Today is a really important day. The sounds of the crows make her frown and give a long sigh under her thick covers. A twofold defense against the merciless weather and the incessant shrieking of those birds. But deep down that was not really disturbing her sleep.

Harnessing strength from Maker-knows-where she throws her covers before Bo, her dog, or the maids have any chance to storm into her room waking her up.

After slowly stretching and yawning, she gets up and faces the mirror. She sees an underwear-clad, about 5'9" tall, young woman. She is fit and has slight features, complemented by light brown eyes, dark brown hair and light skin.

A lopsided grin takes form while she arranges her hair in a tiny ponytail. An average looking girl, nothing out of the ordinary but surely it isn't what someone would expect from a noble; specially the daughter of a prominent house.

A quick head shake makes her continue her self-examination, she stares at her forearm, there is a faded pink slash, she closes her eyes and gently touches it and caresses its thick surface with the tip of her index finger. All of sudden, everything slows down, her bedroom, the birds everything seems to be extremely far, she is back at the courtyard, the courtyard of her childhood days.

To her mother's dismay, Elissa could always be found in the company of her older brother Fergus and the servants' children. Running around with other kids, getting dirty, playing pranks on poor Nan, her nanny, pestering the old sage Aldeous, her tutor, one or two cases of lice that ended in a bald head and some tantrum; an ordinary childhood.

The idea of what is a noblewoman was only accepted, in a certain way, during her years living under House Guerrin, in Redcliff. It is located in the central region of Ferelden, to the south of Lake Calenhad, the weather was slightly warmer and drier than Highever. Almost no crows, which was good.

It was noticeably different from home, rules were stricter, noblesse oblige had to be taken into account. Whenever Elissa got bored about life in Redcliff Castle she would remember her mother; her disappointment at any complain about her behaviour.

The decade spent within House Guerrin was for the most part dedicated to education; unlike men who had a more academic approach to education women had a practical one. Elissa was taught painting, dancing, singing, etiquette, heraldry and marksmanship, in which she proved to be an above average archer. Girls were typically taught how to run a household, as if nobles didn't have enough servants to do that.

Arl Eamon Guerrin is one of the most influential arls of Ferelden by his proximity to the royal family, he is the brother of late Queen Rowan. His large shoulders, strong physique, grey hair and beard explain why he is the Champion of Redcliff. He is a decent man, like Elissa's father, who doesn't mistreat his servants, nobility of heart and blood. He usually would turn a blind eye when Elissa spent time chatting with servants.

Arlessa Isolde is Orlesian. As a professional noble, she displayed such finesse and grace in every gesture, everything seemed calculated, even her vestigial orlesian accent. She has delicate features, fair skin, long brown hair and unearthly alluring shiny hazel eyes.

People at Redcliff seemed not to be disturbed by the Arlessa's origins. Elissa reminded one of the lessons she learned at Highever from old Aldous, her tutor, he would say: 'learn from History but don't dwell in it'. Some people would just hold grudges about the orlesian invasion.

One afternoon at the library, while observing a painting of the sunset seen from a tower in Val Royeaux, the different shades of colors and the brush strokes.

"Orlais is indeed beautiful, even despite the smell of cheese and the hats. Nice masks though," Elissa commented, smirking.

"Thank you darling. It means a lot coming from someone whose people may return to barbarism by the occurrence of a mere bad day."

A silence followed, however it was broken by laughter at the statement.

"You are getting quite good, Elissa. You may survive, a bit, in The Game."

"Always improving, milady."

"Speaking of you savages," she said snickering, "Eamon will have a heir."

"Congratulations, milady." Elissa answered, a smile from ear to ear.

"Thank you, dear," Isolde answered while putting her hands on Elissa's shoulder. "You are twelve, yes? It is time to Lord Cousland see a proper suitor to his daughter."

The only answer was a shy smile. Elissa has never given much thought about it; her parents had the last word anyway, for now let it be.

Connor is a nice boy, he resembles a lot Isolde. A quiet and intelligent child, if compared to Elissa and her brother, Fergus when they were kids. In fact, Elissa grew very fond of the boy, their age difference allowed her to treat him as a little brother; a nicer Fergus. She would sometimes play with him, despite Isolde's opposition to the idea.

