Happy New Year! Thank you all for reading and reviewing and I hope 2011 is a far better year than 2010 for each and every one of you!
Chapter 66: Back to Denerim
The journey to Denerim was indeed difficult. It seemed as though Eamon kept his eyes on Alistair the entire time, and the warden prince grew more and more nervous each day. Alistair longed for the comfort of holding his wife close to him, and yet the only time he was able to even speak to her was in casual conversation with other members of their party. Delia tried to ride next to him under the pretense of teaching him more of Ferelden political history, but Eamon was always there, listening to everything they said, even if he occasionally nodded in approval of her tutelage.
Wynne noticed how Alistair was brooding and how Delia sadly watched him from across the camp. Deciding something needed to be done, the mage sat with Aeden to work up a plan. Somehow they needed to distract Eamon and create an opportunity for the newlyweds to have at least a few minutes alone.
Their plan went into effect after they finished their dinner. Aeden walked over to Delia and put his hand on her shoulder, whispering into her ear, "Just play along with me… you'll understand why in a few minutes." She nodded to him as she looked at him in confusion.
"I think it's about time you did the dishes, Delia. You haven't washed them in days… or has it been weeks? The others are accusing me of giving you preferred treatment, and I cannot afford any discord to distract us."
She narrowed her eyes in mock anger. "Why now, suddenly? Does this have to do with our discussion this morning? You said you were fine with it. Now I suppose you aren't?"
With a slight nod to show her that he was following her train of thought, he lowered the tone of his voice to sound angry. "What I told you was that I would be fine with it… eventually. But you are changing the subject. You need to do the dishes tonight. That's an order."
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh is that so? Well then, I suppose I shall have to obey… commander." She looked around the camp before asking, "So, now that I know that you've all complained about me, can I at least have someone help me? It's difficult to carry all of these dishes by myself normally, but with the extra people in camp it's even harder."
Wynne took the opportunity to gently nudge Alistair. "Um, I'll help you, Delia." He stood and began to collect dishes as Delia grabbed some drying cloths.
Once they had all the dishes in the carrying crates, Delia turned angrily back to Aeden. "We will continue this later." As she turned to walk the distance to the stream she whistled to Griffon to follow. Once Alistair started to follow her as well, Eamon stood up looking as if he meant to follow the warden. Aeden took the opportunity to clear his throat to get Eamon's attention.
"Arl Eamon, might I have a word with you? I would like your opinion on the subjects we should focus on as we help Alistair prepare for the Landsmeet."
Eamon looked at the retreating Alistair with a small frown and grunted. "I suppose so." He sat next to Aeden and they began to talk about strategy for the Landsmeet.
Trent, in the meantime, had taken the Arl's soldiers to the other side of camp from the stream. They were sharing a drink and telling each other battle stories. He had to admit that it was nice to reminisce with peers, even though he was doing it for the sole purpose of keeping them far from the stream.
Zevran and Leliana sneaked off to the edge of the forest to serve two important functions. The first was to be available as backup fighters in case the newlyweds found themselves attacked. The second, and in this case the more important reason, was to prevent anyone from the camp from following the two to the stream.
When Delia and Alistair reached their destination, Delia told Griffon to stand guard. He was the last line of warning in case anyone would impinge on their privacy. Delia set her crate of dishes next to the water and Alistair followed suit.
Alistair was very confused. "So, love, what did you say to make Aeden so angry at you? It almost sounded like the two of you were having a lovers' spat. You were making me rather nervous."
Delia walked up to him and put her arms around his neck, smiling coyly. "I believe our commander was giving the two of us an opportunity to be alone. It's torture to be so close to you and pretend that you are merely my comrade."
Alistair's face softened as he smiled broadly back at his wife. "Oh! Now I get it. I think I may owe Aeden a special gift."
"Let's get our work done first, and quickly. Then we'll have time just for us." She smiled warmly at her husband as she led him back to the stream.
Time together was quite a motivator for both of them, and the dishes were sparkling clean in almost no time. Alistair sat with his back against a tree and Delia sat in his arms, leaning against his chest. Breathing in the scent of her hair, Alistair finally felt at ease.
"You have no idea how much I've missed this. Just holding you makes everything so much better." He kissed the top of her head.
"I do have an idea. I miss you too. Only a few more days, love. Then we can tell the world about us and we'll never be apart. Not that we're really apart now, but you know what I mean."
He chuckled. "You're almost starting to sound like me." He nuzzled into her hair again.
She smiled warmly at him. "You certainly are rubbing off on me!" They both laughed, but their mood quickly turned darker. "I wish we could have more time, but we shouldn't tarry too long. Eamon will suspect." Delia turned toward Alistair and looked at him sadly. "I want to stay here with you."
