The Arrangement

Under pressure, Alistair is desperate to find a suitable Queen. Only that his choice is a highly unusual young noble woman and a new danger threatens Alistair's very life- Luckily Aedan Cousland is here to help. AU. M!Cousland Warden, Alistair, Non-Warden F!Cousland and the rest of the gang!

This chapter has been beta'd by my sister. So I kindly thank her for her patience. In the meanwhile, I am also currently searching for a beta on this site - so fingers crossed that I will be able to eventually find one. Originally I had planned to update this on the weekend, however, I will be going camping tomorrow till Sunday before I go on holiday. So this will be the last chapter that I will be able to post up till I return; hopefully I will be able to find a beta by the time Chapter 11 is posted. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, and put this story on their favourites and alerts. I very much appreciate it.

Chapter 10: Midsummer

As the weeks flew by, Elissa often found that her free time was spent with Alistair. They would frequently meet at the orphanage where Alistair would find himself to be at the centre of much activity whilst he played and chatted with the children. Marwen in particular had taken to him quickly, and would often demand for him to carry her around during the time that he spent there. To Elissa's surprise, Alistair had taken this all in his stride and she had been astonished where came one morning when the little girl had run up to greet him with a shrill ''Papa!''

Alistair too had been greatly surprised, and had later in the privacy of his solar, confided to Elissa how not only was he astonished by how quickly Marwen had taken to him but also how much he felt at ease with the children. She had smiled at that.

On days when they did not meet at the orphanage, Elissa would find herself invited into his solar and there they would talk about a variety of topics - including their different childhoods. She had started in surprise when he told her that he had been raised by Arl Eamon at Redcliffe's keep until the Arlessa had taken the rumours of his illegitimacy too seriously, and then at the tender age of ten he had found his meagre possession packed then taken away from all things familiar to a place where he was truly miserable. She had felt a deep sense of compassion for him as he describe the years that he had spent as a templar recruit under the uptight rules of the Chantry, and she had felt heartbroken for him when he described how difficult it had been when he had attempted to reach out to the other recruits.

''How did you become a Warden?'' She had asked curiously.

Alistair had looked pensive as he answered her. He had confessed to her that he had not been the then Warden-Commander's first choice as he had been defeated during the tourney - held to honour the Grey Wardens by an acclaimed sword's woman named Ser Eryhn. ''After my thrashing at the tourney, I escaped to the small garden, and there I found Duncan.'' He explained with a fond sad smile, ''He never asked me my name. I think he already knew but he interrogated me on how I found living at the Chantry, and how I got along with the other templar recruits.

''I don't think he was unsurprised that I hated it there. And then the next day I found myself summoned by the Revered Mother. You can probably imagine my shock when I noticed that Duncan was present, and had personally requested for me to join the Wardens.''

''Why did Duncan take you in?''

He looked thoughtful for a moment, ''I...don't know. He said that it was to do with my templar abilities against the magic used by the Darkspawn but I think there may have been more to it than that. He was often looking out for me, and I considered him to be more of a father figure than Eamon.''

''He meant a great deal to you.'' Elissa observed with a sad smile on her features, ''From Aedan's letters, he sounds as though he was a great man – I wish that I had gotten to know him.''

Alistair smiled and took her hand in his own, ''I think he would have liked you.''

Elissa blushed as she peered down at their conjoined hands, causing Alistair to also flush scarlet at the intimate contact.

''So what about you – you spent most of your time at Waking Sea, is that right?'' He coughed, gently disentangling his hand from Elissa's own hand.

She smiled fondly as she launched into her childhood, describing to him the vast rich grassland and hills that surrounded Highever. She spoke with great sadness as she recalled how her mother's parting words of love as she prepared to leave for Waking Sea.

Again, Alistair took her hand into his own once he noted the tears that shined unshod in her eyes. ''You haven't grieved for them.'' He remarked, not unkindly.

Elissa bit her lip and made to wipe away the tears that had started to fall. ''I...can't. I just can't.''

He nodded in understanding as he confided in her, ''I felt the same you know. After Duncan died, I just felt as though I couldn't grieve for him...and the other Grey Wardens properly until after we defeated the Blight. I'm glad that your brother was there. I think...I know that I probably would have fallen apart.''

She widened her eyes at the revelation, and leant into him wrapping her arms around his muscular frame. Alistair froze, uncertain of this new event but as he felt her shuddering sobs he curled his arms around her, holding her close to him. ''It's okay...it's okay to cry.'' He murmured soothingly.

After a moment Elissa moved herself gently out of his hold, brushing her cheeks as she sat back into the chair that she had vacated.

''Thank you.'' She whispered.

000

Dotted with hundreds of flickering lights, the Drakon River and its banks seemed to Aedan like a river of stars. Far away the Amaranthine Ocean lay like a dark blue curtain framing the last lingering traces of the sun that painted the sky a lighter shade of pink, but here in Denerim night had already fallen. A lot of the buildings still lay in ruins, but the rebuilding work had progressed enough to improve the layout of the town.

Along the banks of the river, the citizens of Denerim had gathered to launch their fire-boats that would send their wishes to the Old Gods – an ancient tradition that the Chantry had been ineffective in fully eradicating. As he rode through the market place, the whole area was packed full with people whom surrounded one of the large blazing bonfires that had been built in the centre. The crowd, Aedan noted, were in a particularly festive mood as they formed a dancing ring around it, and snatches of laughter and music floated through the night air.

