Chapter 43 = = The Toad
"The Crown calls Warden Commander Aedan Cousland, Warden Constable Surana, Senior Warden Riordan, and Warden Jowan."
Aedan led his wardens into the chamber. They all wore the official Grey Warden armor: blue tabards with bright silver thread, and chest plates embossed with the silver griffon rampant, the Warden's heraldic charge.
Aedan had ordered that they bow to the Queen of Ferelden out of respect for the throne, and the queen. Riordan had grumped about the Wardens holding no allegiance, when Aedan had snorted. "Tell me the Orlesian Wardens don't bow to the Empress?"
They had bowed to the Queen, who motioned them to stand next to her. She looked out at the assembled. "While we've been fighting each other, there were two Grey Wardens who survived Ostagar. Accused of crimes they didn't commit, the wardens were haunted and hunted as they worked to save us, our kingdom. The two became four and have managed to gather the dwarven army of Orzammar, the Elves of the Dalish, the Mages, and the Templars," Anora nodded at Grand Cleric Dorothea, who nodded at the queen with a twinkle in her eye.
"We need to step up and do what we should have already done. I have already pledged the Royal army to fight at the side of the Grey Wardens,
"And now, I give you the Warden-Commander of Ferelden."
Aedan stepped forward and turned and looked out at the faces of those who he'd known as the son of Teyrn Cousland, as the brother of Fergus Cousland. He gathered strength from the memories of the two most important men in his life, and when he spoke, his warm baritone carried throughout the chamber, it was a voice of maturity and of command. Those who were there would later say it was like hearing Teyrn Bryce come back from the dead.
"Lords and Ladies of the Landsmeet, I come before you not just as a Cousland, but as the Warden-Commander of Ferelden. We face an evil the likes of which has not been seen for over four hundred years. Our King, taken from us too soon, understood the warnings that should never have been ignored.
"The horde marches to Denerim, the Archdemon at its head. What we face is a daunting challenge, but not an impossible one, not if we face it as one. Banns and Arls, I ask you to pledge your armies to fight with the wardens, the Royal Army, the dwarves, the Dalish, the mages, and the templars. Let us create a wall upon which the waves of the Darkspawn will break, a wall of duty, a wall of heart, a wall that will send those soulless minions of darkness back to the void!
"Join us!"
The Landsmeet cheered
Anora looked at the Chancellor and said, quietly, holding out her hand. "Your staff?"
He gave her his staff. She tapped in on the ground, calling everyone to attention. "As a united Ferelden, I call this Landsmeet adjourned!"
Cheering and applause echoed from every corner of the chamber.
~oOOo~
Anora was back her study after the Landsmeet. Arl Eamon was due within a quarter candle; the coffer sat on the desk covered by a large cloth. Next to it was a package the guards found taped to the bottom of the coffer. It was marked "For the Queen's Eyes Only" Anora opened the package to find a stack of notes. They seemed to be in order from top to bottom, though there were no dates.
At first, Anora was confused at who was who, but the second note was clearly in Celine's handwriting, identifying her as my and you Lady and RL was the Remache de Lydes. She knew that ham-handed referred to Eamon.
My Lady,
He is a ham-handed imbecile! Now I must send Monette to the Chantry!
I want revenge.
~RL
RL,
I have an idea about retribution against Monsieur Ham-Hands: let us give him an alternate suggestion–let him believe it to be me, then you and I can laugh together as he plays the fool.
~Your Lady
My Lady,
Better Monette is in the Chantry than a young widow – let us go forward with plans for Monsieur Ham-Hands. I still wish vengeance!
~RL
RL,
Vengeance shall be yours and you shall be mine.
~ Your Lady
My Lord Arl,
It seems the Maker moves in mysterious ways ~the match between Monette and the late King was never meant to be. But there is another Theirin son, yes? Only this match would not be with Monette, who is now a Chantry lay sister. The second son has shown himself to a thoughtful, honorable knight. My Lady would like to pursue a match, but she would rather go through you than the formal diplomatic channels. You can bring a more personal touch especially as this son is unattached.
~Ambassadeur de l'Amour
Ambassador,
I think that can be arranged.
~Arl E
My Lady,
Monsieur Ham-Hands is dreadfully ill, poison it seems. I suspect your Cousin through his new toy Arl-Bear. He is not dead, yet. I don't know why. I will update you if the situation changes.
The Ambassador is too long to write. I shall sign
~A
My Lady,
Monsieur Ham-Hands lives thanks to the healing hands of the Niece of the one who rules la ville des deux mur.
~A
A,
Alas, Monsieur Ham-Hands must fail in his task to make a match, so he is overly eager to accept help when the time is right.
~Your Lady
My Lady,
It appears he needed no help to fail.
~A
A,
¡Quelle surprise! Tell me when you know more.
~Your Lady
My Lady,
L'honorable chevalier has found in the healer, his dame d'espoir.
