K. I'm doing research as work on this. I'm using any website with enough info. If I'm missing something, please tell me. Also, please give me time to get used to writing for Alistair. I'm used to writing for a different kind of man. Actually, I still am cause well, I'm working on another story.

Originally, this was going to be a normal universe, but it is now slightly AU. It's all thanks to a story I read here on ff. Net. If you want to take a look at it here's the link. Take out all the spaces. http: / www. fanfiction. net /s/ 6447602/1/ im_not_ nearly_ as_dumb _as_I_ pretend_to _be

So thanks for any reviews for my prologue. I respond to all reviews. Signed ones get an email reply and anonymous ones get replies in Ans. Sometimes, if someone sends a signed review that I think is important, I will reply in an AN as well as email.

I didn't plan to use any of the DLC, but I may use some. I don't have any of the DLCs, but I can use info I find thanks to the Dragon Age wiki.

If something seems wrong tell me please. When I uploaded the file, the quotation marks disappeared. I have no idea why.

Any quotes from the game belong to Bioware and EA.

So enjoy.

Chapter 1

The first thing Alaina Cousland realized as she slowly regained conscious was the pain. It was noting compared to the pain of her Joining, but it was horrible. Should she be feeling pain? After all, she was dead. She had willing given up her life to save everyone. But why was she in pain? Her soul should be in the Fade now. She should be free of pain, but wait a minute. Riordan had said the soul of the Grey Warden was destroyed. Something wasn't right.

Vaguely, she could hear voices. One was yelling at the other. As, she slowly regained her senses, Alaina realized who was talking, but how could that be? She shouldn't be hearing their voices in the Fade, unless...

"Stop that, Alistair. What good will you be if you cause more harm to yourself?"

"I'm more worried about her than me, Wynne."

Wynne sighed. "I know, but remember, Alistair, that you are the king. You have to be strong for your people."

"I know that, Wynne, but I'm nothing without her."

Alaina moved her sore right arm slightly. She opened her dry mouth, trying to speak, but she could only get out one syllable.

"Ala."

She heard quickened footsteps and then felt the right side of the bed dip beside her. Then someone took hold of her right hand.

"Alaina."

Slowly, she opened her eyes. As her eyes focused, Alaina looked up into the relieved face of someone she had thought never to see again or if she did not for a long time, her betroth.

Alistair smiled down at her. His hazel eyes covered over with unshed tears. "Hello, Beautiful."

She tried to speak again, but nothing came out. Alaina glanced over to her left to see Wynne pour some water into a glass.

"She needs water, Alistair. Hold her head up, while I hold the glass to help her drink."

Alistair nodded and gently raised her head as Wynne pressed the glass to her lips and began to slightly poured some of the refreshing liquid into her mouth. She swallowed greedily. Once the glass was empty, slowly Alistair lowered her head.

Wynne sat the glass on the bedside table. "Is that better?"

Alaina looked from Alistair to Wynne. Her voice still rough. "Am I alive?"

Alistair glanced at Wynne. "Yes."

"But how? I should have died when I killed the Archdemon."

Alistair sighed. "I know, but we found a hole in our loop."

Alaina's eyes grew larger. "Morrigan?"

Wynne placed a hand on the young woman's shoulder. "Do not fear. Alistair didn't do the ritual she came to you for."

"Then how am I still here?"

Wynne smiled. "She actually came to me. Together we found a way to change it. Instead of her being the mother, we changed the mother to..."

Alistair tightened his hold on her hand. "You."

Alaina looked at Alistair. "You mean that I am..."

Wynne nodded. "With child? Yes. You are both fine."

Alaina closed her eyes. "Where's Morrigan?"

"Once the battle was over, she left. She asked that we not follow her."

Opening her eyes, Alaina looked at Wynne. "What was her price?"

"She only asked that you teach the child to be like you. You were a very good influence on her."

Alaina sighed. "Who all knows?"

"For the moment, only the three of us."

Alistair raised Alaina's hand to his lips for a quick kiss. "I'm working on having my coronation as soon as possible. Then we can have the wedding as soon as it is allowed."

"The wedding needs to be in the next few months. The sooner the better."

Alaina nodded. She remembered that when Oriana had been carrying Oren that it had taken three to four months for her to show she was with child. "How long have I been out?"

Alistair lowered her hand to the bed. "Almost a week."

Wynne glanced at Alaina's face. "Why did you not tell me you were in pain?"

