Chapter 36 = = Reunion Part 3 – Joining of Bodies and Meeting of Minds.

NSFW at the beginning….

~oooo~

Alistair awoke to the sight of Emma sitting up with the fur blanket drawn up to her chest. The paleness of her skin contrasted with the fur, making her skin look like alabaster and the sable fur almost black. Maker, she's gorgeous.

It was then that he noticed that she was drinking from a mug, and he detected the faint scent of ginger.

She felt his gaze and turned to see the sleep-tossed, slightly shaggy head of red-gold hair, tawny-brown eyes, and the wicked mouth which did such delicious things to her body. "Good morning, my Ali."

"Waking up next to you is a perfect morning indeed." He nodded towards the mug. "You should have woken me, Em. I could have fixed your tea."

"No need. I didn't have to leave the bed." She explained the ice-fire rune. "All I need to do is make sure I have my tea infuser, and of course my tea."

"Ginger tea. I've heard that helps with upset stomachs…is it for morning sickness?"

"Mmm hmm, but the morning sickness has lessened a lot over the last week. This morning I only felt a bit off, but I feel fine now." She put down the empty mug and slipped beneath the covers. She laid on her side facing him.

Alistair drew her into a kiss, moving from her lips to her neck; he gently kissed and nibbled his way down the sensitive skin where her neck and shoulder met.

Emmalynn brazenly hooked a leg over Ali and levered herself so he was on his back and she was straddling his thighs.

The blankets fell away, and Alistair gloried in the sight of her, at how the light filtering through the canvass walls emphasized her voluptuousness. How in the name of all that's holy can she believe that Leliana's build is more attractive than hers?

He drew his hands over her hips and up the sides of her ribs, feeling her quiver at his touch. Her eyes closed when his thumb gently brushed her nipples.

Emmalynn loved the feel of his sword-calloused hands. When they lightly touched her body, it generated incredible friction that channeled into a pool of warmth at her core. Unable to sit still, she slowly rocked her hips back and forth.

Then she readjusted her body to trap his hard length between her slit. As he continued to caress her body, she continued to slowly rock her hips, sliding over him again and again. The heat of his hardness felt exquisite, intensifying her arousal. She moaned. "Ali, you feel so good."

Alistair sat up a bit, his mouth moving over a breast, and when she felt his tongue flick a nipple, her moans were no longer words. He gripped her hips, readjusted himself, then slowly slid into her.

Feeling the delicious fullness, Emma gently pushed on his chest until he laid back down. She clenched her pelvic muscles while using her thighs to lift herself up and then slowly slide back down his shaft.

When he gripped her hips to urge her to go faster, she stopped and grinned.

He looked into her eyes and saw a gleam of wicked mischief that went straight to his cock. When he let go of her hips, she resumed the slow, sensual pace and again just when he was at the edge and tried to speed up, she stopped.

For Emmalynn, it was getting increasingly difficult to hold out, but she tried one last time. This time, however, his thumb stroked her nub and drew out an unexpected climax. She leaned forward and kissed him, letting him swallow her screams. Taking the opportunity, he flipped them over. Still inside her, he played with her pearl as he increased the speed of his thrusts. Emma met him stroke for stroke, surging in a passionate euphoria. When they climaxed, neither was quiet.

Lying together, blissful and sated, in a tangle of blankets Alistair looked at Emma. "I think we may have provided this morning's entertainment for the camp."

Emma just laughed.

~oOOo~

When Emmalynn and Alistair emerged from the tent they were greeted with good-natured cat-calls, and applause. They ate a quick breakfast then left to meet the group.

On their way, Emma said, "Except for you, I have not told anyone about my being pregnant. Wynne found out when I fainted, and, of course, she told Rana, who may or may not have told Zevran. I didn't want to tell anyone else until I told you and we told your father. But now we have this meeting where everyone will be in the same place at the same time…well, it would be odd not to tell them. What do you think?"

"While I appreciate your wanting my dad to know next, we do have everyone together. Besides, if Surana knows, then I don't want to torture him by having him keep the secret. When he joined Aedan, Zevran, Jowan, and I for Wicked Grace…well…let's say that he has a tell."

