Chapter 6
The jovial and friendly nature Jarrod once displayed to Marlena was gone, replaced by a coldness that unnerved her.
"Stupid whore." He said as he spit on her.
Teagan dropped his cane and socked Jarrod in the mouth, knocking him to the ground. Marlena was floored when she saw his bloodied mouth as he spit out the broken teeth he had lost.
After Marlena wiped her face with the handkerchief a servant gave her, she saw Teagan start to lose his balance and immediately put her arm around him.
"Take him to the dungeon." Teagan said as he rubbed his fist. "We'll deal with him tomorrow."
"Are you alright?" Marlena took his hand and started to rub it.
"I'm fine." He said. "Something in me just snapped when I saw him do that to you."
"Thank you for defending me Teagan." Marlena smiled.
"There was no way in hell I was going to let him get away after doing that."
Teagan and Marlena looked at each other for the longest time, forgetting that there were other people around them.
"What she would we say if people inquire about Jarrod?" Ser Donall asked.
"Tell them he went away." Marlena said
"And for those that witnessed what just transpired, none of you are to breathe a word about this." Teagan added.
"We won't my lord." Ser Perth promised.
"Let's get back to the castle." Teagan said his eyes only on Marlena.
They watched as she handed Teagan his cane, took his other hand and then walk towards the castle with him.
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The next day Teagan and Marlena sat in the dining room eating breakfast and discussing last night's event.
"How long has Jarrod worked for you?" Marlena asked
"He's been with us for two and a half years." Teagan said. "Which is why it makes it's so odd because there have never been any problems until recently."
"He's obviously being paid by someone; we will get to the bottom of it."
"Ser Perth says he is refusing to speak." Teagan said between bites.
"He'll talk after he gets hungry." Marlena said. "He's not going to get anything but a crust of stale bread and water for the time being and in a few days you and I will be eating down there. I think the aroma of roast venison, new potatoes and buttermilk biscuits might give him an incentive to speak."
"You are a wicked woman Marlena." Teagan grinned.
"Thank you." Marlena laughed. "And thank you for the company. It's nice not eating alone for a change."
"I've seen you eat with Britta before, as well as Ser Perth and Ser Donall."
"That's true." Marlena said. "And while I enjoy their company, I missed having yours. I'm happy to see you not shut in your room."
"Thank you for being there last night," Teagan reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "It feels as if a huge burden has lifted."
"I'm just relieved to see the old Teagan coming back." She smiled.
"Excuse me for interrupting."
They turned to see Ser Perth standing in the doorway.
"The landscaper wanted me to let you know he's finally finished and he's taking his rest."
"Thank you for telling me."
Marlena turned to Teagan and smiled. "It's finally done."
A few months ago she had asked Teagan to plant some flowers at Kaitlynn's grave but that project took a life of its own when she wrote the landscaper who designed the garden for parents' memorial. He had finally arrived five days ago and worked day and night to get it done while Marlena, Ser Perth and Donall had to work to keep Teagan from going there.
"Remember when I asked to plant some flowers at Kaitlyn's grave?" She asked. "It sort of expanded into something more."
"What did you do?" Teagan got up and hobbled away on his cane and Marlena followed him, terrified that she went too far.
Kaitlyn's Garden
Teagan sucked in his breath when seeing the top of the tree over the wall as he hurried to gravesite. It was Marlena who gasped first. What was once a sterile and stark place with just a small a grassy area was now enshrouded in flowers and a medium size tree stood between the graves. There was even a bird fountain one side and a small bench on the other.
"I searched for the landscaper who created my family's memorial garden." Marlena explained. "I wanted you to have something just as special for Kaitlyn, your son and Bevin."
"I don't know what to say." Teagan said softly
"The Dalish plant trees and flowers over gravesites, so that new life may spring forth." Marlena said. "I always thought it was a beautiful sentiment."
She waited for him to speak and was crestfallen when he didn't.
"I overstepped my bounds." Marlena looked down at the ground.
"It's absolutely beautiful Marlena."
Marlena looked up at him and saw the tears in his eyes.
"Thank you." He said as pulled her into a hug. "I can't begin to describe how much this means to me that you would do this."
"Your brother denied you the right of mourning your family Teagan." Marlena said. "I know how that feels."
"Yes." He said. "You of all people would understand. And your brother as well."
"My brother and I…we didn't have any remains to mourn but we wanted a place to remember, to reflect… and to celebrate our family so we decided on a garden. There is some statuary, a plaque, and lots of flowers and trees. My brother also had a bench designed with the Cousland Crest."
"Is your son buried there?" Teagan asked.
"He's at another special place, not far from the garden." Marlena said softly.
"Perhaps one day we can go there and you can show me." Teagan said.
"I would be honored to take you there." Marlena said.
Marlena watched as he sat down on the bench.
"I'll leave you alone for now." Marlena said.
"Thank you."
Marlena turned and headed back to the castle, completely oblivious to Teagan watching her.
Several days later, Marlena and Teagan watched as the last of the bottles were packed in the wagon and it rode off to Denerim with a contingent of Blackstone Mercenaries riding behind it. The warehouse was now safely secure with various traps placed throughout the building as well as guards placed in shifts to help watch the one hundred barrels.
"Its fortunate we don't have to look for a replacement for Jarrod until next year." Teagan remarked.
"That reminds me, I really don't want to eat in the dungeon again tonight." Marlena said.
Jarrod had been in the dungeon for almost a week and he still refused to talk but Marlena could tell his resolve was weakening every time she ate with Teagan down there.
They had also went to his house in the village and the only evidence found was a sack containing seventy sovereign, and when stopping at tavern, the owner said Jarrod would occasionally receive messages. Marlena gave him ten sovereign and promised another ten if anymore messages were received and the owner happily agreed to send them their way if any arrived.
