Disclaimer: I don't own DA:O or any of its characters.
A/N: I'm very glad that Elissa is well liked. As you'll come to notice, she tends to don her 'noble' mask from time to time for appearances sake. I just wanted to make that clear so people don't mistake it as an inconsistency in the characterization.
Reunion
The next couple of days at the palace are mostly filled with my catching up on politics, as well as conversing with Zevran in my spare time. We speak mostly of Aedan, his life before becoming a Warden, and his life after becoming one. I had sent a request to the king asking that Zevran be able to stay in the guest quarters adjoining my own. He had complied, to my great satisfaction.
One thing I did find very humorous about the king, or Alistair as he preferred to be called, was his insistence at sending a cheese plate to my room every night. Every eve like clockwork since our chat in the larder, a servant came to my door with a silver plate of several assortments of cheese. Not that I was complaining, I delighted in every bite.
I'm savouring my nightly cheese and sipping a fine Antivan red wine when I hear a knock at my door. "Who is it?" I call out.
"Message from the king," comes the reply. I slip on a blue silk robe (apparently Alistair saw fit to have several garments sent to my room as well. I'd have to have a chat with him about that, I can shop on my bloody own!) and answer the door. A young page is looking up at me. He hands me a piece of parchment bearing the royal seal and bows his head.
"Just one second," I say. I turn and jog over to my coin purse. I extract five silvers and hand it to the page. "Thank you very much, ser." I smile.
He gapes at me, staring down at the coin. "I-I can't accept this milady!" he stammers.
"Nonsense," I wave my hand at him dismissively. "You are paid for your services, are you not? Well, consider this as payment for services rendered."
"But-but milady I am already paid by-"
"Very well, if it pleases you then perhaps in future, should I require your assistance with something, you will need to fulfill that obligation. Does that sound fair?" I give him a sideways grin.
"Of course, milady!" he exclaims.
"Right then, off you go! Wouldn't want to anger those nasty noblemen. I know how crotchety they can be," I wink at him playfully. He giggles and runs off. I chuckle under my breath. I kick the door shut and tear open the letter.
Teyrna Cousland,
I require your presence in my study immediately for a meeting of the utmost importance. I apologize for the short notice.
Many thanks,
His Royal Majesty,
King Alistair Theirin
P.S.- I also apologize for this poncy letter.
I laugh at the last part. Well, if there's to be a meeting, I best wear something presentable. I'm supposed to be a noblewoman after all. I throw open my closet and sift through my garments. I finally settle on a flouncy black skirt and a cream coloured blouse. I pin my brown hair into a bun and don my worn leather boots and slide a dagger into the hidden scabbard of the left boot. Old habits die hard.
It doesn't take me long to find the study, and I'm about to knock on the door when I hear a heated conversation taking place. I press my ear to the door.
"With all due respect sire, I do not think it wise to appoint a Teyrna to Highever so quickly. The Cousland name was very well respected, and the members of the royal council will not take kindly to such a decision." Says one slightly familiar voice.
"Teagan, were you even here for the tournament? Because if you were-" I recognize that as Eamon's voice.
"You know full well I've only just arrived. I only heard word of the king appointing some woman that won the tournament as Teyrna. As much as I respect his majesty's wisdom, I cannot-"
Alright, enough eavesdropping. Time to put a stop to this foolish argument. I throw open the doors and lean against the doorframe, a smirk tugging at the corners of my lips. "Well if it isn't Bann Tea-time!" I say affectionately.
The three men in the room, Eamon, Alistair and Teagan all turn abruptly. Eamon smiles, Alistair is stifling a laugh behind his hand, and Teagan is staring at me wide-eyed.
"Maker's breath, Elissa? Can it really be you?" Teagan gasps.
"In the flesh," I wander over to him and he pulls me into a tight embrace. "It's good to see you again," I murmur.
"I had thought you'd died with your family in Highever! Oh my lady, I'm so sorry for your loss," the sorrow in his voice is genuine.
"Thank you, but let's not dwell on it," I release him and turn to Eamon and Alistair. "I was told there was an urgent meeting that required my presence?"
Alistair clears his throat, somewhat taken aback by the familiarity that Teagan has shown me. "Yes, we're terribly sorry to have interrupted your evening Lady Elissa, but we have a bit of a…problem. Perhaps you can explain it, Eamon?"
