Honestly, I didn't intend to write this chapter, but I happened to need some fluff before I'm going to torture Issara in next chapter. So, here we are. I hope you enjoy this.

Oops, I almost forgot. Caution: There's smutty ahead.

We are one

Something woke Alistair up in middle of the night, or sometime before they had to begin the trip to Deep Roads. It was easy to lose sense of time when you're in underground. Anyhow, he would never forget what happened before he fell asleep. Still sleepy, the ex-templar sought for his lovely wife who was supposed to lie beside him but she didn't there.

Panic, the man looked around the bedchamber until he found familiar figure was sitting near the stone fireplace. Golden light bathed her skin, almost made Issara glowing as she was staring into the flame.

Somehow, he knew she had something in mind, thus he went to her as quiet as possible to entangle his arms around that slander waist and kissed her temple.

"Hey, is everything all right?"

She smiled and rested herself on his chest, but still looked into the fire. "There's nothing to worry about, love. I just… I dreamed."

"A nightmare..? I wonder if there's anything could scare you." His banter was rewarded with a smack.

Her smile looked brighter, but turned to frowning quickly. "In my dream… I met Lillian."

Alistair didn't hate that woman, but her name made his stomach stirred in uneasy feeling. Although she used to be his friend, now she was nothing more than a ghost that haunted him and his wife. "It's just a dream, love."

"I don't know. She seemed real to me. Well, it's not a nightmare. I just saw Lillian was looking at me… her glaze was… creepy." Her body shook in fear. She'd known how evil lady Cousland could be. "She was more powerful than me and I'm unable to read her mind. I fear for you, Ali. What if she done something to you when I… I don't trust that woman."

He worried about it, but he also knew he must be strong for them both. So he hid his concern as best as he able. "I'm not that helpless, you know? And I'm also having skills of templar. Lillian would have very hard time if she tries to use her magic on me."

It's work. Issara smiled again. "Damn my ego. I should know my man is a tough guy."

This bright smile was one of billion things he loved about her. Alistair intended to keep it on her face with the best of his ability. "Yeah, I'm a big boy. You cried it all night."

Issara rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed. "Ali…"

He didn't reply, still kissing her skin which made her moan in pleasure. Slowly undid her oversize shirt, he adored every inches that revealed to his eyes with mouth and tongue. Sex couldn't solve their problem, but his wife needed it in order to get her peaceful sleep. Anyway, he gave her chance to stop him if she didn't want it. He knew he didn't gentle in the first and second time. She might sore after their… exciting love makings.

She didn't seem to mind, though. His wife was an energetic woman. She could handle everything he offered, and also loved to return the favor. When he carried her back to the bed, she pulled him with her before flipped over, straddling him.

"You must be tired, my husband." She whispered seductively. "Let's me… serve you, this time."

Had he ever disagreed when she say something like that? "As you wish, milady,"

"Good, now behave and relax." Smirking, she pressed her thumbs on his muscular body, massaged the spot she knew would effect on his energy.

Alistair hurt a little, but it's gone after she released her press. After a few minutes, another feeling replaced the soreness and then his blood rushed to important area. His member was full erect, swelling beneath his wife wetting rose as she rubbed herself with him.

This is heaven. He tried to grab her hip but she slapped his hands. "No-no-no, ser knight, you stay still and let me serve you, remember?"

"Please, Ice, I need you."

"So eager…" Her giggle sounded wicked. "Am I that desirable?"

"Maker's breathe..! Woman, you have no idea!"

She grabbed him in her hand, guided his eager member into her entrance but didn't let it pass. "Do you remember what I told you earlier, about I'm riding you?" slowly, she easing her onto him. They gasped in pleasure of the union. "I think I prefer this position than riding your back." Took all control with her hip, Issara rode him in slow and steady rhythm. Her hip moved in sultry dance as her hands intertwined with his to leveraging herself.

Twin lotuses were bouncing in erotic rhythm, and Alistair couldn't stand its seduction. Despite her protest, he sat up to take her ruby nipple into his mouth, drinking her creamy skin as if it was the magical food. Made her flushed and moan desperately. Their kiss was so hot and lustful, more and more passionate in every thrust and pull. Before she would able to stop him, they rolled over. He took control again.

