The Exalted Council has ended. The Inquisition has been reduced and placed under the direction of the new Divine Victoria. King Alistair didn't end up getting what he petitioned for during the Exalted Council, but his reward was far greater.
Written for Alistair Appreciation Week 2018 - Day 2
That Would Be Me - King of Ferelden
Notes:
Alistair Appreciation Week - 2018
For Day Two - May 15, 2018
That Would Be Me - King of Ferelden
Prompt:
Does Denerim have a sole ruler or a royal couple? How are relations with Orlais? Is the palace really haunted…?
All recognizable content belongs to Bioware/EA Games
All twisted perversions therein, are all on me ~ You're welcome!
All That Matters
Part 2
King Alistair paced his chambers waiting for his new bodyguard to arrive. With careful planning, he skillfully maneuvered the players right where he wanted them. It had taken him several years-and more patience than most people gave him credit for-but in the end, it was worth it.
He played his part well, convincing everyone that Ferelden was against the Inquisition's continued existence. He played the villain so that the world would see the Inquisition, serving under Divine Victoria's watchful eye, as the lesser evil.
What they didn't know was that Alistair felt Thedas was a better place with the Inquisition watching over it. He felt more secure knowing that Divine Victoria was watching over them all. Leliana always did have his back.
A soft knock on the door immediately brought a smile to his face. When he opened it, a blur —that used to be the Commander of the Inquisitions forces—rushed through. As the lock slid home, Alistair found himself hoisted into the air and spun around to Cullen's gleeful laughter. "Alistair, we did it!"
"I know, my love." He laughed giddily as he pecked kisses all over Cullen's face, then ended with a soft lingering kiss on his lips as Cullen lowered his feet back to the ground. "I finally get to take you home with me so we can be together."
"It's been too long coming," whispered Cullen, breathlessly. Taking Alistair's hand, he led him over to the divan and sat down, pulling Alistair into his lap. "I know you like to play the foolish King, but if your people only knew how well you played their own game against them, they would be worried."
"Since the day I took the throne, I've done everything for their benefit. I figured it was finally time that I did something for me. For us ."
"I still can't believe this worked," said Cullen. "We've got Leliana in position as Divine, the Inquisition reduced to a more manageable size, Rylen promoted to my old position, and somehow you managed to get them to offer me up to be your personal bodyguard." Cullen laughed suddenly, "As an olive branch, no less, for Ferelden not getting its way in eliminating the Inquisition entirely."
"Well, as King, throwing royal temper tantrums is my prerogative." Alistair winked. "I may not have gotten my way, but I can certainly appreciate my consolation prize. After all, I did make a lot of enemies during this little game of theirs, I'm going to need a skilled warrior to watch my body."
"I love this body." Cullen grinned evilly, running his hands up and down Alistair's back. "Though, I've seen you in action, and you need guarding about as much as Leliana—I mean Divine Victoria—does."
"A second set of eyes watching my back is never a bad thing, and there's no one I trust more." A shadow moved over Alistair's expression. "How is the Inquisitor?"
"He's doing as well as can be expected after losing his hand. Cassandra hasn't left his side and doesn't appear to be anytime soon. I think he's more crushed about Solas; they'd become such good friends," Cullen sighed.
"Better his hand than his life. I still can't believe Solas is the dread wolf."
Cullen snorted in disdain. "I can hardly believe it either. I don't know what the future is going to bring for that whole situation, but I'm glad that the Inquisition is still in place to deal with the aftermath." He rested his head on Alistair's shoulder with a heavy sigh.
Alistair carded his fingers through Cullen's hair. "You are not abandoning them, my love."
"I know." Cullen looked up, hopefully. "And we can still support them from Denerim."
"With Varric in Kirkwall, Dorian and Bull in Tevinter, Zevran in Antiva, and us in Denerim, we'll have eyes and ears everywhere. Our plan was very well thought out; everyone's been placated and our agents are where we need them most."
"And me?"
Alistair kissed Cullen on the tip of his nose. "You are where we needed you most of all."
" We needed?" Cullen smirked.
"You and I, yes. We ." Alistair winked. "It's been a long time coming. No more months of time between visits. No more coded messages delivered by Leliana's flock of ravens. No more empty beds on cold, lonely nights."
"No more rushed quickies and secret rendezvous?"
"Well, we can still have those." Alistair grinned. "But, I also plan on falling asleep in your arms every night."
"I'd really like that." Cullen tightened his arms around Alistair. "Are you worried about people getting suspicious of us?"
"At this point, I want them to find out. I can't wait for the day when we have no more secrets. You mean so much more to me than that. " Alistair smiled brightly. "We can let them get used to the idea slowly, using the connecting door between our chambers to be able to share a bed at night, while maintaining appearances during the day."
"You sure you don't want to keep us a secret anymore? What about your throne and your heir?"
"I never did, Cullen. The surrounding Arlings already know that I am sterile from my time as a Grey Warden. They do not expect a blood-heir, only that I find myself a crown princess—or in your case prince-to rule by my side. I've always refused their meddling in the past, but now, I think they'd be happy with me picking just about anyone to share my life with. And you, my dearest, already have their respect."
"And how do we proceed? How do we even begin to make our intentions toward each other public?"
Alistair grinned. "Once the dust settles, I'd like to start courting you—officially, by whatever proper methods my council seems to think best. Most or the council are already aware that you and I share a… history, but to assuage the masses, we'll begin with a few public events. And after awhile, I fully intend on taking your hand to be my husband."
Cullen sniffled. "I know we've talked about it…"
"What is it? What's wrong? Do you not want to—"
"No, it's not that, Alistair. It's just that… we've been doing this dance for almost twenty years. You stole my heart in the chantry and we've managed to stay together throughout everything . Sometimes we've had years between times when we could see each other, but we've always come back to this." He hugged Alistair tightly. "I just can't believe that we finally get to be together. I can't believe that I finally get to have you as my own."
Alistair tipped Cullen's chin up and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "My love, I would wait another twenty years for you if I had to, and I've always been yours. There's never been anyone else for me."
End Notes:
My humble thanks to the amazing Ponticle for making me a better writer!