Author's Note: Part I of a three chapter series that coincide with Ch. 31 and Ch. 32, of Blight & Bliss. I will be designating time periods for these chapters, to help with flow. This is set two days before Grace and Alistair's wedding.

Two days before wedding; early morning:

Sunshine had been busy all morning making plans for Grace's wedding, much to everyone's amusement. She had awoken early, much to Duncan's chagrin, dressing quickly. He grumbled and groused but didn't open his eyes. She kissed him softly on his cheek, loving him with all her heart right then. She had a moment of intense sorrow at the thought of losing him. Please, she begged and prayed. Pleaseletmestaywithhim, God. Ineedhim. Shaking off her her sadness in light of the happy event she was planning, she slipped from the room quietly, knowing if she lingered she would rejoin him in bed.

She rambled around the market district and found her way into Master Wade's shop. She was tickled with how accurate the game had depicted him. The two of them talked about different metals, and she asked him to take a look at some metal ore she had to see if he could make some armor from it. He happily agreed and she made a note on her list to send it to him when she returned to the estate. She whistled happily as she found some Orlesian perfume she thought would be nice for Leliana and some cologne for Aedan, which was really for Leliana as that is how cologne truly works. Fancy cheese for Alistair. A set of glass writing quills for Duncan. A book by Varric Tethras titled, 'Fancy Pants', for Gavarth, clearly Varric was still a bit away from, 'Hard in Hightown'. For Danforth a tea kettle and a package of tea. She found a little stall that sold naughty figurines and impulsively grabbed a statue of a male Dwarf with three nubile Elven women, and one Elven man, happy that the sculptor seemed to actually not be mocking the non-human races with his statue. She sorta wanted to keep it for herself but knew that it was really for Oghren. She sent her packages back to the estate and contented herself with wandering about.

If it had any importance to her she would have noticed a Dwarf of her acquaintance heading into 'The Wonders of Thedas', rather surreptitiously. Said Dwarf began looking around at all the strange things Humans and Elves seem to enjoy, but otherwise wasted little time in talking to the tranquil proprietor. "Err, I need something special," he said. The proprietor waited. And waited. "Uh, right then, I, uh, need a little love juice for me and my gal. Heh, it's our anniversary and all and I want to grease the old gal good." The proprietor was unfazed.

"Certainly, Ser. Being a Dwarf you may need a large dose of our strongest aphrodisiac to get the desired response. Although I recommend using a separate one for your wife if she is not Dwarven. I must also caution you that it can increase fertility and so you should take precautions if you are not trying to conceive." The proprietor finished, waiting for instruction.

"Not Dwarven? Oh, no, heh, no she's one of the sturdiest Dwarven women I've ever greased up. I, uh, think I'll need a large dose. Especially as I don't want just to give her one night, no, she needs to be abed with my loving for at least a week to be happy. And I would love to give her a little me, she's been grumpy that she hasn't had any lil' ones."

"I understand, I'll make sure this works for you and your wife." The proprietor spent the next few minutes modifying the potion to optimize efficiency and fertility for a dwarf. He sent the Dwarf off with dosing instructions and cautioned him to be careful to not share this special blend with non-Dwarfs as it was rather strong. The Dwarf nodded and assured the proprietor that he would heed him to the letter. He walked back through the Market District whistling happily to himself.

Afternoon:

Having spent the morning to herself Sunshine decided to see if she could find Duncan and share a meal with him, so it was with some surprise that the first person she saw was a man she had never met grinning at her. "You must be Sunshine," he said, extending his hand, "I'm Loren, one of Duncan's Wardens."

"A pleasure, Loren. What gave me away?" She shook his hand smiling.

He brought her hand to his lips, winked, and said, "the shirt." Sunshine looked down and laughed. "I have to say that I've never seen Danforth and Gavarth so effusive about a woman before, I can see why. Duncan is a lucky man."

"Oh, you'll make me blush with all that sweet talkin'." She leaned in slightly, "I'm the luckier one of us." She winked.

Loren laughed, "Oh, I'm sure. And don't worry, Danforth has already warned us about the possessiveness our dear Commander has regarding his beautiful Sunshine. Nothing untoward will come from me, or the others. They want to meet you. Grace has finished up and has settled into bed for a nap. Now, let's go tease Duncan," he extended his arm to her, eyes twinkling.

