AN: Thanks to all of my readers! * gushes* I am overwhelmed that so many people love my work. After checking my email, I saw at least twenty people had added this to their favorites, or me as a favorite author, or added an alert to the story. I found out today this story has over 1200 hits. * gasp* I'm loved! So as a way of saying thank you, I have typed up a big chapter for you all. The one you all have waited so patiently for. A big thank you to Eva Galana, and Lavinia. You have inspired me to keep writing, and Eva you have reminded me of a few things I forgot. * Muwah *

Ch 6: Correcting Mistakes

Alistair pulled his hood up as he set out on the streets of Denerim. He couldn't get used to the felling of not wearing his armor. He just felt so naked with out it. On the other hand, if he wore it, he'd be recognized immediately. As he figured, Wynne had been able to offer wise council as she always did. He needed a walk to clear his head, just get out for a while.

The destruction left over from the blight had been crippling. The restoration efforts had been going well, but there was still much to do. There were still so many in need. The Chantry still overwhelmed, stretched far too thin. After a brief visit with the revered Mother, he exited the Chantry his search for Leliana had been fruitless. Suddenly, a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.

"I hear you have been looking for me old friend."

"Lei…" he turned and embraced the bard. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You have always been able to avoid being seen."

Leliana laughed, "All part of the training, I'm afraid. It's good to see you again Alistair."

"It's good to see you too Lei…" He paused, "Please Lei, I need your help."

The redheaded bard cocked her head, "And what might this lowly bard do for the King?" She innocently batted her eyelashes.

Alistair took a deep breath before continuing, "I need to see her, and I know you know where she is Lei, help me find Kallian."

Leliana looked solemn, if she acquiesced his request, Kallian would be angry with her. If she denied him, they would remain apart when it was clear the Maker made them for each other. "Walk with me Alistair…" She sighed, "What do you intend to do once you find her?"

Alistair was taken back by the question. "I love her Lei. If she'll have me, I'll spend the rest of my life making her happy."

Leliana paused, "There… there's something you should know Alistair… Kallian was attacked in the city."

"What? When was this?"

Leliana shushed him, and dragged him around the corner. "Two weeks ago, she ran into Teagan and they had a heated argument, then she left abruptly. When I caught up with her she was cornered by a group of thugs. Alistair… they went after her just for being an elf out of the Alienage."

Alistair's face grew hot; the blinding fury was evident in his eyes. He couldn't believe his ears, the way Leliana was acting it was common practice. "Is…. Is he alright?." His voice was barely above a whisper.

The bard looked sad, "Well, ok is a relative term. She was quite bruised, and very shaken. She has a broken spirit, a shattered heart. Not because of the attack, but your well meaning noble friends."

Alistair felt a lump rise in his throat, how had he not seen this? He had known little about how the elves were treated, just from what Kallian had shared with him during they're time together but this? How could he have been so blind? Never again he vowed to himself.

"Come Alistair, there's something you must see." Leliana led him into the Alienage, where the damage was worst.

Alistair couldn't believe his eyes, there were people starving in the streets, children sick and homeless. Little had been done to clean up the living conditions. "How could this be allowed? Surely Calian didn't know about this…" Alistair shook his head. The cramped quarters the elves were forced in were not suitable for anything to live there, let alone people.

"I don't know Alistair, most rulers don't care about the poor souls they consider beneath them. From what Kallian tells me, your brother was unaware of what was happening here. He swore to fix it after the battle. But, what Calian did or didn't do is not relevant anymore." She put a supportive hand on his shoulder. "Your brother is dead Alistair, you are the king now. The real question is will you simply restore the rule of your forbearers? Or will you build a better kingdom?"

Alistair rubbed his temples, his gut burned with rage. All this was happening in his kingdom, and he hadn't noticed? This would not stand; these people were citizens under his rule. Something was going to change, he would make sure of it. He refused to be blindsided by politics anymore. He shook his head, "No Lei. I am not content to keep my brother's kingdom. Mine will be one of equals."

Leliana looked relieved, she touched his arm; "Come my friend, I have one more thing to show you."

Near the far end of the Alienage, lay a small group of houses. The lights were on in the last house, there was fresh laundry on the line, and the smell of dinner wafted through the window.

Alistair raised an eyebrow, "why have we stopped here?"

Leliana smirked at him; he was just so slow sometimes. "I will probably get a thrashing for this, but, this is Kallian's house. She's inside."

Alistair's heart thudded in his chest, his palms started sweating and his mouth went dry. "Thank you Lei…"

The house wasn't fancy, but Kallian had taken time to turn it to a home. There was not much in terms of decoration, but it was cozy. A simple table and chairs, a wooden rocking chair by the fire with a warm quilt hanging on the back of it. Both had belonged to her mother, and her father had passed them on to her.

Alistair's old shield hung over the fireplace, it was a little worn, but the templar emblem was still clearly visible. He hadn't worn it since she had found Duncan's old shield and given it to him. It made her feel protected to have something of him.

The sleeping area was modest, but very comfortable. The crib her father made next to her bed. He had insisted she take it for his grandchild. The enthusiasm in her father was almost infectious. She often wondered if he would still love them if he knew their father was human? Kallian knew she should have told them already, but she was afraid of what they would say. She cursed herself for being a coward. When had that happened? Her, Kallian Tabris the Gray Warden, the scourge of Darkspawn, the slayer of the Archdemon… The Hero of Fereldan…. She was afraid of talking to her family?

A tentative knock on her door broke her from her thoughts. Kallian crossed to answer it. But, nothing could of prepared her for who was on the other side.

