Sorry if this chapter was a little late in coming out. I'm in the middle of some heavy house cleaning right now, lol.
I want to thank all those who have reviewed: Megglesnake, Jinx1983, Warrose, LadyCallia, PheonRen, Liso66 and auradorina. You have made my day, thanks! :D
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Chapter 35 - The Landsmeet - Part 2
The entire room full of nobles applauded noisily at Fergus Cousland's suggestion. Anora felt herself flushing with anger.
"Teyrn, Cousland," she began, but Alistair cut her off, without preamble.
"Lords and ladies of the Landsmeet. Allow me to illustrate what I was doing in Orlais. For this, I will need to produce evidence, evidence that I am happy to announce is in this room today. I would like to introduce the Warden Commander of Orlais, Leonie Caron."
A woman dressed in warden armor with a beautiful silver griffon decorating the breastplate climbed the steps and smiled at Alistair, ignoring Anora completely. Anora bristled and was about to speak, but Leonie had already pulled a parchment out of her pocket, and started to speak to the nobles.
"Lords and ladies of Ferelden," Leonie began, stretching and stressing the 'e' in 'ladies' and dimpling graciously at all. "The people of Orlais had been suffering attacks from darkspawn like no other. The Blight had been ended, true, but the threat we were facing made it impossible to continue. I wrote to Warden Commander Theirin in hopes of finding answers on why we were being attacked by darkspawn. Since he had successfully ended the Blight, I thought he might have answers. Entire cities and villages were being wiped out. Larger cities full to the brim with refugees."
"Warden Commander Theirin reacted to my missives the same way I tried to react during the Blight. I went to the border hoping to join my forces with the grey wardens in Ferelden, but I was stopped by the men of General Loghain Mac Tir, who informed me that the grey wardens had betrayed the king in the battle of Ostagar, abandoning him on the battlefield to be massacred by the darkspawn. They asked us to leave and told us that everything was under control and they didn't need the help of any Orlesians. So we had to turn back because we did not want to start a war. Warden Commander Alistair Theirin did no such thing. He came to Orlais immediately to assist us against this darkspawn threat. To help the people. Because a grey warden helps no matter the nation or race. It is our duty to protect mankind."
There were murmurs among the nobles in the room.
"How bad was this darkspawn threat?" Teryn Cousland asked her.
"If Warden Commander Theirin hadn't come to aid us, we would have probably all succumbed to the darkspawn. The darkspawn had already destroyed several villages and two major cities and caused destruction on most others. Montsimmard could not hold any more refugees, nor could the capital, Val Royeaux." She said candidly.
"When I met Warden Commander Theirin, I was busy travelling to these villages making sure that the survivors were not tainted. If they were left to live they would have spread the Taint all over Orlais, corrupting everyone and everything."
The murmurs rose in volume. There was also fear amongst them all and it was palpable to everyone in the room.
"There are many other wardens who could have aided you," a noble called out from the back, "why did you not ask them for help?"
Leonie smiled.
"We did. We sent out missives even to the First Warden in Weisshaupt. But the wardens in Weisshaupt were under attack. There was a darkspawn horde so huge they were battling there, that they had no wardens to spare and send to us."
The nobles in the room began to fidget as they realized suddenly that the threat had been worse. It hadn't been present only in Orlais, but also at Weisshaupt all the way in the Anderfels. That sounded like a threat in a large scale, and if it hadn't been stopped it would have spread over Ferelden.
"I have here with me a parchment. It is a copy of some of the statistics of the damage caused to Orlais as well as the names of the towns and villages that were burned to the ground. I am presenting it to the Landsmeet as reference and evidence to support Warden Commander Theirin's innocence."
She handed the parchment to Teryn Cousland and went back down the steps to stand at the front, smiling up at Alistair who smiled back gratefully.
"Now, as Queen Anora has so graciously mentioned the title I was given as 'Defender of Orlais', I also have someone here to speak to you all about that. May I introduce to you all, Lord Pierre Montgue, advisor to Empress Celene."
A small, balding man with a hooked nose climbed the steps to Alistair. He addressed the nobles very politely and proceeded to read the Imperial Decree that had been written out in Ferelden and had the Imperial Seal on it as well as Empress Celene's signature.
