Chapter Four - Family Meeting
Dragon Age 9:55
The bedchambers of the Teyrn
Castle Cousland
The only reason Aeryn Cousland had not spilled any blood yet was because she didn't have a weapon at hand. Well, and the fact that she was in the company of her mother and brother. But she was in the mood for a little violence.
"Married? To Duncan? When were you going to tell me, mother? On the wedding day itself?"
Darien could barely contain his mirth.
"Ryn's gonna have to learn how to act like a proper lady now. No more sword fights and jousts, here comes the embroidery and ensuring the continuation of the Theirin line!"
Aeryn whirled on her heel and advanced menacingly upon her younger brother.
"Darien I have said this hundreds of times, but I have never been more serious. If you say another word, I will hack off your head. Then I will throw it into Lake Calenhad. And then I will take your headless body and feed it to the Mabari hounds. I'll make sure Baskerville gets your heart."
"Sheesh, settle down for the Maker's sake."
"Darien, please don't take His name in vain," chided Leliana mildly.
"You are missing the point, mother! I don't even remember anything about this betrothal! Why am I getting married all of a sudden?
"We've told you countless times that you've been betrothed to Duncan."
"Well I don't remember a thing. Why couldn't you have told me again?"
"Aeryn, if your father and I did tell you earlier would your reaction have been any different?"
"Maybe not, but at least then I'd get more time to yell about it!"
"Darling please try to be reasonable about this," sighed Leliana.
"I will not be reasonable! First father leaves us to fight darkspawn, then I find out I have to go marry Duncan! And he's...and he's..."
"What is he exactly?" asked Leliana.
"He's never serious! He's always socializing and making stupid jokes. Remember that time he almost got me killed?"
"He was a foolish young boy at the time. As I recall Darien had a lot to do with it."
"Hey! Mom, I can't believe you said that."
"He's a foolish young boy who's grown up to be a foolish young man. Besides, he's - "
"Handsome, charming, and a very well-mannered young man who's been a good friend of yours ever since you were little children?"
"That's so shallow of you mother. Looks aren't everything, you know," muttered Aeryn.
"Of course they aren't, but Duncan's not just another pretty face. You two practically grew up together. He might be a bit of a dandy, but his heart's in the right place. You know, Queen Anora didn't quite take to the idea. Your father and I had to work hard to persuade the king to agree to this match."
"That's just wonderful. Now I can look forward to having both a mother and a mother-in-law who wants to ruin my life."
"Darling, what exactly is so bad about marrying Duncan and becoming queen?"
"What about letting me choose what I want to do with my life?"
Leliana placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders. "Aeryn I let your father train you like a knight with some reservations. We've both led lives filled with violence and senseless death. I never wanted my children to have to go through the things we did. Although I'd hoped to shield you from the world's dangers, I'm not a fool. You've learned to protect yourself, and you've made me so proud by protecting others.
But there's so much more you can do as a ruler of this country, making decisions from the capital that will affect so many lives. You have the potential to do great good, darling, and be remembered as one of the finest women Ferelden has ever known. Duncan is a likeable boy, but if he's to be a fair and just ruler he needs a strong wife on whom he can depend. Don't you see how highly your father and I think of you?"
Aeryn bit her lip. She could see the truth of her mother's words. She'd never told anyone, but there were quite a few times where she'd thought she could run the country much better than the current government.
Darien relaxed on a stuffed armchair. "Oh I know that look. I think Ryn's liking the idea of the crown and robes made out of halla fur, mom."
Aeryn threw a hairbrush at him, which Darien ducked. "Don't you ever take anything seriously?" she exclaimed.
"Not me," said Darien, stretching his arms. "You get to be queen. Rolann gets Highever, not to mention the Circle Tower in a couple years or so. I'm gonna be a knight and wander all over Thedas, doing great deeds and having all kinds of adventures. Just like mom and dad did when they were young and crazy. Not a care in the world."
"You might want to cancel your plans, little brother," said Rolann. He came into the room, followed by Aedan.
"Huh? Why?"
"You weren't there, but I've just announced that I will be joining the Grey Wardens. I can't give Highever the time and attention it needs, and with Aeryn off to Denerim that leaves you as father's heir."
"You're joining the Grey Wardens?" asked Darien excitedly. "That's a great idea! You'll make an excellent Warden, Ro."
"That's what I thought. At least, until father objected." Rolann turned to Aedan. "Well, you said this was a private matter. There's nobody here but us. Can you tell me now why I can't join them?"
"Rolann...son...can't you just accept that I have my reasons? Things that are better left unsaid? Can you respect my last wish and succeed me as Highever's Teyrn and not join the Wardens?"
Rolann folded his arms. "No, father. I want to hear the whole story. I want to hear the truth. I think that's the least I deserve. I don't see why I shouldn't be allowed to join. You said it could endanger Ferelden? How is that possible?"
Aedan crossed the room to where Leliana was sitting on the bed and sank to his knees before her. His children exchanged uneasy glances. There was something wrong about seeing their father so vulnerable in what looked like a private moment, something obscene. For their entire lives they had never seen him as anything but calm, steady and self-assured, if a little prone to shouting. The fact of his strength was a comfortable pillar of their lives, and they were seeing the cracks in it for the first time.
"Leliana, I am so sorry for hurting you. I love you and I never meant to hurt you," said Aedan.
Leliana gently lifted his chin and gave her husband a long, deep kiss. She pulled back and kissed him again on the forehead.
"Aedan dear, listen to me. I won't deny that I've spent a long time being mad at you. I won't pretend that what you did hurt me to the core. But I realised that after all we've said and done, at that core lies one simple truth. I love you too, you ridiculous sweet man. I've long forgiven you, as I've hoped you forgiven my many mistakes over the years. You've given me so much, my love. This family, this life we've built together. I am still yours, and that will never change."
"You don't know how much it means for me to hear you say that," said Aedan, kissing her hand. Leliana threw her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek.
"You've spent your entire life making it up to me, Aedan Cousland. Don't you think it's time to forgive yourself?"
"Yes, you're right. No more secrets. Rolann, you said you deserved the truth. Perhaps you do, although I suspect you won't like it. Few men do."
"Go ahead, father. I need to hear whatever it is you have to tell me," said Rolann forcefully, although the merest waver could be heard in his voice.
Aedan sat on the bed, holding Leliana's hand. The simple contact seemed to have given him a renewed strength of purpose.
"All right. This concerns Grey Warden secrets that can never be told to anyone. Anyone at all, under pain of death. You must swear on your lives never to divulge what I am going to tell you tonight, or the Grey Wardens will hunt you down and kill you. I am not exaggerating. This is deadly business."
"We promise," said his three children.
"Very well then."