those feelings were wrong. He intended to be a king that guided his country and made it better for ALL the people. His destiny would not stop at ending the blight. He would strive to make his kingdom equal for all the races, so that everyone would be on equal footing. His destiny would be to change the world.

As the Warden made her way through the camp for nightly rounds, checking in on the Dalish, the Dwarves, the Redcliff forces, ensuring supplies were being built rather than depleted and encouraging morale, Alistair decided it was time to confront the bard and make sure his worries were unfounded.

“Leliana, may I speak with you for a bit?” he inquired, struggling to sound casual.

She brightened – which helped alleviate his concerns, but aggravated his confusion. “Alistair! You have impeccable timing. I was just about to come ask you the same thing.” She took him by the arm and guided him, strolling casually toward a remote part of the camp – where they would not be seen or overheard.

Once they were alone, he couldn’t think of a good way to ask her… well, if she was… what was…

Seeing the look on her face, she laughed. “I know what you are thinking,” she said merrily. “And that is why I wanted to speak with you. You are not blind, but what you are seeing is not what is, but what is intended for you to see.”

He scowled and said, “I’m not very patient with riddles, Leliana, and when it comes to the woman I love, that patience wears out completely.”

Still smiling like the cat who ate the canary, she said, “You are thinking that we are rivals, no? You love her so much that when she spends as much time with me as she has of late, it must mean that she prefers my company – that is what you are thinking. Or possibly she is doing so because she feels badly for breaking my heart, in which case it is understandable and nothing to worry about. You think it really could be either. And you wish to inquire whether the truth is in the former or the latter option, because you know you are not the only one who loves her. She is quite loveable. Strong. Beautiful. Intelligent. Powerful. Kind and compassionate. Decisive yet merciful.”

She laughed again and held up a hand to forestall him from needing to say anything further. “I wonder about this: even though she has bonded with you – yes, she told me – you fear that you will lose her still.” She laughed some more and then suddenly her expression grew deadly serious. “You are right to fear – although her own sense of honor is that which causes the problem. Not me.”

“You…”

Smiling again, she said, “I have promised that I would provide every effort to support her happiness. Luckily, what one says and what one hears are not necessarily the same thing. And therefore, while she expects that I will support her plan, as I do not believe that plan will lead to her happiness, I shall act otherwise.”

Grimacing again, the future king growled, “If you’re intending to-”

“Be calm, Alistair. Did I not already say it is not me you should fear?” She smiled wanly. “You realize that I love her as you do. But she loves me only as a sister. Neither of us having had a sister before, it is a unique feeling. One I am growing to appreciate very much. Still, while I would not turn her away if she did love me as she does you, you should realize that the truth is exactly as she spoke to you that night. Everything she spoke to you that night remains true.

“Her beloved is you – and I am content to be her sister. It is a role I intend to enjoy for the rest of my life, and luckily, one that does not inspire feelings of envy when she cares for another.”

He frowned at that. But she had pretty much hit the nail on the head with the envy remark, so his response was, “Then why did *you* think we needed to talk?”

“Because I think her plan to be quite ill-advised, and bound only to hurt, rather than to heal as she intends. I do not intend to reveal her plan directly – that would be a betrayal of confidence. But I will say that so long as you remember these truths, that she loves you and only you and that she and I shall ever be sisters and nothing more, then her plan shall not succeed. And we shall all be much happier.”

His brow furrowed. But the words of the bard had alleviated some of his fears.

“I also wanted to provide you with an opportunity to see for yourself exactly how in love with you she truly is. She doesn’t show it on her face when she thinks you can see her. The rest of us in camp were well aware of her feelings for weeks before you even began to suspect. But as a gift, I will allow you to see what we have all seen.

“Now, you must sit here and watch – just watch – and don’t move until I give you the signal. All right. For this to work, I must seem to be coming from camp. Oops. Here she comes. Remain silent!” And with that, she stealthily walked to a tree, and waited for several seconds.

As the Warden walked past, Leliana slipped around her unnoticed, down the path the Warden had come, until she was just barely still visible from where Alistair sat. Not that Alistair was watching her. No, his eyes were for his lover alone.

He watched as she knelt in the clearing before him, and began rifling through her knapsack. At first, she was just searching. But then, her search became frantic. Gear started flying out of the pack as she worked deeper within, attempting to find – Alistair wondered what it was she was looking for. Finally, she turned the entire pack upside down, dumping all contents. She reached her arm in and felt around and when there was nothing there, she even stuck her head in to look. Her voice started to carry to him. “No. No, no, no. It can’t be gone. I can’t have lost it. Oh, Maker!” she exclaimed as she started shaking out each individual item as if it might magically release what she was seeking, and then tossing it back in the bag to get it out of the way. “No,” she whispered as the last item was returned to the knapsack. She sat staring off blankly, tears running down her face. He’d never seen her look like this before, as if she were lost and completely forsaken. She looked the same way he’d felt when he saw Loghain retreat and the darkspawn kill Cailan and Duncan.

At that moment, Leliana burst into the clearing, “HERE you are!” she exclaimed. “I was looking for you. I found this inside the gloves you gave me to wear today. I think it must have slipped inside one of them when it was in your sack.”

The Warden looked up, her eyes still dull and lost, turned and focused. They became bright as they alighted upon the treasure in her friend’s outstretched hand. “Oh, thank the Maker!” She snatched the rose away and clutched it to her breast.

“I knew you would be worried. After all, it is your most prized possession, no? Otherwise you would not have gone to such effort to preserve it all this time.”

“Yes,” she stated simply, holding the stem with both hands, clutching it fiercely. “Thank you, Leliana, I don’t know what I’d do if I lost it.” She closed her eyes and breathed deeply to try to calm herself down, and the bard embraced her.

“I think you worry too much about the future, my friend,” she said. “After all, as you told me, the world changes, and we cannot know for certain that things lost will stay that way, nor things found. Perhaps his love for you can overcome all the obstacles and you shall have to send me to Orlais with only Zevran as company. I believe Orlais would suit him. And as Ferelden recovers from the blight, perhaps it will be the opportunity for all races to be viewed equally, as you’ve worked hard to ensure they will all take part in saving it. The not knowing means there is something to strive for, yes?”

Despair painted the Warden’s face as she responded, “No. If I am there, they will not let him be king. And there is no one else as worthy. Our bond will be…” She closed her eyes, then opened them to smile at the bard, her tears drying now. “I don’t know what I’d do without your support.”

She smiled and hugged her friend again. “As I said before – that’s what sisters are for, no? And I like being your sister. It suits me well, I think.”

“Thank you, Leliana. I have never had a truer friend.”

The two girls stood, and after wiping her face clear of tears and grabbing the knapsack, they walked back to camp. As she walked past Alistair’s hiding spot, Leliana waved two fingers at him to let him know to wait two minutes before trying to leave.

In the end, he waited five. And then spent another ten walking around the perimeter of the camp. Not only because he wanted to be coming from a different direction, but because it made good sense to scout for any hostiles around their site. And, of course, also because he needed time to think.

Leliana was a good friend – not nearly so flaky as he’d imagined. And it seemed she truly did support their bonding.

It was startling to him that his love was planning to leave, even now. He’d thought they’d eliminated that possibility from consideration.

Oh, he understood it all. He was not as stupid as many people thought him to be. She was planning to leave, so he could be king – even though they were bonded – because she thought it would be best for him. Leliana had intimated that there was a reason she was spending so much time with her. Now, he could see that she was trying to suggest a greater intimacy, so that when she left, he’d think… he’d think she’d broken their bond, become one with Leliana instead of him. And that, in turn, would cause him to be the one to break it.

Part of him was furious! That she would attempt to deceive him. That she would try to make him the one to end their bond.

But her tears, the way she clutched the rose that he’d given to her. “Her most prized possession.” And she’d used magic to preserve it? The expression on her face, she’d been so desperate when she thought it lost. As if losing it meant she’d lost him. As if the thought of them losing each other hurt her as much as it did him.

Dammitall. She would NEVER lose him. It was almost comical how she could be so amazing and smart yet be so stupid about this. Their love was meant to be – fated by the Maker himself. He would make her understand this and never let her go. If there was ever something a King should stand for, it’s that two people who love each other should be together. Otherwise you end up with stories of jealousy and death. Like Andraste. And Flemeth.

She loved him enough to hurt herself for him. But he loved her enough to prevent that from happening. He’d forsake being the king for her – but since it was obvious she would not let that be a consideration, then he would just have to make her see that the only way he could be a good king was with her by his side.

When he got back to the camp, he took her by the hand and pulled her into his tent.

Honoring the confidence Leliana had bestowed upon him, he couldn’t confront his lover about her plans. But, he would make love to her every night. He would bring her to ecstasy so many times that when the blight was beaten, she could not imagine not having him with her. He would do everything he could to make her happy, every second they were together.

And he would make the people see that she was their queen. Just by being herself, they would see how worthy she was of the title.


X


Weeks passed, and everywhere they went, their team of adventurers changed lives. As the Elven Warden interacted with others around her, they were impacted by her determination to do what was right, regardless of the cost to her personally. From jumping into a trap-laden workshop to rescue a young girl from a hidden demon, to uncovering documentation that proved the validity or one of the Dwarven house’s claims, to settling a centuries long feud between races. Everywhere they travelled they arrived to chaos and left behind at least a semblance of order.

Imposing while still being diminutive, she was able to somehow coax people into doing what they knew they should have done in the first place.

Finally, they arrived in Denerim for the Landsmeet, once again to find chaos. It was disturbing to witness Loghain’s blatant disregard for the truth. The fact was that he lied so well, you might even start to believe him yourself, if you had not been witness to the events to know his stories as utter fiction. He seemed so convinced of his righteousness.

Then again, history often tells of those convinced of righteousness, and the travesties enacted based on such certainty. A good helping of self-doubt always seemed to be healthier in the long run.

And then to be told that he had kidnapped his own daughter, the Queen, so that she might not disrupt his plans… The man was obviously mad!

There are two kinds of madness in the world. First is the harmless kind. Like that poor Templar soldier who’d gone mad from Lyrium. His heart was still good, but his brain could no longer hold on to new information. Treating this kind of madness requires generosity and caring, to help the poor soul who just doesn’t know any better. Unfortunately, the second kind is the kind that affects not only the brain, but also the heart. And this kind frequently disguises itself as “reason” as it poisons those around it. It is like having a loyal dog who suddenly turns rabid. You might not recognize it at first, and by the time you do, the only option left is to put the dog down. And that was the only option that appeared to be left for Loghain Mac Tir.

