Chapter 35 = = Reunion Part 2 - The Person Pulling the Springs

Emmalynn paled as she turned to see the Arl, but she managed to speak calmly to Aedan. "If you will excuse me, Warden-Commander? I need to go to our encampment and make sure my people are settling in. Do you have any tactical drills you want them to practice?"

Aedan looked to Surana who grinned and answered, "Collaborative area effect spells."

"Storm of the Century?"

"Perfect!" Surana beamed.

Emma squeezed Alistair's hand, then curtsied to Teagan and Eamon and left the room.

Alistair was furious, but a sympathetic look from his father quelled him, and he nodded. Better to stay calm and hope somehow the Arl gets tripped up.

Aedan looked to Teagan. "Is that true?"

"Yes, to a certain point but–"

Eamon interrupted, "The Chantry supported the Orlesian occupation of Ferelden. The Divine inserted herself into temporal matters, again, only this time in Kirkwall. As a favor to Emperor Florian the Divine tried to get her templars to pressure a sitting Viscount to lower taxes, and as you know it all ended in a disaster.

"Maric personally helped bring about the Treaty of Wycome, and in its ratification, the new League of Marcher Nations delivered a rebuke to the chantry for interfering in clearly temporal matters. Cailan also held firm against any increase in the Divine's influence here.

"Elemena would not have done this to the mages if either Maric or Cailan ruled. Warden-Commander, if a Theirin sat on the throne, he would have the best chance to pressure the Grand Cleric to allow the surviving mages to return to the Circle or allowed to be recruited into the Wardens."

Teagan, Alistair, Aedan, and Surana all noticed Eamon's slip. Teagan looked at Alistair, "Son, why don't you go and meet Emmalynn at the encampment."

Alistair caught the look in his father's eyes. "Good idea. Surana, perhaps we can help the mages with the tactical drills?

"Certainly."

Surana bowed to Teagan and Eamon then left the room.

"Father, I'll send word from the encampment. Arl Eamon." He gave the Arl a short bow and followed after Surana.

Aedan shook his head. "By not sending templars in equivalent numbers, the Grand Cleric has violated the treaty with the Wardens. Greagoir said he'd sent her the treaty. She had to have read it?"

Eamon arched an eyebrow. "The treaty specified mages and templars?"

"Yes. I know the treaties are 400 years old, but the language is clear, and the scrolls are quite legible. If you excuse me, I need to find a way to report this."

Aedan bowed as he left.

Once the two brothers were alone, the disgust Teagan felt for his brother's actions was now writ large in his expression and tone. "You weren't here when Aedan read the Grand Cleric's order regarding the disposition of the mages who survive the battle. The only way you'd have known of Elemena's order would be if you learned it from the Grand Cleric, herself."

Eamon couldn't school his expression fast enough, realized it and merely nodded. No hint of regret or remorse was present in his cool gaze.

"What could you possibly hope to accomplish?"

"I had hoped Alistair would forget his infatuation with that mage, but it's clear he hasn't. However, Alistair would readily take the throne to try an protect her from having to return to the circle or–"

Teagan interrupted. "She's been freed. She's no longer under the Chantry's thumb."

Eamon continued from where he was interrupted, "– she can persuade Alistair to take the throne, as he would have a far better chance than Anora in persuading the Grand Cleric to allow the right of conscription or persuade Elemena to modify her orders or help the mages in other ways."

"You are so eager to have Alistair on the throne; I have to wonder if perhaps you want to spend the rest of your life known as Brother Eamon?"

The elder brother gave an elegant, noncommittal shrug.

Teagan shook his head. "The Grand Game. It seems that you have developed a taste for it." He turned and left the room.

~oOOo~

For safety, the entrance to the wing which housed the queen's suite of rooms was closed and guarded by Ser Cauthrien. Leliana was grateful that the Knight was between the Queen and Eamon. She had spoken to Cauthrien at length when she arrived, and the knight had expressed her gratitude for the Queen's rescue.

"Hello, Sister Leliana."

