Author's Note: This isn't done yet, folks, just setting the stage. ;)

Mentally grumbling that he'd been reduced to doing the work of a bard, Zevran carefully sorted through the documents littering the desk in the dark office. Unfortunately, Leliana was off elsewhere doing her bardic duty for their friend and new king of Ferelden. Only two weeks since the archdemon was brought down and Alistair was already suspicious.

With good cause, the former Crow thought darkly. The templar had learned well from Marlana. Shying away from the pain evoked by that name, he returned to his search. When he found what he was looking for, the assassin wasn't pleased, knowing how much this was going to hurt Alistair, who was already hurting a great deal emotionally.

Yet, he'd made a promise to help Alistair in anyway if something happened to... Her. Zevran intended to keep that promise. Oddly enough, he felt some...distress at what he had to bring to the new king's attention. Rehearsing what he was going to say, Zevran made sure he left no traces of his presence before slipping out the door into the shadows to make his way into another part of the palace.

Listening to the chatter of empty headed girls made Leliana realize that there were actually some things she didn't miss about being a bard in Orlais. Or maybe she'd been spoiled by the conversations she'd had on the road. Like the not entirely harmless, but fun, flirting with Zev, pestering Sten and Morrigan for stories of their respective homes, teasing Alistair about... The thought trailed off as she couldn't indulge in her grief at that moment. Later she'd allow the endless tears to fall.

Finally, she was able to separate from the gaggle of maids to a certain study, cleaning supplies in hand as her unspoken reason for going into the room. Thankfully there wasn't anyone working in there at that moment. She knew that the true owner of the study wouldn't be there, but there was always a chance he'd have a secretary doing some sort of menial task. So under the guise of cleaning, Leliana began a search of the documents on and in the massive, highly polished desk. An hour later she was somewhat perturbed. There wasn't overtly treasonous, but enough pits and pieces that put together painted a trouble picture.

Poor Alistair. Only two weeks since the archdemon was slain, not yet crowned and already dealing with treachery from one he should be able to trust.

As she easily avoided the rest of the maids doing the evening cleaning, not to mention the guards, with the carefully gleaned information, she decided to see if the Chantry would hold off on the expedition for the Ashes for awhile.

Leliana had a promise to a fallen friend to keep.

Even if she hadn't made that promise, Alistair was also a friend and needed all the help he could get.

Sitting at a quietly understated elegant desk in a study that had served the monarchy of Ferelden for generations, Alistair sat reading what had been brought to him. With his normally expressive face devoid of emotion, it was difficult for Zev and Leli to get a read on the big man, something that came as a surprise to both. Normally he was as easy to read as an open book. But ever since the Battle of Denerim, he'd become closed and withdrawn. Leli quietly mourned over the loss of the laughing young man, and to his surprise, so did Zev. He was still charming with moments of sweetness, but the light in his eyes was gone.

Alistair finished skimming through the documents then pinched the bridge of his nose. Leli had been right, they weren't exactly treasonous, but his fledgling authority was being undermined. He never wanted the throne, that was no secret. But he'd come to see it as his duty, then eventually as a chance to do some good for the people of the country. Yet one of the people who was supposed to support him was pulling this crap...

His mind shied away from thinking about the one devious mind he knew would have supported him to the utmost, who he could trust absolutely to have his back. Shoving that pain away, he focused on being grateful for having Leliana and Zevran to be there for him. While he may not have been able to absolutely trust them, in this he knew he had their support.

"Would one of you be so kind as to have someone bring the Arl here? This needs to be dealt with now."

A vicious grin flitted across Zev's features, "It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty."

Shaking his head bemusedly at the assassin's quirks at addressing people, Alistair turned his attention to Leliana in the attempt for some casual talk while waiting for the man he'd rapidly lost any respect for in the last few months.

Eamon Guerrin, Arl of Redcliffe, former foster father to Alistair arrived in a foul mood since he'd been disturbed while meeting with some minor nobility. That was fine by the new king, he was well past foul at that point. He gestured at the seat recently vacated by Leli, the bard had positioned herself to the side of the room. Zev took up a similar place opposite of the lovely redhead, both of them weren't hiding the fact that they were guarding the king.

Ignoring the spasm of sorrow of what had been lost, if he'd ever had it with the Arl, he used what he'd learned in keeping his voice politely frigid, Alistair said, "Have a seat, my lord, we need to talk."

The older man's force contorted angrily before smoothing out, "Look Alistair, I know that you're upset about my suggestion regarding what to do about Marlana, but it's rather late for a situation that nothing can be done about."

Alistair folded his arms across his chest, furious beyond measure. He wondered if the poison and demon had addled the man's wits. Or if the nobleman really thought Alistair was that stupid. Granted he'd gotten very good at playing stupid, but he was smarter than he had originally let on.

"I suppose Loghain was right about a puppeteer, he was just wrong about who wanted to pull the strings", Alistair said grimly, not bothering to hide his anger, "No, my lord, this is about matters you've been keeping from me."

"What are you talking about, Alistair?"

