A/N: Now, things are really going to be going down! I think this chapter is one of my favourites! I am sorry it's so late! School happened and then holidays and so on... So much time spent with my family that I'm sorta sick of it now haha.

TRIGGER WARNING: Intercourse happens in this chapter and half non-con intercourse also happens.

As always, thank you all lovely readers for reading, following, liking, etc... ! I also like reviews, no matter how small! If there's anything you don't like in this story or if you have any guesses as to what's going to happen... Please let me know! I love when readers try and guess, because sometimes the guess can be sooo close!

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The characters and locations don't belong to me; they belong to Bioware and EA and I'm simply using them to fuel this thing called my muse.


.: CHAPTER V :.

"No, Ser. My decision is final."

It was a week after their first night together. Cailan was still out at sea and Alistair was observing the royal council meeting to the left of the large oaken chair where Katharyne was sitting in the place of Cailan, Shianni to her left and the Arl of Denerim to her right. She was standing, facing Teyrn Loghain who was glaring at her intensely, both palms slammed down on the large wood table.

"But... Your Majesty! The costs to repair the Alienage entirely, to host the elves elsewhere and... and to keep security at all times for those... those..." He exclaimed.

"Those what, ser? 'Those worthless knife-ears?' 'Those elves' is that it?" Katharyne replied, a sneer on her face. "As far as I am concerned, no life is worthless in the eyes of the Maker. Elves included."

"Aye." The Grand Cleric agreed lowly, nodding.

"But to tear down the wooden dwellings to build stone houses is unthinkable! And the upkeep will increase! What about guards? We don't have enough guards and not one of the guards will want to be posted there. We don't have the resources or the money! It is impossible! What would the King think?"

Katharyne laughed loudly at Teyrn Loghain's arguments, shaking her head before looking back up at him.

"If he were here, the King would agree with me. Done are the days where elves are forced to be segregated from the rest of the city. They are citizens of this city as much as you and I. The gates will remain open and elves will be allowed to move about the city and within Ferelden. They are free to do as they will."

"Ha! And what about guards? And resources? This is impossible to carry out!"

"On the contrary, Ser." Katharyne chuckled as she paced in front of the wooden throne. "Remember when I said that the elves are free to do as they will? If elves wish to join the guard and alleviate our search for new recruits, they are welcome to."

"But elves are not allowed to carry weapons... it's against the law."

"Not if the elves are free people of Ferelden" Katharyne answered. "That decree is to be revoked, ensuring elves have the same rights as any other individual in Ferelden."

"And if elves wish to leave? Where would they go?" Teyrn Loghain sneered.

"The Alienage in Highever is large enough to accommodate any elf who wishes to be relocated during the repairs. Elves who wish to leave Denerim to start anew will also receive a stipend of 10 sovereigns each so that they may purchase land or cattle."

"10 sovereigns each? You..." Alistair saw a sneer cross Loghain's face. "We do not have the funds to accommodate such expenses!" The man exclaimed as Katharyne sat back down, looking down at her fingernails in an apathetic manner.

"Less that one fifth of my dowry would be needed to repair both the Alienage and the market all while giving a stipend to the elves. Therefore, it is exactly what we will be using to fund these changes. It really will not cost us much gold and may even increase our revenue in the long term." She replied before sitting straight in the large chair.

"Your Majesty, I cannot condone— "

"This is my decision and it is final." Katharyne cut him off with a commanding voice.

Alistair shifted on his feet, strangely aroused by Katharyne's authoritative manner. His thoughts drifted to the last few nights they had spent together, realizing he wanted to take her over the large table. He coughed lightly at the idea.

"Ser Urien, will you call for the vote?" She asked the Arl of Denerim. The man got up from his chair and faced the other members of the table.

"Yes, your Majesty! All in favour for her Majesty's new decree to be established please raise your right hand and say 'aye'!" He declared in a loud voice.

Alistair held back a smile as everyone, except Loghain, raised their hand and declared 'Aye!'

