Teyrn Loghain was, in fact, the last one to hear of his engagement. He learned of it only as he rode through the gates of Denerim after a particularly successful raid on a Darkspawn encampment with the group of warden's hand-picked by the Arl of Amaranthine herself. He had been so shocked to hear of it that he had chastised the first peasant who had congratulated him. He'd firmly told the woman she must be mistaken. But then it happened again…and again. And once more as he came to the palace and was greeted by Bann Teagan. Only then did he take the words of congratulations seriously.

The man did not look as if he meant the words of celebratory joy that poured from his mouth. In fact the man seemed almost, mournful, over the news. Loghain was furious. He rounded on the Bann and demanded to know why the whole of Denerim was intent on plaguing him with some poorly conceived jest.

Teagan blinked owlishly in surprise and his body language changed. His tone was almost, sympathetic as he addressed the Teyrn. "You mean…you did not know? But I was sure…we were all sure you were apart of it."

"Apart of what?!" Loghain snapped his eyes burning holes into the lord's face. "What, on the Maker's fine earth, are you babbling on about Teagan?"

The younger man leveled the Queen's father with a hesitant look of pity and then shook his head. His voice held a tone of reluctance as he began to explain, "Two days ago the Queen called for a council and announced that you should be betrothed."

Loghain swore and pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger in a sign of irritation. He mumbled a curse against conniving women under his breath and then turned back to Teagan with a slightly softer gaze. "It seems my daughter has inherited my talent for strategy. Had I but been here…" he made a noncommittal gesture and let out a deep sigh. "I suppose it doesn't matter now. Where is my daughter? I find we have some things to discuss."

Teagan cinched his eyebrows and looked worried. "The Queen is currently attending to matters within her study. She asked not to be disturbed. "

The Teyrn snorted derisively and turned away from the other man and toward the hall that led to his daughter's study. " You forget Bann Teagan. Anora may be Queen, but she is still my daughter. I shall settle this ridiculous matter with her before day's end, you can be sure of that."

The Teyrn found Her Majesty exactly where Bann Teagan had told him, at home amongst a pile of official documents and maps of varying sizes and shapes. Despite his anger Loghain almost smiled at the sight of his daughter in her surroundings. She looked the picture of a woman dedicated, and for that he loved her. However, when he remembered what she had done in his absence his smile vanished, replaced once more by a surly glare. Something Anora noticed when she at last looked up and spotted him.

"Father! You're back from the south so soon!" Anora exclaimed, her face lighting up as she stood and came around her desk to embrace him.

It took Loghain some effort to hide his pleasure at his welcoming home-coming. One he had not felt as he had come through the city proper. "The wardens were more capable than I had anticipated. The Arl of Amaranthine has obviously trained them well. But come Anora, I do not wish to talk further about the wilds." he paused a moment when he saw guilt flash across his daughter's face before she hid it quickly away.

The dark haired man of Gwaren frowned in suspicion and displeasure and tilted his daughter's chin up so that she was forced to look him in the eye. "Is there something you have to tell me daughter? Perhaps something about a particular engagement?"he did not hide the venom in his voice and he felt no twinge of pain as Anora seemed to physically recoil at the accusation in his voice.

She looked up at him plaintively, like she had often as a child when she knew she had done something wrong. It triggered a deep instinct in him to suddenly pull her close and comfort her. He ignored it, she had proven that she was no longer a little girl. "I am sorry father it is just. You have not taken a wife since mother died…I want you to be happy."

Loghain did not, for a single moment, believe his daughter's words. She was lying to him. "Anora…"he growled, glaring at her.

She stiffened, rose her chin, and stuck out her bottom lip in a pout. "If you do not believe me then fine but it is, partially the truth."

"Anora…" he said again.

She stared at him for a moment, hesitant and contemplative, before at last she sighed and looked up at him in the way a child can only ever look at a parent they know they have disappointed. "It was not about you father. It was about her…and Alistair. How was I supposed to sit by and let them moon over one another while my back was turned!"

Loghain's glare darkened and grew a point of murderous intent. His mind flew to all sorts of conclusions and he could feel his face flush with anger. "Maric's bastard? He's taken a mistress?" Could no son of that man remain loyal to a wife. Must the entire Therin line betray him?

Anora let out a slow shaky breath and shook her head, "No. I don't believe so. At least…not yet. But there is obviously something between them. Something more than mere friendship. I know it! Though neither of them would admit it."

Her voice trailed off and Loghain began to wonder if Anora's fears were not all in her own mind. Still he felt pity for his child. For his daughter so cheated by her last husband that she now doubted her new one at every turn. "So you thought to bind such a woman to me? Did it not occur to you that I might not appreciate marrying a woman whose faithfulness lies in question?"

Anora closed her eyes and laid a hand upon a stack of books upon her desk. "It is not she who I believe to be unfaithful. She has proved her loyalty over and over again. It is her faithfulness I fear. She is loyal to him to the end. More so than she might ever be loyal to me. And Alistair…I fear he would beg her to be what he wanted of her…and she would not be able to refute him…not anymore. He is King, father, and I do not know if I have the power to stop him from becoming his father…or his brother."

She cinched her eyes together and then stared at him with the resolute authority and anger of a monarch. It was nearly frightening. "If I must nip this fascination in the bud by harming our relationship…then so be it. The people of Ferelden deserve to have a king worthy of them. I believe Alistair can be that king…once her influence upon his affections is removed."

Loghain looked at his daughter, his Queen, for some time in silence. He studied her and wondered when his little girl had changed into such a strong woman and ruler. Somewhere within him he heard the sound of his heart slowly breaking. "And what of me Anora? Do I no longer matter to you? Am I now…simply a pawn for you to play?"

She was quiet for a moment and then she went to him and embraced him, burying her face against the cold expanse of his armor. "No father. I simply hoped that you might be what you have always tried to be for me…a shield against harm."

He sighed and returned his daughter's hug for a brief moment before he pulled her away and stared into her eyes with reluctant acceptance. "If that is your wish Anora… then I will grant it for you."

She gave him a watery smile and kissed his cheek in thanks before she turned as if to return to her desk. "Just…one last thing if you would Anora?" He proposed as she sat once more. She looked up at him curiously and then made a gesture for him to continue with his question. Reluctantly he smiled in return.

"Who is this woman I am to be married to?"

The Queen did not attempt to hide her surprise. "Did Bann Teagan not tell you?"

"He did not."

She frowned for a moment and then simply shrugged and turned her eyes back to the work set out before her on her desk. "You are to wed the Arl of Amaranthine and Commander of the Grey in Ferelden. Tearanae Surana."

Loghain felt his blood turn to ice at the mention of that woman's name. Briefly he remembered a flash of red hair and then the sting of magic as he found himself trapped and crushed in an impossible prison. The mage who wielded a sword. The woman who defeated him in battle and debate at the Landsmeet. The elf who had spared him and allowed him to keep both his title and his dignity. Yes, truly, his blood ran cold.

"I fear, my daughter, that you have thrown me into the den of a dragon. That woman will be the death of me."