A/N: I was rereading some of my older works and my muse demanded I write a follow up (as did a few of my reviewers!). A scene like this has been floating around in my mind for a while featuring an anonymous female Warden, so I applied Solona to the scene and this is what happened. Rated M and I mean it!

The fire crackled away in the hearth, chasing away the chill and throwing a warm glow over their surroundings. The room was beyond luxurious, featuring the largest bed Alistair had ever seen. A variety of food, from cheese to wine to chocolates, had been left by the foot of their bed, along with the softest bedclothes folded neatly beside their pillows. With the curtains drawn tightly and the door bolted shut, he could happily pretend he wasn't deep underground in the city of Orzammar.

He and Solona had successfully ventured into the Deep Roads and survived, all while discovering the truth behind the missing paragon. He had walked in the graves of his brothers and, on more than one occasion, had wondered if the skeleton he walked past had been a dwarf seeking dignity or one of his fellow Grey Wardens. He had killed more darkspawn than he had in his life and had seen the horrors of what the monsters did to the living. The sight of the broodmother and the haunting words of Hespith would follow Alistair forever.

But they had emerged victorious. Exhausted and dirty, they were shown straight to their rooms by Prince Bhelen's household. Alistair wasn't sure if Solona had spoken to someone or if assumptions had been made, but both of their belongings were stored in the grand bedroom, along with many of the luxuries the dwarf prince could afford. A hot bath had been ordered and brought to their room, and they spent a long time washing away the slime and blood. When their bodies were finally clean, Solona made the murky water disappear with a quick flick of her wrist and refilled the tub with hot, steaming water. Alistair sank in, groaning as the encompassing heat began to relax his weary muscles. Pulling her hair up, Solona slid in front of him, resting her back against his front. Her slender arms rested on top of his over the edge of the tub, her fingers drawing patterns on the back of his hands.

After all the death and fear and bloodshed they faced, not only in the Deep Roads but fulfilling all three treaties, Alistair finally relaxed.

Solona leaned her head back against his shoulder and sighed contently. Alistair allowed his mind to wander, wondering what their future would have in store for them now. In a few days time, they would be returning to Redcliffe, where he would have to face Eamon again. He knew the man hoped for him to become king, but Alistair had no such fantasies. His place was with the Wardens.

With Solona.

How ironic they found it now, the idea of a Templar and Chantry boy with a powerful mage who once had aspirations of taking down the Circle, finding love and the hope of a life together. The duty of stopping the Blight had brought them together, and Alistair had no intentions of being apart from her, ever.

All they had to do was survive the rest of this ordeal.

"You're far away now, love," Solona murmured, bringing her warm hand gently up to his cheek. He looked down to see her eyes were open, concerned and focusing on him.

"I was just thinking," he said, kissing the tips of her fingers.

"About what?"

"What, no quips about straining too hard or hurting myself?" he joked, not keen on bringing up their possible deaths when they should be relaxing.

She chuckled and kissed his jaw. "You're right. You set me up perfectly there and I missed it. Let's try that again."

He smiled, dipping his arms back into the water and circling her waist. "I was just thinking," he repeated, smiling into her neck.

"That would explain the pained look on your face. Careful, dear, we escaped the Deep Roads more or less intact. Let's not get hurt now."

He laughed lightly and kissed her bare shoulder. "You're mean."

She laughed again, gently tugging on his hair. "And you're avoiding the question."

It was amazing how easily she could read him. "I was thinking about..." he paused. "What we're going to do after we defeat the archdemon."

She sighed again, though not quite as contently as she had before. She brought her knees up, snuggling closer to him, and Alistair watched in fascination as rivulets of water rushed down her bare skin. "Are you reconsidering?"

Distracted by her warm body pressed tightly against his and the sight of her bare legs, he didn't fully understand what she meant. "Reconsidering what?"

"Becoming king."

"No," he answered quietly but firmly. He knew as well as she did they would be forced apart. And though his feelings for Solona played a great deal in his decision, Alistair wasn't ready to abandon the Grey Wardens. Joining them had finally made him feel like he belonged somewhere, and he would do everything in his power to see them rise to the glory they deserved.

"No," he repeated. "I don't want to be king. My allegiance is to the Grey Wardens. I'm just thinking what to do about it after the Blight is over."

Solona nodded, happy with his decision and content to not talk about the uncertain future. But her silence left something to be wanted from Alistair. He knew she took her duty and responsibility seriously and would see the Blight to the end. But then what? Would she want to continue being a Grey Warden? Or would she want to start a life somewhere else?

And would that life include him?

He brought his arms up and gently rubbed her shoulders, trickling warm water down her back. She leaned forward slightly and dropped her head, giving him more access to her upper back. He worked the knots and kinks in her neck and shoulders and she groaned in relief and pleasure. He leaned forward and places a light, lingering kiss on the back of her neck, just below her hairline. It was a particularly sensitive spot of hers and he smiled as she shivered. He pulled her back and wrapped his arms around her tightly again.

