Two of a Kind

Ostagar- before the big battle
***

A few days had passed since Kainen arrived at Ostagar. She had spent the bulk of her time in Cailan's tent with the twins, but even the interesting things that Cailan kept there could only hold the twins interest for so long. With Cailan's permission and accompanied by Cailan's trusted honor guards, Kainen began to take the twins on short walks about the camp. She'd learned from Duncan that Kaeden had passed his Joining and was now a proud Grey Warden, but still there was no word from Fergus. She feared the worst where her elder brother was concerned. Other scouting bands had returned delivering dire news of the horde now bearing down on them. Rumors spread like wildfire that the horde would reach the ruins within a day. Frantic preparations were being made. Despite his complaints of how the meetings bored him, Cailan spent most of his time closeted away with Loghain, going over battle strategies. She'd seen so little of him. Their moments alone were often stolen interludes or short forays of family togetherness. Kainen cherished every moment of it, relying on the twins to keep her occupied.

Hours before the horde was predicted to reach the ruins, Cailan burst into his tent suddenly. She could tell by the look on his face that the latest meeting with Loghain had not gone well. She could feel the seething anger rolling off Cailan in waves. Dropping the dress she was about to pull over her head, she rushed to his side.

"Let me soothe your anger, my darling," she purred as she cupped his face in her hands.

Cailan pulled away from her, "You can't, Kainen, not this time. I'm going to have to send you away, I fear. A contingent of Maric's Shield will accompany you to Redcliffe."

Hurt and disbelief assailed her, "What?"

He shook his head then moved away from her, putting distance between them, "Loghain insists. He caught wind somehow that I intended to set Anora aside as soon as these battles are over. He's threatened to take his troops and leave. Plus he's already called for Anora to meet us here. I have little choice in the matter. His men are needed here to defeat this horde. The Grey Wardens from Orlais have been delayed, so I have to do what's best for the country and the lives at stake here. Trust me when I tell you I don't want this, but this is how it has to be. I will see that you, the twins and the unborn babes are taken care of."

Tears gathered in Kainen's eyes, "You let him strong arm you. Cailan, how could you let him put you over a barrel? You are the King. You could strip him of his title for his insolence against you and appoint someone else worthier of the title Teyrn." Kainen gripped the spaulders of his golden mail, "And what about me? What about the twins? Don't you think we need you? How can you think to send us off when that horde will be here in no time? How can you possibly think I'd be safe in the company of men loyal to Loghain? Don't you see what he's planning? We'll never make it to Redcliffe alive."

His eyes flashed indignation at her accusation. "Those men have always been loyal to the crown. I've been assured that no harm will come to you."

"Don't be a fool, Cailan. I don't believe it for one moment and neither should you. Why else would Anora be coming to a war zone if her father wasn't planning to do me and the twins in? When has she ever come to visit you when you were out in the field? Think, Cailan. You've always told me she isn't interested in battles or war, that she'd rather sit in the palace. Can't you see what they're planning? She's coming here because she thinks to catch you at a weak moment so she can bed you in hopes of getting pregnant. You know what this is all about. You are playing right into their hands. Loghain is bluffing. He won't take his army and leave. If he did, he'd be labeled a coward before the whole of the nation. His pride will never allow that."

Cailan rubbed his face tiredly, "I told him you wouldn't go without a fight." He knelt down before her, resting his forehead against her protruding belly, round with the babes nestled safely inside. "This puts me firmly between a rock and a hard place. You know I don't want you to go."

A shout sounded outside of the tent then Loghain unceremoniously barged in, catching sight of the intimate family scene before him. He sneered, "Isn't this cozy? Have you told the little harlot yet?"

Kainen's eyes flashed as rage boiled in her veins. "How dare you insult me?" She whirled about, standing brazenly before Loghain clad in only her smallclothes and stockings. "I am Teyrna of Highever and you will not treat me like I'm some common doxy. I will not be sent away by you, either. As Teyrna, I have an obligation to the crown and to the soldiers of Highever who are here at His Majesty's behest."

