Bioware owns Dragon Age and all the characters, I own Jaya, though...

The King's Rose
Chapter 4: Flashbacks Return

The Antivan made dress was a lovely white with hues of silver to bring out Jaya's eyes. The modest collar would've made Oriana blush, but Jaya had it altered to fit her body, since Oriana was smaller than her, and the collar was where they had to take off some to fit. Golden silk was around her waist and under her chest, emphasizing her frame.

"Mhm.. I wanted her a part of my wedding, too. Think it's too much?" She asked, doing a little pirouette before facing them again, eyes looking for an answer.

"It looks lovely on you, sister dear... Just.. Wow." Fergus commented before blinking. "Oh, found these when I was cleaning out Mother's things." He dug in his pouch on his hip and handed her a box.

Jaya opened it and nearly collapsed in amazement at what her brother had given her. Her mother's blue diamond necklace, matching earrings and a hair comb that was a beautiful silver. "Fergus... Mother's jewelry? Y-You found it?" She asked, memories flooding back at how lovely her mother looked when she wore them and had said that one day they would be hers before Howe murdered their clan.

"Yeah. I believe she wanted you to wear it for your wedding and perhaps make it an heirloom? And the hair comb was something I actually bought a few days after Alistair announced you two were engaged. Something blue, something borrowed, something new, something old... Am I correct?"

Wynne chuckled at the young man's words, smiling. "That is correct, Fergus. I must admit you look lovely, dear. If I were younger, I would be simply jealous."

"I agree. Tis stunning to look at you and try to remember what you looked like beforehand." Leliana added, grinning like a child.

"Thank you all.. Especially you, Fergus... I know how difficult it must have been to go through their things." Jaya replied, hugging her brother while keeping the gift away.

Fergus grinned and hugged her back. "Yeah. But there are more good memories than bad for me... I really liked it when you came to visit three weeks after destroying that pesky Archdemon.. Will you return again, this time to stay a little longer than two days?"

Jaya frowned and pulled back a little. "Maybe... It was hard to even step foot into the hall where Sir Gilmore and the others were killed without regret of not demanding they follow me and Mother." She walked away to stand at the window, unaware Leliana and Wynne had left to give them time alone.

Her brother sighed and rested a hand on her shoulder. "It is time to let the memories go and remember the fun we had as kids." He advised.

Jaya remembered what her father had said in the Gauntlet, closing her eyes against the memory.

'My dearest child.' Bryce Cousland, her father, draped in the clothes he wore that fateful day, said.

"I wish it were not so, but I know you are dead." Jaya stated, her glance not leaving her father.

'You know that I am gone, and all your prayers and wishes will not bring me back. My darling girl, it is time to let go. Take the pain and anger, acknowledge it and let it go. It is time. You have such a long road ahead of you, and you must be prepared. And so I leave this in your hands... I know you will do great things with it.' He replied, glancing first at her and her companions. His blue eyes then lingered on Alistair when he mentioned the long road ahead.

"F-Father..." Jaya whispered as her father faded away, not willing to break down again as she had on her trip to Ostagar with Duncan.

"Jaya?" Fergus asked gently.

"Father appeared before me when I was in the Gauntlet and he said he no longer had a hold on me... But... He's our father. Of course he has a hold. He was... He was.. He was supposed to give me away.." Jaya sniffled before burrowing herself in her brother's shoulder, weeping for the fact their parents would never see her get married to the man she loves.

Fergus held her for what seemed like years before pulling back and drying her eyes with his thumb. "Chin up, little sister. You made Howe pay.. That's all they probably wanted." He waited until she came back from changing before continuing. "I was planning a huge memorial for them and those slain a month or so from now. Do you think you want to return to Highever again for that?"

"Well, strange thing is... Me and Alistair were planning on having Duncan's funeral there, too. He was born in Highever... Did you know that?" Jaya asked, smiling watery as the two left her room. After getting hugged by Leliana and Wynne, she inhaled and rubbed her eyes. "Does it look like I cried?"

"Sadly, yes.. But you shouldn't hide it from Alistair. The boy worries for you like you do him." Wynne advised as the four walked back downstairs.

"Say, Fergus... Will you ever remarry?" Jaya asked as they came into view of the others.

"That... Is a good question. Perhaps. I want to first go through my mourning of Oriana and Oren first. I actually have a sword I would've given him... had he lived, that is." Fergus answered, thinking.

"I still have the amazing memory of sinking the family blade into Howe's throat. I had a feeling Mother and Father were there to guide me." She said, smirking at the memory.

"I would've loved to aid making that bastard pay." Fergus replied, anger heard in his voice as Oghren was joking around with Alistair.

"Boy, you sure you don't want advice from an experienced married man? Sure, Branka was a complete soft head, but I know tricks to please a woman." Oghren suggested, chuckling slightly.

"I am sure, Oghren. If I needed advice, I'd turn to Fergus." He mentioned before turning around and seeing the four. "Are you alright?" He asked, worry evident now on his face.

"Just needed input on the dress..." Glancing at Wynne, she smiled sadly. "That and I might have broken down at the memories of what my father said to me during the Gauntlet... It made me miss what they will never know, see or do again." She bit the inside of her cheek to prevent herself from crying, which held true until strong arms pulled her into a hug. Only then did she begin silently weeping out-loud, only crying on the outside, her throat tired from crying into Fergus earlier.

The group all watched in both sadness and amazement as their 'fearless' leader broke down and was crying. Leliana allowed Zevran to bury his face in her bosom while Caican, Jaya's Mabari, lowered his ears and stared sadly at his mistress and Wynne's eyes misted over.

"Shh. Let it out. You've been building this up for nearly six months. It's alright to let loose now." Alistair comforted, rubbing her back softly to try and relax her. His heart broke with each tear that was shed by her, wishing he could somehow stop her from hurting. When the tears stopped, he smiled a tiny bit before stroking her cheek. "Feel better, love?"

Jaya bobbed her head and used a handkerchief her brother had used moments beforehand to dab her eyes and nose before smiling. "I got your shirt wet." She giggled softly.

"I can easily get it washed again. In fact, I would have it washed a thousand times to be able to support you again." He replied, chuckling a little. "How about we call it a day and just relax?" He suggested.

"Now, now, my beloved. You are the king and I doubt Ferelden will let their king have a day to himself." Jaya scolded lightly, trying not to laugh.

"Oh, you are no fun. There were plenty of times when we were traveling when I could have a day to relax." Alistair replied, back to his joking self.

"That is true. Now that you are king, those times are done. Or does the adoring public scare you?" She teased.

"Not in the slightest. I just want time to spend with you. And our dear friends, of course." He added, glancing at those that had been there from the beginning.

"We all know you are enjoying those exertions with our lovely leader, my friend." Zevran teased, laughing at the matching blushes.

"I'm not hearing this!" Alistair stated, covering his ears with his hands.

That had even Jaya laughing with them. 'Alistair is still so clueless and sweet, it's funny. He hasn't really changed.' She thought, grinning at the very aloof Alistair she had met upon entering Ostagar. The only difference seemed to be the fact this Alistair was king that was all. "Zev, I think having him turn redder than Leli's hair is quiet enough. Bad enough Fergus here does that." She motioned in her brother's direction.

"Ah, and here I was having fun. My dear, you all but turned harsh." Zevran mock-whined, a grin showing he was joking around.

Jaya raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I doubt I'm harsh, Zev. I'm just saying. But, anyhow. Aren't you supposed to be getting dolled up?" She teased her betrothed, smirking at him.

Finally got around to this story~ Well, I've been busy lately... Updating soon~
~~Skittles~~