And so, before his insanity could result in the death of the Queen, his daughter, so that he could convince himself (and the court) that her death was instead committed by power-hungry Wardens – and honestly, what HAD the Wardens ever done to earn his distrust was completely unclear – the course was laid out for the team: they must rescue the Queen.

To do so, they had to: break into the Arl of Denerim’s estate; sneak to the room where she was being held, only to find that a Mage had put a shield on the door; sneak down to the dungeons to incapacitate the mage; and, unfortunately, kill the dozens of guards who had been hired by the Arl, not knowing what a foul and selfish, power-hungry fool he truly was. And as the Arl and his mage attacked them, they fought back and won – killing the Arl and his mage in the process.

Afterwards, it was uncovered that this usurper had not only kidnapped the Queen, he’d imprisoned the previous Arl’s son and heir – the man who should be the Arl himself (although he didn’t seem to be much better than the usurper, Arl Howe). Not that anyone would believe their claims, should they make them.

Further, he’d imprisoned a Templar who was of noble birth, because he could have given testimony regarding the real events at Ostagar, could have let others know that Loghain had abandoned his king on the battlefield, purposefully leaving him to be slain. Worse, he had not kept the Templar in Lyrium, and the loss had resulted in a state of, well, de-lyrium. The poor man would never be the same. His sister, the Bann, would need to be advised.

Worse yet, he’d imprisoned another Warden – one from Orlais, who had come to help! After their rescue, the Warden Riordan was able to sneak out of the Arl’s estate successfully by himself, leaving the group to complete their mission to save the Queen.

And, finally, they also uncovered that Regent-who-would-be-King Loghain had instigated the riots in the Elven Alienage – for what purpose, it was unclear. But he obviously didn’t consider them to be citizens worth protecting.

After saving everyone who could be saved from the dungeons, they went to save the Queen. And since she needed to be snuck out safely (in disguise), when they found themselves surrounded by Loghain’s loyal men, it only made sense for the Wardens to surrender in return for the other “innocents” of their party to be released.

Hours of torture later – that were kind of comical really, because however they tried to inflict pain on the two remaining Wardens of Ferelden, nothing the jailors could think of could really match the pain of the Joining, ingesting and becoming imbued with the darkspawn taint – the two Wardens woke up in a cell together, both in just underclothes, presumably as a measure to help prevent escape as their nudity would make them stand out.

As the elf opened her eyes, Alistair got up and came over toward her. “Are you okay? They didn’t hurt you?”

She shook her head no. “So, this is the inside of a cell at Fort Drakon, eh? More scenic than I would have expected.”

Alistair stared at her in her nakedness with a smile on his face. “There’s scenery here besides you?”

She laughed. Weeks of intimacy had helped her completely overcome her embarrassment and develop an appreciation for their shared time. After all, she needed to enjoy it while it lasted. It would need to be over so quickly. The Warden leered right back at his own nudity. “Well, I know *I’m* liking the view.”

He blushed. “So, what now?”

She grinned slyly, “We got Anora out, so it’s only a matter of time before someone comes to our rescue. I say we make the most of our time together by sharing some body heat.”

“Mmm. Making love in a prison cell. I do like the way you think, my love. But what if our friends don’t’ come? They might be waiting for us to escape on our own.”

“Once we’re all warmed up, if they haven’t arrived, we’ll break ourselves out.”

“You are certainly confident of your abilities. You think it’s going to be easy to break out of the most heavily guarded prison in Ferelden?”

“Well, my handsome King, the thing is, they’ve forgotten that I’m a mage. If someone doesn’t come by the time I’ve had my way with you, I intend to melt that door fairly off its hinges. But first, I need you to warm *me* up. This floor is cold.”


X


In the end, they did break out by themselves, distracting and then overpowering a guard so that they could use the key rather than melting the door. Not that she couldn’t have done it. It was just they didn’t want to give Loghain any more ammunition to use to frighten people against her. They gathered their supplies from the trunk in which they had been stored, getting dressed and strapping on their confiscated gear.

The exit from the dungeon was fairly anticlimactic – just a few brawls with guards, nothing major – and soon they found themselves back at Arl Eamon’s estate, advising him of what had happened, all that they’d uncovered at Arl Howe’s estate, the crimes he had committed and the people he’d falsely imprisoned. Queen Anora was fairly nonplussed by it all, taking it in stride and moving on to the heart of the matter: the Landsmeet and who would be voted in as ruler. She agreed that her father was not the man he had once been, that even she could no longer trust him. And soon, she took her leave, asking the Warden to see her in her rooms shortly.

The Warden said, “I can join you there, right now, if you’d like,” and followed her.

Arl Eamon chuckled as he saw Alistair stand and make to follow. “I think this is a women only conversation, my boy.”

With a wry expression he replied, “Exactly why I intend to listen in.”

“I can see that you’re worried about her – and I understand. Politics is no world for the directness of Wardens. But, it’s better to let her go now. You will never be allowed to be with her once you are King, you know. In honesty, you’d do better to court Anora. If the two of you were to marry, there would be no chance at all of civil war. There would not be a Bann or an Arl who wouldn’t stand behind the two of you united.”

Alistair stood very tall and faced the man who had taken him in and raised him. “With all due respect, I *shall* be King, and as King, I shall love whomever I wish – so long as she loves me back willingly. History portrays too many tragedies that have arisen from some noble ignoring his heart to do what others thought he should for reasons that were simply traditional. As King, I shall do what is right, regardless of who may gainsay me. And as for Anora: Anora is not qualified to be our Queen. She may have done well with guiding finances and legal documents while Cailan was alive. But since his death, she has done nothing but act as a victim. She is incapable of ruling her own household, much less an entire country. Otherwise, she would not have required OUR aid to release her from captivity from her own father – who is supposedly her subject. As I stand here, I shall never consent to marry anyone who is unworthy, as she has shown herself to be.”

“But you will need an heir…”

“When the time comes, that shall be taken care of, do not fear. But I will NEVER abandon those who love and care for me, just to dance to the tune of some nobleman tradition. Unlike my father, I will not behave in a manner that causes me to have to hide any of my actions. I will lead my country, showing them by example what is right and true behavior. In all things.”

With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Arl Eamon gaping after him. “Hm,” he muttered when he finally regathered his wits. “I am… impressed.”


X


As he neared Anora’s chambers, he could hear her raised voice. “Alistair is not qualified to be King. He doesn’t know the least thing about ruling and affairs of state. Certainly you MUST see that.”

“Hm. What I see, is that you believe you need my support in order to convince the Banns to select you to the crown. Is this not the reason you asked me here?”

“I asked you here so I could provide you with an idea of how to stop my father. But yes, I do believe it would be beneficial to Ferelden if there was unity on who should wear the crown. We would help each other in this regard.”

“While I agree that unity would be beneficial, I would prefer to secure proof of Loghain’s crimes before all else. If you have some idea where I might find this proof, I recommend you tell me where, so that I will have time to secure it before the Landsmeet. We can discuss the details of the crown once that has been taken care of.”

“What is there to discuss? You cannot be convinced that Alistair is a possible contender.”

“In battle, we learn that we must take on one task at a time, if we wish to succeed at any. Without sufficient proof against your father, I fear Alistair will be the least of your worries.”

Alistair smirked at how very commanding his love was with this woman. But he could practically hear the sneer on Anora’s face when she replied, “Fine. Have it as you will. You will find what you need in the Elven Alienage. I would start by looking into the plague that they have been suffering. Somehow, I believe my father is involved. Bring back proof, and perhaps we shall be able to stop his rush for power. Or perhaps it will mean nothing if it is only elves who are being injured by his actions there. There aren’t many who care about elves – except when they overstep their bounds.” The tone was clear that she meant not just elves in the Alienage, but the one standing in front of her as well. “You know, that reminds me. I’ve been hearing the strangest rumors about Alistair bedding an elf. Some even say he’s quite serious about her. Hm. I would imagine that when the nobles hear about this, they will agree that perhaps ‘tis better to keep the ruler they know on the throne rather than an unknown with questionable alliances. Especially when the questionable ally is not only an elf,” she managed to make the word sound like a curse, “but also a powerful mage and Warden. After all, elves cannot be trusted, mages cannot be trusted, and my father has gone to great lengths to ensure people believe that Wardens cannot be trusted.”

Without changing her bored expression, the Warden replied calmly, “Have you been spending too much time with the washerwomen that you are filled with their idle gossip? I wouldn’t believe everything you hear. It’s unworthy of a noble.” As she turned toward the door, she continued, “I shall go now to secure the proof that your father is a traitor to both his crown and his country, thereby *once again* safeguarding you from an otherwise almost certain death. Then, the crown will go to whom it must, in order to see Ferelden safe and secure while Alistair and I defeat the darkspawn threat. Would that it were otherwise. Take what comfort from that you will.” Proudly, she exited the room. Her anger was riled enough that she failed to see Alistair hiding behind the door, smirking.

He followed her down the hall, keeping enough distance so that she wouldn’t realize he’d overheard. His love had done well. She hadn’t lost her temper, even when Anora showed her true colors. And her words had hinted that Anora might still have her support for the throne, which should keep her in line.

Thinking it might be the only way to stay with his love, he had – for a time – considered giving up the throne to Anora, putting his support behind her, so long as she promised to support Elven rights and to work toward the equality of all people. But there was no way he would allow someone as mean and power-hungry as she to take the throne. It took all his self-control to not go in there and spit in her face. Honestly, like father, like daughter. If she was made queen, they’d just replace one tyrant with another.

A thought came to him, but… it was late in the day, and it would have to wait ‘til morning.


X


He awoke with one thought on his mind, and explored the estate until he finally found who he was looking for in the library. “Leliana!” he called and she looked up at him, surprised by his exuberance. “Just who I was looking for.”

“Alistair,” she replied, her tone questioning.

“I have a task that was made just for you!” He smiled and she could see the heat of ire in his mien that he was trying to mask with cheer. His dreams had been haunted by thoughts of right and wrong – and everything that was amiss with both Loghain and his daughter. The smile he wore as he faced Leliana was cunning and sharp.