"Ser Cauthrien, I received this note from Erlina." She gave Cauthrien the note. "Her Majesty has requested to speak with me?"

"Yes, Her Majesty told me to expect you and to bring you to her when you arrived."

As they walked to the Queen's suite, Leliana asked, "How is Her majesty feeling?"

"Honestly, the Queen looks better than she has since his Majesty's death."

Cauthrien knocked on the door to the suite; Erlina answered, smiling when she saw Leliana.

Leliana entered the room to see a healthier looking Anora sitting on a sofa. Leliana bowed. "Your Majesty, how may I be of service?"

"You have already been of tremendous service! Please have a seat. Would you like some tea?"

"Thank you, your majesty. Please let me pour." Leliana opened the top of the teapot and pulled the infuser out of the way as if she were merely checking that the tea was adequately steeped. However, she was also looking at the color of the tea and matching it with the aroma of jasmine that wafted up from inside the pot. Satisfied that all was well, she poured a mug for the queen and then for herself.

Anora sipped her tea. "I understand you've been with the Wardens since the beginning?"

Leliana smiled and nodded. "I have had the privilege to help the Warden Commander and Warden Constable in their quest to gather an army to defend Ferelden and fight the Blight."

"I would like to know what has been happening since…well, since Ostagar, including what pot Arl Eamon is stirring. I know it sounds like a lot, but Erlina said that you would have the best grasp on the…nuances and details that a less perceptive person may miss." Anora smiled knowingly.

In other words, Erlina knows I'm a bard and has told the Queen. Leliana nodded her head. "Yes, I suppose I would."

Over the next two hours, Leliana told the Queen about the treaties, about all that she'd seen while fighting at the side of the last three Wardens in Ferelden. She also spoke of the Arl's illness and cure, of Emmalynn and Alistair, of what the Arl did to the couple, and of the current state of affairs regarding the upcoming battle.

During Leliana's recounting, the Queen asked for clarification of some things and asked very perceptive questions about the Arl and the politics behind the treaties.

"Senior Enchanter Wynne has agreed to see me through my pregnancy, but she said she wished Senior Enchanter Amell were here. Senior Enchantor Amell is Emmalynn Amell?"

Leliana smiled. "Yes, they are one and the same. Wynne is correct, Emmalynn is simply an amazing healer, and she is here. She arrived with the mages today. Perhaps I can bring her to you tomorrow so you can meet her?"

"Yes, I would very much like to meet her. Thank you Leliana! I appreciate you taking this time. I feel that I have a much better understanding of all that has happened outside the palace walls." And how right Cailan and Father were in not trusting Eamon.

~oOOo~

Aedan decided the best way to report Elemena's actions would to report it to the Divine. However, he'd spent most of two hours trying to draft the report. He thought about what he should say and shouldn't say. He went through multiple drafts before settling on a final version, opting for being short and too the point.

5th Day of Solace, the 31st year of the Dragon Age
To Her Radiance, The Divine Beatrix III
Grand Cathedral
Val Royeux, Orlais

Your Radiance,

I beg forgiveness in advance for the sharp tone of this report. Time is of the essence ~The Archdemon has risen and commands the Darkspawn Horde, threatening all we hold dear.

As the Warden-Commander of Ferelden, and the one who gathered the armies to fight this Blight, it is my duty to inform you that the Grand Cleric of Ferelden, Her Grace Elemena has violated the treaty between the Chantry and The Grey Wardens by refusing to send templars with the mages.

The wording in the treaty is clear:

The Circles will provide an army of mages and Templars equivalent numbers.

Grand Cleric Elemena has ordered the Knight-Commander to send only mages not templars: The relevant passages of her orders:

I have decided that we will provide the Grey Wardens with mages to the Ferelden Warden-Commander, but not templars. Templars are the Chantry's best and most valuable resource and will remain doing their sworn duties guarding mages in both the Kinloch and the Jainen Circles.

