Back to Denerim … Again

The trip took an extra day, because it had been decided that taking some back roads and detours might be prudent. Elle and her escorts rode into the city and blended in with a large caravan at the same time. Zevran met up with them as she turned to ride to the Palace. He jumped up into her saddle. "Hello, bellisima."

"Hey, you let him give you a nickname," Varric groused … but then the storyteller was no doubt tired and sore from the forced ride to Denerim.

Zev just laughed. "It is more of a compliment than a nickname, my creative friend! She is beautiful, no?"

That made Varric smile … until Gorim said, "Rooftop on the right."

"Not to worry. That is one of Teyrn Cousland's men." Zev laughed. "Your father has men posted everywhere."

As he said that, Elle noticed some of the streets she rode past. The city was already making discreet fortifications. "Is Father already here?" she whispered back to Zev.

"We returned here a few weeks after you left Highever, so we've been here a while." Zev strained to look around while not looking like he was looking around. "A messenger bird mage told us that you were returning ... a mage sent by Fergus. She was trained by someone named Morrigan who insisted she provide Fergus with whatever he needed. The poor woman flew almost non-stop. She's at the estate here now, resting up and awaiting whatever the Crown wishes to send back to Lothering and Ostagar."

"Good. She should be safe there." Elle sighed. "Maker, I see Orlesian spies in every face."

"You are tired. Once we get to the Palace and you've spoken with the King and Queen, you all need to rest." Zev smiled at the other dwarf. "Welcome back to Denerim, Gorim."

Gorim granted Zev a small smile. "Probably need to put a watch on old Salas. He was pretty pissed about Elle 'stealing' me from him. He might just turn traitor for the right price."

As they veered off from the caravan and quickly rode through the gates of the palace, Zev jumped off Rebel and said, "Good to know. I'll see to that right now."

Varric chuckled. "Good friend to have."

Elle jumped off Rebel and handed the reins to one of the royal stable handlers. "Indeed, he is." She motioned to the north. "Gorim, that's the Warden compound where Alistair will be if … Maker, I can't even say it. Let's hope a miracle keeps Duncan from joining his fellow Grey Warden Blight heroes."

Elle learned recently that where she went, Varric, Gorim and Midnight went as well. Actually, Midnight had always been an expected and welcomed companion. Queen Anora wasn't too keen on the dwarves in attendance, but capitulated when she heard the report.

Cailan leaped up. "Orlais?! Right here under our noses?! During a Blight?!"

"Gaspard is a bold one, Your Majesty," Varric said. He patted his crossbow. "I'd like to introduce him to Bianca."

"You would have to shoot through me strangling him," Cailan grumbled.

"Varric can do that, Your Majesty," Elle replied. "I've seen Bianca in action." Then, she looked at Anora. "But, to get back to the matter at hand, what are your thoughts on how Ferelden should proceed?"

Elle's father was announced at that moment. He walked in and bowed. "If I just overheard correctly, I believe we should contact the rest of Thedas about Orlais trying this during a time of Blight. We have friends …" He was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Enter!" Cailan shouted.

The palace seneschal entered. "This arrived from Amaranthine for Teyrn Cousland. Forgive the interruption, but I thought it might be pertinent. And, this map just arrived from the Gwaren estate."

Bryce nodded to give the message to the King. Cailan read it and started to throw it into the fire. Instead, he handed it to Bryce, who closed his eyes and sighed. "A battalion of Orlesians was found in a deserted building in Knotwood Hills. It seems that a sink hole appeared and destroyed their main hiding place. A branch of the Deep Roads went underneath the area. Delilah had already requested soldiers along with wardens sent from the Peak to investigate the rumor about the sinkhole for fear of darkspawn. That's when they found the Orlesian soldiers who were soundly routed by our wardens and soldiers." Bryce smirked. "Apparently, Arlessa Delilah is quite popular for uncovering the Orlesians and defeating them."

"I wonder how Celene feels about this," Elle mused as she motioned to the half-unrolled map. "The map is the one of Loghain's from the rebellion that marked all the Orlesian outposts — likely the places they would remember from the rebellion."

"Celene may not know yet, my girl." Bryce folded the letter and put in an inside pocket of his jacket. "Gaspard feels she is the usurper."

"I'll get some scouts out to check these locations and follow the Arlessa's actions to roust them out," Cailan said as he unrolled the map with a grin. "They should have known Loghain would have a map of their potential hiding places."

