Lea rushed down the corridor to the main door that led to the open courtyard. A guard next to the door opened it on her arrival. She rushed through it to be met by pouring rain accompanied by a chilled breeze. She wrapped her arms around herself and rushed to the stables on her right.

It was warmer in the stables from the horses close proximity. She saddled a black stallion then exited the stables. It was still raining and she suspected it would do so for a while so she set off through Highever. Once she reached the edge of the city she was soaking wet but she didn't stop. She rode until she was at the coast that was a few miles out of the city. She tied the stallion to a nearby tree and strode towards the water. The waves were crashing on sharp rocks to her left while on her right it slowly came up to the already wet sand. She walked to where the water would touch her feet. It was cold as always but she was already numb from the cold rain and brisk winds. Thunder sounded off somewhere in the distance. It seemed as if the noise fuelled the oceans storm; the waves came in faster and each a bit stronger than the last.

Lea dropped to the ground, where she wrapped her small arms around her knees and laid her chin on her knees. She was shivering but her mind had wandered to the man in her home. He had been just as handsome as she remembered him, with his beautiful brown eyes and strong jawline. She wanted so badly to forgive him, but what good would it do to forgive a man she couldn't be with? All she had to do was look in his eyes and she knew that all would be long forgotten. Makers breath, him being in Highever would be the death of her.

She stood up with memories of him flooding her mind. She unlaced the back of the dress and pulled it off herself, leaving her in a white corset and white underskirt. She put the dress by the horse and walked to the body of water before her. The water was a greyish blue color. The waves came in fast then rushed back down to its own depths. Part of her wished she could leave so easily, as the waves did. She managed to get to a point where the water hit her waist. She ducked her head under the cold water and felt a chill run over her body. Lea slowly let the water wash away the worry lines on her gentle face.

She stood there, in the water, for longer than she probably should have. It was an hour at least before she left turned back towards her horse. The rain was still pelting the ground when she started pulling her dress back onto her soaking form. The red silk clung to her body easily. She mounted the horse and started towards the city.

By the time she reentered the city walls, it was mid-afternoon. The rain was still pounding the ground with its force, so not many people were out. Even the beggars had retreated to find shelter. She had never liked when the streets of Highever were quiet. It never seemed right. But she continued on until she reached the stable outside the castle. She dismounted and handed the reins over to a guard who would put the steed away. Her dress was dripping wet and her hair had long since fallen apart; she had a feeling that Fergus would be slightly annoyed with her. She slowly made her way up the steps and entered the castle only to be met by Ser Gilmore who was glowering at her.

"We have been looking for you all day." His smooth voice was a comfort, even if he was being stern with her.

"I needed to get out for a while. You know, feel the wind in my hair and fresh air in my lungs." She joked lamely.

His brows furrowed together, "You really are the odd one of the family aren't you?" Lea simply nodded, he chuckled. "Well you should know that the mage, Wynne, would like to speak with you as soon as possible, and I suggest going and checking in with Fergus before that. He has been on edge since breakfast."

"Where is he? I will go to him now."

"He is in his office, with the king I believe."

Lea tensed but continued walking in the direction of her brother's office, "Would you mind accompanying me Rorie?"

He hesitated before he answered, "I don't see any harm in it, so sure." She looked up at him and smiled graciously.

The pair walked through the silent corridors until they came upon Fergus' office. Lea stood in front of it shivering and not knocking on the door, "You know, Lea, the point of this was for you to actually go in at some point." He joked. She shot him a murderous glare before she lightly knocked on the door.

"You may enter," She took a deep breath and turned the door knob. The room as always was lit by a few candles and the roaring fire behind the large wooden desk that sat in the middle of the room. On the walls were tapestries that their had father loved. Neither sibling had the heart to take them down.

Fergus was sitting behind the desk with Alistair in the chair in front of the desk. Both men stood up at her when she entered, though she remained in the doorway. "I just wanted to let you know that I was back. I thought you might like to know."

