Chapter Sixty-Six
Val Royeaux
I had noticed that Fenris didn't say he loved me back – and as I told Rain in our next session, I was glad he didn't. If he wasn't ready to say it then I wasn't ready to hear it. I never wanted my mates to feel like they had to say those three words – because if they said them, I wanted them to mean them.
Perhaps that was why only Alistair said it – but I could live with knowing they loved me. They simply needed more time to work that out on their own first. No one could tell someone when they were ready to love and be loved.
I wore a cloak with a hood, dark sunglasses with metal frames, and a cloth hospital mask so no one saw my face – but I made sure that Rain was preening like a peacock so that people were drawn to his blue hair and ladybug wings that were out at my request.
It was obvious who we were; especially when Aedan caught sight of us by the Val Royeaux gates and shouted out, "Your Majesty!"
Son of a bitch – that was one way to draw the attention to me. I lifted my gloved arm and waved to him as he approached. He embraced me and whispered, "It's good to see you again, little sister."
Cullen cleared his throat, "My Lord."
Aedan narrowed his eyes on the Knight-Captain, "Hmph… Oh, Hawke – good to see you again… you must be Brother Sebastian Vael; pleasure to meet you. You should be Rain… Fenris, right?"
Wow, Aedan – make it more obvious that Cullen was in the Korcari Cage, would you?
Fenris looked greatly amused and said, "Aedan, is it?"
"Glad that you know not to use titles since – technically – your position is higher than mine and you're practically family now."
Fenris smirked – he knew that Aedan was being salty towards Cullen… Alistair must have told him; I didn't.
I heard whispers around us – most wondering my looks and name. I extended a hand and took Sebastians arm; he obliged with a small flush, and straightened his back to look more refined.
We began walking when I heard someone else call out, "Your Majesty – pardon me… excuse me… Ah, Your Majesty – I am Grand Cleric Elemena; I preside over Ferelden and was asked here due to your ties with King Alistair."
Elemena was the Grand Cleric that had spoken during the Landsmeet – she was 5'7 with hair that had long gone white and eyes that were a pretty shade of blue-green.
I hummed. She continued, "I believe I met one of your subjects there – Lady Arvaala Cousland?"
Aedan coughed, "Er… forgive us, Your Grace, but this is better discussed out of the open. Her Majesty has spent two weeks on a boat and thus has subsisted on rations. As well, the Wraith Prince here might like if there weren't so many potential threats around his mate."
Fenris harrumphed and narrowed his gaze at the gathered crowd. Elemena looked stunned, "I didn't realize you had brought one of the Princes with you – we only ever hear of the Dragon King… King Alistair. Come – we've prepared a carriage for you."
I was impressed at how well the Divine was receiving us, actually – bringing a Grand Cleric to welcome me in person at the docks and even getting a carriage?
Once in the carriage I let my hood down and took off the mask and glasses with an impish grin, "Hello again, Your Grace."
"You… all along?" she looked both amused and annoyed.
"Sorry for the deception – at first, I had amnesia. It wasn't until about 4 months before the Landsmeet that I learned who I was. I still don't recall much of it either – mostly I have my memories starting the day after Ostagar fell. There are many memories missing and I couldn't afford to let potential enemies learn about such a weakness."
She sighed, "I suppose I can understand that – but after the betrothal was set?"
"Well, I didn't want any assassins coming after me to threaten my mate, of course – not before I become legitimate in the eyes of the Chantry. As we stand now, I have very little legal foothold in Thedas – and most of that comes from me holding Gwaren and being adopted into the Cousland family. And that would have been void if Fergus and Aedan hadn't confirmed they knew that I was a Fairy when they adopted me. Let us be honest, your Grace; if I had been killed, the chantry would have shrugged me off as not legitimate people."
She frowned, "Is that what you think of us?"
"It's what I've seen. The Fae have immaculate records of all things Thedas – we've been coming here every century for 8,000 years. Do you have any idea how many people in your chant are Elvhen but were said to be human after the March on the Dales? Let's start with Inquisitor Ameridan – he was a Dalish Mage and leader of the Seekers of Truth. He went on a mission for Emperor Drakon and didn't come back from there…"
Aedan looked stunned but said, "Huh – wait… there's a noble Orlesian family that claims decent from him."
