Author's Note: This is my first attempt at a chaptered fic, but I have them all plotted out already.
My premise is a take on an Anora/Alistair pairing, mostly focusing on the difficulties the newly-wed couple faces in overcoming their mistrust of each other and opening up. Disclaimer: A few tiny details might be AU, so if you see a little something different with titles, dates, etc, that's on me.
Anything you recognize belongs to Bioware. I'm just playing with the characters.
I hope you enjoy and please feel free to leave whatever commentary you'd like in a review!
The king is dead. Long live the king.
But the queen is soon to be wed again.
Anora Theirin, née Mac Tir, is alone in her chambers, and tonight she broods. The queen paces her floors, the stone cold despite the carpets laid upon them and the fire the servants had stoked in the hearth. But Anora is no stranger to being cold, and she will not let such a little inconvenience distract her. She thinks best when moving.
Candles flicker dimly on the walls, illuminating her reflection in the polished brass mirror. She looks tired, Anora thinks, noting the dark circles under her eyes and the lines at the corner of her mouth. Perhaps some, or even many, would call her beautiful, but she thinks of herself as severe, austere. There is no warmth in that gaze, no feminine seductive airs in her walk.
She has never ruled from a seat of beauty, and tomorrow, when she is again wed to a king, she won't then either. Anora has done what is best for her country, always.
But has she?
The blonde whirls in place, her long hair for once let free of its tight bun, falling over her shoulders. Her hands clutch at her nightgown as anger wells beneath her breast. Her father, his blood spilt before her very eyes, now lies dead, joining her husband, the golden, youthful king.
Can she be blamed for Loghain Mac Tir's death? Anora has heard the whispers in the court that she was only too happy to welcome his execution before the members of the Landsmeet - a bloody display of her dedication to Ferelden above all else. That, since her barren womb bore good King Cailan no heirs (a rightful curse from the Maker, they said, for letting a commoner take the crown) she'd eagerly pledged herself as Alistair's bride, desperate for the throne by any means. That she barely mourns for the darling king cut down in battle.
A bitter chuckle catches in her throat. If they only knew what their cherished Cailan had thought of her, what his plans had been – And with that Orlesian empress, no less! He was more than happy to leave her cold in their marriage bed, lusting after a foreign queen and dreaming of making himself a legend, a hero like her father. As though he could ever measure up to a true hero.
Oh, how she burns from the cruelty of it all! Anora's hands long to lash out, to rip the fabric of her gown or fling a vase across the room, but no, she restrains herself. If she had simply been born a man, then - then none of this hardship would be. She could rule the country as she already does, with her people's prosperity at the forefront of her policy, and none would care how she claimed her power or for the cut of her gowns.
But not all hope is lost, she reminds herself as she sank wearily onto her mattress. The Blight had been stopped, and though Ferelden has been ravaged, it will be rebuilt. Anora will make sure of it.
All she has to do now is endure her wedding to Alistair, dear fool. Bastardized blood of Maric in his veins or no, the boy is simply not made to rule, but he seems the sort who could easily be swayed by experience. Even if the mistrustful looks he gives her whenever they are together sting her pride.
It is the best for Ferelden. And that is what matters most, of course. It has to matter or else -
Anora sighs and buries her face in her pillows. There is no benefit to this line of thought, and tomorrow, she will again wed a king.
She needs her rest (though it does not come).
No Alistair in this chapter, just a lot of Anora brooding. Juicy interaction bits will be forthcoming future chapters. I really wanted to focus on Anora and her inner turmoil for our introduction, since I think she's a fascinating character who doesn't get all the attention she deserves.
Again, please review and let me know your thoughts!
