Dragon 9:25, 26th Cloudreach

ROYAL PALACE, GREAT HALL

'My dear friends. I'm sorry that I summoned you here again. But I have important news for you.' All noblemen gathered again in Great Hall. Some of them were almost prepared to leave so they were a bit angered but shown up nevertheless. 'I told you about my voyage to Free Marches four days ago. I know that some of you… maybe all of you disagreed with this plan. And now I want to reassure your concerns about that. I won't go to Wycome. I'm going to stay in Ferelden.' Huge applause broke when he stated that. Everyone calmed down after a while and listened to what King wants to say. 'Also… I want to postpone my son's marriage to Anora Mac Tir. I was wondering about it deeply and I think that it's not a good time.' Cailan looked at his father with shock and anger.

'What?' He moved closer to him. 'What's going on, Father?' Loghain was also angered but he remained silent.

'Cailan, I have my reasons. We will talk later.' He dismissed his son and proceeded to speak again. 'Anyway, my dear friends. Please forgive me for wasting your time to come here and listen to me. But I wanted to let you know that my plans had changed.' Maric regarded all of them in silence for a while. 'King shouldn't leave his country for only his whim. I need to protect Ferelden even now, in the time of peace. Now please come tonight for feast to celebrate with me.' Another applause broke and everyone gathered in groups to talk about this unexpected event. In the meanwhile Mahria went to Loghain side and both of them approached Maric and Cailan. They were arguing with each other in low voices.

'Father, I don't understand what happened. Why you don't want to go to Free Marches anymore?'

'Cailan, there are reasons which you won't understand. I don't want to talk about them.' Cailan frowned at his father and growled. But Maric didn't care to notice it. 'And I need to teach you some things as I think I overlooked in your tutoring. You will be the king someday and now is the time you'll learn from me. Ah Loghain, tell me, do you want to go to Gwaren this year?' Maric turned to Loghain and smiled to him. 'I bet you want Mahria to bore your child on your lands, don't you?'

'In the matter of fact I do. Or rather Mahria wanted it really much.' Mahria nodded with blush on her face. 'Now we can go without worrying about anything. Don't you think, Teyrna?'

'Yes. There won't happen anything bad now.' Mahria replied and smiled to Maric.

'We will go to Gwaren at the end of Justinian, I suppose.' Loghain added and put his hand on Mahria waist. 'Before my dear wife will swell too much.' Mahria looked at Loghain with narrowed eyes and hissed at him.

'I beg you pardon! I won't swell. I think you wanted to say your child will grow in my stomach.' She let angry growl and turned her head from him.

'Loghain, you really should be ashamed by yourself.' Marik smirked. 'Anyway when you will be away Cailan will take some of your duties. It's time for him to learn a thing or two.'

'That's fine by me. I'll show you, Cailan, all that's necessary things in those two months.'

Dragon 9:25, 3rd Bloomingtide

PALACE COURTYARD

'Loghain, I trust you will keep an eye on her.' Eleonora Cousland had to be assured that her daughter will be in good hands when she will leave to Highever so she nagged Loghain for few moments now. Teyrns Cousland were prepared to leave to Highever but their farewell prolonged due to Teyrna's behaviour.

'Don't worry, Eleonora, I will.' Mahria rolled her eyes and put hand on her stomach. It was already curved slightly with her pregnancy.

'Stop it, you two. Mother, everyone is waiting for you. Go now.' She was highly irritated. 'We will see in Gwaren in three months.'

'But I need to check everything now. I'll worry this whole time, you kno-' Mahria's mother wanted to nag a bit more but she was interrupted.

'Eleonora, my dear wife! She will be fine, come and mount your horse already!' Teyrn Bryce yelled to his wife. He was already on his horse and waited for her too long. Fergus was sitting on Da'asha as Mahria lend her to him. He looked bored and was swinging from one side to another.

'Fergus! Don't forget to give Da'asha back to mom when she will leave to Gwaren!' Mahria shouted to her brother and waved hand in farewell. At last Eleonora mounted horse and whole party proceeded to leave. When they vanished behind the gate Mahria sighed heavily.

