[Past] One step foward

Solace, 9:31 Dragon

After the events of Awakening

Her business concluded in Amaranthine, she was ready to return to Highever.  Yet, as she and her company started to put some distance between them and Vigil's Keep, she found her heart growing all the heavier at the idea of returning home.  While she had no desire to linger where she had been, she found herself reluctant to continue on.  Odd how the home she'd been so intent on reclaiming for so long no longer felt as welcome as it should.  It was still thick with ghosts and remembrances she'd rather forget, and each step she took toward returning felt more leaden as a result.

When a fork in the road presented itself, she slowed her horse to a halt and made the impulsive decision to turn toward Denerim rather than back to Highever.  She might only be putting off the inevitable, but she needed a reprieve and it would give her a chance to check on Alistair.  It would be good to see him again.

It took a bit of convincing, but she finally managed to send the majority of her entourage back to Highever, taking the news to Fergus that she was making a detour.  He wouldn't like it, but he'd manage.  With one guard in tow, she made her way to the capital.

It did look better than when she'd left it.  The battle with the archdemon had left its scars on the city, but it looked well on the way to recovery even just these few months later.  That was a good sign.  She sent her companion with the horses to the Cousland estate, and made her way to the palace alone.  She probably could have just found her own way in and tracked Alistair down herself, but they weren't fugitives anymore and there were protocols to follow now.  So she asked that word be sent she was here to see him and waited hopefully for the formal invitation to enter.

It wasn’t every day that saw him bent over his sprawling desk, squinting at lines of neat, precise writing — oh wait, yes it was. Yes it was that every morning and afternoon and evening he had free was spent just doing exactly that. Even better was when he didn’t have any free time and was trying to read this unintelligible chicken scrawl while on a a horse. Or walking. Or even eating. Alastair was actually surprised that they didn’t try to make him read and sign and plan and all of that while he was asleep.

Wouldn’t that be extra fun?

To think, he was actually starting to miss the Deep Roads and Oghren’s smell. He’d gladly walk himself to Orzammar and head on down while being called a Pike Twirler. He hated the throne. He hated the legacy he was supposed to embrace and rise up to. And since he was being honest, he downright despised being here simply because he was the last Theirin! Something, mind you, that was kept a secret until it was damn well convenient to be brought to light.

Grumbling, he took a drink of his juice and rubbed at his eyes. Trade with Antiva. Maker’s Breath, how was he supposed to know what would work and what wouldn’t? The first Antivian he’d actually met had tried to kill him at first. Maybe he should open off negotiations with a duel or something…

By the time one of the messengers reached him, Alastair had long since put his head on the desk. No, he was fine. No, he didn’t want the healers. He nearly jumped out of his chair though, head coming up as the message—

She’s here and you’re making her wait? Yes see her in, she’s the Hero of Ferelden, not some stranger off the street! He frowned then, pushing past the spluttering man. Nevermind the messenger, he was going to meet Elanna and formally invite her into the damn castle in the whole damn nation that she helped save.

There she was!

See here, I’m inviting her to enter so there. And with that announcement, Alastair swept her up into a giant hug. Maker, it’s good to see you.

Elanna couldn't hide the grin that started to form as she saw Alistair pushing past the messenger and guard to invite her in himself.  It was completely out of line with what she'd been taught should be protocol, and so she appreciated it for that alone, but it was also so very Alistair that she couldn't help but be heartened by it.  Warmly returning the hug, she replied, [color=#17b529]"You too.  It's been too long." [/color] Really, it had only been a few months, but that felt like ages given how long they were constant companions on the road.

When the embrace released, she looped her arm through his as they started walking away from the gate.  [color=#17b529]"I was hoping you wouldn't mind me dropping in.  I was just up in Amaranthine dealing with a few things and, well, Denerim's practically around the corner.  It would be positively rude not to say hello."[/color]

[color=#17b529]"So catch me up - how are you?  Truly." [/color] She knew this had to be a hard adjustment for him.  He had never had an interest in the throne, nor any inclination to pursue it.  He'd been happy as a Warden and to end up here, alone, now that they'd all scattered to the winds...

