The reception was not at all what Elandria had expected. It had started out with she and Alistair being presented. The master of ceremonies who had been announcing everyone as they arrived called out their titles. True to the nobles' demand that she not use the Theirin name publicly, she was introduced as Warden Elandria Surana, Hero of Ferelden. She had to smile when Alistair leaned over and said, "Elandria Theirin, my love."

The two of them swept majestically into the room. Well, Alistair did anyway. Elandria just tried not to fall over in her shoes. The next thing she had to endure was a receiving line of people she couldn't have cared less about meeting. However, she did her duty and smiled graciously, nodded her head when appropriate, and tried to keep her comments to a minimum. She let Alistair do most of the talking. It turns out he was pretty good at doing that; it must have been all the practice.

Finally, that was over and they could move to the tables and get something to eat. Elandria was starving. First, they had to suffer through a toast from Teagan, which, thank the Maker, didn't take too long, and then they could get down to the food. Dinner was bearable because she had Alistair on one side and Kellin on the other. Both Torin and Zynalla stood near the prince's chair, Zy ready to assist with anything he needed and Torin ever vigilant for Kellin's protection. Eamon, Isolde, Teagan, and Wynne were also at the head table along with the teryns and their families. Lanaya was seated with some of the other council members farther back in the room.

There would be dancing later, but Elandria had flatly refused to dance. She had never done so in her life, and she wasn't about to start now. Alistair was hoping he could convince her to take some lessons just as he had years ago. He had been surprised to discover that he enjoyed sweeping around the dance floor with a willing woman in his arms. He couldn't help but think how much better would it be if it was Lanie he was dancing with.

The affair was being conducted in the Grand Dining Room which was set up with the head table, a generous open area in front of that, and then rows of tables filling the rest of the room where everyone had sat to eat. This was decorated with oaken hand-carved woodwork, dark green carpets on the floor, and tapestries on the walls depicting famous (and not so famous) moments in Ferelden history. There was one of the Battle of River Dane, a fanciful rendition of what was supposed to be the Battle of White Valley (the last major battle before Calenhad was crowned king in Denerim), along with many others. There was even one that dealt with the history of the mabari. There were hanging candelabra throughout the room to provide lighting as well as some strategically placed mage lights the tranquil made. As this was the room where all formal affairs of state happened, it was located on the first floor adjoining the palace gardens. All along the outer wall of the room were large windows/doors that opened up to a veranda and allowed ventilation. This room was connected to a large ballroom where a small grouping of musicians had been hired to play for the nobles' pleasure.

Shortly after dinner was over, Kellin was sent to bed for the night, and Alistair and Elandria had started making a circuit of the room together. Whenever they would get momentarily separated by the press of people, Elandria could feel Alistair's eyes on her. She knew she was still affected by their kiss earlier and couldn't wait until they could leave the party and finally be together again. Alistair had been dragged off to the side of the room by Eamon for a quick conference, and Elandria was standing talking with the Arlessa of Denerim, who seemed a nice enough person. All of a sudden, Elandria heard a familiar voice that she hadn't heard in years.

"My beautiful Grey Warden, is it really you?"

Elandria quickly excused herself to the arlessa. She couldn't tell where the voice was coming from and half thought she was imagining it. She began looking frantically around her as she started moving through the crowd of people.

"My Warden," came the voice again, this time behind her.

Elandria spun around and saw his familiar slim form, topped off by the blond hair pulled away from his face and the tattoos on his cheeks. "Zev!" she shrieked as she launched herself at him. As she hugged him, he picked her off the ground and spun her around ignoring the mass of people surrounding them and the looks they were getting. As he sat her back down on her feet, he kissed her chastely on the mouth overjoyed that his friend was really and truly alive.

