Colette paced back and forth across her room. It had been three years since Rowan's death, and one year since she had spirited Alistair away from the castle. She corresponded with Eamon regularly to make sure that the boy was taken care of. She loved Alistair as much as she loved Cailan. As she paced, she realized that she was tired of waiting. It was time for her to take action and ask Maric once and for all if he wanted her. If he did not, she would leave. As difficult as it would be to leave young Cailan, she would go and never speak to Maric again.

Without waiting, she strode out of her estate, not even realizing that all she wore was a shift and a robe. The wind whipped at her hair as she marched on the castle. The guards nodded to her. It was not uncommon for her to be summoned at such a late hour, as she was one of Maric's most trusted advisors. She stormed up the stairs to his chambers where the guards, once again, let her in without hesitation. They did not seem to care if she awakened their king at such a late hour.

Of course, Maric was still awake. He stood over a table, studying some ancient novel that he had taken a liking to, his shirt strewn over the back of a chair. She gave a sharp intake of breath at the sight of his muscled body. He had not let himself go in the years since she had last seen him in such a state. He ran a hand through his golden hair as he read. He hadn't seemed to hear her entrance.

"Maric." she said simply. He turned in surprise and they stared at each other. Over the last few months he had allowed himself to grow a short, neatly kept beard that suited his kingly features quite well. She wondered why he had never grown one before. His brown eyes were focused intently on her, and she felt a rush of warmth in her body. He was going to make her lose her damn will to say what she had to say.

"Colette, I wasn't expecting you." he remarked quietly. He looked her up and down, and for the first time she realized that she wore nothing but a shift and a skimpy robe. Her cheeks reddened. She took a deep breath and steeled herself.

"Yes, well. I decided that I would wait for you no longer. As much as I hate ultimatums, you force me to give one to you. Either take me as I am now, or I will go, and you will never hear from me agai-" she began before he moved across the room so quickly that she didn't even see him. His lips fervently crushed against hers, and she immediately lost herself in his embrace as she had so many years ago. It was as if nothing had changed between them. Unlike the last time they had made love, however, there was no sadness in this, only ferocious passion. He ripped her shift in his eagerness to remove it, and she was no kinder to his pants. Every kiss, every touch conveyed their years of suppressed passion for one another. When they finished they lay next to each other, panting heavily after the passionate exertion.

"Does that answer your question?" Maric panted, kissing her temple. She snickered.

"I suppose it is as good an answer as any." she admitted. He stared into her eyes, and she knew she could get lost in his gaze and would be perfectly happy about it. She reached out and gave his short beard a tug. "I like this." she murmured.

"Marry me." he replied. She gaped at him.

"What was that?" she asked, a slow smile spreading across her face. He rubbed his beard againt her cheek, tickling her.

"You heard what I said. Marry me, Colette. I want the chance to marry out of love, not duty. I never stopped loving you, my heart. So marry me." he repeated. She nodded slowly.

"I will. Of course I will, Maric." she agreed. He kissed her again.

"It may take some time. The Chantry is very slow moving when it comes to re-marrying. But we will do it. It will be a grand wedding, the kind Ferelden will talk about for ages!" he exclaimed. She beamed at his excitement.

"I do not need a grand wedding, Maric. I just need you." she reminded him. He kissed her again.

"You may not need it, but you deserve it. And I want all of the world to know that you are my queen." he added. She smiled widely.

"As you wish, my King." she murmured.