This is my response to Alistair dumping my mage. What was the point of hardening him just to have him dump my poor little mage. And those of you who are fans of the Wheel of Time series should recognize the 'kneel or be knelt' line – one of my favourite in that series.
This was it. This moment would decide the rest of her life. She had to clear her throat a few times before any sound would come out. It was very disconcerting to have that many people staring at her. She knew she must look like an animal caught in a trap, all wild-eyed, chest heaving. She didn't dare turn to look at Alistair. He had no idea what was coming.
"Alistair will rule as King…and I will rule by his side."
There was one pure moment of silence…then chaos. She tried to look calm, confident, queenly but it was hard when she was almost physically knocked off her feet by the clashing of the noble voices in the chamber. She was sure that not even Sten's formidable war cry was as powerful as this. She knew, knew, this was a great risk she was taking. But she would risk it all to stay by his side. Unfortunately, judging by the tone of the voices and the expressions of outrage she heard, it sounded like she had thrown it all away.
Cutting through the cacophony was the imperious voice of the Revered Mother as she stepped forward.
"There is no need to get excited. This mage has forgotten the most important tenet of all. Magic exists to serve man and never to rule over him. This preposterous fancy will remain just that. A fool mage's fool fancy."
She bowed her head under the weight of all those disapproving glares. She had hoped they would accept her after all she had done.
"You are quite right Revered Mother." At the sound of his voice agreeing with that wretched woman she realized there were new depths of misery to sink to. She wished she could sink into the cold stone floor beneath her. Alistair stepped up beside her.
"Magic exists to serve man," his clear ringing tones commanded their attention, "and no one, no one, had demonstrated this more than her. Who among you can dare claim to have served the way she has? Who among you can dare deny that she used her magic to serve you? Not only her magic, but her blood, sweat and tears. Never did she give a thought to her own wants or needs, but only to what would be best for Fereldan, for you. She risked her life to save yours, to save mine, more times than you could even count. I know because I was beside her every step of the way and Maker damn you all if you think I am going to step away from her side now."
In the absolute silence that surrounded them, Alistair turned to her and in one smooth motion he fell to one knee in front of her.
"My lady," his voice was hoarse, full emotion, "I would be so honoured, so unbelievably fortunate, so indescribably ecstatic if you would be my Queen."
Her heart pounding, she poured all the love she felt for him into one simple word. "Yes."
The chamber exploded, this time in wild cheers, excepting the Revered Mother. The Mother glared at her standing by his side. Alistair fixed that woman with a glare of his own. "Kneel to your Queen or be knelt." His voice was deadly hiss, the way a sword hissed when leaving the scabbard. The Revered Mother slowly bent knee. Alistair kissed her fiercely, once, twice, then they turned, united, to face their subjects.
