Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

Tainted Dreams	By : wyldehart Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 3478 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: All characters and Dragon Age are property of Bioware/EA. I made no money, sadly.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Alistair Theirin could be extremely charming when he wished to be and extremely temperamental when he wanted to be. Since the arrival of Ambrose Fazsil, the Orlesian Gray Warden, Alistair had bounced between being charming and temperamental with the grace of a nug attempting to swing an axe and Elissa was wary of it. Ambrose had made several irritating comments to the King that was disrespectful without outwardly showing disrespect. At one point she snapped at both of them to mind their manners before turning her back on both of them and jumping up to dance. That act left them both sputtering.
Oddly enough, dinner was an amazing success. Meats and poultry of all kinds had been loaded onto each long table. Vegetables from all across the lands and breads for all tastes were piled alongside bowls of sweet butter. The nobles also had a fair variety of wines and spirits to choose from. Mattea had thought of every palate and had even imported fish from Redcliffe and venison from the forests south. Potatoes of every kind and cooked in every way dotted the tables and even elaborate pastas sat beside sweet shell-fish and breaded cheeses. There was laughter even in light of the fact that enemies were seated side-by-side and far away from friends. Alistair noted with growing pleasure that everyone seemed to be getting along, though against their will for some.
Since becoming king, there had been landsmeets and gatherings, celebrations and of course, the yearly tourney. Alistair enjoyed these events immensely and continued their tradition. Watching his people enjoy themselves made him very happy. There was even a faire now, the sort that travels from city to city bringing all sorts of goods and entertainment. Elves and humans alike ran it side by side with surface dwarves and a small menagerie of creatures. Ferelden's king and queen helped fund it and thus far, it was among the most successful of Alistair's ideas. He was becoming a popular king.
After a playfully executed Remigold with her husband, (the man was as fine a dancer as ever and exceptionally handsome in his full ceremonial armor), they went back to their table to sit and eat dessert. There were pies and cakes and crisp and tender cookies of all kinds. Mattea had arranged for every taste, just as she had done with dinner. She was an expert at these things, something Elissa was thankful for.
Alistair rose to his feet shortly after finishing the pie he'd been eating. The king and queen, Ambrose the Grey Warden, Elissa's brother and his wife were seated at a table perched on a raised dais above all the others. From her vantage point, overlooking the nobles and their representatives, she could see a lot of expressions. Most were curious, others content, many were hard to read and a few were outright hostile. Alistair's expression revealed he'd noted them as well. "Greetings, Lords and Ladies. I hope you have enjoyed this sumptuous banquet as much as we have. Please be sure to thank Mistress Mattea and her 'army' of servants. Were it not be for her, we would be eating coal from the fire-place right now." He raised his hands and began to applaud. Mattea rose from her place at the Royal table and bowed. He had insisted she eat with them since he and his wife always invaded her space to eat with her. Besides, it afforded her a great view of the floor so that she could monitor her workers.
After the clapping died down, Alistair smiled fondly at his guests. "Now. We arrive at the fun part," he said with a low chuckle. "First, I hope you've noted where you are seated. Go on. Look around. Ah. You now have figured out that you were not accidentally seated beside your rival but on purpose. Who would do a thing like that? And why? Who is me and why is because, as rivals, you don't likely communicate outside of yelling and angry letters. By seating you together, family and spouses all side-by-side, you have had a chance to bond. Yes, Lord Aldrus, your son has been making googly-eyes at Lord Favren's daughter the whole night. Love is indeed in the air! And Lady Caruthen, I'll bet you never knew how charming Lord Dorman is! Do I see a friendship on the horizon?" There was angry muttering but nobody said anything rude, oddly enough. This was actually turning out better than he'd hoped.
"I've heard mutterings that this should be considered a Landsmeet. It simply is not. I won't go into why but know that this banquet serves a number of purposes, the most important being as a means to impart important information directly from our lips to your ears without the damning potential of rumors. I really hate rumors. Anyway, the other purpose is to get you, the Bannorn, talking to one another. For the next few months I may be unable to settle problems for you so you will have to do that yourself, if necessary." All of a sudden, there was a loud murmuring, like the hiss of angry wind through an open window. Alistair raised his hand and demanded silence. "To give you the reasons for this, I present to you my wife and your queen."
Elissa stared up at him in wide-eyed shock as he held out his hand. "Are you mad? Andraste's Sword, Alistair, I have no idea what to say to them! Why won't you do it? This is your show, remember?" She took it warily and let him help her to her feet. He was beaming.
His eyebrow raised with amusement at his wife's dismay, Alistair chuckled. "Well, I think they like you more. They'll be less likely to pelt you with overripe fruit when you share the news. I do mean that you are to relay all of the news. Every last bit of it, do you understand? I am more confident in your ability to articulate to our audience the adventure that awaits us, unscathed mind you, than I would be. Besides, you're prettier than I am."