“For me?” She looked a little frightened at the prospect, and his smile melted into one that was more kind.

“Yes, my good friend. Only a talented bard such as yourself is worthy to *entertain*,” the emphasis on the word made her understand that he was saying something else, “the Queen. Her ordeal, being kidnapped from her own palace, must have left her feeling somewhat nervous at being alone in her rooms. I’m sure she would feel much better having someone to keep her company. Perhaps you could regale her with tales of how honor and personal courage surpass all obstacles. May I suggest a tale of how the Grey Wardens were formed out of and to serve ALL the races?”

Leliana’s smile grew grim. “Of course. I shall be honored to perform for the Queen. I’m sure she’ll be grateful for the distraction.” She nodded tightly. “I am pleased that you think so highly of my talents as to recommend me.”

“There is honestly no other I would trust with this undertaking.”

“Then I shall endeavor to educate, as well as entertain.”

“I wish you luck in that,” he muttered, and she laughed as she exited, psaltery in hand.

Walking toward the Queen’s chambers, Leliana couldn’t help but think that Alistair was growing into his kingship. Anyone who had overheard their conversation would believe he was simply ensuring the Queen was being well catered to. But she had understood perfectly: he wanted her to keep an eye on the woman; he believed she was cowardly and dishonorable; that if unwatched, she would betray them all; that she was racist and her opinion of Grey Wardens was not much better than that of her father, making her a potential threat to the woman they both loved. And that he knew she would understand what he was saying and be up to the challenge.

With a knock on the door, she entered, announcing her intent to help the Queen pass the time. Anora was pleased with the courtesy and pressed a sovereign into her palm as thanks before allowing her to seat herself in a corner of the room and begin playing tunes on the psaltery. The bard gritted her teeth in what she hoped would pass as a grateful smile. The coin was offensive, but then, so was this woman. The Queen contented herself with reading some books, smiling to herself as Leliana played in the background. Leliana’s tunes were mostly about Elven nobility and the feats of the Grey Wardens, with the occasional ballad about deposed tyrants, but the Queen did not pay enough attention to notice.


X


While the red-haired bard was growing beyond dislike of the arrogant and self-absorbed woman in front of her, the elven Warden, along with Alistair, Wynne, and Zevran, set out to discover how truly vile Loghain really was. Their investigation into the Elven Alienage that day uncovered proof that the fiend had authorized slavers to come and abduct elves to be sold as slaves. It was clear he would stop at no indecency. As if they didn’t have enough reason to despise the man.

“It’s simply… Well, I would say that it’s unbelievable, but here is the proof right in front of us.” They’d never seen Wynne look quite so flummoxed before. “Has the man gone mad? Has he been possessed by a demon? It’s just… unthinkable.” She held the slaver’s documents as if they were a puzzle.

“It makes perfect sense to me,” the Warden said. “He started out in a life where he had no power. Then, through hard work, he obtained some. And it made him hungry for more. To the point where nothing else matters – no one else matters. To him, the end will justify any means. Like those who abandon what’s right and walk down the path of the blood mage. The lure of power can make otherwise rational men convince themselves to do what they know to be wrong, and call it right.”

Wynne cocked her head thoughtfully. “What happened with Jowan still bothers you?”

She shrugged. “It’s in the past,” she said simply.

The elder mage nodded knowingly, then guided them into the Gnawed Noble Tavern.

“Wynne?” the elf asked, inquiring why they were stopping into the inn.

Smiling, she said, “It’s been a long day. I thought a nice glass of mulled wine,” she looked at Alistair, “or a pint of ale, would be a nice way to… fortify ourselves before having to experience it all again in the retelling.”

Zevran grinned, “I like the way you think, dear lady. Although, perhaps The Pearl would be a better place for such fortification?”

Grinning right back, Wynne replied, “Were you thinking you need to brush up on your talents, Zevran?”

“Always, dear lady.”

“Well, then,” she smiled slyly, “there’s no need to waste your coin.” Her eyebrows raised suggestively while her lids slid to half-mast as if she were attempting to seduce him. And then she burst out laughing hysterically as the elven assassin’s face stared at her blankly, as if he were trying to decide how to react to her flirting. “Honestly! The look on your face! You have no need to worry, I was just teasing you.” She laughed some more.

Zevran cocked his head and his eyebrows drew together. “No. I was… just wondering why it is that I had not noticed what a beautiful woman you are before now.” His eyes roved over her body, taking especially long to assess her assets. It was now the mage’s turn to look on in disbelief. “Let us,” he laced one arm through hers and led her over to a table in the corner, “let us go sip some lovely mulled wine and speak of things other than death and darkspawn, yes?”

Still appearing slightly stunned, Wynne replied softly, “All right,” as they walked off together.

Alistair turned to the Warden with a horrified expression. “Um… EW!”

The Warden laughed and punched him in the shoulder.

“As far as I’m concerned, that never happened. Let’s never talk of this again, shall we?”

“Fine by me,” she replied, “We have more important things to discuss – like, oh, damn! Isn’t that Bann Sighard?” She sighed and went over to break the news of what had happened to her brother. Alistair instead, went to the bar and ordered them each a pint.

As he walked over to join his love, she was just finishing her conversation with the Bann. “…count on it. Thank you,” the Bann said as she stood and exited the tavern.

“What was it you said that one time, about your purpose in life being to deliver unpleasant news and puns?”

“I think I said witty one-liners.”

“Close enough.” She sighed. He handed her a pint and she sipped on it gratefully.

They sat down next to each other, leaning on one another for support. ‘The Landsmeet is tomorrow,’ she thought wearily. ‘I shouldn’t be allowing myself to remain this close to him.’ Somehow, though, she couldn’t make herself pull away.

They sat shoulder to shoulder, sipping pints, until a man in a hood stopped in front of them. They both sat upright, ready for trouble – which is typically what would happen to them in this type of situation. But today, “I am glad I found you,” came the voice of Riordan, and they relaxed a bit, but did not resume leaning against each other.

“What is it?” Alistair inquired, “You haven’t been…” his voice dropped to a whisper, “found by HIS men again, have you?”

Even though they could not see his face, they could feel his smirk. “No. I think my appearance at the Landsmeet tomorrow will still be a surprise. However, after the Landsmeet, the chances are high that we will immediately begin preparing for battle. I wanted to let you know that there is a stash of Warden gear, right here in the market district.” He gave them the location. “It seems to me that gathering such gear tonight would be a good idea, so you’ll be prepared, should we need to leave right away.”

Alistair looked at him askance, “Why don’t you just go get the items then?”

“I must remain… incognito. Everyone knows who you are. No one will give a second glance to the famous Grey Warden carrying gear as if preparing for battle. Mystery man in a hood carrying a load of weapons and armor on the other hand…”

“Right. Because wearing a dark hood doesn’t make people look at you twice. Got it.”

The Orlesian Warden paused to glare at his younger counterpart – but since it was hidden under his cowl, most of the effect was lost. “In any case, there are other things to which I must attend.” He stepped back into the shadows and practically disappeared.

They looked at each other. Didn’t it just figure? Together, they lifted their glasses and drained them to the dregs, setting the empties on the table in front of them before standing and heading out.

They left Wynne and Zevran in the corner, because… well, they didn’t even want to go over there and find out what they might be talking about.


X


“Weren’t we in this place before? Like, twice?” Alistair inquired as they explored the warehouse.

She nodded as she reached through the shelving unit to reveal a hidden vault.

“Then… what? We missed that lever how? I mean, isn’t this what we do? We find hidden things? How on earth did we miss this?! It’s huge!”

The elf rolled her eyes and began rifling through the items in the vault.

“Were we just blind? Was there a magic spell on it that only those who know it’s here are able to see it? It doesn’t make any sense!”

His rantings were cut off by her gasp.

“What? What happened?” he came over to her side as she held a shield in front of her, a stunned expression on her face.

Then she looked up and gave him a soft smile. “I think… this is for you.” She held out the shield and he took it.

“This… This is…”

“Yes. Duncan’s shield. You… said you wanted something to remember him by. And, I know we found his sword and his dagger, but… this has his symbol on it…”

He embraced her tightly. “By the Maker, words cannot express how much I love you.” Her arms naturally wrapped around him her cheek pressing into his breastplate.

And then she realized her mistake. She shrugged out of his arms. “You’d…” she turned away so he wouldn’t see her struggling to maintain her nonchalance. “You’d do the same for me.” Mentally, she was smacking herself upside her own head. ‘Stupid! You’re supposed to be making him think that you’re falling for Leliana. Not giving him reason to keep you around and prevent his becoming king.’ “That’s what friends are for, right?” She cringed at the sound of her own voice saying that. Even to her own ears it sounded hollow.

“Ri-ight. Friends.” He made his voice sound like he was somewhere between joking and hurt, but inside he was shaking his head and chuckling. ‘Wow. She’s actually… a really terrible actress. Well, regardless of what she thinks she’s doing, she won’t get rid of me that easily.’ “Well, friend, maybe it’s time we returned to Arl Eamon’s estate and got some rest. Tomorrow is bound to be a long day. And I’m sure Anora will not waste a moment in telling you how much she deserves the crown.” He gathered as much of the equipment he could without looking at her, then turned and began leading the way as if he were hurt by what she’d said.

She cringed at how much his tone made her heart ache. But this was what needed to be done. Squaring her shoulders, she gathered the rest of the gear, and followed.


X


Once back at the estate, she had some work to do. Her first task she’d intended was to update the Arl on what was uncovered. But he was out speaking with other nobles in preparation for the Landsmeet, so that meeting would be delayed. She looked forward to the prospect. After all, they now had the son of the former Arl of Denerim willing to testify that he had been falsely imprisoned by Loghain to ensure the Arl-dom to Howe, the promise of testimony from Bann Sighard on what Loghain had done to her brother, and these documents proving his complicity in the slaving ring – which may very well have been the reason why Loghain had acted in a way to cause the riots in the Alienage (which he had tried to blame on the Wardens). With all this, it was unlikely that even Loghain could fast-talk his way out of facing justice.

Her next task was to find Leliana. Her surprise when told that her companion could be found in the Queens rooms lasted only a moment. It was actually very like her to find an unobtrusive way to protect their interests while investigating the “lay of the land.” In truth, this could work well, greeting her in front of Anora, with just a little effort this could help secure Alistair as king.

