Phew, I have finally gotten this chapter done. Had some major writer's block, and other projects I've been working on. Enjoy!

CHAPTER EIGHT

After meeting her nephew and nieces, they went back to playing and Rosemary was gushing over them.

"Oh my gosh, they are so cuuuuuuuute!" she squealed.

"I know," Olyvia laughed, "We make cute babies."

"Oswyn wants children," Rosemary said, "It hasn't happened yet, though I'm not sure I'm ready. It looks like a lot of work."

Olyvia's face skewed in horror, "You having kids…why is that so terrifying? Maybe because you still look like you're fifteen."

Rosemary narrowed her eyes at her sister, "I'm twenty-two, thank you very much."

"And I'm twenty-seven. At least you age well," Olyvia said, "Oswyn will have a young wife forever. Or at least for the next fifty years until the wrinkles hit you."

Rosemary stared up at her sister blinkingly, not saying a word, an oddity for Rosemary. Olyvia gave her the hairy eyeball, "What?"

"Wow…twenty-seven. You're old."

Olyvia shoved Rosemary, before enveloping her in a tight hug, "Ugh, I missed you."

"Livy, you're smothering me with your boobs," Rosemary's muffled voice said.

Olyvia just squeezed tighter, rubbing her chest purposefully against her sister's face, making her screech. With a laugh she let go, and Rosemary ran her hands over her face as if she was trying to wipe something icky off.

"Anyway, motherhood is tough, but it is so rewarding," Olyvia said, "I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."

"Motherhood also gave you big boobs."

Olyvia chuckled, "Yes, comes with the territory. Have to store the breastmilk somewhere."

"What about my wife's buxom bosom?" Alistair's voice came from behind.

Olyvia turned to look at him, "That it is very buxom in order to feed the baby and very good at smothering little sisters."

"Do I get a turn?" Alistair asked with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

"Ew! I don't need to hear that!" Rosemary exclaimed.

"Oh come on, you're married now, surely that sort of talk doesn't bother you much anymore."

"How would you like it for me to talk about my bedroom endeavors with Oswyn?" Rosemary retorted, "And how the fact we haven't had children yet wasn't for a lack of trying—."

"Okay, I get your point, you can stop now," Olyvia said, a grimace on her face.
"I thought so," Rosemary quipped.

"I see you two are falling into your sibling habits already," Alistair said, "The love didn't even last ten minutes."

Olyvia reached out and ruffled Rosemary's hair, who slapped her hands away with a grumble, "Oh, this is just how we show our love for each other."

"I thought the picking on each other would have started at least an hour after being reunited."

Olyvia merely shrugged, and went back to rocking back and forth on her feet, keeping Madeline happy in her arms. Rosemary then asked Alistair where Oswyn and her father-in-law had gone off to.

"They're in the study, speaking with Teyrn Cousland," Alistair replied, "And I don't mean to pry…well, actually I do because then I wouldn't ask, but I couldn't help but notice Oswyn's limp. Did he get injured recently?"

"Oh, that's not recent," Rosemary said, "He was like that when I met him. It was…a little over five years ago that he sustained those injuries. He told me an Arl Howe had captured and tortured him at an estate in Denerim. Not even magic could heal some of them. He's actually gotten a lot better, at least in the three years I've known him."

Olyvia let out a low growl, "Arl Howe…ugh, how I hate that man. Probably the one person I hate more than Aedan…so far."

Rosemary stared up at Olyvia in shock, "Wow…that's saying something."

"It is," Olyvia said.

"Wait, you said this was a little over five years ago?" Alistair asked.

Rosemary nodded.

Alistair's brow furrowed in thought, "This didn't happen to be around the time of the Landsmeet, was it?"

"The…," Rosemary had a confused look on her face, but after thinking for a few moments she caught on to what Alistair was saying, "Oh, yes actually. Around the time we also left Denerim for Highever."

"Did…did Oswyn mention anything about seeing Aedan there while he was busy painting the walls with Arl Howe's blood."

