Chapter 20
"My Lords and Ladies." Sighard called out. "This Landsmeet has been called to reveal the crimes Anora has perpetrated against Ferelden and the Crown."
"When you read those documents, you will find she was consorting with a blood mage and evidence was discovered, that all those babies she lost never existed to begin with. Anora also was plotting the destruction of you king."
Teagan took the document that was handed it to him, and put his arm around Marlena as they read it.
"Perhaps Anora was enthralled by this mage." Bann Ceorlic said as he made his way through the crowd. "We should not rush to judgement."
Marlena glared when hearing a few murmurs of agreement.
"I can see you have not changed you foolish old man!" Marlena walked towards him. "Have you not even read what was given to you? Anora had records documenting her actions. This mage that came with her upon her return from her exile used blood magic. They used spells and Maker knows what else on your king. All the times Anora announced she was expecting were lies."
"Now just a minute."
"I am not finished yet!" Marlena yelled. "And look at the paper that was given you. In fact I implore all of you to read what was given you. They found her diary with an entry that stated how she deliberately fell down the stairs when she was expecting Cailan's child."
The sound of people gasping made Marlena realize the tide was turning.
"I contend that this woman, your former queen should account for her treachery. She deliberately fell off those stairs when she was four months along. Anora continued to lie and deceive when she came back and married Alistair." Marlena looked at Alistair briefly who gave her an approving nod.
"I ask you this Lords and Ladies, how many of you…have lost a child either at birth or from the Blight and civil war?" Marlena watched as the crowd grew silent. "Children are a blessing from the Maker. Her schemes were not only traitorous. They go against the Maker and all the great and wondrous things he has bestowed upon us."
"I lost two sons." Arl Wulff yelled. "She deserves to be executed."
"I…lost a child when I was never expected to have one to begin with." Marlena looked down at the floor.
"My son…was murdered." Teagan spoke out
"As was my first son." Fergus and Sandra walked towards Teagan to stand with him.
"This woman took a precious life that was growing inside her and destroyed it for her own selfish gain." Marlena pointed at Anora. "She plotted to continue to deceive your current king and to eventually destroy him. She deserves no mercy!"
Wynne and Fiona each held one of Erlina's hands as they came to the middle of the room as several guards followed them.
Marlena was shocked by her appearance. Erlina looked as if she had aged twenty years.
She watched as Wynne nudged her and Fiona nodded at her.
"What they say is true. I knew about Cailian's baby and she came back…from her exile…changed." Erlina said in a broken, shaky voice as she undid her robe and people gasped in horror when seeing her scarred body.
"She used me." Erlina cried. "She let them use my blood. Maker forgive me!"
"You bitch!" Anora seethed as she lunged forward but was held back by her chains.
"Kill her!" A voice yelled.
"Execute her!" A voice bellowed.
Marlena watched as the Grand Cleric walked towards Anora.
"Have you anything to say in your defense Anora?"
"I did what I thought was right. Do you really want an incompetent baboon as your leader?"
Alistair's face burned with anger as he glared at Anora.
"And killing Cailan's unborn child was the right thing to do? And lying about being with child when you were married to King Alistair was the right thing to do as well as plotting to destroy him reclaim control? Alistair is a far better ruler than you give him credit for. Conditions in the Alienage have improved because of him. He has increased trade with other countries. He gave the Dalish the lands near Ostagar. He has done a great deal and will continue to usher Ferelden into a new era."
Alistair could not hide his shock as Marlena defended him.
"Why didn't you die with rest of your family?" Anora lunged again, managing to spit on Marlena as the crowd gasped. "My father and Howe should have gotten you."
Anora closed her eyes and laughed, opening them just as Marlena's fist met her mouth.
Screams and gasps could be heard from the crowd as Teagan & Fergus rushed towards Marlena.
Blood gushing from her mouth, Anora fell to the ground spitting out several teeth as Marlena wiped her face and rubbed her hand.
"Just so you know your father did not sanction the massacre of my family Anora. As paranoid and traitorous as Loghain was, he had no part in Howe's plans. Rendon Howe was planning the destruction of my family for years; it's all documented in the journals that were found at Vigil's Keep. He took advantage of your father's xenophobia and paranoia. Loghain may have conducted some vile acts but he would have never willingly been part of a heinous plot that included the killing of an innocent child. He saw far too many women and children murdered during the Orlesian Occupation."
"You lie!"
"Your father is looking down at you right now Anora and he is likely sad at what you have become."
"Enough!" Alistair called out. "Has everyone heard enough?"
"Execute her!"
"I believe people have heard enough your Majesty." Wynne said.
"Then Anora Mac Tir Theirin, I do hereby sentence you to death. May the Maker have mercy on your soul." Alistair looked at Marlena as he said that. "Lady Marlena needs some healing here."