Alistair had been watching Elandria the whole time Eamon had been talking to him. Ever since their kiss earlier, he was hyperaware of her and couldn't wait to get her alone. Alistair grinned when he saw Zevran approach Lanie. Leave it to Zevran. I'm not surprised at all he made it here tonight. He broke into Eamon's stream of conversation. "Later, Eamon," he said. "I have to go." With that Alistair made his way as rapidly as he could to the pair. He figured he had better get over there before someone made up a story that his wife's elven lover had shown up at the reception.

"Zevran Arainai, unhand my wife," Alistair said as he reached out, pulled Zev into a loose hug, and then released him. "It's bad enough you've already kissed her in public before me. Maker, is it good to see you!"

"You've become a jealous husband already, have you, your Majesty? Ah, but who could blame you with such a vision of loveliness as your bride," Zevran replied as he gallantly took Elandria's hand and placed a kiss upon her fingers.

Elandria laughed, took her hand back, and tucked it into the crook of Alistair's arm. "Zevran, you never change. How have you been?" Looking at him, she could see he had obviously been doing very well for himself. He was wearing a stunning white Orlesian silk shirt decorated with Tevinter lace at the throat and sleeves under a green jerkin that had obviously been tailored for his body. He had matched that up with soft black leather pants and boots. Yes, Zevran was looking very fine, although she had to admit it was strange to see him in anything but his drakeskin armor and without his sword hilts sticking up from behind his back.

"It's enough to say that my luck has held the past years, and I am now free to indulge myself as I see fit. We can discuss my activities more later, but come this is a celebration, no? After the trip on board ship from Antiva, I feel the need for some serious… gratification.

Wynne, Elandria, and Zevran were all standing together catching up on what had been happening in each other's lives the last few years. Zevran's only contribution was that he had handled the situation with the Crows. Elandria knew that he wouldn't reveal anything else in such a public venue.

"I am curious about one thing, Zev," said Elandria. "How did you know to come?"

"Now that is an interesting story," replied Zevran. "Would you like to explain, my darling Wynne?"

"Certainly, Zevran. I'll give you the short story," said Wynne. "After Moira's death, Alistair was in such a bad state I decided to stay on in Denerim. By this time, Zevran had been back in contact with Alistair and they had set up a message drop system. I merely requested that my messages to him be sent the same way and Alistair was kind enough to agree. In one of my missives, I included a ring with a preset spell that only required activation. When the ring heated up, Zevran would know that he was needed here. The night Alistair returned from the glade, he told me about you and Kellin, and I triggered the spell that night."

"A little warning would have been nice," broke in Zevran. "I assumed if it ever heated up it would be warm, not scorching. I barely got it off in time to prevent a burn. I had to carry it in a pouch for two days because it was so hot." He raised his right hand and showed Elandria a simple gold ring on his pinkie finger. "It came at a good time for me, and I was able to quickly wind up my business in Antiva and take ship for Ferelden. I arrived in the city late last night and immediately began searching for news. Imagine my surprise on hearing of your return from the dead." Zevran continued in a lower voice that Elandria knew came right from the assassin's heart, the one he had been accused so many times of not having, "The news of your and Alistair's marriage was a lesser surprise. I'm very happy for you, my beautiful Warden. It does me good to be able to erase those memories of you and your unhappiness all those years ago with the joy I see in your eyes tonight whenever they land on Alistair."

Elandria was overcome by everyone in the room. After all her time in the Dalish camp, there were just too many people present. The stench of the crowd was making her head ache. Her guards had been following her as she circulated, but thankfully they had been given instructions to stay to the sides of the room. By working her way through the mass of people in the center, she was able to unobtrusively slip out one of the doors to the veranda, losing her guards in the process. She was relieved that there weren't many people out here. She leaned against the wall beside the door she had exited, enjoying the cooler air. She was hoping she and Alistair could leave soon. After all, they were the newlyweds, surely they weren't expected to stay until the end of the party. The breeze kicked up slightly and Elandria enjoyed the extra coolness it brought. She closed her eyes and allowed her thoughts to drift.

