Authors Notes: Cauthrien gets in and Bryce softens finally.
Revenge served cold
The snow had fallen on Ferelden like a thick, white, fluffy blanket, Loghain watched as Aurelia chased 4 children around in the snow, Lila had just found her feet at a year old and was already chasing her older siblings around.
Loghain had been subjected to numerous jokes about how frequently he managed to impregnate Aurelia, Cailan delighted in telling Loghain to control his urges after they announced Aurelia's 3rd pregnancy. Admittedly, they did have sex on a regular basis, even with 4 children, they always found the time, Aurelia reasoned that they were very much in love and had a strong sexual attraction to each other, so why shouldnt they have sex, Loghain had to agree, it was enjoyable to both of them so they would keep going until they'd had enough.
Loghain smiled as Aurelia was mobbed by all 4 children, he often wondered how she did it, to Loghain and many others, Aurelia had Motherhood perfected. 4 years ago, Aurelia was a fresh faced 19 year old, deliberating on her marriage choices, or lack of thanks to Bryce, who was still cold to Loghain, now she was 23, married with 4 children and Aurelia didnt seem bothered the quickness of it in the slightest, now he was watching her chase after a 1 year old, 2 year old twins and a very boisterous 3 year old.
Loghain surprised people on how hands on he was with the children, nothing made him happier than when all 4 children were climbing over him, Anora was normally close by encouraging the children to bounce on him, 4 years had delivered the best things in his life, his wife and children, getting close to Anora again, in those years, he'd gone from a lonely widower estranged from his Daughter to a happily married Father of 5.
Aurelia and himself had a good life together, settled in the Arls estate next to the palace. After the Kendalls had disgraced themselves, Anora and Cailan had stripped them of their land and titles. Anora immediately gave the Arling to Aurelia, once people found out, the parties went on all weekend, Loghain knew Aurelia was well liked, but no one had predicted just how much. As time went on her popularity rose, Loghain knew exactly why that was, it was all down to Aurelia's infectious personality, she treated everyone as an equal, supported the local businesses, even made them more profitable, played with the local children. Denerim had certainly flourished under her watchful eye just as Gwaren did, even the Alienage had benefited and the Elves respected her for it.
Once the children where in bed under the care of Evina, Loghian and Aurelia went for a drink at the Gnawed Noble Tavern, sitting in their usual corner, enjoying time alone. They did this simple thing atleast twice a week, it made them feel like an ordinary married couple without wealth and titles. Maric had joked that once they had started having evenings out together, more and more married couples did the same, Maric swore it was because to Loghain, Aurelia was his equal, he was hers and she was his, they were openly affectionate to each other, very happy and other married couples tried to emulate it, Denerim certainly seemed to be happier.
Aurelia left Loghain talking to some of the Nobles about something she had no interest in, browsing the late night market, she smirked as she spotted Habren, she hadnt seen Habren in 4 years, she could explain a year of that but not the other 3. She stood next to Habren, aimlessly looking through the wares on sale, "Oh Hello, Habren," She said cheerfully.
Habren scowled at her, Aurelia laughed, "What? Are we not friends now?"
Habren turned to face her fully, "You think you're so great."
"Actually I dont, just a woman with a Husband, children and an a city to take care of."
"He only married you because you had that brat," Habren's face twisted with jealousy.
"Why did he have 3 other children with me then, that sort of thing can be prevented." Aurelia said pointedly.
Habren flustered as she tried to answer, Aurelia smirked, "I'm sorry, I know you've been trying to get married for years, but the thing is, you are totally and utterly vile."
Habren raised her hand to strike Aurelia, a strong hand gripped her arm, forcing backwards, "Do not infect my Wife with your bile, Habren."
Loghain pulled Aurelia to him for a searing kiss, making Aurelia giggle, "We need more tea if that's what you have planned, Husband."
"Lets go home, I have things I wanna do to you," Loghain smacked her backside making her squeal.
"Behave yourself," She said with a smirk on her face.
The two walked back to the estate, Loghain and Aurelia instantly sensed something was wrong, they heard a blood curling scream, "Loghain," Aurelia said in fear for their children, Loghain lead Aurelia to a secret armoury store, handling her 2 daggers before pulling out a longsword. Loghain lead Aurelia inside their home, not a person to be seen, no guards or servants, they heard a cry from one of their children, causing Aurelia to run ahead desperate to get to the children, Loghain tried to stop her, but he let her go, knowing Aurelia could handle herself, he instead headed to the servants rooms.
As she got to the top floor, she bumped into Anders, "Anders, what is going on?" She asked in a hurried whisper.
"I have no idea, I was asleep when I heard screaming, I run into the children, they safe for now."
Aurelia hugged him, "I thank the Maker for you, Anders."
"Thank me later, they came for the children, I also heard one of the intruders mention your family."
Aurelia heard a noise in the room behind them, she knew that was Evina and Hariel's room, "Oh Maker, Evina, she's with child," Aurelia opened the door, to find Evina huddled by the bed, "Evina, its me, are you ok?"
"Oh Maker, Lady Aurelia. I'm so sorry, I couldnt get to the children."
Aurelia helped Evina up, "Evina, go to the children's room and stay there, Anders will put up a magical barrier."
Evina nodded, Anders watched as she closed the door to the children's room then put up the barrier, "That should keep them out, Where's Loghain?"
"He's probably gone to find the guards."
