A Royal Reception
Anora furrowed her brow slightly as she brushed her hair, though her golden locks were not the cause of her concern. She sat in front of her dressing table, assessing her reflection in the large mirror sat upon the mahogany surface. She was happy with her attire at least: She wore a fine blue dress with silver embellishments. The Queen swivelled her head left and right as she pondered. What hair style should she wear?
A familiar figure drifted into view in the reflection as she considered.
"You look troubled." Aedan, her husband, said with a hint of a smirk, gazing at her through the looking glass.
The Prince-Consort sported a striking silver and blue lined gambeson, colours famously worn by his order, the Grey Wardens. It wasn't often that he wore warden attire, at least not when he was in Denerim serving as Prince-Consort of course. Anora couldn't deny that Aedan looked good in his ceremonial regalia. The militaristic cut of it struck a nice balance between formal and practical. She wondered whether she should suggest that he wear the outfit more often, it was so fetching. It even made it easier for her to co-ordinate her own outfit with his. She'd always liked blue after all.
"I only have so much patience for these sorts of events." Anora sighed.
"Oh?" Aedan quizzed with a raised brow. "I thought you liked dinner parties, soirees and the like?"
"I'm not against them on principle, Aedan. With the right company they can be delightful even. No, it's all the lobbying I detest."
"Ah." Aedan nodded, a hint of a smirk breaking through. He placed his hands on her shoulders and began to trace soothing circles on her back with his thumbs. It was a strangely pleasant sensation.
"These things are always used by every damn noble to try and get me to sign some obscure law they couldn't possibly live without into being. If it's not tax reliefs for their favoured business past times, it's trying to extract some sort of word of favour from my mouth to claim relevance. Sometimes I even receive requests to legalise whatever sordid little hobbies they have. I had one lord try to convince me to permit bigamy once."
"Really?"
"Oh yes." Anora chuckled as she shook her head at the memory. "I believe he was desperate to keep both his wife and his mistress, when the former found out about the latter of course that suddenly became a lot more difficult. He must have had the genius idea of marrying both women to placate them both and so he came to me. As if I'd even consider such a thing, let alone have the power to instruct the Chantry on such affairs, absurd."
"I can't imagine the Chantry taking a liking to that."
"They most certainly did not." Anora smirked. "The Grand Cleric happened to be nearby at the time and overheard the conversation. She saw fit to lecture the man on his sins in front of the entire court for about twenty minutes or so. He ended up losing both wife and mistress shortly after as I recall."
Aedan couldn't help but chuckle. "I'm sure there's a Chantry line about man's hubris that would be fitting here."
"And as the black clouds came upon them, they looked on what pride had wrought, and despaired. The work of man and woman, by hubris of their making. The sorrow a blight unbearable." Anora recounted with a sly smile.
Aedan regarded Anora with an impressed look. "I never took you for a Chantry priest, though come to think of it you could make a good Grand Cleric. Are you sure you still want to be Queen?"
Anora rolled her eyes. "Weren't you ever taught the tenets of the Chantry as a child?"
"Of course, though that was a long time ago now."
"And one too many knocks to the head I'd wager." Anora murmured under her breath with another sly smile.
Aedan narrowed his eyes slightly but his smirk held. "Still, I think those verses are about the Blights, unless I'm mistaken?"
"What gave it away? The sorrow a blight unbearable?" Anora teased.
"It seems a bit extreme to equate the hubris of starting off the Blights with a man's infidelity, surely?"
"You wished for a verse on man's hubris, I provided." Anora held up her hands with another roll of her eyes.
Aedan nodded with a hint of a smirk. "True enough. Well, let's hope the petitions for legalising adultery are kept to a minimum today, and think of it this way, at least it will be a good opportunity to properly introduce you to my Grey Wardens."
Anora raised an intrigued eyebrow slightly. That was another part of today's formalities. Some of Aedan's comrades in arms were paying the capital a visit, with them and her husband to go on to another mission the day after. While she had met most of Ferelden's Grey Wardens before, she'd never had the chance to truly speak to them. No more than a hasty speech delivered on the front doorstep of Vigil's Keep of course.
"Well, I won't deny it will be good to properly meet some of Ferelden's most valiant protectors." Anora murmured.
"Oh? Is that begrudging admiration I hear?" Aedan teased.
"There's nothing begrudging about it." Anora scowled slightly at the insinuation. "What you and your fellow wardens have done for Ferelden is to be commended. I take pride in knowing you and the other wardens have played crucial roles in defending Ferelden and her people."
Aedan nodded slightly for a moment but didn't respond immediately as he seemingly thought for the right words.
Anora sighed. "I know what you're thinking. How dare I say such things when I stood by and watched while my father had you and your fellow wardens hunted down like animals?"
"I wasn't thinking anything like that." Aedan shook his head quickly.
Anora lowered her gaze a fraction. "Well, perhaps you'd be right to."
Aedan cocked his head slightly. "I don't blame you at all for what happened, Anora. How could anyone expect you to take the side of a ragtag military order – one that had been exiled from Ferelden for centuries need I remind you – over your own father?"