"I know, but you're right. It helps to have had at least a few moments alone. I have to make sure to thank everyone back at camp."
"We should keep up the façade of my 'argument' with Aeden. Try to look like you're troubled, or bothered, or angry…"
He laughed aloud. "All I have to do is look confused, just like I always do. Eamon will never know…"
Alistair helped Delia to stand and they took the opportunity to kiss. Then, with heavy sighs, they picked up the crates of clean dishes and walked back to camp. Once they arrived at the campfire, Delia shot Aeden an angry look and went to her tent. Safely inside, she asked Griffon to let Aeden know everything was alright, so the dog walked out to the warden and whined to get his attention. When Aeden looked down at him, Griffon licked his hand and wagged his tail, then went back to Delia's tent. Aeden smiled, knowing it was her way to say thank you.
In the morning, Delia made a point of sparring with Aeden. Eamon seemed disturbed seeing the two of them together, making Aeden feel uneasy. Something was brewing under the surface with the Arl, but Aeden didn't know him well enough to figure it out.
Luckily, the weather held out and travel was fast. They made it to Denerim in only a few more days and went directly to the Arl's estate. Almost as soon as they arrived, as Eamon was leading the wardens and Delia to his personal study, they were met by several people the group didn't want to see. Loghain, Rendon Howe and Loghain's second, Ser Cauthrien walked down the hall toward them. Loghain must have had sentries posted to inform him of their arrival.
"Loghain, this is… an honor, that the regent would find time to greet me personally," Eamon stated gruffly.
"Considering Ostagar, perhaps we need a better general," scoffed Aeden.
Loghain curled his lip at the warden. "And who is this, Eamon. Some new stray you picked up on the road? And I thought it was only royal bastards you played the nursemaid to."
"Well, you're admitting the "royal" part. That's a start," quipped Alistair.
"I am Aeden, of the Grey Wardens," Aeden stated firmly.
Loghain nodded. "You have my sympathies on what happened to your order. It is unfortunate that they chose to turn against Ferelden."
Aeden grew impatient. "Enough of this. When does the Landsmeet begin?"
Ser Cauthrien stepped forward threateningly. "Don't interrupt, churl. Your betters are talking."
Loghain rebuked her. "Enough, Cauthrien, this is not the time or the place." He turned back toward Eamon. "I had hoped to talk you down from this rash course, Eamon. Our people are frightened. Our king is dead. Our land is under siege."
"If you truly want to save this land, stand with us." Aeden stood tall, looking at Loghain with narrowed eyes.
Delia started to be unaware of the conversation as her eyes shifted to Rendon Howe. The way he looked at her frightened her. His eyes looked like a snake as it was about to strike, and he seemed to be sizing her up. She wasn't certain if he realized who she was, but she forced herself to keep her face blank. If she showed any fear, it wouldn't serve any of her friends well. They couldn't show any sign of weakness, and Delia felt as though her fear would do them in.
Loghain and Eamon verbally sparred for perhaps a minute more before Loghain thankfully turned around and left the building, followed by his two minions. Delia breathed in a deep breath of relief, causing Alistair to put his hand on her shoulder in support. He knew instinctively that she must have been terrified, yet she had held herself together admirably.
Aeden and Eamon spoke for a moment about the possible reasons for Loghain's course of action as Delia absorbed strength from Alistair's touch. Eamon suggested that Aeden take a party out to find out where members of the nobility were standing on the issues being brought before the Landsmeet. Aeden decided they would settle into their assigned quarters first, and meet at the main door in an hour. They would take their lunch at the Gnawed Noble Tavern so that they could listen to and observe the nobles easily.
Delia was not happy with their room assignments. Eamon had her on the other side of the building from the two wardens. At least she was near Wynne and Leliana. She settled her pack on the vanity and noticed the brush set from Redcliffe had been brought to Denerim. Seeing them set on the table made her uneasy. Something was being expected from her… something that was yet unspoken, and the sight of the brushes made her shudder. Quickly she opened one of the vanity drawers and placed the set inside, setting her own humble brush and comb in their place.
As soon as she was ready, Delia walked downstairs to the main doors of the estate. Zevran was already there, and he motioned to her that he needed to speak privately.
"My lovely Delia, I have a great deal of discomfort with our current accommodations. I do not like your room being located so very far away from every one of your most dedicated protectors. With your permission, I would like to sneak into your quarters for the nights, purely for your protection, I assure you. I am very… apprehensive at the concept of your being alone."
Delia nodded. "I'll have Griffon with me, but yes, I agree with you. I have to admit, especially with Howe's presence here today, I am unnerved myself." She placed her hand on his arm. "Thank you, mi hermano. I don't know what I would do without you."
The other members of the group Aeden selected to go to the tavern started to show up. Leliana and Wynne came downstairs together, followed by Trent. Finally Aeden and Alistair arrived, both of them looking troubled. A look from Aeden told Delia they would explain later, so the group started off out of the estate.
