Chapter Thirty-Seven

A Day at a Keep

Drake softly smiled while Magma grinned and said, "Where did you wake up, exactly?"

"At the feet of a beautiful woman in the Korcari Wilds – southern Ferelden," I said with a smirk.

Alistair grumbled, "She wasn't… beautiful…"

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder – but that woman was beautiful, Alistair. Come now, what would Morrigan say if she knew her lovers were talking about her like this?"

Alistair flushed as Aedan froze, "Lovers?"

I winked, "That was how to circumvent the death of the warden who ended the blight – a ritual that involved sex!"

Aedan groaned, "I did not need to know that – ugh, you're my sister!"

Galaxia giggled, "Well – waking up in Ferelden means your destiny was always here in Thedas. There was a prophecy about a future Queen who would rule from the lands of our ancestors. Truthfully, the Fae have no real palace – the Queens are always more involved so they move around a lot. Besides, the land floats above the sea – it can be moved with enough earth and air sylphs working together. In fact, they should be arriving above the waters to the east of Ferelden soon. When it was confirmed you were in Thedas, the Queen gave the Order."

I smiled, "Well, Fereldens' ruling body has already given the okay for an official alliance – so while we are already mated we are betrothed to be married in his customs too." I pointed to Alistair.

He nodded, "She also rules a Teyrnir in the south – one of two land holdings that put her second only to the Royal Family if she weren't already my wife. It protects her to have that title at the moment."

Celeste gave a tinkling laugh, "Which protects her more; her title as a 'Teyrna' or her title as your 'mistress'?"

I laughed too, "Teyrna protects me more. After this mess here in amaranthine, we have to go to Kirkwall. So… in about a year or two when that is done, we will all go to Val Royeaux to allow for the two tests I agreed to for the Grand Cathedral. Only then will the religious leaders allow me to marry my mate."

"You have a trial to prove yourself!" Magma looked pleased – too pleased. I blinked, "Um… what?"

Drake spoke – his voice was so calming, "If you have to go through trials to be with your mate, then it's considered a good omen in having kids in the future. No one really knows when they'll be… ready to have kids, so trials…"

I blinked, "What – you can't test your fertility or ovulation schedules?"

"You can?" Celeste looked startled.

I shrugged, "I can pull out a few tests, yes – but I don't need them with my clairvoyance."

Magma looked amazed, "That is a good thing – no Queen has ever borne a child before. It's why we have the rituals in the first place for vessels. Originally, we were meant to be a society much like Arlathan was to be – passing on power from one to the child. But then… the queens never had children no matter what was tried… no matter how many mates were taken…"

I sighed, "Alistair had a trial – right?"

"It only counts if both mates have the trials. You going through such a specific trial could apply for all your mates – since this trial is to be accepted by the whole of Thedas. Trials can vary, after all – I witnessed the King go through his trial… I'd never seen such an odd trial before. Having to… display dominance over not one but three dragons before fighting a champion…"

I chuckled, "Well… he is a Dragon…"

Alistair flushed – he hadn't told me what the trial was. Magma stood and walked over to him, "May I?"

Alistair looked weary but nodded. Magma placed a hand on Alistairs' and I could feel the rise of heat in the room. I coughed, "Uh… what are you doing?"

"It's strange… he feels like a dragon – but he can't turn into one like some fire sylphs can. I can turn into a Dragon – it's why I can do this test."

I glanced at the others. Galaxia answered my silent question, "I have the voice of waters – I can sing quite beautifully. Drake can summon any earth element to him – Ore, plants, rocks, or just… dirt. He can use it like armor, but he mostly just calls for things to use. Celeste is like you – she has wings, though hers are not as… feathered."

Celeste giggled and let out her wings – I gaped as they were dragonfly wings in a light pink color. "Those are so pretty," I sighed.

Alistair shrugged, "I like yours better. Of course, now that people know these are the Fairy Princesses guards, they either need to leave or you need to disguise them until you are ready to go 'public' as you say."

I nodded, but Galaxia said, "I vote for the disguise – we just found you; no way are we letting you out of our sight."

Magma nodded, "I agree – we can glamour ourselves."

