A/N: I still don't own Bioware
(9:39 Dragon. 12th day of Harvestmere)
Leliana had returned after a month, from her latest mission. In less then a week she had us move back to Ferelden, setting us up in a wing at Redcliff Castle. Her explanation was that there was no stopping the War of the Lions. Which, I had not heard of it. "That is what this Civil War between Gaspard and Celene is being called." She said.
So, here we were, by we, I mean our children, Elgar, and myself. Once again, Leliana was gone. Since her return she has been home once a month and only for a week, before she left again. Her duties were important, true, but so was her family. I had tried not to make a big deal out of it, but the way she had left this time, was the last straw.
"Mamae, are you still mad at Mommy?" Bryce asked his words much clearer at 4. "Yes. I am trying not to be. It is not working so well." I said. I still could not decide which pissed me off more, the fact that she had left in the middle of us making love, or the fact she had broken our tradition of not leaving until after breakfast.
"You know how delicate things are right now…" I interrupted Cassandra's defense of her actions. "Cass, we love you like family, but there is such a thing as being too committed, to your duty. I do not even know where she is right now." I said barely containing my anger. She had also been less than forthcoming with her mission.
"She did not tell you. Maker… That woman." Cassandra says shaking her head. "Cass?" I asked. "She is in Orzammar. She has a meeting with King Behlen." She said. "Why is she meeting with him?" I asked. "We may need another supplier, if an Inquisition is to be established. You know she likes to plan several steps ahead." She says.
This did nothing to ease my anger. "Phae?" Cass asks. I turn to her in time to catch a wooden sword. I sighed and nodded. I carried Oisine out while Bryce grabbed her bag. I was proud that he did so much to care for his little sister. I set her in a bouncy swing and secured her in it. Bryce sat next to her, and began to help her bounce.
I think Cassandra enjoyed our spar matches as much as I did. She had said it was nice to have someone of adequate skill to spar with. Minus the rogue tricks, as she called them referring to Leliana and her spar matches.
(9:39 Dragon. 2nd day of Firstfall)
After 2 weeks of her absence, my anger had tempered some. As soon as I saw her come through the gates of the castle, my anger had returned. She came up to me close, apparently, she did not notice my stand-offish demeanor. I guess I would have to remind her. A mind blast had her flying backwards and she landed hard on the carpeted floor.
She looked at me taken aback, I entered our room and came out in less then a minute, she was still sitting on the floor. Without so much as I word, I threw her some blankets and a pillow, went back into our room, locked and put repulsion ward on it.
(Leliana's POV. Same day.)
I had not been pleased to have to leave as I did, nor was Phaedra pleased either when I left her two weeks ago. I had hoped her mood had calmed since then, but I had been afraid to check through our bond. I had missed more time with them than I had liked. I had gotten so lost in my time with my family, I did not realize the date.
While we were making love, I remembered the date and got up. 'Wait, you have to leave, now?' She had asked irritated as I unharnessed the fake cock from my hips. 'Yes. I am sorry mon amor, but if I do not leave now, I won't make it there in time?' I had responded. I didn't even have time to tell her where I was going.
I had nearly missed the appointment even leaving when I did. Behlen had just been about to close and lock the doors to his conference room. I explained why I had been late, not the making love part. He looked fondly at his wife Rica and their son. He had re-opened the doors and let me speak to him.
Then it was the arduous process of convincing him to help us, and setting up the contracts. But, finally I was home. I entered the Castle, thinking perhaps we should look for our own house, but with all the civil wars and trying to make the preparations for a possible Inquisition, when would we have the time?
I wished Justinia would send Cassandra more. But since I had helped Sasha make him king, Justinia thought he would be more willing to deal with me. She was not wrong. I wondered if the Revered Mother I had grown to love realized how much strain she was putting on Phae and I. Did she even care?
"You have returned, how did it go?" Cassandra asks. "Can I tell you about it later, I would really like to see my family." I said. "I am not sure that is such a good idea. I still have welts from the last time Phae and I sparred, and that was two days ago." Cass said.
I faltered after hearing that, but I could not just avoid it. "I must take my lumps, I do deserve them." I said and continued up the stairs to our apartments. My heart stopped as I saw Phaedra in the hallway. She stood there her arms crossing over her chest. I again faltered, but I continued closer to her.
Then I felt my body lifted and landing hard on the ground. She went into our bedroom. "What just happened? Did she use mind blast on me? She must be furious still." I was still sitting on the ground when she came back out.
