There and Back Again Ch. 091-092

"Mine," he growled, then pulled back and thrust again, sheathing himself even deeper. "Mine."

He'd never been this possessive, never been this aggressive, and I should have been afraid or uncomfortable, but I wasn't. I loved it - the discomfort of his fingers digging into my hips, the smoothness of his skin against mine, the delicious sensation of fulfillment when he was inside me. I wanted him to own me, my body, just for that moment, the way he'd owned my heart since Lothering.

"Yours, yes, please Alistair..." I was babbling, alternating declaring my love for him and begging him for the release he was driving me towards. His steady pace and smooth thrusts took me higher and higher as his teeth sank into my skin, marking me, and I couldn't quite get there, despite reaching hard for my climax.

"Mine!" he roared, driving into me, and his erratic thrusts as he spilled himself finally sent me over, squealing his name and writhing in his grasp as my orgasm made my vision grey out and the room spin.

Seemingly without difficulty, he finally turned and laid me down on the bed, shucked his trousers, which had puddled around his ankles, then climbed up behind me to spoon my naked, sweaty form to him. I was so tired I could barely open my eyes.

"S'food over there," I gestured towards my little table, "if you're hungry."

"Thanks, but I'm not getting out of this bed until my legs stop shaking."

I grinned, falling asleep mid-chuckle.

I woke as the sun rose in the morning; shutters just aren't as nice as blinds for blocking the light, and I squinted as a shaft of early morning sunlight fell across my face. I was curled on my side, head on Alistair's shoulder, and when I looked up, I caught him looking down at me with a soft smile.

"'Cause that's not creepy." I grinned, and he chuckled.

"What can I say? You're gorgeous, and you look so peaceful when you sleep."

"You're forgiven." I turned my head, pressing my lips to his shoulder. "Oh, ugh. We reek."

"Yeah well, I figured we could have a shower later. I, um..." he flushed, and ran his hand nervously through his hair.

I tried not to smile at the adorable habit. "Yes?"

"I, well, I just wanted to say..."

I raised my eyebrows, and he cleared his throat, blush deepening.

"I wanted to say that, all evidence to the contrary, I don't actually think I own you."

I hesitated a moment, waiting for the punchline of the joke, and then burst out laughing when I saw he was serious.

"Really? That's what you were worried about?"

"Well, last night I was rather..." he trailed off, looking lost.

"Possessive?" I offered, and he grimaced and nodded. I giggled. "It's okay. I certainly enjoyed being possessed."

He huffed out a laugh. "I'm trying to apologise, here. I just...I didn't think you'd go along with Eamon's plan or anything, but just the thought of you with someone else..."

"I know. I almost wrestled Isabela, remember? A little jealousy every now and then is actually quite sexy, as long as you don't take it too seriously." I stretched, enjoying the slight stiffness in my hips. "And I do like Commanding Alistair. He's delicious."

He traced his finger across my cheek then down to my neck, blushing again. "There's good news, though."

"Oh?"

"Apparently I've gotten over the fear of being too rough with you."

I realised he was stroking the skin where he'd bitten my neck; it must have left a hell of a bruise. I giggled, and he laughed with me. He kissed me gently, then went to get up.

"Shall I grab you a potion?"

"Nah. Leave it. I'm going to enjoy seeing Eamon's face when he notices."

At that, Alistair really did laugh. I snuggled into his chest, enjoying having a quiet moment alone with my intended.

"Can I ask you something?"

His expression was oddly diffident, and I looked up at him, suddenly concerned. "Anything."

"Does my...background bother you?"

"Your background?" I was confused. "You mean the whole 'son of Maric' thing? Not really. It isn't going to matter for us. Cailan's alive, so you will stay a Grey Warden, and I can just be your wife. Why would I care about that?"

"And you'd be happy as the wife of someone who's just a Grey Warden?"

I kissed him briefly. "Ecstatically. I'm not some pampered noble, remember? As long as I'm with you, I'll be the happiest woman alive."

He flushed slightly. "I'm glad, though when I was asking, I was thinking more about my mother."

