W/N - I wasn't sure which POV to use on this one so I went with the Warden again. We'll look at Anora and Loghain too as we draw towards the final confrontation. I loved the costuming in The Tudors and I try to draw a bit of inspiration from that in dressing the characters. A little bit of Alistair and Shale humor too. And, a warm thank you for all of your support!

I think work is finally back under control. I went somewhere and did some crazy stuff, but I'm worn out.

Denerim at the Estate of Arl Eamon Guerrin

The tension from the meeting in the Royal Palace had long since worn off and had evaporated into listless ennui. In the office of the grand estate, Arl Eamon's lecture about their strategy at the Landsmeet had grown tiresome for the Warden and only Alistair seemed intent on the droning monologue anymore. The glow in Shale's eyes had grown dark, Wynne's head was down on a desk, and Morrigan snored openly. The Warden rubbed her tired face, worried about Amethyne, who remained behind in Redcliffe. Eamon told her that it was too dangerous for her to be in Denerim and his best guards would see to her safety. Thus far, the arl had been an ally, but could she say a trusted one? She sent messengers to Soldiers Peak to receive a report from her former werewolves, but no word had yet been sent back. She kept telling herself that it was still too soon. The temptation to send Leliana and Zevran to the arl's castle was quite strong, but the Warden knew that the team was needed here, in Denerim.

Alice had grown concerned about Eamon's growing influence over Alistair. At first, the prince seemed defiant and even stood his ground, but Eamon did not hold back in using charm and ego building to swing Alistair solidly into his camp.

"Isn't that right, Prince Alistair?" The arl said with a beaming smile. The man was dressed to impress, wearing a magnificent blue satin doublet that was laced in ermine with gaudy red slashes along the back and shoulders.

Alistair nodded. "But of course, my lord."

The Warden scrunched up her face and silently mimicked the conversation, mouthing the words, "Isn't that right, Prince Alistair? But of course, my lord."

"Warden, did you have something to say?" Eamon asked.

"Oh me? No, I was just rehearsing a song for the evening feast. Pray, continue, my lord," she said as she used her quill to scratch out doodle drawings of Eamon and Shale. With a toothy smile, she rubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands and refocused on the strategy for the Landsmeet. The Warden had to admit that the politics of Ferelden were often beyond comprehension and the shifting alliances among the Bannorn was treacherous as best. In spite of her boredom, she thought it best to pay attention from here on in.

The arl was about to speak again when the heavy wooden doors to the office swung open and two knights in the livery of Redcliffe entered and bowed low. "Forgive the intrusion, my lord, but there is something I believe you need to hear," one announced. The Warden looked over to see an elven woman behind them, struggling to get past.

Eamon held up his hand and beckoned her in with pull of his fingers. "You are the queen's handmaiden, are you not? Come, child. I regret I cannot recall your name at the moment."

The elf pushed through the knights and then smoothed out her orange gown. "I am Erlina," she said in a distinctive Orlesian accent. "I have no where else to turn. I come to you, Arl Eamon, to ask you to rescue my Queen, Anora, who is being held against her will by Teyrn Howe."

The Warden bristled at the mention of that name and title and stood up sharply, knocking her quill and paper aside. "What? You mean that Howe has imprisoned Anora? To what end?"

"He is power mad, I tell you. I think he means to grab the crown for himself. He even refused envoys from the regent and I've heard him talking to himself about this."

Eamon moved to stand beside Erlina. "Howe hasn't the blood to take the throne. That's not even possible…unless…."

The same thought seemed to strike all of them at the same time and they looked to Erlina. Even Morrigan was awake now and Shale's eyes beamed bright. The elf nodded as if she knew their thoughts. "Yes, the teyrn sent for a revered mother from the Chantry. This is necessary for a-"

"Marriage," Eamon and the Warden said in unison. The arl stepped back and put his finger to his gray bearded chin. "This changes everything and we don't have much time," he said, his face taking on a dark tone. "Erlina, did the revered mother arrive at Howe's estate yet?"

"No, but she is on her way. Sers, I heard horrible screaming down in the teyrn's basement and I fear for my life. If I did not sneak out, I think I may be down there now too with those unfortunate souls."

The Warden put her hand on Erlina's back. "You did the right thing in coming to us. Arl Eamon, perhaps this is a good sign that a wedge has been driven between Loghain and Howe."

"Perhaps," he said, nodding slowly. "Perhaps. Though I wish we had more time to prepare. Once the revered mother arrives, she will have to chant for several hours before the ceremony can even begin. However, once the ceremony is complete, the marriage can be recorded in the rolls of Ferelden royalty and Howe could declare himself Prince Regent, a king in all but name."

