Dragon 9:25, 15th Wintermarch

LOGHAIN'S STUDY

Loghain was sitting in his study and replying to letters from Maric and Teyrn Cousland. He didn't envy those messengers who had to come through all the snow, which piled on the roads during winter. And now he had to send them with his letters back. But all in all that was their duty. He promised to himself to pay them better this time. He stood up for a moment to stretch his bones and opened the window. Then he sat back and proceeded to write to Maric about situation in Gwaren and in his home. He was at it when suddenly something cold hit his face. It was a snowball.

'Bull's eye!' Teyrn heard laughing voice from outside. He approached a window to see Mahria on her hart, Da'asha. Sahra was skittering around hart's legs with happy muzzle. 'Hello, husband. Busy with work?' He leaned from the window and looked at her with a frown.

'Isn't it my private jester?' He smirked and wagged his finger at her. 'You have ruined my letter to Maric, now I have to start all over again. By the way, where have you been?'

'Oh, I wanted to get Da'asha a little bit of exercises. She was locked in her stall for too long.' Then she patted her hart to the neck. 'Right, girl? You can't layabout all winter long.' Then Mahria looked again at Loghain. 'But it's hard to ride anywhere with snow blocking roads. It's getting wet and heavy, soon it will melt away.'

'Tell me more about it. Today I need to send messengers to Denerim and Highever with letters. Poor souls.'

'Oh? Wait a minute. I want to write to my parents and Anora. She wrote me two months ago but I forgot to reply.' She jumped off the mount and took it to the stables where she handed Da'asha to the stable boy. After that she went to Loghain's study. She entered it and went to stand behind Loghain. With mischievous smile she put her cold hands inside his tunic.

'Ah! So cold.' Man jumped when her cold hands touched his skin. 'Look, you ruined another letter. Look at that blotch of ink, Mahria!'

'Mhm, and you are so hot. Let me warm a bit.'

'There is fireplace over there. With fire in it.' He gestured toward burning logs.

'Spoilsport.' She whispered. Mahria wanted to take her hands away but he catched them through the tunic.

'Now you want to take them? Too late, Teyrna.' As he said that he turned and with one hand he pushed Mahria's head lightly to kiss her. 'Your lips are also cold. But I like it.' Mahria smiled at him and cuddled to his neck.

'So... What are you writing?' Her her voice was muffled by his hair. He felt her hot breath on his neck and that stirred hot sensation in his loins. But he regained himself as he had letters to write.

'Maric wanted to know what's the situation here in Gwaren… and if we're still as intimate as on wedding night. I wanted to write letter on how you were passionate with me last night. In a great detail.' He accented last words and smirked.

'Yes, yes. I imagine you writing that. And then, Maker's breath, cats will start to bark… birds will fly backwards and sun's light will go off!' She started to laugh at that description. 'That would be end of the world. Maker preserve us.'

'Stop trembling, I want to write it at last.'

'Fine, fine.' She took her hands out of his tunic and sat on the other side of his desk. Woman grabbed blank piece of paper and one of his quills and started to write her letters. They remained silent until both of them finished.

'At last. If I had to write it for third time I would get furious.' Loghain sighed and looked at his wife. 'You're done?'

'Yup.' She nodded and took his letter to Maric. 'Hey! You didn't write anything you said… spoilsport!'

'I want to live in normal world, not crazy one.' At last he could stand up and go to eat something. 'Come on, Teyrna. I heard bell for dinner rang twice already.'

MAC TIRS BEDCHAMBER

Mahria was lying on the bed next to her husband. She was reading the book they had argue about few months ago. She stopped sometimes to ask Loghain about something and he described it to her with bored voice. She didn't care to notice it though. Loghain was lying with one hand covering his eyes, as he was too tired to look at anything. When he overheard Mahria closing the book he felt relief, she would soon extinguish candles and go to sleep. But that didn't happened. She sat quickly and gasped. 'Do you know what's the date today?!'

'Fifteenth of Wintermarch, I think.'

'Yes, you're right. And you know what?' She poked his chest lightly. 'Half year ago… I was lying here on this bed… in my antivan nightgown… and...'

'And…?' He asked when she didn't finish her statement for too long.

'Nothing… good night.' Loghain felt that she laid on the bed. He wanted to go sleep but now after her talk… it was too late for that. Memory of that night caused him getting hard. He took hand off his eyes and looked at her back. He noticed Mahria was in her robe she put on her bedclothes or bare body after they laid with each other. He found it curious.

'Sooo… what about that antivan nightgown. I hadn't seen it for half year now… I wonder where you hid it.' He moved closer to Mahria and slided one of robes sleeves, the nightgown was on her body. 'Here it is.' Then he started to kiss her bare shoulder. With his tongue he traced two small scars that were remains of her wounds she got in the autumn last year. Mahria trembled over that sensation and moaned. Loghain moved even closer and slid his hand into the robe to cup wife's breasts.

