A/N: I want to thank everyone who is reading, favoring, and alerting this story.

I also want to extend my appreciation to Apollo Wings, Lady Cougar-Trombone, Mike3207, MB18932, 'V-rcingetorix', KnightOfHolyLight, JordanMathias, TSCSupremeCommander, Chrismasters, undergroundirector, najex, DarkquillMaster, Janizary, thepkrmgc (20), Trojan20, Mohr, bigblue2289, and xZarkko for taking the time to review. It means a lot to me. Your incredible support keeps me and this story going.

War of the Laurels

By Spectre4hire

21: Anora

There is no shame in falling down, but there is shame in not getting back up.

These were the words that Eleanor Cousland had often told Anora during her stay in Highever when the future Queen of Ferelden learned about politics under the most astute teacher Ferelden could offer, the Teyrna of Highever. During times of turbulence, she was Anora's rock. In times of doubt, she was Anora's confidante. In times of need, she was her mentor.

Sadly, now Eleanor Cousland was gone.

This isn't over.

Anora reminded herself. She had taken her lumps these past few weeks, but she wasn't going to quit. She was the Queen of Ferelden. She wasn't going to allow anyone to take away what she had built and sacrificed these past few years. The people, her people were looking to her to lead them through these trying times. She wasn't going to shirk her duty or pass on her responsibilities onto someone else.

No, it was up to her to end this fighting.

Ferelden was tearing itself apart. Anora understood what needed to be done. This civil war needed to end promptly so that Ferelden could face the darkspawn under a unified banner, her banner. She wasn't looking to victory on the battlefield to offer a quick conclusion to this civil war. It was something else.

No, she corrected herself. It was someone else: Howe.

The self proclaimed Teyrn of Highever and Arl of Denerim was the catalyst of this civil war and the focal grievance of Edmund Cousland and his rebel supporters. With Howe deposed, order could be restored.

It would be no simple feat. Howe had entrenched himself in the Coastlands and ingratiated himself with her father who as Regent commanded the Royal Armies. Anora was queen, but her power she hated to say had been weakened with the death of her husband coupled with her father taking up the mantle as Regent and Lord Protector of Ferelden.

That didn't matter to Anora, she preferred a challenge.

What did bother Anora was this idea that she now seemed incapable of ruling Ferelden without a man present. It was an insult. She could only rule as Queen because she had Cailan as King, and even now she could only rule because her father was the Regent. It was a frustrating struggle. It was a poorly conceived notion and one that she hoped to remove.

Women make up half of the population and deserve the same respect and responsibility that goes with ruling over them that the men are seemingly given.

This was just another one of the teachings that Eleanor had often recited during their time again. In Highever it was properly practiced. The Teyrna held the same power and influence as the Teyrn. Many within the Teyrnir sought Eleanor out to solve their grievances. She was beloved and respected. Her death would certainly leave a void in the Teyrnir that could not be easily filled.

What could help with the mending process though was seeing that justice be given to the one responsible for carrying out such an atrocity. Howe was nearly untouchable with the power of his armies, and the prestige of his titles, but he was hardly invincible. It just required the right approach.

Anora believed she had found the right approach.

"Your Majesty?"

"Yes?" She turned to see her loyal seneschal standing in front of her. Luwin was quick to cross his arms and bow. "What news, Luwin?"

"We have some leads," he answered, making his way over to the seat across from hers.

"Let's hear them," she watched the seneschal shuffle through the various pieces of vellums he had been carrying.

"One of our agents reports that Howe's lover is still in Denerim."

"His lover?"

"Yes, Lady Sophie," Luwin informed her. "It is believed he is using Lady Sophie's connections of her native country Rivain to exploit trading goods, and pocketing a portion of these goods and a good deal of coin."

Anora leaned back in her seat. This information was good, highlighting Howe's unsavory nature, but it wasn't enough to loosen Howe's control or erode his support. This sort of thing was sadly rampant, and seen as a minor crime by some of the nobility. Many of the nobles used their wealth and power to make similar deals with trading partners throughout Thedas. It was worth keeping an eye on, but it wasn't enough to bring Howe's reign to an end.

