Chapter 39: Determination
They arrived back at the castle to find a bustle of activity. Servants were busily cleaning and setting up tables and chairs and the smells coming from the kitchens were delicious. They found Teagan in the Great Hall overseeing the work. Noticing them as they entered the room, he called over one of the maids and asked to have baths arranged in their rooms. They thanked the Bann and each went to their own quarters with their new clothing in hand.
After finding Ser Trent and arranging for his escort to the dinner, Delia walked to her room and placed her shoes next to her dress on the bed. The green embroidery on the shoes was a near match to the color of the dress, and she felt giddy at the thought of actually dressing as a woman for the first time in months! A knock on the door announced servants with the water for her bath. As they filled the tub with hot water, Delia found her rose scented soaps in her pack and arranged them on a small table next to the tub.
Once the tub was ready and the servants had left, Delia quickly undressed and sank into the depths of the hot water. She hadn't been able to have a proper bath for what seemed like an eternity, and she intended to enjoy this one. Who would ever have thought that a simple bath would seem like such a luxury! She knew she would never take such a simple pleasure for granted again.
She washed her hair carefully and scrubbed her skin until it was nearly raw. When the water began to chill she left the tub, dried off and put on a dressing gown. Someone had left a brush set on the vanity, and when she looked at the handles she noticed an ornate letter 'R' – they must have belonged to Rowena, the sister of Eamon and Teagan and the wife of King Maric. As glad as she was to have the fine implements to groom with, she couldn't help feeling sad. She knew how much the death of their sister had pained the brothers, and it was quite an honor to be granted their use.
After she brushed out her hair she carefully dressed. It felt so good to be wearing a real dress! She looked at herself in the mirror as she sat back down at the vanity. What would she do with her hair? She sat and manipulated her hair one way and then another, it was just that nothing seemed right. A knock on the door pulled her away from the mirror.
"Enter."
Leliana burst through the door, wearing a dress of royal blue wool. "Oh, Delia I need your help. My hair… I can't do a thing with it."
She giggled at the distraught bard. "I'm having the same problem. Perhaps if I work on your hair and you on mine it won't seem as impossible. Come and sit here. I'll work on your hair first."
Leliana sat, and after looking at her friend for a moment Delia started to tie some rags into her hair. "You need some soft curls. I think if you wear your hair down with curls falling into ringlets you will look stunning in your dress."
Once the rags were tied, the two switched places. Leliana's hair needed time to dry with the rags in place to create the curls. The bard also spent a few moments looking at her friend, and suddenly smiled broadly.
"I know exactly what you need. Your hair is so thick and wavy, but you need to pull some of it back. What if we created braids from both sides of your face and pulled them to the back and then attach them together. You will look like you have a crown on your head the way your hair shines! Ooh, it will be perfect, especially because of the vines embroidered on your dress."
She went to work, first smoothing Delia's hair and then dividing sections for the braids. As she started braiding, she hummed softly, making Delia smile. It felt so good to be acting like normal women, and she enjoyed feeling her friend's hands as they deftly worked the braids. Once Leliana finished, she tied the end of the braid with a black ribbon. Delia remembered she had a golden hair clip in her pack – she had forgotten to take it out the night she was in Highever and was the only possession she still had from her former life. She quickly retrieved it, and Leliana carefully placed it onto the end of the braid.
"That is perfect, Delia! Oh, you look so beautiful!" She looked over her friend's shoulder into the mirror and squeezed her shoulders. "You shall have all the men simply drooling over you!"
"That's what I am afraid of." Delia sighed. "I really don't want to create any problems tonight. Hopefully the Maker will see fit to allow me to blend into the shadows and we will survive the night and safely leave in the morning!"
"Oh, you do not mean that. There are some very handsome men who will be in attendance. Allow yourself to have fun." She sat at the vanity to allow Delia to finish her hair.
Once the rags were removed, Delia gently brushed Leliana's hair. The soft curls accentuated her features beautifully. Leliana stood and moved next to Delia, both looking into the mirror.
"We are quite a pair, yes? If only there were a way to capture this moment so we could remember how we look right now forever!" Her exuberance forced Delia to relax.
They were ready just in time before there was a soft knock on the door. After Delia bade them to enter, the door opened and Ser Trent walked into the room. His eyes fell on Delia immediately, and he smiled warmly at her, his eyes getting a sad, faraway look.
"You are truly beautiful, my lady." He passed his eyes to Leliana and bowed to her. "Leliana, you are stunning! I am certainly the luckiest man attending the dinner tonight if I am permitted to have both of you lovely ladies on my arms."
