Lainey

It had been nearly a month since Lainey had left Skyhold. Travelling for seventeen days to reach Denerim had been an interest time, the small stolen glances here and there between her and Alistair, the secret kisses they shared when they had a moment alone. They had spent the time talking, sharing more of their stories, enjoying their continued time together. Lainey felt her relationship with Alistair steadily growing from a simple friendship to more intimate as the days went by.

Now, after spending two weeks in Denerim planning the celebrations, the day of Alistair's thirtieth birthday had finally arrived.

"Those go there, that needs to go on this table here, and that-" Lainey ran throughout the grand hall of the palace, where Alistair had defeated and executed Loghain, then was later crowned King of Ferelden. She was trying to make sure that everything was perfect for the man she was falling in love with and when she turned to look at the tables that were being set up for food and refreshments, Alistair came around the corner and Lainey hurried over to push him back into the hall. "Alistair it's not ready yet!"

Alistair chuckled. "I wanted to see you while I had a moment."

Lainey blushed and smiled, looking at him. "I still have much to do, Alistair, as you do." She reached up and touched his cheek. "You will see me tonight. If it'll help convince you, I'll save you a dance."

"Oh, the Pixie is willing to save me a dance?"

Lainey giggled. "Of course, anything for the King of Ferelden."

Alistair blushed a bit and touched her hand. "Very well, Lainey. I'll leave you to finish the preparations." He smiled. "See you tonight?"

Lainey nodded, her cheeks blushing. "See you tonight."

Alistair

The music played and the guests danced together, celebrating the King's birthday. It was magnificent. Alistair sat in his throne, his uncles both at his side, waiting patiently as he was greeted by his guests and accepted their birthday wishes.

He scanned the room, trying to find Lainey as he wondered where she was and what she'd be wearing. He himself was wearing a royal blue vest over a beige tunic, dark brown trousers, and dark brown leather boots- just as he had when he first visited Skyhold- but this time his crown was placed upon his head as a formality. He did not see her and turned his attention back to his guests as the next person came to greet him.

"Introducing Lady Elaina Allread of Sunbrook."

The room grew silent as everyone turned to see who was approaching them and Alistair couldn't help but stand with a huge smile upon his face.

Lainey smiled at the man announcing guests and made her way towards the throne, bowing her head to the other guests.

Alistair stared at her as she seemingly glided towards him. She was breathtakingly beautiful in an ice blue gown with turquoise accents that reached just above the floors, her dainty feet peeking out from under the hem adorned in turquoise heels. When she reached him, she bowed, her curled hair bouncing about her shoulders, the feather earrings she wore revealed in a few movements of her hair.

"Hello, Your Majesty. I hope your birthday has been going well?" She said, greeting him with a sweet smile.

Alistair blushed and returned her smile in kind. "It has indeed. You look beautiful tonight, Lady Allread. You have indeed outdone yourself with tonight's festivities."

"I am so pleased that you approve, sire." Lainey replied, blushing.

Alistair offered her a hand. "May I share a dance, my lady?"

Lainey smiled and took his hand. "It'd be my pleasure, sire."

Alistair smiled and led her to the dance floor, pulling her in close when the music began to pick up. They danced through the rest of the song, then moved into the next one.

"So, Alistair, how does it feel to be thirty?" Lainey asked, giggling.

"Maker's breath, must you make me feel old?" Alistair replied, laughing. "I don't feel any different than last year, if that's what you mean."

"Not different at all?"

Alistair looked at her and smiled. "Well, different since I met you."

Lainey blushed and looked down for a moment. "Alistair, I-"

Alistair chuckled and gently lifted her chin. "You've changed my world so much in the short time I've known you."

Lainey smiled. "And you've changed mine."

"Lainey, will you-"

"Your Majesty!"

Alistair and Lainey looked up as a woman came waltzing up. Alistair groaned when he saw that it was Anora, the former Queen of Ferelden and widow of his half-brother Cailan.

"What do you want, Anora?"

Anora scoffed at him. "That is 'Lady Anora' to you, sire."

Lainey scoffed at her tone. "Please, I see no lady here. Just a washed up, tacky old witch who never knows when to shut up."

Alistair looked down at her, impressed and surprised. He looked back to Anora and had to stop himself from grinning too much at the sight of her shocked face.

"I will have you know, wench, that I am the daughter of Teyrn Loghain and I-"

"Really? That is your defence?" Lainey asked, crossing her arms. "Hiding behind your father's title like a frightened little girl? Your father, who betrayed the country when he let Cailan- the man you supposedly loved and the fucking King of Ferelden- die in battle along with the rest of the Grey Wardens at Ostagar? Your father, who nearly ruined this country when he tried to seize control for himself and threatened any who opposed him- even the king's own flesh and blood?"

Alistair couldn't believe it. Anora was speechless.

Lainey took a step forward and looked Anora straight in the eye. "Oh, and before you even think to call me 'wench' again, let me throw my own title in your face so that you remember that I am the daughter of Teyrn Martin and Teyrna Lucile Allread of Sunbrook and cousin to the Inquisitor, Edmund Trevelyan. I am of noble blood, just as you are, but my family has not done anything to turn its country against them. They have done nothing but support the country, support the Inquisition, and oh yes, my cousin saved the fucking world from becoming enslaved and destroyed by demons and abominations. And what did you do? Hide in your decrepit tower alone without a saving grace to your name."

The room had grown silent for a moment and everyone watched as Lainey embarrassed Anora and set her in her place. Alistair stared at Lainey, surprised that she had that in her at all. Then he saw Lainey do something he never expected: she smiled ever so sweetly and batted her eyes at the former queen while asking her in mock kindness, "Now, what did you need, Anora?"

Anora was so flustered and speechless that she huffed and let out a sound of indignation before she turned on her heel and stormed off.

Alistair looked at Lainey when she sighed and turned her attention to the rest of the room.

"What are you all standing around gawking for? This is a party is it not? Start the music and the dancing, enjoying the drinks!" Lainey said, ushering the musicians to begin playing again.

Alistair chuckled when they obeyed and the festivities resumed, almost as if they never even stopped to begin with. Lainey turned to him.

"What?"

He shook his head and offered her his arm. "You never cease to amaze me, Pixie."

Lainey blushed and shrugged, taking his arm and letting him lead her outside- noticing that a few guards followed not too far behind. "Forgive me, Alistair, that was unlady like of me and slightly uncalled for."

Alistair chuckled. "No, it was not. That woman has been hounding me constantly over the stupidest things, never relenting. I think you finally set her straight and put her back in her place."

Lainey smiled. "She is no longer queen, nor does she have a proud lineage to hide behind. Her father was a traitor and paid the price for it and she lost everything she could ever hope to hold onto for protection. Now she is a widow with no lands, no title, and no one willing to back her up."

"I couldn't agree more. Though, what surprised me most was the language."

Lainey blushed. "I should apologize... I don't normally use that kind of language. She just really irritated me."

Alistair laughed. "Don't be sorry. I rather enjoyed watching her speechless and shocked."

Lainey smiled and they stopped out on the balcony. "No one messes with my friends or my loved ones, lest they feel my wrath."

Alistair chuckled. "Maker, I believe it." He looked up at the sky and then back at the guards, motioning for them to sit back a bit. Waiting until they were a satisfying distance away from them, he turned to Lainey and looked at her. "Lainey, there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

Lainey looked up at him, smiling. "What is it?"

'It's now or never...' Taking a deep breath, he looked into the blue eyes of the woman he had fallen in love with. "Elaina Allread, will you marry me?"