A/N: Enjoy the game's ending. It only took three years.

Chapter 63

"So, here we are," Leliana said with a smile. "The conquering hero has won the day, and now he takes his bow and exits the stage."

"The 'conquering hero' is still sore all over and likely to bleed all over your nice, clean bedsheets but sure." Alistair shrugged good-naturedly. "Though I will say that I'm relieved to be exiting the stage. I never even wanted to be on the stage, anyway."

Laughing, Leliana made to swat at his bicep but stopped short, reminding herself that he was still sore. "And yet here we are. Does it still hurt? The conquering hero is to be done in by a needle?"

"Oh, yes. The conquering hero has sensitive skin and bruises very easily. I shouldn't be allowed to make impulsive decisions."

"But do you regret it?"

Alistair looked down at his left bicep, upon which Zevran had tattooed the Grey Warden griffon. After nine months of nagging, Alistair had finally given in and gotten it done. Zevran had been very happy.

"Not if you regret your haircut." She'd cut away a year's worth of hair, returning to her bob. It felt rather liberating. "It stings, but I'll get over it. Besides, the conquering hero got his girl, so I really can't complain."

Leliana snickered and pecked his cheek. "That you most certainly did."

"Besides, if I flex my bicep it looks like the griffon is flapping its wings. There, see? Amazing what technology can do nowadays."

"Speaking of technology, you said you'd be going to Highever with Aedan?"

"Yeah. He owes me a proper visit. Duncan was from there, so I at least want to take a good look around."

"Well, as it happens, my plan is to go to Highever as well. Help with the rebuilding there."

Alistair smiled at her impishly, which always did strange things to her stomach. It was just so lovably delicious!

"You're goddamn right," he said. "Zevran is coming along too, last I heard."

"Mmhmmm. And Sten is going back to his homeland. Would you believe it if I told you that he actually smiled at me when I asked him who would help him keep track of his sword?"

The qunari stood alone in a corner, a glass in his hand, frowning at the Fereldan women fawning over him. Alistair glanced at him and shook his head.

"Uh-huh. At least it's better than Oghren. Last I saw him Teagan had dared him to drink a barrel of pickle juice or something. I hope Felsi can keep him on a leash."

"I hope so, too. Both him and Faren have been surfacers now."

"Something tells me they'll get used to the big blue sky."

"True. Wynne told me she turned down the position of First Enchanter."

"Yeah. I'm glad, though I worry about her... travelling to Tevinter in her condition..."

"She'll be all right." Leliana offered him a reassuring smile and rubbed his right bicep. "Shale wants to recover her mortality, and a knowledgeable mage at her side can help matters greatly. Speaking of which, Solona is staying with the Wardens, yes?"

Alistair nodded. "It's good that Anora gave us Amaranthine. Howe owes us that after all he did. She's staying with us, and so is Loghain. He's going to be helping the Orlesian Wardens set up in Amaranthine, if you can believe that."

"That will be something. I'll tell Solona to note down the best 'Loghain and the Orlesian Wardens' stories."

"Yeah. Just more things to adjust to, I guess."

"At least you aren't king."

"I will sacrifice ten cheese wheels each to Andraste and the Maker for that."

"You are a dork. You know this, yes?"

"Oh, yes." Alistair winked at her. "What I don't know is how Aedan survived killing the archdemon..."

Apparently, the Warden who lands the final blow on the archdemon also dies. Aedan's survival had confused the Orlesian Warden-Commander, Fontaine, to no end.

"You are not worried about Morrigan?" Leliana asked instead. "She disappeared right after the battle. Only Aedan was atop Fort Drakon with her afterwards. I wonder what passed between them..."

"I was there too. I was just unconscious." Alistair snorted. "Good riddance, I say."

"Don't let Aedan hear you."

Aedan Cousland, the Hero of Ferelden, walked past them at that moment, stopping to smile and nod. He still sported the black eye which Alistair had given him. Returning the favour, he'd called it. His older brother Fergus had survived as well. Leliana was glad everything had worked out the way that it had.

"Prepare yourselves for adoring fans," he said quietly as he went on to the door.

"By the Maker," Alistair muttered.

"It'll be all right," Leliana told him.

And as he took her hand while Aedan opened the gates to let the masses in, she couldn't help but completely believe her own words.

A/N: For everyone who helped me get here, thank you.