**Hello all! I hope you enjoy this one! I've always wanted to react differently to the break up scene in the game, so here is my take on it! As per usual I'd like to thank my amazing Beta DahiliaInuyasha! Comments are welcome!***
The landsmeet was finally over and, thanks to Aleria, Alistair was now going to be the King of Ferelden. Loghain had lost and resigned himself to death by Alistair's sword. Aleria knew Alistair needed to be the one to end Loghain's life, but she also knew that he too now realized that revenge didn't fill the hole betrayal left behind. Aleria wished she had gotten a chance to speak with Alistair, but in between all the congratulations and salutations from the members of court, she had not gotten the chance to. Immediately afterwards Eamon had whisked him away to fill him in on the whole "becoming king" process, so Aleria decided she would use that time to grab a couple flagons of ale, cheeses of all varieties, and gather the rest of her companions for a little celebration all their own.
They were all seated in the drawing room conversing and simply enjoying each other's company. Aleria had seated herself between her closest companions, Leliana and Zevran. Oghren wasn't too far away and had already started the party by knocking back some of his special brew. Wynne and Sten were immersed in what seemed like an intense game of chess. Morrigan watched on with seeming indifference, but secretly Aleria thought she was rooting for Sten. Aleria laughed to herself, you would think two mages would get along but the differences between Morrigan and Wynne were so stark. Aleria had to admit to herself she was sort of on Morrigan's side at the moment- after what Wynne had said to her before Aleria left to retrieve that snake of an ex-queen, Anora. Aleria frowned to herself; even though they had decided to allow Anora to live, she knew she would have to watch her closely. If she was sure of anything, it was that Anora would not resign herself to obscurity so easily.
"So Aleria, should I start calling you 'Your Majesty' now or wait till its official?" Leliana interrupted her thought process.
"What?!" Aleria nearly jumped out of her skin.
Lelina giggled. "Stop acting so coy! It's as obvious as the sky is blue that Alistair is madly in love with you. Your romance is like a fairytale and all that's left is to defeat the dragon, marry the prince, and live happily ever after!" She squealed with delight.
"Lili, have you been sneaking some of Oghren's special brew?" Aleria cocked an eyebrow at her.
"No, that's disgusting. Zevran darling, you agree with me, don't you?" She prodded him.
"Si, Oghren's brew tastes like piss that has been set on fire," Zevran said nonchalantly.
Leliana elbowed him, "Not about that! About Aleria and Alistair's fairytale romance."
"Fairytales are over rated. They seem to lack the animalistic passion necessary to make love-making an extraordinary experience. I'd take real life over a fairytale any day," he snarked coldly.
Leliana scrunched her face at him. "Zevran, you are hopeless." Then she turned to Aleria. "If anyone deserves a fairytale it is the two of you." She smiled softly.
Aleria smiled in response. "I can't say I would hate the idea. I do love him but he'd have to be the one to ask and we haven't even talked about marriage." She paused and a sweet smile spread across her flushing face.
"What would you say if he asked you this very moment?" Leliana asked.
"I would say yes- on the condition we could get married tomorrow." She smirked at Leliana who squealed in delight and hugged her tight.
At that moment the chamber door flew open as Alistair walked in. In her excitement Aleria flew up from her seat and wrapped her arms him. His body stiffened under her touch then relaxed slightly. She pulled away giving him a confused look.
"I haven't been able to properly congratulate you on your victory, so I thought we'd do a little bit of celebrating tonight with our friends." She then leaned in and whispered in his ear, "We'll do our own celebrating tonight in your chambers." She then proceeded to kiss his ear seductively. He stiffened again and gently pulled her away from him.
"Aleria, we need to talk." He said sternly.
"Alistair, what's wrong?" She laid a hand affectionately on his chest.
"Listen, I know why you made me king and I'm actually getting used to the idea of it. It could be an interesting future for me but, being King that brings up some questions about us. About you and me." He said quietly.
"Oh?' Aleria's heat began beating furiously. Was Leliana right? Is he going to propose?
"Maybe we should go somewhere private for this conversation." He gestured towards the door.
Aleria thought Leliana would love to see Alistair propose so she decided here would be the perfect place for it. She also couldn't help but want to rub this in Wynne's face. Those facts urged her forward to say, "Oh, no. Here is fine. They aren't paying attention anyway."
"Very well, this isn't easy to say but it's all I could think about since the Landsmeet. Well, you know Grey Wardens do not live to become old, right?" He proceeded nervously.
"How does that affect anything?" Aleria asked confused.
