While Temene and the other women were off looking for information at The Pearl, Alistair sat in Eamon's study. Alistair knew why Eamon was angry but didn't say anything as the servants brought in morning tea. Eamon finally spoke when the servants had passed. "Alistair, I can't help but feel concerned about you," Eamon started. "Have you not considered the kingship since we last spoke?"
"I don't know anything about being king. Why would I be a better choice than Anora? You said yourself that she held the reins in the marriage," Alistair replied.
"We must maintain the Theirin bloodline. Maric fought hard to reunite Ferelden and I won't see his line die so soon. You have had your fun with the other Warden, now you need to stop being selfish and think of your country," Eamon went on.
"I love Temene," Alistair replied, angry that Eamon never addressed her by name. "I am not just going to cast her aside."
"I am sorry. You have a duty to Ferelden, Alistair. She will not want to be dragged into this. I know you may love her but sometimes we must make sacrifices. It will be easier for her if you end things now."
"I, I can't," Alistair said, a knot forming in his throat.
"Trust me, Alistair. I saw how much it pained my sister when Maric was with your mother. As much as Rowan tried to hide it, I knew the affair pained her for the rest of her life. You do not want to put her through this. You are the only hope to save Ferelden."
Alistair tried to swallow but the lump in his throat prevented it. The thought of leaving Temene nearly brought him to tears. He knew Eamon meant well and that truthfully, if he became king, he could never marry Temene. His thoughts were overwhelming and wracked him with guilt. He considering the notion of overthrowing Loghain and Anora, leaving Temene, becoming king, leading the army against the darkspawn. It wasn't a life he had imagined but he was the last of Maric's children.
He needed to clear his mind and headed out of the estate alone. He wandered the waterfront as Temene returned to the estate with Morrigan and Leliana. Temene sought him out in the halls, but returned to her room when she couldn't find him. She was worried Eamon had pushed him too hard with ideas of becoming king. She didn't want to speak with Eamon alone, but had little choice when Alistair remained missing.
She knocked on the door of his study, trying to put on a stoic face. She didn't want to seem angry, even if she suspected he was the cause of Alistair's disappearance. "What do you know of Anora's maid, Erlina?" Temene asked, trying to seem gracious. "I was told she might have information."
"She is an elf from Orlais and has been in Anora's service for most of her life. You think we should speak with her?" Eamon said in his most hospitable tone.
"If she is privy to the inner workings of the palace, she should know something," Temene replied from the doorway, not bothering the enter the study.
"I will send someone to request a meeting," Eamon responded.
Temene nodded and left without another word. She took only a little dinner and went to her room, still worried that Alistair had not returned. She finally went to bed, staying up as long as she could by the fire.
Alistair finally returned late in the night and looked in on Temene for a brief moment. She slept peacefully in bed, her face lit darkly by the dying fire. He knew she liked the room warm, so he added wood to the fire before returning to his own room. He'd made a decision while sitting by the waterfront, but he wanted to hang onto her for as long as he could.
Things were quiet at breakfast in the morning and everyone felt the tension that pervaded the estate. Temene sat down across from Alistair, who tried not look at her too much. He didn't know why he had gone to eat, he was in no mood for food and seeing Temene pained him. He didn't want to hurt her but knew that if he became king, that he would be forced to. He said nothing as she stared at him with concern. She was troubled by his silence but wanted to speak to him alone. Eamon finally broke the silence and announced that Anora's maid would be arriving some time later in the morning.
"You think the Queen's maid will have some information?" Alistair finally addressed Temene, glancing up at her for only a second.
"I don't know. Some strange pirate woman at The Pearl told me to speak with her," Temene replied. "But servants are generally privy to gossip, so she should know something at least."
"Pirate woman?" Alistair asked.
"Her name was Isabella. She seemed eager to help me for some reason."
"That is who you got your information from?" Eamon shook his head. Temene narrowed her eyes but said nothing, not wanting to start another argument.
The Wardens waited patiently for Erlina to arrive, milling around the estate and grounds. The elven servant finally slipped into the estate in a heavy-hooded cloak. "Thank you for contacting me. I did not know if I should come, but I did not know who else to turn to either," Erlina said in a thick Orlesian accent.
"What can you tell us about Loghain and the Queen?" Eamon asked.
"The Queen fears for her life. She says her father has changed. She is locked in a room in Arl Howe's estate. It was fortunate I was able to leave unnoticed," Erlina replied.
"Arl Howe? Yes, I heard he was working with Loghain," Eamon commented.
"If you could help free the Queen, she would no doubt help your cause," Erlina added.
"If Loghain is working with Arl Howe, we will not be able to enter his estate without incident," Temene replied.
"The Arl has made a lot of enemies, both from taking over the Arling of Highever and Denerim and the treatment of the people on his own lands ," Erlina said before she was interrupted.
"Highever? The Couslands have ruled Highever for generations?" Alistair interrupted. "Duncan spoke of them frequently."
"The entire family was killed in a raid," Eamon answered. "Howe took over the Arling because it is so near to Amaranthine."
"As I said," Erlina continued. "The Arl has a lot of enemies and has been hiring new guards every day. If you could disguise yourself, you could slip in easily if you kept a low profile."
"Why should we trust Anora?" Morrigan wondered. "We are trying to take her off the throne."
"She is concerned for her own safety, surely that comes before preserving her place as queen," Erlina replied.
"You really think no one would recognize us as guards?" Temene asked.
"Not up close, but that can be avoided. All the Arl's men wear red steel armor with his crest painted in white on the breast," Erlina answered.
"We will gather what we need to perform the ruse," Eamon agreed quickly. "It should take us well into the afternoon. Where will we need to enter?"
"There are always protestors in front of the Denerim estate. If you meet me at the gates, I can show you a back way inside," Erlina replied.
"Very well, my people shall meet you there sometime past midday," Eamon said.
Erlina nodded in agreement and was escorted out. Temene was angry at Eamon's quick decision but she didn't want to make it an issue. "I think Morrigan is right. Should we really be putting any trust in Anora?" Temene said as politely as possible.
"We do not have to trust her," Eamon replied. "We just need to get her away from Loghain. Once we have the Queen, we will have the advantage. I will send someone to the market to acquire the armor we need. Who will be going to the estate?"
"We will need to blend in. I think Alistair and I shall go, along with Sten and Leliana. We already have weapons that will look natural with the armor," Temene replied.
"Perfect, I will keep enjoying the food here," Oghren laughed.
"I will visit the Chantry and see if I can find anymore information," Wynne added. "I have a few friends I can speak to."
Eamon sent a manservant to gather suits of red steel armor and paint to mark the Arl's crest. When their disguises had been assembled and they had taken a quick lunch, they headed to the Arl of Denerim's estate. The crowd Erlina mentioned made it easier to slip inside and they found the elf waiting among the crowd. She motioned for them to follow her along a small alley beside the tower estate.
