Chapter Thirty-Two

Landsmeet

We didn't even have a moment to rest when we returned – Eamon informed us that the Landsmeet would be meeting in less than an hour.

So, I explained to Alistair how to clean us with magic. It took him three tries – and he was reluctant after the Alienage – but he did it. I could tell he was instinctively keeping an eye on me through my emotions. I was used to that – my mother was an Empath too and she was stronger than I had been back on earth.

Gorim stopped us for a second to ask about Sereda – and upon hearing she was with Kardol and a full member of the Legion, reinstated to the Memories and had her family shield, he gave me two red lion pelts free of charge. I stuffed those into my 'money pocket' as we walked.

Alistair spoke softly, "What are we expecting to encounter?"

"Honestly… things may have changed. I go in there with you and Loghain may change his arguments – that's why I'm going to sneak in a different door. I can chime in but your first argument should be that the Blight is our enemy, not Orlais – next time you can talk, bring up Howes' torturing nobles. The third time, you need to bring up would be selling elves into slavery. At that point, he should ask about his daughter – tell him you were protecting her and she'll walk in and shock the courts. That's… pretty much how you win the Landsmeet."

Alistair nodded, "If I'm going to be king, then I'm taking the lead here – any objections?"

Aedan shook his head, "None, brother – this is your show."

Alistair chuckled – the two men were family now; through me. Aedan adopted me and Alistair married me.

Cauthrien stopped us, looking at me in confusion as I didn't stop – where they did.

I heard her talking to them as I slipped in and stood next to Eamon. He whispered, "Where are they?"

I whispered back, "Making a grand entrance, My Lord."

He nodded – he had more respect for me since I hadn't given Anora or Loghain the papers from Ostagar.

Eamon raised his voice, "My lords and ladies of the Landsmeet; Regent Loghain would have us give up our freedoms, our traditions, out of fear! He placed us on this path, yet we should place our destiny in his hands? Must we sacrifice everything good about our nation to save it?"

Loghain sneered up at the man on the balcony, "A fine performance, Eamon; but no one here is taken by it. You would attempt to put a puppet on the throne and every soul here knows it. The better question is, 'who will pull the strings?'"

I almost laughed – but Alistair said, "I am no ones' puppet, Loghain."

He sneered, "Is that so, boy; and what of your Elven Mistress – Teyrna Anderson who holds Gwaren in my stead?"

I spoke, "That makes it sound like he is your puppet, Loghain – try rephrasing the question please? And to answer your claims, I am no puppeteer."

Heads whipped around to stare at me in contemplation – Alfstanna gave me a small wave and I inclined my head.

Loghain turned on Alistair again, "Tell us, Commander: How will the Orlesians take our nation from us? Will they deign to send their troops or simply issue their commands through you; a would-be prince?"

"The Blight is the real threat here, Loghain. But you seem more concerned with me – we spared the crow you hired to kill us… Would he perhaps like to say a few words?" Oh nice change – make him go on the defense!

Zevran 'appeared' next to Alistair, "They are better fighters than I had anticipated. I failed my job and as such, they were the only ones who could protect me from retribution. I am in their debt for sparing my life. I suppose now is the time to let you know I failed the contract, Regent Loghain…"

A few people let out surprised laughs at the flirty assassin…

Zevran held up a rose in my direction, "If you tire of the prince, let me know."

I gave an amused look as Alistair shot him an unamused look. I said, "How sweet, Assassin – but I could never be with a man I wasn't certain had no designs on my life. I appreciate the sentiment, but I think I will stay in the bed I am currently occupying."

Zevran sighed, "Just as well I suppose – and to the rest of the Landsmeet wishing to know how much I was paid… I do not know. I was looking for death when I accepted the assignment to travel to Denerim and meet with a contact known only as Mac Tir – this man here. I told the crows that if I was allowed to take the contract they could have the whole commission. The Crows work that way – the group who takes the assignment pays their leaders a percentage of the commission. However, when I lost to your blade, I found that… perhaps I enjoyed living more than I thought."

