The Last of the Couslands

Chapter 53

The Landsmeet

Bridget drew her brows together and opened her eyes slowly. It was very early in the morning, she guessed, for the room was still fairly dark. She rolled over and smiled, only to have it fade from her face. Alistair wasn't lying next to her. Bridget sat up. Alistair wasn't even in the room. Furrowing her brow, she pulled back the blankets she was under and grabbed her nightshift from the floor. She threw it on and noticed a piece of paper on the nightstand. Bridget picked it up and squinted in the dimly lit room to read it. It was definitely Alistair's penmanship, she could tell from the horrible scrawl. It read:

Went to breakfast early. You should head back to your room and prepare. The Landsmeet is only a few hours from now.

Bridget frowned at the absence of any terms of endearment, but realized that Alistair was probably just nervous. She placed the paper back on the end table and exited the room, shutting the door gently behind her.

"Ah, good morning my lovely Bridget."

Bridget turned to see Zevran leaning up against the nearby wall, a large smile on his face. Bridget raised her eyebrows.

"What's got you so happy this morning?" she asked.

Zevran bowed his head.

"Oh nothing, I just have a wonderful feeling about today. I think everything will go quite well, especially after seeing you trying to sneak away back to your own room."

Bridget, not sure why her being in Alistair's room was any surprise to anyone, nodded slowly and walked down the hall and back to her own room. She washed up quickly and took the time to polish her armor and sharpen her sword. Once that was finished, Bridget slipped into her leggings and tunic before pulling her armor on. She also cleaned her father's shield…making the Cousland emblem shine. Bridget strapped her shield to her back and sheathed her sword. She took one last look at herself in the mirror. She was nervous to her core…afraid of what Loghain would do…but had confidence in her plan. Loghain would go down, probably not without a fight, but Bridget was ready for it. Zeus trotted up to her and nudged her hand with his head. She looked down at him and scratched his ears.

"I'll be back soon, boy. Then we'll play fetch!" she exclaimed.

Zeus's nub of a tail wagged back and forth and he barked in compliance. Bridget took a deep breath and exited her room, making her way down the corridor and towards the main hall. Most of everyone else was already present. Morrigan sat near the window, reading over Flemeth's grimoire and looking positively enraptured by the text. Oghren stood in front of the blazing fireplace, warning his hands. Bridget noticed he looked around for a second before pulling out his flask and taking a good swig of his "special ale". Wynne was chatting with Leliana near the entrance to the kitchen and Zevran strolled in, sinking his teeth into an apple. Bridget noted that Alistair was not present, or Eamon for that matter. It was then she heard muffled shouts from somewhere upstairs. Bridget furrowed her brow. What on earth could those two possibly be fighting about now? As much as she didn't want to believe that Alistair had lied to her the night before…something told Bridget that he hadn't been truthful when he said that her past relations with Gilmore was the cause of his unhappiness. Bridget felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Teagan standing behind her. He gave her a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"My lady, may I speak with you in private?"

Bridget nodded and followed Teagan into the nearby room. Once inside, Teagan shut the door behind him and turned to her.

"Is everything alright, Teagan?" Bridget asked slowly.

Teagan didn't look well at all. Not only where there the telltale bags of sleeplessness under his eyes, he looked very strained, and Bridget thought she saw a few grey hairs in the midst of his copper tresses. Teagan sighed and motioned to the nearby loveseat.

"Please, sit." He stated.

Bridget, still curious as to what could be wrong, did so and Teagan sat next to her.

"How are you feeling?" he asked after a brief moment of silence.

Bridget looked at him.

"Forgive me Teagan, but I think it is safe for me to say that I am in a better state than you." She replied.

Teagan chuckled a moment before becoming serious again. Bridget sighed.

"I am nervous…but I believe we have a solid argument against Loghain. If all else fails, surely the nobles will object to his involvement with the elf slave trade."

Teagan nodded.

"Yes, I believe you are right about that…but given that Loghain is a decorated war hero…my lady he will not go down without a fight." Teagan said warily.

Bridget looked at him.

"I thought the same. I am prepared to fight him, and his allies, Teagan. I will not underestimate him, but I have fought far worse things than a bloodthirsty, power hungry man."

