Authors Note: This is a story about my favorite character out of all of my Origins. She is named after me because she was my first character and I always name my first one after myself. This is also my first Dragon Age story so please review and tell me what you like or didn't like. Thank you.
I shifted in my seat, I could feel my feet tingling from sitting in this hard chair for so long.
"Maker Nan I can't take sitting her any longer." I moaned shifting in my seat.
"Well if you would just hold still for a minute then you wouldn't have to sit here for so long." She groaned pulling a piece of my hair and pinning it to the top of my head. "Your hair is so long it's hard to get it to stay in the pins and we don't want it falling in front of your face. What if Arl Howe brings Nathaniel along, you need to look to look presentable."
I sighed shifting again in my seat. My mabari licking my hand with a whimper. "Are you bored too?" I asked petting his head his tail thumping against the hard brick floor.
"There" Nan said handing me a mirror so I could see her work.
I took the mirror holding it in front of me turning my head side to side. My long brown hair in lose ringlets, parted to the left with a pin holding it out of my face. "Aww thanks Nan it looks beautiful." I said.
I stood up smoothing my dress and wiggling my corset down a little since it had ridden up from sitting down for so long. The blue silk gleamed in the light. A knock on the door broke Nan out of her gaze. She hurried to the door pulling it open.
"Wow my lady you look stunning. It's a nice change from your usual leathers." Ser Gilmore announced as he walked into the room.
"Watch it Ser Knight, I can still take you down in this dress." I said pointing a finger at him and giving him a wink.
"Oh well then forgive me my lady." He said with a bow.
I walked up to him pushing his shoulder almost knocking him off his feet.
"Your father sent me to collect you. The Arl has arrived with his men and he wishes to speak to you both." He held his arm out and I slipped my arm around it as he guided me out of the room.
Highever was busy like always, people busy cleaning, cooking, or just gossiping about personal matters of others, the knights practicing only stopping to bow as Ser Gilmore and I passed them on our way to the castle entrance chambers. We walked through the big wood door to my father and Arl Howe who were quietly chatting to each other.
"My pup don't you look lovely. I'm surprised Nan was able to get you to put that dress on, I figured you would have come marching in with your leathers on."
Ser Gilmore bowed letting my arm go and heading back out into the hall.
"Well you should know father that I prefer to be with the knights then here entertaining the women who do nothing but gossip about each other." I said with a smirk.
He just chuckled and grabbed my hand giving it a squeeze. "Howe you remember my youngest Morgan."
"Of course Bryce, though last time I saw her Nathaniel was running to me crying that she had pushed him in the mud." He chuckled. "It's lovely to see that she has grown into a fine young lady" He said bowing before me.
I slowly tipped forward bowing towards him. "Well thank Arl Howe. Is Nathaniel and Thomas not with you?" I asked looking around.
"No I'm afraid not. Nathaniel is in the free marches and Thomas had other matters to attend to. Though Thomas has been asking about you. It seems he saw you at a gathering in Denerim and was absolutely smitten."
"Oh" I said with a blush.
"You have embarrassed the poor girl Howe." Father said with a chuckle slapping me on the back.
I glared at him. "Well do tell him I said hello sir."
"I'm sure he will be thrilled." Howe said with a smile.
"So father did you just call me to you just to tease me and make me blush?" I asked elbowing him in the side.
He laughed. "No pup. Actually I wanted you to let Fergus know that he will be heading to Ostagar tonight with the army, and that I will be leaving in the morrow with the knights."
"Oh so it will be just me and mother then?"
"No pup just you. Your mother is going with Lady Landra. I'm leaving you in charge of the castle until I return."
"Are you sure that is wise father? I have no experience in running a castle."
"You will do fine pup, you won't be completely alone." He smiled.
"As you wish." I said.
"Now that that's taken care of, there is someone I want you to meet." He turned to the guard standing at the door. "Fetch Duncan dear boy." He called.
The guard bowed before running off through the door way. Howe and my father discussed the King Calian and how he did not yet have a son to take the throne if he were to parish. I was glancing around the castle when I spotted Ser Gilmore talking to one of Howe's men. He looked over at me and I flashed him a bright smile. He returned it adding a wink before turning back to the guard.
"Ah, Duncan" my father called.
I looked over to the door way to see a very tall man walking towards us. His brown skin covered with dirt from the road, his black hair slicked back into a short pony tail. His twin blades smacking against each other as he walked.
"My lords, my lady." He said bowing.
We all nodded at him. "Pup this is Duncan, a grey warden."
"A warden? Wow." I said a smile showing my surprise. "Well met Duncan."
"Well met lady Cousland." He said nodding his head.
"He will be leaving with me to Ostagar. I figured with your thrill for fighting you would enjoy getting to meet your first Warden before he left."
"Yes I'm very honored." I gleamed.
