Chapter 12
"Supper is at six." Fergus said between bites of porridge. "A carriage will pick you up and take you back."
Teagan looked at Madeline. He could tell the smile on her face was forced but she was not going to let Fergus down.
" I will give the king…your regards."
"Thank you Sister." Fergus kissed her forehead. " Alistair is a good man and I'm sure you'll end up good friends. Now I must be off. I'll see you later."
"Madeline." Teagan touched her hand. She stared into space, them got up and quickly left the room.
Teagan pushed his plate aside and sighed.
He went to her room, the library, his study, and even the chapel and was concerned when she was nowhere to be found.
He went over to Philip who was talking to one of the servants.
"Have you seen Madeline, Phillip?"
"The bann is in the training yard, your Grace, and I fear you may have to replace your training dummies. She is in quite a mood."
"Thank you Phillip."
Teagan had already trained earlier with Ser Perth but went to the armory to put on his armor.
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When Teagan entered the courtyard, two of the dummies were lying on the ground and Madeline was working on another.
"Madeline, would you care for a live sparring partner?"
She whirled around and was surprised when he grabbed the arm she was going to stun him with.
"I know you're upset."
Teagan and Madeline circled each other looking for an opening.
"I wish I was back at Harpers Ford where life was…easier."
"You mean safer don't you? And of course you would wish to go back to your little haven, living like a half hearted recluse. It's so much simpler to hide from the real world."
Teagan could see the anger in her eyes as she lunged towards him.
"You told me I would be coming here to meet my brother and that was it! Now I am having a private supper with the king who is still mourning the loss of my sister and I am going to Highever in a few days to support Fergus as the remains of the family I never met are dug up!"
Teagan stumbled back when Madeline struck again but regained his balance in time to block her second blow with his shield, knocking her to the ground.
"You could have said no to Fergus."
"Teagan you know I could never do that to Fergus! I happen to like him and I certainly do not want to…"
"Disappoint him?"
He reached over to help her up but Madeline stunned him and knocked him to the ground.
"Are you ready to yield Arl Teagan? This sparring seems half hearted at best as it appears you have problems sparring with women."
"Bann Madeline, I'll have you know there are several women knights who serve Redcliffe!"
"But have you ever sparred with them?" Madeline back away from him when he got up.
While it was true he had watched them train on several occasions; he never had the inclination to work with them himself.
Madeline and Teagan continued to dance around each other, exchanging blows until she brought him to the ground and pinned him with her body.
"I…wish you were going to be there."
Teagan saw the panic in her eyes and immediately felt guilty for feeling exhilarated by the position they were in.
Madeline's face was scarlet as she quickly moved off of him and when wincing slightly, Teagan knew she was going to yield but decided to beat her to it.
"I yield."
Teagan helped her up and they walked over to the bench and sat down.
"I wish I could be there with you but I have faith you will be fine. Just be yourself, that's all you have to do."
"You know for a minute I actually did think about returning to Harpers Ford but…I can't go back. As I said, I like Fergus. I still don't know him that well but I care for him Teagan. I actually care for him. And you were right; meeting him was like finding a missing piece of my life."
"He's your brother Madeline. It's only natural for you to feel that way."
"And it's not just Fergus. I've actually liked coming to Denerim. Being here has made me realize how much I have been missing. I've made friends that I want to keep and… I have enjoyed your company Teagan."
"And I have enjoyed yours." He smiled.
"I'll go to this supper but you better have the cooks prepare something for when I get back because I know I will be far too nervous to eat that much when I am there." Madeline sighed.
"I'll have the cooks prepare something extra indulgent for when you return." Teagan winked
Teagan watched as a faint smile formed on her lips.
"I better change out of this armor."
"I'll get one of the servants to prepare a bath for you."
"Thank you Teagan."
He watched her as she got up and went back inside.
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Madeline spent most of the next day in her room preparing for her supper with the king. After trying on every dress several times, Madeline settled on a simple but elegant silk gown that was dark green in color.
She accented the dress with one of her favorite emerald pendants she inherited from her aunt and put her hair up.
"Your sister always had her hair up." Teagan said as he came in the room.
Madeline immediately pulled out the clip holding her hair and it fell in waves over her shoulders.
"How do I look?"
"You look beautiful." Teagan smiled. "The carriage is waiting for you outside."
Teagan helped her with her cloak and led her down the stairs.
She took one last look at him before one of the king's guards helped into the carriage.
"Maker protect her." Teagan said as the carriage rode off.
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Zevran sat in Alistair's study and helped himself to a drink as he waited for him. Byron was off painting in the palace gardens and Zevran was relieved he was not present when the king's butler arrived in his room to summon him.
