Crowns

Aedan looked up in annoyance as the door to his study creaked open distracting him from the documents that littered his cluttered workspace. Mouth opening to unleash his displeasure upon the hapless intruder Aedan's harsh expression faded instantaneously into a welcoming smile, "Fergus, come in, come in! It is good to see you…I'm afraid the duties thrust upon me in the aftermath of the Blight have prevented me from spending as much time with you as I would like. Why, I haven't spoken with you since the victory celebration."

Noticing his older brother's pronounced limp as the man slowly made his way across the small room Aedan leapt to his feet hurrying around from behind his desk to clear a large, comfortably padded chair of the reams of parchment that had rested there. "Sit here brother; you look as tired as I feel! Just look at yourself…I've not seen you so pale since your bachelor party nearly a decade ago." Aedan exclaimed, laughter coloring his voice.

Fergus' failure to respond to this, a memory they had often laughed together over, brought a worried frown to Aedan's face as he continued prodding his sibling's memory, "You remember…that time you discovered that the new barmaid at the Hart's Rest, whom you had taken quite a fancy to after a couple bottles of wine, only looked a maid after some imaginative work with undergarments and, of course, a good shave?" Aedan prompted, covering his worry over Fergus' haggard appearance and uncharacteristic melancholy with the boisterous humor the two men had developed during a childhood spent amongst their father's soldiers.

Not rising to his brother's banter Fergus remained silent as he gingerly eased himself into the offered chair. Observing Fergus' occasional grimace as his leg shifted uncomfortably Aeden hurriedly cleared another stack of papers from a nearby ottoman and placed the furniture so that his brother's lame leg was well supported by it. Once satisfied his sibling was comfortable Aedan silently returned to his seat behind the crowded desk, Fergus' continued grim demeanor sobering Aedan's short-lived exuberance. Regarding Fergus from across the desk what Aedan had initially thought a companionable silence soon showed its true colors as a tense, brooding silence.

"Brother," Fergus said suddenly, shattering the quiet, "I have decided to join the Chantry."

"What? You are now the teyrn of Highever!" Aedan protested, voice raised in surprise, "You can't abandon our fief for the Chantry."

"I must do this, Aedan, I cannot return to Highever…the memories are unbearable even this far from where it all happened. How could I return to castle Cousland where every room carries a memory of wrestling with Oren, every corridor a kiss stolen from Oriana? No, I want peace and that will not be found in Highever." the elder Cousland said in an infuriatingly calm voice.

"Fergus, I understand your desire to leave all that behind but Highever is our family's land, our duty is to protect its people and, now, to also repair the damage Howe's men inflicted on it. Remember our heritage, Fergus, 'We are Couslands and we do what must."

"Do not quote father's words at me, brother, you are the one forgetting his duty." accused Fergus, anger piercing his detachment.

"How can you say that? All I have done the past year is fulfill my duties, to the Wardens, to Ferelden, and to our family."

"Familial duties?" mocked Fergus, "And just when did you fulfill those? Tell me, was it when you let our castle fall to Howe's men, or when you abandoned everyone there to death as you fled? And how have you been rewarded for this; by being proclaimed the 'Hero of Ferelden, by being given the Queen's hand in marriage, by being able to kill those bastards Howe and Loghain with your own hands."

Running out of breath Fergus slumped back in the chair, his sudden air of defeat halting Aedan's furious rebuke as he heard his brother continue in a quiet, disappointed voice, "And how have I been rewarded? With the death of my wife and child, the crippling of my leg, and having to relive every night the sight of men who trusted in my leadership screaming in pain as they are eaten alive by darkspawn while I cravenly crawl towards a fallen tree to hide under."

Haunted, red-rimmed eyes boring into Aedan's bright, green irises Fergus whispered, "Why do I owe duty more, why should I accept the even greater responsibility of being the teyrn when my only wages thus far have been pain?"

"You are my brother, Fergus, and so I will forgive your words as the ill-spoken ramblings of a broken man…but do not say such things again or we shall both lose our last, precious connection to a more carefree life." Aedan stated evenly, any tremor of emotion undetectable in his stony voice.

