A/N: My second favourite chapter and I'm giving it to you guys so late after the fifth one! I'm so sorry, life and university have been keeping me so busy!

Did anyone think I'd bring in Duncan? Plot twist?! He's not a Grey Warden though, since there are no darkspawn... I always liked how he was a father figure to Alistair so I had to have him in here!

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 VI :.

Two moons passed since her 'first' bedding and Cailan had spent every single night with her since. Katharyne felt sore everywhere since Cailan was not a patient and gentle lover. After he was done, he would either fall asleep or more often than not, the king would get dressed and leave her alone with her thoughts. The two moons that passed had truly been dire for Katharyne.

Not two days after the bedding, Alistair had requested that he no longer would be part of her personal guard and back to being part of the King's personal guard. The captain of the guard, Duncan, had then reassigned a female guard named Ida to be Katharyne's personal guard. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, however, Katharyne focused on her wife and queen duties. Renovations to the Alienage were underway with the praises of Cailan and Katharyne spent much time with Shianni and the elves, to make sure everything was in order.

However, she had been feeling a little sickly of late and one morning, decided to address the situation with the royal physician. As she lay on her bed, he proceeded to examine her body and he asked her when she had last bled. The question threw Katharyne aback as she hadn't really paid it any mind since she had been busy. She counted back to where she had been due last and the day came back to memory. She had been supposed to be bleeding the week of the king's return.

She had, therefore, been impregnated the week right before Cailan's return. Katharyne sighed woefully as she realised that the child she was carrying was Alistair's.

She lied to the physician and said she hadn't bled since the bedding. The man was rejoicing and excused himself to go and tell the king, leaving Katharyne alone with her thoughts.

"What shall we do, little one?" She whispered as she rested a hand on her still flat stomach. She was happy the child had been created out of love, but was afraid of what might happen to them if it was found out she had had an affair.

A few moments later, her door burst open. The King entered, followed closely by Duncan to his left and Alistair to his right. Katharyne fought back tears at the sight of her love's crestfallen face. But as he walked next to the King, Katharyne couldn't help but feel uneasy. She observed that both men looked eerily alike; similar cheekbones, same nose and their eyes were also the same shape, albeit different colours.

"A royal heir!" Cailan exclaimed as he went down to his knees and kissed her belly. "My darling queen, this is wonderful news! You have made me the happiest man in Thedas!"

Katharyne said nothing, fearing that she would cry if she opened her mouth. Instead, she nodded and smiled as Cailan showered her with attentions, trying her best not to look at Alistair.

"We must announce it!" Cailan said loudly, ignoring the royal physician's protests that it was too early. "Come, Ser Duncan! I will make a royal announcement for everyone to hear! You rest, my darling."

The king turned on his heel, followed closely by the physician and Ser Duncan. Alistair sighed as the men left and he decided to linger. Katharyne sat back on her bed, avoiding his gaze. Alistair's eyes trailed down to her flat stomach, still not believing she was with child.

"So, you're with child..." Alistair said lowly, feeling a slight sneer rising to his face.

"Yes." She whispered meekly, playing with her hands.

"Cailan sure is happy... You're giving him an heir... and so soon after the bedding too! We should thank the Maker we didn't get you with child if you're so fertile." He said, sneering and unable to stop himself sounding full of disdain. Jealousy had finally reared its ugly head, the emotion making him avoid her gaze.

"You're... You're mad?!" Katharyne said abruptly, a tinge of sadness in her voice. His gaze moved to her face and he noticed her cheeks were damp with tears. "Why are you mad, Alistair?" She inquired, a weak sob escaping her lips

"I'm not mad! Disappointed? Maybe... But I'm not mad!" Alistair lied.

"You're lying..." She whispered, a hand resting protectively on her belly.

"Fine! Yes, I'm mad! And insanely jealous!" Alistair retorted.

"Why? Did you think that I would leave Cailan for you, Alistair? Because I would have... if not for my duties! Surely you know that! Besides, it's been a whirlwind of emotions since he's come back and you haven't made it easy for me, Alistair. You have avoided me! You have... no, you are acting like a child! Will you run to Redcliffe again? And not tell me? ...Do you really think I don't miss you?! I am sick and tired of sharing my bed with that man. I miss your touch; I miss you... But then you come in here, infuriated because I am with child?" Katharyne exclaimed loudly, seemingly fighting back tears.

"You would leave Cailan for me?" Alistair asked, somewhat surprised.

