A/N:What's up, guys? Sorry for the two-month long hiatus. I've not gotten to updating the story since I've had to deal with school work (including final exams) and now as of late my computer has started crashing at random – and therefore erasing everything I've saved. I promise I'll get back to posting more chapters as I can so please be patient and bear with me for a moment.

(That includes you as well, movienut96, since you've asked me to commission this storyline)

Be sure to leave a review and let me know what you think of the story so far. Also if you have any ideas you'd like me to incorporate, send me a message in my inbox and I'll see what I can do.

15 Harring, 9:31 Dragon

With the first three months passing by, things at the Chancellor's estate appear to have been more lively than ever since the birth of the Hero of Ferelden's son Adrian. Maids and nannies were called in to nurse the young lord whenever his parents were away – though rumor has spread that the toddler entertains himself by being troublesome. He cries around the clock whenever he's unhappy, fusses with his nannies when he doesn't want to wear or eat something he detests, and appears uncooperative to strangers he doesn't know. But whenever his parents are home, young Adrian resumes the role of being the happiest baby boy. Not that many are complaining, however, taking care of a baby after the Blight hit Ferelden hard has not always been as easy as it seems.

Leliana, on the other hand, has adjusted to being a mother in stride. As she quietly hums to herself as she walks down the hall, she stops short as she hears the giggling of her son as her brother-in-law Fergus often visits to play with his nephew, making plenty of goofy faces towards him to keep the child entertained. She doesn't intrude on this bonding session, as she continues to observe.

"Who's a big boy?" Fergus asked in a playful tone as Adrian stared blankly at him. "That's right! You are! Yes, you are!" With that, Fergus slowly tickled the boy, causing Adrian to erupt in laughter.

Leliana's heart melted whenever her son was happy. Just three months old and Adrian already he has people wrapped around his finger. As she looked out the window, Leliana noticed the change in the sun's position.

"Brother Fergus?" she called out to him. "It's almost time for Adrian's nap."

Fergus paid no mind and continued to play with Adrian.

"Fergus?" Leliana called once more.

Again, no response.

"Fergus!" Leliana shouted, finally feeling her patience wearing thin at not getting a response from the Teyrn of Highever. That seemed enough to get Fergus's attention as he stopped his activities and looked back at the Orlesian bard.

Regaining her composure, Leliana made her way into the room to pick up Adrian, gently cradling and holding him close by.

"I know this means much to you, and I appreciate it, but if he isn't put down for his nap then I'm afraid he will keep us up at night again."

"It's only natural that a babe keeps his mother and father awake at night, Leliana," Fergus replied. "After all, at his age, it's the only way he knows how to communicate whenever he wants something."

"That much I figured out already," Leliana sighed in exhaustion. Indeed, there have been moments where she and Aedan did not get much of a good night's sleep since their son was born. At times Adrian would wake his parents when he started crying whether it involved hunger, changing, the desire for attention or wanting comfort after having a bad dream.

Fergus took note of this. "He can't help it. It's only natural. That's how Oriana and I handled Oren when he was…" he suddenly stopped mid-sentence and looked down sadly. The memories of losing his wife and son during the Highever massacre continued to trouble him, and it didn't take long for Leliana to understand the emotional expression on his face.

"I'm sorry, Brother Fergus," she consoled him.

"No," he said calmly, "it's alright. I'll find some way to cope. But come, it's getting late. I should let you tuck in Adrian, and I should return to Highever soon. Perhaps we could arrange another visit?"

"I'm sure Adrian would like that," Leliana smiled.

"Then I suppose it's settled. Take care of yourself, sister," Fergus said as he bowed his head slightly and made his way out the door.

Leliana returned the courtesy and as the doors closed, she looked down at her son.

"Well," Leliana cooed at the infant, "it's time for you to take a nap, my little one." Adrian looked at his mother innocently as she leaned down to blow air on his bare stomach, making the youngster once again break out in a fit of giggling.

As nightfall began setting in, Leliana gently laid her son Adrian into his crib – taking in the innocence of her small creation. The little boy looked up at his mother, patting the hand placed on him as the bedsheets were pulled up to him.

Never breaking her glance from her child, Leliana opened her mouth to speak – and begins to sing:

"Aneth ara, Lethallin.

Mi da'vehn sulahn melana.

Vir ar melana.

Dareth se era'en.

Vir ar melana.

Dareth se era'en.

Aneth ara, Lethallin.

Mi da'vehn sulahn melana.

Vir ar melana.

Dareth se era'en.

Vir ar melana.

Dareth se era'en Lethallin.

Mi da'vehn sulahn melana.

Vir ar melana.

Dareth se era'en.

Vir ar melana.

Dareth se era'en.

Vir ar melan.

Dareth se.

Aneth ara, Lethallin."

As Leliana was in the middle of singing a lullaby, Adrian's eyes began to slowly close as he released the grip on his mother's finger until finally he fell asleep. When she finished her song, Leliana leaned down and gently pressed her lips on the child's forehead and hugged her child. Before exiting the room, she tossed a backwards glance.

"Goodnight, my sunshine," Leliana whispered as she slowly closed the door.

##########

Meanwhile, somewhere in the southern Bannorn

"How soon can you do it?" a mysterious voice asked.

"As soon as possible."

"It had better be. If word were to get out of my master's plan…"

"It won't, sire. My men and I will make short work of the Warden."

"Don't underestimate him. He is more skilled in battle than you think."

"Then we'll have to… improvise."

A/N: What does this strange diabolical figure have in store for the Hero of Ferelden, and does it have something to do with a family he strives to protect? Find out next time!

Elven translation from "A Rogue Heart" (?):

"Aneth ara, Lethallin." = "Greetings, my friend."

"Mi da'vehn sulahn melana." = "The blade of the People sings through time."

"Vir ar malena." = "Time is my path."

"Dareth se era'en." = "Be safe in your dreams."