And so it begins! Here is the second story I mentioned at the end of Finally. I've been trying to get ahead on the chapters before I post them but that has been more difficult than I thought. So I decided to post the first chapter to encourage myself to continue.
This story has been in the works for some time now. Unfortunately, I see that there is another story on here now that seems to have had similar inspiration. I promise this is going to go in a different direction though. I hope you don't think I stole the idea or anything.
Also, this is the first time I've attempted first-person perspective. If you see any issues feel free to let me know.
Bioware owns all! Including my heart ;)
I begged. I pleaded. I had even tried crying to get my way. "Please, Alistair! Are you certain I cannot go along?" I hate crying.
"Yes, my love. Don't worry. I should be back before you know it. You won't even have time to miss me if Cailan is correct." That was a pretty big if.
"Fine... I guess. But you had better be careful, Ali." I wrapped my arms around his neck so I could cling to him, "I miss you already."
"I promise you, Charis, you couldn't get rid of me if you tried," Alistair kissed me goodbye one more time before removing my arms from around him and mounting the horse next to his brother, King Cailan.
Cailan and his wife, Queen Anora, had already said their goodbyes. They had no need of an emotional public display like the one we had just put on. I moved to join Anora, who was standing silently on the palace steps.
Alistair, Cailan, and Anora's father, Teryn Loghain, were riding at the head of the men marching off to Ostagar. To war. Darkspawn attacks had become more and more frequent and finally it was discovered that they were converging into a horde. It was only a matter of time before they started marching on Ferelden. They had decided to act before that happened, and Cailan insisted he and Alistair be a part of it; as their father had been so many years ago.
I, however, would be left at home. Like a good little wife.
How I envied Cauthrien, Cat as I had always called her, as she brought her horse in line behind the men. I was trained as a warrior just as she was! But she wasn't married to the Prince of Ferelden. No one looked upon her presence in battle as irresponsible and unbefitting of a lady. Pfft! The only good thing being a lady ever brought me was Alistair. And he loves me for who I am; not my fancy dresses or title.
Loghain gave the signal for the men to leave and spurred his horse into motion. Alistair hung back and waved to me a final time before galloping off to catch up to his brother. I stood between Anora and the guards at the palace entrance and watched until the men were out of sight. Anora turned and started to make her way back inside.
"Charis, are you coming dear?"
"In a little while, Anora. Go on without me." She nodded and signaled the guards to follow as well, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
You're probably starting to wonder who I am and how I ended up here. No? I'll tell you anyway.
Charis Cousland. That's me. Well, technically it's Charis Theirin now. As the only other daughter of the only other Teryn in Ferelden; a phrase I heard often when I was lamenting my fate, it was my duty to my country to one day wed the King's youngest son. There was a time when I resented that very much. So much in fact that I ran away from home when I was eight years old.
If you haven't noticed, I'm kind of stubborn.
I didn't get far before my father's guards found me. He decided then that maybe I should get to know the boy I would be sharing my life with.
He knew me well enough not to tell me that the royal family was coming for a visit. I probably would have attempted another escape.
To my surprise, Alistair Theirin was a quiet and charming young man who made me laugh more than I ever had before. Nothing like his immature older brother whom I had heard so many rumors about, even then. And every time our families got together for these arranged visits, he became even more kind and fun to be around. And attractive. Obviously, I fell head over heels in love with him, but I'm not going to lie; the fact that he was so incredibly gorgeous made the situation a lot more bearable before our relationship had reached this level.
It had been five years since I moved to Denerim for good. Anora had come to live in the palace at a much earlier age, but my parents were not the type to give their only daughter up so easily. My father had been finishing the agreement with King Maric when he was tragically lost at sea.
Teryn Cousland, my father, and the newly crowned Cailan agreed that I should make the move immediately; mainly so that Alistair would have a friend and help to deal with the loss of his father. I arrived in time to serve as Anora's maid of honor in the royal wedding.
Whereas Cailan and Anora had spent all of their time together learning the ins and outs of the throne room, and never having a chance to really bond as a couple, Alistair was never expected to rule, and we had all of the free time we wanted to get to know each other.
When we were confined to the palace we sparred against each other as often as possible. Both of us were trained as warriors; he with sword and shield and I with sword and dagger, and it was good to have someone on a similar level to train with. We spent the majority of our time though exploring the city, getting to know the people, and helping our elven friends in the Alienage.
It was on one of these return trips from the Alienage that our relationship blossomed from friendship into something more.
Flashback time.
We were walking in companionable silence through one of the alleys when we came upon a group of four armed men. At first they seemed not to notice us; we thought we would make it past unscathed. Then the men stopped talking amongst themselves and turned to face us.
"What have we here, boys? You two look a little young to be handling such big, expensive weapons. Why don't we take those off your hands?" The apparent leader and his friends laughed amongst themselves as if it were some great joke.
"No thank you, sir. We were just passing through and we'll be on our way now," I calmly responded with all of the diplomatic training I had been forced to sit through.
"You let your girl speak for you?" he addressed Alistair before turning his attention back to me. "Maybe someone should show you your place!"
Alistair instinctively stepped in front of me to shield me from them. Cute. Also annoying. People never seem to understand that I can protect myself. The group leader nodded to his men and they drew their weapons. Alistair and I reluctantly drew ours as well. The first two thugs came at us and Alistair met them head on. A third attacked me while the leader hung back and watched.
Alistair dispatched one of his attackers and I took mine down shortly afterward. The leader then came after me while Alistair fought the last man.
