Dragon 9:24, 19h Solace

Four days after the wedding only guests who overstayed longer were King, his son, Teyrns Couslands with Fergus, Arl Howe, Nathaniel and Arl Eamon with his cranky wife Isolde. They waited for the King to finish his business here. In the noon they wanted to leave Gwaren and venture to Denerim for All Souls Day to have a memorial of whom they lost. Everything was already packed and everyone waited for Maric. King has been locked with Loghain and Teyrn Cousland in the study, Mahria and other females gathered in the garden. 'Teyrna, I was honored to be here on your wedding day. I hope we will meet again in Denerim.' Isolde tattled in orleasian.

'I was a pleasure, Arlessa. I will be delighted to meet you there.' Mahria replied also in orleasian. She was forced to learn it by her parents. She didn't like it though. 'But I think we won't come to Denerim until spring, for the Landsmeet.'

'I understand, Teyrna. I'll also stay in Redcliffe for winter. Connor is still to small to travel in that season. I miss him so much.' Mahria was weary by that conversation. Luckily Anora and Teyrna Cousland saw her weariness and rescued her from Isolde silly chatter.

'Arlessa Isolde, how do you find my daughter's orleasian accent? Is it fluent?' Eleonora grabbed Isolde by arm and went away with her. Mahria and Anora could hear loud compliments of Mahria's skill from afar.

'Maker's breath, I can't stand her.' Anora said quietly. 'I can't understand why Eamon take such a jade as a wife.'

'Me neither. Anora… you're leaving today. I will miss you sooo much, baby.' Mahria squealed with giggles. 'Momma will write to her baby girl every week.' After that she pinched her cheeks.

'Mooom, pheawees!' Anora also giggled and waved her hands in defensive gesture. Eventually their merriment was interrupted by Cailan and Nathaniel. They looked hungover. 'By the maker! Aren't those two King and Prince of excessive debauchery?' Anora said that a bit louder to torment two men. Both Prince and Howe put their hands on heads and grimaced.

'Anora, dear, don't scream. My head will explode.' Cailan said with numb voice. 'It's last time I mixed wine, Antivan Brandy and Ale.' Both women laughed at them.

'Are you become idiots lately or you were born that way?' Mahria couldn't stop to laugh. 'I wonder how both of you ended in your own beds in the morning...'

'I think it was magic. Although I don't recall how I end up with only my smallclothes on.' Nate was covering his eyes with a hand to block sun. His eyes were red and his face was pale and tarnished.

'You better walk instead of mounting your horses.' Mahria still giggled at both of them. 'Or else you will fall and break your necks.'

'We will lend some peasant wagon to carry them to Denerim… preferably cushioned with straw.' Anora looked at both miserable men and waved her hand with disdain. 'I don't know why you went to that tavern the night before our travel.'

'My lady… I also wonder about that.' Nate stated with guilt. 'I think we were just trying to cheer up.'

'If it's about me, Nate… you should really forget.' Mahria stopped to giggle and frowned. 'It's done. And I will give you friendly advice: find some slender lass who will suck you dry.'

'That was straightforward.' Cailan looked with eyes wide opened at Mahria. She disregarded his comment and still looked at poor Nathaniel.

'I found one. But she's taken.' Nate continued his grousing not discouraged by Mahria. She narrowed her eyes with anger.

'Listen to me, Nathaniel Howe. If you ever say something like that again I won't talk to you anymore.' Then she turned on her heel. 'I'm going to Fergus now.' She went to the stables where her younger brother was admiring her new mount. 'Still can't take your eyes off her?' She smiled at him. Fergus was her beloved little brother. She had taught him how to use sword and bow, how to sneak and she made a lot of pranks with him while they were still in Highever. Sadness overgrow her when she realised she won't do that kind of thing with Fergus anymore.

'Yes, she's amazing.' Then Fergus looked at her. 'Why are you crying?'

'Because I won't have anyone to make pranks with.' She smiled through her tears. 'I will miss you.'

'I won't. Now I'll have whole castle for myself.' He straightened himself proudly.

'Just don't destroy it too much.' She laughed. Mahria felt anxiety as moment her parents and brother will leave her with her new family approached inevitably. 'When parents will write to me insert note in orleasian to me.' They were always pretending to practice that language to exchange jokes about their parents or share secrets. Teyrns Cousland have never learned it so they didn't understand.

