Chapter Thirty-Five

Celebrations

The next morning, the Landsmeet was called before 10a.m… ten – seriously, had Fereldens never heard of sleeping in?

I was allowed to sit in the designated area for the Teyrna of Gwaren – Fergus sitting across the way from me. We were each on that upper balcony thing, in chairs as close to the throne as we could get since our titles were second only to the King…

Bann Alfstanna opened things up, "Your Majesty, we need to discuss this Alliance you're hoping to make… and thank you to Teyrna Cousland for providing drinks for this meeting to show one of the things that these people can bring to us, but if it's limited to drinks…"

I stood, "First – call me Teyrna Ara since we have two Couslands in the room, if you please. The Fae can bring many things to the Alliance with Ferelden, and Soda is the very least of such. Their craftsmanship is far superior to that of even Orlais or Tevinter! You all saw my own Sword and hear what it can do – those aren't enchantments."

"What are they then, dear sister?" Fergus asked. He had taken quite a liking to me and I hadn't even formally met him yet.

"The home language of the Fae holds power in the words – if one speaks in that language, they couldn't lie. If you write in the runes of the Language – especially while you craft something – you can do amazing things. Simply writing the words for 'repel undead' has made my sword repel undead. The reason for this is because the language itself is older than the Veil – from a time before even the creation of Arlathan and the beginning of Elvhenan. The language is so deeply ingrained into the race that even a Fae child born outside the comfort of the Fae could instinctively speak it."

Alistair nodded, "I have witnessed that myself, actually; the Princess had amnesia when I first met her – and had been in Ferelden for as far as her memory stretched. She shouldn't have been able to speak the language she didn't remember but she did. She could understand it and speak it but she had no idea what the language actually was."

Sighard said, "So they can craft powerful things without magic?"

"Perhaps it is a type of magic in itself; A magic that anyone could use if they knew how – because you don't need to be a Fairy or a Sylph to learn the language. I suppose it would require a connection to the Elements and the Fade. The Fae are made of the Elements, though. They were once Elements given form, remember? You all have a packet of paper in front of you detailing what you need to know about the Fae History; the princess wrote those by hand last night." Alistair held up his own packet.

"She's here – in Denerim? Can we meet her?" Wulff asked.

I gave a delicate cough, "The princess fears that meeting such nobles as herself would cause a commotion – that's why you've all met her without her telling you who she is. The fact of the matter is this – she doesn't want to disrupt anything. She expects that the King will not be able to marry her in Ferelden customs because she has pointed ears and what seems like magic to the people of Thedas when it is a type of magic that can be taken away – even the Qunari we traveled with admitted that the Qun wouldn't see that as magic."

"Ferelden Customs – she could marry him without us seeing her as married to him?" Fergus asked.

Alistair shook his head, "No – if I married her in Fae Customs there would be no going back. As was stated the last time this Landsmeet met, the Fae take a minimum of four mates and men outnumber women 6 to 1. It isn't unheard of for Primary mates – the type of mate that has a soul connection – to be the same gender too. Many men do have at least one female mate, but often times, they will find that they are a sort of group that just shares each-other. In this regard, the Fae do not experience jealousy – in fact, the princess seemed to like the thought of me… with other women… a bit different, to be sure but she wouldn't stop me from taking another lover…"

I giggled when I noticed people glancing at me.

"So what else can you tell us about the Fae, then?" Bann Esmerelle asked. I nodded, "Fairies control the Elements. They can't do things like make snow, but a water Sylph can control the temperature of water to the point of freezing or boiling it without Air or Fire sylphs. If snow is already around, a water or air sylph could move it around, but they can't make it. A Fire sylph could a ball of fire hover, make a flame burn hotter or cooler, or they could heat the air around them enough to 'conjure' a flame from what seems to be air. Earth Sylphs can make plants grow at an accelerated rate, but if they don't have seeds… they can't make a plant from nothing."

