X. Prologue

"Now tell me pup, what's wrong with the valiant descendant of the Arryn family?"

"Nothing wrong, dad," Lady Cousland answers, "I just…"

"You just refused his proposal, as you did with all men before him. I think– he was the thirty-first, wasn't he?"

She shrugs. "I'm so young, there's no hurry dad. Or do you want to get rid of me?"

The Teyrn chuckles. "Of course I'm not pup, I'm just worried about you. Ferelden is a large kingdom, yet not that large. Sooner or later you'll run out of suitors."

After his and King Maric's plan to join their lineages with an unforgettable wedding that failed, he gave up with the idea to find a husband for his beloved girl. He took it as a sign that she would be the one who'd choose her own future.

"I'm looking for true love dad. Like the ones I read in novels." Her eyes shine brightly. "When I get to meet my soul mate, I know I'll recognize him immediately. That moment will be perfect. The first words we'll say to each other will be perfect. He will be perfect."

Bryce stares at his fourteen year-old daughter, smiling. "I didn't know you were so romantic, pup. But, according to your description, your mother and I… We're very far from true love."

"What? No!" She leaps up, shocked. "You and mom– You're a perfect couple. Why do you say that, dad?"

"Well. Our first meeting has been definitely not perfect. I awkwardly stumbled at her feet and all she could tell me was that I was a very strange man."

Four years later, while wandering in the camp in Ostagar, Alice Cousland finds herself remembering how naïve she used to be. Her parents were always so supportive and patient with her, they gave her the freedom of choice she needed, even if she's not able to find that true love she desperately craved.

Now they're gone, and they'll never have the chance to see their daughter getting married. Instead, she's going to become a Grey Warden – do Grey Wardens even get married?

Oh well, who cares. In fact, she doesn't care about anything but to avenge her family and to accomplish her new task: to fight the darkspawn.

"There is another Grey Warden in the camp by the name of Alistair. When you are ready, seek him out."

Following Duncan's instructions, the noble approaches the place he pointed to her just to find two men arguing.

"I will not be harassed in this manner!" The first one, probably a mage, given the robe he's wearing, is clearly annoyed.

"Yes, I was harassing you by delivering a message!" the other replies sarcastically, and Alice's sight is immediately caught by him. He looks to be more or less of her same age, quite tall and with a well-built body covered by simple plate armor.

"Your glibness does you no credit." The older guy keeps barking at him.

"Here I thought we were getting along so well. I was even going to name one of my children after you… the grumpy one." The woman can't help but chuckle at the lad's joke, drawing their attention on her.

"Enough! I will speak to the woman if I must! Get out of my way, fool!" And, with that, the mage goes away, pissed.

As they remain alone, the young warrior steps towards the lady, and suddenly her heart jumps when she stares at his face. He is very handsome, with short auburn hair, a broad forehead over a pair of meaningful light brown eyes, a straight nose, and perfectly shaped thin lips.

As one of the two heirs of the Cousland family, she met several men during her life in Highever, but this is the very first time she finds someone attractive. And, Maker's breath, he sure is an attractive guy.

"You know," he finally speaks to her, "One good thing about the Blight is how it brings people together."

His sweet smile strikes right into her core, making her stomach flutter. "You…" She clears her throat, trying to get a hold of herself. "You are a very strange man."

NOTE: I know, this is the umpteenth fanfic about Alistair and the Warden's relationship… But hey, I fell in love with them so badly, I felt the need to write my own story about them. I hope you'll like it anyway. :)