Alistair sighed. "As King, I will be required to have a child. Even more so because my death is assured. That is assuming that someone with the taint can or even should have a child."
Aleria's eyes widened. "Are you saying we can't have children?" Aleria's beating heart stopped and dropped into her stomach.
"No, I'm not. It's just both of us are tainted. Both of us will die young. I need to find a wife who can bear a child and will live to raise it. I do not relish it but…I will have a duty as the King," he said solemnly. "I love you. More than I ever thought possible but…I have to face what this means. I can't run away from it any longer. I can see it becoming very hard to tear myself away from you, impossible even. If this is how is has to be, I have to do it now. I'm sorry."
Aleria's stomach was churning. She felt as if she was going to wretch standing right there. "Alistair, I- are you saying what I think you are?" As she stared into his eyes she could see he was. Her eyes started to fill to the brim with tears but she fought them back with all her strength. "So you say you love me and then you cast me aside so easily? That's not what love does Alistair. Did you ever love me at all? How can I believe you now?"
Alistair's stoic facade flinched at her words. "Please don't say that, Ali. I didn't know it would turn out like this." He reached for her.
She pushed his hand away from her. "No. Don't call me that. It's not proper of your new station, Your Majesty," she whispered, trying to compose herself as she slipped an emotionless mask over her features. "You may call me Lady Cousland or Grey Warden, whichever pleases his Royal Highness the most."
Alistair flinched again.
"If you'll excuse me," her voiced cracked as she gave a fluid curtsy and nearly ran out the chamber door.
Alistair stood there a moment trying to remain composed. He then glanced up to notice every eye in the room was on him. Their looks ranged from pity, to shock, to anger, and of course indifference from a choice few. Leliana stood and walked gracefully over to where Alistair was standing. As she locked watery eyes on his she reared back and slapped him hard across the face.
"Vous êtes un imbecile!" she shouted as she walked away. The rest of the group began slowly filtering out. Morrigan was oddly quiet as she and Sten made their way out of the room. Alistair almost took that as an insult in itself. Wynne, of course, tried to comfort him.
"If it is any consolation, I know how deeply you love her. And I also know how hard it must have been to let her go. You did the right thing." She patted his shoulder sympathetically then departed towards her room.
Oghren belched as he made his way past Alistair. "Looks like you'll be spit shining your own sword tonight, eh pike twirler?"
There was only one remaining companion in the room and Alistair really didn't want to hear what he had to say. Zevran sat there and stared at him. After a few moments Alistair could take it no longer. "Do you have something to say too? Go ahead- out with it!" He lashed out.
Zevran smirked. "What would you have me say Alistair, that you are a fool? You obviously know this, yes? So that would be futile." He rubbed his chin as he pondered. "Do you wish for me to threaten your life or harm you in some way? If that is what you wish I'm afraid you will be disappointed." He then rose from his seat and crossed to wear Alistair was standing. "You know, from my extensive experience I have found that the easiest way to kill a man is through his heart."
Alistair interrupted and aggressively stepped towards Zevran. "Are you threatening to kill me Zevran? That worked out so famously the first time you tried," he replied menacingly.
Zevran laughed bitterly. "I do not have to Alistair. You are already a dead man...for I watched you rip your own heart out just moments ago."
Alistair's jaw clenched.
Zevran sighed. "Do not worry for our lovely Aleria, she will find a way to mourn and she will move on. I'm afraid I cannot say the same for you, friend."
Zevran patted Alistair warmly on his shoulder which only infuriated him all the more.
Alistair stood there dumbfounded. He knew Zevran was right. He stayed there for a moment after Zevran disappeared- he couldn't move; he couldn't breathe. The reality of what he had done was crashing into him like an Ogre's armored fist. The composure he tried so hard to grasp slipped through his fingers. All the pain he had put aside came crashing down on him so hard he could barely stand. Alistair braced himself against the wall and tried to steady his now shaking hands. Of all the horrible things that have happened to her, I never thought I'd be counted as one of them. Alistair thought back about what drove him to this point of obvious madness.
"We've won Eamon. I can hardly believe it," Alistair breathed as Eamon embraced him.
"Yes my boy, you did a wonderful job. You and Aleria make quite the team. I have complete faith in the two of you, if you could win over these nobles the Arch Demon should be no problem," Eamon laughed and patted Alistair on the back.
"Aleria is amazing; she had the nobles eating out of her hand in a matter of moments. That woman never ceases to amaze me," Alistair smiled boyishly as his mind wandered to Aleria.
Eamon shook his head.
"You are quite enamored with her, though I can hardly blame you. She is quite the young woman."