"You know I would, but I am the Queen. I have duties and they, unfortunately, have to come before the desires of my heart!" She replied, matter-of-factly as she pointed to her heart.

They stayed silent, avoiding each other's gaze as Katharyne sobbed silently.

"Why do you look so much like Cailan, Alistair?" Katharyne suddenly asked, sniffling as she had stopped crying.

Alistair cursed himself, knowing this question would arise sooner or later. He had taken precautions, however, to avoid it from her. 'So why is she asking this now?' He thought to himself.

"I do not look like His Majesty. Why would you ask such a thing?" Alistair replied

"You're lying, Alistair... Why are you lying to me?" Katharyne cried loudly as she got off the bed to face him. "I saw you standing next to him! You have the same nose, the same eyes... Maker, even your jaws are alike!"

"I don't. I really don't look like him..." Alistair replied, trying to keep his cool.

"Tell. Me. Why. You. Look. So. Much. Like. Cailan, Alistair!" Katharyne said, enunciating every single word.

"I don't ..."

"Alistair, tell me the truth... It's an order."

Alistair sighed as she gave him an order. He couldn't avoid the question any longer.

"Because he's my half-brother... that's why..." Alistair mumbled.

"Your... your what?" She asked, obviously confused.

"My half-brother..." He repeated. "Do you remember when we first met and I told you I was Arl Eamon's ward until King Maric brought me to Denerim? The reason he did that, well, was because King Maric was my father. Which makes Cailan my half-brother."

"So... you're not just a bastard but a royal bastard?" Katharyne snorted, shaking her head.

"Katharyne..." He whispered, feeling a sting in his heart.

"Why did you wait to tell me this? You didn't think of telling me at any point when you were in my bed?" She asked, a hurt look in her eyes.

"I would have told you but... it never really meant anything to me. I was inconvenient and could be a threat to Cailan's rule... so they kept me a secret. The only reason I was brought here by King Maric was so that I could be watched... I didn't want you to know as long as possible. I'm truly sorry." Alistair replied after a sigh.

"I've known you for years, Alistair... It's come up. You should have told me..." Katharyne said, looking at him intently.

"I know. And I'm sorry..." He whispered.

"Does Cailan know?" Katharyne asked in a small voice.

"Yes... It's why I was assigned to you. He had said to me that a Theirin must always protect his wife. And that as your friend, a knight of this realm and as his... half-brother, he wanted me to protect you in his place." Alistair answered, paraphrasing his half-brother's words.

"Is it why you're his guard once more? Because he's back?" She asked.

"In parts, yes... I didn't feel proper to be your personal guard now that he's back. I'm really not coping well with his return."

"I see..."

"Yes, anyways, that's it... That's why I look like King Maric." Alistair said, shifting on his feet.

"It's a shame you didn't tell me before. You're technically a prince. Somehow I find that very... thrilling." Katharyne sighed.

"Did I just find the one damn decent thing about my birthright?" Alistair said, trying to lighten the mood.

Katharyne couldn't help but smile a little.

"You never really went into detail as to how you came to Denerim." She said.

"As you know, I was Arl Eamon's ward. He raised me until he married an Orlesian woman. Rumours were flying that I was his bastard, the son of a serving girl. Lady Isolde packed my belongings and was ready to send me to the farthest chantry possible. However, King Maric was visiting Arl Eamon at the time and he took me in his party back to Denerim instead. I was never the religious type so I was quite happy to be going to Denerim. I was looking forward to becoming a knight, but I didn't know I was his son at the time." Alistair explained, keeping his gaze locked with hers. "I found out I was his son in my sixteenth year, at the same time as Cailan. After our fated kiss, one year after, I went to Redcliffe to clear my head... as you know."

"But that didn't work..."

"That didn't work." Alistair agreed. "Rumours started flying once more and Lady Isolde wanted me back in Denerim."

Katharyne was silent, staring down at her feet when the celebratory bells started ringing loudly.

"Katharyne... I..." Alistair started, his voice droned out by the bells.

She strained her ears to hear what he was saying but the bells were too loud. He approached her slowly and gave her a fleeting kiss on the lips before slipping out of the room through the main doors. Katharyne sat back down on the bed, dumbfounded. Alistair was a Theirin... a bastard, that was unquestionable, but still a Theirin nonetheless.

"Oh little one... if only you knew the woes you have already caused... Your father doesn't even know you're his. I didn't even get the opportunity to tell him..." She sighed as she patted her stomach lightly, tears running down her cheeks.