I'm back early because of reasons. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The Landsmeet chamber was always so cold, even today when it was hot and full of bann's and arls hoping for guidance from there new king. Each one had at least a dozen or more request and demands—mainly demands. Arl Eamon Guerrin sat next to Alistair, his regent who was teaching him how to rule. The purple sags under his eyes were clearly seen by all. Alistair felt bad for him, but he didn't know what to do to make it up to him, if he could make it up to him.

"Of course Bann Rylan, we can spare fifty of the King's Guard to help rid your lands of the darkspawn stragglers." Eamon grimly said.

You just promised him something that we cannot do Eamon and you know it, Alistair thought, becoming more depressed as Bann Rylan bowed low and smiled. Bann Rylan was new to his post, he took lands from a previous Bann who was killed during the Blight. Tomas told him of numerous new bann's popping up and warned him about trusting any of them. Eamon said the same thing, could Eamon be given him empty promises? Who knew with Eamon?

Time seemed to slow to a complete halt, the suffering of an entire country was laid down in front of him. Alistair couldn't help but feel helpless, powerless to do anything. He wanted to put things right after the Blight, but nothing was like what he had imagined it at all. Tomas agreed with Alistair that he wouldn't make a good king, but only helped put him on the throne to keep Anora from taking it. Eamon told him that the Theirin was the heritage of Fereldan, it was something to fight for and a sign of hope.

He didn't feel like he was inspiring hope in the people, he felt like he was adding to their anguish. He tried to help the elves, but was advised by Eamon against it. "Once we rebuild our strength then we should help the elves. The Bannorn will see this as an act of weakness that you put the lives of elves before their lives." He had said, it was bigotry, the old way of thinking. Alistair befriended elves on his journey with Tomas to help stop the Blight, they were good people and it was wrong what humans did to them. They helped during the Blights when they were not expected to.

In his typical fashion he went behind Eamon's back and made Shianni the first elven bann in Fereldan history it was his hope that she would help the elves, but some of the nobles decided to take matters into their own hands and hinder her efforts to rebuild the alienage. Eamon had actually forbidden him from doing such a stunt again, but the damage was done.

The last of the bann's had left, leaving the common folk with requests. Thankfully there were only three a scrawny man, a stout male dwarf and a timid looking woman with auburn hair. The dwarf step forward—more like pushed forward—and knelled before Alistair who was sitting on the throne on the stone dais.

"Where to begin." The stout dwarf muttered. He was surprisingly beardless, his hair was short and grey and he had thick black eyebrows. His nose was a bloated red ball, from some infection it would seem—that or he had a cold—unlikely. "Ah yes, my arms and armour were stolen last night. It took some digging around and ten sovereigns for bribes but I found the group of stone senseless fools who took them. I wish for justice and the retrieval of my fine goods." He arrogantly barked.

Of course he was a smith, it seems all surface dwarfs were smiths. And these arms and armour were for the army of course. All smiths in the city were smiting night and day to arm the men and women of the army. The kingdom needed that army in case any of the other countries decide to take advantage of Fereldan's weakened state. The primary concern was hostilities from Orlais, despite the Empress' assurances, Alistair and many nobles felt nervous of the prospect of a second Orlesian invasion.

"Can we spare any man power?" Alistair asked Eamon, and braced himself for a cold answer. But to his surprise Eamon replied. "Yes, the city guard are equip enough to take possession of the goods. I will instruct them to follow the dwarf to the men's hideout." Eamon was calm and collected, which was good. It seemed the stress from before was melting away. Good I hope he can come out of this the same man.

Fereldan's economy was exhausted by Loghain's war and Rendon Howe's embezzling. It was slowly recovering, very slowly, all the coin was going into the rebuilding of Denerim. The other nobles were using their own fortunes to rebuild their lands that too was going slow, slower than the rebuilding of the capital. The common folk were looking for work and helping each other—most of the time. But they were growing restless, the kingdom was in disorder and they knew it.

The stout dwarf bowed his head in thanks and quickly shot up, waddling away from the dais. The timid looking girl took a breath and walked forward, she looked well off, and her clothes looked clean and new so she must have had the coin to purchase clothing for meeting royalty. She managed a cute little smile a curtsied. "Your majesty." she began, before fumbling backwards awkwardly. Alistair barely contain a snigger, Eamon turned to face him giving him a look saying. "Be more respectful to your subjects."

Ouch, he's not pulling any punches on his scowls today.

