That evening, Talissa went to Alistair's study. He'd asked her to join him after tea. In she walked to find Alistair, Fergus, Diandra and Zevran already there.

'You're always late.' Alistair said grinning as he poured her a drink

'I'm fashionably late, sweetheart.' Talissa purred back, taking the drink from him.

The other three looked at each other, bemused. They were already acting like an old married couple.

'Well, you're probably wondering why I've called you into the study. There are some changes about to happen.' Alistair sipped his drink and carried on, 'Firstly, we're going to Denerim tomorrow to give the Queen my answer. I am due to step down as Warden Commander.' This didn't come as much of a surprise to anyone so Alistair ploughed on. 'And in my place, I would like Fergus to step into the role. I will speak to the Queen and as she knows and likes Fergus in some twisted way, I'm sure she will accept my decision.' Fergus smiled.

'You kept that quiet, Fergus.' Diandra looked at him surprised.

'Yes and don't forget its Warden Commander from now on, even in bed.' He said in a loud stage whisper.

The rest of them laughed. 'Hah! Like that's going to happen.' Diandra grinned.

'Secondly, I have some more news. I have asked this lovely woman,' Alistair indicated Talissa, sat next to him, 'to be my wife. And she, in her madness has accepted.' Diandra gasped. She and Fergus got up and kissed Talissa congratulations and shook Alistair's hand.

'Now you've told them, can I have my ring back?' Talissa put her hand out in front of Alistair. He reached into his pocket and turning her hand over, put the engagement ring on her finger, where it hung loose. Diandra 'oohed' over the ring as Talissa told them the story of how Alistair estimated her ring size. The group laughed, just like her family had. Fergus asked them when they would be getting married. They'd already decided the previous night, three months time at Highever. Although Eamon had offered Redcliffe as a venue, they both decided that Highever felt more like home than Redcliffe ever had to either of them.

'And where are you going for a honeymoon?' Zevran asked.

'I was thinking perhaps a trip to Orzammar, take in the sights, kill a few Darkspawn. You know the sort of thing.' Alistair smiled as Talissa nodded in agreement. It had been her idea after the run-in with the darkspawn. What was the point of being a Grey Warden if she couldn't fight darkspawn?

'Wow, you really know how to romance a girl.' Diandra grinned.

Not long after that, Zevran took his leave and left the two couples to talk. Talissa broke it to Diandra that she was moving into Alistair's room and although Diandra was sad, she her friend would move on. Before she'd left Talissa was hardly ever in her room, even keeping a change of clothes in Alistair's wardrobe. Alistair told them that he was going to take over Fergus's job as sword and shield trainer, a job Talissa knew he'd enjoy much more than Warden Commander. They left the study earlier than usual as Alistair and Talissa had the trip to Denerim the following day.

Later that night they lay in his bed talking. Neither of them were tired, though they knew they should be.

'Alistair, I know you're going to be a fight trainer, but what am I going to do? Nothing personal against Fergus, but I wouldn't want to be his aide. It wouldn't feel the same.' Talissa said softly. She's only just recognised she also would be out of a job.

'Hmm, I'm not sure. Diandra might have something for you or there might be another role in the Castle. You can always carry on training with Zevran until we find you something.' Alistair kissed her bare shoulder but she moved away from him.

'I think you should know something. Don't be angry at me but I went to see Edmund this afternoon. Diandra came with me.' Talissa had her back to him so he couldn't see her face but she sounded upset.

'Oh.' He said, lying on his back. 'May I ask why?'

'He was still a friend of mine at Redcliffe, the only friend I had who wasn't my sister. He went out of his way to protect me. I didn't understand then he was doing this because he loved me. I thought he just liked me as a friend.' Talissa replied, her throat sore from not crying. She felt guilty as surely as if she was sailing the boat to the Anderfels in the first place.

Alistair close behind her and put his arm round her waist. 'I do understand, I was just concerned that it would make things worse.'

Talissa shook her head and faced him. 'I don't think so. I told him exactly what I thought and that it would never have worked. I felt like a total bitch, but I had to say it. We wished each other well and said goodbye.' She gave into her tears and cried against him then.

'You did the right thing.'

The following morning they were on their way to Denerim, for the last time as Warden Commander and his aide. They decided to give up on the pretence of having two rooms at the Gnawed Noble and signed in as 'Mr and Mrs Theron', spelling the Royal name differently to not to cause any questions. Talissa went for a walk while Alistair went to deliver his verdict to Queen Anora. She had a letter to deliver to a gentleman by the name of Brother Genitivi, for Leliana and then she had a trip of her own to make. She knocked on the door of Brother Genitivi's house. She was about to put the letter through the letter box, when she heard someone shuffling towards the other side of the door.

'Yes, can I help you?' An elderly bald-headed man opened the door.

'Brother Genitivi, I was wondering if Leliana was still staying with you or you knew where she is?'

He squinted at her. 'And may I ask who you are?'

'I'm Talissa. I'm with the Grey Wardens and I have a letter for her.'

'Oh, why didn't you say you worked for them? A servant I presume.' Genitivi opened the door further.

She sighed. 'No, I am a Grey Warden. I currently work alongside the Warden Commander of Ferelden as his aide.'

He seemed taken aback by the news. 'Oh I'm sorry, I never thought...' Brother Genitivi looked straight at her. 'Leliana went on a trip to the Urn of Sacred Ashes about a month ago. However I will make sure she gets your message.'