They entered the dining area, and Loren was pleased to note that they still had the element of surprise as their entrance went unnoticed. Duncan was engaged in a deep conversation with Liam and Treymour and didn't notice as conversation stopped at the sight of Loren with a lovely unknown woman at his side. "Fast mover," Garrett complained to Michael under his breath. It was Liam who noticed the silence and looked up at Loren leaning suggestively into a woman, somewhere in her 30's, with long, light brown hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. He was amused to note that she seemed to be modestly dressed in a too large tunic, that looked like it was designed for a man, and loose trousers. She had a sweet smile on her face as they approached his small group. Liam nudged Treymour causing him to look up and stop talking mid-sentence. Irritated Duncan looked up and saw his Sunshine, he started to smile until he saw Loren's arm wrapped around her waist. He scowled deeply at the smile she was giving Liam in greeting. Why must she be so friendly, he thought miserably, realizing he was being irrational.

it wasn't until he noticed her attire that his world tilted and he grinned at her. He also realized that Loren was smiling slyly at him. He was about to reply to Loren's smile, but Liam stepped in. "So Loren, you've already found yourself a companion? Might I introduce myself, fair lady? Or has Loren so captured your heart and swept you off your feet with his gallantry that you have no eyes for poor Liam?" Liam grinned broadly, offering a slight bow.

"Well it would have to be with his gallantry as I'm sure he would hurt his back otherwise. He neglected to offer his heart in exchange for mine, and so the greedy, heart coveting Loren must be denied."

Duncan stood up. "Enough you two! Sunshine, love, might I introduce you to my motley crew of Wardens?"

Garrett groaned in the background and muttered, "where does he find these women that we can't even look at?"

Sunshine laughed, "it would be my pleasure." Duncan made sure to give a background scowl at Garrett, Liam and Loren while he introduced her to everyone. After a hearty round of winks, teasing smiles and genuine warmth, Duncan sat Sunshine next to him and moved his plate towards her.

"I was wondering where my tunic went to when I awoke this morning," he said in her ear.

"I couldn't help myself, it smelled like you." Duncan kissed her quickly behind her ear and motioned for the gawkers to resume dining or risk being sent out. Sunshine had to admire a commander that could convey so much with such concise movement. She ate from his plate, sharing morsels unconsciously with him as they caught up on current events. She gathered that her time was growing shorter before the fight, and had a difficult time reconciling herself with the gaping sorrow that it filled her with. She had a dreadful feeling that she was going to be torn apart from Duncan and Grace. She knew she wouldn't truly die, she would just end up removed from them. She looked up, when he took her hand, meeting his eyes and knew that he was the man she would actively search for a way to return to.

Knowing that made her reflect on her marriage to Jasper. It had been pleasant, he was warm, kind and smart. He was a good father to their children and she knew that he was taking good care of them. She knew the limits of her relationship well enough to know that he would have recovered quickly, for the children, and remarried a woman who would love them as her own. She smiled, only a little, to herself when she thought of Jasper as the love of her life. He had been, of that life, but not of the one she held now. There was no returning to him, even if it were to be offered to her. Duncan though, he was different. In all the worlds she had traveled to there had never been one such as him. She knew the moment she laid eyes on him that he called to her. She knew that he filled a space within her that held no ability for her to contemplate her life without him. He evoked feelings within her that defied her concept of love, that she previously held, as vain and inconsequential. And he had given her Grace. She didn't care that she hadn't physically given birth to her, she was her heart outside of her body.

Duncan sensed that Sunshine had turned her thoughts inward, and was now wearing a bittersweet expression. He needed to talk to her for a moment, he was afraid, for some reason that she was planning on leaving him. That he was somehow not enough to keep her with him. That Grace was not enough to keep her. If she left...he would be swallowed whole by his grief. He glanced around them and noticed that his men were finishing up their meals and stood, "Brothers, it is time for you to find yourselves at the training ring, Loren, that means you. I will join you shortly." He ignored the elbow prodding and snickering his Wardens were engaging in and offered his arm to Sunshine.

As soon as they left the mess hall he grabbed her into the study, ensured they were alone, and then locked the door. He held her close, breathed in her scent that was now mingled with him and smoke, and pressed himself against her. He meant to tell her that he loved her, he meant to get her to tell him she loved him, to tell him she wasn't leaving, to tell him that she loved him more than Jasper. Instead she looked up at him, wound her arms around his neck and kissed him fully. The heat of jealousy, from earlier, when Loren had his arm around her, drove him to possess her against the door. She moaned deeply, urging him on, bringing him to his release quickly as she wrapped her legs around him and squeezed.

