Sensation tingled in Alistairs' fingers, a slight twitch from his fingers and breathing became easier Alistairs' eyes roamed the dark room. The sky turned purple as ithe sun began to rise. Footsteps outside the door, brought fear into Alistairs' heart. He needed to get out, needed to get her out.
With a bit of effort, Alistair was able to fall off the bed, He hit the ground hard, with strength enough to shuffle under the bed. Whoever was doing this would be back. Though he had his suspensions.
Elissa opened her eyes when she felt Alistair rocking beside her. She she heard him groan when he hit the ground. The effect lasted him some hours though he had only a fragment of what she was being given.
In his absence doubt to form. Elissa fought such thoughts constantly, especially when the raven haired woman visited her. The pain she felt the loneliness reminded her of the time she lost everything and all she had was him. But Alistair too had been away, and that hurt more than anything the servant Ann could tell her.
Alistair shuffled under the large bed, dragging the bedding with him. The fabric barely an inch off the ground swung back into place. Alistair watched anxiously hoping for it to stop. But it didn't matter.
Moments later the door opened and he could hear two sets of footsteps.
"Say good morning my prince,"
It was Ann, how familiar he had become with her voice. With her Aadya the elf, she accompanied the human every morning. Carrying a box with vials in them. She would never mix the poison until she arrived at the chamber.
"Today we'll try something new my dear. Something to put some weight back on those bones. I can't let a perfectly good subject die on me. It's not so easy to experiment on Wardens. Your kind is so rare."
Alistairs' eyes widened at Aadyas words. Overwhelmed by emotions. He closed his eyes and willed his body to move. But he couldn't yet move fast enough.
Ann placed the baby beside Elissa before hopping on the bed. Alistair could hear some shuffling above. Elissas' eyes dropped to her son as he pulled at her gown reaching for Ann who was pulling free the ties of her dress. The top resting on her waist.
"I know you love to watch," Ann said tauntingly. Breast exposed she said,. "What a comfort to know your son is well fed."
Elissas' eyes dropped to the pendant resting between Anns' breast when she pushed her dark tress back. The younger woman sighed heavily and smiled before leaning forward.
"He never noticed. No matter his view," throwing back her head, hands caressing her flat belly she gripped a breast. An illustration for Elissa.
"Even your son loves me," the wicked woman said lifting the reaching child from besides his mother. Elissa watched her son latch onto the young woman to fed.
"It's long past time you give that up," Aadya said to Ann, "Your body will never make way for a child so long as you are nursing."
Ann sucked at her teeth, and caress the boys cheek. She had not revealed Alistairs' carefulness with her. Except for the previous night. Or so she thought, reverting to a practice he abandoned when he became intimate with Elissa. But one he put into action to silence his young lover.
"So long as he favors me."
Sometimes Ann hated the boy. Except when she saw tears in Elissa eyes as she nursed him before her. An opportunity his mother never had, though she tried.
Aadya poured the first vial down Elissas' throat slowly and then a second,
"There maybe a spell," the elf said to Ann "Bring me the King's seed" Aadya decided.
"How do you suppose I do that?"
"By putting that pretty little mouth of yours to use."
Aadya squeezed Ann full lips together roughly. Releasing her Ann bit onto her lower lip.
"Do you think he would enjoy that Elissa," Alistair could hear Ann laughing wickedly and excitingly. "What about you my prince, do you think your da would enjoy that. Oh but you know how he enjoys me don't you sweet boy. Oh yes you do my prince," Ann laughed.
The witch left and the young woman hummed as she feed the boy. Elissa watched her caressing his check. Eyes red then watered and Elissa cried at the sight. If Elissa could express any emotion, Ann would know what doom might awaited her. But the young woman laughed instead.
Alistairs' hands balled into fist, as he listened to the wretched Ann taunt his beloved. She could be insufferable but he opened a door he wasn't sure how to close and so she remained at his side.
Alistair watched as piles of clothes began to cover the chamber floor. Ann sung and danced, she was trying on anything Elissa had in her wardrobe. From the most extravagant gowns to the most humble.
"Something simple. For now. You know he won't deny a child from me. He's not the sort. He has yet to deny anything I offer him.
