To say that it was raining was an understatement.

Makers breath to even hint at the word downpour was inadequate. The streets of Denerim were flooded and had become small rivers leading to the roaring Drakon as it rushed to the Amaranthine Sea. The clouds were so thick that only the occasional flash of lightening could light the way as the sheets of water further constricted the field of vision. It was a storm to end all storms, only a fool would be caught out in it and apparently in all of Thedas two such fools existed. The young and beautiful Lady Elissa Cousland and her trusted friend and guard, Nelaros. they'd come to Denerim for separate reasons, but due to the increased highway robberies between Highever and Denerim, Teyrn Cousland had insisted that Nelaros travel with Elissa.

They were slowly making their way through Denerim's flooded streets when Elissa's horse, Darrian, let out a great whinny and reared back. Elissa, a great horsewoman in her own right, was caught off guard and fell into the torrential muck, screeching in pain when her backside connected with the paving stones. Nelaros quickly dismounted and grabbed Darrian's rein before the startled beast could trample Elissa, "Are you alright?"

She tried to laugh, but choked on the water dumping onto her head. She struggled to her feet, the thick leather, wool and fur riding clothes she wore now thoroughly soaked, a small wind picking up just as she stood. "I'm fine," she chuckled as she moved to stand by him, taking Darrian's rein and smirking, "Although my pride is a little bruised."

Nelaros chuckled as he hefted her back astride her saddle then lifted himself into his own, "Very well, milady." He raised his arm and pointed to a darker piece of shadow ahead of them, "The Alienage is just ahead... I think, but I shouldn't guarantee the kind of reception that you will get."

She nodded and pointed down the alley on their left, "The Cousland estate is just down that way, and we both know how we will be treated there."

Nelaros rolled his eyes, "Alright, you win. We go to the estate."

Elissa grinned and nudged Darrian forward, "Wonderful! Hot food and soft bed await!" Nelaros shook his head and followed, unable to really blame her for wanting her own home. It took them another half hour to get to the Cousland estate courtyard, struggling through the flood waters becoming more and more exhausting the closer they got. Once within the stable, Elissa dismounted as Darrian shook himself dry, loosing a small storm in its own right as she tried to remove his sodden gear. Once Darrian was free of it, she led him to his stall at the back of the stable and shut the short gate.

Nelaros approached with a bucket of grain in his hands, his own pony – Lyna – munching away in her own stall. "This should make him happy." He dumped the contents into a small trough outside the stall.

"Thank you, Ros." Elissa said, stroking Darrian's face. She turned to the door, cringing and groaning as she pulled on her soaked traveling cloak, "Ugh." She made a face at Nelaros that made him laugh, "I can't wait to put on some dry clothes and sleep in a dry bed."

He chuckled, "I don't blame you. Come on, let's see what the cook has left over from dinner."

It was a short jaunt from the barn to the servants entrance for the kitchen, but the heavy rains had washed out the rose gardens that her mother has so carefully cultivated over the years and now the path was littered with mud, stems and flowers. "Wonderful." Elissa groaned, "Mother is not going to be happy about this!"

Nelaros shrugged and gripped her shoulder, "Worry about that later. Right now we need to get past this into the house before it gets much later." They fought their way through the mud and ended up tumbling through the door into a laughing heap on the floor.

The guard let out a shout and raised his sword, "Halt! Who goes?"

Elissa looked up at him, her hair loose from its braid and stuck to her face, her wet clothes effectively pinning her to the floor with it's weight, "Steady, soldier. I am Elissa Cousland and this is my traveling companion, Nelaros."

The elf raised his head and smiled widely at the guard, "Hello!"

The guard lowered his weapon, "Apologies, my lady. I hadn't thought that..."

Elissa waved it off as Nelaros helped her to her feet. "Don't worry about it. It shows your dedication to your post. Although, I will ask if the cook has left anything to eat?"

The soldier glanced around the small room, "Um, I think the under-cook is actually still awake... somewhere."

Elissa's eyes widened as she thought about his meaning, "Well then, I would like to have some bread and cheese brought to my rooms."

The guard took off down the hall as she moved through the kitchen and out of a hallway that led to the family rooms. Both she and Nelaros shucked their wet cloaks, draping them over a grate before the fire. "What is it about you that makes people so nervous?"

