Chapter Nine: Landsmeet

Previously: Once and Future King

 

10th of Drakonis, 9:31 Dragon

 

My dearest brother Teagann,

 

We have arrived in Denerim safe and sound, hard as that is to believe. I was certain Loghain would send assassins, but moving in secret worked to our benefit.

 

I called the Landsmeet before we left, and other nobles have begun arriving in the capital. Loghain pretended to be unimpressed and even amused by our claim, but I can tell he's uneasy. Rumor has it he's even gone so far as to lock up his own daughter when she challenged his regency.

 

And speaking of Anora, I can already tell she's going to be a problem. She wants the throne, same as her father. She has openly boasted of having successfully run the country for years. When an arl from the south suggested she marry Alistair for the sake of unity, she shot the idea down immediately.

 

The nobles are divided. They don't like Loghain. He's allowed slavers into the city, and there are complaints. Some are nervous, wondering how long before some emboldened upstart kills them off and seizes their lands.

 

I have faith in chaos, brother, as it tends to breed opportunity. And these restless times are most opportune.

  

***

"How exactly does a landsmeet work?" Elissa asked, slowly pacing Arl Eamon's study. They were at his estate in Denerim, and though she didn't say it aloud, she preferred it to his castle in Redcliffe. She inspected the paintings and tapestries on his walls, silently marveling at the quality.

 

The Arl, Fergus, and Alistair were sitting by the fire, enjoying goblets of warmed wine with spices. Baby lay on a rug near Alistair's feet, snoring softly. Though winter was fading, early spring was still chilly, and everyone sought to stay warm.

 

"If it's civilized, there will be a vote," Eamon said simply.

 

Fergus looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "And if it's not?"

 

Eamon took a sip, savored, and swallowed. "Then there will be blood."

 

Elissa nodded resolutely. "I can do blood."

 

Eamon shot her a look. "I'd rather you didn't. Alistair's claim is based on peace and unity. I have assured people he will heal the country and restore Theirin blood to the throne. If he appears quick to violence, those who are currently undecided will vote in favor of Loghain, if only to resolve this quickly."

Elissa rolled her eyes. "Politics."

 

"There's still the question of Anora," Fergus piped up. "If you don't marry her, then... what? Are you willing to execute your brother's widow?"

 

"No," Alistair said firmly. "I still think she's innocent."

 

Elissa scoffed. "I don't believe that for a second."

 

"Besides," Eamon said wearily, "she won't marry him. For years, Anora complained that Cailan was a terrible ruler. She doesn't want to share the throne ever again."

 

"It's settled then," Elissa said, nodding. "When we cut off Loghain's head, we send his daughter's to follow."

 

"We are not killing Anora," Alistair insisted, louder this time. "She is loved, she is respected, and when she was ruling on her own, she did a lot of good for the country."

 

"Well, then fine!" Elissa spat. "When you take the throne, I will be by your side."

 

Silence fell. Fergus and Eamon exchanged stunned looks as Alistair set aside his goblet and slowly rose to his feet.

 

"You would... you would..." He blinked rapidly, unable to think as he walked towards her. "I mean... really?" he gasped, staring at her in disbelief.

 

"Have you heard nothing these men said?" she snapped. "You are walking into a viper's nest, my friend. If you're gonna live in this palace, you need someone here to have your back -- your back, and no one else's. You are my brother in battle. We are Wardens, sworn to each other until the world's end. I'll never let you lose your crown -- much less your life -- to one of these two-faced, backstabbing arseholes. Your brother didn't die for that. Duncan didn't die for that."

They were clutching each other's arms now, choking back tears as they stared in each other's eyes. Fergus watched, spellbound, as they communed in bitter silence, no doubt recalling all the darkness and horror it took them to get here. He didn't know, and he didn't want to know.

 

Eamon's voice was gingerly calm. "It is decided then. When Alistair ascends the throne, Elissa will be beside him." 

