Rough Times Ahead
1 Justinian, 9:38 Dragon Age
To: Lady Marnie Theirin
Ferelden
Greetings to you, Lady Theirin,
I apologize for not writing sooner. There never seems to be enough hours in the day, and I was waiting until Anders' fate was decided.
He was taken to Val Royeaux only last month, where her Most Holy and Grand Enchanter Fiona interviewed him for several days. After which the Divine issued a Decree: If Anders was successfully separated from Justice, then he would be pardoned by the Divine and allowed to live free. If the attempted separation was unsuccessful, then he would be put to death. Under no condition was he to be made Tranquil.
Anders was grateful for not being made Tranquil. I don't believe he held out any hope of a successful separation, and seemed to be at peace with that. As he suspected, the attempt was unsuccessful. Mercifully the blade was very sharp.
As for Kirkwall, the rite of annulment was not completed; however, innocent blood was spilled, making Anders' name a rallying cry for those who favor mage freedom and those who seriously oppose it.
The timing of Meredith's death allowed the City Guard to focus on the crisis from the actual explosion and were able to restore order. This helped them save the most vulnerable of Kirkwall's citizens.
Thank you for saving Kirkwall from itself, once again. You are a true champion, and Kirkwall is better because of you.
May the Maker always be with you, may Andraste's grace shine down upon you, and may you enjoy the well-deserved gift of peace.
Cullen
Knight-Commander
Kirkwall
….. ….. …. …. …. … …. … …. …. …. …. ….
Marnie sat on the bed as she finished the letter. Lily was sleeping in her bassinet and everyone else was outside. Laying down, her thoughts drifted to the first time she encountered Anders. She was always a bit wary of Justice, but Anders became a friend. If the Divine felt that Anders could be forgiven, then she must have understood that his treatment at Kinloch contributed in large measure to why Justice turned to Vengeance. Marnie cried for yet another person close to her that she couldn't save.
~oOOo~
Marnie wiped the errant tear from her cheek. "I always hoped that he was a peace. It's not like I could find him in the Fade."
"You had other things on your mind," Alistair said as he looked at the parchments included with the journals. He recognized the letters. "I don't know if we should go through these."
Marnie was quiet for a while. "I think we should. It was painful, but I like to think that it brought us even closer together."
"That's true. Although, for a while I thought…"
"I know, I thought so too, but we both came to our senses."
~oOOo~
8 August, 9:38 Dragon
I received a letter from Varric yesterday. It seems like Meredith's death is going to continue to dog my steps. I already feel uneasy about the future; his letter didn't help.
Although, the way he writes the dates is so flowery!
The 4th Day of August
Year 9:38 of the Dragon Age
To: Hawke and Golden Boy
Hawke,
Congratulations to you and Golden Boy on the birth of Lily Leandra. Donnic and Aveline are also having a baby. If they have a girl, they want to call her Rose.
Daisy, Lily, Rose, and Cricket. If I start talking about them someone will think I'm a gardener. Can you imagine what a dwarf would do with a garden?
I know Curly wrote to you about Anders. I would like to think he is finally at peace.
Peace however, is nowhere in sight for the Free Marches. The already strained relations between the mages and the templars are starting to worsen. Cullen is having trouble finding good templars. Who knew that a Circle called the Gallows would attract mage-hating templars?
Speaking of which, templars from the White Spire are sniffing around Kirkwall trying to find the woman who 'murdered' Knight-Commander Meredith (apparently that leaked out somehow). The only names they know are Hawke or the Champion and you don't use either moniker any more. Aside from Cullen and me, the only other people in Kirkwall who know who and where you are are Aveline and Fenris, and we aren't telling. If anyone asks, we say that we have no idea where you are.
Daisy and Isabella are off on an adventure somewhere; they rarely dock in Kirkwall.
For now, don't write unless you need to. I am setting up a dead-drop.
Details to follow.
Your storyteller,
V
p.s. Tales of the Champion will go to my publisher in two months.
23 August, 9:38 Dragon
To: The Theirin Family
Redcliffe Farms
Dear Alistair and Marnie,
You've undoubtedly received the formal announcement from the Crown about my appointment as the Ferelden Ambassador to the Imperial Court of Orlais (I don't know what I did to be given this appointment, but His Majesty assures me it isn't meant as a punishment).
I request your permission to ask Walter to accompany me to Orlais and continue serving as my squire while I'm there. Your son has proven himself to be a clever, personable, level-headed young man, who has given my Knights many tough sparring matches. As you know, he decided to learn Orlesian due to our proximity to the border, and is doing quite well.
With your consent, I will ask Walter if he is willing.
Fondly,
Teagan
22 August
9:38 Dragon
To: Castle Redcliffe
Your Grace, Arl Teagan Guerrin of Redcliffe,
Both my wife and I are honored by the high regard in which you hold our son. You have our permission to make this generous offer to him. We would be surprised if Walter declines.
If he accepts, we humbly ask that you give him leave to visit us before your departure. If not, then we ask permission to come visit him at the Castle.
Your humble servant,
Alistair Theirin
p.s. A less stilted letter will follow.
