Chapter Thirty-Three

Wrong Place… NSFW

(A/N... There IS a LITTLE girl-on-girl action. Viewer Discretion is advised as i have never done girl-on-girl smut before and it may not be so good)

Loghain was filled in on the whole situation after the Joining – including me being the princess we talked about… he had a few choice words to say about that and only a few of them were pretty.

I had to stop Alistair from killing the man for insulting me when he found out the whole play.

Loghain approached me when he was finally calmed down; though no one allowed him to be alone with me… Kings' Orders, I hear.

Sten was sitting across from me as he 'taught' me a Qunari game – it was supposed to be used for teaching a poker face… it was fucking go-fish. I had almost laughed when he explained the game to me, but my years of playing poker allowed me to keep my face blank.

Sten had taken to training me as though I was Viddithari – and had been highly impressed with my grasp of Qunari fighting techniques and my grasp of their training exercises. I flat out refused to be hit with a stick, but I didn't mind hitting him with one. That had gained odd looks when I suggested it casually and he'd accepted.

Sten may not be a Tamassran, but he was a Sten – he knew what needed to be done. He told me that my aptitude was about on par with a Karasten.

Loghain spoke, "Lady Ara… I wished to express my apologies for my outburst earlier…"

I nodded, "Accepted…"

Sten spoke, "3s'?"

I shook my head – the goal of this version of Go Fish was to deny you had the desired card without getting caught. Since I couldn't lie, this game was harder but not impossible. This was used to find who would make good Ben-Hassrath, actually – find the liars who can hit things and set them to training.

For our uses, it was for Sten to test if my inability to lie would be a problem going forward. Thing was – I could make head movements to 'lie' because I wasn't saying the lie… he hadn't figured that out yet so he actually believed me when I did it.

I had been able to call him out every time though – there was a reason he wasn't Ben-Hassrath.

Loghain looked lost, "Just like that? I know I said some very harsh words…"

I shrugged, "You said nothing that Eamon hasn't before… 7?"

Sten frowned and handed over the 7 as Loghain said, "Eamon… has called you…"

I smiled at Loghain, "And he never apologized – that you have speaks well of you."

"Why was I recruited? Alistair admits he wanted to kill me – that he still does – but that you said something to make him recruit me instead…"

"You've been told of all of my abilities, yes? And how I come by my information when I don't have a vision of it? In the future, I will be doing something important – and Alistair knows that someone will be left behind to save my life in the future. We don't know exactly when – and we don't know if the person left behind would survive. I'm sorry – Alistair is merely prolonging your death; it isn't a stay of execution."

He looked stunned, "He is… more ruthless than I had thought. He spared me now for me to save you later?"

I nodded and laid my cards on the table – surprise and respect flashed through Stens' face as he saw all the cards I had told him I didn't have.

"The unfortunate truth is that the options were Alistair, you, a warden named Stroud or our friend Hawke… Alistair is no longer an option since he is king – if he had stayed a Warden then he would still be an option. Hawke is a friend so I would rather sacrifice myself and save him. I don't know much about Stroud other than him being an honorable man and warden. That left you – also an honorable man but one we know. I have trouble killing anyone or letting people die due to my own religion. Alistair has no such qualms anymore – he would let any of the men mentioned die for me… including himself. I wish I could save everyone in that situation…"

Loghain sat, "Losing men is part of leading, I'm afraid – no one can save everyone. I do not envy such a task – having to choose who will live and who might die."

"If it helps – you would volunteer to stay behind to save the lives of more than just me. There would also be Hawke and a minimum of three others with me. That would be five lives you save…"

"That does help, actually – and I have many years to make amends for my failings and saving many people with my life… but why did you make my daughter think she would retain her crown?"

"It was always Alistairs' choice to make, Loghain – not mine. If he wanted to marry her, then he could – I wouldn't have stopped him. I apparently will have more mates too – why should I selfishly horde them? They deserve to find what works for them. if Alistair chose to find someone else…"

"But the alliance he wants…"

"He and I are already married, Loghain. My people… the first time we lay with our Primary mates we establish an unbreakable bond – and there are marks that appear on our bodies to confirm that. Yes, I'm a princess – but that doesn't mean that I need a fancy ceremony. My previous husband and I stood before a priestess, said a few words and there you had it. Before that, we simply said we were married and people treated us like we were. I've never had a fancy wedding – I simply don't need it. All I need is love – and Alistair loves me. I have no doubts."

