Dragon 9:24, 22nd Harvestmere

Autumn passed quickly for both Mahria and Loghain, as they were preoccupied by their duties. From time to time Mahria gathered few soldiers from the barracks and went to patrol Gwaren lands. Loghain wasn't particularly pleased with her patrolling routine. But nevertheless it brought some positives too. People of Gwaren soon came to love new Teyrna. Unlike Celia she involved herself in city matters. Sometimes he strolled down the marketplace with her and she always stopped to chat with people. Loghain didn't admitted openly that he was very proud of his new wife, but that was the truth of it. Celia was rather home-dweller in contrast to Mahria who wanted to work for her Teyrnir. That's why soon after she became Teyrna she gained respect and love despite her young age. People often asked about an heir but she only smiled and remained silent about it. Loghain started to wonder if she really want a child after all. Nevertheless he never asked her about it. He grew to enjoy her company and so he developed new habit of practicing sword fight with her. Just to spent more time with Mahria not only in bed. She was really passionate woman so they had fewer nights without being intimate with each other. Apart from that they were enjoying their practice sessions greatly. Another thing he enjoyed was frustrating Mahria when she was training with a bow.

'Put your shoulder back.' He advised her with a smirk. 'Your left hand should be straight, and your right elbow is too low.'He patted those places while standing close beside her. Mahria was always listening to him but never do as he said though.

'When I'm aiming like you say I'm missing.' She frowned. 'I can't be that still, I prefer to be more flexible. Dalish bow are designed to be like that.' She aimed and let the arrow. It hit the center spot of bull's-eye. Then she started to move with the bow and aiming while walking or jumping. Arrows alwasy hit the center. 'Did you see that!' She jumped in victory. 'Stick you advices up to your arse, Your Teyrnship.'

'Ehh, your decorum always makes me highly impressed, Teyrna.' Then he took her place and aimed with his bow. 'Watch true master Mac Tir.'

'Pfff, you're so stiff that it hurts my eyes.' Mahria crossed her arms and sighed. Yet she was shocked when his arrow pinned through hers. 'Fine, fine, master! But you didn't move!'' She turned her face from him with exasperation. 'Have your little victory. I have mine as well.'

'Don't fret.' He moved closer to her. 'You're as skillful as me.' Loghain put hands on her thighs and rubbed them gently. 'Want another try?'

'Yes.' She looked at him with narrowed eyes. 'But now it will be mobile target.'

'What do you mean?'

'I'll throw up something and you'll have to shoot it. Just wait here.' She run somewhere just to bring pile of small bags filled with dirt. 'That will do. Now, I'll stand over there.' She pointed at place near the bull's-eye. 'Prepare yourself.' Loghain was a bit surprised but he took his position nevertheless. 'Ready?' Mahria looked at him from a distant, he nodded to her and waited for her throw. It was hard to aim at movable target. He missed half of them. 'That… was rather hard.' He grimaced and looked back at Mahria. 'Now's your turn.'

'Just look at Serah Eagle-eye.' She said and giggled as they passed each other. When both of them took their position, Loghain started to toss bags up his head. To his surprise all of them was pinned with an arrow. Mahria was either standing or moving while she shot them. 'I don't know why you hadn't train with elves when you had such a great opportunity.'

'Zetrall teached you that?' Mac Tir asked when they sat on the porch. He took glass of hot wine into his hand and drank a sip.

'Let me taste it.' Mahria moved closer and put her hand on his. She lightly pushed cup to her lips and drank from it. 'Mmm that's good wine.' After a while she replied to his question. 'Zetrall teached me a lot of things. How to aim to moving objects while moving. How to ride a hart bareback. How to hunt.' She looked into the sky with melancholy. 'I learned so much from Dalish elves.'

'I wonder why Zetrall shown it all to you. Dalish aren't in good terms with humans. They treat us with hostility.'