He knew that she hadn't orgasmed but she still held her self-satisfied smile that she wore after lovemaking. He kissed her gently, murmuring her name, and setting her clothes to rights. They froze when they heard Anders and Aedan talking outside the door. Sharing a rueful smile, they collected themselves and quietly unlocked the door. The conversation he planned on having would have to wait. Sighing, he said, "I have to go kick Loren and Liam's arses to the void and back, will you dine with us tonight?"

"Absolutely, I think I need to see them squirm in their seats." They laughed and parted ways.

Duncan made his way to the practice ring and paused in an alcove watching his Wardens prepare for the upcoming battle. He smiled as he enjoyed their movements and teasing. His eyes narrowed on Loren and Liam, noting that Loren seemed to look suspiciously bulky and his movements seemed slightly awkward. Liam, for his part was vigorously applying himself with three sparring partners, hoping for a reprieve from Duncan. Duncan smiled inwardly and moved to where the practice weapons were set up. He began stripping down to his bare chest, and leaving only his breeches and boots on. He availed himself of his blunted practice blades and strode up to Loren. "Ah, Loren, you seem to be without a partner, such a shame. And you seem to have put on some weight, hmmm, your assignment must have been far easier than my own. I do hope no one thought that I was playing favorites with you. Oh, and you seem to be sweating rather profusely. Anders! Please check Loren's health, I am quite worried about him."

Anders grinned, happy to comply with his Commander's orders. "Hmmm, he does look a little flushed, let me just take a look. No sign of disease, of any sort. Here, Loren I think perhaps you are overdressed. Let me help you.". Anders helped Loren relieve himself of his armor, extra padding and tunic, leaving Loren in only his breeches as well. As a final touch he sent cool air over Loren, cooling him down. "Right, Commander, I think that was all he needed." Duncan nodded.

"Well then, shall we?"

There was nothing for it, and Loren could only grin helplessly at his circumstance. Beings that Duncan was older than Loren some of the younger people thought Loren would have the advantage. This would be the last time they would think such a thought, and made not a few commit themselves to only treat Grace, Sunshine and Leliana with the utmost respect. He nodded for Loren to assume a position opposite himself and make the first move. Loren was himself no idiot, but was cursed with the inability to reign in his prankster tendencies. He knew from experience that he had to be quick and crafty to have a hope of getting a drop on Duncan. Duncan held himself loose and relaxed, his face calm. Treymour and Anders grinned at the expression, fully knowing that Loren was well and truly screwed. Loren sucked in a breath and launched himself at Duncan. Sunshine had hidden herself in the same alcove in which Duncan had been, at the insistence of Treymour, who said that she wouldn't want to miss the show.

Sunshine likened the fighting to watching a realistic action film with European Barbarian Kung Fu fighters. The main difference between action films and real action is time and camera angle. You can miss subtle things when viewing a fight in person. Sunshine thought of herself as a fairly observant person but was still surprised by the grace of their movements. Although Duncan always had a certain grace when they made sweet love, the kind where your lover worships you for hours. Duncan had clearly honed his skills as a warrior and moved thriftily about Loren. Swatting him with his blades, toying with him. His movements so slurred that it made his actions appear seamless. He clearly knew how to throw Loren off with his serene air, making Loren more and more clumsy as Duncan played with him. As if he had grown bored of Loren, he moved with a sudden fierceness pressing Loren with quick relentless attacks that further threw him off balance. He tripped, Duncan pressed, and within a dust filled exchange Duncan walloped him and Loren meekly yielded.

Sunshine thought the show was finished until Duncan's posture changed and he yelled out, "Liam, are you done playing with yourself over there? Good, come over here and show this old man if you have any chops." Liam groaned and complied. Warily facing Duncan, his posture saying, 'go on, get the thrashing over with'. Duncan was having none of that and smiled roguishly at him. In a heartbeat she saw him as a young man. He must have been quite dashing in his youth. Hell, he was still dashing, just more reserved looking. Duncan twirled his blades lazily and whistled at Liam. Unlike with Loren, where he let his calmness disturb his partner, he looked like a cat who had found a mouse to torture.

