kay Quick summary since the bio was so short, Elissa did not get recruited into the Warden's instead her Brother and Father left her in charge of the Castle and Howe did not attack them. Now the Blight has ended. Fergus is missing and Bryce is dead. Elissa steps up to rule over Highever. However, Eamon is adamant to get Alistair married as soon as possible. So the fun begins with a stubborn Elissa and an Alistair who has just lost the woman he thought he would be with forever, the Hero of Ferelden, who sacrificed herself to save him.
There is quiet a while before Alistair shows up in the story and it will probably end up being quite a long story. I will update as much as I can but this story seems to have caught my imagination and I want to do it justice. Anyway hope you all enjoy. I have to admit I miss Kali. Elissa is so mean sometimes :D.
The dress felt tight, too tight. Her hair was pulled too tight and was giving her a headache. The mid afternoon sun was shining bright in the blue sky. The brisk Fall wind caught a few stray hairs and brushed them over her red nose. Elissa stared down at the wooden coffin in front of her and let her mind completely shut down. She had no idea who was here. She knew most of the town had arrived but she never met their sad eyes.
She knew her Mother was somewhere in front of her but tunnel vision had set in. Even the thumping of her own heart and the rush of her blood through her ears was the only noise she heard.
Inside that light brown box her Father lay dead. The Dark Spawn had killed him when he and her Brother had travelled to Ostagar Months ago to kill Dark Spawn with the old King. Elissa let the tear roll down her pale cheek as she remembered the day her Father's body had been returned to them. A horse drawn carriage had pulled into the main gates of the Castle. Of course a messenger had been sent ahead of the carriage. Elissa could still picture her Mother collapsing to her knees in the dry dirt in front of the carriage. Her screams of agony as her heart broke.
Her Brother had not been found amongst the dead. Until a body was returned to them no one of Cousland family believed him dead.
A bard began singing a sad song in a language Elissa did not understand. It forced her vision to grow. Looking up she saw her Mother sitting in a chair that had been placed beside the coffin just for her. Her body shook violently as one agonizing sob followed another. One of her hands was resting on the coffin as if seeking comfort from the man who had been with her her entire life.
Being the only child still here Elissa stepped forward and rested her hand on her Mothers shoulder. The townspeople all lowered their head in respect. Her Mother reached up and placed her shaking fingers onto Elissa hand "I love you my Dear."
Elissa could not speak. Her throat was swollen shut with despair. Looking away from her Mother her eyes fell on Ser Gilmore. Even the hardened warrior was shedding tears. Squeezing her Mothers shoulder tightly she nodded at Gilmore.
He led a small group of six Highever soldiers forward. All six of them wearing their armor with pride. A black cloth was wrapped around each soldier's right forearm. With three on each side and Gilmore at the rear they lifted the coffin in one smooth motion. Gilmore ordered them forward with a strong voice that Elissa had no hope of mustering at this point.
With solid steps all of the soldiers marched forward to the pyre and placed the wooden coffin onto the dry logs and step away. Ser Gilmore turned on his heel marched back towards the lit beacon, grabbed hold of one large stick, marched over to Elissa and her Mother. Saluted to the two of them and walked over to the pyre, setting the dry wood alight.
Elissa closed her eyes and let streams of tears roll down her face. She was in charge now. Her Father was gone and she would now be in charge of Highever.
Her sword sat against the arm of the red chair. The hilt of his resting not far from her elbow. Her blue eyes scanned across the room in front of her. The Banns and Nobles of the area were all gathered around, celebrating the defeat of the Dark Spawn. The Blight was over. They were all happy. No longer did they need to live in fear of those monsters pouring out of the ground anymore. "Elissa?" someone whispered beside her
Tucking a piece of dark hair behind her ear she looked to the right and noticed for the first time Ser Gilmore standing over her "Yes?"
"You don't look very happy my Lady."
With a quiet sigh she looked back over the crowded room "I do not understand the celebration. My Father is dead and my Brother missing. Yet they celebrate like it is a good thing." Resting her back against the chair she took a deep breath in. "Mother is inconsolable and I have to take charge of this place. Its like none of them care."
Ser Gilmore's armour clicked as he moved uncomfortably "I believe this is more out of relief than anything My Lady."
She just sighed and stood up "What relief?" Her voice rose a little. She turned so she was facing away from the group of nobles "Relief that all their families are safe, thanks to mine sacrificing itself."
Ser Gilmore watched carefully as the new Teryna of Highever left the room. Her long dark hair bounced with every step she took. She was no longer the woman she was the day her Father and Brother left for battle. Gone was the innocence she once held. He looked down at her sword which she had left behind. The pain of having her whole family ripped from her was a burden she was having trouble dealing with. Roderick lifted his eyes back to the crowd and sighed. Sadly there was little he could do for her right now.
Elissa couldn't stand being in that room with them anymore. Sure she was happy the blight was over but she did not like the sacrifice that had to be made for it. Walking along the cobbled path with her head low she did not noticed the path she had taken. Before long she was standing in front of her Mothers door.
The sobbing from earlier in the evening had died down. There were no longer any cries or screaming erupting from behind the door. So carefully Elissa pushed the door open, almost afraid of what she would find. To her relief her Mother had fallen asleep on the bed. Oriana sat beside the bed, tears still streaming down her face. Her hand was carefully brushing the hair behind Mothers ear. Over the last few months Oriana had aged considerably. She was no longer as youthful as she was a few months ago. Lines now creased her face and her eyes had lost a lot of their shine.
Then a week ago, when Father's body was returned to them, her Mother cracked. Shattered. Fell to the hard floor on her knees and cried so hard she stopped breathing for a few moments. Elissa would never forget the sight of her Father, lying flat on his back, sword in hand, armor shining.
Oriana looked up at Elissa and the corners of her mouth turned upward "Hello Elissa."
Elissa just nodded, too afraid to talk and wake her Mother. But did step forward and take a seat on the other side of her mother's bed. Mindfully aware that this was where her Father would be. A single tear escaped out the corner of Elissa's eye and rolled down her cheek as she lowered her body onto the bed. Why did her family have to suffer? Why did her Father and Brother have to die? The three of them sat still for a long while. None of them said anything.