Chapter Forty-Eight

Explain

I coughed, "Then why don't you all come to my place for dinner – I'll cook a nice meal with fresh bread and we can all sit down and talk about the Princess and everything you may need to know about the Fae as companions to Fae."

"What will you make?" Varric asked at once.

"I'll make Soup – with spinach, potatoes, sausage, bacon, heavy cream, and chicken broth. It's called spinach soup. Famous in a particular resturaunt back where I'm from – and I'll even tell you more about that place too and how I got here. It pairs well with buttered Sourdough bread – especially if the bread is fresh."

"… Okay – I'm down." Varric said. Magma coughed, "And for Les?"

"Relax – I know she's Vegetarian. I plan to make a separate meal for her – a Vegetarian noodle soup; Vegetarian Pho. It has all sorts of yummy stuff in it – Onion, Ginger, Veggie stock, rice noodles, and mushrooms. It's yummy – and there will be enough for everyone to have more than a bowl of both soups if they want."

Magma relaxed, "Good – I heard 'Sausage' and 'Bacon' and worried. I should know better since you've been quite accommodating… I know Emerald is also vegetarian. None of the others are though."

"I take it Emerald has the Gift to talk to critters?" I asked as we headed through the docks.

Magma snorted, "Yes – and it was a close thing on if she would be vegetarian or vegan. It turns out that she likes cheese too much to be vegan."

I laughed as Hawke said, "I'll table the asking about gifts until tonight – but what is vegan?"

I spoke, "Vegan means they don't eat anything that came from an animal – no milk, cheese, honey, eggs, meat or anything of that nature. Just plants – nuts, berries, grains and the like – can be consumed. I could make Tofu – a meat substitute that soaks up the flavor of anything that it's cooked with – since it's made with soy beans, water, and rice vinegar. It can be used for vegans to get the protein they need in their diet."

Fenris gave a soft snort, "I like meat."

"And that's your choice – I love meat too; steak, sausage, bacon, chicken, druffalo and so on. But Celeste gets sick if she consumes meat; Emerald can talk with animals and as such can't stomach eating 'friends'. Neither one will stop us from eating meat – they just won't eat it themselves."

Varric said, "My favorite kind of vegetarian – the good kind."

I giggled as we moved through Lowtown, "I agree – they're okay with the smell and sight; they just can't eat it. Celeste was born that way, actually – good thing my son avoided real meats; I learned early on how to make fake meats from veggies and such. They taste like real meat but they aren't meat so everyone can eat them. Though, thinking about it now, my son just preferred to eat bread. I think our roommate dubbed him a bread-ivore."

Bethany giggled at that but Carver said, "You have a son?"

"Had," I corrected. The group instantly quieted. I shrugged, "I lost my family more than a year ago; I met Alistair and Aedan the same day – though they were out cold for a few days past that. You know, I actually beat Alistair and the Qunari we traveled with in sparring matches often. That was what made me a 'foreigner worthy of respect' to the Sten. Finding his sword was what made me his Kadan."

"So he worked out then?" Hawke asked. Fenris looked startled, "You knew the Sten?"

I answered, "The Sten allowed himself to be caged for nearly 30 days without food or water until I came to him – in the same town Hawke was living in. he was looking for attornment for killing those who nursed him to health… he had lost his sword and when they didn't know where it was… he let himself be caged."

Fenris nodded, "He could have gotten free at any time. Ii is interesting then – that he would follow you about."

I smiled, "I greeted him in Qunlat and told him that I was leading the remaining Grey Wardens."

"That would do it – he thought you were Viddithari." Fenris said.

"Actually – he asked me if I was. I told him no and he still followed me. I will grant that he seemed to view me as Viddithari by the time we reached the Circle Tower – in fact he seemed to view me as the Arigena or the Ariqun, because of my crafting and scientific things; in fact he told me as much – he said that I was like the whole triumvirate of our group back then."

Fenris looked startled, "He said that?"

"Yes – and don't think he didn't doubt himself for it since one role is female only and one is male only. He also doubted himself because I was bas – and I think that was why he eventually just viewed me as Viddithari."

We got to Gamlens' place and let ourselves in. Gamlen was about to shout when Leandra rushed forward and hugged me. The whole place was silent as she said, "Gamlen this is Lady Cousland – the one who saved my Bethany."