She entered the room – the door was open – and bowed to the Queen. “My Queen,” she stated, “We have secured what we could for tomorrow’s landsmeet.” Then she stood as if hearing the music and turned to Leliana, “I see you have been entertaining the queen in my absence?” She turned back to the queen, raised an eyebrow and inquired, allowing a touch of asperity into her voice – as if she were attempting to hide jealousy, “I trust her songs have soothed you as they have often soothed me, and provided comfort while in your temporary exile from the palace?”

Leliana immediately picked up on the tone and giggled. She stood, psaltery in hand, and walked over to her friend. She ran one hand down the elf’s arm. “I am glad to see you are back, my friend.” She smiled broadly. “If you will excuse me now, my Queen, it is getting late – and I must make sure our Warden Champion eats a full dinner. She has a tendency to skip meals if I- if *someone* doesn’t remind her that even she needs to keep her strength up.” She laughed aloud as the queen nodded, a startled look on her face.

“And you think I will need my strength tonight?” she asked.

Leliana just smiled and took the Warden’s hand, pulling her out of the room.

As they walked toward the elf’s room, she said, “Leliana, you were brilliant in there. I could absolutely kiss you.”

The bard twirled and pulled her into an embrace, whispering in her ear, “Don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep, my sister.” Then she laughed again, grabbing her hand and pulling the bemused Warden smiling behind her.

Three servants looked askance at each other as the Warden’s door closed behind the two women. One of them said, “So THAT’S how it is!”

Once secure in her room, they started chatting about all that had happened. The Warden’s tales of the slavery ring had Leliana gasping in horror, and her description of what had happened in the tavern afterward had her practically doubling over in laughter. “Oh, I wish I could have seen it. No… Wait. … No I don’t!” And then she burst into another round of laughter.

Leliana, on the other hand, was able to tell only of the self-important Queen. “Could a woman BE more self-absorbed? She actually had the servants bring her three different bowls of stew. One was too salty for her liking, and another was too cold. The final one she complained was too hot, and,” she laughed, “the servant who was to take it back and bring her another just stepped out into the hall, holding it for a minute or two, stirring it and sampling it herself. I could see her, but the Queen couldn’t. Then she brought it back in and finally it was ‘just right’. What kind of woman can’t cool her own stew?”

“It was bad enough when we had to worry about Loghain. But she’s like a smaller, more annoying, female version of him. She certainly is her father’s daughter. I swear if the Landsmeet selects her to the crown, I’ll be tempted to fight for the darkspawn – because they’ll almost deserve to be overrun. …Almost.”

Leliana, brushing her friend’s hair, replied, “No. You’ll fight for what’s right – as always. And if they select her, we shall simply set Zevran on her.” Then her eyes opened wide. “Ew! Not that way! I meant…”

They both fell over laughing again, thinking of the elven assassin together at the tavern with Wynne. Oh, they would have to give the old mage a hard time about THAT later.


X


The gossip that the two women had spent hours in the Warden’s room had reached the Queen’s ears. As well as tales that sounds could be heard from in there – giggling and sighs – for several hours after the door had locked behind them. The trays that were sent to the room for dinner were accepted by the bard, who was noted to be in just a simple shift at the time.

At first, Anora wasn’t quite sure what to think. It could have been an elaborate ruse, the display they’d put on in her room. But… it had felt real – they truly seemed to care for each other. And, then there was their behavior when only the servants were watching... That must indicate the behavior was real, mustn’t it? For who would put on an act for servants? To be certain, she set her maid to watch. Early in the morning, a grinning minstrel slipped from the mage’s room and quietly made her way to her own. The maid immediately reported the situation to the Queen.

Well, this was interesting. Perhaps she had less to worry about than she feared. The mage had implied that the rumors about her and Alistair were exaggerated. If she had a relationship with the female minstrel, it was likely that Alistair either had not bedded the elf, or that his feelings were unrequited. Either way, the mage would not be an effective block to his receiving the crown, which was disappointing. But contrarily, both the mage and the minstrel had called her their queen, and the mage had said – in an off-the-cuff manner – that her exile from the palace was temporary.

She hated to assume too much. But, in this instance… The mage didn’t really seem capable of subtlety, she was more the what-you-see-is-what-you-get type. All things considered, in this instance, she supposed she would accept at face value that the Warden would back her for Queen. Alistair might still make an attempt for the crown, but without the backing of the elf Warden, it would most likely fail. And then, she’d see him dead, and her own position would be secure. From him and from her father.

She loved her father, but… Truly, it vexed her that he had not come to her, but instead gone behind her back to try to usurp her own power. If he had simply asked, she would have SHARED the power with him. But he had not. He had assumed that she was a child, unable to be strong. Well she would show him that she could hold and maintain power. It was about time he learned that she was not just his daughter. She was a queen.


X


The time for the Landsmeet finally came – nearly a week later. Alistair, the Warden, Leliana, and Wynne gathered together and made their way to the palace, only to find their way blocked by Loghain’s lieutenant, Ser Cauthrien. Luckily, the woman was made to admit that Loghain had, in fact, abandoned his king and that what he was doing was unworthy of his former glory – that something was obviously wrong and he needed to be stopped. Her interruption caused the team to be late, but not terribly so.

Not that Loghain didn’t try to use it as an excuse to not have to hear what they had to say.

In fact, the arrogance of the man, the extent of his willingness to lie, was proven to be obscene within just the first few minutes of their arrival. Not only did he try to state that the death of King Cailan was the fault of the elven Warden – an interesting feat that would have required time travel to be true, since she hadn’t even become a Grey Warden until the night before the battle, and the plans had been laid out for weeks prior – but he attempted to claim that the elf had kidnapped (and possibly murdered) his daughter the Queen. Luckily, she stepped out at just that moment to refute his claims.

And when he called for a vote, the Banns were almost unanimously behind the Warden. Yet even so, he refused to step down – calling them all traitors and further alienating everyone there. He called for a duel, and the Landsmeet – even though they’d already voted in the Warden’s favor – refused to stand by their decision and allowed the “test of arms” to be the arbiter. It reminded the Warden of the insanity of the dwarven proving grounds – where “the ancestors” supposedly showed favor by allowing the victor his win. However, defeating Teryn Loghain would give everyone there comfort – if the Warden could defeat the Hero of Ferelden, then there would be no doubt that she was right to lead the armies against the darkspawn. And so, she acquiesced.

The duel went by much more rapidly than the usurper Loghain had anticipated. The Warden’s mix of magic and swordplay disabled him fairly quickly and soon he was kneeling, apologizing, stating that he underestimated her abilities. The Warden was declared the uncontested victor.

Yet rather than allowing the duel to come to its logical conclusion, Riordan attempted to intervene: to convince everyone to allow Loghain to become a Warden himself. The four adventurers just gave each other a look. The man had been blaming Wardens for everything evil and wrong with the world – making him a Warden would be a somewhat ironic judgment. But in their time together, the one thing they’d learned was that people do not change that much, nor that quickly – even when they absorb the darkspawn taint, they remain the person they were before at their core. And this man had proven himself to be a paranoid and power-hungry tyrant who cared little for anyone if they were not directly supporting his personal goals.

The Warden gave the judgment. “No. He must die for his crimes.”

Anora attempted to intervene, but – for a change – Loghain acted with dignity and accepted his punishment as the Warden took his life.

After, Arl Eamon declared Alistair the King, and he, in his usual foot-in-mouth effort to ensure that things were done correctly, denied the claim – as opposed to his intent which was to try to make sure everyone was in agreement before agreeing to it. Anora was quick to take advantage and announce that if he was rejecting the crown, she would take it, which led the assembly to declare the Warden the arbiter of the decision.

Honestly, these were the nobles? They were completely incapable of making a decision, and once made, they pretended it had not.

For decorum’s sake – and to help the nobles see the REAL differences between their two choices – she asked each of them why they felt they should have the crown.

Alistair’s comments were heartfelt – about how he had never asked for the crown, but would never shirk his duty to do what is right, and how, through his time with the Warden had learned that there was more to himself than he’d ever suspected. “I love this land. And my people. I can DO this. You’re the one who made me see that.”

Anora spoke mostly to degrade Alistair, supplemented with words that besmirched the capabilities of her dead husband, King Cailan, claiming that all the ruling power had been her throughout their marriage.

The Warden rolled her eyes. “I have made my decision. Before me stands a man who never asked to be born of noble blood, who would have been content to live the life of a commoner, but – when duty called was willing to give his very life to protect the lives of the innocent. Also before me stands a woman, who I’m sure did handle the daily ruling needs of Ferelden while married to Cailan. And while Alistair claims only to try to do his very best, Anora claims this makes him weak – claims that others will try to usurp that power. Yet, when she inherited the throne after Cailan’s death, she was immediately kidnapped and threatened by her own father, who actually *did* usurp the throne.

“And while I understand that there is some measure of blindness that can happen between children and their parents, I have to wonder if this is truly the case here. Or if she is projecting her fears, her own weakness onto Alistair. As we just witnessed, so distraught for the loss of her father was she that there was not even a missed beat before she attempted to claim the throne, even while the man’s blood was still flowing from the killing blow.

“No. I say that the true leader is not one who clamors for power, who is willing to kill or threaten anyone in the way of obtaining that power, but he who wishes merely to serve the people. And in that regard, there can only be one choice. Alistair has already committed his entire life in service to others. As King of Ferelden, he will do no less.”

Arl Eamon declared, “Then it is decided. We have a new King.” The Landsmeet erupted into applause. “Anora, you must swear fealty and give up claims to the throne for you and your heirs.”

“If you believe that I will do that, then you know nothing about me,” she declared.

Sighing, the Arl said, “Well, we cannot leave things in this state. We must have unity.”

The Warden scowled. “I suppose it’s too much to expect you to respect the decision of this Landsmeet. After all, it’s the decision of the people you claim to care so much about.”

“It was not their decision,” she haughtily declared. “It was YOURS.”

She nodded. “Oh, and so you cannot accept the decision because it was made by the winner of a duel, that was conducted according to the traditions of Ferelden? Or because the one who made it is an elven mage and a Warden. And, as you said to me, elves, mages, and Wardens cannot be trusted. Even when they’re the only ones who were willing to risk their own lives to save yours? You overestimate your own worth, Anora, and underestimate that of all those around you.”

