The Calm Before the Storms
12 Guardian, 9:37 Dragon
Home!
The carriage ride to Redcliffe Farms was, thankfully, uneventful. I was drowsing when we arrived, and Cricket was asleep with his head on my lap. I startled awake then I gently stroked his hair and whispered for him to wake up. In an instant he went from sound asleep to wide awake. From the first time Cricket came to live with us, this is how he usually woke up. It seems it is just his natural youthful enthusiasm, which was a relief to discover. Ali and I were worried that it was a learned response to living in Darktown as trouble usually happened without warning.
Wide awake and grinning from ear to ear, he looked at me. "Are we home, Mom?" I smiled and nodded. His face began to look blurry as I teared up.
As we got out of the carriage, Alistair and Siobhan came outside of the house, followed by Walter! It was a wonderful surprise! Cricket took off running to Alistair who grabbed him into a bear hug. After Ali, he hugged Siobhan, and then just stood looking awestruck at Walter, who was in the livery of a squire of the Arl of Redcliffe. Walter grabbed him into a hug.
I stood by the carriage and watched my family.
My family.
My husband, my daughter, and my sons. Then the tears definitely flowed. Very happy ones.
Sanity returned to my world.
~oOOo~
"I barely remembered seeing all of you. I don't remember anything else until the following morning."
"You were pretty out of it. But that was hardly surprising, given what you'd gone through."
Marnie gazed out at the night sky, its inky darkness enhancing the light of glimmering stars. "I will always be grateful to Fenris for protecting Cricket that day." She turned towards Alistair. "To this day, I cannot help thinking that if I hadn't taken Cricket to the Chantry library that morning…"
Alistair held Marnie, feeling her tremble. "But you did. You both got to Ferelden safely. Who knows? Maybe Andraste guided you that morning."
Marnie, practically hearing his grin, chuckled. "Maybe so, or maybe it was my instinctual sense of when something is about to turn to utter crap."
"That, too."
~oOOo~
15 Cloudreach, 9:37 Dragon
Life on the farm is peaceful and calming. The air smells of flowers, fresh hay, grass, and horses. Even the smell of horse dung is a welcome change from the unidentifiable stench that permeated Kirkwall. When we first arrived I was a bit out of sorts, not knowing what to do with myself. After the frenetic pace of life in Kirkwall, it's taken a bit to get used to peace and quiet; now I wouldn't have it any other way.
I've been learning how to ride and care for horses. Learning how is going well, even though sometimes I swear I am tempted to contact the Imperial Bum Warmer and buy a seat cushion.
Cricket is having a grand time helping with the homestead vegetable garden. In Kirkwall he read about how the blight destroys the land. He asked Alistair if he could take him someplace where he could see what blighted land looked like. They went to a small area between Redcliffe and Lothering. According to Ali, Cricket was deeply affected by the utter destruction of what once was lush farmland. The other day he told us that he wants to study botany and try to find out how to heal blighted land. The only botany course of study is at the University of Orlais. He's only 11, but the future heartache I will feel when he leaves home has already made its presence known.
Siobhan and I have spent time hiking in an around Redcliffe. Sometimes we take a picnic lunch or a snack. We find a comfortable spot and just talk. We talk about the future; we talk about the past. I told her more about Carver and Bethany and she told me about her parents. We also talk about men, about clothes. It is the kind of relationship I always wished I could have with my mother.
30 Cloudreach
9:37
I have a life I never thought was possible. I have a wife and children who I adore, and I am doing something I love. I am not hunting mages, addicted to Lyrium, or fighting darkspawn. Marnie and I still spar every day; she wants to make sure we stay fighting-ready. Given her history of attracting trouble – and mine! – it seems the sensible thing to do.
Yes, I can do the sensible thing, at least most of the time!
The one odd thing is that my appetite isn't nearly as bad as it was during the Blight or for a couple of years after. There are times when I am actually full! It's strange and it was worrying me so I wrote to Edwyn to see if he'd experienced such a change. He responded that he was still just as hungry as he was after his Joining.
But he also quickly allayed my fears of about it being harbinger an early Calling. He asked one of the senior Orlesian wardens about a reduced appetite preceding the Calling. He was told it doesn't. When the appetite decreases a warden is more like a ghoul than a human. Clearly, and thankfully, that's not happening to me.
