A couple weeks after Alistair had left Vigil's Keep, he had some free time, so he decided to head back there to see Azariah. When he got there, the whole place was bustling with activity, with all the buildings undergoing repairs. In short, it was a lot different than it had been the last time he'd come here. He went inside the main hall and almost immediately spotted her talking with the same blonde man who had been with her before, Anders, he remembered his name was. Alistair was about to call over to her, but then got a better idea and snuck over. Not being detected by either of them, he reached behind Azariah and tickled her sides while smirking.

"Ah!" Azariah shrieked, startled, and turned around. Her eyes widened, "Alistair?"

He flashed her a smile. "I told you I'd return as soon as I was able to."

Azariah smiled and practically tackled him in a hug, "Alistair! I've missed you!"

"I've missed you, too, my love." Alistair replied as he hugged her back.

Suddenly, someone said Azariah's name as he walked over to them, and they looked to see that it was Nathaniel, holding a stack of papers. When he saw what position they were in, he quickly apologized, "Sorry, am I interrupting an intimate moment?"

"No, it's okay." Azariah said, pulling away from her husband a bit.

"They didn't seem to mind that I was here." Anders joked, and Azariah playfully punched him in the arm.

"What is it?" She asked.

"I just came to deliver the reports you requested." Nathaniel said, handing them over.

"Thank you." Just then, Alistair cleared his throat loudly. "Oh, right! You two haven't been introduced yet! Nathaniel, this is my husband, King Alistair. Alistair, this is Nathaniel."

"Pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty." Nathaniel said with one arm in front of him and one arm behind as he bowed. "I've heard a lot about you, especially from Azariah."

"You talk about me?" Alistair asked with a smirk and smug tone in his voice.

"Sometimes…" She cleared her throat and looked back at Nathaniel, "Since you're here, can I ask for a favor?"

"Of course."

"Well, you know that some of the nobles have been… less than accepting of me or the Wardens, but they don't know that you're one of us yet. So, I was wondering… do you think you could be able to… slip in and check on some of the suspicious ones?"

Nathaniel smirked and said, "My lady, you have certainly come to the right person. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's spying."

"That and being a total jerk." Anders joked again, and Nathaniel shot him a deadly glare.

"Thanks Nathaniel." Azariah said, completely disregarding Anders comment. "I asked you, not only because of your abilities, but because you're also a Howe, so they might accept that you are against us being here, too."

Alistair looked shocked. "Wait a minute… he's a Howe?"

"Ooo! Now he's in for it!"

"Oh, would you shut up, Anders!" Nathaniel growled.

"Nathaniel…" Azariah sighed, then turned to Alistair. "And yes, he's Rendon Howe's eldest son."

Alistair blinked a couple times at Nathaniel. "I see…" He then looked at his wife. "What is he doing here, then? You know Rendon's actions cost his family their lands and titles."

"Yes, Alistair, I know that. I was standing right next to you when you announced it, remember? But Nathaniel isn't here to take back his lands. He's here, because, well… this land does belong to the Grey Wardens now, doesn't it? And he's a Warden."

"Yeah, I got that, but… did he… become a Warden elsewhere, like in Orlais or something?"

"No, he became a Warden here; he asked to join the order, so… I let him."

"I'm sorry, but can you two please stop talking like I'm not here?" Nathaniel asked. "I can hear, you know?"

"Excuse us." Alistair said as he gripped Azariah's arm and dragged her to the other side of the main hall. "Azariah, why did you allow him of all people to become a Grey Warden? Have you lost your mind?"

"No, I know what I'm doing. Despite who his father was, I can't hold him accountable for what happened, just like I couldn't hold Delilah accountable; they weren't involved."

"Azariah, have you forgotten what that man did?"

Azariah glared at Alistair, "You know damn well I haven't forgotten what that bastard did! He murdered my family, nearly completely destroying me, and ruined countless lives! So, don't you dare try to tell me that you were more affected by his actions than I was!"

Alistair was taken aback; she'd never yelled at him before. It was very rare that the two of them ever had disagreements, much less full-out fighting. He looked at her regrettably and sighed, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to… I didn't mean it like that. I'm just surprised that you allowed his son here, that's all."

Azariah calmed down and chuckled. "Believe me, your surprise is matched only by my own…" She sighed and added, "He told me that he had nowhere else to go and he'd wanted to die in that cell. I just… felt badly for him, I guess."

"Cell?"

"Oh, right, you don't know. I'm so used to us doing everything together and you already knowing what is going on. After you left, I found out that Nathaniel had been down in the cells when the darkspawn attack was happening, and I was the one who was sent to pass judgement on him."

"So, you recruited him?"

"No. I let him go."

"Just… let him go?"

"Yeah. He came to me later and practically begged me to let him join the order, so I…I agreed, and brought him back here where he participated in the joining and survived."

"I hope you're right about him not being like his father."