"Not sure about the painting the walls part, but yes Oswyn did see him," Rosemary said, "It's the reason Oswyn and Sighard hate Aedan so much. Aedan was just going to leave him there."

Alistair ran a hand down his face, "Great, now I feel bad."

"Why would you feel bad?"

"I could have been there," Alistair said, "Helped him out myself."

"Except you were busy saving me and staying with me while I recovered from attempted murder and having my finger reattached," Olyvia said, "Yes, I still remember that time very well."

"Oh…well then I don't feel as bad," Alistair said, "But still—."

"Wait, then how did Oswyn get out of there?" Olyvia interrupted Alistair, turning to her sister.

"Said the elf with Aedan cut him loose while he wasn't looking," Rosemary replied, "Apparently Aedan was in such a rush he didn't want to waste the time to free him, or to let anyone else do it."

Olyvia's lips spread into a wide smile, "Ah Zevran. Gotta love that elf. Beneath that killer exterior is a heart of gold."

When Rosemary gave her a confused look, Olyvia explained that Zevran was an assassin. That cleared up her confusion. After mentioning how Zevran also helped Fergus find Dianna, Rosemary agreed that they indeed had to love the elf assassin.

"Please tell me I don't have to try to kill said assassin you claim to love so much," Alistair said worriedly.

Olyvia laughed, "No, my love. You know I love you and only you. Besides it's a different sort of love anyway, the kind you feel for your friends. Or family. I almost see Zevran as a brother. Don't tell me you still don't like him."

Alistair waved off the notion, "I've been over that for years. When we first saw him in Antiva, I will admit I still wasn't sure if coin swayed his loyalties, but now I'm sure that after all we've been through he'll remain loyal to his real friends."

"Wow Alistair, never thought I'd hear you say that," Olyvia grinned.

"Just never tell him I said that," Alistair said, "He'd never let me live it down."

Another week passed and all letters had been sent out to potential allies so they were just waiting to hear back, if at all. Bann Sighard and Oswyn were still the only ones who had arrived at the castle, which worried Alistair some. A whole week, and still no word from anyone. He expected at least something from Teagan, but even his sort-of-Uncle hadn't send a letter or arrived.

"Redcliffe is a good five days travel, if you're going at a steady pace," Fergus attempted to calm Alistair's nerves as he paced in the dining hall, "The bird we sent the message on would have taken at least two. Give him time. He's an Arl now, he can't just up and leave."

"He still could have sent a reply," Alistair said, "I don't like this…silence we're getting. It worries me. Something else is going on."

"Aedan has to be back in Ferelden by now," Olyvia piped in, "Perhaps he's running interference."

"That's also possible," Fergus agreed, "But we shouldn't worry ourselves to death before we know for sure there is reason to worry."

Alistair nodded, but kept pacing. When he walked past Olyvia she grabbed his arm and sat him down on the bench beside her, ordering him to eat his breakfast. With a grumble he swiveled around and dug into his food. Not four bites in a guard burst through the doors and sprinted toward them. Alistair jumped back to his feet. The guard's haste meant something bad was coming.

"My Lord!" he addressed Fergus, "We have a problem."

"Speak, quickly!" Fergus ordered.

"His Majesty is approaching the castle with a contingent of soldiers from the east road," the soldier said.

"Rally the guard, have them stationed at the gates and the main hall," Fergus ordered as he went to leave to ready himself as well, "And have the gates barricaded."

"That's not all, my Lord."

Fergus screeched to a halt and turned to the guard to show he was listening.

"We also have Arl Teagan approaching from the west," the guard said, "It doesn't look like he would make it in the gates before his Majesty."

Fergus cursed under his breath, thought for a few seconds then asked, "Just how many men did Aedan have with him?"

"No more than thirty," the guard replied, "It doesn't appear he intends to attack."

"Knowing Aedan, it might just be a front," Alistair said, "Might have more numbers out of sight to attack when needed."

