"Once upon a time, there was a boy. He lived in a village that no longer exists, in a house that no longer exists, on the edge of a field that no longer exists, where everything was discovered, and everything was possible. A stick could be a sword, a pebble could be a diamond, a tree, a castle. Once upon a time, there was a boy who lived in a house across the field, from a girl who no longer exists. They made up a thousand games. She was queen and he was king. In the autumn light her hair shone like a crown. They collected the world in small handfuls, and when the sky grew dark, and they parted with leaves in their hair.

Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering."

― Nicole Krauss, the History of Love

Short, quick breaths escaped him as he ran as fast as his legs would carry him, his prize held tightly against his chest. Alistair rounded the corner into the dog kennels. The sweet smell of new straw welcomed him as he settled into a stack in the back of the row. Allowing himself a bit to catch his breath, he finally opened up his hands to reveal their treasure. A small wedge of cheese was sitting in his hand looking up at him. He smiled to himself, proud of his sneaking skills earlier when he had managed to grab this when the rest of the kitchen staff was distracted with the evening meal. They were all extra busy that night. There were some sort of visitors staying with the Arl, The sort of visitors that meant that Alistair had to stay out of sight. Alistair grimaced as he remembered the stern talking to he had received from lady Isolde earlier, about how the visiting family didn't want to have to see some filthy little urchin running around underfoot.

The blond haired lad was about to tuck in to his small snack, when he heard a scrabbling sound come from the upper rafters. As he looked up he had just enough time to see a large mass fall from the ceiling landing in a nearby stack of hay with a light grunt. Alistair paused, hand half way to his mouth as he watched the hay move as a head of dark hair popped out, shaking itself vigorously. The head swiveled around and Alistair was greeted by a pair of deep forest green eyes, too big for the small pale face they sat on.

"Oh!" Alistair jumped as a small voice exclaimed when the peculiar set of eyes saw him sitting in the hay. "I didn't know there were any other children here! I was out here playing because I was so bored."

The voice, it turned out, was attached to a young girl, maybe only a year or so younger than him. Alistair suddenly became uncomfortable; there weren't many children at Redcliff castle, most of them stayed in the town. The few who did come up were small boys who liked to watch the soldiers train. He really had no experience with girls, and what he had heard about them from the other boys lead him to believe they weren't something he wanted to mess with. All dolls, dress up, and playing house. In his silence, the girl just kept talking at him, unperturbed that he wasn't responding.

"My name is Elissa, I was just exploring the castle, when I wound up outside. I came in here to see if there were any Mabari around, and I figured I could get a better look in the pens from up there," She quickly gestured up to the ceiling. "But as you can see I couldn't keep my balance." Alistair kept his mouth shut, she didn't seem to need a reply from him as she proceeded to ramble about Mabari and how she really wanted one, and how her parents said she had to wait a few more years.

"So, what's your name?" Elissa asked leaning in closer, looking so intently at Alistair that he had to look away.

"My name's Alistair." He mumbled looking down at the warming cheese in his hand, temporarily forgotten.

"That's a really nice name." She said beaming at him. "Do you want to play with me Alistair?"

Alistair looked up at her, feeling a bit worried. He felt like this girl wasn't going to take no for an answer so he nodded his head reluctantly. It didn't seem possible but her smile managed to get even wider as she grabbed his open hand and pulled him up as he wrapped his piece of cheese in a cloth and stashed it in the corner of an empty pen.

She pulled him outside where she quickly found two sticks, and handed him one. Quickly she twirled on him, l wielding the stick like a blade. "Watch out evil chevalier! You won't defeat me!" she shouted as she lunged for him waving her stick. He brought his up to block her attack, knocking her back slightly as he feel naturally into the game.

"No, you silly ferelden," He said putting on the best orleasian accent he could. "I will have your 'ead!" she giggled as she parried his blow; he grinned from ear to ear as their 'fight' progressed. Alistair laughed loudly, having more fun than he could remember in a long time.

"Elissa!"

Elissa dropped her stick quickly as her eyes widened. She whirled around to face a woman quickly walking towards them with a stern expression on her face.

