Author's Note 1: I thought I'd begin a new story that I can write at the same time as my other one. This has been my current focus, though, so the first few updates may come a bit quicker than the others. I don't know if the speed of the updates will last, because I generally find myself writing wherever my thoughts take me. Recently that's been the world of Dragon Age.

This story is going to focus on the Human Noble Origin, wherein the Couslands had three children, not simply two. Aedan and Elissa both will now be faced with a great deal of challenges that they must overcome. I chose to start things off before King Maric's disappearance, as that gave me a lot to work with. I also took a few liberties with the lead-in to Origins. Hopefully you'll all enjoy where this goes as much as I have so far.

I'll also be switching perspectives between Aedan and Elissa as I go from chapter to chapter. I haven't decided yet if I want to add Fergus into the mix. It might be fun to do, as I'd like to explore him as a character. It's totally up in the air right now. I think if I can find the proper inspiration for it, then I will, but until then I might refrain from it.

Chapter 1 – A Long Awaited Journey

Gwaren was easily the most miserable place that Aedan Cousland had ever been in his entire life. Sure, he had been excited to come when he had been a boy of thirteen, but several long and very difficult years had passed since then. Now he was eighteen, tall, and strong, and well schooled. Coming to Gwaren had been a great honor, of course. Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir had agreed to take Aedan as a squire. The Teyrn Loghain! Most decorated commander in all of Ferelden.

But he was a hard man, and Aedan was absolutely convinced that Loghain hated him. He was never praised for his diligence and dedication, only berated for his mistakes and pushed harder and harder as time progressed. Aedan lived in the guard barracks with the other soldiers, rose with them, drilled with them, and after they were released from their training for the day, Aedan went to study with his tutors. Of course, that was not enough for General Loghain. Oh no, not in the slightest... Once all of that was done, Aedan would wolf down a meal if he had time, and then head to train personally with Loghain. Aedan had absolutely no idea how he was still alive.

The routine that he had adhered to over the last five years persisted into yet another dreary and miserable morning. The shuffling of the guards about him in the semi-darkness was a usual sight, and Aedan found himself dressing as he listened to the tired and grumpy chatter of those around him. The barracks that Aedan lived in was filled with the young recruits from nearby villages, and none of them were more than a year or two older than he. In fact, most of them were also eighteen summers of age.

That fact alone had allowed Aedan to live the last few years of his life on rather friendly terms with the other men. It helped that Aedan did not hold much by way of tradition when it came to his rank. Aedan's father was the second most powerful man in the kingdom, after King Maric himself. But Aedan had been taught not to judge the worth of others by their rank at birth. It had been drilled into him since he was a boy, and Loghain often continued the lesson by pointing out his shortcomings in comparison with other recruits and trainees.

Even now, as he trudged out onto the training field in a full suit of chain-mail armor, with a helmet, shield, and weighted training sword, Aedan knew that the comparisons would continue. As the drill sergeant began calling the sword sequences one after the other in rapid succession, Aedan did his best to push his misery and weariness from his mind. The minutes trickled by agonizingly slowly as the weight of the armor and equipment wore at his muscles in that infuriatingly familiar way. He felt the sweat begin trickling from his brow as his breaths started to become labored, but he was used to the rigors of training in a battle-school such as this.

"Ooohh Aedan," a voice sang cheerily from Aedan's left. He turned to see the grinning face of Carver Hawke, a young man from the village of Lothering.

Aedan sighed, it was too early for the cheery and sarcastic remarks of his friend. "What do you want, Carver?" He managed his retort as they switched sword sequences, and began working on a more complex series of cuts. There was a pause before Carver spoke again, as they fell into the rhythm of the new sword sequence.

"Nothing in particular. But you know how it is, these drills are so drab. I don't see why we can't-" Carver was cut off very abruptly by one of the officers presiding over the drill.

Aedan winced as the morning exercise was halted and Carver was berated loudly. But it couldn't stop there, it never stopped there. Next Aedan himself got an earful, and then, almost without ceremony, all of the young soldiers on the training filled were invited to retrieve their travel packs, and fill them with the heavy flat stones that lay piled in a corner. Then they were all tasked with going on a five kilometer run.

