Chapter 2

As Alistair strode away, the four friends looked at each other. "I am not going to be the one to explain to Elissa that he died while trying to reach her," Leliana said.
"Si, I think I'd rather face the Archdemon."
They each nodded in agreement and caught up with Alistair. He turned at the sound of their footsteps. "You all need to help defend the gates in case there's another wave of darkspawn."
"I think Elissa would rather we defend you, no?" Leliana said cheerfully.

They made quick time, taking side roads and avoiding the bulk of the fighting. At the entrance to Fort Drakon, they were shocked by the number of darkspawn corpses strewn around. "Looks like they've had quite the fight on their hands."
Seeing the pained expression on Alistair's face, Leliana patted his arm. "Don't beat yourself up, Alistair. You've done your fair share of fighting while defending your people."
He managed a smile, but said, "I'd rather have been defending her. Come on, let's get moving."

There were only a few stragglers to deal with as they made their way through the fort. They'd just reached the top floor when a shockwave knocked them all to the ground. Groaning, everyone picked themselves up. "Merda, what was that?" Zevran asked.
Alistair's face was white with fear. "I... I think that was the backlash from the death of the Archdemon." He staggered and his hand clutched at a table as his legs shook. "I'm too late."
Zevran put out a steadying hand. "No, no, my friend. She may yet live."

The glimmer of hope in Alistair's eyes was almost too painful to see, but it was better than the lost, defeated look that had been there a moment earlier. He pulled in a deep breath and walked towards the double doors that led on to the roof.

He saw Eamon climbing to his feet, looking like he'd been chewed up and spat out. The Arl managed to raise a hand in greeting. A few yards away, Wynne was being helped up by Sten. The apprehension inside Alistair blossomed into a full-blown panic when he couldn't see Elissa. He ran out onto the roof, checking bodies as he went by. It was Wynne who shouted to him and pointed him in the right direction.

He ran, scanning the area, then he saw her body on the ground; one leg seemed to be twisted at an unnatural angle, and blood trickled from numerous wounds. He dropped to his knees by her side and his hand trembled as he pulled off his glove and tried to find a pulse in her throat. "Oh Maker, please, don't be dead. I can't..."

His breath hitched as he felt a flutter beneath the pads of his fingers. He waited a moment just to make sure he hadn't imagined it, then he turned and shouted for Wynne. The mage staggered over to him, supported by Leliana and Zevran. "All right, young man. There's no need for you to shout. I may be getting on, but I'm not deaf."

She looked down at Elissa. "Maker, she did take quite the battering. That shockwave took us all by surprise." Alistair held Elissa's hand while Wynne healed the worst of the wounds. The mage finally sat back on her heels and wiped a hand across her brow. "That's the best I can do for the moment. Let's get her somewhere safe where she can rest."

Alistair carefully picked her up, and as they started back towards the doors, Sten joined them, a body slung over his shoulder.
Alistair glimpsed black hair. "Loghain?"
"Yes. He is dead."
Wynne pushed back a loose strand of hair as she said, "He made the sacrifice willingly."
Alistair glanced at her. "I suppose that means I should declare him a hero?"
But Wynne shook her head. "No, Loghain's final act should not detract from all that you and Elissa did. You both worked tirelessly to bring Ferelden together, so the accolade of hero belongs to you two."

Alistair's mind went back to the time at Flemeth's hut when the betrayal had still been fresh in their minds. It had been Elissa who had got them back on track, it was her determination and courage that got them the allies they needed. She had led them, he had just followed. "No, she is the hero, not I."
Wynne sighed. "You are too hard on yourself, Alistair."

They returned to the palace, and while the others were shown to their rooms for some much-needed rest, Alistair carried Elissa to his own chambers. He laid her carefully on the sofa and started removing her armour, then washed away the dirt and bloodstains. He dressed her in one of his shirts and placed her in the large bed.

Just as he was pulling the covers over her, Wynne entered. "Ah, she looks much better now that all the blood and grime has been cleaned away." She smiled at Alistair. "Now, if you could muster up some elfroot tea and a vial or two of lyrium, I can finish healing her."
He glanced at Elissa, and Wynne chuckled. "Don't worry, she'll still be here when you get back."

