Miracle

Elissa backed away from the mages as she clutched at her stomach. "That's impossible! It can't be done!"

Anders simply stood wide-eyed in shock while Wynne tried to calm Elissa down. "I believe this is the reason why you have been so ill recently. You are showing all the signs."

Elissa kept shaking her head. "But…I am a Grey Warden. The taint! It its impossible for me to bear a child!"

"I do not know much about the Grey Warden taint…" Wynne reached out and took Elissa's shaking hands into her own. "But it is not impossible. There are stories of female Grey Wardens who have borne children. It is very unlikely…very rare…but not impossible."

Elissa couldn't accept it. They might as well have told her that pigs could fly. On that night that Eamon had told her that she would never be able to become a mother…she had acknowledged the cold truth and accepted her fate. Wasn't that the lesson the Maker had shown her on the night Highever was destroyed? If bad circumstances occur, you get over what has been done and move on towards the future.

"Elissa…are you okay?" Wynne asked, her voice full of concern.

Elissa didn't even realize she had been crying until Wynne had wiped a tear off her cheek. She began to pace about her room, her hands over her stomach. A child…my child, she repeated to herself in her thoughts. It was still unbelievable. Anders and Wynne watched the commander walk back and forth, wondering what was going through her mind.

Suddenly, Elissa let out a burst of laughter and hugged herself tightly. Her laughter was so joyful that it brought more tears to her eyes. She was with child! She was so elated she felt she could walk on air. She was almost skipping about the chambers, cradling her stomach as if the baby was already in her arms. It was a miracle, there was no doubt about it.

Anders and Wynne looked at her as if she had gone daft. Elissa stopped skipping and smiled brilliantly at them both. "I'm going to be a mother! I can't believe it! I thought it was never going to happen…but it did!"

Anders did not want to be a killjoy but he had an awful feeling nagging in his gut. He cleared his throat and turned to Wynne. "Do you know how far along she is…?"

Wynne looked Elissa over, her eyes narrowed as she made her analysis. "It has been no longer than a season…best estimate would be a several weeks. Unfortunately I cannot tell you the exact time."

Anders gave Elissa an awkward stare. "Commander…" He asked uncomfortably. "If you are along several weeks…is it…Nathaniel's child?"

Elissa froze as soon as Anders spoke. An ice cold feeling ran down her spine as she realized Anders' intention in his question. Both mages were staring at her with worry, watching Elissa's expression turn from happiness to bewilderment.

Wynne said it has not been a season yet…Elissa slowly sank down on her knees. During that time, she had been with Alistair when he came to visit the Keep. She had been with Nathaniel several days afterwards. The baby could just as easily be Alistair's child as it is Nathaniel's. She covered her face with her hands as she finally grasped the entire situation. Her feelings of joy were quickly replaced by the harsh reality of panic.

Wynne immediately kneeled beside her, patting at Elissa's hair. "My dear…who is the father?"

Elissa looked at her old friend with fear in her eyes. "I…I do not know." She whispered, ashamed.

"Could it be Alistair's as well?" Wynne pressed on.

Elissa tried to swallow the lump in her throat. "It might…but it might not be. Oh Maker…Wynne…I'm so sorry!"

Wynne quickly embraced Elissa into her arms, cradling her as if she were a little girl. "Do not apologize to me. It will be okay."

Elissa shook her head, still in terrified shock over her revelation. "Maker's breath, Wynne…I do not know who the child belongs to. I am nothing more than a common harlot…an abomination!"

"You are not!" Wynne firmly grasped Elissa's shoulder. "Think of the baby before you say something so awful. This does not make the occasion any less than a blessing."

Anders knelt down to the floor as well, facing them both. "Commander…there is a way to find out who the father of child is." He offered slowly, still feeling a bit embarrassed.

Elissa lifted her eyes at Anders and Wynne pressed her lips together to form a hard line. "Are you speaking of the spell of birthright?"

