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!
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Edited: Fixed errors (10/07)
Chapter 6: A helping hand.
The heavily cloaked figure strolled silently down the narrow cobbled pathway that led down a small dingy alley, towards the decrepit warehouse that served as the organisations meeting point. His masters would be pleased, he thought, with the news that he would bring. It would soon be time to put their scheme into action.
000
For a long moment Elissa lay awake listening to the sounds of the castle as the late morning sun streamed through the window. The events of last night came rushing back to her as she recalled the way Alistair had gently held her as they whirled amongst the dancers.
King Alistair, indeed! She had been rather surprised that he had come to apologise to her, and she had found herself especially astonished that he had gone as far as to start over.
Her stomach chose that moment to make its presence known with a loud rumble, and she decided to go in search for a late breakfast. As she made her way out of bed, she stumbled over the form of Aedan's mabari, the dark coloured hound snoozing noiselessly on the carpeted ground. She smiled a little at the sight; Magnus was such a sweetheart to have stayed with her last night. She half wondered whether Aedan had intentionally placed the dog in her room before she had retired for the night.
She turned away from the sight and made her way towards the window. Unhooking the latch and looking outside, Elissa groaned half heartedly to herself as she took stock of the weather. It was warm already and the sun was shining from a clear blue sky. It promised to be another hot summer's day and she would be absolutely sweltering from the heat.
In mind of the weather, she selected one of the lighter dresses that Leliana had had made for her arrival. The colour was a beautiful burgundy and was modest enough, that it did not leave her feeling too uncomfortable. She had been very much surprised how well her appearance at court had been received last night. Her brothers had been extremely kind, and as Leliana had predicted, Alistair could not take his eyes from her.
Once she was dressed, she made her way down to the kitchens. During her tour of the castle, Leliana had made certain that she had to meet the cook. When she arrived at the kitchens, a delicious smell assailed her sense. ''Agnes, you're baking cheese tarts!'' she exclaimed in childish delight. The large robust woman laughed at her delight, ''It is almost time for the midday meal soon, and I'm making these for the king. They're his favourite after all.''
She sat Elissa down at the large wooden table and began laying out some food for her, all the while surveying her critically. ''You are far too thin, you need to be fed up.''
Halfway through her breakfast Leliana entered through the kitchen door. With a sigh, she sat down next to the younger woman. ''You look tired,'' Elissa observed, as she helped herself to a pastry.
''I was up all night with one of the orphans,'' the red haired bard explained, as she reached over for a cup of tea.
''Orphans?'' Elissa asked through a mouthful of sugared pastry.
Leliana glanced at her and nodded, ''Oui, the orphans have been allocated to one of the guildhalls for the time being.''
Elissa put down the pastry and bit her lip. She should have thought that the blight would have also resulted in orphans. She reached for a napkin and wiped the caramelised sugar off of her finger tips, ''is there anything that I can do to help?''
Leliana's blue eyes widened in surprise, ''well..I..but of course you can help, you are such a dear!''
000
A short time later Elissa made her way to the small building that now functioned as a temporary accommodation for the orphans of Denerim. She had soon came to the realisation that she may have made a big mistake to offer help, but she swallowed down her worry and followed the bard.
The matron of the orphans was, to say the very least, very surprised that a high born lady had turned up to help look after the orphans. The iron haired lady had listened silently as Leliana had explained the younger woman's expressed wish to be of some help in the healing of the city. When at last the bard had finished, the woman turned her gaze to study Elissa for a long moment.
''I am sure you will be very helpful to us, but you must understand that the children are very unruly and will need a firm but kind hand to guide them at this troubled time.''
Elissa nodded solemnly, ''I promise that I will not let you down.''
The matron rose, and moved towards the door. ''The children are currently having their midday meal, if you and sister Leliana would care to accompany me I shall take you to them.''
Leliana shot the younger girl a reassuring smile as she made to follow the matron, Elissa following close behind.
When the three women entered the common room, Elissa found herself feeling apprehensive as all eyes turned towards them. A few gave wide smiles to the matron and Leliana, whilst others stared curiously at Elissa. ''This is Elissa,' the matron announced in a clear voice, opting to drop her title as she introduced her to the children. ''Like Leliana, Elissa has come to help us. I will leave her with you for awhile to become friends.'' She turned to the younger Cousland, ''if you need any help or find yourself feeling lost, please come and find me.'' She briefly gripped Elissa's arm in a sign of encouragement and then departed, leaving Elissa and Leliana alone with the children.
Elissa found herself staring at the children, until finally Leliana cleared her throat and said, ''who would like to play a game?''
Some of the younger children eagerly followed her, but most of the children merely sat at the long wooden table and glanced at each other, unsure of the new arrival in their midst.
''I...'' Elissa cleared her throat and said, ''I am pleased to meet you. I hope we can get to know one another well.''
A small girl rose and came over to take Elissa's hand, guiding her further into the room to sit with the others on the bench, ''my name is Sara,'' she announced, '' and they are Kaid, Lily and Merrin.'' She pointed to three other children that gazed back at her silently, and then she gestured to another little girl and said, ''and this is Marwen, she's my sister but she doesn't talk.''
Elissa smiled warmly at the children, but all except Sara, stared blankly back at her. After a moment, one of the boys; Merrin or Kaid, she wasn't certain, sent her a small slow smile that revealed a few missing teeth. ''Will you play with us?'' He asked her.
