Chapter 34! Woop!

I had SO much fun writing this chapter! I hope you like it! :D

Disclaimer: Not mine!

-o-

Chapter 34 – I Didn't Mean To Cause a Riot

She was quite busy the following week, but eventually they were able to move into the new quarters. There was still a lot to do, of course, but the living room, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom were adequate.

She had yet to make the shower work properly, but the tent was pitched in a spare room, so that would have to do for now.

Solas was...she didn't quite know...quiet. Just...quiet. She still didn't know whether that was a good thing or not.

She thought about the conversation they'd had, the one where he told her he didn't want to be alone any longer. Did he regret it? Were they moving too fast? She hadn't exactly given him much time to adjust, had she? She had barely given him any time at all.

You didn't even ask him if he wanted to move in with you, she thought as she placed a book in the bookshelf. You just went ahead and told him 'we're moving'. Yes, he said he wanted it as well, but maybe he's having second thoughts.

Maybe she had just made a huge mistake. Maybe they were moving too fast. Not that she felt they were moving too fast, but for a man who had lived his life in solitude…maybe this was way too fast.

Maybe this would scare him away?

Merlin, I hope not, she thought, and shook her head as she exited their quarters.

-o-

She exited the Main Hall and was met with quite the ruckus from just inside the gates. What's going on? she thought and headed for the gates.

Oh, shit, she thought as she got closer. That's…that's Alistair, isn't it?

The Inquisitor was in the city – the keep needed a thing or two – and couldn't exactly greet the King. Hermione had no idea where Cullen, Josephine, Leliana, or Cassandra was right at this moment, and the ruckus at the gates was…a ruckus.

And she was First Advisor and Right Hand of the Inquisitor, wasn't she?

Well, shit, she thought, and headed for the ruckus.

"People! Stop crowding King Alistair!" Hermione almost shouted as she pushed her way through the crowd. "Where are your manners?"

King Alistair gave her a look of relief, and Hermione finally managed to reach the poor man.

"I didn't mean to cause a riot."

Hermione had to stop herself from laughing. Alistair was just lovely. He was always lovely.

"You are completely forgiven," she said before adding - sheepishly - "Your Highness."

Alistair looked like he wanted to roll his eyes. "I was almost hoping you wouldn't add that," he said, and proceeded to blush.

"You were always the humble king, were you not?" Hermione said softly – before thinking – resulting in a puzzled look from said humble king. Hermione blushed. "I mean – well – come with me, Your Majesty."

-o-

She eventually managed to get the humble king away from the crowd, and then realised she didn't quite know where to take him. The war room seemed a bit…weird, and when she didn't find Josephine in her office, Hermione was rather at a loss.

She did, however, find a scout, and prayed he knew something about someone. "Where is the Ambassador? Do you know?"

The scout nodded, and Hermione inwardly sagged with relief. The relief vanished when the scout replied.

"She is with the Commander, the Seeker, and the Spymaster. They will not return until tonight."

"Well, shit," Hermione murmured, and nodded at the scout. "Thank you. Keep an eye out for them, will you? And inform me the instant they return."

"Will do, First Advisor," the scout said, inclined his head, and left.

Hermione took a deep breath before turning to the King and his four royal guards again. "Your Majesty, I…" she said before hesitating for a long moment, "I have no idea what to do now. I'm not…well, very experienced in these matters, and those who are is currently unavailable."

Alistair chuckled. "I didn't send word that I was coming. I did not expect a parade, First Advisor. I don't mind waiting."

Hermione blushed when she realised she hadn't even introduced herself. "Oh, my, I haven't even introduced myself. I'm so sorry, Your Majesty. My name is Hermione Granger. It is an honour to meet you."

The King gave her a small bow. "Pleasure to meet you, Lady Granger."

Hermione spent a small eternity staring at the man, but then she sighed. "I promise to do better the next time you arrive, but for now; if you would come with me?"

-o-

Hermione Granger brought the King of Ferelden with her to her quarters. Ridiculous, but she just had no idea where to take him. And he is probably tired, thirsty, and hungry after the journey, she thought as she gestured for the King and his guards to enter her rooms.

"You are First Advisor? First Advisor and Right Hand of The Inquisitor?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."

The King cocked his head. "In that case…perhaps I could ask you a thing or two?"

-o-

Before she knew it, the King had told his guards to step outside, and keep guard outside the door, and Hermione was left alone with the King.

She stared at him for another moment when he turned around again, but then – again – she sighed. "Would you care for something to drink? And something to eat? You must be famished after the journey."

-o-

Everything is surreal, Hermione thought a few minutes later. Kings don't drink lemonade in the kitchen, do they?

Apparently they did, because that was currently happening, considering how King Alistair was nicely settled on one of the barstools, sitting at the kitchen island, looking rather content.

She contemplated for a moment what to do before locating cheese, bacon, fresh loaf, and tomatoes.

"Rumours say you like cheese, Your Majesty," Hermione said with a small smile, "so, have you tried bacon with the cheese?"

