Chapter 76: Monsters Come in Many Forms
The morning began like so many others during their journey together. Alistair and Delia took the time to spar before they ate breakfast, much to the chagrin of Zachary and several other commanders of the troops. The idea that the king would spar, much less with his own queen, left the men feeling that their new rulers were a bit… odd. Of course, the smaller group who had been with the pair since before the Landsmeet knew the routine and why they trained every day. It was part of their life and as natural as breathing.
Once the encampment was packed up and everyone moving along the road, Alistair was again surrounded by the commanders. They expected to reach Redcliffe that afternoon, so the troops were on their guard. Delia found herself to be in good spirits as Wynne and Leliana chatted happily about the baby and all the clothes, toys and furniture they would need to acquire. It was a wonderful way to take their minds off the upcoming battles and feel almost normal for a change.
The commanders decided that rather than stop for lunch they would press forward because they were so close to Redcliffe. It didn't disturb the rank and file very much, as they knew their lunch would simply be delayed by a couple of hours, but Alistair and Aeden were not happy. Their hunger seemed to increase with every step the horses took. Delia could see their discomfort and reached into her pack for some dried meat as she maneuvered her horse to her husband's side. Both the wardens were grateful to have something in their stomachs, especially when they approached a bridge on the outskirts of the village only to be flagged down by a terrified man.
"Its… you! The Grey Warden!" The man was visibly shaken and out of breath. "Andraste's mercy that you got here when you did. I thought for sure these monsters were going to get me."
"What's happened? Where is everyone?" Aeden looked around and saw nothing. There were no other people nearby, and he didn't feel the pull from the darkspawn so they couldn't be very close.
"They all fled to the castle this morning, before the darkspawn arrived. I thought I could make it to my home and back before they got here, but it took me too long to get down here. What a relief you arrived!"
"Are there more darkspawn at the castle? Alistair looked worried.
"By now, yes, they'd have reached the castle walls." The man looked around. "I'm going to get out of here before any more of these things arrive. Thank you again!"
He ran off before they could ask him any further questions. The wardens exchanged a certain look that Delia knew meant they had to search out the monsters and destroy them quickly. Aeden called out to their companions and the two led a charge into the center of town. They moved so quickly the troops didn't even realize the wardens and their friends had left their ranks.
They dismounted at the top of the hill near the windmill. Aeden and Alistair led the charge down the hill with their group following at their heels. Their fears were realized when they found several small bands of darkspawn milling about the now abandoned town. Each member of the party fought valiantly, easily exterminating the vermin in a well-rehearsed routine. It wasn't until the battle was over and each fighter was cleaning their blades that Alistair suddenly had a sickening thought – Delia. Where was she? He looked around, an expression of absolute horror on his face until he finally caught sight of her, sitting on a boulder talking to Wynne.
He ran to her and grabbed her shoulders without warning. As she looked at him in shock he nearly shouted at her, "Are you alright? What are you thinking – fighting in your condition! Maker's breath, woman, you are going to be the death of me!"
Delia put her hands on his face and shooshed him. "Calm down, Alistair. I'm fine, and I'm only doing what I have been doing ever since I took up arms training with Duncan. This is nothing new to me now. Look," she said as she held her arms in front of him, "not even a scratch. Relax, love."
He took her face between his hands and looked at her seriously. "I can't relax. Everything has changed, you must remember that. You aren't just another one of Duncan's recruits anymore. You will be crowned queen and you are pregnant with our child – my heir! I can't allow you to fight with us anymore. Please… I have to keep you both safe. I couldn't bear to lose you or the baby."
Delia could feel the terror flowing from him. He needed to not just think that she was safe, he needed to know it, and if she joined the fighting it would simply have to be purely for self-defense from now on for his sake… for the sake of Ferelden. "I promise, Alistair, I'll stay out of the battles from now on. Please, relax now. I am fine, really, and I won't fight again unless I'm forced to."
She kissed him gently and he visibly settled. The rest of the group circled around them and Aeden began to lead them back up the hill toward the main entrance of the castle. Alistair put his arm around his wife as the two followed behind their companions. As the party rejoined their troops and headed across the final bridge toward the castle gates, Alistair and Aeden could feel more darkspawn in front of them. Delia took the reins of their horses with her own, wordlessly reassuring her husband that she would remain out of the fighting.
Delia heard the clashing of swords and knew there were more creatures in the courtyard than they had expected. The troops that recently joined the wardens had never encountered such a force previously, and their fear seemed to travel out to Delia through the air like the waves from a pebble being tossed into a lake. The roar of an ogre made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She needed something to distract her so that the wave of terror would stop overwhelming her.
Luckily Dairren had been riding in the cart. He was still too weak to ride a horse for an extended time but had refused to stay in Denerim alone. Seeing the concern written on his sister's face, he put his arm around her shoulders. She smiled at him and put her arm around his waist.
"You're worried, but I've seen them fight. I'm certain they are fine."
Delia sighed. "Oh, I am too. I wish I were fighting alongside my friends. That isn't what's troubling me." As her brother gave her a curious look, Delia tried to explain. "My talent seems to be getting stronger. The greater the emotion coming from another person, the easier it is for me to 'feel' it. This battle is difficult because the soldiers who have never fought darkspawn are petrified, and their emotions are flooding to me. I'm feeling… overwhelmed."
