I've been wanting to write my own retelling of the Origins storyline for quite some time now. So here I am jumping in to actually publishing content on this site. Goodness knows I've read plenty of everyone else's wonderful works. Sooooo...I hope you enjoy it! I might have some smut show up in later chapters. Not sure yet though… M rating just in case though. Cheers!
Chapter 1
Evelyn Cousland stood staring out the narrow window in her bedroom. Sunset was already beginning to paint the castle with shades of fire. Down below she could see the what few people remained in the castle scurrying about their duties, all trying to finish before night fell. Not a few hours earlier her older brother, Fergus, had taken the bulk of her father's forces south to the Hinterlands. Rumors had been swirling throughout Ferelden that another Blight was descending. The sighting of more and more Darkspawn only seemed to give the rumors credit. King Cailan had set up his forces in the ruins of Ostagar to rout the monsters before they spread to the rest of the country.
Evelyn suddenly caught a glimpse of her father, Teryn Bryce Cousland, as he quickly crossed the courtyard. He had been planning to leave with her brother and their men. However, their companion forces from Amaranthine, under the command of Arl Rendon Howe, were to be delayed several days. Howe had come ahead of his men to give the news to the Teryn. With a grand battle seeming inevitable the Teryn did not want to waste time, and sent his son off ahead of him. The Arl thought it best if he stayed behind and waited for his troops, then he and Cousland would leave together. A frustrated sigh escaped Evelyn's lips. She had pleaded and begged her father to go with Fergus. Yet, despite her protests his answer remained a firm no. He insisted that he didn't have so many children that he would see them all off to war and besides her mother wouldn't have it. She felt that he was just becoming more stubborn in his old age. Grey had claimed victory over most of his hair, and deep set creases formed from years of equal parts of worry and joy adorned his face. She had to agree, albeit reluctantly, that he was partially right. Her mother, though she could take down any man that tried to harm her, would need help keeping the castle in order and safe. Although Evelyn couldn't fathom who would dare attack a Teryn's castle. Anyone who did would need a tremendous amount of troops, and those who did would be committing political suicide. No, there couldn't possibly be anyone that irresponsible.
Soft snuffling and a wet caress of her hand pulled her from her reverie . Looking down she was met with the dark and knowing eyes of her Mabari hound, Duke. His large, muscular torso and strong jaws filled with teeth was enough to send anyone running. However, she had found a gentle and deeply intelligent soul in the war dog. He may have been bred for battle, but he was also a damn good snuggler.
"What? You can't be hungry again. You ate at least fifteen rats a short while ago!"she teased. Her playful harassing was met with a head tilt and a whine. Feeling in high spirits, Evelyn decided to push her torment just a little further. "You're just lucky you didn't get into the roast like Nan suspected you did. Pretty sure we would have been eating you for dinner."
This proved to be too much and Duke bolted under the bed. Laughing under her breath Evelyn knelt down to peer into the dog's refuge. "Alright, I'm sorry. Come on out. It's time for bed anyway."
Only a high mournful sound came through the darkness. How he managed to get himself tucked so far under the bed that he disappeared was nothing short of astounding. There was only one way to get him out now. She prepped her best sing-song voice and sweetly offered, "I'll let you sleep on the bed tonight."
Duke came thundering out of the bed, barking loudly in elation. "Alright! Alright! Keep it down!" Evelyn laughed. "You'll have the whole castle complaining about the noise again!"
The sky had now turn a tranquil shade of violet, and most noises in the castle had ceased. She turned to take in the rest of her room. It wasn't a large space, but then she had never needed much. To her mother's disappointment she hadn't taken an interest in clothing and jewelry. Her heart lay with the clanging of steel and she took comfort from the weight of a shield in her hard. Truly it was no easy feat appeasing Teryna Eleanor Cousland, but with an agreement to add a vanity to her room Evelyn did just that. She walked over to it now, sat down and began to remove her armor.