"A warden Bryce? You didn't tell me a warden would be here." Howe said trying to hide how upset he was about not being informed.
"It must have slipped my mind." Father claimed looking at Howe. "Forgive me."
Howe nodded. "I think I will take my leave." He said before turning and walking toward the city, his guards at his heels.
"Forgive Howe Duncan. He doesn't like surprises, he is a good man."
"Of course my lord."
"So Duncan" I chimed in, his attention turning towards me. "Are you only here to escort my father to Ostagar?"
"Actually no, I'm here recruiting. With the possibility of a blight ahead we need all the Grey Wardens we can get. I actually had Ser Gilmore in mind, and I don't know if your father would allow it but I would be honored to have a fighter as skilled as you in the Grey Wardens.?
"Really?" My brown eyes gleaming with pride and a bright smile on my face.
"Forgive me Duncan but I do not want to lose my only daughter to a blight." Father said frowning at me.
"But fath..."
"Your father is right my lady, forgive me my lord."
Father waved his hand in front of him. "No harm done Duncan."
"Now pup go find Fergus and tell him to say his good byes."
"But father."
"No pup we will discuss this later. Now go." He said pushing me towards the door. I walked through the allies with my arms folded in front of me. Suddenly I felt hands around my waist pulling me into a dark room and shutting the door. Strong hands pushing me up against the wall crushing me between armor and stone. Soft lips crashed against mine. I moaned kissing him back wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling myself closer. He broke the kiss moving to my neck.
"I saw the grin you gave me." Ser Gilmore whispered into my neck in between kisses.
I giggled running my fingers through his hair. "If I knew this would happen every time I smiled at you, I would do it more often."
He laughed touching his lips to mine again forcing them apart with his and slipping his tongue into my mouth. I never got enough of kissing him even if we had to sneak them when no one was looking. He broke the kiss resting his forehead on mine, our noses touching the each others.
"It seems your mabari has gotten in to the larder again. Nan sent me to hunt you down to come claim him. You know he won't listen to any one but you." He said his hot breath teasing my lips.
"Mmmm… She can wait." I said pulling him into another kiss.
"I don't think it can. She's already threatening to leave." He mumbled against my lips.
I pulled away. "Nan won't leave, she always says she's going to leave and never does."
He pulled away from me taking my hand and pulling me away from the wall. "We should go collect him any ways."
I sighed kissing him one more time before opening the door and checking to make sure no one would see us exiting. We walked out into the ally, I fixed my hair and pulled the wrinkles out of my dress. Ser Gilmore laughed holding out his arm for me to take. I smiled at him slipping my arm into his. We made our way down the alley to the larder where there was loud barking echoing from the open door.
"Thank the Maker, you're here! That darn hound is into the food again! I can't work in these conditions, I was offered a spot at the palace. I could be in the castle away from this chaos!" she yelled her arms folded in front of her, her brow pushed together.
"Come now Nan don't say that." Ser Gilmore said placing his hand on her shoulder. "We will go and collect him and I will make sure he doesn't come back."
"Humph… Well get on with it then." She said throwing her arms in the air and moving out from in front of the door.
Ser Gilmore turn to look at me his brows pushed together in confusion. I just shrugged at him and shook my head. I walked behind him in to the pantry shutting the door behind me. Sure enough there was Mahia barking wildly at me.
"What? What is it?" I asked looking down at him. He just answered me with a bark and a small whine.
"I think he is trying to tell you something." Ser Gilmore said looking Mahia over. "Shh... Listen... Do you hear that?" Ser Gilmore said looking back at me.
Just then huge rats started pouring into the pantry from cracks in the walls. Mahia started clapping his jaw done on them while Ser Gilmore slashed at them with his sword. I didn't know what to do I had left my daggers in my room, I looked around finding no weapon. I shrugged hiking my dress up to my thighs, and shoved the heel of my boot into the head of the charging rat. I killed four rats that way. Blood splattered on my thighs, calves and shoes.
Ser Gilmore turned towards me. His eyes taking in my bloodied legs. "I have to say that's pretty darn sexy." He said with a smile as he slipped his sword back into its place on his back. He closed the space in between us wrapping his hands around my waist.
I let my dress fall from my hands and looked up at him with a shrug. "I guess so if you like women who can kill wild rats with her high heeled boots." I said leaning up on my tip toes to place a kiss on his lips.
Mahia barked with approval coming over and licking my hands and then turning to Ser Gilmore and licking his. He reached down reaching behind Mahia's ears and scratching them making the hounds' tail thump against the floor.
"Let's not tell Nan about the rats." He said nodding towards the door.
I nodded in agreement and we walked outside the door.
"There's that damned hound!" Nan said pointing at Mahia with a crooked finger. "Getting into the roast I'm sure. Look at him licking his chops. Now what will I feed the men!"
