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 15: The World Falls Down

"Alistair please, you need to return back to bed, you are still unwell." Wynne pleaded desperately as she followed the young king whilst he made his way down the corridor towards Arl Eamon's quarters. "This is foolish. Please, return back to bed. I will send someone to fetch the Arl but…"

Alistair stopped short and turned; his features severe as he gazed down at her. "I am not going to wait around whilst Eamon and Fergus are cloistered inside that room, discussing mine and Elissa's fates without my knowing of the full truth." He stated coldly, his eyes flashing in anger. "And after that, I will see Elissa and speak to her, and then I shall return back to my bed but not before."

He turned and continued to stroll down the corridor towards Eamon's quarters. Wynne could only hope that the young man would receive the answers to his questions, and that he would not overexert himself too much.

She sighed. But that is always too much to ask.

The burning pain he felt was nothing compared to the pain that he felt from the betrayal from the three men he had trusted over all others. The declaration from Wynne had not been what he had thought. Of course, he had had a niggling feeling that something was not quite right with the young woman but he had put it down to their combined awkwardness when they were together, after all Maker knew how much experience he had had with the gentler sex. Then again, he reflected grimly, he did remember the conversation that he and Wynne had had the day before the accident. The belief that Elissa was indeed a mage was something that the older mage had confided in him but…

"Alistair, please return back to your chambers." The woman behind him pleaded for the third time. "You are overexerting yourself."

He wiped away the sweat that was beading on his brow, and knew that she was right but he steeled himself, and continued on till he reached the oaken door that opened to Eamon's quarters.

"Alistair…"

He ignored her, and raised a shaking hand to rapped his knuckles against the door. The door opened to reveal a small brown haired elven servant who shrunk under his fierce gaze. "Your Majesty?" She squeaked as she sunk into a low curtsey.

"Eamon." He rasped.

"This…this way my…Your Majesty." He followed her into the Arl's study. The room was dark, and holding only two other occupants who looked up in alarm as he made his way into the room. "Maker Alistair, you look…" Teagan started as he slumped gratefully into a nearby chair.

"He needs to rest." Wynne said, her eyes sending a silent plea to the two men in the room.

"I wouldn't care if I looked like a ghoul." Alistair growled, as fiery pain flittered around his shoulder wound. "Maker's breath, where is Eamon and Fergus?"

Zevran sighed, "That is what we were hoping to discuss amico mio."

Alistair paused feeling dread build up in his heart, "What…what is it?"

"Alistair, you need to brace yourself. Eamon has taken action."

Aedan followed Leliana as she strolled purposefully down the hallway that led to the chambers that Elissa had been put in. His mind and heart heavy with the course of action that he had decided to take to save his sister from a fate that he considered to be worse than death. Of course, he thought guiltily, that would put his little sister in danger that he wished to otherwise but inducting her into the wardens was the only way that would prevent her from being sent packing to the Circle.

Love is indeed a weakness, Morrigan's drawling voice flashed in his mind, and his lips twitched in grim amusement. It would not have passed the sharp tongued and sharp minded woman, the irony that an ancient and noble house such as the Cousland line had magic in the family, and an apostate mage at that - when they had always displayed a staunch will of support to the Chantry and the Circle. Aedan's lips widened into a small smile as he recalled the clashes that they had shared due to the difference of their beliefs; his being that all magic was evil, and for the protection of mages and the innocent non-magical populous that it was only correct to follow the Chantry's teachings of magic to put mages in the Circle. Whilst he had originally found himself astonished, exasperated and horrified at Morrigan's beliefs of the Chantry, the Circle and magic. And yet, when they had come upon the horror that awaited them in the Circle Tower, Aedan had realised that the world was not as black and white as he had been led to believe. Kinlock Hold certainly changed a great many things that day, not least my attitude towards mages. He reflected, with a mixture of fondness and heartache. If only Morrigan was still here.

"Aedan! The door!" Leliana's horrified voice cut through his musings.

He felt himself moving forward, as his feet propelled him through the open door that led into his sister's room. In one glance of the room, Aedan noticed the bed had not been slept in, and that there had been no sign of struggle – meaning that whoever had taken his sister, she had left on her own accord. The only question was, why?

Outside the corridor, heavy foot falls pounded loudly against the stone floor of the castle before coming to a stop in the archway.

"No!" Aedan spun around, his hand immediately reaching for the hilt of his dagger at the sound of his brother's voice. "It is true. He has taken her!"

"What in the Maker's name does Eamon think that he is doing?!" Alistair fumed.

Teagan and Zevran shared a glance, before Teagan replied. "My brother believes that the arrangement that Teyrn Cousland, yourself and Eamon had made in the hopes for a marriage between you and Elissa has now placed your hold on the throne in jeopardy if you, or Elissa herself, decide to…ignore the revelation that she is a mage, your enemies of course will leap to overthrow you and replace you with –"

"Anora." Alistair finished darkly. "Look, I know that this…revelation may have changed things but can we focus on the more important matter of thinking up a way to prevent Eamon from taking Elissa to the Circle?!"

"Aedan please…"

Aedan whirled to face is brother. "You had one duty and that was to protect her!" He spat angrily, his fists clenching at his side in fury.

"Aedan…" Fergus's face was pale and worn, Aedan noted with a small sense of satisfaction. Good, let the bastard realise his actions have consequences.

"I do not wish to hear it, Fergus." He growled, "It would be another matter if this little surprise was as new and revealing to you as it is to me but" – He thrust a pointed finger in Fergus's direction – "you knew all along. You put her in danger, and for what? Bloody politics!"

