A/N: I sincerely apologize for not posting more chapters lately. I accidently spilled my cherry Coca-Cola all over my laptop so I had to get it fixed along with other "minor distractions". It's been quite a frustrating (if not aggravating) moment for me and I hope you guys try to understand that.

With that out of the way, let's say we go on with the show! Be sure to leave a review and let me know what you think of the story so far.

5 August 9:31 Dragon

The sun began rising on the world and shone its ray of light on Denerim's residents, for today marked the beginning of a new day. For some it was the same business as usual, but for the rest? It has been more hectic than most would have preferred. In the northeastern region laid the arling of Amaranthine, once the land of Arl Rendon Howe, now the new headquarters of the Fereldan Grey Wardens. Reports have been delivered to the palace that the darkspawn incursion was posing a threat to the arling's denizens, and have requested Ferelden's new Warden-Commander to assist.

Elsewhere, near the border between Ferelden and Orlais, a small carriage was making its way into the countryside en route to the southern Bannorn. Inside was Leliana, who had just recently finished her visit with Dorothea and had an appointment with Grand Cleric Elemena. No more than twenty-five years of age, Leliana's beauty had remained unchanged as with her wit. However, she found herself becoming more tired as of recently. Since the announcement of her pregnancy, Leliana had taken necessary precautions against possible enemies seeking to do her and her unborn child harm. She was good at it, and those who tried were quickly subdued despite her condition.

As she observed the farmlands passing by, Leliana redirected her attention to a letter she was writing to send to Amaranthine. Her husband, Aedan Cousland, had returned from a long journey to the Anderfels and informed her of Weisshaupt's decision to appoint him as the new Warden-Commander of Ferelden with the task of rebuilding the order from the fortress of Vigil's Keep. In addition to his assignment, Aedan found himself ruling over the arling of Amaranthine as its new Arl. At first, Leliana was amused but Aedan took time to explain to her that it was mostly political at the behest of the First Warden, that by having a Warden ruling over a domain creates an interesting precedent that puts the order in an advantage position: no matter what, the Grey Wardens will still be needed, Blight or not. Despite Aedan not returning home as often as he used to before his ascension as Commander of the Grey, Leliana remained supportive and understanding but at times yearn for her husband to be at home in time for the baby to be born. Regardless, she promised to stay strong and displayed a great deal of patience.

"Dearest," she wrote.

"I hope you are well. Alas, I am unable to come to the keep as I promised. I am so sorry, but the Grand Cleric herself wishes to speak with me. I will tell you all about it once I have had my audience.

Is it true the darkspawn have not retreated? No matter, I'm sure you have it under control. Wish I could be there, killing darkspawn beside you. Perhaps you could same some for me?"

Leliana found herself smiling at that statement and chuckled. She shook her head and resumed writing.

"(All right, that was a joke. Do not spare them. That would be silly.)

You are always in my thoughts.

Love,
Leliana

P.S., Maybe you could consider growing some roses around your keep? That would make it so much prettier, don't you think?

P.P.S., I do hope you'll be home soon. The healers tell me I'm due to deliver sometime next month. Our child's been kicking me more frequently now, so I suppose that means they're dying to meet us sooner rather than later."

After proofreading and going over her letter again and again, Leliana gently folded the letter and attached it to the leg of a messenger bird before setting it free to deliver it to its destination.

'Maker, please be alright,' she prayed. Leliana was a devout woman of good faith, yet it still doesn't stop her from feeling worried for her husband's safety. However these moments were stopped in its tracks when Leliana felt her baby kicking again. Whatever concerns Leliana had previously were washed away as she smiled lovingly at the life growing inside her.

"Now, now, little one," she giggled. "Please take it easy on Momma, okay? I bruise easily. Maker, I think you kick as hard as Papa does."

##########

The meeting with the Grand Cleric took over two hours, much shorter than Leliana expected. Though some would suggest that Elemena's sense of hearing was gradually get worse as time passes by, some Chantry clerics thought it would be best to schedule another meeting for a different time.

Leliana's carriage arrived at Highever, where her brother-in-law Teyrn Fergus Cousland offered her a room to stay in until she can make the journey to Denerim the following morning. She tried to get some rest, but found herself unable to find a more comfortable position to sleep in. Her feet felt swollen, her back was hurting and she felt the baby itself moving about. She muttered in her Orlesian tongue for all the discomfort to cease, to no avail. "One more month," she would occasionally say to herself and all would return to the way it was before.

Wynne would sometimes stop by from her traveling and make a surprise visit to see Leliana. The two would gossip from time to time, exchanging stories and Wynne would sometimes use this occasion to medically examine Leliana and the baby to ensure their well-being. Understandably, of course. Leliana knows Wynne has gone through childbirth before, but the difference was that any child born to a Circle mage was taken from the parent and given to the Chantry. Despite these memories, Wynne eases Leliana's concerns about the birthing process, and found it kind of amusing when Leliana was shuddering when she asked if the procedure itself was painful. Regardless, she felt much better when the elder mage told her that she will be there when Leliana goes into labor.

