I do not own Dragon Age or the mods listed

Chapter 23: Interlude

Two days after Malcolm was given the title of Hero of Ferelden, he is currently outside the gates of Denerim, checking the saddle of the horse he will be using. Rain starts dripping and he adjusts the cloak that he already has over him and his head while the rain picks up. With it being a very recent title, he has been able to do a normally five-minute walk in fifteen minutes due to getting stopped every step of the way and he just wants to go on with whatever life he has left. He slides his sword and scabbard into the side of the saddle as he hears the sound of a carriage coming from Denerim. He keeps his head down and towards the horse and messes with the saddle until the carriage stops. He checks the strap as the door opens and the rain is starting to pour down. "Malcolm."

He stops, turns around, and smiles before kneeling down as Goliath comes out of carriage and up to him. He smiles and loves on him before looking up at the door. "Leliana." He looks down and pats Goliath sides before standing up and walking over to her and Schmooples. She smiles as she stands in the doorway as he gently grabs her hand. "Honestly, it is still weird to see you wearing something other than your armor."

She giggles. "But you haven't worn anything besides your armor."

"It became like a second skin to me."

She giggles and shakes her head. She looks down at Goliath as stands next to his master's side before looking back up at him. "You don't have to go. Not yet, anyway."

He smiles. "I want to stay with you… but…" his smile vanishes a bit, "remember Redcliffe, the first time we were there? Both me somehow knocking people out and Connor being possessed?" She nods slowly. "Since I've accepted my gift, I've started to rethink about what happened." He reaches up and pulls the hood down. "During the Blight, my nightmares alternated between Highever and the archdemon although two of the archdemon were the worse. But you were able to help me suppress most of them, especially after the temple. But you know that when we sleep, we go to the Fade where the spirits and demons live. With the Blight over and me over Highever… there's still something overshadowing my life. Now that I've embraced my magic, I've opened myself to the possibility that demons might try and make deals with me. I'm doing this for Eamon, Connor will be there and I can keep an eye on him. I'm doing this for myself and the Wardens, the more I can build up my magic the more I can help others. But I'm mostly doing this for you and your safety. The more I work on my magic and my mind, the better I'll be at defending myself from demons and keeping you safe."

She looks down before looking up at him. "I understand." She leans down and kisses him deeply, not minding that the rain is hitting her head. She pulls back after a while, and they smile at each other. "You can go. Besides it will give me some time to get the wedding ready. I'll be heading to Val Royeaux to have the clerics at the Grand Cathedral see if they can send a message to the Valence Chantry. There's a dear friend of mine who inspired me to become that Lay Sister you saw. I'm sure that Mother Dorothea would be honored to oversee it if I ask."

"I'll be glad with whoever will oversee our wedding." She smiles. "I love you."

She leans in and kisses him. "Je t'aime aussi." She pulls back before going back into the carriage. "Goliath, come on." Goliath rubs his head on Malcolm's leg before jumping up into it. She closes the door and cries out and says a few words in Orlesian as Malcolm hears Goliath shaking and he chuckles.

He lightly pats the door before walking back to the horse and pats her neck. The horse makes noise to him, one of her ears facing him while shaking the rain off. "Don't worry, girl. We are going." He pats her neck once more before going to the saddle and after checking to make sure that it's good and tight enough, he gets up on the saddle before pulling his hood back up over his head. "Let's go." He lightly taps her with his heels, and they take off and head north towards the Coastlands.

They spend a few days and nights on the road, once heading up to Highever where Malcolm took his time walking through his old home. He walks to the kitchen and places his hand on the door to the larder before slowly opening it and walking in. He could see himself, his mother and father during his last moments with them. He walks over and kneels down exactly where he was that night and tears start to form up. Fergus lightly knocks on the door. "Brother?" Malcolm turns his head. "Is this…"

He nods. "This is the last place I saw them. Father was wounded and bleeding. Duncan took me while Mother stayed behind to protect Father and buy us time to flee through the servant's entrance." He turns his head and could see his father laying on his side. "I'll never be able to forget that night. I used to wish that I could forget it. But…" He wipes his eyes and stands up before looking at Fergus. "I've accepted that it was beyond my control, I've accepted that this was the path that the Maker has set for me. Even though it still hurts, I've accepted this." He walks over to Fergus and hugs him. "But I'm still sorry about our family."

