Refusal
A month had pasted since her argument with Meredith in Hightown. Thankfully, it seemed that nothing more at come of it so far. Leila had written another letter and had it sent immediately. The Divine had accepted her request for an audience with her in Orlais. Leila would be leaving in three weeks and had a lot to prepare before leaving. She had decided to let Hawke be in charge of the City in her absence, as she trusted that he would not become Meredith's puppet.
-OOO-
Anders was currently sitting and feeding Maia. She had porridge all over her face and her hands were covered in it. Ebony was sitting next to them, ready to eat anything that might fall down. Maia gave a cry of happiness, as she slammed her little hand down in the bowl and Anders got some of it in his eyes.
"You incorrigible!" Anders groaned removing the food from his face.
"It seems she is a rebel like her father." Hawke chuckled in the doorway to the kitchen.
"You're probably right." Anders chuckled and Maia cooed, as if she understood the conversation.
"You do intend to bathe her don't you? Though, I would like to see Elthina's face as she dedicated a baby covered in porridge." Hawke chuckled.
"I do know what I'm doing, Hawke." Anders smiled, faking offense.
"Where is Leila anyway?" Hawke wondered.
"She had something she needed to take care of in the keep. I think she is trying to take her mind of the fact that Maia is going to be dedicated, into a religion she doesn't believe in." Anders replied while cleaning Maia as best he could.
"It was necessary to keep up appearances. Though I have to admit the thought of Leila telling the Chantry to go to the void is appealing." Hawke chuckled.
"It is. Now... bath time." Anders said fondly and picked up Maia.
-OOO-
After the chantry there was a celebration at the keep, as was the custom for the heir to the throne. So Anders was forced to stand on the sideline, not being able to declare kinship of his own flesh and blood. But he had known this for awhile and was trying his best to accept it. As he was considered a friend of the Champion and Viscountess in public, he could still be a part of the celebrations. He could still hold his daughter and no one would think anything of it. The "fake" birthmark had been enough, so that no one even questioned who the father was. He walked over next to Leila, who was holding Maia in her arms. She was receiving a number of useless advices from the noble women of Hightown. Anders had to chuckle under his breath, as he saw the true emotions of annoyance well hidden under Leila's smile and polite responses. When she finally escaped they gave each other a knowing glance and gave a low laugh. Maia reached for Anders and grabbed his finger. Anders smiled fondly and kissed her little hand.
"She is truly beautiful." Sebastian said fondly as he approached.
"Thank you." Leila smiled looking at Maia lovingly.
"Just as beautiful as her mother." He continued and it took all of Anders' willpower not to send a piercing glare in his direction.
"Let us hope she got her father's courage." Leila replied unspecific. A statement, which didn't imply that Anders was the father, but managed to reassure him. Leila was called by one of the nobles and she was about to hand Maia to Anders, when Sebastian reached for her instead.
"I'll take care of her while you talk to the Harimanns. She is in safe hands." Sebastian smiled and picked up the little girl.
Leila looked unsure for a moment, but couldn't refuse. She knew that Anders was uncomfortable with this, but of all Hawke's companions, she didn't trust Sebastian if he found out about Anders' relation to Maia. The image of him killing Anders, forever imprinted into her mind and colouring her opinion of him. She would be always weary in his presence. She kissed Maia's head and walked away leaving Anders and Sebastian with Maia.
"I just want to say that I'm proud of the restraint you showed here." Sebastian stated stroking Maia's head.
"I'm not a monster. I'm not going to turn into a raging abomination every time someone commits a fashion faux-pas." Anders replied calmly.
"I meant not taking advantage of a captive audience to proselytize about the fate of mages. But the other thing is good, too." Sebastian replied and began making faces at Maia. Anders groaned on the inside. Maia then began to whimper and Sebastian tried to comfort her, without any success.
"Here let me. You just have to hold her calmly and she will calm down." Anders said reaching for Maia and as soon as she was in his arms she relaxed.
"You seem to know her very well." Sebastian mused.
"I was the one who helped deliver her and Leila has asked me to watch her from time to time." Anders replied, hoping he was not to obvious.
"Are you sure that is wise given your... condition?" Sebastian asked calmly.
