Eamon had insisted that Alistair have the coronation as soon as possible, so that the people had a leader they could look to as they cleaned up the city. Felyca, weak from the miscarriage, several broken ribs and her arms wrapped from electric shock, had been sentenced to bed rest for the next two weeks by Wynne; but had been snuck out with her brother to watch from a far balcony. She'd smiled widely as Alistair had knelt and been blessed by the Grand Cleric to protect Ferelden and its people. "He's a wonderful man, sister." Fergus whispered as he carried her back up to her room. "You know, when I heard that my sister was leading Ferelden into battle, but also Grey Warden, I was surprised, to put it lightly. Father would be proud of you, I know I am.

Felyca smiled, "I know, Fergus. Believe me, I know. He told me so." Fergus grinned, backing into the door for her room. The maid in there gasped as they entered, then hurried out as Fergus set her in a chair near the fire. "Fergus, I... I wanted to tell you how sorry I am, about Oriana and Oren."

His face fell, "Yes, I... I'm trying not to think about them."

She leaned forward in the chair and set her hand on his arm, "Don't. It'll eat you alive, like it almost did to me." He raised his face to hers, "You think you're the only one who loved them as much as you?" She kept her gaze even and held the stare until he shook his head and looked into the fire.

"I know... I know." she could see the pain etched on his face as they sat still.

"I know it hurts, Fergus, but would Oriana want you like this?" He flinched, and closed his eyes. Her great warrior brother who never showed his gentler side was hurting. "Fergus," she whispered. "Fergus... can I tell you something?" He looked up at her and nodded. She smiled sadly, "It was while we were gathering the army," she began, her gaze drifting off to a space above his head, "We were making our way through Haven..."

Alistair was nervous, his armor glinting in the sunlight streaming through the windows of her bedchamber. The city had cleaned up quickly with the people eager to forget the darkspawn and move on with their lives. Today Alistair was to hold court for the first time since his coronation, Eamon had insisted on it, saying that he needed to set some things straight with the lesser nobles. "Are you sure you won't come down?" he asked her, turning to look at her more carefully.

Felyca sat in the bay window of the room, watching the crowds gather below them and shook her head, "No. This is a day you need to see to yourself, Alistair. My being there would just overshadow that." She stood and walked over to him, her nightshirt clinging to her curves, "Besides, I'll be waiting for you when you come back."

He smirked and pulled her closer to him, kissing her cheek softly, "I'd feel much better if you were there." he whispered, making her giggle.

She slapped his breastplate playfully, "I already said no, Alistair. Besides, I don't want to deal with Wynne when she sees me out of bed."

He cocked an eyebrow at her, then a look came to his eyes, "That's right! You're not supposed to be out of bed yet." She gasped as he bent and lifted her, then carried her over to the oversized bed dominating the room.

"Alistair!" she laughed, trying halfheartedly to get away from him.

He pouted, and brushed back a stray piece of hair from her face, "Be here... right here," he said, forcing her to lay back against the numerous pillows, "when I get back. Promise me."

She leaned up and kissed him, letting her fingers curl in his hair, "I promise." she breathed, "Now, go. Be a king." He smiled at her, his eyes taking in her every feature.

"I love you." he whispered, kissing her one last time.

She returned the kiss, then smacked him with a pillow, "I love you too, now git!"

The door was barely closed behind him when Leliana emerged from the shadows of the wardrobe and winked at her, "I almost thought I should leave."

Felyca rolled her eyes and reached for the gown that the bard held. "I wasn't about to let that happen." she glanced at Leliana, a teasing smile on her lips, "At least, not yet!" Both girls laughed heartily as Leliana helped Felyca tighten the corset like bodice of the gown. It flared a bit at her hips and swept the floor. It was a soft white velvet with sleeves that cut off at her elbows, letting the rest of the material fall in a triangle to about her knees. It was tied off with a red satin sash that accentuated her womanly figure. It was a bit more extravagant than she was used to wearing, but for an occasion such as this, Felyca figured she'd make the exception.

Leliana was brushing through her hair when Zevran came hurrying inside, his own attire a far cry from the leather armor he'd worn for most of their trek. "Aren't you ready? I have a perfect spot, hidden from the rest of court, but we'll have an excellent view."

Leliana frowned, "I'm almost done." she was about to bring Felyca's hair back into a bun, but the woman just stood and shook out her hair, letting it fall down her back in a soft cascade of purple brown.

