The Queen's Justice
The Queen's hand had been quickly seen to by the palace's healer. Restorative magic's were poured into all of Anora's wounds, no matter how small and insignificant. Though Anora would normally have objected to using such means to heal her most frivolous of wounds, she didn't particularly feel inclined to present herself before her court with a smattering of bruises and a thin red cut across her neck. Such marks would surely only invite spurious rumour, so she put up with the mage's work.
Unlike many, Anora was not against the use of magic in principle. However, she did find that having magic used on her was an unsettling experience. As the spells did their work, they set off what felt like a heatless fire underneath her skin. Not strictly painful in and of itself, but unnerving all the same, as though there was something strange and sentient lurking beneath. When the wounds had closed and nerves and tendons reattached, the sensation faded to nothing as soon as it appeared.
Anora had flexed her hand experimentally after the gash had been sealed and found it stiff and unresponsive. The healer had told her to gradually work her way up to normal use again and that it should heal itself fully over the course of a few days.
That annoyed the Queen somewhat. While Anora's hand was on the mend, she still required letters to be sent and missives to be answered. So she had to resort to dictation instead of using her own quill. She quickly found it to be a frustrating experience. Anora felt that her words flowed more easily through her own fingertips than through those of another.
Still, the Chantry sister who had been brought in to provide Anora's transcriptions was capable enough. She never needed the Queen to have to repeat herself and her handwriting was always immaculate. So Anora made do for the most part.
There were some matters that the Queen did not trust to the sister's ears however. Not that she doubted the sister's intentions, but she was keen to keep some of her most intimate affairs private from the Chantry.
Principally, there was the matter of her attempted assassination.
Thanks in no small part to the swift actions of Ser Cauthrien and the guards, word had not left the palace grounds of the attack – another reason for not wanting to display any signs of injury. This also gave the Queen a vital advantage in keeping news of the assassin's attack a secret.
Still, the investigation had yet to come up with a likely suspect.
"I'm sorry, your Grace." Cauthrien bowed her head low in admonishment when reporting the failure to the Queen. "We have not yet managed to find anything linking to the culprit."
Anora narrowed her eyes in a scowl, her annoyance at the lack of evidence than at Cauthrien herself. "There must be something. The Crow managed to get past all of our defences and into my private chambers, surely there must be some sort of clue."
"I'm sorry, your Grace." Cauthrien's head bowed even lower. "Rest assured, I've got men working night and day searching for clues."
Anora wasn't sure what more they could do. As loyal and capable her soldiers were as guards, they made for pretty poor investigators. If they hadn't stumbled across anything useful in the week after the attack, they were unlikely to do so now surely.
"Thank you, Cauthrien." Anora murmured, walking off towards the main hall with an indication of her hand that her bodyguard should join her. "I'd rather not have to wait for another attempt." Anora had had the guard doubled, even tripled in places. If another attack came, her next assailant would have a harder time just to get inside the palace itself.
"I assure you, your Grace, we will not let them lay a finger on you." Cauthrien declared with steely resolve.
Anora smiled gratefully but didn't otherwise respond. There was, after all, more than just one way to kill a Queen. Should she be worried for archers hidden behind every shadow, or poison in every meal?
No, Anora declared silently, I will not cower in fear.
The Queen and the knight emerged in the great hall, where she had been crowned as ruler of Ferelden and where she addressed the Landsmeet in times of national celebration and hardship. Though naturally, this was the one sort of crisis she could not count on the steadfast loyalty of her nobility. Pairs of Anora's guards stood to attention in the hall, positioned at the doors and patrolling the gantry ways above the main hall.
Her husband, Aedan stood near the centre, quietly conversing with a hooded figure. Anora narrowed her gaze cautiously, she didn't recognise the shrouded individual. The stranger appeared to be a man, judging by the lithe yet lean build. He was markedly shorter than her husband, perhaps a shy shorter than Anora herself. The Prince-Consort looked up from his conversation to notice his Queen with a smile. Anora approached with Cauthrien at her flank.
"Anora." Aedan greeted his wife with a smile before gesturing to the stranger. "Allow me to introduce an old friend of mine."
"Ah, we have had the pleasure once before, my friend." The stranger drawled, accent densely Antivan. "Though it was only for a moment."
In spite of herself, Anora found herself having to repress a grimace at the sound, though the speaker was clearly a very different person to her now deceased assailant the accent brought back unpleasant memories. Although, as she approached, the Queen could feel there was something distinctly familiar about this figure before her.
The figure bowed low, arms swept to the side in overly flamboyant fashion. "Zevran Arainai, at your service, your Majesty."
"The assassin." Anora finally remembered. At that word, she could almost feel Cauthrien tense a little at her side. This was the very same Crow who had been sent by her father to kill her now husband.
What a strange reunion, Anora thought idly.
"Ah, she remembers." Zevran cooed. He reached up to lower his hood. With honeyed hair and pointed ears now visible, there was no mistaking it. "I do love to make a lasting impression on beautiful women such as yourself, your Grace."
I bet you do, Anora thought snidely.
The assassin turned his smile to Ser Cauthrien. "And you too of course, my lady. I do have fond memories of our time together, however short it was."
"What?" Cauthrien blurted out, tone cracking, almost like a whip.
"Oh, don't you remember? Such a shame. It was the time you arrested the Prince here and his fellow warden friend. You'd bested us all in combat in this very city if I remember right, just after we'd attempted to rescue the Queen here, a Queen who turned out to need no saving in fact."
Anora couldn't resist the urge to glance at her husband after that remark. The episode saw the now Prince-Consort arrested by Ser Cauthrien and her men and thrown into the dungeons of Fort Drakon, on Anora's word. It was necessary of course, at the time, Anora could not have been seen to have been conspiring against her father in any way. Still, it was undeniably an early breach of trust in what would soon after become a royal marriage. For his part, Aedan seemed simply interested in his friend's story but gave no other emotion away.
"A pity you got the better of us." Zevran continued, sighing dramatically. "Oh well, I certainly won't complain about all the rough treatment you dealt us. That, at least, made it all worth it." The assassin winked salaciously at the knight.
For her part, Cauthrien looked like she wanted to either recoil in disgust or simply break the elf's nose. Anora noted the clenched fists at the knight's side.
"Husband," Anora began, pointedly ignoring the Crow in favour of Aedan. "What is going on?"
"Well, after the, ahem, events of other day, I thought we could use some help in getting to the bottom of our Crow problem. I wrote to Zevran here to see if he could help."
