Chapter 21: The Bard, the King, and the Hero

As was her way, Solona Amell rose early. She slipped out of Sebastian's arms with a quick kiss and slipped on her robe. Her stomach growled slightly, reminding her that she had eaten little yesterday, and to further push home the point, one of the twins kicked her…hard.

She smiled slightly.

Okay…breakfast time.

The Viscountess made her way down to the family dining hall, hoping to catch a quick bite before the summit got truly underway. Much care had been taken to make sure that no misunderstandings started between either the Ferelden or Orlesian entourages.

She had no intention of Kirkwall being the spark that ignited a war between the rival nations.

Solona had also hoped to have a chance to speak with Aedan this morning. The warden was extremely smart and no doubt before too long would hear about Morrigan's brief visit to the keep.

She intended to speak with her old friend about it first, better that he hear it from her then some kitchen maid or guard.

She also hoped to meet with her fellow rulers this morning, one on one. Both Alistair and Celene had no doubt come to this meeting looking to get certain things out of the other. The Viscountess hoped to be able to smooth over any rough edges on those points. Neither ruler would likely get everything they wanted, so trying to open them up to a little compromise before anything got started could not hurt.

Solona had just turned the corner and almost collided with an elven woman hurrying down the hall.

She let out a small squeak and lowered her eyes as she dropped into a quick curtsey.

"My apologies Your Excellency," she said quickly, fear clearly showing in her eyes, "I meant no disrespect Your Excellency!"

Solona smiled.

"It is alright," she said, "I had much on my mind and was not watching where I was going."

The elf relaxed slightly.

Solona took in the elf's face and realized that she was not one of the palace servants. Dark haired with dark eyes and tanned skin, the elf was dressed in finery, and her accent gave away whom it was she served.

"Are you lost?" the Viscountess asked, "The Orlesian delegation is in the north wing.

The woman gave her a chagrinned look.

"I was sent to the kitchens to fetch Her Radiance's breakfast," the elf said with a blush, "I must have gotten turned around on one of the back stairs."

Solona smiled slightly, it made sense. Some of her own servants had made that mistake in the past…

It made sense, but the Orlesians had Keep servants at their disposal, there was no reason for the empress to send this girl.

The elf shifted her feet nervously.

"If I might be so bold Your Excellency," she began, "I…I find what you have done with your elven servants here quite impressive."

"Thank you," Solona replied, "I wish to see Kirkwall moved forward, not spend itself wallowing in the past. The welfare of the elves here are important to me. Quite a few have proven to be skilled merchants and craftsman; there work not only enriches the Alienage, but also advances Kirkwall. Happy citizens are productive citizens."

The elven woman smiled.

"Her Radiance also seeks to see my people's lives enriched," she said, "The Empress would see the empire grow beyond the ideals of the game and the chevaliers."

The elf blushed slightly.

"She is a good woman Your Excellency, as you shall see for yourself."

Solona gave the girl a knowing nod.

She now understood what was going on.

Celene had sent the girl here to try to ingratiate herself with the Viscountess. It was a minor ploy and not unexpected. She was surprised the Alistair had not sent some to her just yet.

Such ploys were to be expected, she knew the game, and how to play it. Her years in Orlais had taught her to recognize a player when she saw one.

The elf clearly knew what she was doing.

Solona was impressed. The girl's responses were so genuine, she likely believed what she had told the Viscountess, but the nervousness, the fear, the blushing, if this was all an act it was an impressive one indeed."

The elf curtseyed again.

"Forgive me Your Excellency," she murmured, "But…but I must bring the Empress her breakfast, it would look badly on me if I failed in so simple a chore."

"Of course," Solona said, "The kitchens are that way, she said pointing, take a left at the old suit of armor, and another left where the walls turn to naked stone."

"Thank you," the elf said, "Thank you again Your Excellency."

"It is no trouble Serah…?"

"Briala, Milady, my name is Briala."

"It is no trouble Briala. Give my regards to Your Mistress."

The elf nodded and hurried away.

Solona paused, watching her go, her mind trying to puzzle out what the girl had been after besides bending her ear a bit.

"She waited a good fifteen minutes for you."

Solona jumped. She spun in time to see Serene step out of a darkened room behind her. The bard was dressed simply this morning, breeches and a black leather vest.

"Do you spend a lot of times in dark rooms?" Solona said with a touch of irritation.

"I do when I'm watching my fellows," she purred softly. She motioned to where Briala had vanished.

Solona's eyes narrowed slightly.

"The girl is a bard?"

Serene nodded.

"She is a clever one. She caught my eye at the party last night. Talking to every servant who she could, gathering every scrap of information she could. Asking about you, your brother, your…"

The elf paused.

"…The rest of your family. Asking about how the servants view you, looking for any weakness, anything her Imperial Majesty might exploit in getting you to aid her in these negotiations."

Solona quirked her lip. She suspected as much.

"She has had some training, she is good too, pays attention to every little detail," Serene added.

"So you are here to protect me?"

Again the bard nodded.

"Varric asked me to spend the night, make sure that nothing happened to you with so many dangerous people staying in the keep."