 

*** 

The Royal Palace at Denerim was massive.  It stood as a testament to the wealth of Ferelden's kings. As they walked its endless halls, their boots echoing against the stone floors, Elissa Cousland compared it to every castle she'd ever visited. It eclipsed them all.

 

Sunlight streamed through the thin, tall stained glass windows, bathing the rooms in color and warmth. There was an army of servants scrubbing floors, beating rugs, opening windows and airing out rooms. There was no stillness, no corner of silence, for the entire building was alive and constantly moving. The royal couple had possessed extremely fine taste, with tasteful furnishings from all over Thedas. There was no wall free of paintings, tapestries, or banners. Every hearth was lit and every floor covered in colorful rugs.

 

Elissa and Fergus briefly exchanged a look. They had always considered the castle at Highever as the pinnacle of taste and finery. They had never imagined something like this could even exist. It was like a dream, otherworldly and unfathomable.

 

Alistair glanced around himself as they walked towards the great hall. "This place has changed somewhat."

 

Elissa was surprised. "You spent time here too?"  She, Fergus, Arl Eamon and his guards were escorting the bastard prince to the great hall.

 

He stiffly nodded, trying to hide his nervousness. "Not much."

 

"Even then Loghain recognized Alistair as a threat," Eamon said, smirking. "That's when we agreed to send him to the Chantry. Had I known he'd run off and join the Wardens, I would have made other arrangements."

 

Alistair scowled. "Old man, how many times do we have to go over this? Duncan gave me purpose."

 

Eamon tossed him a chastising look. "You already had a purpose, boy."

 

"Not then," Alistair scowled. "Cailan was alive and betrothed to Anora. They were supposed to make lots of royal babies. No one was thinking about me."

 

The Arl snickered. "How many times do we have to go over this? When your father's a king, everyone who knows is always thinking about you."

 

They arrived to see a large assemblage of nobles, some dressed in silk, fur, and velvet, others clad in armor. The Chantry was present, with a priestess presiding.

 

The great hall had impossibly high ceilings, and seemed to stretch on without end. "This room alone is half the size of Castle Redcliffe," Alistair muttered. 

 

Loghain stood at the far end of the hall, flanked by Arl Howe and noblewoman Elissa didn't recognize. When they saw their betrayer, the Cousland siblings looked at each other. Their breathing quickened and their jaws tightened.

 

"Let's get this farce over with," Loghain grumbled. He was a giant of a man, with a hard face and dark hair braided away from his face.

 

Eamon was unfazed. "If the Teyrn deems these proceedings as mere farce, we are more than happy to accept his withdrawal."

 

Loghain snorted. "Over my dead body."

 

"That can be arranged," Elissa promised him. Alistair glanced at her, panicking.

 

"Silence, girl," Howe sneered. "Your betters are speaking."

 

"My betters can get fucked, Howe," she snapped.

 

Rendon reached for his sword and the nobles murmured and whispered in frenzy. The priestess called for calm.

 

"I will not have blood spilled in these halls," she stated sternly. "I could call for a vote but I already know the losing side won't accept it quietly. This... disagreement will be settled as it was in the old days. The challengers -- or their champions -- will face each other in single combat."

 

"Done," Loghain said promptly, grinning widely at Alistair. "I will fight for myself."

 

"And I will fight for Alistair," Elissa said with equal prompt.

 

Now it was Fergus's turn to panic. "Elissa --"

 

"I can take him," she insisted through gritted teeth. 

 

"Loghain is a highly experienced warrior," Eamon warned.

"He's also old and arrogant," Elissa countered grimly. "Besides, I've been training for this moment since Ostagar."

 

Eamon turned to Alistair. "I have seen that she can fight well, but --"

 

Alistair was uneasy. "You've seen Elissa spar," he said in a low, tight voice. "You've never seen her fight."

 

"It is agreed," the priestess suddenly intoned. "Let the two challengers face each other. Everyone else, step aside."

 

Next: I Can Do Blood