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United We Stand, Divided We Fall ~ Two Steps From Hell (The Landsmeet)

We returned to Redcliffe Estate. We parted ways and I went to find Eamon. I entered his study and saw him speaking to Riordan.

"Ah, there you are!" Eamon said when I entered. "I was about to send out a search party."

Riordan gave a bow and left the study.

"I've been hearing of a great commotion in the Alienage. What exactly happened there?"

I pulled out the letter that the slaver had tried to bribe me for. "Loghain was collaborating with a Tevinter slaver."

"Maker forgive me. I should be appalled that such a thing could exist here but I'm overjoyed you can implicate Loghain. We must end this civil war quickly. What the Blight does not corrupt in this land, politics surely will. The last of our allies have arrived in the city. We cannot delay any longer. I will call for the Landsmeet to convene. Bring Alistair and join me at the palace as soon as you are ready, Realin." Eamon left. So the time had come for the nobles to choose a ruler. I went to find Alistair.

I passed Riordan in the hall. "I cannot thank you and Alistair enough for coming to my aid. Good luck to you at the Landsmeet, Sister."

"Thank you, Brother."

I found Alistair in my room, of all places. After searching the whole estate for him. "So," he said when I entered. "I'm guessing someone told Anora I was planning to steal her throne. She has a nasty glare. Did anyone mention this wasn't my idea? I think she's a great queen. As far as I'm concerned, she's welcome to it."

"And you think I'm the one that ran my mouth off?"

"Oh, no, no, no, no. Not at all. Not with the way you've been playing politics lately. Besides, you're the type that would rather measure the threat level before saying anything."

"Um, thanks?"

He smacked himself in the forehead. "That came out wrong again, didn't it?"

I touched his arm and he lowered his hand. "I think you'd be a great king, Alistair."

"Really? Whatever would give you that idea?"

I smiled at the sarcasm coloring his voice. "You have a kind heart and a strong sense of justice."

"Well, it's nice that you think so. What do you think I should do? Just go ahead and be king? Just let it happen?"

I sighed, taking his hands into mine and entwining our fingers. My hands were so much smaller than his. "Do you really have a choice? You are Theirin. You had no say in that than I did in being a Mahariel or being born into Sabrae Clan or a Keeper's daughter."

He thought a moment. "Maybe not," he said slowly. "There's good reasons for me to be king, I know that. I just thought Anora didn't seem like a bad choice. It's just that everything I've heard about Queen Anora is that she's the one who really ruled here, not Cailan. She's smart, tough, determined... while I feel a bit like Cailan's replacement. I think I'd be better off against the Darkspawn. 'Alright, Alistair, enough whining!'" His voice went deeper. "'Thank you, Alistair. That's excellent advice. I'll do my best!'"

I laughed. "Don't you listen to him."

Alistair chuckled. "No, no, it's alright. The moment has passed." His smile faded and he sighed. "Time to face the music. I hope Eamon doesn't expect me to give a speech. Maker, he probably does, doesn't he?" He groaned as we left my room, our fingers still entwined.

I suddenly grinned. "We could just run away together."

"Oh, yes," he said, returning the grin. "We could go to Orlais and live in sin."

