After all, another fella took ya
But I still can't overlook ya
I'm gonna do my best to hook ya
After all is said and done

I'm Gonna Love You Too - Blondie

The ride through the streets wasn't a long one, but Dane was distinctly uncomfortable the whole way. It was dark in the carriage, but he could smell Talia's perfume and swore he could hear her breathing even with her sitting in the seat across from him and the noises of the city outside the coach. Usually, their silences were companionable ones, but this one felt strained to him, and he was not sure why.

Talia was feeling decidedly uneasy in the small confined space with Dane. She wasn't sure just what had happened this evening. She had been waiting for Dane at the gate where he was to meet her and had been delighted when he had stepped down from the coach. She had felt like a princess in a fairy tale that he had been thoughtful enough to rent a carriage for them for the night. She had kissed his cheek in thanks and had been aware of the warmth his body radiated and his scent. He always smelled so clean and fresh unlike many of those in the city who failed to adhere to a strict bathing regimen.

It was when Talia had really looked at him after he complimented her that she felt like she saw him for the first time. She was used to seeing Dane in his armor as he was usually prepared for his duties at the palace when they met at the chantry, and he often came right to the Noble from there as well. Tonight, Dane was dressed in formal evening wear (for Ferelden) and Talia was surprised how good he looked in it and that she had felt a physical draw towards him. She had been embarrassed by it and hoped Dane hadn't been able to detect her reaction to him. Then, when he had taken her hand to help her in the coach, she had wanted to wrap her fingers around his and hang on to him. The confusion that made her feel was making this ride to the palace awkward for her and so she stayed silent, pretending to watch the streets out of the carriage window.

Talia tried to take herself in hand, telling herself that Dane was her friend and she was being ridiculous. She had never had an indication from him that he thought of her in any other way than someone he enjoyed spending time with. The whole reason she had wanted him to come was to help bolster her confidence in dealing with the nobles. She wanted the security of knowing there was one person in the palace tonight she could count on. Talia's plan was to avoid Alistair as much as possible and hope that none of the old stories started circulating. If they did or if she did run into Alistair, she wanted the advantage of looking good and knowing it. Yes, she was adept at putting on masks and displaying emotions she wasn't feeling, but Talia had learned over the past months that in the games the nobles played with each other that even small advantages could result in big gains. She planned the almost flagrant style of her attire tonight for that reason, but now, she was starting to wonder if it was such a good idea. Talia also admitted to herself that she was a little nervous about seeing Alistair outside of the context of the council sessions. She was well past (she hoped) the crazy thoughts of the two of them getting back together, but after the way Alistair had tossed her aside, it would be a balm to her pride if he felt a little regret about it when he saw her tonight.

She continued to be aware of Dane's silent presence on the seat opposite her, but it was only as they drew near the palace that she broke the quiet between them. "Oh, how beautiful," Talia said with a sigh as she looked out the window of the carriage at the palace.

Dane turned to look and realized that to her eyes it was probably a sight out of a story. With all that Talia had accomplished in her short life and the air of authority that she carried wrapped around her, it was hard to remember just how young she was and exactly where she came from. He had to admit the palace cleaned up well. There were lanterns, both enchanted and regular, hung all around the entrance along with hanging baskets of floral arrangements giving it a softened, elegant appearance in the night air. By listening closely, the sound of music could be faintly caught drifting out of the open windows. The nobles, in their cacophony of colors that such an occasion always seemed to merit, completed the picture as they arrived in their carriages and strolled to the doors. "It does make a pretty picture, does it not?" Dane agreed.

Talia looked at him nervously. "This is the first time I've ever been to a formal event here at the palace," she admitted. "Well, besides the coronation ball, but that was held before my official elevation to bann, and as I didn't have anything appropriate to wear at the time, I just wore my armor. I mean it was good enough for the coronation and I thought reasonable for the hero of Ferelden to wear," she finished defensively. Dane really hoped she could not see the smile that picture brought to his lips.

Dane could not help himself, he had to ask, "Did you have many dance partners?"

Talia smiled at him then, feeling more steady as she and Dane moved onto familiar ground, "None. It was a pretty effective way to stay on the sidelines. I tried to pretend I was a guard."

"Well, I can almost guarantee you will not have that problem tonight," he hastened to assure her. "Many will wish your company on the dance floor."

