"Rise and shine, Hawke."

Lillian let out a quiet groan and tried to pull the covers over her head, but Aveline stopped her by ripping the sheets off the bed. The rogue gave out an annoyed grumble before she gave up and opened her eyes. The first thing she noticed was that Farkas wasn't on the bed with her. The second thing she noticed was that Isabela stood smugly beside Aveline. Now that was unusual. Isabela and Aveline didn't get along, so to see the two of them trying to wake her up meant something was definitely up.

"What's going on?" Lillian asked hesitantly.

Aveline opened her mouth to speak, but Isabela beat her to it. "We're here to escort you to Viscount's Keep."

There was an uneasy roll in Lillian's stomach as she glanced over to Aveline who looked a bit irritated but stubborn. "I thought this was my decision to make?" Sure she was being a bit indecisive, but ultimately it was her life. If she wanted to ignore the king then she should be allowed. "Where do you two get off assuming you can just haul me into the keep?"

"It was your decision. You could have formally declined, but you didn't. King Alistair has been informed that we are friends, and therefore asked if I could retrieve you for him." Aveline's tone was stern, though Lily could swear she saw a bit of sorrow in her eyes. "My hands are tied, Hawke."

Lillian looked over to Isabela with narrowed eyes. "And how did you get mixed up in this?"

The pirate shrugged, the smirk still on her lips. "I was just heading over for breakfast with Varric when we bumped into Aveline. She told us the situation and I decided I didn't want to miss it."

"Oh, how kind of you." Lillian growled under her breath. She pushed herself out of bed, sending Aveline a suspicious glance as she straightened out her nightgown. "Who told him we were friends?"

Aveline met the suspicious look with her own pointed gaze. "Who do you think?"

Of course: Bran. That man had been a thorn in her side for as long as she could remember, always yapping his mouth about her to other people but keeping his mouth sealed when she spoke to him. It only made sense he would yap away to the king of Ferelden about how he knew the champion. "Well then, if I have to meet with him, I suppose I should wear my good armor. Isabela could you grab my-"

"Armor? Oh no no," Isabela was quick to cut Lillian off, her smirk only growing. "You're meeting a king! You have to look the part! Let's see what you have." Without waiting for a response, Isabela had turned and made her way to Lillian's closet. Lillian let out a grunt of frustration, stomping over to the pirate while Aveline merely looked on. Isabela shuffled through various outfits before she paused on one. "Ah, what about this?"

The dress she pulled out wasn't quite a dress, but more of a gown. It was silk and crimson in color with a tight bodice and a big, poofy skirt. "That's way too formal, Isabela." Lillian pointed out in annoyance. "Either find something nice and simple, or I'm wearing my armor." Dressing up actually wasn't a bad idea, Lillian just didn't want to give the wrong impression. She didn't want them to think she wanted to see Alistair, and she definitely didn't want him to think she was dressing up to impress him. But she could admit that he was a king and as such, some degree of formality had to be taken. She couldn't go around spiting him left and right because he'd wronged her.

Isabela rolled her eyes and turned back to the closet. She shuffled through it for another minute before she turned back around with a much better choice in hand. It was a simple Ferelden-styled dress, knee-length and such a pale blue in color it nearly matched her eyes. The sleeves were short, just covering her shoulders, and Lillian even knew of a belt she could wrap around her waist for an added effect. "This?" Isabela offered.

Lillian turned to Aveline who nodded approvingly. Looking back to Isabela, Lillian gave a small huff. "I suppose that'll work. Here, watch out." Isabela stepped aside to let the brunette into the closet. It only took a second for her to find the thick, dark brown leather belt hanging there. She took the dress from Isabela and made her way to the wash room. "I'll be right out."

Once the door shut behind her, Lillian let out a quiet sigh. She turned to the mirror and saw her blue eyes were alive with panic. She'd felt a bit worried out in the room with Isabela and Aveline, but not panicked. Maybe it was because she was finally realizing what was happening. She was going to see Alistair. Immediately she wanted to escape, but her wash room lacked a window. She'd have to run through her bedroom where Aveline and Isabela would surely stop her. Maybe when they were on their way to the keep she could slip away and lose them... But Isabela would be angry with her, and Aveline would never forgive her for it.

