Chapter 18
Deedo slowly opened her eyes, feeling a cooling wet trail trickling down her cheek.
With long fingers, wiped the tears away, daring them to come back. She needed to be strong, the dream she had left her saddened, to feel Maric's warmth and heart, to see Olett found once more with tears tickling her cheeks.
Hearing someone's approach standing at her side, Morrigan greeted her. "Finally awake, are you? The others are preparing for Alistair's audience. I brought you this, are you cold still?" Morrigan handed the Elven woman a hot cup of apple cinnamon tea, seeing the High Elven woman in her undergown.
"Velious is much colder." She eyed the witch after taking a sip from her cup. Deedo grumbled, letting out a heavy sigh, smiling apologetically as she rose from her seat, carrying herself into the room that the others were currently dressing in fur rugs soft against her bare feet. She sighed again.
Deedo placed the cup on the end table. She stood watching her daughter. Her hair was lighter than it was before, she thought maybe it was with age. When Cullen explained the magic that was drained from her, it altered just through her hair.
Could it have been the diet of this world? During her time here, Maric questioned her consumption of food when he watched her take little food and rest during the rebellion. Her answer was simple, 'I require less than you would.'
Wilhelm even pushed her to take lyrium vials for her magic replenishment, but when she refused. 'I am not of this world.'
"I wish for you to come back and speak with us, my little love." The High elf stroked her cheek, moving strands of light fawn hair.
The twins returned from the market, bringing with them bolts of fabrics, leathers, and furs. They went straight away to help to attend to the woman's long hair, "Mother, come."
"You should wake soon my darling, your sisters would love to play with you." Placing a kiss to her caramel forehead, found her cool to the touch. Covering her with a fur blanket, she then went to sit once more by the hearth.
Xellexes walked in a few moments later with Syrah as she presented Deedo's gown and shoes. Taking the gown from the girl's hand, Xellexes held it up for his cousin to see, "I think this color will do nicely, what do you think?" Holding onto the green gown, she tilted her head.
"Green?" she questioned.
"Yes green, it is one color I have yet to see you in, other than where you are parading around as one of the twins."
"I do not, nor have I ever paraded around as a Feir'dal. Girls, do you hear how your beloved uncle perceives me!" The Elder rolled her eyes with a snort, not one ounce of bite to her guff. "Fine, you old goat. Thank you."
Syrah brought over a silver hair accessory helping to place a stunning feather-shaped hairpin that held her long platinum hair in place. Syrah patted her shoulder ready to help the twins to dress. Deedolit thanks the Elven lass. Taking the girl by the hand, "How is it you are working here?"
With a visible tremble, she murmured. "I am taking care of my mother, your Ladyship."
Deedo closed her eyes. "I see." She placed a finger under the girl's chin, lifting her head to meet her eyes. The cool grey slate that looked back at her told a whole series of stories, her demeanor knew not where to begin.
"Your head should never bow. Project when you speak." Deedo cupped her round cheek. "Do not think you work for me. Abolish that thought this minute. You are amongst friends, the twins, are your big sisters, that man there, your uncle, and I... your aunt. I will speak with your mother. Does she work in the palace?"
"No, your Ladyship. She lives in the Alienage, ill. I work to buy her medicine."
Deedo nodded. "Alright. We will dress you in something other than what you have. No, Lady will wander in anything that cannot withstand the Ferelden cold."
Tenkou and Ruroni knew exactly how to proceed. "Mother, remember the outfits I had made for the children in Qeynos when I first started my trade?" Tenkou laughed, "I have quite a few on hand. Guess I had not cleaned my backpacks well enough. I will gladly stitch up more."
It was quiet as Lili'Enyel walked in with Vy'el, who donned an updated outfit Tenkou had made.
"Look at you, looking very handsome. Are you warm?" She gushed at the auburn-headed boy. "Do you like your outfits? you are very presentable."
Deedo chuckled, "I never took up tailoring like you, you have gotten much better." Deedo praised the young Druid as she ran her fingers over the embroidery on the small jerkin Vy'el wore. The young boy smiled up at the elf before going to play. The twins took the young lady, Syrah, to bathe and dress before they did themselves.
