Wow, so many have added this fic to their favorites and alerts! Thanks so much! Many thanks as well to all who have reviewed: Saga Svanhildr, Zeeji (have got to get caught up on your fantastic fics!), Raven Jadewolfe, Jinx1983 (my muse), Xivia, Shepard Supreme, PheonRen, auradorina, xXxNikxXx, Dark Chubb and Lousy Poet Automaton (yes, lol, I did know it was 'dual'). You guys rock!
Hope to get another chapter up before the end of this month! Health is slowly improving, so I will be doing a bit more writing hopefully! :D
Bioware owns everything, I just fool around with the characters, heh. ;)
Chapter 54 - Trouble Brewing
Zevran Arainai had never been one to see himself as the kind of man to settle down with a partner for life. As a matter of fact, he had never seen himself settling down anywhere for that matter. Yet here he was in Denerim, living at the Palace with Marcus at the moment and very happily it seemed.
This was not entirely true however. He was happy, that much could not be denied. But under all his happiness lay a darkness that Marcus felt, even during their love-making. A darkness that was there, despite all they shared. A darkness that threatened.
It was not a darkness that would kill, nor one that would claim a victim. But it did threaten their relationship.
So Marcus did his best in keeping his cheerfulness intact, hoping against all odds that the darkness would not surface. He did his best in devoting himself to Zevran whenever he could tear himself away from warden business.
His best was not enough.
Even though he had successfully rebuilt the Wardens in Amaranthine, leaving Nathaniel in charge for the moment, Marcus could sense that whatever it was that bothered Zevran would soon surface.
"Copper for your thoughts." Marcus slid closer to Zevran on the bed and Zevran's slow smile made his breath catch in his throat as it had done so many times before.
"Ah, my dear Warden. Always so subtle, yes?" A chuckle followed his words and momentarily the warmth in his eyes fed the hope that he was imagining all of this. A hope that soon died upon hearing the words that followed.
"The Crows are after me again."
The silence that followed was deafening for a few moments.
"I...see."
"Do you, mi amor? I wish I did not have to share this with you. I wish I did not have to say what I will say next."
Marcus sighed and shut his eyes as if trying to will the moment away. Zevran turned until he was propped up on an elbow and when he opened them, his face - full of concern - was the only thing he saw.
"You have to leave, don't you?" The question was more of a statement, and it echoed through the room.
"If I do not go after them, they will come after me. They will not stop until they kill me, and you in the process. I am not afraid of death, but I am terrified of what they might do to you." His hand caressed Marcus's cheek briefly as he spoke, and his amber eyes flashed momentarily with fear. "I will surprise them and kill them before they strike, even if it means having to go back to Antiva. I will not let them destroy what we have. I will keep us safe."
Zevran bent his head lower and his lips caught Marcus's hungrily. Hands desperately memorized each and every corner of each other's bodies. Legs entwined and members rubbed against each other.
Their love-making was slow and gentle this time around and when they were done, they fell asleep in each other's arms, not wishing to ever let go. Promises of love hung in the air, the words fading into silence as they slept.
When morning came, grey and bleak, Marcus did not have to turn his head to know he was gone. He felt the coldness beside him even before he opened his eyes. His heart broke into a thousand little pieces and his breathing grew ragged when he realized he was alone.
Zevran Arainai was gone.
...
"Fuck!" The swear word filled the room and with a groan, Alistair bent his head and ran his hands over his hair, which gave him an unkempt appearance which was not kingly at all. He groaned again his eyes roaming over the paperwork piled before him, his mind working furiously to find a way out of reading the countless stupid pleas from the nobles across the land. As much as he loved helping people and actively was making sure that there was peace in Ferelden, he hated the way the nobles whined about the slightest of things. What did it matter if Bann Thedius wanted his daughter to wed Bann Reginald's daughter? Or if Bann Seamus wanted to extend the trade of his crops to the Free Marshes but was unsure if he was taking the right path? Maker help him, he was a king, not a personal advisor to these fools!
A chuckle from the door caused him to lift his eyes quickly.
"Don't laugh at me, or I swear I'll throw this piece of cheese at you," he warned Teagan.
"Cheese? I daresay you would never do such a thing."
Alistair's mood lightened immediately and a lopsided grin quickly appeared, followed by a mock sigh.
