Authors Notes: Really sorry it's taken a while to update this story. I hope you are still enjoying it.
Thanks to MoonSword1994 for her help in this chapter.
Making friends and avoiding enemies
Maric paced the room back and forth, over and over, occasionally throwing a glance in his son's direction, "Are you sure?"
"Father, I'm sure. Loghain retreated in battle. If Lottie wasn't there, I'd be dead."
"Why, why would he do that?"
Cailan slumped down into a chair, "I don't know. Anora refused an heir so Lottie became my mistress. I think they knew I was falling in love with her."
"Son, you've been in love with her since you were a teenager."
"I need to keep them safe. They are every thing to me and without them, I'd have nothing," Cailan pressed his mouth to his fingers, trying to chase away the image of a life without Charlotte.
Maric sat next to his son, tapping him gently on the back, "You wont lose them. Where is Alistair?"
"With Hawke."
"I feel I owe him the truth."
"I'll go find him," Cailan stood up, walking to the door. He turned to his father, "Go easy on him, he's my little brother."
"You really are fond of him, aren't you?"
"I am, if you made the effort, you would be too," Cailan smiled before leaving the room.
Maric sat and waited for Alistair, this was his chance to gain his youngest son back. Maric jumped to his feet when the door opened, revealing Alistair, "Alistair, thank you for coming. Take a seat."
Alistair pulled a seat opposite to the chair Maric was sitting in, "Cailan said you wanted to see me."
"Yes. Just first, I want you to know I don't expect anything from you. If you want answers, I will give them as truthfully as possible."
"Ok. So who is my real mother?"
"Her name is Fiona, she is an Elven mage. We met when she was a grey warden."
"Why did you both abandon me?"
Maric's face burned with shame, the guilt felt unpleasant in his stomach, "I cant really give you Fiona's reasons," Maric paused briefly, "I did it because I wanted to protect you. People would look at you with such venom, I couldn't do that to you."
"Why didn't you do anything when Eamon sent me away?"
"Because he lied to me. He said you went out of choice," Maric huffed his chest, "I wish I stood up for you when you were born. Made it clear you were my son. I didn't and the regret eats at me."
"So what happens now?"
"That's up to you. I want you to forgive me, to be my son. But is all your decision. If you don't forgive, at least you and Cailan have each other."
Alistair stood up as Maric stood up. Alistair embraced his father with uneasiness that soon faded away, "I understand why you did it. Thank you for being honest."
Maric held his youngest son, grateful for the chance to bond with him, "Thank you for forgiving me. I'm so very proud of you," They stayed in the embrace for a few more minutes. It was what they both need and what they had longed for.
Charlotte watched from the bed as Cailan prepared for his travels. Every time she watched him put on his armour, a feeling of dread settled in her stomach, "How long will it take to get to Orzammar?"
"A day or two, hopefully," Cailan sighed. He hated having to leave Charlotte, every time they parted, someone's life was in danger."
Charlotte burst into tears, "Oh, these bloody pregnancy moods."
Cailan chuckled, sitting next to his wife, "My darling queen. All the pains and moods will be worth it when we have a perfect mini version of you," Cailan kissed her nose, wiping away her tears with the pad of his thumb.
"You bloody charmer," She looked up at him with wet eyes, "Please be careful."
"I will be back before you know it. I'll see you in Redcliffe," Cailan kissed her one more time before getting up from the bed, "I'll count the hours until you are back in my arms."
Charlotte stood with Leandra and Teagan, watching as the group disappeared into the woods. It would be at least a week until she saw him again. As much as she loved Teagan and Leandra, she would feel lost without Cailan.
Charlotte went for a midnight stroll around the modest castle. The baby was being very active and she couldn't sleep without worrying about Cailan. She entered the library, placing the candle she carried, on the desk. She sat reading for a few minutes before a loud clanging noise grabbed her attention. Creeping out of the library, she walked towards the stairs, listening for any more noise. Then she heard it, Ser Cauthrien's voice drifting up the stairs towards her. She run to Leandra's room to wake her, "Leandra, wake up. We have to go," She whispered, shaking Leandra gently.
Leandra woke up, blinking her blurry eyes, "What is it, Lottie?"
"Loghain has found us. We need to get to Teagan," Both women crept towards Teagan's room, hurrying in quick when they saw candle light coming up the stairs. Charlotte closed the door slowly as Leandra woke Teagan.
"Bann Teagan. Wake up."
Teagan groaned, "What is it?"
"Loghain's army is here."
Teagan got up quickly, pulling on his clothes, "I have a way out. They are looking for you, Lottie."
Charlotte blocked the door, lodging a chair underneath the handle, "I know, I guess they've realised that I'm pregnant."
"Let's go," Teagan opened a small, hidden door that lead to a hallway.
Charlotte looked at the size of the hallway, "You think I'm going to fit?"
"Just get in there and breath in," Teagan let Charlotte and Leandra go ahead of him, barely closing the door in time as the troops burst in to his bedroom.
They manoeuvred through the passage ways, finally reaching the grounds near the stables, "Thank the Maker," Charlotte huffed out, "She didn't like that."
The journey to Redcliffe was a quiet one. It did nothing but heighten Charlotte's nerves, for she knew, Loghain's army wasn't far away, "Teagan, I don't think we will be alone for too much longer."
Teagan looked around, "Agreed, we should head to the docks."
Charlotte nodded and Teagan took the lead, guiding them easily in the dark to the docks. He had done this before during the Orlesian occupation as a child in case something were to happen unexpectedly, so he knew the way well enough. Before they approached the wooden boat that was always kept there, Teagan stopped to listen, there were not any sounds to indicate that they were being followed. That did not mean, however, company would not be far behind.