Deedolit pulled her jewelry box from the side table, fishing through it looking for a pair of earrings.
Morrigan opted to wear her normal attire and just waited for the others to be ready. "Such fuss for a fool." Morrigan snidely commented.
"You do not see him as your King, we have great respect for our rulers." Xellexes eyed the wild witch.
Morrigan bit the inside of her cheek trying to find the words she needed to, how that bumbling fool she knows who became King, "He and I never saw eye to eye, I respect him as little as Deedolett trusts him, 'twas her decision to fashion him, King."
In Morrigan's explanation of what happened the day, they went to Redcliffe for aid, the telling of the son Maric had hidden from a select few.
Deedo now understood. Maric had another heir. Maybe he found love after Rowan. If it is true, she will not seek what her heart wishes.
"Atop everything, we also found one from her time in Kinloch. A mage by the name of Jowan. We had to make multiple trips, just to extract a demon from the Arl's son." Morrigan shook her head. "I would have killed them all, just to end the Blight faster. Arlessa Isolde deserved death, twas she who hid her mage son."
Deedo thought to what Morrigan said, "You believe people deserve death unwarranted?"
Morrigan stood by her thoughts. "I would."
"Are you saying that my child deserved death, you think the one I am here for whom I had not witnessed become a young woman but three years of her life depart this life?"
"'Tis not what I mean at all," Morrigan interjected.
Deedo nodded. The twins enter with Syrah, who befitted a child in the house of Swiftleaf. "You said she found her friend in the dungeon?" Quelling the ire she felt with the misplaced, or misguided, statement the Young Wilds witch made. The Elder Lady smiled at the young girl, who smiled brightly, going to play with Vy'el.
Morrigan's mother terrified her, with real terrifying stories no young girl growing up should have ever heard. The stillness, a glassy surface of a calm lake, that if a stone tossed would disturb that eerie calm the Beguiler possessed. She never knew there could be one even more chilling.
"He poisoned Eamon, Loghain struck a deal on his life, being that he would sway the Landsmeet in his favor." Morrigan stated, "He went as far as locking away the former Queen to rule in her place. Alistair was the dark horse."
Deedo's head shot up. She knew the possibility of Maric no longer on the throne, but Cailan not to be there as well. Did he abdicate, have sons of his own? For them to fight over the Theirin throne, 'Would Loghain be daring enough?' She thought, then as if lightning struck she went to say something but her thought interrupted.
Lili'Enyel raised her eyebrow. "Nobility never ceases to amaze me. I do not believe my uncle would be capable of such a task as you are implementing."
Cullen came in, "I understand what Apostate Morrigan means."
"If there were no other choice, would you still consider that the only option?" Deedo excused herself. Leaving the others to consider her question.
Xellexes came from the second floor, "I did several damning things myself. Sometimes Cousin, you just find yourself placed in situations that force your hand."
"I gather that." When she stepped from behind the screen, "Are we all ready? Okhor?"
"A moment." Okhor finished speaking with his sister. Letting her know they would be back soon.
With a nod from all, they called for the guard at the door. Okhor took his mother's arm to escort her to the waiting antechamber.
Antechamber, Royal Palace.
Alistair was told that the guests were waiting for him in the antechamber. He took his time to gather his thoughts. The idea of facing possible rejection unnerved him. Okhor had stated his mother is forgiving if he felt guilt behind his words. Eamon was by his side, as well as Wynne, Leliana, and Zevran.
"Alistair, trust me, Lady Deedolit will not look poorly upon you." Leliana stated, on hurried steps to the other side of the castle.
"I trust you. Makes me feel no better for what I said." They all stopped in front of the huge oaken doors. Alistair thought about his harsh words. The door creaked open, allowing the sun to flood the hall.
The Herald announced as his majesty, "Presenting his Royal Majesty King Alistair Theirin of Ferelden."
Cullen stood followed by the others, Cullen bowed his head while Xellexes, Vy'el, Okhor, and Lili'Enyel bowed deeply at the waist. Deedo, Ruroni, and Tenkou curtsied to the cool stone floor, heads bowed until signaled to raise.
Alistair nodded his head. "Thank you, Gareth, you all may rise. We need not be so formal. Please introduce yourselves." He motioned with his hand as he looked among the guests, noting the small child with them.
