Chapter 9. Careless Accusations
In her private chambers Queen Anora was also considering the events of the day, while Erlina carefully unbraided her hair. She liked the soothing touch of her maid brushing her hair. And it helped her think.
She was still upset with Michael's childish outburst after court. She did feel a bit guilty for forcing him into accepting her ruling without a chance to voice his opinion, but he had to learn to stop sometime. The law was simple and she intended to follow it. He was far too prone to give special consideration to whatever noblewoman who batted her lashes at him.
That was part of the problem she had to admit. In the time she had spent with Michael she had discovered many things about him, but also about herself. He was a good Prince and partner for her, but more than that, she had to admit that she really cared for him. She had not had any real friend in her life except Cailan, but Cailan had been a boy, hardly out of his youth, before they had grown apart. The bond she felt with Michael was different.
She remembered the day he had come home from Amaranthine. She had missed him terribly and that night, after the banquet, she had been so happy to be with him again. It was the first time in her life that she had truly enjoyed physical intimacy. It had thrilled her, but also frightened her a bit.
Michael had so many friends. People like his fellow Grey Wardens, who where intensely loyal to him, whatever background they had come from. It was easy to see why they felt so, but she only had him. She hated the thought that he could make other women feel the same way about him that she did.
She sighed as Erlina finished brushing her hair. She didn't want to remain upset with him. For all his faults, she had never found any evidence that he had tried to cheat on her. She knew that most of her jealousy was unfounded. She rose from her chair as another maid brought her night gown.
"Do you know if Michael is up still, Erlina?" she asked her.
"I don't know your Majesty. I believe he was going to his study. He might have been delayed by his work."
"Maybe he is seeing his friend, your Majesty" the other maid Calinda said.
"What friend?" Anora said frowning.
Erlina made a little motion to Calinda to keep quiet, but she smiled blithely and continued.
"Oh, but haven't you heard. The guards say that the beautiful Orlesian bard who helped the Prince stop the Blight is back here in Denerim."
"I'm sure the Prince is merely busy with his work," Erlina replied glaring at Calinda. "I can go and tell him you are retiring now."
"Never mind," Anora said sharply. He can come when he chooses. Just leave me now, please."
Leliana strolled down the street towards the Market district. Even in the blossom of spring Denerim smelled like wet dog, she thought, but she didn't mind. She hummed a little light hearted tune and smiled to herself. It had been so good to see Michael again.
"Spare a silver for a war veteran kind lady" an elf in non descript rags called to her.
Leliana frowned and turned to the man. Despite the rags he wore, the elf seemed quite healthy to her. There was something fake about the way he leaned on his crutch and she could see a smirk on his face under the hood he wore.
"I think not. I don't see any wounds that would incapacitate a man willing to earn his coin honestly."
"Ah, but what of the wounds in my heart Lady. Your cruel words have quite incapacitated me."
Leliana's eyebrows rose. She knew that voice.
"Zevran! Is that you Zevran? What are you doing in Denerim."
"Now that is an excellent question, but the answer really requires a change of scene to do it justice. Might I suggest that we move ourselves to the nearest tavern before I answer it."
Once they found a private booth in the Gnarled Oak Tavern and ordered something to drink, Zevran began to explain.
"You do know that the Antivan Crows still are looking for me? Most of the time this is rather amusing. They are very skilled at setting up ambushes and I am equally apt at avoiding them. If it becomes too much of a bother I can always try to disappear for a while. I move from town to town until my notoriety catches up with me."
"You mean until you blow your cover, and some angry husband chases you out of town," Leliana retorted.
"Yes, well... there is that too," Zevran admitted.
"At any rate. I am currently residing in Denerim, but no one knows I'm here, except you of course. A week ago I heard rumors of an Orlesian bard that was secretly hiding here in Denerim. Naturally this had me worried. Had the Crows sent a bard to find me? If I could no longer trust seductive young women, my life would be so much more complicated."
"Imagine the my surprise when I see my good friend Leliana stroll down the street. Why, she is an Orlesian bard no less. I cannot imagine you taking gold from the Crows to find me, but my curiosity is piqued and here we are," Zevran finished his story.
Leliana looked at him puzzled.
"I am certainly not here on a mission to find you Zevran. I only arrived here this morning and I had no idea you where here until we met."
"Hmm... that is what I thought," Zevran frowned. " No matter. I'll find out one way or the other. But enough of me. May I ask what brings you to this quaint place of the world?"
"I have been sent to persuade the Orlesian ambassador to aide a client with some business contracts," Leliana replied.
"Then I advise you to be cautious. The ambassador is a most unpleasant lout. He only thinks of politics and commerce. No appreciation of the finer things in life, like that charming wife of his. It was she who let slip that a bard was supposed to be hiding here in Denerim."
Leliana pondered this, but then dismissed the thought. There were many reasons why a bard would be hiding in Denerim, and it didn't need to have anything to do with either of them."
"And you are only here for business then," Zevran asked carefully. "I couldn't help but notice that you where coming from the direction of the Royal Palace. Paying the royal couple your respect?"
"Yes, I saw Michael," Leliana answered airily. "Why not. You would too, if you weren't here incognito."
"True," Zevran admitted, "but I wouldn't sneak into the palace in the evening after dark. Are you sure you know what you are doing?"
"What do you mean?"
"Michael broke your heart once Leliana, are you sure you want to let him do it again?"
"I don't know what you mean Zevran," Leliana answered angrily.
"Oh really? The fact that you left Denerim just one week before his wedding was just a coincidence then?" Zevran asked raising an eyebrow.
"It wasn't like that at all. Don't worry Zevran. I know what I'm doing," Leliana said with a forced smile.
"If you say so my dear, and you know where to find me, if you need me."
After a minute of silence they both rose and Leliana left the Tavern. Leliana chewed her lips as she walked down the dark streets to the other inn where she was staying. Her good mood had abandoned her. Zevran's words had hit a little too close to home for comfort.