The Viscountess nodded, as Hand that was part of Varric's job.

The bard gave her a sly smile.

"I spotted her slipping past one of your sentries. I wanted to make sure the girl did not have something more sinister in mind, then simply bending your ear."

Solona winced, had the bard decided to attack her, she was not sure that she could have survived it. It would have looked like an accident of course, a simple slip and fall perhaps…

She would have to remember to thank Varric later for that. As always her friend had proven himself a valuable ally.

Neither of them liked the game all that much, but they could play it when they needed to.

"Give Varric my best," she told the elf, "And let me know if you hear anything…interesting."

"Of course," Serene shrugged, "Have a good day Your Excellency."

The elf vanished down the corridor, likely to make sure that Briala did not get lost again.

The Viscountess shivered.

So much for this being peaceful meeting of mutual rulers, it seemed that the game was alive and well in Kirkwall.

How wonderful.

IOI

She arrived to find the family dining room full.

Bethany sat in her chair spooning porridge into little Carver's mouth, the baby had more on his face than likely in his mouth, but that was the way of such things.

He giggled as Bethany made faces it him, trying to get him to enjoy his breakfast.

Sebastian rose as she entered, he must have woken shortly after her to beat her down here, likely taken the servant's entrance.

Either that or her meeting with Serene and Briala had gone on longer than she suspected.

He kissed her lightly and pulled out her chair for her.

She was also surprised to find Aedan and King Alistair here. Both men smiled as she entered. She nodded respectfully to them.

Well, she had hoped to have a one on one with the King before negotiations started.

Now would be as good a time as any.

"Your Majesty," she said warmly, "How nice of you to join us."

Alistair rose and kissed her hand.

"Viscountess Amell," he said, "It is an honor that you have chosen to host us for this historic meeting."

Solona quirked her lip, and looked at Aedan.

"Did you advise him to say that?"

The warden chuckled.

"She saw right through us Aedan," Alistair laughed.

"I thought she might," the hero of Ferelden said embracing Solona.

"It is good to see you again my friend," he said.

"And you as well," she replied.

"Papa?"

The small voice surprised Solona; she looked down to see a cute little red haired toddler standing behind them.

Aedan smiled down at her.

"Come here Pup," he said warmly, "There is someone I want you to meet."

The girl walked up to Aedan who scooped her up into his arms.

Solona's eyes widened.

"Aedan," she murmured, "Is…is that Eleanor?"

Both Father and daughter bobbed their heads in the affirmative.

"Allo, Madame," Ellie Cousland said.

The Viscountess almost gasped.

"Maker," she said, "She…she is getting so big!"

"I'm Papa's big girl," the child said proudly.

All the adults in the room smiled.

Eleanor Cousland had that effect on people.

"Leliana is busy in Orlais," the warden informed Solona, "Typically, Ellie would stay with her Uncle Fergus when we're out of the country, but…I thought that she might like to see Kirkwall. I want her to get to know the world around her.

The little girl leaned in and kissed her Father's cheek.

"Papa," she purred.

The warden smiled at the show of affection.

He faced the Viscountess.

"Ellie," Aedan said to his daughter, "This is Lady Lona. She has been your Papa's friend for a long time."

The girl regarded the Viscountess, she might have looked like a tiny version of Leliana, but her eyes were all Aedan. She had that same hard gaze.

"I have known your father since before you were born," Solona said to her.

The little girl blinked.

"A long time," the child said with a nod.

Aedan chuckled.

Solona did her best not to giggle.

"I suppose it is." She agreed.

Aedan sat back down, putting Ellie on his lap, as Solona joined them at the table.

The Viscountess regarded the king with a serious look.

"We should speak before negotiations get underway Your Majesty," she suggested, "Being that Kirkwall is hosting this meeting it might be for the best to know what is going on in your fine homeland right now."

"Of course, Your Excellency," he said, "But please, call me Alistair, we are fellow rulers after all, no point on standing on ceremony before an equal."

"That and Alistair does not like being called Your Majesty all the time," Aedan chimed in.

"No one said I had to like it," Alistair sniffed.

"True," the warden agreed, "But it is part of the job, isn't that right pup?"

Again Ellie nodded.

"Uncle Alistair is a king," she said.

The warden turned king laughed.

"Aedan taught her that to annoy me," he said.

The warden gave his friend a saucy grin.

Solona smiled.

The two were definitely brothers in arms if not in blood.

Ellie blinked as she saw Solona trying to get comfortable in her chair.

"Big lady," she murmured.

The Viscountess's eyes widened.

Sebastian and Bethany did their best to keep from laughing. Alistair coughed, trying not to choke on the food in his mouth.

The warden looked shocked.

"Ellie!" Aedan said blushing, "That…that is not nice."

The girl gave her father a questioning look.

She clearly saw nothing wrong with what she had said.

Solona smiled.

"It is okay Aedan," she said, "I'm not offended."

She patted the little girl's hand.

"I'm going to have children soon," she informed the little girl, "I'm about to become a Mama myself."

