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!
Edited: Fixed errors (10/07)
Chapter 9: Understanding
A loud knock at his door made Alistair turn and groan into his pillow, as he tried to ignore it and go back to sleep. The knocking persisted with more force, the sound vibrating through the bedchamber that only made him sink his head deeper into the soft feather pillow.
It was all in vain, however, as the chamber door opened, and solid-soled boots padded in towards the bed. ''Rise and shine, sleeping beauty'' Aedan's voice boomed, good naturedly, followed by the slide of the heavy drapes being drawn back. Alistair groaned as light streamed through the windows, bathing the room in its warmth.
''What?'' He barked out harshly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Aedan shot him a smile that was anything but sincere as he said, ''Oh I'm sorry, Your Majesty, did I disturb you?''
''You know full well that you did.'' Alistair grumbled whilst he pushed the blankets off him.
''Really, Alistair – would I actually disturb your sleep?'' The Hero of Ferelden asked innocently, his eyes stating otherwise.
Alistair craned his neck to glare at the older man, who was unaffected by the look, smirking whilst his dextral fingers brushed across the ring that hung visibly from the chain that hung down from his neck. Alistair wanted to strangle him with it. ''Do you think that you can give me some privacy whilst I get dressed or are you intent on ruining my day? He huffed like a child.
''I'll just wait outside then, don't be too long dressing or I'll have to dress you myself.''
As the door closed behind him, Alistair forced himself out of bed and staggered over to the oaken chest that held his clothing, and dressed quickly.
Moments later, he strode out of his chambers, presentable enough that he would not be on the receiving end of any disapproving clucks from the more prideful Lords and Ladies of the court. Aedan rose from his chair to greet him, and offered him a buttered bun as they made their way down the corridor.
''So...I'm guessing that you woke me for a reason?'' Alistair inquired through a mouthful of crumbs.
Aedan raised a mischievous eyebrow and asked, ''Do I need a reason to see my friend on such a fine morning?''
He rolled his eyes at him, ''Please. I'm not an idiot, I know when you are up to something.''
Aedan stretched his arms over his head with a grin. ''I thought it would be an apt time to mend the bridges with my sister.''
''I...Well, I actually thought I could talk to her privately later this evening.'' At Aedan's knowing look, he sighed deeply and shook his head. ''I suppose I'd better get going.''
''Good man!'' Aedan beamed, clapping the smaller man on the back, as he led the king outside towards the stables.
Alistair stopped in his tracks, and asked doubtfully ''She's in there?''
The Warden-Commander barked out a laugh, ''Ha! If only. No, you and Leliana will be riding down to the orphanage.''
For a moment, Alistair was speechless. He had stayed awake for most of the night, running over ways that he could ease the tension that had occurred between them, but he was admittedly surprised and fairly suspicious that Aedan had already made some arrangements to assist him.
''Orphanage?'' He asked in confusion.
Aedan nodded, his neatly shorn hair glinting in the sun's rays. ''My sister has volunteered to work in the orphanage that Leliana helped to set up.''
''Indeed,'' Leliana's cheery voice broke in as she led the reins of two palfreys. ''The Matron has been very impressed with her determination and easy-manner with the children.''
''Something that even I find shocking,'' Aedan added with a snort.
Leliana shot him a glare whilst Alistair fell silent, absentmindedly rubbing at his chin as he considered this new piece of information.
Aedan regarded his friend with a raised eyebrow, ''Well are you ready to go, Your Majesty?''
Alistair broke out of his reverie with a wince. ''Don't call me that!''
''Why not, Your Highness?''
''Now, there is no need for teasing Aedan,'' Leliana interjected breezily, as she mounted up onto a dapple-grey mare. ''We should go before Elissa finishes her shift for the morning.''
''And before Arl Eamon sends a search party for me,'' Alistair commented deadpanned as he pulled himself up into the saddle.
With a nudge of his thighs he followed Leliana down and out of the keep's archway, unaware of the figure who was watching his exit.
000
Elissa smiled as Sara hugged her in greeting, whilst her younger sister looked on. The little four year old girl gave her a watery smile, with her thumb in her mouth. Concerned, Elissa gently disentangled herself from the older girl and took Marwen's little hand into her own as she knelt down to be at eye level with the small child. ''Is there something wrong Marwen?''
