Author's Note: Thanks all for the reviews! This chapter went through a lot of rewrites before I was finally willing to let it go, so hopefully you all like it. Special thanks to KnightofHolyLight, who inspired part of the first section of the chapter. :)

Chapter 67 - Showing Your Hand

Arl Eamon and his entourage met them in Dragon's Peak, an arling just outside the limits of Denerim. Fergus and his men marched in from the West Road, having answered a plea for help in South Reach three days prior. Since last seeing him, Serena learned that under his command, the men had put down no less than four darkspawn raids all over the south.

It was another days solid march until they reached Denerim's gates, and Serena was feeling the pressure of being away from Alistair as they camped. To avoid awkward talks with the arl, they had decided to sleep separately, and Serena hadn't had such miserable sleep in months. Even apart, Eamon seemed to keep one eye on Alistair at all times, as if afraid he'd slink off to avoid taking the throne. The morning they were meant to march into the capital, Alistair dipped into her tent, his face looking panicked.

"So, uh, he knows." Alistair peeked outside the tent before ducking back in quickly. "Did your brother tell him? Because I'm almost sure he knows."

Serena looked up from packing her belongings into a crate. "What? Who knows? Knows what?" They were due to begin the march to Denerim in an hour. What crisis had happened in the scant time between waking up and now?

"Us. I think Eamon knows about us." Another peek outside. "I think he's looking for me to tell me so. Or tell me off. Or tell us both off. I don't know."

"Oh, dear." Serena slumped to the ground. She glanced at the ring on her hand. Had he seen it? They'd only been in camp one day... but they had eaten their meals with the man, and he'd certainly proved himself observant. "So what do we do? Avoid him?"

"What do you think I'm trying to do right now?"

"You don't think the first place he'd look for you is here? With me?"

Alistair cursed. "Maybe I should just tell him. I mean, we have nothing to be worried about, right? Your family is second to the king in power, anyway. He should be... he should be happy for us." There was a long pause where they both just stared at each other. "Right?"

"Right."

Alistair ducked out of the tent again in a rush, Serena right behind him. They weren't even five feet before Eamon hailed them over with a wave of his hand.

"Just the people I was hoping to see." Eamon gestured them inside his tent, missing the nervous exchange of glances between the two. "Sit down, sit down. We have some things to discuss." He gestured to two pop-up chairs provided for generals of the army.

"I've been speaking with your brother Fergus," the arl began, taking a seat across from them. Serena felt her stomach clinch at his words. Had Alistair been right? "And I know both of you are very close, so I wanted to get both of your opinions as well."

"Opinions?" Alistair gulped. "A-about what?"

"I think Fergus' identity should be protected, until Loghain and Howe show their hand, but your brother thinks we'd have a stronger position in the Landsmeet if the other nobles knew what happened in Highever, and that the rightful teryn stood behind you, Alistair."

"Oh! Oh, well." Serena let out a long breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Fergus is very strong-willed, and while I see his point, Highever's proper vote in the Landsmeet would mean a great deal for Alistair's cause... until we can figure out what Howe is up to, I wouldn't trade my brother's life for a vote."

"I agree," Alistair said, nodding. "He would become a target, and with Serena and I there, I rather think Loghain has enough to be aiming at already. Not to mention your miraculous recovery, your grace."

"Yes, I'm positive Loghain is furious his poison did not fell me as planned, but Fergus could be just the wild card we need to throw him and Rendon Howe off their game." Eamon pursed his lips, nodding thoughtfully. "I will speak with Bryland and see if we can't outfit the Highever men in something else."

"Was that all you needed from us, your grace?" Serena asked. She was itchy to get out from under the steady gaze of the older man and could feel Alistair tense up beside her.

"As far as politics go, yes. But I wonder if I might caution you both, though."

"Caution us?"

"About your relationship." It was so quiet in the tent you could have heard a pin drop. "I'm not so old that I don't understand young love, but I do ask that you keep your affections to a minimum in the capital." Eamon's eyes flipped from Serena to Alistair and back again, as if he could hammer the point home simply through looking at them. "Like Fergus, your feelings could easily be used against our cause."

"You're not... asking us to... break up, are you?" Alistair asked carefully.

"No," Eamon replied with a shake of his head. "I see that you are both quite good for each other. I simply ask that you be cautious. And please remember your duty to Ferelden."

Alistair bowed his head solmnly. "Of course, your grace."

