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

The King's Rose
Chapter 29: A Secret Mission and Rememberances

When the twins turned four, Jaya woke up one morning and stared at her husband, who was holding her close, after a relaxing night. She hated what she was about to do, but, she needed to do it, for a better future. It was pretty early, so she had a slim opening to leave and needed to head out. Slipping out of the warm arms she knew so well, she put on a housecoat and left their room, etching his sleeping face into her memory before doing the same thing to her children. She went into the study and began gathering a few things, leaving a note for her husband, so he wouldn't worry too much.

'Dearest husband and my king,

I have left on a personal mission and I am afraid I cannot tell you what. Know that what I am doing is for the future of not only us, our children, but other Wardens... Please, have faith I'll be successful and can return safely to your side again. I know you'll be beating yourself up about not going, but you need to be strong, love. Be that strong man I know you are and that I grew to love. I know you'll keep order and I pray that the Maker and Andraste will guide me.

Your loving wife and Queen,

Jaya.'

She sighed and picked her stuff up, heading into the armory, surprised to see that the guards weren't around, furrowing her brow before she saw a guard walk up. "You there... Make sure the armory is under full guard. There is stuff in here that is worth more than what you make."

"Yes, Your Highness." Came the reply as he went to give the orders.

Closing the door behind her, she went to a specific side and saw the new armor from Wade, with a note attached.

'Your Majesty,

Thanks to you in Turn-Vigil's Keep, I found new metal: star-metal. I crafted this and gave it the name 'Silver Warden', after you. I even crafted a new dagger, aptly named 'Blade of the Silver Warden'.

Wade'

Jaya smiled at how it was a much smaller version of her husband's, that he wore at his coronation, as well as when he visited Vigil's Keep. The dagger was a lovely silver and even had runes that matched what she put in Duncan's when she retrieved it. She slipped off the housecoat to put on the armor, smiling when it was nice and snug, the way she used to have it before the twins were born. Once she was suited up, she slipped out a secret way only she, Zevran, Leliana and Alistair knew of. From there, she left the city limits, heading west and hoping to return with good news. 'Maker guide me... I need to return to his side in one piece.'

She went through the rebuilt Lothering, smiling at how, nearly five years after the Blight, people were slowly moving back in, some being merchants, others being armor-smiths or weapon-smiths. She had researched that land would take a decade or so after a Blight to be able to grow again. If anyone could endure, it's Fereldens and they will.

The scenery swiftly changed to something calming, the mountains where Haven rested. Not long after she found it, it slowly grew in population, though it was owned by some Orlesian noble, which riled a few feathers still. Her mind remembered the Gauntlet and how it was after seeing her father's ghost and Alistair comforting her that made her let him into her heart, the moment locked into her memory forever. She also remembered the fight against the high dragon that guarded the temple, how the two of them balanced each other, her using a bow while he used a shield to guard against the flames when the time came. They had a chemistry on the field, whether she used a bow or her dual weapons, she even began showing him how to use the bow.

Jaya sighed as she looked back over the land she technically helped rule over with her former templar. Half of her wanted to go back to him and never leave his side, while the duty side of her wanted to help fellow Wardens and keep them from dying in ways besides the natural ways. 'The sooner I can help my brothers and sisters in the Order, the quicker I can return to my heart's side. Perhaps I can be victorious in this where many others had not thought of. Maker, bless my efforts' Sitting down, she took a rest, surprised that she had managed to go nearly a week without. From her spot, she could see almost the entire kingdom. Digging in her pack, she pitched a tent and, making sure she kept her senses on alert, decided to take a nap.

Waking up, she found herself in arms she had memorized, smiling over her shoulder at her love, who had a goofy grin on his face, like usual. "Well, aren't you happy?" She teased, rolling to rest on top of him.

"Of course, my dear... Having you at my side makes every day happy. Between you and the twins, I can scarcely believe what happened happened..." Alistair replied, holding both of her hands on his chest. "At first, I was unsure of how to be a king, but now, it comes naturally, with you reminding me I'm still me."

"That's my job, love. That and looking pretty." She stated.

"'Pretty'? Nah, you're sexy, smart and talented... As a kid, I never imagined that I'd have that stubborn girl that I had met years before the Blight as my wife." He ran a hand through her hair, cupping the back of her head and pulling her into a gentle kiss. "You are my everything: my world, my heart, my soul and the one person that never holds back on what they think of me."

Jaya smiled softly and ran a hand through his own hair. "You and me both. After what happened at Highever, I had no clue what I wanted besides revenge. At least, until I started to get to know you again. I couldn't believe that witty boy turned out to be a very relaxed man, despite everything. When I let you into my heart, I found I felt I could do anything and no longer was afraid of being alone." She stared into those loving eyes. "Now, I know I can handle anything, be it a Blight or a civil war, as long as you are beside me. You helped heal someone who had a burden that had darkened her towards any connections." It was her turn to kiss him back, melting into it as his hands trailed from her hands to her elbows, up to her shoulders and down her back to rest on the small of her back.

