AN: As promised an extra chapter. I felt the second chapter was too short, so I posted this one early. Thank you for being patient. I'm working on chapter 5 right now, so hopefully it will not be too long for an update. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Reviews make me happy, and a happy author updates more often. Here's the next installment. ENJOY!

Chapter 3: Abuse and Ultimatums

Time seemed to fly by for Kallian; the days had quickly turned to weeks. She took solace in her frequent visits with Wynne and Lelianna, especially Wynne. It felt like Wynne really understood how she felt, what she was going through. Her father was helpful, and always there, she was just more comfortable with someone who had been a mother before. She had been a godsend, teaching her the few skills she would need in a few months time. Things she supposed her mother would of taught her, if Adaia had lived.

Kallian pulled her traveling cloak tighter as she reached the alienage gates. "Ready to go Lei?"

Leliana was leaning against the wall, focused on some trinket in her hand. She stowed it in her pack and smiled. "As I'll ever be." She pushed herself forward and the two women made their way through the denerim streets.

"Kali, are you sure you want to do this now? It can wait…"

Kallian sighed, "No Lei, the ground work needs to be laid now. I need time to find and train more wardens. I'm the last of them, why should duty wait?"

Leliana glanced down at her rounded abdomen. " I can think of one good reason."

Kallian scowled, "Oh Lei, I'm just pregnant, not an invalid. I appreciate your concern, but; I'm not made of glass."

The two women entered the tavern and took a table in the back to wait for their contact. The thick smell of booze and smoke burned Kallian's nostrils. She hated that smell, but it was a necessary evil in their line of work.

"Come on Teagan! Live a little." Kallian jerked her head to see the small group seated near the door. Sure enough there was Bann Teagan, Arl Eamon's brother. Her heart pounded in her chest, her stomach turned and twisted in knots. What if he recognized her? Would he tell Alistair? She wasn't ready to face him yet. Maybe he wouldn't even see her at all. The tavern was quite crowed. He was with a group of nobles Kallian remembered from the landsmeet, but couldn't place their names. She pulled her hood up and kept her head down. She just wanted to finish her business and get home without getting noticed by the Bann.

"Come boy, it's been long enough. It's high time you moved on."

Alistair clenched his fists, and gritted his teeth. He and Eamon had been having this same argument for months.

"Must we do this now, Eamon?" Going in circles like this put his stomach in knots. The Arl sighed, "Alistair, you must settle down, and pick a wife, sire an heir. The Theirin link must survive." Alistair slammed his fist on the desk; he was getting sick and tired of having this conversation.

"I am NOT a broodmare Eamon! I can't just sleep with anybody for the sole reason of making an heir! I love her Eamon. I made my choice and it's Kallian."

Eamon gasped, "Alistair, she's just an Elf! And a common one at that! The landsmeet would never accept her at the king's side." Alistair clenched his fists so tight his knuckles turned white.

"Don't you dare call her that! EVER!" He picked up some random object from the desk and threw it against the wall, and it shattered in a million pieces. "She's so much more, she saved all of felerdan, defeated the archdemon, ended the blight. She saved your whole family, including yourself. She's a gray warden. She's not just…." He broke off unable to finish. He was so angry he was shaking.

"You don't even know where she is. Just forget about her. I'm sorry son, but, if you don't choose a suitable queen within a few months, the lords will choose for you." Eamon put a supportive hand on Alistair's shoulder, but he shook out of his grip.

"Leave me Eamon." Alistair sunk in a nearby chair, how could the lords expect him to forget his heart? How could he betray Kallian like that? Calian had been allowed to marry for love. Why not him?