I nodded and relaxed when each sylph shimmered and gained a different appearance – Magma was tanned with dark red hair and brown eyes, Drake was dark skinned with black hair and blue eyes, Galaxia was pale with brown hair and green eyes, and Celeste was pale with blonde hair and blue eyes.

I said, "Okay – well, you'll have to 'leave' as sylphs and then come back one-by-one as these appearances so that no one realizes."

They each frowned but Magma said, "She has a point… if we don't leave and come back, people will discover her and that could put her in more danger than just… complying with the order."

Galaxia sighed, "Okay… but I want it noted that I don't like this."

I smirked, "You complaint has been noted; now, all of you leave – I was about to have a fun night with my mate before we were interrupted."

Alistair flushed only a little before his arm went around my waist and he straightened up.

Aedan groaned, "Why do you do this to me, Ara – you know I hate hearing this stuff…"

I grinned, "Because I love you, brother dear. Where I'm from, that means there are no boundaries!"

Magma tilted his head, "Ah – which world do you hail from? We all know the Vessel gains the spirit of a woman from a different world but we never know which world it will be."

I smiled, "I'm from… earth… I have a question. If I could get you those fertility and ovulation tests… would that be enough to circumvent the law about needing to take a secondary mate?"

"Oh more than enough – one or the other would be enough, but both would allow you to completely strip the law from existence if you so wished. You'll have to wait until you ascend to do so. Don't you remember anything from when you were Sylvain?"

I shook my head, "Nope – complete amnesia for memories of this body. I just know what I recall from Earth."

"Did you die… violently?" Celeste asked softly. I nodded, "I burned alive attempting to save my son."

"Elemental death wouldn't count so… I'm sorry to tell you this, but it means the fire wasn't an accident. You were murdered."

I stilled at Galaxias' words, "I… that fire was… does it mean I was the target?"

Drake spoke soothingly, "No – it just means that the fire was set on purpose."

"So it could have been one of my neighbors that were targeted but because I died… it counted as violent murder?"

Magma sighed, "As bad as it sounds, yes – you may have been a casualty of someone elses fight. I'm sorry princess – I mean Ara."

I nodded absently; hoping beyond hope that my death was simply an accident… because if I had been targeted, then would they go after my son – my husband?

Alistair said, "Aedan, fill the new Wardens in on all things Ara – she wouldn't have allowed Nathaniel or Anders to go through the joining if she didn't believe they were trust-worthy and she certainly would have kicked them out of the room if she didn't want them to hear all of this. Besides, I know she likes Anders as a brother so she would have told him soon anyway. Natia, while he does that, go around and make a list of what needs to be done for repairing the Keep. Oghren… go drink some ale – Ara will want a report on if it's any good or not."

He pulled that out of his ass, but… Oghren looked happy as he saluted and left the room quicker than I'd ever seen him move outside of battle. Once all the Wardens were gone he continued, "Magma, the four of you work on leaving and 'coming back'. Come back with these letters – the four of you will be known as the Teyrnas' official guard…"

He wrote on four papers from the bed-side table and stamped his seal into them, "If anyone sees you use magic, show them this – it essentially pardons you from being in the circle as a mage since you aren't showing as Sylphs at the moment. People will just think I'm over protective of my mistresses since most Teyrns and Teyrnas' only hold 2 personal guards. Magma, this says you're from Highever; Drake, you're going to be from Gwaren; Celeste will be from Redcliffe and Galaxia will be from the Storm Coast – that way no one will connect that you're all from… Fairy as Ara calls it."

Magma looked amused, "The Land is actually called the Earthen Ring – because the land is perfectly rounded though it's so large. But I suppose calling it something more easily recognizable would be a better idea now that we're re-entering the world."

I coughed, "I vote for Danu – after the fairy goddess of a mythology on earth. She was the mother of the Elven looking Tuatha de Dannan and was associated as a goddess of the lands."

"Danu… it is easy to pronounce. In fact the word Danu in our language does mean land or home depending on context – I will suggest it to the Queen while I am away." Magma nodded to me with a smile.

Soon after, they left – and I was alone with my mate.

He kissed me softly, "So… two years until I can officially claim you as my wife?"