The little girl's chin started to wobble dangerously as her light coloured eyes begun to water. At the sight of them, Elissa began to panic. Aside from the times when her nephew, Oren, had been nothing more than a babe she had not had much experience with crying children.
Thankfully, Sara took her sister in her arms and hugged her. ''She's just a little sad about Momma and Papa.'' She explained sadly, as she rocked her little sister back and forth, ''Sometimes she still thinks that they are still around.''
''Elissa?'' The Matron's familiar voice interrupted from the doorway. ''There is a man here to see you.''
Elissa arched her head to look around the children, her eyes connecting with hazel coloured ones.
000
Upon being ushered into the Matron's office, Alistair had felt it was best to inform the woman that she referred to him by name, rather than his title. Although the woman had looked at him in surprise, she had bitten her lip and reluctantly agreed.
As the Matron eyed him speculatively over her desk, Alistair had begun to feel that he was back at the Chantry as a young recruit, and not as the young king that he was now. As he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, Leliana broke the silence to offer an explanation to his presence.
''So, we were hoping that Alistair could visit the children and see Elissa too.'' She explained, smiling earnestly at the older woman.
The Matron rose and pushed her seat back. ''If you will follow me...Alistair, I will be happy to introduce you to the children, and of course for you to see Elissa as well.''
000
As their eyes connected, Elissa blushed and lightly bit down upon her lip.
Alistair smiled tentatively at her, but then licked his lips nervously as the Matron introduced him to the children, who were eyeing him with a mixture of emotions.
''This is Alistair,'' she said, not unkindly, ''Like Elissa and Sister Leliana, he has also come to help us. I am sure you will all become friends with him.'' She turned towards Alistair and gestured for him to enter further into the room. ''We will be having our midday meal soon. I trust that you would also wish to partake in it with us?''
''I...''
''Of course he would like to do so.'' Leliana interjected before Alistair could muster a proper response, ''I will also help you prepare with the meal Matron Teresa.'' The red haired bard then turned heel and followed the Matron out of the door; leaving Alistair and Elissa alone in a room with the children as company.
As the bard closed the door firmly behind her, Elissa suddenly felt a bit awkward in the king's presence. She had not anticipated seeing him again under such circumstance, although she knew that eventually she would have to see him again.
She was relieved when Sara detached herself from her sister, and headed to give the king a hug around his middle. Elissa smiled fondly at the sight of his surprised reaction as he glanced down at the little girl dubiously – seemingly uncertain whether or not to return the gesture.
''What is your name? I am Alistair,'' he said as he opted to kneel down on one knee.
Sara glanced up, appraising him with a happy gleam in her eyes. ''I'm Sara,'' she announced as she pointed to her sister who, to Elissa's astonishment, had crept up to the tall man's side and was tugging at his hand in an expectant manner. ''And this is Marwen, she's my sister.''
Alistair grinned and tilted his head to the side as he gazed at the four year old, ''Hello.''
Marwen giggled and lifted her arms to him, ''Hello!''
Elissa's jaw dropped; that was the first word she had ever heard the child speak to anyone, including her sister! What was it about this man that had been able to break the little girl's silence, and made her feel safe enough to talk? While Sara smiled broadly, Alistair scooped Marwen up in his arms and laughed along with the child as he tossed her up and down in the air.
''I did not know that you had a way with children.'' Elissa said dazedly, once he had placed Marwen back on the ground.
He shot her a small roguish grin and shrugged, ''I guess that I am just full of surprises.''
Surprises indeed! Elissa watched as the other children clustered around him, chattering excitedly with him as they made friends with one another.
''He is surprising is he not?'' A familiar voice acknowledged from behind.
Elissa whirled around to find the former queen of Ferelden silhouetted in the doorway, as she stonily watched the scene unfold.
It took a while for Alistair to notice her arrival but as Anora brushed past the younger Cousland, his eyes had already centred on her.
''King Alistair, I wish for us to talk.''
000
After her fruitless attempt for Arl Eamon to see reason, Anora had taken to spending the last couple of days in seclusion; only visiting the Chantry on the week-ends and dinning alone with her maid, Erlina, for company.
Eamon had made it abundantly clear that he perceived her as a threat. A threat indeed! She had bitten back a laugh as she reflected back on to her discussion with the Arl. All she had ever done was to serve and protect Ferelden and her people, and now because of one hasty mistake that she had made during the Landsmeet, the man had now painted her as though she was as wicked as the Archdemon.