Gareth announced the guest, as the Norrathians instructed him.
"Your Majesty, may I present the Templar Cullen Rutherford under Knight–Commander Greagoir from Kinloch Hold." Cullen stood at once, stealing his gaze on the wall behind the King and his companions across the room.
"Evoker, Lord Xellexes Uiveleth Deldúwath Silvercloud of Felwithe." He rose then stepped to the side, giving a small smile to the red-headed Bard within his line of sight.
'Felwithe, oh Maker!' Alistair panicked. Alistair signaled one of the Elven servants in attendance, through gritted teeth as he tried to smile, "Find Loghain."
The older elf continued with his announcements. "Pathfinder, Lady Lili'Enyel Suzuran Swiftleaf of Felwithe." Lili nodded to the others across the room, then stepped to the side.
"Minstrel, Lady Ruroni Lindimaitar Swiftleaf and Wanderer, Lady Tenkou Vilviren Swiftleaf, respectively of Felwithe."
Loghain entered with Anora, just as they announced the girls. The twins stood, their bright peridot eyes gleaming with mischief. Bowed deeper at seeing their uncle. Zevran raised an eyebrow at them, thinking about how to draw both of their attention. Zevran nudged Alistair in the direction of their former Blight companion. The King raised his eyebrows to the figure looming behind the imposing man.
"Lightbringer, Lord Okhor Tagnik'zur Phazen Theirin Swiftleaf and Lady Deedolett Vanimelda Itarille Swiftleaf of Felwithe." Okhor bowed his head.
Alistair and all others stood flummoxed. Anora stared at the elf who favored her late father-in-law. They began murmuring among themselves, looking to Alistair, who tried to piece together multiple thoughts. The paintings came to mind, the small swaddled babes.
Did his father not claim him? Was this the reason for his abandonment and lies? His brow knitted, temper starting to flare, as he held Okhor in his sight, still listening on as the older elf continued with his announcements.
Deedo bowed her head and stepped forward.
"Beguiler, Lady Ambassador and Representative, Deedolit Meleth Coacalina Swiftleaf of Felwithe. With her young Master Vy'el Mahariel." Once Deedo rose to her feet, making eye contact with the King. Her heart froze. 'He indeed favors Maric.' Everyone in the room was absorbed by the announcement. Completely and utterly speechless, Vy'el rushed to his caretaker's side, clinging to her dress.
Alistair's head nodded in their direction as the others whispered amongst themselves, "Your names…"
"Your Majesty, we briefly met when I arrived in Denerim for my daughter. I apologize for my uncivil behavior that night. I had news that my eldest son had lost his life." Without hesitating, "I will not question why King Maric is not here, for I knew why years ago. I will however inquire why my godson Prince Cailan is not present?"
That glass lake calm was about her once more. She wanted an answer. Loghain interjected, "Your Majesty, if I may?"
Alistair nodded quickly. His chest burned. He would have been useless to speak.
"King... Cailan. Lost to us during the Battle of Ostagar. I fled the field, leaving him, Alistair and Olett, to return here. The Battle loss was entirely my fault."
Loghain met Deedo's eyes. Her gaze held fire. Hearing the objection to Loghain's claim from her daughters, she held up a delicate hand silencing their protest. Anora, stunned at her father's admission, needed to be held up by her Lady's Maid.
Deedolit now had an answer for where her godson was. She licked her lips, taking an even breath. Her heart hammered thunderously within her ribs. The cold set of aquamarine eyes looked to the King. Causing Alistair to flinch inwardly.
They looked in surprise; she heard them whispering. "I see. We will set it aside for now. I have questions as you may certainly have of me." Morrigan held a breath. If this was just for a child of someone she knows, then if she finds what happened to her eldest. She feared for the bearer of that ill information.
Tenkou took Vy'el's hand, leading him to the food at the table, while Deedo spoke with the King. This man before her, like Okhor, is strong in Maric's image.
"Daughter? She grew up in Kinloch Hold." Wynne's face frowned as she thought of the young woman who was still lying unconscious.
Alistair nodded his head, her eyes cold, with him shaking his core. He felt it now. If he apologized for his terse words, he would slight her and surely turned into a toad. "Is there any proof of your claim?"