"Indeed, once I heard that my dearest and most favourite monarchs in all of Thedas were in trouble, how could I not jump to their aid?" Zevran added with a smile that somehow bordered on salaciousness.
Anora threw Zevran a quick glare before taking her husband by the arm and pulling him over to the side of the hall. The assassin and the knight didn't follow.
"What are you doing?" The Queen demanded in a quiet whisper.
"What do you mean?" Aedan asked, confused.
"He's a Crow, is he not? How do you know he isn't one of the men sent to kill me?"
"No, he isn't, I swear it. He left the Crows behind long ago."
Anora sighed but still glared at her husband. "Are you certain?"
"Absolutely, I was there when he killed one of his former colleagues."
"Your husband was most helpful in that little endeavour, if I might add." Zevran called over from the centre of the hall, still stood by Cauthiren and smiling sweetly. The knight was still glowering down at the assassin, likely only her senses of duty and pride holding back her irritation from making itself known physically.
Anora turned her head over her shoulder to regard the former Crow with another sceptical glare.
The elf sighed. "Your Majesty, if I had wanted to kill you, I wouldn't have waltzed in through the front doors by the Hero of Ferelden's side, and I certainly wouldn't have botched the job like your incompetent assassin."
"You know of the attack?" Anora asked.
"I've already told him what happened." Aedan supplied.
"Indeed, and while I do not know the identity of whoever ordered your lovely head on a silver platter, I do know that the man they chose to execute the deed was very poor indeed."
Intrigued, Anora approached Zevran once more, heels clicking sharply on the stone floor. "You have information? Anything you can share could be invaluable."
"That is why I am here, your Grace." Zevran smiled once more, sketching a flamboyant bow.
Again, Anora felt there was some undercurrent of salaciousness in his words. Was this an Antivan trait or just one unique to this Zevran?
"Watch your tone, killer." Cauthrien scowled down at the former Crow.
"Ah, my dear lady knight, I mean no offence, I assure you." Zevran crooned.
Cauthrien merely continued to glare. The animosity was obvious to everyone, but did not seem to dampen the elf's spirits.
"Very well, the man who attempted to take your life was actually not a Crow, but a former Crow, like myself. Well, no actually, that's not strictly true, he was nothing like me really. I'm certainly not as incompetent as him." Zevran chuckled.
"Explain." Anora pressed.
"Your mystery man's name was Andaro. Fairly common name as Antivan's go. As I understand it, he had a pretty standard career for your average Crow, nothing out of the ordinary, nothing spectacular, nothing exciting to woo the ladies with." The elf winked at Anora. "A few low level missions here and there, mostly in Antiva, nothing truly exciting to speak of, nothing to get the blood truly pumping or the bards singing. Then, one day he botches a job trying to take out a merchant in Antiva City. The Crows thought he'd died in the attempt, and merely sent another assassin to carry out the work properly. The Crows have a bad habit of assuming their people die without checking first you know. Oh well, their loss I guess. Especially now that I've managed to work my way through so many of their-"
"Zevran." Aedan prodded the assassin to stay on track.
"Fine, fine." Zevran relented with a theatrical sigh. "Anyway, it turns out our dear dead Andaro did in fact survive, that encounter at least. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but it seems his survival eventually came to the Crows' ears. Now, one thing you need to know about the Crows, is that they despise loose ends, when they deign to come across them of course. So, naturally another assassin was sent to make Andaro's untimely demise more permanent. Yet somehow Andaro managed to dodge the Crows' retribution long enough to flee to your delightfully brown and wet Ferelden."
Anora narrowed her glare slightly, but the former Crow carried on regardless.
"From my contacts, it appears that Andaro concocted the genius plan to get himself back into the Crow's good graces by carrying out an audacious assassination. One so grand that the Talons couldn't help but look on in awe and accept our dear Andaro back into the fold. All he needed was the right sponsor and the right target, which is what ultimately, led him to you."
"Would that even work?" Aedan asked.
Zevran scoffed. "Absolutely not. The moment he'd have set foot in Antiva, he'd have been taken prisoner and tortured to death. Even if he'd had have managed to kill your good selves and every other monarch in Thedas. The Crows are a ruthless bunch. They don't accept failure at any level."
Cauthrien frowned. "Surely he should have known that as a Crow. He doesn't sound very bright this Andaro."
"That's simply because he isn't." Zevran smiled at the knight. "Or wasn't, I suppose is more prudent to say now. I couldn't possibly guess why he thought such a bold plan would work. Perhaps the stress of evading the Crows for so long and desperation hampered his judgement, or it simply drove him mad. Who can say for sure?"
"This doesn't help us find who ordered the attack." Anora muttered, frustrated.
"Perhaps, but it does present some clues, your Grace." Zevran added.
"Please share." Anora probed impatiently.
"Well, whoever hired your man is clearly not familiar with the Crows, how they operate and how they are contacted. It seems likely Andaro was hired in an informal manner, perhaps face to face, perhaps in a tavern like how those dreadful books usually tell it. Let me tell you, they never portray anything right, such shoddy penmanship. Anyway, the Crows don't actually work like that. No, if you want the services of a Crow, you merely need send off a letter humbly requesting for the Crows, and the Crows respond with an assassin best fitted for the job at hand. Had your enemy known this, they certainly wouldn't have procured Andaro's services. Whoever your enemy is, has little experience with high stakes games of intrigue like this."
"That's something." Aedan offered, somewhat optimistic.
Anora had to resist sending him a withering glare.
Zevran continued. "Another point is that whoever wants you dead is likely to be someone from within your own borders. International assassinations of kings and queens are not unheard of, but rare enough to stand out. Such operations involve teams of assassins and double agents working together, not one lone Crow, unless he was exceptionally skilled. However, from what your husband has told me, it seems that your assassin was not too well aware of the palace, its defences and guard routines. Though that speaks of incompetence and poor planning on Andaro's part, it also suggests his employer too did not have that information to share either, so I would rule out anyone with intimate knowledge of your very fine palace."
"He was skilled enough to break into our private chambers and put a knife to my throat. If that was incompetence, I'd hate to see what a professional could accomplish." Anora scowled, inadvertently rubbing at her neck that had once been caressed by sharp steel.
Zevran regarded the Queen for a moment, expression serious. "From what you and your husband have told me of the attack, I'd wager your assassin worked on instinct above all, rather than meticulous planning. That, and likely a healthy dose of luck, which can carry you far in this line of work, but any fool can slip from shadow to shadow without being spotted. It takes extensive preparation and an extra edge to pull off a hit like this without alerting every guard in the whole palace to your presence. I think his luck ran out at the wrong moment for dear old Andaro."