She took notes mentally as she removed and inspected each piece. One or two scratches or dings weren't concerning, eventually they did add up though. Her greaves were looking particularly haggard and would need seeing to, her struggle with blocking low swings was obvious. Finally down to her undershirt she moved her armor to the chest next to the vanity. Settling herself again on the seat she unbound her hair and looked at her reflection. She had never considered herself particularly pretty. She was not unattractive by any stretch of the imagination, but she didn't feel she was anything to write home about. Truth be told, she looked mostly like her mother, though the Teryna managed a graceful air on her face at all times, something Evelyn was abominably bad at. Her nose was...average, straight with a slight upturn at the tip. Her lips were full but did not pout, as seemed to be the thing all fashionable lips should do. Her best, and truthfully her favorite feature, was her eyes. They were a stunning green ringed with brown and dusted with flecks of orange. Her father had told her once that they reminded him of a forest caught fire. Perhaps that's why she liked them so much. Her appearance was finished off with a smattering of freckles across her face and a mass of dark curling hair. Perhaps her biggest struggle, facially anyway, was that whenever her face was relaxed people thought she was angry. Many times people had been afraid to approach her for fear of her rage. The only option was to keep a smirk on her face and open her eyes in feigned surprise all the time. But that was just a silly notion. No, better to accept stormy face and just carry on.
A great yawn took her by surprise, so she quickly plaited her hair and walked over to her bed. She flung herself down with a purposeful lack of grace and let loose a heavy sigh. Duke sauntered over and put his head on the edge of the bed. Taking the hint Evelyn wiggled her way up to her pillow and under the blankets. The bed shifted with Dukes great weight as he climbed up, turned around three times, and curled up in the blanket.
"Good night, you big oaf," she murmured. Her lids were already heavy and it wasn't long before sleep embraced her.
A voice was calling to her. "Evelyn! Evelyn!" Who was it? Low, gentle, baritone, and very familiar. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around. A man was in front of her, smiling with reddish hair and clad in similar color armor. Of course, Ser Gilmore, that's who was calling.
She grinned at her old friend, "Well don't you seem happy! Come on, don't hold back, what's happened?"
"Do you remember that Grey Warden that was here, speaking to your father? He came to me and he asked me to join them! I'm being recruited into the Grey Wardens!" His grey eyes practically sparkled with excitement.
She thought back. There was a Grey Warden here? Ah, yes, when she was trying to convince her father to let her go with Fergus. She had spoken to him briefly. Dark hair, pulled back, a dagger and a sword on his back, a rogue? A dark shape moved out the corner of her eye, she turned. Nothing.
"Hey!" Ser Gilmore barked making her jump. "Say something."
"I'm really really-" Another shadow moved, she turned again. Too slow. Something was wrong. She looked at her surroundings. Where ever she looked, things refused to come into focus. Where was she?
"I thought you'd be happy for me," her friend sighed. "I know it means I'll have to leave, but you can't have expected me to stay here forever."
"Never mind that, something is wrong! Can't you feel it?" Another shadow darted. "There! You can't tell me you didn't see that!"
"Why are you just standing there!?"
"What are you -" A sword was in her hands, hers? Dozens of shadows streaked past, and they were...shouting. Shouting was coming from everywhere.
Ser Gilmore grabbed her shoulders, "There's no time! We need to run! They're coming! We have to -" The blade of a sword thrust out from his chest, silencing him. Her sword fell from her hand. She opened her mouth to scream but no sound was there. She turned, tried to run, legs are so slow, like trying to run through mud. A drum started to pound in the distance. Boom...boom...boom...Boom...BOOM!
Evelyn sat up with a start in her bed. Just a dream..she told herself. But the drum was still pounding. Duke was at her bedroom door, barking furiously. No, not a drum, someone at the door. Flinging the covers off she tumbled out of bed and rushed to the door, heedless of how cold the stone floor was under her bare feet. She flung open the door and one of the serving elves stood there, bloodied and eyes wide with terror.
"Mistress! They're attacking the castle! You have to -" Two arrows suddenly lodged themselves in the elf's neck and he toppled. Evelyn looked out into the hallway to see three heavily armored men.
"There she is! Gut her!" one of them bellowed.
She slammed the door shut and turned to her war dog."Duke, I need you told hold them off while I get my armor on. Think you can do that?" A savage bark gave her her answer. Plunging at the chest next to her vanity Evelyn frantically began putting on her amour. Hard bangs were coming through her door. They were going to break it in at any moment. She turned her back to it to put her chest piece on and heard the sound of breaking wood and an angry mabari snarl. A symphony of cries and whimpers accompanied her as she put on her bracers. Fully armored she grabbed her sword and shield and turned to face her attackers. Duke had made short work of them, however. Evelyn carefully stepped over the mangled bodies in her doorway. "We have to get to mother. Let's go." She raced down the hall with Duke at her side.
