Chapter 28

When the Arl decided that waiting until after the Blight was dealt with was better for the wedding of Alistair and Anora as well as the crowning of the new King, I didn't really disagree.

I mean, I think the people would have felt a little safer, but it made sense on a political standpoint.

Instead, we headed back to Redcliff to prepare.

Every time we stopped for camp, I was just more tired than hungry and went straight to sleep.

The third night, Alistair and Zevran prevented me from setting up my tent.

"Elissa, this has to stop." Alistair said.

"Amor, you have been sleeping far too much. I am very worried."

Morrigan stopped by us. "Yes. Leliana and I as well." She handed over the blankets she was carrying to Alistair and took hold of my arm. "We are going to have a little bit of a private session."

I dug in my heels for a second before Zev picked me up and followed her.

Baron ran along a few feet ahead of Morrigan and led us a short ways away from camp.

"This should be good." Morrigan nodded. "You can set her down on that rock."

I didn't fight when Zev sat me on the rock in question. "Why can't I sleep?"

Morrigan didn't answer and I felt the flare of magic instead.

"Amor, sleeping is all well and good, but it also isn't healthy to sleep as much as you have when we aren't walking." Zevran sighed as he stepped back when Morrigan touched my shoulders.

I could feel the invasion of her magic and it took my breath away.

The moment she stumbled back, he steadied her and me.

"How is she?" He asked her.

"She needs more nutrients. As far as physical state, she's fine, but not if she wants to be healthy."

"See, I'm fine." I moved to stand up.

"Elissa, if you aren't healthy, then our baby isn't healthy either." Zev made me face him and I saw his scowl. "Do you not want a healthy child?"

I looked down between us. "I do. I'm just so tired all the time."

He pulled me close. "I know amor. Walking is exhausting. But you need to eat too." I felt his breath against my hair. "Please just promise me you'll try to eat more. I'll do whatever it takes to make it so you have to walk less. Even if I have to carry you myself."

I nodded. "I'll try." I mumbled.

"Good. Then just try and stay awake for dinner tonight." Morrigan said. "You've been worrying us all you know. Even Sten. And he doesn't show any emotion."

I sighed. "I'm sorry Morrigan." I saw her actually smile somewhat.

"Let us go back and see about getting food." Zev said.

I nodded.

XX

As we came close to Redcliff, we could hear fighting and most of the soldiers hurried ahead at the Arl's command.

I picked up my pace as well. Eating more last night had given me a lot more energy today, along with riding for periods of time on the wagons.

Maybe my baby and my body weren't quite on equal terms just yet.

But I would work on it.

"There are Darkspawn attacking Redcliff, we need to hurry." Riordan tried to urge me faster.

"If you're so bent on fighting, you run ahead. My legs are shorter." I tried to keep my breathing even as I jogged.

"Not that short." Oghren huffed trying to keep up with me.

"Still shorter than ours." Alistair said.

Even with going a little slower, the soldiers who'd gone ahead managed to kill most of the Darkspawn without us.

We finished up with them and the Arl ordered men stationed as lookouts and took our group up to the castle.

Zev and I were putting our armor on the desk of the room we'd had for a while now here at Redcliff when the knock on the door sounded.

"Well, at least this time it was before we got started." He laughed.

I had to smile at just hearing him laugh honestly. No hint of dry amusement or bitterness to it.

I pulled the door open.

"Hey, the Arl wants to see us." Alistair said when I looked up at him.

"Alright." I started after him and Zev gave me a confused look when he fell in step beside us.

I just shrugged.

"I wasn't really expecting an attack here, you know?" Alistair sounded worried.

I shook my head. "No. I wasn't either." We turned the corner and I saw Riordan by the door to the Arl's study.

He held up his hand to have us halt and looked at Zev. "Wardens only."

I looked at him. "It's alright. I mean, I think." He nodded.

"I'll wait amor." He leaned against the wall and Alistair headed into the room ahead.

Riordan closed the door behind us.

"I've heard Antivan before. He loves you?" Riordan asked.

"Let's just say that Arainai would likely walk through hell to keep Elissa safe. And he's got the skills to back it up. You saw him fight. That was just a warm up to him." Alistair said. "When we retrieved the Ashes for Arl Eamon, we had to fight magical made clones of ourselves. Arainai killed us all. Believe me, it was creepy and I never want to see it again."

Riordan held up his hand. "Oh no, I'm not saying it's a bad thing to have a skilled warrior as a lover. In fact, it might be better simply because he won't have to be left behind were Warden Elissa to travel following Warden duties simply for his own safety."

"And you're not going to mention that he's an Elf?"