"Let it be known that from this day onward, Warden Commander Alistair Theirin is hereby known as 'Defender of Orlais' for his services in defeating the darkspawn. In doing so, he has risked his life and the lives of his companions but has successfully eliminated the threat. He has done a great service to this country and as such it is the wish of Her Imperial Highness Empress Celene to strengthen the ties between Orlais and Ferelden, assuring the people that there will never be a war between these nations as long as she rules Orlais."
Upon hearing these words, the entire landsmeet burst into applause and cheering. Anora's very reason for arresting and having Alistair executed was definitely gone.
Alistair was not done, however.
He waited for the applause to die down and then turned to Anora, a lopsided grin on his face.
"I am the queen!" Anora shouted angrily at him. "How dare you?"
"No, Anora," he replied, feeling slightly elated at what he was about to reveal next. "How could you?"
"How could I what? Explain yourself!"
"How could you send the Crows after me, to have me murdered and set it up as an accident?"
Anora paled, but she quickly regained herself.
"I haven't the slightest idea of what you are talking about," she replied haughtily.
She then glanced around to the nobles in the room hoping to get some support from them. They were all staring at her. Some looked shocked, others surprised. But not one of them looked like they would be supporting her anytime soon. Not even Bann Cerolic this time.
From the crowd of nobles, a man suddenly made his way to the front, and the nobles parted for him to come through. The queen gave a gasp and the color drained from her face again when she recognized the man. Even worse, the man was dragging another man with him, who cowered and knelt immediately before Alistair, Anora and Fergus.
"Warden Commander Theirin," said the man in a rich Antivan accent. "I bring before the Landsmeet, this man, Edgar, who is working for Queen Anora. He will give his testimony today on how she spied on you in Orlais."
"And who might you be?" Fergus asked, knowing full well who he was.
"My name is Zevran Arainai, and I am a former Crow. I traveled with the Warden Commander and the Hero of Ferelden to end the Blight two years ago. Furthermore, I have proof that Queen Anora hired me to kill Warden Commander Alistair Theirin in Orlais."
There was a small scream that came from Anora's lips and a thud. Before Alistair had had a chance to react, Anora lay on the floor unconscious.
She had fainted.
...
Alistair made a gesture and Anders appeared on the dais as the nobles stood frozen on the spot watching the entire scene before them. He quickly applied healing magic to the queen, and she sat up dizzily after a few minutes. He then helped her to stand and left the dais.
Alistair then asked Zevran to tell the nobles in the room what had transpired between Anora and him and Zevran complied.
In a matter of minutes, the entire room was buzzing like a horde of angry bees.
Eamon Guerrin made his way up to the dais. Everyone started to calm down when they saw him standing there.
Alistair hid the surprise from his face. He knew what was going to happen next, but thought that Fergus would be the one to do it and not Eamon. Not after the conversation he had had with him.
"Lords and ladies of the Landsmeet. Clearly Anora Mac Tir is unfit to rule. She has very nearly started a war against Orlais, because she thought that Alistair Theirin was invading with an Orlesian army which as we can all see, is not true. Keeping that in mind, I would like to present a solution to this. I would like to put Alistair Theirin forward as candidate for the throne. He is of royal blood and it is his birthright. Also you have seen what kind of a man he is. He is more suitable to rule with a fair hand. He cares for the people in Ferelden." Eamon's voice rang clear and true.
"We shall vote on the matter," Teryn Cousland said and Alistair smiled at him.
"I would like to say something if I may?" Alistair said quietly but clearly.
Everyone in the room heard a snort and sniff coming from the back. Then, a woman dressed in mage robes with a staff strapped on her back, made her way to the stairs, climbing them. She had a glare in her eyes that dared anyone to speak.
A second woman then made her way up to the dais as well. She was young and beautiful, and had long blonde hair up in a bun. Both women were Elven.
"I don't know if any of you will accept me as king when I say what I have to say, ladies and gentlemen," Alistair continued speaking and Eamon flushed.