Anora considered for a moment. "Because you were in the right, about the Blight, about my father's crimes, everything."
"Anora." Aedan removed his hands from her shoulders and moved to kneel down beside her. He took one of her hands to comfort his Queen. "None of that was your fault. You couldn't have known."
"I was the Queen even then, Aedan." Anora looked down into her husband's eyes, blue eyes shining bright with a steely determination still. "It was my utmost duty to do what is right for my kingdom and my people, as it is now. Yet when it came to my father and the Blight … I failed them."
"You don't believe that." Aedan shook his head as he mustered steel of his own. "You know you're talking nonsense. You're the ruler Ferelden needs to rebuild after everything that's happened. No one else could rule with a firm but fair hand like you do. I'd wager you're the reason the kingdom still holds together after everything we've been through."
Anora suppressed a short chuckle. "You are sweet to be concerned, Aedan, but I'm not fishing for sympathy, nor will sweet words change facts. I am simply acknowledging where I have failed in my duties, and I am resolving not to do so again."
Before Aedan could retort, Anora held up a hand, cutting him off.
"And if what you say is even remotely true, then I must first prove it to my kingdom and my people above all else."
Aedan didn't respond immediately, he gazed into his wife and Queen's eyes for a long moment.
"I think the only one you need to prove it to, is yourself. No one thinks you're not worthy of the crown."
Anora resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Aedan, I only just survived an assassination attempt by one of my own nobles barely a month ago."
Aedan considered for a moment. "No one worth considering at any rate." He amended with a smile.
In spite of herself, Anora let out a small chuckle. "You are quite the fool, dear husband. A sweet one, but a fool nonetheless." She leaned in to lay a soft kiss to his forehead.
Aedan quirked his lips in a slight smile. "I'll accept that, but only if you accept that you're not a bad queen."
Anora almost scoffed. "The thought never even entered my mind, unlike some of my vassals of course." She muttered without much heat, clearly indicating the former Bann Galston.
The now disgraced former nobleman had been locked away in Fort Drakon for his crimes for a very long time. Though execution had been a valid punishment for treason, Anora had decided against it. While the former Bann had hardly been popular, it generally didn't endear the subjects to their Queen if she went about beheading her own subjects. After all, Galston was no longer a threat. Anora would have gained nothing but a reputation as merciless ruler had she taken Galston's life.
Aedan sighed. "I- We both know that you'll never get everyone on your side, but the majority are still behind you. Most people remember all the good work you've done to make Ferelden a better place. You're still beloved by the people, Anora."
"Perhaps." Anora lowered her gaze a moment as she considered. "But it's not about what the people, or indeed anyone else thinks of me, nor is it about whether or not I am even the rightful Queen. It's about what's best for Ferelden, and I have to work hard every day to match up to that task."
Aedan smiled. "That's the Queen I know." He leaned up to lay a kiss against her cheek.
Anora smiled but waved him off. "Careful, dear. I've only just finished my makeup."
"Sorry." Aedan didn't look sorry at all. He stood again and resumed his place behind her, massaging her shoulders again gently, an oddly pleasant feeling. "Now for the important question, what do you do with your hair?"
Anora gazed at herself in the mirror, weaving her fingers through golden locks. Then, she switched her eyes to meet his reflection. "I think a ponytail would look good, don't you?"
"Oh?" Aedan's eyes widened a little, his lips turned into a definite grin. "Good choice."
Anora had to supress her smirk. Sometimes she could read him like a book.
xxx
A ponytail was indeed the right call, not just because of the delight it brought out in Aedan's eyes, but also because it showed off her neck nicely. She wasn't particularly vain, but she did happen to think that she had a rather attractive neck.
Finally ready, the Queen and Prince-Consort left their chambers to head to the reception. Ser Cauthrien was waiting patiently outside their solar. The knight's armour was gleaming more than usual. She accompanied the royal couple on their short journey to the great hall.
The all too familiar peel of trumpeted fanfare greeted Anora's ears as she strode up through the grand double doors of the great hall. Aedan of course was at her side, arm looped with hers. The clamour of conversation and laughter died to nothing as all eyes turned to witness the Queen's entrance before diverting quickly to the floor in supplication.
Anora glided through the throng with a well-practiced smile. Aedan close at her side and Cauthrien of course near to her behind, the knight in particular keeping a sharp eye out for any threats. Since the attempted assassination, Ser Cauthrien had redoubled her efforts to keep the Queen safe. She would have even cancelled this event had Anora not been determined to carry on her royal engagements as normally as possible. Since she was denied that request, Cauthrien made do with pre-empting any potential threat, tasting the Queen's wine and keeping her hand close to her sword at all times.
As the Queen meet with and greeted the assembled nobility one by one, the general din of discourse slowly picked up again. As well practiced at these sorts of formalities as she was, the opening stages of the event merely washed over Anora. It was always the same, greet the nobility and listen to their concerns while making small talk. There was little to be gained by way of useful information, occasionally she'd pick up on something that demanded her attention of course, but in the main the conversations were merely amiable chatter.
