A/N: Unbeta'd like all my work, if you see any glaring mistakes please let me know. :D
A post blight story which will never be canon but I've tried to keep it as close to the original story as possible. As you can see I'm not great at naming my stories xD
Summary: Accidents happen, especially when you rely on the taint as a form of contraception.
Pairing: Eventual Fem!Surana/Alistair
Disclaimer: Don't own Dragon Age or it's characters, just enjoy writing about them.
Unexpected
Chapter 1: Homecoming
Wynne sat at her desk, letters overflowing the wooden surface. Rain beat down on the window and thunder rumbled somewhere in the distance, not that Wynne paid the weather any mind. She currently sat thumbing through another set of letters, each with the same hurried scrawl across them. A small sigh escaped her as she re-read the last of many letters.
Wynne.
Has she come home?
Alistair
It had been nearly nine months since the Hero of Ferelden had vanished into the night without even a word. Wynne had gone to wake her and found only a cold bed and a single rose resting on a pillow. Telling Alistair had been the hardest part, he'd smiled and joked, said she'd probably set out to save another far off land or to stock up on his cheese. But his eyes, his eyes had given him away, they always did.
She stayed by his side as an advisor for a while and for the most part he'd seemed happy, at night though it was clear it was all an act. She'd woken many a night to see him pacing in the library or staring out windows towards the Circle Tower. After two weeks and no word the true hunt began, not just for Alistair's sake but because the Chantry began complaining too.
Nera was a mage it didn't matter that she'd struck down the Archdemon, in their eyes she was an apostate now. Finding her would have been simple, should have been simple, but Alistair had provided her with a boon before she left. An act of kindness gone awry, he'd destroyed her phylactery. So Wynne and Alistair covered it up best they could saying she was away on Warden business, but the Revered Mother did not seem convinced. Wynne knew there was more to the tale of the phylactery than Alistair would let on, but didn't push him.
All too soon it was time for Wynne to return to the Tower, it needed help rebuilding no matter how much Alistair needed her. When she left Alistair had promised to write and keep in touch, and write he had.
Once a week, for nine months. Wind, rain and shine, the letters always made it.
At first they were simply letters from one friend to another.
How're you? Have you turned anyone into a toad? Sorry to hear about the First Enchanter, but congratulations on your promotion. Any word on Nera? Has Nera been in touch? Leliana wrote to you? Has Zevran visited? Have they heard from Nera?
Nera. Nera. Nera. Soon that's all Alistair would write about, how the Dalish were searching their forests, how the dwarfs in Orzammar would send word if they saw her. Soon enough his letters degraded into one sentence each and every week.
Has she come home?
Wynne was getting too old for this, she didn't have much time left and she was spending her last few years attending to a lovesick King and hunting for a runaway. It was a futile quest anyway Wynne knew Nera well enough to know that she'd be found when she wanted to be, until then they could only wait and pray to the Maker that she hadn't run into trouble.
Not that Wynne could blame her for running, it had been foolish no doubt and irresponsible, running away from her duties. But she understood, after Alistair's tactless rejection of her at the Landsmeet it had taken Nera a lot to plaster on her brave face a solider on, but Wynne heard her that very night, the sobs had practically echoed around her room.
Wynne couldn't begrudge her a little "Me time" after everything she'd done for Ferelden and everything she'd sacrificed. She'd warned them both, warned them that their relationship was dangerous and that one day duty would come first, but she never expected Alistair to be so cruel. Breaking her heart in front of all of them. If anything she thought Nera would be the one to hurt Alistair, she was even more tactless than him.
Slumping further into her chair and discarding the last letter she closed her eyes before the throbbing behind her eyes could become a full headache. She should really write back to Alistair, but writing 'No' on a piece of parchment seemed such a waste.
Against her will she found herself drifting to sleep.
***
A crack of thunder, a flash of lightening and her office door being thrown open wretched Wynne from her dreams. She barely had time to wipe the sleep from her eyes before the mage that had barged into her room spoke.
