Queen Anora did waited nervously on her chair, she had dressed most royal dress what Erlina had managed to arrange from her weartrophe. She hoped it would help, thought she know well, that keeping posture would affect much as well.

Knock on the door made Anora turn his gaze towards it. Warden had finally come to talk with her in private. She did rise up and took a deep breath.

Erlina had come back later in last knight and had tell her rest of information what she had got from the warden. So Anora had now better idea what kind of person the warden was.

Erlina went open the door; she turned to look her queen for a moment. Anora did nod and Erlina open the door.

"Warden Tabris your majesty." Erina said and the stepped aback when mabari hound walked in, it did spent moment smelling at Erlina, she did stay still, Erlina was little afraid of them, but did control herself. Then hound turned his attention towards Anora.

"Stay." Warden said silently and the war hound stopped right there.

Anora stepped forward, like most of the Fereldens she respected and liked the dogs. She did remember that her father said that he had once a mabari as a child. She put hand forward that mabari could get her scent. Dog did sniff her hand for a moment then it did stepped back.

First step cleared. Anora thought, like all Fereldens she know the tales that if mabari did not trust someone, it's master should not either.

Now she had to convince the warden to back her claim on the throne. The warden did give her a slight bow.

"Your majesty."

"The warden." She did give him a nod.

It's not just my fate, is Ferelden's fate, so in need to be convincing.

Erlina did stand aside and listen carefully when warden and queen did talk. Anora did her best to so the warden would see her way. She did agree that his father must be stopped and she did speak well about the Alistair remembering that he was his fellow grey warden and a decent man. But point out that Alistair didn't have any experience or training about ruling the country, especially one what was middle of civil war.

The Warden did defend his friend, but he did see her way too. He did know his friend strength and weaknesses.

So the warden had not made his decision yet about who would hold the throne.

Even if Arl Eamon and several other nobles would support Alistair it could fail in the end. Warden had lot of influence of Arl Eamon, she could not turn his head, but the warden could. Thought the warden point out that he didn't believe he had that much influence.

Anora did remind the warden what he had achieved, and even among to nobles and those how supported her father, there was respect towards him.

She did understand that warden attention was to stop the darkspawns, but after that country would need a ruler to soothe its problems.

Then the warden did make a proposal that surprise them. He rise option that queen would marry Alistair. Erlina managed to stay still, but she did look her queen worriedly.

Carefully, the warden might test you my queen.

To her credit Anora didn't lose her composure, she pointed out that Alistair did remind her about Cailan and some nobles would support him be course his Theirin blood. She did tell the warden that she feared that he might rule as Cailan. In the end Anora did express her doubt would Alistair actually agreed to marry her. But the warden did think he could convince him to marry her.

When the warden did leave, Anora did sit down her chair. Erlina went next to her.

"Well?" Anora said and looked Erlina.

"I think that warden was serious about that offer."

Anora sighed.

"Truth to be told I don't think that Alistair agree, he is not interested being a king nor take me as his queen."

"Then it is either him or you, my lady."

"So it's seems."

Both were quit for a while. Then Erlina ended the silence.

"Would you agree my lady, if he would take you as his wife?"

Anora looked Erlina for a moment.

"Maybe, but I have to start make other plans if warden decide to support his friend."

"I think I saw Lady Meras here before warden come." Erlina said.

"Eamon is trying to get her support Alistair, but you might turn her around, my lady."

"That is good place to start."

They did find Lady Meras and her retainers upstairs near practice yard. Arl Eamon soldiers didn't bother them; guess they had other business for now. Thought they went to speak at balcony to get away prying ears. Anora had always liked her; she was like her old aunt. Like Erlina had thought, she had not yet to make her mind.

"You have to admit that Eamon had made good point and many nobles would support Warden Alistair."

"I am aware that and I respect Alistair abilities as a grey warden, but now when darkspawn are coming he would best fight against them in battlefield, not by sitting a throne."

"Not like you, my dear?"

"I am the one who had ruled this country all these years as you know."

"That is true, but now we are facing crisis like never before, do you think that you got us through it."

