AN: Since I've finally finished the Ringed City, I decided I'd celebrate my recent victory with writing a new DS story. I plan on making this a one-shot collection that takes place all over the DS timeline. This chapter will be a more somber piece while others could be more happy in tone. It all depends on the subject matter of the chapter. But since I've talked you all to near-death let's get on with it.

Chapter one: A maiden that waits

"Chosen One!" She jolted up from the stone steps she rested on.

Anastacia had called out to a dead quiet shrine, not even the crazed ramblings of the Crestfallen audible. Even the crazy had to sleep at some point, even if some point was what felt like entire years apart. Though she appreciated the peaceful silence of the Firelink Shrine. There were times the shrine became too quiet for her, and that's when she yearned for the Chosen Undead's presence. Ever since the fateful day he arrived to this desolate place, he visited her regularly bringing gifts. Ranging from small trinkets to ornate jewels, once she was given a precious gilded dagger that must've costed him an arm and leg. This was all before the dastardly Lautrec had taken her life and rendered the bonfire useless.

Then scariest thing she'd ever expirenced, was being in that void called the afterlife. She was already alone before the Chosen's arrival, but when confronted with the reality that she'd never see him again, that was a true fear. Anastacia became too attached and invested into the man to just let him go so soon. Before she could even tell him how much she cared about him, along with the thought of those girlish fantasies she had. The brave knight rescuing his maiden from her confinement from a tall tower. Or in her case it would be a cell at the bottom of a bonfire in a relatively safe place. When she was revived the Chosen One offered to left him free, but she refused. She was so afraid to leave that tiny cell she had grown so attached to. If it were possible, she'd pull him inside so that they could be together as the world faded.

Such talk would be considered blasphemy where she hailed from. She was to assist him on his journey, be a silent keeper that tended to the bonfire's flame. Though she remained determined to her original purpose as a keeper. She didn't want to be some Firekeeper, she wanted to be the Chosen's keeper. In whatever shape of form it would come in, she wanted to be his. But why would an Astoran noble want some lowly maiden meant to tend the bonfire. She wouldn't be surprised if he only thought of them as friends.

Before she could continue her thoughts, the all to familiar sound of him warping in traveled through her ears. She was in panic, her heart had skipped every other beat as he descended down the stairs. Then he turned the corner, clad in his shiny elite knight set that reflected the sun's rays beautifully. His glow was already heavenly but the shining armor only added to his personality. Before she knew it he was standing before her cage. Like always he was the first to initiate the conversations.

"You know I can bend metal with my bare hands." His voice was dry, the words coming off his tongue were delivered so matter of factly. It made communicating with others hard at times, especially with her, who'd take everything so literally.

Anastacia looked up at him, flashing her crystalline blue eyes. He was caught off guard by her lovely pair, there isn't a more beautiful pair in this world. He was so very lucky that a helmet was shielding his face, he didn't was to appear flustered before her.

"I'd prefer to stay here, it's scary out there." Her eyes lit up when she heard the large man chuckle.

"Very funny, my offer still stands." He slid down the wall and collapsed onto his rear. It was evident that he was very tired, if him lumbering around didn't give it all away.

"Why are you so fixated on freeing me?"

"Plenty of reasons, I remember hearing stories of proud knights rescuing their maiden's from cages. Well...in your case a cage at the bottom of a bonfire." His unexpected response caused her cheeks to brighten lighter than any ray of sunlight in Lordran.

"We must've read the same stories." She stated in an attempt to change the subject.

"Yes we did indeed, you'd make a great princess." She didn't think she could blush any lighter, if she did, the man in front of her would've been blinded by her radiant cheeks.

"Y-you really mean it?"

"One hundred percent, when I left Astora my House had rule. I was next in line but the curse reeled it's ugly mug my way." He slid an arm through the bars, his hand softly gripped hers. "It's not too late for me to make you one."

She quickly turned away from him, too embarrassed to even face the knight-prince. She hadn't been touched in such a long time. Though it wasn't skin to skin contact she just received, the warmth of his large manly hands gave her an odd sense of comfort.

"Anastacia..." His other hand gripped the bar and with the slightest of movements. The bar began to bend, her eyes widened as she watched the man do his work. Within seconds, the bars of her cage were now rearranged into a diamond shaped hole.

All she could do was stare at him wide eyed, she may have loved him, but she didn't know if she could be with him. Her insecurities ran deep, and in her mind each and everyone of them had a reason to be there. Anastacia stared at his other hand that was extended out towards her.

"Just trust me, I'll protect you."

She hesitantly placed her hand in his as she was gently pulled out. Anastacia was pulled into his bulky and large chest, she looked up to him as a hand brushed hair from her eyes. Her hands placed themselves on the side of his helmet and slowly brought it off his head.

"Where's my manners, Stephan of Astoria, it's been a pleasure." Anastacia giggled in response, she stood on the tip of her toes and planted a peck on his cheek. The two silently stood and swayed back and forth, soon they began to dance in front of the sun's ray. They became lost in each other's company as they danced with each other. It was as if they could dance forever, which they probably did.