Teagan nodded, knowing full well the troubles she had seen. He looked into her crystal blue eyes and sighed. He could keep quiet no longer, someone had to tell her what was going to happen today…that way she would not be completely blindsided. Teagan was sure Eamon had persuaded Alistair to become king…and Teagan also had an inkling that Eamon had also managed to change Alistair's heart as well. Alistair was young…and because of his Chantry upbringing, he was still very naïve…and Teagan knew his conscious was most likely a weak one.

"Are you alright, Teagan? You've gone deathly pale…" Bridget said softly.

Teagan swallowed and blinked. He looked back at Bridget and sighed.

"My lady…there is something that you must know before we leave here for the Landsmeet."

Bridget furrowed her brow.

"What is it, Teagan?"

Teagan licked his lips and stood. He crossed the room and stood in front of the window, looking out at the streets of Denerim, noting that the nobles where already on their way to the Royal Palace.

"I am sure you know Eamon has been trying to convince Alistair to become king, if we are able to defeat Loghain." He stated.

Bridget nodded, an odd feeling creeping into her stomach. Teagan turned to look at her, and Bridget noted the pained expression on his face.

"There is something that you have not been told…and I cannot let you go into the Landsmeet without knowing what may happen. My conscious cannot bear it."

Teagan crossed the room again and knelt before Bridget, taking her hands into his. Bridget stared into his eyes and saw the worry and pain mixed in his hazel orbs.

"My lady…if Alistair does become king…he can-"

Before Teagan could finish his sentence, the door to the library swung open, and Eamon stood, scowling at the opening.

"Teagan…may I speak with you…alone?" he asked.

Teagan frowned at his brother and stood, releasing Bridget's hands. Bridget shook her head.

"Eamon, please Teagan was just about to,"

Eamon turned his cold gaze onto Bridget.

"I must speak with him now and I need you to leave us." He stated coldly.

Bridget narrowed her eyes at him. Truthfully, she had lost her patience with this man a long time ago…but kept her temper in check because, after all, he was an Arl and he was allowing her and her friends to stay in his estate. She sighed loudly and walked out briskly; making sure to let him know with her body language that he had just ticked her off. Bridget walked back into the main hall to see Alistair…although he too did not look like his usual self. Dark circles were present under his eyes as well, and he looked at war with himself again. Bridget approached him and reached for his hand…but Alistair pulled away before she could hold it.

"We should be heading to the Palace soon."

Bridget raised her eyebrows at the tone of his voice. Alistair didn't even sound like Alistair anymore. His usual perky and cheery tone had vanished, only to be replaced with a cold and miserable drawl. Before Bridget could ask him what was wrong, Eamon and Teagan emerged from the library. Teagan looked furious, his face red with frustration, and Eamon had an icy glare for everyone.

"It's time we went to the Palace. Bridget, round up who you wish to bring with you. Only take the best of your fighters, and leave the apostate here…"

Morrigan lifted her head from her mother's grimoire and narrowed her eyes at Eamon. For a brief moment, Bridget thought she might place a curse on the man, but instead she uprooted herself from her seat and stalked off up the stairs. Zevran pushed himself off of leaning on the nearby wall and walked over to stand next to Bridget.

"Allow me to provide my services; I look forward to seeing the look on Loghain's face when he realizes I have joined forces with you."

Bridget chuckled and nodded. Leliana ran up to stand next to Zevran.

"I would like to come as well, I've been sitting around here for far too long without anything to do!" she exclaimed.

Knowing that Alistair filled up the last available spot, Bridget turned to Eamon.

"After you." She stated.

Eamon strapped his sword to his side and shot another glance at Alistair that Bridget couldn't read. Teagan went to stand next to him, and the six of them exited the estate and stepped out into the chilly air. Upon entering the outside air, things became very real very fast, and an uneasy feeling gripped Bridget's stomach. She swallowed and tried to calm her nerves. What was so important that she must know? And why did Eamon seem to want to keep it from her? As they made their way slowly through the streets of Denerim Zevran lightly touched Bridget's hand, causing her to look at him.

"Are you alright, Bridget?" he asked softly.

Bridget looked ahead to see Alistair, Teagan, and Eamon ahead of them, with Leliana following them. Bridget sighed and shook her head.