"Garahel was an Elf and he was the Warden who saved us all from the Fourth Blight. I've got literally no issues with Elves in general." Riordan shrugged. "An Antivan Crow assassin is a very nice companion to have on your side. I merely wanted to congratulate you for managing to sway someone to love you who has been emotionally void since his inception into the Crows. I've heard tell that their training leaves them nigh unfeeling killers. Yet it is very obvious that he adores you. While retaining his ruthless ability to kill anyone who crosses him, as I saw just this afternoon with the Darkspawn we faced."

I was a little thrown off. "Guess I'm not used to someone just casually accepting us. I mean, Oghren did, but he's...him." I saw Alistair make a face at that.

"Speaking of the Hero of the Fourth Blight, how much do you two know about him?" Riordan asked.

"That he was skilled." Alistair said.

"He was just a humble Warden who happened to find the courage to do what had to be done to kill the Archdemon." I tilted my head.

Arl Eamon nodded. "Anyone who has studied the Fourth Blight history knows about him."

Riordan shook his head. "Wrong. He was a skilled young Elf Warden, yes. And he did make that sacrifice to slay the Archdemon. And one of us will have to as well."

"Right, Elissa and I have already talked about it. She'll kill the beast, I'll take the throne, and she'll become the new Ferelden Warden-Commander." Alistair said.

Riordan snorted a laugh. "New Commander eh? From the grave?" He shook his head again, seeming disappointed in us. "You have no idea what it means to kill that monster, do you?"

Alistair scowled. "It's an Archdemon, we slay it and go home."

"No. The Warden who slays the Archdemon dies. Garahel didn't die because of his wounds, though they were terrible. He died because the only way to effectively and permanently kill an Archdemon is to take its soul into your own. A body can't hold two. It will kill you."

"But, is that necessary?" I asked.

Riordan nodded. "I'm sorry to have to tell you. If one of us don't kill it, the soul will move to the next Darkspawn and it will be reborn and we will have to kill it all over again. Anyone can help us kill it, but we must strike that finishing blow ourselves."

Alistair looked at me. "So...one of us will have to die."

I met his eyes even as my hand raised to rest under my breast, not quite over my heart, but not over my belly either. "I...didn't know." I whispered.

"I know. Warden Duncan didn't tell either of you. We senior Wardens know, but we never expected for us all to be wiped out." Riordan said. "It'll be alright. I'll make that final blow. I understand that Warden Cousland is pregnant, so I can't ask you to do it. And if Alistair is to be the next King, that won't help him at all either."

"But what if you can't do it? One of us would have to. There is no guarantee that you'd even be able to sunder that monster." I said.

"At any rate, I wouldn't worry about it. I'll make sure I stay alive to kill that thing for you both. As the senior Warden, it is my duty." Riordan said. "Get some rest."

"I'll be sending out the call for arms to our army." Arl Eamon said with a pale face.

He looked like he'd aged ten years in the past few minutes.

I stumbled as I made my way to the door and Alistair followed behind me.

When I opened it, I expected to see Zev waiting, but he was gone.

"So...I'm sorry Elissa. If it comes to it, I'll do it." Alistair said.

"No, Ferelden needs a King." I shook my head.

He reached to grab my shoulder and pull me to a stop. I looked up at him.

"No. I mean, it does, but I never expected to make it this far. You have so much more to live for." He held me with both hands and leaned just a little to look me in the eyes. "Elissa, you promise me you'll let me take that final blow."

"I...can't." I shook my head.

"Promise me Elissa. Or so help me I'll...I'll break your leg and make you sit on the sidelines here and now." He looked almost in pain. "You can hate me, Arainai can hate me, Anora can, but I have watched how you change people around you and I couldn't bear it if the world lost you. This world needs someone like you. You were always right. The Maker never does anything without his own will in it. If Mages like Morrigan and Wynne can exist, then who's to say there can't be good Demons and proper Blood Magic."

I swallowed. "I...I promise." I choked on the words.

Making that promise meant letting Alistair die if it came down to him or me. I couldn't lose the last bit of family I had.

"Good. Now...go and be with Zevran." He stood straight and stepped back.

I turned as I felt the tears welling up.

I really didn't want him to see me cry.

I was a Cousland and we stuck to our word.

I'd have to turn the other cheek and watch my friend die to save my own life.

I started running back towards the room I shared with Zev and as I pushed the door open, I saw the fire lit.

Standing in front of the hearth was Morrigan.

"Did you need something?" I asked her.

"It isn't what I need Elissa, it's what you need." She faced me. I tilted my head. "I know about the slaying of the Archdemon killing one of you. And I came to present another option."

