And the second chapter for today! I'll be uploading another tomorrow afternoon, then probably not for another day or two after that. I'm pretty proud of this one, so I hope you guys like it too! :)

Dearest Irien,

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last saw you, and I'm so sorry that I haven't written until now. Love, you know it's not your fault for leaving angry, it's my fault for sending you away so quickly after the wedding. Which, speaking of, have I mentioned lately how happy I am to be married to you? I just wish there was someone who could be there instead of you, so I could continue keeping you all to myself in Denerim. I must tell you I'm half tempted to point at a random person and tell them congratulations, they're now the head of the Grey Wardens in Ferelden. But I thought that Anallorin woman might be a bit peeved at me for that. Especially since the random person hasn't even been through the Joining. Might be the slightest bit awkward.

Speaking of awkward, Wynne sends her best and hopes you're doing well. She wants me to ask if you're drinking the tea she sent. She said something about it helping us? Uh... something about the Taint, and an heir, and "behaviors she doesn't want to think about for too long." Her words! I'm more than happy to think along those lines, though I suppose I'm happy she's not. But I'd be happier thinking about those "behaviors" if you were here, of course. Maker, now I am even more eager to make a trip up to see you. And glad that Wynne is not reading this over my shoulder. She gets to tease me quite enough without reading these letters to you.

But I am glad you're feeling better about being at Amaranthine. Just remember, any time you feel down, you are more than welcome to get muddy bootprints all over Arl Howe's old audience chamber, or maybe jump on his bed? And now I'm distracted again, thinking about beds. Damn you woman!

Have you received any word from Zevran or Leliana yet? I know you were waiting to hear from them and I hope they've gotten back to you. I agree that it's strange not having all of them around – we've all been apart now longer than we were together fighting the Blight, but I still sometimes feel like they never left. Except Oghren, I always know he's gone because I'm not woken up in the night by his snoring or him drunkenly kicking me as he tries to get to the edge of camp. And yet, I still miss the loony bastard.

Are the new Orlesian Wardens a decent lot? And how is Anallorin as a leader? She's been writing me about the situation there, and all your plans, but obviously I trust you to keep me informed more than her. Not that I distrust her, but I haven't even met the woman, I have no idea what she's like. She did make one interesting comment though. Something about how "your wife is far too easygoing." I was confused for a moment, because I don't think I have any other wives but you, but she described you as easygoing, so I can only assume that Oghren and I were so smashed at the bachelor party that I managed to marry someone else. Someone who is apparently also leading the Grey Wardens at Amaranthine. I do hope you two don't run in to each other, it might be a bit uncomfortable. Sorry to break it to you this way, dear.

Ah, goody, I'm being called back to meet with the nobles. Again. What fun. It seems I'll have to cut this letter short.

I miss you, darling, and I can't wait to see you again. Best of luck with Anallorin, it sounds like you'll need it.

All my love,

Alistair

Irien,

I know you're very busy at Amaranthine, but I just wanted to write you a quick note to remind you to drink that tea I sent with you. I told Alistair to remind you as well, but as sweet as the boy is, I'm never sure what I need to pester him about and what he'll do on his own, so I thought I would make sure. From what I've gathered in my research, drinking it should, hopefully, increase the chances of your getting pregnant and having an Heir, once you two are together again. Nothing was mentioned about the herb's effects combined with the Taint in your blood, but it seems to increase fertility for those not suffering from it, so I am optimistic that it could work for you as well.

I hope you're doing well, dear. I know it is hard being apart from the ones you love, but I know it will get better and that the distraction of lots to do will help as well. Alistair told me that your letter to him was very sweet and that you're feeling better about being away from him. I don't know if he told you how much he misses you too, but he does. I notice him looking around for you sometimes before he remembers you're not here. It happens a lot more during his meetings with the nobles – I can only assume he wants to make some kind of "witty" comment to you. I do wish you wouldn't encourage that behavior in him, since he is the king now, but he's gone his whole life relying on sarcasm, so I doubt anything could curb that tendency now, even you.

I hope you will be able to return to Denerim soon and that Amaranthine treats you well until then.

Wynne