"This beautiful woman beside me, on my right, is Countess Chantalle of Val Royeaux. She is a Dalish elf. She was given the title of countess by Empress Celene for her services in defeating the darkspawn at my side. She is a fellow Grey Warden. She is also the current Arlessa of Amaranthine because she is my wife."
"We cannot have an elf as queen!" Protested a bann that was red-faced at this outrage. Only two others agreed with him. The rest were in silence.
"Queen Anora had already passed a writ declaring the elves to have the same right as humans. Lady Chantalle is not only the current Arlessa of Amaranthine, but also a Countess. She is a noble and fit to become queen," replied Teryn Cousland as he eyed the man calmly. There were several nobles who nodded at what Fergus was saying.
But nobody was prepared for Alistair's next words.
"I have something else to say," he said quietly, but trembling slightly. "The woman standing on my left is also an elf and a mage. She was King Maric's lover twenty-five years ago. She is my mother."
Everyone was shocked into silence. There were some gasps and screams from some of the ladies.
"I don't understand how some of you here can call yourselves nobles, when you are not noble at all. Elves are people who deserve your respect. They should not be treated as animals, the way they are treated and have been treated all their lives. If you put me on that throne, I shall see that all elves are treated the same way as humans. To me, humans and elves alike are all citizens of Ferelden. Everyone, no matter the race, deserves a chance of a better and happier life."
Some of the nobles, including the bann who had spoken out started to shift uncomfortably. Fergus turned to Alistair. Alistair nodded at him and he turned back at the nobles.
"Lords and ladies of Ferelden. Alistair Theirin is of royal blood but he is also a grey warden. He is the Warden Commander of Ferelden and is sworn to protect us all from the threat of the darkspawn. We should vote on this immediately. All those in favor of Alistair Theirin as future King of Ferelden, please speak up."
"I will support him," cried out Bann Alfstanna immediately.
"I will also. I will do so to honor the memory of King Maric, the savior. It is the right thing for his son to rule Ferelden," said Arl Wulff.
"As will I," shouted Bann Sighard.
A number of other hands went up. In total there were ten nobles who supported Alistair as future king, including Eamon and Fergus, against three who opposed. "Bann Cerolic, Loren and Tergus, it has been duly noted that you have not spoken up in favor of this motion," said Fergus in a quiet tone. The three men shifted and fidgeted nervously.
"My brother could not be here today. I have no doubt that he supports you as well, Alistair," Eamon said and inclined his head in his direction.
"I will support him also," called out the Grand Cleric, much to the surprise of all gathered there. "He and his companions were our only hope during the Blight. I am convinced he will do the work of the Maker always, and be a fair and kind ruler."
The crowd started to cheer and applaud. Anora had stood through all this and was looking pale and withdrawn.
Alistair waited for them to be quiet. He then turned to all the noblemen and women gathered in the room.
"I regret to inform you all that I cannot accept right now," he said quietly. "I suggest you make Fergus regent."
"What? Why?" Eamon shouted.
"I cannot accept to rule the kingdom while I am still Warden Commander of Ferelden. I will need at least a year to get a replacement and train him," he said.
"We will gather again in a year to crown Alistair Theirin as King of Ferelden and Lady Chantalle as his Queen," Fergus announced. "In the meantime, I will gladly become regent to assist you, Your Highness."
The nobles broke into an applause, most of them cheering, and it was settled.
"Anora Mac Tir. You will be stripped from your titles and lands and are hereby exiled from Ferelden to Nevarra. If you return, you will be killed on the spot. Is this clear?" Fergus asked.
"Very clear," Anora replied quietly. She looked at Alistair then and he saw such hatred in her eyes, that he was momentarily stunned. The guards then took her away.
Everyone started to clear the place. Alistair took Chantalle's hand and squeezed it, smiling down at her as she beamed at him. He then turned to Fiona who did not even glance in his direction. He could tell that he was going to have to have a long chat with her after all this was over.
He turned to Fergus and grinned.
"Thank you, Fergus."
"Don't mention it. You've got a year, just like you planned. All I did was help you, and I would do it again gladly, if you asked me to."
...
A/N: What changed Alistair's mind about becoming king? Why the visit to the Elven Alienage in Amaranthine and Chantalle, of course! ;D