A/N: I originally posted this story as a crossover fic w/the wrestling fandom but... The DAO fangirl in me was balking at that. Some minor changes have been made and there are spoilers (in the unlikely event someone hasn't finished the game by now, for shame, lol). My first DAO story and I'm sure very much like many others out there.
I own absolutely nothing, Bioware does, them lucky folks. Though if they ever want to loan Alistair or Zev to me, I wouldn't say no!
CHAPTER 1
There was a Grey Warden in the castle. An actual Grey Warden. One of the prestigious, renowned defenders of mankind against Darkspawn and Blight, actually in the castle! These were the thoughts that were running throughout seventeen year old Briar Cousland's mind as she walked the stone courtyard, glancing every now and then towards the heavy oak doors that led to the main hall.
Word had reached her of their guest only an hour ago, while she had been outback in the training yard with several of the Teyrn's soldier's, practicing backstabbing.
Which as her father, her brother and Ser Gilmore had informed her was not proper for a knight.
But Briar wasn't a knight nor a warrior. She wasn't ignorant, she knew with her stature and small size fighting someone head on would never work to her advantage. She was however quick and agile; perfect for a rogue.
Of course, such things were improper for nobility but she usually got her way regardless. Out with her mother's attempts at turning her into a proper lady and in with her father's loving blessing that she could put her attention to things that actually held her interest.
He had assumed it was all a phase, something she would grow out of.
Two years later, his Pup –an affectionate nickname only he could get away with calling her- still hadn't come out of her 'phase' and seeing Briar striding around the castle in her armor no longer raised any eyebrows.
When Teyrn Bryce had realized his Pup had every intention of proving herself just as capable and possibly even better than his seasoned warriors, he had ordered a suit of armor for her.
Not just any old suit, but something special; something beautiful. Something that would both protect her and be worthy of her station.
His son, Fergus, had laughed himself into a fit when Bryce presented Briar with her new suit of armor; but Briar had loved it from the first.
There rarely went a day that she didn't wear all of it or at least the breastplate.
Bryce had even had the armor made by an Orlesian smith –which had been an insult to Fereldon's own master smith Wade-, simply because Orlais was the fashion capital of Thedas. Beautiful yet practical, durable and most importantly; would protect his only daughter.
The armor itself was made of treated leather, leather that had been dyed to match the brilliant shade of blue Briar's eyes were, a beautiful cobalt blue. The breastplate –which was Briar's favorite piece to wear- almost resembled a leaf in design; the breast (awkwardly, as a woman's armor had to be molded specifically to the woman due to their bust) comprised of the finest, most delicate chainmail.
Instead of full plated armor for her legs, he had ordered a skirt of sorts; much to the pleasure of his wife –Teyrna Eleanor- and Briar's chagrin. It was also of leather; wide leather strips that were the same color as her breastplate; the waist hugging her hips firmly, leaving only the smallest of gaps between the top of the 'skirt' and breastplate. An addition of greaves and leather boots; she had been set.
At the moment, Briar wore her breastplate –with a white undershirt as the chainmail didn't exactly cover specific areas well enough- and a pair of black leather breeches that made polite society ladies frown as they hugged her hips and all the rest; her well worn leather boots not making as she continued her pacing.
Finally the huge double doors opened and a servant stepped out; bowing at her. "Lady Cousland, the Teyrn will see you now."
Impatiently, she nodded and sidestepped the servant; quickly striding into the hall. "Father." She kissed his cheek, an adoring smile lighting up her face.
"Pup, we have a guest." Teyrn Bryce gestured to his left; wearing his own indulgent smile as he regarded her.
Perfunctorily, Briar turned to their guest; who was Arl Howe, the Arl of Amaranthine as well as her father's old friend. "How are you, Arl Howe?" She asked politely, not interested in the slightest with playing the game of politics but one glance from her father reminded her that he was also Teyrn.
And she a Teyrn's daughter.
"Quite well, my dear." Howe replied in his distinctly unpleasant voice; his shrewd eyes examining her. "What a curious piece of… armor, you wear."
Briar waited patiently why he continued his examination of her, quite used to it by now. Unlike most other girls her age and of her station, she did not wear dresses and truss her hair into some ridiculous fashion.
