Hehe, I always wondered what happens to Loghain's Teyrnir.
FanFiction - The Hero of Ferelden (Complete Story)
Débuté par
Sisimka
, janv. 20 2010 05:57
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#152
Posté 08 février 2010 - 02:20
Freckles04
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Very nice. Yay, Alistair! You're getting sneakier...
Now we just need to find Alistair someone to love.
Now we just need to find Alistair someone to love.
#153
Posté 08 février 2010 - 03:56
Sialater
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Freckles04 wrote...
Very nice. Yay, Alistair! You're getting sneakier...
Now we just need to find Alistair someone to love.
Dozens of fangirls just fell into a long line, you know.
#154
Posté 08 février 2010 - 04:03
Freckles04
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It's a rough job, really, but someone has to do it.
#155
Posté 08 février 2010 - 04:11
Sialater
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Freckles04 wrote...
It's a rough job, really, but someone has to do it.
Volunteering, Freckles?
#157
Posté 08 février 2010 - 04:42
Sialater
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As long as you don't tell mine, either.
#158
Posté 08 février 2010 - 05:55
Jaredor
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At this rate Aedan will soon have a different title for each day of the week
#159
Posté 08 février 2010 - 06:03
Sisimka
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Jaredor: Yes, I did hesitate over this a bit, 'specially when I started listing all his other titles! But I just couldn't help but be attracted to the echo of the relationship between Maric and Loghain - which is going to come up here and there as the story progresses.
Sialater: One of the boons you can ask Al for when you make him king is a title and lands to go with it and he gives you Gwaren, so I considered it appropriate to award it to Aedan, though he really doesn't want/need it.
From Alistair's point of view, this is about Aedan's child, really. He wants to make sure the kid has a proper place, particularly in light of the fact Aedan's not going to be around forever.
Oh and the romance for Al - I'd love it if he found someone, but I'm not sure if it will happen in this story - Aedan is my primary focus. We'll just see if he meets someone along the way.
Sialater: One of the boons you can ask Al for when you make him king is a title and lands to go with it and he gives you Gwaren, so I considered it appropriate to award it to Aedan, though he really doesn't want/need it.
From Alistair's point of view, this is about Aedan's child, really. He wants to make sure the kid has a proper place, particularly in light of the fact Aedan's not going to be around forever.
Oh and the romance for Al - I'd love it if he found someone, but I'm not sure if it will happen in this story - Aedan is my primary focus. We'll just see if he meets someone along the way.
Modifié par Sisimka, 08 février 2010 - 06:05 .
#160
Posté 08 février 2010 - 06:13
AdorableAnarchist
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Oh Sisimka! I just got caught up and this is wonderful! My heart was in my throat when Aedan told Leliana! Fantastic!
#162
Posté 08 février 2010 - 07:08
Maximus741000
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This has to be my favouritest fan-fiction on the forums anywhere. It's gripping, emotionally moving, exquisitely written, and in a way it makes me want to mirror it with a similar character. All of the sudden, I'm regretting my romance with Morrigan my Human Noble had.
#163
Posté 08 février 2010 - 07:43
bl00dsh0t
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Another great chapter, some glorious fluff to brighten the day ^^
#164
Posté 08 février 2010 - 08:13
Sisimka
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Maximus: Wow, I'm so moved by your praise! Thank you!
Bloodshot: Always glad to brighten your day!
Bloodshot: Always glad to brighten your day!
#165
Posté 08 février 2010 - 11:57
valen_morrow
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making my bad day, into a good one.
now if only this continues for a month
now if only this continues for a month
#166
Posté 09 février 2010 - 01:13
Kulkodar
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Woohoo! I knew he'd have to be forgiven. Nicely done
#167
Posté 09 février 2010 - 05:49
Sisimka
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http://www.fanfictio...t/s/5701751/20/
Templar Secrets
It was late morning by the time Aedan and Leliana left their room and the castle was eerily quiet after the festivities of the evening before. Leliana was dressed in her drakeskin leathers, much to Aedan’s approval and he was delighted to be back in the well worn shirt and pants he favoured. As they had dressed, Aedan had asked Leliana when she thought she might start to show and they had both gazed at her still flat midriff in wonder. Aedan felt like a child waiting for a gift he was not allowed to open for seven months and Leliana had chuckled at his impatience.
