I have rewritten this tons of times, I could never get it to really work. But at last here it is. Not the longest version. But yeah... I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks.
An audience with the Queen
Dain thought heavily upon Eamon's words. His place as Cailan's uncle gave him some insight into Anora, as it had with Loghain. For all his insider knowledge, for how the Banns and Arls reacted to Anora, previously before the blight, it had been a story that he had told of Anora as a child that had given Dain a position to broach. Golden pigtails and long lashes, ensnaring Cailan with possibly womanly wiles, but why? Because he was the future King, because he was power. But why did she want power? What would she do to gain it, keep it? His brows nearly joined with the force of his thought, trying to force his mind from remembering her eyes. Alistair had given him a look that said, better you than me. The woman didn't frighten Alistair, he knew that, but the former Templar was infinitely more wary around her. Something that Dain knew he shouldn't ignore, perhaps a fact that he should even embrace. He had drawn up outside her closed door, perhaps to find some sort of clue as to how to face her. Of all the foes, friends and potential allies, this was the first that having a sword would certainly hinder rather than help. Even as he stared at the whorls of wood on the door, he couldn't help but remember the words he spoke to her the day before, that he maybe didn't need her as much as she needed him, them. Would that work against him? Tiring of the questions rotating in his head he lifted a hand to rap at the door. It was Erlina who opened it an instant later, as if she had been waiting behind the door precisely for his appearance. She curtseyed, a show of manners she hadn't shown him before, especially when he had returned with her Queen. But he nodded, entering and looking for Anora. She was seated at an ornate seat, but there was a smile on her face when she saw him. But for the life of him he could not decipher what emotion it conveyed. Even here, not in her throne room, not entertaining a court, she looked like a queen. Despite what Howe had done, whatever Loghain had thought no matter his part in the 'kidnapping' of his daughter, she had never lost the mantle of entitlement, of rulership. He felt compelled to bow, but remembering Alistair and Eamon's words he gave her a formal bow, recognition of her status as the widow of the deceased King, Maker avoid her eyes. Dain scorned the chair, despite Erlina's gesture to it.
"I am fine, thank you."
"Warden, I appreciate you coming to speak with me. Did you find anything useful in the Alienage?"
He had been looking for something, for a sign in her face, something in her voice that meant she had known. But there was nothing but a question.
"Your father had been selling elves to Tevinter slavers to finance his war."
She had to know he had deliberately used those words, that there was not for him, as a Warden, a difference between her and her father. There was something she had to prove.
"I am disappointed to say that I cannot find it surprising. And that is distressing. First the plague and now such a thing."
It seemed like genuine sadness, or maybe just regret. Dain didn't think he would ever decipher this woman. But when her eyes, which had lost his in a decidedly calculating move, flicked up to his face, he could see what Eamon had meant. He was an instrument, if he could be used for her purpose.
"I asked you to come here for another reason Warden."
Dain didn't answer but looked at her with what he hope was ease. Her personality and aura was undeniable but it was her eyes…
"I find myself in the position to ask for your support."
"Is the position unpleasant?"
She snorted a little at his riposte. Anora stood, flinging her skirts back as she made to stride the width of the room before spinning to look at him.
"Ferelden needs a strong leader. I would think it was fairly obvious, even to one who was not in the country for several years, that it was I who ruled through the name of Cailan. She will need my guidance to survive the blight and the civil war."
"She was placed in this position by your father."
"A fact that is quite crystal clear thank you Warden."
Dain couldn't help the grin at the venom he had drawn from her. Erlina watched, her face carefully schooled to stillness. She had been surprised at the fervour that Anora had paced the room the hour before Dain had arrived, heavy lines between her brows as she thought on would take place. But now Erlina wasn't sure if the time had been in good use.
"Arl Eamon favours the traditional approach. A male approach. 'The line of Kings succeeds through his sons', I believe he said. Particularly poignant as I have heard of what swims through the blood of his only son."
Both Erlina and Anora saw the flicker of anger cross like a shadow in Dain's eyes. It would be folly of him to think that she wouldn't know, a queen with her own lines of communication, of inquiry, but this was cutting dangerously fine to cutting off her nose to spite her face. He also gave no answer. Anora moved back to her chair, alighting back it in, placing her full skirts just so before speaking once more.
"I am a strong Queen; I am as beloved by my people as I love them."
