Hi, guys! I am done school for the summer and now have a three week break until I start classes again in the fall. I am working on the Guardian but got this finished first. I am almost done playing Dragon Age Origins-Awakening and don't see this story going more than 3-5 chapters.

By my math, I'm about 3 months through the 6 month gap between games.

I do not own Dragon Age! It belongs to BioWare!

One week later…

Fergus left the following week to go back to Highever. Rose was sad to see him leave, but knew he needed to grieve for their family, especially his wife and son. Her nephew was only 8 when Rendon Howe killed him. He never had a chance to learn how to use a sword. She had loved him like a son, something she would probably never get now with the taint in her blood as well as Alistair's.

She shook her head though. These were dark thoughts and things were looking up. Alistair had informed the First Warden of Fergus giving Amaranthine to the Wardens. It would be interesting to see how it played out. The seneschal from Vigil's Keep was due to arrive within the next couple of weeks to go over how to best divide power there. She had heard good things about him and just hoped that no Howes would cause trouble.

She heard a knock on the door and looked towards it.

"Enter."

Leliana smiled as she opened the door and so did Rose. Besides Alistair, Leliana and Wynne were her closest friends, having fought together for so long. She embraced her friend, happier than she had been in a very long time.

"My friend, how have you been? It has been too long."

"I've been fine, Leliana, and you? How have you been? I thought you were going back to the Chantry."

Leliana smiled shyly. Rose had learned to be worried by that smile.

"That was my intention, yes. But I decided to go back home…to Orlais."

Rose stood there shocked. Alistair walked in just as Leliana said that and spoke up.

"Really? I though you loved it here, Leliana."

Leliana smiled at Alistair. Rose went to him, pulling him into a hug. Leliana's smile faltered a bit. She had cared deeply for the young female Grey Warden but she only had eyes for Alistair. She watched sadly as Rose smiled up to her husband, who kissed her sweetly. She cleared her throat to get their attention.

"I do and I always will. But after everything that has happened since you found me in Lothering, it feels wrong to go back to the Chantry. I rediscovered my love of music and want to go back to Orlais to teach others the same thing."

"Teach more people to be bards, you mean?" Rose didn't miss a thing. Leliana was an amazing bard.

She nodded.

"Yes. But I will teach them to be kind to one another because we are all special in the Maker's eyes."

Alistair frowned, shaking his head.

"I hate to see you go, but I do understand. I wish you the best, Leliana."

He offered his hand to her, which she took gladly. Rose watched the exchange, noticing the range of emotions across Leliana's face. As Alistair let go, Rose pulled him aside.

"Can you give the two of us a moment?"

"Anything for you. Teagan is here anyways. Meet me in the sitting room when you are done."

Rose nodded, smiling as Alistair kissed her forehead before leaving. As he was gone, she turned back to Leliana, who was fidgeting a little.

"You aren't leaving because of my choice with Alistair, are you?"

Leliana sighed. That was the main reason why she was leaving. She couldn't get anything past Rose.

"Yes. I know why you choose him. You love him and he loves you. But…I cannot stay here. I feel…out of place now. In Orlais, I hope to find a proper home."

Rose looked at her friend, tears in her eyes. She hugged her again.

"I'm sorry, Leliana. But know that no matter what, you will always have a home here with us."

"Thank you."

They let go of each other and smiled one last time. Leliana turned to leave. As she left, she turned back to look at Rose.

"Thank you, my dear friend, for everything you have done for me. It has been a great honor."

She bowed to Rose and left for Orlais, never to see Rose again.

3 weeks later…

Alistair and Rose stood in the reception chamber, both dressed in their Grey Warden armor with crowns on their heads. Seneschal Varel was walking towards them with the Captain of Vigil's Keep's guard beside him. As they approached, Rose took note of the friendliness that seemed to come from the seneschal. She was still wrapping her head around the fact that people from Amaranthine could be nice, although her view is biased because of Rendon Howe. She looked to Alistair as he started to speak, not noticing that Varel and the captain were kneeling in front of them.

"Seneschal Varel, we welcome you to Denerim and extend the hand of hospitality to you."

"We gladly accept your offer and offer our thanks, your majesty."

Alistair smiled, offering his hand to Varel.

"Come, we have much to discuss."

Rose followed the two of them back to the war room, sitting on Alistair's right hand side, Varel sitting across from her. Varel smiled at her.

"My lady, you are as beautiful as the stories have told."

"I'm sure they are exaggerated, Seneschal. I'm just trying to help out any way that I can. Most of the time, I'm covered in blood…somehow."

Varel laughed.

"I see that you have a sense of humor, your majesty. That's good."

Alistair smiled at his wife. He knew she wasn't joking. She was always in the thick of the fighting, but he loved to watch her. He turned his attention to Varel.

"How are things in Amaranthine, Varel?"

"I'm not going to lie. It is a mess. With the death of the arl, we have no leader. Many of the banns would like his position and are not happy with you for giving Amaranthine to the Couslands and for Teryn Fergus for giving it to the Wardens."

"And you, Varel? What do you think of my brother's decision to give the arling to the Wardens?"

"I think it is a great idea. The Wardens have not had a home in Felderan for a long time. Why not now? But correct me if I'm wrong, you two are the only Wardens in Felderan, right?"

They both nodded.

"Rose took command after the death of Duncan and I helped her along, which got me in my current position. But we do need more Wardens, at least until we can rebuild. I have sent word to Orlais and asked them to send some Wardens to us to help hold Vigil's Keep until such a time that Felderan's Wardens are in good number."

"A splendid idea, your majesty. I can help with the rebuilding of the Wardens. If it is alright with you, I can learn how to perform the Joining and use it to induct anyone you think is worthy to become a Grey Warden."

Alistair and Rose looked at each other. The Joining was a closely guarded secret of the Wardens. Neither of them knew much about it, only remembering what ingredients were needed to perform the ritual. Rose smiled softly.

"I am fine with that idea. I'm sure that Duncan would be happy that more Wardens are being created."

"Indeed. Varel, when the Wardens from Orlais arrive to Vigil's Keep, have them teach you the Joining Ritual. Also, start looking for potential applicants. If they feel like they have what it takes, do not deny them the right to try."

"Of course."

Varel stood up.

"I do apologize, but I must be heading back to Vigil's Keep. May the Maker bless you both."

Alistair and Rose stood up, following Varel out from the war room and watched as he left.

"Well…that's one thing down. Now we just have to wait to hear from the First Warden to see who will be leading everyone at Vigil's Keep."

"It's probably going to be you, Alistair."

Alistair chuckled, turning to Rose.

"It could also be you. You led us to victory against this Blight."

She smiled, kissing Alistair. But then they were interrupted by a messenger.

"Your majesties, I have news from the north. The darkspawn are not retreating underground as they have done in the past. They are attacking in an organized manner."

Rose and Alistair stood stunned as they listened to the messenger's report.

I hope to have more chapters up soon! Please review!