"Aveline?" Lillian called suddenly.

She could hear the footsteps as Aveline approached the door, stopping just outside it. "Yes, Hawke?"

Lillian paused for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts. What did she want? To ask for permission to run and hide? "Does... Does he know it's me?"

Aveline was quiet for a moment herself, and every second of that silence made Lillian's heart thump harder and harder until she finally answered. "As far as I am aware, he has no idea you're the champion."

It reassured her some, but not much. "Are you sure?" Lillian tried not to sound too hopeful, but she wasn't sure if she succeeded or not.

"I can't say for certain, Lillian," Aveline answered reassuringly through the door. "But I'm fairly certain he doesn't know."

Aveline wouldn't lie to her, Lillian knew that. At least not about the matter at hand. "Ok," Lillian looked back to the mirror, feeling less fretful than she had a moment ago. "Thank you."

The footsteps moved away from the door and Lillian inhaled deeply, trying to calm her nerves. She was strong, she could do this. All she had to do was go and see Alistair, play the political game of smiling and nodding, pretending everything was okay, and then she would return home and never have to see him again. He would probably just want to meet her for formalities sake and then they'd be on their way, never to cross paths again, right? All she had to do was stop acting like a child.

Boosted with a bit of resolve, Lillian proceeded to get ready. She washed her face before slipping out of her sleeping gown. She slid into the dress Isabela had picked out and fastened the thick belt around her waist, all the while doing her best to keep her mind blank. Once the belt was secured she brushed out her long locks before turning to the mirror once more. The belt accented the dress nicely, and the colors made her eyes pop out. She looked good. Maybe too good... Should she change?

She toyed with the thought before the bathroom door burst open, leaving Isabela to stand in the doorway with her usual cocky grin. "Alright, time's up. Let's go."

"No Izzy, I need to change. I feel like I'm too dressed up."

Aveline appeared behind Isabela, a knowing look on her face. "You look just fine, Hawke. Now come on, it's not good to keep a king waiting."

There was that uncomfortable flip of Lillian's stomach again, but she did her best to ignore it. She glanced to Isabela who merely motioned for her to move. Realizing neither of them would let her get out of this Lillian sighed and exited the wash room. She went to her closet one more time to pull out a pair of her finest leather boots before she tied them on. She tried moving to the door where Aveline stood, her irritability showing, but Isabela stopped her.

"Oh, one more thing." The pirate reached behind her back and pulled out a thin black stick. Lillian just had time to recognize it before Isabela attacked her with it, brushing the tip along her eyelids. Lillian tried backing away but Isabela stopped her with her quick words. "Stop now, I've already got some on you. Don't wanna see him with one eye done up and the other untouched, do you? You'd look like a fool."

Lillian growled for what felt like the umpteenth time that morning and let Isabela finish putting eyeliner on her. Now she definitely felt over done, but at least this time it wasn't her fault. Once the pirate was done she stepped away and linked arms with Lillian. "Are we ready now?" Lillian asked, her own impatience growing. She didn't want to see Alistair, but if she had to she wanted to just get it over with. The more time she spent lollygagging, the more she was losing her nerves.

"Yes, let's go. Varric is waiting downstairs." Aveline said curtly.

The walk to Viscount's Keep was dreadfully long and quiet. Isabela seemed to be excited, though Aveline and Varric had enough sense to keep anything they might be feeling to themselves. Lillian wore a frown for the entirety of the walk, only dropping it after they had arrived at the Keep and stood outside the large doors that led to the room Alistair was currently occupying. The frown only disappeared so Lillian could chew her bottom lip in hesitation.

"Don't worry, Lily. Once this is over with you'll be complaining about how much you want him to bend you over." Isabela chirped.

The comment was only replied with a quick glare from Lillian and Aveline both.

"Come on Hawke, the sooner you go in there the sooner it'll be over. I promise." Varric offered.

Lillian couldn't help but let out a reluctant sigh. "I suppose you're right. Let's go then." And with that, she pushed the heavy doors open.

The room was much larger than she remembered. Then again, the last time she had been there was when she had fought the Arishok, so it was only natural that the room had felt smaller then. Her mind had been worried about not getting impaled by the Quanari - something she had failed at regardless of how much she had thought about it during that fight.

