53 réponses à ce sujet

[VioletTheirin]

I shall do my best!! I have one more chapter done and ready to post and the next needs just a little bit on the end and to be proofed...so you'll have at least two more this week...I'll work hard to make it more though

[RogueWarrior626]

Thats cool I'm sure everyone will understand.I will be watching for it.Thanks for the great story!

[Sue]

another great chapter. you can feel her torment. just hanging on to see what is next when she get to Denerim. and it is about time Alistair gave it to Eamon.

[VioletTheirin]

Thanks Sue! I'm glad that you liked it! I was just getting ready to go to bed and I figured I'd check here once more to see if anyone else posted...I'm glad that I did! Next chapter will be along either tomorrow evening or Tuesday morning.

[Lynn01]

That's one amazing chapter again Violet! Though I can nearly sense the fact that that journey is getting stolen by someone, or being read by Alistair! *shivers* /hugs

[VioletTheirin]

Thank you Lynn! I'm glad you liked it and I must give you another big thank you and virtual HUG for helping to boot me in the rear and keep posting. You have NO idea how close I came to deleting the whole darn thing, I'm SO glad that I didn't so *BIG HUG* Thanks!!!!

[VioletTheirin]

Chapter Six ~Friends In Need~

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
~Three Days Later~
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________-

Redcliffe~

Teagan sat alone in his study, seemingly entranced by the flames that danced within the fireplace. The quiet room had become sort of a personal refuge for the Arl since the morning that he woke from what he tried to convince himself was an especially painful nightmare.

There was no mistaking that there was something wrong with the normally cheerful man. After Teagan awoke that morning to empty arms and a tear stained note, he dressed and made his way into the study; locking the door behind him. For half a day he sat in a chair facing out over the village; hoping to see her, to catch even a glimpse of Shey… hoping upon hope that she would change her mind and run back to his arms. With every hour that passed without her, Teagan grew more and more distant.

Teagan's elven servant Mikael had been under the Arl's employ for years. Mikael followed him from Rainesfere over which Teagan was Bann; to Redcliffe where he took over as Arl when his older brother Eamon moved to Denerim to become Chancellor to the King. In all of those years there was a certain Teagan that the elf had grown accustomed to seeing, this however was not him. Always one to take pride in his appearance Teagan now was unshaven, hair disheveled, his handsome face masked by dark circles and a heartbreaking look of grief; still wearing the same tunic and leggings that he did the night that Shey had been at the castle.

At first the Arl even refused to eat. However, Mikael was finally able to get him to down a small bowl of mutton stew; a dish that he knew to be one of Teagan's favorites. But no matter how hard he tried the elf could not get him to talk. This made the announcement that Bann Alfstanna was in Redcliffe a most welcome piece of news.

Alfstanna was one of Teagan's closest friends; the pair of them nearly inseparable since they were children. Mikael knew that if anyone would be able to get through the dark clouds that hung over Teagan's head it would be her.

Mikael made his way to the entrance hall to meet with the Bann as soon as he received word from the doorman that she had arrived. "My lady, it is good to see you."

Alfstanna gave the elf a kind smile. "It is good to see you as well Mikael, but I believe I've told you a thousand times there is no need for all of this 'my lady' nonsense. Call me Stanna… Alfstanna if you insist on being formal." She knew she was wasting her breath…he never called her anything other than 'my lady' and she knew that he never would; still it had become a tradition for her to try.

"So…where is he anyway?" Alfstanna began looking around the hall. "Has becoming Arl made the man too important to properly greet his own guests?"

Mikael let out a heavy sigh. "No my lady; though I wish it were as simple as that because I know without a doubt that you could remedy a problem such as that with no effort at all, however the current situation is…different."

Alfstanna could see the look of concern that Mikael wore upon his face. "Mikael, what is wrong? Where is Teagan?"

The elf took a moment to explain what he knew of the situation to the Bann; the queen consort visited the village, stayed at the castle for one night, and after she left the Arl began acting differently…becoming sad and distant.

Alfstanna patted the elf on the shoulder in a gesture of comfort. "Thank you, Mikael…don't you worry, I'll get him talking."

Mikael smiled and nodded to Alfstanna and then lead her to the closed study door. He stopped just short of the large wooden barrier and turned to look at her. "He has it locked. I have a key but have only dared to go in twice; I didn't want to upset him any more."

Alfstanna smiled and held out her hand. "Give it to me. I'll go in and if he gets mad he can just turn right around and get happy again."

He let out a quiet laugh as he placed the key in her proffered hand. "Good luck my lady."

She turned to watch the elf walk away before putting the key in the door and turning.

Alfstanna slowly inched the door open, trying to get an idea of exactly what she was walking into. While she wasn't afraid of Teagan in any way and knew he would do nothing to harm her, she felt that taking in as much of the environment as possible before him noticing her would help her decide the correct path to take in resolving the problem.

As she continued to inch the door open ,Teagan was suddenly alerted to her presence by a loud squeak emitted from the hinges; without turning around he muttered, "I told you Mikael, I am not hungry…just leave me in peace…please."

Alfstanna quickly stepped the rest of the way in the room; crossing her arms in front of her and tilting her head to one side as she said, "I know you did not just dismiss me, Teagan Guerrin."

Teagan turned his head toward the door, shocked to hear the voice of one of his dearest friends calling from behind him. When his eyes confirmed what he heard, he stood and quickly made his way over to Alfstanna; pulling her into an embrace.

"Oh Stanna…I'm so glad you're here."