"Were you going to kill me?" The ex-templar asked under his ragged breath as he sped up the pace. "Going so slow like that…"

"You knew you like it." She replied with sharp inhale.

"Possibly, but I prefer you serve under me."

It's amazing that she was able to laugh when her breath was rapid and shallow. "Perhaps I should restraint you next time."

"Sounds promising, I can't wait for that."

Even though her hips rose to meet every assault, Alistair didn't get enough. She squeaked in surprise as he placed her thighs upon his shoulder to deepen the powerful thrusts. The sounds of mingled moans and hot slapping flesh filled the room as their coupling reached its peak throwing them both violently into blissful climax.

Still twined together, they gasped for air. Alistair gently low her thighs down before laid back to the bed, also pulled her with him until the soft body rested on his chest.

Their breath calmed down, he heard lovely giggle from a woman beside him. "What's that about?" he asked.

"Hum, I just thinking about your dream. I mean… the dream you have when you're trapped in the Fade. It's a bit embarrassing to walk into your personal dream like that, but I have no choice."

"I remember that. You walked into my wedding and ruined it, which made me angry desperately." His playful voice turned to serious. "Then, you cried, begged me to trust in you. That was the first time I see you really cry… that is my fault and I still feel guilty."

"Don't be. I ought to be the one who apologize."

Her face was hiding in the shadow, but he could feel the warmth. She was blushing. "Why..?"

"I… um, ruining your dream was a bit entertaining, you know? I was…jealous. Even I knew that woman was a demon, though."

"Does it mean you had the feeling for me ever since..?" Alistair could imagine his wife was rolling her eyes.

"Oh, please Ali. I really don't want to mention it. Honestly, I really have no idea about how I'd fallen for you. I never had thought if I would fall for any man, especially someone like you. Did you trick me with love magic?"

"What's if because I'm handsome, sweet and intelligent man? I knew I'm quite a prize, woman."

Her laughing sounded like a ringing bell. It's his second favorite sound, less than when she screamed his name in climax. "Your self-adoring is worse than Zev. Oh, now shut up and rest. I need my beauty sleep."

But he didn't let the topic down. "Do you know who was a woman I married in the Fade?"

"Don't know, don't care... It has no good to talk about something that passed."

Yes, his wife was lovely. He was lucky to have her. "I want you to know. The woman in my dream is you and you only. When we had married, I feel like the dream come true. I love you, Ice, more than all of cheeses in Thedas."

"Cheeses… you compared me with food? Oh man, you're really voracious."

"It's because you're yummy." He kissed her again. Her taste was still lingering in his mouth. Issara felt like she was going to faint.

"You know…" She whispered breathlessly after the kiss stopped. "At this rate, we'll never leave this room in the morning. And my legs won't be able to work for a week."

"Sorry, love. All right, I'll behave. We should be careful with your flawless legs, shouldn't we?" he groped her legs, slowly moved up to tight buttocks, which made his wife squeaked and smacked his chest. "All right, I give up. Let's go back to sleep. The Deep Roads won't be easy on us. We need decent rest."

Issara didn't argue, she rested on her husband's chest and quickly went to the Fade.

…

Sometime, life is unpredictable. Things happened and your plan has changed, just in the blink of the eyes.

Issara never had thought she would get new companion just before she walked into the Deep Roads. Oghren: a crude dwarven warrior who fond of all things alcoholic and also was Branka's husband, offered to accompany the Grey Wardens in the quest for searching the lost Paragon. He claimed that he was only one who knew where his wife was went and what she looked after.

Although Issara had no much faith on the alcoholic dwarf, he had proved himself useful enough. His skills as the Berserker were impressive, and his knowledge about the Deep roads was also helped them save the time. There're many tunnels in the Deep Roads, some ruined or destroyed. No one had complete map of this place and the compass wasn't work here. Even without darkspawn or deep stalker's attack, the labyrinth still was the problem. With Oghren's guidance, the party arrived to Ortan Thaig in one piece eventually.

Passed through the debris and ruins, they found the large open area with the two bridges. There, a crippled dwarf was ransacking the darkspawn's corpse. However, he yelled and ran when he saw the Grey Wardens and co.

"That boy must lost his mind." the berserker said,

"I sense the taint in him. But he isn't the darkspawn, and surely not the Grey Warden." The leader frowned. She knew this wasn't going to end well.

