There and Back Again Ch. 105-106

Cailan stepped up beside Anora, shooting her a sardonic smile. "Please stand. I thank you for your welcome home!" The crowd chuckled, and Cailan smiled. "As Loghain said, for five years, Anora has been queen, and a capable administrator she appeared to be. But at the first sign of trouble, before the impact of our loss at Ostagar could even be evaluated, she required a regent to ensure the country remained functional, a regent who immediately began a civil war. A regent who attempted to seize the throne for himself, while Anora did nothing."

He turned to Anora sadly. "Once, I trusted you. Once, I believed you were infinitely more capable, more deserving of the throne than I ever could be. I'm sorry that you proved me wrong."

Anora's face paled even further, if that was possible, and I wondered if she was replaying everything she had said in front of 'Theron' back at Eamon's estate.

She reached her hand out toward him, voice shaky. "Cailan, I-"

He shrugged her hand off his arm, effectively silencing her. He turned back to the crowd. "I am back to regain my Father's throne, and to rectify the mistakes that have been made in my absence. Do I have the support of the Landsmeet to begin again, to fight for Ferelden?"

There was an overwhelming roar of approval from the Landsmeet, and no one thought to call a proper vote given how clear the support for Cailan was. I wondered how much of that enthusiasm was simple relief that anyone other than Loghain would be in power; it didn't matter, as long as they'd follow him.

When the noise died down, Cailan turned back to his father-in-law. "Teyrn Loghain, I may have been able to rationalise your withdrawal at Ostagar – losing the entire army to save the King, as I recall, was something my father explicitly forbade you from repeating – though as one woman proved, all was not nearly as hopeless at Ostagar as you seemed to believe. I can overlook that mistake. However, the other things you have done, before and since – allowing Rendon Howe to perpetrate his atrocities, rewarding him for them, poisoning Eamon Guerrin, fomenting rebellion in the Circle of Magi, beginning a civil war, trying to have the remaining Wardens assassinated – those I cannot conscience.

"My Lords and Ladies, the Teyrn has perpetrated treason against the entirety of Ferelden. In light of my prolonged absence, I would ask your support in declaring him guilty, and sentencing him to be hung by the neck until dead at dawn tomorrow."

Anora gasped and recoiled, while Loghain, mouth still agape at Cailan's unveiling, looked around the room for support, and, not seeing any, slowly slumped to his knees in defeat. The Landsmeet, now all back on their feet, muttered amongst themselves, but it was easy to see that, at least in this matter, Cailan would not lack support. Alfstanna was the first to speak.

"I, for one, agree wholeheartedly with the sentence. Waking Sea votes guilty. And may I say: welcome home, Your Majesty."

Cailan smiled and nodded, blushing slightly. The rest of the nobles began hurriedly adding in their agreement, none of them wanting to be seen as colluding with Loghain. Even Ceorlic, the snake I knew was attached firmly by the lips to Loghain's ass, voted guilty. Loghain slumped even further, not even deigning to make his speech from the game, seeming to understand that not even his own men stood with him.

When the last vote was cast, Cailan glanced around, sharing nods with Aedan and Alistair, before turning back to Loghain.

"Very well. Loghain, by decree of this Landsmeet, your title and lands have been stripped, your property forfeit to the Crown. You will be held in Fort Drakon overnight, and at dawn, hung from the city gates until dead."

"No!" cried Anora, but Cailan waved her off again as she rushed over to her father.

"Your Majesty," a voice rang out, and everyone shuffled to look around as Duncan stepped forward. "If I may? I have a suggestion."

Cailan nodded, as Duncan knelt in front of the dais Cailan shared with a thunderstruck Anora and a defeated Loghain. "I am Duncan, Commander of Ferelden's Grey Wardens," he announced, for the benefit of those who might not know. "The Blight is the gravest threat in Ferelden at present, and will require everything that we Wardens and our allies can throw at it. It seems a waste to sentence this man, once a brilliant general and a capable soldier, to death, when his skills could be used to combat the Blight."

"What exactly do you propose, Warden Commander?" Cailan was doing an admirable job of looking surprised and disapproving. Aedan and Alistair were also demonstrating their acting abilities, looking incensed as though they hadn't known this very thing would happen.

"Allow him to join the Grey Wardens, your Majesty. There, his expertise can be put to good use, and there are... compelling reasons to have as many Grey Wardens in Ferelden as possible."

"Yes!" Anora cried. "Use his skills, Cailan. The Joining itself can be fatal, can it not? And if he survives, a life spent dedicated to fighting darkspawn would be a better purpose than hanging. Surely even your need for revenge would be satisfied by that?"

Cailan stared at Duncan for a few moments, then shifted his gaze to Loghain. For his part, the disgraced former Teyrn knelt upright, meeting Cailan's eyes for the first time, acceptance written on his face. He was sure, I suspected, that nothing would sway Cailan from his justice, and he accepted his pending death with grace. I have to respect him for that, even if only a little.

Cailan turned back to Duncan, gesturing for him to stand. "Warden Commander, I will acquiesce to your request on two conditions."

Now my interest was piqued; this hadn't been what we'd discussed at all. I was only aware of one. What other condition could Cailan possibly want to impose? I stepped forward unconsciously, watching as Aedan and Alistair exchanged confused glances.

"Name them, your Majesty, and if they are within my power, they will be done." Duncan smirked slightly, and it was clear he had at least guessed, if not known, what would be said.

"I will not tolerate this traitor in my country, Grey Warden or no. So my first condition is that, should he survive the Blight, Loghain will be transferred out of Ferelden, and never allowed to return. If he lives through the Blight, which I very much hope he does not," he said this with a glare sent Loghain's way, and the former Teyrn winced, "your order will remove him from my borders."

