A/N: I apologize for the delay. I've been feeling under the weather and uninspired, but I cannot punish you, dear readers, for my ennui. So, on we merrily go!

Duty's Choice: The Bastards of Ferelden - Chapter 9

Maternal Instincts

Denerim – one month later

It took Elinora a month to leave Amaranthine and get to Denerim. Despite the approval of her commander and king, there were still loose ends that needed to be tied up or snipped off all together. A few carrots and sticks later, and the place was running to her satisfaction. The castle would likely still be standing when she returned to it.

Unfortunately, Alistair was having his own difficulties getting away, which would set them back at least a fortnight. Worse, he kept dodging her questions about what the issue was and if she could help. "King stuff, very boring, but should be done soon. Why don't you start your recruiting in Denerim?"

And so she spent a good amount of her days watching for those who could become Grey Wardens. She would go into the city accompanied by Vallis, Alcina and Bittan, talking to potentials and those who were just curious. Aldo, back from the Circle just in time to head for Denerim, and Maphisa would hold down a single location in the selected part of the city for the day to serve as a reference and rendezvous point. The bartenders of Denerim were getting to know them well.

After three days of roaming, the Grey Wardens held a fighter's circle in the shadow of Fort Drakon. Interested parties were whittled down to true candidates. A half dozen men and women passed her inspection.

Elinora, unwilling to have another Ser Jory, issued them a warning. "Becoming a Grey Warden is permanent. You will never be able to return to the life you knew. If you choose to join us, you choose to leave behind friend and family, life and livelihood. You will find new purpose with us, but away from where you started."

Since there were no Darkspawn in the immediate area to hunt, and therefore no blood for the Joining, she gave them two options. If they were ready to leave their current lives behind, then they could stay and train with her Wardens, most likely coming with them on progress with the king. If they were not ready, they were to go to Amaranthine when they were. Each took with them a small, silver token, stamped with the Grey Warden griffon, by which they would be recognized at the gates.

She also informed the two women that they would unlikely have children, and would be highly discouraged from trying. Oddly, they seemed more concerned about what it meant for Elinora and Alistair, and the great Grey Warden romance.

When she wasn't prowling for potentials, Elinora was sorting out the old Warden compound hidden in a warehouse in the Market District. There wasn't much there; they'd cleaned it out pretty well during The Blight. She did find records, but a cursory glance told her nothing interesting. She gave them to Aldo for a more detailed read.

Evenings at the palace were much more fun. Alistair and Elinora were behaving like and old married couple when they weren't acting like besotted teenagers. Everyone who wasn't a potential match for Alistair found it adorable, though they did garner a few pert comments for impropriety.

Most importantly of all, Alistair took Elinora to Tranquility House to met his children, all four of them. Aurora and Wynn were only four months old and quite possibly the prettiest babies Elinora had ever seen. At twenty months, Maricen toddled about fairly steadily and had much to say about the world, even though it didn't make much sense. She could see Anora in them, especially the girls. Maricen, dark haired and blue-eyed, didn't look anything like Alistair.

Cailin, tall for four years old, watched Elinora closely as she played with his cousin-siblings. He approached her carefully, drawn by the sinuous dagger she wore. The Rose's Thorn had seen the Battle of Denerim and slain many Darkspawn, which fascinated the boy. Elinora could see his handsome father all over Cailin's features, but that guarded watchfulness must have come from his mother. Or his experience, which just made her want to gather him up and cuddle him all the more. The boy had known far too much loss in his young life.

They stayed two nights at Tranquility House. Alistair fretted about leaving the children behind while he made his grand progress. Elinora thought for a moment that he might reconsider, until three nursemaids assured him that it would be all right. When he returned, they told him, the children would be more fun to play with. Elinora wasn't sure that Alistair bought it. She wasn't sure that she bought it, especially not for one of them.

Apparently, she did have maternal instincts.

"Darling," she started as they lay together that night. "What if we took Cailin with us?"

Alistair sat up and blinked at her. "You mean it?"

"Yes, I think he would enjoy it. And I think you would feel better."

He flopped back down and embraced her tightly. "You're the most wonderful thing ever." He sighed, at once both relieved, joyous and a little sad. "Of all of them, Cailin's the one I worry about the most. Is it wrong that I worry about my nephew over my daughters and Maricen?"

"You don't think of Cailin as your nephew and everyone knows it. You can see what he's feeling, even though he's so quiet about it, at least so far as I've seen." She took a deep breath and decided to add the part she'd been going over in her head since meeting the boy. "And he's a chance to protect what you couldn't save the first time."

"What do you mean?"

"After Ostagar, you blamed yourself a lot for what happened to King Cailan and Duncan, even though it was far out of our control to save them. You're hoping that raising his son will make up for it a bit."

Alistair was quiet a moment. "That was far too insightful for my comfort. Let's talk about something else."

She kissed the tender spot where his neck met his jaw. "Let's not talk at all."

He chuckled lowly. "Woman, you are insatiable."