Chapter Fifty-Four
What Is Happening?
We headed toward the Gallows – I was feeling a little… off, but I couldn't place the feeling. Something was going to happen – and soon.
Hawke headed right for Emeric while Alistair, Fenris and I split off to head toward Cullen.
I hugged him – catching sight of Meredith giving us our group a frown as I pulled away after. I also noticed that Keran had beaten us here – no surprise – and his sister was hugging him nearby.
I sighed – the news would be best coming from me, "Cullen… I'm afraid it isn't… good news…"
He blinked, "What is it?"
"Blood mages have… infiltrated your ranks and implanted recruits with demons… like Wilmod."
"Sweet blood of Andraste…" he whispered in horror.
Macha spoke, "D-demons? Did you say something about recruits and demons?"
Keran coughed, "I didn't want to tell you, Macha. They… they were horrible. Those mages see the rest of us as ants to be crushed. They won't stop until they've destroyed the Chantry and the Templars forever."
I shook my head, "Not all mages are like that – in fact, not even half are."
Cullen conceded my point, "True; not every mage gives in to temptation, but none are ever free of it. At any time, any mage could become a monster; from the lowest apprentice to the most seasoned enchanters. Mages cannot be treated like people. They are not like you and me."
I slapped him – and silence filled the courtyard as Hawke began rushing over. He looked stunned, "Ara?"
"People are people, Cullen – no fucking different than you and me. I will not have you saying otherwise. I heard it enough as a slave – and refuse to sit here and listen to you demean people and take away the basic right of being treated like people. Is that how you see Anders when you come over and he's there? Or my Fae guards – do you see them as no more than tools?"
His jaw worked but no sound came out at first. He said, "You… were a slave?"
"Is that all you heard? Yes – I was a slave…"
Alistair tried to cut my off – so did Fenris – knowing that I always had a panic attack after talking about it.
"For 15 fucking years that's what I did – fuck. I was a Sex Slave – to two people who had no right to use me. Am I less of a person to you now? Since you know that I was used and abused for a long time – Gee, I wonder what could possibly be right in my fucked up head! No – I refuse to listen to you belittle an entire class of people just because they were born to their circumstances! They didn't choose to have magic, Cullen – not one of them; they're making the most of their situations. Are there bad Mages? Obviously – every class or race or people has good ones and bad. You do not judge a whole group of people for the actions of a few. I am greatly disappointed in you Cullen."
He was pale. I had begun shaking in the second sentence – mostly from anger, but I suspected something else was going on too – and it wasn't a panic attack.
Alistair pulled me away, "I hope you are quite happy, Cullen – she has panic attacks anytime she talks about that past of hers. As she puts it – she was free for 7 years and two marriages before losing all of that and coming here."
I was gasping for air – something wasn't right! My vision began tunneling and Fenris snapped, "Fenhedis – Alistair; she is losing consciousness."
I heard Cullen say, "Tell her I'm sorry…" before I passed out.
I came to in my bed – at Archon Manor; the House of Archon; whatever it was officially called.
Alistair was sitting on one side of the bed – Fenris on the other. I groaned, "W-what… Happened?" that wasn't Common – that was Fairy Language.
Everything seemed enhanced, and more than that, I could see 360 degrees around me. My hair was floating and looked more like… shit; I was in 'goddess' mode as Alistair called it. This shouldn't be possible; I was conscious while in this mode.
Alistair shouted for Anders – other people poured in. I saw Leandra, the twins… the whole damn group – including my guards.
Alistair spoke, "Love?"
I realized I had moved my hands to hold my head – I had a migraine and there was so much information settling in my head – I didn't know what to do about any of it.
I glanced at him, "Hold me?"
He put his arms around me and continued to speak in common, "This is new – that you're aware during… this."
Magma finally spoke – looking mournful, "We have erred, My Lady… we should have told you what signs to look for so we would know… the Queen is dead – long live the Queen."
Horror filled me – setting off the pain in my head, "What?"