"He snarled when he heard you say something about other mates?"

Sten watched impassively – he only stayed because I wasn't allowed to be alone with Loghain.

"Secondary mates – mates we don't have soul connections with. I could, in theory, take anyone as a mate. I don't know how at the moment – and I don't have the inclination to ask my guards either. Alistair gets quite jealous of anyone who covets me without the primary mate connection. I know at least one of my other mates is a Templar Knight-Captain. I met him – and Alistair holds no jealousy toward the man even though I've kissed him before. And he just gets possessively lovey – not destructive. He snarls and growls but he doesn't get physical with those men… unless they push too much. Zevran tried for weeks to get Alistair to say yes and Alistair still only threw one punch. It didn't even land. He makes a point of satisfying me so that I don't say yes to those men and women."

Loghain was flushed red at the way the talk was going. "I… don't need to know that…"

I snorted, "I told you once, Loghain – I have very few taboo topics so you need to be careful or we'll end up talking about things that make you uncomfortable."

"I seem to recall, yes," he sighed ruefully.

Alistair came into the room and saw Loghain seated beside me. He frowned and picked me up to set me into his lap a bit further from the former general.

I giggled, "You see? He proves my point for me!"

Alistair – to his credit – just kissed my cheek and didn't ask what we were talking about. Sten nodded and left.

Loghain sighed, "I see what you mean. It reminds me of when I saw Maric with…"

I smiled, "Fiona?"

Surprise lit his face, but he nodded, "Yes – if you know about her then you know…"

"She's Alistairs' mother? I know – and Alistair knows that his mother is a former Grey Warden Mage – he just didn't know her name until now."

Alistair was frozen beneath me, "Her name is Fiona?"

I nodded, "When you meet her, she will be the Grand Enchanter… you will grant the mages refuge in Redcliffe. They'll do something terrible and we'll meet up saving them from their stupidity. It'll all work out when you kick the mages out of Ferelden and I recruit them as Allies! In the story, you didn't even know she was your mother – the lie about Goldanna being your sister was all you knew. And of course, you know Eamon will hide Goldannas' kids after the Blight – in an Orlesian orphanage no less! Those poor kids; no Ferelden deserves Orlais."

Loghain snorted and lifted the mug he had brought in with him, "I salute you at that, at least."

Alistair snorted too, "You want me to go after them?"

"They're human kids – and with people thinking they're your niece and nephews many would clamor to foster them… I'll personally pay…"

Aedans' voice cut in, "I'll foster them – if it will keep people thinking the King is completely human and it will show how much the Couslands value their family… I won't be getting kids in the traditional way anyway – not without a lot of help from Ara…"

Loghain looked confused, "Her help?" I smiled at Aedan.

"I can… cure the Blight… somewhat. If I give someone enough of my blood – like a transfusion, not magic – then the Blight in their veins just vanishes. My blood is poison to the Darkspawn and I don't know if it's all sylphs or just the fairies or just the royals – we have no idea. If I have so much as a paper cut near the darkspawn, they flee faster than if I pull my fancy sword. It is… somewhat unnerving to watch, actually. Have you ever seen an Ogre freeze in fear, turn around and run from a short fat woman? It isn't a pretty sight…"

Loghain looked stunned, "… I don't think we should tell the wardens in Weisshaupt – the will do to you what they are doing to Fiona and… even to end the Blights, I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

Aedan nodded firmly, "Good – we already decided they can't know about it. They would bleed her dry and keep her alive just for it. And if it turned out to be a racial thing they wouldn't hesitate to enslave her people… and if they succeeded in ending the Blights, they wouldn't just let her people go after enslaving them."