Upon entering the hall to her parents room, several more armed attackers were met. Not wanting to give them the advantage Evelyn sounded the charge with a yell. Duke immediately launched himself at the nearest man's throat, knocking him to the ground. Despite her rage, Evelyn fought to keep herself calm. It was better to fight patiently and wait for an opening than to slash wildly and hope for the best. After several minutes all men lay slain. Suddenly the door to her parents' room burst open.
"Darling! Thank the Maker!" Teryna Eleanor Cousland breathed. "Have you seen your father? He didn't come to bed."
"We need to go look for him. Can you fight mother?"
"I'm no Orlesian wallflower! I can still hold my own."
Evelyn smiled. Even now, with her hair a mess from waking up suddenly and fear tinting her eyes, her mother still managed to look regal and beautiful. Looking down at the men she had killed, she noticed the crest they wore on their armor. These were Howe's men.
"Mother! Do you see? These men have Howe's crest on their armor!"
"Maker's breath! You don't think his men were delayed...on purpose? That traitorous bastard! I'll cut his lying throat myself! We have to go now, you're father is undoubtedly in danger. I know him, he'll be at the front gates. Let's go."
"And if he's not there?" questioned Evelyn.
"Then we make for the servant's passage in the kitchen larder. I doubt Howe or his men would know about it."
Making their way down to the front of the castle proved intensely difficult. Howe's men were everywhere. Each time they took out a group another one took it's place. Worse yet, they had come across the bodies of Fergus' wife and son as well as a visiting friend of her mother's. Lady Landra was the wife of another noble in Ferelden, Bann Loren. Howe was going to have trouble with more than just the Couslands after this. Fires had been set to block their escape making them backtrack and waste precious time. Evelyn fought with everything she had, her sweat mixed with the ash in the air leaving dark streaks across her face. Her now unbound hair flung wildly around her with each swing of her sword. She looked every bit like a crazed animal fight for it's life. She found herself pinned between two warriors. While she fought to keep one off of her the other aimed low and struck hard. One of the already damaged greaves split in two and hung uselessly against her leg. Rearing back for another blow the soldier smiled mercilessly. A sickening thud was heard as an arrow lodged itself in the man's forehead. Turning her head Evelyn saw her mother picking off loners as best she could with her bow. She launched another arrow at the final soldier pinning her daughter. She struck him in the knee, but it was just enough for Evelyn to strike the killing blow. With another group down Eleanor ran to her daughter.
"Shit," Evelyn spat. "Shit. Shit. Shit." She ripped off her destroyed greave and threw it.
"We're close to the armory. There's armor and weapons there we can use. Our family sword should be particularly useful," Eleanor panted.
"Why is it enchanted or something?"
"No, I just want to use to sever Howe's head from his body."
Looking shocked, Evelyn barked a laugh and then nodded. She knew her mother was tough, she had never seen the true strength she had.
Fighting carefully they pushed through to the armory. Using Eleanor's key they gained access to the vault. Inside the family armor and arms lay waiting. Evelyn quickly switched out her armor and abandoned her old sword and shield. She felt proud to be wearing the Cousland arms. They made her feel...like they may actually survive the night. Her mother had grabbed a more suitable bow and as many arrows as she could fit in her quiver. There was no time to stop though. A few more groups of fighters were met and defeated. It was clear though that the group was tiring. Even Duke with his seemingly endless fighting energy began to look bedraggled. At last the main hall was reached. Surely they would find her father there.
Inside they were only met with more fighting and a frantic looking Ser Gilmore. Evelyn's dream came rushing back. The shadows, the shouts, the sword through his chest. She shook her head violently, reminding herself to focus on now. One by one they cut through their the last one fell Ser Gilmore ran to the two women.
"You're both alive! Thank the Maker!" he practically wheezed. Evelyn absently wondered how long he had been fighting.
"Teryn Cousland, have you seen him? I thought he'd be here!" her mother cried.
"He said that he was heading to the servant's passage in the kitchen larder and would wait for you there. You both should go, now. I'll hold the gates. That should give you enough time."
"No! I can't let you do this!" Evelyn shouted "You can come with us. We'll all get out"
Ser Gilmore smiled sadly at her, then turned his back and readied his sword. Her mother pulled at her arm pleading, "Please, there's no time. They'll buy us time. We have to go!"
