Old Candles, Ratty Rugs, and one Ancient, Crazed Darkspawn

20 Bloomingtide, 9:35 Dragon

We received a letter from Teagan today, which also contained a letter to Alistair from Master Dennet. Teagan is back in Denerim, and apologized for the delay in sending the letter. He visited Dennet after going to Highever, and then went back to Denerim by way of Redcliffe. The poor man didn't get back in Denerim until beginning of Bloomingtide.

According to Teagan, because their boat from Kirkwall was docking in Highever, Queen Anora was actually at Highever when the boat arrived; she and Teyrn Fergus brought Millie, Seana, and Aiden's parents to the castle so no one had to wait to be reunited, and arranged carriages to take the families back home. Teagan said that the reunions were joyous, and truly a privilege to help bring about. He also said that Millie wanted Ali and me to know, all the tears were the good kind.

I was puzzled as to why the Queen was even at Highever, much less working with Teyrn Fergus. Turns out that she and Fergus are to be wed on the 15th of Justinian. Teagan only realized when he spoke to Queen Anora that she hadn't mentioned that in her letter to Alistair.

According to Teagan, Teyrn Fergus will be King, not Prince-Consort. Alistair explained to me that if they have a child, it would be a Cousland heir, not a Mac Tir heir, at least in the minds of the Bannorn.

I wonder if Queen Anora is actually barren or if it was Cailan who was unable to seed the garden, so to speak.

23 Bloomingtide
9:35

Master Dennet wants to know if I can be there by Wintermarch 9:36, which means leaving in Haring, just five months from now. I can't imagine how we would be ready to move that quickly. But preparing the horses for the spring and breeding season takes time. Time to prepare the mares and the breeding yard…Wow! How did I know that? Right, I have a way with horses, beyond sleeping near them.

When I came out of the study, Marnie could tell that I was troubled. Walter was in his room. Siobhan and Cricket were at the Chantry…yes, borrowing another book. Cricket is like a sponge; he just soaks up the information.

Anyway.

Marnie and I sat in the yard and I told her about Dennet's letter. She kissed me, put her forehead against mine, and told me to go. She said that she could handle things here, Varric would help her sell the estate, she could pack up, and travel to Ferelden. She said she'd miss me like crazy but it would only be a few months.

As you know, Marnie is willing to make things easy for everyone, except for herself. We ended up having a long talk because I wanted to make sure that she would really be alright. When we discussed it with the kids, Walter and Cricket were eager leave Kirkwall. Siobhan had offered to stay and help, but it was clear she was also eager to leave.

Ah, my Marnie was very sly. She mentioned that it would be easier to sell the estate with the guest rooms (including Leandra's suite) vacant. It would allow her to showcase the guest wing's own garderobes and attached servants' quarters. Apparently 'guest wings' are something the Hightown types love. Siobhan tried not to look too relieved.

So come the beginning of Haring, the four of us are leaving for Ferelden. Between now and then Marnie and I need to crate up everything that is going into long-term storage so it can be shipped to Ferelden. Varric is handling the logistics…he is a wonder.

Marnie will follow mid-Cloudreach, 9:36.

30 Firstfall
9:35

Tensions between the mages and templars had been spilling over in to Kirkwall generally which affects both the city guard, and most important to me, it affects Marnie as the Champion of Kirkwall. That worries me, so before I left, I had a conversation with Cullen and Aveline about Marnie's safety.

They both promised to look after her for me.

~oOOo~

Marnie looked at me. "What did you tell them?

"Well, it began with a talk about the situation at the Gallows…"

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Alistair ran his hand through his hair. "I've…um…noticed that mage-chantry relations are much more...contentious than they were a year ago."

"Contentious only describes the good days." Cullen said, "It is an ongoing battle of wills between Meredith and Orsino…That, and…"

Aveline looked sharply at Cullen, "And what else?"

"Meredith is becoming increasingly unstable and irrational, so I spoke to the Grand Cleric about it."

"And she left it in the Maker's hands." Alistair said knowingly.

"Unfortunately, predictable but true." Cullen sighed. "It means we cannot count on the Chantry to help."

Aveline looked thoughtful. "Cullen, do you have the authority to relieve her of command if she seems unfit for duty?"

"I do, in a limited way. Which means I have to have verifiable proof that she is unfit."