Anora's screams echoed around them as she was dragged out of the area.
Fiona went over to Marlena and took her closed hand. "You have several broken bones. You should have known better."
"Indeed she should have." Teagan pulled her against him.
"Teagan this is Fiona, she's the one who saved my life."
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Teagan smiled.
"The pleasure is mine Arl Teagan. Congratulations on your nuptials and the baby."
"Thank you."
"I probably should not have done that but she just made me so angry." Marlena sighed as the pain subsided and she was able to move her fingers.
"I am so proud of you Sister." Fergus kissed her cheek. "I know this wasn't easy."
"I am proud of you as well Lena." Teagan kissed her other cheek and put his arm around her. "Its going to be a joy having you at my side ruling the arling and Rainesfere."
"Your baby is healthy and growing Marlena." Fiona said as she touched her belly. "I want you to get some rest however. You look exhausted."
"Thank you Fiona. I am feeling a bit weary after speaking out and starved."
"Oh I can guarantee she will be getting some rest." Teagan said firmly. "It was a pleasure to meet you Fiona."
"I know you will take good care of her." Fiona smiled before turning to Marlena. "Please take care of yourself. You deserve all the happiness and joy that is coming to you."
"Thank you Fiona."
"Lets get you back to the estate." Teagan caressed Marlena's cheek. "You've had enough excitement."
"You are too good to me." Marlena smiled.
"This is only the beginning Lena." Teagan said as he kissed. "I intend to spoil you."
…
Alistair watched as Marlena and Teagan talked with well wishers before leaving with Fergus and Sandra.
He walked back with his guards to the palace and dismissed them as he sat down on the bench.
"She defended me and actually thinks I am a good ruler." Alistair broke his silence as Wynne and Fiona came back to him. "Why…would she do that?"
"You are a good king Alistair." Wynne smiled
"Despite what has happened, she still cares for you and I know she wants you to find your own happiness."
"Happy?" Alistair laughed. "You are joking right?" He stood up and looked at them. "I ruined my chance at happiness when I believed Eamon and now look where I am? Marlena is marrying Teagan and gets a second chance at being a mother and I am alone."
"You need to stop punishing yourself Alistair." Wynne said.
"And you're not alone." Fiona added.
"Teagan really loves her. I can see it just by the way he looks at Marlena and how protective he is of her."
"I'm sorry if that hurts you." Wynne touched that arm.
"It actually doesn't hurt as much as I expected it to. Its odd but it gives me relief to see her happy."
Fiona and Wynne watched him head to his study.
"He just took one step forward." Fiona smiled.
"Indeed he did." Wynne sighed.
...
Marlena opened her eyes and found Rowan snuggled up against her sleeping peacefully.
"You're awake."
Marlena turned to see Teagan sitting in the chair by the bed smiling at her.
"I can't begin to tell you how it warms my heart to see you and Rowan like this. You both look so beautiful."
"I love her Teagan. And I do not want her to feel jealous and left out because of the baby. You would not believe some of things Fergus did to me when were kids."
"Really? But you two are so close."
"We are now but ask him about the time he took me out of the nursery when I was not even three years old. Somehow he managed to get out of the castle while holding my hand. We made it all the way to the servant's entrance and he tried to sneak me into a merchant wagon."
"What happened?" Teagan laughed.
"Mother and Father came running out and Fergus was punished. For two weeks he could not have any sweets, and he had to spend an hour a day with Mother Mallol."
"I'm going to have to rib him about that."
"Please do." Marlena chuckled.
"So are you hungry?"
"A little bit." Marlena sat up and got out of bed, careful to not disturb Rowan. "I think my stomach could handle a light meal."
"Britta will tend to Rowan."
Marlena took Teagan's hand and they left the room.
Teagan stopped and put his arms around Marlena.
"We're leaving for Highever in a week. I want you to take it easy and not exert yourself too much."
"And just when is the right time for me to exert myself Arl Teagan?" Marlena traced his lips with her tongue until he parted his lips and slipped his tongue into her mouth. His mouth covering hers, their tongues fought for dominance, Teagan winning as he pulled her close against him.
"You are wicked woman, Lena." He looked around before caressing her breasts until her nipples hardened. "If I am going to go downstairs aroused then you will as well."
"Fine. But Fergus and Sandra won't notice." Marlena laughed
Arm in arm, they both went downstairs laughing.
….
Three Hours Later
Teagan collapsed against Marlena, still panting. She had surprised him wearing Chasind robes that made him almost burst out of his breeches.
She looked beautiful and wild and his lust only grew to where after kissing her, he literally pulled her to where her back was facing him, lifted the robes, and tore off her small clothes.
She bent over, looking over her shoulder and gave him a smoldering glance. As Marlena pushed her rear back towards him he groaned, lining his length up with her opening. They both moaned as he entered her wet heat. Pulling out, he thrust slowly back in as she thrust her hips back, pushing him in deeper.
