Maddening Day to Maddening Day

With some strap adjustments and deletions for weight — more support in the front and a breast plate added to the giant eagle's underside — the tack worked. Unfortunately, the tack was much too complicated to be replicated quickly. The leatherworkers and blacksmiths were working on it, but Morrigan was skeptical it could be repeated to her satisfaction. It was decided that when the time came, Morrigan would fly around the Archdemon and try to keep its attention with the warden archer while the other eagle mages shredded the wings as best they could. Maybe. No one had an Archdemon to test it out on.

Warden Donal turned out to be quite adept at shooting while strapped into the saddle. Morkan, the archer from Dragon's Peak, was also quite good. With Morrigan's input, they worked out a dandy system so that both archers could be utilized intermittently, if the battle ran long.

That is, if the bloody Archdemon would show up. So far, almost four weeks and nothing but incessant skirmishes.

Carver Hawke was working with the scouts and became somewhat of a celebrity. He was looking forward to telling his sneaky sister, Marianna, about his own sneaky success with his 2-handed sword and his reinforced leathers. A couple of weeks earlier, his skill with that 2-handed sword saved a patrol that had gotten into trouble. His own scouting group had their hands full with a different group of darkspawn while Carver forged ahead to help the first patrol. Everyone made it back to Ostagar … injured, but alive … because of his quick and able assistance.

Unfortunately, on his most recent foray into the Korcari, Carver had been seriously injured by unnatural darkspawn magic. Anders had left with Alistair and Rodrigo, but Ostagar had other good healers, as well. Consequently, a recuperating Carver spent a bit of time in the comm tent, helping out however and whenever he could. All of them were grateful for the few moments respite when Carver could fill in for one or the other from time to time ... especially, the cute redhead, Maggie! Elle could tell that Carver was instantly smitten.

Elle threw herself into her work. The darkspawn still had regular incursions toward Ostagar, obviously trying to decrease the forces there. The mages spent more time on the front with their highly damaging magic and healing skills, not wanting to show their hands at their eagle abilities too frequently before the Archdemon arrived.

Regular reports from the northern front told of a never-ending line of small engagements there. Rodrigo's forces were slowly plowing through the "noose", leaving outposts along the way to keep the Imperial Highway clear behind them. At the bottom of every report, Rodrigo would add, "Both Fergus and Alistair are still alive." There was a wide range of conditions that could be defined as "alive", but Elle just sighed and was grateful to get at least that news.

However, Duncan and Loghain were concerned that the northern troops didn't seem to be receiving any serious retaliation once an area was cleared. In fact, it seemed like the darkspawn were pulling back into the Korcari a bit. Duncan reminded everyone that the Archdemon's cunning put any strategy into question. They had to remain vigilant for anything.

In a postscript to the most recent report, Alistair mentioned a thought about other places in Ferelden the darkspawn could go underground ... such as the Deep Roads ... before he added that he and Fergus were both alive and well. (Elle was grateful for the addition of "... and well".) Duncan composed a request to Rodrigo to ask Weisshaupt for any and all Deep Roads maps and had one of his warden mages fly it to Lothering to meet Rodrigo when he got there.

It was near the end of a very busy day when one of the bird messengers flew into the comm tent and immediately reformed into a person. Everyone got quiet, but one of the Templars stationed in the comm tent pulled his sword. The mage ignored him. "My lady!" she said as she handed Elle two message packets. "The one on top is from the First Warden." Then, she smiled. "The other is from Warden Alistair." It seemed the rumor mill was alive and doing very well as it seemed everyone knew that Elle and Alistair had feelings for each other. If the story of them still holding out hope for a real relationship brought some joy to people, who was Elle to douse it!

Elle glared at the over-reacting Templar and he glared back. He sheathed his sword, however. The Orlesian Knight-Captain who had been assigned to Ostagar by Lord Seeker Lambert insisted on a Templar presence in the comm tent … because these mages "would be under a great deal of pressure." It was becoming more than a bit intolerable for Elle. The Templar part didn't bother her nearly as much as the potential Orlesian spy part.