The woman straightened herself and knelt before the dais, she kept her head bowed low. Is she waiting for me to allow her to talk? This was the first time he had encountered someone like this, she, like him didn't know what to do in this situation.

"You may speak. I don't bite…honest." Alistair said, making a face. His words cause the man to laugh a bit and the guards chuckled. Eamon sighed, disapproving of his choice of words. But Alistair couldn't help it, it was who he was and he wasn't going to change because of inheriting the throne. During his time helping to fight against the Blight, Tomas always talked to people and helped them with any problems they had. This influenced him, seeing how successful they were in helping the trouble folk during the Blight.

The woman smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. Her auburn hair was warm to look at it was smooth, great effort went into it by the look of it. She raised her head and looked directly at Alistair with her dark green eyes. Alistair couldn't help but blush a bit.

"Your majesty, I request the crowns aid in building an orphanage in Denerim. The darkspawn incursion has left many children without parents. The Chantry has allowed some to shelter with them, but they are being made to swear oaths and affirm their belief in the Maker." She said, keeping her composure when speaking.

"The Chantry is well within their right to do so." Eamon chimed in. Eamon believed in the Maker, he was cured from a deadly poison by Andraste's ashes making him completely devoting himself to the Maker. Alistair found himself sighing, he had seen the Chantry treated children from the inside, when Eamon shipped him there on Lady Isolde's suggestion. He hated it there, and he could sympathize with the children sent there. He could almost picture the children disobeying the Cleric's commands, vandalizing statutes of Andraste. It made him laugh inside.

The woman glared at Eamon. "That is true but the Chantry should adhere to the laws of the kingdom they operate in—"

"There are no laws to say the Chantry cannot recruit children into the ranks." Eamon interrupted again.

"There should be. The Chantry may have good intentions but they are evil people within their ranks and those in charge abuse their positions, and there excuse is 'it is the Makers will' these children will be conditioned and brainwashed by the Chantry. The boys will grow up as Lyrium addicted Templars while the girls will grow up to be preaching priests in faraway temples." She paused and took a deep breath.

Eamon glared at her he was not a one for religious debates, they wore his patients down too much. Alistair on the other hand felt moved by her speech. He remembered his kind treatment back when he was a child, but times were changing. More rumours came from Kirkwall of the templar order cracking down on mages and non-believers. It didn't help when Kirkwall was technically under the complete control of the Chantry. Alistair believed in the Maker enough, but not enough to go to the Chantry every day and pray, there were something's that Alistair never liked about the Chantry, the way they got all templar's addicted to Lyrium which kept them under their control.

"Your majesty I beg of you. Give these children a choice. The Chantry or a fully staffed orphanage." She bowed her head low.

Eamon turned to face him. "It is your call but we don't have the resources to spare to make one." He said gravely. He felt that Eamon was trying to say. "We can't help all the people. Let the children stay with the Chantry they'll be safe there." He considered for a while and made up his mind. "I can give you an abandoned warehouse, you'll have to fund the rest of the project yourself. The crown regretfully cannot help fund you at the current time, repairs of the land take priority." He said, smiling he thought that he sounded regal and fair. The woman smiled at him and stood up. "Thank you your majesty, I can fund the orphanage myself with help from friends." She bowed low.

Eamon held his face, he obviously didn't approve of this move rebuilding the kingdom was hard, harder than anyone expected. Even united as Fereldan was there was still friction between the many freeholders and nobles. Alistair ignored him and turned his attention back to the young girl who was looking quite excited.

"I hope that in the future that the crown will help the orphanage." She said curtsying.

The man who was standing waiting his turn left with the girl. Alistair felt a bit jealous. The girl left her impression on him, he felt like he was developing a small crush on her. Eamon turned his attention to him, his look was the same he wore when he had other more complicated matters to discuss.

Alistair stood up, his legs were beginning to cramp and his butt was numb from sitting down on the throne for a long period of time. Eamon assured him he'd get used to it, but he wouldn't with the way he was always fidgeted on the throne. Now he prepared himself for whatever the news was.

"Fergus has refused to marry Anora, she has returned to Gwaren." Eamon said dryly. He looked exhausted, he didn't get much sleep again. Despite his best efforts to sleep Eamon continued his work coordinating the various groups of stonemasons and smiths in rebuilding the capital. Some days Alistair believed he was taking advantage of Eamon's position but all in court knew Alistair was inexperienced and so they went to Eamon instead.