The warrior king surged to his feet, placed his fists on the desk and leaned forward, scowling at the Arl, "Did you think I'm that stupid, Eamon? Did you think I wouldn't notice that I'm not getting all of the reports on the city that I live in? Or the country I'm now in charge of?"

During the tirade, Eamon gradually grew paler and paler.

Not giving the Arl a chance to say anything, Alistair continued, "Well, I'm not as stupid as you think. While I may not have been trained to be king, I can read and have a pair of working ears! When I get reports referring to previous ones, or worse yet, someone asks me about a request I never go, it's worrying. But to see that you've been hiding things that should have been brought to my attention? It can make someone suspicious."

He grabbed up a handful of the parchments that he'd been given, "Then I'm given these and told you've had them all this time. And never told me, not even once!"

"A-Alistair, please, let me ex-"

The king made a cutting gesture with one hand, "No, Arl Eamon, there's nothing that you can say that will help. I think you've been away from Redcliffe too long, your people need their lord."

Eamon looked startled, "I thought I was your chancellor."

"And a chancellor isn't supposed to hide important information from his king!" Alistair roared in anger.

Shoulders slumping, Eamon nodded mutely. It wasn't the first time that they'd had confrontations since the battle that saw the destruction of the archdemon. However, Alistair determined that this would be the last one. One of the things he learned in the past year, it was that sometimes you had to shout down the other person.

More calmly, Alistair continued,"Obviously, you're more than welcome to remain in Denerim for the coronation at the end of the week, but until then I suggest that you may want to rest on your estate."

That was another thing he'd learned. He'd spent enough time with people who were masters of the veiled threat to have picked up some of their tricks. Alistair knew he needed to work on his delivery, but figured this was a good start. The stunned nobleman mumbled something before leaving. Without any prompting on Alistair's part, Leliana slipped out after Eamon to keep an eye on the man.

Alistair slumped back into his chair scrubbing at his face, exhausted now that the adrenaline in his veins started to faded away. Quietly Zev poured them each a glass of Antivan brandy. The palace, being as much of a fortress as anything else, had gotten through the darkspawn invasion better than most of Denerim. It'd been the reports on the city proper, the areas for those not nobles or incredibly rich in particular, that had sparked this final argument.

"Thank you, Zev. And not just for the brandy."

The elf took a sip and savored the quality. He noted with approval that the young man took a small taste before putting the glass down. "You are welcome. Though in truth it was originally due to a promise to... Her."

Scowling, Alistair gritted, "You can still say Lana's name, Zev."

"Perhaps", he shrugged wordlessly. Both were quiet for a moment, then Zev sighed. "She would be proud of how you handled Eamon."

A small, sardonic grin lifted up one corner of Alistair's mouth though his brown eyes remained bleak, "Who do you think I learned it from? She may have claimed to not be a political genius, but I'm pretty sure her father was. And Lana being Lana, listened to him entirely too well."

Then trying to avoid scraping their nerves rawer, Alistair took a sip of his brandy then sighed, "You said something about a promise?"

Not looking up from the snifter that he was gently swirling, the former Crow nodded and spoke quietly, "When... Lana was making her rounds that last night in Redcliffe, she asked a favor of the lovely bardess and myself. That we make a most solemn oath that if something should happen, "Zev paused for a moment to take a longer than usual swallow of brandy, "That we would do what we could to help you as king."

Even on the eve of the greatest battle in their lives that Lana was still looking out for him, and quite likely when he was... with Morrigan, caused Alistair's throat to close as his emotions threatened to boil over. Before he could say anything, Zev kept speaking as he studied his glass, "Yet, I found a most curious thing."

It took another sip of brandy to east that lump away, "And that is?"

"That I wanted to help you even without that ridiculous oath." The elf gave the new king a sly smile, "Somehow you have become a friend of sorts, Templar, and I would not throw you to the wolves as it were. Though since we're in Ferelden, that might be more apt than most places."

"Ha! One of these days we'll get you a mabari pup and we'll see how much you complain about dogs and wolves then."

Zev screwed up his face in mock disgust, "Oh the horrors! You would saddle me with one of those fur covered, slobbering mountains you call dogs?"

Alistair smirked back slightly, then sobered, "Thank you, Zev. Truly. I'll find some way of rewarding you."

For the first time since the archdemon had been killed, Zevran gave voice to his generous laugh, "What? More than the luxurious quarters and princely sum you're paying me?"

The elf's quip earned him a faint chuckle, one that actually warmed the all too dark eyes. Alistair had made arrangements for the companions to have rooms in the palace. Unfortunately, there'd been a gross misunderstanding about Zev's position. Initially he'd been assigned a room in the servants quarters. A situation he'd found highly amusing, but Alistair hadn't. It had been easily rectified, but the assassin couldn't resist teasing the former templar about the incident. They were still negotiating Zev's fee for his services.

In an attempt to step away from painful memories they chatted lightly while they waited for Leli to return. The talk inevitably turned towards court gossip, which proved a source of amusement as the two men took turns parodying various people. As Alistair was topping off their glasses, Teagan's weary voice came unexpectedly at the door, "Please tell me that there's enough for another person."

