Eriana plopped down on the couch beside Alistair, a big grin on her face. "So, Al, are you about to go stir crazy in here?"

"Asks my warden," he answered, looking back at her. "Seriously, Eriana, how long are you planning on keeping me locked up in this estate? I mean, I feel like I'm back in the Chantry, and I'm being punished for something."

Eriana laughed and ruffled his hair a bit. "Not my doing, Alistair. You know Eamon doesn't want to let you out before the Landsmeet. He's afraid that something might happen to you. There are a lot of people who are still out to get you."

"To get us; it's not exactly safe for you either out there, you know?"

"Well, we both can't be locked in here," she said with a grin. She patted him gently on the shoulder. "I know it's been tough on you; that's why I'm proposing a, well, a jail break of sorts. Riordan told me about a secret Grey Warden vault in the market place, just full of Grey Warden secrets. I thought that the three of us should go and check it out. What do you think?"

Alistair grinned, "If it gets me out of this house, I'm in."

"I thought you'd say that. Now get changed and meet me and Riordan in the entryway in twenty minutes," Eriana said, as she got up and headed for the door. There was a definite spring in her step that had been missing for the past few days. Waking up in Zevran's arms after the tumultuous few days they had experienced was reinvigorating for her. She didn't realize how accustomed to his presence she had become, how heavily she had come to rely on him to merely fall asleep each night, or how she missed his warm smell in the morning. Eriana smiled at her own foolishness. Three nights alone should not have been that upsetting to her, but she was in deep and there was no denying her feelings for the Antivan assassin. But last night had been wonderful; sleeping the entire night in the secure circle of Zevran's arms once again had given her fresh vigor and made the trials and stresses of the day melt seem to away.

After a quick breakfast, Eriana made her way into the entryway to wait for her fellow Wardens when she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist. Smiling to herself, she leaned back into Zevran's strong embrace. "So, my Warden, what is on our agenda for today?" he asked, his warm breath caressing the sensitive skin beneath her ear.

"Well, after I get back from the vault, I'd like to go back to the Alienage. We only have two days till the Landsmeet, and I want to spend some time with my family before then. I was thinking…Oh, Zevran."

Zevran seemed to be paying little to no attention to what she was saying; he seemed, instead, to be quite focused on the back of her neck as his lips caressed her soft skin and earlobe. She shivered as his lips began to move down her neck toward her shoulder, lingering momentarily on her collarbone. She felt his hands move on her waist as he turned her around to face him, his lips never once breaking contact with her warm skin as they moved up to her lips. "You were saying something, mia cara; something about the Alienage, no?" Zevran muttered with a laugh.

"Sorry, I got a bit distracted." Eriana said as she wrapped her arms around his waist as she looked up at him. There was something different in his look; there was a fire there, but it wasn't the same hungry passion that was usually there. No, this time there was something deeper, something warmer moving behind his honey colored eye, and for a moment, she allowed herself to hope that the look meant that he had resolved his feelings for her. Then Zevran's gaze moved behind her as he started to chuckle. Turning around she saw Alistair coming down the steps, decked out in Warden Commander armor.

"Um, Alistair, we're supposed to be discrete."

"Yeah? So?"

Eriana laughed, Zevran's arms still wrapped around her, "Well, we're still wanted criminals, so walking around with griffons emblazoned on your chest probably isn't the best idea, don't you think?" Alistair agreed with a laugh and turned to return to his room to change out of the griffon armor. "Hey, and don't put on that gold armor of Cailan's either, save that for the Landsmeet."

Alistair stopped dead and turned back to her, "Are you serious? Do you really want me to wear that, I mean it's shinny and pretentious."

"It's kingly, and I'm still calling the shots, so yes, you're wearing it," Eriana said with a grin. "And don't forget a helm; we can't have people recognizing your handsome face, now can we?"

The two elves watched as the soon to be king made his way back up the stairs before Zevran looked down at her. "Are you sure you want to return to the Alienage so soon? I know yesterday was difficult for you, and I have to say, I'm rather surprised you are so willing to return there."