'I hid it for special occasions.' She explain between her long moans. Then she moved away a bit and stood up. She loosen robe's laces and took it off to show antivan gown to the fullest.

'Maker… and here I though we will go peacefully to sleep.'

'Disappointed?' She smiled at him with lust.

'If I'd dare to be disappointed, Maker would damn me to the Black City. I'm sure of it.' He pulled up a bit and grabbed Mahria to himself. 'So it was six months ago…?'

'Uh-huh.' She nodded and moaned as Loghain was sliding his hand upward her leg to reach her smallclothes. He took them off and put himself in Mahria. Both of them were rocking slowly, looking into each other eyes. For those past six months they were passionate, they argued, they had good times and bad times. But both Loghain and Mahria felt that it was all worth it. They didn't talk about feelings though. Like it was a taboo, not to know what's lurking in other heart. Mahria especially avoided that topic after their talk about Rowan three months earlier. When they finished they laid on the bed, cuddled to one another, caressing and kissing lightly.

'Maker's breath, after those six months I still can't believe that this old body of mine can be so vigorous.'

'Silly… it's like practice on training ground. When you take sword to your hand you feel power, might and put all your stamina to it. Here is the same.' Mahria giggled and pinched his nose. 'Look at your muscles.' She stroked his chest with her nail. 'Such a well build body. Strong. Acts without hesitation. It will get old when you allow it. But you won't, I know you. So don't call yourself old or I'll have to punish you.'

'I was invaded in my own bed. Now I'm oppressed as well.' Loghain chuckled and put his hand on Mahria's waist. 'Anyway… I think by the next month all snow will melt away. We need to prepare for travel.'

'Denerim, huh? In one hand I want to go there so much...' Mahria hesitated a moment then looked into his icy eyes. 'But in other… I really enjoy being here in Gwaren… only with you.'

'I know. I think the same. But we need to go. I was away from the capital for too long. Maker's only knows what Maric did with our country so far.'

'You told me that King want's to build fleet of ships. I don't really understand why he's so fascinated by that idea.' Mahria shook her head in disapproval. 'I don't like ships, you know? I'm always sick when I board one.'

'Me too… I don't know what that idiot thinks, but if he wishes to loose some sovereigns on that foolishness, it's his call.' Loghain sighed and moved his hand up to play with lace of Mahria's nightgown. 'I told him it's bad idea but he didn't listened to me.'

'Why? I love listen to you...' Mahria smiled at her husband and bit her lips in consternation. She hesitated again to speak, but she did nevertheless. 'Loghain… do you think of me as your friend or as your wife only?'

'Hmm? Why not both?' He took the lace in firmer grip and pulled Mahria to himself. He moved his mouth to her ear. He used his ultimate weapon against Mahira. Her sensitive ears which stirred her lust every time he whispered to them. 'But above all… I consider you my treasure.' Her heavy breath tickled his neck. 'Now you're mine, and you should be fully aware of that.' Then he took her again, this time without nightgown. He admired her graceful body curves and silky skin. She squirmed in lust and moaned loudly beneath him when he moved inside her. And so he wondered how could he lived all those years without embracing such pleasures.

Dragon 9:25, 30th Guardian

'Tomorrow we're leaving. It' all set. Everything is prepared.' Loghain stated when he entered dining hall. Mahria was sitting by the table and tried to eat something. 'What's that?' He pointed at her plate full with food. 'Lately you don't eat much or you skip meals.'

'Not your business!' She screamed at him. Then she stood up and left him alone. Loghain was puzzled at her behaviour in those days. One time she was really nice and warm only to yell at him moments later. 'Maybe it's this time of the month… Better stay away for the time being.' He thought to himself as he was eating his dinner. After he finished his meal he went to his study to prepare paperwork and pack his things. He wanted to avoid Mahria as much as he could to not get her nervous again. 'Now I know how Nathaniel Howe was feeling...' He sat comfortably in the chair and looked by the window. 'Maybe she's anxious about our trip? It will be her first time to go there as my wife. Those sods won't leave her alone… She's Teyrna Mac Tir now, that's huge responsibility for such a young woman.' After brooding a while he stopped to overthinking it and moved to his tasks. It was already night time when he finished and went to his room. Mahria wasn't asleep though. She was lying on the bed with red eyes.

'What happened? Why did you cry?'

'Nothing. Don't be bothered by it.' She waved her hand in disregard. He changed his clothes and climbed up the bed.

'Tell me. You can tell me anything.' He took her hand to his mouth and kissed it gently. 'Are you nervous about our trip?'

'Huh?' Y-yes… that... ' She nodded but somehow Loghain knew it wasn't all she wanted to say. But he remain silent. If Mahria was fighting something inside of her, he couldn't intervene in her personal matters. 'Oh, by the way. I didn't tell you it. Anders is coming with us.'

'Why? Are you unwell? If so we can postpone our leave.' He touched her cheek. He didn't noticed she was so pale lately. 'You don't look healthy. We will go later.'