Bryland asked, "So they just… control nature, to an extent?"

I shook my head, "No, that isn't all; Each Sylph also gains a special ability corresponding to their element. Some Water Fae gain beautiful singing voices or tails to live in the water, some Earth Fae can turn into trees or communicate with animals and so on – it changes depending on the Fae but all Sylphs get at least one ability. Fairies get at least two though about 1 in 3 Fairies gain abilities for all four basic elements. 2 of 3 get three abilities – but all Fairies get at least 2."

I purposely avoided saying my own abilities of prophecy or flight.

"How can they tell the difference between Fairies and regular Sylphs?" Alfstanna asked.

"Fairies look like an actual mix of Sylphs rather than just one element. Hair from the Air Sylph family, eyes from the Fire family, skin tones from Earth or such. The Princesses Guards are all Sylphs – the Captain is a Fire Sylph whose hair crackles and snaps like a camp fire and his eyes look like pools of melted gold."

Eamon spoke – finally – and said, "Personally, I… think it might be a good idea to ally with these Fairies. I too have met the Princess and she has surprised me. I thought she was an Elf when I met her and she… she was able to even show Loghain a few errors in his ways. My own people were armored with Fairy Made armors – and we had the fewest casualties."

That was true, actually – I had supplied Redcliffe with Sylph armors. Eamon had paid out the nose for it, but after his people suffered the fewest casualties I could tell he held a lot more respect for my race. I hadn't wanted to charge him – it would save lives – but the Fae would need Thedas currency. All 3000 Sovereigns from that order had gone to the Fae and I knew some of it was passed to my guards for things they would need as they searched for me.

Everyone in the Landsmeet also knew Eamon was a human supremacist (he wasn't very subtle about it) so this surprised many of them. Fergus spoke, "That was why your people survived more than others? You bought Fae armor?"

Eamon nodded, "I did – and it was expensive to outfit my troops, but I hold no regrets for doing so. The thing is, I was even given a discount for my association with our King – that I had raised him until he was 10 and His Majesty thought of me as family was enough for her to cut the price by more than half. I still paid 3000 Sovereigns for such quality armor, but I feel it was worth it; don't you?"

I spoke, "Her Majesty has a fondness for family – Alistair is her mate and anything that helps him makes her happy. She wouldn't have charged Eamon at all since it was A Blight her mate was leading the charge in, but her people use a different currency system – actually, there is no currency as they mostly work off trade and power. She was securing a bit of coin for her people to travel with. If they come to Thedas, that would be the normal – getting good quality items for trade more often than not. Ferelden would have almost exclusive rights too – because the Princess has no ties to Orlais, Tevinter, Antiva or Rivain… she may have ties in Kirkwall but otherwise it would simply be Ferelden and Orzammar."

Alistair smiled and held his hand out to me – I flushed and hopped down to walk over to him.

He pulled me into his lap and said, "I think it is time to call for the vote now; all in favor of my marriage to the Fairy Princess for an Alliance with her people?"

Fergus stood first, "Highever stands in favor of the alliance."

As a Teyrn, I had to vote before the Arls could – the Landsmeet before hadn't followed the usual rules. I spoke, "Gwaren stands in favor too, of course."

Eamon came next, "Redcliffe is also in favor."

Arl Bryland was to be next. He sighed, "I wish we could meet this Princess without subterfuge first, but South Reach will stand in favor."

Arl Wulff nodded, "I'm afraid that I should stand against the notion; Ferelden has had trouble with outside forces occupying it before and you say that the Fae are female dominant so they may attempt to take us over."

Since Amaranthine and Edgehall were currently unruled, the vote moved to the Banns.

Alfstanna said, "Waking Sea will stand in favor here – A princess already has enough to rule without adding a second nation to the mix."