Fergus hugs him back. "I know. But I also know that they all would be proud of you, as am I."

"I know. But thanks." Malcolm smiles.

Fergus smiles and pulls back. "Come on. They were preparing a feast for me. If anyone should get a feast for them, it should be you."

Malcolm shakes his head. "I should get back on the road and head to the Circle Tower."

"Malcolm, you need to stop and take some time to relax. The Blight is over now so you can have some time to not focus on being a Warden."

Malcolm looks down. "I forgot; you don't know."

"I don't know what?"

Malcolm looks up at him before raising his hand and a lightning ball comes out of his hand. "I've hidden my magic from our family since that one time I went hunting. And even after I became a Warden, I tried to keep it suppressed, with some success." The ball slowly travels up and down his arm as he continues speaking, "I used to think of this as a curse. About halfway through the year, I've learned to accept this gift." It stops before dissipating in his hand. "I'm heading to the Circle Tower in order for me to build this up and learn how to protect myself from the risks that comes with being a mage."

Fergus looks at him in amazement before shaking his head. "You're my brother. I still love you." He puts his hands on the side of Malcolm's head and looks into his eyes. "I don't care if you're a Warden or if you hid your magic, you are still my brother."

Malcolm smiles before hugging him. "Thank you." The two brothers head to the dining room where the feast was ready for the two. Malcolm spent the night in his old room before saying his goodbye to Fergus and heading off to the Circle Tower, where he spent many weeks studying there and he elected to take the Harrowing, the Circle's rite of passage from apprentice mage to full mage, and with his experience during the incident with Uldren at the Circle and the Blight in general he passes with some ease. During his time there, he caught up with Dagna, the energetic dwarf he met in Orzammar with a fascination in magic as well as checking up on Connor, who was unfortunately still shaken up by what the desire demon did to Redcliffe.

Meanwhile, Halia has traveled from Denerim shortly after Malcolm was pronounced the Hero of Ferelden and headed into the forest searching for the Dalish clan that she sought during the Blight. Eventually she found the clan's sentries and was approached, again, by Mithal, who bows her head, "Aneth ara, my friend. I wasn't expecting to see you again."

Halia smiles and returns the small bow. "I wanted to travel with my people for a while, Malcolm and the Wardens won't need me for now."

"Of course, I shall take you to the Keeper. I'm sure she would be honored to have you join us." Mithal leads her into the camp and to Lanaya, who seem to be in the middle of helping the clan start getting ready to travel. "Greetings, Keeper."

Lanaya looks at the two and smile. "Aneth ara, Mithal." She bows her head a little to Halia. "And you as well, Halia."

Halia returns the bow as Mithal heads back to her post. "And to you, Keeper."

"What brings you back to us? Clearly the Blight is over."

"It is, but I was wondering if you would be kind as to let me travel with you for some time."

Lanaya smiles. "It would be our honor to have you with us. And perhaps you can tell me some of the human world from your eyes sometime."

Halia smiles some before looking around at the camp as she replies with, "Perhaps later when we stop. I would like to help."

"Of course." Halia bows her head in respect before going to help the other elves to pack their landships. For many weeks the Dalish has traveled around the forest in Fereldan, and Halia exchanged stories with the clan if she wasn't out hunting or doing an occasional visit to Denerim where Alistair heartedly and happily welcomed her visits. Unfortunately to Alistair's disappointment during each visit she only stayed for one night before leaving to head back to the Dalish clan.