She did not say a word, but threw blankets and a pillow at me. I saw magic on the door and I knew it was a repulsion spell. Not that I needed it, I certainly did not want to earn more of her ire. "Maybe not furious, because she would have locked and warded me from going into our children's room. And she did give me the warm blanket." I thought.
I would need to find a way to make this right again, if I could. I checked on our kids and laid by the fire in their room. I began thinking of way to fix this, two hours passed, and I still did not know what to do. I had just fallen asleep when I felt her presence. Fade Phaedra approached me. "Come to bed, mon chou. We will talk tomorrow." She said and then disappeared.
I woke up and my back and legs were stiff and sore. I grabbed my blankets and pillow, and went back into the hallway. I had considered I may have just dreamed her saying that, but the lack of ward, eased that a bit.
I gulped and turned the handle it opened and there my beautiful heart was, sitting on the bed her arms hugging her knees to her chest. A sheet pooled between her legs hiding her sex. I should not have found this pose erotic, but I did. Her eyes centered on me, which made it even more erotic. She blushed.
"Sweet Andraste Leli! How can you be lusting after me at a time like this?" She asked. I grinned and used a trick she taught me for her to see through my eyes, on command. She blushed further and gulped, but pulled me to her with magic none the less, fusing our lips together.
In moments my clothes had been removed and she was pounding hard into my sex from behind with our toy. We came together as she sunk her teeth into my shoulder, pinning me in place. Both shuddering, she healed the mark and laid next to me the cock still present. "I am still mad at you." She says squeezing me tighter. After a second I heard her familiar and comforting snoring.
(9:40 Dragon. 5th day Bloomingtide. Phaedra POV)
After a couple of months, Leli's duties decreased, while Cassandra's increased. I assumed it was because, Cassandra's connections were needed more. It had not been easy, but I did become the Mage/Templar liaison. As soon as I had, the tensions between the two factions had slowed, and now there was hope.
We still had no idea how to put an end to the mage/templar situation, but at least they had ceased attacks. The War of Lions still raged on though, but Divine Justinia had concluded the prior civil war was more important. For which, I was grateful a magic civil war was far more dangerous to Thedas.
So, we came to Val Royeaux, just to visit, and enjoy the spectacle of the Summerday Festival. But, soon enough she was called away to the White Spire. A violent uprising had begun. We had both been called to go. Luckily, Cassandra had come home too and agreed to take care of our little ones.
"What if Cassandra gets called away too?" I asked worriedly. I did not like being away from our children, most of the time they came with me. Bryce, continuing to be an amazing son and big brother would take her into the corner and keep her entertained, but quiet. More than once, it had been commented on how unprofessional it seemed.
My response was usually a glare of intent of bodily harm, but it seemed to put rest that issue afterwards. Plus, having children usually stopped any violence from occurring. Mage and Templars always at odds, but both sought to shield children from violence. Which left me confused, there were many children in the White Spire.
"Then she will take them to the Chantry and the Revered Mother will look after them, and make it clear we have every intention of coming back for them." She said. "Also, Charter is keeping on eye on them too." She adds. Knowing one of her spies was there too did ease some of my fears, about them being taken away.
We came upon a heated discussion, soon to turn into violence. Leli seemed eager for a fight, the Templars had been very rude to us, me especially. I didn't understand why, when the last time I was here they were very polite, and even friendly. I supposed the murders had not helped the situation.
After a hard night of fighting, we returned to the house, happily Cassandra was there. This time she was sent to the White Spire, she was indeed the best investigator. A little rough on her touch, but usually she got results.
(9:40 Dragon. 10th day of Justinian)
My heart went out to Cassandra, she was now torn in two directions. Lord Seeker Lambert severed the Nevarran Accord. The Seekers, were no longer a part of the Chantry. Cassandra had been loyal to both, after a week of fasting and praying she had decided to remain loyal to the Chantry and the Divine. Mostly the Divine.
She had said she was certain of her decision, and she was, but that did not make it hurt any less. Dairsmuid Circle in Rivain had been annulled. "Why were they annulled?" I asked Cassandra. I still did not like the Right of Annulment.
She sighed knowing more than likely I would become enraged. "According to the reports, they were freely mixing with their families and training young women to become Seers. The Lord Seeker, declared them apostates." She answered.
"So, because they were living a normal life, well, normal for Rivain. They were annulled. How is that justified?" I asked. "I wasn't there, but it does go against the rules. I do not approve of the reason." She says. "These rules are stupid. I have not lived in the circle, ever, and I am fine. Does it occur to you that all these rebellions are because of the rules?" I asked.
