Chapter 9
"Isolde and Eamon had been married for several years and she still had not bore him any children." Teagan said, his eyes looking down in shame. "They started to argue about it but he still loved her so much that he could not leave her.
"One night when Eamon was in Denerim, I was staying at Redcliffe because he always asked me to keep Isolde company when he wasn't…around and like the loyal brother I was, I always did. We were drinking and playing cards because with Isolde you can't have any sort of intellectual conversation with her unless it's something Chantry related."
"She never seemed very bright from what I remember." Marlena said.
"It was getting late and I excused myself to retire for the night. " Teagan continued. "I remember things getting blurry as I made my way up the stairs. The next thing I recall is opening my eyes. I'm on the bed and she's…on top of me. The next morning, I wake up and watch her crawl out of my bed. She turns and tells me thank you and saunters out of my room as if I just gave her a piece of jewelry. Nine months later Connor is born."
Marlena reached over and hugged him. "She took advantage of you."
"We decided it would be best to never reveal the truth so I became Uncle Teagan to Connor."
"I'm so sorry she did that to you Teagan."
"You don't think less of me for my indiscretion with her?"
"Teagan I can't judge you for a mistake and I would never think less of you." Marlena caressed his cheek.
"I never told Kaitlyn." Teagan eyes looked down at the quilt. "I just could not bring myself to do it. She barely tolerated Isolde and it would have hurt her if she knew. So aside from Isolde and me, you are the only person who knows."
"Teagan I am honored that you trusted me enough to tell me this." Marlena snuggled against him. "And you need not worry; your secret is safe with me."
"I don't deserve you." Teagan smiled as he kissed her. "Any other woman would get up from this bed and walk away."
"I'm not the typical woman."
"No you're not." Teagan said. "And that makes me a lucky man indeed."
"Your brother told me Connor blames himself for what happened." Marlena said.
"We will go to the Circle one day soon." Teagan said. "I never blamed Connor for the insanity that was his mother. In the long run, I was absolutely relieved that he was free of her."
"Yes she did smother him didn't she?"
"Damn Eamon!" Teagan swore. "I should tell him the truth about Connor out of spite but something inside me just won't let me."
"That's because you are a good man Teagan."
"That may be but I am never going to live under his shadow again." Teagan said. "My daughter is going to learn about the consequences of having too much pride and ambition and she will know that nobility has more than one definition."
"And that is one of the many reasons why you are a wonderful father." Marlena brushed the hair out of his face.
"I failed Rowann when I abandoned her."
"You did not leave her by some road Teagan. Sandra and Fergus have been taking good care of her. She knew her Daddy was not well enough to be with her. Once we deal with Vaughn we will bring her back."
"And you will be with me?" Teagan asked.
"We're in this together Teagan." Marlena smiled. "I'll be here for has long as you want me to be."
"I will always want you here with me." Teagan said as he tenderly kissed her.
"So it's getting close to the evening." Marlena said. "Don't you think we should get up and put in an appearance?"
"Yes we should." Teagan agreed. "But see that door over there? That leads to the adjoining room. I am going to have your belongings moved there, but from now on you and I will be sharing this bed."
"What can I say?" Marlena smiled. "You're the master of the castle."
"And don't you forget that." He said as they kissed one last time before getting dressed.
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Teagan and Marlena came down the stairs holding hands and laughing.
As they passed by front entrance, the door opened and Britta came inside and looked relieved to see them.
"Oh thank the Maker you two are finally out of bed. I didn't realize Shems had that much stamina." She said sarcastically.
"And hello to you too." Marlena laughed.
"I was just coming to get you two." Britta said. "There is someone outside who wants to see you."
"Does it have to do with Vaughn?" Teagan asked.
"No." Britta said. "Its some mage. She says her name is Wynne."
"Thank you Britta." Teagan said. "We'll deal with it."
Marlena felt Teagan's arm around her as the memories of Wynne's verbal lashing came back to her.
"We'll deal with this." He said.
"I know." Marlena said. "Let's just get this over with."
Teagan opened the door and led Marlena out where they saw Wynne standing several feet from them talking with Ser Donall.
Wynne turned and looked at them as they walked towards her.
"Hello Wynne."