The Last of the Couslands

Chapter 45

Back to Redcliffe

The journey back to Redcliffe was not a pleasant one. Snow and ice fell heavily from the sky. Because of the terrible weather, getting back to Redcliffe in a timely manner was completely impossible. The days began to stretch into weeks and Bridget feared for Arl Eamon's condition. Perhaps they should have gone straight there after finding the Ashes. After about two weeks of enduring blizzard like conditions, however, they finally saw Redcliffe Castle in the near distance, towering over the quiet little village. Bridget urged the others to move quickly, that way they could take shelter within the castle and warm up. As they entered the village, Bridget noticed that all of the shops were closed as everyone had taken to their homes to get out of the storm. She placed a hand on her head to keep her hood from falling back as a powerful gust of wind whipped past her, causing her to shiver so much that her teeth clattered. They quickly made their way across the bridge and up the hill towards the castle. The guards who were posted at the front gate looked relieved as they saw Bridget and the rest of her party approaching the gates. They immediately were allowed entrance into the castle and as soon as they stepped foot inside, Teagan rushed towards them.

"Thank the Maker, did you find the Ashes?" He asked his voice full of worry.

Isolde was next to him, wringing her hands together, with shining eyes full of hope. Bridget reached into her pack and pulled out a small leather pouch. Isolde burst into tears as Teagan released a heavy sigh of relief. He beckoned the others to follow as he made his way towards Eamon's sickbed, Isolde right at his heels. Upon entering the room, Irving turned and lit up as he noticed the small pouch. He walked towards Teagan, as did a brother from the castle's Chantry.

"You found it?" Irving asked in astonishment.

Bridget nodded. The brother took her hands in his.

"Maker bless you, child. You have done a great thing."

Teagan handed Irving the Ashes who walked over towards Eamon. He gently pulled at the strings to open the small pouch.

"Lady Isolde, if you would hold Eamon's head up just a bit?" Irving asked.

She hurried over towards him and sat on the side of the bed, gently lifting Eamon's head. She opened his mouth ever so slightly, just enough to let Irving pour the Ashes in. Irving stepped back as Isolde closed Eamon's mouth. Bridget noticed the older man grimace before his body was enveloped in a purple like glow. She looked to Isolde to see her eyes widen. They were filled with fear, and hope. Just as quickly as the aura was produced, it vanished. Everyone sucked in a breath and held it unknowingly. If this didn't work, if the Ashes did not cure Eamon…Fereldan would certainly fall. Seconds stretched into minutes, and still Eamon had not yet come too. Isolde's eyes filled with tears. She bowed her head as she stroked some of Eamon's hair, whispering a soft prayer to the Maker.

Bridget looked over at Alistair. The look on his face broke her heart. He looked as if he were standing on the edge of a cliff, about to fall if Eamon didn't open his eyes. She slipped her hand in his and bowed her own head. They had failed…Eamon was dead.

Suddenly a rasping gasp filled the air. Bridget shot her head up and looked at Eamon. Isolde nearly fell from the bed from shock. She stood and bent over him, holding the side of his face.

"Eamon, Eamon?" she shouted frantically.

Alistair squeezed Bridget's hand, but relaxed his grip as Eamon's brows drew together and his eyes fluttered open.

"Ugh wha-where am I?" he asked in a raspy voice.

He turned his head to see Isolde standing over him, shaking with sobs.

"Isolde? W-why are you crying? Where is my b-boy? Where's Connor?" he asked.

Teagan stepped forward to stand next to Isolde.

"There is much that you do not know, Eamon. You have been on your deathbed for quite a while."

Eamon looked utterly confused.

"My deathbed? What are you talking about?" he asked.

Teagan turned to the others as Isolde tried to calm Eamon down.

"I will explain everything to him my friends, for now you should go and rest. Mina will show you all to the extra rooms."

Bridget nodded and followed the elven servant out of Eamon's quarters. She showed each of them to a separate room before going back to finishing her previous task. Bridget entered her room and closed the door behind her, resting her back against the wood and sighing tiredly. She felt as if a great weight had been lifted off of her shoulders and could finally breathe a little easy again. Bridget spotted a nearby tub and removed her freezing cold armor hastily, ready to let the warmth of the water soothe her chilled bones. She rested her back against the tub and let her thoughts wander. She hated to admit it but things would only get more complicated from here, that was for sure. Now that Eamon was well again, he'd be back to his old self in a few days time, and then the real trouble began: How to stop Loghain from causing a civil war. Bridget shook her head to rid herself of the thought for now, wanting to enjoy this quiet moment of solitude. Her relaxation was brought to an end a few moments later as Zeus began clawing at her door. Bridget chuckled to herself and stood from the tub, grabbed a towel and dried herself before pulling on the shift and robe Mina had laid out for her. She opened her door to see Zeus tilting his head up at her while wagging his tail ferociously. Bridget opened the door wider to let him in and turned towards her mabari as he settled himself amidst the fur blankets upon her bed.

"You know, I was just leaving to go and see Alistair." She said to him.

Zeus yawned and nuzzled further into the blankets anyway. Bridget shrugged and walked to her pack. She picked it up and reached inside it.

I know I pulled it out of my journal earlier…ah! There it is! She thought.

She slipped the object into her pocket and walked towards the door again, closing it gently behind her. Bridget looked down the hallway to see that most of everyone was probably turning in for the night. She quietly made her way towards Alistair's room, lightly knocking against the door before poking her head in. Alistair turned towards her from the chair he was sitting in and beckoned her to come in. Bridget did so and closed the door. She turned to see Alistair standing in front of her.

"Have I told you how amazing you are?" he asked as he pulled her into a tight hug.

