Chapter Forty-Nine

Where There's A Will

(A very happy birthday to Saterra3950! This chapter is for you, hun)

We headed to Gamlens' place – and I was a little surprised that nearly every elf we passed gave me a differential nod.

I finally stopped the group to ask about it to one female with blonde hair and grey eyes. She looked a lot like Harel.

"Honey, can you tell me why all the Elves seem to view me as…" honestly I couldn't think of a fitting word – and I was a writer.

She looked star-struck as she said, "You're the only known noble elf at the moment – and you live with those Fae. Harel says you pay him more than any noble would pay human for the work he's doing at your place – and that you don't expect him to do more than he's comfortably able. He's my brother."

"Do you have a job?" I asked. She shook her head, "No, miss – Harel keeps me fed and clothed. I don't need to work and it's thanks to you."

I smiled, "Do you want a job?"

"I… I think I do – it'd be nice to be able to afford a few luxury things."

I nodded, "Cool – find one other person you think is trustworthy and head on up to my place. You and this other person will live in my place and paid a starting wage of one Sovereign per week with potential for raises – just like Harel. I only have him cleaning the Kitchen and serving drinks at the moment. I need someone for cleaning the rooms and another for cleaning the drawing room and such. It isn't too much work since I make everyone pick up after themselves as well. And of course, there are the benefits – I have a live-in healer who can look you over for no charge, you get to learn more about the Fae and reading, writing and counting will be taught to those who desire to learn. Food is also provided at no personal cost. Oh, what is your name – Harel mentions you, but hasn't told me your name…?"

She looked awed and nodded, "My name is Desta, my lady. And my housemate is called Lindel – he'd be a good fit for working with you too. I'd vouch for him."

"Then go home, gather your belongings and Lindel with his and meet at my house in Hightown. You'll have your own rooms, of course." I nodded and she curtsied and hurried off.

Fenris looked curious, "Do you have a habit of doing this – pulling a random elf aside and offering well-paid work?"

"Not usually – but I did need more help with keeping that place dusted and I knew she was trust worthy. I can feel that with my Empathy. I didn't know she was related to Harel, but then… I should have since they look so similar. Harel is also blonde and grey eyed – and he also stands at 5'7; only two inches taller than Desta. They could almost be twins – but I didn't want to assume that. Anyway, I planned on hiring two more people anyway. Really, I was going to hire three, but two will do for now – if I need more help, I can hire more at a later date. And they're being paid from the money I will be getting from Meredith – not that I can't afford it already since I have 7,000 Sovereigns in the Ferelden Royal Treasury and with what I was paid by Meredith already. I'm set."

Varric looked at me with a charming smile, "You plan to go into the Soap Buissness, Feathers?"

"Bann Teagan already offered investment funds so… perhaps I should. I have a garden for the Herbs and plants I need right off my balcony, the soap itself is easy to make. I could open a shop that sells the soaps and my special tea blends – right next door to a place that sells my Jewelry and specialty pottery; tea cups, tea pots, plates, bowls and such. I'll even add in the glass creations there. I have the funds on hand to start up both – since I can the materials easily enough, I don't have to worry about that cost; just buying the buildings, decorating them and getting them set up. I can leave the running of them to one of my guards and Obsidian as my liaison to Danu – or I can hire people through Alistair. Either way, I know my soaps and specialty dishes alone will make me rich enough to bathe in gold – the Jewelry will be popular among the common folks and the nobility since I'll have cheap and expensive items for sale."

Varric nodded sagely, "I'd offer investment – but all our money is going to the Expedition my brother is doing… speaking of…"

"I'll invest when Hawke makes enough to Invest too. I'll match his investment. Would that please you, Master Tethras?"

He nodded, "That sounds perfect to me, Feathers."

Fenris smirked lightly, "The fact that she is investing means that this will go well, at least – she is a seer, recall?"

"Ah… that's a fair point; I'm more glad for that," Carver said.

We passed the Hanged Man and Varric broke off to pack a bag for Sundermount. And it wasn't long before we reached Gamlens' after that.

Both Gamlen and Leandra stopped talking the minute they saw us – I may be considered family at this point, but Fenris and Aveline weren't. I hadn't taken in Gamlen before – he was 5'8 with Grey hair cropped short and brown eyes to match his tanned skin.

They had, however, said enough that Hawke stepped in at once, "You should be paying us Uncle. We found the Will."