I flushed, "Leandra, darling – I told you that it was no trouble."

"But it meant the world to me, Ara," she said with a few tears in her eyes. I smiled, "Well, I see you remember that I accept thanks in the form of Hugs."

Laughter went around the group. I introduced her to Magma – the only one here that she hadn't met at this point – then I said, "I came to invite you to dinner at my place tonight – I learned more about myself and how I can do what I do in the last year. You will get to meet the new Fairy Princess too, if you come."

Gamlen was looking hopeful – but I didn't trust him at this moment, so I didn't offer him.

"Oh, I'd love to – where are you staying dear?"

"The House of Archon is my home now; Alistair bought it for his betrothed and since the Princess and I are so close…"

Gamlen sputtered – Hawke hadn't gone after the will yet or I would tell Leandra to move in with me.

Hawke grinned, "We'll meet you there tonight, of course – oh, mom; guess what she did today?"

"What's that, darling?" Leandra looked indulgingly at Hawke.

"She earned more than two thousand sovereigns from the Gallows."

I cut in before anyone could make a bigger deal – damn Magma for telling him while Cullen kissed me goodbye.

"Speaking of – I have soap for all of you that has health benefits. This one is Red Stripe – for Carver and Hawke," That one was made of Cinnamon, Black Tea, Arbor Blessing and Felandaris. I handed over a list of its benefits before turning to the next person.

I handed Bethany a bottle of Fairy Song, Leandra got River Rain, Varric got Smokescreen, and then I looked shyly to Fenris, "This is called Wraith… it's made with Rashvine, Ghouls' Beard, Elderflower, Prophets' Laurel and a hint of Lyrium."

He sniffed at it and looked surprised, "I like this – quite a bit."

I relaxed a little, "I'm glad – it should help with the pain in your tattoos as well as allowing you to sleep better when you do sleep. It also helps with relaxation and promotes healing if you add it to bath water."

He looked contemplative, "I take it this was designed for me?"

I nodded, "Yes – like Red Stripe was designed for Hawke but turned out to be good for him and Carver. Templars' Rose was originally designed for Alistair, and the scent I sold to Meredith – Kitten – was designed for Anders… he loves cats."

"You base your scents on people – that is fascinating." Bethany said. I shrugged, "I have one called Lethal Beauty that was based on the daughter of the Witch of the Wilds – Morrigan loves the scent of poison flowers so I mixed them in a way that it retained the scent, but not the poison." Fenris hissed, "You met the Witch of the Wilds?"

"Oh yeah – I slept with her daughter too." I grinned.

Carver blanked, "Y-you… what?"

"Alistair and I took her to bed one night before the Battle of Denerim. I'll get to that part of the tale though… later. Magma and I should get home so I can get dinner started for you lot – and Leandra will be welcome to bring some home for Gamlen, of course."

Gamlen seemed to wilt – he wanted to see the house more than he wanted dinner.

"We'll walk you back," Hawke said. I rolled my eyes, "No need – I have Magma and Fenris with me. Fenris lives in Hightown anyway. If he doesn't go home for a while, he can look over that one room while I cook."

Fenris nodded, "I think I will, at that."

"Cool – see you lot for dinner!" and we headed back home.

It was early evening – only about 6 – when everyone began arriving for dinner.

We used the first Dining room as it was slightly larger. With 15 Fae, counting yours truly, we had 22 people around the 40 seat table. I had just hauled the two massive pots of food in and placed them on the table next to a stack of bowls for people to pick what they wanted to eat. Both pots were labeled – Veggie Pho; Spinach Soup w/ meat.

Once everyone was seated with a bowl – or two – in front of them, I spoke from where I sat at the head of table, "So – ask your questions. We will do our best to answer them. There are 15 Fae at this table so even if I cannot answer; the other 14 might be able to."

Hawke started, "Alright – tell us about mates."

"Wow, Hawke – that was so specific; do you want to know how mates work, or are you looking for something specific?"

His face flushed at my light tease. Fenris spoke, "I wish to know more about it in general – since you claim to be my mate?"