I considered what I knew of Fiona, from the books and the few things Duncan had said. "Well, it bothers me on your behalf that she and Maric left you with Eamon, of all people, but...oh! Do you mean the mage thing? That doesn't really bother me much. Our whole templar thing probably means our kids won't be mages, so I won't have to declare war on the Chantry, so...no, it doesn't worry me."

His expression didn't relax, and I wondered what I was missing.

"I meant more her...physical characteristics."

"I don't even know what she looks like, Alistair. I'm sure they described her in the book, but I don't remember."

"What about her ears?" He looked frustrated now, and I was even more convinced I was missing something.

"Is there something odd about her ears? Maybe I wasn't around for that conversation."

He growled slightly. "They're pointy, Sierra."

"Of course they're pointy! She's an elf!"

Alistair face-palmed, and then started laughing. "I can't believe you're so oblivious. I know she's an elf - I'm trying to ask if that bothers you! I'm elf-blooded. Eamon thinks it's an insult to your family name to allow you to marry an elf-blooded bastard."

Oh! "Eamon's an asshole; I don't give a nug's ass what he thinks, honestly. I don't discriminate against elves, honey. It wouldn't matter to me if you were fully elven. Where I come from, people only know about elves in books and things, and they're always described as beautiful and wise and much, much better than humans. I don't care about the shape of your ears. I love you, and if you were just like you are, only elven, I wouldn't love you any less, and I'd still want to marry you."

"If people find out...they'll look down on you. On our children."

"I'd like to see them try!" I sat up, turning to Alistair, expression fierce. "I've been thinking, actually, about what I'd like to do with myself after the Blight, and I think I'd like to find some way to help improve things for elves and mages here. No one should be discriminated against the way they are; it's disgusting! Anyone who said a single thing about my husband or my children had better run far, far away before I catch them."

Alistair sat up and pulled my into his lap, cuddling me against his chest. "Okay, okay, I get it. I won't ask again. I just...wanted to be sure. I worried about what being elf-blooded meant for me, but sort of...forgot about it, with everything else happening. It didn't even occur to me that it would affect you too until Eamon brought it up as an argument against us staying together. I just had to check."

"You're not getting rid of me that easily." I grinned up at him and kissed his chin. "Mine."

He pressed his forehead against mine briefly, before throwing me back on the bed and climbing over me, expression wicked. "Allow me to demonstrate my relief, my Lady."

Much later, when we were finally dressed, we wandered together into the main hall, joining the others for breakfast. I was accosted by Blake along the way, who barrelled into me, wrapping his skinny arms around my waist in an enthusiastic hug. He'd probably grown three inches since I'd left, and his gaunt face was starting to fill in. He looked happy and healthy. I hugged him back, and promised to meet up with him later to catch up. He hurried off, smiling and waving as he skipped around the corner. I grinned; clearly, Theron had taken good care of the little scamp.

Eamon didn't even try to hide his scowl when Alistair and I walked in together; Teagan looked relieved, and Theron mostly amused when he noticed the hickey on my neck. Aedan's look was disgusted, and Zevran's appraising; I almost had to leave again, hiding my giggle was so difficult. Alistair's attitude seemed to be nine parts pride mixed with one part anxiety as he looked at my brother.

As we sat down, Eamon got up and excused himself with a pissy growl, and Alistair, Theron, Teagan, Aedan, and I cracked up laughing as soon as he and Isolde were gone, much to everyone else's confusion. Leli looked at me expectantly, but I couldn't even speak, I was giggling too hard.

Aedan took pity on her. "Arl Eamon approached me last night wishing to negotiate a marriage contract between Sierra and Cai- Theron."

Everyone who hadn't been laughing looked between Alistair and I, examined the rather noticeable mark on my neck, and cracked up as well.

When the laughter died down, I asked Aedan, "And what, exactly, did you tell him?"

"That I valued my life more than to try and force you into something you're not willing to do." That garnered another round of laughter.

Theron turned to Alistair and me. "I hear that things are even more advanced than I had assumed; Aedan tells me you're engaged?"

I nodded, and was greeted by a smile and a hug from Wynne, and an approving nod from Teagan. Theron leaned back, a mischievous look on his face.

"Well that's easy, then. We can solve this without any trouble. I don't know when you planned to get married, but I would strongly recommend you do it now. Within the next few days, before Eamon has a chance to work any mischief."