I gave him an amused look, "It is 9:31 Dragon… I know for a fact that the new Divine will ascend in 9:34 Dragon – if we wait for her then we have a better chance at things going smoothly. She's more open-minded and even controversial. I think it may be best to wait until then, but… I'll leave the choice to you because it wouldn't be fair to ask you to wait for so long. I love you, Alistair – you're already my husband."

He chuckled, "So long as you promise me that we'll be married in the eyes of the Chantry so that our kids will be legitimate – that means if you get pregnant before then, no matter which mate fathered the child, we get married."

I blinked but nodded, "I can agree to that – I wouldn't want anyone looking down on my babies just because I'm not married in a way they don't recognize. I swear to you, Alistair – if I turn up pregnant before we are married, then I will move up the plans to marry you."

We both gasped as we felt a tickle of magic. Alistair furrowed his brows, "What… was that?"

"You obviously haven't gotten to chapter 33 yet in the book of the Fae. When a Fairy or a Sylph makes a vow or a promise, it must be upheld – because we vowed it then magic makes it so. I swore to marry you, so if I don't then something happens – sometimes it's an injury, sometimes it is death – it depends on the severity of the vow. If it isn't my own fault that the vow is not upheld, then the punishment transfers to whoever kept me from it. Like… say some Knight-Commander locked me in a dungeon or something until after I gave birth – in that scenario, the Knight-Commander would take on the punishment and depending on how badly I was treated, they would be punished worse. I'm risking nothing with this vow – because I would have followed through regardless."

He blinked and beamed, "Good then – I love you so much. I may have never wanted to be King, but if it means better things for us then I will do what I can… though I think we should omit the part about Fae not being able to tell a lie…"

I chuckled, "I agree. I said they can't lie in the home language when I addressed the Landsmeet before, but I didn't say we couldn't lie in common. I get the feeling that people would try and take advantage if they knew…"

He nodded, "Mmmh – my thoughts exactly. That's why when Fergus asked me the first thing the 'Princess' said to me while there were other nobles around listening, I responded that she told me the rivers run with ale."

I laughed, "There is actually a song with something similar as a line. The song is called 'Big Rock Candy Mountain' and I think it's cute. I could sing it with just a guitar."

He chuckled, "You'll have to sing it for me some time. Now… there is a bed there and I haven't seen you in over a week…"

I groaned and tucked my wings away as he kissed me. We had gotten into having sex daily when I was at the palace for the month before we came here… that was certainly something I would miss while this and Kirkwall happened.

His kissed moved down to my neck and I whimpered, "A-Alistair… Goddess but I love you… so much."

"And I love you…"

The next morning we were snuggled together and he hummed, "Mmmh – I got a request for Fae Armors from several nobles, and I have my own request for it too. My advisors feel it might be best that I wear it going forward. Some cite that it would show strength in relations with my new betrothed; others actually said that it was the best armor after the battle of Denerim and that I should wear it just because it would save my life."

I smiled, "I can get you some – but I'm making those nobles pay for it."

"Oh? And what have I done to deserve such a gift?" he asked in amusement. I grinned, "A betrothal gift – we can call it that."

"Uh-huh… I should get my betrothed a betrothal gift too, then. I wonder what she'd like," he kissed me before sitting up to get dressed.

I smiled, "Sweetheart – you got me the Dragon Jewels. I'll count that since I know those couldn't be cheap."

He flushed, "I'm not telling you how much they were. I think they were worth it; you love them."

"I love them because you got them for me – so the point stands. The armor will be for the jewel set."

He chuckled, "Very well, love – I'll concede on this one."

I began pulling out leather armor from my bag – Fae Armor made with Dragon Skin, special metals and other unique materials. I got him two sets and pressed them into a small duffle bag I pulled from Earth.

He changed into one of the brown leather sets and placed yesterdays' armor into the duffle instead. He looked very handsome and I knew that unless an arrow hit him in a fleshy bit, it would just bounce off.

I smiled at him and we left the room. One of his advisors had come with him, it seemed because the man barreled up to us, "My King – you met with the Princess?"

"Her Guards were here yesterday – I didn't need to meet with her personally. I had already given her a betrothal gift a while back so she sent me two sets of Armor."

"Oh – they do betrothal gifts too?" the man looked excited.

"No, Landon – but she knows we do. She is simply respecting our customs."

