I want to express my sincerest thanks to Megglesnake, PheonRen, Jinx1983, Warrose, LadyCallia and auradorina for their wonderful reviews!
Bioware owns everything! :D
Chapter 39 - Cause or Consequence
shaking
Oh, my heart is aching
We're coming to the edge
running on the water
coming through the fog
your sons and daughters
We the great and small
stand on a star
and blaze a trail of desire
through the darkening dawn
Carly Simon- Let the river run
.
.
Fiona stood in front of the cage, where the dying mabari was lying, its breath coming in short gasps. She felt really sorry for the poor animal, so she crouched and tried to make eye contact with it. She had put some of the potion into a piece of nug meat and she dangled it hopefully before the dog's eyes, hoping to get it to eat a bite.
The dog looked at her through its weariness and seemed to realize she was being nice for it moved its stump of a tail twice before reaching out to gingerly take the piece of meat. It chewed on it for a short while and swallowed painfully, then closed its eyes.
Fiona frowned.
She thought for a moment that the dog had finally passed away and was already thinking of returning to the kennels to ask for another dog, when she saw it start to tremble and paw in the air.
Then it began to whine pitifully along with the pawing and trembling and she took a step back, watching it, unable to take her eyes off it.
Finally the dog began to howl in pain and convulsed.
Then it went limp.
She sighed and turned, too sad to continue, and sat on the chair next to the table where she worked, fixing her eyes on the window before her.
She had been so sure, so certain!
Then, a noise came from the cage and she turned her head to see what it was.
The mabari hound that had been moments away from death now sat on its haunches, regarding her with a comical expression and wagging the stump of its tail eagerly. Its eyes held the sparkle of life in them, and it looked like it was smiling.
She laughed then and crossed the short distance to the cage, putting her hand through it to pet it.
He whined and nuzzled her hand, his tongue licking it gratefully.
A warm glow emanated from her hand as she focused, scanning the dog.
The Taint in it had been reduced. It was still there, yes, but it was now confined to a small area, no longer a menace to its health.
The dog would live, and it would probably live for years if it did not kill darkspawn again.
Fiona straightened and laughed again and the dog barked happily at her.
She then turned heel and went off to Alistair's room to give him the good news.
...
The door to Alistair's room opened a crack, and she saw one of his eyes glaring at her.
"Didn't I tell you I was taking the day off today, Fiona? We're kind of busy right now," he added, blushing as he spoke.
"Yes, yes, I know this. But there is something you really have to see, Alistair! It will only take but a minute and it's in my room. It's something worth the interruption, trust me," Fiona finished as she gazed into his amber eye.
He glared at her a few seconds more, then sighed.
"All right, all right. Just wait outside. I have to get dressed. I had to leave to get some food and water soon anyway," he said and shut the door softly.
After a few minutes, he opened the door again, and shut it behind him, looking down into her eyes with a curious expression.
"This had better be good, Fiona," he said.
"Oh, you are going to love it," she replied as they walked briskly side by side.
They reached the room very quickly and Fiona went inside first, Alistair following her. She led him to the other room she had, where she kept the dog and all her work, and pointed at the cage with the mabari inside, beaming.
Alistair looked at the mabari, that was sitting there looking attentively at Fiona, its tail thumping against the stone floor. Then he looked back at Fiona.
"It's a mabari hound, yes, I see that. You brought me all the way over just to let me know this dog has imprinted itself on you?" He sighed deeply.
"No, no! Of course not! This dog was dying a mere hour ago, Alistair! I fed it a piece of nug meat that had the potion in it. Then I performed a scan on it. The Taint in the dog has been reduced. So successfully in fact that the dog is now alive and healthy, as you can clearly see!"
His lips parted in amazement as he turned to look at the dog again, that was now tilting its head to the side, still looking at Fiona and Alistair.
"By the Maker!" He managed to say. "This is wonderful, Fiona!"
He gave her a bear hug and grinned.
"Do you know what this means, Alistair? Do you?"
He laughed, his eyes happily gazing into hers now.
"Yes, I do! You are a genius!" He added and embraced her again.
Fiona had just succeeded in discovering a cure of sorts for the Taint.
All the work and the countless hours she had put into this project were finally beginning to pay off.
...
For some strange reason, known only to Alistair himself, he became terribly protective of Chantalle from the day when they had discovered she was pregnant.
He hovered over her constantly now and went everywhere she went. Chantalle did not appreciate this. She no longer had a single private moment. Not one.
Her temper was becoming shorter as the days passed also. When they left for the circle tower to recruit more mages she had found herself yelling because she had misplaced her pack. Alistair had quickly moved in to let her know he carried it, and she had simply glared at him before turning around and walking to the mess hall, with him close behind of course.