Dain waited for the bargain, for he and Anora knew that the other wouldn't sanction the giving without the receiving.
"In return for your support at the Landsmeet, I will give you whatever I can, as Queen, to help you end the blight."
That was it. She had to know that as a Warden, especially as the Warden Commander, that the resolution of the blight was his goal. But surely she knew that he could sweep her aside and place Alistair, willing or not, on the throne he would get that anyway? He was so careful to show nothing of his thoughts on his face; he needed to stay even and balanced. He needed the power that he could feel Anora setting her heart upon. But a Warden in her back pocket? That is precisely what he knew the other Banns and Arls would see any relationship with her as.
"I know of what you think. But does Alistair possess the qualities needed and expected of a King?"
He so very nearly barked out that Alistair did, more than enough! That he had given everything this past year to the Wardens to Ferelden and still stood! But Dain didn't, hoping that she would read his silence as something else, that her cunning and intelligence would dupe him more surely than he could. It seemed that Anora was content for silence as well. Erlina was the one who moved, placing two goblets on the low table between the two, pouring dark wine from a delicate jug. Once done she moved back to her place and returned to watching the two.
"I am glad that you are well."
Dain couldn't have stopped the alacrity with he which had looked up into Anora's face.
"I was unaware that you were Eleanor's youngest."
"Yes, I am well. But even if I wasn't, wouldn't you still be glad?"
Again that soft snort and a glint of a smile. The stillness gone Anora leant forward to snare a drink, taking a graceful sip before replying.
"Yes, I would. I would also have liked to order Cauthrien down, but I could see that what you were doing would save all of us."
"You had faith I would survive Drakon."
It wasn't a question, but Dain punctuated his words with an action. Leaning forward to snare his own wine. In doing so letting the sleeve of the shirt he wore to ride up. Showing the ridges of healed scars, shadows of the manacles he had worn. He didn't want to see what look Anora gave as she saw them, it seemed enough that she had seen them.
"I did. But it does beg the question why?"
"Faith?"
"No, that you would do so for me, for the Queen, when you have Eamon's choice in Alistair safe and sound."
He didn't have a reply, not without losing himself in the real life vision of her eyes.
"Thank you. For giving yourself when it would have been easier to give me up. I'm sure Eamon had some choice words for you regarding that."
Did she know that in moving for her he had had the best opportunity for getting to and ending Howe? His reply was easy though, strange that it was.
"It wouldn't have been easier. I did what was right. I did what I did to keep you safe."
And he was undone with that. Erlina knew it for she swapped studying him for her mistress. Anora had gone stiff, eyes wider at his unguarded words. To keep her safe. From Howe, or her for her or as the Queen? He knew she had questions, he could see them rising like he had seen Leiliana fervently trying to still and keep her words at bay. Pretence had foundered and Dain knew it was he who had been lost. He bent to place the wine back on the table,
"I need to face the blight with Ferelden at my side, not baying for blood behind it."
"Then you shall have it with me as Queen."
Dain nodded, and turned. Leaving Anora and Erlina in silence, but looking wonderingly at each other.
"Are you worried what will happen when he speaks to Anora?"
Leiliana said, reclining further in the velvet chair, watching Alistair continue to try and clean his sword. He had been at it for nearly half an hour and seemed to be getting nowhere. But at her words he paused.
"No."
"Then…?"
"I know that you know that Eamon thinks I am afraid of Anora. But I am not. I am angry at her and I do not trust her. I know she is a good Queen and that she has been ruling Ferelden. But besides everything she is the daughter of a traitor."
"So you cannot trust her with the reins to Ferelden?"
"I cannot trust that she would do what is right for Ferelden. I feel that she would do what is right for herself before and above everything and anyone else."
Leiliana knew that she looked at Alistair differently to anyone else, he had let her inside his heart, but he had rarely spoken to her about being King. Indeed it had been uncrossable territory, it frightened her, his potential loss with their fighting the darkspawn, but losing him to his royal blood had been frightening though she would admit nothing. But she found herself changing from her easy position, setting her feet to the carpet,
"So, why are you worrying?"
"That to end the blight we need that sort of ruthlessness."
Leiliana slid to the ground, forcing Alistair to place the sword to the side. She gripped his knees and placed a kiss on his cheek. When she made to shuffle back his arms settled around her, pulling her close for a lingering embrace.
"I love you."
"Me too."
