Missing Pieces Chapter 1
Aedan Cousland shook his head and smiled at his sister as she beckoned him towards her. She hefted the sword aloft and grinned at him. "Come now, Aedan. That blow was as slow as a old woman's!" She taunted him.
He grinned at her and advanced slowly stalking her. She was quick and darted around him, smacking him in the butt with her practice blade as she slid past his swing. He spun the other direction, expecting her move and slammed her with the shield knocking her off her feet. She landed on the ground with an uff as the air whooshed out of her lungs. He moved to stand over her. "And that little sister, is why I am going to be running the castle while Father and Fergus get to go to battle." He said smiling down at her.
But she wasn't ready to admit defeat just yet. She rolled and knocked his feet out from under him. She sprang to her feet and landed on his chest before he could turn and pressed the blade of her dagger against his throat.
"And that is why you and Fergus should never underestimate the talents of us rogues." She said laughing. She pressed a quick kiss to his cheek before he stood up growling, carrying her with him. He tossed her up and over his shoulder and she squealed and kicked trying to get free of him. He laughed and swatted her butt as he moved to the fence of the sparring ring.
"You may be trickier, Is, but I am still stronger." He said sitting her on the fence as he tickled her. She gasped for mercy and looked up startled when he granted it. Aedan normally was ruthless when he had her trapped. She smiled brightly and hopped down from the fence as she saw her father approaching with a dark haired man in strange armor.
The man watched her as she approached, she smiled for him and then quickly kissed her father's cheek. "And here is my little dove and pup now. Isla, Aedan, this is Duncan. He is the leader of the Grey Warden's of Ferelden." Bryce said introducing his children to the dark haired man. Isla beamed at the man then. She had always loved the Grey Warden stories.
"Really?" She asked excitedly. Duncan smiled at her. She was a beautiful young girl of fifteen, but had the body of a woman. He could see why her father kept her hidden away at the keep.
"Indeed." He said smiling down at her. "I came seeking recruits. I must say, you are a formidable fighter." He turned then to Bryce. "Both of your children are. I would be so bold as to say they would make fine Wardens."
Bryce frowned then. "That is my daughter you are speaking of. I have not so many children I will see them all off to war. Fergus goes to lead my men, Aedan will stay here to look after the keep, and Isla is little more than a child. Unless you are going to use the Right of Conscription."
"Have no fear, Teryn Cousland. Though we are in need of all the Grey Wardens we can find I will not alienate one of our closest and strongest allies." Duncan said eyeing Isla and Aedan wistfully. He knew they would make splendid Wardens, but he couldn't fault Bryce for wanting to shield them of that.
"I would love to be a Grey Warden. Would you really consider me?" Isla asked ignoring her father's frown.
"You are a formidable fighter. You use quick thinking to take out enemies stronger than you. You would make an excellent Warden." Duncan said truthfully.
"Dove, go and see your mother. She has guest she wanted you to meet." Bryce said stroking Isla's strawberry blond braid.
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" She pouted.
"We have things to discuss and your mother is looking for you. Off you go now. You can visit with Duncan more later." He said shooing her off. She sighed and smiled at Duncan.
"I am honored to have met you, sir, and look forward to speaking with you further." She then turned and ran for the keep looking for her mother. Her mabari, Sampson, bounding off behind her.
"Your daughter is quite the charmer, Bryce." Duncan said smiling.
"And don't think she doesn't know it." Laughed Aedan as he walked with them.
"Yes, unfortunately the girl is as stubborn as her brother here, and refuses to even consider any of the men her mother is determined to parade around her. Though I can't say I am not glad of it. I do not wish to give her up to anyone."
"I am just waiting to find love as Fergus did. And the fact it bothers Mother is just an added bonus." Aedan said with a smile as he patted his mabari Symon. Bryce shook his head and smiled as he hugged his middle child.
