Dragons and Thrones: A Dark Shadow Looms

Chapter 9 of my crossover story, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin. Dragon Age belongs to Bioware.

Anora

Anora, Queen of Ferelden, let out a soft sigh, it was time for another day. She grimaced lightly as she drank from the cup of water that had been set up by her bedside. She needed it after enduring another bout of pregnancy sickness.

'I still, can barely believe it...to think, after so long, Alistair and I are finally blessed with a child.' She thought in wonder.

She had tried for years with Cailin and with Alistair too after they had married, but despite so many hopes, nothing had changed. With Cailin she feared she was the problem, with Alistair, there was at least the excuse that his Grey Warden status had affected his reproductive traits as well, as all Grey Wardens attested to.

Still she smiled. 'But now, finally, it had worked...I should send word to Alistair of course, he needs to know. I know what is doing there is important, but he is needed here.'

She decided to send word to Alistair later, his last letter had informed her that he was still at the same place in Westeros, a place called the Wall. For now, she had to do her best to settle into her new life, as an expectant mother.

But also as a Queen, she still had duties to attend to, although Eamon was taking on more of the work, at least for now. Making sure she was ready and presentable, she knew it was time, so, with everything all set, she left her chambers, making her way to the throne room.

On the way there, Anora pondered carefully.

'I still get word from Ferelden about matters involving the Venatori and Red Templars. Every since it was revealed that this, Corypheus, was the one behind them, we've been able to turn the tables...somewhat.' She mused. 'There is still too many of them and they are still mostly hidden...But it's getting easier to stop them influencing powerful people, we're more alert to their tricks now.'

All the same, she knew that such an outcome would not be for the best, it would only make them desperate and could cause a more dangerous scenario to emerge.

She sighed. 'We must be ready for everything; with all that is happening, I wonder how things are still as calm as they are, still as orderly.'

She was yet to encounter anything from the petitions she received from the people; that would hint at serious trouble within Ferelden. Still musing on this she reached the throne room and entered.

Seeing her, Eamon approached.

"Ah, My Queen, there you are." He greeted her. "I've dealt with some of the matters brought before us, mostly simple land disputes and farming issues."

She nodded. "Thank you Eamon, I know I can trust your judgement in these matters."

He glanced over his shoulder at the people still present. "I think however, you should hear these matters yourself...a few are quite serious."

"Serious? Very well then, let us go."

With that she made her way to her throne and sat down, Eamon taking his customary place.

"Very well, let us begin..." She announced to the throne room.

So began a round of petitions of similar nature, from various parts of Ferelden. While the Mage-Templar war was over; the issues involving Corypheus and his forces overtaking it, to the stage both sides were currently locked in a ceasefire to deal with the much more serious threat, tensions still remained.

But most prominent amongst the petitions were reports of hit and run style attacks on small villages throughout Ferelden, by Red Templars.

Anora pondered deeply. "This is not a coincidence, these attacks are carefully staged and far too deliberate. We must figure out what the real plan is."

The people she had spoke too about these attacks, the ones who brought the news had apparently guessed as much too.

One of them replied. "We are aware of that Your Majesty, that is why we came, the obvious response is to send troops to reinforce the roads, to try and defend, but in doing so..."

"We lessen defences here...where they are likely planning their main strike." Anora concluded.

It was clear there had to be some other tactic they could use.

Sadly those discussions were unable to acquire an actual result as of yet. But the people were not disheartened, something which drew pride from Anora.

'These are my people, true Fereldens...They do not quail in the face of adversity. The Blight has hardened them, they treat this as something minor...' She noted. 'But it could be much worse, you cannot fault their courage though.'

She continued to ensure they could take any possible measures and was reassured by Guard Captain Kylon that the city was in a strong state, the city guard at the strongest it had ever been since the Blight and law and order were good in the city.

By the end of the day, while not all matters had been resolved and they now faced some issues relating to these Red Templar attacks, Eamon reassured her they'd think of a way. She was able to retire to her chambers. Once there she rested, wanting to be fully alert for when she wrote to Alistair.

She considered her pregnancy again and wondered about the unborn child.

'I wonder...would it be a son, or daughter...Would they take after me, or Alistair...or hopefully, the best of both of us.' She found herself wondering.

Her main concern however was that, at last, things did not look so grim, regarding Ferelden's future, the country had an heir to the throne at long last.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.