Author's note: The story title is the of a song from the band Atreyu because I'm horrible at titling things.

Disclaimer: I own nothing it all belongs to Bioware.

It was after an early supper that Elissa Cousland took a stroll around the Cousland's castle grounds. The soft breeze blowing the train that trailed behind her on her green silk Antivan dress. The heaviness of her long braided auburn hair rested at the middle of her back. The soft clicking of her heels on the cobble stone provided their own music that complemented the song of shifting armor and clashing swords not far off in the castle courtyard as guards ran their drills.

On a normal day, her walk would have led her towards those soldiers in the courtyard. It always amused her to watch the soldiers fumble about as she walked by, but today was different. Her brother specifically asked her not to torture the men as they got ready to head out for battle. The upcoming battle had her feeling a little uneasy. Normally she had much to be thankful for but the looming threat of another Blight was threatening to take that all away from her. She was happiest having the people she loved the most in the world safe in the walls of their castle. With her father and brother heading out to fight uncertainty, it made her nervous.

"My lady" A voice said shaking her from her thoughts. "Your father wishes to see you, in the main hall" said the guard.

"Thank you Ser Emris." Elissa said to the familiar guard, who then went on his way.

Elissa walked into the Main Hall she was welcomed to the sight of her father and Arl Rendon Howe, laughing about something she was late to overhear. Her father's face was always so warm and welcoming. Age had greyed his hair and lines wrinkled his face but she knew they were the lines of smile and laughter.

"I'm sorry Pup. I didn't see you come in." her father said, using her nickname she had earned as a child while she pretended to be a mabari war hound. "Howe, you remember my daughter."

Howe was the opposite of her father. The lines that were around her father's eyes and mouth were absent. Instead he had deep lines above his brow from a constant scowl he seemed to wear on his beaked nosed face.

"I see she's becoming a lovely young woman. Pleased to see you my dear." The Arl replied

"And you, Arl Howe." She made a small curtsey. Being the daughter of the Teyrn and Tyrna of Highever allowed Elissa certain privileges. One of those privileges was not having to curtsy to any lower noble she came across. However the Arl and her father had been friends for many years and in her eyes that meant he deserved her respected. A small curtsy was her way of showing that.

"My son Thomas asked after you. He saw you at a Deneriem fair and hasn't stopped talking about you since. Perhaps I should bring him with me next time." The Arl said with a smile.

"You're son is a few years younger than me, is he not?"

"As you get older, those years make less of a difference. A lesson often hard won."

Though outwardly she remind poised inside Elissa was screaming. She was only nineteen and already people looked at her as if she was some spinster. It was the downside to being a noble. She knew plenty of women around Highever who didn't marry until well into their twenties, but different standards were held for her.

"I assure you Arl my increasing age has yet to deter any potential suitors. I thank you for your concern none the less."

"My fierce girl has a mind of her own these days! Maker bless her heart." Her father laughed. It seemed her father and her brother were the only ones who didn't seem to have a care that she wasn't married.

"Quite talented as well I'm sure." he said smiling though his words contained a touch of venom.

"At any rate Pup, I summoned you for a reason." her father continued. "While your brother and I are both away. I'm leaving you in charge of the castle."

"Are you certain?" She asked with both surprise and uncertainty in her voice. Running the castle was something she had been trained to do since birth but never did she think the opportunity would arise.

"Of course dear." he laughed the same happy laughed the always warmed her heart. "Only a token force will be remaining here and you must keep the peace in the region. You know what they say about the mouse when the cat is away, yes?" He smiled proudly at her when she nodded her head in agreement. "There is also someone you must meet. Please show Duncan in." he said to the guard standing closest to him.

While they waited for this mystery guest to arrive her father informed her about the delay of the Arl's men and how she would need to inform her brother, Fergus, to ready the troops and leave without the Teryn.

By the time they had finished the discussion an older man who looked ready for battle entered the room.

"It is an honor to be a guest within your halls, Teyrn Cousland." The man who Elissa assumed was Duncan said. The man look battle worn with raven hair that was graying at the temples.

"Your Lordship you didn't mention that a Grey Warden would be present." The Arl said, not even trying to hide the surprise in his voice.

"Duncan arrived just recently, unannounced. Is there a problem?" The Teyrn asked no doubt trying to figure out why the Arl sounded so surprised.

Elissa admitted to herself that even she was surprised to hear that this man was a Grey Warden. Brother Aldous spent at least a week discussing the Wardens when she was under his tutelage. Now she told those stories to her young nephew, Oren. Though she did play up the involvement of griffons much more the Brother Aldous probably would have liked.

"No of course not. But a guest of this stature demands certain protocol. I am at a disadvantage." The Arl replied trying to cover up his previous social blunder.

"We rarely have the pleasure of seeing one in person that is true." her father replied. "Pup, Brother Aldous thought you who the Grey Warden are I hope?"

"They're an order of great warriors." she answered hoping to make her father proud.

