Chapter 143: The Road to the Landsmeet
A/N: A bit mature at the start; please be warned.
The attack had come when she had least suspected it. Alim had caught her unaware, though it was far more…enjoyable than she had expected. Marjolaine had always said she needed to be vigilant, always.
It was nice that once again, her old mentor had been proven wrong.
Leliana had been laying on the bed, the bed that she and her lover shared, now that Alim had recovered from his time in Fort Drakon, he insisted that she return to their room. After a quick bath, washing off the blood and fire of battle, she had slipped into her nightgown, and tried to relax. She had gone to her pack first, however, and pulled out the parchment she had been working on, the tales of their exploits.
The bard smiled to herself.
One day people would want to know what had happened during these troubled times. They would need to know what the wardens had faced, and how they had endured during their darkest of hours.
Bandit lay on the floor not far from where she was working, his head resting on his very large paws, as he looked up at her with big innocent eyes.
She gave him a friendly look.
"Fear not," she said, "You will not be forgotten in the tales of our adventures."
The mabari's stubby tale wagged back and forth, happy to simply be included in what would one day be an account of their travels.
The warhound had many traits that had impressed her, in Orlais; most people looked down on the animal that had given the Fereldans the nickname of dog lords. Bandit had showed her how wrong those people were.
Playful, fierce, clever, these were all words that described Alim's loyal warhound. She respected those traits, but that did not mean that she was above a little gentle teasing every now and then. She had mentioned to the hound that he could be gluttonous at times, especially when it came to begging for food scraps.
The Mabari had whined pitifully, clearly not wishing to be described as such in an account that one day might find their way into Ferelden history.
She had let him stew for only a few moments before taking pity on him.
"You shall be described as a gourmand," she informed him, "a lover of fine foods, how is that?"
The Mabari had barked and wagged his stubby tale happily.
His pleasure brought a smile to her face.
A happy companion was a good companion after all.
Alim arrived a few moments later, finally having finished with the Arl and their allies. Bandit rose from the floor, barking happily at his master's return. He bounced around Alim, wagging his stubby tail.
The elf chuckled, giving him a good scratch behind the ears; he leaned down and whispered in the warhound's ear. The dog tilted his head and whined softly, but quickly stopped as Alim gave his ear several good scratches. Bandit sighed and headed for the door. The warden gave him a good pat on the flank as he left.
Leliana gave him a curious look.
"The cook has some food for him," the elf explained.
Leliana nodded.
A reasonable answer, but at the same time, given the look he was giving her, the warmth in his eyes…
Leliana looked away, blushing slightly.
She rose from the bed, taking her parchment with her, careful not to smear the ink.
"How goes your writing?" Alim murmured.
"Quite well," she said, feeling his eyes on her as she made her way across the room. The softness in his voice made her body warm. It's velvet-like tone both excited and made her wary. Her blushing increased slightly.
Hardly the reaction of a trained bard, someone far too used to the art of seduction. Of course, she was not a bard anymore, and what she felt for Alim was unlike anything she had experienced back in Orlais.
She had cared for Marjolaine, but what she and Alim had…that was something far more.
Alim was the only one who had the power to do this to her, make her feel self-conscious, make her heart flutter like an ill-educated peasant girl. It was clear from the ease of which he invoked those feelings that there were no longer any walls between her and her warden lover.
He knew her, and she knew him. They kept no secrets from each other. It was an intimacy she had never had before, not even with Marjolaine, her late master had never let her fully in, no doubt fearing that when the inevitable betrayal came. Perhaps, she wanted to keep at least something in reserve.
Alim did not do that, he knew that she would never betray him, not willingly anyway.
He slipped out of his coat and hat as she secured the pages of her tales. She could still feel his eyes on her, and every nerve seemed to tingle as a result. A slight curse from her love caught her attention; he was having issues undoing his breast plate.
She smiled and went to his aid.
He gave her a sheepish grin.
"Strap got damaged fighting those Tevinters," he said.
She kneeled slightly, as he raised his arm. She quickly recognized the problem.
"The plate is bent," she murmured, "pinching the clasp. We may have to cut it."
The elf nodded, drawing a small blade from his belt. She took it in her hands and leaned forward, ready to through the strap. The plate would need to be hammed and the leather replaced. It was a minor fix, yes, but necessary if one wished to keep their suit of armor in working order.
She glanced up at him, trying not to get distracted by the warm look he was giving her.