"There's something wrong…Teagan wanted to tell me something, but Eamon interrupted him before he got the chance. I'm not so sure what it was though…but I do not think that it was anything good. I'm wary of what this day might bring…"

Zevran smiled kindly and gave her hand a light squeeze.

"I still have faith that today will turn out well, in everyone's favor." He stated.

Bridget smiled at him.

"At least one of us has hope." She whispered.

Soon enough, the group arrived at the outside of the Royal Palace. Bridget looked up at the large castle and raised her eyebrows. She had not been here in Maker knows how long…yet nothing about the castle seemed to change…however; it did appear a bit gloomier than she remembered. Two palace guards opened the large iron gates and allowed them to enter the grounds of the palace. Because it was winter, none of the flowers or trees was in bloom, giving that added eerie overall effect. The trees were bare, as were the many bushes of flowers.

Bridget followed Eamon and the others and entered the large oak doors of the palace, only to be engulfed in a sea of people. The nobles of the lands were still trying to find their seats in the stands in the Main Hall. As for Bridget and the rest of the group, they would sit at one large table on the ground floor and present their case, whilst Loghain and his men sat at another table across from them to present their case. The Grand Cleric would stay on a balcony in the stands and make sure nothing got out of hand, and would try to keep the other nobles in line as well. Bridget looked around at the nobles she saw. Luckily for her, many of these men and women were friends of her father's, and thus knew her well. Surely they would show the same faith in her as they showed in him. Bridget let out a breath and felt herself become a little at ease. All of those nights she stayed up listening to her father talk politics with Fergus were finally going to pay off. She couldn't help but smile to herself as she touched the ring her father gave her on her finger. She would make him proud today. Bridget turned as Zevran nudged her.

"Isn't that the other Grey Warden we rescued from Howe's estate?"

Bridget followed Zevran's gaze and sure enough her eyes landed on Riordan who looked to be in much better health than he was the last time she had seen him. He made his way over to her.

"It is good to see you again, Bridget. I wish you luck with the Landsmeet today. I hope everything goes well."

Bridget smiled.

"Thank you, Riordan. I hope you have not forgotten my invitation to stay with us and Arl Eamon's estate…though if you have it is perfectly fine. If I were you I would just stay at the Gnawed Noble…you may find yourself in better company there." She stated.

Riordan raised his eyebrows.

"I take it the Arl has not been kind?" he asked.

Bridget shook her head.

"Well…yes and no. He has been very generous…but something is up…I fear my friends and I may have overstayed our welcome. I am just ready for this to be over with. We are losing precious time plotting against the Darkspawn because of all this."

Riordan nodded.

"On that I very much agree. I must take my seat in the stands…if you should need me for anything, Bridget. Please let me know. Although, you should already know where my vote lies." He replied with a wink.

Bridget smiled at him and nodded. The crowd was beginning to thin and soon enough she and the others were escorted into another room where they would wait to be called upon. Bridget looked up and caught Alistair's gaze from across the room. She smiled at him…but frowned when he quickly looked away from her and turned his back. Something was wrong with him…and Bridget was going to find out. She was just about to walk over to him when someone stuck their head into the room.

"You are about to be called upon by the announcer, please form a single file line."

Bridget stood in line behind Teagan who was behind Alistair and Eamon. She heard the horns of the guards, quieting the nobles in the stands. The Landsmeet was about to begin.

"Brothers and Sisters…today we are here to listen to Arl Eamon of Redcliffe and Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir of Gwaren. Both parties please come forward and take your seats."

The large doors opened and Bridget followed the others out into the Main Hall. All the nobles in the stands looked down on her and the others, and Bridget felt slightly uncomfortable. Her nerves continued to grip her as she noticed that Anora was nowhere in sight. Bridget swallowed. She wasn't sure if she could handle another double crossing from the queen…especially now when so much hung in the balance. Bridget took her seat and found herself in between Teagan and Zevran. She glanced down the table at Alistair and sucked in a breath. He was deathly pale…and looked rather like he would be sick at any moment. She turned in her seat to face forward to see Loghain take the head seat at his table. The man did not look pleased, but Bridget noticed he came in full armor. She gripped the hilt of her sword beneath the table. Loghain's table consisted of Ser Cauthrien, the woman responsible for throwing Bridget into Fort Drakon, and some other nobles that she did not recognize. Bridget noticed an empty chair and realized that it must have been for Howe. Smart of Loghain to leave his chair there…no doubt he would bring up Bridget's murdering of him…no doubt at all.