"There we have it, then. While our scouts gather intelligence, we need to lodge a protest to Her Radiance about this intrusion during a time of Blight, not that an intrusion at any time would be acceptable." Anora turned to Elle. "Do you think there are any Orlesian wardens who would corroborate?"

"I'm not certain, Your Majesty. Rodrigo has already had to execute two who were spying for Chalons." Elle lowered her voice. "I pray that there will be any good wardens left after the battle."

"Of course," Anora said quietly. "I did not mean to make light of the wardens' sacrifices." She gave a small smile to Elle. "I've heard a rumor that there is one particular warden you may think of first."

Bryce turned to Elle with a look of surprise on his face.

Cailan … with his usual lack of empathy or discretion … blurted out, "Brother Genitivi mentioned that you seemed to be taken with my half-brother, Elle."

Elle could feel her face flush red. "Well, I have become friends with Alistair. I'd even have to say close friends; however, we are delaying anything more than that until the Archdemon is dispatched, Your Majesty." She was gratified that Varric didn't snicker.

Bless her father's diplomatic heart, he changed the subject. "I also suggest we swiftly contact Nevarra, Antiva, Rivain and our Marcher friends. The Anderfels will be most annoyed at Orlais. The Grey Wardens are almost royalty there. I have one of the bird messenger mages at my estate here. I suggest we send her to meet with one of my contacts in Orlais who can get a message directly to Celene."

"Is your contact pragmatic about magic, Father? I would hate for the girl to get captured," Elle replied.

"My contact is a mage and the messenger is a mage Grey Warden. Theoretically immune from Chantry intervention. The contact's name is Vivienne, the Court magic consultant or some such title. Her opinion of herself makes her very easy to manipulate," Bryce smirked. "In any case, Vivienne is very well connected and respected by the nobility in Orlais. Her Radiance would listen to her."

"The Court of Celene has a magic consultant and other mages are treated like prisoners?!" Elle was fairly incensed.

Cailan chuckled. "Well, Ferelden has Royal Mage Wynne now."

"Only because Grand Cleric Elemena is gone, Cailan. The new Grand Cleric is transferring from Kirkwall." Anora turned to Elle, "Grand Cleric Elthina didn't want to leave Kirkwall, but she was encouraged by Revered Mother Dorothea to come to Ferelden for the sake of Elthina's sanity, I understand. She should arrive soon."

"I come from Kirkwall, Your Majesty," Varric said. "I think this will be a good move for Elthina … but don't count on her to be very decisive. On the other hand, Ferelden seems to be less contentious than Kirkwall's mage situation. Maybe not being decisive will fit better here."

Elle tried to stifle her yawn but it escaped anyway. "My apologies!"

Cailan turned a concerned face toward Elle. "I think we should break for now. Allow Bryce to send off his diplomatic messages and Elle and her companions to get some rest." Then a mischievous glint appeared in his eye. "I would hate for Alistair to be cross with me for harming Elle in any way."

Elle did narrow her eyes at Cailan, but Anora came to his rescue. "We do have one more thing to mention. Eamon is being housed in one of the nicer cells in Fort Drakon — saved for miscreant nobility. We have taken your letter into consideration, Elle, and plan to try to send him into exile after the Blight is defeated. Of course, the Landsmeet may decide on a harsher sentence. It will have to be handled then." The Queen smiled. "There, now get some rest. I have not met Alistair, but I would also hate to get on the wrong side of the Grey Wardens. Any of the Grey Wardens."

Varric and Gorim both did snicker with that comment.

Not much was said on the way back to Highever House. That alone proved the complete fatigue of everyone who had pressed themselves on the journey from Lothering. Akin to the last time Elle dragged herself into Highever House, she called for a bath. The refreshment of it was incredible … likely due to the aroma of crushed Arbor Blessing leaves in the bathwater. She left Camelia some Arbor Blessing seeds that she'd gotten in Lothering with a thank you note for her thoughtfulness.

But, Elle still could not go to sleep. So, she put on some comfortable clothes … and her weapons. This was still bloody Denerim, after all. As she opened her door, she noticed Gorim with wet hair standing outside it. "I see you got the first bath, Gorim."

"Yeah, Varric's in our room working out the details of his new romance, The Noble Lady and her Grey Warden." Gorim couldn't help the chuckle that came to the surface.

"Maker's Breath," Elle said with large sigh. "Maybe he'll never tell it. He claims to be horrible with romances."

Then, Gorim frowned at Elle. "Going somewhere?"

"Yes, I cannot sleep, so I thought I would go up to my rooftop garden and see how it's doing. I have been very derelict lately, but Father mentioned he'd found someone to tend it." She smiled. "You're welcome to join me."

