A/N: I want to thank everyone who is reading, favoring, and alerting this story.
I also want to extend my appreciation to jaffa3, thepkrmgc, Lady Cougar-Trombone, 5 Coloured Walker, The Invisible Pretender, KnightOfHolyLight, Maryz Fayner, Janizary, Lethal Dragon, 'guest,' gta manic, DarkquillMaster, mille libri, V-rcingetorix, Axular, Ioialoha, Pengueng, Serithus, and ArtimuosJackson 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
38: The Seneschal
"Long live the Queen!"
"Maker bless you Queen Anora!"
Seneschal Luwin smiled down on the pleased and proud onlookers who mingled in front of the royal gates. Their cheers and voices greeted the Queen and her retinue as they left the Royal Palace. Knights dressed in shimmering armor rode on proud, Fereldan Forders that were equally well garbed. The Queen rode in a stylish, but not excessively garnished wheelhouse as it rumbled behind the Queen's riders and in front of her garrison of royal soldiers who marched in sync.
Banners of Gwaren and the royal Theirin seal flapped in the breeze, wyvern and mabari looking proud and fierce as they slowly moved through the street and out of sight from where Luwin stood on the small balcony of his chambers.
When the last banner of mabari and wyvern dipped out of sight, Luwin allowed himself to look away. With the sun shining through, clear, blue sky, it was almost easy to forget about the troubles that were plaguing Ferelden not just outside this city, but within.
Seneschal Luwin did not have that luxury.
He looked out to see the bustling denizens of Denerim who moved through the streets, shopping and talking and going about their lives. He moved to go inside when he noticed a small crowd still remained outside the royal gates chatting excitably and amicably at getting a glimpse of their beloved Queen.
The people loved their Queen, he thought proudly, closing the doors behind him as he made way his inside. Even now with so much unrest churning and building within the capital as refugees from darkspawn and the civil war continue to pack into the city; their Queen was still highly regarded, still loved in their hearts.
A relief to him, but he was not fooled into thinking it would last forever. The people who had their homes destroyed, who lost loved ones were filled with grief and rage. They needed someone or something to lash out at, or that rage or grief would consume them.
Thankfully, for Luwin that target had been Howe, and not the Queen. It was the new Arl of Denerim who was being eviscerated by the street performers, the bards, and the gossip as it swirled within the capital painting Howe as the reason for so much discontent amongst the populace and the troubles within the kingdom.
For now the people were still devoted to her. They loved her. While the commoners were always quick to serenade her with their affection since she had become their Queen. The nobility of Ferelden had always been quicker to dismiss and turn their noses up at her.
The reason why the people loved her was the very reason why the nobility couldn't stand her: her humble beginnings. . Her father had been raised from nothing and given lands and titles due to his services to the Fereldan crown in ending Orlesian occupation. So while Anora Mac Tir was born a daughter of a Teyrn, to the nobility she was the daughter of a commoner. For them to see her rise above their own daughters and sisters to become Queen of Ferelden had infuriated quite a number of the nobility of Ferelden.
"My lord?"
Seneschal Luwin turned to his assistant, Devan a young pocked marked man with short, curly bright red hair and curious brown eyes, his earnest expression was quite the contrast to his youthful appearance. He was always ready to work and serve Luwin.
"What messages today, Devan?" He looked to the piles of vellum his assistant was holding, notes and mail that came from not just throughout Ferelden, but all of Thedas. He corresponded with foreign dignitaries, to the Fereldan ambassadors stationed from Orzammar to the Imperium.
It felt odd to him to exchange such vital letters to so many important people spread out throughout Thedas. He had been plucked from obscurity in Gwaren when he was first lifted to serve the newly named Teyrn Loghain only to see his station rise further when he was chosen to replace the previous royal Seneschal. A position often given to second or third sons of wealthy, prominent Fereldan families not to a man whose grandfather had been a humble fisherman.
"A letter from the Fereldan Ambassador to Orzammar," Devan picked up said letter from the pile he was carrying.
"What does he say?" Luwin made his way over towards his desk across his office.
A room that was far larger than Luwin ever needed or was accustomed to. In Gwaren his office had been small, a nook attached to his chambers that had just enough room for a chair and desk. Here, in the royal palace he had his own apartment, lavish rooms and offices some of which he hadn't even been in and he had been here for years.
"A report of the newly crowned Queen of Orzammar, Valda Aeducan," Devan looked up from the letter. "She was the second born of the previous King Endrin who recently passed."
"We should send our condolences," Luwin slipped into his chair behind his desk while Devan remained standing. "She was the second child?"
