Chapter 27
"Are you certain it's the right woman?" Wynne said as she read Zevran's letter
"The woman admitted her name as well as the time she worked at the Pearl. She even handed back a bracelet Fergus had given her.
"And she willingly signed over the baby?"
"It took one hundred sovereign but I would have gladly given more. Marielle won't admit it but I know she has a lingering sadness about being the last of her family."
"This is so wonderful Alistair." Leliana cried. "And he will be raised with little Duncan."
"Eamon will be renamed Highever's regent and when he wants to retire; Marielle will be able to nominate somebody in his place and when her nephew comes of age, he will inherit the teyrnir."
"Why do you think Fergus sent her away?" Leliana asked.
"When a person finds out they are dying they sometimes do things that are out of character because they are not in the right frame of mind." Wynne said.
"I just can't wait to see the look on Marielle's face when I give him to her." Alistair sighed.
"You and Marielle are going to have a wonderful life Alistair." Wynne smiled.
"Its will certainly never be boring." Alistair laughed.
"What did you want us to do when we're gone?" Leliana asked.
"Zevran and the nursemaid should be arriving the two days before we come back from Amaranthine. I'm placing you two in charge at making their arrival as comfortable as can be. I've ordered some more furniture and things for the nursery and I want the both of you to oversee that as well as to make sure the wedding plans continue to progress."
"You can count on us Alistair." Wynne said.
"I know and I appreciate the both of you being here." Alistair hugged both of them. "Now we just have to survive Celene's final days here and we will be off to Amaranthine which has me nervous enough."
"Why are you nervous about going to Amaranthine?" Wynne asked.
"Did you see how her Wardens looked at me at her brother's funeral?" Alistair shuddered.
"Alistair they are probably past that now." Leliana chuckled
"And they are not going to be her wardens for much longer." Wynne patted him on the back.
"That's true." Alistair sighed. "I just can't until the moment we are married and when I can crown her. I'll finally feel whole again."
.
.
…
Marielle set her cup of tea down and smiled at Empress Celene. "Thank you so much for wardrobe Celene."
"You are very welcome." Celene said. "I just regret not being able to attend your wedding."
"We're sorry you can't make it as well."
"I would very much like to correspond with you via letters the way I did with Anora."
"I would like that very much."
"I'm glad. I want our nations to get over the past. It's something your father wanted."
"I know and it is my goal to further promote diplomacy between our two countries. I'm well aware you have pretty much eradicated the previous Orlesian regime. Its time the citizens realize that and given how well your visit has been going, I think we are well on our way."
"I'm relieved you did not take offense to my gift of the Orlesian cook for your Wardens."
"Oh no not all." Marielle laughed. "I knew the Orlesian Wardens are not thrilled with Ferelden cuisine. One of my last acts as Warden Commander will be presenting the cook to them."
"I'm glad you are not offended." Celene got up from her chair. "No if you excuse me, I am going to sign those final trade agreements and make your betrothed a very happy man but not without some teasing at first."
"I'll see you at supper." Marielle laughed. "I need to check on Duncan."
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Marielle headed for the nursery and found Erlina and Leliana watching as servants brought were bringing more furniture inside.
"What is all of this?"
"Furniture." Leliana and Erlina said together.
"Is something wrong with the other furniture?" Marielle asked.
"No." Leliana laughed. "Alistair just thought if Duncan had…friends."
"Oh you mean like Teagan and Kaitlyn's daughter." Marielle said.
"Yes!" Erlina said. "For children like Lady Marianne. His Majesty wants Duncan to be around children his age."
"That makes sense. Is Duncan awake?"
"Yes." Erlina said. "He just woke up."
"Good." Marielle smiled as she walked in the room, not seeing Leliana and Erlina exchange nervous glances.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A week later, Alistair and Marielle stood by the docks and waved to Celene as her shipped departed. Her visit had gone smoothly and most citizens of Ferelden started to realize that Celene was ushering Orlais into a new era and that there would never be a repeat of the tyranny of the past.