This time though, there was an obvious point of interest in the Grey Warden's attendance.
Anora idly noted the larger than usual numbers of nobles, knights and merchants present. The Grey Wardens carried a prestige that was larger than life that clearly demanded attention. The Queen spied plenty of young nobles, perhaps hoping for a chance to be inducted into the warden's esteemed ranks. She even spotted a few mothers with their daughters in tow, including a few that Anora had not seen at court before, presumably looking to make a match. Anora had to stifle a chuckle as she idly wondered if she had started a fashion of sorts in marrying Aedan.
The Queen's interest too was piqued by the Grey Wardens, and she was soon met with a pair of figures in familiar blue and silver gambesons like the one her husband wore. The militaristic garb was worn by two men, both about as tall as her husband.
One had medium, dirty blonde hair that was pulled back into a ponytail, though several strands had worked themselves free over his brow. His outfit was a set of robes, the same aesthetic design as Aedan and the other warden, but longer like a mage or a priest would wear. His face was stubble laden with similarly blonde hairs. He was handsome, certainly, though he had an awfully relaxed air about himself. Anora could read it in his posture and expression, which set him at odds with everyone around him. If she had to peg him down to a single archetype, Anora would assume him at a glance to be a bit of a devilish rogue.
In stark contrast to the blonde, the other figure wore black hair slicked back and a short goatee. With a straight back and such good posture, he had the bearing of an aristocrat. Again, he was handsome, though in a separate manner to that of his fellow warden. His face was more serious than his comrade's, sporting proud, noble features. Those features looked distinctly familiar to Anora. She could have sworn that she had seen them about her court somewhere, but she couldn't place them.
Aedan stepped forward. "Anora, may I introduce you to two of my fellow Grey Wardens, this is the mage Anders, formerly of the Circle of Magi." He indicated the blonde.
Anders bowed with a grin that made Anora think a cheeky remark was incoming. "Charmed to make your acquaintance, your Majesty."
"Likewise, Anders." Anora smiled. "We are most pleased to have you join us here tonight."
Aedan indicated the other man. "And this is the archer Nathaniel Howe of the Grey Wardens, formerly of … well …"
The name finally clicked the face into place for Anora. This was the son of the former Arl of Amaranthine, Rendon Howe who had been one of her father's most loyal supporters during the civil war, and the one who had betrayed Aedan's family in the most brutal of ways. What's more, this Nathaniel was the man who had once tried to kill her husband.
"Formerly and currently of Amaranthine." Nathaniel finished off for Aedan with a slight smile, confident and suave. He bowed before the Queen. "Your Majesty, it is an honour to finally make your acquaintance."
The crowd around them made little attempt to hide their interest. Plenty of them murmured to each other in interested tones. There were more than a few ladies present who seemed particularly taken with the two wardens.
Anora motioned Nathaniel to raise his head. "Likewise, it is an honour to make yours as well, Warden Nathaniel. My husband tells me you've both served the Grey Wardens and Ferelden with the upmost skill and dedication."
"I'm sure that's an over exaggeration, your Grace." Nathaniel glanced to Aedan with an amused look in his eye.
"Speak for yourself, Howe." Anders murmured next to the archer. He seemed less interested in the conversation and more so in the pretty girls nearby who appeared to be fawning over the men at a distance. The mage sent a salacious wink their way to their giggling delight.
Anora considered admonishing either warden or the ladies for a moment. Though she certainly wasn't interested in shutting down any budding romances, there was something of an unwritten protocol for courtly entanglements. Shamelessly flirting in front of the Queen was definitely not an accepted tradition. Nathaniel however, gave the mage a sharp elbow to the ribs and a stern look, saving her the bother.
"I have to justify the warden's continued presence to my wife somehow." Aedan smirked. "We were only recently allowed back into Ferelden after all."
Anora smiled, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at her husband. "Well, even if only half of the things I've heard about your order are true, Ferelden still owes you a great debt. We are forever thankful for the work you do in keeping Ferelden safe."
"I am flattered by your kind words, your Majesty." Nathaniel bowed his head in gratitude. "It is an honour to serve."
"Nathaniel is my second, he commands the wardens in my absence." Aedan said.
"Much to his joy." Anders responded with a smirk. "He loves to order us all around, don't you, Howe?"
"It's a duty I'm honoured to perform." Nathaniel smiled diplomatically.
"Truly?" Anora quirked an eyebrow. "I confess, I'm a little surprised. My husband's told me of the manner of your first meeting."
"Ah." Nathaniel glanced to Aedan a little warily. "That was … an unfortunate incident, one I'm glad that your husband and I were able to overcome."
"That's all in the past now." Aedan offered. "I'm just glad our families were able to overcome our … recent history."
Anora nodded. "Of course, please forgive me. I don't mean to cast aspersions as to your loyalties or trustworthiness, Nathaniel."