"We don't have to eat there tonight." Teagan said. "How about we have our supper upstairs in the private dining room and then we can play cards? And this time I won't let you win."
"Let me win?" Marlena laughed.
Just then they saw a coach ride up to them with a unit of guards following it. Marlena watched the door open and her brother come out.
"Fergus!" Marlena ran over and threw his arms around him. "What a wonderful surprise!"
"I've been conducting some business in the area and thought I'd stop over to wish you a happy birthday and see how you were doing."
"Birthday?"
Fergus's mouth dropped when he saw Teagan walking towards him.
"Teagan, it's good to see you up and about." Fergus grinned and shook his hand.
"I owe your beautiful sister for helping me see the light at the end of the tunnel." Teagan said. "That's not to say I still have moments but it gets better every day."
"I know how you feel Teagan." Fergus patted him on the shoulder.
"So what's this about a birthday?" Teagan asked.
"It's nothing." Marlena said. "He should not have mentioned anything."
"My sister is turning twenty six the day after tomorrow." Fergus beamed.
"Maker!" Teagan exclaimed. "How old were you when you became a Grey Warden?"
"I was nineteen." Marlena said. "And Fergus you still should not have said anything." Teagan chuckled when he watched her punch Fergus in the shoulder.
"It's my Maker given duty as a brother to tease you." Fergus laughed.
"I'll go have your room prepared and see it to it that your men get accommodations."
"Let me show you something, while we're out here." Teagan said to Fergus.
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Twenty minutes later, Fergus and Teagan were sitting on the bench near Kaitlyn's grave.
"Marlee wrote me about this." Fergus said. "I told her she should not meddle into private matters but my sister has a mine of her own. It is very beautiful and fitting for Kaitlyn and I am glad she didn't listen to me."
"Fergus, I was wondering how after with what you went through knew Sandra was the one you wanted to move forward with?"
"Believe me Teagan, it was not my plan to fall in love." Fergus said. "My intention was to return Ser Gilmore's belongings but there was just something about Sandra. She was the first woman who did not try to throw herself at me. We actually talked. And then when I returned to Highever, I realized I didn't want to be alone anymore."
"Yes it's definitely nice to not be alone." Teagan admitted.
"Andraste's blood!" Fergus exclaimed. "You have a thing for my sister don't you?"
"And what would you say if I said I did?"
"I would whole heartily approve of course. It's been two years Teagan and nearly nine months since your brother revealed what happened to the rest of us. You lived in a self imposed exile all that time. You deserve to be happy."
"I would appreciate you not saying anything." Teagan said. "Your sister is so difficult to read. I married Kaitlyn within two months after meeting her. It was so easy."
"Perhaps you should act with those same instincts then." Fergus suggested.
"So tell me, how is my daughter?" Teagan asked, wanting to chain the subject.
"She's beautiful, adorable, and she needs her father."
"I know." Teagan sighed. "I miss her too. We will head to Denerim shortly. I don't want to miss more of her life than I already have."
"There you are."
They turned to see Marlena smiling at them.
"Your room is being prepared, your men have accommodations, and supper will be ready shortly."
"She really has become the lady of the manor hasn't she?" Fergus said teasingly.
"And I wouldn't have Lena any other way." Teagan said. "She brought this place to back to life."
"He called me Lena." She thought
Marlena could feel her heart flutter and when she saw Teagan looking at her it made her feel confused and exhilarated.
Taking her brother's arm and Teagan's they walked towards the castle.
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Marlena and Teagan enjoyed their supper with Fergus, before he excused himself to retire for the evening. They went in the study to go through the letters that Fergus had brought with him.
"Leliana and Zevran are delayed due to political unrest in Antiva." Marlena said. "They're alright but their expertise is needed there. It makes me relieved that I left when I did."
"I'm glad you left when you did as well." Teagan said.
"Lets see, another letter from Sandra, and one from Prince Stefano."
"Prince Stefano?" Teagan tried to mask his jealousy. "A letter from a lover?"
"Teagan I'm not going to lie, while I wasn't a harlot when I was in Antiva I also was not celibate. Prince Stefano and I enjoyed either other's…company but it was not serious and when I left Antiva, the relationship ended."
"Then why is he writing you?"
"He just wanted me to know Antiva was not the same without me." Marlena said.
"You can read it yourself."
Teagan was surprised when she handed it to him which turned out to be more like a note than the love letter he envisioned.
"I'm sorry for sounding…jealous and of course I don't consider you a harlot for seeking the company of man while you were in Antiva. Any man would be lucky to have the attention of beautiful woman such as you."
"Thank you Teagan." Marlena blushed.
"I was wondering…since you are going to be staying in Ferelden, if I could…."
"Jarrod wants to talk!"
Teagan and Marlena turned to see Ser Donall standing in the doorway.
"That's wonderful news!" Marlena exclaimed. "Let's get down there."
Marlena ran out of the room not seeing the fury on Teagan's face at having been interrupted.
The Great Turkey Torture
The smell of roast turkey lingered in the air as Marlena and Teagan made their way down to the dungeon. Ser Perth was still munching on a turkey leg in from Jarrod's cell when they approached it.
"Will you leave us for a few minutes Perth?"
"Please!" Jarrod begged. "You win. I'll tell you who it was, just give me some food."
Teagan went to the table, grabbed the carving knife and fork and removed the other leg and took a bite.
"So tender and juicy." He said, walking over to Marlena. "Try this."
He put his other arm around her as she took a bite from the turkey leg.
"Absolutely delicious." She said, licking her lips.
"Please!" Jarrod implored them. "I'll tell you everything."
"Who are you working for?" Teagan demanded.
"Vaughn." Jarrod cried. "He's the one who hired me to do everything to destroy you."