I looked as I saw movement. In time to see Zev looking away from me, as if he was ashamed.

"What?" I shook my head.

"I believe my mother knew about all this. It's why she sent me with you." Morrigan said. "And while I can't say I initially enjoyed being thrown out of my house, I have enjoyed traveling with you Elissa. I've seen more of Ferelden than I'd ever thought possible from my home before."

"Why would you be able to change one of us dying?" I asked as I moved towards the window.

"You have an open mind, like my mother hoped for. You believe that Mages and magic have a use in this world. In her tomes, the one I took with me specifically, is a ritual. A...Blood Magic Ritual." Morrigan sighed. "Using the ritual, one can make it so that no Warden need die to kill the Archdemon."

"But..." I started.

"Don't you owe it to yourself to survive?" She asked. "Don't you owe it to him? Have you not noticed how he has changed?" She motioned at Zevran. "If you were to die, what would you leave behind? Surely not a couple broken hearts and a legend of heroism like Garahel of the Fourth Blight. Few know you on that kind of level. What you would be leaving behind is a number of shattered hopes and dreams and a broken man." She leveled the harshest look I'd ever seen from her before. Even I felt scared. "You want to tell me that you would sacrifice yourself to save the world and be able to face the Maker knowing that you ripped out the Elf's heart along the way?"

I looked at the floor for a moment. "No." I mumbled.

"What?" She sounded as if she wanted to make me repeat it, not that she hadn't heard me.

I let the tears fall as I rushed away from the window to where Zev was sitting on the end of the bed.

He reached for me as I nearly threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. I felt his arms close around me and felt safe again.

"I can't do it." I said.

I could never face myself again if I ever knew I was the cause of Zev being in that kind of pain.

"Then, I will perform the ritual. I'll need one small thing from you though." I turned in his hold to look at her.

"Anything. So long as it will save me and Alistair."

"I suppose if I must save the useless future King." She sighed. But there was a hint of a smile and no malice in her words. "I'll need you to convince him to sleep with me tonight." She said.

I frowned. "That'll save us both?" I asked. "That easy?"

She nodded. "You go and convince him, I'll prepare the Ritual myself and be at his room door by the time you are done." She turned for the door and I watched her leave.

I let it sink in as I looked at Zev.

"I'm sorry amor. I heard what the other Warden said and I just...couldn't let you die. I can't bear it. I'm so sorry amor." He said.

I threaded my fingers through his hair and pulled him to kiss me. "I don't care Zev. You'll never be left out of another conversation involving me or my future again. I don't give a shit if they say 'Wardens only' again. From now on, you're a part of me whether they like it or not."

He held me close for another moment and I buried my face against his neck.

How could I be mad that he'd eavesdropped when he'd tried to use it for the best?

He finally nudged me away.

"You should go speak to Alistair." He said.

I nodded.

XX

"You want me to what?" Alistair sat on the end of his bed and rubbed his hand over his face.

"Please Alistair. I know it's not ideal. You hate Morrigan. You hate magic. I know. But please, consider the possibility. If this thing of hers works, when any of us kill the Archdemon, no one will have to die for it. If it doesn't...then I'll still let you or Riordan do it." I said.

"Regardless of if it works, you won't even think about killing that thing. You should be lucky we're letting you fight. You are a walking miracle Elissa. Having the Taint as we do and being able to have a baby still...there are so many Wardens who would have given their left leg to have what you have." He said sharply. He settled back down. "I...I've never done it before." He said nervously.

"You mean...you're a virgin?" I frowned.

"Rub it in why don't you? Little miss-screwing-the-Elf." He scowled at me.

I snorted. "I honestly didn't know." I tried to keep a straight face.

It made sense though. But he hadn't acted flustered at seeing the naked people in the ruins in the Brecilian Forest. Nor at any of Zev's more lewd jokes. Or even around Oghren's.

"So...you'll do it?" I asked him.

"Yeah. But make sure she doesn't expect anything from me. Literally, the bare minimum. That is all I'll offer." He said as he narrowed his eyes at me. "Maker this is humiliating." He hung his head.

"No one will ever have to know outside the four of us."

"Four?" His head shot up to look at me.

"Well, you, me, Morrigan, and it was Zev who'd brought it up to her."

"Great. Arainai can hold this over my head forever too." He sighed.

"We won't Alistair. You're going to be saving the world."

"By getting laid." He scowled.

I smirked. "Exactly." I moved to hug him. "If it makes you feel better, I really hope it works. I want the new Warden-Commander and the future King to be good friends for decades to come."