Landon – 5'11 with brown hair, excited blue eyes and tanned skin – turned to me, "Might I inquire why her guards were looking for you, specifically?"

"The Princess and I share a special relation. We're practically one in the same." I smiled.

"Oh – so she sees you as a sister because you and she share… his majesty?"

I shrugged, "I suppose you could say that."

I mean he could say it – he just wouldn't be right. Alistair looked amused as he coughed, "Yes well; it's time for us to be off, yes? Those guards I picked out for you should be arriving soon, Love."

I nodded, "You know that it's overkill for me to have four guards."

He smirked, "Of course it is – and I'm sure that it's even more overkill for them to have magic as well as weapon training. I want you safe, Ara; I love you too much to risk losing you."

I rolled my eyes, "I love you too goof. Now go – before I tie you to my bed for one more night."

Landon flushed at the talk before saying, "You hired four guards for her?"

Alistair nodded, "Technically, yes – though they are paid for by Princess… the princess. That's what the guards were here for yesterday – telling us that Her Majesty would be paying for the guards. As Ara said – the two are very close so of course Her Majesty worries for Aras' wellbeing."

Landon looked stunned, "It is good to know that there won't be problems between our new Queen and your Mistress. Some worried it may cause trouble…"

I grinned, "Her Majesty and I will never have a falling out – we are far too close for that."

Landons' face showed confusion at my sureness before he went over my words in his head. I could see him doing so much mental math that I almost felt bad for the man. He gasped and his eyes widened. I gave him a wink.

He stammered, "You… you're… you're…"

Alistair coughed, "Ah – sorry love… I guess I'm not so good at subterfuge."

I chuckled, "Actually – I think Landon here is just smart. Hopefully, he won't out me until I'm ready… I could certainly be killed if the wrong people knew before I could properly come into my power…"

Landon nodded with stars in his eyes, "Of course, My Lady! I mean I would never…"

I smiled softly at the Advisor – Alistair had told me all the ones who seemed in support of his marriage to me… and all the ones who only didn't gripe because the Landsmeet had already voted in favor. Landon was one who was openly in favor of the new regime – he was vocal about all the things that the Fae could do for Ferelden.

I had heard Orlais was dismissive at first – they didn't believe there was any country more powerful than them or Tevinter… until it was known about our superior armors and unique resources. Celene would soon send Alistair a letter about formal introductions to the Fairy Princess according to a vision I had 2 nights ago.

Alistair leaned down and kissed my cheek, "As much I hate it… I have to be going now, my love. I have a trip around the Bannorn. Maker – but all this will be easier after the official Alliance goes through and your people come to help heal the lands."

I nodded, "Magma will see about getting people in as soon as the Fae arrive at the borders. It may take another year for that to happen though – moving Danu will take time."

"Uh… not to interrupt but… Danu?"

"The Fairy homelands – I call it Danu; it's a massive floating continent that will stay parked above the ocean to the east of Ferelden when it gets here. It would be better for me to rule from nearby with my betrothed being King of Ferelden. I know it may cause some discord but it was the current Queens' choice to move the lands when she heard where I was. The ritual that placed me in Ferelden is one that is meant to put me where I need to be. And if I need to be in Thedas, then I can't be in Danu unless something changed. So… if I can't go home, then home will come to me."

Landon looked faint, "I will… see about smoothing the idea over with the nobles as we travel the Bannorn… if I have your word this won't mean a hostile takeover?"

"My people are too great in number for me to split my time with them, Ferelden and my destiny. My people care more for having fun, loving one another and making others happy. There are very few who would be of the mind to seize power and they will be swiftly shut down – on that you have my word. I do not like the idea of any being repressed – and that would be one reason Alistair is working so hard to make things better for the Elves too. The Fae are descended from Elves and will not like seeing their kin oppressed. As it is, my guards were horrified when they entered Thedas and saw such happenings. That being said, my people may spirit many Elves away if that is their wish – and I already spoke to Alistair about this. Any elf who wishes to move to Danu for a better life will be fully welcome to do so. I would make the nobles see that if they do not change their ways, then they will lose what they have gotten comfortable with abusing for too long. We will not try to take over – but we don't stand idle when we see abuse."