"If you must know, I have distanced myself from situations that make me lose control. I'm no danger to her." Anders replied, wishing that he could truly believe those words himself.
"A piece of advice, given your history with Leila it might be wise to distance yourself. Give Leila and Maia the chance to be happy and safe. You've made no secret of your intent to lead the mages here in revolution." Sebastian pointed out.
"Well, I've tried not to shout it from the rooftops. You've just been around when I talk with my friends." Anders replied coldly.
"Well, as we have mutual friends, who for some reason don't want you to get hurt, let me tell you this: If you go forward with this revolt, the Chantry will bring its full might to bear. They willkill you. And what do you think that will do to Leila or Maia, if you allow yourself to become a part of their lives? Do you even consider that?" Sebastian asked seriously, but with a hint of resentment obvious.
"Believe me, I do." He said simply.
"You said yourself you don't want to harm innocents. Perhaps beginning not hurting this one would be a wise beginning." Sebastian replied and pulled Maia from Anders' grasp.
Justice was raging inside Anders, as he watched Sebastian walk over to Leila, with his daughter in his arms. Anders cringed as his heart was aching painfully. He dearly wished there was no truth to Sebastian's words. That he could dismiss it as being ludicrous. He could feel Justice raging inside him and a sickening feeling embraced his body. What could he possibly respond to that? He was just about to leave and take Sebastian's advice, when Leila caught his gaze and smiled sweetly at him. That smile still made his heart flutter and always seemed to make everything alright. As Leila held Maia again, his heart warmed and he relaxed a little. It might be selfish of him, but he couldn't bear to leave them. Not ever.
-OOO-
Leila was making the last preparations, before leaving for Orlais to meet the Divine. She had to admit that she was very anxious about this meeting. From what she had heard from Lelianna, Justivia V was a good and reasonable woman, but Leila was still cautious. The purpose of the visit was to judge whether her holiness was a friend or an enemy. Until this was confirmed she had to remain hesitant. She was in the study at home and was going through some documents, she was to bring with her to Orlais. She smiled looking over at Maia, who was lying on a blanket on the floor with a rattle and a stuffed animal. She was so sweet lying there chewing on the stuffed bear's ear. Truthfully Leila didn't want to leave Anders and Maia behind. Especially Maia, who was still so little, but she knew she would be safer with Anders. She heard someone at the door and Bodahn opened. A few moments later Sebastian appeared and smiled, before closing the door behind him.
"Hello Sebastian." Leila smiled putting away the papers.
"Hello Leila and to you little princess." Sebastian smiled warmly down at Maia.
"What can I do for you?" She asked with a smile.
"I would like a private audience with you." He smiled.
"You are in luck, this is as private as it gets." She chuckled.
"You are right." He smiled and as he walked closer to her, Leila felt an uncomfortable feeling embrace her heart. His pupils dilated and he was standing very close to her.
"I wanted to tell you... You mean the world to me, Leila. I couldn't have gone through this time without you." He began and Leila could feel her heart beating at an uncomfortable speed.
"Sebastian, please don't..." She said barely over a whisper.
"Please hear me out. I have never known a woman like you. As the Prince of Stark Haven and Viscountess of Kirkwall it would be the strongest alliance the Freemarchers have ever seen. I retook Stark Haven partly because I would offer you nothing less than a prince. Say that you will consent to be my wife." He pleaded, but with a kind smile on his face. Leila felt sick to her stomach.
"You don't want me as your wife, Sebastian. You deserve someone better." Leila explained.
"There isn't anyone better. Have you never wondered why Hawke brought you here? Why of all people I was there the day you were summoned? The Maker placed you in my path and I can no longer ignore that. Together we could make a world worthy of the Maker and show him that we appreciate the mercy he has bestowed upon us." He explained with a smile holding both her shoulders.
"I don't love you." She said in a low voice looking up at him.
"I-I know, but I know that you will be a devoted wife all the same." He said with confidence.
"Dear Sebastian, I already married once without love. Seamus was a good and dear man and I cared for him, but knowing that he loved me and that I couldn't return that love... broke my heart. You deserve someone who loves you, not someone pretending to do so." She explained softly.