The former Queen stood there, fumbling for words. “I…”

Alistair stood tall and said, “We don’t really have time to deal with her right now. Lock her in the tower and treat her as a royal guest – with limited rights of movement, of course – until the blight is defeated.”

The Warden looked exasperated at him and he said, “I don’t relish the thought of killing any citizens of Ferelden – even ones who are racist, power hungry bitches who care only for their own comfort. Once the blight is defeated, we can make a final judgment. And if you and I fail to survive the battle with the archdemon, someone will need to rally the people. That task can fall to her. …Or perhaps she’ll save us from the threat directly. She could threaten to take it as her mate. That should frighten it off, and if not, at least they would be a match in temperament and underhandedness.”

The Warden stared at him for a second, and then burst out laughing.

Anora merely blinked. “Even after all this, you would let me live?”

Alistair shrugged, but the Warden responded, “Alistair is a fair and just King. Because he truly understands and cares for his people. He will be the best king Ferelden has ever known.”

The former queen cocked her head and looked at the Warden through slitted eyes. “You ARE in love with… But...” Leliana immediately stood guard behind the elf, looking like she was ready to ward off any threats. Anora’s eyes darted from Warden to minstrel to King and back again. “I thought… my servants heard… all night… Which is it? I don’t understand.”

Leliana raised one eyebrow and said, “I agree. You do not understand. I feel sorry, that even though you once were married, you have never experienced what a wonder love is. I will pray that someday you come to learn it.”

Alistair tried his best to look innocent, cleared his throat and addressed his subjects, “We have a hard battle ahead of us. The blight MUST be defeated. And together, we WILL defeat it. Until the hoard is dispersed, I must take part in the battle. Once the battle is done, I will return as your King, to lead Ferelden into a new era of peace – for all her citizens. Until that time, I ask Arl Eamon to act as Regent, and my fellow Grey Warden to lead our armies into battle.

“We will fight the darkspawn, we shall face the archdemon, and he shall be DEFEATED!”

The Landsmeet burst into a roar of approval. The Warden murmured, “Nice speech. Very kingly.” And then chuckled as the king blushed.

Then, everyone began filing out of the hall. The Landsmeet was finally over.


X


Leliana walked back to Arl Eamon’s estate, arm in arm with the Warden. Somehow, she made it seem to the casual observer as if either the two of them were good friends – or maybe more than just friends, possibly? The gossip had already started to spread about the fact they’d spent the night together.

But no one was able to tell that the Warden had expended just about all of her strength in the confrontations and trials she’d faced that day.

The fact was, Alistair was king now. And that meant – in her mind – they could never again be together. She hadn’t even been able to spend a last night with him, and now it was all done. Oh, it was better this way – she’d already laid the seeds for him to start thinking she had broken their bond. But that didn’t make it any easier on her heart.

Leliana guided her back to her room, helped her keep moving and keep her legs under her, ensured that no one was the wiser. Once there, she helped her friend out of her armor, tucked her into her bed, stroked her hair and said, “Would you like me to stay, or would you rather be alone?”

“I…” she couldn’t even decide. Was it selfish to want the bard to comfort her when she could never give her what she truly wanted? Was it terrible to want to be alone? Would it be better to have Leliana there so people would think that, for certain, they were together? “I…”

Leliana stroked her hair some more and said, “Shhhh. I understand. It is okay to cry, my sister. I will stay with you for a bit.” She began humming a lullaby as her friend sobbed into her pillow. Eventually, her sobs abated and her breathing began to even out. Still humming, the bard saw that her friend had finally allowed herself to fall into a restful sleep. She smiled and stood, making her way out of the chamber to find the new king.


X


When she did finally find him, she started the conversation with, “We need to talk.”

He nodded and said, “Yes. There is much planning we must do before we leave. Arl Eamon has already left for Redcliffe. The armies are assembling there. We will need to join them as soon as we are able.” He looked up at the men who had been gathered in his rooms to hear his command and advise him of their efforts for preparations, “We will depart as soon as everything is made ready. I expect to see everyone gathered in front of the estate in four hours." The men bowed, fists covering their hearts, then turned to take on whatever tasks had been set to them.

After they had exited, Leliana smiled. “She knew what she was doing – you are a natural leader, Alistair.”

He sank into a chair and held his head in his hands. “Ugh,” he declared vehemently. “Just tell me she’s alright.”

“You noticed?”

“That you half carried her back from the palace? Yes. I noticed. Was the battle with Loghain really that tough? If so, perhaps we *should* have kept him alive-”

Shaking her head, the bard explained, “You know that had nothing to do with it. You’re king now. In her mind, the man she loves is officially out of reach. As far as she believes, the two of you are over, and she is destined to not only be alone, but to make you believe she has betrayed you. Or have you not heard the gossip yet about the shows we put on for the Queen and several of the servants?”

He chuckled wearily. “Yes. I’d heard. Half the estate was scandalized and the other half just wishes they could have seen it. They watch hopefully for a repeat even now.”

Eyes sparkling, she responded, “And which half did you fall into?”

The new king just shook his head. “Ah, ah, ah! You will make me think very bad thoughts, if you keep this up. Very DISTRACTING thoughts. Ones that require cold baths to temper. As if I didn’t have enough need for those already.”

“I think you have answered my question, haven’t you?” she winked at him.

His eyes crinkled in that cute way they did whenever he was truly pleased by something. “You are a wonder, Leliana. And a true friend.”

She nodded. “Yes, yes. I am much too good for the likes of you!”

“Of that, there was never any doubt.”

Her face grew grim and she continued, “So what comes next? She is heartbroken right now, yet as firm in her resolve as ever.”

He sighed. “It would be so much easier if she weren’t so stubborn.

“After we defeat the archdemon, people will be so relieved, that there will be a much greater acceptance of me as King. And, as she is the one who will lead the armies, she will be hero of Ferelden. I expect for the most part there will be rejoicing when I declare her my consort. And then, as they get used to the changes, get used to seeing elves as equals, I will officially crown her as Queen.”

The bard responded, “You sound very certain.”

“That these things will take place, I am completely certain. I will not rest until they have. But about how much to tell her, how soon – that’s the part that worries me. She will fight me, fight all this.”

Leliana pursed her lips. “I think… the two of you both have plans for each other that you aren’t sharing. And that is not the smart way for two people who are bonded to behave.” She grabbed his hand and started walking with him. “You will be there when she awakens, and you will kiss her and tell her what you really want. And together, the two of you will make a whole new plan that you can both agree upon. And then, you will lead Ferelden out of the blight. And I will sing ballads of your love that will make even the most grizzled veterans weep.”

Smiling bemusedly, Alistair responded, “You really are amazing, Leliana. If I wasn’t already in love…”

“Yes, yes. We’ve already covered this – I am too good for you. Now get in there and stop our love’s heart from aching! If you screw this up, I will feel absolutely no compunction about stealing her away from you in reality, not just as pretend.” She opened the Warden’s bedroom door and pushed him through it, closing it behind him and sinking to a sitting position outside. Then, shaking her head, she waited. No one would enter and interrupt with her on guard there.


X


He sank to his knees by the side of her bed and just looked at her for several moments. Her beauty was truly stunning, but right now, it was marred slightly by the fact that even in her sleep, her brow was crinkled in dismay. “Oh, my love,” he whispered, one hand reaching up to brush an errant hair off her face. “I will not forsake you nor break my bond. Even when death parts us, I will remain yours. By the Maker, I swear this. I will not live without you.”

She shook her head in negation as she slept, obviously dreaming. “Nnn..” she moaned. “Nnnn… No.” Then she sat bolt upright as she awoke, crying, “No! Alistair!”

The king jumped back a pace at her movement, but then responded, “It’s okay. I am here.”

Her eyes were wide and frantic and it took several seconds for them to focus on him. Her brow drew down in confusion as she fought through the remaining fog of her dream. “Alistair?”

He nodded and she threw herself into his arms hugging him. “Oh! Thank the Maker! It was a dream!” He wrapped his arms around her, enjoying the feel of having her once again in his arms. It had been… less than two weeks since their last tryst – in dungeon at Fort Drakon, no less, yet it felt like forever. He lowered his cheek to rest on the top of her head, smelled the fresh herbal scent of her hair.

And then everything came back to her and she realized her situation. The Warden pulled herself away and furiously tried to backpedal. “I… my King... We… We need to talk.”

With a sigh and a slight roll to his eyes, he said wearily, “Stop.”

“Stop what?”

He gave her a disgruntled look, pulled her back into his arms and said, “I know what you’re trying to do. Just stop.”

With an effort, she pushed him away, and with a sorrow she didn’t have to feign, whispered, “You’re right. Stop. I need to stop. That’s why. I need to. Tell you. I’m so sorry. I should have said this sooner. But, with everything happening… But it’s not fair to you. To Lelian-”

He interrupted her by laughing. She looked affronted, so he patted her on the head. “You are a terrible liar, my love.”

“I… I don’t know what you mean. I have not spoken one word to you that wasn’t true in the entire time I’ve known you..”

Snorting, he responded, “There are more ways to lie than to speak an untruth, my dear. Fortunately, you are terrible at all of them – or at least you are terrible at lying to me. I have seen you lie to others convincingly. It must be because you love me so.” He smiled.

“I…” She looked away.”

“You love me, and I love you. And nothing will ever change that. Nothing.”

She reached out and touched one arm, appearing torn. “Alistair…”

“You know, I’m not so dull that I can’t see – you believe that if you stay with me, that what Anora said about me being a weak king will be true, that people will attempt to undermine me through you and there will be unrest. But Anora is a fool! She knows how to manage accounts, certainly, but any merchant knows as much. Every other trait needed by a sovereign, she lacks: a understanding of what the people really need and want, an understanding of right and wrong, and a willingness to sacrifice yourself to stand for what is right, even in the face of certain defeat.

“That’s something you and I understand because we live it every day. As Wardens, we throw ourselves into the breech between the people of the land and the terrible evil attempting to overtake it.

“But there is more evil in the world than just the darkspawn horde. And as Wardens, we will face it and defeat it. First the blight, of course. But once that is done, there will be more for you and I to face, more evils that have plagued this land for far too long. As King, I will stand for what is right, and there will be no one who will deter me from doing what must be done. No one.”