Talia didn't look reassured. "Do me a favor and stay close, okay?" she asked.

"As my lady commands," Dane said with a slight bow in her direction. He knew it was a measure of her trust in him that she allowed him to see her uncertainty, and Dane couldn't help feeling a small flare of satisfaction that he was the one she trusted.

As the coach rolled to a stop in front of the palace, Dane opened the door and jumped out. He turned and offered his hand back to her. "Come, your adoring public awaits."

Talia took a deep breath to settle herself, gave Dane her hand, and exited the carriage.

Dane found it hard to believe the difference in Talia from one minute to the next. She went from an uncertain young woman to a confident, cool individual in a flash. As they walked into the palace that night, Talia indeed drew many admiring eyes. They stopped and spoke with some of the other nobles in the first of the rooms that the affair spilled over into. A few raised an eyebrow at Talia's choice of an escort. Dane swallowed the subtle insults and hoped he showed as unruffled a front as Talia did. He had as much right to be here as any of the banns. Dane had been knighted by King Cailan for valor over six years ago after an encounter with bandits had ended with him single-handedly defending the carriage of Cailan's soon-to-be wife Anora when she had visited Redcliffe, shortly before their marriage. Dane may only have been a simple ser and therefore the most minor of nobility, but he refused to allow any of their supposed rank to cow him. He had earned his title; most of the others present had just inherited.

They spent the hour or so before dinner making the rounds of the room. Dane allowed Talia to dictate who they stopped and spoke with and who they just acknowledged with nods. Dane was only here to support her and could not have cared less who else he talked with. As Talia was the most minor bann present, they were seated at the back of the dining hall well away from the more exalted nobles and their entourages. By this time, Dane could tell that Talia was starting to relax some behind the commanding front she put on. He took the opportunity to smile encouragingly to her every chance he had, and by the glances she threw him, he knew she was grateful to have him there with her.

After dinner everyone slowly moved into the great hall where the dance floor was located. Of course, no one would take the floor until the king opened the dancing. The musicians were playing softly in the background as everyone continued to circulate and converse.

Alistair had been looking forward to tonight for the past few weeks. How difficult could it be to have the opportunity to speak to one specific person, especially when you were the king? Evidently, it was very difficult. Each time he had tried to corner Talia to talk with her, she had managed to slip away. She had even sent Soris to one or two of the council sessions in her place. Alistair knew a direct order issued as king to his subject for her to talk with him would make the situation worse, but he was getting desperate enough to consider trying it. Alistair was sure Talia would be here tonight; as bann of the Alienage, she was obligated to come. He tried as unobtrusively as possible to look for her all evening, but every time he started to slip away Eamon called him wanting him to talk to someone else. Alistair swore that the chancellor possessed some sort of magic spell that let him know when Alistair was thinking about Talia or looking for her. Alistair overheard her name as he was passing a group of young men talking, so he knew she was in the palace. Alistair tried to listen in to what they were saying, but of course, his rotten luck spoiled that when one of the group spied him and they broke off their conversation to bow and greet him.

Before dinner, Teagan gave a speech about what his kingship had accomplished the past four months, and Alistair hadn't needed to speak then. Alistair had simply been required to smile and look gracious. His opportunity to speak would come before the dancing began. Eamon expected him to dance with Arl Bryland's daughter, Habren, first, but Alistair had other plans.

After the dining room cleared and the nobles had made their way into the great hall, Alistair, accompanied by his ever-present shadow, Eamon, entered the room and climbed the small raised platform that had been erected for his use. Alistair made a rousing speech about what he hoped for Ferelden to accomplish in the future and ended by thanking specific individuals in particular. Finally, he was at the part of the evening he had been waiting for.

"There is one last person to whom I owe a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. The person who stood beside me the entire Blight, who fought with me and landed the final blow on the archdemon, the person who put me on my throne. Bann Talia, come forward," Alistair called. He couldn't see her, but he knew others in the crowd would press her up to the front of the room. He felt Eamon stirring beside him in consternation, but for once he ignored the man.

