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

The King's Rose

Chapter 31: Answers.

For the next six years, Jaya would often find hints to why her order fell to the Calling, but never a solid answer. She wrote a letter to her husband and explained everything she had come in contact with, her own hopes slowly dimming at ever finding out the truth behind the Calling.

'Dearest husband and king,

I have yet to find out a solid piece of evidence as to why we fall to the Calling. Even the dwarves have no idea why. I refuse to stop looking until I know why. I know each letter is nothing compared to hearing my voice, as is hearing yours. I wish I knew what year it was now. I have nearly run out of not only hope, but the potion keeping me from submitting to the Calling. I want to return, you have no idea how tempting it is to drop everything and return to your side. But, you know I cannot drop all that I have worked for like that. Should I perish and this be the last letter to you, know I want you happy, love.

We have been through hell twice and survived. I have no arguments if you wish for an annulment based on 'desertion' by me. My heart will always belong to you, while you can be free to hand yours out to someone more deserving. In closing, may Andraste guide us and lead us both to happiness.

Your loving wife and queen,

Jaya'

She even wrote to the Inquisitor about her discoveries and why she hadn't been found since before the Conclave exploded.

'To Her Worship, Inquisitor Trevelyan:

I wish that I had helpful information regarding Corypheus, but due to my own limited training during the Blight, I know less of ancient darkspawn lore than do most Wardens. I am engaged in a search of my own. All Grey Wardens who do not fall in battle eventually fall to something known as the Calling, a magic that preys upon our own connection to the Blight and the darkspawn. Rather than such foul magic eventually leading to my death, I have determined to find a way to negate this Calling and save all Wardens from its effects.

Part of me wishes that I could help your Inquisition more personally because the danger of Corypheus and the Breach approaches the threat of even another Blight. Regardless, I have my own path to follow, and I must uncover a cure for the Calling if I wish to see my king ever again. I beg you, keep his kingdom safe until I can return to his side. Also, if Lady Nightingale loses her light, remind her of what I said during the Blight, she may gain the light back. Just say 'We are always taking a bow together' and that should lift her spirits..

I appreciate your warning regarding Corypheus. Fortunately, my own search has taken me out of the area where the supposed magister is operating, and while I have encountered challenges of my own, they have not involved any weakness related to my Grey Warden abilities.

As I have little useful information to offer, please accept the accompanying gifts instead. If, in my quest, I find anything that may be of use to you in your fight against Corypheus, I will send it to you immediately.

Yours,

Warden-Commander Cousland-Theirin of Ferelden'

And she hadn't found anything concerning that ancient darkspawn, at least until she ran into a few of Leliana's people, who were looking for information on him. She just hid while watching how professional her best friend's spies were at getting information and had to smile at how much had changed in nearly ten years as she decided that she could get more information from a library and snuck her way inside.

Looking around, she took her time finding information about the tie between Corypheus, the Calling and the Blight itself. All the books she read all lead to dead ends, except for one from Tevinter, stating that Corypheus once entered the Golden City, turning it into the Black City due to his craving for power of becoming a god. Then it states that he then created 'followers' that soon became to be known as the darkspawn. It was then that the First Blight happened, him trying to create a new god in his image, instead creating an Archdemon and the first Grey Wardens coming to be.

Jaya's mind whirled with all the information and finding out that it was because of Corypheus that Wardens fell to the Blight or the Calling. He was the reason and the proof was staring her in the face as she took the book and gave it to one of Leliana's spies, deciding to finally head home to hopefully open arms of her king and her children. "Sister Leliana may need this... Take it to her..."

"And what about you, milady?" The spy asked.

"I must return to my king's side and never leave it as long as I breathe. The Inquisitior should find that very interesting. I have found these as well." She handed the spy some weapons and a few notes about what she had been doing with the information. "Andraste guide you and the Inquisition."

"At least let us escort you to Skyhold, so you can rest up." Another spy suggested.

