Beatrix stared out of the carriage window, shifting on the bench regularly. It wasn't from discomfort by any means. No, she was simply uncontrollably excited to return to her country, her home, and most importantly, Alistair. Furthermore, she had excellent news. She had found the cure.

She and Alistair had regularly sent letters to each other in the years she had been gone, but it wasn't the same. She missed the sound of his voice and his laugh. She missed often he told her he loved her. She missed the way his eyes lit up and how excited he got when she told him good news. She had sent a letter as soon as she could after finding the cure, but she knew it would never compare to the look on his face when she told him in person.

The trip to find the cure and back had been intense, and she couldn't wait until she could tell him about it as well. It was enough to make her feel grateful to be back in Orlais when she fought her way out of the wilderness. She felt a bit guilty for stopping in Val Royeaux for as long as she did.

Her excitement grew as she saw Denerim Palace draw closer and closer. Someone must have tied Alistair down to keep him from meeting her halfway. That, or he had grown a considerable amount of restraint since she had left.

The carriage pulled through the palace gates, and she had to use every bit of restraint that she had to keep from simply jumping out. Through the window she could see her handsome husband surrounded by several guards waiting for her. While he was still well-groomed of course, he had let his beard and hair grow out a bit. He had his hands folded behind his back in an attempt to look regal, but she could see even from where she was that he was holding himself back. Her own restraint gave out when the carriage finally pulled to a stop.

Beatrix didn't bother waiting for someone to come, and open the carriage doors for her. Even if it wasn't the "proper" way to act. Instead she burst through them the moment she knew she wouldn't trip trying to exit, and ran directly towards Alistair. His own restraint seemed to give out when the doors flung open, and ran to meet her half-way.

"Alistair!"

"Beatrix!"

For the smallest of moments she was worried they were going to knock each other, but that worry faded when he scooped her up in his arms. He used the momentum to spin them in circles, and she wondered if she had fell into a fairytale. She wanted to say "I love you" and "I missed you," but instead all she could do was giggle with him as they spun. He set her back on her feet, but neither let go. They held each other like the other fall apart if their grip was too loose.

"Maker... You're here. You're really here," he whispered into her hair. He sounded overwhelmed, and she didn't need to look at him to know he was crying, because she was too. She felt unbelievably loved, standing there in his arms.

"I missed you so much," she sobbed into his chest, not caring about getting tears on his clothes.

He didn't respond, not with words. He tipped her face up to his, and proceeded to place kisses all over her face. He repeated "I love you, I love you," between kisses, and she repeated "I love you too" after each one. He didn't stop till she turned her face the right way so she caught his lips with her own. His arms slid down to her waist where he held her chastely, but firmly. They didn't let go when they finally parted, instead they clutched at each others' arms.

"Maker..." Alistair muttered, "I'm so happy you're home. I never want to let you go again."

Beatrix grinned, "And I never want to leave you again, so it's a good thing I found the cure then."

She watched the way his eyes lit up, and, Maker, had she really missed that look. It made her feel like her heart was soaring more than it already was. He would deny it, but he looked adorable when he got excited like that.

"Where..." he started to say, but a look of hesitation came over his face.

"In the carriage, but," she placed her hand on his chest, "it will kick your ass."

He grasped her hands, "I want this. More than anything. We'll have the rest of our much longer lives to make up for missed time, and the advisors will learn to deal with it."

"Then let's get it over then," she beamed as she led him to the carriage.

"Ugh, you weren't kidding," he moaned. Not three hours after taking the cure, he was essentially suffering from a flu. As predicted, their various officials and advisors had been less than happy with him simply taking the cure, but they lightened up when they were reminded of what it would do.

He was laying in her lap in their quarters as she carded her fingers through his hair, "When do I ever kid about these things"

He tried his best to mimic her voice despite the discomfort, "'I'll only be gone for a year.'"

"I did say that, my love, but I was not joking, I was wrong."

She gently swatted at one of his hands, "Oh, hush you."

"So... you don't want to hear the details about the cultists that infiltrated the palace? Or more details on what happened to Haven?"

"Leliana told me about Haven. I got a bit sick on the way back, so I had to stay in Val Royeaux for a bit. Leliana visited me as I got better. I can't believe you managed to lie to her for that long."

"I finally started picking up on some of her skills."

"So it seems," she smiled.

A comfortable silence fell between them. She studied his face. Other than the obvious hairstyle changes, he also had some new wrinkles. She thought he was as handsome as ever, but they were evidence for how long she had been away. It made her heart heavy. His eyes, however, were the same beautiful brown eyes that she had fallen in love with all those years ago.

She grabbed one of his hands, and brought it to her lips, "I love you, you know."

He smiled, that same beautiful smile she was so fond of, "I love you too."