Elandria realized that she hadn't thought about the desire demon in weeks as it had been leaving her alone in the Fade. She assumed it was out tempting other souls, but she knew that when its other business was complete, the demon would return its attention to her. As was so easy to do, she had just ignored the situation while it left her in peace. She was going to need to do something about the issue soon, including confessing to Alistair about the ties she had allowed it to make to her. She wasn't looking forward to that conversation. As she was thinking this, she heard a group of people moving through the room on the other side of the wall come to a halt by the door, and their voices carried clearly to her in the night air.

"Well, at least she cleans up decently and isn't an embarrassment in that regard," said a woman.

"I still can't believe he actually went through with it. My Rodric was sure he would have called the wedding off before it happened," said a second.

"She is a mage. Maybe she has him under a spell and forced him to marry her," replied the first.

"According to servant's gossip, she refused him her bed until he married her and has been sleeping in her own room in the palace," came a third person's input.

"I just wish the king and Lady Briana could have settled their differences. She made a fine queen, and they were such a striking couple."

"Have you seen the way he watches her? Disgusting, if you ask me," sniffed another voice.

"You're just jealous, Fenella," a more familiar voice broke in. "You wish a man would look at you like that."

"Iona, you're just glad Vaughn doesn't pay you any attention," retorted Fenella.

"You're right about that," agreed Iona, Arlessa of Denerim. "Ever since Cailan was born last year, Vaughn leaves me strictly alone, and it doesn't hurt my feelings in the least. I think the king's consort is nice, just quiet and very self-contained."

Elandria overheard one last comment as the group began moving away from her position.

"I still think it's a shame he couldn't have chosen someone more suitable, at least worthy of being our queen. Rodric wonders what other decisions he is making that aren't suitable."

Elandria stood there for a few seconds before she became aware of a small noise to the side of her. "Did you hear?" she asked.

Zevran emerged from the shadows. "I heard," he replied. "Surely, you didn't expect this to be a walk in the park, like say raising an army and ending a Blight?" he asked.

"I didn't expect that our marriage would be accepted easily," she said seriously. "I was prepared for opposition. What I didn't count on was Alistair's capability to be king called into question."

Elandria let her breath out and dropped her head back against the wall, "Did I make a mistake, Zev? Should I have refused him? I wanted what he offered so badly I didn't care what it would take to make it happen. Do you think marrying me has damaged his ability to rule?"

"I think Alistair is grown up enough to know what he wants. It seems he is also wise enough to get it. I understand he masterfully manipulated the entire Landsmeet. I believe the expression is he had them over a barrel, yes?"

"True," acknowledged Elandria. "He was magnificent. Once I recovered from my shock, I was so proud of him."

"Besides, my beautiful Grey Warden, it's a little late now to second guess the decision since the marriage has already happened, and I understand there is also a child."

"Yes," said Elandria with a slight smile. "Kellin. He is a wonder. I can't wait for you to meet him."

"I look forward to that very much," Zevran said.

Elandria was just getting ready to speak again when she let out a groan. "Don't look now, but here come my keepers." Sure enough, her guards were bearing down on her and Zevran, and they didn't look happy.

Elandria had been seated at the table where members of the council were sitting. They included: Gorim for the dwarves; Lanaya and Valendrian for the elves; Sister Elizabeth for the Chantry; Elspeth for the mages; Ser Braden; and Ser Tavin, who led the council, was also present with his wife. Of course, she knew Gorim, Elspeth, Lanaya, and Valendrian from before, but she was happy to meet the others as she knew Alistair spent a lot of his time with the council. She eventually rose from her seat so she could rejoin Alistair. She thought it was about time they took their leave from the event. He was standing in the middle of the room in front of the head table talking with Teyrn Cousland.

