A/N: While stuck in between stories or writers block I had an idea to do snippets of stories for one of my Warden's Cerena. Most of these short stories take place in between the quests and main campaign into the shadowed areas of the game that not hit upon but are left up to the imagination of the player. Volume 1 deals with Cerena's childhood at the Cousland manor and a budding romance with Roland. I will add more stories as my schedule allows as I have tons in my head. Finding the time to lay them out is the obstacle. I hope you enjoy what it to come and feedback welcome.

Cerena's Snippets: Volume 1

Almost A Kiss:

"Come my lady surely you can do better than that!" Rory goaded as they danced around in the practice yard. They had been sparring for well over an hour on sword and shield. It was her favorite weapon combination that she was more than proficient at under normal circumstances.

Today she was not fighting under normal circumstances. She was fighting with particularly nasty hangover from last night and reliving the memory of a kiss that almost happened. Courtesy of Rory and the guards challenging her to cards and a drinking game that ended with the tumblers of whiskey coming out. She had only meant to stay a couple of hours to play and drink. However that couple of hours turned into half the night with Rory having to help her find her bed. "It would not be fitting for a Teryn's daughter to be seen crawling drunk to her bed or passed out somewhere." he had said as he hoisted her up.

As they reached the small sitting garden that led towards the family's private quarters Cerena stumbled nearly smacking her face into the wall. Her head was spinning and she was having a hard time trying not to giggle insanely. She knew Rory was just as drunk as she was and wondered how he managing both of them.

"Rory can we sit here a minute please? Just until my head stops spinning or is it the castle that is spinning?" she asked cradling her head in her hands and resisting the urge to vomit in the plant that was next to her. How dignified would that look? A Teryn's daughter throwing her guts up in her mother favorite fern bushes. Then again she knew her dignity had walked out the door the minute she took the first whiskey shot.

Rory laughed quietly and slung an arm over her shoulders. "It is your head that is spinning and you should not drink so much if you can't handle it my lady."

Cerena looked at him then snorted before giving him a weak punch in the chest. "I can handle it fine; it was you all who insisted on bringing out the whiskey when the ale was gone. Beside you are just as much in your cups as I am."

"My lady, you can't even punch me properly right now. I am in my cups yes but I know how to handle and control my alcohol intake. Next time I would recommend you stop at the ale." Rory snickered at her half hearted attempt.

Cerena gave him a very unlady like snort and made a lunge for him. She managed to knock them both of the bench and they went sprawling in heap of tangled limbs on the flagstones. Wrestling with Rory while intoxicated was not something she had intended on doing. And while she was more than able to hold her in own in a wrestling match against him sober; she was no match for him drunk.

The match ended when Rory lay on top of her, pinning Cerena's arms to her side. Cerena made another attempt to get out of his grip but just groaned and relaxed her body giving up.

"So now, my lady, it seems you have yourself in quite the little pickle here. I have once again won the day…."Rory began to crow when he stopped talking. Cerena saw him turn his head in the dim torchlight. She could hear the sound of footsteps coming from outside corridor that led towards them. Rory cursed and pulled Cerena up to him and into the shadows of the garden.

Fortunately for them Eleanor adored plants and the bench they had been sitting on was flanked by very large, tall bushy ferns. Quickly and quietly Rory maneuvered them behind one pulling Cerena close to him. One arm went around her waist, the other her shoulders. Unable to do anything but go along Cerena wrapped her arms around his chest to get as close as possible. Both stayed very still even though the fern covered them and the torchlight was not able to reach them. It was not that they did not care if they were discovered. It was the fact that with the Teryn and Teryna gone visiting Rory did not want this gambling and drunken escapade reported to them. He did not want Cerena to get into trouble, nor himself or his friends.