There's no easier way to answer her question than ask the boy. So they followed his track to a cave. All the mean time, Oghren looked around and grinned like he found a treasure.

"I can see Branka's trace in these stones. She and her entire house used to stay here, at least for awhile. I bet we can find more lead in this cave."

"Well, excuse me." Couldn't stop her curious, Issara carefully asked. "You seem to know a lot about your wife. I assume you two were close, but why she left to the Deep Roads without you?"

"I don't know. Perhaps she does love me and don't want to see me suffering if anything go wrong."

This must be boy's thing, I guess. Issara thought.

Anyway, the crippled boy stole her attention. The poor creature was hiding behind large debris in fear. His good eye was bright in the dim light, full of something innocent even most of his body was corrupted by the taint.

Pity, the lady Warden tried to talk with him sweetly. "Hello, young man."

Kindness lady must be the last thing he expected to meet. The tainted dwarf stared at her like seeing the ghost. "H… hello… Who are you? You don't come to steal Ruck's glitter stones, right?"

"My name is Issara. And no, I don't want to steal anything from you. Anyhow, I suppose your name is Ruck." Same as when she wanted to make the dog feel less threaten, the Exotic Warden kneeled to the boy's eye level.

Smile always made thing better. Ruck came out from his shelter with bashful smile on his twist lips. "Beautiful lady… Eyes shine like glitter stone. What can Ruck serve you?"

"I just want to ask the question. Have you live here alone, Ruck?"

"Ruck stay here…but wasn't all the time. When the ugly things came, Ruck hid in the dark. They never found Ruck."

"But what are you doing here? This place is dangerous."

His expression changed. Even Issara couldn't recognize that was the face of angry or sorrow. "Ruck came here with the other, but they left Ruck… so, Ruck had to hide from the ugly things. The giant spiders don't eat Ruck because they have the grey ugly things to eat. But something had changed lately. The grey things had gone and spiders hungry. They destroyed the cave and took everything with them, Ruck saw everything but they never found Ruck."

"That is! The corrupted spider must take Branka's things with them. We must find their lair." Oghren exclaimed.

"I hate to admit, but I suppose you're right." Issara's face lost its color. She hate spider, left alone the giant and corrupted ones. At her first met with the corrupted spider in the forest, she was shocked and involuntary burned them to ash before jumped to Alistair's arms like a bloody school girl.

Whatever, she has more questions. "I knew you're good in hiding, Ruck. But that doesn't explain how you could survive without food, unless you… oh my…"

She hated to think about it, but there's only one possible answer. Ruck had to eat anything he could find. Without skill and weapon, he couldn't hunt anything for food. Only thing he could have was spider's leftover: the darkspawn!

Those taint meats tainted him as well. Sooner or later, this poor man would become the ghoul. If she leaves him like this, he will face something worse than death…

She has to…put him to sleep.

"Last question; you said the ugly things had gone. Do you know where're they goes?"

"In the deep tunnel… they follow his calling. His sweet voice calls them to The Dead Trenches. Ruck want to go, but can't. They will found Ruck if Ruck try."

The Grey Wardens tensed. They knew what it means.

"The archdemon…" Alistair let the breath he didn't realize he was holding.

The tainted god was far from her thought this time. Issara reached for her knife as she called Ruck. "Come closer, Ruck. I have something for you."

The poor boy walked to her. His eyes wondered. "The beautiful lady is going to give Ruck a present!"

She forced herself to smile, even her tear was forcing to flow from her eyes. This was the hardest choice she had ever made. "Close your eyes, Ruck. I swear, thing will be better."

He followed her command innocently. Then the Exotic Warden held and sang him lullaby. Her voice was cracked and became the cry as she thrust the knife into Ruck's chest. He shuddered a little before stopped moving in her arms. It's the quick and painless death.

Everyone, especially Alistair looked at her like she became the monster. However, most of them understood her decision. They knew what would happen to the poor boy if she didn't kill him. Issara's action was cruel, but she did it in mercy.

Only one who didn't understand was…her husband. She could tell it by look into his eyes.

"Oghren… you're dwarf. You must know the proper funeral for your people. Could you…give it to him?" She avoided Alistair's glaze and asked the newest companion.

