A/N: Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you something you've been waiting for…

Duty's Choice: The Bastards of Ferelden - Chapter 5

A Letter from Fergus Cousland, Teryn of Highever, to his sister, Elinora Cousland, Commander of the Grey in Ferelden

My dearest sister,

I'm not going to ask how you knew where Mother had hidden this, or why the lock was broken on the chest, but I want to know why you are using your dowry to pay for repairs to Amaranthine. Shouldn't these funds come from the king or from your Grey Warden leadership? I really don't think they expected you to pay for it out of your own pocket. That being said, I am sending not only what you requested, but four experienced guards, two housekeepers and Roan's youngest son, Rom, to see to the estate. You can't do everything by yourself, pup.

All my love,

Fergus

Visitors

Amaranthine – two months later

He was coming.

After three months of hard work, politicking and next to no sleep, Amaranthine was in good order. It had taken all of her dowry and a some creative haggling to make happen, but the castle had become a proper fortress to house and train Wardens. Relations with the locals were improved and so far there hadn't been any more trouble.

It was time for the First Warden to come see their progress.

Elinora Cousland hadn't been this nervous since facing the Archdemon.

It had been over a year since she had last seen Rainer. She could still picture him clearly, standing at the intersection of the corridor, offering her… what? Affection? Love? A night not in an empty bed? So many times she'd tried to figure out just what she was doing, why she had chosen to indulge in that little fling. Each time she came to the same two conclusions. The first was a blend of simple loneliness and attraction; unsurprising and uncomplicated. The second was much harder to admit; she had wanted to hurt Alistair.

Duty or not, true love or not, soul mates or not; there had been other women. It didn't matter that Elinora had been the one to tell him to marry and have children. Her injured feminine pride was not interesting in logic or facts. The affair with Rainer certainly had nothing to do with logic or facts.

At least it proved that she could still feel. And that she was still a woman. She had tried to forget since that morning in the exercise room, and Alistair hadn't helped. She didn't want him to help. She didn't even want him to know. Bloody Zevran and his big elven mouth.

She buckled on the last piece of her new armor; a combination of dragonscale and silverite that looked much heavier than it was. The breastplate downplayed her feminine charms. She didn't want to remind Rainer, or herself for that matter, about times past. It was best to remain as genderless as possible. It was bad enough that her chestnut hair was now past her shoulders, but then again, Rainer's would probably still be longer, and gorgeous.

She pushed out the stupid girlish flutter in her stomach with a huff and pulled herself away from her cracked mirror. In her study she settled in on the accounts in front of her. Her thoughts on getting a better price on beef were interrupted by a running Orbert. "Commander…!"

"He's here then." Elinora stood, adjusted her armor and headed out of her office and to the courtyard with all the dignity befitting a Commander of the Grey. She would not show a speck of apprehension, or any emotion at all, to the First Warden.

"Oh, look at you," said a voice she was not expecting. "So official and… shiny!" Alistair grinned an approving grin at her.

"Alistair?" He stood in her courtyard, handsome in a simple huntsman's vest and a sneaky smile. "Andraste's flaming sword, what are you doing here?" she gaped. This was not part of the plan.

"Well, I figured it since the place was going to be all spit-polished for the First Warden, I should inspect as well." His casual tone was belied by the way he cut his eyes to her. "Your letter did say he should be arriving anytime now, right?"

"Right," she said slowly as she closed the distance between them. Of all the gormless things to pull. As if this wasn't hard enough without king and lover on her doorstep. "First Warden Rainer estimated he would arrive sometime within the next three days."

"So formal." Alistair quirked a teasing eyebrow at her. "Next thing you know you'll be calling me 'your majesty' all the time."

"I have every intention of using proper protocols and manners when in public, your majesty," she said matter-of-factly.

Alistair frowned and looked worried. Elinora took pity on him and winked, which put his charming smile back where it belonged. They wouldn't always be in public. "If your majesty would allow me to give my people some instructions regarding feeding and housing your retinue, I could give you the tour." Elinora smirked, "It'll be good practice for the one that counts."

Alistair smirked back. "No need. I didn't want to put you out, so we're well supplied and most of the men can camp either in the courtyard or just outside the walls, if that suits you."

She raised a smug eyebrow at him. "I see that you haven't completely forgotten how to be a soldier."

"I think I can still make a mean mystery meat stew if necessary."

"Pray that necessity never comes up." She nodded to Burion, who was heading for Alistair's valet and guard captain. Burion was good these sort of logistics. The sun was well on the way down, but he would have everyone settled before dark. "It seems my second has everything in hand. How about that tour?"

The tour began and ended in her bedroom.

Alistair could sense her exhaustion. No amount of hot baths or mulled wine could ease her insomnia. Her letters said she got a few hours here and there, but no good, solid sleep. He knew of one thing that always put her in a deep state of relaxation, and was happy to provide it.

After the exhersions of lovemaking, Alistair watched her sleep. Maker's breath, she was beautiful; scars, stress lines, tattoo on her arm and all. Her breath was deep and even, and her eyelids fluttered just a bit. She was dreaming, which meant she was really out.

