Many thanks to mille libri and Ygraine33 for the lovely reviews and stimulating conversation. It's really helped with this story!


Alistair welcomed back his volunteer Antivan post-boy with a seat near a roaring fire and some mulled wine. Zevran had clutched the warm tankard gratefully, leaning close to the blaze.

"Ah! Civilization at last!" He gave the King a rueful grin. "I had wondered if my earlier disenchantment with the Dalish lifestyle was merely because I was so young and if I might not have a greater appreciation for it when I was older."

"And did you?" Alistair asked curiously, sipping his own wine.

"In some ways, yes. I am old enough to appreciate the way they cooperate among themselves and the way the benefit of the clan is considered before individual profit. But it is camping when all is said and done, Alistair, albeit very fancy camping with wagons and I got more than my share of that during our travels. It will be interesting to see how having a homeland of their own will change the Dalish. To go from traveling all about Thedas to staying in one place, putting down roots…it is a profound change, after all. But you did not send me to study Dalish culture, but rather one Dalish in particular."

"Did he write me back?" Alistair asked, trying not to seem eager.

"There was no need. Very little time had passed and he had my most excellent self to pass his words on to you. Which are that he appreciates your understanding and that of course you are welcome to come any time you like. He was glad to hear from you, I think. Your letter cheered him."

"Then I'm very glad you went. Thank you again." Zevran inclined his head graciously, then took a deep draught of the wine.

"How was he really, Zev?"

The assassin swallowed and seemed to be marshaling his thoughts for a moment. At last, he said, "He puts on a good show for Ashalle. But he has not been eased as much by being back among his people as I had thought he would be. Perhaps even he expected to derive more comfort from it, though it is true that not very much time has passed since Drakon. Wounds that deep can be years healing, if they heal at all."

"What do you mean, he's not been eased?" Alistair asked, running his hand through his hair with a worried expression on his face.

"His temper is still uncertain, he says. He apparently nearly struck that Cammen lad when the boy laid a hand upon him from behind. Personally, I think a little smacking around would do Cammen good. I was not much impressed with that boy." The King snorted in agreement, then gestured for him to continue.

"He doesn't eat much, especially for a Warden. He has trouble sleeping as well. Three of the four nights I stayed, he ended up sleeping in the halla pen."

"In the halla pen? I know better than most that animals can be comforting in the dead of night-" The King sputtered when Zevran snickered and he realized how what he had said had sounded. "Not like that, Zev! I used to sleep in a stable when I was a boy, remember? But out there in the cold like that?"

"I sneaked after him the first time he did it and watched. It was odd, but rather beautiful. The halla seemed to sense that he was in pain and in need of comfort. They actually encouraged him to lie down among them and moved closer to him, so that he would stay warm."

"Lhaine always did say that they weren't deer, and that they were smarter than horses," Alistair mused. "He must like it with them because they remind him he's not with us shemlen anymore." His face fell as he considered the ramifications of that statement.

Zevran shrugged. "That may be part of it. But probably the greater part is that he doesn't wish to disturb his foster mother. He's a very restless sleeper, prone to nightmares even worse than during our travels. She's not a young woman and I think he does it so that she can have her rest."

"Oh. He always was a considerate person."

"And a busy one. He's certainly pulling his weight down there. There's a new council governing the place and he has a seat on it. And he hunts and fights the odd darkspawn. Apparently there are still a few wandering around down there. Dagger loves the life-he looks better than I've ever seen him. Ashalle says that since she and Lhaine are the only two Sabrae there, that they are the representatives for their clan."

"Wow. It sounds like he's got more than enough to do for his people." Alistair drank some more wine, looking decidedly morose. "He probably doesn't need to be coming back up here any time soon."

"That is what I thought as well, but…" Zevran trailed off, staring into the fire.

"But what?"

"Lhaine did say one thing I found interesting while I was there. But he also told me not to worry you, so I don't know if I should tell you or not. He's an evil person when he's crossed."

"So am I, Zev," Alistair said, striving to look dangerous. The assassin suppressed a smile as the bait was taken. "What did Lhaine say?"

