The days Tori and Cullen were in Denerim with the children, visiting Alistair and their friends, went by fairly quickly. Before they knew it, Duncan's birthday party was in full swing and the little prince was never more excited than Calissa had seen him.

The festivities were filled with music, dancing, games for the children, food and drink, and of course the presents. She stood with Alistair and Tori as their son opened his presents, keeping an eye on Cullen on the other children in case the Commander needed help.

Off to the side, however, she could hear the murmurs and whispers directed towards Tori- many of them consisting of what a whore she was or how power hungry she was to name just a couple. None of them were kind worded and the poison behind each one made Calissa sick.

'How could anyone speak ill of Tori? She's been through so much over the years, adjusted well to our world, lived a good and honest life, even saved us from oblivion and destruction. Thedas, even the whole world, owes her their lives and gratitude not to mention respect.' she wondered.

"Cali, you alright?" Cullen asked her as he leaned in, making sure to keep his voice down.

Calissa nodded, offering him a smile. She excused herself, having wished Duncan a happy birthday already, and went for a walk to. As she walked through the halls, she heard Bann Teagan, Alistair's uncle, speaking with someone. She didn't want to intrude, but she heard a rather unsavory remark about Tori and stepped forward.

"You should really be careful speaking about the Inquisitor like that, milord."

Teagan looked up from his conversation, eyes narrowing. "You are an advisor, Calissa, you would do well to remember your place."

"And you would do well to show more respect for the woman who saved all of our lives, yours included, who also-more importantly- is the mother of our crown prince. Or have you forgotten that?"

"The Inquisition is out of control, Tori Evermoore just as much."

"Why? Because she reclaimed Caer Bronach from bandits? Because she made outposts of other garrisons during the Mage-Templar war and helped to re-establish trade in Ferelden when we could not? Because she and the Inquisition continued to aid in rebuilding and healing the lands even after they defeated Corypheus and ended the Mage-Templar War? Because you fear they have the forces large enough to mount an invasion like Orlais did years ago? Or is it because you see her like so many others here tonight do: nothing more than a whore who sleeps her way around Thedas gaining and abusing power?" Calissa tried to remain as polite as she could, trying not to overstep her boundaries. "Tori Evermoore saved all of us. She's adjusted to our world, making it her home, and fights to preserve it at every turn not just for herself or for us but for her children. Do you not think that Alistair would have done exactly the same as she had given her situations? She is also a dear friend to me and I owe her a lot, so forgive me when I speak in her defense. She deserve more respect than I've seen her get from people like you."

Teagan remained silent as she started to turn away, only turning back to add, "Oh and before you tell me to know my place again, do remember that I am advisor to the king and answer only to him. Not you." Leaving things at that, Calissa made her way outside and informed the guard when he asked that she was going for a ride to clear her head.

An hour or two had passed and the party was coming to an end- at least for the children- before Alistair had realized that Calissa wasn't present in the grand hall. He looked around, asked some of the staff, but no one had seen her.

"Are you looking for Cali?" Cullen asked, seeing his worry. "She left to clear her head."

"Is she alright?"

"Ya, " Cullen looked at the door. "I haven't seen her in awhile, though."

Alistair looked to Tori as she touched his arm and smiled.

"It's alright, Alistair, go get her. It's time we got the children to bed, anyway."

"Are you sure?"

Tori nodded, her smile growing when Alistair kissed Duncan's sleepy little head before hurrying off to find Calissa.

"I know that smile."

Tori looked at Cullen, feigning innocence. "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know anything about the King courting Cali."

Cullen rolled his eyes and chuckled. "I see. Well, good on him. It's about time he found someone again." He looked down at Rylee, asleep in his arms, and the twins who were starting to fall asleep on each other. "Let's get them to bed."

As Tori and Cullen took the children to bed, thanking everyone for helping them celebrate the little prince's birthday, Alistair searched everywhere for Calissa.

"Oh, sire, are you looking for Cali?"

Alistair looked at one of the guards he passed. "Have you seen her?"

The guard nodded, having been the one Calissa spoke to when she left. "She left about an hour, perhaps two, ago to go for a ride to clear her head."

"Did she seemed distraught?"

"No, sire, just like she had a lot on her mind." He looked at the King. "She should be back soon, though. She's never gone too long."

"Thank you."

"Of course, sire."

Alistair left the guard and made his way outside towards the stables, hoping that he could catch Calissa as she came back. But when he reached the stables, the stable master hadn't seen her return so he took his horse- a Fereldan Forder gelding- and headed out into the fields surrounding Denerim. Hoping he was right, he headed to the one spot that he knew Calissa would go to clear her head.

Calissa had taken her horse- an Amaranthine Charger mare- and rode around the fields a bit before going to the waterfall that she and Alistair often frequented when they needed an escape. She had slipped out of her clothes and dove into the pool, letting the cool water wash over her skin and through her hair. It was just what she needed.

She didn't know how long she was out there, not until Alistair had come looking for her.

"Cali?"

Calissa looked up from where she was sitting, seeing Alistair dismounting from his saddle. "Alistair, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be back at the party with Tori and Duncan?"

"Everything is fine, the party's over by now. But never mind that," he hurried to her side as she stood. "Are you alright?"

Calissa nodded, leaning into his hand as he reached up to touch her cheek, and sighed. "I'm fine, Alistair, you didn't need to come all the way out here."

"The guard said you looked like you had a lot on your mind. Anything you wish to talk about?"

Calissa looked away, shaking her head as she turned towards her things to get dressed- having been sitting on the bank in naught but her underclothes. "It's not something you'd want to hear, sire..."

"Cali..." Alistair came up behind her, placing one hand on her hip and the other on her shoulder. "You know that won't stop me from worrying. Please, tell me?"

Calissa shook her head and stepped away from him, pulling on her clothes and her boots. "Let's get back to the palace before someone sends out a search party."

Alistair rode next to Calissa in silence, unsure of what to say or how to get her to talk to him. They rode back to the city, dismounting from their saddles when they reached the stables, Alistair having to leave Calissa alone when he was called away by some of the guards on business. He wanted to tell them to wait, but Calissa insisted that he go on ahead and see to whatever it was.

When Calissa finished untacking their horses and getting them back into their stalls, she made her way home- just as much on her mind as before. She tossed her things on the nearest chair and locked the door once she had made it back home, changed into a nightgown and slid under the covers.

'Am I making a mistake? What if the people won't accept me as queen? If I bore Alistair a child, would the people rather have them on the throne over Duncan? I couldn't do that to him...'

Calissa was beginning to realize that while she wasn't jealous of Tori, she worried that she wouldn't be good enough for Alistair, that she couldn't live up to his expectations, that she couldn't hold a candle to someone like Tori. She thought back to how Tori and Alistair looked at each other, how they acted around each other, and it made her heart ache. She knew they were no longer in love with each other, but it was still clear that they still loved each other.

'And they always will, I suppose, it's only natural after everything they've been through together... I wonder if Cullen has ever felt like this...'