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

The King's Rose
Chapter 28: Resuming Royal Protocol

Jaya and Alistair arrived back in Denerim a few days later and she was engulfed in a hug from her brother, which made her wince a little due to some of her wounds from battling not only a high dragon, but the 'Mother' were still a little sore. "Do you mind, Brute? I just got done fighting a high dragon and a broodmother." She scolded as he put her back down, grinning at her husband's shocked look. "Yes... Where I had to go, it was guarded by a high dragon and she nearly made me not only a pancake, but dinner. Luckily Anders was able to freeze her mouth shut and we took her down... Though not without a few battle scars."

"Maker's breath. Almost like you wanting to kill that other high dragon that cult believed was Andraste." Alistair sighed and rubbed his forehead.

She flushed and grinned. "It was either kill her then or wait until we left. Either way, she would've died." She reasoned before seeing Leliana and Zevran carrying the twins, her earlier tiredness vanishing when they saw their mother and nearly fell out of their godparents hands trying to get to her. That made her grin and accepted their hugs, being away for the past seven months and missing their first birthday. "Mama missed you two so much..." She said, kissing their foreheads and kneeling down to let them down, smiling at how they were now able to at least stand with help. A part of her was sad that she missed the moment they did that for the first time, but she was glad to think of this as the first time.

Fergus smiled at the reaction and also knelt down. "Now that they've begun this, it's difficult to keep dangerous things outta their reach." He said.

"Well, yeah. That just means everything moves up a shelf or four." Jaya said, nodding as Duncan tilted his head to see his father and took a hand off and made a grabby motion while his sister held onto Jaya's arm, watching in awe.

Alistair blinked before kneeling a few steps away, tilting his head slightly. "This what you want, eh?" He asked, raising an eyebrow as the one-year old reached to grab onto his outstretched hand.

Jaya watched in pure joy as her son took one step then another, wobbling when he let go of both hands before regaining his balance to repeat the motion until he had all but walked into his father's arms. "Wow..."

Zevran grinned. "Took you being home for him to walk, lovely Jaya. He was just standing on his own until now."

Leliana giggled softly. "It is said a mother is always the beginning. She is how things begin." She stated.

Fergus nodded. "Exactly."

Jaya beamed at how her son had almost waited until she was home before walking before she saw how Eleanor mirrored her brother by walking to her uncle, plopping onto her rear twice before completing the journey. "Amazing." She nearly teared up at the fact that her children were already just over a year. Glancing, she saw that she was still in her armor and smirked. "I think I figured out why they decided to walk. It's their hint I need to change." She giggled and stood up to go and do that when Eleanor waddled her way back to hold onto her leg. "Mama's gotta go get cleaned up, little monkey." She said, bending down to pick her up. "Or do you wanna help?"

Eleanor cooed a little. "Ma."

Jaya giggled. "I'll take that as a 'yes'." Taking her daughter into the main bedroom, she sat her on the bed. "Sit and be a good little monkey." She chided, seeing her daughter grabbing her feet while looking up at her, which earned a smile as she picked out a garment that was finely embroidered with red and blue silk panels with gold and silver thread holding it together. Slipping it on, she went back and picked up her daughter before returning to the group. "There. I feel slightly normal."

"You? Normal? This is a good day, indeed." Fergus teased as Alistair picked Duncan up and he stood, Fergus following suit. "Since you're back, I suppose I'll head back and take care of a few things. Try to write from now on, sister."

"No promises, but, sure." She said, getting a hug from him before they took both kids to their room, allowing them to play with their toys while she sat on the lounge by the window, her husband joining her soon after. Once he was seated, she let him rest her legs on his lap. "I never thought I'd say this but, I'm so glad I'm done with fighting... I'll stick to training the guards." She said happily.

"So long as you don't go chasing dragons again, I'll take it." He replied.

"I'd dealt with enough dragons, thank you very much." She nodded while they watched the two playing. A memory of watching Oren play the same way Duncan did made her frown a little. It's been over at least two years since that night, but she still found herself remembering her nephew and her sister-in-law and how they would react right now. She wondered if Oriana would be happy that she had kids as she looked outside, looking at the moon and leaning against her husband.

"Tired?"

"Slightly. I'm just thinking of Oren. He would've loved these two. I think he'd even tell stories about me that even Fergus doesn't know. Oriana would be filled with as much pride as Mother, probably." She said, smiling and meeting his gaze, knowing his thoughts at the moment: she was still in dark territory with those memories and he didn't really want to provoke her. "Relax, husband. I've accepted it. There aren't any more bad memories."

"Good... I didn't want you to go backwards." He admitted, kissing her forehead.

"The only bad memory with that is really remembering that I could have stayed to defend my parents. But, I would've never met you. If Mother were around, she'd smother you and those two with so much love, it'll be funny. Father would joke about 'taming the hellion' I was. Oriana would probably tease me about settling down when I just wanted to take on the world." She explained, yawning softly as she saw that the twins were finally tiring out. Swinging her legs, she walked over and picked up Eleanor and Duncan, heading to put them into their beds. Once they were in and asleep, she bent down to kiss each of their foreheads. "You two are my treasures..." She whispered before she and her husband left the room quietly and retired to their own room.