She goes on to say this about mages that survive the battle

Unfortunately, as the mages will fight without templars there is no way to determine if they become maleficarum. Therefore, you will instruct Apprentice First Enchanter Amell that she is to send any mages that survive the battle to the Denerim chantry before she returns to the circle.

I am sending a copy of this report to the First Warden. Please, I urge you to intervene. Either command Grand Cleric Elemena to send Templars or send orders directly to the knight commanders of Kinloch and Jainen. Time is of the essence.

May the Maker be with you.

Aedan Cousland
Warden-Commander, Ferelden

~o~o

"Will the Divine even bother reading it?" A discourage Aedan pushed his chair back and sighed.

Leliana had just entered the room and quickly read the note over his shoulder. "I think I can help. Write out a copy of this note. I will send it to the Revered Mother of the Cloister of Valance. I know her personally, and if I ask, I am sure she will make sure the Divine reads it immediately. Otherwise, it will languish with all of the other correspondence the Divine receives."

Aedan grinned. "Leli have I told you how much I love you."

"Yes, but I never grow tired of hearing it."

He pulled Leliana on his lap. "Maybe I should also show you as well?"

"Perhaps after I send this report, yes?"

"Oh yes."

~oOOo~

Alistair and Surana left the estate and headed for the City Gate. "The Grand-Cleric violated the treaty."

"By not sending templars?" Alistair asked.

Surana nodded. "The treaty required templars and mages in equivalent numbers. For her to violate the treaty, the Arl probably bribed her; he is using M as a pawn, again."

Alistair stopped. "So, Eamon believes I would take the throne to save Emma, or as Emma is now free, that she would persuade me to take the throne to save her fellow mages like she saved Wynne?"

"M wouldn't do that."

"Still, if I were King, perhaps I could convince Elemena to allow conscription of the surviving mages."

Surana looked at Alistair. The ordinarily jovial mage was angry. "Don't you dare do that! M is free, and you can be together. If you take the damn throne –alone or married to Anora– you will shatter M's heart."

"What if Emma asks me to? How can I refuse her?"

"She would never ask that of you, and you damn well know it! If you doubt that…then you don't know M as well as I thought you did. You hurt her and I will make you pay."

Familiar with Surana's periodic outbursts of temper, Alistair wasn't upset with the elven mage. He held up his hands placatingly, "Whoa Surana, it was just a stray thought. I would rather kill myself than hurt Emma. You know that."

Surana took several deep breaths then shook his head. "Sorry, Alistair. I am just so pissed off at the Arl for trying to mess with M again."

"I know. I am almost to the point of asking Morrigan if it's possible to turn Eamon into a toad."

"I know what you mean. Come on, let's go see M."

~oOOo~

Emmalynn briefed Knight-Captain Hadley, as well as her two 'sub-commanders': Senior Enchanters Petra from Kinloch, and Devon from Jainen. Hadley had known about her release and that no other templars were being sent, but not why. After meeting with Emmalynn, he swore under his breath about the Arl as he left to inform the few templars present.

"Elemena sold us out," Devon said flatly. Senior Enchanter Devon was a no-nonsense, powerful elemental mage. Now in his 4th decade, he had come to Jainen when he was four, after freezing solid a row of crops his father had been about to harvest.

Emmalynn nodded. "I fear that I am partially to blame."

Petra shook her head sharply. "No, Emmalynn. The Grand Cleric made the decision. The Grand Cleric gave the order. Even if someone is trying to use you through Elemena, that is not your fault. Our mages will know that."

Devon nodded. "Don't forget that we have a close ally in the Warden-Commander and that is thanks to you, First Enchanter. It's good that you've been released from the Circle. Never made a lick of sense for someone like you to be stuck there. Now, if you'll excuse me, this old man is hittin' the sack. I'll talk to my mages in the morning. Night, First Enchanter."

"Good night, Senior Enchanter Devon."

"Just Devon."

"Just Emmalynn."

"Fair 'nough. Night Emmalynn. Night Petra."

After Devon left, Petra stood and stretched. "I was going to talk to our mages tonight, but if Devon is waiting for tomorrow, then I'll wait, too. I'm glad Hadley told the mages to call you First Enchanter. Apprentice First Enchanter Amell is a mouthful."

