Palace of Denerim 9:41 Dragon
Zevran sat in a tree above the gardens of the palace. The young Princess and her friends ran toward the pond. The princess had just turned six, and had grown to the spitting image of her mother long brown had cascaded down her back. She had her father's smile and his way of carrying himself. She was followed by Leliana and Teagan's, daughter Grace. Grace inherited her mother's red hair and fiery temper, but her father's way of calming others when needed. Fergus and Bella had a set of twins the year after Kailanna was born, Bella named them after his parents. Bryce and Eleanora Cousland where the light of their fathers life and had healed open wounds. Other nobles walked around the grounds moving out of the way of the young entourage.
"Kai, your running to fast" Grace protested.
"Yeah Kailanna wait up" Bryce called from the back of the group.
Zevran laughed as the princess lead them all to a place by the pond. A set of young noble boys played with boats nearby. Nathaniel Howe's eldest son Daniel played bothered by his sister, Rose. Daniel was two years older than the princess and his sister. Both had their father's hair but lucked in having the looks of their mother, Lady Nicole Howe. Howe had taken over the role of Warden Commander Ferelden. Oghren's daughter Jade was Rose's playmate back in Amaranthine. If what Zevran heard was true Nicole was expecting another baby. A splash caused him to look at all the children again.
"Danny you can't push the princess" Rose called out, pulling on his coat.
"She pushed my boat too far out" he replied.
"What will mother say, when the adults come?"
"Nothing" the princess replied, pulling him in too.
The children roared in laughter as soon the all were soaked and muddy. The rivalry between Kailanna and Daniel was soon forgotten as they played in the pond. All the adults watched the scene with interest. Zevran knew that what he had brought back from Orlais would change the life of the little princess whom he considered a niece, her mother and father where angry and confused on what to do. Arl Eamon and Bann Teagan where with them in the Landsmeet chambers along with Wynne and Leliana, discussing what they should do. The princess was so carefree that he dreaded what would come of this. Zevran jumped down from the tree causing the young children to run to him.
"Uncle Zevran, your back" the princess said.
"Indeed I am, little Thief"
"How was Orlais" Grace asked.
"You would love your mother's childhood home, Grace" he replied
"Why?" Grace asked.
"They have dresses of every color and masks for every house." He started, "The women have jewels everywhere, even their shoes."
"That sounds silly" Bryce said
"Indeed" his twin agreed.
"Doesn't that cut into their heels" Daniel asked
"Yes it does" Leliana replied.
Grace froze her dress ruined, hair down and new shoes ruined. Her mother looked at her and sighed.
"Grace Rowan Guerrin, you are a mess and Kailanna your parents want to see you right away"
Zevran looked at Leliana, years of traveling and working together allowed him to see the worry in her eyes. As he had feared the outlook of the meeting was grim. Leliana took her daughters hand and looked at Zevran.
"Zev, will you take Kailanna to see Alistair and Rosaline" she asked
"I will, Leliana, but will you return the other children to their parents" he asked
"Bryce, Eleanora, Daniel, Rose will you come with me?" she asked
"Yes Aunt Leli" the twins mumbled as they ran over.
Daniel and his sister bowed and felling into line behind the future Arlessa into the castle muddy and water leaving a trail that would show wherever they went. Zevran took the princesses hand, her small hand squeezing his. Zevran led her down the stone hall to the Landsmeet doors, the yelling could be heard down the hall.
"You both lied to me and the public about this" Eamon yelled.
"We were told it would not have an effect on us or Ferelden" Rosaline replied.
"It was our choice Eamon we made it together" Alistair replied calmly.
"I agree but as it does now affect Ferelden I suggest we agree on something" Teagan offered.
"This will over throw your rule Alistair….I told you this woman couldn't be trusted" Eamon yelled enraged.
Suddenly the yelling from beyond the door became undisguisable. Kailanna looked up at her uncle confused and worried spread across her young face. Her eyebrows furrowed and she began to bite on her lower lip. Her right foot began to tap, slow and steady, just like her mother. Zevran saw the long stone bench to the side of the door and sat the still damp Princess down.