I giggled and we then split up to gather the others.

~~~

We traveled to the Royal Palace. And I was surprised to see Norick and Gorin guarding the entrance. "The Landsmeet has begun," Norick said. "Good luck, Wardens." They allowed us past.

Gorin turned before he closed the door. "Lady Warden."

"Lady Warden?"

He chuckled. "Will we ever know your true names?"

"Perhaps after the Landsmeet."

"Fair enough." He closed the door.

We walked down the great hall, only to have Cauthrien and four of her guards block our path. "Realin, I am not surprised it has come to this. And Alistair. If you were even remotely worthy of being called Maric's son, you would already be in the Landsmeet, now wouldn't you?" She was bold. She pointed at me. "You have torn this nation apart to oppose my lord and never once tried to understand why he is a hero to Ferelden. But do not think you will get past me to desecrate the Landsmeet itself." She motioned to the doors behind her. "The nobles of Ferelden will confirm my lord as Regent and we can finally put this to rest. Once you are gone."

"Just shut up and show us what you can do with that sword of yours," Alistair said, surprising me with the aggressive tone to his voice I had never heard before. Obviously, he was still ticked about her and her guards besting us the first time and our time in Fort Drakon.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "I can end the threat you pose to Ferelden! To arms, men!" Of course, she was going to bring the guards in.

She drew her sword and we drew our weapons. Alistair got to Cauthrien first. I took out the guard trying to sucker punch him and stayed at his back, protecting it from anyone else with the smart idea to attack it. When the guards had fallen, I spun around and sank a sword into her side. She cried out and swung at me. I bent backward to avoid the blade, then twisted around and cut the back of her legs while Alistair's blade went through her chest. She fell.

"She did a very good job at keeping us out," I said.

Zevran laughed.

I turned to Alistair. "Let's get this over with." I walked up to the doors where the Landsmeet was being held and pushed one open.

"My lords and ladies of the Landsmeet," Eamon was saying as we made our way through the crowd. He was standing on the balcony of the chamber, clad in red steel armor with a greatsword at his back. Teagan stood next to him. Neither had seen us enter. "Teyrn Loghain would have us give up our freedoms, our traditions, out of fear! He placed us on this path, yet we should place our destiny in his hands? Must we sacrifice everything good about our nation to save it?"

Several of the nobles cheered.

Loghain, who was standing at ground level, began to clap. "A fine performance, Eamon, but no one here is taken in by it."

The nobles gave us room once they realized we were walking through the crowd.

"You would attempt to put a puppet on the throne and every soul here knows it. The better question is 'who will pull the strings?'" Loghain's attention went to the movement of the nobles as Alistair, Tristan, and I broke through the crowd. The others chose to stop at the edge. "Ah! And here we have the puppeteer! Tell us, Warden. How will the Orlesians take our nation from us? Will they deign to send their troops or simply issue their commands through this would-be prince?" Really? He was convinced that he single-handedly kept the Orlesians out? His ego was bigger than I thought it was. The three of us walked towards him and his two guards stepped between us and him. "How much Ferelden blood does Orlesian gold buy these days?" Did he seriously just call us traitors? Again. And suggest we were being bribed by the Orlesians? He obviously didn't know the Dalish.

"I'm not the one who betrayed Ferelden," I said.

"Some of us are curious, Loghain," a red-haired lord on the balcony to my right said. "About precisely what happened at Ostagar."

Murmurs of agreement surrounded us.

Loghain walked forward towards us and past his guards. "So one of Cailan's killers would dare speak of betrayal?" So he was still riding that araval, was he? "You led our king to his death with your grandiose tales of griffons flying into battle."

A few snickers were heard. Yes, a Dalish had grandiose tales of the Grey Wardens and told them all to the king in ten minutes. I barely knew the man before he sent his half-brother with me to light the beacon that his father-in-law had ignored. He must have told that lie so many times that he now believed it and I didn't think there was any use in arguing it.

I stepped away from him and held up the slaver's letter with Loghain Mac Tir's seal on it. "You sold Ferelden's citizens into slavery to fund your civil war."

"What's this?" Sighard asked. "There is no slavery in Ferelden. Explain yourself."