Alistair then pressed – messing up the order of what I told him, "You sold Ferelden citizens into slavery – I had to work to stop the latest shipment and save who I could! This letter was signed by you, Regent Loghain!"

Someone called out, "What's this? There's no slavery in Ferelden; explain yourself."

Loghains' face shuddered, "There is no saving the Alienage. Damage from the riots has yet to be repaired. There are still bodies rotting in their homes. It is not a place I would send my worst enemy. There is no chance of holding it if the Blight comes here. Despite what you may think, Alistair, I have done my duty. Whatever my regrets may be for the elves, I have done what was needed for the good of Ferelden. We needed the money – I was unaware of Howes embezzling until after your man killed him!"

Alistair snapped at Loghain, "Let's talk about how you had a blood mage poison Eamon – that mage is here too; under Templar supervision, of course."

Jowan was led forward by Greagoir. "It's true – I… I poisoned the Arl under Loghains orders after he caught and imprisoned the Templar who caught me after I fled the Tower. I was able to do so because I was snuck in as a tutor for his son Conner."

More gasps of outrage. Eamon looked pained, "And I would have died if not for them seeking out the Urn of Sacred Ashes!"

Loghain – more on the defensive now that ever – called out, "You say I am the criminal here – but what have you done with my daughter? You took my girl – our Queen – by force, killing her guards in the process. Does she even still live?"

Anoras' voice rang out, "I believe I can speak for myself. Lords and Ladies of Ferelden; hear me. My father is no longer the man you know. This man is not the Hero of River Dane. This man turned his troops aside and refused to protect your king as he fought against the Darkspawn. This man seized Cailans' throne before his body was cold and locked me away so I could not reveal his treachery. And I would have already been killed had the Wardens and Teyrna Anderson not worked to free me from my fathers' Ally."

People glanced at me – many had glared at me when I was addressed as a Teyrna by Loghain – but now… I saw respect in several eyes.

"So the Wardens have influenced your mind, Anora…? I wanted to protect you from this."

He must have known he'd lost but he still tried to reason with people, "My Lords and Ladies, our lads have been threatened before. It's been invaded, lost and won times beyond counting. We Fereldens have proven that we will never truly be conquered so long as we are united. We must not let ourselves be divided now. Stand with me, and we shall defeat even the blight itself."

The voting began.

"South Reach stands with the Wardens." Arl Bryland called out.

"Western Hills Stands with the Wardens." Arl Wulff nodded.

"Waking Sea stands with the Wardens," Alfstanna looked directly at me.

"I stand by Loghain! We've no hope of victory, otherwise!" Bann Ceorlic cried.

"The Wardens helped my family with a personal matter – I stand with them." the Crow liaison spoke smoothly.

"Dragons Reach stands with the Wardens," Bann Sighard said.

I sighed, "Gwaren stands with Anoras' vote – to the Wardens." Anora nodded. I had been in a tricky position there. Loghain had granted me the Teyrnir so I should have voted with him – by saying I stood with Anora, I was standing with his daughter so I wasn't in direct conflict with him.

Loghain snarled as he pointed to Alistair, "Traitors, all of you! Which of you stood against the Orlesian Emperor when his troops flattened your fields and raped your wives? You fought with us once, Eamon! You cared about this land once. Before you got too old, fat and content to even see what you risk! None of you deserves a say in what happens here. None of you have spilled blood for this land like I have! How dare you judge me?"

I spoke, "The Landsmeet is against you, Loghain – step down honorably."

He glared at Alistair, "Then let us end this. A man is made by the quality of his enemies. Maric told me that once. I wonder if it's more a compliment to you or me. Let the Landsmeet declare the terms of the Duel."

Alfstanna said, "It shall be fought according to tradition. A test of arms in single combat until one party yields. And we who are assembled will bide the outcome."