Alistair eventually fell asleep next to her, only to be awoken by the gong signaling the watch change. After trying and failing to get back to sleep, he slipped out of bed, dressed comfortably in breeches and tunic, and put her new armor neatly on its stand. It had been rather carelessly flung about the room, but in the moonlight didn't appear too worse for wear. It was a fine set of armor, light and strong, just like her. She wanted to make a good impression, which he understood. He just wished the First Warden she wanted to impress was not the man she had an affair with.

Alistair was just fishing the last gauntlet from under the bed, when there was a furious pounding at the door. He darted up to answer it and slipped into the hall to speak with whoever was so rudely interrupting them.

The young man was surprised to see him, especially half dressed and coming from his commander's quarters. His jaw worked but a few choking sounds was all he managed.

Alistair put on what he hoped was a disarming smile. "She's asleep, or at least was before you knocked. What is it, Warden…?"

"Orbert, your majesty. First Warden Rainer is here."

"What?" Alistair gasped. "It's got to be after midnight!"

"Yes, you majesty, but he's here, down in the Great Hall, waiting for Commander El."

"Right." Alistair gave it a moment's thought, then looked back to poor Orbert. "I'll be down directly." Alistair did not wait for a reply before slipping back into Elinora's room.

Miraculously, she still slept.

He put on his boots, straightened his hair and swung on the huntsman's vest he preferred to wear when riding in warm weather. Armor would have been better, but it would have taken time, and impatience was winning over pride.

In the Great Hall stood more than a dozen Wardens, most of them travel stained. A tall, blonde man was talking to Elinora's second when Alistair entered the Hall.

"… so close that we decided to go on and push on. Wasn't expecting the bloody Ferelden army to be camped outside."

"They're with me." Alistair interrupted.

As the blonde man turned, he said, "And why does a Grey Warden ride with half an army…" Rainer's words died as his eyes fell on Alistair. "You're Alistair, aren't you?"

Alistair smiled smugly. "I am. And you must be Rainer, since we're dropping the formalities."

The two men stared at each other, sizing one another up. The Wardens slowly fell into silence as their hands clenched into fists. Murmurs rippled through the Hall and bets were placed.

"That's enough, you two."

Everyone turned to see Elinora standing in the doorway, with a look of icy fury that made them all want to be somewhere else. Both Alistair and Rainer squirmed, just a little. Even barefoot, in a tunic and form fitting leggings, she could still command the very breath from their bodies.

"Burion," she ordered, "get the Wardens settled in the barracks. Orbert, show the First Warden to his quarters. We will begin inspection in the morning, after some rest and a good breakfast. Agreed?" The last was aimed at the leaders of men, cowed in front of her. They muttered their agreement like troublesome boys, and she turned to leave. Someone blew a low whistle.

"El?" She turned at Rainer's voice and waited. The First Warden gave her a half-smile. "Its good to see you."

She gave him a small smile and nod, then headed for her quarters. She didn't catch the withering look Alistair shot Rainer before following her out of the Hall.

To get to her door just in time for it to slam shut.

Alistair stood in the hall and debated. He'd reached no conclusions when the door opened. She ushered him in with a sweep of her hand and left the door before he entered.

With a massive exhale she flopped onto the bed. "You two are going to be the death of me."

Alistair clamored on to the bed and gathered her up. "I'll behave, promise. Only a few manly displays of… manliness. And I swear I will not go marking my territory."

That got a snorted giggle from her. He trailed kisses down her jaw line and caressed her hip. "Just tell me one thing, darling," he whispered. "I win, right?"

With the quickness of a pouncing wolf and a growl to match, she pounced on top of him, pinning both his wrists to the pillows. At first he thought was cute, until he made out her expression in the weak light of the moon. For a moment, he regretted not setting up an official line of succession.

"I have killed thousands of Darkspawn, Maker knows how many people. I slew an Archdemon. I left my heart behind for duty's sake and now I am Commander of the Grey for Ferelden. I am not some prize in your bloody cock-fight!"

Alistair released a shuttering breath. She was furious, her anger humming across the Warden bond. He had never been so terrified and aroused in his life. He could stay there all night, watching her seethe and defend what she'd earned, but his wrists were starting to hurt. "No, you're not," he started humbly. "You are a goddess. And you'll have to forgive us humble mortal men for fighting over who gets to be your high priest."

Her grip relented a bit, but still she held him down. "Now is not the time for jokes."

"I'm not joking, my love. I can't bear the thought of losing you again."

Her stony expression melted. She released his wrists and fell to his chest. Alistair wrapped his freed arms around her, one hand stroking her hair and one slipping under her tunic. "I'm sorry," she said softly.

"No, I'm sorry." He gave her a tight squeeze. "Come on, let's get you to sleep."

She looked up to his face and raised a naughty eyebrow. "Like last time?"

He gave her a playful grin. "Maybe not just like last time. I kind of like you up there…"