My jaw dropped, and I turned to look at Alistair, who was staring at Theron with the same open-mouthed shock. Everyone else started talking all at once, and he let them shout for a moment before he raised his hands.

"I know, I know. But it's honestly the only way to permanently take Sierra out of Eamon's notice. He's not wrong - a marriage alliance with one of the most prominent noble families in Ferelden would garner me support in the Landsmeet, and it won't be long before he's not the only noble suggesting this. The only way to ward that kind of scrutiny off is to have a marriage be impossible. And the best way to ensure that is for the only daughter of the Cousland family to already be wed."

I continued staring at Alistair, who'd turned to look at me as well, face red as a tomato. Everyone seemed to want to be as far away from the uncomfortable scene as possible, and they all excused themselves, until Alistair and I were alone.

He looked around the main hall, not exactly private, and turned back to me. "Ramparts?"

I nodded mutely and took his hand, following him up to our usual haunt overlooking the town from the roof of the castle. He sat with his back to the wall and pulled me into his lap. I breathed a sigh of relief; clearly he wasn't totally freaked out. I snuggled into his chest and pressed my face to his neck.

"So..." He trailed off, clearly unsure where to start.

"Well, I wasn't expecting that, I have to admit. I thought Eamon would be trying to get rid of me to somehow get you to marry some nobleman's daughter and breed Theirins, you know, just in case."

"I admit I had only thought about the ramifications of that little...disagreement you had with him last time we were here. It hadn't occurred to me there might be more problems. I don't totally understand, really, what there would be to gain for him."

"Honestly, I think he figures I'd be out there doing some charity work, and Cailan and I would leave running the country to him."

"I don't think Cailan would do that."

"Me either. Nor would I, were I to agree to becoming a queen. Which I wouldn't."

"Are you sure-"

I punched his shoulder, hard. "If you ask me if I'm sure I don't want to be with Cailan, just remember - I have a dagger, and I know how to use it."

He rubbed his shoulder ruefully, then pulled me in for a soft kiss. "Just checking."

"Well, don't." I stuck my tongue out at him, and he chuckled. "So... When had you thought we would get married, anyway?"

He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, reminding me strikingly of Cailan in that moment. "I don't know. I sort of assumed after the Blight ended, but...I mean, what if something happened? Sooner might be better, right?"

"I thought the same. I was going to wait until after whatever fuss Eamon put up before mentioning it, though." I laughed nervously.

"So maybe Cailan is right?" He looked incredulous - whether over the subject matter, or the fact that Cailan could be right about something, I wasn't sure.

"...Maybe?"

"Maker's ass. So, are we really going to do this? Get married right away?"

"I think, maybe, yes?" I winced, still unsure that he was really ready.

He thought about it for a moment, and then suddenly tilted my chin back, grabbing my left hand and fiddling with the engagement ring. "I think I'm doing this wrong. Let me try again.

"Sierra Jones-Cousland, would you do me the honour of marrying me? Perhaps the day after tomorrow?"

I smiled widely and threw my arms around his neck. "Yes. Please."

He kissed me then, and it was sweet and soft and perfect. We sat there for probably an hour, just kissing and snuggling and basking in our own little personal glow. Finally I stood up reluctantly.

"If we're going to do this, I suppose I had better get planning."

"And I think Eamon is probably still going to want to meet with everyone."

"Alistair...can we...would you be upset if we don't have Eamon at the wedding?"

"After this? You kidding? I don't even want him there. But can we invite Teagan?"

"Of course. And Kaitlyn."

"Kaitlyn?"

"Never mind. I need to go talk to Leli. And...do you suppose Duncan would walk me down the aisle?"

"I don't even know what that is, but yes, I imagine he'd do whatever you want. We're going to need to meet with the Revered Mother, too."

"Can we get married in the village? I haven't met her, but I'm going to guess I won't like whoever Isolde chose to be the mother in the chapel here. And I know Revered Mother Hannah."

"Sounds good."

We walked down into the castle hand-in-hand, only to be approached by a servant asking us to meet with Eamon in his office as soon as possible. I slipped away from Alistair to find Leliana first, promising to meet him there right after.