Chapter 74: A Father's Legacy
Delia was sitting on the window seat of her quarters when she heard a soft knock on her door.
"You may enter," she called to her visitor. The door opened and one of Eamon's servants entered.
"My lady, I was asked to come and tell you that dinner is served."
Delia nodded. "Thank you. I'm sorry, I don't know your name."
The elf looked nervous. "My name? It's Nigella, my lady. Have… have I done something to offend you?"
Delia smiled gently at her. "Not at all, I simply wanted to know your name." She stood and looked at the elf sadly. "Nigella, do you know if the wardens have returned from the Landsmeet?"
She shook her head. "I'm sorry, my lady, they aren't here as of yet. Will you be coming to dinner on your own or would you like me to ask one of the gentlemen to escort you?"
"Thank you, but I will find my own way downstairs."
Nigella nodded and left the room. Delia looked at herself in the mirror. Her face seemed to show every tear she had shed that afternoon. Most were due to her conversation with her brother and his jealousy, but many were because of her own fears. Maybe Dairren was right and Alistair didn't need her anymore. She felt very inadequate. After all, Alistair now was the acknowledged King of Ferelden. Delia might be his wife, but with her legal parentage she had no doubt the nobles would question her appropriateness as the king's wife. Perhaps they would force Alistair to put her aside. She rubbed her abdomen, willing herself to feel the life growing inside of her and trying to relax.
Before leaving her room, she took a small towel and wet it in the wash basin. She washed her face, hoping the cool water would reduce her puffy eyes and hide the evidence of her distress. As she walked downstairs, she could hear her companions already conversing. The sound of their banter helped her settle down and she was able to easily join in the conversation after she sat with Trent, Leliana and Zevran. Dairren sat across the room with Wynne, Sten and Morrigan. Every once in a while, Delia would notice him as he watched her, but if she looked his way he would avert his eyes so she tried her best to ignore him.
As Delia laughed at Zevran's antics teasing Leliana about her Chantry life one of Eamon's guardsmen, a man named Zachary, entered the dining room and walked towards her. As he grew close, Delia looked up at him and tried to smile even though she suddenly was terrified of what he had to say.
"My lady, I am very sorry to disturb your dinner, but there is a visitor who requests an audience. I tried to tell him that the Arl wasn't back yet from the Landsmeet, but he insisted it was you he wished to speak to." The guard seemed disturbed by the situation, so Delia decided it was up to her to resolve things.
"Did the man give his name, Zachary?" she asked gently.
"Yes, my lady. It's Bann Loren."
Suddenly the room went quiet as Delia's companions became guarded. "Well, I suppose you will have to send him in, but I would like him escorted by several of your best men."
"Yes, my lady." He bowed to her and left to escort the Bann.
Delia straightened her back nervously. Zevran placed his hand on hers and looked at her in support. They could hear Bann Loren as he strode through the hallway as he complained about his escort.
"I do not require a guard to see my own children," he spat furiously as he finally entered the room. Noticing Delia, he affected a smile and walked toward her with his arms opened wide. "Ah, my darling daughter, there you are! Finally, I will be able to take you home where you belong."
Dairren was visibly shaking. Wynne silently cast a rejuvenation spell on him to give him more stamina. Delia slowly stood to face her legal father as her biological father sat at her side, ready to leap to her defense.
"I am where I belong. You have no jurisdiction over me and cannot force me to go anywhere." She tried to keep her emotions in control and show nothing but confidence as her expression.
"No daughter of mine will pretend to be a Grey Warden. You've been raised to be a lady, not a warrior. I will arrange a marriage for you that will benefit me… ah… both of us." He looked to his left and glared at his son. "Dairren, don't sit there looking like a mouse. It's time you grew up and at least tried to act like a man. Go and retrieve whatever things you and your sister have with you. You will both come back to the manor house tonight."
"No, I won't," Dairren growled.
"You will obey me or there will be consequences." Loren bared his teeth as he tried to intimidate his children. "Do not tarry any longer. I already have appointments arranged for tomorrow with several banns I have been… out of touch with for a period of time. Your marriages will assure our family's prosperity, especially in these troubled times."