Loghain nodded, "Who will you pick as champion – or will you fight me yourself?"

Alistair stepped up, "Your opponent is me."

"Then let us test the mettle of our would-be king."

They met in a clash of metal and shouts. I bit my lip and worried at it. Eamon placed a comforting hand on my arm. Loghains' Sword sliced across Alistairs face – leaving a cut.

The battle ended as Loghain said, "So, there is some of Maric in you after all. Good."

Alistair lowered his sword, "Do you submit to my judgement, Loghain Mac Tir?"

"I do submit."

"Then by my right as the winner of this duel, I sentence you to join the Grey Wardens and aid in defending the country you tore apart – you will forfeit all lands, titles and affiliations."

The whole hall went silent as Riorden said, "I was going to suggest just that…"

"Teyrna Anderson has already swayed my opinion on the matter. I wanted so badly to kill you – for Cailan, for Duncan and for those you sold into slavery and allowed to be tortured… Ara told me you had no choice but to retreat. She told me that while you couldn't have known we were besieged by darkspawn in that tower – fighting an Ogre and missing that signal – you did see that when it was lit… it was too late. The Ogre grabbed Cailan at that moment and you had to go. She told me you only tried to have us killed after the pressure of the throne got to you, not before. You started this war – plunged Ferelden into chaos and tore us apart – but I will end it. You should thank your benefactor, Loghain – she is the reason you yet live."

People gaped at the words coming from Alistairs' mouth – even Eamon. Anora mouthed a 'thank you' to me. I inclined my head to her.

Eamon spoke, "Aedan – as Commander of the Grey… the Wardens have won the Landsmeet so we will ask you to choose who will be our monarch moving forward; Anora or Alistair?"

"I chose the son of Maric – Alistair Theirin," Aedan spoke smoothly and without a thought.

Anora looked hopefully at Alistair, who sighed and said, "Well… that settles that then, doesn't it? I name Teyrna Arvaala Anderson as my official Mistress if she'll accept?"

I smiled, "I accept."

Aedan spoke, "I petition to have Lady Anderson recognized as an official Cousland – on the grounds that she was a Teyrna in her own lands before she was widowed and lost her son to a house fire."

Alistair looked around and many of the same nobles who voted for the Wardens accepted the petition.

Anora was watching in confusion as the topic got away from rulers.

I spoke, "I had been granted Gwaren on a Temporary basis – I was supposed to lose it after the Landsmeet, my King, when the dowager queen could reclaim it…"

Anora flinched at that but Alistair said, "Ah – you're one for rules, my dear. Do tell us the Law on removing a Teyrnir?"

I blanched, "Oh fuck you – you're using the loophole to make me keep the damn thing?"

Surprised laughs rang out as I lost my decorum. Anora spoke, "What loophole?"

"A Teyrnir granted by a previous regent or monarch cannot be stripped without due cause. In other words, Loghain granted me the lands of his own free will and Alistair cannot take it away unless I fuck up. I can't even pass it on for at least 3 years due to the same law in a different sub-section. Fine, I get that I have to keep it – but what about Highever?"

"You said Fergus is alive – so he will retain the Teyrnir, of course."

I grumbled, "Then I name Aedan Cousland as my Teyrnir Regent – and fuck you very much."

Alfstanna was giggling like a loon. Eamon finally realized…

"Anora – the Landsmeet has decided against you. You must now swear fealty to our king and relinquish all claims to the throne for yourself and your heirs."

"If you think I will swear that oath, Eamon, you know nothing of me."

I coughed, "If that is the case, then Alistair will need to have you imprisoned. We are at War already, Anora – Ferelden cannot be in a constant state of Civil War. We need Unity and you threaten that."

Alistair nodded, "Guards – take her to the tower for now. Lock her up and keep watch – we can figure out where to send her later."

Anora nodded her head to him, "It's a mercy I don't think I would have granted you." He looked surprised at her stark admission and glanced at me.