"The rules are there to keep everyone safe." Cassandra said. "Tell that to all the Mages and Templars who died in Kirkwall. If Meredith had not tightened the reigns so much, the rebellion may not have happened." I said.
"Was it not your ex who blew up the Chantry?" She says back. A debate was sure to begin soon. "He did that on his own. That may have been the catalyst, but things were tense already, because of Meredith. You don't believe how bad things were, go ask Varric. He will tell you." I said back.
"Like I would trust a story teller, he would probably lie." She says. "Then why not trust me?" I asked. "Phaedra, I want to, but you have biast view of the story. You are a mage." She says. "I am also a warrior, a rogue, and a ranger, does my use of magic negate the truth. You are a Seeker of Truth, are you not? Perhaps, you should seek the truth of the Kirkwall rebellion." I said. I left the room before my anger could override my sense.
(9:40 Dragon. 21st day of Justinian.)
After the almost argument with Cassandra, the tension between us calmed in a couple of days. She was even kind enough to stay with the kids, while I went to acquire Leliana's birthday gifts. By acquire I meant delve into the Deep Roads and catch a pair of nugs.
She had mentioned she missed Mr. Schmooples, and since last year I had crafted her a new bow. The year before was new daggers. I would have gotten her new clothing, but she said she had no need of new clothes. That and she prefers to pick clothes out herself. So, all I could think of was Nugs.
At first, I worried she would not be home in time for her dinner and sweets, but just after Val Royeaux lit up she came in the door. "Happy birthday, mommy!" Bryce shouts jumping out from behind the wall. "Oh! I love surprises!" She says as she picks him up and hugs him, he runs off once she puts him down. I place Oisine in her arms and kiss her hello. "I had thought you had forgotten." She says.
"Liar. You acted surprised very well." I said. She smiles and kisses me again. "Well, I figured you would do something. I just didn't have a suspicion of what." She says. "I paid your spies to keep quiet about your party." I admitted. She chuckles. "I will let it slide, since it was you who paid them off." She says.
"Mommy, we made you a special dinner!" Bryce says excited as Leli sits down. I take off the lid from the serving dish. She looked at the ham dubiously. "I swear, it does not taste of despair and it is not made from a nug." I tell her. Hesitantly, she takes a bite from the plate I served her. A look of bliss crosses over her face. "Mon amor, this is very good. Thank you." She says.
Meal and sweets done, it was time for her gifts. Bryce handed her his, beaming proudly. She opened it and her eyes shimmered with tears. "I made it myself, mostly. Mamae helped me shape it and heated it up. Do you like it?" He asks suddenly nervous. "Yes, mon chou, very much. It looks just like Mr. Schmooples." She says.
"Yay!" Bryce says and sits in her lap, hugging her tightly. "I love you Mommy." He says. Tears began to fall from her eyes and she burrows her nose into his hair. "I love you too my sweet boy." She says. He kisses her cheek and gets down. I take Oisine from her chair and put her feet on the ground. Smiling as she runs to her. "Mommy!" I smiled larger. "Her first word?" Leli asks looking at me. I nod. "How's that for a present?" I ask.
"It is absolutely perfect." She says. Her arms full of our daughter. "Thank you mon amor. This was wonderful." She says. "Well, you still have two presents left, from the kids and me." I said. "Really?" she asks. I nod and hold out my hand. She adjusts Oisine and takes my hand, I lead her down into the cellar. She hears them before she sees them, and rushes towards the sound.
"Nugs! Oh, they never cease to be adorable." She says. "You are way more adorable than them. Especially, when you smile like that." I said, and she leans over and kisses me. "Thank you, my only love. What are their names?" I held out my arms for Oisine. "I didn't name them. I thought you might like the honor. The one on the left is the male. On the right is the female." I said.
(9:40 Dragon. 21st day of Solace)
"Why are you so down Phae, today is a special day." Cass says. "I am turning 36, how is that special?" I said. "It is not the number that is special, but the day. We celebrate the day you were born." She says. "Cass, my wife is gone. Bryce is sick and Oisine is grumpy from teething. I do not feel much like celebrating." I said.
She sighs in frustration, and leaves me to wallow in my despair. "Why did she have to go to Ferelden now, it could have waited a day." I grumbled to Boulette, the female nug as she was eating her meal. I heard Oisine crying, and washed my hands. "Da mi, I know you are hurting. I wish I could take the pain away." I said comforting her.
"I hear rum helps, put it on their gums, numbs it." My wife says in a rare occasion she snuck up on me. "Ma Vhenan! What happened?" I asked concerned with the blood splattering her armor and face. "A skirmish with some bandits. They attacked our caravan. I am unharmed. Just tired, in need of a bath, and the arms of my love. Happy Birthday. I am sorry, I could not be here earlier." She says.