"Oh poor Elissa. I promise not to make a mess," Ann said brushing her hands against the borrowed gown. Reaching for the prince Nathaniel she left the room. A mess of cloths about the ground.
Hands balling into a fist, Alistair felt the release of the paralytic prison that held him. Unfamiliar with any assigned to his wife's care Alistair moved quickly. Crawling out from under the bed, he was too ashamed to face her. Without a word he left the room.
Down the Hall he saw Ann handing his son to those assigned to the nursery. It was in that moment Alistair felt rage unlike anything he had known. His face expressionless, eyes red as they teared. He teased at the weapon he kept hidden in his sleeve.
Alistair walked down the hall slowly. His eyes on Ann, the woman spin around just in time to see him approaching. She smiled brightly at the sight of him. Breast heaved from the deep breathe she had taken, resting on her neck a glint of something red.
"You early,"
"Where are you coming from with the prince?"
"Visiting his mother," she admitted.
"So early, has he eaten?" Alistair asked. A cold gaze on Ann.
"Of course. Our afternoon is booked."
"It is the nurse's job to attend such responsibilities," he said sternly.
"You know I care for the boy."
Alistair sighed red eyes roaming her face. Brushing Ann dark treese aside he saw the pendant Elissa was missing. The only gift he could ever afford to give her. Made by his own hand. How many necklaces of diamonds and precious gems had he gifted her since taking the crown. Yet this tainted blood pendant remained on her neck.
"You're a thief," he hissed taking a firm hold of her throat,he called for a guard.
"You dare to take what is not.yours, to dishonor your Queen? She is the only reason you hold a position in this house,"
Tearing the pendant off the dead woman's neck as the sound of clanking metal drew near. His firm grip tightened as she pleaded with him.
"My love," she gasped pulling at his hands.
"I told you, your position would never be elevated. Yet you persist," he growled, "for your betrayal towards the crown, you will pay."
To the guard he instructed, "take this woman to the tower. She has been stealing from the Queen and in doing so she has stolen from me. And be sure to dress her in sack cloths.."
"The Queen lives?" One asked.
"She does," Alistair answered.
Ann yelled after him, begging him to forgive her. But after all he heard he had no room for forgiveness. She would answer for her crimes in due time. Stuffing the pendent into his pocket he returned to Elissas' bed chamber
Alistair closed the door behind him. He looked at Elissa from across the room he wouldn't move until he heard the yelling of Ann fade and quiet. Walking over he took a seat,
"I'm going to fix this," he promised.
How small and fragile she had become. Alistair was quick moving through the hall. Spectators in the hall watched as he walked through the hall with Elissa in his arms. A guard spotted the fragile woman.
"Maker," he gasped recognizing the daughter of Bryce Cousland.
Alistair turned down the end of the hall He hid her in his hidden room, a closet really. Placing her on the cot of the small room,
"I'm off to deal with that... Malifacar," his spat, expressio. one of rage and disapproval.
Outside the door of the small room stood a man.
"What happened," the man asked. He was rather informal with Alistair. The two having fought side by side during the fight at Denerim that ended the fifth blight.
"Has the entire palace betrayed me?" Alistair replied. "How could I be so foolish," he sighed.
"I will be sure to keep the wing clear, your Grace."
Alistair kept his eye on the man. He had no reason not to trust the man but he wasn't feeling particularly trusting.
-xXx-
A soft knock on the door, Alistair entered the small cabin in castle garden. Aadya smiled,
"Forgive me if I don't bow, it is not the way of my people."
Alistair smiled and gestured her not to worry His hand falling to the dagger hidden in his sleeve, fingers played along the edge of the fabric.
"What brings you here my Lord? We have not spoken...well at least never in private. But it's been sometime, it must be urgent for you to come here."
"Yes," he answered, looking at her with red eyes his expression stoic, "Elissa."
"I am trying a new serum for the queen, something more nutritious. Perhaps you might want to be visiting her in some weeks, she wil be as you remember. Physically at least," the witch knew it was time to play nice. If she wanted to hang around she needed to at least pretend she was working on something to restore his wife.
"You are too generous," he answered a curious eye on her.
"Why are you here? I'm sure you have many important duties to attend at such an early hour.".
"None more important than my wife."
"Such loyalty from a human male, such a thing is rare among your kind."