Delia smiled at her father. "Ah, but aren't you as sly as a fox, complimenting us so heartily. What do you think, Leli? Should we make him the envy of all the gentlemen in attendance?"
"But of course, I would love to be on the arm of such a handsome man." Leliana took his left arm as Delia took his right. All three smiled happily as they made their way to the Dining Room.
As they entered the room, a servant announced their arrivals. People were standing around conversing, so they made their way toward Sten and Wynne, mainly because Sten was easy to spot due to his overwhelming height. Delia didn't notice Teagan as they walked in. He watched her enter and his jaw dropped. He knew that she wouldn't commit to him, but every time he saw her she just was so much more appealing. Forcing himself to look away, he tried to concentrate on his brother's other guests.
When Eamon arrived, he invited everyone to take a seat. Delia was seated across from Aeden with Alistair on her right and Trent on her left. The rest of their party was seated on the end of the table to Alistair's right. Eamon and Teagan sat at the head table along with the Mayor of Redcliffe, the Blessed Mother, and several high ranking town officials. The knights of the castle shared another table, and other tables were filled with other town officials and their families as well as the highest ranked members of Eamon's soldiers.
Eamon stood and proposed a toast to the wardens and their friends, after which the servants brought out platters of mutton, fish and vegetables. Everything was delicious, and the mood of the room was pleasant as conversations flowed easily. Eamon couldn't help but look ill at ease. He was still trying to regain his strength, and even though Wynne had cast rejuvenation spells to assist him, the traumas he learned about upon his awakening preyed on his mind as much as the illness had targeted his body. Isolde was not in attendance, with the excuse that she was ill and had taken to bed.
Delia was trying to relax and enjoy herself. Aeden and Alistair were relentlessly teasing each other which made her laugh, and she did enjoy talking with Trent, but she couldn't help but feel uneasy. Eamon kept looking in her direction, and she couldn't help but believe he was displeased with her presence. Things seemed to go from bad to worse when, at the end of the main course, Eamon stood up again to speak.
"My friends, I cannot put into words how happy I am to be in your company again. I only wish I had been well and could have been in a position to assist in the defense of our wonderful village. We were all very fortunate that several people arrived when they did. First of all, my thanks go to my dear brother, Bann Teagan Guerrin of Rainesfere, who has very capably managed Redcliffe in my stead during my illness." Applause came from the diners, and Teagan rose and bowed, quickly retaking his seat.
"It was also a fortunate coincidence to have the Grey Wardens arrive in time to assist in destroying the undead menace. My deepest thanks go to wardens Alistair and Aeden. At this time, I would bestow on them and all of their companions the title 'Champion of Redcliffe'. Each of you shall always be welcome here." Another round of applause sounded as the two wardens stood and bowed to the Arl in appreciation.
"There is one other who must be mentioned here. Lady Delia Loren, the granddaughter of my dearest friend, was instrumental in my recovery. Without her, the wardens would never have located the Urn of Sacred Ashes which saved my life. My dear Delia," he looked sadly into her face, "my deepest condolences on the death of your grandfather. Your courageous actions are more than appreciated, and know that you always have a home here in Redcliffe Castle. I thank you, dear girl."
Delia stood and tried to control her shaking. She curtsied to the Arl, and sat back down. Alistair beamed at her as he reached for her hand under the table in support. His hand felt warm and comforting, and Delia gratefully squeezed it.
Eamon spoke to one of his servants, and the man left the room, returning several minutes later leading a small group of musicians. After they tuned their instruments, the band started to play a country dance. Ser Trent offered his hand to his daughter, who happily accepted his invitation to dance. They joined several other couples in the center of the room. The jaunty jig raised Delia's spirits, and she couldn't believe how much she enjoyed dancing with her true father. He was such a completely different personality than the man she had been told was her father, and she could understand why her mother had been so in love with this warm, fun-loving man.
When the dance was over, she found herself being swept into a dance with Aeden. They had danced many times together at Aeden's mother's parties so they moved as one. Several other couples in the room stopped to watch as they perfectly formed the steps. As the dance completed, Delia asked Aeden to get a drink for her. She took a seat back at the table, Alistair grinning in delight. He enjoyed watching her dance, if for no other reason than her face radiated happiness.
