Chapter 12
Reunited
Fergus kissed Miranda on the cheek. "I'll be back later."
"Thank you Fergus." Alistair said as he closed the door, and then turned to look at Miranda again.
"I've read a great deal about your father and how he was loved as much as Eamon was, if not more at times. Its only right that one our sons is named after him."
Miranda could hear her heart beat as she nervously looked down at her lap to avoid his glance as her tears flowed.
Alistair knelt down beside her and reached for her hand. "Do you know how long I have been searching for you?"
"How did you find me?" She finally looked at him.
"I had all but given up hope until I came upon Sam at the Denerim Fair and he led me to Brother Tyler but I had been looking for you long before that. I know everything Miranda."
Alistair waited for a response and was surprised when he didn't get one.
"You asked Zevren to keep an eye out for me and watch Anora. If it had not been for that, I would be dead now. He not only helped get evidence that incriminated Anora in her attempt to poison me, he uncovered the fact that she knew she was barren since she married my brother."
"Anora knew she could not have children?" Miranda was shocked.
"Zevran and I exposed her in an elaborate dinner party he set up with all our friends in attendance. I had to play the role of a dying king. The look on her face was priceless when we brought in the two witnesses who knew of her deeds against me and Ferelden."
"I'm glad justice is coming to her."
"When I said I know everything Miranda, I meant it." Alistair told her. "At this dinner party, Zevran also revealed a certain private chat you had with Eamon before the Landsmeet that he happened to eavesdrop on."
Miranda shivered at the memory and looked away from Alistair.
"You let Loghain live to drive me away so I could fulfill my duty to Ferelden. Eamon manipulated you into doing what you did."
"Look at me Miranda."
Miranda turned and faced Alistair. She saw the tears in his eyes as he looked at her.
"Why? I just want to know why you let Eamon do that to you. And what in Andraste's name were you thinking that my being married to Anora would be good for Ferelden when the only queen who I wanted by my side is you?"
"Eamon told me I had to do my duty and part of that was to let you do yours. He said we had no future because I would not be able to have heirs."
"We have two sons now; if that doe not refute what Eamon said to you I do not know what will."
"Does he know?" Miranda asked.
"He knows." Alistair said. "Zevran attacked him when he implied someone else could be the father. He defended your honor."
"Zevran attacked Eamon?" Miranda managed a laugh between her tears.
"He was the only one who stood by you when the rest of us walked away."
Alistair stopped looking at her and bowed his head down in shame. "Zevran also made it abundantly clear how much that hurt you….how much I hurt you"
"You…were angry." Miranda managed to get out.
"Please don't try to justify what I did to you." Alistair looked at her again. "I said horrible things to you after the battle and my rage made me ignore the principles Duncan taught to me. I happened to find one of his journals in the compound and after I read it I realize he would have made the same decision as you."
"I…" Miranda began.
"I also know about the Warden dying when slaying the archdemon." He touched her face. "You were prepared to give the final blow but Loghain ended up doing it. That miserable bastard ended up saving your life but that is what drove you to Orzammar. Am I right?"
"Yes!" Miranda cried. "I wanted to die! Is that what you wanted to hear? But the minute that doctor told me I was having a baby, was when I wanted to live again."
"I am so sorry you had to go through this on your own." Alistair choked out. "And I am sorry for everything I said. I swear if it takes the rest of my life, I will make it up to you."
Alistair reached in his pocket and pulled out a ring. His hand shaking, he took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger.
"I have never stopped loving you Miranda and if there was some spell to go back in time to change the past, I would have already asked Wynne to use it but unfortunately there is no such magic so the only thing we can do is focus on the future. You have given me so much and now you have blessed me something I dreamed about having my entire life. You gave me a family. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and my Queen? "
Miranda mustered her strength to sit up and put her arms around him.
"I never stopped loving you either and my answer is yes."
Alistair sighed as he pulled her close and they finally kissed, both never wanting it to end. "You don't know how long I have waited for this." He said.
Wynne and Leliana suddenly appeared in the room; each holding one of the babies who were wide awake.
"Looks like we interrupted a moment." Leliana grinned.
"I don't think they will mind." Wynne smiled. "Your children are hungry Miranda, especially Bryce." Wynne smiled.
"Bring them over please." Miranda said eagerly. "It's so good to be able see them while not totally out of it."
Leliana handed Duncan to Alistair. "He can wait his turn while his brother gets his."
Wynne handed Bryce to Miranda.
"Where are the bottles?" Alistair asked.
Wynne and Leliana looked at each other and then at Miranda who immediately blushed.
"Alistair, they are not getting bottle fed this time." Wynne said.
Leliana could no longer stifle her laughs and Wynne led her out of the room. "We'll be back later." Wynne said as she shut the door.
"What was she laughing at?"
Alistair eyes widened in shock as Miranda undid the laces of her nightgown and slid it partially off, then lowered Bryce to one of her breasts who instantly startled to suckle.
"Maker!" Alistair gasped.
Miranda looked down and smiled lovingly at Bryce.
"You do realize you're marrying a fool don't you?" Alistair asked. "It's not too late to back out."
"Never!" Miranda laughed. "You are stuck with me your Majesty."
Duncan let out a cry and Alistair looked down at him. "Don't worry. Your turn is coming up."
"You know Duncan has your eyes." Alistair said.
"Bryce has yours."
"Do you know how beautiful you look right now?" Alistair asked.
"Stop. You're making me blush."
"Well it's true."
When Bryce was done she placed him in her lap and took Duncan. Alistair picked up Bryce.
Miranda pulled up her nightgown once Duncan was finished and just continued to watch and play with his little hands then looked at Alistair who was doing the same thing with Bryce.
"Alistair, will Eamon be around when we return to Denerim?"
"No, I made him return to Redcliffe. Teagan has become my Regent."
"Good, because I am not ready to see him now."
"You don't have to ever worry about Eamon again my love." Alistair told her.
Wynne and Leliana came in and took the babies back to their makeshift nursery but not before Alistair and Miranda kissed them.
Wynne gave a disapproving look when she returned to see Alistair lying next to Miranda, their arms wrapped around each other.
"Well I can see you two have cleared the air." Leliana teased.
"Wynne, I endured seven months without her." Alistair told her. "I just want to hold her."
"So when will I be able to travel?" Miranda asked.
"Miranda, you just had twins." Wynne reminded her. "You need to heal a bit. You need a week to recuperate at least."
"I'm going to have one of the units ride off tomorrow to send word to Teagan." Alistair said.
"Where is Zevran?" Miranda asked. "I'd like to see him."
"He volunteered to go with some of the troops near the temple to make sure there were no more cultists." Leliana said. "You will see him tomorrow."
"I need to tell him thank you." Miranda said sleepily.
"Alistair it just dawned on me that Miranda is theoretically your Princess Consort already since she had your children." Leliana said.
"Yes she is." Alistair smiled. "She will be queen once…." He suddenly frowned.
"She'll be queen once Anora is executed you mean." Leliana interrupted. "I really do not understand the protocol in Ferelden. In Orlais, any royal who commits a crime is immediately stripped of their title."
"Anora has no power Leliana;" Alistair explained. "Miranda will get her title immediately after the execution. I know its stupid but that is how it's done here."
Alistair looked at Miranda and saw she had fallen asleep.
"I cannot wait for the day we'll be married and when I crown her."
Writer's Note: Thanks so much for the kind words and encouragement. Keep reading because it's not quite finished….yet. ;-)