Anders nodded at the senior mage. "I'm sure you know about it, Wynne. It was one of those things that I picked up while I was at the tower." He turned to Elissa. "There is a small ritual, which one could use to determine a child's parentage."

Elissa blinked in disbelief. "Such a spell exists?"

Wynne sighed, feeling torn by Anders' suggestion. "At the tower, there are many situations where there are…trysts…between mages and templars. They sometimes have to use the spell of birthright in order to sufficiently prove the parentage of a child born to a mage. It is rarely used unless it is an emergency, it is considered to be…blood magic."

"Blood magic?" Elissa whispered, her hands reflexively moved to her stomach.

"Very minor blood magic." Anders persuaded. "Nothing evil. A very simple spell if all the right components are present. I've seen it done while I was there a few years back."

"Minor blood magic?" Elissa repeated.

Anders nodded. "The ritual cannot be done until the child is born. A small sample of blood is needed from the parents and the baby."

Wynne tentatively placed her hand on Elissa's. "I normally do not condone the practice of blood magic…but this may be necessary. If the child belongs to Alistair, it can become the new possible heir to the throne."

Elissa felt the blood drain from her face. "The heir to the throne…the child to the King…I didn't think of that."

Anders gave Elissa a look of concern as well. "I may not know much about politics…but if the child belongs to Nathaniel, wouldn't it end up being the heir to both Amaranthine and Highever? The Couslands don't have an heir themselves, don't they?"

Elissa felt herself getting dizzy. Anders was also correct…as a Cousland, her child would most likely end up inheriting the authority of both Amaranthine and Highever. She could only imagine the shock her parents must be experiencing while observing her from the heavens…A Howe inheriting the Cousland title!

"Please, we need to slow down." Elissa kneeled on the floor, leaning forward onto her hands. "My child isn't even born yet!"

Anders obliged her request and kept his other opinions to himself. Wynne held back with greater effort. Upsetting Elissa was not going to help her health any. The child Elissa was carrying was destined to carry a grand future. But which one?

Elissa felt her mind race as she considered all the paths that were lay out to her. Alistair…her first love, her knight, and Ferelden's King. Nathaniel…her best friend, her protector, and her second in command. How would she be able to tell either of them of what has happened? How would they believe her?

She shook her head to clear her thoughts. As she lay her hand on her stomach, she knew that her child was now her very first priority. The Maker has given her a miracle, and she was determined to do her best for it.

Elissa reached out and grabbed the hands of the two mages. "Wynne…Anders…please swear to me that this news does not leave this chamber!" She begged with desperation in her blue eyes.

Wynne and Anders shared a confused glance before turning to Elissa. "My dear…" Wynne squeezed Elissa's fingers. "You will need to tell them. They would have the right to claim the child as their own."

"I know." Elissa agreed sadly. "But telling them now will accomplish nothing. The child is not born yet and I am unsure who would be the father. If we tell them both now, this will cause nothing but unnecessary pain and expectation."

"But Commander…" Anders swallowed nervously. "Speaking strictly as a man…I would like to think that even if it was quite speculative, I would like to know if there was a possibility that a child may be mine."

Elissa looked at her fellow Warden with a straight gaze. "I do this because it is in the best interests of the child. If there is a possibility of this child being the next heir to the throne or to Highever itself, we must not let it be known. What would happen when it turns out to be one rather than the other? It would cause much strife amongst the people. We must keep this secret!"

Wynne considered Elissa's words. "She is correct." Wynne agreed reluctantly and turned to Anders. "If word got out about Elissa possibly carrying the King's child, it would be disastrous if the baby is born and found to have a different father. I'm quite sure it would be the other way as well."

"Please, Anders." Elissa pleaded. "I beg of this, not as your Commander, but as a friend. Swear to me you will not tell anyone about this."

Anders let out a loud exhale of frustration. "Even if I do swear…don't you think it would be obvious in a few seasons when you start showing?"

Elissa nodded and rose to her feet. "I am going to leave for Highever. I will leave Amaranthine in temporary care to the Seneschal and Nathaniel."