While it was not uncommon for the Arl to greet her with a hug she knew that this one was different. She could feel the sadness in it and could hear pain in every word that he spoke. She placed her hand on Teagan's shoulder and led him to the chairs in the corner by the hearth.

"Teagan…what is wrong with you?"

He hesitated to answer her, but the look in his friend's eyes told him that no excuse or refusal would get past her. Teagan took in a deep breath and returned Alfstanna's concerned stare. "Stanna…I am so confused."

She placed an arm around her friend and urged him to continue. "Talk to me Teagan."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________-
Lothering~

Mi querida,

I write this letter in hopes that it finds you well, and to let you know that I will be making my way back to Ferelden. It has come to my attention that the man who sold the information that ultimately got my Rinna killed may be residing in Lothering. I know it is far from your pleasurable palace and deliciously innocent King, my dear Grey Warden, but I would not be opposed to a vision of loveliness such as yourself casually arriving upon my doorstep; or for that matter in my bed, if you are of a mind to do so. Ah but alas, I digress. Truly it would be a delight to see you again and we shall regale each other with the tales of our exploits, such as they are, since the Blight.

Graciously and ever hopefully yours,

Zevran

Shey grinned as she folded Zevran's letter and placed it in her pack. The scamp always did know how to make me smile; I'll give him that. The letter arrived for Shey just a couple of weeks before she left for Redcliffe; as they approached the small village of Lothering, she decided that it wouldn't hurt to stop and catch up with the man who, despite the fact that he tried to murder her upon their first meeting, had become one of her dearest friends.

Shey knew that if there was anyone she could talk to about the situation, it would be Zev. The assassin had, after all, seen it all and done even more and was rarely the type to judge.

I hope he has made it to the village by now…and that I can find him. Shey began to wonder how easy it was going to be to find him, especially when he was on the "hunt." I suppose I will find out when I get there.

As the carriage finally made its way into the small village, Shey found herself anxiously wringing her hands; eager to finally have someone to talk to. After gathering her things from inside and giving her driver instruction on where to find her should he need to, Shey started off in the direction of Dane's Refuge, the local tavern and one of the only establishments to manage to open up since the Blight ended and rebuilding began. When she made her way over the small bridge that lead to the tavern, Shey's face lit up with delight as a familiar voice called from behind her.

"Ah, my dear Grey Warden, I knew you would not be able to resist me forever…you made it longer than most but alas, none are immune to my charms." Zevran stood in the center of the bridge and leaned against the rail, flashing Sheyna one of his suave smiles.

"Oh Zev…I am so glad to see you." Shey ran in the handsome elf's direction, throwing her arms around his neck the moment she got close enough to. Upon feeling the pair of friendly arms wrap around her, Shey broke down, allowing all of the bottled up emotion that she had carried from Redcliffe to pour forth in a stream of tears.

"Sheyna; my sweet Shey, what is wrong?" Zev pulled her from his chest and looked with concern into her eyes.

"Oh Zev, I have done something…something terrible."

The elf gave her a reassuring grin. "I find it difficult to believe that you would be capable of doing anything that horrible as to warrant so many tears."

"I…I just slept with another man…"

Zevran chuckled softly. "Oh that is not so bad…so you had a night of indiscretion; it happens to the best of us, no?"

Sheyna began shaking her head as she laughed nervously. "Oh Maker, if only it were that simple."

Zev cocked one eyebrow up and stared at his friend curiously. "Oh? This story sounds delightfully intriguing…let us retire to a more private location and you can tell me the whole sordid tale, si?"

Shey stifled back her tears and nodded as Zev placed an arm around her shoulders and led her through the darkness.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________-
Denerim~

"…I hear the queen left him, just up and run off with some mage."

"You don't say; the poor sod, no wonder he has been acting the way that he has since she took off."

The quiet halls echoed with the whispered gossip being passed between two of the palace's many servants. Everyone knew the King to generally be a happy, personable man, but it was impossible to ignore the change in his demeanor ever since his wife left his side nearly a month earlier.

The stories being told ranged anywhere from Shey running off with a "dark and mysterious apostate" to being poisoned by a subject that was still loyal to Queen Anora; Alistair knew what they were saying. He heard it all until it was too unbearable to listen to any more.

So he sat; alone in his private quarters, drinking away the rumors and wishing it would all come to an end. He wanted to be numb, wanted to turn back the clock, because as bad as the rumors were, what really happened was, in his mind, far, far worse.

Alistair finished off the last swallow of what he surmised to be probably his thousandth round of mead and laid his head on the table in front of him as he dropped the empty bottle to the floor.

Just as he began to doze off Alistair was jolted awake by an insistent knock at the door.

"Leave me be…I said I don't want anything…just go away!" Alistair's slurred speech spoke volumes to the state he was in.

Much to his dismay, the mysterious fists on the other side of the door did not stop their knocking; but were instead becoming louder.

Alistair stood but soon realized he had done so too quickly for the inebriated state he was in; as he stumbled and fell over an adjacent chair. He took a moment to compose himself as the loud knocking continued without pause.

After much concentration he was finally able to stumble to the door and throw it open as he bellowed into the hall. "You had better hope this is important or I swear by Andraste's Ass that I will have you thrown into the dungeons before you can blink."

"Well…it's good to see you too, Alistair."

Alistair paused a moment and squinted his eyes, he knew that voice…finally the haze cleared from his sight just enough for him to make out the source of the thick Orlesian accent. "Leliana; what are you doing here? And why were you beating down my bloody door?"