All in all, those years marked both an increase in the number of crows; a sign that Redcliff Village was growing and consequently Elissa's sleep was dwindling, perhaps it was a forthcoming change in her life. Sometimes she would wander by the castle, trying to spend some energy, unwind her mind or both.

A few days after Connor's sixth birthday, Elissa, who was eighteen years old at the time, had her sleep disturbed by a strange, muffled sound. In vain she tried to ignore it, considering it a byproduct of her semi awaken state, then she heard a whisper:

"Liz…", she lazily tried to fight her drowsiness with her hands, with a facepalm. "Liz…"

"Connor! Maker's breath!"

While she rubbed her eyes she reached her hooded lantern with her left hand in a swift motion, almost dropping it from the table. Getting a hold of it she had some light to go to Connor's bedroom. As Elissa was moving towards his room, she could still hear the whispers, calling out for her. Approaching the door, she noticed from its slit a faint blue luminescence being deadened, she pushed the door and entered.

As soon as she stepped into his room he suddenly awakened, apparently surprised to see Elissa there. There was nothing out of normal in his bedroom, an eerie quietness coming from the outside. She approached Connor with firm steps, sat at the right side his side and gently put her left hand on his forehead, it was cold wet.

"It's all right, I'm here now. It was just a nightmare," Elissa said in a low voice, embracing him.

"It was so real… everyone was being…"

"Hush now Connor, I'm here, it's all right."

After a moment of silence, Elissa broke the embrace, putting her hands on his shoulders and looking straight into his eyes.

"Don't be afraid, they can only hurt you if you allow it. Be strong up here," she said gently tapping her finger at his forehead.

"I'll try."

"But… I heard you are leaving," he whispered looking at her.

Elissa nodded and added after a brief pause, "You are my little brother, I won't forget you." Smiling to reassure him.

"Now try to get some sleep, I'll watch over you."

She rose and sat on a chair, watching over Connor. After a few minutes Connor seemed to relax, probably he was sleeping. She covered her lantern and then fell asleep too.

After being awaken by a maid, Elissa hurried to get dressed for breakfast. Isolde and Connor were quieter than usual.

"Did you oversleep?" Eamon asked, while taking a slice of bread from a basket.

"Well, I'm sorry, milord. I checked on Connor during the night. I slept on the chair, silly me," Elissa gave Connor a quick glance.

"That's very kind of you darling. Now we ought to see the details of your departure, tomorrow." Isolde stated matter-of-factly, looking right to Elissa.

Eamon seemed not to be expecting it, Elissa was open-mouthed. Connor was about to protest when Elissa shot him a censuring look.

"As you will, my lady," was Elissa's answer, her lips forming a thin line.

"Isolde, why is that?" Eamon asked, eyebrows raised.

"Well dear, she is a grown-up lady. It is high time for her to marry, Teyrn Bryce and Teyrna Eleanor, as parents are the ones who must see to it."

Eamon touched his beard, his eyes seemed far from the table. He closed his eyes for a brief instant and lightly nodded.

The rest of the meal was dominated by sounds of plates and cutlery being put on the table and handled while the only human noises were brief and dry remarks. Even the food seemed tasteless.

Elissa felt like inside a bubble, everything was grey, lethargic. Time itself seemed to crawl in her last day at Redcliff. The prospect of another changing is fearsome but at same time promising, Elissa had to worry about her future, or maybe someone would be worried in her place. In order to get rid of these thoughts she insisted in helping the maids organize her things, she gave to the maids some of her dresses and shoes, otherwise a caravan would be needed to take everything. After the packing, she said goodbye to the maids, they shyly answered, as if feeling that something has happened, Elissa herself couldn't answer this question.

After a dinner that still reflected the overall mood of the day it was only in the following day, that a slight improvement was made, and it was due to farewells and best wishes, Elissa was leaving at noon.

She just couldn't leave without going to her favorite spot in the castle, the northern ramparts. From there she could see the calm waters of Lake Calenhad and wait until everything was set.

"You like this view. You must be a pirate lady." Connor remarked, standing beside her.

