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

The King's Rose
Chapter 12: Nightmares!

The next couple days kept them busy between the wedding and Jaya's own coronation that would take place not long after the wedding. Jaya often went out to Denerim with Gilmore and Anora, both whom hit it off and requested that they go with her whenever she left the palace.

Jaya first stopped off at Wade's to see how her surprise for her love was coming, surprising Gilmore that she was doing this for him. After thanking the two, she went next door to Goldanna's after explaining that, after the Blight, Goldanna had tried harder to try and be a sister to Alistair, who, while flattered, didn't really mind it. Not more than three hours later, she came out grinning.

"Alright, JayJay. What's with that coy smile?" Gilmore asked.

"I'll have to tell Alistair some good news, so keep it a secret. Goldanna's pregnant." She nearly twirled around in happiness as she went to talk to Gorim to see how things were in Orzammar with Bhelen after the Blight. According to Gorim, Bhelen actually settled down with a castless girl named Rica, whom had actually been his mistress for almost three years. Even greater was that Rica was expecting their second child come spring next year, their first being born a son earlier on. Heading back, Jaya suddenly wondered if Alistair had been right and that it was nearly impossible for them to have their own child since they both were Grey Wardens. He had said that it was difficult enough for one to have a child, let alone two of them. Secretly, she was jealous of those women that could have children, Anora included. Despite her being married to Cailan, the two have never had a child in the five years prior to Cailan's death.

Anora frowned when Jaya's smile disappeared and wondered why her friend was so sad. "Jaya... What's wrong?" She asked gently.

Jaya sighed and refused to hide the truth from her friends. "According to not only Riordan, but Alistair, two Grey Wardens might not be able to conceive a child. It is due to the taint making it thus." She explained.

Gilmore blinked before tilting his head. "You said 'might'. It is still possible. From what I hear, a child takes time." He stated.

"Well... That's true. I guess it does. If I do become with child, I'll have many people to inform." Jaya sighed at the list she'd be making if that happened.

Gilmore chuckled. "JayJay, you'll do one step better, you'll go to tell them personally, dragging poor Alistair with you everywhere." He informed as they returned to greet Alistair, who had heard the last half of Gilmore's statement.

"'Drag poor Alistair' where?" Alistair asked, kissing Jaya on the cheek.

"Oh, just thinking about things, love. And something that'll have to wait for a while." Jaya replied, grinning.

Alistair sighed. "That grin scares me. Do I even want to know?" He questioned.

Jaya smiled. "Not really. Let's just say you'll see eventually." She looked around and was actually jealous of Morrigan. She wasn't one for this and Jaya, despite being a teryn's daughter, was getting annoyed from all the hype. All she wanted was to marry her beloved, become Princess-Consort and just live without any fears. Morrigan would've laughed at her misfortune before they both laughed at something trivial. She yawned slightly before talking to Mallol about what she'd be doing after the wedding.

The Revered Mother had come down hard on them after the whole reunion-thing. She had templars guarding not only her door but Alistair's room to prevent more 'premarital excursions'. And at first, Jaya and Alistair shrugged it off as something they could handle. That was until two nights ago when Jaya had her first nightmare since they had begun being together. It revolved around what happened at Highever that terrible night and was as if she was witnessing what happened to her parents through Rendon Howe's eyes. But, instead of her parents, it was her and Fergus in that room with them and Duncan had left to Denerim.

Jaya shuddered a little at how the dream Fergus had watched her get beaten and raped, forced to kiss Howe's feet before the blade was thrust into her chest. As she 'died', she watched Howe slit Fergus's throat before stabbing him repeatedly. Last night it was the worst: it was if Alistair and her had begun 'courting' at Ostagar and were as close as they were now and she had been killed by the ogre that killed Cailan, leaving Alistair alone. Thankfully, it hadn't shown on her yet, thanks to how she had Wynne give her night cream to keep her skin smooth.

Leliana frowned and tilted her head. "Jaya, is something wrong?" She asked.

"Hmm? Yeah." Jaya stated automatically before sighing. "Not really." She glanced to where her love was, across the room, and frowned. "They've returned." She announced quietly.

Leliana's eyes widened and she hugged her friend. "Would you like company tonight? Perhaps we can sneak him into your room tonight. Just to hold you and hope it'll last you until after the wedding the day after tomorrow." She suggested.

"Leli. Both of us have Templars guarding our rooms. Even Caican has tried to distract them. But once they have an order, they refuse to back down." Jaya explained as Celene joined them.

"That sounds like templars in Orlais. I get lucky if they let me go to the washroom safely." Celene informed. "What is ailing our bride-to-be?"

Jaya inhaled. "Ever since the Highever Massacre, I've suffered nightmares that make it near impossible to sleep at night, to a point I am scared to look out a door for fear of an attack. They went away when I went through the Joining, until the fourth month at camp, when they returned. Then they left again after me and Alistair made love and stayed away until two nights ago." She explained, a haunted look entering her eyes.

Celene was about to comment when Zevran showed up out of nowhere to comment. "Ahh. I believe I have a solution to that, my dear Warden." He stated, smirking. "I have... studied your guards' routine and have found a small window where they are not watching the doors. It is not long after you retire, they head to take a quick leak, let's say, before returning. I'd say not more than ten minutes." He informed.

"Zev... Are you spying?" Leliana questioned.

"My darling bard, it's what us assassins do when we're scoping for an opening." Zevran said. "So. I can sneak into Alistair's room and assist him to getting into your room. Shall we make a signal?" He asked.

Leliana blinked before nodding. "I often stay outside her room when they need to be relieved for that time. I'll just knock when you and him are near to give a slight heads-up to Jaya." She motioned one knock with two quicker ones in the air. "But, yes. Inform him of the plan."

Zevran nodded and strolled over to Alistair, who was talking to Fergus and Gilmore. "My friend, there is a certain issue that I must speak to you of." He leaned against a pillar nearby, looking at Leliana, though looking like he was looking down.

"What? Is Jaya all right?" Alistair quickly asked.

"Depends on what you mean by all right.. Physically, I'd say she's-"

"Zev."

"You asked.." He held his hand up and shrugged before nodding in her direction. "Take a look at her before I continue and let me know what you think is amiss."

The three glanced in the direction before Gilmore's brow furrowed. "Why does she look like she's not here?"

"Wait... Don't tell me.." Alistair began, having Gilmore and Fergus look lost.

"Your assumption is correct. The nightmares have returned, even worse than before, according to her. Therefore, before you go rushing over, me and my lovely bard have come up with a plan to ship you into her room unnoticed." Zevran then told the three the plan and nearly laughed at how eager they were.

"What nightmares?" Fergus asked.

Alistair grimaced. "She has had nightmares about what happened at Highever and even some from Ostagar. They seemed to have receded since we got together, though." He explained, worried slightly about what that meant about her mental health. "The last one happened when we had to have separate rooms at Redcliffe. She looked as if something had stolen that light in her completely. Though, she hid it before I could ask her, saying the army was waiting."

"I would have nightmares too." Fergus breathed. "That sounds like Jaya, though. When she had something happen, she hid it and put others ahead of her."

Wow, nightmare is right! 0_0 My mind is not sane!
~~Skittles~~