Authors Notes: This is an AU DAO story. King Maric abdicated the throne due to injury, making Cailan the King. This is pre-Blight.


Lady Cousland's Spirit

Aurelia Cousland sat on her bed in the royal palace, groaning at the thought of such a long and boring visit. She was going to be introduced to a number of boys, the very boys she has said no to before and whom she'll say no to again. Aurelia walked over to the window, looking down to see Loghain and King Cailan sparring in the grounds, it surprised her somewhat, she didn't think the Teyrn and the King got on, apparently for sparring they did, Aurelia suspected Loghain tolerated Cailan for Maric's sake. She watched intently at the Teyrn, for a man of his advanced years, he was quite agile and still rather handsome.

The door to her room opened, revealing Delilah Howe and Habren Bryland, Aurelia cocked her head towards the window, causing both girls to rush to her side, "There's Ser Gilmore, I told you he was very handsome," Aurelia said as she moved out on to the balcony.

Delilah joined Aurelia on the balcony, admiring the fine form of all the men below her "Oh, what a shame you can't marry him, Aura."

Aurelia sighed deeply, "Yes, he would have been a good husband, but I'm stuck with boys I have no interest in."

Habren eventually joined them, "What about dear Nathaniel?"

"I thought you liked him." Aurelia replied.

"Is that why you have turned him down twice?"

Aurelia chuckled, "Yes, Nathaniel would a good match for you."

Delilah lent over the stone railings to get a better look at the action below, "Do none of them take your fancy, Aura?"

"No they don't, I want an older more worldly-wise husband."

"Like who?" Delilah innocently asked.

Habren turned to look at her friends, a devilish smirk on her pretty features, "Teyrn Loghain?"

Delilah laughed heartily, "Really Aura, you can do better than that, what about Bann Teagan."

"Habren just made that up. Besides, Father already rejected Bann Teagan in favour for Nathaniel," Aurelia said with an air of resentment.

Aurelia heard the bedroom door open, a familiar voice called for her, "Aurelia darling, you in here?"

"Yes mother, I'm on the balcony," Aurelia replied.

Eleanor walked out into the balcony accompanied by 4 attractive women, "My Darling, this is Bann Alfstanna, Bann Reginalda, Lady Landra and Lady Isolde."

"It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance," Aurelia bowed to the women.

"Daughter, what are you doing out here?" Eleanor asked, knowing exactly what the girls were doing, smiling inside.

Delilah giggled behind Aurelia, her amusement at the flush on her friend's cheeks, poorly disguised, "We are watching the men spar, your Ladyship."

"Oh," Eleanor said with a slight smirk, "Who is sparring now?"

Aurelia looked down to see Loghain and Cailan still sparring. Aurelia desperately wanted to point out Loghain had a weak spot, but she decided to stay quiet for now, "Loghain and Cailan," She said.

"Well," Eleanor said as she leaned over the stone railings to get a better view, "It would be extremely rude of us to ignore such admirable sword play."

Aurelia smiled brightly at her mother, standing next to her at the railings.


A group of men massed to watched the Teyrn and the King sparring furiously. A short, sharp, suggestive whistle, sounded about above them.

Cailan laughed heartily, "It seems we have an audience," Cailan waved at Loghain to stop as he looked up at the balcony, "I hope we are entertaining you beautiful ladies."

"Oh yes, we are most entertained, your grace," Delilah felt a flush burn across her cheeks.

Aurelia smiled mischievously, her chance to cause mischief had presented itself to her, "My dear Teyrn, I feel I should I should point out, you repeatedly expose your left side to attack. A sword to the side would be deeply unpleasant would it not? Further more, it doesn't say much about our dear King, that he hasn't noticed such a weakness."

Maric howled with laughter, "Loghain, I do believe the lovely Lady has a point. What have you been teaching this girl, Bryce?"

Bryce laughed, he knew he shouldn't, but he adored his daughter's spirited nature, "Only what she wants to learn, which happens to be everything."

Cailan turned his attention back to Aurelia, "My lady, would you be so kind to teach this old dog new tricks?" He asked, pointing to Loghain.

Aurelia chuckled, "My good King, you know what they say about old dogs and new tricks."

Most of the men failed to contain their laughter, Arl Eamon particularly struggled, "Bryce, my good man, your daughter is a genuine treasure."

Bryce smiled with blooming pride, for she was a treasure, he hoped that her future husband would encourage her spirit.

"My dear Lady, why not come down here and teach Loghain how to spar," Maric smirked at a glaring Loghain. Maric did this purely for fun, he knew Loghain had desires for Teyrn Bryce's daughter.

"It would be a pleasure, your grace," Aurelia said before disappearing from the balcony to get changed.

Moments later, Aurelia appeared in the courtyard, Cailan smiled at her knowingly, "Go easy on him my dear, he's old now."

Aurelia chuckled, "I'll show him how a Lady fights," Aurelia watched as Loghain drew his sword up prepared, "My dear Teyrn, my father told me never to draw a sword on an Ally, but he never said anything about fists."

Maric clapped his hands together in glee, "Loghain, armour off, the Lady wants a fist fight."

"I could hurt her," Loghain protested.

