Shadow and Rose
by Lady Norbert
A/N: To those who have been asking about Alistair and his mother, this will eventually be resolved. However, it's not going to be for a while - down the road, after the Awakening story, I'm planning a third one set during Inquisition. That one will have a revolving point of view, rather than Alistair's narrative, but the subject of his parentage will be addressed.
I can't find any reference in any sources available to me which mention what became of the Arling of Denerim after the game, and I absolutely hate Bann Vaughan (don't we all?), so I went with something I thought was more appropriate than letting him live.
Many thanks to FFN user MajinBakaHentai, who corrected my geography error in the previous chapter!
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Painting of the Rebel Queen
This painting portrays a battle between Orlais and Ferelden. The Rebel Queen, with fiery red hair, has climbed atop a ruined chariot and is holding aloft her battle standard.
Just in case I didn't have enough problems, right after Eamon left, a page came to find me with a letter. We of course sent notice as soon as possible to the motherhouse at Weisshaupt, to let them know that the Blight was halted; well, more accurately, we sent the news to the Warden-Commander of Orlais, since Orlais's Wardens are the most nearby, with a request to pass the word. So the letter was from the First Warden - the First Warden himself, Maker help me - wanting to know, among other things, exactly how Elissa managed to slay the Archdemon without dying. How do I even begin to explain that?
I'll deal with it later. I have to go get coronated. I know that's not a word but I like the way it sounds anyway.
I wonder if I'll ever get used to people saying "Your Majesty" and meaning me.
The coronation was simple, like I said, but overall very nice. All the nobles and gentry who could be gathered on such relatively short notice crammed themselves into the throne room. Elissa and our companions got to stand at the front; I was pretty insistent on that. They made me sort of process from the back of the room, so I had to walk past everyone and try to look serious and not like I wanted to run screaming, which part of me did. I mean, I'm okay with being king (at least, I'm more okay with it than I used to be), but I feel weird constantly being on display.
They got the carpets pretty clean, considering how many people were sheltering in the throne room after the battle and how dirty it got as a result. I had to walk from the back of the room up to where the steps lead up to the dais, and there were soldiers standing on either side of each step. As I climbed the steps past them, they'd snap to attention, real official. The Grand Cleric - the same woman who hadn't wanted to release me to the Grey Wardens, all those months ago - was waiting by the throne.
My father's throne. My throne. Maker's breath.
She gave me a funny sort of look when I got to her. I almost want to say she looked like she might be proud of me, but maybe that's wishful thinking. I knelt for her blessing, and she lifted her hand above my head.
"In the name of the Maker, and in the sight of Andraste, I name you, Alistair Theirin, King of Ferelden, sovereign lord of the lands east of the Frostbacks, protector of the people and aegis of the faith. May your days be long and blessed; may your courage never falter; may your wisdom never fail." And then I stood up, and she bowed to me, and I bowed back. I don't know if I was supposed to do that, really, but it seemed right at the time.
Incidentally, I only know what the Grand Cleric said because I asked Leliana about it later. She was nice enough to write it all down for me to copy. All I remember hearing at the time was "Blah blah blah Andraste, something something, don't screw this up." Wynne says that the 'aegis of the faith' bit of my title is in memory of Havard, Andraste's friend and disciple, who they say brought Her ashes back to Ferelden. She's not positive, but she thinks he was the Guardian we met at the Temple of Sacred Ashes, and I kind of like the idea of carrying a title in his honor. It's been part of the formal string of titles belonging to the King of Ferelden since Calenhad.
Anyway, once the Grand Cleric finished speaking and it was made all formal and real, I turned around and saw everybody cheering and waving at me. It's hard to believe that a little more than a year ago, I wasn't sure anybody would care if I even survived the Joining ritual, and now I'm the king. To some extent, it still doesn't feel real. I had to say something to them, of course, and I'd spent quite a bit of time practicing what was going to come out of my mouth. It does seem to get easier when I practice. The soldiers on the steps moved aside to wait more in the wings, and Eamon walked up to join me on the dais. It might be the last time he does anything particularly important at court, so I didn't comment. I suppose I owed him that much.
"Thank you all," I said. "You placed your trust in me at the Landsmeet, and I will do everything in my power to prove myself worthy of it. My friends, we are gathered to celebrate those responsible for our victory. Of those who stood against the darkspawn siege of Denerim, there is one in particular who deserves commendation. The one who led the final charge against the Archdemon remains with us still, an inspiration to all she saved that day." I could see Elissa turning a bit red, and I smiled and gestured for her to come and stand beside me. "Following her own painful losses, the daughter of the late Teyrn Cousland now leads the Grey Wardens of Ferelden. Ladies and gentlemen, may I formally present my betrothed, Lady Elissa Cousland of Highever, who will soon be your queen."
There was more cheering at that. Fergus, who was standing with Wynne and Leliana, was particularly boisterous. I turned to Elissa once she had joined me. "It is hard to imagine how you could have aided Ferelden more. I think it only appropriate that I return the favor. As a reward - and as an engagement present," I added, since I'd never managed to find an appropriate token, "I offer you a boon of your choosing."
She looked thoughtful, as she so often does. "The sacrifices of the Wardens should not be forgotten again."