He took a deep breath and released it. Then he smiled. “Once we’ve defeated the archdemon, do you know what I plan to do as king? I will guide the people by restoring equality to all the people. No more will one race be looked at as inferior to others. All citizens of Ferelden will have equal standing in the eyes of the law.” He sighed, “I know it’s not that simple, and it won’t be easy. It’s not like the walls surrounding the Alienage don’t also protect those living there as well as segregate them.

“But don’t you see? The very fact that Loghain was able and willing to sacrifice Elven lives to slavers is proof that this is needed NOW. The time is right. The Maker brought you and I together as a symbol. As a sign of hope for everyone. We are MEANT TO BE together. We are meant to rule Ferelden together – as King and Queen. You made me King. And once we’ve defeated the Archdemon – with you leading our armies – you’ll be the hero of Ferelden. If Loghain could become Teryn for just defeating the Orlesians, the people will cheer when I announce my intent to take you as my wife.”

The Warden stared at the man in front of her. And then she started to laugh. “You’re… You’re crazy!”

He pouted a little and thrust up his chin. “Maybe. But maybe I don’t care. This is right. You KNOW it is.”

“Alistair, no. I know it’s hard to hear, but you’ve got to let me go.”

He shook his head. “This isn’t you – this is fear talking. You’re afraid for me. I understand why – you’ve seen the bigotry and pointless hatred first hand your whole life. But you’re not someone who lets fear rule her. You’re a woman who grabs fear by the throat and strangles it, kicking and screaming, to a painful and bloody death. I don’t want that to change ever. You… Pretending you’d broken our bond, just to try to trick me into breaking it? Did you think that would make me happy? Do you honestly believe that there is ANYONE on this EARTH who could compare to you?

“I LOVE you. I told you before that if you left me that I would go for a long walk down the dark roads, naked as the day I was born. Did you think that would change if I’d thought you’d slept with Leliana? If I thought you’d fallen out of love with me and in love with her? I assure you, it would change nothing.

“But I’m not that stupid. I know that you have not slept with her, nor have you stopped loving me.” He grabbed her hand and pressed it to his breast. “I know you haven’t.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Tell me. Tell me, my love. I need to hear you say it.”

She looked so lost, staring at her hand against his lips. “I… I don’t… I can’t…” Finally, she closed her eyes in pain. “Oh, Maker, forgive me. But I can’t… I could never love anyone other than you.”

He exhaled in relief and pulled her close, kissing her ‘til they were both breathless. Then, he held her in his arms as if he never intended to let her go. “My love.”

“Why can’t I do what is right and let you go?” she whispered into his shoulder, her arms around him, hands holding fistfuls of the back of his jerkin. “You make me want to believe in your crazy dream.”

He half laughed and half sobbed, “A year ago, the thought that I would fall in love with the most beautiful woman in the land, and that she would love me in return – and fight evil incarnate to make me King of Ferelden – that would have seemed a crazy dream. Yet here we are.”

She smiled up at him, her eyes still wet with tears. “Here we are,” she said, one hand stroking his cheek. “Oh, love. I’ve missed you.”

He held her shoulders and looked her square in the eyes. “I’m not crazy. I know exactly how difficult this will be. But… as long as you’re by my side, I will have the strength to face even an archdemon. And after that, changing the minds of practically everyone in Ferelden… well… how difficult can THAT be, right?”

He closed his eyes and sighed. “Seriously though, I know that my plans may make killing an archdemon seem like child’s play. But I believe it will be worth the effort. Why stop at making the world a better place by simply ridding it of the blight, right? Go all out, I say! Who are we to rest and relax? We wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves.”

She shook her head and rolled her eyes.

“There is one more thing… one more problem we may still face between us, and that is that – as king, I will someday need to… provide an heir. Two grey wardens – they may not be able to conceive. Heck, I’m not even sure if a grey warden could conceive with a non-grey warden. All the wardens I’ve met with children had them before the Joining. If we cannot conceive… But… we’ll cross that bridge if we come to it. First, I intend to do everything I can to conceive an heir with YOU.” He raised one eyebrow suggestively and she snorted a laugh.

“Well then,” she said, smiling her first genuine smile in days, “perhaps we should start practicing now. After all, practice makes perfect, they say.”

“Oh, lady,” he sighed, kissing her, “you were already perfect to begin with.”

Chuckling, she said, “There’s no need for flattery, my King. After all, you’re already in my bed.”

“I guess I am at that, aren’t I?”

And then, there were no words for some time.


X


Later, kissing her brow, he sighed. “As much as I would prefer to stay here with you all day, I… sort of ordered all the men to be prepared to leave for Redcliffe. I made told them to be ready in four hours… that was about two hours ago.”

She laughed and said, “Ah, the perils of being the King. People actually listen to what you say.”

“It is something I am quite unaccustomed to,” he agreed.

“Well, we had better prepare ourselves as well, then, hadn’t we?” With lingering caresses, they helped each other dress for their journey. The Warden gathered all their equipment in her knapsack, taking care to ensure her rose was safe and secure as usual.

Alistair peeked over her shoulder as she did and whispered in her ear, “See! I knew you loved me. You kept it all this time.”

She smiled. “Of course not. This is an entirely different rose. I’ll have you know that people regularly give roses to me as a gift. It’s odd really, but what can you do? For some reason people see me and develop an urge to thrust roses my way.”

“Right. And here I thought I was special.”

She bonked him on the forehead with the rosebud. “Of course it’s the one you gave me, idiot. It’s the only gift I’ve ever gotten from the only man I’ve ever loved. What did you think I’d do with it?”

He kissed her again, then.

A voice through the door interrupted them. “Are you two done in there yet? I’m starting to get hungry, and we are supposed to be ready to leave in less than two hours!”

The Warden blushed and ran to the door. “Leliana!”

“Ah, it is about time! Honestly. You spent only a week apart.” She clucked her tongue. “But it does make me wonder – is his stamina directly linked to your… time off? Imagine how long he’d last if you were apart for a month!”

Alistair slapped his hand over his face. “I’m not hearing this. I’m not. La la la la la la. Not hearing anything.”

“Leliana, you…”

She smiled and hugged her friend. “Did I not promise you that I would do everything in my power to support your happiness? In truth, I have not seen you this happy in weeks.” She smirked cockily. “I am a very good sister, no?”

The warden nodded with a small smile. But Alistair did one better. He grabbed the bard by the shoulders and, “You are beautiful and wonderful, and should be kissed soundly for your efforts,” and then he kissed her loudly and wetly on each cheek.

“Ew! Alistair!”

The elf laughed heartily. There were blessings and beauty in life, even in the face of the blight.


X


The trip to Redcliffe was fairly uneventful for the most part. They stopped at the tower along the way to stock up on some supplies, but other than that, it was march, fight stray darkspawn, march, camp, sleep. Repeat. Okay, for the Wardens, the sleep didn’t come RIGHT away. But you get the idea.

Arriving at Redcliffe Village, they were disheartened to see the settlement was not as they had left it. Many of the buildings had been destroyed, and the only sign of life was a single man facing a small band of darkspawn. Immediately, they set upon the vile beasts, dispatching them quickly. The man thanked them and told them that the villagers were safe – for now – in the castle. The party set off at once, killing the waves of genlocks and hurlocks as they came across them.

Upon entry to the castle, they met with the Arl, and with Riordan, who brought devastating news. The darkspawn horde was not heading toward Redcliffe, as expected, but was on its way to Denerim. Denerim, where they had just come from.

Worse yet, the horde was being led by the archdemon itself. It was as if the darkspawn had spies somehow – to move with such intelligence to the place where they could cause the most damage. The place they had just left was practically unguarded, and there was no way they could get there in time to prevent the vile creatures from attacking the city. The decision was made to march as quickly as possible, in order to save what they could.

In an audience with the Wardens later, Riordan asked them what they planned as tactics for defeating the archdemon.

“You mean there’s more to it than simply chopping its head off?” Alistair quipped.

Riordan grimaced. “I feared you might not have been told. There is a reason why only Wardens can defeat a blight. And it’s not just because the taint allows us to sense their presence. Archdemons are somewhat immortal. Possessing the souls of old gods, they can move from one body to the next. So, when the body they are in is killed, they simply move into the closest darkspawn available and are… reborn, as it were. But Wardens have the mastered the taint within themselves. When a Warden kills an Archdemon, and it attempts to move within the nearest darkspawn, it is drawn to possess the Warden. This contains the soul – traps it – and the Warden’s soul ultimately defeats it permanently. But more than just the Archdemon’s soul is destroyed in the battle. The Warden who strikes the killing blow dies as well. This is the reason for the Wardens’ saying: in death, sacrifice.”

The two stood silent for a moment.

“As the oldest Warden, it is my responsibility to make the final killing blow. I do not have that many years left before I would need to leave for the dark roads anyway. But. Should I fail, the task must fall to another Grey Warden. You must be prepared for this, so that you will not hesitate when the time comes. There is no one else. Other Wardens from Orlais are being dispatched, but they will not arrive for weeks. Only we three can stop this Archdemon in time to prevent Ferelden from being utterly destroyed. That is why I had wanted to make Loghain one of us.”

They exchanged glances with one another. After all this… And this was how it would end? They smiled sadly at one another, each planning how they would ensure that the other would be the one to live.

Riordan bid them to get some rest – difficult though it may be in coming – as they would need to set a furious pace to reach Denerim before it was completely laid waste.

The elven Warden smiled sadly at her love. “I… I believe I shall go see to our weapons and make sure everything is in order for our march tomorrow. I’d hate to lose this battle just because I failed to ensure we had enough lyrium.”

He smiled back and touched her shoulder. Quickly, she turned. They had just worked through one difficulty. And now, this. The fates were cruel indeed.

Half-heartedly, Alistair trudged to his sleeping quarters. As he entered the room, he had already begun unbuckling his armor. One last night of rest, and then it would be fighting until death. Well, he did not intend to spend it alone. He would prepare his room to be the most romantic…

His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed Morrigan was sitting on his bed. “You! What are you doing in here.”

“Alistair,” she intoned his name imperiously. “We need to talk.”

Eyebrow raised in skepticism he said, “What on earth could we possibly have to talk about?”

Nodding, she responded, “It is true that I think you’re an idiot and a fool. And you find me to be a… ‘complete bitch’ I think was the phrase you used? But even the worst of enemies can work together to achieve a common goal, as we’ve proven time and again in our adventures. And tonight, I offer you the key to the thing you want more than anything else in the world. So, I suggest you set aside your disdain and take the gift that is offered you, before I change my mind.”