But she was also aware that she garnered attention regardless, especially from men. It disgusted her to no end. She sprouted a pair of tits and every dog in the yard seemed interested in sniffing her.
What Briar wasn't aware of was that even with her unconventional and thoroughly unladylike dress, she was still startling beautiful, much like her own mother had been. In fact, Teyrna Eleanor was still a very beautiful albeit mature woman; her hair a lovely shade of grey with lingering streaks of rich brown and only a hint of crow's feet surrounding her eyes.
Her hair was the same rich, earthy brown her mother's had been, but unlike Eleanor's fashionable braided buns on the back of her head; Briar wore her hair just beneath her chin; straight save for long strands on either side of her face that she usually kept braided and pulled back around her head.
Even though she spent long days in the sun; her complexion was still fair; her skin pale though not in the unhealthy way she had seen on beggars in Denerim –the nation's capital. Her cobalt blue eyes were framed with long lashes, and coupled with her Cupid's bow mouth; overall she had a sweet appearance.
At least until she began speaking.
Briar was fairly certain he wasn't making a compliment so much as just stating the obvious so she said nothing.
"My son, Thomas, has enquired after you." He offered, a knowing gleam in his eye.
Briar shot her father a quick look, hoping that with a battle looming on the horizon he was not about to engage in another futile attempt at marrying her off.
Bryce smiled pleasantly at his daughter; seeing the revulsion in her eyes and knew exactly what she was thinking. He wasn't honestly interested in seeing her married off, he preferred having his Pup at home still, but it was amusing to torture her just a little.
When her father didn't intervene on her behalf, Briar forced a smile. "Thomas, as I recall, is two years younger than me." She tried to keep the disgust from her tone.
Howe shrugged his shoulders. "Such a slight difference in age becomes meaningless as the years progress."
"Ah, but with war looming, surely talking of such things is…" Briar trailed off when her father began laughing; trying to scowl at him but his infectious, booming laugh was contagious; her lips twitching into a reluctant smile. "Oh, ha ha ha." She punctuated with three sarcastic claps.
"Now Pup, behave yourself in front of our guest." Bryce said finally, reaching out to affectionately muss her hair. "I have a few things I wish to say to you."
Briar clasped her hands behind her back with an attentive air though her eyes narrowed; already knowing what was coming and she had every intention of arguing against it.
"While I'm away, you are in charge; I expect to return to my home still in one piece." His voice was firm, though the hint of a smile lurked in his own gaze.
"Father, I wish to join you and Fergus in battle. Mother can-"
"I have placed you in charge, Briar." There was no hint of a smile now. "And I expect you to make me proud."
She lowered her eyelashes, hiding the anger in her eyes. "As you wish, Father."
The moment was over and Bryce pulled her into a quick hug, smiling over her head at Howe. "Forgive the Pup; she has her mother's quick temper and hard-head."
Howe returned the smile, his somewhat strained.
Briar pulled away, planning on informing him she had also inherited her mother's quickness with a blade (her mother had been a battle maid after all) but was distracted when a usually discreet side door to the main hall opened.
Howe and Bryce both turned as well.
"Ah, Duncan."
This was the Grey Warden, Briar stared at him almost hungrily. She hadn't had any expectations of his appearance (most girls she had discovered thoughts all 'knights' were handsome and honorable, as she had grown up surrounded by knights, she knew this wasn't always the case. She had known a knight who was ugly as sin, called everyone a 'shit' but could swing an axe and cleave a head in two), or demeanor but she was fairly certain if she had been expecting something, this wouldn't have been it.
The man was tall and broad; his skinned darkly tanned unlike so many others here in Fereldon with long, dark brown almost black hair –and a touch of grey here and there- pulled back into a low tail. What was truly odd was the fact that he wore what seemed to be a robe with a breastplate over it along with pauldrons.
She listened to the short conversation, interrupting when she realized what the Grey Warden was doing in Highever. "You're recruiting?"
"I am." Duncan replied amicably, taking in her stance with an interested look. "I am here to see Ser Gilmore as a matter of fact."
"He is indeed a fine knight."