"Arl Eamon of Redcliffe will begin this debate. I will hand the floor over to him." the announcer said in a deep voice.

Eamon stood and looked up at the nobles.

"My lords and ladies, Banns, Teyrns, and Arls alike…I beseech you to listen to our argument well and that you will believe us when we uncover Loghain as the foul man that he is. He would wish to take everything from you, your traditions, your freedom out of fear. He has placed us on a path of destruction and lecherousness, making us fight each other, making us fight the Orlesians who have, since the war, been our sister nation in trade! After all of this…are we to place our destiny in his hands? Must we sacrifice everything that is good about our nation in order to save it?"

Bridget relaxed a bit as she watched the nobles. The majority of them looked to agree with Eamon's statement. Eamon retook his seat and set his gaze on Loghain.

"It is now Teyrn Loghain's turn to speak." Came the voice of the announcer.

Loghain stood and had a smug look on his face. He was quiet for a moment before putting his hands together and clapping.

"Bravo, Eamon…a very fine performance indeed." He stated his voice full of malice.

Bridget clenched her jaw. Loghain continued.

"Unfortunately for you…it looks as if no one here was taken by it. A pity, truly."

Loghain turned and looked up at the nobles and placed his hands behind his back.

"Arl Eamon here, would attempt to place a puppet on the throne. All puppets have strings to be pulled by the master…and just who is this master you may ask? It is the Grey Wardens, specifically, her."

Loghain whipped around and pointed straight at Bridget.

"She is the horse's arse who shits on my name, along with every other Grey Warden in Fereldan. So tell me and the lords and ladies of the audience, how will the Orlesians take our nation from us? I see you have one on your stand as it is already! So…will they deign our troops from us, or will they issue their commands through this would-be prince?"

Bridget stood and stuck out her chin.

"Funny, Loghain…it actually sounds like you believe what you are saying." Bridget stated.

She looked up into the stands and addressed the nobles.

"Orlais is not the threat to Fereldan. Loghain has seem to forgotten that we are in the midst of a Blight. I have seen the Arch Demon. This is real. And we are running out of time to prepare ourselves for the coming onslaught!"

One of the nobles, Bann Alfstanna of the Waking Seas stood.

"She's right. There are enough refuges in my bannorn to make that fact abundantly clear!"

Bridget smiled as Alfstanna nodded to her and sat back down. Arl Wulff of the Western Hills then stood and stated,

"The south has fallen, Loghain to the hands of those wretched creatures. Will you let Darkspawn take the whole country for fear of Orlais?" He took his seat and crossed his arms.

Loghain addressed Wulff, and Bridget noticed a little bit of his former cockiness seemed to not be present.

"The Blight is indeed real, Wulff, but the question is do we need Grey Wardens to fight it? They claim that only they can end the Blight, and yet they failed spectacularly at Ostagar. And they ask to bring with them four legions of Chevaliers! Once we open our borders to the Chevaliers…can we really expect them to return from whence they came?"

Bridget pursed her lips together. She looked to Eamon and he nodded his head. It was time they brought in their trump card…

"Loghain…you make a good argument, yet you are so deeply flawed that you cannot even see it. My lords and ladies, I have proof that Loghain sold Fereldan citizens into slavery to fund his war!" Bridget stated.

Eamon stood and brandished the signed documents.

"These are the documents bearing Loghain's signature that Bridget found in the Elven Alienage, along with fifteen or so elves in a cage about to be shipped off to the Tevinter Emporium!"

Audible gasps were heard throughout the Hall as the nobles shook their heads ferociously. Bann Sighard of Dragon's Peak stood and shook his head.

"There is no slavery in Fereldan, explain yourself Loghain!" he demanded.

Bridget felt a surge of confidence as Loghain seemed to shrink beneath the hateful gazes of the nobles. He shook his head.

"There is no saving the Alienage…damage from all of the riots has yet to be repaired and there are bodies still rotting in their homes. There is no chance of holding it if a Blight comes." His voice seemed to waver as more gasps and looks of disapproval came from the nobles above. Loghain shook his head again.