"She was my friend before she was my lover. I have known her all my life," He smiled to himself, but there was something in Alistairs' eyes the witch tried to ignore.
Turning her back to him she put away documents, letters. She closed the book she was writing in and another she was referencing. Aadya face him again, smiling,
"I've never known anyone to remain loyal when temptation has been set before them. Are you telling me you have been faithful all this time?" she asked incredulously.
Aadya was almost hoping he would say yes. But Alistair admitted to making mistakes. And any measure of guilt or pity she might have had vanished
"Just like the rest," she sighed, "In any case, please excuse me your Majesty, I should attend my garden. I'll be needing the herbs."
Alistair was unmoving, but Aadya couldn't be sure for which reason he had come. The elf' had masters in Orlais and they had plans. Plans she dared not interrupt.
"May I?"
"Of course," he answered seeming as if he only now heard her words.
Alistair slipped over to the side, "Ladies first," he said opening the door.
The two exchanged looks, "is your majesty alright?"
With wide eyes she stared at Alistair, the blade of his dagger quickly found its way into her side.
"What have you done to my wife? Was it Ann, what did she give you to betray us?"
The mage tried to summon her magic as she pulled away from the Warden King.
"I serve someone greater than that fool," blood flowed as she gestured her hands in a spell.
"Maleficar!" Alistair hissed.
With a shot from within he stunned the mage. Alistair moved to remove his dagger from her side and drove it home. The witch looked as if she would say something, brows furrowed her pain clear. Alistair stood straight up for a moment. He was in shock, over what he learned and what he had done in response. Brushing his hands through his hair, Alistair sat at the witches desk.
Hands in his hair. It took some time for his heart to stop pounding. When it did Alistair sat back in the chair and looked over at the notebook she had closed. Opening it he began to read.
Tears fell freely from his eyes as he read about the experiments she was testing on Elissa. Mostly testing the taint in her blood and what it could withstand. The taint had been arrested, causing paralysis in the Grey Warden. But there were many painful experiments Elissa suffered in silence.
"'The taint is responding violently to the treatments,' He read on one page, 'the strength it grants her is incredible. But I have managed to arrest it. Unfortunately this means food has been difficult as her muscles weaken. The taint has a high appetite, a nee serum in the works. I must take care not to give her to high a doze. I do not want the taint to recover. Though at this point does it really matter? Its been months since she has moved or been moved surely I can find a way to make her mute without mutilating her."'
Alistair closed the journal, and opened the draw where she had hidden some loose paper. A few carried an unknown seal, but the language was orlesian. Alistair couldn't read it
It would be some hours before he would bring the letters to his private office. The witches body removed and burned, Alistair presented the treason of the witch and the servant. Sending correspondence, he sought the help of old friends.
There was spare room with a terrible view. The dungeon tower stood just outside the balcony window. Alistair rearranged the room so that the bed was closer to the fireplace, offering a view where the tower was not visible. Elissa hated this room.
Alistair commanded anyone in this wing of the castle to clear out while he brought both Elissa and their son into the room he set up. A small crib for his son in the extra room but he knew the child would remain at his side. He trusted no one.
"I have brought these," he said showing Elissa two vials, "it's free of any poison. Simple nutrition. You haven't eaten."
The tub in the room had been filled. Fragrant oils added to the water. His son already asleep. Alistair removed the stained dress from Elissa, it wasn't a big stain but seeing the small spill bothered him. Dressed in linen breechers Alistair carefully slipped into the large tub. Elissa limb rested against his chest.
Reaching for the sponge set on a nearby table, Alistair took hold of Elissa bony hand. Carefully he passed it over her soft skin. He wanted to say he was sorry but what would that help. All Alistair wanted now was to prove to his friend, he still loves her. He still cared.
--xXx two weeks later xXx--
"I know of a mage in Ostwick who specializes in electrotherapy. She will be able.to help to strength Elissas' muscles and have her chasing your son in no time," Wynne smiled.
"Summon her, whatever the cost. But Wynne please continue doing whatever you can and thank you."
As the mage left the office, Leliana looked up from the letter she had been reading. She figured out the order of each of them, not that it mattered much. The intent was clear, Orlais meant to move against Ferelden. Ann was just a small part, her bastard would open a door for them to take control without the need for a war. At least not a war of grand proportion Such was the game of the Orlesians'.