They left the castle intending to take advantage of the continued good weather and get in some exercise with the other wardens. Upon reaching the field behind the castle he discovered they were not the only ones desiring a little fresh air to clear a foggy head. He sighed ruefully to himself as he mentally questioned once again the decision to open that bottle of Oghren’s. He was interested to see if Alistair and Fergus agreed with his assessment: never again. Oghren of course had seemed immune to the stuff. Zevran had refused to try it.
Alistair and Fergus were engaged in conversation off to one side of the large open field. Aedan paused to kiss Leliana lightly on the lips before walking over to join them, leaving her in the company of Zevran and Kayley. The pained squint Fergus gave him as he turned his head and the sun caught him directly in the eyes confirmed his suspicions in one case at least. Alistair moved his head more slowly and Aedan grinned in delight as his friend’s pale countenance confirmed a similar regret.
Fergus greeted him with, “My Lord” and Aedan scowled good-naturedly before returning the very same greeting.
Aedan turned to Alistair and said with a smile, “You do realize you’ve practically handed Ferelden over to the Couslands? I can already imagine the rumblings at the Landsmeet…”
Alistair rolled his eyes and said, “Yes, yes, Eamon has already been quite vociferous on that point…among others.”
Aedan raised a brow, “Oh? Care to enlighten us?”
Fergus answered, “Apparently Eamon is seeing ghosts.”
Aedan scratched his head a minute and then it dawned, “I see. He sees me as another potential ‘Loghain’, does he?”
Aedan exchanged a look with Alistair then, one that conveyed they were both having the same thought. Aedan could not conceive a situation in which he would betray Alistair and he shuddered inwardly. He put a hand to his forehead, “This talk makes my head pound.”
Alistair chuckled, “You too?” and Fergus added with a pained sigh, “I felt as if I’d been poisoned this morning. I do not want to know what was in that bottle.”
They exchanged a laugh and then Fergus excused himself, leaving Aedan alone with Alistair.
Aedan looked at his friend and Alistair returned the look and they laughed as once again each knew what the other was thinking. Alistair then said, “You would have refused it! I didn’t do it just for you, you know.”
Aedan nodded and replied, “I know…and somewhere inside I appreciate the gesture.” He paused and rubbed his sore temples again before adding, “Leliana would always have had a place here at Castle Cousland, but knowing that she and our child will be independent after I’m gone…there is a certain comfort in that.”
As Aedan articulated these thoughts he realized that he was truly grateful and so he continued with, “Thank you Alistair, it is a gift beyond measure.”
Aedan saw that Alistair understood this was his proper ‘thank you’ and the king smiled as he accepted it. Then he clapped his hands together and said, “Speaking of gifts, Taren eagerly awaits our presence!”
At an indication from Alistair, Aedan collected Leliana and they walked back to the castle to meet Taren. He was waiting in the library and it did not escape Aedan’s notice that a guard was placed outside the door and that the library was empty but for the four of them.
Taren was reading and he hastily put the book aside as he rose to greet them. His face was lit with excitement and Aedan wasn’t sure if he should be as excited or simply worried. Alistair said quietly to Taren, “Is everything prepared?”
The mage nodded his assent and folded back a layer of cloth resting on the table. Beneath the fold, resting against the black velvet were two amulets. They were beautifully formed and exquisite in their simplicity. The chain was made of fine silver links twisted in a way that both caught and reflected light and the pendant was a simple heart with what appeared to be a clear gem in the centre.
Leliana caught her breath and put a hand to her mouth and then looked from the mage to the king and said, “Oh, they are beautiful.”
