Same as with the last two chapters if you see a mistake tell me. Me and my poor beta are really busy. I've got finals this week. Also, if you've heard about the Alabama Tornadoes, I have some news. One was about 3 miles south of where I live. So I'm very lucky and so are you to be getting this chapter, which was finished before the storms.

Thanks for all the reviews. I know that these chapters are a bit boring, but I promise they will get going soon. Well as soon as I can.

So enjoy.

Chapter 3

The sun was shining high in the heaves above, but the city below was in darkness. The once proud city was in ruins. For as far as Alaina could see, there was the burned skeletons of homes, businesses, and then scattered here and there the corpses of dwarfs, elves, and humans. Some burned. Others bloody. Even knowing that they would not be able to reach Derenim in time to save everyone, it was hard to see the destruction, but already there was hope. Soldiers as well as others were already rebuilding, while solemnly burning the dead. Already, she had vomited twice this morning, and that was all before she had seen the destruction of the city before her. Now she felt she would again.

Alistair wrapped an arm around her waist. "Come with me. You've seen too much."

"If only we had known they were heading here instead of Redcliff, we could have saved more."

Alistair rested his chin on her head. "I know, but we will not let them be forgotten. Now come. Wynne will have my arse if I don't get you back inside soon."

Alaina glanced at him. "At least we're alone."

Alistair glanced over at Leliana, who stood a good distance away. "Not really, but at least Leliana is not as strict as Wynne."

Leliana laughed. "Alistair, you need to attend your meeting. You have to start preparing for your coronation."

Alistair sighed. "I know." Sighing, he released his arm from around Alaina's waist. "I guess I'll see you later."

Alaina quickly grabbed hold of his hand. "I'll hold you to that."

Alistair grinned as he quickly kissed her cheek. "I know you will."

As Alistair walked away, Alaina slowly released his hand. Before he disappeared into the Palace, he grinned at her.

Leliana walked up behind her friend as Alistair walked out of sight. "I think he will be a good king. Especially with you with him."

Alaina turned to face the red head. "I don't feel like the king's betroth at the moment." She looked down at her garments. I don't mind wearing Alistair things, but..."

Leliana smiled. "I was wondering when you would say that. I do know of a small seamstress here in Derenim, but I don't if she survived."

Alaina glanced at Leliana. "Lady Isolde has offer to have her personal dress maker make me some things. I think that would be a better route. Besides I have to watch it. I don't want to end up looking like someone else."

Leliana placed a finger beside her mouth. "None of us have ever seen you dress as Lady Cousland. It has always been armor or men's clothing."

"Which reminds me, why am I having to wear Alistair's clothes?"

"Because that was all we could find. Arl Eamon had some of Alistair's things sent here after the Landsmeet. You needed something and well that's what we had. Wynne and I both thought that you would not wish to wear any of Anora's clothing. They just aren't you."

"And I thank you for that." Alaina sighed. "Well, we better get back inside."

"I wish we had returned sooner as well, but the Marker had us arrive when we could do the most good."

"I know."

After taking one last look at the burnt city, the two women walked back inside.

Alaina glanced at Leliana as they reached the corridor that held her chambers. "Could you go ask Isolde to send her dress maker? I think she brought her with her when she came from Redcliff."

As they reached her chambers, Leliana sighed with a grinned. "Since Wynne gave the orders that you are to get as much rest as possible, I'll do it, but I'm not your handmaiden."

"That reminds me. Has Zevran found her yet?"

"He's looking in the Alienage for her, but there has to be any number of elves named Amethyne."

"I know, but I want to help her. Her mother died that night, and now with her mother gone she has no one else."

"Her mother was at Highever?"

"Yes, she was lady-in-waiting to Lady Landra, who was visiting my mother. I want to help Iona's daughter as best I can."

Leliana nodded. "He'll find her. Now I'll go speak with Lady Isolde. Go get some rest."

Alaina walked into her chambers and glanced over at Aedan, who was sitting by the dead fire. "Hi, Boy."

The hound trotted over to his mistress and butted his head against her hand.

Alaina petted his head. "I'll see if someone will take you out for awhile, since I am not allowed."

Walking to the still opened door, Alaina looked down the hall. When she spotted a soldier of Redcliff, she called out to him.

"Could you come here a moment, Ser?"

The young man came up to her. "Yes, My Lady."

"Could you take my Marbari outside for a few minutes? He hasn't been outside since the battle as far as I know."