With a smile, he left the room and was met by a messenger. "Your Majesty, I'm to inform you that Arl Eamon, Bann Teagan, and First Enchanter Irving recently arrived and are in the drawing room." "Oh, thank you. Could you have someone make a pot of elfroot tea and bring it to my chambers? Also, do you know if we have any vials of lyrium?"
The young man bowed. "Not to my knowledge, Your Majesty, but perhaps the First Enchanter can help with that? Also, I was asked to find out what you wanted to be done with Loghain's body?"
Alistair scrubbed a hand through his hair. "Prepare him for a journey to Weisshaupt Fortress. It's tradition for the slayer of the Archdemon to be laid to rest there."

With a bow, the messenger left to carry out his tasks, while Alistair went to the drawing room. He stayed only long enough to retrieve a few vials of lyrium and make sure everyone was well, then he returned to Wynne. While she was healing Elissa, he went to have a wash and change out of his armour. He tucked the cotton shirt into his trousers and returned to his room.

When Wynne had finished with the healing, she retired to her own bedchamber. Alistair pulled his chair close to the bed and took hold of Elissa's hand, wishing she would regain consciousness. At some point, he dozed off. An increase of pressure around his hand woke him. He opened his eyes, and by the flicker of a nearby candle, saw that Elissa was drowsily watching him, a smile on her lips.

He was out of the chair in an instant and pulled her into his arms. He heard the swift intake of breath, then her hand patted his back. "I'm still a bit sore. Could you maybe loosen those strong arms of yours a little?"
He did so with a chuckle, but she felt a tremor run through his body.
"I'm all right, Alistair," she said softly.
His face was pressed into the curve of her throat and shoulder, then she felt wet drops hit her skin and realised he was crying. She tightened her arms around him, and the tears she'd held back since the Landsmeet now fell.
He pulled back to look at her. "Maker, I thought I was never going to see you again. I'm so sorry for everything," he whispered brokenly.

She ran a hand gently down his cheek, wiping away the tears. "I shouldn't have just dumped that on you. I honestly thought he would fight to the death, but when he surrendered, it seemed like we could put him to use. But I should have spoken to you in private."
He shook his head. "There was no time, and I shouldn't have lost my temper." He looked away for a moment. "You were right about Duncan. He would have been angry with the way I acted." His golden-brown eyes were filled with sadness when he looked at her. "Can you ever forgive me?"

Elissa wrapped her arms around his neck. "I already have. Funny how being on the verge of death can put things into perspective."
He chuckled, then captured her lips in a passionate kiss. When it ended, he smiled, then sat up abruptly looking sheepish. "I was meant to get you some food when you awoke. Wynne's going to kill me."
Elissa laughed. "I'm fine, and you're exhausted. When was the last time you actually slept?"
"Well, I was sleeping when you woke up."
She ran a thumb along the shadows beneath his eyes. "Alistair..." She patted the other side of the bed.
"Well, I guess I haven't been sleeping too well. But there's something I need to do first." He stood up and walked over to a chest of drawers. For a moment, he stared at the small wooden box. His thumb ran over the delicate carving of two joined hearts, then with a deep breath, he picked up the box and returned to the bed.

"I've been wanting to ask this for a while, but there never seemed a good time, until now." He cleared his throat nervously, and a drop of sweat rolled down his temple. "Elissa Cousland, will you marry me?"
He removed the lid from the box and revealed the ring nestled in dark blue silk that matched the colour of her eyes. The ring was almost a reflection of the carving on the box, except that a pair of small griffon wings lay behind the hearts.
When he heard a watery sniffle, he glanced up quickly. "Oh Maker, I knew this was too soon. I'm sorry-"
His words were cut short by the pressure of her soft lips on his. "Yes, Alistair. With all my heart, yes."
A joyful smile lit up his face and with trembling hands, he slid the ring onto her finger, then bent and pressed a kiss to it. He framed her face with tender hands, "I love you, Elissa."
"And, I love you, Alistair."
His arms wrapped around her and their lips joined in a loving kiss. She pulled him down to the mattress and curled up against him. His hand held hers and they whispered words of love until sleep claimed them.

A week later, Alistair was crowned King and formally presented his betrothed to the people of Ferelden. A cacophony of cheers lifted the roof, but none were louder than their friends and companions. Six months later, they were married amidst much pomp and circumstance, but they barely noticed their grand surroundings as they only had eyes for each other.