"Is there anything else?"

"There is another promising lead," Luwin pulled out one of the pages of vellum, before hesitating. "But, we still do not have the proper proof."

"What is it?" She found her interest piqued at seeing her seneschal's concerned expression.

"The Court's Treasurer found an oddity in his recent report," Luwin began, "He was going over the Court's finances and discovered that there is a discrepancy."

"What sort of discrepancy?" Anora didn't like the sound of this one bit.

"The city's treasury is many silver bars short from last month's account. There is no explanation. It's as if they disappeared from the vaults."

"They didn't disappear," Anora dismissed that notion. "They were stolen. Someone is stealing from the Crown." The revelation caused a cold fury to form within her. This was an offense punishable by death.

"Who is responsible?" She demanded.

"We don't have any strong leads," Luwin bowed his head, sensing his failure for not having any reliable evidence. "But the disappearing of the silver bars lines up with Howe's arrival to the city."

It could be a coincidence, the pragmatic part of her mind pointed out. She couldn't allow her feelings for the man cloud her judgment, if she moved against Howe and it turned out he wasn't responsible she would be made the fool. No, she had to play this carefully. She needed proof. If this was indeed Howe then this would be enough to strip Howe of his power.

"I want more loyal men guarding these vaults at all hours," Anora continued, "We can't afford to lose anymore with the darkspawn threat looming." She understood that those precious silver bars would be important in buying grain from the Free Marches to help feed the growing mass of refugees while also lessening the burden Ferelden was sure to face if the darkspawn threat spread.

"I will see to it personally, Your Majesty," Luwin crisply replied.

"Finding out who is responsible is our top priority," Anora had a strong suspicion it was Howe, but she needed irrefutable evidence. If it was Howe she wanted that evidence sooner rather than later. The sooner they could get it, the sooner they could remove Howe and bring an end to this civil war.

Thud

Anora lowered her bow, admiring the accuracy from her last shot. The arrow hit its mark slightly left of dead center. She plucked another arrow out of her quiver.

The bow she was using had been a gift from Empress Celene two years back. It was beautifully designed out of dragonthorn, the limbs of the bow bore finely crafted carvings of brambles and amidst those brambles there rested a solitary rose.

She was also equipped with a simple, but elegantly crafted silverite breastplate that bore the Royal Sigil of Ferelden. Her hair was properly braided so as not to interfere with her aim. She wore a simple vambrace with the Gwaren sigil imprinted on her bow arm. She also wore a glove to protect her fingers from being stung. The glove had been a gift from Bann Alfstanna of Waking Sea last year.

This was her sanctuary. Archery allowed her to properly vent her emotions in a controlled environment. Anora understood that appearances mattered. Here, she could still look regal and dignified in a manner that was expected from the Queen of Ferelden.

When she was young she was instructed in the basics of swordplay and archery. But it wasn't until her time in Highever, however that she learned to truly appreciate archery. Under the tutelage of the Teyrna, Anora quickly learned to love it. She had many fond memories of Eleanor teaching her archery in the gardens outside Cousland Castle.

Archery was a great escape for her. This was where she thrived. It was a skill that was earned never given. It took practice and dedication to master archery. Wealth and blood status couldn't get you ahead, only those willing to work hard advanced. That was one of the reasons why she loved archery. It also had a way of helping her relax. It didn't dull her senses or lull her skills it honed them. She needed to stay focused if she wanted to hit her target. A mindset she carried beyond archery.

In one fluid motion she raised and drew the bow. Anora could still hear Eleanor's soft voice whispering encouragement and coaching her on the proper form. It had been the Cousland Matriarch that had showed Anora that many of the skills you need to properly govern are those that can be found in archery such as concentration and patience.

She aimed, focusing all of her effort and attention on the center of the target. Blocking out all distractions, until all she could see was the target in front of her. She released the arrow and watched it soar through the air before hitting its target-dead center.

Anora allowed herself a small smile. It was always a satisfying sight to see one of her arrows hit the center. She relished that feeling: The sense of accomplishment. It was an infectious feeling whether she got it in archery or in Court. It helped drive her.

"Your Majesty?"