Elissa nodded, and the boy ran over to bring a small chest of toys over to the table.
000
Anora sat in her wicker chair, scrutinising the bent old man before her.
''I am sorry Your Grace but there...there isn't much we can do,'' the old man wheezed, his tunic bearing the yellow wyvern of her house.
She pursed her lips and gestured over to her elven maid to refill her cup. ''Then you must find another way to manage mine and my father's affairs.''
The older man bowed, ''of course my queen, I shall do so.''
As her seneschal took his leave, Anora gazed at her wine, contemplating.
She had not been untruthful last night when she had told Alistair that she thought he had grown as a king. He was indeed an able ruler and yet, it was such a shame that he had surrounded himself with men who would take advantage of him.
Her thoughts turned to the girl. She had been more incredulous than she had let on, that Alistair and the Cousland girl were already on first name basis. She half wondered when they had managed to meet, for as far as she was aware her little birds had not reported an early introduction that may have taken place in private – possibly at the insistence of Eamon, she thought with a flash of anger.
Abruptly, she stood and called for her maid, ''Erlina fetch me my best ermine cloak, I wish to pay an audience with Arl Eamon.''
For the good of Ferelden, it was time for her to make another push.
000
The market place was bustling with people going about their daily business, as Aedan made his way towards Wade's Emporium.
''Warden-Commander?'' A voice rang out, causing Aedan to subconsciously brush the hilt of his sword, his reflexes tensing as he prepared for an inevitable attack. He turned to find a tall young woman clad in chain mail.
''Yes?'' He asked cautiously whilst his eyes scanned the crowd for Zevran.
''I must speak with you most urgently Lord Commander,'' she breathed, ''I am Ser Tamra and I have intercepted-''
''For Maker's sake woman!'' Aedan quietened her urgently, ''we are out in the middle of a busy street, who knows who could hear.''
Ser Tamra looked startled, ''I...''
''Actually it is better to be talking in a busy street my friend,'' Zevran's heavily accented voice broke through the buzz of the crowd as he caught up to them.
''What took you?'' Aedan asked in some annoyance.
The elf casually shrugged ''I apologise, I thought I saw an old...acquaintance of mine but my mistake, now...'' he turned his attention to the lady knight who gazed back at him haughtily. ''What is it that your...delightful friend here wishes to talk to you about?''
Ser Tamra cast a suspicious glance in the elf's direction but nodded severely, ''I apologise for coming up to you unawares Lord Commander but I have only just arrived in the city and I saw you and thought..well, it does not matter what I thought. My lord, there is a conspiracy taking place with aims to place queen Anora on her late husband's throne.''
Zevran snorted, ''that is unsurprising.''
She shot him an annoyed look, ''I have intercepted letters which plan to overthrow King Alistair's rule.''
Aedan folded his arms, ''and do you have these letters?''
Tamra stumbled, ''well actually...''
''That would be a no then,'' the Grey Warden sighed deeply, ''may I ask why they are not in your possession?''
''I was attacked on the road as I made my way from Amaranthine towards Denerim.''
''Did you see who attacked you?'' Zevran asked, as he shared a quick glance with his friend.
''I nearly killed my horse just to make it here,'' Ser Tamra replied, ''but I do know the location of their meetings.''
''And where is this secret meeting place?'' the former Crow asked, Aedan leant forward, his stern face suddenly fierce as he waited for her.
''An abandoned warehouse here in the city.''
000
Elissa smiled happily to herself as she made her way back to her quarters. Spending time with the children had been well-rewarding, and she was amazed with how quickly some of the children had taken to her especially when she considered that she was rather terrible around children. She was still shocked when Sara took her round the middle to give her a hug before she left for the day.
As the two women made their way back to the keep, Leliana had taken her by the hand and said, ''I am happy that you did this Elissa.'' She had smiled back in response, feeling much happier than she had been since she had left Highever for Waking Sea.
''Sister!'' Her brother's shout cut through her thoughts.
Elissa turned around and waited as Fergus caught up with her. He pulled her into a gentle hug before he asked her about her day, ''I am sorry that I have not seen you, I have been cloistered in meetings with the Alistair.'' He explained apologetically.
She grinned, ''I helped at the orphanage.''
Fergus shot her an astonished look, ''I did not realise that you would show interest in that type of work sister,'' he smiled down at her as he added, ''but I am glad that you are helping the people of Denerim, they have been through enough hardship.''
000
Alistair suppressed a yawn that was threatening to make its presence known as the Master of Coin droned on, finding his mind wondering as he thought about Elissa. She was certainly an interesting young woman, albeit a strange one but he was certainly looking forward to getting to know her further.
''Furthermore, we should appoint a new tax collector,'' the pigeon-chested man continued.
''What happened to the previous tax collector?'' Bann Teagan asked with a small frown that graced across his defined features.
The Master of Coin shuffled his hands nervously, ''I...well, I believe that he had been caught by the former lord regent of...well...fiddling with taxes.''
Besides Alistair, Wynne shot him a wry smile as she asked ''is that not the job of the Master of Coin?''
A loud clanging of the great oaken doors saved the poor man from having to muster up a response. Wynne let out a gasp of surprise whilst Alistair watched as two men entered through the wide doorway, dragging a blonde woman between them. He could not fail to notice that they were all blood stained.
End of part one.
So now that ball is finally rolling, I also wish to apologise for the lack of Alistair/Elissa in this chapter, but I'll make it up to you in the next chapter.