Talia had been staying to the back of the crowd as much as she could the entire evening. She was standing beside Dane so far in that rear that she could barely hear Alistair's voice as he gave his speech before the dancing began, and she wasn't paying attention. It was only when she heard her name called and people around her began to look at her that she understood what had happened. With a sinking heart, she realized that Alistair expected her to join him up in front of everyone. She grabbed Dane's arm with a death grip and hissed at him, "Remember, stay with me."

Dane was not terribly surprised when he heard the king call Talia's name. They must obviously be friends after all they had been through, and he assumed the man just wanted to thank her. He was taken back, however, when she grasped his hand like she would never let it go. As Talia pasted on a smile he could tell was far from what she was feeling, he was pulled in her wake as she approached the king.

It was as they drew near the front of the room that the extent of Talia's and the king's relationship exploded into Dane's consciousness and so many things became clear. The look on the king's face as Dane and Talia approached told him everything. The king was not looking at her with the appreciation that a particularly appealing woman normally drew. No, his eyes were filled with a hunger as they swept her body that showed he knew and had touched every part of her, and he planned on doing it again…very soon. Now, all those things that Talia had never said suddenly made sense to him and why she hardly ever mentioned the king or their travels together during the Blight. Dane felt both hurt and some anger that Talia had not told him about her relationship with the man, especially since he had no idea what that relationship was now or what she was expecting from Dane here tonight.

Talia felt as if every eye in Denerim was on her as she walked to the front of the great hall. She knew the nobles would be remembering the story of how the king had discarded her months ago. She drew herself up as tall as she could and held her head high. The only thing that helped her keep her calm was the comforting feel of Dane's hand in hers and knowing he was behind her.

Alistair was so wound up inside he could barely wait for Talia to reach him. As she approached, his mouth almost dropped open. He only had eyes for her and didn't notice the man trailing in her wake at first. All he could see was how beautiful she looked. He realized then that in all their time together he had never seen her in anything other than armor or casual attire. Even at the Landsmeet and his coronation, she had worn her armor. He felt an immediate physical reaction to her as his eyes fell on the parts of her the dress revealed. From their time together, Alistair knew her body almost as well as he knew his own, and in his mind's eye, he could see the parts of her that were covered as well. Alistair realized his look had been noticed and the whispers of those present were already beginning, but at the moment he couldn't find it in himself to care. The only thing that was important was that she was coming towards him, and he could feel his breath catch in his chest at her presence.

Talia arrived at the foot of the platform and dropped a part curtsy, part bow to him. "Your Majesty," she said in a carefully controlled voice.

It was only then that he noticed the man who accompanied her. Alistair was irritated when he realized it was Ser Perth, who also bowed and murmured, "Your Majesty."

Alistair's eyes narrowed as he took in the way Talia's hand was held in Ser Perth's. Alistair's gaze flew to her face, but she had it schooled in such an unbroken mask that he couldn't tell what she was thinking. Alistair felt a jolt pass through him as he realized there had been a time that she never could have hidden from him what was on her mind regardless of her facial expression.

Alistair bounded down the steps of the platform to Talia. He flashed her the grin that had never failed to melt her heart or her anger with him. He gallantly picked up her other hand and bowed over it. "'Lia, would you share the first dance with me?"

Talia wasn't sure if she felt like laughing or crying as she stood in front of Ferelden's nobles with her hands held by two totally different men. She felt a flare of anger at Alistair for putting her in this situation and creating another public scene between the two of them. "My first dance belongs to Dane," she answered him coolly. "After all, he is the one who escorted me tonight."

Alistair turned his gaze to Ser Perth and brown eyes met grey as they both took the other's measure. "So, will you yield her to me?" asked Alistair, obviously meaning more than just the dance.

Dane answered, looking Alistair in the eyes and without missing a beat, "I believe that is the lady's choice, your Majesty."

Alistair gave a sardonic grin at that, but couldn't help feel a flare of respect for the other man. Certainly in their current situation Alistair couldn't be expected to like Ser Perth, but Alistair was impressed with how the knight kept his composure. These past months, many a person of higher station had become tongue-tied when addressed by the king. Alistair then returned his attention to Talia as he, and everyone else present, waited for her answer.

At the weight of all the eyes on her, especially those nobles close enough to hear the conversation, Talia sighed. "One dance, Alistair. Dane, I'll be right back."

And she let go of Dane's hand to go with the king.