Leliana brushed past the befuddled King and began looking around the room.

Still looking into the hall Alistair sarcastically called out to Leliana, who by then was in the center of the room. "Oh please, won't you come in, just sit down...make yourself at home."

Alistair closed the door and turned to see Leliana sitting in the chair he had just vacated, placing her feet atop the table. "Why thank you Alistair, I don't mind if I do."

Leliana picked up one of the many empty bottles that were strewn across the room and began examining it; ignoring the fact that Alistair was staring at her in confusion.

Finally tired of waiting for her to tell him the reason for her visit, Alistair once again spoke up as he sat in a chair across from the bard's feet. "Leliana...WHY are you here?"

Leliana set the bottle on the table as she swung her feet down to the floor. She then stood and began looking around the room once more. "Oh, just ... investigating."

Alistair began to rub his forehead, trying to figure out if Leliana really was being annoyingly mysterious or if there was something being lost in translation when her words made their way through his stupor. He shot his eyes in the direction of the bard, and once he saw the smug smile that she wore upon her lips, he finally concluded. Nope, I'm not missing anything...she thinks she's being funny.

Alistair found himself growing increasingly annoyed by the bubbly redheaded intruder but he pressed on. "Leliana...will you answer my question?"

She turned and gave him a sweet smile. "What question would that be, your Majesty?"

Alistair gritted his teeth and growled his response. "What are you doing in my home Leliana?"

She giggled, obviously delighted of the fact that she was digging under the frustrated King's skin. "I told you silly, I'm investigating!"

Alistair stood and began stomping toward Leliana. "No, you're being evasive...why won't you answer my bleedin' question?"

Leliana turned to face him; completely unaffected by his growing anger. "I have answered your question...perhaps it isn't me...perhaps you just aren't asking the correct question to garner the answer you seek?"

She's got some kind of angle here...I don't know what it is but I don't think I could figure it out even if I was sober. Alistair threw his hands up in a symbol of surrender and walked away from Leliana. "Fine...explore...peruse to your heart's content..." Alistair flopped onto the bed; laying flat on his stomach in the center of it. "Just make sure you lock the door when you're done..."

Leliana laughed. "You think you can escape me that easily do you? Alistair, surely you know better than that by now." The bard kept her composure and sat on the foot of the bed. "I guess I can give you a clue..."

"Oh please, would you...as you can see I just love this little game of yours." Alistair's voice dripped with sarcasm as he replied without even raising his head to look at the woman sitting at his feet. I knew I would end up regretting allowing her access to the royal living quarters.

"Are you telling me that you don't enjoy being kept in the dark; that you like knowing what is going on?"

This statement had Alistair puzzled and he slowly turned his head to look at Leliana. "Generally...why?"

"Oh, I just kind of thought that since you don't like being left in the dark...that you might pay a friend the same courtesy, especially when it involves someone who is very important to them."

Alistair turned to his side and propped himself on his elbow. "Leliana, are you going to get to the point?"

"My point is, why do I have to rely on the Denerim rumor mill to find out that there is something wrong with two of my dearest friends?" The smile that had moments ago lit up the bard's face vanished as she looked at Alistair with hurt and confusion radiating from her eyes. "I have been in Denerim for weeks and have heard all of these horrible rumors about two of my very best friends...horrible things... I thought surely these things are not true, that everything is as it should be or certainly I would have heard word to the contrary by now."

Alistair pulled himself from the bed and stood in front of Leliana, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Leli, I can assure you that everything is fine. Those rumors are nothing more than the ramblings of a bunch of fishwives with too much time on their hands."

Leliana stood from the bed and turned to meet Alistair's eyes. "Just who do you think you are talking to Alistair; some long lost childhood friend that popped in for a visit? I know you Alistair, sometimes better than you even know yourself. I thought too that all of these things that I was hearing were just stories, but the second you opened that door it became very clear that there is something wrong. Now are you going to tell me what is going on or will I have to torture it out of you." Leliana crossed her arms in front of her chest, awaiting a response.

Alistair, though occasionally foolish was not stupid; he knew when he was defeated. Uuugh...I may as well tell her and get this over with, Maker knows she won't leave until I do.

Leliana stepped closer to Alistair "Well, your Majesty...what shall it be? Are you going to tell me willingly or are we going to have to do this the hard way.?"

"Fine, Leliana. I will talk to you but I need to let the mead settle a bit. Right now it's hard to even think straight; let alone explain anything."

Leliana gave him a slight smile. "That is fine Alistair, but you do realize that so you cannot pull anything and bar me from getting to you, I will be staying the night, yes?"

Alistair wanted to argue but found that he was too tired to even start. "Fine Leli, you can sleep in Sheyna's rooms if that is alright."

"That will be fine Alistair, thank you...I will be back, first thing in the morning. Be ready to talk."

Alistair watched as the bard left the room and turned the corner toward Shey's private quarters. He laid down on the bed and rest his head on the pillow. Maybe this is for the best...maybe Leli can... And with one final yawn Alistair peacefully drifted off to sleep.

It seemed to Alistair that he had been asleep for only moments when once again there was knocking at his door, but upon opening his eyes he realized that the sun was actually quite high in the sky. "I'll be out in a moment Leli, just let me wake up a little."

Alistair breathed a sigh of relief as the knocking stopped; Leli apparently satisfied with his answer. He walked to the vanity and began splashing cold water on his face from a basin sitting on top of it. Once he was cleaned up and as awake as he believed he would get, he walked out of his room to find Leliana standing against the wall just outside.