"They are liars." I said coolly.
"Do you… have proof?" Elemena asked
"Our records from that time mostly – though in about 8 years I could get better, physical proof from his final resting place. My point in this is that my deception was deemed necessary."
She sighed, "I will discuss this with the Divine and her Right Hand – but without the proof…"
"Don't worry about it – at the moment, I don't care about that. It can wait until I get that proof." I sighed.
Sebastian nodded, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace – I'm Brother Vael with the Kirkwall Chantry under Grand Cleric Elthina."
She relaxed at that, "I was unaware there would be a chantry escort…"
"And a Templar – this is Knight-Captain Cullen. He's here to take my head if you deem that… prudent." The sarcasm was thick in my voice.
Cullen snapped, "I am not, Ara; I am here because I am your Templar escort…"
"And the mate most likely to reject me," I whispered. Elemena looked confused, "Mate?"
"He was to be the Lion Prince – my mate of the Air. Cullen had a rather bad experience during the Kinlock Uprising and… cannot handle that I have 'magic'."
"But it isn't magic – that much was already determined and even declared by the Divine."
I shook my head, "If it looks like Magic and it feels like Magic… he can't see it as anything else, Your Grace. I have had to take steps due to Fae Laws; unless Cullen returns to me, I am courting another in his place. This is Serah Hawke."
Cullen growled a little. Aedan reached over and slapped him upside the head, "You don't get to be jealous when you broke up with her, Knight-Captain."
"And… who is this?" Elemena asked, motioning to Rain.
"This is Rain – he's my personal healer and therapist. His mate Katt is my personal assistant."
Rain extended a hand, "Nice to meet you, Your Grace."
Cullen looked sour as he was looking out the window. Elemena coughed, "Well – it looks like we're arriving."
The place was three times as big as any palace I had ever seen – but I made sure to keep my face passive and said, "It's nice."
Elemena visibly deflated – she was obviously hoping to gage how well off Danu was since the only people that had been allowed to go there were Fae, Alistair or the elves moving there at the moment. I had issued a 'proclamation' tat Danu would only open for tourism and such after this little meeting. I knew the towers could be seen for miles in any direction though.
We were soon stopping and I had replaced my cloak, glasses and mask. We were quickly ushered into a room with 5 thrones – one in the center and more grand tan the others. The woman on that one was old and weathered. This was Divine Beatrix III.
I curtsied – though many around me sniggered at my attempt because apparently this was not the bow I was supposed to use. Well, fuck them.
I did spot Seeker Pentaghast – she was 5'11 with short black hair and brown eyes. Her tan face was covered in scars – three stood out. Left jaw, right cheekbone, and right lower lip. I inclined my head, "Seeker Pentaghast – I looked forward to meeting you the most."
She stiffened, "And you know me on sight?"
I shrugged, "I'm special. So; I suppose it's time to reveal myself."
I started with the sunglasses this time, then the hood, and finally the mask. Rain knelt beside me and said, "Might I present her Imperial Majesty, the Angel Empress of Danu, Arvaala Theirin, official wife of the Dragon King and highest authority of the Fae?"
I shrugged out of my cloak, handing it to Aedan as I revealed black jeans and a dark crimson tank-top beneath. I smirked, "Sup?"
Cassandra gave a grunt of annoyance, "It was you all this time?"
I sighed, "Yeah, yeah – I get it okay? I hid my identity as the Princess and then the Queen or Empress… whatever. I had to until this meeting. You stop an assassination plot for the Divine – you get why I had to do it. The Chantry – as yet – does not recognize the Fae; if I were killed, it would be easy to sweep the Fae aside. I won't risk my people, Seeker."
The Divine croaked out, "Clever girl."
Just like that, all signs of admonishment were gone. Cassandra spoke again, "Very well – shall we jump right to the testing, Your Holiness?"
The divine shook her head, "I am more curious about her talents first – the book we were gifted described a list of talents that the Sylphs could have…"
I smiled, "I can shapeshift into any creature of legend – Dragons, Griffons, Nine-Tailed Foxes, Unicorns and other such things; I can sense the movement of the sun; I can fly on the wings of a bird; I can sense every element around me."