Duncan was struck again at the difference in the Cousland family. Other nobles were standoffish and cold with their families and even more so with their subjects. The Cousland's were loving with each other and compassionate and fair with their subjects. It was easy to see why they were so well liked by all. Bryce was second only to the king. And it was rumored that King Maric had thought about leaving the throne to him. But Bryce was happy here in his ancestors home with his family. Highever was one of the most successful lands in all of Ferelden.
-0-
Isla raced through the keep nodding to people as she passed. She ran smack into Ser Gilmore and bounced off his chest. He reached out and steadied her with a smile. "Your mother is looking for you my lady. I have been sent to accompany you to her so you don't manage to sneak away." He said smiling down at her. She blushed and frowned as he watched her. She had always had a bit of a crush on the handsome knight, but he didn't even know she existed it seemed.
"Hello to you too, Ser Gilmore." She said pouting prettily. Bryan Gilmore wasn't unaware of Isla, but he knew how much her father loved her and was sure his being the heir to a small bannorn wouldn't be enough to win her hand.
"Forgive me, my lady. I didn't mean to be rude." He said smiling.
"It's Isla or Is, Ser Gilmore. You have been at the castle now for eight years now."
"You still call me Ser Gilmore." He reminded her.
"Because you haven't told me I could call you anything else." She said with a sigh.
"I will call you Isla when we are alone if you will call me Bryan." He said and felt his heart beat speed up as she beamed at him. Her sky blue eyes lighting up with it. She moved a step closer.
"Bryan." She said coyly.
"Isla?" He asked warily as she leaned against him.
She sighed as he took a step back and shook her head. So much for progress, she decided. "Did you know that there is a Grey Warden staying here?"
"Yes, I had heard. He is coming to look at me. I couldn't believe it when your father suggested me." He said looking proud.
She looked up at him wide eyed. "You would leave us?"
"It is an honor to be recruited. Your father would be happy to have me join. I would miss…" He trailed off realizing what he had been saying.
"Miss?" She pressed looking up at him hopefully.
"Um…" He said and tugged on his collar.
"Would you miss the keep?" She asked.
"Yes." He nodded relieved until she took a step closer. He took a step back.
"Would you miss the other knights?" She asked taking another step. He took another one back.
"Yes."
"Would you miss my Father?" She asked and advanced another step.
"Yes."
"And my brothers?" She asked as he backed into a wall.
"Yes." He said feeling slightly panicked now. If Teryn Cousland caught him like this, he could get in a lot of trouble.
"Would you miss me?" She asked looking up at him completely unguarded. He sighed and gave in reaching up to lightly cupped her cheek, rubbing her silky skin with his calloused thumb.
"Most of all." He answered and she smiled at him and stepped closer.
"I do not believe you." She said teasingly and laid a hand on his chest. He glanced around fearfully and seeing no one around, quickly leaned down and pressed a quick and chaste kiss on her lips. She bit her lip and smiled up at him. "Can we meet tonight on the tower after your shift?" She asked quickly as she heard voices coming.
"Isla, that wouldn't be proper…" He hedged.
"I do not mean for bedding. I simply wanted to spend some time with you." She said shaking her head. "Unless you do not wish to spend time with me." She suddenly looked hurt and he sighed.
"I will meet you there, but only for talking." He said firmly. "You are a lady and I am a knight. Now we must get you to your mother." She stepped back and meekly followed him. She wanted to dance around in joy, but she managed to keep a calmness about her as she followed him to her mother. He bowed and left as she moved to her mother and her mother's guest. She groaned as the son eyed her. Another marriage attempt.
Isla decided maybe shocking her mother and guest would be the better way to get out of more of the meetings. "Perhaps we should meet somewhere more…private and discuss this farther." She said smiling at the boy. He stammered out a response and said he would be in the library if she wished to talk. Isla laughed after he and his mother had left. Her mother frowned at her.
"You are never going to give in and find someone are you?" She sighed and hugged her frustrating daughter.
"I want love, Mother. Like you and Father have. Like Fergus and Oriana. Is that so wrong?"
"But I want my daughter settled and happy. I want more grandchildren some day. All this running around with your brothers isn't going to attract you a nice man, Isla."