Regardless, Lillian made her way down the length of the room with Aveline, Varric, and Isabela right behind her. She was vaguely aware of Alistair conversing with two other people, one she recognized as Meredith and the other she didn't know. It appeared she had gone unnoticed thus far which Lillian was thankful for. She wasn't sure if she was ready for Alistair to see her so quickly.

It was only when Lillian and her group were only a few feet away that Alistair finally took notice. Meredith had just excused herself, albeit rudely, causing Alistair to glance up, and it wasn't long before his eyes fell on Lillian. Her ice blue eyes locked onto his warm brown ones, and immediately she felt a spark from within. The nervousness that had been building up all morning dissipated in that moment, and Lillian knew everything was going to be alright. As angry as she was with the king, just being in the same room as him felt so natural.

"Hawke." Meredith said coolly as she passed by the brunette.

"Meredith." Lillian replied just as coldly, her eyes never leaving the Fereldan before her.

Lillian stopped when she was just out of arms reach of the king, her friends not far behind her. When Isabela had told her years ago that the Alistair she met had grown into a handsome man, Lillian had refused to even think about it. But now that Alistair was standing right in front of her she had to admit that Isabela had been right. He still looked like boy she had known; the golden hair, comforting brown eyes and a natural tan to his skin that would make any woman envious. But he was a boy no longer. His strong jawline would make any other woman in her position swoon, but Lillian refused. To her, he was just another handsome face - nothing to swoon over.

The man beside Alistair cleared his throat and began to speak, but he was quickly cut off by the king himself.

"Lily!" Alistair exclaimed, his voice showing the same amount of surprise that his eyes were. Had he not known that she was the champion? "You... I don't - I didn't... You're the Champion of Kirkwall?"

"I am."

"I had no idea! How are you?"

Lillian was spared from responding when the copper haired man beside Alistair spoke up again, clearly confused. "One moment, Your Majesty. You know the Champion?"

Alistair finally tore his gaze away from Lillian as both turned to look at the man. "Of course I do. We grew up together when I was at the Lothering Chantry. Teagan, this is Lillian Hawke." Turning to look back to Lillian, Alistair spoke once more while motioning to the man. "This is Teagan Guerrin, my uncle. Sort of."

Teagan turned to give Lillian a once over, a gesture she returned. He seemed kind enough, offering her a smile and his hand which she gently shook. "I'm actually Teagan. I'm only sort of his uncle." He laughed. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Hawke."

A polite smile found its way to Lillian's lips. Perhaps playing the politics game wouldn't be so hard after all. Teagan certainly made things less awkward than they could have been. "The pleasure is mine, Teagan." Remembering she had guests of her own, Lillian stepped to the side to introduce them. "These are my good friends Varric Tethras and Isabela, though rumor has it you've met Isabela before, Your Majesty. And of course, Aveline whom you've already met." Lillian's eyes shot to the king, purposefully testing the waters by being formal. She would be polite, not chummy.

Alistair did not seem too pleased with the title Lillian had thrown at him, but social manners dictated that he put his attention on Varric and Isabela, which he did. "A pleasure." Alistair turned to Isabela, giving her a skeptical look before there was a small smile on his lips. "I think I remember you. You were that pirate in the Pearl, weren't you?"

Isabela let out a small laugh. "Indeed. Tell me, how is that delightful specimen of man you were with doing?"

"Oh, you mean Aedan?"

Lillian didn't miss the way Alistair's ears turned red at Isabela's question, though she tried her hardest not to think about it. Isabela had already told her the story of when she had met Alistair. The Hero of Ferelden, or Aedan Cousland has Lillian knew him, had gone into the Pearl with Alistair and some of their traveling companions in order to get rid of some thugs that were plaguing the whorehouse. Isabela had been shamelessly flirting with Aedan in hopes of sleeping with him, but in the end she had fallen in bed with Zevran, an elf from Antiva that Isabela had known prior to the Pearl.

"He's doing well, I believe."

There was a smirk on Isabela's lips, though she said nothing else as the king had turned back to Lillian. Unlike her companions or even the king who was smiling at her, Lillian kept a neutral expression. "And how is everything for you?" He asked her. "Are things going alright for your mother?"

The question made Lillian go rigid. She fought every urge she had to yell at the king, but instead she found her self control and took a deep breath before responding. "She's dead."

