Chapter 81) Denerim

Layla POV


"Welcome back, Lady Revka, Lady Layla." I giggled and waved at the servants as Mommy and I walked inside the estate. I loved coming home. Everyone always took the time to come greet us! "Did you have a good day?"

"Yeah!" I chirped, beaming and waving. "I got to talk to Uncle Gamlen today! He's suuuuper nice!"

"We're glad to hear that, Lady Layla."


Denerim was the heat and soul of Fereldan, city of King Calenhad, as stubborn as a mabari and as good to have on your side. That is how Nuada explained Denerim to the others as we made our way to Arl Eamon's estate. Well, it was more that he led us there, and then popped over to the Cousland Estate to see whether or not his brother and nephew were in town yet. I think he was trying to avoid my complaints about how he actually did act as Oghren's wingman.

"I can't believe how well it worked!" Alistair laughed as we walked inside the estate. Numerous servants bowed to us as we passed, though I saw them give us strange looks. Shale bore the brunt of them, though she did not seem to mind one bit. "Felsi seemed to be looking forward to seeing you again, Oghren, you stud."

"I've still got it!" Oghren chuckled. He did seem a lot happier. There was a linger sorrow to him, but I noticed he did not drink quite as much. Though, that was not saying much. Just yesterday, he had drunkenly confused Nuada for some pretty maiden and hit on her. Of course, Nuada playing along had not helped matters one bit. "So, this Landsmeet thing." Oh, yes, Oghren and Shale had not joined us when we set up all the plans. "Just tell me why it's important."

"It is the best way to defeat Loghain," Wynne explained. She eyed the windows carefully for some reason. "Spots. There are spots on the windows." Ah. "Regardless, we need soldiers, and Loghain to pay for Ostagar." I would just be happy if he stopped opposing us. "The Landsmeet forces him to confront us openly."

"Yeah, but has he really done anything?"

"He is the reason why there are so few of us running around for alliances."

"And he somehow poses a threat still?"

"Well, perhaps not now. That's the point. This is the moment we've been working for." Yes, we had. The rumors in the market favored us highly. 'Oathbreaker' was on many lips. So long as we did not purposely antagonize potential allies, we should be fine. I hope. "Ah, there are Aiden and Cleon." Ah!

"Hey, everyone!" Aiden greeted warmly. He held his arms out for a hug, and I bolted to be the first one. "Welcome! You're later than expected. We got worried."

"We made a detour for Oghren," I explained, popping back so I could hug Cleon. I noticed he clung, and peered at his face worriedly. His slight, small smile told me 'later', so I simply nodded, and smiled warmly back. "Nuada went to visit the Cousland Estate."

"Lady Elspeth did the same." That made sense. "Regardless, again, welcome to the Redcliffe Estate or whatever the official name is called. We're 'honored guests', so expect lots of badgering from servants."

Cleon waved to catch our attention, and grinned as he signed, 'they have already asked Morrigan, twice, if she wanted clothes, since they think she is running around in her underwear.' Even Shale managed a chuckle for that. 'So, we should we showing you all to your rooms, but Aiden and I were on our way to talk to Eamon.'

"Oh, I can lead everyone," Alistair volunteered, waving his hand. "I used to live here, sort of. I slept in the kennels." What?! "But I still know the place, mostly. Unless I'm needed?"

'You should be fine this time.' Cleon gave him a serious look, though, and Alistair returned it with a smile. Cleon slowly smiled back. 'We are stealing Layla though'.

"No, I am stealing you!" I laughingly declared, snagging both of their arms and dragging them off. Wynne and Oghren laughed as we disappeared down the hallway. "So, which way are we going?"

"This way, Mistress Layla," Aiden answered. He gave me a warm smile. "Good to see you."

"It is wonderful to see you two again too. Nuada found out something from Flemeth at Ostagar."

"We found out a bit too." Aiden and Cleon exchanged an exasperated look. Something told me the adventure at the Keep had been much more 'adventurous' than anticipated. "We'll exchange stories later, when Lord Nuada is back."

'For now, we will see what Eamon has to say,' Cleon signed, hooking his arm with mine. 'We have a Landsmeet to prepare for.' Yes, we did. I was ready for it.