"Oh come on Nan." I said kneeling down to Mahia and grabbing his face directing it toward Nan. "How can you say no to a face like this?" I squished his face together in an attempt to make him even cuter. He just waged his tail.
Nan sighed and rolled her eyes. "Just get him out of her."
"Come my lady lets us go find your brother." Ser Gilmore said reaching for my hand and helping me to my feet.
We walked out of the larder and headed to the Fergus's room in the upper part of the castle. We turned the corner to see my mother and Lady Landra chatting while her son Darrin and Ian her lady in waiting standing behind her looking rather bored.
"Ser Gilmore, Morgan I see you have collected that hound. Nan has been raving about him all day."
"Yes my lady he can be a lot of trouble some times." He said glancing down at Mahia sitting by my side chewing on his leg.
Mother laughed. "Lady Landra you knew my daughter and this is Ser Gilmore, he's going to be a Grey Warden soon."
Lady Landra's eyes went wide and a smile tugged at her lips. "A Grey Warden?" She held her hand out toward the elf next to Darrin. "Ser Gilmore have you met my lady in waiting, Iona."
The elf bowed her head. Her short blonde hair falling forward. "Well met Ser Gilmore."
"Well met Iona. I'm sorry Lady Landra but I'm not looking for a wife at the moment." He said glancing at me through the corner of his eye.
I tried to hide my smile that was tugging at my lips.
"Well that's too bad." Lady Landra said frowning. She turned her attention towards me. "My Lady you remember my son Darrin. He has yet to take a wife." She said motioning towards her son.
"Mother please." He said his cheeks going hot. "My lady please excuse my mother she is trying to give us away to the first bidder." He said with a laugh. "My ladies if you don't mind I think Iona and I will take our leave and head over to the study. Good day." They both nodded before walking down the slope towards the library.
"I swear I will never marry them off." Lady Landra said sighing. Turning and heading towards the dining hall.
Mother giggled turning her attention to Ser Gilmore and me. "Are you headed to see Fergus? I suppose father told you that you will be handling the castle while he is gone? He told me I should go stay Lady Landra so I don't affect your authority of the people."
"Mother I don't think this is a good idea. I should be by Fergus and Fathers side not stuck in a castle sitting on my butt."
"Oh hunny." She said grabbing my hand and squeezing it. "We need you here not out on the battle field. There will be plenty of battles for you to enjoy later. Just do as you are asked please and try to enjoy yourself."
"Okay mother." I sighed.
"I love you my darling girl." She said pulling me in to a hug.
"I love you too mother." I said placing a kiss on her cheek.
"Now go find Fergus. I will talk to you later."
We made our way up the slope that leads to the bedrooms. Stealing kisses from each other whenever a guard was not nearby. We walked through the big door and over to my brothers room, where he was standing with his wife Orianna and my little nephew.
"Auntie!" Orian yelled running towards me.
I knelt down catching him in my arms and squeezing him. "Oh wow what a big strong boy you are becoming!" I said pulling him away to get a good look at him.
He laughed. "Are you going to be going with Father and Pop Pop to Ostagar?"
"No "I said ruffling his hair. "I'm going to stay here with you and your mother."
"Oh good! Then you can play knights with me."
"Yes Oren that's exactly why I want to stay." I said with a smile. "Fergus, father wanted me to tell that you will be leaving with the army tonight."
"Great. I get to go ride in the cold and you get to stay in the castle in your warm bed." He said teasing.
I stuck my tongue at him. Only causing him and Oriana to laugh.
"Ah there you two are." Father said as him and Mother entered the room.
"Father, why couldn't you just tell Fergus? Why did you have to send me all the way up here?"
"And miss a chance to see both my children before my oldest leaves." He said with a smile.
"Do be careful Fergus." Mother said placing her hand on his cheek.
He placed his hand over hers. "I'll be fine mother, you worry too much."
"Well I think everyone should retire early. Ser Gilmore Duncan is waiting for you in the training yard."
"I will go now your lord."
"I think I'm going to head to my room. Goodnight Oren." I said kissing his forehead. "Be careful Fergus." I said giving him a hug and kissing him on the cheek. "Good night Mother, Father." I said giving them each a kiss. "Good night Oriana, maybe we could go into town in the morning for shopping." I said with a smile and hugging her good night.
"Of course sister I would love too." She said with a smile.
I turned and walked out of the room meeting Ser Gilmore outside the door way. We walked away from the door and out into the alley way.
"Will you come to my room tonight?" I asked wrapping my arms around his neck.
"If I can. I don't know what Duncan has planned for me. I promise if I don't make it tonight I will come tomorrow night." He said before kissing my forehead.
"Okay, but I'm going to hold you to that promise" I said slowly letting his hand slip from mine as I walked backwards towards my room.
He smiled at me and watched as I slipped into my room shutting the door behind me and slumping against it rubbing Mahia's ears.