"There is no saving the Alienage." Loghain knew I had the proof. And he knew he couldn't lie his way out of it. Several nobles gasped at his admittance. "Damage from the riots has yet to be repaired. There are bodies still rotting in their homes. It is not a place I would send my worst enemy. There is no chance of holding it if the Blight comes here. Despite what you may think, Realin, I have done my duty. Whatever my regrets may be for the Elves, I have done what was needed for the good of Ferelden."

Which left himself open for the next charge.

"Was sending an Apostate to poison Eamon your duty as well?"

"I assure you, if I were going to send someone, it would be my own soldiers. I would not trust to the discretion of an Apostate." So he was going to deny that one.

"Indeed?" Alfstanna asked. She leaned over the balcony. "My brother tells a very different tale. He says you snatched a Blood Mage from the Chantry's justice. Coincidence?" Apparently, he'd forgotten about Irminric.

This brought the Grand Cleric into the discussion. "Do not think the Chantry will overlook this, Teyrn Loghain. Interference in a Templar's sacred duties is an offense against the Maker."

The nobles began to shout and show their outrage at Loghain.

"Whatever I have done, I will answer for later. At the moment, however, I wish to know what this Dalish has done with my daughter." And he brought race into it. And didn't even call me a Warden. How rude of him. He knew he didn't have a leg to stand on now so he tried a low blow. Very Loghain.

"What have I done? I've protected her from you!"

"You took my daughter, our queen, by force, killing her guards in the process! What arts have you employed to keep her? Does she even still live?"

Anora had walked in as he spoke and now stood several paces behind Loghain's guards.

"Ask her yourself," I said.

"I believe I can speak for myself," Anora said at the same time.

The nobles gasped and there were several murmurs around us.

"Lords and ladies of Ferelden, hear me!" She walked deeper into the room. "My father is no longer the man you know." She pointed at Loghain. "This man is not the hero of River Dane." River Dane being the most decisive battle in the war against Orlais. "This man turned his troops aside and refused to protect your king as he fought bravely against the Darkspawn. This man seized Cailan's throne before his body was cold and locked me away so I could not reveal his treachery. I would have already been killed if not for Warden Realin."

I could feel everyone's eyes on me as if to confirm her story. "The queen speaks the truth," I said.

"So the Wardens' influence has poisoned even your mind, Anora?" Loghain said sadly. He sounded as if he had expected Anora to side with him. "I wanted to protect you from this." He turned away from his daughter and looked around at the nobles and gave one last attempt. "My lords and ladies!" he shouted. "Our land has been threatened before! It's been invaded and lost and won times beyond counting! We Fereldans have proven that we will never truly be conquered so long as we stand united! We must not let ourselves be divided now! Stand with me and we shall defeat even the Blight itself!"

"The Warden!" someone who sounded a lot like Vaughan shouted. "I'm with the Warden!"

So the voting had begun.

"South Reach stands with the Grey Wardens!"

"Waking Sea stands with the Grey Wardens!"

"Dragon's Peak supports the Wardens!"

"Western Hills is with you, Loghain! Maker help us!"

"I stand by Loghain! We've no hope of victory otherwise!"

"I stand with the Wardens! The Blight is coming! We need the Grey Wardens!"

"Redcliffe stands with the Grey Wardens!"

"Rainesfere supports the Wardens!" A few more shouts of support for the Grey Wardens were heard.

"The Landsmeet is against you, Loghain," I said. "Step down gracefully."

"Traitors!" Loghain cried. I should have known he wouldn't. "Which of you stood against the Orlesian Emperor when his troops flattened your fields and raped your wives? You fought with us once, Eamon! You cared about this land once! Before you got too old and fat and content to even see what you risk! None of you deserve a say in what happens here! None of you have spilled blood for this land the way I have! How dare you judge me!?" I could only see one way to end this.

I looked over at Alistair and he nodded. "Call off your men and we'll settle this honorably." I left off the insult I thought about saying.

Even Loghain couldn't back down from that. "Then let us end this. I suppose we both knew it would come to this. A man is made by the quality of his enemies. Maric told me that once. I wonder if it's more a compliment to you or me."

"Let's find out."

"Let the Landsmeet declare the terms of the duel."

"It shall be fought according to tradition," Alfstanna said. "A test of arms in single combat until one party yields. And we who are assembled will abide by the outcome."

"Will you face me yourself or have you a champion?"

"I fight my own battles."

Loghain nodded as if he expected me to say that. "It is you or me the men will follow. So let us fight for it. Prepare yourself."

