Alistair would have exploded were it possible. Was it anger at possibly being mocked, joy at the possibility, outrage at the concept, confusion of the reality, anxiousness to check on this fact, or any other of his emotions that hit him hardest? He clenched his fists and nodded at his companion in acknowledgement as he stepped around him to stand before Shale and Illusen. How must he look to the golem, the wizened old mage and the man who raised him as a father, he wondered, but Alistair couldn't help it.

He beheld Illusen with nervous fascination. Her cheeks were flush and her lips trembled from stuttering breaths, but she was breathing. Alistair could not believe it; here lay a Grey Warden who'd killed an archdemon, alive. Her hair hung flat against her head, which he noticed was damp and he moved to wipe her brow, but even before his hand touch her skin he could feel the fever boiling. He swallowed; perhaps she was simply, not dead yet.

The arl stepped forward, "What does this mean?"

"I don't know," Alistair found himself mumbling incoherently. He looked up to Wynne, "Did something … happen?"

"We saw nothing more than you did, Alistair. A bright light, a bang, and that was all. I have my suspicions about Illusen recovering in sound mind however and I would like to voice as soon as possible my concern that the archdemon survives in her body," replied the old woman. She felt the gasp and silent outrage in Oghren, but knew that his uncharacteristic silence was as close as an agreement she would get out of him. The arl of Redcliffe gasped as well, but his reaction was out of horror and a more impersonal concern.

"Should we then strike her down?" he asked swiftly, placing a hand on Alistair's shoulder, which he shrugged off angrily as he backed away from the woman who should have been a corpse.

"No, after what she's sacrificed, that's unacceptable," he sighed and attempted to sound more calm as he conceded to the possibility. "We'll place her in a small room in either the palace, Fort Drakon, or your estate, to be equipped with a healer, a guard and a magically barred door until such time she recovers and proves to be of sound mind … or we receive assurance from the Grey Wardens of Orlais, that she is healthy."

Arl Eamon lowered his head and closed his eyes, recognizing desperation in Alistair from his sudden use of such professional diction. He hoped this passion could be applied to more publicly relevant tasks.

"As you wish," said the old man in a hush. As he waved over two guards from behind himself he called, "Escort the Warden to the south east guest chamber, and as this area is secured, relieve those who are taking shelter in my basement, find a healer among them and bring them to her."

"Yes, ser," agreed the soldiers before approaching Shale, at which point they suddenly seemed apprehensive of their task. The golem raised an eyebrow (or, what could at best be called an eyebrow) at the silly little men and spoke up.

"I will carry it," she said plainly and turned to walk to the arl's estate. No one spoke against Shale, and Alistair was grateful of the old soul's loyalty.

For six days the Warden slept, during which time Alistair was crowned king, men were sent to reclaim Lothering and the residents of Denerim were working diligently to have their home returned to its former glory. On the eve of the sixth day a messenger from the Orlesian Grey Wardens arrived bearing news that they would be arriving within a fortnight and that they were seeking answers as to how Illusen lived and what her condition was. Alistair answered their questions as best he could, but was dismayed that the messenger did not arrive bearing advice. He was glad to be able to discuss Illusen's situation however, as he had been very busy the past few days and so had had no time to talk to anyone about it without being selfish. This would also be only the second time he would be able to visit Illusen's room, as he was told it would be inappropriate otherwise. The messenger had a lengthy conversation with the healer, but no information arose that might answer anyone's questions. Whether she would even wake from this slumber was still anyone's guess.

It seemed Illusen had started having nightmares and tossed violently or sobbed from time to time. She was definitely in the Fade and whether her trials were real or imagined, the regular guard had been replaced by two templars, one of whom was Cullen, someone Alistair felt could be trusted to securely watch over his mage. He was wrong.