~A
My Lady,
Unfortunately, Monsieur Ham-Hands acted rashly, and Honor is now without Hope, but Honor has refused to give up on the idea of his Hope and Hope has refused to give up the idea of her Honor, which frustrates Monsieur Ham-Hands enormously.
May I suggest a new nom de code for Monsieur Ham-Hands? Le Crapaud. a transmogrification wished upon by him by the friends of Hope and Honor, and me.
~A
A,
Le Crapuad seems appropriate. I saw the healer when she was presented to the Divine as a Senior Enchanter. She is a special soul who should never be in a Circle. Her being with the Ser Honor is a Maker-made match.
Alas, now we must wait. Please look for an opportunity to bring hope and honor together and an opportunity for Le Crapaud to help us obtain the "Divine debt."
~Your Lady
My Lady,
Given the upcoming battle, I have discovered a way to complete both objectives. I suggest paving the way for Le Crapaud to offer to fill the coffers of the deaf cleric – to both break the treaty and to call Hope from the circle?
~A
A,
Excellent idea – Hope and Honor must be reunited–and the Divine's wrath incurred.
~Your Lady
My Lady,
Fortune favors us - the GW Commander has given us a more direct way for you to obtain your Divine debt.
~A
RL,
Please assure Le Crapaud that instructions will be given to our honorable knight and that he will not be taking his territory.
~Your Lady
My Lady,
With pleasure!
~RL
RL,
As an added gift, once the meetings have finished – the coffer shall be presented to Le Crapaud by La Reine
~Your Lady
The last note read
Queen Anora,
I leave it up to you as to whether or not you include this set of correspondence with the coffer.
~C
Anora smirked. "Tempting…" She signaled for her chamberlain as she jotted down a quick note
"Your Majesty?"
"Do you know where Ser Alistair and Lady Emma can be found?"
"Why yes, I overheard they were going to the Bann Teagan's estate."
"Excellent. Could you have this note place directly in either Lady Emma's or Ser Alistair's hands?"
"It shall be so."
Emma and Alistair were having tea when a messenger arrived with a note for either Lady Emma or Ser Alistair. Emma recognized the handwriting immediately, "I'll take it. Thank you."
The messenger left.
"It's from Anora," Emma said as she opened the message.
Dear Emma and Alistair,
I have been given correspondence from C that shows how EG was played the fool. Please, could one or both of you come to the palace, within the half-hour? I know it is a lot to ask but I think you might enjoy the discomfort I am going to cause for EG.
Anora
"I would love a chance to see Eamon brought down to size," Alistair said. "Em?"
"Usually I am not one for rubbing someone's nose in it, but I think I will make an exception for the Arl."
~oOOo~
After the Landsmeet, Leliana took Aedan to introduce him to Grand Cleric Dorothea. Leliana had already told him how she knew the new Grand Cleric of Ferelden. Tea had been laid in the grand cleric's study. Aedan could already see the effects of the lighter mood in Denerim's main Chapel. There were smiles on the faces of the sisters and mothers, and it was as if a cloud had been lifted and all basked in the sunlight.
"Your Grace, may I introduce Aedan Cousland, Warden-Commander of Ferelden."
Dorothea smiled at Aedan. "Your missive to the Divine was quite effective. Divine Beatrix was horrified at the possible consequence of breaking the Grey Warden treaty, even though your report never mentioned such."
Aedan chuckled. "Honestly, I didn't know what they would do either, that's why I didn't mention it. I was hoping that just the idea of breaking a treaty in the throes of a Blight wouldn't be seen as a good thing. I thank you for getting the Divine's attention, and of course for Leli's idea of sending it to you in the first place." He kissed Leliana's hand and Leliana looked at Aedan and blushed.
Dorothea arched an eyebrow at the two who she had known to be lovers but now understood how involved they actually were. Perhaps more so than Leliana realizes.
Leliana, remembering where they were, cleared her throat and said, "Let me pour the tea, your Grace. The Divine's popularity in Ferelden will certainly improve after she interceded on behalf of the Ferelden Grey Wardens, yes?"
Dorothea simply smiled.
They drank tea and talked about the Landsmeet, about the coming battle, and about what would happen after. The Grand Cleric was impressed with the young Commander for his strategic thinking, his level head, and the open affection he showed to Leliana. I cannot ask her to leave him to help me. Her place is with Aedan; they are stronger together. Maker, please allow them both to live through this potential armageddon.
Aedan and Leliana were getting ready to leave when Dorothea asked, "Aedan, could you stay a moment?"
"Certainly, your Grace. Leli, wait for me?"
"Of course. I'll be in the main chapel." Leliana bowed to Dorothea. "Your Grace."
After Leliana left the room and closed the door, Dorothea looked at Aedan. "Please, tell me that you plan to ask Leliana to marry you?"
AN: Thanks to all who have been reading, following, and faving. Thanks to my awesome beta ElyssaCousland. To Melysande, and Judy for your reviews!