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

The King's Rose
Chapter 14: Remembrances.

Fergus and Eamon glanced at each other in pride and happiness, they were now family, something Fergus and Jaya had lost eighteen months earlier. Isolde and Connor both looked very prideful, knowing full well nothing could stop the two now. Teagan smirked at Gilmore, both having the same thought: Maker help Alistair if he broke Jaya's heart somehow. The two soon realized they had a very strong sibling-like love for the woman and would harm anyone that hurt her and swore to not only Fergus, but Alistair himself, that they would murder whoever dared make her cry.

Caican barked happily, spinning once and panting at the fact that his mistress was now married to his new master, eager to please both of them. Oghren actually cried, not wanting to hide his happiness at his two companions who had showed more pride than he had ever seen. Zevran held Leliana's hand as his eyes sparkled with the emotion that, up until fourteen months ago, he had been trained to seal away but was broken open by Jaya and her witty banter with Alistair at times. Leliana sobbed slightly as her best friends took their vows, her life changed for the better because she had met them and, not because of a vision the Maker gave her, got to know the couple. Sten showed his own pride by nodding, a tiny grin present, as he looked back and was glad he had stuck around the two. Shayle had a very interested look before she adopted the same look Sten had.

The raven-haired woman in the back grinned at how in love the two were, something that, at first seemed impossible due to the task they had at the time, but now seemed natural. 'I will stay to say one final farewell to their faces this time before I'm gone for good.' She thought, frowning at the hurt that rose up. Even though she hated to admit it, she enjoyed their time together. The fool Alistair was a nuisance, but tolerable and loyal. The drunk was a pain to be around, yet often protected her despite the fact that normally dwarves and mages don't get along very well. Preachy Wynne had been the most annoying, though she would have never learned better healing magic without watching her in battle. Morrigan sighed to herself. The elf was a lecher, but seemed to truly care for the bard. Speaking, the bard's nonstop talking about the Maker and Andraste still annoyed her, but she saw true friendship with all of them, even the fool. She knew it was all because of Jaya. She had never wavered in her faith of Morrigan's abilities.

Jaya and Alistair parted, both reflecting their love in their eyes as they turned, her arm draped through his and greeted the crowd, who were still cheering. Jaya felt like she was about to explode with happiness as they walked the way she had come, her eyes finally meeting the one pair she had not expected to see as they entered the hall where they were to receive their guests. Once the woman entered and got close enough, Jaya hugged the woman. "Morrigan! I never would have expected to see you after the battle!" She stated, grinning like an idiot.

"Well, how I left was hardly noteworthy, yes? I find it odd that I prefer to talk instead. And the fool looks even more foolish. Though, in the best way, I suspect?" Morrigan questioned.

"Yes. Though I am curious why you are here, Morrigan." Alistair stated dryly, though it showed that he was actually happy.

"Tis unusual that I want to see those I call friends, is it? Was it not you that asked what I would do if I had friends?" Morrigan jibed, smirking when he shuddered. "But I must admit, I rather like being around you. Like I told you, I see in you a sister almost, something I am unaware of having in someone." She admitted before glaring at Alistair. "So help me, Alistair. If you ever cause her distress, whether intentional or otherwise and I hear her crying, I will turn you into that toad you so desperately wanted to be turned into."

"That, you can be sure, will never happen. I would rather face the archdemon again than hurt her." Alistair stated. "You do realize that you shouldn't be saying that? Considering what happened."

Jaya sighed and figured she'd better tell Morrigan than have Alistair actually get angry at her. "When you disappeared after the battle with the archdemon, I thought our friendship meant nothing and broke down, though it wasn't the best idea considering the physical state I was in. You left without a goodbye and I almost thought that I was back at Highever, though without the tear-felt goodbye my mother said."

Morrigan's glare vanished before she looked like she were about to cry. "I... apologize, for the little worth it is. I had no intention to harm you that way, though I did want to leave before... before I grew too attached to any of you. But, by then... it was too late. I must admit, the two of you used to sicken me with what was going on, but... I realize that, because I had little experience with such matters, that I owe you both an apology."

Jaya giggled softly. "Oh, Morrigan. I forgave you long ago. And, even though you won't admit it, you did too, didn't you, dear?"

"Yes, well, don't let that get around. I do have a reputation to hold onto. How long do you plan to stay, Morrigan?" He asked, draping an arm around Jaya's waist.

"Not long, I promise. Just long enough to properly say goodbye... to all of you, that is." Morrigan said and stood aside until everyone had said their congratulations and the group she had traveled with were all in a separate room. She strolled in with the two, to angry looks around. Even the mabari growled at her, even if she had actually been at the coronation.