Deedo turned her eyes back to the Ferelden King with tears silently trickling down her cheeks. "You look so much like him, you are his. Where is your father?"
Loghain tried to maintain his demeanor. Hand clenched tightly into a fist at his back. Walked to the Elven lady. He stood, unbelieving. She looked exactly the same as she did when they first met many decades ago; he placed a hand on her arm, taking her right hand in his, squeezing it. Those damn tears of hers. They are his undoing.
Turning to Loghain, her resolve was breaking. Deedo allowed the tears to fall, would it be possible to expire from a broken heart? "Loghain, you were there when Cailan fell? You say you left Olett and Alistair. What does that mean?" She pulled the man into a tight hug.
He saw the girls nodding to them. "A moment, my lady. I shall explain everything. Your Majesty, her title is incorrect; she is Teyrna Deedolit Swiftleaf, Mother of Ser Ikal'antulien Gareth Aehswin Mac Tir Swiftleaf of Gwaren. Whom we lost during the Blight."
Anora felt all the air leave her lungs in that instant. "Father, what?" The men who had been by her side in her formative years, the older boy who she met when she first came to Denerim, doted on by her father. Her brother, her father's bastard? Was there more she had no inkling about?
Deedolit's legs went numb, Loghain held tight to her. Tenkou picked up the young boy going to Deedo's side, Xellexes clasped his hand on Cullens' shoulder to steal him. Okhor was at her elbow. Worry passed from one person to the other in the room.
Deedo hearing the way they will announce her eldest from here on, unnatural, never will she get used to hearing it.
Lili'Enyel stepped forward to Loghain's side. "Uncle. Mother has been beside herself, this is no time for jest. We thought she could hold no titles here." Lili'Enyl observes and listens. Countless times has she been hearing her mother and uncle speak of titles and stations, on Norrath. Especially when it came to the children, herself included.
"Uncle?" Came from several directions in the room. The shock would be an understatement.
"Lili my beloved, please." Deedo closed her eyes, sighing, standing once again. "Forgive me please, I lost my head, I.. here this." The Elder sniffed, blotting her tears with the back of her sleeve. She unclasped her necklace, the ring dangling. Lady Deedolit handed it to Alistair. She stood quietly on her own. Loghain surmises Lady Deedolit may never forgive him.
Alistair turned the ring over. The Theirin signet, the same as the painting indent. He looked over to the group, seeing the twins with their mahogany tresses, the Ayr'dal with silver lavender hair watching over the others. He snorted softly, shaking his head. With a heavy sigh, Alistair opened his mouth to speak when he saw the elf practically glaring as her jewel-like eyes bore into him. He did his best to avoid eye contact with her.
Clearing his throat, he politely met her gaze. "Lady Deedolit, I have several questions, as well as some belongings." Alistair started for the doors, returning the ring to the Elven lady. "If you will excuse me." He left for his chambers.
The room bowed as Alistair departed. The Blight companions left with the King. Taking the ring in one hand, Deedo grabbed Loghain's hand and felt him tense as she stopped and turned to face him, "What is it?" Watching the man close his eyes, a heavy sigh escaped his lips.
"I have things I need to tell you but will tell you after you have had sufficient rest?" Loghain raised his hand, gesturing for her to lead the way to her apartment.
"You know I require a little rest. Will you stay with us for a while, you can tell me then." Deedo headed to her apartment. Slowly as she listened in on what Loghain and Anora were speaking of.
Anora crossed the room, placed an unsteady hand on his arm. "Father? What. How?" Try as she might, her mind so foggy with the new revelation she is not the only child. Her father had a child previously. What of her mother, so in love her mother with her father. He has not yet recovered from her death.
Taking her hands in his lovingly thumbed her knuckles. "Kal'an was indeed my firstborn. Maric fashioned it so no one question his parentage. As for her title, we assembled that as well. We believed if anything were to happen to either of us, Lady Deedolit would return to set it right. Always with precautions. Goodnight my child." Loghain sent Anora to her chambers with a kiss on her blonde head.
He trailed behind them. His heart raced. He knew not how to answer her question about Maric, for he was dead, his body never found after the years of searching for him but of Cailan, he knew intimately well.
