The storm that had been threatening when they arrived hit just as Elissa retired to bed. As she tied her nightgown closed the wooden shutters rattled against the window. The candle flickered against a slight breeze and the room was cold and uninviting. But after a silted dinner reception Elissa could find no reason remain up. Delilah would not be joining them until the morning so she had bade all goodnight as she had no female company. #she had read in the quiet of her rooms for a short while wondering how long until Alistair would join her but she grew sleepy. Elissa gave up waiting for him, blowing out the candle and slipping between the unfamiliar sheets.

How long she lay there, with images of plotting Arls and nefarious future plots of the Wardens swirling in her mind, she did not know. Her mind was running amuck with spiralling plots that wove closer and closer to her heart. She could not forget the reason she was here, to hear news of why the Warden's in Weisshaupt had suddenly taken an interest in Alistair and their son. She curled up just as she heard voices at the end of the corridor. Two men speaking although she could not make out what was being said through the thick oak doors.

The door opened and she heard Nathaniel bid Alistair goodnight. Neither man sounded like they had gotten too far into their cups in her absence. She listened to him get changed before sliding into the bed behind her. Alistair slid over to her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to his chest. She turned in his arms and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

'You were a long time,' she whispered in his ear.

'We had a matter of great interest to discuss,' he replied softly. 'You'll hear about it in the morning. Get some sleep, love.'

The storm had blown itself out by the time the sun rose over the Keep and the Royal rooms were awoken by the sound of a baby's cry. Elissa roused herself as Alistair blinked awake slightly confused.

'He doesn't like the strange surroundings,' said Elissa walking to the door and pushing her way out into the hallway.

She was joined by Ari, who although had been awake far longer was caught off guard by her charge's wailing.

'I've got him,' said Elissa, sliding into the nursery.

She was confronted with the sight of her son having pulled himself up on the bars of the cot. His black hair was wild and tangled from a restless night and his eyes screwed up as he cried, chewing on a hand. In his other hand he held a small knitted rabbit. Elissa walked over and picked him up, hugging him to her chest. 'It's okay,' she soothed, 'Mama's here sweet one.'

When she was joined by Alistair a few moments later, he had pulled a shirt over his chest but was still in the loose breeches he slept in and barefooted. He looked bleary eyed as he scrubbed the sleep from his eyes. Eóin leant over for his father and Elissa passed him over to Alistair. He took the small boy as Elissa stroked his soft, tousled hair, Eóin finally calming with attention of both his parents. Eóin rested his head against his father's shoulder and began sucking his thumb as Alistair turned his attention to Elissa.

'Did you sleep well?'

She shrugged; she wasn't entirely sure if she did or not. She was certain she had heard the storm around them at various times in the night but there was nothing specific to suggest that she had woken up at any point either.

'As well as could be expected, I guess,' she said as their fingers entwined.

He smiled sympathetically. 'We should be able to leave tomorrow,' he said.

'We shouldn't rush these matters,' Elissa replied, looking down. 'They may need extra consideration.'

'We'll be able to consider them in Highever,' Alistair replied.

'I'm not sure if that sounds more or less ominous,' she said, her fingers still twisting through Eóin's hair.

'I'll let you decide,' he replied. 'Come on, let's get some breakfast with this little guy and not worry about my hair brained schemes until later.'

Elissa sighed as he pressed a kiss to her head. Today was going to be one of those days.

-…-

Elissa was no stranger to her husband's innovative ideas. When compared to his predecessors, the current King of Ferelden was very forward thinking. The former Kings of Ferelden had been content to allow the country to turn itself, playing up to the landowners of Ferelden to keep their hold on their thrones. Alistair felt no such need. His concern was for the greater population. However, this proposal left her utterly lost for words as she looked between the two men. She liked to think that this was a rare occurrence, but Alistair had been astounding her from the very moment she had first clapped eyes on him three years ago.

'Sorry,' she said, finally settling her gaze on her husband. 'Just run that past me again?'