"Brat…" she muttered as he sat down. He squeezed her hand gently, a silent reminder that he was there if she needed him. "It's all about self-preservation, is it? Very well." She turned to the nobles gathered and placed her hands reflexively over the slight bulge of her belly. The gesture was not ignored and murmuring began. "Greetings, my people! My husband has relinquished the floor to me so that I may continue what he began. First, I want to thank you for attending this banquet. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as we have. And second… Ah. Second, there is much on the horizon, much you need to know. I shall begin with the most exciting news." She deliberately turned to the side, her body in profile and backlit from the torches behind her. There were audible gasps of shock. "As you know, my husband and I have failed to produce a child, hard as we have tried, over the course of four years. However frustrated we have been, we are not quitters." Alistair was heard chuckling at that statement. "I am proud to say that we have finally succeeded and…"
The hall erupted in shouts and a flood of voices. Most seemed excited but some were angry. One man, a lord from somewhere near Highever, rose to his feet and accused the Queen of adultery. Alistair was on his feet in an instant, angry that anyone would dare make such an accusatory statement, especially to his Queen. "My wife has been given no good reasons to stray and every good reason not to! Watch your mouth."
"Your Majesty, you and the queen are both Grey Wardens. It is whispered that your folk cannot bear children between you. If she is indeed pregnant with a child of the Crown, then it is through vile sorcery!" the man insisted. Then his eyes narrowed as he gazed directly at the monarchs. "You were the last Grey Wardens in all Fereldan and I understand Riordan died trying to slay the archdemon. One of you took its life yet you both live. I had a brother who died at Ostagar and he said that when an Archdemon dies, a Grey Warden gives his life. Yet… you both live…"
The accusation hung in the air like the stench of decaying flesh, causing noses to twitch and suspicions to rise. Alistair and Elissa shared a look before one of them made a choice to speak. "My Lords, my Ladies, calm yourselves." Elissa began. "There was nothing sinister in our survival; simply, another chose to accept the sacrifice for us so that we may live and remain your rulers. My pregnancy is a gift from the Maker and nothing less, as unexpected as it is joyous for all of us. Rejoice in this great twist of fate and be happy for us. Though you may not support us in all things, you have desired an heir… Well…"
"…heir… you go, my friends!" Alistair laughed, unable to resist the potential for a pun.
There was laughter in the great hall and then Elissa raised her hand to shush them once more. "Having made that announcement, be aware that my duties as your Warden Commander do not end or even pause in the revelation of my pregnancy. I am needed once again. With the return of Vigil's Keep back to working order, I am thankfully finished with most of my duties to the north but west is another matter. My presence is once again required in Orl-." Shouts interrupted her and no amount of yelling for the hall to grow silent worked. Elissa turned her lip and glared up at her husband, who was uselessly yelling himself hoarse. He sat down heavily and growled, "Darkspawn are more cooperative than this rabble…" he muttered darkly.
"Be silent or I'll spike all of your drinks with a sleeping tonic! Obey your rulers." The hall quieted instantly. Mattea smiled as Alistair rolled his eyes to her with surprise. "Well, don't just sit there. Enjoy the quiet and make your speech!"
Alistair appreciated Mattea's unexpected intervention and was standing once again. "Your queen must travel to Orlais at the request of their Warden Commander. She made this decision with some difficulty as I was reluctant to allow her to leave. However, after a brief conversation, I realized what a pleasant opportunity her going to Orlais would be for Fereldan. Therefore, I have chosen to meet Empress Celene face to face. I am going to Orlais with Queen Elissa and Ambrose."
The hall was aflutter once again. The loudest voice among the protestors in the Hall came from the visiting Grey Warden himself. "Your Majesty, I protest! You cannot come! I forbid it. I was sent only to collect the Warden Commander herself and no one else."
Alistair and Elissa both faced him with angry stares. "Then you will return to Orlais alone, Ser, and we will happily await the birth of our child at home," Elissa growled darkly. Alistair placed a hand on her shoulder, a supportive gesture that hushed even the most determined voices. Together, Fereldan's king and queen were a mighty force that seemed to cast a palpable thrall over everyone. The Orlesian Grey Warden sat down, sputtering but said little else.
Alistair turned back to the gathered nobles and smiled warmly. "So, with your king and queen departing, you must be curious about whom you're going to run to when you're in need of royal advice and, well, we have a solution.
"Ladies and Lords of the court, I present to you your regent, 'King' Cousland! Well, Fergus, don't just sit there with your eyes wide and glazed over; stand up and greet your subjects! Elissa, your brother is drooling, I think…" She laughed and pinched Fergus on his arm.
"I'm… going… to… kill… you… both…" Fergus muttered as the hall erupted in shouting again. Alistair smirked, highly pleased with himself.
To Be Continued…
- 5
- 6
- 7
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Tainted Dreams