Carver spoke up while reading from the will, "Grandfather left everything to mother and us – I guess he had some sense after all. See for yourself," he handed the Will to his mother and pointed out the area he had looked at.

Gamlen wouldn't meet anyones' eyes, "Er… I should… maybe…"

Leandra read the will aloud, "To my daughter Leandra, and all children born of her… the estate in Hightown and all associated revenue…"

Hawke – in typical Hawke fashion – said, "Check out the part where Gamlen is left only a stipend – to be controlled by you."

"Gamlen, how could you?" Leandra sounded completely hurt – and I knew it wasn't about the money, but that she thought her parents had died hating her and here was proof that wasn't the case. She'd have understood if he'd told her the truth – since she was a rare breed that really didn't care about the money.

"You're the one who ran away, Leandra! What happened to 'love is so much more important than money'…?"

"It is," She argued – but Gamlen didn't give her a chance to speak, "You didn't even come home for the funeral!"

"The Twins were a week old," she rebutted.

Gamlen looked disgusted, "We all have our burdens; mine was looking after a life you abandoned. How long was I supposed to wait?"

Hawke snorted, "I doubt you let the ashes get cold."

"I took care of our Father; I stayed! And on his deathbed, all he could talk about was Leandra. Look, sister, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done it, but I did. And there's nothing I can do to get it back."

She shook her head, "I don't expect that Gamlen. All I care about is that mother and father didn't die angry. You knew I worried about that – and you said nothing. You let me think – and even implied – that they did just that. I'll petition the Viscount for rights to reclaim the estate. Maker willing, you'll have your 'house' back within a week."

I coughed lightly, "He can have his house back tonight – I'm inviting anyone with the last name Hawke to come live with me until the Amell Estate is settled. You've lived with Gamlen for a year now and it looks like there isn't enough room to continue such. I'm rich – I can afford to invite all my friends to live with me. Fenris already lives in Hightown, but even he has a room at my place. I already knew what was in that will – it is public record at the Keep after the will is read to the interested parties. But that means that I was already prepared to make this offer. I'm only using like 13 of the twenty rooms anyway."

That was 5 for me and my mates, 1 for Cullens' office, 2 for Mag and his pod, 1 for Obsidian, and 4 for my crafting areas. That left 7 as guest rooms or whatever. Leandra and the Hawkes would take half that if the twins didn't want to share. I wasn't going to make them.

Leandra looked thoughtful, "Are you sure dear?"

"Don't tell me you haven't already adopted me – I know you see me as a sort of daughter after what I did for Bethany. You may as well live with me in that case – seeing as we're family and all."

She giggled, "I suppose that's fair. Alright – children, pack up; we'll leave your Uncle Gamlens' house to him."

Hawke and the twins didn't even question it – heading into one room together to pack up what little they had while Leandra headed into the room she shared with her brother.

I could see the guilt on Gamlens' face – this wasn't how he wanted this to come to light; or to end.

I sighed, "Do you know why the Fae cannot lie in the ancient language, Gamlen? Why no one can lie in that language the Fae speaks among their land?"

He shook his head – afraid to glare at me. I smiled softly, "One should always be careful with their words – because anything can come back to bite us; truth or lie. It matters not what you say – everything will come full circle. There were tales in my homeland about beings that couldn't lie – but still excelled at being dishonest. Avoiding saying something isn't a lie – it is evasion – but that didn't mean it couldn't come back to hurt them. Trickery, loopholes, and "exact words" do play a significant part in anything don't they? I could ask you for what stands behind a specific barn – and if you agree, thinking it to be an apple; it could be your child behind that barn. Oaths are not meant to be taken lightly and – made in the Fae Language – are binding. You'd have to give her to me then. My point in this is that you don't need to lie to be dishonest – and that it will always come back to haunt you; no matter what. I was speaking to Magma once – a guard of mine – and made a vow to him that if he mentioned my past without my permission then I would cut him into one-inch strips before he was buried. Can you imagine my relief that I didn't say I would kill him? Because then I would have to if he mentioned it – instead, I would merely need to make sure I cut him up before he was buried if he ever mentions that again."

Drake – the guard that had followed me today – flinched, "You said it by accident?"

"I'm used to making threats – granted I've always followed through because I never make an empty promise – but I never thought about my words before saying 'I swear' to Magma that day. I can't even apologize and say I didn't mean it – because I did at the time and now I will have to follow through if he… here is to the hope that he doesn't mention my past without my permission or that he's stopped before he says anything that activates the vow. I feel bad about it – but I was desperate to get him to stop. I'm not proud of that history."