"Senior Enchanter Wynne, there's a situation in the entrance hallway, I think you'll want to see this."
Wynne pulled herself from her chair and motioned for the mage to lead the way, they walked quickly through already brimming corridors packed full of mages. Wynne frowned at them as she passed and they began to hurry back to their quarters, if a little reluctantly. Something had really got them interested.
She entered the entrance and stood in dumbfounded shock. Nera. There she stood in all her glory. Muddy, bloody and soaking wet. She seemed to have something stuffed up her robe though, one hand rested protectively over it whilst another wielded a slowly growing ball of flames.
"Stay back, stay back or I will kill you, Maker as my witness." Nera's voice sounded tired and weak, but that same determination she was known for still rung out. Wynne hadn't noticed the Templar until now, too transfixed on the fact that Nera had strolled back into her life just as quickly and easily as she'd left it. They advanced slowly, swords ready and prepared to dispel the ball of flames that could be launched at them any second. The Knight Commander stood back from them eyeing the newcomer nervously, clearly unsure if he'd seen Nera before, Wynne decided she'd better intervene.
"Greagoir, King Alistair will not approve if you run a sword through the Hero of Ferelden."
Nera's head swivelled round quickly and their eyes met. Nera gave her a weak smile and let the fire that had been dancing at her fingertips disintegrate. Trust shining in blue eyes that warmed Wynne's heart to see after all these months. The Templar's stopped too, knowing the situation had been resolved now Wynne was there, after all the Knight Commander trusted Wynne.
Nera dropped to her knees suddenly and Wynne hurried towards her. And that was when she realised, she wasn't hiding a package. The bulge straining beneath her robes was her stomach.
She was pregnant. And from the looks of it close to bursting.
Nera looked up at Wynne, wet blonde hair stuck to the side of her face from rain, forehead clammy with sweat.
"Wynne, help me." She sounded so lost and desperate. Wynne was still reeling at the latest discovery to do anything other than nod. Nera, pregnant?! How? With who? Some silly one night stand to get over Alistair? Or had she fallen in love all over again whilst she was away? Whatever had happened she needed looking after.
Recognising one of the Templar's as Cullen, she got him to pick up the nearly lifeless form of Nera and carry her to the First Enchanter's quarters. Following behind Wynne was slowly gathering her composure, she had a lot to do and she could get her answers later. She needed to get Nera warm and comfortable, get her some food and something to drink, who knew how far she'd travelled! Once she was settled she could figure out how long until the baby was due and gather the necessary potions and poultices required.
As they reached her quarters a thought struck her and a small groan escaped her.
How was she going to tell Alistair about this?!
***
Alistair
Nera is home. Sit back down and finish reading the letter before you rush here to see her. Very good.
I would advise against seeing her for the moment, she is currently unwell but being well taken care of by myself. I will see it as a personal insult if you arrive now, I am quite capable taking care of her on my own. Remember you have a kingdom to run before you do anything rash. She arrived two nights ago, exhausted and soaking wet, the silly girl. But you know Nera, she wanted to come to the Circle so she did.
Her condition is…surprising…to say the least, but treatable and she'll be perfectly fine. Don't panic and stay where you are! Once she's more coherent I'll send word for you to come see her. I can't really go into anymore details at the moment, but I assure you again that she'll be completely fine.
I've written to Leliana for her to come a visit so Nera can have another familiar face. Of course you'd be my first choice Alistair but due to your history with Nera and your own duties I have to make sure she's willing to see you, you understand don't you?
Stay where you are! I'll see you soon enough.
Wynne.
Alistair read the letter, then re-read the letter. A servant walked by startling him into action.
"You! Yes you! Go to the stables, get the fastest horse I have ready. I'll be down there in five minutes. And get Arl Eamon for me."
The servant bowed and left quickly. After giving the Arl a hurrid explanation Alistair donned his armour and began his journey to the Circle of Magi.
***
Next Chapter: Nera's Story.
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