Aedan agreed, “Yes, Alistair, Taren…they are.” He shook his head before adding, “But you have already given us so much!”
Alistair smiled but as he spoke his face assumed a more somber expression. “There are going to be times when you two will be separated, often by great distances,” here he was referring to the upcoming trip to Orlais on which Leliana was to accompany him. “As a Grey Warden you are compelled to meet the darkspawn wherever they may be and very soon Leliana will not be in a position to join you in battle.”
They all nodded soberly at this. Though Aedan was not particularly happy over losing a month with his new wife as she traveled to Orlais, he knew without a doubt that the separation would be one of many in the years to come.
Alistair waved a hand at the amulets and said, “Our hope,” he inclined his head toward Taren, “is that with these amulets you will be able to maintain a…link with one another.” He shrugged as if lacking the proper words to describe what he meant. He indicated that Taren should continue.
“The gem in the centre is hollow and when properly prepared will become something like a phylactery. You will be able to sense one another’s presence and direction over a certain distance.” Taren explained.
Aedan’s eyebrows rose in alarm and he couldn’t help the chill that tickled down his spine. Not long after Ostagar he and Alistair had talked at camp one night about what it took to become a templar and the subject of phylacteries had come up. They contained a specially preserved sample of a mage’s blood and were used by templars to track maleficar, or rogue mages.
He looked to Alistair and said, “But I have no templar training.” Leliana was nodding in agreement, her face also somewhat disturbed.
Alistair said quietly, “It is a small trick and something I can teach you…if this is something you both desire.”
Aedan grinned slyly at Alistair and said, “Prepared to divulge templar secrets are we?”
Alistair returned the grin and with a little shrug said, “Grey Warden secrets, Templar secrets…once you start its hard stop, right?”
This broke the tension and they all chuckled quietly a moment. Alistair looked from Aedan to Leliana and continued, “To most, these will appear simple amulets, tokens of affection. If we go ahead with this, I would not advise sharing their nature with someone you did not trust.” He paused here before asking, “So, what do you think?”
Aedan looked at Leliana and touched her on the arm. She looked up at him and they searched each other’s faces for answers. Though Aedan could not shake the odd sense of foreboding that had crept upon him, the idea of being able to ‘feel’ Leliana’s presence when she was in Orlais was more than attractive. She nodded to him and he turned to Alistair and Taren and said, “Let’s do this then.”
They each provided a small sample of blood using the keen edge of one of Zevran’s Antivan daggers. Aedan knew he would not be telling Zevran just how that blade had first become bloodied. Then they watched and waited while Taren prepared the amulets. As he handed them over, Aedan noted they felt no different from any simple pendant. Aedan wore an enchanted amulet he called Reflection which he’d received during the trial of the Gauntlet on their quest for the sacred ashes of Andraste. Aedan never removed Reflection and he was always aware of the enchantment it carried as being a small tingle against his skin.
Alistair nodded at Taren and the mage left the library. Aedan looked up from examining the amulet and listened intently as Alistair explained and then demonstrated how they worked. As Alistair had indicated, it was a simple matter of focus. The connection he had with Leliana clearly defined his thoughts and he found it easy to do. When he held the pendant in the palm of his hand and thought about it in a certain way, it was as if he felt a mental tug and when he looked up, he was staring right at Leliana. She was looking right back at him. They shared a surprised smile and looked at their hands once again, repeating the process.
After they had done this several times and were giggling at each other in delight, Alistair folded his arms across his chest and said in an amused tone, “Well, I can see the pendants appear to be working.”
It was Leliana who replied, “This is amazing, Alistair, thank you.” Aedan echoed her sentiment, “Yes, thank you.”
Alistair waved off their thanks and said, “You should head outside or perhaps try to find one another from different rooms…get a feel for them over a little distance.”
Aedan nodded, took Leliana’s hand, and said, “We’ll play hide and seek. You better get moving, my love, because when I find you…” he trailed off and winked at her. She laughed and skipped from the room. When Aedan turned back toward Alistair, his friend was rolling his eyes at him. Aedan just smiled.