During one visit, Alistair awakens in his bed to find Halia getting dressed in her armor. He sighs as he reaches out and grabs her hand, causing her to look at him with a smile. "You don't need to leave. In fact, as king I forbid you from leaving," he says with a somewhat hopeful and playful smile.

She laughs a little before leaning in. "Silly human, we Dalish answer to no king." She gently kisses his forehead before continuing. "But… I do appreciate the try."

"Halia, I love you, I would like you to stay here with me."

"Alistair…" she looks into his eyes as she speaks, "as much I would like to, I just don't belong in human cities. I'm a Warden, like you… but I am also a Dalish elf. Once we would have been found in cities and be true to ourselves, but no longer." She gently kisses him before gently pulling her hand out of his and continues getting dressed.

Alistair groans lightly. "So buying a house for you near the palace is out of the question, then?"

She smiles as she retrieves Duncan's sword and dagger before looking at Alistair. "Ir abelas, ma vhenan." She sheathes them and the two Warden daggers before grabbing her quiver and bow. She turns to him. "But always remember, I will always be in your heart as you are in mine, and I will love you 'til the end of time."

"I-I love you too." She smiles before slipping out quietly and journeys back to the clan where she spends more weeks with them.

Four months have passed since the defeat of the archdemon when Malcolm, still studying and helping out at the tower, is told that a letter is waiting for him. He heads down to the first floor and the entrance where one of the templars look at him from under her helmet. "Hero of Ferelden, it's an honor to meet you."

Malcolm sighs at the mention of his title. "Just 'Malcolm' will do."

"Of course, ser." She hands him the letter. "Arrived via raven."

He takes the letter and nods. "Thank you." He turns and starts walking as he opens the letter, not hearing that the templar replied. He opens the letter and sees Leliana's handwriting, along with some nug pawprints.

Dearest Malcolm,

I hope that your training has been going well and pray that you've been missing me as much as I've been missing you. Goliath has been doing well without you, but I bet he's also missing you. He and Schmooples have gotten along well and is very gentle with him.

You can't believe how much the fashion here in Val Royeaux has changed since I've been gone and I'm afraid that I've gotten a little too much for our little room in the tavern. Oh and the shoes, I found so many beautiful shoes that I think I went a little too crazy getting them. We might need to do something about this after we have our wedding.

Speaking of which, Mother Dorothea has arrived in the city by the time I'm writing this. She couldn't be happier for me when she read my letter to her and she would be extremely honored to oversee our wedding, she also can't wait to meet the person who healed my heart and soul. Oh and I also grabbed some clothing for you, mainly something for our wedding, we can't have you wearing that bulky and cumbersome armor for our most important day, can we?

With all my love,

Leli

P.S. Think Alistair could help us in someway with my clothing situation?

He chuckles and smiles to himself and carefully puts the letter up as he heads to the guest room he was staying at and starts packing. First Enchanter Irving walks in and Malcolm, by instinct, quickly turns and puts his hand on one of his daggers on the back of his waist and when he sees who it is, Malcolm eases up. "Oh, I'm sorry, First Enchanter. Reflexes are still on alert after a year of ambushes and fighting."

"It is quite alright, young man. Are you leaving us now?"

Malcolm nods slowly and continues packing his few times as he speaks, "I am. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to study here." He walks over to Irving and continues, "And I appreciate being able to keep an eye on Conor as well as you letting Dagna come."

"We owe you much, Warden, we are honored to have you here and I was impressed with your progress. Have a safe journey, Warden." Irving bows his head and Malcolm returns it before they both walk out.

A few days before Malcolm left the tower, Halia has left the clan for the final time and is currently travelling the country and is currently along the northern part of Ferelden. The travelers on the roads had something to cover themselves from the rain, but she enjoyed the feeling of the rain on her face as she walked off to the side of the road. A bigger and fancier than normal carriage is rolling in her general direction, and she naturally watches it for a few seconds but doesn't pay it any other attention as she continues walking. The carriage continues for a while before the driver leans down to hear the passenger and stops the horses close to Halia, who looks at the carriage with interest before the door opens and a familiar sight jumps down and barks happily as Goliath bounds over to her. She smiles as she kneels down and pets the Mabari before looking up and watches as Leliana, in a new Orlesian dress opens an umbrella and steps down onto the street. "Halia, what are you doing here?"