"We buried them in the stone. To make it, I need sometime and some hands. Can you help me, pike-twirler?" The berserker asked the ex-templar. So Alistair stopped glaring at his wife, which gave her great relief.

I think he knows me, but it's clear that he don't. Why don't I realize it before? Issara gnashed her teeth.

Wynne and Lynx must know her thought. They tried to sooth her as best of their ability. It's good to knew that someone still understand, but she still hurt inside.

…

That night, they set the camp in Ruck's cave. The companion talked as less as they able. Even Shale seemed quiet and lost in thought. They had walked just for two days from the entrance, but they met many things along the way, which changed their perspective of live.

And Issara thought she had to make peace with her husband. She loved him and didn't want to ruin their married life because some misunderstood. He might understand or not, but she was willing to try.

However, after the companion (exclude Shale) went to sleep. The newlywed found them met in middle way between their bedrolls. They looked into each other eyes until they said in unison.

"We need to talk."

A relief laugh escaped from her mouth, Alistair followed suit. Despite what she had done, he still did love her.

"Alright, you talk first." Issara said.

"No, lady first," Alistair protested.

She folded her arms across her chest. "Are you intending to make me mad?"

"Making you mad…? Perish the thought, dear lady. I just don't want to mess thing up again. Anyhow, if you insist, I'll talk first."

His voice sounded playful. Perhaps she still had chance to reason with him. "I'm listening."

He glared at the golem that was standing near the fire. Shale murmured something before turned its back. "I… I want to know. Why did you kill Ruck?"

So blunt, why didn't he pierce me with his sword? It won't hurter than use his words. Issara thought as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I have to, Ali. He was tainted. We both know what will happen if he still alive. He was a good boy. I hate to see him suffer."

"That's not what I ask, Ice. I know we can't leave him like that. What I want to know is: why did you do it yourself? Why didn't you ask me?"

That certainly not anything she expected. Issara was speechless for awhile. "Pardon…?"

"You're the kindest woman I ever had known. It must be hard for you to kill him, even in merciful killing. I don't want to see you suffer, neither mental nor physical."

Silly Ice, you worried he'd never known you. But you are the one who didn't know him. She berated herself. "I'm sorry."

"What's that for?"

"I thought you don't understand why I'd done it and…you must think I am monster for kill the innocence. How stupid I am?" Issara smiled in relief. "I didn't ask you because I don't think you can do it… I mean, you're good man. I can't ask you to do such a monstrous thing… I love you so much. I can't…"

That's why he loved her so much. She was lovely and caring. Day after days, he'd wondered if he could live without her. "I guess we both care for each other." Alistair kissed his wife dearly. Cherished and adored her as his goddess. "But remember that I'm your husband and you're my wife. We're one. Happiness or sorrow, better or worse, I want to share everything with you. Don't ever hesitate to ask me for anything."

Word seemed to unnecessary, Issara just kept kissing him. Deeper and deeper, lust and desire ignited inside them. Before she knew it, he pressed her to the cave's wall, her legs wrapped around his waist.

With less consciousness she possessed, Issara stopped him. "No, not here, not now,"

A voice from one of the companion's bedroll interjected. "Don't mind me, you two can go on."

Alistair groaned. "That dirty dwarf…"

But his wife couldn't help but chuckled. Oghren's word was like the cold water that cooled them down. It's a bit unpleasant but good for them all. "We can't do it, Ali, by any reason."

"You're right, love. This isn't good place or time. Despite the danger around, I still don't like the idea of having the audient."

"You have my deeply appreciate. No matter how much I love you, I would never do that in front of my grandma and sis." She thought her voice wasn't louder than whisper, but she was wrong.

"Thank you very much. That kind of show doesn't well for a woman in my age." Wynne said.

Issara buried her face in her hands, totally embarrass. As Alistair's ears were redden like it was burning.

Like it wasn't worse enough, Lynx gave a vote of thanks. "Your happiness makes me happy. But I afraid I won't get any rest if you two keep rutting like the rabbits all night."

"And don't forget about me. The flesh creature's intercourse nauseated me." Shale jointed the banter.

The spouse didn't know how to respond. They just blushed and blushed more crimson.

"Honestly, I'm really glad we don't bring Morrigan or Zevran along." Alistair remarked. "Thing could be worse if they were here."

"I can't agree more," Issara said as she hid herself beneath the blanket.