Wynne immediately spoke. "Maker's breath! Morrigan. Please tell me this is a cruel joke. If so and you are here to make Jaya cry again, I will be forced to harm you."

Morrigan flinched before sighing. "Tis not my intention at all. I came to apologize to not only Jaya and Alistair.. but all of you. I had to leave for fear of what Flemeth might have done had she found out about.. well, anyways, I apologize, for what it is worth. I admit friendship I lack... history with."

That made everyone look at each other before they realized that it was true before Leliana walked up. "If you wanted help, we all would have helped. But I understand you are not... one to ask for help."

"'Tis true." Morrigan admitted. "I must say I was also at the fool's coronation and admit I was tempted to show myself, but was unsure of how I would be received." After Morrigan explained everything, she was surprised that, instead of hatred or dismissal, the group actually looked happy to see her. However, she informed them that she was going to be leaving, for good.

Jaya's eyes misted. "I know you must leave, but at least you said goodbye right, Morrigan." She hugged the witch to a point that Oghren wondered if the witch was being crushed. "Thank you so much... sister." She said, wiping her eyes on her hand.

"Twas my pleasure. And live long and be well. Do your destiny right or I will turn around and scold you. Goodbye, sister." Morrigan replied before each of the others hugged her, including Alistair. "Farewell... my friends. If we were to meet somewhere else, know I welcome a greeting or four." With that, she transformed and darted out the doorway, the way she had after the battle against the archdemon.

"Well, let's return, shall we? I'm aware we have guests to attend to." Alistair stated after a few moments, offering his wife his arm and led them into the ballroom, surprised that they weren't really missed despite the bridal party being the focus of the party.

Eamon and Isolde spotted them first, knowing full well why they hadn't been there. The witch had come and spoken to the two of them a few days ago and wanted to surprise the two. As the group split to mingle, Alistair and Jaya made their way towards them. "Congratulations on a most amazing wedding, Your Graces." Eamon bowed.

Jaya chuckled. "Eamon. Please. No need for formality right now, it's a party. I must admit it'll take a while to get used to the titles again." She smirked. "Here everything I either read or heard was wrong."

Teagan blinked. "What would that be?"

"Well, Aldous, my tutor, told me Grey Wardens couldn't have titles or nobility and that if they were before the Joining that they would have to leave that life behind. Either that or Duncan told me on our way to Ostagar from Highever." She paused to think of where she heard that from and remembered it was Duncan that said her life as a teryn's daughter was over once she joined the Grey Wardens. Smiling, she remembered how distraught she was and Duncan hadn't complained.

"We shall rest here." Duncan stated, once they were a good two days' worth of travel away from Highever.

Jaya had kept glancing back and sat herself down on a stump, the family sword and her dagger beside her, and finally let out the emotion she had been holding in since saying her final farewell to her parents. "W-W-Why didn't I stay? They didn't-didn't deserve to die! They were good people and.. and." She hiccuped into Caican's fur, glad at least her Mabari came with her. If he had been killed, Jaya would never have a friend in the world.

"You must realize if you did, who would tell your brother your father's final words?" Duncan reminded gently, sitting beside her. "Let out all emotions, for after you partake the Joining, you will no longer have a title to carry. I will be willing to listen whenever you want to talk."

Jaya sniffled and nodded slightly. "I just feel so useless and weak. I couldn't persuade either of my parents to come. I didn't save Oriana or Oren, despite promising Fergus they would be safe while he was away. Dairren was killed because of me. Everything happened because of me..." She said before blinking and looking at Duncan. "Duncan, why would Howe betray Father? They were good friends.."

"I cannot answer that. Perhaps Arl Howe saw your father as a threat. Remember, your father's influence was that of equal power to that of the King himself. He may have wanted that himself." Duncan assumed. "Was there anything off about his visit?"

Jaya nodded. "Usually he brings Thomas and Nathaniel to hang out with me and G..Gilmore... Even Delilah talked to either me or Oriana about Oren. But, he claims to have left them in Amarathine... That stood out." She stated. "That must mean he planned it... That bastard!" She snarled, Caican barking in the same anger she felt. "I must avenge them all. But first, I must also do the Grey Warden duty... Which is what, exactly? You didn't exactly explain that to me."

"Us Grey Wardens serve to protect everyone from the darkspawn. In peace, vigilance. In war, victory. In death, sacrifice. That is what I tell all new recruits to the Grey Wardens." He said.

