Epilogue
The Battle of Denerim had been brutal, bloody, and savage beyond what anyone could've imagined. In the end, however, the Wardens and their allies had carried the day. Elissa Cousland, the most junior of all the Grey Wardens, slew the Fifth Archdemon and threw the darkspawn horde back into the underground passages from whence they came.
Alistair was in awe that such a woman had chosen him. Nothing compared to it, not even being king. Truth be told, Alistair didn't really want to be the king at all, but Elissa seemed to think he would be good at it. Listening to her had always turned out to be a good idea, and he didn't see any great need to change that now.
"Your majesty," Arl Eamon said. "The nobles are assembled and are awaiting your arrival."
Alistair winced. "'Your majesty'. That's going to take some getting used to."
"All the same," Eamon said, "you are our king. And I can't think of anyone more worthy."
"I can think of a couple," Alistair said. "You, for one. My soon-to-be wife, the other."
Eamon laughed. "I'm too old for that. Being King is for the young. And though I'm sure young Elissa would've made a fine ruler, we needed someone with royal lineage. That's you. Besides, I'm sure the girl will be happy to tell what you do."
"Of course I will," Elissa said, opening the door to the throne chambers. "He's so flighty, he'll need me to keep him in line."
"Well," Alistair said jovially, "now that we've established what a rotten king I'll make, I guess it's time we got to it. My adoring fans await."
Elissa giggled.
"One thing I don't understand," Eamon said. "I know something of the Grey Wardens. I know that the Warden who slew the Archdemon should've been killed. Yet, Lady Cousland, you still live."
Alistair's expression went blank.
"I see. The two of you did something. Made some kind of bargain, perhaps?" Eamon asked.
Alistair didn't speak, but he didn't deny it. He hung his head.
"Chin up, boy, I am not judging you. I am not going to stand here and lecture you about it. I've hard to make bargains myself in my past, so I'm in no position to point any fingers. I won't ask for details. You're King now Alistair, and Lady Cousland is your Queen. This is not the last time the two of you will have to make a hard decision," Eamon explained.
"Iā¦thank you, Arl Eamon," Alistair said.
"Just remember this. No matter what deals you accept or what choices you have to make, they can never change who you are. Your enemies might take your family, your life, or your lands. But what makes you who you are, they can never take that away," Eamon said.
"And who am I?" Alistair asked.
"A good man," Elissa replied. "A very good man."
"You should not keep the nobles waiting, your majesty," Eamon said.
