May 20, 2012 – At The End
Alistair removed his crown, setting it down gently into the velvet-lined box. The symbolism of the act wasn't lost on him, and he paused to stare at his reflection in the mirror.
Just Alistair now.
The grey in his hair had finally turned the tide in its battle with the blond it used to be; the lines that feathered across his brow bore witness to long nights spent worrying about Ferelden and the successor he couldn't produce.
His burden no longer.
The road to Orzammar was calling, teasing his dreams with tainted caresses; its darkness pulsing sweetly in his veins.
May 21, 2012 – I Want To Live Like Common People
At first, there was the rush that he could get caught; dragged back to the palace to face his father's wrath at his carelessness. But, as time passed and he became his own man, it was the thrill of anonymity. It was so easy to rationalize—how could he be a good king if he didn't know what his people really thought of him?—and, if he was honest with himself, he liked the excitement of being hidden in plain sight, nursing an ale like a common man. It was just so glorious to be free, to feel truly alive.
May 22, 2012 – Stress Relief
He hadn't meant to do it. He'd been wrapped up in his role, laughing and drinking with the men who'd become his mates; the only ones who didn't treat him like the sun shone out his ass. They'd joked that he needed to loosen up… maybe he did.
Just a kiss.
Just a hand resting on the soft flesh of her breast.
Just her mouth, making him cry out loud enough as he came that the whole barroom cheered.
Just fucking, with no pressure about cycles and timing; nothing but pleasure.
Didn't he deserve a break, once in a while?
May 23, 2012 – Inheritance
The grimoire's pages smelled of magic, used to preserve the parchment now crumbling around the edges, and the tome itself felt heavier than it should. Resting it across her knees, Morrigan turned each page slowly as she tried, in vain, to quell the nervous tingling of excitement and dread; a delicious flare of defiance in her gut. She could almost hear the familiar scritch of the quill on the parchment; Mother's admonishment to 'be still and sleep already, you foolish child' as she fidgeted, restless beneath her blankets.
She ran a fingertip over the tightly scrawled words and smiled.
Hers.
May 24, 2012 – Always Another Option
Neria stopped pacing. "So, let me get this straight: We can either pick a wimpy old geezer with his head in the sand, or a homicidal nutjob that probably killed his family who's at least slightly progressive."
Alistair shrugged helplessly. "Pretty much, yeah."
"I say we pick our own candidate. We found Branka and the Anvil." She grinned. "That means we get to decide who she… recommended."
Alistair sighed. "You've got that look again."
"What look?"
"The one that makes me twitch. Fine, I'll bite. Who do you want to put forward?"
"Oghren."
"You can't be serious."
Neria grinned again.
May 25, 2012 – Everyone Has Something
"Oghren? King?" Alistair's voice dropped to a hiss. "Have you not noticed how much he drinks?"
"Have you not noticed what he's packing?" Neria elbowed Leliana conspiratorially. "I mean, there's 'wow,' and then there's 'wow.' Seriously, show him, Oghren."
"No, no, I don't—"
Oghren's pants hit the floor. "Hail to the king, baby. Heh."
Alistair stood utterly still, turning a heated shade of vermillion that put the rivers of lava to shame. "I can't unsee that, you know. I'm scarred for life."
Neria patted his arm. "It's all right, hon. I'm sure the Maker blessed you in other ways."
May 26, 2012 – Kindred Spirits
The moon hung low in the sky, dipping towards the horizon as if it hung from a bough laden with ripening fruit. Morrigan picked her way through the long grasses, grateful for the brief respite.
"You seek solitude as well." It took her a moment to find him; only Theron's eyes, reflecting the moonlight, gave away his position.
"Yes." She turned away, not startled to hear his soft footsteps as he joined her, and they looked out together across the great sky.
"I will leave you, then."
She surprised herself, something that didn't happen often. "No, stay… if you wish."