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The Last of the Couslands	By : MistressofMagic Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4401 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bioware and EA own everything associated with the Dragon Age universe. I am making no money off of this fan fiction.

Chapter List
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Chapter 47
Questions and Decisions
Nightmares plagued Bridget's sleep once again. She figured as much after seeing Howe face to face again. All night she tossed and turned, sat up, rolled over, until finally she just gave up on sleep altogether. To make matters worse, it was made quite clear to everyone that no one was allowed to share a room, meaning that Bridget was all alone, except for Zeus who laid curled up at the foot of her bed, sleeping soundly. Bridget, despite her exhaustion and headache that had formed throughout her quest for sleep, smiled at Zeus and scratched his ears. He twitched a bit but remained sound asleep. Bridget sighed as she drew her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them. She turned her head to the window to watch the snow fall outside. Thankfully, it was not a blizzard, but the snow was still falling in vast amounts. The wind whipped and whirled outside. Just the sounds of it made Bridget's skin become bumpy with gooseflesh, despite how warm her room was. Bridget lay back against the pillows for the umpteenth time and crossed her arms over her chest. She let her thoughts consume her as she stared at the wall across the room. What she wouldn't give to have her old life back. Seeing Howe resurfaced Bridget's memories from before, back when her life was normal and an entire nation didn't depend on her every decision. A sad smile spread across her face as she thought of Orhen, who would've turned nine tomorrow if only she could have protected him. Bridget sighed and closed her eyes once again. For a moment, she thought she may actually be drifting off to sleep, up until she felt a wet something slide up her cheek. Bridget opened one eye to stare at Zeus who was now awake and sitting beside her, his tail thumping hard against the mattress. Bridget smiled at him and petted his head again.
"What has you up all of a sudden? You looked so peaceful a moment ago." She stated.
Zeus tipped his head to the side as if to contemplate the question before licking the side of Bridget's face again. Bridget chuckled and scratched his ears again. She made it a point to play fetch with him in the morning, that way at least someone could have some fun.
As soon as Bridget woke up in the morning though, she realized she would have to postpone her playtime with Zeus.
xXx
Bridget sprinted through the halls of Eamon's estate as quickly as she could while trying to lace her boots. She had been called on to see him immediately that morning, so she washed up as quickly as possible and went on her way with Zeus at her heels. Upon entering the room, Bridget noticed that Alistair was already there along with her other friends, except for Oghren, who trudged in a few minutes later, stuffing a flask into his pack. Eamon emerged from a side room with a petite elf following him in his wake. Her hair was dark and pulled back in a ponytail. Bridget studied her face; the elf looked worried about something. Eamon cleared his throat to quiet down Zevran who was having an animated conversation with Leliana. Eamon turned to face Bridget, looking grim.
"Anora is being held captive."
Bridget's eyes widened.
"By her own father?" she asked in disbelief.
Alistair raised his eyebrows.
"How far is Loghain willing to go?" he asked slowly, afraid of the answer himself.
Eamon shifted to the side as the elf stepped forward.
"This is Erlina, Anora's personal maid."
Erlina stepped forward and swallowed.
"You must help my lady; she has done nothing wrong and yet suffers at the hands of others! She is being held at the Arl of Denrim's estate, if we hurry, we can sneak in while the workers are busy!"
Leliana shook her head.
"Wait, how can we even trust you? What if all of this is just an elaborate trap?" she asked slowly.
Erlina looked taken aback.
"Why would you even think this? My lady is good and loving, she does not belong locked up in a room!"
Before Leliana could reply, Eamon cleared his throat.
"Erlina, if you would please wait outside a moment while I confer with the Grey Wardens…" he stated.
She nodded and scuttled out of the room. Once the door was closed, Eamon turned his eyes to Bridget.
"This may very well be a trap, but if we did rescue Anora, we could use her voice in the Landsmeet."
Alistair narrowed his eyes.
"Who's to say she won't just stick up for her father?" he asked.
Eamon shook his head.