"He's about to start anyway. Come on." They rushed through the upper halls of the palace to the place Zevran had found for them.

Alistair was seated on his father's throne, watching the groups of nobles as they settled into their places around the chamber. Once it was fairly quiet, Alistair raised his head and shouted down the hall, "Fergus Cousland, step forward." her heart leapt to her throat and she had to fight from smiling too much. She knew what he was doing, what he had promised her. Fergus stepped forward, kneeling before the man he would soon call brother, "Your Majesty." Alistair's smile broadened, and he stood from his seat, walking to Fergus and motioning for him to rise.

"We were very pleased to discover you alive. Your sister had thought you dead at Ostagar."

Fergus stood, crossing his hands behind his back, "I only wish I had recovered from my wounds sooner that I might assist in the retaking of Denerim."

"Be that as it may, you are now here. Fergus, the Highever lands are restored to you and your family, along with it's title." Alistair gripped Fergus' shoulder, "Rise, Teyrn Cousland. And join the party!" The shouts in the room were deafening, the claps and stomps brought age-old dust rain down from the rafters. Felyca clapped her hands, ecstatic.

"I knew it! I knew he'd do it!"

Leliana laughed beside her and hugged her shoulders, "Congratulations, my lady!" Felyca returned the hug and smiled. She didn't think she'd felt this happy in her whole life.

Alistair's eyes roamed over the entire hall, even up into her balcony. He snickered to Fergus, and nodded at the woman. "I see your sister has made it down for this."

Fergus chuckled, "Felyca's good at doing stuff like that. She'll tell you one thing then sneak around your back and give you exactly what you wanted to begin with." He shook his head ad he watched Felyca wrap her arms around the elf next to her, "You know, I remember sneaking into her room once and stealing a look at her diary."

Alistair gave him a look, "What did you find?"

Fergus' eyes flashed, "What I opened to was a dream she'd had, about a great golden prince coming down from his throne and whisking her off her feet, asking for her hand in marriage."

Alistair returned Fergus' mischievous look and nodded, "A golden prince, eh?"

Fergus nodded, "A golden prince... who asked her to marry him before the entire court."

Alistair's looked back at Felyca, "Before the entire court."

Their eyes met, and his smile widened wickedly. "Uh-oh." she whispered to Leliana. "We've been spotted." Leliana slipped back from the rail, pulling Zevran with her. Felyca looked around for a way to escape but other than the stairs leading to the main floor, she found none. She looked back at Alistair, who was now walking grandly down the main hall, right for her. Stairs. Take the stairs. She hissed to herself, and turned on her heel, almost running down the stairs next to the main door. She reached the floor at the same time that Alistair reached her, and she felt his fingers curl around her arm.

"My Lady Cousland, please. Wait a moment." he said, his voice echoing around the hall. A soft hush fell over the crowd as she turned her head up to look at him. They stood there for a moment, lost in each others gaze, his hands holding hers and a teasing smile playing on his lips.

"My lord?" she asked, gently pulling on her hands, trying to escape the stares of the court.

His smile widened and he tilted his head to her, "My lady, might I beg a question?"

She bit her lip, not really knowing where this was going. "Of course, Your Highness."

Alistair slowly got to his knee, never letting her hands from his grip and looked up into her face, "Lady Felyca Cousland, will you do me a great honor and become my wife?" There were gasps from the females in the group and Felyca felt her cheeks flush.

"My... Your Majesty, I... don't know what to say." she stammered, her breath coming in short gasps.

Alistair grinned at her, his eyes twinkling as he stood and leaned in closer to her, "Then just say yes." Her eyes roved past him, her brother standing behind him and knew where he'd gotten this idea.

"Your Highness, I..." she smiled demurely, something he'd almost never seen her do, "I would be a fool to refuse." He pulled her into a kiss then, in front of the entire cheering court.

"My friends, we are gathered to celebrate those responsible for our victory. Of those who stood against the darkspawn siege of Denerim, there is one in particular who deserves commendation. The one who led the final charge against the Archdemon remains with us still, an inspiration to all she saved that day. Ladies and gentlemen, may I formally present my betrothed, who will soon be your queen."

