Chapter 9. Honor of the Queen
When they reached the outskirts of Bann Odwin's estate, Michael repeated his orders and sent one of the soldiers to return with their guards.
They waited tensely at the edge of the woods.
"Don't worry Anora, it'll soon be over," Michael said encouragingly.
Anora held his hand, and looked glumly at herself. Her hair was tousled, her dress hemline was in tatters and her face smudged.
"I look frightful," she mumbled.
"Don't worry Anora, you may look like a ragamuffin, but you are still the most beautiful woman in the kingdom."
"Liar," she said, and smiled weakly.
"Look, your Majesty!" One of the remaining guards pointed at a troop of riders.
The first rider bore the royal arms of Ferelden. Michael let out his breath. They had made it. Anora was safe.
Soon more riders with Bann Odwin and other nobles at the head also arrived. A thousand questions rained over them. Michael had to repeat a brief explanation a few times to the astounded nobles and knights, before they could get going. Michael also gave careful instructions for where they could find the servants and the wounded.
Anora rode with her head held high and no one who saw her could for a moment doubt that she truly was the Queen, despite her ragged appearance.
When they arrived at the estate, Bann Odwin's wife ordered a huge wooden tub and hot water be brought to Michael's and Anora's chamber.
When Anora entered their chamber two servants where filling the tub with hot water, while others were laying out new clothes for them. One of them hurried to Anora to help her undress. She turned to look at Michael imploringly. He nodded and firmly ordered all the servants out of the chamber.
When they were alone he went to Anora. Her face was pale and her hands were shaking.
"Do you want me to leave?" he asked softly.
"No," Anora whispered, and her lip trembled.
He led her to the bed and sat her down beside him. She sobbed and then she broke down crying. Michael held her, rocking her in his lap.
"It's all right. You're safe Anora, " he whispered.
"I felt the same the first time it happened to me," he said gently. "Whatever you think, you're never quite prepared to be that close to someone who is going to kill you in cold blood."
"You have no idea how useless I was after Duncan saved me from Highever," he continued. "It took two days for him to make me get over it."
Eventually Anora stopped crying and hugged him.
"Better?" he asked her. She nodded, smiling weakly.
He helped her get out of her dress and into the hot water. As she begin to soap herself he took a brush and began to gently comb her hair.
When the two emerged from their chamber a large meal had been gathered in the hall. Anora was walked straight and proud. Spontaneous cheering broke out as she gracefully descended the stairs and smiled to those gathered below, with Michael one step behind her.
"Thank you, my Lords and Ladies," Anora said to them. "Your concern for my wellbeing is most touching."
As soon as Anora was seated, she began to exchange pleasantries with the nobles around her. She smiled and nodded, never for a moment betraying if she wondered if any of them had been responsible for the attempt on her life.
"Look at the Queen! It's hard to believe she had just escaped such a harrowing experience," Bann Darien whispered to his wife.
"They say she is made of ice," his wife whispered back.
Immediately after the meal, Queen Anora told Bann Odwin that she must return at once to Gwaren. The Bann made a few attempts to make Prince Michael stay and participate in the grand melee planned the day after, but Michael resolutely refused. His duty under the circumstances, he claimed, was to be at his wife's side.
It was late night when they returned to Gwaren. They were met at the entrance to the Teyrn's estate by the seneschal Aiold and several members of the royal household. Word had already reached Gwaren of the attack against the Queen and her retinue. Anora smiled and assured them all that everything was fine.
On Michael's insistence, Anora had made no mention of Crows or assassination. He had convinced her that it was best to pretend they only believed it was roving bandits until they had some proof of who was behind it. They would have to bring the seneschal Aiold in on the truth. He might know who, if any, in Gwaren might be responsible for the attack.
Late that night Michael and Queen Anora brought the seneschal into their private quarters in the estate and Michael began to recount the truth.
"Who is responsible for this atrocity?" Aiold asked, wide eyed, when Michael had finished.
"We don't know," Michael admitted, "but I can make a few guesses."
"So can I, your Highness" Aiold admitted. "But how would you prove it?"
"Let me first tell you a few names and see if any is on your list of guesses too," Michael said to the Seneschal.
"I... I don't know, your Highness, your Majesty, I don't want to be held responsible for pure guesswork," Aiold said obviously uncomfortable.
"Then tell me this if I said that Bann Odwin and Bann Alenna acted suspiciously before the attack. Would that surprise you greatly?"
The Seneschal bit his lip, but then he finally shook his head.
"No, your Highness, it wouldn't," he said, "but I don't see how we can do anything without a shred of evidence."
"Oh, we can do plenty, if we want," Michael answered savagely.
He turned to Anora who up until then had let him do all the talking.
"Anora," Michael said, "as far as I see it we have two options here. Either we try to follow what leads we have and try to find proof of who is responsible. My personal estimate is that our chances of success are small."
"Or?" Anora said in a low voice.
"Or we conclude that it is possible that Bann Odwin and a score of his friends could be responsible, if nothing else because this crime happened on their land, and lock them up in a dungeon until one of them starts to talk."
"Your Highness," Aiold said nervously. "Bann Odwin is one of the most respected landowners here in Gwaren. There is no evidence..."
"No," Michael said. "There is not enough evidence, but someone has tried to attempt to murder the Queen of Ferelden and the Bann has been pretty clear about his view on Anora."
"Your Majesty, Aiold said to Anora. "I will follow any order you give, but I must tell you that decide to throw several of Gwaren's most prominent nobles in prison with no clear proof, there will be repercussions, maybe even unrest."
Michael regarded Aiold frowning. The seneschal Varren in Amaranthine had been a bit timid too. He suspected that Aiold, like Varren both were caretakers rather than leaders and had grown accustomed to compromises, as they lacked real authority.
Anora looked at Michael a long time silently, then her eyes narrowed.
"Throw Bann Odwin and his associates in the dungeon and hide the key until we either know who is responsible or are satisfied that they are all innocent."
Then an expression of pain passed her face and she looked directly at Michael.
"Any unrest will be dealt with by... the Teyrn," she said.
"As you wish, my Queen," Michael said understanding.
"No" Anora said seriously. "Not as I wish, but this is how it must be. I will return to Denerim and you will remain here until this is settled."
Michael nodded.
"I'll go make the preparations at once, your Majesty." Aiold said and left.
Michael sighed deeply and went to stand before her chair.
"I'll miss you Anora," he said softly and stroked her hair.
"I'll miss you too," she replied and took his palm and held it to her cheek.
Michael bent down and kissed her forehead. He felt exhausted and a little numbed.
"Let's get some rest," he said.
They undressed in silence and then they lay together under the blanket, holding hands and looking at the ceiling above them.
"I would understand you know," she said, suddenly.
"What do you mean?"
"You may have to stay here for months if there is unrest. I would understand if you... bedded someone else. Someone... younger than me. All I ask is that you don't do it foolishly."
Michael got up on his elbow and looked her in the eyes.
"Listen to me. I love you Buttercup, and there is no one else in the world that I want," he said.
"Really?"
"I swear!"
"Then prove it, pup!" She giggled. "Prove that you want me."
She pulled his face down for a long kiss, twining her tongue around his. Despite his fatigue, desire immediately rose in him.
Later they lay naked together, their need slaked but their bodies still entangled.
"I love you too, pup" she murmured smiling.