Anora sat in her favourite chair, and carefully read the folded-over parchment that had been previously been delivered that morning.
The manifesto was heavily slanted in her favour, she noticed with a pleased smile that ghosted across her features, and yet their plot to assassinate Alistair and place her in his place left Anora with a bitter taste in her mouth.
Eamon had been wrong when he had told her that she was her father's daughter. She had no such intentions of displacing Alistair when he had so proven himself to be an able ruler.
''My queen,'' one of the castle's older servants who was still loyal to she and her father entered the small solar, ''I saw...I saw.''
Anora eyes flickered in annoyance at the white haired groom as he struggled for breath. Once the man had recovered himself enough to talk without dying upon her newly fitted carpet, she smiled kindly. ''Please, my friend, take your time.''
''I...apologise my queen, I was workin' in the stables when I over'eard the Hero and the red haired woman talk as they tacked up the horses.''
''And?'' She leant forward, contemplating as she waited for the man to spit it out.
''They were going to fetch the king...for a ride he said,'' the groom continued as he shuffled his mud-stained boots on the carpeted floor.
Anora eyed the dark marks with displeasure as she gestured impatiently for him to resume his narrative.
''The Hero then went out, and then returned an 'our at the most with the king,'' he paused as he scratched the bald spot on the top of his head, struggling to recall the conversation.
Would the man just tell her? Anora sat seething impatiently in her chair.
''Eh, well the king says something about amends...and something about the orphanage. The Hero's...''
''Sister.'' Anora finished as she surged to her feet. ''Erlina, fetch me my best cloak. I thank you my good man for bringing this news to me. My maid, Erlina, shall reward you richly for you service.
''I find that I have an appointment that I must keep.''
000
All eyes turned towards him after Anora's pronouncement, and Elissa observed that Marwen was in particular put out by the revelation.
As if sensing her sister's feelings, Sara questioned him curiously. ''Are you truly the king?''
''I am,'' Alistair answered, turning his attention to the girl.
Kaid leant forward and added, ''Do you like being king?''
''Sometimes I do,'' Alistair replied with a noncommittal shrug. ''Although it is something that I must do. The people of Ferelden need someone to lead them during such a troubled time, and I have been chosen to do it.''
The boy chewed on his bottom lip thoughtfully, ''I remember now. I saw you and the Hero of Ferelden after the battle. Me and Lily had taken to hiding with the other people in the Chantry, and you and him came in with lots of knights and fine lords to save us.''
Alistair nodded in remembrance. ''We saved and lost a great deal of people that day.'' He said sadly.
''If you're a king, why aren't you wearing a crown?'' Marwen's little voice piqued curiously, as she stared sullenly at him through large light coloured eyes.
Alistair patted his bare head. ''It's rather heavy to wear, so I don't wear it all the time.'' He explained before he tilted his head to the side as he added as he shot a mischievous smirk in Elissa's direction, ''although sometimes I think it would be a good idea. Otherwise I may find myself needing to be protected.''
Elissa flushed a deep shade of pink at his words; a sight which made him feel warm inside as he looked at her.
As he opened his mouth to speak, he was forestalled as Leliana and the matron arrived; heavily laden with fresh baked loaves and a kettle pot full of steaming stew.
''I...'' He noted as the bard's light blue coloured eyes widened in surprise as she took notice of the blonde haired woman in the room. ''Anora, it is a surprise to see you here.'' Leliana declared, recovering her composure as she handed Elissa the basket of bread to put on the long wooden table which the older children had moved to fit across the middle of the room.
The former queen of Ferelden turned her gaze on the red haired woman and acknowledged her with a disinterested nod, before focusing her attention back on to him.
''Alistair and I have unfinished business,'' she stated as she eyed him coolly. ''Do you have a spare room where we can discuss matters cordially without interruption?''
000
Alistair had not seen Anora since the night of the banquet, and was surprised that she had sought him out, at the orphanage, in the most unlikely of places. He turned a speculative gaze at the woman's profile as she eyed the thread-bare drapery and the sparse wooden furnishings that cluttered the corridor. He blushed as he watched her, recalling the night where they had stood so close that he had been so aware of he, he had even been able to smell her exotic perfume.