Elissa shrugged, slipping her fur wrap from her shoulders and it hit the floor with a sickening 'thulp', becoming a white mass at her feet while she arranged her cloak before the fire. "I don't think it is me so much as my name, or my Father, even." She sat down on a chair and picked up the wrap, putting it over the back of it. She then leaned forward and shook out her russet hair, trying to dry it before she went to bed. "Or mayhaps they are afraid of what Fergus would do to them if I am mistreated." She looked at him, a smirk on her lips. "Speaking of nervous, are you?"

He stared into the fire, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Her smirk broadened and she chuckled, "So you ARE nervous." His head turned quickly back to her, almost too fast to be taken any other way and it made her laugh. Nelaros rolled his eyes but his response was cut off as a young woman bustled into the room and set a tray of food and a pitcher of wine. Once the woman was gone he glowered at Elissa as she continued to tease him, "So... do you know what she looks like?"

He snorted, nearly choking on his gulp of wine, "Don't be ridiculous..." his voice trailed away and she waited for a brief moment before he spoke again, "Her portrait shows her to be a great beauty, with eyes that shimmer like the sea and hair the color of wheat." Elissa watched as his face grew gentle, "I hear she is an... able woman, healthy and resourceful. She is an only child, but when she was young her two cousins joined the family house and have been living together with her and her father."

Elissa smiled and winked at him, "It sounds as though someone is in love."

Nelaros shook his head, "don't say things like that. You know what it's like for us elves. We are lucky to make an appropriate match let alone a beautiful one." He scoffed, "You – humans – can marry for love. Elves marry simply to carry on our race."

Elissa chortled at that, "And here I thought I'd never see the day. Highever's most eligible bachelor, in love!" He threw his balled wet shirt at her and she let out a playful shriek, raising a hand to block out the sight of his well muscled torso, "Agh! No, please!" He laughed and took a swallow of wine. She spread the tunic beside their cloaks then returned to her own feast of hard bread and cheese.

They ate in silence for a moment before Nelaros spoke again, "I am surprised that you would be teasing me about being in love." She froze, a hunk of bread halfway to her mouth and a wary look in her eyes as he continued, "Yes... surprising. Considering how you were all but fawning over that Grey Warden when they were at Highever last." Her eyes widened and the corner of her mouth twitched in warning, but he ignored it. Gleefully he kept talking, "Now what as his name... Alex? Alis.. Alistair?"

"Ros, you go too far..."

He grinned widely, "Why? Just because you wore your best dress to the celebration ball? Or that you and he spent the entire evening in the garden... unchaperoned?" She threw a hunk of bread at him, but he caught it easily before it hit his chest, "Oh, hit a nerve with that one, didn't I?" He began tearing through the bread, eating it, "Look at this, the great Elissa Cousland, embarrassed about a man."

She shook her head at him, "I told you that in confidence! Why do you pester me about this?"

"Because it is fun! Besides, I saw how your mother was watching you that night. If he wasn't a Grey Warden she would have written out the betrothal announcements that night."

Elissa giggled, "If I were forced to marry, I wouldn't mind if he were like Alistair." Nelaros drained his goblet and refilled it as she spoke, "I can't explain it, but when I saw him... something changed. He's everything I would like in a husband; kind, accomplished with a sword, and speaks with me as though I am a person not a prize. He is a man, Ros and every other eligible match my mother brought were boys. Alistair actually speaks to me about the problems in this world. The darkspawn rising in the south, Cailan's politics." She glanced up at him, the shadows cast on her face from the fire making her eyes seem like deep pools of water.

He mocked her tone as he whispered, "Sounds to me that somebody's in love."

She rolled her eyes and sighed, "Oh Maker, no. I just... I wish we could have had more time together. That's all. Gotten to know each other better."

He watched her stare into the fire, "Yes... It is a shame that Grey Wardens can't hold titles, isn't it?" She just smirked and continued staring at the flames while he wondered why she couldn't get her wish. Once the food was gone and they properly intoxicated on the wine he stumbled to the guest rooms while she climbed onto the great bed normally reserved for her parents.

Later that night, Elissa lay awake in the great four poster bed listening to the silence after the storm and wondering what she was going to do. Several of her friends were already married and had children of their own; only she and Delilah Howe were left of the group and Delilah had her eye on a baker in Amaranthine, despite her father pressing the motion of some noble out of the Bannorn.

