The Arrangement
Under pressure, Alistair is desperate to find a suitable Queen. Only that his choice is a highly unusual young noble woman and a new danger threatens Alistair's very life- Luckily Aedan Cousland is here to help. AU. M!Cousland Warden, Alistair, Non-Warden F!Cousland and the rest of the gang!
Hello there and welcome to the first chapter of The Arrangement. This is an AU story with a M!Cousland Warden, a (hardened)King Alistair and a non warden F!Cousland centred fic. I really wanted to work on something that was rather original compared to a rehash of a full fledged DA storyline. I would be grateful to anyone who can provide feedback as this is my first published fanfiction. I hope that you enjoy this journey.
-JP
Chapter 1: Plans for the Future.
Aedan regarded the bare little room that served as a temporary bed chamber. The sunlight streaming through the small window slit high upon one stone cobbled wall caused him to squint around at the sparse and rather, lacklustre furnishings that had been hastily placed by the servants several weeks before. Not that he seemed to spend much time in the room anyway, for he had found himself often busy as of late. It seemed to Aedan, that now after the end of the Blight that the real hard work had begun to heal the kingdom of the ravages that had been left behind by the Darkspawn's campaign. Alistair too also felt the weight of these new additional burdens, as the young King had wryly pointed out to Aedan.
Behind him the door creaked and he spun around, immediately brushing the hilt of his dagger, his reflexes honed by the several months of living on the road with the constant threat of having to face an ambush. He relaxed again when he recognised Leliana's slender figure silhouetted in the doorway.
''Aedan?'' she asked. ''Alistair is looking for you. What are you doing in here?''
He ran a scarred hand through his shorn dark hair, ''Just having some peace.''
Behind her, Aedan could also make out the smaller lithe figure of Zevran, and he exchanged a curt nod of acknowledgement with the assassin.
''I can understand that.'' Leliana replied, her light coloured eyes glittering knowingly at him. ''It seems as though once you close a door another one finds a way to open.''
''You're telling me.'' Aedan stated dryly.
When Leliana frowned at his tone, he elaborated. ''It seems as though the Blight has not ended. No matter what Alistair and I have done, it just feels as though the victory is-''
''Bittersweet.'' Zevran finished.
Leliana's eyes widened at this revelation, but apart from sharing a look with the elf behind her, she showed no other reaction. Aedan idly wondered if it was possible if he could find a way to sneak out of the castle and find somewhere that was more secluded. Then he noticed the concern in the bard's eyes and felt guilt sweep through them. All his companions had had to deal with a lot of changes over the following months – Leliana most of all, yet this was also supposed to be a happy day for them too, with Alistair's coronation having formally taken place hours beforehand.
''I'm sorry,'' he said, ''I should not be so ungrateful.''
Especially when he and his fellow Grey Warden had ultimately saved Ferelden. Resolutely he strode out the room, motioning for his two companions to follow.
''Let's go and find Alistair,'' he said, smiling back at them.
Together they made their way out into the small courtyard that linked with the main motte and bailey. Outside, Aedan paused for a moment, surveying the clean up that had been taking place below them. There was hardly a day that went by since the battle for Denerim that he could not fail to see the burning houses, hear the panicked and frightened screams of innocents as they tried to flee from the oncoming Darkspawn army, and he could not fail to feel the blazing heat that radiated from the red hot fires that seemed to have surrounded him.
The distant sounds of revelry carried on the tepid air was a contrast to what it had been before, singing and music and the narrow streets of Denerim were filled with a swirl of dancers and small food tables. After a last glance he led the way through the courtyard towards the main castle. It too had been undergoing a clean up, and Aedan knew that inside the assembled company would be a large assortment of mixed people that he hesitated at the bottom of the last flight of stairs.
''Aedan?'' Leliana's slender hand touched him lightly upon his shoulder, ''Are you well?''
He shook his head and steeled himself to continue his climb up the steps.
The hall had been busy with the preparation of coronation earlier on, but now to Aedan's surprise, it lay quiet, the servants having cleaned up the remnants of the banquet earlier on to join the celebrations below.
A single trestle table stood upon the dais, and Leliana and Zevran sat down at one end while Aedan sat down at the other end. By habit Aedan had take a seat facing the main entrance, the wall behind him. He met Leliana's eyes and saw the glimmer of amusement.
''So you said that Alistair was looking for me?'' he prompted the woman opposite him.
''He should be here soon, I thought he would be here already but clearly he is still shuttered with Arl Eamon,'' Leliana explained, ''Whilst we wait, I shall go and fetch some wine.''
Aedan barely acknowledged her as she went inside to the kitchens. His gaze still fixed upon the entrance.
''You are thinking of escaping, si?'' Zevran asked, as he lazily lent back upon the bench, his deft fingers playing with a coin.
''No,'' he said darkly, ''awfully tempted to but I don't think that would be appreciated by Leliana.''
''Si, also you would not make it to the door anyway my friend,'' the elf replied cockily as his fingers brushed one of his throwing knives.
''You think you could take me on?'' Aedan asked.
There was a brief flash of amusement across Zevran's face that flittered away as Leliana reappeared carrying three pewter cups filled with wine, which she placed before them. Aedan lifted his cup and fingered the rim silently in deliberation.
''To all we lost,'' he said and drank the dark red wine deeply.
His two other companions echoed him as they drank.
A bang of the main door brought Aedan out of his reverie as Alistair strode through the hall. Leliana stood abruptly and went back inside the kitchen whilst Zevran continued to flicker the coin across his knuckles, the gold flickering lazily within the light.
