Authors Note: Sorry it took so long to update, but it's here now. I was planning to do a chapter on the Brecilian forest but I just couldnt seem to write it.

Returning to Denerim

Cailan laid awake watching his beloved sleep, stroking her ever growing belly. It still amazed him as her stomach continued to swell, the movement from the growing baby within. But Charlotte was still as beautiful as ever, full of life and love that made her glow. He often watched her sleep, enjoying the serene look she had as she slept, the occasional calling of his name, it was something that only he got to enjoy.

Charlotte stretched, reaching out for Cailan as she normally did, turning on her side, "Watching me sleeping again?" She teased.

He chuckled as he pulled her closer, "I love it. It soothes me. I've been thinking about Rowan, too."

"What were you thinking about?" She asked as she yawned lightly.

"I was thinking about what she looked like, personality and how she sounded. How she was so like perfect, like you."

"Do you think she looked like me?

"I do, she had your eyes, beauty and she even did that cute thing that you do with your nose."

Charlotte laughed, flexing her nostrils like a rabbit, "She has your cheeky smile. She's a blonde too," She sighed sadly, resting her head on his chest, "Do you think about the other baby?"

Cailan didn't reply at first. It was the first time they had talked about the child they lost, "Sometimes I do. He or she would be born now. It's taken along time to relieve the guilt I feel, it still gets me sometimes," Cailan held back his tears, he didn't want to upset Charlotte.

She leant up to look at him, caressing his cheek, her thumb rubbing against the two day old stubble, "Do not blame yourself. It was something that happened, we couldn't have prevented it."

He clutched her hand, smiling at her. She didn't blame him, he needed to know that so he could move on, "I've wanted to talk about it so many times. I worried it would upset you."

"We are married, there shouldn't be anything we cant talk about."

"If that's the case..." Cailan breathed deeply, hoping she wouldn't say no, "I want to be there when you are in childbirth."

Charlotte smiled, kissing him gently, "There is no one I'd want more with me, than you."

"Good. I think this is one thing that a king must absolutely do for his queen."

"I want this war to be over with," She said, struggling to get comfy on her bed roll, "I want to sleep in a proper bed," She whined.

"Do you want a back rub?"

"Yes please," Charlotte groaned with pleasure as Cailan soothed the aches in her back.

"Do not groan like that, woman! You know what it does to me," He moaned, as he rubbed her back, kissing her shoulders gently.

She laughed, "Get a hold of yourself dear. We had plenty of fun in the Brecilian forest."

"I know, but when you strut around in front of me, naked as the day you were born and the fact that you are so incredibly sexy, I struggle to control my desires."

"I'm looking forward to having a normal life with you."

"Love, I doubt we will ever be normal as Monarchs."

Charlotte sighed deeply, "I guess not, but it would be nice to have a place to call home and a nice warm bed. Somewhere our family can grow."

"One way or another, we will have all that," Cailan moved, lying down, pulling Charlotte into his arms, "We should get some sleep. We need to be ready for Loghain tomorrow," He felt his wife, relax into him as she drifted off to sleep. He felt guilty that she had to spend her pregnancy on the run from troops, but knowing what Loghain had planned for her, they both knew it was the only option, but he would put it right so she could give birth in comfort instead.

The view of the Royal palace came over the horizon, the splendour of the place, shining like a beacon. The time had come for Cailan and Charlotte to reclaim their country. Each step towards the end of the war, although there were many steps to go until the end.

They walked through the main entrance, the sight of Cailan and Maric, startling and shocking the guards. Ser Cauthrien approached them and bowed, "King Cailan, King Maric...W-we thought you were dead," Stuttering, She shook her head, fearing it would explode.

"Well, we aren't," Cailan said coldly, "Where is Loghain?"

"Inside, my lord. He is holding Landsmeet."

"Perfect," He replied, already walking towards the double doors, leading to the meeting hall.

They walked in together as Loghain was making a speech. Stopping at the back, they waited and listened as Loghain spoke about Cailan, "Whilst we mourn our King, we must remain strong and focused. Orlais have already taken our King from us, they seek to take our freedom. They want to take what we reclaimed those twenty years ago. We must not allow it to stand."

Cailan shook his head, listening to man drone on about Orlais, ignoring the real enemy, "What about the darkspawn?" He shouted into the room, making everyone turn to him.

