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

The King's Rose
Chapter 10: Stunning Reveal!

Leliana picked that time to speak right before Alistair showed up. "And he plays well with her, according to her." She said, getting them to laugh.

"Maker, are you.. No, I won't ask this time. What is it with you women talking about that?" He asked.

"We just want to, love. Say... I seem to have remembered a summer when my family visited Eamon and a certain boy was playing with the dogs that day." Jaya stated, wondering how she could've forgotten when she had met Alistair.

Her love's eyes widened as he chuckled. "Well, I did half tell the truth. I was with the dogs as a kid. I barely remember it... Wait. You were tackled by one and wound up with mud in your hair." He replied.

Fergus and the others decided to join them at that point, Fergus overhearing the last part. "So, you both seem to remember that one summer." He smirked a little before remembering something. "I forgot to tell you, sister, before you went to bed that day, that Mother and Father were discussing an arranged marriage for you."

Jaya felt ire rise, as color flew to her cheeks. Her parents had promised to not arrange any marriages while she was still young, but apparently weren't going to wait for Fergus to get married first. "Andraste's knickers. I can't believe they lied to me." She fumed, really wanting to beat something to a pulp soon.

"Calm down, sister. Do you not want to know who they planned for you to marry?" Fergus questioned.

"Fine. Who?" She asked.

"Why, none other than the one you already are betrothed to." Fergus informed, stunning everyone there, including the couple.

"So. Mother and Father.. wanted me to marry Alistair, despite the fact he would have been technically below that of what normal parents want for a child?" Jaya guessed before Fergus nodded. "But, why? Why didn't they tell me?"

"Do you think you would've agreed, at ten mind you, to be married once you were old enough to someone you had only known through correspondences and that one meeting?" He replied.

Jaya paused before sighing. "Well, that does make a difference." She smiled at the fact that the very man she met upon entering Ostagar was none other than the one her parents planned for her to marry. And now, she was not only doing so, but she was so in love with her templar that it was difficult to not steal him from court and ravish him all day. She blushed at her thoughts before Leliana and Celene started laughing, to the confusion of Alistair, Fergus and even Jaya. "Mind letting me in on what in Maker's name you're laughing about, Leli?"

"Your face suddenly started glowing again. You were thinking something... rather naughty, weren't you?" Leliana asked, a coy smile on her face.

"N-Nothing of the sort! Perhaps you're seeing things." Jaya sharply stated, shocked at how well the bard could read her face.

"Yes. Leliana is again seeing things, is she? Well, I think you were perhaps wondering how to smuggle a certain... ahem.. person out and ravish him. Am I wrong?" She teased before Alistair and Fergus caught on, grinning when Jaya matched Leliana's hair color.

"I hate you, Leli, you know that? I so hate you." Jaya muttered, avoiding eye-contact with the bard and even her beloved.

She was spared further embarrassment when Zevran showed up and grinned. "Why, it appears my lovely Warden is flushed. Perhaps a nice walk outside will cool her down?" He suggested, eyes twinkling in amusement. "Or something completely different?"

Jaya and Alistair, from being around the Crow long enough, knew when he was flirting or when he was just being a friend. This was one of his 'friend' lines. That didn't mean they weren't blind to his statements. "I think not. Leli and Celene were teasing her about her mind going somewhere... else." Alistair informed, to his betrothed's annoyance.

"Ahh. Say no more, my fine friend. It appears our fine leader does, indeed, have a rather... dirty mind." Zevran stated.

"All of you are getting fed to the next darkspawn I see." Jaya stated, which earned laughter from all of them before she felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise when she caught glimpse of a familiar face glaring at her from the crowd. She squinted before she saw he had vanished, causing her to rub her eyes.

"Tired, Jaya?" Celene asked.

"No.. Thought I saw someone.. familiar.. It was probably nothing." She stated, though her mind was slow to accept it. Before she could think further, Anora walked up. "Ara!" She sighed in relief and hugged the former Queen.

"Did I miss something?" She questioned.

"Nothing except me wanting to throw these people to the next hurlock I see.." She tilted her head in the direction of those who had enjoyed making her blush.

"Ah, well that simply will not do. I don't think that you would really want to throw your love into a darkspawn. It's not in you." Anora stated. She had gotten over the fact that not only Alistair was king, but Jaya would soon be his queen and enjoyed being around the couple. She nearly felt happier not having the stress of being both the king and queen on her shoulders, as Cailan rather preferred to be out and enjoying himself rather than sit in a chair for hours on end.