'I'll write about my progress in destroying Highever Castle.' He laughed and hugged his sister. Then both siblings just sat next to hart's stall and looked at the mount, sharing their observations about it. After some time King, accompanied by Teyrns Mac Tir and Cousland, came out of the mansion. Mahria and Fergus proceeded to the courtyard and stood by their mother.

'All set? Are everyone ready?' He looked around. Everyone were waiting for a signal to venture to Highever. As he regarded all assembled in the courtyard he turned to Loghain. 'My friend, I hope to see you safe and sound in the spring. I'm leaving you here with hope you'll find your happiness.' Then he looked at Mahria. 'Teyrna, please come here.' Mahria approached King Maric, he took her hands into his. 'Teyrna, may the Maker smile upon you and your new family. I hope you will come to Denerim for Landsmeet as well?'

'Of course, your Majesty. Thank you, your Majesty.' She smiled at Maric and then stood next to her husband.

'Teyrn Bryce, please have a goodbye with your daughter and let's leave to the capital shortly.' Then Maric went to give orders to his soldiers and servants. Cousland family had warm but also sad farewell with Mahria. After almost everyone mounted their horses Bryce approached Loghain and shook hand with him.

'Please take care of my Pup, friend.'

'Of course, I will keep her safe and happy.' Loghain patted him on the shoulder. Then he turned to Mahria. 'I will go and escort our guests to the gates of Gwaren. Would you like to come as well?' He looked at her red eyes and urge to hug her appeared in his mind. He pushed it away quickly, though.

'Oh, no. I will stay here.' Mahria shook her head. 'I don't want to fall into pieces and cry in front of whole Gwaren.' She smiled sadly. After that horns signalled time to leave. Everyone rode into the gate, passing it by. Mahria stayed in the courtyard till everyone left. Then she dashed to her room. Meanwhile Loghain escorted King's party to the gates and stayed to overlook their departure until they weren't visible in the landscape. He turned his horse and rode to the mansion. He was worried about Mahria, as she was left by her family to stay in rather unfamiliar place with husband she didn't knew well. When he was almost by the gates of the manor a raider on the hart dashed through the gate alongside with Mabari war hound. He noticed Mahria's brown curls and her light leather armor. He looked at the scene quite shocked but then he got a grip of himself. He spurred his horse and started to chase after her. He noticed she went to other side of the town. As he was by the gate he yelled to one of guards on the watchtower.

'Where did Teyrna go?' Guard looked at him terrified but remained silent. 'Female raider on dalish hart, with mabari. Where did she go?' He bawled in anger.

'Teyrna? I think she went to the cliffs. She galloped in that direction so I assume she could went there.' Guard replied with trembling voice. 'It's about two miles away, Your Teyrnship.' Loghain didn't said anything. He spurred his horse once again and went after Mahria. He looked for her for quite long time but he finally found her, or rather her hart feeding on the grass. Woman was sitting on a tree with one leg hanged loosely from the branch and other on it. She was gazing at the sea with pensive face. In the distant he saw Sahra chasing nugs.

'Finally I found you.' He gasped heavily. 'Please, don't scare me like that.'

'Loghain?' Mahria looked down. 'Why are you here?'

'Maker's balls, woman. I was peacefully returning home when I saw you dashing through the gate. I was worried.' Mahria jumped down from the branch and leaned on the tree.

'You didn't had to worry. I know Gwaren and it's surroundings.' Her face was still pensive but her gaze warmed a bit. 'I came here with Anora few times. I wanted to think a bit...' She looked away again. Ha walked toward her and leaned on the tree next to her.

'I know that you're sad… that your parent left you here with a stranger. I understand.'

'I'm not that sad… and it's not about my parents entirely. And above all… I don't think about you as stranger… not after all those nights...' She looked up on the sky, the moon was visible even though it was still a bright day. 'I wanted to sort all of it out. To put it together.' Mahria sighed and stayed silent. After a while she took his hand and pulled him to other side of the tree, where they could admire azure sea. 'Let's just look at the sea.' Both went to the spot and sat down. Another while passed when Mahria moved to sit astride Loghain's lap, facing him. She put her hand on his cheek and leaned to a kiss. They kissed slowly. Moments later Loghain broke a kiss and looked at woman.

'Who are you?' He looked at her puzzled.

'I told you once.' She smiled at him and replied the same answer as in the wedding night. 'I'm your wife. I'm Mahria Mac Tir.'

'Yet sometimes I wonder if you're not a ghost from the past that want repentance for my sins.' Loghain's face was struck with a pain. It didn't last long though. 'Sorry… I was just… wondering. Why are you like that with me?'