"Well, after what happened with him and Delilah, I doubt he sees his father as good anymore."

-Flashback-

Azariah brought Nathaniel back to Vigil's Keep on her horse so he could participate in the joining. Before they headed inside, they ran into an elven servant who Nathaniel recognized. "Samuel! Groundskeeper Samuel! Is that you?"

"Who…?" The elf asked, then smiled. "Why, if it isn't little Nate! I'd recognize that face anywhere!"

"Groundskeeper, I am overjoyed that you stayed on! Please… can you tell me what happened to my brother and my sister? …I was in the Free Marches."

"Your brother died in the war, but Lady Delilah… don't you know? She's not dead, son, not that I know of. Last I heard, she married a shopkeeper and Amaranthine… poor girl."

Nathaniel turned to Azariah, looking elated. "Did you hear that? My sister is alive!"

"I know." Azariah commented. "You could've just asked me that. She came to visit me in Denerim not too long ago."

"Then… if it's not too much trouble, can I ask that we go see her the next time we're in Amaranthine? I'd really like to know how she's doing."

"If you survive your joining… yes." Azariah said and entered the main building.

Samuel looked back at Nathaniel and said, "Don't take her too harshly, Nate. She has suffered more than you know."

The next day, after Nathaniel spent the night recuperating from his joining ritual, he went with Azariah, Anders, and Oghren to Amaranthine. When they got there, they started looking around the shops, and it didn't take long for Nathaniel to spot who he was looking for. "Delilah?" He asked a black-haired woman, and she turned around in response. "Is it really you?"

"Nathaniel!" She cried happily. "You're alive, thank the Maker!" The two of them hugged happily.

Afterwards, Nathaniel spoke up, "Time's must've been hard, Delilah, but you deserve better than this. Come back to the estate until we find someplace else."

"What?!" Delilah asked, confused, then laughed. "Oh, Nathaniel! I didn't marry Albert out of desperation! I adore him! I was so glad to get away from father's evil! This life is so much better!"

"Father's evil? Isn't that overstating it a bit? He got caught up in politics."

Delilah turned her attention to Azariah and asked, "You didn't tell him what happened?"

"I tried, but he wouldn't listen to me."

Delilah sighed disappointedly at her brother. "Nathaniel… don't blame Azariah for anything." She said, shaking her head. "She had nothing to do with what happened to our family's reputation. You want the one who's really responsible? It was father, without a doubt."

"I… had no idea."

"Oh, of course you did, you just didn't want to believe it." Delilah then smiled. "But enough talk about father. You're back and I want to hear what you've been up to, so why don't we sit down and catch up?"

"That's a good idea!" Azariah agreed. "We have some other business that we need to attend to, anyway. Nathaniel, we'll meet you back here in a couple hours."

"Okay." He nodded, then left with his sister while Azariah, Anders, and Oghren went the other way.

A couple hours later, they met back up with Nathaniel near the stall where they'd seen Delilah, and once he saw them, he said to Azariah, "I'm glad I got to see her, this life suits her, and she seems genuinely happy. She's having a baby, too, and is due by the spring. She even told me that father deserved to die, I still can't believe it."

"Of course he did. He murdered my entire family."

"I thought he had his reasons, it was a war, for Andraste's sake!"

Azariah glared at Nathaniel and shot back, "What possible reason could there have been for him killing an innocent eight-year-old boy and his loving mother and grandparents?!"

Nathaniel took a step back in shock at Azariah's outburst; she could be downright frightening when she wanted to be. He thought, but then realized there really was absolutely no reason for it. He just sighed and looked away, shamefully. "Let's just go. I need to think."

-End flashback-

That night, Azariah and Alistair were in the master bedroom (which was currently Azariah's bedroom), and Alistair was reading on the bed while she was at the desk and working. When Alistair was done with the chapter he was reading, he marked the page and set the book aside, looking back at Azariah who was writing with a quill on a piece of parchment, "Why don't you come to bed, love?"

"I can't. I'm still working."

"But it's late."

"I know… but duty comes first."

"We haven't been together in a couple weeks, though."

"And?"

Alistair stood up and walked up behind his wife, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "And I want you."

Azariah sighed, "Maker's breath, Alistair… ever since we first made love… I swear, once men get a taste of sex, they never get enough…"

"Oh, come on, my love… I think you could use the release." He stood up straight and started rubbing her shoulders. "You're so tense."

"Alistair, seriously, I don't have time to-" She stopped and sighed, "That does feel nice…"

"See? I can make you forget about your troubles for the night."

Azariah shivered, "Damn you, Alistair… you always know just how to get to me."

"You love me, though." He purred and nibbled on her earlobe, causing her to let out a quiet moan. "Just as I love you." He then moved down to her neck as his hands left her shoulders and started travelling down the sides of her body.