She was so numbed by the calming effect of the lake that his voice startled her.

"Ahoy ye got me! Mate, I'll throw ye in th' sea." Both started laughing at her impersonation.

"I'll miss you," he said after stop laughing.

"I'll miss you too", after a pause she added, "I have something for you."

Elissa removed a silver pendant with Andraste's figure and handed it to Connor.

"It was from my grandfather. It is a good luck charm, keep it as a memento".

"Wow! But... won't you need it?"

"The world doesn't turn upside down from one day to another. Besides, I suppose my life will be very secure," she stated with certainty.

Secure. Father will find me a suitor, we'll marry, I'll have maids then some kids. Sounds really exciting…

"Liz?"

"Hm, sorry."

"Are you dreaming? I bet it's about your ship."

"T'is it. To Th' plank wit' ye." She quickly grabbed his shoulders then both bursted in laughter.

They were interrupted by a forced cough. It was Eamon.

"Time to go Elissa, you will be dearly missed," he softly said making a 'follow me' gesture, "Send my regards to Teyrn Bryce."

The travel had no incidents the carriage had a considerable escort; as a precaution. It is not difficult to get to Highever from Redcliff, just follow north Lake Calenhad then east whenever you spot the sea.

She felt good to finally be at home again, her parents were well, the color of their hair was now completely grey.

Fergus was a strongly-built man, but deep down he was the same dirty kid. He was married to Oriana, an Antivan born in a wealthy trade family. She had auburn hair, light brown eyes and tawny skin, almost no accent. According to Elissa, marrying Fergus is a testament of Oriana's character, in special her courage.

Elissa extremely happy to know that she had a nephew. Oren was only four, he was the spitting image of his father, the responsible for such a creative name.

She just couldn't help comparing Oren to Connor, the former seemed more lighthearted than the latter: probably it was his disposition or something to do with humor.

Beside the crows something about Oriana started annoying Elissa. Maybe that delicate body of hers. All praises received from her mother, she wasn't even a noble, she was a… trader.

As the need to physically unleash the tension, she asked her brother to give her some hints in how to fight; to defend herself. Her brother started teaching her the basics, daggers would be adequate, she was already a competent archer, besides, bigger weapons were clumsy at best or too heavy at worst.

"Sweating as a mule," Elandra would say with a raised eyebrow. It is fortunate for Elandra that it was not a disciplined routine and for Elissa that hitting things it was an excellent way to calm down.

After some months in one ordinary morning when she entered the dining hall to have breakfast everyone stared at her, mouth opened in awe.

"You are beautiful auntie," Oren broke the silence.

"Elissa… What have you DONE?" Elandra asked, she seemed that she could and would kill someone.

Elissa rubbed her hand on her brand new short hair, eyes to the floor, then looked at her parents.

"Why?" Bryce asked; giving his daughter the chance to calm down his wife.

An air of confidence took Elissa, full of herself she opened her mouth and… and nothing.

Why? Because I'm, I will be a battle maiden.

"Well, I -I'm… er…" Elissa stuttered.

That's Oriana, she is so… so sorry Mom, I don't know.

Elissa lowered her shoulders, looked down and mumbled "I-I don't know, I'm sorry."

What a great time to second guess myself. I'm a coward!

"What is that supposed to mean?" Elandra asked, raising her tone, "Listen well, you—"

"That's enough, Elandra," Bryce interrupted. Both women looked at him; fire in his wife's eyes, water in his daughter's. "I have MY answer, now join us, pup. The matter is settled."

That was better than I expected. But Mom is right, what's that supposed to mean?

"Very fitting dear sister. Let's put a helmet and you go in my place in any skirmish." Fergus said, grinning.

"Very fitting dear brother. Let's put a jester's cap and you are the resident buffoon." Elissa answered, grinning. Thank you, Fergus.

The following year was marked by word from the south that Darkspawn sightings have been increasing. King Cailan took the matter and organized the army, led by himself to combat them before their taint spreads too much. Many noble houses were called to arms.

The third battle will take place in Ostagar. Arl Rendon Howe is expected tomorrow, then he will ride alongside the Couslands to Ostagar. Tomorrow is a really important day.