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!
Chapter 5: Starting over.
Alistair watched over the rim of his wine glass as Elissa whirled on the dance floor. She certainly didn't lack for partners and he watched with a stabbing pain as Zevran forestalled a younger lord, a friend of Fergus's from taking a turn on the dance floor with her.
Originally he had intended to be partnered with her for the traditional opening dance, but after her outburst in the wake of finding out that he had deceived her, he had retired to the sidelines licking his wounds as Aedan took his place.
''Well, Alistair,'' Aedan commented next to him, following his gaze, ''I hope that you are proud of yourself.''
He shot his friend an annoyed glance, ''if she had just allowed me to explain then-''
''Then you would what?'' Aedan asked dryly, ''you should have listened. No, you should have waited for me or Fergus to introduce you!''
Alistair sighed, ''and it would have happened that way if I hadn't have met her last night.''
Aedan's eyes widened at this confirmed revelation, ''so you did meet last night?''
He nodded, ''Yes and our meeting went off surprisingly well.''
The older man leant forward, his wine glass forgotten as he said, ''yet you did not mention who you were?''
''Obviously,'' Alistair replied, rolling his eyes.
Aedan gritted his teeth in annoyance, ''Alistair you are my friend and my brother, and I love my sister but it is for her sake alone that I tell you that Elissa does not take untruthfulness lightly.''
''I figured that out for myself, thanks.''
''Will you just listen?'' Aedan breathed in frustration, ''If you want to make amends, and for both your sakes I hope you do, you should go to her and start over.''
Alistair blinked, ''Start over?'' He repeated in bemusement, ''how do I go about that?''
Aedan only grinned wickedly as he leant back to observe the dancers, his drink in hand. ''I'm sure you'll figure it out.''
And to think, Aedan was supposed to be his friend.
000
''Oh, dear!'' a woman exclaimed softly behind him, and Alistair whirled around to find Anora standing against one of the pillars, a brilliant smile across her face. ''I must say Alistair, I was very impressed with how you handled that little outburst from the Lady Cousland.''
He raised an eyebrow, ''I am surprised to hear you say that Anora.''
She laughed gaily, ''Can I not admit that I was wrong? You have certainly grown over the last year.'' She gestured for her elven maid to take her glass, ''would you care to walk with me in the garden?''
Alistair assented and offered the former queen his arm. A slight shake of his head at his guards kept them from following him out of the hall. After all, he was able to handle himself against one woman...surely?
They left by one of the side doors. Outside, the air was cool and crisp, and dozens of small lamps decorated the castle garden. From a cursory glance around the grounds, Alistair noted that they were not the only ones out for a stroll along the paved paths leading between low shrubs and artfully arranged flowerbeds.
''The gardeners have certainly out done themselves,'' Anora said, as if reading his thoughts.
He nodded silently as they ascended up a flight of stairs hewn into the stone of the big wall that encircled the bailey castle. The stairs were rough and uneven and Alistair felt relieved that they reached the top of the parapet without incident.
Leaning against it, the pair enjoyed a sweeping view of the city and beyond, that the sea glittering like silver in the moonlight. He stole a glance at the woman standing next to him. She had a beautiful profile; with gently plucked brows, a delicate straight nose, dainty chin and well formed lips that curved up in a lovely smile.
''I have often come up here to gaze out at the view,'' she commented softly, ''isn't it beautiful?''
''Yes,'' Alistair agreed, although he was not certain whether or not he was agreeing with the view on its own.
She sent him a small smile, ''I am surprised that you allowed Lady Cousland to speak to you as such.''
He shifted awkwardly, ''and what would you have had me do Anora? After all, I did lie to Elissa.''
''Elissa?'' Anora echoed, her eyebrows rose in surprise, '' I did not realise that you were already on first name basis.''
''We had already met,'' he replied with a shrug.
Anora laughed, ''I apologise, I had not realised.'' A small smile played on her lips, ''I was hoping that we could forget about the past.''
''I forgive you,'' Alistair murmured in response.
She laughed again. ''I am more glad than I can say,'' Anora leant towards him, her silken gown brushed lightly against his hand. ''Alistair, as you know I assisted Cailan in the administrative ruling of the kingdom. I was hoping that we could-''
''Anora,'' Alistair let out a tired sigh, ''whilst I may have forgiven you for your part in betraying me during the Landsmeet, I cannot in good conscious allow you to assist in the duties of ruling Ferelden.''
''Alistair, Ferelden needs me. You need me!'' She argued gently, ''we would make a perfect pair and I would be a supporting and loyal-''
He rose a finger to silence her, ''Please, do not say wife. You are a beautiful and intelligent woman, and you were a graceful and able queen whilst my brother showed little interest in the duties and burdens of the crown but, I cannot trust you to not slide a dagger when my back is turned.''
The woman furrowed her eyebrows, ''is that what you think?'' she whispered, ''I may have disagreed about your competency but over the months I have seen that you have grown into an able ruler. And yet, you need a queen at your side.''
''Anora...I...''
''Please hear me. I love Ferelden and her people, ''she breathed passionately, ''I would do everything in my power to protect the very identity of Ferelden. And, you cannot deny that I am not incapable.'' She took hold of his hand, as she added in earnest, ''the people of Ferelden love me, and I love them. And if you choose me as your queen, I swear by the Maker that I would be a good and loyal wife and queen to you.''
Alistair considered this for a moment. ''I...It is true what you say Anora. You have already proved how much you love Ferelden and her people. And you are a capable ruler...I just...''
''Do you trust me?'' she murmured, her eyes half closed as she leant towards him.
''Perhaps one day I will?''