Fergus looked at her dress, then her hair. His mouth was partially open in surprise, "Where in the world did you go?"

"I rode to the coast to get some fresh air," She shrugged as if the action was done daily.

"What made you think it was safe to go there by yourself? Bandits are known to patrol the coast. You should have taken Ser Gilmore." His eyes were bright with disapproval.

"Fergus, I am in no need of an escort." She was still avoiding Alistair's gaze, "Now if you would excuse me I have things I must attend to." She bowed deeply to Alistair before shuffling out of the room. A little bit down the hallways she turned to Ser Gilmore, "Rorie you don't need to follow me from here, I can make it to my room safely." He only nodded and watched her walk away.

Once in her room she locked the door and stripped out of her wet clothes before retiring to the already filled bath. Someone must have mentioned her state to Jocelyn. She soaked in the water until her hands and feet began to prune up. She dunked her head under the water before climbing out.

She dried herself quickly before putting on a thick blue dress. It had long sleeves and a leather belt that went around her slim waist. She left her hair down. It was naturally incredibly curly, so she never had to spend long on it. After making sure she looked decent she opened the door. Jocelyn smiled up at her. The girl was carrying a tray of cheeses and breads and Lea found herself more appreciative of Jocelyn than she ever thought possible. She let her in so she could set the tray down on her vanity.

"Jocelyn could you go fetch the mage, Wynne, for me?"

"Of course, I'll be right back."

"Thank you."

After Jocelyn left Lea dug into the food that had been brought to her. It was the first time in days that she found herself with a hunger for anything.

About seven minutes later Jocelyn walked back in with Wynne behind her. "Thank you Jocelyn, You are done for the evening."

Jocelyn's eyes widened, "Are you sure? It is only mid-afternoon."

Lea reached a hand out to the younger girl, who took it hesitantly. She came closer to Lea. She grabbed the girls other hand and looked into her brilliant eyes, "You have done so much for me already, please take a break tonight. Go down to the kitchens and tell Lita that I have given you a break, but since it's raining so hard I would like you to stay with her."

Jocelyn looked more surprised, if that was possible, "Are- are you sure?"

"Of course I am, darling. Now go and sleep well." Before she left she threw her arms around Lea's neck. Quickly after she left the room.

"She seems to have taken a liking to you, hasn't she?"

Lea had almost forgotten that Wynne was there. She stood at her full height and embraced the mage. "I am sorry about this morning; I just wasn't expecting him to come along as well."

"I tried to convince him to stay behind, but he insisted." Wynne's hair was now at her shoulders and she was wearing violet tower robes.

"Why did he come exactly?"

"Well your messenger mentioned something that simply sounded like something that might relate to you. He told me he wanted to go over some things with Fergus about Highever's construction, but it was obvious to Leliana and I that he wanted to see you."

"To bad I didn't want to see him." She knew she sounded harsh, but it couldn't be helped.

"I think you should let him explain some things to you before we leave."

"What things?"

"He told me that he wanted to tell you himself what happened with Morrigan. You know, why he did it."

"The fact is he slept with another woman, Wynne! I'm aloud to be hurt by that." Her voice got louder unintentionally.

"But there is more to this than just that isn't there? You are hurt because his actions saved your life and you didn't want to be saved."

How Wynne knew that, she didn't know, but somehow Wynne knew everything. Lea's jaw was hanging open. Wynne snapped her fingers in front of Lea's eyes, "How would you know that?"

"I am very good at reading people that way. It was written all over your face. Now tell me the thing that bothered you the most about those series of events."

At first she hesitated, "Well... I think what bothered me most was that they went against my wishes." Wynne cocked an eyebrow at her, "Morrigan came to me and asked if I would convince Alistair to lay with her. I said no, and told her that I didn't want Alistair to be with any other woman even if that meant my death. She then went to him and explained the situation. She told him that I didn't approve but he still agreed to it." Lea turned her eyes downward and let out a sigh, "Then once they were done he came to me. Of course I had no idea what had just transpired.