Zevran heard the door shut and Alistair appeared. He was wearing a blue doublet and breeches and it looked as if his beard was trimmed.
"I see you have made yourself comfortable." Alistair poured himself a brandy and sat down.
"What can I do for you, your Majesty?" Zevran said in his most charming tone.
"I want you tell me about Madeline. She's coming for supper tonight."
"Would you like me to fetch Byron from the gardens? He could tell you more."
"I actually stopped by the gardens and spoke to him briefly. He's a very talented painter though a bit nervous. He said he grew up with Madeline."
Zevran could only imagine Byron's reaction when the king approached him.
"Yes he did. She regards him as a brother."
"And how did he get along with Fergus when they met?"
"They got along quite well."
"So what is Madeline like? What is it like working for her? Please Zev; I need something to go on so I can talk with her."
"Madeline is a pleasure to work for. She's beautiful, smart, and funny. I don't know what else I can tell you."
Zevran knew Alistair the reason he was pressing him. He was hoping that any information would remind of him of Elissa.
"What it she like?"
"You are the king of Ferelden." Zevran laughed. "I'm sure you have some information about her."
"I know what you have told me when you met her and the information that was in the chantry registry. She inherited a tavern, several orchards and farms and another hundred acres of undeveloped land from her Aunt. What I want to know is if she's like Elissa in any way."
"She is not Elissa Alistair." Zevran said firmly. "Madeline may look like her but she is not her."
"I know that." Alistair poured himself a drink then set it down.
"Would you like it if Byron and I join you and Madeline for dinner?"
"No it's alright. Her brother will be there. I just have to muster my courage and deal with this."
"If I may speak freely your Majesty, you scared Madeline at Fort Drakon so I suggest you remember that she is not Elissa's ghost."
"I didn't…I didn't mean to scare her."
"I am sure you didn't but you need to remember she has spent her life believing she did not matter to anyone in her family. Madeline rarely traveled out of Harpers Ford because of that. And as strong as she comes across, Madeline is still fragile and overwhelmed with the fact her sister is now known as the Hero of Ferelden. She is also still amazed at how quickly Fergus embraced her into his life. You need to go easy on her."
"I certainly understand what its like to be cast aside."
"She has overcome a great deal to get to where she is so when you meet her, please go easy on your worship of Elissa. She is well aware of her sister's deeds and does not need to be reminded. And one more thing, I think it would be prudent that you be sober for this."
Zevran picked up Alistair's goblet and drank it before excusing himself and leaving the room.
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Madeline was led into a hall where a skinny man with white hair, dressed in a pale gray jacket and trousers was standing.
"Good evening Bann Madeline." He smiled. "I am Giles. The king's personal butler. I see the teyrn is not with you."
"My brother had a previous commitment and sends his apologies."
"I'm sure the king will understand. He is waiting for you in his study. Would you please follow me?"
Trying desperately to remain in control so she wouldn't limp, Madeline felt her heart beat against her chest as she followed Giles down the hall.
Giles opened the double doors and Madeline saw the king was looking away and staring out the window.
"Your Majesty, may I present Bann Madeline Cousland."
Giles took her cloak and shut the doors.
"Your Majesty, I apologize for my brother's absence." Madeline said anxiously. "He had a previous commitment…but sends his regards."
As he turned around to face her, Madeline knelt down.
….
Alistair looked at the woman kneeling down in the room. Slowly he walked towards her.
"You needn't be afraid." He said when hearing her breathe heavily.
Trying to keep his composure, Alistair watched her stand up and look at him.
"I just want to say…I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable at Fort Drakon. Your sister and I were…close and seeing you…startled me."
"I am sorry for your loss your Majesty. And I am sorry if my resemblance to Elissa upsets you."
"Do not be sorry and please call me Alistair."
He led her to one of the chairs and watched as she sat down.
"Would you like a drink?"
"No thank you."
He set the goblet down and sat in the chair across from her.
Several moments went by as they sat in awkward silence just looking at each other before Alistair finally spoke.
"It warmed my heart to hear that you are connecting with your brother."
"Fergus was a little boy when our parents sent me away. How could I blame him for their actions? He's a good man."
"Indeed he is."
"May I ask you a question Alistair?"
"Of course." Alistair said in an anxious tone.
"I know you are a Grey Warden as was my sister. What I want to know is why there weren't any other Grey Wardens present at Fort Drakon during the ceremony."
"Wardens do not become what they are for glory and most are not comfortable with any sort of recognition."
"I guess I can understand that."