The tension in the air grew a bit more as Alistair shifted uncomfortably, obviously not expecting this answer. But his response made Lillian wish she wasn't angry with him. "I'm so sorry, Lily; I had no idea."

His tone was genuine and true, and if she hadn't been angry with him then perhaps his words might have comforted her. Instead it left her feeling more confused which in turn made her angry. "How could you have known? It would have required you to be around." Lillian kept her tone placid, but the words cut deep, she could tell from the look Alistair was giving her.

"I... You're right. What about Carver? Bethany?"

Part of Lillian knew he was just trying to talk and catch up with her, but a bigger part of her was growing angry that he was asking after people that were either dead or gone. If he had been a part of her life he would know all of these things! "Carver's dead, too. Bethany was taken by the Circle years ago. I've only seen her once since then."

"Oh, Maker." Maybe it was cynical of her, but seeing Alistair grasping at straws to recover from the situation almost amused her. Almost.

Luckily for Alistair, Teagan stepped in once more. "If I may; perhaps it would be best if we got straight to the point?"

The king let out a long sigh, subtly nodding his head as Lillian looked on. She was almost relieved to hear that there was actual business at hand, and that this wasn't just a social gathering Alistair had called for. At least, until Alistair spoke up.

"Yes, to avoid looking like more of an ass, I suppose we should get straight to business." Turning his gaze back to her, Alistair continued, though now he seemed almost nervous. "We're holding a ball in a few days time in Denerim. We would like you and your friends to join us as our honored guests to celebrate our new alliance. If you accept, the plan is you return to Denerim with us, stay at the palace for two weeks, and by then the ship will be prepared to return you back to Kirkwall." The nerves were getting to the king as he spoke, Lillian was almost amused to see. "And you know, the ball is somewhere in those two weeks." He added hastily.

However amused Lillian was witnessing Alistair's nerves, she could feel a bubble of her own anxiety rising within her. Assuming he was using a good ship with a capable crew, the trip to Ferelden would take about a week, followed by two weeks there, and then another week to travel back to Kirkwall. If all went well, that would be four weeks away, three of them being stuffed away in a palace with a man she had no intentions of ever seeing again. But at the same time she had missed Ferelden dearly, and a trip to Denerim of all places wouldn't be bad at all.

A sharp nudge to the ribs brought Lillian back to reality. She looked over to find Isabela had been responsible, earning the pirate a stern glare. But Lillian knew what Isabela wanted, and she knew what a small part of her wanted as well, and that was enough to make her decision. "Is that why Meredith was here?"

"If you think I'd invite that harpy to my home you'll be disappointed."

Lillian's lips twitched fractionally in an attempt to smile, but she quickly stopped herself. Instead she took a deep breath, already regretting the words she was about to say. "Then it looks like we'll be going to Denerim."

Alistair smiled for the umpteenth time that day, looking genuinely excited. "Really? Great!"

There was a moment of silence that passed between them before Lillian finally decided enough was enough. "Well, if that was all then I should get going."

Alistair's smile faded. "Wait. Lily, I was wondering if you had a moment, if we could speak in private?"

Lillian turned to face the door, though she had the decency to at least look over her shoulder to address the king. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I'm afraid I haven't the time." Lillian turned her head back around only to find that Aveline and Isabela were giving her reprimanding stares, though Varric seemed pleased. "It was nice to see you again, Your Majesty."

And with that, she left.

A/N: Oh dear lord, I'm so sorry this took so long. I had tried working on this chapter months ago after I made that update, but my power went out mid-chapter and I hadn't saved. After that I had a really hard time trying to write it up again. Eventually I lost interest in Dragon Age up until a few days ago. I sat down, played through DA:O and DA2 again (DA2 as Lily, of course), and decided it was time to get to this story again. From here on out it shouldn't take so long to update. This was a really hard chapter to write simply because, well, Alistair made his appearance. I wanted to get it right, though I still feel it's a little lackluster. But hey, something is better than nothing, right?

At any rate, I no longer have multiple chapters written up, so the updates are gonna be a bit slower than they were before. My boyfriend is also coming home in a week after being away since September, so that is going to slow down updates a bit too. I'll do my best to do one chapter a week, though.