A/N: *hides behind Inquisition shield* Don't hurt me! I know I said I'd be updating every week again in the last chapter but stuff happened. :( The worst of which being I was in a car accident. I'm okay! But basically writing has been the last thought on my mind. I don't know if I'll be able to update twice a week again but I'll definitely try. Anyway. Next chapter!

Ashlyn was still sitting in her armchair where Wynne had left her not long ago. On the other hand, it could have been quite some time, she was too lost in her thoughts to be sure.

Pregnant? She'd been so certain that she'd never be able to conceive. It wasn't as if she and Alistair didn't try, but it had been six years. And with the taint in her blood, what were the chances of the baby even surviving?

Of course…the pouch. Ashlyn rose from her seat and walked over to her nightstand and opened the top drawer, emptied its contents, and removed the fake bottom, revealing the space beneath. Just large enough to hold a leather pouch with string meant to act as a necklace. She pulled it out and blew off the layer of dust, and gently fingered the material.

Morrigan had given this to her just before disappearing through the Eluvian, telling her to call it a wedding gift. She'd told her that while it was improbable, conceiving a child between two Wardens was possible. But as Ashlyn had thought, the taint would kill the babe before it could be born. She'd wanted her best friend, the only woman she considered a sister, to have a chance at a family once more.

Put in your drink, in food, it matters not. So long as the moment you discover you are with child, you ingest the herbs. They are the only thing that will protect the babe.

She refused to tell Ashlyn what exactly the herbs were, and that was why the queen hesitated now. Should she trust her old friend? The betrayal at the end still hurt, but besides that, never once had Morrigan misled her. What if this had something to do with Morrigan's own child? Was this all part of a larger plan?

On the other hand…Ashlyn lay a hand on her stomach. The child would certainly die if she didn't do something. No one could live through the taint for long. As it was, she and Alistair were on borrowed time. Morrigan's child had required the ritual to live. Ashlyn's baby needed help. For all she knew it could have already been harmed by the taint in her blood.

Ashlyn bit her lip and glanced at the leftover glass of water on her nightstand from the night before. Then with a firm nod of her head – if shaking fingers – she dumped the contents of the pouch into the glass and downed it in one gulp.

Leaving the room after calming her nerves, Ashlyn ran face first into her husband's chest.

"Oh! There you are," Alistair said, taking her by the shoulders and gently moving her back. "You were gone a while."

"Ah, I uh…sorry," Ashlyn replied, then cleared her throat. "Where is Wynne?"

"She and Shale each left for their quarters to rest. Since it had been so long I decided to come check on you…Are you alright?" Concerned now, he cupped her cheek.

Ashlyn smiled and reached up to hold the hand against her face. "I have news."

Alistair gave a chuckle. "Good news I hope. I've had enough surprises for today."

"Very good news," She took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."

Alistair froze for a few moments. "I…really? Are you sure?"

Ashlyn beamed and nodded. "Wynne told me, she's certain. I'm a few weeks along. That's why I've been feeling so off lately and – oh!" She was cut off when Alistair enveloped her in a sudden hug, then laughed when he picked her up and swung her around.

"I can't believe it!" He exclaimed – in between kisses he was currently raining on her face. He suddenly pulled back, looking worried. "Wait but – is it safe? The baby? Won't the taint hurt it?"

Ashlyn's mind spun for a few moments. He wouldn't be happy to know she had used herbs that Morrigan had given her. He had never trusted her; that was the whole reason Ashlyn had neglected to tell him about it all these years.

"I…Wynne believes she can keep the taint from affecting the child. The very fact that it conceived at all means it's very strong." That much at least was true. "We'll have to be careful of course, and keep a healer around -"

"We're keeping Wynne around," Alistair said sternly. "We need to someone around who knows you as well as she does, and has her experience."

Ashlyn smiled. "If she wants to, certainly. I'm not sure how Shale will feel about it though. I have no idea what her plans are now that she's regained her mortality."

"Actually," Alistair cut in, "She mentioned an interest in joining the Royal Guard. So she might be sticking around after all."

"That's fantastic!" Ashlyn exclaimed. They both smiled into the silence for a moment before Ashlyn leaned forward to hug him. He returned the embrace warmly.

"I can't believe we're going to have a baby," he said into her hair.

"Neither can I," she replied softly. "I wonder if it's a boy or a girl."

"I wonder if it will have your hair," Alistair said with a small laugh. She chuckled as well. Her bright red hair was impossible to miss.

After another couple of moments Ashlyn pulled back. "I suppose we'll have to start preparing. Set up a nursery, tell our friends…"

"Ugh," Alistair's face grew worried. "Now that you mention it…Maker, we have so much to do."

She leaned up and kissed his cheek. "We have people and friends to help us though. We'll make it through." She then beamed up at him again. "We're going to have a family."

He leaned down and touched his forehead to hers. "A family."

Nine months later, as they were on their way to the inn in Kirkwall they were staying at, Ashlyn had just worked her way through another contraction. She released her death grip on Alistair's hand as the pain around her spine faded.

"Okay," she said after catching her breath. "Let's keep going. They're coming faster."

Alistair guided her with a hand at her back, concern etched into his features. That fled when Ashlyn suddenly gave a breathless laugh. "What's so funny?"

"We called all our friends back to the palace so early so we'd be sure they would be there for the birth. Looks like that was pointless."

Alistair snorted. "Well. You're the one who wanted to come, my dear."

She gave him a mock glare. "Well, at least when we return they'll get to immediately meet the new princess."

"Oh, so it's a girl again?"

She elbowed him. "For now."

He chuckled. "For now," he agreed, then continued to hurry her along to the inn.

A/N: Again, so sorry it's been so long. I hope you guys aren't too mad!

Big thanks to lilolivia179 and Cel for your reviews! You guys rock!

Happy reading! :)