"Despite what you may think, Warden, I have done my duty. I have done what was needed to ensure the good and safety of Fereldan."

Bridget raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms.

"You duty? Hmm…I wonder…was it also your duty to send an apostate to poison Arl Eamon?"

More gasps from the audience sounded out throughout the Hall. Loghain narrowed his eyes and set his mouth in a thin line.

"I can assure you, Warden, that if I were to poison someone, I would leave it to my own guards, not the discretion of an apostate!" he snapped.

Bann Alfstanna rose to her feet again.

"You lie Loghain! My brother tells a very different tale! He says that you snatched a blood mage from the Chantry's justice? Coincidence…I think not."

The Grand Cleric slowly rose to her feet and narrowed her eyes down at Loghain.

"Do not think that the Chantry will overlook this, Teyrn Loghain. Interference in a Templar's sacred duties is an offense against the Maker Himself." She said sternly.

The nobles were beginning to heckle Loghain now. He turned and addressed the Grand Cleric.

"Whatever I have done, I will answer for later. At the moment, however, I wish to know what this Warden has done with my daughter!" he turned back to face Bridget on the last part of his sentence.

Bridget crossed her arms.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, playing the fool.

Loghain narrowed his eyes.

"Don't get coy with me, girl. You snatched my daughter, our queen by force, killing all her guards in the process. Does she even still live, I wonder after having suffered your barbaric ways?"

"I believe I can speak for myself."

Everyone turned to see Anora step out of a side door near Bridget. The nobles in the stands gasped, and Loghain himself looked shocked. Anora stepped forward and stood in the middle of the room, between the two opposing tables.

"Lords and Ladies hear me, my father is no longer the man that you know. This man is not the hero of River Dane. This man turned his troops aside and refused to protect your king…my husband…as he fought bravely against the Darkspawn."

Anora looked at Loghain as tears flooded her eyes.

"This man seized the throne before Cailan's body was even cold and then locked me away so that I could not reveal his treachery. I would have already been killed if not for Bridget Cousland, the brave Grey Warden and her friends."

Anora nodded at Bridget. Bridget looked back at the nobles.

"The queen speaks the truth." She stated.

Loghain looked down and shook his head.

"So…I see this bitch has poisoned even your mind, Anora?" he asked softly.

Anora narrowed her eyes at him. Loghain took a deep breath and looked up at the nobles again.

"My lords and ladies, our land has been threatened before! It has been invaded and lost and won times far beyond counting. We Fereldans have proven that we will never be conquered as long as we stand together! Do not divide yourselves now! Stand with me and we will defeat even the Blight itself!"

The nobles all stood.

"South Reach stands with the Grey Wardens." One of them stated.

Bann Alfstanna nodded.

"Waking Seas stand with the Grey Wardens."

Bridget smiled.

"Dragon's Peak stands with the Wardens!" Sighard shouted.

Arl Wulff stood.

"The Western Hills stand with the Grey Wardens…Maker help us." He added with a chuckle.

Bann Ceorlic shook his head.

"I stand with Loghain. He has lead us to victory before and will lead us to victory again."

Another noble supported Bridget. The Landsmeet was over…

Bridget turned to Loghain.

"The Landsmeet is against you, Loghain. Step down gracefully." She stated.

Loghain clenched his fists and his face took on a number of expressions before he finally narrowed his eyes and shouted,

"Traitors! All of you! Which of you stood against the Orlesians as their forces flattened your field and rapped your wives, eh?"

He then turned to face Eamon.

"You fought with us once, Eamon! You cared about this land once before you got too old and fat and content to see what even you risk!"

Loghain then addressed the nobles in the stands, flailing his arms about. He looked like a complete madman.

"None of you gets to decide what happens here! None of you have spilled blood for this land the way I have!"

In his rage, Loghain flipped the table that he previously sat at over and growled,

"How dare any of you judge me!"

He drew his sword. Bridget shook her head and replied firmly,

"Call off your men and we'll settle this honorably."

Loghain looked at her and nodded.