"Of course, My lady."

Alaina looked down at Aedan. "Go with him. I'll call you later." She looked at the soldier. "Just lead him out. Then you can go on your way."

"Yes, My lady."

The soldier walked off with Aedan not too far off his heels.

Alaina closed her door and sat down in the chair. Seeing so much destruction was hard for her. Yes, they had no advance warning. Yes, they had thought the Horde was heading towards Redcliff. If only they had sent some troops to Derenim, as well as to Redcliff.

Sighing, she glanced up at the sunlight coming through the only window in the room. Hopefully, Zevran would find Amethyne. It would be easier for him to find her, since most would not run from a fellow Elf. Well, they might help her, but she was still forbidden from doing things by Wynne.

She would offer Amethyne what she could. Mostly a job. Amethyne was probably young, but she would be a great help. Mostly at the moment she needed someone to take messages to Alistair and anyone else she needed them sent to. Amethyne would be a great help now, and Alaina could teach her how to act in a Noble house.

Alaina relaxed back into the chair. Who knew how long it would take for Leliana to return with Isolde and the seamstress? "what would Alistair think of her actually dressed like Lady Cousland and not the Alaina that he had been traveling with for the last year? Once she would not had willing worn a gown or acted like a lady. Smiling, she remember running out in the fields, wearing Fergus's old clothes, with her mother yelling at her to get herself back into the castle, while holding some type of gown.

Eleanor Cousland only wanted her daughter to find a good match and be taken care of. To do that Alaina needed to act like a lady and not some wild of the wilds. There would come a time where she and Bryce would not be able to watch over her and protect her, and Fergus would be too busy to do it properly. Of course, she refused and ran wild. Eleanor feared that she would never find a match for her wild daughter. What man would want to marry a girl who did not know how to act like a lady and instead knew how to defeat his best men? Oh, yes Alaina was beautiful, just as her mother had been, but the girl was too much her mother's daughter. Eleanor didn't want her daughter to go through all the hardship she had to go through when she married Bryce. Why could none of the suitors that she had come to the Castle catch her attention? They were all from good families and would be wonderful for her. Eleanor could only hope that her daughter would find what ever it was she was looking before she became a spinster.

Alaina grinned. Her mother had forced her to meet all the suitors as someone else. Oh, she had not told her mother that most of the gentlemen had asked for her hand or gone to father, but she always refused. They did not know her, only what her mother made her act like, but Alistair had only know the real her, the her that her mother had tried for so long to hide. She had only acted like the daughter of a teyrn when it was need. The rest of the time she was just Alaina. Why had her mother not realize that she was looking for what her parents and Fergus had? She didn't want to marry just to be taken care of, but for love. It was rare, but it was what she wanted. Now, well she was getting what she wanted. Sighing, Alaina sat up. Alistair had been nothing but himself as well. It was cute when he had tried to be someone else, but she had always just kissed his cheek and told him to stop it.

Standing up, Alaina glanced at her armor on the rack by the door. Only two weeks ago, she had been leading the Armies of Ferelden against the Horde. Now she was well, just Lady Alaina Cousland. It felt odd. For once in her life, she had been able to do as she wished without her mother reminding her she needed to act like a lady.

Now she would need be both Lady Alaina as well as the Hero of Ferelden, and in a few more weeks she would be the Queen of Ferelden.

A knock came at the door. Alaina walked over to the door. Her parents would be proud of her. They always had been. She opened the door for Lady Isolde and a middle aged woman.

"Well, hello, my dear. Here is my personal dress maker, Cara. I would like to stay and help with what I can."

"Of course, Lady Isolde. Come in." Alaina moved, allowing the two older women inside. She shut the door behind them.

Cara looked Alaina up and down. "Don't worry. You'll be dressed as befitting not only a Cousland but also as the betroth of our king."

"Thank you."

Cara gestured towards a somewhat cleared area of the chamber. "If you would please stand over here. I'll get your measurements."

Alaina did as she asked. "I don't want a full wardrobe. Also, could they be fairly loose."

Isolde looked at Alaina. "Why do you need to have them loose?"

"I haven't ever really worn gowns, Lady Isolde. It will allow me to get become more comfortable in gowns over time."

Cara nodded. "It makes sense. Now if you would, My Lady."

Alaina stood like a statue, with her held out, as Cara measured her.

Cara held her tape measure against Alaina's skin. "I think blues and lavender will be perfect with your hazel eyes. Also, green will be good because it is in the Cousland crest. No."