"No one is saying that, however, if we are the ones to rescue her, no doubt she will find some way of returning the favor. If we persuade her to stand against Loghain at the Landsmeet, since she is the beloved queen, others will certainly follow."
Bridget remained quiet. None of this mattered to her at the moment. The one thing that stuck out in her mind was what Erlina had said, that Anora was being held in the Arl of Denerim's estate. Howe was the Arl of Denerim…
"We will save her." Bridget stated.
Everyone slowly turned to her. Eamon looked quite surprised himself.
"If saving her gains us her voice in the Landsmeet, we have no choice." She said quietly.
Eamon nodded.
"I thought the very same thing."
Bridget turned to her friends.
"Alright, Alistair I need you and,"
Eamon shook his head.
"I need Alistair to remain here."
Both Bridget and Alistair turned to him with a simultaneous, "What?"
Eamon cleared his throat.
"We have things that must be discussed. I am sorry but I need to speak to him now."
Alistair opened his mouth to protest, but whatever he was going to say died in his throat with a stern look from Eamon. He turned back to Bridget and pulled her off to the side as the others decided who would go with her.
"Damn him, I need you with me!" she whispered.
Alistair sighed.
"I've no idea what he wants to discuss, the thought of it just puts me on the edge. I would rather go with you, but Bridget, I know that you can face Howe yourself."
Bridget darted her eyes up at him.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
Alistair pushed a piece of her hair that had fallen from her bun behind her ear and replied,
"You are strong, cunning, and fast. Howe does not stand a chance against you. You will beat him and you will finally be at peace with your revenge."
Bridget sighed.
"I would feel much better if you were with me though, Alistair. We haven't separated since the first day we met." She said softly.
Alistair rested his forehead against hers and nodded.
"I know…I feel out of place staying behind. You will defeat him though, I just know you will."
Bridget took a deep breath before leaning up and kissing Alistair tenderly. She held onto him tightly before breaking the kiss.
"I love you." She whispered.
Alistair pulled her into a tight hug.
"I love you too."
After a moment, Bridget pulled away and turned back to her friends that decided to tag along on the rescue mission. Zevran stood at the ready, as did Oghren and Morrigan. Bridget was a little surprised that Morrigan wished to tag along, but the mage simply replied,
"I want to help you seek out your vengeance."
Bridget smiled at her, thankful for her help. She glanced over her shoulder at Alistair as she and the others left the room. Down the stairs, Erlina was waiting nervously. Upon seeing Bridget and her party, her eyes lit up.
"You will help us?" she asked in disbelief.
Bridget nodded.
"Let's go save the queen."
xXx
Alistair sat in Eamon's office near the warmth of the fireplace. He sipped on his tea slowly, savoring the warm liquid as it warmed his chilled bones. Despite the calming atmosphere of the room, Alistair was anything but. His thoughts kept wandering to Bridget and his friends, wondering how far they had gotten and if they had run into Howe yet. For the sake of the Maker Alistair would rather be with them then sitting in the stuffy room he was currently occupying. What Eamon wished to discuss with him, he had absolutely no idea, but really wished the man would get on with it. Eamon emerged from another room at that moment, startling Alistair ever so slightly, and sat down across from him at his desk.
"I am sorry that I had to keep you away from the task…but we must speak, Alistair. This cannot wait."
Alistair frowned. He already had a pretty good idea where this was going…and he didn't like it already.
"I already know what this is going to be about." He stated.
Eamon looked at him.
"Alistair…I cannot take the throne. The only reason I am even related to the Therins is through marriage. My sister married your father…that's it."
Alistair narrowed his eyes.
"I still don't understand why you can't be king! Who cares if you're only related by marriage, nobody even knows that I'm Maric's son. The only people who know are you, and Bridget,"
"And the rest of your friends." Eamon stated before Alistair could finish.
Alistair closed his mouth and narrowed his eyes.
"Why not just leave Anora on the throne. Everyone always said she was the one who was ruling the country, not Cailan." He suggested.
Eamon's eyes widened.
"Would you really feel comfortable leaving the daughter of the man that killed nearly an entire army on the throne?"
