Disclaimer: I don't own DA:O or any of its characters.
A/N: Thank you to Marwolv for letting me know about the health poultices. *Blush* I blame my complete and utter ignorance on the fact that I'm too busy ogling Alistair in game. Thank you to all for your kind and wonderful reviews. 3
Dinner And A Gift
I didn't have time to change out of my dress for my dinner with Teagan, and I figured that what I was wearing would do in a pinch. I am still slightly taken aback by Alistair's actions, and as I stand with my back to my chamber door I wait for the sound of his retreating footsteps. I let out a sigh of relief when I finally hear his heavy footfalls echoing through the corridor. I take a seat in front of my vanity and am shocked at my reflection. My cheeks are flushed, my pupils are dilated, and wisps of hair have fallen out of place around my neck. I look feverish. I blame my current state on the king and begin grumbling incoherently. I gather my hair into a bun and pin it back into place. No sooner had I arranged my hair the way that I wanted when I hear a knock at the door. My carriage has arrived.
"Elissa, you look simply ravishing!" Teagan exclaims, his eyes wide with wonder. He strides forward, pulling me into a tight hug.
I bite back a grin. "Yes, I guess I do scrub up nicely from time to time; though I much prefer my battle gear." I take a small step back. He moves his hands from my shoulders and instead clasps my hands.
"You mean those skimpy robes that I heard you wore for the tournament?" he asks, quirking an amused eyebrow.
"Yes, those are the ones! They're very comfortable, and they allow for quick movement," I reply.
"Hm. Well my lady, I'll have to ask you to model them for me some time," he says with a smirk.
"I'm sure you'll see me parading around in them at some point, especially when I finally get around to sparring some of the guards. I've been itching for a fight since arriving at the palace," I confess.
"I was actually imagining a more private setting," his gaze is piercing and he's rubbing the palms of my hands with the pads of his thumbs. I lick my lips and force a light smile despite the quickening of my pulse.
"I'm no gentle flower, Teagan. A private sparring session with me could leave you quite sore, and I daresay injured," I murmur in a sad attempt at deflecting his suggestive proposition. I am in no way a chaste maiden; however I do not jump into the beds of men at the first sign of their showing interest. At the second sign of interest, on the other hand…I am also no fool. I find Teagan attractive, and in earlier days I might have leapt at the opportunity to share his bed. Unfortunately upon reclaiming my title, I will need to be more discreet in such matters.
Double damn you, Aedan.
"I must say that I'm more than willing to take the risk, but I shall cease with this banter. I invited you here for dinner, and so we shall eat. Please accompany me to the dining hall," he grins and holds out his arm and I loop my own in his. When we arrive in the hall, I'm nearly flabbergasted by the spread of food. How can two people eat this much? He notices my expression and laughs heartily.
"I'm afraid that I wasn't sure about your tastes in food, so I had the cooks prepare as much as possible," he explains.
I turn and face him, my eyes suddenly narrowed in anger. "You'd better not waste one morsel of this food. Whatever we don't eat goes to the servants. They deserve to partake in this, especially if they helped in preparing it. I'll quickly decide what I want, and then we'll deliver the rest to them. They shouldn't be eating cold food," my voice is thick with indignation and my hands are placed stubbornly on my hips.
Teagan's blue eyes are twinkling with amusement. "I assure you Elissa, not a scrap will go to waste," he takes a step closer to me, his hands venturing to my neck, delicately grasping it as his thumbs rub my jaw. "I had almost forgotten how stubborn and altruistic you are," he says softly. I wonder idly if all of the men in Ferelden know that my neck is such an erogenous zone for me, for the sensation of his warm hands against the flesh of my neck not only sends chills down my spine, but creates undulating waves of heat in my lower abdomen. What is it with men trying to seduce me today? I smile and take a step back.
"Can't help but be stubborn in this day and age," I reply lamely. "So, where should I sit?"
Teagan smiles easily and motions to a chair to the right of the head of the table. He holds the chair out and slides it beneath me as I sit. For all of his boldness Teagan is ever the gentleman. He sits at the head of the table and we begin to eat. He asks me about my travels throughout Ferelden and my time aboard the Siren's Call. He asks about my tattoo, and my explanation seems to sadden him greatly. It isn't until dessert is served that the true intentions of his invitation are revealed.
"Elissa, I wanted to ask, what do you intend to do in the future?" he asks.
I choose my words carefully, for I know that discussing my political agenda and position in court can be dangerous, even if I am speaking with an old friend. "Well, I had promised to counsel the king for a time, at least until Highever is in working order. I suppose after everything there has been settled, I'll travel home and oversee my teyrnir. Why do you ask?"
"Have you given much thought to raising a family?" Wow, he certainly knows when to go for the throat.
"Honestly, no, I haven't given it much thought. I know that it will be expected of me eventually, but I can hardly establish stability in Highever while heavy with child," I say, a bit more snappishly than I had originally intended.
"You do realize that a great deal of suitors will come knocking at your door," Teagan presses. "And I fear that many will only be interested in the title associated with such a union rather than the woman behind the title." He reaches out one hand and places it over top of mine. My mouth is suddenly dry.
"What are you suggesting?" I know full well what he's suggesting.
"Elissa, we've been friends a long time. I find you to be both cunning and beautiful. You have a way with politics that very few can boast, and…pardon my boldness, but I have never met a woman with such a fiery disposition. I would be a fool not to pursue you." And there it is. The cards have been lain out.
