qDISCLAIMER: I base my stories on Intellectual Property (IP) owned by BioWare ™ and EA™. I pretend to live in their world.

SPOILERS: I refer to information from the games, the novels and the comics. If you have not played or read, please beware.

"Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment…"
That was Ferelden
Ruled by King Maric the Savior
Camelot – Lerner and Lowe

Chapter 8: The Fair


9:18 Dragon 1 August === Redcliffe Village

Lys and Alistair raced ahead of Loghain down the long path from the Castle. It was a lovely autumn day, so Loghain decided to walk to the village with the children. Most of the men and older boys were either practicing and readying their weapons for the Tourney or watching those who were. The formal opening ceremonies, the Invocation, would take place on the Tourney Field after mid-day bells. Loghain smiled to himself. One of the benefits of age, he decided, was that he did not have to participate in either the Tourney or the ceremonies. There were times when Cailan needed to be at his father's side, without Loghain's shadow behind them.

He had been surprised at how much he enjoyed the boy, Alistair's, company. In some ways, the boy reminded him of himself. He had been barely schooled, experiencing hardship and treachery at a young age. He had survived through sheer stubborn bullheadedness. Unlike the boy, however, he had known his parents, who had loved and nurtured him as best they could in the harsh reality of the Orlesian occupation. Alistair, on the other hand, had known nothing but neglect and abuse. His self-deprecating humor deflected many insults. Unfortunately, he had learned to forego even humor and acquiesce quickly to the Arlessa's tirades to minimize the inevitable punishments. His stoic, cheerful, compassionate nature came as a surprise, masking an underlying strength and intelligence, but he needed purpose. Rather than express his own wishes, he focused on what he believed others wanted him to be. His only goal, to please them and avoid punishment. Loghain wanted him to focus on who he wanted to be. He hoped the support of new friends would increase his self-confidence and encourage him to make friends and put himself forward as he trained and attended school.

Both children became more excited as they passed the windmill, walked across the bridge and came out on the narrow plateau above the village square and Chantry. The merchants' stalls and tents pitched in front of the Chantry offered all types of merchandise. This was the main Fair of the year in Redcliffe. The Funalis Ceremony and the Tourney brought families into town from the outlying farmholds, as well as knights eager to participate in the Tourney events. Farmers brought their harvest bounty to sell before winter set in. Merchants from all around Ferelden crowded into the square to sell to the throng.

Lys and Alistair looked down on colorful tents and stalls. Minstrels filled the air with music, while jongleurs and acrobats performed in the open areas. Lys noticed a puppet show in progress. Players offered their plays from the Chantry porch. Merchants hawked their wares aloud, adding to the somehow pleasing cacophony that was a Fair.

Local merchants opened their shops, but also presented goods outside to draw patrons in. Smells of baked goods, ale, mead, roasting meat, grilling fish, baking bread and a variety of sweets wafted through the air enticing tired, hungry Fair goers to the food stalls. A person could easily spend the entire day, viewing merchandise, watching people, enjoying entertainers and sampling a variety of food and drink.

"Ooh," Lys cried, "this is almost as large as Highever's Summerday Fair. Do you think the ribbon merchant will be here? And there was a silversmith with lovely chains, maybe he'll be here. Mum gave me a few sovereigns."

Loghain noted the wide-eyed look Alistair gave Lys at her casual remark. "A few…." Alistair shook his head.

The three Fair goers walked down the final incline into the village. Loghain leaned down to Alistair, "Did you want to buy something?" he asked.

"I would, but I have no coin," Alistair answered sadly. "Lys and her family have been so good to me, I'd like to buy her something."

"Check again," Loghain urged, "I think you might find you do. Isn't there is a coin pouch on your belt?"

Loghain had provided Alistair with a belt that morning. He checked, finding a coin pouch filled with three sovereigns and some smaller coin. "Where...did you put these in the pouch, Your Grace? I can't take coin from you." He whispered as Lys rushed ahead.

"And why not?" Loghain challenged.

"Well… I didn't earn it."

"Alistair, consider it a Name Day gift. Your Name Day is just past, right."