"It is settled! Henceforth, all elves in Ferelden are free to take up arms, buy land and live somewhere other than an Alienage. Meanwhile, it has been agreed that the Alienage in Denerim is to be repaired and maintained to ensure a better way of life for its inhabitants." Arl Urien of Denerim declared as the royal scribe wrote down the decree. The parchment was passed down to Katharyne, so she could review it. She was handed the royal seal, an inkwell and a quill. She signed and applied the royal seal before passing it to Arl Urien and the Grand Cleric before they too applied their personal seals.

"Was there anything else on the agenda?" Katharyne asked as the new decree was bound into a large book.

"No ma'am..." Was the scribe's response.

"Then, this meeting is adjourned." Katharyne said as she got out of the chair, her action followed by the other members of the council. "Goodbye gentlemen, Shianni, Grand Cleric." She nodded to each of them as they filed out of the room. Alistair noticed Loghain shooting her a nasty look before he slipped out of the room last. She let out a loud sigh as the doors shut loudly, leaning her forehead on her hands. Alistair walked around the chair and leaned slightly on the table, facing her.

"That Teyrn Loghain... I swear! He's the most stubborn man I've ever encountered!" She exclaimed loudly. "And I thought Fergus was stubborn..." She whispered to herself.

"He's just unhappy about the change, that's all, love." Alistair said as he settled on the table, his arms crossed, smiling lightly.

"He's unhappy about breaking intolerant and narrow-minded 'traditions' you mean." Katharyne answered, matter-of-factly.

"Yes, that's what I mean, love. But don't let it bother you" Alistair replied with a small sigh.

She looked up at him, smiling meekly.

"You're right, I won't let it bother me. I am the Queen after all." She retorted, chuckling lightly.

"Exactly. You are the Queen and you should relax." He answered, his gaze fixated on her.

"I know of a way to relax, and you can help me with it, my love" She grinned as she got up from the chair and leaned into him, resting her hands behind him on the table.

"You do? And what is it? Pray tell, my lady..." Alistair whispered, feeling his groin tighten at the proximity of her body, being able to see his reflection and the glimmer of the torches on the amethysts around her neck.

Katharyne grinned as she trailed her right hand over his pants, her fingers brushing over his groin ever so slightly. She leaned into him and kissed his neck gently, making her way up to his lips. She brushed her bottom lip to his, pulling him in a deep kiss. Alistair pulled her closer to him, resting her between his legs as their lips melded together.

Katharyne pulled away for air and chewed on her bottom lip, smiling lightly. Alistair growled at the sight, flipping her body so that it was resting on the edge of the table. She drew in a short breath as he moved her.

"Oh Maker..." She moaned as she felt him trail gentle but wet kisses from her mouth to her collarbone. She arched her back as she felt his hands cupping her breasts, his head resting on her shoulder. Katharyne felt his left hand roam down, sliding against her hip and thigh, hiking her elaborate lilac dress up to her knees. Alistair slipped a hand between her legs, his fingers brushing her wet curls, making Katharyne whimper.

"Oh Maker... Love, you are always so responsive... and ready for me." He whispered, in awe as always.

Katharyne let out a gasp at his touch, reaching for his pants. Alistair chuckled as he helped her with the laces before he pulled them down, letting the fabric pool at his ankles. His arousal was prominent between his legs as he lay her down on the table, her legs spread out for him. He approached and cradled his hips between her naked thighs. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly whilst the side of his face was nestled between her clothed breasts. Alistair could hear her quickening heartbeat, sounding like a drum to his ear. She hissed as he pulled away, growling when he finally slid between her folds. He reacquainted himself with her exquisite warmth and tightness as her body relaxed and adjusted to the feeling of his member filling her completely.

Alistair started moving again, rocking his hips, back and forth. The friction formed the now familiar pool of warmth in her stomach as Katharyne moaned. Her legs were hanging off of the oaken table as he thrust inside of her in slow languid movements. His right hand firmly set on the table, his left one cupped a breast, feeling a taut nipple through the light layers of her dress. "Oh... Oh, Alistair..." Katharyne moaned as he thrust hard and deep inside of her, his member hitting all of her sensitive spots. His movements were almost animalistic in nature as they became much more erratic.