"I'm sure both of you have packing to do before we ride. When we enter Denerim today, I would like both of you riding next to me." The Arl rose, signaling Serena and Alistair to do the same. "I appreciate how well you've taken this transition, Alistair. You've certainly grown into an outstanding young man." He clapped the blonde on the back fondly, leading both of them outside, now clearly dismissing them. "I shall see you both in an hour for the march." With a curt nod, he stepped away, hailing Ser Perth with a hand.

Alistair let out a breath. "Wow. So, that was weird."

"And unexpected," Serena agreed. "I thought that was going to be Wynne: the sequel."

"Right? The look on his face, you'd think someone died. Would it kill him to smile once in awhile? And what was that bit about me being an outstanding young man?"

"You are outstanding." Serena grinned impishly, poking him in the ribs. "Eamon just doesn't know at what, exactly."

"And there you go, making me blush." Alistair put a hand over his face, the red of his embarrassment creeping up his neck to his cheeks. "You know you can't do this to me when I'm king, right? You'll undermine my very serious rule."

Serena dropped her voice to a whisper, practically purring in his ear as they headed back through the camp to their own tents. "I thought I'd get special permissions? What with being your wife and all."

"Damn. I knew that ring was a mistake." Alistair chuckled. "I guess I'm stuck with you now, eh?"

"Very stuck." They slipped into Serena's tent quickly and she wrapped her arms around his neck. "This might be the last time I get to see you like this, you know. Before we have to start acting like adults full time."

"Then let's the make the most of it, love," Alistair murmured, pressing his lips down to hers.

The streets of Denerim were even dingier than last time Serena and her companions had entered the capital. Many of the black banners had been removed, as the Regent declared the official mourning period for King Cailan over, though Serena saw most of the citizens still wore the armbands on their person.

The Redcliffe soldiers marched first through the streets, the red cliff shields shining brightly in the noonday sun. Citizens pointed, oohing and ahhing at the sight, some even outright cheering and clapping, as the men of Fergus' pocket army marched on next, different crests visible.

The only notable heraldry absent was that of Highever, by Eamon's personal request. As far as anyone knew, the rightful teyrn was still thought missing, presumed dead, in the forests of the Kocari Wilds, so all of Highever's surviving men bore the crest of the South Reach, by Arl Bryland's generous donation.

The sentries set at Denerim's city gates nodded stiffly as they passed on horseback. The Arl had sent along scouts ahead of them, to ensure they would not be held out by Loghain's men, and their grand entrance into the city tarnished by a possible fight.

Eamon, despite not having fought in the military campaign to retake Ferelden, was something of a genius when it came to presentation of martial might. The small army of men, all clad in the different heraldries of their hometowns, to inspire the refugees. The nobles with them were on horseback near the front, including Bann Teagan and Arl Bryland, to allow them to be at full view of the people.

All of it was part of a show that the arl meant to put on for Loghain and Howe, to show their strength coming into the Landsmeet. All was meant to show any remaining fence-sitting nobles that this was the winning party, that to support Loghain was to support a weak king and an even weaker kingdom. Serena couldn't help marvel at the brilliance of it, and silently thank the Maker Arl Eamon was on her side.

"Denerim is the heart and soul of Ferelden. It was the city of King Calenhad, the birthplace of Andraste. As stubborn as a mabari, and as good to have on your side." Arl Eamon was riding along between Alistair and herself, looking stately on his large black stead. "If we defeat Loghain here, the rest of the nation will follow us."

"By calling the Landsmeet, I've struck the first blow," Eamon continued. "The advantage, for the moment, is ours. Loghain will have little choice but to show himself, to oppose us directly." He paused, taking in Serena and Alistair thoughtfully. "He will strike back at us, however. The only question that reminds is how soon?"

"Ah, well, there's Loghain's lieutenant, that Cauthrien woman." Alistair nodded to an armored woman who was staring openly at the procession, her mouth set tight. "I remember her from the camp, back in Ostagar. Solid fighter, if a bit too... complacent."

"If she's Loghain's second, she's blind at best," Serena replied, her blue eyes catching Cauthrien's dark ones. The woman scowled at her before turning and walking swiftly away, presumably back to Loghain to report what she'd seen. "And suicidal at worst."

It wasn't long after that before Loghain arrived at the Arl of Redcliffe's Denerim estate. Eamon appeared momentarily surprised as they strode into the main entrance hall, Loghain's face set hard as stone. Alistair exchanged quick glances with Serena as his companions came into full view; Cautherien at his side as always, and on Loghain's other side, none other than Arl Rendon Howe.

Serena felt her blood boil worse than the taint at the sight of the stubbly man, wishing nothing more than to grab Alistair's sword and skewer Howe on the end of it. She felt Alistair's hand at her back briefly as they faced them, his calming presence the only thing keeping the tight smile plastered on her face.