"That is quite alright, your Grace." Nathaniel's smile was thin. "Given the actions of my father, and indeed those I have done, I could hardly blame anyone for doubting."
Anora silently pondered that the same could be said for herself and her father. Thankfully no one present was tactless enough to suggest such a thing.
"Still, it warms my heart to see the Howe family now represented by someone worthy of that esteemed name." Anora smiled genuine.
Nathaniel blinked once, uncertainty breaking into his confident demeanour for a second. "I- Thank you, your Grace. You honour me. Though, when I became a warden, I forfeited my right to hold any lands or titles due that name. I am not really a Howe any longer, just a warden."
The Queen considered the archer for a moment. "Perhaps, but your actions speak more for your worth than any title earned through birth could, no matter how prestigious the name. I daresay when people in the future think of the Howe's they will first remember Nathaniel Howe, not for his father's deed, but for his own, as a hero and defender of Ferelden."
Nathaniel appeared a little emotional for a second. He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times.
"That's high praise for you. Good on you, Howe." Anders' clapped the archer on the back comradely.
Nathaniel ghosted a chuckle before he found the words to respond. "I … would not dare to hope for such. Again, you honour me, your Grace."
"Only when it is due." Anora smiled. "Now, I didn't invite you here just to embarrass you in front of your comrades or my court. Please, enjoy yourself, this day is yours." She indicated to the hall at large.
"We certainly will, thank you, your Grace." Anders was already eyeing up a nearby buffet table.
Nathaniel bowed his head gratefully with a smile. He shared a look with Aedan for a moment before turning away to follow the mage.
"That was nicely done, as always." Aedan began in Anora's ear as they walked on through the reception.
"You didn't think I'd have him arrested for your attempted assassination, did you?" Anora asked with a quirk of her lips.
"It never crossed my mind, I swear."
"A likely story." Anora smirked.
Aedan looked around. "I don't see my other wardens about just yet."
"How many did you invite?"
"Only four, the other two should be around here somewhere. I'll try and find them."
Anora looked about herself. There were plenty of nobles she still needed to meet with. It wouldn't do for the host to leave her guests waiting long. "I still need to see some members of my court. If you like, I can manage on my own a while."
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Aedan asked with eyes concerned.
Anora suppressed a sigh. "Aedan, I am perfectly capable of meeting with my people on my own. Besides, it is hardly a good look if I am clinging to your arm at all times now is it? I also have Cauthrien with me, I'm sure she can guide me if I become lost." The Queen finished a tad sarcastically.
Aedan's lips quirked into a slight smirk. "Fair points. Well, if you do need me …"
"I'll be sure to track you down." Anora smiled, tempted to roll her eyes. "There are only so many Grey Warden's here after all. I think I can tell you apart the others."
Aedan nodded with a smile. He turned to Cauthrien. "Look after her."
"Of course, my lord." Ser Cauthrien responded, almost puzzled that he even felt the need to state it.
Aedan nodded his thanks, and then smiled again at Anora before turning away to head into the crowd. Anora watched him leave for a moment before shaking her small smile away and heading towards one of her banns.
As Anora stood conversing with her nobles, she found herself gazing over their shoulders to where her husband stood chatting with a handful of people himself. One of them, a young lady, had herself poised awfully close to the Prince-Consort. She seemed too close for Anora's liking. Her hand seemed to find Aedan's arm a little too easily. Aedan for his part smiled amicably at all of the nobles, he didn't seem perturbed by the contact.
Anora felt an unwelcome feeling grow from within, one that had her scowling at the girl.
"Your Majesty, are you alright?" A Bann asked cautiously, snapping Anora's gaze back to the conversation she was having. "I do hope you're feeling well?"
"Yes, I'm quite alright, my lord." Anora recovered her diplomatic smile. She gently rubbed at her sternum. "Just a little something from lunch disagreeing with me I fear."
The Bann nodded, content that the Queen wasn't about to expire and Anora returned to the conversation. Though her eyes did wander back to where her husband stood from time to time.
xxx
As the night closed in, the soiree whirled on. After an effort, Anora managed to meet with most of the assembled nobility and merchants. It was an exhausting endeavour: Trying to make sure no one was left out or had any less of a chance to speak with the Queen than any other. It was made even worse as plenty of them would easily take up her entire night if she didn't find a way to excuse herself. If she gave too much time to the wrong noble, than their rival would decry favouritism and that would cause issues all on its own. Thankfully, she had managed to navigate the night so far without any falling prey to any political issues. Nor had she been subjected to many petitions. There was the usual fare of course, appeals for funds, extra guards, her help in resolving a dispute, nothing out of the ordinary.
As the evening went on, the Queen found that she'd lost track of her husband. She wove through the crowd as best she could, searching for him with Cauthrien in tow.
Anora finally spotted her husband conversing with a pair of women who certainly stood out from the rest of the crowd. It wasn't even that one was obviously a dwarf and the other clearly an elf. Both women wore the same style of fine militaristic regalia Anora's husband wore.
