Chapter Eleven: We've Had Enough
Blessed are they who stand before
The corrupt and the wicked and do not falter.
Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just.
-Benedictions 4:10
Alistair's ears were deceiving him. He was sure he had heard crying. He looked around the dark passages of the Deep Roads, the small fire barely giving enough light to see ten paces in either direction. The shadows being cast on the walls were giving him the creeps, the black growth on the walls almost pulsing. No, there it was again, quiet and muffled, like a child whimpering into their pillow. He stood, slowly moving in the direction the noise was coming from. He rounded the corner of a dark tunnel, his eyes adjusting slowly. Adalia sat on a large rock, her hands covering her face. Alistair slowly moved closer, gently placing a hand on one of her trembling shoulders. She stiffened instantly, quickly rubbing her tears away.
"Alistair. Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you." she sniffled, looking away from her companion. Alistair knelt down beside her, moving her face so she was looking at him.
"What's wrong Addy?" he asked softly as he stroked her cheek. Adalia just shook her head, looking away again. Alistair moved closer, sitting next to her on the stone. Adalia pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms tightly around them.
"When my time comes please don't let me come down her alone." she whispered, still avoiding his eyes.
"We have years before we even have to worry about that." he said, stroking her hair. "What brought this on?" he asked, turning her face again. Adalia remained silent, before looking up at the sandy haired Warden.
"The Broodmother. Oghren told me that they were female Wardens. That when they came down here for the Calling, instead of fighting to death the darkspawn capture them, and change them into.. into that." Adalia started sobbing again, her shoulder violently shaking. Alistair silently cursed the drunk dwarf under his breath, pulling Adalia towards him. She laid her head in his lap, tears still flowing.
"When our time comes, I promise I will be at your side." Alistair trailed his fingers through her knotted hair. "And after all those years together, we'll probably be ready to kill each other. I'll just make sure I get to you first. Just like you want." Adalia chuckled pathetically, slapping his knee. She sat up, looking at the man in front of her.
"Promise?" she asked, biting her nails.
"Promise."
Alistair took a deep breath as he claimed the stone stairs to the front of the palace. The knot in his stomach twisted again, and he resisted the urge to vomit. He paused to look up at the massive snow covered building when Adalia rested a hand on his elbow.
"Don't worry about it. We're going to win this." she smiled up at him, and gave her a weak smile back. She looked beautiful in the armour he had gotten her from Wade, not something he ever thought he would be saying about a woman. A pain struck his heart thinking about it. He squeezed her hand, and silently entered the heavily guarded castle.
Ser Cauthrien was standing there, as though waiting for them. Alistair heard Zevran's blades loosen from their sheaths, and he held a hand up for him to stop.
"Warden, I am not surprised it has come to this. And Alistair. If you were even remotely worthy of being called Maric's son, you would already be in the Landsmeet, wouldn't you?" the woman crossed the room so she stood a swords length away. "You have torn Ferelden apart to oppose the very man who ensured you were born into freedom. But do not think you will get past me to desecrate the Landsmeet itself. The nobles of Ferelden will confirm my lord as regent, and we can finally put this to rest. Once you are gone."
"Do you really not see what Loghain has become? Do you not see what he had done to the country, what he has done to me? I have scars to show for it. Those may fade, but my memories of it will not. Just as the memories of his betrayal will not fade from the memories of the people." Adalia said bravely, taking a step closer to the woman. She held her head high and proud, the years of training her parents had insisted she received shining through.
Ser Cauthrien faltered, taking a step backwards. The look on the woman's face said everything.
"I was tortured for hours, for no reason. They didn't want information, they just wanted to have some fun. And if Alistair and Zevran had not saved me, I would have been raped. And then who knows what would have happened. Would I have been killed? Or perhaps kept as a play toy for the bored guards." Adalia took another step towards Ser Cauthrien, the anger rising in her voice. "What do you think would happen to you, if you ever disobeyed the man, lieutenant? Do you think he would let you off with a slap on the wrist, or do you think he would do the same to you as he has done to so many?" Adalia was now nearly nose to nose with the woman, a look of near-fear spreading on the knight's face. "What of the people of Ferelden? You leave Loghain to rule and what do you think is going to happen to this country? That man is so paranoid and deluded, he will see everyone as an enemy." Adalia eased up on the woman, taking a step backwards to watch her.