Eamon had given me a warm, kind smile when he realized I was here, and had politely asked if I wanted to wait a bit before chatting business. It was only after I reassured him, multiple times, that I was more than fine enough for simply talking that he led the discussion. It was basically going over, again, what the base plan was for the Landsmeet, with him wanting clarification on what our group, minus Nuada, Elspeth, and Alistair, were going to do.

The discussion, however, abruptly stopped with the crashing of the doors. We all turned to it, and saw two people walk in, a third guarding the open door. I vaguely remembered her from Ostagar, as Loghain's right hand, but all my attention was on the two walking for us. Loghain and Howe.

Loghain. I had not seen him since Ostagar. Back then, he had been intimidating, yet reassuring, someone who had taken time to ease my nerves. Now, he seemed almost… small. After everything I had seen, he was just a man. He was just a human man with some martial prowess. I could almost laugh at how… unthreatened I felt.

I felt the same about Howe. When I last saw him, I had been so flabberghasted. How could someone betray his friend? How could someone laugh and joke with the family, looking into their eyes and knowing they would be dead? But now, he just seemed… he just seemed to be a man. He was a pathetic man who could only attain victory through ambush.

What were these two, compared to everything I faced? This Landsmeet was ours.

"This is an honor," Eamon greeted slowly. His smile was kind, gentle even. It was almost as if Eamon did not know Loghain had tried to have him killed. "The Regent himself would find time to visit me personally?" Automatically, I started signing for Cleon so that he could keep up. "I'm sure you must be busy."

"How could I not welcome a man so important as to call ever lord in Fereldan from his estates while a Blight claws at our lands?" Loghain immediately replied. I exchanged a look with Cleon and Aiden, rolling my eyes. Now he was paying attention to the Blight. We had only been fighting it by ourselves for Maker knows how long.

"The Blight is exactly why I have called it. With Cailan dead, Fereldan must have a king to dead it against the darkspawn."

"Fereldan has a stronger leader: its queen."

"Fereldan has a Regent, with the supposedly strong queen nowhere to be found," Aiden deadpanned. Loghain looked startled, and Aiden gave him a look. "You can push forward Anora all you like-"

"Queen to you-"

"I am the leader of the Wardens, a group your decision annihilated, and I will address anyone as I see fit, Loghain." Loghain looked so startled, and it took me a moment to realize why. He had not realized how much we had all changed. He was expecting a meek city elf, not a battle-hardened commander. "Regardless, you can push her all you like, but whether you intend to or not, your actions have damaged her credibility." I glanced at Cleon, making sure he was still following, and he nodded. The sudden interruptions had not been enough to throw him off this time. "She might still be loved, but even in the distant villages, the people wonder if there should be a new ruler, since in this time of crisis, she has done nothing, but let you, and your talking ass of a right hand, take over and run the country into the ground."

"This is why we had to cull the herd in the Alienage, my lord," Howe sighed. He sneered at us. "They start thinking they're people."

Aiden's eyes glinted as he smiled politely. "Oh, are we going with threats now?" The air was heavy with tension, and I wondered if a fight was going to break out right here and now. "Then let me give you a better one. I killed a lord in his home and slaughtered all of his guards in retaliation for the kidnapping of my bride and my friends, and for the rape of my cousin. All prior to becoming a Warden. You might be a veteran, but even under the armor, I can see the belly the years have put on you, and I can see how you strain to maintain any sort of fighting prowess. I think you can guess how quickly a fight between you and I would end, especially since you just implied you have actively attacked and killed people I have grown up with."

"If that is the case, then why has your little mage not cast a single spell?" What was he…? "Too scared? I recall stories of how she shook at Ostagar." Oh, I knew what was going on now.

"It is sign language," I answered coolly. I smiled softly. "Cleon lost his hearing while we were securing our alliance with the Dalish Elves, so we are translating your words for him." I felt my smile stiffen. "I could cast a spell if you would like, but considering how much I hate you, I highly doubt you will survive the experience." Perhaps that was a little blunt? I was getting some odd looks, but Cleon was beaming at me, so maybe it had not been. "We can also translate verbally for Cleon, but I think he likes you two even less, so you would be barraged with his cutting wit." Cleon hid a smile behind his hand. He was definitely enjoying this.