Jaya was about to say something, but realized she was right, sighing. "True. He has grown on me. Like I teased him with, I'd rather not start looking for a second husband before I even marry my first." She grinned.

"Good advice. Perhaps the Chantry should begin preaching that." Fergus stated.

"Bah. You'd be the first to ignore it." Jaya teased before a woman she remembered from the Landsmeet strolled up, a smile on her face as she was accompanied by two Revered Mothers, one from here in Denerim and the other Jaya couldn't place her face. "Your Grace, it is an honor to see you again." She stated politely.

"Rest easy, child. You have no need to be formal to me. I pray you know these two beside me." Elemena questioned.

"I believe one is Theohild. I'm afraid I don't remember the other one." Jaya stated.

"I am surprised you two would forget me." The black-haired woman chided, clicking her tongue.

Jaya and Fergus both looked stunned speechless as Jaya's eyes watered. "M-Mother M-M-Mallol." She stated, voice quivering as she took two steps before engulfing the woman in a hug that Fergus joined in on, lifting up both women slightly. Jaya pulled back and blinked. "H-How did you..." She began.

"I knew of the servant's exit from your father and slipped out a few hours before the attack." Mallol explained as Fergus put them down. "But, let me look at you, Jaya." She spun Jaya around using her hands before smiling. "You've grown into a lovely woman and remind me more of your mother than your father."

Jaya flushed and smiled. "So Ferg told me. I'm.. stunned to see you again. Surely you've heard?" She started cautiously.

"Well, I haven't heard much except rumors. Her Grace and Theohild here kept me in the Denerim chantry until it was safe. I was helping to prepare for the late King Cailan's funeral." Mallol stated.

Jaya grinned. "Well, allow me to introduce my betrothed, King Alistair Theirin." She said, smiling warmly as Alistair bowed slightly to Mallol.

"Your Highness." Mallol smiled and returned the bow.

Her brow furrowed and she sighed. "Mallol, please. I'll be marrying him soon, so you could try and just call him Alistair." She suggested, despite knowing that Mallol wouldn't really do it.

"I'll keep it in mind." Mallol agreed.

Jaya turned to Wynne. "This is Wynne, she's a mage from the Circle of Magi and the one that reminds me a lot of my mother. She has always been a great friend and a mother-figure." Jaya said, the two women smiling and shaking hands.

"Thank you so much for looking out for Jay." Mallol stated affectionately. "She's known to get into trouble and seems to find something to get into."

Wynne laughed at the flush that rose on Jaya's face. "She has gotten us into binds, yes. But she also got us out of them as well." She replied.

Jaya rolled her eyes upwards at the nickname Mallol often used to praise her for something. "This is Zevran Arainai. I'd watch him closely. He's known to be 'friendly' towards anyone."

"My lovely Warden, you wounded my poor ego with that remark. I shall now weep." Zevran teased, bowing. "An honor."

Mallol raised her eyebrows before Jaya continued. "This is Leliana, my best friend and the closest thing I have to a sister. She happens to once have been a Sister, too." She stated, hugging the bard as Mallol's eyes softened at the action.

"Please, call me Leli. I have heard Jaya mumble about you when she, erm, used to stand watch at night when we camped out." She teased, knowing she actually heard Jaya mumble about Mallol before Jaya and Alistair became intimate, but wanted to spare her friend that embarrassment.

Mallol wasn't duped, but didn't want to comment yet as Jaya went down the line.

"This is Shayle of House Cadash. She was a great help to all of us." Jaya said. "Next to her is Oghren, the drunken oaf that really is fun to be around, as long as he's drunk, really." She said as Oghren belched on cue. "Mind him. He's always like this." She looked to Sten and smiled. "And this is Sten of the Quinari. I doubt I would have gotten far without his help."

"Kadan, you did not need me, but I admit it was fun travelling." Sten stated.

Mallol tilted her head at the term, Jaya giggling. "Kadan means friend or sister in Sten's language." Jaya explained.

Mallol nodded and smiled. "I can't believe little Jay grew into a respectable person. Hero of Ferelden... I must admit I will have to get used to that."

Jaya sighed. "Mallol, please. I don't get called that anymore. Even Ferg doesn't call me that."

Fergus chuckled. "Indeed. Instead I still call her either Shorty or Midget still." He pulled his sister into a noogie, messing up her hair.

It's not really shown, nor really stated, what happened to either Mallol in Origins, perhaps she escaped? I'd love to think so, since that would give the Cousland PC someone to talk to... Eventually.
~~Skittles~~