He hugged me back. "I...me too. I...made you promise, but Elissa...I'm scared of dying too." His voice caught and I didn't pull back as he held me tighter. "I don't want to be a failure of a Warden. And I don't want to lose out on having all the fun with you and Arainai and even...Anora. I want to be there to see your child grow up, knowing I'm kind of like...an uncle. I've never been an uncle."

"You'd be more than that Alistair." I finally pulled back to look at him. He looked a little bit like a scared boy. "I...I've been thinking, and I haven't gone over it with Zev, but...I wanted you to be my baby's guardian."

He gaped for a moment. "Guardian...me? But...really?"

I nodded. "You're one of my best friends, practically family, and you're half the reason I even have this child. If you hadn't been such a screw-up to Warden Duncan, he probably wouldn't have ordered me to go up the Tower of Ishal with you and I'd be dead."

He snorted a laugh. "I suppose so. Guess me being a failure can come in handy."

"Exactly. So...let me ask Zev, and then I'll ask you formerly."

I stood up and headed for the door.

"Yeah. I'll do it. Whenever you ask, I'll be your child's Guardian." He said.

I smiled as I opened his door. "Good." I looked up at Morrigan. I nodded at her when she stepped aside.

"I heard." She said.

Neither of them spoke when she went into the room after I left.

I was practically floating down the hall back to my room.

Maker let this Ritual work. I didn't care that it involved Blood Magic, as long as no one died.

XX

I found my room lit with a few small oil candles, making the room smell like a flower I'd never had the scent of before.

Zev stood by the window and I could see that the hearth had been raked down to a near dead fire.

His already tanned skin glowed in firelight and I loved it.

I just loved him.

I made sure the door was locked before stepping towards him.

He met me in the open space between the end of the bed and the hearth.

His arms wrapped around me and he pulled me into a gentle, slow dance. I let him set the pace, relaxing in his arms.

I heard him speak softly in Antivan and looked up at his face.

"Zev..."

He shook his head. "Amor, you are the light of my life and I could never cherish you as I know you should be. But I also cannot ever let you go. I am a terrible man. A killer and a liar. I have never loved anyone before you. And I know I will never be able to love anyone after you. Please let me be selfish and keep you forever."

I sighed and put my head against his shoulder. "Only if I can be selfish and keep you too." I said as I held him tightly.

He ran his hand through my hair as his left arm kept me tight against him. "Always."

"What were you saying in Antivan?" I asked as I closed my eyes and just enjoyed him slowly swaying me in a simple movement.

I felt it as he tipped his head against mine. "Nothing will ever come between us. Where you go, I will follow." He said. "And I will amor. I promise you that. I would storm the gates of the Black City itself if it meant being by your side forever."

I felt the tears come back up again and he didn't seem to care as they fell on his shoulder.

For him to say that meant that not only would he break all known laws, but he'd go against the Maker himself to be with me.

If that wasn't love, then I was delusional.

We were quiet for long enough that I didn't even notice when we stopped moving.

"Elissa?" He finally broke the silence.

"Mmm?" I pressed my face against the fabric of his shirt.

He shifted just enough to look me in the eyes.

"I love you." He said softly.

I smiled as he leaned to kiss me.

Not a claiming kind of passionate kiss, but one that was gentle and emotionally deep. It was so far different from the very first kiss he'd given me that it could have been from a completely different man.

He was different now.

He'd still been a Crow at heart then. Now he was the man who loved me and kept me safe. My guardian Crow.

I was as breathless when he finally pulled away and I opened my eyes to meet his again.

"I love you Zevran."

He smiled, gently and with love.

"I hope you always do mi amor."

I gasped when he caught his bare foot behind my ankle and tipped me back. The feeling of hitting the bed knocked my breath from me and I looked up when he stood over me.

"Zev!"

He grinned before reaching to pull his shirt off.

I watched as he spread his hands over his own skin, unable to form a coherent sentence when he did that.

I'd been right all along. He was a distraction. All on his own.

I let him strip me as well, no complaints when he nearly ripped my shirt in the process. I'm pretty sure something ripped on it anyway.

He urged me back on the bed and I moved for him, looking up as he came over me to cover my body with his warmer one.

I loved his heat.

His kisses were passionate as he slowly and methodically teased my arousal using just his hands on my skin.

"Please Zev." I cried for him to not keep tormenting me.

I saw his grin as he slid into me, more careful than ever before.

We'd have to be very careful and gentle, especially once I was farther along in my pregnancy.

Mother had said it was possible, but to never be rough. I just hoped she was right.

But even if it wasn't possible, I'd settle for just laying beside him, feeling him against me.