I sigh softly. "Teagan, I am indeed…intrigued by your proposition. It's just that I have so many other things to worry about right now. Romance is the furthest from my mind."
"Then perhaps I will make an effort to bring it to the forefront," he says coyly while squeezing my hand gently.
I laugh despite myself. "You can certainly try, Tea-time. For tonight, however, I fear that I must take my leave. We have a council meeting tomorrow, and I wish to get as much rest as possible."
"Very well, it pains me to see you leave, but I have at least made my intentions clear," Teagan smiles and stands as I move to depart.
"And don't you forget to give all of this food to the serving staff. It was delicious, and if I find out that you held out on them, I'll thrash you like you've never been thrashed before!" I say playfully.
"Somehow I find that threat to be incredibly enticing. You best escape before I hold you here for the night," he smirks. I know when to take a hint. I bid him farewell, pecking him softly on the cheek. He holds me for a moment longer than necessary and releases me to board the carriage.
"How was dinner with the Bann?" comes the lazy lilt of an Antivan accent. I nearly jump out of my skin.
"Damnit Zev, you scared the shit out of me!" I chide. I had just made to open my bedroom door when the elf had snuck up on me.
"Tsk tsk. Such foul language from such a beautiful lady," he teases.
"I'm hardly a lady, Zev. I think you're more ladylike than I," I retort. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting, my darling Antivan assassin?"
"I had merely come to inquire about your dinner. I wanted to hear if the Bann had proposed marriage," he grins at me.
"How-was it that obvious he was going to make a move?" I ask incredulously.
"Surely you cannot be so naïve, Elissa. Especially given your other potential suitor. The Bann needed to act swiftly," Zevran replies.
"My…my what? My other suitor? I have another one? I hardly even knew that I had one, much less two," I'm slightly mad at myself for being so blind to what's seemingly so obvious to my friend.
"The royal page stopped by your bed chambers while you were away. He entered for just a moment, holding a parcel. When he left he was empty handed. I can only presume that someone left you a gift," he shrugs a shoulder.
I'm slightly miffed that someone entered my room without my knowledge, though I remind myself that this is the royal palace, and therefore I have no claim to any real privacy. "Well, I suppose I should venture in and see what was left for me."
I enter my room and hold the door open for Zevran. I see the small package on my bed immediately. It is wrapped in plain brown paper and held together with twine. An envelope is fastened to the package. I wander over to my bed and pick up the 'gift'. I open the envelope and extract the note. I recognize the scrawl.
Elissa,
I apologize for intruding. I do value your privacy, and I wouldn't dream of invading your space under normal circumstances. I guess I just wanted to surprise you with this gift. I know it may be a bit forward on my part, sending gifts to a woman I've only just met, but I couldn't help myself, which seems to be the case in all respects concerning you.
I noticed on our first meeting at the tournament, that you're rather adept with daggers. I also noticed that you like to twirl them when you're nervous or in deep concentration. I would never presume to say that your current daggers are of shoddy condition, but I thought perhaps you could find some use out of these. I daresay that they remind me of you, deadly and beautiful. I hope you enjoy them.
Yours,
~A
"The other suitor has spoken," Zevran says from over my shoulder. He obviously read the letter as well.
"What? The king? Why on Thedas would the king show any interest in a lowly-"
"Lovely teyrna of incredible intelligence? Elissa, you must get used to the fact that your social standing is second only to the king himself. It makes sense that he would choose you as a queen," Zevran says simply.
"I don't want to marry because it makes sense," I reply with some distaste. "I want to marry someone because I love them. And yes, I realize how foolish that sounds, but there you have it." I wrinkle my nose.
"I'm sure there are other reasons for his interest in you," Zevran smirks. "You may not know it, but I've been watching you from the shadows. I take my role of protector seriously. I promised your brother I would watch over you. As your protector I can tell you without any hint of a doubt that the king most certainly has romantic feelings for you. The question is, do you return those feelings, or do you prefer the attentions of the Bann?"
I sigh, shaking my head. "Damn it Zev, I came here to tutor the king, to help get things straightened out, not to pursue romantic endeavours. This all seems so…trite."
"You didn't answer my question, but I'll leave that be. For now, open the gift."
I do as I'm told, freeing the package of the twine and gingerly removing the brown paper. I stare at the box in my hands. With one last sigh I lift the lid and peer inside. I gasp as I take in the contents. The box holds two daggers, they are of identical make. I extract one and examine it in awe. It is clearly made of dragonbone, the pommel a lovely pearlescent hue. Several engravings are etched along the blade, and appear of dwarven origin. I'm stunned into silence by the generosity of such a gift.
"Those are…beautiful," Zevran eyes the daggers with envy. "They must have cost a small fortune."
"I-I can't accept these…It's too extravagant," I stammer.
"Nonsense. To return them would be an insult," Zevran says.
I know he's right of course. "I need to think about what all of this means…and I need to prepare for tomorrow's meeting. Thank you for being here Zev. It's good to have someone who I can actually trust and whose intentions are clear."
"It's a pleasure, my dear Elissa. Now unless you'd like me to perform my famous Antivan massage technique upon you, I suggest you get to bed."
"Good idea," I reply. Zevran leaves me to ponder the day's events. I'm pleasantly surprised when I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.