"What will become of us, Solona?"

He didn't expect her to chuckle. She turned slightly to look at him better, laughter shining in her eyes. "You think you're getting rid of me that easily, Alistair?"

A lightness filled him and he pressed his lips to hers. "So you'd be happy, then, rebuilding the Grey Wardens? I don't know where we'll go... maybe we can work on restoring Soldier's Peak. But how long would that take? We may be stuck camping..."

She cut him off with another kiss. "One thing at a time, dear. Let's defeat this archdemon first, then worry about that. But," she said, snuggling close to him once more. "I like the idea of home being wherever we are. Whether it be a castle or camping in the wilderness, we'll be okay as long as we're together."

A broad smile spread across Alistair's face as the lightness he had felt turned into sheer giddiness. "I love you," he whispered.

"And I love you," she smiled. "Although I will admit I've become dangerously accustomed to things like beds and hearths and the occasional hot bath."

He laughed as he moved to stand from the cooling water. "We'll make it work. We'll find castles to squat in if we must." He stepped out of the tub and grabbed the towels they had brought close to warm by the fire. He patted himself dry but didn't bother wrapping himself in one of the towels, walking towards their bed to retrieve his dry clothes.

Solona watched hungrily as she took in his naked form from behind. From his defined calves to his muscular thighs, his pert buttocks to the dimples in his lower back, his narrow waist to broad shoulders, all were features she could stare at all day. He hadn't had time for a proper haircut, so his usually short hair hung a bit longer than he normally let it get.

He turned to face her, still not covering himself. She let her gaze linger over his chest, his stomach, his manhood... not caring he was watching her stare. She brought her eyes up to his and smiled at his knowing smirk. "I'm enjoying the view."

"I see that," he quipped. There was a time where he would have tried to cover himself up, embarrassed of his nude form, or even refuse at all. But now, he stood before her unashamed and, by the looks of it, willing.

Very willing.

"My turn," he said, his voice husky and deep.

A thrill went through her and settled in her lower belly. "I see you took both towels. How convenient." She waited, the tub still blocking most of her body from his view. He raised an eyebrow at her, waiting patiently, though she could see him becoming more and more excited. "You know, there was a time, not too long ago, that the mere thought of me naked made your face become the most adorable shade of red."

His smirk never faltered. "You're stalling. It's my turn."

She didn't answer him save to raise her eyebrows at his challenge. With a secretive smile of her own, she gave him her back. She stood gracefully, pausing as she straightened fully to let the water run down her skin. Though she couldn't see him, she could feel his stare on her back. Without looking behind her, she stepped out of the tub. Solona glanced behind her and she became fully aware of Alistair's intense gaze. She slowly turned around, watching him intently. His gaze roamed her body, making her skin feel warm and eager.

She padded over to him, barefoot and dripping. She came toe to toe with him, though she didn't touch him. Alistair wrapped her shoulders in a towel, letting his hands linger on her warm skin. Always a gentleman, even with a beautiful woman standing before him naked. He reached for the other towel and gently patted her front dry. She didn't move, letting him enjoy touching her, and savoring it in return.

Finally, he dropped the towel to the floor. With a quick roll of her shoulders, she shrugged the other one off and pushed her hair behind her. She raised one hand to the plane of his chest while her other outlined the contours of his stomach. She watched as his cock reacted, twitching as if it was reaching for her touch. She wrapped her hand around it, gently tugging as he inhaled sharply.

Slyly, she glanced up. His eyes were dark, and though he trembled under her touch, his arms stayed firmly at his side. "Your move," she whispered.

His reaction was instantaneous. One second her feet were on the ground, and the next she was in the air, her legs and arms wrapped around Alistair. Her back hit the soft bed and his body pressed heavily against hers. She would have laughed at his eagerness, but his mouth was on her neck and his hands on her hips. She moaned, tracing her hands along his muscled back.

Wanting pooled deep within her. Solona could feel herself throb with anticipation. So quickly, she was ready. She tilted her hips up and wrapped her legs around him. "Alistair," she whispered. But instead of filling her like she so desperately wanted, he moved his body down hers. He took a nipple in his mouth, sucking and tugging and gently nibbling with his teeth pinching the other one as she writhed beneath his touch.

He traced his tongue down the center of her chest and stomach as his large hands grasped under her knees, pushing her legs apart and opening her wide to him. She gasped as she felt his stubble rough against the soft skin of the inside of her thigh, and he nipped and nibbled at her delicate flesh. Her hands flew backwards to grasp the pillow, listening to her own loud moans echo throughout the room. Although they had been making love for a long while, this was the first time they didn't have to worry about their companions or servants overhearing them. They were free to be as loud as they desired.

