Hey! This story takes place before Dragon Age, but will eventually lead into that. The story follows Bryce Cousland's youngest daughter, Ariana, and her relationship with the newly crowned (single) King Cailan.

I hope you enjoy. Feel free to review!

~Hayden

...

Eleven years earlier.

"Ariana! Get back here!"

Ariana giggled happily as she ran away from her older brother, Fergus. They were outside of castle Highever, where the apple blossoms had begun to bloom, and soldiers were quietly enjoying their patrols in the fair spring weather.

"Ariana, you will never win! My legs are much longer then yours!" Fergus laughed as he continued to chase his little sister.

"No! Daddy said one day I will be able to beat you!" Ariana said as she ran around the wall leading to the front doors of the castle.

"Well, that one day isn't today, is it?" Fergus said triumphantly, as he reached his little sister and lifted her above his head. Ariana laughed as her long, strawberry blond hair fell in her face. She could feel the sunlight on skin as he placed her on his hip and continued walking. She wrapped her arms around Fergus's neck and placed her head on his shoulder.

"Tired already, little sister?" Fergus chuckled. "It's your fifth birthday today! Surely we'll have to send you to bed before you can even get a piece of cake and open your presents, shall we?"

"No!" Ariana ptotested. "Of course not, I'm just resting my eyes. The sun is very bright today."

"Mhm," Fergus said. "You're too little to be tired, Ariana! Where's all your energy?"

"I'm not little anymore, Fergus, I'm five. And my teacher says I have the knowlage of a seven year-old."

"Well, you may act older then what you are, but you are still very small, or else I wouldn't be able to do this!" Fergus said, as he tossed Ariana slightly in the air and caught her. Ariana's giggling continued, until interuppted by her mother's voice.

"Fergus, we have guests." Fergus and Ariana both looked up to see they had arrived at the front doors of the castle to come face to face with the Couslands and some surprise guests, the Royal family of King Maric.

Fergus set Ariana down to shake hands with the King, while Ariana quietly went over to her father and slipped her little hand in his. He smiled down at her, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I hear your birthday was a couple months ago, Fergus," King Maric said, clapping Fergus on the soldier. "Your eighteenth birthday, yes? Quite the milestone. You are now considered a man."

"Ah, yes, sir," Fergus said. "It was quite the entertaining day, I must say. We were completely snowed inside the castle."

King Maric laughed, as did the man at his side. Ariana thought he was a very burly man, younger than Maric, but seemingly wise. He was very tan and tall, and had a low dark ponytail and thick facial hair. The man seemed to catch Ariana looking at him and smiled at her, and she ducked behind Bryce's leg. Bryce and the man exchanged a low chuckle, and turned their attention back to the conversation.

"Isn't Cailan's birthday soon?" Fergus was asking the King.

"Today, actually! It's his thirteenth birthday. He wanted some practice running the kingdom without me, so Duncan and I are making short rounds looking for recruits into the Gray Wardens. Of course, Loghain is really running everything, but he's helping teach Cailan the ropes for a while. Cailan should actually be here later, as he is coming to watch the recruiting process for the rest of the trip as well."

"You know," the man, Duncan, said. "I heard it was someone else's birthday today."

King Maric smiled. "Ah yes, I did hear that. Let's see, Fergus' birthday is in the winter, and Elissa's birthday is in the summer, so who else's birthday could possible be in the spring...?"

Ariana giggled, but didn't move from behind Bryce's leg. She knew King Maric very well from her family's frequent visits to the King's castle, considering him and her father were good friends, but the man beside Maric intimidated Ariana.

"I know your youngest is here somewhere, Bryce. It sure would be sad if I couldn't remember her name, on her birthday too! Maybe if I saw her, I would remember."

Building up the courage, Ariana peeked around Bryce's leg and smiled at the King. He held out his arms, and she ran over to give him a hug. He lifted her up easily.

"You're getting older, but not any bigger, are you, little Ari?" Maric asked, looking her face to face.

"I'll get bigger eventually! Then I'll be able to outrun Fergus," Ariana said, flashing a smile at her older brother, who laughed.

"Good luck, little sister." Fergus chuckled.

"Ariana, do you know who this man is?" Maric said, motioning towards Duncan.

"I know his name is Duncan," she said.

"That is true, this is Duncan. He is with the Gray Wardens."

"Hi," Ariana said shyly, sticking out her little hand. Duncan shook her hand, his completely covering her hand and wrist.

"Hello, Ariana. It's a pleasure to meet you. And happy birthday, might I add."

"Thank you," Ariana smiled.

"Dad!" She heard a voice say. Maric turned around, and Ariana watched as a young, good-looking boy rode up with a few soldiers surrounding him. The boy had fantastic blond hair, and had tan skin and very white teeth. His blue eyes stood out against his skin, and Ariana looked away, smiling.

"Prince Cailan," Bryce acknowladged, as him, Fergus, and Eleanor all nodded their heads.

"Fergus, why don't you take Ariana and go find Nan?" Eleanor said. "She needs to get ready for dinner later. Will you tell Elissa to get ready as well?"

"Yes, ma'am." Maric set Ariana down, and she grabbed her brothers hand. She waved goodbye as she walked away to get ready for her birthday dinner, still thinking about the beautiful boy with the blond hair.