'I asked him about that myself.' She looked into Loghain's eyes with stern gaze. 'And he said that beside being Bryce daughter… he saw something familiar in me… maybe it was about being so much alike to Queen Rowan.' Mahria's face became sad at that statement. Loghain felt awkward at that moment. 'She was so sad.'

'What do you mean?'

'I met her few times when I was little. Maybe I don't remember that well but… At that time I thought that she was so much in pain.' Mahria took cup from Loghain's hand and drank again. 'She was hiding it, but somehow I knew she was miserable. Like she didn't want to be a Queen… maybe I was wrong. I was only but a child then.' Loghain regarded Mahria with heavy gaze. He knew what she was talking about. He hadn't seen Rowan much when she was Queen and still alive. He ran away from Denerim to hid his emotions. But he didn't realise Rowan was in pain all her married life. Because of him. Because of his decision to let her marry someone she didn't truly love. Maric was good husband to her, he was sure of it. But Maric knew that she distanced from him after his romance with Katriel. Loghain was deep in thoughts about this matter so he didn't know Mahria was looking at him for some time. 'And you have the same pain in your eyes sometimes. You love her, aren't you?' He snapped out at that and looked with wide opened eyes at his wife.

'What?'

'You love Rowan. I have heard some rumors… you know.' Mahria stated without a doubt in her voice. Just a small jolt of pain struck her eyes. 'Don't lie as I'm too smart to be lied by anyone. I saw how you react when she was mentioned. I saw it even now.'

'I loved her. But now she's long dead. It's all in the past.' Loghain sighed painfully. 'No sense in reminiscence what was long time ago.'

'Idiot. You will always have her in your heart.' Mahria stood up. She didn't dare to look at him as her eyes were in tears. 'I'm going to wash myself.' She left him quickly as she felt tears gathering in her eyes. She even avoided Sahra when dog wanted to play with her. She run to her room like she was on fire then quickly stripped from the armor and went to bathtub. With tears still falling on her cheeks. 'You imbecile, you thought that maybe you'll have something with him… That he will feel something to you beside duty of mere friendship. Face it girl. Your first, true love is in love with someone else... someone who's not here anymore… someone to whom you can't be even compared yet who was looking just like you. Maker, you must playing some cruel joke with me.' Her tears finally stopped to fall. She wiped rest and stood up from the tub. 'I need to remain as I was to this point. I won't show him my broken heart. Be brave, Mahria!' She clasped her hands and smiled. Then she covered her wet body with a towel and proceeded to their room. Mahria laid on the bed on her stomach, with face buried in blanket. She spread out her arms and remained like that until Loghain entered the room.

'And what are you doing exactly?'

'Praying to the Maker.' Her muffled voice didn't reach Loghain so he sat on the bed and moved closer to her.

'What did you say?' With one hand he pulled towel a bit up to admire her gracious back.

'I said, I'm praying to the Maker.' She pulled her head a bit. 'I want to beg him for a dinner.'

'That can be arranged without his intercession.' Mac Tir stroked her back with his finger, that stirred a shiver in her, but she turned around.

'Stop. I'm hungry.' Mahria cuffed his hand and moved back. Then she went to put some clothes on. She returned to the room in a dress. 'Let's go, you need to check if I'm eating properly.' Mahria didn't want to show any distress in her caused by their previous conversation. She promised to herself that she will remain by his said even though he won't ever look at her like she was looking at him. After they finished their meal Mahria looked at Loghain and said with serious voice. 'I'm going for a patrol tomorrow. I heard some rumors and want to check it. I think I won't be here for two days or so.'

'That again?' He sighed. 'Fine, but please try to be careful. I know it makes you happy but every time you return with new wounds I'm thinking about putting shackles on you.'

'They were just minor scratches. Don't exaggerate.' Mahria smirked at him.

'I do not exaggerate, Teyrna. I don't want my treasure to be spoiled.' Loghain's hand moved to her cheek but she turned away. Although she promised to herself she will keep her composure, she did otherwise.

