A/N: Oh my! Another update so soon? What is this? lol Thanks for reviewing/favoriting/alerting. Fluff, fluff, fluff. Not the bad kind of course. ;3 Oh, I wanted to know if there was anyone reading who would like to know some spoilers. –shifty eyes- I want to get some opinions from the readers about something but if not! I'll just surprise you. Lol We'll see more of Eamon in this chapter. I just heart him so big.
When Two Are One
"If things were perfect, we wouldn't have met."
"Eat."
"I don't want to eat."
"What in the Makers name, woman…Who doesn't want to eat?" He tried to be helpful. He tried to be funny. He tried to make her smile but Alistair had to face the facts, his attempts were futile. He set the plate down as he sat by her bed. Oh, hem hem…correction, their bed. She didn't want to be alone and well, it wasn't the first time they had shared a bed together. Her long dark hair framed her face as she looked at him with those haunting eyes. They were still red brimmed. The poor girl had cried herself to sleep. It was to be expected, Eamon had told him. She had lost her family. Well, it wasn't like he was familiar with that situation. He picked up a piece of cheese and offered it to her. "Please?" He asked. "For me?"
Raina lifted her hand and took the piece away from him. "Why you make me eat cheese is beyond me," she groaned and popped it into her mouth. At least she is eating, Alistair thought. That was what mattered.
"Why, my lady, it's one of the most essentials foods in this world," he told her with a slight scoff at the end. "I can't believe you didn't know that." She reached for her water as she sat up and took several drinks.
"I wouldn't even feed that to Remmy," she said. Alistair just waved her off.
"You're delusional," he told her and then pressed his wrist against her forehead. His eyebrows furrowed together. "Well you don't have a fever," he added and pretended to look puzzled. "Maybe you just took a hard hit on the head without realizing it."
"I'm going to hit you."
"Please don't. I'm fragile, you know."
There. She smiled. Alistair felt satisfaction that he could do that for her. She scooted back to the headboard of the bed, revealing the white cloth of one of his shirts. Such a sneaky little bugger, wasn't she? She glanced toward the window and sighed. "Thank you," she told him and reached out for his hand. He gladly took it and laced his fingers with hers. She patted the spot next to her and he climbed into bed. Alistair moved underneath the blanket and wrapped his arms around her. She curled against him and he craned his neck to watch her close her eyes.
"How do you feel?" He asked. He wanted to kick himself for asking such a stupid question but it was too late.
"Heartbroken," she answered softly, "I can't stop thinking about Oren and my parents." He didn't say a word. "He was so little…what kind of man can strike down a child?" He kissed the top of her head.
"Someone who isn't one at all," was his best response.
"I wanted to drag my mother out of there," she continued, "I knew my father was far too gone. He was right, as I think about it now, he couldn't have made it out of there. She… she stayed to give Fergus and I a chance. I was so angry…so hurt."
"She wanted to give the two of you a chance to live," he offered, "Your parents loved you and died so you and your brother could live." They were good people. He had gathered that much from the time he had spent with them. "They didn't deserve their fate but bad things happen to good people but you know what you can do?"
She looked up at him. "What?" Her voice had taken a barely audible tone. It was heart wrenching but he tried to comfort her to the best of his ability.
"Honor their name by living," he replied, "Honor them by fulfilling their wishes." She nodded and he watched as her eyes started to water again. Maker, this is torture, he thought. A single tear rolled down her cheek and he lifted a finger to wipe it away. "There, there love."
"You won't ever leave me, will you?"
"Never," he replied, "I promise."
She gave him a small smile again before she drifted to sleep. No one should have to go through what she did. Alistair made a pact to himself that he would help her find the justice…and the closure that she needed even if he had to beg Cailan himself to help her do so. Some time went by, he wasn't sure how long… he was never good at keeping track of those kind of things. A soft knock echoed in the room. He moved to see who it was. He tried to delicately remove himself from Raina's side. She let out a whimper of protest but he cooed her back to sleep by brushing some hair off of her face. He brushed his lips against her cheek and whispered a promise of return. He went to the door and opened it to find one of the maids. He gave her a questioning look and she held up some dresses in her arms.