She quickly read the beginning of the multi-page packet from Rodrigo. With a grin from ear to ear, she read aloud, "The Imperial Highway to Lothering is ours!" A cheer went up and everyone started talking to the person near them. She turned to a runner already standing nearby with his own grin. "Take this packet to Duncan and Loghain immediately!"

Then, she opened Alistair's message:

Elle, as you've just read, we were successful! (You did read Rodrigo's message first, didn't you?) But, I do have some troubling news.

To start, Fergus is going to be fine! He told me he would send you a message as soon as his healer would let him sit up. There are a few apostates here in Lothering that are known by Ser Bryant. One is a fantastic healer. Her name is Bethany Hawke. You've already met her sister, Marianne. Marianne and their mother left for Highever yesterday with a few Lothering merchants and a traveling dwarf merchant and his son, Bodahn and Sandal Feddic. The boy enchanted my sword! He's really incredible and they plan to stay in Highever for a while. Fergus has sent word to your mother to try to keep them around! Anyway, Bethany went on about how Lady Elle Cousland just "came up with a Maker-sent idea on the spur of the moment" just when they needed one. I told her that was kind of what you did all the time. Your Maker-given duty. Anyway, she said to tell you how grateful she was for your help.

We got Duncan's request for warden maps of the Deep Roads. I guess he liked my idea! Rodrigo had a few maps with him, but sent the mage off to fly to Denerim, take ship to Cumberland and then fly to Weisshaupt to get any other maps they may have. He attached the maps he had to his message today, after making a sketchy copy of the originals for us to keep. There was a troubling map of the area between Ostagar, Gwaren and Denerim. It seems the Deep Roads have a direct route in Denerim's direction. The actual map for Denerim wasn't in the maps he had. Hopefully, it'll come soon.

I've gotten a few scratches and bruises, but I'm still up and walking around. However, no one knows what the Archdemon is up to. Rodrigo has us prepared to take it on if necessary and has a rotating post of bird mages to fly to Ostagar if it shows up here. It seems like the darkspawn are heading back south, so Rodrigo is sending a bunch of wardens back to Ostagar. Not me. Yes, I'm frowning.

Remember, you promised to help me if the worst happens and I'm made the Warden-Commander. Please, stay safe … my lady. —Alistair

"Bad news?" Varric asked … likely because of her no-longer-smiling face.

"Fergus is wounded, but receiving care." She sighed. "I'll wager a sovereign he was doing something heroic … and dumb." She smiled at the storyteller. "Alistair is fine."

"That's not as bad as it could have been, Elle," he replied as he handed her a bowl of stew. "I've been waiting for a good moment to give this to you. Now, looks like a good time. Let the folks have a few minutes of joy."

"Good idea." Elle sat at her make-shift desk and finished the stew quickly. Midnight made short work of the few bites she left on the bottom. "Varric, do you know anything about the Deep Roads? For example, do you know of any entrances in Ferelden around Denerim?"

That just make the dwarf laugh. "Bartrand wants Deep Roads maps of entrances in the Free Marches ... which I have not bothered Duncan about yet. And, now, you want entrances in Ferelden. I'm afraid I have no information about the Deep Roads other than it's a place I do not want to go ... ever ... in this life or the next."

"So, you've been ignoring Bartrand?" Elle asked with a grin.

"Even more than I usually do!" he replied.

Elle took a deep breath. "Alistair and Duncan think it important enough to get Rodrigo to send that poor warden bird mage all the way to Weisshaupt to find some if they have them. I guess he didn't bring Denerim's underground map with him because he thought the darkspawn horde would head up through the Bannorn first."

"Or, they didn't look hard enough," Varric suggested. "The other Blights were above ground. I wouldn't have even thought of this Archdemon doing things differently. Smart of Alistair to think of it."

"The Archdemon does seem to be rather tactically minded this time ... or it could be that the records and stories of the previous Blights are simply inaccurate or lost ... or the Archdemon is a cunning learner and has been watching Loghain's and Duncan's tactics and strategies," Elle said. Then, she smiled at Varric, "Yes, Alistair made a good call there, I think."

