I'm so sorry for the very long delay but life caught up with me. Thank you for those of you who have left comments, they are so lovely and encouraging, and added myself and this story to your favorites and watch lists. I am so very grateful for your support.

The idea for this chapter hit me like a ton of bricks before my class this morning and instead of immediately writing everything down I was stuck in class. I've decided to add a twist to what was seemingly going to be a happy ending for Alistair, Kellian, and Duncan.

I'd love to get your feedback on this chapter and the turn of events.

Thank you so much for reading!

-A.V.A.

"We?" Kellian looked up at him. She sounded so different. Not the woman he had followed through darkspawn infested deep roads. This woman was wounded and unsure.

He nodded. "We."

"We…" She repeated.

(Just before the events at Highever)

Fiona watched the young warden with the baby. Just once in this lifetime she'd like to see a happy end. It couldn't happen for them. A king and an elf with a child out of wedlock, the nobles would tear them to pieces. No. For the sake of them all she had to do this.

"Warden Tabris, I need to speak with you." She swore she could hear the woman roll her eyes as she laid the child in the crib one of the villagers had brought her.

"Commander."

"What are your plans for the babe?"

"Plans?" Fiona nodded.

"Yes. You are a Grey Warden. That is the most important title you will ever carry. Can you take the babe to his father?"

Kellian's eyes found her shoes quickly. The shapeless, hard leather shoes suddenly very interesting.

"Do you even know who the father is?"

"Of course I know!" She yelled. Her eyes filling with anger and hate at the accusation. "It's just…it's complicated. Very complicated."

Fiona found her patience slipping away. "Then uncomplicated it. You can't keep him."

"What? Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do!"

"I am your commander! If you use your head you'll see that I am right!" She took a deep breath, pulling in any remains patience she could find. "What will you do with him when you are out hunting darkspawn? How will you focus on the task set before you? You know you can have no distractions when the darkspawn are involved. Take the boy to his father. Keep him away from all this madness. For both your sakes."

"I can't! By the Maker, I can't…." The anger gave way to despair. Her shoulders slumped, her hands loosed from the fists that had formed.

"Why? Is it because the father is human?"

"…and the king of Ferelden…." Kellian whispered, more to the floor than to Fiona.

"A-alistair is the father?" She nodded. No one was supposed to know. No doubt that somehow word would spread like fire. She'd have to tell Alistair now. Maker….

"Kells? You still in there?" Alistair's words brought her back to reality. A bitter reality. The sodding mage was right. She couldn't given Duncan the life he deserved, no matter how badly she wanted to. There would be no "we" only them. If she could find a way to keep Duncan's elven blood a secret.

"Alistair… there won't be a we…"