Aedan spotted her as she approached and smiled. "Anora, may I introduce to you another two of my wardens, Velanna, of the Dalish elves." Aedan gestured to the elf immediately at his side. "And Sigrun, of the Legion of the Dead." He indicated the dwarf on the other side of Velanna.
"Hi there, nice to meet you, Anora." Sigrun smiled wide and cheerful as she offered a hand to Anora.
Anora almost did a double take at the stark informality, particularly amongst the sea of rigid nobles and dignitaries present around them, but she recovered quickly and accepted the dwarf's hand with a smile.
"Oh, sorry! I shouldn't have said your name, should I? Sorry, your Majesty." The dwarf grimaced. "Not used to meeting Queens, your Majesty."
"That's quite alright, Warden Sigrun." Anora smiled graciously. "A minor issue, nothing more."
Anora's eyes were immediately drawn to the striking tattoos that covered much of the dwarf's pleasantly smiling face in bold, blocky patterns. Through her studies of politics and cultures the world over, Anora knew of the practice of branding those deemed casteless so that all who came across them would know of their position in dwarven society. Above the tattoos, Sigrun sported short brown hair that looked like it had only been vaguely brushed, as though the dwarf hadn't expected to be attending a royal reception or that she'd just come from a battle and had prepared for the reception in haste. There was no denying that bright smile on her face though.
"It's a pleasure to have you join us tonight, Warden Sigrun." Anora smiled in return.
"Pleasure to be here, your Majesty." Sigrun added the royal moniker very deliberately this time to make sure.
"Did I hear that right? You were a member of the Legion of the Dead before joining the Grey Wardens?" Anora asked.
"Oh yes, your Majesty. Although, I suppose technically I'm still a Legionnaire."
"Oh? I wasn't aware one could be a member of another order as well as the Grey Wardens?" Anora quirked an eyebrow.
"There are a few key parallels between the Wardens and the Legion." Aedan offered.
"Mainly killing darkspawn with extreme prejudice, your Majesty." Sigrun smiled sunnily.
Anora chuckled lightly. "I see. Well, I trust your journey here was safe?" Anora silently cursed herself for asking. It struck her as incredibly inane to ask a member of an elite warrior order if they survived the short journey between two cities without injury.
"Oh yes, very quiet on the roads, your Majesty. Though it makes a nice change to be out of the Deep Roads or the keep for a bit, doesn't it Velanna?" Sigrun asked the elf.
The Queen turned to the elf who had been a silent observer to the conversation so far. The Dalish connection was obvious, even to Anora who was hardly an expert on elven culture. Though the elf wore the same blue and silvery grey regalia as did the rest of her warden peers, the thin sweeping facial tattoos marked her heritage for all to see. Unlike the dwarves with their tattoos however, Anora knew that the Dalish held up their facial markings with great pride. She was also clearly very pretty, with intelligent green eyes and a rough mane of medium blonde hair, attractively done up in what was presumably an elven style. Her face however was set in something of an imperious scowl, as though everything around her was beneath her. The young woman in front of Anora seemed surly at best, down right inhospitable at worst.
"I suppose." Velanna allowed, somewhat begrudgingly.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well, Warden Velanna." Anora offered a hand.
"It's just Velanna." The elf muttered, though she took the Queen's hand and shook it crisply, releasing it so quickly again that it was on the verge of being disrespectful.
Aedan elbowed the elf in the side with a slight scowl.
Velanna returned the scowl for a moment before rolling her eyes. "Your Majesty." She added without any fanfare.
Sigrun chuckled. "Don't mind her, you Majesty. She's like that with everyone."
Velanna sent a withering glare the dwarf's way but said nothing.
"Well, that's quite alright." Anora smiled diplomatically, silently wondering just where and how Aedan had stumbled upon such disparate characters. "It's a pleasure to welcome you both to Denerim. Please allow me to thank you both in the key role you've played in keeping Ferelden safe from harm."
Sigrun's smile grew a little wider and he half shrugged in a seemingly bashful way. "Oh, well, we're just doing what we do best I guess, your Majesty: Killing monsters with extreme violence. It's not a job to everyone's tastes, but it suits us well enough, doesn't it Velanna?"
Velanna only responded by inclining her head slightly, after something of a pause.
"It's an important role nonetheless, and one that we are glad to have tasked to such valiant warriors." Anora said. "Is this your first time in the capital?"
"Oh, yes. I've not been to many human cities before, tour Majesty." Sigrun smiled. "In fact, I think it's really just this one and Amaranthine. It's a lot bigger here." The dwarf glanced at Aedan. "Though Amaranthine's nice too." She chuckled.
Anora nodded with a smile and turned to the elf. "What about you, Velanna?"
Velanna breathed deep through her nose before replying. "Yes." Was all she said.
Anora raised an eyebrow slightly as she glanced to her husband. Aedan wore something of an apologetic grimace. Anora took a deep breath through her nose before turning her gaze back to the obstinate elf.
"Not one for chit chat, are you, Velanna?" Anora asked with a hint of a raised eyebrow.
