We quickly made our way back to the main hall and found Teagan. His face brightened. "You return. Might you have news?" he asked. I heard the hope in his voice.

"What is Arl Eamon's condition?" I asked.

"Unchanged, I'm afraid. We've tried more magical healing but nothing works. As time passes, I become more and more convinced the Urn might be our only hope."

"Then I bring good news. We found the Urn."

"You have?" I could see that hope move to his face. "Let us go at once to Eamon's side and see if the Urn's healing powers live up to their reputation!"

~~~

The room was full of tension. A Mage used the Ashes and did a spell as we looked on. Isolde had her hands folded together and I could tell she was praying. Teagan was looking on, worry creasing his forehead. I knew Alistair was worrying about the man that had raised him for the first ten years of his life. I touched his hand. A small gesture but it seemed to mean a lot to him. He nodded at me as if to say "Thank you for doing this". We turned our attention back to Eamon. He suddenly seemed to have a red glow around him. Isolde gasped and Teagan took a step back. Alistair squeezed my hand, having moved his hand on top of mine. I squeezed back, letting him know I was with him. Eamon slowly opened his eyes. It had worked. The Ashes had truly worked! The legend was true.

He looked around as Isolde knelt next to his bed. "Wh-where am I?" he asked.

"Be calm, my brother," Teagan said. "You have been deathly ill for a very long time. Do you remember nothing?"

"Teagan? What are you doing here? Where's Isolde?"

Isolde took her husband's hand. "I'm right here, Eamon."

"And Conner? Where is my boy? Where is our son?"

"He lives, though many others are dead. There is much to tell you, Eamon."

"Dead? Then... it was not a dream?" Had he been in the Fade all this time?

"Much has happened since you fell ill," Teagan said. "Some of it will not be... easy for you to hear."

"Then tell me. I wish to hear all of it."

~~~

We had gathered in the main hall as Teagan informed Eamon of the events since he had fallen ill, from Cailan's betrayal and death to his son being a Mage and the small group of ragtag heroes that came to Redcliffe in the nick of time to save it. Although some of Teagan's story regarding our daring rescue of the village was exaggerated. Shem can be quite strange sometimes. And Isolde wasn't any better with her tale of our saving Conner and herself by going to the Mages. All this was a bit uncomfortable, being hailed a hero when all you were doing was what a betrayal had set you to do. When all was done, Eamon turned away from us. After a moment he spoke.

"This is most troubling," he said. He turned back to us. "There is much to be done, that is true. But I should first be thankful to those who have done so much. Realin, not only have you saved my life but kept my family safe as well. I am in your debt. Will you permit me to offer you a reward for your service?" What was it with Shemlen and giving people rewards?

"If that is your wish, I will not object," I said.

"Then allow me to declare you and your companions Champions of Redcliffe. You will always be a welcome guest within these halls."

I blinked, surprised. A very honorable gift he had bestowed on us. Along with always being welcome in Redcliffe. I inclined my head. "Thank you. But there is much else to do now."

"Indeed," Teagan agreed. "We have no way of knowing what Loghain will do once he learns of your recovery."

"Loghain instigates a civil war even though the Darkspawn are on our very doorstep," Eamon said. "Long have I known him. He is a sensible man; one who never desired power."

"I was there when he announced he was taking over the throne, Eamon. He is mad with ambition, I tell you."

"Mad indeed. Mad enough to kill Cailan, to attempt to kill myself and destroy my lands. Whatever happened to him, he must be stopped. What's more, we can scarce afford to fight this war to its bitter end." Eamon had a point. There was a Blight to worry about. Bringing Loghain to justice would just be a bonus.

"What are you proposing?" I could tell he had a plan.

"We have no time to wage a campaign on him. Someone must surrender if Ferelden is to have any chance at fighting the Darkspawn."

"But once everyone learns what he's done..."

"I will spread word of Loghain's treachery, both here and against the king. But it will be but a claim without proof." He turned away from us and towards a roaring fireplace. "Those claims will give Loghain's allies pause but we must combine it with a challenge that he cannot ignore. We need someone with a stronger claim to the throne than his daughter, Queen Anora."

I didn't think I liked where this was going. I made a quick glance at Alistair. He didn't like where this was going either, judging by his expression.