It was with a great deal of resentment towards his training in Gwaren, that Aedan set off on his run. Slowly, as his feet carried him over the distance of five kilometers, Aedan began to pull slightly ahead of the others. And by the time he finished the cross-country run, none of the others were in sight. And though he was drained physically, he knew that he had to be presentable for his lessons. So with that in mind, he stripped out of his sweat sodden armor and clothing, and did his best to look as presentable as possible.

Upon entering Castle Gwaren, Aedan felt the exhaustion setting upon him. He knew that he could not yet give in to such a thing, considering that it was not yet midday. Around one corner, and down a long corridor led him to the large library wherein the many tutors schooled him for the endless hours of the day.

"Aedan, may I have a word?"

Aedan turned from the door to the library and found himself face to face with Anora Mac Tir, Loghain's daughter and only child. As soon as he lay eyes on her, he found himself smiling easily. Despite most of the young men around the castle finding Anora stiff and unapproachable, Aedan had always found her company pleasant. And Carver had always enjoyed teasing him for loving the 'cold and heartless witch.' It was a title that Aedan did not approve of at all. Anora was his closest confidant within the walls of Gwaren, and she was one of the few people of rank in the city around his age.

"Of course, milady," Aedan replied carefully keeping his exhaustion from his voice.

She smiled and beckoned for him to follow her down the adjoining corridor. He did so. Anora led him all the way across the castle to the large study of her father, Teyrn Loghain. With a growing sense of worry, Aedan began to voice his concern at being here at such an irregular time. Before he could really get the words out, she turned to him and gently put a pale finger over his lips. "You aren't going to be berated, if that's what you're worried about." Anora glanced him over, straightened the collar of his tunic, and smiled warmly at him.

"Meet me in the garden after dinner?" she asked him sweetly.

"I would be honored to accompany you," he replied formally, though the inflections in his voice made it apparent he thought that the formality of the exchange was nothing more than an amusing waste of everyone's time.

Anora glanced left and right, being sure that there was nobody else in the corridor. When she was sure they were alone, she leaned up against him, and kissed him softly on the lips. "Until then, Ser Knight." With that, she made her way back down the corridor to resume whatever business she had been attending to earlier.

Aedan turned to the door, and as much as he disliked meetings with Teyrn Loghain, it was at least an excuse not to be in the library with his tutors. He reached up, and knocked twice upon the door. After a moment, a small dark haired man came to the door, Loghain's attendant and one of the many advisers that resided within the castle. "Ah, Aedan," the man said in a drawl. "Loghain has been expecting you." Aedan was ushered into the antechamber of the study.

"I will see if the Teyrn is ready to receive you," the man, Lorias, said. And then he crossed the antechamber and entered Loghain's office. Aedan waited impatiently. Really, having someone like Lorias sit around in the antechamber to field potential guests and people who had been summoned seemed like nothing but a massive waste a time to Aedan. Still, protocol was protocol, and he knew that he would be forced to follow such outrageous rules one day as well.

Lorias returned and beckoned Aedan forward. "The Teyrn will see you now."

Aedan followed Lorias into Loghain's office, where he waited in tense silence for Loghain to finish reading a report. When Loghain finished, he fixed Aedan with a contemplative stare. "Sit," he commanded.

Aedan did so.

"Your father sent you this." Loghain handed him an envelope.

Aedan accepted it, and quickly tore it open. His family had stayed in tough with him during his apprenticeship to Loghain, particularly his younger sister Elissa, or his older brother Fergus. It wasn't unusual for him to receive post from his mother and father, but it was received less frequently. He was eager to read the contents of the letter.

He pulled the parchment from the envelope and began to read.

Aedan,

I do hope that this letter finds you well, my son. I wish to ask you a great many things about your day to day life, and about what you have been learning. However, I must refrain from putting all of those questions in writing, as I will be seeing you quite soon.

Fergus has proposed marriage to Oriana, the daughter of one of the Merchant Princes of Antiva. Though I am sure you are already aware of this, Fergus has been in touch with you frequently over the last years, but I digress. Fergus and Oriana have set the date of their marriage, and they wish to be wed just before the Harvest Festival here in Highever. Your mother and I think the timing is splendid, and have extended the Festival's duration to overlap with the celebration for the wedding. Can you imagine it? Two weeks of parties! It will be the greatest celebratory event in Highever since we ousted the Orlesians.

