She rode into Denerim with her hood securely fastened to cover her face. She knew that Maric was not at the palace, but that did not mean his spies were also absent. She smiled softly to herself. It had been her suggestion that he employ spies to get a better feel of the palace for him. Her smile faded as she realized that suggestion had been made not long before Cailan was born. It was the last time she had seen Maric.

Just after he married Rowan, Maric had given Colette a place in the royal court. That meant that they saw each other on a fairly regular basis. She chuckled to herself. Even though it was agonizing to be near him and not be able to kiss him, for the first few years, she never missed a meeting or a summons. They still loved each other fiercely, and seeing each other was enough to fill their hearts with joy while simultaneously breaking them. When Rowan had given birth to Maric's son, it had been too much to bear. She hadn't returned to Denerim in two years, and even going back without Maric there was difficult. She handed the reins of her horse over to one of the stablemen.

"My lady." he said, bowing away as she strode in. He was one of her own spies. Just because she couldn't bring herself to return to the palace didn't mean she was willing to leave Maric and his family unwatched. She strode down the halls, stopping when she saw a pair of guards outside a door. One of them nodded to her and disappeared within the room for a few moments before opening it again and ushering her inside. He closed the door behind her, leaving her alone in the room with the person who had invited her. Rowan sat on a chair with her back turned to the door. Colette heard the laughter of a child, and knew that Cailan was in the room as well.

"I did not think you would come." Rowan called. Colette raised an eyebrow as she lowered her hood and walked over to face the woman. There was a strangeness to her voice that she couldn't place.

"I have to admit, I was intrigued by the summons. I got the feeling that you didn't like me very much." she said. Rowan's skin was pale, and she looked like she hadn't been sleeping much. She smiled down at her child, a chubby, golden-haired copy of Maric. Colette felt a rush of fondness toward the baby. He was happily playing with blocks on the floor, unaware that she had even entered.

"I never disliked you, exactly. I was certainly a bit jealous of you, but I think that is a fair response, wouldn't you say?" she asked. Colette frowned.

"I don't know that it is fair, seeing as you were the one who got him in the end." she pointed out. Rowan laughed heartily.

"I never got him, Colette, and you know it. He still loves you. He loves me too, but it will never be what the two of you have. Sometimes I wish I could have just let him go, let him be with you." she said wistfully. Colette followed her gaze out the window, and knew the Queen looked toward Gwaren.

"Duty is the heaviest thing any of us have to carry, my queen." Colette murmured in agreement. Rowan smiled at her.

"You are correct in that." she said.

"I get the feeling that you did not call me here to discuss duty." she questioned. Rowan sighed.

"On the contrary, that is exactly what I called you here to discuss." the queen admitted. Colette raised a dark eyebrow.

"Oh?" she asked. Rowan nodded and straightened.

"I am dying, Colette." she declared simply. Colette glanced at Cailan, who still played on the floor, ignoring everything that happened around him.

"What do you mean? Why are you telling me...Maric does not know." she concluded. Rowan gave a sad smile and nodded.

"I have had numerous healers visit me over the last month, and none have been able to help. I am wasting away, Colette, and there is nothing anyone can do." she admitted.

"What does this have to do with me, exactly?" she asked. Rowan smiled again.

"I want you to return to your estate in Denerim. Come be part of the court again." she explained, still skirting the issue.

"Why?" Colette asked, not enjoying the woman's dance.

"When I die, Maric will need you. I am not saying that you should throw yourself into his bed, but he will need your support to get through it. Maric carries the weight of everything upon his shoulders, even when the fault is not his. I know that my death will be no different. And even if he did manage to handle the pressure, Cailan needs a mother." she finally said.

"Why me? Why not Loghain?" she probed. Rowan's eyes were sad as she thought of the Teyrn.

"When we married, Loghain became distant from us both. It was too difficult for him to see us wed. He did not handle the necessity of the wedding as well as you did. Even though he now has a wife and child of his own, I know that he still loves me, and it is difficult for him to be around us. Honestly I think I am the only thing holding his and Maric's friendship together, and I do not know if he will be willing to help. You, however, have not let go. You still love him, and I know you want to help him." she reminded her. Colette sat down, hard, and stared at the child in the room. He was so innocent, so much like his father. She couldn't help but love him. Rowan reached over and squeezed her hand gently. "Please, Colette. I am asking as a mother, and a friend. Be here for my husband. Be a mother to my son. Let them both know how loved they are." she requested. Colette looked at young Cailan again, and nodded.

"I will do what must be done. I must admit, duty is not my main motivation." she revealed. Rowan grinned at her and nodded.

"I know. I think this works out best for everyone, to be honest." she joked. Colette chuckled.

"I will search for a cure for you, in the meantime, Rowan." she promised. Rowan smiled sadly.

"Thank you." she said. Colette returned to her Denerim estate with a heavy heart. She may end up with the man she loved, but at what cost?