Chapter 8: Engaging a King

The Landsmeet hadn't gone as smoothly as planned. Ultimately it was to be decided through a trial by combat between Teyrn Loghain and whomever was chosen to champion Alistair's cause. Valariya opted to take on Loghain herself, not wanting to risk Alistair or anyone else in her party. She had led them this far and it was her responsibility to see this through.

It was a tough battle, and she fought valiantly against Loghain. In the end he yielded, showing a newfound respect for her and the order of the Grey Wardens, for the first time since she first met him at Ostagar.

Anora begged for her father's life, but Valariya put it in the hands of Alistair. Ultimately Loghain had betrayed the Grey Wardens and Ferelden itself, and because of him Duncan and Alistair's half-brother, King Cailan, lay dead. Through his determination to retain power in Ferelden he had conspired in horrific acts of murder, torture, and even the selling of elves as slaves. He had condemned and hunted all Grey Wardens who survived the fight at Ostagar. Loghain was irredeemable.

Surprisingly, Loghain accepted his fate gracefully, silencing his daughter's protests. Alistair swung his sword true, and gave Loghain a more merciful death than he had deserved.

When it was finished it was finally time to decide who would rule Ferelden. At the last minute Alistair still hesitated and Anora seized the opportunity to try and disparage him yet again. Arl Eamon looked to Valariya, the youngest of the Couslands, and a Grey Warden, to make the final decision.

"Alistair will rule, with me at his side!" she declared.

"You … you will?" Alistair stumbled over the words, not quite sure what to say. As his first act as King, he had to decide what to do with Anora, as she still had numerous supporters. He chose to be merciful, because he knew he still had to fight the Archdemon, and he may very well not come back alive.

"Take Anora to the tower and hold her there for now. If I do not survive the battle with the Archdemon, then Anora will retake the throne and rule Ferelden. If I do somehow come back alive, I will decide her final fate then." He said, sounding more confident than he had before.

"You are showing me more mercy … than I would have shown you," Anora said, sounding as if she finally realized why Alistair was the right choice for King after all.

Alistair then addressed the rest of the nobles of the Landsmeet and informed them that while he may be their King, he was a Grey Warden first, and it was his duty to try and smite the Archdemon, as only a Grey Warden was capable of doing so. There were only 3 Grey Wardens left in all of Ferelden, so they only had 3 chances to fell the beast and end the Blight.

Valariya and Zevran were both very proud of Alistair in that moment, as he addressed his new subjects, he looked very noble. The very picture of a King.

Immediately after the Landsmeet they all met up at Arl Eamon's estate and Alistair strode in.

"So, strange story. Tell me you've heard this one? This fellow gets made king and gets engaged on the same night…" Alistair quipped. "I'm curious about … you know, the engagement. I like the idea, but …are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure Alistair. I love you, and I told you I'd help you rule Ferelden," she replied.

"Oh, I guess that saves me from having to ask then! Whew!" he said, jokingly. "… but what about Zevran?"

"Hmm yes, what about me?" Zevran said, walking up to join the conversation.

"You wouldn't mind being our royal consort, would you Zev?" Valariya asked sweetly. "I think the people would accept that more than a three-way marriage. That could cause a revolt" Valariya said, giggling.

"I would love to be the royal consort to the King and Queen of Ferelden," purred Zevran, which cause Alistair to blush, and elicited some exasperated sounds from the rest of the party seated at the table behind them.

"I highly suggest the three of you 'get a room,' as the saying goes," huffed Morrigan disapprovingly.

With that the entire party burst out laughing. It had been a long stressful day and they had all needed a good laugh. They still had to travel to Redcliffe to meet up with Arl Eamon and the forces he was gathering there. They made immediate preparations and began marching to Redcliffe immediately, as it was several days journey.

During the journey to Redcliffe, they marched at a strenuous pace each day, making the most use of daylight as possible. Because of this, everyone in the party was exhausted by the time they made camp each evening, except for stoic Sten, who often took first watch because he wasn't nearly as worn out as his weaker human and elven companions.

After the evening meal Alistair, Valariya and Zevran often just collapsed into their shared tent, and fell asleep in each others' arms, as they were far too exhausted to do more than that.

When they arrived, Redcliffe was already overrun by Darkspawn, and Valariya and her team had to clear out several groups, including a couple of fierce Ogres, both in the village below and in the castle courtyard. Once the Darkspawn had been routed, they rushed into the castle to make sure Arl Eamon and the rest of his family were still safe.

It was then they discovered that a large Darkspawn force was only 2 days from Denerim, and the Archdemon had finally shown itself. They had to make immediate preparations to march back to Denerim, and even then they would be too late to intercept the horde.

It would take several hours to prepare Arl Eamon's forces for the journey, and messengers had left hours before to Orzammar, the Brecilian Forest and the Circle of Magi to alert their allies of the impending battle, and the need of their aid. The Arl suggested that everyone try to get a few hours of rest before the march back to Denerim at dawn.

Before they could retire from the main hall, Riordan, the Grey Warden from Orlais that Valariya had rescued at Arl Howe's estate in Denerim, approached her and Alistair, and said that he had something important to discuss with her and Alistair, and that it could not wait. He implored them to make haste and meet him in private in his chambers.

They looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. Zevran moved to go with them, but they gently, but firmly asked him to stay behind. "There are some secrets within the Grey Wardens that must yet be kept Zev," Valariya stated firmly.

With that Alistair and Valariya headed up to meet with Riordan, to see what was so urgent …