Bridget tipped her head to the side.

"Not recently no. And by recently I mean a day or two." She chuckled.

Alistair pulled back and pushed a lock of her damp hair behind her ear.

"I'm so glad Eamon's alright. Now we have a real chance against Loghain. Eamon can take the throne, and then we'd just have to deal with that pesky Arch Demon."

Bridget laughed as Alistair turned and walked back towards the chair he had pulled in front of the fireplace. He sat down in it and stretched out his legs, sighing tiredly. Bridget walked over towards him and sat in his lap. Alistair smiled and touched his mother's pendant that rested itself against Bridget's collar.

"You never take this off, do you?" he asked softly.

Bridget shook her head.

"Nope!" she replied as she gently kissed him.

Alistair smiled against her lips and kissed her back. Bridget pulled away.

"Oh I almost forgot, I have something for you."

Alistair raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? What might that be?" he asked.

Bridget grinned.

"Close your eyes." She whispered.

Alistair didn't hesitate. He did however; furrow his brow as he felt Bridget tie something to his wrist. When she said to open his eyes, he did and stared at his wrist quizzically. On it, Bridget had tied a sky blue, silk ribbon. Alistair looked at it and then back at Bridget who chuckled at his perplexed gaze.

"This ribbon has been with me forever. My mother gave it to me when I was very young. I-you've given me something special to you so…I wanted to return the favor by giving this to you."

Alistair's eyes widened.

"Are you sure? This sounds really important to you,"

Bridget placed a finger to his lips and shook her head.

"Yes, I want you to have it."

Alistair smiled as Bridget removed her finger from his lips.

"Then I'll never take it off." He whispered softly before leaning forward and claiming her mouth in a slow kiss.

Bridget tilted her head to the side and wrapped her arms loosely around Alistair's neck, deepening the kiss and letting her tongue slip across his lips. The kiss broke a moment later and Alistair caressed the side of Bridget's face. With the fire flickering it's light in the fireplace, it seemed to make Bridget's hair glow. Alistair claimed her lips again as he moved his hand down from her face to her shoulder, pushing off her robe in the process. Suddenly the door flew open causing both of them to break the kiss. They both quickly stood and turned to see Teagan at the doorway.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. Eamon wishes to see you both…" he said awkwardly.

They both nodded and walked past Teagan and back towards Eamon's quarters. Once there they found Eamon sitting in a chair, still a bit pale but the color was slowly coming back to his face.

"I cannot thank you enough, Bridget for all that you have done. You saved my son when the easiest option was to…well, you found a legend for my sake…I honestly cannot thank you enough." He said.

Bridget smiled.

"You are very much welcome, Arl Eamon." She replied before dropping into a bow.

Eamon nodded.

"After all this business is over, I'll see to it personally that you regain your Teyrnir."

Bridget bowed again before standing straight. Eamon cast his eyes on Alistair. He looked as if he were about to say something, but instead he just shook his head and looked into his lap.

"I am sure you know of the trouble that Loghain is causing. I will have to call for a Landsmeet, it is our only option."

Alistair nodded.

"I think you'll make a fine king, Eamon." He stated.

Eamon looked up at him.

"I cannot be king, Alistair." He replied.

Alistair widened his eyes.

"W-what do you mean? You were Cailan's uncle!" he exclaimed.

Eamon nodded.

"Yes that is true, but Loghain I'm sure would paint me in the light of an opportunist. We need someone who has a stronger hold to the throne. Someone who carries the royal blood." He stated.

Bridget looked up at Alistair and then at Eamon. Before she could voice her opinion, Eamon stood.

"We will speak more of this when the time comes, for now, I need my rest."

Bridget and Alistair were quiet on the way back to Alistair's room. She glanced up at him to see that he looked deeply troubled. She followed him back into his room and closed the door behind her. Alistair sighed.

"I-I can't be king, I don't know the first thing about running a country!" he exclaimed.

Bridget drew her brows together and walked up to him, hugging him tightly.

"Shh…sweetheart, it'll be alright. Maybe we can just leave Anora on the throne?

she suggested.

Alistair raised his eyebrows.

"You know, that's not really a bad idea. After all, a lot of people said that she was the one who truly ruled Fereldan. Although, what would be her thoughts on her father though?" he asked.

Bridget looked at him.

"Surely she suspects something of him. He was the one who was responsible for her husband's death, after all." She stated.

Alistair sighed. He still didn't look convinced. Bridget stood to her toes and placed a sweet kiss on the wing of his nose.

"Don't let it bother you for now, darling. We're all too tired to think straight on the situation as it is anyhow." She whispered.

Alistair nodded. Bridget kissed him once again and turned to leave before Alistair caught her hips.

"Stay?" he asked softly.

Bridget looked over her shoulder at him.

"Well, Zeus pretty much has taken over my bed…" she said as she remembered him sprawling out on the covers earlier.

Alistair smiled as Bridget turned back towards him.

"Maybe somebody will knock next time when they need us." She chuckled.

Alistair laughed and nodded. Bridget could still see the worry in his eyes, however. They both walked towards the bed and snuggled up close to one another once under the covers. Bridget noticed Alistair held to her a bit tighter than he normally did, as she rested her back against his chest and he had draped an arm over her waist. She held his hand and drew her brows together, worrying herself what the next day would bring and how soon they would have to go back to Denerim and finally face Loghain.

A/N: Ugh sorry again for the delayed update. I've had a hard time trying to find time to write with all the cleaning/present wrapping going on. This will probably be the last update before Christmas so I want to wish everyone now a very Happy Holiday! Thank you all again for your continued reading/reviewing! I hope your celebrations are as awesome as you are! :) Happy Holidays!