'No! I want to go tomorrow!' She yelled at him again and hissed. 'I said do not bother.' He regarded her for a moment then moved his hand from her face.

'All right, all right. I won't bring that subject again.' He pulled his hands up in surrender gesture. 'I was just worried.' She turned to him when he said that. Her eyes warmed and she smiled sadly at him.

'I'm sorry… you worry about me.. end yet all I do is yelling.' He noticed tears in her eyes and moved closer to hug her. 'I'm just a bit cranky lately. Maybe that's because I… it will be first time I'll go to Denerim as a wife… and what a wife! Wife of Teryn Loghain Mac Tir himself.' She laughed and moved back to look at her husband. 'That's something big, don't you think?'

'I was thinking that's the reason.' He smirked at her. 'Don't worry. You are brilliant and beautiful. Everyone will envy me. Besides... I'll be near to protect you against those idiots.'

'Even though I don't need protection I appreciate it.' She kissed him and laid back on the bed. 'Let's go to sleep. I'm so tired these days.'

Dragon 9:25, 1st Drakonis and afterwards

Loghain stood up early in the morning to look after servants who were packing his and Mahria's things. He left his wife still sleeping. Before he left he noticed she was still pale. 'I'll just ride besides and keep an eye on her.' Then he left. Soon after Mahria woke up. She run to the bathroom in haste. For few days she was felt nauseated. At first she thought she was pregnant. And she was overjoyed. She went few times to Anders's Clinic to get him check up on her. But he didn't confirm pregnancy and now she was worried. Anders couldn't get right diagnose on her state for two weeks now. When she stopped to vomit she went to clean herself. After that she put light leather armor on her and went downstair to eat something. Or try at least.

'Good morning, Your Teyrnship.' She was greeted by butler Mahren, maids and servant who wanted to say goodbye to her and wish good luck. They grew fond of her. She treated them very well, with respect so they returned the favour. 'We wish you luck in Denerim. We hope both of Your Teyrnships will return to Gwaren soon.'

'Thank you, I hope so too.' She nodded to thank them and proceeded to eat. But she felt nausea again. She was looking at the food with sad gaze. 'I need to eat something or I'll fall from Da'asha. Loghain will take me back home and put me in the bed under constant surveillance. Again.' She brought herself to eat a bit of bread and few slices of cheese and cured meat. 'Don't throw up. Do not throw up, Mahria.' She encouraged herself while she was eating. She didn't noticed Mac Tir was gawking at her for some time.

'If you can't eat too much, don't force yourself.' As he said that she jumped in her chair with surprise and turned her face to him.

'Don't scare me like that.' Her face wasn't only pale, it was a bit greenish and he was really worried.

'Andraste flaming ass, woman!' He approached her with anger. 'Look at yourself. How you want to ride your hart in that state? You want to lay on it's antlers?'

'I'll be fine, Loghain. I promise. Fresh air will make me better.' She tried to stand up but she tripped and fall into his arms. He looked onto her face from close distant. Her eyes weren't glowing like usual, and she had shadows under eyelids.

'Maybe you're right. I can't tell you anything anyway. So have it your way.' She hugged him tighter.

'Thank you. I promise, everything will be fine.' As she said that he lift her chin up and kissed her passionately.

'I believe you. Now let's go. Everyone is waiting. Anders is here already. Maybe you want him to check up on you?'

'No, that's not necessary. I'm fine already.' She smiled at him and moved toward doors. 'Goodbye, everyone! Mahren, please take care of the manor while we will be away. And please send someone to Rieska to help her with infant and girls. Everyone, keep my home clean and tidy!' She waved good-bye at servants and maids and smiled to them. They also waved back and laughed at her talking. She almost left but turned around. 'Don't forget about taking Sahra on a walk! I almost forgot to tell that. Hehe.' When she was outside she really felt better. Few heavy breaths and she regained her composure. Mahria patted her mabari and hugged it. 'I'll miss you, girl. But Denerim isn't place for such lady as you. Be a good girl.' Then she approached Da'asha and mounted her without any difficulty. Loghain rode to her on his horse so she pointed at herself with smile. 'Look! I told you everything will be fine when I'll go outside.'

'Hmpf.' He just growled and regarded her silently for a moment. 'Fine, let's go.' They rode through the town accompanied by farewells and wishes of good luck and health from citizens of Gwaren. During their travel Loghain Mac Tir was constantly watching his wife. Every night they put the camp he had to be sure their tent was cozy and warm. In the night when he was laying beside her, he listened to her heavy breathing while she was asleep. He really was worried but he didn't want to show it to her as she would get angry. They travel would take at least ten days so he was anxious if she would manage to stay well until they come to Denerim. 'At least Anders is here. Thanks the Maker, she asked him to come with us. Even though he have his newborn son at home he agreed to come.' He thought to himself while he was looking at sleeping Mahria. 'You're so smart.' Loghain stroked her hair gently. She sighed heavily while being still asleep. 'I wonder what are you dreaming about.' He kissed her temple and also proceeded to sleep.