"Yes," Devan answered, "It says her oldest brother, Trian was killed and her youngest brother, Bhelen was accused of kinslaying and banished to the Deep Roads."
Luwin leaned back in his seat trying to digest the deadly game that was dwarven politics. Hearing about her rising from the spare to the Queen was not something he could ignore and couldn't help but ponder what role she had in her brothers' demise.
"What else does it say?"
"Our Ambassador believes that Bhelen did kill his brother," Devan reported, "And that the youngest son tried to frame his sister for it but underestimated her power and influence and was thusly tried and banished."
It made Luwin's stomach sour at hearing such details. Kinslaying and family betrayals made the Seneschal uncomfortable. To think what people would do for power. He poured himself a small glass of wine that had been resting on an adjacent table to his desk.
He didn't offer any to Devan knowing the young man did not drink while he worked. A naïve thought that made Luwin snort in amusement, one day he'll learn, Luwin thought, the necessity of a cup of wine to drown out the sour taste of politics.
"Anything else?" Luwin savored the sweet taste on his lips from the wine.
"Yes," Devan's voice strained.
He looked up to see Devan's eyes had widened as it skimmed the letter. "What is it?"
"The ambassador says that the Grey Wardens arrived to the city shortly after Valda Aeducan was crowned in her coronation," Devan informed him.
Luwin frowned. Not understanding why that would elicit such a reaction from his young assistant. It was true of the Grey Warden's alliance with their supposed enemy and rebel to the crown, Edmund Cousland, but still it seemed a dramatic response.
His assistant seemed to sense Luwin's confusion and his need for clarification because he went on to say, "The Queen took a small, but highly skilled amount of soldiers into the Deep Roads with the Grey Wardens in search of a missing Paragon and a weapon of legend."
That was unexpected, he scratched the graying stubble along his jaw. He had heard that during a Blight the Deep Roads were more absent of darkspawn. Mayhaps, the Queen saw a chance and struck. A bold move, he reckoned, as well as dangerous.
Whatever she was after she must've deemed it worth the risk, making Luwin curious what this weapon of legend could be. It must be powerful if it got the Grey Wardens to come with her.
"Do you think they'll get it?" Devan's soft question broke Luwin's thoughts, turning to see his young assistant's face marred in apprehension.
"It's possible," Luwin conceded, the Deep Roads were always perilous if the stories were to be believed and other foul things lingered in the deep, dark besides darkspawn.
"Do you think they'll use it against us?"
"Against us?" Luwin repeated, now understanding why his assistant seemed so afraid about this weapon and the Grey Wardens going to get it. "The kingdom of Orzammar does not meddle in the politics of human nations."
That seemed to relax Devan's features. "Of course," he said hastily as if trying to recover from letting his fear slip out. "I'm sorry, I should've known better," he apologized as he chided himself.
"Peace, Devan," Luwin held up his hand to stop his assistant from rambling further. "Shall we proceed?" He asked, knowing he needed to inform the Queen about the new power in Orzammar as well as the Wardens movement, as well pen a response to the ambassador.
Devan looked more than willing to change the subject, "You have some new appointments to make," he pulled out another piece of vellum and placed it down in front of him, "Two new blackhallers."
"Very well," Luwin looked over the paper since the rise of refugees flooding the capital, crime had risen in several areas of Denerim to the point that the Blackhallers schedules were filling up and couldn't meet the growing demand thus tying them up and the city guard. The Queen had been gracious in allowing him to temporarily add more to serve the growing need.
"What else?"
"A few more proposed betrothals to the Queen," Devan answered reluctantly.
"Trash," Luwin shook his head in disgust at these ambitious minor nobles who were trying to court the Queen while she still mourned.
"Already done," Devan looked up to offer him a sly smile. "I figured you would not mind."
Luwin chuckled, "nicely done, Devan." He noticed his assistant take the pride with flushed cheeks and a puffed out chest.
These foreign nobles from Orlais and the Free Marches were fools. Luwin shook his head at their blatant ambition and their inability to comprehend Fereldan politics. They had no concept of how the Crown worked in Ferelden.
Power does no descend from our throne. Rather, it rises from the support of the Freeholders.
The words Luwin would always remember. It is a lesson that every child in Ferelden is taught.
Truthfully speaking, his Queen had no power. She knew that. She understood the precarious situation she found herself in. Anora knew that she was no Queen Regnant, but a Queen Dowager. Any power she had been through her marriage with Cailan and that went away at Ostagar.