Then, she stood and got the group's attention by ringing the little bell that meant she had something to say. "My friends, let's not lose too much time rejoicing until the Archdemon is down. Then, we shall have the best celebration ever! Let's get ready for Duncan to give us reports to send out shortly."

The raucous jubilation slowly quieted and the crew got back to the business of preparing for upcoming posts. Carver heard the ruckus and joined them ... sitting next to Maggie, of course.

And, not two minutes later, those posts started to come in from the command tent.

Elle almost missed Morrigan slip into the tent. The Templar did miss her as he was intent on the mage bird speaking with a few of the scouts. Elle tried to ignore him. A week ago, Ser Bryant sent her a private message that Ceorlic was the one who had sent word to Val Royeaux to send more Templars here. All they needed were more twitchy Orlesian Templars walking around.

Oh, she told Loghain. The two of them were working on a plan to once and for-all-time get rid of Ceorlic. Her secular contacts in Lothering were working on finding some evidence that would stick. Loghain just needed to convince Teagan … after the Archdemon was defeated.

Morrigan stepped behind Elle and whispered, "The Archdemon showed herself along the far south perimeter of the darkspawn horde. We have bird spies watching her. No messages need to be sent yet. Loghain wants to read Rodrigo's report first."

Without turning around, Elle responded while pretending to read a missive, "You've heard that the noose is broken?"

"Yes, perhaps it is why the Archdemon is finally ready to engage? Who knows. 'Tis maddening!" Morrigan then slipped back out of the tent and the Templar still didn't notice her.

Perhaps Morrigan would be able to escape their grasp after all. Oh, Elle wasn't blind to the possible consequences of allowing shapeshifting to continue. It wasn't blood magic, but it was powerful magic that could be misused by those so inclined. On the other hand, Morrigan had given them a great gift at this particular moment and Elle meant to show her gratitude by doing all she could to help the apostate escape capture when the Archdemon was killed.

Elle also made a mental note that some things, some attitudes — both Chantry and mage — needed to change after the Blight was defeated. And, Elle knew the first person she would seek out: Alistair's birth mother, Grand Enchanter Fiona. Elle wasn't looking forward to sharing that with Alistair.

If the Templar/Mage or Prison Guard / Prisoner situation continued, something very drastic and very deadly would happen. Why Elle was the only person to see that was beyond her comprehension. Maybe the new Divine would be more open to at least listen; however, it was sounding more and more like Lord Seeker Lambert was going to be the wall where all reasonable arguments would go to die.

"Elethea," Loghain said quietly, but Elle jumped anyway. "My apologies for disturbing your reverie."

She smiled. "Nay, my apologies for my mind drifting away at this time."

"Good, now that superfluous apologies are over, Duncan and I would like to pull you away for a bit, if that's possible." Loghain slightly tilted his head toward the Templar.

Elle nodded and turned to the Dalish elf who had become her second-in-command. "Darnis, I need to conference with Teyrn Loghain and Commander Duncan. I'll be in the command tent …" she looked to Loghain to confirm and he nodded back. " … for a time. Contact me there if an emergency … or more good news arrives."

"This may take some time, Darnis," Loghain added.

"Not to worry, Elle, Teyrn Loghain. We've got this," Darnis replied. Elle had discovered that Bascombe had left Darnis in the comm tent all those weeks ago because Darnis was very competent in his work. It became clear he should be her second-in-command only days after she took over.

Elle followed Loghain's brisk pace back to the command tent. Varric, Gorim and Midnight came along, of course. She didn't miss that more guards than usual encircled it … which sort of alarmed her. The guard by the entrance opened the flap for all of them to enter. Duncan was standing over the battle map, his face uncharacteristically flushed with anger. "How can I help?" she asked.

Duncan looked up and gave her a smile. "You have no idea how much I appreciate your attitude, Elle. You always have the kind of spirit I wish everyone could emulate."

