Hello all welcome to my rewrite of Aonghas' beginning. A warning to those who have not read my stuff before. There will be malexmale relationships in here but no smut. Sorry smut lovers :(.

Aonghas is the spoiled youngest son of Bryce and Eleanor Cousland and despite having spent a little over five years in the Circle Tower he easily falls back into this role. The events of the circle that you will play in a mage origin in my story take place at about the time Duncan is recruiting Alistair, six months before Duncan enters Highever to recruit Ser Gilmore.

Special thanks to Dlan_immortality for the Ser Gilmore NPC. I loved every minute of it!

Thanks to the people who have supported me on the Bioware Forums and for all the great stories I continue to read.

Chapter One: A Child of Noble Birth

Part One: The Birth of a Legend

Eleanor Cousland lay exhausted as her screaming newborn was placed in her arms. She was surprised to see eyes that were not the blue of a newborns but instead a darker mirror of her own emerald green eyes. Bryce leaned in and kissed her on the cheek before examining his son. He counted toes and fingers and grinned as he noted the male status and then he brushed a hand over the babies brown fuzzy hair. He then noted the eyes of his child. As he stared in amazement the infant appeared to meet his gaze and stopped crying. Bryce and Eleanor looked at each other in surprise, a loud wail from the infant brought their attention back to him and once again the baby quieted as he looked into Bryce's eyes. "He's exceptional, Eleanor. Let's name him Aonghas." Eleanor smiled and nodded.

Part Two: The Soul Yearns and Becomes Complete: Aonghas and Majestic.

Six year old Aonghas slipped out of Redcliff castle while his father and the man who owns the castle laughed at the story Teagan was telling them. Somehow he found his way to the kennels and slipped into them while the kennel master chastised a boy covered in mud. The other boy must have been two or three years older than himself and he was too busy staring at the ground to notice Aonghas. Aonghas walked right up to the one of the larger hounds and wrapped his arms around the hound's massive neck and snuggled his face against its jowls.

As he listened to the hound he began to notice that the kennel master had stopped talking. Suddenly the hound let out a low deep growl and shifted itself to the side to protect Aonghas. "Easy, Milady." Aonghas lifted his head as the kennel master spoke and the man had a worried look on his face, with a trace of awe. "Come away from the hound, young lord." Aonghas raised his chin and shook his head and then buried his face against the hounds head again. The hounds rumbling growl increased a bit; warning the kennel master. Aonghas could feel the shock and disbelief of the kennel master that the hound allowed Aonghas to touch her. Aonghas and the hound relaxed as the kennel master backed off some and spoke again. "Come away, lad." Aonghas ignored the man. There was silence for a time and then, "Alistair, go get Arl Eamon and the Teryn who is with him. Go quickly." There was a scurrying sound and then silence again.

Aonghas could hear the commotion as more people arrived but he was too busy listening to the soul of the hound to pay attention. Finally, his father's voice intruded on his rapport. "Pup, what are you doing?" Aonghas wanted to ignore his father but he had learned early that his father having to repeat himself would mean trouble.

"I'm learning. She has so much knowledge. If you listen closely you can almost hear her ancestors." Aonghas tried to go back to listening but his rapport had been broken and the heavy silence from outside the kennel had disturbed the hounds. Aonghas released his hold from around the hound's neck and turned to face the growing but silent crowd. He rested a hand on the hounds back and smiled. "Can I have her?"

"No. Come out from there, pup." Aonghas frowned and dragged his feet all the way to the edge of the kennel. He didn't object as his father reached over and lifted him up and out of the kennel. He wiggled as his father hugged him tightly, because his father's whiskers tickled his cheek. Father loosened his grip, but still held him in his arms. "Don't ever do this again, Mabari can be very dangerous." Aonghas started to object; to correct his father but a stern look quieted his tongue.