"Elissa Cousland, what did I tell you about dirtying your good clothes?" The woman had come to a stop in front of Elissa her arms crossed, she had yet to turn her gaze towards Alistair and he wondered if he could manage to sneak away before she noticed him. No such luck sadly.

"But mother I just wanted to play with my new friend!" Elissa said gesturing towards Alistair. He looked at her surprised; he had never had someone call him a friend before. He would have been happier about it were it not for Elissa's mother looking like she was about to skin her own daughter.

"Yes dear it's nice that you have found a friend here, but I told you that there would be trouble if you went about ruining your nice new clothes." Elissa looked down at her feet, kicking a bit of dirt.

"I'm sorry mother." She said defeated.

Her mother let out a long sigh, her features relaxing somewhat. "I know dear, I just wanted you to look nice for the Arl while we are here visiting him."

Alistair's eyes widened at that. These were the guests, the guests that weren't supposed to know he was here. He panicked silently about what Lady Isolde would do to him when she found out. While he was worrying quietly Elissa's mother finally turned her gaze to Alistair.

Alistair fidgeted nervously as she stared at him, but he saw her eyes soften as she looked over his worn clothes that were slightly too big, and his messy hair with bits of straw sticking out of it.

"I think you and you're friend might be hungry after all that fighting I saw you doing," She said to her daughter. "How about you two come with me and we'll find something sweet for the both of you."

Alistair didn't think this would be a good idea, especially if the Arlessa saw him, but Elissa came bounding over to him beaming. She took his hand and proceeded to drag him with her towards the kitchens, going on about what types of cookies they might have, and what flavors were her favorite. As she pulled him along Alistair suddenly didn't feel so worried anymore.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Light had just started to invade the room when Elissa awoke, silently creeping out of her bed. She rushed to put her clothes on, ones that her mother wouldn't get after her for getting dirty, and crept towards the door. She stuck her head out of her door, looking down the hall way to see if any guards were about before making her way towards the kitchens. She moved as quietly as her little legs would allow. She knew that if she got caught she may not be able to get in some play time with her new friend before she was expected to stand with her parents while they went through the dull responsibilities of dinning with the Arl's family and touring the nearby town.

She smiled as she thought of last night, cramming the sweet roll she had gotten from the warm chubby cook as she and Alistair talked about all sorts of things. Well, it had mainly been her talking and Alistair just nodding with what she said. But he had laughed when she told him of the frogs she had hidden in her brother's bed a few weeks ago, and how he had gone screaming from his room wearing nothing but his smalls. As they ate the Arlessa had come down to discuss the following mornings breakfast with the cook when she found the two children sitting at the table together. Elissa didn't really understand but The Arlessa had looked very angry while she walked over to the pair. She looked like she was about to say something when she spied Elissa's mother standing to the side watching them eat.

"Oh, m-my lady Cousland," Isolde stuttered. "I did not see you there."

Eleanor stood, her lips pursed in a tight smile. "Yes, I was just here with my daughter and her new friend," she said gesturing towards Alistair. "It is so nice she has found someone to play with around her own age while we are here. I had so worried about her finding it dull, but now it seems my worrying was for nothing."

Lady Isolde looked at Alistair with a long cold glare before fixing a smile on her face. "Yes, it will be nice for Alistair to have a play mate for a change," Her voice dripped with sweetness. "Though I worry about your daughter spending time with someone so far below her station."

Elissa watched this conversation not really understanding why it seemed so tense.

"Well they are just children, so I really don't think it should be such a problem." Lady Cousland said in a way which made it very apparent the conversation was done.

"Now," she continued turning back to the children. Young lady I think you need a bath, then off to bed."

Elissa opened her mouth to argue but one look from her mother put that to rest before it began. "Say goodnight to your friend and maybe you can play together tomorrow after dinner."

Elissa nodded and got up walking over to Alistair who had remained quiet during the whole exchange staring at his feet. He looked up at Elissa when she came to a stop in front of him. "Goodnight Alistair, see you tomorrow." She smiled at him and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

Alistair was shocked by this and wasn't sure what to do, but she let go before he even thought about hugging her back. "G-goodnight." He said going red in the face out of embarrassment.

Elissa smiled and took her mother's hand walking upstairs.

Elissa smiled again as she snuck into the kitchen, grabbing two rolls sitting on a table before making her way outside. She looked about the yard, giving it a once over for guards before running towards the kennels.