Alistair and Arl Eamon rode at the front, and the people soon made way showering them with well wishes. Once they reached the large square that fronted the Drakon River, the party dismounted, and the King – Aedan was pleased to see – went immediately over to help Elissa down from her own mount.

As if reading his own thoughts, the Warden-Commander felt a gentle tug on his finely woven overcoat. He turned his head to see the former Crow Assassin standing next to him.

''They seem to be getting along much better.'' Zevran observed casually as he too took in the scene.

Aedan shot him a fond smile as the elf continued whilst he watched Leliana and Sten bring the small girls over to Alistair and Elissa, ''I am surprised that they brought along two of the orphans that Elissa and Leliana have been taking care of.''

''I'm just surprised that Sten of all people agreed to take one of the girls.'' He exclaimed with a snort as he watched the large Qunari fondly pat the older child before turning back to receive his own boat from one of the elven servants whom had accompanied them down.

Zevran shot him a grin, as he spoke again. ''I wonder if she is already aware of his feelings?''

''I think she's already aware of Alistair's intentions, Zevran.'' Aedan replied absent-mindedly whilst he received his own boat from the passing servant. ''But the question is...whether or not my sister is aware of her own feelings.''

000

Elissa cheered along with the rest of the onlookers as Alistair officially opened the festival by launching off his own fire-boat. She watched with a tender smile as the King knelt down onto his knees to help the little four year old at his side; to launch her own boat.

''Marwen really loves Alistair.'' Sara noted whilst they watched Alistair whisper to the child.

''I think that Alistair also loves Marwen.'' Elissa responded after a while. ''Shall we launch our own boats?''

Alistair held back a grin as Marwen nodded solemnly. He slipped a small kiss on the top of the little girl's curls before letting her go. True to her word, the four year old bounded over to help Leliana launch her own boat.

Behind him his valet cleared his throat. ''Your Majesty, I brought the parcel which you commanded for me to bring with us.''

Alistair nodded as he cast the elf a gracious smile, receiving the carefully wrapped parcel from the servant's hands. He turned back to watch the woman who had captivated him from the first as she helped Sara launch her boat.

He felt slightly foolish as he waited with bated breath to see if she felt his gaze upon her. From the other side of the bank, Marwen's tiny voice called for her sister to join her, leaving Elissa standing alone, to watch the tiny wooden boats make their way slowly down the river.

For a moment Elissa remained there, motionless, her eyes closed as she breathed in the spiced scent of the candles. The water lapped gently against the flagstone bank, and Alistair found himself creeping forward over to her, only stopping to stoop down to place his gift on the ground. As their shoulders touched, she opened her eyes revealing those rich green coloured eyes, flecked with gold; something that he had not noticed before.

He touched her gently on the arm. ''And what did you wish for?'' He murmured softly.

She raised her face to him, an impish smile fluttering across her features. ''I do not think you should be asking me that, otherwise they will not come true.''

He chuckled. ''All right, keep your wishes. But...'' He paused with a serious furrow of his brows as he looked down at her, ''I hope that they come true for you my Lady.''

Her hand flew to touch against his chest, and she looked up at him, a single strand of hair escaping the confines of the twisted bun on the back of her head. He tenderly tucked it away behind her ear, and then without his volition, his hand wandered down to caress her cheek. She did not pull away.

Elissa cocked her head to one side as she asked, ''And is there anything that you wish for?''

Suddenly the desire to kiss her again coursed through him, as he admired the way her cheeks flushed a deep pink and her lips flushed and parted.

''You are teasing me.'' He finally stated, struggling to control his emotions.

She still made no move to pull away, however. And for a second time, he gave into his feelings and leant in close, brushing his lips against her own soft lips.

After a moment, he carefully disentangled himself and bent down to pick up the package. ''Actually, I came to give you something.''

Her eyes widened in surprise. ''You...brought me a gift?''

He nodded, suddenly feeling anxious whilst she un-wrapped the paper with care.

What she saw was a beautiful red rose. Its petals were a deep red, and velvety to the touch. She looked up at him and smiled. ''You...got me a rose?''

Alistair relaxed as he watched her gently fingered the flower, admiring its simple beauty. ''Do you...like it?'' He asked still feeling a little uncertain of how she would react.

''It's a lovely gift.'' She replied with an awed look on her face. ''I...don't know what to say.''

''You don't have to say anything.'' He quickly assured her. ''I...just thought that it would be a nice gesture. To tell you how much I have valued our time spent together, and to tell you what a rare and wonderful thing you are to be found after so much pain and despair.''

She glanced down at the rose held in her hand a moment longer. Then she lifted her gaze to meet his own. Her eyes shy as she murmured, ''I feel the same way about you Alistair.''

Notes:

The Midsummer festival that takes places during the Summer solstice is a European midsummer-related holiday, traditions and celebrations that are pre-Christian in origin. The festival mainly focuses on themes of religion and fertility. I thought that it would be a good festival to explore in correlation with the Old Gods – after all, despite the spread of Christianity, for example, we still have pagan rituals and festivals taking place – so why not worship a potentially deeply ingrained traditional ritual? (Cough Artistic Licence Cough)

And like every Alistair fan-girl, I just love the rose giving scene...although I'm surprised that it lasts long on the road in a camping bag. Must be a magic rose.