Soooo, how ya doing? Good right, well I'm glad. Sometimes I wonder if anyone even bothers reading this, I could confess to killing someone and it would go unnoticed. I know my editor reads this, but he doesn't count really. No offense silver, well enough rambling and on to the story.

Rani learned that Katherine and Bohdan were already acquaintances, he supplied her during the blight, and Sandal made runes for her and her companions. She left them to catch up and informed Orana they had a guest who would be staying with them for a while. Just as she reached the top step leading up to her room a large and slobbery dog tackled her. "Easy boy, I missed you to, no please get off me." Jolt huffed and let his master up. Rani patted his head and then went to her room, Jolt trailing behind her.

When Rani came back out she was wearing her lounge clothes, she went straight to her study to look over the mail she knew would be piling up on her desk. "Maker, even I don't get this much mail, and I'm the queen." Katherine exclaimed. Rani turned to see the rouge leaning against the wall, a frown on her face. "Hawke, will you answer something for me?"

Curiosity got the best of her, so Rani nodded and waited for the other woman to continue. With a heavy sigh she asked her question, "When I was asking around about you people told me how you always did what others asked, and Bohdan told me about how you never turn people away. You give away money, you rescue nobles in distress, and you spend more time helping others then worrying about yourself. So tell me, why do you do it?"

Rani wasn't expecting her to ask something like that, and after mulling it over for a few minutes she had her answer. "I am a mage, and everyday people judge me because of it. It would be so easy to give in to the demons, but it takes a strong mage to say 'no'. I help others because it's the right thing, but also because I want to prove magic can be good too." Rani looked into the fire illuminating the room. "The Chantry says all magic is evil, and that mages need to be locked up for their own protection. I believe they are almost right, mages should be separated for a while. Use the circle to teach them control, and then send them back to their families to live their lives. Is it such a bad thing to want to live without being imprisoned? My father taught me control, he was an apostate who never lived in the circle, and I want to live like him. Sorry, I guess it isn't a very good reason." She apologized even though it was unnecessary.

Katherine smiled at the mage in front of her. She knew mages had it hard, but each one treated life differently. Anders chose to blame the Chantry and acted like the circle was a death sentence, but Hawke chose to show them mages are good, and that a little structure was a good idea. It was strange how opinions differed so on the same subject. "I like your answer, it gives me something to ponder when I can't sleep." Katherine then left the study and headed to the room Bohdan had told her she could use.

~0~0~0~0~

Rani received a letter from King Alistair, informing her he was in Kirkwall and would like an audience with her. Katherine decided to surprise her husband by showing up alongside Hawke when they met. She also had news for her husband, something that Anders had informed her of that deeply joyed her. So there they were on their way to meet the king, Rani, Anders, Aveline, Fenris, and Katherine, who had made sure everyone was dressed nicely.

As they entered the Keep they saw Meredith all but yelling at the king, who seemed amused by the whole ordeal. King Alistair replied to something she had just said, "Let me guess: that's your final answer?"

Meredith growled her response, "Three mages have fled to Ferelden, and you have intervened to protect them as if it is your right to do so." After calming down a bit she continued, "What other answer did you expect, your Majesty?" She said the last part as if remembering the man in front of her was the King of Ferelden.

Alistair smiled at her, "A 'maybe' might have been nice."

"I don't deal in 'maybes'. I deal in cold, hard facts - as should you. Perhaps when Ferelden next chooses a king, it will be one that takes his duty to the Maker seriously." With that last comment she stormed off, shoving past Rani and her companions.

"Well. That was awkward." The king muttered to himself. Realizing he wasn't alone, King Alistair turned to face the Champion.

Rani smiled at the King, "That's just Meredith's idea of Kirkwall hospitality." She teased.

"Really? Kirkwall brutality must rip the skin off your face, then." Alistair laughed.

The man behind the King stepped forward, "This is the Champion of Kirkwall." He informed the King, who seemed to remember his reason for being there.

"Right! I'm Alistair, uh... king of Ferelden. And this is Teagan, my uncle. Sort of." Alistair sputtered, clearly not fully accustomed to being King.

Teagan sighed softly, "I'm actually Teagan. I'm only sort of his uncle."

Before Hawke could respond Aveline took a knee and bowed to the king. "Your Majesty. May I say what an honor it is to meet you?" She asked, not taking her eyes off the floor.