"That's fair – Sylphs are the general population of Danu – each one is able to control a single element and gains a special elemental gift. For example, Celeste and I gained wings as our Gift from the Air. Her wings are that of a Dragonfly while mine are more akin to a bird. The Sylphs each gain three mates – thus, Magma is mated to Drake, Celeste and Galaxia; and they are mated to each other as well as him. When that occurs – where all mates are mated together – it is called a 'Pod'. Fairies like Plume, Sapphire or even me are Sylphs that were born as a genetic fluke – we can control all 4 elements and gain anywhere between 2-4 elemental gifts. Thus far, I have three – Air, Water and Earth gifts; though I don't know what my Earth gift is and I may gain the fourth ability when I meet my fourth and final mate. Alistair – for me – represented water in the beginning though now I would say he was Fire. He was water to start so that's what he will always be for me. Cullen is my Air mate – after meeting him, I gained my wings. Fenris is Earth – strong and steady; firm and unyielding. Cullen doesn't know that I am a Fairy – but I bet he suspects at this point with all that I've told him."

"And how do you know who your mates are?" Bethany asked.

Magma answered that one, "We just… know. We can feel it the moment we meet them – like the pieces of a puzzle finally fit just right; or as you may have guessed, Lord Fenris – feeling rather possessive when someone who isn't a mate kisses your mate."

"I did feel an uncanny need to rip out Hawkes' heart – I thought it was just that he was a mage at first but the feeling abated the moment I ripped him away from her." He looked deadpan.

I smiled, "Yeah – I already told Alistair that I wouldn't be entertaining the idea of a Secondary Mate. That would be a mate that we don't have a primary connection with like I have with you. We could force the connection with someone. It uh… it was a law that we'd have to take a secondary mate as Princess or Queen – unless we could bring forth an invention that greatly benefited the race as a whole. I brought three so I just demolished the Law. Only Primary Mates for me – otherwise I'd have to mate with this one," I pointed to Plume.

Plume shuddered, "I like men – all my mates here are men. I only entertained the notion for kids – and we'll be getting those without having to mate with a female thanks to the Princesses special background."

That prompted questions about said background. Where I was from – how I got here and other questions were asked.

Eventually, the topic turned once more – to me. Leandra asked, "You said I would meet the Princess?"

All the Fae at the table sniggered and I smiled, "Yes – that would be me. I didn't know it when we first met but I was the Princess even then. In fact; I didn't know till closer to the end of the Blight – many months after I had met you all. I do ask that this information not be spread around – I'm trying to keep under notice for some time."

Fenris spoke again, "And the new land being set east of Ferelden – what is the purpose in bringing that land here?"

"So the Princess – once she is Queen – can rule from the lands she woke in. we don't have a proper palace because the new Queens always wake where they are destined to be – we have a capitol, yes; but that was just the religious center of Danu in the past. It is becoming a pilgrimage to go to the temples again now that our religion has been… reaffirmed by the current Princess. But all through our history, the Queen has always woken where she was needed – and thus that would be where she rules from. Ara woke in Thedas – so since she is needed here, the land came to her." Galaxia explained.

Plume chimed in, "We're a peaceful race due to our long isolation – most of us anyway. As with any race, we do have a few bad ones in the bunch."

It had gotten late by now so I chimed in, "If there are no more questions about the Fae, I believe Hawke and Anders have an errand to run. Leandra, you're welcome to stay here for the night – as is Bethany, Carver and Hawke when he returns. I'm sure we could find a spot for Varric too."

"He can take our extra bedroom – we never use it," Magma said with a shrug. I nodded, "There you have it – there's room for everyone."

Even Fenris decided to stay the night… but just one night. I sent Drake to get him a bottle of wine.

Anders and Hawke did their thing that night, and the next afternoon we all met at the Hanged Man… where Isabella was fighting off three men. I was unconcerned – though the two guards that had followed me each tensed.

Plume and Sapphire had both departed this morning – the IVF was finally deemed a success so they were eager to get home and set up a joint home. I had written out a letter asking that it be allowed to the Queen and a Vision informed me they would have a 10 bedroom house – 2 for each Pod and 6 for the 10 kiddos. Each woman left carrying twins – they wouldn't know this for sure until they either read the note, the Queen told them, or they waited for the second trimester check-up with someone who had the Healing Gift.

Aveline was with us today, and had been weary of me – she hadn't been in on the meeting last night, so she didn't know that I was the one who provided the blood that kept the Darkspawn at bay last year.