The guards took her away and Eamon said, "Your Highness, would you like to address the Landsmeet?"

Alistair nodded and called out, "I never knew him myself, but from what I've heard of my father, what defined him was his commitment to protecting his lands and his people. I may be Marics' son, but I am also a Grey Warden. I took an oath; I swore I would stand and fight the Darkspawn no matter the cost to myself. I can't break that oath just to wear the crown – I will follow my commander into battle to end the Blight. When the Archdemon lies dead, I will come back and take up the duties as king. Until then, I name Eamon as my regent." Eamon nodded his acceptance.

A cheer rose out.

Alfstanna approached me after all was said and done – but before we all cleared out. I could see several nobles hovering around us to listen in as they were curious about the new Teyrna. I was ticked – Aedan was supposed to be the Teyrn and… if I was to get Gwaren then how was I ever able to say that he was going to?

Could it be that I could say things that I thought were true with certainty? But then… why hadn't I been able to say I was an elf when this mess began? Or even the few times I couldn't say other things?

Was it just that I had still been thinking about myself as a human and couldn't call myself an Elf because of it – and that by the time I knew I wasn't an elf, I already knew what I was? I would have to go over everything that I hadn't been able to say to date now… or maybe it was just that Aedan would eventually be the Teyrn when Ferelden learned I had magic? Or when I passed it on after 3 years were up?

Gah – so confusing! This could just go on the back-burner for now… or forever. Some things just had no explanation – or perhaps… perhaps it was true when I said it to Aedan. When I told him he'd be Teyrn but then I interfered with the future by pointing out Loghains breaking of the law and the future shifted? No – bad, Ara – drop the topic before you give yourself an aneurism!

Alfstanna spoke, "So Teyrna – how does it feel to have that title again?"

Sighard blinked, "Again?"

Alistair answered from behind me, "Didn't you hear? My love was a Teyrna – well, something like it – in her homelands before a house fire took her husband and son from her. Were you not paying attention to Aedans petition for her adoption to the Cousland family?"

I stuck my tongue out and said, "I suppose a Duchess is equivalent to a Teyrna – the only thing higher would be a princess or Queen. Goddess, who did I piss off that I have to be a noble? I thought you loved me, Alistair."

Loghains' voice injected, "Since I bestowed the title, I suppose that would be me."

I looked at him, "Yeah – acting as a double agent would be enough to piss you off. This is really a terrible gift you gave me, Loghain… can I return it?"

He gave a surprised bark of laughter, "The new king stripped me of lands and titles so… no, you can't. You were very good at playing double agent – I have to admit that."

I shook my head, "If you go through our conversations, I never once lied to you. I told you what the Wardens were doing – I just didn't tell you everything. And when I said the Wardens rescued your daughter; that was the truth. They didn't plan on letting her go, but she could have left. I never once stated that I was on your side, did I?"

He thought for a moment, "I… no, you didn't. You deflected with questions of 'perhaps this' or 'maybe that'. The one who told lies would have been your ladies maid – the bard girl."

"Leliana Nightingale. I don't regret the deceptions, Loghain… they were needed."

"Alistair won – fair and right. And if what he said was true, you are the reason he spared me?"

I nodded, "Yes – I wasn't at Ostagar when the fighting happened – but I did survey it when we went to give the king his last rights. That battle… couldn't be won, could it?"

Loghain sighed, "No – it couldn't. I thought the Wardens were truly traitors for not lighting the Beacon until it was too late to save him. Aedan has explained to me why they were so late – an Ogre on the top floor and darkspawn throughout… I thank you for giving Cailan a proper burial."

"She sang for him while we ate dinner that night. It was a lovely song too," Alistair said.

I flushed, "Shut it, you – they're going to want me to sing if you keep talking and I only sing for the group because Leliana and you have puppy eyes that are impossible to resist. No one needs to hear my voice."

Alfstanna laughed, "Please – if it was good enough for our new king…?"