"Alistair!" Kallian froze on the spot, her heart pounded in her chest. All the color drained from her face, and her throat went dry. She staggered backward, stumbling over her words. "How…. When.. Oh, Maker…"

Alistair couldn't believe his eyes, if possible she had grown more beautiful in the months they had been apart. Her lustrous golden hair was much longer than it had been. Now fashioned in a braid that fell past the middle of her back. He almost lost himself in her soulful, sapphire eyes. All those sleepless nights, dreaming of holding her, and she'd been here… right under his nose. He took a moment, gazing at the woman that still held his heart. His eyes stopped at her rounded abdomen. 'Pregnant?' She carried his child…. 'His Child.'

Alistair felt lightheaded, 'How could she not tell me…' Hurt and anger burned at his throat. "Please Kal… Can I come in? We need to talk."

Kallian swallowed, "Y…yes." She moved aside, and offered him a seat. She could see the hurt in his eyes.

"Oh Kal, what happened to us?"

Kallian turned to face him, her eyes moist from the new tears threatening to fall. "You became king Alistair. After that, a lowly common elf was beneath you." Her voice was quiet, she sounded defeated.

Alistair felt his chest tighten, had he done something to make her actually believe that? What had happened to her? She was once this vibrant, strong, fearless woman. Leliana had been right her spirit had been broken. "What does my being king have to do with anything? I never wanted the throne. I love you, I want you." He sighed and rubbed his temples. "The child is mine." It didn't sound like a question. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Kallian trembled, "Yes Alistair, they are yours." Hot, fresh tears welt up in her eyes. "I'm so sorry Alistair. I thought I was sparing you."

Alistair couldn't believe his ears; he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Spare me from what, exactly?"

"From the shame Alistair!" She couldn't hold the tears back anymore she just let them fall. "What would the good Arl say if he knew you had a knife eared bastard in the city? Or the rest of your noble Shems? They didn't want us together; do you think I couldn't hear their snide comments or whispers behind my back? In their eyes you are the bastard prince, I was simply your whore. Gray Warden or no, they will never see me as more than an knife eared breeder."

Alistair felt sick, had he really not seen until now? The old bigotry lines had to be erased. He was sick of the spiteful hate. It had spread through the hearts and minds of men like a poison. It had to stop. "I.. I'm so sorry you had to endure this, all alone. I just wish you had come to me…. I want my child to have better than I did."

Kallian bit her lip, "I'm sorry, I thought I was doing the right thing. Maybe, just maybe if I wasn't a factor you could find someone else. Someone to make you happy, give you suitable heirs." She sunk into a nearby chair, and shivered.

Alistair clenched his teeth; he was fed up with everyone handling him with kid gloves. Not only was he a grown man, but also he was responsible for all of Fereldan. He was supposed to be king, but they didn't trust him to choose for himself.

Alistair knelt beside her, and brushed her hair out of her eyes. "I could never be happy with anyone else, Kal." He grasped her petite hand in his, "I wish I could give you back all the time that was stolen from us. I wish you had told me sooner."

Kallian sighed, "I wanted to, but I was afraid if I told you, you'd feel trapped. I couldn't do that to you. Maybe it would have been better if you forgot about us."

Alistair felt as if he'd been gut punched. Forget about her? And his Child? Walk away from the only woman he could ever love? " I can't do that, I could never you Kallian.. I don't ever want to be with anyone else." He put both hands on her swollen abdomen. "I want to know my child, give him what I never had. I want him or her to have two loving parents; I want him to know I'll always be there no matter what. This child is a maker sent miracle. I know we won't have a long life, but if you'll have me I promise you'll never want for anything."

Kallian was speechless; long ago she had given up on love, happiness, a family of her own. Then he had stepped into her live. Just when she had thought her life was over, Alistair had swooped in and saved her. A sharp kick to her ribcage broke her train of thought. She hissed through gritted teeth, and rubbed the offending spot.

Alistair's eyes widened, his mouth dropped open. He had felt it, his child… their child. It was a beautiful gift, he wondered if his own father had ever seen him as such. "Oh Kallain…" He whispered in awe of her. If possible he loved her more now that before. No matter what hand she had been dealt, she turned it better, never complaining, never failing. She was amazing….

Kallian finally spoke, breaking his concentration. "They are strong fighters, just like their daddy." She gazed at his face, enjoying the effect of her words.

Alistair felt dizzy. "They…" he gulped. "As in more than one?"

Kallian broke out in a fit of laughter. "Yes Alistair, they as in a pair." She smiled, her first real one in weeks. Alistair's head was swimming; Kallian had given him everything he never knew he wanted. He pulled her close, and gave her a tender, claiming kiss.

Kallian flushed so dark, she looked sunburned. She had forgotten the effect he had on her. She took several deep breaths to calm herself. "Oh Alistair… I do love you.."

He kissed her starting at her fingers, and going up her arm. "But….?"

Kallian bit her lip, "But, I'm an Elf, you're still king. Will we even be allowed to stay together?" She sighed, why did it have to be so difficult?

Alistair silenced her fears with a kiss. "Don't worry so love, let me handle them. I have plans on how to make a better quality of life around here." His hands cradled her face; he wiped away her tears with his thumb. "I won't let anyone keep us apart. Not now that I found you." As he embraced her, all her doubts and fears melted away. Only in his arms did she feel safe and protected. He was one of the few she could drop her guard around.

AN: Up next chapter Kallian comes clean to Shianni. Dun dun dun!