Maddie
Like anyone would be
I am flattered by your fascination with me
Like any hot-blooded woman
I have simply wanted an object to crave
But you, you're not allowed
You're uninvited
An unfortunate slight
A day spent at Redcliffe wasn't the worst thing that could happen, Maddie thought with a sigh. It gave them all a chance to get some rest, patch up their armor and trade for supplies. Isolde had lent her and Leliana gowns to wear for the day, and while Leliana had reveled in the Orlesian silks, Maddie hadn't been as thrilled. Morrigan had also been lent a gown but the Witch had refused to wear it, claiming it was far too binding. Maddie wondered if Morrigan had the right idea. Maybe if this visit was truly during a time of peace a gown would be a nice change. As it was, Maddie found herself constantly fidgeting and unable to relax. Her hands wanted to touch dagger hilts, or her sword, and without armor she was always looking over her shoulder.
Currently she was studying a map of Ferelden and the Grey Warden Treaties in the Arl's library and jumping out of her skin at every noise in the hall. Even with her back to the wall so she could see the door, it was hard to relax.
She'd finally managed to become immersed in planning the route to the elves and determining the supplies they'd need when Teagan strode into the room. The door opening so suddenly had Maddie jumping out of her seat, her dagger out of her sleeve and in her hand before she'd even thought to draw the blade.
Teagan held up his hands in surrender and halted his approach. "I beg your pardon my lady. I did not mean to startle you."
Maddie sighed and offered a half smile as she sat, re-sheathing her blade. "It is I who should beg your pardon." She said quietly, gesturing to a chair nearby. "I find I am uneasy and out of my element."
"I do not think you could ever be out of your element my lady." Teagan smiled, his eyes twinkling at her. "You seem as perfectly suited to gowns and great halls as you are to armor and blades." He took a seat across from her at the table, angling his chair so he was within an arms reach.
"Perhaps once." Maddie gave a one shouldered shrug, not entirely agreeing with him. "But we've been on the road for some time now, and I am not as comfortable as I once was in civilized surroundings."
"Apart from drawing on me, you don't seem so very agitated." Teagan chuckled. "And Eamon would laugh and tell you I probably did something to deserve a dagger's point short of my throat."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Maddie returned in a dry tone. "It could simply be Redcliffe, rather than my apparel," she mused, "considering the last time I wandered the halls here they were filled with skeletons."
"Put like that I don't wonder at your caution." Teagan's chuckle had left a grin on his face. "If there's anything I can do to set you at ease my lady, I would be pleased to do it." His knuckles stroked the back of her hand gently, a wealth of flattery and flirtation in the gesture.
Maddie felt her spine stiffen and she picked up her quill, noting how many loaves of waybread they might need to make the forest. "I'm certain that you mean nothing untoward by your kind words." She murmured quietly.
"I hope I am not unwelcome." Teagan's flirtatious smile hadn't faded.
"That is not the word I would chose," Maddie's lips curved in a cool half smile. "I'm afraid that I am…entirely too cognizant of the honor you would do me."
"It would be my honor to… see to your comfort." Teagan replied, his fingers lingering once again over the soft skin on the back of her hand.
"And yet, I find all my comforts already seen to," The girl tilted her head, catching movement by the doorway, and knowing her twin was simply waiting to thrash Teagan if the Bann became too aggressive. "My companions are sound friends, guarding my life and comfort and honor better than I ever could myself."
"Ah." Teagan nodded his understanding. "I had hoped I had misunderstood your meaning the last time we spoke." He offered with a smile more enticing than friendly.
"I am flattered by your thought of me," Maddie said quietly. "But I am…not free to indulge your…interests." She made another note on her list and rose to put the map back in its place, rolling the treaties back into their scrolls and stopping the ink.
"And if you were free? To indulge?" Teagan asked quietly, his face oddly intent.
Maddie tilted her head thoughtfully. "I didn't think you found me so very attractive that such persistence is warranted." She offered. "I am not able to stay here, and I am not the prettiest girl in Redcliffe." Grey eyes narrowed speculatively as she looked at the nobleman. "And I have never been interested in someone who pursues me for my rank."
"But you seem to encourage Alistair." Teagan pointed out in a low voice. "His eyes follow you like the moon follows the sun. Or is his attachment unrequited?"
Maddie felt her hand curl into a fist and willed her fingers to relax. "Alistair is my dearest friend, and the one man other than my twin whom I trust unreservedly. His eyes might follow me but his hands have never done anything I considered wrong or unwelcome." She was aware her voice had chilled as if winter had swept through her. "Something I cannot say about you Bann Teagan." The skirts made a dramatic swish as she walked from behind the table towards the door and turned to face him. "You and Eamon conspire to make Alistair king."
"We do." Teagan replied in exact and polite tones. "And you agreed with that aim last eve."
"I did and I do still." Maddie told him. "But that does not mean I support you or Eamon as a puppet master behind the throne. A king is no king unless he is strong and willing to do what he believes is right after hearing counsel from his advisors."
"You encourage Alistair's infatuation in order to gain his ear when he is king?" Teagan sounded as if he considered the idea ludicrous.