"Oh, come now Liam, I thought Loren was soft, but you're all puppy there. I wonder what sort of puppy you are? An Orlesian lapdog? The kind with the silky hair and foppish little bows?" Duncan chuckled as Liam ran to him, hurtling his body towards Duncan. Duncan merely tsked, and used Liam's momentum to throw him a distance.

Grace had wandered to the ring, to practice with her new staff, and grinned at the show her father and Liam were putting on for everyone. "An Orlesian lapdog? Never! Our Liam is ferocious like a mabari!" Grace added, to heckle her father.

"Really? A mabari would just roll on his back and piss himself at the first sign of authority?" Duncan replied, using the distraction that Grace had unwittingly given him to kick Liam in the arse. "We must mean different things by the word 'mabari', my darling."

"I believe that you're getting cocky father, better watch yourself or the Mabari will piss on the Rooster!" Grace chuckled, sending some rejuvenating energy to Liam, knowing that it would not change the outcome of the fight but would at least prolong the show and maybe give Liam a chance to get in a hit or two.

Liam swirled with his renewed vigor and swung his blade at Duncan. Duncan never showed his surprise as Liam's sword connected with his, sending a kick back through Duncan's left arm. Duncan allowed Liam to think he might have a chance, knowing that there was nothing like a pretty mage doting on you with unseen aid to make you feel over-confident. He let his motions seem slightly tired, allowing Liam to have a false sense of security.

"What, is the old cock no longer able to hold up his pride?" Liam jeered at Duncan. Pressing in on him. Sunshine smiled at Liam's words, 'if only he knew how well Duncan's cock was prideful'.

"Perhaps, perhaps. Although I've heard no complaints about my morning crow. Nothing like the whines I hear from your quarters in the morning." Duncan said while casually using both his blades to snap Liam's sword arm.

"There are never whines! Only brays of pleasure."

"Brays? Art thou an ass?"

Grace couldn't insert her jaunts while the talk had gone to sex and so she tried to change it up. "What was that, father? Did the horse's arse forget his head? You must be losing your eyesight and speed in your dotage. Liam's just hitting his stride whilst you are losing yours!" She said wickedly, sending more energy to Liam.

Unperturbed, Duncan replied, "Grace, my dear, you seem to have mistaken Liam with a horse and not an ass, even on old stallion could outpace an ass." Duncan slowed his movements with great exaggeration, but increased his force getting Liam into a position where he could, once again, shove Liam with a boot to the arse.

"Did you think I was just going to lay down and let you have at me out of pity, like those milksops you bring to your room to bray at?" Sunshine was falling in love with this side of Duncan, he was playing these men like a virtuoso plays the piano. Liam knew he was getting bested and would have conceded but he saw Sunshine with Leliana, who had joined her, out of the corner of his eye, and became very determined. Liam grinned.

"Well, well, Duncan. It seems that you're putting on a show." In attempt to throw Duncan off by mentioning his lover's presence.

"For Sunshine? Of course I am, do you think I'm tunicless for your viewing pleasure?"

I'm done for, Liam thought as Duncan leapt towards him, swirled his blades in some sort of mesmerizing tandem and set Liam down with a series of swats. He was satisfied when he heard the troublesome duo grunting at their wounds. He sauntered off to a barrel of water and poured water over himself, letting the rivulets trail lazily on his torso. Sunshine knew she was getting fanciful, but damn, he was hot. She had a swing in her gait as she approached him. He leaned lazily against the fence and she leapt up, wrapped herself around him, and kissed him passionately. "You're so fucking hot!" He grinned at her enthusiasm and kissed her back. Everyone was happy at their Commander's uncharacteristic display of affection. They all admitted that it was not without its own arousal to view.

Later that night:

When Duncan came to bed Sunshine was deeply asleep. She looked so beautiful, her hair down, still wearing his tunic. He was loathe to wake her and decided that the conversation could hold one more day. He stripped down and wrapped himself around her warmth. He dreamed of the Archdemon, in his nightmare the Archdemon was taunting him with Grace. Telling Duncan that she would bear his children and they would destroy the world with their might. It was the worst dream of Darkspawn - ever. No father should see an image of his daughter turned into broodmother. The image of her beautiful golden eyes marred with black, twisted in anguish asking him why he left her had him wake in panic. Sunshine woke to a scared Duncan, she used all her love to help him sleep, dreaming of better things.