As they waited for whoever was coming to pass by, Cerena came slightly out of her drunken stupor. She had her chin resting on Rory's shoulder and when she turned her head she inhaled slightly catching the delicious scent he always bathed in. It was a fresh clean scent with notes of spice and musk. Cerena closed her eyes bringing her nose closer to his neck and inhaling very gently and quietly again. His scent and then nearness of him scent thrilling waves of tingles through her body. She was becoming fully aware of the fact that they were pressed up tightly against each other. His arm around her waist felt strong and protective but the sensation of that strength awakened a fire in her belly and her loins. She wondered what it would be like up against him not clothed but fully naked. The feel of skin against skin, of heat and desire dancing in an ecstatic dance of physical love. She was tempted, so tempted to nuzzle his neck softly to see what he would feel like against her lips. But she didn't and instead laid her cheek on his shoulder and let his scent once again wash over her.

Rory on the other hand was doing battle with his own emotions and his body. He was perfectly aware that he was holding the Teryn's daughter in a manner that was unfitting for his position and rank. But holding her this close to him was the only way they would not been seen by the guards that were getting ready to pass by them. As the several sets of footsteps came nearer Rory caught the scent of Cerena's hair. It was an intoxicating mixture of sandalwood, orange and lavender. He reached his hand up to lightly stroke her hair, to get her to relax. Her whole body was rigid and tense whether it was because of him or because of the approaching guard he did not know. But what he did know was that he could not deny Cerena Cousland felt perfect in his arms. The generous curves of her body molded perfectly into his. The crush of her breasts against his chest began to make his blood sing. The silky feel of her hair through his fingers sent shivers of desire down his body. If her hair felt this good he could only imagine what her body felt like.

What if he just gave her a kiss? Would she be offended or accept it? What was she feeling right now? Was it the same as him? He realized then that he had always admired her and was certain at this moment that something had sparked between them.

He stopped stroking her hair and was moving him mouth towards her face to claim her lips. To late however as the approaching guards stopped, talked for a few minutes then moved on up the corridor. When they heard the door to the barracks close, Rory and Cerena relaxed simultaneously. Cerena parted the fern they were behind and peered out. The corridor was silent with only the sounds of nighttime birds carried on the wind from the surrounding forest.

"Rory, I think it is clear I don't see or hear anyone coming." Cerena whispered coming back against Rory because if he let her go she would fall straight into the fern; possibly knocking it over. When she righted herself she was face to face with him looking straight into his eyes. Cerena saw the raw desire that burned in them as she was sure he could see it in hers as well. She wanted him to kiss her and it seemed it would happen. But Rory caught himself and for tonight the kiss he so longed to give her would not be.

Cerena felt her heart sink as Rory whispered. "Come we better get you to your room before we have another close call. We have training in the in morning and we don't need to be doing it with hangovers. "

Cerena nodded hiding her disappointment and broke away from his arms. It was unsettling feeling his arms empty of her and the void that was left when she stepped away from him. Quietly and quickly they climbed over the bench and up the corridor that led to the Cousland Knights barracks and the family quarters.

Cerena stopped and turned to look at Rory saying. "I had fun tonight even though I was dying to vomit in Mother's ferns. Thanks for making sure I made it back here without disgracing myself to badly."

Despite the disappointment he was feeling due to being a coward he smiled. "It was my pleasure my lady. We will have to repeat tonight again sometime soon."

Cerena wasn't exactly sure if Rory meant the card game, the drinking, the kiss that almost happened or all of the above. But she watched as Rory turned to leave and she quietly called out. "Rory wait."

Not knowing and not caring what any future consequences would be, Cerena planted a solid, long kiss on his cheek. Her heart was hammering madly at her bold move as she did so. It may not have been the kiss on the lips she had been dreaming about for a long time now, but Maker's balls one of them had to take the first step.

Cerena stepped back at looked at Rory's face which had surprised yet delighted look. His hand went up to touch the area were her lips were seconds ago. Cerena giggled and then ran towards the family quarters, leaving Rory to stare after her like the love struck lad he had just become.