"Lady Isolde wishes to give Lady Raina some dresses until she is able to purchase clothes again," the elf told him. She would. Alistair sighed.
"Tell the Arlessa that the gesture is appreciated and I will show them to my lady," he tried to remain civil, "Her charity is too kind." The chambermaid's eyes widened. "No, no I didn't mean it like that," he tried to reassure her but of course he did. Raina didn't need Isolde's pity. He, for one, knew how far her pity went. "What is your name again?"
"Nigella, ser," she replied. Alistair gave her a small smile.
"Thank you Nigella." She bowed and left him. Alistair closed the door and laid the dresses out on the vanity for Raina to look over. He glanced back at her. She was still sound asleep. Good. She had constantly woken up during the night, screaming. So badly, in fact, that Zevran had barged in a few times. He had everything under control. At least that was what he liked to tell him.
Alistair crossed his arms in front of him and sighed. What a mess. "Who was that?" He turned to see an awake Raina staring at him.
"A chambermaid has brought a few dresses from Lady Isolde," he told her. Her eyebrows creased together.
"Do I look like the type of girl to where Orlesian threads?" She asked. Alistair couldn't help but laugh as he made his way back to her. He sat on the bed again and kissed her. If he could describe the feeling he got, he would put Orlesian bards to shame.
"No," he replied, "I think that's what I like best about you." Raina looked like she wanted to say something but the familiar sound of horns blared. They had guests. He held up a finger to tell her to hold on a moment as he moved to the window. "We have visitors."
She sat up slowly and didn't try to hide the fear. "Can you see who it is?" Alistair shook his head. The room they stayed in overlooked the courtyard by the gates. He saw Teagan and Eamon walk out to greet the men, but not without a few guards of their own. He couldn't help but feel like he should be out there with them as well. He heard Raina get up from the bed. As the men drew closer into view, he couldn't help but want to shield her from looking. He could hear Eamon speaking but he couldn't make out the words that were said. What was next was by far a different matter.
"You are harboring traitors and fugitives under the law of Teyrn Loghain in conspiracy against King Cailan!" One of the men boomed, "As the royal regent, it is his duty to capture those who go against the crown."
"And what are the charges?" Eamon asked.
"Murder, conspiracies to the death threats of King Cailan and against the new Teyrn of Highever, and treason," the same man continued.
"Maker's Breath he works fast," Alistair mutters.
"The lies!" Raina practically screeched. He turned around and placed a hand over her mouth.
"Now is not the time," he warned her, "I know you want revenge but we must do this the proper way. If they know you're here then they will barge up to this room and I for one do not wish to see you in Fort Drakon." She nodded. Good. They both looked out of the window. Well, mostly it was Alistair with Raina at his backside as she tried to peer over his shoulder.
"Well," Eamon said in the courtyard and his voice carried, "We harbor no one of that description, gentleman. Now, gentlemen, if you don't mind please leave my arling or I will have you escorted out."
They couldn't hear what the man said but it was enough for them to leave the castle. Eamon had a few guards follow them. Alistair was glad that Raina had known that Redcliffe was a safe choice for her to go but it was a matter of time before she would run out of time. She needed to plead her case to Cailan. She needed the nobles to hear what had been done, and she needed Rendon Howe to die. She would mourn for her parents and then honor their memory. Alistair would be by her side every step. "I suppose I knew they were going to catch up eventually," she said. She touched his arm and had his attention. "I'll have to speak with Eamon." He watched as she headed to the door and laughed.
"Are you going to show up in his study flaunting your naughty bits?" He asked. Raina paused. Thought so. She shot him a glare and picked out a red and black dress that had been in the pile Isolde had offered.
"Not that you would mind," he heard her mutter, "Privacy, please?"
"I thought we were part that part, my dear lady."
"Don't push your luck," she said with a smile, "It might run out one day."
"With my wit and charm? Fat chance, love." He turned away as she peeled off his shirt and put the dress on. Yes, he could still try to be a gentleman.