She leaned against his shoulder for a moment. "I had to face down a lot of ghosts yesterday," she said with a sigh. "I can't say it was easy, but it is my home. I can't just walk away from the mistakes I made there. You know, I never left Denerim before Duncan recruited me, and I had never been apart from my family. I didn't realize how much I would miss my father or how much I did miss him until I saw him yesterday." She glanced up at him with a smile. "I guess someone was keeping me good and distracted."

"Or maybe I was keeping you so happy that you forgot to miss him," he said, giving her a light kiss on the forehead.

"Uhg, don't you two ever stop?" Alistair muttered as he made his way down the steps with Riordan.

The two elves looked at each other and grinned; Eriana sure hoped not.

Finding the hidden Warden cache had been relatively easy given Eriana's intimate knowledge of the area. The room was relatively small, but contained a descent assortment of armor, potions, and even a few books chronicling the history of the Wardens. The three split up and began sorting through the supplies. "You know, Alistair, this would have been really helpful when we first started out," Eriana commented, sorting through several sets of armor and weapons. All their current armor was of better quality than most of the things they found, but some of it would fetch a descent amount of coin in the market. She glanced over at Riordan who was struggling with a chest. "Do you need help with that?"

"Yeah, I'm not much of a lock picker," he said, straightening up, "and I think that these are joining supplies."

Eriana hoped so. It would be nice to be able to make new Wardens before they made their final push against the archdemon. Quickly she picked the lock and opened the case. "Well?"

Riordan frowned. "It looks like we have enough for one, maybe two joinings at best. Most of our stash must be in the compound in the palace, then."

Well, that was a bummer. There was no telling what Loghain had done to the compound or the supplies they stored there. With a disappointed sigh, Eriana turned back to the weapons she had been sorting through when the inscription on one shield caught her attention. "Alistair," she said with a smile, "Come over here and look at this." She handed the shield to him, "Do you recognize this?"

"Maker's breath, is this…it is. This is Duncan's shield."

"I thought so. Didn't you say you always wanted something of his, something to remember him by?" Alistair grinned like a child during winter solstice. "Well?"

"Eriana," he said, capturing her in a huge hug. "You really want me to have this? Really?"

Eriana laughed, "Of course. I know how much this means to you, and what would I do with a shield anyway? I'd probably fall over backwards if I tried to wear that on my back." She lightly touched his face, whipping away the tears that were starting to fall down his cheeks. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"I just can't help but wonder if we're doing the right thing here. I mean, Wardens aren't supposed to be involved in politics. I just can't help but wonder if Duncan would be proud of us."

"Alistair, I think Duncan would be very proud. I mean, look at all we've done this past year. We've called together all of our allies in the midst of civil war while dodging assassination attempts and darkspawn attacks. We gathered an army to defeat the blight and defend this nation when we could have fled and joined the Wardens from other nations to await the blight on foreign shores. Duncan was close to your father right?" Alistair nodded. "He would have been proud of us for standing and defending Fereldan and not running and doing what was easy."

Alistair sighed, "I just wish he was here." He glanced up at her and took her hand. "You know, I can't help but wonder what things might have been like if things had been different, if Duncan and the Wardens and Cailan hadn't all died at Ostagar. What would have happened with us."

"Well, you and I would be just two Wardens in this fight against the blight."

"And there would be no my being king or any of that. Do you think things might have been different between us?"

"Alistair…"

"No, no, just think a moment. I mean, if I was just Alistair and you were just Eriana, how would things have been different? I guess you would have had a lot more options though; there were a lot of us after all."

Eriana sighed, "Yes, if Cailan hadn't died, things would have been very different with us, Alistair, but that wasn't what the Maker destined, was it? You are going to be king, and nothing can change that."

"But why did that have to change things with us? I'm not naïve; I remember how things changed after we woke Eamon up. You never looked at me the same after that, why?"

"Alistair, imagine what would have happened if we had stayed on that path, if we had stayed together. Where would we be now? You would still be the future king, and I would still be an elf, only now, we would both stand to lose a lot." Alistair looked down at her confused. "Look, Alistair, I cared for you back then, a lot, but I knew this day would come. And if we had stayed together, this would have been the end for us, and you know it."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm an elf, Alistair. The nobility would have never accepted me at your side, you know this. Plus, I'm a Grey Warden which means I would never be able to provide you with the one thing a king needs."