Fergus scoffed, "Says a man who's never been on the receiving end of my sister's fists.

"Very well," He replied with an exasperated sigh.

Loghain and Aurelia stalked each other in a circle, both weighing each other up, studying each other. They got closer, Aurelia threw an experimental punch, testing his reflexes. For such a big man, he was rather light on his feet, luckily for Aurelia, she was even lighter.

Loghain watched the pretty red-head stalk him with a look of a huntress going for her prey. She was a determined young thing, strong and capable, Loghain was under no doubt, she would be a formidable opponent. She was also achingly beautiful to look at, desired by most men in the kingdom to be a wife for their sons, only she has turned them all down. At 19, she still had time to consider her options, he would willingly marry her, but Bryce had already rejected a proposal from him. Not even a good word from the former King Maric or his son King Cailan could sway Bryce into giving his blessing.

Loghain felt a sharp pain in his jaw, the girl certainly had a fierce hand, she got him without him even realizing it, a smug, triumphant smile displayed on her full pink lips.

Loghain felt smirking eyes on him, Maric no doubt, loving the fact that such a tiny young thing, had bruised him, he was gonna get Maric and that boy of his for this. Loghain struck out, connecting with the girl's chin, he watched as she fell, everyone stood still in shock as she laid on the floor. He was about to offer her his hand, but he felt a leg tangle with his own and yank upwards, he stumbled backwards, falling to the floor. He watched in half awe and half annoyance as Aurelia flipped herself upright in one swift movement, a deadly smirk thrown in his direction.

He got up snarling, he was gonna take this girl down, he struck out at her again, she avoided his fist expertly, jabbing him in his exposed left side before landing a blow on his already bruised right cheek. He fell backwards, landing on his back with a painful thump. The Audience that surrounded them, erupted in applause, "I told you my sister was tough," Fergus stated.

Aurelia wore a look of a triumph as the Teyrn struggled to get back up, "Am I to assume, I win, Teyrn Loghain?"

"For now, Lady Aurelia," Loghain watched as she addressed Maric and Cailan.

Maric laughed heartily with Aurelia, "My dear Lady, I've seen no Lady fight like that."

"That is how this lady fights," She replied offering her arm to Maric to help him back inside.

"My dear Aurelia, I fully understand why you're desired by many," Maric said as he admired her beauty.

"Yes and I turned them all down for you my lord," Aurelia chuckled giving the former King a gentle nudge.

"Oh you are a charmer, but I am old and no longer a King."

Aurelia smiled at him, warming his heart, "My lord, you did the right thing in abdicating, I don't mean for Ferelden, I mean for you."

"You are right my dear, will you sit with me at dinner?" He asked hopefully, "I enjoy talking with you."

"It would be an honour my lord. For now, I must get changed," Aurelia glanced back at Loghain, leaning close to Maric's ear, she whispered, "Take care of Loghain, he fell pretty hard."

Maric barked with laughter, he genuinely enjoyed the girl, she made him feel youthful again, he just had to work on Loghain, "I shall try to. I will see you again at dinner."

Aurelia nodded to Maric before taking her leave to get changed.


Aurelia arrive with her mother for dinner, Maric spotted her and point to a seat next to him. She smiled a little at being sat between Maric and Cailan, " Good evening, My Lord, Your Grace," She said as she sat down.

"Good evening my dear Aurelia, looking as lovely as ever," Maric replied leaning close to her, "Doesn't Teyrn Loghain look frightful?"

Aurelia struggled with her laughter, "I feel bad, it looks like I really did hurt him."

Maric scoffed, "You only hurt his pride dear."

"Better evacuate the palace then, my Lord."

Maric laughed heartily, "So my dear, Have you had any more thoughts about marriage."

Aurelia gave him a serious look, "I told you, I've been waiting for you," Maric and Aurelia shared a giggle between them, "No, I'm that keen to get married, all the ones I would have liked got rejected. Father wants me to marry Nathaniel Howe, I think he's a pig."

Maric looked at the young lad, "He certainly eats like one."

"He's also a man who thinks women should be seen and not heard, can you imagine me married to him?"

Maric felt his heart drop, he really would hate to see such a spirit married to such an oath, "No, I couldn't, you deserve a man who loves you for who you are."

"Thank you my Lord, that means a lot," Aurelia lent over to give Maric a kiss on the cheek.

Loghain watched the interaction between Maric and Aurelia, he felt a pang of jealousy, Aurelia acted so at ease with Maric. He wanted the girl, Maric knew he did and used it against him constantly. Soon she would be betrothed to some lecherous oath and he would have to watch them paw all over the girl. She really was a beauty, icy blue eyes that sparkled when she laughed, flame coloured hair, a smile that held your gaze, charm and wit. To Loghain she really was the perfect woman, much like Rowan, he saw a lot of Rowan in Aurelia, both had a rebellious spirit. Loghain realised that Maric obviously saw the same in Aurelia and enjoyed being with her.

Loghain decided to retire for the night, he was the not in the mood for company, especially not Arl Howe. He was an odious little man, who had an unhealthy interest in Aurelia.


