Chapter 19

"What is going on Nate?" Marlena watched as two more wagons rode away. "Why is Anora being taken away?"

"That look…on her face…reminded me of….Isolde." Teagan looked down at the ground as Marlena took his hand.

"I guess word has not reached you yet." Nathan looked uncomfortable.

"We're not exactly privy to the happenings at the palace." Teagan replied.

"Anora was consorting with a blood mage." Nathaniel revealed. "The people she came back with from her exile were in cahoots with her. Evidence was found that all of those pregnancies she had with King Alistair never existed. He was put under some sort of spell during the times…. they were together. They also uncovered a conspiracy to have him killed and there were some documents uncovered that Anora deliberately lost the one child she was expecting with Cailan."

"Dear Maker!" Madeline clutched her heart. "To deliberately lose a child…a baby you are carrying… is truly evil!"

"Is the king alright?" Teagan's eyes widened.

"He's angry but fine. Fiona and Wynne helped him uncover the truth apparently."

"Fiona is a very powerful mage, even more so than Wynne. I am not surprised." Madeline leaned against Teagan.

"Indeed she is."

"What about Erlina?" Teagan asked. "Was she part of this?"

"They captured her when she was alone and she confessed to everything. Erlina also had scars rich revealed the blood mage was using her blood. Alistair took pity on her. She is being deported back to Orlais."

"And what of the others?" Madeline asked.

"The mage is dead. The bodyguard will be sentenced to death as will Anora I suspect. Alistair already had his marriage to her dissolved. And there will likely be Landsmeet called."

"Wonderful." Teagan sighed. "We are preparing to leave for Highever."

"Well, just so you know, you can count on some of us attending your wedding." Nathaniel smiled. "We all miss you and Oghren regales the recruits with tales of your deeds."

"Oh Maker." Marlena laughed and shook her head.

"So what brings you to the compound?" Nathaniel smiled.

Marlena looked at Teagan and nodded. He went to the carriage and brought out the box.

"I have something for you Nate." Marlena said as Teagan handed him the box. "I should have given this to you before I left for Antiva."

Marlena watched as Nathaniel tentatively opened the box and closed the lid.

"No. I…can't accept this. This was made for you."

"It was made for a Warden Commander, Nate." Marlena smiled. "You are the Commander of the Grey now. This sword is meant for you. I know you will wield it with honor."

"I don't know what to say." Nathaniel looked stunned as he took the box from Teagan. "Thank you Marlee."

"How is Delilah and your nephew?"

"They are wonderful. Although Delilah still finds reminders of Bann Esmerelle at the estate and when she does, she closes off the room and has everything cleared out before refurnishing it."

"I hated Esmerelle the few times I saw her when I attended court." Teagan remembered. "Can't say I shed a tear when I heard she hung herself."

Nathaniel and Marlena exchanged nervous glances with one another.

"Nathaniel please invite Delilah and her family to the wedding. I'd love to see them."

"I will do that. Thank you." Nathaniel smiled.

"We better get going."

"Thank you for giving Vigilance to me. I am truly honored."

"You're welcome Nate." Madeline hugged him. "And I expect a dance with you at my wedding."

"Definitely." Nate promised.

"Good to see you Nate." Teagan shook his hand and helped Madeline into the carriage."

"You gave Nate's family Bann Esmerelle's old estate?" Teagan asked as they rode back to the estate.

"Yes. When Nate saved Fergus from the bandits and he was granted some land back for his deed, my first priority was giving them the estate until a castle could be build for them."|

"You know your brother has never mentioned that…encounter with the bandits."

"It was ten against one. He managed to take out 3 of them but thank the Maker, Nathaniel discovered him just in time."

"Nate is a good man and definitely not cut from the same cloth as his father."

"He is."

"I guess we will have to attend the Landsmeet." Teagan sighed.

"I actually want to go Teagan. I am going to be your arlessa soon so it's for the best I do make some appearances. I also need to see Anora before she is sentenced. I need to see a woman who would deliberately destroy a new life growing in her just out of selfishness and ambition."

"Then we will go but the next day we will leave for Highever." Teagan kissed her. "And in my heart you are already my arlessa."

…

Alistair watched as Teagan and Marlena's carriage rode away. There was no solace for being free of Anora and seeing how happy Teagan and Marlena were only added to his heartache.

Waving off his guards, Alistair went to his study hoping a drink would numb the anguish.

Fiona and Wynne watched him shut the door.

"He still loves her." Wynne sighed.

"And I have no doubt he always will but he has to let her go. It's the only way he will move on."

"The Landsmeet is next week." Wynne sighed. "I have no doubt that she and Teagan will attend. I know Marlee well enough that she will want to see Anora after she had heard about the insidious things she's done."

"Indeed. Anybody who has lost a child will feel outrage at Anora's actions."

"Yes…they will." Wynne looked away.

Fiona looked at Wynne and felt bad for her. While she has to live with guilt of leaving Alistair, the chantry had taken Wynne's child away. Alistair became the son she lost. As much as Fiona disagreed with some of things Wynne has done, she did appreciate how much she cared for Alistair.

"I presume you will be staying for the Landsmeet." Fiona looked at Wynne.

"Yes. I still have a few tasks I need to finish before heading back to the Circle and I want to talk to Marlena again."

"Good. I have a feeling I may need your assistance again, but this time it will be to pull Alistair out of a pit of despair."

…

Teagan looked up when Marlena entered their room and locked the door.