A Landsmeet was sure to be called, and it'd be up to the nobles of Ferelden to decide how best to move the country forward and on whose head a crown should be placed. Despite her uneasy relationship with the bulk of the nobility they begrudgingly knew Anora had drastically improved Ferelden these past five years under the administrative reign that Cailan had given her. They had complimented each other perfectly: He the warrior king and she the political queen.
His unexpected death had taken them all by surprise. It left a void in Ferelden's leadership that the Queen was trying to fill admirably, but it was not just her who sought it. Her father, Teyrn Loghain had declared himself Lord Protector of Ferelden while Lord Howe seemed to gobble up every title he could get his hands on.
It was the Queen who was serving the people. She was what Ferelden needed.
She would be a good, strong Queen, Luwin thought. He believed she had earned the right to rule Ferelden in her name with the power invested in her. Then again, he couldn't deny his prejudice towards her. He had seen Queen Anora work tirelessly these past five years in trying to improve Ferelden. He knew the people would be thankful and blessed to have her continue in her reign. He also knew that it wasn't up to him.
It would be up to men like Arl Eamon and his ilk, Luwin thought distastefully.
"Here," he put aside his thoughts on the Landsmeet. He and his Queen were already making plans on that front and brought his attention back to the present, and to some letters he had already written and had sealed using his own personal seal.
When he had been appointed to be the royal seneschal he was stunned upon realizing that he needed to create a family banner now that he officially found himself in nobility. He had chosen a quartered banner of a ship to remember his roots with his family's history of fishing off of Gwaren's coast, and the other quarter a wyvern's head to pay tribute to Teyrn Loghain who had given him such a position.
"I need these sent out."
"Of course, my lord," Devan took them with a nod, and tucked them under his arm. "Will there be anything else, my lord?"
"No, thank you," he dismissed Devan kindly watching his assistant bow before leaving.
He took a sip of wine, enjoying the taste, and the moment of peace and quiet, but only for the moment. He then put down his glass and turned his attention to the piles of letters he still needed to read and write.
There was work to be done.
"Your Majesty," he bowed low as Queen Anora came into view.
The Queen looked regal dressed in black, often wearing the color to reflect her state of mourning. She grieved the loss of her husband at Ostagar. She mourned the deaths of the Couslands.
So much grief and sorrow, Luwin reflected sadly. Darkness had settled over Ferelden these past few months with the darkspawn and this civil war. If it was not righted soon, he feared for the fate of his Ferelden.
"Seneschal," she greeted him kindly.
She was not alone. Her friend, Nathaniel Howe walked beside her, dressed in a green doublet with yellow trimming and the Howe bear emblazoned on the front. He offered the Seneschal a respectful nod as they moved their way around the table.
"The new knight you assigned to my guard is enthusiastic in her duties," the Queen observed.
He looked up to see a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Ser Mhairi is a good knight, loyal to you."
He wanted more skilled knights in the Queen's retinue. Howe was filling the city guard with more of his cronies every day. The new Arl of Denerim believed the city guard should serve as his second army. They didn't have the manpower to properly check Howe's growing power, so Luwin believed the Queen should be surrounded by more faithful and skilled men and women. Ser Mhairi, a knight of Denerim was just the latest to join their cause.
"That's putting it mildly, Your Majesty," Nathaniel sounded amused at the topic of the new knight. "She seems a bit green to be serving a Queen."
"She comes highly recommended," Luwin pointed out, "Well respected by her peers and has seen battle." He left out what battle she had fought in-Ostagar.
"How was it?" Luwin decided a change of topic was in order.
"The people are suffering," Anora bowed her head.
"We gave them food and coin," Nathaniel Howe put in, his face solemn, but his eyes reflected the concern he and the Queen were feeling.
They had gathered in the room of the Carved Table. Luwin wasn't sure there was another room he frequented more in the Royal Palace besides his own then this room. The beautifully carved table of Ferelden stood between him and the Queen and Lord Nathaniel; finely crafted by Antivan hands, a testament of their skill displaying a breathtaking accuracy of Fereldan. As well as a list of every Ferelden king and queen who has ruled. Of Theirin blood, he mentally added.
"Short term solutions," Anora said to them. Her blue eyes were going over the map before her. "Amaranthine is held by Lady Alfstanna."
"Aye, it is," Luwin remembered hearing about it, a fortnight past. It had caused a commotion in both the Palace and throughout Denerim with such a pivotal Cousland victory. He had been taken aback when his agents had told him of the Cousland laurels flying over the city of Amaranthine. Left to wonder how Edmund Cousland had taken a city without any word of his army marching this far north from South Reach.