She slowed down as she entered them, walking to the back, where he had been yesterday, and found him in the same bale of hay snoring lightly. She giggled as she saw a little bit of drool dribbling out the side of his mouth. He looked very deep in sleep so she sat down next to him and took a hunk out of one of the rolls, popping it in her mouth. They had obviously just been baked and were still warm as she ate quietly looking down at Alistair.

He had even more straw in his hair from having slept in the stuff, he was small, scrawny by her standards, but she was used to her big brother who was always eating and had started to build up some muscles from the sword training he had started. His clothes were dirty, and had holes in different places. She was wondering why he was sleeping without a blanket when he started moving.

She was still staring at him when he opened his eye. He squeaked and humped up panting hard from being startled. Elissa started laughing loudly.

"You sounded like a mouse!" She said when her laughs had finally settled into giggles.

Alistair frowned at her. "What are you doing here? I thought we weren't supposed to play until tonight." Alistair's voice was thick from having just been asleep as he rubbed his eyes.

"Yeah, but I wanted to see you before we had to go do boring stuff today," She said wrinkling her nose at the thought. "Plus I thought you might be hungry when you woke up." She handed him the other roll she had grabbed from the kitchens. Alistair took it from her and looked at it for a bit before taking a bite. He quickly ate it while Elissa watched.

"Why do you sleep out here?" Elissa asked innocently.

Alistair coughed, surprised by her question. He looked at his hands as he thought about what to say.

"I'm out here so I'm not in the way." He said quietly, remembering Isolde complaining about how he was underfoot.

"What about your parents?" As she said this she watched Alistair stiffen.

"Don't have any."

"What do you mean? Everyone has parents!" She said honestly shocked.

"Well I don't," He said still looking at his hands. "My mother is dead and my father is…..gone."

Elissa sat looking at him in silence, thinking about what she would do if her parents weren't there anymore. The thought made her sad enough that she felt tears welling up. "You don't have any family?" She said quietly. Alistair shook his head no in reply.

That nod made the tears start to fall; she started sniffling, the noise making Alistair look up at her.

"No, don't cry!" he said in a panic. He wasn't sure what you were supposed to do with a crying girl other than just get them to stop. "It's okay I'm used to it really!"

That made her start crying even harder, which put Alistair at even more of a loss. Elissa looked up at him through her tears, and pulled him into a hug.

"It's okay Alistair, I'll be your family!" she said still crying, rubbing her wet face on his tiny shoulder.

Alistair sat there for a bit.

Family.

She said she'd be his family.

He didn't even know what having a family was like.

But this girl was willing to be his. He didn't have anyone willing to be his friend let alone…

He hugged her back as she cried, feeling her shake as she wept for him.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Alistair hadn't exactly expected Elissa's tearful statement about becoming his family to really go anywhere. He was used to people promising him but never going through with whatever it was they had agreed to. This was a lesson hard learned but it was learned none the less.

So when she had left him in the kennels to go sneak back to her room before her mother came looking for her, he curled back up in the hay and tried to clear his mind of any hope.

He eventually got up later to head into the kitchens for his customary bowl of porridge before he headed for the gardeners shack to see if he was needed to work that day. Alistair hadn't remembered having to work before Isolde came, but she quickly convinced Eamon that the young boy needed to earn his keep. So during the day he aided the gardener by pulling weeds, picking up large sticks that may have fallen in the yard, or pruning the bushes. The gardener, Thom, was an older man with hair graying at the temples. The rest was black as pitched and often pulled in a low ponytail. Years of labor had made him large and muscled, which made Alistair wish he would grow up to be as such. He was often teased for being small and thin.

Thom was digging through the shed when Alistair approached, looking over his shoulder he wordlessly pointed at a bed of shrubs running along the side of the castle. Alistair took this to mean he would be pulling weeds, after working with Thom for so long he had come to understand that the man didn't like to speak more than he thought was necessary.

He walked over and proceeded with his task, tearing up plant after plant, making sure to get the roots as well. The problem with such a task was that it left his mind to wander, usually his mind went to what he would be having for dinner that night, if he could maybe go watch the guards train for a bit, or he would imagine scenarios he might play out later with his golem doll he had stashed in the back of the kennels, a gift from Eamon some years ago. But today his thoughts drifted to his new friend.