Drake nodded, "I'll make sure he knows you feel bad about it – I wasn't sure what changed that he was suddenly terrified of you. You'd never hurt us without due cause; we all know that. I'll talk to him."

That was when Hawke and the Twins came out – carrying a suitcase or bag each. Varric spoke while we waited for Leandra, "So Feathers – how long before your shops are up and running, do you think?"

"A month at least – I have to make the stock and the back stock – because we all know I'll sell out fairly quickly due to the novelty. I'll add a few cheap soap recipes to my sets – Sugar Cookie was a favorite of Stens. I might add some others – like Rose, Chocolate, other flowers, and fruits like Apple, Orange, or such. Those won't have the health benefits that my custom scents will have, but the common folk will be able to afford them. If I can promote cleanliness in Kirkwall, people will live longer just off that. They say that Cleanliness is Godliness."

"You said that to the Knight-Captain during your meeting with the Knight-Commander," Fenris observed.

"It's a saying from back in America. Being clean is a sign of spiritual purity or goodness – that was what started making people clean themselves more often more than 240 years ago; Though the idea of it was ancient – more than 2000 years old. The thing is – most priests in any given religion would cleanse their bodies before a ritual or important prayer. I bathe daily because I just can't stand being dirty. My guards and Anders also do such since they like the soap I make. Cullen admitted that he was the same too. And you had all better bathe or shower at least every other day – it will cut down on infection risk, improve heart health, improve lung health, relax your muscles and joints, and other benefits."

Fenris looked intrigued, "I tried the shower in the room you set aside for me – I could be convinced to shower daily if the water is always warm like that. And the soap you provided me does smell nice."

Holy hell – he was teasing me. I smiled flirtatiously, "Clean and broody – a killer combination."

Varric burst into laughter, "Was that a pun?"

"Maybe," I said as Leandra left her room with her own bag. Drake took both Bethany and Leandras' Bags. They both smiled at him – not realizing that Les would have him pinned and whipped by Magma if he didn't show gentlemanly courtesy.

I nodded to Gamlen, "We'll leave you for now – I know Leandra may come to visit now and then. You are her brother, after all. And you are welcome to visit if you feel the need or wish to see Leandra."

He nodded – still reeling from the blow he'd been dealt at Hawke finding the Will. Leandra was angry at the moment – for his withholding information – but she would be over it and visiting him once a week by the time we returned from Sundermount on Wednesday.

We all headed back toward the manner as the sun dipped lower in the sky.

"What do you think Celeste made for dinner?" Hawke asked.

"Something Vegetarian – but she's also gotten good at making Tofu and Fake Chicken. I taught her how to make mushroom jerky, meatless sausage, fake bacon, meatless hamburger, and other meatless meats. So you'll never realize it isn't real meat in the food. It's all plant based – usually soy beans is a key component. I had to learn all this for my son – he hated meat for some reason and I wasn't going to force him when I could just give him meat substitutes that were just as nutritious. I'm glad I did learn how to cook Vegan and Vegetarian now that I'm around Celeste all the time. And she's grateful that she can cook it so that her mates don't gripe about the lack of meat in her cooking – it's also a good way for them to eat the same dish and not have something separate made for her. For all I know, she's making veggie burgers for dinner and we won't even realize it isn't cow."

Hawke blinked, "Fake meat… made from plants?"

"Yeah – there was even a plant back home… it was called Jackfruit that grew on a tree called the Jack Tree. The inside bit that you eat tasted like meat. That was how they were able to make so many varieties of meat substitutes. A mature jack tree produces some 200 fruits per year, with older trees bearing up to 500 fruits in a year – and I sent seeds to Danu as well as bought an orchard outside the city for several types of fruit trees – apple, orange, coconut, jackfruit, and a few others. Kirkwall will export these Jackfruits all over Thedas so that Vegetarians and Vegans can consume them. Really, anyone can get them since there will be so many Jackfruits. But without the help of an Earth Fae, they won't grow very well anywhere else. They wouldn't grow here if Drake didn't go out to the Orchard and check on the trees once in a while. The ripe fruit is sweet – depending on variety – and is more often used for desserts, but if done right, it can be used like meat. In my opinion, it is the ultimate fruit for that reason."

"That's… sort of awesome," Carver said. I shot him a smile, "It is, isn't it?"