"That he thought he might be able to actually sleep in your arms and the thought of it made him ache inside."

"Oh. Oh." Alistair's face lit up.

"I take it this is something you are glad to hear?"

"Yes! I really should go down there, see him myself." Then the enthusiasm left him. "But I've got all these ladies here right now, Zev. I don't think I can leave."

"How has the search for a queen gone on in my absence? Have you managed to muddle along without my expert romantic advice?"

"Well enough, I guess. We've had a hunt and a couple of dances. There's another tonight." The King sighed, looking glum. "I have to be careful. They're waiting to ambush me everywhere, the ladies. Maker, but I get tired of the tittering and giggling and batting of the eyes! Why they think it's appealing, I'll never know. I've got a guard on the door to my chambers at all times now to keep them out, after I found one in my bed."

"Such a sad life you lead, my friend! Could I have a couple of your cast-offs? Leli and I could have such fun with them!"

Alistair gave him a disgusted look. "It's not funny, Zev! I don't want to be tricked into marrying someone!"

"Understandable. Is there no one among them you think you could stand to live with?"

"There's Bann Alfstanna. I've always liked her since the Landsmeet. She's sensible and really, really smart. Since I'd like my kids to be smarter than I am, that's a good thing. Also, she doesn't bat her eyes or titter. We just talk. Honestly, she's the only one who cares about anything other than gossip or her latest dress. We talk about the kingdom and her bannorn. She actually knows a lot about government. I've been thinking that she might not be a bad choice."

"You're being very logical about this, I must say. I'd be inclined to agree that Alfstanna would be a good choice except for one thing."

Alistair narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"That bodyguard of Alfstanna's?"

"Mistress Quicksilver?"

"She's a personal bodyguard. A very personal bodyguard, if you understand me." Zevran watched with covert amusement while the King worked this through.

"You mean Alfstanna and the elf…do things together?" Alistair's ears began to redden.

"Why yes, that's exactly what I mean."

"Maker, that's…that's…" Alistair suddenly seemed to be having trouble focusing on the conversation and the red was creeping from his ears to his cheeks.

"A mental image that's very stimulating to someone, apparently."

"Zev!"

"Perhaps you should ask her if she'd let you watch sometime. As a loyal subject, how could she refuse?"

The King's face was now crimson. "You are impossible, Zevran Arainai!" he managed to choke out.

"Just pointing out a possible impediment to your very sensible plan, Your Majesty. Although…" The assassin tapped his slender fingers on his mug, looking thoughtful. "That might actually not be such a bad idea, provided Alfstanna were actually willing and able to bed you. Even if she were sleeping with someone else, it would be a woman. You'd always know your children were actually yours. And if you allowed her Mistress Quicksilver on the side, she might be willing to look the other way if you did want to give Lhaine that opportunity to sleep in your arms." He glanced over at the King, who was staring at him. Alistair was obviously both appalled and intrigued by the idea. "Now that I think on it, it's actually a very sensible solution. Very Antivan of you."

"Zev, don't take this the wrong way, but after knowing you I never want to go anywhere near Antiva."

"And there you are being sensible again! That is probably just as well, my friend. I don't think you could handle it."

"I'll say!"

Zevran finished his wine and rolled the mug between his hands. "There is something else that occurred to me while I was down with Lhaine, Sire," he said mildly. "Something that might help with your situation. As you are aware, Lhaine's clan is not currently in Ferelden."

"That's true," Alistair said, scratching his head. "I had to send a ship to get his foster mother for the ceremony. They were in Kirkwall at the time. Have they moved?"

"No. And where they are troubles him. It is a mountain and it is…not a particularly healthy place. But their halla all died on the trip over. They have no way to come home over land and may not for several years. The other clans will donate halla to them, but they must wait until their herds increase enough to do that."

"I don't like the sound of that."