This time, when the dance finished she hurriedly led Aeden back to their seats and asked him to bring her a drink. She sat down as Aeden walked over to get some punch, and she watched as Leliana and Zevran took a place on the dance floor. Delia watched the two as they danced and was enchanted. Her two friends had both had difficult lives, and yet they seemed to be so free as they performed the intricate movements. It was almost as if they had danced together for years! When Aeden returned with the punch Delia almost didn't even notice; she was mesmerized by the beauty of her friends.
Once their dance completed the two rogues returned to their group. Delia sipped her punch after thanking Aeden and the group fell into a lighthearted conversation. As the music played, Delia felt a presence behind her. A tap on her shoulder confirmed that someone had, indeed, walked up to her. It was Teagan, and he graciously asked Delia for the next dance. She agreed, trying to hide her reluctance, and after flashing a sorrowful grin at Alistair she took Teagan's hand and allowed him to lead her to the center of the room.
Teagan was a wonderful dancer, and Delia matched his movements gracefully. He tried to encourage her to look into his face, but even though she would glance at him her eyes stayed on the floor. Teagan had so many things he wanted to say, but knowing the dance floor was not the best place for a private conversation he leaned close to her ear and asked if she would walk with him for a few minutes for some fresh air. She agreed, but was wary.
As the last notes drew to a close, Teagan offered his arm to Delia. She placed her hand on his arm and he led her out into the small garden. The air was crisp and the stars were bright in the sky, but after the relative heat of the dance the coolness was welcome. He led her to a bench and offered her a seat. As they sat together, Teagan started to drum his fingers nervously on his knee.
"Delia, now that all has been resolved with my brother, would you please reconsider marrying me?" As she started to protest, he held his finger to her lips to silence her. "Before you reply, hear me out. If it were not for Isolde we would be married already. I still believe that you are the best match in all of Ferelden for me. You are intelligent, beautiful, and, as you just proved on the dance floor, immensely graceful." He smiled sweetly at her and took her hand in his.
Alistair had noticed the two as they left the room and followed them outside. Watching them from afar, his heart began to beat wildly. He couldn't hear the words that were being said, but Teagan's expression and his gestures seemed obvious. Delia didn't look happy, and Alistair decided to intervene.
"Ah… Delia, there you are. I believe you still have several admirers who you promised dances to. Zev was just saying…"
Teagan looked at him angrily. "Can't it wait for a moment? It is of great importance that we speak."
Delia looked at Teagan sadly. "No, Teagan. You already know the answer to your question. Nothing has changed… not for me."
Teagan's eyes glared at her. "Is that so? I have seen how you look at him," he moved his head in Alistair's direction. "And just how long has it been that you have been with him? How much of a fool do you think I am?"
Delia slapped him across his face. "You act as if you own me. You and I were never engaged, so you have absolutely no right to behave as an injured party. Yes, Alistair and I have become very close, but that sort of thing happens when you fight side by side every day. If you hadn't noticed, I am also very close to Aeden, Trent, Zevran and even Sten. Whatever feelings I have for Alistair, or for anyone else for that matter, are my own and are none of your concern."
She quickly stood and hurried through the doors into the castle. The two men were left in the garden, Teagan glaring at Alistair, and the warden looking surprised.
"You… you need to stay as far away from her as possible. I will not allow you to steal her from me." Teagan's words slithered through clenched teeth.
Alistair's own expression shifted to one of resolve. "I understand your feelings for Delia. She is an amazing woman. However, you must allow her to make her own decisions. She is not a piece of property to be stolen from anyone. What she is is a strong, capable woman who is extremely intelligent and has set her mind on what she wants. She intends to fight the Blight, and no matter what you or anyone says, that is the path she will take."
"You are a fool, Alistair. Delia is a woman… a noble born woman. She is no warrior, nor a warden. Her choice to fight the Blight is one made from desperation. With me she has a chance at the life she was destined to live. With me she has a chance at the life she was destined to live. With you… what can she have? A life on the road? Blood and gore and agony? Can you even provide her with a home?"
Teagan stood and walked directly in front of Alistair. "You do not deserve her. Stay away, Alistair, I warn you."
Alistair's eyes narrowed in anger. "Who are you to say if I deserve Delia? Does anyone deserve her? If I am lucky enough to earn her love then I am truly a lucky man indeed. Unlike you, however, I will not make any assumptions as to her feelings for me or anyone else. Now, if you will excuse me, I believe our conversation is over."
He turned and began walking to the door when Teagan spoke again. "I will never give up on her. She will be my wife."
Alistair faced him once more. "That, my friend, is for the Maker to decide. And, by the way, I'm not giving up on her either." With that he left Teagan in the garden, the Bann shaking in anger as he watched the warden's exit.