Velanna regarded the queen for a moment, face something of a scowl. "I don't see much point in idle twaddle, no." She murmured dryly. The elf glanced to Aedan once more. "Your Majesty." She added without prompting this time.
"A sentiment I can certainly get behind." Anora nodded her head slightly, though the Queen's own eyes narrowed in kind. "Though there is no harm in common civility, nor is there in getting to know people better."
"That depends on the people, your Majesty. Most I find are drooling idiots not worth spending any time on."
A nobleman who was passing behind the elf looked rather offended by that comment. Anora paid him no mind.
"Velanna!" Aedan warned with a scowl.
The elf threw an almost contemptuous look to her commander, but she sighed. "I was not meaning yourself, your Majesty."
"I should hope not." Anora let out a thin smile, eyes equal parts appraising and scowling.
"Don't pay her any mind, your Majesty. She's not always so cranky. I think she's just grumpy because she's not frolicking about in a forest or something." Sigrun smiled diplomatically before spotting something behind the Queen. "Oh wait, look Velanna, a tree!" The dwarf pointed enthusiastically.
All eyes turned to find no such tree, until Anora spotted it. A knight had their back to them as he conversed in another group. The back of his dress gambeson was adorned with a heraldic tree, though it was red rather than green. That and it was made of fabric rather than the traditional wood. Anora stifled a small chuckle as she turned back to find Velanna scowling dangerously at the dwarf. Sigrun merely smiled back happily.
"Easy Velanna, you don't want to kill her before dinner at least." Aedan said to soothe the mage, clearly holding back a chuckle.
Velanna snorted, arms folded. "Foolish dwarf." She muttered under her breath.
"The gardens are open to you if you need a little fresh air." Anora offered, only slightly teasing.
Velanna's gaze narrowed in suspicion. "Thank you, your Majesty." She ground out reluctantly.
"Well, don't let us keep you, your Majesties." Sigrun said cheerily, already sliding out of the group, more importantly away from Velanna's reach.
"Of course, please, enjoy the festivities." Anora offered.
The two wardens sketched bows that were clearly hastily practiced before Sigrun hurried off, a scowling elf not far behind.
"You have such bizarre comrades." Anora mused as she watched the two women go. "Tell me is that a prerequisite for joining the Grey Wardens?"
"It does seem that way sometimes." Aedan smiled. "Wait, are you including me in that?"
"Perhaps." Anora smiled as she took a sip of wine. "You are their ring leader after all."
Aedan chuckled. "Well, maybe it takes a little eccentricity to delve into the Deep Roads, face down Blights, Archdemons and what not all the time."
Anora murmured in agreement. "I suppose that makes sense, it's not a life many would choose I'd wager."
"Are you sure about that?" Aedan cast his gaze about. Already there were throngs of people crowding around his fellow wardens, eager for tales of their heroism. Velanna was doing her best to scare them all off with a scowl to little avail. "They do seem pretty popular tonight."
"True, though how many of them would be so eager to join if they knew the realities of your order? I don't think many of the nobles here today have ever even seen a darkspawn. They've only heard the grand tales, the romantic stories of heroism and adventure."
"True enough I suppose. It certainly wasn't the life I imagined as a child."
Anora chuckled as she spied a couple of young women across the hall conversing with Nathaniel. The archer must have just told a joke, for the women laughed a little too raucously, drawing irritated glares from those nearby.
"Does this sort of thing happen often?" Anora asked Aedan with a nod towards his second in command. "Do you all draw the ladies in so easily?" The Queen eyed the Prince-Consort curiously.
Aedan turned his head to find Nathaniel. His lips sprouted an amused smirk. "Not as easily as Nathaniel does it seems, though it has happened on occasion."
"Oh?" Anora raised an eyebrow. "And what occasions would those be?"
Aedan's cheeks grew a little red. He made indeterminate waving motions with his hand. "Well, you know, nothing in particular. Just that- Every now and then, it might happen that someone … shows an interest."
"I see." Anora took a deeper draught of her wine.
"It was not something I ever tried to foster – or take advantage of – if that's what you're thinking."
"I wasn't thinking anything, Aedan." Anora muttered more than she said. "I was merely curious."
Aedan eyed his wife carefully. "Alright."
Anora considered for a moment, her mind falling back to the sight of that girl who was fawning over her husband earlier. She sighed and then glanced around for a quick second. When confident that they were not about to be overheard she murmured a whisper even the ever vigilant Cauthrien wouldn't hear. "That offer I made to you in Highever. That still stands if you wish it. If someone does catch your eye, so to speak, I will not stand in your way."
Aedan cocked his head at his wife, expression a little confused, or was it concerned? "Anora, as I said before, I'd never do that to you."
Anora quirked her head a little, she kept her expression neutral. "I just wanted you to know that the offer's still there, if it's needed."
There was a pause before Aedan's quiet reply. "I appreciate the thought, but it won't be needed. I'm loyal to you, as my Queen and as my wife."
Anora kept her gazed focussed on the wine swirling in her glass. It brought an odd sense of warmth to hear her husband say those words so earnestly.