Loghain closed his eyes. His crimes, his admission, and disassociation of everything that took place for months on end, his mounting fear, his grief. Still a very open and sore wound.
To admit it to one who knew him then, never judged, would surely judge him now.
Loghain kept Deedolett Surana safe when he sent her to light the signal fire in Ishal with Alistair, knowing who the boy was, just looking at the young man he knew. He suggested Alistair be sent for schooling as his son had.
He did not assume when he saw the young mage, her name alone. If anything had happened to her, his life would be forfeit. 'If Cailan only listened to me. ' He thought bitterly, and he would not have to find those words to tell the High Elf to lessen the blow. Thinking with Kal'an's death alone, she would strike him down.
As they all walked to the room, Olett slept. Before reaching the last few steps, Deedo stopped. She turned to face Loghain, watching him as he came slowly up behind them. Shooed the others ahead, saying not a word. When Loghain raised his head, he stood two feet away, 'She has changed none at all. She will kill me where I stand.' This was one battle he knew, without a doubt, a no-win scenario.
Deedo stood in the window's sunlight; her dress the color of spring grass, warm and new, her starlight hair loose and long, the golden circlet Maric bestowed nestled in place, twinkling in the winter sun shafts, her Aquamarine eyes cold, boring into his soul. Oh, to be on the receiving end of that look. He now knew what it felt like.
"Maric would not live to see the Blight. Cailan is not here. Our Kal'an alone, I knew it was possible for injuries, yet death? As for Alistair… I know I missed many years, you are here, I need you to tell me… what I know and feel a lie… Where is…" Deedo stopped wringing her hands, squeezing them to steady herself, she swallowed thickly and she could not bring herself to finish her thought.
"Deedolit… I searched for him for years. I needed to know as well. Anora had concerns, wishing for me to stop. For years I searched. As for Cailan, he had it in his mind we won the Battle. How wrong he was, he never enjoyed listening to me."
Alistair came to retrieve the High Elf. Seeing her not amongst them, went in the way he had seen the others come from. Overhearing their conversation, he ducked back against the cool stone wall, listening as they spoke. Loghain continued, "Cailan lost his life at the hands of Darkspawn, in trying to end the Blight before it started. They blamed me for it, I did not believe it was a real Blight."
Loghain stood proudly, but his eyes were exhausted. "He was consorting with Orlesian's, it was as if he planned to hand over Ferelden once more as if we did not purge them from these lands. Thirty years will have gone to waste."
Deedo nodded. Her jaw tightened as she listened.
"I let… I allowed deplorable things to happen. I gave my solemn word to Maric. In keeping so, I was stripped of my titles but allowed to keep my head. Olett conscripted me. I am now like she, a Grey Warden."
Deedo's lips pressed tightly together as she nodded, "… Cailan?" The elf blinked back stinging tears, her godson gone, vision blurred, breathing deep. "Alistair is Maric's, did Maric remarry, did he finally find happiness?"
Loghain shook his raven head, stepping to Deedo, taking her delicate hands in his. "That I do not know. I know he loved you. Alistair is, I see a lot of Maric in him." He gave her hands a squeeze. "Deedolit, it was my fault. I pushed them all, and anything you do not hear from me, believe is true. Poisoning Eamon. Leaving your daughter and Maric's sons to die. Abandoning Maric, I even imprisoned my Anora."
"Why?" Breathless, she pushed the small question.
Alistair came to meet them. He still needed to apologize. "Lady Deedolit, are you coming?" A smile on his lips, he extended his arm.
She turned her head, slipping a hand free, grabbed the front of her dress, holding tight to the flowing fabric. Loghain tugged behind her. Deedolit grabbed Alistair pulling him along as well. Loghain would have to explain later. Now she needed to be with Olett.
Deedolit's Apartment, Royal Palace.
They arrived, the door to her room opened with a loud creaky groan, the silent shush of the thick furs rubbing under the door. Gripping the fabric of her dress tight, she sniveled. "My baby, there is so much I wish and need to tell you." She whispered in elvish.
Deedo covered her mouth, silencing the sobs, overcome with wave after wave of emotion. Deedolit taking her eyes over the length of her daughter. She smiled a teary smile, taking a seat gently on the side of the bed, scooting as close as she could without sitting on the girl, taking her daughter's hand in hers.
