Chapter 6-What Happened?

Alistair stared at Aubrie in disbelief. He couldn't believe what he heard. She couldn't marry him? Why not? He had forgiven her for sparing Loghain. Maybe she hadn't forgiven him for leaving. Or maybe there was someone else.

Alistair had been so caught up in the fact that Aubrie was back in his life, that it never occurred to him that there might be another man in her life. He knew he could never be with another woman. Sure, he would flirt a little but that's as far as it would go. In the end, his heart belonged solely to Aubrie. She was his first and she would be his last. Besides, he knew there would be no other woman who could put up with his half-witted jokes, and he had nothing else to offer.

Aubrie, however, was different. She was intelligent, charming, and the most beautiful woman he had ever known. And he, he had left her without so much as a backwards glance. So why wouldn't some knight in shining armor be able to rescue the brokenhearted beauty and then sweep her off her feet. Or elf for that matter.

Alistair decided he was just meant to be alone for the rest of his life. He might as well finish this mission then go back to Lothering and drown his sorrows in ale. At least when he was drunk he could pretend he was happy.

***

Aubrie couldn't believe it. He asked her to marry him. She should be happy. She should be jumping into his arms with a thousand yeses. Instead she had told him she couldn't and in doing so, probably shut the door on any chance they had at salvaging their relationship.

Aubrie knew she was a fool, but how could she say yes when he didn't know all the facts. It just wouldn't be fair. He may not even want to marry her once he finds out the truth.

Aubrie was so lost in her thoughts that she wasn't paying attention to where she was going. Suddenly she felt herself bump into someone, knocking them over in the process. She held out her hand to help the person up.

"I'm so sorry, Maker I'm such a klu..." she stopped, stunned at who she was looking at. "Connor?"

"Yes ma'am, it's me," he responded.

Before she could ask him if he was ok, what was he doing here, or anything at all, she heard Alistair yell "Aubrie, look out!"

It was too late, however. She felt a pain in her head and blackness engulfed her.

***

When she awoke, she was laying in bed. The room was familiar, but it took her a few moments to register where she was. When it clicked, she was confused. She was at Eamon's Estate, but how on Thedas did she get here? She sat up and looked around the room. She saw Alistair standing near the fire with his back to her.

"Alistair?" she asked.

He turned around. "You're awake, thank the Maker," he said walking over and taking her hand. "I was worried."

"Alistair, why are we here?" she asked confused. Then she rubbed her temples. "And why is my head pounding?"

"Here," he said handing her a mug. "Drink this. Wynne said it would help with your headache."

Aubrie took a sip and grimaced. "Ugh, what's in this?"

"Wynne said not to ask. She said she knows it taste awful, but you have to drink it." he replied. "She said if you don't, then I was to force it down your throat."

Aubrie gave him a pouty look. "You wouldn't do that to me, would you?"

Alistair looked at her. His heart melted every time she gave that look. Maker, but he was a fool for her. "If it meant making you better I would. But I wouldn't like it, so drink up so I don't have to."

"Oh alright," she conceded. "So you never answered my first question. Why are we here?

"Well, let's see," he began. "Do you remember bumping into Connor?"

She nodded.

"Well right afterward, Zevran hit you in the head with the blunt end of his dagger. I tried to warn you but it was too late. I tried to go after him, but Wynne paralyzed me. She made me promise not hurt Zevran, and then she would let me go."

Aubrie stared at him baffled. "I don't understand. Why would Zevran do such a thing, and why would Wynne stop you?"

"Oh it gets better," he replied. "After she let me go, Eamon showed up. Apparently, Connor has been with Eamon the whole time. He was never kidnapped. Aubrie do you know what's going on."

Aubrie shook her head. "No, I'm just as astonished as you. But I plan to find out."

"No need," he said. "Eamon said once you woke and were feeling better, for you and I to meet him downstairs and he would explain everything."

"Guess we better get going then," she said trying to stand. She was still a little dizzy, however, so she needed Alistair's help. After her dizziness subsided, Alistair still continued to hold her. For a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her. She wanted him to kiss her, but she knew it wouldn't be right. Reluctantly she stepped out of his arms. "I'm fine now, thank you. We should go find out what kind of mischief our friends are up to."

She started to walk away, but Alistair grabbed her wrist and pulled her against him. Before she could protest, his mouth claimed hers in a hard kiss. She tried to resist, but it was useless. Finally need took over and she parted her lips to allow his tongue to find hers. His grip on her wrist loosened and she was able to bring her hands to his shoulders. She felt one of his hands on her waist while the other had found it's way from her back to her hind-quarters. His kiss deepened as his tongue began exploring her mouth. Aubrie did not want this to stop.

It did though, abruptly in fact. One minute he was kissing her, and the next Aubrie was watching him walk out the bedroom door without a word, leaving behind a very confused Aubrie.