Please enjoy, read, review, that sort of thing. I got into doing this fan-fiction to compete in the Camp NaNoWriMo for the month of April, so hopefully I can keep the momentum going and get some good writing juice flowing and get my mojo back. Stressed killed it, and now it's time I get back to one of my passions. =] Constructive criticism is appreciated!

Frost clung to the edges of the glade, still crisp from the chill of the evening. The girl with long, strawberry blonde hair slipped through the morning fog like a specter, weaving in and out of the trees and shrubs. Clad in knee high leather boots and soft doeskin hunting garb (barely hitting mid-thigh over the worn cotton pants, how scandalous for a young lady), she looked to be one of the common-folk and moved as the hunters did, but with a grace and ease that was far more suited to that of the ladies of court. Her slender fingers curled around the two small throwing knives that hung on each hip, and with delicate but deliberate flair, she drew them and twirled them around in her palms. She had seen her brother do this multiple times when they were growing up – surely it couldn't be that bad, right? A flick of the wrist, aim down the hand, both eyes open, and throw the knife. With a quick motion, she tried for the tree…and missed completely. A frown crossed her face, and she tried again, adding more muscle to the throw. Another knife lost in the grass.

"Damn…" She cursed. Avianna Cousland was not one to contend with the typical social graces that ladies should hold, and she didn't always show it, despite her breeding and upbringing. She was wild as the Highever landscape, but as beautiful as the sunrises and sunsets that graced the land. The girl saw the world through eyes like the land, one green and one blue, both bright and vibrant as the spring. With determined footsteps, she walked over to where the throwing knives had landed in the grass, picked them up, and paced back to her former spot. This task would not best her. Surely she could figure it out! Avianna tried again, and again, throwing and throwing til her wrist ached and her lips were sore from puckering them in frustration. But, she had only managed to just begin hitting the tree, and she was still far from striking her target with any accuracy. That would take a great deal more practice than she was able to give to the task today. But, she would be able to do one more thing that had managed to accrue talent in, and that was the double blades strapped to her back. She grasped them with an impish grin and flipped them from their sheaths, drawing them quickly in an x before her. The blades danced around her as she slashed and stepped, graceful and elegant, as if she were dancing with them, rather than performing complicated fighting forms. Avianna got closer and closer to the tree with each step, and without hesitating for a moment, planted a foot firmly on the rough bark, and flipped herself up, back, and over, slicing off the head of an imaginary foe as she landed. Another flick of the wrists and she was slinging the imaginary blood off, letting it fly as she extended her arms, daggers pointed straight out to impale her oncoming enemies.

Avianna stood slowly and sheathed her daggers. The fog had been burning off for quite some time now, and by this point of the day she needed to be back in the castle. A sigh escaped her lips. Why on earth was it that she had to lose her freedom so soon? Couldn't the Blight have waited a bit longer to rear its ugly head? It simply wasn't fair. But, it wouldn't do to keep bemoaning the subject…she was stuck with her fate, and she had to deal with it with grace and dignity, as she had been brought up to do. The girl wandered over to her grazing mare and clambered aboard, leading her toward the road and the city beyond. The stone walls were always a comforting sight to her, but today it felt more imposing than it did before. The army was packed and moving to join King Cailen's army in Ostagar, and the noise was a clattering, booming off the walls and echoing back through the trees. Avianna's horse skittered nervously away from the crowd, which parted with a cheer, letting her cross the road and head up the road toward the gate. She gave the men a wave and smile, gaining another rowdy shout. They were proud of what they were doing, even though she knew that for many of them, they would never be returning home. The Blight wasn't a simple war, one that could be won over a dignitary's table or bought with the price of a princess's hand…this was something that took the power of something far more…legendary. She dismissed those unpleasant thoughts as she and her mount wove their way through the marketplace, dodging the buyers and sellers on the busy morning. Less people moved out of her way, but thankfully she didn't have too much trouble getting through the crowd. The castle gate was open, letting her into her childhood home with welcoming arms. Avianna slid down from her mare and handed the reigns to a stable hand that came running to her side, letting him take care of the horse.