"You know when my Name Day is?"

"I do," Loghain confirmed, "28 Solace. You were, I think, eight."

"Yeesss…that's right," Alistair continued to look surprised. "I guess I could do that. Thank you, Teyrn Loghain."

"You are very welcome, Alistair. Spend it wisely."

Alistair grinned. "Will it be enough to buy Lys a chain from the silversmith do you think? Would that be alright?"

Loghain ruffled the boy's hair, "I think that would be a fine gift, Alistair. I'll distract her so you can make the purchase. Just remember to bargain. Listen to me when I make purchases and then negotiate the same way," he added, as Alistair looked worried.

Lys slowed as they approached a clothing stall. She turned to Loghain, "Did you want to purchase some things for Ali?"

"I do," Loghain confirmed. "Some everyday leggings and tunics in linen and wool; one good every day over tunic and one finer one for special days; good boots for winter, small clothes, stockings, a good dagger and sheath and some rougher training clothes, although some of your old things will serve for that as well," he said turning to Alistair. "Do you need anything else?"

"Mum said Alistair could keep the cloak and clothes she gave him. She thought the crest should be removed in case it annoyed Arl Eamon, but the laurel border will stay. Perhaps he needs an everyday cloak?"

"Right," said Loghain, "an everyday cloak as well. Alistair?"

"Whatever you and Lys think, Teyrn Loghain. I've never had new clothes. Will I need all that?" .

"Well, you need to look presentable when you go to class, you need different clothes for working in the Armory and for training and, once you're in class, the Sister will expect you at services, so you'll need a good outfit for those special days," Loghain explained. "Your life is going to change this year, but I think for the better."

"I see," Alistair responded thoughtfully, beginning to understand just how much a difference Lys, her family and Loghain would make for him.

The stall keeper, over awed by his famous customer, was even more surprised when he realized the recipient was the Arl's ward. He was a local merchant, who had set up outside his shop so he was familiar with Alistair. Once he'd been a familiar site in the village playing with his friends among the village children his age. As the children went off to school, apprenticeships and training, while he remained a stable boy, the friendships dissolved. Most believed the story that he was somewhat slow, since he did not attend school, and felt pity or disdain for the boy. Afterall, if Alistair was not stupid and slow, he would be schooled and trained like the rest of his peers. The rumors that he had displeased the Arlessa only added to the villagers' avoidance of the boy.

Now the Hero of River Dane and Teyrn Cousland's daughter were buying him clothes, treating him like an equal and talking of school and training. Even more surprising was his cloak with the Cousland crest. What had changed? Every one already knew he was an unacknowledged bastard. He was said to be the child of a Redcliffe serving maid, who died at his birth, and some unknown father. The rumor mill began to grind. He was Eamon's bastard son. He was Loghain's bastard son. He was Teyrn Cousland's bastard son. He was Teagan's bastard son. He was the bastard son of some other noble. Eamon was just fostering him as a favor to someone. Fortunately, no one thought of the King.

Loghain negotiated with the merchant while Alistair paid close attention. Once he completed the transactions, Loghain arranged for the packages to be delivered to him at the castle. "Now let's find some good boots. We'll need to find the cobbler's shop, I think, and see if he can complete them by tomorrow."

They headed off on their new mission, finding the shop easily. With most townsfolk outside at the Fair, the cobbler's shop was empty. He measured Alistair's feet and confirmed he could have a pair of sturdy boots, ready by the evening of the next day. Again, Loghain arranged to have them delivered.

"Now can we find honey cakes?" Lys pleaded.

Alistair reminded her that she wanted to find ribbons and the silversmith and look at the other stalls. "If you have honey cakes, no merchant will want you near his goods with your sticky fingers," he said with a straight face. Loghain chuckled; the boy was correct, of course. He wondered if he knew the pun he'd made. Lys regarded him with a scowl.

"And just why do you think I have sticky fingers," she snapped, showing she understood the inference.

Alistair laughed, "Only the honey cake kind, My Lady with the Sweet Tooth, I'm sure. Or do I have to worry about my coin purse?"

