Chapter 3. Unrest in the Alienage

As Michael made his way out of the Royal Palace, a burly guard hailed him. Michael halted and turned to face the man.

"I beg your pardon, your Highness, I'm sure it's nothing. Only, there are two elves who insist that they have an important message for you."

Michael frowned. He was not expecting any mesage, least of all from any unknown elves.

"Did they mention their errand?" Michael asked.

"No your Highness, they only gave a name. One of them said he was a Vaeln... Valedre.. something like that."

"Elder Valendrian?" Michael asked wondering.

"Yes. That was the name I think. Do you want me to throw them out, your Majesty?"

"Of course not, imbecille! Elder Valendrian is the Hahren of the Alienage. Don't you know anything?"

The Guardsman backed away from the unexpected outburst.

"Just show the elves to my quarters. Take them there personally and make sure they won't be harassed by anyone else on the way."


When Michael reached the spacious room he used as study and office, he saw that the two elves already waited outside for him, together with the guardsman who brought him the message. One of them was indeed Elder Valendrian, and the other a fiery young redhead he recognized as Shianni, the woman who had helped him expose the Tevinter slavers during the war. Valendrian smiled graciously and bowed when he arrived, but Shianni only gave him the briefest nod, bordering on the insolent.

"Hahren, Shianni, what can I do for you?" he said as he showed them in.

"You can get the Queen to remember that the elves are part of Fereldan just as the humans for a start," Shianni said hotly.

"Now, now Shianni. Mind your manners in front of the Prince," Valendrian cautioned her. Shianni opened her mouth to say something, but then shut it, glaring at the Elder.

Michael waited a moment before saying anything. He knew Shianni for an outspoken woman, but this seemed more than that. She must be genuinely upset about something.

ยจ"Let's forget protocol and just tell me what it is you want say," he said finally.

"It's the situation in the Alienage," Shianni began, before Valendrian had a chance to open his mouth. "You have seen it with your own eyes. The people... we won't stand for this treatment much longer."

"Would you care to be more specific?"

"It's everything. The food shortage, the guards who won't police the area, all the homeless people from the war. It's... it's just too much." The words seem to pour out of Shianni's mouth.

"A lot of what you describe, are problems for everyone. The war has ravaged the country and we will likely suffer food shortages everywhere until next harvest, and rebuilding homes is on the top of the Queen's agenda," Michael answered diplomatically.

"But not in the Alienage!" Shianni replied hotly. "Everyone knows that there are less houses built for us than for the shem."

"All we are saying, Your Highness, is that many inhabitants in the Alienage feel that the Crown have forgotten the elves," Valendrian cut in. "Even if you think this is wrong, it is still how people perceive things. We have tried to bring this to the Queen's attention, but she has not responded."

"We only hoped that you could talk to the Queen," Valendrian said and looked intently at Michael. "No one will benefit from... unrest."

"I will of course bring your words to the Queen's attention," Michael said slowly. "The country is still in turmoil and her attention is required everywhere, but I'll make sure she hears of your concerns."

"Thank you, your Highness. That is all we ask for," Valendrian replied.

"Unless you happen to have anything, but words to offer, like actually helping people," Shianni muttered to herself.
Michael decided to pretend to not have heard her. Valendrian had sent him a warning. Unrest was brewing in the Alienage.

As he watched the two elves leave he wondered about the situation. The Alienage had always been the bottom of society. No one spoke for them and no one listened.

He suspected that this was a lot of the real problem. If anything the Alienage had escaped lighter than many other parts of the Denerim, thanks to the spirited defense he had took part in. Now the elves where rightly proud of their actions during the battle, but the humans hardly knew of it.

The isolation led to hopelessness. The few attempts to do something about the situation seemed always to fail because no one expected it to be anything but a failure. What was needed was some authority who could speak for the elves and bring hope so people dared try to build something lasting.

Abruptly Michael rose from his desk. Maybe it was just a technicality, but possible unrest was something that required immediate attention. He had a reason to confront the Queen and he might as well use it. He briskly strode towards the treasury. One way or another he had to get her attention this time.


One of the guards outside the treasury office opened the door and cleared his throat.

"I beg your pardon Majesty, but the Prince is here to see you," he said bowing.

"Why? What is it?" Anora said, turning towards the door with an annoyed frown.

Michael took a deep breath and then entered the room himself, pushing himself past the guard.

"I really need to talk to you Anora," he said. "Now."

"If it is about the South Gate, I'm sure it can wait," Anora said bristling.

