They both were in mansion bathing facilities. Arl Eamon had used some time and gold to make them comfortable. They were alone now, they had get rid of clothes what they had used during they escape.
Erlina was sitting in the bathwater; warm water helped her to relax and did make her feel better after they escape from the Arl Howe palace. She was washing Anora hair; escape thought the sewers had not been cleanest rout. She could not recall ever seen queen so dirty.
"I wonder do the washers manage to clean the clothes." Anora said no one particular.
"I think they would burn them." Erlina did answer.
Clothes had been filthy and bloody, they were relieved when they get them off. Of course they were not themselves in best of shape. There were bruisers and dirt all over them both. Anora had bigger bruise in her stomach, were guard had hit her with a mace. Fortunately the armour had protected from the worse. Erlina had small cut in her side, and few other bruises, but those weren't bad, she had already wash it, so it would heal quickly. So they didn't deed physician.
Warden's companions had made plans and then go to safe him. Red haired women and gold-eyed mage, who know how to locate the warden, also the dwarf and antivan elf did go with them. They could do nothing else, so they waited.
"I have to convince to the Warden that alliance with me and supporting me over Alistair is better choice."
"Arl Eamon might disagree that, my lady."
"He believes that Ferelden need a ruler that had Therien blood in his veins." Anora said and was quiet for a moment.
"Some nobles and people would support that claim, thought." She added.
"I'm afraid that you are correct my lady."
"Hopefully the warden is more practical."
"We better hope that he is still alive, my lady." Erlina said.
If warden would be dead, plans that Queen had made would not work. Erlina thought.
They get out of the water, Erlina did get a towel to Anora and started to dry her. They had done this many times. Servants had left them bathrobes; they did take them and put them on.
"We can't do nothing but wait." Anora said wearily.
"It is said that morning is wiser then evening, my lady."
They stepped out of the door, elven servant was sitting on the chair, and she did stand up when they come outside. She did curtseyed and bowed her head.
"Your majesty, I will take you to your quarters."
"Thank you, lead to way." Anora said.
They walked through quiet corridors, most of servants were already sleeping, and they only did see few guards.
Behind the corridor there was a huge man standing next to door, no not a man, qunari. Erlina did keep her head down. She has seen how that thing had killed guards during they escape. She could figure out what man, elf or dwarf could want, but from qunari she had no personal experience. Qunari watch them when they walked pass him, qunari seem to have recovered from his wounds what he had received in battle with guards. No emotions were seen thought, just cold stare. Erlina shivered.
Quarters that Arl Eamon had arrange to Anora and her, were nice and large. Big four-poster bed, divan and couch, finely made chairs and paintings on the walls. But it was middle on the mansion; it would be difficult if not impossible to leave without notice. Best guest-rooms were probably for the wardens and his companions. Thought how Eamon would have known that he would be housing the Queen.
Erlina quickly checked wardrobes and did find the nightdresses for them. When she give them to queen she notice how tired she looked, she felt herself quite tired as well. I have been long day, Erlina try to banish images of bloody fighting, she had known many of the queens guards that were killed today, and so had Anora. Even they had been loyal to Ser Cautherin and his father, they were still her royal guards, sworn to protect her and she had forced to fight them. Erlina remember that moment when the guard had attacked her, Queen had tried to stop it, but she had not time to reveal herself when other guard had struck her. Luck and warden companions had saved them both that moment. Erlina had fallen on the ground and sword had missed her, dwarf in the black armour had killed guard who attacked queen and the antivan elf had slain her attacker.
Erlina lift the plackets from the bed so the Queen could go there. Erlina was about the go her own room what was next to Anora, when queen waved her to stay. She nod and come lay next to her. She and the queen had used the same bed before. During the winters when her husband had been away, she had done this when queen had received news of her husband death in Ostagar.
She would protect the queen, not just for her own well-being, queen had treated her well.
I have bed were to sleep and a powerful protector. Erlina thought. If Anora would have died she would have tried finding shelter in the alienage, and if that was verge of a new riot, it would have not been a good choice, maybe Arl Eamon had helped her, thought she would not bet on it. For an elf, you did not have many choices.
Then she thought that warden was probably in torture chamber in Fort Drakon. If warden dies what will my lady does? Erlina thought and did shivered. Her bruises hurt a little, but she did find position where they didn't hurt and finally sleep did come.