Lys pouted, "Perhaps, if you had any coin in it," she said unkindly.

Alistair's scowl precluded any further sharp remarks. Lys looked chastened. "Sorry, Ali." She looked up as a grin threatened to spread across her face, "I get nasty when I'm peckish," she explained.

"What, so honey cakes will make you happier? Well, I guess I better buy you one with my few coins, " Alistair huffed, walking off to a vendor on the far side of the Fair.

"Ali, no, I didn't mean you should buy them," she called after him . "Oh, Teyrn Loghain, why do I do that. I just don't think."

Loghain put his hand on her shoulder. "Well, you can't take it back now. Don't hurt him further by rejecting the cakes. Accept one and say thank you. Just don't eat too many and get sick," he teased.

Lys looked up at her friend, the Teyrn, with a frown. "I don't want him to be angry with me."

"He'll be fine, Lys. You just need to remember, he has his pride and you punctured it with that rather thoughtless remark. Your joke about being hungry gave him a way to salvage his pride by getting you the cakes. Just accept them."

Alistair returned with three cakes, which he distributed among the three of them. "Meg makes the best honey cakes," he informed them.

"Thank you Alistair," Lys said then took a bite. "Oh, Ali, these are wonderful. The best I've ever had. I need to buy some to take back to Mum." Alistair's frown morphed to a smile at the compliment.

"I think I'll take some back too," Loghain added. "They'll make a nice snack tonight, don't you think?" Alistair eagerly shook his head in assent.

The three trudged across the market to Meg's stand, purchasing three more honey cakes for themselves as well a dozen each for Loghain and Lys to take back with them. After wrapping them, Meg even provided a damp cloth to clean any sticky fingers. Alistair smirked as he requested it, then handed the damp cloth to Lys, calling her My Lady of the Sticky Fingers, ducking away as she giggled and punched at him.

The three continued to wander through the Fair. Lys stopped at a stall selling ribbons. She handed her package of honey cakes to Alistair asking him to hold them, with the package he already had for Loghain, while she searched through the various colors and widths. Bored, Alistair drifted off to listen to a minstrel telling an old tale, while Loghain turned to look at the wares of a vendor selling old books, scrolls and maps. Alistair became so engrossed in the minstrels' tale he failed to notice several older boys surrounding him. Walking with Lys and Loghain, he'd felt safe. Suddenly he realized he was cut off from his friends.

"Well, lookee here, it's the bastard stable boy. Too busy with your fancy new friends to speak to us Ali Boy?" the leader snarled. The boys were all three or four years older than Alistair. He knew he couldn't avoid the beating they threatened.

"I'm just attending the girl," he muttered. "I was told to carry her things and such."

"Ooohh, attending a lady. I suppose that's a step up from attending a mare, in't it Jared?" A second boy sniggered. " Just what does "and such" include?"

Alistair knew the remarks were meant to be dirty, but wasn't sure exactly what they meant. "Look, I do what the girl and Teryn MacTir tell me to do," he retorted. "I'm nothing special to them. Just a boy."

"Right Ali Boy. You are nothing special, just a stupid bastard stable boy." Jared agreed. " We should make sure you remember that, bastard. He grabbed Alistair's packages. Look Sammy, honey cakes for his lady."

"Wait," Alistair exclaimed, "they're not mine, they belong to Lys and the Teyrn.'

"Lys is it? Calling a noble wench by her given name? In't that sweet?" Sammy chortled.

"Well, guess you'll have to explain how you lost them now won't you? What's he get for stealing, Sammy? A whipping at the least?"

"Oh worse I would thing. Maybe chop his hands off, right?"

At that, Alistair barreled into Jared, ducking his head to hit him hard in the stomach. With the wind knocked out of him by Alistair's charge, Jared dropped the packages and grabbed his midsection. Quickly, Alistair scooped up the packages and ran. The only open path took him away from Lys and Loghain. 'Retreat to fight another day.' he thought. I'll circle around and find them. Unfortunately, the older boys were quicker and soon caught up to him pushing him into a nearby silversmith's stall. He groaned as the display tipped, but fortunately, for the merchant, fell back into the interior of the stall.

