Anders had removed his normal clothes and was now getting into a formal outfit, fitting of any noble. Last time he had worn something like this was when Hawke had burrowed him some clothes, at Leila's first fundraiser. He looked into the reflection and hardly recognized the man looking back at him. The man in the reflection was wearing a silver outfit, with black stripes and a pattern of red roses embroided on to the chest along the buttons. The jacket had a high collar in black and the sleeves wear slightly puffed. Underneath he was wearing a white shirt with ruffles at the sleeves peeking out under the jacket at the sleeves and chest. The trousers were completely black and he had a pair of new black boots. He was certainly dressed like a noble and in the name of the Maker, he felt ridiculous. He looked at his face and had to laugh at the contrast. Still the same rugged appearance with the unevenly cut hair. He gathered the hair that would fit in a silver band in the back, but stray locks of hair still hung loose.
"My first day as a free man and I am using it to go to some stuffy Orlisian party." Anders grumbled loudly, but had to smile from the words escaping his lips... free.
"You don't have to come. I'm sure there are enough gentlemen there to keep me entertained." Leila chuckled almost deviously from the other room.
Anders walked into the bedroom and smiled as he saw her. She was wearing a silver dress that showed of her waist and bust. Most of the back was exposed as were her neck and shoulders. It had long silver sleeves and in the front had a wide piece of silver fabric reaching from the top to bottom. It was embrioded with red roses as well. His perfect match. Her hair was up and a string of pearls were woven into it. The way the dress was embracing her, it was hard to believe she had given birth a little over three months ago.
"Not a chance. I am going to show every noble there that you are spoken for." He smiled brightly.
She smiled kindly at him, walked over to him and rested her hands on his chest.
"I can do that myself. You really don't have to come. Honestly I would much rather spend time with you and Maia." She smiled a little sadly. He took her gently by her chin and made her look at him.
"What is the matter?" He asked softly.
"I feel like I am neglecting her. I want to be a good mother to her, but I hardly spend any time with her. I am being pulled in so many directions that I feel like I am failing in all aspects." She sighed. Anders looked at her seriously.
"Because of you I am a free man. When I go to bed tonight, I will be able to sleep peacefully without the fears of templars coming for me. You are trying to give more mages that opportunity. Not only that, but you are trying to look after the elves and the poor as well. And no matter how tired you are, when you come home you sit down and spend time with Maia. You even bring her with you as often as you can. You have never failed or neglected anyone, but yourself." He said seriously, before kissing her lips softly.
"It reminds me of someone else I know." She smiled and stroked his cheek.
"Alright, new plan. We go to this ball tonight, but then we are spending the rest of our time here and the journey home relaxing. No politics and no nobles, just us and Maia." He smiled and she nodded in agreement.
She walked over to the table and picked up something that looked like a piece of jewellery. It wasn't until she put it on he realised it was a mask. It was made of silver and looked a little like a tiara. It was only covering her face around her eyes and had small silver leaves and flowers with crystals in the middle. She then handed him his own mask, which was a simple black mask only covering his eyes.
"Why do we always end up in things like this?" Leila chuckled.
"Sweetheart, I have no idea." He chuckled back as he put on his mask.
"I'm going to see if Brennan has everything under control with Maia. Aveline was right about her, she is a sweet person." She smiled.
"And a devoted guard." Anders added.
Fenris came in the room as Leila left. Fenris wanted to stay behind and watch over Maia, rather than mingling with nobles, who would assume he was a servant. Leila had always introduced him as being her advisor and right hand, rather than her bodyguard. He was her equal and while in her presence she made sure that all treated him that way. Some nobles had scoffed, when Fenris had called her by her first name. Undoubtedly that is where the rumour about their "affair" originated. Anders had not been thrilled about him being an advisor, because of his views on mages. Not to mention the way his stomach turned at the rumours. He knew they weren't true in the least, but still. Fenris was a good friend to Leila, though, and Anders knew that Leila would be protected with him. He also knew that Leila was not easily influenced by anyone's opinion and was more interested in the truth hidden beneath them. Anders noticed Fenris' glare at him and the elf walked a little closer. Anders crossed his arms. If the elf thought he could intimidate him, he had another thing coming.
"Be good to her. Break her heart and I will kill you!" Fenris growled in a deadly low voice.
"Understood." Anders replied simply looking directly into Fenris' eyes, without wavering in the slightest.
"Are you two ever going to get along?" Leila sighed heavily, standing in the doorway with Maia on her arm.
"No." Fenris replied simply, turning to look at her.
"Never." Anders agreed, as he walked over and kissed Maia on her head.
"Well, at least you agree on that." Leila replied with something between a sigh and a chuckle.
-OOO-
Anders had never been comfortable with attracting too much attention. Years of living as an apostate and fleeing the circle required the opposite. So as he entered the ballroom with the Viscountess of Kirkwall on his arm and all eyes fell upon them, he felt a shiver down his spine. Every instinct told him to run for dear life, but as his eyes met those of the small woman next to him, he felt himself frozen in place. He didn't want to run from her and through her efforts, he was no longer forced to run from anyone else.
