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In the few moments between when Denerim had been completely rebuilt, an outpouring of concern and support from across Ferelden has been flowing in with hopes and prayers that their hero would awaken soon. Day after day, things began to pick up steam. Alistair and Anora already scheduled to begin the next Landsmeet. The topic of rebuilding the nation's military as well as ensuring the security and stability of Ferelden remains one of high priority, given that some hostile nations might seize an opportunity to launch an invasion.
With the Blight and the civil war ended, the border between Ferelden and the Orlesian Empire has been reopened, allowing most of the Orlesian Wardens led by Warden-Commander Alisse Fontaine to arrive in Denerim and begin demanding answers as to of how one of their own brethren managed to slay the Archdemon… and survive. Alistair, confused as to how it was possible and astonished that his friend is in fact still alive, admitted to nothing and instructed them to wait until Aedan was back on his feet.
Word soon spread like wildfire throughout the streets of Denerim, Highever, Redcliffe and South Reach that the Hero of Ferelden remains with them and is expected to make a full recovery. Celebration erupted between the common folk, the surviving nobility and veterans who fought side by side during the Battle of Denerim, most of which included music, dancing, cheering and drinking.
The Hero of Ferelden's companions were the most thrilled to learn their friend still lives. But perhaps none more thrilled than Leliana herself.
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2 days earlier…
Dressed in an elegant red dress with yellow linen, Leliana remained at Aedan's beside changing his bandages and cleaning his wounds. What became more noticeable in her appearance was that her stomach mass showed an increase in swelling, indicating that her pregnancy has only just begun recently. Although she had no recollection of when she fell asleep, but it couldn't be said for sure what came next.
A strand of her red hair was brushed to one side, causing Leliana to stir in her sleep. When she awoke, Leliana found her head to be on Aedan's lap. As she rubbed her eyes to adjust to the light, a strained yet soothing voice soon broke the silence.
"Well, well. It seems fate has been kind enough to bless me with your presence, my lady."
Leliana soon froze, looking upwards as she immediately recognized who that voice belonged to. Aedan Cousland, though bruised and covered in bandages, was looking down at her. As soon as her eyes widened, tears began pouring as she quickly embraced her lover, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulled him forward in a big hug. Aedan winced a bit, but had gotten used to the pain so he could adjust for this moment. When Leliana began sobbing, Aedan raised his good arm to pull her close, patting her back gently to reassure her everything will now be alright.
"Thank the Maker you're alive," Leliana choked. "I thought I'd lost you…"
"For a moment I was almost certain that it would've been the case," Aedan said quietly, his throat still sore, "but I'm here now. It'll take more than a brush with death itself to tear me from you."
The two soon parted as Aedan wiped Leliana's eyes clean. She sniffled lightly before leaning forward to press her lips with his. Both of them have missed this level of closeness, the bond they have. Leliana soon explained to Aedan what transpired while he was indisposed. It took some time to take in. A lot happened, especially since most of Ferelden now had time for themselves after such chaotic times. The Blight, the civil war… it had come close to tearing the kingdom apart if not for the interference of the two surviving Grey Wardens. When Leliana finished, Aedan took his time to explain to her how he managed to survive slaying the Archdemon, how Morrigan managed to save him, perhaps all of them, in the end, and what the dark ritual itself required. Upon finishing his side of the story, he briefly looked away from her out of guilt. Leliana, surprised and unsure of what to say, tried to put the pieces of the puzzle together. She felt sick to her stomach that she had no idea about the dark ritual Morrigan proposed, which required Aedan to sleep with her, especially. It was no wonder why he avoided her that night.
("Maybe it sounds selfish of me, but it was either that and stay with you or perish and you would begin wallowing in despair. Whatever wrongs I've committed, I accept full responsibility for what happens next and ask for your forgiveness even though I don't deserve it. Just please try to understand that I did it for you, Leli. It was always about you.")
But once he explained his reasons for allowing to partake in such corrupt magic, much to his surprise, Leliana accepted his apology and told him she truly understood why he chose to do it. From then on, no more secrets would be hidden. For now, it was time to focus on the future.