Delia put her hand on Trent's shoulder as he tried to stand. This was her problem to deal with, and if she was going to be the queen it was time for her to act like one.
"No one will be leaving this estate with you tonight or any other night. My husband would be extremely angry with you if you were to attempt to force the issue, and every person in this room has sworn to keep me safe."
Loren became enraged. "Husband? Who married you without your father's consent? Was it young Cousland or Teagan? I'll have his hide…"
As he pounded his fist into his hand, Delia took a deep breath and showed no fear except for the slightest of shaking of her hands under the table top. "No, I am not married to Aeden Cousland, nor am I married to Bann Teagan. I am married to Alistair Theirin, son of King Maric, and soon to be crowned King of Ferelden."
Loren looked at her in shock, and then started laughing uproariously. "You! Married to Maric's bastard? At least I would have believed one of the other two, but this… even you should realize that lie is as easy to see through as a window! Enough of your ridiculous attempts to remain with these outsiders. Get your things and come with me now."
"She'll not go anywhere with you or anyone else. Except for me, of course. But then, she is my wife and she's supposed to be with me." Alistair had walked unnoticed to the room's side entrance and was leaning against the door jam, arms crossed in front of him. Aeden stood next to him, hand on his sword's hilt and ready to use it in a heartbeat. Eamon and Teagan stood behind them along with Oghren and Shale.
Loren looked at his new king and chuckled. "If it isn't his majesty. Perhaps you would like to explain to me then, how a man would marry another man's daughter without permission? Even as the king, the Chantry frowns on that sort of behavior."
Alistair stood straight and strode confidently into the room. "It wouldn't look very good at all, had I indeed married your daughter without her father's permission, but I believe that Ser Trent has documents that prove that even you knew that Delia and Dairren were not ever your children to begin with and that he is their true father."
"They were born to my wife after our marriage, and such are legally mine." Loren snarled at Alistair. He was starting to look like a caged animal, his eyes burning with anger.
"Only because you tricked Bann Alfred into allowing the marriage in the first place. Actually, I believe that had it not been for the fact that you used the knowledge of Lady Landra's pregnancy to blackmail him into agreeing to the marriage he would have actually had you in the stockade yourself. You've been a very bad man, Bann Loren. I've heard many interesting stories about your… loyalties over the past few hours." He walked to his wife and took her hand, pressing it to his lips in a gentle kiss. "Actually, my dear, I must apologize for our delay. Had it not been for the many… many nobles who approached me with concerns about Bann Loren's actions over the past years I would have been back with you much earlier."
"Bann Loren, I have received documented complaints against you from no less than twenty two members of the Landsmeet. You aided and abetted Loghain as he committed crimes against Ferelden, including, but certainly not limited to, assisting in the poisoning of Arl Eamon. The assembled banns have requested an immediate trial. There is only one reason why I didn't sign an immediate warrant, and that is our impending battle against the horde and the archdemon itself." Alistair grasped his hands behind his back and paced in front of Loren. "The way I see it is you have a choice to make. You may either fight with us in the upcoming battle, thereby earning the right to continue ruling your bannorn after we defeat the Blight, albeit with certain provisions to limit your power, or you may transfer your bannorn to Dairren, who is the rightful Bann anyway, according to documents signed by Bann Alfred himself and held in trust by Ser Trent."
"I want to see these complaints for myself. Why should I believe anything you say?" Loren spat out with contempt.
Eamon stepped forward and opened up a leather satchel he carried. He removed a stack of documents that even when compressed stood a good thumb's length tall.
"The evidence weighs heavily against you, Bann Loren." Alistair stopped his pacing and faced the man with a commanding expression. "So, what say you? What is your choice?"
Loren's face paled as he looked over the documents. He thought he had covered his tracks better than this, there were far too many witnesses to his deeds. Loghain had promised that if he delivered his daughter to Howe all evidence against him would be erased, but had assured him that all documents were in his own possession. He felt trapped and tried to stem his panic, but his fears overtook him and he drew his sword menacingly and faced Alistair.
