Chapter 79

The journey to Redcliffe was beset by ever-growing groups of darkspawn. "If we don't stop this Blight soon, there won't be much of Ferelden left to save," Alistair huffed, as he sheathed his sword and surveyed the battlefield. No-one disagreed with him. It was obvious that there were more and more darkspawn on the surface and a nervous expectancy had settled over their group in the last couple of days, each person sensing that the final battle was drawing close.

The dark grey sky was streaked with pink from the setting sun as they eventually reached Redcliffe. Wearily, the group climbed the stairs to the castle and found the doors already being held open by an eager guard who smiled at Aedan in a somewhat star-struck fashion. Emma chuckled and shook her head; it seemed stories of his adventures were being spread around Ferelden, and her man was accumulating fans.

They walked into the main hall and were greeted warmly by Arl Eamon and Bann Teagan. The group sat around the large dining table and topics were kept neutral until the food was brought in. At that point, the Arl dismissed the staff and got down to the business of discussing the next step in their campaign against Loghain. Emma focused on her food; she was starving - no doubt due to the stupid side effects of becoming a Grey Warden. It was lucky she had Aedan to help her work the calories off.

She grinned at the thought of their love life as she replayed the moments from last night. "I see that suggestion finds favour with you, milady?" She chewed on a piece of chicken and wondered if they would get the room with the four poster bed again. A sharp nudge in her ribs made her swallow the piece of meat hastily and she had a coughing fit. After it had subsided, she rubbed at her watering eyes and turned to glare at Zevran who had interrupted her pleasant thoughts. He grinned and tilted his head to the end of the table. "I believe the Arl was addressing you, Emma."

She quickly turned in the direction of Eamon, her skin flushed at being caught day-dreaming. She toyed with the idea of bluffing her way out of the embarrassing situation but figured that would just make things worse. "I apologise, Arl Eamon, I was a little distracted."
"Not to worry, your smile was obviously in regards to something else." Her face heated up even more, and worried that she might spontaneously combust at any moment she briefly considered casting an ice spell on herself. She looked over to Aedan for help, but he grinned at her with a knowing glint in his eye; the scowl she gave him promised retribution.

She scratched the back of her neck and decided to just skip over the Arl's comment and get the conversation back on track. "What was your suggestion, Arl Eamon?"
"Merely that we should head to Denerim and get the Landsmeet started." Damn it, she could have just nodded her head in agreement and no-one would have been the wiser, however, she hid her chagrin well and replied, "Oh, I'm definitely on board with that suggestion." And she was; after what the doctor had said about her body in the other world, she wanted to get that potion down her throat as soon as possible.
"Excellent, then we'll set off early in the morning." The group took advantage of the excellent food and drink, before heading off to their rooms for the night.

‑‑‑

The entrance hall of the Arl's estate in Denerim was warm and well lit, a welcoming change from the dismal weather that had plagued them during their journey from Redcliffe. The companions had gone off to their rooms, and only Alistair, Aedan and Emma remained in the hall with Arl Eamon. "If we defeat Loghain here, then the rest of the nation will follow us. By calling the Landsmeet, I've struck the first blow. The advantage, for the moment, is ours. He will have little choice but to show himself, to oppose us directly."

Emma turned her head slightly towards the entrance as the sound of tramping feet caught her attention. She drew in a calming breath; she always wanted to punch the shit out of Ser Cauthrien and… ah fuck! Howe was also going to be here! She shifted a bit closer to Aedan as the last thing they needed was for him to attack Howe and get arrested, or worse, killed. She really wanted to warn Aedan about the unpleasant visitor heading their way, but the Arl was still talking and she couldn't just interrupt.

No sooner had the last word fallen from the Arl's lips, then the massive double doors to the estate were pushed open and in walked Teyrn Loghain, followed by his sycophants. She felt the tension in Aedan as soon as he spotted Arl Howe and he took a step forward, a rough snarl in his throat. She grabbed his arm, but he shook her off, intent only on taking down the man who'd wiped out his family. "Sorry, Aedan," she whispered as she let her magic flow and paralysed him.
Contrary to what it showed in the game, there were no visible signs that any magic had been cast, and as all eyes had been on Loghain's entrance, no one noticed Aedan's impulsive move. Emma stood close to him, wanting to offer some comfort, but not wanting Loghain to know of their connection; she didn't want to give the bastard a weapon to use against them.

She turned her focus on the conversation. "Ferelden has a strong leader; its Queen. And I lead its armies." Emma looked to Aedan to say something and then realised that was impossible considering his current situation. Well, she couldn't just let the traitor get away without encountering some back-talk. "Then perhaps we need a better General, considering what happened at Ostagar."
Loghain's cold, black eyes turned towards her and she fought the urge to squirm under the intense stare. "Oh, the Warden recruit. I wondered if we would meet again. You have my sympathies for the loss of your Order. It's unfortunate that they chose to turn against Ferelden."
"I'd say it's more unfortunate that the man who leads the armies of Ferelden is a liar and a coward." There was a collective gasp of shock from those gathered in the hall. Hmm, maybe she hadn't quite got the wording right on that reply. Loghain stepped up and pointed a finger in her face. "You should curb your tongue. This is my city and no safe place to speak treason. For anyone."
Emma snorted contemptuously. "And you should curb your finger, or didn't anyone teach you that it's considered bad manners to point?"

The Regent stepped back, and for a moment he looked shocked, then he quickly masked the expression and turned to Arl Eamon. Emma tuned out for a bit when she noticed Aedan's fingers twitching. Bloody hell, he was definitely determined. The spell should have lasted for another few minutes at least. She sincerely hoped she wouldn't cause him any damage by putting another paralysis spell on him so soon after the first, but she really had no choice. She got the spell in place just in time, too, because right then, Loghain introduced Arl Howe, and his smarmy voice echoed in the hall. Emma gritted her teeth and reined in her own anger, but the temptation to kick him in the nuts was strong. An image of Yoda popped into her head and the little green alien said, "The foot is strong with you." She bit her lip to hold in the giggles and thanked her silly imagination for calming her temper.

However, she soon lost the urge to laugh when Howe's eyes settled on Aedan. It was clear he was about to say something taunting about the Couslands. Shit! Usually, a noble Warden would say something to Howe first, but Aedan was in no state to respond to any insult from Howe.

Ah hell! She had to do something.