'Holy Andraste… I thought they will never leave.' She shook her head and sighed again. Loghain laughed at her and patted her back lightly.

'I recall similar farewell… but you were rather sad that time… and you run from my manor to dangle on the tree branch.'

'I wasn't dangling on the branch, I sat on it.' Mahria turned her head to Loghain and smiled. 'And you were so worried about me that you dashed on your horse like madman.'

'I did? I don't remember that...' He pulled his wife to him and kissed her. 'But I remember how we were sitting under that tree and you were so cute then. Later we had this big fight about your orlesian tatty book and we have reconciled few times.'

'It's not tatty I told you so many times to not call it that! And you still haven't explained few things to me.' She frowned at him but moved closer. Her curved stomach touched his abdomen. 'I sense some blockade now.' She moved a bit and looked at her belly. 'That's strange feeling.'

'It will get even bigger.'

'Heh, yes. I will get ugly and fat, you won't touch me ever again.' Mahria grimaced at that thought. She was afraid that her body will misshape.

'Teyrna, you are so wrong.' He slided his hand to her butt and stroked it lightly.

'I certainly hope so.' She purred lightly as they were walking to the palace. 'Want to play some chess?'

'Sure. I wanted to go and inspect barracks... but, nah... that can wait. Maric and Cailan are busy in King's study. So I can layabout for some time.'

GARDEN

Mahria was leaning to the board and thinking deeply about her move for quite some time. Meanwhile Loghain was laying on the armchair with eyes closed, hands behind his head and with stretched legs. He gave up with showing impatience for his wife who only growled at him when he did so. 'Hmm… I think I got it!' Then she moved one of her pawns with happy smile. 'Ha! That was good move!' Loghain remained in his slumber-like state nevertheless. 'Don't fake sleeping. I know how you look like when you're asleep.' He opened one eye and smirked.

'You watch me when I sleep… that's strange...'

'And look who's talking. I know you watch me when I'm sleeping as well.' She giggled. Loghain moved to the chess board to look what move Mahria made.

'Good move. You learn quickly.' Loghain made countermove and moved back to lay on the seat.

'That was fast. How can I win with you when you're such brilliant strategist?' She frowned and leaned above board again. 'Loghain…?'

'Mmm?'

'Can I ask you something?' Mahria looked at Loghain but he returned to his previous slumber-like rest. He didn't replied so she remained silent. But after a while he opened his eyes with curious gaze.

'Just ask already. You don't have to beg me for answering your questions.'

'Oh… fine. I was wondering, you know.' Mahria hesitated for a moment. 'Have you compared me to Rowan?'

'What?' He frowned, his hand reached his eyes and he rubbed them with helpless gesture. 'Maker, haven't I told you to stop thinking about her?' He took his hand off his eyes and looked at Mahria. Her eyes shown him that she was serious. And thought struck his mind. 'She feels insecure about Rowan and me.'

'I… I was compared to her when I grew up.' Her sad eyes looked at the garden. "At that time I felt proud and good… but now… with you… I...'

'I'll be frank with you, Mahria. When I saw you in Highever as a grown woman that thought struck my mind… that time when you took off your helmet after duel with Nathaniel Howe you looked like her. But I pushed that image away. And on our wedding night it came again. I almost said her name when I laid with you. But, thanks the Maker, I controlled myself and looked at you. I asked who you are and you replied that you are you. Mahria Mac Tir. It was so simple. Then I looked into your eyes, those white eyes of snow. And I knew that you are not Rowan. After all those months I know one thing.' He stood up and approached her.

'What?' Loghain kneeled next to her side and took her hand into his.

'That you are not a ghost that wants repentance for my sins. I said that once and… that was wrong. I did Rowan terrible thing, I know. But you are my wife that filled my empty life with love, tenderness and a bit of craziness. Now I don't even think that you two share any similarities.' Loghain took her hand to his lips, kissing each finger with care. 'I don't want you to feel insecure about Rowan anymore.'

