A/N: Sorry for the delay. I'm trying to get everything to line up correctly before committing it to publication, and then I got busy on some Real Life bother.

Duty's Choice: The Bastards of Ferelden - Chapter 29

The Spy in the Temple

Denerim - 9:36 Dragon, Spring 2, 18th day

Leliana knelt in supplication off to the side of Andraste's altar and wondered, not for the first time, if this spot had been designed to catch the conversations coming out of the Grand Cleric's study. The Templar she had tempted into some quiet time alone had told her about it, bragging about being on her eminence's guard detail and stumbling upon this little corner. As Grand Cleric Adia's temper had become legendary, he was grateful to have a way to get an insight into her mood.

They'd giggled and gossiped through the night, one Leliana considered well spent.

In fact, it might have been the best spent time so far. Leliana had been here, serving at the Great Chantry, watching the Grand Cleric, ever since the harpy had demanded that Alistair produce Elinora and prove that she wasn't pregnant. He'd refused, of course, claiming he had no right to do so. He was neither husband nor lover nor even king to a Grey Warden commander. Ever since then the Chantry had been coming to him with all sorts of demands and requests, most of which had nothing to do with directly with Elinora. He was smart enough not to agree to any of it, protesting that he needed to think about whatever they were putting before him. The old rumor that King Alistair was not the brightest of boys was serving him well.

Leliana had managed to meet with him a few times over the last several months. She was his eyes and ears with the Chantry, as Zevran was out and about in the lower reaches of the city. She looked forward to those clandestine afternoons in the old Warden storehouse. Even as they reported news that could mean everything and nothing, they were able to laugh like old friends. Leliana could see some of the tension slide off of Alistair's shoulders. Which was good; the winter had been miserable for him.

But on this fine morning, it was time for piety. And patience, which was duly rewarded.

"How is it," screeched Adia's unmistakable voice, "that I have one report informing me that she failed in her task in the fall, another that says she and the king have parted company, and yet a third that says she is pregnant by him! Who dares lie to the Maker!"

"Your Eminence…" a pleading male voice tried to intervene. Leliana knew by now that he should have kept his mouth shut.

"Silence, fool! And now I have word that fifty Grey Wardens have landed in Amaranthine, and half have left there and are heading west, toward Highever."

"That doesn't prove..."

"Its enough for me. You are ordered to take fifty Templars to Highever and find the truth of it. If the Warden-girl is with child, you seize her and bring her here!"

"It will be difficult to get so many…"

"I don't care! Pull from the Tower and Haven if you have to. I expect her here before her bastard can destroy the house of the Maker. Am I clear?"

"As a still pond, your…" Leliana shifted out of the sweet spot, sliding smoothly to kneel in front of Andraste. She'd heard all she needed and she didn't want to be caught there if it was well known. She started reciting the Chant of Light, somewhere in the middle of a passage on purity. She stayed there, singing softly, until Aida and her templar marched out of the study.

Leliana finished the passage and rose, head bowed, and headed for the scriptorium. With only a little manipulation, she had managed to get herself assigned there, often fetching and carrying materials all over Denerim. Perfect.

Two scraps of parchment were easily found. She kept her messages brief, and then tucked them into her sleeve. From there, Leliana gathered an armload of books to take to the Chantry in the Market District.

"Going somewhere, Sister Ana?"

Leliana turned to the elderly voice behind her. The ancient sister in charge of the scriptorium guarded her charges jealously and did not like it when they went out the door. Leliana put a pleasant smile on her face. "Sister Justine has requested these for some research, and on such a lovely day I do hate to be cooped up."

With a nod, the librarian sent her on her way. Leliana smiled. What she had told the librarian had the advantage of being true.

The Market District was bustling. The spring produce was in from the countryside and everyone was hungry for something fresh. A small herd of boys were playing in the square. With difficulty, Leliana quickly bypassed the stalls of greens and flowers and made for the Chantry to finish her delivery.

"You're early." Justine greeted Leliana with a smile. They had met very briefly during the Blight, but she had never recognized the bard.

Leliana rolled her eyes. "The old harpy was in rare form this morning. I though it best to get out and about as soon as I could."

Justine returned Leliana's eye roll. "I hear she's been like that a lot lately. Wait," she said as she looked over the stack of books. "Where's Novum's Treatise on the Containment of Magic?"

Leliana put a shocked expression on her face and even managed a slight blush. "Oh dear. I must have forgotten it. I'll be back with it shortly." Justine giggled as Leliana turned and left the Chantry. As much as the curator loved her books and antiquities, she could understand not wanting to within a mile Grand Cleric Aida.

At the district gate a boy waited for Leliana. Kevan was very skilled at getting in and out of places he shouldn't be, whether by stealth or charm. One day he would be a great thief, but today he was an excellent messenger. Leliana handed him the both intricately folded parchments and five coppers. "Get one to Master Duncan and one to Zed."

The boy nodded and ran off toward the palace. Leliana headed back to the Great Chantry to fetch the forgotten treatise.

At the palace, Kevan found Declan, a servant he had been instructed to give Sister Ana's messages too. Declan met him, threw some half-hearted and insincere insults on him, and then handed the boy two coppers and sent him on his way.

Message in hand, Declan entered the study once he was bidden. With a casual glance down the corridor, he closed the study door, the handed King Alistair the message with a bow.

Alistair unfolded the parchment with a bit of difficulty. He almost always ripped it a bit.

The Maker's dogs are heading for our mutual friend. We need two pints of milk.

