Chapter Fourteen
Paragons and Princesses
I had stayed back in Orzammar while Aedan, Zev, Shale, Sten, and the dogs went into the Deep Roads to find Lord Dace. Alistair stayed back with us ladies since we needed one Grey Warden present just in case Aedan didn't check in.
I had refused to allow any female in the Deep Roads, and when asked about it I told them Hespiths little poem. I had told them that since Darkspawn were Asexual by nature they took women and force-fed them tissue to taint them going so far as to 'spew' or vomit in a womans mouth. A 'litter' of darkspawn would be anywhere between 20 and 50 'live' births or spawn that were equivalent to toddlers… walking and fulling grown within weeks.
I told them how a broodmother would birth thousands in her lifetime…
They had all looked sick, and Alistair tried to get Aedan to refuse to allow me to come when it was time to go find Branka… I had told them I needed to go for Sereda. I had then pointed out that I seemed to be immune to the Taint and could apparently even cure it, which did calm Alistair and Aedan a bit.
Sten had even looked a little green learning about what made Broodmothers, and I knew this information would reach the Qun. Grey Wardens had no right to keep this information secret. Women should always be aware that if they were captured, they needed to find a way to get dead quick.
Aedan had asked for more detail, and I had choked up when telling him that humans made Hurlocks, Dwarves made Genlocks, Qunari/Kossith made Ogres and Elves made Shrieks. When Leli, looking very sick, voiced that there were Genlock Emissaries but that Dwarves couldn't do magic I sighed and told her it was due to the taint powering their magic as far as I knew.
By the time Aedan returned with Lord Dace, I had become something of a favorite among the castles. It could even be said that I was likely the only person they wouldn't dare to attack, knowing that I was good to them. I had gotten the Shaperate to agree to allow the Chantry on the basis of the charities it would bring, wrangled nugs, found the stolen Shaperate tomb, took out the Lyrium smuggler in dust town, helped Zerlinda reconcile with her father since my abilities as a seer were now well known in Orzammar (Every dwarf who knew and met me swore not to tell anyone topside and my visions confirmed I was safe enough here due to it).
I had also told Filda what happened to Ruck and that he would refuse to come back to Orzammar… she wanted to head to Ortan Thaig that second, but I convinced her to wait until the Wardens and I had returned from that area so that we could clear it of most of the danger… she only agreed when I assured her that Ruck would be fine if she waited. She tried to give me the shield, but I told her that she would need it if she planned to live in the Deeps, so she reluctantly kept it along with a sword her husband had made before his death.
Bhelen had decided to meet with me having heard that I was not only part of the Wardens group and that Aedan had already left to the Deep to seek out Dace to show him the papers. I was almost popular enough to get him the throne on my own, he said… if I were a dwarf.
Bhelen had actually turned out to be an okay guy… for the most part. I had told him to drop the act about not killing/framing his way into being heir; I didn't care about that. I had told him to his face that I refused to support Harrowmont because he was too backward and week. Bhelen had actually relaxed after that, and we had discussed how to make the future of Orzammar brighter for everyone.
As soon as he was crowned, he planned to marry Rica and implement some of the ideas I had given him from a few fan fictions I had read back on earth. Namely one called There and Back Again by ElyssaCousland on … Castles militia, we both knew would go over well with the nobles who wanted to stay out of the fighting and wipe out castles at the same time during the blight, and that would be a great way to get the castles to get a foothold to start. He agreed to marriage incentives and getting rid of gender restrictions on the pregnancy. I even got to meet little Endrin Aeducan, his new son, when Rica came by. I had held the little boy in my arms and decided that one day I would have another baby… just not when my life was all over the place.
Finally, before we decided that Jarvia needed to be taken care of, I convinced Bhelen to reinstate his sister into the memories. I had managed to convince him that she didn't want his throne, and that she was either in the Legion of the Dead or she would be a Warden if she was alive… I told him I planned to find her, and he did admit to feeling a bit bad that he framed her when he found out she'd had plans to join the Legion in a few years.
