Third DA fanfic. Coming up is a great breakup scene. Hope you enjoy! Oh yeah.... I do not own DA origins or its characters and all that rot.

=3

"The Western Hills throw their lot in with the Warden, Maker help us"

Nadine held her breath, watching as each of the nobles agreed to support her, to assemble troops to fight against the blight. For the first time in a very long time, she began to hope that they stood a chance of defeating the Blight.

"Traitors!" Loghain sneered, glaring at each of the nobles before them. He insulted each noble standing before him, stopping only when he had a chance to call Eamon fat and lazy. She rolled her eyes, mentally noting his childish behavior.

"Face it, you lose." She said curtly, her green eyes sharply regarding him with distaste. She caught Alistair smirking at her from the corner of her eye, and her heart gave a happy leap in her chest. It had been a long time coming, but slowly the awkward Templar caught her heart. She had only felt such a way before about another individual, but she assured herself that it was merely infatuation. What she felt for Alistair was real. A blush threatened to creep up as she remembered the night they had shared just barely a week prior. Being both virgins, it had been a very awkward experience, but a lovely one as well.

Suddenly Loghain was yelling at her, threatening her. He challenged them to a duel. She looked down at her robes and at his armor and arched her eyebrow. "You want to challenge me to a sword fight?" She spat the words at him, the look on her face regarding him as if he had lost his mind. This apparently was indeed the case, as he sneered triumphantly and took a step forward as he started to draw his long sword. Her eyes widened, and she grabbed for the staff that was strapped to her back. Suddenly there was an armored hand on hers, and she snapped her head to the right. Alistair had a look of murder in his eyes, and her mouth fell open in shock. The Templar was so often jocular, optimistic, and easygoing. Seeing this side of him that was full of wrath sent a shiver down her spine. His eyes seemed to be asking her for permission, and she swallowed as she nodded her head.

"Alistair will be my Champion"

With that the Templar drew his blue sword, donned his shield and stepped forward hastily. She couldn't help the wave of concern that drifted over. As Loghain and Alistair circled one another, the concern faded away to pride. Loghain sprang forward first, his sword slicing the air with deadly intent. Alistair raised Duncan's shield and blocked the sword. As Loghain readied himself to swing again, Alistair rushed forward and barreled into him with the shield, knocking the older man over. The fight seemed to last forever, the contenders both exhibiting sword mastery. Suddenly, Loghain stepped too far to the right, stumbling just a touch. Alistair took advantage of this, parrying up and knocking the warrior onto his back.

They called the duel, a guard stepping forward to pull each of the men away from each other. Nadine noticed the urgency in Alistair's features, and how he was reluctant to return to her side. Afterwards, she watched contempt paint itself over his face as Loghain spoke of the valor he and his father both possessed. Suddenly Riordan took a step forward.

"My lady, if I may be so bold, what is it you plan to do about him?"

Nadine pondered this, looking to Alistair first and only seeing icy death in his eyes. She turned her face to Riordan then and noticed the sense of urgency in his eyes.

"I can see you already have an idea, Riordan, what is it you would have me do?"

Riordan cleared his throat, looking at the young woman with secrets hidden in his eyes. "My lady, I suggest that we conscript him. He should go through the Joining and spend his time fighting the Blight at our side. It would provide him with the ability to seek forgiveness from the people of Ferelden."

Nadine noticed the way he said it, the way his voice hinted at larger things but held them secret at the same time. She would not trust Loghain, but she saw in all seriousness the subtle hints Riordan seemed to be giving.

"WHAT?!" Alistair exclaimed, looking at Riordan as if he had suddenly sprouted a second head. "He enslaved Denerim citizens, he killed King Cailan… He tried to usurp the throne from his own daughter, AND he put a butcher in the Arly who imprisoned nobles and tortured them. It is an honor to be a Grey Warden, one he will NEVER be worthy of!"

Anora glared at Alistair, though she kept her queenly composure. "He has a point; the Joining is often fatal is it not? If he survives it let him dedicate his life to his redemption."

Nadine looked at the three of them, feeling like she was standing in the middle of a group of man eating tigers. "How would we know if he was trustworthy? He has already shown Ferelden just what kind of man he is, running from Ostagar with his tail 'tween his legs, like a pansy boy. How will I know that when we stand before the Archdemon he won't wet himself and run…? Or sink his blade in between my shoulder blades and leave Ferelden to die?"

Riordan looked at her again, and she stopped speaking. There was something he wasn't telling them, a reason for him supporting Loghain other than what he spoke of. She looked from Riordan to Loghain and sighed with complacency. Anora smiled happily, realizing that the mage was about to give in.

Alistair also saw it and his face reddened with anger. "No, Nadine we cannot let him! Not after all he did! He killed Duncan! He killed Cailan! He's a very…. Bad man." He said the last two words with such loathing that Nadine was convinced that he was dripping with it.

"Alistair…"

"NO! Nadine, I will take up my father's throne if it means keeping him out of the Grey Warden's! Nadine… please…."

Nadine looked at Alistair, her face pinched with confusion. Alistair despised the idea of becoming King, and here he was volunteering for the job as long as she rejected Loghain. Nadine sighed, and then shook her head. "Alistair is right; Loghain deserves to die for his crimes against people of Ferelden, and for his treason against the King."

She looked at Alistair, and nodded. With malice he drew his sword and stepped forward. He barely gave Loghain time to finish his goodbye to Anora, before swinging his sword. Loghain's head rolled across the floor, and Anora fell to her knees beside his bleeding body.

Alistair looked at Nadine with sadness and anger painted on his face before dropping the sword and walking away.