Alistair returned the smile and then with a carefully neutral expression asked, “All is well between you two?”
Aedan couldn’t help replying with, “Well she did marry me didn’t she?” before sobering and adding more thoughtfully, “For the most part, yes. I am a lucky, lucky man.”
“Yes, you are,” Alistair agreed and they shared a moment of thoughtful silence before Aedan spoke again.
“Alistair, thank you again for…everything. All I ever gave you was some old sword I found in the Deep Roads and here you shower me with titles and gifts every time I turn around.” That old sword had been Topsider’s Honor and Alistair still carried it. Aedan knew it meant more to his friend than some old sword, but still, it felt woefully inadequate.
Alistair replied, “You have given me a lot more than some old sword, Aedan, and you well know it.”
Aedan said, “So, are we even yet?”
They both laughed quietly at this and Aedan left to find Leliana.
He hoped she’d hidden somewhere private. She had, but they soon found the storeroom was not as private as it first appeared. Aedan had just managed undo the belt to Leliana’s leathers when they were interrupted by the door opening. In the sliver of light that slanted into the dim room through the open doorway Aedan discerned two figures slipping through and closing the door behind them. He heard a soft giggle and then a low murmur in a very distinctive accent.
“Zev?” he whispered.
“Aedan?” the Antivan answered and Leliana betrayed her presence with a quick laugh.
Aedan asked, “What are you doing in here?”
Zevran answered drily, “Apparently the same as you.”
The door opened again startling all four of them and a servant backed through carrying one end of a table top from the banquet the previous evening. He was followed by another man holding the other end. A lamp was balanced on the table top and as the room became lit the two servants gaped at the four people standing in the shadows. The first one recovered his composure with admirable speed and bobbing his head to Aedan, addressed him with, “Is there something I can help you find, my Lord?”
Aedan opened his mouth and closed it again and Zevran chuckled before answering for him, “His shirt, perhaps?”
Aedan looked down and cursed before leaning over to retrieve his shirt from the pile of sacks behind Leliana who was unsuccessfully trying to stifle her continued laughter. All four hastily left the room, Zevran pulling a furiously blushing Kayley by the hand while Leliana helped tug Aedan’s shirt back over his head. They stood in the hall trying to compose themselves for a moment before Aedan leaned over to whisper something to Zevran. The elf grinned and with a wave of one hand turned slipped into the shadows, Kayley following him.
Aedan turned to face Leliana and she was looking at him questioningly. Aedan shrugged and said with a little smile, “This old castle has more than one storeroom.”
He slipped an arm about Leliana’s shoulders and they walked in the opposite direction. They exited the narrow corridor near the main hall just as Philippe stepped from the wide door. He looked up and said, “Ah, Commander. Shall we go over our plans and the travel arrangements one final time?”
Philippe was leaving Highever tomorrow and the rest of the guests would be departing the day after. The very thought of the upcoming month sapped the last of the mirth from Aedan’s expression. The last few days, with one notable exception, had felt like a holiday and he couldn’t help a lingering feeling of regret that this wasn’t his lot in life – to be simply a noble again, to spend the majority of his days and nights in the company of his family.
The meeting was brief as they were only finalizing arrangements that had been made before leaving Amaranthine. Philippe, Aedan and Leliana were joined in the library by Alistair and Oghren and they talked for a while of what Alistair and Leliana hoped to accomplish in Val Royeaux. Alistair would be sailing with the tide two mornings hence with Leliana, Oghren and his contingent of Ferelden soldiers.
Zevran and the five more experienced wardens would be traveling with Aedan to Lake Calenhad. Taren had spoken of talented senior enchanter that had expressed interest in becoming a Grey Warden and Aedan was eager to meet her. No one could replace Wynne in his mind, but another mage was always welcome. From there they would circle the lake to Redcliffe and follow the West Highway back to Denerim and Amaranthine. They would be looking for recruits and darkspawn. Aedan expected the journey to take about a month and hoped to meet Alistair and Leliana back in Denerim when they returned from Orlais.