She stepped forward and looked into his bloodshot eyes. "Okay Alistair, I let you sleep. Now, it is time to talk."

Modifié par VioletTheirin, 31 août 2010 - 12:20 .

[RogueWarrior626]

You've definately peeked my interest here. I'm eagerly awaiting your next chapter. To see what unfolds. You are very talented. This good enough to be published.

[Sue]

this is so good!!!!!! Everyone has someone to talk to....... can't wait for the next chapter. I am hanging on.......

[Gilgamesh1138]

WOOT!!!! I am enjoying the intrigue. And I love how you show how this is impacting them all, and that they all have a friend to help. Wonderful. MOAR please!

[VioletTheirin]

@ RogueWarrior: You totally flatter me! Good enough to be published?? SQUEE *does gooberific happy dance* I am thrilled that you are enjoying it that much!



@ Sue once again thank you for hangin' in there with me and the next chapter will be out probably Thursday.



@ Gil you shall get MOAR my friend...in fact as one of my beautiful betas you get first taste!! MUAHS

[Lynn01]

Ooooooooh!! This is another amazing chapter! Love it!! And also love the quick updates!! :-)

[VioletTheirin]

Thanks Lynn! I just wish I could get my "Rose" muse going in high gear as well...Glad you like it!

[VioletTheirin]

Chapter Seven ~Confession~

Denerim~

Alistair led Leliana downstairs and out a large set of doors that opened into the private gardens. He thought that perhaps the fresh air and sunshine would help to not only lift his spirits but assist him in shaking off the effects of the copious amounts of mead he consumed the night before.

He took Leliana to a small section of the garden where Shey would often come to have some time to herself. Sheyna would spend hours upon hours reading her books or sometimes simply laying in the grass relaxing; taking in the delicate aroma of the flowers that surrounded her.

The stone bench, the one where Alistair confronted Shey about his need for an heir, stood just feet in front of them, a screaming reminder of what had transpired since that day. Alistair found himself lost in thought. If only I had just ended it there…why did I force her into this?

Leliana watched her companion as he stared at the large willow tree that stood behind her; seemingly lost in thought. He was sad, that much was obvious; but there was something else…something in his eyes that Leliana had never seen there before. Was it guilt? No, why would Alistair feel guilty if it was Sheyna that left? But this look...I have seen it in other men; maybe it really is guilt…but over what?

Leliana touched her friend gently on his shoulder. "Alistair, what happened?"

The tears that she saw falling down Alistair's cheeks when he turned to face her confirmed her suspicion; every drop told her more than his words ever could. "Leliana, I think I've made a big mistake."

Leliana gently led him to the nearby bench and Alistair continued. "It's all such a mess and I don't know what to do to fix any of it...if I can fix any of it. I don't even know where to begin to tell you about it."

The bard gave him an encouraging smile. "I find that the beginning serves as a fairly decent starting point."

Alistair took a nervous breath, he wanted to get it off of his chest but he was unsure of how Leliana would react; still, he pressed on. "Well, you remember Morrigan..."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lothering~

Zevran led Sheyna to a small room that he had rented above Dane's Refuge. Once they entered he motioned for her to take a seat on the bed, as it and a small nightstand were the only pieces of furniture in the room.

The assassin began rummaging around in a large pack that sat in the corner of the room and soon pulled from it a bottle of Antivan brandy.

The sight of that bottle made Shey's conscience start screaming. She closed her eyes quickly, trying to stop the cacophony of voices, but it was too late…That's what you used Shey, that bottle of brandy…the one that you slipped that potion into and gave to that poor, sweet, trusting man…the man you betrayed…the one you crushed...Teagan…You should be proud of yourself, after all you put on quite the performance...you even had yourself believing that it was real, that it was not all just one big show put on to fulfill your own selfish wish to stay in a world in which you don't belong...Alistair deserved someone who could give birth to his heir...instead your King will live out the rest of his life knowing that his heir is another man's bastard...Teagan's bastard...after what you did to Teagan you do not even deserve to speak his name...you deserve nothing.

Zevran unknowingly interrupted Shey's tortured symphony as he handed her a glass. "You do still enjoy the occasional Antivan libation, si mi amore?"

Shey continued staring absentmindedly at the bottle he held before her. She knew he was saying something to her, but it took an abnormally long time to figure out what it was, as she was having to strain to hear him over her own twisted thoughts. "Yes, I…I mean no…no, none for me. Thank you, Zev."

Zevran laid the items in his hands down on the table before sitting down and leaning against the headboard of the bed. He opened his arms and gestured toward Shey to join him to which she obliged immediately. Shey curled up in the elf's embrace like a child in the arms of their father after a nightmare or during a thunderstorm. Zevran laid his cheek upon her soft hair before whispering, "It is not like you to refuse Antivan brandy, mi querida. Would I be correct in assuming this has something to do with your recent infidelity to your doting King?"

"My infidelity was encouraged by my doting King; in fact in order for me to remain with my King it was quite necessary that I be unfaithful."

"Mi amore, if your tryst was encouraged by your husband you cannot truly be considered to be unfaithful, no?" Zevran found himself completely baffled as to what circumstances would exist to necessitate adultery, but did his best to find a way to get Shey into a state of mind to be able to help him understand.

Shey sat up and gazed into Zevran's friendly amber colored eyes. "I suppose I should explain...shouldn't I?"

He grinned. "If you wish, though I will admit you are extremely sexy when you are flustered."

