Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Dragon Age.

Warning: Lemon

[A/N: I started this fic a while ago, and am still writing it. I originally intended it to be a one-shot but it just kept getting longer and longer, so I decided to publish it as multi-chapter. I plan on it being at least two chapters, maybe as many as 4. Stay tuned and enjoy!]

It's nearing high noon; the students are filing into the library to listen to another lecture by Aldous. Elissa remains behind, sitting against a rock in the sun-filled courtyard, her eyes filling with tears. Why wouldn't the others include her? Why couldn't she make friends? How many seventeen year olds were this lonely? Nan always called her a special girl. What if she didn't want to be special?

She hears a twig snap behind her and she quickly wipes her eyes. A tall redheaded boy she had encountered previously stands in front of her. He has been around for about two years. Elissa remembers playfully eying him the first time he entered the castle. She has had a crush on him ever since.

He bends down, and wipes the remaining tears from her eyes and then he smiles. With an arm behind his back, he pulls out a rose and gives it to her.

"This rose reflects your beauty. Do not cry, for there is not enough time in the world to dwell on that which causes us pain," he tells her. "You can call me Gilmore, my lady. We've met briefly on several occasions." He holds out a hand to help her to her feet. She takes it, gratefully, her heart fluttering.

Tears dissipating, she smiles at him. Her feelings for him grew immensely in that instance and before she could help herself, her hands were on his face and she was kissing him wildly. He makes no move to retreat and he presses her body against his. He pushes his tongue into her mouth- a sensation she had not ever experienced before trickles down her spine and a moan escapes her lips.

Elissa was in her room, slowly putting on her armor. Her father demanded her presence in the great hall to welcome a few guests to the castle. She didn't want to bother with it, and she wouldn't have, if her father hadn't been so insistent. She double-checked herself in her full length mirror to be sure she was presentable. The last thing she needed was to upset father and company just before they departed for battle.

Okaying herself, Elissa left her room and made her way through the castle and into the great hall. As she entered, she spotted her father in the center of the grand room, speaking to someone oddly familiar. She approached respectfully, not wanting to intrude on their conversation. Her father, however, spotted her, and opened his arms in welcome.

"Ah, there you are, pup, just in time!" he cried, clapping her on the shoulder. "This is Arl Howe. I do hope you remember him, and his son- who unfortunately could not make it."
"How could I forget?" Elissa jested, smiling pleasantly at Howe.

"He called on you not long ago," said Howe, raising his eyebrow in what seemed to be hope. But, Elissa wasn't very good at reading people.

"With all due respect, I have no interest in arranged marriage."

"That's my girl! She knows what she does and doesn't want," laughed the Teyrn. "Her mother is relentless in finding her a suitor, though. Perhaps we shall try again soon."

Elissa rolled her eyes. There was no talking him out of it right now.

"Yes, I'll be sure to remind my son that," said Howe with a slight smile.

Just then, a man approached. He was older but nice looking.

"Our special guest has arrived!" stated the Teyrn.

Elissa eyed him curiously. Judging by his demeanor, this was a man of importance.

"Pup, this is Duncan, the Grey Warden commander."

She was momentarily taken aback. "A Grey Warden? I thought they were just legend, riding through the skies on the backs of griffons, defending the land from the Blight."

Duncan laughed. "I'm not quite sure about the griffons part, but here I stand before you. I am, indeed, a Grey Warden."

"Impressive. It's a pleasure to meet you Duncan," Elissa said, shaking his hand. "I am Elissa Cousland, Teyrn Bryce Cousland's daughter."

"I know who you are," smiled Duncan.

"What brings you here?"

"Duncan is looking for recruits," Teyrn said.

"Anyone in particular?" Elissa asked with great interest. The look on Duncan's face was full of understanding.

"There has been nothing but good word about the knight, Ser Gilmore," he said. Elissa stiffened. "But, if your father wasn't so determined to keep you here, I'd have hoped to recruit you."

"Me? Are you serious? Maybe Gilmore and I can serve together?" Elissa hoped she wasn't coming across too eager.

"Now, now, pup, your mother would be in a fit if I let you join the Wardens. He is here for Gilmore," Teyrn said, sternly. "I know you'd do well. But, think of your mother."

Elissa sighed. If it was true about Ser Gilmore, her love, she must find him immediately. They had things to work out.

"I have some things to discuss with the Warden and Arl Howe. Why don't you go and find your brother for me, pup. Tell him to head out with the army tonight. We'll catch up with them afterward," her father said.

"Oh, alright," she said. She waved goodbye to Duncan and Arl Howe and proceeded to the labyrinth that was the outside of the great hall.

She had to find Ser Gilmore. Had he known about the Grey Warden's presence and his intention to recruit? Especially recruit him? What was she going to do? Maybe she could convince her mom to somehow let her join, and then she could be with Ser Gilmore in the open. And, she had been dying to get outside the castle and adventure for ages. This was a win-win!

She winded around a corner. She had been so lost in thoughts she didn't notice a large figure standing in front of her. She ran right into whoever it was.

"I'm so sor-" she began, but as she looked up she saw the familiar flaming red hair and brilliant smile.

"My lady," Ser Gilmore said, grabbing her hand before she stumbled backwards. "What were you concentrating on so hard that you didn't even see me?"

She looked up at him with concerned eyes. He understood. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into the most comforting hug she'd ever received. She couldn't help but savor the feel. This was almost exactly what happened during their fateful night.