Philippe, with his rank of Senior Warden, would be returning to Amaranthine with the three newer wardens to continue training and recruitment efforts.
Once everyone had finished reviewing their separate agendas the companions chatted amiably until early evening.
Dinner was a subdued affair. Though most had escaped the abuse of Oghren’s peculiar bottle of liquor, there had been ale aplenty the previous evening and there were a lot of hastily covered yawns and gaps in conversation.
Only Aedan, Alistair and Fergus were still sitting at one end of the table talking quietly when the messenger arrived. He was hollow cheeked and his eyes carried the deep shadow of someone who has not slept in many days. Darkspawn had been sighted south of Redcliffe and Bann Teagan, who was running the estate in Eamon’s absence, was appealing to the Grey Wardens for assistance in driving them back once again.
The messenger was sent for a meal and some much needed sleep while Aedan bid Alistair and Fergus good night. He would have to make an early start in the morning. His campaign would begin a day before it was originally intended.
Templar Secrets
It was late morning by the time Aedan and Leliana left their room and the castle was eerily quiet after the festivities of the evening before. Leliana was dressed in her drakeskin leathers, much to Aedan’s approval and he was delighted to be back in the well worn shirt and pants he favoured. As they had dressed, Aedan had asked Leliana when she thought she might start to show and they had both gazed at her still flat midriff in wonder. Aedan felt like a child waiting for a gift he was not allowed to open for seven months and Leliana had chuckled at his impatience.
They left the castle intending to take advantage of the continued good weather and get in some exercise with the other wardens. Upon reaching the field behind the castle he discovered they were not the only ones desiring a little fresh air to clear a foggy head. He sighed ruefully to himself as he mentally questioned once again the decision to open that bottle of Oghren’s. He was interested to see if Alistair and Fergus agreed with his assessment: never again. Oghren of course had seemed immune to the stuff. Zevran had refused to try it.
Alistair and Fergus were engaged in conversation off to one side of the large open field. Aedan paused to kiss Leliana lightly on the lips before walking over to join them, leaving her in the company of Zevran and Kayley. The pained squint Fergus gave him as he turned his head and the sun caught him directly in the eyes confirmed his suspicions in one case at least. Alistair moved his head more slowly and Aedan grinned in delight as his friend’s pale countenance confirmed a similar regret.
Fergus greeted him with, “My Lord” and Aedan scowled good-naturedly before returning the very same greeting.
Aedan turned to Alistair and said with a smile, “You do realize you’ve practically handed Ferelden over to the Couslands? I can already imagine the rumblings at the Landsmeet…”
Alistair rolled his eyes and said, “Yes, yes, Eamon has already been quite vociferous on that point…among others.”
Aedan raised a brow, “Oh? Care to enlighten us?”
Fergus answered, “Apparently Eamon is seeing ghosts.”
Aedan scratched his head a minute and then it dawned, “I see. He sees me as another potential ‘Loghain’, does he?”
Aedan exchanged a look with Alistair then, one that conveyed they were both having the same thought. Aedan could not conceive a situation in which he would betray Alistair and he shuddered inwardly. He put a hand to his forehead, “This talk makes my head pound.”
Alistair chuckled, “You too?” and Fergus added with a pained sigh, “I felt as if I’d been poisoned this morning. I do not want to know what was in that bottle.”
They exchanged a laugh and then Fergus excused himself, leaving Aedan alone with Alistair.
Aedan looked at his friend and Alistair returned the look and they laughed as once again each knew what the other was thinking. Alistair then said, “You would have refused it! I didn’t do it just for you, you know.”
Aedan nodded and replied, “I know…and somewhere inside I appreciate the gesture.” He paused and rubbed his sore temples again before adding, “Leliana would always have had a place here at Castle Cousland, but knowing that she and our child will be independent after I’m gone…there is a certain comfort in that.”