She was not awake to see; it was the very person she spent her life reading about; The Light of Ferelden, Deedolit Swiftleaf... Her mother.
They all heard the companions of Olett, a language unheard of, pouring from the elf in the room, so soft, so full of love and it was beautiful. The girls sniffled, excusing themselves to get to their mother's side, giggling as they stroked her cheek. Deedo moved the soft fawn hair just to admire her more. Xellexes stood at the door to the side translating, tears stinging even his eyes.
"This is your older sisters Lili'Enyel, Ruroni and Tenkou, your Twin brother Okhor, Uncle Xellexes is here, even your Uncle Loghain, you have met but did not know who he is to you. Your Eldest brother is no longer with us. Yet you brought him back. I am so very proud of you. We all are, My darling… The Goddess knows how I have missed you so. They took you from me when you were a small baby. I searched for a way to get here and not exhaust all of your uncle's mana. We need you to wake, please my darling girl."
She went on explaining how she had hoped Maric got to see her when she called for their help the night of her kidnapping, Loghain looked up he thought back, a trick of the mind the sound of a whisper on the wind, he heard the call but thought no more of it as he was on his search for Maric's whereabouts.
Xellexes stopped translating and gestured for Cullen to approach, as well as the others the girls with Vy'el sat on the bed around Olett. Laughter filled the room, as Deedo, in her excitement, could not stop speaking elvish.
"Mother, you are still speaking Elvish." Tenkou reminded her.
"My apologies." She cried with laughter, squeezing the girl's hand, "Have any found a solution to wake her?" Deedo turned to the king and looked among the people she met in the antechamber.
"No, my lady, we are still searching, Wynne?" Alistair turned to the older mage, who nodded her agreement.
"Yes, there is a solution, the Urn of Sacred Ashes. We had found them to help cure Alistair's uncle."
Just then the older man came in, stepped forward, "Indeed, the Warden saved my life and the life of my family. I am unsure if you remember me, Eamon Guerrin of Redcliffe."
Deedo looked at the older man in thought. "Guerrin, young Eamon? It has been a while. How is everything with your Arling?"
With a nod of his grey head, he agreed, "I am hardly young my dear. As for the Arling, I left it in the care of Teagan. Alistair has asked me to be Regent. I accepted."
Deedo smiled, she saw a small bit of Rendorn in the man before her, "I apologize for not being able to save your father, it was a very tough decision, many hard decisions made those years, I am glad you are well." Speaking to remind Loghain of the years past, the lives lost to free Ferelden, and to Alistair the distaste she feels he is giving Loghain.
From behind Eamon against the door stood Loghain looking as if he wished to be anywhere but where he is right now, nodding at Deedolit's words. Eamon soon excused himself for rest.
An hour passed as they sat. Spells coated Olett, Okhor tried with all his training, as her sisters tried continually to wake Deedo the younger. Shortly after every protection, regeneration, they cast an ailment cure spell until no other spell could be cast. The floor vibrated as they continued to sit and talk around Deedolett. A golem thumped into the room. "I see It has visitors."
Deedo looked up "Oh, you have a golem as well? Is it mandatory to have a golem present for every king?"
"My name is Shale." Her graveled timber vibrating the room.
Deedo's ears perked up as she stared wide-eyed at the living rock. "It talks?" looking close from her vantage a small nick in the rune marking on its chest, Deedo stood, Ruroni taking Olett's hand to hold, walked over to the golem, and ran her fingers along the glowing carving on its stone chest, "By the Goddess, I know you, I gave you that nick when you attacked us!"
Cullen guffawed with a shake of his head. "This is the golem I practiced against as a child? Back in my village. We had a game where the bravest of us would lay a hand on the scary golem."
Shale's head tilted. They could hear the stone rubbing against the plates of her shoulders and crystal. Cullen went to take a seat.
Loghain looked up, pushing off the wall as he stood and came to step in front of the golem as well, seeing the incomplete line as well.
"You are Wilhelms golem! Loghain look."