Drake looked amused – Earth Fae could grow anything, but they hadn't heard of anything similar to jackfruit before. It was yet another revolutionary idea for them. At this point, they were ready to call me the Angel Empress – a title reserved for the most influential Queens; almost never given while alive.

The blood typing kits, fertility and ovulation tests, as well as several plants that weren't native to Thedas or Danu. This wasn't mentioning the clothes or medicines or the whole thing with the Wicca. I wasn't even the Queen yet anyway – so if they wanted to name me an Empress, they would just have to wait.

"You'll be opening a shop? Did I hear that right?" Leandra asked.

"Two – one for soaps and dishes; since it wouldn't be wise to but my soaps in with my tea blends' just in case there is a containment problem. The other will have the Teas and the Jewelry. All four types of items will have lower and higher end items so that the rich and the poor may both find things of interest. Crunching the numbers in my head, it will take me… 6 months to get enough stock and get everything done – so maybe I'll send a letter to Bann Teagan and see if he's still interested in investment in the businesses though I don't need start up capitol – just what the Shaperate paid me the first time would be enough; that was 1600 Sovereigns so I'd still have room to spare after buying the buildings and renovating them."

Varric whistled, "That was just what they paid you the first time? How many times did they pay you?"

"Twice – totaling to 6100 Sovereigns and a Paragon status." I shrugged. He tripped – landing on his face making Hawke laugh.

Varric cursed, "Hawke – you don't get it: they call Paragons living gods. The last one elected was Paragon Branka years ago. The Assembly has to vote on the matter too. Most aren't even named Paragons until after they die. The Dwarves worship Paragons like you humans worship Andraste and the Maker. Typically it is a feat of bravery in warfare or an incredible invention, but it can also be something as simple as embodying the ideals and tasks of one's caste to an unprecedented perfection. That she was named a Paragon is impossible because she's a topsider, not a dwarf – yet I did hear tell of… damn. House Ara," he cursed.

I smirked, "I gave them medicine that would heal bacterial infections, several soap recipes, compasses, tea blends, brought back Caridin and almost 50 Golems, retrieved lost history from several Thaigs, helped break the king election deadlock and restored House Ortan… not to mention that before any of that, I won the Provings held in honor of King Endrin Aeducan."

We got back to the house just in time – Desta and Lindel were arriving too. They must have taken a short cut. Aveline too was arriving back. I smiled and let everyone in while calling for Harel.

He skidded to a stop when he saw his sister and former housemate. "Desta; Lindel… what are you two doing here?"

I waved a hand, "I hired them – and they'll be attending your lessons with the Sylphs on reading, writing and counting. Oh – here is the first weeks' pay; so that you can get anything you need before you start work in two days. Just take tonight and tomorrow to get settled – Harel will show you where your quarters are."

There were 7 servant rooms – this would put three in use, and 4 would be empty.

Harel excitedly showed them to the quarters while I looked at Drake, "Could you take the Hawkes to the empty rooms? Varric and Aveline can go with them… I feel like we're missing… Isabela! Will someone go retrieve her from the Hanged Man? I wish I had thought of it while we were there. She can take the other unoccupied room before we head out in the morning."

Magma – having heard the request – said, "I'll go – I know what she looks like so I'll be back soon."

He headed out without another word. Everyone headed off to place their things in their respective rooms. I headed toward the kitchen – where Celeste was still cooking; a soup of some kind. The smell told me it was curry – another dish I had given her the recipe for. I smiled, "What's in it?"

"Spiral noodles, green and yellow curry blend, and fake chicken. I also added corn, peas and green beans. There's fresh bread in the oven to go with it." She beamed at me – and I knew it was because she was happy that the curry didn't need to be 'separated' for her to have it without the chicken while everyone else had chicken.

I nodded, "It smells good, Les. The Hawkes are moving in until they can get their estate settled. Theirs is the estate across from ours, but Hawkes uncle gambled it to slavers and lost. The others in the group are here for the night since we head out early in the morning."

She nodded, "I made more than enough for everyone – they're going to be here most nights for dinner anyway, you said."

I nodded – I had told her that. The only reason the Hanged Man was the 'base' in the games was because there was food there so everyone sort of congregated there. My place had food and comfort… not to mention the space.

I leaned over and kissed her cheek, "I messed up, sweetie. I think I scared Magma."

She looked startled, "What happened?"