The tormented look in Fergus' eyes subsiding as the cold words of his younger brother cut through his despair he wearily leaned forward; digging the heels of his palms into his blood-shot eyes. "I'm sorry, Aedan…I know the castle's fall and my family's death were not due to your failing. And you are right, we are all the family the other has left and I will not jeopardize that even in my despair."

Nodding his acceptance of the apology Aedan shared a rueful, relieved smile with his sibling in recognition of a dangerous conversation successfully negotiated before speaking, "I understand your desire to join the Chantry and I will not argue with you about it but there are some pertinent matters that I will make you aware of."

"Such as?"

"A Grey Warden secret." Aedan leaned forward to whisper dramatically, his eyes comically darting about looking for imaginary eavesdroppers.

"Ooh, exciting." Fergus remarked in a matching whisper, glad for the lightening of the mood Aedan was providing.

Chuckling at their antics Aedan leaned back; glad to see the old, mischievous spark in Fergus' eyes rather than the emptiness that had replaced it of late. "Actually, I've no idea why the Wardens keep it a secret but it is rather fortunate for me that they do so I must ask you to not repeat this to anyone."

"Of course, Aedan."

"Wardens are, apparently, largely infertile." Watching Fergus' confusion slowly turn to understanding Aedan continued, "Yes, that is rather a problem for someone expected to fulfill the role of 'Prince-Consort'. But that is not why I tell you of this particular side effect to the Joining. No, I tell you because we are the last of the Couslands and since I will likely never have offspring the Cousland line is your responsibility…a responsibility you can't fulfill in the Chantry."

"I see."

"Now, I know you said you want to hear no more of duty but please consider that not only will you be leaving our family's lands bereft of their rightful master but the Cousland line will perish without you."

"I will consider what you've said, Aedan, though I do not think that it will change my decision." the older man said after a pause. After a further moment of silence Fergus slowly stood and painfully made his way towards the door.

As the crippled man reached the doorway Aedan called out, his voice once again grim, "There is, however, one duty which even joining the Chantry will not hide you from, Fergus." Seeing his brother twist about and regard him warily Aedan fought to keep the smile dancing in his eye from spreading to his lips as he continued, "You must still be my best man for the wedding…one I trust will do a better job with the bachelor party than I did those many years ago."

Chuckling for the first time he could remember Fergus limped away from his now widely grinning brother.

As the shuffling sound of Fergus' limp disappeared from hearing Aedan's smile vanished along with it. Crumpling up a paper he hurled it across the room, his anger doing anything but fade as the paper gently fluttered to the floor halfway to the door. Sighing heavily Aedan slumped forward resting his elbows on the papers that covered the desk his chin resting on steepled fingers. Hearing a faint, muffled sound Aedan silently cursed his momentary outburst and immediately banished his weary, petulant behavior lest an unwanted onlooker see his weakness. Covertly scanning the open doorway and adjacent hall for the noise's source Aedan forced himself to sit straight and pretend of examine the pile of paper in front of him. Noticing a faint flicker in the torchlight which streamed through the still doorway Aedan groaned silently to himself, the reaction becoming audible and his body language once again crumpling as he heard her light laughter.

"Oh, look here! The Hero of Ferelden, the slayer of darkspawn, demons, evildoers in general, and now scourge of offensive parchment everywhere. Ballads will be sung of his might, his cleverness, his bravery, and his tendency to hide his head in his hands."

"Damn it woman, how long were you lurking out there for."

"How long do you think?" inquired the disembodied voice as it seemed to enter the room.

"The whole time," Aedan grumbled, "You know that was supposed to be a private meeting with my brother."

"But of course, why else do you think I listened. Your mumbled complaints to yourself about bann this or arl that are not so interesting…but a conversation with a brother you until recently thought dead?" said the voice as it circled the desk to come from behind him, "That could be most interesting, no?"

"So you heard the, uh…"

"The part about you being infertile?"

His face coloring Aedan grimaced as he realized that his embarrassment was showing, a fact which merely further reddened his cheeks.

"Blushing? First throwing things around in a tantrum and now blushing…oh, what a shame Wynne is not here to order you off to bed early for being a bad little boy." chided the invisible intruder.