"Then let us end this. I suppose we both knew it would come to this, Bridget Cousland…"

He was quiet for a moment before he said,

"When we met briefly at Ostagar I would not have thought so. I have clearly underestimated you. King Maric, Cailan's father told me once that 'A man is made by the qualities of his enemies.' I wonder if that statement is more of a compliment to you rather than me…"

Bridget raised her eyebrows. She was a little surprised by Loghain's sudden change in character.

"Enough. Let the Landsmeet declare the terms of this duel." He stated.

The Grand Cleric stood.

"It shall be according to tradition: there will be a test of arms in single combat until one party yields. We who are assembled will abide by the outcome."

Loghain nodded.

"Very well…will you face me yourself, or have you a champion?"

Bridget looked over at Alistair to find him looking at her. His eyes shined in admiration of her efforts thus far. Loghain took everything from Alistair, Duncan, his friends, it was only appropriate that Alistair duel him.

"I choose Alistair has my champion." Bridget stated firmly.

She walked over to Alistair and took his hand in hers.

"You deserve this, Alistair. I want you to feel the satisfaction that I felt when I killed Howe…it is only fair. I love you."

Alistair stared down at Bridget. His heart broke at the thought of what was to come. He caressed the side of her face and nodded before stepping walking towards the middle of the room. Guards had removed the tables from the center of the room so that there would be no obstacles in the way of the two warriors. Alistair stood in front of Loghain, a few feet apart from him and drew his sword and shield. Loghain drew his sword and shield as well.

"I did not notice before…but you look remarkably like Maric. He was a good king, your father…one of the best. If you do win this battle, I hope that you will continue his great lineage and rule as he did." Loghain stated.

Alistair said nothing in reply, but gripped the hilt of his sword tighter. For the moment, he let all of his worries leave him and made his head clear. He needed his entire attention to focus on Loghain. Alistair took a deep breath.

They started off by circling each other, each of them sizing the other up. Alistair knew his was not going to be an easy fight, but he had the resolve and courage to stand against this man and bring him down. The two men charged at each other full force. Loghain swung his blade and Alistair deflected with his shield. He then took Loghain by surprise and swiped his legs out from under him with his foot. Loghain crashed to the floor hard in his heavy armor, and Alistair took this opportunity to stick him with this blade. He thrust his sword forward, but it only bent the metal of Loghain's armor. Loghain quickly stood and bashed Alistair with his shield, knocking him off of his feet. Alistair rolled out of the way of Loghain's attack and charged at him again from a distance.

This seemed to go on for quite some time, slashing but not hitting, metal scraping against metal. Bridget thought for sure Loghain would tire at some point. Alistair had an advantage because he was a Grey Warden, and everyone knows of their renowned stamina. A cry was heard and Loghain fell to his knees. Alistair took a step back, looking surprised. Loghain swallowed and looked up at him.

"Funny…I thought you would be like Cailan, a child wanting to play at war. Who knew you had real…potential…" he coughed on the last bit of his sentence and blood spurted from his mouth.

"I yield…" he stated slowly.

Bridget and the others walked forward.

"You will die for what you've done." Alistair stated darkly.

"Wait!"

Everyone in the room turned to see Riordan walking forward.

"There is another option."

Alistair narrowed his eyes at him, while Bridget looked stunned.

"And what other option could that be?" Eamon asked, his voice clearly sounding that he had lost his patience.

"The Teyrn is a renowned general and warrior. Let him be of use, let him go through the Joining!" he stated.

Bridget nearly fell through the floor.

"Um…why exactly would you want to bestow upon him one of the greatest honors ever, exactly?" Bridget asked.

Riordan looked at her sympathetically.

"There are only three of us in all of Fereldan, Bridget. Three. And there are…compelling reasons to have as many Wardens as possible to deal with the Arch Demon…" he explained.

Anora nodded.

"The Joining is often fatal, is it not? If he survives, you gain a general. If not, you have your revenge. Does that not satisfy you?" she asked a pleading ring to her voice.

Alistair shook his head and shouted,

"Absolutely not! Riordan, this man abandoned our brothers and then blamed us for it! He has hunted us down, he's tortured you! How can you simply forget what this treacherous man has done to you?"

Bridget nodded.

"Loghain must die for his crimes against Fereldan and the Maker." She stated.

Anora shook her head.

"No! You can't do this! My father may have been wrong, but he is still a hero to his people! Please!"

Loghain looked up at her and shook his head.

