Rated M for mature features!

Yes, yes, the moment we've been waiting for. Made just for the 30th chap!

Chapter 30
~Late night parties~

Morriana

Because of both the arl's and Redcliff's recovery, a party was to be held at the castle. Leliana finally talked me into wearing a dress, a dark blue gown with sleeves coming down to my elbows and the hem nearly covering my toes, and her version of "shoes", black flats that mostly hide beneath my dress. I could tell it was once of Isolde's, but said nothing of it. Alistair borrowed a light blue tunic that went with black pants from Tegan. To me, blue wasn't honestly his color. But it would have to do. The one thing that made me jealous was that he was able to wear his boots, cleaned of course. Orrick was even excited for his part. Although, on my part I suspected he thought it was just a good time to snatch some free food.

Morrigan refused the party and flew off as a bird before Leliana's begging could reach her. The lucky ones.

Sten too did not wish to go. And finally, it was Zevran who said yes, agreeing to wear an emerald green tunic and black pants that matched Alistair's.

The whole village was invited, or what was left of it. It was not often I agreed to go out in crowds (My wedding was one acceptation...well, sort of.). "Someone better be dead" my reply came at the times my father wanted me to wear a dress which usually got me in trouble but was also sometimes right.

Anyway, Eamon's ballroom was huge! It was a wonder how I hadn't seen it when we had first arrived here. Everyone would be arriving at dusk, as was the Arl's idea of a "late night party" having it last from dusk till dawn. So, before all the guest could arrive, we helped set up. Tables, chairs, and the food were all set up in the back, the instruments and dancing up front.

I was fun to watch Leliana be enthusiastic about a fancy party, but I let her off easy since she was Orlesian and saw was a bard. But it was still funny to watch her be all "Child hyper" with the musicians who came early to set up.

The guests arrived around dusk, as planned. Seeing all the people that kept coming made me very uncomfortable, but Alistair noticed my anxious glances at all the people and took my hand, giving it a squeeze in comfort. When I looked at him he gave me a reassuring smile and I couldn't help but feel better.

We took our seats near the end of the table where Tegan, Eamon and Isolde sat. Connor had been sent to bed soon before the party began, so he was not there. Well, I had every intension that he really was, but we just weren't seeing him. That's something I'd do, anyway.

The feast was amazing. There were many foods I hadn't recognized that they didn't have in the Alienage and other I did recognize. Alistair had me try a few I didn't know, and it was hard to tell which my new favorite was. It seemed that each time I'd try something new, it was better than what came before. And when desert came, it was practically the same. There were some tarts and cakes that we'd had in the Alienage, but much sweeter. Others were completely new to me. Alistair showed me his favorites that also became my favorites, among others.

I noticed Eamon gazing at us from time to time as Alistair, literally, fed me something, and could tell his obvious dislike of our relationship. Not that we cared. Ever since Alistair's outburst they hadn't talked much about the throne, but they had talked at least.

It was hours, or felt as much, when everyone was done eating, apparently at the same time, that everyone went onto the floor to dance. They started off with something slow, letting the people settle down the food a bit before they played a fast one. I, for one, wasn't used to dancing, especially in big crowds, so I remained seated. I watched as the people whipped around, colors dancing and swooping as they moved like colored flashes. They allowed Leliana a few songs, not that anyone minded, seeing how they all loved the songs she chose.

Eamon swept Isolde off her feet, literally and figuratively, during the next song. Alistair remained seated at my side, claiming he didn't want to leave me alone when I felt so uncomfortable with so many people. Eventually, I allowed Alistair to take me onto the floor and dance. The first was to a song that proclaimed moves. It was one I knew by heart, as I've hear it many times at the parties in the Alienage. This song was one of those songs that was so much more fun when you had someone to dance with.