Alistair could feel his heart race as he looked at her. Madeline's hair was longer than Elissa's and the tone in her voice was different but the resemblance was so extraordinary.
"I want to also apologize for what Cauthrien did to you. We should have dealt with her when we first encountered her."
"It's alright. I'm healed and Fergus said I inherited the Cousland stubbornness. At the time, it just never occurred to me that Elissa would have enemies. Everyone I have encountered before Cauthrien highly regarded Elissa."
"Elissa was well liked but she has her detractors as well." Alistair managed a weak laugh.
"I'll…keep that in mind."
"Let's head to the dining room."
Alistair held out his arm and she tentatively took it.
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Teagan slumped in his seat, feeling mentally drained as Eamon poured himself a drink.
"Its good they are dining together. He needs to accept her resemblance to Elissa and move on."
"Your empathy is truly an inspiration to us all Brother." Teagan picked up the brandy decanter but set it down wanting to remain sober for when Madeline returned.
"I'm just speaking the truth Teagan. If Elissa had had lived they could have never married. Grey Wardens become less…fertile because of some ritual they go through. The odds are Alistair and Elissa would never have had any heirs. It will be difficult for Alistair as it is but the chances will be better if he marries a healthy woman…like Madeline."
"And what if she does not want that?"
"Teagan, what woman would not want to be married to the King of Ferelden? She is the sister of the second most powerful noble in Ferelden. If we tread lightly and slowly encourage it, it would be a perfect match."
"And I suppose the fact that Madeline looks like Elissa has not crossed your mind."
"I admit Madeline resembling Elissa should make… Alistair agreeable to the match."
"Eamon do you know what you are suggesting?" Teagan arched an eyebrow and frowned. "You want to take advantage of Madeline's resemblance to Elissa to keep Alistair… pliable."
"Teagan I am sure once Alistair gets to know Madeline, he will see she is not her sister. You are reading far too much into this."
Eamon got up from his chair and stood up. "I have to go. Keep doing what you're doing to steer Madeline in our direction."
Teagan grabbed the goblet Eamon had drunk from and threw it across the room once he had left the room.
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Madeline sat across from Alistair and looked at the spread on the table. There was a roast chicken, a potato dish, braised asparagus, and some sort of pie. What caught her eye was the tray of assorted cheese which Alistair was heaping on his plate.
Madeline reached over and put a bit of each dish on her plate and took a couple of slice of cheese and placed them on a smaller plate.
She watched in fascination has Alistair piled his plate with all the dishes, between eating a slice of cheese.
"Thank you." Madeline took the glass of wine from the servant and had sip before setting it down.
"I guess you're wondering about the cheese." Alistair chuckled. "It's my favorite indulgence."
"We all have our indulgences. While I do enjoy cheese but I happen to have a weakness for sweets."
They ate mostly in silence with the few exceptions of discussing the weather and the fact they both had a cat when they were children.
"You know I never knew my mother and father either. My mother died giving birth to me and Maric sent me to be raised as a ward of Eamon's before I was sent to the chantry."
"Why were you sent to the chantry?"
"Let's just say that Isolde didn't really…care for my presence."
"I met Isolde the other day. I trust you will keep this to yourself but…I really didn't like her very much. I was polite but she is way too pious and a bit nosy. She made me mad when she mentioned Fergus needing to remarry."
"You have something in common with your sister." Alistair laughed. "She did not care for Isolde either and even made her cry. And do not worry, Isolde and I rarely speak."
"But I bet she is the first to drop to her knees when you walk by."
"She is." Alistair chuckled between bites of chicken and potatoes.
"It was delicious Alistair." Madeline pushed her plate aside and drank some more wine.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm hoping we can eventually get over this… awkwardness and eventually become friends. You're bann of Harpers Ford and you will be under your brother helping Highever flourish. We all have to work together to rebuild Ferelden."
"I agree that we all have to come together to help Ferelden recover and I'd also like for us… to become friends. I have found since being king, friends are far more honest than the subjects who tend to stand idly by when I make an utter fool of myself."
"We definitely all have to work together to rebuild Ferelden and I would like to become... friends."
"I'm glad."
"Alistair, since you said you appreciate honesty among your friends, may I speak freely?"
"Of course you can."
"Your beard and mustache….its like you are trying to be someone you are not."
"So you think I should shave them off?"
"You are new to the crown and if you don't mind me saying, it makes you look less approachable."
"Thank you for your honesty. You are actually not the first to say that."
"I hope I did not offend you." Madeline shrunk in her chair.
"You didn't. You are actually right. I need to be more approachable."