Clearing his throat roughly in an attempt to regain some shred of masculine dignity Aedan tried to direct the conversation to a topic less demeaning, "Well if you heard what happened with Fergus than…"

Interrupting him the female voice continued as if he had not said anything, "Of course, I suppose if Wynne were actually to have heard that she would immediately begin working on a way to increase Warden fertility. A process, I am sure, that would doubtlessly require much questioning and examination of pertinent…facts. I should like to see the blush that would bring to your face."

"Are quite finished?" he asked his invisible tormenter.

"Of course, mon amour." Leliana cooed as she finally allowed herself to fade into view.

Smiling at her as she seamlessly emerged from the shadow cast by a nearby bookshelf, despite his desire to stay good and affronted by her eavesdropping and teasing, Aedan fell silent for a moment as he simply drank in the sight of her. Leliana's practical, if revealing, leather armor had been replaced with an elegant gown that showed far less of her ivory skin and yet still managed to reach out and capture the attention of every libido within eyesight due to the way it clung to the bard's womanly curves. Aedan's irritated expression melted instantly as the bard strutted towards him; the sway of her hips accentuated by the expensive material of her gown that said respectable while whispering the opposite.

Smiling at her ability to render him momentarily speechless Leliana decided to relieve some of his embarrassment as a reward for the compliment his amorous eyes were giving her as they mentally peeled away the layers of her clothing, "Don't worry, love, I've known about that issue since Alistair first told you and I don't think it makes you any less of a man; especially because it seems to have no detrimental impact on your…performance."

"How did you…"

"How did I know? Because I am a bard, Aedan, and a good one at that. Listening in on our small company's conversations was a way to keep my skills sharp…and to have fun, I've known about this since Alistair told you."

"And it really doesn't bother you?" Aedan inquired, his voice full in equal measure of surprise and relief.

Walking up to where Aedan sat Leliana gently lowered herself sideways onto his lap wrapping one arm around his neck and placing her other hand lightly atop one of his. Leliana began speaking softly, her voice full of an uncharacteristic sadness and solemnity that immediately made Aedan focus intently on her words knowing they were of great importance to his lover, "No, Aedan your infertility does not bother me for even had the Joining not robbed you of your right to offspring I could not give them to you."

"Leliana, we already talked about this. My marriage to Anora will change nothing between us; kings have always kept mistresses, Cailen kept them so it won't even be a new situation for Anora to deal with."

"That's not what I mean, Aedan," Leliana responded as her hand guided one of Aedan's from her thigh upwards to her stomach, "Remember my scar?"

"The one from your…imprisonment?" Aedan asked, shifting uneasily at the reminder of the torment his lover had endured from Marjolaine's betrayal.

Nodding sadly Leliana continued, "Yes, that one. Marjolaine's knife wounded me more deeply than I knew at the time. Let me explain, shortly after you and I first made love I spoke to Wynne…"

"Don't listen to that mage's advice, Leliana, she also tried to get me to end our relationship; the meddling old bat." Aedan interrupted, grumbling at the memory of his unpleasant conversation with the enchanter.

Laughing lightly, though the edge of sadness remained in her voice, Leliana continued, "Yes, I remember hearing that conversation and my heart raced to hear you put her unwanted advice back in its place."

"Oh, you heard that did you?" Aedan joked, "That explains the particular passion you showed me that evening. If Wynne's aim with that little bit of advice had been to merely get some undisturbed sleep she must have been terribly disappointed with the racked we made."

"Yes, I often laugh recalling the glares she sent me the next day. Really, the nerve of that woman telling you to end it with me while I stood only yards away!" The humor dissipating the bard continued, "But that is not what she spoke to me about, she saved that lecture for you. No, I asked her to take a look at my old scar, something in my soul telling me what I did not want to believe. Wynne, however, after examining me confirmed it. Marjolaine's blow scarred me deep inside rendering me barren…a lasting reminder of her betrayal."

Seeing a few tears slowly leak from her blue eyes Aedan wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight to his chest, "I'm so sorry, Leliana. Perhaps the court physician could…"

"No, my love, Wynne was certain the damage was far too extensive and had been unattended for far too long to be healed. History marks us all, no?" Smiling as her lover gently wiped a tear from her cheek Leliana snuggled closer to him, "Thank you, mon roi."