Alistair stepped from the center of the stage set up for this event, and Felyca tried not to stumble as she walked forward to stand next to him. She was in that green gown that had been given her so long ago, although there were some slight alterations. The belt had been replaced by an ivory sash that wrapped around her waist twice. The sheer halter of the bodice had been restitched to include smaller gems that twinkled in the mid-day sun. Simple, yet elegant, and absolutely Ferelden. The crowd cheered as she raised her hand to them, smiling. "My friend, it is hard to imagine how you could have aided Ferelden more. I think it only appropriate that I return the favor." Alistair was saying, making her look at him, surprised. "As a reward, and as an engagement present, I offer you the boon of your choice." She was stunned, "I hadn't expected this, Your Highness."

She took a breath, thinking it over, "While I don't find myself in need of anything more..."

He smiled at her, "I suppose marrying me is all any girl could want. I'm kidding of course."

She shook her head, "I think that the sacrifice of the Wardens should never be forgotten again."

He nodded, "That is a very good point. I think we can begin with a monument here in Denerim, dedicated to the Grey Wardens who have fallen – Duncan, Riordan, all of them. And it is high time some scholars were collected to learn more about the darkspawn. We will face them again, with the dwarves as well as here." He moved away from her, addressing all those who could hear, "Let it also be known that the Arling of Amaranthine, once the land of Arl Howe, is now granted to the Grey Wardens. There they can rebuild, and follow the example of those who went before them."

The crowds let out a great cheer and the pair laughed heartily as a band struck up in a far corner of the square and people began to pair off, some dancing while others mingled through multiple merchant stands. Teagan claimed her attention and led her through the crowds, introducing her to different nobles in attendance. She danced a round or two with Fergus and then had to excuse herself for a glass of wine. Eamon had grabbed Alistair's arm and was talking to him about the different ambassadors coming to the city in the coming weeks, trying to understand where they would be housed. It was another hour before he found her, standing near a secluded table.

"So, we made it." She turned around and found herself staring into Alistair's honey eyes, "I'm impressed aren't you?" He put a hand on her cheek, "I was so scared I might lose you, but here you are. Not bad right?"

She smiled, taking a small step closer to him, "No. Not bad at all."

He closed his eyes, lowering his forehead to hers, "I bet this had something to do with that night... with Morrigan. I'm not that dumb."

She blinked, then shook her head, "I told you it would."

"The rest of the Grey Wardens haven't arrived yet from Orlais, but they've already sent... questions. What do I tell them?"

She shrugged, "Honestly? I don't care what you tell them, let them wonder about it." he gave her a look, "Then again, the truth's always a good option."

He snorted, "That a maleficar saved you then ran off to have my demon baby? That has a certain ring to it, right?" They laughed softly and he kissed her gently, "No. I think I'll just keep that to myself. I can shrug and look stupid, it's a talent." She giggled then put a hand to her nose, hoping her swallow of wine wouldn't come back out. "Speaking of Morrigan, do you know where she went? I'm told she vanished, right after the battle. No goodbyes or anything."

Her eyes widened, "You wanted to say goodbye? I thought you hated her!" as he shrugged, she remembered her friends last words to her.

"After this I shall be gone, and I ask that you not follow me."

"She didn't want to be followed."

He rolled his eyes, "Very dramatic. I don't imagine she'd be easy to find even if she did want to be." Felyca giggled again, then set her empty glass back on the table. He pulled her into a hug, "At any rate, I can't wait to be alone with you. These formal affairs drive me insane!"

She shook her head at him, "You'd better get used to them. You're the king now."

He rolled his eyes, grinned and turned her around, half dancing as they moved through the crowds, "Tell me about it," they passed by Teagan and Oghren laughing merrily over a barrel of what smelled like pickles. "But the way I see it, it will be tolerable, as long as I have you."

It was her turn to roll her eyes as he led her to the shade of a maple tree just out of sight of the square, "We'll be married soon enough, Alistair. Then you have me all to yourself."

He laughed, "HA! I get to marry the woman I love! Who could want better?" He was leaning her back against the tree, his face inches from hers as he came in for another kiss. A cough came from his left, making them both jump.

"Your Majesty, the emissary from the Dalish clans is here to speak with you."

Alistair nodded, then grinned at her as he spoke, "Yes, Eamon. I'll be right there."

She laughed and rubbed her hands across his breastplate, "Meet you upstairs later?" she hissed, tapping her fingers across the metal.

His voice dropped an octave, making her arms tingle with goosebumps. "Oh I'll be waiting, don't you worry." He kissed her nose, then pulled back, "I'll let you get to your adoring public. They want to see the Hero of Ferelden, and who am I to keep them waiting?"