The battle had been difficult, but the Keep held up admirably. The walls were practically untouched thanks to Voldrik's work over the last few months. Most of the soldiers had survived, and news from the city said that they were fine as well. Velanna and Sigrun had handled themselves well behind Oghren's surprisingly good leadership. Zeriah did not want to do anything more than grab the first horse she could find and race to Denerim, but she had to wait for some time to get things in order. Two days passed before she felt like she was actually making a dent in the work, and the celebrations of the people had not ceased in that time. Word had certainly arrived in Denerim by now, alerting the King to her success, but she had received nothing back.
"What are you still doing here?" Traven asked, popping into her office while the soldiers outside celebrated their victory. She wrinkled her nose.
"You know, reports to fill out, letters to write. The usual." she replied. He laughed.
"You need to go home!" he said.
"I know!" she replied with equal enthusiasm. "I also need to formally make Nathaniel the Commander of the Grey, because I have too much to do as Queen to keep this position up." she explained. Traven gasped and placed a hand on his heart.
"Nathaniel! I thought I was your second!" he cried in mock sadness. She rolled her eyes.
"We both know you want nothing to do with this position. Otherwise it would be you sitting in this chair, filling out paperwork and making sure our soldiers get paid." she pointed out. She laughed as Traven shuddered.
"You're right, that sounds absolutely dreadful." he answered. She smiled.
"Where are you going to go, Trav?" she asked. Her old friend wandered over to the window and looked down at the courtyard. She had an idea of what he was looking at, or, rather, who.
"I think I might stick around, at least for a while." he said distantly. She was happy for him.
"I wish you luck with her, Traven. I think she will be good for you." she admitted. He jumped slightly, startled.
"I...what?" he asked. She arched an eyebrow at him.
"Traven." she drawled. He chuckled.
"Fine. Thank you, Zeri. We'll see if anything comes of it." he agreed. She stood and embraced him.
"I'll miss you." she murmured.
"And I, you." he agreed. "There's a horse waiting for you at the gates. It has all of your belongings on it. You should probably go before somebody steals everything." She beamed at him.
"Have I ever told you that I love you?" she asked. He scoffed.
"No, but you never had to. I love you too, Zeri. Now go home." he laughed. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek before heading out the door.
"Have Nathaniel give that to the Wardens from Weisshaupt when they come asking questions!" she said, gesturing to the paperwork on the desk as she ran out. She ran down the hall and out the front door, waving off everyone who tried to hand her a celebratory drink. She saw the horse in question, being held by a young, confused soldier by the gates. He saluted to her anxiously and she bowed her head. Zeriah scoffed at the horse. It was the tallest one in the stables. "I'm going to need your assistance to get on this thing, soldier." she said. He nodded and cupped his hands for her to mount the horse. She stepped in his palms and launched herself up. The second she was settled on the horse, she was riding out of the gates, a wide smile on her face.
She rode through the gates of Denerim without drawing notice. The people of the city were not expecting her without a grand procession of some sort. She grinned, heading straight for the palace. There, she was recognized more easily. Guards bowed immediately, and some began to escort her inside.
"Where's the king?" she asked.
"He's in a meeting, your grace. In the main office." one answered. She hopped down off her horse and waved them away.
"Thank you. Take care of my horse and belongings please." she said before rushing off to find him. She strode into the main office without knocking to see Alistair sitting with an unfamiliar woman with dark skin and a golden-ruffled dress.
"Antiva extends its hand to you in this time, Your Grace. We wish to have a beneficial relationship with Ferelden in the years to come." the woman said, her accent thick. Alistair leaned back in his chair, and the slight smile on his face told her that he was aware of her presence.
"I appreciate the sentiment, Ambassador Montilyet, but I have to wonder if you wish for Antiva to benefit, or Ferelden?" he asked. Zeriah smiled. He was getting better at governance.
"Speaking from a personal standpoint, I would hope that a friendship would benefit us both." the young ambassador admitted. Alistair nodded and extended his hand to the woman.
"I should hope so. Now, if you would excuse me, my wife has returned, and I must greet her properly." he said, standing. The young woman turned with a smile, and Zeriah saw that she was quite pretty, but she still was not entirely sure of herself.
"I should hope to see you at dinner this evening, Ambassador." Zeriah said as Alistair whisked her out the door. She heard an affirmation as the door closed behind them, but then Alistair was kissing her and she forgot everything but him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
"I've missed you." he murmured in between kisses. She wrapped her legs around his waist.
"I've missed you too." she replied.
"Bedroom?" he asked.
"Bedroom." she confirmed. They crashed through the doors and grabbed at each others clothing as they lay back on the bed. Their plans were thwarted, however, when a large, excited Mabari jumped onto the mattress with them and began licking her face. "Dane!" she giggled, trying to push the dog back. Dane barked jovially and bounced up and down with joy.
"Well, I suppose I'll have to give you a proper welcome later." Alistair murmured. She smiled.
"I'm so glad to be home." she said, snuggling into his side while Dane curled up behind her. Alistair hugged her close.
"Don't ever leave again." he whispered tiredly. She laughed.
"I hope I'll never have to." she agreed. She studied her husband's face and scratched behind her dog's ears. It was good to be home.
A/N: And that's all for this one! I'll be posting a couple of shorts to tell what happened in the Wending Wood with Velanna and Kal'Hirol with Sigrun, but every time I tried to write those parts into the actual story I did not like the flow. So there it is, just a short little story to tide everyone over. I hope you enjoyed it!