Chapter 69: If You Love Something, Set It Free

Teagan sat in his room contemplating his options. He needed to free Delia. After what Eamon did to her, there would be no possibility of any happiness for the two of them. It was obvious that she truly loved Aeden, and although Teagan wished for it he knew that she could never love him with that same kind of intensity.

He understood Eamon's motives for the kidnapping, but his brother had overstepped his authority. Teagan worried for his brother's sanity at this point. Perhaps he was so desperate to marry off Teagan because he despaired over his own wife's infatuation with the younger brother, or maybe it was because he was worried about having an heir to the Arling now that his own son would be taken by the Circle of Magi.

Teagan had watched as his brother seemed to slip farther and farther into his obsession of marrying the two. For some reason, Eamon seemed to despise the Grey Wardens. He remembered overhearing as Eamon ranted to himself, thinking no one heard him through the thick door of his study at Redcliffe Castle, about how the wardens helped to destroy their sister. He mentioned something about the wardens being responsible for Maric's cheating ways and how he wouldn't allow the wardens to ruin Delia as well.

It was nearly impossible to calm his brother when he learned about Alistair's conscription into the Grey Wardens. Eamon's fury didn't subside for weeks! Even in the early stages of Eamon's illness when he was comatose, he would murmur a name… Duncan. Over and over, just the name Duncan. His face would contort in anger, but since he was unconscious there was nothing anyone could do to calm him.

A fear gripped at Teagan's heart. Did his brother hate the Grey Wardens so much that he would place Ferelden in jeopardy? A shiver crept up Teagan's spine as he thought of the darkspawn threat that was on their very doorstep. Grey Wardens were needed to defeat the archdemon, and Eamon needed to allow them to do their job unimpeded.

Teagan shook his head. He needed to concentrate on the issue at hand: Delia's freedom. Eamon had guards stationed at every doorway. There was no possibility of sneaking out. Delia also seemed to be ill. Suddenly he had an idea. If he could convince Delia to follow his lead, he might be able to get them outside and then they could find their way away from the house. Teagan remembered sneaking out of the garden when he visited his brother's in-laws many years earlier. Perhaps the same security weaknesses still existed, but he wouldn't know unless they were able to make it to the garden.

He had found Delia's blades in his own room when he arrived the night before. If he could hide the blades inside their cloaks and bring them to her, maybe he could earn her trust and she would work with him. Teagan walked to his closet and removed two warm cloaks. He experimented in front of his mirror the best way to drape the cloaks over his arm to hide the blades from any prying eyes. When he was satisfied Teagan quickly made his way to the other side of the house, to Delia's room.

The guards merely nodded as he walked past them. Once at Delia's door he knocked softly and announced himself. He didn't hear her answer, but he opened the door and walked into the room. Delia's eyebrow rose when she saw the cloaks on his arm, but he placed his finger over on his lips to quiet her until the door was tightly shut.

"I have a plan. Please, Delia, hear me out. We need to pretend that you have decided it will be in your best interest to marry me after all." Seeing her eyes flash with anger, he put his hand out in front of him in an attempt to calm her. "Don't worry; I do not believe for a moment that you will marry me. I have accepted that. What we need to do is to return you to Aeden. Here is my plan."

Teagan removed her blades from under the cloaks, earning a soft gasp from her lips. He smiled sadly. "These were in my room when I arrived last night. You will need them for our escape." He handed the scabbards and blades to her. Delia was surprised that he handed her weapons even as he stood before her unarmed. As she adjusted the belts around her waist he continued to explain his plan.

"We'll walk out of the room together. I want you to pretend to feel close to me, although I know you don't. I'll have my arm around you and will tell any guards that question us that you, my betrothed, and I need some fresh air in the garden as you have been feeling ill. They need only check your chamber pot to have evidence to prove that as fact," he said, smiling mischievously. "There used to be a section of the garden wall that was deteriorated underneath the vines that covered it. When I was younger, I would sneak out of that section and meet my friends at the local tavern. Eamon and his in-laws were never the wiser. From there, we stay in the shadows and make our way back to Eamon's estate. We'll enter through the back entrance and sneak up to Aeden's room."