He endured her bad temper and found himself strangely attracted to and frightened of her at the same time. His fear was more the concern that she would hurt herself and the child she was carrying than anything else.
They finally set off for the circle tower. Anders and Fiona went with them, much to Anders's dislike, but as he was a Grey Warden now, he doubted that they would be taking him prisoner anytime soon. Leliana also went with them, as did Duran, who was grateful to be out and running about.
Alistair had left Nathaniel in charge again, of course, and sighed contentedly enjoying the feel of his wife's body on the saddle in front of him. He had insisted she get on the horse in front of him with a quiet determination in his eyes, and she had agreed without questioning him or complaining, so he had carried her up onto the horse effortlessly and climbed up himself.
He took his place behind her; they were a tight fit, their bodies melded into each other. Alistair sighed happily as he took the reins.
He was extremely grateful that they had horses. The six horses they now were riding had been a gift from one of the banns in Amaranthine, grateful for their assistance in clearing his estate from darkspawn and blight wolves before they could do any real damage to it.
Chantalle settled comfortably onto the saddle, wiggling her bottom against his armor, and Alistair leaned forward, nuzzling her neck and lost it for a moment.
Duran's voice brought him back.
"Nothing like a horse to ride, eh Commander?"
...
They managed to recruit two more mages while at the tower, and a couple of days later, slowly made their way back to Amaranthine.
One of the recruits was an elven mage, like Fiona, and the two bonded instantly. She had no memory of where she came from nor of her parents, and she said her name was Neira but did not have a family name to go by.
The other recruit was a human mage. His name was Jacob Amell and he and Alistair were friendly to each other by the time they had arrived at their next destination. It was a little strange to all of them that the almost Templar got along so well with mages and made his mother, Fiona, wonder that it might be because he carried this affinity in his blood.
Instead of heading to the north, they head due east and after a few days, Chantalle asked her husband where they were going, curious about the current path they were taking.
Alistair chuckled into her hair, his breath ticking her ear as he leaned forward eagerly.
Placing a soft kiss behind her ear he murmured, "You'll see," his breath causing her neck to tingle and a shiver to run up and down her body. Ever since she had known she was pregnant she had noticed a slight increase in her desire for him. She wondered if all pregnant women went crazy with lust like she was experiencing, or if it was just she? Alistair had, of course, noticed this increase in her sexual appetite, and was enjoying it immensely.
He was, however, extremely embarrassed one night when they had set up their tents for camping and Fiona approached him.
"Alistair, you really must keep the...ah...volume down. The rest of us are having trouble sleeping," Fiona's blush was only a tad bit under deep crimson and her son soon matched hers.
"Uh, um...oh...he he," he said, unable to meet her gaze. "I- um...sorry about that," he added lamely. "I'll be sure to tell Chantalle. We'll try to keep it down from now on."
"Good to know," Fiona said and turned, leaving him standing there feeling uncomfortable. This feeling did not last long, for Chantalle stuck her head out of their tent, and called his name.
"Alistair? I'm having some trouble with...the...bedrolls."
From where he was standing, he could see the lustful look she was giving him.
He nearly broke into a run in his desire to get into the tent.
...
They had been moving steadily for five days when they caught sight of some elves in the distance.
Alistair smiled, knowing full well that they had finally arrived. Chantalle turned her head slightly and glanced at him curiously, a half-smile on her lip, her eyes bright.
"They are Dalish, are they not?" She whispered excitedly.
"Yes, my love," he said and grinned at her excitement.
He was pleased to see that Mithra was still leading her patrol and standing guard at the camp entrance.
"Greetings, wardens," she said, and then her eyes fell on Chantalle, who had slid off the horse, helped by Alistair and now was standing there, beaming at Mithra. Mithra's eyes lit up as she smiled back. "I see you bring one of our own with you this time. Follow me. I am sure Keeper Lanaya will be overjoyed with your visit."
They left their horses behind and followed her to the keeper.
Keeper Lanaya was, indeed, very pleased to see Alistair and Duran again.
"Andaren Atish'an Grey Wardens," she greeted them, her eyes falling on Chantalle. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"Hello, Lanaya, it is our pleasure as well to see you again. There are two things which I have to speak to you about. But first let me introduce my companions," Alistair said and began to introduce all except for Leliana, who already knew Lanaya. He saved Fiona and Chantalle for last.
"This lady beside me is my mother, Lanaya," he said and was rewarded with an appreciative glance from the keeper before she gave Fiona a bright smile. Fiona smiled back.
"This beautiful lady on my right is my wife, Chantalle. She is Dalish like you. Her clan perished in Orlais when the darkspawn attacked them and she was the only survivor. We came to her aid and she was recruited into the grey wardens," Alistair said, his eyes full of love and adoration as he introduced her.