Sneering, he responded, “What on earth do you have that I could possibly want?”

Her response was simple, “A way for the archdemon to be killed without the need for a Grey Warden to die in the process.”

Suspicion shadowed his face, “What do you know about that?”

“I know more than you think. I know how the joining works, about the taint within you. And how the Archdemon will attempt to respawn in the Warden who kills him. You know as well as I what is likely to happen in the final battle. It will come the time for the final blow to be struck. And before you can even consider making a move, she’ll have taken it on herself, killing the demon and herself in the process.”

He grimaced. “I *won’t* let that happen.”

She laughed, “Oh, really now. And how can you be certain? Even if you managed to get there before her, she’d knock you unconscious in order to save you and make the sacrifice herself. You know I’m right. She believes saving you is absolutely necessary for the good of Ferelden. You are her King. And if she faces the Archdemon, she will die. But I offer you an alternative.”

“I’m going to hate myself for asking this, I’m sure, but what alternative?”

Smiling languidly, she responded, “There is a ritual that I know. One that would ensure that the slain archdemon’s soul would NOT enter her. Or you. This ritual would require your… participation.”

“My participation?”

She sighed. “To put it bluntly, Alistair, you would need to sleep with me.”

“Wha- What? I?! Sleep with you?! You’re joking!” He started laughing, “Oh, that is funny. Did you really think I would fall for this jest?” She just stared at him and his laughter died. “You’re not joking. You’re serious. You know I love her. We have bonded with each other. Do you think I’m willing to throw that bond away? To sleep with YOU? You’re a pretty enough woman, Morrigan, certainly, to seduce almost any man – who didn’t know you. Why not find some man down at the tavern. Just keep from talking so they don’t see what a bitch you are, and they’ll fall at your feet, I’m sure.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment – though I know that wasn’t your intent. No, Alistair. For this ritual to work, it has to be you. There is no other. Why do you think I came to you with this request? I am well aware that you and she care for each other. And as sickening as the two of you are at times, I would not wish to do anything that might… hurt her. She is the first – the only – friend I’ve ever had. But if she doesn’t know about it, then she won’t be hurt. You can even think of it as proving your love to her. After all, I despise you and you despise me – the only possible reason we would even consider this would be for her sake. Is this not true?”

He groaned. “But why? Why does it have to be me?”

With a lecturing tone, she continued, “You have the darkspawn taint in you. And that taint will be passed on to the child that will be conceived. When the Archdemon is slain, that taint will shine like a beacon – brighter than the taint in any Warden. It will seek it out, and rather than possessing you, it will attempt to possess the child.”

He looked like he had been slapped. “And THAT’s an ANSWER?! You’d have me create a child just to have it killed before it’s even born?!”

“As much as you despise me, I am not a monster. The child would NOT be injured, nor harmed in any way by the possession. It would merely be… altered. You see, because the child will be unborn – in fact, it will be so unformed as to be mere tissues, not even full systems; one could scarce even call it a child at the point the possession will take place – because of this, there are… protections it will have that you Wardens would not, protections of the womb, as it were. I will protect the child within me, and after I have given it birth, I will raise it as my own.”

Alistair shook his head and began to pace. “You’re saying you want to have a child with me. Is this because I’m king? I-”

“No, you daft idiot. Do you honestly think I would subject myself to your dubious attentions if it were not absolutely necessary? You are the only one who can do this. You’re new enough to the Wardens that the taint is still fresh and affects your seed. Those who have been Wardens for longer, their bodies eventually build a defense, one that protects their progeny from inheriting the taint. The only way this ritual will work is if a new Warden impregnates me, so that the child will inherit the taint. That is the only way to draw the Archdemon. Once the Archdemon is defeated, I will leave – and you’ll never have to see me again. In fact, I swear that once the demon dies, I will leave Ferelden. And neither I nor my child will ever enter this land again.”

He tapped his finger against his lips. “Hmmm… Never having to see you again. That WOULD be a boon. But what about the child? I’m not too keen on creating a bastard child and deserting it to be raised without me. That would be too much like following in the footsteps of my own father.”

“I’m afraid seeing the child is out of the question. If you agree to this, you will never even meet. I will raise it as I see fit – in a land far from here. Neither I nor the child need ever trouble you again. You can pretend as if this night were just a horrible nightmare.” Under her breath she added, “I know that’s what *I* intend to do.”

Alistair continued his pacing and didn’t respond.

“So? What is it? Will you conduct this ritual with me and save your love, or will you allow her to sacrifice herself needlessly?”

Still pacing, he responded, “I… I need time. Time alone to think.”

Nodding, she responded as to a dim-witted child, “Very well. I shall wait here. You go off and think. Do not strain yourself – I know you are unused to the effort.”

“Oh, your seduction technique is amazing, Morrigan. Honestly. Astounding.” His mutterings followed him as he exited the room.

What was he to do? He couldn’t talk to her about it. Morrigan was right in thinking that she would never agree to this ritual. He was certain she’d already come to the conclusion that she would be the one to make the killing blow – thus saving the land, saving the king, and saving her love, all in one fell swoop. Ever the honorable hero. She would hear of this ritual and think it too high a price – would believe it dishonorable to ask a not-as-of-yet conceived child to take on that which she did not want to herself, just to save her own life.

But what did *he* think?

Losing her would be… the worst possible thing he could imagine. But then, he wasn’t exactly known for his wild imagination. That was more Leliana’s bailiwick. Wait… Leliana.

He turned to go find her, and almost ran into her – they ended up face to face, noses mere centimeters from colliding. They both backed away slowly and cautiously.

“My word, Alistair. You appear… distraught. What has happened?”

“I… I’ve heard quite a bit of disturbing news, and… I don’t quite know what to make of it all.”

“Perhaps if you talked to a friend it might help?” she replied. He nodded, and then followed as she walked to her room, closing the door behind them. “Now, what is it that is troubling you, my King?” she asked smiling.

“Ugh. Not the ‘my king’ stuff. I have enough… And that’s just… Ugh. Never mind.” He took a deep breath. His brow had not smoothed out, was still creased in worry. “Maker. Where do I start? Hm… Okay. First, tell me what you know about Wardens and why they are necessary to fight the blight.”

“Do you want to know what I know for certain, or what I have surmised based on the bits of conversations I have overheard?”

“Tell me what you know and what you think.”

She nodded. “Very well. I know that in all the histories, blights have only been able to come to an end when Wardens have been involved. No archdemon has ever been killed by anyone other than a Warden. Wardens can sense darkspawn, which gives them an advantage in the fighting that non-Wardens don’t have. I have heard you and others speak of the darkspawn taint – and you have mentioned that this taint is within you. From this, I have surmised that the “Joining” process is involved in your obtaining this taint. And from what we heard after the duel with Loghain, not everyone survives the taint. That is pretty much all that I know.”

Grimacing, he responded, “You have surmised very astutely. The thing you don’t know – and which I didn’t know until today – is well… I… I’m not supposed to go into the details… But suffice it to say, Wardens are the only ones that can kill an archdemon so that they can… well… stay killed. The archdemon, you see, can move between bodies. It will leave its body at the moment of death and enter another darkspawn, which makes it like it was never killed at all… But if it is killed by a Warden, it senses our taint, and then enters the Warden instead of a darkspawn, and it will truly die. But this will kill the Warden as well.”

Leliana listened attentively and at the end of his stuttering speech, she exclaimed, “What? But..! Oh, no!”

“Exactly. There are only three Wardens in all of Ferelden. The chances are very high that she or I, or both of us, will die in the battle. That wouldn’t bother me except…”

“Except you know she will do everything in her power to ensure that if someone must die that it will NOT be you.”

Nodding his head, he continued, “And that’s where the story gets really, really weird.”

“Weird? How?”

“You see, that’s where Morrigan comes in. Nothing is much weirder than she – but tonight…” He shook his head and stopped. “I don’t even know how to explain this.”

Leliana looked exasperated. “Just spit it out.”

“Morrigan wants to sleep with me.”

It was actually kind of cute the way the bards mouth formed a tiny “O”, and froze in place, like someone had caused a disconnect in her brain.

“That’s pretty much the reaction *I* had. She claims that there’s a ritual. That if she conducts this ritual, then we’ll be able to kill the archdemon with no one dying to ensure it stays dead. The problem is…

“I would never even consider this if I wasn’t so certain that she would sacrifice herself. I mean, why should she have to die just to end this monster? But the price, although very disturbing… It still seems… too good to be true.”

Leliana grabbed him by the arm and said, “What price? You’re not making sense.”

“First, I’d have to sleep with her. With Morrigan. Do you have any idea how disturbing that is? I mean, I’d rather sleep with Wynne. Heck, I’d rather sleep with Zevran!”

Leliana smiled slightly as he continued, “But the thing that disturbs me even more is the thought of the child.”

“Child?”

“If this ritual takes place, Morrigan says she’ll get pregnant, and then, when the archdemon is killed, instead of it going into a Warden, it will go into the child.”

“You would consider letting a CHILD-!?”

He cut her off, “Never! If I thought a child would die from this, or even be injured by this, there would be no way I’d even consider… Oh, dear Maker. I AM considering it, aren’t I? – Morrigan has sworn that not only will the child not die, but because the child is unborn, it won’t even be injured. It will simply be changed. A child with the soul of an old god, she says, which she claims she will raise as her own, in a land far away. She has promised to leave Ferelden and never return if I go through with this.”

“Oh.” She said softly.

Nodding, he said, “I knew you would understand. Keeping her alive. Good. Getting rid of Morrigan. Good. Keeping Morrigan out of Ferelden forever. Good. But I would have to break the bond to sleep with Morrigan. And I’d be fathering a bastard child that I’d never even get to know. And most importantly, I would have to keep this from HER. Forever. How can I DO that?”

Leliana began pacing the room, twiddling her fingers as she walked, “I can see why you are so distraught. In your place, I would… feel the same way… But… I do not want her to die! And for this opportunity to arise, just in the teeth of time. It’s almost as if the Maker was providing a solution, right when it was needed most. The Maker does grant us what we require in our time of greatest need. Perhaps… Can you do it? Can you… be with that woman?”