'Please do. It's a joint invitation to her from myself and Alistair to come to our wedding.' She turned on her heel and walked off. She didn't want to have to explain her heritage to someone she would probably never meet again.

Now where was that dressmaker Leliana took her to?

As Alistair entered the Royal Reception rooms in the palace, the Queen and her servants seemed more subdued than usual.

'Alistair. I understand you have made your decision. Come and sit with me.' Alistair did as he was bade and sat across from her. The Ladies-in-waiting moved themselves away from them both.

'I have made my decision and it was not an easy one to make.' Alistair tried to read this woman's face and knew she was implacable.

'Love over responsibility.' Anora said simply. 'You always were a fool for the women you loved, Alistair.' She sighed.

'Actually Your Majesty, I still have my duty as a Grey Warden. That will never change.' Alistair tried to remain calm.

'And do you have anyone in mind to take over your position?'

'I do, Your Majesty. Fergus Cousland.'

'A sound choice. I'm sure he will do an excellent job. Very well, I agree to the decision.' Anora nodded her assent.

'I will inform Weisshaupt of the decision. I'm sure they will not disagree.'

'You and Talissa.' Anora said after a moment's silence. 'When are you due to get married?'

'We're due to be wed in three months time, at Highever. Your Majesty is invited, however you might find our accommodations more basic than you are used to.' Alistair said, knowing she would decline.

'That is kind of you both. I wish you all the best for the future. And I will miss our verbal sparring, Alistair. I do not have many people willing to stand up to me.' Queen Anora looked at him sadly.

Alistair felt he had to say something. 'Your father. I am sorry for the way he died. Had it been now, I would have given him the chance to take part in the Ritual. At least he might have had a chance to live longer.'

Anora shook her head. 'My father lived and died by the sword. Dying by a slow poison was not the way he would have wanted to go, I know. None of us are the same people we were then.'

Alistair stood up and bowed and took his leave.

Alistair was getting ready for dinner, when Talissa walked in, holding a parcel and a pleased look on her face.

'And where have you been Mrs Theron?' Alistair grabbed her and kissed her as she went past him.

'Never you mind. I need to get ready. I have a date with a man tonight.' She smirked.

'Oh well, let me know how it goes. I thought I would wander to The Pearl myself...' Talissa let out a squeak and hit him on the arm.

'Oww! That was mean.' Alistair said, rubbing his arm.

'Serves you right. Go down to the bar while I finish dressing. I'll be down in ten minutes, I promise.' Talissa kissed his arm and his face and pointed at the door.

'Fine I know when I'm not wanted.'

Alistair was at the bar and had just started to drink his first drink when he saw a vision in red silk out of the corner of his eye. He felt almost guilty, for looking at her, until he saw it was Talissa, in an almost identical one to her purple dress and with shoes to match. He stood up as she drew near.

'Wow, that is a great colour on you.' Alistair breathed. He resisted the urge to lead her back to the bedroom, but only just.

'Thank you. I ordered it last time we were here.'

Alistair noticed she was attracting a lot of attention from other men in the bar. He kissed her on the cheek and he led her into dinner. They talked about the day's events, about Anora's revelation and her comments. Talissa knew that her enquiries were almost being friendly.

They both sat drinking after they'd finished their dinner.

'Alistair? There's something that I have to ask you.' Talissa bit her lip.

'What's wrong?'

'Nothing's wrong exactly, it's just if we could have children...' Talissa left the sentence hanging.

'You're not trying to tell me something are you?'Alistair replied quickly.

'No I'm not but if I was, would you be happy with that?' Talissa asked quietly.

'You do know that it's very rare for Grey Wardens to have children together and if they do, there can be problems due to the taint?' Alistair looked at his fiancée, trying not to see the hurt on her face.

'I know that Alistair. The thought struck me that of everything I know about you, I don't know if you want children.'

'Ah, I see. Well if you became pregnant I would love to have a child together.' Alistair reached across the table and held her hand. 'You want to be a mother, don't you?'

Talissa nodded. 'No-one ever told me that doing my duty meant sacrificing everything. I never knew until Diandra told me a few months ago that the taint made it almost impossible to conceive or stay pregnant.'

'When I went to Weisshaupt a few years ago, there was talk about only conscripting men for this reason. It might seem sexist but it's not meant like that. Many women have a strong maternal instinct and if they can't have children, it's just unfair.'

'If only men had got conscripted, I would never have met you Alistair. That not something I ever want to give up. Even if we can never have children together, I still want to be with you.'

'I'm happy to hear that.' Alistair whispered, stroking her hand with his thumb.

Later on, Talissa and Alistair lay side by side, each in their own thoughts.

'I'll miss this, our nights away in Denerim knowing there's no-one listening at the door from Highever.' Alistair said putting his arm around Talissa and pulling her close.

'Thinking about what Edmund did still gives me the creeps. I do wonder how much he heard?' Talissa said.

'A fair amount if he was right up against the door, though why you'd torture yourself when you were in love with that person, I don't know.' Alistair stroked her hair from her face.

'I have no idea. Anyway forget about him. This is our last night here, is there anything we've not already done that you fancy doing?'

'Ooo my rampant elven girlfriend.' Alistair began to kiss the side of her face and kissing the edge of her ears. 'You see that set of drawers over there...'