"Anora my dear…hush. It is over."

"Stop treating me like a child! This is serious, Father!" she exclaimed, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Loghain sighed.

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

Anora buried her face in her hands as she muffled her cry. Loghain turned back to Alistair and Bridget.

"Make it quick, whichever of you does it. I can face the Maker…and his Judgment knowing that Fereldan is in your hands."

Bridget nodded and looked up at Alistair.

"You should be the one to do this, Alistair." She stated and took a step back.

Alistair nodded.

"I will. I owe that to Duncan." He replied.

Loghain remained on his knees and bent his head forward. One of Anora's guards was holding her back as she tried to stop Alistair. Alistair raised his blade and without a second thought, swung it. He relieved Loghain of his head and blood splattered everywhere, all over Anora and those in closest proximity. Anora shrieked and shuddered as she looked at her father's headless corpse, and then down at her lavender dress that was now mostly red. She dropped to her knees and cried over her father's lifeless body. Alistair set his jaw and placed his blade back in it's sheathe. Bridget walked up to him and lightly touched his arm. Alistair didn't turn to look at her, however. Instead, he kept his eyes forward. Eamon cleared his throat.

"It is decided then, Alistair will take his father's throne."

Before Bridget or Alistair could say anything, Anora stepped forward.

"And just who are you to decide that? I am still queen. Alistair to my knowledge does not even want the throne, nor do I believe that he can live up to the responsibility that being in such a high position requires. I will remain on the throne."

The nobles broke out in arguments across the room before the Grand Cleric yelled,

"Silence!"

Everyone immediately quieted and looked towards her.

"I believe Lady Cousland should make the decision. She made all the right decisions in the Landsmeet, so I believe that she will also make the right decision here. I give the floor to you." She stated.

Bridget took a deep breath. This was it. This was the moment of truth. She looked at Alistair and smiled at him. Surely his frown would break out into a large grin when she announced her plan. She looked over at Eamon and saw him looking nervous. Bridget smiled.

"I believe that Alistair should be king, but I place myself to rule beside him as his queen."

There was a stunned silence throughout the room. Anora looked completely taken aback, and Alistair looked as if he had just been asked an impossible question. Eamon's face too, was shocked. Bridget's breath caught in her throat as she looked up at the nobles. She relaxed when she saw them nod and smile.

"I believe that is a splendid idea." Alfstanna said.

"It is not acceptable!"

Bridget whipped her head around to stare at Eamon.

"Why not? I am of noble blood, and I love Alistair deeply. I have with me my father's lands, all of Highever! How can you say this is not a good match?"

Bridget looked at Alistair briefly to see why he was not joining in on this important topic.

Eamon looked positively furious, the vein in his forehead threatening to burst.

"No. There will be no joint ruling between you and Alistair. He will rule alone."

That did it. Bridget's patience finally cracked and her temper flared well past it's boiling point.

"Will you shut up?" Bridget shouted.

Eamon, who had been trying to address the shocked nobles in the stands, slowly turned and looked at her.

"What?" he asked sharply.

"Shut up that never closing hole in our face! Ever since we saved your life back in Redcliffe you have done nothing but try to control Alistair and make his decsions. It was you who wanted him to be king in the first place, and now when I have presented that opportunity, you still denounce everything! A king must have a voice, Eamon, and that voice must be his own. Let Alistair answer my proposal and let Alistair speak for himself for once you overbearing arsehole!" she shouted.

Bridget took many breaths after her shouting match. All the eyes in the room were on her, and the air was still and silent. Bridget swallowed and regained her composure before turning to look at Alistair. Zevran and Leliana stood not too far behind her and looked at each other nervously. Zevran had confided in Leliana his discussion with Alistair and now was the moment of truth. Leliana bit her lip and clutched Zevran's hand.

Eamon clenched his jaw.

"Fine. Alistair, what are your thoughts on this great matter?" Eamon asked, boring his eyes into Alistair.

Alistair turned his gaze from Eamon's and stared into Bridget's crystal blue eyes that were shining with hope and happiness…two things that he was about to crush…

Alistair swallowed and walked towards her.

"Bridget…I-I am deeply honored by your intentions and wishes…but I cannot fulfill them, I cannot marry you." He stated in a choked voice.