Fergus nodded in agreement, "Send thirty of our men to the gates, and send word to Arl Teagan to hold back, then barricade the gates. Also send scouts to the east wall, keep an eye out for anyone approaching from the forest. The rest of our men will be stationed at the main entrance. I'll meet you at the gates shortly."

The guard nodded and Dianna whirled around in her seat at the table, "Wait, what? You're going all the way out to the gates?"

"I will need to speak with him myself, Dianna, you know this," Fergus replied.

"Then I'm going with you," Alistair said.

"That may not be the best thing to do," Fergus said, "He may not know you are here, only assuming you are because of familial ties. There is little he can do, legally, without proof."

"Well he may not go, but I'm definitely going," Dianna said.

"Absolutely not!" Fergus argued, "If a fight starts, I'm not going to risk my children losing their mother."

"Then let's hope a fight doesn't start, because I'm going," Dianna said, storming past Fergus.

"I'll babysit!" Olyvia shouted before Dianna left the room, Fergus chasing after her.

Alistair sat back down at the table. Olyvia tried getting him to eat his food, but he no longer had the stomach for it. He was too worried about what was going to happen. The suspense of waiting to know what was going on was going to kill him before Aedan ever did.

Fergus was red-faced in anger as he stormed out to the gates after his wife, dressed in his full armor. She just would not listen to reason, and he couldn't believe she would put her life in jeopardy with two kids waiting for her in the castle. Reaching the gates he found her up on the wall with some other archers, blending in perfectly with them. No one would know she was the Teyrna unless they knew her and were looking. Fergus made his way up onto the wall, and the other archers backed away, making a pathway to his wife.

"Get inside. Now," Fergus ordered.

"No," Dianna refused, "I'm going to be here to back you up. You know I'm just as good of an archer as anyone else."

"That may be true, but I still don't want you risking your life!"

"It's my life to risk," Dianna argued, "Go do your own thing."

Fergus growled, stepping closer to her, "Of all the stubborn women I've had to deal with in my life, you definitely are the worst."

"And of all the over-protective men in the world, my dad still takes the cake," Dianna teased back, "You're a close second though."

Cupping her face, Fergus pulled her in for a quick kiss, "Just promise me you'll return to the castle if we can't hold the gates."

"I promise."

Leaving the archer's section of the wall, Fergus walked to where he was standing directly over the gates, looking out to the east. Aedan and his men were steady approaching on horseback, no more than three hundred paces away. Looking to the west, he saw no sign of Teagan. At least someone was listening to him today.

With the overcast grey skies, Fergus had a sense of foreboding as Aedan approached the gates. The weather was fitting for a bloody battle. The contingent of soldiers stopped fifty paces from the gates while Aedan rode forth, stopping just before the gates and looked up at his brother.

"Come to greet me yourself, Fergus," Aedan said, "I'm flattered."

"Spare me the pleasantries and tell me why you're here with such numbers?"

"I'm King of Ferelden," Aedan said as if it were the obvious answer, "I need to be well protected when I travel."

"So many wish you dead you require thirty men?"

Aedan narrowed his eyes, "You tell me. As I recall you are among those who wish me dead."

"I'm among those who wish you cared about all of Ferelden as much as you did catching a couple fugitives. Not your death," Fergus retorted, "What brings you to Highever, your majesty."

"Those fugitives you just spoke of," Aedan replied, "Hand them over."

"I can't hand over something I don't have."

"Don't bury yourself a deeper grave, Fergus," Aedan snapped, "I know they're here."

"Where's your proof?"

Aedan removed a scroll from his saddlebag, "Since I'm certain by now you know I've had agents within your castle, one sent me word."

Fergus held out a hand, silently asking for it. Due to the heaviness of the paper, it wasn't difficult for Aedan to toss it up to Fergus. Unrolling it, he read it before asking, "Who is Thomas Woodes?"

"That's a fellow guardsman, my Lord," a nearby knight replied.

"And where is he?"

"In the main hall."

