Chapter 1-The first year

A year had gone by and Aubrie still could not rid herself of the memories from that fateful day. She could still remember vividly the anger and hatred in Alistair's eyes, anger
and hatred for her, after she agreed to not only spare Loghain's life, but make him a Grey Warden as well. She'll never forget the words he whispered only to her to her before
he stormed out of the Landsmeet, "Traitorous Bitch."

Later, when she and the rest of their companions returned to Arl Eamon's estate, she found him in his room packing. She tried to reason with him, make him understand her
actions. However, Alistair's mind was made up. With a coldness in his voice, he had told her it was over.

The news that she was pregnant was bittersweet. Though she couldn't be happier about being a mom, knowing Alistair would not be by her side saddened her to no end. If it wasn't
for her faithful companions, she did not know how she would've gotten through such an ordeal. Even Morrigan tried to comfort Aubrie those first few nights after the Landsmeet,
though her words were not very comforting.

Aubrie remembered lying in bed those nights, Morrigan always coming in to check on her. She would sit on the side of the bed wiping the tears away from her friend's face. "He is
a fool. He does not deserve these tears you cry for him. I do not even know what you saw in him," she continued. "He is whiny, dim-witted, and he eats way too much cheese."

Aubrie loved her friend for her efforts, so she never told her that those were the very traits (though she saw him as sensitive and goofy) she loved about Alistair. Along with
his strong sense of justice. Which is why she was in her current situation.

Morrigan left the night before the battle with the Archdemon. Aubrie's suspicions had been confirmed by Riordan, a grey warden would have to die in order for the Archdemon to be
defeated. Morrigan had a way out, a so-called loop hole, so that no grey warden would be sacraficed. Aubrie turned the offer down, however. She knew who she would sacrafice.
Morrigan respected her friends decision, but explained that she would be leaving that night, though not before vowing that if she ever saw Alistair again, she would turn him
into a toad. This earned Morrigan a small laugh from the Warden

After the Archdemon was defeated, Loghain of course was seen as the hero. She had regretted that part of her decision, but she was glad to have survived and she prayed to the
Maker that Alistair was alive as well. Anora was grateful to Aubrie for sparing her father's life, though she never suspected Aubrie's intentions. She simply believed her father
wanted the glory for himself. Although she never cared much for Anora, Aubrie felt sorry for her. She understood what it felt like to lose everyone you loved in such a short
time.

Aubrie returned to Highever with her brother, whom she was finally reunited with after the battle. She was relieved when Wynne and Leiliana decided to tag along. During their
adventures together she had come to view Wynne as a second mother and Leiliana as the sister she never had. Sten returned to his homelands. Before he left, however, he told her,
"Warden, I am honored to have fought alongside you. You are the true hero." With tears in her eyes, Aubrie hugged the Qunari and told him she would never forget him. She also
sent him with a batch of cookies. "Thank you, Kadan."

Ohgren and Shale decided to return to Orzammar, to help fight the lingering darkspawn in the deep roads. They paid a visit to the very pregnant Warden once to see how she was
doing.

"It has become fat," Shale had said without any regards to her feelings, though Aubrie was not surprised. Shale was always quite blunt.

"Sodding Ancestors Shale, she's pregnant not fat," Ohgren reminded Shale. "Where else do you think the little bugger's going to go?"

Aubrie couldn't help but laugh. Despite Shale's remark she was happy to see both her friends. She had been feeling depressed those days, knowing that her child would soon arrive
and Alistair would not be there when the time came. Although Zevran had made it his mission to find Alistair, whom after their argument seemed to dissappear off the face of
Thedas, even if he did find him, she did not believe he would willingly return to her so quickly.

When the time did come, nothing could have prepared her for the pain. Though Wynne tried, her magic was doing little to lessen it. Leiliana stayed by her side the whole time,
holding her hand and trying to keep her calm. When her daughter was born, she was surprised when she heard Wynne say, "Leiliana take the babe and clean her up, Aubrie you're
not quite done yet. There's another head."

"WHAT?!" was all Aubrie could say before she felt the urge to push again and her son arrived. She could hear both babies crying as the two women cleaned them up. Then they
brought the babies to Aubrie so she could hold them, one in each arm, while Wynne cleaned her up. She could not believe it. Twins! She decided to name the girl Alison Rose and
the boy Duncan Bryce. She couldn't have been more proud.

Today the twins were six months old. Alison, whom she had nick-named AliRose, had taken most of her mothers features. Light skin, blonde hair, and green eyes. Though she did
inherit her father's crooked grin. Duncan inherited everything from his father, including those beautiful brown eyes. She had just laid them down for a nap when Fergus told her
that Arl Earmon was here to see her.

"Eamon, here, whatever for?" she asked confused. Though she and the Arl were on good terms, she was surprised that he would personally travel all the way to Highever from
Redcliffe. Normally he would send a messenger.

"I don't know, but he said it was urgent." he answered.

"I guess I should go see what he needs."

She made her way to the main hall. "Eamon. It's good to see you again my friend," she said as she gave him a hug. "Though I'm surprised you traveled so far. Is there something
amiss. Is Isolde alright, the baby?"

"Isolde is fine and so is the baby" he answered. It was then she noticed a worried look in his eyes. "It's Connor. The circle believes he's run away, but I don't. Connor was
enjoying his studies at the circle. He was happy. There would be no reason for him to leave willingly. Gregoir has already sent some of his templars to find him, but I do not
trust them. I need you and Alistair to find him before they do."

Aubrie was dumbfounded. As much as she loved and respected the Arl, surely he was asking too much from her. Especially since..."Eamon you are aware that I had twins just six
months ago, and I don't know where Alistair is."

Suddenly she heard a familiar voice. "I believe this is where I can be of service."

"Zevran." She ran over to the blonde elf and gave him a big hug. "I'm so glad to see you. I was beginning to worry. Wait, you found Alistair?"

"I have."