It was nearing dark. Elissa was whistling to find her mabari, Siren. She was secretly hoping to meet someone else.

She knew she was being overtly hopeful, the fictional images flashing through her mind of sleepless nights with him in her bedroom. It would never happen, even if he did reciprocate her feelings. She knew he was afraid of pissing off her father, especially since he was newly knighted. But, Elissa couldn't help but have those thoughts envelope her.

She was so caught up in her thoughts that she ran straight into the very person she was hoping to run into.

"My lady," chuckled Ser Gilmore, grabbing her wrist ever so lightly to help her regain her balance.

"Oh, hello," she stumbled, blushing intensely.

"Might I ask what you were concentrating on so much that you didn't even see me?"

She looked around and found that the outside corridor she was walking through was completely empty. Except for them. What was it they always say? Life is too short, live life to the fullest? Well, it was now or never.

Without answering him, she attempted to put her thoughts into action. She launched at him, grabbing his face and crashing her lips to his. Ser Gilmore didn't even have time to process what was going on to try to stop her. After what was happening finally hit him, he kissed back, even more passionately, shoving his tongue into her mouth, intertwining with hers. She fought back, her tongue gaining dominance over his. Her tongue was now in his mouth and she took this opportunity to begin sucking on his lower lip, tracing her tongue across it. He let out a gasp of longing. Elissa knew he wanted this as much as her, yet she could feel him holding back. She broke away from him for an instant. His eyes were still closed, savoring what had just transpired.

"I need this," she whispered to him. His eyes opened and they met hers. She bore into them, trying to convey this need to him through their prolonged stare.

"I will always be here for you, whenever you need me," he said, quietly.

"I need you now," she said.

He lowered his head, lifting her chin up with his hand and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

"Then I am yours," he said.

He pressed her up against the stone wall, hoisting her legs up around his waist. He began to undo the belting of her leather armor. As he undid each hinge and a new area of skin was revealed, he would kiss it. Elissa moaned as he began to strip away the top portion. He hands ran up and down her thighs a few times before he undid her pleats.

"What about you?" Elissa asked, referring to his armor.

Ser Gilmore grinned. "Chainmail is too complicated for right now, but luckily there is a cod piece for ease of access," he said, winking.

She laughed. He kissed her mouth while he took off her bra.

Elissa had fooled around a few times, mostly with Dairren, before she and Ser Gilmore became serious. But no one had ever made her feel as good as Ser Gilmore did… does…

He reached for her breasts, massaging them gently with his coarse hands, his thumbs running over her small nipples. Elissa moaned, closed her eyes, and slightly bucked. Her wanting was so immense she didn't know how much longer she could contain herself. It was like she was living in her dreams. Was this really even happening? She opened her eyes to see him watching her, wanting to know what she was feeling. She touched his face. This was really happening.

He kissed her again while one of his hands was at work below, undoing his hindrance. Once he was free, she could feel him against her, his hardened member poking her thigh as he continued his fondling of her breasts. He shuddered as he slowly dragged himself across her thigh, grinding into her. He moaned.

"Ser," Elissa said, grabbing his face in her two hands and forcing him to look at her. "I'm ready."

He nodded and guided himself to her opening. He slowly entered her. He was much larger than anyone else she previously spent the night with. She was very slick, however, allowing him to explore further with ease.

"Oh Maker," she cried as she pressed her head against the hard, cold stone wall.

Ser Gilmore let out a gasp, but trudged on. He began to rock back and forth, grinding against her core. He let out a harsh breath before forcing the rest of himself into her.

Elissa gasped loudly, rolling her head back, grasping firmly onto his shoulders. He made short but powerful thrusts, grunting and moaning with each one.

"Maker, Maker, please!" moaned Elissa, pressure starting to build in her abdomen. Her breathing hitched, and she pressed more firmly against the stone wall and tightened her grip on Ser Gilmore.

He pounded into her, the clanking of his chainmail nearly drowning out his harsh breathing and gasps.

Elissa cried out, clawed at his armored shoulders, her fluids pouring over his member still pounding into her as she met her climax.

"Not much longer," Ser Gimore managed to say, as Elissa savored the bounce his pounding created.

"Elissa," he moaned, as he filled her.

Still inside her, she gently slid against the stone wall until her feet reached the ground.

He pulled out of her as she reached for his face to pull him in for another kiss.

"I love you," she said.
"And I love you."

His arms were still around her. She could tell he was trying to put the words he couldn't speak into it. But, she needed the words.

"You're going to become a Grey Warden."

"Yes."

"What am I supposed to do? Wait for you to return? What if you never return? What will I do then?"

"I'm sure your mother will have plans for you," Ser Gilmore stated.

Elissa broke from him and glared.

"You think I'll just get over you. Because my mom might find me a 'suitor'?"

"I didn't mean it like that," he sighed.

"Then what did you mean?"

"I just mean that you and I wouldn't be able to keep this charade up forever. Either we were going to be forced apart or your parents would find out and oust me."

"Now you're giving them the perfect moment to force us apart."

"If there was any other way…" he started.

Elissa thought for a moment. "Maybe I could convince my mother to join the Grey Wardens with you. She might feel better about it knowing a trusted knight would be at my back."

"I suppose it's worth a shot, but won't it sound a bit suspicious?"

"Maybe, but you're leaving. And we've kept it hidden this long."

"I suppose you're right. Before I forget, Nan wants you in the larder. Siren has gotten in again."

"That bloody dog. Always getting me into trouble," Elissa laughed. "I guess we should go and fetch him."