When we went to Dust Town to take care of Jarvia, it was a lot easier that in the game; mostly because 80% of the Carta stood aside and just left when they saw me in the group that was 'invading'. The 20% that stayed died swiftly. Due to this, we were able to get to Natia Brosca before she died.
Unfortunately, I'm sure she wished she was dead. I snarled at any male who got too close. Alistair didn't even try after he realized; knowing that I had been through a similar experience, he allowed me to take the lead. Zev and Leli caught on to my reaction swiftly, but Aedan was confused, and the mages didn't even bat an eye.
The pretty Dwarf in my care was no more than 23, though she was badly beaten. Her hair was as red as mine, and just as long though she kept it in a French braid. Her eyes were light blue and filled with sorrows while her skin was purple and yellow, though if you looked closely you could see the white beneath the bruising. She was only 4'5.
Natia refused to let me go. I learned that she had killed Beraht but Jarvia had caught her during escape, tempting Leske with a second in command position to betray Natia… he did. I had taken great pleasure in personally killing Leske with a flying dagger to the throat; he choked on his own blood as Natia and I watched. I knew it helped her to see one of her rapists die a slow death like that.
When Aedan again tried to get close I snapped. "Aedan Cousland, so help me, if you get to close I will begin carving bits of your skin off! Alistair, keep him away. Sten, help Alistair corral my brother before I lose my patience with him. If you must know Aedan, have Alistair explain to you why I am being so protective right now. Go back to the compound; I'm taking Natia to her sister." Sten had reached out and grabbed Aedans arm while Alistair stepped between Aedan and I holding his hands up to keep Aedan back.
I saw Alistair whispering to Aedan who paled as I put my arm protectively over Natias shoulders and guided her to the palace. She was looking at me confused.
"I… I thought… where's Rica?"
"Oh, Honey, I'm sorry; I've been remiss in informing you. Rica is currently engaged to Bhelen Aeducan; the Wardens and I are helping to get him on the throne. Rica recently had a baby, his name is Endrin after his grandfather," Natia looked slightly better hearing this, and at the same time she kept her eyes wearily watching around us for danger… not that she needed to, I was keeping everyone else away with a glance.
Eadrek saw me and began to follow from a distance. I knew Natia noticed when she tensed. "It's alright, sweetie. I won't let him hurt you; though I think he'd cut off his own arm rather than try. That's just Eadrek, his sister is castles and working for me currently…" I continued telling her about Eadrek; how I met him, who he was… she slowly calmed as I spoke.
"Can… can he not hover? I think I'd feel better if he were in my line of sight…"
I motioned to Eadrek so he caught up, "Eadrek, this is Natia Brosca; Natia, this is Eadrek Nevvin. Natia here would feel better if you stayed in line of sight, Eadrek; can you do that for me," To his credit, he didn't even question it, just told me yes and decided to walk on my right side while Natia stayed under my left arm.
Entering the Palace, I looked to a guard. "I need to see Rica; tell her I found her sister… you know what? Just send Rica to my meeting with Bhelen; I'll talk to him about what we found in that time too," the guard nodded and rushed off to find Rica. I had made my words flippant and made sure I never looked like I was coddling Natia; I knew better than anyone that being seen as fragile after this sort of ordeal would make someone feel worse. I had let her set the pace to the palace; when I snapped at Aedan, I waited until it was only our group around… I knew she appreciated it simply by the looks she gave me, and that was enough for me.