'I'm going to sleep. Thank you for the company.' Then she moved upstairs. Mahria changed to her nightgown and laid on the bed. Sleep didn't come though as she was angry at herself. After some time Loghain also came to the room and changed to bedclothes. 'Oh, it's you.' He regarded her back for a moment then asked quietly.

'Have I done something wrong? I think you're upset.' Teyrn climbed up the bed and moved closer to Mahria. He placed his head next to her ear. 'Is it about our bow training? I swear, I really couldn't aim at those bags.' Mahria felt tears coming to her eyes but she shut them and turned to him. She clung to his chest with her head and breast.

'Just shut up and let me stay like this.' Loghain put his hand on her hair and started to stroke it gently. After a while she fell asleep, surrounded by his scent and warmth. He regarded her in the darkness. He listened to her calm, slow breath. It told him that she was fast asleep. Man kissed Mahria's forehead and murmured quietly.

'You are so wrong. I don't love her like that anymore.'

Dragon 9:24, 27th Harvestmere

Loghain was in his study reading some letters from Denerim, his wife was away for four days now and he was getting anxious. 'She's strong, I bet she will came as always, with broad smile on her face. With few minor injuries… and she will hiss at me when I'll call Anders to check up on her.' He tried to calm himself, but then messenger came to his study in a rush.

'Your Teyrnship, I beg for forgiveness that I came like this.. but Teyrna…" Man was gasping heavily. He really run to Loghain like his life was depending on it.

'What happened?' Loghain momentarily stood up. 'Where is she?'

'She's in the Mage's Clinic. She was wounded.' Loghain passed next to him without a word and dashed through the manor. He saddled a horse quickly and jumped on the mount. He raced to the Clinic in a hurry and bursted into it. 'Where is Teyrna?' He asked some nurse who was attending to someone.

'She's with Anders, Your Teyrnship, on the back of the Clinic.' Nurse pointed at the doors on the other side of the hall. Loghain went there in hurry, he passed the doors and saw the Mage standing next Mahria's body. His eyes was closed, he murmured some unfamiliar words. Anders hands were positioned on her shoulder, blue glow was visible underneath. Loghain approached them and looked at his wife's upper body. There were so much blood. After a while Anders stopped his magic and looked at Teyrn.

'You're Teyrnship, it's all right now. She's healed.' He stated and moved back from bunk where Teyrna was laying. 'She got two arrows in the shoulder. Although she removed them and disinfected the wounds it was still bleeding heavily. I was told that she passed from exertion by the gate of our city.' Then he moved closer to Mac Tir. 'One of the soldiers is here in the clinic with Teyrna mabari. I told him to wait for you, Your Teyrnship.' But Loghain disregarded him and approached bunk where his wife was sleeping. He kneeled next to her and put his hand on her hair.

'You fool… I told you I didn't want my treasure to be spoiled… yet here you are… lying without a consciousness… without knowing how scared I was...' He clenched his other fist. 'I shouldn't let you go anywhere… but alas, I can't order you anything.' After regarding Mahria's pale face for a while he stood up and moved back to Anders. 'Where is that soldier?' Loghain let an angry growl at mage.

'He's outside, Your Teyrnship. I think you passed next to him… but maybe you didn't noticed.' Anders waved his hand at the door.

'Look after her now, I'll go and talk to him.' He went outside and immediately spotted one of his men. 'Mattus! What happened?' He snarled with fury.

'Your Teyrnship. We found bandits hideout. Teyrna ordered us to attack. It went smoothly until one of the bandits shot arrows at her. Even though she was wounded she didn't stop, she fought to the end. We wiped almost all of them out. Ones who remained alive are in dungeons already. Teyrna was happy, she said some farmers will have their helpers now...' He reported with trembling voice.

'And what after the battle? Did someone took care of her injuries?' Loghain's narrowed icy eyes pinned through shaken soldier.