Recovering from his surprise, Alistair nodded, "Of course, have a seat, my lord." Unlike Eamon recently, Alistair's use of the bann's honorific held warmth and respect. At the use of the honorific, Teagan looked sharply over at his adopted nephew. He said mock sternly, "And I thought I told you to call me by my name, Alistair."

With a hint of his familiar boyish grin, Alistair said, "As you wish...Teagan."

The bann gave him a weary smile as the younger man handed him a snifter of brandy, then gave Zev his refreshed drink before settling back down in his chair. Teagan slugged back half his brandy, causing Alistair to quirk up a brow in surprise and a look of admiration from Zev. "A couple of things actually. First... What did my brother do this time?"

Alistair's mouth compressed into a tight angry line despite himself, "What makes you think that Eamon did anything?"

"Aside from the fact I saw him leaving the palace looking angry and terrified? Just your reaction alone tells me that he got you angry. Again."

Instead of answering right away, Alistair took another slow sip of brandy as he tried to keep calm. He couldn't help but marvel at the irony of the situation, it wasn't so long ago that a certain someone had been in the same position he found himself in now, "He's your brother, I don't want to make this awkward for you."

Teagan was silent for a moment studying his glass, to give the two men privacy for their conversation, Zevran quietly excused himself with, "I think I shall go see what is holding up the lovely Leliana."

Even after Zev's departure, Teagan remained silent for a time. Giving the nobleman time to gather his thoughts, Alistair went back to reviewing the reports he hadn't gotten before, trying not to get angry all over again. Fortunately nothing major had been hidden, but there were parts of the city that needed more assistance than some of the quarters he'd been told about. It wasn't surprising that one of the sections in question was the Alienage, but it saddened him in a way that he couldn't express.

Finally Teagan stirred, "In truth, Alistair, I wonder about my brother. Ever since you and...Lana restored him, he hasn't been himself. Or maybe now he's showing who he truly is. I don't know. Just... in a way I'm glad that you finally had it out with him, Alistair. For your sake, and the sake of Ferelden."

"Well, that makes what I'm about to ask somewhat easier, then", Alistair said dryly.

"Oh? Do tell."

"How would you like to be my chancellor?"

Not expecting that question, Teagan choked slightly as he took a sip of his brandy. The younger man leapt to his feet to go to the other's assistance, but Teagan waved him off. Once he regained his breath, he asked, "That's a bit of an abrupt way to ask someone, isn't it?"

Alistair shook his head, his hair stirring slightly with the movement since he'd started to grow it out a bit, "Not at all. I've been giving it some thought actually. When I'm not busy running the country down even further."

While Teagan frowned, another shake of the king's head kept him quiet, "I know I'm not trained for this. I'd agreed because I thought I'd have... Well, advice that would help from someone I could trust. But that advice isn't available, I need someone else I could trust. There's no hiding the fact I haven't been happy with Eamon for awhile now..." He sighed, "But I thought I could trust him enough to help teach me what I needed to do a decent job of it."

He pinched the bridge of his nose, "But now...I find I can't trust him at all. There are other nobles that have connections as well, who might have the knowledge to help run the country... But some of those same connections are ties that can compromise them."

The bann's sea blue eyes widened in surprise at the political astuteness that Alistair displayed which earned him a wry smile, "Oh, that's not my thoughts at all. I was with Lana when she was rallying support for me at the Landsmeet. I was starting to learn what she'd grown up with."

"I...see."

"So, will you accept?"

"You still haven't told me why you wanted me in particular."

"I told you, I want someone I can trust. And not just trust, but who also knows the nobility and has their respect. You fit all three requirements."

It was Teagan's turn to pinch the bridge of his nose, "You do remember that I try to avoid playing as much politics as possible, right?"

"Yessss... And I seem to remember you being one of the ones who agreed to making me king of all people", was the dry response.

"I suppose you do have a point, Your Majesty", Teagan's eyes twinkling with affection and sudden humor for the young man. Who mock glowered back at the use of the honorific he hated even before he'd agreed to try for the position.

"So, are you going to accept it or not?" Came the somewhat grumpily worded question.

"Well, when you put it so very eloquently..."

Alistair grimaced, "I'm not the eloquent one. Lana was..." He trailed off, caught off guard by the sudden stab of pain. He'd been able to suppress it until now, but it had been building and this was the final straw for his emotions. He mentally kicked himself, after how his life had gone until now, it was stupid to be surprised that he wouldn't be able to keep the one person who made everything worthwhile.

No, he thought savagely to himself as he struggled with his raw emotions under Teagan's sympathetic gaze, there was still some hope left, don't give up now.

Quietly, the bann said, "I accept."

Hating that his voice was hoarse from the still raging emotional storm within, Alistair asked, "Agreeing so easily?"

"I just wanted to be sure you had thought it through. I can see that you did." He hesitated and Alistair gestured for him to continue, "I also wanted to be there for you, because I do see you as my nephew."

Closing his eyes, Alistair had to swallow away the lump that formed at everything that was left unsaid. "Thank you, Teagan."

Zev rushed breathlessly into the room before Teagan could say anything else. The normally imperturbable elf was wide eyed in distress.

"Oh Maker", Alistair groaned, "What now?"

"Fergus Cousland is here."