"Loghain," Eamon said. "This is... an honor, that the regent would find time to greet me personally."

"How could I not welcome a man so important as to call every lord in Ferelden away from his estates while a Blight claws at our land?" Serena noticed Loghain looked much older than last they'd seen him Ostagar. Perhaps guilt was aging him prematurely?

"The Blight is why I'm here. With Cailan dead, Ferelden must have a king to lead it against the darkspawn."

"Ferelden has a strong leader," Loghain countered, his voice rising angrily. "It's queen. And I lead her armies."

Serena stepped forward to stand beside the Arl. "Considering the significant losses at Ostagar, perhaps we need a new general, as well."

"Ah, the Grey Warden recruit. I thought we might meet again."

"Warden-Commander Serena Cousland, if you please, Teyrn Loghain." Serena stood tall, trying to keep her smile from slipping into something smug or cruel. "I have worked hard these last few months, it is a title I have earned."

"I see." Loghain exchanged a look with Howe, who appeared flushed at the sight of her standing so brazen before them. "I find myself surprised your fellow Warden did not take up the mantle of Commander."

"Alistair has so many titles already- knight, Warden, prince." Serena smiled as the dark haired general flinched visibly at that. "It just seemed so excessive to add Commander on, as well, so I took it upon myself."

"Yes, well, you have my sympathies on what happened to your order. It is unfortunate that they chose to turn against Ferelden."

"That's an interesting point of view," Alistair murmured. "Wrong, but interesting."

"I daresay your sympathies are quite misplaced if you believe the Wardens have ever had anything in mind beyond the destruction of the archdemon and the eradication of the darkspawn, Teryn Loghain. The deaths of our brothers and sisters that night are a scar Alistair and I shall forever bare, but I'll not have you stand before me and pretend it was not you who commanded your men to quit the field."

"You should curb your tongue, Commander," Loghain spat, his own face inches from Serena's. "This is my city, and no safe place to speak treason. For anyone." He turned to Arl Eamon, apparently done with Serena for the moment. "There is talk that your illness left you feeble, Eamon. Some worry that you may no longer be fit to advise Ferelden."

"'Illness'?" Eamon laughed bitterly, and it was as good as if he'd stuck a finger in Loghain's face. "Why not call your poison by its true name? Not everyone at the Landsmeet will cast aside their loyalties as easily as you and these... sycophants."

"How long you've been gone from court, Eamon! Don't you recognize Rendon Howe, Arl of Amaranthine, and Teyrn of Highever?"

"And current arl of Denerim, after Urien's unfortunate fate at Ostagar," Howe added, his slimy smile slipping out from under his hook nose. "Truly, it is an embarrassment of riches."

"That's certainly a lot of titles for one man to have," Serena replied haughtily. "I wonder, were my parents bodies even cold before you swooped into my former home and claimed it for your own?"

"Don't interrupt, churl," Cauthrien said sharply. "Your betters are talking."

"Advice well spoken by the only person in the room without a title or a purpose in being here," Serena shot back. "Or did Teyrn Loghain gift you lands of your own in our absence? Perhaps your teyrna of Highever?" She looked around mockingly, as if waiting for someone to speak up on the knight's behalf. "No? Perhaps you ought to run along then, the adults are speaking now."

"Why, you-" Cauthrien was red with rage but stopped when Loghain shot her a quick glare.

"Enough, Cauthrien, this is not the time or place." Loghain turned his icy blue eyes back on Eamon, while the lady knight dropped back a step, her eyes still staring daggers at Serena. "I had hoped to talk you down from this rash course, Eamon. Our people are frightened, our king is dead. Our land is under siege."

"We must be united now, if we are to endure this crisis. You own sister, Queen Rowan, fought tirelessly to see Ferelden restored. Would you see her work destroyed? You divide our nation and weaken our efforts against the Blight with your selfish ambitions to the throne."

Serena couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Selfish ambitions to the throne? When you have declared yourself regent to the Crown? Are you mad?"

Eamon crossed his arms, his eyes on the teyrn. "Loghain, if you truly want to save this land, stand with us."

"I should put my faith in untried foreign hands? Do you think I'm blind?" Loghain threw up his arms. "Cailan depended on the Grey Warden's prowess against the darkspawn, and look how well that ended. Let us speak of reality, rather than tall tales. Stories will not save us."

"And what of the story of the great Hero of the River Dane? Shall I discredit that, too?"