"Neither does Lhaine. I'm afraid I was a bit forward. I hope you will forgive me. Ashalle had mentioned to me that Lhaine wished to go and fetch them back. Later on, when we were alone, I told Lhaine that I thought you might be willing to fund the ships to go do that. It was presumptuous of me, I know, but-"

"No, it's a good idea, Zev. If I can find the money, I certainly will. Thedas and Ferelden owe him so much! The least we can do is bring his people home." The King's brow furrowed in concern. "Is he up to a trip to a strange shemlen city, do you think?"

"I told him that I would go with him. I suspect Leli would too, though I wasn't going to speak for her. And that you would send an honor guard. He was amused by that last."

"Definitely. He's not going anywhere without a royal guard. The world will know how Ferelden values him." Alistair nodded firmly. "I'm glad you offered, Zev. You didn't overstep. But I don't see how it will really help my situation. He'll ship out of Amaranthine, most likely."

"Yes, but he will need to come see you about the arrangements first, or at least you can make it so. Or you could meet him in Amaranthine. It's close to Denerim. It's true you probably shouldn't go down to Ostagar right now, but I don't see why you couldn't take a jaunt to Amaranthine. In any event, you will see him and probably months earlier than you would have otherwise. In the early spring. To finalize things, if you agree to this."

Enthusiasm lit the King's face. "As I said, let me see where I can steal the funds from. But this is doable. Thanks, Zev! How would you like a seat on the Council? You come up with much better ideas than the rest of my Privy Council."

"Thank you, but no thanks. I like the position I currently possess."

"And that is?"

"Sometime security advisor and royal matchmaker." The assassin easily dodged the predictable swipe of the big hand, rolling out of his chair and heading for the door with a big grin.

"I am devastated but I must leave you, Your Royal Hunkiness. Leliana has been missing me, I am sure, and the Crows will be the least of my problems if I do not greet her properly and soon!"


"You really shouldn't keep bringing me to these things, 'Stanna," the elven bodyguard said repressively.

Bann Alfstanna of Waking Sea chuckled. "Other banns have guards." She was clad, as she rarely was, in an actual gown this evening. Her guard was in well-buffed drakeskin armor.

"Yes, but they don't bring them into the ballroom."

"Oh come on, Shen! These things are a total bore! It's so much more fun when you're here to be catty with. They become almost bearable then."

"People are going to talk."

"Let them. I'll guarantee that what we get up to is much more interesting than what they imagine."

"Pssssht! Enough of that! You shouldn't speak so in public!" A furrowed brow did little to mar the beauty of the elf called Shenly Quicksilver. Aptly called, for the cold silver purity of her hair and the steely silver-grey of her eyes. "You need a bridle for that tongue of yours!"

Alfstanna leaned close. "That's not what you were saying about my tongue just last night…" she murmured with a wicked grin.

The elf grimaced. "Incorgible, that's what you are. Incorgible."

"Incorrigible," the bann corrected gently.

"Damn!" Shenly scowled, flushing with embarrassment.

"You were close. And you used it correctly. You obviously knew the right meaning. Good job."

"It's easier reading big words than using them to talk to people."

"But you're making great strides with both. Are all elves so bright? So quick-witted? So fierce in battle?" The bann leaned in close again. "So incredibly sexy?"

"No," the bodyguard growled. "Just me."

"Good to know I've got a discerning eye then." Alfstanna cast said eye about the room, spied out where the King of Ferelden was dancing with Habren Bryland and grimaced. "Poor King Alistair. I almost feel sorry for him. You've never told me what you think of him, Shen."

"He's a shem. And a man. What do you think I think of him?" the elf snorted.

"He did leave the gate on the Alienage open and put Shianni on the Council. He's trying to get things fixed up in there. It's more than most have done."

"True enough, I guess," came the grudging response. "Why do you care what I think about him, 'Stanna?"

"Oh, I've just been wondering. Here he is, the most eligible bachelor in Ferelden, every nobleman's daughter mooning after him. He could be tupping a different lady every night. But as far as anyone knows, he isn't. Nor is he sending to The Pearl or anyplace else for take-out. He's living like a monk."

