Chapter 35: Family

Aeden hated it when his companions dawdled in the mornings, especially when they seemed to be so close to finishing one of their objectives. According to Brother Genitivi's research log, they should reach the Village of Haven in less than half a day. He was anxious to find the town and locate the Urn of Sacred Ashes as quickly as possible, since he felt as if they had already spent enough time trying to find a way to save Arl Eamon.

The only person he could count on to be prompt was Delia. She was up every day with the sun, and would never complain if he asked her to make her morning training session short. She was already packing camp equipment in to their cart, having already packed her own tent and gear, while everyone else was still taking their own tents down and packing them into their bags.

As soon as possible, Aeden had them traveling again. Paying close attention to the information in the research book, he was able to locate a long neglected road exactly where the research said it would be. The followed the road, which had the appearance of an overgrown logging trail, to the base of a hill. At the top of the hill they could see a wooden observation post and a lone guard. Otherwise, they would have passed by the path up the hill without thinking.

A churning in Aeden's stomach made him feel that something was not right, so he decided to split his group. He would investigate the town with Alistair, Zevran and Wynne, leaving the rest of the party camped a short distance away. Aeden led the group back along the trail until he found a location that would be adequate. Before he brought his select group back to the town, they ate some jerky and dried fruit.

When it was time for them to investigate the town, he spoke to Alistair and Delia about the ill feelings he had at the base of the hill. Delia was left in command of the group at camp, and if she hadn't heard from Aeden's group by nightfall they were to conduct a stealthed search of the town to find out what had happened to them before returning to Redcliffe for backup troops.

Alistair and Delia looked at each other and asked Aeden for a moment before he led his group away. He nodded his assent and left them to get their packs ready. They would travel on foot instead of putting their valuable mounts in harm's way.

"Don't worry, Delia, we'll be fine." Alistair smiled lopsidedly at her and pulled her in to a warm hug. "Zev will be able to notice trouble coming before Aeden or I could, and with Wynne's spells we're ready for anything."

"I know… it's just that I hate being separated from you. I hope you come back quickly."

He kissed her forehead. "We'll be back as soon as we possibly can. Just do me a favor and don't let Ser Trent steal your affections while I'm gone."

"What? He's old enough to be my father! He's like a favorite uncle, the way he used to watch over Dairren and me… you have nothing to worry about. I promise."

He chuckled. "Good to know. Now, I best be off or Aeden will feed me to the darkspawn." He pressed his lips to hers gently, and then with a sigh he walked to Aeden.

Delia waved goodbye to the four as they left the camp and then organized the rest of the party into setting up the camp for the night. Since they had the entire afternoon to get ready and hunt for dinner, she hoped that they would have time in the evening to relax and enjoy themselves. Leliana was quite a good musician, and Delia loved hearing her sing. It made the campsite feel like their home, and the group was feeling more and more like her adopted family.

Of course, she wasn't certain yet what role Ser Trent would have. Aeden and Leliana were, of course, her surrogate brother and sister, Wynne was the surrogate grandmother, Sten was the wizened old uncle, Zevran was… well… how could she place Zevran? She laughed inwardly as she tried to decide exactly how to place the lecherous elf. And then, of course, there was Alistair. Just thinking about what he meant to her made her blush.

Once the tents were raised, the firewood collected and the camp fire burning brightly, Leliana took Dusty with her to hunt small game for dinner. Sten sat with the extra weapons the group salvaged along their travels and cleaned and sharpened them. Trent felt the time for his conversation had come. All of their companions were busy, and Delia was sitting alone near her tent reading a book. Shoring himself up, he walked over to her.

"Lady Delia, might I have a word with you?"

He looked so serious that Delia became concerned. "Certainly. Are you alright, Ser Trent?"

He fidgeted with his hands. "Um, yes, I'm quite alright, thank you my lady. I just needed to… talk to you. Alone. If that's alright with you."

"By all means. What can I do for you?"

"Well, this isn't easy for me to talk about. Please forgive my nervousness." He sat next to her with a sigh.

Delia was puzzled. He didn't seem to be acting in any way that she should worry about his intentions, but something was definitely wrong. "Take your time, good ser. We have all afternoon." She smiled in an attempt to calm him.

"Right… well… the thing is, there is a certain… history that you need to know about." He took a deep breath before he continued. "Do you know much about how I came to be under your mother's employ?"

"You were squired to my grandfather, and once you became a knight you worked in his employ until he sent you to Mother after Mother married Father."

He nodded his head. "Yes, that's right. Do you know why your grandfather sent me to her?"

She shook her head. "I always assumed that Grandfather wanted to insure her safety with someone he personally trusted."

A sad smile crossed the knight's face. His memory allowed him to see his lady, Landra, and the look of surprise and happiness when he rode up to the door of the manor house she shared with her husband. Almost immediately it was followed by pure fear. She had tried to get him to return to her father's but Trent wouldn't leave. If only he hadn't been so powerless and could have saved her…

"You must have wondered why your grandfather decided to allow your father to have your mother's hand in marriage. It wasn't an advantageous union for her…"

"I did wonder. Grandfather was much savvier at the Landsmeet than her marriage showed. Do you know?" She looked at the knight, puzzled by where his story would lead.

"Your mother wanted to marry someone else… someone of an even lower position. She argued with your grandfather to allow her to marry for love, as her dear friend Eleanor Cousland had done, but he was furious. The man she wanted so desperately to marry, and the man who so desperately wanted to marry her, was a simple knight… a man who at the time had only recently earned his knighthood."