"You are always so beautiful Elissa." He said as I let my eyes nearly close. I could still see him, barely, through my lashes.

He kissed me again as the bubble in me burst and I felt him come inside me.

I cried out his name as I pulled back at the strength of my own pleasure.

He never failed to ensure that I was satisfied first. And I loved that about him.

With anyone he didn't care for, he probably had never shown such courtesy. Which is how I knew he loved me like he cared for no one else.

Zevran knew and admitted he loved me now though.

It made all the difference.

XX

I woke up screaming from the nightmare vision and blindly pushed at the arms that wrapped around me when I tried to sit up.

It took a couple minutes, longer than I'd have liked, for Zev's voice to break through my crying.

I gripped his arm where it crossed over my chest to keep me pulled against him and unable to harm myself by fighting.

"Amor, shh. I'll keep you safe amor. It's alright." His assurances were soft and some were in Antivan, but I did eventually settle enough to breathe.

The vision was just too real.

I heard the sound of boots outside the door.

"Elissa?" Alistair's voice called out.

"It's open." Zev said as he made sure the blanket was completely covering me and himself as he held me.

The door cracked open and Alistair hesitantly shuffled into the room. "You had it too then?" He asked me.

I looked up at him. "It..."

"I know. It's on the move. We need to go."

"What is it?" Zevran asked, looking up at him.

Alistair sighed. "The Archdemon. It's sending its horde at Denerim."

Zev let a couple strings of cussing in Antivan and tightly wrapped the blanket around me before pushing out of bed.

"I'll go and get the Arl up and everyone else. Though likely Riordan has had the vision as well." Alistair said. "I just know how badly you react to it."

I nodded and he made his way back out the door.

He'd been so worried about seeing me afterward that he hadn't even pulled his shirt on.

Morrigan tormented him about his fighting ability, but Alistair had no scars to show inadequacy in his talent. Unlike myself.

Zev knew each of those scars and he would do his best to ensure I never gained another that he could prevent.

I shook still as I slid from our bed and he held out a set of warmer clothes.

"Amor, you are ready for this?" He asked.

I nodded as I pulled the clothes on. "Are any of us?"

He sighed. "I don't believe we are ever ready for a monster like this."

I could feel my hands shaking as I tried to wrap my sash properly and get the knot done right.

Zev took it over for me and I looked up at his face.

He looked tired still.

We must not have been asleep for long.

"Warden, be down as soon as you can be." I heard someone through the door.

"Coming." I called back.

Zev collected only the gear we would need.

If everyone from Redcliff marched in a timely manner and straight to Denerim, we'd make it in maybe just under two days. And with this kind of attack, that is likely what we'd be doing.

I took the pieces that covered my calves from him and quickly strapped them on before taking my metal stitched coat that he'd found for me while we'd been in Denerim during the Landsmeet. I loved it and it matched his, which only made it better.

"Amor, I'll be at your side every step of the way." He said before kissing my temple.

I nodded and stood a little higher to touch my lips to his cheek. "I'll need you there."

XX

I was right. We did take the army from Redcliff straight to Denerim.

Arl Eamon had sent out birds telling our allies to head for the city last night, and I could only hope they were going immediately. Their replies had come in over the day we spent walking.

Unlike for the Landsmeet, we had even more troops who'd gathered during it, and this time we had a number of wagons, including Bodahn's.

Bodahn urged me to rest on it as we traveled and I felt bad about seeing so many others walking while I wasn't.

Oghren joined us in the wagon for a fair bit of it as well though, and it was faster.

Not to mention I'd be less tired.

XX

The battle was already starting in Denerim when we arrived near evening of the second day of travel. The vanguard had emerged to test our defenses and sadly, it wasn't suited for a horde like this.

Queen Anora had barely managed to get most of the citizens to safety while the soldiers of the city held back the attacks.

I felt more nervous than anything else as our troop was rallied at the gates.

"Warden Cousland." Someone called for me and I turned to see Bann Teagan standing there.

I looked up at him.

"A smaller unit of your group is going to head for Fort Drakon, where we will lure the Archdemon to battle on our playing field." Riordan said. "I'll attempt to get to it myself, but I'll need you to back me up there."

I nodded. "Alistair, Zev, Leliana, and I will go that way. Sten, Morrigan, Wynne, my Mabari, and Oghren, will all assist the troops here on the ground. They are heavily suited to mass destruction of Darkspawn and will be far more help against the bulk of the horde than the Archdemon itself."

Sten nodded at me and gave me a very Qunari salute. "It has been an honor fighting alongside you." He said.