Riordan stepped forward, removing his helmet. "I am Riordan, Grey Warden of Jader, your Majesty." Cailan nodded. "I pledge that, should he survive, I will take Loghain back to Jader when I leave, where he can live the rest of his life protecting Orlesians from darkspawn."

There was a muffled gasp followed by some outright laughter, as Loghain stirred himself to object; he took one look at Cailan's face, and settled again, scowling.

"That seems most fitting, Riordan, thank you." Cailan smirked, then turned back to Duncan. "My second condition is that, regardless of whether your new recruit survives, when the Blight is over, you, or other members of your order, will escort my former wife outside of Ferelden's borders, ensuring she arrives safely at her new home. Somewhere in Nevarra, I should think, or possibly even the Anderfels – we can make arrangements for the location once the Blight has ended. I cannot trust the men formerly under Loghain's command until they have been evaluated, and I would not have her slip away to cause more difficulty."

Duncan nodded, reluctantly; there was a pregnant pause as everyone seemed to be watching the drama with bated breath. Anora stepped towards Cailan again, arms out, expression devastated, one tear artfully flowing down her cheek. "Cailan, no. With you back, both of us together...we can fix this. We can make Ferelden strong again. You need me! I can-"

"No, Anora. You had your chance. You have shown me, clearly, how I have failed Ferelden and my father's memory; I will work to fix my own mistakes. I thank you for your service to Ferelden for the five years before the Blight, but we are through." Cailan turned back to the crown again, looking up toward the little balcony where the withered prune stood.

"Grand Cleric, your Grace, I, Cailan Theirin, the King of Ferelden, petition you to allow me to put aside Anora Mac Tir, and eventually, Maker-willing, find another queen to rule at my side."

"On what charge do you make your petition, your Majesty?"

"That she is barren, your Grace. Ferelden will need a royal heir." Anora gasped, but no one else even looked surprised.

"And do you have a new bride chosen at this time?"

"No, your Grace. The Blight is my priority."

"Then I suggest you choose one soon, your Majesty. Very well, your petition is granted. Cailan Theirin, Anora Mac Tir, your marriage is now annulled. Your Majesty, please attend me at the Cathedral as soon as possible to sign the requisite documents."

"No! This cannot happen!" Anora shouted. "I am the Queen! You need me, Cailan!"

Cailan nodded to the Grand Cleric, then turned to Riordan. "Could I ask you and some of your Wardens to escort the former Queen to her chambers? She will be kept under house arrest until her departure."

Riordan nodded, and between him, Dougal, and Conrad, they attempted to grab the sobbing woman, but Anora, pulling herself together, shook off their hands and, spine straight, posture stiff, strode out of the chamber. Loghain followed, dejectedly.

Cailan waited until the doors swung shut behind her before turning back to the Landsmeet and clapping his hands.

"Now, to the other business. Lords and Ladies, in the absence of a royal heir, I would like to begin with the matter of the succession...."

By the end of the Landsmeet, Alistair had been recognised as a Prince of Ferelden, worthy of the title 'your Highness', even though he was a Grey Warden; Cailan requested Duncan's approval, and vowed to speak with the First Warden in the Anderfels after the Blight to smooth the waters. As an extension of that, I was recognised as Alistair's wife, with Cailan as a witness to the marriage. It made me a princess, much to my horror, and the laughter of those near enough to hear my outraged denial at the announcement. Alistair was named as Cailan's heir, until such a time as Cailan had heirs of his own, with Fergus Cousland next in line should both Theirins die during the Blight.

Highever was formally returned to the Cousland family, but would be held in trust by the Crown until such a time as Fergus was found, as Aedan declared himself too busy to function as temporary Teyrn. The Arling of Denerim was left vacant, for now, to be administered by the Crown as well, and the Arling of Amaranthine was officially granted to Nathaniel Howe.

In light of the empty Teyrnir of Gwaren and the destruction of so much land in the south by darkspawn, Gallagher Wulff, former Arl of West Hills, was granted the Teyrnir. Two of his sons had already perished, but he yet had a daughter and a third son, so his succession was secure.

Soldier's Peak was formally given by the Grey Wardens to the Crown, Duncan declaring that it was in recompense for the Wardens taking part in the rebellion in the time of Sophia Dryden; Cailan immediately leased it back for their use, though he pledged Crown money to ensure it was renovated as befitted a major military installation inside Ferelden. His condition for the Wardens being allowed to use it was that it would be administrated by a member of the Ferelden nobility – someone with business experience, but no land of their own, someone related to the King.

I was completely stunned when he turned to me, and named me as the Steward of Soldier's Peak. He assured me that after the Blight would be soon enough to take up those responsibilities, and that help would be found to allow me to learn my role. He assured me that I would not have to issue judgements or sentences for criminals or the like, that I would swear fealty to the Teyrn of Highever, and that any judgements needed would be the responsibility of the Teyrn.

Alistair looked as thunderstruck as I, but Aedan just smirked. I'm going to kill him. Later.

He also informed the Landsmeet that, after the Blight, the Wardens would be stationed in and around Amaranthine, with Nathaniel's approval, until Soldier's Peak was ready for occupation.

In many ways, it was like watching Sereda manage the Assembly in Orzammar. He used everyone's shock and relief that someone was taking charge to his advantage, managing to pass motions that otherwise would likely have taken days or months to debate. I was intensely proud of Cailan; he had clearly been plotting for a long time what he would do when he took back the throne.