"Like I'd let you go up there without protection," Gorim laughed. "Odonna would only be one of the people who would kill me if anything happened to you." Then, he snickered, "She's very fond of Alistair, too."

With a groan, she headed toward the stairs to the rooftop. They made a quick stop to alert Varric. They interrupted him saying, "The valiant warden kissed the back of her hand and said, 'I will see you soon … my lady.'" He was sufficiently chastised to hear that Elle was standing nearby.

Once they made it to the top of the narrow stairs, Gorim opened the door to the roof garden and checked around. Highever House's roof was taller than most of the buildings in Denerim by virtue of being built on the highest hill in the city. Fort Drakon and the Palace towers were taller, but they were far enough away to make a bow shot difficult at best with the unpredictable prevailing sea breezes.

After getting the okay from Gorim, Elle walked out into a beautifully sculpted garden. Even at this late hour, an elf was down one of the rows pruning some of the larger flowers in the torchlight. "Do I have you to thank for this wonderful garden?"

The girl turned. The nearby standing torches illuminated the garden enough for Elle to see that the girl had facial tattoos. Elle's second in command in the comm tent in Ostagar was a Dalish who had been injured during an earlier battle. His Keeper suggested he help out and Darnis proved to be an invaluable asset. Fergus made certain he was promoted to head up the communications area when Elle had to leave, much to the consternation of that bastard, Bascombe.

The girl had a wonderful smile. "My sister is responsible for most of the work, my lady. I'm just filling in this evening. Your father graciously hired her when he saw that the garden was in trouble. I have gone to the Dalish, but still have family here. Unlike most of the People, I do like to visit my family from time to time." She curtseyed. "My name is Relia, my lady."

"First thing, Relia, you and your sister have my deepest gratitude." She walked around for a few moments and turned back with a smile. "Second, please call me Elle." Elle curtseyed to Relia. "You both have done me the greatest of honors by caring for my garden."

A slight look crossed Relia's face. She'd seen it before on the Dalish who would visit Darnis. Indeed, she caught Darnis looking askance as well until he got to know her better. Any compliment was often misconstrued as a hidden insult. Elle didn't blame the Dalish. Maker knew humans deserved the treatment.

From behind a circle of potted fruit trees, a woman emerged. She wore a very well-fitted suit of red armor and her hair was done up to look … like horns. "Morrigan told me you were very perceptive, young Cousland." She smiled at the elf. "Relia, I do believe she was sincere."

Elle wasn't the only perceptive person on that rooftop.

Relia smiled. "I believe she was as well, Asha'Bellanar."

Gorim had pulled his sword and shield the moment Asha'Bellanar appeared, but Elle just put her hand on his shoulder. "Remain vigilant, Gorim, but I'd like to speak with Morrigan's mother." Elle wasn't totally certain the woman was Morrigan's mother, but she thought she'd throw it out and see how it went.

Asha'Bellanar laughed, the near-cackling laugh of an older woman. "Actually, I would be disappointed if you were walking around alone. Those without magic are at a disadvantage, after all. And, you seem to have attracted quite a few enemies of late."

"Are you sure she's Morrigan's mother?" Gorim asked.

At Elle raising her eyebrows toward the dragon-horned woman, Asha'Bellanar nodded. "I am. And, I'm here to tell you something. I have many abilities. One of them is foresight. I have seen your destiny, Elethea Cousland, but I'm not here to give you any advance knowledge of that."

"Good," Elle replied … and then she laughed. "Oh, please don't think that I wouldn't love to know, but knowledge of things like that just complicate life … and there would be consequences that would ultimately make that future unattainable. Therefore, what would be the point in knowing."

"Smart girl," Asha'Bellanar said with a smile that quickly dimmed. "I'm here to warn you to tell your king and queen that the Archdemon will not bring her main battle to either Ostagar or Lothering or any place between, even though the warden's dreams will lead them to think that." She stepped up to Elle. Gorim stepped up, too. "The Archdemon will bring her main battle here to Denerim. She's only used the wildlands to grow her army. Ask the wardens to tell you about broodmothers. The destruction of Denerim will cause the downfall of Ferelden and she knows that."

Everyone knew that, of course, but they had hoped to keep the Blight to the south. "So, it's to be here, then," Elle whispered. "And, I've already heard about darkspawn broodmothers," she added with a shudder.