"Please take care of yourself up there dear. And I'm truly sorry for not putting more faith in you." Wynne reached to hug me and I let her, feeling a strong protective magic coming from her.

"I've done everything I can, now it is up to you and the idiot to finish this." Morrigan smiled at me.

Baron tilted his head and I knelt to rub his ears. "Now, you help Sten, alright?" I asked him. He made a positive woof as I stood and moved to circle Sten's legs and sit beside his right leg. "Take care of him?" I looked up at Sten.

"We will watch out for each other." The Qunari patted Baron's head. My Mabari woofed happily.

I looked at Oghren. "Don't die out there, alright?"

He huffed. "As if these vermin could stand a chance against me." He said proudly.

"Alright. Let's go." I looked at Alistair and Leliana.

XX

I was so busy focusing on going through maneuverable streets that when we came near the Fort, I was startled by the Archdemon crashing into it. I saw a body fall and the flash of armor caught my eye.

It was Riordan. He'd charged ahead of us and managed to herd the beast to the Fort.

The wing was ruined thanks to him and it was indeed grounded at the Fort.

I could only pray that he might have survived, but I knew the chance was slim.

"We'll do this amor." Zev said as Alistair shoved the main door of the Fort open.

I nodded at them both and hurried inside.

Part of me wished I'd said for one of the Mages to come with us, but honestly I'd been serious about the fact that Morrigan was a walking disaster on her own. She could level half the city by herself and Wynne was an amazing healer.

I knew our allies had gotten to the city because I'd seen Dalish and several Legion members around the city as we'd made our way to the Fort. I think I even saw a handful of humans in Dalish clothing and assumed that they'd been some of the survivors of the curse, still returning thanks to my saving them by helping the Dalish.

Inside the Fort was chaos.

Darkspawn and the Fort troops were locked in combat.

"See about freeing up some of these men Leliana." I said as she started to lead the way up.

In their running around the Fort before, she and Zev probably knew it far better than I would.

"Having them helping us would make it easier." Alistair said as he started for a couple soldiers tackling a handful of Hurlocks.

Leliana shot several arrows into the skulls of various Darkspawn as we made our way through the building and just the act of blocking off their entrance gave us a fighting chance at thinning the ranks in the building.

Zev and I made our way towards the stairs leading up and my other two caught up.

"I hate magic." Alistair snapped. "Bloody thing was vanishing and appearing all over the place." He was barely out of breath as we hurried to the room where the stairs were.

It was suspiciously void of living Darkspawn and only a familiar addled Dwarf was there.

"Sandal, please go where it is safer." I ordered him. He just smiled and waved.

How the hell he managed to kill so many Darkspawn was beyond me, but he still wasn't a combatant.

We hurried up the stairs and fought several more Darkspawn on the way to the next set of stairs which would lead to the roof.

Where the Archdemon waited.

It was exhausting and I expect that was most of the reason the beast had brought so many monsters with it. Simply to crush us all through sheer force.

Alistair and I went up the stairs first.

We saw several of our companions there already, including the First Enchanter and Knight-Commander from the Circle.

A sweep from the Archdemon's tail sent most of the Fort soldiers supporting them to the ground, either immediately dead or badly injured.

"Zev, Leliana, get on those and hit that thing hard." I motioned at the ballistae around the roof.

"Be careful amor." Zev said.

I nodded as I watched Irving cast a very powerful spell that caused the Archdemon to stumble.

Alistair and I headed into the fight and I could feel the magical protection Wynne had cast weaken.

Part of me feared she was injured, or worse, but I couldn't focus on that right now.

I had a battle to win.

Several bolts into its joints and more cuts than I thought it could stand, and the thing finally started to seem like it was weakening.

A last ditch effort to clear the bodies around it from its wings threw most of my companions back. I dug my left sword into the stone as Alistair dropped his due to the force of the blow and was thrown past me.

I glanced back to see him hit the wall hard and faced the monster in front of me.

I'd built up my rage and anger fighting all this way, just to be able to give myself the strength to push back against the wind it was causing with its wing.

This was not in our plan, but I couldn't wait for Alistair to make it back here as he picked up another sword to take on the beasts attempting to come to the aid of the Archdemon. I stayed low, making myself unable to be blown away, as I rushed forward.

Irving cast a fire spell that enveloped the wing still moving and the Archdemon roared in pain as I watched the wing fall helpless.

I used my only blade left as it landed in range of me and drove it through both hide and a crack in the stones, pinning the beast down.

It started to turn to me as I reached to grab for Alistair's dropped sword. I met the eyes just before a bolt threw its head to the side.