Alistair would soon ascend to the throne alongside Anora, while the others waited for Aedan to make a full recovery before granting him a boon. But to him, to Aedan, none of it mattered now. He was here now, with Leliana at his side.
"I suppose we should think what happens next," Aedan begun. "The battle is over, the Blight has ended before it truly begun, and the coronation for Alistair and Queen Anora will soon take place…"
Leliana sighed and kissed his neck, stopping him mid-sentence. "And what else?" she teasingly asked, placing her hand his shoulder. Aedan chuckled in response.
"Yet I don't care about anything other than we all made it out alive in one piece…" he corrected himself, "and that you're here with me. At my side."
"Flatter," Leliana chuckled, as they embraced and kissed again. When they pulled away, Leliana looked into Aedan's blue eyes and rested her forehead on his. "I missed you, my love. I've missed you so."
"And I missed you," Aedan whispered. "More than you could possibly know…"
He starts to give her another kiss, but Leliana stops him. Confused as to why she stopped him, Aedan noticed that Leliana began avoiding eye contact and saw her posture shift as her shoulders shrugged at the slightest touch.
"Are you all right?" he asked, a bit concerned. "You're trembling. Is something the matter?"
"There's…" Leliana begun before stopping herself to gather her wits. "{Sigh.} Maker, I'm not sure I know where to begin explaining."
Aedan cringed at what Leliana's words, and fear anxiously crept into his thoughts. Was there someone else? Did she move on? No… Aedan shook these thoughts from his mind. As long as he's known her, Leliana wouldn't do something like that but the look on her face clearly shows she has a secret to tell him. But what was it? They continued looking at each other for a long moment.
"What is it?" he pressed further. "I've never seen you like this. Tell me."
"Ma chérie," she whispered, hushing him. Leliana returned her eyes to him and placed her hand over his, giving a gentle squeeze before placing it on her stomach. "I… I'm pregnant."
Aedan's eyes went wide open with great surprise and was literally left speechless and motionless. He is stunned at such a confession that was now revealed to him. Normally fertility between Grey Wardens were impossible and conceiving a child with their non-Warden partner was possible yet overall difficult, he understood that, but to learn that the love of his life is pregnant with their first child was… a bombshell. A lot to take in. He thinks through all of the ramifications of this, though this was soon replaced by excitement. He was going to be a father.
"T-That's…" he stumbled across his sentences, figuring out the right words to put together. "How… how long are you?"
"Almost two weeks," Leliana added.
"Wow," he said. "I-I honestly don't know what to say, I mean… That's wonderful."
Leliana looked at him in surprise. "Then… you're not mad?"
"What?" Aedan asked rather astonished. "No, of course not, Leliana! Why would I be? I expected something different when you said you had something to tell me, but this? I never thought this would actually happen, given the taint in my blood. Yet here we are. Soon-to-be parents, baby on the way… I like the idea, if you think you can put up with me."
Leliana rolled her eyes at him and laughed, eventually smacking his torso as it earned him to mutter a quiet "ouch".
"Then I consider myself happy," Leliana sighed lovingly. "It's a miracle. It truly is."
Aedan held her close as hours passed them by. By the time it was dark outside and everyone was beginning to fall asleep, the Warden remained awake. Planning on what was now to be the next chapter in his life.
'I won't lose another family to the chaos the world throws at us,' he thought to himself. 'My parents, my sister-in-law, my nephew… all of them taken from me. I have no intention to lose this one, as well. I promise you: I will protect them both. Leliana… and our unborn child. I will protect them to the very end, if I must.'
With weariness weighing down on him, Aedan fell asleep, confident on what is to come.
A/N: Leliana tells Aedan her secret and while he seemed surprised at first, he gladly welcomes the news with open arms! It's taken me all day to write this chapter: editing, rewording, etc. Keep up the support and let me know how to better improve the story.
Translation(s): "Ma chérie." = "My sweetheart."