The gathered nobles on the floor level stepped back several yards to give us plenty of room. I studied him for any weaknesses in his armor and he studied me. We circled each other like wolves about to fight over dominance. Loghain drew his sword as I drew my twin blades. Loghain rushed at me. I dodged to the side and spun around, slashing the left sword towards his back while keeping my guard up with the right, expecting his sword to come at me. The left blade connected with his shield. He brought his sword down and it connected with my right. Loghain swung his shield at me. I used the opening to thrust a sword. It connected with his shoulder, passing through a small gap in the armor. He stepped back and glared at me. I only gave him a small smile before I went forward, giving the duel my all. My blades blurred at the speed. He could barely keep his defenses up. He managed to knock me back with his shield. He brought his sword down at me and I crossed my blades. I used all of my strength to push him back and I could tell he was doing the same. With a shout and a burst of adrenaline, I pushed him back. He staggered back and came at me again, swinging his sword in a wide arc. I pitched forward and did a summersault, his blade missing me by inches. I cut the back of his leg and then kicked his back. He stumbled forward and spun around, attempting to hit me with his shield again. I kicked him in the chest and once again attacked with a flurry of blades. Loghain dodged out of my reach before he raised his hands and went to his knees. I backed away, expecting a trick.

"I underestimated you, Realin," he said, breathless. "I thought you were like Cailan, a child wanting to play at war." He climbed to his feet. "I was wrong. There's a strength in you that I have not seen anywhere since Maric died. And the stories of the Dalish honor and skill are true. I yield." Something I did not expect to hear come out of Loghain's mouth.

"You will pay for what you have done."

"There is another option," Riordan said, walking towards us. Where the hell did he come from? I didn't see him when we came into the room. I could see Alistair raise a brow out of the corner of my eye. "The Teyrn is a warrior and general of renown. Let him be of use. Let him go through the Joining."

"What? You want to make him a Warden? Why?" Had Riordan had his skull cracked during his imprisonment?

"There are three of us in all of Ferelden. And there are... compelling reasons to have as many Wardens on hand as possible to deal with the Archdemon."

"The Joining itself is often fatal, is it not?" Anora asked. How the hell would she have known that? I didn't even know that when I was recruited. "If he survives, you gain a general. If not, you have your revenge. Doesn't that satisfy you?"

"Absolutely not!" Alistair cried. "Riordan, this man betrayed our brothers and then blamed us for the deed! He hunted us down like animals! He tortured you! How can we simply forget that!?"

"Alistair has a point," I said. "Loghain sent assassins, bounty hunters, and mercenaries after us. And as Alistair pointed out, he tortured you. What he has done is not something that can be forgiven easily. If at all." I shook my head. "No, Riordan. His betrayal led to the death of King Cailan and the Grey Wardens. He must die for his crimes." I couldn't feel mercy for Loghain. Perhaps once he had been an honorable man. But that honor died when he abandoned Cailan and Duncan on the battlefield and left them to die at the hands of the horde.

"You can't do this!" Anora cried. "My father may have been wrong but he is still a hero to the people."

"Anora," Loghain said gently, the father in him coming to the surface. He was consigned to his fate. "Hush. It's over."

"Stop treating me like a child! This is serious!"

"Daughters never grow up. They remain six years old with pigtails and skinned knees forever."

"Father," Her voice betrayed her grief at Loghain's impending death. He touched her cheek and then took a few steps towards me.

"Make it quick, Realin. I can face the Maker knowing that Ferelden is in your hands."

I nodded. "Very well." I could give him a quick death. I looked at Alistair, who nodded at me and handed me his sword. A sign that he wanted to be involved in Loghain's death.

"For Cailan and Duncan," he said. It was a little heavier and longer than I was used to but I could lift it. I took Alistair's sword and Loghain went to a knee. In one swift swing, I beheaded Loghain. The gathered nobles gasped as he fell and Anora ran to her father's side. She fell to her knees and wept. Cailan, Duncan, and the Grey Wardens that had been massacred at Ostagar were avenged.

After a few moments, Anora allowed Loghain's body to be taken away.

"It is decided," Eamon said after Anora regained her composer. "Alistair will take his father's throne."