Alistair cleared his throat.
"I'm glad you think so because I've been wanting to ask your opinion on something," his face began to redden. Eamon gestured for him to continue. "It's concerning Aleria and I...if we survive all this I would like to marry her." Alistair braced himself for Eamon's response.
"If you are asking me as your uncle I would tell you that a woman like that only comes around once in a life time but..."Eamon paused, "If you were asking me as your royal advisor I would have some reservations."
Alistair nodded his head. "I am happy my uncle approves but as future king I must also get the approval of my advisor."
Eamon smiled gently. "This is what will make you a good king. Now, speaking of Aleria, my concern of the matter is that both of you are a Grey Wardens. I believe it would look quite odd for two Grey Wardens to rule over Ferelden since your Order does not intervene in politics. Also, if I am not mistaken, according to the books of lore your life span is not as long as should be expected."
"Yes, after partaking of the taint we have thirty years, give or take a few," Alistair said seriously.
"I'm sorry my boy. This may be cruel to ask but if both of you die at such a young age who will be there to raise your heir? You yourself know how difficult life can be without your parents. Would you wish that on your future child?" Eamon asked cautiously.
Alistair face deadpanned. Of course he would never wish that on anyone, much less his own child.
"Eamon, that may also be a problem," Alistair sighed regrettably. "I may not be able to sire a child. The taint works differently in everyone and…" Eamon put his hand on his shoulder.
"And you're worried that if you marry Aleria your chances will be significantly reduced." Eamon said, pity echoing in his voice. Alistair clenched his jaw and nodded.
"This is all I have been able to think about Eamon. I cannot let her go through what I've heard Anora went through. She was barren and Calian was a whoremonger. I could never do that to her, I could never try to sire a child through anyone but my wife. But Maker's breath, I love her! I'd storm the black city for her. I'd die for her but…" Alistair placed his face in his hands.
Eamon wrapped an affectionate arm around him. "A King's crown is much heavier than it looks. You are responsible for more than just yourself now. Sadly, the only love a King can hope for is the love of his people and love for his country. I'm afraid your father had to learn the same lesson. I am sorry, Alistair. I do not relish what you are going to have to do."
"Eamon, I love her so much. She believed in me, she got me here. How can I just…" Eamon interrupted him.
"Be the King she believes in. Be honest and fair. And realize you may no longer be her hero but you will always be her King."
Alistair shook his head at the memory. What kind of dragon shite advice was that? That in no way prepared him for this. First duty as King, break my dream girl's heart. Nice. So looking forward to what the future holds. Alistair finally mustered up the strength to move from where he was bracing himself and slunk his way down his corridor.
Meanwhile, Zevran had taken off to look for Aleria. From what he knew of her, he could guess she was in one of two places. First, the training yard dismantling a dummy, or the second a pub, looking for a dummy to dismantle. He glanced in the direction of the training yard- no Aleria. Next stop was the Crown and Lion.
Zevran casually strolled into the bar. He nonchalantly gazed around the room and that's when he saw her huddled in a corner booth; she had already knocked back three flagons of ale and she was nursing what looked like a full glass of straight liquor. Zevran smiled and ordered himself a shot as he passed the bar on his way to her booth.
"Is this seat taken?" He asked trying to gain her attention.
"No talking, just drinking ok?" Aleria choked out.
"As you wish, mi Corazon." They sat in companionable silence for a while before it was interrupted by Aleria slamming her empty glass in the table.
"Zevran, why haven't you said anything? Normally I can't get you to shut up but now that I need a distraction from him ...and his eyes, and his smile, and his kiss...Curse the bloody maker! How does he expect me to go on acting as if we never, as if he never...What the hell, Zevran say something!"
"He is a fool for letting you go. Is that what you wish to hear? You and I both know that is true but what is it you really want me to do for you? I will give you whatever you wish."
"I want to fight. I need to fight something or someone," she said through gritted teeth.
"You have come to the right man. Now, who may I ask will be our unlucky participant this evening?" He asked as he leaned in closer to her.
"Surly there is someone in this bar that deserves a thrashing," she said as she gazed out into the open bar.
Zevran smiled as he noticed a burley fellow staring at him and Aleria, mostly Aleria. It was then an idea crossed his mind. "You keep looking I'm going to excuse myself for a moment." Zevran knew that as soon as he left her alone the gazer would make his move. Zevran made his way up to the bar and began shamelessly flirting with the barmaid.
Aleria went back to staring blankly and chugging down ale. From the corner of his eye Zevran saw the mouse wonder unknowingly into the trap.