The news about Anora panicked him, Anora was a smart political creature who knew more about running a kingdom then both Cailan and Alistair did combined. Without the marriage she would more than likely try to rebel against the throne. So Alistair thought.

"What how could he? What is Anora planning? Is she raising an army? He demanded.

"Calm down lad. She isn't to the best of my knowledge, she is settling into her father's role as heir to his lands. Fergus doesn't want an arranged marriage so he refused. It is his right to of course. He said in his message he'd rather find love again on his own terms. And besides she signed the agreement to not raise and army in front of witnesses and the Grand Cleric. The agreement didn't say she actually had to marry Fergus. If she has betrayed us our allies would act and she knows it." Eamon chuckled. Alistair couldn't help but think that that was Tomas' plan all along.

"Well…I guess we can invite her over and joke about the time she wanted to KILL me over a nice cup of tea." He sarcastically declared.

Eamon sighed. "Well you may have to have tea with her, she will forget about the past. She knew as well as I that her leadership would not be a stable one. She has so few allies after Loghain's scheming."

After the Landsmeet that ended Loghain's short tyrannical reign the nobles seeing what he would do to keep Fereldan safe, were applaud. Even if the nobility were to defeat the Blight without the Grey Wardens, it would have been a temporary victory. Then the country would fall into another civil war that would completely destroy Fereldan. The fact that Anora would not find many political allies for a rebellion against the throne, soothed Alistair.

"Is that all. Can I go now?" Alistair asked, words dripping of boredom. Eamon looked at Alistair and nodded. "Thanks and get some sleep Eamon. The kingdom won't fall into chaos without you." Alistair softly said. Eamon smiled. "I appreciate your concern but I'm fine. But some sleep would do me good."

Alistair exited the Landsmeet chamber, Ser Cauthrien had been waiting for. She was shadowed by two guards. He hadn't seen Ser Cauthrien since she escorted Anora back to Gwaren. She bowed her head to Alistair, he'd never gotten used to seeing her so…loyal. She had tried to kill him before when she tried to stop him and Tomas from ending Loghain's plan a month ago.

"Your majesty." She said.

Alistair never did like being escorted about the palace, no one ever dared to attack and why would they? But he today he had a feeling that he would need his escort. Fereldan was united and from what Alistair had seen of the commoners they were happy that they had a king of the Theirin bloodline on the throne once more. Ser Cauthrien had sworn to guard him from harm, her way of making up for her mistake.

"Ser Cauthrien, you take your work to seriously so please take a day off tomorrow." Alistair offered, but he knew she wouldn't take it.

Judging by the face she had made Cauthrien wasn't going to take it, the two guardsmen behind her walked ahead of her. "You know I can't leave you unguarded your majesty. There is foul rumours of assassins that stalk the capital and it would be prudent to be safe than sorry." She said.

Alistair stood in confusion. Assassins here in the capital what rumours was she listening to now he wondered. She was always tracing rumours that held threats to the king and properly saw that justice was given if proven true, but today, the rumour she had heard had her worried.

There was no arguing with her so Alistair followed her. She smiled.

The palace was nearly empty, a few servants cleaning the floors and guards dotted around important areas. The stone work and carpets looked the same as in Eamon's estate, even the doors. Alistair liked to believe that the same architect that designed all the castles in Fereldan, but after seeing Highever's mighty castle, his belief was shot down.

The blue carpet in the hallway was worn and falling to pieces Alistair had the servants order a new one to be made, something a bit more regal and kingly.

His mind drifted to thoughts of Anora. What was she doing? Would she actually honour the agreement she signed? Eamon seemed to think so, but Eamon thought Cailan would live a full life. Anora was always planning something, she was the true voice for Cailan during his rule and she was still well loved by the people and still despised by the nobility.

Cauthrien shadowed him, he was going to meet with a wealthy merchant with a proposal today. Eamon didn't know about it, he kept the information away from Eamon so that he wouldn't have more stress in his day. Alistair was confident that he could handle one merchant.

To keep Eamon from learning of the meeting, Alistair arranged the meeting to be held in the palace's courtyard. At first he thought it was silly to meet there, but Eamon would be busy writing letters to nobles. Lucky for me Eamon takes everything seriously, I wish he'd listen to me and get some sleep.

The courtyard was empty, save for one man shadowed by two hooded guards. Alistair clearly remembered that the man said he'd come alone. This was suspicious, and it seems Cauthrien thought so to. She eyed the men with suspicion and whispered into one of the royal guard's ear.