Truthfully, she probably should have come sooner than she had.  But she was here now, feeling more and more right in her impulsive decision to turn at the fork in the road.  She loved her brother, and Highever, but she already felt so much lighter being in the presence of a friend.

It had been too long.  A few months, but being inside all the time, presented with one problem or another, and worse!  Being expected to solve it… Maker, it felt like it’d been years.  Ages.  Horrible, horrible ages.  At least Elanna could go out and about — Maker now he was whining.  No one liked a whiner.  He didn’t like a whiner!  So he didn’t really like himself at the moment.  Time has this funny way of distorting, it feels like. Is it like that for you too?  Because I wouldn’t put it past Morrigan to have put some kind of awful spell on me before she left.

Oohh that’d be just like that sneaky witch person!

He glanced over quickly when she mentioned Amaranthine.  Once seen to by Arl Howe… he bet that had been an uncomfortable and awkward stay.  Even if she hadn’t ever stepped foot inside the — no, no, let’s think about something else, Alastair, before those questions come blurting out of your mouth, shall we?  Yes.  Yes, that was a very good idea.

Hopefully nothing too harsh.  He tried not to make it obvious that he was squinting at her.  Elanna… seemed okay.  Like her usual self.  Still beautiful and strong.  Alastair flushed a little, then hastily looked up.  Right.  Oh but her next question was even worse and he almost thought that it’d be a better idea to go back to thinking she was beautiful.  Even if she’d end up punching him or something.  He… well, he fidgeted and reached up to tug nervously at the collar of his jacket.  Shirt.  Both.

The diplomatic answer, he said in case the myriad of people constantly around were listening to him.  Because of course they were.  He was the king and anything he said or did could be repeated or brought up as rumours and gossip or what have you.  He didn’t even know!  Is that I am committed to the rebuilding efforts in Denerim and then to the rest of Ferelden.  Trade and commerce will return in the wake of the Blight.

Then he all but ushered her into one of the sitting rooms, large enough that it wouldn’t be deemed improper… actually Alastair didn’t rightly care at the moment if anyone thought it wasn’t proper… they’d traveled together and stopped a Blight together.  If the rest of the palace didn’t understand that, then he couldn’t help them.  He closed the doors quietly, then leaned back against them, wondering when it was that someone was going to press their ear to it in the hopes of eavesdropping in.  Best make this admission quick then!

The honest answer?  I’m awful.  I hate this.  I… don’t know what I’m doing and everyone expects me to have all the answers and to somehow know how to fix all of their problems.  Didn’t they know that during the fighting, I was just happy to hit things and be hit by them??  That’s what the shield was for!  You were the tactician, not me.  He even went so far as to grumble.  They have me looking at proposals for increasing trade to Antiva.  Zevran is the only one I’ve met so… if they’re not trying to kill me, then I don’t know what to do with them.  He looked at her, voice plaintive.  Could I interest you in a kidnapping plot?  Namely mine? Pretty please?

She thought about responding to his inquiry, appreciating that he understood how laden a trip to Amaranthine could be to her, but ultimately she just shook her head to indicate it hadn't been bad.  Which was the honest truth, it hadn't turned out the way she'd expected, but she was okay with that.  Or would be, she still needed to sort through it all.

Good of him to remember that ears were everywhere and give her the answer they'd want to hear, even if she could tell that it wasn't the truth.  Everything about him screamed it, from the fidgeting with his collar to the air of confidence with which he repeated a very rehearsed line.

So she was relieved when he ushered her somewhere more private where he could confess the truth.  She wasn't sure whether or not she was more angry or horrified that he had been left so alone and obviously given such horrible advice.  Who was advising him, anyway?  Who was looking out for him?  Didn't anyone understand he was thrust into this and he was a good person with the best intentions but he needed help?

[color=#17b529]"Antiva?  They have you looking at proposals with Antiva?  Their diplomats would rob us blind, whoever is telling you that is an idiot and should be nowhere near you.  Or the palace,"[/color] she exclaimed, furious and starting to pace.  [color=#17b529]"The Free Marches would be a much smarter move, ugh!"[/color]  Her brother had always been better at knowing the nuances of world politics, and despite continually trying to get out of her lessons she'd picked up on quite a bit too.  Her parents would be glad at least some of their teachings had sunk in.