"You know me too well, I'm afraid." Then the frown quickly appeared on his face again. "I just can't help it, though. All these nobles, filling my desk with trivial missives. Ugh. Why do I even bother to open them?" Without waiting for an answer he pushed the papers away and stretched in his chair. "What news do you bring?"
"Things have settled in the border for now. Empress Celene did, in fact, send her troops and has quieted the outbursts."
"Finally some good news," Alistair sighed quietly. "First I've had in months, actually. However, I sense a 'but' there somewhere."
Teagan's countenance grew more serious as he sat on the chair next to the desk. "Empress Celene's men can only do so much, Alistair. Trouble is brewing along the border, and that means other towns, other people. Soon, she will not be able to control them."
"It's really unreal, how she means well. Another one in her position would strike by now, when Ferelden is at its weakest. I can't imagine why she wants to keep peace."
"I know Jinx's pregnancy has kept you here, when you should have travelled to the Free Marshes, Alistair. But I must urge you to try to travel as soon as the baby is born. If we can successfully manage to secure their help in this, we'll have half the battle won - if there is to be a battle, that is."
Alistair gave a nod to this, his thoughts a million miles away. So much had happened in these past months. Zevran had left and Marcus had not given much away, but he knew that the former Crow was probably back in Antiva by now. The most pressing problem was the fact that Ferelden was not producing as much as it had before the Blight. Most of the lands had been poisoned by the darkspawn taint and the people had been forced to move and settle elsewhere. Truth be told, Ferelden was now producing half of what it used to. To make matters worse, the elves had started to riot in the alienage again, so he knew that visiting Shianni was on the top of his list. Hunger made people go berserk, and he was determined to ensure that the elves should not suffer any more than they had already had. And to top it all off, there was trouble in the Ferelden Circle of Magi as well. He sighed heavily.
No, this was not the best time to travel at all.
...
Even though she was asleep when he entered the room, Jinx did not turn to greet him but continued on her side, her eyes still closed as she heard him cross the vast room to the adjoining room where the bath was kept. She heard him running the water for a bath, and minutes later, heard him splash around in the water, and the sighs of contentment from him brought a smile to her lips as she lay there.
When he slipped into the sheets and curled himself beside her she was wide awake, but did not let him know this. One of his arms wrapped itself around her bulging abdomen, and caressed her lightly while his lips kissed her right ear lovingly, before his head dropped onto the pillow.
"Problems, my dear king?" She murmured and chuckled when she heard his reaction.
"Maker's breath! I thought you were asleep, love. Don't do that again," he admonished as she turned to face him at last.
He held her as closely as he could, his hands restlessly running up and down her shoulders, waist and belly and back up again, and she sighed contentedly at this.
"The usual, I'm afraid. Nothing new to report. Except for the fact that Empress Celene has managed to quiet the rabble on her side, at least for the moment."
"Respite, then?" She murmured back, her lips seeking his. The kiss fueled them both and her hands roamed over his chest and stopped at his growing erection. "How can you want me like this?" She marveled at his desire, for she was fat and ugly as far as she was concerned.
"You are beautiful, love. How could I not want you?" He crooned back, his fingers now gently tracing her nipples causing her to sigh with pleasure. "I dream about making love to you all the time, in fact. Even more, now that you carry my child."
She smiled and her eyes held such passion that he brought his lips hungrily upon hers, and kissed her with equal passion. The sounds that came from her fueled his passion greatly, his erection was rubbing against her thigh and his hands were fondling her breasts. A sound escaped his lips that sounded like a growl as one of his hands travelled south down to her curls and nub. He massaged it gently while his lips adoringly kissed, licked and gently nipped her breasts. She mewled and bucked her hips slightly, she was far too big to actually move more, but he paid no heed to this. His lips now kissed her swollen abdomen with fervor, and he moved slowly downward and she moaned.
His hands were parting her folds, and his tongue darted out, tasting her. His moan made her cry out with pleasure. He lifted her legs and they circled his waist immediately.
"Please, Alistair, please!"
He smiled as he positioned himself and entered her slowly, stopping to savor her for a moment. Her muscles tightened around his thick erection and he cried out her name as he buried himself inside her. He started to move slowly, taking his time, one of his hands on her nub gently massaging all the while. Only when he finally felt her release did he start to pick up speed, his thrusts becoming more urgent.
"Oh, Alistair! Alistair!" Her screams filled the room, his breathing hitched as he felt his release and he clung to her, burying himself even deeper and let out a cry as he came.