Fergus shot a look to Dianna, who nodded and hurriedly went down the stairs and ran for the main doors. Fergus watched her as she went until she disappeared through the main doors. Turning back to Aedan, Fergus's blood boiled seeing the smug look on his face.

"You have your proof," Aedan said, "Now about those fugitives."

"Alistair is petitioning his right for the throne," Fergus said, tossing the scroll back, "As he is the last of the Theirin bloodline, it is rightfully his."

Aedan's smirk disappeared, his jaw clenching in irritation, "He has no rank among nobility, he can't just petition for the throne."

"Why do you think I told you this was his aim?" Fergus asked, "I'm calling for a Landsmeet."

Aedan pursed his lips together. Silence hung in the air, making Fergus anxious as the seconds ticked by. He gripped his hand tighter around the hilt of his sword. He expected Aedan to mount an attack, seeing he wasn't getting his way.

"Very well," Aedan said after a prolonged silence, "As a Teyrn it is your right to call for a Landsmeet. Would a month's time be soon enough for you and your traitorous friend?"

Fergus was shocked to hear Aedan agree to a Landsmeet, but he didn't let it show, "A month's time would be plenty."

"I'll have you know now, Fergus," Aedan said darkly, "When the votes don't sway his way, it'll be your head as well that pays. Same for your wife and children."

"Your confidence in yourself is amusing, little brother," Fergus rebutted calmly, despite the fury that surged in his chest at the threat against his children, "We'll see you at the Landsmeet."

Aedan shot him a snide look before turning his horse around and heading back to his men. He was halted by a voice.

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

Pulling his horse to a stop, he, as well as everyone else, turned to see Dianna escorting a man by his ear up onto the wall. He was limping, and had an arrow through his sword hand.

"Here's your snitch."

With a tug on his ear, she sent him over the wall. He landed with a heavy thud and a whimper. Though the walls weren't terribly high, they were high enough the man most likely broke a few ribs, possibly an arm. Aedan merely gave the man a look of disgust before heading on his way. Thomas achingly got to his feet and began to limp after him, arm clutched to his body. Though Aedan offered him no help, one of the guard went over and pulled him up onto his horse, only after Aedan had gone by so he wasn't a witness to him saving an injured man.

Fergus and the guard waited at their posts long until Aedan had disappeared from view. It was only then that they removed the barricade from the gates, and sent for Teagan. Fergus ordered to double the guard at every post outside the castle before making his way down to the ground and finding his wife.

"What happened in the Hall?" he asked.

"Oh, when I asked for Thomas Woodes, he went to attack," Dianna replied, "I was faster and shot him in the hand. After a kick to the shin I drug him out here. Don't worry, no one but him was hurt. What happened out here though? I'm surprised Aedan left."

"He…actually agreed to a Landsmeet," Fergus replied.

Dianna's eyes widened in surprise, "I thought I was just hearing things on my way back when I heard that. That's…unsettling."

"It is," Fergus said, "Either he really is confident he'll keep the crown or…"

"He has something else planned," Dianna finished for him.

Fergus nodded, "Exactly. I just hope we don't walk right into whatever trap he's setting up for us."

The two made their way toward the dining hall to find Alistair and Olyvia, to let them know what had transpired, finding Alistair standing outside the door in his heavy plate armor.

"Ready for a fight, I see," Fergus said.

"I wanted to be prepared, just in case," Alistair said, "Judging by your being here I assume Aedan has…miraculously left."

Fergus motioned to the door and Alistair opened it and the three headed inside, joining Olyvia and the children at the table. Fergus then told them what occurred outside. Both Olyvia and Alistair had the same reaction as Fergus and Dianna, they expected Aedan was up to something shifty.

"What is our plan then?" Olyvia asked.

Fergus sighed, "Though I don't like going in blind, knowing he has something planned for us, if we don't discover what it is soon, we'll have to travel to Denerim. We can't be absent at a Landsmeet we called for."

Olyvia grimaced, "I don't like it either."