All around the courtyard, people were bustling with duties; some were discussing where carts were to be unloaded with food, some elves were hauling firewood toward the kitchen, still others were carrying other unmarked bags and boxes to various doors. Avianna's father and brother, Treyn Bryce Cousland and Fergus Cousland were leaving to join the King's armies in the war against the Blight, and much preparation had yet to be done. Teyrn Bryce was leaving the next day, waiting to greet a few more Arls that were yet to meet up with him and march on to Ostagar. Fergus, however, would be leaving later that afternoon to meet up with the army and march with them to meet up with the King. It would be better for at least one of the Cousland men to be there when the army arrived. Once her father and brother both had gone, however, Avianna would be left in charge of running the arling. It wasn't going to be easy, but she had been training all her life for such a time as this. When she married she would have to know how to run an arling, as her husband would not always be there, and she would have to step up and do the work herself. So, at the young age of nineteen, she was more than ready to take the next big step in her life. And, by next big step, she was being prepped for a marriage to a man she had barely met. But, she barely knew him, and it felt more than a little strange to be betrothed to someone so…distant. Life was always this way, as it had been for her mother to her father, but Avianna knew she would learn to love Arl Howe's eldest son, Thomas, in time. It certainly didn't mean she would have to like the situation, which she didn't. For the most part, Avianna kept her mouth shut on the matter, and tried to keep her opinion to herself. It fared her better to be silent on such things, as she retained more of her freedoms that way.

The castle hall was fairly quiet, for all the hustle and bustle outside. Avianna peeked through the doorway and noticed two men in formal wear standing down at the end of the hall, one a familiar form to her, the other, one that she could not place. Well, better get things going and not shirk the fact that she couldn't get past this dreadful day any more. She walked into the room, gracefully stepping down the carpeted stone, listening to the mumbled chatter of how a march would be delayed til the next morning.

"It's completely my fault. They are bogged down with this blasted weather that we've been having, and I can't move an army very fast. They should be here by this evening though, and we can leave with them then." The lilt of Arl Rendon Howe's voice was an old, but not unknown ring in her ears. So, Howe's men were delayed. Surely he wouldn't be too happy about that.

"That's fine, Howe. We will leave with them and march tomorrow, just like the old days. Only this time, we will be fighting monsters, not Orlesians!" Her father chuckled, turning and catching a glimpse of his daughter. The smile that lit up his face made Avianna beam back. "Ah, pup, I didn't see you there! Come, say hello to Arl Howe! He will be staying with us this evening."

"Ah, young Lady Cousland, you have grown into such a lovely young woman. It's nice to see you again my dear." He had a slightly sarcastic tone to his voice that Avianna bit the inside of her cheek at. There was something that she just could not stomach about the man, but she always figured that it was just his personality that was off-putting. Either way, she would be tied to this man and his family forever, and she had to respect him for that. So, with a drop of a curtsey, she fluttered her eyelashes delicately and smiled.

"Pleased to see you as well, Arl Howe. And how is Thomas? It has been some time since I have heard from him…" It had been several months since the last letter, and he had mentioned that he would be busy with his further studies toward the running of Amaranthine when his father would pass it on to him. She knew he would be beyond busy, but still, how hard was it to pick up a pen and write to her? Frustrated was not how she would put her emotions on the subject.

Arl Howe chuckled. "Don't worry your pretty little head about Thomas. He is fine and sends his regards to you." No more was said on the subject, and Avianna let it go, barely disappointed about it. She would get to write him later, when time was less of an issue.

The door behind them opened once more, and a tall, imposing figure strode into the room, great with purpose and dignity. Avianna could not help but gawk at him. He looked to be about the same age as Teyrn Cousland, but more worn, as if he had seen things that no man should have, but those things had made him a hundred times stronger. The ferocious beard that gnarled and twisted over his face was like a bramble bush, guarding the lips that likely never smiled, but probably barked orders – either one she did not want to find out.

"Ah, Duncan! It's good to see you have finally arrived, and safely too. I can't stay to talk at the moment, as I have many things to do to get ready for tomorrow, but we will talk this evening over dinner. This," Teyrn Cousland said, placing a hand on his daughter's back and gently motioning toward her. "Is my daughter Avianna. She will lead you to your quarters and help you with anything you need."