That was when the testing began – they brought in a girl.
The girl was no older than 20; she was 5'5 with shiny brown hair and green eyes. A spirit was called – a vaguely humanoid figure from waist to head – but below the waist was a smoky genie like figure.
This spirit spoke to the medium – it was a spirit of honor. My lips twitched – I couldn't lie, hated killing and followed my code of conduct strictly.
I kept my chuckle in though. Aedan was about to say something when we heard another voice enter the room – Leliana.
I straightened and my head swiveled, "Leli!"
She looked up – and everyone else in the room looked confused. She looked to the woman beside her – Dorothea was 5'7 with greying brown hair, blue eyes and deeply tanned skin.
Dorothea nodded with a small smile and Leliana came running over to hug me and Aedan, "Ara – I missed you."
"Leli, my beloved – have you changed your mind about running away with me?" I kissed her cheek. She laughed – she didn't seem to realize that it was never once a joke. I did like Leliana; very much. I wouldn't mind sharing her, of course – but this woman didn't like me that way.
Actually, seeing her affinity with spies and secrets… she damn well knew I wasn't joking but liked the flirting and it made Aedan more possessive so…
Aedan snorted, "Hey – mine, Ara. You get to keep Alistair and Fenris; let me have Leli."
I gave a charming grin, "We can share her, can't we? I'm sure Hawke or Fenris wouldn't mind if you wanted to ransom one of my mates in return."
Fenris – realizing this part was a joke at least – shrugged, "Why not? I am already agreeing to be with Hawke for you and Aedan is a good looking man…"
Aedan sputtered, "No, thank you – you're very good looking in all…"
Leliana was giggling, "Oh, Ara – you are too much sometimes."
I kissed her cheek again, "Only for you, sweetie. Is that Dorothea?"
Leliana motion the woman over, "Grand Cleric Dorothea of Orlais – previously a Revered Mother until 9:22 Dragon. But you already knew that," she smiled, "Your Grace, this is Her Majesty, Arvaala Theirin of Danu."
I extended my hand with a small smile as the girl with the spirit began her testing. I wasn't really needed to pay attention – the spirit would mostly be sensing me like I was a mage and reporting that I wasn't.
I had honestly expected one of my tests to be a phylactery – and had no idea what they might do past that. Would they do a phylactery?
Dorothea nodded, "Leliana speaks highly of your voice and songs… and you in general."
I chuckled, "Leliana loves my songs – but I am dubious about my voice."
Leliana giggled, "I do enjoy it though…"
"I'll sing you a song for a kiss, my dear," I flirted.
"Two songs," she flashed me a charming smile. Aedan sputtered and Cullen choked.
Sebastian was the one to say something, "Do you simply have a fascination with people of Faith, Ara?"
"Yeah – why else am I in a chaste courtship with you, Brother Vael?" I snarked at him with a smirk; Leliana laughed.
Someone coughed, "A chaste courtship with a brother?"
"One of the Laws governing Danu states that the Queen must be courting at least 4 people by the time she is 3 years into her tenure as Queen regardless of if those people are her mates or not. I haven't met my fourth mate – odd really; I should have – so I approached Sebastian about it… at least he won't expect me to lay with him. At the moment, the only man sharing that with me is Alistair. Knight-Captain Cullen here was one of my mates and chose to… not pursue that, so I am now courting Garrett Hawke here."
Cullen frowned and looked away – he was on the spot in front of the Divine.
"So the four people you are courting are…?" Someone else asked for clarification.
I listed them off, "King Alistair Theirin – my husband by Fae Law already, if you wondered why I have been using his name as mine – Fenris here, Hawke, and Sebastian. The only one I am courting that isn't here is Alistair. I figured it might be a show of faith to bring the men that might be my princes in the future. I even brought Cullen – and he could be a prince. I am holding out for him – no offence to Hawke, but if Cullen crooks his finger, I'll go back to him in like… half a second flat."
"So Serah Hawke is the main one on a temporary courtship here?" Elemena asked.
I nodded, "Yeah – and Hawke agreed to that. He's also seeing a Rivaini woman so, there's that."
Hawke gave a charming grin as his arm came around me, "I'm here to make Cullen so jealous he pulls his head from his arse."
