Hope and Honor

by Kira Tamarion

AU. Alistair is saved from life at a monastery when Teagan convinces Maric to allow him to take over Alistair's fosterage. At the same time, young Emmalynn is condemned by her father as a mage and taken from Ostwick to the Kinloch Circle. When Emma and Alistair come together they bring Hope and Honor to aid the two Grey wardens who must end the 5th Blight. [Alistair, Amell]

50. A Busy few Weeks, Months, and Years

Chapter 50 – Epilogue: A Busy Few Weeks, Months, Years

Emmalynn was clearing out a small cupboard in Marina's bedroom. The room had been Alistair and Emma's when they first got married, as the master suite was still being renovated. She pulled out a small book from the back of the cupboard and opened it to the first page

This journal belongs to Emmalynn Amell
Senior Enchanter
Ferelden Circle of Magi
from the 1st day of Haring 9:30

After she cleared out the rest of the cupboard, she sat on the bed and carefully turned the fragile pages of the 23-year-old journal to the entries after the Landsmeet when Alistair was made the Arl of Denerim.

2 August 9:30

Bann Sighard has formally petitioned to have Dragon's Peak swear fealty to the Arl of Denerim. Bann Sighard explained that, because he had neither trusted, nor even liked Urien Kendalls, Dragon's Peak had stayed unallied. Ali said that Bann Sighard and his Freeholders trusted both of us to bring new life to the Arling, and wanted Dragon's Peak to be a part of that - both in helping and being helped by the Arling.

It will have to wait for the next Landsmeet to be official, but Alistair and Bann Sighard have started planning.

Speaking of the former Arls of Denerim–the dungeons have been completely decommissioned. I know that the seat of each Arling has prison cells, however, Alistair has access to cells through the City Guard, the Palace, and Fort Drakon. After all the evil perpetrated in that dungeon, I could not countenance sentencing anyone to it and both Ali and Anora agreed.

Everything down to the stonework has been removed and destroyed. The stonework is being scrubbed clean of blood and maker knows what else. Stones with stains that cannot be removed will be replaced or shaved down.

After clearing everything out we found that there were two underground passageways leading from the dungeon: one to the palace, and one to the alienage. The one to the palace looks like it hasn't been used in an age, and after speaking with Anora and her seneschal, both ends will be gated and the entrance at the palace will be guarded.

The one to the Alienage was very suspicious. I remembered Arl Urien from Ostagar and his questioning my age given I was a senior enchanter. It wasn't the question that bothered me, it was the odious tone of voice in which he asked it. Also, Howe didn't create those dungeons, they were there and were clearly in use during the late Arl Kendalls' tenure. I was fairly certain that that passageway had been used for the nefarious purposes of either Arl Urien or his late son. I went to the Alienage and spoke to Hahren Valendrian.

Horror, violence, and heartbreak were visited on the elves using that passageway. I promised Valendrian that it would be destroyed, even if I had to use a mage from the circle to help me do it. I also told Valendrian that Alistair and I would do whatever was in our power to aid the Alienage in whatever ways the Denerim elves want or need. Not what we thought they would want and need – to assume we could predict their needs would be insultingly arrogant.

The Hahren was clearly surprised and I could tell he wanted to trust me, but really given how badly the humans treat anyone who isn't human, it's going to take a while. Ali and I believe that the trust of the elves of Denerim needs to be earned, not demanded.

3 August 9:30

Ali and I are not taking a honeymoon as I don't want to leave the city for any extended period until Anora gives birth. Once Anora has the baby, we are going to visit the Freeholders in the Arling. We only have two banns (not counting Dragon's Peak); the rest of the Arling are freeholds. So, Ali has written to each Freeholder asking if we could visit, and if so, when. The responses have been enthusiastic, which surprised me as their (soon to be) Arlessa is a mage, but Ali didn't get a hint of reservation in the responses, which mentioned being thrilled to see Arl Alistair and Arlessa Emmalynn.

Apparently, Howe never traveled to his Freeholders; if he wanted something, he called them to Vigil's Keep, for which they were thankful - no one wanted to host Howe. Apparently, mages are more welcome than Rendon Howe.

We have 30 Freeholds to visit and Alistair's and our new seneschal, Eadric Mac Kinnon, are still working on the scheduling. I find that I'm excited and nervous, but I think the shyness will be lessened as my experiences over the last year have been helpful.

I get to see more of Ferelden without being an apostate and not having a Blight hanging over our heads.