"Well, Bryce. This sure beats the stories my brother was telling us." Aonghas smiled and wrapped his arms around his father's neck as the men laughed. A bark startled them all and they all turned to the kennel. Aonghas strained to be let down to see what she wanted but his father wouldn't put him down. "Look at that I think she's trying to give one of her pups to your son, Bryce." Aonghas felt his father's arms tighten around him for a moment but then his father released a deep sigh and put him down. Aonghas rushed over to the kennel and held his arms out and smiled up at the man with the long beard who held the squirming pup. When the pup was placed in his arms Aonghas suddenly felt whole and complete, the pup most have felt the same because it began licking him.

"Eamon, he's only six," complained father.

"And imprinted already; surely he is blessed by the Maker. What say you, Bryce, shall we talk price?"

Part Three: A Thief in the Making

Nine year old Aonghas moved casually through the gathered party guests. Fergus' birthdays always seemed to be so grand and so many people filled the hall to bursting making the bumping of each other a common occurrence. It was a haven of sorts for a blossoming young thief. Aonghas had always been overly cunning and sneaky and he felt a thrill at the idea of taking from these stuffy individuals. Aonghas' belt pouch quickly filled with coins and baubles and even a couple of rings he had, miraculously he thought, removed off of a couple of slightly drunk men. A quick run to his chamber to stash the loot and then he slid casually back into the hall to spot his next target. A large blond haired man who looked to be in his mid to late teens appeared to be holding court in the middle of the hall and Aonghas' couldn't keep his eyes off the flash of jewels and the bulging pouch that hung loosely on the man's belt. Just as Aonghas' neared the man he felt a hand close over his arm. Aonghas flinched in surprise before turning quickly to meet the green eyed gaze of his father's squire. Aonghas thought about resisting as the squire led him out of the room but he knew better than to create a scene. Once in the hall he shook off the squire's hold.

"What is your issue, Roland?"

"Do you know who that man is, My Lord?"

"Who?"

"The one you were considering stealing from."

Aonghas felt his face get hot and was about to deny he had intended to steal but a knowing look from Squire, Roland Gilmore, changed his mind. "No. Who is he?"

"He's the Prince of Ferelden. You know; King Maric's son?"

"Really?" Intrigued now Aonghas couldn't help but stare at the prince as he entertained the people around him with grand tales of King Maric. When Aonghas moved closer to the man to listen, the squire followed. A glance at Roland told him that the squire was just as interested in the prince as Aonghas. Aonghas found himself hanging on the man's every word and gesture, so much so that he failed to notice that there was a bit of a commotion in another part of the room. The prince suddenly stopped talking and stared towards Aonghas and Roland. Aonghas couldn't imagine what had silenced the man but when a heavy hand dropped on his shoulder and he was easily turned he looked up at the culprit and found a red-faced Fergus glaring down at him. His older brother didn't say anything but he gave a nod to Squire Gilmore and then pushed me none to gently toward the door. Once more I didn't make a scene as Roland pulled me from the room, but this time he didn't let go once we were in the hall. I could hear him mutter as he continued to pull me through the castle.

"You've done it this time, My Lord. I don't think I've ever seen him this angry." Roland didn't stop dragging Aonghas along until the door to Aonghas bed chamber loomed before them. "Best go inside and wait for him." Reluctantly Aonghas did as the older boy told him, his stomach churning, and his mind numb. When Aonghas saw the squire take up sentry at the door, he slammed it closed and then flung himself at Majestic hugging him tight. Majestic stood strong in the face of such despair and nudged his charge occasionally using his worried whine.

The wait was long, but it gave Aonghas time to compose himself and when a knock came at his door and Fergus stepped in without an invite; Aonghas was ready. Fergus didn't say anything at first but stood staring around the room his fists clenched. Then finally he said in a softly menacing voice. "What did I tell you?" Aonghas could feel the tremors in his knees, but he answered calmly.

"About what, big brother?"

"You know what I'm talking about. Don't feign innocence." Fergus glared at him fiercely. Aonghas fought a tremor and raised his chin and then turned away from his brother.

