This should go without saying but: I don't own anything you recognize from Dragon Age: Origins or DA:O-Awakenings. Those are the property of their respective orders. ALSO: This is a fan fiction, not canon so if it doesn't jive with the game entirely, sorry.

If you start reading it and find you hate it, don't waste your time flaming me. Thanks!

Prologue

He probably would have been better off staying out of it. Nathaniel knew that, but when he had seen a young woman being cornered by some of the local boys, he just had to step in.

"I don't think the young woman is interested in your company, lads." he said, putting his hand on one of their shoulders. The lad looked surprised that Nathaniel had gotten that close without detection.

"I don't think we asked you." he said. "Of course the little lady is interested in congenial company." His two friends circled around Nathaniel as he reached forward to grab the girl's wrist. Several things happened at once. The girl twisted her wrist out of the man's grip and slammed the base of her other hand into his nose. Nathaniel was able to deal with his two henchmen similarly. The girl glanced at him warily.

"I mean you no harm." he assured her. "My name is Nathaniel Howe. Are you alright?" The girl nodded. She was pretty, no more than seventeen, with long dark hair framing a delicately featured face set with pale green eyes. He could see what had attracted the men to her. She was tall for her age and was already well-formed. Her wary expression never wavered but she had calmed down. Her fists unclenched as she smiled.

"I don't want to seem ungrateful. Thank you." she said. "That's what I get for wandering off, you know." she half-shrugged.

"You're visiting the city with your family?" he asked, motioning her to follow him into the open marketplace. She followed.

"With my father and brother. Mother stayed at home." she blinked in the unexpected sunlight. "I've never been to such a big city before." She noticed Nathaniel looking at her. "You think I'm some sort of hick, don't you?"

"Not at all. We have farmers in Amaranthine as well." He paused for a moment, noting the small smile on her face. "I haven't asked your name."

"Elissa." she said, holding out her hand to shake his. He took it.

"It's nice to meet you Elissa." he smiled. "Would you like the unofficial tour of Amaranthine?" Elissa smiled brightly.

"Of course!"