Ellie's little brow furrowed, Solona could almost imagine the wheels turning inside the little girl's head as she digested that information.

Finally, she nodded.

"Okay then," Ellie said, and went back to her business.

Solona chuckled.

A cute little girl and she was as smart as a whip.

The Viscountess smiled.

Aedan would have his hands full as she grew up.

IOI

Breakfast passed as the Viscountess and her family spoke with their guests.

Alistair admitted that he had come here hoping to reassure his nervous nobles. The Blight had damaged Ferelden greatly, it would likely be decades before certain parts of the country recovered, if ever…

He hoped to convince the empress to keep her nobles in check. Ferelden did not need another war with the empire right now. Their lands tainted, their armies decimated…

Alistair understood the best chance for peace was to convince the empress that Ferelden was more valuable as a trade partner right now then as a province that could be annexed.

Solona remembered her brief encounter with Briala.

Had the elf found some weakness in her? She did not think she had showed any, but knew how cunning Orlesians could be while playing their game.

Whatever happened she would not allow Celene to bully her into getting what she wanted out of Ferelden. She also intended to ask the Empress about the reports of Orlesian nobles offering Daylen chevaliers to aid him in his desire to secure the Free Marches.

She did not intend to insult her guest, but she would not show weakness either.

Showing weakness around the empire would be an invitation for the empire to take matters into their own hands.

She would not allow that.

Eventually, the group broke up; Bethany took Carver back to their chambers to get the boy cleaned up. Alistair returned to his quarters to get dressed and prepared for his meeting with the Empress. Sebastian left to take care of some matters in the chantry that Solona had asked him to, to finalize arrangements for lodgings of the seekers when they arrived to deal with Neria.

That left only Aedan and herself; the girl's governess had come and collected Ellie. It was time for the girl's lessons.

She waved goodbye to her papa as the woman carried her out of the room.

Solona sighed.

The two of them had much to talk about.

IOI

A short time later Aedan stood staring out the window, his eyes troubled, his bearing stiff.

The warden shook his head.

"Morrigan," he sighed.

Solona gave her friend a sympathetic look.

"She sent her regards before she left," she informed him, "But she asked that you remember the promise you made to her, not to come following after her."

He turned his eyes cold and hard.

"You said she had a son with her?"

The Viscountess nodded.

"He…has his mother's eyes," she said, "And his …his father's bearing."

She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should say what she wanted to. She knew the truth, but was not sure that he wanted to admit it to her.

In the end she chose to be truthful.

"You should be proud."

Aedan cursed under his breath, he paced nervously.

"I should not have let her go," he grumbled, "I should not have let them go."

Solona sighed and crossed her arms.

"Would you have been able to stop her?"

He turned and gave her a cold look.

"I…I could have tried."

Solona shook her head.

"And you would have accomplished nothing but make her angry," she said crossing her arms, "She still has great affection for you. You would have jeopardized that by trying to stop her.

Again Aedan cursed, he shook his head.

"This is ridiculous," he growled, "I love Leliana. I married her for Maker's sake! Why…why can't I just…"

The warden's fingers went to his neck, the black ring than hung from a chain there."

The Viscountess gave him a sympathetic look.

"You never forget your first love Aedan," she said, "And yes, I do think you loved her. You said it yourself, she saved you, brought you back from a very dark place in your life."

He clenched his hands in impotent rage. Anger flashed in his eyes, but faded to shame.

"She…she saved me," he hissed, "But I…I…I…"

"I love Leliana," he stated, "I love Ellie. They are my world. Morrigan is…she was…"

"Damn it," he growled.

"Would you like to break something?" the Viscountess offered, "I have a lovely collection of training dummies?"

He gave her a look, seeing the amusement in her face.

Despite the storm inside him, the warden chuckled.

"Maker save me," he said shaking his head.

"You understand don't you?" he asked, "What I feel…what I felt for Morrigan, it has nothing to do with…"

She came up behind him and gave his shoulder a squeeze.

"I understand," she said softly.

He gave her a grateful look.

The Viscountess sighed.

"I felt that you deserved to know," she said, "She was here, and then she left. I did not mean to cause you pain, only to tell you the truth."

He nodded again.

"Did…did she say where she was going next?"

Solons shook her head no.

Aedan sighed.

"No, she would not have."

He turned to leave.

"What will you do now?" she asked.

He paused in the doorway. He took a deep breath.

"I won't openly hunt her," he said, "But…that does not mean that I will not search for her if I hear she has been sighted."

He gave her a chagrinned look.

"I have to know Lona," he said, "I have to see her again. After Fort Drakon…I…I need to see her again. I need…closure. She just left after the battle, she did not even say goodbye."

He sighed.

"I need that goodbye," he admitted, "Perhaps then…then…"

He held the ring Morrigan had given him up to his eyes, he suddenly seemed very weary.

"I need to let go," he said, "Then…then it will be over.

He left; his movements seemed more labored than they had been before.

Solona gave her friend a worried look.

Andraste guide you on this quest Aedan Cousland, she thought.

May you find the closure you seek.