A/N: Hey everybody! I know I haven't really been posting anything in a while, but I have definitely been working on some things. I decided to give you this little story following Zeriah throughout Awakening to tide you over until I start posting my Inquisitor's story. And yes, my Inquisitor has a story. It has definitely been the longest thing I have ever written, and I'm not even halfway done yet. It's a beast. But, until then, I hope this will keep you satisfied. Thanks!
Noise. Everything was so loud, there was no room for silence. Shouting, the clash of weapons, the screams of the dying. Roars of triumph, cries of defeat, wails of terror. The crackling of flames, the sobs of innocents, the sound of their own breaths. All of these things could be heard.
"This shouldn't be happening!" someone cried.
"The Commander defeated the Archdemon! Why have they returned?" another yelled. The Commander. The Commander could save them. She would be able to stop this perpetual death. One man felt the corrupted blade of a darkspawn slide through his stomach, and he felt the blood spill from his lips.
"Commander." he breathed before slipping into oblivion.
Zeriah Coulsand gazed calmly at the man who paced before her throne. He was a young noble, one who thought he could get away with bullying the King of Ferelden. She smiled to herself. He would be proven wrong. She glanced over as Alistair stood, interrupting the man's rant. The young noble stopped, and blanched when he saw the expression on his king's face.
"I have heard enough." Alistair said calmly. The man sputtered indignantly.
"But, warden-" he began. Alistair held up a hand to silence him.
"As I am your king, you will address me as 'Your Majesty', not 'Warden'." he said lazily.
"Your Majesty, I-" the man corrected.
"I was not finished. You come into my home, presuming to bully me into submission." Alistair continued.
"I would never-" the noble said, nearly yelping.
"You believe that I am still a naïve young man, fresh out of the Templar order and fresh into the Grey Wardens. You forget that it is I who has been ruling our country for the last six months, and I'd say I've been doing a fair job of it, wouldn't you agree, wife?" Alistair said, glancing over at Zeriah. She gave him a short nod and gestured for him to continue. He winked at her before turning back to the nobleman. "Technically, because you are making a very...'subtle' threat against me, your king, I could have you hanged for treason. Or I could imprison you, strip you of your title, send you into exile, or give you a dose of public humiliation, if I so desired. You can ask the other nobles that this has happened to if I will follow through on that promise. Well, most of them, anyway." he said darkly. Zeriah's lips twitched toward a grin. The only person that had been executed on Alistair's order was an assassin, and it had taken him a lot of convincing to give the order in the first place. But the nobleman didn't know that.
"Please, sire-" the man whimpered. Alistair rolled his eyes.
"If you interrupt me again, I will give you more than one punishment." he drawled. Zeriah was near laughter. Her husband was enjoying this too much. The nobleman froze, his face pale and sweaty. "Luckily, you caught me in a good mood. If you drop the subject completely, I will let you go home to your family. If I hear even a whisper of this subject again, I will have you dragged from your estate and flogged. If I hear of it again after that, you will be executed publicly. Are we clear?" he asked. The noble nodded.
"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty. Thank you. Andraste's blessings upon you my king, my queen." he whimpered, bowing so quickly that Zeriah thought he would fall over. He practically ran out of the hall, and Alistair sat back down with a chuckle.
"You're so terrible." Zeriah joked. He grinned.
"You are the one who told me that I had to make them believe I would follow through with my promises, love." he pointed out. She shrugged.
"I know. But I think you're starting to enjoy it." she teased. He stuck his tongue out her and she smiled fondly.
"I still blame you. You are the one who gave me a backbone." he joked. She grinned, remembering the shy, bashful Alistair she had met two years ago.
Six months had passed since they had defeated the archdemon, and the interim had been filled with court formalities and coronations. Alistair and Zeriah had ruled with a fair hand, and so far they were well-loved by the people. Zeriah had easily fallen into her role as Queen, and it did not take long for Alistair to catch up. He had studied politics and governance, and observed Zeriah's actions. He still had much to learn, but he was really doing a wonderful job. Zeriah was pulled from her reverie as someone strode through the doors.
