A/N: No, not an April Fool's prank, my dearies.

Chapter 32

"Champion of Redcliffe... sounds nice, yes?"

She had meant to cheer Alistair up, but the man only grunted. Leliana waited for a while, hoping he would answer. And after a few moments, he did.

"Seems a bit much for getting some ashes, huh?"

Smiling, she came and stood beside him, gazing out at Lake Calenhad. "They are the holiest thing in existence – the remains of the Maker's Chosen. It seems almost... irreverent to use Her as a curative." She paused and crinkled her nose. "And also quite morbid."

"Well, whatever gets the job done, I suppose."

It was a cool winter's night in Redcliffe. The residents didn't yet know that the Arl had recovered. They would in the morning. Whatever properties Andraste's ashes had, they'd helped Arl Eamon recover. He'd spent most of the day catching up on everything he'd missed. After that, he'd insisted upon holding deliberations with the Wardens, where he'd disclosed his intention of calling for a Landsmeet to challenge Loghain. He'd also announced his decision to nominate Alistair for King.

We need someone who has a stronger right to the throne than Loghain's daughter, the Queen. Teagan and I have a right through marriage, but we'd be seen as usurpers and opportunists. Alistair's right comes by way of blood.

The sense in his words Leliana could see. She could also see that Alistair had been extremely distressed by this development. She knew how much he despised his heritage. And now, he might have to become a pawn on account of it. Zevran had offered to assassinate him for free should he become King, but Alistair had not been in the mood for jokes. Instead, he'd been talking to a man who'd shown up at Redcliffe looking for the Wardens.

"So what did this Dryden fellow want?" she asked him.

Alistair shrugged. "Levi... was a friend of Duncan's. I'd heard him mentioned a fair few times. He and Duncan had met when they were youngsters. Went on some journey with Maric after which the King allowed the Wardens to return to Ferelden."

"Why were they banished?"

"Sophia Dryden, Levi's great-great-grandmother, was the Warden-Commander of Ferelden some two hundred years ago." They both turned to see Aedan a few feet behind them. He came up and stood beside Leliana, keeping her between him and Alistair. "She was also the cousin of the then King Arland. When Arland was given the throne over her, she decided to push it. For this, she was imprisoned but spared after some time."

"Then she joined the Wardens and quickly rose to the top because she was so great. However, Arland was a bit of a tosser, so the Bannorn went to Sophia for help. Basically stage a rebellion and overthrow the evil King." Alistair sighed. "But the King caught wind of this and sent troops to the Wardens' fortress, Soldier's Peak."

"It was a long struggle that ended with the death of Sophia, after which the Wardens were banished from Ferelden until Maric let them back in." Aedan clasped his hands behind his back and swayed back and forth. "Of course, I know this because the Arland killed many Couslands, since Highever was an ally to the Wardens."

"Sorry my ancestor killed a bunch of yours," Alistair said.

"Yes, well, we're both the last of our lines, so that makes me feel a bit better," Aedan replied.

They looked at each other out of the corners of their eyes and shared an amused smirk. Then they extended their hands towards each other and bumped fists before opening their hands and wiggling their fingers together. Leliana shook her head.

Boys.

"Anyway," Alistair said after clearing his throat. "Levi had Duncan promise to take back Soldier's Peak and help find evidence to clear his family's name."

"But since Duncan got busy with recruiting for the Blight and later with his death, he couldn't make it."

Leliana nodded, digesting all the information. "So... we are going to Soldier's Peak, then?"

"Well." Aedan pocketed his hands. "It will take the Arl some time to gather his troops."

Alistair scratched the back of his neck. "And Duncan did promise."

They both looked at her now and she smiled and shook her head. "You are both ridiculous. Where is Soldier's Peak, anyway? I have never heard of it."

"Levi has a map," Aedan said. "And on that subject, Alistair, I need to ask you something."

Leliana looked at him, but his gaze was fixed upon Alistair. All trace of levity had vanished. Alistair sighed.

"Look, I know what he's asking of me makes sense, I do."

"But do you want to be King, Alistair?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"I asked what you wanted, Alistair." He paused momentarily. "Being King means you'll either have to rule alone or with Anora. Lots of power, but you'll be a puppet for life. Do what Eamon says, go where Eamon says... marry whom Eamon asks you to." He stopped and Leliana felt her stomach knot up.

She couldn't place the feeling. Not really. It was a strange cocktail of jealousy, despair and dread. That something incredibly important, which had been within reach all this time, was suddenly slipping away. She'd been thinking on it ever since the Arl had made his intentions clear. She'd been trying to figure out what it meant for... them.

There was nothing there yet. No relationship to speak of. But she knew what she felt. And she had a feeling she knew what he felt, too. All that now seemed so distant.

When she realised that he hadn't answered, Leliana turned toward him. Alistair was already looking at her. So she gulped hard and smiled. "It's your decision," she said quietly.

And Alistair took a deep breath and shook his head. "No."

YEEEESSSSSS!

She didn't say anything, though. That would have been inappropriate.

"Good." Aedan nodded and stepped away. "Now I'm off to bed."

As he turned to leave, Alistair asked him, "Wait, that's it?"

"Yeah. I'm pretty sure you two can figure out why you refused between yourselves." Aedan turned to face them with a wide smirk on his face as he walked backwards. "You leave the rest to me."

Then he turned and started walking towards the castle. Leliana knew that the only way to fight her blush was to say something, so she asked aloud, "But what will you do?"

"I'm going to bollocks it all up," came the answer.

Leliana just stared. Alistair scratched his cheek and said, "I am very glad Arland didn't kill off the Couslands."

She nodded mutely. So am I.

"So, uh, d'you wanna go on a walk maybe?"

He was rubbing the back of his neck, digging into the ground with his boot, smiling shamefacedly as his blush spread over his cheeks. He looked absolutely adorable. Leliana could not have stopped her smile even if she'd wanted to.

"I would like that, yes."