I don't owe dragon age! Duh!

Hope you like this story… It's sort of Cousland/Cailan/Alistair… so please enjoy I love reviews!

Chapter 1

Elissa Cousland stood face to face with the King of Ferelden, his rugged look made it hard to identify him as king at times; she bowed her head as her long golden hair fell over her shoulders and in front of her face, he let out a chuckle in return before she looked back up at him with her stunning bright teal colored eyes. "No need to be so formal, friend!" He chuckled once more placing his hand out for her.

Elissa hesitated for a moment but then firmly shook his hand. "You are too kind your Majesty." She added nervously still feeling upset about the acts that had just occurred.

He stared at her for a moment keeping a firm hold of her hand. "You are from Highever?" He mused before finally releasing her hand.

"I am Elissa Cousland, you're Majesty." Her voice was small as her mind wondered back to her mother and father who she had left to die so she could live.

"Ah, you are Bryce's daughter! How is your father?" He grinned out happily clearly not aware of what had happened back in Highever. "I wouldn't have imagined he'd let his favorite daughter go!"

Elissa's eyes darted to the dirt covered ground as she held back the tears as hard as she could; Duncan placed a hand on her shoulder firmly as soon as he noticed her face. "He is dead you're Majesty, his wife too… Arl Howe had betrayed them and he would have slaughtered us as well if we hadn't of escaped and told you any story he would like." Elissa's large black Mabari whimpered lightly nudging Elissa's leg with his large head.

"I am sorry to hear that, we will have revenge as soon as we are done here, that I promise you." King Cailan took a firm hold of the young girls' shoulders and gave her a reassuring pat before pulling back. "I'd love to say and chat but I must be off to Loghain before he sends out a search party, I will see you later." And with that Cailan and the guards with him turned and left leaving Duncan and Elissa alone.

"Shall we begin the joining?" Duncan questioned holding out his hand gesturing for her to start walking, Elissa stayed silent but gave him a nod to know that she was ready and began walking. "There is a Grey Warden that I want you to go and talk to too tell him you are here and ready, his name is Alistair, once you find him we can begin. You're Mabari can stay with me as you do so." Duncan spoke leading the girl across the large stone bridge that stood over a large ditch under the ground.

"Duncan…" Elissa barely got it out as her throat had dried up. "… Thank you for saving me…"

"You have an amazing spirit dear girl; you didn't need to die back there." Duncan replied nodding his head before taking her large Mabari and walking off leaving Elissa to wander.

Elissa walked around the camp they had set up in Ostagar, the runes stood determinedly as she imagined what they looked like before they had crumbled to the ground, soldiers stood in huddles with their faithful Mabari dogs ready at their sides. She spotted and elderly woman resting up against an old tree as she nervously made her way over to her.

She looked as if she was resting and Elissa gently cleared her throat. "Excuse me."

"Yes dear?" The lady replied swiftly pushing herself off the old tree to stand on her own two feet. "You must be the new recruit Duncan brought in." She smile was warm and gentle.

"Yes, Elissa Cousland." She bowed her head politely as once again her long golden hair fell in front of her face, she lifted her head and pushed her long golden hair back behind her back as it reached down to her bottom, it sat in loose ringlets that suited her so beautifully.

"Oh my lady it is a pleasure." The elderly lady sounded surprised while she bowed her head. "My name is Wynne."

"Well met." Elissa spoke sweetly as always before feeling the need to hurry. "I am looking for a Grey Warden called Alistair?"

Wynne thought for a moment as her facial expression changed to fold into a thinking face. "Why yes he is just in the building over there." She pointed.

"Thank you, I apologize but I must be off." With a bow of her head once more Elissa made her way towards the tower she was directed too. A disgruntled man roughly pushed passed her causing her to actually spin around a little due to the force.

"You know, one good thing about the Blight is how it brings people together." A voice spoke from behind her causing her to spin back around on her heels to see a rather attractive man behind her. "Am I right?"