I groaned, "See what you did?"

Alistair grinned, "I could get used to this being king thing – don't get me wrong; I'm going to hate it, but I could get used to people praising you."

Loghain blinked at that, "I get the feeling you two have been together for a lot longer than I thought…"

"I joined their group two days after Ostagar fell…" I muttered.

"She's been leading our group. She claims that Aedan and I are the leaders, but it's really her. She makes a good show of letting us lead, but she's the reason things went so smoothly. She took us to the circle and saved the mages and Templars, she saved Eamons family when we thought we'd have to kill the Arls' son, she picked the king who is better for his people when we would have picked the one who had more honor as a man but would have doomed the people, and she saved the Dalish and cured werewolves. This woman is a damn Hero and I couldn't imagine ever taking the throne without her pushing. I would have left it to Anora but… there were circumstances that made it more prudent for me to take it."

Loghain sighed, "Why not marry my daughter?"

"I'm working on securing an Alliance with a new people – they haven't been seen in Ferelden before and are actually rather prosperous. Love, show him your sword…"

I pulled out the black metal sword and heard people around us gasping. I placed it in Loghains' hands and he examined it as Alistair deciphered the runes for him.

Loghain cursed, "This sword can make Darkspawn flee from it?"

I nodded, "We learned that at Ostagar – apparently, they count as undead due to the fact that darkspawn are soulless beings. The people that Alistair wants to make an alliance with… their land is so prosperous that this is sword was given to me just because I gave them a Grey Warden sword. What was it Mag said…?"

"He was horrified at the 'crappy' quality of the sword and said he thought you might need something a 'little' better. I was insulted until I saw that damn thing. They can make so many wonderful things, but… the people do have elven features and may demand a marriage to solidify an alliance." The sneaky bastard – saying that so slyly while all the nobles were listening.

Alfstanna took the sword, "What else can they make?"

I gave her a blank look and motioned to my outfit, "Feel my clothes, Bann Alfstanna – the quality is quite nice, yes? Here is a soda – have a try."

She took the cold Mountain Dew from my hands and sipped it before passing it around as she said, "That… they can really make such wonderful things! You said they have elven features – are they not elves?"

I cleared my throat, "They don't call themselves elves, no – and honestly they really only look like elves in the sense of height and ears. Their coloring is so unique that they could never be mistaken for anyone you know. Imagine blue hair and green hair – hair you can see through and eyes so clear that they are like diamonds! Imagine golden eyes that look as though they are freshly melted gold ore – swirling in place with hair that looks to be on fire. These people embody the elements. That's how they are so easily able to make things – they are in tune with nature to the point that they are nature. But with how people see Elves, the alliance may not happen without a marriage to solidify their own position. The Queen and Princess need to make sure their people wouldn't be cast off as slaves. Orzammar already has an alliance with them – they just need the people to show up."

It was true – I had told Magma that there was an Alliance with the Dwarven kingdom located in western Ferelden when he asked why he felt a pull to send people to that place. I gave him a map and told him so the Sylphs were sending people to uphold that alliance. It also subtly told Magma that I was 'near' there at one point so he was making his way 'south' to look around.

Alistair knew about it and said, "That's true – King Bhelen is welcoming them with open arms to aid in keeping them fed and safe during this turmoil. Empress Celine trades in food with Orzammar, but they can't always count on that. The Sylph Princess – forgive me, the nobles are called Fairies – the Fairy Princess received a promise that her people would be well cared for there. And what was it the liaison said about children?"

I flushed, "A child born from a sylph or fairy and a human, elf or dwarf would have a 50-50 chance of being either one – the lines don't 'mix' right so if you had a kid with the Princess, you'd either get a human or a sylph child. Since Fairies – the ones that are nobility – are genetic flukes, that'd be even rarer."

"Wait… so the child wouldn't be 'sylph-blooded' or anything… just human or sylph?" Sighard asked in amazement.