Though given her desperation to reaffirm they had survived the Deep Roads and all of their other trials, Solona wasn't sure she could be quieter anyway.

Ever so gently, the tip of his tongue touched her bundle of nerves, circling slowly and deliberately. She arched her back high off the bed, one hand desperately seeking the back of his head. He changed his tactic to long, firm strokes, and she could feel herself on the brink. His name was a prayer on her lips, repeated over and over again as he sped up his movements.

Alistair's hands massaged the insides of her thighs, running up to behind her knee down to her buttocks against the bed. His tongue became more insistent, moving faster and harder. Every part of Solona's body was clenched tightly, begging for release. Finally, as Alistair engulfed her clitoris with his lips, sucking and gently scraping with his teeth, her world exploded.

Wave after wave of pleasure coursed through her. Alistair was relentless, his tongue keeping pace as each spasm made her scream. She gasped for air, trying to catch her breath as she finally finished. She was boneless and weak, her arms and legs falling limply at her sides. Her ears buzzed as she tried to regain her self control.

Never before had he, or any man she had ever been with, made her finish like this.

Though Alistair had hesitant at first, Solona had shown him the art of making love. What a kiss, a flick of a tongue, or a gentle massage from fingers could do. What their joining, whether it be slow and teasing or fast and passionate, could accomplish. He had taken to their lessons quickly and with much eagerness. Sooner than Solona would have thought, he shed his Chantry embarrassment and stopped his incessant blushing when it came to her naked body, and began looking at her with a certain hunger that had her flushing when they were alone.

He didn't wait for her to fully recover as he crawled over her. Pressing his body to hers, he kissed her hard, his lips hungry for hers. The time they spent in the Deep Roads, with death around every corner and fear a constant companion, made him want her more than ever now that they were safe.

She could feel his cock pressed between them on her lower belly. Seeing and feeling his desire made her passion and lust return in full force. She kissed him back, her tongue battling with his as she scraped her nails down his back. His skin trembled under her touch and he moaned into her mouth.

Never the one to just lay there, Solona hooked her leg around Alistair and flipped them. Her muscles protested, still exhausted from days of fighting and the immense pleasure she had just experienced, but she didn't care. The sight of his hard, chiseled body and his manhood standing at full attention rejuvenated her.

He landed on his back with an oomph, his surprise showing through his handsome features for just a moment. But he could hardly complain about the view before him. Solona sat up straight over him, her dark hair beginning to curl around her breasts. She rubbed herself along his manhood, and he bit back a groan as his hands came up to grip her hips. Her eyes were dark with want, and the sly smile she gave him made his cock twitch in excitement.

Rising slightly, she grabbed him with one hand and positioned him at her opening. His breath caught as she lowered herself just enough to engulf his hood, but couldn't help but cry out when she sunk down in one swift motion, taking him to the hilt.

She leaned forward, placing a hot, opened mouth kiss under his ear. He shuddered, pulling her close and grinding his hips into hers. She pressed down further, preventing his movements as much as she could. "My turn," she whispered in his ear.

She placed her palms on his chest and leaned back, moving ever so slowly. She could tell her slow pace was torturing Alistair, when he wanted nothing more than to roll her over and fuck her to oblivion. But for the first time, they weren't rushed. There would be no companions to overhear, or bandits or darkspawn to be interrupted by. For the next few hours at least, they could do whatever they please.

She shook her head, her hair spilling behind her as she arched her back and grabbed his thighs. She raised her hips as slowly as she could, her body feeling hollow without most of him in her. Solona looked him in the eye and she slid back down, inch by slow inch. His eyes were dark, and he wasn't going to keep his control for much longer.

As if he heard her thoughts, his hips snapped up against hers, filling her quickly and fully. Before she could comprehend what happened, he was nearly out of her again. She tumbled forward as he filled her again, her hands falling on either side of his head. His hands found their way around to her buttocks, grabbing and kneading as he continued to rapidly slam into her.

She bit the pillow to muffle her screams, more out of habit than anything. Without slowing down, Alistair grabbed her head with one hand and brought her lips to his. Blind with lust and passion, she moaned into his mouth, his lips vibrating under hers.

Alistair surprised her then by flipping her onto her back. He sat up on his knees, his impressive figure looming over her. The fire was crackling away directly behind him, shadowing most of his features. He grabbed her by the waist to raise her hips to the same level as his and filled her again in one swift motion.

He had taken the lead many times since becoming comfortable with the idea of sex. But there had always been a sense of... caution behind those times. As if Solona had always been pushing him to take control. For the first time, she was able to let go of everything and just feel.

She rather enjoyed it.

