2/25/15

The Landsmeet went better than expected. Hawke made her speech and quickly installed Alistair and Morrigan as rulers. The duo immediately called for Loghain's execution and Anora's imprisonment and gathered the armies for battling the darkspawn and archdemon. It was tiring, especially after dealing with Howe so recently, but the victory of it was sweet.

It had been a rather long day. After meeting with the commanders Marian was simply ready to go fall asleep and prepare for battle the next morning. But Riordan needed her, and Alistair. Sighing, she gave the elder warden her time.

Which led her to now.

"So you're saying to defeat the archdemon at least one of us is going to have to die?" Marian said incredulously. "That's delightful."

"I take the responsibility myself of course, but there's no guarantee I'll survive to slay the beast."

Marian nodded. "Oh believe me, I know. And we can't leave that...thing alive." She sighed. "Thank you Riordan. Alistair and I need a moment." When the elder warden had left Marian looked at Alistair very carefully. "Well. If it comes down to it, I'll go after the archdemon while you command the defenses."

"Hawke! I can't have you dead!"

"It's not exactly plan A," she quipped. "Unfortunately it is the plan B that makes most sense. If it comes to a choice between us- well, kings are infinitely more useful alive. Heroes...a little more dicey."

The blonde's demeanor tensed. "Marian..."

"I was recruited for a reason. Maybe this was it." She shrugged. "My family is still in Kirkwall. If something does happen, just let them know, would you?"

Alistair wanted to say she was wrong, to assure his friend, but he had no way to take this on himself. Marian was right. He was a ruler now- it was sudden, but it meant he was responsible for more than just himself. The last months had been building to this moment. "I will," he heard himself promise, though he thought more about the time he had spent talking with Hawke. They had become close friends, and he understood there would be no changing her mind.

"I'm...I need to get some sleep." Mari rushed out then, heading directly away from her room. Pushing back the confusion, Alistair went to his...

To find Morrigan there, already half undressed.

"Can we talk?"

"Not with you looking like that, my dear," Alistair smiled, wearily.

"Something on your mind?"

"I..." He stalled, unsure what to say.

"I know what a warden must do to defeat an archdemon," Morrigan announced. "I know the burden that was placed on you."

"Not me," Alistair corrected.

"So it is already decided?"

"Riordan is going to try. If he falls... Hawke would take responsibility."

"Is it so strange to send people to die in your stead, your highness?"

"I just never expected someone who became my best friend to be the first," he admitted.

"Marian Hawke. Making plans within plans for us all. Do you wish to plan around her? To astound her and all the wardens through history?"

Alistair chuckled. "You have a plan of our own then?"

"Let me ask you this first. Are you ready to be a father?"

- 00 meanwhile... 00 -

Marian knew Alistair would be having a long conversation with Morrigan. Even if he wasn't otherwise occupied, the discomfort of this moment wasn't one to be shared with him. She found herself drawn instead to the further reaches of the estate, where she knew Zevran had taken up for the night. She approached his room slowly, knocking with the greatest hesitation.

It took only a minute for the door to open. Zevran was only half dressed and quite obviously had been preparing to get to sleep. Marian sighed and lost the last bit of nerve in her. "I shouldn't have disturbed you," she mumbled, starting to turn back. "My apologies."

The elf grabbed onto her shoulder. "Marian. Wait."

He'd said Marian, calling her by her given name. Just that much got her to turn back, surprised. She had honestly wondered if any of them remembered her name with how little it was used. Not only that, it sounded very different from him than anyone prior to now. Her mental armor down, she didn't resist as he pulled her in and closed the door. Within moments she was sitting down on the bed, waiting as he got a shirt on and returned.

Zevran sat beside Marian, quiet for a moment before finally breaking the silence. "Cara, you came here. It may be helpful if you actually talk."

"I'm not even sure why I'm here," Hawke admitted. "I guess I'm just a little unsteady right now."

There was a moment of silence to follow. Then Zevran pulled his friend into an awkward hug, keeping some distance. "I am your friend first and foremost. Tell me, or don't, as you wish- but know I am here."

Marian thought a moment. "I... don't want to be alone right now. Could I..?" The question sounded so stupid to her, but she had to ask. "I'm not asking for anything but your presence," she clarified.

"Of course, my friend."

They spent that night resting beside each other. Marian managed a fitful sleep, and was glad of the company since Zevran was able to lightly nudge her awake when the nightmares got too bad.

When the sun rose, Marian Hawke slid out of Zevran's quarters and into her own to prepare for the day. She felt a little bit lighter though, even with the pressure of expectation weighing on her shoulders. Even when her worst fears were realized and Riordan fell, Marian managed a stoic calm that rivaled anyone.

"Wynne, Oghren, Leliana- with me. Alistair... you know what to do."