As Elandria stood up, she felt the presence of the two guards she had managed to sneak away from earlier fall into position behind her. They were being careful to stay much closer than they had prior in the evening. She turned to swing her legs over the bench and stand up. As she did, she saw something that froze her heart. Along the edge of the room not far from the head table itself, a man in court dress was just lifting a loaded hand crossbow. She reacted in a flash without even thinking about it. She turned to face Alistair, already casting. As the Force Field spell left her, she screamed "ZEV!" as loud as she could and tried to run for Alistair. She had taken no more than two steps before she felt a force smash into her whole body that caused her to fall painfully to the floor. I've been smited. Some templar bastard has SMITED me!

Niall Black had been paying close attention to the mage ever since she had managed to slip he and his partner's guard. As she had stood up from the bench she had been sitting on, he was caught by surprise when he felt her gathering her magic. He tried to Holy Smite her before she cast whatever evil spell she had in mind, but the Maker-cursed mage was just too quick. He had let the Revered Mother down by allowing the mage to cast a spell. Well, he would just make sure she didn't do that again by taking all her magic. He inhaled deeply as the pleasure from the mage's magic entering his body from the mana drain hit him. This was always the best part of smiting a mage. The power he felt from absorbing their mana was almost sensual.

Alistair had been joking with Fergus Cousland when he thought he felt a familiar gathering of energies in the room. This was followed almost instantly by the sensation of Lanie's magic wrapping around him. He could have resisted it with his templar's abilities of course, but he had been the recipient of so many of her spells when they were fighting the Blight, it was instinctive for him not to. The spell surrounded him and then he knew no more. He never felt the crossbow bolt that bounced off the center of his chest when it hit the spell that protected him.

Zevran had missed dinner so Alistair had asked one of the servants to bring something for him to eat. He was sitting at the head table where Alistair had insisted on placing him and having a wonderful conversation with the most interesting dinner partner he had had in weeks. As much as he loved the sultry women of Antiva, he must admit his time in Ferelden had given him an appreciation for variety. Lady Ailsa was exactly the type of woman Zevran most liked to spend time with, long on looks and short on brains. He had been making her giggle with all his innuendos when he felt the hair on the nape of his neck rise. By the time he distantly heard Elandria's shout, he had spotted the assassin and was already in motion. He jumped up on the table, ran down it about twenty feet as his flying feet sent dishes crashing, and vaulted off the other side in a compact forward roll. As his legs whipped over his head tumbling him through the air, he pulled out the throwing knives that were concealed in his boots. He landed lightly on the balls of his feet, with his knives in his hands, and pushed off the floor as he used the momentum of his roll to send him forward into motion.

The crossbowman couldn't believe his eyes when his bolt bounced off the chest of the king. Was the man wearing armor underneath that shirt? No problem, he would just take a head shot and eliminate the king that way. He quickly started to cock and reload the crossbow.

At first no one seemed to realize what had happened, but then screams began to ring out and people started running towards the exits. The assassin cursed to himself as he was afraid his shot would be blocked in the commotion or by one of the quicker-thinking guards. As he was pulling the bow back up to get ready to aim, he saw a blur out of the corner of his eye. He held onto his crossbow with one hand as he went for his dagger with the other, pulling it and slashing out in one motion.

After Elandria hit the floor, she could feel a pull on her magic as it began to drain away. With her anger flaring at the realization that she had been smited, she almost snarled. Oh no, you don't, you misbegotten Chantry whoreson! She shut her eyes and turned her concentration inward to the channel where she imagined she could feel her mana being drawn off. She visualized it as a thick rope, and she gave it a mental yank and then held tight, halting the flow of her magic. She opened her eyes and from where she was lying on the floor she saw one of the guards lurch. I see you, templar. I'll deal with you later.

Niall Black was thoroughly enjoying the feel of the mage's mana entering his body. When the flow was suddenly cut off, he stumbled forward in shock. This mage did things with her magic that were outside his experience, and he wasn't sure how to deal with her. He had never heard of a mage stopping a mana drain.