~oOOo~
"I think you could have pushed me over with a feather, the first time you told me you were full."
"I know. I was just as stupefied."
Marnie grinned. "Your other appetites didn't decrease."
Alistair pulled Marnie to him and began kissing his way down from behind her ear to where her graceful neck met her shoulder. "That's because my appetite for you had never been driven by the taint."
~oOOo~
13 Kingsway, 9:37 Dragons
During one of our walks, Siobhan and I found a very secluded area northeast of Bron's cabin. It's near a small stream nestled within the foothills. I've decided to surprise Ali for our anniversary with a night under the stars.
Seanna, who thought it to be very romantic, has been a big help; we just came back from digging the fire pit there. She helped me bring the wood, a tent, and bedding. I'll bring the basket of bread, cheese, and cider with me when I go to the site and wait for Ali to arrive.
Elaina is going to give my note to Alistair when he comes in from the barn for the day. The note is simply a map with a time. After he leaves to meet me, she'll let everybody in on the secret (but not the location).
14 Kingsway, 9:37 Dragon
I just returned from the healer. It turns out that the off-feeling I have been having is because I'm pregnant!
I am also ecstatic, stunned, baffled, and anxious. Anders once told me that it was highly improbable for a warden and non-warden to have children together. Perhaps, being very intimate for six years helped us beat the odds? How is Alistair going to react? How will Siobhan and the boys react to having a baby brother or sister?
I'd like to tell Ali now, but I think I will wait until tomorrow night and tell him as we eat dinner under the stars.
16 Kingsway
9:37
I have been with the love of my life for six years. If that wasn't enough, I have three children who I love to pieces. Now Marnie and I will be welcoming our fourth child into the world sometime in Bloomingtide.
Marnie told me last night as we sat by a stream, eating bread and cheese, and drinking fresh apple cider.
Why by a stream, you ask? That was Marnie's surprise for celebrating our anniversary. I was given a map, and written at the bottom was "Half a candle before sunset." Following the map, which was quite good, I found Marnie standing in front of our tent. She was wearing a long fur-lined robe, and a smile.
~oOOo~
Marnie smoothed a lock of black hair behind Lily's ear. Their six-year-old daughter was asleep for the night, curled up on her side holding her stuffed golem.
"She is so excited about the move." Alistair whispered as they closed her door and went up to their room.
"I know. She loves spending time with the animals here. She seems to have very calming effect on them." Marnie's eyes went wide and she looked at Alistair. "Do you think she may be a mage?"
Alistair chuckled. "Given yours and my family, it's certainly possible."
"True. At least mages are not taken to a Circle anymore."
Alistair stopped just inside the bedroom and crossed his arm over his chest. "Oh, by the way." He scowled. "You told your journal you were pregnant before you told me?"
"I don't talk to my journal like you do."
"Still, you did write it down before telling me."
"You're not bothered by that, are you?"
Alistair merely arched an eyebrow.
"Seriously?"
Without a word, he lifted her in his arms and walked towards the bed.
"Ali?"
Laying her down on the bed he whispered in her ear. Marnie blushed crimson then she began to chuckle, then Alistair silenced her with a kiss.
~oOOo~
23 Harvestmere
9:37
We've been invited to Kaitlyn and Teagan's annual Satinalia masquerade ball and feast. Our invitation arrived yesterday and was addressed to the Theirin Family. I never thought I would see those words in relation to me and my own. I've been grinning ever since.
According to Dennet, Teagan hosts this event because he wants to celebrate the festival with the people in his arling, as opposed to he and Kaitlyn celebrating at the Palace. I think that the attention he and Kaitlyn give the arling is one of the things that make the Arl and Arlessa not only respected, but well-loved.
It is quite different from how Eamon and Isolde ruled Redcliffe. They were well-respected, and generally liked, but not loved. I don't remember Eamon and Isolde ever holding a Satinalia feast or any other festive event. My guess is that they went to ones at the Palace.
Oh, the event is 15 Firstfall.
28 Harvestmere, 9:37 Dragon
The house has been a hive of activity getting the pantry and farm ready for the winter. Ali and Dennet have been preparing the stables, and Elaina and Cricket have been bringing in the winter vegetables from the homestead garden.
I'm thankful that I'm no longer nauseous. There was a time last month were even the faint smell of food would set me off. Thankfully, Elaina had a remedy for that. It tastes awful, but it works, which is good because Seanna and I have been cooking food to store over winter.