Loghain flinched, "Even the Divine would hand over someone that could cure the Blights – and damn the consequences…"

"I was told by the Guardian of Sacred Ashes that I have to be the one to save the world – so if the Wardens have me then this world will fall to one of the Magister Sidereal; one of the original seven Magisters that walked through the Fade and brought back the Blight that hid there just waiting for someone to unleash it. Did you know that the Blight didn't come from the Maker? It came from the void when one person who fancied herself a god physically entered the Void before the Veil was created. In essence, the Blight existed before Humans came to Thedas at all! Ironically, this means Elves would make better Wardens than humans because they've developed a resistance to the Blight over time – Dwarves being the best Warden choice because their resistance is so much higher due to their close proximity to the Darkspwan for so long. I know you've seen a Broodmother…"

Alistairs' eyes flashed and he moved me off his lap to heave into a potted plant. I rubbed at his back, "A-Alistair? What did you see?"

Loghain had jumped to his feet when Alistair moved so fast. He had been told what the braces did, so he knew Alistair had my visions.

Aedan handed Alistair a waterskin and he guzzled every last drop. Alistair said, "Makers' Breath… that was… not pleasant. We know now that isn't a Sylph thing to be immune to Darkspawn – I just saw a woman with clear hair and sky-blue eyes being turned into a broodmother in the future… you saved her before she could completely turn but… Maker, Ara…"

I gave him a sympathetic look, "You just went through the whole process of making a Broodmother didn't you?"

His arms circled me as he held me to his chest, "How did you stand it? Those women… they…"

Loghains' horror was palpable, "I wouldn't wish that on anyone… you mean to say you experience the visions – not just see them?"

I nodded, "Taste the skin and blood that the women are force fed, feel their pain as their skin stretches and bones break, hear the bones breaking and the Darkspawn talking and realize you can understand them as the process goes forward, and smell your own flesh rotting below your nose… it is a horrible fate, Loghain… so horrible…"

Loghain sat heavily, "I… I wonder if Andraste experienced such things in her visions…"

I shook my head, "If she was a seer in the way that I am, she never would have done as she did. She likely saw only what she needed to; to do things in a specific way – the maker went easy on her in that regard if that is the case. When I see the future, I get my visions from the Waters – I have wings for the air. I don't know what my fire and earth 'special' abilities are if I even have those. There are many possibilities, but even fairies only get one element-specific ability per element – and they don't always get all four. I could have had siren song for water rather than visions. Magma thinks they showed themselves upon meeting my mates that are tied to those elements."

"What am I?" Alistair asked.

"We already established that you're Water – and Cullen would be air but my wings didn't appear for a month and a half after meeting him so… I guess there is the occasional delay? But I guess that means I need to meet Fenris and the other mate to gain those abilities."

Aedan sighed, "Good to know – here I thought you were already powerful…"

"For all I know, I won't get any abilities from Fire or Earth, Aedan. It isn't a given. And to be honest, power comes with too much responsibility. I'm a Princess – I have people I need to care for and govern and worry over. Did you know that I'm already receiving reports and letters and such? The Fire Duchess wants to meet me in hopes she's one of my mates, and one of the mates of the Earth Duchess is hoping he is one of my mates too – and I've apparently had people proposing to be my secondary mates… did you know that it's expected for me to take at least two secondary mates regardless of if I want to or not? And I don't want to!"

Alistair was growling, "Two… I might be able to calm down enough for one, but two?"

I raised my hands in exasperation, "Apparently! The Third Queen – Rain of the Storm Family – made it a fucking law that I have to take at least one Secondary Mate… this is Baka and I mean it is seriously Baka! That means stupid, by the way! I can't negate the law because it's become tradition! That was more than 6,000 years ago after all. I only want my primary mates…"

I was so frustrated I was crying. I hated angry tears. Aedan rubbed his neck, "How long have you known you'll need to take a secondary mate?"

"I found the chapter last night when I read that stupid book. I was going to talk to Alistair about it tonight so we could brainstorm a way around it… but the law seems to be too solid."

Loghain cleared his throat, "May I see it?"

I opened the book and shoved it at him while Alistair nipped at my ear – he wasn't happy, but at least he didn't blame me for it… I didn't want him withholding sex for a night (he couldn't hold out much longer if I pushed it)…

Aedan spoke, "Do you have any idea who you would force the connection with?"

"None – I don't want it at all, so why would I have even considered who it could be? Besides, I would want the approval of my mates first – my fire mate will likely have no say since I haven't met him or her yet, but Alistair and Cullen for sure will have a say – and I don't get the feeling that Fenris will mind if those two agree on someone…"

Alistair relaxed at that, "I… thank you for that."