'The Wardens of Amaranthine want to pledge their allegiance to us,' said Alistair, again. 'I thought you would be at least a little happy about them being loyal to us as oppose to Weisshaupt.'

Elissa leant back in her high back chair, her nail rapping on the wooden arm. 'I agree it would be better,' she said. 'You know that I have never liked having an order here that is more loyal to a distant figure of whom we have very little knowledge. But what about reprisals? You are talking about breaking away from an established order that has lasted for over a thousand years. It's older than the Chantry.'

'Weisshaupt is too far away to mobilise without us knowing about it first,' said Nathaniel.

'Be that as it may, I understand that there is an extensive number of Warden's in Orlais,' said Elissa, glancing at Alistair for conformation, he nodded and Elissa sighed. 'They might take matters into their own hands.'

'While their numbers far outnumber ours, the Warden's in Orlais don't have enough overall man power to attack us without consequence,' replied Nathaniel.

'Unless a few Orlesian Lords throw their weight behind them as a legitimate reason to invade Ferelden,' countered Elissa. Alistair opened his mouth to protest, but Elissa held up her hand silencing him. 'Celene might not want us dead, but you can bet that she has more than enough lords who are just staying their hands until such time they could attack without reprisal from their Crown.'

The two men were looking at her now, eyebrows raised as they thought over her scenario. For someone who had not had prior knowledge of their plans, Elissa had quickly whipped up a counter case that would give them enough reason to pause.

'It has to be said, Her Majesty makes a good point,' said Nathaniel, looking at Alistair. 'It's actually a very legitimate consideration.'

Alistair smiled warmly at his wife. He discovered after their marriage that she had a fine, political mind and could always be relied upon to guide him in the right direction. It was why, with the support of her brother, he had bestowed the Arling of Denerim on her giving her a political voice in the Landsmeet rather than just that of his consort.

'Indeed, she does,' Alistair agreed. 'Okay, so say we didn't have to worry about any repercussions, then what?'

'I think,' said Elissa slowly, 'that it would go a long way in allaying our people's fear of the Wardens not to mention it would hopefully put an end to their interest in our son. I would ask that you consider a few changes to matters such as the Rite of Conscription.'

Both men were looking at her sharply; if Nathaniel Howe and Alistair Theirin had anything in common when it came to their respective pasts it was that they had both become Wardens due to that very Rite. Had Elissa not become so confident in her role, she might have quailed at the look, but instead she sat upright and returned the look.

'I don't want to see it used to pull men out of the hangman's noose,' she said. 'I understand that at present you can conscript anyone, but I would ask that you both consider the removal of those condemned to death.'

Nathaniel leant back in his chair. 'Becoming a Warden isn't an escape from death, Your Majesty.'

'I know that,' replied Elissa, 'but the people in Ferelden, those who are victims to these crimes, they do not know this. All they see is someone getting away with murder. I do not like it and neither do they.'

'If this is about Velanna, Your Majesty,' Nathaniel began, but Elissa shook her head.

'It's about ensuring that the people see that justice is done and that orders such as the Warden's cannot flout that,' she explained to the Commander, before she turned to Alistair. 'Surely you can see what it is I am trying to do for our people.'

He nodded, but there was a distant look in his eye that Elissa could not quite place. She sighed, sensing that she was not going to get anything out of Alistair at this point. Elissa rose from her seat as the morning was getting on. 'I should like to retire for some air,' she said.

'Take Rhia with you,' said Alistair quietly. 'I don't want you alone here.'

'My sister has already arrived, should you wish the company,' put in Nathaniel.

Elissa nodded. 'Thank you,' she said quietly before she picked up her skirts and slipped from the room.

Nathaniel glanced over at Alistair with a raised eyebrow. 'She knows an awful lot about Wardens,' he said casually, lifting his goblet to his mouth.

Alistair shrugged at the Commander. 'Elissa spends nearly every moment of her life with me,' he said. 'If she knows it's because she has to live with it.'