'Like that? Care to explain?'

'You give yourself to me without asking anything in return. In the night you're hot and welcoming, by the day you want to talk to me, want to stay by my side. You're not intimidated by me and my demeanor.' Loghain was confused about his wifes manners with him from the start. He wanted to find any dishonesty in her. Maybe he wanted to see her like he had seen everybody else. But it all failed as he saw her honesty, strength and wisdom. It was even more appealing to him than her body. 'And now? You're close to me, you kiss me even though we're far away from anyone.'

'Oh? You think I making all of those things for audience? To gain something?' She chuckled. 'I don't need an audience, Loghain. I said it to Cailan, right? I find you... attractive.' She took one of his braid in her hands and started to unbraid it. 'I like those braids of yours. And for some time I really wanted to unplait and braid it again.' He regarded her silently, thinking of what she told him.

'Attractive…? Stop joking… You're almost half my age and...'

'Like I care.' Mahria interrupted him. 'Listen. I don't care if you're older or if everyone in whole Ferelden thinks of you as grumpy, scary, old fart. I really don't. You are good man behind this grave and intimidating facade. That's why your soldiers worship you. You're far better warrior than Nate or Cailan who are young. You're good in bed which is important for me as I'm lecherous woman.' She smiled and looked into his icy blue eyes. 'Besides you don't look your age.' She left unbraiding for a moment. 'Look, your hair is still almost black. Only few silver strands on the temple. You're worrying too much about his Majesty, Maric the Annoyance.' She giggled.

'Yes, that's the reason.' As Mahria spoke her part, Loghain relaxed. He put his hands on her waist and rubbed it gently. 'So you're fine with having a husband like me?'

'More than fine.' She replied shortly as she proceeded to braid his hair again. He looked at her mouth while she was preoccupied with his hair. Her tongue stick out a bit when she was engaged in her work. He regarded it for a while then urge to kiss her won over his self-restraint. He move his head closer to kiss her. His tongue danced with her in their mouths. For several moments they were pinned to one another just to break the kiss and lay back. 'And who's the one wanting to kiss his wife?' Mahria smiled at Loghain mischievously.

'When you were busy with my hair you stuck your tongue out. That was too adorable for me to just sit idly and watch.'

'Mhm… nevertheless I approve your behaviour, kind Ser. But shut up now, I'm busy here.' They were sitting like that for an hour or so. Talking idly and getting to know each other more than just in bed. From time to time Mahria's mabari, Sahra run to them with a trove.

'I think we should go back.' Loghain moved her from him and stood up. 'There are some matters back home I need to attend to, Teyrna.' Then he overheard a rumble in her stomach. 'Like having dinner with you for example.'

'Yes. Eating is the most important right now.' She laughed. 'Sahra! Come here! Da'asha also need to eat and rest properly in her stall.'

'Good dog.' Loghain patted Sahra between her ears when she came to them and then looked up to Mahria. 'Da'asha? What does it mean?'

'Da'asha means little girl in elvhen.'

'Hmm… Little girl… I was amazed when you spoke to Zetrall in dalish.'

'It's not dalish, its elvhen.' She replied and frowned at him. 'Of all people you should know a bit about Dalish elves. You led Night Elves to the battle.'

'At that time I really didn't care about learning their ways.' He replied coldly and sat on his horse. 'Besides there were both Dalish and city elves.'

'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you.' She mounted her hart and stayed silent for a moment. 'Will you tell me about them someday? I'd like to know how it was from the first hand.'

'Maybe...' His voice warmed up a bit. 'If you'll be a good girl.'

'Such a tease.' Mahria steered her hart to be closer to Loghain. She patted his arm gently. 'I'm looking forward to it.'

DINING HALL

After they returned to the manor, they went to refresh and change clothes. Then they went down to the dining hall to have a meal. 'I was so hungry.' Mahria stated after she finished. Her food vanished so fast from her plate that Loghain was surprised that woman can eat so fast.

'Teyrna, I need to overlook your eating habits. I will come to eat every meal with you to supervise.'

'It's not that bad. It was just today that I forgot to eat.' Mahria stretched her arms and looked at her husband. 'If you excuse me now, I'll go to my room to read something.'

'Certainly. I also need to go now.' Then Loghain stood up and went to the door. He paused for a moment then looked back to Mahria. 'I'll be in city hall, I don't know when I'll come back.'

'That's fine. Good bye.' She also stood up and went upstairs to her bedroom.