"Oh, dear, Uncle Loghain, Uncle Rendon, what ever did you two say to rile Layla's temper?" A gently chiding voice shattered the tension. Confused, I looked to the door and saw Elspeth and Nuada walking in. The lady guarding the door bowed to them both, and had not even bothered to bar them. "Eamon, you should have told us you were expecting guests," Elspeth continued. She had a warm smile on her face. "Nuada and I would have returned sooner to help you prepare. Uncle Rendon's joints are hurting him, so perhaps some special teas?"

"It looks like Uncle Loghain could use some as well, based on how ashen he looks," Nuada added, with a bright, bright smile. I exchanged a look with Aiden and Cleon, and got only shrugs in reply. Well, it seems whatever was going on, they had not told anyone what the plan was. How unsurprising. "Uncle Loghain? You look like someone hit you in the head."

"Nuada, what in Andraste's name did you do to your eyes?" Loghain breathed. His eyes were wide and he actually looked genuinely concerned. "The clouded… but the silver…?"

"Oh, it's just the dangerous of demons and dragons, respectively. Don't fret so much, Uncle Loghain! Despite the injury, I am an even stronger warrior than before, thanks to my friends." He slid to my side, and kissed my temple. "Besides, I have to show of to the lady love." I swatted at his shoulder, barely checking the urge to giggle, and he grinned. "Scale of one to ten, Cleon, how much do you want to kill me now?" Cleon immediately held up 'nine'. "Oh, is it just nine? Alack, alay! However will I live knowing that I am not a perfect ten!"

"Please, forgive his antics. We just got back from talking to Fergus," Elspeth laughed. "He encourages him so much." She stood next to Aiden, still smiling warmly. I finally thought to look to Eamon, and noticed he just looked amused. "Highever's recovery is going wonderfully, by the way. Sadly, it seems like Thomas didn't know a thing about ruling the place, but with most of the damages done, it's almost as if he were never there at all." I saw Howe clench his jaw. He was mad. "But here we are just babbling in the foyer. I really should be offering you some tea."

"What a good opportunity to poison us," Howe growled. Yes, he was mad. "Something you learned from that Antivan whore your brother married?"

"My goodness, Uncle Rendon, what an accusation! I would not dare think of such a thing. After all, you are guests to Eamon, just as I am." There was an edge to her smile. "You do not think I need to stoop so low as to violate the laws of hospitality to do you harm?" I… believe this was the first time I had heard of such a thing? "The host must not harm the guest, and the guest must not harm the host. That is the most basic part of it, yes?" If smiles could kill, Elspeth would have obliterated Howe. "Surely, you can recall that, yes?" Howe actually made to attack, but Loghain shifted to block him. I almost thought it a pity. If he had attacked, then the rest of us could have retaliated. Cleon's twitching fingers told me was begging to do so. "Oh, goodness!"

"This is getting out of hand," Loghain muttered. He looked between Nuada and Elspeth, looking strangely hesitant. "You two…"

"It is a pleasure to see you, Uncle Loghain," Nuada replied. He was still smiling brightly. "But if you are not here for tea, then we simply must ask you to leave. There is a lot that we must do to prepare for the Landsmeet, and for going through the process of naming someone 'Oathbreaker' legally."

Loghain did not even reply to that. He simply sighed, giving the two a look that was some strange combination of forlorn pride, and walked away without a token goodbye. Howe tripped after him, apparently not expecting the sudden 'end' to the conversation.

The lady, however, was waiting for them, and closed the door behind them as they departed. When the door slammed shut, Elspeth sighed, shoulders slumping. I think she actually almost collapsed, but Cleon surged to her side, catching her easily. "It has been a long time since I have been that nervous," she murmured. I gaped, stunned by the admission. That had been nervous?! "I think I might be ill."

"Bloody flames, it was like being in Orlais again!" Nuada groaned. He decided to lean on Aiden's shoulder, rubbing his temple. "Maker's bloody balls, seriously, what did you all do? That had been the last thing Elspeth and I suspected when walking in." W-well… "Where's Alistair? Someone check for assassins." Huh? "They might have used the confrontation as an excuse to-" Loud noises, sounding suspiciously like yelps and crashes, echoed down the hall. "Eamon?"

"I am going to get affairs in order," Eamon replied. He was still incredibly amused. "I am delighted that you all are taking lead here. It promises to be entertaining." Oh, well, that was good? "But yes, please go make sure no one is adding crimson to the curtains. They will clash horribly."

This was going to be a weird day.