Alistair looked intrigued instantly. "I have not. Would you recommend it?"

Hermione gave him a real smile this time. "Oh, you have no idea, Your Majesty."

-o-

Hermione Granger made a bacon-cheese-tomato sandwich for the king. Ridiculous.

"Why have I never tried this before?" The King said, staring at the sandwich in awe. "Why isn't this something sold in every shop?"

Hermione sat down at the kitchen island as well, smiling at the King. "Well, probably because I'm…not from here, and the food is a bit different where I come from."

He gave her a curious look. "And where are you from?"

Hermione wondered what the hell to tell him. Everything, something in her said. Tell him everything. You know him. You can trust him.

"I am…" she trailed off. "It's…complicated, Your Majesty."

He gave her a puzzled look. "How is it complicated?"

Tell him, the something said again.

So she did.

"I'm not from here," she began, "I'm not from here at all. I'm from a parallel universe, in fact. I know that sounds completely insane, but it doesn't make it any less true."

The king put down the sandwich and stared at her for a moment. "Pardon?"

"Where I come from, Thedas is a fictional world. A fictional world I know very well. I know how the story began, and how it will end."

"What story?"

Hermione shrugged. "Everyone's story. More or less, at least. I know The Hero of Ferelden's story, The Champion of Kirkwall, The Inquisitor's story, and…your story."

The King just stared at her for a long moment. "What?"

"It sounds completely crazy, I know, and you are probably currently wondering whether you find yourself alone in a room with a complete nutcase or not. Well, you aren't. I can prove it, after all."

"What?" The King said again. "Just…what?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "Here, look at this. Do you know what this is?" she began, thinking about the rose Alistair had given Khaleesi. "I picked it in Lothering. I remember thinking, how could something so beautiful exist in a place with so much despair and ugliness? I probably should have left it alone, but I couldn't. The darkspawn would come and their taint would just destroy it. So I've had it ever since."

Alistair stared at her for yet another long moment, but then realisation hit him. "How…how do you know about that?"

"I know the story, Alistair," Hermione said softly. "I'm telling the truth."

-o-

An eternity or so later, Hermione had talked enough for a lifetime, and the humble king was completely lost in thought.

"I…believe you," he eventually said. "Or maybe I am the one going insane."

"Perhaps it's both," Hermione said with a smile. "I'm still trying to convince myself this is real."

"So…" he said, and Hermione said the hesitation in his eyes, "if you…know everything, do you know…"

Hermione waited for him to continue, but when he just blushed instead, she realised what he was talking about. "Why no one died when killing the Archdemon? Yes."

He blushed even deeper. "Well, that's…awkward."

Hermione chuckled. "A bit," she said, but then her expression sobered. "Alistair…you should know…Morrigan is…well, she is here. In Skyhold."

"WHAT?"

Sighing, Hermione nodded. "She's helping us."

Alistair was quiet for a full five minutes, and Hermione just gave him time to process the rather serious news.

"Is she…I mean, does she…is the…"

Hermione gazed at him for a moment. "She didn't come here alone."

Alistair stared at her for a bit, but then he propped his elbows on the table and put his head in his hands.

She barely heard his whisper. "Is it...has she..."

"His name is Kieran," Hermione said softly. "He's a clever, kind, and rather lovely boy. Morrigan has...changed. She's a good mother."

The kitchen was silent for a long time.

-o-

Alistair finished his sandwich, eventually. And then another one, while asking her the questions he originally intended to ask.

It was basic questions about the Inquisition, quite frankly, and Hermione answered gladly.

And it was with real difficulty she managed to not laugh when Josephine, Leliana, Cullen, and Cassandra entered her quarters, and found the King at the kitchen island, chewing on a piece of bacon.

"Your Majesty!" Josephine said in a rather shocked voice. "Forgive us for not being here to greet you. Have you…Hermione…what…" she stared at Hermione for a moment before almost hissing. "What is the King of Ferelden doing in your kitchen?"

Hermione couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her. "Sorry, Josephine, but I had to improvise. You should probably give me a tip or two for next time."

"Maker, I hope not," the King of Ferelden quipped, resulting in a gasp from the Ambassador, "because I consider this the best welcome I've experienced in years." He raised an eyebrow at Hermione. "I am not, however, leaving without the recipe for this miracle of a meal."

"As you wish, Your Highness," Hermione said with mirth. "the secret is the butter, quite frankly."

It seemed like Alistair suddenly remembered that he was, in fact, the King, and turned to the shocked spectators. "No harm done whatsoever. I did not send word, and Lady Granger has been ever so gracious."

No one said anything, so Hermione just decided to get the next shock over with. "Oh, and I told him who I am."

"What?"

"It felt like the right thing to do, so I did," Hermione said before meeting Alistair's eyes. "I trust you, Alistair."

The King's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, but then he gave her a small smile. "And I will not betray that trust, Hermione."

"The world has gone insane, surely," Josephine added, breathlessly, and both Hermione and Alistair laughed.