As Aedan articulated these thoughts he realized that he was truly grateful and so he continued with, “Thank you Alistair, it is a gift beyond measure.”
Aedan saw that Alistair understood this was his proper ‘thank you’ and the king smiled as he accepted it. Then he clapped his hands together and said, “Speaking of gifts, Taren eagerly awaits our presence!”
At an indication from Alistair, Aedan collected Leliana and they walked back to the castle to meet Taren. He was waiting in the library and it did not escape Aedan’s notice that a guard was placed outside the door and that the library was empty but for the four of them.
Taren was reading and he hastily put the book aside as he rose to greet them. His face was lit with excitement and Aedan wasn’t sure if he should be as excited or simply worried. Alistair said quietly to Taren, “Is everything prepared?”
The mage nodded his assent and folded back a layer of cloth resting on the table. Beneath the fold, resting against the black velvet were two amulets. They were beautifully formed and exquisite in their simplicity. The chain was made of fine silver links twisted in a way that both caught and reflected light and the pendant was a simple heart with what appeared to be a clear gem in the centre.
Leliana caught her breath and put a hand to her mouth and then looked from the mage to the king and said, “Oh, they are beautiful.”
Aedan agreed, “Yes, Alistair, Taren…they are.” He shook his head before adding, “But you have already given us so much!”
Alistair smiled but as he spoke his face assumed a more somber expression. “There are going to be times when you two will be separated, often by great distances,” here he was referring to the upcoming trip to Orlais on which Leliana was to accompany him. “As a Grey Warden you are compelled to meet the darkspawn wherever they may be and very soon Leliana will not be in a position to join you in battle.”
They all nodded soberly at this. Though Aedan was not particularly happy over losing a month with his new wife as she traveled to Orlais, he knew without a doubt that the separation would be one of many in the years to come.
Alistair waved a hand at the amulets and said, “Our hope,” he inclined his head toward Taren, “is that with these amulets you will be able to maintain a…link with one another.” He shrugged as if lacking the proper words to describe what he meant. He indicated that Taren should continue.
“The gem in the centre is hollow and when properly prepared will become something like a phylactery. You will be able to sense one another’s presence and direction over a certain distance.” Taren explained.
Aedan’s eyebrows rose in alarm and he couldn’t help the chill that tickled down his spine. Not long after Ostagar he and Alistair had talked at camp one night about what it took to become a templar and the subject of phylacteries had come up. They contained a specially preserved sample of a mage’s blood and were used by templars to track maleficar, or rogue mages.
He looked to Alistair and said, “But I have no templar training.” Leliana was nodding in agreement, her face also somewhat disturbed.
Alistair said quietly, “It is a small trick and something I can teach you…if this is something you both desire.”
Aedan grinned slyly at Alistair and said, “Prepared to divulge templar secrets are we?”
Alistair returned the grin and with a little shrug said, “Grey Warden secrets, Templar secrets…once you start its hard stop, right?”
This broke the tension and they all chuckled quietly a moment. Alistair looked from Aedan to Leliana and continued, “To most, these will appear simple amulets, tokens of affection. If we go ahead with this, I would not advise sharing their nature with someone you did not trust.” He paused here before asking, “So, what do you think?”
Aedan looked at Leliana and touched her on the arm. She looked up at him and they searched each other’s faces for answers. Though Aedan could not shake the odd sense of foreboding that had crept upon him, the idea of being able to ‘feel’ Leliana’s presence when she was in Orlais was more than attractive. She nodded to him and he turned to Alistair and Taren and said, “Let’s do this then.”
They each provided a small sample of blood using the keen edge of one of Zevran’s Antivan daggers. Aedan knew he would not be telling Zevran just how that blade had first become bloodied. Then they watched and waited while Taren prepared the amulets. As he handed them over, Aedan noted they felt no different from any simple pendant. Aedan wore an enchanted amulet he called Reflection which he’d received during the trial of the Gauntlet on their quest for the sacred ashes of Andraste. Aedan never removed Reflection and he was always aware of the enchantment it carried as being a small tingle against his skin.