Anora nodded stoutly, somewhat reassured. "Well, thank you for that."
Zevran smiled, more of a smirk. "My pleasure, your Majesty. I do so love to please a beautiful woman after all."
Anora scowled once more.
"Oh, one more thing." Zevran picked up a finger, unperturbed by the Queen's dangerous glower. "To kill a queen is no small feat. The Crows would charge a king's ransom – or queen's in this case – for such a job. There are very few people in all of Thedas who could afford such a thing. Now, even though a reckless fool like Andaro took this job on, if he had any sense about him at all he would have charged quite a hefty fee indeed, which, I would wager, is not something your average man in the street could afford."
"That still doesn't determine who it might be." Cauthrien murmured, chin in hand. "It's hard to even imagine a Ferelden wanting to murder their Queen."
"Is it?" Anora asked dubiously, before turning to Aedan. "Who can we think of that might have a desire to harm me? That might want someone else on the throne?"
Aedan narrowed his eyes in a sceptical look. "Bann Galston?"
The Queen nodded, steel in her eyes. "I think we should pay our troublesome Bann a visit."
"Anora, we don't have anything linking Galston to this."
"Does anyone else come to mind?" The Queen demanded.
"Well, no, but- Anora, this is all circumstantial. We have no solid evidence that he's involved."
"An assassin entered our home and tried to murder me, that is evidence enough I think."
"But we nothing solid to pin him as the culprit, and if-"
"And if it isn't, I will look elsewhere for the one responsible, but don't expect me to sit around idly and wait for the next attempt on my life. If he is innocent, then he has nothing to fear from me, if not, then he will suffer the consequences. Either way, I will get to the bottom of this, Aedan." The Queen declared, steel in voice and fire in eyes.
"So what do you plan to do? March an army to his estate and demand he confess?" Aedan responded with steel of his own.
Anora scoffed at the suggestion. "Of course not. We pay dear Galston a social visit and probe him for information, gauge his reaction to his Queen suddenly appearing at his front door. Then if we find anything, we can react accordingly." Anora eyed her husband carefully. "I know you've done similar things in your time so don't play all high and mighty with me, husband."
"She's very right you know." Zevran murmured as an aside to Cauthrien though clearly audible for them all to hear. "This is the just the kind of nonsense we used to get up to all the time. It's a wonder we never got killed."
Cauthrien merely scowled again at the assassin and scooted away slightly.
The elf turned a cheerful smile to his old friend. "Remember that time with those crazed cultists? The one's guarding Andraste's ashes? Ah, those were the days."
Aedan threw Zevran a glare of his own, idly remembering the discovery of mutilated corpses hidden away in the village of Haven out of sight, the cult's downfall had come swiftly after that. Still, Zevran did have a point. They'd had nothing solid to confirm their suspicions of foul play until stumbling upon that grisly discovery after breaking into someone's home. The Prince-Consort then chewed his lip, expression falling to concern.
Aedan looked to his wife again. "Are you sure about this? All we know of Galston is that he's dissatisfied with you. There's a bit of a leap between that and an attempted regicide. If you're wrong about this and accuse the wrong man, the Bannorn will be up in arms."
"I am not intending to accuse anyone of anything without solid proof. You have my word on that. This is just a … a fact finding mission." Anora replied, hoping to appease her husband's fears.
Aedan sighed. "Alright, as long as we don't falsely accuse a lord of the realm of treason, this could work." He admitted, more grudgingly so than not.
"Precisely." Anora seized on it anyway before turning to her bodyguard. "Cauthrien, please could you see to arranging our departure for Bann Galston's estate, as quick as you can." The Queen put a hand to Cauthrien's forearm before she could move. "And I trust you to be discrete."
The knight saluted crisply. "Of course, at once, your Grace." Cauthrien turned on her heel and marched away quickly.
Anora then turned to the former Crow and offered her hand. "Thank you for assistance, Zevran. You have been most helpful in this matter." It seemed oddly euphemistic to call her attempted assassination and likely treason such, but Anora had no patience to find a better term.
"Please, the pleasure was all mine." The elf smiled and took the Queen's hand, surprisingly gentle for a skilled assassin. Anora idly wondered how much blood stained those deft fingers. "If ever you have need of my services, such as if you wish to reply in kind to your enemies perhaps, I am always available to you, your Majesty." Zevran purred as he delivered a soft kiss to Anora's knuckle.
Anora smiled diplomatically as she swiftly retrieved her hand from the assassin's grip. "Thank you for the offer. However, I think I'd prefer to deal with the matter myself."
"Truly? A Queen who seeks her own justice." Zevran inclined his head slightly and turned to Aedan with a sly grin. "You've done well for yourself my friend."
xxx
The next day, the Queen and Prince-Consort had set out from Denerim. In a move that only moderately surprised Aedan, Anora had opted to don her riding gear once more and rode on horseback. Ser Cauthrien as always accompanied the royal couple, with a troop of royal guards as they galloped their way through the southern forests of the realm.
It would likely have been faster to travel by ship to Gwaren, then by horse for the short distance to Bann Galston's estate, but Anora was keen to avoid the attention the royal navy would have invariably drawn. A ship was hardly the stealthiest form of travel after all, even if it was far safer to travel aboard a heavily armed warship than it was along the open roads on horseback.
Aedan knew he shouldn't be so concerned, as small as their little traveling party was they were all more than capable of defending the Queen in a skirmish. All those present also knew what they were potentially heading into. If it did come to blows – on the road or with Galston himself – they would be ready. Between himself, Ser Cauthrien and their guards, he was certain they had enough manpower to overcome anything bandits or Galston could potentially throw at them.
Their guise for their visit was a simple one. Anora would present herself as merely making a tour of the southern lords whilst on a trip to her home town of Gwaren. Simple, plausible, unquestionable. That was the hope at least if Anora's suspicions were unfounded. Aedan remained concerned what the fall out could be if Anora accused an actually loyal lord of treason. Still, he knew his wife wasn't at all stupid, and they did have a reason to suspect the Bann, if only a slim, circumstantial one.
Even though their small numbers allowed for faster travel, the royal party's journey still took several days, keeping to well-worn roads and highways. When they stopped at inns along the way, Cauthrien would not be satisfied until she was allowed to secure lodging alone, fearful that someone untoward would recognise the Queen and cause wholly unnecessary trouble. Aedan certainly had no qualms about the idea, and neither did Anora herself. Perhaps she was simply glad of the excuse to hide her face behind her hood and not be treated with all the grandeur her title normally invited.