Landon flinched, "I… I actually agree. I have a half-sister and… until recently, it was illegal for me to aid her if another human took a liking to her or… I was one of the ones who voted in favor of the pro-elven laws. I finally got her to move in with me and I'm one of the people who go around making sure elves are treated right."

I nodded, "I know – I keep a list of Advisors and which sides they stand on. I only allowed you to know who I am because you are a good man. I am glad to know such men as you are by the Kings' side in this."

He beamed, "Thank you, My Lady – it does me a world of good to hear you say that. Can… can I tell my sister about you?"

"Yes – just not my name; I'm not ready yet and I wouldn't want her hurt if she knows my name. Some people may go after her if they thought she knew."

"Yes – of course."

They left together and I noticed Aedan, Anders and Nate watching me.

I flushed, "What?"

Anders coughed, "So… should we be bowing when we see you or…?"

I punched him in the arm, "Bow to me and I will make you regret it. Gah – I don't want to be a Princess or a Queen or… or… ugh."

Nate looked pleasantly amused but said nothing.

We were eating lunch when Galaxia was the first to arrive – showing her note at the gate that Drake repaired before he left. The whole damn keep had been repaired though – not just the gate.

The people of Vigils' Keep had cheered for him, I was told this morning. I hadn't asked – he had just… done it.

Galaxia was brought directly to me and we 'met'. "Hello, my Lady – my name Galaxia."

I took the paper and pretended to read it before nodding, "Welcome to Vigils' Keep, Galaxia. You can call me Ara – I've had rooms prepared for you already and we don't head out until day after tomorrow, so make yourself at home."

She beamed and nodded.

Next to arrive was Magma of course – and he just came sauntering in like he didn't trust anyone… I mean, that was his job so…

"Magma – captain of your personal guard – reporting for duty, my lady." I rolled my eyes, "Yes – well met, Magma. You may call me Ara – I'll show you to your rooms once the others arrive."

Celeste came an hour later – breezing in and bewitching the men with a soft smile. She didn't bother with pretenses; she simply handed me her letter and sat beside Aedan.

Once I pretended to look it over, I of course gave it back – they were supposed to hold on to those, after all.

While we waited for the last one, I went and found the cat in the courtyard, asking Samuel (the groundskeeper) if he'd seen it. Thankfully, he had, and pointed me in the right direction.

I pulled a small dish and a jar of milk from my bag, luring the kitten to me. He was an orange tabby with the cutest green eyes and dark stripes.

Drakes' arrival was rather amusing… for someone who had seemed so laid-back and calm… he surfed in on a rock and bowed to me. I was more amused than anything – because his demeanor still screamed calm but his eyes twinkled with mischief that I hadn't expected at all.

I entered the dining hall around Dinner time and called out "Anders! I found him; I found the cat!" the man stood swiftly and made his way over to me.

"Ohhh, look at the cute little kitty! You know, there was a mouser in the tower named Mr. Wiggums. Only company I had when the Templars would lock me up. Miss that beast a lot sometimes… but I can't keep a cat, we fight Darkspawn for a living."

I grinned, "He can stay at the Keep if you're that worried for him…"

"I suppose… well, I'll keep him just for a little while; until I find somewhere safer. Is that okay with you kitty?" the cat meowed and softly purred. "I'll call you… Ser pounce-a-lot! You can stay in my pack. Just for a little while, yes?" he took the cat from my arms, cooing to him and checking him over.

"And… where did you find the cat?" Aedan asked with a smirk.

I grinned, "In the garden with the groundskeeper Samuel."

Nathaniel shot up and rushed out the door. I followed him, much to the annoyance of my guards.

"Samuel? Grounds Keeper Samuel? I'm… overjoyed you stayed on! Please, do you know how my brother died? And my… sister? I was in the Free Marches…"

"Your brother died in the war, but Lady Delilah… you didn't know? She's not dead, son. She married a shop keep in Amaranthine. Don't know which one… poor girl."

"Nathaniel… I told you where Delilah was…" I said. "I know what you said, but… I assumed she was dead, My Lady… with everyone else… I only went along with your plan for that hope. I thought…" his voice cracked and I put my arms around him. Aedan looked stunned as I hugged a man who he thought was his enemy.

