The Arrangement
Under pressure, Alistair is desperate to find a suitable Queen. Only that his choice is a highly unusual young noble woman and a new danger threatens Alistair's very life- Luckily Aedan Cousland is here to help. AU. M!Cousland Warden, Alistair, Non-Warden F!Cousland and the rest of the gang!
Holy Crackers Batman! Thank you to everyone who has put this story on their alerts. I am positively bouncing. And thank you to PK-chan12 and Pollyanna24 for your reviews. =D And LOOK it is still Sunday (for about an hour here, ha!).
-JP-
Edited: Fixed errors (10/07)
Chapter 4: Opening Moves.
Anora studied herself in the mirror, quickly giving herself a quick once over. Her dress fell to the floor as a waterfall of deep amethyst, and her flimsy silk sleeves allowed a tantalising taste of graceful, white arms. Tonight she aimed to look elegant but enticing, cold yet warm.
Her elven maid took one look over her and clapped her hands together, ''you look so beautiful, milady. Like a queen.''
Anora turned back to her maid. ''I think a daring up-style for the hair.''
The other woman nodded obediently as she stepped behind her mistress. As her maid worked, Anora picked up a small carved box from the vanity table. It contained a matching set of amethyst jewels, given to her by a friend of her father's. She took the necklace and set it very carefully around her neck, before applying the matching earrings. Anora looked back at the mirror. Her face was a perfect oval, framed by a pair of golden curls that her maid had let escape from the rest of the hair that had been piled up on her head.
Nodding in approval, she gestured for her maid to bring her cosmetics box, imported at great cost from Antiva. Using a fingertip, she took a tiny amount of finely ground amethyst and applied it lightly over her eyelids. Leaning back, she admired the effect in the mirror, the light purple colour perfectly creating a contrast with her eyes.
''Now I look like a queen.'' She declared in contentment as she snapped the box shut.
Her maid regarded her with a look of alarm, ''you are not concerned about the rumours?''
Anora let out a laugh, ''Concerned? Why would I be when it is only obvious that Alistair is unfit to rule when he is easily influenced by his fellow Warden.''
Her companion clucked worriedly in response, ''yet the rumours around the castle staff suggest that the Arl and the King decided on the match, it was not the Hero of Ferelden milady.''
Anora had also heard the gossip. She was amused that the Arl of Redcliffe could be so easily paranoid. Masking her emotions, she sent a reassuring smile to her maid, ''don't let gossip worry you, my darling. If Eamon and Alistair believe that they can gain the support from my father's bannermen by arranging a marriage with the Couslands then they are very much mistaken.
''I am the rightful heir to my father's seat at Gwaren. I ruled Ferelden for years whilst Cailan drank and bedded his way to his grave. And if Eamon believes that by marrying Alistair with this girl who the court does not know, then he is surely mistaken.''
''But she is the sister of one of his best friends, and a daughter of a Teryn,'' her maid reminded her.
''Who has not visited Denerim before the Blight!'' Anora closed her eyes for a moment. ''Can you not understand? That's exactly the point,'' she explained, ''the people do not know her as they know me.''
''And what if they meet tonight, and the king ends up offering her marriage?''
Anora paused as she willed herself to calm. It would not do to be seen with unbecoming red spots on her cheeks tonight. She forced herself to once again mask the rise in emotions, ''If Alistair and the Cousland girl meet tonight, and if he decides to offer marrying her after the first meeting then he is even more of a bigger fool than I thought.
''I too have heard gossip,'' she continued, ''my friends tell me that the girl has little to no administration experience, and is definitely not a diplomat; something of which this kingdom needs. The girl is not a suitable choice and I will certainly make it that Alistair and Eamon see that.''
000
Elissa tugged at the plunging neckline. ''Are you sure this is all-right?'' she asked Leliana, ''It is very uncomfortable.''
The bard smiled, ''you have obviously not been to Orlais, now there the necklines are even lower.''
''Still, it does seem awfully low.''
Leliana laughed, ''Just leave it be. You look very lovely and I know that Alistair will not be able to tear his eyes away.''
Elissa slowly turned around in a circle, feeling the gentle brushing of the silken dress against her legs. Leliana had been frivolous when selecting a dress for her to wear for the banquet, saying that the deep green coloured gown would bring out her eyes. Despite her protestations, Elissa could not help but smile at her reflection in the mirror.
She looked very different from how she normally dressed. Usually her mother would have ordered her dresses for her, and Eleanor had often selected practical outfits that would not be in any danger of being spoiled if her youngest decided to behave improperly. And yet, Elissa enjoyed wearing a pretty gown that would give her the confidence she needed amongst so many strange faces.
Elissa reached out to give the other woman a hug, ''Thank you!''
Leliana laughed, before she stepped out of the younger woman's embrace. Looking her over, the bard suggested for her hair to be let loose for the night, ''it would be enchanting.''
A knock at the door revealed the man from the gardens.
''What are you doing here?'' Elissa asked in surprise, not noticing the look that passed between him and Leliana.
The man did a double take, his eyes reflecting the candle light as he gazed at her appreciatively. Silence ensued as the two of them stood staring at each other.
After a moment, Leliana cleared her throat, "Well, I think I shall go and check if Aedan is dressed.'' She shot a bemused look towards the tawny haired man, ''I will meet you both in the hall.''