I rubbed my face, "The only saving grace is that I could pick someone who is enamored with another person – essentially mate someone and never really be with them… but I have no idea who I could chose that would agree to that arrangement."

Loghain spoke, "She's right – there seems to be no rules about picking and 'mating' with someone just the once and never being with them again, but she does have to mate with them. She also doesn't need to worry if she picks someone who later dies – if they die after she mates with them then she isn't expected to pick a new mate."

"That's a relief, at least," Alistair sighed, "We'll talk about it after we deal with the Blight."

I nodded and stood when he did. Loghain hesitantly asked, "May I… hold onto this for now? I would like to study it some more…"

I nodded before Alistair could say no, "Sure – and if you find a way around that mating rule, let me know. I saw that I had until 3 years after taking the throne to take a Secondary Mate so time is limited… but if you see something…"

He nodded, "At least you know that laws and strategies are things I'm good at – I'll see what I can find."

"Good night Loghain – and be prepared; Darkspawn will be attacking Redcliffe when we get there. It isn't their ultimate goal, so we won't be fighting the Archdemon there, but we need to save Redcliffe…"

He bowed to me, "Of course… Princess Cousland."

I grimaced as Alistair actually chuckled at that. I diplomatically stuck my tongue out and dragged Alistair off for bed.

Redcliffe wasn't as bad as I had imagined it would be… it was like they could sense my magics all over the area and were hesitant to get close at all. Loghain was the one to guess that. Alistair confirmed it when he said, "Look – you used the most magic in that area… they avoid it like we avoid them."

I nodded, but with the human armies about, I didn't dare use my wings or the elementals magics at my control. And if Alistair did anything, we pointed it off to Wynne or Morrigan who both – thankfully – rolled with taking the Credit.

Natia was death incarnate with two daggers and an axe – it was no wonder she won the Provings back then… even if they were declared invalid for her participation.

Getting things cleared up, we all convened in the Castle where Eamon and Riorden were… we had fought a damn ogre and maybe I had taken it personally and used shurikens to blind it… maybe…

Loghain had been impressed with that little stunt – my deadly accuracy with throwing stars. He had been even more amazed when Zevran had proven he was only half as accurate with them – poor Antivan still needed to get the hang of the smaller weapons. He was getting there, but wasn't quite there yet.

Riordan spoke first in the hall, "It is a relief to see all four wardens unharmed. The Darkspawn that attacked Redcliffe were relatively few in number, I'm…"

I cut in, "We already know, Riordan. It was assumed that the Horde was marching this way, but they're on their way east… to Denerim."

Eamon paled… Alistair covered for me, "Indeed – we learned on the way here. I was able to 'listen in' as it were."

"They're about two days from the capitol," Aedan said. Eamon nodded, "That aligns with what Riordan tells us too."

"Has word been sent to Denerim?" Alistair asked.

"Word has been sent, but they need more than a warning – they need the army you built, Lady Cousland," Eamon nodded to me – he was so much nicer to me these days… I was curious who had scolded him… it wasn't me.

"There is – I'm afraid – a piece of news that is of even greater concern. The Archdemon has shown itself; the Dragon is at the head of the Horde."

I snorted, "That isn't news, Riordan. We all knew that Urthemiel would pop up at the most dramatic time – and sacking a city is certainly dramatic."

Teagan nodded, "She is…"

Riordan interrupted, "How do you know it is Urthemiel?"

I smiled, "Because he's pretty and also… Urthemiel is the only Old God remaining in Ferelden. Razikale is female and Lusacan is Black. Those are the three remaining Old Gods that we know of, right? I know Lusacan is in the Western Approach too so if this were Lusacan, then the Blight would be there, not here. Dumat was the first, Zazikel was second, Toth was third, and Andoral was fourth. Having eliminated those four, basing for color and gender and location – it has to be Urthemiel. He was imprisoned in the north – near Amaranthine, actually."

Riordan gave me a look, "How do you know so much about the Old Gods?"

"I like to read – that's how I know so much. I found a page detailing everything known about the Old Gods – and even some things the Grey Wardens didn't seem to know. Look, we have other things to speak of."

Eamon nodded, "We must begin a forced march to the Capitol at once with what we have. Denerim must be defended at all costs."