"My little thief I will calm them down, your mother is a ball of fire when she's angry, No?"
"Uncle Zev, why are they so mad?" her large brown eyes meeting his.
"I will let your Mother and Father tell you, little thief" he said quickly slipping into the room and closing the large doors behind him. The large clock in the hall chimed as time passed slowly. The air cooled and the princess began to shiver. Suddenly a fur cape was wrapped around her shoulders. A dark haired boy looked at her and smiled, his black hair was everywhere like her father's when it wasn't cut, and his brown eyes gleamed with concern.
"Better?" he asked
"Much, thank you!"
"My names Drake Duncan… well last names don't matter, what's yours?" he asked
"Kailanna Eleanor Cousland Theirin, Crown Princess of Ferelden… it's nice to meet you Drake"
"Your highness" he replied bowing.
"Why are you here, Drake are you visiting for the summer?"
"No, I'm here to meet my father" he replied bashfully.
"Thank you, Kailanna"
"Please call me Kai, all my friends do"
"OK… Kai"
In no time at the mysterious boy and the Princess began to play in the hall. Drake taught the Princess a new game. Laughter could be heard from inside the Landsmeet chamber as the dust settled from the fight within. Rosaline red faced sat on her throne, breathing heavy. Her husband also was red pacing. Eamon stormed out the back door leaving Teagan and Zevran to deal with the truth no matter how difficult it was.
"Bring in my Daughter and ..."
"As you wish Alistair" Teagan said.
The doors opened and the two playmates where brought into the room. Alistair looked at his daughter, whom was growing to be the spitting image of his wife. Then to the boy, it was undeniable to him that in more ways than one, his and Morrigans son looked more like his mother than his father. His smile held her grin and the way he carried himself rang of Morrigans arrogance. Rosaline also saw the traces of Morrigans but saw that her daughter and her step-son had the same eyes and the spirit of their father.
"Kailanna, this is your half-brother…" her mother began, not knowing the boy's name.
"Drake Duncan Theirin, your Majesty" he answered.
Alistair and Rosaline looked at each other with awe; Morrigan never seemed one to care but giving him a name that meant so much to Alistair showed that maybe the kind person Rosa thought existed…did. Kailanna looked at her parents with confusion.
"My brother…" she said
"Yes, my girl his mother was out friend and she helped us a lot" He father explained
Drake looked at his younger sister and began to speak.
"My mother passed away and told me of my birth, I am sorry to all of you "his head hung low, "She never meant for this to be she told me that she wished she could keep her promise"
"Your mother was my friend, she helped in our need" Rosaline said standing up and walking over to the boy, "I will keep you in our house and raise you with your sister "
"What will we tell the people Your Majesties? That Alistair's bastard will be brought up with your heir" Eamon asked
"Eamon, Rosa and I must do the right thing"
"What will we even call him, his royal bastardness?"
"No, the Teyrnship of Gwaren is open still after Loghain and I give it to my son, although it will be ruled by Teagan as Reagent until he comes of age" Alistair said looking to his friend.
"I accept the responsibility, Alistair" Teagan said bowing.
Eamon looked furious but bowed out of the room, Kailanna and Drake looked at each other as he passed, both understanding that they would work together to protect the adults from the dangerous enemy they had made. Rosaline looked at Teagan then back to her husband.
"Who will we say he is? I don't want discord over the line of succession" she asked.
"The son of a man who saved your life during the blight?" Teagan suggested.
"Why not just be open about it" Zevran offered.
"I must agree with Zevran, my love"
"Alistair…if you think its best" Rosaline said softly.
Teagan took the children away to the royal chambers where the other children played.
"Kai… who is this boy?" Bryce asked
"This is my brother, Drake Duncan Theirin, Teryn of Gwaren" she said introducing him to the rest.
Leliana bowed with a smiled on her face, the outcome she had been hoping for came to be.
"Your grace" the rest replied in a chorus.
For the first time in a long time Drake smiled.
