Chapter Three

The manservant at the palace showed Teagan to a receiving room while he left to inform Eamon of the bann's arrival. Teagan paced nervously, going over in his head what he would say to Eamon. Muffin tried to keep pace with him, then just sat nearby when it became apparent he wasn't going anywhere. By the time the servant had returned to escort Teagan to his brother, he was no closer to an acquiescence to Eamon's ultimatum than he had been when he set out this morning to speak to Eamon. And there wasn't going to be one.

It was evident to Teagan when he entered the study that his older brother had been up all night long or only slept a little. Teagan hoped his news about the Couslands would improve this meeting.

"Teagan, sit down," Eamon said. "Do you bring good news? I could certainly use some right about now."

"I passed the retinue of Highever and Gwaren coming here," Teagan said. "I even stopped and had a chat with both teyrns."

"Anora came from Gwaren?" Eamon raised a brow of incredulity.

"Not Anora, her husband," Teagan said with a grin.

Eamon's reaction was making this even more fun than Teagan had anticipated. He had such a look of perplexed wonder that Teagan wanted to laugh.

"It seems, Eamon, that Michael Cousland escaped the slaughter at Highever Castle and is now married to Anora."

Eamon sat down shaking his head. "Will wonders never cease?"

"And Highever has had similar troubles with raiders."

"They have? What happened in Highever? And how did Michael Cousland come be alive?"

It didn't take long for Teagan to relay what he had been told by Fergus and Michael.

"A remarkable tale," said Eamon. "And they both promise their support in the Landsmeet. Teagan, I think we just got a very lucky break."

"I hope so, Eamon. Has your contact found any information we can use?"

"Nothing so far, and as the Landsmeet draws nearer, it concerns me. We may have to use some drastic measures that won't win us any love."

"What do you mean, Brother?"

"I mean measures that are effective, but won't win Alistair popularity with the people. The poor boy worries too much about hurting feelings as it is." Teagan thought he might detect a note of displeasure in Eamon's voice at this. "I would prefer not to suggest them and I loathe bringing it up since he may feel he has no choice but to act on them."

Hoping to simply avoid getting into the topic of Neria with his brother, Teagan rose. He had come here in part to discuss it but really he would rather avoid an argument this morning. He had just reached the door and was about to leave the room when Eamon spoke.

"I understand, Teagan, that Ser Mhairi left for Amaranthine this morning. I trust she wasn't alone?"

"If you mean 'Did Neria go with her?' then, yes. She did."

"And she left her mabari with you?" Eamon asked. "Why?"

Teagan gritted his teeth and kept his back to Eamon.

"Perhaps she felt I needed a protector."

"You didn't do it, did you, Teagan? You didn't tell her."

Eamon sounded old and weary, as if the weight of the world were on his shoulders. Teagan frowned.

"I couldn't, Eamon."

"Why not, Teagan?"

Now he turned and looked at Eamon, imploringly. "Is it not enough that she makes me happy? Can't you just be glad for me, Brother?"

"Were this twenty years ago, I would be, but neither of us are young men any longer."

Entering into mental battle with his brother was not Teagan's idea of fun, but he wasn't about to give up Neria now that he'd gotten her to open up her heart to him. He crossed his arms defensively across his chest.

"You just want heirs, if not your own then mine."

"I'd be lying if I said that wasn't a concern. She's an elf, Teagan and as an elf she's unsuitable. That in and of itself is alarming, but she's also a mage. Your mistress has been chosen poorly this time, Teagan. Any children she gives you run the risk of being mages as well."

"I would love them, if they had her pointed ears or her magic. They would be part of us both."

"The child would be human even with an elven mother, but people would know who the mother is. And the risk of a mage child…. You don't want that pain, trust me. Do you want the templars coming to your home? Dragging your child away? Or doing the responsible thing and surrendering them to the tower and having your heart torn away anyway?"

Perhaps Eamon wasn't trying to be unreasonable, Teagan thought. He knew giving up the boy he loved to the Circle of Magi had taken a heavy toll on Eamon. He sympathized with his brother, but he cared about Neria. She was worth fighting for, even if he had to fight Eamon.

"I don't want to fight with you over this, Eamon, but I won't give her up."

"Well, we shall see. Amaranthine is a long way away and the life of a Grey Warden isn't an easy one. Darkspawn are no simple foes."

"This discussion is over," said Teagan, angrily cutting off his brother. He turned on his heel and strode out the door, Muffin following in his wake.

"Maker's breath!" Teagan hissed. "It's almost like he hopes she'll die in Amaranthine!"

Teagan was so angry he wasn't watching where he was going and bumped into a man exiting the door to his left. Papers scattered as they collided and Teagan stopped to help him gather them.

"No, don't, my lord, that's not necessary," he said.

Handing what he had gathered to the man, Teagan continued on his way.

Outside clouds were gathering for one of those early spring showers and Teagan picked up the pace to get back to Eamon's estate quickly. He was only a little soaked when he arrived at the arl's estate and counted himself fortunate to get back when he did.

A servant brought him a towel to run over himself as he strode into the estate. He found Isolde in the dining hall discussing placement of the nobles for the planned social with the head of the staff. One delicate brow arched at the sight of her brother-in-law a bit breathless and wet.

"Teagan? You're back already. Did you see Eamon?" she asked.

"I did," Teagan replied, the cold rain having done little to cool his anger over their cross words. Then he grinned, thinking of his good news for Isolde putting him in slightly better spirits. "The teyrns of Highever and Gwaren are here, so don't forget to invite them."

"Anora married?" Isolde's look of surprise was anticipated and everything he had hoped for.

"Indeed. She didn't come to Denerim, but her husband is here. Why not invite him as well? Fergus has remarried as well, so don't forget to invite his wife."

Isolde blinked. "Teagan…what exactly did you do this morning?"

Teagan just grinned and walked away, her reaction everything he had hoped for. He hadn't been looking forward to either of the two events planned for next week, but now, for the first time, he was.