First I wanted to thank everyone for your kind reviews. Your words of encouragement are what keeps this writer going so thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.

Second, I apologize that this chapter is so short, but it's an important one.

Chapter 20

"What do you mean the King is dead?" Eamon demanded.

"There was a darkspawn attack on a group of traveling merchants not far from here. Alistair, Nathaniel, Anders and I went to investigate." Darrian paused for a moment as he tried to act as if he was trying to compose himself. "We feared that these attacks might be connected with the crisis that we had just investigated. When we arrived at the attack sight all of the merchants were died along with several hurlocks and genlocks. As we were inspecting the sight a large number darkspawn attacked us with little warning. We were overwhelmed quickly. They….they grabbed Alistair and Anders and pulled them into a nearby cave. Nate and I pursued them, but…" his voice cracked as he gathered himself. "We lost them in the Deep Roads."

Eamon frantically paced the floor. "Aren't Wardens supposed to have some type warning that alerts you to darkspawn that are near?"

"Yes, we do, but with all the blood from the dead darkspawn at the sight we didn't recognize the taint from the approaching darkspawn until they were practically on top of us," Darrian lied. He hoped the Arl didn't know too much about how the taint really worked.

"And they took them into the Deep Roads. When did they start doing that?" Eamon questioned.

"Well, the Architect did that a few years ago back in Amarinthine. However, I killed him when I killed the Brood Mother so I am unsure what is going on now, but it will receive my full attention."

"And you are positive they are dead?" Eamon said as he fell into his chair.

"I don't see how they could have survived, my Lord. As you know the Deep Roads are expansive. We have no way of tracking them," Darrian said.

A tear slid down Eamon's cheek and it was the first time that Darrian had ever seen the Arl show any type of true, honest emotion towards Alistair. "I can't believe he's gone. I have failed…him and his Father."

"I am sorry. I know that you have lost your King, but I have lost two of my brothers today. I need to go inform the other Wardens and his fiancée," Darrian replied.

"He meant more to me then just being my King," Eamon retorted.

Darrian stared hard at the man that had caused Alistair such terrible childhood pain and then later used him to gain power in Ferelden. "Well, then you should have treated him as such. Alistair went to his grave believing that as a child he was nothing more than a burden and dirty secret to you and as an adult he was just a means to an end for you."

Eamon looked as if Darrian had slapped him. "I…I did my best," he muttered.

"Well, your best wasn't good enough," Darrian replied angrily. He let his words sink in before he continued. "I have sent a messenger to Fergus Cousland explaining the situation. I told him that the Wardens would return to Denerim and assist with the planning for the Memorial Services. I am sure that he will call a Landsmeet to discuss the heir to throne. I must warn you, Eamon, Alistair had a will drawn up in which he declared that if he were to perish without an heir that Fergus Cousland was to be his successor."

Once again Eamon looked as if he had been slapped. "What? When did he do this?"

"Just before we left Denerim to investigate the latest threat to Ferelden," Darrian replied.

"Is Fergus aware of this?" Eamon questioned.

"No, he is not. Alistair did not see the need to tell him because he had every intention of returning. As Arl of Amarinthine, I along with Arl Bryland witnessed Alistair sign and date the document. It is safely concealed in a vault at the Warden Compound," Darrian said as he tried to hide the pleasure he was taking as he watched the Arl's world crumble. He didn't hate the man and he wished him no ill will, but he felt that Eamon had allowed his hunger for power to taint his view between right and wrong not to mention his treatment of Alistair had sickened him. Alistair had been right in the belief that if given the chance to seize the throne that it would be the Arl's down fall which is why Darrian felt it was important to squash that thought out of his head before it had time to sprout roots and grow.

"Fergus would be the logical choice to succeed Alistair. He is second only to the King. The Landsmeet will not have an issue with crowning him as the King of Ferelden," Eamon muttered as he accepted his defeat.

"One last thing, Eamon, Lady Seymour is too ill to move to Denerim. If it is alright with you I would like to leave her here in the care of Zevran and Connor until I can return after the Landsmeet," Darrian inquired.

"Of course, that would be fine," Eamon mumbled.

It had been almost a month since the Summer Solstice party and Fergus had spent every moment possible he could manage alone with Leliana. As the sun began to peek through the window it illuminated the gorgeous woman that was a sleep beside him and as the room filled with light he realized that all the darkness that had been in his life had been replaced by her. Asleep beside him was the woman that he loved. Just when he thought he would never love again she had brought joy and happiness back into life. She had given him the strength to move on and to find light at the end of the tunnel.

His eyes fixated on her as he watched her silhouette stir under the covers; her blue eyes fluttered open and squinted as the morning rays kissed her beautiful face. She looked at him, her eyes connected with his and she smiled radiantly at him. He knew she was the one. This is where he belonged and he wanted to wake up beside her like this for the rest of his life.

She bent her finger as she wordlessly motioned for him to come to her. He slid towards her as she moved closer to him and pressed her body against his. She traced the outline of his jaw with her fingertip while her eyes remained locked on his before she leaned forward and softly kissed his lips. He felt whole, perfect and wonderful beside her. He pulled her to his chest and held her tightly against him. Her fingers danced across his bare skin and as her fingertips glided lower down his abdomen his body quivered as his desire for her began to grow.

He slid his finger under her chin and lifted her face to his, "Leli, I told you last night after we made love that I loved you and I want you to know that even in the light of the day that sentiment still holds true. I love you, Leliana."

She smiled up at him, "I love you too, Fergus." His heart flooded with warmth and he was sure that he could spend eternity with her in his arms.

"Leli, you make me feel whole…complete and utterly happy. I thought I would never feel this way again, but you changed that. After I lost my wife and son I realized that life is short and that when the opportunity for happiness presents itself that you have to take advantage of it. I love you, Leli. Marry me."

He watched as the shock on her face quickly changed to joy. Her soft velvety lips closed over his; it was so seductively gentle that a shiver passed through him as a groan escaped him mouth. Her hands cupped the back of his neck as her fingers delved into his hair; with a soft growl in her throat she deepened the kiss as her tongue darted into his mouth like a velvet flame that burned so hotly yet so sweetly against his tongue.

Leliana pulled away with her eyes closed her face a torrent of emotions. He gently pressed his thumb to her bottom lip and she let out a long sigh when he traced the upper one. "Leli, you don't have to answer now if you don't want too," he whispered as he cupped her face and lowered his lips to hers. He barely touched her mouth as he teased and tantalized her with delicate nips and bites and soft brushes of his tongue.

Her lips brushed against his as she purred, "Fergus, there isn't anything I want more than to be your wife."

He grinned against her mouth and she kissed his smile. "Let's not wait. Let's get married today."

"Today?" She grinned back at him.

He nodded. "When you realize who you want to spend forever with you want forever to start immediately."

Her tongue brushed against his lips and without further urging he once again closed his hungry mouth over hers as if he couldn't get enough of her, his hands twined into her hair as his tongue plunged into her mouth and ignited a hot flood of desire in both of them. Leliana gently pulled away as she whispered against his lips, "Today it is then, but can we please finish this first?'

He answered her with his lips as his mouth reclaimed hers once again; their tongues danced together - a waltz of need, hunger and desire. He was lost in her, he never wanted to lose her and he was destined to never let her go.