"They are the heroes of legend, who ended the Blight and saved us all." her father further elaborated on her answer. "Duncan is looking for recruits before joining us and his fellow wardens in the south. I believe he has his eye on Ser Tarly."

"If I might be so bold," Duncan interjected "I would suggest your daughter is also an excellent candidate."

Elissa knew it was poor manners but she couldn't help but laugh at the thought of her being a part of any sort of order of warriors. Sure she was more than capable with weapons and had bested some of the better guards in one on one combat. But she had never seen real combat and she was also quite fond of the comfortable life she had in the castle.

"Honor though that might be, this is my daughter we're talking about." Her father said stepping in front of her, as if the shield her from the Warden in the room.

"I have no interest in becoming a Grey Warden." She said still trying to repress another laugh from escaping her lips and also hoping to calm her father nerves.

"You hear that Duncan? My daughter has no interest in joining. So unless you intend to invoke the right of conscription..." Elissa was a bit shocked to hear such a commanding tone come out of her father. Seldom did the need arise for such a tone, or at least around her anyway.

"Have no fear. While we need as many as many good recruits as we can find, I have no intention of forcing the issue." Duncan said defusing the situation.

Elissa had also learn about the Rite of Conscription, during her studies of the Warden. It was an arrangement that allowed the Wardens to recruit without objection if need be. Seldom was it heard of that a noble had been conscripted. The backlash from the noble family usually was not worth the trouble.

"Pup, can you ensure that Duncan's requests are seen to while I'm gone."

"Of course, father." she replied

"That's my dear girl. Now please excuse us we have to discuss the upcoming battle."

Her father turned to talk to the other men and she turned to leave as well. But something tugged at her forcing her to turn back to her father.

"Shouldn't you be off to your brother as I asked?" Her father asked stepping away from the other men.

"Are you sure you're going to be alright?" she asked

"You're brother and I go off into battle, not an afternoon tea."

"Father you're doing a terrible job at calming my nerves."

"My apologies." he said with a small laugh "I will tell you however, you are my darling daughter. I love you, and I trust you completely to carry on the Cousland name if the worst should happen." Her emerald green eyes reflected the distress she felt in hearing her father speak in such away. "But don't worry about me, dear girl. You'll have enough to occupy your time while I'm gone." He said leaning in and giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead as he did anytime she was upset. "Now be a good lass and do as I've asked. I will speak to you soon."

It wasn't long into her venture to the far side of the castle when her thoughts were once again interrupted by another knight.

"There you are! Your mother told me the Teyrn had summoned, so I didn't want to interrupt."

This interruption came from Ser Roland Gilmore. Ser Gilmore came to the Cousland's from a common household at the young age of nine to be trained as a squire. Perhaps it was the closeness in age but they became fast friends and often trained together with wooden swords. As the years went by and they grew from boy and girl to young man and woman their friendship started to change. Suddenly he was tripping over his words when she was around and she felt her cheeks grow red whenever he was near. When they were sixteen the evening came when Fergus caught the two kissing in a darkened corner of the garden. Fergus didn't get mad but warned that if the Teyrn and Teyrna found they would likely send the young knight away. The young couple decided that if they couldn't be together then they didn't want to be apart. Three years later and she still felt the flutter in her stomach as she did when they first kissed.

"Hello to you, Ser Gilmore" she smiled

"Ha! Pardon my abruptness my lady." the heat visibly rising in his cheeks made Elissa's smile widen it made her happy to know that he still reacted to her as she did to him. "It's only that I've been looking all over for you. I fear your hound has gotten in the larder again and Nan is threatening to leave."

Elissa couldn't help but inwardly groan. Pulling her beloved Baelor out of the larder was not something she wanted to do at the moment.

"I'm sorry Rory." She used her nickname for him, forgetting momentarily about formality. "But I have to take care of important matter for my father. I know my mother probably talked your ear off to make sure I handle the matter but I fear my task cannot wait. If you would be so kind as to take care of it for me I would be eternally in your debt." She pleaded.

"Elle, you know these mabari hounds." Any formalities also gone from him. He had taken to calling her Elle since they played together. "He'll listen to his mistress but anyone else risks having there arm bitten off."

"Baelor wouldn't hurt a soul." She stepped in closer so they were only inches apart. "And I promise that if you receive even the slightest scratch I'll kiss it better." She looked up at him with her emerald eyes that the Arl of Redcliffe once said would put any Orlesian gem to shame, and she knew she had him.

"Would you at least do me the honors of escorting me to the kitchen my Lady?" Ser Gilmore smiled. She was more than happy to stroll the corridors to the kitchen their hands occasionally brushing up against each other and perhaps lingering to long. The walk was filled with a bit of small talk. She told to him in a hushed voice that she was glad to know he was staying behind, instead of marching off to war to which he replied that no darkspawn could make him leave her side. Just briefly did their fingers intertwine before they pulled apart to go their separate ways.