As Alistair swept her through the opening bars of the music, it was all Talia could do to contain her resentment at the way he had manipulated her. Alistair could feel the tension in her body and the way she held herself away from him. He had schemed to get her here and now he didn't know how to say what needed to be said to fix things between them.

Finally as other couples began to take the floor, she spoke, "What do you what, Alistair? Tired of the fawning of the other ladies of the court already?"

Alistair could hear the justifiable anger in her voice. "I wanted to say I'm sorry and I was wrong. I never should have let you go."

"No, you shouldn't have," she agreed. "Certainly, not the way you did."

"I've missed you, 'Lia. I miss us, the way it was."

Talia was so mad she almost missed a step of the dance, "What do you think I am? Some sort of play toy that you can throw away and then scoop back up when you are bored?"

"No, of course not. I made a mistake. I want to fix it. Tell me you don't miss me. Tell me you don't think of me as well."

Talia remained silent as they continued to dance because, of course, she couldn't tell him that.

Alistair drank in her image as he held her as close as she would allow. Her hairstyle and the ear that was left in view brought back a memory from their time together. Talia had once told him that at certain times a bared ear was an invitation from a female elf to a male. In fact, she had once or twice pulled up her hair and offered such to him in the privacy of their tent. He moved his hand from her waist to run his fingers along the sensitive edge of her ear. "Is this for me?" he asked hopefully as her eyes closed and her body shuddered at his touch.

When Talia had pulled away to go with the king, Dane was left standing on the side of the dance floor feeling bereft. He stood and watched as Talia was swept into the golden man's arms. One thing became glaringly obvious to him as the couple continued their path across the dance floor in front of him. Whatever it was he felt for Talia, it was not friendship. He had been fooling himself these past weeks in thinking he was protecting himself from developing deeper feelings for her and just being her friend. She had somehow wormed her way past all his defenses, but it had taken seeing her with another man for Dane to admit to himself how he felt.

Dane knew for appearance's sake he should ask someone else to dance, but there was no other woman he wanted. He observed as Talia and the king danced until he saw the king reach out and run his fingers over her ear. When Dane saw her response, he turned sharply and began to make his way rapidly out of the room. Dane just could not take standing there watching someone else touch her even if he was the king. Dane ached inside with the pain of wanting to be the one with her in his arms.

He had been a fool for ever getting involved with Talia. He should have walked away from her that night in the Gnawed Noble. Had he not told himself that there was a divide between them? Little had he known it was another man instead of their racial differences that would ultimately cause the wedge between them.

As Dane made his way through the palace, his arm was caught by Ser Craig, who had obviously had a few too many of the drinks the palace staff were offering to all the guests.

"Perth! Well, I always knew you were brave, but who knew you had such big brass-"

"Ser Craig," Dane interrupted, not really wanting to hear the rest of that comment.

"Well, it takes a set to bring the king's ex-lover to his own celebration. What were you thinking, man? Didn't you hear all the stories that went around about the two of them? Looking at her though, it might be worth getting sent to the Frostbacks in winter by the king for a piece of that. Is it true what they say about elven women? Are they really so hot they beg for it after you warm them up?" Ser Craig asked with a leer in Dane's direction.

"Ser, I highly suggest you remove your hand from my person and shut your mouth about the Lady Talia, or you may answer to me at a later time," Dane retorted as white-hot rage flowed through him.

The other man's face paled as somehow through the alcoholic haze Ser Craig realized just what he was stirring up. "Okay, take it easy," Ser Craig said as he removed his hand from Dane. "Just making conversation."

"Do us both a favor and do it elsewhere and on a different topic," retorted Dane angrily as once again he began moving toward the palace exit.

When Alistair ran his hand across her ear, the highly sensitive nerve endings located there sent tremors through Talia's whole body. That combined with the fact that it was Alistair, whose touch was so familiar to her, caused her to react without voluntary control. For the briefest of moments, she was tempted to melt into his familiar presence and believe that everything could be all right, to believe they could really be together and nothing would part them again. Then, her anger flared hot as a house on fire at the thought that he was attempting to manipulate her again. Talia snapped her arm up as her eyes came open at the same time. She pushed his hand away from her. "Stop it, Alistair. I'm done playing these games with you."

"Talia, I'm not playing any games," he protested.