"We'll have to exercise extreme caution if it comes to that," Fergus added, "Until the time comes for our departure, I will do my best to discover what plans Aedan has in store for us."

"And just how are we—," Alistair began, but was interrupted by the door opening.

Everyone looked to see who it was, shoulders sagging in relief seeing it was Teagan and his wife, whom had the slightest pregnancy bulge against her dress.

"Going to do that?" Alistair muttered the end of his question.

"No idea," Fergus briefly replied before grasping Teagan's arm in greeting, "Thank you for coming, my friend."

"Of course," Teagan replied, "I almost thought I had arrived too late, seeing King Aedan and his regiment here. I tried leaving Redcliffe as soon as I could, but I had to prepare the Arling for my absence, and Margaret here, well she hasn't been feeling very well the last few months."

"Us mothers can sympathize," Dianna said, and Olyvia nodded vigorously in agreement.

Margaret made a face and rubbed her swollen belly, as if it would help alleviate her nausea. As if sensing her discomfort, Teagan placed a hand on her back and rubbed in small circles. Margaret relaxed, and closed her eyes, resting her head on Teagan's shoulder.

"So what happened with Aedan?" Teagan asked, "I would not have expected him to leave so easily."

Fergus sighed, "Come with me to my study. We have much to discuss."

After the men left the dining hall, Dianna had some crackers brought out for Maggie, making her sit, rest and eat. Maggie was more than happy to sit, but she wasn't fond of the idea of putting food in her stomach. Once she had gotten a few down, Dianna introduced her to her sister.

"Maggie, I want you to meet my sister," Dianna said, placing a hand on Olyvia's shoulder, "This is Olyvia. Olyvia, this is my best friend Maggie. We met here in Highever years ago."

"So good to finally meet you in person," Olyvia said, offering a hand.

Maggie took her hand and gave it a solid shake, "Likewise, though Dianna only told me a little about you."

"It, unfortunately, had to be that way," Olyvia said, "Being a fugitive and all."

Maggie nodded, eyeballed another cracker, grimaced and took another bite. Dianna smiled sadly, patting her friend on the back, "So where is Tiranon?"

"A servant was kind enough to take him to play with the kids," Maggie said, swallowing her food, "I swear, I'm not having more children."

Dianna chuckled, "Does Teagan know this?"

"Oh he's heard it every day for the last three years."

"Yet you're pregnant again."

"What can I say," Maggie sighed, "Sex is fun."

Dianna cringed, "Not exactly what I wanted to hear."

"Says the woman who also has two kids," Maggie shot back, "How can you not think that too many?"

Olyvia laughed, "I just had my third."

"Maker's breath, why?"

"I had two years head start on the both of you," Olyvia said, "Alistair and I both wanted children and it happened a lot sooner than we thought it would. I wouldn't change it for the world though."

"She and Alistair weren't exactly married when she got pregnant the first time," Dianna whispered loudly.

Olyvia shot a glare at her sister, "That's not exactly something that needs to be shared now does it?"

"We're all married women here," Maggie said, "And I can understand now why some might not be able to resist the temptation before marriage."

Olyvia dropped her head into her hand, "We were planning on getting married at least."

"The real question is, are you planning on having more?" Dianna asked.

Olyvia pursed her lips, "After the complications with this one, I have to admit I'm worried about having more. Three is enough for me, but there's no way to prevent pregnancy aside from abstinence, and there's no way Alistair is going to be okay with that."

"Fergus wouldn't either," Dianna chuckled, "Nor would Teagan, I'm guessing."

"I wouldn't be," Maggie said, sending the three of them into fits of laughter.

Once Teagan was brought up to speed of what was going on, the three of them discussed the Landsmeet. Messages would need to be sent out as quickly as possible so that their potential allies could attend, hopefully without incident. Without word from them yet though to their first missive, Fergus was concerned, as well as suspicious of involvement on Aedan's end.