"I have had many doubts of late. Loghain is a great man, but his hatred of Orlais has driven him to madness. He has done terrible things, I know it, but I owe him everything. I am so sorry for everything that was done do you, I am, but I cannot betray him. Please do not ask me to." Ser Cauthrien was practically on her knees begging.
"Then let me stop him. You know that is the only way." Adalia said, her tone softer. The lieutenant looked aside, appearing ashamed.
"I never thought duty would taste so bitter. Stop him, Warden. Stop him from betraying everything he once loved. But please, show mercy. Without Loghain there would be no Ferelden to defend." Adalia walked past the woman, Alistair and Zevran on her heels. She paused before opening the doors to the great hall, casting a glance over her shoulder.
"I promise you the same mercy he showed me."
"My lords and Ladies of the Landsmeet, Loghain would have us give up our freedoms, our traditions out of fear! He places us on the path, yet we should place our trust in his hands? Must we sacrifice everything good about our lands to save it?" Arl Eamons voice filled the room. Alistair looked around, becoming more and more terrified. The room was completely packed, every seat filled, and some.
"A fine performance, Eamon, but no one here is taken in by it." Loghains voice follow Eamons, and a chill ran down Alistair's spine as he pushed his way to the front behind Adalia. "You would attempt too put a puppet on the throne, and every soul here knows it. The better question is who will pull the strings?" Adalia had made her way to the front, and from what Alistair heard next knew Loghain had already seen her.
"Ah, the puppeteer! Tell us, Warden, how will the Orlesians take our nation from us? Will they deign to send their troops, or will they simply issue their commands through this would be prince?" Alistair had made it to the front, Zevran right at his side, hands ever on the hilts of his blades. "What did they offer you? What is the price of Ferelden honour now?" the Teryn's voice boomed.
"You are delusional. This has nothing to do with Orlais! And I am not the one who betrayed Ferelden!" Adalia's voice was like ice as she stood up against the man.
"Some of us are curious, Loghain, about what precisely happened at Ostagar." an out of place voice said, and Alistair looked up to see Arl Bryland standing, his hands white knuckled on the railing of the upstairs seating. Loghain ignored the man, and the shouts following the Arl's statement, turning back to address Adalia again.
"So one of Cailan's killers would dare to speak of betrayal. You led out king to his death with your grandiose tales of griffins flying into battle!"
"You were the one who fled the battle, and left him and everyone else to die!" Alistair could hear Adalia's voice shaking.
"Do continue, the Landsmeet hungers to hear the tactical analysis of Ostagar from a spoiled child." Ceorlic's voice rang out, and Adalia's face reddened in anger, but it was her turn to ignore the comments.
"You were the one who sold Ferelden citizen's into slavery." Adalia continued. The voices rose again, nobles shouting out demands for explanations. "YOU were the one who allowed Rendon Howe to imprison and torture innocents!" her voice was full of venom, frightening even Alistair. He admired her bravery. Bann Sighard was instantly on his feet.
"The Warden speaks truly! My son was taken under the cover of night. The things done to him... some of them were beyond any healer's skill. The Warden save his life. Who knows what would have happened to him."
"Howe was responsible for himself. He is the one who must answer to the Maker for any wrongs committed in this life, as must we all. But it appears the Warden already solved the issue with Howe, did you not? You were the one who murdered the man, rather viciously I must say." Loghain sneered across the room at the smaller woman, who didn't flinch. "Whatever Howe may have done, he should have been brought before the seneschal. There is no justice in butchering a man in his home." Adalia almost laughed at that.
"Just like my father was butchered? Then why send a blood mage to poison Arl Eamon?" she asked, folding her arms tightly across her chest.
"I assure you, Warden, if I were going to send someone it would be my own soldiers. I would not trust the discretion of an apostate."
"Indeed? My brother tells a very different story. He says you snatched a blood mage from the Chantry's justice. Coincidence?" Bann Alfstanna asked loudly. Alistair watched as Loghain's expression faltered, just for a hair of a second. "Oh, surprised to hear that? My brother is alive, after the Warden rescued him as well, Loghain." Alfstanna nodded to Adalia, who gave the Bann a faint smile.
"Do not think the Chantry will overlook this, Loghain. Interference in a templars sacred duties is an offence against the Maker." Now Grand Cleric Elemena was getting involved, Alistair thought, shuddering again slightly. He had hated that woman growing up, but she may be an ally in the end.