"Nathaniel will treat with her," Anora turned to her friend.
They've talked about this, he realized. This was their plan.
"Alfstanna and I were close when we were younger," Nathaniel admitted, a certain glint could be seen in his eyes and a fondness could be heard in his tone.
Luwin wondered how close they had been since he spoke of her fondly and without titles. "What terms will you bring to her?"
"Different terms then we gave Arl Wulff," The Queen was unable to keep the disappointment out of her tone that they had yet to hear from the Arl of West Hills. She had sent him away months ago. He had gone to Caer Oswin where Edmund had been camped. They thought it was simple enough, but war proved that notion's folly.
Edmund left Caer Oswin before Lord Wulff ever arrived for the south and had yet to return to the seat of Lord Loren. They had no idea where the Arl of West Hills was now. He could be traveling to South Reach, he could be dead in a ditch somewhere between here and Caer Oswin. Or he could've been at Loren's seat waiting for Edmund Cousland to show up.
That brought a sour taste to linger. Having known what happened there. Caer Oswin had been put to the torch and Lord Loren killed. Howe called it a victory for their side. Luwin considered it murder. He wasn't alone in that judgment. Knowing the Queen too grew tired of Howe's presence. She had thought and hoped her father would come to his senses and remove him from his position, but that looked less likely every day.
Anora understood it had fallen on her to rid themselves of Howe. If she had the power and the authority, Luwin knew that she would've called for his head the second he stepped inside the city, but what power did she have? She was the Dowager Queen. She had no armies. Rendon Howe was the Arl of Amaranthine and commanded a loyal army to his cause.
Slowly, she had forged alliances and brought men under her banner. Some of who were always loyal to her, others who were ambitious men who wanted to use this schism that threatened Ferelden to further themselves, while others were allies of her father only to leave him in the course of this past year as the war and Loghain's senses seemed to be slipping.
It was the latter allies that proved the most effective. Since they were commanders within the royal army and had a good number of soldiers under their command. Not enough to openly war against Howe, but it was substantial to tip the possible scales in their favor when a pivotal battle would take place.
A battle between Howe and Cousland…
"What terms, Your Majesty?" He noticed the silent conversation that took place between the two friends in a span of a few heartbeats before he got his answer.
"A betrothal," The Queen said simply.
He had been expecting it. An alliance between her and Edmund though potentially awkward in the short term due to their history could be just what Ferelden needed in the long term. He commanded a sizable host that camped outside his Uncle's seat at South Reach. He held two vital cities of Gwaren and Amaranthine. He also had support of much of the people for his fighting against the darkspawn.
She had the experience. She had the administrative skills that had helped to oversee a growing and improving Ferelden in these past five years. She knew how to rule. She had helped Cailan with the power he vested in her and she was more than worthy and capable of having that power given to her by a crown and the title of Queen Regnant.
Together, they could save Ferelden from annihilation.
A fool's hope, a romantic's dream, Luwin knew what the others would call it. Or the songs the bards would play if the exiled, spurned lover returned to be crowned king and her Queen.
Even with its merits there was no certainty this plan would work or unfold the way they envisioned it. However, Luwin had been willing to take that risk. This wasn't the first time this planned betrothal had been brought forward by either himself or the Queen, but now was their best chance of having it succeed.
Edmund Cousland was their best chance. Not her father, not Howe, but him. He could be used to end Howe's reign, and his threat. With Howe out of the way, it was possible that Teyrn Loghain and Edmund could work together. The potential flaw in this plan was how to handle the Queen's father if the plan was carried forward. That hindrance had been the main reason it had been held back from play for so long.
They didn't have the luxury to keep waiting and fretting. He could see determination in the Queen's features. Her time with her people had only strengthened her resolve in ending this civil war with Edmund. She was tired of the people paying for the nobility's personal spats.
Regardless, of the possible pitfalls the logic of the betrothal could be more than enough to secure them a victory in a Landsmeet. The Ferelden freeholders would certainly gather around them in their bid for the throne. They had considered naming Edmund's father not Cailan king when King Maric had been lost at sea.
"What other conditions will be given?" Luwin knew that more had to be offered besides the betrothal to bring Edmund to the table.
"Highever," The Queen said. "I will give him back his family's seat."
"Highever?" Luwin parroted. Edmund had just as much chance at getting Highever then they did. He already had Gwaren and Amaranthine. He told her as much.
"We've gotten word from Crestwood," Nathaniel tapped the small spot on the map where the town of Crestwood was. It was located north of Lake Calenhad and west of Highever. "The town's mayor has sent a message asking for help to fight an incursion of darkspawn."