"You cannot call me that yet, Leliana, but it will not be long now before you and everyone will accord me that honor." Aedan replied, his voice losing its quiet, intimate tone.

Sighing as she recognized the change in both his voice and his body language as he seemed to sit up straighter and look ahead; no longer intent on the woman bundled in his arms. Reluctantly Leliana climbed out of his lap and took a seat leaning on the corner of his desk. Folding her arms Leliana spoke, her demeanor clearly irritated by Aedan's sudden change, "Enough of that self-pity, no? Time to get back to our task I suppose."

Having the grace to look ashamed as Leliana's manner drew attention to his abrupt neglect of her confession Aedan tried to backtrack, "Sorry, love…"

"Never mind that, Aedan, the time is past and cannot be recaptured. So, we might as well get to business, no?" She replied evenly.

Nodding at her words Aedan listened as the bard began giving her report, "As I suspected a group of supporters contacted the Queen while she kept her solitary vigil over Loghain's ashes. In appreciation and understanding of what that act signified the Queen invited the group, Denerim's burgher council, into the palace. There they went to a reception hall and Anora proceeded to receive their complete support in exchange for the understanding that she will continue her past policies of promoting exports and protecting Ferelden's artisans from outside competition."

"I'm surprised that they moved so quickly. Most of Fereldans, even among the nobles, don't believe that any sort of struggle over the throne is at hand." Aedan said once Leliana had finished.

Nodding the bard waited as she watched Aedan's expression become ever more agitated as he continued to consider the impact of Anora's actions. Finally Aedan broke the growing silence, "This is a problem, Leliana, a problem made far worse by my brother's failure of nerve. The burghers' support will bring with it most of the guilds, the laborers…anyone I'm forgetting?"

"Greedy nobles, too."

"Right. I had expected these factions to support my dearest betrothed," Aedan commented sarcastically, scolding himself for his choice of words as he noticed Leliana's almost imperceptible wince at the mention of his imminent wedding but continuing knowing that to bring her attention to the fact would only make matters worse, "I had also expected to counter her motley collection of store-owners with the power of Ferelden's nobility, even though I knew a few would follow Anora out of self-interest, hatred of me, or a misguided loyalty to the Mac Tir name."

Understanding the show of frustration which had pierced his normal calm demeanor and led her to mock his 'tantrum' Leliana picked up where Aedan had stopped, "You know that of Ferelden's most powerful noble blocks the majority of the bannorn is behind you because of your role in ending the Blight and because they dislike Loghain and Anora's tendency to concentrating power in the Crown rather than the Landsmeet. Likewise, Redcliffe is behind you in gratitude of our actions there while Amaranthine is now in the Warden's control and therefore also likely to support you. Conversely, Gwaren is by definition loyal to Anora because she is not only the Queen but with Loghain's death the teyrna of Gwaren as well. That leaves Highever, and Denerim as the only remaining centers of noble power whose loyalty is not given to either you or the Queen."

"Exactly. And I need those two in my control to match the power the merchant's wealth will bring Anora."

Once again taking up the thread Leliana continued, "The new arl of Denerim owes you for releasing him from the dungeons but his is also a cur devoid of honor who loves power and money more than all else so Anora's alliance with the burghers might hold an attraction for him."

"And Highever?" Aedan prompted, enjoying hearing how his bard cut through the intricacies of Ferelden politics with the ease only someone familiar with Orlais' 'Great Game' could command.

"It is your family holding and firmly supports you…so long as a Cousland is its teyrn. But, with Fergus seeking succor with the Chantry and there being no other Couslands the holding will revert to the Crown. And, until you are King, the power to give out fiefs is in Anora's hands meaning whoever she puts in power over Highever will be beholden to her and not bound in any way to you."

Nodding at her summation Aedan grimly stated, "I cannot allow that to happen."

"What will you do?"

"I will continue to remind him of his duty, hopefully that will get through to him eventually."

"You really think so?"

"Perhaps not, but I was also hoping you could talk to him."

"About my fleeing to the Chantry and how in the end it did not good?"

"Exactly, my dear, I do love how you devious, Orlesian mind understands these things."

A/N: Reviews please! I'd like to know what I'm doing wrong or right.