Alistair nodded, "I agree – We've collected an Army so we should use it."

"The Horde must be defeated but the Archdemon is our true target – and only the Grey Wardens can defeat it."

"Then we march – and hope the army collected here is enough to give us the chance we need," Aedan nodded.

I spoke, "Get what rest you can, everyone – we set out no later than daybreak. Eamon, give the order to your men to get ready. The longer we delay… the longer Denerim will be at the mercy of those creatures."

The ritual – unlike in the game – would not take place in Redcliffe Castle. It took place in the bedroom I shared with Alistair in my pocket realm tent. Morrigan came into the room with us – it was still only our group and the Feddics' using the tent.

Natia and Eadrek Nevvin had taken to sharing a room – apparently they had hit it off in a brother-sister fashion. He was quite protective of her and she allowed him to be around her so… their room was the only one with two beds in it.

Alistair closed the door behind us as I winked at Morrigan, "So… how do you want to do this?"

She groaned, "I already regret letting you talk me into allowing you to join us."

Alistair snorted, "We both know that you and I wouldn't want to be alone together, Morrigan."

I giggled, "Fine, fine – I'll get him started… you can do you."

She snorted and started stripping. She was beautiful. I gasped, "Alistair… what would you say to me having those?"

Alistair flushed but looked to see what I was talking about. He groaned, "You want to kill me, don't you?"

I grinned, "Getting my nipples pierced was something I wanted to do…"

Morrigan gave me a wicked grin, "I could do it for you – I did mine, after all…"

"We'd need to do it now – I won't see you after tomorrow for a long time."

She nodded and I pulled out piercing supplies and nipple rings before stripping out of my shirt. Alistair stammered, "Just… like that? Here and now?"

We didn't answer him as I lie down on the bed – at this point completely naked. I winked at him, "Just get naked, love – you could distract me the pain with your sexy body?"

He grumbled but began stripping. Cool – naked piercing party! And yeah – it hurt like a bitch, but Alistair had gotten a good grasp of healing by now so I was only in pain for a moment. Goddess, I loved Thedas – my ear piercings had taken a while to heal back when I got them; never mind a nipple piercing.

Alistair was quite aroused as he looked me over – and I smiled and kissed him as Morrigan watched. She had looked at him with surprise – it was one thing hearing a man was large but another to see it.

I nudged my mate toward the witch and he gave me a look that just said 'do I have to?'

I nodded at him firmly so he must have decided that if he was going to do it at all, he was going to do it properly. He put his hand on the back of her head – her black wavy hair loose around her shoulders – and pulled her in for a kiss.

I had to admit – if only to myself – that the sight of Alistair kissing another woman was very arousing.

Morrigan was caught by surprise and gasped against him. A soft growl left him as he pulled her close to his chest and moved her toward the bed. I allowed my own hand to slowly move down my body to play with myself as I watched.

Alistair caught sight of this when he pulled away to pick the witch up and lay her properly on the bed. He groaned and before Morrigan could say anything more he thrust into her. Her moan was breathless and her back arched.

I could feel the magic in the room already – she must have prepared before dinner for everything to be ready in time. I sat up and kissed my husband as he thrust slowly within her.

To my surprise, I felt Morrigans' hand caress my backside – it was somewhat hesitant, but that she touched at all was something I didn't expect.

I pulled away from Alistair to look at her with hooded eyes. She was flushed and her eyes fluttered with each thrust Alistair made. She gave me a soft nod and that was all I need to shove at my husband and move to touch her.

I lay atop her – Alistair behind me – and allowed one hand to hold me up while the other explored her body. Alistair seemed to like this – he moved out of her to thrust once, twice… three times in me before moving back to her. He repeated this motion as I leaned down to kiss Morrigan. She was hesitant at first, but she allowed it.

My hand – once playing with her nipple rings – found its way between us. Morrigans hands fisted in the sheets and I felt a bit of electricity magic snake around and zap me as her body began to shudder and she cried out.

I felt Alistair nip at my shoulder as he continued to make love to us both – that he even thought of it was fun… because I hadn't.

Alistair and I both were focused on the witch below us – after all… it was her that needed to get the most from this. I leaned down and sucked one of those golden barbells on her nipples into my mouth. I'd had a tongue piercing in my previous life – I knew how to move the little ball around gently.

