Duty's Choice: The Bastards of Ferelden - Chapter 21

Down in the Underground

Orzammar – two weeks into brewing

The bridge into Orzammar never looked so good.

The love triangle had worn on everyone's nerves. Alcina and Padrac were still in the disgusting phase, constantly mooning over each other. Maphisa was in a foul mood, which she was taking out on small woodland creatures when she wasn't snapping at the rest of them. At least they'd eaten well during the long march from Haven, but Vallis had threatened a force field around all of them once or twice, one that would block sound.

They came upon the king's encampment first, out on the edges of the market. It was much smaller than usual as the king himself was staying at the palace. Alistair did not want to burden the citizens of Orzammar with a host of guests to feed and shelter. Guard and attendant rotations were set, and those off duty were welcome to enjoy the offerings of the dwarven capital.

Aldo, of course, requested to stay on the surface. Elinora granted his request on the grounds that he would have to go down to the Deep Roads if he was needed. Aldo agreed, and then found himself a nice place to sit beside the cook tent.

The market outside the gates of Orzammar was bustling. Men and women of all races haggled for dwarven goods and traded for the Surfacer supplies that the city needed to survive. Elinora was curious about how the city was prospering under her new queen, but impatience drove her to start at the top. In the palace she hoped to find both queen and king.

She and her Wardens got a wide assortment of looks and calls as they headed for the Diamond Quarter, some friendly, some very dark. Well, she had been a part of crowning the ruler of Orzammar twice. The first time didn't go so well and the second caused a bit of a mess. What was done was done and she had the future to consider.

Word of their arrival had predictably gotten ahead of the Warden procession. Not three steps into the palace foyer she was tackled by a small, blonde whirlwind. Cailin grunted a small "Ow" as his head made contact with her breastplate, and Elinora had to work to keep her balance.

"Hello, pup," she said, smiling down at him and tousling his hair. "I missed you too."

Distracted by Cailin's beaming grin up at her, she missed the second blonde whirlwind coming at her. Alistair threw his arms around her, squishing all of them together in a royal mass of familial bliss.

"Um, Commander… if you could just…" Vallis didn't like waiting on the doorstep it seemed. Elinora shuffled her little family further into the room and out of the doorway. The Wardens filed in. Cailin greeted each of them, hugs and kisses for the girls and a firm, five-year old handshake for the men.

Elinora raised her eyebrows as she watched him. "Protocol master's been at him, I see."

Alistair shook his head with a bemused look of pride. "Just barely. One word and he's got it. He knows the members of the Assembly better than I do."

She smiled at the boy as he came back to stand at her side. "Good work, pup," she said as the doors to the throne room opened. Cailin tugged at Elinora's hand, leading her into the large chamber. Alistair followed, a sly grin pulling the corner of one side of his mouth up.

Once inside the throne room, Cailin let go of her hand and ran forward to the great stone chair containing one smiling queen. Cailin bowed to her, then stepped aside and turned to Elinora. "Mother," he started with all due formality, "may I present Queen Sereda Aeducan, ruler of Orzammar.

Elinora beamed at her adopted son. "We've met, but thank you Cailin." She saluted to Sereda. "It's a pleasure to see you again, your majesty."

"You as well, Commander. I take it you've come to occupy your outpost in the Deep Roads?"

Elinora smiled over at Alistair, then down at Cailin. "Among other things. But that is my priority."

"Good. We have four Wardens already in residence in the city already and they've recruited some warriors and porters for an expedition. But that is work for tomorrow."

Elinora nodded. "Excellent."

"Your majesty, if I may," Alistair broke in. He took Elinora's hand. "The Commander has had a long journey and could use some rest before dinner, I believe."

With a smile and raised eyebrow, Elinora looked at him. "Oh do you?"

The mischievous glint in his eye gave it all away. "Yes, I do."

Sereda didn't miss it either by the way she smiled. She looked to the boy who did not appear to like the idea of a nap. "Prince Cailin, I understand my guards are going to be practicing maneuvers soon. If you hurry, they might teach you a thing or two."

Cailin looked to Elinora and Alistair for approval, which they gave readily, then, with a bow to Sereda, he ran off for the practice hall.

With their own bows, the couple headed for their quarters. Once again, no one said anything about separate rooms.

"So? Let me see it!" Alistair was practically jumping with excitement.

Elinora reached into her pack and pulled out the flask, wrapped in a length of fabric for security. It was cloudy, but the elfroot and petal were completely gone.

"Is it ready?" he asked.

She shook her head and placed it on a shelf. "Not yet. It needs to be clear."

Alistair whined a little, but distracted himself with the straps of her armor. He took his time, hands massaging her where the weight of the armor would have caused her to ache. His touch was warm and soothing. "I know you want a bath," he whispered, "but I hope you won't mind a little delay."

"I don't mind, but the sheets might." She took off her gauntlets. "It was a long march."

He chuckled and pulled off her armor, leaving Elinora in boots and skivvies. He stepped back to admire as she stepped over to the washbasin. He caught her hand. "Let me." He picked up the wet washcloth and gently ran it over her face. "Let me take care of you."

And for an hour, she did.