"Fergus, father wanted me to send a message," I called, interrupting yet another of his 'romantic' speeches to his wife, Oriana "He wants you and our men to go to Ostagar without him. Howe's warriors have not arrived yet"

Just at that moment our parents entered the room, and my frustration towards father increased.

"Father, if you were going to come here anyway, why didn't you send off the message yourself?" I spat through my clenched mouth, and realised immediately that I was way too annoyed at such a small thing.

"And miss both of my children in the same room before one goes away?" Father replied gleefully, and gestured for a hug. I saw his reasoning and hugged him.

"I still wish I could join you in the battle... " I half-whispered, with my last ray of hope.

"You need to stay here, pup, and you know why," He replied, and I pouted, but he just shook his head to confirm what was said before. I gave up onto that motion and turned towards Fergus.

"Goodbye, brother," I couldn't even look him in the eye as I said it, and just patted my mabari, Ted's head. So many emotions were going through me. Anger, towards both my mother and father, for disallowing me to join Father and Fergus at Ostagar, and also at father for disallowing Duncan to recruit me into the Wardens. Duncan said himself that I was born a fierce warrior and would be a great aid to the blight. But father has good intentions, I suppose. Also great worry, for Fergus. Wondering if he will survive battling the darkspawn. I know he is capable, but you never know.. But, strangely enough, great joy. Howe's men have not yet arrived, meaning father and, hopefully, Howe will not leave yet. Meaning less time for father to be away, and more time to get to know Howe. He's been a family friend of ours for years but I never seem to get a chance to speak to him. I'm hoping I'll get that chance soon.

Me and Ted returned to my bedroom for a night's rest. It's all I could do. I couldn't bear to be in the presence of Fergus for much longer. I was too worried about him. Which was rather hypocritical of me, considering I wanted to fight. I just decided to have some sleep, there and then. Maybe I would feel better in the morning, once Fergus had gone. I could even have a chat with Duncan, or Howe. That would be interesting...

I awoke with the sound of Ted barking at the door of my room and growling. It was still dark out - he had no reason to wake me.

"Shut up! You stupid hound.." I scolded. He whimpered and pawed at the door. I suddenly heard fighting outside. Fighting... in the castle? I instantly got up and shoved on my armour. Weapon and shield in my hands, just in case. Ted started growling again. I wondered who was attacking the castle.

Before I could open the door, a man, probably one of the servants ran into my bedroom.

"My lady, help me! The castle is under attack!" He screamed, right before he was shot in the back with an arrow. Dead. They were killing people? I quickly ran out of the room, ready to attack. Ted was at my side, fighting also. I instantly charged for the killer of the nameless servant, showing no mercy. I plunged my sword into his chest, and he was dead. He was accompanied by two others, both with swords and shields. Ted was already attacking one, so I headed for the other. The battle between us went nowhere at first, as he blocked each of my attacks with his shield. He never attacked me once. He was frightened - I saw the look in his eyes. He would not dare attack me. I stopped for a slight second, to confuse him. He did not attack me in my sudden show of weakness, only backed off a little. I then struck him hard on the arm carrying his shield, which he instantly dropped, leaving a deep cut in his arm. He also instantly dropped his sword, grabbing onto his arm for dear life. Wrong move. I plunged my sword into his chest, as I did with the other man, showing no mercy. I looked over to Ted. He had finished with the other warrior, leaving obvious bite marks into his corpse.

I grabbed one of their shields and studied the crest on it. It was the crest of Howe. Arl Howe... Arl Howe, of all people, did this to us? His men were late on purpose! And my father, of all people.. his friend from childhood! Howe will pay for this... No matter what happens now, Howe will pay.

Suddenly, my mother appeared at my side, wearing her old armour and carrying a bow and a few arrows.

"Elissa! Thank The Maker you're safe," She smiled slightly, and hugged me.

"Have you seen these crests? This is the work of Arl Howe!" I instantly raged. Mother nodded and sighed in despair.

"I always had suspicions about Howe, but they were never confirmed until now.. but nevermind that, we need to find your father," I nodded in agreement. We could not dwell for long. More of Howe's men could come upon us at any point.

"Where to?"

"Check Fergus' room. If Howe went there first... I fear the worst," I nodded. The room was only across from mine, and we opened the door quickly, to find two dead bodies lying on the floor.

Oriana and Oren.

My sister-in-law, and my nephew, both dead.