Alice's face flushed red at the thought of Howe becoming ruler of the kingdom. She would die sooner than have that happen. Taking a deep breath, she smoothed out the pleats of her crimson dress. "How much time do we have?"

Eamon shrugged. "We may have until nightfall. Four hours…five or six at the most. I think we have to take the gambit and rescue the queen."

Alistair stepped in now. "Rescue her? But isn't she our enemy? Who knows what part she played in all of this?"

"My brother, Bann Teagan, thinks that she could be useful if we brought her to our side. We could use her as a hostage to force Loghain down or even pressure her to denounce him."

The prince snorted, a little of his defiance returning. "I may not trust Anora as far as I could throw her…which is actually kind of far, come to think of it…. Oh, nevermind, you get the picture. But, that's not very sporting is it, my lord. I would like to think of ourselves as above such tactics. We are the good guys, after all, aren't we?"

"Hostage," the Warden added. "I don't like the sound of that either."

Eamon gave them an impatient bow. "This is the real world, good people. We do whatever is necessary for the good of Ferelden. And, mind you, Howe and Loghain have never been above such tactics." He turned back to the handmaiden before anyone else could speak. "Erlina, can you get us into Howe's estate?"

"I can. I…I don't want to go back there, but…but if you can help my lady, I will do it. I will go back and make preparations for you. I don't think they will have noticed my departure yet. Most of the teyrn's guards are just thugs. They don't seem very attentive or very smart. You must meet me in the orchard, just near the front of the estate. I can get you in from there," the handmaiden said. Then, she pointed to Shale. "That one though, the big scary rock. It cannot go."

The golem bristled, her eyes turning a fierce orange, causing Erlina to jump back. "I am not a rock," she said, making a stone fist at the elf. "Does it wish to be squished like a bug?"

Erlina put her palms out in apology. "I am so sorry. I meant no offense. I just meant that you would attract too much attention."

Shale's eyes faded back into a calm bluish-green and she curled the end of her stone mouth up. "Well, I suppose that mushy blob it calls a brain couldn't help itself from being made a fool of. I will let it remain unsquished for the good of the group…for now."

The Warden sighed. Shale had proved to have incredible intimidation factor and packed a wallop in her fists, but Erlina was right. This would be a job for squishy organics. Besides, now was the time for boldness. Her sworn enemy was finally within reach and she could not falter now. For all of the innocent blood that Howe had spilled, there would be justice. In but a moment the Warden went into battle mode and her lips pressed firmly together, her eyes steeled against the coming confrontation. "Wynne, gather our potions. Alistair, we'll need plenty of bolts and arrows. Oghren, care to show some people their innards?"

The dwarf blew out a tooth rattling belch and gave her a wide grin. "Well, what'r we waiting for? Let's get dressed for the dance," he said as he began strapping his black Legion greaves over his shins.

The two Redcliffe knights and the arl escorted Erlina out the back as Wynne and Alistair rushed back to their quarters to retrieve supplies. When Erlina was out of sight, the Warden leaned over to Morrigan. "This seems all too convenient," she whispered to the witch. "Send word to Leliana and Zevran. We're going to need them on this one. Tell them where to meet us."

"T'is a wise choice. I shall send for them right away," Morrigan said and sped from the office.

That only left Shale and Sten in the office with Alice. "Shale, keep an eye on the arl…no squishing. Just let me know what's going on. And Sten, get my hound and meet us at the sally port. We're going to get some payback."

"Asit tal-eb, Kadan…it is the way things are meant to be."

And then, she was alone - alone in her thoughts which whirled like a maelstrom in her head. A volcano of rage threatened to burst from her chest and she fought it down with short, gasping breaths. "I know better," she whispered as she held her eyes closed tight. "I've got to keep my head. Father, where are you? I could use your help about now." She held the pendant that her spectral father had given her atop the mountain and pulled the golden chain taut about her neck. Then, she felt a hand brush her cheek and she dared not open her eyes.

"Your mother and I are with you, pup. Remember to follow your heart and that vengeance is not worth your soul."

A shudder swept through Alice's body and she bit her lip, feeling a drop of water roll down her cheek. Strong, but gentle fingers adjusted the jeweled hood over her dark hair, tucking errant locks back in place. She opened her mouth, letting air rush back into her lungs and her eyes shot open to find nothing but emptiness in front of her. Her hand reached out, searching for any substance, but she knew there would be none, the warmth of the pendant upon her breast the only sign left of her father's presence. She felt her knees wobble and she sank to the floor, but felt a strange sense of power and strength…and even hope. Prostrating herself on the ground, the Warden kissed the stone tiles. "Thank you, father. Thank you, Maker. May my hand be guided by your righteousness."