Jaya nodded and, before either knew it, she soon saw him as a second father-figure and was telling him about what she wanted to do with her life and how, even if she became a Grey Warden, she still would want to do those things. She even told him her dreams of what her wedding would be like, despite him saying it would be difficult to have heirs. She joked by saying she'd still have fun trying.

Alistair grinned when a smile rose from her going back and remembering, kissing her forehead. "Spend any more time in your head and I may start thinking your head really is going to explode."

Jaya giggled. "Well, I can't help it. I am a woman. There are such things as women thinking about all sorts of things." She informed, leaning to kiss his cheek.

"Ah. The mind of a woman is very fickle." Eamon chuckled. "I would know."

"Then it is a good thing you're my regent, Eamon." Alistair stated. "You can warn me if she thinks too much."

"And prevent you from sticking your foot in your mouth, too." Jaya added, grinning.

"That is my talent, dear. I always do that." He replied before they went to talk to Mallol, Gilmore and Fergus.

"I would never believe my little sister is married. I thought you'd never settle down, sis. You always said you weren't wanting to 'have the hassle' that I had." Fergus joked. "I almost think I'll blink and it would all have been a dream and we'd be back at Highever, sparring or rolling in mud until Mother grounded us."

Jaya rolled her eyes and hugged her brother tightly. "Same here." She pulled back at her husband raising an eyebrow at the comment. "Mind you, dear husband, I was only seven at the time I said that, so I was very not into that."

"My poor one manly emotion, tattered." Alistair said, grinning.

"Oh, hush. I'll be sure to apologize later." Jaya replied, smirking.

Mallol chuckled softly and hugged Jaya. "Here I thought I'd be like Nan and have to tell you to behave. Seeing who you deal with now, I'd suspect she'd scold him until his ears fall off."

Jaya laughed. "That she would. Then she'd drive the cooks here up the walls with her orders." She tucked herself comfortably into her husband's side. "That would be after her nonstop banter about how 'I was supposed to stay pure'."

"Maker that would have given Nan a heart-attack." Gilmore said. "Especially if she knew about Dairren and Gauthier. Though, it's a lot different, since you didn't love Dairren or Gauthier." He chuckled.

"Nope. I'm stuck loving this blithering idiot." She teased, glancing up at her husband, who rolled his eyes and grinned.

"Yes. I think we're all aware I'm a blithering idiot, but you blither too." Alistair stated.

Gilmore smirked and crossed his arms as Jaya went to talk to Wynne and Leliana. "The man is honest. I give him credit. Though, I suspect we'll be keeping an eye on you, Alistair. Very closely, mind you." He said, his smirk vanishing.

"Maker's breath. I swore I wouldn't hurt her. Lay off, will you?" Alistair grumbled.

"Just making sure you know. But, I doubt we will need to, Gil. Jay lights up whenever she talks about the man. Or even thinking about him seems to have a cheering effect on her. I suspect she was broken after Mother and Father's murder." Fergus said, glancing at his sister.

"Now that you mention it, she wasn't really trusting of me at first. She seemed.. distant, as if trying to prevent ties to anything else. I suspect it was from that." Alistair explained. "When Ser Jory and Daveth were with us, she kept her distance unless we were fighting. Otherwise, she was silent and very... dim."

Gilmore sighed. "If Howe was still alive, I would tear him apart for making her that cold towards anyone. That bastard deserved everything she did to him. Tell me, Alistair, did he die cruelly?" He asked.

"Oh, you have no idea. Jaya held it out until that bastard nearly pleaded for death, almost toying with him. I think Zevran gave her that idea. It was a totally different side to her that I never thought I'd see. She was focused on torturing him, like he said he did to your parents before he killed them." Alistair explained with a hint of pride. "He told her he made Eleanor kiss his boots before killing her while Bryce watched in horror. Howe said he bled him dry and that made her snap."

Fergus blinked before grinning. "I can picture it. Her looking like a pissed off demon while having a very calm exterior."

"Almost. She had a grin the entire time and watched as the man took his last breath before it vanished and she broke down." He added.

"It was good you were there. Jaya doesn't like to cry, because of her teachings from Aldous and Father how Couslands are supposed to do their duties, no matter what and not show emotions while doing so." Fergus explained. "Soon, the Couslands will return to their status to being next to Arl Eamon in popularity."

"You realize to do that, you'll have to remarry and have heirs, Ferg, right?" Gilmore stated.

"Erm.. Yes. I am aware of that." Fergus said, flushing. "The sad thing is I will keep comparing every woman to Oriana. She was lovely beyond words." He sighed. "I guess I should heed Jay's words and move on."

Well, Jaya's a little under the weather, but she's stubborn! ^.^
~~Skittles~~