He didn't really understand why a Teryn's daughter might want to play with someone like him. He wasn't really anything special. He was just Alistair, the idiot, the bastard, and the unwanted nuisance, as Isolde would say.

But she was funny, brave, maybe a bit too talkative, but otherwise well loved. He just didn't understand.

As he worked along pulling weeds he happened to look up. He hand worked his way over to the rose bushes, and there in front of his face was a large blossom.

'Maybe I should pay her back for that roll.' he thought.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Elissa trudged behind her brother as they were lead around the town by the Arl, meeting the mayor, the Chantry mother, talking to the shop keepers.

It was awful.

She hated when she had to be the good, proper daughter when they did things like this. She should rather be back at the Castle playing with Alistair. They had never really finished their game of Fereldens vs. Orlesians, and she was eager to see who might beat who. As she was daydreaming she failed to notice her brother had stopped, running into the back of Fergus' legs and promptly falling backwards onto the ground.

Fergus turned around quickly, laughing as he caught sight of his sister glaring up at him. "Sister, you would do well to pay attention to your surroundings." He grinned as he reached down to help her to her feet. Elissa ignored his hand and stood up on her own, dusting off the back of her skirt. Holding her nose in the air she walked past him silently to stand next to their mother.

They had come to a stop in front of another merchant stall, Elissa ignored the talking and peaked up at the table full of wares. Perched in the middle of the table was a stone statuette of a warrior. Elissa turned and tugged on her mother's skirt. "Mother, could I have that?" She said pointing at the statue.

Eleanor looked at the object with a raised eyebrow. "Darling, I think you've brought enough toys along with you."

"But I don't want it for me!" Elissa said purposefully. "I want it for Alistair!" Her mother's eyebrows rose even higher at that.

"Well I suppose there's no harm in getting your friend a gift," She said softy. "That is very considerate of you love."

"Does little Elissa have a crush?" chimed in Fergus as he watched the exchange. "Are we going to have to worry about you running away to get married now?" He grinned down at the red color his sister's face was turning.

"I don't have a crush! That's gross, and I'm never getting married!"

She swiftly kicked him in the shin.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Alistair sat in the kennels, eating a hunk of bread and cheese as he watched the sun begin to dip low in the sky. The day had been a long one and he was covered in dirt and sweat. He sighed to himself as he headed back chewing quietly. He had been thinking about Elissa on and off for most of his day, almost to the point of annoyance. Though somewhere in the back of his mind he had wished she had been there to keep him company as he toiled through the day.

As he contemplated this the object of his thoughts rounded the corner heading straight for him. She looked oddly shy as she approached him, this was new. She was always so forward he wasn't sure what to expect. She had both of her hands behind her back and her eyes were turned towards the ground.

"Hi." she said quietly to the ground. This was just getting stranger and stranger. So far he had not known her to be quiet in anyway.

"Hello," he said in reply. "Did you have fun with your family?" He watches her grimace at his words and it causes him to smile.

"It was so boring," she complains. "It was nothing but talking and walking about. I would have much rather been here with you."

Something inside Alistair warms with those words.

He watches as Elissa looks around nervously her cheeks turning red. "So," she begins slowly. "Would it be strange if I got you a present?" His eyes widen and his brows knit together in confusion.

"A present?"

"Yes, I saw it in town and I thought you might like It." she replies quickly. She moves her arms to produce a small stone soldier from behind her back.

Alistair looks at it for a bit before slowly reaching forward to take it from her. It was perfect! He had seen the small statues that they sold in town but had never got up the courage to ask for one.

"I…Thank you, it's great!" he said with honest enthusiasm. It was hard to miss the look of happiness that spread over Elissa's face at the news that he liked her present. He turned it over in his hands looking at it closely smiling wide.

He then stopped and set it down turning to reach for something behind him.

As he turned around his face was flushing with embarrassment. "T-today I saw something that I thought I might give to you too." he said, his voice shaking a bit.