Despite the beard, Duncan smiled at the young woman, and Avianna felt a small smile breach her own lips. It was contagious when you were with him – he just seemed pleasant enough, for now at least. "Thank you very much, Teyrn Cousland. I will be out speaking with Sir Gilmore later, after a brief rest. Again, thank you for your hospitality and for letting me inspect the troops and the recruitment. The Grey Wardens are grateful."

Grey Wardens? Avianna's eyes lit up at the words. Brother Aldous had taught her about them when she was younger, giving her lectures on their heroic battles with the darkspawn, pushing back the Blights to help save the world. Stories even had told of them once riding griffon mounts, but the griffons were long since dead, a sad ending to one of the chapters in the story of the Wardens, to be sure. With a kiss to her father's cheek, another nod to Arl Howe, and a courteous wave of her hand to Duncan, off the girl trod toward the hallway. The Grey Warden would be put up in one of the better rooms down in the guest wing, near where Arl Howe would be quartered. The guest padding along at her side was a quiet man, and despite his massive size, he stepped quietly, as if he was hunting prey that could hear him walking on the plush carpet. It impressed her.

Avianna cleared her throat. "So…might I ask why you are here, serah?" He had mentioned looking at the troops and had specifically named Sir Gilmore, one of her friends in the guard. Perhaps he had already made the choice of who he was looking to conscript.

"Duncan. Please, call me Duncan." The Warden cleared his throat a bit uncomfortably. "I am here to invoke the Rite of Conscription. The Grey Wardens need recruits, now more than ever. I am running out of time to find more though, so I am in dire need of at least one, maybe more, willing and able bodies for the task." He shook his head sadly. Avi murmured a soft agreement. He must be referring to the march on the morrow in regards to time running out.

"Are the Wardens very picky on who they choose to be in their order? I would think that many would want to join the ranks and be a part of the glory that is shown in your history…" Her voice trailed off when Duncan chortled at her words. It stung a bit that he thought her words so amusing.

"Honor and glory play no part in it, my lady. The job of a Warden is not seen so highly or with such romanticism. It is more of a task suited to the dirty dogs of war…it is the seedy underbelly that so many people see and ignore. A Warden does a thankless job that many see and few understand, and no one knows fully, save the Wardens themselves. We are a strange folk indeed, but that does not mean we are not proud, strong, and vicious warriors in our own right. We are all of those things and more, and we could do to have someone who paints such bright and gleaming pictures in our midst. Perhaps…" Duncan looked down at Avianna thoughtfully. "I wonder…" His words and thoughts were kept to himself however, and his more cheerful demeanor disappeared.

"Ah, this is your room, serah." Avianna cleared her throat, as they had reached their destination. The room was well suited to his needs, and he thanked her, shutting the door behind him.

Avi wandered back toward the gardens, where she knew her mother would be by this time of the morning. Lady Landra, one of Teyrna Eleanor's dear friends, was coming to stay with the Couslands for a few days, before departing back for her home. The visit was to help Eleanor with both her husband and her son leaving for war, a terrible thing for a mother and wife to deal with. Avianna tried to not think of what her mother would be left to do all day, as she had no part in the day-to-day running of Highever now. It would certainly be a large change for her. Pleasant chatter was making its way down the halls near the garden sitting area, along with the cheerful splash of the fountains. A soft laugh would ring out every now and again, followed by the ear-splitting, mirror-shattering cackle of Lady Landra. Avianna squeezed the bridge of her nose. Sweet Andraste's knickers. May she get through this without her head feeling like a ripe melon, all split open in the sun.

"Good morning Mother, Lady Landra." Avianna gave smiles to both women, polite nods to the third woman that she assumed was Landra's attendant, and the young man she recognized as Landra's son. "And good morning to you as well, Dairren."

Teyrna Eleanor gave her daughter a quick peck on the cheek. "Good morning my dear. I am pleased to see you! I had been meaning to catch you and tell you that I will be leaving with Landra to go stay with her for a while. You can run the castle just fine, and your father thinks I would be a threat to your authority if I was here. Besides, it would be a nice distraction." Eleanor's voice was soft and gentle, just like the curves and lines that life had barely worn into her face. Avianna was not completely surprised at her decision, but she would be terribly sad to see so much of her family gone. There would be almost no one left for her to spend time with, save for Oriana and Oren. And she wasn't as close with Oriana as she should be, but perhaps this was the chance she needed to get to know her sister in law a little better.

