A/N: Right. You know the usual. I don't own Bioware but Bioware owns me harharhar. But seriously, I don't own any characters but the lovely idea of Evelyn and Evelina, twin Couslands. I got the idea for Evelina to be a bigger character from that other story of mine (nah I thought of this before that but shhh).

EVELINA
- CASTLE COUSLAND

With one finger, I drag the small chip diagonally across the board. Resting, I smirk indefinitely at my sister, Evelyn. She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, analyzing the board. Evelyn narrowed her eyes and quickly moved one of her chips toward mine. With a haunting realization, I realized that in another move she would have me trapped.

I started to laugh. "Oh, shit."

Evelyn shrugged her shoulders. "Guess I'm just too good at Fox and Mabari, then. Too bad for you, dear sister." Evelyn moves her chip after I moved mine, in a bad move, and traps my chip. I can't move it forward or backward or anywhere really.

"Andraste's knickers. Oi, I don't even know why I play this with you; you win all the time." I pouted, pushing back the chair. Evelyn rolled her eyes.

"And this is why I play with you, Evelina. You're just so amusing to see unhappy." She laughed at me but I was still scorned at my loss. Never, really ever, had I won at Fox and Mabari. Evelyn liked to show how great she was at skill and strategy. I was just more of a 'do-now, think-about-the-consequences-later' kind of person. Still...Fox and Mabari was a game we had played since we were little. It was kind of a tradition, you could say.

There was a knock at the chamber door. We looked over in unison. I got off of my chair and opened the heavy door. On the otherside was a guard, with his Cousland shield proud on his back. The guard clenched his fist and held it to his heart, bowing a few inches.

"Good morrow Lady Evelina," The guard peered over my shoulder and nodded at Evelyn. "As well as you, Lady Evelyn. I do not mean to interrupt, but your father requested that you both visit him in the main hall. As soon as possible." I look over my shoulder at Evelyn, who joins my side.

"Onward them. We were only playing Fox and Mabari, which Evelina..." Evelyn bumped my shoulder. I scoffed.

"Don't say another word." I hold up a finger and Evelyn laughs. We follow the guard and see that our father is talking to Arl Howe, as well as an unknown man. He looks Rivanian, but I'm not too sure. His gold earring shines in the mid-day light. Scars and age litter his face and skin. I'm curious to who this man his, but my attention is moved to Father, who is speaking. Arl Howe greets us and brings up his son, Thomas. He seems to direct his attention more to Evelyn when he says this, and less to me. He only really talks to me when he notices that I'm a rogue, like my mother. He seems disgusted at it, and a bit put-off. I never really liked Howe.

The mysterious man ends up being the Grey Warden, Duncan, who surprises Evelyn and me. I catch her eye and she winks once at me. Evelyn knowns that I'm a big fanatic about the Wardens and combat in general. Evelyn prefers pretty dresses and the thoughts of being a nobleman's wife, or even a Queen. I'm more like our older brother, and not so ladylike. In spite of so, I pay extra attention to the Grey Warden.

"In fact, Teyrn Cousland, I come looking for a recruit for the Wardens." Duncan said, and my heart skips a beat. I sub-consciously . Father eyes me and frowns at me, giving a brief shake of his head.

"I hope you aren't thinking of any of my children, Duncan. If the Grey Wardens require recruits, my children are out of the running." Father says, taking a step forward. Duncan reassures father, with a swollen pang of my heart, that he isn't looking at any of us for the Wardens. He said he was looking out for Ser Gilmore.
Father relaxes, and then turns his attention to Evelyn and me. "Now that that is out of the way, I summoned you two to tell you that you will be the ones in charge of Castle Cousland while your brother and I are away." Evelyn pales a bit and backs up. Leadership is not her strong point, as she has not only shown me but demonstrated. On multiple occasions, Evelyn has stepped behind me when we were presented as leaders. As her twin, I felt obligated to help her. It was a silent fear of hers, so she told no one but me.

I slipped my arm through hers and bumped her hip. "It's alright. I'll do most of it." She looked at me and her grimace faded into a weak smile. She mouthed a thanks and we looked back at our father. He told us to find Fergus and tell our brother to leave ahead of father.

Evelyn went off, but I stayed. Father looked at me with a quizzical expression. "Is there something you need, pup?"

I bit my lip, thinking whether or not I should bring up the Warden discussion. Perhaps I would subtly, but more bring the idea of how unfair I thought of it that I couldn't go with Father and Fergus. "Father...Why is it that I can't go with you and Fergus? You know how well I am in combat...I could benefit the battle!"

Father help up a hand. "Enough, Evelina. We've gone over this. You have to stay with your sister-"

"But-"

"Evelina." Father closed his eyes and held up one finger. Alright, maybe I have asked him multiple times. Maybe I've brought it up in several other occasions...But still! I should have a right to go with them! I'd much prefer it than staying here in this castle for Maker knows how long.

I didn't say a word, other than a grunt of displeasure as I turned on my heel. As I walked out of the main hall, I heard father apologize for my reckless behavior. How horrible! I let out a scream as I left, hoping that it startled them. It even startled me a bit. I found Evelyn leaning against a wall with her arms crossed and grimace on her face.

"I thought you said you had my back, Lina. You say you'll help me watch the Castle and then go right ahead and bother Father about going to Ostagar..again." Evelyn frowns at me and peels off of the wall. I don't say a word and just ignore her. She keeps trying to talk to me, until Ser Gilmore comes from who knows where and stops us.

Apparently Mother wants Dixon, Evelyn's mabari, out of the larder where he's bothering Nan. At least my mabari, Snyder, doesn't go into the larder like Dixon. He usually stays in my chamber and sleeps.

Ser Gilmore escorts Evelyn to the larder, and I'm left with the duty of seeing Fergus. Just then, speak of the little devil, Snyder comes from the corner and shuffles to my side. I smile at him, bending down to rub his ears. "I'll always have you, Snyder." I whisper to him as I kiss him on the forehead. Snyder barks and wags his tail.

a/n: How'd you like this here first bit? I'll try to do two or so updates a day, maybe even one if y'all are really lucky. I've got a good portion of this already typed, so expect happy updates for a while (since I'm ahead).