She chanted his name as he pounded into her. He was close, perhaps closer than she was. Still weak from her last powerful orgasm, she used all of her strength to raise her arm off the bed and slip her hand between her legs. Her fingers immediately began working at the same tempo as his hips, and the effect was without delay. Within mere seconds, she was coming undone.

It was like fire and ice coursing through her veins as she lost complete control of her body. She was coming apart at the seams, feeling as though she were sinking and floating all at the same time. She gripped the sheets below her tightly as she arched her back off the bed, reveling in the pleasure coursing through her.

Alistair dropped her hips and pressed his body down against hers, and with a roar he came. He gripped her tightly as her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer as he gave into his release. With a final thrust, he stretched his body over hers, capturing her lips once more in a scorching kiss. Orzammar could crumble around them and they wouldn't notice. There was nothing else in the world to either of them except each other.

They were a tangle of limbs as they grew aware of their surroundings once more; the chill from a draft and the heat from the hearth, the snaps of the burning logs, the smell of smoke, sweat, and sex. Alistair slid off of her to her side, but pulled her close, continuing to slowly and methodically kiss her. Solona pressed her body to his, unwilling to lessen their contact, and ran one hand through his hair.

It surprised her, then, when tears sprung to her eyes. It was all hitting her now: how a strong part of her truly believed they weren't going to succeed in collecting their armies; how the constant pull of the taint in the Deep Roads terrified her; how the next obstacle to face was the archdemon itself. And yet, through all the stress she had gone through in the past months and all the struggles she knew she would face, she found a man who loved her unconditionally. A best friend to help carry some of the burden, a lover to help her forget for a time. A partner in every sense of the word.

Normally, her tears would have frightened him or made him feel awkward. But perhaps he felt the same as her, she thought as she looked up to see his own eyes glistening. How quickly the air of desperation and lust dissipated from the room, replaced with a slow passion and a longing to stay in the moment. They remained there, wrapped in each other's arms, for a long while, until sleep finally claimed them.

It was surprising when they woke up hours later, feeling refreshed from an unbroken rest. Solona was sure their close proximity to the Deep Roads would disrupt them and bring them nothing but nightmares, but the combination of utter exhaustion and the safe feeling of being beside each other kept them away.

Solona woke slowly, nestled comfortably against his still sleeping body, stretching so her toes brushed the top of his feet. There was no immediate way of telling what time it was, but she felt as though she had slept for far longer than they normally did, and the others were probably waiting impatiently for them.

She pressed closer, angling her head so she could kiss him awake. His arm wrapped tightly around her, and he groaned as he rolled to his back, pulling her along with him. She chuckled as his eyes, heavy with sleep, slowly opened, and shivered as he ran the tips of his fingers up her bare back. "Hmm..." he began, covering his yawn with his other hand. "That might just be my favorite way to wake up."

"Might be?"

"Well, when we were staying in Redcliffe, my room wasn't too far away from the kitchens, and the smells that wafted in through the the window those mornings... Ow!" he cried as she pinched his waist. Laughing, he caught her wrist and rolled over once more, trapping her beneath him. He was still grinning as he kissed her, and Solona couldn't help but giggle in response. He pulled back slightly and nuzzled her neck. "I suppose this is where you tell me we can't stay in bed all day and we should be getting up."

Solona laughed, gently tugging on lover's hair. "I would like nothing more than to stay locked up in this room all day with you, except maybe to not have to leave this bed at all," she said, her heart fluttering as a flash of hunger shot through Alistair's eyes. "Unfortunately, we do have some work to do today. I'd like to check in with Oghren and see how he's doing, and discuss a few things with Zevran..."

"You know, it's bad form to talk about other men in bed," Alistair said drily, kissing her neck. She chuckled and slid from beneath him, wincing slightly as her feet touched the cold stone ground. With a wave of her hand, she sent dry kindling into the hearth and snapped her fingers, lighting it magically.

Alistair groaned and hid his face, refusing to leave his comfortable bed, though it did feel much emptier without Solona. She laughed at his childish antics as she found clean robes. He refused to look at her as she sat on the edge of the bed to put her boots on, feigning sleep. She smacked his bare bottom and laughed as he jumped. "Up. They'll be expecting both of us, and I have no doubt they'll come looking for us soon. I rather enjoy this view, but I doubt you'd be pleased if Wynne or Morrigan or any of them were to burst through the door."

With a sigh, he rolled out of bed and found his own clean clothes. Once he was dressed, Solona turned to open their door, but he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close once more. He bent down to kiss her, gently cupping her face with one hand, and she felt butterflies erupt in her stomach. How, especially after a night like they just shared, did manage to get that reaction from her with a simple touch?

"Just the archdemon left," he muttered against her lips.

"Just the archdemon," she agreed.

"Then it's a quiet life for the two of us."

She laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I don't think we'll ever have a quiet life, love. But it'll be our life. And that's all I want."