A/N: Again I apologize for the chapter mix up from the last update! _ Thanks so much to you guys for letting me know!

Yes, I promise Nathaniel's coming back. =D

The Awful Truth

Elissa sprinted towards the man and threw her arms around him. As she hugged him close, she had to convince herself that she wasn't dreaming. He wasn't a fade spirit nor was he a figment of her imagination. He was real…and alive! Since the demise of her parents, she had sworn to herself that she would never shed any more tears, but it was all forgotten as she began to weep as she buried her face into the chest of the one she thought would never see again.

"Fergus!" She sobbed, her arms locked tight around his neck. "I thought you were dead!"

As Elissa continued to cry, her older brother's arms shook as he hugged her back. "I thought the same. I'm so happy you are well!"

Oblivious to the spectators around them, Fergus and Elissa were locked in each other's arms and bawling tears of joy. The Cousland siblings were finally reunited. It was quite a glorious day. Not only was the kingdom celebrating the demise of the archdemon, Ferelden has also crowned their new King. The palace hall only had several nobles from the bann celebrating amongst Elissa's comrades. Outside they could hear the festivities amongst the citizens of Denerim.

Fergus stepped back and held his sister at arm's length. "I can't believe my little sister has become a Grey Warden…and saving Ferelden to boot!" He looked her over and smiled.

Elissa laughed, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I can't believe you're here! It doesn't seem real to me…it's like I'm dreaming."

But it wasn't a dream. Fergus, her brother, was alive and standing before her. Even though his cheeks looked a bit gaunt, his green eyes were radiant with relief. His hair, the same color of chestnuts like her own, has grown out as well.

Alistair slowly stepped up towards them, not wanting to intrude on their happy reunion. Surprisingly, he looked very regal in his royal armor. Fergus grinned and bowed deep to his new King. "I thank you, Your Majesty. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have been able to find my sister."

Elissa turned to look at Alistair who was looking a bit awkward after receiving Fergus's formalities. "Alistair? You found Fergus? How?"

"It wasn't difficult." Alistair said modestly. "A while ago, I asked Chancellor Eamon to look into any survivors from Highever…I remember you telling me that wish while we were traveling." Alistair softly explained. "Nobody was more surprised than I was when we received word that Fergus Cousland was found recovering from battle wounds in some chasind hut. We immediately sent escorts to bring him to Denerim…I wanted it to be a surprise."

"And here I am." Fergus finished off, turning back to Elissa. "My troops and I were caught in an awful fight back at Ostagar. I found myself in the hut of a chasind healer. I was apparently out for several weeks…I could barely speak or walk at the time when I awoke. But somehow, the royal guard had found me, informed me of what happened and brought me back here."

Elissa sniffed and fought the urge to jump into Alistair's arms as well. He was King, after all. She instead flashed him a brilliant smile. "Thank you, Alistair. It was a wonderful surprise."

Alistair smiled gently in response and took hold of her hand. "I am glad that this has pleased you. It was the very least I could do."

Elissa, still speechless with joy, could do nothing more than nod back.

"Now then." Alistair straightened his shoulders and turned around. Eamon was standing off to the side and Alistair waved him over. He kept hold of Elissa's hand, squeezing it lightly as Eamon approached them.

"Good to see you alive and well, Fergus Cousland." Eamon shook Fergus's hand heartily. "I was ecstatic to hear that you have survived."

"Thank you, Arl Eamon…or should I say…Chancellor Eamon?"

Eamon chuckled. "I am no longer the Arl of Redcliffe…your friend and my younger brother Teagan has taken up where I left off."

"Eamon." Alistair turned to his new Chancellor. "Do you remember what we've discussed the night before?"

"Oh yes." Eamon smiled and gazed at the Cousland siblings. "I know this is quite soon, but Allistair wanted a couple things done as soon as he became King. First…" Eamon placed a hand of Fergus's shoulder. "He wants to appoint you as the new Teyrn of Highever."

"Me?" Fergus was shocked. "But I thought Howe had taken the title for himself."

"Howe was never the Teyrn of Highever." Alistair said bitterly. It still angered him, thinking of the man who had inflicted so much pain to the woman he loved. "You are the rightful owner of that title. I can think of no one more worthy of being Teyrn than a Cousland."

Fergus inclined his head to Alistair again. "Thank you, your Majesty. I gratefully accept and I will immediately begin rebuilding Highever to it's former glory."

Eamon nodded in approval and then turned to Elissa. His eyes softened as he noticed that Alistair was still holding on to Elissa's hand. "And for you, Elissa Cousland. We are appointing you as the Warden Commander of Ferelden…and the Grey Wardens will be awarded with the land of Amaranthine, that you will oversee as it's Arlessa."

It was Elissa's turn to be surprised. "Warden Commander? Amaranthine?" She turned to Alistair who had a wide smug smile on his face. "Alistair…Amaranthine belongs to the Howes!"

"It used to belong to the Howes." Alistair corrected, sliding his hand through her hair. "It now belongs to you. It is a small payback considering what the Howes have taken from you…but it is a start."

"I cannot possibly be the Warden Commander of Ferelden." Elissa argued.