"You're odd." She stated simply looking at him intently. "Alistair?"

"You must be Elissa, the new recruit right?" He questioned walking up to the lovely looking girl a little entranced by her. "We have been waiting a while so I'm hoping your she."

"I am… she?" Elissa bit her bottom lip lightly a little confused by this odd boy. "I was told we could start once I told you I was ready?"

"Yes that's right, shall we get going then?"

Elissa's eyes slowly opened as she let out a rather loud groan, a loud whimper rang through her ears as two seconds later she felt a large sloppy tongue on the side of her cheek. "Eh Timber." She complained pushing the hefty Mabari off of her.

"Are you alright?" Duncan asked curiously looking down at her with Alistair by his side. "You are now a Grey Warden, welcome."

"That… was the worse thing… I have ever been through." Elissa replied pulling herself up into a seated position, she rubbed the left side of her head gently as Timber softly nudged her side and whimpered once more. "I am okay." She smiled sweetly at her faithful hound.

Alistair held out his hand for her gesturing her to take it, as soon as she did he helped her too her feet, she felt so light. "It's good you survived."

"Yes well the king has requested you already Elissa so once you are ready please come find us." Duncan patted her left arm reassuringly before turning around and walking off.

"You better follow him." Alistair spoke softly finally releasing her soft pale hand. "You don't want to keep the king now do you?" He chuckled lightly and Elissa wasn't really sure why, but she nodded and made her way after Duncan, Timber by her side.

She saw Duncan and Cailan with another man just off in the distance, guards wondered around them protectively as Elissa slipped quietly beside Duncan, almost without notice.

"Ah Elissa." Duncan spoke as soon as she was next to him causing Cailan and the other man look down at her, she wasn't too short but she was only young so the men towered over her.

"I hear congratulations are in order my dear!" Cailan said proudly towards Elissa. "It is an honor to join the Grey Warden ranks! You should be proud!"

"I am Sir." Elissa replied bobbing her head down, not quite sure how to act towards the King. "Thank you." She quickly added before flushing a shade of pink across her pale cheeks.

He chuckled once more at Elissa's actions which didn't help her already embarrassed self. "Right so we light the beacon and you will charge?"

"That's right you're Majesty." The tall black hair man answered the King holding his gaze thickly on Elissa. "You really shouldn't be fighting in the front line."
"Nonsense Loghain, so we will send the new recruit and Alistair to light the beacon." Cailan shrugged off Loghain's concern now putting his attention on Elissa.
"Your Majesty… If I may… Alistair is a skilled warrior and I a skilled rogue; please don't send us to do that when we can fight by your side." Her voice was unsure as the words spewed out of her mouth. "Please Ser Send men before the battle starts to wait up there, if something goes wrong they can light it early already there… We want to serve you…"

The King stared at her for a moment as she shifted on her feet uncomfortably feeling all three sets of eyes on her. "Alright."

"Alright?" Loghain and Duncan spoke in unison both with surprise wrapped around the single word.

Cailan let out a laugh before place a hand on Elissa's shoulder. "The girl wants to prove herself so let her fight beside me!"

"And Alistair Ser?" She mused staring up at the very handsome King, "He looks a little like Alistair." She thought to herself.

"Yes, of course." He nodded before facing Loghain once more. "We are ready."

Alistair was glad to hear that he could fight beside the king and Duncan instead of being an errand boy and couldn't stop thanking Elissa for the chance she had given him and soon they were armored up and the battle was set. Elissa, Duncan and Alistair stood proudly next to the King ready to fight for the good of Ferelden, Timber stood furiously next to his owner as Elissa ordered him to stay by her side at all times.

"For Ferelden!" Cailan yelled raising his sword up towards the sky getting many 'for Ferelden' yells in return. "Stand you're ground men, let us send these Darkspawn back to where they came!"