The healer rolled her eyes. "It's taken me most of our trip to not look for Irving whenever someone calls me that."

"Emmalynn, we all believe in you. We also don't think you belong in the Circle. You haven't since you were harrowed."

"Thanks Petra."

Petra turned to leave then stopped short. "Uh…Emmalynn? Is that the Ser Alistair you've told me about, walking with… Surana?"

Emmalynn beamed. "Yes, to both."

When the two men arrived, Ali pulled Emmalynn into his arms and Surana gave Petra a big hug.

"You are missed at the Circle, Surana. But I know you're much happier as a Warden."

"I miss you too, Petra."

Emmalynn stammered a bit. "Ah…Petra, please meet Ser Alistair."

Petra grinned. "Very nice to meet you, Ser. Emmalynn, you weren't exaggerating his looks."

Alistair choked, while Emma turned scarlet. "Ali, um…ah…well…I did describe you to Petra."

"M, I think this is where I will take my leave and say hello to some folks." Surana turned and walked away, grinning.

Emmalynn nodded as Petra laughed. "Sorry Emmalynn, you just look so damned cute when you blush."

Alistair was chuckling. "She's right Em. You do."

"Ah…Ali, there are several other people I want you to meet. Fortunately for my dignity, I didn't describe you to anyone other than Petra." It was then that she heard Petra chortle. "Don't tell me you shared what I told you?"

"Okay, I won't tell you."

"Well, so much for my dignity. Let's go, Ali. Good night, Petra. See you later."

Petra took one last look at Alistair. "Oh…I hope so."

"Petra!"

The senior enchanter giggled as she walked towards the mess tent.

"Sorry…I hope you're okay being ogled?"

"I don't mind…but exactly how detailed was your description?"

Emma bit her bottom lip. "Since Rana left, Petra was my only friend at the tower. I thought it would remain between her and me."

Alistair laughed and pulled Emma into a hug. "Emma-love, don't worry. I'll be fine. Embarrassed, but fine."

"Hmm."

After introducing Alistair to the mages from Kinloch, she introduced Alistair to the Jainen enchanter who had been mentoring Conner.

On their way back, Emma looked at Alistair. "Ali?"

"Yeees?" He grinned.

Emma bit her lower lip, then whispered, "Where are you spending the night?"

Alistair put his hands on her hips and pitched his voice for her ears alone. "Wherever you are spending the night. Did you think I would want to spend another night without holding you in my arms?"

Emma grinned. "It just so happens, I was given the command tent all to myself. Do you have a bedroll?"

"I do. Is your tent the one with the blue flag?"

"It is."

"Then I shall set my things in there."

"I'll meet you there shortly. I am going to check with Hadley about the night watch rota." She kissed him then watched him walk away. He is simply beautiful.

"M, stop drooling."

Startled by his sudden reappearance, Emmalynn's hands flew to her mouth. "I am not…Rana, you're evil!"

"Yeah, but you love me anyway."

"That I do." She waved as he wandered away again.

When Emmalynn returned to her tent, she noticed that there was fruit, fresh bread, cheese, ale and apple water waiting. Ali had set up their bedrolls and was now standing by the table, watching her as she entered the tent. "Ali, are you sure this is real?"

He said nothing as he pulled her into his arms and held her against the broad expanse of his chest. She relaxed into the warmth of his body and the steady beat of his heart. This is no desire demon or trick of the Fade. This is my Ali.

They parted at the sound of someone at the tent entrance clearing their throat. "M, Alistair, are you decent?"

Alistair chuckled. He and Surana had become close over the last couple of months and the fondness for his friend colored his expression and tone. "Decent? No. Naked? Not yet."

Emma giggled at Alistair's reply. "Come in Rana."

Surana entered, grinning. "Damn, it is good to see you both together again. Well, I come bearing both messages and questions."

Emma motioned to the chairs set up around the table where dinner was waiting.

"Rana, would you like some?"