"It is okay. I will see you in the bath. Oisine is almost asleep again. And I am not giving her rum." I said. It did not take long maybe another five minutes before Oisine was asleep. I set her back in her cradle and headed to the bath. Leliana was standing in the middle of the room, her armor still on. "Emma Lath?" I ask.
"Okay maybe, I got hurt, I can't seem to get my armor off." She says sheepishly. I shake my head and help her out of her armor, apologizing every time she hisses with pain. As soon as I removed her armor, and outer clothes, I could see the bruises all over her.
I pooled my mana and every time I brushed over the bruises they were gone. She stood still, but I could feel her skin heating up. "Only you can make healing sexy." She says. "You're biast." I kissed her neck. "It looks like you only got bruises, no internal damages, or wounds." I said.
"That is good. Maybe my wonderful and sexy wife can relax my tense muscles?" She asked hopefully. "Ma Vhenan, it would be my greatest honor." I said, removing my own clothes and following her into the tub. "Though, technically it should be you doing such to me, it is my birthday after all." I teased.
"I will make it up to you. You can be on top." She says. "You are most kind." I tease, the past couple of years as her work and stress level increased, I have always been the top. I liked it that way too. There was something thrilling about making my big bad spymaster tremble at my every touch. It always made me even more wet and wanting.
(9:40 Dragon. 14th of Kingsway)
"Emma lath?" Leliana asks as we sat on the sofa watching the fireplace burn and reading. "Yes love?" I asked. "Do you know where Rilia is?" She asks. "No luck finding Sasha to lead the Inquisition?" I asked, knowing why she would ask.
"No. Honestly, I always though Rilia would do better as the leader. She was there when the Rebellion began, many people respect and look up to her." She says. "I was there too, why would you not ask me?" I asked, not seriously, because I really did not want to deal with that headache. "You made it clear, you did not want that." She says squeezing me.
"I will happily serve the Inquisition, if it ends this chaos. Though, I still do not agree that the Circles need to be restored, and I am on the fence about the Chantry." I said. "I agree with you about the Circles. But, I still have faith in the Chantry." She says. "Maybe, one day I will too. But, my faith lies in the Maker." I said.
"I can live with that. But, you still haven't answered me." She says. "No. I do not know where Rilia is. I haven't seen or heard from her in months." I said honestly. "Are you worried about her?" She asks. I shrug. "No more than I worry about Sasha not being found when you guys looked for her." I said.
"You know Cassandra wants to go to Kirkwall." She says. "Is she going to actually investigate the Mage Rebellion, or just try and hunt down Rilia, and drag her to the Conclave?" I asked. "Both. Mon amor, perhaps it is time to move back to Ferelden?" She asks. "Leli, we talked about this, constantly moving after a few months is too hard on the kids." I said.
"But, that is where I will be for a while." She says. "I know darling, but where in Ferelden is not set in stone. What is to say that after the Conclave, we won't have to move around Ferelden. We love you Leli, but we need stability. Bryce is supposed to start his education this upcoming year. Not to mention, Boulette and Schmooples two, and Elgar her hip is too bad for continual moving around." I said.
I could feel her sadness, and worry. I turned and saw tears in her eyes. "Leli, I am not saying that we do not want to be with you. I promise though, once a base is situated, a more permanent one, we will come." I said. She nods. "It's just, I do not want us to be separated for so long again." She admits.
I kiss her and hold on to her tightly. "Neither do I, but we must do what is best for our family, not just us." I said. She holds me to her tighter, and sighs. "I know." She says. I take her hand, once she releases her hold on my body and I lead her to our room. There were no toys, no battle for dominance it was just two people making love gently, and reaffirming their love.
(9:40 Dragon. 17th day of Haring)
I had received a letter from Leli and the end of Firstfall, deciding it would be better for the Nugs to stay in Val Royeaux. I had spoken to Sparrow, an agent Leliana suggested would be able to take care of them. "We are going to stay with Mommy?" Bryce asks as I pack up his rucksack with thing he would need. "Yes. They established a base in Haven. She said they would be there for a long time." I said.
"Will we see the Conclave?" He asks. "I do not know Bryce. It depends on when we get there. That is why we are leaving so soon." I said. "Where will we live?" He asks. "Mommy says there is a cabin waiting for us." I said. "Mamae, how long will we stay in Ferelden?" he asks. "I do not know." I said.