Dragon 9:25, 15th Bloomingtide

ROYAL PALACE, GARDEN

It was hot day so Anora and Mahria decided to laze about in the garden. Servants brought them blankets, something to drink and eat and so women could lay under huge tree to get a bit of shade. 'So hot… I'm all sweaty…' Mahria was layin on the blanket with spread arms.

'Don't tell me that because I get even more hot. But still your situation is far worse than mine as you're getting bigger by each day' Anora giggles, she was sitting and drinking cold wine but that didn't help her to chill. 'You know… I have some interesting book to show you.'Anora took out the book from her bag and handed to Mahria.

'Exotic Lovemaking by antivan experts? Are you serious?' Nevertheless Mahria become really interested in the content of it so she quickly opened it. After she paged through it she shouted. 'There are pictures in it! Maker!' She flick more pages and widened her eyes. 'Two men and one woman? Ewww. You wench, I forbid you to read it until I read it myself.'

'Spoilsport! I wanted to show it to you not lend. But fine, have it for one day. Tomorrow I want it back.' Anora giggled again for a moment. 'Nevermind… Anyway… I decided I'll go with you to Gwaren.'

'Oh? So you still don't talk to Maric?' Mahria pulled her head a bit but it was too much of exertion so she laid it again.

'Of course! How could he do that to me?' She frowned and gasped angrily. 'I waited so long for Cailan. If he didn't change his mind we would get married next month.'

'I think King Maric has some good reasons for that, Anora.' Mahria stated and sighed. She was actually happy that Anora will not get married to Cailan so soon. Especially after incident that happened on her first day in Denerim.

'I don't know… I'm just… I don't know what's going on. First thing is that uncle changes his plans about going to Free Marches… and he's keeping this woman… Morrigan, as his Arcane Advisor? Maker's breath, Mahria… it's beyond my understanding.' Mahria didn't want to talk about it. She agreed with Maric and Loghain that no one should ever know about Morrigan mission. It was hard for her to keep secrets from Anora. But she promised and she wanted to stick to it. 'Speaking of the devil.' Mahria pulled her head again and saw Morrigan approaching them.

'Well, well… 'tis a beautiful day to layabout, Teyrna Mahria.' Witch moved closer to them with grin. 'Such a hot day. I hope you don't feel dizzy.'

'I'm fine, Lady Morrigan, thank you.' She pulled herself to seat and looked at the witch.

'And lady Anora, such an honor, as always.' Morrigan bowed with her head to her but Anora didn't replied back. She just regarded witch silently.

'Lady Morrigan, please seat with us.' Mahria moved a bit to make space for Morrigan. Anora gasped at Mahria's invitation but she didn't objected. 'I think we shouldn't antagonize ourselves. Now, when you are here I think it's good time to get to know each other better. Right, Anora?' At first Mahria did all the talking but later Anora joined. Morrigan was reluctant at the beginning to share her story with them but later she told a bit about herself. She omitted part about her mother though. After an hour or so Anora stood up.

'Lady Morrigan, I'm sorry for my previous behaviour. I think you're fine. Anyway I need to go to attend some matters. Can you escort Teyrna Mahria to her chambers?'

'Certainly, Lady Anora.' When she left Mahria and Morrigan also stood up and went inside the palace. 'If I may, Teyrna, I want to say that it was enjoyable afternoon. 'Tis was really nice of you that you invited me to stay.'

'I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, Lady Morrigan. Tell me, how you find living in Royal Court?' Mahria smiled at Morrigan. She felt that witch was really nice inside though her exterior was rather harsh.

'I always wished I could be a lady, in fact. Living in wilds wasn't that nice after all. I wanted to break free from there. And now I'm here.' Morrigan smirked at her and gestured at the doors to Mahria's chamber. 'Here we are, Teyrna, 'twas a pleasure. And I hope you will have good evening… with your husband and that book of yours.' And she turned on her heel leaving Mahria with blush on her face.