"Stay perfectly still," she advised, "I have no desire to cut you."
He nodded, and gestured for her to continue.
He grimaced slightly as she pulled the strap out enough to get at it, with skilled steady hands she made quick work of the leather, slicing through it with ease, and without even leaving a mark on the skin underneath.
"Thanks," Alim sighed, undoing the breast plate and sitting it on the floor.
"You're welcome," she said handing him back the blade. The elf stripped off his gloves and stepped back so that she would not bump into him when she got back to her feet.
"You should let the Arl's armorer take a look at that before we go to the Landsmeet," she suggested as she rose to her feet, "We do not want…"
He stepped forward causing them to gently bump into each other. The silk of her nightgown rubbing against Alim's rough heavy clothes…
She found herself looking into his eyes, her mouth silenced as he leaned in for a soft yet innocent kiss.
Her eyes widened slightly, yet she chose not to resist. He pulled her tight against him, his hands wrapping around the small of her back, yet slowly drifting down her bottom and thighs…
His hands left warm streaks down her body, as his kiss became more demanding…harder and deeper.
She moaned softly into his mouth.
Finally they came up for air.
"What…what was that for?" She asked breathlessly.
He smiled and began kissing down her neck.
"I've," he paused in his work, stopping at her shoulder, "I fear I have…been neglecting certain duties of late."
He gently bit where her neck met her shoulder, not enough to draw blood, but she could most certainly feel it, the sensation of it making her both gasp and shudder with pleasure.
"Tonight," he continued, "I'm going to remedy that. We don't know what is going to happen at the Landsmeet, so we might as well enjoy ourselves…who knows if we will get another chance."
She tried to remain focused on his words, not an easy thing given what he was doing to her. Almost without thinking she helped him out of his shirt.
"You…you are…ahhhh," she threw back her head and arched her back as his fingers made their way up her legs.
She pulled back enough to get his shirt off, revealing his slender yet muscular chest. She ran her fingers down the plain of muscles, making him shiver slightly. Still his hands moved over her, making the heat inside her grow like a flame.
She gave him a sly look.
"You are not going to turn this into we may all die tomorrow thing are…you?"
Once again he paused in his work, his brown eyes finding her blue ones.
Her eyes were both dark and stormy, falling farther into the throws of passion.
They were almost there.
"Not my intent, no," he panted, "I merely wish to remind myself what we are fighting for, what we have been fighting for since Ostagar."
He gave her a playful grin.
"And if we find some enjoyment in that, who are we to complain?"
She giggled and gave him a savage smirk.
"You think you are so charming don't you?"
"You never complained about my…charms before."
"True," she said nodding; she tugged gently on the waist band of his leggings drawing him closer and closer to their bed.
She leaned in closer, their bodies pressing together; she could feel him through his clothes. It only excited her further. Her hips began moving almost of their own accord.
"You have never disappointed me, dearest," she said in a husky voice, "But as they say…"
She licked his good ear, the action made him groan as her fingers went to work on his leggings.
"Practice makes perfect," she murmured her breath warm against his ear, making him shudder.
"I can't," he panted, "I…I can't argue with that, Leli. I…oops."
His hands hand drifted up while she had gotten in close, a slight tug on the nightgown and it fell away, revealing pale skin and a lack of small clothes.
The elf grinned hungrily.
Leliana giggled and took a small step back.
"Do you like what you see?" she said posing seductively. Her voice was both coy, but maddeningly sensual.
He had no words for her question, only actions.
He gave her short, hard, yet fierce, kiss and flung her on the bed. He crawled on top of her even as she lay there giggling.
"Are you…ooh…ahh Alim! Are…you sure you will be able to remain…fa... focused," She sighed, "I know the Landsmeet has taken up much of your…your…ahhh…th… thoughts."
He growled in response.
"That is tomorrow," he snarled hungrily, "Tonight…We're busy."
He gave her a fierce look.
"Fuck the Landsmeet."
She groaned as she finally was able to pull down his leggings. His hips were already moving in time with hers…questing.
She whimpered softly into his ear.
"I…I would…ahhh… rather you just fucked me," she panted.
He grinned and began kissing down her body, down her breasts, and across her flat belly, making her whimper with anticipation.
"I think that can be arranged love," he murmured.
She cried out as he found what he was searching for. She arched her back and gasped.
From a place far away, far beyond the sea of lust she was now travelling, she heard her love chuckle.
"I aim to please."