"I'm relieved." Madeline let out a sigh. "I can be very blunt. I inherited that trait from my aunt."
"Your sister could be that way at times as well."
Alistair looked at Madeline for awhile before she stood up.
"I should be heading back to the estate. We're going to Castle Highever in a few days where the remains of the...my family are going to be retrieved."
"Is Teagan coming with you?"
"Yes he is. Teagan has become a wonderful friend."
"He is a good man. He is one of the few people I actually trust."
"Zevran and Byron are coming as well."
"So has Zevran been behaving himself?"
"Zevran has become a good friend and a wonderful asset to Harpers Ford."
"That's good to know."
Alistair led her back to hall where Giles was waiting with her cloak.
"It was good to meet you Madeline. I look forward to when we can talk again."
"Likewise Alistair." Madeline shook his hand.
Alistair sighed wistfully as Giles led her outside to the carriage.
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Teagan sat on the bench in the hall and jumped up when the door opened.
"You're back!" Teagan walked over to her.
"I am back and starving. I only took a couple of bites of everything. I was far to nervous to eat."
"Good. I mean… I'm sorry it was so uncomfortable for you. I have a surprise waiting for you in the dining room." Teagan helped her with her cloak and led her into the dining room where she sat down.
Madeline noticed the silver bowl of chocolate sauce sitting next to the cake.
"Orlesian Chocolate sauce!" Madeline immediately helped herself to a slice of cake and poured some sauce over it. "Aunt Lydia always said that chocolate was one of the few worthwhile things the Orlesians introduced us to."
"She was right." Teagan grinned as he poured her a glass of sherry.
He watched Madeline take a bite and smiled when she closed her eyes and sighed.
"This is absolutely delicious."
"I'm happy you like it. So tell me. How was your visit with Alistair?"
"It was awkward but not as nerve wracking as I expected. He's very nice but it was obvious he was nervous talking with me."
"What did you talk about?"
"We talked about his past. We both had cats when we were young. He was happy that Fergus and I are connecting." Madeline took a sip of sherry before taking another bite.
"Was cheese part of your dining experience?"
"Yes it was." Madeline laughed as she helped herself to another slice. "He mentioned cheese was his weakness and I told him sweets were my weakness."
"Did you talk about anything else?" Teagan prayed he did not sound like he way prying.
"He spoke very highly of you when I told him what a wonderful friend you've become."
"He did?" Teagan started to feel guilty at his recent thoughts concerning Alistair.
"I also told him that he should get rid of his beard and mustache."
Teagan nearly dropped his glass. "You told him that?"
"Indeed I did and he was not even offended. I said he looked like he was trying too hard to be something he's not and it doesn't fit him. It would be like seeing you the next morning after you shaved your beard and mustache off. You would not be you without them Teagan and I would seriously throttle you if you did that."
"You would?" Teagan cleared his throat and tried not to look surprised and embarrassed. "You are the first woman who has ever commented that way. I usually get remarks on how I would look younger if I shaved them off. Even Eamon and Isolde have encouraged me to do so."
"Don't you even consider it! You are very handsome Teagan and your beard and mustache give you a nice rugged quality that many of us do find…appealing."
"Thank you Madeline." Teagan grinned. "You have to excuse my shock. I had forgotten what its like to be complimented by a beautiful woman."
"You're welcome." And I don't even remember the last time I was called beautiful."
"Well you are and do not ever doubt that."
Teagan watched a small smile escape onto her lips as she helped herself to another slice.
Keep doing what you're doing to steer Madeline in our direction."
Teagan clenched fist when remembering Eamon's words to him.
"Damn him!" He cursed under his breath.
"Pardon." Madeline looked up from her plate.
"It's nothing. My brother wanted me to do something for him and I don't think… I am going to follow through the way he wants me to."
"Is it something I could help with you?"
"Madeline, just you being here and listening to me is helping enough."
Loghain once called Eamon a silent opportunist and realized he was right. Teagan also came to the realization of all the years he wasted trying to please and serve his brother. Madeline met Alistair. It should be her decision on how her life should go. As he enjoyed dessert with Madeline, Teagan silently vowed to slow down his brother's aspiration to a crawl.
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Alistair stood in his room and looked at his reflection. Dipping the blade in the bowl of hot water he proceeded to shave off his beard.
"Thank you Maker." He wiped the bladed before dipping into the water. "Thank you for giving me this second chance."
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A/N: To my loyal readers. These chapters may eventually rewritten. Some aspects still annoy me, but I hope you enjoy them nevertheless. Thank you for support and all the nice PMs. : - )