The camp smelled like the forests surrounding the Cousland castle with hints of burning firewood and men who probably haven't bathed in days. Although Highever had its fair share of soldiers who paraded around in heavy armor day in and day out and wielded swords that were much taller than they were, Ostagar had a different scent. Perhaps it was because she was far away from her home or because she was still rattled by her family's death. Maybe it was both; Elissa couldn't tell. Either way, her senses seemed to have changed for better or for worse.

The one thing she was sure of was the thick atmosphere of fear and desperation throughout the castle ruins.

Tonight, there was to be a great battle against an army of Darkspawn. She had not encountered such infamous beings yet, nor did she want to. She just had to fight her way through her own home against Howe's men and put her life on the line for the people she loved but could not save.

She wanted nothing more than to find Fergus, but there was no time. She wasn't permitted to leave Ostagar as of yet to find her brother and had no way of contacting him. He had been in the Korcari Wilds to scout the area and having just been brought to the order, she was in no position to get her way, despite her previously noble status. Her brother could be dead for all she knew like the rest of her family.

She wanted nothing more than to mourn the loss of the people she loved more than anything, but she couldn't.

She had to complete her Joining so she could become a Grey Warden.

It was the last promise she had made to her parents.

It was the only thing she could do for them now.

No matter how long I've been here, the smell doesn't get any more pleasant. The sweat, the blood, and the dirt mixed with whatever the Kennel Master feeds the Mabari hounds could not have smelled worse. Well, it probably could have, but I'd like to not think of that possibility.

I looked around at the dozens of faces I've seen probably a hundred times today to find a certain mage. The revered mother requested their presence for who knows what reason. Most of the mages were in the area guarded by templars so they weren't disturbed while they entered the Fade. If this mage was there, it'd be a while until I could deliver the message and the revered mother does not like to wait.

I got closer to the area to sneak a peek inside. It'd be a waste of time to search all of Ostagar if he was really in here. An elderly woman with a calm aura stopped me before I got too close. Her white hair was tied into a short ponytail and she wore long red robes, indicating she was from the Circle of Magi. "You shouldn't get too close to them," she said.

"I know but I need to deliver a message from the revered mother," I said calmly. Normally, I'd respond with my trademark humor, but I didn't want to enrage the old mage.

"Is that so? The one that handles her affairs just went to see the Quartermaster for supplies," she said.

"Really? Thank you for telling me," I said. She smiled gently at me and I was on my way.

The Quartermaster stood alone in his cramped section of the camp. There weren't any mages around, although there were elves running about delivering messages just like I was. Well, maybe not "just like I was" since they could actually carry out their mission quickly and with ease.

"Was there a mage here just now?" I asked the Quartermaster bluntly. I didn't have time to keep playing hide n' seek with this mage.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. He went that way - said he needed to talk to the one guarding the deserter," he responded tiredly.

"Ugh, more walking? Great."

Is this the real reason why mages are confined in the tower? Is it really because they're like rabbits hopping from place to place?

I made it up the hill where people groaned through their teeth while their injuries were being taken care of. These people were treated separately because of their encounters with Darkspawn. It was hard to look at them. Most of them had lost hope for our victory against the Darkspawn and wished to be put out of their misery. Poor bastards.

I rounded the corner where a naked man in a cage was guarded by one soldier. I had spoken to this man before. He wasn't a pleasant fellow if I recall.

I was about to ask him about the mage when I saw a man walking up the ramp to the highest part of this side of Ostagar. He wore tattered orange robes and had tan skin from being outside in the sun for so long without much shade. He fit the description the revered mother gave to me.

"Hey, you!" I yelled.

The mage turned around and scowled when he saw my face. That's harsh.

"What do you want? Can't you see I'm busy, Warden?" he grumbled. He spoke quietly, but I got close enough to him that we could carry a normal conversation without me having to inform the entire area of my message.

"I came to tell you that the revered mother would like to see you," I said as sternly as I could muster. He seemed like he wasn't in a good mood. It's hard to hold back from being snarky.

"Why does she need me? I'm busy!" he growled.

"I don't know. She simply told me to tell you she needed you."