Bann Elarra of Calon in the Redcliffe Arling voted with Eamon, the city of amaranthine was its own Bannorn and they voted against – I knew Bann Esmerelle didn't like that Howe was dead. Dragonmount voted against. Sighard of Dragons' Peak voted against as well.

That put the vote at 7 for and 3 against. Bann Loren of Oswin said, "My wife and son died in the coup of Highever… but Landra – my late wife – would have seen the benefit of such strong allies – imagine what these people could do if Ferelden were ever under threat of Orlais again? As Lady Ara stated, they do not wield true magic – they control the elements. They would be able to fortify the borders with ease and their Armor could make them quite formidable as could their weapons. I like to believe that even the Chantry could see such benefit…"

The Revered Mother that stood in the room nodded, "I will be reporting this to the Grand Cathedral, of course – and as such, the Chantry may wish to verify such claims. These people may not be under the control of the Chantry, but if they have magic, then Ferelden…"

I cleared my throat, "I have brought a witness as to the immunity of Blood Magic – and another witness to it not being magic."

"Then bring them forward before the vote continues." The Mother stated.

I motioned and Aedan – who had been allowed to come as my regent – brought in Irving and Avernus. I had told Irving my true identity this morning as we prepared for this moment.

I stood and spoke, "First Enchanter Irving, when you met the Fairy Princess, can you tell us what she was doing?"

He nodded, "Helping to save the Tower of Magi at Kinlock Hold. When I learned she had what appeared to be magic I was tempted to turn her in as a mage – and I almost did do just that… until she was hit with a Templars' Smite. As we all know, Mages are intrinsically susceptible to that particular power. If the Princess had been a type of mage, then the power would have worked against her. No, in my opinion, the Fae are not mages."

Avernus stepped forward so I said, "Avernus – Blood Mage of the Grey Warden order – is more than 200 years old and lived through the Warden Uprising under Commander Sophia Dryden. Avernus, please tell us – when you met the Fairy Princess, what did you do?" a ripple of horror flashed through the hall – a blood mage; here.

"I wanted to study her blood – at your mercy; I had already sworn my further research would be ethical, so I couldn't do what I had been. I found that her blood was… I couldn't even lift her blood using blood magic. The Princess had gifted me some blood of hers to study using science only – she had amnesia and found many things about herself unsettling as she thought she was an elf. I was able to confirm that – while she shared a few blood markers with elves – she was not an elf. I admit that I tried many times to get her blood to respond to my magic for research, but no matter what I tried, it would not. No – the Fae are not susceptible to blood magic and in that regard I would think they are also not susceptible to demons. Demons were the originators of Blood Magic, after all – and with just how immune her blood was to it, I believe demons would not be able to do more than try and fail."

Bann Loren spoke, "Knowing this – Oswin stands in favor."

Portsmouth, Rainesfere, Storm Coast all stood in favor. White River, Winters' Breath and 'West Hill' – not to be confused with Arl Wulff in the western hills – all stood against.

The motion passed it seemed. Alistair nodded, "Then when Her Majesties guards return to her, I will approach her about a formal marriage betrothal."

The revered mother cleared her throat, "I will send a proper report to the Grand Cathedral but I believe that before you will be allowed to marry the woman, there will be… tests that need to be done. We will want these remarkable abilities tested for…"

I cut in, "The Princess will allow you to set forth no more than two tests – she expected such a thing may happen if the Chantry was to give blessing for marriage after all, but she refuses to allow your people to use her like a rat to experiment on. She is a Princess after all – not some rodent."

The mother flinched, "That is… more than fair, of course. I will add that to my report to the Divine. Do you know when she might appear?"

"Within 4 years – no longer than that."

The Landsmeet resumed after that.

"Would these people want control… as a Matriarchal society?" Arl Wulff asked me. I shook my head, "Goddess, no – the Princess will have enough on her plate simply governing her own lands from afar. Alistair will keep the power here as with any Royal Marriage where both parties are royals in their own right. She will focus on governing the Fae while he focuses on Ferelden."