~oOOo~
"Walter was thrilled to accompany Teagan." Marnie smiled at the memory.
"Teagan was very proud of the way he handled himself at court, especially after what Gaspard tried to do."
Marnie rolled her eyes. "Walter had far more patience for the Imperial court than either of us did."
"The Grand Game, what a load of…"
Marnie pressed a finger to his lips and whispered "Shh. I hear small feet coming up the stairs."
"Mommy?" Lily stood at the landing, stuffed Golem in one hand and her blanket in the other. Her black hair was messy from sleep, and she looked troubled.
Marnie went to her. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"
She threw her arms around her mother's neck and began to cry. "I had a n-nightmare. I…I dreamt th…that Daddy left and…and didn't come home!"
Alistair was already kneeling next to Marnie. "Lily-pad, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." He held out his arms; Lily threw herself into them and cried.
Alistair stood up with Lily clinging to him all three went back to her bedroom and sat with her until she fell asleep. Back up in their room, Alistair ran his hand through his hair. "Do you think she remembers?"
"I don't think so. She was too young. At least, I hope she was."
~oOOo~
30 Kingsway
9:38
I was getting ready to muck out River Dancer's stall. The boots I wear when dealing with large quantities of horse dung stay in the barn. This morning I found this note in my left boot. No one saw anyone deliver it.
Amigo,
I hope this finds you and your exquisite wife still enjoying as much of each other as you were the last time we met. Yes, my friend, you were quiet enough for some people's hearing. Happily, my ears were able to hear you both quite clearly. You are a lucky man.
I will contact you when I arrive.
That's all there is. I have to hand it to Zevran, while the letter was very vague, he did manage to let me know it was him. The night he refers to is one at the base of Sundermount, after saving Zevran from the Crows. Trust me, it was a very memorable night, and I will never tell Marnie that we were overheard.
Anyway. I'm quite sure that whatever circumstances Zevran alludes to can't possibly be good news.
~oOOo~
Marnie's face was as red as beetroots. "You mean he heard everything?"
"Afraid so." Alistair couldn't help but give her that lopsided Theirin smile.
Marnie buried her face in her hands.
~oOOo~
12 Harvestmere
9:38
I received another note from Zevran. This one was actually delivered by a messenger and not left in my boot, but still not dated:
Mi Amigo,
Through an interesting confluence of events, I have discovered that your father was not lost at sea, but abducted at by an agent of a Tevinter magister. In my efforts to free myself of the Crows, I have been clipping talons, quite successfully I might add. During these activities I discovered that one of the higher talons was the agent responsible for your father's abduction.
As you may remember, the Crows do not approve of outside influence in Crow affairs. Having someone so high in the ranks being on the leash of a magister is considerably more upsetting than a rogue assassin, such as me. Naturally I investigated.
Your father was abducted by a 3rd Talon Prince at the behest of his master, Magister Aurelius Titus. He was not brought directly to Tevinter. Instead he was held in the Crow's prison, Velabanchel. Your father spent four years there until he escaped with the help of "the Beast of the Tellari swamps," a witch named Yavana. Your father was not seen for a year until he was captured by the Prince and brought to Titus's fort, Ath Velanis, in Seheron.
I have much more to tell you and will see you soon.
Given this note he will be coming here… at some point.
On a cheerier note, Lily is six-months old today. I love making her laugh! She's usually a happy baby, unless her nappy needs changing or she's hungry.
Anyway. The one problem is that she refuses to nap. When she goes to sleep at night she stays asleep. But during the day she is wide awake, which keeps Marnie and I busy. Marnie says it was like that with Bethany until Beth was a year old.
The local armorer helped Marnie create a back pack that Lily could sit in. This way she could be carried without using your hands. It was a great idea. Lily loves being carried around and looks at everything, and Marnie or I can go about our work.
Cricket and Siobhan love Lily, and love taking her around in the "Lily Pack." Dennet and Elaina are like grandparents to her. Dennet keeps telling me that between Siobhan and Lily, I will be spending a lot of time making the lives of many, many young men very difficult. Marnie just grins.
~oOOo~
"Zevran arrived when? About a week after that note?" Alistair asked.
"One week, two days, and one candle. But who's counting," Marnie replied with a disarming smile. They both remembered the day Zevran came to the Farm.
….. ….. …. …. …. … …. … …. …. …. …. ….
"Ah bellissima you look sun-kissed, happy, and fit. Where is your strapping husband?
"Behind you, Zev."
"Ah, no doubt admiring the view."
"Yes, my Lily-pad is very beautiful."
Zev laughed as he turned to see Alistair holding Lily, who was snuggled into her father's chest watching Zevran carefully.
He approached and bowed. "Lady Lily, it is a privilege to meet you." He held out his hand and Lily reached for it holding his finger. The normally cavalier assassin looked completely enraptured. "She has an amazing grip. Very strong and very beautiful, just like her mother."
"Let's go inside so you can tell us your news," Marnie offered.
~oOOo~
AN: Thank you to Melysande and Judy for your reviews! Judy, I wish I knew how to pm you my thanks. Many thank yous to my beta ElyssaCousland