Alaina tried to grinned. "I've gotten used to pain."

Wynne sighed. "Well, let me help. The elder mage began to cast some healing magic. After a few moments, she stopped. Now, I am going to go out into the corridor for a few minutes. So you two can talk alone. Wynne nodded and then walked out of the chamber."

Alaina glanced at the fire. "So what exactly happened that night?"

Alistair sighed. "After you refused her offer, Morrigan went to Wynne. Told her everything. Then Wynne sent for me. I stood there and listened as Morrigan told me of the offer, but that with Wynne's help she could change who the mother of the child would be. Morrigan actually begged me to agree to the offer. She was close to tears. She really asked for nothing, but that we allow her to leave after the battle and not to look for her. After they performed the ritual, I came to you and spent what you thought was our last night together."

"But it was Blood magic."

"I know, but the only blood used was willing given. No one died and only Morrigan performed that part. Wynne only supervised."

"Alistair."

Alistair stood up, not releasing her hand. "I was not about to lose you. I might have been selfish, but I could not let you die. Not for Ferelden and not for me." Alistair closed his eyes. "I couldn't let my family die. I can't do this without you." He opened his eyes and looked down into hers. "I could not live with myself if I had allowed you to die. If Morrigan hadn't come to us with the ritual, I would have been one to give the final blow."

"I wouldn't have let you."

"You could have tried, but we don't have to worry about that now."

"Alistair, we don't even know what exactly the child will be."

"Wynne really read Flemeth's Grimoire to be sure that the child would be a normal child except for the whole soul of an Old God thing, but as long at is part of you and me it can't be all bad can it?"

"I don't know. I'm scared."

"What person isn't scared when they hear the news that they are going to be a parent? Also, when in the last year haven't we been? Alaina, if the child is healthy, we'll have a family. The truth is as long as it's our ours I don't care. Alistair fought back tears. Since the day, I kissed you for the first time, all I've wanted was a chance to have a home with you, a family. Since our first night together, I've had dreams of us with family and don't tell me you haven't had the same dreams or thoughts."

Alaina grinned. "Well, I guess I have no choice."

Alistair sighed. "You're not angry?"

"Well, maybe a little. I wish you had told me that night."

Alistair sat back down on the bed. "I know, but at the time I was so scared I might lose you so I acted."

"Well, at least I know you can lead and nothing bad happened. No one ended up stranded somewhere without any pants."

Alistair grinned and held tighter to her hand. "It does seem like I can lead and nothing horrible will happen."

"Has anyone heard anything about Fergus?"

"No, but as soon as I can I'm going to send people to look for him."

"Thank you."

"Well, I owe you more, but well you given me everything I've ever wanted. Of course, we can't marry without his approval. So I'm do my best to find your brother."

Alaina laid back deep into the soft bed. "I won't give up hope."

Alistair leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. "I know. If he's anything like you, he's out there somewhere."

"Where are the others? And for that matter where are we?"

"We are currently in my new home, well our new home. The Palace wasn't too badly damaged. The others are in another wing. They put you as far away from me as they could."

"And Aedan?"

Alistair grinned. "Oh, he's right by the fire. He hasn't left your side."

Alaina whistled, and then she heard the sound of nails on the floor. She felt a cold nose butt her left hand not too much later. Turning slightly and looking over at her faithful Marbari, Alaina lifted her hand slightly so Aedan could place his head under it. "How are you doing, Boy?"

"Oh, he's fine. He and I have finally come to an understanding."

Alaina petted Aedan. 'Well, that's good. I can't have the two of you at odds anymore."

"I stay away from him when he's eating."

Alaina looked over her shoulder at Alistair. "I would think that you would have understood that the first time he nipped at you."

"Oh, I did. Also, he seems to finally understand that I am not going any where, and he has to get used to the idea."

"It's about time." Alaina looked at Aedan. "You'll just have to get used to it boy."

Alistair grinned. "We do seem both to agree on that we want to keep you safe."

Wynne walked back into the room. "All right, that's enough. Alistair, you need to get some rest as does she."

Alistair looked up at Wynne. "But, Wynne?"

"No, buts. You both need to rest. If you happen to tell any of the others she has awaken, tell them that no one can see her just yet. Maybe in a day or two. Till then only you, a maid, and I will come in."

"Oh, all right, Wynne."

