A/N: The events in this chapter align with chapters 35 and 36 in Interesting Places, for those of you who are tracking the differences between the stories. This is a major spot where I have decided not to rehash something I wrote in another story; I decided to mention a summary of the events in this story so that you, dear readers, know what is happening, but if you want a play-by-play description of the following events, please feel free to read those chapters of Interesting Places. Since I suspect most of you have already read the other story, I didn't want to make this one boring. Plus, only certain parts of the Landsmeet are really relevant to Fergus' story; the full details of this event were much more important to Elissa. Thanks!
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Fergus had never been so nervous his entire life. His wedding day? Maybe a little nervous, but when Oriana had entered the room and the ceremony had begun, everything but her faded away and he had drifted into a very happy place. The first time his father had put him in charge of the Highever guard? He was nervous for that, but Fergus had already worked with the men several times so he knew he was ready. The first time he stepped into Cousland Castle after the blight had ended? That had been bad. As in, 'get me out of here before I vomit' bad. This was still worse than all of those things put together.
If he had been able to eat breakfast the morning of this Landsmeet, he supposed he might have actually vomited. Several times. The urge to run screaming from the Landsmeet chamber was practically overwhelming him; he used all of his energy to project a calm image and pretend that nothing was wrong. The feeling increased when Elissa entered the chamber and took her position in front of Amaranthine's banner, which stayed in its traditional place right next to Highever's colors. He couldn't bring himself to look at her, to see her face; he feared that he would see his failure, see condemnation and possibly hatred in her eyes.
Fergus Cousland, you are a complete and utter coward. The thought brought a fresh wave of grief to him that nearly knocked him over. He felt distinctly inferior to his father, who he just knew would have handled everything better than he had up to that point. I wonder if I'll ever be half the man Father was. He hoped that the Landsmeet would give him the opportunity to try to move toward that ideal. He also hoped that he would figure out a way to look at his sister, let alone talk to her about everything. He quietly took several deep breaths and made a promise to himself that he would talk to Elissa before they all left Denerim to go to their respective homes. He didn't want everything to stay fallen apart for any longer than it already had. With that promise made, he felt a little better and managed to relax enough to pay attention to his surroundings.
Alistair came in not long after with Alfstanna on his arm. The pair looked good together, and Alfstanna looked especially radiant. It seemed that marriage suited the both of them. For that, Fergus was glad. He sighed that their marital bliss meant that Eamon would probably focus on Teagan and him. He looked across the room to where Teagan was standing in front of Redcliffe's banner. Teagan bowed to him with a smile on his face, and the Landsmeet began.
Alistair didn't waste any time, immediately beginning the Landsmeet proper and diving into the political game that the day was to bring. He greeted everyone and began with the matter of Gwaren. Fergus didn't think anyone expected Alistair to offer Gwaren to Elissa, judging from the noise alone when Alistair made the announcement.
Fergus watched as Elissa's eyes widened in shock. She didn't expect it either. He wasn't sure about this plan that Alistair and Zevran had concocted, but he played his part even and looked around the upper level to see that Vaughan was the only arl who was unhappy with the development. He looked down at the floor and noticed maybe a half-dozen banns who also lacked enthusiasm for the announcement. There aren't many of them; that bodes well for both Elissa and Alistair. He saw Nathaniel and noted the other man's shock and, if he was reading it correctly, displeasure in the turn of events. Interesting. Perhaps he really isn't interested in political power like Rendon was? For even when Bryce Cousland and Rendon Howe had been the absolute best of friends, everyone knew that Rendon craved more political influence and power. If Rendon had been the one standing on the floor below and not his son, he would have climbed the stairs and proposed to Elissa on the spot with a look of glee in his eyes.
Then, Elissa smiled. So she's made her decision. Fergus knew that Elissa didin't want an entire teyrnir – she hadn't wanted it ever and with the way she was smiling, Fergus guessed that she was going to turn down the offer. He was correct, and as he glanced down at Nathaniel he noticed that Nathaniel looked relieved that she turned down the teyrnir. This raised his esteem for Rendon's son several notches.
Fergus looked at Alistair to see him smiling as well, and then Alistair asked Elissa to choose the next Teyrn of Gwaren. Bold move, Alistair. He watched Elissa's face then. Who will you choose, Elissa? And why? Elissa deliberated and quickly announced a set of logical and politically savvy reasons for her decision, then announced Gallagher Wulff. The Landsmeet erupted again into cheering; apparently it was a popular decision amongst the nobles at large. Elissa had just cemented her support within the Ferelden nobility for the foreseeable future. At this, Fergus gave her a respectful, yet reluctant nod. You made a wise decision, Elissa. You would have made an excellent teyrna.
Then the Landsmeet got really interesting. Once the cheering died down enough, Vaughan got Alistair's attention and accused Elissa of treason.