Isolde nodded. "I agree."

Once Cara was finished, she moved away from Alaina. "I don't have much here, but I can look at the things made for Queen Anora. I will work with those and begin to work on things for you as best I can."

"Thank you."

"If you will excuse me, my ladies. I will get to work." Cara curtsied and left the room.

Alaina glanced at Isolde. "How is Conner?"

"He is well." Isolde fought back a sob. "Soon he will be going to the Tower."

Alaina walked over and placed a hand on the older woman's shoulder. "He will learn to control the power within him."

"I know. At least he will be alive." Isolde looked over at Alaina. "I know you don't understand my pain, but I think you are stronger than I am. You lost your entire family and yet here you are."

"I was never truly alone."

"That's true. Eamon and I will still have each other. I pray that you will never have to feel this pain."

"Thank you, but I am here if you need someone."

Isolde smiled. "You done so much for my family already. I could not ask you to do more."

"It's what I do."

"Thank you." Isolde sighed. "I'll leave you to your rest." Isolde curtsied before leaving Alaina alone.

Alaina sat down on the edge of the bed. Strong. She didn't feel strong. She had just kept on fighting.

She jumped when a knock came once again at her door. "Yes?"

The door slowly opened and a haggard man in rusted armor walked into the door way.

He smiled at her. "Well, hello to you, too. Sister."

Alaina stood frozen in place. "Fergus?"

"Who else?"

Alaina raced over to her brother and hugged him. "You're alive!"

"Barely, but I had some help."

"Fergus, what happened?"

"We were attacked by Darkspawn. I was barely rescued by well you wouldn't believe it."

"Who?"

"Elissa."

"Elissa? I thought she hated you."

"As did I, but there she was when I needed her the most. We've been in the city helping. When I heard that you had lead the Army against the Horde, I had to find you. I have not heard any word from Highever."

Alaina stepped back. "You don't know."

"Know what? I know you saved Ferelden."

Alaina moved away from her brother, hiding the tears that began to form in her eyes. "Fergus, you to sit down. I need to tell you something you need to know."

Reluctantly, Fergus sat down in the chair. "What's wrong?"

Slowly Alaina turned to face him. "Fergus, you are the Teyrn of Highever."

"What?" Fergus looked at her worriedly. "Alaina, what are to talking about?"

"Arl Howe betrayed us the day you left for Ostagar. He attacked in the night and killed everyone. Including Mother, Father,...as well as Oriana and Oren. We are the last of the Couslands."

Fergus looked at his sister. "Please tell me you are making a cruel joke. Please, Alaina."

The unshed tears began to fall from her eyes. "I wish I was, but I can't. Father's last words to me were to find you and tell you."

"Where is Howe?"

"Dead. I killed him, with the help of my friends."

"Then they are good friends." Fergus smiled through his tears. "We will make it through this together. As soon as we can, we'll go to Highever."

"Fergus, there is something else you don't know."

"What? Alaina, I couldn't take more bad news."

"It's not exactly bad news."

Suddenly the door flew open. "Alaina, I've finally gotten word about..." Alistair, with his arms still opened wide, stopped as he looked at the man in the chair, who had turned to face him. Suddenly turning very red, he glanced at Alaina. "Well, I've made a fool of myself."

Alaina wiped her eyes. "No, you haven't." She walked over to him and kissed his cheek as he lowered his arms. "You didn't know Fergus was here."

Fergus stood up and turned to face his sister and the man who had barged into his sister's chambers. "I don't know who you are, but you are supposed to knock to enter a lady's chambers."

Alistair looked at Alaina's face. "I really messed up."

Alaina smiled. "Alistair, I forgive you. Does that help?"

Alistair smiled at her. "A bit."

Fergus looked between his sister and the man. "Alaina, what's going on?"

Alaina looked at her brother. "Fergus, I would like to introduce you to Alistair, the as of yet King of Ferelden."

Fergus looked from his sister the to man. "The King? What happened to Cailan?"

"Cailan was betrayed at Ostagar by Teyrn Loghain. Alistair is his half-brother."

"All right, but that does not excuse him from entering your room."

"I already said I was sorry."

"Don't worry about it. I know you did it because you had finally heard word."

"Well, it doesn't seem to be good enough for your brother."

"He doesn't know you. He's done it a few times as well. Although he would never admit it."

"Alaina, that's between family."

