Anora always hated this part of being royalty. It was hard with Cailan, and it was hard with Alistair.

They couldn't both go on the journey, that was understood. Someone had to stay behind at the castle and make sure other matters of the crown were taken care of. And having the king and queen on the road together made the crown susceptible to bandit attacks or assassination attempts. It was common sense to protect the crown by not having the king and queen in the same place, except for the castle and public events and other matters when both parties had to be present.

But Anora hated being left behind. Worse, she hated waiting. And somehow, it always seemed to fall to her to stay behind. Oh, she would argue in many cases, but not this. If something was going on with the darkspawn, then it made sense for Alistair to go. He was a Warden, after all.

"I'll be back soon," he said, and kissed her gently.

Oh, that wasn't what she wanted, not in the slightest. She pulled him closer and kissed him passionately, too passionately she was sure for their public appearance. Eamon wouldn't be happy, but Eamon be damned. He was her husband, and she'd kiss him any way she pleased.

The crowd seemed to take to it anyway. At least, she assumed those gasps and cries were positive. She and Alistair had become quite popular as of late, and she doubted the public minded if she was a little enthusiastic with the affection the two of them showed one another.

Alistair caressed her check with his thumb. "We'll continue this when I get back," he whispered.

"I'll hold you to it," she whispered in return. Let him think on that while he waited. Maybe it would get him home a little faster.

He was disappointed when he arrived. No darkspawn to fight and Orlesian Grey Wardens missing. On top of that, there was little he could do to help. It was frustrating, to say the least. All he could do was give Liara instructions on what to do next, not that she wasn't intelligent enough to plan a course of action herself.

And then he was turned away, back to the carriage that would take him to some tent that had been put up or some room in some establishment were he would make plans to remedy the situation and hand out orders without actually doing any real work himself. Some days, he hated being king. But, as he reminded himself, he had wanted to be king. And he did for the most part actually like the job . . . except for the annoying parts.

"Alistair!"

He turned to see Liara running toward him. She had broken away from her new companions. He stopped to meet her.

"I . . ." she said. "Well, you . . . you don't seem as angry."

A shock ran through him. So much had changed since he'd spoken with Liara last that he had nearly forgotten their past few conversations.

"I . . . no," he said. "You're right. I'm not." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I'm still not happy about your decision to spare Loghain, but . . . I did want to be king, and Anora . . ." He couldn't help the faintest trace of a smile from forming on his lips.

Liara must have noticed because she smiled back him. "I had hoped," she said.

He nodded at her. He didn't always agree with her decisions, but she always did what she thought was for the best, and somehow things seemed to work out. "I'm not angry," he told her. "And I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too," she said.

There was an awkward moment between them, during which neither of them knew what else say. Eventually Liara turned and retreated back to her group.

Alistair returned to his guard, wondering how this day could get any stranger.

Anora,

It seems I will be gone longer than either of us had anticipated. A number of Orlesian Grey Wardens have gone missing, and it seems some darkspawn have acquired the power of speech after all. The whole ordeal must be investigated thoroughly.

Though I arrived too late to battle any darkspawn, my main disappointment is how much longer this means I will be away from you. I know you promised to visit with the nieces and nephews if I did not return in time, but, my dear, you do not need to. In fact, I'm sure some time away from the castle might do them good. They should not become so adjusted that they feel these visits are an entitlement.

Liara and I are on speaking terms again. I had nearly forgotten about our previous conversations. You must remind me to write her when I return. In fact, there are several of my former companions I would like to reconnect with if any of them can be tracked down.

Don't let the nobles give you too much trouble while I'm gone. Just think of me and what I would do. Though I'm sure you'll just smirk at this and do whatever you'd normally do anyway.

Eagerly awaiting the moment when I see you again,

Love, Alistair

Alistair,

I apologize for being grateful you haven't had the opportunity to put yourself in harm's way, though as an experienced Grey Warden I know you are perfectly capable. And I'm also glad you and Liara are speaking once again.

I agree completely the children should not grow to see their visits to the castle as a privilege. I did still invite them, but in less than an hour I was called away on important business, and I left them all under the direct care and supervision of the servants. I know at least one of them is being made to help with dinner this afternoon. With any luck they will learn some respect. At worst, they will have some awful reports to give to their mother about their aunt.

I can feel the questions about an heir coming up. They are so much easier to dodge with you here. The nobles have even started plotting about who is closest in line or who we might default the throne to.

Would you believe Eamon thinks we aren't trying? We could stage a passionate kissing session in front of him. That would certainly irritate him, and I've been wanting to find a way to get back at him. What do you think?

Love, always

Anora

Anora,

I doubt this letter will reach you before I arrive home, but I thought I'd write it anyway. I approve wholeheartedly of your dealing with the children, and I'm ashamed I didn't think of it first. I'm sure you'd tell me my heart's too far in the right place to have thought of putting the brats to work as character building. That's why I'm thankful I have you, dear. You level out all my faults.

And I can think of a few enjoyable activities we could engage in front of Eamon that would thoroughly irritate him.

Love, Alistair

It was a joy when he finally arrived home and she saw him step out of the carriage. The smile on her face was visible for all to see, and she didn't care. It seemed she cared less and less to hide her emotions these days.

But she didn't have to prove her worth or value anymore. Alistair saw it, and that was enough. He would stand by her and defend her from anything, she was confident of it. He had proven it time and time again, and though she no longer needed proof, he continued to show her his devotion.

She had loved Cailan. But her love for Alistair was different, stronger. They were a couple truly united, accepting of each other faults and willing to understand and cooperate with one another, not just let the other go their own way. To her, it seemed like nothing could break them apart.

But for Alistair it was joyous moments like these when he was suddenly struck with a terrible sadness. He wanted it to, but it wouldn't last forever. Anora would grow old without him.

He reminded himself that thirty years could be a long time, and that's what he focused on. They were together now, and strong in their unity, and he would give everything he could to keep that for as long as possible. Politics, infertility, darkspawn, natural disasters - they would work through all of it together. And even if the world forced them apart, he would spend as much time as he could loving her. He would cherish her every day the Maker choose to give him. And he would make sure Anora knew how he felt.

He dreaded the moment when he would have to tell her goodbye, when he would leave her side to journey into the Deep Roads for one last battle against the darkspawn. He would not die wasting away in his bed. That was not the death for him, and he would not let Anora suffer through seeing him that way. It would be a hard moment, but he hoped to live a lifetime of love before it came. It seemed a worthy charge to hold himself to.

He stepped to Anora, took her into his arms, and captured her lips in a passionate kiss, drowning out the sounds of the crowd gathered around them. He had once thought being with the Wardens as being home, and it felt strange as he realized home was with Anora. With her was where he'd spend the happiest moments of his life. And he intended to give back to her as many happy moments as he received.

He would love her until the end.