'Y-yes, your Teyrnship. I helped Teyrna to remove arrows. I applied some salves on the wounds. Everything was fine… until we were close to the gates. At that moment Teyrna fell from her mount. That was when I spotted her bleeding. We took her to clinic to get mage's help.' Soldier was so frightened he hung his head and gazed at the ground beneath him. 'That's all, Your Teyrnship. I swear, I done everything Teyrna ordered me to. And I waited here with Sahra for you.'

'Fine, go to the barracks now. Mattus, you can rest. I'll take care of the dog.' He waved at him and dismissed. 'Sahra, you are smart dog, stay here and be good.' Dog looked at him then laid on the ground. 'That's it, lay still and be good doggy.' Then Loghain returned to his wife. Colours returned to her face again. Soon Mahria's eyes opened as she woke up.

'Where…?' Her gaze moved around the room to stop on man kneeling next to her. 'Loghain? Where am I?'

'In the Clinic...' He sighed in relief. 'I swear, woman, I'll lock you up and toss the key away. Don't scare me like that again!'

'It was just a flesh wound...' She tried to pull up but she cried in pain. 'Ouch! That hurts.'

'Don't move, stupid.' Loghain put hand on her stomach to prevent her from waggle. 'Just lay still… I'll call Anders.' He stood up and went to the healer. 'Give her some painkillers. She's awake now.'

'Of course, Your Teyrnship, right away.' Anders went to his stash with medicaments and took one vial of green potion. After that he dissolved few drops within water and gave it to Mahria. 'Please, Your Teyrnship, drink that. It'll remove your pain.' As she drank whole cup of medicine she smiled at Anders.

'Thank you, Ser Mage.' Then she turned her head to Loghain. 'You need to repay him for his help.'

'Certainly I will. But now tell me Anders, can I take Teryna back home?'

'Of course, Your Teyrnship. Teyrna Mahria need to rest for a few days now. She can't lift anything or exhaust herself. It would be perfect if she'd remain in bed.' Anders smirked a bit but didn't said anything beyond that. He wanted to add some saucy comment, but he wasn't in position to talk like that to Teyrns. 'I'll call a carriage for Teyrna, please excuse me.'

'I don't need a carriage. Where is Da'asha and Sahra?' Mahria lifted herself up again, pain was almost gone from her shoulder. Anders turned back before he left.

'Teyrna, you can't mount a horse in that state. Now, please forgive me, I'll go for that carriage.' Mage left the room, leaving Teyrns alone.

'You're making too much fuss about that.' She sighed heavily. 'I'm fine, see?'

'You'll be fine when I say so.' Loghain replied with cold voice. His gaze at her with anger. 'And just few days ago I said I don't really approve of your patrolling...' He shook his head and kneeled next to her again.

'I'm not an object. I'm living being. And I want to live my life.' She frowned at him but she wasn't angry nor in the mood to argue. 'Please, don't be bothered by that. I'm really fine now.' She hesitated to put her hand on his cheek for a moment, but nevertheless she did it. When Loghain felt her warmth on his face he leaned to Mahria and kissed her.

'I beg you. Never more.'

Dragon 9:24, 1st Firstfall

Mahria was sitting on the porch, covered with blankets. She was slowly stroking Sahras fur on the head. She wasn't allowed to move much but her husband left so she took advantage of it. Loghain kept his eye on her constantly after she went back home. She felt completely healed by that time but he growled at her every time she tried to do anything. At any rate, now she was sitting and enjoying the view, as snow started to fall from the sky two days earlier. Ground was covered with thick layer of white fluff. She loved it as she loved her father's eyes. They had same snowy eyes, and she was happy about that. Now she was regarding falling snowflakes with a smile on her face. She stretched her hand to feel cold sensations when they were falling onto her skin. Then she saw Loghain coming by the gate. He was in the city to deal with some urgent matters. But now he was back and approached her with angry face.

'Why are you sitting here in the cold?'

'I have blankets on me. I'm not cold at all. And Sahra is warming my legs.' She replied with a mischievous smirk. 'And I won't sit whole day in my room… it's boring after all those days.'

