A/N: Ah, you all are so sweet! Thank you so much! I didn't mean for this story to go on for so long, I blame that darn Alistair. =)

Dawn

Elissa woke up, slowly realizing that she was sleeping in a warm and comfortable bed rather than a blanket on the hard cold ground. She felt her legs entangled with another and also realized she wasn't alone. She slowly opened her eyes, allowing them to focus in the dim light of a lone flickering candle by the bed stand. She saw Alistair, his arm propped up to support his head while he gazed at Elissa's face. His free hand was leisurely stroking her back.

She smiled shyly. "How long have you been watching me sleep?"

"A little bit. But I enjoy watching you sleep." Alistair smiled back. "I didn't realize how much I've missed it."

"You've watched me sleep before this?" Elissa asked drowsily, placing her hand on Alistair's chest.

"Only every night when I was sleeping with you." He confessed, lifting his hand to brush a lock of hair from her face.

Elissa shifted closer to his warmth and let out a sigh of content. "It's not dawn yet. I should get up and get back to my quarters before somebody notices."

With those words, Alistair bent down and kissed Elissa gently. Maker, I've missed this, she thought as she closed her eyes.

Alistair broke away and looked straight into her eyes. "Elissa…there is another reason why I've come to Vigil's Keep. I wanted to speak with you personally about something important." He spoke quietly, his tone serious.

Elissa rubbed at her eyes, still feeling half-asleep. "Hm? What is it then?"

Alistair took hold of her hand that had been stroking his back. He gripped her hand lightly in his own. "Elissa…I am to be wed soon."

Elissa's breath caught as soon as she heard his words. At first she thought it was another one of his awful jokes, but saw his solemn expression. "Wait…what?"

"Chancellor Eamon is arranging for me to meet the daughters of several nobles of the bann. They are all pushing for me to get a wife and sire an heir as soon as possible." Alistair explained softly.

Elissa felt tears well up in her eyes and blinked them away. "You are to be wed soon then?" She repeated in disbelief.

"Yes." Alistair answered, closing his eyes as if he were in pain.

Elissa snatched her hand back and quickly rose from the bed. She found her gown crumpled on the floor and quickly began to dress herself. Alistair reached for her as she kept her back towards him. "Elissa, please. You have to understand that this is a duty I must do as King…"

I know that, She thought bitterly, concentrating on keeping herself from weeping. I was the one who told you, after all. She would never forgive herself if she cried over a matter like this. She straightened her gown and swiftly turned to face Alistair who had a look of concern that was far too late.

"I am quite honored that you have decided to spend one last night with me before you go off to get married…I hope you understand that I will be unable to attend the ceremony so I apologize in advance." She whispered, trying to keep her voice from choking back a sob.

"Elissa, please don't say it like that!" Alistair quickly got out of the bed and embraced her. "I didn't mean for this to happen…it just did. When I saw you tonight, my heart was hammering against my chest so badly I could hardly breathe. I still love you, Elissa…only you. Being wed to someone else…I can't even describe how much this has tortured me."

I know that! She thought again, wishing she could yell it out.

She stepped away from his arms and headed towards the door. As she placed her hand on the handle, she looked back to give him one last smile, trying her best not to show her pain. She was determined she would be brave enough to give him a proper farewell. "You are a wonderful person and a magnificent King. You will be a great husband to a very lucky woman and a greater father to your future son. I sincerely wish you nothing but the best."

"Elissa, please don't…"

She simply bowed low to him. "Maker bless you, Your Majesty." She opened the door and quickly exited, closing the door quietly behind her.

As she walked quickly down the dark corridor, she heard a small sob escape from her throat. At the very least, she was relieved she didn't cry in front of him.

Elissa didn't go back to her quarters. She found herself wandering around the keep in a daze. Gratefully, the few guards that were stationed inside the keep did not question her evening walk. They simply inclined their heads as she walked past them. With no destination in mind, she found herself on the walkway on the rooftop. Several torches lay lit to illuminate the path. The sky was still pitch black and scattered with stars. She looked down and saw several guards pacing outside the grounds, keeping vigilant while everyone lay asleep.

She felt the cool night air blow through her hair and took a deep breath. She had to pull herself together. Alistair getting married to another woman was something she had been expecting for a long time now. Wasn't that something she came to terms with when she had decided to make him king? She was the Warden Commander of Ferelden. There were still many enemies to fight. She had promised herself that she would rebuild Amaranthine the best she could. She was a grown woman...simpering about a broken heart was not a luxury she could afford at a time like this.