"In time that could change. You could learn to love me." He argued.
"But never as you wanted me too." She sighed regretfully.
"Your child needs a father. The Freemarchers could benefit from this alliance. Please consider it. I promise, if you accept, nothing will come between us." He said softly and Leila was left speechless.
Thankfully Maia began crying and Leila quickly walked over and picked her up.
"I will leave you now. Just consider what I've said." He smiled and gave Maia a small kiss on her head before leaving.
-OOO-
Leila was pacing back and forth in their bedroom, Sebastian's words poisoning her thoughts. He had made some good arguments. Some valid arguments. It would be what everyone expected and from a certain perspective the right thing to do. Anders came through the door and Leila threw her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. Anders seemed a little surprised at first, but returned the kiss eagerly. He pulled away with a grin and looked down at her.
"Hello love." He smiled, but then noticed her tension.
"What is wrong?" He asked softly.
"Sebastian proposed to me." She replied and he could feel her shivering.
"And did you accept?" He accused almost sternly. This earned him a glare.
"No, I made a promise to you." She said with offense, though she couldn't really blame him.
"Thank the Maker!" He exclaimed with relief and pulled her close for a heated kiss, which removed the offense she had felt. She pulled away with a smile, but she was still uneasy. She walked over and sat down on the bed.
"I feel dirty." She said irritable and Anders sat down next to her.
He could feel her trembling and she was truly concerned and uneasy. She was almost acting if she was in a state of shock, her anger and worry intertwining at once. He pulled her close to him and kissed her hair.
"It will be alright love. You are going away for three weeks and he will have to return to Stark Haven. He will probably have accepted it by then." Anders said soothingly.
"I hope you are right. I hope he will still honour our treaty." She sighed, burrowing her face in his chest and felt his lips pressed into her hair.
-OOO-
There was now only two days till Leila would be leaving Kirkwall for Orlais. She had avoided the subject of Sebastian's proposal whenever he was present, but thankfully it seemed that he had no intension of breaking their treaty. She was walking into her office, when she heard Sebastian's voice in the other room. She wanted to walk quickly past it, but something about the conversation stopped her.
"It's our duty to tell the templars." Sebastian began.
"Then why haven't you done it?" Fenris challenged.
"I guess I was hoping they'd come to it on their own." Sebastian sighed.
"And then you wouldn't have to betray Hawke's friends, right?" Fenris replied somewhat coldly.
Leila's heart jumped to her throat and she lost her breath as she realised what the conversation was about.
"That's not reason enough to allow a maleficar to walk free. Which of us should do it? Shall we draw lots?" Sebastian suggested.
" Uh-uh. You want to turn them in, you work it out with Hawke and Leila." Fenris denied.
Leila walked quickly, but silently into her office and rubbed her face with her hands. Was Sebastian really so jealous of Anders that he would do such a thing? "Probably, you saw he was willing to kill him."Leila argued in her mind. Now both Meredith and Sebastian had it out for Anders. Sebastian could provide her with the last information she needed to capture him. Leila's fists turned white as she tightened them. Anger was making the adrenalin in her blood take over and for a moment she wondered if this was what it felt like, when Justice became Vengeance. She had to bring Anders and Maia with her to Orlais. She could not risk them staying here on their own. The door opened and Fenris came through it. With two steps Leila was in his arms hugging him, but pulled away again quickly.
"I was about to tell you about my conversation with, Sebastian, but something tells me you already know." Fenris replied looking at her with concern.
"Yes... Thank you, Fenris. You are truly a loyal friend." Leila smiled.
"So, what are you planning to do about it?" He asked.
"I have a plan, but first things first. We are bringing Anders to Orlais as well. I will not risk him harmed because of Sebastian." She replied going to her desk.
"You still love him... He might not be the best option as a father figure for Maia." Fenris said warningly, but kindly.
"You have seen him with her. Do you truly doubt that he is good for her?" She asked looking at him.
"It's not him, but the demon inside him. Just be careful, that's all I ask." He said in a friendly voice.
"I will. Thank you, for looking out for me." She smiled.
"That is what friends do, from what I am told." He smiled in return.