She wrapped her thighs around him, feeling a bubbling inside of her as he hit deeper than he had before. With one hard thrust, he struck something inside her and Katharyne cried out, his name escaping her lips. Her thighs squeezed his hips, pushing him deep inside her as the pulsating centre of her body squeezed his hard length. Her name escaped his lips as she felt his legs quiver, spilling his seed inside of her, her body milking him.

He crashed on top of her, panting loudly. He pulled her close as they basked in the glow of their orgasms, whispering sweet nothings to each other.

A full moon had passed when Katharyne woke up with the sunrise that morning. She smiled as she saw the light filtering through the sheer curtains, stretching in her bed lazily. She felt Alistair's body next to hers first before she felt his arms sneak around her to pull her close to him. She caressed his cheek lovingly, content with lying in bed for another few hours, when she heard bells starting to ring.

"No" Was the only word to escape her lips.

She sat up in bed quickly, knowing what the bells meant. There was only one reason for them to ring at such an early hour.

"Cailan has returned..." She whispered, her gaze trailing to meet Alistair's.

He looked at her gravely before he nodded sadly. He hopped out of bed first and slipped on his clothes. Katharyne slipped out of the bed and helped him tie his armour quickly before he pulled her into a longing hug and a passionate kiss. Her naked body shivered against the cold armour before he disappeared through a secret door hidden behind a tapestry.

He was not gone long when servants walked in her room through the main doors. They moved about the room quickly, bathing her and laying out a dress. By midday, she was bathed and perfumed. The servants helped her into undergarments and into the low-cut creamy white and gold embroided satin dress they had laid out. Loose sleeves were cut at mid-shoulder, creating a split where the yellow and gold tight sleeves could peek out from. The servants started braiding her hair in a wide array of braids, intertwining white ribbons to create a twisted and complicated hairstyle. A milky white velvet cape was wrapped lightly around her shoulders, warm but still exposing her cleavage.

She sighed sadly as she then made her way towards the courtyard, accompanied by servants and guards. She was going to greet the King, her husband. Reality was finally upon her, the last two months feeling like a dream.

She noticed Alistair standing with the other castle guards as she made her way to the courtyard. Her gaze didn't linger once they made eye contact and she shifted it to the ground. The Arl of Denerim and other advisors were standing to one side, so Katharyne made her way to the middle. She waved Shianni over so that the elven girl would be standing next to her. The deafening bells kept ringing all over the city but Katharyne made sure she appeared unfazed as the gates were opened and the royal party pulled in.

King Cailan rode in the courtyard astride his white steed, his golden armour shining brightly in the sun. Alistair observed his half-brother as the man came to a stop and jumped off his horse in one swift motion. He noticed his light face was darker and windburnt from months at sea. Cailan looked around and Alistair saw his eyes rest on Katharyne. His smile grew tenfold at the sight of her. He observed the King approach his Queen, bow down and kiss her hand gently before he stood up and looked at her up and down.

Alistair noticed how his half-brother's gaze rested on her bosom for a time longer than what was appropriate before he pulled her in and kissed her fully on the lips. Alistair felt a sting in his heart at the scene, knowing full well that jealousy was rearing its ugly head where it didn't belong. He also noticed, however, that Katharyne wasn't responding to the kiss as she would with him. Cailan pulled away and wrapped an arm around her waist, resting his hand in the small of her back.

"What a joyous day! To finally be with my beautiful Queen! Let's make haste to the chantry and finally exchange our royal rings as man and wife, King and Queen!" Cailan exclaimed as the people cheered around them.

The large party gathered in the chantry to watch the exchange of the rings. Alistair was forced to watch his half-brother promptly and officially marry the love of his life. As the royals departed for the dining hall, Alistair excused himself and stayed behind, staring at a statue of Andraste and asking for forgiveness from the Maker.

"I hear you were reacquainted with the Queen, Alistair." He heard a deep familiar voice behind him.

Alistair gulped and turned around to see Duncan, the wizened Captain of the Guard who had also returned from the sea.

"Yes." Was all that Alistair was able to mutter.