"He stole our packages," the boys complained as townsfolk gathered 'round the stall. "We got cakes for our Mums and he stole them." The silversmith yelled at the boys to stand back as he gathered his wares. " I saw that boy grab those packages and run," he confirmed. "He's the thief. These other boys were chasing him to get their packages back."

"That's not true," Alistair protested. "They took these packages from me. I'm carrying them for Teyrn Loghain and Lady Melysande. I didn't steal anything. Ask Meg. The Teyrn bought them from her."

A town guard walked up. What's this disturbance? He turned to Alistair, "What did you do, boy?"

"Nothing," Alistair replied dejectedly. "They took my packages. I just tried to get them back."

"Your packages," the silversmith challenged. "You just said they belonged to a Teyrn and a Lady."

"They do," Alistair confirmed. "I'm carrying them for the Teyrn and Lady Lys."

The guard confronted him, "So which is it boy, are the packages yours, some Teyrn's and Lady's or these boys'?"

"Teyrn Mac Tir's and Lady Melysande's," Alistair replied.

"Right, the Arl's bastard stable boy is carrying packages for the Teyrn and the Lady. Boy, come with me." He took the packages and handed them to Jared, who had recovered from Alistair's attack. " You can sit in the guardhouse until the Arlessa sends someone for you. I'm surprised the folks at the Castle let you out to come here, a stupid troublemaker like you."

The Guard eyed Alistair with suspicion, "Or did you run away for the day? That won't make the Arlessa happy. A thief and a liar, perhaps the Arlessa will just leave you with us for punishment. An idiot could come up with a better story than yours. Why would Teyrn MacTir use you as a servant when he's got his own."

The Guard grabbed Alistair roughly by the arm and dragged him away. The other boys quickly took off with their loot.

Lys finally selected several ribbons and paid for her purchases. She walked over to Loghain, who was admiring a map of Nevarra.

"Oh, that's … nice," Lys admired, catching herself just in time. She shouldn't be too complimentary in case Loghain wanted to buy it. Her praise might hurt his negotiations. She knew he liked to drive a hard bargain. It was a beautiful map, nicely colored with native animals drawn in. A lion featured prominently in the lands north of Nevarra City.

Loghain looked up at the bookseller. "How much?"

"Eighteen sovereigns," the woman replied.

"Eleven," Loghain responded.

"I'd be beggared if I sold my goods so low,"

"I'd be beggared if I paid so much," Loghain responded.

"Seventeen," she countered.

"Twelve."

"Fifteen fifty."

"Twelve fifty, final offer," Loghain started to put away his purse.

"Fine, Twelve fifty."

Loghain smiled and handed her the coin. She rolled the map, wrapped it and handed him the bundle. "Where's Alistair?" he asked.

"He went to listen to the minstrel," Lys responded. "Hear him, he's in the next row of stalls."

The two went in search of the boy, but he was nowhere to be found. Loghain turned to a nearby merchant and asked if they'd seen a young boy of eight and described Alistair. The merchant snorted. "Oh, the little cutpurse? Did he take something from you as well?"

"Cutpurse! What do you mean. He's my friend and he's not a thief." Lys exclaimed. " Where is he?"

The merchant stepped back and looked at the noble man and young girl. "You… you're Teyrn Mac Tir."

"I've been called that," Loghain responded dryly. "Now do you know where the boy is?"

"He.. They took him to the guardhouse, the guard did. Said he stole packages from some boys. Truth be told the boys are troublemakers too. But the silversmith over there, he saw the boy take the packages. Then the boy ran, fell into his stall and scattered his wares. Ask him."

Lys looked at Loghain, an anxious frown on her face, "He was carrying our honey cakes," she reminded him.

"He was," Loghain agreed. "Let's go to the guardhouse and straighten this out." He turned to the merchant, "Which way to the guardhouse?"

"Right over there, near the blacksmith's by the little bridge."

Alistair didn't even look up when they walked in. He sat slumped over against the wall of a cell. "Ali," Lys cried, slipping out of the guards reach and running over to the cell. "Who were they? Who took our packages from you?"