Zevran was at a disadvantage as his knives didn't have the reach of the other man's dagger. He knew he had to end this quickly. He jumped backwards when the man slashed at him and sent the first of his knives into motion. It sped from his hand and embedded itself in the assassin's biceps, causing him to drop the crossbow. Zevran circled as the man followed him and continued to make threatening gestures with the dagger. Zevran was considering the best way to take the other down without causing permanent damage so he could question him when one of Alistair's guards unexpectedly ran the man through with his sword from behind. Zevran cursed and dropped to the floor beside the assassin hoping to have time to interrogate him, but it was too late. The man was too far gone. Zevran retrieved his knife from the man's arm and carefully examined and removed the dagger from the assassin's hand. He then quickly turned his attention to the crossbow and picked it up. He noticed it was able to be disassembled, and his deft elven fingers made quick work of taking it apart and stowing the pieces on his person, taking extra care with the loaded bolt.

Elandria pushed herself up off the floor and turned in the direction of Alistair in time to see a guard with a sword pierce the body of the man who had held the crossbow. She moved rapidly towards Alistair and through the guards that were starting to congregate around him as her spell still held him immobile. Hugh was bellowing orders, but Elandria spared no attention for anyone but Alistair. Just as she was about to try pulling her magic back, the spell broke and Alistair was free. She immediately started running her hands over his body as if to reassure herself that he wasn't hurt.

"I'm fine, Lanie," he said. Elandria continued her frantic checking of his body without pause. Alistair grasped her face in his hands and forced her to look at him. "I'm all right," he said.

Elandria let out a breath and sagged against him, "I just couldn't take it if something happened to you or …KELLIN!" Her eyes jumped to Alistair's where she could see her horror reflected in his. They both began to move through the ring of guards, but Hugh barred Alistair's way.

"No, your Majesty. You aren't going anywhere even if I have to restrain you myself. We have no idea how many of them are in the castle. I will not risk you, not even for the prince," he said as he took a firm grasp on Alistair's arm.

Alistair tried to shrug him off and keep going, but Hugh was stronger than he looked. "Surround the king! Shields!" he barked sharply. Hugh's men were well trained and knew better than to disobey their commander. They quickly encircled the king, creating a shield wall.

Alistair looked at Hugh with his heart in his eyes. "Hugh, please," he begged. "I have to check on my son."

Hugh could see the anguish in the king's expression. His face softened, but his grip remained firm on Alistair's arm. "I'm sorry, your Majesty. I will dispatch some of the palace guards to check on his Highness if you like. I cannot and will not allow you to go yourself. Remember, he has his own unit of men. For right now, we need to move you to a more secure location."

Alistair was split in half by his conflicting duties. The king in him knew Hugh was right and it would be stupid to go running off. The father in him was screaming that he needed to be at his son's side and protect him from any danger.

When Elandria turned to him and started issuing orders, it was almost like stepping back into the past, and he gave in to the inevitable. "You stay here. I'll take Zev and go get Kellin. I'm sure Torin has kept him safe." Elandria saw Zevran and Wynne standing just outside the guards. "Wynne," she bade. "Stay with Alistair. Zev, your knife, please."

Wynne nodded and said, "Yes, Elandria." She was allowed to slip through the men surrounding the king and was ready to defend Alistair.

Zev flipped her one of his knives. Elandria caught the knife and slit her tight-fitting dress from the floor to mid thigh, hacking off its length in a ragged line around her body. After today's events, she would never have worn the dress again regardless. She kicked off the shoes that had been tormenting her all day. "Zev, you're with me!" she ordered, and she took off at a run for Kellin's rooms.

A.N.: For those that didn't read the first story or just forgot, I wanted to point out that Elandria's magic was subtly changed by having the Archdemon's taint/Old God's soul move through the channels her magic flows through while it was seeking Kellin. She has more control than most over her magic and can do some things with it that other mages can't.

Many thanks to melismo for the beta and to everyone who reads or reviews, especially the lurkers out there who keep up the numbers in the traffic report.