Both dogs were with them, as Aeden thought they might be valuable in starting conversations. Fereldens loved their mabaris, and the deer hound would be unique. Aeden gambled that Griffon would be an attention grabber, and hoped the nobles would open up much more easily.
They entered the tavern in two groups. Aeden, Alistair, Delia and Leliana, accompanied by the two dogs, entered first. They chose a table close to the door between two occupied tables. Aeden recognized the men at the tables from their visits to Highever. At one table sat Bann Sighard and Bann Ceorlic, and at the other table Bann Wulff sat alone. The wardens ordered their lunch and pretended to converse amiably as they listened to the conversation at the table behind them. The two banns were discussing the upcoming Landsmeet rather briskly. Sighard did not trust Loghain, much to Ceorlic's chagrin, and yet they both agreed that Eamon's plan to put Maric's bastard on the throne was wrong. Alistair frowned as he heard them. They didn't even know him, and it was difficult to listen to their poor opinions of him when he knew they were ignorant.
Wynne, Trent and Zevran arrived several minutes after the wardens. They took a table in the back of the room, next to a table where Bann Bryland sat with Bann Alfstanna. Zevran, who was of course the most skilled in surveillance, took the seat next to the Banns' table. He listened closely to their conversation, learning that they as well questioned Eamon's motives for calling the Landsmeet. The more he heard, the less he trusted the Arl. Perhaps the man truly wanted the throne for himself after all and intended Alistair to be his leverage to gain it.
While the others were listening to conversations, Delia was having an interesting experience. As they sat there, she was able to feel certain things from the Banns. This was something she had never felt before, but she could feel Sighard's loyalty to Ferelden and his distaste for Loghain's actions. She also felt that something was wrong – a family member was missing and he was worried. Ceorlic felt as though he would waver, like her own father, to whichever side would benefit him personally. The person she was getting waves of emotion from was Bann Wulff who sat alone, saying nothing. She could feel his mourning; she could almost hear him calling out the names of his sons in his mind as he tried to make sense of their deaths at the hands of the darkspawn. Delia found herself on the verge of tears, as his intense emotions nearly overtook her.
Her gift had always required her to touch the other person in order to "see" what was inside of them. Justine had always told her that her gift would grow and be more powerful in time, and had given her the emerald pendant to magnify the talent. Perhaps being with a small group of people for such a long time had given her talent the opportunity to blossom without being overwhelmed by the thoughts of too many people at once. Whatever the reason was, it was both unsettling and fascinating to be able to gather all these feelings simply by being near these people.
The wardens' groups remained in the tavern enjoying some ale after their meal until the Banns had all left. At that time, Aeden asked the bartender if there were a private room available, and after agreeing on payment he was given the key to a room in the back of the tavern. Aeden motioned to his friends to follow and they made their way to the room. Once they were there, Zevran checked to be certain there could be no one listening to their conversation, and after he nodded his approval, Aeden started the meeting.
Aeden started by telling what they had learned from Ceorlic and Sighard, followed by Zevran reporting what his group heard from Alfstanna and Bryland. The news didn't seem to be favorable at first, but when Delia spoke it lifted their spirits a bit. If they could prove their allegations against Logain, they felt they would earn the trust of all of these Banns with the exception of Ceorlic. He would need to feel that he would personally benefit from ousting Loghain and that would be difficult.
Alistair and Aeden were more interested in how Delia had come about her information. If her talent was indeed gaining strength, it could be more useful in the days ahead. They needed to know who they could trust, and it could be more than awkward to have Delia touch everyone they needed to know about. If she could get a feeling for their true intentions by simply being near them, they had a distinct advantage.
Aeden also spoke to the group about his earlier conversation with Alistair and Eamon. Eamon was starting to exert his control over Alistair. Although neither warden wanted to allow Eamon to play political games through the prince, the wardens agreed to "play along" with the Arl for the time being. They needed to do whatever it took to defeat the Blight, and if that meant allowing Eamon to believe he controlled their actions it would be a small sacrifice to make.
Before they left their room, the group decided to get another ale while they gave Delia and Alistair a few minutes alone. The newlyweds appreciated the opportunity to hold each other, even if it was for only a short time. The Landsmeet couldn't come soon enough as far as Alistair was concerned. He wanted to be able to express his love for his wife whenever he wanted to rather than steal kisses when he could, but a warden had to do whatever it took to end the Blight, and right now keeping his marriage a secret would help them end the Blight that much faster. A knock on the door signaled that they needed to return to the Arl's estate, and Delia and Alistair exited the room sadly. They had no idea when they would have their next opportunity to touch each other, and they needed to be strong for everything they were anticipating.