Author: Revan-sama.
Game: Dragon age origins and Dragon age II
Pairing: Male warden Cousland x Bethany Hawke.
Summary: A few themes about the sister of the champion of Kirkwall and the noble hero of Ferelden
Disclaimer: I only own Siegfried Cousland.

-Lord and apostate 5: the last-

14: Hope for the future.

Today has been a hard day of work, King Alistair (He hate to be called like that by his friends) has called me for some work to do at the royal court.

Nothing that I couldn't handle but still it was very long and rigorous. Not to mention the formalities.

I was just happy to come back home.
Those times were peaceful, the war 'mages against templar' ended a few years ago.
It was harsh and bloody, but in the end, more freedom was given to the mages.

The chantry has lost the big influence it had and the majority of the people sided with the mages.
It took time, it didn't always ended peacefully but in the end, they had what they wanted.

Today, having a mage outside the tower was normal.

They could finally live like normal people.

Yes...Just as she always wanted.

That's right...Today was the shopping day for my beautiful wife and cute daughter. And also going visit Brother in law Garrett Hawke and Merrill.

I went to work early before they could wake up, so I didn't saw them today. Being alone at home felt strange...and lonely.

Sometime it reminds me of the day Father and mother died...Even though my heart healed a long time ago from this, it's still plaguing my mind sometime.

Fergus, my elder brother, asked me to live with him in the castle. I refused and took a simple house...Of course I had to promise him to visit sometime, if not then he would sent his army to come get me (the worst part was that he wasn't kidding...)

Also he was very fond of my daughter and would spoil her even more than me.

"We're back!" I heard the voice of my cute daughter at the front door.

I didn't have time to look, because she was already hugging me. She laughed so carefree.

"Father!"

"Hello Leandra."

As I let her go I looked back up to see, My beautiful wife enter our home.

Bethany Cousland.

She smiled and said : "We're back Siegfried."

My most important people, my wife and daughter. I love them both so much that my eyes hurt.

"Father, I have something for you!"

It was a cake. I looked back at Leandra and smiled : "For me? Thank you."

She had a big grin on her face. Her light brown eyes (like her mother) were full of life and innocence.

"I've made it myself with Aunt Merrill!"

...

"Oh? That is great..." Now I felt a bit uneasy and feared a bit for my life.

Leandra looked at me a bit confused and Bethany, who saw my expression, laughed.

"'giggle' Don't worry, my brother was there to watch over them."

That doesn't put me at ease...

"'sigh' Alright, I'll have a taste of it after dinner." (if I'm still alive after...)

"Yeah !" She left the room, going to wash her hands before dinner.

I turned to Bethany and asked her : " How was it at your brother house?"

"It was fine,...until Merrill set the kitchen on fire."

...

That's really encouraging...

I thought so, while looking at the cake.

Bethany said nothing for moment, she reached out and touched my face tenderly.

The feeling of her fingers made me feel like I was waking up from a long dream. I turned my face into her palm and kissed it gently.

A small cry was wrenched from her throat, and she moved her hand over my face. She probably noticed the paleness of my face.

I didn't slept well, more nightmares of the murder of my parents, of Howe, and of Darkspawn.

Tears welled up in her eyes at the thought of me, tossing and turning without her to hold me. To keep me from having my nightmares.

My hands gently moved over her again as I kissed her fiercely.

The small moans and gasps she made were like music to me.

I could feel it. Her heart was beating furiously, and with every beat I heard the words, "I love you," pounding against her chest.

After the kiss ended, I smiled gently to her and put my forehead on hers and said:

"Welcome back home, Mrs Cousland"

She blushed lightly and smiled back: "I'm back."

Thank you my precious Family.

END