Alistair opened his mouth to reply, but shut it and remained quiet. He couldn't be king…there was just no way. What he said next though was the last thing Eamon wanted to hear.
"Maybe she's not like her father."
Eamon stood and slammed his fist against the table.
"Dammit Alistair listen to yourself! You would rather place the daughter of the man that betrayed your entire country, your home? Grow up and live up to the responsibility that has been placed upon you!"
Alistair drew his brows together as he stared up at Eamon. The kind man that he once knew was now a completely different person. If this is what the stress of being of nobility placed upon someone, he wanted no part of it. However, what Eamon said did ring true…it was his responsibility to take the throne, regardless of whether or not he wanted it because he was a Therin.
Eamon drew his brows together and sighed as he slowly sat back down in his chair. Silence consumed them for quite some time before Eamon said,
"I am sorry…I was out of line."
Alistair shook his head. They were silent a few more minutes before Eamon began to speak again.
"There is also the matter of your relations with Bridget…" he stated.
Alistair's head shot up.
"What has that got to do with anything? She is a noble, if I do become king, she can be my queen. Maker knows she has more experience with politics that I ever will."
Eamon pursed his lips together.
"Your relationship with her is more serious than you think. Alistair, if you do become king, you will be expected to produce an heir to the throne."
Alistair furrowed his brow.
"So? What has that got to do with any of this?" he asked.
Eamon raised his eyebrows. Could he truly not know? Eamon stood from his desk and walked over towards the fire place.
"Alistair, how long have you been sleeping with her?" he asked.
Alistair felt his face flush.
"That's really personal you know,"
Eamon turned around and stared at him.
"Think about it. If you have been together with Bridget for this long, and she has not become pregnant…what is that telling you?"
Alistair frowned as he pondered Eamon's question. He and Bridget weren't even trying to have a baby, not with the Blight going on! Seeing Alistair's confused expression caused Eamon to let out a heavy sigh.
"Alistair, you are a Grey Warden. Bridget is a Grey Warden. The taint is in both of your bloodstreams. It would be impossible for you two to have a child together."
Alistair's eyes widened at Eamon's words. Now that he mentioned it, Alistair remembered Duncan saying something of the very same nature:
"It's already difficult enough when one person is a Grey Warden, but for both? I don't think conception is even a possibility."
Alistair slowly looked up at Eamon as he made this realization.
"What are you saying, then?" he asked.
Eamon turned back to the fire and sighed as he placed his hands behind his back.
"You cannot make Bridget your queen if you become king."
Alistair stood immediately and shook his head.
"No, you ask too much of me. First you want to place me in a position of the highest authority when I don't know the first thing about it, and now you want me to…no I cannot, I will not. I love Bridget with all of my being…"
Eamon clenched his jaw as he turned around.
"You are selfish!" he exclaimed.
Alistair's eyes widened.
"How am I selfish?" he asked, his voice rising to match Eamon's.
Eamon rolled his eyes.
"Alistair, your entire country is at stake here and you are willing to throw it away just because of one woman?"
Alistair shook his head.
"She's not just a woman, Eamon. She's the most incredible person I've ever met, I,"
Eamon narrowed his eyes.
"You are nothing but a child in a man's body. I thought being raised in the Chantry, they would have taught you to let go of materialistic things to take up responsibility but I suppose I was wrong!" he shouted.
Alistair swallowed and looked at Eamon who looked positively furious at this point.
"You need to ask yourself this, Alistair, what is more important here? An entire country full of people…or a simple fancy of your heart." He snapped.
Alistair opened his mouth but closed it. His mind was trying to process everything Eamon had just said. Now that he was beginning to contemplate certain aspects of the things he was just told…
Alistair did not know how to answer Eamon's question.
A/N: Ugh guys I apologize for this incredibly late update, I've had computer issues up the wazoo to the point where I didn't even have a word program anymore. Thankfully though, everything is fixed. Hopefully the next update will be here soon, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, it was very difficult to write…anyway, thanks for continuing to read! :)
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The Last of the Couslands