Alistair smiled as he handed the note to Declan. They'd come up with so many code words. Thank the Maker this was a short message. His smile vanished as the meaning sunk in. Elinora. The Chantry was sending Templars to her. And his baby.

And he would have to wait until two o'clock to find out more.

"I will be spending the night at Tranquility House. Have a horse ready after lunch."

Declan bowed. "As you wish, your majesty." He tossed the message into the small fire and watched it burn.

Zevran lounged in the common room of the Pearl, watching with amusement the late-morning walks of shame as over-sleeping clients headed back to their normal lives. A familiar boy running into the brothel grabbed he attention.

Kevan gave Zevran a smile and eyed the shiny weapons the elf wore on his back. Zevran took the parchment then shooed him away with a few coppers. His eyes widened as he worked out the message. He left his seat quickly, crumpling and tossing the paper trail into the fire as he left The Pearl.

He was going to need some supplies.

Leliana returned to the market Chantry with the 'forgotten' book in the early afternoon. With her duties done, she headed for the back of the market. If anyone asked, she was going to the Gnawed Noble for a bite, but no one did. The back alley was empty as she slipped into the warehouse, then into the Warden storehouse hidden behind a bookcase.

And there she waited, chewing over what she had learned in the past few hours between her visits to the Market.

"What is it with all the beautiful heroines of the Blight making themselves hideous later? First our fearless leader, and now you?"

Leliana turned to the sardonic Antivan voice behind her and stuck out her tongue. Zevran shook his head with a grin. Teasing Leliana about her frumpy new look was a hobby of his. "Seriously woman, the hair pulled back like that makes you all forehead, and how much weight have you put on?"

"Zevran, you know better than to ask a woman about her weight." A new male broke in. Alistair gave Zevran a shove as he entered the room. "Leliana, you hardly look like yourself, which is the point, if I remember right."

"I'm glad some of us remember," the bard said with a smart glance to assassin. "You may be able to get away with lounging around in the questionable parts of the city, but I need to keep a proverbial low profile. Can't have the Grand Cleric recognizing me."

Zevran looked confused. "I thought she was new? From the Cathedral in Orlais?"

"She is," Leliana explained, "but that doesn't help with everyone else."

"As much fun as catching up is, that's not why we're here." Alistair looked to Leliana, his expression becoming grave. "What news do you have?"

Leliana began her report. "Aida is sending fifty Templars to take Elinora into custody, should they find her pregnant. Given the atmosphere in the Chantry these days, I would expect them to take her in no matter what."

Zevran broke in. "Are there even fifty Templars in the city?"

"No, more like twenty, which is why they're mustering at the Tower of Magi."

Alistair was fighting down his fear, and his urge to grab the first horse he could find and ride for Highever. "When?"

"Every Templars rides out of the city tomorrow, heading for the Tower," Leliana recited.

Alistair looked to Zevran. The elf nodded. "I can get to Highever in three days, it will take them at least five to get to the Tower. I will stay with her until you can come." Zevran's eyes locked with Alistair's, daring him to argue. "Do not wait." And with that, he was gone.

"I'll send an official courier to the Tower tonight." Alistair watched until the former Crow was gone. "Leliana, I need you to put a new rumor in the field. I've had the winter to moan over her…"

"Which you have…"

"… and I want her back. I ride to my love as soon as possible." Alistair smiled. "Maybe put something in it about blooming roses."

Leliana raised a sly eyebrow. "And the perverted word of Andraste. How disguised?"

"Quite." Alistair looked remorsefully to the ground. "We may have to…" he looked back to Leliana, determination pushing away the sadness that had been there a moment ago. "If we do this thing, you're certain that the Chantry will fall in line?"

She considered, then said, with a slight shake of her head, "No, not certain. But the odds are good."

He nodded, more to himself than anyone else. "Zevran says much the same thing, as does Eamon if I'm reading him right, and Declan. The people are ready, or near enough. And I'm positive Fergus Cousland will not be a problem."

Leliana pulled her hair out of its tail. Even just taking it down, the red framing her face, made all the difference in her appearance. She looked more like the old Leliana, the one who followed them through the Blight. She started rifling through a wardrobe with a fair stash of clothing. She was getting good and turning from the pious sister to the flashy minstrel in a heartbeat.

As she muttered about things still fitting and outcries over current style, Alistair thought about slipping out, making his own preparations to get to Highever. Instead he collapsed onto a crate. A ball of ice scorched his stomach, and then pushed its viscous way into his throat. It tore from him in a sob.

Leliana stopped searching and turned to her old friend as his face fell into his hands. She sat down and wrapped sisterly arms around him. "I never should have left her," he said over and over. He cried onto her shoulder until his tears ran out.

"You did what you thought would keep her safe. And for months it has. It was a good plan."

"Until it all fell apart."

"Aida was bound to suspect something with the arrival of fifty Grey Wardens on…"

Alistair looked up. "Wardens?"

Leliana blinked. She figured he knew. "Yes, a company of Wardens headed for Highever. That's what's got her all in a tizzy."

Alistair's eyes narrowed. "Rainer." He stood and headed for the door. "Leliana, get singing. I'm going to head for Highever as soon as possible. Tomorrow if I can."

"Your majesty…"

Alistair groaned. "You only call me that when you're about to remind me about my duty. I have a duty to my wife and child, even… never mind." He opened the door. "Sometimes there are more important things than being king." And with that, he left.

Leliana smiled. She had a start to her new ballad.