Delia gasped. She suddenly understood what Trent was trying to tell her.

"You were the man she loved, weren't you?"

Sadly he nodded his head. "I loved your mother with more than my whole heart. She became my world; my every thought. I asked your grandfather for her hand, but even though he liked me personally, he couldn't bring himself to allow such a poor match. Instead, he doubled his efforts to find her a husband. We were desperate and loved each other, almost too much. We… allowed ourselves one night together… and she became pregnant."

Delia's eyes went wide. "You mean, you are my father? But why didn't Grandfather allow your marriage after that?"

"He had already arranged your mother's marriage. Even though it wasn't as good a match as he had hoped for, your father had more of a standing at the Landsmeet than I had. We didn't know your mother was pregnant until after the ceremony, and she kept our tryst a secret. That was, until you and your brother were born. It was obvious that you looked nothing like your father. That was when… he became abusive of her. It started out with angry words and evolved over time. He tried to impregnate her with his own, but even the mages swore there was no reason why she couldn't have a child she never was pregnant again.

When your grandfather learned that your mother was being beaten by that brute, he sent me into her employ. He knew that I would not permit her to be hurt any longer, but the damage had already been done. She was never the sweet, beautiful, carefree girl she had been. I had to watch powerlessly as she dulled her pain in alcohol." A sob escaped from his mouth. "She allowed you and Dairren to be sent to Antiva to protect you. You have no idea how difficult that was for her. You two were her only joy in life."

With tears of her own betraying her sadness, Delia put her hand on his arm. "Why are you telling me now? Why didn't she tell us sooner?"

"She was trying to protect your inheritance rights. She feared that your father would somehow get his hands on your grandfather's title and you would lose everything. As it was, your grandfather never actually willed his titles and lands to him, so you are his heir apparent."

"What? But how…"

"Your grandfather left papers with me that granted everything to Dairren, but with you as his successor until he produced an heir of his own. Since he also is gone…"

She looked into Trent's eyes and smiled. "You have no idea how absolutely wonderful this news is! I actually have a father I can be proud of!"

It was Trent's turn to be surprised. "You… are proud to be my daughter?"

"Of course I am! You have always been a dear man to both me and my brother. We may not have known of our blood relationship, but we always treasured you. You would take time to be with us when we were home from school in the summers. It seemed as though you spent every spare moment you were permitted with us. You always served Mother honorably, and you always tried to treat everyone the way you wanted them to treat you."

Delia leaned over and hugged him to his shock and amazement. When he realized she wasn't moving, he allowed his arms to encircle her. His daughter! Tears poured from his eyes in happiness. Suddenly, the dangers of her new revelation took over his thoughts and he pulled away and grabbed her by her shoulders.

"Delia, we must be discrete in who knows of our relationship. Bann Loren will be acting in your grandfather's stead and if word should get out before the proper papers can be produced…"

She nodded fiercely. "I understand better than you think. There are already people who would have me killed, for other reasons. My companions have all sworn to keep me safe, as they have sworn to keep Alistair safe."

His look turned to annoyance. "Why would they care about a warden? He was Templar trained… I can tell from his fighting."

"Yes, but with King Caillen dead, Alistair is vital to Fereldan. He is King Maric's bastard son, and the right King of Ferelden. We need him to unite the country to battle the Blight. Maker… I will have a vote at the Landsmeet. This is… actually to our advantage."

Trent blinked. "Maric's son?" His mind spun with the information. He had met Maric, but never knew him well. When he thought about it, he realized it made sense. Alistair had the same quirky humor the former king had shown, and there was no denying a family resemblance. "Well, then… I guess I'll have to rethink my distaste for your… relationship."

She frowned at her father. "His crown is not what interests me. He is a good man, and I care a great deal for him. I expect that you will protect him and his birthright as you protect me."

He nodded. "I swear to you, he has my fealty." He placed a hand on each side of her face. "You look so much like your mother. You have no idea how wonderful it is to have you know who I really am. I hope that you will be proud to know that I am your father."

She leaned forward and kissed her father on the cheek. "I already am."

The two sat there in silence, together, before the sounds of a mabari bark broke the stillness. They looked up to see Leliana walking into camp carrying several ducks while Dusty danced proudly alongside her. The bard's smile was broad as she showed off her prize.

"We certainly shall eat well tonight! Delia, would you mind helping me with these birds?"

"Of course not! Do you have an idea how you want to cook them?"

"Oh, I know exactly which herbs to use. If we force the herbs under the skin before we roast the birds, they will be so succulent… oh, my mouth is already watering so!" She laughed heartily.

Trent stood as Delia rose from their seat. "I wouldn't mind helping as well. We were always taught that many hands lighten the load." He smiled at the two women and followed them to the fire.

The three plucked feathers while the two women discussed cooking techniques and Dusty chased a butterfly. Trent took the opportunity to watch his daughter. He was very proud of the woman she had become. She was the same smart, polite girl he had always known, but alongside her grace she had a strength that seemed to have grown exponentially since he had last seen her.

He smiled when he thought of what his love would have thought of her. "Oh, Landra, if only you could see her. She has become a wonderful woman. I couldn't be happier! Thank you, my love, for giving me your approval to tell her about us. I have our daughter, safe and actually happy to have me! The Maker has truly blessed me."