"Over here you filthy monster." I heard Leliana shout and realized she'd drawn the attention from me.

I glanced to see that she'd also drawn attention from several Darkspawn as well.

I watched the look of pain cross Zev's face as he watched me for a moment.

He finally turned after what seemed like moments later to go and rescue Leliana and I turned to run up the wing of the Archdemon.

It turned its head back to facing me and might have managed to lunge at me had Knight-Commander Greagior not thrown a chain and caught it, giving me the exact opening I needed.

His pull had caused something in the Archdemon to slip and it crashed down.

I held Alistair's sword in both hands as I jumped from the back of the beast, blade down, and as I came down on the head of the Archdemon, it let out a roar.

But my weight was enough to crack through the skull and it sank through. The blast of light that was released was blinding and I closed my eyes as I felt magic around me. Everything around me exploded and I was thrown from where I stood on the head of the Archdemon.

My head hit stone and everything went black.

XX

I faintly heard the door open, but it was as if I wasn't actually fully awake.

Footsteps sounded in the room and there was a faint scent of food.

"Come on Arainai, you need to eat." I heard Alistair's voice.

"I'm not hungry." Zev's voice was so close and the warmth beside me told me that he was there.

"Look, I don't give a damn if you keep saying that. You can't keep starving yourself like this. Once a day is not acceptable." Alistair snapped at him. I heard a tray being set down.

"I eat enough." Zev moved away from me.

"Here."

"Thank you."

The bed by my feet dipped down as Alistair sat down. "Is she doing any better?"

"Wynne said the baby would be fine, but Elissa broke several ribs and her left arm and leg, as well as the blow to her head, which we may never know the full damage of." Zev moved me to sit up slightly and I felt it as he forced my body to drink the soup.

"But she's better now, right?"

"A week of healing has fixed her bones." Zev sighed as I couldn't drink any more.

I felt him hold me close.

"That's still good." Alistair said. "I want you to eat Zevran. You're no good to her if you're weak like this. What if something happened?"

"Fine." Zev snapped.

I could hear him eating something quickly and the bed rose again as Alistair stood up. "Thank you."

The arms holding me tightened and I felt the long strands of Zev's hair brush my face.

"What if...she doesn't wake up?" Zev whispered.

"I...don't know." Alistair said softly.

"What am I supposed to do if she never wakes up again? Wynne says there is nothing she can do and Morrigan is gone to the wind and I have nothing that would help."

"I just don't know Arainai. I never expected this to happen. This is why I wanted to be the one to make that final blow." Alistair sounded pained. "I couldn't bear it if anything happened to her. She's the closest to family I have."

Zev was quiet for a moment. "She wanted you to be our child's Guardian, did you know that?"

Alistair sighed. "Yeah. She had mentioned it, but said she wanted to talk it over with you first."

"I agree with her. You would look out for our child if anything happened to us, right?" Zev put his cheek against my temple.

"Yeah. Of course. Maker's breath, I'd never let anything happen to any kids if I could." Alistair said. He was quiet again as I heard the tray being picked up. "I know it probably doesn't help you, but...I found Fergus Cousland."

"What?" Zev sounded shocked.

"I've forbidden him from having entry to this section of the wing and Anora agrees that it wouldn't help right now, but I'm thinking of letting him come see her. I mean...if she stays like this..."

I felt Zev nod. "He should see her."

Zev settled me back down as I heard the door open.

A scrabbling of claws on stone told me my Mabari had been let in.

I could hear it as he moved to the side of the bed and put his paws up on it and touched his wet nose against the blanket over my arm.

"Any better?" I heard Leliana's voice.

"Not much." Alistair said. "Let us know if that changes."

"Si." Zev nodded.

The door closed again and I heard Baron whine.

I felt Zev settle back against me, on top of the blankets, and hold me close.

"Please come back to me amor." I heard his whisper.

XX

It was dark the next time I woke. I opened my eyes and turned my head enough to see through the open curtains to the stars above Denerim.

I shifted to raise my hand and touch the side of my head that had hit the stone. I felt the faint change in skin on my temple and realized the gash that must have been there had been healed to a scar by Wynne.

I wondered how many new scars that fight might have given me.

The movement in the blanket startled me and I caught the glint of a knife in the air above me before another met it.

I gasped as I saw someone in a dark cloak in the moonlight.

Zev shoved the man back and made him stumble. My Crow was out of bed and I turned my head to see Baron go after the assassin. My dog ripped the knife from him and tore into his arm pretty badly before Zev managed to get a hold of his neck and pull him off.

"Enough Baron. I need this one alive." Zev put his knee against the assassin's chest and I watched Baron attempt to go back at him.