"You could, but you'd be the first today." Alistair seemed startled by her actions.

Aveline stood then and looked him in the eyes, "I fought at Ostagar. What happened there was... a great tragedy."

Alister nodded, a solemn look crossing his face. "Ah. Yes. Yes, it was. Thankfully the man responsible has paid for that."

Anders looked at the King, a smirk on his face. "Say... weren't you a Grey Warden once?"

Alister looked at the mage, "That's the rumor. Wait, weren't you...?"

"That's the rumor."

"Huh. I guess we get around." Alister laughed with the mage. King Alistair sighed and got back to the matter at hand. "I was hoping we could talk. Would've been better timing before being emasculated by Meredith, but I'm not picky." Hawke looked back at her friends to see why King Alistair hadn't addressed his wife, but saw she was nowhere to be seen.

Turning back to the king she spoke kindly, "I'm surprised you would even know who I am."

Alister smiled at the young mage, "I know you came here from Lothering. A Ferelden refugee that did well for herself, against all odds. I have to admit. I was hoping your influence in Kirkwall might be of use." He continued after a long sigh. "Things... haven't been going well with Orlais. Without a viscount here, however, there's only the knight-commander to deal with."

Hawke quickly grew concerned, "Is there to be a war, then?"

"I hope not!"

Alister sounded sure of himself, but Teagan's words said otherwise. "You're more optimistic than I am."

Alister turned to his Uncle, "Empress Celene is doing her best. Orlais isn't the most stable place right now."

Before she even uttered the words, her companions already knew they were coming. "Do you think there's something I can do?"

Alistair looked down at the floor while he answered her, "Sadly, it may be too late. Meredith got wind of my arrival sooner than I'd hoped." He fixed his gaze upon her once more, "What you can do is protect Kirkwall. It will take someone like you to keep it from falling apart."

Hawke gulped, not expecting those words. "Protect Kirkwall from what, exactly?" Her voice was soft, yet firm. Fenris could tell she was already preparing for whatever was to come.

"You ask me, the biggest threat to this city just walked out the door. But maybe that's the ex-Templar in me talking." He tried to laugh it off but the tension was still in the air around them. "Well, I suppose I should get back to the old ball and chain."

Teagan rolled his eyes at his nephew, "You know, the queen hates it when you call her that."

"No she doesn't. Just because she killed an Archdemon... she doesn't scare me." Alister protested.

A new voice spoke up, causing everyone to look at the door. "You keep telling yourself that sweetie." Katherine watched her husband's eyes bulge and his face pale. "Now, what were you saying about the old ball and chain? Teagan, thank you for watching my husband well I was gone. You can have the last few days of your stay here to yourself."

Alistair took a step back but Katherine was faster, she grabbed his ear and pulled him down to her height. "Now love, I was only joking. I would never call you that for real, please don't glare like that." In one quick motion Katherine pressed her lips to his, surprising everyone.

She pulled away and let go of his ear, "You're lucky, I have something important to tell you. Now, say good bye to everyone, I'm going to give you the grand tour of Kirkwall." Everyone watched as the rouge pulled her husband out of the keep.

By grand tour, Katherine meant bringing him back to Hawke's estate so they could talk. The warrior watched as his wife sat at the edge of the large bed in her room, facing away from him. "What's the matter love?" He sat next to her and she took one of his hands into both of hers.

Smiling at him, Katherine placed his hand on her stomach. "I am with child, you will have an heir." Alister was stunned, his wife was with child?

"How… Who… Why… When…" He just couldn't think straight.

Katherine laughed, "Well love, when a man and a woman love each other very much…"

Alistair blushed a deep red, remembering the time their companion Wynn had given him the same speech. "I know how babies are made, what I mean is… Is it mine, no I mean are you sure?"

"Alistair, I have only ever lain with one man in my whole life, and I am sure because our friend Anders could sense the child within me."

Her words seemed to calm him down, and for the rest of the day they walked around Hightown arguing baby names and wondering whether it was a girl or boy.

Yes, tis true! Katherine's with child, and so now Ferelden has an heir! Hope it threw you off, I love you my wonderful readers, until next time! (Sorry this is unedited… My Editor is on Vacation and hasn't had the time, but I wanted to at least post something for you guys.)