Feeling like she was leaving part of her heart in that room Evelyn ran out the door. Outside she furiously scrubbed the tears from her eyes, hoping her mother would not notice. Her mother warmly put a hand on her shoulder, "Darling I'm sorry"
"Let's just go." she stated flatly, and marched off toward the kitchen. This time, she was glad to see soldiers charging at her. With a cry that was half scream and half sob she met their attack. There was no finesse to her fighting any longer. Frustration and rage had bubbled up and she swung her sword sporadically. Ser Gilmore's face kept flashing in front of her. It wasn't fair. She'd known him for what seemed like forever. He was supposed to go on to do great things. Now he was going to die, for nothing. A few of the assailants fell to her flailings, but she had left herself too open and was quickly surrounded. Realizing her predicament too late she dropped to her knees, the last of her resolve trickling away. It was too much, and she was too tired. One of the soldiers in front of her grinned smugly and glided toward her. He was clearly certain of his victory and wanted to savor the moment. His confidence was interrupted as Duke's hulking form slammed into him, sending him crashing to the floor. The beast made short work of his prey and wasted no time before lunging at the next one. Stunned, the rest of the soldiers staggered back, unsure of their next move. Seeing her war dog's tenacity and devotion to her safety re-kindled the embers of purpose deep in her heart. She rose up on one knee and spun toward the sound of approaching footsteps. Instead of the circle of soldiers that had surrounded her, they had made way for someone else. What approached her now was an enormous mountain of a man, fully armored and wielding an equally massive axe. Evelyn frantically looked past the goliath, her eyes scanning for her mother. Her search was cut short by a huge axe whistling through the air towards her. With a gasp she lifted her shield just in time to catch the blade in it. She was a strong woman, but it was all she could do to keep the man at bay. It was clear her adversary was unconcerned at her attempt to block him. She could tell he wasn't putting his full weight behind his strength yet her muscles were already beginning to weaken. The axe was inching closer and closer to her face. Her arm shook with the effort. All at once the man pulled back his weapon and she shot forward. She lost her grip on her shield from the sudden release of pressure and it skittered far across the stone pavement. The axe whistled through the air again, Evelyn looked up and tried to jump back as it came crashing down in front of her face.
Half the world exploded into red and then darkness, and a sharp throbbing pain engulfed her head. She moved her hand to her face and found it covered in a warm, sticky liquid. Someone that sounded like her mother was shouting her name. Two quick thuds sounded and were answered by the clattering of armor. She was vaguely aware of herself screaming. Soft hands cradled her face, hands that could only belong to one person.
"Mother...mother...Maker's breath he hit my eye! I can't see, mother! Oh...Andraste's tits this hurts! How bad is it?"
With an impossibly calm voice, Eleanor did her best to comfort her daughter. "I won't lie to you darling. It looks very bad. I doubt there's anything left to call an eye. You're going to have quite the scar too. It could have been so much worse though. It seems just the right eye was hit though. How's your left? Can you open it?"
It was at that moment Evelyn realized she had been squeezing shut her left eye. She peeled her lids open gingerly. A wave of relief flooded her as she realized her vision was clear. "I can see. My eye is just fine," she sighed.
"Well at least you're not completely blinded," Eleanor replied warmly. "We need to move now though. We're just outside the kitchens. If we run we can make it before more of Howe's men show up."
At what point they had made it to the kitchens was lost on Evelyn. It seemed they had fought countless waves of soldiers in neverending corridors. Signaling her mother to wait she bolted, unsteadily due to her change in vision, towards her shield. Snatching it off the ground she rejoined her mother and headed for the kitchen. A collective sigh was breathed from them upon entry. None of Howe's men seemed to be present. Evelyn spotted a folded rag on the counter. Since it seemed clean enough she picked it up and wrapped it around her head, covering her wounded eye. Eleanor occupied herself with shutting the kitchen door behind them after confirming they weren't followed. With the room and Evelyn's bandage secured they pushed open the door to the larder.
The worst of their fears were confirmed as they beheld the Teryn curled up on the floor, struggling to breath and rapidly losing blood. "Ah...there...you both are. I was wondering...when you'd find me," he gasped, struggling with every word. His wife cried out his name and ran to his side.