"Yes I do." Anora said firmly.

"How do you intend to stop darkspawn my dear."

"We need united Ferelden."

"Don't we need grey wardens?"

"Yes, that is why I have spoken with the warden Darrian."

"What did he said?"

Anora did keep her expression calm when she did answer.

"The warden attention is stopping darkspawn, they think this is a real blight, that's why we have joined forces."

"They think this is real blight?" Lady Meras asked now she sounded worried.

"Yes and I believe them, that's why I need your support."

Lady Meras walked on the balcony and lean it. Suddenly she looked so old. Anora walked next to her. They both looked practice yard and the soldiers who practice there.

"Majesty…" She said eventually. Anora looked her into eyes.

"I believe you are best choice to throne. But the rumours what are coming from the south are horrifying. Civil war is what people of north do spoke, but with truce among nobles rumours of darkspawn are getting attention. People are afraid…

"That's why nobles must made peace now that they can rise against the blight."

"I support you my lady, but we need the grey wardens."

"I will arrange that."

"I hope you do, I really hope so."

Then she nod to Anora and left. Anora watched her leaving. Nobles and people didn't know what was happening anymore. She must return the order before it is too late. She sighted, and then she noticed Erlina, she was returning.

"How did went?"

"She would support me, but she also wants the wardens."

"I have some news about warden, my lady."

"Does he want me now?" Anora asked and looked around.

"Not yet, one of warden companion, that bard came and they left in hurry."

"Where?"

"I don't know."

"You think he had spoken with Alistair." Anora said and walked inside.

"I don't know for sure, your majesty" Erlina said and was about continued when she looked forward and went silent.

Then she did see Alistair he was leaning against the wall, he turned to look at her. Anora thought for a moment to go her quarters but decided against it. She motioned Erlina to stay still. Then she did walked next to Alistair and now looked him more carefully, she had ignored him or stared him coldly during the brief moments when they had seen they each other's.

Now she looked him slowly from head to toes. She had to admit that fine clothes and armour did looked good on him. To commoners he looked like the king.

"Is something wrong your majesty?" Alistair did ask politely.

There was lot of same look with Cailan, though some were different. Eyes and facial features, hair style is different. But body built was some as Cailan. Anora thought. She remembered what Cailan had told her about Alistair. He had Templars training, but was recruited in grey wardens. He was an excellent warrior and loyal towards his friends. He and the warden had made things that many would consider impossible.

"It would be like marrying his twin." Anora said quietly.

Men did stare her for a moment. Confusion and shock was visible from his face. Then he did get control of himself.

"Excuse me, your majesty." Alistair said politely.

"Of course." Anora said politely

Anora looked after him when he walked away.

Warden had not told him yet what he is planning or he is not even considering the idea. And it seems that Alistair is less keen about the marriage then me. Maybe that's why warden had not said anything about that.

Anora did walked back to her quarters thinking her options.

So the Alistair didn't want marry her. Maybe he already had a lover in his life. Or then he had heard about the rumours that I am barren. Warden might have failed to convince him, though Alistair expression tells he had not heard what warden had planned.

If warden will not support me and I must return with my father and then Alistair must die.

But at evening, when Anora was writing letters to her supporters there was knock at the door. Erlina went to open it. She waited until she had hidden the letters. Then she did open the door. Like last time mabari come in first, then the warden walked in.

Anora did stand up and greeted the warden. He did give her a bow.

"Well had you spoken with my lucky betrothed yet, or are we reduced pass notes." Anora asked

"He had agreed your terms."

Anora was taken by surprise.

"He has, I did not expecting that tell to truth."

Anora did fight with herself for a few moments. Warden did looked her expectantly.

"To marry Cailan's brother. Well appose stranger things had happen."

"If it truly helps matters…"

Dammit, I really don't have a choice.

"Is this it then?" Anora said finally.

"I agree to marry Alistair to retain my throne and in exchange I give you my support."

"If not then tell my now."

"Marry Alistair and you have my support." The warden said and smiled.

"Done." Anora said without hesitation.