"No, thanks. You two eat – especially you, M."

Emmalynn recognized the hidden message in Rana's tone, especially when she coupled that with Wynne's tendency to meddle. Wynne told Rana. I don't want Ali to find out this way; I want to tell him when we're alone.

Alistair looked at Emma. "Wynne did say you needed to eat, and you left the palace before you had a chance. What would you like, Love?"

He is just thinking of Wynne's admonition, thank the Maker.

"Ah, some cheese and a pear, please."

Surana waited until Emmalynn had food in front of her.

She had just bit into a pear when Alistair asked, "So what messages and questions do you bring?"

"First, M, the Queen would like to meet you tomorrow. Wynne suggested that you would be the best person to see Anora through her pregnancy."

Emmalynn was wide-eyed. "The Queen is pregnant?"

"Oh, right, you haven't had time to be brought up to speed on all that's happened since Redcliffe."

"I know you've finished with the treaties, you were in Orzammar for a month, and you have a dwarf named Oghren traveling with you."

She saw Alistair's and Surana's surprise. "Irving received a message from the Arl Leonas Bryland about your stay at South Reach. So, I guess I'll go to Arl Eamon's estate tomorrow and see Her Majesty."

Alistair looked at Emma. "I don't want you to step foot in Eamon's estate without me."

"I promise not to."

Surana continued, "Aedan would like to meet tomorrow morning with our whole group. It needs to be somewhere that is not the Arl's estate. What about your father's estate, Alistair?"

Before Alistair could respond, Emma spoke, "Rana, Ali, maybe you all could meet here? If you met at Bann Teagan's you may unnecessarily widen the rift between the brothers, especially after my rather dramatic return. I don't want to rock the boat this close to the Landsmeet."

Surana looked thoughtful then nodded. "You have a point M. Alistair, what do you think?"

Alistair took Emma's hand' in his and kissed it. "Em's right. Thank you for thinking about that Love. What time does Aedan want to meet?"

"He told me just after Tierce."

"This tent won't be big enough for all ten people, especially given Sten's vast bulk. Give me a moment; I'll talk to my assistant. Be right back."

Emma went to her assistant a mage from Jainen named Alis. "Alis, the Wardens and company need to meet tomorrow, and the mage encampment is the best place, but my tent is too small for ten people. Do you have any suggestions?"

"When is the meeting?

about just after Tierce.

"Use the mess tent. Breakfast will be over." Alis suggested

"Good idea. Could you also set out our Ferelden and Denerim maps in the tent as well?"

"Of course." Alis smiled.

"Thank you, Goodnight Alis."

"Good night Emmalynn."

Emmalynn came back into the tent. "All set. We'll have the meeting in the mess tent."

Surana stood. "I'll tell Aedan. Expect us to begin arriving at the entrance to the encampment about a quarter of a candle after Tierce. It is better we gather there, than letting everyone wander through this labyrinth of tents. Alistair, I'll check in with your dad on my way back."

"Thanks, Surana. You aren't going through the city on your own are you?"

"No, Sten is waiting for me at the entrance to the camp."

Emma smiled at her friend as she followed him to the tent entrance. "See you tomorrow, M, Alistair."

"Night, Surana," Alistair answered.

Emmalynn closed the tent flap and returned to the table, but she didn't sit down. She bit her lip. "Ali, I need to tell you something."

Alistair saw the trepidation in her gaze and stood up. "Tell me. Whatever it is we can deal with it together."

She took one of his hands in hers. Her voice a whisper soft. "Ali...I'm with child."

Alistair' smile was incandescent. "Maker Emma, I've always wanted a family, that I will have one with you is a pearl without price."

Emma was grinning and relieved, gently squeezed his hand and placed it on her lower abdomen. "You can't feel anything yet, but you can hear." Her aura surrounded her and Alistair's hand.

He heard a fast but regular thumping. It was a heartbeat. "Is that…the sound of our baby's heart?" he asked in blissful wonder.

"It is."

AN: Hoping you are enjoying part 2 of the reunion!