Not being one to say things in dozens of words when four would do, Loghain went right to the point. "Orlais is infiltrating Ferelden."

"What?!" Elle was surprised that she could keep the volume of that question below the hearing of everyone in the Wilds.

All Varric could come up with was a quietly spoken, "Well … shit."

Gorim just shook his head and skritched Midnight.

Duncan handed her a letter. "This is from your brother. He attached it to the back of Rodrigo's report in hopes no one would see it before we would and that Ceorlic would have no way to know Fergus was able to send it."

Loghain, you wanted solid evidence against Ceorlic. How's this? He has bivouacked a battalion of Orlesian soldiers at an unused farmhold to the west of Lothering. As you might recall, it used to house the Orlesians during the occupation. Elle and Duncan reported that it had unusual items stored there when they appropriated the dry house during a blustery night on their first trip to Ostagar. Ceorlic kept the farmhold unused for some reason. Now, we know what that reason was.

One of Elle's contacts, a servant in Ceorlic's manor, was sent there to clean it up and was just leaving when she saw the Orlesians arrive. Fortunately, they didn't see her, and she knows Orlesian, so she hid and stayed around to listen for a short while. Their commander said that there are eight such battalions being housed throughout Ferelden … all under the command of Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons. He's making a bid to unseat Celene by showing he can get Ferelden back under Orlesian control. And, no doubt, take credit for ending the Blight.

Rodrigo has uncovered two Orlesian wardens who were spying for Chalons. They are hanging outside Lothering. To my mind, that makes all the Orlesian Templars suspect, too. No doubt they have more orders than to only round up mages after the Archdemon is defeated. I've sent word to my father. He'll await the command of the King and Queen … please, send him something soon.

Lord Fergus Cousland, Highever

"We can't send this any other way but in person," Elle said. Then, she narrowed her eyes. "You're sending me away to Denerim." She turned toward the tent's entrance as she heard the sound of scuffling and fighting in the camp.

Loghain smirked. "We're imprisoning the Orlesian Templars."

"At first, I thought to only watch them, but Loghain had the right of it," Duncan said. "We don't have the time to deal with them and the darkspawn down here right now."

Loghain sighed. "You won't be going alone, Elethea. I'll be switching places with Rodrigo. I'm sending a squad of Maric's Shield with you as additional protection during the journey to Denerim. Duncan has rightly reminded me that if Orlais is going to be as underhanded as to attack a country during a Blight, I need to be nearer to Denerim to coordinate the response with the Crown. We leave within the hour."

"Anora mentioned once that that you made a map of all the places Orlesians took over as outposts during the rebellion. Should we have that map sent to the palace, Loghain?" Elle asked quickly.

"Good idea. I'll send a bird from Lothering to do just that," he said as he sat on a crate. That's when she noticed that he already had his saddlebags packed and hanging over his chair.

"Who's taking your place down here to run interference for the non-Wardens?" Elle asked him as she stood to leave.

"That would be me, little sister," Fergus said as he entered the tent. "Alistair only told you I was too injured to send you a note in case Coerlic had spies in the cadre. Also, so I could slip out without one of his spies telling him." He sported a beauty of a black eye and his arm was in a sling, but he was smiling.

Elle sighed. "I should have known. Poor Bethany. You must have been a horrible patient." Then, she hugged Fergus, taking care not to crush his arm.

"She came with me and has already run into her brother here. Marianna Hawke and their mother, Leandra, should be in Highever soon. Mother got your message and has plans for both ladies when they arrive. Bethany's father was a Senior Enchanter and he trained her, plus she passed her Harrowing, whatever that is ... so the Chantry's looked the other way so far. Thank the Maker. She's proven herself hundreds of times over. I already warned her about the Highever Templars here. I just came from introducing Bethany to Morrigan, who seemed delighted to have a new student 'unbowed' by Chantry teachings." Fergus sat on a box. "We timed it to arrive just after the message did. Didn't want the Archdemon ... or de Chalons ... to see us switching out personnel."