The next day they departed for Amaranthine. Marielle had to admit traveling in royal caravan was a great deal more comfortable than what she was accustomed to. Alistair loved the feeling of Marielle sleeping against him.
Marielle opened her eyes and snuggled against Alistair.
"We're almost there." He kissed her cheek. "Another hour."
"Good."
"So have you decided on your successor?"
"Yes I have." Marielle sat up. "I've decided on Nathaniel Howe and Joseph, a Senior Warden from Orlais will act as sub commander. The Wardens in Orlais and Nevarra have sub commanders so I figure I best follow suit."
"Do you think Varel will have most of your belongings packed?"
"He'll have most of the study packed except any remaining paperwork I have to deal with."
"I can't wait to see you in your element."
"It's not that much different from being king." Marielle laughed. "You will probably end up bored."
"You could never bore me."
"We will have to visit Amaranthine. I need to say goodbye to a few people there and I know there will be one goodbye dinner planned at the keep."
"As long as you protect me from your Wardens, I can handle it."
"Protect you?"
"Mari, most of them gave me the evil eye at your brother's funeral and not to mention I am taking you away."
"Alistair its not as if you are forcing me. I'm with you because I want to be with you." Marielle laughed. "And you are king; my wardens will treat you with the utmost respect because they know what will happen if they don't."
"Ooh I am almost willing to risk that just to see what would happen."
"You are so bad." Madeline playfully punched him in the shoulder.
Marielle suddenly could sense the presence of darkspawn. She looked at Alistair and it was obvious he was feeling something as well."
"You sense it too?"
"Yes. I can hear it. But it seems different."
"Maybe they just came back from a patrol and got some stragglers."
A crowd of people had lined the side of the road that led to Vigil's Keep. Alistair and Marielle acknowledged the crowd and rode into the keep where they saw Varel, Nathaniel, Anders, Valanna and several other Wardens awaiting her.
"Welcome to Vigil's Keep your Majesty." Varel knelt before him and wardens, with the exception of Valanna followed suit.
"Thank you." Alistair managed a nervous smile. "I confess this is a visit I should have made a couple of years ago. Just by looking around I can see how the Wardens have flourished under Commander Marielle's leadership."
"The keep will not be the same without her your Majesty." Varel said
"Nathaniel and Joseph, its good that you here since you might as well know. Nathaniel I hereby appoint you as my successor as Commander of the Grey and Joseph will be your sub Commander."
"Thank you Commander." Joseph bowed. "I am honored."
Madeline glanced at Nathaniel who looked stunned.
"Nathaniel you have proven yourself since the moment I made you a Grey Warden. You have shown Ferelden what you are made of by holding you head high and you have brought back honor to your name. And you have been a true friend."
"I don't …know what to say. I am honored and touched that you have so much faith in me Marielle. I promise to continue the same path."
"Nathaniel please don't feel obligated to continue the same path. Follow your instincts, take a different route. I'm sure there are things I did that you would have done differently."
"Thank you for your confidence Commander." Nathaniel reached over and hugged her.
"And to think Nathaniel, you actually tried to kill the Commander when you first got here." Anders quipped.
"You tried to kill Marielle?" Alistair raised his eyebrow and looked at Nathaniel.
"Yes your Majesty but that was before I realized my father was a monster."
"It's in the past Alistair." Marielle squeezed his hand.
"Of course it is." Alistair managed to laugh. "I'm just surprised."
"So can please explain why the king and I sense darkspawn?" Marielle changed the subject. "Has there been a battle recently?"
"I can explain Commander." Joseph said. "We managed to capture one of those disciples and it's in the dungeon."
"Really?" Marielle said in a calm tone. "You know the king has never seen one of the sentient darkspawn. Would it be possible for him to take a look?"
"Of course." Joseph laughed nervously. "My apologies your Majesty, I keep forgetting that you were once a Warden."
"I still am a Warden." Alistair said firmly. "Just because I am king does not mean I have lost my abilities."
