Denerim
Nathaniel Howe nervously paced outside of the royal chamber door as he awaited the return of the royal guard and the answer he would bare from the Queen. Nate had come to the palace unannounced, uninvited and requesting a private meeting with the Queen. If his brazen demands were not enough to earn him a boot to his backside, his reason for being here would. As much as he disapproved of the request he was baring, he knew it was for the greater good of the Wardens, Ferelden, and most importantly of all Elissa.
The royal guard took his time in returning, he grimly informed Nathaniel of the Queen's acceptance. A sense of worry washed over Nate, who had hardly expected the Queen to agree to such a meeting. His outer persona was cool and calm as he nodded as he followed the guard into the royal chamber room.
His mind whirled as he attempted to place all of his thoughts and arguments in order. Because of the seriousness of his request, he would need to prepare himself mentally for a battle of wits with the single manipulative and paranoid woman in all of Ferelden.
Anora came into view, sitting regally upon her throne watching Nate calmly approached the base of the stairs. The guard bowed before quickly taking his leave of the room, leaving an inwardly nervous Nathaniel alone with the Queen. Being only the two of them alone in a large chamber did nothing to calm him inwardly. His stomach was tired in knots, the fear of losing his breakfast, head pounding and his heart was being so fast he was sure Anora could hear its thunderous beats.
Yet he did not show his inward anxiety outwardly. Allowing uneasiness to show would be a sign of weakness, a good soldier always knows never to show such a weakness to an enemy, no matter who the enemy may be. His father and time in the Free Marches had taught him always keep them tightly under control and locked away.
Elissa had tried her best to do away with this locking of emotions. Alas, even after three years, some habits die-hard.
He crossed his arms over his body and bowed deeply. Unsmiling Anora acknowledged him with a slight nod of her head.
Are you here today as a Warden or an Arl?" She asked politely as her watchful gaze followed his body and facial movement, reading him for any sign of why he may be here.
"You will not read me today Anora." He thought to himself.
"I am here as both, my Queen." He stated equally as politely. The Queen arched a curious brow
What is it you wish of me Arl Howe?" She said. Nathaniel held back an outward cringe. He liked being an Arl as much as he enjoyed being at the palace asking a favor of Anora. It reminded him too much of his father which was something he still even now yearned to distance himself from.
He straightened his shoulders and held his head up proudly before asking, "I have come here to make a most unusual request of you my Queen." He looked directly into the Queen's eyes. "I would ask that you allow Warden Alistair Theirin into Ferelden; fully pardoned and desertion and he be given the title of Warden-Commander." He asked loudly and confidently.
Anora outwardly made no movement that would indicate the shock of his request. However, inwardly she wanted to scream out her answer. "Absolutely not," She calmly said. "He is a threat to me as long as he is alive within Ferelden. Giving that traitorous man a title will never happen."
"My Queen, he is hardly traitorous." Nathaniel knowingly pointed out. If Elissa told him he was not a deserter, then he believed her over a group of drunken gossiping nobles. "I have been in contact with the other Wardens of Ferelden. No one has any immediate issues with his reinstatement." He took a moment to choose his next words very carefully. "With all due respect your Majesty; it is been three years. If he truly wanted the throne I believe he would have raised a revolt in his name by now."
"Forming a resistance takes time Warden Howe." The Queen quickly countered.
"You're Majesty; he helped former Warden-Commander Cousland build an army within a year. I believe it highly unlikely it would take him this long to build a revolt in his name against the crown." His steely Grey eyes watched the Queen's face closely for any reaction. Her frown deepening and her shoulders momentarily slumped in defeat. He knew that he had won this argument.
"His blood still makes him a threat to me and my crown."
Nathaniel stifled a frustrated groan. "Or not." He thought cynically. "The man holds no interest in ruling."
"How do you know it does not interest him?" She asked as her brow rose slightly. She was actually rather amused by this conversation.
"I don't, but Elissa did." He wanted to smirk, as he watched her heave a heavy sigh. "Who knows Warden Theirin better than Elissa?"
"Say I do allow him to come back and make him Warden-Commander." She said completely ignoring his question. "He could use his power to recruit anyone he so chooses. Building a revolt with the cover of Warden-Commander would be quite easy for him."
"Oh really," He blurted completely by accident. "I am sorry I let my emotions get the best of me, my Queen." He bowed. She waved a dismissive hand. "My Queen, allowing your former challenger of the throne back into the country and giving him a lesser seat of power would endure you to the people. They would see you as a Queen of forgiveness and kindness"
"The throne issue shall be put aside for now. Do tell me why I should consider making him a Warden-Commander when he renounced himself as such?"
"He is still a Warden, no matter what he may say." Nathaniel said almost automatically. He realized quickly he had not answered her question. "He has helped gather armies and fought against countless darkspawn. He has helped save many lives. Renouncing aside the taint still flows through his body and he is still a senior Warden of Ferelden."