Gasps rang out at the language in the Grand Cathedral – until Beatrix laughed, "I wish you all the luck in overturning the young Knight-Captains' verdict then."
The girl – the spirit medium – spoke up, "Your Worship – if this woman has any form of magic, the spirits cannot sense her. It is as though she is tranquil or a seeker according to the spirits."
I smiled, "That is nice to know." I held up a hand and all four primary elements swirled in balls above my hand. I then added the 4 'advanced' elements that only a 'Fairy' could really 'manipulate' – light, dark, plasma and static.
Those were mostly just… what allowed us to do most of the magic we could do, actually. Each Sylph could somewhat manipulate one or more of them without realizing it, I had discovered. Light was the most common – it was what allowed for Glamour magic; so could Dark.
Yet somehow, no one had pieced that together before.
Cassandra looked intrigued, "She feels like… a seeker?"
I shrugged and said, "I mean, it's expected. Nothing that can affect the Fade, the Veil or the waking world in such a way can affect a Fairy. Demons cannot possess us – though, as proven when I aided Kinlock in the uprising – they can still use abilities against us. We are immune to blood magic though – as proven by a grey warden blood mage that has lived over two centuries."
Cassandra came closer to me – she was completely unhesitant now. Rain, however, stepped between us, "I may not be the best fighter – but if you intend harm…"
I snorted, "Rain – she's not going to hurt me unless the Divine orders it or we attack Her Most Holy. And if the Divine orders it, then Cassandra will not be only one attacking."
Cass looked at me with grudging approval – I was right and she knew it. Rain let her pass. Cassandra was gathering some sort of energy – making Rain look at me worriedly – but with my calm demeanor, no one stopped her.
A wave of energy crashed over me and I hummed – it actually felt rather pleasant to me. I glanced back to Leliana again, "I'll agree to two songs – if it's more than a peck on the lips like last time I stole a kiss from you."
Leliana laughed, "Okay – but then, one of those songs needs to be religious."
"I'll sing a song that will make the devout cry like they found the Maker within them," I smirked. She grinned, "Then we have a deal."
Aedan grumbled, "You're always trying to steal my girlfriend – what's wrong with your men that you keep going for Leli?"
Hawke sniggered, "She only has one man in her bed at the moment, Lord Cousland. Though, the sounds we occasionally hear should mean she's more than satisfied… sweetheart?"
I smirked, "What can I say? I adore Leli."
I saw several people were flushed. Sebastian coughed, "Are we… really talking about this… in front of the Most Holy?"
I tilted my head but stilled when a vision slammed into me – I hadn't wanted to tell the Chantry until Inquisition! Fuck.
My voice turned Ethereal as I spoke during the vision, "Not the next Divine – but the Divine after the next will make a proclamation. She will decree all members of the Chantry, from initiate to Divine, would be allowed to engage in romantic relationships. When asked, she will point to a statue of Andraste who served the Maker while wed to a mortal spouse. Love is the Maker's best gift and is infinite."
Well shit – I guess Leli was going to be Divine Victoria. I fell to my knees and spat up a bit of blood as Rain rushed to me. The Visions that force their way to the front always injured me. This was downside of blocking visions – if the Vision had to be seen, then it would be painful when it forced out.
Leliana knelt before me, "I do not recall your visions being so painful, Ara."
More gasps rang through the hall as Beatrix said, "Visions?"
Leliana nodded when I waved her off. She said, "Ara is a Prophet – a Fae talent that usually only appears in the Queens."
I groaned and held my head, "When I learned how to block the damned things, I kept the block in place. But some visions force themselves to be seen – I guess that was one of them. When a vision forces out, it causes a bit of injury. It's punishment for blocking the visions."
Cullen looked pained, "Why do you block them?"
"You know why Cullen – I told you; I die when the subjects of my visions die. I feel every injury, taste the poisons and smell the piss of people locked in a cage. I'm selfish enough to be tired of dying. Shit, Cullen – I was with Andraste when she burned in one vision. How many times am I going to burn alive?"
Hawke flinched at that. The Divine spoke, "You've seen that?"
