Marian sighed as she leaned against the table in the main dining area of Skyhold, taking a minute to catch her breath. Hours spent with Fiona, Bethany, and Solas had confirmed exactly what Marian had expected: whatever force had been in the archdemon when she killed it had latched on to the closest source of the taint. Since the years of research had been to ensure a Warden still carried that, considering actually curing the Taint itself would defeat the purpose of the Order, Marian had still carried it. She was the nearest source.
There were no memories, no whispers. Just force, and power. And once in a while it felt really off...
"Mama!"
Marian blinked her uncertainty back and grabbed for her daughter. "Lee-bug!" She picked up the nearly seven-year-old girl and swung her around. Leandra was definitely getting older and bigger.
Alistair had returned for a short visit, mostly to collect his wife and tell the Howes they were needed at court shortly. Together. With their daughter. He also handed the other couple a marriage contract, marked with the royal seal. Alistair barely concealed a snigger as Nathaniel balked, even as both Morrigan and Marian simply took quill to parchment. Now the king approached Marian and Lee where they rested at the table.
"So, I must ask," Alistair added, "will I be losing an Arlessa this season?"
Marian choked. "How did you..?"
"You do realize they have to ask before removing a Warden Commander? Celene and I both got the communique."
"Lovely." Marian thudded onto the bench. "I'll be heading to Weishopt yes, but only to officially move the offices of the First Warden to the Frostbacks." She put her head down, shaking it as well. "After I get to Denerim as ordered, and actually winter in Amaranthine for once. Maker! Once I get home I do not want to leave Ferelden again!"
"I don't think a First Warden will have that luxury," Alistair teased. "What does Nate have to say about all this?"
"He hasn't stopped laughing."
000 - 000
Across the hall, Carver was having an in-depth discussion with the Iron Bull. "Your mercenaries are well trained," he noted, "but I think we can get materials for better weapons. That takes precedence over any dragon I say."
The kossith nodded agreement, his lone eye burning in excitement. "When do we get started, Hawke?"
"I was thinking as soon as possible. Maybe two days? I'm sure Bethany will have no problem letting us continuing working out of Skyhold."
Bull peeked in confusion. "What of your women?"
Carver bit his bottom lip, the ghost of fear in his eyes as he remembered his conversation with Morrigan upon returning to Skyhold. She had reminded him she was an able mage and had grown up as something of a healer in the Wilds. Then she offered to check on the progress of his wives...
A check-up that turned into a nightmare.
Twins ran in his family. Carver was painfully aware of that. According to mother even Marian had been born with a twin, even if the boy didn't make it. Somehow Carver had thought he would be immune to the tendency. Fate had other plans, and Morrigan had taken fiendish delight in informing him all four of his children to be were coming along healthily.
Which was precisely why he found himself begging a crazy kossith merc to hunt dragons with him. It would help the land-locked sensation (since he was going nowhere in the ship while Bella was stuck here pregnant) and get him blessedly away from the two crazy pregnant women. Especially the crazy pregnant MAGE who now randomly shot lightening at him when she was uncomfortable.
"My girls will be just fine," Carver assured The Iron Bull, repressing the shudder of memory from being struck by the static. "And slaying dragons... this is important business."
000 - 000
As quickly as she could, Bethany hurried out of the hall and up to her rooms. Here it was quiet, and she could hear herself think after everything that had happened. The celebration seemed unending, and while Bethany had been pleased to start now it felt a bit intimidating. She moved to the balcony, looking over the beauty of the Frostbacks. It truly was breathtaking...
"Trying to flee, my little dove?"
Bethany turned at the accented voice and left her perch to greet Leliana. The spymaster still offices in the rookery but over the past several weeks since Corypheus' defeat had made her home here in these rooms. With Bethany. The Inquisitor simply did not mind; in fact, she relished the older woman's presence.
"Not from you," Bethany assured, finding my herself wrapped in Leliana's arms. "Never from you."