She sighed and debated whether or not she should get back to her chambers. If she was gone for too long, somebody may notice her missing.

"Nice night, don't you think?"

Elissa jumped at the voice and spun around to see Nathaniel leaning casually against the railing beside her. Had she been so deep in her thoughts that she didn't even notice him approach her?

"Andraste's blood, you scared me to death." She put a hand to her chest. "It's nice to see you haven't changed that bad habit of sneaking up on me."

"It's not my fault you didn't notice me. Being distracted is the worst thing a soldier can do, I've told you that before." Nathaniel murmured, staring down at the sight below.

Elissa couldn't help letting out a small laugh. "Yes…you have mentioned that once or twice. What are you doing up here?"

"I came up here a lot when I was a child." Nathaniel replied. "The view always helped me when I was unable to sleep."

She could almost envision it too easily. Nathaniel as a child, sneaking about the keep, finding himself on the rooftops. She thought of it made her smile to herself. "Why are you unable to sleep tonight?" Elissa asked.

"Too many things on my mind." He answered simply. "Why are you up here?"

Elissa averted her eyes back down. "Same reason…I suppose."

They both watched the grounds below. A few new soldiers appeared to relieve the duties of the men that had been on guard all night. After several moments of silence, Nathaniel turned to her. "Are you all right, Elissa?"

She nodded her head in response and continued to keep her eyes on the view.

Nathaniel tapped his fingers against the stone ledge. "You know…In my opinion, when a woman is walking around with eyes as red as her gown, may not be as fine as she believes she is."

Elissa spun around angrily and faced Nathaniel. He was nonplussed, gazing at her with a look of casual interest. For some reason, his cool expression annoyed her.

"My life is none of your business." She narrowed her eyes and turned on her heel to storm off.

Nathaniel grabbed her wrist before she could stomp away. She paused, wondering why he was stopping her. She turned around to see his grey eyes gaze sharply into her own.

"Elissa. For over three years I have thought about you every night. Dreamed about you. I realize that you owe nothing to me. But will you at least tell me this…" Nathaniel paused, and his brow furrowed. "Are you in love with King Alistair?"

Elissa felt his question pierce her chest like a dagger. Her eyes broke from his gaze and she attempted to walk away, but his grip on her wrist was strong. He was not going to let her go until he heard her answer. As hard as she tried, Elissa's pride began to crumble.

"I do not want to be!" She cried honestly, covering her face with her free hand.

"Then why are you?" Nathaniel asked, unrelenting.

"I don't know!" She exclaimed. "I realize he is now the King of Ferelden. He is no longer my lonely boy from Redcliffe. He is no longer my fellow Grey Warden. I know that!" She spat angrily. "But I do not know why I haven't moved on! Maker only knows how much I want to!"

Before she let the tears escape, Nathaniel pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on top of her head. His sudden embrace surprised her…and strangely comforted her. She felt his steady heartbeat thump against her back.

"So he's the bastard I should be flogging…" Nathaniel muttered into her hair. "A sodding King. I guess I should have expected it as much. You've never made anything easy for me."

Elissa didn't reply, she was still feeling confused as to why he was holding her in his arms so tightly. Nathaniel let out an exasperated sigh and continued.

"Elissa…know this. I realize that you are my father's murderer and it is still much too early for me to forgive you for it." Nathaniel let her go and she slowly turned to look at him. He gave her a rueful grimace. "But you are making it difficult for me to hold on to my anger. Seeing you in this much pain…I cannot bear it."

Elissa's face softened. "Nathaniel, what are you saying?"

He turned to look out into the horizon. The sunrise was approaching and the sky was slowly fading from black to golden hues. He couldn't help chuckle at the irony. He felt his feelings dawn upon him without realizing it.

He must be a masochist of some sort. Or he must really like to overcome impossible challenges in his life.

For whatever reason, he had found himself in love with Elissa Cousland all over again. Of all the women in Ferelden, he has to compete with a bloody king for her affections. Isn't it just like Elissa?

He turned back to Elissa's confused scowl. He finally gave her the same boyish grin that he used to her so easily in the past. "You're still as thick-headed as you were back then. No matter. Let's hurry up and get back to our quarters. We need to prepare for our upcoming battles today. By your lead…Commander."