Shey stood from the bed and began pacing the floor; unsure of exactly how she was going to explain to Zevran the tangled mess that her life had become. Finding no definite answer she decided to just let her thoughts flow and pray to the Maker that it all made sense. "Zev, the true reason that I am upset and feeling the way that I am has nothing to do with feeling unfaithful to Alistair, because as I explained this was at his behest. The thing that is absolutely eating away at me is the circumstances under which all of this occurred."

"Mi amore, perhaps you could grant me the permission to assist you in navigating your stream of thoughts, yes?" Zevran approached the frazzled woman and squeezed her shoulder. "If you continue along your current course I fear we shall both be engulfed by the rapids…and I do so hate getting wet."

Sheyna felt a sense of relief surge through her body as she let a light giggle slip from her lips; had he not offered to help she had no idea how she would have been able to get through it.

"The first question that comes to my mind, mi querida is what circumstance could possibly require infidelity toward your handsome King?"

"An heir;" Shey noticed that she had begun to chew on the tip of her thumb…a habit that plagued her for as long as she could remember. After quickly pulling it out and mentally admonishing herself for doing it she continued. "It is known that Grey Wardens have trouble conceiving, even if their partner is not a Warden, and as far as I know there has never been a child born to two Warden parents."

"Mmm…and I suppose his Majesty was exhibiting all of the patience of a toddling child, no?" Zev's harsh tone indicated his displeasure at the details which were coming to light.

"No, not Alistair…Eamon; since before we were wed…before the Blight was even over for that matter. Eamon has been insistent of having an heir in line for the throne…to ensure that a Theirin is always the one wielding power."

Zevran rubbed his forehead as he puzzled over the statement that Sheyna laid before him; he then glanced at his companion from the corner of his eye. "Forgive me, my sweet, ambrosial flower…at the risk of sounding disgracefully obtuse I must bring your beloved husband's logic into question. How precisely would you falling into the embraces of another result in the birth of Alistair's progeny? I always thought our darkly beautiful witch friend to be exaggerating the degree of your husband's supposed idiocy, but after hearing this morsel of information, I am beginning to think that Morrigan's comments were not purely in jest."

"I believe that is due to the fact that I was insistent on me being the one to give birth to his child. So Alistair decided that he would find someone who's looks are close enough to his that the child's parentage wouldn't be questioned by the other nobility; and that would be the man who I would lay with."

"Sheyna, I am sorry my love but I am still not able to determine the reason for your self-condemnation. If all contributing parties were in agreement, then to me, it would seem a win-win situation, would it not?" Zevran furrowed his brow as he continued to rub his forehead.

"But all parties were not in agreement Zev...in fact one party was left completely in the dark; and that is where the guilt comes in because that person is someone who has always been a dear friend to both Alistair and myself and also to my family."

"Ah, and who might this unwitting participant be?" Zevran felt a sense of relief that his friend's story was beginning to make at least a modicum of sense.

"Teagan…"

The assassin raised his brow in surprise as his eyes once again met Shey's. "Truly? I would think that Teagan of all people would jump at the opportunity to assist you in your 'task'; the man did seem quite enamored with you as I recall, no?"

Sheyna shook her head. "As enamored as he may have been, Teagan has a certain code of ethics that he lives by; he never would have agreed."

"My sweet innocent Shey, the good Arl was quite eager to sleep with a married woman, not only married, but wife to the ruler of the country in which he was born and to who's throne he swears fealty." Zev took Sheyna by the hand and led her once again to sit at the edge of the bed. "I have no doubt in my mind mi amore, that Teagan is outwardly chivalrous, but if his conscience would allow him to be party to adultery then his 'code of ethics' may not be as constrictive as you seem to assume."

"Trust me, Zevran...Teagan was nowhere near the willing participant that you believe that he was; in fact I had to betray almost every moral value that my parents spent nearly twenty years of their lives instilling in me." Once again, Shey felt a pang of horrible shame at the mention of her dear parents...they would have been horrified by the things that she had done, not to mention the person who she did them to.

Shey laid her head upon Zevran's shoulder, buried her face in his neck and cried, unable to continue to hold back her tears.

Zevran began gently stroking her hair in an attempt to offer her a small amount of comfort. "Shh...mi querida...I am here, and I shall go nowhere until you are able to return to being your happy, beautiful, enrapturing self...this I swear to you."

The elf gently took Sheyna's face in his hands and stared deeply into her eyes. "Now, mi amore...how did you manage to break through our knight's marvelously shiny armor?"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________-

Redcliffe~

"Here is the tea you asked for my lady. Do you require anything else?" Teagan's servant Mikael entered the Redcliffe castle study carrying a silver tray with tea and a small plate of biscuits. He approached the table that was situated between two chairs in the center of the room where Bann Alfstanna was seated reading a book.

Alfstanna smiled at the elven man. "No, Mikael the tea will be fine."

"Is my lord going to be alright?"

"With time; he seems relieved that I am here and he is willing to talk, that is a step in the right direction. Do not worry, he will snap out of this; I will make sure of that."

Mikael smiled as he bowed and then walked from the room.

Alfstanna turned her focus back to the book in her hands and flipped aimlessly through the pages. After agreeing to speak with her, Teagan happened to catch a glimpse of his disheveled reflection in the study mirror and begged that she would allow him time to change and make himself more presentable. It was agreed that they would meet within the hour back in the study.