"King Cailan? King Maric?" A noble managed to speak through the shock of seeing them both, echoing what everyone in the room was thinking. Gasps and quick whispers filled the room. Eyes fell on the woman standing next to Cailan. Everyone knew her as Lady Cousland, the King's mistress, a heavily pregnant mistress.

Cailan and Maric walked through the crowd towards Loghain, leaving the Alistair and Charlotte at the back. Cailan looked to Maric, who merely nodded, it was Cailan's time to prove himself. Cailan turned back to the man in front of him, "It seems Teyrn Loghain, we have an issue. See, I have it on good authority that you abandoned the fight at Ostagar, leaving the troops and myself at the mercy of the darkspawn. In fact, if it wasn't for my love and Queen, I would not be standing here now."

"I was never at Ostagar," Anora stated angrily, staring towards the back of the room where Charlotte stood before shifting her icy gaze to Cailan.

"Oh I am aware of that. I'm talking about the rightful Queen, the woman my father picked before you," He turned away from the father and daughter, his eyes falling on the woman he loved, "It is time for me to introduce you to my new Queen. Queen Charlotte Theirin," All eyes fixed on Charlotte as she walked slowly towards Cailan. He took her hand, kissing her knuckles gently.

Loghain and Anora simultaneously turned red in anger, "This will not stand Cailan! You are still married to Anora. That woman will never be Queen," Loghain said through gritted teeth.

Cailan smiled as he paced slightly, "Let me tell you all a story. It is a story that began when a King was forced to take a mistress. The woman was someone he had been in love with since they were children. The King's father asked this woman's father for her hand, but he said no, he didn't want to betroth her at a young age. So the King was forced to marry the daughter of his father's friend. But the King never forgot that woman, so when the opportunity to be with her had arisen, he took it," He looked at Charlotte with loving eyes, the love between them, sent sparks around the room. He sighed happily as he continued, "They slowly fell in love, but he had to go to war,-"

"Does this little tale have any bearing on you, illegally marrying another woman?" Loghain asked, annoyance written in his face, his permanent scowl even deeper.

Cailan cast a disapproving look to Loghain, ignoring the question, "So he left his love, but she, convinced that ill fortune would befall him, followed. She watched as the King nearly died after his general abandoned him. She saved his life, but she has done so much more than that. She has made him see what kind of King he could be. He knew then, she had to be his Queen, the one who stood by him," He stopped pacing, standing defiantly chest to chest with Loghain, "So here is were we are now. What the King kept hidden, was the knowledge that he sought an annulment and was granted it."

Loghain scoffed, folding his arms, almost laughing at Cailan, "So, are we to believe that Lady Cousland had a genuine feeling of ill towards you? It is so ridiculous that you believe it. Teyrn Cousland isn't beyond using his daughter as a political tool. Sending in his daughter to whore herself out for his own gain."

"How dare you speak of my daughter like that! Bryce shouted from his place on the balcony, gripping the bannister in anger, "You are one for speaking about whoring daughters out for power."

"Calm yourself, my dear father," Charlotte said calmly, turning her eyes towards the scowling Loghain, "I may have started out as Cailan mistress, but the Maker and Andraste themselves had other ideas. I truly believed Cailan would be betrayed at Ostagar and I was right. You betrayed him, you withdrew knowing you were signing the death warrants of those who died."

"What do you hope to achieve by lies?"

"I speak the truth. I myself only hope to spend my life with my husband and King. My King wants his country back and I will help him take it."

Loghain laughed humourlessly, "Is this what you all want for a King and Queen? The idiot and his little whore, who will destroy our great land."

Cailan growled quietly. No one talked about his wife that way, "Enough!" He shouted, stunning everyone in the room into silence, even Charlotte, "I will not have my Queen spoken about like that. Whatever you have done to me, I can handle, but when you plotted to kill her and kidnap my child from her arms. That I will make you pay for," He stopped when he felt a hand caress his, looking down, he saw Charlotte's reassuring eyes. He smiled and nodded at her, letting her speak for herself.