"Well he was the next best thing to a templar, if you believe the stories," Shenly said. "Maybe he's just shy."

"Perhaps…" Alfstanna mused. "But he was different when the Warden was still here. All concerned and hovery. And after the Warden left, it was like a light went out inside him."

The elf's eyes narrowed. "Wait," she muttered. "Are you saying what I think you're saying? That the great Theirin dynasty is reduced to one bastard, almost-templar gay guy?" She chuckled. "That's rich!"

"It's a possibility. A possibility that might bring with it opportunity."

"All right, 'Stanna. Out with it. You know I hate it when you get that plotting look in your eye."

The young bann rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "I'm just considering the advantages that might accrue were I the Queen of Ferelden."

"There's one big problem with that idea," the bodyguard said, frowning. "You don't like cock."

"That is true," Alfstanna acknowledged with an inclination of her braided red head. "But it is also true that it is inevitable that there will be some cock in my life, for Waking Reach's sake."

"What about Irminric? He's not a templar anymore."

"You've seen him, Shen. It may be years before he's fully straightened out from the lyrium addiction. And he is still very pious. The only ecstasy he's interested in experiencing at present is the religious sort. I'm hoping that in time he'll be able to come through for me and give me a nephew or niece for the bannorn, but I'm by no means certain that it's going to happen. And that means I need to think of marriage myself. I'm under more of a pressure of time than he is."

"So? You don't have to be queen. Just find some functioning prick from the merchant class you can thoroughly cow, who will be so happy to be nobility that he'll let you do anything-even me-and be done with it. I didn't think you were into the whole power thing."

"I'm not, really. But the more I think about it, the more I think it might be a good idea on a lot of levels. If the King really does have something going on with the Warden and he marries one of these tarts here and she finds out and raises a fuss, complains to her father, word gets out…that wouldn't be good for the kingdom. Whereas if he and I are married and have an agreement that we each have our own amusements on the side, then there's no scandal and no problem."

"There's still the whole not liking cock thing."

"I think…I think that would not be so much of a problem if I knew the other person involved wasn't any more enthusiastic than I was, that we both had a job to get done," Alfstanna said, her nose wrinkling a bit as she pondered. It was one of her more adorable expressions, to Shenly's way of thinking. "I'd prefer it actually, to a marriage to a man who really wanted me and then was disappointed when I didn't want him back. That's a good part of the reason I've been hesitant to marry. It just doesn't seem fair to my husband." She looked down at her bodyguard/lover and smiled a little. "There is another consideration as well, Shenly. If I am Queen, then you are safe."

"Oh no you don't!" Shenly exclaimed, keeping her voice low but shaking her head furiously. Her back alley accent, which she was trying to eradicate with Alfstanna's tutelage, was suddenly very obvious. "Don't you dare go making your marriage plans based upon what would help me! I don't want to be the cause of a major balls-up in your life! You've already done enough!"

"It's not as if I haven't derived some benefit from it as well." The bann's tone was gently teasing.

"Not that much. There isn't a whore alive worth what you've given me, no matter how good she is."

"Then perhaps it is a good thing that you are not a whore," Alfstanna said firmly. The dance was ending. The King bowed to Habren and when he straightened, he was by chance looking directly at Alfstanna, who lifted her chin and smiled at him. He was across the floor from them, but immediately began crossing to join them.

"He's going to dance with you next."

"Yes. He likes me because I don't flirt with him. And to be honest, I like him as well. But before I set upon this plan, I need to know more. If he is simply friends with the Warden, then I've got no leverage."

"How do we find that out?" Shenly muttered quietly, for he was drawing close.

"A period of close observation," Alfstanna murmured. "Though if it looks like he's going to offer elsewhere, I might have to play my hand early."

A few moments later, he was standing in front of them. "Good evening, Bann Alfstanna, Mistress Quicksilver. My lady, would you give me the privilege of dancing the next dance with me?"

Alfstanna offered him her hand and smiled. "Trying to keep them at bay, are you, Your Majesty?"

"Maker, yes!"

"Then I am glad to be of assistance, Sire."