The Proposal
Queen Anora was dressed in heavy brocades of gold and splashes of blue. Her pale hair was dressed in an elaborate up-sweep with curls and ringlets. She looked far more queenly than Fergus had ever remembered her. She extended a bejeweled hand to Fergus as he entered her sitting room. He bent low and kissed the proffered hand.
"Your majesty is a vision of loveliness, this evening," Fergus said. He looked into her eyes, trying to read the intent for this invitation from them. They were as he remembered, blue, extraordinarily large, intelligent and there was something new there, hardness.
Arl Eamon and Josef Dulan were also in the room. The two men were smiling and watching him. Everyone was watching him, it was a little eerie. Even Anora seemed to be sizing him up.
Queen Anora gestured to the chair beside her, "Please sit, Fergus." Her eyes assessed him coolly. He was about her own age, maybe a little older. Dark haired with dark brown eyes, swarthier than his fair-skinned sister. One could consider him handsome. He was quite the eligible bachelor but he had seemed uninterested in remarrying after he lost his family, much to the disappointment of many Arls and Banns in Ferelden. It was time for Fergus Cousland to move on. He had already sired a son, although the lad had died, so she knew he was capable.
"I trust you and your sister are comfortable? If there's anything we can do to make your visit more enjoyable please don't hesitate to let us know." Josef Dulan addressed Fergus. Dulan poured four portions of brandy into crystal glasses and offered them to all.
Fergus remembered his sister's warnings but he thought he was safe. The brandy was poured from the same container for them all, he could freely choose which to take. Surely Dulan had seen their extreme caution in the few days they had been in Denerim and understood its purpose. Fergus had heard of his reputation. If he were plotting something, he doubted it would come as poison. But he was plotting something, otherwise why was he here being scrutinized like this?
Eamon raised his glass, "To Queen Anora and her health". He toasted.
The other three raised their glasses and Fergus sipped politely. He smiled warmly, still wondering at this oddly private gathering.
Eamon cleared his throat. "Fergus, it has been quite some time since you lost your family." He looked distinctly uncomfortable. "I won't mince words with you lad. I knew your parents well and I'm sure they would have liked to see you happily wed again, with children to secure the Cousland future."
Fergus blinked. Well, that's blunt. He thought. He cocked an eyebrow and looked curiously at Eamon. "Please, go on," he urged Eamon, dreading it.
"Her Majesty too is widowed and for too long she has been mourning her late husband." Eamon continued, watching his young friend's reaction.
Anora shifted in her chair. But looked directly into his eyes. "I realize we may have unfairly sprung this idea upon you and I beg your forgiveness. But I do hope you will give it consideration. It would be a union popular amongst the people. Your family has always been well-loved in Ferelden. You yourself have always been well-loved and your sister is, of course, a hero. There are advantages to both of us."
Fergus watched her closely. She gave nothing away in her face. None of the hatred Wisteria was convinced she held for her displayed on her perfect, composed features.
"Queen Anora, your offer is..." he groped for proper words, "generous. I must admit you have caught me off guard and I will have to give your offer serious consideration." Andraste's ass, this was unexpected! He suddenly wanted his sister with him. He needed her help in sorting this out. Although he was concerned about her paranoia about Anora.
He felt ambushed by the surprising offer. It was unexpected. Certainly, next to Anora he was the most highly placed noble in Ferelden but it wasn't anything he ever spent much time thinking about. The Couslands, given their status, didn't really feel any need to add to their holdings or political ambitions so they generally married for love, not politics. They weren't in the habit of making arranged marriages.
Eamon nodded, "Fergus, I know your first marriage was a love-match as was your parents, but I'd ask you to consider the future of your family and of Highever. Even Ferelden is in the precarious position of not having an heir." He paused, "Your sister is unlikely to produce an heir, if the rumors about Grey Wardens are true."
Dulan stepped forward, "Perhaps you and Eamon should discuss this in private. We've given Eamon a detailed proposal of the arrangement..."
Fergus hated the way Dulan said arrangement, as if they were negotiating a contract for a prized bull. He had a very hard time imagining himself bedding this cold, although very beautiful, woman.
"... and we'll be happy to hear your answer and further discuss the details. If all goes well, we can announce your engagement before you leave." Dulan smiled graciously at Fergus.
Eamon squeezed Fergus's shoulder. "Lets go discuss this in private." He and Fergus bade the Queen and her adviser a polite farewell and they went to walk in the gardens.
Eamon and Fergus wandered the snow dusted gardens, ignoring the cold that had gripped Denerim for the last few days.
"Fergus, this offer is a good one for your family. The Queen is offering that you should be the King-consort and in charge of her armies. Your children will, of course, be heirs to the throne. She will still essentially run the country as she has done all along."
Fergus sighed, "Does she want Highever?" He scuffed at the snow with the toe of his boot.
"No, lad. That remains yours, or your sister's."
Fergus knew this marriage would be a great advantage for her. She'd have control of his military forces, which would mean they couldn't threaten her, not that it was likely of course. She was right, being aligned with them would be a populist move for her.
"Your children will be rulers of the country, isn't that the pinnacle of what any parent could want?" Eamon looked at Fergus curiously.
"I never had any such desire myself. Highever was always plenty of responsibility, I never thought about reaching any higher than that." Fergus admitted.
Eamon looked thoughtful. "You could keep Anora's desire for vengeance in check, counteract the influence of Josef Dulan."
Fergus looked shocked at Eamon, "So she is still vengeful even after all this time?"
Eamon nodded, "She has been subtle but she has taken any opportunity possible to act against those who opposed her at the Landsmeet. I think she has forgotten nothing."
The men walked on around the garden, not speaking for awhile.
"What about my sister?" Fergus asked finally.
"Anora would probably go to great lengths to get revenge for everything that happened. I expect someday I'll feel her retribution too, she's just taking her time and being cautious."
"So why marry me if she wants vengeance?" Fergus asked.
"You weren't there for the Landsmeet, although I'm sure she knows you probably would have supported your sister if you had been. It is entirely possible that Dulan realizes that this match is much more important than any sort of stale revenge and he has convinced her of that."
The men walked on, again in silence.
"Hold your friends close, Fergus, but your enemies closer. Isn't that how the saying goes?" Eamon asked.
Fergus grimaced, "And how do we know that isn't exactly what she is thinking?"