Asha'Bellanar walked to the edge of the roof and looked out over the palace and the other noble estates. "I know about what you went through the last time you were here." When Elle stepped up next to her and narrowed her eyes, Asha'Bellanar added, "You have your informants and I have mine." The woman raised an eyebrow. "Those of us from Highever have always been well-informed."

Elle spied a nearby bench and sat. She was flummoxed. "Flemeth." She'd read about Flemeth, of course. Always admired her. Never really bought into the whole possessed by a demon thing ... but ... here she was, looking pretty good for her hundreds of years of age. Elle smiled at Gorim. "Please ask Varric to come up here. He must hear this."

Gorim hesitated, but left … looking back and around several times … running down the stairs.

"We only have a few minutes, kinswoman. Please, tell me how you're still alive after all that time," Elle asked.

Flemeth sat next to Elle. "Your true kinswoman, the being named Flemeth, was horribly used by her lover and her husband-to-be, contrary to popular myth. Her anger attracted a sympathetic spirit … not a demon." Flemeth glanced to Relia. "Keep this secret from all but your Keeper." When a wide-eyed Relia nodded, Flemeth continued, "Mythal is known as the Dalish Creator of Justice … and Vengeance. The truth is somewhat more complicated and we don't have time for the telling right now. The spirit of Mythal merged with Flemeth and I sit here right now." The sounds of Varric and Gorim running back up the stairs got louder.

Elle was astonished! She had learned so much about her family history lately. Teyrn Cousland under King Arland had participated in an unsuccessful plot to overthrow the king. And, now … the popular legend of Flemeth was only a pale rendition of the truth!

Elle put aside thoughts about that as Varric burst through the door. "I can't believe you left her up there with sodding Flemeth!"

Flemeth laughed and stood. She handed Elle a note. "I need to be on my way. Morrigan told me to give this to you."

"Before you go, do you have suggestions as to how, exactly, I can convince Cailan and Anora to believe me?" Elle asked, in all seriousness.

Flemeth thought a moment and then, looked around. "Hmmm, I think I know of a way," she replied and then looked directly into Elle's eyes. "I will tell you one thing, Elethea. This trial is only the beginning. We stand on the precipice of change. The world fears the inevitable plummet into the abyss. Watch for that moment and when it comes, do not be afraid to leap. It is only when you fall that you learn whether you can fly."

Then, Flemeth stepped back to the edge of the rooftop … and shapeshifted into a magnificent dark red dragon!

"Cheap advice from a dragon," Varric mumbled.

At the same time, Gorim grumbled, "I've seen more dragons lately than I ever wanted to."

As the red dragon roared and flew over Fort Drakon and the palace and all the quarters of Denerim, Elle could hear the cries from below.

"Archdemon!"

It was dark enough that those who might know what the Archdemon could possibly look like wouldn't be the wiser. Elle opened Morrigan's note. Yes, she is my mother. Do you pity me now? That made Elle laugh, but she continued reading, Believe what she tells you. I will be flying Duncan to Denerim in a few weeks with the scouting reports of darkspawn sightings en route to Denerim. Not many, but then, darkspawn travel by Deep Roads more often than we originally thought. Loghain, some wardens and soldiers are heading to Denerim by horseback. Rodrigo is going back to Lothering for the moment and Alistair is staying in Lothering. Stay safe, my friend. Don't do anything stupid!

The note had all the proper scouts codes on it.

"Well, shit," Varric said rather loudly. Both he and Gorim had their weapons out … but Elle only smiled. "Okay, you're gonna have to tell me why in the Maker's Name are you smiling?!"

"Flemeth just gave me an action that should get everyone to believe me," Elle said to Varric. "Denerim is going to be the target of the Archdemon, likely via the Deep Roads rather than topside."

At Varric's look of disbelief, she added, "Think about it, Varric. The Korcari Wilds is much too remote to be memorable. Apparently, scouting reports have convinced Loghain and Duncan of that fact," she said as she held up the note. "They are on their way here."

"So, the Archdemon wants a bard's tale?" Gorim grumbled.

Elle winked at Gorim, but turned to Relia. "How connected are you to the Alienage here, Relia?"

"Whenever I'm here, Hahren Valendrian calls me his First." The elf smiled. "Even though he does not have the Gift."

"That must mean that you do, Relia." Elle frowned. "Be careful here. If you would be so kind, please go to the Alienage and ask the Hahren to join us here as soon as he can. And, send my apologies for the late hour."

"I'm always careful," Relia said before she shapeshifted into a small swift and headed toward the Alienage.