One of her hands moved to my hair and fisted there – she was getting close. I moved my attentions to the other nipple after kissing my way across her chest. Alistair moved his own hand between us to play with me as he sped up within Morrigan.

The whole situation was just so… erotic to me that it didn't take much for me to come undone – and Morrigan wasn't far behind either. On instinct I buried my face in her neck and nipped at her.

Well… the wild woman certainly didn't mind. She bit me back harder, actually; and seeing that set off Alistair.

After a while… she dressed and left – not a word was spoken by any of us until she was gone for some time.

Alistair cuddled with me. "I… I always wanted a family, you know. But I swore to myself that I'd never father a bastard; never subject a child to what I was put through…"

"Alistair, my love, your son will grow up loved. You'll meet him one day, you know. And I swear to you, no one will know unless you tell them. Think of it this way, okay? Think of Kieran in the fact that he is also my step-son in that case. You know I love children, you know I want more kids – yours especially, love – and if I so much as thought Morrigan would hurt him in any way, I'd take him in myself. He is ours as much as hers and she will be better than her own mother was in raising him. I swear to you, Alistair, Kieran will grow up a fine young man," my words had the desired effect; Alistair was calmer, more sure that he made the right choice.

He nuzzled my neck – a new habit he seemed fond of doing since getting that brace, "You… really want to have my kids?"

. "Oh Alistair, of course I want to! Honestly, I'd love to get a start now, but our child wouldn't be welcomed at court just yet… when I am announced as a Princess and… and when we can be together without so much stigma… when we can announce that I'm your wife and not just your Mistress… that would be the time to have a baby," he nodded and leaned forward, his mouth capturing mine.

I moaned softly, my desire renewed as his hand came up to play with my new piercings.

"Alistair…" I panted, and pushed him onto his back, straddling him. He growled darkly and flipped me back over, "Oh no, my wife – I want to show you just how much I love you; how much I'd love to tell the world you're my wife. We are doing this my way tonight."

I whimpered in pleasure as he nipped at my throat; my hands digging into his shoulders.

He lined himself up with my entrance, and slowly pressed until he was inside me up to the hilt. He was tender and sweet as he moved his hips; his left arm holding his weight while his right hand slid along my body.

"Alistair… yes," I hissed as his finger grazed over my sensitive clit, but didn't stop to play with it. Instead, he inserted two of his fingers into me alongside his hard member, allowing his thumb to rest gently on my nub.

My hips bucked at the sensation, and I begged him with both my words and my body to be rougher, faster… he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to my neck, making me groan and arch my back.

"Please, Alistair, please… please, I need…" his thumb pressed harder into my clit and my hips jerked again as he finally used his thumb to circle me. I had one hand resting on his chest, the other on his hip as his hand twisted and he curled his fingers in me.

I cried out as the sensation caused me to peak. I saw him bite his lips as he watched my spasms with hooded eyes, listened to my pleas with a darkened expression on his face.

Only when I came down from my first orgasm did he remove his two fingers and bring them to his lips. I whimpered as I watched him suck them into his mouth, tasting me as he made love to me.

I growled and brought my right leg up, not stopping at his hips, but rather using my flexibility to make it rest on his shoulder. He moaned my name and gave a hard thrust, hitting my cervix and causing a whimper from me.

"Yes! I love it when you're… rough with me, my love," I gasped, causing him to give another hard thrust.

I moaned as he sped up, and leaned his mouth down to suck on a pierced nipple, forcing my leg to come down from his shoulder.

I pushed him off me, startling him until I turned around and backed myself onto his hard length once more. It was like reverse cowgirl, but he was on his knees not his back. His hips thrust as his arms came around me, one on my breast, the other traveling down to drive me wild once more.

"Ara… I love you, my wife…"

I whimpered at his words and clenched my inner walls around him; he bit into my shoulder from behind as he growled in pleasure.

I moaned and fell forward as his teeth released me, shoving myself back at him as he took me. He groaned my name, his thrusts coming faster and harder… and I knew he was getting close.

"Alistair!" I shouted as I felt him tense when he gripped my hips and pulled me to him as he filled me. My body shook with its own orgasm and I was gasping in pleasure.

We snuggled and whispered to each other for a while – reassuring each other of our love.