"Viscountess Leila Amell of Kirkwall and Senior Enchanter Anders." The servant announced.
Anders had never felt so exposed in his life and as he felt Leila's grip on his arm tighten, he knew she felt the same. He was now walking among people, who had been taught to fear him and he had a right to be there. Not only was he one of the few mages in Thedas, who have been granted the right to live free of the circle, but he was escorting one of the most radical political leaders south of the Tevinter Impirium. Walking from noble to noble, Anders got a new appreciation for what Leila went through on a daily basis. In a sense this was the price she had paid for his freedom. Being constantly watched, judged and observed, words that might as well have been used about life in the circle. As their round was almost completed they approached the Divine and Lelianna. Another pawn in the Game. After bowing to the Divine, Justivia gave Leila a kind smile and kissed her cheek. A gesture, Anders noticed, who had the whole room whispering. Of course he had to fall in love with someone, who would get noticed everywhere she went. In the beginning it had been the opposite, she had almost hidden herself away from the world. Now it seemed that the flower had bloomed and everyone was taking notice. A part of him whished that she had never bloomed and that she was still unnoticed by the world. A divine secret that only he knew of. Justice corrected him for his selfishness, that both diminished her sacrifice and the change that she could bring about for mages.
"And this is Senior Enchanter Anders. It is nice to meet you in person. Such devotion to people in need is an inspiration to all of us." She smiled kindly.
Justice's words of defending mages were on the tip of his tongue. "Talk of mages. Let her know what mages has suffered. Inform her of the lack of mercy in her ranks." Their shared mind encouraged, but he controlled himself.
"Thank you, Your Holiness." Anders said politely and he felt Leila's hand discreetly caressing his arm. A reward for his self-control.
"You owe me no thanks. Too often we forget to reward those who deserve it. You have earned praise and liberty. With the help of your Viscountess, I hope for a future where we might not overlook those who have been shunned for so long." Justivia said seriously, but with a fond smile.
It took all of Anders' willpower not to laugh, as the words spoken sounded like something from a surreal dream. Justice doubted that it was sincere. All of Anders' memories were a well documented manifesto telling that the Chantry could not be trusted. Yet he felt a true desire to believe her. Anders froze, as an all too well known fear creeped up his spine. He could feel his magic being probed. He turned to see a man in a black armour with a symbol of the Chantry sun and an eye on his chest. A seeker, a templar. Leila leaned softly against him and whispered, her lips barely moving and so low that only he could hear.
"You are free." The hymn of her sweet voice and words reminded him, with a gentle caress against his ear.
"This is Seeker Lambert. This is the Viscountess of Kirkwall." Justivia introduced.
"A pleasure to meet you." Leila said politely.
"And you, my Lady. Aaahh, and this is the apostate." He replied with an annoyed expression.
"My name is Anders and I am not an apostate." Anders replied coldly.
"Yes, apparently so." Lambert said with the same coldness.
"Perhaps it would be wise to finish this discussion." Leila remarked and smiled apologetic at Anders and Leila.
They nodded and Anders took the opportunity to take Leila to the dance floor. She looked up at him, with an expression that was both concerned and mischievous.
"You know, that guy almost made me miss Meredith." Leila smirked and Anders gave a chuckle.
"Astonishing isn't it?" He smirked.
"I wish there were more people like Thrask." Leila said regretfully.
"Thrask is a decent man... for a templar." He replied.
"Way to sound tolerant, Fenris." She glared up at him, as he twirled her.
"I hate when you look at me like that. I feel like a naughty little boy." He replied pulling her close her back against her chest.
"How naughty?" She asked suggestively looking up at him.
He almost groaned as the dance force her to leave his embrace. Between having Maia and all her duties, they had not made love in over three months. The last thing he needed was her releasing that sensual enrapturing temptress, who was hidden behind the pragmatic and wise exterior. He pulled her close again.
"Don't tease a mage." He growled playfully.
"I was not teasing a mage, but daring a man." She said, her eyes sparkling with mischief and desire.
"You are going to be the death of me." He breathed with a chuckle.
"Sorry... I have a proposal for you by the way." She smiled.
"I don't think I will be able to restrain myself, if I hear more of you proposals." He chuckled, but she ignored the comment.
"I was wondering if you would run the large clinic, I want to open in Lowtown. You will still be able to treat the refugees of course." She offered.
"You want to put me in charge of it? And I can do as I please?" He asked seriously.
"Within reason. You will have to inform me of course, but I trust you. We will have to figure out the details first, and then you can tell me if you still wish to do it." She smiled.
"Agreed, but not until we return to Kirkwall." He smiled.
The dance ended and for the next several, Anders was left standing on the sideline, as one noble after the other was twirling Leila around the dance floor. A lesser man might have been jealous, but Anders knew her so well he saw everything she hid from the nobles. She wanted nothing more than to get out of there and thought their company tedious. He then noticed Lelianna walking up next to him.
"I understand you are a friend of her majesty the Queen of Ferelden and that you are a Grey warden?" Lelianna enquired.
"I was." He replied a little solemnly.
"I accompanied her Majesty during the Blight. She always had a talent for seeing the best in people. Even in those others took a disliking to." Lelianna smiled.