Alistair hardly registered that the bard had left. She looked different. Her hair let loose from the ponytail, which sent dark curls cascading down her back and shoulders. Her dress too, he decided in approval, was much more appropriate for a young woman her age.
''Maker, you look beautiful!''
Her startled look suggested that he had said that out loud. Alistair groaned, ''I'm sorry.''
''Why are you sorry?'' Elissa asked curiously, her awkwardness forgotten, ''you should never apologise for something if you feel it is true.''
Alistair grinned, ''Well if that is the case milady, then I will have to take my apology back.''
''Why are you here?'' She repeated her previous question.
''I thought I could escort you to the banquet,'' he answered with a shrug.
For a moment she regarded him with those green eyes that had left him restless all morning at the memory of them. ''I suppose that that is a logical reason for your presence Ser,'' she commented.
He answered her with a grin, as he offered her his arm.
''Well my lady Cousland, we should not keep the Court waiting.''
000
It felt to Aedan as though he had paced the length of the room as he waited for his sister to make her entrance with the king.
''Aedan?'' his brother's voice cut through the silence. ''You are behaving ridiculously.''
He ran a gloved hand threw his hair, ''He's the one who is behaving ridiculously. I thought the agreement was for Elissa to be introduced to Alistair by us tonight not-''
''It does not change that you are behaving ridiculously.'' His elder brother stated with a frown.
''It is clear that they have already met Warden,'' Wynn counselled calmly, ''When or how this occurred is not known but there is not much that you can do to change something that has already happened.''
''Wynn is right Aedan,'' Fergus said as he placed a reassuring hand on to his younger brother's shoulder. ''Come now, our sister is in safe hands with his majesty.''
''Ah, here you all are!'' A voice from the crowd exclaimed.
Fergus shot his brother a warning look as he turned to greet the Arl and Arlessa of Redcliffe. As they exchanged pleasantries, Aedan turned to resume his watch of the entrance way.
If this arrangement was going to work out, he would certainly make sure that his sister didn't get hurt if it all came crashing down.
000
Silently they walked across the cobbled stone courtyard towards the main part of the castle. Elissa could hear people talking and the soft sound of music being played. She stole a quick glance at her companion who seemed to be deep in thought. He was dressed very simply, and yet he had an indefinable aura that she wondered, not for the first time who he was. Elissa bit her lip in consideration, he was obviously a friend of Leliana's and he seemed to have known about her family.
''You are quiet Elissa,'' Alistair commented to the young woman on his arm. She blushed, realising that she had been caught staring at him, ''I was just thinking.''
He smiled knowingly, ''Oh, what about?''
She squirmed uncomfortably, ''about you.''
Alistair raised an eyebrow, ''all good I hope?''
Elissa shot him a perplexed look, ''I don't know what you would consider as 'all good'.''
The man laughed out loud in genuine amusement. It transformed him, making him look much younger. With an exaggerated bow he held open one of the double doors for her, and after giving him a final long look she passed through.
After the relative quiet of the courtyard, the difference was startling. The air was hot from the many candles, mixing with the scent of perfumes and the hum of so many people talking at once made Elissa feel overwhelmed. She was not used to the court functions of her father's hold, often preferring to spend her time in the stables. There had to be several hundred people mingling about the large hall. She could not help but stare at the luxurious and slightly ridiculous dresses, with their many glittering jewels that were on display.
Well, it was now or never, Elissa thought as she turned to her companion who was watching her.
''Would you like me to find one of your brothers to escort you inside?'' he asked her kindly.
''No!'' she replied, ''lead on.''
Alistair had to hide his smile. She may have been infuriating, but she certainly did not lack from spirit. She took his arm again and they started to move through the crowd. The courtiers politely made way for him, and watched him curiously. He took his time as he made his way towards his friends.
He very nearly laughed out loud when he noticed the look that flashed on Aedan's face as he saw his sister on the arm of his king. It went a long way towards the weeks that Alistair had had to deal with the older man's arguments against the proposed match. He looked down at the girl, but she had not yet noticed her brother. Instead she was frowning in confusion at a couple of richly dressed women who were eyeing her icily. ''Why are they looking at me like that?'' she asked.
''I have no idea,'' Alistair replied blandly.
Aedan had recovered his composure by now and was making his way through the crowd towards them, followed by Leliana and Zevran.
Skilfully, Alistiar steered Elissa the other way, towards where Wynne and Fergus stood talking. When he reached them, the Teyrn of Highever turned towards his sister with a smile on his face.
''You look lovely sister,'' Fergus said as he took his sister into his arms.
Wynne nodded with a kind smile on her face as she shot Alistair a look, that told him that the old mage knew with a certainty of what he was up to.
As luck would have it, it was just at that moment that Aedan finally caught up with them, looking extremely irritated from having to move through the crowd.
''It was good to finally make Lady Elissa's acquaintance.'' He said with a wink.
His fellow Grey Warden looked at him murderously but otherwise remained silent.
''There you are Alistair,'' Arl Eamon exclaimed as he came over to the small group, Anora in tow.
Alistair cursed silently as he caught the perplexed and hurt look that showed up on the face of the younger Cousland.
Ah, Alistair shame on you for hurting Elissa.