A/N: Your sweet words convinced me to post early. :)
"This is fantastic news!" Arl Eamon was beaming, as he had been from the moment Ashlyn and Alistair had hesitantly announced their engagement to him and Bann Teagan in the small study he'd been offered during their stay. They had been pleasantly surprised by his reaction until he began to explain exactly why he was so elated. "The last Theirin marrying the Warden, the hope for Ferelden! This will make our petition at the Landsmeet that much simpler, and this way we won't have to worry about finding you a wife so you can produce an heir. I only wish I'd thought of it myself!"
He continued babbling on as the two wardens glanced at each other, unsure of whether they should be surprised or annoyed. Or both.
"Well," the arl was saying, the excitement in his voice fading somewhat. "This certainly changes things. I wish we'd planned this sooner - we have that much more to work on – but it is fantastic, nonetheless. I suggest we all get some rest. You'll be visiting the alienage tomorrow as I understand it, Lady Cousland?"
"Yes, my lord," she replied, careful not to allow her offense to show. "I'll be sure to report our findings to you as soon as we return."
"Excellent. In that case I believe I shall retire for the evening. Good night to you all."
Once the arl had left the room, Tegan sighed, apparently as exasperated with his brother as the two of them were. "I apologize for that. He means well, but you both know how impossible our situation seems." Ashlyn nodded, understanding, though Alistair only gave a noncommittal hum. Teagan stepped forward shake his hand. "Congratulations, both you. I mean it." He then reached to kiss Ashlen's knuckles, which she accepted with a smile, before stepping back. "He was right, however, tomorrow will likely be a long day. We should all rest. Good evening." He was nearly to the door when he paused and turned to say "Oh, Alistair, would you mind coming to see me before you leave in the morning?"
"Of course," he responded with a nod. With that, the Bann bid them both a final good night and left the study.
Ashlyn sighed and leaned against the desk in the center of the room, her strength leaving her. "That went…well, I suppose."
"It did. Not the way I expected. Still, I suppose we should be glad he was so happy rather than standing against us," he said, leaning against the desk as well and tangling his fingers with hers.
"Yes. It's just…" she paused, attempting to gather her thoughts. "Do you think everyone is going to react that way? That they'll assume we're marrying as a…a political move?" she gazed up at him, brow furrowed. "I know it shouldn't matter – we know we're marrying for love, and it does work politically, which is helpful, but it just seems so…cold."
Alistair pulled his hand away and wrapped his arm around her instead, tucking her head under his chin. "There's always going to be people who assumed that's why we did this, which is something we're just going to have to learn to live with. But we and our friends all know that we're in love, and that's what's important. And I'm sure others will begin to see it too, even if they don't at first. According to Morrigan, its impossible to ignore our 'disgusting cooing,' as she so lovingly puts it, after all."
Ashlyn chuckled, returning his embrace, and felt some of her annoyance leave her. "At least Teagan was kind about it. I'm glad he approves."
"As do I."
They were both silent for a few long minutes and Ashlyn only forced herself to move when she realized she was beginning to fall asleep against Alistair's chest. She laughed a little at herself before nudging him. "We should get some sleep. It's been a long, and kind of emotional day."
He snorted, the puff of air making her hair rustle a bit. "Kind of?"
She smiled a little and pulled away. "Okay, understatement. The point is, I'm dead on my feet and you look as tired as you were after Ostagar."
He nodded sleepily and allowed her to drag him out of the room. When they reached the hallway each of their rooms were in however, she bit her lip, slowing. They'd been given separate rooms, obviously, as it would be inappropriate to share, despite their relationship. However, due to the decision made today, and the emotional stress of said decision – and if she was being honest, the emotional stress of the entire Landsmeet – she found she missed the comfort of falling asleep beside him, and the thought of going to bed alone was unappealing. She finally paused in her steps and turned to face him.
"Um…do you think maybe…we could stay together tonight? I mean, I know one of us will have to sneak out of the room pretty early so the servants don't talk, but…" she glanced away shyly. "I'd rather not be alone tonight."
Alistair smiled and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Your desire is my command, love."
She grinned, and they retired to his room, their sleep uninhibited by nightmares when in each other's arms.
Months later, Ashlyn sat in the same sitting room, once again gazing at a roaring fire, but this time with a light smile on her face. She ran her fingers lightly over the ring that Alistair had given her, a gift from Teagan. It was apparently a family heirloom, and one he decided to give to his nephew, as he was unmarried. It was simple but elegant, two small rubies on either side of the square cut diamond.
The wedding was tomorrow, and for the past two weeks the entire castle had been in a frenzy with preparations and guests arriving, and she had come here for a moment of peace. It had been nice to see Fergus again, however. She had travelled with him to their home – well, her former home – soon after the Blight, and kicked out what few of Howe's men had been stupid enough to remain. Afterwards, however, she'd immediately returned to Court, only to be promoted to Warden-Commander and head for Weisshaupt. Finally, she'd come back again, ready to have some alone time with her fiancé…and then she had received word of Morrigan's whereabouts.
Ashlyn gently touched the pouch hidden under her tunic. Tonight, she would hide it in a box in her closet to be used…someday.
She looked up as she heard a quiet knock at the open door. Leliana stood there with a smile. "Trying to escape already?"
Ashlyn chuckled. "Just enjoying some peace and quiet. Is something the matter?"
"I was just hoping we could have you try on your dress once more, to be sure nothing is amiss. And maybe we can talk about how we'll style your hair."
Ashlyn gave her a teasing grin. "And I suppose you'll have me try on, oh, a few hundred pairs of shoes?"
Leliana snorted, though she wore a smile as well. "Of course not," she said, gesturing for Ashlyn to follow. They fell into step in the hallway. "I was thinking a couple thousand."
A/N: Every time I write something super fluffy and cute I feel like there is someone laughing over my shoulder. :(
Thank you for all the favorites and follows! I squeed when I saw my inbox full of so many!
Special thanks to Miss Lubberly, Velocity River, Taiki, and Cel for your reviews and kind words! You guys are the best!
Happy reading! :)
UPDATE: If you guys have any quick prompts for things you'd like to see me write in to this story, send me a PM, leave a review, whatever you want. :) I've still got ideas, I just think it would be fun!