Zev leveled a glare at Baron and I was surprised my Mabari actually cowered at it.

Baron feared nothing. Except apparently Zevran.

Zev looked down at the man he had pinned.

"I won't talk." He spat out.

"Oh, I'm certain you will. Antivan Crows have methods you've never thought to resist." Zev gave him such a cold smile that it would have scared me.

And then I gasped when Zev reached down and broke his leg while using a hand to cover his mouth and prevent him from screaming.

The man was in tears when Zev removed his hand.

"And that is so you won't even think to run."

"I'll never tell you who sent me." He cried while saying it.

"That's not a big concern." Zev stood up and reached down to pull the man up.

I shifted just a little to watch him take the man to the door.

He pulled it open and shoved the man out.

"Take him to Alistair." Zev told someone out in the hall.

"Yes sir." The guard outside said. "May I ask...how the Hero is?"

"Nothing touched her. She is alright." Zev sighed as he closed the door.

"Zev?" My throat felt dry and his head snapped up.

"Amor?" He whispered, almost as if he was afraid he'd made up my voice.

When I tried to sit up a little, he was at my side in less than three steps and had me against him.

He started speaking in Antivan and I understood a few words.

It was enough that I could understand that he was thanking the Maker.

"Water." I rasped out.

He pulled back to cross the room to the desk and collected a glass from the pitcher that was there. I supposed someone had left it in the hopes that he would drink it and not starve to death waiting for me to wake up.

He brought it back to me and I couldn't even find the strength to reach up and hold it. I didn't have to worry about that as he held the glass to my lips and helped me drink.

I attempted to finish the glass and managed to get most of it down.

It was cool and soothed my throat after so long.

Zev turned slightly to set the glass on the table beside my side of the bed and then held me again.

"I thought you'd never wake up again amor. I have missed you so much." He kissed me and then pulled back to glare at me. "You scared ten years off my life amor. Don't you ever do something like that again. Are we clear on that Elissa?"

I nodded even as I smiled at the look of worry and relief and love that crossed his face.

He shifted me over a little and pulled the blanket out from under himself to climb under with me.

I let him position me and just absorbed his warmth as he held me close and safe.

I was still tired and falling asleep against him was so much easier than I'd have ever thought before meeting him.

XX

Almost everyone I knew crowded into the room as Wynne checked me over.

"Thank the Maker you are alright." Leliana said from beside me.

"You should be good enough to get up and move around by this evening." Wynne patted the blanket over my leg. The one that supposedly had been broken.

It didn't hurt anymore, which meant I'd been out for a while.

"You did good kid." Oghren said from the foot of the bed.

I nodded at him. "Could have been worse I suppose."

He snorted.

"Please don't say that." Alistair sighed. "You scared me nearly to death with that. And Arainai drives me crazy when you're not well."

I smiled as I leaned against Zev.

"It is good to see you awake and well." Sten spoke from the door. "I will always remember you fondly Kadan."

"You're leaving?" I asked, given his choice of words.

He nodded. "I must return to report that this Blight is over."

"I see. Will we ever see you again?"

Sten shrugged. "It is up to my orders."

I sighed. "Best to hope for I guess."

He reached to pull the door open and left the room.

"He really did just wait for you to wake up." Alistair said.

I nodded. "Figures."

"That's how worried we all were. He could have left ages ago, but stuck around." Leliana shook her head.

"Made a number of the local soldiers nervous too." Alistair said.

"Well, we will let you get a little more rest." Wynne started to shoo everyone away.

"I'll let Anora know that we can finally have that celebration tomorrow. And don't worry, she'll get everything prepared for you." Alistair said. "Accolades, rewards, the whole thing. Even said something about giving you lands, but I can't remember."

"You're getting along with her?" I asked as he was the last to head out the door.

He paused and looked back. "More or less. We have issues, but we'll work through them."

I nodded. "Thanks Alistair."

After they were gone, I looked at the window.

"Zev?"

"Mi amor?" He held me close.

"Would you...want to get married?"

"If that is what you want."

"I...I do." I faced him again. "I thought about it before I fought the Archdemon, and I don't ever want to be without you."

"We'll do it then. Whenever you want to. When you're better."

I sighed as I settled in against him again. Not sleeping, but just looking at the blue sky outside the window.

Taking in the actual peace.

No fighting, no going from place to place, no threat of destruction.

Everything was over now.

I could be safe and comfortable with Zevran until I was officially appointed Warden-Commander by Weisshaupt, or denied and remain a Warden of Ferelden as I was.

Just relaxation for the most part until I had our baby.

And that was a fear for another day.