Alistair nodded. "That's better than nothing. Look, you both are among our closest friends and I trust you both more than any one."

"What's the favor, Alistair?" Aveline smiled.

"Could you both watch over Marnie? She has tried to remain neutral, but I'm quite sure that if things go to crap in the Gallows, either Meredith or Orsino will try to force her to take a side. I just need things here to be stable until the end of Cloudreach"

Cullen gave an encouraging smile. "I will accompany the Knight-Commander if she speaks to Orsino or Marnie."

"And I will make sure sergeant Connell keeps his ear to the ground."

Cullen laughed. "Connell is a natural salesman. No one would ever guess he was anything other than a merchant. That was a stroke of genius, Aveline."

Aveline cleared her throat. "Well, I don't know about genius, but it has been a big help."

Letting out a sigh of relief, Alistair said, "My thanks to both of you."

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

"Are you mad at me for going around your back?' Alistair asked.

Marnie reassured him with a smile. "No! I'd have done the same thing if our places were reversed."

~oOOo~

Marnie was changing out of her dust-covered tunic. "Maybe we should have read more of the 9:35 entries; then we would know what were we thinking when we put some of these things into storage."

"What? You didn't like the crate of half-burned candles?"

Marnie looked green. "They smelled like rotting fat! What possessed me to put them in a crate?"

Alistair scratched the back of his neck. "Um…you didn't. I did."

Marnie laughed. "You did? Maker's sake, why?"

"I thought that crate was for the things being thrown out. I didn't realize it wasn't until we opened it this morning."

"Well, I guess we're even." Marnie blushed. "I was the one who packed the crate of ratty rugs."

~oOOo~

The following evening, Alistair looked through the much smaller stack of parchments before pulling one out. "These are from 9:36 and 9:37."

"Ah, you mean the two years I spent trying to leave Kirkwall!"

~oOOo~

12 Drakonis, 9:36 Dragon

The estate hasn't sold yet, and I blame Meredith. She is essentially the Viscount and unless any issue involves blood mages, she ignores it. This includes issues like trade negotiations, which aren't happening, and it is having a big impact on Kirkwall's economy. I won't leave the estate empty and ask Varric to handle it.

Unless something happens soon, I am not leaving in Cloudreach.

30 Solace, 9:36 Dragon

Back from spending a month in Ferelden with my family. Ali and I decided that I will come to Ferelden every other month until the estate sells. Isabella is willing to take me to there and back. I double-checked that she was not expecting me to sleep with her. She just laughed.

1 Harvestmere, 9:36 Dragon

Varric was waiting for me at the dock today when I came back from my latest trip to Ferelden. He escorted me to the estate and told me in no uncertain terms that he would make sure the mansion looked lived in and that he would handle the sale. When I tried to protest, he said, "Hawke, you can't stay here. Go home to your family. Golden Boy needs you, as do Golden Boy Jr, Sister, and Cricket."

I was in tears and hugged him. Then I gently patted Bianca.

1 Firstfall, 9:36 Dragon

I am leaving for Ferelden the day after tomorrow. I am so excited that I laughed as I quickly dispatched the two weird dwarves who attacked me.

Good-bye Kirkwall. Thank the Maker.

3 Wintermarch
9:37

Marnie's making a full recovery, she just needs to get her strength back so she can travel. Cricket refuses to be parted from her. Given what happened to him in Lothering, that is hardly surprising. I didn't want to leave her in Kirkwall, either. But she insisted.

~oOOo~

Alistair shook his head slowly. "If only I had known."

"Ali, you know there was no way that you, or any of us, could have known what was going to happen."

"But you had to fight that ancient, crazed, darkspawn."

"I had Varric, Fenris, and Anders with me."

"Varric and Fenris, you mean. Anders attacked you."

"Justice pulled him back. Probably the only time I have ever been thankful for Justice. Consider it a rehersal."

Alistair pulled her up on to his lap. "I don't ever want to see you in harm's way again. I want to wake up to your beautiful face always and forever, Marnie Theirin." Pulling her to him, he covered her lips with his, kissing her deeply.

Marnie pulled back slightly. "I would have it no other way."

~oOOo~

AN: Many thanks to those who are reading, and following, and to Judy, Melysande, and EasternViolet for your reviews. Special thanks to ElyssaCousland, my wonderful beta.