The Darkspawn appeared in the distance in a large number as the warriors stood ready to fight for their lives, for their king. The rain began to fall making light 'clangs' as the droplets fell onto the heavy armor the guards wore, then in an instant, the Darkspawn were charging towards the small army that surrounded the King.

Alyssa stood with both of her sharp, beautifully crafted swords in either hand at the ready; the Darkspawn had hit the front line as the sounds of the battlefield filled her ears. She took a glance at the hills at which the Darkspawn had come from and was horrified at the many Darkspawn flooding towards them; she was even more worried when the bright burning light caught the corner of her eyes. "The tower is lit already something's wrong."

The battle raged on and only Elissa seemed to notice the tower, but Loghain's men were no where to been seen; she swiftly stabbed yet another Darkspawn as blood covered her from head too toe. Many were falling on both sides and the smell of blood lay thick in the air, Elissa turned to her left to see an ogre charging at the King, she took up her swords and ran to the ogre without even thinking, it grabbed a hold of Cailan tightly as Duncan watched in horror as the beast brought Cailan to his face. Elissa let out a type of Roar as she jumped up onto the monsters back and stabbed the back of its neck, slicing deeply all the way down to its back with both swords; the sound it made was horrific as it dropped Cailan and stumbled back to whack Elissa to the ground, rough enough to dent and weaken her armor before falling.

"You saved my life good lady." Cailan called out in exhaustion as he looked at the girl on the floor.

He hadn't notice the Darkspawn charging at her with its blood stained axe as it swooped down on her yelling in its own tongue, Timber growled and tackled the Darkspawn but it had still gotten Elissa firmly across her stomach where the armor had been weaken, slicing through the armor and a good ways into her stomach as she let out a cry.

"There are too many." Duncan spoke as he and Alistair stood around the king who quickly ran over to Elissa.

"Ser the tower as been lit since the battle began… Loghain is not coming." Elissa moaned out in pain holding onto her heavily bleeding stomach. "We must retreat."

"She is right you're Majesty." Duncan called out slicing another Darkspawn down onto the ground.

The king thought for a moment as he looked at the wounded Duncan and Alistair and the gravely wounded Elissa. "Alright."

Elissa pulled herself onto her feet and shoved her swords back into their places; she grabbed a hold of Timber before taking a look at the three men. "For maker's sake follow Timber and don't look back. Go boy."

She released him as Timber took off, Duncan, Cailan, Alistair and Elissa fled from the battle field, there was a horrid noise behind them as the battle raged on with less and less men left standing, a Darkspawn archer had seen them retreating as it let out a growl before loading its bow and arrow, as it lined up it shot, it took it, the arrow whirled through the air before hitting Elissa in the back causing her body to jolt forward, Elissa's whole body shook with pain as blood leaked out of her, the only thing keeping her legs running was the adrenaline of getting away and staying alive; they had successfully escaped the battle field, for now.

It had felt like hours before Timber stopped running, the three men and Elissa huffed and puffed finally being able to have a breather, the rain still fell heavily as they became drenched, Elissa grabbed onto her stomach before feeling herself grow faint; Timber was barking at her worriedly as she stumbled to stay on her feet.

"Elissa!" The three men called out at once before Duncan grabbed the falling girl, now noticing the large arrow sticking out of her back to go along with her lovely stomach wound.

Duncan looked at the battered young girl proudly, although she was badly hurt she had been a hero back on the battle field. "She is gravely wounded we must find help."

"Once we are out of here I will get my revenge on Teyrn Loghain." Cailan said bitterly while looking at his wounded Grey Wardens who gave everything to save him. "Mark my word."

"We should wait… your Majesty; as far as everyone is aware, you are dead… we are dead… just wait… I …" Elissa's words got slower and further apart as her eyes began to slowly close and become heavy.

"Elissa my dear you must stay with us." Duncan called out to her as he held her standing. "My dear you must try to stay with us."