Alistair nodded at Taren and the mage left the library. Aedan looked up from examining the amulet and listened intently as Alistair explained and then demonstrated how they worked. As Alistair had indicated, it was a simple matter of focus. The connection he had with Leliana clearly defined his thoughts and he found it easy to do. When he held the pendant in the palm of his hand and thought about it in a certain way, it was as if he felt a mental tug and when he looked up, he was staring right at Leliana. She was looking right back at him. They shared a surprised smile and looked at their hands once again, repeating the process.
After they had done this several times and were giggling at each other in delight, Alistair folded his arms across his chest and said in an amused tone, “Well, I can see the pendants appear to be working.”
It was Leliana who replied, “This is amazing, Alistair, thank you.” Aedan echoed her sentiment, “Yes, thank you.”
Alistair waved off their thanks and said, “You should head outside or perhaps try to find one another from different rooms…get a feel for them over a little distance.”
Aedan nodded, took Leliana’s hand, and said, “We’ll play hide and seek. You better get moving, my love, because when I find you…” he trailed off and winked at her. She laughed and skipped from the room. When Aedan turned back toward Alistair, his friend was rolling his eyes at him. Aedan just smiled.
Alistair returned the smile and then with a carefully neutral expression asked, “All is well between you two?”
Aedan couldn’t help replying with, “Well she did marry me didn’t she?” before sobering and adding more thoughtfully, “For the most part, yes. I am a lucky, lucky man.”
“Yes, you are,” Alistair agreed and they shared a moment of thoughtful silence before Aedan spoke again.
“Alistair, thank you again for…everything. All I ever gave you was some old sword I found in the Deep Roads and here you shower me with titles and gifts every time I turn around.” That old sword had been Topsider’s Honor and Alistair still carried it. Aedan knew it meant more to his friend than some old sword, but still, it felt woefully inadequate.
Alistair replied, “You have given me a lot more than some old sword, Aedan, and you well know it.”
Aedan said, “So, are we even yet?”
They both laughed quietly at this and Aedan left to find Leliana.
He hoped she’d hidden somewhere private. She had, but they soon found the storeroom was not as private as it first appeared. Aedan had just managed undo the belt to Leliana’s leathers when they were interrupted by the door opening. In the sliver of light that slanted into the dim room through the open doorway Aedan discerned two figures slipping through and closing the door behind them. He heard a soft giggle and then a low murmur in a very distinctive accent.
“Zev?” he whispered.
“Aedan?” the Antivan answered and Leliana betrayed her presence with a quick laugh.
Aedan asked, “What are you doing in here?”
Zevran answered drily, “Apparently the same as you.”
The door opened again startling all four of them and a servant backed through carrying one end of a table top from the banquet the previous evening. He was followed by another man holding the other end. A lamp was balanced on the table top and as the room became lit the two servants gaped at the four people standing in the shadows. The first one recovered his composure with admirable speed and bobbing his head to Aedan, addressed him with, “Is there something I can help you find, my Lord?”
Aedan opened his mouth and closed it again and Zevran chuckled before answering for him, “His shirt, perhaps?”
Aedan looked down and cursed before leaning over to retrieve his shirt from the pile of sacks behind Leliana who was unsuccessfully trying to stifle her continued laughter. All four hastily left the room, Zevran pulling a furiously blushing Kayley by the hand while Leliana helped tug Aedan’s shirt back over his head. They stood in the hall trying to compose themselves for a moment before Aedan leaned over to whisper something to Zevran. The elf grinned and with a wave of one hand turned slipped into the shadows, Kayley following him.
Aedan turned to face Leliana and she was looking at him questioningly. Aedan shrugged and said with a little smile, “This old castle has more than one storeroom.”
