Bioware owns Dragon Age and all the characters, I own Jaya, though...

The King's Rose
Chapter 18: Rescuing Time.

Jaya groaned and shook her head, wondering what exactly happened before she remembered being ambushed in Highever. All of it happened before she even could draw the dagger. She moved her hand and heard rustling of chains and her eyes flew open and saw the inside of a place she wanted to never see again: Fort Drakon. She chuckled to herself and wondered what it was with her and this prison as she saw Leliana laying not far from her. "Leli?" She asked softly. So help their captor if Leliana died. They would have wished to never have met Jaya Theirin, formerly Jaya Cousland.

"Mmmm. What happened?" The bard replied, rubbing her head and sitting up. Her green eyes widened and she darted over. "Maker's breath, Jaya! I thought you were at Highever?" She asked as she went to work on the chains binding her feet, neck and hands. "Ooh. Alistair's going to go insane with rage at this. It's almost like you fought that high dragon near Haven again, a black and blue eye here, a few scrapes there." She said.

"I was wondering why my head hurt." She chuckled back before inhaling at the action. "Better add bruised ribs and other things to that list." Once Leliana picked her hands free, she reached up and took out a few hair pins, having her hair fall so she could work on her feet while the bard focused on the one around her neck. "Good thing these ones are child's play to us, huh?" She asked.

"Mhm. Oh, Maker. These chafed you pretty good." Leliana informed, helping her stand. "Any where else hurt?"

"Mmm. Nope." Jaya smiled when she felt the child kick slightly to say it was there too, and safe. "Even our child is fine."

"Thank Andraste for that.. Shh. You hear that?" Leliana motioned for her to be closer so they could eavesdrop.

"...hear Anora is looking to marry that commoner?" One asked.

"I heard he knew that witch that's sitting on the throne now since they were mere pups. He was easy, according to her, to manipulate into kidnapping the red-head while she sent the Bann after her." The other chuckled as they passed by the cell, their conversation fading out.

Jaya collapsed to her knees in shock. Anora and Gilmore worked together?! And Teagan knew of it? Oh, they will all be hanged! I will inform Alistair as soon as I am able. She held her head in her hands, sniffling. "I can't... Gilmore... He.. betrayed not only my trust, but Alistair's. Same with Teagan..." She whispered before more sounds were heard, like fighting. She managed to pull Leliana away from the door right before it exploded, causing both to cough.

"Break the doors, why don't you? The prisoner's need to be alive to face Anora, idiot!" A voice groaned as they walked into the room. "Maker's breath?! Where are they?"

Jaya used a rock that she had gotten and bashed the person in the head, a similar grunt signalling that Leliana did the same. She was shocked when she slipped into the armor at how exposing it was compared to the armor she wore. It showed off her waist, which had the little weight she put on because of the child, the pants only like shorts on her as she realized one was a dwarf and the other an elf, rolling her eyes at the irony that she got the smaller of the two. "Well, my luck ended." She stated as the two strolled out of their cell and looked around.

"Which way?" Leliana asked, smirking at the outfit. "You know, it's not too bad. Just remember not to get hit.. anywhere."

"I need another set... Hold up." Jaya glanced in and saw some clothes instead, knowing they would fit better, and some weapons. "Bingo." She smirked at the silver long sword and matching dagger before seeing Leliana grabbing a bow and quiver. "Looks like this'll work. Let's go." She motioned after changing into a dalish-style armor set, the fit a lot better, though she hated the exposed skin.

Leliana loaded an arrow and looked around the corner, motioning for them to move. "I think this tale will be.. difficult to tell." She admitted as they entered the ballista room, glancing around before seeing a group ahead with their weapons drawn, causing both to dart behind a statue, peaking out to glance at the group, who seemed to be looking hard for something. She squinted, but couldn't make out the people.

Jaya held her breath until one spoke, her breath escaping at whose voice it was.

"Are you positive this is the right fort, Zev?" The one asked.

"Is there more than one Fort Drakon, my friend?" Zev replied.

"... Good point."

Jaya sheathed her weapon and darted out from her cover. "Alistair! Zev!" She called, tears of relief streaming down her face as she flung herself into her husband's awaiting arms. "Maker, I knew it." She breathed.

"Are you hurt?" Alistair asked, holding her away so he could look at her, rage flooding him at the bruises and cuts dotting her lovely figure.

"Nothing that can't be healed, husband." Jaya replied, smiling up at him before noticing the group. An eyebrow rose when she saw Sten, Shayle, Wynne, Oghren, Fergus and Zevran. "You brought an army?" She teased lightly.

"Never can be too sure. They all insisted." Alistair said, sighing and kissing her lightly on the lips. "I swear I'll have this place torn down or something. Cause you seem to be put here so many times."

"I am not put here, husband. I just get unlucky with where I'm sent." She pointed out before frowning.

"Something wrong?" He asked.

"I know who's involved. Anora, Gilmore and Teagan... All three have had this planned since you announced I was your betrothed." Jaya said.

"What? Teagan? Why..."

"Because, my friend, he fell in love with our lovely Warden, just like you." Zevran stated after hugging Leliana, though the bard didn't stop hugging him. "My dearest bard, allow me to breath will you?" He joked.

"I understand Anora's involvement. Do they think they'd get away with it?" Alistair questioned.

Jaya sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Calm down. Let's deal with it somewhere other than here." She said, taking his hand and leading them out of the prison. An idea hit her, causing her to stop and a grin to grow on her face.

"What's with... Let me guess, you have a plan." Alistair stated.

"More than a plan. I'll enjoy this." Jaya said, smiling and informing them of the idea: Jaya to show up and vent to another Landsmeet, with Eamon there. She would have proof if Wynne would avoid healing her at the moment. There, they'd pull the evidence, words from not only the queen herself, but the bard that had never lied once.

"My dear, you are brilliant." Alistair praised.

"You just realized this, husband?" Jaya teased.

Fergus chuckled. "Let's send out the word. I'll be there, since Highever is it's own again."

Another Landsmeet... Sweeeet. ^.^
~~Skittles~~