Dairren pulled her into a hug and tried to distract her by starting a game of 'I Spy'. It didn't take long before he had her giggling. Only her brother would step on an ant and then have her look for something starting with the letter 'D' for 'dead bug'. She felt like she was six years old again, playing the same game at Grandfather's hunting lodge.
One of Bann Bryland's soldiers suddenly ran across the bridge toward them. "My Lord, my Lady; the wardens have defeated the darkspawn. They asked me to bring you and the others who remained here to the castle. Please follow me."
Delia and Dairren followed the soldier along with the troops who were left to protect the horses. Stable hands ran toward them to retrieve the horses and carts. The courtyard of the castle was a bloodbath. Darkspawn corpses lay everywhere, and soldiers were already collecting them to be burned on pyres. Dairren had never seen the black blood of the darkspawn and the smell made him ill. The two quickly made their way up the stairs, meeting the wardens at the top next to the castle doors. A messenger was giving instructions to Aeden as Alistair turned to his wife, hugging her warmly.
As they walked through the doors they were met by one of Eamon's servants who requested that Alistair and Aeden follow him. Riordan was waiting with Eamon and Teagan and needed the wardens for a strategy meeting. Turning to his wife with an apologetic smile, Alistair gave her a kiss and assured her he would be with her soon. After the wardens left, another servant led Delia and her companions to the dining room for a light meal.
Looking around Redcliffe Castle made Delia very uneasy. All of her good memories of past visits were tainted by Eamon's actions regarding Teagan, and she worried about her friends Chloe and Vernon. She hoped they had managed to retreat to the castle, and when she had the opportunity she asked one of the servants to spread the word among the townsfolk that she would like to find them.
As her companions finished their meals they each took their leave of the room. Before long, Delia was alone in the room with Morrigan and the two dogs. Morrigan was watching Delia strangely, almost like a wolf as it prepared to take down its prey. Delia tried to shrug off her discomfort as Morrigan walked over and sat across the table from her.
"Do you realize you have been smiling for hours now?" Morrigan purred.
"Have I?" Delia answered without looking the mage in the eye.
"Since the last time you and that fool, Alistair, shot glances at each other, in fact. He must be pleasant enough in bed, for surely I cannot imagine anyone enduring his conversation."
Delia looked angrily at the mage, measuring her words and nearly growling. "He's an idiot, but he's my idiot."
Morrigan smiled eerily. "Lucky for him that someone is willing to claim him then. 'Tis a bit sickening to watch you two, but I imagine it at least takes your mind away from our… situation. Have it your way."
The mage stood and slowly left the room, pausing at the doorway to look at Delia once more over her shoulder. When Morrigan was finally out of the room, Delia shuddered. She didn't understand what that was all about, but the feelings she received through her talent told her that Morrigan had something planned… something that she wouldn't approve of. The dogs could feel her distress and moved to her sides, both nuzzling her arms to get her attention. She smiled at the two canines and rubbed their heads.
She was about to search for her quarters so she could read a book in comfort while she waited for Alistair when she heard footsteps approaching. Looking up she realized it was Chloe and Vernon! Her face lit up with her happiness as she greeted her friends. The two merchants gladly joined her near the fireplace to hear about her travels. Chloe was deliriously happy to learn of Delia's marriage, and when she heard that Alistair had been declared the rightful king by the Landsmeet the woman nearly fell over in surprise! The time flew past, and before Delia knew it a servant came into the room, looking for her. Alistair was waiting for her in their quarters, so Delia said goodbye to her friends. Her parting words were asking her two friends to come to Denerim after the Blight was over and visit her at the palace.
Delia made her way through the hallways toward her quarters. As she stepped out of the staircase and turned she nearly ran into Teagan. Quickly she composed herself before she acknowledged him.
"It is good to see you are well, Bann Teagan," she said quietly.
He nodded, looking at the floor. "Thank you, Lady Delia. I am happy to see you are safe as well." He cleared his throat nervously before excusing himself and going down the stairs.
Delia was sad that her former friend was now so uneasy in her presence. With a soft sigh, she continued to her room and opened the door. Alistair was sitting, staring into the fire, looking troubled. Delia walked behind him and put her arms around him as she leaned against his back. Without looking at her, he put his hand on her arm and sighed deeply.
"Something is bothering you, love. Can I help?" She kissed his cheek softly.
Pulling her around and onto his lap, Alistair simply held her tightly against him without speaking for several minutes. Then he moved so he could look into her face before he started to speak. "Riordan has 'heard' the darkspawn and they are headed to Denerim." As the shock registered on her face, he continued. "It gets worse: the archdemon has been sighted at the head of the horde. We have to make a forced march tomorrow to attempt to save the city."
As Delia leaned against him and put her head on his shoulder, Alistair absentmindedly stroked her hair. "Aeden and I have been asked to speak with Riordan after dinner about Grey Warden business. There's… something about the way he asked us that worries me. I don't know what to think."
Delia kissed him gently. "There's plenty of time to worry later. Right now we need to relax for the few minutes we are able."
Alistair buried his face in her hair. The smell of her soap, which usually calmed him quickly, seemed to have little to no effect. There was something Riordan was going to tell him that he knew he wouldn't like. Somehow, Alistair knew that it would alter his life yet again, and not in a pleasant way.