She whirled back to him, still upset for him, but settling into get-things-done mode.  [color=#17b529]"We are going to fix this,"[/color] she said definitively.  [color=#17b529]"Starting with getting you out of here for a while.  You want to be kidnapped?"[/color]  A sly grin came over her face.  [color=#17b529]"I spent my childhood sneaking out of places like this, I can get us out of here without anyone being the wiser until morning.  You in?"[/color]

See, that’s why I don’t listen to them! I mean, biased aside with the whole Crows thing, Antivans, they’re sneaky! Which… maybe wasn’t entirely fair to summarize an entire nation with that, but he hadn’t met an un-sneaky Antivan thus far. So.

So!

Free Marches. He nodded, his head bobbing up, then down, then side to side as he watched her pace. Alastair committed what Elanna said to memory though. Next council meeting or whatever meeting they threw at him, he was going to counter with that. See what happened. And if he was refused, he’d do it behind the protestors backs anyway and get that done. He wasn’t well versed in all this, but even he knew that trade had to happen, or else Ferelden would suffer. I don’t know if they’re after ‘smart’, so much as they’re after ‘show’. There are… new people that are very very loud. To put it nicely. See? He was even being nice!

But then his mouth dropped open, eyes lighting up.

Was he in?!

Was he in?!

Maker, yes! Oohh now it was their turn to be sneaky. Wait. Alastair frowned. He wasn’t very sneaky though. But he trusted Elanna. If she said she could get them out of here without anyone knowing until morning, then that’s what she’d do. He grinned back at her. They’d fought a broodmother, afterall. An archdemon. Getting out of the royal castle? No problem. Alright, what’s the plan and what do you need from me?

There just might have been an impish glint in her eye as she mentally started working through the options.  She could always disguise him, but that required retrieving one and sneaking it back to him first.  Doable, but not efficient.  Especially not when there was a way in and out of the palace that he'd be able to access easily...

"First, you'll need to let your seneschal know you're not feeling well and you're retiring to your chambers for the day.  Nothing to be concerned about, but absolutely no disturbances, you need your rest so you can be ready for tomorrow.  Make sure they understand the no disturbances part."  Some were more pushy than others, but if Alistair put on a tone that clearly would brook no argument he'd win.  He was king, after all.

"Then, you'll use the secret passage from the royal chambers to get outside.  Most noble homes have an escape route somewhere, and the palace's is built right into the chambers.  I think it's behind an old painting of Calenhad."  It had been a long time since she'd seen it, but that sounded right.  Alistair could have redecorated, of course, but hopefully it would be easy enough to find.

Her own home had had one as well.  Not as conveniently placed, unfortunately.  She and Fergus might need to change that.

Refusing to dwell, she continued laying out the plan.  "It'll lead you out behind the palace grounds.  Don't wear anything conspicuous and you should be fine.  I can meet you out back there and we can head off for a while, no one the wiser," she finished with a smile. 

Simple, yet effective.  And it wouldn't require him to be all sneaky and stealthy.  She adored Alistair, but stealth was more her wheelhouse than his.  Once he was ready, she would leave and start on her part of the plan, leaving him to his.

Oohhhh he knew that look in Elanna’s eyes. Usually, it meant that she was about to do something sneaky. Usually. And it was the kind of good sneaky! Not bad sneaky. Because she’d never tried to kill him, murder him for money, or stick a knife between his ribs for fun, you know? Call him crazy, but he was partial to staying stabby hole free. To say nothing of bleeding on the tapestries and the floor… the furniture! The palace staff would never let him go anywhere without them then.

Ugh.

Alastair nodded emphatically. Seneschal. Not feeling well. Retiring to chambers for the day. Nothing to be concerned about. Be firm! Be forceful! Like a King! No disturbances. Need rest. No. Disturbances. He was going to have to repeat himself a lot there, he had a feeling. Stern voice, like when the Knight-Commander came down from on high. Got it. Then secret passage—

Secret passage?!