Delia looked at him in surprise. "You would do this for me? Why?"

Teagan slowly reached forward and took her hand in his. "Because I care about you and your happiness. You will never be happy with me, and I couldn't bear to be the cause of your distress." A tear formed in his eye as he quickly turned away. He deftly wiped his eye and picked up one of the cloaks. "We must be certain to cover your blades from wandering eyes."

Gently, Teagan placed the cloak over her shoulders and made sure her blades were well hidden. After putting his own cloak on he nodded at her. "Are you ready?" With her answering nod, he opened the door and led her out.

The guard immediately blocked his path. "At ease, men. My bride has taken ill, and I am taking her to the garden for fresh air to calm her stomach." He looked at her and smiled warmly. "Are you certain you are up to this, my love?"

Delia smiled at him warmly. "Yes, Teagan. I do think some time outside will help." She looked at the guards. "Would you men please ask one of the servants to clean my chamber pot and air out my room? I'm afraid it smells rather poorly at the moment, which is not helping me to feel any better."

As the guards nodded, Teagan put his arm around her waist and she leaned against him, making it look as though he was assisting a sick woman through the hallways. The two pretended to converse as though they were excited about their impending wedding, earning smiles from most of the guardsmen they passed.

It seemed to take forever before they reached the doors to the garden. The guards at the doorway were reluctant to allow the two to pass through the doors, but Teagan explained how she had been ill and Delia pretended to retch. Immediately the guards made way, and the two hurried outside.

"I think it would be best if we sat for a few minutes. We don't want their eyes on us." Teagan led Delia to a bench, and after clearing some snow from the seat he gallantly held her hand as she sat. He sat next to her and she dutifully leaned against him, earning a sigh from the nobleman.

They sat in silence for a few moments, Teagan pretending to be fussing over her as he watched the door to the house. Finally the shadows moved away from the windows and they were alone. Teagan stood and offered his hand to her with a smile. "Shall we walk around a bit?" he asked quietly. The two walked to the wall and took a gentle stroll around the garden's perimeter.

Finally Teagan found what he was looking for. Pushing the ivy aside, he bowed and with a swoosh of his arm whispered, "After you, my lady."

Delia quickly moved through the small opening in the wall, followed immediately by Teagan. She showed him how to meld into the shadows, as Zevran and Leliana had shown her in the months preceding.

"Which way do we go from here, Teagan?" Delia asked in a soft voice.

"If we take this road until the third crossroad and then turn right, we will be in the market district within a few blocks. I don't remember exactly how many roads we cross after our turn."

She nodded and started to walk as silently as she could. Teagan was not taught any stealthing skills, and as any warrior made far too much noise. Delia hoped he wouldn't attract the attention of any bandits. The faster they made their way to the estate, the less time there was for anyone to discover them.

The two arrived at the third crossroad and made their turn when out of the shadows a man lunged out. Ignoring Delia, the man immediately placed a dagger at Teagan's neck, holding him against the side of a building.

"Tell me, Bann Teagan, why should I not kill you here where you stand?" The accent of the man gave him away and Delia spun around at the sound of his voice.

"Zevran, no! Release him, mi hermano." She gasped in fear that the assassin would slice through Teagan's throat and leave him in the gutter to be thought to be another victim of the city's rampant crime.

Zevran hissed through his teeth, not taking his eyes off his prey, as he answered her. "Why should I? He kidnapped you when you placed your trust in him that he would behave as a noble should. He has proven himself to be vermin."

She placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "No, Zev. Eamon kidnapped me. Teagan arranged for our escape tonight. Please… release him."

Zevran's shoulders suddenly relaxed and he released his grip on the Bann. "Basta! I should have realized… Teagan had not yet arrived in Denerim, yes?" He brushed imaginary dust from Teagan's cloak. "My apologies, Bann Teagan. We have been quite worried about Delia, as no doubt you can imagine."

Teagan nodded. "No offense taken, Zevran. I understand your loyalty to Lady Delia and appreciate your desire to see her safe."

Delia looked at the elf with worry. "How… are the wardens, Zev? I've been so worried…"

"They are both well, although your love worries incessantly. Come, let us get you safely back to the comfort of his arms. I am certain it would be good for both of you." His eyes glinted teasingly.