One of the elven servants soon entered the room with what seemed to be a parchment in hand, catching Leliana's attention.

"A message for you, my lady," she bowed and exited the room.

The bard looked at the message, noticing the griffin sigil attached and immediately knew who it was from. She opened up the envelope and rolled open the parchment to read it.

"My fairest maiden," it said.

"It is good to hear from you again, though I personally wish it was in person. There is no need to apologize to me. I heard how your visit with Dorothea was and I entrusted that you've been taking care of yourself. Still, it doesn't hurt to take it easy once in a while, don't you think?

As you can probably imagine, most of the lords and ladies of Amaranthine have been keeping me busy at court so I normally wouldn't have enough time to respond to numerous messages or anything else. There's only so much I can do at the moment, but just be glad that you are not present here at Vigil's Keep. From what Seneschal Varel informed me, some of the nobles have conspired against us. Despite their oaths of fealty, rumors abound that they are plotting to betray me. No doubt those foolish enough to even think of committing such treason were loyal vassals of that wretch Rendon Howe. Doesn't matter. They'll be dealt with soon enough, just like the mindless darkspawn.

Regardless, please try not to worry about me so. I'll be fine. It's nothing I can't handle. (Although I suppose it can't be helped, no?) In the meantime, please accept these gifts from me. I've heard they're quite the latest fashion. Or so I was told.

I will promise you this however: once this conflict has been brought to an end, I will be looking forward to coming home and seeing you once more. Words cannot even express how much I miss you and ache to hold you.

I love you, my dearest Leli. Always have and always will.

Forever yours,
Warden-Commander Aedan Cousland

P.S., Yes, the healers have already informed me of your possible due date so I will try to make it back as soon as possible. And no, there will be no roses planted around the keep. At least not until the darkspawn are gone. Such beauty must always be allowed to flourish when there is peace and serenity in the land, yes?"

Leliana smiled at the letter and wiped away the tears forming in her eyes. To hear that he misses her and thinks of her and their child was more than enough to set her mind at ease. But what of the gifts mentioned in the note? She looked up and noticed that hanging on the doorknob is a fine silk Orlesian dress with purple horizontal lines on the sleeves, a lavender top with golden embroidery along with a red skirt. Attached to the dress is a bouquet of Andraste's Grace. She choked back a sob as she felt her baby kick again.

The scenery was just about perfect for her. A sweet, attentive husband… and a child of their own along the way. To Leliana, it seemed like she was destined to have a perfect family.

'If this is a dream,' she thought, 'please don't wake me up.'

##########

Several weeks later

It was a quiet day for Amaranthine. The darkspawn threat had been quelled, with the City of Amaranthine and Vigil's Keep still standing despite suffering extensive damage during the siege. The citizens are overjoyed, with large sums of gold being donated from other nations to help rebuild areas devastated in the grueling days following the darkspawn defeat. Engineers have estimated that Amaranthine will be rebuilt in a year and Vigil's Keep in five.

Warden-Commander Cousland soon prepared to make his leave to return to Denerim after paying his respects to the many soldiers who perished during the fighting. He couldn't wait to go home to be with his wife, though he somehow suspected that a brief period of relaxation would soon be cut short. His suspicions proved to be correct as a dwarf entered his chambers.

"Atrast vala, Warden-Commander," he greeted. "I'm sorry to intrude, but I bring word from Orzammar. They're asking for your help once more."

Aedan furrowed his brow but maintained a calm and composed nature.

"I see. And who was it that sent you here to me? Was it King Harrowmont?"

The dwarf shook his head. "I'm just a messenger. I don't ask who sent me or not." He soon handed the Warden the message and took his leave before the Hero of Ferelden could even say anything.

Ignoring this, Aedan looked at the letter.

"They called it Amgarrak—victory—out of arrogance, or optimism. They hoped to earn a victory for the dwarven people by recreating Caridin's research. But the thaig was abandoned, the researchers lost. The Deep Roads swallowed Amgarrak and the dream of reclaiming our former glory.

While the darkspawn ravaged the surface, we sent an expedition to uncover the thaig. My brother was with them. They never returned.

I write to you, Warden, because you have accomplished things others have declared impossible. Help me find my brother, and bring him home. This is a matter of great sensitivity, and I can trust no one but you.

Ever your humble servant,
Jerrik Dace."

As he finished reading, Aedan shook his head in annoyance and sighed in exasperation.

"There's always something more, isn't there?" Gathering the last of his gear, Aedan sent a messenger to Denerim to tell his wife that he's been delayed at the last minute. No doubt Leliana was not going to be happy, but hopefully her mood swings won't overcome her.

'Just hold on for me, Leli. I'll try and make this quick.'

Translation(s): "Atrast vala" = A formal greeting, literally "speak" or "find your tongue".