Galaxia said, "You would have felt as though something was off – all day – as well as the need to… mate – we don't know why that happens. And close to the end, your emotions would have been unstable and you would feel ill before succumbing to unconsciousness. As no Queen was ever able to go into the Protective State, we didn't expect this, but it does make sense – you are being overwhelmed with the knowledge needed to protect our lands so it would trigger an instinct. There was an accident – part of the Queens' Home… collapsed above her as she slept with three of her mates. Bear is the only survivor – because he was out taking care of the orders to do something in a nearby city – Mountain, I believe. The Elemental Court is all but lost – and the Court of Beings isn't fully formed, as it should be. We have no precedence for this – the new court was always fully formed before the Queen died in the past; with the exception of Secondary Mates. So we only have the Dragon King and the Angel Empress set…"
Drake – his arm around Celeste because she was weeping – said, "You will have a new mark upon your body now – the mark of the Queen. It changes with each Queen, so we can't say for sure what it looks like."
I frowned, "Celeste; are you okay, hon?"
She shook her head, "The Queen was my Aunt… I was hoping… that she might live to see our child born. We knew that she was on limited time – but…"
I hadn't told Celeste of my vision yet – that she was having a boy and a girl. I'd seen that only in the morning; I'd planned on telling her before dinner.
"How long was I out?" I asked.
Alistair provided that information, "You were only out for a day, my love – Fenris and I have been by your side since we got you here."
Fenris – leaning back in his chair – said, "Cullen said to tell you he was sorry. When I asked about what, he said that he would reflect on what you said – about the mages being people."
I sighed and spoke – not realizing I was back to speaking Common, "I always intended to slap a bit of sense into him – just not so early in the relationship. Ah, well, what's done is done – no take backs. Is there something I can eat? I'm hungry…"
Magma headed out at once to get me something. Anders headed into my bathroom to get me a glass of water, "You'll need this – we've been giving you fluids with a washcloth while you've been asleep, but you weren't taking in nearly enough."
Obsidian spoke smoothly, "My Queen… I hope you will not be angry with me…"
Wait – what? I looked at him after sucking down the water, "About…?"
"Hanan is my mate – Air. I haven't done much more than tell her such – I am… what is the phrase that humans use? I am wooing her. I will not move on her until she tells me she is ready… but I know she is your daughter."
Right – the Fae looked at adoption in the sense of completely taking the kid into your family. That was why Drake had a brother and not a cousin.
Magma returned – he must have run – with a tray of tiny sandwiches; in many different styles. None had lettuce since I was allergic or tomato slices, but it was free for all on things like avocado, onion, Ketchup, and such.
I narrowed my eyes but Alistair said, "I already talked to him – extensively – about this. He gave me his oath that he would never push her and that it was all up to her on how to proceed if they did… believe me, I think I went over everything."
Fenris snorted, "Some things, you asked twice."
I relaxed, "If she comes to me and says you made her uncomfortable at all – I will toss you out so fast that your head will spin."
He blinked – likely never having heard such an odd threat.
Drake looked confused, "I didn't know that was possible."
I smirked, "Oh, it is – have you ever spun around so fast that the room seems to spin and you have to hold your head to make it stop? There you go."
Xia coughed lightly, "I see – that does make a bit of sense."
"So what happens now? You're the Queen – should we be getting married?" Alistair asked.
I snorted, "The Chantry won't allow that until I do their little tests, Alistair – and I thought the deal was if I got pregnant we'd get married as soon as possible. I'm not pregnant – I would know since I learned how to place a 'bookmark' on an event. If I get pregnant, I'll get a vision that tells me such. I'll also get a vision telling me if I will if we sleep together without the tea I drink to prevent it."
Fenris looked intrigued at my comments, "The Chantry – do you know what they will do to test you?"
"It's in flux – they keep changing their minds since I only allowed two tests and that was agreed to. The higher-ups are pissy that the Revered Mother didn't negotiate for more, but the Mother thought she couldn't since she was only speaking to an 'emissary' of the Princess not the actual princess. They want to do something that will ensure the 'Princess' is immune to Blood Magics and isn't a mage – but they also want to do other tests to see if this can be passed on. They can't do more than two because if it got out that the Chantry broke its word… my religion might be the next go-to and people may switch over; that's their biggest worry at the moment. So they're trying to figure out how to get the maximum advantage from only two tests."