Avaline was 5'10 with cropped red hair, green eyes and freckles dusting her pale skin – she scared me a little with both her aura of intimidation and the fact that she was actually really pretty… I still didn't feel pretty.

We approached Bela, though I hid behind Hawke much to his amusement and my guards' distress – Magma and Celeste were with me today.

"My, and here I thought all the men in this place were besotted fools who couldn't hoist the mainsail." She hadn't change a bit. Her white dress, black corset, blue bandana, and gold jewelry perfectly complemented her 5'8 frame, mid-back length brown hair, green gold eyes and sexy tan skin with the perfect cleavage.

"When you talk about hoisting the Mainsail, what do you really mean?" Hawke smirked.

"What else could I mean? It requires strength knowledge of rigging, and a small measure of sobriety." Anders gave a cough as Hawke chuckled and said "I know my way around rigging just fine… and I'm good with my hands."

"Oh my… I'm…" that was where I cut her off.

"Isabela, Queen of the Eastern Seas and the sharpest blade in Llomerryn… if you listen to the Assassin we have as a mutual friend."

"Kitten; Have you come to finally play with me?" she shoved past Hawke and draped herself over me.

I think the whole group went still – including my guards and Hawke.

I pretended to think about it while I smirked, "Hmmm – I think you had your chance, babe. You turned down a tumble with Alistair and me in favor of an Orgy with my brother and two friends… I suppose if you're a good girl, I might convince one of my lovers to allow you into bed with us…"

"But, kitty… I've been dying to know all those tricks you mentioned! You know I'm not good!" I smirked. "Tough titty said the kitty when the milk ran dry!" she burst out laughing.

She turned to Hawke again. "You know… with company such as her, you might be just what I'm looking for to solve a little problem I have."

"Can't anyone fix their own lives around here?" he sighed and I giggled as Isabela shrugged and I chimed in with her, "Must be something in the water."

Bela stayed draped around me – and I could see the speculation of my guards; thinking that she might be my fourth mate, but I knew she wasn't.

"Well, someone from my past has been… pestering me. I've arranged for a duel – if I win, he leaves me alone. Unfortunately, I don't trust him to play fair. I need someone to watch my back and it seems you come highly recommended…" she gestured to me.

"Well… I think I could manage watching your back." She chuckled and muttered, "I'll bet."

She gave him the details and then kissed me on the cheek, "I'll see you later, Kitten."

Once she was gone, all eyes were on me. Fenris looked at me with a blank face, "What was that?"

"You almost… you offered to sleep with her?" Aveline was bright red.

"Oh yes. She's beautiful, but she had her chance. She chose Aedan and two of our friends rather than try me and Alistair. And no, she isn't my fourth mate. She's too much Water to by my Fire."

That made absolutely no sense to Aveline, but it was perfect for everyone who'd had 'the talk' last night.

We all sat at the table in Varrics room. "Hey, Feathers… you said that you and the King really started your relationship in Redcliff, but you didn't say how…?"

I smirked and leaned back – looking up at the ceiling as the memories came to me, "Teasing, of course. He knew by that point that he'd have to be king, so he was reluctant… even asked me why I was 'pursuing' him when he didn't think we'd have a future together… I told him the truth, of course; not like I can lie, anyway. I told him that where I'm from things are a lot more relaxed. Saying it here… things back home are more like Isabela. So open about that kind of thing… well, it was just us, my Mabari and an Assassin friend of ours left at the Castle while the others went to gather the mages, right? I was putting on the show of a lifetime, being the proper lady that was expected of someone with a noble background all while teasing the hell out of Alistair and managing to sell some soap to Teagan and Isolde. About halfway through our stay, he finally gets comfortable enough to tease back, and damn was I unprepared. You see, I didn't expect him to be so damn… good at it. I think that he had been learning the whole time I teased him – I think he almost took me to bed in that way at that half-way mark. It all came to a head the night before the Circle Contingent arrived with Aedan and the others. I folded like a cheap house of cards. I told him if he touched my bare skin one more time, I'd take it as an invitation. He wavered for a moment before moving closer – raising his hand and holding it a mere inch from my neck. Then, in a breathy, rough voice, he said 'Like this?' and kissed me – his hand holding the back of my neck. Now, while I could go into detail on what happened that night with my – at the time – virgin mate… no one here wants to hear that except my guards and Varric, so I won't."