Raina was still exhausted but she knew there was no rest for the wicked, so there would be no rest for her. She was plagued by dreams of her nephew, of her father… and her imagination had liked to run wild and she had dreamed of what happened after she left. She ran a hand through her dark hair, which curled in wild directions. Was it too much to ask for to be presentable when speaking to the Arl? Oh how her mother would have had her head. Raina's heart stung at the thought. "Stop fidgeting," Alistair said, "You're worse than me."
"How do I look?" She asked and he laughed at her. Her eyes narrowed slightly. Maybe she was more of her mothers' daughter than she had originally thought.
"You look ravishing," he replied.
"Flatterer."
"I try my best," he said before he opened the door to the Arl's study. Eamon looked up and smiled at the two.
"Ah," he said, "Come in." He gestured for the two to take a seat. Raina did but Alistair chose to stand. "I see you receive Isolde's offer. She'll be glad to see you in the dresses. You do look lovely, my dear."
Raina smiled at him. "Thank you." He simply nodded.
"Tea?"
"I'd love some," she began. Eamon looked at Alistair.
"Alistair, my boy, could you call one of the servants to bring some?" He asked. She turned her head to see him nod his head and disappear out the door. She wished that he hadn't done that but she trusted the Arl. "I suppose that you know of our visitors who have just left?"
Raina nodded. "Yes, ser" she replied, "Zevran knew we were being followed since we left."
"Please, no need for formality," Eamon said with a smile, "Zevran? Ah, yes. He has been rather helpful. He told me of what your father did for him and why he should not be a worry." He seemed to hesitate for a moment. "It saddens me to think about what happened to your parents. They were good people."
"Thank you."
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling like people should stop asking," she replied honestly. Eamon let out another laugh.
"Ah, my girl," he started, "You remind me so much of your father." She took that as a compliment. Alistair returned and positioned himself behind her as one of the castle servants came in to pour them tea. "Sugar?" Eamon asked and she declined. She brought the small cup of tea to her lips and sipped lightly. "But I am glad you came here."
"I didn't know where else to go," she told him and looked up at Alistair. He placed a hand on her shoulder and offered a comforting smile. She looked back at Eamon. "I…I couldn't go to Denerim alone," she continued, "My family has been branded traitors. Howe made quick motion to move into my family's castle. I feel like half of the nobility is already on his side."
"So you've come to me for help," Eamon stated.
Raina nodded. "You and Teagan are influential thanks to your ties to the crown," she said, "I'm not trying to exploit your hospitality but my word and my brothers won't matter. It was my father they respected. They respect you and will listen if I had your backing."
Sadness had graced his features. She noticed how time seemed to wear on him and she felt like she was taking advantage. Guilt had ridden her but he smiled again and her feelings had been put on hold. "You don't have to ask to have my support," he told her, "You've had it for awhile." He looked past her to Alistair. She raised a hand and put it over his that rested on her shoulder. "Your bodyguard, Zevran," he continued. Oh, was that what he was telling them? Thanks for telling me, she thought. "He has given me something that I think will prove Howe's men there." She wondered what it was. "He says that a healer helped your brother. The mage can attest to the damage of Fergus's wounds. The two of yours testimony will also be sufficient enough because you both are familiar with most of the nobles. We will have to ask the Lay Sister you spoke of to come as well. The Chantry will be in your favor as well then. With approval, you will be able to duel Howe."
"I plan to kill him." Her honesty had seemed to catch Eamon off guard.
"Of that, I have no doubt. You will have challenges if you are to be your brothers' champion, as he is the eldest, it is his rite to carry out," he told her, "but with his wounds, and the healer to attest to that, I see no problem."
"Then it is to be done?" Alistair asked. Raina sipped from her tea again. Revenge was never pretty but it was a necessary thing for her. The Maker would understand.
"Yes, my boy," he replied, "I will send word to the other nobility. In a weeks' time, we will have our landsmeet." She set down the cup that had been cradled in her hands.
"Thank you again," she said, "I will find a way to repay you."
"Be good to Alistair, that is all I ask."