"We spent the night with each other; he led me to believe that it would be our last together. I fell for it and only when I didn't die did I realize what they had done."

"Lea, I had no idea that that is what had happened. I'm sorry that it went down in that manner." Wynne said sincerely.

Her green eyes were sparkling with unshed tears when she looked up at the wiser woman, "Me too, but that is not why you are here," She sniffled, "I was hoping you could tell me what's wrong with me."

Wynne laughed, "Well I might need more details than that. What are some of you symptoms?"

"Well it began with sleep. I haven't been able to sleep though a night since we got here from Denerim. Then came the constant sickness; I am nauseous most of the day right now. Lastly I have been losing my appetite."

The mage looked at Lea curiously. "Well I have a theory, but it would have to be checked, but I would rather do that while you were asleep."

"You mean when I go to sleep tonight or do you mean right now when you put me under a spell?"

"I would prefer to do it now."

"Alright, let's get it done." Lea walked to the bed and laid down, "I am ready."

"Would you be alright if Leliana was present for it as well?"

"No, that's not a problem—"

The redhead leaped in from behind the door, "Thank the Maker! I thought I would have to wait out there all day!"

The three women laughed, then Wynne got serious. "Alright, Lea, just relax." The oldest of the three started gently waving a hand over Lea's face and chanted some type of magic.

The world around her slowly started to darken, until only a small white light was left, "Sleep Lea." She did as the voice commanded and slipped into the utter darkness.

Wynne stood over Lea's sleeping body with a concerned look on her face, "Are you going to do that magic thing you do?"

"'That magic thing you do? Really?" Wynne had looked up at the younger woman with an amused expression.

Leliana's eyes glanced around while her face started to turn a light shade of pink, "I didn't know what to call it."

"I'm diagnosing whatever is wrong with her."

She quickly jumped out of her embarrassed state, "Well are you going to diagnose her then?"

Wynne had always thought Leliana to be over excited about everything. "I will, but I think I know what's wrong with her."

"What do you think it is then?"

"I'm not sure it would be wise to tell you before I tell her."

"Oh, come on. I won't tell anyone!" She begged.

Wynne raised her eyebrows at the bard.

Leliana rolled her eyes, "Seriously I won't tell anyone. My days as a bard are over for good."

"You have to play this by my terms then."

Leliana huffed, "What are your terms then?"

Wynne crossed her arms over her chest, "Well for one I am the one who will tell her," Leliana nodded, "Second you are allowed to tell no one, is that clear?" She nodded again, "Lastly if she is unhappy about it, doesn't want to talk about it or makes a decision that you disagree with then you will keep your mouth shut."

"Oh that's easy," She shifted on her feet a little and rubbed her hands together excitedly, "Now will you tell me?"

The older woman looked Leliana in the eye as she spoke, "I think Lea is with child."

Leliana stopped fidgeting at once. Her voice came out in a squeak, "What?"

"I think she's pregnant."

"Please tell me you're joking."

"I'm not, but I still haven't checked yet, so I might be wrong yet."

"Well then do it!" Cried Leliana.

Wynne was surprised at Leliana's rush, but she decided to indulge the young girl in this one thing. She conjured a healing spell that enveloped both her hands in a light blue light. She hovered her hands over Lea's head first, then her throat and lastly her abdomen. The process took about an hour to complete all together.

Once she finished she sat down at the vanity and placed her head in her hand. "Well? What is it?"

Wynne lifted her head slowly. Her gaze was on the unconscious woman. "She is as I suspected," Looking over at Leliana she began again, "I would like to be alone with her when I tell her, I will let you know when you can reenter."

Leliana nodded solemnly, then she got up and left the room. Wynne moved to Lea and cast the spell that awoken her. She sat up slowly, her bright green eyes blinking away the sleep, until she made eye contact with Wynne. "Well did you find the source?"

Wynne pondered her thoughts for a moment, "I did, but I am unsure of how you will react."