Halia stands up as she replies, "Just been walking the country for the past few days. Where have you been?"

"Val Royeaux in Orlias, getting ready for my wedding." She smiles as she looks at her dress. "Among some other things." She looks back up to her. "Hop in, please. We're heading to Denerim." She turns and starts climbing back into the carriage.

Halia tilts her head. "'We'?"

She follows Goliath into the carriage and sees Schmooples along with two other women, one a Chantry Mother and the other a darker skinned woman in less 'busy' clothing. The Mother smiles and bows her head as she speaks with an Orlesian accent, "May our Maker and your Creators smile upon you, my dear."

Halia looks at her surprised by the comment. Leliana smiles. "This is Mother Dorothea, she was the person who saved me and inspired me to join the Chantry."

Dorothea smiles. "Sister Leliana, you know how much I hate you saying that, you saved yourself."

Leliana smiles before looking at the other woman in the carriage as the driver gets the horses going. "And this is Lady Josephine Montilyet, we met years ago in Orlias but we only recently became friends during these past few months."

Josephine smiles and bows her head as she speaks with an Antivan accent, "It is a pleasure, Madame Mahariel. I must admit that I do like your tattoos."

Halia smiles a little and traces them. "We call them vallaslin, 'blood writing'. It's sacred to us Dalish."

The four talked all the way to Denerim and rode the carriage all the way to the palace. The four got out and walked up to the doors, Halia the only one without protection from the rain, while some servants went and grabbed all the luggage on the back of the carriage. The four enter the palace and after waiting for most of the dripping to stop they headed to the audience hall where Alistair is talking with Eamon. Alistair looks over when he hears the doors open and he after looking back to Eamon for a second he turns again and smiles as he recognizes the two people he fought with during the Blight. "Ah, I'm glad to see you two again." He walks away from Eamon, who sighs and shakes his head a little, while Alistair continues to smile. "Leliana, I wasn't expecting you to be in a dress when I got your letter." He looks at Dorothea and is visibly shocked that he had forgotten his manners in front of a Mother. "Oh, I am sorry, Mother, I forgotten my manners." He clears his throat before bowing. "I am honored to….. have you within…. my palace halls…." He ends the greeting with a tone that suggested that he is unsure with his wording.

Dorothea smiles and returns the curtsy. "And I am honored to be here, your Majesty. And don't worry too much about the manners, Sister Leliana has told me much about her time during the Blight."

Alistair stands up and looks at her, surprised. "Oh… well… I assume you are Mother Dorothea."

"I am, and if you don't mind, I would like to see my room. I've traveled from the Valence Chantry, only stopping for a while to pick up Sister Leliana and Lady Montilyet," she motions to Josephine.

Alistair nods before looking at Josephine. "I assume that you're here for the wedding as well."

Josephine gives him a bow. "I am, your lordship. Leliana and I met years ago but we only became friends during a ball I threw for her at Val Royeaux. She mentioned that she's getting married sometime and I decided to attend."

Mother Dorothea looks at Alistair and Leliana. "Speaking of which, where is this Malcolm?"

Alistair looks at her. "His plan was to go to the Circle Tower for training. I haven't heard anything yet about him entering Denerim, that I would know about."

"Ah yes, I've heard about this 'Hero of Ferelden' title, someone would tell you when he enters the city. I would like to meet him when he arrives."

Alistair nods. "I'll be sure to let him know. If you three would please follow me to your rooms." He leads the four women to the suite guest rooms.