Still, it was strange for Aedan to see his wife and Queen huddled beneath a plain old cloak in a darkened corner of a tavern. If he didn't know Anora personally, he likely wouldn't have even looked twice at her or thought anything was out of place. Beneath the guise of a common traveller however, Aedan could still see the proud, regal standing of his Queen. It brought a smile to his face.
"What is it?" Anora's clipped question shot out from beneath the hood, quiet yet bordering on irritation.
"Nothing" Aedan held his hands up innocently. "I just would never have guessed you'd fit in so well into a typical tavern setting like this."
Anora's eyes narrowed a fraction, likely wondering whether or not she had just been insulted. "I do what I must for the sake of my kingdom."
Aedan let out a slight chuckle in response, only gaining him a deeper scowl. The Prince-Consort's eyes drifted down to the Queen's hand, no longer showing any signs of damage from the assassin's blade.
"How's your hand?"
Anora moved her other hand to gently rub her injured palm. "Better. Still not where it should be, but it will get there."
Aedan had no doubt it would, if nothing else than merely because his Queen demanded it.
"Is it hurting at all?"
"No, just … stiff." Anora murmured as she scowled down at the offending hand.
"Here, let me." Aedan reached over and gently took the Queen's hand. He was mildly surprised she didn't immediately snatch it away, though there was something of a surprised look on his wife's face. As he began to gently massage her palm with his thumbs, Anora gave a small nod in what could have been thanks.
"It shouldn't be too much further now." Anora declared, busying her eyes anywhere but towards her husband.
"I suppose you'll be glad to get back to your palace." Aedan smiled slightly as he murmured quietly, so as not to over share with any other patrons. Though there wasn't anyone to share it with in the immediate vicinity, Ser Cauthrien had seen to that. Cauthrien was poised at the corner of the bar, with the widest view of the whole room. The royal guards were separated into groups; a handful loitered close by, subtly cutting off access to the tables closest to the royal couple. Another couple lingered by the door, ready to intervene at the slightest hint of trouble. Though Aedan seriously doubted there would be any, it was a quiet night with only a handful of patrons littered throughout the tavern.
Still despite their relative isolation, Anora scowled reprehensibly. "Quiet!" She hissed.
"There's no one here, my dear wife." Aedan couldn't help but chuckle softly as he gestured to the empty tables next to them.
"The walls always have ears, dear husband." Anora snapped his familial title as though dealing sweet revenge for using hers.
Aedan seriously doubted this dingy little tavern, forgotten about to most of the world, had the capacity for spies to hide behind the wall panels. Given recent events however, he supposed he couldn't blame Anora for being overly cautious.
"Ok, it may be modest, but it's always good to get back home, isn't it dear?" Aedan asked innocently as he continued to massage her palm. He stressed the word 'modest' to emphasise he hadn't said anything that could identify them as Queen and Prince-Consort of Ferelden.
Anora's silent scowl told him she'd likely picked up on his message. "The sooner the better. Although …" She trailed off, gazing out across the tavern.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing is wrong." Anora murmured softly. "It just seems so calm here, don't you think?"
Aedan looked about the place casually. "Yes, I suppose it does."
Anora hummed under her breath, eyes hooded in thought.
"Do you wonder what it would be like to … live a quiet life like this?" Aedan worded his question carefully.
Anora let out a slight smile as she watched the watched the people mill about, drink, laugh and serve flagons of ale. "Sometimes. I am now, of course. If things were different – had gone differently – this could very well have been my life."
Aedan considered his wife carefully for a few moments. He belatedly remembered that her father Loghain had not always been one of the most prominent nobles of the land. He had been born a commoner and only through his efforts during the uprising against the Orlesian usurper King Meghren did he achieve the title of Teyrn. It was a tale that was practically legend.
Aedan silently wondered what Anora's life would be like if Loghain had have stayed as a commoner. It was strange to think about, his wife was practically born to rule. It seemed too bizarre to even consider her as a priestess, a seamstress or even a tavern wench.
"Perhaps." Aedan began with a smile. "Though if I'm any judge, you'd have reached the same heights regardless of your father's position."
Anora turned a disbelieving eye to her husband. "Don't be silly dear."
"I'm serious." Aedan cast a quick eye about to make sure they wouldn't be overheard before leaning in. "Just look at what you've become. You've become Queen in your own right, replacing the Therein line with the full support of the Landsmeet."
"I didn't have their full support, dear." Anora reminded him with a raised eyebrow.
"You still had the majority behind you. And this is when your father was born a commoner. In less than two generations, you've elevated your family to royalty. That's the stuff of legends, Anora."
Anora shook her head softly though a small smile sprouted on her lips. "You're oversimplifying, Aedan. Did you forget that my father was a war hero? Did you forget that I was Cailan's queen before ruling in my own name? The stars aligned handsomely for me before I had the chance to capitalise on them. And those events leading up to the coronations were a lot more complicated than that, as you well know. Besides, you make it sound as though I simply took the throne for myself without issue. I had to rely on a lot of help at times, from you, for one."
"Perhaps." Aedan conceded with a slight nod before his smile returned. "Though do you really think I would have supported your claim to the throne if I didn't think you would be a great queen?"
Anora appeared to stifle a smile. "Oh Aedan, If I didn't know you any better, I'd say you put together that entire little speech of yours just to deliver me that compliment."
Aedan chuckled. "Well, I'm glad you do know me better than that by now."
Anora shook her head with a fond smile before lowering her gaze to her hand that was still being massaged by Aedan's thumbs. She gently pulled it out of his grip but then laced her fingers with his, rubbing a slender thumb up the side of his hand.
"Shall we retire for the night? I daresay Cauthrien could do with a rest from watching over us like a mother hawk."
Aedan glanced over at the knight, still keeping a vigilant eye over the place. "That's probably for the best, though I'm not sure she ever rests."
Anora nodded with a slight chuckle before the royal couple got to their feet to head to their room for the night. It was a far cry from the royal palace that was for sure, but Aedan was more than comfortable with his Queen there by his side.
xxx
When they finally reached Bann Galston's estate, Aedan's eyes fell upon a rather charming home amongst mild forests. It was a fairly small manor house, more like a simple cottage that had been grown several times larger. Ivy clung to daubed walls pleasingly. Gentle puffs of smoke emanated from the chimney poking out of the thatched roof. It certainly didn't appear to be anything even remotely sinister.
"Are we sure this is the place?" Aedan asked as they dismounted.
"Absolutely." Anora replied, looking up at the house with slightly narrowed eyes.
"It's certainly much more pleasant than I was expecting."