"Do you have any guesses?" Alistair asked.
"If it were me – I'd try to make a Phylactery; that would prove if they are immune to blood magic because a phylactery is blood magic. But that wouldn't prove anything else that I'm aware of. Besides, they wouldn't know that they can't take my blood without my permission so they wouldn't ask and I wouldn't give it. They won't be able to take my blood to begin with. I don't know what else they may do."
Alistair frowned, "If they do the Phylactery thing… they won't be happy. They won't have a way to track you and that makes the Chantry very nervous with magic-types."
Drake snorted, "They wouldn't be able to track her anyway – the Queens are untraceable. The Water Clans cannot find them by scrying; the Earth cannot feel them; the Air cannot sense them; the fire doesn't know their temperature. It's impossible to find the Queen if they do not wish to be found. That is why the Guard must find the Heir through more mundane means – manual searches."
Fenris lifted an eyebrow, "The Chantry will not like that."
I shrugged, "They won't know that bit of information until after the tests… if they get to know it at all. Now; can I get snuggles and a nap? I'm tired…" everyone but Alistair and Fenris left.
"As her Majesty wishes…" Alistair grinned – getting more comfortable in the overly large bed… after stripping to his small clothes – he didn't seem to mind Fenris' presence.
I looked at Fenris, "And you? Or is that…?"
He looked surprised, but removed his armor and got into the bed – not seeming to care that he was naked… I didn't either. I almost flushed, but I just curled in to the two men instead.
When I woke again, it was dawn… so over all, I had been out for two days with a snack break in the middle.
I groaned. Alistair shot up, "My love?"
Fenris seemed to still be asleep but his breathing had changed. He was waiting for any sign that things were truly wrong.
I shook my head, "I'm so hungry… I want pancakes…"
Alistair chuckled, "I'll go make you some then – bacon too?"
I nodded happily, "Yes please."
He kissed me lightly on the forehead and hoped out of bed to get dressed. Fenris put his arms around me, "Do you also need a drink?"
I thought for a minute, "I don't feel thirsty, but I probably should have a drink…"
"You have a pitcher and a glass on your side-table. I'll pour you some," he said – I loved how caring he was; even if he spoke in a no-nonsense manner. He'd always talk like this, but if one listened… they could hear the care he had for his friends and family.
There was a knock on the door – Fenris slipped into the closet for something casual to wear while I called out, "Come in!"
Hawke entered, looking amused, "I was unaware the King could cook."
I chuckled, "I taught him – he used to be terrible. Imagine eating the color grey. His food was toxic – but I taught him in exchange for swordplay lessons. Now he cooks very well."
Fenris came over and sat on the edge of the bed, handing me the glass of water he'd gone to get. He was wearing black jeans and a black tank-top. Can I just say that it looked hot?
Hawkes' eyes also roamed over the broody elf. I shot Hawke a smirk.
Hawke said, "Well – I was allowed to snag a 'silver dollar' pancake – he had made that to test if the batter was right. It was good."
I chuckled – I had taught him that; make a silver-dollar when trying a new recipe so you don't make too many before realizing the ration was off.
"That means he used you as a taste tester – this is a new recipe. I called them 'Silver-Dollars' because there was a coin called that – and it was meant to denote that the tiny pancakes were smaller than the other form. It's also what I make for kids – because they can't eat a whole pancake, you know?"
"That's clever… whatever he did to them, they taste really good." Hawke shrugged.
He didn't seem to mind at all that he was used by the King to taste the new recipe. Fenris seemed to find it amusing – he was smirking a little.
I leaned against him and sipped at my water – wondering what Alistair put in the pancakes this time. One time, he'd made peanut butter; another time he made chocolate chip.
I didn't ask – I wanted to be surprised today.
The door was still open, so Drake seemed to take that as an invitation to come right in, "Ah… there are some documents that need your approval… as the new Queen."