Emmalynn laughed. "I've always told Rana that he should not play any game for money that requires him to keep a straight face. Okay, we'll tell them at the meeting. Oh…ah one quick thing – Petra and Devon told me that the mages want to greet the wardens and companions – which in includes you." She gently poked his chest. "When we bring them to the mess tent, I'll stay back, and you go ahead with the group."

"What are they planning?"

"Cheering, I suspect; loud and much deserved cheering."

The lovers held hands on the way to the encampment entrance. Surana mentioned that the group would arrive at staggered intervals and some in disguise.

The first to arrive was Morrigan, who flew into the encampment as a crow and transformed into her perfectly coiffed self.

"It's good to see you again, Morrigan." Emmalynn smiled at the sable-haired mage.

"I am glad to see you as well. Life with the older circle mage was nearly intolerable. While you are, or were a circle mage, you've always been much less..."

"Preachy?" Emmalynn offered with a smile. I love Wynne, but her preaching rivals some chantry mothers.

"Preachy, yes. You, my friend, hold a unique opinion on both the chantry and magic. Now, if you don't mind, I think I will go back into bird form. I suspect much hugging and sentiment is soon to occur."

"I understand." Emmalynn grinned.

The next to arrive was Leliana. She was wearing her Chantry robes and escorted by a member of the Arl's guard.

Emmalynn was about to hug Leliana when the guardsman took off his helmet, "Maker! How can you fighters wear these things? They're hot, sweaty, and you can barely see out of them!" He looked at Emmalynn. "Emmalynn!"

"Jowan!" Emmalynn saw a more confident man, who looked genuinely happy. They hugged. "I'm sorry I left you, after agreeing to tutor you! Rana told me he worked with you instead of Wynne."

"Surana's been a great teacher, and being a Warden gives me a sense of purpose."

The next to arrive was a dwarf who Emmalynn knew had to be Oghren.

Alistair said, "Emmalynn, this is Oghren from Orzammar."

Emmalynn curtsied. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Oghren. The Arl of South Reach wrote that you are a formidable warrior."

"Well, it's good to see that the Arl appreciates talent. So, you're the reason the little pike twirler's smiling again. Can't say as I can blame him."

"Pike twirler?" Emmalynn look at Alistair

"Don't ask," Ali said with a smile.

Two more dressed in Redcliffe livery arrived. Surana quickly pulled off the helmet. "Damn cans are not meant to be worn by Elves. It bruised the tops of my ears!"

The other guardsman removed his helmet to reveal Aedan, who said to Surana, "I told you to wrap the top of your head in a tunic, but you complained about it being too hot." Adan moved to Leli. He kissed her hand and whispered something in her ear. Leliana beamed.

Emmalynn noticed with a smile. I was wondering if they would find each other. She went to Rana and waved her hand over his head to heal the tips of his ears. That's when she saw the earring. "Zevran?"

Rana smiled. "Yes, ma'am. After the Blight, we are making it official!"

She threw her arms around her best friend. "I am so happy for your two!"

Everyone had moved into the entrance where there were places to sit as they waited for the rest of the group.

Sten arrived, needing no disguise.

Emmalynn bowed, "Shenedan. Shok esbasit hissra. Meraad astaarit, meraad itwasit. Aban aqun.

Marass shokra."

Sten nodded back "Var-toh katashok, ed badim maras issla toh."

Emmalynn concluded the greeting, "Sataareth, kadan hass-toh issala ebasit."

"You are coming to know Asit tal-eb."

"As you suggested I should." Emmalynn smiled.

As they waited for the next arrivals, Alistair and Aedan asked Emmalynn what she and Sten had said.

"Asit tal-eb is Qunlat for 'it is to be,' or idiomatically, 'things are meant to be.' Asit tal-eb it is the driving principle of Qunari philosophy.

"I said 'Struggle is an illusion. The tide rises, the tide falls, but the sea is changeless. There is nothing to struggle against. Sten replied with, 'They will struggle, and we will turn them into nothing, and I replied, it is my purpose to do what I must for those I consider important.

"It was something that I mulled over while I was back at the Circle, trying to cope. I never mentioned it to anyone there because…well, I would have been called a heretic."