"Maker's blood! You're wounded! How did this happen?!" exclaimed Eleanor.
"Howe's men found me first. Almost...did me in right there."
It was proving all too much for much for Evelyn. She had just seen her father this evening, and now, suddenly she was watching his life fade away. It was a burden she simply could not bear. Through her choking throat she uttered, "We need to get you out of here father."
"I don't think I would survive the standing. Oh Maker...what happened to your eye?!"
"Nevermind my eye! Don't talk like this is the end! You'll be fine!"
"Ah, pup. If only will...could make it so."
Eleanor chimed in, "Someone needs to go and reach Fergus. He needs to know what Howe has done."
"We'll all go! We'll tell him together!" Evelyn practically screamed.
All attention was suddenly on the sound of the kitchen door opening. The two women readied their weapons in a heartbeat and braced for an attack. Instead what came through the door was a tall man, raven-haired and looking serious. His clothing, a distinctive mix of armor and robe, was spattered with gore. "I'm afraid the Teryn is right. We were trying to reach you two when Howe's men fell on us. I was able to help fight them off, though I fear not soon enough."
"You are...Duncan then? The Grey Warden?" Eleanor guessed.
"I am, my lady."
Bryce Cousland's breaths were becoming more labored now. He raised his eyes to the Warden, face burdened with desperation. "Duncan...please...get my wife and daughter out of here."
"I will your grace. But I fear I must ask something of you in return.
"Anything!"
"I came here in search of a Grey Warden recruit, and the darkspawn threat requires that I leave with one. I will take your wife and daughter to Ostagar. Afterwards, your daughter will join the Grey Wardens."
"I...I understand," Bryce conceded.
Evelyn's head swam. He couldn't be serious. She wasn't meant to be a Warden. No, that was supposed to be Ser Gilmore...who was now dead. Everything was changing too quickly. "No! I still believe we can get father out! There's enough of us here now. We could easily carry him." Her voice rose higher with each sentence, panic gripping her with its numbing claws.
Duncan shook his head sadly. "The castle is surrounded. Getting two of you out will be a nearly impossible task to begin with, nevermind carrying an injured man. It would certainly kill all of us. Then who would reach your brother?" He turned his head, his face pained at putting this decision to her. "Believe me, my lady. I wish there were some other way."
She had always been told she was a stubborn creature with a temper to match. It was much easier to stubbornly hold your ground when you were furious at the opposition. Duncan's sorrowful gaze had made her willpower crumble. As cold reality settled on her a loud crash sounded in the distance.
"They've broken through the gates!" Eleanor cried.
"Then we need to move quickly," replied Duncan and turned again to Evelyn. "What say you then?"
There was nothing to do but surrender to her circumstances. She opened her mouth but found that words failed her. Instead she nodded and hung her head in resignation. She fought to hold back her tears. Partly because she believed a warrior shouldn't cry, but mostly because she was sure tears would just make her now defunct eye hurt even more.
"Darling, go with Duncan," her mother interjected, startling Evelyn out of her misery. "You'll have a better chance of escaping if I'm not with you."
"Eleanor…"Bryce breathed. "You can't…"
"Hush Bryce," she soothed. "I'll kill every last bastard that comes through that door to buy them time. I will not abandon you. Evelyn, go. Find your brother. Bring justice to that bastard Howe. Make him pay for what he's done."
"Mother, please!" wailed Evelyn. She could hear shouting outside now. It was still distant, but quickly drawing nearer. There was now time left to argue. Duncan grabbed her arm and started to pull her up. As she rose, she heard her parents quietly comfort each other.
"I'm so sorry my love," her father whimpered.
"We had a good life. It's up to our children now," Eleanor sweetly whispered back.
Duncan was pulling her towards the exit. "I am sorry. We need to go now," he pleaded. It was no use now. The tears came unbidden, trailing in heavy rivulets down her left cheek and burning and drenching her freshly wounded right eye. "I...I love you both! So much!" she sobbed. She turned and heard her mother gently call back, "Goodbye, my darling." The shouting had reached a fever pitch outside now. Her heart was aching, her eye was screaming, and grief threatened to end her if she stayed. Gathering what little strength she had left, she entered the servant's passage, closed the door behind her, and ran.
If you made it this far thanks for reading! Honestly can't remember the last time I wrote anything. -_- Super rusty at it. Hope you liked it though! More to come.