As they made their way down the corridor towards the matron's office, Alistair thought back on the plot that Aedan had uncovered. He had somewhat been made aware that there had been whispers in the lowest quarter of Denerim's dreary under-city, and yet he believed deep down that the woman walking at his side was not guilty of plotting against him - despite Aedan's vehement belief otherwise.
Upon reaching her office, the matron reached into her pouch and took out a chain of keys. They waited patiently as the old woman unlocked the door with a click, and then nodded in thanks as the woman took her leave.
Alistair gestured for Anora to enter the small room before he followed, and then took a seat opposite her. They shared a slight smile as they sat down.
''So what do I owe the pleasure?'' He asked with a speculative gleam in his eyes.
Anora straightened herself in the solid-backed chair, before launching breezily into her proposition ''Alistair, I have a proposal to make. I intend to assist you in the administrative duties of ruling the kingdom. I believe that our alliance would be received with much enthusiasm from the commoners and the aristocracy. In return, my father's banner-men and men-at-arms have agreed to settle their allegiances to the crown and you.
''I would also be, if you wish to marry me, a gentle wife and caring mother to any children that are born of our union. I believe that this arrangement is for the best. The people of Ferelden know and love me – not as the daughter of Loghain but as the beloved wife and queen of your brother Cailan. I do not want the country to be split into another civil war. Surely you have also heard of the unrest that has been occurring?
''I believe that upon our union, the unrest will cease.'' She leant forward as she argued in earnest, ''I believe that the kingdom needs peace. We will be recovering from the ravages of the blight for decades, at the most. I do not want the people of Ferelden to undergo anymore hardships, that necessary. This is my proposal, Alistair.''
Alistair sat in his chair, his head in his hands as he considered her words. Not for the first time, he realised that she was correct in all aspects. She would be an able ruler to the people, and the words of the unrest that was occurring in the south of the Bannorn would end if he married her. And yet her proposal was self-serving, and Alistair realised that perhaps Aedan and Wynne had been correct when they had argued that Anora was only after the throne.
He bit his inner cheek, as he considered another point. Did he not also deserve happiness? A wife who would love him, and who he could trust without wondering whether or not she had married him for his crown rather than for himself?
Perhaps seeing his reluctance, Anora spoke again. ''Do you not trust me?''
Alistair sent her a small smile, ''I know that you would always do right by Ferelden and her people, and I trust you for that sole reason. '' He reached across the desk table to take her smaller hand into his own, ''however, it is unfair for you to be betrothed to a man who is already in love with another woman. And I am not like Cailan to take love so lightly.
''I hope that you can understand Anora – I mean you no slight. I hope that we can work together in ensuring that the kingdom remains at peace, and not fight in amongst ourselves.''
Anora looked up at him, her eyes distant as she reflected on his words. After a while she spoke, her tone business-like as she stood up from the chair. ''I can see that nothing will dissuade you from your choice. However, I am pleased to see that we shall remain as allies, for the sake of the kingdom. Now, if you shall excuse me?''
000
By the time Alistair had returned to the large hall, the midday meal had been longed cleared away. He stood puzzled as he could not see Elissa's distinctive form anywhere about the room.
As Merrin and Kaid passed, he clasped the younger boy on the shoulder and inquired about her whereabouts.
Kaid grinned, ''She went to read another story with Marwen and Sara in their bedchamber; they like stories.''
Alistair thanked the boy with a kind smile, and ruffled his black hair as he left the room.
As he wandered around the vast maze of corridors, it struck him that he should have asked one of the boys for directions. He stopped and ran a weary hand through his hair, wondering which room led to Elissa.
''Alistair?'' Leliana's familiar voice called as he whirled around in relief.
''I cannot even express how happy I am to see you!'' He exclaimed.
The bard raised an eyebrow at his overreaction but otherwise remained quiet.
''I'm trying to find Elissa but I've found myself to be rather...lost.'' Alistair explained chagrined.
Leliana perked her eyebrows, ''I believe that she has taken Marwen and Sara to their room to read.''
''Kaid already told me.''
''Then, I shall take you to her.'' She gestured with an amused smile that flittered across her features, ''I believe we would not want to send out a search party for you.''
Alistair was relieved when they reached the room after a short while. As he turned the handle to push open the door, the bard's dextral fingers snatched at his own.