The men were busy discussing strategy and writing out letters until supper, taking a break in their work to join their families in the dining hall. While supper for the Couslands could be a noisy affair with their two children, it was even crazier and louder with all the cousins and Tiranon trying to play with each other during the meal. Conversation was near impossible, having to nearly shout to each other, but that didn't stop anyone from trying. Though it was a lively evening, it was an enjoyable one. For the first time in six years, Olyvia had all her family together. She couldn't stop smiling the whole evening.

As the sun set, everyone dispersed and those with children spent a good hour getting them all to bed. Olyvia sighed a breath of relief as she shut the door to their children's room next to them, not hearing a peep from them. Returning to her quarters she smiled as Alistair rocked a sleeping Madeline in his arms, singing softly to her.

"Kennic and Xandra are sleeping," Olyvia said quietly as she sat down on the bed beside him.

Alistair nodded, showing he heard her, and began singing quieter and quieter until stopping and setting Madeline in a crib set up in the room. With another sigh, Olyvia flopped down onto the bed, spreading out across it, "Phew, what a night."

"Certainly was loud and crazy," Alistair agreed as he climbed onto the bed, "You looked happier than I've seen in a long time."

Olyvia smiled, "I was. It's good to be with my family again. My whole family."

With a stretch, Olyvia announced she was ready for bed but before she could move, Alistair reached over and ran a hand up her stomach and cupped a breast, groaning in frustration.

"I have four more weeks before I'm ready for that, Alistair," Olyvia said, "Three if you're lucky."

"I know," Alistair sighed, "You're just…so sexy. It's unfair."

Olyvia snorted in laughter, "I'm glad you think after three kids and with my postpartum belly you still think I'm sexy."

"It's because you are," Alistair said, "So unfair to everyone else to be so attractive."

Sitting up, Olyvia kissed her husband with a laugh, "I love you, my funny, sexy man. I'm going to bed now."

"Can I help you undress?" Alistair asked with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

"Only if you can control yourself and stop at my underdress."

"If I do, can we set aside some time just for us in three weeks?" Alistair asked, sneaking a hand down and under Olyvia's skirt.

"In three weeks we'll be on our way to the Landsmeet," Olyvia said, "And I don't think you'll be in the mood for sex there."

"You don't know for sure," Alistair said, flipping her skirt up, exposing her legs, "It'd bring back memories."

Olyvia rolled her eyes, "Yes, the ones involving nearly dying because of Eamon, and fleeing for our lives from the capitol."

"You have to ruin everything don't you," Alistair teased, his hands working on the buttons on the front of her dress, "I was meaning our…catching up on all the time you spent denying your feelings for me."

"Oh, is that how you're going to play it?" Olyvia asked, grabbing his hands, "Two can play that game. I can make you wait until the coronation."

"Well it's true that you denied your feelings for me," Alistair argued, "I told you months prior that I loved you. You can't fault me for telling the truth."

Olyvia fought a smile, doing her best to frown at her husband as he gave her his best kicked puppy eyes, but lost, "You're right, I can't fault you for telling the truth. You're not going to guilt trip me though by using it."

"I don't intend to guilt trip you, just…make sure you remember whose fault it is that our relationship didn't start sooner."

"And I most likely would have ended up pregnant on the road," Olyvia said, tapping Alistair on the nose, "Considering how quickly I got pregnant when we did."

"True," Alistair agreed, pulling Olyvia's dress off her shoulders and down to her waist, "That would not have worked well for us."

"For me," Olyvia clarified, shimmying out of her dress the rest of the way and hung it on a hook by the bed, "I'm the one who carries and births the child, remember?"

Alistair looked over to Madeline before back to Olyvia, "How could I forget, you've given me three beautiful children who take so much after their beautiful mother."

"Now you're trying to butter me up."

"Maker's breath woman, do you have to make it so hard for me to compliment you?" Alistair sighed.

Olyvia chuckled, "Sorry. I do like it when you compliment me though. You really do make me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world."

Alistair smiled, "Good, because you are."