He slipped an arm about Leliana’s shoulders and they walked in the opposite direction. They exited the narrow corridor near the main hall just as Philippe stepped from the wide door. He looked up and said, “Ah, Commander. Shall we go over our plans and the travel arrangements one final time?”
Philippe was leaving Highever tomorrow and the rest of the guests would be departing the day after. The very thought of the upcoming month sapped the last of the mirth from Aedan’s expression. The last few days, with one notable exception, had felt like a holiday and he couldn’t help a lingering feeling of regret that this wasn’t his lot in life – to be simply a noble again, to spend the majority of his days and nights in the company of his family.
The meeting was brief as they were only finalizing arrangements that had been made before leaving Amaranthine. Philippe, Aedan and Leliana were joined in the library by Alistair and Oghren and they talked for a while of what Alistair and Leliana hoped to accomplish in Val Royeaux. Alistair would be sailing with the tide two mornings hence with Leliana, Oghren and his contingent of Ferelden soldiers.
Zevran and the five more experienced wardens would be traveling with Aedan to Lake Calenhad. Taren had spoken of talented senior enchanter that had expressed interest in becoming a Grey Warden and Aedan was eager to meet her. No one could replace Wynne in his mind, but another mage was always welcome. From there they would circle the lake to Redcliffe and follow the West Highway back to Denerim and Amaranthine. They would be looking for recruits and darkspawn. Aedan expected the journey to take about a month and hoped to meet Alistair and Leliana back in Denerim when they returned from Orlais.
Philippe, with his rank of Senior Warden, would be returning to Amaranthine with the three newer wardens to continue training and recruitment efforts.
Once everyone had finished reviewing their separate agendas the companions chatted amiably until early evening.
Dinner was a subdued affair. Though most had escaped the abuse of Oghren’s peculiar bottle of liquor, there had been ale aplenty the previous evening and there were a lot of hastily covered yawns and gaps in conversation.
Only Aedan, Alistair and Fergus were still sitting at one end of the table talking quietly when the messenger arrived. He was hollow cheeked and his eyes carried the deep shadow of someone who has not slept in many days. Darkspawn had been sighted south of Redcliffe and Bann Teagan, who was running the estate in Eamon’s absence, was appealing to the Grey Wardens for assistance in driving them back once again.
The messenger was sent for a meal and some much needed sleep while Aedan bid Alistair and Fergus good night. He would have to make an early start in the morning. His campaign would begin a day before it was originally intended.
Modifié par Sisimka, 10 février 2010 - 01:07 .
#168
Posté 09 février 2010 - 05:59
Freckles04
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Nice chapter. I ADORED the storeroom scene. Awesome!!
#169
Posté 09 février 2010 - 06:05
Sialater
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Hehe, the storeroom was wonderful!
#170
Posté 09 février 2010 - 08:44
Maximus741000
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That was a sweet instalment! The storeroom scene has my applause too.
But at times I honestly wonder where the story of Aedan is going, if it will end, how and will it lead to Awakening.
But at times I honestly wonder where the story of Aedan is going, if it will end, how and will it lead to Awakening.
#171
Posté 09 février 2010 - 09:12
Sisimka
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Glad you all enjoyed the storeroom. I have to admit, this chapter was concieved as a bit of break from the emotional drama that led up to the wedding. Aedan needed it and so did I.
It is perhaps the calm before the storm.
The next chapter is going to kick start the action and start advancing my main plot again!
It is perhaps the calm before the storm.
The next chapter is going to kick start the action and start advancing my main plot again!
Modifié par Sisimka, 09 février 2010 - 11:03 .
#172
Posté 10 février 2010 - 01:18
valen_morrow
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nom.. nom... i keep eating it up lol.
#173
Posté 10 février 2010 - 05:40
Kulkodar
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oh lovely. Makes me wish I were Kayley ;p Definitely looking forward to the next bit. We know things just can't go smoothly!
#175
Posté 10 février 2010 - 01:16
Sisimka
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Thanks folks, glad you enjoyed it. Another chapter coming up shortly!