The last to arrive was an Orlesian nobleman, and accompanied by Wynne, dressed as a noblewoman.

Emmalynn hugged Wynne and whispered, "I told Ali, and I will announce it during the meeting."

Wynne nodded. "Did you eat this morning?"

Emmalynn nodded.

"Good."

Emmalynn turned to the man who accompanied Wynne. Aedan smiled. "Emmalynn please meet Senior Warden Riordan from Jader."

Emmalynn curtsied, and Riordan responded by bowing and taking her hand in his.

"I have heard much about you. Pleased to meet you."

"You as well." Riordan was her height, and she was able to look into his eyes.

Wynne said, "Riordan, I healed you much as I could, but I think you should let Emmalynn try,"

"I'm afraid the rest of the problem is just the result of being a warden for so long."

Wynne smiled. "They humor me."

Riordan chuckled. "Yes, madam Wynne." He turned to Emmalynn. "What do you need me to do?"

Emmalynn held out her hands palms up. "When you see my aura surround my hands, place your hands on mine, palms down."

Riordan nodded.

Emmalynn's aura surrounded her hands and Riordan placed his hands on hers as instructed. She closed her eyes. Taint spreading to digestive system -suppressing appetite – not enough food for energy. The has an entropic quality to it. My creation magic can lessen the effect on the digestive system –fixed! There is a small muscle tear near his stomach – fixed!

She moved her hands away as her aura faded. "Do you feel better?"

"Maker, yes! Better than I have in a month. Wynne mentioned your gift was Maker sent, but this is beyond what I expected. We must speak later."

Emma nodded. "Of course, Senior Warden." She missed the looked Surana gave Aedan.

"Just Riordan, My Lady."

"Just Emmalynn, Just Riordan." She smiled.

Then Emmalynn heard," Esperanza mia! You look so radiant; the sun should hang its head in shame."

Emmalynn was hugged by Zevran, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, and she said softly, "Rana told me. Bienvenido a la familia, mi cuñado." Welcome to my family my Brother-in-law.

"Ah, the sound of Antivan is so lovely flowing from such exquisite lips."

Emmalynn blushed and smiled, then looked to Surana.

Rana said, "Okay everyone, follow me."

The mages, as well as Hadley and his templars, had lined the path to the mess tent. As Surana and the group passed, they were greeted with applause and cheers for the wardens and companions. Emmalynn was happy to see the looks of surprise and big grins.

Devon and Petra were at the entrance to the mess tent and shook everyone's hands – save for Sten, to whom they both nodded.

A crow perched on a limb just above Emmalynn. She looked up. "There's an opening the in the roof of the tent; you should be able to enter there." The bird cawed and took flight.

Emmalynn watched procession with a smile. Well done Petra and Devon. Once everyone was in the tent, Emmalynn followed.

When she entered the mess tent, everyone was seated, and Aedan laid out a map of Ostagar. It showed the original battle plan. She looked at the map. "Aedan, Cailan was in front of the choke point, not behind it."

"Wynne said the original plan wasn't followed. She said you would know why because you argued with the King."

Emmalynn nodded as she sat down, "The argument started just after he'd told me that he was taking a larger contingent of soldiers and was going to be in front of the palisade." She recounted the argument…

"Your Majesty if you are in front of the choke point it will be impossible for me to shield you from here. I need to come with you, or for you to be in line-of-sight."

"No! You cannot be in thick of the battle; you'll die."

"So, will you! You cannot throw away your life your Majesty! Take me with you or stay behind the choke point."

"I have to be on that front line."

"Why?"

"We are facing the worst evil Thedas has seen in 400 years. I need to be visible to my troops; I need to lead by example."

"Is being a sacrificial lamb the example you want to set, your Majesty?"

"You forget your place. You are speaking to your King!"

"Then you can throw me in jail after the battle! I am not going to apologize for trying to save a life you seem void-bent on ending! Either stay behind the choke point, go up to the bridge, or let me come with you!"

"No women can be on the front line." Warden Commander Duncan had just joined them.

"Why ever not?" Emmalynn asked.

"Wardens have our reasons."

