Chapter 29
~Broken ice~

Alistair

We stayed two weeks in the Redcliff castle to help to make sure Eamon was fine. And he was. Over that period of a week his strength grew and he no longer needed so much rest. Plus, our companions were enjoying their time off. Morriana's leg finally healed so she could walk without limping now and everyone seemed to be rebuilding their strength.

Also, in those two weeks Ferelden's natural weather kicked in and winter was strait on. By the time the first week was finished snow had begun to fall and the water turned to ice. The ice crystals clung to the wall forming winter's portrait wherever we went.

As Eamon got better he had announced that he would through a party for the survival of both him and Redcliff and to thank us Grey Warden's for all we did. But that wouldn't for a few more days, so there was time to prepare.

I woke early this morning with Mori wrapped in my arms. I liked waking first because it gave me the chance to watch her sleep. The look she had as she slept took my breath away. I laid on my back with her on my chest. I listened to her breathing a moment then decided to wake her. It was morning and our Grey Warden hunger would soon set in. So I gently shook her awake. Her eyes slowly opened and she yawned this cute little yawn, like always when she wakes.

"Good morning," I tell her. She smiles and kisses my nose.

"Good morning."

"Shall we get ready for breakfast?" I asked. She pouted.

"No! I want to sleep!" She pulled the covers over her head and snuggled back into my chest.

"No, Mori. We need to get up. Eamon should be waiting for us. I heard her sigh and she removed the covers. She stood from the bed and rolled her shoulders, letting them crake. I stood too and did the same. When she looked at me for a moment, I took the hint and turned so she could dress. She did the same for me and once we were ready we headed out to see who else was up.

###

Morriana

Breakfast went by fast, with only Alistair, Orrick, Wynne, and I there. Eamon, Isolde and Tegan had eaten earlier and everyone else already had or was still asleep. Once we were done Wynne stated she had some things to tend to and went on. The second she left Tegan walked in.

"Ah, Alistair. Morriana. I see you have already eaten?" We nodded. "Good. My brother sent me to collect you. I don't know why, but he said he needed to talk to you."

"On it." Alistair agreed and we followed Tegan to where Eamon stood in his great hall. Isolde sat in a chair in the corner with Connor in her lap. Isolde looked years younger and refreshed since all this ended. It seemed to brighten Eamon that his wife was doing much better, which in turn brighten Alistair.

Anyway as we walked in Eamon turned to us, a serious look to his face. With a glance to Isolde she stood with Connor in her arms, claiming she'd see them later.

"You called for us, Eamon?" I asked him as Isolde left.

"Yes. I wish to thank you, wardens. You not only saved my life but kept my family safe as well. I am in your debt."

"Your debt may be repaid in helping us in the Blight." I told him. "I need no other reward than that." Eamon looked as though he would have pretested, but didn't.

"I see. For now, we must talk of Loghain." At the sound of his name Alistair stiffens beside me. "Loghain instigates a civil war, though the darkspawn are on our very doorstep. I know him. He had been a sensible man who never desired power."

"I was there when he announced he was taking control of the throne, Eamon. He is mad with ambition, I tell you." Tegan proclaimed.

"Indeed. Mad enough to kill Calian, nearly kill me and destroy my lands. Whatever happened to him, Loghain must be stopped. We can scarce afford to fight this war to its bitter end."

"But you can unite the nobility against Loghain, can't you? I asked, knowing I pretty much new as much as a child when it came to politics. I mean, I'm an elf. Humans mad it very clear we were not meant for such positions.

"I could unit those opposing Loghain, yes. But not all oppose him. He has some very powerful allies. We have no time to wager a campaign against him. Someone must surrender if Ferelden will have any chance to fight this war."

"But once everyone's learned what he's done…"

"I will spread word of Loghain's treachery, both here and against the king. But it will be a claim made without proof. Those claims will give Loghain's allies pause, but we must combine it with a challenge Loghain cannot ignore. We need someone with a stronger claim to the throne than Loghain's daughter, the queen." Alistair once again stiffened beside me and even though I no nothing of politics, I knew what was coming up.

"Are you referring to Alistair, brother? Are you certain?"

"I would not propose such a thing is we had an alternative, but the unthinkable has occurred."