When that song ended it was followed by a slower song. There was no singing in this one, it was just instrumental, even though it did have words. The song made my throat clench when it started because I knew it. The version that did have lyrics . . . my mother sang to me every night as a child before I went to sleep. Alistair took me into his arms to dance and I wrapped my arms around his neck, laying my head against his chest as we swayed. I suppose Alistair developed a sense to which he knew when I was upset now. But he said nothing.

As the notes went by I was killing myself inside. I'd forgotten the words to my mothers song. I hummed to it, however. wishing I knew the lyrics once again. Perhaps I had actually blocked out the words because it hurt too much to remember. I could never tell. My father never sang to me, not that he was bad. But I think it hurt him too much.

I glanced back up at Alistair, who seemed zoned out, staring at a wall behind us. I laid my head back on his chest and thought to myself. I thought on what might happened should Alistair be kind. We'd no longer be together, he'd no longer be a Grey Warden (except for the fact of the taint but not the cause) and we'd be destined to live alone. Well, he'd marry a noble's daughter for a queen. If Alistair was king we'd loose each other for good. If he wasn't, the queen could keep the throne. I'd let her keep it, to be honest. I mean, this is about Loghain, so how must Alistair fit into this, besides being the kings son?

And then, there was the archdemon. Alistair didn't know it, but I've been having nightmare after nightmare about the archdemon, where Alistair would be fighting it and he'd be ripped apart and I couldn't stop it because I couldn't get to him. He'd die and it'd be all my fault. This thought made me hold onto him tighter, which in turn he returned the gesture.

But, yet, there was still a chance we'd both survive and live on together. But this was as likely as the others. A good chance this could happen and a poor chance. And yet, there was still a chance. But I couldn't let the thought go that I'd loose his.

I blew breath in annoyance and irritation and thought of a question I hadn't thought since I was young.

Mum, would you be proud of me?

I shook the question off, but I could help but wonder what she'd answer. As I thought of all this I came to one conclusion: I cant lose Alistair. Just the thought of it makes me sick. I glanced back up at Alistair and this time, instead of looking off, his gaze met mine. As I stared into his eyes I knew what I wanted to do. I pulled his head down so that I could whisper something in his ear. When I pushed him back away I saw a slight blush on his lips, but didn't look embarrassed otherwise. Hmm, perhaps I'm not the only one whose thought about this.

"Are you sure?" He asked, his voice blending with the music so much I could barely hear him. I smiled and he got his answer. He took a quick glance around to ensure no one was looking specifically at us, the he took my hand and lead me out of the room.

Alistair

The door closed behind us and the lock clicked. We left no room for words before our lips met passionately. We didn't need to. We both knew what the other as thinking. Our hands were all over each other. I untied the laces to her dress and let it pool to the floor. She pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it aside. I finally got a look at her. Her skin glowed in the candle light that I had left lit before coming down to the party. Her ample breasts were covered by the black corset she'd worn under the dress and her white underwear. Maker, she was beautiful. She came closer with her hands on my chest, and our lips met again. As we kissed I moved us towards the bed.

Once her knees his the mattress, I laid her down. She moved upward on the bed, and I quickly followed. I kissed her neck, receiving a satisfied moan from her. So far, nothing that mad her seem afraid of me. I moved downward onto her breasts until I reached the corset. I lifted myself upward so I could look at her. I could see lust her eyes, but also a small tint of fear. Slowly I slid my hand behind her and lifted her, her body nearly touching mine. I slipped the other hand behind her and pulled the strings until it finally came loose. She sat up and yanked it up, making her breasts fully visible. There was a moment I froze, taken in by the lust and love I felt towards her, and my body could feel it too.

She grabbed my head and pulled me down for another kiss, letting our bodies meet. I heard her sharp intake of breath and broke the kiss. She gently stroke my cheek a moment, and smiled.

"No longer will I be afraid." She said, her voice low, yet I heard her so clearly. "From now on I will only feel you with me. I . . . I love you." My chest practically hurt with the joy I felt now that she had finally said it. I kissed her again in agreement and nothing more needed to be said.

The night might have been for Eamon and Redcliff, but at the moment, the night was ours.