Worry slid into Lea's expression, "Wynne, what did you find?"

"I want you to know that I do not see you any differently than before—"

"Wynne, now you are scarring me. Please just tell me." She pleaded.

"You are... you are with child Lea."

At first Lea was frozen in place, her eyes locked with Wynne's; silently asking her to tell her she was only kidding. When Wynne's expression didn't change she started shaking, "What?" She all but whispered.

Wynne made her way to the bedside to grasp Lea's hand. It was cold, which would explain why the poor girl was going pale, "You are carrying a child with you. You're pregnant."

Her eyes were wide and filled with the most fear Wynne had ever seen. "Wha- no that's not possible. That can't be right," She made direct eye contact with Wynne, "You have to be wrong." She was speaking quickly because of the panic that had struck.

"I am sorry, but you are."

She blinked at first, then blinked some more, only then did the tears start to fall. Wynne pulled the young woman into her arms and held her, as a mother would to her daughter. She heard a muffled sentence coming from the shaking figure in her arms, "It wasn't supposed to be possible."

Wynne pulled away a little and wiped the tears from Lea's pale face, "What wasn't supposed to be possible?"

"Me... having a child." Tears were streaming down her face more and more now.

"Because of the taint?" She nodded silently, "No it was never impossible, there were just lower chances due to the taint."

A hiccup escaped Lea's mouth, "No you don't understand that it was impossible. There was no -hic- way that me conceiving this child was possible."

Wynne shook her head, "It's not impossible Lea, just more unlikely than most people."

"Wynne –hic- if I am pregnant than Alistair is the father. There is no other option. Tell me that it's possible now."

Wynne opened her mouth to speak, but as realization made its way into her she gave up on whatever argument she had conjured up. She was staring at Elissa with an open mouth when a soft knock came from the door. Fergus' head slid in before he entered fully, "I am here to tell you both that—" He stopped mid-sentence at the sight of Lea in tears. "What in the Maker's name happened?" He rushed forward to the other side of his sister's bed. She leaned into him and he wrapped his arms around her. The tears were still streaming down her pale skin.

"I will go wash-up for the meal." She looked to Lea, "Later tonight if you need to find me, I am just down the hall."

A muffled response came from Fergus' shoulder.

Wynne left swiftly as only mages do. Lea nuzzled farther into her older brothers arms, "What's wrong, pup?"

The use of her father's old nickname for her only drew more tears, "It's something that can't be discussed with you right now."

"Are you sure? I am always here to listen, or be a shoulder should you ever need one, you know that don't you?"

"Of course I do, and as soon as I work through it myself I will come to you." The siblings sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, Lea's sniffling being the only thing that interrupted the quiet.

"Should I tell the others that you are still feeling unwell?" Fergus asked softly. His chin was resting on top of his sisters head.

Lea pulled back a bit, but remained in Fergus' embrace, "No I need to appear at least once. Leliana would kill me if I avoided her the whole time that they're here." She wiped a stray tear from her cheek and stood up. "Could you wait in the hall for me?"

"You don't have to come down if you don't think you're up to it Lea."

She shook her head and her piercing green eyes met his brown ones, "Fergus stop trying to dissuade me from doing this. I'm just as stubborn as mother was."

"At least she taught you to admit it." The siblings smiled fondly at each other. He left the room and shut the door behind him. Lea stared at the door for a moment before she walked to the wash basin that was resting on her vanity. She splashed some water on her face, trying to cool it and decrease the redness from under her eyes.

After one last deep breath she exited to room and found Fergus waiting with a warm smile to greet her. He held his arm out to her and she took it without hesitation. She didn't have many people she trusted so openly, but Fergus had always managed to be one of those people.

"Will you tell me eventually?" He asked her as they walked down the first flight of stairs.

Lea's eyes flickered with pain as the idea of her being pregnant was again brought to her attention. She wasn't sure that she wanted the child, but it might be her only chance to have one. "I imagine I will have no choice but to tell you eventually." She said sadly.