''Alistair.'' Leliana's usual warm coloured eyes regarded him with serious, that he had not seen since their days on the road. ''It is best to be honest. Tell her how you feel. I am certain that she feels the same but is confused by what she is feeling, so I hope that you will take it slowly; for both your sakes.''
''I will, I promise.'' Alistair nodded, ''I won't mess this up again.''
At his words, she smiled. ''Good luck.'' Releasing his hand she turned and strode away; leaving Alistair alone.
As he pushed open the door, he froze on the threshold as he listened to Elissa's soft voice spin a tale of a young arrogant hound.
''But the young hound began to take food from his kin and warned them that the chief's family would punish them if they tried to attack him. As the years passed by, the time for the chief's son to take a war hound grew closer. Hohaku's pride swelled and many people of the tribe then came to the chief, whispering of the dog's bullying. But the chief only saw the dog's strength and pride – great that it was, and so ignored his people.''
''That's horrible of him.'' Sara's voice piqued.
''Indeed. And yet, it did not last. As his son grew, the chief began to watch more closely, and began to realise that the dog was untrustworthy. When the day came, the old chief chose Hohaku's brother instead but so great did the prideful and arrogant dog's rage grew, he leapt over the fire pit and bit the chief.''
''Naughty doggie!'' Marwen's little voice tiredly cried out.
Elissa laughed, ''He was a very naughty dog.'' She said in agreement, tucking the little girl's unruly curls away from her head. ''The chief and his sons chased the hound away from the village, and the tribe never saw Hohaku again.''
She turned as Marwen yawned. ''Now, I think it is time for this little one to go to have her nap.''
''I'm not...sleepy.''
Sara giggled as she leapt up from the chair and ran out of the room to play, ''She is tired!''
Elissa smiled indulgently as she reached out to take the small child in her arms.
''I'll do that.''
She froze upon hearing his familiar voice.
''Alistair!'' Elissa exclaimed in astonishment, ''I thought that you would have left already.''
He shook his head as he made his way over to take the child from her arms, ''I came to talk to you.''
Elissa bent her head as she attempted to hide the blush that had formed at his words. She turned her attention onto Marwen as she helped to roll back the blankets for Alistair to place the girl into bed.
She was surprised that he had remained after his talk with Anora. Although she had been uncertain as to why he was even at the orphanage, she had enjoyed seeing another side of the man as he interacted with the children. Elissa was still unsure how she felt about him. After his kiss, she had felt such a degree of emotions that she was unsure whether she should feel angry or happy that he had reached out to her in such a forward manner.
After their discussion, Leliana had left her to think upon her feelings for the king. She had not known him for a while, and was uncertain where she would want their growing relationship to go but she could not deny that she cared deeply for the man. He had gotten under her skin, and had grown to become one of her most dear of friends.
As if sensing her inner thoughts, Alistair shifted awkwardly in his boots. ''I was hoping to apologise for my actions the other night. I should not have made you feel uncomfortable, and I am sorry for that.''
Elissa smiled hesitantly, as she told him shyly. ''Oh...I didn't mind about the kiss.''
Alistair raised his eyebrows in surprise. ''You...didn't mind?'' He asked hopefully.
She shook her head. ''I know that you would never mean to hurt me. You are a good man, and I should not have hurt you the way I did by avoiding you so childishly.''
He shot her a wry smile. ''And I too should not have avoided you. I did not know how you would receive it. I thought you would be...angry with me.''
Elissa took his large hand into her own as she looked up at him. ''I...I was at first. I was just so confused. But I also thought that you were upset with me. You walked out so abruptly.''
He looked down at her sadly, ''I thought I may have crossed the boundaries. I did not mean to besmirch your honour.''
She smiled shyly up at him from underneath her eyelashes, her green eyes gleaming. ''I...don't know how I truly feel about you but I care for you deeply.''
For a moment, Alistair was dumbfounded as he stared down at her. ''You...care about me?''
She nodded with a smile, which after a moment mirrored his own. ''Well, I am glad to hear it.''
''And if you want to kiss me again, I certainly won't object.''
Phew! This was an extra long chapter - +4K words! I will try to post up the next chapter for this week at around the weekend. Thank you for reading.=)
Edited (10/07): Story in this chapter is courtesy from Old Nan - just with a lighter ending, they are children after all!