"Very well, your majesty. Lady Elissa, I'm not sure if you're aware, but recently my son began to show signs of being a mage," he pauses and gauges my reaction. I maintain my stoicism. "As you know, when someone of noble blood is found to be a mage, they are stripped of their title and sent to the Circle of Magi. This will prove to be a problem, given the fact that he is my sole heir. At my age I doubt that producing another child will be possible."
Ah, I see where this is going. "So you want to pass a ruling that states mages will not be stripped of their titles."
"In order to do that, I'll need to grant autonomy to the Circle," Alistair says. "Now, I can easily do that without the consent of the other members of the council…"
"But if they're against it, it could cause an uproar and you could lose a lot of support," I finish for him. "I see your dilemma."
"As it stands Eamon and Teagan will support the idea, and we were hoping that you would as well," Alistair continues. "If we can get even one other member to throw in with us, we should have enough sway to avoid any real conflict."
"Well, I tend to agree with you. I don't see any reason why mages shouldn't have titles. I've never understood the Chantry's reasoning there," I wrinkle my nose and slide into a nearby chair. I extract the dagger from my boot and begin twirling it idly. "Who are the key players here…" I murmur. I mentally run through the list based on what I'd studied the past few days. I immediately rule out Bann Alfstanna. Her late brother was a templar and she would most certainly oppose the suggestion. Bann Vaughan is a complete lecher, so I could perhaps use my feminine wiles to lure him in…
"I heard that Bann Sighard's wife is with child. Is this true?" I ask.
"Why, yes, she is. Does that matter?" Teagan tilts his head to one side.
"It might," I reply. "Let me think about this for the night. I may have a plan." I replace my dagger and stand, clasping my hands together. "Is that everything? Because I have a heaping plate of cheese to get back to, and I'm on the last chapter of The Rose of Orlais."
Teagan raises his eyebrows, a knowing smile graces his features. Alistair's ears have taken on their usual red tint and Eamon seems unsurprised by my choice in reading materials.
"If your Ladyship is retiring for the evening, could I have the honour of escorting you to your room?" Teagan asks.
"I suppose, but no cheese for you. It's bad enough I had to share with Zevran yesterday," I grumble. I bow my head to Alistair and he gives a strained smile. I wonder what's up with him? Teagan links an arm with mine and leads me from the study.
"Elissa, it's been far too long. You're looking as lovely as ever," Teagan gazes at me as we walk toward my room.
"Always the charmer, eh Tea-time?" I wink at him playfully. "How have you been? Are there little Teagans running about in Rainesfere?"
Teagan chuckles. "No, I'm afraid not. I've not married yet. I doubt any woman would put up with me."
"I find that hard to believe. When we were children I seem to remember a harem of girls surrounding you," I elbow his side. "I'll admit, at the time I was horribly jealous. Don't tell anyone though, I've built up this 'ice queen' reputation, and I intend to keep it."
"Hm. I'll have to remember that," he grins at me. We arrive at my bedroom door.
"Well, this is where I say goodnight," I smile up at Teagan. "It was great seeing you again. Especially after so long."
He licks his lips as he gazes down at me, and I can tell he's suddenly very nervous. "If I may be so bold, might I ask if you have any plans tomorrow evening?"
I tilt my head inquisitively. "Not that I'm aware of, why?"
"I thought perhaps you would do me the honour of joining me at the Arl's estate for dinner? It would be just the two of us," he asks.
"Well I should hope it would just be the two of us. I can't imagine having dinner with both you and Eamon at the same time. Talk about an odd combination," I laugh inwardly at the image. "As far as dinner with you…sure, why not? A girl has to eat sometime." I smile at him.
"Wonderful. I shall have a carriage sent to pick you up," he reaches down and grasps my hand, bringing it to his lips. He kisses my wrist softly and my skin tingles at the contact. I can feel my chest and cheeks flush. His eyes sparkle mischievously. He's enjoying the effect that he's having on me.
"I'll see you tomorrow," I say breathily. He releases my hand gingerly and my arm falls to my side. Without another word I turn and enter my room, closing the door softly behind me. I lean against the door and mentally berate myself for behaving like a blushing school girl. I try to ignore the fact that my wrist still burns from his kiss.