True Colors
Alistair looked at the council members seated around him and wondered how things had changed so quickly. A year ago at the Landsmeet he had won their votes and their confidence.
Now, four of the council members were guilty of treason, perhaps more. The plan that Juliette had agreed to a little over a week ago had been more fruitful that he and Eamon had hoped.
His own spies and investigators had been able to verify Juliette's suspicions. A quick search of Anora's rooms in Fort Drakon had revealed scraps of encoded paper. That, when coupled with a cipher that a spy had located several weeks earlier while searching Bann Reigns home in the Bannors, revealed most of what they needed to know.
Her jailor had been questioned and admitted to transporting the messages. A money lender known to be one of Reign's had been paying the man a tidy sum with each note delivered and returned. Eamon had concrete evidence that Anora had been actively involved with the conspirators. She too then would join these others at the gallows.
So now, the final pieces were in place.
He looked at Juliette, this time seated in the center of the U. She was looked beautiful sitting here in front of him. Juliette had always managed to be more than anyone expected. He had somehow forgotten that.
After she had departed Denerim he had spent many long nights rethinking what had happened between them. He tried to convince himself that his feelings for her had not been as intense as he had believed. He reasoned that the circumstances that had brought them together had heightened his lust and love for her. But that first sight of her when she arrived and was speaking with Eamon had brought the truth back front and center. Despite the distance and time he loved her still. Not asking her to be his wife and setting aside the worries about an heir was his greatest mistake.
Juliette was laughing at something that Oghren was saying and she glanced in his direction, the smile full on her lips. He found himself smiling back at her.
He prayed she would be willing to let him rectify it.
He stood, the room became quiet and the councilors returned to their chairs.
"Thank you. I want to return to the business at hand so that we may end today." Alistair said.
"Warden Commander, you have explained the circumstances of the talking darkspawn in Amaranthine. I would like to invite those with questions to speak now so that this matter may be closed." he said, giving the floor to the council.
"Warden Commander, I understand that the rebuilding of the city is going more quickly than expected." said Arlessa Helena from the West Hills. "You have many skilled workers at your disposal?"
"Yes Arlessa. I have been very fortunate to employ a remarkable master stone mason, who in fact hails from Orzammar."
"Would you be willing to lend them to the West Hills when you have completed your repairs?"
Juliette smiled and nodded. "I shall be happy to extend your invitation."
"You had mentioned that your recruitment was improved." said Arl Wulff. "Are most of these recruits conscripted or are they volunteers?"
"Wardens do have the Right of Conscription, yes Arl Wulff. But no, it is not something done regularly."
"Then why did you conscripted Warden Howe?" asked Bann Reign.
Juliette turned her head to face him.
"Warden Howe was charged with a crime. His conscription overrode his punishment." Juliette answered with precision.
"Yes, you do dispense justice as the Warden Commander. That would make sense." Reign nodded his head before launching further "You wield quite a lot of power in Amaranthine and many other places as well. It is a testament to our King's faith in you."
"I have worked hard to serve the crown and Ferelden, Bann Reign."
"You do indeed seem to have, uh, earned the King's favor. You are a source of advice for him I am sure." Reign gave a slight bow toward Alistair. "May I ask, is Weisshaupt aware of your, closeness with the King?"
"What are you about Reign?" asked Arl Eamon.
"I mean no insult to our king, forgive me majesty, but I have great concerns that the Warden Commander has become unchecked. Her influence can be found anywhere in Ferelden, even the smallest of towns bards sing her name." Bann Reign said. "I am concerned that this council is allowing the matter of her negotiating with, what could be considered a representative of the darkspawn, to go unaddressed!"
"You find her answers unsatisfactory?" prodded the King. "What would you have her do to satisfy you?"
Bann Reign stood. "She tells us her version of events. No one outside her party can provide verification." he glared at her. "Similar to the events with Ser Cautherien and others, such as Bann Esmerelle. Were those people guilty of the crimes she said? How are we to know? The Warden Commander has many things around her that cannot be confirmed by others and yet her power grows."
"Bann Reign, take your seat." said Arl Eamon. Alistair sat forward in his chair.
"No, Eamon." Alistair rose. "You have the floor Reign, you may speak your mind. You believe that the Commander is what?"
Reign hesitated. He turned his head, gauging the faces of the rooms, unable to discern the mood.
"I only meant to say that the Warden Commander has overstepped her place by allowing that creature to go free, within Ferelden." He said. "She has a record of making important decisions and taking significant action without involving this government. Releasing the 'Architect' is a decision the crown should have made!"
Bann Reign shifted where he stood. "I find it distressing that the council allows this to go on. I wonder at the strength of this assembly that she remains unchecked and unchallenged. Who is leading who?"
Alistair waited for Reign to sit and spoke. "Bann Reign I have been aware of your concerns regarding the Warden Commander for some time. I expect that is why you have paid to have her every move watched in the last few weeks and why she was taken from MY palace by one of your men and held."