If she wanted to talk, I would talk; I would let her decide. Everyone moved through trauma in their own way; for me, it had been poetry, cutting and talking it out with my therapists… years it took for me to work through the more than decade of trauma… I eventually moved past it; I won't say got over it because that isn't something you get over…
I was just sitting down in Bhelens study when Rica burst through the door; poor Natia was so startled by it she had a panic attack. I'd had enough of those that I was able to help; I had spoken through it… "Natia, listen to my voice, okay sweetie? I want you to describe 5 things you see in the room for me sweetheart… good, now name 4 things you can feel… perfect okay now name 3 things you hear; you're doing great, Natia. We're almost done, honey. Name 2 things you can smell or 2 smells you like… now finally, name 1 good thing about yourself. Do you feel better?"
She had calmed considerably and was no longer shaking. "I… I think so. Thank you."
"That's called the 12345 method; anything you feel yourself going into a panic attack like that, just do what we did now. If that doesn't work, try lying down and sort of think about what you feel; wiggle your toes or just feel what's around you; a bed, the ground… anything, just feel. Or you can try repeating the days date over and over… tell yourself you made it; you were strong. Do whatever you need to, to ground yourself in the moment…" I knew Rica, Eadrek, and Bhelen were watching us, but I tuned them out, focusing only on Natia.
"How… how do you… where…"
"Deep breaths hun; I learned these things because I needed to. Just like you, I went through something very similar. Just know that it helps to find an outlet. I wrote poetry, and talked it out with people… everyone is different though. If your outlet is fighting, pick up a sword and train until your muscles hurt – pretend each target is their face if you must; if you lean more toward creation try writing or something you enjoy… but no matter what; know that you survived. You won! Not them, not anyone else – you."
She was nodding even as she cried. Rica was holding her sister; I think she guessed what might have happened, but Natia needed the support so I wasn't gonna have her step back.
Once Natia was calmed down enough, Rica took her to get settled into her new room. Bhelen was staring at me, "I… I don't think I ever expected that from you."
"I know. I've made leaps and bounds in my recover; having been through that, I know how to help… now, to business."
I had been hugged fiercely upon my return to the compound. Aedan looked like hell and I knew that almost everyone knew I had been… mistreated. Not even Alistair knew the extent of it, though if he asked I would tell him. I no longer minded talking it through anymore; but I knew Alistair would only ask if he was pushed by a thought or something was related to the topic. I planned to tell Fenris at least… help him not see me in such a terrible light for having magic.
We decided to head toward Caridins Cross the next day, taking tonight to get one more decent nights rest. It was decided that Alistair, Aedan, Zev, Shale, Sten the Dogs and I would all go; I had given Leli 2 months' worth of Payment for the Dwarves so that they could continue to be paid weekly. If we were gone longer, she had other money, and I had arranged for that idle dwarf in Dust Town to get me a decent Nug for her… she just didn't know yet.
Oghren stopped us near the gates for the Deep Roads, though he seemed surprised when instead of accepting his request Aedan just stared walking and said "If you're coming, get walking." I giggled.
I was unsurprised with just how long it took for us to reach The Dead Trenches; honestly when I had told Aedan that Orzammar would be our longest stop due to having to traverse the massive underground roads looking for someone who everyone thought was dead these last 2 years…. He'd been slightly upset to say the least. We did grab the records in Ortan Thaig… and I guess I didn't expect them to be stone carved, but I should have since as Oghren said, paper wouldn't have survived that long; even in a locked chest.
The only thing that seemed to keep spirits up was my singing and cooking… though Oghren tried to join in so I taught him a few drinking songs like 'Blunt the Knives' and 'Cat and the Moon' and other fun ones. They were his favorites – go figure. Despite his drunken nature and rough voice he actually did have a decent singing voice; that surprised me since the game implied otherwise.
Thus far, Oghren had taken a massive liking to 'Billy's got his beer goggles on' and I had laughed when he'd started to adapt the songs to his life.
Tonight's song? Don't threaten me with a good time – Panic! At the disco.
When I got to the part about
I'm a scholar and a gentleman
And I usually don't fall when I try to stand
I lost a bet to a guy in a Chiffon skirt
But I make these high heels work
I've told you time and time again
I'm not as think as you drunk I am
And we all fell down when the sun came up
I think we've had enough
They all laughed and Zev did a little dance.