Azariah was just starting to really melt into him and completely forget about her work when there was a sudden knock at the door, but Alistair didn't stop. "Alistair… the door…"

"Ignore it." He said and kissed her neck again.

"But it could be important." Azariah said and quickly got out of her husband's grasp and went to answer it while Alistair cursed whoever it was for interrupting. Azariah opened the door and saw Nathaniel, "Oh, hi. Is there something wrong?"

"No, not really. I mean, nothing is attacking the keep, if that's what you mean."

"Then… why are you here?"

"Yeah, we were in the middle of something!" Alistair muttered, still standing by the desk.

"Oh! Was I interrupting a private moment again? I apologize, I didn't realize."

"It's alright. He'll get over it, but I notice you didn't answer my question."

"Right, well…" Nathaniel sighed. "I came because I need to talk to you."

"About what?"

Nathaniel walked into the room and Azariah shut the door behind him. "About what my father did… to your family, specifically…"

Azariah sighed, "Listen, Nathaniel, I really don't want to talk about that."

"Please, Azariah… it would help me to understand what really happened."

"Nathaniel, this is a sensitive subject for Azariah, and I think it's caused her enough pain."

"Alistair," Azariah said. "I appreciate you trying to stand up for me, but really, I can handle this on my own." She looked back at Nathaniel, "Look, Nathaniel, today has been… very long, and right now, I just want to relax and try to forget about my problems." She said, really meaning that she just wanted to let her husband have his way with her. "So, can't this wait until tomorrow?"

Nathaniel sighed, but then nodded, "Alright, but do you promise to really tell me tomorrow?"

"I promise."

Nathaniel then left the room, closing the door behind him, and Azariah turned back to Alistair, giving him a teasing smile, "So… where were we?"

Alistair smirked and walked over, gently pinning Azariah against the wall. "Right about here." He kissed her neck, and she sighed happily at feeling his hands run down her body. Alistair had been right after all, she really could use this release.

The next morning, Azariah went downstairs and ran into Nathaniel in the main hall, and she asked him if he still wanted to know what happened to her family just as Alistair started walking into the room, but stopped in the doorway when he saw them. Azariah tried to talk Nathaniel out of the conversation, but he was insistent. "It's not a pretty story…"

"Tell me anyway."

Azariah sighed and finally gave in, "Okay."

A bit later, Nathaniel was practicing his archery out in the courtyard when he heard Alistair's voice call his name, so he turned to look at him, relaxing his bow in the process. "Ah, Your Majesty, can I help you?"

"I just need to talk to you." Alistair answered. "Azariah told you what happened with her family?"

Nathaniel gave a slow nod. "Every last gruesome detail." He sighed, "I can't believe the pain my father put her through! I can't even imagine what losing your parents, your sister-in-law, and your nephew all in one night… what that would be like."

"I can't say, but I didn't come here just to ask you that; I also want to tell you something." Alistair looked at Nathaniel seriously. "Azariah is the love of my life, and I want to make sure she is safe. So I will tell you right now, if you hurt her, I will personally see you executed."

"Don't worry, I may have wanted to hurt her in the beginning, but that time is passed. She's my friend now, and I have no intensions of letting anyone hurt her."

"Hm… I believe you." Alistair said.

Shortly after Alistair left, Nathaniel saw Azariah walking towards the guard barracks and he put his bow away to go over and talk to her. "Azariah?"

"Hm?" She hummed as she turned around. "Oh, hi Nathaniel."

"Hi…" He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Um… can we talk?"

"Of course. What's on your mind?"

"Well, it's…" He sighed, "I know that we sort of unofficially made amends, but I never formally apologized to you, so… I want to do that now."

"No need, Nathaniel, it's fine."

"No, there is a need, it's not fine!" He protested. "When I got back from the Free Marches, I was certain my family was destroyed for being on the wrong side of the war, but my father did it to himself! No conspiracies, just one stupid, selfish man!" He growled. "I should've known better!"

"How could you have possibly known? You weren't even in Ferelden."

"Yes, but I should've looked deeper before I acted! I was an idiot," He growled again, making it clear that he was angry, not at her, but at himself. "And like a child, I blamed you and the Wardens!" He looked her in the eyes. "But you've even proven to be a friend… I mean, you've even been damn near nice to me, despite what I almost did!" He let out another sigh. "I guess what I'm trying to say is… I'm sorry, and I would really like it if we could just start over and be friends. I mean, if you want."

Azariah gave Nathaniel a warm, soft smile as her light blue eyes seemed to sparkle with happiness. "I would like that!"

"Good!" He chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. "You know, I think I did the right thing by asking to join… in a weird way, it worked out. Anyway, I don't want to take up any more of your time, so I'll see you later." He then walked off as Azariah stood there with the same smile on her face.

'Yeah, he's definitely not like his father!'

––

Hey everyone! This is the (edited) first chapter of my story!

Please, let me know what you all think!