The voice of her Seneschal turned her attention away from her target. "Yes, Luwin?" She waved him over noticing his hesitance to get closer in fear of distracting her.

"Has there been any news of the battle?" The last report they had gotten had been of her father's plans to meet the rebels at a little spot known as Eastern Crossings. That report was a few days old, and she expected news of the battle to reach the capital any day.

"None, your Majesty."

Anora wasn't sure what she should feel when the outcome of the battle was finally revealed. She expected a victory for her father's forces. He was considered a fine tactician who had proved his grasp of tactics during the Rebellion against Orlais. Despite the setbacks at Ostagar, her faith in her father's ability was still strong. Yet, the thought of hearing news of such a victory didn't brighten her mood.

"What about in our other matter?" She asked discreetly. It had been almost a week since she tasked Luwin with the investigation of trying to find out who was stealing from the crown's vaults.

"No clear sign of his involvement," Luwin frowned, "But I have a feeling in my gut he's the one responsible."

"I do too," she agreed softly, watching a servant remove her arrow from the target before giving the all clear signal for her to proceed to shoot another arrow if she chose. "However, we need evidence." She plucked an arrow from the quiver.

"I know, your Majesty," Luwin ducked his head. "I am sorry."

"You've done nothing wrong," She wanted to soothe any concerns that her loyal seneschal might be having. "I could not ask for a better adviser."

The words had the desired effect. Luwin straightened up immediately, his chest puffing slightly at the praise. "Thank you, Your Majesty,"

She turned away to hide her smile. "Those silver bars must still be in the city." She placed the shaft of the arrow on the arrow rest. "We need to find them before they're smuggled out."

"We will, your Majesty," Luwin vowed. "I have a contact within the city."

"A contact?" Anora could tell by Luwin's tone that this wasn't one of their agents.

"Yes," he shifted his feet, "He's a thief and a criminal, but has an ear to this city better than any one of our agents."

"Is he reliable?" At this point, she was more inclined to get the evidence against Howe then worry about where it came from. Her first priority was removing Howe from power. That was more important to her, and if she had to get her hands dirty to do it, then so be it.

"For the right price," Luwin answered delicately.

"Do you trust him?"

"In this matter?" Luwin replied, "Yes, I think he can help us."

"Do it," Anora ordered. She trusted Luwin's judgment. If he believed this contact could find those bars and the evidence of who took them then so did Anora.

"I'll reach out to him tonight."

"Good," She raised and drew the bow. The movement was fluid and automatic. It was ingrained into her mind from the countless times before. Focusing on her target, and pushing out all distractions, she let the arrow loose.

"Nice shot, your Majesty," praised Luwin when the arrow hit the target with a thud.

It was dead center. "Thank you." She was pleased with herself at how her last two shots had hit the mark.

"Your Majesty?" Erlina, Anora's handmaiden approached coming from the Royal Palace's direction. "Lord Wulff is here."

"Excellent," Anora stood still as two servants carefully removed her breastplate. "See him to my parlor."

Erlina curtseyed before departing.

"Are you sure about this, your Majesty?" There was a hint of trepidation in the Seneschal's voice.

"This is a means to end the civil war," She handed her bow to one of the servants.

"I know," Luwin looked uncertain, "but if your father or Howe finds out…"

"I am the Queen," she reminded him. She pulled off her vambrace and removed her glove and handed them to the waiting servants.

"Of course, your Majesty," Luwin hastily bowed. "I meant no offense."

"None was given," she assured him. "I want you at the meeting with Lord Wulff."

"I'll go get the document then." Luwin bowed before leaving.

"Your Majesty," Lord Wulff immediately stood up from his seat at Anora's presence. Bowing low, "For what do I owe this honor?"

"Lord Wulff," she replied cordially. Taking in the Arl's appearance, he was a towering man of massive size. He was dressed in simple finery, the sigil of West Hills emblazoned on his chest: a bull's head. His long gray hair had been put in a simple ponytail, his graying beard was disheveled. She noticed dark rings under his piercing dark eyes. The loss of his two eldest sons had greatly impacted the Arl of West Hills.

"Please sit," she gestured back to the seat the Arl had been sitting.