I had made Hamburgers to go with the festivities, and Oghren ate 4 to no one's surprise.
The next morning we found Kardol. "Stone met, Kardol. I'm Ara and these are Wardens and associates… I'm gonna be blunt because I'm sick of the Deep and want to hurry back topside – have you seen Sereda? I have a delivery from her late father and a message that she's been re-entered into the memories by her brother Bhelen. She can stay here, come with the Wardens… I ain't gonna force her to do anything," I had seen the shock and defensiveness on his face.
"What do you have for me, surfacer?" a low sultry spoke from behind me. I almost shouted in joy with how easy it was to find her.
Turning, I swore. She was 4'6 with long shimmery platinum hair that reached her mid-back, pale skin, sapphire eyes, and red 'fuck-me' lips.
"Fuck me! No one told me you fucking gorgeous! Sorry; inappropriate… um, your father sent the Shield of Aeducan with Gorim in case he found you… when Gorim heard we were coming this way he wanted us to… damn. Zev! You're better around pretty women and you have the shield… you talk to her," I was flushed and saw Sereda give me a small smirk and wink as she turned her attention to the flirty Elf.
Alistair put his arm around me, and I could hear his chuckling. "Shut up. She's sexy… can I have one?"
I didn't realize everyone was listening until they hall started roaring with laughter. "Sadly, I'm taken," The Dwarf in question said with a chuckle.
"Well so am I; doesn't stop me from wanting to bed you," I winked as Alistair held me tightly and kissed my head. "Uh-huh… and he'd be willing to share you? I find that hard to believe," She was flirting with me!
"Hmmm… what was it you said back at the Dalish camp, Alistair? 'I can handle sharing you, but I refuse to lose you.' Right?" I gave him a wide grin as he nodded with a blush… he was likely imaging me with Sereda.
Shock rippled among the Dwarves surrounding us. "Well… He may share you, but I don't have that restraint," Kardol muttered. "Looks like you won't be joining the Wardens then? Pity, that. You'd have made a good one," Aedan injected, causing more laughter as Kardol held her.
"Unfortunately; if you had showed up about 6 months ago, sure I'd have joined you; but I'm already one of the dead now. But it's good to know that Bhelen feels regret."
I chuckled, "He has a son now. Little Endrin is growing like a weed if you listen to his momma. I don't think she knows she's pregnant again though…" those words caused Sereda to drop her Jaw. "Who's the mother?"
"You remember that red headed mistress you met on the day of the proving? Her name is Rica, a former castles noble hunter," Her eyes had widened when I mentioned that she had met Rica, causing me to explain my seer abilities.
"And… I take it you didn't come all this way for me, then?" she asked.
"Nah… Branka is across that chasm somewhere. Anvil of the Void, ya know… Caridin is over there too but he's a Golem now," I gave a bright grin. We had been talking with the Legion for a while and decided to 'make camp' next to the Legion for the 'night'.
As usual I sang while I cooked. I made beef stew with carrots, onion, and potatoes with a side of garlic bread. There was enough for everyone. What did I sing? Well I was feeling playful… Wasn't Me by Shaggy
Honey came in and she caught me red-handed
Creeping with the girl next door
Picture this we were both butt naked
Banging on the bathroom floor
How could I forget that I had
Given her an extra key
All this time she was standing there
She never took her eyes off me
How you can grant your woman access to your villa
Trespasser and a witness while you cling to your pillow
You better watch your back before she turn into a killer
Let's review the situation that you're caught up inna
To be a true player you have to know how to play
If she say a night, convince her say a day
There were several jaws on the floor when I started rapping and then when they caught the context I saw wide eyes all around. Oghren was laughing… so were Zev and Aedan. Alistair looked shell shocked. I giggled and sang one more song while the food cooked. Animals by Maroon 5.