"Mother, what if I found someone I cared about and he cared about me, but he wasn't as titled as Father?"
"Anyone you find won't be as titled as your father unless you marry a king from another country, my love." Eleanor said wiping away a dirt smudge on Isla's face.
"What if he was only a minor Bann?" She pressed and looked away.
"A minor Bann? Who is this man?" Eleanor asked watching Isla closely.
"It's only a question, Mother." She said rolling her eyes.
"If he was of good character and could provide for you, we would be happy with the match." Eleanor said smiling knowingly. She had seen the way Bryan watch Isla and Isla watched Bryan. Perhaps there was hope for her daughter after all.
Isla nodded. "This is good to know. I should go and find Father. I want to visit with Duncan some more."
"Do not get it in your head to join the Wardens, Isla. I will not allow it."
"Don't worry, Mother. Father already said as much." Isla kissed her cheek and hurried off to the main hall. She burst in and frowned as she watched Arl Howe and her father talking. Aedan stood there frowning as well.
"What's going on?" She asked quietly as she moved to his side. He crossed his arms.
"Howe's men are delayed again." Aedan whispered back to her.
"I begin to wonder if it isn't on purpose." Isla said sighing.
Aedan looked at her sharply. "The Howe's are our closest friends. You shouldn't talk so."
"I…sorry, Aedan." She said hanging her head. She didn't like Arl Howe. He always watched her like she was food and he was starving. Thomas was alright, but he went around fawning over her and it bugged her.
"Oh, dove, I didn't see you there. Come and greet Rendon." Bryce said motioning Isla over. She moved and still contrite from Aedan's rebuke was polite to him.
"And how is your family, Arl Howe?" She asked bowing slightly to him.
"Well, thank you, Isla. Thomas ask after you. Perhaps I should bring him next time."
"I would like that, ser." She said smoothly.
He smiled at her and laughed. "Good. He has become a bit obsessed with you since he saw you at the fair last year."
"Dove, you and pup run along and tell Fergus he is going to have to leave without me." Bryce said as Duncan entered the room. Howe was angry that he hadn't been told a Warden was in the castle. Aedan drug a protesting Isla with him out of the hall and shut the door.
"Aedan!" She pouted.
"Come on, Is. You need to mind Father. Duncan is staying here after they leave. You can talk with him tomorrow."
Isla followed him to Fergus' room where he was bidding his family goodbye. Isla loved to watch them all together. It was sweet. She pulled Oren into her lap and kissed him noisily, making him laugh.
"Auntie, will you teach me to fight with a swort?" He asked smiling up at her.
"That's sword, Oren." Fergus said hugging Oriana to him.
"Sure. It'll be fun!" She said smiling back down at him.
"Fergus! Your family is exasperating!" Oriana said frowning at Isla. Oriana loved the Cousland's, but she disapproved of Isla's fighting and she didn't want her son to have anything to do with fighting or swords for as long as possible.
"You know how your mother feels, Oren." Fergus said kissing her head. Oriana beamed at him.
"I never get to do anything fun!" Oren whined.
"We can still have fun, Ore." Isla insisted hugging him tightly.
"Father says you have to go without him." Aedan said and they shared a look. They felt the same as Isla did about the hold up with the troops, but they were keeping their thoughts quiet.
"You would think they were walking backward with as long as it is taking them."
"I wish I could go with you." Aedan sighed.
"It won't be near as much fun without you or Isla, but at least you will all be warm here in the castle." Fergus said slapping Aedan on the back.
"There's a Grey Warden, Fergus!" Isla said excitedly.
"Is he recruiting? I bet he would like you two." Fergus said eyeing Aedan.
"Father won't allow it." Aedan said shaking his head.
"Really? A Grey Warden? Did he fly in on a griffon?" Oren asked turning to Isla excitedly.
"Oren, the griffons are all gone now." Oriana said shaking her head at him.