MAC TIR'S BEDCHAMBER

After Morrigan left, Mahria found a servant and asked to bring supper to her chamber. She didn't want to go anywhere because of the heat, she stayed in her bedchamber. Loghain was preoccupied with Cailan and Maric. He wanted to finish all his duties before their journey to Gwaren. After she ate, she was laying alone and reading antivan book claimed from Anora. When it became dark outside Mahria had lit candles as she always did. Woman was so engaged in the lecture that she didn't noticed that Loghain came. 'What are you reading again? Orleasian tatty book?' Mahria jumped at sound of his voice and tried to hid the book. But it was too late. Loghain climbed on the bed and moved closer to his wife 'Give me that… show it to me.'

'No, you can't.' But it was really too late. Loghain reached the book out of her hands and opened. Then he laid on the bed and paged through it and his eyes opened wide.

'There are even pictures… and where does it come from?' He looked at the front page to read about author. 'Ah, yes… Antiva.' Mahria was red on her face. 'Where did you get that from?'

'Your fabulous daughter lend me it.' She replied with quiet voice. Mahria felt so embarrassed that she wanted to hid herself somewhere far away. But it was only for a moment. She regained herself as thought popped in her mind. 'Your behaviour is really mean, my husband.' Mahria moved closer to him and put her hand on his manhood. She began to stroke it through his breeches.

'Oh? Is that punishment or rather… mmm...' His hoarse moan interrupted his speech for a moment as her hand intensified her stroking. 'Or rather practice on me?' As he got hard Mahria opened his belt and pulled his breeches down. Loghain helped her with taking them off and tossed them on the floor. When he was free from pants she moved between his legs and leaned to his member.

'Let's consider it a practice.' Loghain felt her hot breath on his exposed parts and that stirred hot sensation in his loins. But that wasn't even beginning of his sensations as she took him into her mouth and moved her hand to his sack to massage it lightly. He didn't felt such pleasure in his whole life. When he felt his end is near he pushed her gently from his shaft and pulled to him. Loghain slowly kissed her neck while his hands were busy with untying Mahria's dress.

'My beloved wife. How can I repay you for such unexpected courtesy?' He whispered to her ear and run his hand on her bare back as her dress fell down. That stirred shivers in Mahria. She was moaning deeply as Loghain hand cupped her breast and waist. Her hands were wrapped in his hair. Loghain pulled her up to remove her dress and smallclothes. He regarded her naked body in admiration. 'You are so beautiful. And this curve...' He stroked her swollen stomach with his finger. 'Makes you even more beautiful and appealing.'

'Such a flatterer you are, dear husband. Yet… I don't want any flatteries now. I want this.' Mahria stroked his hardened shaft and he couldn't resist her any longer. He laid her with care on the bed and entered her wet insides. Even though he was at his limits he wanted to move slowly. To let this moment last longer. With one hand he kept himself above her and with other he cupped lightly her breast and stomach. Her moans and cries told him that she was also at her limits. So he started to move inside of her more eagerly and soon both of them finished their lovemaking with loud moans and growls. After that Loghain laid on his side next to his wife. His hand was resting on her curved abdomen, stroking it lightly. His head was next to her neck and cheek so he kissed them slowly.

'I would thank Anora… but that would be extremely inappropriate.'

'Indeed.' Mahria giggled. 'But anyway… you should rather thank me. For being so amazing.'

'Thank you, my dear wife, for being so amazing.' Loghain repeated after Mahria with numb and emotionless voice.

'At least you could rephrase my words.' She frowned but giggled moment later. Suddenly she shouted lightly.

'What?' Loghain pulled up on his elbow to look at Mahria. 'What happened? Are you alright?' He looked at her shocked face with concerne. But she didn't said anything. She grabbed his hand and placed it above her navel. He looked at it and started to wonder what all of that was about. But suddenly he felt it. Something moved lightly in her stomach. It paused for a moment… then moved again. Loghain couldn't believe it. He moved his gaze again at Mahria. She covered her eyes with her hand.

'And I'm crying again… blast and damnation...' Even so she started to laugh. 'Gareth wanted to say hi, I think.'

'Maker… I feel awkward now… just after we… Nevermind.' He turned his eyes to her stomach again. Then he leaned to it and whispered. 'Your mother is really amazing. Remember it, son.'