"I assure you I don't know what you are talking about." He heard Fergus grunt and then he heard the unmistakable sound of a buckle being undone and he turned back quickly and started backing away from his brother. "I didn't do anything!" Fergus advanced and Aonghas screamed at him hoping to alert their parents. "Don't you dare, Fergus Cousland!" The scream didn't even slow his advance down and Aonghas found himself out of room with his back firmly against the wall opposite the door. At that moment a commotion was heard in the hall and their mother and father entered the room with concerned looks on their faces. Suddenly Aonghas found himself second guessing his decision as Fergus gave him his fiercest glare.

"What's going on, Fergus?" My father's voice was calm but had a tone that demanded a response.

"Little brother has been stealing from my party guests." Fergus' voice wasn't calm and he appeared to be panting in rage. "I already warned him once what would happen if he did it again."

"But I didn't do anything." Aonghas was amazed at how calm his own voice sounded and confident too. "I was just standing there listening to Prince Cailan and Fergus grabbed me." Aonghas stared wide-eyed when Fergus moved across the room instead of speaking. His brother stopped in front of Aonghas two chests and threw one open. Aonghas didn't dare speak as he watched as his brother search the chest. Aonghas could feel his body tensing as he brother moved to the second chest; that held the objects that he had stolen, and threw it open. Aonghas watched intently as his brother rustled through things and he gasped involuntarily when his brother pulled out the false bottom of the chest and tossed it aside. Fergus still didn't speak but gathered up the two stolen rings and handed them to their father. Father stared at the rings for a moment and then closed his fist on them.

"Pup, this is not the way we raised you. Stealing from guests that we invite to the castle is bad enough but during your brother's party makes it so much worse. Fergus, I will deal with this."

Fergus moved across to the door and held it opened for his mother. "He needs to be taught a lesson, father."

Bryce's gaze narrowed as he looked at his eldest son. "I said I will deal with this. Now go."

As the door closed behind his wife and eldest son Bryce walked to Aonghas' desk and set the rings down before pulling out two sheets of parchment and setting them side by side below the rings. Bryce pulled out the desk chair and turned to give a stern look to his youngest son. "Come here and sit." Aonghas slowly moved forward and gingerly sat on the chair. He cringed when his father leaned over him, but his father only grabbed a quill and handed it to him. "You are to write apologies to the owners of these rings." Aonghas stared at his father with his mouth agape. Bryce seemed to grimace as he tapped one of the sheets of parchment with a finger. "Write a letter of apology to each for your theft of their rings."

Aonghas closed his mouth and stared down at the two sheets of paper. He knew how to write but he had no idea how to write an apology. "What should I write?"

Aonghas cringed at his father's sigh of exasperation. "You are the one who stole from them. It is your responsibility to confess your actions and ask their forgiveness. It is not something I can do for you." Aonghas looked up with a pleading look and met his father's unrelenting eyes. "You can start by addressing them as Ser. You have a half hour before I return. I expect them to be written and signed by then." His father gave him the look that always made Aonghas cringe; the one that said, 'You are a Cousland and will behave as such.'

Aonghas watched his father leave and then after heaving a huge sigh he turned and addressed the first letter while speaking out loud, "Dear Ser, I stole your ring off of you when you were drunk at my brother's birthday party. I should not have done that; even if your overdrinking made you a perfect target. I hope you will forgive me for stealing from you in your moment of weakness. Best Regards, Aonghas Cousland."

Aonghas grinned to himself as he copied the same words onto the second sheet. "That wasn't so hard." Aonghas amused himself for the next twenty minutes by spinning the rings around on his desk. He wanted to get up and roam but knew when his father told him to sit somewhere he meant for him to stay there until he said otherwise.

Aonghas watched his father grimace again and realized his father was trying not to laugh at his letter, but soon enough Bryce placed the papers back and handed Aonghas the quill again. "Write: P.S. I apologize for stealing your ring and I am returning it with this letter."

Aonghas pouted and whined, "I have to give the rings back?"

"Yes, you do. They do not belong to you. Now write: I apologize for stealing your ring and I am returning it with this letter." Aonghas continued to pout but did as he was told; carefully printing the words. "Good, now copy that to the other letter and then get to bed. Tomorrow we'll discuss how your life is going to change. Understood?"

"Yes, Father." Aonghas watched his father leave and then heaved a huge sigh before doing as he was told.