Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age.

A/N: So sorry for the long delay in updates. I had a crazy job during October working at a Haunted House and going to school. Now I'm taking care of my mom, who just had her second knee replacement and going to school. I'll keep my updates to about once a week, hopefully. Reviews are much appreciated.

Chapter 6 - Valuable

Allana hugged Alistair to her as his tears soaked her neck. She nuzzled him softly as his sobs shook his body. "Ally," she said softly. He stiffened. "Please come back."

His embrace was comforting and Allana couldn't help but welcome the feeling of his stubble on her neck as he nuzzled into her. She missed this. She missed him. She felt torn, finding happiness in this feeling as he sobbed against her, especially after what he had done to her.

"I'm so sorry," he chanted, "I'm so sorry." He held her tighter and bent low to her, completely embracing her and looking as if he was trying to hide in the elven woman's hold.

"Alistair," Allana said softly. He stiffened. "I love you, you know that."

"Why did you throw me away?" He asked, voice muffled in her neck.

"I didn't," she said pulling him tighter to her. "You left."

"You made me leave. I had no choice," he hissed pulling away from her. She held tight to him.

"Don't start this again," she said softly.

"You let him in and shut me out!" He shouted.

"Alistair!" She said angrily pulling him back toward her as he turned to leave. "It's always you. Every decision I make is for you."

"He abandoned our brothers!"

"And you think you didn't do the same?" She spat. "You abandoned me, Alistair. You left me to fight the Blight on my own."

"I will do my duty," he said after several moments of silence.

"As will he." Several moments passed and she took his larger hand in hers. "I wish you would come with."

"Not as long as he's there," he said quietly.

"You need to speak with Riordan. He's the senior warden. You need permission to stay behind. I don't want you imprisoned for desertion," she said, thinking back to the caged man at Ostagar.

"I don't think I'd know what to say." Alistair felt like a child being scolded.

"I will help you," she began, "I will always help you."

Alistair held her hand firmly. "I'll. . . speak with Riordan," he said in defeat. He was quickly assaulted with a passionate kiss, Allana's fingers tangling into the short hairs at the back of his head. His face flushed and he wrapped his free hand around her waist once more, fingers on his other hand tightly intertwined with her much smaller fingers.

...

The couple met with Wynne on the trip back to the inn. The elderly mage had a slight glint in her eye but said nothing as they made their way across town. Before entering the inn, Alistair stopped abruptly, yanking slightly on Allana as their hands were still linked.

"Ali?"

He released her hand and walked through the entryway, Allana following close behind him. The tension in the air was nearly touchable. Both Loghain and Alistair had hands on swords, prepared to draw.

"Alistair," Riordan said in surprise.

"Yes," he said after a moment.

"Pack up for the march to Redcliffe," Riordan said simply before turning to retire to his room.

"I wish to stay in Denirim," Alistair pleaded, "To defend the city against the Blight."

"The Wardens will march together. Our numbers are too few to separate. Now, prepare to march to Redcliffe," Riordan replied dismissively.

Alistair growled, "I will not march with him as a brother."

"Then do not think of him as a brother. Take the aid where you have it, Alistair," Riordan said before slipping upstairs.

Allana could almost see the electricity between the gazes of Alistair and Loghain, though both sets of eyes were barely visible through narrow slits. "Come, Ali," she said softly before pulling him upstairs. He followed, not taking his eyes off the new warden until Allana's door closed behind him.

Alistair slumped onto her bed, forehead cradled in his hands. He sighed. He felt the mattress shift slightly as she sat beside him.

"Your pack. . . " Allana started, "I had to let go of anything I couldn't carry."

"Scavengers were picking it over a day ago," he hissed.

"I didn't expect you to come back," she admitted, "Though I hoped you would. I kept your valuables. We can share my tent and bedroll-"

"Who said I'd want to?" he growled.

"Or we can can go purchase new equipment," she sighed.

Alistair chuckled lightly, "I'm fine sharing with you, 'Lana."

"Oh," she said after a moment. She moved off the bed and kneeled beside her pack, unbuckling it quickly. She pulled out the bundle of his valuables and handed it over to him with both hands. The velvet pouch slipped out, falling with a loud thud to the floor. Allana quickly picked it up and stood to hand it over to him.

Alistair shook his head. "That's yours," he said with a grin.

"No it's not," she said, placing the pouch in his lap.

Alistair removed his armored gloves and opened the pouch. He took Allana's hand in his own and carefully removed the leather glove. "I meant to give this to you before the Landsmeet," he began, speaking so quietly that Allana could barely hear him. His hand was shaking. He removed the wooden box and flipped the latch to reveal the tiny silver band. "I was so scared. I never wanted to be king. It meant I could never be with you." He squeezed her tiny hand. "I was going to ask you to run away with me, after the Blight," he admitted. "Leave somewhere and marry and live happily ever after." He held the ring in the hand not intertwined with hers. He looked up at her.

Allana shook her head. "I won't run away with you," she started. Alistair shut his eyes tightly and pulled away with her. Allana pulled his face toward her. "We won't need to run," she whispered as she took the ring from his hand and placed it on her finger.

"Does this mean. . .?"

"Yes."