'And his father is even more amazing. Listen to your mommy, Gareth. Your father is the Hero of River Dane. Teyrn of Gwaren. Royal Advisor. Someone can think that it's too much for one man to stand… but no! Your father achieved so much that bards are singing praising songs for him every day in every tavern in whole Ferelden… nooo in whole Thedas!' Mahria started to laugh and tremble so much that Loghain gasped in disapproval.

'Now you're making fun of me, Teyrna. And stop trembling so much, our poor boy will be startled by your behaviour.'

'I'm not making fun of you! It's truth. Last time I was in Gnawed I overheard one... And Gareth got used to my behaviour already. He likes it, in fact… but let me sing one song about you. Here we go. Listen.' And she started to sing about Loghain. He sighed and covered his ears.

'Maker preserve me...'

Dragon 9:25, 15th Justinian

ROYAL PALACE, COURTYARD

'I really don't want to ride in that, Loghain.' Mahria was standing in front of luxurious carriage and regarding it with disfavour. They were already packed and waited for King Maric to arrive at the courtyard to bid them farewell. 'Maybe I can rode with you? You will keep me close and both you and I will be contented.'

'I said no. Do you even listen what I'm saying to you?' Loghain sighed. Mahria was nagging about riding in carriage for few days now and he was at his limits. Even though he didn't want to argue with her too much. 'Besides you will ride with Anora. You can have your gossip sessions all day long.'

'I think we run out of topics, Father.' Anora giggled and moved closer to Mahria to pat her shoulder. 'Don't fret, my dear. It will be more comfortable for you. Just think about Gareth sake.'

'I'm still thinking about him. He will dislike this journey, I bet he will.'

'Still, I won't agree on you riding on a horse, Mahria.' Loghain shook his head and then looked at his wife warmer. 'What if I'll let you sing those songs about my victory at River Dane?'

'If you let me? I can sing those without your approval, my dear husband. But... I have one condition.'

'And that is?' Loghain looked at her with unrest.

'You will tell me about your expedition to the Deep Roads. I asked you so many times and you always slinked away from it.'

'Fine, fine.' Loghain sighed deeply and rolled his eyes. 'I see I won't get away from it this time.'

'Oh! Mahria, you are genius! I never heard it myself!' Anora clasped her hands and giggled. Short while after that Maric and Cailan approached them.

'My friends, I hope your journey will be safe and quick. I'll come to Gwaren in three months so we won't miss each other much.' Maric was grinning widely. Cailan regarded him for a moment then sighed.

'You will come to Gwaren?' Loghain frowned at Maric. 'For what?'

'Not every day my friend will get his heir born, Loghain. I can't miss it.' Maric sensed too much fun in that event to let it go. As always his mischievous manners with Loghain were causing latter one anger.

'There won't be any fun in that, Maric.' Loghain let angry growl from him and narrowed his eyes. 'It's a serious matter. Anyway let's say goodbye and leave already. We have waited for you too long.' After brief farewell whole Mac Tir family left and their party to Gwaren for the winter.

Dragon 9:25, 17th Justinian

This time they were enjoying their travel. It was hot and sunny. Loghain didn't have to worry about sick Mahria as she felt great. She didn't nag about riding in carriage as Loghain was telling her the story about his rather unpleasant adventures in the Deep Roads. Even though he used his bored voice to tell the story she wasn't discouraged by it. 'And you set on fire entire spiderweb? Whoa, amazing! And there were a lot of those spiders?' Mahria leaned to her husband side from the carriage as he was riding his horse very close to it. Anora turned her head and tried to not to listen as she was afraid of spiders.

'A lot, yes.'

'Were they big?'

'Big, yes.' Loghain rolled his eyes as he was really fed up with telling about Deep Roads and spiders. But he didn't have any choice. He knew that if he didn't tell Mahria everything she wanted she would just jump out of the carriage to mount one of the horses.