"Now get over here so I can get your shirt off and we can go to bed, and you can tell me more about all the things you love about me."

That Alistair wasn't going to argue with. Once his shirt was off, the two crawled under the covers, Alistair wrapping his arm around his wife's waist to pull her close.

"You're amazing," Alistair whispered in her ear, "And I love your slightly crooked nose."

Olyvia snorted in laughter, and rolled her eyes. She knew he'd mention that.

"You have beautiful elbows," Alistair went on, "And knees."

Pursing her lips together, Olyvia tried not to laugh. There was definitely not a lack of humor in their marriage. She definitely wasn't going to be falling asleep anytime soon, but at least she'd fall asleep with a smile on her face.

By the end of the following week, Alistair had received a flood of letters from the nobility. He, Fergus, and Teagan helped go through the letters, to find most were willing to ally themselves with Alistair. It was a great relief to finally hear back from them, even if they weren't all positive. And they were replies from the first missives sent, which asked for allegiance if a civil war erupted, rather than their vote at a Landsmeet. Knowing their allies, Alistair was starting to feel a lot better about the upcoming Landsmeet.

Fergus began preparing Highever castle for his absence in order to attend the Landsmeet. At the end of the week, he, Alistair, their families and allies would all make their way to the capitol to ensure they arrive in time for it. The closer the day of their departure came, the more anxious Alistair became, but not because of the prospect of becoming King of Ferelden. He was worried about what might happen to his family while in the capitol.

"I told you a thousand times already, I am going!" Olyvia argued as Alistair again attempted to convince his wife to stay in Highever with their children.

"It's not going to be safe! I can guarantee that so why chance it?" Alistair questioned.

"Just because Aedan is an asshole does not mean we won't be safe at the Cousland Estate in Denerim," Olyvia replied, "As your wife, and going to be Queen of Ferelden, I will be at your side for the Landsmeet. You already agreed to this!"

"That was before it was two days until we headed for the capitol," Alistair argued, pacing back and forth across the room to burn his anxious energy, "Won't you consider staying here until after the Landsmeet? You'd be safer here."

"Not really," Olyvia retorted, "Say I stay here, what's to stop Aedan from sending assassins here to finish us off? You'll be taking a majority of the guard with you, leaving fewer knights here. We'll be safer with you, the guard, our allies, and their guards."

Alistair growled in frustration, turning his back to her as he paced back to the other side of the room, "We aren't going to come to an agreement are we? Either option isn't risk free, but I want to keep you as far from Aedan as possible. Remember what happened to you the last time we were waiting for a Landsmeet while in the Capitol?"

Olyvia frowned, "Of course I remember. I nearly died. And lost a finger! Temporarily."

"You understand my concerns now then?"

"No," Olyvia countered, "I was wandering on my own when that happened. I won't leave your side, or if we are forced apart, I will be with at least one very trusted friend."

"The men who kidnapped you were masquerading as guards! That could happen again!" Alistair nearly shrieked, "And what of the children? How will you keep them from running off out of your sight? All it takes is one second, and they could be killed."

"Alistair, I've been wrangling these two kids for the last three years," Olyvia said, "Madeline can't go anywhere on her own because she's too young so we don't need to worry about her. I will handle Kennic and Xandra. You worry about winning over the rest of the nobles who haven't given their allegiance to you. So wipe that frown off your face and practice being your charming self."

Alistair frowned even more, "This conversation isn't over yet. I'll keep at you until the minute I leave."

"You mean, we leave."

Alistair sighed in frustration, "Maker's breath woman, you are impossible."

Their argument about who all was going continued for the next two days until they were packing up the carriages to take them to Denerim. They weren't the only ones who had that argument, Fergus and Dianna also had the same disagreement, and she ended up winning. Both Fergus and Alistair were grousing as the carriages were loaded up and they made their way out of the city.

"Alistair, cheer up," Olyvia said once they were out on the open road, "we're together, as it should be."