"Why Bryce would name you as his successor is truly a mystery? I fail to see his reasoning in the matter, unless he figured you'd whore your way through running a teyrnir such as Highever. Is that how you plan to gain your vassals allegiance now that your father is dead? That's right, Bryce is dead. You can't even claim Highever as your own due to the fact it's in Rendon Howe's hands," Loghain's nasty sneer matched the rage burning in Kainen's eyes.

Cailan cleared his throat loudly, "Enough!" His golden gaze shot from Loghain to Kainen then back to Loghain. "Rendon Howe will not get away with his actions concerning Highever. I've reaffirmed Kainen as Teyrna of Highever. I've promised her I would take my army north to deal with Howe once we are finished here. I also warned you about your insults toward the mother of my children. Might I remind you that I am King! Kainen and I have been together for nearly seven years, longer than Anora and I have been married. I never would've even married Anora if it weren't for my father insisting I uphold the contract he made with you. He knew about Kainen. He actually congratulated me on my conquest of Bryce's daughter. He told me he saw no reason why I couldn't keep her as my mistress even though I was to be married to Anora; he felt it strengthened Highever's allegiance to the crown. Besides, my father had his mistresses and tumbles in hay. You think I'm not aware that his bastard is here in camp, one of the Grey Wardens."

Kainen flashed Cailan a nasty look, "Who? And don't think I'm going to allow you to label our sons as your bastards, Cailan!" Kainen shot daggers at both men before her. Her chest heaved from the anger racing in her blood. She grabbed up her dress, yanking it on. "And you, Loghain, if your daughter wasn't such a cold fish in the bedroom, maybe Cailan wouldn't have needed another woman. Maybe she's too common to be able to nurture royal seed within her womb. I think you need to get out before I forget I'm a lady and slit your lying throat."

"I'd do as my lady commands if I were you, Loghain," Cailan replied tersely. "The horde will be here in a few short hours. I'll meet you at the planning session shortly. We'll discuss matters then."

Loghain's eyes narrowed dangerously, "You would do well to heed what I told you earlier, Cailan. Anora will not be pleased to find your mistress, teyrna or no, here when she arrives."

"Loghain, I've made my decision. It's final. I'll deal with Anora when she arrives, but until then, Kainen stays."

Kainen felt like crowing. She couldn't keep the delight she felt out of her eyes and her smile showed her pleasure. She could barely compose herself as Loghain stormed out as violently as he had stormed in. Once he was gone, Kainen threw her arms around Cailan, passionately planting kisses all over his face and neck, "Oh thank you, my love, for letting me stay. You won't regret this. So tell me, which Grey Warden is your father's bastard? Oh, I bet I know. It's that handsome blond haired one that I've seen with my brother over the past few days. Alistair's his name, right? It's him, isn't it? I saw him and my brother sparring together near the Grey Warden tent. He's definitely of Theirin blood, yes?"

Cailan chuckled at her enthusiasm, "Me or Alistair? Who's more handsome?" He winked at her before carrying her to the large bed which dominated most of the tent.

"Ooooh, that's very tough to decide," Kainen purred coyly. "Watching him spar with Kaeden was very much a cause to get the blood pumping—a thing of utter beauty— but if I had to choose, I'd have to say that you are the most handsomest of all the Theirin men. I'd even go as far as to say you'd put your father to shame in the handsome department."

Rich laughter spilled from Cailan's lips, "And you, my dear lady, put your father to shame in the 'knowing how to stroke your monarch's ego' department. Bryce always had a way with words, and I clearly see that you not only take after him, but exceed his capabilities hands down. Don't worry, love, once we've won this battle and have sent the darkspawn fleeing in fear, we'll take back your teyrnir and then return to Denerim where I shall call a Landsmeet and officially announce you as my new queen. Everything will work out, you'll see."