I would very much like to talk to you about your time as a squire when you arrive. Loghain and Anora have already been formally invited, and I expect that they will accept, considering Fergus will be the Teyrn when I step down. Politics and all, very exciting. If they do decide to attend, then you will more than likely all be on the road within the next week. Even if they do not, make sure you are here one week before the Harvest Festival so that you can attend the wedding.

Remember to stay vigilant in your studies, and to always give your all in your endeavors, my son. I love you.

Bryce Cousland

Teyrn of Highever

Aedan looked up, a gleam in his eyes. "My father says that Fergus is getting married!" He exclaimed.

"I know, Aedan," Loghain said. It made sense, Aedan supposed, that he would have already read the letter that his father sent. In fact, that was more than likely the reason he was here in the first place. "We will be attending, naturally."

Aedan raised an eyebrow at this, try as he might to suppress it. Loghain Mac Tir was infamous for his mysterious absences during public events. Over the years, Aedan had learned over the years that the absences were more or less born from the fact that Loghain was a reclusive man by nature. "I am pleased to know you will be there to show support to my family during the ceremony." Aedan's response was much more formal than it strictly needed to be. He had been on a first name basis with Loghain for years, and Loghain had scolded him enough times that it almost seemed strange. But weddings were formal affairs, and it was his duty as a Noble Son of Highever to act the part of a well groomed nobleman.

"Yes," Loghain said dismissively, nodding his head. "You, Anora, and I will depart in three days time. We will be accompanied by a small retinue of guards and servants. Our path will take us northwest, and we will stop for one night in Redcliffe, and set out again in the company of Arl Eamon Guerrin, and his brother Bann Teagan."

Aedan nodded, Eamon and Teagan were well respected members of the nobility, and it made sense that they would also be in attendance during the wedding. Loghain continued, "Once we're in Highever, we shall stay through the entire Harvest Festival. This will also put us very close to the time that you are supposed to be released from your service to me. Generally, most Lords or Knights who take on squires will decide whether or not their apprentices are also worthy of knighthood on this day."

Leaning forward with excitement, Aedan was waiting to hear what Anora had been telling him her father would do. She insisted that Loghain would deem him worthy enough to be knighted. Instead, Loghain said, "I think that I will test you one last time before you depart my service." Aedan's spirits dropped significantly, and he swallowed nervously.

"You are going to enter the tournament that is held during Harvest Festival. If you prove to be the finest blade in that tournament, then I will grant you knighthood."

Aedan simply stared at Loghain in shock and disbelief. The annual tournament that took place during the Harvest Festival attracted the greatest swordsmen in Ferelden. Aedan's father had never set much precedence by rank, so anyone who wished to could enter. Between the nobility and every other swordsman in Ferelden, Aedan felt positively outmatched.

He had long suspected that Loghain had it out for him, but this was a great deal worse than any other task or punishment he had been subjected to. Before now, Aedan had always known he would eventually succeed in his task. But in light of this one chance to make a name for himself, Aedan felt completely small and insignificant.

Unlike his siblings, Aedan would have to make himself known through his deeds alone. Fergus was the first born son of his family, and as such, he would one day become the Teyrn of Highever. And Elissa, being the daughter of the Teyrn, would be able to marry just about anyone she chose in or outside of the kingdom. Not to mention she was wickedly intelligent and very adept at getting into places she was not supposed to be and finding her way out again without being detected.

Aedan was a different story. He would not become Teyrn, and he was not as highly valuable as someone to marry, because he would not have any lands to provide for a woman with. He could come into a small Bannorn easily, he knew. But Aedan had wanted to make a name for himself, and prove to himself and to the world that he was something more than the second son of Highever. It was why he had always pushed himself so hard, and it was why being squired to Loghain had meant so much to him, even if he was miserable and exhausted most of the time.

The silence that stretched out between Loghain and himself had begun to feel awkward, and he forced himself to speak. "I have to win the whole thing?" He asked incredulously.