More gasps filled the air and Zevran and Leliana looked at each other with shocked expressions. Alistair saw all the previous emotion from Bridget's eyes completely vanish and he was now staring into dull, dark, and cold eyes. Dead eyes…

Bridget blinked slowly. She felt as if the floor had suddenly split in two and she was falling between the created crevice. She felt so…so betrayed so wronged…this feeling was worse than what she felt the night her family was killed. She did not want to cry in front of the nobles, did not want them to view her as being week…but damn them all she was not expecting this! Her lip quivered as a single tear fell from her eyes and landed on her chest. She looked up at Alistair to see tears shining in his own eyes. He rejected her with no reason…this whole situation made absolutely no sense! Alistair licked his lips as he fought back the tears that dared to crawl down his face.

"Because we are both Grey Wardens, we cannot produce a child and,"

There was her reason, Bridget supposed. She shot her head up and looked at him. She felt another blow to her overall being with that statement. She wasn't sure how much more she could take before running out, screaming. She still felt the eyes of all the nobles in the stands boring into her, as if trying to see into her mind, to even begin to grasp what she was feeling. Bridget realized if she was told all of this from the beginning, all the things that she would lose if she became a Warden…she wouldn't have had any part of it, greatest honor or not. Although Bridget may not have openly expressed it before, she did want to have children, she wanted that sense of family that she no longer had…but apparently, she would not get it. She would never have a family again…and that fact alone would be enough to drive anyone off of the peak of sanity.

"You mean to tell me that my biological right was taken from me when I became a Warden?" she asked softly.

Whispers arose from the nobles as they continued to stare down at the scene below them. After all, if a woman, a queen no less could not bear a child, what good was she? The answer was simple, no good. It didn't matter if Bridget loved Alistair to the very ends of the Earth. If she could not bear him a child, she would be nothing but a waste of space taking up a position that a woman who could bear a child should have. Bridget felt her face burn. Riordan looked like he was about to say something, but before he was given the chance, Eamon clapped his hands together.

"We must confer with the nobles now, come Alistair."

Eamon dragged Alistair away as the stunned nobles left the stands and began to enter the ground floor of the Hall to speak with their soon to be new king. Bridget stood where she was for a long moment, all the sound in the room not affecting her at all.

She heard nothing. She felt nothing. Nothing but a sense of abandonment and coldness from the one she loved. She slowly turned to walk towards the back door before she felt herself almost fall. Before she hit the ground, both Leliana and Zevran held on to either one of her arms and helped her stand.

"Let's get you back to the estate." Leliana said in a soft voice.

Zevran glanced over his shoulder to see Alistair staring at them. Zevran narrowed his eyes and spat on the ground before turning back to the task at hand. He helped Leliana walk Bridget out of the room before Bridget doubled over and relieved the contents of her stomach. She fell to her knees and let out a strangled cry that Leliana and Zevran were sure the others heard. The door opened and Teagan and Riordan walked into the room. Teagan shook his head.

"I can bear staying here no longer. Come, let's get her back to the estate."

He lifted Bridget into his arms and hurriedly walked out of the down the hall and out a different entrance so that Bridget would not have to see Alistair and the nobles, and vice versa. Zevran looked at Riordan.

"You looked like you were going to say something before Eamon cut you off back there, what was it?"

Riordan sighed.

"Bridget and Alistair can indeed have children…it is just very difficult. We must discuss this with both her and Alistair and see if we can repair the damage that has been done here today. Maker…this is certainly a Landsmeet that will go down in history."

Leliana drew her brows together.

"Did you hear her…her cry?" she asked softly.

Riordan nodded.

"Everyone did, and none of the nobles look pleased with the decision. Let us just get back to the estate and wait for Alistair and Eamon there. Hopefully we can persuade Alistair to change his mind."

Zevran watched as Riordan hurried to catch up with Teagan. Despite how much he hoped for, something told him that Eamon had persuaded Alistair past a point…of no return.

A/N: I apologize for taken so long with this chapter guys, but see it's nice and long just like I promised! Now don't hate me for what I've done here…I can't tell you what will happen…so you'll just have to keep reading to find out! Thanks again to all of you for your continued reviews, and please don't stop reading because of what happened in this chapter. There is still a lot more to come…:)