"As much as I love being with you dear wife, there are times you try my patience," Alistair sighed, "Such as now. You realize that if you do die, I'm going to blame you forever."

"You can tell me, I told you so, if that does happen," Olyvia said blandly, "Which it won't."

With another sigh, Alistair dropped his head back against the carriage wall, "I wish I had your confidence."

They travelled in mostly silence aside from the children chattering, or Madeline crying, for the rest of the day. Stopping for camp with dusk a few hours a day, they pitched tents, made supper, and after some conversation retired for the eve. The next morning everyone swiftly pulled up camp and they were back on the road within the hour. This time Alistair road on his horse instead of inside the carriage. He didn't like being confined, and thought a little space from his wife might help the both of them get over their disagreement. He still didn't stray far from the carriage, making sure Olyvia was always in line of sight.

Their travel thus far had been uneventful, but that afternoon it changed. From the head of their caravan, Fergus and his knights came to a stop, halting everyone behind. As the Theirin's carriage stopped, Olyvia poked her head out a window, "What's going on?"

"I'm not sure," Alistair said, "You have a weapon on you?"

Olyvia showed him her sword, comforting him somewhat. He'd prefer if he could put his whole family in a bubble made of dragonbone, that way nothing could get through to them. Informing his wife he was going to ride up to Fergus, he trotted his horse up to the front.

"What's the matter?" Alistair asked.

"We have someone approaching," Fergus said, "They look injured."

Alistair squinted into the distance to see a figure further down the road, coming their way, the gait of the figure implying they were hurt. Alistair's mind raced at what the possibilities could be.

"Trap?" Alistair asked.

"Potentially," Fergus replied, "I don't want to risk sending scouts that far out to check. Knights, make a line around the caravan! If we're already in the middle of it, I don't want to risk anyone getting through."

As the knights moved into position, Fergus and Alistair waited as the figure came closer. They were still too far away that they couldn't make out any discerning features. A few minutes passed, when Olyvia showed up at Alistair's side.

"What are you doing?" Alistair nearly shrieked, "Get back in the carriage!"

"I wanted to see what the holdup was," Olyvia shot back, "Nobody tells me anything."

Fergus smirked, "You definitely married a Hamilton."

"You have to deal with this stubbornness too then, I take it?" Alistair asked.

"All the time," Fergus said, "and it runs deep with their family."

Alistair turned his attention back to Olyvia, "And the children?"

"Dianna is watching them for me," Olyvia said, "So what's the holdup?"

Fergus told her since Alistair was still too furious about her blatant lack of safety. Olyvia squinted toward the figure, using a hand to block the midday sun in order to get a better look, "So you're thinking it's a trap."

"It's a possibility," Fergus said, "And it'd make sense, given how willing Aedan was to give us a Landsmeet."

"So…how close are you going to let him get?" Olyvia asked.

"Him?" Fergus asked.

"Yeah, shape of his body indicates male," Olyvia replied, "How close do we let him get before sending a guard to get him, or finish him off or whatever you may do."

"Once he's close enough to be able to get a better look at him the scouts will pick him up," Fergus replied.

Olyvia nodded, and looked toward the injured man approaching. Alistair frowned at her, "Excuse me, aren't you supposed to go back to your carriage?"

"Uh, excuse me aren't you not supposed to be up in the front either, my King?" Olyvia shot back.

Fergus let out a small laugh, "As much as her fire and stubbornness might grieve you at times, Alistair, it will be a great help at the Landsmeet. I have a feeling she will give Anora quite a challenge."

"I hope so," Alistair muttered.

As the man came closer, they still couldn't make out any distinct features due to the amount of blood on them. Whoever it was, was not doing well, and Alistair had to admit it was making him a little sick just waiting while they desperately tried to reach them. What if they really did need help and it wasn't a trap? If he died because they did not act soon enough, that guilt would be on Alistair's head for ages. Suddenly he heard Olyvia gasp.

"What is it?" Alistair asked in a panic.

"It's Zevran!"