Luwin frowned. At both the information that had slipped by his net, but looking closely at the Queen and Nathaniel it seemed a letter that had only recently reached the city. He also couldn't help but wonder how this related to getting Highever. A question he voiced to them.
"It gives us cause," The Queen explained. "For the army to march west without suspicion from my father and Lord Howe, we tell them we're marching to relieve Crestwood."
"My father has taken his army from Caer Oswin and what force he can spare at Highever and is bringing it all to bear on Amaranthine," Nathaniel made the gesture of his father's travel arrangement across the map.
Now, the pieces were being placed. He could admire the ingenious deception of the plan. Anora's recently acquired army from the commanders whose loyalty had shifted from her father to her would set out with or without her father's permission under the pretenses it was helping the town of Crestwood.
"But what about the town?" Luwin liked the plan, but not the idea of ignoring Fereldans who were calling for support.
"The army will go to Crestwood," The Queen assured him as if sensing his concern. "But it won't be going alone."
"What do you mean?"
"The messenger who delivered the letter said that another messenger was tasked to ride to South Reach to bring the mayor's plea to Edmund," Nathaniel informed him. "The mayor believed he might answer since he saved Gwaren."
"You'll meet Edmund's army at Crestwood?"
"Yes," Anora was smiling. "Under a peace banner and then we will march on Highever once Crestwood is evacuated and the people have been safeguarded."
"The darkspawn have made it difficult for any reliable information to come out of the south," Nathaniel made a broad wave of his hand to the southern portion of the Ferelden map. "So by the time Edmund's army arrives it'll be too late for my father and Teyrn Loghain to react or rally a sizable force."
"Crestwood is closer to Highever than Amaranthine." The Queen observed. "Howe's forces are at its lowest and the people of Highever are ready and willing to throw off Howe's yoke especially when they see the Cousland laurels banners."
Taking Highever could very well be the final blow to Howe's power. With Highever taken, and Anora's army combined with Edmund's forces to march on Amaranthine, it would put Howe's army between an anvil and a hammer. All that would need to be done is make sure the Teyrn didn't interfere and Howe could finally be brought to justice. Facing such odds, many of Howe's men were more likely to bend the knee then to stand and fight. With the former they could hope for a pardon with the latter they faced an unenviable end.
However, it was not just Howe or Loghain that could eventually stand in their way in the formation of this new power bloc. "What of Arl Eamon?"
"Eamon is stirring in Redcliffe," Nathaniel answered, "The strength of the Hinterlands is gathering and his forces have been mostly untouched in this war."
"I don't like it," Anora voiced her misgivings openly.
Luwin couldn't fault the Queen's suspicion. Eamon had never been a supporter of hers, and had been one of the loudest critics of her betrothal to Cailan. He too didn't much care for the Arl of Redcliffe. He was a nobleman who believed more in the virtue of blood than merit. Sadly, he carried quite the influence and power. His voice would carry weight when the Landsmeet was called.
"There are rumors," Luwin broached the topic carefully. His agents had gone suspiciously quiet in Redcliffe. He had gotten very little information out of there these past few months. He had to send more to try to repair his network in the area. They had only just started making it to Redcliffe and the few reports he had gotten hadn't been promising.
"He doesn't plan on declaring for Edmund or for us."
The Queen didn't seem surprised by this revelation. "He has no love for me or for the Couslands." She said matter-of-factly. "I think he's jealous of the power and influence the Couslands wield and he never forgot the perceived slight of Cailan, his nephew nearly being passed over for the crown for Bryce."
He couldn't deny that the Queen's observations made a good deal of sense. The Couslands were always considered second to the Royal family. Not to mention that the Couslands had married into the Theirin line before and that the blood of the Couslands flowed in the royal blood just as the Theirin blood flowed in the Couslands from marriages forged in Ages past to secure peace and a promising future.
"So who would he support?" Nathaniel scratched his chin, confusion covered his face.
Luwin met the Queen's eyes, and they both knew who it was that the Arl of Redcliffe would try to put on Fereldan's throne-Maric's bastard.
A/N: To anyone who's interested or curious about the new Queen of Orzammar more will be shown of her in the sequel. That will touch on her rise to power, current plans, and goals moving forward.
With the story winding down thought it important to touch up on the major factions to see where they are and how their plot will take shape moving forward. Such as the Queen who's spent this story slowly gathering a strong enough power base loyal to her to reach this point where she can actually openly challenge Howe. As well as to try negotiate with Edmund.
Until next time,
-Spectre4hire