"How… dare… you make these false accusations against me, and in front of my children. I do not accept your terms. Indeed, I challenge you to an honor duel."
Aeden laughed. "Oh, you don't want to do that. Really. Didn't you see how he trounced Loghain earlier today? Fighting you would be like fighting a practice dummy for him."
No one noticed as Dairren walked to Alistair's side. "I'll do it. I'll fight him."
"Dairren, no… you're still recovering. You don't have the strength." Delia was suddenly terrified as she noticed the determination in her brother's eyes.
"No, my son. It is time for me to have vengeance, not only for myself, but for the family I should have always had." Trent stood slowly. He looked at Delia and Dairren and smiled, then focused his attention on Loren. "It is time to settle this. Wynne and Leliana, please keep Delia and Dairren inside. They should not have to witness this, no matter who the Maker favors tonight."
The men made their way outside, leaving Delia and Dairren with their friends. Guards were stationed at the doors to prevent the siblings from watching the bloodbath, but they were able to hear the clash of steel from the courtyard. The only thing Delia could do was pray to the Maker for the safety of Trent, who was not only her true father, but had become one of her most trusted friends. It wasn't very long before the sounds of the duel stopped suddenly. Shortly afterward they heard the clatter of footsteps returning to the dining hall.
Alistair and Aeden led the way inside. When Delia saw her husband enter the room she flew into his arms. As he tried to calm her, it seemed as though every guardsman on Eamon's staff entered the room. Finally, Delia noticed two guards who were assisting a third man as they crossed into the room. She looked over and caught the eye of the injured man. He winked and smiled and her heart skipped a beat as she realized it was Trent.
She ran to her father and helped him to sit near the fire. As Wynne started to perform healing magic, Delia removed his armor. It was covered in blood that was obviously not his own. No one needed to tell her that Bann Loren was dead. His years of abuse were permanently over, and she and Dairren were finally free of him.
Loren had managed to land a few lucky hits on Trent, but even the worst of his wounds were easily tended to by Wynne. Eamon asked a servant to draw a bath for Trent, and Sten and Zevran took it upon themselves to help the warrior back to his quarters. Before they left the room, Trent looked at his two beloved children with tears in his eyes.
"I should have done that a long time ago. Had I taken my own council instead of following Bann Alfred's orders, that monster would never have hurt you two." He reached into his shirt pocket and retrieved a leather envelope. Handing it to Dairren, he smiled. "These documents return Bann Alfred's lands to you, the rightful heir of your grandfather's properties. I hope that you will be able to restore honor to the manor."
Dairren nodded and gave Trent a warrior's handshake. As Trent turned to leave, Dairren put his arm on the man's arm causing him to face Dairren. The son tentatively moved toward the father and hugged him. Delia smiled, knowing that her brother would be fine now. He didn't have to worry about Loren dragging him back for more abuse and he seemed to accept gratefully the fact that Trent was his true father.
As Trent left the room Alistair put his hand on Dairren's shoulder. "Well, then, I guess my plans will have to change then."
Dairren turned to him, bewildered. "What plans are those, Your Majesty?"
Alistair chuckled. "Well, I suppose my first plan is to stop you from calling me 'Your Majesty', at least when we're alone. We're family, Dairren. Don't be so formal. Actually, I've been thinking a lot today about you." He held his hand up, smiling good naturedly. "I know, I know, it's almost like the world has ended. 'What, Alistair had a thought?' Anyway… I was thinking that I will be needing advisors. My life has been rather… sheltered, and I need people with many different types of experience to help me after the Blight to keep our land running smoothly. You have education and have traveled and I thought that you might be willing to be one of my advisors. Would you consider it, even now that you have your family lands under your control?"
Dairren blinked in confusion. "Why would you want me? Why would you even think of it?"