I sat up straighter and had Hawke hand me the tray I kept under the edge of the bed – sometimes I did work in bed, even on Earth, so having a hard surface to write on…
Drake brought me papers – and a Fairy Mirror? I looked at him. He sighed, "This is the Council Mirror – see the sigil of four elements on the handle? We've had this the whole time for when you ascended. You have a meeting scheduled in two hours with the council – to… set up your coronation day. You're already the Queen, but there's always a ceremony – so that the general public can see you. This includes a ball, feast and speech. Your mates are expected to attend – at this point, only the Dragon King is expected; unless you mate with the others before that date." He set about setting up the rest of the mirror – to make it Ley Line. I assumed it was connected to council chambers.
I sighed – I'd known all along that being Queen would be a headache and a half.
"Do…? Should I dress up for this meeting? And do you think I should show up or is just the face-time option okay?"
"It would be better to show up – but it is well recorded that Queens are weakened and tired for at least a week after receiving the full power. Honestly, it'd be better if you dressed up too – but you're the Queen and no one will say a word about what you wear. They're more likely to mimic it instead." Galaxias' voice cut in from the doorway.
I looked over the papers and frowned, "Drake… this dispute – are they just stupid?"
He blinked and looked at the one I was looking over, "Why do you ask – it looks standard to me."
"I can't see why they're fighting about this when they're related – cousins."
He seemed to blank and picked up the paper, "Where does it say that?"
"Oh…" I took the paper to show him, but frowned – it wasn't written. "I… it's not written down. The information just settled in my brain, I guess."
Xia spoke, "Ah – the Queens' Power. When settling things between those who are her subjects, she can see all information needed to settle it. If the two are cousins, then this dispute isn't needed. How did they not know?"
"Maybe there was a falling out in the parents – so they never knew?" I suggested.
Drake nodded, "That does happen on occation – not often, but it does. I'll send the word and inform them."
I nodded and moved on to the next.
It was an hour later when Alistair brought up a tray of pancake… dippers?
He set the tray down as I shoved the paperwork aside and said, "What are they?"
"Some are sausage dippers and some are bacon. There are regular ones down in the kitchen for Celeste, as well as enough for everyone else in this place. Your plate here was the last to come out so they're warmer than the rest." He explained.
I hummed, "You spoil me."
"You deserve it – that ascension looked outright painful, love." His smile fell – and I could see the worry on his face.
"It… well, it was… painful. I still have a headache from the void left as a little gift from that. It will pass though – don't worry. This is good – this was buttermilk batter, wasn't it?"
He smiled brightly, "It is. I thought you might like it."
"I do – my dad used to make buttermilk pancakes. He always did, really – adding the chocolate chips or peanut butter to that. Growing up, I would spread peanut butter between the layers of chocolate chip pancakes before adding syrup. I know… it sounds so gross, but I loved it. It was like those chocolate cups I like… as pancakes. I'd have a glass of juice or sweet tea with it. He'd make bacon and sausage and scrambled eggs to go with it. I like syrup on my eggs sometimes…"
Alistair – thankfully – didn't look grossed out; he looked interested, "I'll have to try that sometime. You never really speak of your parents often."
"I don't, do I? Did you want to know more?" I asked.
Fenris coolly said, "I would like to know what sort of… parents do not notice the struggles of their daughter."
I sighed, "It wasn't exactly their fault Fenris. We were poor while I was young. My parents had five kids and being a chef didn't pay well. My dad had worked his way to manager of any resturaunt he worked in – usually being hired to that position when he left his previous job. Something always happened. We ended up moving often and that wasn't without its costs. My mother made money either waiting tables or transcribing medical notes – the latter paid more but required long hours sitting in one place so she was always in pain. The odd thing is, my older brothers were not… full brothers. The eldest was my mothers' son, from a previous engagement. The younger of the two was my fathers' son who he didn't even know about until Jonas was about 10 or so. His mother – Jonas, that is – was horrible. He was taken away from her because she was… unfit."
Xia looked horrified, "How so?"
"Jonas was found hiding in a clothes drying machine – like the one downstairs – after a tornado. He had been living off eating questionable meat that had been left in the no longer working fridge. We took him to cheap buffet upon getting custody of him – and he said 'wow, y'all eat fancy'. The oldest had always lived with us – but I think Jonas' childhood messed him up more than we thought. I think that was why he was deranged."