It seems he was right about needed his guard today.

"You said you'd come alone king." The man said.

"You said you would too. What changed?" Alistair responded quickly. The man in the centre had introduced himself as Hugo, an Antivan merchant that came to Fereldan before the Blight. He told Alistair he could help boost the kingdom's economy. Alistair at first was doubtful but he thought a little meeting couldn't hurt just to see what kind of plan it was and if it was a scam. Now by the looks of it, it was a trap. I fell for it, Tomas is going to laugh at me.

"You have doomed your men king. You didn't have to bring them here." Hugo said, taking out a dagger from his belt. His guards un-sheathed their swords from their backs.

"Assassins!" Cauthrien yelled, drawing her Summer Sword from its scabbard. "Protect the King!" One of the King Guardsmen ran towards Hugo's men, sword in the air ready to kill. In an instant he fell to the floor a knife in his throat.

When did he?

Cauthrien ran at the man who threw the knife and swung her sword but he nimble dodged the strike and immediately went for a counter attack. Cauthrien was shocked when the man kicked her to the floor. She rolled around and stood up a little wobbly, but that was expected.

Alistair was sick of watching other people protect him. The sword from the fallen guardsmen was still next to the dead man, the other assassin was preoccupied fighting to notice him. Alistair dashed towards the body and grabbed the longsword at quickly dropped into a defensive stance.

Hugo still stood where he was, not moving with a smile on his face. The assassin fighting had already killed the last guardsmen, the guards head rolled towards his feet. Alistair heart sank seeing the man's head. He had talked to the man this morning over breakfast the man didn't deserve death at the hands of an assassin.

The assassin charged at him, hissing as his leaped. The move was similar to the one that Zevran's companion used when he ambushed Alistair and friends during the Blight. With one simple manoeuvre, Alistair ran his blade through the man's chest as he was about to land. Simple. Cauthrien was having a harder time with the other assassin, he was fast and used his speed to wear down Cauthrien's stamina. But Cauthrien wasn't backing down to the surprise of the assassin.

Alistair turned to face Hugo but he was gone. Alistair looked around the courtyard, there was no sign of him. He had vanished into thin air. A loud clank turned Alistair's focus to where Cauthrien was fighting, she was kneeling, a knife in the back of her leg. Hugo was standing metres behind her. The hooded assassin dove at her with both his daggers, but Cauthrien tackled him. Alistair ran towards Hugo and swung at the man, Hugo ducked and dodged as quickly as the other assassin.

Skilled assassins these two were, unlike the one that Alistair had killed before. They were quick on their feet and knew how to fight armoured men. But Alistair was not armoured, he was wearing his royal outfit and now that he remembered that he was going to be extra careful around them.

Cauthrien swung her greatsword again cutting nothing but air, she limped towards her foe ignoring the pain from her leg. Alistair concentrated on Hugo, who was passing his dagger from one hand to the other, mocking Alistair trying to bait him into attacking. But Alistair didn't take the bait, instead Alistair taunted him with a simple gesture of his middle finger.

Hugo face turned from red, from anger, or something else who could say. Alistair moved slowly waiting for Hugo to make his move first. Hugo moved quick but not quick enough, Alistair attacked bringing his steel down and Hugo, Hugo's attempt to block was unsuccessful and he lost his hand because of it. Hugo held the stub where his hand once was, gritting his teeth and cursing through the pain, blood spewed out from between his fingers, he wasn't holding tightly enough.

It seemed Hugo was not used to fighting his opponent one on one, or a trained templar, typical low rate assassin. The other assassin fighting Cauthrien seemed skilled but he was dodging and only attacking when Cauthriens guard was down, even with her guard down it didn't seem to stop her blocking the attacks. The second assassin backed down and drooped his dagger and pleaded for mercy. Cauthrien wasn't listening and sung her greatsword horizontally, bifurcating the poor man.

"You didn't have to kill him Cauthrien. We need information on these men." Alistair yelled, he didn't expect Cauthrien to kill yelled men. She panted, her leg wound paining her greatly as the adrenaline began to fade from her system.

"We already have a captive. We'll just have to make sure he lives from his injuries." Cauthrien pointed out.

"Well…don't tell Eamon that we went behind his back…promise?" Alistair said behind a cheeky smile.

Cauthrien smiled and winched in pain. "Don't worry your majesty…I won't."

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed the first chapter with Alistair as lead role. Please tell me if you thought Eamon, Alistair and Cauthrien were in character or out of character.