Off in the distance a mabari howled, and Elissa smiled. The moon must have finally broken through the clouds. Throwing off the blankets she slipped out of bed and padded across the chilled wooden floor to the great window. She pulled open the drapes and looked up at the sky as it shifted from the gray clouds to the star spotted blanket. She could see torches being lit around the palace's walls by the watch, but it wasn't as comforting as it should have been. The King had called the nobility together to give them his decision about the rumored darkspawn attacks in the south and she was to represent Highever and the Cousland family. Then that night the Queen was hosting a ball and she had no doubt that Queen Anora would want to try and marry her off. Sighing heavily she shook her head, closed the drapes and went back to bed. Perhaps the Wardens would be attending the Landsmeet... perhaps she could ask Cailan about it.

Elissa adjusted her skirt for what must have been the umpteenth time and Nelaros shook his head. Elissa glanced at him, a soft scowl on her face. "What?" she asked, irritated that her gown wasn't cooperating. It was of a soft yellow velvet that was tied at the waist with a sash of braided blue and green – the Highever colors – and clung to her curves in a way that was almost uncomfortable. Her mother had packed her clothes for this trip and Elissa hadn't paid attention as things had been thrown into the saddle bags. Now she wished she had.

"You've been fussing with your dress all morning, you look fine." Her eyes widened, "Fine?" she mouthed, her face pale. He shook his head again and tried to smoother his laugh. He grabbed her arms and turned her to look at him, "You, Lady Cousland, are a vision. Your mother knew that yellow was your best color when she had this dress packed."

Elissa rolled her eyes, "You're just saying that because my father pays your wages."

He snorted, "I say it because it's the truth."

She sighed and gave him a once over as well, with his white blonde hair and green eyes he was most definitely elven but his over six foot frame hinted at human ancestry somewhere in his lineage. Nelaros had trained for years with the soldiers, his usual sparring partner soon becoming Fergus Cousland himself. It wasn't long before he became known not only for his fierce loyalty to the Cousland family but also for hie devotion to his brothers in arms, no matter their race. It was because of this that his name came for consideration to be part of Elissa's guard when she came of age. Weapons training aside, Eleanor Cousland had been the one to insist on her daughters safety, despite the family's mabari, Duran, had imprinted on her. Ser Gilmore gave Teyrn Cousland the names of over a dozen soldiers, but it was Fergus' suggestion that the prospective knights spar with Elissa. Let her decide who would guard her... and she had, the one who hadn't skirted away or allowed her to win. So here he stood trying to explain why she shouldn't worry about her appearance.

Gently, Nelaros put his hands on her shoulders, "Elissa Cousland, you are the most beautiful woman I know. Don't fret so much, whatever Queen Anora may think about the ladies at court she has nothing against you."

Elissa looked doubtful but sighed and nodded anyway, "Very well." she grinned wickedly and cocked an eyebrow at him, "She'll be too angry about my bringing an elf into her presence chamber." Nelaros gave her a reproving look, but chuckled anyway as he walked with her out the door to the carriage. The rain from the night before had transformed the usually spotless dirt and cobblestone courtyard into a jumble of debris, slowing Elissa as she carefully picked her way around the rosebushes and mud puddles. They were only halfway across the yard when Nelaros let out an exasperated growl, "We're getting nowhere!" then bent at his waist, slipped an arm beneath her knees and grabbed her opposite shoulder, hefting her into the air.

"Nelaros! What are you doing!"

He gave her a glare and then set her on the seat inside the carriage. "You were moving too slowly. We have to be at the palace by midday and you know how the Queen gets when she's been kept waiting."

Queen Anora Mac Tir Theirin was not a patient person. She had been waiting for over an hour for the younger daughter of the Cousland family. It wasn't really that she was necessarily angry about the delay, so much as she knew why. After all, who could pass up a chance to speak with the King of Ferelden when he took the time to personally welcome you to the palace... and escort you into the building, arm in arm with you. Or pause to speak with the Grey Wardens when they crossed your path? She watched as the Grey Warden commander, Duncan, and his protege Alistair stood with the pair, and wondered what could possibly be so fascinating that they would be willing to stand amongst mud puddles and upturned plants while their was a war to be fought?

After what felt like an eternity, the palace chamberlain entered her rooms to announce, "The Lady Elissa Cousland." Anora turned from the window as Elissa entered, smelling of fresh rain and roses, the typical country mix for Ferelden. The young woman dropped into a curtsy, "Your Majesty."

Anora wiggled her fingers at her, "Oh get up." Elissa was smiling as she raised up, "I see you took your time in getting her Lady Cousland." Elissa's smile strained as she bit the inside of her cheek, "You were explicitly told, were you not, that I only had a few moments to spare for your requests. My husband and I are preparing for a war."