"Very true. I remember seneschal Varel thinking her mad, when she recruited Nathanial Howe." Anders chuckled as did Lelianna.
"She is not the only one with that quality it would seem." She replied looking at Leila.
"No... It seems I have been fortunate in my friendships. More than I realised apparently." He smiled.
"And in love." She smiled and Anders turned pale. He was about to reply, when Lelianna stopped him.
"From your eyes. You watch her as if nothing else exists. You have gained your freedom, it would be a pity to waste it don't you think?" Lelianna smiled and walked away, leaving Anders with his heart pounding in his chest.
-OOO- In Kirkwall -OOO-
Hawke was beginning to see spots. No wonder Viscount Dumar sometimes looked tired and deranged. Hawke had always joked about people needing him to get anything done. He had never realised how many was expecting, almost demanding, the Viscount to fix every minuscule problem in the city. How Leila did this on a daily basis was beyond him. Thank the Maker for Aveline or he would have made an ass out of himself at least ten times that week. He was now sitting in one of the council meetings and he had to admit it was a good idea. Instead of having people running around gathering information and every noble knocking on your door, they reported to the representatives and they relayed the information. It was an efficient way of surveying activity I the city. No wonder Meredith was so interested in joining these meetings. Just as Leila had predicted, when the meeting began Meredith had demanded to be included. Hawke had managed to send her on her way, but not as gracefully as Leila would have done. When the meeting ended he was approached by Thrask and Alain, requesting to talk to him privately. They walked into the Viscountess' office and Hawke offered them to sit down, but they refused.
"So what is this about? The rats in Darktown are rebelling? We are low on Antivan brandy? Or perhaps the last shipment of cheese from the Anderfels hasn't arrived? Just tell me, I can take it." Hawke chuckled, but the two men's expression remained serious.
"I'm afraid Meredith has become very reclusive of late." Thrask began.
"She is crazy!" Alain finished, but received a concerned look from Thrask.
"Tell me something I don't know." Hawke scoffed.
"It is no secret that Meredith and the Viscountess have had their disputes. I believe the Knight-commander have finally realised that she can't control Lady Amell." Thrask continued.
"Took her long enough." Hawke chuckled carelessly.
"We are afraid that she might try to have her assassinated." Alain said with deep concern.
This got Hawke's attention and he felt sick to his stomach.
"Of course she would. Blighted old spinster!" Hawke growled lowly.
"Champion... We are a group within the order and the circle, who are working together in an attempt to overthrow Meredith. We were hoping that in the light of what you have done for mages over the years, you would support us. And maybe even Amell would be willing to assist." Thrask said barely over a whisper, as they stood close together.
"Trust me there is nothing I would like better, but we need to plan this carefully. I can't assure that Leila will agree, unless the situation deteriorates further. But keep on planning and keep me informed. I don't want to see my cousin harmed." Hawke said seriously.
"None of us do." Alain replied and the two men left for the Gallows.
-OOO- Orlais -OOO-
Anders was lying in bed watching Leila asleep next to him. She looked so peaceful and all her worries had been washed from her face momentarily. He carefully reached out and stroked her cheek, without waking her. He still couldn't believe what she had done for him. She had moved heaven and earth to give him his freedom. Had it not been for her marriage to Seamus and had Maia not been conceived and put as heir to the throne, Meredith would have taken over Kirkwall. His freedom and life would still have been filled with obscurity. He thought of Lelianna's comment earlier that night. That he should not let his freedom go to waste. Had her and Divine known the entire time, that there was something between them? Or was it just seeing him in her presence that had convinced them? He carefully got out of bed and walked into the next room. He reached into the pouch on his belt and picked up the ring Leandra had given him. He carried it around with him everywhere. Almost as if he was prepared to grasp the opportunity to propose, should some twist of fate open a momentary window for it to happen. He was free now, but she was still expected to marry a noble. Had Elissa not been noble, it was unlikely that she and Alistair would have married. Yet Leila had twisted every rule so far and made them her own. Yesterday he had thought his own freedom impossible. A year ago he believed he would never be a father. Yet in that crib sleeping peacefully, was his little daughter. Perhaps he should stop recognizing the rules others had made and only follow those that made sense to him. Like marrying the mother of his child, who loved him as dearly as he did her.
"You are distracted from our purpose." Justice reminded him.
"How can it be a distraction, when she is fighting so hard for the same cause?" Anders replied.
"She is to kind to do what is necessary. She will never have the strength to do what must be done." Justice argued.
"But she has found another way." Anders replied almost desperately.
"This is stalling the process of freedom. It is meant as appeasement. Don't all mages deserve what you have received?" Justice asked.
"They do." Anders agreed.
"It is unjust for us to offer her a life, which we are not able to give to her. It not righteous to bind ourselves to her and Maia, when we will be gone soon. She cannot follow our path, Anders. I'm sorry my friend." Justice said with true remorse.
"No more so than I." Anders sighed regretfully and placed the ring back in the pouch.
He walked over and softly kissed Maia's forehead.
"One day you will love someone and there will be no templars to tear you apart." He vowed in a whisper.