Celeste pouted, "But Ara – we've been wondering how he was! He's very good looking and you said he was innocent when you met him – won't you tell us?"

"Not today, sweetie – We need to protect the innocent at this table." I winked.

"You had a Mabari?" Aveline asked.

"Yeah… he died saving me… and it… it was my fault," I said sadly.

"So! We're starting our trek up Sundermount tomorrow. I assume you know why, Ara since you were the one who gave me a message for Flemeth?"

Avaline looked at me sharply. "She's the seer you told me about?"

I smiled. "Oh yeah… we'll get a companion out of it; a Dalish Elf by the name of Merrill."

"Speaking of Dalish…" Varric motioned to my face.

I chuckled, "You'll learn more about my markings when I get to the part about the Dalish clan in the Forest."

"Fair enough," Varric nodded amiably.

"So after we save your girlfriend tonight, we'll all pack up and leave for Sundermount in the morning; and spending one night on the mountain – even two – we should be back by Wednesday night."

"Good – I have a date Thursday…" I said absently.

Fenris looked amused – he was there when Cullen asked if it would be alright to visit on those days. Fenris said, "What do you plan to do?"

"I might take him to a fancy resturaunt or we could stay in and just get to know each other more. Not sure yet," I said with a smile.

We all headed back to my place – for now, it was our base of operations since the Hanged man didn't have quite enough room for all of us if we counted that I would have two guards with me at any given point; and that on occation they would all be with me.

Magma and Celeste filled the other two in on my 'Almost Lover' and the fact that she would be involved in a duel.

Hawke said, "Is there anything I need to know about that?"

"Yeah – he really does cheat and he'll be hiding in the Chantry while his people go to the meet-up. I'm sorry about not coming with – I try to avoid death and bloodshed due to my religion…"

"No, no; sweetheart I read the Grimoire and I hear there's a new book in the works – I'll read that too – but I get it. If we can keep you out of the fights, then we will. I think King Alistair alone would have my head mounted in a trophy room if anything happened to you anyway."

I smiled, "The new one is called 'The Book of Shadows' and it is already being put to paper and bound for sale. I do have a few copies already… if you want. Also – I think you should clear out the slavers living in the Amell Estate… soon. I'll ask that you retrieve me before taking that will to your lady mother so that I can make an offer past that."

Hawke gave me a bright grin, "Deal – I come get you in exchange for the book. We'll take care of that about now – no sense leaving slavers in my family home until we return from Sundermount. Fenris, you want in on this one?"

"I think I do, Hawke." Those were the only words he said on the matter.

Bethany and Carver also wanted to go. It was still early enough – I had Drake show them through the Cellars to Anders' hidey hole – it was a shortcut that I gave them all permission to use liberally.

I was left with Varric and Aveline – who had finished her work for the day and would be off tomorrow… we planned to hit that ambush site tomorrow too.

Varric said, "So, Feathers, you and the King… if I understand right, you are his betrothed though everyone thinks you're only the Mistress?"

I nodded, "Alistair has one Advisor that is fully apprised of the situation – and only because Landon guessed the truth. I can't tell an untruth. I'm good enough at bending the truth that it breaks all on its lonesome."

"How is that?" Aveline asked in interest, "That you can bend the truth in such a way?"

"… Did you know, Aveline, that the sky is black at all times – but there is a naturally formed layer called the Ozone layer that reflects light when the sun hits it; so the sky appears blue in the day when it isn't? Grass reflects green light back while absorbing the rest of the spectrum of colors – that's why it appears green. If we humanoid creatures didn't have the proper cones in our eyes, everything would be black or white – now… let's say I came up to you in broad daylight and said the sky is black… would you think me a liar?"

She sat back in her chair, "Knowing what you just told me; no – but if you hadn't told me that then yes; I'd call you a liar."