"An heir?"

"An heir. So you would have been forced to put me aside." When he started to protest, Eriana stopped him. "No, it's true and you know it. You would have had to break up with me, you would have resented yourself for doing it, resented Eamon for making you, and resented me for making you king."

"So you saw this coming, and that's why you ended it?" Eriana nodded. "So this thing with Zevran then, it is the real thing, or was it a distraction?"

Eriana sighed, "I think it started as a distraction. I mean, he was just a friend back then, but now, I like to hope it's more. I mean, it's more to me, at least."

"So, you're happy then, with Zevran?"

Eriana nodded, "I really am, Alistair, and I know you don't exactly like to hear that."

Alistair pulled her into a hug, "No, I'm glad that you've found happiness in this, even if it's not with me. And who knows, maybe I'll find happiness with Anora."

Eriana stifled a laugh, "And if not, you'll be the King, which gives you certain freedoms not available to the average man. I'm sure Zevran could give you some suggestions."

"Ugh, I don't want to think about any advice he might want to send my way."

"Why not, I assure you, he's very talented in that area."

Alistair put his fingers in his ears, "I'm not listening, lalalala."

Eriana laughed as they collected their new things and began to make their way back to Eamon's estate.

Eriana was completely expecting to find Zevran in the foyer when they returned, but she was pleasantly surprised to see that he wasn't alone.

"Ada!" she shouted as soon as the three Wardens entered the estate and quickly ran across the room, throwing herself into her father's arms, ignoring the laughter of Zevran and her two cousins. She pulled back and looked up at his pale blue eyes and smiled. "What are you doing here? Isn't the alienage still quarantined off?"

"Well, a funny thing happened after you left; it seems once the mages disappeared, so did the plague. There's not a trace of sickness anywhere, thanks to you, da'len. It seems that once again, we owe you a great deal."

"If only I had come sooner," Eriana said burying her head into her father's chest.

He kissed her forehead, "You came soon enough. I'm just so happy to see you again, my Ana. When we heard about Ostagar…" he shook his head, unable to finish his thought. "But that's all in the past, now. You are here and we are safe. I was hoping that you and your friends would come for dinner tomorrow night."

"Oh, Ada, that's a wonderful idea. Zevran and I can spend the day with you and the rest can come in the evening. But can't you stay now?"

"I'm afraid not, my sweet. There is much to do now that everyone is healing and with Valendrian taken, but we will spend time together tomorrow, dearest, I promise."

Eriana and Shianni were standing over the large sink in the only home she had ever known, carefully peeling a huge stack of potatoes when Zevran and Soris returned from the market place with several loves of freshly baked bread. After depositing their purchases on the table, Zevran moved in behind Eriana, his arms circling her waist, his head resting on her shoulder. "Hum, my dear, I never realized you were so domestic. Just look at you, when you have an actual kitchen around you, you turn into a regular housewife," he said with a chuckle.

"Just because I don't cook well over an open campfire doesn't mean I can't cook," she said, giving him a light peck on the cheek before turning her attention back to the vegetables.

Soris plopped down on the couch beside Cyrion, "So, Zevran, how did you come to join my cousin on her quest."

Eriana grinned as she glanced over her shoulder at Zevran. "Well," he said, "I joined her party a few months after the battle of Ostagar when she spared my life."

"Spared your life? Do you mean rescue you?"

"No, he means spared," Eriana said, turning around a whipping her hands dry on a towel. "Zevran was hired to kill me; when he failed, he offered to help me in return for his life. I accepted, and one thing led to another, and here we are."

"Wait a second." Cyrion said, eyeing Zevran carefully. "He tried to kill you?" Eriana nodded. "And you spared his life." Eriana nodded again. "And now you're…seeing him." Eriana laughed.

"Yes, Ada, and if it makes you feel any better, he hasn't tried to kill me since then. If anything, he's done a fantastic job of keeping me alive." Eriana explained, ignoring Shianni's giggling behind her. "Dad, don't worry; I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself."

Cyrion shook his head. "I have no doubt about that, my daughter. It's just a bit of a shock, that's all."

Eriana crossed the room and sat down on her father's lap, her arms around his neck. "Do you trust me, Ada?"