"It's Orlisean, the seal is unfamiliar..I will find whoever did this."
"The one who did it is already dead. The other in the tower."
"You should have killed them both," Leliana hissed.
"I had no proof she was involved with anything more than fucking the King. Maker," he sighed, burying his face in his palm. "I didn't notice," he said looking up, "I didn't notice her wearing Elissa cloths. I didn't notice the Amulet," he sighed brokenly.
"I assume she wore nothing to extravagant, otherwise you might have known," Leliana tried to comfort her friend. After a short moment she continued, "It will take some time to find out who ordered this. For all we know it could be a network waiting to invade Ferelden. If they are not already here, they may even already be in the castle.
"I will stay put for some time, Alistair. I will join the servant quarters. Hide in plain sight. Do we know how the correspondence came or went?"
"There is a bird."
"No notable house?"
Alistair shook his head.
"I will take a look. It seems though I try to put it behind me, the trade of my past always finds me. And Alistair, I want to see her."
"She must face the court and be trialed publicly."
"She betrayed you. Death for the unfaithful. Is that not your way?"
"A charge Elissa must place."
"You care for her?" Leliana accused.
With shocked Alistair denied it, "Never. I missed her. It was selfishness. But no, I could never. Not someone like her."
"You also claimed you would never be with someone you didn't love."
"Things have happened. But I don't love that woman. If things were different, I may have been stuck with her for a time. But never love. In any case, it must be Elissa to place judgement. She is the one wounded by the wretch."
oOo
The day was long. Leliana set off to spy about the castle. And Wynne attended to Elissa and the young prince, Nathaniel. With trusted friends Alistair went back to work, there was much to catch up with.
Alistair called for a census to be taken that he could better divide the grain in his stores over the winter. Reports of trainees joining the King's army. Positions taken by those who lost much on the blight. Many of the refugees had taken positions within the palace. Alistair wondered how he could overlook the possibility of an enemy infiltrating the castle.
There was much that needed his attention. And much that was overlooked in the early years of his reign. But that would be corrected. From the inside out, things would be set in order.
Alistair walked through the long and quiet halls late in the evening. Wynne would still be with Elissa. Nathaniel already asleep. It had been rough on the boy. The soft foods and unfamiliar face. But Alistair sternly insisted he would get used to it. Little Nathaniel found comfort in Elissa when time came to sleep. Tucked at her side he tossed and turned until sleep took him.
Alistair entered the room, Wynne had been rocking in her seat. The sound of the open door brought her to her feet, she smiled.
"Majesty," she said ever respectful and mindful of Alistairs' position. He had begged her not to but she argued that he deserved the respect of his title.
"How was he?"
"Better today. He is much like you," she smiled tenderly. "How is the King's business?"
"Coming along," he answered with a tight smile, apologizing for keeping her, Alistair bid the mage a goodnight.
Tired eyes rested on his small family, he pushed aside the blanket from Elissas' feet, a fire burned and the room was warm enough. He knew she like to sleep with her feet free from the bedsheets. Alistair brushed a long finger along the bottom of her foot.
Elissas' eyes fluttered open,and she looked at the figure that stood at the foot of the bed. Alistair smirked,
"I didn't mean to wake you," he told her.
"Liar," she said quietly her voice rough from not having been used. "Thank you, I was burning up."
"You could have told her to remove the blanket," he responded and he began removing his clothes. "Are you ready to shift to your side?"
Spending months on her back she was sore. Though much had been done to accommodate her circumstance. Alistair pulled Nathaniel from his place by his mother. Alistair spent most nights shifting Elissas' position. At times finding no rest. The young warrior cried in frustration, it was all she could do.
"Do you mind holding me up for a bit?"
"Of course my darling."
"Stretch." She instructed.
Alistair was careful in handling her. Showing unending patience as he had in the past.
"I owe you I think," she said to him, her legs hanging off the bed, her cheek heavy on Alistairs' shoulder body supported by his chest. Held up in an embrace.
"No, you've given me everything. My only desire is just to see you smiling again," he answered, arms tightening their embrace, Alistair sighted against her neck.