Reign sputtered. "No! You're Majesty, you are"
"Misinformed?" Alistair smirked. "I think not. I fear you will find me remarkably well informed, Bann Reign." Alistair stood and began walking slowly toward Reign. "For example, I know that you funded Bann Esmerelle's little plot to kill the Warden Commander with a large smuggling operation in Amaranthine. I know that peasants at a revolt at Vigil's Keep were remarkably well armed. I also know that you have engaged the Lady Anora in conspiring against me and have actively slandered my royal name to support your plot".
"Your Majesty, I must protest, it is clear to me that someone with evil intent has persuaded you of these things, but I am innocent of these accusations!"
Alistair stood at the side of Reign's chair.
"I expect that now would be as good a time as any to inform you all that as of this morning the arrests of various traitors began," Bann Reign came to his feet and backed up bumping into a guard. "starting with the Lady Anora but also including Ser Jasper and you will also notice that Bann Ceorlic is not with us today either. Bann Reign, you have been working very hard to put Anora on my throne and for that you will be joining them." Alistair nodded and the guard took Reign's arm.
"NO! NO! You're Majesty! These are lies! I would never betray you!" Reign kicked and struggled against his guards. "She is at fault! The King is influenced by the whore! She has tricked you all!"
Nathaniel strode across the chamber in an effort to reach Reign.
Reign misunderstood what Nathaniel was intending. "Howe! Help me! The filthy bitch killed your father! Tell them she is the King's own whore! Tell" and he fell silent for Nathaniel had finally reached him. Reign's nose was pouring blood down the gaudy vest he was wearing but his struggling ceased. The guards had little trouble removing him from there.
"Thank you." Juliette said to him as she came to his side.
The council chamber was teeming with tension. King Alistair raised his hands for quiet.
"Please. The charges against the Bann as well as Lady Anora and the others are being made public. Should any of you wish to review them, Arl Eamon will be more than willing to discuss this." the council listened, "However, I think that events being what they are, we shall adjourn for the day."
The council began working their way towards the doors, voices swelling in frantic conversation at the events.
"Warden Commander Cousland, please stay a moment." The king called.
Juliette looked at the others and nodded. "I'll meet you back at our rooms." Nathaniel hesitated a moment and then turned to follow the other men out.
In a few moments the room had emptied, with the exception Arl Eamon, herself and Alistair.
Juliette waited.
"Well, that was interesting to say the least." Alistair quipped. "Nothing more fun that a good council meeting."
Juliette laughed "I think that I will stick to darkspawn, if you don't mind, your Majesty."
Alistair looked at her for a moment and then turned to Eamon.
"It's in your capable hands now, Eamon. The Commander practically put a bow on this one."
"She did indeed. Warden Commander you have again proven yourself extremely valuable to Ferelden. Thank you." Eamon turned and bowed to Alistair. "I shall speak with my secretary and see what reports have come from Drakon." Eamon left the room.
"Juliette." Alistair walked to her "I am sorry that he said those things. I would not want to see you hurt." he sighed. "I was glad to see Howe got a shot in. Wish it could have been me."
"Nathaniel is, uh, protective." Juliette said. "As far as what Reign said, well, there are plenty who will believe what they want."
Alistair nodded his head and reached out for her hand.
"Juliette can you forgive me?"he asked. "I know that I made a real mess of things after the Landsmeet."
She looked at him. Was he serious?
"Alistair, it's been a little over a year since then. Don't bother about it."
"I have to, since it was the stupidest thing I've ever done, and let's be honest, I have done PLENTY of stupid things." he said sincerely.
"You made a good choice."
"Do you really believe that? I hurt you. I hurt us. I regret it more than I can say."
"If we are being honest, then let's say this. You broke my heart, you didn't hurt us, you ended us and I regret it too."
"Then would you be willing to stay here a bit longer, with me?" Alistair shifted his position so that he was leaning into her. His face, the one she had mourned, so very close to hers. She could smell his skin and her memory assailed her with so many thoughts. Her heart jumped, knowing he wanted her again.
"No." she breathed, stepping to the side and avoided his kiss. She heard him sigh raggedly.
"Juliette, please. I know I was wrong. Seeing you here, it has been almost more than I can bear." He came around to stand in front of her again, hope in his eyes. "I love you. I never should have walked away. Can you not see that?"
"Alistair. I regret the things that happened to us. That it ended the way it did. You and I were better than a public fight and scowls. I loved you so very much and I was angry and so hurt." Juliette said feeling her throat tighten. "But you were right. I knew that then and I know it now. You are king and a good one. This is who you were meant to be." her hand reached for him. "I don't fit this life. More than that, I don't want it."
His face fell and a part of her heart lurched. Even now, she did not want to see him hurting.
"Do you still love me?" he whispered.
"Not the way you need me to or the way you deserve." She answered softly and brushed away a tear. "I am your friend Alistair and I want your happiness. You can always rely on me."
"Rely on you…."he smiled weakly his gaze averted. "I want more than that."
"I know. I'm sorry."
Alistair looked at her and she saw it in his eyes, the sorrow and regret. She knew he was in pain and was sorry for it. "Perhaps the sooner I depart the better."
He stepped away from her and nodded. "Yes, perhaps. I suppose I have much to do." He began walking to the door and stopped. "Juliette, thank you for coming here, for letting yourself be subjected to all of this."
Juliette gave him a brief smile. "Alistair, you will always have my friendship and my support, always."
He left the room.