Elissa drew a slow breath, trying to keep her smile in place, "Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize for the delay. But as my escort and I were arriving we were... approached by his Majesty and his current band of fellows."

Anora arched a regal eyebrow. It was well known in the Denerim Court that King Cailan wasn't the most faithful of husbands. That's not to say that his being 'friendly' with a woman meant a sexual relationship, but after five years of marriage and no heir from Anora, it meant that several of the lesser nobles were beginning to send their younger – and supposedly fertile – daughters to wait on her Majesty in hopes of catching the Kings eye. A little too late, Elissa realized her mistake as the women around her scooted away as though a lightening strike were soon to occur. Before Anora could begin her tirade into Elissa, King Cailan breezed in, followed closely by the Warden Commander Duncan and an assortment of the kings fellows. Nelaros slipped in behind them and gently tugged on the ends of her sash as she rose from her curtsy. "What's happening?"

Elissa grinned, "Cailan just saved me from a tongue lashing, that's what. Anora was about to tear into me when he walked in."

Nelaros' brow wrinkled, "What did you do?"

Elissa sighed, and was about to answer when Cailan stepped forward and announced, "My friends, the Queen and I would like to invite you to tonight's festivities!" The women around them began to giggle and speak very rapidly, but Elissa's gut tightened. She could only imagine what Cailan was talking about, "What does he mean?" she whispered.

Nelaros smiled, "There's to be a ball and banquet tonight to celebrate the Landsmeet and Grey Wardens."

She bit back a groan, "That means I have to change, doesn't it?" Nelaros nodded, "Into what?" she folded her arms and looked pointedly at him.

"The red and gray gown you brought, of course."

Elissa sighed, "Mother thinks of everything, doesn't she?"

Nelaros chuckled, "Right down to the way your hair is to be done."

For the second time that day, Elissa stared out the carriage window as it rolled passed the palace gate. Her hair was piled atop her head with soft ringlets framing her face. The main gown was a red velvet, with the skirt cut away to reveal a second skirt of gray silk and that same silk was used to tie the open sleeves of the gown at her elbows as the red fabric fell away to the floor. The thickly boned stomacher, also wrapped in gray silk, pressed against her bust, making it swell provocatively. The contrasting colors and cut were of the Orlesian fashion and were sure to be noticed in a crowded room.

The carriage slowed then stopped at the bottom of the stair and the two footmen at the back stepped down to help her and Nelaros emerge. Nelaros emerged first, and was turning to help her down when a voice carried don the steps. "Ho there! Allow me." Elissa's ears perked and she leaned out of the doorway, letting Nelaros take her arm and lift her to the ground.

"Alistair!" She smiled widely up at him as he offered his arm, "I must admit, I wasn't expecting to see you here."

The blond warrior smiled at her, "Good! I was hoping to surprise you." She took his arm and he returned her smile, "I'll escort her from here, Master Nelaros." The elf nodded, bowed and left them to walk inside. "Would you walk for a moment with me, my lady?" Elissa nodded and he led her through a second gate and up to the outer terrace overlooking the palace gardens. Even with the late summer rains and fall setting in, the servants had done their best to preserve the beauty of the plants; several of the leaves were beginning to change their colors and what flowers beds that had survived the storm were letting off a great heady scent, the perfect foreground for the sunset as it hit the spire of Fort Drakon.

She settled herself onto a bench, spreading her skirts slightly and looked up at him as he stared out over the dying rose bushes. They stayed that way for a few moments before Alistair tore his gaze away to her and half smiled, "I assume you've heard then, about the darkspawn rising in the south?"

She nodded, "That's why I'm here. The king has called a Landsmeet to discuss the problem and see what men he can get to help. My father and brother have been asked to bring what men Highever can spare..." She sighed and turned slightly to look out over the garden as well, "I wish I could join them."

Alistair sat beside her, tucking a finger beneath her chin to get her to look at him, "Elissa, I know you can be stubborn, but please. You don't want any part of this war."

Her brow wrinkled and stood angrily, "Wh... Alistair! What do you mean? Ferelden is my home as much as yours, but am I to have no say in its defense? I should just sit back and do nothing then? I'm no Orlesian wallflower!"

He looked up at her, a pained look on his face, "I know that, Elissa. I know. You are the most amazing woman I've ever met; you're smart, resourceful and a whole lot of other things... but darkspawn." he shook his head, "fighting darkspawn changes people. It would change you and I don't want to see that happen. There's something special about you, it's as though you have this light behind your eyes and I fear that the darkspawn would extinguish that." He smiled gently, "Please, my Lady of the Sapphire Eyes."