He looked up at her in disbelief, "You came for me?"

"Well, of course we came for you. Teyrn Loghain will make the guard set you free right now. Who were they? You need to tell the guard so they can be punished."

"Just boys. They always pick on me. This time was worse because I had the packages. I've never had anything they could take before. And…I…well I didn't want to lose them. They were yours and Teyrn Loghain's so I got them back. But they caught up with me, pushed me into a stall, and the guard brought me here for stealing. No one saw them take the packages from me. Everyone saw me take them back. So they all thought I took them. The boys said they'd bought them for their Mums. Everyone believed them. I'm just the stupid stable boy. Of course they thought I was the thief."

"They know better now," Loghain announced from behind Lys. "Get that cell door open, Guard."

"Yes, Your Grace."

Lys walked into the cell and reached out for Alistair's hand. "Come on, we'll buy some more honey cakes, get a dipped apple and go back to the Castle. Just stay with us. Everyone will see you are with us and know you aren't a thief." She pulled him up then threw her arms around him in a hug. He looked up at Loghain as he hugged her back.

"Um…Your Grace." Loghain turned to Alistair, eyebrow raised.

"The Guard, he took my cloak and my coin pouch. Said I'd stolen them too. The cloak belongs to Teyrna Eleanor."

Loghain strode over to the Guard. "Where are his belongings? Were you planning on keeping them? Just who is a thief here?"

The Guard cowered at the verbal barrage from the Hero of River Dane. "Right here, Your Grace, I was just getting them. I wouldn't keep them." He handed the pouch and cloak to Alistair.

"Now, I suggest you go out and arrest the actual thieves. And when the Arl's guard comes to get Alistair, I expect you to make it clear you made a terrible mistake. Tell the Arl's Guard, if there are any questions, they can come to me. I'll speak to the Arl's Guard Captain when I return to the Castle."

Loghain turned to the children. "Let's go, Alistair. I think we've had our share of excitement for the day." Loghain chuckled, "I'm only surprised it's you and not her Ladyship here causing it. Usually she's the cause of any commotion."

Lys flushed. "Well, if I had my blades and we saw those boys, there'd be a big commotion."

"Thank the Maker you don't have your blades then." Loghain replied.

"What, you'd run from a fight?"

Alistair piped up shyly, "You said that Loghain said running away to fight another day is sometimes a good tactic."

"I have said that Alistair," Loghain confirmed.

"It's what I was trying to do, but I messed up," the boy replied sadly.

"Retreating against overwhelming odds and failing is nothing to be ashamed of Alistair." Loghain consoled as they walked back to the honey cake vendor. " You were brave to even attempt it."

"Me, brave?" He looked up at Loghain skeptically. " I was just scared and angry."

Loghain smiled, "All soldiers are scared an angry, Alistair. If they weren't, they wouldn't fight."

"Oh, why?"

"Well, scared if they're sensible, because they are risking wounds or death. Angry because the enemy did them some wrong and because their friends lie, wounded and dying around them. The trick is to use the fear and anger to fuel your skills, act wisely and win. Acting wisely tends to be the difficult part. It's hard not to let your anger rule your mind. When you do you rush in and confront every battle head on."

Alistair pondered the response for a while, "I think I see. Maybe I'll understand better when you tell me more about the Rebellion."

The three headed back to Meg's stall, where they replenished the honey cakes, then moved on to the dipped apples. Even Loghain had one.

"Lys, didn't you want to look at silver chains?" Alistair reminded her.

"Well, I did, but that's the man who accused you of stealing. Do you want to go back there?"

"Sure, why not? Just to show him I'm not a thief and he was wrong."

"Well, if Teyrn Loghain thinks it's alright…"

"I, think it's fine Lys. Alistair has a point. Let's let the man know Alistair a fine boy." He winked at Alistair.

"Well, I'll look at his goods, but I won't buy. He was mean."