"We need more Templars like Ser Bryant," Elle mused. "Right, one hour," she said with a smile to Loghain. "I'll be sure to start some rumors with our people that Ceorlic is a traitor … and, while I'm amongst the Templars, I'll mention that it was Ceorlic who reported about the planned Orlesian attack and see if anyone comments."

Elle, Midnight, Varric and Gorim left the tent with the men chuckling and Fergus saying, "That's my little sister." In a louder voice, he added, "Be careful, Elle. Alistair will kill all of us if anything happens to you."

That made her smile, but she had no time for such thoughts right now. After settling the command structure for the comm tent, Elle told Morrigan about what had just transpired. It was sad to see Morrigan again surprised that Elle had confided in her. Proven mages really need to be be made to feel more like they are part of this world, she thought to herself as she walked away to pack her few belongings and re-gather Varric, Gorim and Rebel to prepare to ride. Midnight, of course, was always by her side.

As she walked a saddled and ready Rebel past the line of gibbets housing the Orlesian Templars, she told Varric with a sly wink. "It was most fortunate that the Fereldan patriot Bann Ceorlic told us what was going on with these false Templars. Can you imagine the turmoil if they had been left to sow chaos. And, during a Blight?! All of Thedas is sure to condemn Orlais for this!"

Varric only shook his head in disgust. He really was good at playing a part. He was a storyteller, after all!

Gorim, not so much, so he just glared at them. His glare rivaled Elle's own.

Elle was gratified to overhear a couple of the Templars curse Ceorlic in Orlesian. She passed a note to a runner that listed which ones. As she was waiting for Loghain and the squad of Maric's Shield at the north gate into Ostagar, she also started telling her Ostagar network and selected Ferelden nobles about what Ceorlic had done. "That apple did not fall far from the tree, it seems," she said time after time, reminding them that Ceorlic was simply a traitor's son who took up the trade.

Soon, they were on the Imperial Highway, heading for Lothering. Loghain wanted to reach Lothering in less than the three days it normally took. All along the way, Elle was horrified to see the devastation left by the Blight. Farmholds with fields and buildings burned and blighted. Animals dead or dying. Pyres outside each outpost where the honored dead had been sent to the Maker. These lands would be lost for a long time.

The camp on the last night before Lothering was tense until Varric started to tell his story about clearing out Soldier's Peak. Anyone not on watch was captivated that such a thing had remained hidden in Ferelden all those years.

Elle decided to find a place a bit away from the fire so she could look at the stars again. Ostagar had fires and torches going at all hours, not that she had been able to slip away to do much sightseeing around the staging area.

As soon as she found a nice spot atop a small cliff, she heard Gorim speaking with Loghain ... just before Loghain pulled up a log next to her and sat on it. "Seems you found a good spot for a little stargazing," he said as he motioned for her to sit next to him on the log. "The skies over Ostagar are overcast with the Blight's sickly fume."

She looked around and saw Gorim a bit further back than usual. Loghain must want to speak to me and asked for some space, she thought to herself. Midnight, of course, was by her side and could not be talked into moving. "Yes, I rarely have time to see the clear night sky." She chuckled as she sat down. "Even without the Blight, our weather is notorious for clouding out the view." When he didn't say anything, but looked like he wanted to, she asked, "So, did you just want to enjoy the night skies or did you need to speak with me for some reason?"

He took a deep breath. "Both actually." He paused again. "I am aware of what happened the last time you were in Denerim and I am aware that you have moved on to Alistair." He faced her. "This is really none of my business, Elethea. I just want to know if you're all right."

Elle was touched and more than a little grateful that he was concerned. "I'm all right, Loghain."

He paused a moment and then said, "The last time we spoke of Alistair, you didn't know much about him."

"Yes, I recall you said that I must be slipping if I hadn't already figured out his story," she replied.

"Obviously, you figured it out," he said with a smile. "I wonder if you know the entire story."