It was a very good point and I told her so. I announced my intention to construct a monument to all the Wardens who fell at Ostagar, plus Riordan. I also declared that the Arling of Amaranthine, which had belonged to the turncoat Howe, was to be ceded to the Wardens. Sure, we - or I guess I should say they - have Soldier's Peak, but Amaranthine has citizens whose tax money can help fund the order, and farmlands that can fill the granaries, and things like that.
After that I had a few other official things to do. I declared Fergus Cousland the Teyrn of Highever (yes, it was supposed to be my first act as king, but he didn't seem to mind his sister taking precedence). There was also the matter of the Arling of Denerim, since Howe had usurped that as well; the old Arl died at Ostagar, and apparently his son was killed during the Alienage uprising. From what I hear, there was a good reason for his death. Anyway, Elissa and I had discussed it earlier, and it seemed to us that with Loghain dead, Ser Cauthrien needed some kind of new purpose. So she's now the Arlessa of Denerim, though I've impressed upon her strongly that the elves of the Alienage are very much not for sale and are to be treated with the utmost dignity. There's a lot of rebuilding to do there.
I also wanted to pay some tribute to our various allies. For the Dalish, I announced that the Brecilian Forest is theirs - human may travel through it as needed, but I'm going to have some kind of formal guard rotation keep an eye on the situation. They're Fereldan citizens too, and deserve respect. The only concession I asked from them is that if any city elves would rather go to live with the Dalish than remain in the Alienages, they be allowed. I've even invited Keeper Lanaya to serve as a member of the council, to keep us informed of elven concerns, although I don't know yet if she'll accept.
I wanted to declare the mage tower free of Chantry governance, but I had talked to Wynne about it beforehand and she told me that wouldn't go over well, so I decided against it. It's something they have to do for themselves. Elissa and I will be sending wedding invitations to First Enchanter Irving and Knight-Captain Greagoir, though, and we'll figure out some kind of boon for the mages and also the dwarves. King Bhelen already sent a message of congratulations and a proposal for increased trade, so there's that.
Once I got all that out of the way, Elissa had to go outside - a lot of the common folk had gathered for the coronation, but I knew perfectly well they were much more interested in seeing their hero. I can't blame them; I think she's a lot more interesting than me too. While she went out and let them have a look at her, the rest of us milled around and chatted and I got introduced to a lot of people that I can barely remember. I hope there won't be a test. Everything's pretty well calmed down now, and I'm expecting my queen-to-be to knock on my door any moment. As I told her earlier, I get to marry the woman I love; I couldn't ask for a better reward for my part in all this.
And I believe I hear her now.
It's been a long day.
Lots of departures this morning. Eamon's heading back to Redcliffe to collect his family, although Teagan's staying to keep me company for the time being. Good thing too, because Elissa also left, and I'm already missing her so badly I can't think straight. She and Fergus put together a nice little traveling party. Shale decided to go along as well, since it was preferable to remaining in the palace the whole time they're gone. They hired a wagon for the comfort of Wynne, Leliana, Sandal, and Brother Gentivi, not to mention to carry all of the good scholar's things. As I mentioned previously, he's very excited about settling in at Soldier's Peak. Elissa said the plan is to remain there for a day or so, see that all is in order, and then travel to Castle Cousland. Hopefully Highever is in halfway decent shape; who knows what Howe's been doing to it. While they're at Soldier's Peak, she's planning to collect the Cousland family blade that she left there, to have Fergus return to the family vault.
"I'm going to keep the shield, though," she said. "I already told him. It's been with me for so long that it feels like part of my arm. I really do miss Starfang - I don't know where I'll ever find a sword that strong again."
"Why not keep the Cousland blade until you get a replacement?"
"I considered it, but... I think it's time for that sword to go home. To sleep again, if that makes any sense."
"I think I know what you mean. Come back to me soon, all right? I'm sort of useless without you."
She laughed. "You are not. But I'll be back in about six weeks, and then we'll be married."
"I can't wait."
So they've gone, and I've got Teagan and Zevran and Sten more or less following me around to keep an eye on me. Oghren and Felsi are on some sort of honeymoon, the details of which I'm perfectly happy to remain uninformed. I have enough to worry about. Elissa and I decided that my response to the First Warden would be to plead ignorance of the whole thing; we have no idea how she's still alive. Of course we know, but it's not as though anyone can prove otherwise, since the details of Morrigan's ritual are only known to the three of us.
That was the first letter I wrote. My second letter was to Empress Celene; I expected that by now she's been long since informed of Cailan's death, and the fact that she will not be making him her consort, but I thought it was reasonable that I more or less introduce myself to her. There was a formal invitation to my wedding included, which was really more to impress upon her that I have no intention of living up to Cailan's end of their bargain. He might have been willing to set Anora aside, but there's not a force in Thedas that can compel me to give up my Elissa.
Those were the hardest. I also had to send an acknowledgement of King Bhelen's letter, and get out the wedding invitations - I promised Elissa I'd handle that while she's away, and the better notice we can give the nobles, the more likely that they'll come. It can't be a really fancy royal wedding like she deserves, because Denerim is still recovering from everything, but Teagan promised that we'll set up something good. The whole city deserves a celebration after what it's endured, as far as that goes, and I'm going to give it to them if I can.