"Oh, and a great many stories I've heard about you, girl," Loghain retorted, his eyes flashing angrily to Serena. "Commander, indeed..."

"Be that as it may," Eamon said loudly. "I cannot forgive what you've done, Loghain. Perhaps the Maker can, but not I. Our people deserve a king of the Theirin bloodline. Alistair will be the one to lead us to victory in this Blight."

"Oh, is that all I have to do? No pressure, then." Alistair chuckled, though it was humorless.

"The emperor of Orlais also thought I could not bring him down," Loghain growled, getting right in Eamon's face. "Expect no more mercy than I showed him. There is nothing I would not do for my homeland." With a fiery glare, he turned on his heel and left, his two cronies flanking him on either side.

The arl put a hand to his temples, his eyes towards the ceiling. "Well, that was... bracing. I didn't expect Loghain to show himself quite so soon."

"He's much more far gone than I thought," Serena said, her eyes still on the door Loghain and the others had left out of. "I thought he was simply a power crazed madman, honestly, cut from the same cloth as Howe. But Loghain... he believes his own lies. He truly believes he did... that he is doing what is best for Ferelden."

Alistair nodded. "He's mad. And that he's given that man, Howe, so much..."

"Rendon Howe always seemed the kind of man who enjoyed kicking stray dogs," Eamon replied. "I would not have thought Loghain would trust him. Granted, I would not think a lot of what Loghain has done in these last months was his doing, and yet..."

"I also found it curious that Anora was absent from this little parade. He brings that impertinent woman, but mysteriously leaves the Queen at home? Very odd."

"Yes, Anora's absence spoke volumes, I think, of how Loghain would rule should we lose," the arl said with a nod. "Which is why we must not lose. The roots of his schemes must begin here. We need eyes and ears in the city. Loghain has been here for months. The sooner we find his loose ends, the better we can turn them to our advantage."

"Perhaps you could go have a look around the city and see what you can turn up. Better yet, find the nobles who have arrived for the Landsmeet. Test the waters, see how many will support us. I shall be in my sitting room, working on a plan for the Landsmeet, should you need me." With a curt nod to Serena and Alistair, he strode out of the room, looking deep in thought.

"So, that was fun," Alistair said dryly. "Though I prefer to be served up on a silver platter. It's much classier. Don't you think?"

Serena wrapped an arm around his neck, smiling gently. "Are you doing okay so far? I know this is... a lot for you."

"Depends, when is the Landsmeet?"

"Well, we have to wait until all the nobles in Ferelden arrive, which... could take weeks. Every freeholder in the country shows up, especially for something as big as choosing a king." Serena ran her fingers through his soft blonde hair. "If you'd like, I could help you study. You're already much better than I am at keeping your temper."

"Ha, true. You really let that Cauthrien woman have it. 'The adults are speaking now.'" Alistair laughed, his diaphragm thrumming happily against Serena. "I could have died."

"She was being rude," Serena murmured. "And... I don't like her face."

"Is the coast clear?" a voice called from the hallway. Zevran poked his head around the door, Alim and Leliana coming out from behind him. "We did not want to interrupt your argument with the scary metal man."

"Alim said that was the Hero of River Dane." Leliana frowned. "I had thought he would be taller."

"I would be willing to bet that is not the only thing out of proportion," Alistair said with a smirk. At Serena's look, he sobered, holding up his hands in surrender. "What? He's obviously compensating for something..."

Serena rolled her eyes, turning instead to Zevran. "I'm glad you guys are here. Eamon wants us out in the city, drumming up information on Loghain's scheming." Her eyes flicked from Leliana to Zevran. "I don't suppose a bard and an assassin would be any good at that?"

"I am made for missions like this," Leliana replied with a mischievous grin. "I shall take Chantry gossip and the Market District, if you don't mind, Zev."

"That leaves me the Dregs, and the Pearl," the assassin replied with a wistful sigh. "Ah, brothels. They say you can never go home again, but for ten silvers an hour you can get pretty close."

"What about me?" Alim asked. "I'm no spy, but I could go to the Alienage, see if there's any gossip there. A lot of the elves work in noble's houses during the day. Perhaps they've heard something?"

"That is a brilliant idea, Alim! Alright, Alistair I will hit some of the taverns, and we'll meet back here before dinner." There were nods of agreement from the others as they made their way to the estate gates.

"Be safe!" Leliana called, waving as she disappeared beyond the walls.

"Be smart," Zevran added, making his way south.

"I don't have anything snappy to say," Alim said with a small shrug. "I'll see you both at supper."

Alistair held out his arm to Serena, who took it lightly. "And then there were two."