"Of course." Joseph looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock. "Come with me."
"Please take the king's bag to the guest quarters." Marielle followed Joseph, Nathaniel, and Alistair to the door that led the dungeons.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
The disciple was curled in a fetal position against the wall and several wardens were out the cell watching him. They immediately knelt down when seeing Alistair.
"The King and Commander wish to inspect the prisoner." Nathaniel told them.
They immediately moved away and let Alistair and Marielle approach the cell.
The disciple immediately looked up and lunged for Marielle. Alistair pulled her away as it crashed into the door of the cell.
"The Mother's killer!" It hissed.
"I can't believe it can sense that after nearly five years." Nathaniel said.
The wardens rushed to the cell and opened the door. Marielle and Alistair watched as they forced the disciple back into submission.
"What are you going to do… with it?" Marielle was almost afraid to ask.
"We're planning on a thorough investigation soon." Joseph explained. "We want to see what makes these creatures sentient."
Marielle and Alistair both realized that dissection would be involved.
"Well I wish you luck on finding the truth to their existence. Please feel free to send me a report when you are finished. I maybe retiring but I would still like to be updated as would the king."
"Yes I would." Alistair agreed. "Now if you will excuse us, I think its time we head to our rooms and freshen up before supper."
"Yes your Majesty." Nathaniel led them back up the stairs and out of the dungeon.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
That evening after enjoying supper with Varel and the Wardens, Marielle and Alistair retired to their rooms.
Marielle stood by Alistair, reached over and whispered in his ear. "Lock your door and give me a few minutes."
She gave him kiss and proceeded to her room.
Alistair locked the door of his room and stood in the middle of the room, curious as to what would happen. Suddenly he heard the wall started to move and he watched when the panel opened.
"I told you I knew the secret passages." Marielle laughed as she came in the room.
Alistair sighed when seeing she was wearing a nightgown.
He pulled her to him and held her close.
"So can we talk about seeing that disciple today?" He asked.
"Yes, for a moment I thought it was Duncan too." Marielle admitted. "But the minute we got in the dungeon, I knew it wasn't him."
"I can see how the lying makes you uncomfortable." Alistair kissed her.
"I hate it Alistair. I feel like I am betraying my brothers." Marielle could feel the tears in her eyes. "Words can't describe how I am relieved to be done. I am proud of my accomplishments but its time for my era to end. I just want to enjoy the time I have left with you and the children."
"I love you." Alistair kissed her.
"I love you too. But there's something else I want to discuss. I don't want to wait to Alistair." He watched as she unbuttoned his shirt. "I know our wedding night will be incredible but why can't we have a special night now?"
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Marielle pulled her nightgown off and gently put one of her hands against her heart.
"I've never been more certain of anything in my life Alistair."
Alistair swallowed audibly. His hands shook as he ran them up her bare arms, reveling in the smoothness of her skin while tracing the occasional scar. His right hand tangled in her hair brought her mouth to his lips. The kiss started off slowly, as if it was their first time, lips brushed lips, their breath mingled together. Alistair ran his tongue along her soft lips, parting them slightly, and sneaked it into her mouth. Marielle gasped but quickly regained her control. Alistair moaned when her tongue started to tease the tip of his and soon became lost in the feeling when she began to lightly suck on it. Alistair pressed her against the wall as Marielle ran her hands over his sculpted chest enjoying seeing him twitch when she touched him.
"You are so beautiful." He sighed.
Alistair picked her up in his arms and carried her towards the bed.
When they settled on the bed, Alistair and Marielle looked at each other, their faces only inches apart and their lips met once again.
"I love you so much Mari."
"And I love you."
Alistair was soon covering Marielle with his body, and it not only made her feel safe, she had finally felt complete.
…..
A/N Love scene is dedicated to the readers who sent me private messages begging for it. And my apologies for those who found it too chaste. LOL!
Sorry for the delay in chapters. It's been busy here. Story is almost done. 2 more chapters so be prepared.
