Chapter 95) Rise
Nuada POV
Two days after I met Cailan, the rest of his 'group' arrived. The meeting then was more formal, and I gathered that the reason was 'King Maric', and him coming to personally thank Father for his years of service abroad.
His companion was scary, though. With sharp tongue and sharper eyes, he was sarcastic to King Maric's praise, cynical to King Maric's optimism. No one seemed to care, but it made me uneasy. It made me so uneasy that I went out of my way to avoid him.
One day, though, I couldn't do that. He had come to watch Fergus give me sword lessons, so there was no way I could avoid him.
His eyes were studying, and cold, as he watched, but he nodded when the lesson ended. "Fergus, you better keep up your training," he said. "The boy has a keener grasp of a blade than you do, even at his young age." He nodded again, but just to me. "Don't think I caught your name, and I doubt you caught mine with all the political nonsense. I'm Loghain Mac Tir." I knew the name; he was the Hero of the River Dane.
"I'm Nuada," I replied, making myself smile. "I'm sure Fergus can still beat me, though."
"That's age, and it won't help him for long." Loghain seemed certain of that. "You're more of a warrior." He left then, without saying more or even a proper goodbye.
But I thought I caught the concern in his tone anyway. 'Do not be afraid to ask for help; I know what it is like to be born a warrior too.'
The one time someone tries to help, and it completely screwed us up. The one time someone else made a decision, and it was something that rankled the group. This was just typical.
Our group was waiting outside, as an intermission had been called to gather thoughts for the next big thing on the agenda: choosing who would rule the country. Our group was also dealing with the very unexpected thing that occurred. Most of the more 'pragmatic' of our people were taking it well, but even then, there seemed to be some friction.
"Lord Nuada," Aiden whispered. He and I were both leaning against the wall, by the door, a bit away from the group. I had no idea what to feel, and he was kicking himself for not deciding for once. "Where is Loghain?"
"He is recovering in a guest room with Riordan," I answered automatically. Riordan, at least, seemed to be of good cheer. "It's likely he won't wake until all of this is over."
"I see." He fell silent again, watching Cleon rapidly argue with Morrigan over this decision. The signs moved too fast for me to read. "Did I make a bad call?"
"Truthfully, in terms of our relation with Fereldan, it's good, because if this was what was voted, then there would have been a lot of resentful nobles if you had picked either." In terms of our group, though, it might have been better to execute him. In terms of myself, if I had to think, it might have been better that I wasn't the one who killed him. Howe's death still haunted me. "It also means that if the Landsmeet picks Anora, she'll be very agreeable with us."
"So, it's not a bad one."
"Aiden, this whole situation is messed up. You can't put a 'good' or 'bad' on it."
"I wish I could." Yeah… "So, how do we deal with-?" A 'clang' stopped his words cold, and he frowned as he looked up.
"What is with the bell?"
"It signals that the intermission is over." I pushed myself off the wall. "It's time to head back in, and bear witness to the next chapter of Fereldan's history."
"I'm a little done with living through historical moments." Ha… "Did you get your injury treated?"
"Yes." It was scabbed over. I wanted it to scar, though. I wanted something to remind me that even if I knew someone's tricks, that wouldn't necessarily save me. "Layla scolded me already."
"Good." He smiled, and I smiled back. "Then let's lead the way inside."
We both nodded, and waved to the others. Only Elspeth knew what the bell meant, so it took a little bit of wrangling to get everyone grouped up and ready to head inside. So, when we finally did make it back, and found comfortable places to stand, the Landsmeet was back to business.
"Lords and Ladies of the Landsmeet," Fergus called, leaning against the railing to emphasize his words. I glanced around and found Anora was already back on the 'main' floor. "There is something that must be made clear." I closed my eyes, and waited. Elspeth and I were done; our part was over. From this point forward, it was Fergus's show, so that it was made clear that Highever was shaken, but not weaken. "The Blight is coming, and we must be united. So, I call for the vote for ruler now." There were murmurs of surprise, but I knew Fergus was holding firm. "The south is devoured. The darkspawn are snapping on our heels. We do not have anymore time. So, I call for the vote now, in order to not risk indecision."
The gathered nobles murmured agreements and the voting began. I didn't pay attention to who voted for whom. It didn't matter; the numbers did. Aiden counted the votes on his hand: right for Alistair, left for Anora. It was mostly for Cleon, as this was a situation where we had a suspicion, some had a hope, but did not know what was going to happen. We had known Elspeth would win.