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Alistair played the assorted nobles like a finely tuned lute. He would whip them up into a frenzy using his words and timing when he needed a spare moment, and he would calm them down to shocked silence when he wanted their attention. Fergus had never seen anything as masterfully done, and he certainly would never have expected the young man who was several years his junior and who was known for his general goofiness to command attention so well or so strongly. Fergus fully understood then why Elissa had chosen Alistair to be the King of Ferelden, despite his young age and total lack of experience when he had been selected. Apparently Alistair really was born to be king, for no amount of studying could replace the tangible and forceful charisma that Alistair exercised fully that day in the Landsmeet. He would ask a question, and Elissa's answer would cause the nobles to gasp; he would comment on "evidence" that Vaughan presented after a lengthy pause and the nobles would collectively gossip and chatter. With each new ripple that Alistair's actions caused in the Landsmeet, Fergus' respect for both his king and the woman who put him there raised another level. He even looked over at Nathaniel, who had joined them on the upper balcony at Alistair's unspoken request, at one point and Nathaniel seemed transfixed by Alistair. Maker's breath, Nathaniel was suppressing a grin at one point!
Fergus never thought he'd see that and agree with it.
Vaughan presented the forged evidence that Zevran had anticipated. Alistair and Elissa neatly picked it apart, with a little help from Fergus who had brought both his parents' signet rings as Zevran instructed. Vaughan then tried to implicate Nathaniel, who Elissa defended by revealing her relationship to the man and stating that they had spent the entire week together, with no breaks and without leaving each others' sight, even for a moment. Fergus noted how Nathaniel offered Elissa silent support, and how she calmed immediately with just the touch of the man's hand on her shoulder, and felt just a twinge of jealousy before he pulled himself together. They're fighting for their lives here. I should be glad that she's got him, not jealous because of it. He settled down and looked to the nobles to see their reaction. He was surprised to note that, for the most part, the excited roar that crossed the crowd was not at all displeased. It rather seemed, instead, that Elissa truly could do no wrong. Most of the nobles had the look of excited gossiping and many of them looked up at the newly-announced couple with smiles and nods. That was one worry that unexpectedly flowed away, at least.
Then, Alistair turned the tables. He asked the Landsmeet if anyone had proof of who was actually behind the assassination attempts, and who had actually committed the treason. Vaughan's own servant accused him. Vaughan was unprepared and quickly erupted into fury, berating the elven woman in front of the entire Landsmeet. Alistair had to actually raise his voice to the man. Just as Alistair tried to interview from the woman, his own guard burst through the doors with the evidence that Vaughan had written all those notes and forged the identities of the parties listed in the contracts.
The Landsmeet erupted into uncontrollable chaos. Alistair had played the nobles' emotions so well and for so long that day that there would be no way to control the crowd. They had effectively been whipped into a frenzy. Fergus watched the scene with a small measure of amusement and a much larger amount of amazement when suddenly there was a sharp pain in his shoulder.
"Fergus!" He saw another arrow headed straight for his throat just as he heard the shout. He didn't have time to react, but fortunately Nathaniel was already in motion and practically tackled Fergus to get him out of harm's way. Fergus grimaced as the sharp pain in his shoulder worsened dramatically when he hit the floor.
"Sorry," Nathaniel muttered as he turned Fergus onto his side. "I didn't mean to jostle you so much." He pulled a dagger from his boot and started working on the arrow that had made contact with Fergus' shoulder.
"Considering the circumstances ..." Fergus would have shrugged, but the pain was great enough that he didn't need to remember not to move his shoulder. Besides. Nathaniel had a hand on either side of him and was cutting the shaft of the arrow so he could slide it out of Fergus' shoulder. "Thank you. You saved my life again."
Nathaniel looked at Fergus' face in surprise for a moment, then returned to his task. "Anytime," he said as he slid the arrow out. Fergus hissed. "I have to roll you on your back to get enough pressure on this. Ready?" Fergus gritted his teeth and nodded. He managed to avoid shouting with the pain of his injury when Nathaniel rolled him, instead only allowing a low grunt to escape. Nathaniel shifted and put his hands right over Fergus' shoulder. "I don't think the arrow is poisoned, but let me know if you feel any changes in your health." Fergus nodded to show he understood and kept his teeth clenched to distract himself as much as possible.
Elissa's face came into close view. "Thanks. I can keep pressure on it." Nathaniel leaned back just long enough for Elissa to take over as her brother's nurse. Fergus looked at Elissa's face. She kept her eyes on the wound in Fergus' shoulder as Nathaniel wiped his bloodied hands on expensive-looking breeches. She looked worried, glancing to Fergus' face every few seconds. Fergus assumed she was checking to ensure he stayed awake.
"I'll be all right." He tried to reassure his sister, but he also chose to move a little and the pain was enough to make him slightly dizzy. He said several phrases that were improper for a lady to hear, but he was pleased to see Elissa smile slightly. "Hurts though."
Elissa promised him that they would find him a healer, but that it might take a while. It was understandable, really. Even if there were healers readily available in the Landsmeet (Fergus had seen a mage near the Grand Cleric, but he didn't know if the man could heal or not), the chaos was overwhelming.
The pain and chaos did one thing right that day – they distracted Fergus from his awkwardness and nervousness. He looked up at Elissa and caught her eyes as he said, "Let's talk later."
"All right," she agreed readily enough before searching his face. He tried to tell her with his eyes what he wasn't yet able to say in words – I want to try – and part of it must have gotten through, for her eyes softened a little and the corners of her mouth upturned just ever so slightly, and for the first time in what had become years, Fergus saw a little of the Elissa that he had grown up with and who was his best friend in the whole world. Fergus wasn't able to do more than concentrate on staying calm from the pain at that moment, but if he had been able to, he would have smiled.