"I also hear you've spent quite some time with her Majesty..." The man continued.

"Yes, well, I was a familiar face... And I have supported her in the past few weeks..." Alistair replied, trying his best to not appear nervous.

Duncan looked at him intently as if he knew something more, but if he did, he stayed silent.

"Do I... have to go to the bedding tonight, sir?" He asked in a weak voice.

"You know you do, Alistair... You are the queen's guard. If something were to happen..." Duncan started as he turned to walk.

"I know..." The younger man replied, before they made their way towards the dining hall.

Katharyne ate slowly and silently as the wedding festivities were going on in the dining hall. She was seated next to King Cailan who was talking loudly with his advisors at the other end of the table. Fighting a throbbing ache in her head, she turned to her food and talking to Shianni lowly. She noticed Alistair and the older captain of the guard slip inside the dining hall, both standing to the side, near doors. As the mead and wine were flowing, the discussions kept getting louder and the people kept getting drunker. Katharyne was hoping that the bedding ceremony would be forgotten in all the revels. She was trying to buy time by eating as slow as possible, but the courses came and went. As the dessert made of fine Antivan sugar was taken away, she realized that it was time. The moment she had been dreading since her arrival in Denerim... The first bedding of the queen by the king.

Katharyne sighed, a little worried as she had already been deflowered. But the most worrisome was the idea of being bedded with a public present.

After the dining bell announcing the end of the revels was sound, servants brought her to a large antechamber. They dressed her in sheer white chemise before they undid her hair, the brown curls cascading down her back and over her shoulders. She was then pulled through the large dark oaken doors and into a large room where a canopy bed lay in the middle. The bed's cover was a red quilt and the canopy was a deep red and gold. As she looked around, she noticed that there were wooden balconies on each side of the room, the wooden seats being filled with lords and ladies of the court, servants and some members of the populace.

To her dismay, she noticed the amber eyes she loved so much in the crowd.

"No... Alistair..." He, of all people, was going to witness this event.

She was set down on the bed before Cailan was brought in, naked as the day he was born. People cheered as he walked in and he smiled gaily. Katharyne's eyes trailed down his muscular body and to his member. She couldn't help but think that the King, being a few inches smaller, was not as well endowed as Alistair and she smiled to herself.

The man approached the bed, a lustful look in his eyes as he reached his fingers to the chemise. He undressed her not too gently, ripping the chemise off of her. His rough, windburnt fingers trailed on her body, sending unwanted shivers through her spine. She tried to lock her gaze with his, as she had done with Alistair, but the man's eyes were simply roaming her body, avoiding her eyes. She could feel his arousal pressed against her leg as he laid on top of her, kneading her breasts and kissing her roughly, his alcohol breath making her want to retch.

The King grinned as he let go and flipped her around so she would be on her knees, his hands resting on her soft bottom. Without any warning, he suddenly pushed himself inside of her roughly. The harsh intrusion made Katharyne yelp out in pain and grasp the bed's quilt so tight that her knuckles were white. The man really wasn't gentle; his rough hands were grabbing her cheeks tightly, his uneven nails digging in her skin. He kept thrusting inside of her in rough, uneven movements, making her loins feel like they were on fire. He thrust inside harshly a few more times before spilling his seed inside of her.

The King pulled out and fell on top of her, spent. Katharyne decided not to move right away, hearing the shuffling of feet as people were leaving the balconies. Once she was sure people were gone, she hiccupped lightly, sobbing in the sheets. Cailan shifted from on top of her, moving beside her, snoring as he slept. She looked down at the sheets and noticed she didn't bleed, even if Cailan had been really rough.

She got off from the bed silently and went to the nearby desk. She looked through the drawers and found a letter opener. She made a small cut on her middle finger, drawing blood. She put it away and hurried back to the bed to let a few drops of blood fall on the bed and smearing it to imitate a deflowering. She sucked on her finger gently to stop the bleeding before she wiped herself between the legs.

Once she was done, Katharyne slipped under the quilted cover, staring at the canopy. Her thoughts drifted to Alistair.

"I'm sorry, my love..." She whispered as she felt a tear roll down her cheek.