Just a few words to let you all know that I have an idea for another fanfic, but this one is totally Alistair, even written by him at times. It will be set POST-AWAKENING, and Alistair will be Warden Commander, and alone...soooo it will be very exciting and I'll try to make it as original as I can. I really want to tackle an Alistair-centric fic, and capture him totally and completely! HAHA! Hopefully will get started on that very soon, maybe before Christmas!

Also want to wish you all a wonderful Christmas! It's been a joy to write this fic, and I love you all!

Bioware owns!

Chapter 37 - Epilogue

And as we lie beneath the stars
We realize how small we are
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be

If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died

Nickelback - If everyone cared

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Azure and Alistair strolled around the huge garden, holding hands and keeping a watchful eye on their three children, who laughed and played in the sun.

They finally sat on one of the many stone benches and gazed into each other's eyes lovingly.

Alistair's breath hitched as he looked at his beautiful wife. She was only 24, and had blossomed into a beautiful woman, all curves and muscles under her long flowing dress, as she continued to spar on a daily basis with her king.

His love for her tightened his chest, as he trailed his fingers over her sweet face, her freckles still winking up at him mischievously.

"Copper for your thoughts, my husband?" She smiled playfully as her lips inched forward, teasing his into a kiss.

He did not answer her, but kissed her passionately instead.

"Da!" The voice of their eldest broke the kiss, and they turned to regard him as he ran up to him. "You promised to play with us today!"

His eyes fell on Bryce as he tilted his head up to his father, amber eyes gazed into amber eyes, and Alistair felt for a moment that he was talking to a miniature version of himself.

"All right. But what about your other brother and sister? You have to understand that you all have to play the same game, and they look like they are interested in something else right now."

"Oh, Da! You don't believe that I could convince them to play with us? Just watch me!" The little boy laughed as he approached his smaller siblings. They heard how he started to babble at them, and both burst out laughing at the boy's endeavors. He had obviously inherited Alistair's lack of speech when he wanted to say something important to somebody.

"Um, I think you should try to teach him how to talk and make himself understood, Love," Alistair grinned as he watched his five-year-old daughter wrinkle her nose in disgust at her older brother's faltering speech. Their four-year-old son, Duncan, just stood and watched everything quietly, his green eyes switching to Bryce and then to Celeste in turn. Azure called him her little 'thinker'.

"I think you should just let him find out that he is endearing, whatever he says," Azure said happily.

He smiled down at her, and gave her a peck, standing up quickly to approach his children, a foolish grin plastered on his face.

"Papa!" Celeste ran to him, as did the other two, their eyes dancing at him.

"Now, then...have I ever told you how your Uncle Aedan killed the dragon at the end of the Blight?"

"Yes papa!" They all chorused, and Bryce rolled his eyes.

"I saw that!" Alistair admonished quickly, and Bryce turned to look at him innocently.

Alistair burst out laughing.

"What about the evil dragon, Papa?" Celeste urged him to continue.

"Well, I thought we might play that I'm the evil dragon, and you should make believe that you are Uncle Aedan and his friends, trying to kill me!"

All of them clapped their hands, laughter bubbling from their sweet lips as they cheered, agreeing on his plan immediately.

And with that, Alistair bent down ominously and roared and they scrambled around, screaming with laughter.

Their laughter and screams floated up to the sky and Azure's eyes became dreamy as she looked upon them, the happiness in her heart filled to the brim.

Smiling sweetly, she silently thanked Andraste for the miracle of life and love she had bestowed upon them, and after getting up, decided to join in on the fun.

"Help! I'm the princess...trapped in a tower! Who will slay the wicked dragon and help me?" She cried out dramatically, clasping her hands to her heart. The children laughed at this, and clapped their hands.

Alistair stopped what he was doing and crossed the distance to where she stood, taking her into his arms.

"Why, my dear, I thought you'd never ask..." he mumbled and sealed her lips with a kiss.

THE END