Loghain studied him for a long moment before speaking. "Yes, Aedan, the whole thing." Somehow he knew that Aedan was about to protest, and continued, never speaking any more quickly or loudly. "You have trained here for five years, now it is time to put all that you have learned on and off the training field to the test."

Aedan was left entirely speechless for several more seconds before he spoke, "There's no way I will come out on top! I'll be entirely outmatched by swordsmen with much more experience than I have."

Loghain scowled at him. "If you don't think you can win, then you won't. It's as simple as that. If you think you can do it, then you will." He looked Aedan over. "Aedan, I have personally overseen your education and martial training since you have arrived. And this is the most worthy test I can think of for you. Do not press the issue, simply prepare yourself."

Knowing better than to continue the argument, Aedan nodded, though he still felt as if Loghain was being entirely unfair. "Yes, sir," he managed after a moment. "Is there anything else you wished to discuss?" Expecting Loghain to dismiss him, Aedan rose and straightened his tunic.

"Actually, there is. Please sit back down." Again, Aedan sat, this time a great deal less gracefully. It was Loghain's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Tonight several of the Banns who have sworn fealty to Gwaren will be in attendance, you will join us for the evening meal."

Inwardly, Aedan groaned. Formalities such as that were business as usual for someone like him, but it didn't mean that he found the boot licking that each of the Banns got up to any more tolerable after years of witnessing it. On the other hand, it did mean that he'd get a decent meal for once. Outwardly, Aedan merely nodded, his response one that was expected of him. "Of course, sir. I would be honored to attend this evening."

Loghain seemed to be satisfied with that. "Then you may leave. Spend the rest of the afternoon with your tutors, but make sure you are presentable and in the Great Hall by sundown."

Aedan rose, bowed to Loghain and departed the study.

The rest of the afternoon found Aedan in the library with his tutors, going over some complex arithmetic. Mathematics was never his best subject, but he was a fair hand with numbers, and the afternoon passed with little incident.

After his lessons, Aedan hurried to the barracks, where he changed for the second time that day into his finest attire. He was in the process of buttoning his shirt when Carver flopped unceremoniously onto his bunk. "You look dashing, my liege."

Aedan grabbed the nearest pillow and swung it at Carver's head. The young soldier adeptly avoided the blow. "Now, now, Aedan. That's no way for someone of your rank to behave."

"Shut it, Carver," Aedan commanded with a fake air of superiority. "You wouldn't want to upset me now, considering I am of such high birth." He put unnecessary emphasis on the last two words as he spoke. "If you keep this up, I might have to arrest you."

Carver snorted. "Right, like you could really force me into submission."

"Want me to prove it to you, there, oh confident one?" Aedan asked sharply, smiling as he did so. He and Carver were both remarkably fit, but Aedan suspected he'd have an edge if they did partake in a friendly brawl. That is, until they both got in a great deal of trouble.

"I'd rather just lay here and poke fun at you, actually," Carver said cheerily.

Aedan heaved a dramatic sigh. "Well I suppose I will have no choice but to endure such torment. Not that it will last long, because I am going to a feast. Where I will get to eat real food." Carver looked devastated that he wasn't allowed to attend the meal. Aedan smugly grinned down at his friend. "And since you're so intent on being an insufferable ass, I won't bring you any."

"But," Carver began.

"No butts!" Aedan declared happily, as he strode to the exit. "Have fun with the usual lousy meal."

After dinner, Aedan took the first chance he got to slip off to the small garden that Anora kept. It was where they often met, as there was very little chance they would be discovered there. When he did arrive in the garden, the sight of her set his heart racing. The moon shone so brilliantly upon her flaxen hair and pale skin, that he found himself short of breath.

Moving as silently as he could, Aedan crossed the garden and closed the distance between them. Anora, who was preoccupied with the stars, had not noticed him, and Aedan took great delight in her squeak of surprise when he wrapped his arms about her midsection and pulled her to his chest.

Anora's hands fell to his at her wast and she leaned into his embrace with a contented sigh. Aedan felt the same feeling of contentment wash over him. On the nights when they were able to meet by moonlight, the pressures and stresses of day to day life faded away into unimportant background noise. They stood that way for several minutes, simply enjoying the embrace.

