Dragon Age: King in Exile

Part Sixteen

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King Cailan has written Alistair into the succession and is ready to recognize him publicly. Loghain will do almost anything to keep that from happening. The darkspawn give him the perfect opportunity. Alistair/Cousland, featuring F!Tabris.

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Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize from Dragon Age belongs to me.

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They were all glad to be back in civilization by the time the party reached Redcliffe. Teagan and Isolde met them at the gate, Isolde barely able to contain herself in anticipation.

"Did you find the ashes?" she asked anxiously. "Were you successful?"

"We were," Kallian told her. "And have you held up your end of the bargain? Have the knights been recalled?"

"Yes," she answered. "Many have returned already. All will be here by the time you need them. The ashes?" She held out her hand.

Elissa stepped forward and placed the small leather pouch in Isolde's outstretched palm. "They're here. How do you want to do this?"

"We will give them to his healers," Isolde announced. "They will determine what to do."

The healers were consulted, and before long all who were interested in the process had crowded into Eamon's chambers to watch and wait. In the end, there was very little waiting. When the ashes had been applied, Eamon roused almost immediately, asking for his wife and son. Isolde, who was by his side, began to explain the recent happenings in Redcliffe. The others slipped out to give them some time alone.

A handful of hours passed before Teagan sought out Alistair, Kallian, and Elissa, telling them Arl Eamon wished to hold a meeting.

"Your highness," Eamon greeted Alistair formally, looking impeccably well, as if he had never been confined to a sickbed. "Lady Cousland," he continued. Elissa blinked hard at the title, but couldn't protest it, not with her parents dead. He turned to Kallian. "And this must be the grey warden who saved my life. I am at your service, warden."

"As long as your army is at my service," Kallian replied.

"Yes," he said. "Teagan has begun to explain everything that has happened during my illness. My army will be at your service, Warden Kallian, and myself as well, in any way that I might be of use. We will need to face Loghain in the political arena, and the darkspawn in the martial once. This is a war on two fronts."

Kallian gave a sharp nod but no answer.

"I hope you'll be able to help us," Elissa spoke up. "Loghain was one of Cailan's most trusted. There is no doubt he knew of Cailan's plans to make Alistair his heir. This cannot be anything but a coup."

Eamon nodded. "Indeed. It seems out of character for Loghain, but we cannot doubt his intentions. I believe he meant for you both to be killed at Ostagar to make way for him. Cailan mentioned to me that he had drawn up an official Writ of Succession, declaring his intentions to have Alistair succeed him. We need to attempt to lay hands on a copy of it. Then we can present this at an emergency session of the Landsmeet, which I will call myself."

"When?" Alistair choked out, wracked with anxiety at the thought of ruling.

Eamon glanced at Kallian. "Best wait until we are prepared to face the darkspawn and have gathered as many allies as possible. What further treaties do you possess, Warden?"

Kallian startled at being addressed. "I have one for the Dalish elves and one for Orzammar."

He nodded. "Then you must see those through, and I will ensure the Landsmeet is called once they are complete. But first things first…" Eamon paused, turning to Alistair and Elissa.

"You must marry immediately," he said firmly. "And produce an heir as soon as may be."

Alistair felt his cheeks starting to burn. Daring a glance at Elissa, he could see she looked as embarrassed as he felt.

Not that it would be a hardship, exactly—their kisses and touches had become more and more heated as time passed, sorely testing their self-control. But it was the height of embarrassment to have Eamon all but ordering them to sleep together!

"When?" Elissa managed to ask.

"I believe the day after tomorrow will suit admirably," Eamon replied. "I'm sure we can have all the preparations completed by then."

Alistair felt detached as he watched the blood drain from Elissa's face. His heart was racing. He needed air.

"I have to, um…." He trailed off, unable to think of any kind of excuse as he ran from the room.

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Alistair stared out the castle window, contemplating his situation. He'd known for some time that he would marry Elissa, and he'd been happy about that. But it had always seemed distant, something off in the future. Somehow he had thought he'd have felt ready by the time it actually happened. Right now he didn't feel ready at all. He didn't know how to be a good husband or—Maker preserve him—a father. And yet, that fear was tempered with a strong dose of longing. To be married to Elissa… to be a family with her… it was more than he could have dreamed of back in his Chantry days.

Alistair blinked as he caught sight of Elissa walking in the courtyard below him. Her long hair streamed out behind her as she paced back and forth, tension radiating from her posture. He couldn't see her downturned face, but he knew she must be distressed.

Alistair stood from the window seat, knowing he should go to her. They needed to talk about this. And he should apologize for running away earlier, leaving her to deal with Eamon alone. They'd stood by each other's side to face whatever may come since Howe attacked Castle Cousland. He was sure they could face this too, as long as they did it together.

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By the time Alistair reached the courtyard, he found her sitting on the edge of a low wall, twining a long piece of blonde hair in her fingers. Her expression was blank, as if she was a thousand miles away. The dress she wore fluttered in the soft breeze. She'd rarely been out of armor since starting this adventure, but they were due for dinner with Eamon and Isolde soon.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

She startled slightly, turning to look at him. "I don't know," she answered. "It all seems terribly fast, doesn't it?"

Alistair sat down on the wall next to her, shoulder to shoulder. His hands gripped the cool stone on either side of him. "Scary fast," he said honestly. "I'm sorry about running away earlier."

She shook her head. "Don't be. I wanted to run, too. I'm scared, Alistair."

He looked at her, surprised.

"Well, aren't I allowed to be?" she demanded, bumping her shoulder against his arm.