"Aedan," Leliana appealed gently from her position behind his brother. "What has been done is already set in stone. We cannot change it but what we can and must do, is to find a way to reach your sister before Eamon reaches the Circle." She regarded him sternly, before she added, "This is not the time for brothers to fight. You both must work together, to find a way to save her."

Aedan closed his eyes for a moment, his eyebrows furrowed fiercely as he attempted to control his temper. He took a deep breath before opening his eyes. He ran a scarred hand through his shorn dark hair, "It is a good thing that Leliana is here, brother." He said, dryly. "Otherwise, I would have had no choice but to have decked you."

"And I would not have expected anything less, Aedan." Fergus replied with a small smile. "I do deserve it, after all."

Anora smiled serenely as Alfolo brushed his lips across her knuckles. "My Queen, I have good news." He purred; his green eyes glittering as he glanced up at her.

She bowed her head, and gestured with a regal hand for him to continue. The thin man rose smoothly back on to his feet. "You may be aware from our first meeting that my Masters are both willing to support your campaign to acquire the throne of Ferelden – with or without your partnership with the King." His teeth flashed white as he smiled toothily at her. "But what I may have failed to inform you was that if you were eventually able to claim the throne, you and your fellow dog lords would be required to swear loyalty to the true Emperor of Orlais."

Anora's blood ran cold at his words, her mind uncharacteristically blank as she gaped up at him. The man smile widened as he took note of her reaction. "Ah, did you not think that my Masters would not demand a price for their involvement for the throne, or did you believe that my Masters were as insignificant as this backwater of a country that you so desperately desire to rule?"

What had she done…? Anora called out for her guards but her cry for aid only caused the thin man to release a throaty chuckle. "Did you not think that I would not bring my own people to protect my back? After all, it was my own people that attacked the Warden on those occasions – suffering substantial losses, if I might add?" She watched in horrified detachment as his fingers brushed the hilt of a dagger that was strapped to his thigh. "It was me who personally killed that lady knight who had so gallantly rushed to warn the Warden of on-coming danger. And, it was me who introduced for your maid; Erlina I believe the knife ear's name is, to be placed in your service. Although, I did not realise how much you relied on her but it is a bonus no less."

"The people of Ferelden will not stand for—"She started, her voice faint as she looked up at him from her seat.

"Oh, I think they will my dear." He purred. "You see, your people are weak. The Blight cost them far more than you could possibly imagine. Your King, although I will admit has been difficult to find much on him that my Masters could use against him, has placed himself in a…shall I say a precarious position? - by surrounding himself with ambitious but foolish men, who have failed to overlook one tiny issue that may surface if, and when the truth comes eventually to light." He paused, his eyebrows raised dramatically as he looked at her puzzled gaze. "But you do not know? Tsk. I see I have failed to be a valuable spymaster for her ladyship." He bowed, mockingly.

"What…?" Anora licked her lips, and started again. "What do you refer to? If you are referring to the revelation that Arl Eamon has an apostate son, then I cannot see how that would help your masters."

Alfolo shook his head, as he appraised her disappointedly. "Oh, my dear sweet lady. Shall I take pity and tell you or should you go to your grave not knowing this…tantalising fact of your King and a particular member of his most loyal banner men?"

She remained motionless, uncertain, as she surveyed him. The Antivan had provided her with information over her years as Queen but the revelation had left her wondering in alarm how much his information had cost the security of Ferelden. Anora watched the man smile again, his teeth flashing, and she felt sick.

In her desperation to remain Queen, she had placed all her trust in the Antivan with Orlesian contacts and, what she considered to be far worse, she had entrusted her deepest secrets to an Orlesian elven servant who she had long considered to be a friend, a confidant. And for what cost?

She had often considered that Alistair's take on ruling was weak, and she had often found herself deeply suspicious by his willingness to be influenced by the Hero of Ferelden and Arl Eamon. And yet, she knew that they would rather die than do what she had done.

Thinking of them now, she glared up at the man. "Alistair and Aedan will not allow Orlais to annex Ferelden. They love this country as much as I. They will not bow down to your pretender to the throne." She spat, before adding with as much strength as she could muster. "Nor do I think that Celene will turn a blind eye to her cousin's intentions. That is not how the game is played."

At her words, Alfolo laughed. "Do you truly believe that Celene will continue to reign in the next few months?" He shook his head in amusement. "Oh my dear, that is not how the game is played. And Gaspard is the master of the game."

He snapped his fingers and the door to her solar opened to reveal mail clad soldiers. "Now my sweet lady, you and I are going to find a more…secluded place to continue this enlightening conversation."

Anora tensed as two soldiers seized her roughly under her arms. "How dare you man-handle me!" She growled.

The Antivan's eyes grew cold. "If it was up to me, I would not bother to 'man-handle' you at all. Be grateful for the orders that I am obliged to follow."

She glared at him, her blue eyes glittering fiercely as she hung between the burly soldiers – but otherwise remained silent.

He nodded in approval. "Good. You see sense. Now, shall we? I do not wish to keep my other guests waiting."

Aaaand events are moving rapidly now. Did anyone see this coming? Do you pity Anora or hate her even more? Will Fergus be forgiven or will Aedan actually get to throw that punch? Will Elissa be saved or will she be sent to languish in the Circle? ...Well, we'll have to see.;)

Thank you everyone who has read, fave'd, followed, reviewed this story so far. =)

The Invisible Pretender: I have this evil scheme to put as many cliffhangers in as possible. Muahaha. I'm glad to see that it is working. I'm really glad that you are enjoying reading this, and I hope you continue to do so!