Moments after Mikael took his leave, the sound of boots striking the stone floors once again echoed through the halls. Alfstanna looked over her book to see Teagan walking toward her; now clean, his facial hair neatly trimmed, and in a fresh set of clothes. Alfstanna put the book on the table by the tea and then stood to greet her friend with a kiss on either cheek. "Now, there is the Teagan I know and love, though that infectious smile is still notably absent…let's see what we can do about that, shall we?"

Alfstanna poured them both a cup of tea as Teagan sat in the chair beside her. They sat in silence for a while as they both sipped their tea and ate the biscuits that Mikael brought in ahead of the Arl. After twenty minutes in complete silence, Alfstanna decided that her friend was going to need some encouragement.

She leaned over in her chair and took one of Teagan's hands in hers. When he looked at her, she began to understand why he was not talking as his eyes were glossed with the tears that he was holding back. "Teagan, dear Maker…what has happened? This is so unlike you."

Again, deafening silence. Teagan looked into the air above him, almost as if he was hoping to find the answer to her question written across the ceiling.

"Mikael tells me that Sheyna Theirin was here visiting and that you started acting differently upon her departure. Did you two have a disagreement?"

Teagan looked into his friends brown eyes as a single tear was able to escape and fall to his lap. "Stanna I don't know...everything was fine; then I awoke and she was gone."

"Teag, there is something you are not telling me. I know that you and Shey were never this close...right? I mean she's always just been Fergus' kid sister..." Alfstanna noticed that Teagan's gaze once again drifted off into nothingness; in an attempt to snap him out of it she shouted. "Teagan! If you want me to help you, I have to know exactly what happened."

"She told me that she loved me."

"Whoa...wait...she told you that she loves you? What in the Maker's name..." Alfstanna shook her head as she tried to collect herself. After that bit of news she felt as though someone took her mind and tossed it in the air, jumbling all of her thoughts in the process.

"Okay...she loves you...so what exactly led to this...revelation...what was she doing here in the first place?"

Teagan stood up and walked to the desk. After rumaging through a small stack of books and sheets of parchment, he returned and handed her the missive with the royal seal that had arrived weeks earlier. Alfstanna read the missive and once finished folded it again and placed it on the table between them.

"So, Sheyna arrived in Redcliffe in a gesture of goodwill from King Alistair. How did it go from a friendly visit to proclamations of love?"

Teagan gazed at the floor and sighed. "From the moment she arrived I noticed something different about her. She seemed so distant, lost...sad." Teagan stood and began pacing the floor in front of the hearth. "I asked her, several times if something was bothering her before finally insisting that she tell me what was wrong; at that point she burst out of the room."

Alfstanna poured some more tea in her cup. "But this was all before she confessed feelings for you, yes?"

"I felt horrible for upsetting her so I did not pursue her. Instead I came to the study and went back over our day in my mind...trying to figure out if something occurred that I might not have realized upset her...or if maybe I was reading too much into it." Teagan took a sidelong glance at the door. "Then...there she was. She apologized for being short with me and said that there was something bothering her that she thought would cause me to think less of her were she to tell me."

Teagan walked to the chairs and sat back next to Alfstanna who now rested her head in one hand; obviously deep in thought. "So... at this point, what did she say?"

"She...she told me that she wanted to be with me; that she always has. She said that she and Alistair were no longer happy together and that their marriage had turned into more of a political arrangement." Teagan tilted his face to his lap but looked at Alfstanna from the corner of his eye. "She said that she wanted me... and truth be told...I wanted her. I tried to resist, reminded myself of the million reasons that it was wrong but in the end my conscience proved to be weak...and...we made love."

Alfstanna gasped, clasping her hands over her mouth. "Teagan, you didn't!" She looked at her friend in amazement, hoping to find a sign that he was joking, however the blush that crept to his cheeks as he cast his eyes to the floor spoke volumes.

Alfstanna rose from her chair and began pacing the study as she thought furiously. "Why would Shey suddenly decide she had feelings for you?" Alfstanna turned and faced Teagan. "Are you sure she was telling you the truth? From all reports, she and the King are very happy together. Where would this have sprung from? Don't tell me you believed her?"

Teagan looked away from Alfstanna. "Why wouldn't I have believed her, Stanna? Shey has never been a liar, not even when she was a little girl. Why would she start now? She said that she has had these feelings for me for a long time but that she would not allow herself to pursue them out of a sense of duty and respect toward Alistair; but that his own infidelity had become impossible to ignore and that she longed to be happy...she longed for me to make her happy."

"I don't know why, Teagan," Stanna replied. "But something definitely seems off about this whole situation to me."

"You are right about one thing, Stanna," Teagan stated. "Something is definitely off." Teagan looked down with a miserable expression stretched across his face as he added mentally That something being my heart..

Teagan once again looked over to Alfstanna out of the corner of his eye as he whispered hesitantly. "There is ... something else you need to know as well."

Alftanna paused her pacing, turning to face him. His reluctance was hinting at something she undoubtedly would not like. "What is that, Teagan?"

Still seated, staring down at his hands, clasped and palms upwards, he announced, "Stanna, I have ... cared about Sheyna for a while now ... ever since seeing her with Bryce at a Landsmeet when she was eighteen..." He glanced up at his friend, allowing her to see the entirety of his emotional commitment in his eyes as he reflected. "She was wearing the most beautiful sapphire blue dress, her hair was laying in curls across her shoulders and that smile...Maker, she looked beautiful...and from that moment I could no longer think of her as Fergus' little tag-a-long sister...she had turned, seemingly overnight, into a beautiful grown woman."

"Why did you not pursue her then?"