"Whatever I have done, I will answer for later. At the moment, however, I wish to know what the Warden has done with my daughter." Adalia looked up at Alistair, confused.
"What on earth are you talking about?" she asked Loghain as he took a few steps closer to her.
"You took my daughter, our queen, by force, killing her guards in the process. What arts have you employed to keep her. Does she still live?"
"I have done no sure thing! The last I saw of her she was-" Adalia was interrupted by the doors at the rear of the room swinging open.
"I believe I can speak for myself." Anora announced as she strode her, her long lavender dress trailing behind her. "Lords and ladies of Ferelden, this Warden has slandered and defamed Ferelden's greatest hero in a bid to put an imposter on Maric's throne!"
"I knew you were lying the whole time." Adalia growled, Anora's eyes on her.
"Oh, she turned on us! What a shock. And she seemed like such a nice despot." Alistair said sarcastically, Adalia spinning to him.
"That's the first thing you have to say through this whole thing? No defending yourself, or me? I think I preferred you silent." she hissed, Zevran chuckling at Alistair's side.
"My father will always do what must be done for Ferelden, and it is clear to me that you will not. I offered you the change to ally with me for the good of this nation, and you refused it. I will not allow you to destroy the throne Cailan and I have held."
"Who here can say that Anora is not fit to rule this land? And who can say that this Alistair is? We know nothing of him save that he may have royal blood. For five years Anora has been queen and proven herself worthy of the Theirin name. She can lead out people through this crisis and I can lead her armies."
Alistair looked down at Adalia, the worry written on his face. The vote was being called for.
"The Warden! I am with the Warden!" Ban Vaughan yelled out.
"One." Adalia whispered.
"Western Hill is with you, Loghain. Maker help us all." Alistair cursed under his breath.
"I am with Loghain!" Bann Loren's voice rang out.
"South Reach stands with the Wardens." Two.
"Dragon's Peak is with Adalia Cousland." Bann Sighards voice rang out.
"Waking seas is with the Wardens!" Alfstanna bellowed proudly. Four.
"I stand by Loghain. We've no hope of victory otherwise." Ceorlic practically whimpered.
"I hate that man." Adalia grumbled.
"I stand with Loghain." another voice rang out, Alistair struggling to see who it came from as two others echoed the same response.
"I am with Alistair and the Wardens." Arl Eamon stepped next to Adalia, a hand on her shoulder. What was the count at?
"Six to five." Adalia's heart stopped.
"This bodes ill for us all." Eamon said quietly as he looked around to room.
"But how can they follow that traitor?" Adalia whispered back, hand hand tightly grasping Alistair's.
"The Landsmeet has spoken! Following these Wardens has cost us out king. We must not allow it to cost us our country. I charge Eamon, Alistair, and the Warden Adalia Cousland with treason. Take the traitors outside to await execution!" Loghain barked, pointing towards the group.
"Wait. I believe I have a vote." Adalia and Alistair spun towards the voice. Fergus, of course! Alistair hadn't even noticed he wasn't in the crowd. "Highever stands, and always will, with Alistair Theirin, and with the Grey Wardens." Alistair felt a surge of happiness in his chest. A tie. That's better than losing, right?
"What in Andraste's flaming sword took you so damn long?" Adalia asked, reaching up to give her brother a hug.
"I woke up late. Ow, don't beat me!"
"Alistair's right to the throne is challenged, his challengers honour is in doubt. In the past, such disputes were settled by duel. Will the Landsmeet agree?" the Grand Cleric asked the nobles.
"Yes, if it will avoid bloodshed. But it must be fought according to tradition: by strength of arms only, in single combat, until one party yields. Do you accept the terms?"
"After all he's done, you expect Loghain to fight a fair duel?" Adalia scoffed.
"Though you may count my honour as worth less than nothing, Warden, we are standing before the nobles of Ferelden. They will judge us both on our actions here." Loghain said over his shoulder.
"Fine, I accept." Alistair announced loudly, a few nobles appearing to have just noticed his presence.
"Will you face me yourself, or will you have a champion?" Loghain asked the prince.
"We should send Perses to fight him." Adalia said under her breath.
"Ah, Warden... No. I'm afraid we can't leave the fate of all Ferelden up to your dog. Anyone with a leftover ham bone could buy his allegiance." Arl Eamon said, apparently having missed the sarcasm. "Choose someone else, if you would Alistair. You're not an option here. We can't risk loosing your life."