"It's not about the South Gate, and it really can't wait. If master Felham can please spare you, we need to talk. Alone."
Anora's watched him tensely, then she tossed her head abruptly.

"We'll continue later Master Felham, as soon as my husband and I are done."

"I assume you have a good reason for this husband," Anora said in a brisk, business like tone, once they were alone.

"We need to talk about the Alienage, Anora. It's a mess and we need to do something."

"The Alienage? You disturb me to discuss that? The Alienage has been a mess for a hundred years. Why the hurry to discuss it now?" Anora asked.

"I have received word that there may be unrest, even riots, brewing. We can still stop it, but we need to act soon."

Anora frowned. There had been a few food riots in the east, but unrest in Denerim was bad, even if it was localized to the Alienage.

"I trust the guards are enough to protect the city. Have you identified the leaders? With luck you can arrest them before it spreads," Anora said thoughtfully.

"I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to that," Michael answered her. "I thought we could discuss some concessions to the elves, to placate them."

"We have been through all that before," Anora sighed irritated. "No one should need to starve, but beyond that we have no money to buy more grain. Both humans and elves will have to tighten their belts this year. Didn't you even listen when we discussed it?"

"No Anora I did not. You had forgotten to invite me to the Court meeting yesterday," Michael retorted angrily. He felt a sudden burst of rage. It was one thing to be slighted, but didn't she even remember it?

Anora was taken aback by his outburst. She had never seen him this angry before and she realized that she had forgotten how intimidating he could be. She decided to at least hear him out, until she had figured out how to deal with the situation.

"What do you propose then?" she asked him warily.

"If you say there is no more money for grain, I take your word for it," Michael replied. "You know that better than me. I had something else in mind though and with luck it won't cost us much at all. I want you to appoint Elder Valendrian as royal official with status as Bann for the elves."

"What will that accomplish? Besides making the elves bolder in their demands."

"The problem with the elves are that they are too apart from us. We need a leader we can talk to. If the elves felt we respected their leaders, then I think a lot of the tension will disappear. Besides, we can only benefit from it. You know as well as I do that anything we do for the elves will be undone as long as there is no working administration there."

Anora considered his proposal frowning. If things turned out as he claimed, this idea might actually be a good solution.

"Elder Valendrain is a good man, but does he really have the strength to administer the Alienage?" she asked finally?

"I doubt it," Michael replied. "That's why we should appoint Shianni as his administrator."

"Shianni? Isn't she a trouble maker? Last I heard she was inciting protests against the missing grain deliveries."

"You are missing the point Anora. She is actually organizing something. Don't you realize how rare that is in the Alienage? If she has the drive to do that, then she can do a lot of good too. She is honest and means well, even if she is slow to trust humans. We just have to show her some good will and give her the authority to deal with things. Valendrian will soften her edges."

Anora looked down, but she felt his eyes bore into her. He spoke of the elven girl, but she suddenly realized that he might as well have been talking about himself. She chewed her lip nervously. He did make a lot of sense, if she could trust him.

"I take it you have discussed this proposal with the Elder," she said, finally.

"No Anora I have not," Michael replied slowly. "I think it will be better if you do that."

"You are a good Queen Anora and the people of Fereldan love you, but we have to face it. Too many elves still think that you are only the daughter of the tyrant who sold their families into slavery."

Anora opened her mouth to protest, but Michael motioned her to silence.

"I didn't say it was right or fair, Anora. I only said that it is what they think, and you know that it's true. So if we are to make any concession to the elves it is important that it is seen to be coming from you, not from me."

"This is not a popularity contest Anora," Michael continued softly. "This is what is best for Fereldan and that's why we should do it this way. Right now we still need to unify the country. All of Fereldan, even the elves, should believe in their Queen's mercy and justice."

Anora felt her cheeks heat with shame. What he said was logical and right, but in her heart she had believed that he was only out to make himself popular at her expense. She had misjudged him.

"Very well. I'll make the arrangements you suggested immediately," she said, fighting to regain her composure. "But have the guards be on alert if the worst comes to pass." For a long moment they both remained still, waiting for the other to say something.

"Anora," Michael said finally, breaking the silence. "Whatever you think of me, I have never been your enemy. I want to be your ally, maybe even your friend, but you have to let me."

Anora straightened herself and lifted her head to meet his eyes and nodded slowly.

"Thank you, for... bringing this to my attention. But I must return to Master Felham now. Maybe... maybe you can help us," she continued cautiously. "It might be a good time for you to learn more about these matters, unless you have some other duty that occupies you."

"Not at all Anora, I am at your service," he replied and smiled at her.