"Don't let looks deceive you, Aedan." The Queen smiled and strode over towards the door. Aedan, Cauthrien and the guards followed on behind.
Anora rapped on the door three times. In short order, the door creaked open and the smartly dressed figure of a man appeared. The man's eyes widened upon recognising his royal guests. Aedan's initial thought was that this must be Galston, but no, most likely a man servant. Lord's seldom answered their own doors. The man seemed in shock, he stood frozen, seemingly unable to say or do anything.
"Good afternoon to you, my good man." Anora smiled sweetly. "Is the Lord of the house in?"
"Your Majesty!" The man fell to his knees all at once. "Your Grace, he is, I- I shall fetch him at once!"
"That would be splendid, thank you."
The man returned to his feet a little unsteadily, he nodded twice, appearing to be in a daze. Then, he shut the door in their faces. Hurried footsteps told of his hasty retreat to find his master.
"Insolent cur!" Cauthrien swore.
"Relax, Cauthrien." Anora turned to put a hand on her bodyguard's sword arm before she could think to use it. "I doubt they are used to royal visits out of the blue like this."
Cauthrien shook her head in disgust but kept her blade sheathed, for now at least.
"The man was dumbstruck." Aedan agreed with a slight smirk. "Has something like this ever happened before?" Aedan asked his wife, curious.
Anora inclined her head to the side in thought, smiling slightly. "Once, when I visited Lothering with Cailan a long time ago, it wasn't too long after we married. A young elven maid answered the door to the Lord's household to find the King and Queen on her doorstep. Poor girl was terrified. I'm certain we heard her trip into something after she slammed the door shut." Then Anora's face fell to concern. "Maker, I wonder what happened to her?"
Aedan thought back to his own time in Lothering, shortly before the Blight overran the town. It was bordering on chaos as people made to flee for their lives with whatever worldly possessions they could carry. Lothering was still recovering to this day, as were so many small settlements that found themselves in the Blight's path. He didn't wish to dwell on the all the darker possibilities.
"Well, it'll be interesting to finally meet our elusive Bann." The Prince-Consort murmured.
Anora chuckled quietly. "Prepare to be disappointed."
It wasn't long before they heard more footsteps approaching the door once more, accompanied by what sounded like hushed remonstrations, though Aedan couldn't make out the words. The door opened once more to reveal a new figure, this one surely Bann Galston. The Bann had an unusually broad forehead and a high hairline that seemed to draw Aedan's attention to it over his unassuming, moustachioed face. Other than that, he seemed to be in decent shape, probably used to a lot of regular exercise what with the woods literally on his doorstep.
Anora smiled diplomatically. "Bann Galston, a pleasure to see you again."
The Bann's mouth flapped open a few times before he managed to find his words. "Your- Your Majesty. I- This is a most, erm, pleasant surprise." Galston broke into a chuckle that was surely forced. "I wasn't expecting a royal visit."
"Yes, my humble apologies for dropping in like this unannounced." Anora murmured innocently as she absently removed her riding gloves. "We won't overstay our welcome, I assure you. My lord husband and I were just on our way to Gwaren when we thought we'd just pay you a quick visit, see how you were doing these days."
"Oh, of- of course, your Grace. That is most kind of you." Galston dabbed at his broad forehead with a handkerchief. "I am glad to report that I am in good health." Another monotone chuckle. "Are you, your Grace? Well, that is?"
"Quite well, thank you, Lord." Anora smiled. "Though we've been confined to the saddle for much of the day, so I dare say a rest would be much appreciated."
It took Galston nearly three whole seconds to register the hint.
"Oh! Please forgive my negligence, your Grace. Please, please come in." He stepped aside of the door and beckoned the royal party inside with a flourish.
"Thank you, my Lord, that is most kind of you." Anora nodded demurely, before turning her gaze Aedan's way and throwing him a quick look when the Bann's back was turned.
Aedan was certain it read along the lines of: he's guilty as sin.
Aedan didn't allow himself to smile so soon. He crossed the threshold behind his wife and cast his gaze about the isolated country home. It certainly didn't look like the den of a rebel leader. It was a rather quaint holding, with little in the way of the grand trappings that normally accompany members of the nobility. Modest portraits of the countryside and surly looking ancestors surely of Galston's line dotted the walls. The most striking piece was an ancient looking sword that stood in pride of place over the fire on the mantelpiece. It was a far cry from the proud décor of the royal palace or Aedan's old home in Highever that was certain.
Galston swiftly ordered a nearby servant to fetch wine – the same one who had slammed the door in their faces a few minutes ago, the man looking distinctly chastised – and offered the head of the table to his Queen. Anora took it with a smile, Aedan taking the seat at her side. Cauthrien stood at Anora's shoulder on her other side, pointedly moving into Galston's personal space until he got the hint and retreated away from the Queen's immediate presence. The royal guards quietly filtered into the hall and positioned themselves at the doors around the room, subtly cutting off any form of escape.
"Please, please, help yourselves." Galston gestured to the wine goblets as they were hastily filled. "What's mine is yours, your Grace."
"That is most kind of you, my Lord. Rest assured, we will not drink you out of hearth and home." Anora graciously made to take a sip of her wine.
Cauthrien's hand shot to the goblet before it could reach the Queen's lips. "Your Grace!" She protested before leaning in to whisper. "Please, we really should have it tested beforehand."
"Nonsense, Cauthrien." Anora smiled at her bodyguard. "I am sure there's nothing to be worried about. Isn't that right Galston?"
Aedan narrowed his eyes slightly, wondering just what his wife was up to. Although, while he completely understood Cauthrien's reticence, he couldn't imagine Galston had the time to poison the wine in the short while it had taken for the servant to alert him of their presence and now. Unless he had a poisoned cask on hand at all times for just such an eventuality of course, but the Bann's nervous disposition strongly implied he wasn't capable of such forethought. He certainly hadn't expected a visit from his Queen.
"Of- Of course my liege." Galston smiled. "But, by all means, if it puts the lady knight's mind at ease, allow me to take the first sip." He offered his hand out to accept the goblet himself.
"That is most gracious of you, my Lord." Anora reached over and handed the charged goblet to the Bann.
Galston took the wine and took a small sip under everyone's watchful gaze. He brought the goblet down from his lips and waited a few moments, handing it back over to the Queen with a smile when it was readily apparent he wasn't about to expire on the spot.
Anora glanced up at her bodyguard. "You see, Ser Cauthrien? Bann Galston is surely harmless."