Emmalynn took the Warden-Commander aside. "So, you're going to leave our King without a shield mage nearby? Warden-Commander, please help me. Either let me come forward or convince his Majesty to stay behind the choke point, as originally planned!"

"Grey Wardens are neutral; I cannot command His Majesty."

"Then strongly suggest it."

The Warden-Commander looked ill-at-ease. "I doubt he would take that well."

"Fine!" She turned back to Cailan. "It appears as if I am the only one here who seems to value your life. Does his Majesty have any last words you would like me to pass on?" She angrily wiped away the tears of frustration.

Callan looked at Emmalynn, a smile tugged the corner of his mouth. "You sound just like the Queen. I have no words to pass on, save this: Senior Enchanter Amell, you have a rare gift, use it for the good of Ferelden. Not defending me, but for my people after the battle is won.''

Emmalynn sighed and nodded her head. "Yes, your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, it is time," Duncan said.

"Maker be with you, your Majesty, and with all who fight with you."

"Maker be with you as well, Emmalynn Amell."

Frustration mixed with sorrow as Emmalynn tried not to cry. "I'm sorry…I tried to change his mind. I really tried."

Alistair put his arm around her and pulled her close. "Short of rendering him unconscious, there was nothing you could do."

Emmalynn looked at Aedan. "I can't tell you if staying behind the choke point would have made a difference, though. Even if Loghain had charged in they still would have been outnumbered at least three to one."

Aedan ran his hand through his hair and looked at Riordan. "Should Duncan have tried to convince his Majesty?"

Riordan answered, "The relationship between the Grey Wardens and the Ferelden crown has been adversarial at best since Sophia Dryden tried to overthrow King Arland. Perhaps if Duncan had been more forceful with the King earlier in the planning, he could have steered Cailan on a different path. Aedan, when did you acquire the treaties?"

"A few days before the battle."

"He did not use them?"

"No. I doubt there would have been time. The only reason the Orlesian Wardens were not there was that they would not come to Ferelden without a legion of Chevaliers. I had to agree with Loghain – the Chevaliers wouldn't have left."

"I suppose not. In Ferelden, the Wardens were in limited numbers because of being banished. In Orlais the Wardens have had the support of whoever sits upon the throne, which is why we are the largest force of Wardens outside of Weisshaupt. However, we are too intertwined with the Chevaliers to act as an independent body. That is why I crossed the border. I tried to convince my comrades to come with me…none would."

Emmalynn looked at Aedan. "Loghain did not commit regicide."

"I know, but Loghain still tried to kill the Arl."

"I have my doubts about that," Jowan said, "Loghain did give me the ingredients for the Antidote, it just didn't work."

Aedan frowned. "Jowan, you said it was a messenger that delivered the poison."

Jowan looked down. "That is what Loghain told me to say."

"There is no doubt that what I found in Eamon's system was supposed to be lethal. But as I mentioned to Bann Teagan and Wynne at the time, some ingredients were Tevinter in origin, and Loghain does not strike me as someone who would associate with Tevinter mages."

"That and we still don't know why Loghain didn't want Eamon at Ostagar. Although we do have the correspondence between Cailan and Eamon and the more cryptic correspondence between Celine and Cailan."

"Perhaps I should look among the Arl's files to see if there is information that can shed light on his relationship with Cailan and the Empress?" Zevran suggested.

"Good idea," Alistair said. "Eamon can be a bit paranoid at times and tends to make notes about everything."

"Ah, perfecto. I will see what I can find. Leliana, given that the Arlessa is absent, could you assist the Arl with running such large estate? The Arl seems to trust you."

"Of course. The estate is lacking a woman's touch."

Aedan looked at Leliana, and smirked, "As long as your touch doesn't extend to Eamon."

Leliana, Emmalynn, and Morrigan all wore the same look of disgust at the thought of intimate congress with the Arl of Redcliffe. Morrigan said, "I would rather lay with a toad."

Emmalynn and Leliana nodded.

Aedan chuckled. "Okay, we need to train the armies that arrive on how to fight darkspawn, Emmalynn, Surana, and Jowan I need you to be training the mages, Sten, Alistair, Oghren and I can work with the Arl's army and assuming all goes well at the Landsmeet the Arl's army can work with the Royal army and the Shield."