He clapped a hand over his mouth and barely managed to keep from shouting that out loud. Secret passage?! he whispered, very very deliberately not looking around even though every instinct he had screamed at him to march to the nearest staff member and give them a good talking to. He grumbled, eyeing the tapestries around them suspiciously. You mean all this time I could’ve gotten out on my own? I owe you a castle or a herd of horses or something. Yes. Something! I’ll check as soon as I’m back. He’d tear apart the whole damn room if he had to! Secret passage!! The nerve of keeping that from him! It wasn’t like he’d use it to get very far, just outside for some fresh air! Maker’s breath!

Alright, alright, this was the plan and he had to focus! He reached out to pull her into another hug, if she was willing. This was going to be great! Wait, don’t get ahead of himself, he had to get out of the palace first. So… it would make sense for them to bid each other farewell and all of that pleasant nonsense, right? He thought so. Keep casual. Speak of meeting her again in the next few days or something if they had time. That was good. Okay, good. He was busy busy busy, and that was… busy. Yes, busy!

The headache wasn’t feigned but he exaggerated it a little, alright a lot, when he went and found his seneschal. Alastair did what Elanna told him, citing that he had a terrible headache and required a damp cloth for his eyes and as little light as possible in his room. The fussing began, and when the staff began tittering and whispering, he hissed at them to stay quiet. Please. He used please because that was polite and he wasn’t really keen on yelling or berating them. That wasn’t nice. He asked them for quiet, then he told his seneschal that he required as much silence as he could. No disturbances. N-O-N-E. No. banging. on. Doors. No asking him through said doors if he was well. His head was hurting and he just wanted quiet and rest. Oh and something to drink.

And cheese.

He laid down with the wet cloth over his head and waited for them to all leave. And they did! Alastair even overheard the Seneschal telling the guards and such that he was not to be disturbed. He was going to have to get Elanna another castle or another herd of horses or something. When he reached the count of five hundred (having almost fallen asleep just waiting), he got up as quietly as he could and changed out of his clothes. He… arranged them and the blankets so that anyone that decided to not listen and peek in would see something there still that resembled him… if he fluffed up the pillow there and bunched up the blankets there, there, and there…? Good enough. He left his shoes next to the bed, going to put on plainer clothes of browns and greys. Travel clothes ought to work…?

He drank his drink. He scarfed down the cheese.

It took some searching, and then he had to not make any noise himself, which made figuring out how to open the secret passage even more difficult. In the end, it wound up being a recessed piece of the wall near the bottom of the painting of Calenhad he simply had to push. A ‘click’ sounded and he made a furtive look at the door. No one came bursting in accusing him of being sneaky so he breathed out in relief. The passage way was musty and it smelled kind of damp in places, but it wasn't like there were people moving up and down here to keep it obsessively clean.

He made it out with absolutely no fanfare. Alastair grinned after poking his head out to make sure that the way was clear. It was! Behind him too. No shouts or alarm or clanging metal of weapons and armour. Now, where was Elanna…??

She gladly returned the hug, and made all the appropriate small talk as they bid each other farewell with promises to see each other again soon. Was there perhaps a twinkle in her eye that hadn't been there before? A giddy spring in her step as they plotted to get away with something so simple and yet so satisfying?

It felt good.

By the time she left the palace behind her she was already planning her next move. It took a little longer than she'd hoped to gather what she was looking for, mostly because she had to stop by the market and then Cousland estate to make her own excuses as to why she'd not be around for a while. Hopefully all that didn't delay her long enough to keep Alistair waiting. It would take some time before it was safe for him to sneak off, though.

Dressed down in simple clothes that allowed her to pass as entirely unremarkable with a picnic in her pack, she wove her way back through Denerim until she was behind the palace. She had to keep something of a distance so as not to attract any attention, but that wasn't hard. There were a handful of trees that provided good cover from prying eyes while she waiting for Alistair to appear, and she settled in to wait.

And soon enough, there he was! She let out a silent breath of relief; she knew well enough that it was easy for plans to go awry and she was glad this one hadn't. She stepped into view, waving an arm at him to indicate where to meet her.

She grinned once he was close enough. No trouble, I assume?