Baby, I'm preying on you tonight
Hunt you down eat you alive
Just like animals, animals, like animals-mals
Maybe you think that you can hide
I can smell your scent from miles
Just like animals, animals, like animals-mals
"And… where did you learn these songs?" Sereda asked with a blush. "I was raised in a whole culture of perverts, dearest. I know all the fun stuff," I winked.
The food was a hit, and I decided that when we came back this way I'd make food for them again.
Thankfully, it was only another two days to clear the 'Spawn, kill Laryn and get to Branka. I hadn't warned Oghren about her… he needed to see it for himself. He looked lost when the turned away saying 'I AM your Paragon'. He prodded me for answers, so I gave them. He looked distraught learning we had to kill her. I had told him what would happen if we let her live… forcing people to be golems eventually. He sadly agreed with me, stating that people needed to be saved from themselves at times.
I was pretty pleased with how swiftly we were able to get through all four traps… despite them deadly, the only major injuries were Aedan breaking a leg, Zev getting knocked over the head by a falling rock, Alistair getting sliced by a Hurlock (Yes that activated my 'Goddess' mode as Alistair called it… bye-bye darkspawn), and me taking a Genlocks dagger to the leg.
Aedan had fretted and Alistair had frantically began cleaning the wound with alcohol when we realized that there had been Darkspawn blood on said Dagger… but as Avernus and I had predicted, the blood did nothing to me. In fact, it was really strange to watch the blackened blood being forced out of the wound as though being evicted by the police. No sooner did my own blood force the gunk out did my slice just… close up.
This meant that we did need to explain to Oghren about my Anti-taint blood since he was the only one in the dark about it, but he was so drunk Aedan was sure he wouldn't remember; I snorted at that. Oghren had been drunk for the last two years and still remembered his wife… he was smarter than many drunks.
When Branka burst in demanding the Anvil, rather than respond I flicked a dagger that imbedded in her forehead. Caridin was staring at me.
"Will you destroy the Anvil of the Void?"
"Well we ain't here to have tea, sweetie. You make us a crown for the new king of Orzammar, and we'll smash the Anvil to itty bitty pieces… Also, I got a question for ya."
Caridin was watching me. "You have my interest."
"Is it at all possible to make new control rods for existing Golems? Or give them sentience like you and Shale?"
"I… could make new rods, but the Sentience isn't likely to happen quickly. Might I ask why?"
"Well, think about it, Caridin. People are less likely to try and make new Golems if you stick around to prevent it. I happen to know that people WILL try, regardless of the loss here. If you can 'rescue' Golems from the lost Thaigs then they could not only help with the blight, but they could also protect Orzammar. Are you aware that Dwarves are getting to the verge of extinction?"
For someone with a metal face, he was able to show a remarkable amount of concern. "They are? Much has changed in the last thousand years, then. I will make new rods and try to collect more golems for Orzammar. It is the least I can do for my mistakes," The Golem nodded and headed over to the Anvil.
The process of making a new crown took only three days. Had Caridin still been a living person, it would have taken longer. The crown was beautiful, unlike the clunky thing in the game. It was obsidian in color, and more of a mens tiara style rather than a helm. It had an array of gemstones imbedded in it; sapphires were in every other spot and diamonds in the other ones. I noticed a velvet lining on the inner ring so that the metal wouldn't dig into someone's head. He had set it in a deep box made of white wood.
I'm pretty sure my hand twitched, I wanted to try it on… Caridin actually gave me a grin and pulled another box out. This box was a polished brown wood. He handed it to me, and I raised an eyebrow. He looked over to Alistair who was red in the face.
I opened the box and gasped. It was a silver circlet, polished to a shine with swirling Celtic designs and Amethyst stones. "I've been told you'll be a queen, and a queen needs a crown. Alistair here helped with the design."