The sound of booted footsteps vibrated though the ground. They knew the army wasn't far away. Teagan helped Charlotte into the boat as torch light broke through the gap in the trees. Teagan untied the boat and pushed it from the shore was his foot, "Leandra, keep rowing until you get to the circle tower."
Charlotte tried to stand up, reaching for Teagan, "What about you?" She asked, panicked.
Teagan kissed his niece's forehead, "I'll be fine, you are the most important person right now."
Charlotte could only watch as the shore faded into the distance. She could just make out Teagan being surrounded by soldiers, "He'll be fine, Charlotte," Leandra soothed. Charlotte nodded and sat down properly, hoping that Teagan really would be fine.
Teagan woke up on the cold stone floor, his head aching. He remembered little, just being surrounded by soldiers. Sitting up, he took in his surroundings and then he saw him. Loghain.
Loghain approached Teagan, ordering two guards to pull him to his feet. Loghain circled Teagan, like he was prey, "Now Teagan, where is the girl?"
"What girl?" Teagan grunted, doubling over in pain as a soldier punched him in the stomach.
"don't play games. Where is Charlotte Cousland?"
"As if I would tell you. You just want to kill her," He spluttered out, winded by the blow to the stomach.
"I don't plan to kill her yet. She has something that I want," Loghain ordered the soldier to punch him again.
"Teagan, just tell him where she is," Eamon pleaded, trying to protect his wife and child.
Teagan simply looked away, "No. I will not give her up."
Loghain, angered by Teagan's blatant defiance, unsheathed his sword and held the blade under Teagan's throat. "TELL ME!" Loghain roared, thrusting the metal against Teagan's skin. Teagan looked at the blade and then at Loghain, he knew giving up Charlotte would be the same as signing her death warrant and that was something he could not do to her or Cailan. He answered Loghain's demand by spitting in his face. The Teyrn took a step back and wiped his face before signalling to the guards to put Teagan on the ground. When the Bann put his feet to the floor, Loghain hit him square in the face with his gauntleted fist, sending him to the floor as blood erupted from his nose. "Put this traitor back in his chains," snarled Loghain as he left the room, Eamon following behind him.
Charlotte and Leandra arrived at the circle tower as the sun was setting. Both women were cold, tired and hungry. As they approached the main door to the tower, they were approached by two templars, "State your business!" The older templar stated.
"I am Lady Charlotte Cousland of Highever, Daughter of Teyrn Bryce Cousland. This is Lady Leandra Hawke of Kirkwall. We request shelter. I'm with child and we are in danger," Charlotte stopped to breathe, "I really need to sit down."
The templars escorted them into the tower. Another man approached them, "Knight-Commander Greagoir. Two nobles requesting shelter."
Greagoir bowed to the women, "How can we be of service?"
Charlotte sighed, sitting on a chair that a handsome blonde templar had placed for her, "This might be confusing for you, so it's best with we talk in private."
"Very well. Follow me," Greagoir led them to a cosy room with a desk by a fireplace and several chairs around it. He turned to greet a man and a familiar looking woman who had entered the room, "This is Grand Enchanter Irving and one of our most senior enchanters, Wynne."
"You were Ostagar?" Charlotte said to Wynne, trying to stand up to greet her.
Wynne waved away Charlotte's attempts at standing, "Yes I was. I remember you, my dear. Betrothed to King Cailan?"
"Married to him actually."
"I thought King Cailan was dead," Greagoir interrupted.
"He was betrayed in battle by Teyrn Loghain. I managed to save him," Charlotte accepted a cup of tea from Wynne with gratitude, taking a sip of the warm liquid. It was heavenly to her chilled bones, "He is currently building an army so he can take his Kingdom back. Now I am here, I would like to offer you a deal."
Irving and Greagoir sat forward, taking an interest, "What kind of deal?" Irving asked.
"I want to offer the mages some sort of freedom and I want the Templars to maintain their freedom."
"What kind of Freedoms?" Irving's interest was peaked. This could finally be a stepping stone for mages.
"Mages with good standing, would be allowed to live and work outside of the tower. Have families and such. I will offer land in which mages to build their village to live in."
"How do the the Templars come into it?" Greagoir asked, intrigued.
"Mages will report to the Templars. Some will maintain the tower and some will have outposts for the mages that don't live in the tower."
"That sounds reasonable. What will we have to do in return?"
"You will help my husband get his Kingdom back. Do this and you will have your deal."
Greagoir and Irving exchanged glances at each other and nodded, "We will take your offer. The mages and Templars are yours for when the time comes."
"Excellent. Now my companion and I are very tired and hungry. We will have to wait until the King returns."
Charlotte explored the library for a while after dinner, browsing through the books it had to offer. After a while, tiredness had finally won and she decided to go to bed. She left the library, turning a corner, bumping into something solid. A very apologetic voice echoed the stone walls as she tried to steady herself, "My Lady, I apologise, I did not see you."
Charlotte looked up to see the handsome face of the blonde templar that offered her a chair earlier, "It's no bother. Queen Charlotte, pleasure to meet you."
"Ser Cullen. It is a pleasure, my Lady. I hope I haven't hurt the little one," Cullen bowed to her, silently cursing the blush creeping across his cheeks.
"Oh no, she's been through a lot worse than a bump. Well I better get to bed, don't want to be exhausted when my husband returns."
Cullen watched as Charlotte walked away, "Goodnight, your Majesty."
Charlotte turned back a little, "Goodnight, Ser Cullen."
