First things first: I do not own Dragon Age, anything Bioware related, etc.

Second: Hello! I'm back! Sort of. If you are subscribed to me, you're probably wondering why I took down my other stories. Well, here's the thing: I'm not happy with them. Besides, there's new Dragon Age content coming out, so I'm going to just start from scratch!

If you liked my other stories, I'm sorry! I just want to do things right, and I hope you enjoy this new one! Oh, and if you didn't already know, this one is going off the rails of canon, sort of.


He threw it.

He didn't care anymore.

Why should he?

Nobody loved him. Nobody cared about what he wanted.

The amulet shattered into pieces, and scattered to the ground. For a while, Alistair just stood there, and stared at his work.

And immediately, the regret sinked in. That was the only thing he had of Mother...

Why did this have to happen? Alistair didn't WANT to go to the Chantry! He hated how the Sisters looked at him, like he was unwanted. No, even worse, they looked at him like there was something wrong.

After a while, the young boy crumbled to the ground of the hallway, and started crying. Not long after, a voice filled the air

"Stop that crying!"

Isolde stalked down the hallway, and yanked Alistair up by the arm.

"Consider yourself lucky, Alistair," Isolde hissed "that the Chantry has decided to accept you. Now, get dressed, and pack your things. The Knight Commander is on his way, and I will not have you embarass us in such a way!"


Bryce Cousland didn't travel often through Redcliffe. He didn't think much of Arl Eamon. Well, that was being unfair. The man could be kind and cordial, but there was something off about him. He couldn't quite place it. One thing Bryce knew, is that Eamon thought little of those without royal or noble blood. That was a very Orlesian attitude, something that many Fereldens detested, and rightly so.

But, it was necessary to come to the Castle. Fergus and Elissa needed to see Ferelden, and Redcliffe was the next stop.

"Father," Elissa pointed "There's Eamon! Who's that?"

Sure enough, the Arl and a young, blond lad of about Elissas' age were walking down the steps from the castle entrance. It wasn't a friendly conversation. Seemed like they were making their way toward a group of Templars. What were they doing here?

Something moved in the corner of Bryce's eye, and he turned to see a cloaked figure leaning up against a wall. The unidentified figure seemed to be invested in what was unfolding as well, but then turned his attention to Bryce.

Bryce turned to his knight captain "Find out who that is." As the knight departed, Bryce tried to clear his thoughts as he approached Eamon. The man immediately snapped out of whatever mood he was in to greet Bryce with the kindest of smiles

"Ahh, welcome Teyrn Bryce." Eamon bowed, and squeezed Alistairs shoulder to do the same "I trust the journey here was comfortable."

"It was certainly eventful!" Bryce replied, bowing back "You have my thanks, Eamon, for allowing myself and my family to stay. I promise not to abuse your hospitality. We're here to show the children all of Ferelden in its glory."

Eamon turned to Alistair "You see, boy? It's good to get out in the world. Get experience."

Alistair nodded dutifully, but Bryce could see that his eyes were red with tears. Alistair looked up, and saw a young girl with goldish brown hair.

"Hi!"

Alistair breathed out a sigh, and waved back "Hi."

Bryce immediately knelt down, and smiled as kindly as he could "Hello there! My name is Bryce Cousland. I'm the Teyrn of Highever. What is your name, young man?"

Alistair hesitated for a moment, and stared at the ground "Alistair, my lord."

"No need to be so formal, lad!" Bryce pointed behind him "These are my children, Fergus and Elissa. You look a bit upset. If its alright with the Arl, perhaps you'd like to play with them?"

Eamon and Alistair locked eyes, and Eamon nodded "Yes, that would be appropriate. Go on."

Teyrna Eleanor returned from the bar with the supplies, resigned to chatting with that horrible woman Isolde. Why couldn't Bryce wait until the Guerrins were on vacation, like they planned? Teagan would still be around, and Eleanor could tolerate Teagan. Fergus and Elissa darted past her, along with a new playmate, it seemed. Well, at least someone was going to enjoy themselves while they were here.

With the dull pleasantries expended between Bryce, Eamon and Knight Commander Greagoir, Bryce decided to ask

"Who is that boy, Eamon?"