A sudden silence stretched between them, giving his words more significance than he had intended.
''Perhaps,'' she said softly. She lifted her face up to him, her painted lips parted very slightly and he could detect the delicate, sweet scent of her perfume making him aware of how very close they stood together.
A burst of laughter issued from the garden below them, breaking the spell. Alistair turned and looked door. A small group of his friends had gathered around one of the small fountains scattered across the garden. One of them, and he was quite sure that it was Oghren, had just been dunked into the water while the others stood around and laughed.
He turned to offer Anora a small smile, ''shall we head inside my lady?''
As she took his proffered arm, he did not notice the flash of annoyance that had flittered across her delicate features.
OOO
Elissa laughed along with the rest of Aedan's friends as the dwarf rose from the silvery water, spluttering and cursing.
'' 'ere you pointed eared goldilocks...you'll...''
''Now, now my hairy friend, what must the beautiful Lady Elissa think of us?'' Zevran said as he wiggled a finger towards the dwarf.
Oghren turned his attention towards her, his russet hair and beard dripping wet as he took a low bow in apology. ''Sorry milady,'' he belched, ''must have had too much to drink.''
''Or not enough, eh my friend?'' the elf added with a smirk.
''That too, that too.''
''You act as an imekari; a child.'' Sten said in disapproval to the elf, who merely smiled in response.
''Can any of yeh louts help me out of 'ere?'' Oghren rumbled in annoyance as he splashed back down into the fountain. The large kossith let out a breath, as he made his way over to the fountain. As the dwarf was set back onto the paved ground, they were interrupted as Alistair and his companion came upon them.
''Well, it's good to see that you have actually finally decided to take that bath that was offered to you this morning,'' the King said with a wide grin on his face.
As the dwarf let out a deep and throaty chuckle in response, Elissa's mirth wilted as she felt appraising eyes upon her.
''So you are Elissa Cousland,'' the woman besides Alistair stated coolly.
Elissa curtsied nervously, ''Yes my lady I am Elissa Cousland.''
''I am sure that one of your brothers has pointed me out to you? No?'' The blond woman turned to flash a small smile at Alistair, ''Well, I am Anora, former queen of Ferelden and widowed wife of-''
''King Cailan.''
The former queen of Ferelden let out a small mirthless laugh, ''well, at least it goes to show that you still receive news at Waking Sea.'' She smiled, ''now Alistair, if you will excuse me?''
Alistair blinked, ''Oh yes, of course.''
''It was lovely to meet your acquaintance Elissa Cousland.'' She said, excusing herself as she made her way back into the grand hall.
As he watched her go, Alistair was struck with the sudden realisation that this was the first time that he had been somewhat alone with the younger Cousland. Seizing his opportunity, he linked his arm through her own and pulled her down the pathway, leaving his companions watching after them.
It was time for him to make amends.
000
At first, Elissa had been too shocked to protest as Alistair bodily lead her down the cobbled pathway that led to the reclusive area where they had first met but as they walked, she began to feel somewhat annoyed. How dare he manhandle her like this! Had he not learnt his lesson from last night?
''Don't even think of it,'' Alistair growled as he felt her tensing.
''Then let me go!'' she ordered, and crossed her arms in front of her chest.
He gritted his teeth in irritation, finding himself yet again torn between kissing her senseless or pulling his hair out in frustration.
As they reached the bench, Elissa found herself spun around with her back against the small peach tree.
''What...I...what?'' She stuttered in confusion.
Alistair towered before her, his face inches away from her own as he gazed at her in earnest. ''I would like to start again. I am sorry that I didn't tell you who I was. I didn't think it would matter and – No, don't interrupt.'' He said softly, ''I am sorry that I lied to you, I realise now that it wasn't one of my smartest moments...I seem to be doing a lot of idiotic moments lately.''
''I...''
He cocked his head, ''will you accept my sincere apology milady?''
She bit her lip in consideration, ''I forgive you,'' she finally replied in a changed tone.
''Thank you.''
Silence followed. She was staring at him, an expressions of confusion, relief and then alarm flashing across her face in quick succession. He could feel one corner of his mouth starting to twitch in amusement.
''Oh no!'' She suddenly exclaimed in despair. ''What have I done? My brothers will be most angry with me and they will send me back to Highever. And Aedan...'' she trailed off in sudden horror.
Alistair brushed a finger across her lips as he smiled gently at her, ''don't worry about Aedan. He cares for you and lays the fault on me.''
''I...''
''And you will not be sent back to Highever.''
''But I embarrassed you in front of the whole court. I called you...I called you...''
Alistair laughed, ''I can assure you my lady that I've been called worse than a 'lying toad'' and as for the other words you called me, well at least it will give the court something to gossip about till the next big banquet.''
''But I implied that you-''
He grinned, ''Besmirched your honour? ''
''It's not funny!'' she snapped, suddenly only to put her hands to her mouth, ''Oh, I've done it again,'' she cried in distress. ''Please, forgive me. I'm truly sorry.''
Alistair took pity on her, and reached out to take hold of her shoulders, ''your apologies are accepted, as you have accepted mine own. My lady, perhaps we could start at the beginning again?''
She smiled up at him again, her initial distress forgotten as she nodded in agreement.
After a moment, he cleared his throat and took a bow, ''Very good. May I introduce myself? I am King Alistair of Ferelden, honoured to make your acquaintance my lady.''
She sank into a graceful curtsey, ''Lady Elissa Cousland of Highever, delightful to meet you king Alistair.''
He brushed a kiss over her knuckles, ''my pleasure entirely.''
''And now that we have both said our apologies, shall we go inside?''
''Yes, let's do that.''