'I just mean she handles it very well,' Nathaniel said, holding his hands up. 'It can't be easy for her.'

'It isn't,' replied Alistair, glancing at the door.

-…-

Delilah looked at herself in the mirror, turning from side to side in her best clothes. By the standards of nobility, they were considered rags, but she was no longer the Lady of Amaranthine having fled from her noble title in the dead of night into the arms of her beloved. Just what would Queen Elissa think of her now? Delilah struggled to think what the Queen of Ferelden would make of her. She had seen Elissa from afar when their procession the year before last had finally reached Amaranthine at the end of the season. She couldn't see much of her former friend, but there was no doubting that she had grown confident in her position and was clearly doted upon by the King. He always seemed close by when they stopped to greet their people.

Delilah twisted her hands. Coming here was a mistake. Nathaniel had given her the choice, but she had felt somehow compelled to see the woman that her father had so monumentally wronged. She wanted to prove to Elissa that she was not of the same mould as that despicable man who had worn her father's face. She straightened her skirt as she heard voices in the corridor outside. Delilah had met Elissa's maid. Rhia was very welcoming and inviting her to sit with her while she did some needle work. The young elf knew precisely who Delilah was and how she fitted into the scenario. She didn't push the subject though, merely asked her about her own family and what she usually did for a living. It was a good sign when the maid wasn't being difficult. You could always tell when someone didn't what your company – the servants made your life difficult while you were visiting. It was something that Delilah did not miss now that she was no longer considered a noble woman.

She stepped out into the corridor and lo and behold, there stood the Queen talking to Rhia. Elissa Theirin paused, looking at Delilah, her eyes lingering over face. It took Delilah a moment to remember to curtsey. Delilah dropped down deftly, low enough that she was almost on one knee. 'Your Majesty,' she intoned.

'Delilah,' replied Elissa, her voice quiet and neutral. 'How good of you to come.'

'My brother suggested you might enjoy the company,' she replied, voice slightly muffled from being bowed low. 'He said you were likely to find this place unnerving without any female company.'

'I doubt that will much change with female company. The Wardens are a strange bunch,' she said. 'You can get up you know.'

Delilah got to her feet and looked at her former friend. She looked older, there was something in her eyes, but she seemed happy enough. Why wouldn't she be, she was the Queen after all. Delilah tempered down the sudden rise of jealously as she thought of how easy a life Elissa must lead now compared to her own.

'I thought you would be more used to the Wardens, what with His Majesty being one,' said Delilah, wondering if she crossed the line when she saw a flash in Elissa's eyes.

'The King is but one man,' said Elissa quietly. 'But this group of them, together with their secrets… that unnerves me.'

Delilah nodded sagely. She was not fond of these men that her brother claimed he was now bonded to. She had wondered on his words many a time and had still not found the meaning of them.

'Will you join us for some air?' Elissa asked. 'I am sure you are more acquainted with the grounds than I am.'

Delilah smiled. 'Of course,' she said. 'If it pleases you, Nathaniel didn't rid the estate of all the gardens. Surely that would be preferable to watching men spar.'

Elissa grinned widely. 'Why, that would be perfect.'

They stepped out in the courtyard of the Vigil. Elissa sucked in a deep breath of the air before they began walking past the lines of men going through drills when a voice rang out over the din of clashing swords.

'So you're the girlfriend, are yer?'

Elissa was forced to a standstill by a ginger haired dwarf who was peering up at her as he leant on his war axe. Even from here she could tell that the man was drunk. This was the one she had seen Alistair spar with the day before. Elissa looked at him, somewhat at a loss as to what to say to him. She didn't really know much about the dwarf; he had joined quest to end the Blight after Aedan had committed his crimes. All she knew of him was that he was a dwarf and a drunk.

'I'm Alistair's wife, if that is what you mean,' she replied, choosing to use her husband's name over his title. She could see this dwarf burst out laughing if she tried to intimate him with something as pithy as a noble title.