"Wait, what?" Alistair said. "No! When did this get decided? Nobody's decided that, have they?" I really wanted to smack him in the back of the head at that moment.

"He refuses the throne!" Anora cried. "Everyone here has heard him. I think it's clear then. He abdicates in favor of me."

"I hardly think you're the appropriate person to mediate this, Anora." Eamon turned to me. "Realin, will you help us?"

I looked at him surprised. "What?"

"Will you help us settle the throne?"

"Eamon, that isn't fair to her," Alistair said.

"You want an Elf to decide?" Anora asked at the same time.

I held my hands up. "I can settle this."

"Realin..."

"It's alright." I walked past everyone and turned around and faced Alistair and Anora.

"As the arbiter of this dispute, what is your decision? Who will lead Ferelden?"

It all came down to me. 

The leadership of Ferelden was in the hands of a Dalish Grey Warden.

I could feel the eyes of every single person in the room on me. My word decided who ruled. No pressure at all. I looked at Anora. Yes, she was already queen and she claimed it had been she who had ruled for the past five years, not Cailan. But she was Loghain's daughter. If she ruled, so would a part of Loghain. I looked at Alistair. The only living son of Maric. The one that never dreamed that the bastard son of a king would be in the running for the throne. The throne should be his by birthright, whether he wanted it or not. And there was us. If I chose Anora, we could be together with no one questioning us. If I chose Alistair, we couldn't.

Being a Grey Warden means making personal sacrifices. I heard Duncan's voice in my head. He had told me that on our journey to Ostagar when I asked if I would ever see my clan and family again. This was going to be a sacrifice I did not wish to make, but it had to be made.

"Alistair Theirin will rule." In this formal setting, I thought I should use his full given name.

Alistair closed his eyes a moment and I felt a heaviness in my chest I knew all too well. I knew he'd hoped I choose Anora.

"This is where I wake up, usually. Or everyone points and laughs because I have no clothes on..." Either he was trying to make light of it or he really didn't believe I had just made him king. Probably both.

"Anora, the Landsmeet has decided against you," Eamon said. "You must now swear fealty to our king and relinquish all claim to the throne for yourself and your heirs."

"If you think I will swear this oath, Eamon, you know nothing of me."

"We cannot leave Ferelden in a state of civil war. We must have unity. If she will not swear fealty to you, Alistair, and renounce her claim to the throne, she is a threat to us all."

"What do you want me to do, exactly? Kill her? I can't do that," Alistair sighed. "I guess... put her in the tower for now. Lock her up. Maybe we can find someplace to send her. Later."

"Thank you, Alistair. You show me mercy that I... would not have shown you."

"If I fall fighting the Blight, there should be someone who can rule Ferelden. If  I fall, you will be queen."

Anora nodded in agreement. "And if you survive, I will swear fealty to you. You have my word in the sight of the Maker."

"Fair enough."

"Very well, then," Eamon said and motioned to the guards. "Guards, take her away." The guards escorted Anora out of the room. He turned back to Alistair. "Your Highness, would you address the Landsmeet?"

"Oh... that would be me," Alistair said. I managed not to laugh but I couldn't keep the smile from coming across my face. He walked to the middle of the room. "Right, um... I never knew him but from all I've heard of my father, what defined him was his commitment to protecting this land. I may be Maric's son but I am also a Grey Warden. I took an oath. I swore I would stand and fight the Darkspawn, no matter the cost to myself. I can't break that oath just to wear the crown. I have to go with my fellow Wardens to face the Blight. When the Blight is over, I'll come back and take up my duties... whatever they are... as king." There were a few cheers. "Until then, I think Arl Eamon will have to be my Regent."

Eamon bowed. "Then I can do Maric's memory no less honor than you do," he said. "I accept. And may the Maker bless your efforts against the Darkspawn."

"Realin Mahariel will, I hope, take Loghain's place as the leader of my armies." Did he just appoint me as his general? Truthfully, I was surprised, but honored. Alistair turned to me. "Shall we finish this thing together?"

I smiled. "I could do no less."

He returned the smile and turned back to the gathered nobles. "Everyone, get ready to march. It's going to take all of Ferelden's strength to survive this Blight."

The nobles cheered loudly.

"But we will face it! And we will defeat it!"

The cheering and applause continued as he turned back to Eamon, Riordan, and I.

"We'd better get going. Ferelden is depending on us."

"Return to my estate and gather your belongings. Teagan and I will return to Redcliffe ahead of you," Eamon said. "But come quickly."