"Yes – it isn't pretty at all. She didn't scream, you know. She was smiling and looking toward the sky. Oh, she felt every lick of flame, but she knew that dying would put her with your maker. She had known for a while how and when she would die. Her work was done. So yes – I block what visions I can; because the punishment for it is nothing to dying like once a day." I sucked down the glass of water Rain handed me.
Aedan looked pained, "I also don't recall you speaking your visions aloud during them and sounding like a spirit while you did so."
I glared at him, "More punishment – visions are meant to be seen, and sometimes heard. Those ones I speak aloud are unavoidable on my current path. I knew it was possible for that marriage decree to happen, but there were… I mean… this just means I know who that divine will be."
"I think… we can count that as her second test," Beatrix was pale.
"Your Perfection – I thought we were going to…" one man said.
"Enough, Chancellor – I have made my choice. I grant full legitimacy to the Fae of Danu on the condition that we are allowed to build a chantry there."
"Oh… I already built one," I flushed.
"I was under the impression you did not worship the Maker…" Cassandra said in confusion.
"I don't – but there is a Chantry and a temple to the Creators and a temple to the Goddess in Danu. The capitol of Moon-Brooke holds all three. The Temple to the Goddess has been there for thousands of years, but the temple for the Dalish Creators and the Chantry are new. I had them built while the palace was being built. Bot temples and the Chantry are all about the same size; I didn't wish to diminish any one religion of the people that make Danu their home. I refuse to push religion down anyones' throat – because it isn't Faith if you are forced to believe. Besides, I believe in the Maker – I simply don't worship him as a solitary entity. In my opinion he may be the god that is part of the religion I worship, but…" I shrugged.
I motioned to Rain; he pulled out a full sized Ley Line and moved to set it up near one side of the room as I continued to speak, "As a show of faith, this Ley Line is connected to the Chantry in Moon-Brooke. I will warn that there are guards there – not to stop you from exploring, but to protect any of yours that go there. Not all Fae are benign and accepting of a new religious faction in my lands. There are guards at the Temple of the Creators too for the same reason. The three religious temples are near enough to the Palace that you could visit easily if you so desired. There are rooms, pews and all things needed for a proper chantry there."
Sebastian began to speak, "Aye – her majesty inquired to Elthina about what was needed for a chantry that would house a Grand Cleric and Ara followed it to the letter. Elthina and I have both seen the inside of this new chantry, Your Perfection – it is no less impressive than the Kirkwall Chantry. It has a room for Grand Cleric, a kitchen, a grand hall, and even bathrooms – places that are far more efficient than our current methods for bathing and er… chamber-pots. Any person of the Faith placed there will not be treated as though they are invaders in a foreign land."
Cassandra looked more respectful toward me now, at least – that was good… I liked Cass. I smiled as Rain said, "The Ley Line is set up, Ara."
I nodded and Leli said, "If your Perfection wishes, I will be the first to go through to show this is not a trap?"
"You and Cassandra should go through."
Cassandra saluted and headed toward the Mirror behind Leliana.
While they were gone, Beatrix said, "The decree you spoke of – that people of the faith… from initiate to divine would be allowed to engage in romantic relationships… would there be any repercussions if I put that in place now?"
I allowed my visions to unblock for a moment. I shook my head, "No – actually you'd see a boom in people taking vows if Chastity is no longer required."
"And the Divine that was supposed to make this decree?"
I shrugged, "Honestly wouldn't have made the decree if she wasn't in love with someone anyway; it was one of her more minor things. It won't hurt her term on the throne, Most Holy."
"Then I want to decree it – it will happen anyway, so we may as well."
A scribe instantly began writing off to the side. I could see several people didn't agree with this, but Sebastian asked, "And… those of us that made vows of chastity?"
"Can choose if you wish to keep those vows or not, Brother Vael; from here forth, the faith will not require its followers to take vows of chastity – because Empress Arvaala is right; even Andraste had a mortal husband but still served the Maker unwaveringly."
I shook my head, "It wasn't me – that would be the Divine that comes after the next."
"You said you knew who that would be?" Hawke grinned.