"He's the son of Maric and Grand Enchanter Fiona. He was unaware that she was his birth mother," she said. "Finding that out was heartbreaking for him. Maric passed him off to Eamon to raise. Eamon told him that Maric had gotten a Redcliffe serving girl pregnant and she died in childbirth." She could feel her face cloud. "That bastard Eamon thought it was better to spin a sordid tale about Maric than telling the truth."

She sighed and continued, "Maric probably thought Alistair would have a good life with Rowan's brother and I realize Maric didn't know that Eamon was married to an Orlesian spy. Alistair got sent to the monastery for his education until he became a Templar initiate. Duncan saved him from all that and he became a Grey Warden." She took a swallow of wine from her wineskin. "Did I miss anything?"

"That is a nice sequential summary, Elethea," Loghain said. "I presume you've also surmised the ramifications." He stood and paced. "He's a Grey Warden and will be until he dies. It could be by making the ultimate sacrifice on the Archdemon if Alistair's among the last standing. I hear there are other downsides to serving."

"He's not likely to have children," Elle said quietly. At Loghain's surprised face, she added, "We traveled together from Gherlen's Pass to Sulcher's Pass and spoke a bit about ourselves along the way. He mentioned that there was one other thing I needed to know about becoming a Grey Warden ... that it was difficult for them to have children."

" A topic that sounds more serious than I would have thought he'd discuss," he mumbled as he sat back down.

"I was horrified that he had found out too late ... if he really wanted children, so I asked him if he did." She paused and felt her eyes get misty. "He responded, 'Only recently, Elle,'" she said quietly. "I think that's when I realized just how real he was ... and how much I cared."

They sat there a few minutes, just looking at the sky. Then, Loghain said with a frown, "There's also the fact that he's a Theirin, Elethea. They are a noble, honorable, charming ... and extremely frustrating family," he added that last part with a bit of growl. "I never wished for Anora to marry Cailan, but she seems to love him ... so I've dropped my concerns."

"Alistair is nothing like Cailan," Elle said with a smile. "Thank the Maker. But, Anora does love Cailan … and he does love her. I'm sure of it."

"It's the only reason he's still alive," he cracked a small smile. Then, he sighed. "It sounds like you've thought about all the things you need to think about, then."

Elle laughed and stood. "I don't know if I should tell you this, Your Lordship, but I also fancied you ... and Duncan ... and a few other men who'd already made their mark on the world."

He stood with a squinty frown on his face. "Yes, Elethea, that's one thing you could have kept to yourself." Then, he smiled. "However, it doesn't hurt an old man to hear that, I assure you. Thank you for your candor. Walk carefully through the minefield of a relationship with a Theirin ... Maker guide your steps." Then, he nodded and headed back toward camp.

...

It seemed Rodrigo and a few wardens who were returning with him were ready to go when Loghain's group rode up to the encampment just south of Lothering. All Loghain said was, "I need to speak with Bann Ceorlic as soon as possible." There was no anger in his voice. He made it sound like he was only performing protocol. Ceorlic was in for a big surprise. He turned to Elle. "Safe journey, Elethea."

That was her cue to leave. She did manage to catch Alistair standing by the road. She rode over and he handed her a large sack. "A merchant here said to give you these seeds for Highever House in Denerim since he's evacuating for the north."

When she lifted the sack, she exclaimed, "Maker's Mercy, this must be a fair portion of his entire stock!" It barely fit into one of her saddlebags with all her other stuff.

Alistair chuckled. "He said that you probably kept his business going more than any of his other customers and finding a safe place for the Hawke ladies in Highever was more than kind."

When she noticed her escort riding on, she sighed and gave him a sad look. "I'm afraid I must go, Alistair."

He smiled, quickly kissed the back of her hand and said, "Soon, my lady."

She really wanted to do more, but they both knew that then was not the time. She smiled and nodded and said, "Soon."

AN: Ah, back to Elle's favorite city next time!

The Invisible Pretender, alas, you'll have to wait just a bit longer for that battle. But, don't forget … this story is from the sidelines. Hope you liked the scene with Elle and Loghain. ;) Thank you so much for your review!

Judy, I really appreciate the consistency of support! :) Thanks!