"Anyway, I think its Nathaniel who you should be more concerned with."
"Oh?" Anora murmured as she took a sip from her glass. "Do enlighten me."
Aedan indicated with a nod to the far side of the room. The archer was now stood with only one woman, the elven warden Velanna. The Howe boy was speaking with her with an easy smile on his face, no less than before, but there was something more relaxed in his eyes. More surprising however, was the disgruntled blush that had settled on the elf's cheeks. Though Velanna looked at a glance to still be distinctly uncomfortable, she was clearly much more relaxed in Nathaniel's presence than in anyone else's. Between her glares and what Anora assumed to be irritated scoffs, the elf's eyes certainly appeared to soften when looking upon the archer.
Anora breathed a chuckle. "I see. Even Grey Warden's aren't immune to their own charms it seems."
"I think it's chiefly just Velanna with Nathaniel's particular charms." Aedan smirked. "It's probably killing her, Nathaniel being a human and of noble birth at that."
"I suppose that makes sense, the Dalish don't care much for either, with good reason of course. How did you even manage to drag her here in the first place?"
Aedan shrugged. "She's not as … standoffish as she first appears, when you get to know her at any rate."
"Really? Well, I'll have to take your word for it. Still, she could do to learn some manners." Anora mused with narrowed eyes at the elf.
"In fairness to her, she has more reason than most to despise humans." Aedan said, a more serious look in his eyes.
"That's no excuse for her poor behaviour, Aedan. No matter what she's suffered at the hands of a few, it isn't a justification to mistreat all."
The Prince-Consort hummed under his breath. "Should I remind you of that the next time you slander the Orlesians?"
Anora turned her gaze to her husband slowly, scowling dangerously.
Aedan merely smiled right back.
"Be thankful I'm in a merciful mood today, husband." The Queen muttered darkly, taking a swig of her wine.
Aedan chuckled. "I'm not criticising you, Anora, but you know I'm right, don't you?"
Anora didn't bother to give him the satisfaction of an answer. Instead, she turned a sharp eye to her husband. "And why, pray tell, did you think to bring her to a reception populated by dozens of people she despises, humans and nobles?"
Aedan glanced over at the elf before replying. "In truth, I think she could benefit from this sort of exposure, meeting these sorts of people and seeing that they aren't all out to hurt her."
Anora murmured softly in agreement, she could certainly see the logic in that.
"Or it might turn her off the whole human race entirely." Aedan mused with a slight smirk. "I won't lie, there are a few of your more disagreeable nobles that I'd be curious to see her interact with."
Anora chuckled. "Well, either way, I suppose it would surely benefit her to learn how best to deal with either, though I do hope she finds cooperation preferable to opposition, especially with royalty." She gave Aedan a significant look. "Her warden status will only protect her so far, you know."
"Fair enough, although I wouldn't recommend suggesting that to her directly." Aedan smiled thinly. "You haven't seen her on the battlefield."
Anora swirled her wine glass in thought, it was almost easy to forget that all Grey Wardens, her husband included, were highly skilled combatants. Not all tales about their capabilities were mere legend after all. Warfare was their trade, and they had earned respect all across Thedas for their victories. Those victories had often been won against near impossible odds as Aedan had done to earn his fame.
"She's quite the contrast to Sigrun, though." Anora turned with a pointed look at said dwarf who was currently regaling a group of nobles with some tale of great adventure that the assembled men and women were enraptured by. Despite initial appearances, the Legionnaire certainly looked right at home amidst Ferelden's nobility.
Aedan chuckled at the sight. "Indeed, I swear Sigrun could find friends in an empty room."
"A useful skill to have." Anora nodded slightly. "Perhaps I should try recruiting her as a diplomat."
"You know Grey Wardens don't leave the order, Anora. Nor do they get involved in politics."
Anora turned a pointed glare to her husband. "Of course, I should have remembered. Remind me: what are your other titles, Prince-Consort?"
Aedan paused for a long moment, his glass halfway to his lips. "I'm a bad example."
Anora shook her head with a slight smile. "Honestly, I'd have thought you of all people would be tired of that old adage by now."
"Perhaps I'm just a bad warden." Aedan smirked.
Anora spared him a disbelieving glance. "If the Hero of Ferelden is a bad warden, I almost dread to think what a good one can do. If anything, you are proof that rules can be broken, Aedan. How many have you broken during your time, hmm? Humans, elves, dwarves, mages and such are not all supposed to fight on the same side in war. Blights are not supposed to be defeated before they've had centuries to swallow entire countries. Nor are Grey Wardens supposed to marry queens."
"Alright, I get it." Aedan muttered, seemingly a tad uncomfortable.
Anora quirked her head slightly, regarding her husband carefully. "Forgive me, Aedan, but I've never understood why you feel so embarrassed about your accomplishments during the Blight. You should be proud of your achievements, the whole kingdom is." She smiled. "And so am I."
