Chapter 1: The Cousland Daughter
Denerim, the capital city of Fereldan. It had been a few months since the final battle of the Blight nearly destroyed everything, but now, the bells rang out, the Chant of light was heard throughout the city, nobles from Orlais, Nevarra, The Free Marches and the Banns and Arls of Fereldan gathered, for the wedding of Maric's long lost son and the Hero who defeated the Archdemon and saved the country.
The bride, Elizabeth Cousland waited, handmaidens and Leliana waited with her.
"Stop trembling so much Lizzy" Leliana said with a comforting arm on her friends shoulder, she brushed a long silver strand away and corrected a flower in her hair. Elizabeth wore a beautiful white wedding gown, it hugged her body and complimented her figure. It sat under her bust and her snowy hair was left loose and hung past her back, filled with red flowers. She was a stunning young woman of 21.
"I feel so nervous, look at all of them" she said glancing out of the window, high up in the palace of the city.
"All of them will wish they looked as beautiful as you"
"Thank you Leliana, thank you for being here"
"That's what best friends are for no" the red head said happily and sweetly
"Do I deserve this happiness?"
"Lizzy"
The young woman stared at the floor; it was so long ago but the screams and the blood on her hands. Her father's blood pooling around her, her mother insisting she leave them behind. Leliana hugged her and Elizabeth cried again, she always spoke so fondly about her wedding day with her parents and how her father always joked he wished the day never came because it would take his darling pup away from him, Fergus teasing anyone that would marry her, he'd personally beat them up. Their whole lives revolved around her, their little princess, she missed them so much, she missed her mother's face and walking arm in arm with her through the gardens. Training with her father and then hugging him, that kiss he gave her on her cheek. She stared at her hands, she brought the blade down through Howe's chest in a mad rage, she stabbed repeatedly and then she screamed out and cried, her body shook like a leaf, the blood on her hands and leather armor and her beautiful silver hair was stained crimson. She felt disgusted with herself, she vomited heavily in a corner and Leliana rubbed her back.
"Mama, Papa...it's over" she said out loud and then screamed again, crying heavily. The emotions she had kept inside seeing Howe again, she finally let it all out.
Afterwards, at Arl Eamons Estate, there was one other who comforted her out of her traumatised state, holding her in his arms.
Alistair waited at the altar, his royal robes of red and gold. He coughed and swayed on the spot, brushing away at his robes and whistling. He took a deep breath and exhaled as a servant stood in shock at the end of the hall. Fergus appeared and a white sleeved hand took his.
Fergus could feel how nervous his little sister was, her body trembled "don't be so nervous little sister, this is your special day" he said comforting her
Reaching the altar, Alistair stared wide eyed at his bride. Fergus bowed before Alistair who bowed back, she turned to her brother and surprising everyone in the room, she hugged him tightly "I love you brother!" Fergus chuckled at her and then held her close "I love you too sister"
Brother and sister hugged for a while and the Revered Mother moved to mention something to Alistair who lifted his hand stopping her, Fergus and Elizabeth pressed their foreheads together, eyes closed and hand in hand.
"You will always be my little sister and I will always love you"
Alistair took her hand gently in his and as she ascended the steps slowly, Teagen remembered the first time he ever met her in her scale armor, when those nightmarish corpses attacked the town of Redcliffe. The golden sword hung from her back and her silvery hair hung past her back and she was so young, she didn't look older than 20, she looked dirty from long travel and dark rings had formed under her eyes. A great sadness in her pretty blue eyes but showed every quality the Couslands were so well known for.
8 months ago
The night after that Eamon awoke from his illness, Isolde insisted that the handmaidens and servants wash Elizabeth; she was covered in sweat and dirt and her silver hair had lost it shine. From the bath, she held her arms over her breasts and her long silver hair loose, the girl's poured warm water over her. Walking past and noticing the door left half open, as if he was pulled forward by a spell, he froze, captivated by the sight, her skin glistening and her white hair glowing in the pale light.
"Milady" an elven handmaiden whispered to Elizabeth, gazing over her shoulder she noticed Alistair watching her. He turned away, glanced in her eyes once more and left. There was something there in his eyes and holding up her hair above her head, she licked her lips and her breathing slightly quickened. Rising from the bath, she wrapped herself in the towel and dried herself, she was given a clean corset and underwear, the handmaidens brushed her hair as Elizabeth turned the rose in her hand, brushing the soft velvety petals. They dressed her in a long flowing light gold gown that showed her cleavage and her hair was soft and light again.
"Milady is very beautiful, if I may say so" an elven servant complimented her.