Erlina wake before her queen in the morning, she did dressed and went arrange the breakfast. Guards did recognise her and let her move through, thought they keep eye of her.
In the kitchen the cooks were already making meals for the people. Erlina tried to ask if there was information about the warden, cook had looked her at the moment give her tray and turn her back. Erlina realised that they had given order not talk about this. She walked out of the kitchen, carrying the food when she noticed a knight walking on the hall. She recognises the knight.
"Ser Perth."
Knight turned to look at her.
"Good morning, how can I help miss." Knight said politely.
"Is there any news about the warden." Knight hesitated a moment, but he did answer.
"Well kind of, one warden did come late in the night."
"So he manage to escape, how was he?"
"No, the other warden, he was captured by Arl howe."
"He is an older man, with dark hair and beard."
"Oh, so there is still not news about..."
"No, if you excuse me."
Erlina looked after the knight that was probably all she could get from him for now. She did hurry to the Anora's quarters. Anora was already wake; there was elf servant with her. Apparently servant had brought new clothes to them.
"Ah, Erlina good to see you."
Erlina put the tray on the table. Servant did curtseyed and did leave. Anora walked next to table when Erlina put the breakfast ready. Porridge, bread, cheese, and a little meat. When they did eat they breakfast, Erlina told what she had heard.
"Hopefully, my father had not executed warden."
"I would think that he want information from the warden first."
"Let's hope so."
"Well I think I should go to see Arl Eamon soon."
Erlina helped Anora to dress and did combed her hair and made it royal looking. Unfortunately they had not any jewellery, but Anora posture and appearance did make that up. Clothes were fine made, fit for a noble if not royal. Anora checked herself from the mirror.
"This will have to do."
Erlina did nod and went open the door. Guards saluted and stepped aside when Queen walked pass them. But Erlina noticed that some of them hesitated a little. They know that Arl Eamon wanted a put Queen aside, but a least guards were polite and not to openly challenge her. What could they do if guards would not have stepped aside. If things would go bad, she would not survive long here without the queen, she was an elf and from Orlais. Those things did not make her popular among Ferelden.
"Arl Eamon." Anora said when she entered the room. Erlina followed and went to stand few steps side of Anora.
"Ah, Anora, I assume that you are well and room is comfortable." Eamon smiled and node politely. Arl did not use her title and there was tension between them and Alistair was also in the room, Erlina could see that it make Queen uncomfortable, but she hid it well.
"I there any news about the warden?" Anora did ask ignoring Alistair.
"Not yet"
"He had a habit make people wait." Alistair commented.
Then there was a knock at the door.
"Yes." Arl Eamon said.
Door did open and knight stepped in. It was Ser Perth.
"Good news Arl, Warden Darrian is returned, they manage to save him."
"Thought he always had good timing." Alistair did mumble.
"How is him?" Eamon did asked and stepped forwards.
"He seem fine, thought he asked senior enchanter Wynne to look his injuries."
"She is his room right now."
"Excuse me." Alistair said and followed the knight outside.
They waited a while, Anora and Eamon did talk little, but Erlina notice that both of them waited the warden, so the discussion was just pleasantries and talk about the usual politics.
Finally door did open.
"Warden Darrian." Guard did say and stepped aside.
Warden did walk in, with him come big war dog. Mabari walked heartily around the warden, dog seem to be good mood for seeing his master. Dog mood seem to made warden smile a little when he patted its head. There were faint bruises on his face; Erlina wondered had the mage managed to heal him well. There was bandage on his arm and leg, but he looked well considering circumstances. If he was bothered from his wounds he didn't show it. He already had the sword on his back and knife in his belt. It was odd to see elf armed.
Erlina looked the warden when he listen when Anora did thank him for saving her and warns about her father and did presents her own view what she think about Alistair. Warden seemed to listen carefully. Queen voice had got stronger tone, Erlina was worried when Anora pointed out Alistair would be inexperience as ruler and unsuitable, she should remember that Alistair was also a grey warden and apparently and good friend to Warden Darrian. Warden did seemed calm and thoughtful.
When they stepped out of the room, Alistair was walking towards them. Anora did make a cold stare at him. Luckily Alistair did step politely aside and let Anora pass. Erlina let a breath out, wondering what Queen would have done if Alistair would have not stepped aside.
When they get back in they quaters, Anora sighted.
"I hope that was enough to convince the warden to see me soon."
"I am sure that warden will come speak with you soon my lady." Erlina said. She was wrong.