Chapter 10
Disclaimer: Sorry for the long delay, it's hard to write angsty, when you mostly read is love stories between the two. Once again I don't own Dragon Age; EA/Bioware does
It had been six months since that night at the temple in Haven, Emily could no longer hide that she was expecting. She had met all of Hawke's friends except one who left before the quanari war. To avoid unneeded attention, Siobhan introduced her as Emily Mac Eanraig to her friends and everyone else. Emily decided to go by her mother's maiden name, as she didn't want word to get out about her location or current condition. Leandra had suggested she use Amell, which was her father's maternal name. Emily didn't want to add to Siobhan's growing interest from Knight Commander Meredith. She knew her mother's siblings many children among them who settled in Antiva. She could easily pass for one of them. It helped that she was fluent in Antivan, and could speak with an Antivan accent if needed. She tried it out on Meredith and noticed she was none the wiser. She met her once visiting the Chantry. Meredith made Greagior seem like a teddy bear. She had learned from her own experience that being everyone's rescuer was both a blessing and curse. One wrong move intentional or not could lead Siobhan and her friends to the Gallows, where Emily had noticed more Tranquil lately. Through Siobhan, Emily learned that another person from her past was in Kirkwall. She wanted to check on him, as when she saw him last at the tower; he wasn't in the best shape mentally.
Siobhan was out doing jobs that either the City Guard or Templars didn't deem important. Leandra was out at a luncheon or with her suitor; the cousins had found lilies and a note the other day. Emily decided to take the mabaris for a walk and to find Cullen. Sandal held out his hand to go with her. Bodhan left earlier for a meeting, which she guessed was merchant related. She was unaware he was meeting a certain red headed bard at the Hanged Man. Leliana was meeting him alone as the Crows had found out Zev was in Kirkwall. Unknown to the dwarf and bard, Siobhan was currently aiding Zevran against the Crows. At first she was hired by them to hunt the elf, but once she found out this was the Zev that Emily spoke of. She and her friends aided the elf in eliminating the latest attempt on Zevran's life by his former associates. He told her that Emily was not to know he was there. She asked why and all he said his reasons were his own, she agreed not to mention it to her cousin.
Bodhan helped Varric with merchant guild dealings; so Varric let him use his room when he was away. He heard a familiar Orlesian voice enter the room. He informed her that Em was going by Rowan Mac Eanraig; she didn't want people knowing who she really was. She confided in him back at the estate that Emily Cousland no longer lived. Howe, the Wardens, Eamon and Alistair succeeded in taking who she was away from her. She chose it as Rowan was her middle name and Mac Eanraig was her mother's maiden name. Em had many cousins on her mother's side, so no one would suspect. Leliana understood as this way her life was hers to live, the Wardens would think she's dead. From what Leliana secretly heard in a talk between Riordan and Alistair she should be. Yet, she was defying Warden Ideology by being alive and bringing life into the world. Leliana guessed since Emily told them she would head to the Free Marches. Eamon would send word of Emily's location to the Wardens or have her killed in Kirkwall
This was Em's way of starting over without having to worry about her past life finding her. Leliana asked how Emily was doing, he replied that she's well and six months along .Siobhan kept Emily's true identity secret only known to her mother, staff and Anders. Even Siobhan's friends didn't know who her cousin really was. They just knew her as Siobhan's cousin, which she actually is .She seems to be embracing her imminent motherhood leaving her fighting days behind. Leliana asked if it would be okay if she told Emily's condition in her next letter to Teegan. She was already a few days late in sending one. He hoped that he wouldn't regret this as he had seen Emily's rage and heard Siobhan's was equal to it. He suggested telling Teegan that he was attending to an expectant Rowan who was entering her six month. Neither was aware that Teegan revealed the information he received with both Alistair and Fergus, who they with Emily thought to be dead. Bodhan advised giving Teegan that name as he thought no one would know Emily's middle or maiden name which she went by now. This way he wasn't betraying the cousins' trust in him. Leliana prayed that Teegan or Alistair would come soon or she would have to reveal herself to Emily and get her out of Kirkwall soon. She was worried with the information she had collected about the templars and the mages, she wouldn't let Emily caught up in it.
Bodhan and Leliana left the tavern together. They were coming to the market in Hightown when he stopped. A few feet away were Sandal, two mabaris and a radiant and very expecting Emily. She was dressed in a simple noble dress that had been altered to adapt to her growing belly. Pregnancy brought out a more relaxed and softer side of Em. She looked to not have a care in the world, not having to worry about fighting or making decisions, or having them made for her. Sandal held her hand the whole time, while the two mabaris never left her side. Bodhan said the other mabari was Siobhan's and was born in the same litter as Draco. She was talking to a templar who Leliana thought looked familiar. She waited for Emily to enter the estate, and told Bodhan she had other business to attend to. It would require leaving Kirkwall for a month. Zevran will be in contact with him soon as she will relay what she knows to him. Bodhan hoped that things would be resolved soon as it would be time for Emily's twenty first nameday in a few months. Siobhan was planning a special dinner for Emily's nameday and being expectant. If they wanted her and Zev were invited he'd just have to clear it with Siobhan.
Leliana returned to her room and wrote to Teegan. She was torn as she wanted Alistair and Em together, but seeing her today; She saw her care-free and blissful. Em wanted that life six months ago, but did she want it now. Teegan would be obligated to tell Alistair that Emily was six months along with his heirs. She chose to go with Bodhan's idea using Rowan which she went by now, Leliana made up an imaginary houseguest using Em's alias. It gave the idea that there was an expectant mother living with the cousins, so not betraying Emily and not keeping secrets from Teegan. She detailed the present conditions in Kirkwall and Rowan's condition. She wanted Alistair to come because he loved Emily, not because she was carrying his heir(s), and she knew that's what Em needed as well. She recalled her talks with her at camp about what nobles' daughters' expectations were and before their deaths; her parents were giving her time to choose before they would've chosen for her.
She said that Siobhan and Emily took in Rowan, was an Antivan noblewoman, whose life seemed to mirror Em's minus the Grey Warden part. Em really bonded with and considers her like a sister. She has brought back Emily from the darkness that Howe, the Blight, Eamon, and a way Alistair caused. Bodhan says she doesn't miss fighting or the constant looking over her shoulder anymore. She realizes that she'll never find love again, she's accepted it as Alistair was her way of having what her parents had and he pushed her aside. She knew that wasn't said, but from the way Bodhan talked that's how she felt. Leliana hoped that would wake up Alistair and realize, before it was too late as her next lines would happen if he didn't as she was firm and she knew Zev felt the same way. Given that Rowan's expecting in a few months a decision has to be made either on your end or ours. Zevran and I will keep Emily safe at any cost and since Rowan and she are inseparable these days we'll have to get them out of Kirkwall as soon as the first thaw hits. Tensions are coming to ahead soon, and we'll not risk their lives on Alistair's indecisiveness or Ferelden politics. She attached it to a crow and sent it on its way.