He kept himself poised above her, and withdrew, and she gave a little cry of disappointment. He chuckled as he lay beside her, taking her in his arms. She was so keen on sex these days. It seemed that her pregnancy had heightened her sexual drive to limits that he himself could barely keep up with.
She looked up at his face, and saw the smirk on it.
"What?"
"Nothing. I just can't believe how much you want to have sex, that's all. It's very...enticing..." he brushed a kiss on the crown of her head and smiled.
She smiled and nestled into his arms again. They lay there caressing each other, their bodies sated.
"I guess Grey Wardens aren't the only ones that have a lot of stamina, huh?"
...
Elizabeth Theirin Cousland saw a light and went towards it. She experienced a coldness and began crying immediately. She was uncomfortable and missed the warm water she had been in. How dare this happen to her? She had been safe! She had been warm! And now she was cold and miserable.
Eventually she felt warmth again and suddenly she was lying on something soft, and someone warm was holding her closely. She opened her eyes and stared into a beautiful face. Soft brown hair, lovely green eyes, and a wonderful smile. That smile made her feel safe. She gurgled and the smile of this person deepened and she felt like she could take the world then and there. For this person made her feel she was invincible.
She felt hungry and opened her mouth to cry again, but this woman, that had made her feel so protected and good about herself brought her face to a nipple and Elizabeth knew she had to suckle to get her food. Ah, that milk was deliciously sweet nectar to her. She suckled and fed and was content.
Another voice startled her. She had been slowly drifting to sleep and she opened her eyes to see where the voice came from. She saw another person, light brown hair and the most incredible warm amber eyes that were looking at her with love and adoration and made her feel even more protected, if possible. She reached out a hand and took one of his fingers and squeezed hard. The finger she was squeezing felt good. She turned again to the softness that held her and looked into the green eyes again.
Elizabeth Theirin felt the connection between these two people. A strong bond grew and held. She felt these people were her world. Her eyes closed and she fell into a deep and refreshing sleep.
And this was how Elizabeth Theirin Cousland met and fell in love with her parents.
...
Two years had gone by. The twins, now five, protected and looked after their younger sibling with adoration. Elizabeth was a sweet blonde little two-year-old, her eyes were a bright blue and she had adorable dimples. She was always tagging behind the twins like a puppy, her laughter echoing through the halls of the great palace.
Alistair and Jinx had taken care of the elves the best they could. They had supplied them with food and water and the rebuilding in the alienage gradually got better. The people adored them, and looked forward to their visits fervently. They finally saw some justice for themselves and were kept happy and content.
Alistair had also looked into starting a lyrium trade with Bhelen. He felt that it was to the best interest of the country to get more money from somewhere and the lyrium trade was the best way to go. He also knew very well that there was illegal trading and hunted down the carta members responsible for such dealings, greatly angering them in the process. Jinx felt misgivings on this issue and worried that they could one day break into the palace and kill them for it, and only when Alistair agreed to double the security in the palace did she sigh with relief for the moment.
Ferelden gradually was recovering, but not fast enough. When things seemed to be getting better, trouble in the border broke out once again. Alistair made up his mind.
Jinx found him in his study a frown on his face as he looked over some papers on his desk.
"Trouble with Orlais, right?"
He sighed in answer and nodded briefly. Looking up to her face, he saw the concern and love in her eyes and stood, walking quickly to where she was standing to take her into his arms.
"So, the Free Marches, huh?"
"I'm sorry, love. I really don't want to leave you and the children, but I must speak to the Knight Commander. I'm hoping she'll listen to reason and assist us."
"And if she doesn't?"
"I guess we'll just have to see, won't we? We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."
...
"You speak the truth?" Empress Celene looked at her visitor, her eyes narrowing. "You are sure of this?"
"My Imperial Highness, I assure you. There is nobody that knows the situation better than I. Surely you know that my information is solid. You must have checked this out for yourself, yes?"
Her brow furrowed. "Perhaps. But if you are lying, let me say here and now that you will suffer greatly for this."
His lips curled into a cruel smile. "Ah, I know this well. This is why I dare not lie. I value my life above all else." He let out a chuckle and bowed.
She swept past him to her chambers, giving orders along the way. The man's eyes followed her out the room.
Stupid fool. She was threatening him?
He had looked at death in the face and triumphed. His grin widened.
It was only a manner of time now. And time was just what he had a lot of.
...