Not that he disapproved, but Aedan thought that was quite a rich thing to say when the Queen had the Bann surrounded by nearly a dozen armed men and women, each ready to draw sword and blood at a moment's notice for their queen. Galston didn't even appear to have a weapon at hand. If it did come to blows, he'd be hard pressed to even reach the blade above the mantelpiece before being cut to shreds. Galston's only potential ally in the room was the man servant who was seemingly not too adept at wielding a wine pitcher without shaking nervously.
"Alas, I fear your Majesty is quite correct." Galston chuckled at his own expense. "I sorely lack the skill of subterfuge."
"It is a skill grossly overrated, I'm sure." Anora smiled before indicating towards her husband. "My apologies, my Lord, I do not believe you've had the chance to be properly introduced to my lord husband, the Prince-Consort."
Galston looked towards Aedan, his smile seemingly genuine. "Alas, I have not had the pleasure, but surely you need no introduction, my Lord."
"The pleasure is mine, Bann Galston." Aedan offered his hand with a well-practiced smile of his own. The Bann took the hand that was offered and shook it with perhaps a little too much vigour.
"Your exploits during the Blight are something of legend." Galston enthused. "It truly is a pleasure to have you here in my humble home."
"We thank you for having us." Aedan replied. He idly noted the difference in how Galston treated the Prince-Consort as compared to his Queen.
"How are you finding the South, my Lord?" Galston asked conversationally.
"Most delightful." Aedan smiled. "It will be a pleasure to finally see my wife's childhood home for myself. I hear only good things."
Anora smiled. "Gwaren was indeed a wonderful home to me, though as I keep saying to my lord husband, it is a world of difference to Denerim. It's not nearly as lively as the capital."
"I'm sure I will love it all the same." Aedan smiled warmly. "It will be a nice change from the crowds and chaos of Denerim."
"The capital can be almost overwhelmingly busy at times, that is true. There are so many varied people about, who come from all over the world. Some of them must be seen to be believed." Anora took another sip of her wine. She looked to her husband, expression furrowed in thought. "What was the name of that fellow who appeared at court the other day, dear?"
Aedan had to fight to keep himself from rolling his eyes. Such an obvious ploy surely wouldn't generate a reaction from the Bann.
"Which one, dear?" The Prince-Consort played along anyway with a smile.
"Oh, you know, that Antivan fellow, the one who looked to be covered in scars from head to toe."
"Ah." Aedan turned back to Galston, narrowing his eyes slightly in feigned thought, tapping his finger on the table. For his part, Galston merely regarded the royal couple with vague interest as he reached for his goblet of wine. "I remember now. He had such a strong accent, didn't he?"
"That's the one, unmistakable."
"It was something fairly non-descript, I think. Did it begin with an A? Alder? Almer? Almaro?"
"Andaro!" Anora smiled, raising head and hand in a good impression of having found the 'elusive' answer.
There was a slight spluttering sound as Galston choked suddenly on his wine.
All eyes turned on the Bann for a long moment.
"Is everything alright, my Lord?" Anora asked innocently.
"My apologies." Galston began with a somewhat strained smile as he dabbed his mouth dry. "A little- went down the wrong way." He attempted to laugh it off. Was he a shade paler than a moment before?
Aedan was sorely tempted to glare at his wife. How in all of Thedas had that worked?
The Prince-Consort glanced around the room. The guards kept their faces neutral. For her part, Cauthrien seemed to be doing her very best to glare Galston into a full confession.
Anora turned back to her husband. "Andaro, that was the name. He was an interesting fellow, wasn't he? Quite the conversationalist, he had such wonderful tales of his homeland. We should really pay Antiva a visit sometime, the man made it sound such a wonderful place." Anora tilted her head slightly as she aimed a quizzical expression at Galston. "I don't suppose you've had the pleasure of making Lord Andaro's acquaintance my Lord?"
"I … don't believe I've had the pleasure." Galston smiled through gritted teeth.
"A pity, we must introduce you sometime, he is quite the man to behold. Though I must confess, with all his scars and that rugged appearance, I mistook him at first glance for an Antivan Crow of all things." The Queen chuckled lightly at the mere notion.
Galston was now wiping the sweat from his brow, complexion decidedly unwell.
"I very nearly had Ser Cauthrien here arrest the poor man on sight." Anora casually indicated her bodyguard.
Galston glanced up at Cauthrien.
The knight's scowl was a force unto itself.
The Bann swallowed thickly.
"Ah, forgive me." Anora begged the room at large. "That was such a distasteful assumption to make of a foreign dignitary, particularly one who has travelled so far to be a guest in our halls. Wouldn't you agree, Bann Galston?"
"Wh- Why yes, of course, yo- your Grace." The Bann stuttered without grace.
"Thankfully, for our dear Andaro, I saw fit to be merciful, didn't I, dear?"
Aedan leaned forward slightly with a thinly veiled smile of his own. "Indeed, as I said to my wife at the time, 'why would anyone ever send an assassin to our doorstep'?"
"Why indeed." Anora murmured, voice low and dark, not taking her gaze from Galston.
Galston's eyes jumped between the glares of Queen and Prince-Consort for a long, excruciating moment before throwing his hands up on the table and remonstrating before them. "Your Majesties! Please! I beg for mercy!"
The guards immediately moved forward a pace or two, the shrill scrape of swords freeing from their scabbards echoed around as they brought weapons to bear, ready to immediately enact the Queen's will if commanded.
Cauthrien put a hand to her sword hilt but kept it sheathed.
For his part, the man servant stood there shaking with the wine pitcher. The poor man looked terrified and confused. A pair of guards had now flanked him with weapons at the ready, but surely he posed no real threat.
Anora closed her eyes and breathed deep through her nose for a long moment. When she opened her gaze again, she glared with such ferocity it was a wonder Galston didn't wither away under the sheer force of it.
"Why Galston?" Anora murmured quietly, but her voice cut easily through the quiet tension of the house. "Why betray me, your queen, like this?"
"I- Please, your Grace, have mercy on me!"
"I cannot give mercy for something I do not understand." Anor spat. "So for your sake, you'd better explain yourself, quickly."
Galston lifted his head from behind his hands, he nervously licked his lips. "I- I only wished to ... to return the crown to the Therein line, the true Therein line."
That took Aedan by surprise. He had expected simple misogyny or military reasons to be at the top of the list for Galston's betrayal. While Anora still held Therein as her family name, she was of course not a descendant of that fabled bloodline. Her successors will not share the same blood as Maric, Moira and Calenhad. The Prince-Consort glanced at his Queen. Anora let nothing through her scowling visage.