"That brings me back to what I was about to tell you before Alistair came in. I can't just up and leave Derenim."

"Why not? I've heard that he is a friend, but I need your help in Highever."

"This is actually harder than I thought it would be." She glanced at Alistair. "How exactly do I word it?"

"I don't know. You've always been better with words than me."

Alaina looked at her brother. "I'm getting married."

Fergus's eyes grew in shock. "What?"

"I've agreed to marry Alistair."

"You actually agreed to marry?"

"Yes."

Fergus looked at Alistair. "It has absolutely nothing to do with him being king?"

"He asked me after I made him king, but he says he had the ring for months."

"I think I need sit down again." Fergus sat back down. "If you actually said yes, I won't go against it. I thought no man alive was good enough for you. Where was he hiding? Why didn't mother get him to come to Highever?"

"He was in the Chantry. So you'll allow it."

"When has anyone really stopped you from doing anything?" Fergus looked at Alistair. "I do hope you have realized that."

"I learned that within a few minutes of meeting her."

"Good." Fergus sighed. "I want to hear how you escaped, but for now I'm just happy you still here."

"Where's Elissa?"

"She's in the city. I came alone."

Alaina glanced at Alistair. "Thank you for looking for him."

Alistair nodded. "I'll have them prepare a room for him and this Elissa. I'll see you at dinner hopefully."

Alaina nodded. "I'll hold you to that." She kissed his cheek before he left.

"I know it is a lot to take in, Fergus."

Fergus chuckled. "At least something good came from the horror. Is it true that both he and you are Grey Wardens?"

"Yes."

Fergus nodded. "As long as you are happy, I don't really care. But the thought of a Cousland being a member of the royal family is going to take some getting used to. Where is Anora?"

"In the tower. Alistair hasn't decided what to do with her."

"I never liked her. I met Cailan once. I didn't meet him in Ostagar. It was Loghain who told me to send our men into the Wilds."

"Howe was working with him. He allowed Howe to attack us."

"I don't want to hear everything now." Sighing, Fergus stood up. "Where's Aedan?"

"I had a soldier take him outside. I have to go get him. Care to come with me?"

Fergus nodded. "Lead the way."

Alaina walked towards the door. "I don't know exactly where the soldier took him."

Fergus looked at her as they entered the corridor. "You didn't take him out?"

"Actually, I'm not supposed to be out of my room. If you haven't forgotten, I was in a battle not too long ago."

"I know. I heard you were the one who killed the Archdemon."

"I was. I'm to be taking it easy."

The siblings walked to the stairs and headed down to the main floor. As Alaina and Fergus walked close to the main doors, a soldier came running towards her.

"My lady, your Marbari has gotten into the Palace ladder."

Alaina smiled. "I'll take of it." She glanced at Fergus. "Ah, could you tell where it is? I haven't been to this part of the Palace before."

The soldier nodded. "Of course, My lady. Actually some one just went in search of both you and the King."

"Well, I'm here. So if you please."

"Yes, My lady." The soldier walked down the corridor.

As they reached the kitchens, Alaina could hear Aedan barking and the voices of people. When they entered the kitchens, they found two elves and Cook yelling at Aedan who just stood panting, until he saw Alaina.

"Come here, you bad dog." Aedan walked over with his head down. "This isn't home just yet." She glanced at Cook. "I'm sorry."

Cook smiled. "It's all right. He didn't harm anyone. He was just hungry. No harm done."

Alaina nodded. "Well, come on, Boy. We need to get back upstairs before..."

"What are you doing down here? Alaina, you are supposed to be resting."

Alaina turned to face Wynne. "I came to get Aedan. He was causing some trouble."

Wynne sighed. "Oh, all right, but you need to get some rest before dinner."

"I'm going." Alaina began to walk away, but stopped. "Oh, Wynne, allow me to introduce you to my brother, Fergus."

Wynne nodded. "Please to meet you. Please, Alaina. go get some rest."

"I'm going." Alaina smiled.

"Alaina, if you don't mind I would like to walk around and maybe send word to Elissa."

"All right." Alaina quickly kissed her brother's cheek. "But be there for dinner."

"I will."

Alaina walked out of the kitchen, but not without hearing, "What exactly is wrong with her? She seems fine to me," coming from her brother.

So does Wynne tell him or not? Also, why no Alistair pov. Well just so you know this chapter was going on 10 pages. So I decided to just have Alaina pov.

Now if you please review.