"I promise, Nate, you'll see her again. We have to go to Amaranthine soon anyway. And call me anything other than 'Ara' again and I will slap you upside the head, hear me?" I grinned as I felt him laugh.

"Must you flirt with everyone?" Aedan griped. As we moved off to a secluded area with just me, Anders, Nate, and Aedan.

My guards all looked amused at that as I blinked, "I was flirting? Huh – I told you once, that I don't always know, Aedan."

We all headed back toward the Keep where I showed my guards their rooms – all near mine. I had also updated my pocket realm to have rooms for them. Magmas' looked like the inside of a volcano and had a fire insignia on the door; Celeste had a cloud in the sky with a wind insignia; Drake got a forest with a tree insignia; and Galaxia got an Atlantian room with a rain-drop insignia.

Just as we were finishing the tour and caught back up with Aedan, a private came up to us, "Commander! Dispatch has arrived for you, and Sergeant Maverlies has urgent news for you."

"Thank you private, I'll take the missives. Dismissed," the blond woman saluted me and left.

"What's the saying? 'No rest for the wicked'?" Anders laughed as he held his cat, Nate smirked and Aedan had an eyebrow raised.

We all headed out to the yard where Voldrik said, "Your friend – that person with the green hair – did a great job of rebuilding the walls before he left las night. But it's still…"

I shoved 80 gold coins into his hands, "I want this place to be acceptable, Voldrik – I don't want less than the best I can get topside."

He blinked, "Yes, Paragon Ara – I'll get to work right away. This is more than enough to get started."

"I'll find you some Granite if I can – will that help?" I asked with a knowing grin. He nodded, "That it would. You find me some granite and I'll make this keep as good as I can with topside materials."

"Good," I smiled.

Aedan had taken two of my people – Magma and Celeste – to clear out the cellars. Magma had insisted when he heard there were creatures who would love to kill us all under the keep. I told them to find me a bow in the crypt area.

I then headed over to Wade and Herren – as expected, Wade begged me for exotic materials. "The king once got me Starmetal to make you a signet ring. Oh star metal…"

"I can get you three exotics, Wade – a golem chest shell, an eldest dragon bone and Ancient Heartwood. Make me a list of things you'll need to make armor, a longsword and a bow respectively."

He squealed and wrote out a list – and I could see Herren groaning about it. I chuckled, "You'd like the Fae, Wade – you'd like them very much. Here, look at this sword and tell me what you think."

I handed him my black-sword. I had yet to name it – though several people insisted that I should.

Wade looked it over with awe, "Oh… this was made by those Fae that we've heard rumors about? I heard their armor was what kept Redcliffes' forces alive. I think you might be right – I would love to meet some Fae. This is exquisite – Herren! Look, Herren – isn't this marvelous?"

I giggled as Herren looked over the sword, "It is of fine make. I can't place the metal or these runes, though."

"The black metal is Salt-Metal – native only in the land of the Fae. The runes are the Fae home-language." Drake said from beside me. Herren gave him a look, "And you know this… how?"

"I was the one that made it," he said drily. I hadn't known that. I looked at Drake, "You didn't tell me that!"

He shrugged, "Earth Sylphs don't usually work the forges. Usually it's only the noble Fae who can control more than one element. My unique abilities were what allowed me to make it."

Herren and Wade gaped. I chuckled, "I trust you two won't tell anyone about my guards, yes?"

Wade scoffed, "Like I would risk my materials!"

Herren sighed, "Wade wouldn't let me tell anyone if I wanted to – your secret is safe with us."

Wade looked thoughtful, "Could you let me watch you forge something some time?"

Drake looked at me. I shrugged – if Drake wanted to, I wouldn't stop him. Drake nodded, "I see no reason not to."

Wade squealed again and we headed over to promise Dworkin we would locate some Lyrium sand for him much to Aedans amused alarm as he came walking up.

Celeste handed me the bow and I turned around and stuffed it into Nates' hands, "This was your grandfathers' bow – I had celeste find it while they were in the cellars."

He looked completely stunned, "I-I… thank you, Ara… thank you…"

I smiled, "Use it well. It was always meant for you anyway."

We all got some sleep before heading out to Amaranthine the next morning.