"You look like you-"
Bryce shot Duncan a cautionary look, interrupting that sentence, before turning to his clearly very eager daughter. "You are needed here." He said firmly, glancing over his shoulder at Duncan. "I respect your right to conscript Wardens but… she is my only daughter."
Briar gritted her teeth, audibly.
Duncan gave an easy smile; his white teeth startling against his tanned face. "I will not conscript her, Teyrn."
Bryce breathed a little bit easier, his own smile sliding back into place. "Now, Pup, I need you to find Fergus and inform him that he leaves tonight with me. Arl Howe's men have been delayed and won't be here till dawn."
Even though she was upset, Briar's natural curiosity burned through and she glanced to the Arl. "Why?"
He seemed mildly annoyed with her impertinent question but answered anyways. "The week's rain has caused flooding and my men are overseeing the building of a levy before joining us."
She nodded, glancing back to Duncan almost longingly. "You'll be joining King Cailan at Ostagar then? Is it true this is another Blight? What does a Darkspawn look like?"
Arl Howe was now wearing a disapproving expression on his face while her father seemed both amused and exasperated.
Duncan however, was studying her as if he had never seen anything or anyone quite like her. "Do you know much of the Grey Wardens?" He asked gently.
She nodded quickly.
"She's only laid her hands on every book in the realm dealing with Grey Wardens, not to mention all the bards that have passed through…" Bryce gently but firmly placed a hand on Briar's shoulder. "Pup, you have duties to attend too. There will be time for questions later."
She groaned reluctantly but nodded. "Excuse me, Sers." She nodded to the Arl and Duncan before turning about heel and walking out the double doors.
By Maker, a Grey Warden…
***
"Nan's threatening to quit."
Briar halted at the sound of Ser Gilmore's voice, turning on the stone pathway to flash him an easy smile. "What for now?"
"Draven is in the larder."
Her smile broadened. Draven was her Mabari War Hound, a beautiful ecru colored hulk of a beast that stood as high as her waist and could have probably crushed her spine. Of course, Draven crushing her would never happen as the dog had imprinted on her when they were both literally puppies. He had been her constant companion and even now Briar considered Draven her most intelligent friend.
Ser Gilmore shook his head at her amused smile. "Lady Cousland…"
"Nan wouldn't leave, she was my nursemaid and adores me." Briar said matter-of-factly though she did heave her hands heavenward when he frowned. "Alright, alright, I shall save the larder from my beast."
Shaking his head exasperatedly, Ser Gilmore followed the youngest of the Cousland clan into the kitchens; where they both had to duck as a heavy pot came flying towards their heads.
"Nan, that could have hurt!" Briar sounded close to giggling, walking over to hug the elderly woman before she could hurl something else.
"Your bloody beast is in there doing Maker knows what!" Nan spat, pushing Briar away from her; knowing very well she could only force the young girl away because the young girl allowed it.
Briar glanced towards the larder; hearing Draven's gruff barks and growls; her attention momentarily distracted by the Elves who were cowering out of Nan's way. "You're scaring them." She chided gently.
"I'll do more than scare them if they don't get their knife-eared arses back to work." Nan threatened, but it was a hollow threat and they all knew it. "Go get the… dog."
"Dog? He's not just a dog." Briar protested instantly; busy now filching a cookie from the counter top; dodging the next pan that came flying along with Nan's 'you stay out of the sweets, demon child!'. "He's a Mabari War Hound."
"A mutt is a mutt and you best remember that."
Muttering under her breath –only to annoy Nan who was trying her best not to smile- Briar opened the larder door; arching an eyebrow. "Ser Gilmore?"
He moved to stand behind her, cursing loudly.
"What?" Nan shrieked, clearly expecting to hear the Archdemon had possessed the dog and was destroying her pantry. "What's it done now?"
"Rats!"
"They're huge!"
"Well kill them you idiots, are those daggers and swords for show only?"
Exchanging looks, Briar and Ser Gilmore waded into the vermin blood that was slowly staining the floor; pooling in the cracks of the stone's foundation, aiding Draven in dispatching their furry little backsides into oblivion.
Nan rounded on her Elvin staff, scowling. "Back to work!"
At this rate, Briar thought ruefully as she drove her Dar'Misu dagger through a particularly large and ugly rat, I'll never have a chance to talk to Duncan.