Lanaya was surprised at this, but her eyes showed nothing but admiration and tenderness as she clasped Chantalle's hand tightly. "Andaren Atish'an, lethallin," she greeted Chantalle, and Chantalle's eyes sparkled warmly at her as she replied the same greeting in return. "It is strange that you have married a human man, but he is one of the best shemlen there is. I congratulate you both."
"Ma seranas, Keeper," Chantalle replied graciously. "We are also expecting our first child six months from now," Chantalle added happily.
"A child? That is truly a blessing, lethallin," Lanaya smiled brightly at the news. "Come, sit with me in my aravel. If you don't mind me taking her away for a short time, Alistair?"
"No, of course not," Alistair said, gazing at his wife happily and lovingly. "We'll go say hello to Sarel, is he still around?"
"Yes, he is by the fire. He will be happy to speak to you as well. We will join you by the fire later, lethallin." Alistair felt pleased at being called this, for he knew it was a term of endearment used only among the Dalish. Chantalle gave him a peck on the cheek before leaving with Lanaya and he and the rest of his companions went off to check for supplies with Varathorn first, who was also happy to see both Alistair and Duran again.
They soon found themselves sitting around the fire, listening to Sarel's tales and eating some food they were offered as well as beverages.
Lanaya and Chantalle soon joined them and Alistair placed his arm around his wife, drawing her near.
"Keeper Lanaya, there is something I wished to discuss with you also," Alistair said. "More like something that I would like to give you and hope sincerely that you will accept."
Lanaya smiled at Alistair and nodded, eagerly awaiting for him to carry on.
"Well," Alistair began. "I am to be crowned the King of Ferelden in seven months and Chantalle will be crowned Queen. My coronation and Chantalle's will take place after our child is born."
Lanaya's lips parted in surprise, while Sarel seemed to have lost all powers of speech. His reaction, however, was not one Alistair expected.
"A child? Born of a Dalish woman and a human man? This is sad news for us," Sarel muttered under his breath, but loud enough for all to hear.
"Sarel, Chantalle lost all her people, Alistair rescued her and she became a grey warden. He is her clan now. We must rejoice for her and her love," Lanaya replied firmly. She had more open views about the relationship between elves and humans, as it was her wish that all hostilities would cease between them one day, while Sarel was immersed in the old ways and still was wary and a bit hostile towards humans and outsiders in general, and Alistair knew this so he said nothing.
"Forgive me keeper, I know you mean well," Sarel sighed.
"If I may, Keeper Lanaya?" Alistair requested, and she nodded her head and smiled warmly at him. "The thing is that I know that you need a place you can call home. I know what this means to you and your people. I wanted to give you land for you to accomplish your wish. I truly admire the Dalish and would be extremely happy if you accepted my humble gift to you."
Both Lanaya and Chantalle's lips parted in surprise at this, while Fiona smiled at her son proudly. She was not Dalish, true, but she did know of the tale and their desire to finally have land where they could settle down.
"This is a wonderful and generous gift, Alistair," Lanaya said when she recovered from her surprise. "We would gladly accept."
"It gladdens my heart to hear this, keeper," Alistair grinned. "I request your presence at our coronation. It is then that I shall make the announcement, but know now that the land that will be granted to you is the land to the south, west of the Brecilian Forest, in the Kocari Wilds. It includes the ruins of Ostagar, where we fought our first battles against the darkspawn."
Lanaya smiled graciously, but he did not see this, he was gazing into Chantalle's sapphire eyes deeply, pleased at what he was seeing there.
She was looking at him as if he were a god come to life.
He would never forget that look for as long as he lived.
...
Fergus Cousland was making his way to the study to finally check the correspondence that had arrived earlier at the palace, when a guard intercepted him in the corridor.
"Forgive me, my Lord, but there is someone that is here in the palace that wishes to see you. This person collapsed at the gates, but she said your name before losing consciousness. We have brought her into the throne room. She is currently heavily guarded, but still unconscious, Sire."
"Thank you, I will make my way to the throne room immediately," Fergus replied.
Fergus was there shortly afterwards, where a female figure could be seen lying on the stone floor of the throne room, and four soldiers standing guard. He approached the figure and gave a gasp as he stared down at a face he thought had been slaughtered when Howe's soldiers had overrun Castle Cousland a little less than four years ago. His breathing hitched and his eyes widened as he knelt before her and stared down into her thin, haggard face. Words failed him.
The woman opened her beautiful teal eyes slowly and croaked "Fergus." She smiled, a ghost of a smile, a ghost of the woman she had once been.
With a sob he gathered her into his arms and thanked the Maker for this miracle.
He would nurse her back to health and never let her out of his sight again.
...
A/N: Cookies for the people who can guess who the mystery woman is! ;)