She felt his manhood slowly stir to life after being lax the past few hours. Trailing her own hands down, she eagerly returned the kiss as it got heated and whimpered a little when he cupped her arse, the electricity running through her system was well-known and enjoyed. When she managed to finally cup his manhood, her entire body was heated and her mind was lost, as it often was by this point as she rose above him and, meeting his gaze, slowly lowered herself onto him, causing both to groan in relief. She began riding him as she would've a horse, using his grip to keep herself balanced and placing her hands on his chest, her eyes rolling back when they found the spot that caused fireworks to erupt in her mind.

Her body began the familiar motion of both riding and grinding, her legs soon beginning to shake from the effort, her husband taking over from there, using his own motions to assist her into her white world of pleasure, following soon after as she let herself collapse onto his chest. After she regained her breathing, she smiled. "You're getting too good at that, dear..."

He chuckled tiredly. "I've had a great teacher... I love you."

"And I love you, no matter what happens..."

Waking up, Jaya smiled, knowing that was the reason she was doing this: a future with her husband that most took for granted. Sure, they've had issues with some nobles taking their support away, but the two were still heroes to most, due to them ending the Blight and her rebuilding the Order for Ferelden, most of her recruits moving on and doing the same in other countries, mostly the Free Marches and Ferelden. Other than that, she found their rule rather peaceful, with the twins knowing both sides of their heredity, Cousland and Theirin. There were points she wondered if they would get thrown out for Anora, but it was a passing thought that never bore fruit.

After they returned from Val Royoux, Anora, Teagan and Gilmore were quick to back them up and throw everything they had behind them, despite every noble thinking she and Alistair brainwashed Anora still, the one noble that supported Loghain spreading the rumor as far as he could. However, Zevran managed to quiet them very swiftly. It was Teagan's idea to suggest Zevran train others in the art of assassination, the unit being called the Silver Owls.

She chuckled at Zevran's face that day, he had once hid all secrets of what he learned from the Crows, now he was leading his own version, though one that protected the Royal Family. Since then, he had often found that he remained in Denerim longer than he had originally planned, though he never really complained. The order slowly grew every other month, most heading on his orders to recruit in other nations, while keeping off the Crow's radar.

Her mind wandered to her other friends and what they were doing and missing most for their banters they had. She had not seen Morrigan since she bumped into her near Orzammar, Keiran in tow. The Wilds witch had said that she would always keep their friendship close to her heart and would tell Keiran about her when he was old enough, as well as his royal half-siblings.

Oghren quickly soared in the army, being the first ever dwarven commander, second-in-command to Jaya herself. Most thought it weird that a dwarf would even enjoy being in the army, but Oghren proved them wrong. Him, Felsi and little Jesh, his son that he named after her, became well-known all around Ferelden. He didn't stop drinking, but Jaya found she wouldn't change him for anything.

Shayle and Wynne did go to Tevinter and, a few months ago, returned and Shayle was back to being a dwarf, saying that she re-established House Cadash on the surface, many of the dwarves being from the Carta. She often stated she missed being a golem, saying that she was worried about getting squished herself. The obsession of killing pigeons and other birds remained and she would often kill a bird or two.

Wynne herself soon went back to become First Enchanter in the Circle Tower, taking over after Irving passed away and proving to be a welcome voice for mages and that Knight-Commander Greagor heeded when it came to how mages were treated.

Sten soon became Arishok and sent word that he would, if possible, avoid invading Ferelden unless the Qun demanded it. It would be then that he would rather not see her on the field, even if it would be impossible. He then mentioned that he would keep the time they spent together as his vow to never harm their friends, event those he had never met, knowing they would be important to her.

Leliana, after helping research the darkspawn with the Chantry, went to see a Revered Mother Dorthea, whom she had known long before meeting Jaya. The former bard had promised to keep in contact with her and Zevran, mostly due to him whining about being 'forgotten' again. The two shared a mutual respect for each other that grew into love, surprising Jaya that the two that often avoided each other now cared for the other.

Caican soon had his own mate, a cute little mabari that Alistair decided to name Uthia. The two had a litter of puppies, two they kept for Duncan and Eleanor and the others were adopted by nobles that supported the King and Queen, each wanting some part of them. Jaya frowned and bit her lip as she packed the tent away. A few months ago, Caican had passed away in his sleep. The dog had been around since Jaya herself was no older than the twins and she knew that he wouldn't live forever, despite her heart wanting it to happen. One puppy, named Mia, grew on Jaya and she found herself grateful to have a part of Caican. Mia, Uthia and another pup, named Spots by Duncan, were all she had left of her mabari.

She missed the days during the Blight, but she knew she couldn't waste time thinking of the past, when the future of her and all her fellow Wardens hung in the balance of her mission. With a final look over Ferelden, she left to the west, seeking answers.

This was really weird to write. So, this takes place two years after the end of Awakening, instead of six months. This is when she would 'vanish', but it is revealed the Warden is looking for the cure for the Calling. And Jaya would leave at least a note for her hubby, not just disappear off the face of Thedas, like the game has you believing. Now, there'll be a small-ish skip, probably two years or so, to kinda set it up to coincide with Inquisition's timeline.
~~Skittles~~