Disclaimer I don't own anything. This story is just for fun only
Memoirs of Lady Cousland
I Know that I've had a privilege start in life. Loving parents, the doted their time and affection. A brother who always had time for his younger feistier younger sister. I'd never gone hungry, or felt the icy bite of winter. I knew I should have been grateful. I remember just before I was to turn sixteen, how I pestered my dad for a dog. Soon my sixteenth birthday he took me down to the kennels. He wasn't going to get just any dog for his daughter.
"Here pup. Choose which ever one you want." I couldn't believe it a pen full of Malbri war hound puppies. I entered the pen and knelt down. Being war hounds naturally they were nervous of me. This one pup was braver than the rest, and ventured forward, watching me. Sniffing the air. He came close enough that I held out my hand. Which he sniffed before licking it. It was known that Malbri's choosing their masters not the other way round.
"Well pup, looks like you've made a new friend."
"He's wonderful, dad."
"What are you going to call him?"
"Ruffles." The Malbri seamed to agree with his new name, and barked with excitement. I remember when I took Ruffles home. How my brother teased me for naming him.
"Ruffles. You can't call a war hound that." It didn't matter to me. Life was good with no problems. Well apart from my mother trying to find a marriage match for me. But it would only take a couple of years for that to change.
It started with the day father called me into the main hall. That was the day I met Duncan a Grey Warden.
"I'm sorry pup, I didn't see you there. Arl Howe you remember my daughter?" Arl Howe was a small man. His features always remind me of a rat.
"I see she's become a lovely young woman. Pleased to see you again, my dear."
"The pleasure is all mine Arl Howe." That's when dad turned to face me. There was obviously a more serious reason into why father had summoned me.
"Since your brother is leading our forces south, and I'm going with the Arl. I'm leaving you in charge of the castle."
"I'll do my best father."
"Now that's what I like to hear. I'm leaving a token force, and you must keep peace in the region. Yes? There is also someone you must met." father to my hand into his. "Please show Duncan in." one of the elf servants bowed before leaving out of the side door. He returned a few moments later. Leading in a gentleman with brown hair and a beard. Wearing a style of armour I'd never seen before. By the way he carried himself it was clear he was a capable swordsman.
"It is an honour to be a guest in your home Arl Cousland." His accent I couldn't place, but I could tell he wasn't a naïve of Ferelden. Arl Howe became quite nervous once our new guest had joined us.
"Your Lordship, you didn't mention a Grey Warden would be present."
"Duncan arrived just recently unannounced. Is there a problem?"
"Oh of course not, but a guest of this stature demands certain protocols. I am at a disadvantage."
"We rarely have a pleasure of seeing one in person." Father then turned his attention back to me "Pup, Arl Howe has taught you who the Grey Wardens are I hope?"
"I believe that they are mighty warriors." Father walked with me while we talked.
"They are the heroes of legend who ended the Blight and saved us all. Duncan is looking for recruits, before joining us and his fellow wardens in the south." We were now standing next to Duncan. "I believe he has an eye on Ser Gilmore."
"If I might be so bold." Duncan said as he stepped forward "I suggest that you daughter is also an excellent candidate." The protective side of my fathers stood in front, placing himself between me and the Grey Warden.
"Honour though that this may be, this is my daughter that your talking about." I placed my hand on his shoulder.
"I like the idea." But my words seam to fall on deaf ears.
"I've not many children, that I won't gladly see them off to battle. Unless you intend to invite the right of conscription." Duncan stepped back raising his palms up, as a sign of peace.
"Have no fear, while we need as many good recruits as we can find. I have no intention of forcing the issue." Father nodded to Duncan as an acceptance of his apology, before turning to me again.
"Pup can you insure seeing to Duncan's requests while I'm gone."
"Of course."
"In the mean time find Fergus and tell him to lead the troop to Ostragar, ahead of me."
"Do you know where he is?"
"Upstairs in his chambers, no doubt. Spending some last moments with his wife an son." Father brushed some hair away from my cheek " Be a good lass and do as I ask, We'll talk soon." placing a kiss on my forehead as I turned to leave.
As I walked down the hall with Duncan's words running through my mind. Candidate to be a Grey Warden, that was something I could get my teeth into. I rounded the corner Ser Gilmore called out to me.
"There you are, Your mother told me the Teyrn had summoned you. So I didn't want to interrupt." Ser Gilmore was a loyal man, but I'd notice over the last few years, had become more bashful when talking to me.
"Hello Ser Gilmore."
"Pardon, my abruptness, my lady. It's simply I've been looking everywhere for you. I fear your hound has the kitchens in uproar once again." a nervous look passed his face "Nan is threatening to leave."
"Ruffles got into the larder again."
"No matter how the maids try to keep him out, it always finds a way in. You know these Malbri hounds. He'll listen to his mistress, but anyone else runs the risk of having an arm bitten off."