He nodded his thanks before sitting back down.

"Firstly let me say how deeply sorry I am to hear of the passing of your two sons," Anora said softly, "I know my words are hardly any balm to soothe the excruciating pain you must be feeling."

"Thank you, your Majesty," Lord Wulff replied his voice betraying the anguish he was still feeling. The wound was still very fresh and raw.

She had respectfully given him her most sincere condolences with the loss of his two sons, but Anora understood that it wasn't wise to remain on this sensitive topic. She didn't want it to fog his judgment. She needed him focused. She couldn't afford him to be distracted if he was going to help her end this civil war. The Arl of West Hills was an important and influential figure throughout western Ferelden. He was a reasonable and respected voice throughout the Bannorn, a reputation she planned on leaning on to try to cease the fighting.

"This city is hurting," Lord Wulff said gravely, "Denerim is filled with the sobs of wives who've lost husbands, orphans cries go unanswered, while refugees continue to pour into the city every day."

"These are dire times," Anora agreed, encouraged by the Arl's words. He understood the problems facing Ferelden and seemed moved to want to solve them.

"Aye, your Majesty," he bowed his head.

"Your Majesty," Luwin arrived, carrying the enclosed envelope that Anora had requested. The Seneschal bowed to her before saying a few comforting words to Gallagher who took them with a nod of thanks. Luwin then took his seat in a chair next to Lord Wulff's.

Erlina then appeared from a side door carrying a tray with glasses of wine. Her handmaiden silently dispersed the glasses to Anora and then to her guests before disappearing once more through the side door.

"Ferelden needs you, Gallagher." Anora informed him bluntly.

"I'm at your service," he said, after taking a small sip of wine from his glass.

"And I appreciate it," Anora replied sincerely, "As you know this civil war must end if Ferelden has any hope of stopping the darkspawn."

"Indeed," he nodded, his expression softened, "But what happened to the Couslands is a travesty."

I will not fail them, Anora vowed silently. "It is," she agreed, "and that is why I'm appointing you my personal envoy. I want you to go to Edmund Cousland and treat with him in hopes of coming to peaceful terms that will end this civil war."

Lord Wulff didn't seem surprised by this. The Arl of West Hills leaned back in his seat, looking pensive. "I'm not sure Edmund will be open to talking peace terms with you your Majesty, as long as your father is allied with Lord Howe," he pointed out respectfully. "He believes Lord Howe is personally responsible for the death of his family."

Anora turned to Luwin, giving the seneschal a small nod. Luwin handed over the enclosed envelope to a confused Lord Wulff. "I believe this will prove my sincerity."

The confused expression remained on Gallagher's face as he examined the envelope.

"You may open it, Lord Wulff."

He did, tentatively, pulling out a crisp piece of vellum before silently reading the document. His eyes betrayed his surprise, his mouth opened slightly as he continued to read. It was clear he wasn't expecting this bold move on Anora's part. When he finished reading, his dark eyes moved up from the vellum to Anora. "Your Majesty, is your father aware of this ruling?"

"He is not," Anora brushed aside the Arl's concern. "My father is the regent and the commander of Ferelden's armies. I am the Queen and responsible for dispensing justice amongst my people."

"Of course," Gallagher replied, slipping the document back into the envelope. "I will leave for Loren's estate first thing in the morning." He paused, "if that is agreeable with you?"

"It is," Anora decided, "I cannot stress enough the importance of the document you are carrying."

"I understand," The Arl of West Hills was looking at the envelope as if it was a precious jewel. "This could most certainly end the civil war."

"It will," Anora corrected him. She was sure of it.

A/N:

I hope I didn't totally botch the archery aspect of this chapter. I liked the idea of Anora being a skilled archer and learning under Eleanor. I thought it was important to show another side of Anora. I hope you liked it too.

This chapter was important to convey that Anora isn't just going to sit idly by and allow her father and Howe to continue to run things. She will be active in trying to end this civil war and unite Ferelden under her rule to face the darkspawn. Loghain has his ways and Anora has hers and this chapter was a way to highlight Anora's means and determination to end this civil war.

Until next time,

-Spectre4hire