"Aedan, I have a suggestion?"

"Emmalynn."

"You should have a healer while working with the Arl's army."

Wynne spoke up, "I agree with Emmalynn."

Aedan nodded. "I agree. Would it be you, Emmalynn?"

"No. I need to be with the Mages." She looked at her mentor, "Wynne, I would like you to serve as the healer. You've had more experience working fighting against Darkspawn than I."

Wynne nodded. "I would be happy to."

Aedan nodded. "Good."

"Aedan, the Arl's troops know Alistair but they have to learn to take orders from you. Perhaps it would be better if Alistair wasn't there?"

"I hadn't thought about that, but you have a point. Alistair, what do you think?"

Alistair thought a moment. "I don't think you have to worry about them taking orders from you Aedan, but my being there can be a distraction in other ways. I could examine the fortifications of the city. See where siege engines would be more effective, what needs reinforcement, that kind of thing."

Aedan nodded. "That is a very sound suggestion, thanks Alistair. It would give us a leg up to have that information before the Dwarven army arrives. Save time. Okay, last order of business. Riordan, you mentioned about a Grey Warden cache here in Denerim?"

"Yes, I need to locate it. It has supplies we may need. Also, we need to determine the location of the Horde and if the Archdemon leads them."

Aedan frowned. "We saw the Archdemon in the Deep Roads; he's above ground now. If we find the Horde, we will find him."

"T'would be faster if I took bird form to locate the Horde. Having a view from the sky would allow me to give a more accurate location when I returned." Morrigan looked at Aedan and Riordan.

"I think it's a good idea. Riordan?"

"I have to admit it is an idea that had not occurred to me."

"Morrigan, thank you, that would be a big help."

Morrigan nodded.

"Okay. Zevran is going to…sleuth the Arl's files. Riordan is going to find the Warden's cache."

"Chérie, perhaps I should accompany Riordan? No one would connect me to the Grey Wardens, and I can make sure we are not followed." Leliana suggested.

After a bit of an internal war, Aedan nodded. "Wise idea, thanks Leli."

"Alistair, are you meeting with your father after this?"

"Yes, Emmalynn and I both. Any of you who do not want to stay with the Arl are welcome to stay at my father's estate."

Sten, Oghren, Jowan, Surana, Zevran all agreed to stay at Bann Teagan's estate. Aedan and Leliana, as well as Riordan, were going to stay with the Arl.

"No mages or elves will be staying with Eamon; he will be so pleased," Aedan said without mirth. "Any other business?"

"There is one more thing, but it can wait until the end of the meeting."

Aedan looked at around. "Anything else? Okay. We will meet back at the Arl's estate after vespers to report out. Alistair, it seems as if we're done."

Alistair was grinning. "Emma and I have something we'd like to tell you all." He took Emma's hand. "In seven months, Emma and I will be parents."

Leliana jumped up from her chair to hug Emma then Alistair. "Maker-blessed news! Congratulations mes amies."

Aedan and Jowan also hugged Emmalynn, and grasped arms with Alistair.

"Congratulations, my dears. Alistair, make sure she eats." Wynne admonished, kindly.

"I will. Thank you, Wynne."

Oghren congratulated them and held out his flask. "Pike twirler, I still have a bit of Hirol's in here. You want a nip to celebrate?"

Riordan, who has just hugged Emma, laughed, "Hirol's Lava Burst? The one described as 'tasting like burning?'"

Alistair snorted. "An apt description! It took almost a quarter of a candle before I could feel my tongue again, much less speak. Oghren, I'll pass, but thanks for the offer."

The dwarf rolled his eyes, "Humans."

"Ah my hirsute friend, it would be a shame to prevent Alistair from making our Esperanza sing." Turning to Alistair, and the now scarlet-faced healer. "Congratulations to you both! You will name it Zevran if it is a boy, yes?"

~OOOO~

AN: Thank you to my awesome Beta ElyssaCousland. And to all who have faved and are following.

To: Melysande: Ah yes…Eamon's machinations…he likes to think he can play the Game… ;)