The first of my opponents had been fairly easy to incapacitate. The second man however, was much more skilled with a blade. He was much larger as well and his strength was quickly overwhelming me, I'll admit it. I dodged a blow from his sword only to be tripped when he kicked me in the leg. He raised his sword and was preparing to run me through when Alistair finally finished with his second opponent. He charged at the man standing over me and hit him with his shield, literally sending him flying into the wall of a building where he was knocked unconscious.
"Charis! Are you alright?" Alistair asked as he helped me to my feet. Just a minute ago I was upset that he wanted to protect me. Now I felt like kissing him for it.
"Yes, Ali. Thank you though. I was severely outmatched."
"I was so worried when I saw him standing over you! I was afraid..." Alistair trailed off as he checked me for wounds. He placed his hands on either side of my face so he could tilt my head. Without warning, his lips came crashing down on mine with such force that I thought they might bruise. As he pulled away his face turned a brilliant shade of red. It was the most adorable thing I had ever seen.
"I'm sorry, I... I just," he looked terrified and hopeful at the same time. "Was that too soon?"
It took me a moment to regain the ability to speak. I never thought I would like it so much when he kissed me. Oh, the kiss itself was terrible; I'm told that most first kisses are. But the feeling behind it was amazing. "N-no... Alistair... that was..." I began blushing as well. "That was everything I'd dreamt it would be." I resheathed my weapons and took his hand in mine. "As much as I would like to do that again," I gestured to unconscious men lying at our feet, "we really should get moving."
"Right," he nodded and we ran the rest of the way back to the palace. We didn't stop until we reached the sitting area of his rooms, where we practically collapsed on the floor from the adrenaline rush.
That was three years ago. Our wedding had been held the year after that. My parents had been ecstatic, and extremely surprised for some odd reason, that the arrangement had developed into a loving relationship.
Any time we got into trouble or fights since then we were always together; always there to protect each other. Well... us and was the Mabari hound Alistair had given me as a wedding gift. But that was why it was so difficult to watch him ride off by himself. If I'm not there to watch over him, who else will? Cailan? Ha! He will be too busy trying to glorify his own name with what are likely to be mediocre acts of bravery. He is half the warrior that Alistair is. Maker! I... I can't think about this anymore.
Guess I'd better get back inside before someone decides to lecture me again.
It took me a little longer than usual to wander back to our bedroom. I don't know how I'm going to survive in that room without him. Deep breath. Come on, Charis. You're supposed to be strong, remember?
Jack was lying in front of the fireplace and acknowledged my entrance with a whine. Mabaris are very intelligent, and he most definitely understood what had happened. He was just as upset with Alistair's departure as I was, if not more so. We had had to leave him inside just so he wouldn't ruin our goodbye with his incessant howling. I sat down on the floor next to him and scratched his ears.
"Oh, Jack. I guess if you're allowed to pout, so am I," I laid down beside him and eventually fell into a restless slumber.
A few hours later, someone rudely interrupted me by knocking on the door.
"Ugh... Just a minute!" I attempted a stretch, no use, and half-stumbled towards the door. I opened it to find Anora, dressed for bed and looking slightly uncomfortable.
"Good evening, Charis, I - Maker's breath, are you alright?" Anora became alarmed at my appearance. It didn't help that I was so stiff I could barely stand.
"Yes, Anora. The floor just isn't quite as comfortable as it looks. Please, come in," I opened the door fully for my sister-in-law.
"Thank you, dear. I just thought... you might like some company?"
Maybe she misses Cailan more than I thought. "That would be lovely, Anora. Make yourself comfortable while I change," I motioned to the sitting area while moving behind the changing screen. I put on a pair of Alistair's trousers and one of his shirts. Then I thought about it and threw a robe over top. Anora had taken a seat on the sofa so I sat in the chair.
"How are you holding up, Charis?" Anora asked.
"I'm well; it was just difficult saying goodbye today. We haven't been apart like this in so long... it's hard."
"I understand. I can see how close the two of you are. Sometimes I wish Cailan and I had that..."
Really Anora? You could have fooled me. "How are things between the two of you?" I had been curious of this for a long time.
"There... isn't much... of anything I'm afraid. We are friends... as much as we can be. But we will never be more than that. And I am fearful that without an heir, he will soon give in to the demands to annul our marriage. Though it is his fault we haven't had a child! I cannot get pregnant if he will not come to my bed!" Anora was becoming increasingly more agitated. It was a little sad. "I am sorry, Charis. I do not mean to overwhelm you with this..."
"Its okay, Anora. I'm... here if you need to talk." About anything other than politics. And fashion. Ugh... scary.
"Thank you. You know, I have come to think of you as a younger sister these past few years. It is nice to have a true friend."
"I know what you mean, Anora. And I'm sorry to hear about you and Cailan. Maybe the two of you can work on changing things when he comes back?" While Alistair and I are locked in this room doing things you've apparently only ever dreamed of.
Sorry. That one was kind of mean.
"Always the optimist, Charis. I think we are beyond that. I don't know how I will adjust. To go from Queen to nothing... I cannot do it."
"Anora, you will never be nothing. Even if you are not queen you are still the heir to a Teyrnir!" Why must everyone wallow in self-pity? There are people much worse off than you, your majesty.
"You are right, dear. Thank you. I think I will say goodnight now."
"Alright, Anora. Anytime." I guess.
She left. Finally I could climb in bed and... wallow in my own self-pity. Great.
I left the robe on the chair and lay down on Alistair's side of the bed. Wearing his clothes. Using his pillow. His scent is so strong it's like he's still here.
"Come back to me, Alistair." Or I will hurt you.