It turned out that there had been assassins. Two had gone for Alistair, and he had killed them easily before wondering what was going on. Leliana and Zevran scoured the estate and took out five others. Morrigan, in a beautiful show of pragmatism, turned the last three into ice sculptures. We gave them to Wynne and Sten for interrogation, and set about trying to settle into our rooms.

This was about the time I had discovered the hallway was exactly ten and a half steps wide. I knew this because I had repeatedly tested it, for my curiosity and because I was pacing in the hallway. A sudden thought had suddenly gripped me while we were all moving into our rooms, and now I was constantly debating the pros and cons of said thought.

On the one hand, the thought made me very happy and giddy and content. On the other, said thought had some… interesting implications that I was not certain I was ready for. That was not even going into how… well, I did not want to cause trouble, and this might? The worst my group would do would involve teasing, I knew, but what about what the servants thought? Would it somehow jeopardize our…? Oh, I was probably overthinking this, but I was nervous. I overthought when I was nervous!

"Oh, now what's this?" A laughing voice caught my attention. "Are you testing how sturdy the floor is, ma belle?" A kiss on the ear made me squeak, and Nuada's laugh only grew when I turned to glower at him. "You have some of the best reactions," he teased. Deciding to get even, I hopped up to kiss his nose. "Ack!" He made a face, and I could only laugh.

"You have pretty good reactions too," I teased him back, giggling. He rolled his eyes, but smiled softly. "So, what is going on?"

"I think I need to be asking you that, considering I counted fifteen cycles of pacing and you seemed at it prior to me seeing you." He reached behind my hair and carefully undid my bun. "So, what's up?" From there, he gently undid my braid, making sure to not yank on the tangles. "You're right outside my door."

"Am I bothering?"

"You never could, but I was planning on taking a bath." …That was a mental image I was not sure if I needed. "Would you like to join me~?"

"Nuada!" My squeak just made him laugh. "You are incorrigible!"

"Oh, yes, I very much am." He leaned down, brushing his nose against mine as my hair fluttered across my back, down for the first time in a long while. "May I kiss you?"

"Please?" I caught the flash of a smile before he closed the gap, kissing me warmly and softly. I did my best to kiss him back, but I was aware how I was clumsy compared to him. That was fine, though, yes? I would get better. Besides, the slightly dazed look on his face when he pulled away told me he did not think I was a 'bad' kisser. "Hee…"

"What's so funny?"

"I love you how look after we kiss." He looked a little confused. "You are all unfocused and dreamy."

"Is that so?" He smiled slightly. "Hmm, now should I tell you how you look?" I knew how I felt. I was giddy, and felt like I was queen of the world. "Perhaps I should do that later. Did you have something to ask me?"

"Ah, yes, I did!" Of course, the prospect of bringing it up just made me nervous all over again. "Ah…" This was just ridiculous. I have faced down darkspawn, demons, dragons, and who knows what else. I would not be afraid of asking a simple question! "Nuada?"

"Yes?"

"…Can we share a room?" He stilled, giving me the most incredulous look. That look made me glance down, face burning. "I-I am not certain if I want to… you know… do the implications of such a question, yet. I… really do not have much experience in any of this. But I would like…" My face was on fire. "I would like to simply… wake up beside you, and have your heartbeat near while I sleep?"

"Is that so?" He sounded so calm that I could not help but glower up. Then I froze, because he was wearing the sweetest smile. "That sounds like paradise there." He took my hand and kissed it gently. "And don't worry about sex. I am quite enjoying being in love, not lust." O-oh, that was… good to know. "So, should I move my stuff to your room or yours to mine?"

"My room has a lovely view of the gardens."

"Then your room it is." His smile was soft as he leaned down to brush a kiss over my mouth. "I love you."

"And I, you."


Author's Note: Welcome to the Landsmeet Arc, the second to last 'arc' of Saga. Personally speaking, the Landsmeet is my favorite part of the game. While in game, Loghain seems to have more 'control', the Wardens in this story… well, they weren't having that! In game, Cauthrien is also here, but I had her guarding the door instead, since I couldn't fit her in easily.

Sacred Hospitality is… 'less' important in the modern era (this is highly dependent on culture, religion, and location), but incredibly important in past eras. It's not really something mentioned in Dragon Age, but it stands to reason that it would be common (and it just adds to Howe's… howeness).

Next Chapter – Aiden in Denerim