"Have you considered the possibility he may not want to come back?" The Queen asked. Nathaniel nodded.
"Yes, you're Majesty." He did not clarify, but he had a plan in place for such an eventuality.
"Warden Howe, for once I would like at least one person to give me a straightforward answer without my asking." She stood from her throne before continuing. "You don't even know the man, why would you want him to lead the Wardens?"
Nathaniel stared at the Queen for a moment. He had not expected her be so clever as to see through his well thought out and strategic arguments. "Elissa is to far gone to be miserable anymore. She has given up and lost so much for the sake of this country, the sake of the Wardens and for her friends. I thought maybe this was something that may actually be obtainable, something that may bring her some sort of joy and something that may give her a reason to fight whatever it is her mind is putting her through."
"As touching and true as that argument may be, I am afraid you will have to do slightly better than that Arl Howe." She arched a brow, smiling at the flustered Warden.
"My Queen," Nathaniel began. "Anders and I cannot keep going the way we are now. The two of us cannot keep juggling the duties of a Warden-Commander, Amaranthine Arling duties; oversee the construction of Vigil's Keep and going back and forth to Redcliffe every two weeks. The Weisshaupt Wardens are writing me weekly asking me why you have not officially named a new Warden-Commander. Anders and I have discussed this at great length, and we believe Alistair making the new Warden-Commander is in the best interest of Ferelden, Elissa, and to Ander's and my own sanity." He allowed his frustration to momentarily show, and for once did not regret showing an outward weakness. He knew Elissa would be proud.
"If my travels and time with Elissa have taught me one thing, it is the undeniable fact that everyone, no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they might have done in the past; deserve a second change in order to redeem themselves."
Anora's lips tugged upwards into a slight smile. His words were the similar to the words spoken by a broken and sobbing Elssa after the Landsmeet when asked why she had allowed Anora's father to live. "Really now Arl Howe, was that so very hard? An Honest answer was all I was looking for." Anora smiled at Nathaniel glared coldly at her. "Do you believe she will remember him?"
"I highly doubt she will, but she may at least find him slightly familiar. I believe the more we surround her with people and objects she find familiar, the better of she may be."
"Do you really believe he will be fully capable of fulfilling the duties of a Warden-Commander successfully?"
"Elissa believed he could lead better than she ever could. Arl Eamon also tells me he is more than worthy of the position. I believe their words. So yes, I do."
After a long moment of silence, she smiled slightly at Nathaniel. "Very well, I will inform my advisors of the change within the Warden ranks. He will also be fully pardoned."
"Thank you, My Queen." He began to bow.
"I am not finished Warden Howe." She added quickly before he could take his leave. Nathaniel brought his head up, meeting with the Queen's icy blue eyes and gulped. "If he uses his position of power in order to form any kind of resistance against me or my crown, you and Anders will be taking full responsibility and joining him in awaiting an execution date. Is that point made clear?"
Nathaniel paled slightly as he nodded. "You believe this is for the good of the Wardens and Elissa." He repeatedly thought to himself. "It is very clear, my Queen."
"Does he still keep to Orlais?" She asked pushing herself up from her chair.
"We're still working on that. I have Zevran off looking for clues to Alistair's whereabouts." Nathaniel stated.
"When you find him," She paused as walked towards her stationary desk, pulling out a golden envelope. Nathaniel walked up the stairs and carefully took the envelope from her hands. "See that he receives this letter."
"You will not regret this, my Queen." He said as he crossed his hands across his body and bowed deeply. Nathaniel wasn't quite sure he believed his own words, as he had never met Alistair himself, but Elissa had believed Alistair to be the only man who correctly and effectively do a Warden-Commander's job. He would see his friend's wishes He would see Elissa's wishes done.
"I should hope not Warden." With that, she quickly dismissed him with a wave of her hand. He quickly walked down the steps and did not stop until he was outside the palace gates.
Nathaniel spotted Zev waiting for him by his black horse. He nodded to the elf who returned the gesture.
"You were in there for some time my friend, can assume you won your Queen over with kind words, and facts?" Zevran smirked as Nathaniel handed him the golden envelope.
"Hardly, she was looking for honesty of all things. Make sure he receives this," Nate said handing the golden envelop to Zev. "Do you believe he is still in Orlais?"
"Of course he is, if anything Warden, he is a creature of habit."
"Are you sure you can get him here?"
"He is also a creature of great sentiment," Zev smiled slyly. "It will not be a problem."
"Good," Nathaniel pulled out seven gold pieces, dropping them into Zevran's hand. "This should cover any expenses along the way. Be safe Zevran, you know Elissa would kill me if any danger were to come to you." He said rolling his eyes as he climbed atop of his horse and quickly rode off into the direction of Amaranthine.
"I am always careful Nathaniel." Zev muttered and chuckled softly as he walked off in the direction of the Pearl. Not to take part in what the Peal itself offered. He enjoyed greatly enjoyed watch the nervous men and woman who passed through its doors.