Alistair smiled again. "You are my brother in law, and your legal father was in town. Knowing what he had treated you like in the past, I knew what to expect for his treatment of you in the future. Somehow I needed to find a reason to keep you from him and I thought with your studies of history and politics you would be a wonderful advisor. It's a bit selfish of me, really, wanting your expertise for myself, but it doesn't hurt that it would also make my wife happy, which is something that I strive to do every day."
Dairren looked at Alistair, who was looking at his wife with his boyish lopsided grin, and realized that the man was indeed hopelessly in love with Delia. Something inside of him unknotted and he suddenly felt more relaxed than he had ever since he left his school. Alistair was a man who seemed to be truly trying to do the right thing with every breath he took, and Dairren felt ashamed to have doubted him.
"Alistair, I would be honored to work for you in whatever capacity you need. Thank you."
Alistair smiled at him warmly and shook his hand. "No, Dairren, thank you. Your support means more to me than you'll ever know." He released Dairren's hand and looked around to his companions. "Alright, I suggest we all get a good night's rest. We need to get an early start to Redcliffe in the morning. Eamon is leaving tonight with his men. We will be bringing soldiers from all the houses of Ferelden with us. The horde is on the move."
Delia was waiting in their quarters when Alistair finally entered the room. As soon as his eyes met hers he visibly relaxed and smiled lovingly. The first thing he did was to walk to her and gather her into his arms, burying his face in her hair.
"Mmm… you have no idea how much I missed you today. Having you at my side makes everything so much better."
"Are you sure? I couldn't help but think I wasn't included in the war council because I was a hindrance." She pushed away from him and walked to the bed. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she looked at the floor, wishing she hadn't said a word.
"Delia, I wanted you there more than anything, but I couldn't exactly bring as many people as I wanted. I brought Aeden because he is a Cousland as well as the one who has planned all our strategy since Ostagar. I brought Oghren because he is a strong warrior as well as a dwarf, and I wanted him to be a visible reminder of the other peoples of Ferelden who will be fighting the Blight with us. Riordan had to be there, since he's the ranking Grey Warden, and Shale was there simply to deter anyone from trying to fight me. I wanted to also protect you from the nobles. As it was, your name came up in the discussions."
"Why? Do they think that because I'm traveling with you my father had undue influence on you?"
"Partly." He sat next to her on the bed and took her hand in his. "It actually started with nobles who wanted to make… arrangements for me to meet certain members of their families."
Delia looked up at him curiously. "What kind of arrangements?"
Alistair ran his hand through his hair nervously. "It's kind of funny, really. They wanted me to… meet their daughters. Their reactions to my informing them of the fact that I was married and didn't think that my wife would appreciate their 'arrangements' were priceless, really. That's actually how the discussions started about your father, if I might use the term loosely. I think even you would be shocked to hear the horrendous things your father has done."
"So, I take it they didn't react well hearing that his daughter was now your wife." Delia felt sick, knowing how judgmental the nobles could be.
"Actually, they all have a rather high opinion of you and your brother. Lots of language bantered about your intellect, sweet natures, how you take after your mother and all that. Then it turned to what rubbish Loren was and how terribly he treated your mother and grandfather. They all had such great respect for Bann Alfred – I actually had many compliments about marrying the granddaughter of such a fine man and hero of Ferelden! Bann Alfstanna herself told me that she would be very happy to call you her queen." He smiled at her and took her face in his hands. "Delia, the people of our country believe in you, despite your father. You are their hope that your grandfather's blood remains to help lead our country out of our despair. I think my marrying you has only helped to cement my position as their king!"
He kissed her, gently at first, but when her hands moved to entwine in his hair he grew bolder.
"Now, my dear, I do believe we should take advantage of the few hours we have alone. Tomorrow we will lead the troops to Redcliffe and will have to suffer sleeping in our tent yet again. Personally, I would hate to see this nice, soft, comfortable bed go to waste." His eyes grew hungry and tone husky and dark. Delia could see where his thoughts were headed and she completely agreed with him. They quickly disrobed, and spent some quality time as husband and wife before sleep finally overtook them as they lay each in the other's embrace.