MAHRIA'S BEDCHAMBER (THEN LOGHAIN'S ONE)

She approached to the bookshelf where she placed all the books she could take from Highever. She was regarding all of them and at last choose one to read. It was orlesian book she received from her father when she started to learn that language. It was their point of view about Battle of River Dane. Even though it was from their perspective, they praised Ferelden army and it's heroes - Rowan Guerrin and Loghain Mac Tir. That's why she liked it so much. Besides, author of this book wrote it up in a great detail. 'Maybe he was one of enemy soldiers or commanders?' She always wondered about it because his name didn't tell her much. Mahria didn't want to read in her bedchamber so she went to lie on 'their bed' as she referred to one in Loghian's room. She started to read. Although it was strange now… she was reading about her own husband. In the meantime it got darker so she lit up few candles to see letters better. Later, when she came to part when Loghain was fighting orlesian commander, she murmured to herself. 'I need to ask him about that...'

'Ask who? About what?' She jumped surprised and looked shocked at Loghain.

'Uhm. I...' She started but she found herself speechless. He came into the room so quietly. 'Your stealth skill impressed me.'

'What do you read?' Loghain approached her and took the book in his hands. Then he looked at the content and grimaced. 'It's orleasian… why do you have it?' He frowned and gasped angrily. 'Why did you bring book of our enemies to my house?'

'I...' she wanted to say something, explain, but Loghain interfered.

'And you read it?! How do you know their tongue?!' He started to yell at her. 'You deceived me! All those flatteries, courting… you're just a lying traitor!' When he said that she stood up, dashed to him and hit him in the face. He put hand on his cheek and narrowed his icy eyes in anger.

'Listen… Mac Tir...' Mahria was red on face from rage. Her voice was trembling with it. 'I was forced to learn it by my parents. They thought I should know this language. I don't really like it but I had little to say at that time.' Then she took the book in her hands. 'And this? It's a record of your own battle!'

'Oh! I imagine what those bastards wrote about me!' Loghain pulled it out of her hand and tossed it to the other side of the room. 'You'll burn it! I don't want it under my roof!'

'Are you an idiot?!' She roared. 'I won't do that! It was just a present from my father! And we had an agreement that you would not force me to anything!' Then she went to retrieve the manuscript from the floor and went to her room. He wanted to go after her but she returned after a second, without the book. She approached Loghain and poked him few times into the chest. 'Listen! In that book you're praised as a commander! And it's very detailed! I like it!'

'I don't care!' He was breathing heavily. His icy eyes locked on hers. Mahria also looked at him with cold eyes, she had tears of anger in them. When he saw that coldness and anger in her normally warm gaze he snapped out of his rage. 'Don't look at me like that...'

'Like what?! What do you think you're doing?!' She screamed on him. 'You can't order me around! I have enough of it!' She turned to the doors. She wanted to run out and not look at Loghain ever again. But he grabbed her and turned to himself. Then without a word he started to kiss her, strongly. She felt bloody taste in her mouth. With all might she had she turned from his lips. 'Don't touch me! Now you want me? An orlasian bitch?' He disregarded her cry and just pulled her to himself.

'Orleasian bitch?' He laughed faintly. 'You're not orleasian. You're ferelden to the core of your bones.' Loghain lowered his head to place it next to her ear. 'And now… you're mine.' When he said that, with his low, husky voice, all her anger vanished to be replaced by desire to have him right now. She turned her head to him and looked into his blue eyes. And she realised she wasn't alone in her craves. Without a word they started to kiss passionately. He ripped her dress with one firm move alongside with her smallclothes and pulled Mahria's up. She wrapped her legs around him, with shaking hands she unbuttoned his tunic and moved closer to feel his skin with her chest. While they were still kissing Loghain took one hand to his pants and released himself, then he entered her without any invitation. At that sensation she gasped and screamed in pleasure. Mac Tir approached door and slammed them with her back. He moved up and down in her as she was pinned to the door. She was moaning and scratching his back with strange kind of pleasure she had never felt.

'Bed, Mac Tir.' She ordered with pure lust in her voice. He listened to her order and sat on the bed. Loghain was touching firmly all her body. Like he wanted to punish her, but that wasn't punishment at all as she moaned harder every time his hand stroked her bare skin. She pushed him back, and as he laid on the bed she slowed their movements with mischievous smile. Mahria put his hands onto her breast and when he started to cup it, she caressed those hands and arms with feather-like manner. For a time she tormented him with her slow movement and touching but he was at his limit.