"You definitely are Leli's spies. I can't say no to resting up." She joked as she followed the spies to a huge fort or something that was in the middle of nowhere, her head tilting up to try and compare the size to the palace, figuring it to be nearly ten times the size. Jaya was lead to a grand hall and looked at all the celebrating people, all strange faces, except for a familiar red-head. She watched as the spy went up, gave her the book before pointing her direction.

"Leliana? What is it?" A female warrior asked, seeing the bard pale.

"It... can't be!" Leliana dashed off, making everyone turn and look, including a blonde man and reddish orange haired woman, who were by a throne of some sort.

"What's up with Nightingale?" A dwarf asked.

"Jaya! It is you, isn't it?" Leliana asked as soon as she was nearby.

"Who else would it be, Leli?" She joked before getting crushed in a hug. "Can't... breathe... Help..."

"You know her, Leliana?" The warrior asked.

"Cassie, this is the Hero of Ferelden and my best friend, Jaya Theirin." Leliana said, never once leaving her arm.

"THE HERO?! WHERE WERE YOU!?" Cassandra Pentaghurst demanded, grabbing Jaya by the collar and shaking her.

"Cassandra, calm down." The reddish-orange haired woman said. "What have I said about trying to kill historical heroes? You nearly did that to Hawke and poor Varric!"

"But, Inquisitior, this is the first person me and Leliana looked for to help with the Breach, but she vanished!" Cassandra said.

"I did not. I had a personal mission to attend to. I couldn't stop it to play hero again." Jaya said, shoving the Seeker off, glaring at her. "Besides, according to what I've heard, your Inquisitor has done wonderfully to deal with that."

"That she has. Might I introduce Lady Silvana Trevelyan, the Inquisitor and the one who healed the sky?" Leliana said, glaring softly at Cassandra.

"An honor, Your Worship, to meet you in person." Jaya said, bowing slightly. "I assume you saved my king's kingdom for me?"

"Wait... Your..." Silvana Trevelyan tried to find the right words.

"She's married to King Alistair, yes. You met him briefly when saving the mages." Leliana said, waving someone over. "Morrigan, she's back!"

"Ahh. I assumed that would be the reason for the commotion. Welcome back, sister." Morrigan said, smiling.

"Morrigan? I thought you were in Orlais." Jaya said, hugging the witch.

"Indeed. Until Empress Celene dictated I help the Inquisition." She replied. "Kieran, you might not remember her, but Jaya knows you."

"Of course, Mother. You have told me much about her." The young boy said, smiling at her. "I remember you holding me when I was young. And I know about my half-siblings, too. Mother made sure any part of you, I knew."

"Aww, thanks, Morrigan." Jaya said, tearing up before sighing. "Do tell me what year or whatever it is."

Silvana smiled softly. "9:42 Justinian Dragon."

Jaya paled and went wide-eyed. "I've been away from Ferelden for ELEVEN YEARS?!" She collapsed and ran over all the things she has missed, her heart shattering at how she had been all but non-existent from her children's lives for that long. Not to mention, she probably was forgotten by her own husband, and that made her frown.

"Perhaps King Alistair should know his wife has returned?" Cassandra suggested.

Silvana glared at the warrior. "Cassandra. She just got here, at least let her rest up before kicking her out of Skyhold. Last thing I knew, you made me the leader."

"Sorry. I got ahead of myself." She apologized.

Leliana knelt down next to her. "I'll show her to a room. Sorry to bother you, Silv. I know you and a certain someone were busy talking." She smirked slightly when she got her leader to flush, making the blonde man also flush.

"Well, please, let us know what you need, Your Majesty." Silvana said, bowing.

Jaya remained in her mental world while Leliana showed her to a room. Did Alistair still love her? Do her children even remember her? If she returned, would they welcome her with open arms or shove her into a small hut in the middle of nowhere, with orders to never contact them again? Would her entire world be destroyed and would she watch the man she loved more than her own life move on without her? Each question chipped at her heart, already cracking at the seems. 'I did tell him to move on if he found himself regretting our marriage. Any woman would be a great step-mother to Duncan and Eleanor, plus a probable mother to more heirs. Not to mention she'd be more liked than me right now. What kind of queen abandons her husband and country? How can I face anyone beside Leli again?' She sat down on the bunk and knew Leliana had sat beside her, the now-spymaster still able to tell if she was down.