"The Therein line?" Anora almost snorted. "Surely you're aware that the Therein line is over?"
"No, not so, your Majesty." Galston picked his head up a little higher, there was something bordering defiance in his eyes, even though he still looked on the verge of passing out. He looked into Aedan's eyes. "There is one who still lives, and you know him well, Lord."
"Alistair." Aedan murmured.
"The very same, the friend you betrayed." Galston narrowed his eyes accusingly.
Aedan scoffed. "If you've come to know of Alistair's lineage, surely you must also know that he walked away from it. He never wanted the crown, believe me, I know."
"A betrayal is still a betrayal, Lord." Galston seemed to be taking strength from his boldness, his face returning to colour. "Alistair would have taken his rightful place on the throne had it not been stolen from him!"
"Absurd!" Cauthrien spat. "You speak treason, Bann Galston."
"Do I?" Galston demanded of the knight. "The true King Alistair only walked aside to save us from another brutal civil war, with the Blight looming over us all no less. Without his sacrifice, the kingdom would have been destroyed by our infighting! We would have been powerless to stop the darkspawn hordes! But now the Blight is over, King Alistair can finally take what is his by right!"
"And how did you expect your master plan to play out, Galston?" Aedan asked with scorn. "You can't expect us to believe that Alistair was in any way involved in this plot."
Galston lowered his gaze slightly. "No I … I have not had the pleasure of meeting his Grace." Then, his resolve returned. "But he is still the rightful heir. With the throne empty, he would see fit to return to us, wherever he is now. When he finally retakes the throne, he will thank me for my efforts!"
Aedan had his doubts. He hadn't had much contact with Alistair since the end of the Blight. The man who would be king had opted to stay with the Grey Wardens. There was never any animosity between the two over Aedan joining forces with Anora. Alistair had never wanted the throne after all. Still, Aedan did wonder sometimes if Alistair did indeed harbour some resentment. He wagered that there weren't many men who could turn away from the chance to be king without regret.
"Who else is involved in this conspiracy?" Aedan demanded, shaking his mind free of his ponderings.
Galston stayed quiet, opting only to sneer.
"Answer the question!" Cauthrien barked, pacing over to slam the table in front of the Bann. She raised her fist again, ready to strike flesh instead of wood.
"No one!" Galston finally blurted out. "No one else was involved, but only because they all feared taking action! Cowards, the lot of them!"
Aedan leaned back in his seat slightly. He wasn't sure what to make of that. Everything they'd learned didn't peg this as a large scale revolt in the making, but if there were other lords of the realm secretly harbouring resentment against the supposed 'deposition' of the Therein bloodline, were there other conspiracies in the making? Other threats still to show themselves?
"I'd hoped they'd finally grow a bit of backbone once the deed was done." Galston carried on unperturbed. "When the usurpers are removed, the true King will return and they will all see. The Therein bloodline will be restored!"
"You know nothing of which you speak." Aedan shook his head dismissively. "You're nothing but an arrogant fool."
Galston scoffed. "Perhaps I am, but you're little more than an opportunist who conspired to steal the throne away from the true King, all for a barren bitch of a queen who has less of a right to rule than you do!"
Aedan made to stand, slamming his hands on the table, face twisted in rage. The sudden motion made Bann Galston flinch even, but his defiant glare held. Aedan was stopped from acting any further by the slightest of touches on his forearm from Anora. The Queen didn't say anything, she didn't need to. Aedan breathed deep for a few moments, containing his anger, before resuming his seat.
Anora's eyes had never left Galston. She hadn't said anything through much of the exchange but her presence was felt by all. "I must confess, Bann Galston, I was not certain of your guilt before our arrival here today, until you made it so patently obvious that is. Nor did I expect you to fold under pressure quite so easily." Anora murmured, deceptively calm.
Galston merely glared back at the Queen but held his tongue.
"I'm sure you're aware that in your attempt to take my life, you have committed treason against Ferelden and her Queen? You have forsaken your oaths of allegiance and made yourself a traitor."
Galston swallowed thickly, but held his chin up. "The only crimes I am guilty of are against you, your Grace." The word was sneered more than said. "I am forever loyal to Ferelden, and her true King."
"Loyal?" Anora asked quietly, her tone taking a razor edge, her glare growing more furious by the second. "You betray me, you attempt to have your rightful queen murdered, and you dare speak to me of loyalty?"
For his part, Galston held his tongue, his defiant glare faltered.
"If that is what you consider to be loyalty, Galston, you can choke on it. I cannot speak for Alistair or any other, but know that I do not suffer traitors gladly." Anora words were merely a murmur, but the sheer ferocity behind them demanded the room's attention.
Galston held his head high despite his position, but sweat dribbled down his temples.
"Bann Tobias Galston, I hereby strip you of all ranks and titles, you will be placed under arrest until such a time that I pass final judgement for your crimes. Take him away." Anora gestured to the door dismissively.
The guards moved to obey. Galston only offered enough token resistance to keep his defiant glare on Anora as he was escorted towards the door.
"Wait a moment." Anora ordered her soldiers before they could carry the former Bann over the threshold. "For my own curiosity's sake, how much was my head worth to you, in the tangible?"
Galston blinked once. "Near ten thousand sovereigns." He murmured in dismay, voice dry and cracked, perhaps the realities of how much he had just lost were sinking in.
"Truly?" Anora quirked an intrigued eyebrow before picking up her goblet once more. "I'm not too familiar with the costs of such things, but I dare say you brokered a very poor deal there." The Queen took a hearty draught of wine.
Galston's glare did not reach the heights it had before as he was taken away in disgrace.
Anora let out a sigh. She cast her gaze around and found the man servant.
"Here." The Queen beckoned the man with an impatient gesture from her fingers.
The servant cautiously approached the table, probably wary that he'd be lambasted for his now former master's crimes. Anora however, merely reached for the wine pitcher and snatched it from the man servant's hands. The Queen duly refilled her goblet and took another drink.
"I must say, that was very impressive." Aedan murmured with a slight nod.
Anora levelled an almost incredulous look at her husband. The lingering anger in her eyes almost had Aedan flinching. "You think only men can drink? For someone who's travelled the length and breadth of the country, you have an awfully limited experience, husband."
"No, that's not what I meant." The Prince-Consort chanced a smile, pleased when Anora didn't respond with fire. "I meant, well, everything just now in getting him to confess like that."
"Oh, that. Well, you saw just how easy it was to get under his skin." Anora murmured dismissively. "Galston was never the most astute in politics, nor in hiding his true thoughts and feelings. It's not surprising to find him in well over his head."