"She's asleep. I just told Rowan that she will have a very important job once her baby brother or sister is born. She's hoping for a sister."

"And what do you want? A boy or girl?" Teagan watched as Marlena removed her dress.

"I just want a healthy baby Teagan." Marlena said as she inspected her body in the mirror.

"So I guess that means we won't be arguing about names." Teagan laughed.

"How about this? If it's a boy, you can name him and if it's a girl, I will name her?"

"And you've just given me another reason why I love you."

"You're just saying that because I'm naked."

"Actually I was going to say how fair and reasonable you are." Teagan chuckled. "And you aren't fully undressed yet."

He watched her remove her small clothes and touched her breasts. Teagan licked his lips when see how hard her nipples were.

"Do my breasts look bigger to you?"

"They do look a bit…rounder." Teagan removed his shirt, got up walked towards her.

Marlena hungrily watched the reflection as Teagan removed his breeches and small clothes and smiled when seeing his growing arousal.

"Yes." He growled hungrily as he approached her from behind and cupped his hands with her breasts.

Marlena arched and turned her head, meeting Teagan's hungry mouth as he pulled her into the chair that was in front of the mirror. Taking his cock in one of her hands, Marlena positioned her body, and in one fluid move slid down on him, rocking back and forth.

She looked in the mirror and marveled at the bliss on Teagan's face as she slowly moved up and down over her him. Marlena moaned when he thrust hard against her.

"Oooh." She cried out when seeing and feeling his finger trace circles on her pearl as his other pinched one of her nipples.

She arched her head back and cried out meeting Teagan's thrusts as he nibbled and kissed the sensitive area of her neck.

"Lena!"

Marlena was on the precipice of her release when feeling him spill into her and he groaned when feeling her spasm and shudder, milking him to the point of no return.

She went limp against him, then moved around and snuggled in his arms.

"It's early." Marlena said as she rubbed Teagan's chest.

"Indeed it is." Teagan kissed her. "What do you have in mind?"

"Why don't we just lay in bed? It feels so good to be in your arms."

"Whatever your heart desires." Teagan said as he took Marlena's hand and she led him to the bed.

They curled up in bed, under the covers and Marlena's arm slung across his chest as he reached down and caressed her belly.

"I do believe I think I feel a slight swell." Teagan smiled.

"I'm barely three months." Marlena laughed.

"I just can't wait until we're settled in Rainesfere." Teagan sighed. "I have it all planned. Once we're married, we'll have a week to ourselves before heading to Redcliffe. We'll spend a month or two there. We will also travel to the Circle and see Connor, before heading to Rainesfere."

"I know you sent a letter to Irving about Eamon so he could tell Connor."

"I haven't heard back yet. I suspect I will soon and I know its not going to be easy. He's already lost his mother and now he has lost Eamon."

"He will have us. And Wynne is going back to the Circle to mentor him. Connor is in good hands."

"Enchanter Irving once said Connor could visit."

"I think that is a marvelous idea. He should get to know Rowan and the baby. And you will have to tell him the truth one day, that you are his father."

"I know." Teagan sighed. "Just thinking about his reaction…terrifies me. I love him and I did not do right by him."

"Teagan, what Isolde did to you was not your fault nor was it Connor's. When I heard about…what she did, it went through my mind that I should have let her sacrifice herself that day but eventually I realized I could not have predicted what would happen. As for Connor; children are remarkably resilient. It might hurt him in the beginning but in time he will understand. And when you do tell him, I'll be right there by your side."

"How did I get so lucky?"

"I think we're both lucky. A few years ago, I was expecting to die in the Deep Roads before I was fifty. Everyday I thank the Maker for the second chance he has given me. I just know I love you and I am looking forward to our life."

"And I love you, more and more everyday." Teagan pulled her closer and kissed her.

….

Teagan and Marlena were surprised to be warmly greeted as they walked into the Landsmeet. They had joined Fergus and Sandra when people starting coming up to them to apologize to Marlena and to congratulate them. Bann Sighard's nineteen year old daughter, Loraine came up to Marlena and told her how much she admired her. Marlena looked at Loraine and it made her realize that she was six years older than Serena.

Marlena sighed as she watched Loraine go back to her father and Oswyn.

"What is it Lena?" Teagan took her hand.

"She's the same age, I became a Grey Warden. I just realize how much I have experienced, the things I have done and I'm only twenty five years old."

"And what you've experienced certainly entitles you to lead a normal life with Teagan, Sister." Fergus smiled.

"Indeed it does, Brother."

Teagan smiled and as Marlena squeezed his hand.

Fiona and Wynne suddenly appeared and Marlena watched as Anora was being brought in.

By looking at her, it was hard to believe she was once the Queen of Ferelden. Dressed in prison garb and chained, Anora's hair was undone and matted. She was dirty but was unnerved Marlena was the wild look she had in her eyes. Anora resembled a tainted ghoul and when her eyes met Marlena's she lunged for her. Teagan instinctively shielded her as the guardsmen pulled Anora away.

Alistair suddenly appeared. Marlena gasped for he looked like he aged ten years. As much as Marlena could never forget what happened, she could not help but feel sorry for Alistair and silently prayed to the Maker to help him find the peace and happiness he deserved.

"My Lords and Ladies." A voice called. "This Landsmeet was called to reveal the crimes of Anora to the people she served. May the Maker guide you into deciding her fate. Let the Landsmeet commence."