Many people who had stood against looked relieved at that, so I added, "The princess was chosen – she didn't chose. In fact, the Fae are not bloodline rulers. She was chosen because a mark appeared that told she was the best 'fit' for the throne. She never thought she'd be Royal. She could have refused before the ritual to induct her to the throne, but she knew – as many before her did – that those who want the throne would be worse rulers. She accepted simply because she didn't want to. She chose to put her people first – before her own needs. And that was why if Alistair couldn't make the Alliance she would have had to take a different mate. 4 mates – one to represent each element – balance the rule of the Princess or Queen. So no – She won't expect control in the Landsmeet and she won't even expect a voice here."

"I have one more question – these people sound powerful… so what's to stop them from invading?" Ceorlic was just trying to pick a fight at this point.

I nodded, "That's a fair question – I suppose the answer would be simple. But as Alfstanna pointed out, the Princess already has one people to govern – she will leave Ferelden to Alistair."

"And you said that they predate the Veil? Where were they during all the Blights?" he sneered.

"The Fae didn't know about the blights because the Darkspawn haven't reached their shores. The first Queen – the Prophetess – only saw that the Veil would come and that elves would 'fall' she didn't know how or why. The Fae have been isolated from the rest of the world ever since. The Princess is the first to come here – and so she's the first to find out about the Darkspawn. How can they help with something they didn't know about, Ceorlic?"

He flushed and went quiet.

Alistair cleared his throat, "The next order of buissness – naming the Hero of Ferelden."

"That's easy – if it isn't the man who dealt the final blow, then it would be the one who led everyone through the Blight, right?"

Alistair smiled at Fergus' words and said, "I was thinking of naming two Heros. Aedan Cousland was the Warden-Commander through the Blight and did a good portion of the leading in the latter half, but his sister, Arvaala Cousland, led us though the beginning and directed us in forming the army. Ara was crucial in ending this Blight as early as we did – the shortest Blight in history with less than a year on it! Without her, this could have gone on for a decade, but she wouldn't have been able to do all of it without at least one Grey Warden at her side to use the treaties – and that was Aedan. Because at the beginning of the Blight… I was too grief-stricken to act as the senior warden. So Aedan and Ara both stepped in and led the charge."

That vote passed with more support in favor – I had abstained from that vote.

Alistair spoke once more, "And finally – the matter of Amaranthine being vacant."

Aedan spoke, "I would like to request that the Howes be made to pay for the wrongful slaughter of my family."

I nodded, "If my King will allow – I have a suggestion."

He motioned to me with a smile, "Of course, Teyrna – what do you suggest."

"Give the Arling to the Wardens as their new base of operations. The Howes have been stripped of their title and holdings already – it would only be fitting to award the holding to those he wronged the most – and Aedan is the Warden-Commander. The Anderfels listens to the First Warden enough that this wouldn't be exactly new."

Alistair nodded, "I'll allow it. We should be expecting the Warden Liaison to collect the Archdemon Blood within the week; I will inform them of this then. I believe that is everything that the Landsmeet needed to discuss – and I am well aware that the final dealing wasn't anything the whole Landsmeet was needed for. We have a coronation and a celebratory ball in 3 days – thank you all for attending this today."

People began filing out and Fergus pulled Aedan and me aside.

He was 6'1 same as Alistair, causing my height envy to flare up. Fergus had midnight colored hair that was cut short, storm grey eyes that were haunted but still playful, and skin that was tanned enough to show his jaunts in the sun.

"Fergus; pleasure to finally meet you, I'm Ara." I stretched out my hand for him to shake, but when he grabbed it he pulled me close.

"I hear I have you to thank for my brothers' life. From what he tells me, you've been vital in the fight against the blight. Welcome to the family, Teyrna."

I gave an undignified snort. "If you've been talking to any of our friends then you know I hate titles, my lord."