A few weeks after her return, Jaya fell back into being the Queen. She often found the office tiring, but she proved to be a popular queen, alongside her husband. Her return brought those that hated her from Ameranthine to spread word of her disregard for those lives lost. They joined up with those that were against Alistair being 'Maric's heir' and often got thrown out of Denerim's royal palace, but not before having made some nobles start questioning their rule.

She tapped her foot, trying to think of her reply to Leliana, who had been summoned to be Divine Justinia's right hand, when her husband and the twins came in. "I hate to say it, I'm glad for this." She said, turning the chair to pick up her daughter with her son being beside the desk.

"Ma." Eleanor said, reaching for the paper.

"I'm just writing to Auntie Leliana. She's a very important person now." She explained as she let her daughter watch her write as her husband picked up their son before he wandered too far.

"How is she doing?" He asked.

"She's the Right Hand of the Devine. Something of a step up from being a companion to the 'Hero of Ferelden'." Jaya grinned at the flush from her husband before finishing her letter. "There. Got that done. Now, little monkey, what shall we do today?"

"Ma!" She gurgled, earning a hug from her mother and giggling.

"Good idea." Jaya nodded slightly and faced Alistair. "According to her, we have meetings?" She asked.

"Very wise, Eleanor. She probably warned you of a meeting of some nobles that are still supporting us." He commented.

"Yay. Just what I need to clear my mind." Jaya replied, standing up and following her husband to the twins' playroom, Zevran standing by the door, grinning when the two gurgled at him. "I'm almost jealous. They're happier to see you than they were me."

"You wound me. I cannot bear making you jealous." He said as they put the two in the room. "I shall guard them until you are finished."

"How-?" Alistair began before rolling his eyes. "Sometimes, you worry me, Zev."

"That is why we are friends, no? I worry you, I make her jealous. All's good." He chuckled as the two went down to their meeting.

"You need to remember he was a Crow once. They hide anywhere and can appear out of thin air." She said, taking her seat beside him and helping in delegations, even those she herself never touched when he was gone before: what to do with the Templars that were once at the Circle Tower, including Cullen Rutherford, one that had believed Irving was possessed, which was later proven false. That was an issue she figured he would want to help deal with. Knight-Commander Gregoir was the one to plead that they just recruit new templars to ease the trust between mages, to a smirk from Irving, who wanted to help those left orphaned with their gifts by the Blight and knew of a few that might help with restorations to Redcliffe. "That is an excellent idea, truly, but you do remember that it was because of magic that the dead rose up, right, Irving?" She questioned.

"I am well aware of that, Your Majesty... However, how would those in Redcliffe learn to trust again without being able to see the brighter side of magic?" He asked back.

"I do believe Arl Eamon did send Connor to Tevinter to learn... That would help ease things." Alistair mused, sighing. "What do you think?"

"As long as they don't raise the undead or anything, I think that will be fine. You are allowed.." Jaya nodded, glancing as Eamon walked over. "Yes?"

"I was perhaps wondering if it would be alright with Your Highnesses that I hand over the title of Arl to Teagan, once he returns, that is." He said.

The two shared a glance and sat straighter, knowing that it could be months or even years before they see Teagan again, for his part in the near-assassination of the Divine and the injury to Jaya, not to mention the part in kidnapping her. Alistair spoke first, furrowing his brows. "You do realize what your asking, right? He might have other plans... And who will occupy the land while you do whatever you want to?"

"I was hoping that, until he returns, that his young wife Kaitlyn hold it." He said.

"Wait... Kaitlyn? The young girl you helped during the attacks?" Alistair asked his wife.

"I knew I gave her money, just never thought enough to get married to Teagan. Well, if that is what she wants, I believe I'd let her hold it... What about you, husband?"

"Why not? It's not like anything bad could happen. She's a good person." He said, nodding. "What will you be doing, Eamon?"

"I figured that Teryn Cousland might be enough of a regent now that he's been shown the ropes. That way I have more time with Isolde." He explained, seeing her brother nearly pale at the words.

Jaya smirked and nodded at her husband. "Very well, the title of Arl of Redcliffe is hearby passed onto Kaityln and Teagan Guerrin, the former holding it until the return of the latter." He announced to the larger lords and ladies that had made the trip for this meeting. With a few more motions passed, the meeting was called and they all headed for home.

Fergus raised an eyebrow when it was the four of them. "Are you sure I'm able to live up to you, Eamon?"

"I do. You hold up pretty well and you are Jaya's brother, don't forget. She may have saved Ferelden, but you are probably the reason she did." Eamon guessed.

"Nah. I just didn't want darkspawn popping up when I eat again." Jaya teased before hugging her brother, who pouted slightly at that. "I'm kidding, Brother. I'd fight the Blight again if you ever disappear again."

"Good to know, Sister." He said, smirking as Zevran brought his niece and nephew down. "And here are my favorite niece and nephew."

This chapter was very weird to write, due to the lack of internets where I moved to and then having to bounce between shifts at my job, new owners are a pain, new managers are evile, but there are two managers that I actually get along with and they are probably the only 'old' faces while there are new faces every day...

~~Skittles~~