'U-huh… so you took advantage of my leave and sneaked here.' Loghain's expression warmed a bit. 'And here I thought that I'll take you for Satinalia celebrations tomorrow…' At that moment Mahria stood up and jumped toward him.

'We will go? I'm sooo excited!' He regarded her for a moment then laughed and hugged her carefully.

'So you're really healed, huh?' She nodded and smiled at him. 'Fine, we will go. But! Promise me, that if you'll feel tired or unwell you'll tell me right away.'

'Deal.' She broadened her smile. 'So can I act normally now? I'm not injured anymore and I feel great.'

'Do as you wish, Teyrna… I can't order you anything, can I?' He smirked and kissed her forehead. 'Shall we go and have a dinner?'

'Of course. Sahra, go to kennel!' Dog stood up and dashed to it's destination as it was told to. 'Tell me something. Have you sent those two bandits to the farm like I mentioned?' Mahria had met a farmer who was struggling with too much work. She wanted to dispatch two of her prisoners to him. In the Highever she often talked to farmers so she knew their problems. During that time she caught an idea of prisoners working on farms. As she patrolled Gwaren she also asked if people need additional pair of hands with their duties.

'Ah. Yes. I have send two soldiers with them. They are on the way now.' Loghain sighed. 'I'm not sure that it will work though. Are you sure in Highever they were really working earnestly on farms?'

'Oh yes, I received reports about their work from the soldiers who looked over them. It made good to those bandits. Some stayed on the farms even after their trial time. They begun to live normal life.' Mahria's proud face was very enthusiastic about that matter. They approached the table in dining hall and waited for servants to bring their food.

'So tomorrow we will go to marketplace. Townsfolks already decorated it. There will be huge feast.' Loghain reported to Mahria. He was still observing her to be sure that she's really all right.

'That's great. Satinalia is my favourite holiday.' As they started to eat food brought by servants they talked about the holiday and it's traditions.

Dragon 9:24, 2nd Firstfall

Teyrns Mac Tir were walking slowly through marketplace. Now it was decorated with great fashion. Red and green ribbons were hanging from stalls and lampposts. White lanterns were glowing with warm light. From time to time Mahria was stopped by citizens to receive greetings and wishes for good health. Everyone already knew that she was wounded by the bandit. All town praised new Teyrna for courage and strength. Some also added that she shouldn't endanger herself that much. Mahria only waved her hand at those statements and replied that it were just minor wounds. Sometime later they met Anders with Rieska, her belly was already swollen to it's limits. Anders gained huge respect during those two years for his work and healing abilities. But now people were thankful to him for saving beloved Teyrna as well.

'Your Teyrnships, I'm honoured to meet you here.' Anders said with huge smile on his face. 'Teyrna, how do you feel?'

'I'm fine, thank you.' She bowed her head slightly in thank-you gesture and turned to Rieska. 'My dear, how are you? You are due soon?'

'Teyrna.' Rieska bowed her head and smiled. 'Three more weeks and it will be over I hope. I can hardly sleep. And we have Anders oldest with us now. That bastard merchant left Gwaren, and took only his daughter along without the child. So I need to take care for two children.'

'I'll send some help to you tomorrow. You can't exhaust yourself now.' Mahria looked around. 'Where are they now?'

'Over there, Anders nurses took them over to play.' Riska pointed at two old women hugging two blond girls.

'Oh, sweet. Come, my dear. I want share of hugs as well.' Then both Rieska and Mahria went to the children leaving Loghain and Anders alone. Loghain regarded Mahria as she was cheerfully hugging blond-haired girl in her arms. She looked very good with a child.

'Eh, I think I have enough of offsprings, Your Teyrnship.' Anders sighed. 'I promise it'll be the last one. I'll ask my wife to take some precautions now.'

'Just in time, Anders.' Loghain frowned and then gasped. 'What did you said?'

'That I have enough...?'

'No. After that...'