Standing before Shale, Loghain never thought of the possibility of the golem before being one and the same. "Could you be the same creature? You were more servile, then less glibness. The pet of mage Wilhelm in Arl Rendorn's employ."
"Do I strike It as servile?"
"Not at all."
Deedo pat Loghain's shoulder. "Remember when we were escaping the Deep Roads, and they came crashing in, well I could see nothing, but I heard it. I remembered shouting everywhere, and the golem's roar and I took my staff, and with one strike I shouted 'Stop!' and hit it right... here." Deedo made the gestures she made before pointing gently, poking through the small hole. She clapped her hands together. "I apologize for ruining your marking, you almost crushed me."
Shale grunted in agreeance rubbing the chip on her chest, "It also possessed me, I remember that."
"I had a need for you to save him." Pointing to Loghain, "I thank you for breaking the way out for us." Deedo reached to pull her bracelet and removed a gem from it, she whispered enchanting the clear gemstone then placing it in the missing spot, it glowed briefly.
"Ooh, shiny."
"Thank you also for aiding my daughter." Deedo took her place back on the bed with the others, and they offered Loghain a chair, sitting close to Lady Deedolit.
Ruroni looked confused. "Mother, you said you could not see. How was that possible?"
Deedo nodded, Loghain cleared his throat, "She never mentioned she was blind.
The girl's gasp. Tenkou had a look of horror on her face. "No, my darling, I was not blind, blinded. Fire and smoke and enormous spider webbing got into my eyes. I was saving four people. I turned into an enormous wolf but I could not see, I had to follow my nose."
Alistair remembered the pictures of a gigantic wolf. 'That was Lady Deedolit?' He looked on in wonder, listening to the story of their time in the Deep Roads.
"So there we were with the Legion of the Dead Dwarfs and just as we go to exit close to the surface, smelling the outside air seeping in, Shale burst through the giant doors hulking and swinging, knocking dwarves hither and yon, some falling the waters, other against the stone, swords clashing yelling everywhere, it was chaos!"
Deedo took a breath before she continued everyone chuckling as she was standing in the center of the room wildly gesturing,
"I shouted for them to stop freezing everyone with my mesmerize spell, the really powerful one, and hit poor Shale with a staff I had found. Wilhelm came running in and I crouched under Shale.." Deedo said, "You used to be much bigger." Gesturing her former height. The room all laughed again with happy tears as Deedo recounted her time on Thedas.
Two hours had passed as they told stories. The lighter ones, Vy'el, climbed over to Deedo and tugged her arm. "Yes, my boy?"
"Hungry." He whispered in her ear.
Deedo nodded, "Something warm to eat, then bed for you all?" She scooped the boy up in her arms, then met with groans from her children. She looked to her daughter, "Olett my love, I am taking the young one to eat, I will bring you back a broth and you will drink every drop." She smiled at the sleeping elf, leaving Sten, Cullen, and Tengu, Olett's large Mabari, to keep watch over the sleeping elf. "Loghain, come with?"
The former General admitted he needed rest. With the first light, he will greet them then.
Alistair escorted the elves to the dining room, his mind playing vivid thoughts: if Deedo was his mother would she have fought to see him.
The thoughts were so heavy it weighed his steps, his fretting caused Deedo to notice, as she had not gotten far with the boy in her arms as he was whisked by the twins, who patted Alistair's head and shoulder following Syrah to the dining hall. Leaving the girl's mother softly chuckling, "Your Majesty, are you well?" Deedo pulled Alistair from his thoughts.
"Please, just Alistair. I am being crowned soon."
"You are Maric's child, that has weight."
"As are Okhor and Olett, as I have never had particular treatment as King's son. I am just my father's bastard."
"No... No, you are not. As for Olett, she is not." Deedo placed a loving hand on his arm. "Dear. I see in you what I saw in your father. I see it in your eyes, uncertainty, I believed in him, I believe in you."
Alistair looked at the Elven woman who was at his father's side, smiled at him so lovingly and warmly he could not stop himself from hugging her. Deedo patted his back. "Your father and brother are huggers, too. I think Maric crushed a rib of Loghain's once." She chuckled, petting Alistair's head.
"Can you tell me more about him?" Alistair whispered.
"Of course. What would you like to know?"
"Why did he leave me in Redcliffe?"