Elissa bit her lower lip and stared hard into his eyes, remembering something that her father had once said. 'Every man needs something to defend, pup. Just because you're a strong woman doesn't mean that you can't have a warrior protect you.' Here was a warrior asking her permission to do just that and it made her insides grow warm, "And what would you ask for in exchange for my sitting on my heels?"

He stood then pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. She placed her hands on his silk clad chest as he leaned in close, as though he would kiss her, "I can think of a few things." She gasped as his lips met hers and he kissed her gently. After a breathless moment she pulled away slightly and untied the silk tie at her right elbow. Carefully, she pushed back his sleeve on that same arm and tied the ribbon around his forearm. Tightening the knot she whispered, "Oh Makers breath! I seem to have lost a ribbon somewhere." She looked up at him and Alistair put his hand over her two on his arm. "No heroics, understand?"

His heart beat a bit faster at the look in her eyes, an anguishing mix of adoration and fear. Slowly, as though he was dealing with a skittish animal, he lowered the sleeve on his arm and took her hands in his. Kissing first one then the other, his lips barely brushing her knuckles, "I shall return to you, my lady. Not even the Maker himself could stop me." She bit her lower lip and turned away, a tear escaping the corner of her eye and sliding down her cheek.

"Be careful what you swear, Grey Warden." He smiled, then pressed a stray bit of linen into her palm. "What..."

He shushed her, a finger across her lips, "So that I might find you later." There came a cough from behind them and they both jumped. Alistair pulled at the end of his gray tunic, tipped his head to Nelaros, bowed to Elissa then scurried back into the ballroom.

"Strange that I might find the two of you out here." Nelaros chuckled, striding towards Elissa. He frowned when he saw the missing ribbon. "Andraste's knickers, Elissa, what happened?"

She looked down at her arm then back at him, shrugging, "I seem to have lost it."

He gave her a suspicious look, "Uh-huh. Sure."

She giggled, "Promise not to tell?"

He smiled and offered his arm, "Of course, my lady. But you might want to hide that other ribbon. He pointed to her left arm and she quickly removed the bit of silk. It sat in her hand for just a moment before she handed it to him, "Best this get tucked away somewhere, Ros."

He nodded, put the ribbon in a pocket and motioned to the ballroom, "Shall we, Lady Cousland?" She curtsied to him, then took his arm and let him lead her into the now crowded room. He led her through the main door so that the chamberlain might announce her, "The Lady Elissa Cousland." She paused for a moment before realizing the man had no intention of mentioning Nelaros. She was about to say something about it when Nelaros touched her arm and shook his head at her, "Come, Lady Elissa." once they were out of earshot of the chamberlain he whispered, "The vultures await." she bit her lip to keep from laughing aloud then cursed mentally as Cailan and Anora approached. Vultures indeed.

Anora spoke first, "I see you've brought your escort, Lady Cousland."

Instantly defensive, Elissa curtsied and rose, "Of course, Your Majesty. My father fairly insisted on his accompanying me."

Anora smirked, the wheels clearly turning in her mind and it made Elissa uncomfortable, "But surely such precautions aren't necessary when you are to be in the presence of your king? Or perhaps your husband?"

Elisa bit the inside of her cheek as Cailan smiled, "I agree. Why is it that we haven't heard of an engagement for you just yet?"

She returned his smile and bowed her head, "Perhaps I have set my sights higher than a name or title, Your Majesty."

Anora looked confused, "Then what do you require, Lady Cousland?"

Elissa glanced at Nelaros, "I require a warrior willing to give his life for a cause. To stand by his principles no matter the cost to himself."

Anora chuckled, "I'm afraid that you'll not find such a man here. Perhaps in Orzammar."

Elissa smiled, making sure that Anora caught her implication, "Oh no. I've already met the man."

Anora's eyes widened threateningly, "Where? Certainly he is not here." She motioned to Nelaros and Elissa looked surprised.

"Who? Nelaros? No, although I'm flattered that you would think me worthy of him. My sights are not set on an elf."

"Then whom?"

Elissa smiled brightly and with a calculated turn, she glanced about the room, "Ah, do excuse me, your Majesties. I see Bann Teagan waving for me." Cailan waved her off with a smile and both she and Nelaros walked away with Elissa confident that Anora would spend the rest of the evening stewing over her secret love.