Reluctantly, he got off the bed. Quickly, he kissed her goodbye."I'll be back tomorrow." As he slowly walked away, he slowly released her hand. Alaina watched as he walked out the door.

Wynne stuck her head out the door into the corridor. "You better get some rest, Alistair. Or you'll wish you did."

Wynne nodded her head and moved back into the chamber. Aedan moved away from his mistress and laid down near the fire. Wynne shut the door and walked over to the bed.

"Don't be angry with any of us."

"I'm not, Wynne."

"That lad should have told you."

"Oh, he knows."

Wynne sat down at the foot of the bed. "You had us worried. I was not sure when you would awaken."

"Sorry, but at least I did."

Wynne smiled. "Yes, well I can now have your help with him."

"What's he doing now?"

"Well, he's still playing with his bandaging and now he's not doing what I tell him. That lad will make himself worse if he doesn't listen to me."

"Wynne, I can only do some much from this bed."

"Oh, you can do more than you think. Now that you are awake, I can hopefully get him to do what he needs to do for himself."

"How badly was he injured?"

"Not as bad as you, but he was pretty bad off." Wynne sighed. "Even in horrible pain, he carried you out of Fort Drakon and to the Palace."

"Why didn't you stop him?"

"Nothing the Maker has created would have stopped him. Now how are you feeling?"

"Better, thanks to you."

"You're welcome, of course."

Alaina closed her eyes. "I wish my family was here."

"I know. If I were you, I would wish the same, but as the shade of your father said, all your prayers and wishes will not bring them back. Wynne rose off the bed. Now, you need to get some rest."

"All right, Wynne. Alaina snuggled deeper into the bed. But don't let me get too much sleep."

"Don't worry. I won't." Wynne walked over to the a chair by the fire. "I'll be right here, if you need me." Sitting down, Wynne picked up a tome and began to read.

Alaina listened to hers, Wynne's, and Aedan breathing, the turning of the pages of Wynne's tome, and the crackling of the fire as she slowly drifted off to sleep thinking of her unborn child.

XOXOX

Slowly walking down he corridor towards the Royal chambers, Alistair tried to still hide how weak her truly was. He had been more fearful for Alaina and their unborn child. The two of them were his life. If Fergus were alive, then he could truly imagine his pain at the lost of his wife and son. At least, Fergus still had Alaina. If he lost her, he would be alone.

Alistair groaned as he grabbed hold of the door frame of his door. But both she and the child were fine. Soon Alaina would be back to herself. He had seen it in her eyes just how happy she was to see him. Yes, she had been willing to die, but that light told him she was glad to be alive. His strength was weaning. It wasn't going to last too much longer. Pushing the door open, Alistair stumbled into his chambers. He kicked the door shut and walked over to his bed. Running a hand through his strawberry blond hair, Alistair looked at the empty bed before him.

It was still weird to think that it was his. Not too long ago, he had been sleeping on the ground in a tent or under the stars. Now he had silk sheets and a real bed. His only complaint was that Alaina was not in it waiting for him. Now that they had saved Ferelden, he was known as the King of Ferelden and she was once again Alaina Cousland, the two of them had to live by the Nobility's standards. So they could no longer share a bed, until they were wed. There were many things to think and worry about, but to him the most important now was Fergus and Highever. If Fergus was dead, then Highever belonged to Alaina. The two of them would need to talk about what was to be done. Alistair allowed himself to fall face first into the bed.

Eventually, the others would discover that Alaina had awakened, but it would not be from him nor about their child. Groaning, Alistair rolled onto his back. Closing his eyes, he sighed. He was healed for the most part, but he was still very sore. None of that matter. Only Alaina had their child's safety had mattered.

Almost everyone had kept reminding him that he was the King now, and he needed to think about his people. Lady Isolde, actually had taken his side. She had recalled how scared she had been for her husband and son. Alistair could almost smile that the woman who had once hated now owed him and was asking for forgiveness from him for the way she had treated him.

Oh, he needed to rest. Alistair would not get much, but he would get what he could. It wouldn't do for him, Alaina, or their child any good if he so weak. He could not at least try to get a good night's sleep. They would be married as soon as he could get the announcement out. He couldn't spend many more nights without her in his arms as he slept. He had to hold, that way he was sure that she was still really here, and it wasn't all a dream.

Well, there you go. The final version of Chapter 1. Now I'm off to rewrite Chapter 2.

Review?. Yes.