'About precautions...?' Anders asked and looked his eyes at Teyrn. 'If Teyrna need some, I can prov-'

'Perish the thought.' Loghain waved his hand in disregard. 'Please have a good time, Ser Mage. I'll go to Seneschal now.' And he left to talk to Seneschal Keidan who was waiting for opportunity to talk to him for a while. They talked over Gwaren matters when Mahria came to them.

'So cold.' She shivered and wrapped her furry cloak around her. 'I like it… Oh, Senechal Keidan, I hope my husband doesn't overworking you.'

'Of course not, Your Teyrnship. I'm good. I'm delighted to see Your Teyrnship in a good health. Whole Gwaren was really concerned when news about your injuries spread.' Then he looked back to spot something. 'Oh, I need to go. Someone is waiting for me. Have a good time, Teyrn, Teyrna.'

'Huh…' Mahria looked at leaving Keidan then sighed. 'Those two pups of Anders are just like their father. Strong blood.' She chuckled. 'I hope you will built Circle Tower here, so he won't part with them.'

'You looked good with a child in your arms.' Mahria looked into his eyes for a while then she turned and remained silent. They started to walk again among stalls and tables with hot beverages and food. Snow started to fall again and it was colder and colder each passing hour. Mahria started to shiver again. Loghain noticed that and pulled her to him. Then he covered them with his fur. 'You promised me that you'll say if you become unwell.'

'I'm fine.' She replied and giggled. 'You're keeping me that close in front of everyone? Are you really Loghain Mac Tir? Or someone replaced my husband?'

'Is it really that strange for me to keep my wife close? To warm her up a bit?'

'I suppose it's not.' She cuddled to him with smile. 'I think I had enough. Let's go home. I want to have a hot bath.'

'Alone?'

'I'll think about that.' She pulled her head up and smiled. 'I like your way of thinking, husband. Stick to it.' Then she released herself from his embrace and put her hand on his forearm. 'Let's go. I like cold but I don't want to freeze here.' They were walking through the crowd in silence. After they were out in back alleys, alone, Loghain looked at Mahria and asked with a bit of embarrassment.

'Do you take any precautions?' His face was a bit red. It was hard to guess if it was like that because of cold or shame.

'Whaaat?!' Mahria almost screamed, she looked at him with wide eyes and opened mouth.

'I'm asking if you're taking precautions against conception.' Loghain turned his head in other direction. He was too embarrassed to look at his wife.

'No. I'm not. I…' She was shocked that he was thinking about such a thing. 'Where did that came from?'

'Anders was babbling about not wanting another child and… he blurted away about that subject.' He dared to look at her again. 'And I was wondering if you… you know.'

'And you were wondering if I protected myself, yes?' She sighed. 'No, I didn't. I won't. I'm twenty four, Loghain. Next year I'll be twenty five. I don't have much time to wait for such decision. But… we haven't really discussed it. It's not only my decision to make.'

'Maybe we should have it now?' She smiled at Loghain and nodded.

'You know, most of the women at my age have one child or more. My mother bore me when she was twenty three. But it was during rebellion. And after that she was thirty one when Fergus was born. It was a miracle.' Mahria looked at the sky. 'I was so happy that I'll have little brother or sister back then. And when he was born… he looked so adorably, so cute. I want to have child as well.'

'We can try.' Loghain put his hands on her waist and kissed her forehead. 'It's not urgent.'

'You say that… but I'm scared. You married me because you wanted an heir. That was one of the reasons beside Cailan behaviour. I know everything, Loghain.' She closed her eyes and sighed heavily. 'I'm scared. I'm scared that maybe there's something wrong with me.'

'Stop it, stupid. You're still young. I'm the old one here. Besides don't remind me about Cailan.' Loghain moved one hand up to stroke her hair. 'If we both agreed that we want a child, then we have to try harder.'

'Harder?' Mahria laughed. 'Can there be any harder than it already is?'

'Teyrna, you don't know half of it.' He whispered those words into her ears as she was very sensitive to his husky, low voice. 'Come now, bath is awaiting us at home.'