A loud noise came out of the near by trees as Alistair and Cailan held out their weapons ready to strike while Timber stood in front of Elissa protectively with a low growl, a large ugly black spider appeared from the shadow of the trees before slowly morphing into a human.

"Tis' only I." The witch Alistair and Elissa had met out in the wild was standing in front of them.

"Morrigan right?" Alistair asked in his droned out voice. "The witch with her mother."

"I am only here by mothers wishing, she saw the battle and the wounded 'charming woman' as she say, twas her magic that aided your escape." Morrigan replied folding her arms firmly across her chest taking a glance at Elissa barely moving before she added. "She doesn't have long so I suggest you follow me to my mothers, she will heal her up."

Duncan passed Elissa gently over to the king; he had the least wounds on him as the Grey Wardens fought hard to protect him at all costs. He hoisted the girl up into his arms and held onto her tight before nodding to the witch to let her know to go, to this Morrigan swiftly led them through the Korcari wilds and towards their little home.

Once the hut was in view an old woman stood with her arms folded across her chest waiting for them to come. "Ah, finally child I was beginning to wonder if the Darkspawn had got you too." She snickered towards her daughter who rolled her eyes in return.

"Can you help, Elissa?" Alistair asked taking a look at the now even paler girl as her limbs were floppy and her eyes shut.

The woman let out a shrill laugh before pointing over towards the hut gesturing them to take her over there, she too made her way over before opening the door for them and leading them in.

It had taken a lot but the old lady had finally healed Elissa, she was still unconscious but was on her way to waking up, she turned to the three healing men as soon as she exited her hut. "She is alive and recovering but it'll still hurt when she gets up."

"Thank the maker." Alistair sighed with relief before relaxing just a little.

Duncan looked over to Cailan who was staring at the fire blankly. "You're Majesty, are you alright?"

"No Duncan my old friend, it seems that he had been planning his for quite some time. Thankfully I had you and your trainee wardens at my side." Cailan answered turning to face the Senior Grey Warden, before turning to the old apostate. "Thank you good Lady."

She let out another husky laugh while looking at the young man. "No, no thank you."

Just then the hut door swung open with a squeak, their heads turned to see Elissa slowly making her way out the door, hand across her stomach clearly uncomfortable, Cailan jumped up and too her side in a second. "I never got to thank you properly." He spoke sweetly helping the girl steady on her feet.

"Just doing my job you're Majesty." She spoke quietly wrinkling her nose a little with ever step. "I'm just glad we made it out alive."

Timber barked happily as he bounded over to Elissa wagging his tail. "He was worried about you my dear, faithful hound you have there." Duncan chuckled lightly watching Timber jump around her blissfully.

Elissa slowly sat down next to the fire along with the others, she took a deep breath and looked up at them "I think we should keep that fact that the two of you are alive… a secret."

"Why would you think that?" Cailan questioned inquisitively staring at the young, beautiful Cousland girl.

Elissa thought for a moment as the fire burnt brightly in the darkness of night. "Because… um your Majesty… Teyrn Loghain has been planning this for a long time and who knows what lies he has made up or what he has planned for that matter. We should wait to see what happens before you go bounding in there calling a hero a traitor… argh Ser!" She flushed a shade of pink before turning her face away.

"I think she has a point." Duncan chimed in taking a look at the King, then Elissa. "Maybe we should wait."

"It won't be for long…" Elissa added quickly. "I just think we should pretend that Alistair and I were the only ones to escape… You would come along with us… but less… King…ly and… warden…y." She cleared her throat quickly in embarrassment.

Timber placed his large black snout on Elissa lap as she gently placed her hand onto his head and patted him. There was a long awkward silence as they looked between each other.

"Alright then." Cailan finally spoke breaking the silence causing all eyes too fall on him. "Elissa has a point we should wait…"

"In the meantime we can build up our army against the blight, use the treaties found." Alistair spoke up nervously looking between them.

"I'm still not sure this is a real blight." Cailan scoffed arrogantly. "There was no Archdemon that I have seen."