"Make you deal? Call me Fergus, and I'll drop the title," he smirked playfully.

"Deal," I laughed. Fergus turned to Alistair and gave a bow, "Your Majesty."

I giggled as Alistair made a face and told Fergus in a whispered voice, "You know she and I are already married. I know Aedan told you… drop the title unless we're in a formal setting. This is not formal anymore."

"Understood, Sir," I covered my mouth to keep from laughing loudly as Alistair stuck his tongue out at me and Fergus gave me a wink.

"You know, I think we'll get along just fine, brother," I said.

"So, I've been told you are… unique." Fergus asked with a soft smile.

"If you mean my wings, I'll be glad to show them to you in a more secluded spot. If you mean my… sight, then all I can say here is that it's good enough to know many things. One day, you will be attacked by bandits, but the person you least expect will save you."

He nodded, "Did they suffer?" Fergus asked almost desperately.

"No, Fergus. They died together and swiftly. Oren was asleep and your wife thought it was a nightly check. The two who killed them were swift and didn't like killing defenseless women and children. If it brings you comfort, your brother killed them moments later when they broke into his room."

Fergus nodded. "It… sad to say it does comfort me, knowing they're dead."

After that, we all went our separate ways to prepare for the coronation ball.

That day, the day of the ball, I woke in Alistairs' arms – my normal until the events of Awakening came upon us. I didn't want to go to the ball though – I just wanted to stay with Alistair.

The ass told me if I didn't go, I would miss his coronation and he'd cry… so I agreed to go.

Using magic, I created a golden off-shoulder ball gown that flared at my hips. The skirt was poofy and was made of dozens of layers of sheer gold fabric; the hem had 2 inch embroidered decorations that looked like lions in the style of the Theirin family crest. The bodice of the gown was also embroidered in dazzling swirling designs that ended at the waist. The back was lace-up. I kept my Amethyst dragon jewelry along with my charm bracelet – someone had added a purple dragon charm. My hair was pulled back at the sides and clipped in the back, though I kept one strand free on the right side of my face. My makeup was golds and browns and I allowed all my tattoos to show and had my nails painted in gold too. My shoes – though you couldn't see them – were brown wedges.

Alistair sucked in a breath, "Makers Breath. If we didn't have somewhere to be right now…"

I chuckled and held out my arm. "Shall we?"

Alistair groaned but placed my hand in the crook of his elbow. We drew many looks on our way, and I saw several pointed gestures toward my dress.

A trumpeter called out, "Announcing His Majesty King Alistair Theirin, escorting Teyrna Arvaala Cousland; Hero of Ferelden."

Many people glanced our way and I heard whispers of my dress, my name, and my relation to the king and the Couslands.

"Kadan; I plan to return to my people. Our quest here is done, and thus so is my mission for my people. It must be said; you found my sword and gave me a chance to restore my honor. I doubt the Warden would have recruited me without your help… I owe you a debt."

I chuckled. "You helped us too Sten. It's been an honor."

"It has. That one of the bas… a foreigner… would become Kadan to me, unthinkable; yet here we are. Perhaps I shall see you again one day. Until then, may you always find the path you seek."

I made the rounds talking with everyone; Nobles, companions and so on. Why was socializing so tiring?

When I got back to Alistair, he was talking to Aedan.

"Alistair, my love, I'd… could we… dance?" I was nervous since I knew that he would be embarrassed but I was unsure what his answer would be.

He blushed but held his hand out, "My Lady?"

I knew I was giving him the biggest smile as I took his hand. "So you like to dance?" he asked.

"Well, it's something that's familiar, and it's proven back on earth that holding someone close like this can promote… happiness. I won't go into the science behind it, but hugs are the same way."

"In that case, I'm glad we're dancing. Truth be told, I never really liked it, and couldn't figure out why Eamon deemed it necessary for me to learn before I was shipped off to the monastery…"

"Probably your father," I smiled up at him.