Aurelia stood outside the window to Loghain's room, she couldn't believe she was actually going to break into his room and steal a part of his armour, but there was no way that Habren was winning this dare.

She jiggled the window to open it. She slipped in quietly, placing a candle down on a small table to give her some light, glancing over to the bed where a sleeping Loghain lay, the sheets wrapped tight around his waist, exposing his chest. She admired him, he looked handsome in his sleep when he didn't have that sneer on his face, his chest taut and defined with a few battle scars, downy black hair spread over his chest, missing in places where the scars had prevented regrowth.

Aurelia tore her eyes from the sleeping Teyrn to find his armour. She spotted his gauntlets hanging off the end of the bed, approaching the bed she reached out to grab them, not seeing the small box by her feet. She tripped landing on the bed with a bounce, she looked at Loghain, he moved but stayed asleep, she breathed a sigh of relief turning away to grab the gauntlets. As she moved to get off the bed, strong arms grabbed her, she let a girlie squeal when a very awake Loghain, pinned her underneath his naked body.

"Why, may I ask, are you sneaking around my room?" He asked, as he moved his in her thighs.

"Habren Bryland dared me to steal some of your armour," Aurelia replied, trying to ignore the sensation in her groin. She whimpered as his hardening length nudge at her thighs, she regretted wearing just her robe to his room, one movement and she could be naked underneath him, although the idea was not an unpleasant one.

Loghain felt himself grow hard at the feel of the woman underneath him, she was warm and smelled of lavender. She whimpered as he moved against her, he had to have her, at least once, "I'll let you have the gauntlets, if you do something for me. Think of it as penance for bruising my face with your not so delicate hands."

"I...what would that be?" She stuttered, trying to disguise a groan threatening to escape. She felt her robe being undone, her breasts exposed to the hot sweaty skin of his chest, she whimpered again, her skin on fire, her groin aching for him. She rolled her hips against his, causing them both to groan.

"Tell me Aurelia, are you a virgin?" He asked, he suspected somehow that she wasn't.

"No, I lost it to Bann Loren's son," Aurelia replied, exploring his warm body with her hands.

"Good, I wouldn't want to hurt you," He smiled at her whimpering, she wanted him to be rough with her. He moved his hand in between her legs, he was surprised at her lack of hair.

She sensed his confusion, "Castle Mage gave me cream to remove the hair."

"Hmmmm, I think I prefer it," He probed deeper, groaning at her wetness, he found the tiny pink nub he was searching for. He rubbed it lazily with his deft fingers, listening to her soft groans. He took a hardened nipple into his mouth, massaging it with his tongue.

Aurelia felt her an orgasm slowly build as Loghain teased her with his fingers, she had to feel him inside of her, she couldn't wait any longer, "Please Teyrn Loghain, I need you," She begged.

He closed his eyes groaning, hearing her plead with him, sent more blood to his groin he could barely think straight, "Beg me again."

"Please, I need you inside of me," She whimpered again, wrapping her legs around his waist.

Loghain felt his restraint ebb away, he grabbed her arms, pinning them above her head. He sheathed himself inside of her up to the hilt, both cried out with need. Loghain started slowly, letting her get used to him inside of her.

Aurelia wanted more, she want him to own her completely, "Please, I need you to own me," She looked at him with a dangerous smirk, "Like I owned you earlier.

Loghain growled, he had all the encouragement he needed and started pounding into her, she matched him thrust for thrust as she brought up her hips to meet his, both trying to gain dominance in their connection. Loghain pushed her thighs further apart, gaining deeper entry into her. She begged him for more, harder and faster, he couldn't help but acquiesce to her demands.

Aurelia felt her walls beginning to tense around his length, she felt like she was on fire, her body alight with sensations as she begged for more. She shivered and cried out his name as she came hard, her body shaking in the aftermath as she felt Loghain approaching his undoing.

Loghain felt her walls tense up around him, he groaned as her contracting walls brought his release rushing to the surface. He made a few more desperate thrusts as he spilled his seed into her, calling out her name in a strangled voice.

He settled his forehead on hers, chest to chest, as they waited for their breathing to return to normal. It occurred to him, that he never even kissed her, never tasted her delicate pink lips before he claimed her. He pressed his lips against hers, she tasted sweet, like honey. He licked her bottom to tease her mouth open, she eagerly let him in to taste her tongue, he groaned softly into her mouth, which she returned with a gentle laugh.

He reluctantly pulled out of her, moving to the empty space on the bed. She smiled at him as she snuggled into his arms, he knew she wouldn't be with him for the night, so he took whatever he could get.

Aurelia sighed, "I suppose I should go back to my room."

"Yes, you should, as much as I want you to stay, you shouldn't," He stroked her long red hair, smelling the flame coloured locks.

Aurelia moved herself from his warm embrace, "Will you have me again?"

"If it is what you desire," He watched her as she put her robe on, "Don't forget these," Loghain handed her his gauntlets. She smiled him, kissing him gently on the lips before she left via the window.

Loghain sighed, already missing her form in his arms, he knew he wouldn't have long with her, she would be betrothed soon and out of his reach. Until then, he would give her what she wanted. Damn her father for rejecting him as a potential husband.