"That's because you aren't a Grey Warden Cailan." Duncan added sighing at the young King's ignorance.

"That may be so Duncan but I still have my doubts." Cailan sighed rubbing the back of his neck. "But I will follow on anyway.

"So glad to hear that you're Majesty." Duncan let out a small chuckle at the Kings actions.

"No more calling Cailan that…" Elissa felt sick saying his name, she felt disrespectful as she pulled a face as she did so. "I'm sorry Ser."

Cailan chuckled once more at the young girl as her actions made her look so cute. "I understand Elissa; I would have insisted you call me Cailan anyway."

This caused her to blush once more, in an attempt to hide the blush she hugged Timber tightly hiding her face in his short black fur. "Of course your Maj… Cailan." She murmured from Timber's fur.

Duncan caught the way Cailan was looking at Elissa but he had also seen the way Alistair would look at her in the short time she had been with them. "Well, I think we should head off in the morning, Cailan and I will have to wear helmets."

They said there goodnights and being exhausted as they were it wasn't long before they drifted off to sleep, Morrigan's mother had ensured them her magic would keep them hidden from the Darkspawn for the night. It was early morning when Elissa jerked awake, sweat beads on her forehead, breathing ridged.

"Bad dream?" Alistair's voice filled her ears making her jump once more. "Oh sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

Elissa let out a sigh of relief, she gave Alistair a small weak smile bringing her legs up to her chest and hugging them. "It seemed so real…"

"It is real… Well sort of… That's the Archdemon… That's how we know it's a blight…" He explained quietly trying not to disturb the two sleeping men. "All Grey Wardens have these dreams."

Elissa stayed quite for a moment looking at Alistair in the early morning light staring right back at her. "We can't we just tell … Cailan that?" She mused.

"Grey Warden secret." He replied simply with a small laugh. "We just can't tell them anything about us really."

"I'm sorry Alistair…" Her words were small and hardly audible; her stunning bright teal colored eyes loomed on the warrior.

Alistair pulled a confused look on his face. "What for?"

"If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have been in that battle… and almost dying." She answered resting her chin onto her knees, her beautiful golden hair sat in lovely ringlets down her back and slightly folding onto the ground around her, her beautiful teal eyes stood out against her golden hair and pale face, she was truly a lovely site, just like her mother.

Alistair let out a small chuckle unsure how to act around someone like her. "I thank you for that Elissa. I finally got to fight along side Duncan."

Elissa and Alistair talked for the rest of the early morning before Duncan and Cailan awoke, they began to pack up their supplies as Morrigan's mother made her way over to the King and his three Grey Wardens.

"Thank you for saving my life." Elissa said sweetly bowing her head low to the elderly woman.

"I liked you from the moment I met you! But there is something you can do in return… Take Morrigan with you, she will be a great aid for you in you're travels." She spoke huskily but only towards Elissa not towards the men. "You will be a great leader here."

Elissa looked at the old woman like she was crazy. "I'm not the leader, Duncan is."

"Not this time, my dear. I think you have shown yourself and I will follow you." Duncan's voice chimed in soothingly like always. "You are a true leader."

Cailan let out a laugh and placed his hand firmly on Duncan's shoulder. "I will too, I owe you my life."

Alistair nodded and added "Of course I will." Timber barked happily as his import which cause Elissa to crack a small smile.

"I don't know… you're all more experienced then me-"

"Nonsense Elissa! That courage out on the battlefield took my men many years to come by!" Cailan stepped too her side and placed his strong muscle arm around her firmly. "I believe in you."

"Then in that case… we could defiantly use someone with Morrigan's ability…." Elissa squeaked out uncomfortably before clearing her throat and adding. "I will take her along with us."

"Wonderful! I shall go inform her, give her five minutes and she shall be ready." The old lady cackled turning around and heading into the hut.

"Are you sure about this?" Elissa questioned turning to face the three men behind her.