"Of course you are!" Alistair said quickly. "But you always seem so confident. You're so good at politics and being noble, and it's all so new for me."

"This isn't politics," she said. "Not yet anyways. I'm afraid of being a wife. What if I'm no good at it?"

Alistair huffed a laugh. "What if I'm no good at being a husband?"

She leaned into him. "You will," she said, sounding sure. "You're so kind and caring to me. You kept me alive those first few days after my parents…" Her voice faltered. "You'll be wonderful."

"You did the same for me after Ostagar. You'll be perfect," Alistair promised, his voice low. "And if we're not good at it, we'll learn together, won't we?"

She tilted her head up and smiled. "Thank you," she said, and her arms went around him. He slipped an arm behind her back, and they stayed that way in silence until they were called in for dinner.

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The following day was taken up with wedding preparations. Finding and altering clothing, securing the village priest for the ceremony, decorating the chantry with flowers. The castle cooks were baking up a storm. The entire village was glad to have something to celebrate after the terrible days and nights that they had barely survived.

Alistair and Elissa hardly saw each other, wrapped up in their own preparations, until Elissa snuck into his bed that night. It was the last time she would have to do so, tiptoeing through the darkened halls to steal kisses and embraces in the dark. The next morning they were whisked apart, to be bathed, dressed and primped within an inch of their lives.

Before Alistair knew it, he was standing at the front of the chantry waiting for his bride.

When the doors opened to reveal her, Alistair had no eyes for anyone else. She was radiantly beautiful in her borrowed gown, golden hair flowing down her back and soft green eyes locked on his. She held a bouquet of white flowers before her, a gauzy veil softening her features and streaming behind.

The priest recited the same ceremony that many had done before. Alistair couldn't say he remembered much of it afterwards. The one part he would never forget was the way Elissa's eyes widened as she recognized the rings that they would exchange. Alistair had kept them safe since Eleanor handed them to him in the Highever vault. Her eyes filled with tears that didn't spill, as she looked at Alistair and mouthed, "Thank you."

Alistair knew his voice trembled as he said his vows, hands shaking as he slipped the ring on her finger. He saw matching nerves in his bride's eyes and was comforted. They were in this, as always, together.

The ceremony ended as Alistair lifted Elissa's veil and met her lips in a kiss to seal their union, Arl Eamon looking on like the proud father he wasn't. Teagan congratulated Alistair with a grin and a clap on the arm. Isolde gave him a tight smile and sent Elissa a more genuine one.

Their party looked on with varying reactions. It was amusing to see them in formal wear that most of them had no doubt protested wearing. Leliana looked dangerously teary-eyed even after the ceremony had concluded. Morrigan told him he could have done much worse, which, from her, was probably meant to be a compliment. Sten had looked uncomfortable and Kallian fidgety, but Wynne gave them both warm and enthusiastic congratulations before letting them leave the chantry.

The celebratory banquet lasted for hours. There was food and drink and dancing all day and evening, and it would continue late into the night, well after Alistair and Elissa were escorted to their marriage bed.

Eamon and Isolde closed the door behind them with a strange finality as the newlyweds were left alone for the first time.

Alistair and Elissa stood on either side of the bed, still in their borrowed finery. They were unmoving, watching one another, full of nerves for the night ahead.

Elissa touched the ring on her wedding finger. "Alistair…" She hesitated.

"Yes?" he replied, hardly more than a whisper.

"I've tried to show you, but don't think I've told you before." She looked down at the ornate rug, her heart racing. "I… I love you. I think I have for a long time."

Alistair looked at her in awe. "Maker, Elissa, I can't tell you how it feels to hear that. I feel like I've loved you for so long."

Before they knew it, they had come together at the foot of the bed, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. Things progressed naturally, and unlike every night before, there was no need to stop. They came together as one, and loved each other late into the night.

In the dark they talked, speaking of hopes and fears and memories for what seemed like hours. They bared their souls to one another, feeling connected in a way they never had before.

"Tell me truly," Alistair said, kissing his wife's temple. "When did you first begin to care for me?"

She blushed. "I admired you when I saw you fighting in the tournament. I was dreadfully disappointed that you fought for the templars. It was a shame for someone so handsome to be celibate," she teased, and they both laughed. "When my father told me who you were and that you were coming home with us, it seemed too good to be true. I knew my heart would be in danger. But I hoped…"

"You hoped what?" he asked.

"I hoped that Cailan would choose me for you. I tried to guard my heart, not knowing what would happen. When he told us, I was fearful and excited and pleased all at once."

"Fearful?" Alistair asked, stroking her soft cheek with his fingers.

"That you wouldn't care for me the way I was starting to for you."

"I think I already did," he said, and leaned forward to kiss her.

"What about you, then?" she asked. "When did you begin to love me?"

"I thought you were beautiful from the first time we were introduced," he said. "But I think I truly began to fall for you the first time I saw you fighting in the courtyard at Highever."

She laughed. "Really? My mother would be shocked. She always told me the softer arts were what would land me a husband."

He smiled. "Truly. And I'll never forget the look you gave me when I asked you about it."

"I was a little insulted, I must admit," she said, a smile in her voice. "When I pulled out my bow and arrows that first time, I was showing off for you. Never question a lady's prowess with weapons or she might just use them on you."

He laughed. "I'll remember that for future reference."

"The truth is," she said, turning serious, "I felt hope for my future the first time when I met you."

"Liss…"

"Alistair." Her soft green eyes were wide in the near darkness. "I always knew I would have to marry one day. But I never met anyone I could imagine a future with until you."

He answered that the only way he could—with a kiss. He then rolled atop her, she giggled, and they made love once more.

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