Aedan gave a small smile. "I … I suppose I just feel that I played only one role during the Blight. It wasn't defeated thanks to my efforts alone. There were hundreds, if not thousands, who fought the darkspawn as well. Things would have gone very differently if the people hadn't come together to fight the darkspawn. It just doesn't sit right by me to ignore that."
"I understand, though surely you realise that those people only came together because of you, Aedan." Anora reminded him. "Your actions brought them together against the Blight, instead of against each other."
"In part." Aedan conceded with a slight nod of his head. "Though again, I was just one piece of the puzzle. It could have been someone else who played that role."
Anora rolled her eyes good naturedly. "If you were anyone else, I would probably accuse you of false modesty."
Aedan ghosted a small chuckle. "Still, I'm certain that I wouldn't have achieved any of those things without the people I had by my side."
"I suppose." Anora looked around the room, taking in the sights of Ferelden's resident Grey Wardens. "You do have a knack for surrounding yourself with impressive individuals."
"I think it's more down to good luck than anything." Aedan smirked. "Look at who I married for instance, how could I have ever planned to wed the beautiful Queen herself?"
Anora shook her head softly with a smile. "Oh Aedan, I'm not sure why, but I do enjoy you're often clumsy attempts to compliment me."
"What's so clumsy about it?" Aedan tilted his head slightly, expression adorably confused.
Anora responded by leaning in to press a soft kiss to his lips. "Don't worry about it dear, it's more endearing that way."
Aedan sighed, but smiled as well. "I'm endearing, am I?"
"It's part of your charm." Anora smiled, looping her arm with her husband's. "Now let's re-join the party, it doesn't do for the hosts to keep to their own company all evening."
xxx
The reception carried on in a pleasant blur. Anora was contented that there had been no significant controversies or faux pas that could have tainted the night. The closest had come from the court's interactions with the elven warden Velanna, though her inhospitable scowl discouraged many from even approaching her to make introductions. Thankfully, one of Nathaniel, Sigrun or Aedan was typically on hand to calm tensions when the mage's prickly demeanour looked to cause offence. The other mage, Anders, merely watched the antics with a barely concealed grin of amusement.
When it eventually became late enough, the Queen's guests saw fit to bid their liege their leave and left the palace in dribs and drabs. Anora eyed the gradually emptying main hall. Though the event hadn't been a particularly raucous affair, there was still a bit of a mess to be cleared, wine spillages, discarded food on the floor and what not. Although Anora herself wouldn't be cleaning it all up, she still detested the sight of her palace in a mess.
"It will be all cleared by morning." Aedan soothed with a reassuring squeeze of her shoulder.
Anora sighed. "Yes, I suppose you're right." She banished the thoughts of the mess. "Come, let us retire, you've got a busy day tomorrow."
Aside from the royal couple and their guards and staff, the only people not to leave the palace after the reception, were the Grey Wardens. They were provided with rooms before heading out on their mission early the next day. Anora and Aedan bade them all a good night before retiring to their own room for the evening.
"When will you be leaving?" Anora asked her husband idly while they both changed for bed.
"Early in the morning, it may be before you wake."
"I see." Anora nodded. "And how long will you be gone?"
"A few weeks, maybe a month at most. It depends how large of a band we come across. Early reports are typically vague, but they haven't been spotted near any settlements so there's no immediate threat to life." Aedan paused to face her with a smile. "I'll try not to drag it out too much."
"It takes as long as it takes." Anora said, her expression blank. "What matters, is that you are playing your part in keeping the realm safe."
"Of course." Aedan nodded lowering his gaze to fasten the buttons on his night shirt.
Anora sighed and rounded the bed to his side, immediately snatching the buttons out of his hand and fastening them for him. The Prince-Consort looked down at his wife with a confused expression. The Queen kept her eyes firmly on her fingers.
"And stay safe." Anora murmured, barely a whisper. She glanced up at him a moment, certain her cheeks were glowing. "Ferelden needs her Prince as much as she needs her Hero."
Aedan didn't say anything for a few moments, not until Anora had run out of buttons to secure. "I will … I promise."
"Good." Anora nodded stoutly. "Well, good night." She turned and quickly marched back to her own side of the bed.
The Queen got into bed, hearing a gentle 'good night' behind her. She wrapped herself in amongst the sheets and soon enough drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
Anora felt herself wake in the morning, or perhaps it was still night time. There was barely any light spilling in through the windows. She felt a warm, comforting contact on her forehead. She breathed deep in through her nose and smiled. Then the contact ended and she scowled. She tried to open her eyes, but she was still too tired to do it fully. A blurry silhouette was there, moving through the door and closing it behind them with a quiet click. Anora soon succumbed to sleep once more.
When she woke again, alone in the room, she couldn't be certain that she hadn't just dreamed the silhouette. The Queen turned in the sheets to face the space vacated by her husband, gently toying with the sheets beneath her fingers. It was strange, not having the steady sound of breathing beside her, nor the morning 'hello' he'd often greet her with those warm eyes of his.
The silence that surrounded her felt all the more oppressive somehow.