It was Anora who broke the silence. "Father will likely announce my engagement to Prince Cailan while we are in Highever. If I had to guess, he'll let King Maric formally announce it, and it will happen just after the tournament during the harvest festival." Her words came out slowly, hesitantly, and Aedan could hear the worry and strain in her voice. He tightened his grip on her, but his hug was still gentle and reassuring.

"We both knew that this would happen eventually. Cailan has been your betrothed since you were a small girl." Aedan murmured his words as softly and as gently as possible. Despite that, he felt Anora tremble violently. And though he could not see her face, he knew she was choking back a wave of frustrated and bitter tears. He knew all to well that Anora held no love for Prince Cailan. She had made it clear on more than one occasion that she found him to be immature and unintelligent. Aedan knew all to well how much Anora valued intelligence, she was well schooled, and very clever. So was he.

It didn't help that Cailan was rather wall known for his promiscuity. It meant that there was very little chance he would be a loyal husband to Anora. Which, Aedan thought, would only serve to make her dislike the prince even more. As far as Aedan knew, he was the only boy Anora had ever taken interest in, and he was glad that she had. Anora was quite easily the best thing about living in Gwaren. Everything else he had to undergo was more frustrating than anything, because he was always so exhausted (not just physically, but emotionally) by it.

Despite that, he felt a small amount of sympathy for Prince Cailan. He was a friendly man, and Aedan was on good terms with him. Aedan wagered that they could have been friends, if Aedan hadn't been so aware of the fact that the Prince would one day be the husband of Anora. It set him on edge just thinking about it. Now was not the time for bitterness, however. Now he had to do his best to reassure Anora that things would be okay.

"Cailan is a good enough sort. He'll never-" Aedan was cut off by a guttural grunt of frustration from Anora, which was immediately followed by another tremble. It worried Aedan to see Anora like this, because it took a great deal of stress and pressure to crack her near unyielding aura of poise and composure. Instead of trying to finish his sentence, he elected to stay silent, and gently nuzzle his face into Anora's neck.

After a moment of overwhelmingly intense silence, Anora whispered, "He isn't you."

The gravity of those words, as well as the unrestrained emotion that accompanied them, rocked Aedan to his core. It was in that moment that he realized their secret romance, and what courting he had been able to woo her with had taken them from infatuated teenagers, to star crossed lovers. Anora had all but said that she loved him, and he could feel in his heart that he returned those feelings of affection and friendship.

Aedan noticed he was standing perfectly still, and not breathing. He exhaled slowly and took a deep breath before allowing himself to speak again. "No, he isn't. But he's a kind enough fellow, if a bit rash from time to time."

Anora turned in his arms until she was facing him. He could see the tears she held back, but found that he could only smile gently at her. If he could, he would have married her, but that was impossible. They were both members of the nobility, and they would not be allowed to marry for love, only for duty, and for the good of Ferelden.

"Please don't try to make the prospect seem less awful," she said. "I know you well enough to know that you're just doing it to try and make us both more comfortable with the idea. And I don't want to get comfortable with the idea."

It was, perhaps, the most irrational thing she had ever said, but he knew he felt the same way. "I thought it might be good to start now, so it doesn't creep up on us and turn everything into a very strange threesome while we aren't looking." He grinned smugly at her.

She half giggled, half cried, and buried her face into his chest. "Until it's officially announced that we are to be married, I am going to act like it isn't going to happen at all."

Aedan could respect that. In fact, it seemed like a good idea to him. If they were to be separated, then it was up to them to make the best of the time that remained for them to be young, foolish, and in love. "Well then I suppose we'd best talk about something else."

"I agree." Her voice was muffled by his shirt.

They changed the subject, bantering freely, but never leaving each others arms. It was comforting, in a way. Even though they knew it couldn't possibly last long, they would enjoy what time they had. And a part of Aedan remained delusional and hopeful that maybe, if they were lucky, everything would work out as they wanted it to.

Author's Note 2: Please drop a review to let me know what you thought so far. The next update will come in about a week (give or take), so be on the lookout for that. But really, I'd love feedback for this story, not only will it help me with new ideas and twists, but I find that good feedback inspires me to write a lot more often. It's nice to know what worked and what did not. Anyways, I'm out for now. Hope you lot had a good time reading.