Teagan shrugged as he continued to look to the floor. "I was nervous...afraid that she would look at me like some drooling lecher...a creepy old man... After I returned to Rainesfere I managed to put her out of my mind, pushing the image of that grown woman from my thoughts, and replacing her once again with her ten year old counterpart whose hair I used to pull before her brother would push her in the mud."

"It worked for a while but then during the Blight, when she came to Redcliffe all of those old feelings came flooding back the second that I saw her. I considered talking to her about it the night that Eamon was cured but it was too late...she was already Alistair's. I saw them from the balcony as they were kissing in the gardens...lamenting their undying love for one another..." Teagan gave a weak laugh as he shook his head. "I was a fool to think that anything had changed between them."

Stanna read the hurt and pain in his eyes. "Oh, Teagan," she said softly. "I'm so sorry."

Teagan couldn't bear the pity he saw in Alfstanna's face. "Well, it doesn't matter anyway. Shey has gone back to Alistair, and I just need to remember that that is where she belongs."

Alfstanna sat back down in the chair beside Teagan and took his hand in hers. "Maybe she really did feel something for you, Teagan. Maybe she became scared and thought running back to her husband was the right thing to do."

"What should I do Alfstanna?"

Though she was still suspicious of what Sheyna's true intentions were Alfstanna did not want to upset Teagan any further without knowing for sure what the woman's reasoning was behind the whole affair. For now, she figured she would be positive...for Teagan's sake if nothing else. "What do you want Teagan, what is your heart telling you?"

"My heart is telling me that she is the one...the woman who I was meant for. I love her and with every fiber of my being I believe she loves me too."

Alfstanna squeezed Teagan's shoulder. "Then you need to tell her that; tell her that you are willing to forgive that she left and that you will do all that you can to get her back if it is what she truly wants. Send her a missive, tell her everything that you just told me...everything that you may not have told me, lay it all out on parchment."

"And then?"

"Then...you wait. If you don't hear back from her or if she tells you that she does not feel the same way then you can start worrying about where to go from there. Chances are she is just as mixed up and scared as you are." Alfstanna gave her friend a reassuring smile.

Teagan nodded and gave her a slight smile; while he still felt terrible, there was a small piece of sadness that fell away as a glimmer of hope shone through the clouds. "I'll do it...right now." Teagan stood from his chair and pulled Alfstanna into a warm embrace. "Thank you Stanna...thank you, I don't know what I would do without you."

Alfstanna kissed him on the forehead and grinned. "You my friend, would be dreadfully lost." And with one last kind smile she turned to leave.

Alfstanna gently closed the door to the study and then turned to lean against it as she continued to try to make sense of everything that had transpired between Shey and Teagan the night before. She wanted so much for her friend to be happy and if being with Shey is what would do that for him she would do everything that she could to support their union.

After a few moments of quiet contemplation Alfstanna decided that a trip to Denerim would be in order before she could return to Waking Sea; she would not return home without answers. I want him to be happy but there is something more to this than I think his heart will allow him to see. I think that Sheyna Cousland Theirin and I need to have a little talk about her intentions with Teagan.

Modifié par VioletTheirin, 02 septembre 2010 - 05:24 .

[Lynn01]

Very nice again !! Alfstanna confronting Shey, hrmmmmm :-)

[VioletTheirin]

Thanks Lynn...and yes...that is going to be an interesting convo

[MireliA]

I've finally caught up with your last two chapters. I'm sad that none of this is working the simple way Alistair thought it would but he always was a bit naive.



Anyway I'm really enjoying this story

[VioletTheirin]

@MireliA: What would be the fun in simplicity? LOL I'm really glad that you are enjoying the story!

[Sue]

On another Marvelous chapter. All the parties that now getting involve and each knowing a little different piece of what has happen. This is surely becoming a bigger tangle web. Can't wait for the next chapter. You are one of the best writers that I just love to read all your work. (Hope your muse comes back soon for Rose)

[RogueWarrior626]

Lovin it! Have you ever heard if you have a secret. Tell no one. Once one knows it flows. LOL! I cant wait for your next chapter. Take care.TTFN!

[VioletTheirin]

Chapter Seven~ Hearts Grow, Things Change


Lothering-

The early morning light broke through the lone window of Zevran’s rented room to find the elf propped against the headboard of the bed; Sheyna still wrapped within his arms. As the sun’s rays awoke him, he felt as though he had only just fallen asleep, and in truth it only was two hours earlier that he did finally succumb to slumber after a long night spent trying to comfort his distraught friend.

Zevran looked down at his companion who lay sleeping on his chest and found himself still in utter disbelief over what she revealed to him only hours earlier. Before he had long to think about it, Shey began to stir beneath his arm.

He noticed that she seemed hesitant to move, but quickly discovered why as he felt the warmth of her tears soaking through his shirt. Lovingly, the elf began to stroke his friend’s blonde hair as he whispered, “Did a night of sleep not help you feel any better my dear Warden?”

Shey sniffled. “It did… until I woke up and realized that the past week was real and not just a bad dream.”

“Talk to me, mi amada… your face is too beautiful to carry such ugly sadness upon it.”

“I don’t know what I should do, Zevran. So much is happening so fast and I feel as though my head is spinning,” Sheyna whispered into the assassin’s chest.

He rested his cheek on the top of her head and rubbed her arm gently. “What is it that your heart is telling you, mi amada? One’s mind can be a tangled torment of thoughts, no? But I find that if one takes the time to listen to their heart’s desires, they can make a little more sense of everything else.”

