(A/N: Basically, this is a continuation of the previous chapter with some Alistair and Elle conversation while Rowan and Loghain are having their little talk at the fire. It does get a little spicy in here but no details or anything too over the top so the rating will stay the same. ^^ It is a bit shorter, just a fair warning.)
While Rowan and Loghain held their conversation at the fire, Elle and her fiance Alistair were holding one of their own within their small tent. Alistair was fighting the urge to pick up his sword and charge out of the tent to execute Loghain. Honestly, he fumed, how could Rowan let that traitor live? She had her revenge! Why couldn't he have his? "Elle, I never thought I'd say this but your sister is completely out of her mind. Completely! I mean…I thought we were friends." He exclaimed, scowling. She had no right. No right at all! He should have been executed right then and there. It was what he deserved. No, he deserved to be eaten alive by the darkspawn. That's what he abandoned the army, Cailan, the wardens, and Duncan to back at Ostagar. "How could she do this?" He continued.
He was about to say more when he heard her sigh softly. She reached out to cover his hand with hers, giving it a small squeeze. Elle's eyes were full of sympathy. She honestly agreed with him, though she didn't think he deserved to get eaten by those monsters. It troubled her greatly that her sister had recruited him of all people into the order. Was it a reward? Was it an honor? Elle was no fool. She had debated with herself for months now about her feelings of being a warden. Like Rowan, she hated it. It was her duty, one that she'd see to the end, but she hated being a warden. It was no honor to her, seeing as how she was recruited. "If I know my sister, she was thinking of what was good for Ferelden, even if it wasn't the wisest political choice." She paused, seeing the outraged look on his face. Elle smiled and squeezed his hand again. She added "Trust me, love, I agree with you completely. He didn't deserve the chance. Still doesn't." A pause. She shook her head ruefully. "Unfortunately…there's no changing it now. Besides, who's to say that he won't end up struck by a emissiary or a darkspawn between here and Redcliffe?" She pointed out. Alistair's face lightened at the thought of that. "You make an excellent point, Elle. Let's pray that he does." He agreed, giving her a warm smile. Her face reddened at the heated look he was giving her.
"Don't let Rowan hear you say that or she'll take all your cheese away." She said, giggling when a look of horror appeared on his face. He stared at her. "S-She wouldn't! Wait, really? I love my cheese." He protested, his voice growing smaller as he realized she had only been kidding. Elle giggled again and leaned forward to kiss him lightly on the lips. "No, she wouldn't do that." She admitted. Alistair gave a smile of relief. A moment of silence passed. "She'd just feed it to Cailan." Once again he looked horrified and glanced at the opening of the tent where Rowan and Loghain could clearly be seen. His eyes narrowed on the former general's back. Sensing where his thoughts were going, Elle quickly turned his face back towards her. She seemed…he paused, studying her. "Elle, are you alright? You look…well…nervous. More so than when I asked you-" He broke off, knowing she'd get what he was trying to say. The look in her eyes confirmed his thoughts. Elle licked her bottom lip nervously and clasped her hands together. "There was actually something I wanted to talk to you about. It's about the Landsmeet." Alistair quirked a brow. "You know Rowan…pretty much engaged us together. " She began, taking a breath. Elle paused before blurting out "If you don't really wish to marry me, then you don't have to." She ducked, making sure she didn't look at Alistair. To be honest, she didn't want to force him to anything…but she really did want to marry him.
Suddenly he lifted her head up and met her frightened gaze with a serious one of his own. "Elle." He began, stopping at the sight of her trembling lip. Alistair cupped her face with his hands and smiled warmly. "Honestly, who else do you see being my queen? Anora?" He snorted. "No. One, she scares me. More so than Morrigan though Morrigan's not so scary really. Two, she's a Mac Tir. She probably hates me in general simply because of who her father is and the fact I pretty much kicked her off the throne. Three, she was married to my half brother. It would….never mind that. I don't love her. There's no one else in Thedas that I love as much as I love you." Elle's heart melted at his words. "So in short, Miss Cousland, would you do me the honors of marrying me and making me the happiest fool on Thedas?" He asked, kissing the tip of her nose. She giggled again and nodded. "Of course. I want to become your wife, Alistair. I just…I didn't want to seem like I was pushing you or that our lives were being dictated by my sister or anyone else for that matter." She confessed, making a face. He burst out laughing. "Somehow, my dear, I think our lives will pretty much be dictated for some time in the near future." He pointed out, amused. She rolled her eyes and smacked his arm lightly. "You know what I mean." They laughed before gazing into each other eyes with warm smiles.
Elle was the first to move. She pressed her forehead up against his and murmured "I love you, Alistair Theirin. We're going to live through this nasty Blight, become king and queen, and I plan on making love with you in every room of the palace." His ears flushed red. Alistair couldn't help but smile widely at her words and replied "I love you too, Elle Cousland, even though your sister is on my shit list until the Blight's been dealt with." Then he added teasingly "The making love part sounds really nice as well." She couldn't help but laugh at his antics and rolled her eyes. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, with hands beginning to wander over each other. Alistair pulled back with a flushed complexion, giving her the widest grin he could think of. "Help me with my armor, love?" She chuckled, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Only if you help me with mine, dearest."
As he began to quickly unbuckle her armor, Alistair replied a bit cheekily: "I think I can handle that." She laughed, drawing him close for another kiss.