It was my father who taught me how to cook. Mother never really learned as her family had servants. Father told me he had to learn because after his mother passed there was no one to cook for his father and brother. I asked him about my uncle, but father refused to speak of him, and refused to tell me why he refused to speak of him. There could be a whole other set of Hawkes out there, and I have wouldn't have an idea of where or who they were.
On top of all of this, we are figuring out what we want to wear to the ball. I asked Elaina if this was a masquerade as in wearing elaborate masks like the Orlesians. I was happy to hear that it wasn't. It just means to wear a costume of some kind. Elaina told me that one year, Dennet created a head-dress that looked like Dracolisk horns. She said, "It was beautifully done, but it wouldn't fit through the doors of the castle garderobes."
Walter will be with us at the ball and feast, although, as he wrote, "The Arl has given me leave to remain in my armor." I'm amused but not surprised. Walter and I are similar in that respect. In Kirkwall, Mother would drag me to various balls, and I would ask if I could just go in my armor.
Unfortunately, the answer was always an unequivocal no.
16 Firstfall, 9:37 Dragon
Ali is still asleep. I'm glad he knows his limit or he would be among the very sore heads I saw this morning when I went to get some tea.
The party was wonderful. Many of our neighbors were there, and we were able to meet those who live in the other areas of Redcliffe. Our family, along with Dennett and Elaina are staying at the Castle, along with the Bann Perth of Rainesfere. Seanna is staying with the family of her best friend.
Cricket, Alistair, and I went to the ball as hawks: I wore my deep brown-colored gown that has light brown and white trim, I added light yellow-colored stomacher and braided small feathers into my hair.
Ali wore a doublet and pants in the same color as my dress but with deep red trim and a light yellow belt. Cricket proudly wore a smaller-sized version of Alistair's outfit. Alistair didn't wear feathers, but Cricket had a few tucked into his belt.
Siobhan was dressed as Wintersend. She wore a snow white cape, under which was a demure gown of green lawn with deep green trim. The green of the gown matched her eyes and she looked beautiful. She danced with several young men, including twice with the Bann Perth's son Torin, who was about two years older.
Ali kept a very careful watch of Siobhan's dance partners, which I teased him about.
Walter was not at all shy about asking young ladies to dance, and no one turned him down.
It was lovely to dance with Alistair. Shortly after we were engaged, Mother and I had taught him how to dance. I don't know if it's because he's an incredible swordsman or if it's just natural talent, because he was a very quick learner and is very graceful on his feet. He and I never went to balls in Kirkwall, but we would dance in the house or in the yard either to music in our heads or whenever Orana was willing to play her lute. We also taught Siobhan, Walter, and Cricket how to dance.
16 Firstfall
9:37
I've been hung-over before. So when I woke up mid-morning, I slowly opened one eye. As it didn't feel like it was being stabbed by light, I figured it was safe to open both. Happily, no headache.
I looked around the room. When Marnie and I came upstairs last night, the only thing I wanted to see was the bed with Marnie laying on it, preferably naked. It was late morning and she was asleep on the chaise. The book she was reading rested face down on her chest.
I know, Marnie doesn't nap. But then again, she's never been pregnant before.
I slipped on some trousers and padded over to my sleeping wife. She looked so beautiful. I bent over and gave her a soft kiss. She slowly opened her stunning blue eyes and smiled. That pretty much made my day.
12 Bloomingtide
9:38
We welcomed Lily Leandra Theirin into the world today. She has black hair like her mother and a mouth like mine, but her bright green eyes all her own. When the healer finally let me in the room, Marnie was pale, but glowing, and Lily was already feeding. It was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen.
When I held my baby girl for the first time, her tiny, perfectly-formed hand gripped my little finger. I felt such love for her, it was staggering.
I now have two daughters and two sons and a life partner who is my world. I don't think my life could get any better.
Why would I need it to?
~oOOo~
"I wish I could have had given you more children." Marnie sighed.
I held her close. "I know you do. But I am perfectly happy with what we have."
"I am too, I just…well what's done is done. Shall we go to bed?"
Alistair grinned. "Why, yes, yes we should."
~oOOo~
AN: Thank you to all who have been reading and reviewing! Special thanks to ElyssaCousland my wonderful beta.