I nodded, "That's correct – the only time the child would be able to properly 'mix' is if the parents were sylph and elf since sylphs are a genetic off-shoot of Elves in the first place. But the Sylphs have existed since before Arlathan was even founded… more than 8450 years ago. The empire – the Fae Empire – has stood through all of it though they had stayed isolated on their homeland. Their first Queen was a Prophetess who foretold the founding and subsequent fall of the Elvhen Empire and said that it was prudent to isolate themselves in a new land with no contact to their kin on the 'mainland'. The Fae lands were desolate with no life at all until the Elementals had appeared – beings who could manipulate the nature around them; fire, water, earth and air. But it was not magic – they did not cast spells or weave illusions. Each elemental could only use one element. These elementals eventually took elven form and mixed with the new arrivals. And so the Sylphs came to be – elven like people with the ability to manipulate nature. Until one day, a woman was born who could manipulate all four elements – a Fairy. She was the first real Queen – and the mark that appeared on her body marked her as such. From then on, the Fae have been Matriarchal people."

Alfstanna shook herself when I finished talking, "That was riveting. You have a flare for tale-telling!"

I shook my head and held up the book, "Most of that was directly quoted, I'm afraid…"

Loghain blinked at that, "That is fascinating – and how did you meet these people?"

Alistair said, "I met the princess… before she even made the alliance with Orzammar. If Ferelden made an alliance with the Fae, I would need to marry her – and it isn't such a hardship. Fairies may take four mates each, but…"

"What? She already has four mates?"

"No – they wait for soul-mates. She couldn't find her mates in her homeland which is why she came to Thedas to begin with. The only reason she is considering a potential alliance is because I am one of her mates. Of course, nothing is set in stone – if the Landsmeet is against it…"

Alfstanna glanced at me, "What is your take on it? You are the Kings' Mistress so you have more stakes in this than many others…"

I smiled widely – this was amusing actually, "If Alistair wants to take someone else to his bed, then I can only hope I'm invited on occation. You see, I was born odd – I am incapable of feeling jealousy at all. I find it adorable when Alistair gets jealous because the assassin flirts with me. Besides – it wouldn't bother me if this alliance went through… it'd be worse if it didn't in my opinion."

Ceorlic scoffed, "Pragmatic of you."

Not really… if the alliance was approved then my marriage with Alistair would be widely recognized and I wouldn't be a mistress any more… I'd be their queen.

I shrugged, "The Princess will reveal herself to the Landsmeet when her guards return to her side. An old ritual means that they have to find her without her telling them where she is… to prove their worth as her guards in the first place. It doesn't help that she keeps moving around, but that's actually how things are meant to go. But I suggest that the Landsmeet come to a choice regarding the Landsmeet before she ascends to the throne – I believe that will happen within the next 4 years but it could be sooner. If she ascends to the throne with no promises of her mate being able to marry her… she may find a secondary mate to take his…"

A snarl left Alistairs' lips, shocking the nobles around us. I laughed, "That would be the blood of Dragons in the Calenhad bloodline. It is more prominent in Alistair than it was Cailan – but we all know how… territorial Dragons get, yes? Alistair views her as his mate – and he has no problems with primary mates – her soul mates – but a secondary mate is a mate she can take without having that connection in the first place."

Loghain blinked, "He's been changed by being her mate?"

"Oh not at all – the dragon blood was introduced to his family line in the time of Calenhad the Great… Theirins are all dragon blooded. It is just more pronounced in Alistair. Don't you think it proves his legacy as King?"

Alfstanna nodded along, "That's a good point. Everyone thought those Dragon Blood tales were just… tales – to think it was true all this time…"

I nodded, "I hate to cut things short, dear – but Loghain needs to undergo his joining and we have a march to Redcliffe in the morning…"

She nodded, "Of course, Teyrna Ander – I mean Cousland. Have a good rest."

We all headed for our respective 'homes' following that – the palace would be left 'vacant' until after the battle with the Archdemon.