4 August 9:30

I am incredibly thankful for Leliana and Anora. If not for them, tomorrow I would be completely naked, standing in an empty chantry with no idea of what to do. I have never seen a wedding – and it isn't like the Circle would encourage such thinking.

I asked Leliana why I wasn't going to be greeting the guests as they arrived at the Chantry; isn't that what one does when hosting an event? After she stopped laughing –I thought she was going to hurt herself she was laughing so hard – she and Anora patiently explained to me that all of the guests must be seated and Alistair standing at the front of the Chapel so everyone can, as Leli said, "Behold the beautiful Bride as she walks to her groom."

Interpretation: All eyes will be on me.

Apparently, I paled, because Anora–who was also chuckling–hugged me and said, "just focus on Alistair and you'll be fine." That's good advice. I never grow tired of looking at Ali.

Today was the final fitting for the dress. Not a simple Bliaut like I wore for that ill-fated feast. This gown has layers– five of them not counting shoes and veil.

First layer: Shift and stockings. This shift has a low square neckline and the stockings are silk!

Second layer: Corset – okay I'm not too upset with that, as it flattens my tummy.

Third layer: A petticoat –a gathered skirt. Leliana was in favor of something called a farthingale, which is a skirt that has hoops sewn in. I was leery as it looked like someone had upended a funnel. Anora suggested the petticoat instead, and I found it to be quite comfortable. Leliana said, "a lady isn't supposed to sacrifice beauty for comfort on her wedding day."

Anora said that she wore her favorite leather boots under her wedding dress.

Leliana rolled her eyes.

Fourth layer: Another skirt– I don't remember what it's called–but it is plain in the back while the front is a beautiful emerald green beaded brocade.

Fifth layer: Finally, after four layers of clothing comes the dress–it is so pretty!

It is cerulean blue velvet– the same color as my aura. The neckline is rectangular with embroidered trim. The bodice of the dress laces up the front and the skirt of the dress is open to show the green brocade skirt.

I was curious because the dress was sleeveless with only velvet strings hanging from the shoulder. Then I found out that the sleeves are separate. They are made from the same brocade as the underskirt and are laced onto the dress at the shoulders.

Last but not least – the veil. When the Dalish keepers heard I was marrying Ali, they gave me a beautiful floral crown to which my veil will be attached. My bouquet is a "nosegay" of white roses just like the one Ali gave me after my Denerim panic attack.

Oh, right I forgot shoes: they are silk slippers, so my feet won't hurt!

This time tomorrow I will Emmalynn Theirin!

I can hear Rana – "Finally you'll have a name with fewer Ms and Ls."

6 August 9:30

When I entered the chapel yesterday, Alistair's jaw dropped. Teagan nudged Ali and he closed his mouth. He told me later that I took his breath away!

The whole time I walked down the aisle, Ali's eyes never left me and my eyes never strayed from him. It was like we were the only ones in the Chantry. I have never felt such pure joy as I did when the Grand Cleric pronounced us man and wife.

10 August 9:30

There must be something in Ferelden's water…Leliana is pregnant!

She was feeling off and asked if I could help. When I told her she was with child, Leli was stunned speechless. For almost a minute she just sat there. Finally, she gave me a beatific smile as she cried.

She told me that one of Aedan's regrets about being a warden is not being able to father children. I told her that a new warden with a non-warden partner could still have children.

She practically danced out of the room to tell Aedan. When I saw her later, she told me that she and Aedan wanted to get married before they left for Vigil's Keep. Given that is seven days from now I asked if I could do anything to help. Leliana said that all I needed to do was stand with her. She and Aedan have decided they want a small affair. She isn't going to get a wedding dress per se, but the dress she is having made is gorgeous – clearly Leliana will not sacrifice beauty for comfort.

14th August 9:30

Jowan and I changed the Joining formula. Hope was right; it didn't take long for me to figure out the problem. Frankly, it surprises me that the Wardens haven't figured out.

Anyway, the original formula contained: Archdemon blood, Lyrium, and darkspawn blood (plus herbs to make it drinkable…blech). Upon finding this my conversation with Jowan went like this–

"Maker's Mercy, is that what you drink?"

"Well, the dose needs to be strong enough, so they don't just waste away and become a ghoul."

"Basically, you hit people over the head with a war hammer and the ones that have skulls made of steel survive?"

"Essentially."

"There has to be a point between ghoul and war hammer."

The final formula is not a war hammer. We created a balance between entropy and creation magic so the Warden has the taint, but they will not need a calling. The fertility is still reduced, but by far less than before. We also developed a screening test to see if someone will have an adverse reaction to the joining.