"Grey Warden Adalia Cousland will be my champion." Alistair said with a nod, nudging Adalia forward. Adalia nodded walking to the center of the room. As she passed Anora, something caught her eye.
"Anora, that ring is marvelous. Where on earth did you get it?" Anora's hand instantly clenched, the look on her face saying it all.
"I just picked up somewhere over the years." Adalia moved closer to the woman, who sunk back.
"Really, Anora? Because I'm pretty sure that's the ring that was taken from me when I was stripped and tortured in Fort Drakon. The same ring you had been eyeing earlier." Adalia held her hand out palm up, and waited. Anora glanced around the room at the nobles watching her, and slid the ring off of her finger. Adalia smiled, nodding to the woman as she pocketed the valued possession.
Adalia met Loghain in the center of the room, her father's sword drawn and ready, the dagger Bann Alfstanna gave her strapped to her hip.
"May the Maker forgive you Loghain." Adalia said as she readied herself. Loghain smiled at her, raising his sword.
"You seem so sure you're going to win this. Remember, child, I have been doing this for many moons longer than you." Adalia wasn't give a chance to retort as Loghain brought his blade down with massive strength, nearly knocking the Warden off her feet.
Alistair watched nervously as Adalia met the blows of the Teryn, not realizing that he was holding his breath.
"Relax, my Lord. She knows what she is doing." Fergus said reassuringly.
"Oh please don't call me that." Alistair groaned as Fergus chuckled. A loud clanging and a feminine grunt drew their attention to the fight. Alistair didn't know what he has missed, but Adalia was on her back, Loghain nearing her. He instinctively moved to aid her, both both Eamon and Fergus stopped him. Adalia swung her legs backwards, flipping back up onto her feet. Within seconds the sword was back in her hands, and she was making contact with the side of Loghains armour. The sound of metal on metal rang out through the hall, Adalia backing Loghain up. A blow met the gap in between the armour on his thigh, drawing blood. Loghain howled, swinging downwards. Adalia ducked out of the way, Loghains sword hitting the stone floor. She seized her opportunity, throwing out a side kick, knocking the Teryn off his feet. Adalia quickly sprung, kicking his fallen sword away from him, hers at his throat before he had a chance to respond.
"You will die for what you've done." Adalia said calmly, not moving the sword until Alistair was at her side, slowly moving her hand.
"Don't even let anyone tell you that you don't belong, Adalia. Maric brought a female Warden to Ferelden, a Dalish elf. I told him she didn't belong, didn't deserve to be in his honour. She turned out to be one of the best warriors I've ever seen. I have never met an equal with the bow before or since." Adalia looked down at the man, a look of confusion on her face. "I underestimated you. I thought you were like Cailan; a child wanting to play at war. I was wrong. There is a strength in you I have not since anywhere since Maric died. Or anywhere since that Elf left, for that matter." Loghain breathed deeply, trying to catch his breath. "I yield."
"Wardens, there is another option. The Teryn is a warrior and a general of renown. Let him be of use. Let him go through the Joining." Riordan was at their side, his cold eyes on Adalia.
"There are too few of us. It's not a matter of what we like, it's a matter of what we must do. Our duty is to slay the Archdemon. We are not judges. Kinslayers, blood mages, traitors, rebels, carta thugs, common bandits: anyone with the skill and mettle to take up the sword against the darkspawn is welcome among us. There are three of us in all of Ferelden, and there are... compelling reasons to have as many Wardens on hand as possible to deal with the Archdemon."
"The Joining itself is often fatal, is it not? If he survives, you gain a general. If not, you have your revenge. Does that not satisfy you?" Alistair shuddered at the sound of Anora's voice. It hurt his ears. Alistair spun to face her, anger flooding his face.
"Absolutely not! This man abandoned our brothers and then blamed us for the deed! He hunted us like animals, he tortured Adalia. How can we simply forget that?" he practically spat on Anora's face, his ire boiling over.
"I stand with Alistair." Adalia said calmly, looking Riordan straight in the eye. "Loghain has to die for his crimes."
"You cannot do this! My father may have been wrong, but he is still a hero to the people. Think about all he has done for us." Anora was begging, and she tried to run to her father, tried to shield him with her body, but Alistair put an arm up, stopping her in her place.
"Anora, hush. It's over." the Teryn tried to comfort her, but his attempts were futile.
"Stop treating me like a child! This is serious!" Tears were streaming down the now former queen's face, her skin blotchy.