'Like how big?' Mahria was still inquiring. Loghain turned his head to her and regarded for a moment. She looked at him highly interested. 'So cute… I would ravish her here and now… but alas, I can't do that.' He only smirked to himself. 'Now I'll show her.'

'That big!' Loghain spread his arms and mustered a bit more of enthusiasm in his talk. 'They had eight hairy legs! Fangs soaking with poison! I couldn't count their eyes, but there were a lot of them.' Mahria looked at him with opened mouth and broad opened eyes. It was first time she saw Loghain talking in such manner. But he regained his usual demeanor swiftly. 'Maker's breath, woman, I hope you're satisfied now.'

'A lot!' Mahria started to laugh and turned to Anora. 'Did you heard that, Anora? That was something… Anora…?' Mahria moved closer to her friend. She was bending and covering her mouth. Her face was green. 'Anora… don't throw up… it's just a story.'

'Thank you… you wench...' Anora's shaky voice was muffled by her hand. 'Go on, Father... I want that part to end quickly.'

'As you wish, Anora. We killed some of these creatures and hid in one of the buildings. Katriel was bitten by the spider so I had to remove poison from her arm... we were so tired that we all passed out.'

'And spiders didn't attack you when you were asleep?' Mahria again was facing Loghain.

'Stop with the spiders already!' Anora shouted behind her back.

'As you can see I'm still alive… so no, they didn't. Luckily there was fresh water there so we could resupply our water sacks and wash ourselves.' Loghain omitted the part about him and Rowan or Maric and Katriel. It wasn't his favourite subject especially when Mahria was looking at him. He felt she was still insecure about Rowan after all. 'I don't know if it was next day or few hours later but anyhow we went further. Spiders tried to catch with us but we escaped them somehow. Far worse happened later. We encountered tainted corridors and darkspawns.'

'Maric found his sword there?'

'Oh, yes.' Loghain smirked at that memory. 'He didn't know that it was so light. It was made of Dragonbone. I had to catch him when he took it from dwarven skeleton. He almost beheaded me.'

'That's interesting. You think that King would allow me to hold that sword?' Mahria's face shown daydreaming about that sword of Maric's. She has seen it many times.

'I won't allow it. Not in thousand years, my dear.' Loghain sighed. 'If you got such weapon into your hands I would suggest everyone to run in terror. Anyway... Later we encountered darkspawns on our way. Maker preserve us all, there were a lot of them. I can't imagine how blights used to look like.'

'How does darkspawns look? I heard that there are few types of those.' Mahria was still highly interested in Loghain story. She started to curl her hair onto her finger in anticipation.

'There are… I think they are called hurlocks, genlock… shrieks… there are big ones called ogres. Each type comes from other race: humans, dwarves, elves or qunari.'

'I saw qunaris few times.' Mahria stated and nodded. Thankfully he could omit the part about how darkspawns looked like.

'Me too.' Anora added and giggled. 'Such big and strong people. White-haired.'

'With shiny muscles… and horns.' Mahria also started to titter.

'Stop you two.' Loghain had to let a sigh again. 'You want me to continue or not?'

'Yes, yes, go on, husband.' Mahria stopped her giggling and regained composure.

'Maker had to watch over us, as we were rescued by Legion of the Dead. They swoop on them and killed all. Nalthur agreed to guide us to Gwaren... he was dwarven commander of the Legion… sort of. Maric and I... asked him to join us in rebellion.'

'Somehow I can't imagine you asking anyone for anything… I don't believe you.' Mahria shook her head in disagreement.

'You know me too well, Teyrna. I might be a little harsh back then, yes.' Loghain smirked and looked into Mahria's snowy eyes with warm gaze. 'Anyway, Nalthur guided us to Gwaren and that's all.'

'Amazing, it's so amazing. To walk through the Deep Roads… to see all of it… I would gave up every coin I have to see it.'

'Hey, that's mine coin as well, Teyrna.' Loghain started to laugh. 'And I wouldn't let you go there I assure you.'

'Spoilsport.' Mahria leaned on the seat and stretched her arms. Rest of their travel was pleasant and calm, without talking about huge spiders or darkspawns.