"That is fine, Mother…I understand, but I really hate to see you leave me." She bit the inside of her cheek, the meaty flesh giving way to her teeth in a painful way.

"Dairren, I am tired, perhaps I will retire to rest for now. I will see all of you at dinner tonight?" Lady Landra curtseyed and headed back into the castle. Avianna chuckled to herself, thinking that Landra was in a better condition than she was the last time they had met; the Lady had been completely drunk and had to be carted to the carriage by her son and husband, the lady in waiting trailing behind. That particular salon had been christened a complete success by all who had seen that less-than-graceful exit.

"And we will be in the study." Dairren answered back, turning sharply on his heel. "Iona, would you care to join me?" He turned to the lady in waiting, accepted her hand, and the pair made their way into the castle as well.

For a few long moments after the guests had walked off, Eleanor and Avianna sat by the fountain, just listening to the birds and the water, not saying anything. "Well…I assume you have already met the Grey Warden?" Eleanor's voice wavered slightly, and Avianna knew that her mother would know of her desire to know more, if not follow the Warden.

"I have. He…is interesting. The Grey Wardens have always fascinated me, and…if I were given the chance, I think I would like to go with him." The frankness of her statement was a bit of a shock to even Avi, as she typically wasn't this robust with her comments to her mother. Things were typically softer when it came to time with Eleanor. "I would just love to see the world and have some real adventure, you know?" She looked over at the Teyrna, an impish grin crossing the youthful face.

"I know, darling, but you need to stay here and take care of things at the castle for now. Maybe after your father and brother return we can discuss it further, but for now your place is here. Your father needs you, I need you, and the people of Highever need you. Surely you wouldn't leave them to run off after some dream of glory?" Eleanor sighed, brushing stray hair back from her daughter's face. She knew Avianna would make the right choice, but there would be sighs, eye rolls, and no end of dummies slashed in half before it was all said and done.

Avianna's shoulders sagged. "I know, Mother. I just want to think about it." She leaned her head over on her mother's shoulder and grinned at the kiss that was planted on her forehead. "Well, I need to get going. I have a dinner to get ready for, and so do you." With that, Avianna stood up, hugged her mother tightly, and made off for her bedroom.

A long afternoon, a warm bath, too much primping, and one pretty dress later, and Avianna emerged from her quarters. The tomboyish girl had been turned into a young woman of true esteem, the fiancé of an arl's son, and the daughter of a teyrn that was soon to take over ruling for her family. She ran her fingers over the dark blue fabric of her floor length dress, the gold braided belt that clung tightly to her waist and accompanying band that was sewn under the bust accenting her feminine form as many of her outfits did not. The satin slippers she wore were nowhere near as comfy as her leather boots, but tonight she was expected to be the pinnacle of ladylike. The soft curls that fell around her cheeks and tumbled down her shoulders all the way to the middle of her back certainly helped lend to that illusion. In truth, she liked getting to be ladylike and take part in feasts and dances, but not on nights like tonight, when the world teetered on the precipice of chance, waiting for the exhale that would send it careening one direction or the other.

With a deep breath, Avianna headed into her brother's room. Fergus would be leaving out before the meal started so as to catch up quickly with the rest of the army. The door across the hall from her room stood open, and Avi could hear quiet laughter and a boy's small voice emanating from within. It brought a smile to her lips. Why couldn't things just stand still, just for one hour longer and let this family enjoy more time together? No one knew what Fergus would face out in the wilds with the armies, and it wasn't fair that this little family unit had the torn apart like this. She leaned against the doorframe and watched them for a moment.

Oren, Fergus's son, danced around his father's feet. Are you really going off into war? And will you bring me back a sward?" His large brown eyes sparkled with delight.

"That's sword Oren. And yes, there really will be a war. I'm going off to fight the darkspawn with the king and your Grandpapa." Fergus's voice was optimistic to keep his son's spirits up, but Avianna knew better. Her brother was worried about what was to come, as was everyone else.

"Will you teach me how to use a sword, Auntie?" Oren ran up to Avianna, hugging her leg tightly. The boy was so small that a large dagger could easily pass for a sword in his hands. Avianna chuckled and knelt down to his level.