"I… I remembered that one you wore in Redcliff that last day… I drew him a picture and and…" I knew I had tears on my cheeks as I gave him a kiss. "Why must you be so perfect? I'm finding it hard to keep up."
He blushed again and I heard laughter from our friends. When we set camp halfway back to the Legion, I dragged him into our tent…
"You, my love, are the sweetest man I've ever known. Might I show you my… appreciation?" his eyes darkened as he groaned.
I slowly helped him out of his clothes, stripping myself down to only my grey tank top.
I had him lying in our bedroll and this time I wasn't going to let him stop me. I kissed my way from his lips to his jaw, nipping at him and electing a gasp. When I bit down on his neck I had my hand stroking his hard length.
"Ara…" his voice was rasping and ragged. I softly kissed my way down his chest, his hand tangled in my hair, giving soft yanks. I moaned and continued lower.
"Mmmh, Alistair… I really want to taste you… you are not stopping me this time, love," I gave a smirk as a flash of desire passed his face and his member twitched in my hand. I kissed the tip before allowing my tongue to dart out and circle the tip.
His hand tightened in my hair and I sucked his length into my mouth. I stroked as I sucked and licked, causing him to gasp. "Ara…"
I moaned around him when his hand started to pull on my hair, attempting to pull me up.
I heard his ragged groan as the vibrations of my throat around his cock caused his hips to jerk. I allowed my free hand to begin playing with his balls. "Ara… please, love… I can't…"
I sped up, feeling the tensing in him as he growled his release, hand tightening against my head as I moaned and swallowed every drop.
Finally able to yank me away from his cock, he flipped me onto my back and slammed into me. I gasped as my hips thrust up to meet his. His lips came down hard on mine, kissing me and gripping my hips as he took me roughly.
"Alistair!" I shouted as he bit into my neck. "That was… I love you, Ara." He was panting as he slammed into me over and over. I whimpered as his fingers pinched and pulled at my nipples.
He'd always been passionate, but never so rough and I felt myself crying out and digging into his back as I crested into ecstasy, his name ripping its way from my throat. I was surprised when he slowed for a moment, moving his hand away from my nipple and sliding it behind my waist and holding me closer to him as he rolled us over.
I groaned and sat up on him, moving my hips in slow, torturous circles. He hissed a breath and gripped my hips, helping me to move faster as I played with my own nipples, crying out in pleasure. "Alistair…" the rest of my words dipped into panting in that other Language I knew and had been teaching to Alistair.
I begged and pleaded, wanting him to be rough, needing him to take me; he obliged, gripping my hips and slamming me down his length and holding me there as he sat up. "Ara, I love you," He growled as he bit into a nipple, tearing a moan from my throat.
My hand came up to cup his cheek and pull him into a kiss. His hands explored my body as we made love, and I loved it. Suddenly I was slammed onto my back, knocking the wind from my lungs and causing me to cry out.
I begged him to fuck me harder, reaching up to pull on his hair. His hips moved faster, his groans deeper, and I screamed my second orgasm. I heard his own cry of pleasure as my clenching walls tightened around him, coaxing his own release from him. When we collapsed together, I snuggled into him.
The next morning was when I realized… I had forgotten the Sound-Silencing enchantment… I had upgraded my tent so it was more comfortable and had enough room for us all to eat in it so I had needed to re-do the silencing.
"Um… Alistair, my love? Be prepared… I forgot to silence the tent…"
He groaned as he got dressed and I chuckled.
When we exited there was a silence before the ribbing began. Zev and Oghren teased Alistair while Aedan glared.
"Look, I get it! I'm sorry I forgot the sound spell, okay? If you must glare, brother, direct it at myself, not at Alistair," I said.
"Bellisima… what was that language, exactly? I noticed you have now taught it to our handsome Templar if the sounds last night were anything to go by, but you never did tell us how you learned it."