Delia threw her arms around Zevran's neck and pulled him close. "I have missed you, my friend." As she released him, she kissed him on his cheek, causing the elf to look almost frightened. "Are you alright, Zev?"

He quickly regained his composure. Yes, mi hermana. I am simply not used to such a… display of affection. Let us go, lest we attract unwanted attention."

Zevran led the way safely to one of the lease often used doors of Eamon's estate. They made their way through a short maze of basement hallways and up the servants' staircase leading to the upper level of the building nearest to the warriors' quarters. When they reached the doorway for Alistair's room, Zevran opened the door, stepping out of the way to allow Delia to pass through first.

Alistair was sitting in a chair near the fireplace with his back to the door, his elbow on the chair's arm and his head heavily resting on his hand. He looked almost like the life was drained from him. Aeden sat next to him, his attention on Leliana who stood in front of the fire explaining where she had searched. As the bard noticed the person entering the room her eyes opened wide and a smile overtook her face. Alistair turned to see who walked in, and as he realized who it was he leaped off the chair and ran to her, sweeping her into his arms.

Teagan watched as the man he originally thought had stolen Delia's love reclaimed her. His emotions were complicated. On the one hand, he felt the anguish of losing the woman he loved forever: on the other hand, he felt joy for her as he saw the unsuppressed love unfold in front of him.

"Thank the Maker, you're safe. Oh, my love, I was so worried." He extended his arms and looked at her in earnest. "You are safe, and fine, and whole, aren't you?"

Delia giggled. "Yes, my love, I am safe, and fine, and whole. All that I need is you and your arms around me.

Alistair smiled broadly and wrapped his arms happily around his wife, closing his eyes in contentment. When he opened his eyes, they fell on the man he believed had caused this entire incident.

"You… you did this." He glared icily at Teagan as he slowly released his wife and took a step away from her. "She told you no… she asked you to stop pursuing her, and yet you just couldn't leave her alone. When you couldn't get what you wanted, you tried to force her." He started to walk toward Teagan, reaching for his sword that lay on the desk.

Delia rushed to Alistair's side and put her hand on his arm. "No Alistair, it isn't what you think. Eamon kidnapped me to force a marriage to Teagan. Teagan found the way for my escape. He saved me."

Alistair turned and looked at her, blinking in shock. "Eamon? It wasn't Teagan? But he seemed so desperate…"

Teagan, who was still reeling from the shock of discovering that Delia's love was for Alistair and not Aeden, sadly nodded. "Yes, I wanted to marry Delia, but not because she was forced to marry me. What Eamon has done disgusts me. I haven't quite figured out why he did this, but I do believe he felt he was saving her from the Grey Wardens."

"Saving her?" Alistair shouted in anger. "We have protected her since Highever! Whatever could Eamon believe of our order to think we meant her harm?"

Teagan replied softly. "I don't know, Alistair, but I believe it has something to do with your father. I… overheard Eamon blaming Maric's infidelity on the wardens, but I don't know any of the details. For what it's worth, I'm sorry . I apologize for my brother's actions to all of you. There is no excuse for what he's done, however I'm not certain that he is in his right mind."

Teagan looked at Alistair, concern clouding his expression. "I think you should call Wynne to check on Delia. She has been ill since she was kidnapped, and I've been worried about her."

Alistair's attention immediately shot back to his wife as Zevran excused himself to find the mage. "What's wrong, love?"

"I believe whatever Eamon put on the cloth to make me sleep sickened me. My stomach hasn't felt well since I woke up afterward."

"Wynne will make it all better, don't you worry. There's a reason why she's a grandmotherly type!" He pulled her close to him again, feeling calmer as the seconds passed. "I never want to be separated from you again. We'll handle Eamon as soon as possible. When he learns that his actions are treason against the crown…"

"Treason! What he did was wrong, no doubt criminal, but treason? What is your legal argument to base that on?" Teagan bellowed in fear for his brother.

Alistair released Delia and stood in front of the Bann, showing himself to be every inch the king he was destined to be. "It is treason because your brother made the mistake of kidnapping Delia, my wife and the future queen of Ferelden."