"Are you okay with whatever it is?" She appreciated how he didn't push on knowing what it was, but was more concerned with how she was coping.

"No. Not right now at least; perhaps in due time I will be, but for now it is just something I need to accept."

They stopped at the bottom of the staircase. Fergus turned and grasped his younger sister's shoulders in his hands, "You do know that whatever this is I will not allow you to deal with it alone, right? I'm not going to kick you to the street and leave you for dead."

Lea smiled up at him, adoration beaming in her eyes. "And for that I cannot thank you enough, but we should really see to our guests."

Fergus nodded and looped Lea's arm back through his. They continued to the dining hall in silence until Lea stopped him before the guards opened the door. "Fergus, can I ask you to please not bring any of this up during the meal?"

He nodded with a serious expression on his face, "Of course. You have my word on the matter."

"Thank you, for everything."

"It is no trouble." He said warmly. He gestured for the doors to opened. As the doors opened Lea grasped his arm with strong grip.

She wasn't sure she was ready to face Alistair in a conversation, but she could sit in the same room as him. That I can deal with. She thought to herself.

Alistair and Leliana were locked in a conversation, so the pair of them didn't notice them enter. Wynne on the other hand had noticed and had jumped up to rush to Lea's side. She led younger woman to the seat that was placed next to the head of the table. Alistair sat directly across from her and only when she sat down did he realize she was in the same room as him.

His brown eyes were locked on her, making her shift in her seat uncomfortably. Fergus took the place at the head of the table and the meal was brought forth.

"So, Alistair you said earlier today that it would be wise if we collided our soldiers." Fergus began, successfully drawing the King's attention away from his sister.

"I did, and I am still curious about your opinion on the matter." Alistair replied. The air of sophistication was a new one, and Lea had not been expecting it.

"I think it's a brilliant idea, but I don't understand how we would do it."

"Well I believe it would be easiest to have my General come converse with the Captain of your Guard." Alistair said as he lifted his chalice to his lips.

"When would be an appropriate time for him to come to Highever exactly?"

"Why not send the Captain of our Guard to Denerim? It would be just as sufficient, would it not?" Lea intervened.

Both men looked over at her curiously. After a long moment Alistair addressed her. "It wouldn't make sense for Highever to send their only Captain when Denerim has three."

"Highever is currently at its weakest point, and if we were attacked without a Captain among the soldiers then we would with no doubt be lost." Fergus added.

"Well my apologies for asking such an irrelevant question, your Majesty." Her voice was cold, unmoved by the gentleness that Alistair had spoken to her with.

"Lea, you know that I would prefer to not be called that."

Lea's green eyes shot up to his brown ones, accompanied by a harsh glare, "I'm sorry, but I do not feel comfortable addressing you as anything else, your Majesty."

"There really is no need for a friend such as yourself—"

"Friend?" Lea spat. Her hands formed into fists on either side of her plate.

Alistair's eyes skimmed the rest of the room. It had fallen silent now. Wynne was shaking her head and Leliana was refusing to make eye contact with either of them. "Yes friends. You can't really think that after all we've been through we wouldn't be at least friends."

Her eyes were bright with an anger that Alistair hadn't seen since they had come across Howe. "I wouldn't count you as a friend." She said through gritted teeth. "Friends have some sense of loyalty, and you my King, have none of that."

"Lea!" Exclaimed Fergus.

"No it's quite alright for her to express this anger towards me. It's completely justified." Alistair said sadly.

Lea pushed her chair back and stood up. "If you would excuse me, brother. I am feeling rather faint." She excused herself though, not giving him enough time to do it himself.

Alistair stood up abruptly, "Lea please, can you just allow me to explain?"

With her hand on the doorknob she turned around and looked the man she once loved, in the eyes. They were pleading her to stop, to give him a chance to explain his wrongs. But with tears in her eyes she shook her head, no. She already had to decide to keep his child or to give it away and she didn't want another decision clouding her conscious.