But it was Teagan that voiced it. "Are you referring to Alistair? Are you certain?"

I heard Wynne's quick intake of surprised breath.

"Eh?" Zevran whispered. They were the only two that hadn't known, which was actually surprising considering the way the others gossiped like old women.

Eamon turned away from the fire and back to face us. "I would not propose such a thing if we had an alternative. But the unthinkable has occurred."

Now I really wasn't liking this train of thought. "You intend to put Alistair forward as king?" I asked surprised. Alistair had been certain that Eamon would be next in line.

"Teagan and I have a claim through marriage but we would seem like opportunists, no better than Loghian. Alistair's claim is by blood."

"And what about me?" Alistair asked. I knew he wouldn't be quiet about it. He didn't want to be king. He'd rather live his days as a Grey Warden in battle, not in a court of high and mighty Shem who cared for nothing but themselves and power. "Doesn't anyone care what I want?"

"You have a responsibility, Alistair. Without you, Loghian wins. I would have to support him for the sake of Ferelden. Is that what you want?"

I looked at Alistair. Sometimes we had to do things we didn't want for the sake of duty. And Alistair's blood seemed to have finally caught up with him after running from it for so long.

"I... but I..." He sighed, his shoulders dropping. "No, my lord." He didn't want Loghain to win anything and neither did I. Not after his betrayal that cost us our mentor and friends. Not after he sent an assassin to kill us. The man had gravely underestimated us.

"I see only one way to proceed. I will call a Landsmeet, a gathering of all of Ferelden's nobility in the city of Denerim. There Ferelden can decide who shall rule, one way or another." Great. Politics. And Shemlen politics at that. The worst kind. And I would be completely lost. I knew nothing of politics as the Dalish had nothing like that. "Then the business of fighting our true foe can begin. What say you to that, Realin? I do not wish to proceed without your blessing."

My blessing? I was a Dalish Grey Warden, not some great lady. But it was my companion, and my love, that he was proposing to place on the throne. I was aware that every eye in the room was on me.

"I say we proceed with your plan," I said. Why did it always come down on me to decide things? The irony of a Shem deferring to a Dalish was not lost on me.

"Very well. I will send out the word." He turned to his brother. "But before we proceed, I believe there is the matter of the Mage... my son's tutor. He still lives, I understand."

"He does. He is in the dungeon," Teagan said.

"Have him brought here, Teagan. I wish to see him."

Teagan himself went to fetch the Blood Mage. When he returned with him, Jowan's head hung in shame.

"Jowan, what you have done is not in question. You tried to assassinate me and set into motion a series of events that nearly destroyed everything I cherish. What have you to say in your own defense?"

"Nothing, my lord... other than to say I am sorry. I expect no mercy for what I have done," Jowan responded.

"I see. Realin, have you anything to say on Jowan's behalf?"

"He confronted the demon in the Fade and saved Conner's life." He may be a Blood Mage, but he proved he was willing to atone for that and other sins. I thought he should be judged fairly, not just because of a bad choice he'd made.

"Thus spared my wife from offering herself as a sacrifice, as well, I understand. But has he done all this to save his own skin? And what would you have me do? As the injured party, my ability to see the merciful path is... strained."

I knew my suggestion would not be taken lightly, if Teagan's reaction to it would be any indication.

"Give him to the Circle of Magi," I suggested instead. Irving himself had seen him go into the Fade and return successfully, freeing Conner from the demon's hold and not becoming possessed himself. I only hoped that the First Enchanter would also see mercy on Jowan. Although I had a feeling that it would be the Templars that judged him.

"True enough and wisely said. Jowan, I hereby turn you over to the Tower of the Circle of Magi. May the Maker have mercy on your soul."

Jowan inclined his head. "Thank you, my lord." He turned to me. "And thank you for your mercy." Two guards escorted him back to the dungeon.

"Now, back to the matter of the Landsmeet," Eamon said after they'd left. "It will take some time to recall my forces and organize our allies. I would prefer to wait until that is done before calling the Landsmeet. In the meantime, I suggest you pursue the remainder of the Grey Warden treaties. We will need all the allies we can get if we are to defeat the Darkspawn horde."