"Yes, well, at least I advanced in those lessons quickly enough during my Templar training. I was always red and embarrassed about it."

"And now you are holding your wife, dancing at a fancy party," I said giving him a sly grin and keeping my voice low.

He gave me a grin, "I never would have imagined this when we first met. You know I was fascinated by you from the start?"

I laughed, "Is that why you were so disappointed when I said I fell from the fade? You actually wanted to know more about me?"

He blushed and nodded, "Exactly. I wasn't sure you caught that… can I kiss you?"

I was startled by the sudden change in topic. "You need never ask, my love. I don't care what anyone else thinks; and I'm already named your mistress anyway."

He flashed me a smile before leaning forward and kissing me, stopping our dance. I heard the whispers break out, but I simply put my arms around his neck, kissing him back.

When he pulled away, he leaned his head against mine. "I'm going to miss you while you're in Kirkwall… or Amaranthine."

I chuckled. "When we met, I knew you'd be king. I just didn't see us being together since I had pointed ears and some extra weight…"

"The only thing that could have stopped us being together was us… not ears, weight, or even a kingdom. I must say, I'm glad you pushed me on our journey. I never would have had the courage to pursue you knowing I was to be King."

We had reached the edge of the dancefloor, and I could tell the party was winding down. "I'm more than glad. Just imagine the day we can tell everyone that you have a Queen. Eamon will have a fit when he learns where and how we got married," I smirked as Alistair laughed again.

He pulled me away from the Dance floor but I bit my lip and made a hand motion that I had instilled in all my companions while we traveled – they all converged.

I grinned, "I need volunteers to pretend to play instruments."

Leliana, Zevran, Aedan and Natia all volunteered so I set them up and looked at Alistair, "You remember the first song I played on Violin – The Arena?"

He nodded, "Yes – it was quite catchy and I've found myself humming it on occation… is that what you plan to play?"

I smiled, "I want to, yes – but only if you dance with me. And if you say yes, I'll also play the Violin and sing a song after."

He nodded, "I can do that – but I also want something cheesy and new…"

"Mozzarella Sticks – sticks of cheese breaded and fried in oil," I negotiated. He blinked, "That sounds like a bad idea… it's a deal."

I squealed, drawing everyones' attention as I stepped on the platform – the musicians were all over on a different platform and no one payed much attention to that area anyway – I just needed the volunteers so no one noticed the instruments play themselves. I spoke, "Attention, Ladies and Gentlemen – King Alistair has agreed to dance with me to a special song that I know. After which, I will be singing a song for him at his request. This first one will be called The Arena and is a fast paced song with no lyrics. Please clear the floor."

People moved at once – everyone was curious since every song I knew of in Thedas had lyrics and they were usually slow paced. Also, Alistair and I had danced rather relaxedly just a moment ago.

We took our starting positions – I had one hand in his and my other was on his shoulder while his other was at my waist. I had danced with Alistair before today – he was actually good at improvised dancing that would have passed on Earth.

He was ready the moment the music started and I could hear may people gasping with each 'unique' move – him lifting me, me with one leg straight in the air while on tip-toe, and so much more. When the song did end it was silent for a few beats before people clapped madly.

I then got up on the stage and said, "As promised… I will now sing while I play this Violin. This song is called Hold My Heart…"

I decided that I would also dance while I played – I was feeling energetic enough today.

Don't need a hero to save me

I'm not a girl to set free

It's nothing you did to me

I've always been this way

I might be strong, I might be weak

There might be a part of me that I won't let you keep

Been on this road, and come this far

I don't need a man to hold my hand

I just want one to hold my heart

Alistair looked somewhat amused by the song choice and I could see may people were mystified – sure, there were some who didn't like it, but the majority did.

Things were good for the moment… I would hate when I had to leave for the Vigil with Aedan later on… but that was a problem for later.