"Was that a messenger from Ostagar or Lothering?" her father asked from the rooftop door. He was panting from the run up the stairs. "We've been summoned to the palace because of the Archdemon's fly-over just now."

Elle sat and patted the bench next to her. "I have much to tell you, Father." By the time she finished telling him about the warning from Flemeth … and everyone about Flemeth, they were all speechless. "I don't think Flemeth wanted me to tell everyone about those last bits about her being Mythal, but I trust you all and you need to know. I don't think we should tell anyone else that Flemeth was posing as the Archdemon. We need them to buy into the urgency and begin preparations immediately."

Varric sat on an opposing bench. "Flemeth is possessed by Mythal … or merged or whatever … and I can't tell that story?!"

"Not yet. She did intimate that there were other details that I'm sure you'd want to include, but had no time to share them." Elle stood. "We have other priorities at the moment. I shall put on my armor and await the Hahren. Then, we can all go together to the Palace."

Bryce chuckled as he descended the stairs behind his daughter. "Only you would think to include the Alienage, Pup. I'm ashamed that I didn't, while being proud of you."

"The Alienage will go up in minutes if hit with dragon fire or darkspawn torches or magic. They are our most vulnerable and need to be protected. Maybe if they sense no living beings there, they'll ignore it. I have nothing to base that upon except a fervent hope." She turned at the bottom. "There are two estates that are mostly empty, at the moment. The Amaranthine manor and the Arl of Denerim's estate. Sadly, both are out of repair, but they are stone as opposed to wood. That's just a spur-of-the-moment thought. We'll need to start preparations."

Valendrian was surprised and pleased to be included in the plans for the defense of Denerim. A meeting was convened at the Palace War Room that included Cailan, Anora, all the nobles in residence in Denerim at the time, Varric, Gorim, Valendrian, Captain Janas (second in command to Cauthrien, who had returned to Lothering), Knight-Commander Tavish and Senior Warden Ramara.

Once all the frenzied hollering died down, Elle simply raised her hand to get Cailan's attention. That made everyone laugh ... or, at least, smile.

"Yes, Elle, have you something to report?" the King asked.

"I do, actually," Elle replied as she held up Morrigan's message. "I have a note from a mage who has been invaluable at Ostagar. She had it flown here so we could get as much advanced notice that we could. Actually, I should have reported in to Warden Ramara first, but things sort of happened all at the same time. I apologize, Ramara.

"Good news first: Loghain will shortly be on his way back to Denerim. Bad news ... well, we all know the bad news. There have been recent scouting reports of darkspawn activity hit or miss in the Bannorn, all along a route toward Denerim. They fear the Archdemon will be directing the Horde to attack us. The darkspawn will likely be traveling through the Deep Roads to get here."

"Any idea as to when these monsters are going to arrive?" Bann Franderel asked. The man didn't even have the decency to exchange his bed clothes and robe for a shirt and pants!

"No," Elle responded. "I'm sure Loghain has more information and Duncan will send us reports as he can."

Before Franderel and others started up their frenzy again, Cailan stood and paced before saying, "We need to go about our business as if we are unaware of the danger, but, in truth, we need to set about readying the city's defenses. It will give that Archdemon the idea that she can take her time to attack. I hope."

Elle smiled at Anora's look of astonishment. Cailan came up with an excellent observation and plan.

Cailan continued, "Warden Ramara, please forward any information you receive."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Ramara said. She hid her own astonishment at Elle's information as well ... likely, silently wondering how Elle got a report and she did not. Elle made a note to check in with Ramara regularly.

"It is late and we all need to be rested to make our best plans. For now, go back to your areas of the city and find out information: What resources do we have for a prolonged siege? How are our weapons and armor inventories? Where can we pull back to if we need to? How do our defenses look? What do you feel the most qualified in coordinating?" Cailan stopped pacing.

"I need to take ship to Kirkwall, Your Majesty. I have some solid contacts there for some extra armaments, especially extra ammunition," Leonas Bryland said. "I'll leave with the dawn and pray to return before the trouble begins."

"Maker speed your journey, Leonas. Everyone else, meet back here tomorrow evening and plan to meet every evening for the near future," he added. "Dismissed." And, he was serious as he motioned to the door. Most there were so amazed at Cailan's grasp of leadership that nothing needed to be said as they all dutifully filed out.

It was going to be a very tense time in Denerim for a while.

So — in Elle's estimation — it would be business as usual in the capital city of Ferelden.

AN: Yay! Flemeth makes an appearance. :) I hope you all have a safe and merry holiday season!

Judy, thanks for the review. Stay safe. Have fun! :)