But the votes were tallied, and I held a breath as I realized it was close. But, ultimately, the decision was clear. It was a clear majority, not a victory by only a handful of votes.
"The next ruler of Fereldan shall be Alistair Theirin, then," Fergus declared, reading out the final tally. I wasn't surprised, though did see Alistair pale a little. Days of speculation had led to a very, very real thing. "Are there any other proposed votes for today?"
"Actually, Fergus, if I might make a proposal?" Alfstanna suddenly called. Fergus frowned slightly, and that was enough to tell me everything. This wasn't something he had set up. Alfstanna, what chaos were you about to throw us into? "For the stability of Fereldan, it might be good to go ahead and propose a wife for King Alistair." Ah, it was this. This was something we had accounted for, even if we prayed it would not be the case. "It will make the people feel more secure."
"That is a good point." Fergus closed his eyes and nodded. "Very well, but the vote will also need to be made immediately." I glanced at Elspeth, and saw she had her eyes closed. She was giving up, right now. I wished I could blame her for it. "And you will have to cast the first vote."
"Certainly, I wouldn't have proposed it if I didn't already have an idea." Alfstanna grinned, and I suddenly felt afraid. "Waking Sea proposes that Lady Elspeth Cousland be the Queen of Fereldan." …What. WHAT?! "She is known if foreign courts, and more than that, she is liked in foreign courts, which will be useful considering how war torn we are. She has martial skill, capable of protecting herself and others. She has been very active in protecting Fereldan, and in combating Loghain. As we all just witness, she is skilled in talking and debating, while maintaining a cool head." Alfstanna shrugged. "That is the sort of Queen I would want for Fereldan, especially as we rebuild from the Blight." The whole Landsmeet was silent. "Fergus? Will you take the next vote?"
"No, because I'm not stupid." Fergus sighed, grimacing, and it was very clear Alfstanna did this entirely on her own. Fergus had no part in it. "Since I know what this is becoming. A vote between Anora, my dear friend, and Elspeth, my little sister. Highever abstains from voting on this matter, as I like my head where it is."
Laughter rippled through the crowd, and voting commenced. I could only stand there gaping. Of all the things I figured, this was not one of them. This was really not one of them. I was so shocked that I just couldn't keep track of who voted for who. Just as before, Aiden kept track of the votes on his hands. Just as before, there was a clear majority to the winner, even if the vote was still close.
"So, King Alistair's wife, the future queen of Fereldan, shall be Lady Elspeth Cousland." This was crazy. This was crazy. I refused to even keep track of who all was talking because this was so crazy. "Any other votes?"
"Do we need to vote on who will be the Teryn of Gwaren?" Um… well, what about Anora? Law dictated it would need to go to Anora. "Loghain is officially listed as a 'traitor'." …Law dictated that it would not go to Anora in that case. Loghain, you really screwed her over… I was certain most of the doubt stemmed from how she was similar to him. I knew that was why many of my group did not even give her a chance. "Gwaren might be damaged due to darkspawn, but it is still a territory of Fereldan."
"Give it to Lord Nuada." …Hold on, what?! "He defeated Loghain in fair combat. Don't our laws dictate it should go to him since Loghain's line is no longer allowed to inherit." DID THESE PEOPLE NOT REALIZE THEY WERE PUTTING A LOT OF POWER IN ONE FAMILY'S CONTROL?! Maker's balls, Landsmeet, that would put two Couslands ruling the only two teyrnirs of Fereldan, and one as the queen of Fereldan. "Let that be the end of the matter. We must unite to fight!" I forgot how heavy-handed the Landsmeet could be.
"Then there is one matter to deal with," Eamon noted. All eyes turned to him, but he looked to Anora. I winced at how startled she looked, angry, and even afraid. Her eyes darted to Elspeth, but Elspeth's very blank look I think mollified her. This hadn't been expected. Elspeth hadn't calculated a betrayal here; the Landsmeet just took a very weird turn. "Anora." Anora's eyes flashed in reply, and I had a bad feeling of what was coming. Eamon was about to really insult her. "You will swear that you, and any of your children-"
"Um… can I just cut in now?" Alistair asked. All eyes turned to him and he waved. "Hi. So, thank you all for voting and believing in me. I hope to live up to your expectations, and I know I still have much to learn, so I thank you also for your patience in me." He smiled. "But, can we wait for any oaths or discussions until the Blight is over? I do intend to go out and fight. That is my job as a Warden, and I do believe that is my job as Fereldan's king, though I promise to not charge recklessly through the front lines." There were many relieved smiles at that. "Also, I mean… Anora's really skilled, right? Can we save insulting her for another time? I might need her help?" Alistair's smile fell for a serious look. "Besides, what if something happens to me? You can't trick her into becoming an oathbreaker. So, uh…" He laughed awkwardly. "Can we just have her protected? Oh, wait, that's not an insult, right?"