"No." Ice should have fallen from her words Maddie's voice and face were so cold. "I encourage Alistair to seek counsel from those he trusts. And I encourage him to think for himself and question my twin and me when we make decisions he does not find palatable."
"And what has that to do with his eyes following you?" Teagan retorted.
"Nothing sir." Maddie eyed the Bann. "Nothing at all." She made as if to leave. "But Alistair looks at me because he wishes to look. Not because he desires the Teyrn's daughter."
"You speak in circles." The Bann shook his head, his annoyance plain.
"No." Maddie lifted her chin as she paused at the door. "I speak to make clear that should you seek to divide Grey Wardens from their purpose that your aims may fall by the wayside." Her fingers tightened on the treaties she held. "There is no one in Ferelden who can force Alistair to go against his conscience. Not even someone who draws his eyes."
"Are you saying he may decide not to take the crown?" Teagan frowned, his concern genuine at the thought.
"I'm saying that Alistair has a mind of his own, and your actions may influence his decisions in ways you cannot imagine." Maddie returned and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
In the corridor stood both her twin and Alistair, neither of whom appeared pleased. Maddie put a finger to her lips and gestured for both of them to follow her, leading the men to her room. "My apologies," She shook her head as she closed the door to the bedroom she'd been given. "I didn't want him to overhear anything you might say."
Alistair glanced at the door and then at her. "What exactly were you trying to accomplish?" He asked finally. The knight was frowning thoughtfully, though that he was agitated by Teagan's actions was also plain on his face.
Maddie sighed and sat down on the bed. Alistair joined her after a moment, leaving the chair for Cogburn. "I was hoping to imply that his pursuit of me would have a detrimental effect on his efforts to make you king." She said quietly. "Telling him you have a mind of your own, that you don't follow Cogburn and me blindly, that you can't be manipulated…"
Cogburn regarded his twin with steady brown eyes. "That if Alistair takes the throne they may get more than they bargained for."
Maddie nodded slowly. "I had hoped he would take the hint." She offered them a weary smile. "I am unused to political maneuverings and I fear Eamon and Teagan play those games very well. We need their support in the Landsmeet. But I'm not willing to go to Teagan's bed to get it." Beside her, Maddie could feel Alistair stiffen with outrage.
"Is that what he was getting at?" The Knight whispered dangerously. "His flirting…"
Cogburn apparently didn't like what he saw on Alistair's face. "His flirting was just that; flirting and innuendo, which Maddie has dealt with before, and surely will again." The rogue said firmly. "Teagan is well aware that Maddie could be the future Teyrna of Highever. His flirting is politically motivated, however beautiful you are twin," he added looking at Maddie.
Alistair shook his head and put his hands on Maddie's shoulders, unaware of how possessive he appeared. "You know that somehow makes it worse." He grumbled. "I can understand him wanting Maddie because she's beautiful and vibrant. But just because she's…"
"Teagan conveniently forgets that Grey Wardens give up family ties and titles." Maddie smiled slightly, leaning into Alistair's embrace until he took the hint and slid her back towards his body, cradling her between his thighs and wrapping her in his arms as he had so often while they were traveling.
"Something we also conveniently forget to mention when dealing with the Bann and the Arl." Cogburn grinned. "I think your aim was accomplished though twin. Teagan won't flirt or make advances towards you because if he upsets Alistair by poaching, it might upset his and Eamon's plans to make Alistair king."
"That's what you were saying with all that…" Alistair rolled his eyes. "I wondered but you were so…circumspect in what you said, I couldn't be certain that was absolutely what you meant."
Maddie chuckled slightly. "That's the point my love."
Cogburn's grin grew wider. "I completely overlooked that aspect of it Alistair, brilliant."
"Love to take the credit, but I don't see how I'm brilliant just yet." Alistair's voice was dry as dust.
"She never said it straight out. Maddie implied a whole bunch but Teagan and Eamon are going to be wondering if she meant what she implied, or if she was just leading them to a false conclusion." Cogburn explained quickly. "You and I know what she meant. We know her very well. Teagan and Eamon don't and so they'll have to step very softly when they deal with the three of us."
"Because they won't know what we might find offensive or what we could misconstrue from their actions." Alistair said slowly. "Duncan would say this is a deep game."
Maddie shook her head. "Politics usually are." She sighed slightly feeling very tired. "Being on the throne won't be any easier but at least you'll be in a position of strength. You have an instinctive way of knowing what's right, what to say to make people want to follow you in the correct decision." She squeezed Alistair's hand.
"You mean being king will be like this all the time?" Alistair looked and sounded horrified.
Maddie shook her head. "Sometimes yes, and sometimes no," She said quietly. "That's why we don't want to completely alienate Teagan and Eamon. They're good at this. But they have to understand you will not be led around on a leash and the sooner we make that clear to them the better."
"Are you going to be all right around Teagan?" Alistair seemingly changed the subject.
TBC
Author's Note: I like Teagan well enough but I always felt like he and Eamon were motivated by politics more than concern for Alistair. Eamon always struck me as someone who wanted to be the power behind the throne.