"thank you, it is very kind of you" she replied kindly
Alistair waited outside and then knocked and entered, he looked around at the girls in the room then at Elizabeth.
"Ah, there you are"
"Give us some privacy, please girls" Elizabeth asked them firmly.
They bowed and left quickly, the last one blushing as she passed Alistair.
"Well I'm sure that there will be gossiping about us"
"Let them, this is the kind of romance little girls dream of" she said softly and got up from her seat, the breeze sweeping at her gown. Elizabeth was still so young, she had just turned 21 and she was so very beautiful, Bryce had to contend with many suitors that wished to court his only daughter, he always told her she would be married but whoever she was betrothed to, it was her choice. There were many other noble girls but it seemed that the knights always seemed to be interested in her, her long silver hair, her bright blue eyes, the shy smile and on the cusp of womanhood, her figure had become shapely and her breasts had grown large. Eleanor admired her daughter with pride, not only in her looks but how strong willed and kind she was.
"Yes, those same girls, they mothered a bastard like me" he said sarcastically, brushing his hands through his blonde locks, walking over to the balcony, he stared out deeply into the night "why couldn't you live a better life, so much violence"
"I'm not in this alone you know"
"Ah yes, you have your trusty dog, an assassin that wanted to kill you, a crazy chantry sister and there's Morrigan"
She laughed and joined him on the balcony "and what about you, are you there for me?"
"I was there when you choked during you're joining"
"Alistair"
The moon rose now, her bright blue eyes sparkling.
"What is it?" he asked flustered, he let their hands go and instead wrapped his arms around her holding her close to him, his hands lost in her hair, her warm body against his.
"Kiss me" she told him, she felt weak but protected in his arms and she wanted his love, she wanted to be with him tonight.
Inquisition love theme
He stared at her, her expression caused him to widen his eyes.
"I want you to kiss me, I can't keep my passions locked away anymore, I don't care what Wynne or anyone else says because I love you Alistair and...I saw the way you looked at me while I bathed, I saw the lust and passion in your eyes, I know you feel the same way I do, I know it's scary but to be so young and in love but when I feel like this I know I can do anything, as long as it's with you" she was trembling, she was nervous and she was frightened at her feelings but she also loved it, the burning desire inside her, she stroked his arm and she had never been more certain of anything, she was in love with him.
Alistair kissed her passionately, his arms around her and because he was taller than her, she stood on his toes reaching up to his face; the sweet fragrance on her skin filled his nose. Opening her mouth, their tongues met and she made a soft moan, he held her closer to him and letting passion drive them, they backed slowly to the bed. Elizabeth quickly lifted his robe off and she brushed her hands over his muscular chest. She reclined below him, he moved her gown off her shoulders kissing her neck and lower to her chest, she took his hand and placed it on her breast and he paused
"What's wrong?" she asked frowning
"I've never done this with anyone before"
"You need to relax Alistair" she told him calmly and taking his right hand, she ran it up her leg, Alistair breathed out as his desire filled him, she was perfect and she was right, he wanted her after seeing her bathe, he wanted every bit of her, her lips, her smooth and soft skin.
Kissing him passionately, he pulled her gown over her legs and kissed her flat stomach, removing the last of their clothing and a bright red blush formed on her cheeks.
"I don't want to hurt you"
"You won't"
He went inside her and gasping, her arms stretched to the sheets. Slowly he thrust in her and she shouted out in pain as he reached the bone inside her.
"Am I hurting you?"
Shaking her head, he moved further inside her, the blood ran down her leg as her maidenhood was given to Alistair, tears ran down her cheeks, moving away she held onto him and a face mixed with pain, terror and passion, she insisted that he stay. Their tongues met in a kiss and he thrust in a smooth slow rhythm, she gave long shallow breaths as he made love to her, she clawed at the linens, taking her hand he locked his hands with hers, her fingers pressing into his as her pleasure rose. She moaned deeper and quicker now, he groaned as he quickened his pace. As they made love, he stared in her eyes. She seemed so delicate and fragile, her skin was so soft and smooth as he ran his hands along her legs, her lips where sweet and her hands fit so perfectly in his. She had always wondered what making love would feel like, connecting with someone through body and soul. At the age of 16, she often snuck into the library late into the night when Aldous was in his deepest sleep. Sitting close to a candle light, she blushed at the illustrations of men and woman in intricate poses.
She breathed heavily as he collapsed next to her, and then turned his face to hers, a red blush on her cheeks.
"Don't leave me alone, I don't want to face this dark world without you"
"I am never leaving you, I love you"
The next morning at breakfast, the two sat next to each other, hand in hand and staring into each other's eyes, she brushed his cheek. He kissed her cheek and she shyly giggled, putting his hand on her waist.