Anders and Aurelia descend the estate, finding Duncan, Alistair, Zevran and Hariel, before they had a chance to speak, they heard a voice telling another to leave Loghain to die in the cell, Aurelia's fury soared, "Not my Husband," She said as she ran towards the dungeons with the others following behind.
Aurelia with ease dispatched of the intruders, finding Loghain bleeding in the cell, Aurelia rushed to him, "Loghain, my love, what happened?"
Loghain coughed hard, "One of Howe's men ambushed me, stabbed me in the shoulder. Aurelia, they planned to take the children, tomorrow they ride to Highever to kill your family."
Anders moved Aurelia out of the way so he could heal Loghain, Aurelia paced around, she knew what she had to do, "I have to go to Highever."
"I'm going too," Loghain told her.
"Loghain, you got hurt you need to stay here."
Loghain got up, "No, I need to be at your side, like I promised to be so I'm going with you."
"Ok, I need you lot to stay and protect Evina and children, Leliana will be back soon and if you need help Anora is around."
"We'll keep them safe," Anders said.
Loghain and Aurelia took off for Highever, Aurelia sighed, "Why would Howe do that, Loghain?"
"Revenge, my love," Loghain said stiffling a yawn.
"Because I wouldnt marry him."
"We should stop for the night, you look exhausted and so am I."
"Ok, but not for long, I want time to prepare before they arrive."
They set up camp just off the North Road, they huddled up together, trying to keep each other warm, "Aurelia?"
"Yes, my darling."
"Do I make you happy?"
Aurelia chuckled into his chest, "Of course you do, very happy. Why do you ask?"
Loghain sighed, "Your Father's words, he said I couldnt make you happy."
"Well he's not infallible, he does get things wrong, especially when it comes to me."
"I just want to make sure, you're as happy as I am."
Aurelia lifted her head up, shifting up his body so she could see him properly, "Listen my amazing Husband, I am very very happy. Now since we are alone, how about you do the thing that makes deliriously happy."
"And people blame me for keeping you pregnant," Loghain chuckled as he moved top of Aurelia, kissing her neck.
"Well," Aurelia said in a gasp, "It normally is your fault."
Loghain and Aurelia eventually arrived in Highever, their presence surprised Bryce and Eleanor, "Aurelia, Loghain what are you doing here?" Eleanor asked.
"Howe's men invaded our home, they intended to take the children, now they are coming here," Aurelia replied.
The castle laid in wait for Howe's army to arrive, the call eventually came to say the army had breeched the castle walls, Loghain and Aurelia fought with the foot soldiers and then she saw her Ser Bloody Cauthrien, "Well Well Well, isnt it the woman who's obsessed with my Husband."
Cauthrien turned her attention to Aurelia, "It's the whore who stole my rightful place."
"Cauthrien, your rightful place is in the dirt and I will put you there for what you tried to do to my children."
Cauthrien didnt reply instead, she swung her sword and Aurelia, who expertly ducked, with a swipe of her blade she cut Cauthrien's face. Cauthrien tried again but Aurelia was very skilled in combat, jabbing the blade to connect with Cauthrien's shoulder. They circled each other, working out how to gain the upper hand, when Aurelia dropped her blades, "Lets settle this like women."
"Ok," Cauthrien said dropping her longsword.
Aurelia struck out connecting with Cauthrien's left cheek, dazing her. Aurelia grabbed her hair, pulling her to a table, slamming Cauthrien's bloodied face into it, "You shouldnt have messed with my family," She taunted, as she continue her assault on Cauthrien, Aurelia looked her with control rage, "You picked the wrong woman to make an enemy out of," Aurelia dragged Cauthrien out to the balcony, "You have 2 seconds to convince me not to throw you off."
"Drop Dead Whore," Cauthrien spat.
"Wrong answer, Bitch," Aurelia threw Cauthrien over the balcony watching her fall, "Teach you to call me a whore," Aurelia said walking away from the balcony.
Loghain watched with pride and arousal at his Wife, he knew she had a mean a streak, he'd been on the end of it, but watching her fight so passionately for their family, it was a turn on, "I think I've had a bad influence on you, my love."
Aurelia smirked, "Perhaps, but I'm the Teyrna of Gwaren and Arlessa of Denerim, I have to a be a little bit bad and I dont see you complaining."
"As if I ever would," Loghain winked at his wife, handing both daggers to her, "Lets go and find your parents."
After the castle was cleared of soldiers, Loghain and Aurelia were desperate to get back to the children.
"Wont you stay the night?" Eleanor asked.
"We'd love to Mother, but I really need to see my children."
"Ok, my darling, thank you for coming here, they would have caught us unaware otherwise."
Aurelia hugged her mother, "Come to Denerim soon, Lila walks now, so Oren can chase all 4 around."
"We will sweetheart," Eleanor looked at Bryce, silently telling him to thank Loghain.
"Loghain, thank you for coming, you didnt have to," Bryce said quietly.
"Yes I did, you may not still like me Bryce, but you are Aurelia's father, she loves you, if you dropped the stubborness, Aurelia would be more willing to show it."
Bryce sighed, "I struggled to grasp how you could make her happy, but I guess you do."
"She tells me she is, Aurelia isnt one to lie, if she isnt happy, I'd know about it."
Bryce chuckled, "One thing with Aurelia, she was never shy to tell you how she felt."
"If you're wondering Bryce, Aurelia is the leader in our marriage, I just follow and do as she asks."
"She's like her Mother, no complaints though."
Loghain shook his head, "No, none at all."