“That is a good question. If I close my eyes and pretend, maybe. But more importantly, SHOULD I go through with this knowing that I’d be granting to Morrigan the ability to raise as her own, an old god. Maker, but that thought is frightening.”

“I don’t necessarily believe that Morrigan is all that bad. She just hasn’t seen the beauty of life and love yet. But once she’s had a child, she’ll be a mother. Surely a Mother’s love will make all the difference. I’ve seen her be kind to strangers and animals. Only when she thought no one was looking, but still…”

Alistair raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “You… think so?”

“Alistair, if this will keep her alive, isn’t it worth... Oh, I’m being selfish, I know. I don’t have to do anything. It’s not my decision to make. I can’t imagine having to… with anyone other than the woman I love. It must be a terrible decision. But… the consequences…”

Heaving a sigh, he said, “If I don’t do this, how will I be able to live with myself if she dies – knowing I could have saved her. But if I do, how will I be able to live with myself, wondering what exactly it is that I’ve fathered.”

“I… wish I could help you more.”

“If only it weren’t Morrigan. There’s no way for me to know what this child will be. And part of me thinks, ‘Well, so long as it’s not here, it’s not really my problem.’ But if it were here, then I could watch it, and help ensure that it doesn’t grow to become an even greater threat.”

“You know, Alistair,” she said, with a considering look on her face, “I have to wonder, if the shoe were on the other foot, what she would do. If the woman we love believed that you were to die unless she slept with Morrigan.”

“That’s not really a fair comparison because she doesn’t hate the woman the way I do.”

“Yes, but she knows you hate her, so it would still feel very wrong, wouldn’t it?”

Begrudgingly, he nodded.

“And this is a magic ritual, so let’s say she discovered that somehow going through with it would make Morrigan pregnant with her child. And that the child would have the soul of an old god. And that by completing the ritual, she would be agreeing to let Morrigan – who she doesn’t quite fully trust, even though she does try to give her the benefit of the doubt because that’s just how she is – she would be agreeing to let Morrigan raise the child alone, knowing that Morrigan was raised by Flemeth.”

Alistair groaned. “Oh, I’d forgotten about Flemeth.”

Leliana shook her head and shrugged. “Regardless. If she were in that position, and Morrigan promised her to take the child out of Ferelden forever, promised that your life would thus be spared. What would she do, if she were in your situation?”

Pausing, Alistair looked thoughtful. His eyes widened. Then he nodded. A tight smile crossed his face. “Leliana, when we get back from the battle, I will offer you any position at court you wish. You can become my chief advisor, the court bard – anything. Because it is obvious to me that you are brilliant. And highly under-appreciated.”

She smiled. “We’ve covered this all before. I am simply too good for the likes of you.”

He nodded again, and then left.

She did nothing to stop him. There was a ritual to be performed.


X


In the end, he was grateful for the special potion she’d given him. Otherwise, the thought of this act – with her – he would not have been able to follow through. As it was, he closed his eyes and imagined her the entire time. The end result was that somehow, he was able to appreciate his love even more than he ever had before.

When it was all done, he felt the need to bathe. Repeatedly. Scrubbing himself to get the feel of her off him. But he refused to regret it if it would save the woman he loved. He absolutely refused.
When he finally stood out of the bath and dried himself off, he put on a clean jerkin and breeches and found his way to her room.

She allowed him to enter, closing the door behind him. And then, they were in each other’s arms.

“Oh, love.”

The pending battle, the threat of their imminent demise, added a fire to their passion, taking them to unfamiliar heights. There was no way what had happened earlier could possibly be conceived as even remotely similar to this. No. There was only one love in his life. That… That didn’t even exist as far as he was concerned. His voice, calling in the middle of the act, “I bond myself to you, for as long as you shall have me; I am yours. I will claim no other unless you forsake me. From now until death parts us. This I do swear,” was a recommitment, a reaffirmation. While his flesh had now known the flesh of another – his soul had not. But still, the need to reconfirm the vow, to reinstate it if what had happened earlier had damaged their bond in any way, was too strong to deny.

Her voice cried out the response, “I bond myself to you, for as long as you shall have me. I shall claim no other, lest our bonds be broken. Until death parts us, I am yours. I swear this.”

After, limbs still entwined, he reached over her to the bedside table for something. And then, he was stringing it around her neck.

“I… want you to have this.”

She reached to her chest to look at the locket that he had placed on her. “Alistair,” she gasped. “This was… your mother’s necklace.”

Stroking her cheek with the back of his hand, had said, “It was left to me by the woman who gave me life. It is only fitting that it goes to the woman who has given that life meaning.”

“Alistair.”

“I love the way my name sounds when you say it like that.” He kissed her.

Resting her forehead against his own, she replied, “No matter what happens when we face the Archdemon, we’ve known love – real love. That’s more than most people get their whole lives. I… will not regret a moment of loving you. Or what comes next.”

Holding her tightly, stroking the curves of his back, he murmured, “Me either.” Then, he barked out a laugh. “You know, it wouldn’t matter if we lived to be 100. I don’t think it would ever be enough time. I’d always want more.”

“I can’t get enough of you either,” she whispered in his ear seductively.

Smirking, he said, “Really? You want to go again? You don’t think we should rest for the march tomorrow?”

“We’ll rest when we’re dead. I need to feel you, my love. I need to feel you.”

He kissed away the single tear that escaped, off of her cheek. “I would do anything for you. Your wish is always my command.”


X


After two days of forced marching, they arrived at Denerim to find the city already besieged. The battle was fierce – they had to fight their way into the city, then fight to hold the gate. That was when their party finally needed to separate – to divide in order to conquer. The two Ferelden Grey Wardens took Wynne and Shale with them, leaving everyone else to hold the gates against darkspawn reinforcements. Their task was to defeat the darkspawn generals in the city, so that the archdemon would have less organized back up when attacked.

Alone, Riordan went to clear a path to the tower at Fort Drakon. Once there, he engaged the dragon on his own. A flying leap off a buttress onto the fiend’s back, then he attempted to stab the beast as he rode. They flew over the city, Riordan’s swords plunging into the dragon’s scales again and again. As this took place, it was as if all fighting on the ground stopped to witness the battle. And then, the archdemon bucked and Riordan was thrown free. The two remaining Grey Wardens of Ferelden saw him plummet toward the earth, and returned to their current task with more determination than ever before.

They fought through all the following onslaughts of darkspawn, and eventually came to where the foul creature had alighted. Wynne used all her magical resources to try to pin the creature in place while the dwarven army, Shale, Alistair, and the Warden caused as much physical damage as they could. The beast’s hide seemed nearly impenetrable, as blow after blow fell upon it, yet it barely slowed in its response. Almost lazily, it flew over to a portion of balustrade that allowed no near approach.

The Warden manned the ballista and fired volley after volley. The beast flew to another inapproachable loft, and the Warden found another ballista and began the process all over again.

Finally, the combined damage seemed to have taken a toll. The demon stumbled, fell.

But they knew it was not over. Alistair, seeing the beast falling immediately charged, sword held high, ready to thrust into… neck? Eye socket? It did not matter, so long as it meant its extermination.

And then, he felt a cold tingle on the back of his neck, which quickly spread and froze his entire body in place. Just as predicted, she had attacked him to keep him from making the killing blow. He could do nothing but watch as she leaped onto the beast, stabbing her longsword through its skull, and into its brain. The world erupted in a fountain of light, and he fell backwards, shading his eyes from the onslaught.

Finally, it was over.

You could tell because the darkspawn – who previously battled fiercely – were now turning and running in fear.

The Warden pulled the sword out of the dragon and blinked. Why was she not dead? Had she not been the one who struck the killing blow?

Quickly, she jumped down and began searching. Alistair lay not far away, and she ran to him. “No,” she cried. This should not be! How? She had frozen him so that he could not be the one to perish. Why…

“Ugh,” he groaned, sitting up and rubbing his head. “That light… My head…”

“Alistair!” She embraced him. “I… Does this mean it’s not dead? I thought I had killed it… But, we saw Riordan. And I am alive. And you are alive…”

He shrugged and held her. “Perhaps Riordan had not… fully expired, and the demon thought he would be easier to overpower than you?”

“But… Can we be certain that the threat is gone?”

Burying his face in her hair, he responded, “After that light show, I think we can be pretty sure.”

“I… Oh! Alistair!”

He smiled. “So now that we’ve just done the impossible, are you ready to do it again?”

She cocked her head. “What?”

He struggled to one knee, and took her hand. “Will you marry me?”

High on victory in the face of the impossible, how could she possibly say no.

There would be struggles, trials and tribulations ahead of them. But what marriage does not have its own share of these?

There was the issue of how to enforce equality – which is an impossible task. In the end, they simply enforce laws that made it a crime to discriminate, leaving the elves to decide what they wanted to do with their lives. After the first few cases where the king fined and/or punished (depending on which he thought the guilty party would detest more) humans for refusing to hire a qualified elf to a task – just because they were an elf – people got the word pretty quickly. And it was hard to not want to hire them. Their work was stellar, they were typically less expensive than their human counterparts, and… they were beautiful to watch.

It wasn’t a perfect system. There were violent outbreaks and refusals to accede to the new laws. But the Queen had slain an archdemon and lived. That had never happened before in all the histories. Most of the people adjusted and moved on.

The party of intrepid adventurers went its own way. Morrigan disappeared from the battlefield and was never heard from again. Sten was offered a place in the royal army, but decided to go back to his homeland, his honor restored. Oghren accepted an army position, though, and served Ferelden well.

Zevran did go to Orlais, and became a courtier of some renown. Ladies paid him handsomely to attend social events on their arm. He seemed to enjoy the attentions. The Crows sent only one envoy after him. It failed miserably, and he sent them back with a message, “Either you can stop harassing me and start earning coin from myself and my friends, or, I can request my friends join me to turn my attentions to Antiva. The choice is yours.” No other envoys were ever sent. But… the Crows became notably more profitable after that.

Wynne stayed on at court as an advisor for a few years before heading off to the Maker only knows where. She left, never to be heard from again.

Leliana became their ambassador to Orlais. Through her, many treaties were signed that ensured Ferelden independence and continued friendship with their neighboring country.

Did the King and Queen ever secure an heir? Well… practice does make perfect, you know. And they practiced more than any king and queen Ferelden had ever known.