He burst out laughing anyway. 'Good on you, it's about time that boy got laid. Thought the Orlesian was going to see to him, but just whenever something interesting looked to happen, he'd wuss out.'

Elissa sucked in a breath, rising her eyebrows at the dwarf. She was more than well aware of the story behind Alistair and Leliana, and she didn't need any embellishment from the dwarf before her.

'Still, if you're ever looking for a real man, you know where to find Oghern,' he said before chortling dirtily as he walked away, spinning his axe as he went.

For the first time in a long time, that buried feeling of revulsion welled up from some deep, dark part of her soul. She always remained wary of men in general. Elissa did not think that she would ever feel truly secure in the company that she did not know well, but she hadn't actually been repulsed for a long time. She shook herself mentally, reminding herself that she was safe and that all she would have to do is turn on her heel… but why should she let herself be revolted by a dwaren cretin that she would not have to lay her eyes on again.

'He is a vile creature,' muttered Delilah from behind her.

Elissa turned to look over her shoulder at Delilah who was staring after the dwarf with utter revulsion as well with Rhia nodded beside her. She was glad she was not the only one thinking it.

'Come on, let us find this hidden garden of yours, Delilah,' Elissa declared leading the way through the courtyard.

-…-

Elissa returned to the meeting between themselves and Nathaniel after lunch. She had enjoyed the company Delilah and Rhia despite Delilah's initial nervousness at being with Elissa again after all that had passed. Their return journey through the courtyard had happened without interruption, for which Elissa was grateful and she had tucked into a simple meal of spring stew for her lunch.

Ever the gentleman, Alistair pulled out her chair for her before settling into his own beside her.

'Did you take some air?' he asked her quietly while they waited for Nathaniel.

She nodded. 'Delilah guided us to some gardens that had survived away from the courtyard,' she replied. 'I fear I lost track of time.'

'Not to worry,' he said, gracing her with a smile. 'We only discussed your points of opposition and your request regarding the Rite of Conscription. They were both good points to make.' He took her hand and lifted it to his lips, his eyes never leaving hers.

'I know it will benefit us,' she said, turning so she was fully facing him, 'but it is pointless if armies from all over Thedas turn their attentions to us for the action. If we knew more about the First Warden…' Elissa shrugged. 'But he's an unknown, a figure shrouded in mystery who seems to have the power to call you to attend on his whims.'

Nathaniel had presented them with the letter he had received from Weisshaupt with the request that Alistair travel directly to the fortress in the Anderfels to answer questions regarding his part in the Blight. He had fended off the Orlesian Warden's in the aftermath of the final battle, but Weisshaupt where not happy with the lack of answers; the political interference and the fact that Elissa had conceived a child so quickly had all prayed on the minds of the senior ranks in Weisshaupt. It had been Nathaniel's idea that the Wardens of Ferelden pledge their allegiance to Alistair in a bid to stop the distant First Warden from interfering with Ferelden through the small band of Warden's in the country.

'His actions are a bit rich, if you think about it,' mused Alistair after a few moments silence. 'Rumour persists that the First Warden has his eye on the Anderfels throne.'

'Perhaps he wants lessons,' suggested Elissa.

Alistair chuckled. 'It must be something of a kick to the groin to discover than a rather green Warden won the throne in the midst of a Blight while he sat on his ass in his fortress safe from danger.'

'It was something that was in your blood, my King,' she replied softly. 'It was always going to catch up with you.'

At her words they both fell into silence and Elissa looked away. They never talked about that. Elissa pondered if their silence on the poison already killing Alistair made it easier to bare. This way, it could almost be forgotten about. She thought about what they should have sometimes. She thought about how he should be able to enter his dotage as a beloved King, husband, father and grandfather, but it seemed unlikely he'd see the next generation of his family born.

His hand squeezed hers and she glanced over at him. There was nothing either of them could say. They just looked at one another. The door opened, thankfully breaking the moment and Nathaniel strode in choosing to discreetly ignore whatever had just passed between them.