Alistair smiled tiredly at Aedan as he took a seat down opposite to him.
''Remind me, that if we ever have a Kingsmoot again, to name you King.'' He said by way of greeting, as he tiredly ran a hand through his tawny hair.
Slightly cheered, Aedan swirled the remaining content round in his cup as he took another sip of the rich, red liquid.
''What? No wine for me?'' Alistair whined half-heartedly, ''Who's the King here?''
''Leliana has gone to fetch you a cup,'' Aedan replied as he turned his cup upside down upon the wooden table. ''So, what took you so long?''
Alistair moaned, ''At least ask me after I've had a drink first.''
''Here, Alistair, it is wine from the Empress Celene,'' Leliana said as she handed Alistair a cup.
''The Empress Celene, eh?'' Aedan chortled, ''is the wine a part of a betrothal arrangement?''
''Betrothal?'' Alistair echoed weakly, ''No, no! She sent it to 'reaffirm Orlais and Ferelden's relations'.'' He cast a look to Leliana, and Aedan was surprised when the Bard nodded.
''Actually Eamon and I have been discussing it,'' Alistair explained, ''He believes that given the fragility of the Kingdom, it would be beneficial for me to be betrothed with one of the more powerful families that have allegiance with the Theirin line. The only house that is powerful enough for the Theirin line to align itself with is-''
Aedan could not help but feel somewhat apprehensive. He had somewhat known that this suggestion may surface, yet he did not imagine it to have come up so soon.
''Cousland,'' he finished, 'Look, I'm flattered and all but I'm really not your type.''
Zevran chuckled as Alistair shook his head, a thoughtful expression on his face, which Aedan knew from the numerous times when the man was thinking.
''The Cousland line is only second to that of the Theirin line,'' he explained, ''your brother, Fergus, has already agreed to the match. Your sister is a high noble lady and-''
''I wouldn't say that she was a lady,'' Aedan commented wryly.
''She is a high born lady and given her birth would have all the suitable qualities that Alistair would be looking for in a queen,'' Leliana put in.
Alistair took an appreciative sip of the wine, ''Arl Eamon believes that she is a suitable choice,'' He paused before adding, ''And so does your brother Fergus.''
Aedan looked dubious, ''Fergus sees our sister in a more different light.''
''She can not be that bad,'' Alistair reasoned, ''I have given the matter some thought, for I want a queen to be worthy of my country, someone who will understand the duties and burdens. I also want a wife – someone who I can love and who can love me in return.''
Aedan rolled his eyes in exasperation, ''And I suppose she also should be graceful, beautiful and well versed in all womanly virtues?''
If Alistair was frustrated at his friend's tone he did not let it show. ''Well of course,'' he replied, ''I need a queen and a wife, so why not select the most suitable woman of Ferelden nobility?
''I know that I am king now and I cannot always put my heart before my country,'' he continued, ''Anyway, Eamon keeps bringing it up and I really need some peace. You are my best friend and I trust you more than I can ever say. I also value and trust your brother. Why should I not marry the sister of my best friend and staunchest of allies? The Cousland line would be all the more stable. The Theirin line would continue and if I fall in love with your sister then all the more the better.''
Silence soon followed as Aedan sat deep in thought. All what Alistair said was true. The Cousland line was second only to the Theirin line. It was rich and powerful, and commanded great respect of its bannermen and the rest of Ferelden. And yet...
''What about Anora?'' he asked, ''Would she not also be suitable? She practically ruled when she was married to Cailan. She's an able administrator, worthy of Ferelden and understands the burdens of office,'' He paused before adding slyly, ''Plus, she's also beautiful and well versed in all the womanly virtues that you seem to value highly.''
Alistair stared down at his wine. ''That is true but I don't trust her, not after her betraying us during the Kingsmoot.''
Leliana leant forward, ''But Aedan, what about your sister? Why is she not suitable?''
Alistair also leant forward, his curiosity piquing.
Aedan shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny, ''I didn't say that she was not. I only said that she-''
''Isn't a lady.'' Zevran put in with a laugh, ''You still have not answered the why.''
Aedan hesitated, ''My sister is a sweet and good person, but she is rather...unusual. She's not really what the kingdom needs.''
''Fergus and Eamon think otherwise,'' Alistair argued, his irritation plain to see on his face, ''What's wrong with her exactly? Is she ugly, deformed, or mentally deranged?''
Aedan shook his head, ''If you ever have the chance to meet her, you would understand what I refer to. Fergus sees our sister as a brother should see her. He loves her no matter what.''
''And you?'' Alistair asked.
''I love her too but I'm not a fool to believe that my sister would make a suitable queen.'' Aedan replied hotly.
''Well, I have already asked Fergus to send for your sister,'' he sent a nod to Leliana. ''Leliana has also agreed that she will accompany your sister back to Denerim.''
''Indeed, I am looking forward to meeting your sister.'' Leliana said with a bright smile.
Aedan shook his head, ''You're making a big mistake.''
''It is already in place,'' Alistair stated firmly, ''And I will meet your sister.''
Aedan stood and bowed before he turned to leave the hall. He could not quite picture his sister as queen. She was a sweet girl but there were more suitable ladies that Alistair could have chosen. He felt a shiver of unease run down his spine, why would Arl Eamon and Fergus agree to the match? What was happening that he was, as of yet, unaware of?
It was night now; the moon was full and bright as it shone its light. The sounds of celebration still continued, with roaring bonfires now lit in the centre of the revellers, casting dark shadows all about. Aedan felt a shiver of unease down his spine as he watched the shadows.