She was almost to the wing of the castle that held the bedroom suites when she past a small sitting garden that her mother was currently occupying with company. Elissa quietly groaned to herself. She knew there was no way she was going to get by without playing the good daughter.

"Ah here is my darling daughter." Her mother cooed as if on cue. The small group all stood to greet Elissa. "I assume the situation with your hound is settled?"

"It's being taken care of as we speak, Mother."

"Oh, poor Ser Gilmore." Her mother sighed. Though she knew how her daughter had the tendency to flirt with the young men she never realized how different Elissa felt about Ser Gilmore than anyone else "You're going to be the death of that boy. I knew I should have found someone who is more resistant to your charm."

"I think that might have been a harder task then prying the hound from the larder." A young man smiled.

"Darling you remember Lady Landra and her son Dairren?" Her mother asked referring the young man and the older woman standing next to her.

"I think we last met at your mother spring salon." Lady Landra chimed in

"Of course. It is good to see you again, my lady." It would have been harder to forget Lady Landra then it was to remember. From what Elissa recalled the lady in question had more than a few glasses of wine that evening.

"You're too kind, dear girl. Didn't I spend half the salon trying to convince you to marry my son?"

"And made a very poor case for it, I add." Dairren interjected.

"He's not married yet either." Lady Landra smiled, clearly happy to pick up where she left off at the salon.

"Don't listen to her." Dairren groaned. "It's good to see you again, my Lady. You're looking as beautiful as ever.

"Always the flatter." Elissa smiled.

"Only when it is due."

Elissa smiled to show her appreciation of his kind words. People often accuse nobility for being victims of their own vanity. Elissa would be a liar if she said she did not also suffer from this affliction. She was very aware just how beautiful she was. She heard it from the mouth of everyone around her growing up and now that she was a grown woman she saw it in the eyes of almost all men and even a few of the women.

"You would think her beauty would make it easier to make a match for her." Her mother complained. "Not more difficult."

It wasn't her beauty that made it difficult to find a match for her. It seemed every time Elissa turned around her mother had another potential match lined up for her all of which were of noble birth. Elissa had her own reasons for not settling down. Reasons she didn't think her mother would understand.

After a few more moments of exchanging pleasantries the two guests excused themselves, leaving Elissa and her mother alone.

"You should say goodbye to your brother while you have the chance."

Elissa didn't particularly like the way her mother worded her sentence. Her mother made it seem so final like this was the last goodbye there would be.

"I have a bad feeling about this, mother." She expressed the concerns that had been haunting her all day

"As do I, dear." her mother said solemnly. "Your father and brother are marching off to fight Maker-knows-what. All the assurance in the world couldn't comfort me. But it won't help us to take up arms and follow. Fergus and you're father have their duties, just as we have ours."

Her mother was right, of course. Though she never thought she would see a day where they would march off to war, it was always a possibility. In fact her entire life was spent preparing for the worst possibility. She had mastered politics, history, and every other detail that involved being a noble.

"I love you, my darling girl. You know that don't you?

"I love you too, mother." She said leaning in and giving her mother a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Now I really most go find Fergus."

"Go do what you must. I will see you soon."

It felt like an eternity since her father had set her on her task to reach her brother. But with luck she finally managed to reach Fergus' suite without further interruptions.

"Don't frighten the boy, love. I speak the truth." Fergus was saying as Elissa entered the room. "And here's my little sister to see me off. Now dry your eyes, love, and wish me well."

"Should I wait outside?" Elissa asked not wanting to interrupt this moment between his wife and child.

"Stay. I'd like to say farewell."

"You'll be missed, brother." She swallowed back the lump that was beginning to form in her throat. Fergus was more than just a brother, he was her best friend and sparring partner. When all of the other knights (including Ser Gilmore) were to hesitant to fully spar with a young woman, Fergus was more than willing to step up and give his little sister a fight without holding back.

"If it's any consolation I'm sure I'll freeze in the southern rain and be completely jealous of you up here warm and safe."

"Father wanted me to tell you to take the troops and head to Ostagar without him. It seems the Arl's men are delayed."

"You would think they were walking backwards." Fergus sighed in frustration. "Well I better get underway. So many darkspawn to behead, so little time. I'll see you soon, my love." he said as he gave his wife Oriana a kiss on the cheek.

"I would hope, dear boy that you planned on waiting for us before taking your leave." Her father's voice came from the doorway. Elissa turned and saw her father and mother entering the suite.

"Be well, my son, I will pray for your safety every day that you are gone." Her mother said giving Fergus a hug.

"Father, couldn't you have delivered your message yourself?" Elissa asked.

"And miss having both of my children in one place? Not likely" her father said.

It was hard to argue his point. Elissa's whole life was in this room. Everyone she loved and held dearest to her heart. Even, Oriana, who didn't approve of her toying with the guards. If Elissa knew of the approaching events she would have done her best to preserve in her mind that very moment. The very last moment she would be with her family.