IOI
The next morning, she awoke wrapped in a tangle of sheets, lost in a blissful stupor, the sun only now slowly filtering in through the window.
Leliana smiled to herself, pleased, though also a little sore after last nights…revelries.
She had been unprepared to have been so…so…ravished last night, not that she was complaining mind you.
Her dearest one had made sure that today, she would have no complaints.
She stretched, arching her back, enjoying the silk sheets on her bare skin. The softness only fueled her desire for more love. Her body was warming at the merest thought of it.
"Alim," she murmured with a happy sigh.
Her love did not respond.
"Take me again, dearest," she whispered, almost as if she was a child asking for a sweet.
She heard him chuckle.
"I wish I could, but I'm afraid we are out of time.
She sat up, finding her love already up already preparing for the day. He was examining the breast plate from the night before, it still needed to be tended to before they headed out for the Landsmeet.
She gave him a warm smile, a smile that he answered, no words passed between them.
There was really nothing to say. The tenseness that she saw in his face confirmed what she already knew.
Last night had been fun, but now was a time for business.
The day of the Landsmeet had come.
IOI
Alim's plan for getting them all to the Landsmeet safely went off mainly without a hitch.
Eamon and Fergus left first, accompanied in a carriage with its windows covered. The Arl still did not think that Loghain would risk an attack this close to the Landsmeet, but the wardens thought it best to take no chances. Riordan, Kally, Carver, and Wynne accompanied them, just in case Fergus found himself in the middle of a fight.
Anora left next, also in a blacked out carriage. Theron, Morrigan, Shayle, and Sten followed behind this one, with yet another company of guards. The witch was not entirely pleased with that, she did not say that she wanted to remain close to Alistair, but Alim read between the lines.
Her concern made Alistair smile, though he said nothing. Morrigan did notice his reaction however and stormed off in a huff. Declaring that she would go, but it was against her better judgment.
Alim looked at his old friend, Alistair smiled slightly.
"She still cares," he murmured, most pleased despite his issues with the witch since their break-up.
When it came time for Alistair to leave three covered carriages left Eamon's estate, under company of guards. Alim had thought it best to keep this all a bit of a shell game, and like a shell game, the prize that anyone was looking for was not in front of them.
The last three carriages were empty, with the exception of two armed guards.
Alim and Alistair had left early, even before Fergus and the Arl, their roundabout path through Denerim would take time, but if the maps that the Arl had provided them were accurate, they would reach the Landsmeet just after Queen Anora.
Alim and Bandit led the way, Seri and Zev covered them from the read. Jowan stayed close to Alistair and Leliana. His fellow mage seemed more…relaxed than he had during the mission into the Alienage, though he was clearly not pleased with having to face the Teyrn again.
At least he is not trying to run, Alim thought. At least he is attempting to be brave.
Oghren stayed close to him, the dwarf had been grinning at him since they had left, though Alim detected a bit of tension behind his eyes as well, that had been there since their fight in the Arl's palace.
"Heh," the dwarf chuckled.
"What?" Alim asked him.
"You seem ready for a fight this morning warden, good," Oghren's grin widened, "Nothing like a good tumble before a battle to get a warrior centered."
Alim smiled slightly at that.
"Leliana," he said, "Is a very passionate woman. She knows how to…relieve certain tensions."
Again the dwarf chuckled.
"So we all heard last night," he said, "Still it ain't anything Ole'Oghren hasn't heard before. Back when I was training in the warrior caste, I…"
He paused, again, he looked troubled. The dwarf frowned, his brow furrowed, as if deep in thought.
"Sod it," he growled under his breath.
Alim's ears twitched in confusion.
"What?"
Oghren snorted and shook his head.
"Thanks Warden," he grumbled.
"For what?"
Oghren's expression was serious, far more than Alim had ever seen him.
"For looking for Branka, for taking me along on this journey, for helping me with Felsi too, for that matter…"
The warden chuckled.
"Helping you impress a woman wasn't the hardest thing I've done since leaving the tower, but it was close."
The dwarf snorted with amusement.
"Kinda wish she was here," he admitted, "Would have been nice to have had a tumble with her last night. Still…even that would not have been possible if not for you."
The look that Oghren gave the elf was one of the utmost respect. To say that it surprised the warden would be an understatement.
Oghren bowed his head slightly.