I nodded, "Yes – and I'm not telling the likes of you, Serah. On that note – Divine Beatrix III, I have a request… I have an apostate for a friend… this apostate abhors blood magic and I can promise that they will never become an abomination or… in fact this friend will one day help stop a Qunari uprising and become a Champion of the city they save. I would like an official pardon for this person. They have been an apostate since birth, but their father was also a mage that used to be part of the Circle. This apostate was properly taught in the ways of the Circles training."
Hawke was stiff; he knew I was talking about him. Aedan was looking at me in his side-eye.
Beatrix hummed, "I… will allow this – on one condition."
"You have but to name it," I bowed my head – for my people, I would grovel.
"You agree to have a liaison from the Chantry with you in Kirkwall. As a prophet, it would be wise for us to heed such things…"
I shrugged, "I don't mind – I already have Brother Vael, 5 Templars and a mage warden living in my house – what's one more?"
The Divine looked amused – and Cass and Leliana came strolling back through the Ley Line. Beatrix said, "I will be sending a Revered Mother to stay with you then. Who is this apostate that needs a pardon?"
I motioned to the man draped on my shoulders, "Garrett Hawke."
Cullen cursed, "You're telling me that I'd been living with an apostate and didn't notice?"
I coughed, "To be fair… you weren't looking for it. Besides, Hawke moved out a week after you moved in, Knight-Captain."
"You should have said something! And you wonder why I…" he looked pissed. I flinched away as my breathing hitched. His voice continued to scold me – but my eyes were on his hands. The second they clenched, I blacked out.
I came too huddled in a corner, whimpering and my eyes clenched shut. I vaguely heard Rain, Hawke and Aedan laying into someone – Cullen I think.
I slowly opened one eye and looked around. I was still in the Grand Hall with so many clerics and mothers and… so much for leaving a good impression on the Chantry.
Fenris was sitting beside me with his sword in his lap – growling at anyone who dared to get close.
Fenris noticed me looking at him and said, "Are you with us again?"
I nodded as the tears coming from my eyes slowed. Leliana – sitting near enough to Fenris to touch him – said, "Would a kiss help?"
I hiccupped as I giggled – drawing the attention of Cullen and the others. I regretted leaving Revas at home… I wanted to burry my head in his fur.
"Thank the Maker – Ara… what happened, little sister?" Aedan cooed – kneeling a small distance away so he didn't risk upsetting me.
I shuddered and he held out my cloak. I slipped it on, "I… they used to yell and hit. If someone I love starts yelling at me… I… I watch for signs they're going to hit me. His fists… he clenched his fists and twitched them forward. I was expecting…"
Cullen looked so sick, "You thought I would hit you?"
I bit my lip and looked away as I nodded. I saw that the Divine had been helped to come closer to us – she was quite old and sat in a chair most of the day. Rain growled, "Templar – you need to be a bit more understanding to her situation."
Hawke said, "She sees the future Cullen – don't you think she might have turned my ass in long ago if I was going to do something stupid?"
Aedan said, "Well – not exactly. If the stupid thing you were set to do needed to happen to influence the future… she'd let it happen. You don't understand – it's a life for a life if she prevents a death. She lost her unborn child when she saved Hawkes' sister from an Ogre. Innocent lives will replace the ones slated to die unless she plays god and picks who will replace those lives. She can't handle that responsibility, Cullen. She isn't a god; it isn't her place. Some lives don't require that sacrifice – so she uses that to save who she can without dooming others."
Beatrix looked stunned, "Is this true child?"
It was Cassandra that had helped her over. I nodded, "I… I lost my baby that way, yes. But Hawke won't do anything bad. He's got a hero complex and tries to save everyone he possibly can. I… I'm sorry for my behavior…"
"Don't apologize child – I've seen my share of panic attacks."
I looked down, "I was a sex slave; I knew my masters before they were my masters. I just… I'm used to looking for signs that I'm about to be hit."
Cullen clenched his jaw and looked away, "I… I wouldn't hit you, Lady Cousland."
I sighed, "Logically… I know that…"
"Why don't you have a rest? We can continue talking tomorrow," Beatrix said softly. Rain didn't wait for me to answer; he scooped me into his arms and snapped, "Wraith Prince – you will be sharing her bed tonight to keep the nightmares at bay."
Fenris nodded, "As you say, Healer."
Leliana was chosen to take us to guest rooms.