"Ello, there. What's a pretty young thing like you doing drinking alone?" the man said gruffly.
Aleria peered at him from over her glass. "I'm not alone my companion just went to buy me another drink."
The man huffed a laugh. "You can hardly consider one of those knife ears as much of anything. Wouldn't you prefer real man?" he said as he leaned in close to her.
Aleria laughed. "I can assure you he has plenty of manhood for me."
Zevran nearly spat out his drink as chuckled to himself.
The man snarled his nose. "Oh, so you're one of those...it's probably been so long since you've had a real man you've forgotten how it feels. Well my lady, it's your lucky night. I just so happen to be in a giving mood." He smirked at her.
Aleria smirked in return. "So am I." Aleria reared her arm back and slammed her fist directly into his face. The man sputtered as he wiped the blood and saliva away from his mouth.
"You like it rough, huh? Well, I'll be happy to oblige! He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of the booth.
"Oh no. Please don't." She said in an emotionless monotone.
Zevran ordered another drink and made himself comfortable. "Let the show begin. Anyone want to place a wager?" He smirked.
The man slung Aleria around; she wobbled on her feet for a moment before he landed a hard punch to her side knocking the wind out of her.
That was exactly what she needed. The pain and the rage began burning off the alcohol in her system as adrenaline pumped through her veins. She inhaled deeply and jumped to her feet much to the surprise of her attacker. "You want some more, wench?" He released a punch with such force that when Aleria gracefully side stepped him he fell into another patron's table. Aleria smirked as the man turned to face her.
"You've got a little something..." she motioned to his face then all over his body. The man wiped away the excess beer and charged her like a rabid war hound. Aleria dodged him again and landed a kidney shot as he moved past her. The man spun wildly and connected his fist to her face.
Aleria staggered for a moment, and then wiped the blood from trickling cheek. Play time was over. The man regained himself then lunged at her, wrapping his hands around her throat. "What now my little elves' whore, nothing smart to say?" Aleria choked as his grip tightened. "I'm sorry, what was that?" he prodded. Aleria wrapped her hands around his wrists to brace herself, then jump kicked him in the stomach, prompting her release. Then with three quick moves, a head butt, a right jab to the stomach, and a knee to the face, Aleria ended the fight. She gingerly stepped over her unconscious aggressor and made her way to Zevran. He smirked as he licked his finger and wiped the excess blood from her face.
"Alright my friends, time to pay up." Five different men proceeded to empty their pockets and hand their money over to the grinning assassin. "One sparkling gem of advice I can give you is always bet on a woman who has been scorned. In this case, this woman has been scorned many times and I know from experience, Hell hath no fury such as hers." And with that Zevran jumped from his seat and wrapped an arm around Aleria. "So I'm guessing we are done here?"
Aleria nodded. "Yes, I suppose I have to go back now." Weariness and drunkenness were settling back as the adrenaline exited her body.
"You don't have to go back you know… we could always get a room and…" Zevran started, but mid-sentence Aleria slammed him against the nearest wall.
"Aleria, I was only teasing there is no need for such violence…" He said with hands raised in protest. Aleria didn't say a word as she fiercely pressed her lips against his. Zevran pulled away slightly from shock but Aleria only pressed him further, pinning him against the wall. Zevran smirked and reciprocated in kind deepening their fiery kiss. With one swift movement Zevran swept Aleria's legs around his waist, then spun and slammed her against the same wall. Aleria entangled her hands in his hair and pulled him closer. Zevran coiled at her touch as a low growl echoed from his throat. He made his way from her lips to the nape of her neck as she reached down to unbutton his shirt.
"Mi Corazon, wait." Zevran grabbed her hands. "Are you sure about this? If we proceed much longer..."
She kissed him again silencing him. Zevran pulled away. "Aleria, with any other woman I would not hesitate but I've come to care for you, I'll ask you once more then never again. Is this what you truly desire?"
Aleria held his gaze for a moment before slowly shaking her head no. Zevran gently let her slide from around his waist and back to the ground. She still kept her arms wrapped around him as she laid her head on his shoulder.
"I don't understand, Zevran! How could Alistair do this? I thought he loved me. Then again, I thought Nathanial did as well. I'm so stupid. What makes me so easy to give up?" Aleria sobbed into his shoulder.
"You are asking the wrong man, Mi amor," he stroked her hair gently.
"I don't know what I would do without you Zev. I'm so glad I didn't kill you," she sobbed.
Zevran chuckled. "As am I. Now, shall we head back? There is a demon to be fought and a world to save, yes?"
Aleria nodded and they headed back to the Arl's estate.