"Jaya, what's wrong? Ever since you found out you have been gone for eleven years, you shut everyone out." She stated as Morrigan entered. "Morrigan... She's not responding to me."

The witch frowned and sat on the other side of Jaya. "Tis worrying to see you like this. I hardly remember a time with you this quiet, you almost remind me of the opposite of the fool."

The old nickname that Morrigan called Alistair made her look between her two best friends and let out her emotions. "What kind of queen am I? I all but abandoned my king, left my children's lives and ignored her king's kingdom for eleven years? How can I even face him again? What if he's moved on and they want nothing to do with me? Will they even remember me?"

"Slow down, Jaya... You're a great queen. You went on a mission to try and prevent other Grey Wardens from falling to the Calling. You've let Alistair know what you were doing before you left and, what I've heard, your absence was very noticeable to those who knew him well enough. He even sent me a letter, wondering if I heard from you... Here. I haven't opened it." Leliana dug in her pockets to hand a letter over. "It's actually addressed to you."

She blinked and opened the letter.

'Dearest Wife,

It stuns me to read that you're losing hope and makes me wish more now that I had gone with you eleven years ago. I have never felt this helpless for you and I hate it, to be honest. Between these 'Venatori' hiding out in the Palace and worrying about you, I swear I'm more gray than I should be.

Leliana told me that you had finally made contact with the Inquisition. I truly hope you have better news for them. I had to apologize to the Inquisitor, since I had got a little mad when I had first seen them. Since then, the Inquisition helped us make a more stable peace treaty between Ferelden and Orlais.

Also, an annulment? Are you insane, love? There's no one I want more than you, even if it seems logical for me to find a new wife. Like you wrote, we've been through hell and back and there's no way I'd throw that away to make a few nobles 'happy'. Many have wondered why I haven't and the reason is that no one could ever replace you in my heart.

The kids actually are eager to see you. They now understand what you are doing and think that you're even more of a hero than ever. Eleanor is turning into you, sweetheart, and being very wily with her mind. She now can sneak past any of the guards without making a noise, though I always seem to catch her. I told her that you are the only one I can't catch and it'll take a lot more to get passed me. Duncan seems to prefer being a guard himself, despite being a prince. He got your stubbornness, that's for certain.

I should finish this before a scribe finds me and 'asks' to write for me. Know that you haven't left my mind or heart. I can't wait to hold you again and tell you how much I love you. Until then, have my best wishes, love.

Your Loving Husband,

Alistair Theirin'

Jaya had a hand over her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. He still loved her? After this long? Her heart lit up and she couldn't help but want to rush home. "Thank you, Leli.. You too, Morrigan. I needed this." She said, hugging the two and bolting out the room, nearly knocking over Silvana. "Oops. Sorry, Inquisitor. I guess I'm eager to get home."

Silvana chuckled a little and shook her head. "I understand. You want to get escorted? I'm sure Commander Cullen could arrange something." She looked to the blonde beside her.

"Wait... Cullen? I thought you looked familiar!" Jaya said. "I bet things worked out after the Blight for ya. I mean, you're commanding an army greater than the one even I commanded during the Blight."

Cullen rubbed his head lightly. "A little bit, Your Majesty. I'm surprised you remember me. I wasn't really myself in the Tower."

Jaya smirked and nodded. "Believe me, I completely understand what you went through. Don't forget what happened to my family, it's the same feelings going through a mind. Now, I have to turn down the escorting... I'd rather surprise my husband than arrive with an army. Maker guide you." She rested a fist on her chest and nodded her head, like she's seen a few people do to the Inquisition before heading out. Soon, she'd return to the palace, to her love's arms and her children's lives.

Whew... I've really been getting pumped with hours at my job and it's really stressful now... But, I have been working on this and the previous chapter on a little pad on my computer.
~~Skittles~~