'Now you're teasing me, Teyrna Mac Tir.' He growled and twisted with her. 'I won't allow it.' Man again pinned her body with his. He pulled up her hands beneath her head and hold them on the bed. 'It's an end of your reign. My time now.' His climax was approaching fast so he hastened rocking inside her. Mahria screamed when she ended alongside with Loghain. He gasped and fall heavily on the bed. 'Maker... ' Loghain could only say this one word as his breath was still unstable.

'That was...' Mahria also was panting heavily. 'Holy Andraste, Maker, let me thank you for such amazing husband and lover...' As she said that she put her hand on his hair and started to stroke its wet strands. 'It would be such a waste if he had stay in chastity as old widower. Ouch!' She looked down to see Loghain was pinching her butt.

'Stop joking.'

'I'm not joking! I'm trying to express my gratitude to the Maker!' She giggled. 'It was… the best… in my life.'

'I'm sorry.' Loghain said with serious voice.

'Don't apologize for you splendid performance.'

'I'm not apologizing for that...' He lifted up on his arms and looked at her. 'I shouldn't yell at you… about that book.' Then he sat up and brushed his hand through his hair. 'I just...'

'I understand.' She also pulled up and looked at him.

'No you don't. You weren't there. You hadn't see what I had.' His voice was shaking. 'They… they killed my mother… they killed my father… our countrymen, women and children. Innocents! Orlesian bastards robbed our lands and laughed at us!' Reminiscence of the past was painful to Loghain. Mahria saw it and felt shame. She sat behind him, embraced his back and leaned head on it.

'You're right. I don't know anything, do I?' Mahria's sad voice reached him from his back. He felt her hot breath. 'I'm stupid. For years I idolized you for this one battle… but it's far more to it. I know that there were only blood, death and violence during the rebel, not glory. I knew that usurper and his men did such dreadful things to us that memory of it hurts even now. But somehow in my idiocy I thought everyone were over it. Like it happened so long ago it wasn't worth mentioning.' Loghain felt warm drops of tears falling on his tunic. 'How stupid of me…'

'Maybe some people are over it… maybe everyone… except me. I'll defend Ferelden from Orlais until I die. That's my duty. But that doesn't mean I'll throw you away because you happen to know their nasty language or have one of their tatty books.'

'It's nasty, indeed.' She said while sobbing quietly. 'But the book. It's good, detailed and author states that you were great! And you know what? I wished I was there. To see you in battle frenzy, to see how you won over those bloody bastards.' Her sobs intensified.

'Come here.' He grabbed her and put on his laps. 'Don't cry.' He tried to kiss her tears away but they were still coming out. 'I'm not good at this, but let me tell you one thing.' Loghain took her chin in his hand and pushed her head lightly to look into Mahria's eyes. They were red and wet from crying, but regarded him warmly. 'If you were there... I would be terrified… terrified of losing a treasure.'

'You're right.' She giggled and wiped her tears. 'You're bad at this.' Then she took one of his braid and started to unplait it. 'I think author of this book was fighting somewhere near you. He described you precisely. Loghain Mac Tir was hero of that battle, he fought like no one of our own. That's what it is to fight for freedom and for beloved country. We forgot about that. We were too proud to acknowledge true strength of Ferelden. A strength that Hero of River Dane showed us on that day. That was written about you.'

'They can be good at mendacious flattery, but still... I don't care what they think nor write about me.' Loghain relaxed when Marhia stopped crying. He rubbed gently her waist and regarded with faint smile. 'I think we should call it a day. You had worn me out, Teyrna.'

'Wait a moment, I need to plait this to the end.' Again she was working on his braid. 'Taking care of your braids is calming my nerves. I consider it a new habit of mine.' After she was done with it she went to bathroom to wash. Then both of them changed to their bedclothes and laid next to eachother. 'Mmm I like this bed. It's so comfortable.'

'Oh? The one in your room isn't? Would you like me to replace it?' Loghain asked with a smirk on his face.

'No. You can take it away. As I don't want to sleep there.' She pointed down with her finger and smiled mischievously. 'This is my bed... Our, to be precise. But mostly mine.'

'I was invaded by foreign forces in my own bed, and lost it utterly.' Then he laid on his side and turned Mahria to embrace her from her back. He nested his head on her neck. 'But it is my favourite loss so far.'

'Mhmm.' Mahria purred sleepy. 'Good night, general.'

'Good night, invader.'