"Now – you know my name is Arvaala Cousland, but if I gave you a different name – the name from my old life or the name of my body from before I inhabited it – you would, again, think me to be lying when it would be true. I made everyone think that m lost husband Alex was a nobleman when he was a store clerk. When Aedan said he was similar in status to a Teyrn after seeing our home, I didn't refute it; and that made everyone believe Alex was a Teyrn. I hated lying even when I was human, so I learned how to bend the truth – so I wouldn't lie, but people would draw their own conclusions. I have more than 20 years of experience in this that I can remember to call on. But just know – if I ever tell you something directly – it will be truth. If I use maybe, possibly, or any uncertain term like that – it could be untrue, but then again, maybe not? Who can say for sure when we are speaking of possibilities? That is the way we were made to be – though I ask you don't spread around that Fae cannot lie; because there are people who will exploit that. The thing is – we can say something we believe to be true with certainty. I could never say I was an elf when I woke up only because I was still thinking of myself as human. I learned that from my guards one night."

She looked fascinated – I knew Aveline wanted to learn everything there was about the Fae. But I also knew it was so that if any Fae acted up and needed to be caught, she could do it without violating any rights. Aveline was honorable and I couldn't fault her in that regard.

I smiled, "You may choose any room that has a green tear-drop on the door tonight – that means they are currently unoccupied – since we're leaving early in the morning I figure it will be easier to have us all gathered in one place. If I can sway it, even Fenris will be staying over."

Varric lifted his mug – Celeste had hired an Elf from the Alienage to be a live-in maid; He was mostly only here to serve drinks and keep the kitchen cleaned. This house was too big for just one servant to care for.

He stayed in the servants' quarters – which I hadn't even known about when we first moved in. Galaxia had found them and I updated them so they were just like the main house. Harel was a good man – and grateful for the opportunity to live and work here since he got paid a lot. I paid him a gold coin every week; the other highest pay was working the Bone Pit for 50 half that pay.

I would need to hire two or three more people to work this behemoth – maybe only two since I wanted to be sure there was room for Orana when we saved her. I could teach her to read, write and count!

Obsidian would arrive in a month – 2 weeks for Plume and the others to reach Danu, and 2 weeks for Obsidian to arrive… actually, he may arrive sooner since he had those Ladybug Wings. He could fly and be here in 5 days as opposed to horse and boat travel.

Varric spoke, "It isn't a bad idea. Though, I should probably go back to the Hanged Man for a change of clothes and more bolts for Bianca."

"About that…" I chuckled nervously – not sure how he would react, "I uh… I got you something Varric. It's a specialty of the Fae called 'returning arrows'. I had Drake – who is an accomplished blacksmith – commandeer the forge back at the Vigil and make the bolts while Celeste enchanted them with a 'return to sender' spell that only the Air Sylphs can do – not even the Fairies can do it. This spell connects the bolt and the quiver they are in. You shoot and after they stop moving, they return to your quiver – Drake added a 'sharp' enchantment so they won't dull and Galaxia added a 'clean' enchantment so they won't bloody your quiver. Then – just so he wasn't left out of making this gift – Magma enchanted them for lava damage. Your enemies will melt when hit with these bolts because that's what lava does to people. You can be resistant to fire damage – but not lava. I uh… I mean… if you don't want them, I do know how to use a crossbow better than a regular bow so they won't be wasted."

Varric and Aveline were both frozen in shock. Varric said, "I do want them! Damn, Feathers – you have all the nice things. You got that Dragon Bone sword and Starmetal sword for the Knight-Captain, these bolts for me… I think I'll stick around – you seem to have great stories too."

I pulled out the brown leather quiver from my bag and passed it to him. It held 55 enchanted bolts. He took it and examined the bolts, "These are perfect – most bolts are too long since Bianca was made for a Dwarf."

"… I had a vision about that," I muttered with a slight flush on my face. The enchantments put on the bolts could only be done by Sylphs – Fairies couldn't do those specific ones. Actually, most enchantments were Sylph specific – to keep balance. Fairies weren't all powerful – otherwise they might look down on the Sylphs when it was seriously just a fluke of genetics unless one of your parents was human, or dwarf. We didn't know what might happen with Elves since Fae were descended from Elves in the first place and who knew about Qunari?

That was when Hawke returned looking furious, "I'm going to kill Gamlen!"

"And that's my cue to head along with Hawke – Aveline, why don't you head back to the Barracks and get your gear for tomorrow?"

"That's a good idea, Ara – I may beat you back here…"

"Celeste will be here at the very least – she's cooking dinner, after all."

And we headed out.