"You took a drunk out of the gutters of Orzammar, and let him be a warrior again, showed him that he could be a warrior again, showed me how to let go of all the nug shit of my past, and find someone new. I'll owe you forever for that elf, just though you should know."
Alim grinned.
"Happy to be of service," he said, "But you never stopped being a warrior, you just needed to a little push."
Again the dwarf snorted.
"Just thought you needed to hear that elf. Now…let's go win this Landsmeet thing, and get to the real fight, the darkspawn need some killing."
Alim chuckled at that.
"I could not agree more."
IOI
Leliana moved close to Alim as they finally emerged in the palace district on the final leg of their trip to the Landsmeet.
Her every nerve ending seemed to tingle, she was hyper-alert. She tended to agree with her love when it came to Loghain, she did not think for one moment that the man was going to let Alistair speak before the lords without at least making one last attempt to stop him.
The guards let the wardens pass. She could see that all the carriages had made it here from the Arl's estate, they were all there, along with the other carriages and litters used by the highborn as they had made their way here. Shayle stood outside, standing sentinel not far from them. The Denerim guards gave the golem a wide berth. Not that Leliana blamed them.
The golem could be…prickly when she wanted to be.
Alim was surprised to find Fergus and Kally waiting for them, both noble and elf approached quickly.
Alim's elven ears twitched with surprise.
"What are you two doing out here?" he asked.
Kally and Fergus looked at each other.
"One of the pages gave us your message," Kally responded.
"Indeed," Fergus added, "It said you found something on the way here, that you wanted me to take it to the Arl as soon as you arrived."
Leliana's eyes narrowed.
As far as she knew, Alim had sent no message, and from her dearest's confused reaction, it was clear that he had not.
Yet the warden's confusion did not last long.
He likely drew the same conclusion that she had.
The warden frowned.
"I sent no message Fergus," he said, "Which means we likely have company inside."
The noble and his love both frowned as they looked towards the palace.
Loghain had been patient, Leliana realized.
Clearly whatever he had planned for the wardens he preferred to do it here rather than out on the road. The fact that Fergus was here also suggested another wrinkle of this particular trap.
Alim sighed.
"Come along everyone," he informed the rest of their party.
"I think Fergus' sister has prepared a little surprise party for us."
IOI
The warden and his allies made their way down the hall towards the throne room, where the Landsmeet was taking place. The guards had not taken their weapons fortunately, as a show of respect, though they did caution Alim and the others not to draw on the nobles.
They were all armed too, of course, just in case things got out of hand.
Every time they turned a corner Alim expected trouble. He noticed how empty the corridors were as they drew closer to the throne room. Fergus served as their escort, since none of the servants had appeared to guide them to where the nobles were meeting.
Again…another bad sign, Alim thought to himself.
Shayle had followed after them; the golem seemed almost giddy at the chance that they were walking into a trap.
She had not squished anything in far too long, she had commented.
She feared she was getting out practice.
Alim's brow furrowed. His heart beat a little faster in his chest as they drew closer to their goal. He could almost sense the trap, though he was not sure what it would entail.
What are you up Loghain?
Why let us get here only to…
"Warden!"
The word was spoken of with the cold authority of a single officer. Yet, it was not the voice that gave him pause and sent a chill down his spine, it was who had spoken.
The memory of his time in Fort Drakon reached out to him, and what he had suffered their came surging back.
Cauthrien stood in the center of a large receiving room. Elissa Cousland was at her side, grinning hungrily.
The door slammed shut behind them a magical barrier sprang into existence cutting off any chance of escape. One also sprang over the door in front of them, blocking anyway through.
Elissa chuckled.
"Wouldn't want the nobles hearing what was going on out here," she said with a sly grin, "No need to disturb their delicate sensibilities or deliberations."
Cauthrien said nothing; she remained focused on Alim and his allies.
Twenty palace guards emerged from behind the room's heavy pillars, that and two mages, both in Loghain employ no doubt.
Alim's ears lowered in anger.
So that was how it was going to be huh?
Fine.
He reached for his sword, but many bows rose from the ring of guards around them.
Fergus glared at his sister.
"Lissa," he growled, "Have you forgotten everything that father ever taught us about honor?"
The younger Cousland laughed.
"Honor has its place brother," she said drawing her sword, "Just not here."
Alim's eyes widened, he recognized the blade that the Cousland girl was pointing at him.
It was his.
It was spellbinder.
The noble woman gave them all a hungry look.
"Welcome to the void," she snarled.
"Traitors."