A few days after the women arrived at Denerim, Malcolm arrives and after chatting with Halia, Alistair and Dorothea, invitations are sent out to specific people. After a couple of weeks, the day has finally come, and Malcolm is currently in his guest room and has been fidgeting with his wedding clothes for the past few minutes. "How in the Maker's name do Orlesians move in this damn thing?"

A knock on the door, causes Malcolm to turn his head and see Fergus smiling. "Wearing heavy plate armor is nothing, but you aren't able to stand still in simple clothing?"

"It's Orlesian, Fergus. There's nothing 'simple' about their clothing." He looks at the mirror and sighs uneasily. "Is it time yet?" Fergus nods and Malcolm shakes his head. "Charged the archdemon without a second thought, knowing that I could die before killing it… but my own wedding… I'm terrified."

Fergus chuckles as he walks over and stands behind him. "I was nervous at my own wedding, but it was one of the best days of my life when it happened." He puts his hand on Malcolm's shoulder as he continues, "Trust me, you'll look back on this day often and think of how lucky you are." He lightly pats his shoulder a few times. "Come on." Fergus turns and Malcolm takes a few deep breaths before following, still fidgeting with his outfit.

Soon Malcolm is standing next to Mother Dorothea and Alistair, still fidgeting, now more out of nervousness, and looks out at the crowd and sighs because Sten and Morrigan are not here. He looks down at the signet ring in his hands before he hears the voice of Leliana singing, causing him to look up and his mouth drops open some as Leliana continues to sing a song fit for the wedding while she slowly strides down the path, looking absolutely beautiful in her dress. As she slowly flowed down the path, some of the people attending, mainly Malcolm's companions as well as Josephine, Eamon and Teagan, give her a respectful bow as she passes them. Leliana finishes her song as she strides and stands in front of Malcolm with a sweet smile. Malcolm's mouth moves without sound for a bit before he finally manages to speak. "Y-You look so… so beautiful." She looks down a little with the smile still going before looking at Dorothea.

Alistair walks in between the two and addresses the room, "I am truly honored to be here right now and host this wonderful event for these two. Malcolm and Leliana are two of my closest friends, and with what we have been through during the Blight we have almost become a type of family. As King of Ferelden, but more importantly as their friend, I give my blessing to these two and pray to the Maker that they will live the rest of their lives together full of happiness."

Malcolm and Leliana smile at Alistair and gives him a bow of thanks while Dorothea smiles. "We are gathered here to witness the holy union of Lord Malcolm Cousland and Lay Sister Leliana. Love is one of the greatest gifts that our Maker has given us and it was through His love that Andraste joined the Maker as His bride and so too let it be what bonds these two together." She looks at Malcolm and nods a little.

Malcolm takes a few deep breaths before gently grabbing Leliana's hand and slips his signet ring on her finger. "I swear unto the Maker and the Holy Andraste to love this woman the rest of my days."

"So let it be." Malcolm smiles as he leans in and kisses Leliana deeply while his arms wrap around her and her hands rest on his chest, causing the room to cheer for them.

Malcolm slowly pulls back and smiles as he whispers to Leliana, "Just now… this moment… made everything we fought against and for worth it."

She smiles and whispers back, "It was, my love." Malcolm smiles and kisses her again before pulling back and holds out his arm for her, causing her to giggle some as she loops her arm around his and the two slowly make their way down the steps as Leliana sings some more. The crowd quiet down their cheering to let Leliana sing and as Malcolm looked around in the room proud and happy before he notices a mouse sitting up and watches them for a moment before scurrying off into a hole. He doesn't think about that mouse for long but there was something about how it sat and watched them… he pushes it out of his mind but that brought something else into his mind and his smile lessens a little.

He looks up as they approach the doors and he opens it for both of them and he takes her to their new room. The next day Leliana gets a letter and starts packing, even though neither Leliana or Malcolm wants her to go. Then a few days later, Malcolm and Halia are visited by a guide called Mhairi and dressed in their armors they leave Denerim.