"No! We were too late..." My mother cried, and I joined her. I didn't care much for Oriana but Oren.. he was such a sweet, innocent boy.. and he was dead. A child, not even reached his ninth birthday. Dead. Howe killed innocent children...

"They mean to destroy us all..." I half whispered. Mother nodded.

"We have to get out of here. At least... you have to get out of here," Mother said, clearly disturbed. I nodded, unsure of what to say. I left the room, and Mother followed.

We fought our way towards the main hall, where father might be. Surprisingly, many of Howe's men were like the second man I killed. As if they didn't want to be there.. or at least didn't want to fight me. Needless to say, these fights were relatively easy. Others were harder, but they acted as if they were fighting for their lives, rather than being the ones attacking us. Rather odd. When we reached the main hall I ended up having very few scars, as did Mother and Ted.

We found many knights holding the doors, preventing the majority of Howe's men getting in. Ser Gilmore, an honorable knight and good friend of mine, was giving orders.

"Your Ladyship! My Lady! You're both alive!" He exclaimed, in slight shock. "I was certain Howe's men had gotten through,"

"They did get through!" I almost yelled, in anger. "They killed Oriana - And Oren! Oren!"

"Well I thank The Maker that you two aren't harmed.." He sighed, "The main entrance is surrounded. If you have another way of getting out, I suggest you use it - And quickly. We will keep Howe's men out as long as we can, but it's only a matter of time.."

I nodded, in agreement "Do you know anything on Father's whereabouts?" I asked, trying to be calm.

"When I last saw the Teyrn, he was gravely injured. He said he was heading towards the servant's exit - looking for you. I urged him not to go, but he was determined to find you," He frowned slightly, as if to show his upset, without letting it control him.

"Then we have to move quickly. Bless you Ser Gilmore. Maker watch over you," Mother added

"Maker watch over us all" Gilmore said rushedly, and ran to the main entrance to join what little of our men were left to hold the doors shut. Me and mother had to get to the kitchen, to the servant's exit, and quickly.

We fought our way to the kitchen. The fights were much like before, many of the men scared of us. I wonder how they thought they'd take over. Maybe they thought their luck was in numbers.

Unfortunately, they thought correctly.

We found father just beside the servant's exit, lying on the floor, in a pool of blood.

"There... you both are..." He squirmed exhaustedly. We immediately rushed to his side.

"Maker's blood what's happening! You're bleeding!" Mother commented, worriedly. I couldn't say anything - I was too in shock at the sight of my father like this.

"Howe's men... found me first... almost did me in, right there..," Father explained, barely catching a breath. I was surprised he was even alive..

"How did you survive? How did you get here?" I immediately rushed in, needing to know everything.

"Duncan... helped me... brought me here..." He explained, then cried out in pain.

"Bryce!" Mother cried, wishing this was a dream. Wishing he was okay.

"I may... not make it through..." He sighed in desperation.

"Don't say that! We can find you healing magic!" Mother replied, desperately looking for solutions.

"What Bryce said, is true," Duncan said, just entering the room now. "He would not make it through. Even if we got him out of here, chances are Howe's men would find us and kill him before we could get a chance to escape,"

"No!" Mother sobbed, and I joined her. Father would die... one way or another. He was in too much pain to comment.

"I can make one way for you and your daughter to survive, but there is a price I must ask. I am not completely charitable," Duncan offered.

"I... understand..." Bryce barely said. I was confused.

"What... do you mean?" I asked, probably looking a bit naive.

"What is happening here pails in comparison to the evil now loose in this world. I came to this castle seeking a recruit. And I believe.. I have found one worthy," Duncan explains, looking directly at me.

"So... You want me? As a recruit? A Grey Warden?" I would've been happier before but given the circumstances... no one would blame me.

"Yes," Duncan replied bluntly. "We should leave soon,"

I stood up to leave, waiting for mother. "I... am staying here. With Bryce," she exclaimed, determined.

"No..." father squealed, but mother wasn't giving up.

"I will kill every last bastard that tries to kill you. I will not give up," she exclaimed. Tears welled up in my eyes.

"But you'll die!" I almost yelled, but then remembered someone may hear us.

"Protecting the one I love," Mother finished for me. "I love you, darling," She hugged me one last time.

Sorrow filled Duncan's eyes. "We should leave soon," he explained, "Whilst we still have time,"

"I... understand," I sighed in despair. I couldn't say anything else. Not... anything. At that moment me and Duncan left, with no words from me towards my parents, who may soon be dead. I left, following Duncan, into my new life.