"Why can't we take Boulette and Schmooples?" He asks. I sighed. "Because, they may get scared and run away. You know how they get when we even take them outside." I said. "If we move to Ferelden permanently, I will come back and bring them." I said. "Okay. Maybe we should leave Elgar here too. She hurts all the time." He says sadly. Elgar whined.
"We can't leave her da assan. She would end up following us anyways. Remember, when we went to meet Sasha last year, we left her here. And she found us a week later." I said. "I remember that is when she got hurt and had trouble walking." He says.
(9:41 Dragon. 5th day of Wintermarch)
The journey to Ferelden had taken more time than expected. Elgar's hip had gotten worse. She could not go any further. Looking at the map, I knew we would never reach Haven before the Conclave started.
We did stop in Denerim and left Elgar there in the Kennel master's care. She whined at first, but when she saw her son again, she settled down. We were going to leave, but a letter that was waiting for us from Leliana said for us to stay in Denerim for a time. She was having to leave Haven for a month.
Initially, I was upset, but I chilled out when Anora and Alistair had said they needed my help with their kids. With all that was going on they would need to leave for a time too. I did love children, and Bryce was having fun. I would see Leli when I see her.
It took only a week but when Alistair and Anora returned, I smiled happily. They went and got Calvin, he had said he wanted no part in the mages uprising. He had rather enjoyed his time in the Circle, and he did believe they were necessary.
I still had at least 2 weeks before I would need to head to Haven. I wasn't sure if I should leave in two weeks, wait for Leliana to send a message for us, or wait and see if she would come to get us. Might as well spend whatever time I had with Calvin.
"Hey Calvin. Are you supposed to go to the Conclave?" I asked. My idea was if he did we could all travel together. "I was supposed to but, a more influential candidate was chosen. I stayed in the tower even after most of the inhabitants left." He said.
"So, how did you get here? I mean I know Anora and Alistair came and got you. But why would the circle let you go?" I asked. "There were no more Templars to ask. I was alone in the tower. The last Templar sent a letter to the King asking to meet him half way and escort me to Denerim. He had been ordered to Haven." Calvin explains.
"Oh, well, that's cool. Now we get to spend more time getting to know each other." I said. "Not to mention, I get to get to know my niece and nephew." He said. "Maybe, Alistair will let you come with us when we go to Haven." I said. "Maybe. That would be great. Then I can see that firecracker of a wife of yours again." He says.
"Oh?" I asked. "Yeah, I owe her a trouncing in a chess match. I have been practicing. I know I will beat her this time." He says. I giggle. "No, you won't." I said. "No faith in your big brother?" He asks slightly pouting.
"No, I have the upmost faith in you. But, you still won't win." I said. "Why?" He asks. "Because, she cheats." I said. "I knew it! Can you teach me to outcheat the cheater?" He asks. "I can try, but I still can't outcheat her. I usually have to distract her to win." I said. "I do not think I want to know." He says. "Probably not." I reply.
Night fell. It was now bath, story time and bed time. All the kids were in their beds, but tonight it was Calvin they wanted a story from. He had told them a funny story about a mage wearing vestments so impeccably clean, named Fin. I thought it was the same one who helped Sasha find Morrigan.
Sasha had told me the story and how at the end it wasn't that she did not want to let them go, but she wanted to see if they were all okay. She had mentioned a mage named Fin, and how he would whine when a speck of mud hit his vestment.
After the kids had fallen asleep Calvin and I sat by the fire with a chessboard in between us. "Was that a true story?" I asked. "Yes, Fin was a real mage. He left with Sasha to find the swamp witch, once he was brought back he spent the next a day scrubbing his robes back to immaculate." He said. I chuckled.
"My move?" I asked momentarily distracted by the discussion we had. "Yes." He says. I look at the board and see what has been moved. I moved the piece. "I have you in three moves brother." I said. He chuckles. "And I have you in two, sister. Check." He says.
I look at the board and shake my head. I could not think of how to get myself out of this. I could probably cheat, but I did not wish to. This was a game, so we can learn each other's style. "I concede Brother. Victory is yours." I said.
He chuckles. "Very well. Now, I will show you how to get out of this check." He says. He shows me what I could have done, and I could not believe I had not seen it. "Tomorrow, we will have a rematch. Then we will play a game where I cheat, like Leli would." I reply.
We both stand up, stretch and yawn. I got to my adjoining room while he goes across the hall to his room. I lay down and sleep surprisingly comes easily. It had been an emotional day. We were going to ask Alistair tomorrow if we could travel to Haven in a couple of weeks. I was pretty sure he would say yes.
