I would like to thank brownc0at for beta reading my story, and to every reader that stuck with me through this long wait.

All the chapter's have been edited, so take a look at the new rewritten version of each chapter.

Warning: One more thing, I'm going to be changing certain things in the Dragon Age: Orgin storyline, so do not expect it to follow the games storyline to the letter.

Wardens of Ferelden

It was real, wasn't it? You and me. Such a long time ago, we were just a couple of kids. But we really loved each other, didn't we? –Allie, Notebook

Chapter One: Dreams

Somewhere South of Highever

Golden hair fell forward as blue eyes set in a pale face watched him. "I love you Amri…." Seeing those eyes filled with nothing but love left Amri breathless as his heartbeat sped up. But as he moved to touch her, she was gone, and he was awake. Blinking his eyes, Amri noticed the stars had brightened, while the sounds of the fire and Runt echoed throughout the night.

"Another bad dream, Amri...?"

Sitting up, Amri rubbed his face as his golden hair fell forward; pushing it back, he looked over to his longtime friend and servant Aiden. "That easy to tell, eh...?"

"Yes... you always look a little paler after you dream about An..."

Before Aiden could finish, Amri stood up and moved to the edge of their camp. "Get some sleep, Aiden. I'll start the next watch." He didn't need to look back to know his friend was trying to come up with a few words to address the sudden quietness. But after a few moments, all he could hear was Aiden moving about, and Amri knew he was settling in for the night.

Sighing, Amri turned his gaze back to the stars, his thoughts returning to her...

No, he would not dwell on such thoughts tonight. Amri looked over to Runt, his mabari hound and dearest friend, who was wiggling and growling softly as he slept. Smiling, Amri settled in as his mind was drawn back to his father's summons. He had a general idea of what Father wanted, but this didn't make him any happier. Still, it would be good to see Mother's welcoming smile, hear Father's wisdom and humor, which Amri believed many in the capital were in sore need of, and so many little things that left Amri longing to see his home. With these thought's circulating through his mind, Amri Cousland watched and waited for the coming dawn.


Cousland Castle, 3 Days Later

"Well, if it isn't the esteemed Lieutenant Colonel of Maric's Wolfs, Amri Cousland himself!"

Smiling as Fergus engulfed him in a bear hug, Amri reveled in the feel of his brother's touch before pushing him back. "How are you, old man?" Pausing, his smile deepened as he looked his brother over, taking note of how relaxed and comfortable Fergus appeared. "I think you're getting a little pudgy. Am I wrong, Runt?"

Runt barked as he waged his tail.

Fergus laughed as he reached over to scratch Runt. "Aiden, how you put up with these two, I'll never know."

"Oh... there are days, my lord, when desertion calls." Looking back, he could see that Aiden was smiling as Fergus continued to rub Runt.

"Uncle Amri, Aiden!" Hearing Oren's shout, Runt was on his feet and prancing towards his nephew. "And Runt...!"

As Oren jumped on Runt, Bryce Cousland walked calmly around the now tussling pair. His smile growing as his eyes landed on Amri, he said, "Ah pup, it does my heart good to see you again." Amri raised an eyebrow at his father's comment, just as Mother walked up with Oriana. "Indeed, don't tell your mother, but for the strangest reason she seemed rather worried." Eleanor Cousland slapped her husband on the arm as she walked over.

"Hush Bryce…" Her gaze then traveled towards Amri. She held out her arms. Without any hesitation he pulled his mother into a hug, and sighed in contentment, feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders as he held her close. Pulling away, he could see that her eyes were dewy, but her smile was bright. "I've missed you so much, my darling boy." Grinning, both turned when they heard Runt bark and found Oren and Runt wrestling. "Well, come on, Amri, we have a lot to talk about," his mother said as she moved away.

"Yes. Oren, I believe we should go inside before you completely ruin your clothes," Oriana said as she moved closer to the tussling pair.

"Ah, but Mother, me and Runt were playing. Can't we stay outside for a little while?"

Looking back, Amri found Oriana smiling as she shook her head. "No, you can play later."

"But I never get to do anything fun!"

With this, Amri reached down and picked his nephew up. "Come on Oren. I've got something for you, all the way from Antiva..."


Although Aiden knew he was more than welcome to walk amongst the Couslands, he kept a bit of distance, especially at the sight of Amri's face. His smile seemed genuine and not the forced one he wore in Denerim, the capital. Aiden noted the contentment and peace his friend had once found in traveling seemed to have died the moment he took on his new responsibilities as second, much of this unrest having to do with the queen.

Although Anora was never openly rude to Amri, any warmth she used to charm those around her melted when she laid eyes upon him. Her manner became cold and withdrawn, while Amri, for his part, remained friendly, though his eyes told a different tale of how he felt.

Often, Aiden found himself wondering what might have happened if things had gone differently between the two. He knew how much they loved each other and how happy they'd been together, which no one who had seen them together when they were younger would have suspected. Watching Anora and Amri was like watching two bitter rivals. Their rivalry spread all the way from simple things, like games, to Cailan. And then one day, like magic, something between them changed.

The annoyed glances turned into smiles, and soon enough Aiden found himself in a rather sticky situation and learned to knock before entering his friend's room. This continued for a year and, like the rivalry of their childhood, only grew stronger as time passed, until the breakup.

He only knew bits of what happened, as he'd been away during the event. But from what little Aiden knew, it did not end well and to this day only polite words were passed between them. This was the main reason Amri took as many missions away from Ferelden as possible and nearly refused the position of second, which required him to remain in Denerim more than he liked.

"Uh-hmm..."

Looking up, Aiden found the Teyrn walking beside him. "Oh, sorry your Lordship. I was distracted."

The Teyrn smiled. "I noticed, Aiden, but I wonder how Amri is. He seems well enough, but..."

"Distracted would be the word. Father."

Both turned to find Fergus walking up. Aiden looked back to watch Amri, the Teyrna, Oriana, and Oren, followed closely by Runt, walk off before he returned his attention to their Lordships. "Although he's happy enough, he has not been sleeping well lately."

At this, the Teyrn looked away. "It's about her again... You know, I sometimes wonder if what I did..."

Fergus moved over. "Father...?"

The Teyrn looked over to them. "It's nothing; come, let's go before we miss all the excitement." With that, the Teyrn turned on his heel and followed after the others. Aiden and Fergus looked at each other, wondering what that meant, but they shrugged and followed the Teyrn.


Denerim, That Night

A handsome face watched her. His green eyes held nothing but love and understanding. Never looking for more or expecting less than she was capable of. While his wild golden hair, only adding to his beauty. As he drew closer, Anora found it hard to resist the temptation to reach up and pull him down. But just as he drew closer, he vanished. "Am…."

Anora firmly bit her tongue before she could say anything and quickly looked over to Cailan. There was no movement from the other side of the bed, except for Cailan's breathing. Blast it, the night she decided to sleep with her husband, and all she does is dream of someone else.

Pushing aside the blankets, Anora rose and calmly walked over to the room's window. It'd been five years, and yet she still dreamed about him. These dreams were becoming worse, since his position required him to remain in Denerim. Firmly pushing all thoughts of Amri Cousland away, Anora walked back to her bed and laid herself next to Cailan. Turning, she studied his features in the moonlight.

Yes, there was no need to think about that man; he was a thing of the past and it was never wise to dwell on such things. With this thought firmly in mind, Anora drifted back to sleep, yet once again her dreams took her to the waiting arms of the only man she loved.

All the while, she smiled joyfully as she ran to him.