"Of course, da'len."

"Then trust Zevran, and trust me, Zevran is probably the least of your concerns." Cyrion raised an eyebrow at her. "But that is a discussion for a more serious time," she said, kissing his wrinkled cheek.

Cyrion sighed and stood up, putting his daughter on her feet. "You are so like your mother, my dear; it warms my heart to look at you. Sometimes I forget how much of her strength you have. Our nation is lucky to have you as our defender, and the alienage is lucky to have you as our savior. I am proud of you, child of my heart. You have had to bear so much for one so young; I wish I could take some of the pressure from you."

"Keep yourself safe; that will be enough for me."

Cyrion turned from his daughter, whipping a tear from his eye, and looked at Zevran. "And you, young man, she is a precious thing. Cherish her." Then he almost whispered, "Protect her." Zevran nodded to Cyrion before turning to Eriana and extending a hand to her.

"Let's go for a walk," he whispered to her, leading her out into the warm light of the alienage. She slid her arm into his as they walked side by side through the bustling streets. They stopped beneath the shade of the Vhenadahl that grew in the center of the town square, Zevran's arms wrapped tightly around her.

"I always loved this tree. It always seemed like a sanctuary; I actually used to climb it when I was little and just sit and watch the alienage move beneath me. I always found peace here even when things were at their worst."

"It is rare to find something so lovely in the midst of such misery and squalor." Zevran said, looking down at her.

"It is a lovely tree."

Zevran took gently took her chin and moved her face so that he could look into her eyes. "I wasn't talking about the tree. Seeing you here surrounded by all this sadness makes me glad that Duncan conscripted you. You deserve more, more than this alienage can offer you, more than I could ever hope to offer you, but I intend to try to give you everything you deserve."

Eriana smiled and rested her head against his shoulder, "As long as you're here, I have everything I want; I hope you know that."

Zevran's arms tightened momentarily around her as he looked down at her. "I have been acting like a child, I know, but this has all been so confusing to me. Never before have I had to deal with feelings like this before; I wasn't actually sure I was capable of this depth of emotion. I thought the Crows had beaten it out of me, so when I started feeling this way about you…I don't know. It frightened me, so I denied it for a long time, unwilling to risk admitting the truth."

He glanced down at her, kissing her lightly on the lips. "I don't want to deny it any more, mi amora. The reward far outweighs the risks." As he spoke, he pulled the diamond earring out of his pocket. "You returned this to me, saying that you would prefer it if it was a token of affection. What if it was something more?"

Eriana looked up at him, tears filling her eyes. "What do you mean, something more?"

"What if it was a promise, a promise of the future, a future together?"

Eriana smiled, "Zevran, are you proposing to me?"

"I suppose, so, yes. I want you in my life, Eriana Tabris, now and forever, and I am sorry that it has taken me so long to admit that. You have awoken in me something I thought was long dead, and I cannot imagine my life without you in it. I am yours, now and forever." And with that, Zevran kissed her, pulling her close, ignoring the business of the alienage as it moved around them. Eriana's heart welled up in her chest. He loved her; he wanted to be with her. Slowly and reluctantly, Zevran broke the kiss. "So is that a yes?"

"Yes, of course, yes." Eriana said as Zevran put the earring back in her ear. She glanced down at her left hand for a moment before removing the ring that had adorned it for so long. "Here," she said, placing it in his hand. He glanced up at her, confused. "I want you to have this."

"Your wedding ring?"

"Yes and no. It was meant to be a wedding ring, but in a way it's meant more to me than that. This ring was a constant reminder to me of what happens to me when I let my guard down, when I turn to someone else rather than relying on myself. I have worn it to remind me not to trust in others to do things alone, but now, I don't feel that way anymore."

"If I have it my way, you will never feel that way again, amora. I will be by your side, now and always," Zevran said as they stood there, content in each other's arms, content in this moment of peace.

I'll probably have two or three more updates on this story. I have appreciated all the reviews and sweet comments from everyone. This has been the first thing I've written since high school, and after rereading the first few chapters, I'm amazed any of you stayed around this long. Hope you've enjoyed reading as much as I've enjoyed writing.