"Daughters never grow up, Anora. They remain six years old with pigtails and skinned knees forever. Just make this quick, Warden. I can face the Maker knowing Ferelden is in your hands."
"Very well." Adalia looked up at Alistair, who nodded, drawing his sword.
"This is for Duncan."
Loghain raised to his knees, his eyes cast to the blue rug. Without a thought against the matter Alistair brought the heavy sword down. Blood sprayed across the front of Anora's dress, and the former queen fell to her knees as her fathers head rolled across the floor, a small scream passing her lips. Alistair took a step back from the body as it slumped to the ground, wiping blood off his face. People were talking all around him; Eamon was beside him, his hand on his shoulder, but he wasn't listening to the words coming from him. He felt as though he was going to throw up. He thought killing Loghain would bring him some sort of satisfaction, but it didn't.
'I'm no better than him.' he thought. 'I killed a man on his knees...'
"What a mistake." Riordan said quietly.
"So it is decided. Alistair will take his father's throne." He sudden realized what Eamon was saying.
"Wait, what? When did this get decided? No one decided that. Did they?" he looked from Eamon to Adalia, and back to Eamon.
"He refused the throne. Everyone here has heard him. I think it is clear then, that he abdicated in favour of me." Alistair rubbed his face as the voices around them raised.
"I refuse to have the spawn of a monster like Loghain on the throne!" he heard Bann Sighard shout over them.
"What a clusterfuck." Adalia muttered, earning a slap on the arm from Fergus. She rolled her eyes at her brother. "Well is it."
"I hardly think you're the appropriate person here to mediate this, Anora. Adalia, will you help us?
"Right, because she's a better choice." Anora stated. Adalia ignored her, turning to Alistair.
"Are you ready for this?" she asked him quietly, reaching for his hand. She could feel everyone's eyes watching her.
"I feel like I'm back at the abbey trying to not get chosen last for the sparring teams." Alistair knew by the look Adalia gave him that now was not the appropriate time for his jokes. He pulled his hand away from her, shifting awkwardly. "Are there people who are ready for this sort of thing? I'll do my best for the people." he said, looking at Arl Eamon as he spoke.
"Then Warden, as the arbiter of this dispute, what is your decision? Who will lead Ferelden?" Eamon asked.
"Alistair will be king, and follow in his father and his brother's footsteps." Adalia announced, smiling at the cheer that passed Bann Alfstanna's lips.
"This is usually where I wake up. Or where everyone points and laughs because I have no clothes on." Alistair said quietly, Eamon looking unimpressed with him.
"Anora, the Landsmeet has decided against you. You must now swear fealty to our king, and relinquish all claim to the throne for yourself and any possible heirs." Anora scoffed at Eamon.
"If you think I will swear that oath, Eamon, you know nothing of me."
"Anora, would you be reasonable." Adalia hissed at the woman.
"Reason clearly had nothing to do with your choice, Warden. What promises did he make you?" Adalia frowned at the woman, resisting the urge to smack her in the mouth.
"We cannot leave Ferelden in a state of civil war. We must have unity. If she will not swear fealty to you, Alistair, and renounce her claim to the throne then she is a threat to us all."
"Put her in the tower for now. Lock her up. I'll deal with her later." Alistair waved her off as two well armed guards took her from the room. He turned back, all eyes of the Landsmeet on him.
"I never knew him, but from all I've heard of my father, what defined him was his commitment to protecting this land. I may be Maric's son, but I am also a Grey Warden. I took an oath. I swore I would stand and fight the darkspawn, no matter the cost to myself. I cannot break that oath just to wear the crown. I have to go with my fellow Wardens," Alistairs arm swooped towards Adalia and Riordan, "to face the Blight. When the Blight is over, I will come back to take up my duties as king. Until then, Arl Eamon will serve as my regent."
"Then I can do Maric's memory no less honour than you do. And may the Maker bless your efforts against the darkspawn." Eamon said stepping forward.
"My fellow Grey Warden will hopefully take Loghain's place as the leader of my armies when this is all through." Adalia nodded, taken back by the offer.
"Have them get the armies moving." she said quietly. "We must get moving now. Ferelden is depending on us right now."
"The Blight is coming. Nobody can deny that now." Alistair replied, turning back to the Landsmeet. "Everyone, get ready to march. It's going to take all of Ferelden's strength to fight this Blight, but we will face it and we will defeat it. To arms!"