"Oh for shits sakes, would you two stop it already, Tis most sickening to watch!" Morrigan complained in anger
Wynne watched the couple intently, the way they looked at each other.
In the afternoon, she sparred with her family sword, Alistair watched her a little further up the hill.
Wiping her forehead with her arm, she leaned against the fence and unable to hold himself back, he marched to her and kissed her again. Leliana smiled warmly at the two, wiping away a tear. He lifted Elizabeth high into the air.
Wynne couldn't deny it anymore, Alistair and Elizabeth where madly and deeply in love.
...
"O Maker, we ask you on this day to bless these two to be married and joined in body and spirit" The Revered mother began, Elizabeth and Alistair, hand in hand glanced at each other smiling, they where the picture of bliss and hope, a stunning bride and a handsome king.
"The bride is such a beauty" a young man of the Trevelyan family mentioned out loud, the youngest and a pretty 17 year old girl watched in awe. She admired the young bride, she was short and struggled to see, her brother Marco lifted her onto his broad shoulders.
"The king looks so handsome" Evelyn told him
"He does doesn't he, one day you might meet a man just as handsome Evie" he told her kindly
"I hope I do" the 16 year old said happily
"Do you Elizabeth Cousland take Alistair Theirin to be your husband, to cherish and love, through sickness and in health and despair?"
"I do" she said smiling widely and slid the ring over his knuckle
"Do you Alistair Theirin take Elizabeth to be your wife, to cherish her, protect her, and love her with all your soul and body and in the ages to come?"
"I do" he answered proudly and slid the ring over her finger, Fergus beamed at his little sister
Lifting a gold cloth and placing it over Elizabeths shoulders, she knelt down on one knee and everyone in the room gasped again as the Revered mother held the crown high above the brides head.
"And so two families become one, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife and a Queen of Fereldan!" the room erupted into thunderous cheer as Elizabeth rose and Alistair kissed his wife in a romantic and passionate kiss. Fergus clapped happily for his sister, cherishing that she could feel so happy once again.
...
10 years later
Elizabeth trudged through the rain, into the west.
The calling the Wardens called it, but it had only been 10 years since the Blight. Food didn't taste the same, the breeze in the gardens and the smell of flowers was no longer pleasant. Being with her children no longer granted her the peaceful serenity she felt with them and making love with Alistair, that one moment she cherished so much with her husband, the passion and the pleasure was gone.
"I have to go Alistair, if Fiona was able to rid herself of the taint and Avernus in Wardens Keep, I can't take it anymore, if I can't make love to you or cherish the moments with our children, all I feel is agony" she said in a shaky voice but she stood firm.
"I don't want you to go on your own, please let me go with you"
"Don't argue with me, you are King and you can't leave, don't make this harder than it already is"
"You're my Queen; I can't do this without you"
"Papa, is mother going somewhere?" Maric asked curiously, rubbing his eyes
"Oh no" Elizabeth pressed her eyes closed trying to hold back the tears "Maric sweetheart, go upstairs to your sister"
"But why is Mummy leaving?"
"Darling, please go to your sister" her voice was trembling, she knew if Maric had woken from bed then
Arianna emerged in the doorway carrying a small teddybear in her arms and ran to her mother.
"I got you, Mummy I caught you!" the little girl shouted out in glee, holding onto her mother's leg. The tears ran down her cheeks as she grabbed her daughter into a hug
"I love you so much"
"Mummy we don't want you to go"
"Darling I have to, it's something I have to do" her voice was shaking so terribly and her body was trembling again, something she did when she felt great sadness or nervous.
"But, no you can't go, we love you, don't go please mummy!" the little boy cried out, both Maric and Arianna starting crying now, Alistair knew how difficult it, she held her children so tightly.
She kissed her son and daughter, and gently letting go of their little hands, she hurried out of the main hall. Balancing herself against the massive doors, she cried, she held her hands to her eyes, sliding down the door. It took every ounce of her strength to part herself from her children.
...
Elizabeth lay in the bed of the tavern in a far away village, wide awake. The rain of the storm outside battered the windows but at least the bed was warm and a large fire burned in the fireplace. The inn was quiet and no one bothered her, they only thought of her as a passing knight. Her silver hair which was once so long was cut short and the Cousland family sword gleamed against the dancing embers of the fire.
She turned over and stroked the empty spaces next to her, where her children and husband would have been. She covered her eyes with her arm as tears ran down her cheeks and she cried, missing her family dearly.