"Uncle Aedan, mother says you are going to protect us while Father is gone. Are you?" Oren asked reaching up for Aedan. Aedan snatched him up and tossed him in the air before catching him and hugging him close.
"Sure am."
"What if the castle gets attacked? Do you think there will be a dragon?" Oren asked him excitedly.
"I don't think it will come to that." Aedan laughed.
"Oren, dragons are vile creatures who eat people!" Oriana exclaimed.
"I know! I want to see one!" Oren said scrambling down from Aedan's arms. "Take that dire bunny! And that darkspawny. Fear my swort of trufiness!" Oren said miming swinging a sword.
"Swort of trufiness?" Isla asked smiling at him puzzled.
"We have been teaching him lessons on being truthful." Fergus said smiling fondly at his son. "Well, my loves, I suppose I must be off."
"I had hoped you would wait for us to say our goodbyes as well." Bryce said entering the room with Eleanor.
"You could have just come and delivered the message yourself, Father." Isla said crossing her arms.
"What and miss having my entire family in one room?" He laughed and kissed her cheek. "Isla say your goodnights, my dove. And retire for the evening."
"I'm not some child!" She protested, but then remembered that she was meeting Bryan and quickly apologized. "Forgive me, Father." She said and moved to hug Oren first. She bid Oriana goodnight before turning to Fergus. "I'll miss you, brother. Be safe." She whispered and kissed his cheek as he hugged her tight.
"You too, Is. Mind Aedan while we are away." He chuckled as she frowned at him.
"Why Aedan? Mother will be here." Isla said looking towards her mother.
"No, my love, I am leaving for a while. We thought it would undermine Aedan's ruling for me to be here."
"I don't want you to go, Mother." Aedan replied as he reached for her hand.
"Ah, don't worry, my darling boy. You will be just fine." She said squeezing his hand.
"Am I staying or leaving?" Isla asked frowning. All this was news to her.
"You are staying, dove." Bryce assured her. She smiled and kissed Fergus one last time before hugging her mother.
"I'll miss you, Mother."
"And I you. I love you very much, my dearest daughter."
Bryce caught her and tugged her into his arms. "I am so proud of you, dove. I love you."
"I love you too, Father. Be careful." Isla kissed his cheek and started for the door.
"Getting sent to bed early, Is?" Aedan teased looping an arm around her neck.
"Don't think that I will be this agreeable for you." She said and poked him in the side. He grinned at her and kissed her cheek before spinning her towards the door.
"Run along, don't want to keep Gilmore waiting." He whispered shooing her out the door. Isla's jaw dropped and she glanced quickly at the others, but they didn't seem to have heard.
"How…are you not going to stop us?" She asked quietly.
"Why? Bryan is a true knight. He can be trusted around you. I am more worried about his virtue than yours." Aedan laughed. She frowned at him and crossed her arms. "I am only joking, Is. I trust him with my lovely sister. Go, but behave." He ordered.
"You already sound like Father." She grumbled, but then grinned and kissed his cheek. She looked one last time at her family gathered in the room. She sighed in peaceful contentment and went to her room and changed into one of her dresses. Leaving her armor and weapons behind. She unbraided her hair and taking Sampson with her she snuck through the halls and raced up the stairs of the tower, thinking she made it unseen.
"Should we be worried about the fact our daughter is sneaking up the tower to meet a knight?" Eleanor asked as they watched her from the shadows.
"If it was any knight other than Gilmore, yes. But he is my most trusted knight. I hate to see him recruited, but I couldn't allow Duncan to take one of our children. He was far to interested in Isla at first, but then he began watching Aedan."
"Bryce, Isla was asking about if she would be allowed to marry a bann. Do not tell me that she has finally shown some interest in marriage and he is now going to be unavailable!" Eleanor frowned at him. He kissed her cheek.
"It is a crush she has, my dear. It isn't love. She is still far to young for us to be discussing her marriage." Bryce said and took Eleanor's hand and kissed it. "Go on to bed, my love. I must speak with Rendon for a bit. I will join you soon."