Sheyna sat up slightly so she could look into Zevran’s amber colored eyes. “I don’t know, Zev. Ever since I met Alistair I just ‘knew’ that he was what I wanted. He was the piece of the puzzle that would make my heart complete. But now, after all of this, I am left to wonder if what I thought to be true love was nothing more than a distraction from the torment and sadness that I was forced to deal with.”

“What do you mean, mi amore?”

Sheyna took a deep breath and continued, “What I mean is this: I lost my entire family and my betrothed, Dairren, all in one night. I was whisked away by Duncan to become a Warden, which I will admit did save my life... but being a warrior was something that I never wanted. As soon as I began acclimating myself to this new ‘family,’ they too were ripped away from me, save for Alistair. What if what I thought was true love was nothing more than a giant bandage for the gaping wound all of that loss left behind?”

“Ah, my sweet, darling Shey, while I can see where you might lead yourself to think that way, I can assure you that that is not the case.” Zevran gave his friend a reassuring smile.

Sheyna eyed him curiously. “How do you know, Zevran? If I don’t know my own heart, how would you be able to see it?”

“Mi amada, sometimes the view is slightly clearer when you are on the outside looking in. You get a wider perspective and are allowed to see the situation as a whole much more easily than if you are sitting in the same room with it, so to speak.” Zevran grabbed his friend gently by the shoulders and positioned her so that he could stare directly into her eyes. “I spent over a year with both you and Alistair, and saw your love for each other blossom from shy, awkward glances to long nights spent together in each other’s tent when you thought that no one would notice. I saw the relief in Alistair’s as well as your own eyes when you found each other uninjured at the end of battle. I saw, firsthand, the lingering kiss and long goodbye at the gates of Denerim before facing the Archdemon, when you didn’t know if you would ever feel each other’s embrace again. That was not distraction, mi querida, and it was not a bandage... it was love.”

Sheyna’s tears once again flowed freely down her cheeks. “Then why is my heart crying out for Teagan? If what I felt for Alistair was true love—is true love—then I should not be feeling this way for another man as well. True love is meant to be felt for one person and one person only. This has to be something else, but if it is not a distraction and cannot be love, then what is it?”

Zevran let slip a quiet chuckle. “Sheyna, who was it that said that true love always lasted, hmm? Not everything is meant to stay the same forever. People change, situations change, and hearts find new desires. What you feel for Teagan may not in fact even be a ‘new’ feeling. Your heart just may have never given your mind the opportunity to experience it before. Maybe you weren’t ready. It could be, mi querida, that Alistair’s love is what gave you the ability to grow enough to be able to accept these dormant feelings. Perhaps this heir business is Fortuna’s way of telling you that the time has come to close that chapter and begin a new one with your adoring arl.” Zevran gave Shey a cheeky smile before adding, “Then again, it very well could be that your head hit the headboard one too many times during the festivities and you went temporarily insane, in which case might I suggest that next time you place a pillow or two in between as a barrier.”

Shey giggled as she sat up and took in a deep breath. “Thank you, Zev, for everything. You have no idea how much this has helped.”

“So, my sweet, what are you going to do?”

“I’m not certain yet, but at least I now have some things to ponder to assist in figuring it out.”

Zevran stood from the bed and turned to face Shey. “Or, if all else fails, mi querida, we could always run away together and live a life of depraved debauchery, si?”

Shey could feel a large smile spread across her face as Zev took her hands in his and pulled her from the bed. “As tempting as that sounds, I think that a love triangle is all that I can handle as of now. A square may be pushing it, no?”

“Sheyna, I must ask you something. Why Teagan? I would have been more than happy to assist you and there would need be no trickery. I would have even given you one, or two, on the house, so to speak.”

Sheyna placed a hand on the Antivan’s shoulder as she replied, “We may have been able to pull it off for a little while, but the first time the child would try to bed the nanny, people would put two and two together.”

Zevran chuckled loudly. “Too true. Plus, any son of mine would require breastfeeding until age twenty and I don’t know that you would be up for that. Though if you would like to try, I’d be more than happy to assist you in practicing.” He playfully leaned down toward Shey’s chest.

A giggling Shey pushed him back. “Will you behave yourself, Arainai?”

“Fine. So cruel you are, mi amore.” Zev gave her a playful hurt look that quickly turned into a wide smile.

Shey turned and began gathering her few belongings from around the room as Zev washed up in a basin sitting on the table.

Once he was finished, Zev turned to his companion and watched as she sat upon the bed and laced up her boots. “So, is it back to Denerim with you?”

“Yes, I suppose it is. I’m very tempted to stay here for a few more days, but there is little point. My problems would just wait for me.”

Zevran let out a breathy laugh and nodded. “Si, that they would.”

Sheyna stood up and pulled her friend into an embrace. “Thank you for everything, Zevran.”

“Si, mi amore, and if you need me, I am only a missive away, no?”

Shey nodded and kissed her friend on the cheek. “I’ll hold you to that.” Then she opened the door and walked into the hallway to meet her carriage.

Modifié par VioletTheirin, 19 février 2011 - 01:04 .

[Gilgamesh1138]

WOOT!!! Another chapter! Love the one liners with her and Zev, and I love their friendship. Really great convo. Love this V!

[VioletTheirin]

Thanks hon!!! It's good to be back.

[Sue]

I am so happy you and your muse are back together again. I just missed this story!!! I love Zev advise, cant wait for the next one.

[VioletTheirin]

Thank you, Sue! I'm glad that you enjoyed it! I love writing for Zev and I hope I do his character justice in how I portray him.