"Darling, you have been Warden Commander of Ferelden for the past several months." Alistair laughed, trying to calm her down. "Only now, it's official."

"Wait…" Fergus interrupted. "Did you just call my sister 'Darling'? Did you all neglect to tell me something?"

Elissa and Eamon exchanged a quick look. Alistair did not notice as they both guiltily shifted their gazes away from each other. Instead he gave a wide grin to Fergus. "Actually, there was something else I wanted to ask of you today. I'm glad I got the chance."

Elissa looked up at Alistair in confusion. There were too many things being thrown at her at once…she felt overwhelmed.

Alistair straightened his posture and looked Fergus straight in the eyes. "Fergus Cousland, will you allow me the honor of asking for your sister's hand in marriage?"

Shocked, Elissa and Eamon's eyes widened at the question. Several eavesdropping nobles around them had let out a small gasp and began to whisper amongst themselves.

Fergus looked pleasantly surprised. "I see that I have missed more than just my little sister becoming a Grey Warden. I take it you are in love with her?"

"With all my heart." Alistair declared, his voice unwavering.

Elissa's heart sank with his answer. She hadn't told him about Grey Wardens being unable to bear children yet. With that stigma, she would never be able to marry a King. She looked at Eamon who had a devastated expressed as he gazed down at the floor.

"Well now, let me get my sister's opinion, at least." Fergus replied and turned to Elissa. "Is this what you want?"

Elissa didn't answer and she felt the voices around her hush. She looked back up at Alistair, who looked confused at her lack of reply. She cleared her throat and pulled at Alistair's arm. "May I…speak to you in private real quick?"

She half-dragged the new King out of the main hall and into one of the many rooms in one of the wings of the castle. They could both hear the sudden burst of baffled gossip behind them. Elissa quickly closed the door and locked it for some privacy.

Alistair looked perplexed. "Are you angry, Elissa? I'm sorry that this was such a shock…but I thought women liked this sort of thing…surprise proposals and such!"

She bit her lip and shook her head. "No, I'm not angry at all…not at you." This was going to be difficult. How will she be able to tell him the awful truth? "I…I can't marry you, Alistair!"

Alistair remained silent for a minute. He then stepped towards her and took her into his arms. "Is it because of what I had to do with Morrigan? Maker forgive me, I'm so sorry that I had to do such a thing, Elissa." He whispered as he hugged her gently to his chest.

Elissa shook her head again, fighting back tears. "No, it's got nothing to do with Morrigan. I was the one who persuaded you into it…I'm not angry about it. But we cannot get married."

Alistair didn't let go of his embrace. "Why not? If it's about your status, that shouldn't be an issue. Your family has gotten back it's title and you are now the Arlessa of Ada…"

"It's not because of that."

"Then what is it?!" Alistair pursued, his voice rising with his temper. "Do you not know how much I love you? How much I care for you?! Is it because I'm not good enough? I know I'm a bit irresponsible, but I promise I will become the best King I ca…"

"Stop!" Elissa cried, pushing herself away from his chest. "It's not you! It's me!"

"What in Andraste's name are you talking about?!" Alistair held onto her shoulders. Her behavior was confusing him…and terrifying him at the same time.

Elissa took a deep breath and looked straight into his amber eyes. "Do you know about how it is difficult for a Grey Warden to have a child?"

Alistair slowly nodded. "I have heard…but I have also heard it is still possible. I mean…look at Morrigan…"

She placed her hand on top of his that was still grasped onto her shoulder. "With one parent being a Grey Warden, it is difficult enough as it is. However, when both parents are Grey Wardens…" Her voice began to falter. "It is impossible. I will never be able to bear your child, Alistair."

"Is that all?" Alistair let out a sigh of relief. "I don't care if we don't have children, Elissa! With both of us being Grey Wardens, we are fated to die early anyway."

"Alistair!" Elissa tightened her grip on his hand. "You are King! A King's most important duty is to sire an heir!"

His hands slowly dropped to his sides as her words sank in. Elissa was right. Why didn't he realize it sooner? If he didn't have a child, then Ferelden would have no leader after he died. He fell to his knees and rubbed his hands to his face. "Di…did you know about this…before you made me King?" He murmured.

Elissa closed her eyes in pain. "Yes."

He looked up angrily. "And you still did it?! Why? I believed you loved me as I love you!"

"I do!" Elissa bent down to encircle her arms around him. "Please do not doubt me, Alistair! But you needed to become King. We are Grey Wardens. We needed to save the world from the blight. You have saved Ferelden by uniting it, don't you see?!"

"What good is saving the sodding world if I can't be with the woman I love!" Alistair looked at her with fire burning in his eyes. "I cannot lose you again, Elissa!"

"You will not lose me…" She laid her cheek against his. "But maybe fate has other plans for us."

Alistair could not think of any reply. He was miserable. He had finally found his beloved Elissa from all those years ago. How cruel the Maker was! The Grey Warden curse was what had brought them together, but it was now what would rip them apart.

"I am sorry…" Elissa whispered, stroking his hair. She felt her heart shatter with her own words. "…I don't think we'll be able to play Family ever again."

They both sat in the room, wretched and dejected in each other's arms, while they listened to the sounds of the celebrations continue on outside the castle.