"Tell her to stop harassing me when I have things to do."

I gasped and put my hands on my chest. "What? Me harassing you? No, no, no, good sir. If this is considered harassment, than surely helping to stop the Blight must be considered treason to you!"

"Speaking to a buffoon like you is an utter waste of my time. I shall go to her so I can get away from you," he said.

"Ta ta!" I waved. The way his back was slightly hunched over and the extra force in his step made me a bit happy.

I walked around the area a few times to get to know the land and get as much information as possible. Some gave me supplies and I was able to buy some gear from the Quatermaster with what little money I had on me.

Duncan told me to find a man by the name of Alistair who would accompany me during my Joining. As I had no idea how to get around this place or any clue who to look for, I asked the Quartermaster, a mage named Wynne, and a few guards if they knew his location. They each gave me different answers and sent me around Ostagar for another time.

A man guarding a man in a cage told me to go uphill to find him. Hopefully he was right. I didn't want another unwelcomed tour of the place I was now familiar with.

A man in orange robes stormed down the hill I was about to walk up. "Excuse me, sir, do you-"

"Out of my way, fool!" he yelled.

I looked at the direction he came from and saw a tall blonde man with a happy smirk decorating his handsome and youthful face.

"Sorry about him. He's a little grumpy," the blonde said. He made his way down the hill to meet Elissa.

"Are you the one that angered him?" she asked.

"I didn't anger him, per se. He just doesn't understand my humor."

"I feel like you've said that on multiple occasions," Elissa replied.

"Hm, I suppose I have. We haven't met before, have we?" the Warden chuckled.

"No, we haven't. My name is Elissa. I'm the new recruit from Highever," Elissa responded gracefully. Although her greeting was formal and polite, it lacked the dignity she once had when introducing herself to nobles. Now that she was one no longer, should she be more casual or maintain her old ways?

"Ah, yes! I am Alistair and I have been assigned to help you during your Joining," he said.

He waved his arm towards the campsite to silently signal they should go back together. Elissa and Alistair walked side by side down the hill to keep their conversation going. "You know, there aren't many women in the Wardens. Doesn't that bother you?" Alistair asked.

"Should it bother me?" Elissa asked with a slight chuckle. It seemed he was one of those that thought women were scared to fight or liked to travel in packs.

"No, not at all. I just thought that maybe you'd want to, you know, do girl things like have sleepovers and do each others hair while gossiping about noblemen's unmarried sons. You know how it is," Alistair explained.

Elissa giggled at his idea of how women truly acted. She was surprised he didn't mention the stereotypes that women served as housewives or in the Chantry. "No, I'm afraid I don't know how it is. Do you?"

"Wh-What? No, of course I don't know that! I am a gentleman, though others would describe me differently," Alistair mumbled. Elissa shot him a suspicious sideways glance. Alistair looked at her with the corner of his eye before adverting his gaze. "Please stop looking at me like I'm some type of pervert that watches these things from a hole in the wall."

"I didn't say anything like that. It sounds like you have a guilty conscience, Alistair," Elissa teased.

"Did I just get stuck with someone who is almost a mirror of me? Is this how I appear to other people?" Alistair asked.

"Not at all." The Warden and Warden-to-be reached the main campsite where Duncan and the other new recruits awaited. Elissa stopped walking and held out her hand. "It will be a pleasure working with you, I'm sure," she said.

"Really? A pleasure? Is this the part where you scowl and ignore me for the rest of day?" Alistair asked.

"No, it isn't."

"Hm. That's new. Anyway, I look forward to working with you as well." He took her hand and they shook before taking part in the Joining.

Author's Note

I've been obsessing over this game for almost a month now and still have not completed it XD Some details may be incorrect in this story, but I'm trying my best to be as accurate as possible. I love F!Cousland and Alistair more than I love the game and I have so many ideas for them. This will be a retelling of the game that pays extra close attention to their romance and their inner thoughts.

Italics is used for Elissa

Bold is used for Alistair

Normal font is used when the two are together as it would be annoying to keep switching every other paragraph :P

I hope you enjoyed this story and will continue to follow it ^_^

Until next time, sayonara~!