Wynne gave Elissa worrisome look. "You realize that this is just a temporary solution, at best. The King is planning on a celebration in Denerim for you and the Grey Wardens."

"He will have to have the celebration without me. Please just relay the message that I will not be available to attend the festivities." Elissa replied, feeling a pang of guilt. "I know it is a temporary answer…but for now, this is the best I can do for my child. I will not allow a baby be caught up in a political disaster before it is even born. I'm sorry I have to request such a thing from you both."

Anders and Wynne inclined their heads. "Whatever you think is best, Commander." Anders murmured.

Elissa had finished bathing and was putting on her armor when Nathaniel barged into her rooms unannounced. She did not react to the noise of the door slamming behind him, she simply continued to strap on her leather boots.

"What is this I hear about you leaving Amaranthine?" Nathaniel demanded. "Anders has just told the Seneschal that you will be riding out to Highever tonight!"

"Indeed I am." Elissa kept her head down, pretending to be indifferent.

"Will you give me a sane reason as to why you are suddenly doing it?! You are ill!"

Elissa walked over to the vanity drawers and observed herself in the mirror. She did her best to avoid Nathaniel's gaze in the reflection, praying that she would not give herself away. Elissa began to tie up her chestnut hair with a ribbon. "I am well now, thanks to Wynne. But we have just defeated a difficult enemy…I think I am entitled to a bit of time to spend with my brother."

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes. "What are you really up to, Elissa? Don't think you can fool me with such an excuse."

Elissa winced at his accusation. Nathaniel was too sharp, as always. "It is the truth. I have not seen Highever in a long time. I would like to see Fergus."

Nathaniel approached her from behind and slid his hands around her waist. Elissa felt her heartbeat quicken as his hands neared her stomach. "Elissa, you aren't trying to avoid me again…are you? We haven't been alone since that night we left the Keep."

She felt the blood rush to her face from the memory. She cleared her throat to cover the embarrassment. "Of course I'm not avoiding you." She lied, her chest aching dully from the shame.

Nathaniel still held her in his arms and laid his chin on top of her head. She felt his long hair tickle her forehead. "I heard the King is planning an event in Denerim for us Grey Wardens. Is that the reason why you are leaving? So you can avoid seeing him?"

Elissa shook her head and stepped away from his embrace. "I regret not being able to attend such a celebration, but as I said…I miss my brother. Please be sure to escort Wynne back to Denerim safely and give the King my regards." She looked up at him and gave a small smile. "And make sure Oghren does not drink too heavily. When we had that party after slaying the archdemon, he had drunken himself into a stupor and had run about the palace without his pants. I'm sure both Valenna and Sigrun do not wish to see such a sight as well, so they will be able to assist you."

Nathaniel crossed his arms and observed Elissa. He was suspicious…her body language was the same like the time he had confessed to her before leaving for the Free Marches. Elissa was avoiding his eyes and acting as if she were hiding something. Was she nervous because she realized that he would pursue her now that the darkspawn threat was over?

As Elissa opened her chamber door, Nathaniel called to her. "Don't think you can run from me, Elissa. I told you that I love you…and I will bring you back if you do not return."

Elissa felt the ache flare up in her heart again. She turned around to look Nathaniel straight in his gray eyes and gave him the most genuine smile she could muster. "And here I thought you would leap at the opportunity to be in charge of Amaranthine once again. I am going to go discuss matters with the Seneschal before I leave…please take care of everything while I am away, Nathaniel. I trust you."

Nathaniel gave her a steely gaze in response. "Be sure to come back, Elissa. You cannot hide from me forever."

A/N: The end is coming soon in a couple chapters~ but I confess I am on the fence on both Alistair and Nathaniel at this point. When I started writing this, I thought I would eventually decide on which would end up with Elissa in the end...but both are so important that I'm having trouble deciding! T_T If you have any opinions, by all means, let me know! It would help make my decision much easier =)

As always, thanks so much for your input! Your support helped me push through this story (And probably the best reason why it's gotten so long!) XD