"Still, that was very well done, your Grace." Cauthrien offered.
"Well, thank you both for your aid. I daresay you both made it easier." Anora didn't smile.
"Are you alright?" Aedan probed gently.
"Of course, I'm just disappointed, and tired, it's been a long day." She finished the last of the wine in her goblet and made to stand. "Come, I have no wish to linger any longer. Let us carry on to Gwaren."
xxx
The royal party moved on shortly after. The former Bann Galston's estate was left in the care of the now former Bann Galston's man servant for the time being. The man looked just as stunned when the horses rode off as he had when he had met them on the manor's doorstep.
Anora was glad to leave the charming little estate behind her. The Queen loathed traitors. It wasn't just the damage they could do with your trust, it was the damage to that trust that hurt the most. Galston was hardly a confidante with access to Anora's most private affairs of course, but he was still a noble Anora had expected she could rely upon in times of war and hardship. It made Anora question herself and her court. Who could she place that trust in? Who could she rely on? She was no fool, she knew that the trust of her nobles could be fickle when times were hard, when the wind blew in a certain direction, but to have one attempt to assassinate her without warning? That was another matter entirely.
It wasn't too long before the familiar old walls of Gwaren crested over the road. The sea stretched out beyond the city towards the horizon and the sound of seagulls cawed into the air. Anora breathed deep the sea air, the salt burning her nose slightly in an all too familiar sensation. It was a strangely comforting feeling, and despite the worries whirling around her mind the Queen felt a smile tug at her lips.
There was no ceremony or herald for their arrival. Anora was glad for the lack of fanfare for once, but the guards on the gate made as a good an effort as they could muster on such short notice. One guard shouted out the Queen's arrival and a guard of honour was hastily prepared, two short rows of men flanking Anora's entry to the town. The small number of town's folk who happened to witness their Queen's arrival gawked and gossiped as the former Bann was hauled into the town's jail.
The interest died down soon enough though, and the people gradually returned to their business.
"Today was a good day, don't you think?" The Prince-Consort spoke quietly as he rode alongside the Queen.
"Perhaps." Anora murmured without any enthusiasm.
Aedan looked to his wife. "Come on, we discovered who was plotting against you and you've dealt with them. That's one less threat in the world."
Anora was not reassured. "We were lucky, Aedan, today and with the attack. Lucky that Galston was a fool, and that the assassin was incompetent. If either had been better than they were, things could have very easily turned out differently."
"Don't think that way Anora." Aedan murmured. Anora was sure he would be reaching out to place a reassuring hand on her arm were they not surrounded by curious, watchful eyes, so he made do with his words instead. "You're safe now, that's what matters most. I swear I won't let anything else happen to you."
Anora turned to face him, almost rolling her eyes at her husband's naiveté. He was a warrior and a soldier at heart. To him, everything could be met with strength and steel in arm and will. Anora knew better, she knew full well that no matter how well you prepared, no matter what precautions you took, there was always that one chance everything could go wrong, and just one slip could be all it needed. It could all go wrong even if you did everything right. Looking into Aedan's eyes however, Anora could only smile slightly at the determined promise she read there. What a sweet fool her husband was.
The royal party carried on towards the manor the Queen had spent her early years in. It was very much just as she'd remembered.
Before retiring for the day, Anora was determined to fulfil one final duty.
"Aedan." Anora turned to her husband after they dismounted their horses. "Would you accompany me for a while?"
Aedan smiled. "Of course. Although, you're not planning any more arrests are you?"
The Queen's lips twitched in mild amusement. "I certainly hope not, no. I would just … appreciate your company for a time."
Aedan smiled and nodded.
The Queen led the Prince-Consort out of the city proper. They managed to shake free of an escort for once, Cauthrien protested as usual, but she was somewhat happier to let the Queen have her freedom now that the traitor had been apprehended. The few towns' folk they walked upon bowed low and smiled wide at the mere sight of their queen. Anora smiled warmly at each of them and bade they rise. These people were hers before she had become queen to the entire kingdom.
Before long, the royal couple found themselves climbing a hill overlooking the town. Small peaks of stone stood in uniform rows in a walled garden. Many names were etched among them, but Anora didn't need to search for the one's she sought out.
A small bouquet of flowers lay at the foot of her mother's gravestone, while her father's stood bare. Though both her parents had been cremated as befitting Chantry custom, the two gravestones stood as solemn markers in their memory. Anora breathed a slight sigh of relief to see her father's gravestone was left unmolested. Anora was never sure if it was out of lingering respect for her father, for the Queen herself or simply out of common respect for the dead. Whatever the reason, Anora always said a quiet prayer to the Maker.
Anora felt fingers lace with hers and give them a warm, comforting squeeze.
"Thank you, for being with me." Anora murmured quietly as she gazed at the graves.
"Of course." Aedan said quietly. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I am." Anora smiled. "Forgive me, but- I'm honestly not sure what he would make of you being here with me now."
Aedan swallowed thickly. "I can leave if you-"
"No. Please, stay." Anora's hand clenched tighter around his. "For me, not for him. There's nothing more anyone can do for him now."
Aedan was silent for a moment. "I'm here with you, as long as you need." He promised.
"I know you are. Thank you." Anora whispered with a slight smile. Then, she chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't ask you to eulogise. I know you probably don't have anything positive to say about him."
"Well, he raised you didn't he? For that I will be forever thankful to him." Aedan murmured softly.
Anora turned her head slowly to stare at her husband.
Aedan swallowed thickly. "Sorry, I get it. Shutting up now."
"What? Aedan, no- you-" Anora broke off and let out a small chuckle. She shook her head and reached up to press a soft kiss to her husband's cheek. "You can be such a fool, dear."
Aedan merely smiled a little awkwardly, clearly unsure of what to say.
Anora looked back to the grave before nodding slightly. "I think … he would be happy for me." Then she looked to her husband with a warm smile. "I know I am."
Aedan smiled back. "I'm glad you feel that way."
Anora smile lingered on her husband a little more before turning back to the grave markers. She breathed deep the frigid afternoon air with a slight, warm smile. A bracing cold wind gust through the graveyard and chilled them both. She stood a little closer to Aedan, placing a hand on his chest as he wound his cloak around the pair of them for warmth.
"Come." The Queen said quietly after a while gazing at the markers in contemplation. "Let us return, it's been quite a day, hasn't it?"
Aedan nodded in agreement with a slight smile. He kept an arm around his wife as they started the walk back down the hill to Gwaren. Anora leant into the contact and felt all at once at peace.