"Arl Eamon, what a pleasant surprise." she said calmly. The arl looked at her briefly before gesturing to the young woman beside him.
"Your majesties, this is Mhairi. She was sent by the Seneschal from Vigil's Keep with a message." he said. Mhairi stepped forward and bowed her head before looking at them with clear, blue eyes.
"Your Majesty. Commander. As the Arl said, I was sent by Seneschal Varel to invite you to the Vigil. He thinks it is high time for you to visit your Arling, Commander. He wants to have a ceremony for the nobles to swear fealty to you. It should not take very long. You can be back in Denerim before the week's end." she said quickly. Zeriah glanced at Alistair.
"Does this invitation extend to both of us, or just the Commander?" he asked. Mhairi nodded.
"Of course, Your Majesty. Though you have technically renounced your title as 'Warden', you will always be one of them." she clarified. Alistair smiled softly. Zeriah knew that he missed being called a warden. He was proud of that part of his life. Being a warden was as much a part of his life as it was hers.
"When should we leave?" Zeriah asked. Arl Eamon stepped forward and cleared his throat.
"Now, I do not think this is a very good idea." he interrupted. Alistair arched an eyebrow.
"Why is that?" he asked. Arl Eamon shook his head.
"If you leave now, who's to say someone won't make a move on the throne?" he argued weakly. Zeriah arched an eyebrow.
"Do you doubt your king so much?" she asked dryly.
"No, I-" he began.
"I think it is high time for the King to take a short visit to Amaranthine, considering it is one of the few cities in Ferelden that he has not yet seen." she replied coolly. Eamon had been on her bad side ever since he told Alistair that he thought Zeriah was an opportunist.
"Perhaps you should set out first, love, and then I will follow a day later. You can take Traven and Delnan with you to meet the other Wardens." Alistair suggested. She smiled. He always seemed to find a way to appease everyone. Eamon nodded, knowing that he wouldn't win.
"I suppose that will be sufficient." the Arl said. Zeriah nodded.
"I will prepare my things and we can leave in a moment." she said, eager for the opportunity to travel again. She leaned over and kissed Alistair on the cheek before heading to their rooms. Dane, her warhound, was waiting for her there. She scratched behind his ears fondly. "I think you need to sit this one out, Dane." she said. The Mabari barked in an affronted tone and she chuckled. "I need you to watch Alistair for me. I'll be home soon." she promised. Dane growled slightly, but licked her face. She laughed and stuffed a pack full of everything she could possibly need before changing out of her dress and into her set of dragonscale armor. She strapped her family sword and shield onto her back and headed out of the room, nearly colliding with Traven and Delnan, who were similarly prepared.
"I hear we're going on another adventure." Delnan quipped. Zeriah grinned.
"Hopefully this one will be shorter. And have less dragons." she replied. Delnan laughed, and Traven quirked a small smile. It was the most she had been able to get out of him since Morrigan left. He rarely laughed, and when he did it was hollow, an echo of what he used to be. Zeriah hoped to change that, to bring her friend back.
"Less dragons would be nice." Traven agreed. She grinned at him and the trio returned to the main hall. Alistair strode over to her as soon as she entered.
"I will miss you, love." he murmured as he embraced her. She smiled against his chest.
"And I you, although I will be seeing you tomorrow, you know." she pointed out. He chuckled.
"That is still too much time apart for me, but I suppose I can handle it." he decided. She pulled back and kissed him softly.
"I will see you soon, my love." she said. He smiled at her.
"Be safe." he murmured. She hugged him again.
"You too." she replied. He laughed.
"I'll be here. What do I have to be afraid of?" he asked quietly. She sent him a knowing glare.
"What don't you have to be afraid of? Don't get careless, love." she urged. He nodded.
"Never. Now get out of here, before I change my mind." he said, kissing her quickly. She chuckled and gave his hand a squeeze before turning to Mhairi.
"Shall we?" she asked, excited for a new adventure.