"Of course! Let's go, right now!" She ruffled his hair playfully.

The cry of happiness that erupted from Oren filled the room. "Yay! Take that, dire bunnies! Fear my sword of truthiness! Are you going to teach me to slay dragons too?" He danced around the room, arms flailing wildly as he fought off whatever imaginary creatures he was conjuring up in his head. It made the two siblings smile.

A small gasp of disbelief came from the elegant woman that stood by Fergus. Her eyes were wide in shock and despair. "No, no! I shall not allow it!" Oriana, Fergus's pretty wife, was an Antivan woman that was a little too delicate for the Fereldan landscape. She was like a tiny buttercup that could so easily be torn apart by a gust of the breeze, and just as brightly painted and adorned. It irked Avianna, but she never said anything about it…at least not to anyone that would repeat it in or near Oriana's presence. She didn't want to hurt her sister-in-law's feelings, but the two certainly did not get along.

Avianna rolled her eyes and stood up, her brother scooping up his son in his arms. "Don't worry son. You will see a real sword close up very soon, I promise."

"And once he does, he will never want to stop training with it. You were the same way, Fergus." Eleanor walked into the room on her husband's arm. She hurried over to her son and gathered him in close for a kiss. Fergus smiled at the gesture.

"You know, I am a grown man, but I will never get tired of that."

"And you never should. I still wish my own mother was around to give me kisses before I leave on wild adventures." Bryce said.

Avianna glanced around the room. The march they were going on would be cold, and she hoped that they would feel as warm as she did that very second, seeing them all gathered together once more before the trip.

"Now, none of you worry. I will be fine. There won't be any darkspawn for any of the Grey Wardens to handle once I get there, and Father won't have anything at all to do once I get done with everything!" The way Fergus boasted about his prowess eased Avi's mind a little, but she still knew the danger. "Am I right, Avi?" He motioned for his sister to come over, and he drew her in for a tight hug.

"Of course!" She grinned, trying to fight back tears that were warming at the corners of her eyes. She had to be the strong one. Avianna always had to be the strong one.

"Maker protect you both…" Oriana murmured, clasping her hands together. Eleanor nodded in agreement.

"Well, I must be off, and you all have a dinner to attend. Please try to behave while I'm gone, will you Oren. Be good for your Mama. Have your Auntie teach you everything she can when your Mama isn't looking." Fergus winked at Avianna. "Mother, have a pleasant visit with Lady Landra, and try not to worry too much?" He shook his head. They all knew she would spend every evening in the chapel at prayers.

"I will do my very best, dear son…but until you are home again, there are no promises." Eleanor laughed through wet eyes.

"Avi….take care of them all for me. You know what I would do if I were here, and I trust you explicitly." He kissed Avianna on top of the head and hugged her tight. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like a few minutes alone with my wife." He laughed heartily and the group withdrew from the room, letting the couple have time to themselves. Oren tagged along, clutching Avianna's hand and babbling away about his day and all the frogs he had caught in the pond, and something about one he had released in Nan's (the cook) room. Avianna grinned. It sounded like some of the things she did to terrorize Nan when she was little, too. As they were walking along, the scratch and thud of a massive beast came thundering up behind them in the hallway. Oren and Avi turned just in time to see Fang, Avianna's mabari war hound come trotting up from her room. He wanted to come join her for dinner, and he knew, not from the smells coming from the kitchen and hall, but from the way that Avianna and her family were dressed, that there was a special party going on. Usually, Fang wasn't allowed to attend such things, as mabari were considered fierce, and people were frightened by them, but Fang was a part of the family, and Avi would not let him be left behind. She had raised him from a pup, with no end of help from proper trainers, and he had grown into the proper – yet goofy – hound for guarding his mistress.

Oren threw his arms around the dog's neck, and Avi scratched behind Fang's ears. She was glad to have such company with her this evening, as it was going to be both emotional and dull, all at once. The group moved on, Fang pacing along at his mistress's side. With a deep breath, Avianna stepped into the hall, trying to not think ahead to the night of faking smiles, pretending she was fine, claiming that running the castle was all well and good with her, and that seeing her father and brother off, and soon her mother as well, was not twisting her inside apart. Faking it all like at an Orlesian party, with all the masks and deceit that came along with it. Tonight was going to be fun.