"Don't stop." Marlena moaned
Teagan thrust faster, finding that perfect angle that made him rub against her pleasure spot, making her cry out and thrust back to meet his hips. He pounded into her feeling her tighten around him.
Teagan reached down and fingered her pearl as Marlena nearly screamed as her orgasm overtook her.
"Lena!" He grunted feeling her spasm around him as he spilled into her.
They rode out their orgasm together before collapsing.
"That Chasind robe." Teagan managed to say while still recovering his breathing. "You are not to get rid of it."
"Yes sir." Marlena laughed as he crawled into bed. Marlena removed the robe and got into bed, snuggling against Teagan as he pulled the covers up.
"You know Teagan; you are the first man I have worn the Chasind robe for. I never wore them for Alistair or Stefano."
"You didn't?" Teagan looked surprised and pleased as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Well you know Alistair was…my first and Stefano would not have appreciated it."
"Well I certainly…appreciated it." Teagan kissed her and brushed the hair out of her face. "There's something I've always wanted to ask…since we've become…. intimate."
"Teagan, I love you, I'm going to marry you and I'm having your baby. You can ask me anything."
"Have you…" Teagan stopped talking and whispered in her ear.
"Yes, a few times. We can actually….try it if you want. I think it will be more….pleasurable for me experiencing it with someone I love."
"And I love you more with each passing day." Teagan watched as Marlena shut her eyes. "But sleep beckons; we have our whole lives ahead of us to explore each other."
Teagan closed his eyes as Marlena put an arm around him and drifted off to sleep.
…..
Marlena looked up when she saw Wynne walking towards her.
"Wynne." Marlena stood up. "How are you?"
"Don't get up on my account." Wynne smiled. "I just wanted a chance to say goodbye. I'm leaving for the Circle tomorrow."
"How is Alistair taking it?"
"It was difficult at first but he has accepted it and I think Fiona is good for him. She won't…coddle him."
"So has Anora been…."
"Yes. She was executed yesterday."
"I'm still in a state of shock about that."
"Most of the people in the palace still are. And Denerim is still abuzz at how you spoke out. Alistair could not believe how you defended him."
"I don't hate Alistair Wynne. I do care about him and want him to be happy and I meant what I said, I do think he is good king."
"I know you do."
"Teagan and I plan to visit Connor. He received a letter from Irving this morning. Connor is taking Eamon's death well for the most part."
"It's because he knows Teagan is his father Marlena."
"You know?" Marlena's eyes widened.
"I knew by the way he looked at Connor when we were at Redcliffe. He also told me the last time I visited the Circle."
"Is he angry at Teagan?"
"No but he feels very guilty for what his mother did to Kaitlyn and his brother. I trust you won't say anything to Teagan. Connor wants to tell Teagan himself."
"I won't. Teagan needs to hear this from Connor. It will ease the burden from his soul."
So when are you leaving for Highever?"
"In a couple of days and the wedding is next week. We're going to Redliffe a few weeks after to spend a couple of months and then we'll be heading to Rainesfere. Teagan wants the baby born there."
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. I get tired easier and the occasional queasiness but other than that I'm doing quite well."
"That's good. I wish you all the happiness in the world Marlena. You deserve it. I can see how much you Teagan love each other."
"Thank you Wynne. I know Connor will be in good hands with you as his mentor and…perhaps we can…write to each other."
"I'd like that." Wynne said. "I best head back to the palace. Please take care of yourself and give my regards to Wynne."
"I will and you take care too."
To Wynne's surprise, Marlena hugged her and she embraced her back. She smiled, turned and walked away before Marlena could see the tears. Their relationship would likely never be the same but that hug was a new beginning and she silently thanks the Maker for it.
...
Two templars inspected the rubble of the asylum as the priest blessed the site.
The fire had broken out in the kitchen but it had spread so fast and it did not help that the people were fighting their rescuers. The older templar brushed the soot out of his face and surveyed the survivors being tended to in the distance.
"We need to send word to Arl Eamon." He said to the younger man. "He needs to know as soon as possible about her escape."
"But what are the odds are of her heading back there?"
"This is Isolde Guerrin we're talking about. You have seen the depths of her insanity. It might take months but she will go back to finish what she started. And now she is running with that other group that escaped. Maker preserve them!"
"I can't believe how many they killed." The younger templar sighed. "So many….deaths."
"We can't dwell on this; we must get the word out as soon as possible to the Circle and Denerim!"
….
A/N: To all my readers….inspiration dictates that this story will likely have several more chapters than originally planned. Thanks for your support and keep on reading.
This chapter is dedicated to one of my best friends and fellow Teagan lover…Pam:
You gave me a challenge when you wanted me to incorporate the Chasind Robe in the story….Hope you enjoyed it. LOL