Alistair prompted, "And your parents?"
I sighed, looking toward the garden balcony, "They were over-worked. Working in the resturaunts he did, he was always working – even when he was home. My mom was always exhausted – and if she was doing the transcription work, she was always home. We had to stay quiet so she could work better. I learned not to say anything unless someone else did first – I eventually got tired of playing at being outgoing to cover what was happening… I became withdrawn. My parents didn't have time to notice, Fenris – they were too busy keeping us fed, warm and clothed. Child care was far too expensive – so the older children watched the younger ones in many households. I cared for my sisters – and that just made me more determined to protect them."
Alistair reached out – his hand gently pressing against my cheek, "But who cared for you, my love?"
"Alex did – he was the light in my life. And then I got cancer… I was going to die… at least my life insurance was enough to cover my cremation and give them more than a little left over. Now – you and I need to get ready for a meeting with my Fairy Council. It's in another… hour and 45 minutes. You're the Dragon King, so I want you to go to your room and find some of the armor that I left in there – dragon themed, of course. Fenris, as one of my mates, you're welcome to attend – your normal armor of course. I'm going to dress like an Angel since that's my title."
"Alright – but we will talk more about this later," Alistair said before kissing me and heading to the door with a Dragon on it – maybe it was a three headed dragon… done in red…
Fenris' room door had a blue wraith on it. A covered figure with only its arms showing was what I imagined, so that was what it was. Cullens' door downstairs had a Lion Rampant facing away from the Templar sword logo.
If I knew who my fourth mate might be, I'd get them a room and a logo too – but I had no idea who they might be. Mates were meant to be found the same way as Heirs' were.
I pulled on a white dress – it was ball-gown style with lace from the waist to the ankles. The V-neckline was beaded with diamonds and there was a silver waist-cincher for a 'belt'. The sleeves were sheer – there was only a thin halter-strap that was actual sleeve, while the rest was Voile fabric with a feathered pattern if you looked closely. It was backless – because I planned to allow my wings out.
I did my makeup in light grey and light blue – with a light pink lipstick and cats' eye for my eyeliner. I added white and grey wedges before pulling my hair into a waterfall braid and added my Crown from Caridin – the Celtic design matching quite well. I painted my nails light blue – for that extra flair – and completing the look with simple feather styled jewelry.
When I came out of my closet, I saw Alistair – in red armor that looked to be made of scales and bones from a dragon… because it was, actually. I had been gifted scales of a fire dragon from the… previous Queen for the Blood Typing kits. Alistairs' armor only took ¼ of the scales and bones I had per a set – so he had four.
The armor looked heavy – but it was rather light and easy to move in. He looked… very fierce. He wasn't wearing the helmet at all – he was holding it. It was designed to look horned and closed off – though he could still see with the eye slits looking like dragon eyes.
Fenris had no interest in going at the moment so… he was staying in.
Magma came into my room and froze, "I think I'm missing something."
"Well; I thought we should dress to our titles… so Alistair is in Dragon Armor – and I'm dressed like an Angel…" I muttered.
Magma coughed, "You look… if this is what an angel looks like then I can see why they were favored as symbols of innocence and divinity on Earth."
Alistair nodded; he looked stunned, "You look beautiful, Ara."
I smiled, "Thank you – and you look quite handsome."
Magma said, "As the Captain of your guard, I'm coming to the meeting with you. Hawke told me to tell you that they were going to check out the Foundry in Lowtown tonight. They already left to go finish a mission for someone called Prince Vael."
I nodded, "Oh – what was the outcome with Keran? Did he keep his job?"
Fenris nodded form my bed, "He did – Hawke said that you cleared Keran as well as testing if he was possessed. The Knight-Captain said they will keep an eye on him for the next decade, and if nothing happens in a bad way then he could be up for promotion. He was going to say five years after hearing you cleared the boy, but Keran said ten years would put everyone at ease. Hawke had stayed behind while Alistair and I brought you here."
That was good to know.
Alistair and I headed through the portal – my first council meeting as a Queen… I was going to hate it, wasn't I?