"Let's go." I sighed.
"That would be wise." Gilmore turned to lead the way, "Before Nan tears down the walls." it wasn't long before Nan's shouting could be heard coming from the kitchen. I picked up the pace.
"What's the concern?" Gilmore asked after me.
" Lets put it this way, it's Ruffles I'm worried about." Upon walking into the kitchen. Nan could be seen shouting at the larder door.
"What's the matter Nan?" The look on her face told me it was trouble. It was the look I'd seen many times as a child. When I'd done something wrong.
"That blasted hound of yours is in the larder again. The servants are half scared to death."
"I'm sorry Nan. I'll get him." She followed me with her eyes as I walked into the larder. Ruffles was there growling at a bag of flour. "What is it boy." He turned and looked at me, barked before returning to his previous position continuing to growl.
"You need to get him out of there." Ser Gilmore called "Before Nan goes spare."
"Wait he's trying to tell me something." Ruffles lurched himself behind the bag a loud squeak was heard before the crunch of bones. Ruffles remerged with a large rat in his mouth. "There's rats in the larder." I said to Gilmore "Check the place for more." I patted Ruffles on the head. He dropped his prize on the floor. I pulled my dagger from it's sheath, and proceeded to check the larder further. One ran out in front of Gilmore, with a quick flash of his sword, managed to decapitate it. Another shot out, catching it's tail beneath my foot I quickly sliced it in half.
"Anymore?" I asked ruffles, to which he sniffed around, before padding to my side. "Seams there was only a few." Rubbing my trusted friend behind the ear. "Come lets get you out of here, Nan's already going nuts."
"What's has that mutt done now."
"Just clearing out some rats for you."
"RATS." Her features mellowed "Still no excuse for going into the larder. No more bone scrapes for you." Ruffles whinnied and cocked his head. "Don't give me those puppy dog eyes. Oh here you go, Don't say Nan doesn't give you nothing."
"Well if that's all I really should go and find Fergus. I'll take my leave, Nan, Ser Gilmore." I turned to go. "Come on Ruffles." With a playful bark he bounded after me.
Finally making it upstairs I ran into my mother talking to some of the guests who where staying with us.
"Ah here is my lovely daughter. I take it by the presence of that troublesome hound of yours. That the situation in the kitchen is handled?" I smiled at my mother.
"Yes Nan is backing working." My mother seamed to breath a sigh of relief.
"You've always had a way with her. Darling you remember Lady Laundra, Barron Lawences's wife." Lady Laundra smiled warmly at me.
"I think the last time we met at your mother's spring salon." She said
"Of course Lady Laundra it's a pleasure to see you again."
"You're too kind dear girl. I did spend half the salon trying to convince you into marrying my son."
"And made a very poor case for it I might add." A young man said
"You remember my son Darren. He's not married yet either." Darren stepped forward clearly in the same situation as me.
"Don't listen to her, it's good to see you again. My Lady looking as beautiful as ever."
"Why thank you Darren."
"And this is my lady in waiting." Lady Laundra pointed to a young elf girl standing slightly behind Darren. "Do say something Dear." the poor girl seamed anxious.
"It is a great pleasure my lady. You are as pretty as your mother describes." The comment seamed to entertain my mother.
"And she says that after seeing you whack stuffed men in the courtyard, sweating like a mule." Looking down at myself I was still wearing my leather armour, and in urgent need of a bath.
"Your daughter prowess with a blade is most impressive." Darren noted.
"I was quite the battle maiden myself." My mother said as if she was recalling something from her past. "But I think it was the softer arts that let me land a husband." The others took this que and left me and my mother alone.
"You should say goodbye to Fergus why you have the chance."
"Mother did you know we have a Grey Warden staying with us?"
"Yes your father mentioned that. You haven't got it into your head that you want to be recruited?" She gave me a stern look with those words.
"But the Darkspawn have returned?"
"There is enough here, at the castle to occupy you. I don't need you off chasing danger like your brother." I dropped my eyes I just couldn't face her.
"I just have a bad feeling."
"As do I." She placed her hand under my chin "Your father and brother are marching of to fight, Maker knows what. All the assurances in the world don't comfort me. But it wouldn't help us to take up arms and follow." She made me look at her.
"I want to go."
"I know it's difficult to stay in the castle and watch the others ride off. But we must see to our duties first. You do understand don't you."
"What if they fall without me?"
"It's all in the Makers hands now. We must cope the best we can." I pulled away.
"I Should go." She pulled me into a hug.
"I love you my Darling girl. You know that don't you." Smiling at her and twirled round on the spot.
"I'm hardly a girl."
"Indeed I turned around and here you are a fine young woman, in your own right. But that doesn't mean I have to like it. Go do what you must then. I'll see you soon." I kissed her on the cheek before heading off to find Fergus.
Author's notes Please let me know what you think