"It's not nearly as nice as what you got me, and I don't know I thought maybe you would like it though." he rambled quickly trying to cover up his nervousness as he turned to face her, a rose clutched in his hand.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Elissa looked down at Alistair's shaking hand that clutched at the rose he had thrust towards her. His face was bright red and he was having a hard time looking her in the face. She silently reached out and plucked it from his hand, she heard him let out a breath that he must have been holding in.

"You picked this for me?" she touched one of the petals carefully, looking up at him.

"Yes," he said shifting from foot to foot still letting his eyes land anywhere but her. "I saw it while I was working and I thought I would give it to you."

Elissa twirled the rose between her fingers. She had been given flowers before, from her father, brother, and occasionally her father's knights would present her with them at the tournaments her father held.

But this felt different, she had told Alistair she would be his family but he wasn't her father, nor her brother, and he wasn't obligated to get her anything.

She really couldn't understand her feelings in that moment.

So she dealt with it the only way she knew how.

"Well, thank you," She started. "But this doesn't mean I'll let you win in any of our games."

She gave him the biggest smile that she could muster. Alistair looked back at her finally giving her a small smile in return.

"Speaking of which we haven't finished that game we started the other day, are you ready to lose to a little girl?" she said with a challenge in her eyes.

Alistair chuckled and shook his head. "I will be if I happens but you'll have to beat me first.'"

Elissa took her rose and set it gently upon a bench before grabbing Alistair's sleeve and tugging him out into the yard.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Later that night, Elissa had her mother's help finding a vase and setting the rose in water on the small desk in her room. She was babbling about the game she had played with Alistair and how he had enjoyed his gift, and how she has laughed when he tripped over a tree root effectively losing the game.

After she had quieted down some Eleanor sat her daughter on the bed and knelled in front of her taking her hands.

"I'm glad you've found this friend here love, and the two of you seem so close in such a short time." She said hesitantly running a hand through her daughters' hair.

"Oh, I have mother. He's one of my very best friends!" She said with enthusiasm.

Her mother grimaced and she continued stroking her daughter's hair. "Yes, and that's why I am a bit worried dear, because we are going to be leaving soon so we can continue our visits to the other Arl's." Her voice was comforting, preparing herself for her daughter's reaction.

"Can't we bring Alistair with us?" she asked with eyes wide.

"No, my dear I'm afraid we can't he will stay here and we will eventually return home."

"But mother," Elissa's voice was slowly rising out of panic. "I told him I would stay with him, he doesn't have anyone else!"

"Dear he has the Arl, and the Arlessa her along with all the staff. He is hardly alone. Now it's time for bed love, just enjoy the time you have left."

Elissa glared at her hands but nodded quickly turning away to crawl into her bed. Eleanor tucked her in a told her goodnight before leaving her for the night.

Elissa spent the next day with Alistair, watching as he worked. Talking about her home, and her friends there. Talking about anything but what the next morning would bring.

That night after her mother had left Elissa slipped out of her bed. Quietly making her way out to the kennels. As she entered she could hear a soft snoring coming from the stack that Alistair frequented. When she got closer she saw Alistair wrapped in a dirty blanket his head nestled into the hay. She got down on her knees and crawled up next to him. She shook his shoulder softly.

"Alistair," She whispered softly. "Alistair, wake up."

Alistair's eyes fluttered open and he automatically brought his hand up to rub them.

"Elissa what are you doing here? It's really late you can get in trouble."

Elissa looked down at him frowning. "I needed to tell you something, promise me you won't be angry with me."

Alistair blinked up at the girl, he wasn't sure why she seemed so upset. "I promise."

She frowned even harder her eyebrows furrowing together. "I have to leave tomorrow morning, my family is leaving."

Alistair's face blanked. He had known she would leave, he had known.

But it still hadn't kept him from hoping she wouldn't

As he looked at her he could see tears threatening to fall so he just lifted his blanket and patted the hay next to him. "Do you want to sleep here with me before you have to leave?" he said trying to keep his voice light, to not let her know how hurt he was. She quickly nodded her head and crawled him next to him.

"I meant what I said," She said her voice shaking. "You're my family too and you always will be. I won't go away forever. We will see each other again."

Even though he could tell she was trying not to cry Alistair could tell she believed what she was saying to him.

He wrapped the blanket tighter around both of them and murmured.

"I believe you."