The three walked up to the Silversmith's stall. The goods had been picked up and replaced in the display with nothing lost. The merchant recognized the Teyrn and greeted him as Your Grace, nodding to the two children. If he recognized Alistair as the boy he'd called a thief, he did not acknowledge it. Lys searched through the fine silver chains, noting to Loghain and Alistair 2 that she particularly liked. Loghain steered her to the end of the stall asking her advice about a pendant for Anora. Alistair quickly pointed to one of the chains Lys preferred and asked the price. The merchant looked at him warily.

"I have coin, sir," Alistair assured him. "How much is it, please?

The merchant eyed him and replied, "Two sovereigns."

Alistair frowned. "One sovereign, twenty.'

The merchant was surprised by the return offer, expecting the price to scare the boy off. "One sovereign, seventy five," he responded. 'The chain would normally sell for one sovereign fifty,' he thought.

"One sovereign, forty and no more."

The merchant looked over at the Teyrn. He didn't want to annoy Loghain. "Sold," he said, "you drive a hard bargain boy."

"Please wrap it and I'll take it now," Alistair replied. Then he noticed a pendant that looked like a laurel branch. How much is that pendant, sir?

"If you take it with the chain, I'll give you both for one sovereign eighty." The merchant bargained.

"One seventy and we are agreed," grinned Alistair. The merchant acquiesced. Alistair handed over his two sovereigns and received his change. "Please put it on the chain." The merchant slipped the pendant on the chain, wrapped it and handed it to Alistair. Now he had a gift for Lys. He frowned. Should he have gotten something for her mother too.

Loghain and Lys walked back to where Alistair stood. Loghain winked at him again and Alistair grinned.

Lys skipped ahead again to another stall. Alistair looked up at Loghain, "I got a chain for Lys, but should I have gotten something for Teyrna Cousland too? Loghain smiled, "No, I think Eleanor will be happy you remembered Lys. Wait, tell you what, we'll find some flowers on the way to the Castle. I think I saw a vendor near the road. Ladies always like flowers."

Alistair grinned, then frowned as he pulled out his purse. "I still have more than a sovereign, will that be enough?"

"More than enough," Loghain replied. "You must have gotten a good deal on the chain."

"One sovereign seventy for the chain and a pendant."

"I'm impressed, Alistair. You learn fast."

Alistair smiled at the praise from the Teyrn. It had turned into a good day.

As they walked through the Fair, the town's folk and merchants noticed the stable boy walking with the young noble woman and the famous Teyrn. The rumor mill ground further. So he wasn't just a servant. The packages had been his. And the Lady and the Teyrn had retrieved him from the guardhouse and now he accompanied them again.

Soon a commotion was heard beyond the Fair, near the lake. The guards, pushing several young boys sticky from honey cakes ahead of them, marched them around the Fair to the guardhouse. Alistair stopped to watch. He wondered if things would just be worse when Lys and the Teyrn left or if Loghain's seemingly magical, protection would last.

They found the flower vendor as they left the Fair. Lys was suitably impressed that Alistair would think to buy flowers for her mother. And even more pleased when he handed her a small bunch of Andraste's Grace. Their walk back up the hill to the Castle was blessedly uneventful. They both looked forward to an evening of Rebellion tales and a good rest before the Tourney the next day.


A/N:Thank you for reading. If you have time, please review. Book 1 may be complete, but I'm working on Book 2.

After completing Brief Shining Moments, I re-read and edited the entire work. From Chapter 14 on I had the support of my wonderful beta Kira Tamarion which resulted in far fewer errors. Any remaining are mine alone. There may be a few tweaks to wording, but no content changes.

I've received the support of many reviewers. Mike3207, Arsinoe de Blassenville, Caraine, clafoung, SnowHelm, katdancer2, dustywalker, Easternviolet, ElyssaCousland, Nymra, ChaoticHarmony1991, EveHawk, susyjohn, Judy, maradeux, DjinniGenie, Pollyanna24, Contess. Others have followed and favorited the story or posted kudos. Thanks to all of you.

I created some appendices with commissioned art, timeline, character ages, calendar, fest days, travel distances, etc. If such things interest you, please go to Archive of Our Own series, I Shall Endure.