Emmalynn closed the journal as Alistair peeked into the room. "Thought I'd find you here. Are you ready to scribe the latest wedding?"

"Of course!"

They went to their bedroom, and on the sofa in front of the hearth was a large tomb: The Unabridged Chant of Light

The book had been a wedding gift from Grand Cleric Dorothea–now the late Divine Justinia V. Emma had used the empty pages at the end to record weddings and births. It had become a tradition for her and Alistair, and each blessed event allowed them to reflect on what life had given them.

Ali placed the heavy book on Emma's lap, and she turned the pages to the list of names and dates, moving her fingers over the growing list of children–and now grandchildren. None of hers had been mages; when Emmalynn had spoken to Hope about her fears for giving birth to a mage, Hope had just smiled knowingly.

Emma thought, Save for my own three, I helped deliver each of these babies.

~Births~

Cailan Gareth
to Anora Theirin and the late Cailan I
15th day of Kingsway 9:30

Griffin Surana
to Emmalynn and Alistair Theirin
15th day of Wintermarch 9:31

Elyssa Leanne
to Leliana and Aedan Cousland
18th day of Cloudreach 9:31

William Calenhad
to Emmalynn and Alistair Theirin
5th day of Drakonis 9:32

Thalia Rowan
to Kaitlyn and Teagan Guerrin
19th day of Haring 9:32

Bryce and Catriona
to Alfstanna and Fergus Cousland
1st day of Haring 9:33

Marina Hope
to Emmalynn and Alistair Theirin
18th day of Cloudreach 9:33

Aedan Maric
to Cailan II and Queen Caitriona
30th day of Drakonis 9:50

Cecilia Anora
to Cailan II and Queen Caitriona
4th day of Guardian, 9:51

Evelyn Siobhan
to Elyssa and Griffin Theirin
6th day of Firstfall, 9:52

Then she turned to the page of marriages and smiled. "I'm glad none of the marriages were arranged. Our families are so close, I'm glad I drew up all of the family trees to make sure no one accidentally married a cousin!"

Marriages

Emmalynn Amell Trevelyan to Alistair Theirin
5th day of August, 9:30

Leliana, daughter of Lady Oisine to Aedan Cousland
19th day of August, 9:30

Kaitlyn of Redcliffe to Teagan Guerrin
30th day of Haring, 9:31

Alfstanna Eremon to Fergus Cousland
10th day of Guardian, 9:32

Cailan II to Catriona Cousland
12th day of Justinian 9:49

Anora Mac Tir Theirin to Leonas Bryland
9th day of Haring 9:50

Elyssa Cousland to Griffin Theirin
28th day of Guardian 9:51

Rowan Guerrin to William Theirin
1st day of Wintermarch 9:53

Emma looked up Alistair, her loving husband of 23 years. The red hairs in his beard and on his head had started to turn white, and there were laugh lines at the corner of his eyes, but he sparred almost every day and still looked strong and vital.

Emma knew her hips were wider, and her breasts sagged somewhat – permanent reminders of having birthed and nursed three children–but Ali still looked at her like he had since they first met, telling her that she still took his breath away, and they were just as amorous as they had been when they were first married.

If it wasn't for a case of ague that Emmalynn caught when they were in Ansburg, they probably would have had several more children.

They were partners in building and ruling the Arling of Denerim. Anora had been instrumental in helping Emmalynn calm any remaining resistance to establishing the healing clinic, which Emma grew to include a school of healing where mages and non-mages throughout Ferelden, the League of Marcher Nations, Antiva, and even some Orlesians came to study. Armies also sent soldiers to learn how to be field medics. Senior Enchanter Alis ran the clinic and Emmalynn oversaw the school.

Alistair and Emma had worked with Hahren Valendrian and the elves of Denerim and the Queen to rebuild the alienage from the ground up. The Denerim Elves became their own Bann in 9:33 and the elves in the Arling flourished. Alistair and Emma had granted freeholds for several Elven families, and they became the most productive farmlands in the Arling.

After Cailan–crowned Cailan II–married Caitriona, Anora as Queen Mother and Leonas Bryland married splitting time between Gwaren and South Reach; she and Emmalynn, still close friends, had kept up a regular correspondence.

"This is our last baby to leave the nest," Emma said to Alistair.

Then she wrote under Marriages:

Marina Theirin to Bryce Cousland
15th day of Drakonis 9:53

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AN: That marks the end of the story of Hope and Honor. I may at some point, and short bits after this that may expand on some of the epilogues. Thank you all for following this tale, I hope you all enjoyed it. A million thanks to my wonderful supportive Beta ElyssaCousland!