"You… you intend to put Alistair forward as king?" I asked, hesitantly.

Tegan and I have a claim through marriage, but being opportunists seems no better than Loghain. Alistair's claim is by blood."

"And what about me?!" Alistair interrupted. Does anyone care what I want?"

"You have a responsibility, Alistair. You know if Loghain wins, I would have to support him for the sake of Ferelden. Is that what you want?"

"I… no my lord."

"Good. Now then… Alistair? Where are you going?" I watched as Alistair turned on his heel and walked out the door.

"Alistair!" I called out to him. He ignored me and kept going.

"Give him time. This is all coming quickly. He only needs to blow off steam." I considered what he said for a moment. Then, angrily, I turned to him. I knew all the things Alistair told me about his past. How he slept in the stables. Why he was sent to the chantry. And now I see why Alistair must be angry.

He was a tool.

He was a tool to be put in a shed until he was to be used. I knew that had they known Alistair would have been in line for the throne he would have been treated differently. Like he was wanted. So, then, what right did Eamon had to say that he knew what was best for Alistair.

"How do you know what he needs." I said stiffly to him. Before he could say anything—not that I care right now—I took off after Alistair. I followed him through my warden senses and when I came to the door that lead outside, and noticed a cloak from a coatrack was missing, I made my assumption he had took off outside. Wasting no time on a coat, I went outside and though I was going to turn into pure ice the moment I stepped outside. I tried to ignore it as I saw Alistair's figure walking across the bridge.

I followed hurriedly, but carefully due to the fact most of the ground was frozen. I repeatedly called out to him, but he kept on walking. He walked on to the forest area near the castle and carefully walked across a frozen pond. To the other side. I stopped in front of the pond, small snowflakes sticking to my clothing and eyelashes, and huffed as I continued to follow.

"Ali—" I was cut off my a horrible cracking noise and the piercing of knives all over my body and heard what might have been my scream until I was no longer able to breath. It took me only a half a second to realize just what happened.

I had broken through the ice. I panicked and somehow found my way back to the surface. It did not last long until the water pulled me back down to keep me in its embrace. My whole body was numb but pained at the same time. Time slowed and I could no longer breathe. Suddenly I was lifted out of the water and onto the ice.

Alistair flipped me over and removed the cloak he was wearing to cover me. I struggled for breath, and each breath I took stung my lungs. Alistair gathered me in his arms, whispering comforting word I could only slightly hear. I felt like everything was numb. My sight was blurry, I felt nothing among my skin, and I barley could hear. I hardly noticed Alistair stand and ran back to the castle.

###

I laid on the bed Alistair and I shared, laying my head on his chest as he laid to my right and Leliana laid to my left, writing a song, as she apparently so often liked to do during her free time. Morrigan sat next to the fire, shaking her head.

"And so you decided to chase the fool across a fragile pond?" Morrigan teased. "Makes me know now who the real fool is."

"Hey, she didn't know and it's my fault anyway," Alistair snapped at her, then turned to a soft expression to me. "And I am sorry for acting like such a child." I giggled and moved to kiss his lips.

"You are too cute to be mad at Alistair." Morrigan gave a groan in disgust and stood.

"Make sure she rests. And that means do nothing physical." Both Alistair and I blushed as she left the room. Leliana left not long after, agreeing I needed to rest. We would be leaving soon, after all. I snuggled into Alistair, melting into him. His strong, warm arms wrapped around me.

"If you get sick from this, I swear to the Maker," Alistair said, adding a laugh. I leaned up and kissed him passionately.

"Is that a threat or a promise?" I asked innocently. He smirks and pulls me to him, kissing me once again.

"Both," he whispers. I giggle and snuggle back into him, resting my head on his chest. It wasn't long before he fell asleep. I was going to but then I began thinking. How would things turn out if he became king? I have known that past kings have had whores, but I know that is something that Alistair would never do to me or him. I could not be queen, because the public would not allow it. If he became king, there would be no more of us and only him and whoever he was to marry.

My heart ached as I thought on this. I've already had so much taken from me. Why am I not allowed to have this one thing that makes me happy? I gazed up to his peaceful, sleeping face. Alistair would not hurt me. He told me this before. I knew Alistair was becoming more a man now. I smiled.

We'll find a way.