"You have accomplished so much, Bethany. I cannot tell you how grateful we are- all of us- that you came to the forefront. I know you had qualms about leading but... you did your family proud, young Hawke."
Bethany beamed, leaning in. "And you, my love? Have I made you proud as well?"
Leliana responded by pulling her lover in for a deep kiss. The rest of the world, all of Thedas, fell away. The mage let the sensation take over her whole body and was not surprised to find she had been led to the bed and allowed to fall into it, her red-headed Nightingale positioned perfectly above her. "Do you still prefer the company of women, after our time together?" Leliana asked, a glimmer in her eyes.
The answer was a gasp as a nip came at her ear. "Yes! Maker yes!"
"Good." Leliana's voice dropped to a whisper, and she dipped to met Bethany's ear with her lips. "I love you."
Bethany would have responded in kind, but she found herself quite suddenly unable to do anything but enjoy the sensations the woman on top of her provided.
-0 $:
Herald's Rest had nothing on the Hamged Man. Tonight however was a little different. Tomorrow Carver Hawke, Champion of Kirkwall, was off to the far reaches of Orlais with Bull's Chargers in pursuit of materials fit to slay dragons, and Warden Marian Howe was off with her company to return to Denerim and then onward for the year. This was the last night for AGES they would all be together.
Cassandra was drinking alone in the corner of the room, but before she could go for her second mug Varric sat across from her and started to converse. The Seeker was getting better day-by-day, though losing two loves and two mentors in less than a year was hardly treating her well. Not far, Ohgren and Sigrun were having a competition to see which of them could down more alcohol while Isabella judged- Merrill happily hanging from the pirate's arm. Nathaniel settled in at the bar, sharing words and a discussion with a recent arrival to Skyhold; apparently Alistair had decided Marian would need someone watching her back while she and Nate played politics, and had called Zevran to meet them. The King and Queen themselves were sprawled together on a couch, watching Kei teaching Lee how to read elvhen. The girl had experienced a strange dream a few nights earlier, just after Solas had gone out "to research" for a few days. It might be prudent to ask what had happened, and how a young girl with no prior exposure could suddenly speak the dead language.
Maryden had been given the night off, and Sera was noticeably absent as well. Josephine had also chosen to take the evening for herself, the diplomat citing the need to speak with Warden Rainier and Commander Cullen about the defenses. Dorian was none-too bashful lay settled on Bull's lap, laughing.
Bethany grabbed a set of three drinks from the barkeep, watching as Leliana and Cole started what seemed to be a very in-depth discussion. The bard was entranced, not even blinking; Bethany wondered if it would do any good to ask later, or if the woman would have forgotten the blonde boy again. Pushing that to the back, Bethany continued to her table and set the mugs down in front of her siblings before crashing into a chair beside them.
"Congratulations again on joining the club of people who saved Thedas, Bethy," Carver offered, tipping his mug up.
"Says the man who did so by blowing up a church," Marian smirked, raising her own.
"It worked, didn't it?"
Bethany sighed, grumbling into her ale. "Some family we are! How do you think it would've turned out, if we weren't here to fix all the problems? Imagine the mess Ferelden would be in."
Marian chuckled. "Some other poor saps would've probably had to do it. Thank the Maker we saved other people from it, eh?" With a swig, she scratched her head. "Though ending up in Kirkwall with drinks and renown wouldn't have been half bad." She aptly ducked as Carver tossed a nut at her, laughing.
Bethany couldn't help but laugh so n turn as she smiled at the scene. They were a strange family, but it was her family, and she wouldn't have it any other way...
"Leandra! Get out of that barrel this instant before I force a mabari to DRAG you out."
Bethany pat her brother's hand. "Aren't you looking forward to fatherhood Carver?"
The only male among them looked over at his wives and smiled. "Actually? Yes. I am."
- Final A/N -
Whew! So, that happened. Hopefully everyone has enjoyed who has been reading! Do let me know!
Couple ideas floating in my head on a follow up, but I'd love to know what if anything in particular you might want to see.
Until next story...
-Narya's Bane