A Rogue's Sparkle
Note:

First of all, I hope you will enjoy reading my new story. Please, do not be afraid to leave reviews and/or add this to your favorites and alerts. ;-)

Second, I did not name the main character after somebody. Well in a way I did as these are the names of people who are very close to me. Combined this came out. (You'll see).

Third, I do not use a beta at this moment so please let me know if I make any mistakes in sentences/words etc.
I do not wish for a beta unless he/she has the time to respond to me within a reasonable timeframe.
Not that I think anyone will ask, but just so you know if you do wish to ask ;-)

Last but not least, I do not own anything of Dragon Age. It all belongs to Bioware. I only gave it a little twist of my own which I hope you'll like.

Chapter 1
A day in Castle Cousland

=Catherine=

It was raining outside when Catherine, the youngest child of Bryce and Eleanor Cousland and their only daughter, finally finished her breakfast. Her brothers, Fergus and Aedan, had been pestering her all morning to get out of bed. For some strange reason she was not in the mood to go anywhere today. Perhaps it was the weather that caused her to feel weary. Her Mabari, Dantos, noticed her mood as no other could. He remained calm so far as he walked by her side while Catherine went towards her room. She sat down at the vanity and looked in the mirror. It showed a lovely young lady, with chestnut colored hair. Her eyes were as green as a field of grass embraced by the light of the sun.

Slowly I picked up my brush and combed my hair. It was still wet from the rain and part of me wondered why I even bothered. A little smile showed on my face. Who was I kidding. I always did whatever I wanted. Much to my parents dismay. Without knocking, Aedan ran into my room while screaming out my name. I put down my brush and turned around, a bit surprised by the volume of his voice. Dantos suddenly jumped up and happily started running around Aedan.

"Calm down boy." I told Dantos while I bursted out in laughter. "What's the matter that you need to scream my name so loud?" I finally asked my brother.

"Catherine! Are you coming? We always train around this time." he said, this time more calmly. He had to catch his breath every now and then and I could only assume he had been running around to find me. I looked outside the window and the weather hadn't improved yet. I groaned.

"Oh don't be like that. Really. You shouldn't let the weather stop you. It's just water. Now come!" he said as he dragged me away from my vanity. It's a good thing I had my armor on! Dantos decided to join us as well.

"You're already late as it is. Move sister!" I freed myself from his grip and walked with him towards the training grounds. Fergus was already working on his training. Oren and Oriana were watching from a distance so they wouldn't get wet by the rain.

"They got it all worked out. Watching safe and sound and more important, dry." I said.

"You can't blame them." Aedan started laughing. "Really sister, do not stall this any further. Get your daggers." I took my two favorite daggers in my hands and twirled them around.

"Okay. I'm ready. Dantos, go sit with Oren" When the Mabari was with my nephew, who immediately started hugging the huge Mabari, my focus went to Aedan. I concentrated on his posture, how he was moving, what his hands were doing, where his eyes were going. I took in everything and then the training started. He melted into the shadows and I closed my eyes. I almost couldn't feel the air shifting around me. Even better was the sound of his boots. It wasn't loud, but I could hear them still. I struck behind me and he blocked it with his own daggers and smiled.

"Good Sis."

"You should try to be more silent." I told him while he kept on charging me.

"What's the fun of that, eh? I'd be beating you over and over again would I do that."

"As if." I replied as I charged back at him. A fight between rogues could either be over fast or could take a long time. With all the melting into the shadows and the quickness both possessed this would completely be about stamina.

"And not to forget you're a woman. It's a surprise you came this far with fighting already." he joked. He was trying to get to me and the second I would give in he would win.

"Shut up and just train will you?" Fergus suddenly said. He stopped his own training to watch us. Fergus was trained as a warrior and at first he wanted to learn Aedan his skills as well. He was surprised when Aedan favored the daggers over a sword and shield and questioned him if he not wanted to protect his family with warrior skills. After all, should he fall himself, Aedan would have to take over his future duties. He would be in charge of the Teyrnir completely if their parents would also be gone. When he saw Aedan became good with his Rogue skills, just as his sister, he stopped talking about it and accepted that he would defend the teyrnir with his Rogue skills.

Aedan and I both lunged out to each other at the same time and we used the same move, causing the daggers to be at each others throat.

"That's a tie. Good fight guys. You both improved quite a bit!" Fergus said while his hand hit the back of my shoulder. I put my daggers away and smiled. Aedan couldn't hide his smile as well and shook my hand to officially call it a tie.

"Have you heard there is a Grey Warden in the Castle?" Aedan asked.

"Are you sure? What would a Grey Warden be searching here?" He lifted up his shoulders and left the training field, leaving me with Fergus.

"Forget the Warden, Catherine. We should continue training." With large eyes I looked at Fergus.

"Aedan just walked off, but I have to train?"

"Do you want to shut him up about you being female by winning from him?" he whispered while he gave a wink. I smiled and nodded. The rest of the morning I spent training with my older brother. His style of fighting was completely different, but he had some great tips which I could use well. The training had tired me when we finished, but it also felt good. I went back in my room and filled up the tub so I could take a bath. Once I was undressed I slowly stepped in the hot water. The moment my whole body was embraced by the warmth of the water, I relaxed. Unfortunately for me, that feeling didn't last long as it got interrupted by knocking on my door.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"Auntie!" I grunted at that word. "It's Oren! May I come in?"