But she had had enough. She roughly pulled herself out of his grasp and moved rapidly back in the direction to where she had left Dane. She heard Alistair call out and start to come after her, but she ignored him. He was soon surrounded by a bevy of ladies, including Habren, demanding his attention, and Talia was able to slip away.

Dane wasn't standing where she had left him. A quick glance at the couples on the dance floor didn't reveal him either. She began to move rapidly through the room, her eyes looking everywhere. As she went from room to room, searching for him, ignoring the stares and the whispers of the gathered nobles, she began to fear he had left. By the time she made it to the entry doors of the palace, she was moving so fast she was almost out of breath from her haste. A quick check with the guards revealed that he had just left the building. Talia pushed her way through the doors almost running in her urgency to find him. As she tore down the steps she saw him a short distance in front of her.

"Dane!" she called. "Wait!"

Dane stiffened as he ground to a stop when he heard her voice calling him. What was Talia doing here? Why wasn't she still with the king? His anger from his run-in with Ser Craig was still coursing through him. In fact, he was angrier than he had been in a long time. Why, if he was her friend, had she put him in this situation? Why had Talia not ever mentioned what was between her and the king? Why, like the idiot he was, had he allowed himself to fall for her?

Taking deep breaths and trying to exert some measure of calm over himself, he slowly turned to her and said, "My Lady." Just the sight of her standing there so uncertainly caused his heart to begin pounding harder.

"Why are you leaving?" she asked, hurt evident in her voice.

Dane was almost rendered speechless. Why was he leaving? "I am a man, Talia, and not made of stone." With that he turned and started walking away.

"Wait, Dane. I don't understand." She began to move after him.

On top of everything else that had happened that night, Talia's words were the last straw and something inside Dane snapped as he realized that she had no conception of what he was feeling or how much seeing her with the king had hurt him. For the first time in his adult life, he lost his grip on the control that had been his from an early age, and the internal barriers Dane had constructed since childhood were breached. Like raging water escaping a failing dam, the roiling emotions that had been building inside him all evening were freed. All thoughts of correct and proper behavior went out of his head and the only thing that mattered were the overwhelming feelings that were coursing through him. She does not understand why I am leaving? I will just have to show her.

With a muffled curse, Dane spun back around, catching Talia flatfooted with the speed of his reversal, and in two strides, he reached her. Dane took both sides of Talia's face in his hands and slanted his lips forcefully over hers. Dane felt her stiffen in surprise beneath him, but then her mouth softened under his and she answered his kiss with her own. Her hands and arms crept up around his neck and her fingers wound in the hair at his nape. Her lips parted easily at the touch of his tongue against them. Dane ran his hands down her body and gathered her closer against his while still kissing her hungrily. When Talia accepted his touch and melted into him, the anger, hurt, and jealousy he felt drained away as desire flooded through his body.

Finally, as sense slowly returned and Dane remembered where they were, he tore himself away from Talia. Fearing what he would see reflected in her eyes, he turned slightly away so he would not have to look into them before saying, "The carriage is at your disposal. It will take you back to the alienage gate whenever you are ready, my Lady. I bid you good night." After a slight bow in her direction, Dane moved rapidly down the street. He was trembling from the effort to keep control of himself. Every nerve in his body was screaming for him to go back to Talia and finish what he had started.

Once Dane released her and her mind began to function coherently once again, Talia was stunned by the fact that Dane had kissed her and especially her own response to him. Before she realized it, he was striding off, away from the palace and away from her. Talia sagged dazedly against the stone wall behind her as she lifted a hand and put her fingers to her lips where his had just been. What had just happened between them? Where had the feelings Talia had felt crashing through her as Dane was kissing her come from?

A.N.: Continued thanks to my two wonderful betas, ladyamesindy and melismo. They try to keep me straight. Any veering off into tangents or errors are totally my own fault.

I have been really pleased about the response this story is getting so my heartfelt thanks to everyone who lurks, favorites, alerts, but most especially to my reviewers: Castiana, Erynnar, ElaineMcFG, Shakespira, Arsinoe de Blassenville, ladyamesindy, celtic-twinkie, bioncafemme, Windchime68, Eva Galana, Liso66, roxfox1962, USAF713, snow-queen85, Harmakhis, and mousestalker. Finding out what each one of you thinks of the chapter always makes my day!