"Zev… I told you I don't know what that language is. The first time I ever heard it was back at the Dalish camp when I started speaking it… in the middle of the night. I like to call it Fairy or the language of the Fae, but I really don't know. I've adapted to it, learned more about how to speak it and teach it… and no, I will not be teaching you, Zev. The last thing I need is for you to understand exactly what I'm asking Alistair to do to me," I glared as Alistair sputtered a bit.
"But then, Bellisima, how will I ever please you?" Caridin shifted a bit at the elf's obvious attempt. "Simple, my friend… you don't. You failed to seduce your way into my bed already, dear… seems I prefer light haired Warrior types… not assassins," I smirked as Zev gripped his chest dramatically and said, "You wound me!"
"You want to see me wound you, Zev, I can think of much worse things than rejecting you."
I had made steak and egg burritos with pepper jack cheese for lunch on the go… turns out the only one of our group who didn't like spicy things was Sten… who knew? I made Stens with Colby Jack instead.
It was getting time to wind down when we finally made it back to the Legion camp. Seeing Caridin and a small detachment of Golems following us caused quite the stir.
Deciding to make camp, I made chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, sausage gravy, and buttered green beans. I sang again that night; I See Fire – Ed Sheeran.
Oh, misty eye of the mountain below
Keep careful watch of my brothers' souls
And should the sky be filled with fire and smoke
Keep watching over Durin's sons
Sereda got a kick out that one – turns out she knew her name would have been Duran if she had been male.
Alistairs birthday had happened about the time we got close to Orzammar. I made him a chocolate cake with buttercream frosting. He'd also gotten stuffed chicken… it had ham and cheese in it and it was breaded; corn and loaded mashed potatoes for sides.
For a gift, I'd given him a figurine… of Duncan and a topaz sending stone set for just us. Pretty sure the figurine was his favorite seeing as I had made it a 'key chain' and he had clipped it to his belt, not taking it off even once and he even added his new sending stone to it while I added mine to my Rose Keyring. Good thing I had them enchanted against the elements. He had a tear or two in his eyes as he held me.
By the time we made it back to the City, we had picked up 47 Golems: 6 Metal, 41 Stone; all 10 feet tall or taller.
I had told Caridin who our choice of king was, so when we got to the Assembly chamber, Bhelen was presented the crown by Caridin himself. Bhelen then pledged funds for Caridin to create rods and research giving the found Golems sentience. That alone gave Bhelen more support in the Assembly.
The Golems were to be led by Shale for the Battle, though Shale had no desire to stay in that role forever, telling Caridin that after the battle against the Archdemon, she would be sending them back to him and Orzammar.
I kept my crown in Alistairs pack and he promised that he'd keep it safe in Denerim for me while I was in the Free Marches. He also planned on buying a 'Summer Home' in Hightown and letting me stay there. We both knew that there would be rumors that I was his mistress when that happened and I had laughed and said, "Oh I can't wait to play with that!"
Bhelen gave us his support, telling us we had gone above and beyond bringing a Paragon back along with nearly 50 Golems for Orzammars defense. He presented Aedan with his brothers' mace, and assigned Eadrek to be our Emissary for Orzammar under my personal command. Natia had decided the best way for her to recover was to join the Wardens, so Aedan accepted her.
Getting back to the compound for a night of rest before heading out, I learned that Eadreks sister, Althild had given birth to a daughter while we were gone… and named the little one after me.
I was so touched; I cried and smiled, holding the little girl in my arms, cooing.
I had also given over a load of baby things; clothes, stuffed animals, a few blankets, and even a crib. Eadrek had moved her into his house and when she tried to tell me that it was too much – the stuff I gave her – I waved her off and said that's what fairy godmothers did. I had winked and explained the concept of godmothers. Althild had given me the biggest smile and said that if anything did happen, she'd be honored to have me step in for her daughter.
I will gladly admit to being quite prideful about that. And apparently once word got out that little Arvaala was under my protection… well, not one single castles would ever mess with their newest member.