Before Eamon could answer, the hooded figure approached, to the protest of the Highever knights. He pulled it back, revealing cropped, jet black hair. Grey, unnatural eyes darted between Eamon, the Knight Commander, and his old friend. A dragon symbol was tattoed onto his face. The cloak fluttered in the wind, revealing a unique grey/blue armor. Embedded on it was the symbol of the Gryphon.

"It's been a long time, Bryce."

Bryce immediately embraced the man "Malcolm! It's been so long! Maker's breath, you never write! How are the Wardens?"

Malcolms grim countenance was telling, as the Teyrn pulled back "I'm Warden Commander now. Duncan is dead. He was killed in one of our...well, we aren't supposed to talk about that. But he served with honor. It's been a lot of work getting things taken care of. It's why I'm here, actually."

"What's wrong?"

Malcolm nodded his head toward the door inside, and all four of them immediately entered the Castle. Inside the lounge, Eamon poured them all some Antivan Brandy, to which only Greagoir declined. Templars could be so dour, Eamon chuckled to himself.

"You'll have to forgive me if I'm revealing secrets here, Arl Eamon, but this is a matter that involves the Grey Wardens." Malcolm took a sip from his glass "That boy you were wondering about, Bryce? That's a child of Maric."

Greagoir flicked a glance between all three of them. He truly hated politics.

Bryce leaned back in his chair "Go on."

Malcolm told only the essentials. King Maric had an affair with a Grey Warden in the Deep Roads, some time after the death of Queen Rowan. Alistair was the son of a King, and a Grey Warden.

"Is this true?" Bryce looked to Eamon.

"It is." Eamon nodded "Maric entrusted the child to me, and told me that Alistair was not to be recognized of his royal status."

"So he's lived here in secret?"

"Today shall be his last day." Eamon replied somewhat coldly "It's clear that he's unhappy, so I've decided to send him off to the Chantry for education, and eventually-"

"Induction into the Templar Order." Greagoir finished. He leaned in "I would strongly consider other alternatives, my Arl. The life of a Templar is not easy. He clearly doesn't seem interested in it, either."

Malcolm followed up "King Maric and the Warden had a binding agreement that everything be done to promote the best wellbeing for Alistair. I have to agree with the Knight Commanders assessment. There needs to be another way."

Eamon shrugged "Well, I don't see what else can be done. I've raised him since he was an infant. He seems to reject what I've offered him."

Malcolm held back a biting response. The truth was, Malcolm had been watching over Alistair since Duncan died, as was instructed. He knew full well what had been offered Alistair, and he couldn't imagine Maric being impressed with it.

"Well, what would you say to me taking him off your hands, Eamon?" Bryce offered "There's always plenty of room at Highever. I'm not sure that I can give him what he wants, but I can try. I owe that to our King. And it would be a fair recompense for your hospitality.

Malcolm smiled. Cousland glibness at its finest. As expected, with the brandy also doing its work, Eamon was in no mood to argue.

"Very well, Bryce." Eamon shrugged. "As long as it's alright with the Knight Commander here."

Greagoir nodded "I believe its for the best."


Later that night

Eleanor rose out of bed, to find Bryce hunched over a table with a lit candle.

"What are you doing, Bryce? It's well past midnight." Rubbing her eyes, she walked over, and placed her hand on his shoulder. "What is that?"

His hands were fumbling with bits of metal. "You remember that boy I told you about?"

Eleanor could hardly forget. When she learned about poor little Alistair and what Eamon and that harridan Isolde had put him through, she wanted to pack up and leave Redcliffe immediately. It was inexcusable!

"Yes, Bryce."

"This is something that belongs to him." Bryce stopped, and shook his head "Well, all things considered, before we got here, this was probably the only thing that belonged to him. I'd like to think that he will take something away from all of this."

Eleanor rubbed his shoulder "Oh Bryce..."


Malcolm is essentially the character from the Sacred Ashes trailer. If you haven't seen it, watch it. Malcolm is a total badass, and has a lot more potential to be a compelling character than say, Duncan. Duncan isn't interesting to me. (shrugs)

And yes! Alistair dodges the bullet and gets to stay with the Couslands! So that means there's going to be some character changes as opposed to what you see in Origins. Don't worry, he will still be goofy and adorable, and everything that makes the girls go nuts over.

Last but not least: I realize this is a boring chapter. Don't worry: things get intense in the next one.