Chapter 98

"Leli!" Alistair called happily as he came up the steps. "That hat? Perfection. You look... Divine."

Teagan, now Arl Teagan of Redcliffe, snorted. Alistair clapped him on the back as Leliana rolled her eyes. He had yet to run out of bad Divine jokes.

"Teagan, have you ever noticed how, if you squint, Lake Calenhad looks like a bunny? Cullen told me and now I can't unsee it."

Teagan closed his eyes. "Yes... I think I know what you mean."

"Good man! Go easy on the Inquisitor, yeah?" Alistair chuckled and went past him to Leliana and bowed deeply. "Your Perfection Divine Victoria, 'tis I, your humble, bumbling lover, come to give you a kissie."

Laughing, Teagan turned and walked away, muttering something about how children never grew up. Leliana herself had her lips pressed into a line to stop herself from breaking into laughter.

"Have you seen Cullen's dog? He found it and said he's going to keep it. Solona likes dogs, so I'm sure it'll all work out." He came closer and pecked her cheek. Everybody knew they were together. Neither of them cared. "But enough randomness. How goes the Council?"

"About as well as one could expect." She sighed. "Will you walk with me?"

"Always."

Alistair had never been at the Winter Palace before. All the fancy embellishments the Orlesians were renowned for were on full display. The charm was... intimidating.

"I was eighteen when I first saw the Winter Palace," Leliana said as they walked. "I was dazzled, you know? Such rich hangings, splendid marble columns... and more golden lions than I could count." She sighed. "It's all still here, still bright, but I no longer see that same palace."

Alistair let her talk.

"Now, all I see are the hands rubbed raw to make gold gleam, tears shed over the night to make silk embroidery. Others overlook them and forget their pain. But I am their Divine, and I cannot be blind."

"You aren't. You gave the mages freedom. The College of Enchanters is going strong and my mother couldn't be happier. The Chantry is going strong." He smiled at her. "You've brought change, good change. Had you been blind, you wouldn't have taken the job in the first place."

"I know. But the more I do, the more I find that needs to be done."

"That's the burden of responsibility. Though, might I suggest getting rid of those ridiculous robes? Failing that, the hat at least?"

Leliana smiled. "You know, I have been working on that. As soon as the Exalted Council is over, I plan to reinstate the Canticle of Shartan."

"Good."

"And something a bit more... controversial."

"Better than boring people to death. What have you got?"

"I'm going to do away with chastity and celibacy laws. Allow all members of the Chantry to be engaged in romantic relationships." She took his hand and squeezed. "We don't hide. Why should they?"

Alistair whistled. "That's really controversial."

"Ah, but even Andraste herself served the Maker while married to a mortal spouse, no? Love is the Maker's best gift and is infinite."

"That's a good line. You should use that."

"I think I will."

The silence that followed was one Alistair used to think deeply. He looked up at the Winter Palace, with all its gildings, and took a deep breath.

"D'you realise that it's been thirteen years since we met?"

Leliana nodded. "Thirteen is considered unlucky in some cultures."

"Not to me." Alistair stopped, turned, and faced her. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me." He gently took off her dumb hat and took her face in his hands. "And I love you very, very much."

"I love you, too," Leliana replied, covering his hands with her and smiling into the kiss.

What she said was true. Love was infinite. Thirteen years was a very long time. The world had almost come undone twice in that period.

But he didn't have the luxury of being around for a long, long time.

So, Alistair smiled and went down on a knee. Leliana's eyes widened, but she choked out a laugh and covered her mouth when he brought out a ring.

"Leliana," he began, holding her left hand. "I should've done this a long time ago. But now that we've made it this far, with where we are with our lives, it's a dumb thing to even consider, but if not now, then when? Love is infinite, but whatever time I have left, I want to pledge to you, and you only." He slipped the ring onto her finger and asked, "So, what about it? Will you marry me? I've got cheese."

Laughing through her tears, Leliana nodded vigorously. It was the most beautiful she had ever looked.

"Yes," she breathed. Alistair got to his feet and took her in his arms, picking her up and spinning her around, laughing giddily.

"Yes," she repeated against his chest when he set her down. "Yes, I will marry you."

Alistair kissed the top of her head and buried his nose in her hair. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Alistair. I love you so much."

"And I love you both," Varric said as he emerged from the bushes, taking notes. "That was great."

Alistair snorted. Leliana, dabbing at her eyes with her sleeves, also laughed.

"Varric? Were you spying on us?"

"Never, Nightingale. I was looking for you both, but when I found you, you were kissing, so I didn't want to interrupt the moment."

"Looking for us?" Alistair asked, his arms firmly around Leliana, keeping her pressed to his chest. "Did something happen?"

"Oh, I finished my newest book, All This Shit Is Weird, and wanted to ask you if I could novelise your love story next."

Leliana looked up at him, amused, and Alistair shrugged, smirking.

Turning to Varric, she said. "Of course. We don't mind."

"What'll you call it?" Alistair asked.

Varric grinned. "I was thinking Of Bards And Bastards. Working title, of course, but I like it. Don't you?"