"…No, it isn't," Anora replied slowly. She looked confused, and I knew why. This was showing a degree of political savvy she honestly had not thought he had, for good reasons. "I must admit; I might not have been as kind to you."
"Politics!" That got a bit of laughter. "So, ah… guard… um… oh, Fergus, do you mind?"
"No, I don't mind," Fergus replied. He was definitely laughing at all of this. "I'd be honored to give Anora guards." He bowed his head. "So, Your Majesty, what will be your first official order?"
"Gather the forces, marshal the troops, we meet for a war meeting in two hours." Alistair turned, looking right Aiden. "Is that long enough for you?" Aiden nodded, smiling. "All right. Then let's move, people! Let's show the world the strength of Fereldan!"
One hour later, I was still trying to figure out what all just happened. Even if I was looking at paperwork explaining what just happened, it didn't compute.
"I can't believe the Landsmeet did that," I groaned, facepalming. They had decided to not only name me Teryn of Gwaren, but Alistair's 'official' champion, meaning they gave me all the power of a general. "Did they forget that I'm a Warden?"
"I have a feeling we broke a lot of rules," Aiden snickered. At this point, he was amused, but that was probably because he got to sit and watch me flail. "I'm sorry, but after seeing you masterfully manipulate, it was hilarious seeing you so thrown off balance."
"I am pleased to have been a source of amusement." I was sure, when all the chaos settled, I'd be laughing too, but right now… "Ah, this is all too strange and messy."
"Hasn't this entire 'adventure' been that?" That was a good point. "I do have one lingering question, though."
"What happened to everyone's sanity?"
"Oh, I assumed the Blight tainted it." Ha. "But no, something different."
"What is it?"
"What do you think will happen with Anora?" …Ah.
"I have no idea." At the moment, she was alive. But the Landsmeet ruled against her twice, and thanks to her father, she could not even inherit Gwaren. "I hope that whatever is decided, it will be kind. She doesn't really deserve it."
"I disagree to a point, but that is my opinion." He shrugged. "What are you looking through?"
"These are estimated troop numbers." I passed them to him, and I heard him whistle softly. "No matter what anyone says about Ostagar and the retreat, it should be noted that Loghain's decision did make sure that the majority of the army survived that battle." These numbers weren't even accounting for potential volunteers. "When combined with the might of our allies, we will have an army thrice the size as the one that gathered in Ostagar."
"I see…" Aiden only smiled, but I knew what he was thinking. 'We really did it.' "Ah, right, so how is the division of leadership going to work-?"
"Um, hey, Elspeth?" Both of us paused at Alistair's awkward words, and immediately bolted for the door to peer out in the hallway. "I um…" he stammered, looking nervous. Elspeth seemed mostly calm, but I could see some hesitancy in her eyes. "I… guess we're engaged now?" It was more than a 'guess'. Since the Landsmeet voted for it, it would be really hard to break it off. "Are you… okay with that?"
"Well, yes…" Elspeth mumbled. She ducked her head. "Mostly…"
"Mostly?"
"I'm not sure about becoming queen." Her face was turning red. "B-but I do like… the idea of marrying you… so…"
"You do?" Alistair's face lit up. "Really?"
"Yes…" She glanced up, smiling slightly. "Are you okay? With marrying me?"
"Maker, yes." He took her hand, and kissed it gently. Both of them were so red. "I… will do all I can to make sure you're happy."
"And I will do the same for you."
"Well, that'll be easy for you. You just have to smile."
"Then you have an even easier job, as your smile is all I need to be happy as well."
Aiden and I glanced at each other, and closed the door again. Much as I wanted to continue eavesdropping, there was a war to be fought before they could get the happy ending.
But wow, was I ever motivated now!
Author's notes: This concludes the Landsmeet, with Alistair as King and Elspeth as Queen. In game, the decision is solely on you, but Fereldan is a nation that elects its king, so it makes more sense to me that they vote on the ruler. I also wanted to showcase the Couslands being thrown off and taken by surprise, since the Landsmeet has been a string of 'Couslands plot and win'. Though I suppose they still 'won'.
Next Chapter – Cleon
