A/N: This piece is part of my "Change of Plans" AU, set shortly after "Change of Plans" itself. It is a series of letters between Bann Teagan and King Maric where Teagan discusses his new heir. This piece was inspired by my own foster parents, who really were good to me when they didn't have to be. My foster dad has been gone for 6 years now, but it would have been his 81st birthday this week, so I have been thinking about him. Thanks, Mr. F, for taking in a kid who didn't know what having a dad was and treating her like one of your own. I miss you.

17 Kingsway, 20 Dragon

From: Bann Teagan of Rainesfere

To: His Royal Majesty Maric Theirin

Dear Maric,

I hope this missive finds you well. I am writing to tender my apologies for cancelling my visit to Denerim on such short notice. Something has come up that changed my plans. I seem to have acquired a son.

Now that I have your attention, I will fill you in on the details. No, I have not married while you were not looking, nor has a past indiscretion arrived with a bundle wrapped in swaddling clothes. I went to visit Eamon on my way to Denerim and circumstances forced me to take over guardianship of Eamon's ward Alistair. Alistair is slowly settling in at the manor house, although he has managed to disappear from under my nose on two separate occasions. Now I know what everyone means when they say that you can't turn your back on them for a second. Obviously he was found safe and sound both times, but he has already taken years off my life, and it has been less than a week.

Due to the nature of this life-changing event I find myself in, I will not be journeying to Denerim for some time. If your duties permit, perhaps you could visit Rainesfere. If you could bring Cailan that would be even better. I was quite looking forward to the chance to catch up with my brother-in-law and nephew.

Sincerely,

Teagan

19 Kingsway, 20 Dragon

From: HRM Maric Theirin

To: Bann Teagan of Rainesfere

Teagan, you are lucky that you are several days journey away. I could strangle you for sending me a note like that with no further explanation. What in the Maker's name happened to make you take Alistair in? I have heard nothing from Eamon about this. I find myself wondering why you felt this necessary. You have never expressed the slightest interest in marrying or having children, so I can only assume that the circumstances were rather unique to cause this turn of events.

I could perhaps take a few days to visit Rainesfere, especially if I can manage to make it an educational trip for Cailan. A visit during the harvest so that Cailan can learn about the processes that bring the food to his table would be most useful. He is fifteen now and thinks he knows everything. I'm sure I was nothing like that when I was that age.

Please do let me know how you are getting on with your new ward, I am most eager to hear news.

Sincerely,

Maric

22 Kingsway, 20 Dragon

From: Bann Teagan of Rainesfere

To: His Royal Majesty Maric Theirin

Maric,

It was not my intent to concern you, but I find myself a bit overwhelmed by this situation and not sure where to even begin. I thought I had some idea of what it was like to have a child, but nothing prepared me for hands-on experience of same. The first time he disappeared I was frantic. I even sent men down the roads out of Rainesfere, in case he had run away. He was eventually found asleep in my gelding Lang's loose box. Lang didn't seem to mind, thankfully. As it turns out, he went to sleep with the horses as that is the noise he is used to. Eamon had him working as a stable hand this past year, and he slept in the hayloft or, when it was colder, in the stalls with the horses. He's also informed me that Eamon occasionally took him to Denerim as he was one of the few boys who could be trusted to properly mind the dogs. It was most convenient for Alistair to sleep in the kennel with his charges, so that was the arrangement. The second time he disappeared was much the same. One of the housemaids found him in the attic curled up in a pile of old linens. He barely remembers sleeping in a bed.

The boy does not even know his letters, much less ciphering. There is so much to do to make him a fit heir for Rainesfere, but I think he has great potential. My entire staff loves him and is taking great pains to feed him at every opportunity. He is currently quite thin, but I expect that will change.

If you do manage to come to Rainesfere – and I think your idea of showing Cailan the harvest is a good one – then you can meet the boy. I think you will like him. He has a bit of a smart mouth, but he's never malicious about it, so I can't bring myself to discourage it.

Sincerely,

Teagan

25 Kingsway, 20 Dragon

To: Bann Teagan of Rainesfere

From: HRM Maric Theirin

Teagan,

Thank you for giving me this news. I'm glad that Alistair is settling in with you and you are addressing the gaps in his education. I look forward to meeting him. Rest assured I will be having words with Eamon about the proper treatment of a ward. He has informed me that he will be in Denerim in Firstfall; we will speak then. I would prefer to discuss such things in person. As for Alistair's smart mouth, I wouldn't bother trying to correct it. You may have noticed I have a bit of a smart mouth, myself, and no amount of discouragement by my mother ever broke me of it. Probably made it worse, now that I think about it.

Speaking of in-person visits, it is my understanding that the harvest at Rainesfere is mainly orchards, so that would be middle Harvestmere or thereabouts? I have broached the subject with Cailan's tutors and they believe that Cailan would benefit from some practical experience of what it is like to be a farmer, and I concur. Perhaps one of your landholders would like some royal assistance picking apples? Preferably one who has weathered having a teenaged son and knows their tricks. He would also have to not be averse to having a few members of the Royal Guard accompany Cailan to the orchards. While Cailan is being educated we can spend some time catching up. We have not had a good conversation in far too long.

My steward can contact your steward to make the arrangements – Maker forbid I just pack a bag and take to the road. Loghain might burst a blood vessel, and we wouldn't want that.

Sincerely,

Maric