Chapter 25
I love you too." She said.
He kissed her again and she responded more to it.
"I know you were invited to go to Orlais." He said. "I could not bear it if you left Ferelden."
"I wasn't even considering going." Madeline gazed into his eyes.
Alistair kissed her again and this time felt her arms around him. He brushed the hair from her face before putting an arm around her and kissed her again.
He shook slightly when feeling her move closer to him.
"This has to be the Fade and I am dreaming." Alistair said.
Marielle kissed Alistair then touched his face and he closed his eyes blinking away the tears.
"It's not a dream Alistair." She smiled. "I love you."
Alistair let out a sigh as he held her. For the first time in many years, he felt whole again.
"Remember when I told you I could not escape you?" Madeline asked. "You can't escape from where you were meant to be."
Alistair ran his hand down side of her face and caressed her cheek for several seconds as he stared blissfully into her eyes.
"I love you so much Mari." He said, before their lips met again.
Suddenly the silence was broken by someone clapping. Alistair and Marielle turned to see Empress Celene standing, clapping, and then smiling at them. Wynne smiled and nodded at them. Marielle saw Leliana crying and Varel give her a sad smile. Suddenly there were cheers and more people stood up and clapped.
"Alistair we have an audience." Marielle said
"I don't care." Alistair said as he kissed her cheek. "They can take the crown if it offends them."
Marielle reached over and kissed him again.
"I presume this bout is a draw then?" Empress Celene called out.
Alistair and Marielle looked at each other and laughed before raising their hands to the adoring crowd.
They did not see the crowd disperse nor did they see the people visibly touched by what they had witnessed.
Empress Celene coughed and they looked up at her. Both of them regained their composure, bowed before her and apologized for their behavior."
"There is no need to apologize." She smiled. "Seeing the love you share has filled my heart with such joy and has made me see that not all Fereldens are stiff and repressed as you make yourselves out to be. Its time to go back to the palace though, I am sure you have much to discuss no?"
They both thanked the empress and walked toward the exit as the guards gathered the gear they dropped.
A crowd had formed as Alistair helped her in the carriage and they rode off.
They clung to each other as if afraid to let go. Marielle let Alistair lead her to a sitting where he locked the door. She watched him undo the rest of his armor then rush back to her. He shivered when feeling her hand on his shirt.
"Alistair."
He closed her eyes and savored the sound of her calling his name.
"When you told me you loved me in front of all those people. I knew at that moment being with you is where I belong." Marielle said as she snuggled closer to him.
"I still can't believe you told me you loved me."
"Alistair I never stopped loving you even when you hated me."
"I never hated you Marielle." Alistair said. "I wish I could take all those years back and everything that happened. Until the end of my days I will have regret my actions."
"It's alright." Marielle touched his lips. "I forgave you a long time ago."
For the next few hours they held each other and talked. Marielle told him of her life at Vigil's Keep and the trials and tribulations she experienced commanding the Wardens. She told him how she conscripted Nathaniel and helped him to heal when he learned how far his father's depravity went and she discussed Fergus and how she felt guilty for not seeing the depth of his grief as well as the extent of his health problems. Alistair shared his experiences being king and how lonely it was. He admitted his regret at not respecting Anora enough as he should have and lamented his failure at not seeing the abuse of his nieces and nephews.
They cried together when talking about Duncan and how seeing him brought closure as well as grief at what is fate was going to be.
"Duncan was the one who told me to do whatever it takes to get you back." Alistair admitted. "He told me to think like a Grey Warden and use any means necessary which is why I did what I did at the arena."
"I'll never forget today as long as I live." Marielle hugged him.
"Nor will I." Alistair said as he kissed her.
"Varel gave me such a sad smile when everything was happening."
"That's because he knows he's losing his commander." Alistair chuckled.
"Truth be told, ever since we saw Duncan I have wanted to leave the Wardens. It just didn't feel right anymore."