I explained what had happened and she sighed, "Well… I can't say he didn't deserve it. That wasn't his secret to tell – you get to decide who and when that information is released. And he's right – I would hurt him for that. I'll talk to him with Drake – we'll make sure he knows it was a slip; that you regret saying it. He will know you can't take it back – a vow made cannot be broken. We're just lucky you didn't vow to kill him – though this offence… you'd be well within your right to do so. Such a past is a delicate thing – it could cause you harm to speak of it with people you are not ready to talk about it with. He should know that. Thank you for coming to me, Ara."

I nodded, "It felt like something I should tell you – Drake is already telling Galaxia…"

"They'd likely keep this from me… I can't go to Sundermount with you tomorrow."

I blinked, "Why not?"

"I'll be keeping Magma with me too but… I'm with child, Ara." She looked so happy – and I was happy for her.

"That's wonderful! Do you know who the genetic father is?" I asked.

"Oh we don't care about that at all – in fact, we won't be keeping track of it. Drake and Magma will both be the Father just as Xia and I will both be the mother. We won't be telling our child who is the genetic parent. That's common, actually – in our situation. The humans living on Danu prefer to know, but most Sylphs have little care."

"That's awesome. I mean – I'll need to know until Alistair can get a human heir for the Ferelden throne, but otherwise… I don't see how it matters much. It'll likely be obvious with my children though – Fenris seems to be my only elven mate, Alistair had dragon-slit eyes now and scales too, Cullen is my only completely human mate though he and Alistair share hair coloring, height and stature. If my fourth mate is female, Dwarven or Qunari, then there won't be any question when I birth a child who the genetic father is at all. Though, honestly, I'll have to have a stern talk with all my mates – they may not be used to it, but those kids will belong to all of them. I don't care if Alistair donated the biological bits for a son or daughter; they all have that kid as theirs at that point."

Celeste nodded – at least now I knew why she was more inclined to stay at the house rather than go out. I thought for a second, "How far along are you?"

"Only 3 weeks – so I suppose it happened just after the battle at the Vigil… we were celebrating the victory rather vigorously."

"Well, I'm happy for you… you don't mind if I spoil and call myself an Auntie do you?" I gave a cheeky grin.

She tipped her head back and laughed loudly – drawing all of the inhabitants of the house into the kitchen before she calmed enough to answer me.

She hugged me before giving the curry soup one last stir and turning off the stove. She said, "Go ahead – my baby, niece or nephew to the future Queen of Danu; I don't think my mates will mind much either."

Hawke caught on a moment after Fenris did. Hawke said, "I guess this means congratulations are in order, Lady Celeste?"

She waved the serving spoon at him, "It's Celeste or Les – not Lady. I'm just a Sylph guard to the Princess."

I snorted – and so did Drake and most of the others in the room too. We moved the soup into the Dining room – no one was willing to let Celeste carry it; I think Drake disguised holding her back as a hug. It was funny – she was only three weeks along, but everyone was acting like she was completely delicate and made of glass. She seemed annoyed by it already.

Through dinner, the Pod talked about turning their second bedroom into a nursery – and I volunteered to do it. They didn't argue – they were curious what I would come up with I think. They weren't there when little Vaala was born in Orzammar. My chest squeezed as I felt a longing for a child of my own again.

I missed Levi – more than anything else, I missed him. Yes; my son could be a bit of an ass – but what child wasn't at times? He was sweet more often than he was a butt. I missed hearing him squeal with laughter and the coos he would give me.

Before I realized what was going on, I was full on sobbing at the table. Fenris was the first to reach me. He knelt by my chair – hesitantly putting a gentle hand on my back. Hawke asked, "I think I'm missing something, Ara; what's wrong?"

"I… I miss my baby!" I cried harder. A curse rang from Drake as he explained that when I had died on Earth, I'd had a 3 year old son. Just in case any of them weren't aware at this point. Bela was behind my chair, hugging me from behind and not saying a word.

It was Varric who said something, "Feathers… damn; I know I can't say anything to make this better; what do you want to do?"

"I think… I think I'm going to go to bed for now. Just… everything is hitting me at once it seems. I never… I didn't sit down and grieve for the fact that I lost them so it was bound to hit me eventually. I'm surprised it didn't hit in Orzammar when there was a little girl named after me… I'm sorry, everyone."

No one stopped me as I fled to my room to cry.

I was up early the next morning – cooking eggs with bacon on the side for those who could/would eat it; and tortillas. The Hawke family would recognize the meal.

Once everyone was done eating, the crew headed out – only Drake would be coming with us from my guard.