"No Oren. I am taking a bath. Go to your mother, I will see you when I'm finished all right?"

"Okay!" he said and I heard his little feet run away. I closed my eyes and my thoughts drifted off.

"Catherine!" My eyes shot open by the person who was at the door, knocking loud.

"What!"

"Come out, please. Father wishes to talk to us." Great timing, Aedan.

"Give me a minute. I'll be there." No response was given and I stepped out of the tub to dry myself. When I had my armor on, I stepped outside to find Aedan waiting for me. He sighed and we walked towards the Great Hall where we had to meet Father. When we opened the door he was talking to Arl Howe. Briefly I wondered what he was doing here when Aedan decided to push feathers down father's bottom.

"Father, I got Catherine just as you requested." he nodded and looked at me. I raised an eyebrow and the corners of his mouth moved up a bit.

"Howe, I'm sure you remember my children? Aedan and Catherine."

"Of course Bryce. It's hard to forget your skillful twins." he said with a grin. Something was off here.

"My son, Thomas, asked after you, Catherine. Maybe I should bring him on our next visit." Aedan started laughing and I threw my elbow in his ribcase.

"I have no interest in an arranged marriage." I simply told him. This was something he did not like too much as his mood quickly changed. Father continued asking Aedan and me to take care of the Castle while he was gone. Fergus was to go to Ostagar along with him.

"What? We can't go with you?" Aedan asked.

"We're trained good enough to join the fight father!" I continued.

"I know you both are pup, but this is not to be taken lightly. This is your responsibility as a Cousland. Do as I ask."

"Yes, father." We both said while we shot an annoyed look at each other. When he brought up the Grey Warden he caught my interest. I shot a look at him and he knew I was listening more closely now.

"As I said, Catherine, I would like you both to meet Duncan of the Grey Wardens. The Warden stepped in the room and nodded respectfully at father and then to us. I slightly dipped into a courtesy while Aedan slightly bowed.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Duncan of the Grey Wardens." Father frowned at us and couldn't hold back on checking our lessons.

"I assume you've been thought who the Grey Wardens are?"

"They're an order of great warriors, father." We both replied at the same time. He chuckled and nodded. Duncan was worried though and explained he believed we were about the face a Blight. This brought him straight to the reason why he was here in the castle.

"Duncan will check Ser Gilmore's skills so he might become a Grey Warden."

"If I might be so bold, my Lord. Your twins would be a great addition to our order as well." Father's face suddenly became paler while he moved in front of us.

"I have not so many children, Duncan. I'd rather not see them all off to battle. Unless you intend to invoke them into your order, that is."

"Of course not, my Lord." Duncan replied.

"But..."

"Father!" He looked at us with the 'do not continue that sentence' look and walked towards the fire.

"You can talk to Duncan at dinner. Leave us to our conversation now, please." he seriously said. Aedan and I walked out of the room.

"Did you hear that?" Aedan started. "He is interested in us! Can you imagine! Me and you as Grey Wardens! Living a glorious life!" he said as his eyes were cast at the sky which was now clearing up.

"Mhm." was al I replied as I started walking aimlessly. When I walked around the corner, Ser Gilmore stopped us.

"My Lady, your Mabari has gone in the larder driving Nan crazy. Your mother requests you get him out immediately."

"I'm sure that can wait..."

"I'm sorry my Lady, but you're mother insists this is taken care off immediately."

"Have fun, sis. I'll be at Fergus when you're looking for me. We still need to say goodbye before he leaves. Don't forget to come once Dantos is out the larder." I looked at Aedan while he walked off and made my way to the larder. Ser Gilmore was in a chatty mood.

"My Lady, did I hear correctly that there is a Grey Warden in the Castle?"

"Maybe." I said with a grin.

"Please, my Lady, do not torture me so! Is this true? Is there a Warden here?"

"Yes, Ser Gilmore. Actually, I just met him."

"Really? Why is he here? Is he going to test me?"

"I'm not certain if I should be the one to tell you." I said while I shot a look at him. He blushed a little, but waited unpatiently on my answer. "Yes, he is." I finally said.

He looked in front of him with the largest smile I'd ever seen on someone. He was so proud to be tested by the Warden.

"Let's get Dantos out first shall we?" When we walked in the larder Nan was shouting at our Elven servants. In the meantime Dantos was making a huge mess of the larder. It sounded that way at least.

I walked towards Nan and when she saw me and Ser Gilmore the Elves quickly ran off to do their job.

"You! That damn dog of you ran into the larder again! Get him off or Maker knows what I'll do to him!"

"Easy Nan. I will get him out and make sure he won't bother you again."

"He better not! That damn dog is more trouble than he's worth!" she said while she started cooking dinner. I opened the door of the larder and saw Dantos barking against the walls. I looked at the wall he was angry with and saw nothing. Yet I knew he wasn't like this for no reason.

"What's wrong boy? What did you find?" Suddenly giant rats walked across the room. He seemed to have a genuine reason to be in the larder this time! While Dantos chased after the rats, me and Ser Gilmore killed them as well. When all the rats appeared the be dead Ser Gilmore left me and Dantos to talk to Nan. As much as she pretended to dislike the Mabari she did spoil him with meat she had left. I petted Dantos his head and decided to go towards Fergus. Once I was outside the sun was starting to come through the clouds. This could be a good day after all, I thought to myself.