"Then leave." Alistair pulled her closer to him. "You've done your duty tenfold Marielle. Your name will be remembered throughout history. Its time to move on and let someone else take over."
"So you think I should retire?"
"I'll be right back." Alistair got up and rushed out of the room. A few minutes later he came back and knelt before her."
"We have lost too many years." Alistair said. "I don't want to lose anymore. I want you to be my wife Marielle. I want you to help me raise Duncan and the children. And I want you to rule Ferelden with me as my queen."
Alistair took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger. It was simple ring with a single diamond in the center with a smaller ruby and sapphire set on each side of it.
"I had this made a long time ago from gems I found when we in the Deep Roads" Alistair. "You can't begin to know how many times I have dreamt of this day."
"It's beautiful." Marielle started to cry. "Yes I will marry you Alistair and I will be honored to help raise your son and your nieces and nephews. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to become your queen, but being with you and the children is more important to me than any title."
"And that statement alone is one of the many reasons why I love you." Alistair took his lips into hers and wrapped his arms around her.
"We have to go make an announcement." Alistair said. "It seems word has gotten out and there's a crowd of people outside.
"What do you mean?" Marielle looked nervous.
"We just need to make an appearance on the balcony." Alistair laughed. "I'll be there with you."
Alistair stood up, held out his hand and Marielle took it. Empress Celene was standing outside the door with Wynne and Eamon when they came out.
"Well?" Empress Celene put her hands on her hips.
"Marielle has accepted my proposal." Alistair wrapped his arm around her as she held out her hand to show her ring.
"That is wonderful news!" Eamon beamed
"It's about time!" Celene hugged Marielle and Alistair.
Marielle turned to Wynne. "I thought you said I would never lead a normal life.
"Does this look normal to you Marielle?" Wynne laughed as she hugged her.
Alistair led Marielle to the balcony and the crowd cheered.
"Let it be known that the Warden Commander has accepted my proposal to become my wife and your new queen." Alistair called out.
Marielle was shocked as the crowd roared their approval.
Alistair turned to her and kissed her. Marielle felt something soft hit her and looked down to see flowers at her feet.
Erlina suddenly appeared holding Duncan. Marielle was amazed at how much he had grown. His hair was the color of Anora's and he had Alistair's amber brown eyes.
Marielle took Duncan from her and those beautiful eyes stared up at her. She closed her eyes when feeling a little hand touch her face and the crowd cheered. Feeling arms around her legs, Marielle looked down and saw Lily smiling at her. She handed Duncan to Alistair and picked her up and the other children swarmed around her.
"Are you going to be our aunt now Elle?" Miles asked as Liam picked him up.
"Yes Miles." Marielle reached over and kissed his cheek.
"Wave to the crowd everyone." Alistair told them. "Your aunt to be is overwhelmed."
After a final wave they went back inside and Marielle went to the nearest bench.
"Are you alright?" Alistair sat next to her and took her hand.
"I need to head back to the estate and get out of this armor." Marielle tried to loosen it with her hands.
"I'll arrange for the carriage to take us whenever you're ready."
"You don't have to come with me." Marielle laughed softly.
"I will have some rooms prepared for you. We will go back to the estate together so you can change and pack your things. You are officially engaged to me and will be living at the palace from here on out."
"But Alistair, I'm going to have to go back to Vigil's Keep to pack and hand control over to my successor eventually."
"And I will be right by your side." Alistair said firmly. "Besides, it's high time I travel to Amaranthine and Vigil's Keep to see what you have accomplished there and to help give you the hero's send-off that you richly deserve before becoming my queen."
"But don't you have to stay here?" Marielle asked
"I'm sure my staff, Eamon and Teagan can handle things when I'm away." Alistair put his arms around her. "I just got you back Marielle and there is no way I am letting you go again."
Marielle hugged Alistair and realized at that moment her world had changed.
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A/N
To my loyal readers: Just wanted to say thanks so much for reading, the comments, and the private messages. Expect a couple more surprises before a very fitting end. : - )