She turned to address the nobles in the room, " My lords and ladies. I know that this is a lot for you to take in. I do not want to force myself in the throne next to the King's without your approval. So I put it to you, myself or Anora as your Queen," She sighed, fearing they could turn against her, but she decided to open her heart regardless, "But before you decide to vote, please know that I did not marry him for power, whether he was King or not, I would not hesitate to marry him. I married him for love, for the desire of spending my life by his side, to be the mother of his children. Your King is but a man, but he is a man of courage and bravery. He has a strong heart and a capable mind, only wanting to lead Ferelden to greatness, I have every faith that he will. My only wish is that I am by his side when he does," Cailan smiled, his stomach flipping, even now, she knew how to make the butterflies flutter in his stomach.

Teagan was the first to speak, walking towards Cailan and Charlotte, "Rainsfere stands with Queen Charlotte, in Cailan's absence, she acted in the best interests of Ferelden. She would not send troops to our homes to shut up the perceived troublemakers," He looked towards Eamon on the balcony, as if daring him to betray his own nephew.

"Redcliffe stands with Queen Charlotte," He said quickly, avoiding the cold stare from Bryce.

"Waking sea stands with Queen Charlotte. We must not ignore the real threat," Bann Alfstanna nodded to Charlotte, showing her respect.

"West Hills stands with Queen Charlotte."

"South Reach stands with Queen Charlotte."

"Southern Bannorn stands with Queen Anora," Charlotte knew Bann Ceorlic would stand with Loghain, he was a terrible arse kisser and everyone knew it.

"City of Amaranthine stands with Queen Anora," Cailan rolled his eyes discreetly. Bann Esmerelle had a crush on Loghain, of course she'd stand by him.

"Highever stands with Queen Charlotte," Bryce smiled at his daughter, he was proud of the way she handled herself. He knew she was made to be Queen.

"Dragon's Peak stands with Queen Charlotte."

"Amaranthine stands with Queen Anora," Arl Howe said smugly.

"Edgehall stands with Queen Anora," Charlotte and Cailan looked at each other both knowing Arl Lendon wouldn't be Arl for very long. Loghain might have allowed him to stay, but they would not.

After a few more votes, Cailan was satisfied that they had chosen Charlotte, "Well, it appears they have chosen. Guards, have them both taken away, we will deal with them later. Take the former Arl with you," Cailan turned away from Loghain. A small sound just about reached his ears, he knew Loghain had unsheathed his sword. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his father moved towards his former friend.

Maric stood in front his son, protecting him from Loghain's sword, "Do not draw your sword against my son. My daughter in law and grandchild are there and if they get hurt, I will not hesitate to take your daughter's head," Maric and Loghain stared at each other briefly before Loghain wisely sheathed his sword.

After Loghain and Anora were lead away, Cailan moved to address the nobles, "Now they have been dealt with, I can get to some other business, "I would like to introduce you all to my little brother, Prince Alistair. In the coming months, there will be a official ceremony. Before then, we need to plan, the Darkspawn are coming and we need to prepare our citizens."

"Boys, I suggest we get the council together, we have no idea where they will strike next," Maric suggested, before turning to Charlotte, who was grimacing in pain, "Cailan, Lottie needs to get into bed and rest, she only has two weeks to go."

"Father, get the council ready, I need to tend to her now," Maric nodded to his son before he walked to the council chamber with Alistair.

Cailan helped Charlotte upstairs, simultaneously rubbing her painful back. He took her to his bedchamber, sitting on his spacious bed. He found something of his for her to wear, surprisingly no one had cleared out his belongings, "Now, no getting up unless you need to," He ordered half jokingly, covering her with soft furs, putting plump pillows behind her back.

"Yes mother," She joked, smiling at her husband, caressing his face, "I love you."

He sat on the bed facing her, gently taking her hand to kiss her knuckles, "I love you, more than I could ever tell you."

Charlotte hummed gently at her husband's touch, "You better get to the meeting, I'll be here when you return."

"I should, shouldn't I? Before I get tempted to climb into bed with you and let the world fade away."

"We have years to spend time cuddled up in bed, before that we need to eliminate the threat first."

"Always the voice of logic, I shall return soon," Cailan kissed her gently before getting up from the bed. He stood in the doorway for a couple of minutes watching her brush her hair.

She looked up at him, a smirk on her pink lips, "Go, now!" She ordered, laughing to herself, watching as left the room.